JPH06129497A - Phase-adjusted chain assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To change the noise pattern generated through phase adjustment for contacting of chain links with sprocket teeth. CONSTITUTION: A silent chain 10 and sprocket assembly includes a phase adjusted sprocket, constituting a pair with a random chain assembly. An example of the chain assembly comprises a link 24 having a pair of dangling toes 30 and 32, and a link 24 having a single toe 46 dangling. The modified sprocket has several layers of teeth separated, and these layers of teeth are laid in zigzag manner for making phase adjustment.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to power transmission chains. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a chain with inward teeth used for transmitting power from a torque converter to a transmission or for engine timing as used in the transmission case of four-wheel drive vehicles. Or, it is particularly applicable to transmission chains of the silent chain type.

The present invention relates to tuning chain assemblies and sprockets to modify the impact noise spectrum and the chordal action noise spectrum. In particular, the invention involves the use of hybrid chains in connection with phased or phased sprockets to alter these noise spectra. One aspect of the present invention involves the combination of a single toe link and two toe links in a chain assembly having inward facing teeth.

[0003]

Power transmission chains are widely used in the automotive industry. These chains are used for the transmission of power from the torque converter to the transmission or for transmission of power in the transmission case as well as for timing or timing drive of the engine. Transmission chains are also widely used in industrial applications.

One form of transmission chain is called the "silent chain." Such a chain comprises a set of side-by-side links with inwardly facing teeth. A set or row of links is assembled from several links arranged laterally next to each other. The links are connected by a pivot device, which is typically a circular pin received in a pair of holes. An example of a silent chain is shown in US Pat. No. 4,342,560, which patent is incorporated herein by reference.

Conventional silent chains typically include guide links and inwardly toothed links. The guide links are located at the outer edges of every other set of links. The guide links typically serve to laterally position the chain on the sprocket. The guide links typically do not engage the sprockets.

Inwardly toothed links, or sprocket engaging links, transfer power between the chain and the sprocket. Each inwardly facing toothed link typically includes a pair of holes and a pair of depending toes or teeth. Each toe portion is defined by an inner flank and an outer flank. The inner flanks are joined at the crotch or crotch. Inwardly toothed links are typically designed such that the links contact the sprocket teeth to transfer power between the chain assembly and the sprocket. The inward toothed link or drive link is
Contact with the sprocket teeth along its inner link flank or outer link flank or both flanks. Contact between the links and the sprocket teeth may be in the form of power transmission, may be of the form of ancillary contact, or may include root contact or side contact.

A typical silent chain drive includes an endless silent chain hung on at least two sprockets supported by a shaft. When the drive sprocket is rotated, power is transmitted through the chain, and finally the driven sprocket moves. In engine timing drive applications, the drive sprocket is mounted on the crankshaft of the engine and the driven sprocket is mounted on the camshaft. The rotation of the camshaft is controlled by and depends on the rotation of the crankshaft via the chain. A chain for an engine timing drive is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,758,210, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Conventional chain drives include a wide chain assembly to provide the chain with greater strength. Alternatively, two chain assemblies can be placed side by side between a pair of sprockets to achieve power transmission equivalent to a single wide chain.

Noise, or noise, is inherent to chain drives. Noise is generated by a variety of sources, but in silent chain drives, the noise is caused, in part, by the impulsive noise generated by the chain-sprocket collision at the beginning of engagement. The impact noise loudness is affected, inter alia, by the impact velocity between the chain and the sprocket and the mass of the chain link in contact with the sprocket at a particular moment increase or time increase.

The meshing impact sound is generally a periodic sound in a chain drive. The impact sound is repeated at a cycle approximately equal to the cycle of the chain engaging the sprocket. The period is related to the number of teeth on the sprocket and the speed of the sprocket. The shock produces a sound with an unpleasant pure sonic tone.

Another source of noise in a chain drive is the chain and sprocket chordal as the chain is driven around the sprocket.
action). Stringing occurs when the chain link wraps around the sprocket from the free chain. The chain and sprocket meshing during the chain meshing cycle is due to the free chain or span (the part between the chain's sprockets) moving in the direction perpendicular to the chain movement but in the same plane as the chain and sprockets. . This oscillation is at the period of the chain meshing period or its derivative.
ive) produces a pure sonic tone.

Many efforts have been made to reduce the noise level and pitch period distribution in silent chain type chain drives to minimize the unpleasant effects of pure sonic tones. The problem of noise reduction in silent chain drives is that in U.S. Pat. Use and go by changing. The U.S. patent alters the pattern of sound produced from a chain contacting the sprocket by altering the contour form of the links by altering the link contours, thereby altering the contact points and contact rhythms. Tried to do.

US Pat. No. 4,915,675, incorporated herein by reference, utilized the same concept of altering the sound pattern emitted from a chain by altering the type of link contour. This U.S. patent teaches the use of asymmetrically formed links from which sound is generated in two different directions in the chain assembly to alter the point and rhythm of chain to sprocket contact.

Another attempt to change the contact rhythm between the silent chain drive and the sprocket is to change the spacing of the sprocket teeth on the sprocket.
For example, US Pat. No. 3,377,875 and US Pat. No. 3,49, which are incorporated herein by reference.
No. 5,468 teaches modification of certain sprocket teeth or removal of certain teeth to achieve noise reduction in the contact between the links of the silent chain and the sprocket teeth.

