PPS Reinforcing Fabric for Heat-Resistant Toothed Belts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current power transmission belts face limitations in heat, fluid, and abrasion resistance, particularly in automotive under-hood applications, where high-performance yarns like PEEK and aramid are difficult to bond with elastomer compositions and are economically unfeasible.

Innovation Solution

A power transmission belt with a reinforcing fabric using poly(p-phenylene sulfide) (PPS) fibers, which are woven or non-woven, replacing some or all nylon-66 fibers to provide enhanced heat, fluid, and wear resistance, while maintaining cost-effectiveness and adhesion to elastomeric materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If high-performance yarns like PEEK or aramid are used to improve heat and fluid resistance, then the belt's thermal and chemical resistance is improved, but the bonding difficulty with elastomer compositions increases and manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat and fluid resistanceVSAvoidbonding difficulty and cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive high-performance yarns (PEEK, aramid) with a more economical alternative - polyester yarns with specific properties that provide sufficient heat and fluid resistance at lower cost and with easier bonding characteristics

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the key parameters of the yarn material from high-performance polymers (PEEK, aramid) to polyester with specifically engineered properties (denier, crimp, texture) that balance performance requirements with manufacturability and cost considerations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If para-aramid yarns are used to improve strength and heat resistance, then the belt's mechanical and thermal properties are improved, but the ability to texture the yarns is lost, reducing stretch capability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestrength and heat resistanceVSAvoidstretch capability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameters from para-aramid to polyester, enabling the yarns to be textured while maintaining sufficient strength and heat resistance properties for belt application

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite yarn construction combining polyester fibers with specific texturing characteristics to achieve both strength requirements and stretch capability through the textured structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of manufacture

If nylon-66 fabric is used to improve ease of manufacturing and bonding, then the bonding to elastomer is improved, but the heat, fluid, and abrasion resistance is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebonding to elastomerVSAvoidheat, fluid, and abrasion resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the polyester yarn parameters (denier, crimp percentage, texture) to optimize both bonding characteristics and resistance properties, achieving a balance between ease of manufacture and performance requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11168759B2Fabric for toothed power transmission belt and belt

Publication Date: 2021.11.09 THE GATES CORP

AI summary

A fabric for reinforcing a power transmission belt including fibers of polyarylene sulfide and a belt utilizing the fabric. The fabric may have textured or elastic core wrapped stretch yarns in the longitudinal direction. Longitudinal yarns may include PPS and textured transverse yarns include nylon. Yarns may include blends of high performance fibers and nylon or other fibers.