Multi-Layer Conveyor Belt Combining Flexibility and Flame Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Pouch conveyor belts face challenges in balancing high dynamic requirements with the need for flame resistance, as materials with high flexibility for dynamic loads compromise on flame resistance, and vice versa, leading to microcrack formation and reduced longevity.

Innovation Solution

A conveyor belt design featuring a first layer with high flexibility on the running side, a second layer with high flame resistance on the carrying side, and optionally a third flexible layer, allowing for a sandwich structure that combines dynamic performance with flame resistance by using suitable materials and minimizing halogenated plasticizers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If materials with high flexibility are used for dynamic loads, then the conveyor belt can withstand acceleration and bending, but flame resistance is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedynamic performanceVSAvoidflame resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The conveyor belt is divided into multiple layers with distinct functions: flexible rubber layers (SBR, NBR, or CR) for dynamic performance and flame-resistant layers (aromatic polyamide or polyacrylonitrile) for fire protection. This segmentation allows each layer to optimize its specific property without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite material construction combining rubber-based flexible materials with flame-resistant synthetic materials. The multi-layer structure creates a composite belt that exhibits both high flexibility for dynamic loads and adequate flame resistance for safety requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If flame-resistant materials are used, then safety requirements are met, but flexibility and dynamic performance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflame resistanceVSAvoiddynamic performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Flame-resistant materials are applied locally in specific layers rather than throughout the entire belt structure. The flexible rubber layers maintain their dynamic properties while flame-resistant layers are positioned to provide protection without interfering with the bending and stretching requirements of the conveyor belt operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional single-layer designs are used, then manufacturing is simple, but the belt fails to meet both dynamic and flame resistance requirements simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidcombined performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The conveyor belt is segmented into multiple functional layers that can be manufactured separately and then bonded together. This modular approach maintains manufacturing simplicity while achieving the complex performance requirements of both flexibility and flame resistance that a single-layer design cannot provide.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9771219B2Conveyor belt with high flexibility and at the same time high flame resistance

Publication Date: 2017.09.26 CONTITECH DEUTSCHLAND GMBH

AI summary

A conveyor belt, in particular a pouch conveyor belt, with a first layer, which comprises a material with high flexibility, and to a conveying installation, in particular a pouch conveying installation, with such a conveyor belt.