JP2006118596A - Power transmission endless belt - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a power transmission endless belt for improving the linear motion of rolling elements in the circumferential direction of the power transmission endless belt. <P>SOLUTION: The power transmission endless belt comprises an endless carrier 13, a number of blocks 14 layered and mounted on the carrier 13 in the circumferential direction and contacting a pulley, the rolling elements 28 arranged between the carrier 13 and a number of the blocks 14, and recessed portions 16 formed in the blocks 14 for rollingly holding the rolling elements 28. Herein, two angular portions 20C and two tapered portions 28A, 28B are provided for reducing the amount of eccentricity when occurring between a center B2 of the recessed portion 16 and a center B1 of the rolling element 28 in the widthwise direction perpendicular to the direction of layering the blocks 14. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an endless belt for power transmission that is wound around a plurality of pulleys and transmits power between the pulleys.

  In general, belt-type continuously variable transmissions, toroidal-type continuously variable transmissions, and the like are known as continuously variable transmissions arranged on the output side of a power source, and examples of drive belts used in belt-type continuously variable transmissions Is described in Patent Document 1. The drive belt described in Patent Document 1 includes a carrier formed by stacking endless hoops in multiple layers, and a large number of V blocks that are continuously attached so as to be movable in the circumferential direction of the carrier. . When this drive belt is wound around a pair of V-type belt wheels, the side surface of the V block comes into contact with the drive surface of the V-type belt wheel. An endless flexible member is interposed between the V block and the innermost hoop. The flexible member includes a ring-shaped holding portion, holes formed in the holding portion at a predetermined pitch, and needle-shaped rollers that are rotatably disposed in the holes. Further, a rotation preventing member for preventing the carrier from rotating in a state where the drive belt is wound around the pair of V belt wheels is provided.

When one V-shaped belt wheel rotates, each V block in contact with the V-shaped belt wheel is pushed out to reach the other V-shaped belt wheel, and the other V-shaped belt wheel is moved to the other V-shaped belt wheel. Rotate in the same direction as the V-type belt wheel. At the time of such torque transmission, each V block moves in the circumferential direction of the drive belt, but the carrier does not move. Further, the acicular roller rolls with the movement of the V block, and the acicular roller moves in the circumferential direction of the carrier. Here, it is said that the needle-shaped roller becomes rolling friction against the V block and the innermost layer hoop, so that the frictional force generated in the hoop can be reduced.
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 60-69849

  However, in the drive belt described in Patent Document 1 above, the needle-shaped rollers arranged in the holes of the flexible member move in the width direction of the drive belt, and the needle-shaped rollers in the width direction of the drive belt move. There was a possibility that straightness could be reduced.

  The present invention has been made against the background described above, and an object thereof is to provide a power transmission endless belt capable of improving the straightness of the rolling elements in the width direction of the power transmission belt.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is directed to an endless carrier, a number of blocks attached in a circumferential direction of the carrier and in contact with a pulley, the carrier and the carrier. In a power transmission endless belt having a rolling element disposed between a large number of blocks and a holding part that holds the rolling element in a rollable manner, the holding in the width direction perpendicular to the stacking direction of the blocks When the center of the part and the center of the rolling element are eccentric, an alignment mechanism is provided to reduce the eccentric amount.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, a part of the alignment mechanism is provided in the block.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first or second aspect, the alignment mechanism includes a convex portion formed on the block, and a tapered portion formed on the rolling element and in contact with the convex portion. It is characterized by having.

  According to a fourth aspect of the invention, in addition to the configuration of the third aspect, a plurality of the convex portions are provided at predetermined intervals in the width direction of the block, and the plurality of convex portions are separately in contact with each other. A plurality of the taper portions are provided in the axial direction of the rolling elements.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the structure of any one of the first to fourth aspects, a positioning mechanism for determining a movable range of the rolling element in the width direction in the holding portion is further provided in the block. It is characterized by being.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, an endless carrier, a plurality of blocks attached in a circumferential direction of the carrier and attached to a pulley, and disposed between the carrier and the plurality of blocks. A plurality of convex portions provided at predetermined intervals in the width direction orthogonal to the stacking direction of the blocks in the endless belt for power transmission having a rolling element and a holding part that holds the rolling element in a rollable manner And a plurality of tapered portions that are provided at predetermined intervals in the axial direction on the rolling elements and that individually contact the plurality of convex portions.

