Conveyor Scraper Assembly with Rotational Bias
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyor belts in foodstuff preparation and cooking systems often experience issues with food products sticking to them, leading to adherence and inefficient product removal during transportation.
Innovation Solution
A product removal system comprising a blade and a guide mechanism that maintains contact with the conveyor belt, allowing for consistent and adjustable positioning of scraper assemblies to effectively remove stuck products without interfering with the conveyor operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a blade is provided adjacent to the conveyor belt to remove stuck products, then product removal efficiency is improved, but the complexity of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The scraper assembly is designed to automatically maintain contact with the conveyor belt through its own weight and rotational bias, eliminating the need for external actuation mechanisms. The assembly self-adjusts to belt irregularities and maintains consistent scraping pressure without requiring motors, sensors, or control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade is extracted as a separate, independently adjustable component that can be positioned and biased separately from the conveyor belt system. This allows the scraping function to be added without complicating the core conveyor mechanism, as the blade operates independently with its own mounting and adjustment apparatus.
2Reliability
If the blade position is made adjustable to accommodate irregular belt operations, then reliability of product removal is improved, but the complexity of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The scraper assembly is designed with rotational freedom about a horizontal axis, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position and orientation in response to conveyor belt irregularities. This dynamic adaptation ensures continuous contact and reliable product removal without requiring complex positioning mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The assembly uses gravitational force and rotational bias as counterbalancing elements to maintain consistent contact pressure between the blade and conveyor belt. The weight of the assembly itself provides the necessary force to keep the blade engaged with the belt surface, eliminating the need for additional actuation forces.
3Productivity
If multiple scraper assemblies are used to handle different positions on the conveyor belt, then product removal coverage is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The product removal system is divided into multiple independent scraper assemblies that can be distributed at different positions along the conveyor belt. Each assembly operates independently with its own mounting and adjustment mechanisms, allowing comprehensive coverage while maintaining simplicity at the individual component level.
Solution Approach 2:
The scraper assembly design is universal and can be replicated at multiple positions along the conveyor belt without modification. Each assembly performs the same scraping function and can be independently adjusted, allowing the system to handle various belt configurations and product types with a standardized component design.
Data Source
AI summary
A product removal method that includes providing a blade adjacent a conveyor belt along a path of the conveyor belt and operating the conveyor belt. A product removal system that has a rod oriented generally parallel to a conveyor drum is disclosed. A frame is rotatably carried by the rod and has a first portion extending adjacent a conveyor belt curved path and a second portion extending adjacent a return plane of the conveyor belt. A blade is adjacent the first portion. A product removal system for an oven is disclosed that has scraper assemblies rotationally biased about an axis of rotation.