Modular Belt Cord-Based Traction Element Design

Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional modular belts are noisy, vibrate, and experience component wear due to hinge-like connections, making them difficult to maintain and requiring specialized tools for replacement, as they often need to be disassembled to replace broken or worn modules.

Innovation Solution

A modular belt design featuring longitudinal belt sections with traction elements and removably attached belt plates, which allows for easy replacement of belt plates without breaking the belt's continuity, reducing noise and wear by eliminating pivot rods and using a cord-based structure for stiffness and attachment, and enabling efficient assembly and manufacturing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If traditional hinge-like connections with pivot rods are used to link belt modules, then the belt can be assembled, but the belt becomes noisy, vibrates, and components wear due to vibrations and movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebelt assemblyVSAvoidnoise and vibration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the pivot rod hinge mechanism entirely from the belt structure. Instead of using traditional hinge-like connections with pivot rods that link belt modules, the invention uses a continuous flexible cord that runs through all belt plates, eliminating the source of noise and vibration while maintaining the modular assembly capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical hinge-and-pivot-rod system with a flexible cord system. The cord passes through channels in each belt plate and is secured with retainers, creating a non-rigid connection that eliminates the clicking noise and vibration associated with traditional mechanical hinges while preserving the modular nature of the belt

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of manufacture

If traditional hinge connections are used, then the belt can be assembled, but components wear due to vibrations and movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebelt assemblyVSAvoidcomponent wear

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the pivot rod hinge mechanism entirely from the belt structure. Instead of using traditional hinge-like connections with pivot rods that link belt modules, the invention uses a continuous flexible cord that runs through all belt plates, eliminating the source of noise and vibration while maintaining the modular assembly capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical hinge-and-pivot-rod system with a flexible cord system. The cord passes through channels in each belt plate and is secured with retainers, creating a non-rigid connection that eliminates the clicking noise and vibration associated with traditional mechanical hinges while preserving the modular nature of the belt

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of manufacture

If traditional modular belts are used, then the belt can be assembled, but replacement of broken or worn modules requires breaking the belt continuity, which is difficult and requires specialized tools

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebelt assemblyVSAvoidmodule replacement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the belt into modular belt plates that can be independently accessed and replaced. Each belt plate is a separate module that can be removed and replaced without affecting the continuity of the entire belt, allowing for easy maintenance and repair

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent removes the pivot rod hinge mechanism entirely from the belt structure. Instead of using traditional hinge-like connections with pivot rods that link belt modules, the invention uses a continuous flexible cord that runs through all belt plates, eliminating the source of noise and vibration while maintaining the modular assembly capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS10934095B2Modular belt and traction element for a modular belt

Publication Date: 2021.03.02 HABASIT AG

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a modular belt having two or more longitudinal belt sections. Each belt section includes a traction element having a cord and a plurality of drive elements attached to the cord. The drive elements are spaced apart along a length of the cord. The belt section further includes a plurality of belt plates. Each belt plate is removably attached to a corresponding drive element of the traction element. The belt section may comprise at least one additional traction element to which each belt plate is attached. In this way, each belt plate may be attached to two or more traction elements. The modular belt includes two or more connectors, wherein each connector is configured to longitudinally couple two belt sections in order to form the modular belt as an endless belt.