  According to the invention of claim 1, a pressing force is applied from the driving pulley to the block in contact with the driving pulley, and the pressing force is transmitted in the stacking direction between the blocks, Torque is generated that rotates the driven pulley. When torque is transmitted between the pulleys, each block moves in the circumferential direction of the power transmission endless belt, and the rolling element rolls in contact with the block and the carrier, and the carrier does not rotate. When the rolling elements are eccentric in the width direction of the power transmission endless belt in the holding section, the rolling elements are moved in the width direction so that the center of the holding section and the center of the rolling elements are brought closer. Therefore, the straightness of the rolling elements in the width direction of the power transmission endless belt is improved.

  According to the invention of claim 2, in addition to obtaining the same effect as that of the invention of claim 1, a part of the alignment mechanism can be configured using a block.

  According to the invention of claim 3, in addition to obtaining the same effect as that of the invention of claim 1 or 2, when the rolling element is eccentric with respect to the holding part, the convex part and the taper part come into contact with each other and the rolling element Is moved in the width direction to bring the center of the holding portion closer to the center of the rolling element.

  According to the invention of claim 4, in addition to obtaining the same effect as that of the invention of claim 3, when the rolling element is eccentric with respect to the holding portion, the contact portions of the plurality of taper portions that contact the plurality of projections A difference occurs in the outer diameter. Further, the taper portion having the larger outer diameter of the contact portion, the rolling distance in the circumferential direction of the power transmission endless belt being the taper portion having the smaller outer diameter of the contact portion, The rolling element moves and is aligned in a direction that is longer than the rolling distance in the circumferential direction of the transmission endless belt and the amount of eccentricity is reduced.

  According to the invention of claim 5, in addition to obtaining the same effect as the invention of any one of claims 1 to 4, the block also has a function of determining the movable range of the rolling element in the holding portion. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a positioning mechanism for determining the movable range of the rolling elements.

  According to the invention of claim 6, the pressing force is applied from the driving pulley to the block in contact with the driving pulley, and the pressing force is transmitted in the stacking direction between the blocks, Torque is generated that rotates the driven pulley. When torque is transmitted between the pulleys, each block moves in the circumferential direction of the power transmission endless belt, and the rolling element rolls in contact with the block and the carrier, and the carrier does not rotate. When the rolling elements are eccentric in the width direction of the power transmission endless belt in the holding portion, a difference occurs in the outer diameters of the contact portions of the plurality of taper portions that contact the plurality of projections. Further, the taper portion having the larger outer diameter of the contact portion, the rolling distance in the circumferential direction of the power transmission endless belt being the taper portion having the smaller outer diameter of the contact portion, The rolling element moves and is aligned in a direction that is longer than the rolling distance in the circumferential direction of the transmission endless belt and the amount of eccentricity is reduced. Therefore, the straightness of the rolling elements in the width direction of the power transmission endless belt is improved.

  Next, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing an example in which the present invention is used in a continuously variable transmission 1 for a vehicle. The continuously variable transmission 1 has a primary pulley 2 connected to a driving force source (not shown) side and a secondary pulley 3 connected to a wheel (not shown) side. The primary pulley 2 has a fixed sheave 5 that rotates integrally with the rotating shaft 4 and a movable sheave 6 that rotates integrally with the rotating shaft 4. The fixed sheave 5 is configured not to move in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 4, and the movable sheave 6 is configured to be movable in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 4. A V-shaped belt attachment groove 7 is formed between the opposed surfaces of the fixed sheave 5 and the movable sheave 6. On the other hand, the secondary pulley 3 has a fixed sheave 9 that rotates integrally with the rotating shaft 8 and a movable sheave 10 that rotates integrally with the rotating shaft 8. The fixed sheave 9 is configured so as not to move in the axial direction of the rotary shaft 8, and the movable sheave 10 is configured so as to be movable in the axial direction of the rotary shaft 8. A V-shaped belt mounting groove 11 is formed between the opposed surfaces of the fixed sheave 9 and the movable sheave 10. The widths of the belt mounting grooves 7 and 11 can be adjusted by operating the movable sheaves 6 and 10 in the axial direction by actuators (not shown).