The present invention utilizes the general concept of disordering to reduce noise in both chain and sprocket constructions. The present invention contemplates reducing noise by altering the impulsive and stringing patterns produced by the chain-sprocket contact. The present invention provides various phasing relationships between the chain assembly and the sprocket.
We have attempted to modify these sound patterns by giving a combination of the randomization of chain and sprocket contact with the ing relations). By phasing the relationship between the chain and the sprocket, a given time increment
It is possible to reduce the number of teeth (or the mass of the chain) of the chain link that collide with the sprocket during the rement.
Similarly, phasing the relationship between the chain and the sprocket can change or phase the stringing or articulation of the chain and sprocket. Changes in the phasing of both of these will alter the pattern of sound produced by impact or string action, associated with the randomization of chain and sprocket contact.

With respect to using the prior art phasing relationship, the prior art manual transmission of a Saab 99 motor vehicle used three individual roller chains in parallel with three spaced sprockets. These roller chains are different from the inward toothed chains of the present invention,
It also provides different power transmissions and has different noise characteristics and utilizes a different concept of disordering than the present invention. Three equivalent roller chains move parallel to each other, with each chain and sprocket being ⅓ pitch phased with respect to an adjacent chain and sprocket.

Jensen Interceptor
n Intercept) prior art four-wheel drive transmission case has the shape of two identical normal inwardly toothed transmission chains, the chain separating a rocker joint and a link of all the same shape and orientation. Parallel to the sprockets. The sprockets are 1/2 tooth phase with respect to each other. Whether the tolerance between the sprocket and shaft spline is small enough to prevent loosening between the sprocket and shaft,
And it is not known whether the empirical chain has adjusted the phase of the string action.

One spinsheath of the present invention comprises an inwardly toothed link having a single toe portion and a conventional inwardly toothed link having two toe portions in a single chain assembly or a dual chain assembly. It is intended to provide a phasing relationship by using a silent chain assembly that achieves disordering by using a combination of The combination of a single toe link and a two toe link provides an irregular and altered pattern of contact between the links and sprocket teeth in the chain and sprocket assembly. A single toe link is provided on the chain assembly in cooperation with a split sprocket with or without a phasing relationship.

Prior art chains used a single toe link, but not a dual chain or phased chain assembly. For example, US Pat.
No. 59,046 shows a single toe guide link. However, the guide links serve only to hold the chain assembly on the sprockets.
The guide links do not transmit power directly to or from the sprockets and therefore do not collide with the sprockets during the chain engagement cycle. Therefore, the use of a single toe guide link does not affect the noise spectrum generated by the links that contact or articulate the sprocket teeth.

US Pat. No. 579,742 shows a chain having a single, slightly toe link with a toe link. This link engages the sprocket via anti-friction balls that are received within the sprocket cavity. All links in the chain have a single toe.

US Pat. No. 637,056 shows a chain having a single, centered toe link. This patent shows a chain having a cylindrical sprocket tooth that contacts the toe of the link at the base. Contact between the link and the cylindrical toe occurs on both sides of the toe. All links in the chain have a single toe.

As part of the phased chain and sprocket assembly, the present invention provides a modified sprocket structure. The deformed sprockets may be used with a random or hybrid chain assembly, or with a single toe link chain assembly. Single toe links and sprockets have been utilized in an attempt to modify the contact pattern between the chain and sprocket and minimize the problem of link sprocket interference as the link moves away from the sprocket teeth.

[0023]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a chain and sprocket assembly having a phasing contact between the chain links and sprocket teeth to alter the noise pattern.

[0024]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One aspect of the present invention is a composite transmission chain and sprocket assembly that is adapted to contact a sprocket tooth in a set of a plurality of aligned inwardly toothed links. A chain assembly having a pivot device for connecting an existing link and a set of adjacent links, each link defining a hole for receiving the pivot device, the chain assembly having a plurality of portions,
A chain assembly in which a first portion of the chain assembly having the same set of links comprises a link having a first shape and another set of links comprising a link having a different shape; A sprocket assembly having a plurality of spaced apart teeth adapted to contact inwardly toothed links of a chain assembly, the sprocket having a first portion, The first sprocket portion has teeth arranged to contact the links of the portion of the first chain assembly, the sprocket has a second portion, and the second sprocket portion has a second portion. A tooth of the second sprocket portion is offset with respect to the position of the tooth of the first sprocket portion. It is configured Te. According to another invention of the present application, in a transmission chain including a set of a plurality of inwardly toothed links and a pivot device that connects adjacent pairs of links, the inwardly toothed links are in contact with teeth of a sprocket. And each link defines a pair of holes to receive the pivot device, the set of links forming a column of links along the length of the chain, and some columns of links forming crotch portions. And a pair of toe portions separated by, and another column of links is configured with a single toe portion. Another invention of the present application is a single toe link for a chain assembly, wherein the chain assembly comprises a plurality of side by side articulated link sets, wherein the articulated link is a single link. A single toe link comprising one toe link and two toe links, a pivoting device connecting adjacent sets of chain links, said single toe link being aligned with said chain link A link with a toe portion, the link body having a pair of holes for receiving the pivot device, and a single toe portion depending from the link body, the single toe portion of the pair of holes Disposed between and having a plurality of flanks, wherein at least one of the flanks is configured for driving contact with a sprocket when aligned in the chain assembly. . Yet another invention of the present application is a sprocket for use with a chain assembly, wherein the chain assembly comprises a plurality of aligned sets of links, a pivoting device connecting adjacent sets of links, A sprocket, wherein the link has a pair of holes for receiving the pivoting device, comprising a plurality of layers of teeth, each of the layers having a plurality of spaced apart teeth adapted to contact the chain assembly. Is configured. Yet another invention of the present application comprises a plurality of chain assemblies, the chain assembly having a plurality of side-by-side articulated sets of links, the links being in contact with teeth of a sprocket. An articulation having a pair of toes separated by a crotch in a compound transmission chain assembly in which a pivot device connects adjacent sets of links, each link defining a pair of holes for receiving the pivot device. And a second chain assembly including articulating links having a single toe portion.

