Chain

Abstract

The present invention provides a highly silent chain. The chain comprises a plurality of first links and a second link, and a plurality of pins alternately connecting the plurality of first links and the plurality of second links. The plurality of pins comprises a first pin (231a), a second pin (232a), and a third pin (232b) arranged in a traveling direction (TD) of the chain. When the offset between a contact point (500) at the end face of the first pin (231a) where contact with a pulley begins and a center (231C) of the first pin (231a) is set as a first offset (X1), and the offset between a contact point (510) at the end face of the second pin (232a) where contact with a pulley begins and a center (232C) of the second pin (232a) is set as a second offset (X2), the first offset (X1) is different from the second offset (X2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to chains. Background Art

[0002] Generally, as a transmission device for automobiles, a continuously variable transmission (CVT) is known, which transmits power from an input side pulley to an output side pulley via a chain, and changes speed by changing the groove width of the input side pulley and the output side pulley to change the winding radius of the chain.

[0003] Conventionally, there is a known CVT chain that uses two or more chain links of different lengths (see Patent Document 1). This CVT chain uses two or more chain links of different lengths to disperse the frequency of noise generated when the pin contacts the conical surface of the pulley, thereby suppressing the increase in the noise level of a specific frequency for each rotation speed.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-507299

[0005] However, the method of Patent Document 1 requires two or more links of different lengths. Therefore, it is desired to propose a chain having improved quietness by a structure different from that of the method described in Patent Document 1. Summary of the invention

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a chain having high quietness.

[0007] One embodiment of the present invention is a chain comprising a plurality of first chain links and a second chain link, and a plurality of pins alternately connecting the plurality of first chain links and the second chain links, wherein the plurality of first chain links and the second chain links respectively comprise an outer link plate and an inner link plate arranged between the outer link plates, and the chain is transmitted by frictional contact between the end faces of the plurality of pins and a pulley, and the chain is characterized in that the plurality of pins comprise a first pin, a second pin and a third pin arranged in a traveling direction of the chain, a chain pitch between the first pin and the second pin and a chain pitch between the second pin and the third pin are the same, and when an offset between a contact point at which the end face of the first pin starts contacting the pulley and a center of the first pin is set as a first offset, and an offset between a contact point at which the end face of the second pin starts contacting the pulley and a center of the second pin is set as a second offset, the first offset is different from the second offset.

[0008] According to the present invention, the quietness of the chain can be improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1It is a schematic perspective view showing a continuously variable transmission (CVT) using the chain according to the first embodiment.

[0010] Figure 2 (a) is a schematic perspective view showing a chain according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 (b) is a side view of the chain.

[0011] Figure 3 It is an exploded perspective view showing the first link.

[0012] Figure 4 It is an exploded perspective view showing the second link.

[0013] Figure 5 (a) is a top view showing the chain in a state where no tension is applied. Figure 5 (b) is a plan view showing the chain in a state where tension is applied.

[0014] Figure 6 (a) is an illustration showing the first type of pin, Figure 6 (b) is an explanatory diagram showing the second type of pin.

[0015] Figure 7 (a) is the side view of the first type of pin, Figure 7 (b) is the front view of the first type of pin. Figure 7 (c) is Figure 7 VIIC-VIIC cross-sectional view in (a).

[0016] Figure 8 This is a top view of the chain.

[0017] Fig. 9 This is an explanatory diagram for explaining a method of setting a machining angle θ.

[0018] Fig.10 This is an explanatory diagram for explaining a method of setting the minimum pin deflection angle θp.

[0019] Fig.11 It is a figure which shows the 1st type pin and the 2nd type pin which concern on 1st Example.

[0020] Fig.12 It is an explanatory diagram showing a method for processing the end surfaces of the first type pin and the second type pin.

[0021] Fig.13 (a) is a diagram showing a first type of pin that has been partially subjected to arc processing (R processing). Fig.13 (b) is a diagram showing a first type of pin in which arc processing (R processing) is performed on the entire end surface.

