Flared Conveyor Belt Fastener Loops for Lower Hinge Pin Stress
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing conveyor belt fasteners with constant cross-section loops face limitations in strength due to high contact stresses on the hinge pin, leading to potential damage and reduced durability, especially in heavy-duty environments.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates flared loop portions with wider distal portions and narrower proximal portions, providing a larger contact area with the hinge pin to distribute forces and reduce peak stresses, while maintaining a uniform thickness for the fastener body to avoid material thickness issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If loops have constant cross-section throughout, then flexibility in assembling interlaced loops is improved, but strength of fastener and loops is reduced due to high contact stresses on hinge pin
Solution Approach 1:
The loop portions transition from constant cross-section to variable cross-section, with the distal portion having a larger lateral width than the proximal portion. This local variation in geometry concentrates the contact area with the hinge pin at the distal portion, reducing contact stresses while maintaining assembly flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The lateral width parameter of the loop portions is changed along their length, creating a flared geometry where the distal portion has a larger lateral width. This parameter change optimizes the distribution of contact stresses with the hinge pin while preserving the flexibility needed for interlacing loops during assembly.
2Strength
If base material thickness is increased to strengthen fastener loops, then strength of loops is improved, but cost increases and manufacturing issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniformly thickening the base material, the invention introduces local geometric variation in the loop portions, with the distal portion having a larger lateral width. This localized geometric enhancement provides the needed strength without requiring increased material thickness throughout the entire fastener body.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves from changing material thickness (one dimension) to changing lateral width (another dimension). By flaring the loop portions in the lateral direction rather than increasing base material thickness, the invention achieves loop strength enhancement without the manufacturing complications associated with thicker materials.
3Strength
If base material thickness is increased, then strength of fastener is improved, but fasteners protrude significantly above conveyor surface causing wear and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local geometric enhancement only to the loop portions where strength is needed, while keeping the overall fastener profile low. The flared distal portion of the loops provides additional strength without increasing the protrusion height of the fastener body above the conveyor surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution addresses the strength requirement by expanding in the lateral dimension (wider distal portion of loops) rather than the vertical dimension (thickness). This dimensional shift allows the fastener to achieve greater strength while maintaining a low profile that avoids impact damage from conveyor components.
Data Source
AI summary
A conveyor belt fastener having a body with upper and lower plate portions and loop portions connecting the upper and lower plate portions. The upper and lower plate portions have apertures to receive an attachment member for securing the plate portions to an end of a conveyor belt. The body has a lateral spacing between the flared loop portions configured to receive a loop portion of a fastener secured to another end of the conveyor belt. Each loop portions includes proximal portions adjacent the upper and lower plate portions with proximal lateral widths. Each loop portion further includes a laterally enlarged distal portion extending arcuately intermediate the proximal portions along the loop portion for contacting the hinge pin. The laterally enlarged distal portion has a distal lateral width larger than the proximal lateral width to provide a wide contact area between the loop portion and the hinge pin.