Hydraulic Telescopic Conveyor Support Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Telescopic conveyors experience undesirable bending and uneven weight distribution during extension and retraction due to gravitational and environmental forces, leading to strain on the frame and reduced operating lifetime.
Innovation Solution
A support assembly featuring at least two spaced apart bearings coupled with a hydraulic reservoir that distributes load evenly by transmitting force through hydraulic fluid, using hydraulic actuators and a flexible container to maintain uniform load distribution and prevent bending.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the inner frame is extended fully, then the conveyor can transport material over longer distances, but the inner frame deflects or bends due to weight and environmental forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a hydraulic support assembly with a piston-cylinder arrangement to provide active support to the inner frame during extension. The hydraulic system generates sufficient support force to counteract gravitational and environmental forces, preventing frame deflection while allowing full extension. This resolves the contradiction by introducing a hydraulic mechanism that maintains frame stability throughout the extension range.
2Device complexity
If conventional roller support is used, then the structure remains simple, but the load distribution becomes uneven causing strain on the frame
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the simple roller support with a hydraulic support assembly comprising a piston, cylinder, and hydraulic fluid. This more complex arrangement actively manages load distribution by providing controlled support forces that prevent frame bending and strain. The hydraulic system ensures uniform load distribution across the frame, thereby improving reliability and durability while accepting increased structural complexity.
3Device complexity
If the support assembly uses only gravity-based roller support, then the system remains passive and simple, but contact between frame and rollers becomes uneven during movement
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic support assembly actively maintains uniform contact between the inner frame and support rollers through controlled hydraulic pressure. The piston-cylinder arrangement provides adjustable support forces that ensure consistent contact throughout the extension and retraction movements. This active hydraulic control compensates for variations in load and position, maintaining manufacturing precision in contact uniformity while accepting the added complexity of the hydraulic mechanism.
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 ensures uniform load distribution across the conveyor frame, reducing wear on components and maintaining contact between the inner frame and bearings, thereby extending the operational lifetime and improving movement stability.
Implementation Method 1
a reservoir of hydraulic fluid, the bearings being coupled to the reservoir to impart force to and receive force from the hydraulic fluid, the reservoir being configured to transmit force received from any one of said bearings to at least one other of said bearings by said hydraulic fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A support assembly for a telescopic conveyor may be provided. The assembly may include at least two spaced apart bearings and a reservoir of hydraulic fluid, the bearings being coupled to the reservoir to impart force to and receive force from the hydraulic fluid. The reservoir may be configured to transmit force received from any one of the bearings to at least one other of the bearings by the hydraulic fluid. The assembly can distribute uneven loads amongst the bearings thereby maintaining contact between the bearings and the conveyor, and reducing wear on the bearings and associated components.