Conveyor Roller Protective Cap for Moisture Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conveyor rollers and systems are vulnerable to damage from dirt and liquids, particularly corrosive and conductive liquids, which can cause short circuits, malfunctions, rust, and corroded contacts, especially when transporting containers that may leak during transport.

Innovation Solution

A protective cap with a disk-shaped first section and a roof-like second section protects the internal components of the conveyor roller and electrical connection box from liquids, while a guide device or fastening device, such as a groove or cable clamp, secures the connection cable, preventing abrasion and ensuring effective moisture protection without additional seals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional conveyor rollers are used without additional protective measures, then the structure remains simple, but the components are vulnerable to moisture damage, short circuits, and corrosion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against moisture damageVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective cap integrates multiple functions: it protects the roller bearing, seals the connection box, and guides the connection cable, combining several protective elements into a single integrated component that reduces overall system complexity while enhancing reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective cap serves multiple purposes simultaneously: mechanical protection of the roller bearing, sealing of the connection box against moisture, and cable guidance through integrated grooves, making it a multi-functional component that addresses multiple vulnerability points

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If seals are added at connection points to prevent moisture ingress, then protection against corrosion improves, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against corrosionVSAvoidnumber of seals required
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective cap combines the sealing function with the cable guide and mechanical protection functions, eliminating the need for separate seals at the connection box while maintaining effective moisture protection through its integrated design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If the connection cable is allowed to move freely, then ease of connection improves, but the cable is susceptible to abrasion and damage from rotation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable protection against abrasionVSAvoidcable routing flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The protective cap incorporates flexible grooves that guide and constrain the connection cable, protecting it from abrasion while allowing sufficient flexibility for connection and disconnection operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentEP3055233B1Conveyor roller and conveyor system with moisture protection
Publication Date: 2018.03.07 TGW MECHANICS GMBH
  • EP3055233B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3055233B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3055233B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Disclosed is a conveyor roller (1) which comprises a shaft (2), a roller body (3) which is mounted such that it can be rotated about the shaft (2), and a protective cap (4). The protective cap (4) has a disk-shaped first section (5) for covering the interior of the roller body (3), which is arranged fixedly with respect to the shaft (2) and is oriented normally with respect thereto, and a channel-like or roof-like second section (6) which is arranged obliquely with respect to the shaft (2) and runs over a part length of the roller body (3) such that it is spaced apart radially from the latter. Furthermore, a conveyor system (12) with a conveyor roller (1) is disclosed, in which conveyor system a connecting cable (7) of the conveyor roller (1) is run in a curve or a loop to an electrical interface (8, 17) with a connector box (15) of the conveyor system (12), wherein the lowest point of the curve/the loop is located below said interface (8, 17).