Detachable 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 complex fastening systems, such as rivets and screws, which can lead to wear issues and damage, especially in the hinge area, making it hard to inspect and maintain.
Innovation Solution
A belt lock design featuring a detachable belt adapter that allows for easy replacement and inspection of the hinge area without loosening the connection to the belt end, using a sleeve nut-threaded screw combination and lockable fasteners, with a flat adapter plate providing frictional and positive locking, and eliminating the need for separate lock pins.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rivets or screws are used to fasten the connecting pieces to the belt ends, then the belt lock can be firmly connected, but the replacement and inspection of the hinge area becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The belt lock is divided into separate components: the connecting piece with hinge area, the belt adapter, and the fastening means. This segmentation allows the hinge area to be independently replaced by removing only the connecting piece, while the belt adapter remains attached to the belt end. The segmentation enables modular replacement without affecting the entire assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge area (connecting piece) is extracted as a separate replaceable component from the overall belt lock assembly. The belt adapter remains fixed to the belt end, while the connecting piece can be removed and replaced independently. This extraction allows inspection and replacement of the wear-prone hinge area without disturbing the belt connection.
2Ease of operation
If screw connections are used instead of rivets, then the connecting piece can be detached, but the handling becomes complicated due to plastic residue in threads and damaged nuts
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting piece with its hinge area is designed as a disposable or easily replaceable component. Instead of attempting to repair or clean complex screw threads and damaged nuts, the entire connecting piece can be quickly removed and replaced. This approach treats the connecting piece as a consumable part that is replaced rather than maintained.
Solution Approach 2:
The problematic screw connection elements (threads, nuts) are extracted from the design by using simple fastening means that attach the connecting piece to the belt adapter without complex threaded interfaces. This eliminates the issues of plastic residue in threads and damaged nuts while maintaining detachability.
3Ease of operation
If bushings are used in the belt lock, then the hinge area can move smoothly, but the bushings are difficult to see and their wear state cannot be easily checked
Solution Approach 1:
The bushings are extracted from the design by creating the hinge area directly in the connecting piece without separate bushing components. The hinge area is formed by curved bands that provide smooth movement without requiring hidden bushings. This makes the wear surfaces visible and accessible for inspection.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge area is designed with visible surfaces that show wear through color changes or surface alterations. The curved bands forming the hinge area have visible outer surfaces that display wear patterns, allowing easy detection of wear state without hidden components.
4Reliability
If the belt lock design includes protruding nuts and separate lock pins, then the connection can be secured, but the overall height increases and interferes with belt movement
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening means integrates the securing function directly into the connection between the connecting piece and belt adapter. The fastening means comprises a sleeve nut and threaded screw that secure the connecting piece to the belt adapter without requiring separate lock pins or protruding nuts. This merging reduces the overall height while maintaining connection security.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening means serves multiple functions: it secures the connecting piece to the belt adapter, provides the necessary connection strength, and does so within a compact height that does not interfere with belt movement. The same fastening mechanism replaces the need for separate locking components, achieving universality in function.
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 replacement and inspection of the wear-prone hinge area, reduces the risk of damage, and maintains belt integrity by allowing for flexible attachment and secure fixation without protruding nuts or bushings, improving operational efficiency and longevity.
Implementation Method 1
a flat element thus rests on the end of the belt in order to form an at least partially frictional connection with it
Implementation Method 2
preferably manually detachable via a sleeve nut-threaded screw combination
Implementation Method 3
locking solutions can also be used, via which the connecting piece can be connected to the belt adapter
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Belt lock for a belt for an agricultural implement, in particular a root crop harvesting or transporting machine, comprising two connecting pieces (1) to be connected via a locking pin, each having an upper part (3) and a lower part (4), which are integrally formed with a hinge area forming a receptacle for the locking pin and for at least partially arranging a respective belt end (16) between them, in particular wherein the upper and lower parts (3, 4) each have at least one recess for arranging fastening means (8, 9), with a belt adapter arranged on the respective connecting piece (1), via which the respective belt end (16) can be detachably connected to the respective connecting piece (1).