Plural Links Having Laterally Aligned Groove-forming Surfaces Patents (Class 474/213)
  • Patent number: 11927244
    Abstract: When a contact area with a chain guide is reduced by a back surface of a link plate having a convex portion, a friction coefficient in a fluid lubrication region is reduced. A coating film containing 10% or more of chromium is on the link plate. A friction modifier made of a molybdenum compound and including with a lubricating oil promotes generation of MoS2 by the coating film, and prevents an increase in a friction coefficient in a boundary lubrication region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: DAIDO KOGYO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Motoki Tanaka, Satoshi Yamashita, Hiroki Nakagawa, Atsushi Hayashi
  • Patent number: 11415196
    Abstract: A roller chain includes an inner link and an outer link. A bush is projected out of an outer side surface of an inner plate by a predetermined amount and an end surface of a bush being projected is brought into contact with an inner side surface of the outer plate to form a predetermined gap between the outer side surface of the inner plate and the inner side surface of the outer plate. The predetermined gap is within a range of 7 to 18[%] of the distance between the inner side surfaces of the pair of outer plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: DAIDO KOGYO CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Naohiro Higashide
  • Patent number: 10883576
    Abstract: A plate link chain for a continuously variable transmission in a motor vehicle comprising chain links. The chain links have link plates coupled to one another by pairs of rocker pins and at least two different sprocket pitches. At least one absorption mass is arranged between two pairs of rocker pins in an absorption space within a link plate inner contour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Alaa Harmouch, Sandra Schaub, Stephan Penner
  • Patent number: 10830309
    Abstract: A chain drive system having chain links, guide links disposed on opposite lateral sides of the chain links, and pivot pins that extend through the chain links and are fixedly coupled to the guide links. Mating anti-rotation features are employed between each pivot pin and a corresponding one of the guide links to resist rotation between the pivot pin and the guide link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Travis J. Wentz, Bruce A. Churchill
  • Patent number: 10641356
    Abstract: An outer link plate for a bicycle chain includes a first outer-link end portion, a second outer-link end portion and an outer-link intermediate portion interconnecting the first outer-link end portion and the second outer-link end portion. The first outer-link end portion includes a first outer-link opening having a first outer-link center axis. The second outer-link end portion includes a second outer-link opening having a second outer-link center axis parallel to the first outer-link center axis. The outer link plate has an outer-link longitudinal centerline. The outer-link intermediate portion has an outer-link outer surface and an outer-link inner surface that is opposite to the outer-link outer surface in an axial direction parallel to the first outer-link center axis. The outer-link intermediate portion includes an axial protrusion protruding from the outer-link inner surface in the axial direction. The axial protrusion is offset from the outer-link longitudinal centerline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Fukumori
  • Patent number: 10260596
    Abstract: Provided are a chain component that has a simple surface treatment structure and can maintain good wear resistance over a long time, and a chain that includes the chain component and maintains good wear elongation resistance. The chain component of a power transmission chain for industrial use includes a chromium nitride layer formed on an outer side of a steel base material and containing more than 0 mass % but not more than 55 mass % iron. At least a surface of the chromium nitride layer that slides against other components is a rough surface with peaks and valleys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: TSUBAKIMOTO CHAIN CO.
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Ebinuma, Misa Asada, Takashi Kawata, Tomoaki Nakayasu, Kota Yoshimoto, Nobuhiro Uchida, Shouta Miyanaga
  • Patent number: 10125846
    Abstract: A bicycle chain comprises a first outer link plate, a second outer link plate, and an axial protuberance protruding. The first outer link plate comprises a first end portion, a second end portion, and a first intermediate portion. The second outer link plate comprises a third end portion, a fourth end portion, and a second intermediate portion. The axial protuberance protrudes from a first inner surface of the first intermediate portion in an axial direction. The second intermediate portion of the second outer link plate is free from an axial protuberance protruding from a second inner surface of the second intermediate portion in an axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Fukumori, Toru Kubota
  • Patent number: 10001207
    Abstract: A random pattern chain assembly of the present invention improves noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) performance of a silent or inverted tooth chain. The chain assembly preferably uses at least three different link types arranged in a known pattern. The pattern is arranged such that the first link type is never adjacent the third link type, in that there is always a second link type between the first link type and the third link type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy K. White, Robert Mario Mariuz, Bruce Alan Churchill
  • Patent number: 9494213
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a chain reducing friction caused by sliding between the pin and the inner plate, whereby durability is improved, a frictional loss is reduced, and the reduction in size and cost can be implemented. In a silent chain, a guide row and a non-guide row, which are adjacent to each other in a longitudinal direction, are connected together in a bendable manner using a single pin movably inserted into a second pinhole of an inner plate. A hole peripheral wall surface forming the second pin hole has a plate rolling surface, and an outer peripheral surface of the pin has a pin rolling surface. During chain bending, the plate rolling surface rolls on the pin rolling surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: TSUBAKIMOTO CHAIN CO.
