JP2013148209A - Chain transmission device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a chain transmission device in which wear of the runner surfaces of a chain guide to admit a chain making slide contact is suppressed, lateral swing of the chain is suppressed through utilization of this structure that the first and second runner surfaces to admit the inner and outer links of the chain, respectively, making slide contact are formed at different levels, the chain guide is made smaller in the chain width direction and made lighter in the weight, the friction loss at the chain decreases, and the noise is reduced.SOLUTION: A chain transmission device 100 has a chain guide 102 having runway surfaces 151 and 152 with which the inner link plate 111 of an inner link 110 and the outer link plate 121 of an outer link 120 in the chain 101 make slide contact simultaneously. The chain guide 102 has a level difference surface 153 to restrict movement of the chain 101 in the chain width direction between the runner surfaces 151 and 152 in the direction over the chain height. The level difference surface 153 is positioned within the range B in which mutually adjoining plates T are arranged in the chain width direction.

Description

  The present invention relates to a chain transmission device including a chain for transmitting power and a chain guide for guiding a traveling chain. The chain transmission is provided in, for example, an automobile engine or an industrial machine.

  In the chain transmission device, it is known that when the chain travels, the back surface of the inner link plate constituting the inner link of the chain and the back surface of the outer link plate constituting the outer link are simultaneously in sliding contact with the traveling surface of the chain guide. (For example, refer to Patent Documents 1 and 2).

JP 2007-107583 A (paragraphs 0005 and 0006, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7) JP 2008-25744 A (paragraph 0025, FIGS. 1 and 2)

  When the back surface of the inner link plate of the chain and the back surface of the outer link plate are in sliding contact with the traveling surface located at the same height in the chain height direction in the chain guide, the movement of the chain in the chain width direction (hereinafter referred to as `` When the chain runout is increased, the friction between the chain and the running surface when moving in the chain width direction increases the friction loss in the chain, and the power for driving the chain drive There has been a problem that power loss of a source (for example, an engine) increases.

  Further, in the chain guide, when a pair of restricting portions for restricting the chain runout by contact with the chain is provided at both ends of the running surface in the chain width direction, the pair of restricting portions are arranged in the chain width direction. Therefore, since the outer link is located outside the outer link, the chain guide is increased in size in the chain width direction and the weight of the chain guide is increased. Further, when the chain runout becomes large, there is a problem that the noise generated by the collision between the chain where the chain runout occurs and the restricting portion becomes loud and noise increases.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a first guide in which the first and second links of the chain are in sliding contact with each other while suppressing the wear of the running surface with which the chain is in sliding contact with the chain guide. The chain guide is reduced in size and weight in the chain width direction by suppressing the lateral runout of the chain by utilizing the fact that the second running surface is formed at different positions in the chain height direction. It is an object of the present invention to provide a chain transmission device in which friction loss in a chain is reduced and noise is reduced.

  First, the invention according to claim 1 includes a plurality of first links composed of a plurality of first link plates spaced apart in the chain width direction and a plurality of second link plates separated from each other in the chain width direction. A chain having a second link and having the first link and the second link bendably connected in the longitudinal direction of the chain, and a first back surface of the first link plate and the second link plate during travel of the chain A chain guide having a traveling surface with which the second rear surface of the second sliding surface is simultaneously slidably contacted, the plate height of the second link plate is smaller than the plate height of the first link plate, and the traveling surface is The first back surface and the second back surface each having the first travel surface and the second travel surface in sliding contact with each other simultaneously; The second traveling surface is at a position higher than the first traveling surface in the chain height direction, and the chain guide is at a position where the first traveling surface and the second traveling surface are different in the chain height direction. And a restricting portion that restricts movement of the chain in the chain width direction by contact with the first link plate, and the restricting portion includes the first traveling surface in the chain height direction. By positioning the first link plate and the second link plate adjacent to each other in the chain width direction between the second traveling surface and within the range in which the second link plate is disposed in the chain width direction, It has been solved.

  According to a second aspect of the invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect of the invention, the sliding contact surface including the contact portion with the running surface is provided on at least one of the first back surface and the second back surface. A longitudinal section line, which is a sectional shape in the longitudinal direction of the chain, has a substantially arc shape that is convex toward the traveling surface, and the restricting portion includes the first traveling surface and the second traveling in the chain height direction. The first link plate is in contact with the step surface in a state where the first back surface and the second back surface are in sliding contact with the first traveling surface and the second traveling surface, respectively. By being capable of sliding contact, the above-described problems are solved.

  According to a third aspect of the invention, in addition to the configuration of the second aspect of the invention, the pair of first link plates constituting the first link constitute the second link in the chain width direction. The first traveling surface is disposed between the pair of second link plates, and the first traveling surface is positioned between the pair of second traveling surfaces in the chain width direction, and each second traveling surface in the chain height direction. The first traveling surface and the pair of step surfaces between the first traveling surface and the pair of second traveling surfaces in the chain height direction extend in the chain longitudinal direction. The above-described problems are solved by forming the running grooves.

