Tail Station Sprocket Shaft Replacement via Horizontal Displacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reversing stations for high-performance chain scraper conveyors in underground mining are difficult to optimize for efficient sprocket shaft replacement and torque locking, especially in confined spaces, and existing solutions require complex bolt locks or additional mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
The design features open-edged bearing mounts on cantilever arms connected to the machine frame, allowing horizontal movement and displacement of the sprocket shaft with bearing blocks, which can be locked using wedge elements, eliminating the need for additional bolt locks and enabling easy replacement from above, even in minimal space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If bearing mounts are closed and secured with bolt locks, then the sprocket shaft is securely fixed, but the replacement process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing mounts are designed to be horizontally displaceable between a removal position and a locking position, transforming the static mounting structure into a dynamic one that can adapt between easy removal and secure fixation states
Solution Approach 2:
The complex bolt lock mechanism is completely removed from the design. Instead, the patent uses the horizontal displacement of bearing mounts combined with wedge elements to achieve both easy removal and secure fixation without any additional locking components
2Ease of operation
If bearing mounts are designed for easy access from above, then sprocket shaft replacement is simplified, but torque locking capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing mounts transition between two dynamic states: in the removal position, they allow easy access from above for quick replacement; in the locking position, they engage with the machine frame to provide reliable torque locking
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system is segmented into discrete bearing mounts that can independently displace horizontally, allowing the replacement operation to be performed on one side while maintaining structural integrity through the other bearing mount
3Reliability
If bearing shells are large-volume and accommodate bearings inside, then rotational support is improved, but the available space in confined reversing stations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing blocks are positioned in a different spatial dimension - extending axially from the bearing shells rather than containing bearings within the shell volume. This axial extension allows large-volume bearing shells to be located further inside the machine frame, freeing up installation space in confined reversing stations while maintaining rotational support quality
Data Source
Figure 1~6
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a tail station for a scraper chain conveyor, particularly a transfer conveyor, comprising a machine frame (5) having bearing holders that are open at the edges for a chain wheel assembly (10) that can be removed, a chain wheel assembly (10) having a chain wheel shaft, a reversing chain wheel (11) and bearing shells (16) for pivotably mounting the chain wheel shaft, and at least one deflector element associated with the reversing chain wheel (11). In order to optimize a tail station, particularly for high-performance conveyors, and facilitate the replacement of a chain wheel shaft assembly, the bearing holders (14) are designed on cantilever arms (12) connected to the machine frame (5) and open at the top, wherein the chain wheel assembly (10) is provided with bearing blocks (15) at the bearing shells (16), which can be inserted into the bearing holders (14) with horizontal movement clearance and horizontally displaced in the bearing holders (14) between a removal position and a locking position.