JP4506080B2 - Endless belt element arrangement method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an endless belt used in a belt-type continuously variable transmission (CVT), and more particularly to a method of arranging elements when forming an endless belt.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a belt-type CVT mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile, as shown in FIG. 6A, several hundred (for example, 400) plate-like metal pieces on a metal ring-shaped endless band or ring 11 are used. An endless metal belt 12 in which the manufactured elements 10 are arranged in the plate thickness direction is used. The endless metal belt is wound around an input-side pulley 16 attached to the input shaft 14 of the CVT and an output-side pulley 20 attached to the output shaft 18, and the winding radius of the belt on the input-side or output-side pulley. Ri or Ro is continuously changed according to the rotational speed of the input shaft or the output shaft, so that the rotational speed ratio between the input shaft and the output shaft, that is, the gear ratio is continuously stepless. Be changed.
[0003]
FIG. 6B shows a front view and a side view of a typical endless metal belt element 10. As shown in the figure, the element 10 has a head portion 22 and a body portion 24 which are spread to the left and right. The head portion 22 and the trunk portion 24 are connected by a neck portion 26, and a pair of left and right slits 28 are defined. A metal ring 11 (usually a laminated ring) is passed through the left and right slits 28 so as to hold the element 10, and thus the individual elements 10 are configured not to fall off the element row. Further, a corner R portion 30 is formed at the base of the neck portion 26, and play is provided at the edge portion of the ring 11. Further, a convex dimple 32 and a hole 33 are formed at a substantially central portion of the head portion 22. When the element 10 is assembled to an endless belt, the dimple 32 and the hole 33 are adjacent to each other in the front-rear direction. It fits in the hole 33 and the dimple 32 of the element, and is configured to suppress the vertical and lateral shift of the element.
[0004]
The element 10 is usually manufactured by being punched from a metal plate material (for example, a steel plate material), subjected to a forming process such as polishing, and further subjected to a heat treatment. Therefore, it is desirable for all manufactured elements to have the dimensions and shape as designed, but the elements are subject to a series of manufacturing processes due to material quality, manufacturing process conditions, and various other factors. May be deformed such as twisting or warping.
[0005]
For example, when an element whose head is twisted with respect to the body is assembled to an endless belt, the twisted head is viewed from the element head 22 side as shown in FIG. 6C. The portion 22 ′ is in a state where the neck is randomly swung left and right with respect to the belt axis. In this case, dimples and holes of adjacent elements in the front-rear direction are not aligned and are difficult to fit together, and an inappropriate gap is generated between the elements, so that the power transmission performance and durability of the endless belt are lowered. In particular, while the belt is running, in the portion in the direction of pushing the endless belt from the input side pulley to the output side pulley (upper side in FIG. 6A), the element row is compressed to receive a pressing force in the running direction, At that time, the head of the twisted element receives a force (arrow F in FIG. 6C) in the direction to return the twist from the head of the preceding and following elements. If it does so, it will become easy to destroy the neck part connected to the twisted head especially the corner | angular R part 30 vicinity which is comparatively weak by this force F.
[0006]
In addition, when the elements are warped in the front-rear direction when assembled to the belt, when the element row 50 is viewed from the head side of the elements as shown in FIG. Rather, this creates an inappropriate gap between the elements. Further, since the fitting between the dimples and the holes becomes shallow, the alignment of the element rows in the vertical and horizontal directions is impaired. Thus, as in the case of the twist described above, the power transmission performance and durability of the endless belt are lowered. In particular, when the space between the elements is compressed, the edge of the warped element, in particular, the edge of the body portion, is forced to return the warp from the edge of the body portion of the element adjacent in the front-rear direction (arrow G in FIG. 6D). ), And the force makes it easier for the vicinity of the relatively fragile corner R portion 30 to be destroyed.
[0007]
In order to prevent the power transmission performance and durability of the endless belt from deteriorating due to the fact that the manufactured element includes a twisted or warped element as described above, conventionally, an endless belt is manufactured. At that time, the degree of twisting or warping deformation of the head of each element is examined, and an element that is twisting or warping deformation exceeding a predetermined standard (or degree) (ie, a defective element) is applied to the belt. Sorting and removing before assembly is performed. Such a defective element sorting operation may be performed manually by the manufacturer, one by one, but may also be performed by an automated apparatus. Such an apparatus or sorting method is, for example, the following: It is described in Patent Documents 1-4.
