Conveyor Roller Group Segmentation for Low Dynamic Pressure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing transport systems for piece goods experience high dynamic pressure, leading to increased restraining forces and inefficiencies, especially when handling heavy or bulky items.

Innovation Solution

A transport track with independent rollers at the ends of a group, rotationally coupled by a transmission element such as an endless belt, which slows down or stops if one roller is braked by cargo, reducing dynamic pressure and conveying force along the transport path.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a common drive belt drives multiple transport rollers with frictional engagement, then the transport system can handle heavy piece goods, but high dynamic pressure builds up when goods backlog occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorque transmission capabilityVSAvoiddynamic pressure
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The transport system is divided into groups of rollers that are rotationally coupled by transmission elements (belts or chains). Each group operates semi-independently, allowing localized braking without transmitting high dynamic pressure throughout the entire system. This segmentation isolates the effect of backed-up goods to specific roller groups rather than propagating force through all rollers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Transmission elements (belts or chains) are introduced as intermediaries between the drive belt and individual rollers. These intermediaries allow torque transmission while accommodating relative motion, enabling rollers to slow down or stop without creating excessive friction forces when goods backlog occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If transport rollers are directly driven by friction from the drive belt, then the structure is simple, but restraining forces increase significantly when piece goods backlog

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrive mechanism structureVSAvoidrestraining forces
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

Transmission elements serve as intermediaries between the drive belt and rollers, allowing torque transmission while permitting controlled slippage. This intermediary mechanism reduces the direct frictional engagement between drive belt and rollers, thereby lowering restraining forces when goods backlog occurs while maintaining adequate drive capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from static frictional engagement to dynamic transmission through belts or chains. The transmission elements allow the system to adapt its torque transmission characteristics based on load conditions, enabling smoother operation during backlog situations without requiring complex additional braking mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Stability of the object's composition

If all rollers are rotationally coupled by a transmission element, then uniform speed is achieved, but the system cannot handle variable load conditions efficiently

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransport speed uniformityVSAvoidload condition adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The roller system is segmented into multiple groups, each rotationally coupled by its own transmission element. This allows each group to maintain uniform speed internally while different groups can operate at different speeds or stop independently based on local load conditions, providing both uniformity within groups and adaptability across the system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rotational coupling system allows dynamic adjustment of operational states. When goods backlog occurs in one area, the affected roller group can slow down or stop while other groups continue operating, enabling the system to adapt to variable load conditions while maintaining speed uniformity within each operational group.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 achieves low dynamic pressure, ensuring uniform transport speed regardless of item weight or size, and allows for efficient handling of both heavy and light goods by using gravity and dual drive mechanisms on inclined conveyors.

Implementation Method 1

a transmission element wrapped around the rollers or rollers of this group

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

a torque limiter in each case in the power flow between the common drive means and the rollers or rollers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 3

the effect of gravity due to the slightly sloping roller conveyor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP2507149B1Conveying system for piece goods
Publication Date: 2014.02.12 DYNAMIC SYST ENG
  • EP2507149B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2507149B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2507149B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a transport conveyor for piece goods, having rollers or cylinders (2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4) disposed along the transport conveyor on parallel bearing axes, of which at least a partial quantity can be rotated by means of a common drive means, preferably a drive belt (31). A torque limiter is disposed in the force flow between the common drive means (31) and each of the rollers or cylinders. In order to achieve a transport conveyor working at a low back pressure due to succeeding piece goods, a group (51) of sequential rollers or cylinders (2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4) is rotationally coupled by a transmission element (50) wound about the roller or cylinders of said group (51). An endless belt is preferably used as the transmission element, said belt being guided about the cylindrical transport surface of the rollers or cylinders (2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4).