Conveyor Roller Torque Transmission Shrink-Glued Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyor rollers in the food processing industry face challenges in terms of cleanliness, contamination risk, and cost-effectiveness, particularly when exposed to spray or jet water, as existing solutions do not adequately address the need for easy cleaning, reduced soiling, and flexible adaptation to different applications.
Innovation Solution
A conveyor roller design featuring a roller body with a cavity, bearing shafts, and a torque transmission element materially and non-positively connected to the outer surface, using a shrink-glued connection with adhesive and projections/recesses, and an electric drive unit with a stator and rotor, along with axial end caps formed from a hardened casting compound for enhanced cleanability and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a conventional conveyor roller design is used, then the structure is simple and production cost is low, but the cleanability is poor and contamination risk is high when exposed to spray or jet water
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor roller is divided into modular components: a roller body, a torque transmission element, and sealing elements. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for both manufacturing ease and cleanability, while enabling complete disassembly for thorough cleaning in hygienic environments
Solution Approach 2:
Sealing elements are introduced as intermediary components between the roller body and torque transmission element. These seals prevent water and cleaning agents from penetrating into internal cavities, thereby protecting the internal structure while maintaining simple external geometry that is easy to clean
2Reliability
If the torque transmission element is positively connected to the roller body, then the torque transmission is secure, but the disassembly and cleaning process becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the torque transmission element and roller body is made dynamically adjustable through reversible fastening mechanisms. This allows the connection to be secure during operation (positive connection) while enabling easy disassembly for cleaning by simply removing fasteners, without requiring forceful separation or specialized tools
3Power
If the conveyor roller is designed for high torque transmission, then the drive power is sufficient, but the structure becomes complex and production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The torque transmission element is made from composite materials or optimized metal alloys that provide high strength-to-weight ratio. This allows the element to transmit high torque through its outer surface without requiring complex internal reinforcement structures, maintaining simple geometry that is easy to manufacture and clean while achieving the required power transmission
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 provides a conveyor roller that is easier to clean, less susceptible to dirt and contamination, and cost-effective, with the ability to adapt to various applications through modular torque transmission elements, ensuring high-pressure cleaning suitability and reduced production costs.
Implementation Method 1
an adhesive is arranged between an inner surface of the torque transmission element and the outer surface of the roller body
Implementation Method 2
a shrink-glued connection with adhesive and projections/recesses
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a conveyor roller for an environment loaded with cleaning fluid, in particular spray water and/or jet water, and to a method for producing such a conveyor roller. The conveyor roller (1, 101, 201, 301) comprises a roller body (10, 110, 210, 310) having a cavity formed therein, a first bearing shaft (21, 121, 221, 321) and a second bearing shaft, and a torque transmission element (30, 130, 330) arranged on the outer surface of the roller body, wherein the torque transmission element is connected to the outer surface of the roller body by a material bond and in a form-fitting manner.