And Sequential Pairs Are Interconnected Longitudinally By Distinct Pivot Elements Patents (Class 474/245)
  • Patent number: 9416846
    Abstract: A drive belt (3) includes an endless carrier (31) and a plurality of transverse members (32) of varying thickness, i.e. the dimension measured in the circumference direction of the belt (3). According to the invention, the design of such drive belt (3) can be improved, at least in terms of durability, by also varying the width, i.e. the dimension measured in the axial direction “W” of the drive belt (3), of the transverse members (32) in such a way that the thinner transverse members (32) of the drive belt (3) are of a larger width than the thicker transverse members (32) thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Francis Maria Antonius van der Sluis, Joost Johannes Cornelis Jonkers
  • Patent number: 9279475
    Abstract: An element for a metallic belt in a continuously variable transmission capable of reducing misalignment while ensuring friction force in a small diameter state is provided. An element 40 for a metallic belt in a belt-type continuously variable transmission has a structure in which a side edge of the element 40 of a metallic belt 7 that contacts a drive pulley 5 and a driven pulley 8 includes: a belt radial outer portion 46b that is located on a radial outer side of the metallic belt 7 and linearly shaped to follow a radial inner portion 11a as a constant-angle inclined generatrix portion; and a belt radial inner portion 46a that is located on a radial inner side of the metallic belt 7 and curved to taper inward in the belt radial direction to gradually increase an inclination angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Soichiro Sumida, Toru Yagasaki
  • Patent number: 9133908
    Abstract: A push belt (6) for a continuously variable transmission comprises transverse elements (10) of at least two different types, wherein the differences between the transverse elements (10) reside in a profile (24) which is present at pulley sheave contact surfaces (18) of the transverse elements (10). On the basis of the use of at least two different types of transverse elements (10) as mentioned, many advantages are achieved, including improved traction, reduction of wear, and noise reduction. The design of the profile (24) can be such that a pattern of voids (28) is created at a contact side of the push belt (6), which voids (28) are used for receiving oil. The pattern of voids (28) can be random, or not. In the latter case, it is possible to have a path (28) for discharging oil, extending along the contact side of the push belt (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: BOSCH TRANSMISSION TECHNOLOGY B.V.
    Inventors: Francis Maria Antonius Van Der Sluis, Irinel Cosmin Faraon
  • Patent number: 8986145
    Abstract: There are provided a power transmission chain which can reduce a noise level further by eliminating unfavorable combinations from a random arrangement of combinations of pitch lengths and pin shapes and a power transmission system using the same power transmission chain. With respect to pitch length, links include two types of a link L1 which has a small pitch length and a link L2 which has a large pitch length. With respect to pin shape, pins include two types a pin P1 of which a curvature of a rolling contact surface is large and a pin P2 of which the curvature of the rolling contact surface is small. The links are arranged so that a possibility is avoided that a combination of (L2, P2) and a combination of (L2, P1) come immediately after a combination of (L1, P2) in a chain traveling direction, and that a possibility is adopted that a combination of (L1, P2) or a combination of (L1, P1) comes immediately after the combination of (L1, P2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeo Kamamoto, Seiji Tada
  • Patent number: 8894524
    Abstract: A power transmission chain includes a plurality of link units which are aligned in a chain advancing direction, and each link unit includes a plurality of link plates which are aligned in a chain width direction W. The plurality of link plates include link plates which are punched out of a material by pressing to first and second specifications. A punching direction of the link plates to the first specification and a punching direction of the link plates to the second specification are made opposite to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignees: JTEKT Corporation, Todo Kogyo Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Kozue Matsumoto, Seiji Tada, Shigeo Kamamoto, Yasutaka Hojo
  • Patent number: 8708851
    Abstract: With a view to suppressing fretting in a power transmission chain, when a chain straight-line area is seen from a chain widthwise direction W, a flat portion 18 of a first pin 3 of the chain extends in an inclination direction D. A point of intersection P0 is formed by an imaginary line L1 which passes through a center position of an overall height h of the first pin 3 along the inclination direction D intersecting the flat portion. A point of intersection P2 is formed by an imaginary line L2 which passes through a contact portion A0 and which extends in a chain advancing direction X intersecting the flat portion 18 between the point of intersection P0 and one end P1 of the flat portion. When assuming that a distance between the point of intersection P0 and the point of intersection P2 is referred to as h1 and a distance between the point of intersection P2 and the one end P1 of the flat portion 18 is referred to as h2, 0.1·h1?h2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Seiji Tada, Shigeo Kamamoto