    Inventor: Yoshiki Motoshima
  • Patent number: 9308575
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a power transmission chain pin, which connects links arranged in a chain width direction of a power transmission chain, includes a rough sectional shape formation step of drawing a wire rod so that a section thereof is formed in a substantially oval shape and a rough end portion shape formation step of cutting a continuous bar-like member which has been subjected to the drawing work into a predetermined length so that an end surface thereof has a predetermined angle with respect to an axial direction. A final sectional shape and a final end portion shape of the power transmission chain pin are formed by a cold forging work to the bar-like member cut into the predetermined length, which is a final shape formation step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshihisa Miura
  • Patent number: 9017199
    Abstract: In a silent chain transmission, noise performance is improved by preventing guide plates of a silent chain from contacting sprocket teeth before the link plates of the chain contact the sprocket teeth. The silent chain transmission comprises a silent chain in engagement with a sprocket. The silent chain comprises guide rows, each having a pair of guide plates and a plurality of middle link plates, and non-guide rows, each having a plurality of inner link plates. An engagement starting point of the middle link plate with a sprocket tooth and an engagement starting point of the inner link plate with the sprocket tooth are set at positions such that the guide plate is prevented from contacting the sprocket tooth before the respective link plates start to engage the sprocket tooth when runout of the chain in the direction of its width occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventor: Shouta Miyanaga
  • Patent number: 8979691
    Abstract: A silent chain 1 in which a large number of link plates 2 comprising a pair of tooth parts 22 and pin holes 21 are stacked in the thickness direction and the length direction and are linked by linking pins 3, and guide plates 4 are mounted on the linking pins 3. The guide plates 4 are arranged in guide rows G at a central position in the width direction and at positions at both ends in the width direction, and the height H of the back part of each guide plate 4 is greater than the height h of the back parts of the link plates 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Toshikazu Tokita, Yukio Yoshida, Akio Matsuda
  • Patent number: 8974335
    Abstract: In a silent chain, frictional losses and noise are reduced, and power transmitting efficiency is improved, by making the inner profile of each guide plate sufficiently high in relation to a link plate tooth of a link plate overlapped by each said guide plate that engagement between a sprocket tooth and said link plate tooth takes place before engagement of the last mentioned sprocket tooth with said guide plate, even when the chain moves laterally. The tensile hardness of the guide plates is sufficiently low in relation to the bending rigidity of the connecting pins of the chain to prevent substantial warping of the guide plates as a result of tension acting on the chain. The back surfaces of the guide plates are configured to avoid contact with a sliding contact surface of a chain guide on which a back surfaces of the link plates of said chain can slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventor: Syota Miyanaga
  • Patent number: 8968131
    Abstract: A chain for a timing drive or an assembly drive of a drive device of a motor vehicle, which has a plurality of link packs articulatedly connected to one another and formed from middle links and cover links, with corresponding recesses through which chain pins or chain sleeves are inserted, and a plurality of inner links which connect the link packs to one another. At least the inner links and the middle links have different expansion behavior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Bolko Schuseil, Antonius Luering, Klaus Hahn
  • Patent number: 8968132
    Abstract: In a transmission chain including alternately interleaved and articulably connected sets of link plates, the link plates of least one of the sets have back surfaces arranged for sliding contact with a chain guide. These back surfaces have a convex, substantially arc-shaped, curvature in the longitudinal direction of the chain, and a convex, substantially arc-shaped, curvature in the widthwise direction. The radius of curvature of the widthwise curve of the back surface of each of the link plates of the at least one set is at least as great as the radius of curvature of the curve of the same link plate in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventor: Syota Miyanaga
  • Patent number: 8888633
    Abstract: In a silent chain of the inner flank engagement and outer flank seating type, the link plate teeth are arranged so that their rearwardly facing inner flanks protrude slightly beyond the outer flank overlapping link plate teeth in a preceding row when the chain is straight and in tension. The rearwardly facing inner flank is composed of an arc-shaped engagement starting region adjacent the tip and a straight engagement guiding region extending toward the root.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Takashi Tohara, Takayuki Morimoto, Tsuyoshi Kabai, Syouhei Adati
  • Patent number: 8888632
    Abstract: A silent chain using double-sided driving link plates having symmetrical upper and lower teeth has a problem that it is unable to assure a required risky sectional area of the plates because a width between upper and lower crotches is narrow. The invention provides a silent chain using double-sided driving link plates whose required risky sectional area is maintained by using link plate whose back side is undercut and whose upper and lower parts are unsymmetrical even though its front side has a shape of a normal link plate. A distance from a line connecting centers of pin holes to a bottom of an upper-side crotch is equal to or more than ½ of a diameter of the pin hole to assure the risky sectional area. Teeth of the back side are cut away to form a flat surface to assure a contact area with a shoe and others.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Daido Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuru Yasuta, Yukihiro Kishi, Nobuyuki Matsui
