Steel Cable Conveyor Belt Hinge Plates for High-Tension Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for connecting steel cord conveyor belt ends, especially for medium and large cable diameters, face challenges in achieving high tensile strength and efficient production with minimal effort, often resulting in reduced resilience and increased belt thickness due to complex vulcanization processes or unsuitable hinge-type connections.
Innovation Solution
The ends of steel cables are exposed and inserted into longitudinal bores of hinge plates with pinnacle-like projections, creating a force-fitting and form-fitting connection that allows for secure coupling without deflection of the steel cords, using metal hinge plates that compress the steel cables for a secure and efficient assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional vulcanization is used to connect steel cable conveyor belt ends, then high tensile strength is achieved, but production time increases and production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor belt is divided into modular segments that can be connected using hinge connections. Each segment maintains its structural integrity while allowing for quick assembly and disassembly, eliminating the need for time-consuming vulcanization processes while preserving tensile strength through the hinge mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The connection method transitions from chemical bonding (vulcanization) to mechanical bonding (hinge connection with pinnacle-like projections). This parameter change in the connection mechanism allows for rapid assembly without heat treatment, significantly reducing production time while maintaining adequate tensile strength for the application
2Ease of manufacture
If steel cables are deflected sharply to form loops for hinge connection, then connection is achieved, but tensile load capacity is reduced and steel wires may break
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of deflecting the steel cables into loops, the invention inverts the approach by having the hinge plates with pinnacle-like projections interlock directly. The steel cables pass through longitudinal bores without sharp deflection, maintaining their tensile load capacity while achieving secure connection through the inverted hinge mechanism
3Adaptability or versatility
If rubber cover layers are removed and steel cable ends are exposed for connection, then connection is possible, but production complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rubber cover layers are selectively removed only in the end regions where connections are needed, exposing the steel cable ends for insertion into hinge plates. This extraction is localized and controlled, maintaining the protective rubber coverage in the main belt body while enabling simple connection operations at the ends
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables a strong, tension-proof hinge connection that maintains the structural integrity of the steel cord layer within the belt cross-section, eliminating the need for complex vulcanization and ensuring high tensile force transmission while simplifying the assembly process.
Implementation Method 1
The area of the hinge plate in which the steel cables are inserted is compressed using a press
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a conveyor belt having a reinforcement layer made of parallel-running steel cables and having a hinge-like design on each end for coupling to another belt end. In order to create a hinge connection for steel cable conveyor belts having larger cable diameters, as well, each belt end (1, 2) has one partial hinge (6, 7). The partial hinges (6 and 7) each have a hinge bolt (12 and 13) to which one offset hinge plate (14 and 15) is fitted. The exposed ends of the steel cables (5) insert into corresponding longitudinal bores (16) of the hinge plate (14 and 15) and are fastened in position there by compressing the hinge plate (14 and 15).