Omni-Directional Split Roller for Skew Conveyor Belt Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Roller conveyors experience undue wear and damage due to lateral loads, particularly in skew configurations, which are exacerbated by articles transferred from oblique or right-angle conveyors, leading to component and article damage.

Innovation Solution

A multi-directional or omni-directional roller design featuring a cylindrical body and multi-directional wheels with secondary wheels rotating perpendicular to the main axis, allowing articles to move laterally without transferring lateral forces to the conveyor frame, driven by a drive belt that primarily engages these secondary wheels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If drive belts are used to drive rollers in skew roller conveyors, then the rollers can be positioned at skewed angles for versatile material handling, but lateral loads cause undue wear and damage to the drive belts and conveyor components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveskewed angle positioningVSAvoiddrive belt lifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The roller is divided into two distinct portions: a cylindrical body portion and a multi-directional wheel portion. Each portion handles different types of loads independently, with the cylindrical portion supporting vertical loads and the multi-directional wheel portion accommodating lateral movements, thereby protecting the drive belt from lateral forces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-directional wheel acts as an intermediary between the drive belt and the skewed roller configuration. It absorbs and redirects lateral loads that would otherwise be transmitted to the drive belt, allowing the belt to operate under optimal conditions while enabling skewed angle positioning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If articles are transferred from oblique or right-angle conveyors, then material handling flexibility is improved, but lateral loads are introduced causing wear and damage to conveyor components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransfer capabilityVSAvoidlateral load damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The multi-directional wheel portion of the roller is designed to dynamically adapt to lateral forces from article transfers. The secondary wheels can rotate independently to accommodate lateral movements, converting static lateral loads into dynamic rotational movements that do not damage the conveyor structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts harmful lateral loads from article transfers into beneficial rotational motion of the secondary wheels. Instead of resisting lateral forces that cause wear, the design allows these forces to rotate the secondary wheels, thereby eliminating damage while maintaining transfer capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Device complexity

If lateral forces are transferred to the conveyor frame through cylindrical rollers, then structural simplicity is maintained, but component wear and damage increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroller structureVSAvoidcomponent durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The roller structure is segmented into a cylindrical body portion and a multi-directional wheel portion, each with specialized functions. This segmentation allows the system to handle both vertical and lateral loads appropriately, improving component durability without excessive complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the roller have different functional qualities: the cylindrical body portion provides simple structural support for vertical loads, while the multi-directional wheel portion provides specialized lateral load handling. This local differentiation optimizes both simplicity and durability where needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 design minimizes lateral forces on the drive belt, extending its lifespan and reducing damage to components and articles, facilitating smoother transitions and reducing jamming in skew and oblique conveyor setups.

Implementation Method 1

drive belts that drive the rollers with frictional force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS12351397B2Omni-direction split roller for a conveyor

Publication Date: 2025.07.08 DEMATIC CORP

AI summary

A multi-directional or omni-roller for a conveyor system includes a first transport surface portion formed by a cylindrical roller body, and a second transport surface portion formed by multi-directional wheels. The wheels have a main body that is rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the roller, and a set of secondary wheels around an outer circumference of the main body. The secondary wheels rotate perpendicular relative to the rotation of the roller, and permit articles or drive belts to travel over the roller in a conveyance direction in a driven manner and permit articles to move laterally across the second transport surface portion without transferring lateral forces to a conveyor frame. For skew roller beds, a drive belt may drive the roller about the secondary wheels, substantially without lateral forces being transferred or introduced to the drive belt.