Conveyor Drive Wheel With Mobile Axis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyor systems in airports and industrial settings face challenges with variable resistance forces due to changing loads, leading to oversized motors, increased costs, and uneven wear causing vibrations and maintenance issues.
Innovation Solution
A conveyor system with a rigid support frame, articulated plate-like rest elements, and a transmission wheel with a mobile rotation axis that tilts to maintain consistent contact pressure, adapting to load changes and preventing uneven wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a motor is oversized to handle maximum resistance forces, then the conveyor can operate under all load conditions, but the motor power and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the wheel's rotation axis mobile rather than fixed. The axis can tilt relative to the contact surface normal, allowing the wheel to dynamically adjust its orientation in response to varying resistance forces. This dynamic adjustment enables the wheel to maintain optimal contact pressure without requiring an oversized motor, as the mechanical adaptation occurs automatically through the mobile axis mechanism.
2Force
If the wheel contact pressure is increased to overcome resistance, then thrust force improves, but uneven wear and vibrations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile rotation axis allows the wheel to dynamically adapt its contact pressure to match the actual resistance forces. When resistance is high, the axis tilts to increase contact pressure and thrust force. When resistance is low, the axis returns to a neutral position, reducing contact pressure to minimal necessary levels. This dynamic adjustment prevents the harmful effects of continuously high contact pressure, such as uneven wear and vibrations.
3Device complexity
If fixed contact pressure is used, then the system is simple, but it cannot adapt to variable resistance forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mobile rotation axis that can tilt relative to the contact surface normal, transforming a static system into a dynamic one. This mechanism allows the wheel to automatically adjust its contact pressure in response to varying resistance forces without requiring complex electronic controls or multiple components. The simplicity of the mechanical tilt mechanism provides adaptability while maintaining relatively simple system architecture.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system achieves efficient thrust management, reduces maintenance costs, and ensures smooth operation by self-adapting to resistance variations without electronic controls, maintaining uniform wear and preventing vibrations.
Implementation Method 1
The wheels drag by means of friction (directly or preferably by means of the interpositioning of an additional continuous belt) the chain, consequently moving the principal conveyor belt
Data Source
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AI summary
A conveyor comprising a support frame (2), which has at least one guide (3) that develops along a movement line (4) defining a closed-operating path, a conveyor structure (5) comprising a plurality of rest elements (6) and a plurality of drawing elements (7); the conveyor structure (5) being guided in motion by the guide (3) and being mobile in relation thereto along the movement line (4); the conveyor further comprises a movement system (8) provided with a motor and a drive transmission wheel (10) coupled to the motor and configured such as to be activated in rotation about an axis (11) thereof and to transfer motion to the drawing element (7) of the conveyor structure (5); the rotation axis (11) of the wheel (10) is mobile with respect to the support frame (2) and to the conveyor structure (5); the movement system (8) further comprising a regulating system configured so as to ensure and control contact between the wheel (10) and the drawing element (7); the motor being constrained to a plate (14) tiltingly mobile with respect to the support frame (2), and to the conveyor element (7).