Hybrid Draper Belt Splice for Angled Flange Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for coupling the leading and trailing ends of a draper conveyor belt in agricultural harvesters face challenges such as misalignment of holes, deformation of connecting bars, poor sealing, and complexity in installation, particularly with bulky rigid bars and time-consuming lacing or endless belts.

Innovation Solution

A draper belt with a unitary hairpin connecting bar or a plurality of connecting bar pairs that circumscribe and join flanges at various angles, allowing for easy connection and disconnection of the belt ends, and a flexible connecting bar pair for non-perpendicular flanges, enhancing alignment and sealing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If rigid connecting bars are used to couple draper belt ends, then the belt ends can be connected, but alignment of holes becomes difficult and the connecting bars deform requiring bending back to alignment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidalignment ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The rigid connecting bar is divided into two separate connecting bars that can independently adjust to accommodate misalignment between belt flanges. Each bar can be positioned and secured separately, eliminating the need for precise hole alignment that a single rigid bar would require.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting bars are made flexible or adjustable rather than completely rigid, allowing them to bend or adjust to accommodate misalignment between holes in the belt flanges. This dynamic capability enables easy installation without requiring precise pre-alignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If rigid connecting bars are used to couple draper belt ends, then the belt ends can be connected, but the connecting bars are too bulky to extend to the edges of the belt which are covered by debris shields/seals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidsealing quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The single bulky rigid connecting bar is segmented into multiple smaller connecting bars. These smaller bars have reduced width and can be positioned to extend closer to or reach the edges of the belt, allowing debris shields and seals to properly cover the belt edges without interference from oversized connecting structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If a laced splice is used to join draper belt ends, then the belt can be joined, but the process is time consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejoint strengthVSAvoidinstallation speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The complex lacing process is replaced by segmented connecting bars that attach to flanges on the belt ends. This mechanical connection method is much faster than time-consuming lacing while maintaining reliable joint strength through the bar-flange-fastener assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The manual lacing operation is replaced by a mechanical fastening system using connecting bars and fasteners. This substitution automates the joining process, significantly reducing installation time while maintaining or improving joint reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Duration of action of stationary object

If a fixed length endless draper belt is used, then the belt can operate continuously, but the belt is challenging to install

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous operationVSAvoidinstallation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The endless belt is divided into separate sections with flanged ends that can be independently handled and installed. The segmented design allows the belt to be assembled in manageable pieces and then connected using the connecting bar system, making installation much easier than installing a complete fixed-length endless belt.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Flanges are pre-attached to the belt ends during manufacturing, preparing them for easy connection. This preliminary preparation allows the belt sections to be quickly assembled and connected on-site without complex field modifications, facilitating easier installation of the endless belt system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11013179B1Hybrid draper belt splice

Publication Date: 2021.05.25 BLUE LEAF I P INC

AI summary

The subject disclosure includes structure for easily and reliably connecting and disconnecting first and second ends of an agricultural harvester draper belt. A unitary hairpin connecting bar enables connection of adjacent flanges of the first and second ends of the draper belt. A plurality of connecting bar pairs provide connection of adjacent flanges of the first and second ends of the draper belt when the flanges are arranged in an angled, stepped or staggered pattern. A flexible connecting bar pair provides connection to flanges at the first and second ends of the draper belt that extend at a non-perpendicular angle relative to the leading edge of the draper belt.