Loosely Arranged Drivers for Bulk Material Conveyor Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing conveyor devices for bulk materials, such as tubular chain conveyors, face challenges including complex maintenance due to damaged drivers, length adjustment difficulties, and inability to adjust filling levels, leading to increased costs and reduced throughput.
Innovation Solution
A conveyor device design featuring loosely arranged drivers within a conveying channel, allowing for easy replacement and length adjustment, along with a guide mechanism to minimize damage and a drive system that exerts force parallel to the channel axis, enabling efficient and cost-effective operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If drivers are mounted on a cable in a conventional conveyor device, then the conveyor can transport bulk material along curved pipes, but the replacement of damaged drivers becomes complex and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor system is segmented into modular drivers that can be independently replaced. Each driver is a discrete unit that can be accessed and replaced without affecting the entire conveyor system, enabling simple maintenance while preserving the curved pipe transport capability
Solution Approach 2:
The drivers are designed to be loosely arranged rather than rigidly fixed, allowing them to move freely along the conveying channel axis. This dynamic arrangement enables easy replacement by simply removing and repositioning individual drivers without complex disassembly procedures
2Adaptability or versatility
If a cable with mounted carriers is used as a traction element, then bulk material can be conveyed, but length adjustment of the conveyor becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor system uses a dynamic arrangement where drivers are loosely positioned rather than fixed to a rigid cable structure. This allows the effective conveyor length to be adjusted by adding or removing drivers along the conveying channel, providing adaptability without complex mechanical adjustments
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor is divided into discrete driver units spaced along the conveying channel. The length of the conveyor can be adjusted by changing the number of drivers or their spacing, allowing flexible adaptation to different installation requirements without redesigning the entire traction system
3Adaptability or versatility
If drivers are rigidly positioned in the conveying channel, then stable conveyance is achieved, but the filling level of the conveyor cannot be adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The drivers are arranged loosely rather than rigidly fixed, allowing them to move freely along the conveying channel axis. This dynamic positioning enables adjustment of the filling level by changing driver spacing or number, while the loose arrangement naturally accommodates variations in bulk material volume without compromising conveyance stability
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows changing the parameter of driver spacing and positioning along the conveying channel. By adjusting these parameters, the filling level can be optimized for different operational requirements while maintaining reliable bulk material conveyance through the flexible driver arrangement
Data Source
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AI summary
The conveying device (1) according to the invention has a conveying channel (4). The conveying channel (4) is formed in particular as a conveying pipe (5). At least one carrier (2) is arranged in the conveying channel (4). In particular, at least two carriers (2) are arranged in the conveying channel (4). The conveying device (1) has at least one drive for driving the at least one carrier (2) in order to convey bulk goods along a conveying channel axis. The at least one carrier (2) is loosely arranged in the conveying channel (4) at least in some sections along the conveying channel axis.