Pivotable Telescopic Conveyor Section for Vehicle Height Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Telescopic belt conveyors face challenges in accommodating vehicles of varying heights, particularly smaller vehicles, as existing solutions either require inconvenient adjustments or increase the overall conveyor height, making it difficult and unsafe for workers to transfer goods.
Innovation Solution
A telescopic belt conveyor with a pivotable outer conveyor section that can be adjusted in height by pivoting about a horizontal axis, allowing continuous belt operation without increasing the conveyor's overall height, and including a belt support structure to maintain constant tension.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the conveyor height is increased to accommodate larger vehicles, then the conveyor can handle more types of vehicles, but it becomes difficult and dangerous for workers to transfer goods from smaller vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The outer conveyor section is made pivotable about a horizontal axis, allowing it to dynamically adjust its angle and height relative to the base conveyor unit. This enables the conveyor to adapt to different vehicle heights while maintaining a safe working height for workers, resolving the contradiction between versatility and ease of operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the entire conveyor is tilted upwards to accommodate smaller vehicles, then the conveyor can adjust to different vehicle heights, but the base conveyor unit must be supported in a raised position which is inconvenient for workers
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor is divided into a base conveyor unit and an outer conveyor section that can pivot independently. This segmentation allows only the outer section to be tilted while the base unit remains at a convenient height for workers, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and ease of operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a separate adjustable boom is added to the conveyor system, then the conveyor can accommodate different vehicle heights, but the overall height of the conveyor is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotable outer conveyor section combines the functions of the conveyor belt and the height adjustment mechanism into a single integrated structure. This eliminates the need for separate adjustable booms or additional support structures, achieving vehicle height accommodation without increasing the overall conveyor height.
Data Source
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AI summary
A telescopic belt conveyor includes a base conveyor unit (4), an outer conveyor unit (10) and optionally one or more intermediate conveyor units (6, 8). The outer conveyor unit (10) and any intermediate conveyor units (6, 8) are mounted on the base conveyor unit and extendable telescopically therefrom in an extension direction. The outer conveyor unit (10) includes a pivotable conveyor section (12) that is mounted for pivoting movement about a substantially horizontal pivot axis. A conveyor belt (14) is supported by the base conveyor unit (4), the outer conveyor unit (10) and the intermediate conveyor units (6, 8), the conveyor belt providing a conveyor surface that extends continuously along an upper surface of the base conveyor unit (4), the outer conveyor unit (10) and the intermediate conveyor units (6, 8). The pivotable conveyor section (12) has a free end remote from the pivot axis whose height relative to a ground surface may be adjusted by pivoting movement of the pivotable conveyor section.