Self-Guiding Slider Pan Lead-In for Conveyor Bolt Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyor slider pan installation and maintenance processes are labor-intensive and time-consuming due to the difficulty in accurately realigning slots and bolts during attachment and detachment, requiring high precision and extensive manual adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A slider pan design featuring monolithic or detachable side panels with lead-in features that facilitate precise alignment and attachment by guiding bolts into square notches, ensuring stable and secure fitting without rotation, thereby simplifying installation and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional carriage bolts with slots are used for attaching slider pan to conveyor frame, then the connection can be made, but the alignment precision is insufficient and manual realignment is required
Solution Approach 1:
The lead-in features on the slider pan automatically guide the carriage bolts into proper alignment during attachment, eliminating the need for manual realignment operations. The geometric shape of the lead-in features complements the bolt geometry to self-align and self-position the connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The lead-in features act as intermediary elements between the slider pan and carriage bolts, facilitating the alignment and engagement process. These features include lead-in edges and lead-in slots that mediate the interaction between the pan and bolt, ensuring precise positioning.
2Reliability
If manual realignment of slots and bolts is performed during maintenance, then proper attachment can be achieved, but the process is labor-intensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
During maintenance operations, the lead-in features automatically guide the carriage bolts back into proper alignment when the slider pan is reattached, eliminating time-consuming manual realignment procedures while ensuring reliable attachment.
3Manufacturing precision
If precise manual alignment is required for slot and bolt attachment, then proper connection is achieved, but the process becomes complex and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The lead-in features serve as intermediary guiding elements that simplify the alignment process. The lead-in edges and lead-in slots provide a straightforward geometric guide that reduces alignment complexity while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The lead-in features utilize asymmetric geometric shapes that provide directional guidance for bolt insertion. The specific geometry of the lead-in edges and slots creates a self-aligning mechanism that simplifies the attachment process.
Data Source
AI summary
A slider pan and a method is disclosed. The slider pan comprises a plate having an edge and a side panel that is monolithic with or detachably coupled to the edges of the plate. The side panel extends from the plate at a predefined angle. The side panel is configured to have a pair of lead-in features and a square notch positioned between the pair of lead-in features. The pair of lead-in features comprises a first slanted edge and a second slanted edge. Further, the pair of lead-in features are configured to facilitate positioning a bolt having a square neck within the square notch.