Modular Belt Link with Oblique Reinforcing Ribs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modular belt links require a large amount of material for strength and rigidity, leading to high manufacturing costs and long machine times due to the injection molding process.
Innovation Solution
A modular belt link design featuring laterally spaced eye parts with obliquely arranged reinforcement ribs and unbroken leading and trailing walls, which distribute forces homogeneously and increase rigidity, reducing material usage and manufacturing time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a large amount of material is used to provide strength and rigidity, then the belt link achieves the required mechanical properties, but the manufacturing cost and machine time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The belt link structure is segmented into functional zones: eye parts for connection, unbroken leading and trailing walls for force distribution, and reinforcing ribs arranged in clusters for localized strengthening. This segmentation allows material to be concentrated where needed rather than uniformly distributed, reducing overall material usage while maintaining strength.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the belt link have different structural qualities optimized for their specific functions. The eye parts have thickened walls for connection strength, the leading and trailing walls are unbroken for force distribution, and reinforcing ribs are strategically placed in clusters between walls. This local quality optimization reduces material in non-critical areas while maintaining or enhancing strength in critical areas.
2Strength
If a large amount of material is used to provide strength and rigidity, then the belt link achieves the required mechanical properties, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The structure divides material distribution into discrete functional elements (eye parts, unbroken walls, reinforcing rib clusters) rather than uniform material distribution. This allows precise material placement only where mechanically necessary, reducing total material quantity while achieving required strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The belt link combines different structural features (unbroken walls, oblique reinforcing ribs, clustered arrangements) within a single molded component. This composite structural approach creates a heterogeneous material distribution that optimizes strength-to-material-ratio, using material strategically rather than uniformly.
3Manufacturing precision
If the injection molding process waits for cooling before repeating cycles, then the material sets properly, but the machine time per module becomes relatively high
Solution Approach 1:
The design uses partial reinforcement rather than complete uniform thickening. Reinforcing ribs are arranged in clusters between the unbroken leading and trailing walls rather than filling the entire structure. This partial action approach reduces the total material volume and cooling time required while maintaining sufficient structural strength through strategic placement of reinforcement.
Solution Approach 2:
The design changes the geometric parameters of the structure (unbroken walls, oblique rib angles, clustered arrangements) to optimize the strength-to-cooling-time ratio. The oblique angle of reinforcing ribs and their clustered arrangement between walls create efficient stress distribution that allows for reduced material thickness and faster cooling cycles while maintaining mechanical integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
A modular belt link has leading and a trailing edges with a top surface located between the leading and trailing edges. A plurality of eye parts project from both the leading and trailing edges, and are spaced laterally and off set from one another such that eye parts on a trailing edge of one belt link may be inserted between eye parts on the leading edge of an adjacent belt link. Means are provided for mutually and hingedly connecting adjacent belt links such that the eye parts along the trailing and leading edge are united with substantially unbroken leading and trailing walls arranged perpendicular to the top surface. The walls are spaced from one another. Reinforcing ribs are arranged between the walls and an underside of the belt links. The reinforcement ribs extend at an oblique angle not parallel to the intended transport direction of the belt links.