Chain and inner link plate thereof

Abstract

A chain includes a plurality of inner chain units and a plurality of outer chain units. Each of the inner chain units includes two inner chain plates. Each of the inner chain plates includes two end portions, a connecting portion connecting between the end portions, an outer side surface, and an inner side surface. The inner side surface includes a first annular surface portion surrounding an inner chain hole of the right end portion, and a first extension surface portion extending from the first annular surface portion toward the outer side surface. The first extension surface portion has a chamfered surface segment on a side away from the connecting portion. A reference tangent plane is defined as extending horizontally outward along the first annular surface portion. An included angle between the chamfered surface segment and the reference tangent plane is 20°-50°. A distance between an extension end of the chamfered surface segment and the reference tangent plane is 0.1-0.6 mm. By the above design, interference with a sprocket tooth during operation can be avoided, and thus each sprocket tooth can smoothly disengage or engage, which helps to improve transmission smoothness.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a power transmission mechanism, and more particularly to a chain used in the field of speed change, and the inner chain piece of the chain. Background Technology

[0002] See Figure 1 An existing chain comprises several inner chain units 91 arranged along a length direction 81, and several outer chain units 92 arranged along the length direction 81 and connecting two adjacent inner chain units 91 (only one of the outer chain units 92 is shown in the figure).

[0003] Each inner chain unit 91 includes two inner chain pieces 911 spaced apart along a axial connection direction 82 perpendicular to the length direction 81, and two rollers 912 rotatably sleeved on the inner chain pieces 911 and located between the inner chain pieces 911.

[0004] Each of the outer chain units 92 includes two outer chain plates 921 extending across the opposite sides of the corresponding two inner chain units 91 in the axial connection direction 82, and two pins 922 spaced apart along the length direction 81 and passing through the two inner chain units 91 in the axial connection direction 82. The outer chain unit 92 and the inner chain unit 91 cooperate to define several engagement spaces 90 for engaging several teeth (not shown) of a sprocket (not shown) (only one engagement space 90 is shown in the figure as representative).

[0005] See Figure 2 This describes one of the inner link pieces 911. The inner link piece 911 includes two end pieces 913 spaced apart along the length direction 81, a connecting portion 914 connecting the end pieces 913, and two other inner link pieces 911 respectively extending from the end pieces 913 toward the same inner link unit 91. Figure 1 The protruding ring portion 915. Each of the said ends 913 cooperates with the corresponding protruding ring portion 915 to define an inner chain hole 916 that extends along the axial direction 82, and the outer contour of each of the said ends 913 is circular.

[0006] Since each of the aforementioned ends 913 is circular in shape, when the existing chain is driven and is to be switched to mesh with a sprocket with a different gear ratio, the ends 913 will interfere with the teeth to be disengaged or engaged, which will lead to skipped teeth, resulting in abnormal noise and transmission problems. Utility Model Content

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to provide an inner chain piece that can improve at least one of the shortcomings of the prior art.

[0008] This utility model's inner chain piece includes two ends spaced apart along its length, a connecting portion connecting the ends, an outer surface, and an inner surface. Each end includes an inner chain hole extending through the chain in a axial direction perpendicular to the length direction.

[0009] The outer surface is formed by the end portion and the connecting portion. The inner surface is formed by the end portion and the connecting portion. The inner surface is opposite to the outer surface and includes a first annular portion of an inner chain hole surrounding the right end portion, and a first extended portion extending from the first annular portion toward the outer surface. The first extended portion has a chamfered section located away from the connecting portion. A reference sectional surface is defined as extending horizontally outward along the first annular portion. The angle between the chamfered section and the reference sectional surface is 20° to 50°. The distance between the extended end of the chamfered section and the reference sectional surface is 0.1 to 0.6 mm.

[0010] In the inner chain piece of this utility model, the angle between the chamfered surface segment and the reference cut surface is 30°~45°, and the distance between the extended end of the chamfered surface segment and the reference cut surface is 0.45~0.55mm.

