Resilient Conveyor Roller Assembly for Wet Basket Traction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyor systems in multi-chamber washers face challenges in maintaining sufficient driving force and frictional contact between metal rollers and metal or plastic baskets, especially in wet environments, due to varying friction coefficients and cleaning difficulties.
Innovation Solution
A conveyor roller assembly featuring a cylindrical body with concentric bearing surfaces and a resilient friction element between inner and outer roller sections, providing improved traction and stability by compressing to maintain contact with the basket regardless of weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metal conveyor rollers are used, then durability and ease of cleaning are improved, but driving force and frictional contact with metal baskets deteriorate in wet environments
Solution Approach 1:
The roller assembly combines metal outer roller sections (providing durability and cleanability) with a resilient friction element made of elastomeric or rubber material (providing high friction coefficient). This composite structure allows the metal components to be cleaned and maintained while the resilient element maintains adequate driving force through its material properties, resolving the contradiction between ease of cleaning and frictional contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient friction element acts as an intermediary between the metal roller and the metal basket. It transfers the driving force from the motor-driven metal roller to the basket through friction, while the metal roller itself remains clean and durable. This mediator resolves the conflict by allowing the metal roller to maintain its cleaning advantages while the friction element provides the necessary traction.
2Force
If plastic conveyor rollers are used, then frictional contact and noise reduction are improved, but ease of cleaning deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The roller assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: metal outer roller sections for structural integrity and cleanability, and a separate resilient friction element for traction. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function - the metal parts for easy cleaning and the resilient element for high friction - resolving the contradiction between ease of cleaning and frictional contact.
3Force
If the friction coefficient between roller and basket is increased, then driving force is improved, but variability due to weight differences deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient friction element provides dynamic adaptation to varying basket weights. When a heavier basket is placed on the roller, the resilient element compresses slightly, increasing the normal force and maintaining consistent frictional contact. This dynamic response ensures adequate driving force regardless of weight variations, resolving the contradiction between high friction and consistency.
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 solution enhances frictional contact and reduces slippage, ensuring reliable conveying of both metal and plastic baskets across the multi-chamber washer, regardless of environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
A second bearing surface is raised above the first bearing surface and is generally concentric to the first bearing surface, the second bearing surface being more resilient than the first bearing surface
Implementation Method 2
A friction element is disposed between the outer roller and the inner roller. The friction element is dimensioned to be retained in the opening. The friction element is generally cylindrical in shape with a outer cylindrical portion having a diameter greater than an outer diameter of the outer roller and the inner roller such that the outer cylindrical portion extends above the outer diameter of the outer roller and the inner roller, the friction element being formed of a resilient material
Data Source
AI summary
A roller for a conveyor system is comprised of a body portion that is generally cylindrical and rotatable about a central axis. A first bearing surface is defined around the body portion. A second bearing surface is raised above the first bearing surface and is generally concentric to the first bearing surface, the second bearing surface being more resilient than the first bearing surface.