Tapered Scraper With Non-Linear Edge for Conveyor Belt

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conveyor belt scraper blades often clog with debris due to the linear scraping edge design, which allows material to stick and accumulate, hindering effective cleaning.

Innovation Solution

A conveyor belt scraper with a non-linear scraping edge featuring two obliquely extending portions that intersect to form a channel, directing debris towards the middle of the scraper, and a tapering scraper tip with a curved inner surface and channeling surfaces to facilitate debris removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a linear scraping edge is used, then the scraper structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but debris accumulates and clogs on the scraper blade

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescraper blade structure simplicityVSAvoiddebris clogging
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The scraper blade employs a non-linear scraping edge with curved geometry instead of a straight line. The scraping edge includes a first portion and a second portion that are non-collinear, creating a curved surface that prevents debris accumulation by eliminating flat surfaces where material can stick and build up.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a one-dimensional linear scraping edge to a two-dimensional non-linear scraping edge. The scraping edge extends across the belt width with varying angles, creating a surface that actively channels debris toward the middle of the scraper rather than allowing random accumulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Object-generated harmful factors

If a non-linear scraping edge is used, then debris is channeled away effectively, but the scraper blade structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedebris cloggingVSAvoidscraper blade structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The non-linear scraping edge is formed by curving the blade geometry rather than adding separate components. The first and second portions of the scraping edge are integrated into a single continuous non-linear surface, achieving debris channeling through shape alone without mechanical complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the geometric parameters of the scraping edge from linear to non-linear, specifically varying the angle of the scraping edge relative to the conveyor belt across its width. This parameter variation creates the channeling effect while maintaining the blade as a single integrated structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Shape

If the scraping edge intersects at a ninety degree angle, then the linear geometry is simple, but debris sticks to the scraper blade

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescraping edge geometryVSAvoidmaterial sticking
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The scraping edge is designed with asymmetric geometry where the first and second portions are non-collinear and intersect at angles other than ninety degrees. This asymmetry creates a slope that directs debris toward the middle of the scraper, preventing the symmetric flat surfaces that cause material sticking in conventional linear designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The non-linear scraping edge replaces the ninety-degree linear intersection with a curved, continuous surface. The curvature eliminates sharp corners and flat surfaces where debris can adhere, creating a smooth transition that channels material away from the belt surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentEP2914519B1Tapered scraper for a conveyor belt
Publication Date: 2017.04.19 LAITRAM LLC
  • EP2914519B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2914519B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2914519B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A conveyor belt scraper (100) includes a non-linear scraping edge (140/240) for directing product towards the center of the scraper. The non-linear scraping edge comprises two obliquely extending portions (140a,b/240a,b) that intersect at an obtuse angle (243) to define a nadir of a channel (141/241). The non-linear scraping edge is formed at the top end of a curved inner surface (120) that abuts a conveyor belt (21) wrapped around a reversing element. Channeling surfaces (160) are formed between the non-linear scraping edge (140/240) and an outer surface (130) of the scraper. The scraping edge and channeling surfaces (160) direct product away from the conveyor belt (21) and over the outer surface of the scraper.