[0011] The inner chain piece of this utility model has a chamfered surface segment with a connecting edge that connects to the first annular surface segment. The connecting edge has an upper endpoint and a lower endpoint with opposite vertical orientations. The projection of the center of each inner chain hole onto the reference section is defined as a reference point, and the line connecting the reference points is the center line. The line connecting the upper endpoint and the reference point of the inner chain hole at the right end is the first side line, and the line connecting the lower endpoint and the reference point of the inner chain hole at the right end is the second side line. The angle between the first side line and the center line is 10°~25°, and the angle between the second side line and the center line is 10°~60°.

[0012] The inner chain piece of this utility model has an angle of 15°~25° between the first edge line and the center line, and an angle of 35°~50° between the second edge line and the center line.

[0013] The inner chain piece of this utility model includes a snap-in section located on its lower side and facing upwards with an arcuate concave shape, and an upper section located on its upper side and being horizontal.

[0014] The inner chain piece of this utility model further includes a second annular portion surrounding the inner chain hole at the left end, and a second extended portion extending from the second annular portion toward the outer side. The second annular portion is flush with the first annular portion. The angle between the second extended portion and the reference section is greater than the angle between the chamfered section and the reference section. The distance between the extended end of the second extended portion and the reference section is the same as the distance between the extended end of the chamfered section and the reference section.

[0015] The inner chain piece of this utility model further includes a first annular facet of an inner chain hole surrounding the left end, and a first extended facet extending from the first annular facet to the outer side and having the chamfered facet segment.

[0016] The inner chain piece of this utility model includes a body portion connected to the connecting portion and a protruding ring portion extending rearward from the body portion. The protruding ring portion cooperates with the body portion to define the inner chain hole.

[0017] Another objective of this invention is to provide a chain that can improve upon at least one of the shortcomings of the prior art.

[0018] The chain of this invention comprises several inner chain units arranged left-right along the length direction, and several outer chain units arranged left-right along the same length direction. Each inner chain unit includes two inner chain plates as described above, and two rollers spaced left-right along the length direction and rotatably disposed between the inner chain plates. The inner chain plates are spaced back-to-back along a axial connection direction perpendicular to the length direction. Each outer chain unit connects two adjacent inner chain units and includes two outer chain plates extending across opposite sides of the corresponding two inner chain units in the axial connection direction, and two pins spaced left-right along the length direction and passing back-to-back through the two inner chain units in the axial connection direction. The outer chain units cooperate with the inner chain units to define several engagement spaces.

[0019] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: by having the chamfered surface section on the first extended surface of the inner chain piece, interference with the sprocket teeth can be avoided during operation, thereby allowing each tooth to smoothly disengage from or smoothly engage with the corresponding engagement space, which helps to improve the smoothness of transmission during operation. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 It is a cross-sectional view illustrating an existing chain;

[0021] Figure 2 It is a three-dimensional diagram illustrating one of the inner links of the existing chain;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a perspective view illustrating a first embodiment of the inner chain piece of this utility model;

[0023] Figure 4 It is a perspective view illustrating the first embodiment, but viewed from another angle;

[0024] Figure 5 This is a front view illustrating the first embodiment;

[0025] Figure 6 It is a top sectional view illustrating the first embodiment, and is cut along a length direction;

[0026] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 A partially enlarged view illustrating the right end of the first embodiment;

[0027] Figure 8 yes Figure 6 A partially enlarged view illustrating the left end of the first embodiment;

[0028] Figure 9 It is a side sectional view illustrating the first embodiment, and is cut along an axial direction;

[0029] Figure 10 It is a top sectional view illustrating a chain composed of the inner chain pieces of the first embodiment;

[0030] Figure 11 It is a top sectional view illustrating the chain being unchained as described in the first embodiment, and showing the case of one of the teeth of the large sprocket;

[0031] Figure 12 yes Figure 11 A partially enlarged view illustrating the chain;

[0032] Figure 13 This is a front view illustrating a second embodiment of the inner chain piece of this utility model; and

[0033] Figure 14 It is a top sectional view illustrating a chain formed by the inner chain plates of the second embodiment, and illustrating the chain being wound up with one of the teeth of a small sprocket shown. Detailed Implementation

[0034] Before this utility model is described in detail, it should be noted that similar elements are represented by the same reference numerals in the following description.

[0035] See Figure 3 , 45. A first embodiment of the inner chain piece 2 of the chain of this utility model. The inner chain piece 2 includes two end pieces 21 that are spaced apart from each other along a length direction D1, and a connecting part 22 connecting the end pieces 21.