  An endless belt for power transmission (hereinafter abbreviated as a belt) 12 is wound around the primary pulley 2 and the secondary pulley 3 configured as described above. The configuration of the belt 12 will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3. The belt 12 is configured in an endless shape, in other words, in an annular shape, and the belt 12 includes an endless carrier 13 and a number of blocks (elements) 14 attached over the entire circumferential direction of the carrier 13. Have. The carrier 13 is formed by laminating a plurality of belt-like hoops 13A made of a flexible metal material on the inner and outer circumferences. Each block 14 is made of a metal material, and adjacent blocks 14 are arranged in contact with each other in the circumferential direction of the belt 12.

  Each block 14 is formed with a pair of overhanging portions (shoulder portions) 15 at both ends in the width direction of the belt 12, that is, in the left-right direction in FIG. The pair of projecting portions 15 project outward in the thickness direction of the belt 12, in other words, the inner and outer peripheral directions, and one recess 16 is formed between the pair of projecting portions 15. The carrier 13 is disposed in the recess 16. Further, wall surfaces 17 are formed on both sides of the pair of overhanging portions 15 facing the recess 16, and the distance L <b> 1 between the wall surfaces 17 is substantially constant in the thickness direction of the belt 12. Further, each wall surface 17 is formed with a groove 18, and an annular retaining 19 is held by the two grooves 18. Specifically, the recess 16 has a flat bottom surface 20, and the carrier 13 is disposed between the bottom surface 20 and the retainer 19 so that the carrier 13 does not slip out of the recess 16. ing. The bottom surface 20 is formed in a direction orthogonal to a center line (not shown) of the belt 12 in the thickness direction.

  Further, the block 14 has a width direction portion 21 that connects the pair of projecting portions 15 in the inner and outer peripheral directions of the belt 12. The pair of overhang portions 15 have contact surfaces 22 and 23 on both sides in the thickness direction, and the width direction portion 21 has an inclined surface 24 that is continuous with the one contact surface 22. A corner formed by the inclined surface 24 and the contact surface 22 constitutes a rocking edge 25. The locking edge 25 is disposed outside the bottom surface 20 in the inner and outer peripheral directions of the belt 12. A flat surface 20 </ b> A is formed at the same position as the rocking edge 25 in the inner and outer peripheral directions of the belt 12, and the flat surface 20 </ b> A is continuous with the wall surface 17. Further, the bottom surface 20 and the flat surface 20A are connected by an inclined surface 20B, and a corner portion 20C is formed by connecting the flat surface 20A and the inclined surface 20B. The front ends of the corner portions 20C are located outside the bottom surface 20 in the inner and outer peripheral directions of the belt 12, and the corner portions 20C are arranged at two positions on both sides of the bottom surface 20 in the width direction of the block 14. ing. The two corners 20C may be arcuate surfaces having a predetermined curvature.

  Furthermore, a protrusion 26 protruding in the thickness direction of the block 14 is formed on one contact surface 22, and a recess 27 is formed on the other contact surface 23. In a state where the blocks 14 are stacked and attached to the carrier 13, the protruding portion 26 is disposed in the concave portion 27, and the adjacent blocks 14 are positioned in a direction parallel to the contact surfaces 22 and 23. In FIG. 3, the protruding portion 26 and the recessed portion 27 are shown as a part of the blocks 14 for convenience. Further, a plurality of rollers (barrel rollers or rollers) 28 are arranged in the recess 16. More specifically, a plurality of rollers 28 are disposed between the bottom surface 20 of each block 14 and the inner peripheral surface of the hoop 13 </ b> A that is disposed on the innermost peripheral side constituting the carrier 13. The plurality of rollers 28 are arranged in the circumferential direction of the belt 12, and each roller 28 is rotatable about an axis A <b> 1 in the width direction of the belt 12. The length L2 of each roller 28 in the axial direction is configured to be less than the distance L1 between the wall surfaces 17. Further, the length L2 of the roller 28 is configured to be equal to or smaller than the width of the carrier 13.