  According to a fourth aspect of the invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect of the invention according to any one of the first to third aspects, the restricting portion is adjacent to the first link plate and the second link in the chain width direction. The above-described problems are solved by being in a position where the first link plate is in contact with the plate in the chain width direction position between the plates.

  Therefore, the chain transmission device according to the present invention includes a plurality of first links composed of a plurality of first link plates separated in the chain width direction and a plurality of second link plates separated in the chain width direction. A chain having a plurality of second links configured and having the first link and the second link bendably connected in the longitudinal direction of the chain, and a first back surface and a second link plate of the first link plate when the chain travels A chain guide having a running surface in which the second back surface of the first and second link plates is in slidable contact with each other at the same time. Since the contact part between the chain and the running surface is distributed to the first and second link plates, the chain and the running surface The contact pressure at the contact portion of the chain guide can be reduced, the wear of the running surface of the chain guide can be suppressed, the durability of the chain guide, and consequently the durability of the chain transmission, can be improved. The following effects specific to the present invention are exhibited.

  That is, according to the chain transmission of the present invention according to claim 1, the plate height of the second link plate is smaller than the plate height of the first link plate, and the running surfaces are the first back surface and the second back surface. The first traveling surface and the second traveling surface are in sliding contact with each other at the same time, the second traveling surface is higher than the first traveling surface in the chain height direction, and the chain guide is connected to the first traveling surface and the second traveling surface. The travel surface is formed at different positions in the chain height direction and has a restricting portion that restricts the movement of the chain in the chain width direction by contact with the first link plate. It is located between the first traveling surface and the second traveling surface in the longitudinal direction, and is located within a range in which the first link plate and the second link plate adjacent in the chain width direction are arranged in the chain width direction. Therefore, the restricting portion that suppresses the movement of the chain in the chain width direction (that is, the chain runout) utilizes the fact that the first and second traveling surfaces of the chain guide are at different positions in the chain height direction. Because it is located within the range in the chain width direction where the first and second link plates that are adjacent in the chain width direction are arranged (hereinafter referred to as the “adjacent plate arrangement range”), the chain runout is restricted. Compared to the case in which the restricting portion is provided at a position sandwiching a pair of first link plates and a pair of second link plates, both of which are separated in the chain width direction, in the chain width direction, for example, It is possible to reduce the size in the chain width direction, and thus to reduce the weight of the chain guide.

  Moreover, since the restricting portion is located between the first running surface and the second running surface in sliding contact with the second link plate in the chain height direction, the second link plate and the restricting portion in the chain width direction Regardless of the positional relationship, it is not necessary to move the restricting portion away from the second link plate in the chain width direction in order to avoid interference between the second link plate and the restricting portion, and the restricting portion is adjacent in the chain width direction. Since it is located within the plate arrangement range, it is possible to arrange the restricting portion close to the first link plate in the chain width direction, thereby suppressing chain runout. Reduce the noise caused by the collision noise when the first link plate and the restricting part come into contact with each other due to run-out, and remove the chain from the chain guide due to chain run-out. It is possible to reduce the power loss for driving the chain transmission device by stopping and reducing the friction loss in the chain due to the friction between the chain moving in the chain width direction and the running surface Become.

  Further, when the first link plate comes into contact with the restricting portion, the frictional force caused by the first and second rear surfaces being in sliding contact with the first and second traveling surfaces respectively suppress the movement of the chain in the chain width direction. Therefore, compared with the case where only one of the first and second rear surfaces is in sliding contact with the traveling surface, the collision force between the first link plate and the restricting portion is reduced, and the first link plate and the restricting portion The noise of the chain due to the collision sound at the time of contact can be reduced.

  According to the chain transmission device of the present invention according to claim 2, in addition to the effect of the invention according to claim 1, the contact portion with the running surface is included on at least one of the first back surface and the second back surface. The longitudinal cross-sectional line, which is the cross-sectional shape in the longitudinal direction of the chain, of the slidable contact surface is a substantially arc shape that is convex toward the traveling surface, so that the contact area between the first back surface and the first traveling surface and Since at least one of the contact areas between the back surface and the second running surface is smaller than when the longitudinal sectional line is a straight line, friction loss in the chain can be reduced.

  The longitudinal cross-sectional line of the slidable contact surface of at least one of the first back surface and the second back surface is a substantially arc shape that is convex toward the travel surface, and the restricting portion is the first travel in the chain height direction. The first link plate slides on the step surface in a state where the first back surface and the second back surface are simultaneously in sliding contact with the first traveling surface and the second traveling surface, respectively. Since the longitudinal cross-sectional line of the slidable contact surface of at least one of the first and second back surfaces is a convex arc shape toward the running surface by being able to contact, the first and second back surfaces Compared to the case where the longitudinal section line of each sliding contact surface is a straight line, the gap between the first running surface and the first back surface in the chain height direction, and the second running surface in the chain height direction And at least one of the gaps between the second back and the second Since the amount of lubricating oil supplied to the step surface through the gap increases from at least one of the link plate side and the second link plate side, the lubricity between the first link plate and the step surface is improved. Thus, at the time of sliding contact between the first link plate and the step surface, it is possible to reduce friction loss in the chain due to friction between the first link plate and the step surface.

