Toolless Sidewall Fastening for Hygienic Conveyor Belt Joints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional modular conveyor belts with many hinge joints are not hygienic due to bacterial harborage in their nooks and crannies, and existing methods for joining sidewalls at hinge joints are time-consuming and require tools, making them inefficient for applications like conveying round products.
Innovation Solution
The development of toolless fastening systems for joining sidewalls at joints in flexible thermoplastic conveyor belts, using integral fastener elements such as tabs, slots, hooks, and clips that allow for secure and tool-free connection of sidewalls, ensuring a continuous sidewall without the need for screws or tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional plate and screw fastening systems are used to join sidewalls at hinge joints, then the sidewalls can be securely fastened together, but the installation process becomes time-consuming and requires multiple tools
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening system is divided into separate functional elements: a fastener element with recesses and a corresponding protrusion element. These segmented components can be independently manufactured and assembled, allowing for simplified installation without requiring complex tooling while maintaining secure fastening through the interlocking geometry of the segmented parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates the need for external fastening tools (screwdrivers, wrenches, clamps) by integrating the fastening function directly into the sidewall structure through built-in fastener elements. The fastening mechanism is self-contained within the sidewall components themselves, removing the dependency on separate tooling.
2Reliability
If conventional plate and screw fastening systems are used to join sidewalls at hinge joints, then the sidewalls can be securely fastened together, but the device complexity increases due to multiple components and tools required
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening function is merged with the sidewall structure itself. The fastener element and protrusion element are integrated into the sidewall components, eliminating the need for separate plates, screws, and other external fastening hardware. This merging reduces the total number of components and simplifies the overall fastening system while maintaining secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The sidewall structure provides its own fastening capability through the integrated fastener and protrusion elements. The system is self-sufficient and does not require external tools or additional components to perform the fastening function. The geometry of the fastener elements enables self-alignment and self-securing during assembly.
3Reliability
If multiple tools are used for fastening sidewalls, then secure connection can be achieved, but the ease of operation decreases due to the need for multiple tools and complex procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening system is designed to be self-sufficient, requiring no external tools for operation. The fastener element with recesses and the protrusion element with corresponding geometry enable direct manual assembly through simple insertion and engagement, making the operation intuitive and tool-free while maintaining secure connection.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using external tools to force fasteners into place, the design inverts the approach by having the sidewall structures themselves provide the fastening mechanism. The protrusion element fits into the recess through complementary geometry, reversing the conventional approach of using separate fasteners and tools.
4Adaptability or versatility
If hinge joints with multiple nooks and crannies are used in modular conveyor belts, then the belt can be assembled from modular segments, but hygiene is compromised due to bacterial harborage areas
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening system uses localized geometric features (recesses and protrusions) at specific locations on the sidewalls to achieve secure connection. This localized approach creates smooth, continuous surfaces without creating additional nooks and crannies, maintaining hygiene while enabling modular assembly through the localized interlocking features.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using traditional mechanical fasteners that create additional crevices and harborage areas, the design inverts the approach by using the sidewall structures themselves as the fastening mechanism. The protrusion and recess elements create a smooth transition that eliminates additional nooks and crannies, reversing the conventional approach of adding separate fastening components.
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible thermoplastic conveyor belt constructed of one or more belt segments having corrugated sidewalls. The one or more segments are joined end to end at one or more joints. The ends of the sidewalls at or near the joints are fastened together by fasteners to form a continuous sidewall along the length of the belt. The fasteners are toolless fasteners requiring no tools; they can be fastened and unfastened by hand alone.