  Further, in the cross section in the circumferential direction of the belt 12, the outer peripheral shape of all the rollers 28 is configured in a circular shape. Furthermore, each roller 28 has a configuration in which the outer diameter varies along the axial direction. That is, two taper portions 28A and 28B are provided at both ends in the axial direction, and a cylindrical portion 28C is provided between the taper portion 28A and the taper portion 28B. The outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 28C is configured to be constant in the axial direction. On the other hand, the outer diameters of the tapered portions 28A and 28B are reduced from the cylindrical portion 28C toward the end of the roller 28. That is, the taper portions 28A and 28B are tapered in the opposite direction. Furthermore, the taper portions 28A and 28B of the roller 28 shown in FIG. 1 have an outer shape in a cross section including the axis A1 that is substantially linear or trapezoidal.

  When the center B1 of the roller 28 in the axial direction coincides with the center B2 of the recess 16 in the width direction of the belt 12, the same amount of gap in the axial direction is formed between both ends of the roller 28 and the wall surface 17. The roller 28 and the block 14 are configured to be formed. Further, regardless of which direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 1) of the power transmission endless belt 12 moves in the recess 16, the end surface of the roller 28 contacts the wall surface 17, so that the roller in the recess 16 28 is determined (maximum value of the moving stroke amount), and each of the rollers 28 and 28B is arranged such that the tapered portions 28A and 28B can always contact the corner portion 20A within the movable range of the roller 28. Each block 14 is configured. Here, the center B1 of the roller 28 in the axial direction means the center of the length L2 of the roller 28, and the center B2 of the recess 16 means the center of the distance L1 between the wall surfaces 17.

  Furthermore, each roller 28 and each block 14 are configured so that the two outer diameters R1 and R2 are the same in a state where the center B1 and the center B2 coincide. Here, the outer diameter R1 is the outer diameter of the tapered portion 28A and is in contact with the corner portion 20C, and the outer diameter R2 is the tapered portion 28B and is in contact with the corner portion 20C. It is the outer diameter of the part. The configuration of the roller 28 and the block 14 described above includes the length L1 of the roller 28, the lengths of the tapered portions 28A and 28B in the axial direction, the distance L2 between the wall surfaces 17 of the concave portion 16, and the position of the corner portion 20C in the concave portion 16. Etc.

  The reason why the length L2 of the roller 28 is configured to be shorter than the distance between the wall surfaces 17 of the recess 16 as described above will be described. When the power transmission endless belt 12 is wound around the primary pulley 2 and the secondary pulley 3, the winding position of the power transmission endless belt 12 in the axial direction of the primary pulley 2 and the power transmission in the axial direction of the secondary pulley 3 When the winding position of the endless belt 12 is deviated, relative movement between the blocks 14 in the width direction of the power transmission endless belt 12 is performed in a non-winding region that is not wound around the primary pulley 2 and the secondary pulley 3. This is to allow smooth movement of the block 14 in the circumferential direction in the non-wrapping region.

  On the other hand, in the block 14, a pair of contact surfaces 29 are formed at both ends of the belt 12 in the width direction. The contact surfaces 29 are inclined in such a direction that the width between the pair of contact surfaces 29 becomes narrower toward the inner peripheral side of the belt 12. When the belt 12 is wound around the primary pulley 2 and the secondary pulley 3, each contact surface 29 comes into contact with the fixed sheave 5 and the movable sheave 6 of the primary pulley 2, and the fixed sheave 9 of the secondary pulley 3 and The movable sheave 10 is contacted.

