Pivot Bearing for Oblique Conveyor Roller Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional conveyor systems face difficulties in converting between straight and inclined conveyor rollers due to the inflexibility of pivot bearings and the need for specialized components, leading to complex installation and storage challenges.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a pivot bearing with a cylindrical recess and axially displaceable sections of the conveyor roller, allowing for flexible installation at various angles without requiring separate components, and includes a resiliently mounted third section for length compensation, ensuring the conveyor roller can be used straight or angled with improved rigidity and reduced vibration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional pivot bearings with predetermined inclination are used, then the conveyor roller can be mounted at an angle, but the pivot bearing becomes fragile and cannot be used flexibly for both straight and inclined installations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility of pivot bearingVSAvoidfragility of pivot bearing
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pivot bearing is designed with a movable pivot axis that can change its inclination angle dynamically. The pivot axis is guided by surfaces that allow it to shift position based on the conveyor roller's orientation, enabling the same bearing to accommodate both straight and inclined installations without being fragile or predetermined.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The bearing structure is divided into separate components including a bearing body, a pivot axis, and guide surfaces. This segmentation allows the pivot axis to move independently within the bearing body, providing flexibility for different mounting angles while maintaining structural integrity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If special conveyor rollers and frame profiles are used for inclined installation, then the inclined conveyor rollers can be constructed, but the device complexity increases and conversion between straight and inclined configurations becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfigurability of conveyor systemVSAvoidcomplexity of conveyor construction
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The conveyor roller is designed with a universal mounting capability through the adaptable pivot bearing, allowing the same roller to be installed in both straight and inclined configurations. This eliminates the need for special inclined-only rollers and frame profiles, reducing device complexity while maintaining configurability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows dynamic reconfiguration between straight and inclined modes using the same hardware. The pivot bearing's movable axis enables the conveyor roller to be mounted at different angles without requiring physical conversion or specialized components, simplifying the overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the pivot axis is fixed in the bearing, then the mounting is simple, but the conveyor roller cannot be used for both straight and inclined installations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting angle flexibilityVSAvoidcomplexity of pivot bearing
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pivot axis is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to change its inclination angle within the bearing body. This dynamic capability enables the same bearing to support both straight and inclined mounting configurations without requiring multiple specialized bearings, balancing adaptability with manageable complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Guide surfaces act as intermediaries between the fixed bearing body and the movable pivot axis. These surfaces constrain and guide the pivot axis movement, enabling angle adjustment while maintaining structural support, thus achieving mounting flexibility without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3055234B1Pivot bearing and conveying roller for an oblique mounting of the same in a conveyor system
Publication Date: 2017.11.29 TGW MECHANICS GMBH
  • EP3055234B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3055234B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3055234B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a conveying roller (1), wherein a first end of an axis (2) in the part protruding from a roller body (3) has a shoulder (4) between a first section (5) located on the roller side having a larger first cross-section and a second section (6) located opposite therefrom having a smaller second cross-section. The invention further relates to an array (15), comprising a pivot bearing (18) and a conveying roller (1) of the aforementioned type, and a conveyor system for the oblique and straight mounting of conveying rollers (1).