Driven Double-Arm Roller for Uniform Conveyor Belt Bonding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing roller systems for joining polymer-based objects, such as conveyor belts, are cumbersome to handle and require significant effort to apply even pressure, especially on large surfaces, leading to inconsistent adhesion quality.

Innovation Solution

A roller system with two arms connected via a connecting piece, featuring a driven roller with a roughened surface and an adjustable electric drive, allowing for precise control of speed and pressure distribution, enabling easy movement and even pressure application across large surfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a manual roller system is used for joining polymer-based objects, then the device structure remains simple, but the user effort required to apply even pressure increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroller system structureVSAvoiduser effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the purely manual mechanical roller system with an electrically driven system. The electric drive unit (16) provides powered rotation of the roller (5), eliminating the need for users to manually push and apply pressure to large conveyor belt surfaces, thus reducing user effort while maintaining structural feasibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a hydraulic pressing device (7) with a pressure screw (8) to generate and apply pressing force to the roller arms (1, 2). This hydraulic/mechanical force multiplication system enables even pressure distribution across large surfaces without requiring proportional user effort, resolving the contradiction between simple structure and ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Ease of operation

If manual pressure application is used, then the device remains simple to operate, but the pressure distribution uniformity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation simplicityVSAvoidpressure distribution uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The electric drive unit (16) replaces manual roller operation, providing controlled, consistent rotation that ensures uniform movement across the bonding surface. This powered delivery mechanism maintains constant speed and pressure application, achieving even pressure distribution while keeping the interface simple

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The hydraulic pressing device (7) with pressure screw (8) provides mechanically amplified, uniformly distributed pressing force across the roller arms (1, 2). This system automatically distributes pressure evenly across the entire bonding surface area, achieving manufacturing precision in pressure application while requiring minimal user effort

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Reliability

If a driven roller with roughened surface is used, then the adhesion quality improves, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesion qualityVSAvoidroller surface treatment
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The roller (5) is provided with a roughened surface specifically at the bonding contact area to enhance adhesion. This localized surface treatment applies the complexity only where needed for adhesion quality, while the rest of the roller structure remains simple and easy to manufacture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The roller combines a basic cylindrical structure with a modified surface layer or coating that provides the roughened texture. This composite approach maintains the simplicity of the base roller while adding the adhesion-enhancing surface characteristic, balancing manufacturing complexity with reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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

The system simplifies the handling of roller systems by reducing user effort and ensuring consistent adhesion quality across polymer-based objects, particularly suitable for conveyor belts with rubber coverings, by allowing for precise control of speed and pressure, even on smooth surfaces.

Implementation Method 1

the effective surface of the driven roller is designed as a running surface having a roughened surface profile in order to increase friction. This makes it possible to carry out an even rolling process even over very smooth surfaces. the roughened surface profile prevents the driven roller from spinning, so that a smooth movement is ensured.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3177853B1Double-acting roller
Publication Date: 2022.01.05 REMA TIP TOP AG
  • EP3177853B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3177853B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3177853B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a roller for generating pressure when joining polymer-based materials, in particular conveyor belts. For this purpose, the roller has two arms (1, 2) that are joined to one another via a joining piece. Respective roller parts (4, 5) are provided at the free ends of the arms, coming into contact with the materials to be joined, and transmitting the pressure into the joining site. The pressure of the roller parts is generated via a pressure device (7) pressing on the arms. For a movement in relation to the materials to be joined, a roller part (5) is driven by a drive (6).