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-129485 A
[Patent Document 2]
JP 2001-146944 A
[Patent Document 3]
JP 2001-232306 A
[Patent Document 4]
JP 2001-330535 A
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, as described above, an element selected and removed as a defective element is usually disposed of. Therefore, a considerable amount of element material and other manufacturing costs are wasted, depending on the quality of the material for manufacturing the element or the manufacturing process. In addition, if a higher quality CVT and an endless belt therefor are to be provided, the above-mentioned predetermined standard for twisting or warping deformation becomes stricter, and the amount of elements discarded as defective products increases accordingly. Furthermore, many elements are wasted, causing an increase in manufacturing costs. Therefore, it would be desirable if the manufacturing cost can be reduced by reducing the amount of elements that are wasted as defectives as much as possible without impairing power transmission performance and durability.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  According to the present invention, there is provided an endless belt element including an annular endless ring and a plurality of elements arranged adjacent to each other on the endless ring, and the head and the body are separated from each other. A method of arranging elements adjacent to each other so as to form an endless belt by superposing elements that are plate-like bodies having a neck portion left between a pair of slits in a state where the endless ring is fitted in the slits. When the body is viewed from the side of the head, the element changes with respect to the twist appearing between the head and the body or the warp appearing on the body.In shapeThe element so that a mismatch occurring in the joining between the elements adjacent to each other is within an allowable range.AdjacencyIs achieved by a method characterized by selecting and arranging.
[0010]
As described above, the reason why a deformed element is regarded as a defective product is that an inappropriate gap is generated between the elements on the endless belt due to the twisting or warping of the element, and in particular, the element row is in a compressed state. This is because an excessive force acts on the twisted head or side portion, and the element is easily broken particularly at the corner R of the neck. Therefore, if the elements are arranged so that the gap between the elements is appropriate and excessive force is not applied to the deformed part, the problem of reduced power transmission performance and durability due to the incorporation of defective products as described above into the belt. Is reduced.
[0011]
In the present invention, in view of the cause that the above element is defective, when the element is assembled to the endless ring, the element is selected and arranged in consideration of the direction of the deformed portion of the deformed element. It is possible to appropriately reduce the gap between the elements and prevent an excessive force from being applied to the deformed portion. Thus, it becomes possible to relax a predetermined standard in the size or shape of an element discarded as a defective product, and thereby reduce the number of elements judged to be defective products and removed as compared with the conventional case. Can do.
[0012]
The deformation that may occur in the element may be twisting of the head with respect to the body of the element, or warping of the side with respect to the center of the element.
[0013]
In the present invention described above, all the elements are arranged in a predetermined shape, i.e., the direction of deformation from the designed dimensions and shape, and only elements having the same deformation direction are selected and assembled to the endless ring. It's okay. As a result, even if the elements are deformed in one belt, all the deformed portions are directed in the same direction. Therefore, even if elements that are slightly deformed are adjacent to each other, the deformation directions coincide with each other, so that the gap between the elements is prevented from being significantly increased, and the stress applied to the adjacent deformed portion is also relatively small. It is possible to reduce the possibility of destruction.
[0014]
In the present invention described above, the amount of deformation from a predetermined shape is measured for all the elements, and only an array in which the difference in the measured amount of deformation between adjacent elements is equal to or less than a predetermined value is selected. May be assembled. As described above, the problem of the power transmission performance and durability of the endless belt is lowered due to an inappropriate increase in the gap between the elements due to the deformation of the elements. Therefore, such a problem can be avoided by arranging the elements so that the difference in deformation amount between the adjacent elements is not more than a predetermined value. In this case, if the gap between the elements is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the direction of deformation of adjacent elements may be reversed, and even if an element with a slightly large deformation amount is incorporated, Since the gap between adjacent elements is suppressed to a predetermined value or less, the power transmission performance and durability of the endless belt are not impaired.
[0015]
If the gap between the elements is evaluated for each element, there is a risk that a lot of labor is required. Therefore, as described above, when selecting an element based on the gap between the elements, the element is classified into a plurality of ranks having the maximum deformation amount and the minimum deformation amount based on the measured deformation amount. Only elements that are classified into ranks having a maximum difference in deformation amount that can be generated from the maximum deformation amount and the minimum deformation amount of at least two ranks among the ranks may be selected and assembled to the endless ring. . In this case, the elements are first classified into ranks in which the maximum deformation amount and the minimum deformation amount are determined according to the magnitude (and direction) of the deformation amount (the deformation amount is positive in any one of the deformation directions). Expressed as a positive or negative value in the case.) If the maximum deformation amount and the minimum deformation amount of ranks are compared, the maximum gap between elements (that is, the maximum difference in deformation amount) that can occur when elements belonging to those ranks are mixed is determined. If the gap between the elements is within a predetermined range, even if elements belonging to the two or more ranks are randomly arranged, the gap between the elements does not exceed a predetermined value. Therefore, the gaps between all the elements of the endless belt can be suppressed within a predetermined range without individually evaluating the gaps between the elements.
