Telescoping Strut System for Conveyor Truss Elevation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conveyor systems face challenges in efficiently reconfiguring their structural components to adapt to varying operational requirements, such as elevating and lowering trusses, while maintaining stability and operational efficiency during material conveyance.

Innovation Solution

A telescoping strut system with pivotally coupled frames and actuators, allowing for reconfiguration between extended and retracted positions, supported by an undercarriage and truss, utilizing internal and transversely extending braces for structural integrity and movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a telescoping strut system is used to elevate and lower the truss, then operational flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The strut is divided into multiple telescoping sections that can extend and retract relative to each other, allowing the truss to be elevated and lowered while maintaining a compact form when retracted

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The telescoping strut sections are nested within each other, with inner sections sliding within outer sections, enabling compact storage and efficient space utilization when the truss is in the lowered position

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Length of stationary object

If the strut is made longer to reach higher positions, then elevation capability is improved, but structural stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelevation capabilityVSAvoidstructural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The strut transitions from a static fixed-length structure to a dynamic telescoping system that can adjust its effective length during operation, extending when elevation is needed and retracting when stability is required

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The strut employs composite construction with multiple sections of varying lengths and structural properties, combining rigid materials for stability with telescoping mechanisms for adjustability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Device complexity

If fixed-length struts are used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to varying operational requirements deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidadaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The strut system incorporates dynamic telescoping sections that can extend or retract based on operational needs, allowing the same structure to adapt to varying elevation requirements without requiring multiple fixed-length struts

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11066245B2Conveyor truss elevation apparatus, systems, and methods

Publication Date: 2021.07.20 SUPERIOR INDUSTRIES LLC

AI summary

Conveyor elevation apparatus, systems and methods are provided. Some embodiments include a stmt having three frame sections. In some embodiments at least two of the frame sections comprise longitudinal supports joined by bracing.