Conveyor Scraper Element With Tapered Groove for Jam-Free Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing scraper elements for conveyor belts face challenges in easy assembly and disassembly due to jamming issues caused by warped elements, leading to complex and costly procedures, and require improvements in stability and handling.
Innovation Solution
A scraper element with a longitudinal groove of decreasing width facilitates secure and stable attachment to a mounting rail using adjustable securing elements, reducing the risk of jamming and simplifying installation and removal, while maintaining structural integrity through a U-shaped mounting rail and elastic coupling for enhanced stability and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking element is used to secure the scraper element to the mounting rail, then the scraper element is held securely, but the locking element may become jammed in the longitudinal groove making assembly and disassembly complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The groove width is made variable along the longitudinal direction, creating a tapered geometry that dynamically changes the clearance between the locking element and groove walls. This dynamic clearance variation allows the locking element to be easily inserted and removed while maintaining secure engagement during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The geometric parameter of the groove width is changed along its length, creating a gradient from narrower to wider sections. This parameter change enables the locking element to experience different levels of constraint at different positions, facilitating easy insertion/removal while ensuring secure mounting when engaged.
2Ease of manufacture
If the groove width is uniform throughout, then manufacturing is simpler, but the locking element cannot be easily removed due to increased jamming risk
Solution Approach 1:
The groove geometry transitions from a static uniform width to a dynamic variable width that changes along the longitudinal direction. This dynamic geometry creates zones of different clearance that facilitate locking element removal while remaining manufacturable through standard forming processes.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the scraper element is made rigid for stability, then it performs better during operation, but it is more prone to warping which causes jamming of the locking element
Solution Approach 1:
The variable groove width design converts the harmful effect of potential warping into a beneficial feature. By creating a tapered geometry with increasing clearance toward the ends, the design accommodates dimensional variations and warping without causing jamming, thus maintaining operational stability while eliminating the harmful effect.
4Device complexity
If a single locking element is used, then the device is simpler, but the tensile force required for removal is higher increasing the risk of jamming
Solution Approach 1:
The single locking element is segmented into multiple locking elements distributed along the longitudinal groove. This segmentation divides the total engagement force into multiple smaller contact points, reducing the force required at each point and eliminating the need for high tensile force removal that causes jamming.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3b
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a scraper (2) and a scraper element (1, 101) for a scraper (2) of a conveyor belt (24), comprising a scraper blade (3, 103) and a foot piece (4) that can be inserted in the longitudinal extension (7) of a mounting rail (6) of the scraper (2), which extends straight and has along its foot end (4.1) a preferably central longitudinal groove (5) with a groove width (b(l), b1, b2). The aim of the invention is that assembly/disassembly can be carried out in a reliable and user-friendly manner without impairing its stability. In order to achieve said aim, it is proposed that the groove width (b(l), b1, b2) of the longitudinal groove (5) is reduced at least in sections, preferably continuously, when seen from an end face (1.1, 1.2) of the scraper element (1, 101).