Modular Conveyor Brush Assembly With Strong Interlocking Joints

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing brush modules for conveyor belts face challenges in assembly difficulty, high manufacturing costs, weight, and power requirements due to the need for thick support plates and complex joining of bristle modules with specific dimensions and strength characteristics.

Innovation Solution

A brush module design featuring a base with complementary protrusions and holes for easy assembly, along with optional intermediate reinforcing pieces and through holes for cleaning and reinforcement, allowing for high tensile and shear strength, modularity, and various geometries to facilitate assembly and improve conveyor belt performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If bristles are mechanically attached to a thick support plate, then the brush module provides sufficient structural strength and bristle fixation, but the weight of the conveyor belt increases and assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidconveyor belt weight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The support plate is segmented into a grid pattern with multiple through-holes, dividing the solid structure into a lightweight framework that maintains structural integrity while reducing overall weight and material usage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support plate is designed with a porous structure featuring multiple through-holes, creating a lightweight yet strong framework that allows fluid passage for cleaning while maintaining mechanical strength

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

2Strength

If bristles are mechanically attached to a thick support plate, then the brush module provides sufficient structural strength and bristle fixation, but the power required to move the conveyor belt increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

3Strength

If brush modules are joined together with complex joining mechanisms, then the tensile and shear strength of the conveyor belt is improved, but the assembly difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetensile and shear strengthVSAvoidassembly ease

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The joining mechanism is merged with the support plate structure itself, using the grid pattern and through-holes as integral part of both structural support and connection system, eliminating separate joining components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The support plate structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: providing structural support, enabling bristle fixation, facilitating fluid passage for cleaning, and enabling easy module joining through its grid pattern with complementary protrusions and holes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Strength

If the support plate is made thick for proper bristle fixation, then the bristle attachment strength is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebristle attachment strengthVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

5Ease of manufacture

If the conveyor belt uses a smooth surface, then the manufacturing is simpler, but the materials deposited on it cannot be manipulated or machined effectively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidmaterial manipulation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The conveyor belt surface features localized bristle elements distributed across the support plate, creating areas with different functional properties: bristle regions for manipulation and machining, and open framework regions for fluid passage and cleaning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4071090A1Brush module for conveyor belts

Publication Date: 2022.10.12 OPEN MIND VENTURES S L U

Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4a~4b

AI summary

Brush module for conveyor belts (1) a base (5) and a plurality of bristles (4), and also comprises a plurality of complementary protrusions (2) and holes (3) for their engagement with one or more adjacent brush modules (1). Preferably, said holes (3) and protrusions (2) are located in a complementary and opposite manner on additional sections (6) arranged at the ends or sides of the base (5). It allows providing a brush module in which multiple units of the same can be easily joined together, providing great tensile and shear strength, and that in turn can have complementary thicknesses to facilitate assembly while maintaining the final thickness.