Center Cord-Line V-Belt Structure Without Fabric Reinforcement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Center cord-line V-belts have lower load-carrying capability and transverse stiffness due to their design, leading to earlier failure and increased cost when reinforced with fabric layers to address these issues.
Innovation Solution
A center cord-line V-belt with a radially centered helically wound tensile cord embedded in a very high-modulus adhesion gum, combined with unequal overcord and undercord layers made from ethylene-alpha-olefin elastomer with peroxide cure and metal salt of an α-β-unsaturated organic acid, eliminating the need for fabric reinforcement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If fabric reinforcement layers are added to center cord-line V-belts to increase load-carrying capability and transverse stiffness, then the belt strength and stability improve, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes fabric reinforcement layers from the belt construction, extracting the problematic element that caused manufacturing complexity while maintaining belt performance through alternative material selection in the rubber compound formulation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical and physical parameters of the rubber compound, specifically using a high-modulus compound with controlled aging properties and optimized filler content to achieve the required strength and stiffness without additional fabric layers
2Strength
If fabric reinforcement layers are added to center cord-line V-belts to increase load-carrying capability, then the belt strength improves, but the belt cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates fabric reinforcement layers, removing the additional material cost and processing expenses associated with fabric application, while compensating for strength requirements through optimized rubber compound formulation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite rubber compound formulation combining high-modulus base rubber with specific filler systems and aging-resistant additives to achieve the required mechanical properties without expensive fabric reinforcements
3Productivity
If the cord line is centered in the belt to minimize material waste during cutting, then manufacturing efficiency improves, but the belt transverse stiffness and load-carrying capability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the mechanical parameters of the rubber compound, specifically increasing the modulus of elasticity through filler optimization and crosslinking system selection, enabling the centered cord line configuration to achieve sufficient transverse stiffness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite rubber formulation with optimized filler content and distribution, creating a material with enhanced transverse stiffness that compensates for the suboptimal cord line positioning from a structural mechanics perspective
4Stability of the object's composition
If a high-modulus adhesion gum is used without short fibers to provide isotropic modulus and strong cord adhesion, then the cord line stability improves, but the transverse stiffness compared to fabric-reinforced belts decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different material properties to different regions of the belt cross-section, with the adhesion gum layer providing isotropic high-modulus support at the cord line for stability, while the outer rubber layers provide the necessary transverse stiffness and flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite structure with the adhesion gum formulation combining high-modulus base rubber with specific filler systems, creating a material that provides both cord adhesion and transverse structural support without requiring fabric reinforcements
Data Source
AI summary
A center cord-line V-belt with a radially centered cord line of helically wound tensile cord embedded in a very high-modulus adhesion gum, an overcord layer, and an undercord layer. The adhesion gum has a substantially isotropic modulus, while the overcord and undercord layers have anisotropy in with-grain and cross-grain moduli. The overcord and undercord cross-grain moduli are less than the adhesion gum modulus. The anisotropic moduli are the result of oriented short fibers and the with-grain modulus is oriented axially in the belt. The adhesion gum preferably has no short fiber. The belt preferably has no reinforcing fabric layer and no fabric wrap. The adhesion gum, overcord layer and undercord layer are preferably based on an ethylene-alpha-olefin elastomer, with peroxide cure, reinforcing filler, and metal salt of an α-β-unsaturated organic acid. The belt may have notches on one or both of the inner and outer radial surfaces for additional flexibility.