Telescopic Conveyor Support Frame for Confined Space Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing conveyor systems in underground mining face challenges in efficiently lengthening or shortening, maintaining, and replacing components due to cumbersome and hazardous frame adjustments, as well as inadequate safety guarding, particularly in confined spaces.
Innovation Solution
A support frame system with telescopically coupled upright members, adjustable idler assemblies, and pivotally mounted idler frames that can be easily moved between support and release positions, allowing for longitudinal adjustment and safe maintenance without halting operations, along with a monorail-based conveyor system that enables continuous operation and quick component replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If frames are manually carried and installed in confined tunnels, then conveyor length can be adjusted, but the process becomes time-consuming and hazardous
Solution Approach 1:
The support frames are designed with nested telescopic upright members that can be stored compactly within each other and transported through confined tunnel spaces. The inner upright member slides within the outer upright member, allowing the frames to be carried through narrow passages and then extended to full height for conveyor support installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The support frames incorporate movable and adjustable components including telescopic upright members, pivotally mounted idler frames, and adjustable cross-members that can be dynamically reconfigured during installation and operation, enabling quick adaptation to different conveyor lengths and configurations without time-consuming manual assembly.
2Adaptability or versatility
If frames are manually carried through tunnels, then conveyor system can be reconfigured, but safety risks increase due to hazardous handling
Solution Approach 1:
The nested telescopic design allows frames to be collapsed to compact dimensions for safe transport through confined tunnel passages, reducing the hazard of handling large structures in restricted spaces while maintaining full functionality when deployed.
Solution Approach 2:
The support frames are divided into modular segments including telescopic upright members, separate idler assemblies, and adjustable cross-members that can be independently handled and assembled, reducing the weight and complexity of manual handling while enabling flexible reconfiguration.
3Ease of repair
If conveyor is stopped for component replacement, then maintenance can be performed, but production downtime increases
Solution Approach 1:
The idler frames are pivotally mounted to allow quick rotation between operational and maintenance positions, and the telescopic upright members can be rapidly extended or retracted, enabling component replacement while the conveyor remains in motion or with minimal interruption to production.
Solution Approach 2:
Maintenance components such as idler frames are designed to be pre-positioned or easily accessible in ready-to-install configurations, allowing quick replacement without extensive disassembly or system shutdown, thereby maintaining production continuity.
4Ease of manufacture
If heavy components are handled in confined spaces, then conveyor can be assembled, but ergonomic difficulties increase
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor support system is divided into modular segments with telescopic upright members that can be nested within each other, reducing the overall size and weight distribution for easier handling in confined tunnel spaces while maintaining structural integrity during assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The nested telescopic design allows heavy support frames to be collapsed into compact configurations for transport and assembly in restricted spaces, reducing the ergonomic burden of maneuvering large structures through narrow passages while enabling full deployment when needed.
Data Source
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AI summary
A support frame (10) for a conveyor system (100), the support frame (10) comprising: an upright (12) longitudinally extending between an operative lower end (14) and an operative upper end (16); a cross member (18) extending outwardly from the upright (12) between an upright end (20) and a trolley end (20), the cross member (18) including a trolley (24) located towards the trolley end (20) of the cross member (18) and which trolley (24) is operatively adapted to suspend the upright (12) from an overhead rail; and an idler assembly (26) attached to the upright (12) and operatively adapted to support a carry belt portion and a return belt portion of a conveyor belt.