Research on Indentation Rolling Resistance Based on Viscoelasticity of Cover Rubber under a Conveyor Belt

Abstract

Minimizing the power consumption of the belt conveyor is the common wish of all enterprises and even countries. Among all the resistances generated by the belt conveyor during the operation, the indentation rolling resistance accounts for the largest proportion and the power consumed is the largest. Therefore, accurately predicting and reducing the rolling resistance of indentation is the focus of current research. Firstly, based on the three-element Maxwell solid model, the dynamic loading experiments of cylindrical rubber made of conveyor belt cover material were carried out at different temperatures. The identification models of elastic moduli E2 and E3 and viscosity coefficient η2 in the three-element Maxwell model were obtained, and then the fitting functions of the three parameters were gotten, which can intuitively reflect the influence of temperature. Secondly, the mathematical model of the indentation rolling resistance was derived. The mathematical model is characterized by the direct parameters such as belt speed v, thickness of backing material h, the idler radius R, and the rubber viscoelastic parameters E2, E3, and η2 and the indirect parameters such as normal force P and temperature T. Afterwards, the effects of belt speed, normal force, temperature, idler radius, and thickness of underlay on the indentation rolling resistance were studied under different working conditions. After that, experimental testing and analysis were fulfilled using test equipment and compared with theoretical analysis results. The results prove that the theoretical results are basically consistent with the experimental results, in line with the actual engineering rules. Finally, the application of the results in practical engineering was analyzed superficially.