  According to the chain transmission device of the present invention according to claim 3, in addition to the effect exerted by the invention according to claim 2, the pair of first link plates constituting the first link are provided in the second direction in the chain width direction. It is arranged between a pair of second link plates constituting the link, and the first traveling surface is located between the pair of second traveling surfaces in the chain width direction and each second traveling in the chain height direction. The first traveling surface and a pair of step surfaces between the first traveling surface and the pair of second traveling surfaces in the chain height direction extend in the chain longitudinal direction at a position lower than the surface. By forming the groove, the lubricating oil adhering to the first traveling surface and the pair of stepped surfaces is held by the traveling groove, so the amount and time that the lubricating oil stays on the first traveling surface and the stepped surface increases. Therefore, the first travel surface and each step surface and the first link plate In the chain due to the friction between the first back surface and the first running surface, and the friction between the first link plate and the step surface that are in contact with the chain sideways. Friction loss can be reduced, and wear on the first running surface and each step surface can be suppressed.

  According to the chain transmission device of the present invention according to claim 4, in addition to the effect exerted by the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the first link adjacent to the restricting portion in the chain width direction Since the chain lateral runout is in a position in contact with the first link plate at the position in the chain width direction between the plate gaps of the plate and the second link plate, the chain runout causes the first link plate and the second link forming the gap between the plates. Since the vibration width is reduced to a value limited by a value equal to or less than the distance between the link plate and the link plate, noise due to the collision noise between the first link plate and the restricting portion caused by chain lateral vibration is further reduced, and the chain width The friction loss in the chain due to the friction between the chain moving in the direction and the first and second running surfaces can be further reduced.

The figure of the principal part when the Example of this invention is shown and seeing a chain transmission apparatus from the chain width direction, and a principal part enlarged view. The expanded sectional view and principal part enlarged view in the II-II line of FIG.

  The chain transmission device according to the present invention includes a plurality of first links composed of a plurality of first link plates spaced apart in the chain width direction and a plurality of second links composed of a plurality of second link plates spaced apart in the chain width direction. A chain provided with a link and having the first link and the second link bendably connected in the longitudinal direction of the chain, and the first back surface of the first link plate and the second back surface of the second link plate simultaneously slide while the chain is running. A chain guide having a running surface in contact therewith, the plate height of the second link plate is smaller than the plate height of the first link plate, and the running surface is in first sliding contact with the first back surface and the second back surface simultaneously. A travel surface and a second travel surface, the second travel surface being at a position higher than the first travel surface in the chain height direction; A restricting portion that is formed by the first traveling surface and the second traveling surface being in different positions in the chain height direction and restricts the movement of the chain in the chain width direction by contact with the first link plate And the restricting portion is located between the first traveling surface and the second traveling surface in the chain height direction, and the first link plate and the second link plate adjacent in the chain width direction are in the chain width direction. By positioning within the range where the chain is placed, the first and second travel surfaces are formed at different positions in the chain height direction while suppressing wear on the travel surface with which the chain is in sliding contact. If the chain guide is reduced in size in the width direction of the chain and reduced in weight by suppressing lateral vibration, the friction loss in the chain is reduced and the noise is reduced. An embodiment is may be any one.

For example, in the chain transmission device of the present invention, the chain may be a link chain or a silent chain in addition to a roller chain (including a bush and a bushless one).
In the first link and the second link constituting the chain of the chain transmission device of the present invention, one link may be an inner link and the other link may be an outer link.
The machine provided with the chain transmission device of the present invention may be a power device other than an automobile (including an engine), an industrial machine, or a conveyance device, in addition to the automobile power device (including an engine).

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
Referring to FIG. 1, in an embodiment of the present invention, a chain transmission 100 is provided in an automobile engine as a machine. The chain transmission device 100 is, for example, a timing chain transmission device for driving the valve gear of the engine.

  The chain transmission device 100 includes a roller chain 101 (hereinafter referred to as “chain 101”) as a chain, a sprocket group (not shown) including a plurality of sprockets around which the chain 101 is stretched, and the sprocket group. In order to guide the chain 101 that is being driven and driven, the chain 101 that is in a running state is provided with one or more chain guides 102 that are in sliding contact with each other.

  The sprocket group includes at least one drive sprocket that is rotationally driven by the engine as a power source and at least one driven sprocket. The chain 101 transmits the engine power transmitted through the drive sprocket to the driven sprocket, and rotationally drives the driven sprocket. The plurality of chain guides 102 include a movable guide that can press the chain 101 by being biased by a tensioner that applies tension to the chain 101, and a fixed guide that is not biased by the tensioner. FIG. 1 shows a part of one chain guide 102 of a plurality of chain guides 102.

