Toothed Belt Cover Layer for Wear and Rust Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing toothed belts for wind power generators face challenges in high-torque environments due to wear and rust issues, particularly when installed in harsh ocean conditions, and require improved durability and rust prevention.
Innovation Solution
A toothed belt design featuring a cover layer between the belt tooth bottom and tension member, made of thermoplastic elastomer, with a thickness of 0.2 mm to 1.0 mm, embedded tension members, and increased tooth pitch, ensuring contact between belt and pulley tips for load dispersion and rust prevention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the tooth bottom portion of the toothed belt is strongly pressed against the pulley during reciprocating movement, then power transmission is maintained, but the belt tooth bottom is intensively rubbed and remarkably worn
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a gap S specifically at the tooth bottom portion where wear occurs, while maintaining contact at the tooth tip portion for power transmission. This localized modification allows the belt to transmit power through tooth tip contact while preventing wear at the tooth bottom by eliminating pressing contact in that specific region.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the harmful contact function from the tooth bottom portion by creating a gap, separating the power transmission function (performed at tooth tip) from the wear-prone contact function. This extraction removes the source of intensive rubbing and wear at the tooth bottom while preserving essential power transmission capability.
2Power
If the toothed belt is designed for high torque transmission, then power transmission capability is improved, but the tension member is exposed to harsh conditions leading to rust and reduced durability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary protective layer (cover layer or coating) between the tension member and the harsh external environment. This intermediary layer shields the steel cord tension member from moisture and corrosive substances in offshore conditions, preventing rust while allowing the belt to maintain high torque transmission capability through proper tension member design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs flexible protective cover layers or thin film coatings that conform to the belt structure and provide continuous protection to the tension member. These flexible protective layers prevent direct exposure of the tension member to harsh offshore environments, eliminating rust issues while maintaining the belt's mechanical performance for high torque applications.
3Productivity
If the tip of the pulley tooth contacts the belt tooth bottom, then power transmission efficiency is improved, but the belt tooth bottom experiences intensive rubbing and wear during reciprocating movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional contact arrangement by preventing contact between the pulley tooth and belt tooth bottom, instead facilitating contact between the pulley tooth tip and belt tooth tip. This inversion of the contact interface eliminates the harmful rubbing at the tooth bottom while maintaining power transmission efficiency through the inverted contact mechanism.
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 design enhances durability, wear resistance, and rust prevention, allowing the belt to operate effectively under high tension and fluctuating loads, suitable for large wind power generators and offshore installations.
Implementation Method 1
a toothed belt including: a back portion; a tension member embedded in the back portion in a belt longitudinal direction and including a twisted cord including a steel fiber; a plurality of belt teeth formed on an inner peripheral side of the back portion along the belt longitudinal direction; and a cover layer provided between the tension member and a belt tooth bottom formed between the belt teeth
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a toothed belt including: a back portion; a tension member embedded in the back portion in a belt longitudinal direction and including a twisted cord including a steel fiber; a plurality of belt teeth formed on an inner peripheral side of the back portion along the belt longitudinal direction; and a cover layer provided between the tension member and a belt tooth bottom formed between the belt teeth, in which the cover layer has a thickness in a range of 0.2 mm to 1.0 mm, and the back portion, the belt teeth, and the cover layer are integrally formed of a thermoplastic elastomer.