  • Patent number: 8636611
    Abstract: A power transmission chain including a plurality of links each having front and rear insertion through holes through which pins are inserted, and a plurality of first pins and a plurality of second pins which are arranged in a line for connecting together the links which are arranged in a chain width direction. The links are made up of links of small pitch length and links of large pitch length. The links of large pitch length corresponding to the first pin or the second pin that is clamped by the pulley are arranged such that the links of large pitch length are always included in one to one-half in total when a winding contact diameter of the pulley is a minimum operation radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeo Kamamoto, Seiji Tada
  • Patent number: 8449419
    Abstract: A power transmission belt low in cost and preventing work precision from being lowered and life expectancy of a metal press working mold from being decreased and a method of producing such a power transmission belt are provided. The power transmission belt includes endless band-like rings, and a plurality of elements bonded into an annular shape by the endless band-like rings. Each of the elements has both side end surface portions pressed between pulleys in the belt width direction, a rocking edge portion serving as a fulcrum when rocked in the state that the elements are partly wound around the pulleys, and a concave-convex portion engageable in concave-convex engagement with the concave-convex portions of a pair of neighboring elements. Each of the elements is formed with a curved inclination surface between the rocking edge portion and the concave-convex portion to have an inclination angle reduced toward the concave-convex portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takuro Morino, Michio Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8398513
    Abstract: A plate-link chain for a motor vehicle drive system. The chain includes a plurality of link plates articulatingly connected with each other by rocker members. The rocker members extend transversely to the longitudinal direction of the plate-link chain. The chain includes curved contact surfaces formed on the rocker members and on the link plates, along which the rocker members and link plates are in contact with each other to transmit force. The respective contact surfaces have a width that extends transversely to the longitudinal direction of the plate-link chain, and when considered in a side view running transversely to the width and in the longitudinal direction of the plate-link chain, they have an arc length. The contact surfaces have at least three regions along the arc length with different curvatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Anton Simonov, Martin Vornehm, Andreas Triller, Marcus Junig, Olga Ispolatova
  • Patent number: 8312978
    Abstract: A people mover comprising a plurality of steps or palettes to carry and move people. A transmission chain formed into an endless loop is connected to the steps or palettes via which the steps or palettes are moved. The transmission chain comprises consecutive chain links connected in a hinged manner to each other such that the chain links are bendable in relation to each other in a first direction (I) and in a second direction (II). Two turning elements are provided around which the transmission chain is arranged to pass. The consecutive chain links of the transmission chain bend in relation to each other in the first direction (I) when passing around the respective turning elements. A bending limitation mechanism is arranged to limit bending of the transmission chain occurring in the second direction (II).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Jorma Mustalahti, Arttu Hult, Nithil Karimpanackal Natarajan, Raimo Pelto-Huikko, Aki Metsänen
  • Patent number: 8100798
    Abstract: A belt for a continuously variable transmission and elements used in the belt. The elements include a stopper portion formed integrally with a neck portion erected upwardly from a saddle face to hold a width end portion of the ring. The elements are juxtaposed annularly in a same orientation and fastened by rings disposed on a saddle face of the element thereby forming a belt for a continuously variable transmission. A recessed portion is formed by depressing the saddle face at a corner between a side face of the neck portion and the saddle face; and an inner face of the recessed portion includes a first inner face extending smoothly into the side face of the neck portion and having a relatively larger curvature radius, and a second inner face extending smoothly into the first inner face and having a relatively smaller curvature radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideyuki Nishimi, Shinya Kuwabara
  • Patent number: 8069645
