Modular Belt Link With Roller Apertures and Sprocket Cavities
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional modular conveyor belts face challenges in reducing frictional impact on carried items due to projecting rollers or balls, which can damage goods, and require dedicated sprocket engagement areas that limit the use of rollers or balls, compromising the strength and efficiency of force transfer.
Innovation Solution
The modular belt link design incorporates a body section with apertures for rollers or balls above the surface and cavities for sprockets below, allowing for a friction-reduced surface while maintaining structural integrity and efficient force transfer through strategic aperture placement and offset patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a flat modular belt link is used to carry items on the entire surface, then item support area is maximized, but frictional impact cannot be reduced and items cannot be easily accelerated or removed
Solution Approach 1:
The belt link is segmented into multiple functional zones: a first zone with closely spaced apertures for rollers/balls to reduce friction, and a second zone with widely spaced apertures for sprocket engagement. This segmentation allows different sections to serve different purposes - friction reduction in the first zone and force transfer in the second zone.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the belt link are given different properties: the first plurality of apertures has small spacing to provide friction-reducing rollers/balls over most of the surface, while the second plurality of apertures has large spacing to accommodate sprocket cavities. Each region is optimized for its specific function.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If rollers or balls are added to reduce friction, then item handling is improved, but the area available for sprocket engagement is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The belt link surface is divided into two distinct zones: a first zone occupying most of the surface with closely spaced apertures for friction-reducing rollers, and a second zone with widely spaced apertures for sprocket engagement. This segmentation maximizes both friction reduction area and sprocket engagement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The aperture spacing varies in different spatial dimensions: in the first zone, apertures are closely spaced in both longitudinal and lateral directions to maximize roller density, while in the second zone, apertures are widely spaced to accommodate sprocket cavities. This dimensional variation allows optimal configuration for each function.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If apertures are provided for rollers or balls, then friction is reduced, but structural strength is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The belt link structure is optimized locally: in the first zone, apertures are closely spaced but small in number to provide friction reduction while maintaining strength, and in the second zone, apertures are widely spaced with larger cavities for sprocket engagement where strength is less critical due to the structural support from surrounding material.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If closely spaced apertures are provided for rollers or balls, then friction reduction is maximized, but cavities for sprockets cannot be accommodated
Solution Approach 1:
The belt link is segmented into two functional zones: the first zone with closely spaced apertures (distance x) maximizes roller/ball density for friction reduction, while the second zone with widely spaced apertures (distance y) accommodates sprocket cavities. This segmentation resolves the conflict between friction reduction and sprocket engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The aperture configuration varies by zone: the first plurality of apertures uses small spacing in the longitudinal direction to maximize friction reduction, while the second plurality uses large spacing to accommodate sprocket cavities. This spatial variation allows both functions to coexist optimally.
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
This design provides a substantial reduction in frictional impact on carried items, enhances item support, and ensures effective torque transfer, making the conveyor belt more lenient and efficient in handling goods without compromising structural strength.
Implementation Method 1
the rollers allow the conveyor belt to pass underneath the item with very little friction due to the provision of the rollers or balls
Implementation Method 2
by rotating the drive cylinder it will by means of sprockets engage the underside of the modular conveyor belt and in this manner transfer the torque from the drive cylinder to the conveyor belt
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4a~5
Figure 6
AI summary
Modular belt link having a body section, said body section having a forward side and a rearward side, and lateral sides connecting said forward and rearward sides, where said body section has a thickness between a top surface and a rear surface, and further that means are provided along said forward and rearward sides for connecting the modular belt link to other substantially identical modular belt links arranged before and after said modular belt link, characterized in that a plurality of apertures through the thickness are provided, suitable to receive and retain a ball or roller rotatably in each aperture, such that the balls or rollers extend or may be brought to extend above the top surface of the body section where a first plurality of apertures are separated by a first distance x and one or more second apertures are provided spaced from said first plurality of apertures, where when more second apertures are provided they are separated by a second distance y, and where on the bottom surface at least partly into the thickness of the body section one or more cavities suitable to receive sprockets is/are arranged in between at least some of the apertures arranged with the second distance y, and where the first distance x is too short to allow cavities suitable to be engaged by sprockets.