Machine element or mechanism – Gearing – Backlash take-up
Patent
1994-04-25
1996-07-30
Bonck, Rodney H.
Machine element or mechanism
Gearing
Backlash take-up
74397, F16H 5518
Patent
active
055401120
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to gearing systems and more particularly to a backlash adjustment mechanism for gearing systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many factors may affect the proper meshing between gears in an overhead camshaft engine drive train. For example, normal engine operation may cause compression of the cylinder head gasket and maintenance disturbances may necessitate the replacement or milling of the cylinder head. It is known in the art that backlash adjustment mechanisms for gearing systems are useful so that backlash settings between gears may be changed to accommodate for normal operation, wear, and maintenance disturbances that affect the proper meshing of the drive train gears.
Backlash adjustment methods are known which mount an idler gear on an adjustable bracket to provide adjustment control between its mating gears. This method accomplishes adjustment, but makes it necessary to position the center distances between the idler and both its mating gears before securing the idler into place.
Another backlash adjustment method improves upon the positioning problem, set forth above, through the backlash adjustment being made only between the idler gear and one of its mating gears while eliminating the need for adjustment between the idler gear and the other of its mating gears. This is accomplished through the use of a connector of fixed length. With the idler gear mounted on an adjustment bracket, the connector is attached to the idler gear and one mating gear establishing a fixed center distance between the two gears. Backlash adjustment can then be made between the idler gear and the other mating gear without affecting this fixed center distance provided by the connector. This backlash adjustment method requires the use of both the connector and the adjustment bracket. The backlash adjustment method further requires complicated machining of standard parts in order to mount and thereby utilize the invention.
The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems as set forth above.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect of the present invention a backlash adjustment mechanism is adapted for use in an internal combustion engine having a cylinder block rotatably mounting a crankshaft. A cylinder head is removably connected to the cylinder block and a camshaft is rotatably mounted within the internal combustion engine. A gear train drives the camshaft from the crankshaft. The gear train includes a first rotatable gear having a first centerline and a second rotatable gear having a second centerline. The mechanism includes an idler gear having a third centerline and meshing directly with the first gear and the second gear to drivingly connect them. An idler gear mounting rotatably supports the idler gear and is releasably connected to the cylinder block establishing a movable axis coincidental with the centerline of the idler gear. A pivot is fixedly connected to the cylinder block with the idler gear mounting being pivotal thereabout, the pivot being disposed between the centerlines of the idler gear and the first gear and substantially on a line B intersecting the centerlines of the idler gear and the second gear so that a center distance between the idler gear and the second gear can be adjusted while maintaining a substantially fixed center distance between the idler gear and the first gear, the idler gear mounting is pivotal about the pivot.
In another aspect of the present invention a backlash adjustment mechanism is adapted for use in a gear train including a first gear rotatably attached to a first member and having a first centerline and a second gear rotatably attached to a second member and having a second centerline. The mechanism also includes an idler gear having a third centerline and meshing directly with the first gear and the second gear to drivingly connect them. An idler gear mounting rotatably supports the idler gear and is releasably connected to the first member to establish a movable axis. A pivot is fixedly connected to the
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Baker Steven R.
Ballheimer Benny
Smith Michael J.
Bonck Rodney H.
Caterpillar Inc.
Charlton Diana L.
Fenstermacher David
Hickman Alan J.
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