[0022] Description of Reference Numerals

[0023] 19...1st link; 20...2nd link; 21...outer link plate; 22...inner link plate; 23...pin; 13...chain; 11, 12...pulleys; 231a...1st pin; 232a...2nd pin; 232b...3rd pin; 500, 510, 520...contact points; P...chain pitch; X1...1st offset; X2...2nd offset. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Hereinafter, the CVT chain involved in the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, in the following description, the long side direction of the chain is referred to as the traveling direction of the chain, the downstream side of the traveling direction of the chain is referred to as the front, and the upstream side of the traveling direction of the chain is referred to as the rear. In addition, the short side direction of the chain is referred to as the axial direction of the pin or the width direction of the chain.

[0025] <First embodiment>

[0026] (Simplified structure of CVT chain)

[0027] like Figure 1 As shown, the continuously variable transmission (CVT) 10 includes a driving pulley (input side pulley) 11, a driven pulley (output side pulley) 12, and a chain 13. The driving pulley 11 is configured to include a movable pulley 14 and a fixed pulley 15 formed of opposing conical shapes, and the driven pulley 12 is also configured to include a movable pulley 16 and a fixed pulley 17, and the chain 13 is wound between the two pulleys 11 and 12. In the continuously variable transmission (CVT) 10, the chain winding radius of the driving pulley 11 can be adjusted by moving the movable pulley 14 of the driving pulley 11, and correspondingly, the chain winding radius of the driven pulley 12 moves, thereby the rotation of the driving pulley 11 is transmitted to the driven pulley 12 in a continuously variable manner.

[0028] like Figure 2 As shown in (a), the chain 13 is formed into a ring shape by alternately connecting the first (outer) link 19 and the second (inner) link 20 by a plurality of pins 23. Figure 3 As shown, the first link 19 includes an outer link plate 21 and an inner link plate 22, which are connected by a pin 23. The outer link plates 21 are located at both ends of the pin 23 in the axial direction (chain width direction), and a plurality of inner link plates 22 are arranged between the two outer link plates 21. The outer link plate 21 has a pair of substantially semicircular pin holes 25 and 26, and the inner link plate 22 has a circular pin hole 27 and a substantially semicircular pin hole 29. The pin 23 is pressed into and fixed to one of the pin holes 25 of the outer link plate, and extends through the circular pin hole 27 of the inner link plate 22.

[0029] like Figure 4As shown, the second link 20 has an outer link plate 21, an inner link plate 22 and a pin 23 similarly to the outer link 19. The outer link plates 21 are located at both ends of the pin 23 in the axial direction (chain width direction), and the pin 23 is pressed / fixed in the pin hole 25 on one side thereof. The inner link plate 22 is arranged between the two outer link plates 21 so that the pin 23 passes through the circular pin hole 27. The inner link plate 22 of the second (inner) link 20 has one less inner link plate 22 than the inner link plate 22 of the outer link 19, so the outer link plate 21 of the first (outer) link 19 is arranged at the two ends in the width direction of the chain 13. In addition, the outer link plates 21 and the inner link plates 22 of the first link 19 and the second link 20 are respectively of the same shape, and the chain 13 is as shown in FIG. Figure 2 The structure shown in (b) is that the chain pitch P is constant over the entire length.

[0030] In the first link 19, a pin 23 is pressed into and fixed to a pin hole 25 on one side (front side) of the outer link plate 21, and the pin 23 is inserted into the pin holes 27 of the plurality of inner link plates 22 so as to be movable in the axial direction. However, the first link 19 receives the transmission tensile force by the arc surface 23a of the pin 23 being in close contact with the outer side surface of the pin hole 27 on one side of the inner link plate 22, and is integrally connected to the pin 23 in the rotation direction. The second link 20 is also similar to the outer link 19, and a pin 23 is pressed into and fixed to a pin hole 25 on one side of the outer link plate 21, and in order to receive the transmission tensile force, the pin 23 is integrally connected to the pin hole 27 on one side of the inner link plate 22 in the rotation direction, and is fitted into the pin hole 27 so as to be movable in the axial direction.

[0031] Furthermore, the pin hole 25 on one side (front side) of the first link 19 is arranged in an overlapping manner on the width direction outer side of the pin hole 26 on the other side (rear side) of the outer link plate 21 in the second link 20, and the inner link plates 22 of the second link 20 and the inner link plates 22 of the first link 19 are arranged alternately, and the first link 19 and the second link 20 are connected by the pin 23 in a manner staggered by one pitch.

