Tube Conveyor Belt Longitudinal Cogs Lateral Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyor belts in agricultural equipment face challenges in accurately loading and conveying objects without spilling, particularly due to lateral movement issues during transportation.
Innovation Solution
A tube conveyor system featuring a conveyor belt with longitudinal cogs oriented parallel to its edges, which restricts lateral movement and prevents objects from falling off by creating channels that guide and secure the products as they move through the tube bore.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional conveyor belts without cogs are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but objects cannot be securely held and lateral movement cannot be restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor belt surface is segmented into multiple longitudinal cogs that run parallel to the direction of travel. These cogs divide the continuous belt surface into discrete channels, creating individual containment zones for objects. This segmentation allows each object to be independently secured within its own channel while maintaining the overall simplicity of the belt structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a longitudinal dimension to the cog structure, with cogs extending parallel to the direction of conveyor travel rather than perpendicular to it. This dimensional change creates continuous channels that guide and secure objects throughout the entire length of the conveyor belt, preventing lateral movement without requiring complex mechanical components.
2Reliability
If objects are laterally loaded onto conventional conveyor belts, then loading is simple, but objects spill during transportation due to unrestricted lateral movement
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor belt is segmented into multiple longitudinal channels formed by parallel cogs. These channels act as natural containment structures that guide objects during lateral loading and prevent them from moving sideways during transport. The segmentation is achieved through relatively simple structural additions to the belt rather than complex manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The longitudinal cogs serve as intermediary structures between the conveyor belt surface and the objects being transported. These cogs create physical barriers that mediate the interaction between objects and the belt, providing lateral containment while allowing the belt to continue its primary function of conveying materials in the forward direction.
3Reliability
If smooth conveyor belt surfaces are used, then material flow is easy, but objects cannot be laterally restricted and fall off during conveyance
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding complex mechanical restraint devices, the invention uses longitudinal cogs that extend in the direction of travel to create channel-like structures. This dimensional approach to surface structuring provides lateral containment through the geometry of the channels themselves, maintaining material flow while preventing objects from falling off.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor belt surface is modified locally by adding longitudinal cogs at specific positions to create channels. The cogs are positioned to provide appropriate lateral restriction for objects while maintaining smooth surfaces in the direction of travel. This localized modification achieves the desired object stability without making the entire belt structure complex.
Data Source
AI summary
A tube conveyor including a tube and a conveyor belt. The tube has a bore extending therethrough. The conveyor belt is movable through the tube bore. The conveyor belt includes a base and at least one first longitudinal cog. The base has a first edge and a surface. The at least one first longitudinal cog extends from the base surface. The at least one first longitudinal cog is oriented substantially parallel to the first edge.