Modular Overhead Conveyor Drive Housing for Variable Load Classes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing conveyor belt drives for overhead systems require individual solutions for different load classes, leading to increased costs and reduced flexibility in production.
Innovation Solution
A modular system using interchangeable housing shell parts, roller mounts, and reinforcement inserts to produce variants of conveyor carrier drives, allowing the same basic components to be used for different load conditions by varying the load holders and reinforcement inserts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If individual solutions are implemented for different load classes, then the conveying goods carrier drives can be optimized for specific load conditions, but the production costs increase and flexibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing shell parts are designed with universal hollow chamber areas that can accommodate different types of roller mounts and reinforcement inserts. The same base housing (made of plastic or metal) serves multiple load classes by simply changing the internal components (roller mounts and reinforcement inserts), eliminating the need for completely different housing designs for light, medium, and heavy duty applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveying goods carrier drive is divided into modular components: housing shell parts, roller mounts, and reinforcement inserts. Each component can be independently selected and combined based on load requirements. The roller mounts come in different types (plastic or metal) and the reinforcement inserts provide additional structural support, allowing flexible configuration for different load classes without redesigning the entire system.
2Strength
If different housing materials (plastic vs metal) are used for different load classes, then the mechanical strength can be matched to load requirements, but the device complexity and production variety increase
Solution Approach 1:
Both plastic and metal housing shell parts are designed with the same universal interface geometry and hollow chamber configurations. This allows the same roller mounts and reinforcement inserts to be used across both material types, reducing component variety. The choice of material becomes a simple selection based on load class rather than requiring entirely different component designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing shell parts can be made from plastic for light to medium duty applications or metal for heavy duty applications. The reinforcement inserts (typically metal) can be combined with plastic housings to create a composite structure that provides enhanced strength where needed while maintaining the benefits of plastic construction elsewhere, such as corrosion resistance and weight reduction.
Data Source
Figure 1~5
Figure 6~11
AI summary
The module range has housing shell components (9a) formed in a U-shaped or V-shaped manner, where a roll holder (19) is designed for receiving a roll holder hollow chamber in a fixed manner. A load holder (41) is designed for getting accommodated in a load holder receiving hollow chamber. An independent claim is also included for a load carrier running gear.