Flexible Conveyor Hitch Mechanism for Tight Corner Spillage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible conveyor systems in mining operations experience material spillage at very tight corners due to gaps forming between the tail of one conveyor module and the head of another, despite existing solutions like curved steel tracks and rolling hitch devices.
Innovation Solution
A flexible conveyor system with a hitch mechanism that pivotally couples supply and receiver modules using planar inner and outer concentric rings able to rotatably slide relative to each other, allowing for up to 60° pivoting and minimizing gaps between modules, thereby reducing spillage at tight corners.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional hitch mechanisms with curved steel tracks and rolling hitch devices are used, then the conveyor system can navigate corners, but material spillage occurs on very tight corners due to gaps forming between modules
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by using concentric circular arcs for the hitch arms instead of straight lines or simple curved tracks. The inner and outer hitch arms follow concentric circular paths centered on the pivot axis, allowing the conveyor modules to maintain continuous material flow even when navigating very tight corners. This curved geometry eliminates gaps that would otherwise form between modules at sharp angles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements nesting by placing the inner hitch mechanism (inner hitch arm and inner concentric ring) inside the outer hitch mechanism (outer hitch arm and outer concentric ring). The inner components are nested within the space defined by the outer components, creating a compact dual-ring structure that enables both modules to pivot while maintaining material containment.
2Stability of the object's composition
If conveyor modules are coupled with rigid hitch mechanisms, then structural stability is maintained, but the system cannot pivot on tight corners without creating gaps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the hitch mechanism capable of rotation about a vertical pivot axis. The concentric rings can rotate relative to each other, allowing the receiver module to pivot relative to the supply module. This dynamic capability enables the system to adapt to tight corners while the concentric circular geometry maintains structural stability during pivoting motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the pivoting function and material containment function into a single integrated hitch mechanism. The concentric circular arcs of the hitch arms simultaneously provide the pivot path for module rotation and define the material passage path, eliminating the need for separate pivoting joints that would create gaps.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the hitch mechanism allows large pivoting angles, then tight corner navigation is improved, but material spillage increases without proper containment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the concentric circular arcs as an intermediary structure between the supply and receiver modules. These arcs define a controlled material passage path that mediates the material flow during pivoting. The material follows the curved path defined by the concentric rings, preventing spillage even when large pivoting angles are required for tight corner navigation.
Solution Approach 2:
The concentric circular geometry of the hitch arms creates a curved material passage that naturally contains material during pivoting. The circular arcs ensure that material remains contained within the defined path regardless of the pivoting angle, preventing spillage while allowing the necessary range of motion for tight corner navigation.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a flexible conveyor system. The system includes a supply conveyor module and a receiver conveyor module. A hitch mechanism is provided for pivotally coupling the supply conveyor module to the receiver conveyor module about a pivot axis so that the receiver conveyor module receives conveyed material from the supply conveyor module proximal to the pivot axis. Advantageously, the receiver conveyor module receives conveyed material from the supply conveyor module proximal to the pivot axis which impedes spillage between the adjacent conveyor modules on very tight corners.