[0036] Each end portion 21 has an inner chain hole 210 extending through the connection along a axial direction D2 perpendicular to the length direction D1, and includes a body portion 211 connected to the connecting portion 22, and a protruding ring portion 212 extending rearward from the body portion 211. The protruding ring portion 212 cooperates with the body portion 211 to define the inner chain hole 210.

[0037] The connecting part 22 includes a recessed section 221 located on its lower side and facing upward, and an upper section 222 located on its upper side and being horizontal.

[0038] Looking at the surface outline of the inner chain piece 2, the inner chain piece 2 includes an outer surface 3 formed by the end 21 and the connecting portion 22, an inner surface 4 opposite to the outer surface 3, and a surrounding surface 5 connecting the outer surface 3 and the inner surface 4.

[0039] The inner surface 4 includes a body portion 211 located at the right end 21 and surrounding the inner chain hole 210, a first annular face 41, a first extended face 42 extending from the periphery of the first annular face 41 toward the outer surface 3 and connected to the surrounding surface 5, a second annular face 43 located at the body portion 211 located at the left end 21 and surrounding the inner chain hole 210, a second extended face 44 extending from the periphery of the second annular face 43 toward the outer surface 3 and connected to the surrounding surface 5, and a connecting face 45 located at the connecting portion 22 and connecting the first annular face 41, the first extended face 42, the second annular face 43, the second extended face 44 and the surrounding surface 5.

[0040] The first extended surface 42 has a chamfered surface segment 421 located away from the connecting portion 22, an upper extended surface segment 422 extending upward and to the left from the chamfered surface segment 421 and connecting to the upper segment 222 of the connecting portion 22, and a lower extended surface segment 423 extending downward and to the left from the chamfered surface segment 421 and connecting to the snap-in segment 221 of the connecting portion 22.

[0041] See Figure 5 , 6 7. Define a reference sectional plane P extending horizontally outward from the first annular surface 41. The angle θ between the chamfered surface segment 421 and the reference sectional plane P. P1 (as shown) Figure 7The angle is 20° to 50°, preferably 30° to 45°. The distance d1 between the extended end 424 of the chamfered surface segment 421 and the reference sectional surface P is shown in the figure. Figure 7 The thickness is 0.1~0.6mm, preferably 0.45~0.55mm.

[0042] The chamfered surface segment 421 has a connecting edge 425 that connects to the first annular surface segment 41. The connecting edge 425 has an upper endpoint 426 and a lower endpoint 427, which are opposite in direction. The projection of the center of each inner chain hole 210 onto the reference section P is defined as a reference point B, and the line connecting the reference points B is a center line L0. The line connecting the upper endpoint 426 to the reference point B of the inner chain hole 210 at the right end 21 is a first edge line L1. The line connecting the lower endpoint 427 to the reference point B of the inner chain hole 210 at the right end 21 is a second edge line L2. The angle θ1 between the first edge line L1 and the center line L0 is 10°~25°, preferably 15°~25°. The angle θ2 between the second edge line L2 and the center line L0 is 10°~60°, preferably 35°~50°.

[0043] See Figure 6 , 7 9, the angle θ between the upper extended surface segment 422 and the reference tangent P. P2 The angle θ between the lower extended surface segment 423 and the reference tangent P is the same. P3 The angle θ between the upper extended surface segment 422 and the reference tangent P. P2 The angle θ between the chamfered surface segment 421 and the reference tangent surface P is greater than the angle between them. P1 The distance d2 between the extension end 428 of the upper extension segment 422 and the reference cut surface P is the same as the distance d3 between the extension end 429 of the lower extension segment 423 and the reference cut surface P, and is also the same as the distance d1 between the extension end 424 of the chamfered segment 421 and the reference cut surface P.

[0044] See Figure 6 , 7 8. The second annular face 43 is flush with the first annular face 41. The angle θ between the second extended face 44 and the reference section P. P4 The angle θ between the chamfered surface segment 421 and the reference tangent surface P is greater than the angle between them. P1 The angle θ between the second extended face 44 and the reference section P. P4 The angle is 50° to 60°. The distance d4 between the extension end 441 of the second extended face 44 and the reference cut surface P is the same as the distance d1 between the extension end 424 of the chamfered face segment 421 and the reference cut surface P. That is, the distance d4 between the extension end 441 of the second extended face 44 and the reference cut surface P is preferably 0.45 to 0.55 mm.

