Split Conveyor Component With Hygienic Shaft Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing conveyor drive systems face challenges in installation, hygiene, and proper positioning due to the need for removing bearing blocks and lifting the drive shaft, especially when using one-piece drives, and issues with split drives regarding hygiene and alignment.
Innovation Solution
A multi-piece conveyor component system with a hygienic connector that includes recesses on the shaft for proper positioning, featuring a first and second section with hubs, sealing elements, and fasteners to secure the components together, along with chamfers for axial retention and cleaning facilitation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a one-piece drive is installed on a drive shaft, then the drive can be securely mounted, but bearing blocks must be removed and the drive shaft must be lifted out of the conveyor side frame
Solution Approach 1:
The drive is divided into two separate pieces (first piece and second piece) that can be installed independently on the drive shaft without removing bearing blocks. The first piece includes a hub for engaging the drive shaft, while the second piece is mated to the first piece through connecting structures, allowing installation without disassembling bearing blocks or lifting the drive shaft.
2Ease of operation
If split drives are used to avoid removing bearing blocks, then installation is easier, but hygiene issues and positioning accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The first piece is pre-configured with a hub that engages the drive shaft at a specific position determined by recesses on the shaft. This preliminary positioning ensures accurate alignment before the second piece is mated to the first piece, maintaining proper positioning accuracy while allowing easy installation of the split drive.
Solution Approach 2:
The first piece acts as an intermediary between the drive shaft and the second piece. It includes a hub that engages the drive shaft and connecting structures that mate with the second piece, serving as a mediator that ensures proper positioning and hygiene while enabling easy installation of the split drive configuration.
3Ease of operation
If split components are used, then installation without removing bearing blocks is enabled, but proper positioning and hygiene deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The first piece is pre-positioned on the drive shaft using recesses on the shaft as reference features. This preliminary action ensures that the first piece is accurately positioned before the second piece is mated to it, maintaining manufacturing precision and proper positioning while allowing installation flexibility of the split component configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-piece component for a conveyor comprises a first section and a second section that mates with the first section around a shaft using a hygienic fastener to form a complete module. The hygienic fastener seals an interface between the fastener and the first section and between the first section and the second section. Chamfers facilitate positioning of the multi-piece component on a shaft.