    Abstract: The invention relates to a link chain having two or more rows of chain elements, wherein the chain elements of one row are rotatably connected to those of the adjacent row in the chain plane in such a way that each chain element has two rotational axes, of which in each case one of the two rotational axes belongs to two different chain elements in adjacent rows, and that the chain elements of one row are connected to one another by means of toothed devices at their ends in such a way that the chain is flexible in the chain plane. The chain elements at one end of the link chain are likewise provided, at their outer side, with a toothed device, which is in engagement with an actuator. The actuator is a pneumatic actuator, a hydraulic actuator, an electromotive actuator or a manual drive actuator. The actuator may have a latching fitting, wherein the latching fitting is provided with a toothed surface that is in engagement with a toothed surface of a chain element in one row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Kintec-Solution GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Mackert
  • Patent number: 8052561
    Abstract: A method for optimizing the link plates of a plate-link chain drive chain for use in a variable speed unit of a belt-driven conical-pulley transmission. The chain includes plate links formed from pairs of plates that have openings through which pairs of rocker members extend. The plates include longitudinally-extending legs that extend in the chain movement direction and vertical legs that extend perpendicular to the chain movement direction. The method is directed to minimizing bending stresses in the longitudinal and vertical legs of the plates as the chain passes around a pulley, and as the rocker members and the chain tension impose forces on the plates. The stress minimization results in minimal material usage and minimal weight of the chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Oberle, André Teubert
  • Patent number: 8047939
    Abstract: A transverse element for a drive belt, includes a recess on either side for at least partially accommodating a ring assembly of the drive belt. The transverse element includes a base part lying radially inside the recesses, a connecting piece lying between the recesses, and a head part lying radially outside the recesses, the base part on either side of the connecting piece being provided with a radially outwardly directed saddle surface for contact with a ring assembly, and between a saddle surface and the connecting piece a notch being provided, in which notch a convexly curved part connects to the respective saddle surface, and in which notch a concavely curved part connects to a respective substantially axially directed side face of the connecting piece. The concavely curved part on either side of a radially most inward lying part thereof has a mutually differing degree of curvature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Cornelis Johannes Maria Van Der Meer
  • Patent number: 8038561
    Abstract: A chain is provided with a plurality of links, and connecting members for connecting those links such that the links are relatively bendable to each other. A first pin of the connecting member is clamped between pulleys thereby to transmit the power between itself and said pulleys. The chain includes a central area with respect to chain width directions, and side areas located on the sides of the central area. In the central area, links adjoining in the chain width directions are pushed to contact with each other, and rotate relative to each other while exerting frictional forces on each other as the chain is bent. In each of the side areas, the links adjoining in the chain width directions are arrayed through a predetermined clearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventor: Shinji Yasuhara
  • 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: 7993229
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a power transmission chain capable of effectively reducing noises and a power transmission assembly using the same. In the power transmission chain including plural links each possessing through-holes and plural pins inserted through the through-holes for interconnecting the plural links, all the plural pins substantially have the same longitudinal length while the plural pins include plural types of pins which have mutually different rigidities against force acting in the pin longitudinal direction. Furthermore, a locus of contact position between the pin and a strip is defined by an involute of a circle. The pins and strips are combined to form two or more types of pairs which provide the involutes of base circles having different radii.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeo Kamamoto, Nobuki Fukui, Shinji Yasuhara, Kazuhisa Kitamura
  • Patent number: 7966798
    Abstract: Device for stretching a transmission chain closed in itself and comprising pairs of elongated rocker elements mutually coupled by links, said rocker elements being destined for a torque transferring cooperation with the pulley sheaves of a pulley sheave transmission, and comprising a first and a second supporting surface which support a chain to be treated over an angle of an arc and having an adjustable mutual distance to generate tensile stresses in the chain supported thereby, in which the first supporting surface is freely rotatable accommodated between the first ends of two distant frame parts, the second supporting surface is freely rotatable accommodated on an auxiliary carrier between the two frame parts, said carrier being provided with two opposite stubby shafts, protruding there from and of which the axis lies at a distance from the axis of rotation of the second supporting surface which is rotatably supported by said auxiliary carrier and lies near the second end of the frame parts while of said s
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Gear Chain Industrial B.V.
