Magnetic Conveyor Belt Module With Recessed Element

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Solution Overview

Problem

Integrating magnetic elements into conveyors to retain magnetically attractive items is cumbersome and inefficient in existing modular plastic conveyor belt systems.

Innovation Solution

A magnetic conveyor belt module with a recess for a magnetic element, a cover to retain it, and a retention element to secure the cover in place, allowing easy integration and removal of the magnetic element, and alternating with non-magnetic modules to maintain a continuous conveying surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If magnetic elements are integrated into conveyor belts to retain magnetically attractive items, then the ability to convey metal or magnetically attractive items is improved, but the integration process becomes cumbersome and complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to convey magnetically attractive itemsVSAvoidintegration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The conveyor belt is divided into modular plastic belt modules that can be easily assembled and disassembled. Magnetic elements are integrated into individual modules rather than the entire conveyor belt, allowing for simplified integration and replacement. The hinge eyes along opposite ends of each row interleave with hinge eyes of consecutive rows, creating segmented yet connected modules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Magnetic elements are made removable and replaceable from the conveyor belt modules. The magnetic elements can be extracted from the modules without dismantling the entire conveyor belt system, allowing for easy maintenance, replacement, or reconfiguration of magnetic properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If magnetic elements are permanently integrated into conveyor belts, then retention of magnetically attractive items is improved, but ease of maintenance and replacement becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretention of magnetically attractive itemsVSAvoidease of magnetic element replacement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic elements are designed with dynamic characteristics, being removable and replaceable rather than fixed permanently. This allows the system to transition between states of having magnetic elements installed and having them removed or replaced, facilitating maintenance while maintaining reliable item retention during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Magnetic elements can be removed from worn or damaged modules and transferred to replacement modules. Instead of discarding entire modules or permanently fixing magnetic elements, the system allows for recovery and reuse of magnetic elements in new module positions, simplifying maintenance operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Force

If magnetic elements are exposed on the conveyor surface, then magnetic attraction capability is improved, but wear and jams increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemagnetic attraction forceVSAvoidwear and jams

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Magnetic elements are nested within recesses in the module bodies, with covers that enclose them. This nested structure allows the magnetic elements to exert their attractive force on items on the conveyor surface while being protected from direct contact with conveyed materials, reducing wear and preventing jams.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

Covers act as intermediary structures between the magnetic elements and the conveyed items. The covers enclose the magnetic elements while still allowing magnetic field penetration, providing protection to the magnetic elements from direct contact with conveyed materials while maintaining magnetic attraction capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Facilitates the easy integration and retention of magnetic elements in conveyor belts, enhancing the ability to attract and convey magnetically attractive items while maintaining a smooth and efficient conveying surface, reducing wear and preventing jams.

Implementation Method 1

magnetic element to attract conveyed articles against the conveying surface of the module

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS10138065B2Magnetic conveyor belt module

Publication Date: 2018.11.27 LAITRAM LLC

AI summary

A magnetic conveyor belt module integrates a magnetic element into the body of the module to attract conveyed articles to the body. The magnetic conveyor belt module includes a recess for seating a magnetic element and a retention element for retaining the magnetic element within the recess. A cover encapsulates the magnetic element within the body of the module. A non-magnetic conveyor belt module is connected to the magnetic conveyor belt module to form a conveyor belt. The non-magnetic conveyor belt module has an upper surface that is flush with or above the upper surface of the magnetic conveyor belt module.