Modular Conveyor with Asymmetric Receptacles for Flexible Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyor units in food processing lines are often complex, massive, and inflexible, making them difficult to clean and adapt to different applications, while existing solutions either retain a massive drive housing or require complex cassette systems that limit flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A modular conveyor device with longitudinally extending beams and asymmetrically designed receptacles that allow for variable assembly of conveyor belt sections of different lengths and functionalities, enabling easy attachment and detachment for flexible configuration and cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a complex conveyor belt system with multiple levels is used for buffering products, then the buffering function is achieved, but the device complexity and structure mass increase
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor system is divided into modular conveyor belt sections that can be independently attached and detached from the longitudinal members. Each section can be configured to provide buffering functionality without requiring a complete multi-level system, thereby reducing overall complexity while maintaining the buffering capability.
2Productivity
If a solid support and drive housing with laterally cantilevered conveyor belts is used, then the conveying function is provided, but the overall structure becomes massive and space-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The drive mechanism is extracted from a massive fixed housing and integrated directly into the modular conveyor belt sections. This allows the conveyor belts to be supported by longitudinal members without requiring a heavy drive housing, reducing the overall mass and space consumption while maintaining the conveying function.
3Ease of repair
If removable tape cassettes are used for the conveyor belts, then cleaning and maintenance become easier, but the coupling and decoupling mechanisms add complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor belt sections are merged with their drive mechanisms into integrated modular units that attach directly to the longitudinal members. This eliminates the need for separate cassette and drive components, simplifying the coupling and decoupling process while maintaining ease of cleaning and maintenance.
4Reliability
If the conveyor section is fixed in structure, then the conveying function is stable, but the adaptability to different applications is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor system is designed with modular sections that can be dynamically reconfigured along the longitudinal members. The conveyor belt sections can be attached, detached, and repositioned to adapt to different application requirements while maintaining stable conveying function during operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a conveying device with a base supported on the ground, in particular a frame or a housing, at least two longitudinal beams supported by the base, extending in the longitudinal direction and spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction, and a plurality of longitudinally arranged receptacles supported by the longitudinal beams, on which individually attachable and removable conveyor belt sections are supported, which together form a conveying path extending in the longitudinal direction.