  The chain transmission device 100 is disposed in a chain transmission chamber formed in an oil-tight manner by the main body of the engine, and is lubricated with a lubricating oil supplied by a lubricating oil supply device (for example, an oil jet). For this reason, the chain transmission device 100 is disposed in a lubricating atmosphere filled with lubricating oil droplets, and the chain 101, the chain guide 102 and the sprocket group are supplied with lubricating oil directly supplied by the lubricating oil supply device, Or the lubricating oil which became the oil droplet after supplying from a lubrication supply apparatus adheres.

  Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the chain 101 includes a plurality of inner links 110 as first links and outer links 120 as a plurality of second links. A plurality of connecting pins 131 that are connected to be bent around L, a plurality of bushes 132 into which the connecting pins 131 are inserted, and a plurality of rollers 133 that are rotatably supported by the bushes 132, respectively. Prepare.

The inner link 110 and the outer link 120 are alternately connected in the longitudinal direction of the chain by connecting pins 131 that define the bending center line L. Each roller 133 can rotate with respect to the connecting pin 131 and can mesh with the teeth of each sprocket.
The chain 101 is driven by the sprocket group so that the inner link 110 and the outer link 120 are simultaneously in sliding contact with the first and second traveling surfaces 151 and 152 constituting the traveling surface of the chain guide 102, respectively. The vehicle travels in the chain travel direction which is the longitudinal direction of the chain.

The inner link 110 is composed of a plurality of inner link plates 111 (hereinafter referred to as “inner plates 111”) as a pair of first link plates, which are arranged separately in the chain width direction. The outer link 120 includes a plurality of outer link plates 121 (hereinafter referred to as “outer plates 121”) as a pair of second link plates, which are arranged separately in the chain width direction.
The chain width direction is a direction parallel to the bending center line L. The chain height direction is a direction orthogonal to the chain longitudinal direction and the chain width direction.

The inner plate 111 has a pair of first side surfaces 112 facing in the chain width direction, and a first outer peripheral surface 113 that forms an outline of the inner plate 111 when viewed from the chain width direction. The inner plate 111 is provided with a pair of first pin holes 118 that are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the chain and into which the bush 132 and the connecting pin 131 are inserted.
The first outer peripheral surface 113 has a first back surface 114 on the chain guide 102 side with a pitch surface P (a pitch line when viewed from the chain width direction) as a boundary. The first back surface 114 has a first contact portion 115 that is in sliding contact with the first traveling surface 151 of the chain guide 102.
Here, the pitch plane P is a plane including the bending center line L adjacent in the chain longitudinal direction.

Similarly, the outer plate 121 has a pair of second side surfaces 122 that face in the chain width direction, and a second outer peripheral surface 123 that forms the contour of the inner plate 111 when viewed from the chain width direction. The outer plate 121 is provided with a pair of second pin holes 128 that are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the chain and into which the connecting pins 131 are inserted.
The second outer peripheral surface 123 has a second back surface 124 on the chain guide 102 side with a pitch surface P (a pitch line when viewed from the chain width direction) as a boundary. The second back surface 124 includes a second contact portion 125 that is in sliding contact with the second traveling surface 152 of the chain guide 102.
In the present embodiment, the inner plate 111 and the outer plate 121 have shapes that are plane-symmetric with respect to the pitch plane P.

The connecting pin 131 passes through the pair of outer plates 121 of the outer link 120 and the pair of inner plates 111 of the inner link 110 arranged between the pair of outer plates 121 in the chain width direction. As shown, the first and second pin holes 118 and 128 arranged in series in the chain width direction are inserted.
The bush 132 inserted into the first pin hole 118 is held by the pair of inner plates 111 in a fixed state. The connecting pins 131 inserted into the bushes 132 held by the inner links 110 are held by the pair of outer plates 121 in a state in which they are prevented from being detached from the outer plates 121 by retaining means (for example, fixing). .

The second plate height H2 that is the plate height of the outer plate 121 is smaller than the first plate height H1 that is the plate height of the inner plate 111.
Here, the plate height is the width of each plate in the chain height direction in the plate height defining portion which is a portion including at least the contact portions 115 and 125 on the back surfaces 114 and 124 in each plate 111 and 121. is there. In this embodiment, the plate height defining portion includes at least a portion within the range of the pair of bending center lines L in each plate in the chain longitudinal direction.

  The back surfaces 114 and 124 of the plates 111 and 121 include at least all of the portions that can become the contact portions 115 and 125, and the first and second slidable contact surfaces 116 and 126, which are portions extending over the chain longitudinal range, respectively. 1 is a surface that becomes a convex curved surface toward the second traveling surfaces 151, 152. In this embodiment, the longitudinal cross-sectional lines C1 and C2 (see FIG. 1), which are cross-sectional shapes in the chain longitudinal direction, of the back surfaces 114 and 124, which are entirely curved surfaces, are formed on the entire back surfaces 114 and 124. It is a substantially arc-shaped curve that is convex toward the corresponding running surfaces 151 and 152. Here, the cross section in the chain longitudinal direction is a cross section in a plane orthogonal to the chain width direction.