[0016]
By the way, as described above, there are hundreds of elements that can be assembled to one endless belt, and such one belt has a plurality of different pre-slots (that is, a set or group of elements manufactured at one time). The elements manufactured in are mixed and used. This is done in order to suppress the deviation because the specifications or characteristics of each product are biased when the belt is composed of only one lot. This deviation in specifications and characteristics is because even if the elements are the same in design, there are deviations or errors in each lot due to differences in the quality of materials and various conditions during production. Therefore, as the plate thickness and dimensions of the manufactured element have an error for each lot, the size and direction of deformation tend to be different for each lot. When lot elements are assembled on one endless belt, a significantly large gap may occur between the elements.
[0017]
Therefore, in the present invention described above, a part of each group of elements manufactured at one time is selected as a sample, the amount of deformation from a predetermined shape of each group of samples is measured, and the amount of deformation The average amount and the standard deviation of each group are calculated, the maximum deformation amount and the minimum deformation amount of each group are estimated based on the standard deviation, and the deformation amount that can be generated from the estimated maximum deformation amount and minimum deformation amount of each group It is also possible to select at least two groups whose maximum difference is within a predetermined value range, and select and arrange only the elements of the selected group.
[0018]
In the above configuration, the maximum deformation amount and the minimum deformation amount of each lot are the upper limit and the lower limit of the deformation amount of the element in each lot. Therefore, if the elements of multiple lots are mixed, the difference between the largest “maximum deformation amount” and the smallest “minimum deformation amount” among the mixed lots is the maximum difference in the amount of deformation that can occur. The largest gap. According to the configuration of the present invention described above, a combination of lots in which the maximum difference in the deformation amount is within a predetermined range is selected, so that elements of different lots are mixed and arranged on one endless belt. However, the maximum gap between the elements that can occur in the belt is within a predetermined range. Further, in this embodiment, it is possible to select an element without measuring the deformation amount for all the elements, and the labor for measuring the deformation amount for all the hundreds of elements assembled to one endless belt is paid. There is no need.
[0019]
Note that the estimated maximum deformation amount is a value obtained by adding three times the standard deviation to the average value, and the minimum deformation amount may be a value obtained by subtracting three times the standard deviation from the average value. If the deformation amount is spread according to the normal distribution, 99.7% of the elements have a deformation amount between the maximum deformation amount and the minimum deformation amount, and substantially have a deformation amount exceeding the deformation amount. It is presumed that the element does not exist.
[0020]
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the present invention.
[0021]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to a few preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0022]
The element endless belt element arranging method of the present invention may be applied in a known endless metal belt assembly process for CVT.
[0023]
An endless metal belt is formed by arranging hundreds of plate-like metal elements in the thickness direction of each other on a laminated metal ring as described with reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B. Composed. The metal element generally has a shape as shown in FIG. 1B having a height of 15 mm, a width of 24 to 30 mm, and a plate thickness of slightly less than 1.5 to 2 mm. From the metal plate material, for example, a steel material, a fine blanking method is used. After being punched by the above, it is optionally manufactured by being subjected to a molding process such as polishing, and further heat-treated and cured. Therefore, as already described, when an element is deformed in each process during the manufacturing process or during conveyance and is assembled to the belt as it is, an inappropriately large gap is formed between adjacent elements in the element row on the belt. As a result, the power transmission performance and durability of the belt are adversely affected. Thus, the method of the present invention is performed prior to the completed element being assembled to the endless ring. Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0024]
The present invention is a novel method for selecting an element and determining its arrangement. This method may be implemented manually by a human or in an automated system. When implemented by an automated system, it will be implemented by appropriately configuring a computer system known to those skilled in the art.
[0025]
First embodiment
With reference to FIGS. 1A-1C, in the first embodiment, first, the direction of warpage deformation is examined for all completed elements. FIG. 1A schematically shows how the warpage deformation of the element 10 viewed from the head 22 side is measured. In the completed element, as shown in the figure, the head 22 and the body 24 are warped and deformed in the front-rear direction with respect to the central axis A (see FIG. 6B). Such warpage deformation may occur when the material is punched from a metal plate or in a heat treatment process.