[0025]

The present invention is to provide a phasing relationship between a pair of random or hybrid chain assemblies and a pair of sprockets. Phase adjustments are provided to change the string effect noise spectrum as well as the shock noise spectrum. Whereas the prior art has made such changes by both the links of the chain or the spacing of the sprocket teeth, the present invention makes such changes by the positional relationship between the chain assembly and the sprocket. There is. The phasing of the present invention includes the chain structure, the sprocket structure, and the relationship between the chain assembly and sprocket positioning.

Phase adjustment of the chain and sprocket can reduce the number (or mass) of teeth of the chain link that impact the sprocket during a given amount of time. Similarly, phasing the chain-sprocket relationship modifies or phases the chordal or articulation of the chain and sprocket. Modification of the chain randomization or randomization and sprocket phasing alters the sound patterns produced by impact and string action.

The phasing of the present invention is accomplished by modifying the chain assembly and by modifying the sprocket. Modifications or changes to the sprockets include the use of half teeth, or half pitch phased splits or split sprockets. Modifications of the chain assembly include randomization or randomization by using a single toe link and two toe links in the same or double chain assembly.

In one embodiment of the invention, one or two random (or hybrid) chains are provided with a split sprocket, one side of which is 1/2 tooth ahead of the other side. A random or hybrid chain comprises a set of two differently shaped links, or a first set of links different from a second set of links. The links of a set of two links may be contours, flank shapes, leading inner flank shapes, outer flank shapes, pitches, orientations (as in asymmetrical links), forms of driving contact with sprocket teeth, or other forms. Are different in the disordering of.

Such an embodiment effectively sprocketed one-half of the teeth during a given time increment as compared to a single chain with randomization as well as the wide width of the two chain assembly. Phase the impact noise spectrum by colliding with the teeth. This embodiment phases the chain action of the chain by offsetting or offsetting the pins of the two chains by 1/2 pin. Randomization increases the impact of sprocket phasing on the shock and stringing noise spectrum.

In a second embodiment of the invention, one or two second random or hybrid chains are provided with split sprockets that are phase adjusted with one side leading one-half tooth over the other. , Sprocket teeth are randomized. The irregularity of the sprocket teeth is
It can be any method, such as changing the spacing, tooth clearance or tooth removal.

Each of these embodiments, like the other embodiments described below, may include a plurality of chain assemblies, the chain assemblies being of two, three or four chain strands. Includes assembly. In addition, the sprockets may be phased 1/4, 1/3 or 1/2, as well as other pitch values. Further, the dual chain assembly may be axially spaced and need not be part of the split sprocket. In such a configuration, care must be taken that the sprockets are splined snugly on the shaft to allow chordal phasing.

In addition, modifications or changes are also made to the chain assembly. In one embodiment of the invention, the disordering is accomplished by providing two chain assemblies of different pitch. In another embodiment of the invention, the randomization of the chain assembly is accomplished by a combination of a pair of depending depending toe links and a depending depending toe link. In another embodiment, the chain assembly comprises a combination having fewer links in the guide link row than in the non-guide link row.

In each chain assembly, the links are arranged to form a set of links. Each link comprises a pair of holes, the holes of one link set being aligned with the holes of an adjacent link set for interlocking. A pivot device in the form of a circular pin or rocker joint is used to connect adjacent link sets through holes and to allow pivotal movement between adjacent link sets. The guide links are arranged in alternating sets to align the chains with the sprockets.

An example chain assembly having a single toe link and two toe links uses two different links in sets of links or rows that extend across the width of the chain. The links are arranged in patterns in groups to change the contact pattern of the links with the sprocket teeth. Thus, one or two toe links may have one or two toe links for each or a single set of chain assemblies of a single toe link. The link is then followed by one or more links with toes to form a set across the width of the chain.

In columns of links extending along the length of the chain assembly, one column contains only two toe links and the other column contains only a single toe link. In one embodiment, two toe links and a single toe link are located within a chain of chains and a particular column of links running the length of the chain has two toe links or Contains one of the links with one toe. In one particular embodiment, multiple columns of two toe links are formed outside the width of the chain, and a single toe link is in single or multiple columns of chain width. It is placed inside. A single central toe link acts as an inner guide link for holding the chain along the sprocket. Therefore, the use of flanking guide links on the outer edges of the chain is eliminated in certain embodiments. The toes of a single toe link may be placed symmetrically about the center of the link, or may be slightly offset or asymmetric about the center of the link.

In another embodiment of the invention, the chain and sprocket assembly comprises a split sprocket and two chains arranged on the sprocket. One chain of the chain assembly is assembled with a single toe link. The second chain of the assembly is assembled with the usual two toe links.

In this embodiment, the sprocket is split and has a first chain, ie, a chain assembly portion having a single toe link on one side, and a second chain.
Of the chain, i.e., a chain assembly part having two toe links on the other side, and the sprocket teeth on one side lead the sprocket teeth on the other side by approximately 1/2 spacing. Has been adjusted. In such a chain assembly, the articulation points of one chain are ahead of the articulation points of another chain by approximately 1/2 spacing. Instead, the sprocket parts are not phased but the teeth are aligned.

This embodiment is combined into a single chain assembly as in the previously described embodiments. In such a composite chain assembly, a single toe link is on one side along the length of the chain and two toe links are on the other side along the length of the chain. The composite chain assembly is used with split sprockets.