[0032] The pin 23 integrally connected with the pin hole 25 on one side (front) of the outer link plate 21 and the pin hole 27 on one side (front) of the inner link plate 22 in the first link 19 in the rotation direction is fitted in the pin hole 26 on the other side (rear) of the outer link plate 21 and the pin hole 29 on the other side (rear) of the inner link plate 22 in the second link 20 so as to be able to roll by a predetermined amount. More specifically, the cross-sectional shape of the pin 23 is formed into a left-right asymmetric shape, and the arc surface 23b on the rear side (see FIG. 2 ) is symmetrical with respect to the arc surface 23a on the front side. Figure 2 (b)) becomes an arc surface with a larger arc (R) (ie, a smaller curvature), and the arc surface 23b rolls in the rolling area of ​​the pin holes 26 and 29.

[0033] Similarly, the pin 23 integral with the pin hole 25 on one side (front) of the outer link plate 21 and the pin hole 27 on one side (front) of the inner link plate 22 in the second link 20 in the rotation direction is fitted in the pin hole 26 on the other side (rear) of the outer link plate 21 and the pin hole 29 on the other side (rear) of the inner link plate 22 in the first link 19 so as to be able to roll by a predetermined amount. Thus, the first link 19 and the second link 20 can bend by a predetermined amount by the rolling of the pin holes 26, 29 on the other side (rear) and the pin 23, respectively.

[0034] In addition, the left and right end surfaces of the pin 23 are matched with the pulley surfaces 600 of the wheels 14, 15, 16, and 17 formed by the conical curved surface to form inclined surfaces inclined at a predetermined angle in the axial direction (for example, see Figure 7 The chain 13 transmits power by frictionally contacting the left and right end surfaces of the pin 23 with the pulley surfaces of the pulleys 11 and 12.

[0035] (Silent design of the chain)

[0036] Next, the silent design of the chain 13 is described. In the chain for CVT, the transmission is performed by frictional contact between the end face of the pin 23 and the pulley surface as described above. Here, when the chain pitch is the same, the contact timing between the end face of the pin 23 and the pulley surface during driving is usually constant, so the noise level at a specific frequency for each pulley rotation speed becomes larger, which becomes the cause of unpleasant sound due to resonance.

[0037] If the CVT chain generates tension during transmission, Figure 5 The state of (a) where no tension is applied becomes Figure 5 In the state of (b) where tension is applied, the pin 23 is elastically deformed and tilted. Then, the contact spacing, which is the interval at which the end face of the pin 23 contacts (collides) with the pulley (i.e., the distance between the contact points of adjacent pins when the point at which the end face of the pin contacts the pulley is the contact point), is changed from Figure 5 The interval A in (a) is Figure 5 In the present embodiment, the plurality of pins 23 are formed by making the end surface shapes of the pins different and using a plurality of pins having different contact points with the pulley when tension is applied, thereby randomly changing the contact spacing and preventing the noise level of a specific frequency from increasing.

[0038] The structure of the plurality of pins 23 is described in detail below. In addition, the shape of the end surface of the pin 23 is the same in the left and right end surfaces. Therefore, in the following description, the shape of one end surface is described by way of example, and the description of the shape of the other end surface is omitted.

[0039] In this embodiment, the plurality of pins 23 are Figure 6 The first type of pin 231 shown in (a) and Figure 6 The first type pin 231 and the second type pin 232 are composed of two types of pins shown in (b). The first type pin 231 and the second type pin 232 are different only in the shape of the end surface in the axial direction, and the other structures are the same. Specifically, the end surface 300 of the first type pin 231 has not only Figure 7 The axial inclination of the matching pulley surface shown in (a) is also constituted as follows Figure 7 As shown in (b), the chain 13 is also inclined in the traveling direction TD.