Note that the expression “almost” includes the case where there is no modifier “almost” and does not exactly match the case where there is no modifier “almost”, but the modifier “almost”. It means a range in which there is no significant difference with respect to the effect as compared with the case where there is no.
Further, the “arc shape” is a shape constituted by an arc having one or more radii of curvature (or centers of curvature) including the sliding contact surfaces 116 and 126. And when the longitudinal section lines C1, C2 are substantially arc-shaped, for example, a part of the longitudinal section lines C1, C2 is compared to the case where the entire longitudinal section lines C1, C2 are arc-shaped, A straight line having an infinite curvature radius may be used as long as there is no significant difference in terms of the effect.

The first longitudinal section line C1 of the first back surface 114 and the second longitudinal section line C2 of the second back surface 124 are different curves in this embodiment, and the second longitudinal section line C2 is a first longitudinal section line. It has a portion with a smaller radius of curvature than the line C1. As another example, the first and second longitudinal section lines C1 and C2 may be the same.
In the first and second back surfaces 114 and 124, at least each of the sliding contact surfaces 116 and 126, in the present embodiment, the entire back surface 114 and 124, the cross-sectional shape in the chain width direction is the width direction cross-sectional line. It is a substantially straight line substantially parallel to the chain width direction (see FIG. 2). Here, the cross section in the chain width direction is a cross section in a plane orthogonal to the chain longitudinal direction.

  Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the chain guide 102 is provided with a base 103 and an integrally fixed base 103, and the first and second inner links 110 and outer links 120 of the traveling chain 101 are in sliding contact. And a shoe 140 having running surfaces 151 and 152. The shoe 140 is a single long member made of a wear resistant material, for example, a synthetic resin excellent in wear resistance, formed by integral molding and extending in the longitudinal direction of the chain. The shoe 140 includes a flat base portion 141 fixed to the base 103 and one or more in this embodiment, which are located at both ends of the base portion 141 in the chain width direction and project from the base portion 141 in the chain height direction. Each of the pair of protrusions 142 that are separated from each other in the chain width direction is a stepped shoe that is a step portion with respect to the base portion 141.

The shoe 140 has a base 141 and a protrusion 142 and a pair of first and second traveling surfaces 151 and 152 facing in the chain height direction and a pair of protrusions 142 and facing in the chain width direction. And a stepped surface 153 which is a stepped portion as a restricting portion.
Both of the first and second travel surfaces 151 and 152 and the step surface 153 extending in the longitudinal direction of the chain over almost the entire length of the shoe 140 are guide surfaces on which the chain 101 slides to guide the traveling chain 101. is there.

  In the shoe 141, the traveling surface where the first back surface 114 of the inner plate 111 and the second back surface 124 of the outer plate 121 are in slidable contact with each other at the time of traveling of the chain 101 is one or more, here, the base 141 serving as the first traveling portion. It has one first traveling surface 151 and a pair of second traveling surfaces as the second traveling portion, and a pair of second traveling surfaces equal in number to the projecting ridges 142. The first back surface 114 is in sliding contact with the first traveling surface 151, and the second back surface 124 is in sliding contact with the second traveling surface 152.

The first traveling surface 151 and the second traveling surface 152 are positioned so as to form a step in the chain height direction, and are in different positions in the chain height direction.
The first traveling surface 151 as the inner traveling surface is located between the second traveling surface 152 as the pair of outer traveling surfaces and between the pair of step surfaces 153 in the chain width direction, and the chain. It exists in the position lower than each 2nd running surface 152 in a height direction.

  The step surface 153 is located between the first traveling surface 151 in the chain height direction and the second traveling surface 152 that is higher than the first traveling surface 151 in the chain height direction. Form a step in the direction. The step surface 153 is formed by the first traveling surface 151 and the second traveling surface 152 being at different positions in the chain height direction, and is continuously connected to the first and second traveling surfaces 151, 152.

The step surface 153 contacts the inner plate 111 that moves in the chain width direction when the chain 101 moves in the chain width direction, thereby restricting movement of the chain 101 in the chain width direction, that is, chain lateral deflection. Surface.
The inner plate 111 can be contacted and slidable on the stepped surface 153 in a state where the first back surface 114 and the second back surface 124 are simultaneously slidably in contact with the first traveling surface 151 and the second traveling surface 152, respectively. .

  The first running surface 151 and the pair of stepped surfaces 153 form a running groove 155 that extends in the chain longitudinal direction. For this reason, the lubricating oil adhering to the 1st driving | running surface 151 and each level | step difference surface 153 is mainly hold | maintained in the driving | running groove 155 for a long time compared with the case where there is no protrusion 142. The

  Referring to FIG. 2 centering on the enlarged view, the step surface 153 is located between the first and second travel surfaces 151, 152 in the chain width direction and adjacent to the inner plate 111 in the chain width direction. The outer plate 121 (hereinafter referred to as “adjacent plates T”) is located in the adjacent plate arrangement range B, which is a range in which the outer plate 121 is arranged in the chain width direction.

