Polyurethane Belt Textile Overlay Thermoplastic Barrier

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Solution Overview

Problem

Power transmission belts with polyurethane substructures face issues of increased friction and reduced durability due to polyurethane penetration into the textile covering, leading to premature wear and tear, which existing solutions fail to adequately address.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a thermoplastic material with a melting point between 80°C and 145°C into the textile core area to limit polyurethane penetration and provide a barrier, while also fixing fibers to reduce internal abrasion and friction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If polyurethane is cast directly onto the textile support, then the belt achieves initial structural integrity and power transmission capability, but the polyurethane penetrates into the textile covering causing increased friction and reduced service life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidservice life
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A thermoplastic material layer is introduced as an intermediary between the polyurethane power transmission zone and the textile covering. This intermediate layer prevents direct penetration of polyurethane into the textile fibers, thereby maintaining consistent friction characteristics and extending belt service life while preserving structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The thermoplastic material is selectively positioned in specific regions where polyurethane penetration occurs, creating localized protection zones. This allows the textile covering to maintain its abrasion-resistant properties in protected areas while the polyurethane retains its power transmission functionality in contact zones.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the textile covering wears away during use, then the polyurethane comes into direct contact with the pulley increasing friction, but adding protective layers may increase device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefriction consistencyVSAvoidlayer structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The belt structure utilizes a composite material system combining polyurethane, textile fibers, and thermoplastic material. This composite construction integrates multiple material properties within a unified structure, providing abrasion resistance and friction consistency without requiring separate protective components that would increase device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The thermoplastic material is merged with the textile covering to form an integrated protective layer. This combined structure eliminates the need for separate protective components, maintaining device simplicity while ensuring consistent friction characteristics throughout the belt's service life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Strength

If adhesion promoter is used between base body and textile covering, then chemical bonding is improved, but mechanical interlocking is prevented and durability is shortened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechemical bondingVSAvoiddurability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the potential harm of polyurethane penetration into a benefit by allowing controlled penetration to occur, but then using the thermoplastic material to prevent excessive penetration. This approach maintains the mechanical interlocking benefit of polyurethane penetration while preventing the harmful effect of complete fiber saturation, thereby extending durability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

4Reliability

If thermoplastic material is added to the textile core area, then polyurethane penetration is limited and service life is extended, but manufacturing process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice lifeVSAvoidmanufacturing process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The thermoplastic material is incorporated into the textile covering during the manufacturing process before the belt is put into service. This preliminary action ensures that the protective layer is already in place to prevent polyurethane penetration, extending service life without requiring additional manufacturing steps or complex assembly processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This solution enhances the service life of power transmission belts by maintaining consistent usage properties and reducing friction, as the thermoplastic material acts as a barrier to polyurethane penetration and fixes fibers, preventing premature wear and tear.

Implementation Method 1

a thermoplastic material with a melting point between 80°C and 145°C is located in a central plane of the textile viewed over the surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMelting: Melting

Implementation Method 2

fixing fibers to reduce internal abrasion and friction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal bonding:

Data Source

PatentEP3109508B1Belt having a textile overlay
Publication Date: 2018.07.04 ARNTZ BET GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3109508B1 patent drawingFigure 1~5c
  • EP3109508B1 patent drawingFigure 4b

AI summary

A power transmission belt with a base made of cast polyurethane (30) and a power transmission zone (3) formed thereon has, at least in contact with the power transmission zone (3), an abrasion-resistant textile layer (1) with an internal impregnation that reduces abrasion by fixing the textile fibers and forms a barrier layer for the polyurethane to prevent it from penetrating the textile and thus increasing friction. For the impregnation, in addition to the textile material, a thermoplastic material (22) with a melting point not below 80 °C is located inside the textile layer (1). This thermoplastic material essentially completely fills the spaces between the textile threads (16) or fibers in a central plane (15) of the textile when viewed over the surface, with the polyurethane (30) of the base not completely penetrating the textile layer (1), limited by the thermoplastic material (22).For impregnation, a copolyamide film (2) can be melted into the textile in a pretreatment step.