[0026]
  As shown in FIG. 1A, the warping deformation direction is such that the element 10 is arranged so that the front-rear direction thereof faces the non-contact displacement meter 60, and the distance L1 to one side of the element isCentral partAnd the distance L3 to the other side is measured, and is determined by the sign of (L1 + L3) / 2 and L2, or the amount of warpage deformation δ = (L1 + L3) / 2−L2. Good. Therefore, when there is no warpage, L2 = (L1 + L3) / 2, and when L2> (L1 + L3) / 2, the convex warpage product (left in FIG. 1B) is obtained, and L2 <(L1 + L3) / 2. In this case, it is a concave warped product (right of FIG. 1B).
[0027]
As the non-contact type displacement meter, for example, GAP-SENSER (registered trademark) (Electronic Application Co., Ltd.) model PV09 or the like can be used, and the measurement accuracy (resolution) is about 1 μm.
[0028]
Thus, the elements for which the direction of the warp deformation is determined are classified into a convex warped product and a concave warped product, and are transported separately for each sorted group, and are randomly mounted on separate endless belts. Here, elements having a difference between L2 and (L1 + L3) / 2 (or an absolute value of δ) exceeding a predetermined allowable value, for example, 90 μm, are mounted on the belt even with the advantages of the present invention. As it is expected to exceed the maximum allowable gap between the elements when done, it may be removed.
[0029]
On the left side of FIG. 1C, a schematic diagram of an element row separated according to the present embodiment and attached to a belt is shown (an example of a concave warped product). For comparison, as seen in the prior art, an example in which elements in opposite directions (convex warped products) are mixed is illustrated on the right side of FIG. 1C. As will be understood from the figure, it is understood that in an element row composed of only one warped product, the warping direction is the same, so that no significantly large gap is generated between adjacent elements. . On the other hand, when reverse warped products coexist, the reverse warped product has a large gap at the side or center because the deformation direction is opposite to the adjacent elements. 61 will occur.
[0030]
Thus, according to the present embodiment, if the elements are selected based on a criterion equivalent to the degree of warpage deformation (absolute value of δ) allowed in the prior art, the difference in warpage between adjacent elements is at most about half. The stress generated in the element due to warping is greatly reduced, and the durability of the element or belt is improved. Conversely, if the stress caused by warping deformation equivalent to the conventional one is allowed, an element having a warping deformation degree twice as large as that of the conventional product can be used, so that the yield of the element is improved and the manufacturing cost is reduced. The
[0031]
Second embodiment
With reference to FIGS. 2A-2C, in the second embodiment, first, the direction of torsional deformation is examined for all completed elements. FIG. 2A schematically shows how torsional deformation is measured when the element 10 is viewed from the head 22 side. The completed element includes an element that is twisted and deformed around the central axis A such that the head 22 is rotated with respect to the body 24 as shown in the figure. Such torsional deformation may occur when punching from a metal plate or in a heat treatment process.
[0032]
Similarly to the first embodiment, the torsional deformation is arranged such that the element 10 is arranged so that the front-rear direction thereof faces the non-contact type displacement gauge 60 as shown in the drawing, and the distance to one side of the head portion 22 of the element. N1, distance N2 to the body 24 located below one side of the head, distance N3 to the other side of the head 22, and the other side of the head The distance N4 to the lower portion of the body portion 24 is measured, and the magnitude of (N1-N2) and (N3-N4) or the torsional deformation amount ε = (N1-N2) − (N3-N4) It may be determined by the sign. Therefore, when there is no twist at all, (N1-N2) = (N3-N4) or ε = 0, and when (N1-N2) <(N3-N4) or ε <0, a left-twisted product ( In the case of (N1-N2)> (N3-N4) or ε> 0, the product is a right-twisted product (right of FIG. 2B).
[0033]
Thus, the elements for which the direction of torsional deformation is determined are classified into a left twisted product and a right twisted product, and are transported separately for each sorted group, and are randomly mounted on separate endless belts. Here, the degree of deformation is a predetermined allowable value, for example, the torsional angle θ (= ε / the width of the head 22) calculated from the torsional deformation amount ε and the width of the head 22 is a predetermined allowable value. For example, elements exceeding 0.15 ° are removed because, even with the advantages of the present invention, it is expected that a gap exceeding the maximum allowable gap between elements when mounted on the belt is expected. May be.
