Conveyor Roller Removal Tool with Biasing Collar
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyor system rollers are difficult to efficiently and safely remove and replace due to the common use of flat tip screwdrivers, which often slip and pose a risk of injury to workers.
Innovation Solution
A tool with a housing assembly, protrusion assembly, and biasing member that moves between positions to securely engage and remove rollers from a roller bed assembly, preventing slipping and injury.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a flat tip screwdriver is used to actuate the roller component, then the roller can be removed from the roller bed, but the screwdriver slips and causes injury to workers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a specialized tool as an intermediary device between the worker and the roller component. This tool includes a probe member with a tip portion that engages with the roller's actuation mechanism, and a collar assembly that provides a safe interface for the worker to apply force. The tool mediates the interaction by providing both effective engagement with the roller and a safe interface for the worker, eliminating the need to use screwdrivers directly on the roller components.
2Productivity
If multiple attempts are made with a screwdriver to remove a roller, then the roller may eventually be removed, but the process is inefficient and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The tool is designed to enable the roller component to be removed through a single, straightforward action. The collar assembly with its cavity receives the roller, and the probe member directly actuates the roller's actuation mechanism, allowing the roller to be removed in one attempt without requiring multiple tries or adjustments, thereby significantly improving efficiency and reducing time loss.
3Reliability
If a specialized tool is designed to prevent slipping and injury, then worker safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tool is segmented into distinct functional components: a handle assembly for worker grip, a collar assembly with a cavity for receiving the roller, and a probe member with a tip portion for actuating the roller. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity. The modular design makes the tool easier to manufacture, assemble, and maintain, offsetting the complexity with functional clarity and manufacturing efficiency.
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 tool allows for efficient and safe removal and replacement of conveyor system rollers, reducing the risk of worker injury and improving maintenance efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member disposed in the housing assembly and configured to bias the collar assembly away from the base member and to the first position
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for a conveyor system is disclosed. The apparatus has a housing assembly, a protrusion assembly including a base member and a probe member, the base member being attached to the housing assembly, a collar assembly that is movably attached to the housing assembly and movable between a first position and a second position, and a biasing member disposed in the housing assembly and configured to bias the collar assembly away from the base member and to the first position. A tip portion of the probe member is disposed in the collar assembly in the first position and the tip portion protrudes out of the collar assembly in the second position. The collar assembly includes a collar end cavity that is configured to receive a conveyor component of the conveyor system.