Modular Conveyor Mat Hinge Pin Driving Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modular plastic conveyor mats face challenges in providing driving locations that ensure effective force transmission, cleaning, and compatibility with existing conveyor tracks, especially with small pitch hinge pins, limiting their utility.
Innovation Solution
The conveyor mat is driven directly on hinge pins, utilizing staggered rows of hinge loops with eccentrically positioned hinge holes for dual driving locations, allowing for efficient force transmission and easy cleaning, and accommodating various drive wheel types through optimized outer and inner driving faces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a driving location is provided on modular conveyor mat modules, then force transmission is improved, but the modules become difficult to clean and their utility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge loop is segmented into multiple parts (first hinge loop part, second hinge loop part) that can be independently configured. This segmentation allows the driving location to be positioned on one part while keeping other parts accessible for cleaning, thus resolving the contradiction between force transmission and cleanability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the module are given different functional qualities: the first hinge loop part contains the driving location optimized for force transmission, while the second hinge loop part is designed for easy access and cleaning. This local differentiation allows both requirements to be satisfied simultaneously.
2Force
If a driving location is provided on modular conveyor mat modules, then force transmission is improved, but the modules become difficult to clean
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge loop structure is divided into separate parts that can be independently accessed. The driving location is integrated into one part while maintaining clear access to other parts for cleaning operations, thus improving both force transmission and cleanability.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-part hinge loop structure acts as an intermediary that mediates between the driving function and the cleaning function. The first hinge loop part serves as the driving interface while the second part provides cleaning access, allowing both functions to coexist without interference.
3Area of moving object
If hinge pins have small pitch (less than 1 inch), then space utilization is improved, but providing a suitable driving location becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The driving location is positioned in the transverse direction between hinge loop parts rather than along the longitudinal axis. This dimensional shift allows effective driving with small pitch hinge pins by utilizing the transverse space that would otherwise be unavailable.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge loop is segmented into multiple parts with the driving location positioned between them in the transverse direction. This segmentation creates accessible driving locations even when the overall pitch between hinge pins is small, thus reducing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A conveyor, comprising a modular conveyor mat (2) driven by sprocket wheels (19), wherein the conveyor mat is driven by the sprocket wheel on the hinge pins (9). The modular conveyor mat comprises a number of modules (1) successive in conveying direction, which are each provided with a body part extending transversely to the conveying direction and having rows of hinge loops (6) reaching forward and rearward in the conveying direction, wherein the hinge loops of successive modules cooperate and are coupled using hinge pins.