The use of a silent chain assembly and sprocket made in accordance with the teachings of the present invention provides a chain and sprocket, or a phased chain, with all of the links being the same and having two depending toes or teeth. It is expected to produce a modified noise pattern as compared to the noise pattern produced by a chain and sprocket assembly that does not utilize the sprocket and sprocket relationships. The chain assembly of the present invention is suitable for use with various types of chain assemblies and various sprocket tooth configurations.

[0040]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the present invention contemplates phasing the random chain assembly and its associated sprockets. Phase adjustment is performed to change the string motion generated noise spectrum as well as the shock generated noise spectrum.

The present invention modifies the impulsive sound spectrum by changing the impact pattern of the chain link teeth with the sprocket teeth. In a conventional chain assembly in which a particular set of links or link rows are links of the same shape or pitch, the tooth flanks of the rows of links all contact the sprocket teeth at approximately the same instant. In a random or hybrid chain assembly,
The set of links comprises links of different shapes, contours, orientations or pitches. In a random chain, the tooth flanks of a row of links all contact the sprocket teeth at about the same time or at the same instant, but the pattern of link-sprocket tooth contact is modified between the sets. By phasing or modifying the timing or mass of the chain link that contacts the sprocket during a particular instant or time increment, the impact noise generated by the chain-sprocket contact is further reduced and generated by the contact. Pure sonic tones are also reduced or eliminated.

The present invention provides collision phasing in several different ways. In some described embodiments, the chain assembly is divided into several parts and the sprockets for each part are 1/4 tooth spacing, 1/3 tooth spacing or 1 / tooth spacing.
Phased with respect to adjacent portions of the chain assembly by two tooth spacing. Thus, the mass of the links in contact with the sprocket during a given time increment is reduced and the contact repetition is further modified.

The present invention further phase adjusts or modifies the string action of the chain and sprocket to modify the sound pattern or spectrum produced by the string action.
Stringing occurs when the chain link wraps around the sprocket from the free span of the chain. The link is pivoted with respect to the free span when the link contacts the sprocket teeth and wraps around the sprocket and seats.
The string action causes the chain to move vertically with respect to the linear motion of the chain and produce an unpleasant pure sonic tone. The string action causes a change in speed in the linear motion of the chain, and the change in speed changes the tension acting on the sprocket.

The present invention provides phasing of string action in several ways. In an embodiment in which the random chain assembly is divided into several parts and the sprockets are placed in a phased relationship between these parts, the stringing of the chain is the placement of the pins in each part of the chain assembly. The phase is adjusted by. By offsetting the pins in adjacent portions of the chain (which is the result of sprocket tooth phasing), the chordal motion of the chain around the sprocket is phased with respect to the adjacent portions of the chain assembly.

In some embodiments of the invention, only the collision between the chain link and the sprocket is phased. In another embodiment, only the chordal motion between the chain assembly and the sprocket is phased. In some embodiments, both impact and string motion are phased.

FIG. 1 shows generally at 10 a portion of one embodiment of the chain assembly of the present invention. The chain assembly may be a hybrid type or a random type, where the links are provided as a set of two different types of links as shown in US Pat. No. 4,342,560. The chain specifically shown in FIG. 1 is one of the present inventions, which comprises a set of links having two inward teeth and a set of links having a single inward tooth, which will be described below. The details will be described.

The chain assembly comprises a set of links or rows 12, 14 which are shown in more detail in FIG. One set or row of links extends across the width of the chain and comprises several aligned links.
The set of links is then plugged into and aligned with the adjacent set of links to form an endless chain assembly.

The chain assembly is used, for example, to drive an engine timing assembly having a camshaft (not shown) and a crankshaft (not shown). Attached to the shaft are sprockets, such as the sprockets 18 and 19 shown in FIGS. The sprockets provide the device for transmitting power between the chain and the two shafts.
The sprocket 19 of FIG. 4 is divided into two parts 86, 88 which are phased or offset by 1/2 tooth spacing. Sprocket 1 of FIG.
8 is divided into three parts 70, 72, 74 which are offset by 1/2 tooth spacing. Instead, the portion of sprocket 18 is 1 /
It may be offset by three tooth intervals.

The parts of the sprockets may be placed adjacent to each other and may be formed as a single piece or joined together. Alternatively, the parts of the sprockets may be separate and spaced along the length of the shaft. However, when the sprockets are separated, the sprockets are splined snugly on the shaft,
You have to be careful. Excessive tolerances between the sprockets and splines destroy the chord phasing of the assembly.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a pair of hybrid or random chain assemblies, which is a chain assembly with a set of links having links having different contours, shapes, orientations and pitches, is shown in FIG. Used with adjusted sprocket sections 86,88.
By phasing or offsetting a portion of the sprocket by 1/2 tooth spacing, the impact noise spectrum and the chord action spectrum are phased. The randomization or randomization of the chain's links also modifies the impulsive and chordal spectra, which allows the chain to be less noisy than conventional chain and sprocket assemblies. In a second embodiment, three random chain assemblies are used with the phased sprocket section shown in FIG.
Used with three sprocket parts phased by tooth spacing. Other similar embodiments are possible in which different chains are used with different sprocket parts, and the phasing relationship of the sprocket parts can be modified to have different tooth spacing relationships.

In another embodiment of the invention, the random chain described above is used with a random or hybrid sprocket as the phased sprocket. Hybrid sprockets utilize unevenly spaced teeth. The tooth spacing can be changed by escaping certain portions of certain teeth or by changing the shape of the sprocket tooth flanks. The hybrid sprockets may be used with standard sprockets or in pairs of hybrid sprockets in combination with any of the above embodiments.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the irregularization is accomplished by use with two chains of different pitch than the sprockets of FIGS.
For example, a chain of about 0.953 cm (3/8 inch) pitch is used with the sprocket portion 86 of FIG.
A chain of about 1.27 cm (1/2 inch) pitch may be used with the sprocket portion 88 of FIG. By using different pitch chains, the pattern of contact between the chains and the sprockets is further randomized or altered, thereby altering the shock and chord sound spectra. The sprockets are phased by using different numbers of teeth on the sprockets to fit different pitch chains.

