Conveyor Belt Maintenance Platform With Movable Support Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyor belt maintenance in mining operations often requires removal or significant disruption of the belt for maintenance, posing safety risks to operators and inefficiencies in operation.
Innovation Solution
A conveyor belt maintenance system comprising a support structure with idler rollers and connectors that allow for parallel movement along a track, enabling maintenance to be performed safely and efficiently without removing the belt from the conveyor system, using actuators like winches to create slack in the belt for access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the conveyor belt is removed from the conveyor system for maintenance, then the maintenance operator can safely perform repairs, but the operational efficiency decreases and the belt must be reinstalled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the belt maintenance function from the conventional belt removal process by introducing a maintenance platform that can be positioned beneath the conveyor belt. This allows operators to access and repair the belt while it remains installed on the conveyor system, eliminating the need to completely remove and reinstall the belt.
Solution Approach 2:
The maintenance platform serves as an intermediary structure between the conveyor belt and the maintenance operator. It provides a safe working surface and positioning mechanism that enables repairs without requiring belt removal, thus maintaining operational continuity while ensuring operator safety.
2Ease of repair
If the conveyor belt is removed for maintenance, then repairs can be performed, but time is lost for removal and reinstallation
Solution Approach 1:
The maintenance platform is pre-positioned or quickly movable to the required location beneath the conveyor belt before maintenance is needed. This preliminary positioning eliminates the time-consuming process of belt removal and reinstallation, allowing operators to immediately access and repair the belt.
Solution Approach 2:
The maintenance platform incorporates movable components that allow it to be dynamically positioned along the conveyor system. This dynamic capability enables rapid deployment to different maintenance locations without requiring complete system shutdown or belt removal, significantly reducing maintenance downtime.
3Productivity
If the conveyor system continues operating during maintenance, then productivity is maintained, but the maintenance operator faces safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The maintenance platform acts as a protective intermediary that creates a safe working zone beneath the moving conveyor belt. It provides structural support and positioning that isolates the operator from direct contact with moving belt components, enabling maintenance during operation while mitigating safety hazards.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows the conveyor to continue its self-service operation during maintenance by providing remote access capabilities. Operators can perform repairs from the maintenance platform without shutting down the conveyor, allowing the system to maintain its productive function while undergoing necessary maintenance.
Data Source
AI summary
A conveyor belt maintenance system and methods of use thereof are disclosed herein. The conveyor belt maintenance system comprises a support structure for supporting a portion of a belt of a conveyor the support structure comprising a frame, an idler roller supported on the frame, and one or more connectors coupled to the frame. The support structure further comprises a track coupled to the connectors. The idler roller is configured to engage and support the portion of the belt. The connector coupled to the track is configured to facilitate movement of the support structure along the track in a direction parallel to the belt of a conveyor.