  • Patent number: 8678966
    Abstract: A chain which is wound round on a pair of pulleys so as to extend therebetween includes a plurality of links and a plurality of connecting members. A first pin and a second pin of the connecting member are brought into rolling and sliding contact with each other at a contact portion which is displaced in association with a change in a flexing angle between the links. End faces of the first pin each have a projecting curved portion where a contact area is formed when the end faces are brought into contact with sheave surfaces of the pulleys. With respect to a vertical direction, a projecting center of the projecting curved portion is disposed between a position of a first contact portion when the chain bites into the drive pulley and a position of a second contact portion when the chain bites into the driven pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeo Kamamoto, Kozue Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 8668609
    Abstract: An inverted tooth chain drive system includes a sprocket supported for rotation about an axis of rotation and including a plurality of teeth defined relative to respective tooth centers. The tooth centers are spaced evenly in a circumferential arrangement about the axis of rotation, and each of the plurality of teeth includes an engaging flank. An inverted tooth chain is engaged with the sprocket and includes a plurality of rows of links each structured for inside flank engagement with the sprocket, with leading inside flanks of each row of links projecting outwardly relative to the trailing outside flanks of a preceding row of links. The leading inside flanks of each row are positioned to make initial meshing contact with the engaging flank of one of the sprocket teeth. At least some of the teeth are standard teeth and other ones of the teeth are flank-relieved teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Cloyes Gear and Products, Inc.
    Inventor: James D. Young
  • Patent number: 8641566
    Abstract: A toothed plate for a toothed-plate plate-link chain, wherein the toothed plate includes two teeth, each having an inner flank, and an indentation between the teeth. The indentation includes a transition between a tooth flank and a curved innermost region. The transition has a convex curvature and is positioned at a junction of one of the inner flanks and the innermost region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Olga Ispolatova, Wolfgang Oberle, Michael Pichura, Marcus Junig, Anton Simonov
  • Patent number: 8628440
    Abstract: An inverted tooth chain drive system defines a meshing contact angle Tau (?) between the tangent line TL and an initial contact reference line that passes through a controlling pin center and the initial contact location. A link plate entrance angle Beta (?) is defined between the initial contact reference line and an inside flank reference line that passes through an arc center of the inside flank radius and the initial contact location. A meshing impact angle Sigma (?) is defined between the tangent line and the inside flank reference line such that ?=?+?, wherein ??9° and ??34°. The pressure angle of the sprocket tooth can be adjusted and the chain optimized such that ??7° and ??31°. The system thus provides a reduction of the link impact force FL and the resultant impact energy E. The inverted tooth chain, itself, defines a pitch P and an inside flank projection Lamda (?) such that 0.007×P???0.017×P when said chain is pulled straight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Cloyes Gear and Products, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Young, Darren J. Stewart
  • Patent number: 8602932
    Abstract: There is provided a chain comprising guide link rows and non-guide link rows disposed alternately along the length of the chain with each plate of each row overlapping each plate of each of two adjacent rows. For each guide link row, a pair of pins is provided for connecting the guide link rows and non-guide link rows in articulating relationship. The first connecting pin extends into a first hole of each of the guide plates of its guide link row and into and through the second hole of each link plate of an adjacent non-guide link row. The second connecting pin extends into a second hole of each of the guide plates extends into and through a first hole of each link plate of an adjacent non-guide link row. The connecting pins fit tightly into each first hole into which it extends and fits loosely in each second hole into which it extends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Yoshiki Motoshima, Masatoshi Sonoda, Takayuki Morimoto
  • Patent number: 8585015
    Abstract: There is provided an engagement chain whose driving force per occupied space is increased, whose durability is improved by reducing stress in a direction of bending a connecting pin and whose engagement noise during driving is reduced. The engagement chain includes a large number of outer and inner link plates, each having hook-like portions, which are connected in a chain longitudinal direction by connecting pins, the large number of outer and inner link plates are connected flexibly without gap in the chain width direction while the back surfaces of the link plates opposite to the hook-like portions engage with driving sprockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventor: Toshihiko Aoki
  • Publication number: 20130267364