[0034]
On the left side of FIG. 2C is shown a schematic diagram of an element row that has been separated and attached to the belt according to the present embodiment (example of right-twisted product). For comparison, as seen in the prior art, an example in which elements in opposite directions (left-handed product) are mixed is illustrated on the right side of FIG. 2C. As in the case of the first embodiment, it is understood that in the element row composed of only one twisted product, the twist direction is the same, so that no significantly large gap is generated between adjacent elements. I will. On the other hand, when a twisted product of opposite direction is mixed, the twisted product of the opposite direction has a large gap at the side portion of the head because the deformation direction is opposite to the adjacent element. 62 occurs.
[0035]
Thus, according to the present embodiment, if the elements are selected according to the same standard as the degree of torsional deformation allowed in the past (the absolute value of ε or θ), the twist angle of the head between adjacent elements While the difference is reduced to about half at the maximum, the stress generated in the element by twisting is greatly reduced, and the durability of the element or belt is improved. On the other hand, if the stress caused by the torsional deformation equivalent to the conventional one is allowed, an element whose twisting degree is twice as large as that of the conventional product can be used, so that the yield of the element is improved and the manufacturing cost is reduced. The
[0036]
Third embodiment
In the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, first, the warpage deformation amount δ is measured for all completed elements. For the measurement mode, refer to the description in the first embodiment.
[0037]
  Then figure3As shown in FIG. 5, the magnitude (and direction) of the measured warpage deformation δ (= (L1 + L3) / 2−L2))Therefore, the elements are classified into a plurality of (for example, six) ranks. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG.
Rank A: −90 μm <δ ≦ −60 μm
Rank B: −60 μm <δ ≦ −30 μm
Rank C: −30 μm <δ ≦ 0 μm
For concave warped products,
Rank D: 0 μm ≦ δ <30 μm
Rank E: 30 μm ≦ δ <60 μm
Rank F: 60 μm ≦ δ <90 μm
Respectively. Here, products whose absolute value of deformation exceeds 90 μm may be removed.
[0038]
In each of the above ranks, the maximum and minimum warpage deformation amounts are defined. As a result, when elements classified into different ranks are mixed and arranged on the belt, it is possible to predict the maximum difference in the amount of deformation that can occur, that is, the maximum gap between the elements. For example, when the allowable limit value of the gap between elements caused by warpage is set to 120 μm, the maximum gap that can be generated is absolute for any product that is deformed in the same direction, regardless of which element belongs to any rank. The value is 90 μm, which is well within the allowable range. Furthermore, for products deformed in the opposite direction, for example, even if products belonging to rank A (−90 μm <δ ≦ −60 μm) and rank D (0 μm ≦ δ <30 μm) coexist, The absolute value is less than 120 μm and can be within the allowable range.
[0039]
Thus, any element belonging to a rank in which the maximum gap that can occur even when the elements are mixed does not exceed an allowable value (for example, 120 μm) can be mixed. In the above example, rank elements may be mixed and arranged to be attached to an endless belt, eliminating the combination of rank A and rank E, rank F and rank B, rank A and rank F. .
[0040]
The number of elements in each rank is expected to vary depending on the quality of the element material or the manufacturing process. For example, in some cases, when there are many convex warps and the number of elements of rank A is relatively large, other elements may be mixed except for elements of rank E or rank F. The products of rank E and rank F may be used when many concave warped products are manufactured. Alternatively, it may be accumulated until the number of rank E and rank F elements necessary to produce one endless belt have been accumulated.
[0041]
Thus, in this embodiment, the gap caused by the warpage between adjacent elements is surely suppressed within a predetermined allowable value, and the stress generated in the element can be suppressed to an allowable level, and the power transmission performance and durability of the element and the endless belt can be suppressed. Can be improved. (Regardless of the present embodiment, there is a possibility that a warp deformation amount of −90 μm and a 90 μm one are adjacent to each other only by removing those whose absolute value of the warp deformation amount exceeds 90 μm. (The gap between the elements exceeds the allowable value of 120 μm.)
[0042]
Fourth embodiment
In the present embodiment, as in the second embodiment, the torsional deformation amount ε is first measured for all completed elements. For the measurement mode, refer to the description in the second embodiment.
[0043]
  Then figure4As shown in FIG. 4, the elements are classified into a plurality of ranks (for example, six) according to the magnitude and direction of the measured torsion angle of the head, that is, θ = ε / (head width). (The width of the head may be the distance between the measurement positions of N1 and N3.) Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG.
