Mobile Conveyor Support Station With Rotating Anti-Jam Guard
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mobile belt conveyor systems require complex and space-intensive maintenance procedures to access and replace rollers, which can be hazardous and inefficient due to the need to lift the moving belt and manage anti-entrapment protections.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates movable anti-entrapment profiles that rotate to create space between the conveyor belt and rollers, allowing for easy disassembly and replacement of rollers without the need to lift the belt, utilizing a lever-type tool to move the profiles between operational and maintenance positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If the belt is lifted to access rollers for maintenance, then the rollers become accessible for replacement, but the maintenance process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-jamming protection is designed to be movable rather than fixed. It can be shifted from a first position during operation to a second position during maintenance, allowing the belt to remain in place while providing access to rollers. This dynamic repositioning eliminates the need to lift the belt for maintenance operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The maintenance process is segmented into independent steps: first shifting the anti-jamming protection to the second position, then accessing and replacing rollers, and finally returning the protection to the first position. This segmentation allows maintenance operations to be performed without moving the belt, reducing overall maintenance time and complexity.
2Ease of repair
If the belt is lifted to replace rollers, then the rollers can be removed from the frame, but the maintenance procedure becomes more hazardous
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-jamming protection is designed with dynamic positioning capability, allowing it to be shifted to a second position that provides safe access to rollers without requiring belt suspension. This eliminates the safety hazards associated with lifting and supporting the belt during maintenance operations.
3Reliability
If fixed anti-jamming protection is used, then safety is maintained during operation, but maintenance access is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-jamming protection is designed to dynamically change position between a first operational position that ensures safety during belt movement and a second maintenance position that provides access to rollers. This dynamic capability allows the same component to fulfill both safety and maintenance access requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable anti-jamming protection serves multiple functions: it provides anti-entrapment safety during operation when in the first position, and it provides maintenance access when shifted to the second position. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate safety and maintenance access mechanisms.
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 simplifies the maintenance process by minimizing the space required and reducing the risk of accidents, enabling quicker and more efficient roller replacement and maintenance operations while maintaining safety and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a lever-type tool to move the profiles between operational and maintenance positions
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a mobile belt conveyor support station (20), comprising: at least one belt guide roller (51); a support frame, the guide roller being rotatable relative to said frame; and an anti-jamming guard, comprising at least one profile (61) disposed along the associated roller; the profile or profiles having a front edge (68) extending substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction. The profile or profiles (61) are rotatable relative to the frame, about an axis (67) substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the associated roller, between a first and a second position, the front edge (68) of said profile being closer to the associated roller in the first position than in the second position.