    Inventor: Jacobus Hubertus Maria Van Rooij
  • Patent number: 7892127
    Abstract: A chain (1) includes plural links (2) and plural pairs of first and second pins (3 and 4) to couple the links each other. The first pin (3) comes into rolling and sliding contact with the second pin (4) at the contact portion (D). The first pin (3) includes a pair of end faces (17) opposing each other in the chain width direction (W), and a contact region (24) that comes into contact with the corresponding sheave surfaces of the pulley is formed in each end face (17). The contact region (24) includes the center point of contact (M). The first pin (3) includes a first type pin (3a) and a second type pin (3b). When the linear region of the chain (1) is viewed in the chain width direction (W), the relative position of the contact portion (D) and the center point of contact (M) is different between the first type pin (3a) and the second type pin (3b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Seiji Tada, Shigeo Kamamoto
  • Patent number: 7846050
    Abstract: Two kinds of pins having rolling contact surfaces of different shapes are used as first pins. A recess is formed at that portion of the first pin disposed between a chain outer periphery-side edge portion thereof and the rolling contact surface thereof. A straight portion is formed at that portion of the second pin disposed between a chain outer periphery-side edge portion thereof and the rolling contact surface thereof. With this construction, the two kinds of pins can be easily discriminated from each other from their appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshihisa Miura
  • Patent number: 7806794
    Abstract: A power transmission chain includes a plurality of links, a plurality of pins, and a plurality of interpieces. By pressing upper and lower edges of the pin into upper and lower edges of a through hole, the pin is connected to the link. The end of the pin which is located at a front end side when the pin is pressed is formed in a shape into which the upper and lower edges of the pin are pressed at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventor: Masaru Fuse
  • Patent number: 7686722
    Abstract: A plate-link chain for a belt-driven conical-pulley transmission. The chain has a large number of link plates that are articulatingly connected with each other by rocker members, which link plates are positioned one behind the other and are offset from each other transversely relative to the longitudinal direction of the plate-link chain, and also partially overlap each other. The chain has a plurality of link plates of two different lengths in the longitudinal direction of the chain, with openings to receive the rocker members. The arrangement of the link plates in the longitudinal direction of the chain is such that a long link plate is followed by a short link plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Markus Baumann, Michael Pichura
  • Publication number: 20100069189
    Abstract: [Problems to be Solved] To provide a power transmission chain which not only can prevent the occurrence of an edge contact phenomenon in which the edge portion of a pin end face is contacted with a pulley, but also can enhance the power transmission efficiency. [Means for Solution] According the power transmission chain, in the end face 17 of a first pin 3 for connecting links to each other, there is provided a contact area 21. The contact area 21 is contacted with the pulley to transmit power. When viewed from the width direction of the chain, the contact area 21 has an egg-like shape which is relatively long in a longitudinal direction J and relatively short in a transverse direction K. The contact area 21 intersects with a first plane H1 to form a first intersection line L1. The contact area 21 intersects with a second plane H2 to form a second intersection line L2. The first intersection line L1 has a plurality of radiuses of curvature R1, R2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Inventor: Seiji Tada
  • Patent number: 7648435
    Abstract: A belt-type continuously variable transmission (15) includes a primary sheave (29) having a pair of first clamp surfaces (37a, 37b), a secondary sheave (30) having a pair of second clamp surfaces (51a, 51b), and a belt (31) endlessly wound between both the sheaves (29, 30). The belt (31) has contact surfaces (58a, 58b) clamped between the first clamp surfaces (37a, 37b) and between the second clamp surfaces (51a, 51b). Powder (64) having infusibility as a friction enhancing material is held on at least one of the first clamp surfaces (37a, 37b) of the primary sheave (29), the second clamp surfaces (51a, 51b) of the secondary sheave (30), and the contact surfaces (58a, 58b) of the belt (31).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yousuke Ishida, Masaru Oosuga
  • Publication number: 20090111634