Rank A: −0.15 ° <θ ≦ −0.10 °
Rank B: −0.10 ° <θ ≦ −0.05 °
Rank C: -0.05 ° <θ ≦ 0 °
For right-handed products,
Rank D: 0 ° ≦ θ <0.05 °
Rank E: 0.05 ° ≦ θ <0.10 °
Rank F: 0.10 ° ≦ θ <0.15 °
Respectively. Here, products whose absolute value of the twist angle exceeds 0.15 ° may be removed.
[0044]
Each of the above ranks has a maximum and minimum twist angle. This makes it possible to predict the maximum difference in torsion angle that can occur when elements separated in different ranks are arranged on the belt, that is, the maximum head angle difference between elements. It becomes. For example, when the allowable head angle difference is set to 0.2 °, the maximum head angle that can be generated for any product twisted in the same direction, regardless of which rank element is mixed. The difference is 0.15 ° in absolute value, which is well within the allowable range. Further, for products deformed in the opposite direction, for example, products belonging to rank A (−0.15 ° <θ ≦ −0.10 °) and rank D (0 ° ≦ θ <0.05 °) are mixed. However, the maximum angular difference that can occur is less than 0.2 ° in absolute value and can be within an acceptable range.
[0045]
Thus, any element belonging to a rank in which the maximum angle difference that can occur even when the elements are mixed does not exceed an allowable value (for example, 0.2 °) can be mixed. In other words, in the above example, rank A and rank E, rank F and rank B, rank A and rank F are excluded, rank elements are mixed, and an endless belt is to be attached. May be arranged.
[0046]
The number of elements in each rank is expected to vary depending on the quality of the element material or the manufacturing process. For example, in some cases, when there are many left-handed products and the number of elements of rank A is relatively large, other elements may be mixed except for elements of rank E or rank F. The products of rank E and rank F may be used when many right-handed products are manufactured. Alternatively, it may be accumulated until the number of rank E and rank F elements necessary to produce one endless belt have been accumulated.
[0047]
Thus, in the present embodiment, the gap caused by the angle difference between the heads of adjacent elements is surely suppressed within a predetermined allowable value, and the stress generated in the element can be suppressed to an allowable level. Performance and durability can be improved. (Not depending on this embodiment, simply removing the head having a twist angle exceeding 0.15 ° may cause the twist deformation amount of −0.15 ° and 0.15 ° to be adjacent to each other. In this case, the angle difference between adjacent heads exceeds the allowable value of 0.2 °.)
[0048]
Fifth embodiment
An element assembled to one endless belt may include a plurality of pre-slots.
[0049]
As already mentioned, even if the elements are manufactured through the same manufacturing process in design, there are differences in the quality of materials and the conditions in the manufacturing process. There is a tendency, and the deformation amount in one lot is considered to be distributed according to a normal distribution as shown in FIG. 5A (the number of elements obtained in one lot is, for example, about 10,000). The horizontal axis of FIG. 5A is the deformation amount, that is, the warpage deformation amount δ (see the description of the third embodiment) or the twist angle θ (see the description of the fourth embodiment), and the vertical axis is the number of elements. Is shown. Therefore, as easily understood, by obtaining the average value M and the standard deviation σ (or variance) of the deformation amount of the elements in one lot, the spread of the deformation amount distribution is estimated, The maximum and minimum deformations found in the elements can be estimated.
[0050]
Therefore, in the present embodiment, first, before mixing elements manufactured in a plurality of lots, a sample is sampled from a group of elements for each lot, the deformation amount is measured, and the average value Mi and the standard value are measured. Deviation σi is calculated (i is a code for identifying a lot). For example, if the number of elements manufactured in one lot is 10,000, the number of samples may be about 50. The measurement method of the deformation amount (δ or θ) and the definition of the measurement amount are the same as those in the third or fourth embodiment, respectively.
[0051]
Thus, assuming that the distribution of deformation amount for each lot is a normal distribution, the maximum deformation amount MXi and the minimum deformation amount MNi found in each lot are determined from the average value Mi and the standard deviation σi. As shown in FIG. 5A, according to the normal distribution, since it is considered that 99.7% of elements are included in the range between Mi−3σi and Mi + 3σi, the upper limit and the lower limit of the deformation amount of each lot, That is, the maximum and minimum deformation amounts may be defined as MXi≡Mi + 3σi and MNi≡Mi-3σi, respectively.
[0052]
Next, among the plurality of lots, a lot in which elements can be mixed is selected. The selection of a lot is performed by determining whether or not the maximum difference in deformation amount that can occur from MXi or MNi of any two lots is within a predetermined range.
