Agricultural Belt Lock Assembly for Replaceable Hinge Wear

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing belt locks for agricultural implements are difficult to replace due to secure fastening means, often result in incomplete screw mounting, and have poorly visible bushings that obscure wear assessment.

Innovation Solution

A belt lock design featuring a belt adapter that allows for easy replacement and wear assessment of the hinge region without releasing the belt end connection, using a sleeve nut-threaded screw combination and planar adapter elements with frictional and positive connections, eliminating the need for separate lock pins and reducing protrusions for a more compact design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of repair

If individual fastening means (rivets or screws) are used to secure connecting pieces to belt ends, then the belt lock can be assembled and disassembled, but the replacement of worn connecting pieces becomes difficult and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereplacement of connecting piecesVSAvoidtime for replacing connecting pieces

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The belt lock is divided into separable components: the belt adapter remains permanently attached to the belt end, while the connecting piece can be independently removed and replaced. This segmentation allows the connecting piece to be exchanged without affecting the belt adapter or requiring release of the belt end connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The belt adapter is pre-attached to the belt end using permanent fastening means during initial assembly. This preliminary action creates a stable base that remains fixed while allowing the connecting piece to be easily swapped out when worn, eliminating the need to release the entire belt end connection during replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If screw connections are used instead of rivets, then the connecting pieces can be disassembled, but residues of plastics material are deposited in the screw thread and screws cannot be fully mounted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisassembly of connecting piecesVSAvoidcomplete screw mounting

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The problematic screw connection between the belt adapter and belt end is eliminated. Instead, the belt adapter is directly attached to the belt end using permanent fastening means, extracting the source of plastic residue contamination while maintaining the ability to disassemble and replace connecting pieces through the lock pin mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Strength

If nuts are arranged on the lower face toward running surfaces, then the screw connections can be secured, but the nuts are frequently damaged and snap off during operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecuring of screw connectionsVSAvoiddurability of fastening components

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The vulnerable nut component arranged on the lower face is completely removed from the design. The permanent fastening means are integrated into the belt adapter structure, eliminating the exposed nuts that were prone to damage from running surfaces while maintaining secure attachment of the belt adapter to the belt end.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Reliability

If bushings are added to the belt lock, then the hinge region can function properly, but the bushings are poorly visible from the outside and wear state cannot be properly checked

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctioning of hinge regionVSAvoidvisibility of wear state

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The belt adapter is designed with a planar, externally visible surface that can display wear indicators. While internal bushings may still be used for hinge functionality, the external surface of the belt adapter provides a visible area where wear can be detected through color changes, markings, or surface condition observations, solving the visibility problem.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

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 simple replacement and wear assessment of the hinge region, ensuring optimal fastening and reduced wear, while maintaining belt flexibility and preventing damage to fastening components.

Implementation Method 1

the belt adapter may be optimally fastened... the respective connecting piece being able to be releasably connected thereby to the respective belt end

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

planar adapter elements with frictional and positive connections

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPositive connection:

Data Source

PatentUS11266066B2Belt lock and belt

Publication Date: 2022.03.08 RICON GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

A belt lock for a belt for an agricultural implement is provided. The belt lock comprises two connecting pieces which may be connected via a lock pin. The two connecting pieces each have an upper part and a lower part which are configured integrally with a hinge region, forming a receiver for the lock pin and for at least partially arranging one respective belt end between one another. The upper and lower part in each case have at least one recess for arranging a fastener. Each of the upper and lower parts have a belt adapter which is arranged on the respective connecting piece, the respective belt end being able to be releasably connected thereby to the respective connecting piece.