  In the continuously variable transmission 1 configured as described above, the torque of the driving force source is transmitted to the rotating shaft 4 and the width of the belt mounting groove 7 of the primary pulley 2 is controlled, whereby the primary pulley 2 is controlled. The ratio between the winding radius of the belt 12 and the winding radius of the belt 12 with respect to the secondary pulley 3 changes, and the ratio between the rotation speed of the primary pulley 2 and the rotation speed of the secondary pulley 3, that is, the gear ratio is controlled. Further, by controlling the width of the belt attachment groove 11 of the secondary pulley 3, the clamping pressure between the primary pulley 2 and the secondary pulley 3 with respect to the belt 12 is adjusted, and the transmission torque of the belt 12 is controlled.

  In accordance with the clamping pressure applied to the belt 12, more specifically, the clamping pressure applied to each block 14, the power transmitted on the contact surface between the contact surface 29 and each pulley changes. And in the block 14 located in the area | region where the belt 12 is wound around the primary pulley 2, according to the torque of the primary pulley 2, while pressing force generate | occur | produces in the lamination direction of each block 14, that pressing force is The block located in the region C2 where the belt 12 is wound around the secondary pulley 3 via each block 14 located in the region C1 where the belt 12 is not in contact with either the primary pulley 2 or the secondary pulley 3 14, and torque that rotates the secondary pulley 3 is generated. In this way, the torque of the primary pulley 2 is transmitted to the secondary pulley 3 via the belt 12, and the torque of the secondary pulley 3 is transmitted to the wheels to generate a driving force.

  By the way, in this embodiment, since the roller 28 is disposed between the hoop 13A disposed at the innermost periphery and the bottom surface 20 of the block 14, each block 14 is in the circumferential direction of the belt 12 at a predetermined speed. The roller 28 is in a rolling friction state with respect to the hoop 13A and the block 14, and the state where the carrier 13 is stopped without rotating at all is maintained. Therefore, an increase in power loss that occurs on the inner peripheral surface of the carrier 13 and the bottom surface 20 of the block 14 can be suppressed. In this way, it is possible to suppress a decrease in power transmission efficiency in the continuously variable transmission 1.

  Next, due to the disturbance, the center B1 of the roller 28 and the center B2 of the block 14 are decentered in the width direction of the belt 12, and the roller with respect to the center line D1 of the block 14 in the thickness direction is generated. The case where 28 axis line A1 inclines is demonstrated. In this case, the rolling distance (movement amount) of the taper portion with the larger outer diameter of the portion in contact with the corner portion 20C is smaller than the taper portion with the smaller outer diameter of the portion in contact with the corner portion 20C. Longer than the rolling distance. As a result, the roller 28 moves in the width direction of the power transmission endless belt 12, so that the centering action of the center B <b> 2 of the recess 16 and the center B <b> 1 of the roller 28 is brought close (centered). In parallel with this aligning action, an action of reducing the inclination angle on the acute angle side of the axis A1 of the roller 28 with respect to the center line D1 in the thickness direction of the block 14 occurs.

  In this way, the straight advanceability of the roller 28 in the width direction of the belt 12 is improved, and the contact between the end face of the roller 28 and the wall surface 17 of the block 14 can be avoided. Therefore, it can be avoided that “the frictional force between the end face of the roller 28 and the wall surface 17 increases and the roller 28 cannot be rotated”, and “the roller 28 cannot be rotated and the roller 28 “Sliding friction with the carrier 13” can be prevented in advance. Therefore, a decrease in power transmission efficiency in the continuously variable transmission 1 can be more reliably suppressed.

  Further, the movable range of the roller 28 in the recess 16 in the width direction of the power transmission endless belt 12 is determined by the wall surface 17. That is, the block 14 also has a function of determining the movable range of the roller 28. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a separate mechanism for determining the movable range of the roller 28. Furthermore, the movable range of the roller 28 in the width direction of the belt 12 within the concave portion 16 is determined by the wall surface 17, and within the movable range of the roller 28, the two tapered portions 28 </ b> A and 28 </ b> B are always in two corner portions 20 </ b> C. Since it is a structure which can contact separately, the alignment function of the roller 28 with respect to the recessed part 16 is securable. In this way, the movable range of the roller 28 in the recess 16 is determined by the pair of wall surfaces 17, and the position of the roller 28 is adjusted with higher accuracy by the alignment mechanism within the movable range of the roller 28. It has a configuration. Furthermore, the corner portion 20 </ b> C, which is a part of the alignment mechanism, can be configured using the block 14.