[0053]
For example, when the elements of three separate lots A, B, and C are manufactured, the distribution of the deformation amount of the elements is as shown in FIG. 5B. As understood from the figure, each lot has MXi and MNi estimated as described above. Here, for example, the average value M of the deformation amount_BLot B in which is approximately 0, and the average value M of the deformation amount_AIf the elements of lot A, which is shifted from 0 to the minus side, are mixed, the maximum difference in the amount of deformation that can occur is MX_B-MN_AIt is estimated that. Similarly, the maximum difference in the amount of deformation that can occur when the elements of lots B and C or lots C and A are mixed is also estimated.
[0054]
Here, when the allowable range of the difference in deformation amount is set to a predetermined range LM as shown in the figure, the maximum difference in deformation amount of each of the combinations of lots A and B or lots B and C is LM. Although within the range, the maximum difference in the deformation amount of the combination of lots A and C is larger than LM. Thus, any combination of lots A and B or lots B and C is selected as a lot that can be mixed.
[0055]
The elements of the lot selected as a mixable lot may then be mixed and randomly arranged on an endless belt. In the example of FIG. 5B described above, when lot B and lot C are selected, lot A is not transported immediately in the mounting process on the endless belt, and the deformation amount in combination with lot A is not sufficient. It may be stored until a lot whose maximum difference is within the predetermined range LM is manufactured.
[0056]
The predetermined range LM may be, for example, 120 μm when the deformation amount is a warp deformation amount, and may be, for example, 0.2 ° when the deformation amount is a torsional deformation amount. . Such a predetermined range will vary depending on the quality or grade of the endless belt required.
[0057]
Thus, according to the present embodiment, as in the other embodiments, the power transmission performance and durability of the element or belt are improved, the yield of the element is improved, or the manufacturing cost is reduced. As a result, it is not necessary to measure the total amount of deformation of the belt, so that the belt assembly time is shortened.
[0058]
【The invention's effect】
As already mentioned, in the conventional technology, among the elements assembled to the endless belt, those that have deformed beyond the predetermined standard are selected as defective products, removed and discarded regardless of the direction of deformation. It had been. For this reason, the higher the level of power transmission performance and durability of the finished endless belt, the stricter the criteria for element deformation, and the corresponding increase in the number of discarded elements increases the manufacturing cost. It was connected to.
[0059]
In general, according to the present invention, in the arrangement of elements, by selecting elements based on the direction of deformation, i.e. by controlling the direction of deformation or possible gaps between elements due to the deformation of individual elements, The number of available elements is increased (the number of defective products discarded is reduced), and the yield of manufactured elements is improved. Therefore, for example, if the elements are selected based on the same standard as the standard for selecting defective products, and the present invention is applied, the gap between the elements caused by deformation in the completed endless belt is greatly increased. Thus, the power transmission performance and durability of the endless belt (particularly, the fracture resistance of the individual elements) are improved. On the other hand, if it is allowed to generate a gap equivalent to the gap between elements that has been allowed in the past, according to the present invention, even an element greatly deformed from a standard that is discarded as a defective product can be used. Therefore, the number of discarded elements can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.
[0060]
The present invention can be implemented in various embodiments as exemplified above, and may be appropriately selected depending on the material of the element, the manufacturing method, and the like.
[0061]
For example, if the number of elements attached to one endless belt is relatively small, the present invention may be implemented as in the first to fourth embodiments. The fifth embodiment may be implemented if the number of elements is very large and the number of lots of elements used is two or more.
[0062]
Also, depending on the aspect of manufacturing the element, the first, third, or fifth embodiment is selected when warping deformation is large, and the second, fourth, or fifth embodiment is selected when twisting deformation is large. Aspect will be selected. In particular, the fifth embodiment will be useful when the tendency of deformation of elements in each lot is strong and the spread of the distribution of deformation is relatively small.
[0063]
Furthermore, the present invention is useful even when the direction of deformation of the manufactured element is biased to one side as a whole. For example, elements that are sorted into the smaller number of the first and second embodiments, or elements that belong to ranks or lots that are not selected in the third to fifth embodiments, are not discarded. When the number of elements that have been accumulated and similarly selected reaches the number necessary to complete one endless belt, it can be used to manufacture the endless belt. Therefore, according to the present invention, the power transmission performance or durability of the endless belt is not deteriorated, the yield of the elements is improved, and the manufacturing cost is reduced.