In operation, the chain assembly of the present invention modifies the chain sprocket contact pattern.
The collision of the links with the sprockets is modified by using a random chain with a phased sprocket in the chain assembly. In addition, sprocket stringing is altered and reduced due to the modification or alteration of the chain that engages the sprocket. Modifications of the chain and sprockets in the described manner modify the contact pattern, which modifies the noise spectrum for the chain.

By using a chain assembly or sprocket made in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, the noise pattern produced by the chain and sprockets with all links of the same shape and no phasing relationship between the sprockets of the assembly. Generate a modified noise pattern compared to. The chain assembly of the present invention is suitable for use with various types of chain and sprocket tooth configurations. Of course, the combination pattern of the chain assembly and sprocket phasing relationship has less undesirable noise characteristics than other combinations.

Hive with a single toe link
Lid Chain Assembly In another series of embodiments of the present invention, phasing is accomplished by combining a single toe link and two toe links in the chain assembly. The combination may be included in a single assembly or by combining two parts of the assembly with the split sprockets shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The spicy sheath of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 comprises a single set 12 of toe links and two set 14 of toe links.

One set of links, shown as set 12, is a guide link 2 that flanks the outer edge.
It has 0. Guide links 20 are included in every other set of links and serve to position the chain assembly on the sprockets. The guide links do not have any hanging members or teeth that contact the sprockets. Inner guide links can also be used, in which case grooves are provided in the sprockets to hold the position of the guide links. In some embodiments of the present invention, as will be shown below, the central links act as central or inner guide links, so the outer side guide links need not align the chain to the sprockets.

The set of links 12, 14 also comprises side by side drive links 22, 24 or inwardly toothed links. The inwardly toothed links are provided in a number of shapes or shapes, as shown in FIGS. 7, 8, 9 and 10. The two toe links 22 shown in FIG. 8 are known in the prior art and are used in the random chain embodiment previously described. The link 22 includes a pair of holes 28, 29 and a pair of depending toe parts 3
0 and 32 are provided. Outer flank 3 toe member
4, 36 and inner flanks 38, 40. The inner flanks are connected by a crotch portion 41. Link 2
The two inner flanks and the outer flanks can have several shapes including straight lines or arcs. The links may be symmetrical about the vertical centerline between holes 28 and 29, or asymmetrical about the centerline.

The single toe link of the present invention includes the links 24, 26 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. Figure 9
The link 24 shown at has a pair of holes 42, 44 and a single depending toe portion 46. The toe portion 46 has two flanks 48, 49, one of which is designed to contact a sprocket tooth. Instead, the single toe makes contact with the root of the sprocket,
Therefore, it can be designed so that contact with the sprocket teeth is eliminated. The flanks can be a number of shapes, including straight or arcs, and can be designed to contact or not contact the sprocket teeth.

The links have a pitch 50 measured between the centers of the holes 42,44. The tooth height 52 is from the horizontal centerline to the base of the toe 46. The teeth are constructed to minimize interference with the sprocket teeth as they move away from the sprocket. Tooth geometry is calculated based on the number of teeth, pitch, tip radius, flank contact radius, toe height and tooth angle, and the amount of interference allowed.

The single toe link 26 shown in FIG. 10 includes a pair of holes 56, 58 and a single depending toe portion 60. The toes are placed asymmetrically, ie slightly offset, with respect to the vertical centerline of the link between the holes. The toe portion comprises two flanks 62, 64 for contacting the sprockets. As in other link embodiments, the flanks can be of several shapes, including straight or arcs, and can be designed with or without contact with the sprocket teeth.

The aligned sets of links 22, 24, 26 are shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7. The set of links may be a mixture of links 22 and 24, or links 22 and 26.
Or a mix of three types of links and additional links. As shown in FIG. 2 and in detail in the cross-sectional views of FIGS. 5 and 6, the set of links across the width of the chain comprises several two toe links 22 and a single toe link. Can be formed. As shown in FIG. 7, the column or columns of links comprise several side-by-side toe links 22, as in columns 67 and 68. The aligned columns 69 may comprise several aligned single toe links 24.

When assembling the embodiment chain shown in FIG. 7, two toe link columns 67, 68 are assembled.
Are formed by the usual arrangement of rows of links 22. Similarly, a single toe link column 69 is a link 2
It is formed by the usual arrangement of 4 rows. Column 67,6
The 8,69 are then joined to form a chain assembly. Thus, a single toe link 2
4 is placed between two toe links 22. Due to the combination in the assembly, the single toe link acts as an inner guide link, eliminating the use of an outer guide link in this embodiment.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, a single toe link 24 is of the type shown in FIG. That is, a single toe 46 is centrally located between the two holes in the link. In the second embodiment, the single toe portion is of the type shown in FIG. That is, the single toe portion 60 is slightly offset from the vertical centerline between the two holes. In this second embodiment,
The single toe link 26 acts as an inner link, eliminating the need for a separate guide link 20.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the two toe link columns 67 have a single link 22a aligned with the link 22b, which link 22b is aligned with the single link 22c. Has been. Similarly, in column 68 on the opposite side of the chain, single link 22d is aligned with link 22e, which link 22e is linked to link 22e.
It is lined up with f. In the central column of single toe links, the single link 24a is replaced by two links 24
side by side with b and 24c and their links 24b, 24
c is aligned with the link 24d. The above-mentioned lacing pattern continues over the entire length of the chain.

