Cross-Cleated Conveyor Belt for Tubular Conveyors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cleated conveyor belts in tubular applications face issues with material loss due to vacuum formation behind cleats at the discharge end and inefficient material transport, particularly in inclined configurations where cleats must be segmented to accommodate curvature, leading to undesirable product migration and damage.

Innovation Solution

A cross-cleated conveyor belt with non-parallel cleat sets and angled cleat members that are offset and oriented non-perpendicular to the belt axis, minimizing vacuum formation and ensuring efficient material transport by maintaining material on the belt center and reducing drag and stress on the belt.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If cleats are arranged perpendicular to the conveyor axis, then material slide is minimized, but vacuum formation behind cleats causes material to be sucked into the belt guard and not discharged properly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial transport efficiencyVSAvoidvacuum formation behind cleats

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by arranging cleats at non-perpendicular angles (e.g., 30-60 degrees) to the conveyor axis rather than perpendicular. This asymmetric arrangement prevents vacuum formation behind cleats while still effectively preventing material slide, resolving the contradiction between transport efficiency and vacuum-induced discharge problems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of the conventional perpendicular cleat arrangement, the patent inverts the approach by using angled cleats that slope backward. This inversion changes the airflow pattern behind cleats, eliminating vacuum formation while maintaining material containment, thus solving the discharge issue

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Adaptability or versatility

If cleats are segmented to accommodate belt curvature in tubular conveyor, then the belt can pass through tubular conduit, but material migration and damage occur due to inefficient transport

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebelt curvature accommodationVSAvoidmaterial transport integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by varying the cleat angle and orientation in different sections of the belt. Cleats are arranged at different angles on different sides of the belt to match the local curvature requirements, ensuring proper material containment and transport integrity while accommodating tubular conveyor geometry

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses dynamics by making the cleat arrangement adaptable to the changing belt curvature. The cleat orientation is designed to dynamically match the belt's shape as it transitions from flat near pulleys to curved in the tubular channel, preventing material migration and damage throughout the conveyor path

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20120285801A1Cross cleated conveyor belt for a tubular conveyor

Publication Date: 2012.11.15 MERIDIAN MFG

AI summary

An improved conveyor belt is provided for use in a tubular conveyor. The belt includes a plurality of cleat sets extending at a non-perpendicular angle across the axis of the belt. Adjacent cleat sets are offset with respect to one another, such that the axis of adjacent cleat sets are non-parallel. Each cleat set includes a plurality of spaced apart, upstanding cleat members. The orientation of the cleat sets helps maintain material toward the center of the belt, while the orientation of the cleat members eliminates vacuum behind the cleat members.