[0045] See Figure 10 In this first embodiment, the inner chain pieces 2 can be grouped in pairs and cooperate with other chain elements to form a chain 6.

[0046] Under normal operation, the chain 6 includes several inner chain units 61 arranged left and right along the length direction D1, and several outer chain units 62 arranged left and right along the length direction D1.

[0047] Each inner chain unit 61 includes two inner chain pieces 2 that are spaced apart from each other along a axial connection direction D2 perpendicular to the length direction D1 and arranged opposite to each other, and two rollers 611 that are spaced apart from each other along the length direction D1 and rotatably arranged between the protruding ring portions 212 of the inner chain pieces 2.

[0048] Each of the outer link units 62 connects two adjacent inner link units 61 and includes two outer link pieces 621 that extend across the corresponding two inner link units 61 on the front and rear sides of the axial connection direction D2, and two pins 622 that are spaced apart on the left and right sides along the length direction D1 and pass through the two inner link units 61 on the front and rear sides along the axial connection direction D2.

[0049] The inner chain unit 61 and the outer chain unit 62 cooperate to define several engagement spaces 60 (only one is shown in the figure). The engagement space 60 can be used to engage several teeth (not shown) of a sprocket (not shown).

[0050] The chain 6 can be used to operate in a sprocket assembly (not shown), which includes transmission or speed change, and the sprocket assembly has several coaxially arranged sprockets of different sizes.

[0051] See Figure 11 , 12 This illustrates the disengagement of chain 6 (from the large sprocket to the small sprocket), and shows the condition of one of the teeth 71 of the large sprocket. When chain 6 is disengaged, it will exhibit the following characteristics: Figure 11 The inclined shape is shown. Therefore, at the structure where the inner chain piece 2 has the chamfered surface segment 421 (i.e., the two regions A1), the inner chain piece 2 will not interfere with the gear tooth 71.

[0052] In other words, because the inner chain piece 2 of this first embodiment has the structure of the chamfered surface segment 421, the engaging space 60 is different from that in the prior art. Figure 1The engagement space 90 is slightly enlarged (i.e., two regions A1 and two regions A2), which avoids interference between the gear teeth and the inner chain link 2 during speed changes. Therefore, when the chain 6 changes speed between the sprockets (whether the gear teeth are about to engage or disengage from the engagement space 60), or when the chain 6 is running on a sprocket with a high tooth density, interference between the gear teeth and the inner chain link 2 can be avoided, thereby increasing the smoothness of operation and effectively reducing tooth skipping and abnormal noise.

[0053] See Figure 13 , 14 The second embodiment of the inner chain piece 2 of this utility model is similar to the first embodiment, except that the inner side surface 4 is designed.

[0054] In this second embodiment, the inner surface 4 includes two first annular portions 41 located at the end 21 of the body portion 211 and respectively surrounding the inner chain hole 210, two first extended portions 42 extending from the first annular portions 41 toward the outer surface 3 and connected to the surrounding surface 5, and a connecting portion 45 corresponding to the connecting portion 22 and connecting the first annular portions 41, the first extended portions 42, and the surrounding surface 5. Each of the first extended portions 42 has a chamfered section 421. That is, the inner chain piece 2 is... Figure 13 The axis of symmetry L3 shown is symmetrical from left to right.

[0055] Figure 14 This illustrates the chain 6 during winding (switching from the small sprocket to the large sprocket), and shows the condition of one of the teeth 72 of the small sprocket. Because... Figure 14 The inner chain piece 2 corresponding to the four regions A3 in the middle is designed with the chamfered surface section 421, so the tooth 72 of the small sprocket located in the engagement space 60 will not interfere with the corresponding inner chain piece 2.

[0056] Therefore, this second embodiment not only avoids interference between the gear teeth and the inner chain link 2, thereby increasing the smoothness of operation, but also has the advantage of weight reduction. It is worth mentioning that during manufacturing, the inner chain link 2 is designed to be symmetrical, ensuring that stress remains symmetrical and thus extending its lifespan under long-term operating conditions, making it less prone to damage.