In other embodiments, some of the links in FIG. 7 can be modified to provide alternative combination patterns. For example, either link 24b or 24c can be replaced with two toe links 24 and a combination pattern. Many other patterns and combinations of single toe links and two toe links are possible within the scope of the invention.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show the expected contact between the chain links of FIG. 7 and the sprocket teeth as the chain wraps around the sprocket during operation. Some or all flanks of the two toe links and the flanks of a single toe link come into contact with the sprocket teeth. The exact contact depends on the shape of the links and the arrangement of the links in the chain assembly. Alternatively, a single toe link may be designed to eliminate contact with the sprocket teeth or simply contact the root of the sprocket.

As shown in FIG. 3, a modified sprocket is provided for use with the assembly of FIGS. 5, 6 and 7. As already described in connection with the other embodiments, the sprocket 18 is provided with three layers 70, 72, 74, each layer being separated sprocket teeth 76, 7.
8 and 80. The sprocket teeth are staggered to mate with the single toe link and the combination of the two toe links of the chain assembly of FIG. The sprocket may be in several layers to fit two toe links or a single column of toe links provided in the chain assembly, but preferably in the middle layer with half tooth spacing. There are three layers offset only. The layers are formed as one layer and then joined to provide a sprocket. When joining the three layers, the sprocket teeth of one layer are staggered with respect to the teeth of the other layer. Therefore, each layer is staggered at 1/3 pitch. The single toe link chain assembly of the present invention may be used with various shaped sprockets, and is not limited to use with the sprockets of FIG.

Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, wherein the chain assembly comprises a side-by-side combination of two chain assemblies. This embodiment combines the above embodiment of the dual chain assembly and phasing sprocket with a single toe link. The first chain assembly 82 is preferably formed entirely of a single toe link. Second
Chain assembly 84 is preferably a link 22g,
It is formed of two ordinary links with toes such as 22h, 22i and 22j. The single toe link chain assembly 82 includes links 24e, 24f, 2
4g, 24h, such as the links 24 of FIG. 9 with the toes centered. Pins interconnect the links of the separate chain assemblies.

Split sprocket 19 is provided for use with a two chain assembly embodiment as shown in FIG. The sprocket is constructed such that the sprocket teeth on one side 86 of the sprocket are indexed 1/2 spacing ahead of the sprocket teeth on the other side 88. Thus, the point of articulation of one chain assembly is ahead of the point of articulation of the other chain assembly by approximately 1/2 spacing.

Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 13, 14, 15 and 16. This embodiment comprises a chain assembly in two parts. The parts may be separated and separated or combined into a single chain assembly. As shown in FIG. 15, the chain may be a single assembly with pins 99 extending the full width of the chain. One part of the chain assembly utilizes a single toe link 100 shown in FIG. 13A, which has a single toe 101 centrally located between holes 102, 104. There is. The second part of the chain assembly uses two conventional toe links 106 shown in Figure 13B. If the chain assembly is split into two parts, then the pins are aligned.

The chain assembly is shown in side view in FIG. As shown in FIG. 14, in this embodiment, the single toe portion 101 is longer than the toe portion 107 of the two toe links 106. The assembly is shown in cross section in FIG. The cross-sectional view shows the central position of a single toe 101 and the positions of the two toes 107 of the two links 106 with toes.

The chain assembly is shown in FIG.
It is shown in connection with 10. FIG. 16 illustrates the predicted contact of the chain with the sprocket teeth. As shown, the long single toe portion 101 is
Sit deeply on the sprocket by positioning both flanks 1 against the sprocket teeth.

Another embodiment of the present invention having a phased sprocket is shown in FIGS. 17, 18, 19 and 20. As shown in FIG. 18, the chain assembly is divided into a first portion 112 and a second portion 114 that are phased at ½ pitch. Phasing is accomplished by offsetting the two sprocket sections 116, 118 by 1/2 tooth as shown in FIG. The chain assembly is made of three link types, an inner link 120, an inner guide link 122 and an outer guide link 124. The preferred embodiment of this construction utilizes a rocker joint, which has an hourglass-shaped hole 126 and a pair of pivot pins 12.
8 and 130. The holes and pins are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,911,682, which is incorporated herein by reference.

The combined pattern for the embodiment of FIG. 19 across the width of the chain is a single inner guide link 122 in the center and a pair of outer guide links 124 on each side.
Is equipped with. There are a plurality of inner links 120 between the inner guide links 122 and the outer guide links 124. The inner links may be the same shape or may be irregular. The outer guide link 124 has a pair of depending toe portions that are constructed to contact the sprocket teeth. The outer guide link has a hole 132 in which a pin 128 is interference fit. The outer guide links may be the same shape or irregular.

The inner guide link has a flat bottom 134 without a crotch. The flat bottom is designed to fit into a groove 136 formed in the sprocket. The inner guide links hold the chain assembly in place with respect to the sprockets. The inner guide link includes a hole 138 that allows articulation of the link with respect to the pin 130. Inner link 120 includes a hole 126 that allows articulation of the link with respect to the pin. The outer guide links have holes that receive the interference-fitting pins and thus do not allow articulation of the pins with respect to the links.

This construction of the inner and outer guide links has several advantages. One is the inner guide link 12
2 has no crotch and therefore is inherently stronger than links with inward teeth separated by the crotch. Second, the outer guide links with the pin interference fit are stronger than links with holes that allow articulation of the link with respect to the pin. The use of strong guide links allows less guide row links in the combination pattern to achieve the same strength chain. Fewer links in the guide row minimizes the number of links in the chain.

