Bi-Modulus Power Transmission Belt for Easy Mounting and Low Creep
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power transmission belts face challenges with ease of mounting and operational durability, particularly experiencing slip and creep, which affect torque transmission efficiency and longevity.
Innovation Solution
A power transmission belt with reinforcing elements embedded in a polymeric composition, featuring a bi-modulus behavior with a ratio of maximum tangent modulus to tangent modulus at 1% elongation greater than or equal to 2.00, and a force at 2% elongation over the width less than 120 daN/cm, utilizing a hybrid reinforcing element assembly of aromatic and aliphatic polyamide strands to enhance mountability and reduce slip and creep.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a power transmission belt uses conventional reinforcing elements with uniform modulus, then the belt structure is simple, but the belt exhibits high initial stiffness making it difficult to mount and showing slip and creep during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the modulus of elasticity of reinforcing elements at different positions along their length. Specifically, the reinforcing elements have a first modulus of elasticity in the initial portion and a second, higher modulus of elasticity in the second portion, creating a bimodulus structure. This allows the belt to have low initial stiffness for easy mounting while providing high stiffness for reliable torque transmission during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining reinforcing elements with different modulus characteristics into a single belt structure. The bimodulus reinforcing elements themselves are composite in nature, and the belt plies are arranged at different angles (e.g., 0 degrees and 45 degrees) to create a composite structure that achieves both ease of mounting and operational reliability.
2Ease of operation
If a power transmission belt uses elastic belts with low initial modulus for easy mounting, then mounting is simplified, but the belts experience creep and tension loss over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the modulus parameter along the length of the reinforcing elements, creating a bimodulus structure where the initial portion has lower modulus for easy mounting and the second portion has higher modulus to resist creep and maintain tension during prolonged operation. This gradient in modulus values allows the belt to satisfy both mounting ease and operational longevity requirements.
3Ease of operation
If a power transmission belt uses cut and stacked belt plies at angles, then mounting ease is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases and durability decreases due to flush edges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material structures with belt plies arranged at different angles (such as 0 degrees and 45 degrees) to achieve the desired mechanical properties for easy mounting while maintaining manufacturing feasibility. The composite ply structure provides both the mounting ease benefit and operational durability without requiring cutting and stacking operations.
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
The solution results in improved mountability, reduced slip, and increased operational longevity with enhanced torque transmission efficiency, as demonstrated by reduced creep and tension loss over time.
Implementation Method 1
the ratio of the maximum tangent modulus MP2 in the range from 1 to 10% elongation developed by the belt to the tangent modulus at 1% elongation MP1 developed by the belt MP2/MP1 is greater than or equal to 2.00
Implementation Method 2
A power transmission belt is understood to be an elastic belt, which therefore have a low initial elastic modulus. These belts are easy to mount, sometimes manually. These belts often do not have tensioning systems and are therefore relatively simple to implement.
Data Source
AI summary
A power transmission belt (P) comprises one or more reinforcing elements (R) embedded in a polymeric composition (20). For the belt, a ratio of the maximum tangent modulus MP2 in the range from 1 to 10% elongation to the tangent modulus at 1% elongation MP1 MP2/MP1 is greater than or equal to 2.00. The force at 2% elongation over the width of the belt (P) is less than or equal to 120.0 daN/cm. The belt (P) is obtained by embedding one or more reinforcing elements (R) in a polymeric composition (20). For the reinforcing element, a ratio of the maximum tangent modulus MR2 in the range from 1 to 10% elongation to the tangent modulus at 1% elongation MR1 MR2/MR1 is greater than or equal to 2.00. The force at 2% elongation over the diameter of the reinforcing element is strictly less than 11.0 daN/mm.