Flat Belt Clamp Wedge Locking Against Slip and Reverse Tension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clamps for open-ended flat belts often experience slipping due to friction-based force transfer, which can lead to damage and are either too large or prone to releasing the belt when tension reverses, making them impractical for high-load applications.
Innovation Solution
A clamp design featuring a tapered housing with a profiled retaining wedge and adjustable lock that securely engages the flat belt, reducing the size of the clamp while maintaining sufficient surface area engagement and preventing belt loosening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If friction-based force transfer is used to attach the clamp to the flat belt, then the clamp can be simpler in structure, but the flat belt may slip and cause damage
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp is divided into multiple functional components: a body portion, a wedge portion with engagement features, and a locking mechanism. The wedge portion is further segmented with alternating ribs and lands that create multiple friction surfaces, distributing the force transfer across several contact points rather than a single interface, thereby preventing slipping while maintaining structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp employs a dynamic locking mechanism that allows the wedge to be inserted and positioned during assembly, then locked into place. This dynamic approach enables the clamp to transition from an open assembly state to a secured operational state, providing reliable belt retention without requiring complex pre-assembled structures
2Strength
If a larger clamp size is used to increase surface area engagement, then the belt holding strength is improved, but the clamp becomes impractical for high-load applications with space constraints
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniformly increasing the overall clamp size, the invention concentrates engagement features locally at the wedge portion where it contacts the belt. The alternating ribs and lands create localized high-friction zones that maximize belt holding strength in a compact area, allowing the clamp to maintain high strength without increasing overall volume
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp utilizes composite structural elements combining the body portion and wedge portion with different functional properties. The wedge portion incorporates ribs and lands that create multiple contact surfaces, effectively compositeing friction-based retention with mechanical interlocking to achieve high belt holding strength in a compact design
3Ease of operation
If a conventional clamp design is used, then the assembly process is straightforward, but the clamp may release the belt when tension reverses
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to be engaged after the wedge is inserted and positioned against the belt. This preliminary sequencing ensures the wedge is properly seated and creating friction engagement before the lock is applied, maintaining ease of operation while ensuring reliable belt retention under reversing tension conditions
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 clamp effectively secures the flat belt without slipping or damage, even under reversing tension, and is compact enough for use in high-load applications like elevators and forklifts, ensuring reliable operation.
Implementation Method 1
the force from the clamp (completely or in parts) is transferred to the flat belt by friction on the surface of the belt
Data Source
AI summary
A clamp for open ended flat belts. The clamp has a tapered housing with an aperture at a first end providing access to the housing interior and a second open end also providing access to the interior. A tapered wedge is removable and replaceable from the interior of the housing, the wedge having a first end and a radiused second end and having a surface comprising alternating ribs and lands. The clamp includes a lock having a concave surface similar to the radiused second end of the tapered wedge. The housing may have a removeable and replaceable side wall providing access to the interior.