Belt monitoring

Abstract

A system for the monitoring of wear of transmission belts System comprises a belt (2) of any kind with a colored inner layer (5), a sensor (3) which detects the color emerging from the cracks of the worn out belt, a connection to the data logger (6) which processes the signal of the sensor (3), an alert light (8) which is turned on by the data logger (6) and warns the driver to replace the belt (2).

Description

DescriptionTitle of Invention: Belt Monitoring

[0001] The following invention is about a monitoring and warning system of belts’ wear. Nowadays, in the mechanic sector, there are a lot of vehicles using motiontransferring belts. These belts need to be regularly inspected and replaced because of the wear. It often happens that suddenly broken belts cause much more serious damage to the whole car, such as the crackdown of the engine itself.

[0002] The following invention enables to constantly monitor the belt’s wear and warn the driver when he must replace it. In this way everyone can know when it’s necessary to proceed with maintenance to avoid severe breakdowns. The inventors of the present invention have created a system for monitoring belt wear whose technical characteristics are such as to satisfy the above-mentioned need.

[0003] The object of the present invention is a system for identifying the wear and tear of belts. This system comprises a transmission belt of any kind with a colored inner layer, a sensor set near the belt which detects the layer’s color compared to the outer surface of the belt (this color is visible from the superficial cracks that happen when the belt itself is worn out), a data logger to whom the signal of the sensor arrives and compares it with a reference value, a light that warns the operator about the state of belt wear and tear.More specifically, this system comprises a belt with an inner colored fluorescent layer set in the second upper layer of it.More specifically, the sensor is an optical color sensor, which detects the amount of fluorescent color and is placed in the area of greatest bending of the belt.More specifically, the signal of the sensor arrives to a data logger which processes it and turns on the alarm.More specifically, the data logger is the control unit of the vehicle.More specifically, the alarm is a yellow light to warn about the wear of the belt, and a red light to warn about the replacement of it.For a better understanding of the present invention, next follow some making samples for illustrative and non-limiting purposes with the aid of the attached figures in which:- Figure 1 displays an application of the present invention- Figure 2 is the figure 1 detail- Figure 3 is the representation of a belt’s layers with the invention applied- Figure4 is a schematic representation of the electrical system which is object of the present inventionFigure 1 displays an application of the present invention. System 1 represents a transmission belt 2 assembled between two pulleys and a sensor 3 located in the area of greatest bending of the belt. Sensor 3 enables to identify the amount of color of the inner layer of the belt 2 that comes out from the cracks 4 (not visible in the figure) of the outer layer of the worn belt.System 2 in figure 2 is a detail of belt 2 insystem 1 and underlines the cracks 4 of the whole worn belt 2.Figure 3 is the representation of the layers of the belt, where 5 is the inner colored layer which is the object of the present invention. This colored layer is visible from the surface of the belt 2 when it starts to wear and shows some cracks 4. The chosen layer 5 and displayed in the figure is only indicative.Figure 4 is a schematic representation of the electric system of the present invention.The sensor 3 sends the signal to the data logger 6 and this data logger can be the control unit in case of application of the present invention in the automotive sector. The data logger 6 processes the signal and compares it to a reference value which defines the wear of the belt 2. If the measured value is higher than the reference one, the data logger 6 turns on the light 8. The reference range for turning on the light can be externally set according to the type of the belt and the warning to give the operator. The figure of the light 8 is only indicative. The light 8 warns the operator that the belt 2 needs to be replaced. The data logger 6 and the sensor 3 are battery powered.To recap, the belt 2 has an inner colored layer 5 which is visible from the outer surface of the belt when the belt itself is worn out, thanks to the cracks. The sensor 3 detects the amount of the visible color from the cracks and sends the signal to the data logger 6, which compares it to a reference value. If the measured value is higher than the reference one, data logger 6 turns on the light 8 to warn the operator that the belt 2 needs to be replaced. The reference value can be handled according to the type of belt.It is possible to insert a first-warning reference value which turns on the yellow light 8 and a second-warning reference value which stops the engine / vehicle and turns on the red light 8, forcing the operator to replace the belt 2.After this invention it is possible to put a temperature sensor to give information about the thermic state of the belt, which can increase the standard wear of the belt 2.

Claims

AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on 11 March 2025 (11 .03.2025)

1. Group 1 for the identification of belt wear; this group comprises a transmission belt of any type (2) with coloured core or inner layer (5), an optical color sensor (3), positioned in the area of bigger bending of the belt itself, that detects the amount of fluorescent color (5) visible from cracks (4) compared to the black surface of the belt (2) and able of detecting cracks during normal machine run, a data logger (6) to which the sensor signal (3) arrives and compares it with a reference value, an indicator light (8) that alerts the operator to the belt wear status (2).

2. The group according to claim 1 , characterized by the fact of comprising a belt (2) with a core or inner layer colored fluorescent (5) in the second upper layer.

3. Group according to one of the previous claims characterized by the fact that the sensor signal arrives at a data logger that reworks the signal, compares it with a reference value and turns on the indicator light during machine run.

4. The group according to claim 4 characterized by the fact that the data logger is the control unit of the vehicle.

5. The group according to one of the previous claims, characterized by a yellow warning light to point out belt wear and a red warning light for belt replacement and stop the machine during normal use.

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