Self-stacking Spiral Conveyor Belt Intermediate Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Self-stacking spiral conveyor belts lack sufficient support in the helical portion, leading to sagging issues that impede operation and affect conveyed products, especially when wider belts are used.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of intermediate support members, such as attachment members with interaction elements, are integrated into the conveyor belt modules to provide additional support and prevent sagging, allowing the belt to maintain alignment and stability along a helical path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If self-stacking spiral conveyor belts are used to achieve extended transport path with minimal floor space, then the conveyor can follow helical paths efficiently, but the belts lack sufficient support in the helical portion causing sagging issues
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor belt is divided into modular segments with intermediate support members integrated into specific modules. These support members are positioned at intervals along the belt width, segmenting the support function across multiple discrete elements rather than requiring continuous lateral support structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate support members extend vertically downward from the conveying surface toward the tier below, utilizing the vertical dimension to provide support. This allows the belt to maintain stability in the lateral direction without requiring additional lateral framing structures, effectively using the third dimension (vertical) to solve a lateral support problem.
2Quantity of substance
If wider conveyor belts are used to increase transport capacity, then more material can be conveyed simultaneously, but the belts tend to sag more in the middle due to lack of support
Solution Approach 1:
The support function is segmented into multiple intermediate support members distributed across the belt width. For wider belts, additional modules with support members can be incorporated, dividing the span into smaller effective segments that each have adequate support, preventing overall sagging while maintaining wide transport capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
Intermediate support members are strategically positioned at specific locations across the belt width rather than uniformly distributed. This allows local reinforcement at critical sag points while maintaining open conveying surfaces in other areas, providing targeted structural support without compromising overall transport capacity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A modular spiral belt constructed of a series of hingedly interconnected belt modules arranged in a helical stack. The modular spiral belt includes outer side plates, inner side plates and intermediate attachment members. The intermediate attachment members provide support for the conveyor belt to prevent sagging in an intermediate region.