Friction Drive System Principle of Friction Wheel Conveyance & Force Calculation

Principle of Friction Wheel Conveyance & Force Calculation

Friction Wheel Force Calculator

I. Core Structure & Working Principle

Friction Drive System (FDS) uses distributed friction drive stations along the track. The high-friction wheel clamps the trolley beam and drives the trolley forward by static friction.

1. Main Components

  • Track System (straight, curved, turnout)
  • Friction Drive Station (motor, PU friction wheel, spring clamp, sensor)
  • Load Trolley / Spreader
  • PLC Control & Precision Positioning

2. Working Principle

  1. Spring/cylinder provides clamping force FN
  2. Motor drives friction wheel, static friction pulls the trolley
  3. Distributed relay drive (3–8m per station)
  4. Controlled slip for overload protection

II. Friction Force & Clamping Force Calculation

1. Traction Force (Required Driving Force)

Ftraction ≈ f × G

  • f = rolling friction coefficient (0.01–0.03)
  • G = total weight (N)

2. Friction Force (Driving Force)

Ffriction = μ × FN

  • μ = friction coefficient (0.5–0.8 for PU‑Steel)
  • FN = spring clamping force

3. Minimum Clamping Force

FN ≥ (K × f × G) / μ

Engineering rule: Clamping force ≈ 7.5% of total weight

4. Spring Stiffness Calculation

FN = k × x

  • k = spring stiffness (N/mm)
  • x = spring compression (mm)

III. Quick Reference Table

Total Mass (kg) Traction Force (N) Recommended Clamping Force (N)
500 ~100 300–400
1000 ~200 600–800
2000 ~400 1200–1600
3000 ~600 1800–2400

IV. Core Summary

  • Drive mode: distributed friction relay drive
  • Key force: static friction = μ × clamping force
  • Engineering design: clamping force ≈ 7.5% of total weight
  • Features: energy saving, low noise, high precision, easy maintenance