  Here, the correspondence between the configuration of this embodiment and the configuration of the present invention will be described. The primary pulley 2 and the secondary pulley 3 correspond to the pulley of the present invention, and the recess 16 serves as the holding portion of the present invention. The roller 28 corresponds to the rolling element of the present invention, the corner portion 20C and the taper portions 28A and 28B correspond to the alignment mechanism of the present invention, and the two corner portions 20C correspond to the convex portions of the present invention. The pair of wall surfaces 17 corresponds to the positioning mechanism of the present invention.

  Next, another configuration example of the roller 28 will be described with reference to FIG. In the tapered portions 28A and 28B of the roller 28 shown in FIG. 5, the outer shape in the cross section including the axis A1 is an arc surface or a curved surface. Thus, even when the power transmission endless belt 12 having the roller 28 shown in FIG. 5 is used, the same operational effects as those of the power transmission endless belt 12 having the roller 28 shown in FIG. 1 can be obtained. Is possible.

  Although not particularly illustrated, a plurality of recesses are formed in each block along the width direction of the power transmission endless belt, and an annular carrier is disposed in each recess, and each carrier and the bottom surface of the recess The present invention can also be applied to an endless belt for power transmission having a configuration in which rolling elements are respectively disposed therebetween. In this case, it is possible to align the rolling elements in the width direction in a plurality of recesses formed in the width direction of the power transmission endless belt.

It is sectional drawing of the width direction which shows the endless belt for power transmission corresponded to the Example of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram at the time of using the endless belt for power transmission of this invention for a belt-type continuously variable transmission. FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view in the circumferential direction of the power transmission endless belt shown in FIG. 1. It is a top view which shows the endless belt for power transmission of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the width direction which shows the endless belt for power transmission corresponded to the other Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  2 ... Primary pulley, 3 ... Secondary pulley, 12 ... Belt (endless belt for power transmission), 13 ... Carrier, 14 ... Block, 16 ... Recess, 17 ... Wall surface, 28 ... Roller, 28A, 28B ... Tapered portion, 20C ... Corner, B1, B2 ... Center.

Claims (6)

An endless carrier, a number of blocks attached in a circumferential direction of the carrier and in contact with the pulleys, a rolling element disposed between the carrier and the number of blocks, and the rolling element In an endless belt for power transmission having a holding part that holds the moving body in a rollable manner,
An alignment mechanism is provided that reduces the amount of eccentricity when the center of the holding portion and the center of the rolling element are eccentric in the width direction perpendicular to the stacking direction of the blocks. Endless belt for power transmission.   The endless belt for power transmission according to claim 1, wherein a part of the alignment mechanism is provided in the block.   The said alignment mechanism has the convex part formed in the said block, and the taper part which is formed in the said rolling element and contacts the said convex part, The Claim 1 or 2 characterized by the above-mentioned. Endless belt for power transmission.   A plurality of the convex portions are provided at predetermined intervals in the width direction of the block, and a plurality of the taper portions are provided in the axial direction of the rolling elements so as to contact the plurality of convex portions separately. The endless belt for power transmission according to claim 3.   5. The power transmission endless device according to claim 1, wherein a positioning mechanism for determining a movable range of the rolling element in the width direction in the holding portion is further provided in the block. belt. An endless carrier, a number of blocks attached in a circumferential direction of the carrier and in contact with the pulleys, a rolling element disposed between the carrier and the number of blocks, and the rolling element In an endless belt for power transmission having a holding part that holds the moving body in a rollable manner,
A plurality of convex portions provided at predetermined intervals in the width direction perpendicular to the stacking direction of the blocks, and provided on the rolling element at predetermined intervals in the axial direction, and separately contact the plurality of convex portions. An endless belt for power transmission, comprising: a plurality of tapered portions.

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