Friction Drive for Conveyor Carriage Eliminates Rubber Chains
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drive devices for conveyor facilities, such as those used in Split Tray Sorters, are maintenance-intensive and costly due to complex power transmission systems and require extensive components, including rubber block chains, which also obstruct the use of trap door mechanisms for unloading goods.
Innovation Solution
A simplified drive device for conveyor cars that utilizes existing components on the conveyor car as abutments for power transmission, eliminating the need for counter-pressure devices and rubber block chains, and employs a drive surface integrated with the conveyor car for efficient power transfer through frictional means.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rubber block chain with drive belts and counterpressure belts is used to drive the conveyor carriage, then the conveyor carriage can be driven along the conveying line, but the device becomes heavy, maintenance-intensive, and expensive to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the counterpressure belt from the drive transmission system. Instead of using a complex rubber block chain with both drive belts and counterpressure belts, the invention uses a simplified drive belt that is temporarily attached to the conveyor carriage via a friction connection at a notch. This extraction of the counterpressure component directly reduces device complexity while maintaining drive functionality through the friction-based temporary attachment mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a friction-based temporary attachment mechanism as an intermediary between the drive belt and the conveyor carriage. The drive belt is pressed into a notch on the vehicle using a deflection roller, creating a frictional connection that temporarily attaches the drive belt to the vehicle. This intermediary friction connection simplifies the overall drive system by eliminating the need for complex mechanical interlocking mechanisms like rubber block chains.
2Reliability
If a rubber block chain is used along the entire conveyor line, then the conveyor carriage can be driven, but the space below the conveyor carriage is traversed by the rubber block chain, complicating or preventing the use of trap door mechanisms for downward sorting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the drive mechanism from the space below the conveyor carriage. By using a drive belt that is temporarily attached to the top surface of the conveyor carriage at a notch, the drive system no longer requires the rubber block chain to traverse the space below the carriage. This extraction enables the installation of trap door mechanisms and downward sorting equipment in the previously occupied space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent moves the drive mechanism from the vertical dimension (below the conveyor carriage) to the horizontal dimension (at the top surface of the carriage). The drive belt is temporarily attached at a notch on the top surface of the conveyor carriage, changing the spatial arrangement from a below-carriage configuration to a top-surface configuration. This dimensional change frees up the space below the carriage for trap door mechanisms and downward sorting.
3Reliability
If multiple different parts are used in the drive transmission system, particularly the rubber block chain, then the conveyor system can function, but manufacturing costs increase due to the multitude of components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using a single drive belt design that can serve multiple conveyor carriages along the entire conveyor line. The drive belt is temporarily attached to each vehicle via a friction connection at a notch, allowing the same simple drive belt component to universally drive different types of conveyor carriages. This eliminates the need for specialized rubber block chains and multiple different parts, significantly reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining system functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a simple, inexpensive drive belt that is temporarily attached to each conveyor carriage rather than using expensive, complex rubber block chains. The drive belt serves as a temporary, easily replaceable component that can be quickly attached and detached, reducing both manufacturing costs and maintenance expenses compared to durable but expensive rubber block chain systems.
4Force
If a deflection roller is used to press the drive belt into a notch on the vehicle, then frictional connection is created between the vehicle and drive belt, but the drive belt must always have a surface condition that supports the press connection
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor carriage itself provides the notch structure that receives and supports the drive belt. The notch is an integral part of the conveyor carriage design, eliminating the need for external support structures. The self-contained notch design reduces maintenance requirements compared to systems that require external deflection rollers and continuous surface condition monitoring.
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 configuration reduces maintenance effort and production costs, allows for universal application across different conveyor car types, and enables continuous drive operation without gaps between conveyor cars, enhancing the stability and efficiency of the conveyor system.
Implementation Method 1
a drive surface (10) formed on the conveyor carriage (4) is used to drive the conveyor carriage (4)
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a drive device (1) for a conveyor carriage (4) of a conveyor device (2), comprising a drive source (6) for generating a drive force (FTr) and a drive force transmission device (8) for transmitting the drive force (FTr) to a drive surface of the conveyor carriage (4). The conveyor carriage (4) has at least one counter bearing element (12) in particular which is designed as a counter bearing for the drive force transmission device (8).