In addition, the outer guide links 124 include inwardly facing teeth designed to contact the teeth of the sprocket. Providing the inboard teeth on the outer guide links allows more links to contact the sprockets than a similar chain with outer guide links that do not contact the sprockets. Thus, for a given number of links in the chain and width of the chain, more links will contact the sprockets. 18, FIG. 19 and FIG.
The embodiment shown in FIG. 0 can be used as a separate chain assembly without a phased sprocket and can achieve some of the advantages mentioned above.

Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 21, 22 and 23. The embodiment comprises two chain assemblies, or the chain assembly comprises two separate parts. One part of the assembly shown in FIGS. 21A and 21B is a single toe link 1.
I am using 40. The other portion of the assembly shown in FIGS. 22A and 22B uses two toe links 142. The sprocket structure is a double or split sprocket with one portion 144 designed to receive two toe links and the other portion 146 designed to receive a single toe link.

The sprocket portion has aligned teeth. In the portion of the single toe link of the chain assembly, the pin 148 is centered over the sprocket teeth. At the two toe link portions of the chain assembly, pins 150 are centered between the teeth of the sprockets. In this way, the pins are offset and the chordal movements of the two chain assembly parts are phased. However, when the link collides with the sprocket teeth of the two parts at approximately the same time, the impulsive sound patterns of the parts of the two chain assemblies are not phased.

In operation, the chain assembly of the present invention modifies the chain-sprocket contact pattern.
Collision of the links with the sprockets is modified by using a single toe link and two toe links in the chain assembly. Different types of links with different numbers of toes cause the links to collide with sprocket teeth at varying time intervals. Therefore,
The string action of the sprocket is altered and reduced by the change in the chain that engages the sprocket. By changing the chain in the above method, the pattern of contact is changed,
This also changes the noise spectrum of the chain.

[0081]

The use of a chain assembly made in accordance with the teachings of the present invention produces noise compared to the noise pattern produced by chains and sprockets in which all links have the same shape and the same number of toes. The noise pattern that is generated is corrected. The chain assembly of the present invention can be used with a variety of sprocket tooth types.
Of course, some patterns of link combinations have less annoying noise characteristics than other patterns of links.

Having described several embodiments of the present invention,
The invention is not limited to these examples. Those skilled in the art can make various improvements and changes using the principles of the present invention.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of a portion of a chain assembly of one embodiment of the present invention showing the form of two links connected to each other by a round pivot device.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a portion of the chain of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of a sprocket for use with the chain assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of another embodiment sprocket for use with the chain assembly of the present invention.

5 is a cross-sectional view of the chain assembly taken along line 5-5 of FIG.

6 is a cross-sectional view of the chain assembly taken along line 6-6 of FIG.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a portion of a chain assembly showing one pattern of the chain link assembly.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of two links with a toe portion of the chain.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a single toe link of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of another embodiment of a single toe link of the present invention having teeth slightly offset from the vertical centerline of the link.

FIG. 11 is a side view of a two toe link chain assembly for use in combination with a single toe link assembly.

12 is a side view of a single toe link chain assembly for use in combination with the two toe assemblies of FIG. 11. FIG.

13A is a plan view of a single toe link of one embodiment of the present invention, and [B] is a plan view of two toe links of one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. is there.

FIG. 14 is a side view of one embodiment of a chain of the present invention having a single toe link and two toe links.

15 is a cross-sectional view of the chain taken along line AA of FIG.

16 is a side view for explaining contact between the chain of FIG. 14 and a sprocket. FIG.

FIG. 17 is a side view of a dual sprocket assembly having two parts phased with a ½ pitch and a ½ tooth offset.

FIG. 18 is a side view illustrating two parts of the chain assembly and two parts of the sprocket assembly.

FIG. 19 is a side view illustrating three types of links of the chain of FIG.

20 is a side view illustrating the arrangement of the three links in FIG.

FIG. 21A is a side view illustrating the engagement of a sprocket with a link having a single toe portion, and [B].
Is a plan view of the link.

FIG. 22A is a side view illustrating the engagement of a sprocket with a link having two toe portions, and [B].
Is a plan view of the link.

23 is a side view of the sprocket for the chain assembly of the link of FIGS. 21 and 22, showing the sprocket for the link of FIG. 21 with teeth aligned in dashed lines.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 chain assembly 12, 14 link set 18, 19 sprocket 20 guide link 22, 24 drive link 26 link 28, 29 hole 30, 32 toe part 34, 36 outer flank 38, 40 inner flank 41 crotch part 42, 44 hole 46 Toe 48, 49 Frank 56, 58 Hole 60 Toe 67, 68, 69 Column 70, 72, 7
4 layers 76, 78, 80 sprocket teeth 86, 88 sprocket part 82 chain assembly 99 pins 100, 106 links 102, 104
Holes 101, 107 Toes 110 Sprockets 112, 114 Chain assembly parts 116 118 Sprocket parts 120 Inner links 122 Inner guide links 124 Outer guide links 126 Holes 128, 130 Pivot pins

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Philip J. Mott Kimberley Circle, Drayden, 13053, New York, USA 1

Claims (22)

