Spliceless Belt Offset Fabric Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rubber coated fabric belts used in agricultural applications, such as crop balers, suffer from structural weaknesses at splices, leading to premature wear and failure, and lack sufficient puncture resistance.
Innovation Solution
The development of an endless, spliceless belt design featuring at least two spirally wound fabric reinforcement layers with offset fabric strips, providing additional layers at opposite angles for enhanced durability and puncture resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If spliced fabric reinforcement is used in the belt, then the belt can be manufactured with standard fabric pieces, but the splice points become structural weak points leading to premature failure
Solution Approach 1:
The belt is divided into multiple fabric reinforcement layers (typically 2-4 layers) with each layer containing spirally wound fabric strips. The strips in adjacent layers are offset from each other, creating a segmented structure that eliminates splice points while maintaining manufacturability through layer-by-layer construction
Solution Approach 2:
The belt uses a composite structure combining multiple fabric reinforcement layers with rubber coating layers. The fabric strips are embedded within rubber material, creating a composite construction where the fabric provides tensile strength and the rubber provides flexibility and protection, eliminating the need for splices
2Device complexity
If single layer fabric reinforcement is used in the belt, then the manufacturing process is simpler, but the puncture resistance and durability are insufficient for agricultural applications
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement structure transitions from a single layer to multiple layers stacked in the thickness dimension. Each layer contains spirally wound fabric strips offset from adjacent layers, creating a multi-dimensional reinforcement pattern that significantly improves puncture resistance while maintaining a manageable overall belt thickness
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple fabric reinforcement layers are combined with rubber coating layers to create a composite structure. The fabric strips in each layer are embedded within rubber material, and adjacent layers are offset to create an interlocking pattern that enhances puncture resistance through the composite action of all layers
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses an endless belt which is comprised of (1) a first reinforcement layer, wherein the first reinforcement layer is formed of a first fabric strip which is spirally wound forming a helix, and (2) a second reinforcement layer, wherein the second reinforcement layer is formed of a second fabric strip which is spirally wound forming a helix, wherein the second fabric strip is of essentially the same width as the first fabric strip, wherein the second fabric strip is parallel to the first fabric strip, and wherein the second fabric strip is offset from the first fabric strip.