[0040] In more detail, the end surface 300 includes a first surface 310 passing through the center 231C of the first pin 231, a second surface 320 located on the upstream side of the first surface 310 in the traveling direction of the chain 13, and a third surface 330 located on the downstream side of the first surface 310 in the traveling direction of the chain 13. The second surface 320 is an inclined surface (first inclined surface) which is inclined in the traveling direction of the chain 13 in such a manner that an end 322 on the center 231C side of the first pin 231 is located outside in the axial direction of the first pin 231 relative to an end 321 on the upstream side in the traveling direction of the chain.

[0041] In addition, the third surface 330 becomes an inclined surface (third inclined surface), which is inclined in the traveling direction of the chain 13 in such a way that the end 332 on the center 231C side of the first pin 231 is located on the outside of the axial direction of the first pin 231 than the end 331 on the downstream side in the traveling direction of the chain 13.

[0042] As Figure 7 (a) Section VIIC-VIIC Figure 7 As shown in (c), the second surface 320 and the third surface 330 are formed such that the distance (first distance) La1 from the end 322 on the center 231C side of the first pin 231 of the second surface 320 to the center 231C of the first pin 231 is equal to the distance (third distance) La2 from the end 332 on the center 231C side of the first pin 231 of the third surface 330 to the center 231C of the first pin 231 (La1=La2).

[0043] In addition, if Figure 6As shown in (b), the axial end face 400 of the second pin 232 also includes a fourth face 410 passing through the center 232C of the second pin 232, a fifth face 420 located on the upstream side of the fourth face 410 in the traveling direction of the chain 13, and a sixth face 430 located on the downstream side of the fourth face 410 in the traveling direction of the chain 13. The fifth face 420 is an inclined face (fourth inclined face) which is inclined in the traveling direction of the chain 13 in such a manner that an end 422 on the center 232C side of the second pin 232 is located outside the end 421 on the upstream side in the traveling direction of the chain in the axial direction of the second pin 232.

[0044] In addition, the sixth surface 430 becomes an inclined surface (second inclined surface), which is inclined in the traveling direction of the chain 13 in such a way that the end 432 on the center 232C side of the second pin 232 is located on the outside of the axial direction of the second pin 232 than the end 431 on the downstream side in the traveling direction of the chain 13.

[0045] These 5th surface 420 and 6th surface 430 are formed as follows: the distance (4th distance) Lb1 from the end 422 on the side of the center 232C of the second pin 232 of the 5th surface 420 to the center 232C of the second pin 232 is equal to the distance (2nd distance) Lb2 from the end 432 on the side of the center 232C of the second pin 232 of the 6th surface 430 to the center 232C of the second pin 232 (Lb1=Lb2).

[0046] The amount of change in the contact spacing is determined by the distances La1, La2, Lb1, and Lb2. In the first type pin 231 and the second type pin 232, La1 / La2 and Lb1 / Lb2 are different. Therefore, when the first type pin 231 and the second type pin 232 are used as in the present embodiment, Figure 8 As shown, six contact pitches A to F can be set.

[0047] For example, when observing the first pin 231a, the second pin 232a, and the third pin 232b arranged adjacent to each other in the traveling direction TD of the chain 13, the pin bending direction (convex direction) of the first pin 231a becomes the upstream side (rear side, lower side in the figure), and the pin bending direction of the second pin 232a is different from that of the first pin 231a, and is bent in a manner of convexity on the downstream side (front side, upper side in the figure). In addition, due to the difference in the end surface shape, the offset amount (first offset amount) X1 between the contact point 500 where the first pin 231a, which is the first type of pin 231, contacts the pulley and the center 231C of the first pin 231a is different from the offset amount (second offset amount) X2 between the contact point 510 where the second pin 232a, which is the second type of pin 232, contacts the pulley and the center 232C of the second pin 232a. Therefore, even if the chain pitch P does not change, the contact pitch between the first pin 231a and the second pin 232a becomes P-X1+X2, and the contact pitch between the second pin 232a and the third pin 232b becomes P-2X2. In addition, in the case of the present embodiment, the contact points 500 and 510 that contact the pulleys are the ends 332 and 432, respectively. Therefore, P-X1+X2=P-La1+Lb1, P-2X2=P-Lb1-Lb2. In addition, in the present embodiment, the bending directions of the adjacent pins are different as described above, so even if the pin bending angle θp does not increase, the pitch change of the contact pitches A to F can be increased.

