Helical Conveyor With Variable Inclination for Stable Product Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing helical conveyors face challenges in transporting products with varied properties, as they either get stuck due to small inclination angles or achieve undesired high speeds due to large angles, making it difficult to find an appropriate compromise.
Innovation Solution
A helical conveyor with a transport surface having a predefined speed and an inner bend inclination angle greater than 20°, combined with a drivable conveying system, ensures products move downward by gravity or the conveying system, minimizing sticking and high speeds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the inclination angle of the bottom is made large to prevent products from getting stuck, then product flow is improved, but products achieve undesired high speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the inclination angle parameter to be non-uniform along the helical track. Specifically, the inclination angle is larger than 20° at the inner bend to prevent products from getting stuck, while the inclination angle decreases toward the outer bend to prevent excessive speeds. This parameter variation resolves the contradiction between ensuring product flow and controlling speed.
2Speed
If the inclination angle of the bottom is made small to control product speed, then high speeds are prevented, but products may get stuck within the helical track
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a variable inclination angle along the helical track, with the angle being larger than 20° at the inner bend to ensure products do not get stuck, while decreasing toward the outer bend to control speed. This resolves the contradiction by making the inclination angle adaptive to local requirements.
3Device complexity
If a uniform inclination angle is used throughout the helical track, then the structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate products with large variety of properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different inclination angles at different locations along the helical track. The inner bend has a larger inclination angle (>20°) to prevent products from getting stuck, while the outer bend has a smaller inclination angle to control speed. This local variation in inclination angle allows the conveyor to handle products with diverse properties without increasing overall structural 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 solution effectively transports products with diverse properties by ensuring they slide or roll downward at a stabilized speed, preventing sticking and high speeds, while maintaining operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
transporting products in downward direction by means of gravity
Implementation Method 2
products will automatically slide or roll on the bottom in downward direction
Implementation Method 3
A side wall at the outer bend of the bottom prevents products from unintentionally leaving the helical track in outward direction due to centrifugal forces
Data Source
AI summary
A helical conveyor for transporting products in downward direction by means of gravity comprises a frame and a helical track extending around an upright centerline. The helical track is supported by the frame and comprises a bottom for bearing a product. The bottom has an inclination angle in a direction (X) along the helical track. At least a portion of the bottom is formed by a transport surface of a drivable conveying system such that the transport surface has a predefined speed in downward direction (X) along the helical track. The inclination angle at an inner bend of the transport surface of the conveying system is larger than 20°.