[Claims] 1. A composite transmission chain and sprocket assembly for connecting a plurality of side-by-side inwardly toothed link sets adapted to contact sprocket teeth and adjacent sets of links. A chain assembly having a pivot device, each link defining a hole for receiving the pivot device, the chain assembly having a plurality of portions, the chain assembly first having the same set of links.
Part of the chain assembly having links having a first shape, the other set of links having links having different shapes, and a plurality of parts, each of the parts having inwardly facing teeth of the chain assembly. A sprocket assembly having a plurality of spaced apart teeth adapted to contact a studded link, the sprocket having a first portion, and the first sprocket portion having a first chain assembly. A tooth arranged to contact a link of the second portion of the chain, the sprocket having a second portion of the second sprocket portion of the second chain assembly to contact the link of the second chain assembly portion. A compound transmission chain and sprocket assembly having teeth disposed, wherein the teeth of the second sprocket portion are offset with respect to the positions of the teeth of the first sprocket portion. body. 2. The chain and sprocket assembly of claim 1, wherein the links of portions of the first chain assembly have the first chain engagement cycle at a first chain engagement cycle.
Of the sprocket portion of the second chain assembly, the link of the second chain assembly portion impacts the link second sprocket portion at a second chain engagement period, the first chain engagement period at the first chain engagement period. A chain and sprocket assembly in which the time is shifted with respect to a chain engagement period of two. 3. The chain and sprocket assembly of claim 2, wherein the first chain engagement period is equal to the second chain engagement period. 4. The chain and sprocket assembly of claim 1, wherein a portion of the first chain assembly comprises a link having a pair of toe portions having a pair of inner flanks separated by a crotch portion. A chain and sprocket in which each link defines a pair of holes for receiving said pivot device, some sets of links comprising a first inner flank shaped link, and other sets of links comprising different inner flank shaped links. Assembly. 5. The chain and sprocket assembly of claim 1, wherein portions of the first and second chain assemblies are separated and separated. 6. The chain and sprocket assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second sprocket portions are separated and separated. 7. The chain and sprocket assembly of claim 1, wherein the links of portions of the first chain assembly contact teeth of the first sprocket portion in a first chordal relationship. The link of a portion of the second chain assembly contacts a tooth of the second sprocket portion in a second chording relationship, and the first chording relationship is timed with respect to the second chording relationship. Shifting chain and sprocket assembly. 8. The chain and sprocket assembly of claim 1, wherein the pivot device of a portion of the first chain assembly is offset with respect to the pivot device of a portion of the second chain assembly. Chain and sprocket assembly. 9. The chain and sprocket assembly of claim 1, wherein the first sprocket portion is offset from the second sprocket portion by ½ pitch. 10. A set of a plurality of inwardly toothed links arranged side by side and a pivot device for connecting adjacent pairs of links, the inwardly toothed links being in contact with the teeth of the sprocket. , Each link defining a pair of holes for receiving the pivot device, the set of links forming a column of links along the length of the chain, and a plurality of columns of links separated by a crotch. A transmission chain having a toe portion and the other link column having a single toe portion. 11. The transmission chain according to claim 10, wherein the column having a single toe link has a single toe portion that is symmetrical about a vertical centerline of the link between the holes. Chain. 12. The transmission chain according to claim 10, wherein the set having a single toe link has a single toe portion that is asymmetric about a vertical centerline of the links between the holes. Chain. 13. The transmission chain according to claim 10, wherein the columns of the two toe links alternate with the columns of a single toe link. 14. A single toe link for a chain assembly, the chain assembly comprising a set of a plurality of side-by-side articulating links, the articulating link comprising a single. A single toe comprising a toe link and two toe links, a pivoting device connecting adjacent chain link sets, the single toe link being aligned with the chain link. In a link with parts, comprising a link body having a pair of holes for receiving the pivot device, and a single toe portion depending from the link body, wherein the single toe portion is between the pair of holes. A phosphorus ring disposed and having a plurality of flanks, wherein at least one of the flanks is in driving contact with a sprocket when aligned in the chain assembly. . 15. The single toe link of claim 14, wherein each of the flanks is in driving contact with a sprocket when aligned within the chain assembly. 16. The link with a single toe according to claim 14, wherein the single toe is formed symmetrically with respect to a vertical centerline of the link between the holes. 17. The link with a single toe according to claim 14, wherein the single toe is asymmetrically formed on the vertical centerline of the link between the holes. 18. A sprocket for use with a chain assembly, said chain assembly comprising a plurality of aligned sets of links, a pivoting device connecting adjacent sets of links, said links comprising: A sprocket having a pair of holes for receiving a pivot device, the sprocket having a plurality of layers of teeth, each of the layers having a plurality of spaced apart teeth adapted to contact the chain assembly. 19. The sprocket of claim 18, wherein the teeth are equally spaced. 20. The sprocket of claim 18, wherein the chain assembly comprises a plurality of single toe links, the single toe links having a pair of flanks on the toe portion, A sprocket in which at least one of the layers of the sprocket is adapted to have teeth of the sprocket in contact with flanks of the single-toe link. 21. A pivot device comprising a plurality of chain assemblies, the chain assembly having a plurality of side-by-side articulated sets of links, the links adapted to contact sprocket teeth. In a compound transmission chain assembly connecting adjacent sets of links, each link defining a pair of holes for receiving the pivoting device, an articulating link having a pair of toe portions separated by a crotch portion. A composite chain assembly comprising: a first chain assembly comprising: a second chain assembly comprising an articulating link having a single toe portion. 22. Use with a sprocket.
The composite chain assembly of claim 1, wherein the sprocket comprises multiple layers of teeth, each of the layers having a plurality of spaced apart teeth adapted to contact a link of the chain assembly. In a chain assembly, the sprocket comprises a first portion having teeth arranged to contact a link of the first chain assembly, the sprocket contacting a link of the second chain assembly. A composite chain assembly comprising a second portion having teeth arranged so that the position of the tooth of the second portion is offset with respect to the position of the tooth of the first portion.