Modular Conveyor Mat with Metal Hinge Loops for Tunnel Pasteurizer Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing modular conveyor mats, especially those used in heavily loaded tunnel pasteurizers, lack sufficient strength and stability, which can lead to inefficiencies in product conveyance and water usage.
Innovation Solution
A modular conveyor mat design featuring a sheet metal body part with transverse projections forming hinge loops and a plastic cover, providing high tensile strength and a supporting conveying surface, with features like parallel grooves for product handling and drainage, and a secure connection to minimize thermal stress and facilitate easy assembly and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If plastic modules are used in modular conveyor mats, then cost price and light weight are reduced, but tensile strength and stability are insufficient for heavily loaded tunnel pasteurizers
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor mat uses a composite structure combining a metal base structure with plastic product carriers attached to it. The metal base provides the necessary tensile strength and stability for heavily loaded applications, while the plastic carriers provide product handling capabilities. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by integrating materials with complementary properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor mat is divided into modular sections where metal base modules are separately manufactured and then assembled with plastic product carriers. This segmentation allows optimization of each component for its specific function while maintaining overall system performance.
2Strength
If hybrid conveyor mats with metal base structure and plastic product carriers are used, then tensile strength is improved, but construction complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hybrid conveyor mat is designed as modular segments with standardized metal base modules and plastic product carriers that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This segmentation reduces construction complexity by allowing separate optimization and assembly of components.
Solution Approach 2:
The metal base structure is designed with universal connection features that can accommodate different plastic product carrier configurations. This universality simplifies the overall construction by allowing the same base module to work with various carrier types.
3Strength
If known hybrid conveyor mats are used, then tensile strength is partially improved, but strength is still not sufficiently strong for heavily loaded applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure with a metal base structure specifically designed to provide high tensile strength for heavily loaded applications. The metal base acts as a tension-bearing element that complements the plastic product carriers, achieving the necessary strength level for reliable operation in tunnel pasteurizers.
Solution Approach 2:
The metal base structure is strategically positioned and designed to concentrate strength where tensile forces are highest, particularly in the regions where product carriers are attached and where the conveyor mat experiences maximum stress during operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A module for a modular conveyor mat includes a substantially flat metal body part having front and rear sides extending transversely to a conveying direction (P). Projections spaced apart by intermediate spaces form hinge loops attached to the body part. A plastic cover forming a conveying surface is attached to the body part and extends over and around at least one of the hinge loops. The invention also relates to a modular conveyor mat, comprising a multiple number of the modules.