Pivot Link Modular Belt Module for Inclined Conveyor Product Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional conveyor flights on inclined structures cause products to stick and drop off during return trips, leading to contamination and economic loss, especially in the food industry, and create turbulence when transferring products to subsequent conveyors, resulting in reduced efficiency or unsuitability for certain products.
Innovation Solution
A modular belt module with pivotable upper and lower parts, where the upper part can be raised by activating rails to create flights, allowing for adjustable angles and easy integration into conveyor structures, enabling seamless transitions between conveyors and facilitating cleaning and hygiene requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional flights are used on inclined conveyors, then product can be transported up the incline, but product may stick to the flight surface and drop off during return trips causing contamination and economic loss
Solution Approach 1:
The flight structure is made dynamic by allowing it to pivot between a raised position (perpendicular to conveyor surface) for inclined transport and a lowered position (flush with conveyor surface) for return trips. This dynamic adjustment prevents product from sticking to the flight surface during the return journey, eliminating contamination and product loss while maintaining transport capability during the forward journey.
2Productivity
If flights are raised to transport product up inclines, then inclined transport is enabled, but an interface zone creates openings where product may fall between conveyors
Solution Approach 1:
The flight is designed to pivot dynamically between raised and lowered positions. During the return journey, the flight lowers to be substantially flush with the conveyor surface, eliminating the interface zone opening that would otherwise allow product to fall between conveyors. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction by maintaining inclined transport capability when needed while preventing product falling during return trips.
3Ease of operation
If the conveyor is positioned at a distance to allow flights to pass the following conveyor, then product transfer is possible, but the drop from the inclining conveyor may damage product or create turbulence
Solution Approach 1:
The flight pivots to a lowered position during the return journey, allowing the conveyor to be positioned immediately adjacent to the following conveyor without creating a dangerous drop. This eliminates product damage and turbulence while maintaining the ability to transfer product effectively, resolving the contradiction between transfer capability and product safety.
4Productivity
If flights are permanently raised to transport product, then inclined transport is effective, but the conveyor structure becomes difficult to clean and maintain hygiene standards
Solution Approach 1:
The flight is designed to pivot between raised and lowered positions. During cleaning operations, the flight can be lowered to a substantially flush position with the conveyor surface, providing easy access for cleaning all surfaces including the underside. This dynamic capability maintains inclined transport efficiency during operation while enabling thorough cleaning to meet hygiene standards.
5Adaptability or versatility
If the upper part of the module is made pivotable to create flights, then flight activation is possible, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The module is segmented into an upper part and a lower part that can pivot relative to each other. The upper part contains the flight structure while the lower part serves as the connecting bridge. This segmentation allows the flight to be activated only when needed while keeping the basic module structure relatively simple and modular, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
Modular belt module of the type having a width, and a length, where the width and length defines a plane, and a thickness orthogonal to said plane, such that the basic module is limited by two longitudinal sides, and a front and rear side, where the module comprises an upper part and a lower part, both upper and lower part being pivotally connectable in use to a forwardly arranged belt module, whereas only the bottom part is connected in use to a rearwardly arranged belt module, and where said upper part when in contact with said lower part is provided with means projecting below said lower part.