Endless belt power transmission systems or components – Positive drive belt – Belt formed of rigid links
Reexamination Certificate
2001-04-27
2004-02-24
Charles, Marcus (Department: 2682)
Endless belt power transmission systems or components
Positive drive belt
Belt formed of rigid links
C474S214000, C474S202000, C474S206000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06695731
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
The present application claims the priority of the commonly owned copending German patent application Serial No. 100 20 908.4 filed Apr. 28, 2000. The disclosure of the above-referenced German patent application, as well as that of each U.S. and foreign patent and patent application identified in the specification of the present application, is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to chains in general, and more particularly to improvements in link chains of the type adapted to be utilized with advantage for transmission of torque between rotary parts of transmissions or the like. For example, link chains of the type to which the present invention pertains can be employed to transmit torque between driving and driven pulleys or sheaves in continuously variable transmissions (CVT) of the type employed in the power trains (i.e., between the engines or other prime movers and the wheel axles) of motor vehicles.
DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART
Link chains of the type to which the present invention pertains comprise composite chain links having packages or stacks of overlapping plate-like components. The components of neighboring links partially overlap and alternate with each other and are articulately connected to one another by coupling units which permit neighboring links to pivot relative to each other. The coupling units comprise pin-shaped elements extending through windows provided in the components of the respective pairs of links. The end faces of the pin-shaped elements engage the conical surfaces of flanges forming part of aforementioned (normally adjustable) pulleys or sheaves over which the link chain is trained, e.g., in the aforementioned continuously variable transmission of the type often employed in the power trains of motor vehicles.
A drawback of many presently known link chains is that they are noisy due to excessive play between neighboring parts such as the plate-like components of the composite links, the pin-shaped elements of the units which couple neighboring links to each other, and/or the flanges of the pulleys at least one of which drives the chain and at least one of which receives torque from the chain when the transmission is in use.
Another drawback of many presently known link chains is that they undergo rapidly progressing pronounced wear in actual use of the chains; this results in the generation of even more pronounced noise which is particularly undesirable when the link chain is employed in the power train of a motor vehicle.
A further drawback of conventional link chains is that their links cannot or are not likely to reassume predetermined starting positions relative to each other as well as that they cannot be readily confined to repeated pivotal movements to predetermined end positions. This can affect the accuracy with which a conventional link chain can transmit torque in a continuously variable transmission or the like.
Still another drawback of presently known link chains is that they are complex, that their useful life is rather short as well as that they are too expensive, especially if made to stand extensive periods of repeated use such as in the power trains of motor vehicles.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is to provide a link chain, particularly for use in CVT transmissions, which is simpler, safer and less expensive but more reliable (safer) than heretofore known link chains.
Another object of the invention is to provide a link chain the reliability and safety of which are less affected by manufacturing tolerances than those of conventional link chains.
A further object of the invention is to provide a link chain which can be assembled, installed in an infinitely variable transmission and/or otherwise manipulated in a manner much simpler than that known from conventional link chains.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide a link chain whose useful life is longer than that of presently known link chains and which is less prone to wear than conventional link chains.
Still another object of the invention is to provide novel and improved composite links as well as novel and improved articulate connections between the links of a link chain.
A further object of the instant invention is to provide novel plates or analogous constituents for use in composite links of a link chain which forms part of a continuously variable transmission.
Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved method of reducing the wear upon the links and/or other parts of the above outlined link chain.
An additional object of the instant invention is to provide a novel and improved method of providing a link chain which is quieter than heretofore known link chains.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved combination of composite coupling units and composite links for use in the above outlined link chain.
A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved continuously variable transmission which employs one or more link chains of the above outlined character.
Another object of the invention is to provide a power train which can be utilized with advantage in a motor vehicle and embodies a CVT employing at least one link chain of the above outlined character.
An additional object of our present invention is to provide a link chain which is constructed and assembled in such a way that its links can be repeatedly pivoted to and from predetermined angular positions relative to each other.
Still another object of this invention is to provide the above outlined link chain with novel and improved noise-reducing means and with novel and improved means for distributing friction between neighboring plates of composite links of which the chain is assembled.
A further object of the invention is to provide the links of the improved chain with plates capable of confining the elements of coupling units between neighboring composite links in a novel and improved way, particularly in a manner to confine the elements to predetermined movements which cause a small amount of wear and which invariably take place between preselected portions of the surfaces of such elements and the internal surfaces of neighboring composite links.
Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved method of assembling the plates of composite links and the elements of coupling units for pairs of neighboring links in a manner such that the extent of friction between neighboring plates and/or the extent of play between neighboring plates can be determined and maintained with a heretofore unknown degree of accuracy and predictability.
An additional object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved method of confining the pin-shaped elements of coupling units for the links of link chains in the windows of plates of which the links consist.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a lighweight link chain which can be utilized as a superior substitute for existing link chains in existing types of continuously variable transmissions and/or other devices or apparatus or machines which employ or can employ link chains.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a link chain which comprises a plurality of pairs of neighboring composite links. The links of each pair are movable to and from predetermined positions of at least substantial linear alignment with each other and each such link can include a stack or pile of registering plates. The link chain further comprises a plurality of coupling units, one for each pair of links and each serving to articulately connect the links of the respective pair to each other. Each such coupling unit preferably includes one, two or at least two (preferably two) adjacent coupling elements (e.g., substantially pin-shaped non-circular coupling elements), and the link chain further comprises at least one antijam (i.e., blockage preventing or obstruction preventing or interference preventing)
Linnenbrügger André
Teubert André
Charles Marcus
Darby & Darby
LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
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