Telescopic Support Structure for Enclosed Belt Conveyor
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing support structures for enclosed belt conveyors in mining operations lack flexibility, stability, and modularity, and are overly complex, making them inefficient and difficult to adapt to irregular terrain and changing directions.
Innovation Solution
A support structure with telescopic elements and connectors that allow for rotational movement about three axes, enabling compensation for ground irregularities and height differences, while maintaining a non-complex pivoting mechanism, enhancing flexibility and modularity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a complex pivoting mechanism is used to compensate for changes in direction of the conveyor belt, then the adaptability to irregular terrain is improved, but the device complexity increases and flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into multiple independent support modules that can be individually adjusted. Each module contains its own telescopic elements and connectors, allowing localized adaptation to terrain irregularities without requiring a complex integrated pivoting mechanism. This segmentation enables simpler, more modular adaptation to directional changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The support modules incorporate telescopic elements with actuators that enable dynamic adjustment of the support structure's configuration. This allows the system to adapt to changing terrain conditions in real-time through controlled extension and retraction of telescopic elements, providing adaptability without permanent complex pivoting mechanisms.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a permanently provided pivoting mechanism is used for a single application, then the stability is improved, but the flexibility and modularity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure uses dynamically adjustable telescopic elements with actuators that can modify the configuration during operation. This dynamic capability allows the system to maintain stability in its operational configuration while simultaneously providing flexibility to reconfigure for different applications by extending or retracting the telescopic elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The support modules are designed as universal, multi-functional units that can be used across different applications and configurations. Each module contains all necessary components (telescopic elements, connectors, guide assemblies) to function independently, enabling the same modular unit to adapt to various terrain conditions and conveyor requirements without being permanently configured for a single application.
3Adaptability or versatility
If telescopic elements with rotational movement about three axes are used, then the adaptability to ground irregularities is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex three-axis rotational capability is distributed across multiple independent support modules rather than concentrated in a single complex mechanism. Each module handles a portion of the adaptation requirement, and the cumulative effect of multiple simple modules achieves the same functionality as one complex mechanism, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a complex mechanical pivoting mechanism to achieve three-axis rotational movement, the invention employs dynamically controllable telescopic elements with actuators. The rotational movement is achieved through controlled extension and retraction of telescopic elements at different orientations, providing three-axis adaptability through dynamic positioning rather than complex mechanical joints.
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
The solution provides increased stability, flexibility, and efficiency by allowing precise control of rotational movements, reducing complexity, and adapting to various environmental conditions, thus improving the overall performance of the conveyor system.
Implementation Method 1
the first telescopic element is arranged to form a connection with a second end element, a link element or a transport unit connected to the inner connector of the first end element
Implementation Method 2
at least one guide assembly for engaging opposite longitudinal edges of a belt of an enclosed belt conveyor
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The invention relates to a support structure for supporting a belt of an enclosed belt conveyor between two transport units and a corresponding method. The support structure (1000) between two transport units (100) comprises a first end element (1100) with a main extension in a longitudinal direction (L11), a width extension in a width direction (W11) orthogonal to the longitudinal direction and a height extension in a height direction (H11) orthogonal to the longitudinal and the width direction, at least one guide assembly (30, 36) for engaging opposite longitudinal edges of a belt of an enclosed belt conveyor, a first telescopic element (1500) connected to the first end element, wherein an outer end (1101) of the first end element has a first end connector (1110) adapted to form a connection with a first transport unit.