Conveyor Tail Seal System for Spillage Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyor tail systems face inefficiencies due to back spillage from the tail end of conveyor belts, particularly in vertically loaded systems, where material loss occurs and existing solutions like large tail boxes and seals cause harmonic issues, leading to material trapping and belt wear.
Innovation Solution
A conveyor tail system featuring a seal with a runner and sealing portion, positioned at an obtuse angle, and a clamp assembly with a support plate and compression plate, which forms a gapless barrier conforming to the conveyor belt's bend and trough angles, minimizing spillage and preventing harmonic interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If large tail boxes are installed to capture back spillage, then material loss is reduced, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the sealing function from the large tail box structure and implements it through a separate, flexible seal assembly that can be positioned independently. This allows the seal to be removed or adjusted without affecting the entire tail box system, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining spillage prevention capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a flexible seal assembly with a thin film structure that can conform to the conveyor belt surface and adapt to various angles. This flexible seal replaces the need for large rigid tail boxes, significantly reducing device complexity and installation space requirements while effectively capturing back spillage.
2Loss of substance
If seals are engaged tightly against the conveyor belt to reduce back spillage, then material loss is minimized, but belt wear increases due to cleaning action
Solution Approach 1:
The seal assembly is designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing it to flex and adapt to the moving conveyor belt. The seal maintains sufficient engagement to prevent back spillage while its flexibility reduces the aggressive cleaning action that causes wear. The seal can dynamically adjust its contact pressure as the belt moves and flexes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the engagement parameters of the seal by positioning it at an obtuse angle relative to the runner portion, creating triangular gaps that allow the seal to conform to belt angles. This geometric parameter change enables the seal to maintain effective engagement for spillage prevention while reducing the harmful cleaning effect on the belt surface.
3Loss of substance
If seals are positioned to prevent back spillage, then material loss is reduced, but harmonic vibration occurs causing material trapping
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible seal assembly absorbs harmonic vibrations through its elastic properties, preventing the rigid contact that would cause material trapping. The thin film structure of the seal allows it to flex with vibrations rather than resist them rigidly, eliminating the harmful harmonic effects while maintaining spillage prevention.
4Reliability
If rigid seal structures are used to maintain position, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but adaptability to belt angles decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible seal assembly combines position stability with angle adaptability through its elastic properties. The seal maintains reliable engagement to prevent spillage while simultaneously conforming to various belt angles and curves. The flexibility allows the seal to adapt to different conveyor configurations without compromising sealing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal assembly transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic flexible system that can adapt to changing belt angles and positions. This dynamic characteristic enables the seal to maintain stable engagement while conforming to various conveyor belt geometries, including bends and trough angles.
Data Source
AI summary
A conveyor tail system positioned proximal a chute of a conveyor belt which includes a clamp assembly having a support plate for securing the conveyor tail system to the chute and a compression plate for selective coupling with the support plate. The conveyor tail system further includes a seal for creating a barrier between the clamp assembly and the conveyor belt. The seal defines a runner portion for extending along the conveyor belt, and a sealing portion selectively engageable between the support and a clamp portion defined by the compression plate.