Flatwire Conveyor Belt Flight Attachment via Cross-Rods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing metal flatwire conveyor belt systems face challenges in effectively and cost-effectively incorporating flights, as traditional methods like welding compromise the belt and are costly, while bolting methods can compromise cleanliness and sanitation.
Innovation Solution
A customizable flatwire conveyor belt system with flights that have tabs matching the lateral member lengths of the belt pickets, allowing for secure attachment using cross-rods, reducing manufacturing costs and improving assembly efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If flights are welded directly to the flatwire, then the attachment strength is improved, but the flatwire becomes compromised and welds become prone to degradation due to loading and fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces cross-rods as intermediary components that connect flights to the flatwire belt through a modular assembly system. Instead of directly welding flights to the flatwire, cross-rods serve as mediators that join the flight brackets to the belt's cross-rod structure, thereby preserving flatwire integrity while achieving secure flight attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The flight attachment system is segmented into separate modular components: flight brackets with tabs, cross-rods, and the flatwire belt with pickets. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function without compromising the others, enabling the flight to be attached through the cross-rod structure rather than direct welding to the flatwire.
2Strength
If flights are bolted to the flatwire using common hardware or clamping components, then the attachment effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing costs increase and belt cleanliness and sanitation are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The cross-rods serve multiple functions: they are integral structural components of the flatwire belt that provide rigidity and support, and simultaneously serve as the attachment mechanism for the flights. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate bolts, clamps, or fasteners, reducing manufacturing complexity and maintaining belt sanitation by avoiding external hardware that could trap contaminants.
3Adaptability or versatility
If customized belt configurations are used to accommodate application-specific requirements, then the adaptability is improved, but the complexity of incorporating and attaching flights becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The flatwire belt is pre-configured with cross-rods at specific intervals and the flights are pre-fabricated with tabs designed to fit between the pickets. This preliminary preparation of the belt structure and flight components simplifies the assembly process, as the flight tabs can be directly inserted and secured to the cross-rods without requiring complex customization or additional attachment steps.
Data Source
AI summary
A flatwire conveyor belt system that can include a flatwire belt with a plurality of flatwire pickets wherein each individual flatwire picket has a plurality of longitudinal members and a first plurality of lateral members extending between and connecting the plurality of longitudinal members. Each of the first plurality of lateral members can have a first lateral member length, and the plurality of longitudinal members and the first plurality of lateral members can define a first flatwire belt portion. A flight with a set of tabs defining a tab distance can be affixed to the flatwire belt, and the tab distance can be substantially similar to the sum of the lateral member lengths of at least a portion of the first plurality of lateral members.