Luffing Conveyor Belt Path Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyors used for stacking sensitive materials like agglomerated ore face issues with material degradation and spillage due to high drop heights, especially at large luffing discharge angles, and existing luffing conveyor designs often require complex and costly mechanisms to reduce drop height.
Innovation Solution
A conveyor apparatus with a moveable head portion and frame portions that adjust the conveying path, eliminating the need for a fixed bend pulley, allowing for adjustable drop height and reduced material loss by maintaining belt traction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a hinged luffing conveyor with a bend pulley is used to reduce drop height, then material degradation is reduced, but the conveyor belt transitions over a short distance causing material to lift off and lose traction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the conveyor belt itself movable and flexible rather than using a fixed bend pulley. The belt dynamically adjusts its path through the luffing mechanism, allowing smooth transitions that maintain material traction while achieving the desired drop height reduction. The movable belt configuration adapts to changing discharge angles without causing material to lift off.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed bend pulley is used at the hinge point, then the conveyor can be hinged for luffing, but the belt transitions from troughed to flat and back in short distance causing material spillage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the bend pulley from the hinge point and eliminates it entirely. Instead of forcing the belt through a fixed pulley at the hinge, the invention allows the belt to follow a smooth, extended path through the luffing mechanism. This removal of the restrictive pulley prevents the abrupt troughed-to-flat transitions that cause material to lift off and spill.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends the belt transition path in the vertical dimension by allowing the belt to follow a longer, more gradual path through the luffing mechanism. This dimensional extension of the transition zone prevents abrupt changes in belt orientation, keeping material securely on the belt even at large luffing discharge angles.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the whole conveyor is moved for luffing, then drop height is reduced, but the receiving hopper becomes complicated and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the conveyor into a fixed portion and a movable luffing portion. Only the necessary luffing section moves to adjust drop height, while the receiving hopper and other components remain fixed and simple. This segmentation avoids the complexity that would result from moving the entire conveyor while still achieving the desired drop height reduction.
Data Source
AI summary
A conveyor apparatus includes a tail portion connected to a head portion such that the head portion is moveable relative to the tail portion from a first position to a second position located lower than the first position. It should be appreciated that such movement of the head portion can permit the drop height of the conveyor apparatus to be adjusted. At least one frame portion is moveably positioned between the tail portion and the head portion. A stacker is also provided that includes the conveyor apparatus.