Conveyor Belt Link With Metallic U-Body and Polymeric Ends
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyor belt links used in the food industry face challenges such as difficult maintenance, noise due to metal components, fragility of polymeric links, limited mechanical stiffness, high cost, and susceptibility to breakage under high loads, especially in positive drive belts.
Innovation Solution
A connection link with a metallic U-shaped main body and polymeric-covered end sections, featuring a U-shaped design with inclined segments, slits for rod insertion, and a reinforcement wall for increased stiffness, providing a stable and permanent connection between metallic and polymeric materials, reducing noise and weight while enhancing mechanical resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If steel links are used, then high tensile load resistance is achieved, but maintenance becomes difficult and noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The link is divided into a metal body providing structural strength and a polymeric coating providing noise reduction and ease of maintenance. The coating can be replaced independently of the metal body, simplifying maintenance while preserving the load-bearing capacity of the steel structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The link combines metal and polymeric materials to achieve both high strength and low noise. The metal body withstands tensile loads while the polymeric coating reduces friction noise and simplifies maintenance operations.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If polymeric links are used, then noise is reduced and maintenance is simplified, but mechanical resistance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The link is divided into a metal body providing structural strength and a polymeric coating providing noise reduction and ease of maintenance. The coating can be replaced independently of the metal body, simplifying maintenance while preserving the load-bearing capacity of the steel structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The link combines metal and polymeric materials to achieve both high strength and low noise. The metal body withstands tensile loads while the polymeric coating reduces friction noise and simplifies maintenance operations.
3Weight of moving object
If polymeric links are used, then weight is reduced, but mechanical stiffness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The link combines metal and polymeric materials to achieve both high strength and low noise. The metal body withstands tensile loads while the polymeric coating reduces friction noise and simplifies maintenance operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A link for connecting supporting members used in conveyor belts, each supporting member being provided with a straight rod and the conveyor belt having a motion transmission member, includes a substantially U-shaped main body configured to be removably anchored to a respective straight rod. The main body is made of a metallic material and has a closed front portion and an open back portion provided with a pair of mutually facing end sections. At least one of the end sections is covered with a polymeric material and joined therewith in a permanent manner, a portion of the outer surface of the polymeric material covering the end section being adapted to selectively interact with the motion transmission member. A supporting member for a conveyor belt, and a method of making a connection link for supporting members of conveyor belts.