    Abstract: A silent chain includes guide plates each of which has a cut-away portion on its inner side and a cut-away portion on its outer side for allowing elastic deformation of the guide plate in the longitudinal direction of the chain so that bowing of the connecting pins of the chain is reduced, and galling of the connecting pins and unbalance of the loads on the link plates of the chain are suppressed. The deepest parts of the respective cut-away portions are longitudinally offset from each other so that longitudinal elastic deformation can occur without impairing the tensile strength of the guide plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: TSUBAKIMOTO CHAIN CO.
    Inventors: Yoshiki Motoshima, Masatoshi Sonoda, Naoki Okada, Yoshinori Tsujino
  • Patent number: 8550946
    Abstract: A round-pin-joint toothed chain is provided that comprises alternating outer and inner chain links which are pivotably interconnected via a chain joint including round pins that are circular in cross-section, the outer chain links comprising two parallel, spaced-apart outer plates and at least one centered toothed extension plate disposed between the outer plates, and the inner chain links comprising at least two inner toothed plates, said at least two inner toothed plates and said at least one toothed extension plate having each two joint openings, which are arranged in spaced relationship with one another on the longitudinal axis of the inner toothed plate and of the toothed extension plate, respectively, and which are associated with the end faces of the inner toothed plates and of the toothed extension plate, respectively, and a respective round pin extending through one of the joint openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: IWIS Motorsysteme GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Andreas Ritz
  • Publication number: 20130203538
    Abstract: In a transmission chain including alternately interleaved and articulably connected sets of link plates, the link plates of least one of the sets have back surfaces arranged for sliding contact with a chain guide. These back surfaces have a convex, substantially arc-shaped, curvature in the longitudinal direction of the chain, and a convex, substantially arc-shaped, curvature in the widthwise direction. The radius of curvature of the widthwise curve of the back surface of each of the link plates of the at least one set is at least as great as the radius of curvature of the curve of the same link plate in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: TSUBAKIMOTO CHAIN CO.
    Inventor: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
  • Patent number: 8469845
    Abstract: In a transmission chain having link plates with convex edges for sliding contact with a guide surface, the plates are asymmetric in shape so that the distance from a line connecting the centers of the connecting holes and the convex edge is greatest at a position other than at the midpoint between the connecting holes. A pivoting action of the link plates takes place as they slide over a guide surface, changing the abutment point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Toshihiko Miyazawa, Toyonaga Saitoh
  • Patent number: 8366576
    Abstract: A toothed chain, which has a multiplicity of toothed links and cover links articulatedly connected to one another by cradle pieces. The cradle pieces are arranged in cradle piece openings of the toothed links and cover links. The cover links form guide links situated at the outside at both sides of a longitudinal direction and hold the toothed links between them. The cover links are formed with link yokes, which have a respective opening for the cradle pieces, and with an upper and lower link web which connect the link yokes. An opening is formed in the region between the upper and lower link webs, which has, in plan view, a substantially trapezoidal shape with sides of substantially equal lengths and an upper side and lower side of different lengths. The upper side is assigned to the upper link web and the lower side to the lower link web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Matthias Neutz, Olga Ispolatova, Marcus Junig, Stephan Penner, Anton Simonov
  • Patent number: 8298104
    Abstract: In a timing chain drive, a hybrid driving sprocket, having roller-engaging teeth and side sprocket teeth, cooperates with a hybrid chain having rollers that mesh with the roller-engaging teeth and toothed link plates that mesh with the side sprocket teeth. A driven sprocket from which the chain travels toward the driving sprocket has a cyclically varying tooth pitch that compensates for tension variations due to cyclic variations in the rotational speed of the driving sprocket or to cyclic variations in the load applied to the driven sprocket. The driven sprocket can be a roller sprocket or a hybrid sprocket having roller-engaging teeth and side sprocket teeth for engagement with the teeth on the link plates of the chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventor: Shunji Sakura
  • Publication number: 20120196712
    Abstract: In a silent chain transmission, noise performance is improved by preventing guide plates of a silent chain from contacting sprocket teeth before the link plates of the chain contact the sprocket teeth. The silent chain transmission comprises a silent chain in engagement with a sprocket. The silent chain comprises guide rows, each having a pair of guide plates and a plurality of middle link plates, and non-guide rows, each having a plurality of inner link plates. An engagement starting point of the middle link plate with a sprocket tooth and an engagement starting point of the inner link plate with the sprocket tooth are set at positions such that the guide plate is prevented from contacting the sprocket tooth before the respective link plates start to engage the sprocket tooth when runout of the chain in the direction of its width occurs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: TSUBAKIMOTO CHAIN CO.
