Offset-Segment Belt Joint for Wide Baler Connection Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing round baler belts experience frequent connection failures due to dynamic load peaks and misalignment issues, particularly with wide belts, leading to reduced service life and increased wear, despite attempts to use flexible connectors or material-bonded connections.
Innovation Solution
The belt design features segmented ends with offset segments connected by hooks or material-bonded connections, allowing for distributed force transmission and reduced stress on coupling elements, using fiber-reinforced rubber material for increased durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If continuous hook connector solution is used to close wide press belts, then the belt can be manufactured, but the connection fails frequently due to dynamic load peaks and misalignment during drum rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The belt ends are divided into multiple segments (first segment and second segment) that are offset relative to each other. This segmentation allows the connection elements to be distributed along the belt width, reducing concentrated loads and improving reliability by preventing single-point failures during drum rotation.
2Reliability
If narrower belts are used to reduce dynamic load peaks, then connection reliability improves, but the pressing surface coverage is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The solution transitions from a single-point connection approach to a distributed multi-point connection system. By arranging connection elements across the belt width in multiple segments, the load is distributed across multiple locations simultaneously, allowing wider belts to maintain reliability while covering the required pressing surface area.
3Strength
If rigid rod connectors are used to connect belt ends, then the connection is strong, but the connection is sensitive to misalignment and buckling during drum rotation
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the belt connection have different properties. The connection elements are arranged with specific offset patterns and spacing to create zones of varying flexibility and strength. This allows the connection to be rigid enough to maintain strength while having localized flexibility to accommodate misalignment and reduce sensitivity to buckling during operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a belt (1) with a first belt end (11) and a second belt end (12), both belt ends (11, 12) being connected together. The belt (1) is characterized in that the first belt end (11) has at least one first segment (13) and a second segment (14), and the second belt end (12) has at least one first segment (15) and a second segment (16). The first segment (13) of the first belt end (11) is connected to the first segment (15) of the second belt end (12) by means of at least one connection element (17), and the second segment (14) of the first belt end (11) is connected to the second segment (16) of the second belt end (12) by means of at least one other connection element (17), wherein the first segment (13) of the first belt end (11) is offset in the longitudinal direction (X) in some sections relative to the second segment (14) of the first belt end (11), and the first segment (15) of the second belt end (12) is offset in the longitudinal direction (X) in some sections relative to the second segment (16) of the second belt end (12).