Conveyor Wheel Support Segmentation for Easier Maintenance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conveying mechanisms in reverse vending machines are prone to dirtiness and complex maintenance due to integrated wheel supports, leading to increased maintenance difficulty and transmission errors.

Innovation Solution

A multifunctional conveying device with a flexible axle for transmission and separate driving and driven wheel supports, allowing independent maintenance and simplified assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If an integrated support structure is used for mounting driving and driven wheels, then the structural compactness is improved, but the maintenance complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural compactnessVSAvoidmaintenance complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated support structure is segmented into separate driving wheel support and driven wheel support components. This allows the driving wheels and driven wheels to be maintained independently without disassembling the entire support structure, resolving the contradiction between structural compactness and maintenance complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a cross universal shaft is used for transmission, then the transmission function is achieved, but transmission errors occur due to angular misalignment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission functionVSAvoidtransmission accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

A flexible coupling is introduced as an intermediary element between the driving shaft and driven shaft. This flexible coupling compensates for angular misalignment while transmitting rotational motion, eliminating transmission errors caused by angular misalignment while maintaining the transmission function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If the driving and driven wheels are mounted on an integrated support, then the structural simplicity is improved, but the maintenance time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidmaintenance time
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is divided into modular segments (driving wheel support and driven wheel support) that can be independently accessed and maintained. This segmentation allows maintenance personnel to service specific wheel assemblies without disassembling the entire support structure, significantly reducing maintenance time while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If the driving wheels are subjected to greater and faster wear, then the driving function is maintained, but the maintenance frequency increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriving functionVSAvoidmaintenance frequency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The driving wheel support is designed as a separate, easily accessible module that can be quickly removed and serviced. This segmentation enables rapid replacement of worn driving wheels without affecting other components, maintaining the driving function while reducing overall maintenance frequency through efficient servicing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4524065B1Multifunctional conveying device
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 TOMRA RECYCLING TECH (XIAMEN) CO LTD
  • EP4524065B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4524065B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4524065B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Provided is an improved multifunctional conveying device, comprising a V-shaped main frame where one conveyor belt is provided on a left portion and a right portion, driven wheels are mounted at one end, and driving wheels driven by a driving mechanism are mounted at the other end. Driving wheel supports are provided on two sides of the end mounted with the driving wheels, and driven wheel supports are provided at the end mounted the driven wheels; the driven and driving wheels are mounted on the main frame by the supports, and the driving wheels are in transmission connection by a flexible axle. The flexible axle is used instead of a cross universal shaft to simplify overall assembly and synchronize transmission speeds of left and right wheels. The separately mounted supports enable separate maintenance of driving and driven wheels without overall disassembly and facilitate maintenance by maintenance personnel.