Flexible Mat Vibratory Conveyor for Material Distribution and Adhesion Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vibratory conveyors lack the ability to influence material distribution within the conveyor trough and suffer from undesirable adhesion of materials to the conveyor surface, leading to increased strain and the need for frequent manual cleaning.
Innovation Solution
The vibratory conveyor features traverses with a central height profile that create a distribution contour in the mat, dividing the material flow into lateral partial flows, and generates movements and accelerations to prevent adhesion, while the oscillating frame's relative movement to the base frame ensures effective conveying and reduced adhesion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the conveying trough is made as a simple flexible mat without additional structures, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to influence material distribution within the trough is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The conveying trough is segmented into multiple mat sections that can be independently connected to different crossbeams. This segmentation allows each section to be controlled separately, enabling material distribution influence while maintaining overall structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
Crossbeams with central height profiles act as intermediaries between the rigid frame and the flexible mat. These crossbeams transmit and shape the oscillating movements to the mat sections, enabling material distribution control without directly complicating the mat structure itself.
2Productivity
If the mat sections are alternately tensioned and relaxed to generate conveying movements, then the conveying effectiveness is improved, but material adhesion to the trough surface increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mat sections are subjected to periodic tensioning and relaxation cycles that create oscillating conveying movements. This periodic action maintains conveying effectiveness while the continuous motion prevents material from settling and adhering to the trough surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The alternating tensioning and relaxation of mat sections generates mechanical vibrations and accelerations that actively prevent material adhesion. The vibratory movements keep the conveyed material in constant motion, reducing its tendency to stick to the trough surface.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If crossbeams are added to support the mat at intervals, then the mat service life is extended, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mat is divided into multiple sections with connection points at regular intervals, allowing crossbeams to support only specific segments. This segmentation reduces the span between supports, decreasing stress on the mat and extending its service life while limiting the number of crossbeams to essential locations only.
4Device complexity
If the connection points are spaced further apart, then the device complexity is reduced, but the mat stress increases reducing service life
Solution Approach 1:
Connection points are strategically positioned at locations where the mat experiences optimal support and stress distribution. The spacing and positioning are optimized to provide adequate support without excessive crossbeam density, balancing structural requirements with service life extension.
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
This design allows for controlled material distribution, reduces adhesion, and extends the lifespan of the conveyor trough, minimizing downtime and increasing operational efficiency by reducing the need for frequent cleaning.
Implementation Method 1
The vibrating frame can be set in such a direction of oscillation by means of the vibratory drive that mat sections adjacent to each other along the length of the conveying trough are alternately tensioned and released in opposite directions
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a vibratory conveyor (1) with a base frame (2), a vibrating frame (3) which is mounted on the base frame (2) and can be vibrated relative to the base frame (2) by means of a vibratory drive (5), and a conveyor trough (4) which is made of a continuous flexible mat (40). The flexible mat (40) which forms the conveyor trough (4) is alternately connected to the base frame (2) and the vibrating frame (3) at connection points (14, 14') which are mutually spaced when seen in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor trough (4). A respective mat portion (40.1, 40.2) lies between each pair of connection points (14, 14') adjoining each other in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor trough (4). The vibrating frame (3) can be vibrated relative to the base frame (2) by means of the vibratory drive (5), and mat sections (40.1, 40.2) adjoining one another in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor trough (4) are thus alternately stretched and slackened in push-pull mode.