Nested Drive Shafts for Compact Conveyor Unit Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conveyor units in high-performance slicers are structurally limited and complicated in terms of assembly, maintenance, and cleaning due to the need for additional drive units, which hinders efficient operation and product advancement.

Innovation Solution

A conveyor unit design featuring nested drive shafts and shaft sections with a radially separable coupling allows for compact, easy assembly and disassembly, enabling independent drive of multiple belt tracks from a common axis, facilitated by a wedge-shaped coupling mechanism and centering pin for secure engagement and disengagement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If additional drive units are provided for each belt track, then independent drive of multiple belt tracks is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent drive capabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements nesting by placing the first drive shaft inside the second drive shaft, with both shafts sharing a common axis. The first shaft section is received within the second shaft section, creating a compact nested arrangement that allows independent rotation of each shaft while reducing overall structural complexity and space requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The common coupling mechanism serves multiple functions: it connects both drive shafts to their respective drive rollers, allows for easy assembly and disassembly, and provides a standardized interface for radial separation. This multi-functional coupling design simplifies the overall system while maintaining independent drive capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If additional drive units are provided for each belt track, then independent drive of multiple belt tracks is achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent drive capabilityVSAvoidassembly and maintenance simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The drive system is segmented into modular components: first drive shaft with first shaft section, second drive shaft with second shaft section, and a separable coupling mechanism. This segmentation allows the shafts to be independently assembled and disassembled from the drive rollers by radial separation, greatly simplifying operation, maintenance, and cleaning activities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling mechanism enables dynamic assembly and disassembly of the drive shafts from the drive rollers. The radial separability allows operators to easily connect and disconnect the shaft sections without complex tools or procedures, making the system adaptable for frequent maintenance and cleaning operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If additional drive units are provided for each belt track, then independent drive of multiple belt tracks is achieved, but ease of repair deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent drive capabilityVSAvoidmaintenance and cleaning simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first shaft section and second shaft section can be extracted from the drive shafts by radial separation at the coupling. This extraction capability allows maintenance personnel to remove and replace shaft sections independently without affecting the entire drive system, significantly easing repair and cleaning operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3239076B1Conveyor unit

Publication Date: 2019.05.08 WEBER FOOD TECHNOLOGY SE & CO KG

Figure 1
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Figure 3A~3B

AI summary

A conveying unit (10) comprises a first drive roller (12) having a first shaft section (12a) for driving a first belt track (14), a second drive roller (16) having a second shaft section (16a) for driving a second belt track (18), wherein the first drive roller (12) and the second drive roller (16) are arranged coaxially next to each other, a first drive shaft (20) for driving the first drive roller (12) and a second drive shaft (20) for driving the second drive roller (22), wherein the first shaft section (12a) extends at least partially within the second shaft section (16a), the first drive shaft (20) extends at least partially within the second drive shaft (22), and a coupling (24) is provided for the detachable connection of the first shaft section (12a) with the first drive shaft (20) and of the second shaft section (16a) with the second drive shaft (20) in a common parting plane.