Profiled Belt Support Extrusion for Vessel Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing belt overlays for transporting vessels in treatment machines are expensive and inflexible, requiring large press rollers and subsequent cutting, which limits efficiency and adaptability.
Innovation Solution
A method involving extrusion of a first plastic into a negative mold to create a profiled support for the belt, allowing for a full-surface connection with a drive belt, with a softer second plastic layer for deformation and precise vessel positioning, enabling transportation of vessels of varying sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If large press rollers are used to emboss overlays for belts, then the belt surface can be formed, but the production process becomes expensive and inflexible requiring subsequent cutting into smaller strips
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the belt support into modular profile elements that are extruded continuously and then cut into standardized segments. These segments can be assembled in different configurations to create belts of various widths, eliminating the need for expensive large press rollers and subsequent custom cutting for each belt size.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the manufacturing parameter from batch embossing with press rollers to continuous extrusion. This allows the support to be produced as running goods with adjustable width and profile characteristics, significantly improving production efficiency and flexibility while reducing costs.
2Ease of manufacture
If a fixed-width belt support is manufactured, then production is simplified, but adaptability to different belt widths and vessel sizes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The support is designed as a series of identical profile elements that can be cut to different lengths and assembled in various configurations. This modular approach maintains simple extrusion manufacturing while enabling adaptation to different belt widths and vessel sizes by simply changing the number and arrangement of segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The profiled support elements are designed with universal characteristics that allow them to function on belts of various widths and for different vessel types. The same extruded profile can be used across multiple applications, achieving versatility without complicating the manufacturing process.
3Strength
If a hard plastic support is used for vessel transport, then structural strength is maintained, but the ability to deflect and accommodate vessels of different diameters is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure incorporates local variations in plastic properties, with different Shore hardness values in different regions. The profile elements have harder outer regions for strength and vessel engagement, while softer inner regions provide flexibility and buffering capability to accommodate vessels of different diameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite plastic structures with varying hardness characteristics within the same support element. This allows the support to simultaneously provide the strength needed for structural integrity and the flexibility required to adapt to different vessel sizes, resolving the contradiction between hardness and adaptability.
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 method enhances efficiency and flexibility by allowing for adjustable belt widths and precise vessel positioning, accommodating different vessel sizes and shapes with a cost-effective and adaptable solution.
Implementation Method 1
a) extruding a first plastic (15, 15') into a negative mold (40)
Implementation Method 2
a) extruding or spraying a second plastic (18, 18') into the depressions (16)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for producing a profiled support (15) for a belt (19) that can engage with vessels in a treatment machine, wherein the support (15) is obtained by extruding a first plastic. The invention further relates to a method for producing a belt (19) for transporting vessels in a treatment machine, comprising the steps of: producing a support (15) according to the above-mentioned method, feeding a drive belt (11) to the side of the support (15) facing away from the profiled side, and connecting the support to the drive belt (11). The invention further relates to a belt with a closed surface for transporting vessels in a treatment machine, comprising a drive belt (11) and a profiled support (15) that can engage with the vessels, wherein the support is an extruded support.