Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photoconductor drum and a drive device. A latent image is to be formed on the photoconductor drum. The drive device drives the photoconductor drum. The drive device includes a motor, a drive pulley, a driven pulley, and a metal belt. The drive pulley is provided for the motor. The driven pulley is provided for the photoconductor drum. The metal belt is wrapped around the drive pulley and the driven pulley.

Abstract: A drive transmission device is provided with a drive pulley driven by a motor, a driven pulley in which a bulging part crowned in a shape bulging outward in the radial direction is formed over the entire circumference of the outer peripheral surface, a belt wound around the drive pulley and the driven pulley, and a first measurement unit for measuring rotation unevenness of the drive pulley. The drive pulley has a uniform diameter in the axial direction which is a smaller diameter than that of the driven pulley. The belt is bent and deformed along the bulging part of the driven pulley so that the axial center portion is expanded outward the axial end portion. The axial end of the belt contacts the outer peripheral surface of the drive pulley, but does not contact the outer peripheral surface of the driven pulley.

Abstract: A heat engine includes a first rotatable pulley and a second rotatable pulley spaced from the first rotatable pulley. A shape memory alloy (SMA) element is disposed about respective portions of the pulleys at an SMA pulley ratio. The SMA element includes a first wire, a second wire, and a matrix joining the first wire and the second wire. The first wire and the second wire are in contact with the pulleys, but the matrix is not in contact with the pulleys. A timing cable is disposed about respective portions of the pulleys at a timing pulley ratio, which is different than the SMA pulley ratio. The SMA element converts a thermal energy gradient between the hot region and the cold region into mechanical energy.

Abstract: A method for forming a convex tilting zone (23) at a main body-surface (11) of a transverse element for application in a push belt for a continuously variable transmission comprises the step of applying a die (30) that is placed against the main body surface (11) under pressure. However, the die (30) is pressed against the main body surface (11) just outside of an area where the tilting zone (23) needs to be formed. By applying the die (30), a recessed area (27) is arranged in the main body surface (11), wherein retraction of the material of the transverse element takes place along an upper edge (28) of this area (27). A retraction area that is obtained in this manner is suitable to function as tilting zone (23). An important advantage of the application of the described method is that the pressure that is exerted on the die (30) may be considerably lower than the pressure that is required during conventional processes for forming a tilting zone (23).

Abstract: A transmission belt is formed by annularly arranging elements including a plate-shaped first element and a plate-shaped second element, and annularly connecting the elements using a ring. The first element includes a first edge surface on which a burr is formed when the first element is formed by a press operation. The second element includes a second edge surface on which a burr is formed when the second element is formed by the press operation. The first and second edge surfaces face in directions opposite to each other in a direction in which the elements are arranged. The first edge surface includes a first rocking edge that contacts the element adjacent to the first element when the elements are arranged in an arc. The second edge surface includes a second rocking edge that contacts the element adjacent to the second element when the elements are arranged in the arc.

Abstract: A torque vectoring drive system is presented for use in a motor vehicle. The torque vectoring drive system includes a differential unit having an input shaft, a first axle shaft, a second axle shaft, and a carrier, the differential rotatably driving the axle shafts while permitting the axle shafts to have independent speeds of rotation. The system includes a continuously variable transmission (CVT) having an input shaft driveably coupled to the carrier of the differential and an output shaft driveably coupled to the first axle shaft of the differential. The CVT is operable to variably control the drive torque of the first axle shaft relative to the second axle shaft to provide torque vectoring.

Abstract: Belt for use in a continuous variable transmission, including an endless carrier for taking up tensile forces within the belt, and a plurality of transverse elements provided moveable in the longitudinal direction along the carrier, the elements provided with at least one saddle surface for contacting the carrier, the saddle surface defining an ultimate mutual position of the carrier and the elements relative to each other within the belt in a radial direction, with a tapered lower element part including a rocking edge and with an upper element part extending radially above the rocking edge and beyond the carrier, at least when the carrier and the saddle surface are in mutual contact.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of manufacturing an endless metallic belt adjusts a circumferential length of the belt by subjecting the endless metallic belt to a shot peening treatment. For example, by measuring the circumferential length prior to the shot peening treatment and determining the condition of the shot peening treatment on the basis of the measured length, and/or by measuring the circumferential length during the shot peening treatment and terminating the shot peening treatment on the basis of the measured length.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a band for use in a CVT transmission. The band is formed by spiral winding a thin strip into a continuous tube and then welding the thin strip along the spiral winding. The individual bands are cut off of the continuous tube as it is formed. The invention also includes the bands formed by the method.

