Pivotable Conveyor for Mineral Processing Plant
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mineral material processing plants face challenges with conveyor movement, requiring expensive and unreliable mechanisms, limited space for maintenance, and inefficient material distribution, especially in mobile crushing plants where conveyors need to be repositioned for transport and service.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of pivotable conveyors that can be moved vertically and repositioned without dismounting, allowing for compact transport positions and direct feeding of crushers, eliminating the need for additional discharge hoppers and reducing the transport height and length of the plant, thereby simplifying operations and enhancing serviceability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If heavy and expensive moving mechanisms are used to move the conveyor for transport and service, then the conveyor can be repositioned, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor is designed with a movable end that can pivot between operational and transport positions using a simple pivot mechanism rather than heavy moving mechanisms. This dynamic design allows the conveyor to adapt its position without requiring complex actuation systems, resolving the contradiction between repositionability and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor is divided into a fixed end and a movable end, where only the movable end needs to be repositioned. This segmentation allows the majority of the conveyor structure to remain stationary while a smaller segment handles the repositioning function, reducing the overall complexity of moving mechanisms required
2Ease of repair
If the conveyor is moved away from the crusher for service, then maintenance can be performed, but space at the feeding end is required which may be problematic in mobile crushing plants
Solution Approach 1:
The movable end of the conveyor can pivot to a transport position that is vertically disposed relative to the crusher, allowing service access without requiring horizontal space at the feeding end. This dynamic repositioning enables maintenance while minimizing the area occupied by stationary objects
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of moving the conveyor horizontally away from the crusher for service, the movable end is repositioned in the vertical dimension by pivoting it upwards or downwards. This dimensional change allows maintenance access while preserving horizontal space at the feeding end, resolving the contradiction between serviceability and space requirements
3Productivity
If a long single part conveyor is used to feed the screen from the side, then the screen can be fed, but the material spreading on the screen becomes problematic and transport width increases
Solution Approach 1:
The feed conveyor system is segmented into a fixed end connected to the main conveyor and a movable end that can be positioned directly over the screen. This segmentation allows material to be fed vertically onto the screen rather than from the side, improving material spreading while reducing transport width requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The movable end of the feed conveyor can dynamically position itself directly over the screen opening, allowing material to drop vertically onto the screen surface. This dynamic positioning improves material distribution uniformity and eliminates the need for wide lateral transport paths, resolving the contradiction between feeding capability and transport width
4Adaptability or versatility
If sliding mechanisms are used for longitudinal moving of the conveyor, then the conveyor can be repositioned, but the mechanisms tolerate poorly dirty circumstances and are sensitive to production inaccuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The complex sliding mechanisms are replaced with a simple pivot mechanism that allows the conveyor end to rotate between positions. This mechanical substitution eliminates sliding surfaces that are sensitive to dirt and production inaccuracies, while maintaining the ability to reposition the conveyor reliably in harsh mining environments
Solution Approach 2:
The pivot mechanism uses simple, robust components that can withstand dirty conditions and wear, replacing sensitive sliding mechanisms. These simpler components are more tolerant of contamination and manufacturing variations, ensuring reliable operation in the harsh conditions typical of mineral processing plants
Data Source
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AI summary
A mineral material processing plant (100) comprises a frame (1) and a screen (20, 27) which is supported on the frame of the processing plant, and a conveyor (40, 61) which is fixed in connection with the screen for transporting material to be processed by the screen. The support of the conveyor (40, 61) relative to the screen comprises a four-bar linkage mechanism, and pivot points of the four-bar linkage mechanism are arranged in support arms (41, 42, 25, 26) which are fixed pivotably in connection with the screen (20, 27), and the conveyor is arranged to be moved farther from the screen and closer to the screen by the movement of the four-bar linkage. A method for operating a processing plant.