[0048] As described above, in the chain 13 according to the present embodiment, the first link 19 and the second link 20 are connected by randomly using two types of pins, and the two types of pins are configured so that the contact points with the pulleys are different due to the difference in the end surface shape (geometric shape) of the first type pin 231 and the second type pin 232. As a result, the types of contact pitches can be increased to at least 4 or more, and the chain 13 can be made silent by utilizing the change in the collision timing between the pin 23 and the pulley.

[0049] Furthermore, the chain 13 can be made quieter simply by using a plurality of types of pins having different end surface shapes, so that the increase in the number of components and the number of assembly steps can be minimized and the noise level of a specific frequency can be reduced.

[0050] <Second embodiment>

[0051] Next, the second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, only the end surface shape of the pin 23 is different from that of the first embodiment. Therefore, in the following description, only the differences from the first embodiment will be described, and other descriptions will be omitted.

[0052] In the first embodiment described above, the first pins 231 are configured such that La1 = La2, and the second pins 232 are configured such that Lb1 = Lb2. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the first pins 231 and the second pins 232 are different from those in the first embodiment by making the values ​​of La1, La2, Lb1, and Lb2 different.

[0053] In addition, when designing the first type pin 231 and the second type pin 232, in this embodiment, in addition to the values ​​of La1, La2, Lb1, and Lb2, the following structure is also designed. Fig. 9 As shown, when the tangent angle at the contact point with the pin in the curved pulley surface 600 is set to θs, the processing angles of the second surface 320, the third surface 330, the fifth surface 420 and the sixth surface 430 are set to θ, and the deflection angle of the pin is set to θp, the tangent angle θs varies depending on the pulley cone angle, the chain pitch, and the distance from the pulley center to the contact point (winding radius).

[0054] Here, if θ<θs+θp, the peripheral ends of the pins 231 and 232 become contact points. Therefore, in the present embodiment, in order to prevent the peripheral ends 321, 331, 421, and 431 of the pins 231 and 232 from becoming contact points, the processing angle θ is set to satisfy the equation of θ>θsmax+θpmax, when the maximum tangent angle obtained by calculation and experiment is set as θsmax and the maximum deflection angle of the chain caused by the maximum chain tension is set as θpmax.

[0055] In addition, when the deflection angle of the chain caused by the minimum chain tension, that is, the minimum deflection angle, is θpmin, θpmin>θsmax. By satisfying this condition, the contact point between the pin 23 and the pulley can be Fig.10 Therefore, even if the chain tension and winding radius change, the pin and the pulley can be brought into contact at a stable point. For example, the contact point 500 of the first pin 231a is located on the first inclined surface 320, closer to the center 230C of the first pin 231a than the end 321 on the upstream side of the chain in the traveling direction, and the contact point 510 on the end surface of the second pin 232a is located on the second inclined surface 430, closer to the center 232C of the second pin 232a than the end 431 on the downstream side of the chain in the traveling direction.

[0056] <Example 1>

[0057] Hereinafter, a plurality of embodiments in which the values ​​of La1, La2, Lb1, and Lb2 are different will be described. First, an example in which the values ​​of La1, La2, Lb1, and Lb2 are all different will be described. Fig.11As shown, in this embodiment, La1, La2, Lb1, and Lb2 are all different values. This allows eight patterns to be formed with the maximum contact pitch being P±(La1+Lb2), P±(La2+Lb1), P±(La1+La2), and P±(Lb1+Lb2).

[0058] <Example 2>

[0059] Next, the second embodiment is described. In this embodiment, in order to efficiently manufacture the end faces of the first type pin 231 and the second type pin 232, the sum of the distance La1 and the distance La2 of the first type pin 231 is equal to the sum of the distance Lb1 and the distance Lb2 of the second type pin 232. That is, L = La1 + La2 = Lb1 + Lb2.

[0060] Therefore, if Fig.12 As shown in the figure, by changing the offset amount (hereinafter referred to as center offset amount) of the center 700C of the processing tool 700 relative to the center 23C of the pin member before processing, various types of pins can be processed. For example, in this embodiment, the end surface of the first type of pin 231 is processed by setting the center offset amount to d1, and the end surface of the second type of pin 232 is processed by setting the center offset amount to d2. In this way, the end surfaces of various pairs of pins 23 can be processed using the same processing tool 700, so the processing man-hours and costs involved in the manufacture of the pins 23 can be reduced.