[0057] In summary, the design of the chamfered section 421 on the first extended surface 42 of the inner chain piece 2 can avoid interference with the teeth of the sprocket during operation, thereby allowing each tooth to smoothly disengage from or smoothly engage with the corresponding engagement space 60, which helps to improve the smoothness of transmission during operation.

[0058] The above description is merely an embodiment of the present utility model and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present utility model. Any simple equivalent changes and modifications made in accordance with the claims and description of the present utility model shall still fall within the scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. An inner chain piece, comprising two ends spaced apart along a length direction, a connecting portion connecting the ends, an outer surface, and an inner surface, each end including an inner chain hole extending through the chain in a axial direction perpendicular to the length direction, the outer surface being formed by the end and the connecting portion, the inner surface being formed by the end and the connecting portion, and the inner surface being opposite to the outer surface, characterized in that: The inner surface includes a first annular portion surrounding the right end of the inner chain hole, and a first extended portion extending from the first annular portion toward the outer surface. The first extended portion has a chamfered section located away from the connecting portion. A reference sectional surface is defined as extending horizontally outward along the first annular portion. The angle between the chamfered section and the reference sectional surface is 20° to 50°. The distance between the extended end of the chamfered section and the reference sectional surface is 0.1 to 0.6 mm.

2. The inner chain sheet according to claim 1, characterized in that: The angle between the chamfered surface segment and the reference cut surface is 30°~45°, and the distance between the extended end of the chamfered surface segment and the reference cut surface is 0.45~0.55mm.

3. The inner chain sheet according to claim 1, characterized in that: The chamfered surface segment has a connecting edge that connects to the first annular surface segment. The connecting edge has an upper endpoint and a lower endpoint that are opposite in direction. The projection of the center of each inner chain hole onto the reference section is defined as a reference point, and the line connecting the reference points is the center line. The line connecting the upper endpoint and the reference point of the inner chain hole at the right end is the first side line, and the line connecting the lower endpoint and the reference point of the inner chain hole at the right end is the second side line. The angle between the first side line and the center line is 10°~25°, and the angle between the second side line and the center line is 10°~60°.

4. The inner chain sheet according to claim 3, characterized in that: The angle between the first sideline and the centerline is 15°~25°, and the angle between the second sideline and the centerline is 35°~50°.

5. The inner chain sheet according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connecting portion includes a snap-in section located on its lower side and facing upwards in an arc-shaped concave shape, and an upper section located on its upper side and being horizontal.

6. The inner chain sheet according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner side also includes a second annular facet surrounding the left end of the inner chain hole, and a second extended facet extending from the second annular facet toward the outer side. The second annular facet is flush with the first annular facet. The angle between the second extended facet and the reference section is greater than the angle between the chamfered section and the reference section. The distance between the extended end of the second extended facet and the reference section is the same as the distance between the extended end of the chamfered section and the reference section.

7. The inner chain sheet according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner surface also includes a first annular facet of an inner chain hole surrounding the left end, and a first extended facet extending from the first annular facet toward the outer surface and having the chamfered facet segment.

8. The inner chain sheet according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each of the ends includes a body portion connected to the connecting portion and a protruding ring portion extending rearward from the body portion, the protruding ring portion cooperating with the body portion to define the inner chain hole.

9. A chain comprising a plurality of inner chain units and a plurality of outer chain units, wherein the inner chain units are arranged left and right along a length direction, the outer chain units are arranged left and right along the length direction, each outer chain unit connects two adjacent inner chain units, and includes two outer chain plates extending across the corresponding two inner chain units on opposite sides in a axial connection direction perpendicular to the length direction, and two pins spaced left and right along the length direction and passing through the two inner chain units front and back respectively along the axial connection direction, characterized in that: Each inner chain unit includes two inner chain pieces according to any one of claims 1 to 8, and two rollers that are spaced apart laterally along the length direction and rotatably disposed between the inner chain pieces. The inner chain pieces are spaced apart front to back along the axial connection direction. The inner chain unit and the outer chain unit cooperate to define a plurality of engagement spaces.

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