JP2006017279A - Driving chain - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a driving chain of light weight and low cost of which transmission efficiency is excellent, a speed-change ratio is high, assembling is easy, and length is changed freely. <P>SOLUTION: A driving chain 100 comprises multiple connection units 200 stretched between a driving pulley 310 and a driven pulley 320, comprising a pair of conical sheaves respectively, which are provided with a sheave contact surface 210 contacting to the sheave on both sides. A connection projection 221 extending laterally is provided at the center of one connection counter surface 220 formed to the connection unit 200, while a connection recess 231 extending laterally is provided at the center of the other connection counter surface 230. In the driving chain 100, the connection projection 221 of one adjoining connection unit 200 is turnably loosely connected with the connection recess 231 of the other connection unit. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a power transmission chain used in a power transmission device such as a continuously variable transmission, and more particularly to a power transmission chain in which a large number of connecting units are connected to each other so as to be rotatable with respect to each other to improve transmission efficiency.

  Conventionally, a continuously variable transmission has a V-shaped belt formed between a sheave and a driven pulley, each having a pair of conical sheaves each having a continuously variable groove width. By changing the width of the groove, the winding radius of the transmission belt is changed, and the rotation speed ratio between the driving pulley and the driven pulley, that is, the gear ratio is continuously changed continuously.

As a transmission belt (driving belt) of such a continuously variable transmission, a carrier made of an endless belt by slidably laminating a plurality of metal belts, supported by the carrier, and driven by the power of the driving pulley. It is composed of a large number of connecting units (elements) provided on both sides with sheave contact surfaces that transmit to the pulley, and the carriers are respectively fitted in slits provided on the left and right sides of the outer periphery side of the sheave contact surfaces of the connecting units ( Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent No. 2968547

  However, in such a transmission belt, since the carrier is arranged on the outer peripheral side of the sheave contact surface of the coupling unit, the rotation pitch diameter of the carrier and the rotation pitch diameter of the sheave contact surface are different. There is a problem that transmission efficiency decreases due to a lot of slippage. Moreover, since the carrier has a plurality of metal belts slidably laminated, the frictional resistance between the metal belts increases as the bending radius decreases. As a result, the transmission efficiency is lowered and the durability is also lowered, so that there is a problem that a large gear ratio cannot be obtained.

  In addition, the transmission belt is composed of a connecting unit and a carrier in which a plurality of metal belts are laminated, so the number of parts is large, and it is necessary to manufacture the metal belts to be laminated precisely. Since the unit forms a slit for inserting the carrier on the outer peripheral side of the sheave contact surface, the overall height is increased and the weight is increased, and the length of the transmission belt is determined by the length of the carrier. There is a problem that the length cannot be changed after the belt is formed.

  Furthermore, since the carrier is fitted in the left and right slits so that the connecting unit can slide, lateral displacement is likely to occur during traveling, and the connecting unit is separated from the carrier during assembly or when it is passed to the pulley. There is a problem that it takes time to assemble because it is easily detached, that is, easily disassembled.

  Therefore, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention, that is, the object of the present invention is excellent in transmission efficiency, can take a large gear ratio, can prevent lateral deviation during traveling, and is assembled. It is an object of the present invention to provide a light-weight and inexpensive transmission chain that can be easily changed in length.

  First, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a large number of connecting units wound between a drive pulley and a driven pulley having a pair of conical sheaves have sheave contact surfaces on both sides that come into contact with the sheave. In the transmission chain, a connecting protrusion extending in the left-right direction is provided at the center of one connecting facing surface formed in the connecting unit, and a connecting groove extending in the left-right direction is provided at the center of the other connecting facing surface. And the above-mentioned problem is solved by loosely connecting the connecting ridges of one adjacent connecting unit and the connecting ridges of the other connecting unit so as to be rotatable.

  Further, the transmission chain according to claim 2 is provided with a lateral displacement prevention convex portion on one connection facing surface formed in the connection unit and a lateral displacement prevention concave portion on the other connection facing surface. This problem is solved by loosely fitting the convex portion for preventing lateral displacement of the connecting unit and the concave portion for preventing lateral displacement of the other connecting unit.

  Furthermore, the transmission chain according to the third aspect of the present invention solves the above problems by forming a weight-reducing indentation on the outer peripheral surface of the connecting unit.

By providing the configuration as described above, the present invention has the following specific effects.
That is, the transmission chain according to claim 1 is provided with a connecting protrusion extending in the left-right direction at the center of one connection facing surface formed in the connection unit, and in the left-right direction at the center of the other connection facing surface. By providing an extending connecting groove and connecting the connecting protrusion of one adjacent connecting unit and the connecting groove of the other connecting unit so as to be freely fitted and connected, the rotational pitch radius of the transmission chain is Since it becomes a fitting portion between the connecting ridge and the connecting ridge and coincides with the rotational pitch diameter of the sheave contact surface, slippage with the sheave is suppressed, and transmission efficiency can be greatly improved.

  Further, even when the connecting unit is connected to the connecting ridge and the connecting ridge, the connecting ridge and the connecting dent are connected to each other even if the bending radius is reduced due to the connection by the hinge. Since the sliding frictional resistance between the strips does not change, the gear ratio can be increased.