[0061] <Example 3>

[0062] Next, the third embodiment is described. In this embodiment, by satisfying any one of the following four conditions, the contact spacing pattern can be evenly dispersed, and the frequency of the collision sound generated by the contact between the pin 23 and the pulley can be efficiently dispersed. In addition, W in the following four conditional expressions represents the pin width (diameter) of the pin 23.

[0063] Condition 1

[0064] When La1>(La2, Lb1, Lb2), La1≤W / 2, La2=0, Lb1=La1 / 5, Lb2=2La1 / 5

[0065] When Condition 1 is satisfied at La1=W / 2, the difference in contact pitch is as shown in Table 1 below.

[0066] Table 1

[0067]

[0068] Condition 2

[0069] In the case of La1>(La2, Lb1, Lb2), La1≤W / 2, La2=2La1 / 5, Lb1=L a 1 / 5, Lb2 = 0

[0070] When the above-mentioned condition 2 is satisfied at La1=W / 2, the difference in the contact pitch is as shown in Table 2 below.

[0071] Table 2

[0072]

[0073] Condition 3

[0074] When La2>(La1, Lb1, Lb2), La1=0, La2≤W / 2, Lb1=2L a 2 / 5, Lb2 = L a 2 / 5

[0075] When the above-mentioned condition 3 is satisfied at La2=W / 2, the difference in the contact pitch is as shown in Table 3 below.

[0076] Table 3

[0077]

[0078] Condition 4

[0079] When La2>(La1, Lb1, Lb2), La1=2La2 / 5, La2≤W / 2, Lb1=0, Lb2=La2 / 5

[0080] When the above-mentioned condition 4 is satisfied at La2=W / 2, the difference in the contact pitch is as shown in Table 4 below.

[0081] Table 4

[0082]

[0083] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the second surface 320, the third surface 330, the fifth surface 420 and the sixth surface 430 as inclined surfaces are formed by downwardly inclined planes, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and any one of the first to sixth surfaces 310, 320, 330, 410, 420, 430 may be formed by a curved surface. In particular, in order to reduce the stress at the contact point between the pin and the pulley, the ends 322, 332 on the center side of the first pin 231 of the second surface 320 and the third surface 330 forming the contact point / the ends 422, 432 on the center side of the second pin 232 of the fifth surface 420 and the sixth surface 430 may be subjected to arc processing (R processing). In this case, taking the first pin 231 as an example, it can be as follows: Fig.13As shown in (a), the curved surface is within the range of the second surface 320 and the third surface 330, and the arc processing (R processing) is performed only with respect to the end portions 322 and 332, respectively. Fig.13 As shown in (b) of FIG. 1 , rounding processing (R processing) is applied to the entire end surface over the first surface 310 to the third surface 330 .

[0084] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the first link 19 and the second link 20 are connected by using two types of pins 231 and 232, but three or more types of pins with different end surface shapes may be used to connect the first link 19 and the second link 20. In the above-mentioned embodiment, a plurality of pins are formed by changing the end surface shape of the pin 23, but for example, a plurality of pins with different elastic deformation amounts when tension is applied may be formed and used by changing the cross-sectional shape, material, etc. of the pin. In the above-mentioned embodiment, the plate structure is formed such that the bending direction (the direction in which the pin protrudes) of the plurality of pins 23 is alternately repeated on the upstream side and the downstream side in the chain travel direction, but for example, the plate structure may be formed such that the bending direction is repeated twice in succession on the upstream side and then becomes the downstream side once. The plate structure for the chain may be any structure, but if the repetition period of the bending direction of the pin 23 is lengthened, the peak value of the noise value can be dispersed in a wider range. Alternatively, the peak value of the noise value may be reduced by making the cross-sectional shapes of the pins the same and changing at least one of the elastic deformation amount of the pins and the bending direction of the pins.

