GB2526129A

GB2526129A - Variable speed chain drive

Info

Publication number: GB2526129A
Application number: GB1408628.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Keith Firstbrook
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-05-15
Filing date: 2014-05-15
Publication date: 2015-11-18
Also published as: GB201408628D0

Abstract

A continuously variable transmission chain drive comprises a drive plate 7 configured for forward or reverse rotation and means to control the pitch circle diameter of the plate. Control of the pitch circle diameter may be facilitated by movement of sprockets (12, figure 7) located in grooved tracks (20, figure 6). Ratio change may be provided by a clutch 6. Variable ratio drive is preferably provided by sprockets 4, 5.

Description

Descrip lion The invention relates to a device that is a variable speed chain drive with clutch.

Conventional speed changes of more than one speed using a chain requires the chain to skip or move across different size sprockets to obtain the desired speed,or for general machinery to be stopped to enable speeds to be changed,However there can be several problems associated with this type of movement, for example chain wear,chain slip and the Incorrect speed or no sprocket selected.

The variable speed chain drive invention solves these problems by keeping the chain in line and connected to their respective drlves,and can seamlessly change through infinite gear ratios and can offer a cost effective gear solution for many applications where it can use energy at its most efficient and can maximize the performance of an engine or motor by allowing motors or engines to run at there peak efficiency,the variable speed chain drive is also a compact device that can operate in a small space.

The device that is a variable speed chain drive can also be used as an energy recovery system.

The device can be used for applications where revolutions per minute speeds need to be controlled, the invention can be powered mauually,for example a winding handle,or connected to bicycle pedals,or be powered by a motor and controlled by a programmable logic controller,it can also be operated by any means of connecting movement to the input shaft,the variable speeds are controlled by means of a clutch offering a neutral position when required.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 show a variable speed chain drive fitted to a frame.

Figure 2 shows the ratio control fitted to a frame also the control sprockets.

Figure 3 shows drive plate and sprocket carriers protruding through drive plate and slots cut into the drive plate to allow the sprocket carries to retract or expand across the face of the drive plate.

Figure 4 shows the internal parts of the clutch and leaver control.

Figure 5 shows the sprocket carriers with guides sitting on the grooved positional tract Figure 6 shows the underside of the sprocket carriers and location peg into the grooved positional track Figure 7 shows drive plate and sprockets in a retracted position also by example expanded position as outlined.

Figure 8 Shows drive plate 7 and control sprockets 4 and 5 and 10 and 11 and drive shaft part I and ratio position control plate part 8,the device can be powered manually or with a motor attached to shaft I or by means of any other moving attachment.

Description continued

The ratio of the device can be controlled manually with a leaver Figure 1 part 2 also with an electric motor attached to part 2 Figure 1 or a cable to obtain movement.

The device can be powered by any means of movement coupled to shaft Figure 1 part 1.

The device controls the speed or ratio of the device by connecting sprockets Figure 2 part 4 and part 5 together or part 4 alone depending on if the speed needs to be increased or decreased by moving Figure 2 part 2 leaver and engaging clutch Figure 2 part 6 expanding or contracting the position of the sprockets on the drive plate Figure? part 7 the chain stays on the sprockets as the device rotates, and each sprocket collects the chain as it rotates, the positions of the sprockets are controlled by a track FIgure 6 part 20 where the sprocket carriers are located into the track Figure 6 part 9 this is then controlled by the leaver Figure 1 part 2 and a clutch Figure 2 partS that engages or disengages depending on the required speed, this in turn engages or disengages sprockets Figure 2 part 10 and part 11 and shaft Figure 2 part I that control the rotation and position of grooved track plate Figure 8 part 8 that in turn controls the position of the sprockets by expanding or retracting the sprockets position Figure 7 part 12 expanded position example Figure? part 13.

When the sprockets part 4 and partS or part.4 on Its own are engaged using leaver part 2 with the clutch parts 6 this engages and controls shaft part 3 then connects to toothed drives parts 10 and parts 11 part 10 isa pennanent connection to 8 a rotation may be obtained of the grooved track plate FigureS partS part!! figure 2 is a permanent connection to part figure 2 part 1.

Parts figure 2, 10, 11, 4, 5 and 6 interact together to control the rotation of figure S part S,when the clutch is engaged figure 1 part 6 by movement of figure 1 part 2 leaver, this enables the sprockets figure 7 part 12 pitch circle diameter to be increased or decreased by enabling the figureS part 14 sprocket carriers to move using the position track figure 5 part 20, the track may a spiral or an ark or an irregular form. The sprocket carriers figure 5 part 14 engage with figure 6 partS using location peg figure 6 part 9 Operations of the device can be obtained in a forward or reverse movement.

Drawing Reference list I Drive shaft 2 Leaver 3 Clutch shaft 4 Ratio gear S Ratio gear 6 Clutch housing 6B internal clutch parts 7 Drive plate 8 Grooved position plate 9 Location peg Drive gear 11 Drive gear 12 Refracted sprocket position 13 Outlined expanded position example 14 Sprocket carriers Sprocket guides 16 Sprocket location shaft 17 Drive sprocket 18 Chain Reference list continued 19 Frame Position track 21 Clutch formed part 22 Clutch formed part 23 Clutch formed part

Claims

Claims 1. A continuously variable transmission chain drive with forward or reverse Rotation sprocket pitch circle diameter control.
2 A continuously variable transmission chain drive according to claim 1 in which the ratio change is provided by a clutch.
3 A continuously variable transmission chain drive according to claim 1 in which sprockets provide the variable ratio drive.
4 A continuously variable transmission chain drive according to claim I in which sprocket position is provided by a grooved track.
S A continuously variable transmission chain drive according to claim 1 in which Sprockets move positions relative to each other.
6 A continuously variable transmission chain drive according to claim I in which the sprockets pitch circle diameter retracts.
7 A continuously variable transmission chain drive according to claim 1 in which the sprockets pitch circle diameter expands.