Overhead Conveyor Friction Driver Slope Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing overhead conveyor systems face issues with driver engagement on slopes, where the spring-loaded friction drivers experience reduced force, leading to unwanted slippage, and cannot allow manual speed adjustments or freewheeling.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a pivotable friction arm assembly with a high-friction shoe that maintains or increases contact force on inclined sections, allowing slippage when needed and providing reliable drive force on slopes by adjusting the center of gravity and using a preload spring to ensure controlled engagement and disengagement with the drive belt.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a spring-loaded friction driver is used to allow slippage with the drive belt, then manual speed adjustments and freewheeling are enabled, but the upward-directed component of spring force decreases on slopes reducing drive and braking force
Solution Approach 1:
The driver is designed with a pivotable arm that allows dynamic adjustment of the friction surface orientation. When the carrier is on a slope, the arm pivots to maintain the friction surface perpendicular to the drive belt, ensuring the full spring force is directed into the belt for maximum drive force. On flat sections, the arm can pivot to allow slippage and manual speed adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The orientation angle of the friction surface is changed dynamically based on slope conditions. The pivotable arm mechanism allows the friction surface to be oriented perpendicular to the drive belt on slopes (maximizing force transmission) while allowing different orientations on flat sections (enabling slippage and manual adjustment).
2Force
If a spring-loaded pin with positive engagement is used to provide high drive force and braking force on slopes, then reliable force transmission is achieved, but freewheeling and manual speed adjustment are prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between positive engagement mode (pin engaged in holes) for high force transmission on slopes and friction engagement mode (friction surface contact) for freewheeling and manual adjustment on flat sections. The pivotable arm mechanism enables this dynamic switching based on operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The driver is designed to perform multiple functions: it can provide positive engagement for high drive and braking forces, friction engagement for slippage and manual speed adjustment, and controlled disengagement for freewheeling. This multi-functional design resolves the contradiction between force transmission and operational flexibility.
3Force
If the friction driver contact surface is kept vertical for optimal force transmission, then drive force is maximized on flat sections, but contact force decreases on inclined sections leading to unwanted slippage
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotable arm mechanism allows the friction surface to dynamically adjust its orientation. On flat sections, the surface remains vertical for optimal force transmission. On inclined sections, the arm pivots to keep the friction surface perpendicular to the drive belt, maintaining maximum contact force and preventing slippage.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design ensures reliable drive force on slopes while allowing slippage when obstructed, preventing unwanted force transmission and enabling manual speed adjustments, reducing wear, and maintaining efficient operation by adjusting friction force based on load and slope conditions.
Implementation Method 1
means which maintain or increase the contact force when a driver is in contact with an inclined portion of a drive belt
Implementation Method 2
a friction driver comprising an essentially flat upper surface adapted to be brought into frictional engagement with the drive belt
Data Source
AI summary
An overhead conveyor system with an elongate box girder (9) having a first inner space with rails (12) and a second elongate inner space comprising an endless driven drive element (5, 6) is provided with at least one carrier (14, 14′) adapted to run on said rails (12) wherein said carrier is provided with an elongated body (C) supporting at least one friction driver (15), wherein said at least one friction driver is in the form of a friction arm assembly (19) with an upper end (20), a lower end (21) and an intermediate portion (22) between said upper and lower ends, said upper end comprising a friction shoe (25) adapted to be pressed upwards by the force of gravity towards engagement with the drive element (5) so as to transfer drive to the carrier.