Conveyor Roller Reinforcement Element for Compact Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing conveyor rollers have a long press fit that increases their length, making them unsuitable for short designs, and the use of soft plastic head elements can reduce reliability due to deformation under pressure, especially in applications requiring precise torque transmission and stability.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a reinforcement element into the insertion section of the head element with a cylindrical outer surface, which enhances the rigidity and stability of the connection between the head element and the roller body, allowing for a shorter design while maintaining reliability and preventing deformation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a long press fit is used to connect the head element to the roller body, then the connection reliability is improved, but the overall length of the conveyor roller increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidroller length

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcement element is inserted into the hollow end of the roller body before the head element is pressed in. This preliminary placement provides structural support during the pressing operation and enables the use of a shorter press fit length while maintaining connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The reinforcement element is made of a material with different properties (higher rigidity, similar thermal expansion coefficient) than the plastic head element. This composite structure combines the advantages of both materials: the plastic provides damping and the reinforcement element provides dimensional stability and resistance to deformation under pressure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If soft plastic head elements are used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to deformation under pressure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing easeVSAvoidtorque transmission reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The head element combines soft plastic material with a reinforcement element made of a stiffer material. The plastic portion maintains ease of manufacture and damping properties, while the reinforcement element prevents deformation under pressure and ensures reliable torque transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The reinforcement element is strategically positioned within the head element at the insertion section where it connects to the roller body. This localized reinforcement provides the necessary structural integrity at the critical stress point while maintaining the overall simplicity and manufacturability of the plastic head element.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If plastic head elements are used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but dimensional stability worsens at low temperatures due to shrinkage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing easeVSAvoiddimensional stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcement element is made of a material with a thermal expansion coefficient similar to that of the roller body. When the plastic head element shrinks at low temperatures, the reinforcement element compensates for this shrinkage, maintaining the overall dimensional stability of the assembly and preventing gaps or misalignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the thermal parameters of the head element assembly by incorporating a reinforcement element with specific thermal properties. This modifies the overall thermal expansion behavior of the head element, making it more consistent with the roller body across a wide temperature range.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution enables the use of shorter conveyor rollers with improved reliability and precision in torque transmission, suitable for applications requiring compact designs, and prevents shrinkage of plastic head elements at low temperatures by using a reinforcement element with a similar thermal expansion coefficient.

Implementation Method 1

Incorporating a reinforcement element into the insertion section of the head element with a cylindrical outer surface, which enhances the rigidity and stability of the connection

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRigidity enhancement:

Implementation Method 2

prevents shrinkage of plastic head elements at low temperatures by using a reinforcement element with a similar thermal expansion coefficient

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 3

This results in a press fit, so that a transmission of force is generated by means of this press fit between the insertion section and the hollow end of the roller body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS9493305B2Conveyor roller with reinforcement element

Publication Date: 2016.11.15 INTERROLL HLDG

AI summary

The invention relates to a conveyor roller for conveyor installations for the purpose of conveying containers, pallets and the like, comprising a roller body with a roller axis, the outer peripheral area of which represents a bearing surface for items to be conveyed, and a head element that is inserted with an insertion section having a cylindrical outer surface into a hollow end of the roller body, whereby the insertion section of the head element has a reinforcement element.