Multi-V Sheave Diameter Variation for Constant Roller Speed
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In singulator conveyor systems, the rotational speed and surface speed of rollers decrease along the series due to inefficiencies in multi-V belts, leading to uneven spacing of products, which is undesirable for proper alignment and processing, and existing solutions increase complexity and cost by adding additional motors.
Innovation Solution
A conveyor system with V-shaped grooves in sheaves, where the outer diameter decreases from the drive portion to the driven portion, maintaining a constant surface speed across rollers without the need for additional motors, by using a single drive assembly to power a series of rollers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If additional motors are added to directly drive rollers at intervals, then the surface speed of rollers can be maintained constant, but the cost and complexity of the roller conveyor increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sheave is designed with different diameters at different locations along its width. The inner portion has a first diameter and the outer portion has a second diameter that is less than the first diameter. This local variation in diameter compensates for the speed decrease caused by multi-V belt slip, maintaining constant surface speed across all rollers without additional motors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the sheave diameter along its width to compensate for the inefficiency of multi-V belts. By decreasing the outer diameter of the sheave from the drive portion to the driven portion, the linear speed at the belt interface is reduced, which compensates for the slip and maintains constant roller surface speed.
2Device complexity
If multi-V belts are used to drive consecutive rollers, then the number of drive assemblies is reduced, but the surface speed decreases from the directly driven roller to the end roller
Solution Approach 1:
The sheave is designed with different diameters at different locations along its width. The inner portion has a first diameter and the outer portion has a second diameter that is less than the first diameter. This local variation in diameter compensates for the speed decrease caused by multi-V belt slip, maintaining constant surface speed across all rollers without additional motors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the sheave diameter along its width to compensate for the inefficiency of multi-V belts. By decreasing the outer diameter of the sheave from the drive portion to the driven portion, the linear speed at the belt interface is reduced, which compensates for the slip and maintains constant roller surface speed.
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
This solution maintains a substantially constant surface speed across the conveyor system, reducing complexity and cost by minimizing the number of drive assemblies required, while ensuring proper alignment and spacing of products, especially in singulation conveyor systems.
Implementation Method 1
the multi-V belts may be inefficient. Singulator conveyor systems are used for alignment and singulation of packages, goods, and materials
Data Source
AI summary
A conveyor system comprising a series of rollers coupled to a side of a frame and configured to convey a plurality of conveyed articles thereacross along a direction of travel. Each of the rollers has a drive end. The series of rollers including a directly driven roller and a plurality of slave driven rollers disposed after the directly driven roller with respect to the direction of travel. The conveyor system includes a plurality of sheaves. Each of the sheaves is coupled to a drive end of one of the rollers. Each of the sheaves includes a plurality of V-shaped grooves formed in an outer surface thereof. The grooves are divided into an inner portion and an outer portion. An outer diameter of the inner portion of each of the sheaves is unequal to an outer diameter of the outer portion of each of the sheaves.