  Furthermore, since the transmission chain of the present invention can be formed simply by fitting the connecting ridges and the connecting ridges of adjacent connecting units, the assembly is easy and the components are only one point of the connecting unit. Therefore, the length can be easily changed by attaching or detaching the required number of connecting units.

  The transmission chain according to claim 2 is the transmission chain according to claim 1, wherein a convex portion for preventing lateral displacement is provided on one connection facing surface formed in the connection unit, and a lateral displacement is provided on the other connection facing surface. The effect of the invention according to claim 1 is provided by providing a recess for prevention and loosely fitting a convex portion for preventing lateral deviation of one adjacent connecting unit and a concave portion for preventing lateral deviation of the other connecting unit. In addition, it is possible to prevent lateral displacement during traveling of the transmission chain, and to absorb misalignment by play in the fitting portion and prevent a decrease in transmission efficiency.

  Furthermore, the transmission chain according to claim 3 is the transmission chain according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the weight reduction recess is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the connection unit, whereby the effect of the invention according to claim 1 or 2 is achieved. In addition, the weight of the connecting unit can be greatly reduced. That is, unlike the above-described conventional connecting unit, no slit for inserting a carrier is required on the outer periphery of the sheave contact surface, so that a weight reducing recess can be formed on the outer peripheral surface in addition to the inner peripheral surface. The weight of the connecting unit can be greatly reduced.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a front view of a continuously variable transmission in which a transmission chain of this embodiment is wound between pulleys, FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line AA, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line BB. 4 is a perspective view of one connection facing surface of the connection unit of the present embodiment, FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the other connection facing surface of the connection unit of the present embodiment, and FIG. It is the side view which connected two connection units of an example, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a part of transmission chain of a present Example.

  First, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, the transmission chain 100 according to the present embodiment is configured to be endless by connecting a number of connection units 200, and includes a drive pulley 310 and a driven pulley 320 of the continuously variable transmission 300. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, both side surfaces 210 of the connecting unit 200 are arranged in the pulleys 310 and 320 so that the power of the driving pulley 310 is transmitted to the driven pulley 320. 1 is abutted with a pair of conical sheaves 311, 321, and the winding radius of the transmission chain 100 is changed from the position shown in FIG. 1 by changing the V-shaped groove width between the sheaves 311, 321. The rotation speed ratio between the driving pulley 310 and the driven pulley 320, that is, the gear ratio, is continuously changed in a stepless manner.

  The connection unit 200 of this embodiment is a metal plate-like body, and as shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, a V-shape formed between a pair of conical sheaves 311 and 321 of pulleys 310 and 320. Sheave contact surfaces 210 that are inclined toward the axial center of the pulleys 310 and 320 are provided on both sides so as to contact the groove, and at the center of one connection facing surface 220, as shown in FIGS. , A connecting protrusion 221 extending in the left-right direction is provided, and a connecting groove 231 extending in the left-right direction and having an open end as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is provided in the center of the other connection facing surface 230. The weight reduction recesses 241 and 251 are formed on the inner peripheral surface 240 and the outer peripheral surface 250 of the connecting unit 200, respectively.

  The connecting convex portion 221 has an arc-shaped outer peripheral surface, and the connecting concave strip 231 has an arc-shaped inner peripheral surface that is much larger than the arc-shaped outer peripheral surface so as to correspond to the outer peripheral surface. The diameter of the base end portion 221a of the connecting protrusion 221 is smaller than the maximum diameter of the connecting protrusion 221 and the diameter of the opening 231a of the connecting recess 231 is also larger than the maximum diameter of the connecting groove 231. To prevent separation in the direction of the connection facing surface during connection.

  In addition, the sheave contact surface 210 is formed with a plurality of oil reservoir recesses 210a for storing the lubricating oil and drawing out its performance. The lubricating oil is also distributed to the outer peripheral surface of the connecting protrusion 221. A plurality of oil sump recesses 221b are formed so as to suppress wear on the sliding surface.

  Further, one connection facing surface 220 is provided with a hemispherical lateral displacement prevention convex portion 222 on the outer side of the connection convex strip 221, and the other connection opposing surface 230 is also provided with the lateral displacement prevention projection 222. A concave hemispherical lateral displacement prevention recess 232 having a radius that is larger than the radius is provided outside the connection recess 231, and the lateral displacement prevention projection 222 of one adjacent connection unit 200 is provided as the other connection unit. It is loosely fitted in the lateral displacement prevention concave portion 232 of 200 to prevent lateral displacement during traveling and absorb misalignment.

  In the above-described embodiment, the lateral displacement prevention fitting convex portion 222 and the lateral displacement prevention concave portion 232 have a hemispherical combination, but may be a semi-cylindrical combination, and the lateral displacement prevention convex portion 222 is connected. The confronting surface 230 provided with the connecting ridges 231 may be provided on the connecting facing surface 230 provided with the connecting ridges 231.

