Foldable Conveyor Segmentation for Movable Material Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing movable material processing apparatuses face challenges with complex and time-consuming mechanical linkages in foldable conveyors, which limit their usability and require additional space during transport, especially when designing apparatuses with side-discharging capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A foldable conveyor system with a loading block and discharge block that are pivotally coupled along separate axes, allowing for simplified and more durable folding mechanisms, enabling multiple folding procedures and reduced overall dimensions during transport, while maintaining the discharge functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a foldable conveyor is used to discharge material from the movable material processing apparatus, then the apparatus can be moved to different locations, but the mechanical linkage required to move the conveyor from operating position to transport position becomes complicated and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemobility of apparatusVSAvoidcomplexity of mechanical linkage
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The foldable conveyor is divided into multiple segments (first foldable section and second foldable section) that can be independently folded along different axes. The first foldable section folds along a first axis perpendicular to the transport path, while the second foldable section folds along a second axis parallel to the transport path. This segmentation allows each section to be folded separately, simplifying the overall folding mechanism and reducing mechanical complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The conveyor design incorporates dynamic folding capabilities where the conveyor can transition between operating position and transport position through controlled movement along defined axes. The pivot points and foldable sections enable the conveyor to adapt its configuration dynamically, allowing smooth transition without complex mechanical linkages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Volume of moving object

If the foldable conveyor is folded upwardly to reduce transport dimensions, then the overall height is reduced, but a lot of height space is required even when a telescope conveyor is used

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoverall dimensions during transportVSAvoidheight space required
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of folding the conveyor purely upward (vertical dimension), the design incorporates folding along two different axes: the first foldable section folds along a first axis perpendicular to the transport path, and the second foldable section folds along a second axis parallel to the transport path. This multi-dimensional folding approach distributes the folding action across different spatial dimensions, reducing the height space required during transport while still achieving compact dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Volume of moving object

If upwardly-folding conveyors are used, then the conveyor can be folded to reduce space, but space for transport position is limited and a lower side conveyor transport position is needed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace for transport positionVSAvoidavailability of folding space
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The conveyor is segmented into a first foldable section and a second foldable section that can be folded independently along different axes. This segmentation allows the conveyor to be folded in a manner that accommodates limited space, with the first section folding perpendicular to the transport path and the second section folding parallel to it, enabling compact storage in constrained environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The dynamic folding mechanism allows the conveyor to adapt to limited space by transitioning through controlled movements along defined axes. The pivot points and foldable sections enable the conveyor to achieve a compact transport position even in constrained spaces, maintaining ease of operation through predictable and controlled folding motion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If upwardly-folding conveyors are used, then the conveyor can be folded, but the upward-folding approach severely limits the options available when designing a movable material processing apparatus as screens, conveyers, feeders and other units cannot extend too far out towards the side

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign options of apparatusVSAvoidspace above conveyor
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The conveyor folding mechanism utilizes folding along two different axes rather than purely upward folding. The first foldable section folds along a first axis perpendicular to the transport path, and the second foldable section folds along a second axis parallel to the transport path. This multi-dimensional approach frees up space above the conveyor during operation, allowing screens, conveyers, feeders and other units to extend further out towards the side without interfering with the folding operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3768621B1Movable material processing apparatus comprising a foldable conveyor
Publication Date: 2022.04.20 METSO OUTOTEC FINLAND OY
  • EP3768621B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3768621B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2e
  • EP3768621B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The disclosure relates to a movable material processing apparatus for handling material such as ore, gravel, rock or the like, comprising: a foldable conveyor for discharging material from the apparatus, wherein said foldable conveyor is movable between a transport position and an operating position, said foldable conveyor comprising a loading block arranged at the loading end, and a discharge block extending from said loading block towards a discharge end, wherein said discharge block is pivotally coupled to said loading block along a first axis being perpendicular to a transport path of the foldable conveyor and parallel with a carrying surface of the foldable conveyor, and wherein said loading block is pivotally coupled to a support structure of said movable material processing apparatus along a second axis being parallel to said transport path.