Conveyor Belt With Vertical Drive Roller for Smaller Transfer Gaps

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional conveyor belts face issues with transfer gaps due to large deflection roller diameters, requiring time-consuming belt tension adjustments during maintenance, and maintenance is cumbersome due to the need for disassembly and reassembly.

Innovation Solution

A conveyor belt system with a drive roller positioned below the belt body, allowing for detachable mounting and automatic tension adjustment upon insertion into a chassis, featuring a modular design with deflection elements and a drive unit connected rigidly to the belt body for easy maintenance and efficient power transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a deflection roller with large diameter is used at the front or rear ends of the conveyor belt, then efficient power transmission is achieved, but the transfer gap increases creating problems for product transfer and weighing applications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower transmission efficiencyVSAvoidtransfer gap
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The drive roller is repositioned from the traditional horizontal orientation at the ends of the belt to a vertical orientation below the belt body. This dimensional change allows the drive function to be separated from the deflection function, enabling small-diameter deflection rollers to be used at the belt ends without compromising power transmission efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The conveyor belt system is divided into separate functional modules: the belt body with deflection elements, the drive unit with motor and drive roller, and the chassis. This segmentation allows the drive unit to be independently positioned below the belt body while maintaining effective power transmission through the vertically oriented drive roller.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of repair

If the conveyor belt is designed for detachable mounting in the chassis, then maintenance becomes easier, but belt tension readjustment is required upon reinstallation which is time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance accessibilityVSAvoidbelt tension readjustment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The conveyor belt system automatically adjusts its own tension upon reinstallation into the chassis. The detachable mounting design allows the belt to be easily removed and reinstalled without manual intervention, and the tensioning mechanism self-regulates during reinstallation, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual tension readjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The belt tensioning system is designed to be dynamic rather than static, automatically adapting to the reinstallation process. The tension adjusts itself based on the belt's position in the chassis, allowing for quick maintenance cycles without requiring manual tension measurement and adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Volume of moving object

If the motor is positioned below the belt body with minimal lateral projection, then space utilization is improved for multi-track systems, but the drive mechanism becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelateral space occupationVSAvoiddrive mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drive mechanism transitions from a lateral power transmission arrangement to a vertical one. The motor is positioned below the belt body and drives the vertically oriented drive roller through a compact toothed belt mechanism, minimizing lateral projection while maintaining effective power transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The motor and drive roller are merged into a single drive unit assembly that is rigidly connected to the belt body. This integration simplifies the overall structure by combining the power source and transmission element into one compact module positioned below the belt, reducing the number of separate components and connections required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Facilitates smooth product transfer, reduces maintenance time, and ensures consistent belt tension without the need for manual adjustments, enhancing operational efficiency and reliability, especially in weighing applications.

Implementation Method 1

a toothed belt extends from a motor shaft to a suitable pinion on the drive roller to transmit torque from the motor to the drive roller

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical power transmission through toothed belt engagement: Gear

Implementation Method 2

A transport belt can be formed by a flat belt or strap or similar, closed and circulating transport means, whereby... several such elements together are also considered a transport belt, as long as they are driven together by a drive roller

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction-based power transmission: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP4640593A1Conveyor belt
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 WIPOTEC GMBH
  • EP4640593A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4640593A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4640593A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a conveyor belt with a transport belt and a chassis interacting with it in such a way that the transport belt is automatically tensioned ready for operation when the conveyor belt is inserted into the chassis.