    Inventor: Shouta Miyanaga
  • Patent number: 8221275
    Abstract: In a chain transmission using a hybrid chain having inner and outer links with bushings, or with bushings and rollers, the rollers mesh with a central sprocket, and the link plates have teeth that function as a silent chain, meshing with side sprockets fixed to the central sprocket. The teeth of the link plates of the inner links have a shape different from that of the teeth of the link plates of the outer links. The outer flanks of the teeth can all have the same shape, and the shape difference can be in the shapes of the inner flanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Shunji Sakura, Masatoshi Sonoda
  • Publication number: 20120157252
    Abstract: To provide a silent chain which makes it possible to further reduce friction loss during operation and to enhance operating efficiency, while also making it possible to reliably prevent assembly errors. A silent chain 1 in which a plurality of links 2 each having a pair of tooth parts 21 which mesh with sprockets and a pair of pin holes 20 are arranged in the lengthwise direction and thickness direction and are linked so as to be able to pivot about one another by linking pins 5 which are inserted into the pin holes 20, and sliding plates 3 are provided. The sliding plates 3 have a pair of pin holes 30 into which the linking pins 5 are inserted, and also have a back surface part 3a which has a greater back surface height h2 than the back surface height h1 of the links 2 and comes into contact with a tensioner arm or chain guide. The sliding plates 3 do not have tooth parts which mesh with the sprockets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: BORGWARNER INC.
    Inventors: Yukio Yoshida, Junichi Eda
  • Patent number: 8137226
    Abstract: A silent chain that can reduce friction loss during travel of a chain. A silent chain 1 is configured by stacking a large number of link plates 2 comprising a pair of tooth parts 22 and pin holes 21 in the thickness direction and the lengthwise direction, and also arranging guide plates 4 on the outermost side of the link plates 2, and coupling the link plates 2 and the guide plates 4 by means of connecting pins 3. Protruding parts 45 which can come into sliding contact with guide parts 56B of a chain guide 56 and guide parts 57B of a tension arm 57 during travel of the silent chain 1 are provided on an outer side surface 4A of the guide plates 4. The contact between the silent chain 1 and the chain guide 56 and tension arm 57 is made to be point contact, and friction loss during travel of the chain can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Yukio Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20120065013
    Abstract: There is provided a chain comprising guide link rows and non-guide link rows disposed alternately along the length of the chain with each plate of each row overlapping each plate of each of two adjacent rows. For each guide link row, a pair of pins is provided for connecting the guide link rows and non-guide link rows in articulating relationship. The first connecting pin extends into a first hole of each of the guide plates of its guide link row and into and through the second hole of each link plate of an adjacent non-guide link row. The second connecting pin extends into a second hole of each of the guide plates extends into and through a first hole of each link plate of an adjacent non-guide link row. The connecting pins fit tightly into each first hole into which it extends and fits loosely in each second hole into which it extends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventors: Yoshiki Motoshima, Masatoshi Sonoda, Takayuki Morimoto
  • Publication number: 20120035012
    Abstract: To provide a chain which makes it possible to reduce friction loss during operation. [Means of Resolution] An endless silent chain 1 which comprises a plurality of links 2 having respective pairs of pin holes 22, which are linked in such a way as to be able to flex about one another by means of linking pins 3 that are inserted into the pin holes 22, wherein one or more projections 25, 26 is/are provided on one of the main surfaces 2A of the links 2 so that a specific gap C is formed between adjacent links 2 in the width direction of the chain, and these projections 25, 26 come into contact with the main surface 2B of the link 2 which is adjacent to that link 2 in the width direction of the chain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: BORGWARNER, INC.
