Modular Chain Conveyor Flights for Lateral Turns and Easy Repair
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional chain conveyors in mining machines face challenges in maintaining efficiency and reducing maintenance costs, particularly in navigating lateral turns and replacing worn components, as they often require complex reassembly and dedicated scraper flights.
Innovation Solution
The design of a conveyor chain with modular flight and connecting links, featuring sprocket-engaging portions and coupler links, allows for easy disassembly and replacement of individual components, enabling lateral deflection and extended operational life by inverting the chain, thus reducing maintenance needs and wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional chain conveyors are used in mining machines, then they can transport material, but they face challenges in navigating lateral turns and require complex reassembly when components wear
Solution Approach 1:
The chain conveyor is divided into modular segments including flight members, coupler links, and connecting pins. Each flight member can be independently replaced by removing just the connecting pin, without requiring complex reassembly of the entire chain. This segmentation enables easy maintenance while maintaining the ability to navigate lateral turns through the modular configuration.
2Reliability
If conventional chain conveyors are used, then they can transport material, but maintenance costs increase due to worn components requiring replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The chain conveyor is divided into modular segments including flight members, coupler links, and connecting pins. Each flight member can be independently replaced by removing just the connecting pin, without requiring complex reassembly of the entire chain. This segmentation enables easy maintenance while maintaining the ability to navigate lateral turns through the modular configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The chain conveyor can be inverted and reused after wear, extending its operational life. The modular design with standardized connecting pins and coupler links allows the entire chain to be efficiently reconfigured when inverted, making the repair process simple and cost-effective while extending service life.
3Productivity
If dedicated scraper flights are used in conventional chain conveyors, then material can be pushed along the pan, but the device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flight members in this invention serve multiple functions: they act as both scraper flights for pushing material along the pan and as structural components of the chain itself. The flight members are integrated into the chain structure through coupler links and connecting pins, eliminating the need for separate dedicated scraper flights. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity while maintaining material pushing capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A conveyor chain includes a first flight including a first side portion having a first aperture, a first flight bar, and a first sprocket-engaging portion. The conveyor chain also includes a second flight including a second side portion having a second aperture, a second flight bar, and a second sprocket-engaging portion. The conveyor chain further includes a connecting pin having a first end portion received within the first aperture and a second end portion received within the second aperture. The connecting pin couples the first and second flights together. The first sprocket-engaging portion is positioned laterally outwardly of the first end portion of the connecting pin and the second sprocket-engaging portion is positioned laterally outwardly of the second end portion of the connecting pin.