    Abstract: Although a radial outside portion of a metal ring contact surface of a neck section of a metal element which is contactably opposed to a side edge of a metal ring of a metal ring assembly has high frequencies of contacting with a side edge of the metal ring, it is possible to suppress abrasion of the side edge of the metal ring and to improve durability of the metal ring by setting a surface hardness of the radial outside portion lower than a surface hardness of the metal ring. In addition, by setting a surface hardness of the metal ring contact surface at its portion of the radial outside lower than the surface hardness of the metal ring contact surface at other portions thereof where the frequencies of contacting with the side edge of the metal ring becomes low, in comparison with a case of setting the surface hardness of the whole metal ring contact surface low, it is possible to increase strength of the metal element and to improve the durability of the metal element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD
    Inventors: Hideaki Aoyama, Toru Yagasaki
  • Publication number: 20090105026
    Abstract: In a minimum operation radius, long links are present one or more nodes at all times, and an upper limit to the number of long links is such that long links are present half or less of nodes that bite into a pulley.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeo Kamamoto, Seiji Tada
  • Publication number: 20090054188
    Abstract: A continuous variable transmission belt, comprising an annular continuous band comprising a body reinforced by a longitudinal armature and a plurality of friction plugs connected by coupling of shape with at least one of either an outer spine of the continuous band or an inner surface opposite to the outer spine with respect to the armature, the friction plugs comprising respectively a friction member adapted to cooperate with a pulley of the transmission and a connection member cooperating with the friction member to rigidly connect the friction plug to the continuous band. Each of the connecting members is made of a material having a higher thermal conductivity than that of the friction members and presents an abutting surface against either of the outer spine or the inner surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2005
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: DAYCO EUROPE S.R.L. CON UNICO SOCIO
    Inventors: Giuseppe Costa, Sergio Lolli
  • Publication number: 20080161148
    Abstract: A chain (1) includes plural links (2) and plural pairs of first and second pins (3 and 4) to couple the links each other. The first pin (3) comes into rolling and sliding contact with the second pin (4) at the contact portion (D). The first pin (3) includes a pair of end faces (17) opposing each other in the chain width direction (W), and a contact region (24) that comes into contact with the corresponding sheave surfaces of the pulley is formed in each end face (17). The contact region (24) includes the center point of contact (M). The first pin (3) includes a first type pin (3a) and a second type pin (3b). When the linear region of the chain (1) is viewed in the chain width direction (W), the relative position of the contact portion (D) and the center point of contact (M) is different between the first type pin (3a) and the second type pin (3b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Seiji Tada, Shigeo Kamamoto
  • Patent number: 7320656
    Abstract: A drive chain suitable for use in a continuously variable transmission of a motor vehicle, the transmission having two pairs of spaced drive members about which the chain passes to transfer torque from one drive member to the other. The chain includes a plurality of link elements that include spaced, side-by-side plate links. The plate links include openings in which pairs of parallel rocker members are disposed for relative rocking movement of at least one rocker member about its longitudinal axis. A method for stretching the chain is also disclosed, in which areas of some of the plate links are plastically deformed by stretching the chain before the chain is put to use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: André Linnenbrügger, Oswald Kroninger, Klaus Scheufele, André Teubert
  • Publication number: 20070238566
    Abstract: A pin and an opening in which the pin is fixed have in their cross section straight-line portions and circular arc portions which connect to upper and lower ends of the straight-line portion, respectively. The length LD of the straight-line portion of the pin and the length LL of the straight-line portion of the opening satisfy LL?LD, and the radius RD of the circular arc portions which connect to the upper and lower ends of the pin, and the radius RL of the circular arc portions which connect to the upper and lower ends of the opening satisfy RL<RD.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Applicant: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshihisa Miura
  • Publication number: 20070232431
    Abstract: At the peripheral edge of a through hole, in which one pin or strip in a link plate is fixed, a compressive residual stress is applied selectively to vicinities of the outer corners of two upper and lower sides confronting in the chain radial direction of said one pin or strip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Applicant: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shigeo Kamamoto, Seiji Tada, Joel Kuster
  • Publication number: 20070232430