    Inventor: Daisuke Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 8088029
    Abstract: In a chain transmission, the guide-contacting portions of inner and outer plates of a chain each comprise a pair of front and rear flat surfaces, an intermediate concave oil-retaining surface and convex connecting surfaces. The lengths of the flat surfaces are such that adjacent flat surfaces of overlapping inner and outer plates overlap even when the plates in contact with the portion of a convex guide surface having the smallest radius of curvature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Takashi Tohara, Tatsuya Konishi, Toyonaga Saitoh
  • Publication number: 20110287883
    Abstract: A round-pin-joint toothed chain is provided that comprises alternating outer and inner chain links which are pivotably interconnected via a chain joint including round pins that are circular in cross-section, the outer chain links comprising two parallel, spaced-apart outer plates and at least one centered toothed extension plate disposed between the outer plates, and the inner chain links comprising at least two inner toothed plates, said at least two inner toothed plates and said at least one toothed extension plate having each two joint openings, which are arranged in spaced relationship with one another on the longitudinal axis of the inner toothed plate and of the toothed extension plate, respectively, and which are associated with the end faces of the inner toothed plates and of the toothed extension plate, respectively, and a respective round pin extending through one of the joint openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: IWIS MOTORSYSTEME GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Andreas Ritz
  • Patent number: 8038559
    Abstract: The end faces of a first pin contain bulging curved faces having an egg-like shape, when viewed along a chain width direction. Each bulging curved face includes a first end portion, a second end portion and a maximum width portion with respect to a chain advancing direction. With respect to perpendicular directions, the distance between the center of the maximum width portion and the first end portion is relatively large, whereas the distance between the center of the maximum width portion and the second end portion is relatively short. It is possible to enlarge the surface area of the bulging curved face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Seiji Tada, Shigeo Kamamoto
  • Publication number: 20110224041
    Abstract: A silent chain 1 in which a large number of link plates 2 comprising a pair of tooth parts 22 and pin holes 21 are stacked in the thickness direction and the length direction and are linked by linking pins 3, and guide plates 4 are mounted on the linking pins 3. The guide plates 4 are arranged in guide rows G at a central position in the width direction and at positions at both ends in the width direction, and the height H of the back part of each guide plate 4 is greater than the height h of the back parts of the link plates 2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: BORGWARNER INC.
    Inventors: Toshikazu Tokita, Yukio Yoshida, Akio Matsuda
  • Patent number: 8016706
    Abstract: A plate-link chain composed of a plurality of plates that form plate sets, which are connected to an adjacent plate set with a hinge joint. At least some of the plates have a stopping means that limits bending of the plate-link chain in a direction opposite to the bend direction the chain undergoes when it passes over and around a pulley or a gear with which the chain comes into contacting engagement when the pulley or gear rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Marcus Junig, Anton Simonov, Olga Ispolatova, Michael Pichura, Martin Vornehm, Aurel Vietoris
  • Patent number: 7998007
    Abstract: A method for reducing NVH in a vehicle having the steps of providing at least one repeating event, replicating at least one component, and delaying at least one equivalent part. The repeating event is a complete cycle, such that the repeating event ends when the cycle begins to repeat itself. The component is replicated at least one time so that at least one equivalent part is formed. The equivalent part is delayed with respect to the component by angularly positioning the equivalent part with respect to the component in a predetermined way, such that at least one harmonic in the NVH-spectra is reduced during the component's repeating event and the equivalent part's repeating event in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: BorgWarner, Inc.
