Endless belt power transmission systems or components – Positive drive belt – Belt formed of rigid links
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-12
2003-05-06
Bucci, David A. (Department: 3682)
Endless belt power transmission systems or components
Positive drive belt
Belt formed of rigid links
C474S220000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06558281
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a plate-link chain for a continuously variable transmission of a motor vehicle.
2. Description of the Related Art
A plate-link chain is in the sense of the present invention a wrap-around member that has several chain links that in each case extend in the wrap-around, that is, in a running, direction, of which each of two adjacent link elements are linked together in an articulated manner.
The chain links in each case have several elements, which in the sense of the present invention are shown as plates, and that are particularly formed small-plate-like, so that their thickness is comparatively small in comparison with their length and in comparison with their width. The links, that are especially in the form of stampings, include through-openings.
In the sense of the present invention a link element is in particular a device with two rocker members that are arranged to be movable against each other. Those two similar link elements have adjoining rocker members that have in each case a surface, a so-called rocker surface, that is associated in each case with a corresponding rocker member of the link element and that can roll on the rocker surface of the associated rocker member. In particular, the rocker members are associated with different adjacent chain links. Especially, each of the rocker members is non-rotatably connected with its associated chain link, namely in relation to the longitudinal axis of the link element. This non-rotational connection in particular is positively formed. The plate-link chain is particularly constructed in the manner so that at least one rocker member of a link element is movable in the longitudinal direction of the rocker member relative to the plate-link chain, and/or at least one part of the plate link, through which the rocker member extends, is movable relative to the rocker member in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the rocker member.
In particular a plate-link chain in the sense of the present invention is constructed in such a way that for each link element at least one rocker member projects laterally from the plate-link chain. The rocker members associated with a link element can have the same or a different construction. Those equal rocker members associated with the link element have, in particular, a different length. Preferably at least one rocker member of a link element has a sloping and/or a rounded end face.
A continuously variable transmission is in the sense of the present invention in particular a transmission apparatus that, in a predetermined transmission ratio range, can be operated steplessly at different, that is, all, transmission ratios between an input and an output shaft. This transmission has in particular two pairs of conical disks, of which one pair is connected to the input shaft and one pair is connected with the output shaft. The conical disks of the pairs of conical disks are in each case arranged to be axially movable relative to each other and can receive a plate-link chain in the gap area between them, whereby in the sense of the present invention it is especially provided that one of such plate-link chains is positively connected with the respective conical-disk pairs over different end faces of several rocker members of a link element of the plate-link chain, so that a torque can be transmitted between those conical disks by way of the plate link chain.
The continuously variable transmission has in particular an actuation apparatus, which preferably is of hydraulic form, and can control changes in the spacing of the respective conical disk pairs, and, to be sure, especially simultaneously, so that with the enlargement of the distance between the conical disks of a first conical disk pair a reduction of the distance between the conical disks of the second conical disk pair proceeds, and the plate-link can also transmit a torque between the conical disk pairs during an adjustment of the transmission ratio of the transmission.
A plate-link chain with a retaining element is already known from the German DE 198 55 582. That known plate-link chain has several chain links with plate links that are connected over link elements with rocker member pairs, whereby the rocker members are non-rotationally secured in the plate links and whereby one of the retaining links provided as outer links permits a change in spacing of the rocker members and prevents an outward migration.
The object of the present invention is to create a plate-link chain, by which by structurally simple and economical methods with higher strength of the link elements, that prevents the plate links and/or the rocker members from laterally migrating out of the plate-link chain, and which provides higher strength.
The object is solved through a plate-link chain as hereinafter described.
Preferred improvements of the invention are also disclosed hereinafter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the invention a plate-link chain is proposed that has at least one rocker member, in which a recess extends, that particularly is ground in the respective rocker member. In that recess of the rocker member at least one retaining element is engaged, and to be sure in such a way, that through the retaining element, if necessary in cooperation with other elements, particularly further retaining elements, the movability of the rocker element against at least one plate link of the plate-link chain in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the rocker member and the link element, respectively, that this rocker member has, at least restricts, especially prevents. Preferably this retaining element has a bow-shaped form.
The invention is advantageous to the extent that it secures the rocker members in a dependable way and method, the retaining elements can be releasably attached against the rocker members, and because of the retaining elements the rocker members undergo substantially no appreciable loss of strength. Particularly in a straight segment of the plate-link chain, the rocker members are positively secured against falling out.
Preferably the retaining element has a bow-shaped form.
In accordance with the invention, a plate-link chain is proposed that has at least one retaining element which at least limits and particularly prevents the movement of a rocker member relative to at least one plate link in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the rocker member, that is, the longitudinal axis of the link element. In that case a rocker member has at least one recess. The at least one retaining element has at least one free end, and especially two free ends, so that at least one rocker member is connected with the retaining element in a form-locking and/or friction-locking manner, without the rocker member being received in a peripheral direction in a closed opening of the retaining element. It is preferred that at least -one rocker member is received in a peripherally closed opening of the retaining element and is connected with the retaining element in a frictionally-locked and/or a form-locked manner, whereby the retaining element further has a free end that is form and /or frictionally connected with at least one additional rocker member.
The retaining element limits and/or prevents rocker member movement relative to at least one plate link in the longitudinal direction of the rocker member as well as the link element.
The retaining element preferably has two open ends. Especially preferred is that the retaining elements is releasably engaged in the recess. The retaining element, which preferably is elastic in the direction of chain movement, preferably grips at least two recesses of different rocker members.
Especially preferred, the retaining element presses against a recess when in assembled condition. That is particularly realized in that the retaining element itself applies a clamping force, whereby the retaining element in particular is biased and the clamping force is generated by the resulting biasing force.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment o
Johnson Vicky
LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligunes KG
Mangels Alfred J.
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