Modular Conveyor Roller Axle Support for Reduced Backline Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modular conveyor belts face challenges in accumulating products without high backline pressure and excessive friction, often requiring large rollers that are not always desired and can lead to pin wear.
Innovation Solution
A modular conveying assembly with active roller control, featuring roller axle supports extending above the module top surface, rotatably coupled to a drive axle with a clutch system that reduces backline pressure and minimizes product-to-product contact during accumulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If rollers are rotatably mounted directly on the hinge pin to reduce backline pressure, then product accumulation is improved, but roller diameter must be large and pin wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the roller support function into two separate components: the hinge pin for connection and the roller axle support for roller mounting. This segmentation allows the roller to be supported above the module top surface without requiring the hinge pin to directly support the roller, thereby reducing the required roller diameter and minimizing pin wear while maintaining accumulation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The roller axle support acts as an intermediary component between the hinge pin and the roller. It extends above the module top surface to provide a mounting location for the roller axle, allowing the roller to be positioned for product engagement without directly loading the hinge pin, thus resolving the contradiction between accumulation effectiveness and component size/wear.
2Ease of operation
If large diameter rollers are used to extend above and below the module, then product engagement is improved, but device complexity and pin wear increase
Solution Approach 1:
The roller axle support provides localized functionality by extending above the module top surface only where needed for roller mounting and product engagement. The roller itself is positioned to engage products above the module surface, eliminating the need for the roller to extend below the module, thus simplifying the overall configuration while maintaining effective product engagement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If modular belt is used for product transport, then flexibility is improved, but backline pressure and friction increase during accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch mechanism provides dynamic control of the roller drive axle, allowing the system to adjust roller rotation during accumulation. This dynamic control reduces backline pressure by enabling the rollers to rotate freely or at reduced speed when products are being accumulated, while maintaining the flexibility of the modular belt configuration for various conveying applications.
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 solution effectively reduces backline pressure and friction during product accumulation, allowing for efficient conveying without the need for oversized rollers and minimizing pin wear, while enabling smooth operation and flexible motion profiles.
Implementation Method 1
high levels of friction typically exist between the modular belt and the products during accumulation
Implementation Method 2
A clutch includes a driven surface fixed to the drive axle, and a driving member that is engageable with the driven surface to rotatably drive the drive axle and the roller
Data Source
AI summary
A modular conveying assembly including a plurality of modules joined together, each module including a bushing housing, a coupling housed in the bushing housing, an axle coupled to the coupling and supported for rotation relative to the module, a drive pin coupled to the coupling, and a driven surface fixed to the drive pin. The modular conveying assembly also including a driving member that is in selective engagement with the driven surface to affect rotation of the axle.