Poly-V Belt Thermoplastic Layer for Friction and Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current poly-V transmission belts for internal combustion engines face challenges in achieving a balance between wear resistance, low noise, and good adhesion, particularly under high-temperature conditions, with existing solutions failing to simultaneously address these issues effectively.
Innovation Solution
A poly-V belt design featuring a body made of EPDM with embedded filiform inserts, a coupling portion with V-shaped ribs covered by an electron-irradiated, partially thermoplastic material, and a fibrous material such as woven, knitted, or non-woven fabric treated with elastomeric material, which provides improved adhesion and reduced friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fabric or continuous layer of thermoplastic material is used as covering material to increase wear resistance, then abrasion resistance is improved, but the covering material is stretched and weakened at the grooves and ribs during vulcanization, and friction between belt and pulley increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate layer of thermoplastic material between the fabric covering and the elastomeric body. This intermediary layer acts as a buffer during vulcanization, preventing the fabric from being directly stretched and weakened by the vulcanization process while still allowing the fabric to provide wear resistance on the surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite structure consisting of multiple layers: fabric covering material, thermoplastic intermediate layer, and elastomeric body. This composite material approach allows each layer to perform its specific function - the fabric provides wear resistance, the thermoplastic layer reduces friction and protects during vulcanization, and the elastomeric body provides flexibility and strength.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If covering material is applied to ribs to improve abrasion resistance, then lifespan is increased, but noise during operation increases due to greater friction
Solution Approach 1:
The thermoplastic intermediate layer serves as a mediator between the fabric covering and the pulley contact surface. It reduces the coefficient of friction at the contact interface, thereby lowering operational noise while still allowing the fabric layer to provide abrasion resistance and extend lifespan.
3Strength
If fabric is used as working surface to improve adhesion compatibility, then adhesion between body and fabric is improved, but performance at high temperatures deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The thermoplastic intermediate layer acts as a thermal barrier and protective intermediary between the fabric and the high-temperature environment. It protects the fabric from direct exposure to extreme temperatures while maintaining good adhesion to both the elastomeric body and the fabric layer.
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 solution achieves optimal results in friction, noise, and adhesion tests, leading to a longer belt lifespan and reduced frequency of replacement, with electron irradiation of the thermoplastic material between 80 and 120 kGy providing the best balance between these performance metrics.
Implementation Method 1
an electron-irradiated, partially thermoplastic material, which is partially cross-linked
Implementation Method 2
partially cross-linked
Data Source
AI summary
Poly-V belts are disclosed that have a body in an elastomeric material, preferably EPDM, a plurality of durable filiform inserts longitudinally embedded in the body, and a coupling portion integrally connected to the body and comprising a plurality of V-shaped ribs in side by side arrangement alternating with V-shaped grooves. A layer of a thermoplastic material at least partially covers the ribs, and a knitted fabric is arranged over the thermoplastic material. Preferably, the thermoplastic material includes a polyolefin irradiated with a dose amount of radiation between 60 and 140 kGy.