Conveyor Belt Scraper Blade Leaf Spring Suspension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional conveyor belt cleaning devices face inefficiencies due to clinging material reducing blade pressure and increasing wear, and risk of damage from re-strikes by obstructions, leading to potential belt cutting and maintenance challenges.
Innovation Solution
A conveyor belt cleaning system featuring a leaf spring system with multiple leaf springs and a scraper blade, allowing for flexibility and automatic re-engagement with the belt to minimize damage and maintain contact pressure, incorporating a bellowed or stepped profile to absorb deflections and reduce stress concentrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If the scraper blade is designed with rigid structure to maintain contact pressure, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the device cannot accommodate belt motion variations and obstructions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a multi-leaf spring suspension system that allows the scraper blade to dynamically adjust its position and maintain contact pressure despite belt motion variations, obstructions, and wear. The spring system provides controlled flexibility while maintaining consistent cleaning force.
Solution Approach 2:
The leaf spring system changes its structural parameters (deflection, curvature) in response to operational conditions, allowing the blade to adapt its position and maintain optimal contact pressure throughout the range of motion required to accommodate belt variations and obstructions.
2Productivity
If the blade is designed to return to engagement after being struck by obstructions, then cleaning continuity is improved, but belt damage risk increases due to amplified return force
Solution Approach 1:
The leaf spring system acts as a cushioning mechanism that absorbs the impact energy when the blade strikes obstructions like mechanical fasteners. This pre-cushioning prevents the amplified return force that would otherwise cause belt cutting, while still allowing the blade to return to engagement position.
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the harmful impact force from obstruction strikes into beneficial spring deflection and energy absorption. The leaf springs capture the impact energy during deflection and gradually release it, transforming the potentially damaging sudden return force into a controlled, progressive motion that protects the belt.
3Productivity
If operating pressure is increased to compensate for clinging material weight, then cleaning effectiveness is maintained, but device stress increases when material build-up is removed
Solution Approach 1:
The leaf spring suspension system dynamically adjusts the blade position and contact pressure in response to changing loads. When material build-up is present, the springs deflect to accommodate the additional weight without requiring excessive operating pressure. When material is removed, the system gradually returns to engagement, preventing sudden stress spikes.
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 system effectively maintains continuous contact with the conveyor belt, reduces material build-up impact, and minimizes damage from obstructions, enhancing cleaning efficiency and reducing maintenance needs by allowing the scraper blade to re-engage safely and compensate for abrasive wear without altering blade angle or pressure.
Implementation Method 1
the critical active components of the mechanism are prevented from being adversely affected by material build-up, and to minimize the impact of the oncoming cargo
Implementation Method 2
one or more blades disposed in a plane transverse to the conveyor belt which are urged toward the belt so as to cause engagement of the blade, such as on an edge, with the belt surface
Data Source
AI summary
An improved conveyor belt cleaning device and system is described. The conveyor belt cleaning device comprises a frame below a conveyor belt. A leaf spring system is mounted on the frame. At least one arm is mounted on the leaf spring system and a scraper blade is mounted on the arm and arranged to engage with the conveyor belt to remove material from the conveyor belt. Another embodiment improves flexibility and strength of the device and system using a stepped or bellowed portion in the leaf springs.