Hollow-Profile Track Floor Conveyor Support for Adjustable Gauge

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Solution Overview

Problem

The construction and manufacturing of track floor conveyors are complex due to the need for individually manufactured steel frame constructions that are rigid and resistant to thermal impacts, requiring high weight and strict adherence to track width, which complicates customization and increases weight.

Innovation Solution

A support system with a hollow profile featuring a groove-shaped depression for wheel axles, allowing for adjustable track gauge and reduced contamination, using extruded or pultrusion profiles that eliminate the need for welding and enable lightweight, customizable designs with integrated force sensors and detachable clamping devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If welded steel frame constructions are used to ensure rigidity and thermal resistance, then structural strength is improved, but weight increases and manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidweight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from steel to aluminum alloy, achieving a weight reduction of approximately 60% while maintaining sufficient structural strength through optimized hollow profile geometry and wall thickness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses aluminum alloy as a composite material that provides both structural strength and weight reduction, replacing traditional welded steel constructions with extruded or pultruded aluminum profiles

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If individually manufactured steel frame constructions are used to match load dimensions, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases and manufacturing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to load dimensionsVSAvoidconstruction complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support is segmented into modular hollow profile sections that can be combined in different configurations, allowing adaptation to various load dimensions while maintaining simple standardized construction elements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hollow profile design serves multiple functions: structural support, wheel mounting integration, and adaptability to different track gauges, eliminating the need for separate frame constructions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Temperature

If welded steel frame constructions are used to ensure thermal resistance, then thermal stability is improved, but manufacturing time increases and complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal resistanceVSAvoidmanufacturing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical welding process with extrusion or pultrusion manufacturing processes, eliminating welding operations entirely and enabling continuous production of standardized support profiles

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The thermal and structural properties are built into the hollow profile design during extrusion/pultrusion, eliminating the need for post-manufacturing thermal treatments or welding operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Manufacturing precision

If fixed track width constructions are used to ensure precision, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrack width precisionVSAvoidtrack gauge adjustability

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the track gauge adjustable through movable wheels that can be repositioned along the hollow profile while maintaining precise alignment, allowing dynamic adaptation to different track widths

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The wheel mounting system is nested within the hollow profile structure, with wheels and axles contained within the profile walls, allowing easy adjustment while maintaining precise track gauge

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS12258219B2Support of a track floor conveyor, and track floor conveyor with support

Publication Date: 2025.03.25 STROTHMANN MACHINES & HANDLING

AI summary

A support (2) of a track floor conveyor (1), including a hollow profile (3), of which at least one hollow space (4) is enclosed by a wall (5), in which the wall (5), on the side adjoining the track (11), has at least one groove-shaped depression in which the axle or the axle bearing (9) of one or more wheels (8) can be accommodated, and the wall (5) has a recess (7) for at least a part of a wheel (8).