Trolley Conveyor Roller Assembly With Low-Noise Polymer Fixing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional trolley conveyor roller assemblies made of metal components generate noise and dust due to friction, and when replaced with synthetic resin components, they lack durability and strength, leading to frequent breakage under load.

Innovation Solution

A roller assembly with a simple structure featuring synthetic resin components, including a pair of brackets shaped like cranks, a rotatable roller, a shaft with elastic holding hooks, and a wedge for secure fixation, along with a lubricating groove to reduce friction and noise, and a sealing protrusion to prevent foreign substances.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If metal components (hub, wheel, bearing) are used to maintain rigidity and strength, then the structural strength is improved, but noise and friction are generated due to contact between metal components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidnoise and friction
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical contact system (metal hub, wheel, and bearing) with a polymer material system. The polymer roller assembly eliminates direct metal-to-metal contact, thereby reducing noise and friction while maintaining the necessary structural strength through the polymer material properties and design configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs polymer composite materials for the hub and wheel components. These composite materials provide both the required mechanical strength and the noise-reducing, low-friction properties that pure metal components cannot achieve, effectively resolving the contradiction between strength and noise/friction reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-generated harmful factors

If hubs and wheels are made of synthetic resins to reduce noise and prevent dust, then noise and dust generation are reduced, but strength is lower than metal bearings causing easy breakage under load

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise and dustVSAvoidstrength
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses specifically formulated polymer composite materials that combine the noise-reducing benefits of synthetic resins with enhanced mechanical strength. The composite structure provides both acoustic damping properties and sufficient load-bearing capacity to prevent breakage under operational loads.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the material parameters by selecting polymer compositions with optimized mechanical properties. Through parameter changes in material selection and formulation, the design achieves both low noise generation and adequate strength to withstand operational loads without breaking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If a simple structure with fewer components is used to ease assembly and disassembly, then ease of operation is improved, but durability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assembly and disassemblyVSAvoiddurability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The roller assembly is segmented into distinct modular components (hub, roller, bearing assembly) that can be easily assembled and disassembled. This segmentation maintains ease of operation while ensuring durability through proper design of each segment and their interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a bearing as an intermediary element between the hub and roller components. This intermediary component facilitates easy assembly and disassembly while maintaining durability by properly distributing loads and reducing wear at the connection points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 reduces noise and extends the lifespan of the trolley conveyor by minimizing friction and load, while being easy to install, disassemble, and maintain, ensuring durability and reduced weight.

Implementation Method 1

the holding hook has an end portion that is tapered such that the holding hook is elastically deformed when the holding hook contacts the small diameter part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a lubricating groove is formed along a perimeter of the body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Data Source

PatentEP3680198B1Trolley conveyor roller assembly
Publication Date: 2024.12.18 CHO JONG IL
  • EP3680198B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3680198B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3680198B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a roller assembly for a trolley conveyor that moves along a rail track including a flange and a web. The roller assembly for a trolley conveyor includes a pair of brackets that is placed respectively on both sides of the rail track, that has the shape of cranks corresponding to each other and that includes a mounting hole for installing a below-described shaft, a roller that is rotatably coupled to the upper end of the bracket so as to be mounted on the web and slide, and a shaft that penetrates the roller, that is coupled to the roller and that is inserted into and fixed to the mounting hole. The roller assembly with the configuration may have a simple structure, may be easily assembled and disassembled and may ensure durability.