Conveyor Belt Scraper Base with Integrally Moulded Polyurethane Element

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conveyor belt scrapers made from polyurethane face challenges during installation and recovery due to their sticky nature, which resists relative sliding movement, and require labor-intensive assembly with liquid nitrogen for rubber inserts in square cross-section bases.

Innovation Solution

A base with rectangular retention sections and keying formations, such as holes, allows for easy engagement and disengagement with a holder, using a non-ferrous or plastics body, and an integrally moulded scraper member, eliminating the need for liquid nitrogen and reducing assembly labor.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If polyurethane material is used for the scraper, then scraping performance is improved, but installation and recovery become difficult due to sticky nature

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescraping performanceVSAvoidinstallation and recovery
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The scraper is divided into two distinct parts: a base made from non-sticky material (metal or hard plastics) and a scraper member made from polyurethane. This segmentation allows each component to have optimized properties - the base provides easy sliding and handling while the scraper member delivers effective scraping performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The base acts as an intermediary between the holder and the polyurethane scraper member. It provides a interface that slides easily in the holder while supporting the polyurethane scraper member, thus mediating between the need for effective scraping and easy installation/removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If square cross-section base with rubber inserts is used, then structural stability is improved, but assembly complexity increases due to liquid nitrogen requirement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The complex rubber insert assembly process using liquid nitrogen is completely eliminated. The invention extracts this unnecessary complexity while maintaining structural stability through the integrated base and scraper member design with retention sections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the expensive and complex liquid nitrogen freezing process with a simple, economical base design that achieves structural stability without requiring specialized assembly procedures or expensive materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If polyurethane scraper is used, then scraping effectiveness is improved, but assembly time and costs increase due to labor-intensive installation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescraping effectivenessVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the scraper into a base and scraper member, the base can be pre-assembled in the holder with simple sliding action, while the polyurethane scraper member is attached only when needed. This reduces assembly time significantly compared to assembling the entire polyurethane scraper.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The base is prepared in advance and can be easily installed in the holder before the scraper member is attached. This preliminary preparation reduces the time and complexity of the overall assembly process while maintaining scraping effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3331785B1Base for conveyor belt scraper
Publication Date: 2019.12.25 BRELKO PATENTS
  • EP3331785B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3331785B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3331785B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A conveyor belt scraper (40) which includes a base (10) and a scraper element (42) which is moulded to the base (10).