Rotating Transfer Plate for Extendible Belt Conveyor Boom
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing extendible belt conveyors with pivoting booms face challenges in smooth parcel transfer due to gaps between the boom and adjacent sections, as conventional transfer plates fail to accommodate the pivoting movement of the boom.
Innovation Solution
A transfer plate design that includes a rod with alternating rotating components, featuring base and flange members that extend across the entire width of the boom and penultimate section belts, with torsion springs to maintain alignment and contact, ensuring a continuous surface during pivoting movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional transfer plate is used to bridge the gap between the boom and penultimate section, then parcel transfer is facilitated, but the transfer plate cannot accommodate the pivoting movement of the boom
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer plate is designed with rotating components that can dynamically adjust their orientation as the boom pivots. The base members are mounted to rotate around the rod, allowing the transfer plate to maintain its bridging function while adapting to the changing angular position of the boom during pivoting operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The transfer plate is divided into multiple discrete components (base members, flange members, rod) that can rotate independently around the central rod. This segmentation allows each component to adjust to the boom's pivoting movement while collectively maintaining the continuous surface needed for smooth parcel transfer.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the boom is designed to pivot between horizontal and vertical orientations for flexibility, then adaptability is improved, but a gap is created that prevents smooth parcel transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer plate acts as an intermediary element between the boom and the penultimate section. It bridges the gap created by the boom's pivoting movement, providing a continuous surface that facilitates smooth parcel transfer regardless of the boom's angular position during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The transfer plate incorporates rotating components that dynamically adjust to the boom's changing orientation. As the boom pivots between horizontal and vertical positions, the base members rotate around the rod to maintain contact with both the boom and penultimate section belts, ensuring continuous parcel transfer capability throughout the full range of motion.
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 transfer plate effectively bridges the gap between the boom and penultimate section, enabling smooth parcel transfer across the entire width, even when the boom pivots between horizontal and vertical orientations, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing wear.
Implementation Method 1
torsion springs to maintain alignment and contact
Data Source
AI summary
An extendible belt conveyor includes a penultimate section, a boom mounted for pivotal movement with respect to the penultimate section, and a transfer plate spanning between the belt of the boom and the belt of the penultimate section. The transfer plate includes a plurality of first components and a plurality of second components that each include a base member mounted on and rotatable with respect to a rod, and a flange member extending from the base member and positioned adjacent to one of the belts of the boom or penultimate section, with a distal edge of the flange member extending over the belt. As the boom pivots, an upper surface of the plurality of first components remains substantially parallel to the belt of the boom, and an upper surface of the plurality of second components remains substantially parallel to the belt of the penultimate section.