    Abstract: A chain is provided with a plurality of links, and connecting members for connecting those links such that the links are relatively bendable to each other. A first pin of the connecting member is clamped between pulleys thereby to transmit the power between itself and said pulleys. The chain includes a central area with respect to chain width directions, and side areas located on the sides of the central area. In the central area, links adjoining in the chain width directions are pushed to contact with each other, and rotate relative to each other while exerting frictional forces on each other as the chain is bent. In each of the side areas, the links adjoining in the chain width directions are arrayed through a predetermined clearance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Inventor: Shinji Yasuhara
  • Patent number: 7097581
    Abstract: In a heavy duty power transmission V-belt B formed by engaging tension members 1 and 1 with a plurality of blocks 10, 10, . . . , to prevent as much as possible each block 10 from producing failure at the high-speed running of the belt, a fitting part 12 of each block 10 has an indent 22 formed by upwardly recessing a portion of a resin part 17 located between an upper ridge 14 and an innermost abutment surface 20 of the fitting part 12. Thereby, no edge exists between the innermost abutment surface 20 and the upper ridge 14 so that stress can be distributed. This prevents the occurrence of a crack in the resin part 17 due to stress concentration on the edge, the occurrence of a crack in a reinforcement 18 of each block 10 beginning at the leading end of the crack in the resin part 17, and in turn the fracture of an upper beam 18a of the reinforcement 18, thereby providing enhanced resistance against failure of the block 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Bando Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Inukai, Keizo Nonaka
  • Patent number: 6893370
    Abstract: Provided is a belt-drive continuously variable transmission which comprises a pair of drive pulley and driven pulley, and a belt engaged with the pulleys. The belt includes an endless carrier and a plurality of transverse elements closely arranged on the carrier. Each transverse element has an edge and rotatable about the edge in the longitudinal direction of the belt and converging side faces for contact with contact surfaces of the pulleys. Each of the side faces is curved toward each of the contact surfaces in such a manner as to have, when each of the transverse elements is observed in a plan view, such a circular arc that is of a predetermined radius R and has a center located on a straight line perpendicular to each of the contact surfaces and extending through a point at which the edge and each of the contact surfaces meet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Daisuke Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6875143
    Abstract: A transmission belt for a continuously variable transmission includes, transverse elements (5) and an endless carrier (9) for keeping together the transverse elements (5), each transverse element (5) provided with a rocking edge (12) showing a curvature for allowing neighbouring transverse elements (5) to mutually tilt about an substantially axially oriented contact line (7) over a tilting angle (?), so that a part of the belt may pass along a longitudinally bent trajectory, the curvature of the rocking edge (12) defined such that it notionally displaces the contact line (7) in dependence on the tilting angle (?,?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Van Doorne's Transmissie B.V.
    Inventor: Arjen Brandsma
  • Publication number: 20040185980
    Abstract: The double-sided sliding button comprises two spaced-apart sliding button halves configured and disposed with reference to a curved medial axis. Each half has a front side, provided with a contact surface, and a rear side. Both contact surfaces are mutually opposite and both sides of each half intersect the curved medial axis. A bridge member allows to rigidly connect the rear side of the two halves. With this configuration, each sliding button can be easily installed and secured in a clamp attached to a part of the driven pulley. Each double-sided sliding button is capable of working in both directions, thereby reducing the number of individual sliding buttons to be installed by 50%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2003
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventor: Jocelyn Labbe
  • Patent number: 6592483
    Abstract: A chain-belt for a CVT having a plurality of links, each link comprising a plurality of parallel tensile link plates, each link plate having connection apertures located substantially towards the ends thereof, each link being connected to an adjacent link by a pin having two ends passing through overlapping connection apertures in adjacent link plates. Wear pads are positioned on said outer link plates. A bushing, at least as long as the thickness of the tensile link plates, coaxially surrounds the chain's pins, passing through oversized holes in the link plates. Compressive force is transmitted between the wear pads by the bushing, so that the compressive force exerted by the sheaves does not deform the pin or squeeze the link plates together. The wear pads are centered on the centerline of the chain, and taper to match the taper of the pulley sheaves. The wear pads are also designed so the centerline of the wear pads intersects the center axis of the pulley when the chain is in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Borgwarner Inc.
