Modular Link Conveyor Apical Surface Friction Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modular link conveyor chains face inefficiencies in energy consumption when conveying articles with elevation changes, particularly when articles adhere to the surface, and there is a need for improved adaptability and heat transfer during conveyance.

Innovation Solution

A conveyor system with modular links featuring apical regions and depressed regions on the conveying surface, allowing for minimal contact and efficient transfer, and adaptable for various conveyor configurations with removable connectors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If articles adhere to the conveying surface during transport, then stable conveyance is achieved, but energy consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestable conveyanceVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The conveying surface is segmented into alternating apical regions (elevated contact points) and depressed regions (lower non-contact areas), creating a non-uniform surface that reduces overall contact area between articles and conveyor, thereby reducing friction and energy consumption while maintaining stable conveyance through distributed contact points

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the conveying surface have different elevations and contact properties - apical regions provide localized contact support while depressed regions provide minimal contact, creating local variations in friction characteristics that reduce overall energy consumption during transport

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of manufacture

If a flat conveying surface is used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but heat transfer efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface fabricationVSAvoidheat transfer efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The conveying surface incorporates curved apical regions and depressed regions instead of a flat surface, creating an undulating profile that increases surface area and improves heat transfer efficiency while remaining manufacturable through standard molding or machining processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The surface topology is changed from two-dimensional flat plane to three-dimensional undulating surface with varying elevations, adding vertical dimension to the conveying surface to increase heat transfer area without complicating the horizontal conveyance function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Temperature

If modular links with complex surfaces are used, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat transfer efficiencyVSAvoidlink structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The complex heat transfer surface is segmented into repeating modular link units, each containing apical and depressed regions, allowing the complex geometry to be standardized and manufactured as discrete replaceable components rather than a monolithic structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The modular link design with apical and depressed regions serves multiple functions simultaneously - providing heat transfer surface area, reducing friction contact, enabling article support, and allowing flexible conveyor configuration, thereby managing complexity through multi-functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

The system enhances energy efficiency by reducing friction and preventing sticking, facilitating smooth article transfer and heat transfer, especially for food products, while being adaptable for different conveyor setups.

Implementation Method 1

An upper surface of the link slopes in both a conveying direction and a transverse direction away from the conveying direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction reduction through surface geometry: Friction

Implementation Method 2

At least one of the links comprises an upper link surface sloping in both the conveying direction and a transverse direction, thereby forming an apical region for contacting and supporting the article

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure distribution through geometric contact: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS10696482B2Modular link conveyor with features for enhancing efficient article conveyance

Publication Date: 2020.06.30 SPAN TECH LLC

AI summary

An apparatus for conveying an article in a conveying direction is provided. A conveyor includes a plurality of modular links and one or more removable connectors for interconnecting adjacent links of the plurality of modular links to form an endless chain for conveying the article in the conveying direction, at least one of the links comprising an upper link surface sloping in both the conveying direction and a transverse direction, thereby forming an apical region for contacting and supporting the article for conveyance along at least a forward run in the conveying direction.