V-ribbed belt

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional V-ribbed belts used in engine applications with belt-type ISG drives face challenges in maintaining durability and power transmission efficiency due to high dynamic tension, as they often require a larger number of ribs to achieve sufficient tensile elastic modulus, which increases pulley width and weight.

Innovation Solution

A V-ribbed belt design featuring a twisted cord with a carbon fiber core wire, adjusted to a diameter of 0.6 to 1.2 mm and tensile elastic modulus of 240 to 500 N/(mm·%), along with a reduced number of ribs (3 to 5) and a compression rubber layer with staple fibers, to enhance durability and maintain a narrow belt width.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the number of ribs is increased to achieve sufficient tensile elastic modulus, then the belt strength is improved, but the pulley width and weight are increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetensile elastic modulusVSAvoidbelt weight
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from conventional fibers (polyester, aramid) to carbon fiber, which has a significantly higher tensile elastic modulus. This material substitution allows the belt to achieve the required strength with fewer ribs, thereby reducing pulley width and belt weight while maintaining the necessary tensile elastic modulus for high dynamic tension applications

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses carbon fiber as a composite material in the twisted cord construction. Carbon fiber's exceptional strength-to-weight ratio and high tensile elastic modulus enable the belt to achieve superior mechanical properties without increasing the number of ribs or overall belt dimensions, thus resolving the contradiction between strength and weight

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If the number of ribs is increased to achieve sufficient tensile elastic modulus, then the belt strength is improved, but the pulley width is increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetensile elastic modulusVSAvoidpulley width
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from conventional fibers to carbon fiber, which has a significantly higher tensile elastic modulus. This material substitution allows the belt to achieve the required strength with fewer ribs, thereby reducing pulley width while maintaining the necessary tensile elastic modulus for high dynamic tension applications

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent concentrates the tensile strength in the core wire made of carbon fiber twisted cord, which carries the primary tensile load. This localized quality enhancement allows the ribs to be fewer in number while still achieving the required overall belt strength, thus reducing pulley width

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional fibers are used as core wire, then the belt is easier to manufacture, but the tensile elastic modulus is insufficient for high dynamic tension

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing easeVSAvoidtensile elastic modulus
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from conventional fibers (polyester, aramid) to carbon fiber, which has a significantly higher tensile elastic modulus. Although carbon fiber processing requires specialized techniques, the patent maintains ease of manufacture by using twisted cord construction, which is a conventional belt manufacturing approach adapted for carbon fiber reinforcement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Strength

If the core wire diameter is increased to improve tensile strength, then the belt strength is improved, but the belt width and pulley width are increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetensile strengthVSAvoidbelt width
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter to carbon fiber with exceptionally high tensile elastic modulus. This allows the use of a thinner core wire diameter to achieve the same tensile strength that would require a much thicker conventional fiber core, thereby maintaining narrow belt width while ensuring sufficient tensile strength for high dynamic tension applications

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3650731B1V-ribbed belt
Publication Date: 2022.01.26 MITSUBOSHI BELTING LTD
  • EP3650731B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The present invention relates to a V-ribbed belt that includes carbon-fiber twisted cords as core wires, the V-ribbed belt having a tensile elasticity of 240-500 N/(mm·%), and the core wire diameter of the core wires being 0.6-1.2 mm.