Abstract: An endless metallic belt has at its outer peripheral surface a layer provided with a compressive residual stress by shot peening, and also has at its inner peripheral surface a layer provided with a compressive residual stress by shot peening. In a method for manufacturing the endless metallic belt, both outer and inner peripheral surfaces of the endless metallic belt are subjected to shot peening, wherein the inner peripheral surface is shot peened prior to the outer peripheral surface. The method produces an endless metallic belt having its fatigue strength improved without suffering any significant deformation.

Abstract: A belt for a continuously variable transmission in which an aggregate of metal rings formed by laminating a plurality of pieces of endless metal rings support a plurality of metal blocks. When the ratio .xi. of the coefficient of friction is set to be 2.0>.xi.>0.65, the amount of change in the tension on the metal ring of the innermost position decreases correspondingly. In particular, when the ratio .xi. of the coefficient of friction is set to be 1.0, resulting in the coefficient of friction .mu..sub.s between a ring and a block being equal to the coefficient of friction .mu..sub.SS between a ring and a ring, the amount of change in the tension on all metal rings become uniform, and each metal ring shares an amount of change in the tension which is 8% of the entire amount. This makes it possible to decrease the amount of change in the tension on the metal ring of the innermost position and, hence, to increase the durability of the aggregate of metal rings as a whole.

Abstract: A laminating press for wood products includes at least one pair of heated drums rotating on parallel axes and an endless belt running around the drums, and a device for pressing a stack of materials to be laminated against the belt between the drums, wherein the belt consists essentially of a zirconium or titanium alloy having a thermal diffusivity of at least 0.08 cm.sup.2 /sec and Young's modulus below 20 million psi. Unplated, the belt material provides a non-stick surface with respect to melamine, and because it is unplated, the belt can be resurfaced when worn. Alternatively, the above materials are used in constructing plates for a platen-type laminating press.

Abstract: Apparatus for driving a recording element in a copier/printer, comprises a motor and a speed-reducing, metal belt drive system operatively connecting the motor's drive shaft and an axle used to advance the recording element. The metal belt(s) of such speed-reducing system are preferably made of a material selected from the group consisting of nickel, berylium-copper and stainless steel. The metal belts provide a precision drive which is immune to the backlash and flutter problems associated with gear trains and the like. Also, owing to the torsional stiffness of such belts, belt creep around the belt-supporting pulleys of such system is negligible, and any deflection of the recording element as a result of extraneous "torque spikes" on the recording element is minimal.

Abstract: In a multilayer endless metal belt assembly, adjacent opposing belt surfaces have different hardnesses so that they may be lubricous and less subject to galling.

Abstract: Ductility of belt material is increased at least at one edge of an endless metal belt, thus reducing the likelihood of premature failure of the belt. The inner region of the belt maintains the inherent strength of the metal. The endless metal belt so formed is particularly useful as a driving member for a continuously-variable transmission.

Abstract: An endless belt formed by a connector and a finite length of hollow tubing or solid tubing with recesses at each end. The connector is characterized by a biting edge that has a larger diameter than the inside diameter of the tubing. It is readily flexible away from the direction of insertion of the edge of the tube. The biting edge is formed as a feathered or an erose outlying portion of the base at each of two gripping heads. Once the gripping heads are inserted tension on the tubing causes the feathered edges and adjacent portions of the gripping head to bite into the internal wall of the tubing and form an improved grip therewith.

Abstract: The present invention provides a power transmission belt for transferring power between two power transfer members. The belt includes a resilient binder and a plurality of traction blocks spaced apart from one another and formed integrally with the binder. The traction blocks are formed from a dense, abrasion-resistant material for bitingly and frictionally engaging a wall of the power transfer members. The binder is preferably formed from an elastomeric material. Preferably, the belt has a substantially V-shaped cross section and the traction blocks extend laterally outwardly from at least one of the side walls of the belt.

Abstract: A belt for a belt drive device is composed of a plurality of metal elements arranged on a pair of carriers. The elements consist of two or more kinds which are divided along thickness. The mixing ratio of the thinner element to the thickest element is less than fifty percent, and the elements are arranged at random.

Abstract: A belt for use in coupling the driving and driven pulleys of a continuously variable transmission includes a rubber-like resilient matrix in which are embedded longitudinal cables for carrying the torque and a metallic grid member for providing contact with the sidewalls of the pulleys. The grid member includes a main sheet portion embedded in the matrix and having a plurality of transverse slots arranged in two interdigital sets for defining two sets of flexible fingers on opposite sides of the sheet portion that extend vertically included to form surfaces for contacting the sidewalls of the pulleys.