[0064]
Although the above description has been made in connection with the embodiments of the present invention, it should be understood that many modifications and changes can be easily made by those skilled in the art. It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 1 and that various applications can be made without departing from the inventive concept.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram showing an element that has undergone warpage deformation (convex warpage) and how the amount of warpage deformation is measured. (B) Schematic diagram of a convex warped element (left) and a concave warped element (right). (C) The schematic diagram of the element row | line | column (left) arranged by applying this invention, and the element row | line | column (right) in a prior art.
FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic diagrams showing a torsionally deformed (right-twisted) element and how to measure the torsional deformation amount; (B) Schematic of left-twisted element (left) and right-twisted element (right). (C) The schematic diagram of the element row | line | column (left) arranged by applying this invention, and the element row | line | column (right) in a prior art.
FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating a definition of a warp deformation amount δ and a rank of a warped element.
FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a definition of a twist angle θ and a rank of a torsionally deformed element.
FIG. 5A is a distribution diagram of deformation of an element manufactured in one lot. (B) Distribution diagram of deformation of elements manufactured in three different lots.
6A is a schematic diagram of an endless belt wound around an input pulley and an output pulley of a CVT. FIG. (B) The typical front view and side view of an element of an endless belt. (C) The schematic diagram which looked at the element row | line | column of an endless belt from the head side of the element. The element head is twisted with respect to the trunk. (D) The schematic diagram which looked at the element row | line | column of an endless belt from the head side of the element. The element has a head portion and a trunk portion that are warped in the belt axis direction.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 ... Element
12 ... Endless belt
14 ... Input shaft
16 ... Input pulley
18 ... Output shaft
20 ... Output pulley
22 ... Head
24 ... trunk
26 ... neck
28 ... Slit
30 ... Corner R part
32 ... Dimple
33 ... Hall
60 ... Non-contact displacement meter

Claims (9)

An element of an endless belt including an annular endless ring and a plurality of elements arranged adjacent to each other on the endless ring, the head and the body, and a neck portion that is left between a pair of slits that separate them The elements that are plate-like bodies having the endless ring are overlapped with each other in a state where the endless ring is fitted in the slit, and the elements are arranged adjacent to each other so as to form an endless belt. the element to accommodate the mismatch occurring junction between the elements to be more adjacent to the deformation of the element about the warpage appearing on the torsional or body portion appears between the head portion and the body portion when viewed torso to tolerance A method comprising selecting and arranging adjacent relations .   2. The method for arranging elements of an endless belt according to claim 1, wherein the direction of deformation from a predetermined shape is examined for all of the elements, and only elements having the same direction of deformation are selected and arranged. Method.   2. The method for arranging elements of an endless belt according to claim 1, wherein a deformation amount from a predetermined shape is measured for all of the elements, and a difference in the measured deformation amount between adjacent elements is equal to or less than a predetermined value. A method comprising selecting and arranging only sequences.   The method for arranging elements of an endless belt according to claim 3, wherein the elements are classified into a plurality of ranks having a maximum deformation amount and a minimum deformation amount based on the measured deformation amount, and at least two of the ranks A method of selecting and arranging only elements sorted into ranks in which a maximum difference in deformation amount that can arise from the maximum deformation amount or the minimum deformation amount of one rank falls within a predetermined range.   4. The method for arranging elements of an endless belt according to claim 2, wherein an element having a measured deformation amount equal to or larger than a predetermined allowable value is not selected.   2. The method for arranging elements of an endless belt according to claim 1, wherein a part of each group of elements manufactured at one time is selected as a specimen, and the specimen of each group is deformed from a predetermined shape. Measuring an amount, calculating an average value and a standard deviation of the deformation amount, estimating a maximum deformation amount and a minimum deformation amount of each group based on the average value and the standard deviation, and Selecting at least two groups in which a maximum difference in deformation amount that can be generated from the determined maximum deformation amount and minimum deformation amount is within a predetermined range, and selecting and arranging only the elements of the selected group. how to.   7. The method for arranging elements of an endless belt according to claim 6, wherein the estimated maximum deformation is a value obtained by adding three times the standard deviation to the average value, and the minimum deformation is calculated from the average value. A value obtained by subtracting three times the standard deviation.   8. The method of arranging elements of an endless belt according to claim 1, wherein the deformation amount is a twist amount of a head with respect to a body portion of the element.   8. The method of arranging elements of an endless belt according to claim 1, wherein the deformation amount is a side warp amount with respect to a central portion of the element.

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