Conveyor Belt Protective Bar Masking Reentrant Angles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyor belt support stations pose a risk to operators due to the movement of rollers, which can jam garments or trap hands in the reentrant angle, and existing anti-jamming protection devices are often expensive and require customization for different conveyor types.
Innovation Solution
A protective bar with a tubular metal core and polyethylene sheath, featuring a cross-section with circularly-arcuate sides matching the rollers' diameter, is extended along the rollers and secured to the frame using fastener plates and screws, providing spacing and curvature matching the cradle, thus masking the reentrant angle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional anti-jamming protection devices are used, then operator safety is improved, but device cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a simple protective bar made of inexpensive materials (metal core with plastic sheath) that can be easily replaced if needed, rather than complex expensive protection systems. The bar is a basic structural element that provides safety without requiring sophisticated mechanisms or expensive components.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective bar's cross-sectional parameters are specifically designed with circularly-arcuate sides having a radius equal to the roller radius, and the bar is positioned at a specific distance from the roller surface. These parameter changes optimize the bar's ability to mask the reentrant angle while maintaining simplicity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional anti-jamming protection devices are used, then operator safety is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective bar is constructed from inexpensive materials including a metal core (such as steel tube) and a plastic sheath, making it much cheaper than conventional protection devices. The simple construction allows for low-cost manufacturing and potential replacement if damaged.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective bar uses a composite structure with a metal core providing structural strength and a plastic sheath providing surface protection and ease of fabrication. This composite approach allows the bar to be manufactured cost-effectively while maintaining the required mechanical properties.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If specialized protection devices are used for different conveyor types, then protection effectiveness is improved, but adaptability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective bar design is universal and can be applied to different conveyor types including belt conveyors, roller conveyors, and inclined conveyors. The bar's simple geometry and mounting method allow it to adapt to various conveyor configurations without requiring specialized designs for each conveyor type.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective bar can be positioned at different locations and orientations depending on the specific conveyor application. The mounting system allows the bar to be adjusted to match the curvature of the conveyor belt and positioned at optimal distances from rollers, providing adaptability to different conveyor geometries.
Data Source
AI summary
A station for supporting a moving conveyor belt (3) includes a cradle (17) for guiding the belt (3), the cradle (17) having at least two rollers (33) for guiding and supporting the belt (3), a frame (15) for supporting the rollers (33), and anti-jamming protection (35) disposed along the rollers (33) and secured to the frame (15). Protection (35) includes a protective bar (36) extending continuously along the length of at least two rollers (33), being substantially parallel to a generator line of each roller (33).