Conveyor Body Pivoting Mechanism for Transport Width Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing conveyor bodies for mineral material processing plants are complex and costly to manufacture due to the need for numerous precise welding jigs and parts, which complicates the manufacturing process and increases costs, especially when adapting for different-sized plants.
Innovation Solution
A conveyor body design featuring a middle section with converging vertical side plates and integrated hydraulic cylinders allows for pivoting to a vertical transport position, reducing the overall width and enabling transportation without exceeding standard vehicle dimensions, utilizing a bolted structure for easier assembly and hot dip galvanizing, and reducing the number of welded parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the conveyor body uses a traditional welded structure with multiple tube parts and plate parts, then the structural integrity is maintained, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor body is divided into modular sections (first section, second section, third section) that can be manufactured separately and assembled together. Each section has standardized connection interfaces with pivot axes, allowing flexible assembly while maintaining structural integrity. This segmentation reduces manufacturing complexity by enabling parallel production of identical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor body design uses universal connection elements and standardized pivot axis locations that can accommodate different configurations and sizes. The same basic structure can be adapted for various plant sizes through modular assembly, eliminating the need for custom welding jigs for each configuration and reducing overall manufacturing complexity.
2Productivity
If the side conveyor is positioned in its operational location, then the material handling efficiency is improved, but the transportation width exceeds standard vehicle dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor body incorporates pivot axes that allow dynamic repositioning of conveyor sections between operational and transportation positions. The first and second sections can be pivoted relative to each other, and the third section can be pivoted independently, enabling the structure to adapt its configuration based on whether it is being used or transported, thus resolving the contradiction between operational efficiency and transportation constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor sections are designed to nest together in a compact configuration during transportation. The first, second, and third sections can be folded or pivoted into a nested arrangement that reduces the overall width to fit within standard vehicle dimensions, while maintaining the full operational span when deployed at the processing plant.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple different-size modifications are made for different processing plants, then the adaptability is improved, but the manufacturing time and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor body is segmented into standardized modules that can be assembled in different quantities and configurations to match various plant sizes. This allows a single standardized design to serve multiple applications without requiring custom manufacturing for each size, thereby reducing manufacturing time while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The design employs universal connection standards and interchangeable components that work across all plant sizes. The same basic section design can be used in small, medium, or large plants by simply varying the number of sections assembled, eliminating the need for size-specific modifications and reducing manufacturing complexity.
4Manufacturing precision
If precise welding jigs are used for each conveyor section, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the equipment cost and setup time increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the conveyor into standardized sections with identical connection interfaces, the need for multiple different precision jigs is eliminated. A single jig design can be used to manufacture all sections, as they are repeats of the same basic unit, thereby reducing equipment requirements while maintaining consistent precision across all sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The design uses standardized pivot axis locations and connection parameters that remain constant across all sections. This standardization allows the use of fixed, repeatable manufacturing processes and jigs rather than requiring custom precision equipment for each section, reducing both equipment complexity and cost while maintaining manufacturing precision.
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
This design simplifies manufacturing, reduces costs, and facilitates quality control by standardizing parts, allowing for easier storage, finishing, and transportation, while maintaining structural integrity and efficiency in transporting the conveyor body.
Implementation Method 1
a first hydraulic cylinder is connected to the middle section to pivot the middle section around the first pivot axis
Implementation Method 2
a second hydraulic cylinder is connected to the middle section to pivot the head section around the second pivot axis
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A conveyor body (100) for a mineral material conveyor includes a middle section (102) having a first end (102') and a second end (102''), and a first pivot axis (40) passes through the first end (102') of the middle section (102), and the middle section (102) is arranged to be pivoted around the first pivot axis (40) from an operation position of the conveyor to a transport position and back to the operation position, and a second pivot axis (50) passes through the second end (102'') of the middle section (102) to pivot a head section (103) sideways around the second pivot axis (50) from the operation position of the conveyor which head section (103) is connectable to the middle section (102) through the second pivot axis (50), wherein the middle section (102) includes a top plate (1), a bottom plate (2), and vertical side plates which are fixed between the top plate (1) and the bottom plate (2). A mineral material processing plant is also disclosed.