    Inventor: George L. Markley
  • Publication number: 20030050142
    Abstract: In a belt for a continuously variable transmission, a first clearance CLNH is defined between a projection and a recess formed on front and rear surfaces of a metal element, and a second clearance CLy is defined between an upper surface of a metal ring assembly and a lower ear surface of the metal element. The setting of a relation, CLY>CLNH ensures that when the metal element has been pitched, the projection and the recess can be first brought into contact with each other, thereby preventing a reduction in durability which may otherwise occur by the lower ear surface coming into contact with the upper surface of the metal ring assembly. If the thickness of the metal ring assembly is represented by TL, and the vertical opening of the ring slot is represented by D, when the value of D/TL exceeds {fraction (11/8)}, the power transmitting efficiency is reduced. Therefore, the reduction in power transmitting efficiency can be prevented by setting D/TL at a smaller value than {fraction (11/8)}.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventors: Hirofumi Akagi, Takamichi Shimada
  • Patent number: 6527657
    Abstract: An endless belt for power transmitting according to the present invention is a tension-type belt of links forming a chain, and has high power transmitting efficiency although it can be produced with relatively low cost. With this endless belt, the respective blocks and pins start to contact sheave sides in order near the pitch line and the pitch of biting into the sheave is made smaller so as to reduce noise. Even if the respective blocks are inclined when the endless belt bites into pulley, each block contacts the sheave sides only at projecting outer end faces formed extending over a limited area corresponding to the divided pin near the pitch line (P-P). Therefore, a total of four parts, the projecting outer end faces of the first and second blocks and a pair of the divided pins, abut the sheave side in order, in one pitch of the link chain, so as to make the biting pitch smaller and decrease polygon effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushikikasha Equos Research
    Inventor: Shiro Sakakibara
  • Publication number: 20030036450
    Abstract: A drive chain suitable for use in a continuously variable transmission of a motor vehicle, the transmission having two pairs of spaced drive members about which the chain passes to transfer torque from one drive member to the other. The chain includes a plurality of link elements that include spaced, side-by-side plate links. The plate links include openings in which pairs of parallel rocker members are disposed for relative rocking movement of at least one rocker member about its longitudinal axis. A method for stretching the chain is also disclosed, in which areas of some of the plate links are plastically deformed by stretching the chain before the chain is put to use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventors: Andre Linnenbrugger, Oswald Kroninger, Klaus Scheufele, Andre Teubert
  • Publication number: 20030032513
    Abstract: In a metal belt for a continuously variable transmission, when a laterally inner end of a metal ring assembly abuts a neck, a laterally outer end of the metal ring assembly is positioned at a location displaced toward the neck from a laterally outer end of an ear. When the metal belt is transported as an independent item or even when assembled to the continuously variable transmission, contact with another article with the laterally outer end of the metal ring assembly is prohibited by a laterally outer end of the ear to prevent damage to the metal ring assembly and the metal ring assembly from falling off of the ring slot. In addition, the entire widthwise region of the metal ring assembly is opposite to the lower ear face, so that a sufficient amount of oil is retained on the opposite surface, to enhance a metal element-cooling effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventor: Hideaki Aoyama
  • Patent number: 6517458
    Abstract: An endless metal belt (15) is formed by layering thin metal rings (30) in thicknesses to form tow layered ring structures (31) and fitting the two layered ring structures in slots (32a) formed in opposite side parts of each of metal blocks (32), extending on the opposite sides of a neck part (32e) of the metal block. The endless metal belt is extended between drive and driven pulleys (6, 11) respectively having variable effective diameters to change speed change ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shigeru Kanehara
  • Patent number: 6500086
    Abstract: A block type CVT belt having at least one endless load carrier. Each load carrier having tensile members. A plurality of blocks are transversely engaged with the load carrier in a lengthwise direction of the load carrier. The center of gravity of each block is asymmetrically located in each block. Each block having a thermoset or thermoplastic over-molding on a metallic reinforcing body. Each block having at least one slot for receiving the load carrier. Each slot having a complex radius between a central pillar and an upper arm and lower arm in order to avoid stress risers. Each load carrier is slightly compressed in each slot to reduce block skew.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Inventors: Alexander Serkh, Joseph A. Beaupied, Scott Ciemniecki
  • Publication number: 20020173396