  More specifically, the step surface 153 is located at the chain width direction position N of the inter-plate gap E1 which is a gap in the chain width direction between the adjacent plates T in the standard state of the chain 101. When the chain 101 is in the sideways swing state, the stepped surface 153 has a chain width direction position N that is the chain width direction position N in the chain sideways state (two examples are shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 2). In the inner plate 111 of the adjacent plates T, the inner plate 111 is in a position in contact with the first side surface 112A facing the outer plate 121 adjacent to the inner plate 111 in the chain width direction.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the standard state of the chain 101 is the first back surface 114 on the first cross section in the chain width direction of the chain 101 that is in contact with the first and second traveling surfaces 151 and 152. A pair of inner plates 111 that are in contact with the running surface 151, a pair of outer plates 121 that are in contact with the second running surface 152 on the second back surface 124, and a pair of step surfaces 153 are lined in the chain width direction. It is in a state of being arranged symmetrically.

  In this standard state, in relation to the adjacent plates T, a step surface 153 (or a chain width direction gap E2 formed between the step surface 153 (or the second traveling surface 152) and the inner plate 111 (or The chain width direction spacing S2 between the second running surface 152) and the inner plate 111 in the chain width direction is the inter-plate gap S1 (chain chain) between adjacent plates T in the chain width direction. This is also the width of the inter-plate gap E1 in the width direction.) In the present embodiment, it is smaller than the inter-plate interval S1 and is 3/4 to 1/2 or less of the inter-plate interval S1. Further, the step S3, which is the width of the step surface 153 in the chain height direction, is larger than the inter-plate interval S1, and is, for example, 3 to 4 times or more the inter-plate interval S1.

  Therefore, the chain runout is limited to the maximum swing width (corresponding to the amplitude of vibration) limited by the chain width direction interval S2. In this embodiment, the maximum runout is smaller than the interplate spacing S1. Until the width is limited, the chain runout is reduced.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first and second traveling surfaces 151 and 152 are substantially straight lines in which the width direction cross-sectional line that is the cross-sectional shape in the chain width direction is substantially parallel to the chain width direction. The step surface 153 is a substantially straight line whose cross-sectional line in the width direction is substantially parallel to the chain height direction.
Therefore, the first and second traveling surfaces 151 and 152 and the first and second rear surfaces 114 and 124 are composed of the first traveling surface 151 and the first rear surface 114, and the second traveling surface 152 and the second rear surface 124. However, the cross-sectional shapes in the chain width direction are substantially in line contact with each other.

Next, the operation and effect of the embodiment configured as described above will be described.
The chain transmission device 100 includes a chain 101 in which inner links 110 and outer links 120 are connected to be alternately bent in the longitudinal direction of the chain, a first back surface 114 of an inner plate 111 of the inner link 110, and an outer plate of the outer link 120. The second back surface 124 of 121 includes a chain guide 102 having first and second travel surfaces 151 and 152 that are in sliding contact with each other at the same time.
With this configuration, the contact portion 115 between the chain 101 and the first and second traveling surfaces 151 and 152 is compared to a chain in which only one of the inner link plate and the outer link plate is in sliding contact with the traveling surface of the chain guide. Since 125 is distributed to the inner plate 111 and the outer plate 121, the contact pressure at the contact portions 115 and 125 can be reduced, and wear of the first and second running surfaces 151 and 152 can be suppressed. The durability of 102 and, in turn, the durability of the chain transmission 100 can be improved.

The plate height H2 of the outer plate 121 is smaller than the plate height H1 of the inner plate 111, the second running surface 152 is higher than the first running surface 151 in the chain height direction, and the chain guide 102 is The first and second travel surfaces 151 and 152 are formed at different positions in the chain height direction, and the step surface 153 that restricts the movement of the chain 101 in the chain width direction by contact with the inner plate 111. The step surface 153 is located between the first traveling surface 151 and the second traveling surface 152 in the chain height direction, and is adjacent to the inner plate 111 and the outer plate 121 (that is, adjacent to each other in the chain width direction). The plates T) are located in the adjacent plate arrangement range B, which is the range in which the plates are arranged in the chain width direction.
With this configuration, the step surface 153 that suppresses the chain runout is formed using the fact that the first and second travel surfaces 151 and 152 of the chain guide 102 are at different positions in the chain height direction, and the adjacent Since it is located in the plate arrangement range B, the step surfaces that regulate the chain runout are, for example, a pair of inner plates 111 and a pair of outer plates 121 that are separated in the chain width direction. The chain guide 102 can be reduced in size in the chain width direction as compared with the case where the chain guide 102 is provided at the sandwiched position, and thus the chain guide 102 can be reduced in weight.