    Inventors: Yogesh Mehta, Sue Stroope
  • Patent number: 7972234
    Abstract: String vibration is reduced without causing friction loss. A silent chain is comprised of a multiple number of link plates, each of which has a pair of tooth portions and pin holes and which are laminated laterally and longitudinally and guide plates which are arranged at outermost positions of the link plates. The link plates and the guide plates are connected by connecting pins. In this construction, some of the guide plates are made heavier than that of other guide plates and are irregularly mixed in a longitudinal direction of the chain. Thus, the natural frequency can be changed in an arbitrary chain span and string vibration may be reduced without causing friction loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Naoji Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 7901312
    Abstract: In a silent chain transmission, a silent chain composed of uniform link plates meshes with a sprocket having two or three kinds of teeth randomly distributed around its circumference. The teeth have a common tooth gap bottom diameter, and a uniform angular spacing, but have different heights and different tooth forms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Toshitaka Ogo, Kenichi Nagao, Toyonaga Saitoh
  • Publication number: 20110009221
    Abstract: In silent chain transmission comprising a chain composed of rows of link plates connected in articulating relationship by connecting pins, at least one sprocket is provided with a pair of flanges that guide the chain by engaging sprocket-engaging teeth on the outermost plates of the chain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: TSUBAKIMOTO CHAIN CO.
    Inventor: Toshitaka OGO
  • Publication number: 20100304910
    Abstract: In a silent chain of the inner flank engagement and outer flank seating type, the link plate teeth are arranged so that their rearwardly facing inner flanks protrude slightly beyond the outer flank overlapping link plate teeth in a preceding row when the chain is straight and in tension. The rearwardly facing inner flank is composed of an arc-shaped engagement starting region adjacent the tip and a straight engagement guiding region extending toward the root.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: TSUBAKIMOTO CHAIN CO.
    Inventors: Takashi Tohara, Takayuki Morimoto, Tsuyoshi Kabai, Syouhei Adati
  • Publication number: 20100304911
    Abstract: In a silent chain, the toothed link plates are configured so that their centers of gravity are aligned with the line of action of chain tension in a free span of the chain, when the free span is straight and under tension. The positions of the centers of gravity are aligned with the centers of the pin holes in the case of a chain incorporating round connecting pins and are aligned with the points of contact of the rocker pins and joint pins in the case of a chain having rocker joint connecting pins. Positioning of the centers of gravity can be effected by thickening the backs of the link plates or by providing weight-reducing holes in the vicinity of the teeth of the link plates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: c/o Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Kabai
  • Patent number: 7837583
    Abstract: In a silent chain, link plates having two different back heights are arranged so that V-shaped oil guiding walls, opening in the direction of chain travel, are formed on the back of the chain that comes into sliding contact with the shoe of a chain guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventor: Takashi Tohara
  • Patent number: 7789783
    Abstract: An inverted tooth chain includes a plurality of rows. The inside flanks of the leading toes of each chain row project outwardly relative to the outside flanks of the trailing toes of the preceding chain row by a maximum amount ?MAX wherein: 0.010×P??MAX?0.020×P or, preferably, 0.015×P??MAX?0.020×P, where P =chain pitch. The inverted tooth chain is meshed with a sprocket to define a system having a maximum chordal rise distance CR wherein said chordal motion in the inverted tooth chain upstream relative to said sprocket is less than 40% of said maximum chordal rise distance CR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Cloyes Gear and Products, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Young, Todd W. Richardson
  • Publication number: 20100222170
    Abstract: A silent chain using double-sided driving link plates having symmetrical upper and lower teeth has a problem that it is unable to assure a required risky sectional area of the plates because a width between upper and lower crotches is narrow. The invention provides a silent chain using double-sided driving link plates whose required risky sectional area is maintained by using link plate whose back side is undercut and whose upper and lower parts are unsymmetrical even though its front side has a shape of a normal link plate. A distance from a line connecting centers of pin holes to a bottom of an upper-side crotch is equal to or more than ½ of a diameter of the pin hole to assure the risky sectional area. Teeth of the back side are cut away to form a flat surface to assure a contact area with a shoe and others.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventors: Mitsura Yasuta, Yukihiro Kishi, Nobuyuki Matsui
  • Publication number: 20100216582
    Abstract: String vibration is reduced without causing friction loss. A silent chain is comprised of a multiple number of link plates, each of which has a pair of tooth portions and pin holes and which are laminated laterally and longitudinally and guide plates which are arranged at outermost positions of the link plates. The link plates and the guide plates are connected by connecting pins. In this construction, some of the guide plates are made heavier than that of other guide plates and are irregularly mixed in a longitudinal direction of the chain. Thus, the natural frequency can be changed in an arbitrary chain span and string vibration may be reduced without causing friction loss.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: BORGWARNER INC.
    Inventor: Naoji Sakamoto