Belt Segment Fastening with Split Shells for Compact Force Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastening devices for connecting belt segments to machines face challenges in achieving maximum force transmission while minimizing installation space requirements, often resulting in high surface pressure and increased installation complexity.
Innovation Solution
A fastening device with a connecting element and receiving device, where the connecting element has a shoulder and clamping unit that clamps onto steel cables, and the receiving device has multiple shells for complete positive reception, allowing even force distribution and compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If the connecting element is enlarged to reduce surface pressure, then surface pressure distribution improves, but installation space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting element is divided into multiple functional parts: a clamping unit with cable-receiving openings and a shoulder portion. This segmentation allows the force transmission function to be separated from the cable anchoring function, enabling compact design while maintaining even surface pressure distribution through the shoulder's geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The shoulder portion is designed with specific geometric characteristics that create favorable stress distribution at the interface with the receiving device. The local geometry of the shoulder provides even surface pressure without requiring overall enlargement of the connecting element, thus resolving the contradiction between pressure distribution and installation space.
2Force
If traditional clamp connections are used in tight spaces, then force transmission is achieved, but installation complexity and risk of improper execution increase
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping unit is designed to automatically secure the cables through its structure. The cables are received in openings and secured without requiring complex adjustment or tightening operations, making the installation process simpler and more reliable even in tight spaces.
3Power
If force is transmitted over a small area, then installation space is minimized, but locally high load results in reduced power transmission capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The shoulder portion extends in a direction perpendicular to the main force transmission axis, distributing the load over a larger three-dimensional volume rather than concentrating it on a small flat surface. This dimensional extension increases the effective load-bearing area without significantly increasing the footprint in the primary installation plane.
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
Enables easy and quick installation of belt segments, maintains high force transmission with even surface pressure distribution, and allows for a more compact design without sacrificing power transmission capacity.
Implementation Method 1
The clamping unit (8) is connectable to at least some of the cables (6) by means of a clamp
Implementation Method 2
the surface of the outer contour of the connecting element (3) is in complete contact with the surface of the inner contour of the shells (4) of the receiving device (4), so that the entire surface of the connecting element (3) serves for the form-fitting force transmission
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
Fastening device (1) suitable for connecting a belt segment (2) to a machine, comprising a connecting element (3) and a receiving device (4), wherein the connecting element (3) has a shoulder (7) and a clamping unit (8), wherein the clamping unit (8) can be connected to at least some of the cables (6) of the belt segment by means of a clamp, wherein the receiving device (4) is designed for the positively locking reception of the connecting element (3), wherein the receiving device (4) is designed in several parts and has at least two shells that can be connected to one another, wherein the inner contour of the shells has the outer contour of the connecting element (3), wherein the shells are connected to one another for the complete positively locking reception of the connecting element (3).