Conveyor Belt Guide Mechanism for Width and Drift Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current guide systems for conveyor belts fail to effectively correct deviations in both the direction and width of the conveyor belt, leading to inaccuracies in the positioning of decorative elements on ceramic tiles.
Innovation Solution
A guide system comprising first and second guides, connected by a transmission kinematic mechanism, which allows for symmetrical movement to align the conveyor belt with a predefined advancement direction, adapting to variations in width and edge deviations through movable guides and an actuator-driven mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If rails or lateral guides are located at a distance to enable passage of sections with maximum width, then the conveyor belt can pass through, but sections with minimum width are not effectively guided
Solution Approach 1:
The guide system employs movable guides that can dynamically adjust their position along the conveyor belt width. The guides are mounted on sliding mechanisms that allow them to move laterally, enabling the system to adapt to both maximum and minimum width sections of the conveyor belt while maintaining effective guiding contact throughout the entire width range.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide system is divided into multiple independent guide elements rather than a single fixed structure. This segmentation allows each guide element to independently adjust to local width variations, providing continuous guidance across the entire conveyor belt width while accommodating overall width changes.
2Stability of the object's composition
If fixed guides are used to contain directional errors, then directional stability is improved, but the system cannot adapt to width variations
Solution Approach 1:
The guide system transitions from fixed to dynamic positioning, where guides can move laterally along the conveyor belt width while maintaining their stabilizing function. This dynamic capability allows the guides to follow width variations and keep the conveyor belt centered without compromising directional stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide system acts as an intermediary between the conveyor belt's variable width and the fixed infrastructure. By providing a movable interface, the guides translate the belt's width variations into guide position adjustments while maintaining stable alignment with the printing head and predefined route.
3Ease of manufacture
If the conveyor belt edges are not perfectly rectilinear and parallel, then manufacturing is easier, but positioning precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The guide system incorporates feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor the conveyor belt's position and width variations. Based on this feedback, the movable guides automatically adjust their positions to compensate for edge irregularities, ensuring that the belt maintains accurate positioning despite manufacturing imperfections in the edges.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide system is designed to automatically compensate for edge irregularities without requiring external intervention or complex control systems. The movable guides self-adjust to the actual belt width and position, effectively correcting manufacturing variations through their inherent mechanical design.
Data Source
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AI summary
Guide system for a conveyor belt, comprising: a first guide (2) and a second guide (3), each of which is arranged to be positioned in contact with a respective side of the conveyor belt (T); two transmission kinematic mechanisms (4) which connect the first and the second guide (2,3) to one another; an actuator (5), arranged to exercise a direct thrust orthogonally to the longitudinal plane (P) on at least one between the first and the second guide (2,3); characterised in that: the transmission kinematic mechanisms (4) are arranged at a certain distance from one other and aligned along the advancement direction (X); each transmission kinematic mechanism (4) comprises a first connecting rod (20) and a second connecting rod (30); the first guide (2) is connected to the first connecting rods (20) of the two kinematic mechanisms (4) at a plurality of axes of rotation (a,e) aligned along a direction parallel to an advancement direction (X) of the belt (T).