Abstract: Endless V-shaped belt, provided with longitudinal elements allowing the increase of the power transmitted with a conventional belt, comprises a rigid transverse part, integral with the longitudinal armature, used for the transmission of the motion by contact and pressure in the groove of a pulley, each transverse part being provided as a thin V-shaped plaquette (1), cut at the upper or lateral portion thereof to allow the passage and seating of the longitudinal armature.

Abstract: A flexible power transmission means comprising an assembly of a pair of spaced, generally parallel chains, each constructed of a plurality of sets of interleaved links. Each set is joined to its next adjacent set by a pin, each pin serving both chains. Generally trapezoidal-shaped load blocks are located between the chains and having cut-outs in the sides locating the chains. The load blocks are generally contoured at their edges to fit into the V of a pulley and are disposed between the chains. The load is carried by the chains and its pins. The load blocks are longitudinally positioned with respect to the chains by the chains' pins.

Abstract: In a belt and pulley system wherein motion is transferred between the two members, the belt is a metal belt having a pulley engaging face made of a relatively soft material and the pulley is one having a regular pattern of small hard protuberances, such as formed by knurling, on its belt engaging face which press into the soft metal of the belt to form permanent depressions arranged in a matching pattern which mesh with the protuberances to provide a positive slip-free motion transfer. The belt and pulley drive may be used advantageously in a device such as an X-Y plotter for accurately positioning, with good repeatibility and fine resolution, an associated member driven in one coordinate direction by the metal belt driven in turn by the knurled pulley.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission means having block members, each block member having longitudinal projections causing the rotating radius of the block members to be the same as the rotating radius of an endless carrier, the block members and endless carrier forming a belt which extends between a driving pulley and a driven pulley. When a portion of the belt is in a transition area between a straight extension between the pulleys and moving toward contacting a peripheral portion on one of the pulley, the sliding movement between adjacent block members and the carrier is obviated due to the rotating radius of the block members being equivalent to the radius of the carrier.

Abstract: The drive belt has one or more continuous metal bands which slidably support a plurality of drive blocks. Each drive block has a transverse arcuate surface having a radius dimension substantially equal to or 1% less than a transverse radius formed in the metal band. Each drive block also has an opening which facilitates band assembly. The opening is outwardly diverging and terminates inwardly in a slot at the transverse arcuate surface. The opening permits flexing of the metal bands during assembly of the metal bands and the drive blocks without exceeding the yield stress of the metal bands. The inner slot provides a retaining mechanism for the metal bands after assembly.

Abstract: A torque transmission belt means comprises a ring having excellent bending and tensile strength which is extended around pulleys positioned in the driving side and the driven side and a series of blocks composed of main blocks made of non-compressive material having high strength and secondary blocks made of elastic material, which are alternately arranged along the ring so as to be shiftably engaged therewith.

Abstract: A power transmission belt especially adapted for use in variable pulley transmissions and comprising a continuous metal containing band with attached drive blocks. The drive blocks are formed from sheet metal stampings and formed by sheet metal bending procedures.

Abstract: A flexible power transmission belt, especially adapted for use with drive blocks and pulley transmissions comprising a composite structure of metal bands, cord-like tension members and elastomer material, the latter being cured and maintaining the integrity of the composite structure.

Abstract: A torque transmission belt means which is extended between a driving pulley and a driven pulley for transmitting a driving force from the driving pulley to the driven pulley.The torque transmission belt means comprises a plurality of ring-shaped metallic strips which are superimposed on each other, and two kinds of blocks which are arranged along the metallic strips so as to be shiftably engaged therewith.Only one kind of blocks are contacted with said pulleys and the other kind of blocks are bevelled on opposed surfaces facing to the direction of the movement so that they can tilt with respect to one kind of blocks when they are entrained around the pulleys.

Abstract: A composite driving belt in the form of an endless flexible carrier on which is mounted a plurality of plate-like elements disposed transverse to the carrier. The carrier is formed by a plurality of endless metal bands arranged in overlying concentric relationship, at least one side of at least one of the bands having surface roughness produced, for example, by two series of fine grooves which cross each other.

Abstract: A variable speed drive of the type having opposed, and parallel-arranged, frusto-conical shaped rollers over which a flat endless belt is trained. The belt is shiftable axially along the length of the rollers to produce an infinitely variable drive between the input and output shafts. The drive mechanism is enclosed in a case and the drive is adjusted from the outside of the case. The belt is properly assembled during assembly by utilizing a belt of known size and arranging for the location of the tapered roller shafts in the case in the precise manner so that the belt is brought to its final proper tension when the second roller is assembled in its preselected openings in the case.