  Moreover, since the step surface 153 is located in the chain height direction between the first traveling surface 151 and the second traveling surface 152 with which the outer plate 121 is slidably contacted, the outer plate 121 and the step surface in the chain width direction. Regardless of the positional relationship with 153, there is no need to move the step surface 153 away from the outer plate 121 in the chain width direction in order to avoid interference between the outer plate 121 and the step surface 153, and the step surface 153 has a chain width. Since it is located in the adjacent plate arrangement range B in the direction, it becomes possible to arrange the stepped surface 153 close to the inner plate 111 in the chain width direction, thereby suppressing the chain runout. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the noise caused by the collision sound at the time of contact between the inner plate 111 and the step surface 153 due to the chain runout, The chain 101 is prevented from detaching from the chain guide 102, and the friction loss in the chain 101 due to the friction between the chain 101 moving in the chain width direction and the first and second traveling surfaces 151, 152. And the power loss of the engine for driving the chain transmission 100 can be reduced.

  Further, since the step surface 153 is in a position where it abuts on the inner plate 111 at the position N in the chain width direction of the inter-plate gap E1 between the adjacent plates T, the chain lateral runout is adjacent to the inter-plate gap E1. Since the deflection width is limited to a value that is limited by a value equal to or less than the inter-plate spacing S1 between the plates T, noise due to collision noise between the inner plate 111 and the stepped surface 153 caused by chain lateral deflection can be further reduced, and the chain Friction loss in the chain 101 due to friction between the chain 101 moving in the width direction and the first and second traveling surfaces 151 and 152 can be further reduced.

  Further, when the inner plate 111 is in contact with the step surface 153, the frictional force caused by the first and second back surfaces 114 and 124 being in sliding contact with the first and second traveling surfaces 151 and 152, respectively, in the chain width direction. Since the movement of the chain 101 is suppressed, the collision force between the inner plate 111 and the step surface 153 is compared with the case where only one of the first and second back surfaces 114 and 124 is in sliding contact with the traveling surface of the shoe 140. As a result, the noise of the chain 101 due to the collision sound at the time of contact between the inner plate 111 and the step surface 153 can be reduced.

  In the first and second back surfaces 114 and 124, longitudinal section lines C1 and C2 of the first and second sliding contact surfaces 116 and 126 including the first and second contact portions 115 and 125, respectively, Due to the substantially arcuate shape convex toward the traveling surfaces 151, 152, the contact area between the first back surface 114 and the first traveling surface 151 and the contact area between the second back surface 124 and the second traveling surface 152 are: Since the longitudinal cross-sectional lines C1 and C2 are smaller than when they are straight lines, the friction loss in the chain 101 can be reduced.

Longitudinal section lines C1 and C2 of the slidable contact surfaces 116 and 126 are substantially arcuately convex toward the traveling surfaces 151 and 152, and the first and second back surfaces 114 and 124 are in the first and second traveling directions. The inner plate 111 can be in sliding contact with the step surface 153 while being in sliding contact with the surfaces 151 and 152 simultaneously.
With this configuration, the longitudinal sectional lines C1 and C2 of the first and second sliding contact surfaces 116 and 126 are convex arcuate shapes toward the first and second traveling surfaces 151 and 152, respectively. Compared with the case where the longitudinal cross-sectional lines C1 and C2 of the contact surfaces 116 and 126 are straight lines, the gap between the first running surface 151 and the first back surface 114 in the chain height direction, and the chain height direction As the clearance between the second running surface 152 and the second back surface 124 increases, the lubricating oil supplied to the step surface 153 through the clearance from the inner plate 111 side and the outer plate 121 side in the chain width direction. Since the amount increases, the lubricity between the inner plate 111 and the step surface 153 is improved, and due to the friction between the inner plate 111 and the step surface 153 when the inner plate 111 and the step surface 153 are in sliding contact with each other. Chain 10 It is possible to reduce the friction loss in the.
The entire longitudinal section lines C1 and C2 of the first and second back surfaces 114 and 124 are convex arcuate toward the first and second traveling surfaces 151 and 152, respectively. Since the amount of lubricating oil supplied to the step surface 153 through the gap from the inner plate 111 side and the outer plate 121 side further increases, the lubricity between the inner plate 111 and the step surface 153 is further improved. .

  The first running surface 151 and the pair of stepped surfaces 153 form a running groove 155 extending in the longitudinal direction of the chain, so that the lubricating oil adhering to the first running surface 151 and the pair of stepped surfaces 153 Is retained by the traveling groove 155, the amount and time that the lubricating oil stays on the first traveling surface 151 and the step surface 153 increases, so that the first traveling surface 151 and each step surface 153 between the inner plate 111 and The lubricity of the chain 101 is improved by the friction between the first back surface 114 and the first running surface 151, and the friction between the inner plate 111 and the step surface 153 that are in contact with the chain in the lateral runout. Friction loss can be reduced, and wear of the first running surface 151 and each stepped surface 153 can be suppressed.