  Further, the connecting unit 200 is formed with a tapered surface 223 that reduces the plate thickness from the connecting protrusion 221 toward the inner peripheral surface side on one connecting facing surface 220, and the connecting unit 200 is connected when connecting. It is possible to rotate around the axis of the protrusion 221, that is, the transmission chain 100 can rotate within the pulleys 310 and 320.

  The tapered surface 223 may be provided on the connecting facing surface 230 provided with the connecting recess 231 or on both the connecting facing surfaces 220 and 230, and may be a stepped portion with a reduced thickness instead of the tapered surface. You can also. In addition, if the coupling state is such that a space is formed between the adjacent connection units, the tapered surface is not necessary, but from the transmission efficiency, the tapered connection surface 223 is formed so that the adjacent connection units come into contact with each other. It is preferable to connect to.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the connecting unit 200 of this embodiment is used for connecting one connecting unit 200 provided with the connecting protrusion 221 from the side of the other connecting unit 200 along the tapered surface 223. The connecting units 200 are connected to each other by inserting the protrusions 221 into the connecting recesses 231. At that time, the connecting groove 231 has an inner peripheral surface that is much larger than the outer peripheral surface of the connecting protrusion 221, and the diameter of the base end portion 221 a of the connecting protrusion 221 is the maximum diameter of the connecting protrusion 221. Since the diameter of the opening 231a of the connecting recess 231 is also smaller than the maximum diameter of the connecting recess 231, it is prevented from being detached in the direction of the connecting facing surface and can be freely fitted. That is, the hinges are connected and connected.

  Further, when connecting, as shown in FIG. 6, the taper surface 223 is such that the lateral displacement prevention convex portion 222 provided in one connection unit 200 does not fit into the lateral displacement prevention concave portion 232 of the other connection unit. Since the angle is set, the connecting protrusion 221 can be inserted into the connecting recess 231 without being obstructed by the lateral deviation prevention convex portion 222, and then the adjacent connecting unit is brought into contact with it. Since the lateral deviation preventing convex part 222 and the lateral deviation preventing concave part 232 are loosely fitted and the movement in the lateral direction is also prevented, by sequentially connecting the connecting units, a large number of as shown in FIG. The connecting unit 200 is assembled to the transmission chain 100 connected to each other.

  In addition, in the said Example, although the protruding item | line 221 for a connection is provided in the left-right direction, it may divide | segment into plurality and it may provide in each of right and left, and the protruding item | line 221 for a connection and the connecting groove item 231 have a surrounding surface. Although it has an arc shape, it may have another shape as long as both can be loosely fitted. Moreover, in the said Example, although the material of the connection unit 200 is made into the metal, you may form with a synthetic resin or a ceramic, and a drive sound can be reduced by combining the connection unit from which a material differs.

  As described above, in the transmission chain 100 according to the present invention, the connecting protrusions 221 and the connecting recesses 231 are connected to the connecting unit 200, and the connecting protrusions 221 of one adjacent connecting unit 200 are connected to the other connecting unit. With a simple configuration in which it is loosely fitted to the connecting recess 231 of 200 and connected so as to be rotatable, the transmission efficiency is excellent, the gear ratio can be increased, and a lateral shift during traveling can be prevented. Assembling is easy, the length can be freely changed, and it has a great effect of being lightweight and inexpensive.

The front view of the continuously variable transmission which spanned the transmission chain of a present Example between pulleys. AA sectional drawing of FIG. BB sectional drawing of FIG. The perspective view of one connection opposing surface of the connection unit of a present Example. The perspective view of the other connection opposing surface of the connection unit of a present Example. The side view which connected two connection units of a present Example. The perspective view of a part of transmission chain of a present Example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Transmission chain 200 ... Connection unit 210 ... Sheave contact surface 210a ... Oil reservoir recessed part 220 ... One connection opposing surface 221 ... Connection protrusion 221a ... Base end Portion 221b ······························································································· ··· Horizontal recess prevention recess portion ··· Outer peripheral surface 241 ··· Weight reduction indentation 250 ··· Inner peripheral surface 251 ··· Weight reduction indentation 300 · · · Continuously variable transmission 310 ··· Drive Pulley 311 ... Sheave 320 ... Follower pulley 321 ... Sheave

Claims (3)

In a transmission chain in which a large number of connecting units wound between a drive pulley and a driven pulley each having a pair of conical sheaves are provided with a sheave contact surface on both sides in contact with the sheave,
A connecting protrusion extending in the left-right direction is provided at the center of one connecting facing surface formed in the connecting unit, and a connecting recess extending in the left-right direction is provided at the center of the other connecting facing surface. A transmission chain characterized in that the connecting ridge of the connecting unit and the connecting ridge of the other connecting unit are rotatably fitted and connected. Providing a convex portion for preventing lateral deviation on one connecting facing surface formed in the connecting unit, and providing a concave portion for preventing lateral misalignment on the other connecting facing surface, and a convex portion for preventing lateral misalignment of one adjacent connecting unit; The transmission chain according to claim 1, wherein the other connecting unit is loosely fitted with a recess for preventing lateral displacement. The transmission chain according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a recess for weight reduction is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the connection unit.

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