Friction Measurement Disk with Rounded Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for measuring the coefficient of friction between conveyor belts and containers in bottling plants are unreliable and require frequent recalibration due to wear and environmental factors like humidity, making it difficult to maintain precision over time.
Innovation Solution
A measurement system comprising a stainless steel disk with rounded elements that floats on the conveyor belt, paired with load cells to measure the thrust force, allowing for precise and durable friction coefficient measurement regardless of wear or humidity conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a container or product is used as the measurement sample on the conveyor belt, then the measurement can be performed in actual operating conditions, but the measurement sample wears easily and rapidly, losing reliability over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a disk that copies the essential friction characteristics of actual containers without being a container itself. The disk has a bottom surface with rounded elements that simulate the contact geometry of container bottoms, allowing it to replicate friction behavior while being made of durable material that doesn't wear like actual containers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameters of the measurement sample from soft container materials (glass, plastic) to a hard, wear-resistant disk material. This parameter change allows the measurement sample to maintain its friction characteristics over time without wearing down, while the rounded elements on the disk bottom surface preserve the essential geometry needed for accurate friction measurement.
2Measurement precision
If the measurement system is recalibrated frequently to maintain precision, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but productivity and operational efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system is designed to be self-calibrating through the use of a standardized disk with known geometric parameters. The rounded elements on the disk bottom surface provide consistent, repeatable contact characteristics that inherently reference the friction measurement, eliminating the need for frequent external recalibration while maintaining precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the measurement system is made adaptable to different container types, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The disk is designed as a universal measurement tool that can measure friction for different container types without requiring different measurement devices. The rounded elements on the disk bottom surface can simulate various container geometries, and the disk can be used with different container types (bottles, cans, jars) while maintaining measurement accuracy, thus achieving multi-functionality without increasing device complexity.
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
The system provides a reliable and precise measurement of the coefficient of friction that remains consistent over time, unaffected by wear or environmental conditions, and can simulate the behavior of various container types with adaptable rounded element configurations.
Implementation Method 1
a pair of load cells operatively associated with the abutment elements and with the disk, adapted to measure a thrust force exerted by the disk on each load cell by effect of the relative sliding of the conveyor belt with respect to the disk
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
Measurement system (10) for measuring the coefficient of friction on a slidable conveyor belt (N) in a direction of movement (x) and related method, the system comprising: a disk (12), which is placed floating on the conveyor belt (N), and which has a bottom surface (12a), wherefrom projects at least one rounded element (22) that rests on said conveyor belt (N), having such a shape that, regardless of the relative orientation of the disk (12) with respect to the conveyor belt (N), at least one rounded element (22) extends along a direction (d) that is not parallel to the direction of movement (x) of the conveyor belt (N); a pair of abutment elements (14) adapted to maintain the disk (12) fixed with respect to the direction of movement (x) of the conveyor belt (N); and a pair of load cells (16) operatively associated with the abutment elements (14) and with the disk (12), able to measure a thrust force exerted by the disk (12) on each load cell by effect of the relative sliding of the conveyor belt (N) with respect to the disk (12).