Hereinafter, an example in which a part of the configuration of the above-described embodiment is changed will be described with respect to the changed configuration.
In only one of the first back surface 114 and the second back surface 124, the longitudinal sectional line may be substantially arcuate. Also in this case, the longitudinal sectional line C1 or the longitudinal sectional line C2 is substantially arc-shaped, so that the contact area between the inner plate 111 and the first traveling surface 151 or the outer plate 121 and the second traveling surface 152 is obtained. , The friction loss in the chain 101 is reduced, and the clearance between the first running surface 151 and the first back surface 114 in the chain height direction, or in the chain height direction is reduced. Through the gap between the second running surface 152 and the second back surface 124, the inner plate 111 and the step surface 153 are lubricated by the lubricating oil supplied to the step surface 153 from the inner plate 111 side or the outer plate 121 side in the chain width direction. Therefore, the friction loss in the chain 101 due to the friction between the inner plate 111 and the step surface 153 can be reduced.

As another example, the longitudinal sectional lines C1 and C2 of the first and second back surfaces 114 and 124 may both be substantially straight lines.
In the shoe 140, the base portion 141 and the pair of protrusions 142 are integrally formed in the embodiment, but the base portion 141 and the pair of protrusions 142 are separate members, and the first running surface 151, The two traveling surfaces 152 and the step surface 153 may be substantially continuous, and the base 141 and the pair of protrusions 142 are separate members, and the first and second traveling surfaces 151 and 152 are substantially It is not necessary to have the level | step difference surface made continuous.

The restricting portion formed by the first traveling surface 151 and the second traveling surface 152 being in different positions in the chain height direction may be a surface other than the step surface 153 or a shape portion other than the surface.
Further, the restricting portion or the step surface is a member that is separate from the member that forms the first traveling surface 151, and is a member that forms the second traveling surface 152, or a member that forms the second traveling surface 152. And a member for forming the first traveling surface 151 or a member separate from the member for forming the first traveling surface 151 and the second traveling surface 152, respectively. May be.
The restricting portion or the step surface may be separated from at least one of the first and second traveling surfaces 151 and 152 in the chain height direction.
At least one of the inner plate 111 and the outer plate 121 may be a bowl-shaped link plate having a sliding contact surface spaced apart in the chain longitudinal direction.
The first link is the outer link, the first link plate is the outer link plate, the second link is the inner link, the second link plate is the inner link plate, the first traveling surface is the outer traveling surface, and the second traveling surface is It may be an inner running surface.
The power source that drives the chain transmission device 100 may be a motor including an electric motor.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Chain transmission device 101 ... Chain 102 ... Chain guide 110 ... Inner link 111 ... Inner link plate 114, 124 ... Back 115, 125 ... Contact part 116, 126 ... ..Sliding contact surface 120 ... outer link 121 ... outer link plate 131 ... connecting pin 140 ... shoe 151 ... first running surface 152 ... second running surface 153 ... step Surface 155 ... Traveling groove B ... Adjacent plate arrangement range L ... Bending center line E1 ... Plate gap E2 ... Chain width direction gap N ... Chain width direction position

Claims (4)

A plurality of first links composed of a plurality of first link plates spaced apart in the chain width direction and a plurality of second links composed of a plurality of second link plates spaced apart in the chain width direction, and in the longitudinal direction of the chain A traveling surface in which the first link and the second link are slidably in contact with each other, and the first back surface of the first link plate and the second back surface of the second link plate are simultaneously slidable when the chain travels. In a chain transmission device comprising a chain guide having
The plate height of the second link plate is smaller than the plate height of the first link plate,
The traveling surface includes the first traveling surface and the second traveling surface, in which the first back surface and the second back surface are in sliding contact with each other simultaneously;
The second running surface is at a position higher than the first running surface in the chain height direction;
The chain guide is formed such that the first traveling surface and the second traveling surface are at different positions in the chain height direction, and the chain guide in the chain width direction is brought into contact with the first link plate. Having a regulation part that regulates movement,
The restricting portion is located between the first traveling surface and the second traveling surface in the chain height direction, and the first link plate and the second link plate adjacent in the chain width direction are in the chain width direction. It is located in the range arrange | positioned by chain transmission device characterized by the above-mentioned. On at least one of the first back surface and the second back surface, a longitudinal cross-sectional line, which is a cross-sectional shape in the longitudinal direction of the chain, of a sliding contact surface including a contact portion with the travel surface faces the travel surface. And convex, almost arcuate,
The restricting portion is a step surface between the first traveling surface and the second traveling surface in a chain height direction;
The first link plate is slidable on the step surface in a state where the first back surface and the second back surface are simultaneously in sliding contact with the first traveling surface and the second traveling surface, respectively. The chain transmission device according to claim 1. A pair of the first link plates constituting the first link is disposed between the pair of second link plates constituting the second link in a chain width direction;
The first traveling surface is located between the pair of second traveling surfaces in the chain width direction and is lower than the second traveling surfaces in the chain height direction;
The first traveling surface and the pair of step surfaces between the first traveling surface and the pair of second traveling surfaces in the chain height direction form a traveling groove extending in the chain longitudinal direction. The chain transmission device according to claim 2, wherein the chain transmission device is provided.   The restriction part is in a position in contact with the first link plate at a position in the chain width direction between plate gaps between the first link plate and the second link plate adjacent in the chain width direction. The chain transmission device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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