    Abstract: A chain-belt for a CVT having a plurality of links, each link comprising a plurality of parallel tensile link plates, each link plate having connection apertures located substantially towards the ends thereof, each link being connected to an adjacent link by a pin having two ends passing through overlapping connection apertures in adjacent link plates. Wear pads are positioned on said outer link plates. A bushing, at least as long as the thickness of the tensile link plates, coaxially surrounds the chain's pins, passing through oversized holes in the link plates. Compressive force is transmitted between the wear pads by the bushing, so that the compressive force exerted by the sheaves does not deform the pin or squeeze the link plates together. The wear pads are centered on the centerline of the chain, and taper to match the taper of the pulley sheaves. The wear pads are also designed so the centerline of the wear pads intersects the center axis of the pulley when the chain is in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventor: George L. Markley
  • Publication number: 20020160872
    Abstract: In a belt for a continuously variable transmission, a first line on a lower edge of an element body of a metal element is determined, and a second line straightforwardly connecting a lower end of a V-face to which a load is applied from a V-groove in a pulley and an inner end of a saddle surface is determined, so that when a downward load is applied from a metal ring assembly to an outer end of the saddle surface, the folding-resistant strength of the element body is uniform laterally. The position of the recess is determined in the vicinity of a point of intersection of the first and second lines. The lower edge of the element body is defined by the first line inside the recess and by the second line outside the recess. The durability of the metal element can be enhanced by devising the shape of the lower edge of the element body of the metal element in this manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: Ken Kanokogi, Hideaki Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20020137586
    Abstract: An endless metal belt comprises a pair of layered ring structures (31) each formed by superposing a plurality of thin metal rings (R1, R2, . . . and Rn) in layers so as to be slidable relative to each other, and a plurality of metal blocks (32) arranged along the length of the pair of layered ring structures (31) and supported on the pair of layered ring structures (31) so as to be slidable relative to the pair of layered ring structures (31). The inner circumferences of the thin metal rings (R2, R3, . . . Rn) excluding the innermost thin metal ring (R1) are provided with oil retaining grooves (34), and the inner circumference in sliding contact with saddle surfaces (324) of the metal blocks (32) of the innermost thin metal ring (R1) is a flat, smooth surface (35) not provided with any oil retaining grooves and having a small surface roughness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventors: Hiroshi Fujioka, Kouhei Ohsono
  • Publication number: 20020128103
    Abstract: A transmission belt for a continuously variable transmission, comprising transverse elements (5) and an endless carrier (9) for keeping together the transverse elements (5), each transverse element (5) is provided with a rocking edge (12) showing a curvature for allowing neighbouring transverse elements (5) to mutually tilt about an substantially axially oriented contact line (7) over a tilting angle (&agr;), so that a part of the belt may pass along a longitudinally bent trajectory, According to the invention the curvature of the rocking edge (12) is defined such that it notionally displaces the contact line (7) in dependence on the tilting angle (&agr;, &bgr;).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventor: Arjen Brandsma
  • Patent number: 6440024
    Abstract: Provided is a belt-drive continuously variable transmission which comprises a pair of drive pulley and driven pulley, and a belt engaged with the pulleys. The belt includes an endless carrier and a plurality of transverse elements closely arranged on the carrier. Each transverse element has an edge and rotatable about the edge in the longitudinal direction of the belt and converging side faces for contact with contact surfaces of the pulleys. Each of the side faces is curved toward each of the contact surfaces in such a manner as to have, when each of the transverse elements is observed in a plan view, such a circular arc that is of a predetermined radius R and has a center located on a straight line perpendicular to each of the contact surfaces and extending through a point at which the edge and each of the contact surfaces meet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Daisuke Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20020115513
    Abstract: The invention comprises a flexible drive ring CVT belt. It comprises a flexible drive ring having a plurality of adjacent ring segments. The segments comprise metallic or non-metallic material sufficient to bear a compressive load imposed by CVT sheaves. The segments are interlocked along a longitudinal axis and are preloaded in the assembled position by an elastomeric member. A tensile member or belt bears on an outer circumferential bearing surface formed by the interlocked segments. The tensile belt may comprise any belt known in the art, for example a multi-ribbed power transmission belt. The tensile member is moveable along a longitudinal axis relative to the flexible drive ring on the circumferential bearing surface. The segments further comprise opposing inclined surfaces for engaging sheave surfaces on a pulley.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Inventor: Jing Yuan
  • Patent number: 6416433
    Abstract: A chain-belt transmission with a continuously variable transmission ratio has input and output shafts, each carrying a pair of conical disks, with a chain belt running in a loop around the disk pairs and transmitting torque from the input to the output shaft. The friction surfaces of the conical disks and the end surfaces of the force-transfer elements of the chain belt have contour shapes that provide greater resistance to wear and thereby increase the operating life of the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau GmbH
    Inventor: André Linnenbrügger