Indirect Force Transmission Belt Tensioning Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional belt tensioning systems lack the ability to consistently achieve and guarantee a desired tension level, as the clamping force depends on the user's effort, leading to potential over- or under-tensioning.

Innovation Solution

A tensioning device with a dynamically acting element that indirectly transmits force, featuring a locking mechanism that automatically locks when the minimum required tension is reached, preventing further over-tensioning and ensuring consistent belt tension.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If direct force transmission via clamping lever is used, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision of tension force deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidmanufacturing precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a dynamically acting element as an intermediary between the clamping lever and the clamping device. This element indirectly transmits force, allowing the system to achieve both ease of operation and precise tension control. The intermediary element enables force transmission while allowing for automatic locking at predetermined tension levels, resolving the contradiction between operational simplicity and manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If automatic locking mechanism is added, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a self-service locking mechanism where the dynamically acting element automatically locks the clamping device when predetermined tension is reached. The system self-regulates without requiring additional complex control systems or manual intervention, thereby improving reliability while minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Manufacturing precision

If indirect force transmission is used, then manufacturing precision of tension force is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dynamically acting element serves as a simple intermediary component that enables indirect force transmission. This approach achieves precise tension control through the mechanical properties of the intermediary element itself, rather than requiring complex control systems, thereby improving manufacturing precision with minimal increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 device ensures the belt is automatically locked at the desired tension, preventing unintentional loosening and maintaining the achieved tension force, thereby providing a consistent and reliable tensioning solution.

Implementation Method 1

a force generated by a user is advantageously not introduced directly into the clamping device – for example, via a clamping lever. Instead, the force transmission from the user – with respect to the clamping lever – is advantageously indirect (i.e., not via the clamping lever itself, but via a dynamically acting element)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3693216B1Tension device for strips
Publication Date: 2021.10.13 SAYGIVAR LISA MARIE
  • EP3693216B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3693216B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3693216B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a tensioning device (E) for straps (C), in particular for belts (C). In order to achieve an improved tensioning device (E), it is proposed that the tensioning device (E) has a dynamically acting element (2) by means of which force transmission in the tensioning device (E) is effected indirectly.