Stacked Modular Conveyor Belt Attachments for Width Customization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing conveyor belt appurtenances, such as those with complex topologies like closed ends and undercut portions, are difficult to mold and may not optimally fit various applications due to fixed dimensions.

Innovation Solution

A modular conveyor belt attachment constructed from stacked layers of individually molded thermoplastic polymer components, such as a bucket, where each layer has specific features like bores for alignment and connecting structures for assembly, allowing for customizable width and easy attachment to belt modules.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If appurtenances are molded separately and attached to the conveyor belt, then complex topologies like closed ends and undercut portions can be achieved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoldability of complex topologyVSAvoidattachment assembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment is divided into multiple separately molded components that are subsequently assembled together. This allows each component to be molded independently with simpler tooling, while the final assembled structure achieves the complex closed-end topology required for the application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If appurtenances have fixed dimensions, then manufacturing is simplified, but they cannot optimally suit various applications requiring different widths

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewidth customizationVSAvoidmanufacturing flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment width is customized by varying the number of modular segments stacked together. Each segment has standardized dimensions and attachment features, allowing flexible width adjustment without requiring custom tooling or complex manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The modular segments are designed with universal attachment features and standardized interfaces that allow them to be used in various configurations. The same basic segment design can be stacked in different quantities to create attachments of different widths for various conveyor applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If multiple separate components are stacked to form the attachment, then customization and ease of manufacture improve, but the number of assembly steps increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomization capabilityVSAvoidassembly time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The modular segments are pre-formed with integrated attachment features, alignment bores, and connecting structures during the molding process. This preliminary preparation of connection interfaces allows for rapid assembly of the stacked components without requiring complex fastening operations or precise manual alignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2121487B1Stacked attachments for modular conveyor belts

Publication Date: 2012.08.01 LAITRAM LLC

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AI summary

A detachable stacked attachment for a modular conveyor belt. An attachment, for example, a bucket, comprises a group of components arranged side by side in an aligned stack of parallel layers. Interior components are sandwiched between outermost and end components. The number and widths of the components in the stack define the width of the resulting stack attachment. In this way, an attachment of selected width may be attached to a conveyor belt.