Transmission Belt Element Structure for Misalignment Without Strength Loss
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional transmission belt elements experience reduced strength and durability due to recessed portions that extend to the lower end, leading to deformation during torque transmission.
Innovation Solution
The transmission belt element features a rocking edge portion with a convex surface that extends over the pillar portion and a non-contact portion along the saddle surface, ensuring contact only at the rocking edge and maintaining strength by setting the non-contact portion's depth to prevent contact with adjacent elements, thus preventing deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a recessed portion is formed on the front side main surface or rear side main surface extending to the lower end of the element, then adjacent elements can contact each other to absorb misalignment and suppress yawing, but the strength of the element is decreased and durability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The recessed portion is segmented to extend only to a specific depth that stops before the lower end of the element, dividing the element structure into distinct functional zones while preserving the lower portion for strength
Solution Approach 2:
The recessed portion is positioned specifically on the upper region of the element where misalignment absorption is needed, while the lower region maintains full thickness for strength, creating different local qualities for different functions
2Stability of the object's composition
If the element thickness is reduced to allow contact between adjacent elements, then misalignment can be absorbed, but the element becomes more prone to deformation during torque transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The solution moves from reducing thickness in the vertical dimension to creating a recessed portion in the horizontal dimension, allowing contact functionality without compromising the load-bearing thickness
3Reliability
If the recessed portion extends to the lower end of the element, then contact between adjacent elements is maximized for yawing suppression, but the element strength is significantly decreased
Solution Approach 1:
The recessed portion extends partially to the depth needed for yawing suppression, but stops before the lower end where full strength is required, applying the principle of partial action to balance functionality and strength
Data Source
AI summary
An element of a transmission including: a rocking edge portion with a convex surface formed on one of a front face and a rear face, so that the rocking edge portion extends over a pillar portion at least partially, the rocking edge portion having a contact line where the adjacent elements contact each other serves as a fulcrum of rotation of the adjacent elements; and a recessed non-contact portion extends along the saddle surface, to avoid contact with the adjacent element, and that divides the rocking edge portion in the width direction at least partially. A depth of the non-contact portion is set so that an end portion of the non-contact portion is positioned on an inner peripheral side of the transmission belt relative to the contact line when a winding radius is minimized, and the end portion does not reach the trunk portion on the inner peripheral side.