Suspended Conveyor Slew Mechanism for Rough Terrain Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mobile bulk material processing plants face difficulties in maneuvering over rough ground and accessing restricted areas due to the pivot joint being mounted below the conveyor, which limits ground clearance and complicates loading and maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A mobile processing plant with a discharge conveyor suspended below a main frame via a pivot joint and a linear coupling, allowing the conveyor to slew 180° and move linearly along the frame, providing maximum ground clearance and access to obstructed regions for maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the pivot joint is mounted below the conveyor, then the conveyor can be folded or pivotally adjustable between operative and transport positions, but the ground clearance is reduced and maneuvering over rough ground becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconveyor adjustabilityVSAvoidmaneuverability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The pivot joint is inverted from its conventional position below the conveyor to a position above the conveyor. This inversion allows the conveyor to pivot and slew freely without ground clearance constraints, enabling the plant to maneuver over rough terrain while maintaining full operational adjustability of the conveyor between operative and transport positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the pivot joint is mounted below the conveyor, then the conveyor can slew through a wide angle range, but access to the main frame and processing units is obstructed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconveyor slew rangeVSAvoidmaintenance access

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

By inverting the pivot joint position from below to above the conveyor, the design enables the conveyor to achieve a wide slew angle range for distributed stockpiling while simultaneously providing unobstructed access to the main frame and processing units. The conveyor can be slewed to various positions for material discharge while maintenance personnel can freely access the central processing area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Volume of moving object

If the conveyor is mounted low to the ground, then the plant has compact dimensions for transport, but the plant cannot access restricted zones or rough terrain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplant compactnessVSAvoidterrain access

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The conveyor is designed with dynamic positioning capabilities through the inverted pivot joint mechanism, allowing it to adjust its position and orientation relative to the main frame. This dynamic configuration enables the plant to maintain compact dimensions for transport while the conveyor can be positioned to access restricted zones and maneuver over rough terrain when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10710093B2Mobile bulk material processing apparatus with slewing conveyor

Publication Date: 2020.07.14 SANDVIK INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AB

AI summary

A mobile bulk material processing apparatus includes a main frame to support a material processing unit. A conveyor extends from the main frame and is mounted on a pivot joint to allow the conveyor to slew relative to the main frame, the pivot joint being positioned above the conveyor that is suspended below a region of the main frame.