Conveyor Assembly with Selectively Inflatable Bladder Drive and Brake
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyor systems face challenges in efficiently transferring sets of vehicle tires from a feed conveyor to a destination conveyor, particularly when multiple sets are present, requiring precise control to deliver one set at a time while accumulating others.
Innovation Solution
A conveyor assembly featuring a series of rollers supported by side frames, with a drive system using a selectively inflatable bladder and elastomeric sleeve to rotate rollers and a brake system employing a selectively inflatable bladder and fixed elastomeric band to stop rollers, allowing for controlled movement and accumulation of tires.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional conveyor system is used to transfer multiple sets of tires, then the conveyor can transport tires, but it cannot precisely control the delivery of one set at a time while accumulating others
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor system is divided into multiple independently controllable zones, each with its own drive and brake systems. This segmentation allows different sections to operate independently - one zone can deliver tires while another accumulates them, enabling precise control over tire flow without compromising overall productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor employs dynamically adjustable drive and brake systems that can be activated or deactivated for specific zones based on real-time needs. This dynamic control allows the system to switch between delivery and accumulation modes in different sections, achieving both precision control and high efficiency
2Ease of operation
If the conveyor delivers one set of tires at a time to the destination conveyor, then precise control is achieved, but the remaining tire sets must accumulate on the feed conveyor
Solution Approach 1:
The system adds a spatial dimension to tire management by creating multiple zones along the conveyor path. Instead of single-point control, different zones can simultaneously handle different tire sets at different stages (delivery vs. accumulation), effectively managing quantity through spatial distribution
3Quantity of substance
If multiple tire sets are present on the conveyor, then more product can be transported, but controlling delivery of one set at a time becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the conveyor into multiple zones with independent control, the system manages multiple tire sets through distributed control rather than centralized management. Each zone handles a portion of the total load, reducing the complexity burden on any single control point while maintaining the ability to transport large quantities
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
Enables precise control over the movement and accumulation of tires, ensuring efficient transfer of one set at a time while allowing for flexible handling of multiple sets, enhancing operational efficiency in tire transportation.
Implementation Method 1
inflation of the bladder pushes the moving belt against one or more of the rollers for their rotation
Implementation Method 2
inflation of the bladder pushes the fixed elastomeric band against one or more of the rollers for stopping its rotation
Data Source
AI summary
A conveyor assembly includes a series of rollers for conveying a product to one or more product operations. A pair of spaced apart side frames support the series of rollers spanning between the frames. A drive system is associated with one or more rollers of the series of rollers and includes a selectively inflatable bladder, an elastomeric sleeve and a moving belt, wherein inflation of the bladder pushes the moving belt against one or more of the rollers for their rotation. A brake system is associated with one or more of the series of rollers and includes a selectively inflatable bladder and a fixed elastomeric band, wherein inflation of the bladder pushes the fixed elastomeric band against one or more of the rollers for stopping its rotation.