[0085] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the above-mentioned two types of pins 231 and 232 are randomly arranged, but for example, each pin can be arranged at a specific position in a manner that the peak value of the noise value becomes smaller by using FFT analysis or the like. For example, FFT analysis can also be performed on the excitation force waveform of the time series corresponding to the contact spacing pattern, and the frequency of the generated noise can be analyzed, and the pattern with the smallest frequency peak can be adopted. In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, it is configured to insert one pin relative to one pin hole, but for example, it can also be configured to insert two pins relative to one pin hole. The above-mentioned embodiment is described as a chain for a continuously variable transmission (CVT), but it is not limited to this, and the chain can also be applied to other devices. In addition, the inventions described in the above-mentioned embodiments can also be arbitrarily combined.

Claims

1. A chain comprising a plurality of first links and a plurality of second links, and a plurality of pins alternately connecting the plurality of first links and the plurality of second links, wherein: The plurality of first links and the second links each include an outer link plate and an inner link plate disposed between the outer link plates, and the chain is transmitted by frictional contact between the end surfaces of the plurality of pins and the pulley. The chain is characterized in that The plurality of pins include a first pin, a second pin, and a third pin arranged in a direction of travel of the chain. The chain pitch between the first pin and the second pin is the same as the chain pitch between the second pin and the third pin, When the offset between the contact point at which the end surface of the first pin starts to contact the pulley and the center of the first pin is set as a first offset, and the offset between the contact point at which the end surface of the second pin starts to contact the pulley and the center of the second pin is set as a second offset, the first offset is different from the second offset, The end surface of the first pin has a first inclined surface, the first inclined surface is located on the upstream side of the center of the first pin in the traveling direction of the chain, and is inclined in such a manner that the end of the first pin on the center side is located outside the end of the first pin on the upstream side in the traveling direction of the chain in the axial direction of the first pin, The end surface of the second pin has a second inclined surface, the second inclined surface is located on the downstream side of the center of the second pin in the traveling direction of the chain, and is inclined in such a manner that the end of the second pin on the center side is located outside the end of the second pin on the downstream side in the traveling direction of the chain in the axial direction of the second pin, A first distance between the center of the first pin and an end of the first inclined surface on the first pin center side is different from a second distance between the center of the second pin and an end of the second inclined surface on the second pin center side.

2. The chain according to claim 1, characterized in that When the distance between contact points on the end faces of adjacent pins is defined as a contact pitch, the plurality of pins have four or more types of contact pitches having different distances.

3. The chain according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the maximum bending angle of the first pin toward the downstream side in the traveling direction of the chain is θpmax, the maximum tangent angle of the first inclined surface with the pulley is θsmax, and the inclination angle of the first inclined surface is θ, the equation θ>θsmax+θpmax is satisfied.

4. The chain according to claim 3, characterized in that The outer link plate and the inner link plate each have a pair of pin holes, and a pin is inserted into each pin hole. The end surface of the first pin has a third inclined surface, the third inclined surface is located on the downstream side of the center of the first pin in the traveling direction of the chain, and is inclined in such a manner that the end of the first pin on the center side is located outside the end of the first pin on the downstream side in the traveling direction of the chain in the axial direction of the first pin, The end surface of the second pin has a fourth inclined surface, the fourth inclined surface is located on the upstream side of the center of the second pin in the traveling direction of the chain, and is inclined in such a manner that the end of the second pin on the center side is located outside the end of the second pin on the upstream side in the traveling direction of the chain in the axial direction. A third distance between the center of the first pin and an end of the third inclined surface on the first pin center side is different from a fourth distance between the center of the second pin and an end of the fourth inclined surface on the second pin center side.

5. The chain according to claim 4, characterized in that The first to fourth distances are respectively different distances.

6. The chain according to claim 4, characterized in that The sum of the first distance and the third distance is equal to the sum of the second distance and the fourth distance.

7. The chain according to claim 4, characterized in that When the first distance is La1, the third distance is La2, the second distance is Lb1, the fourth distance is Lb2, the diameters of the first pin and the second pin are W, and La1>(La2, Lb1, Lb2), the following equation is satisfied: La1≤W / 2, La2=0, Lb1=La1 / 5, Lb2=2La1 / 5.

8. The chain according to claim 4, characterized in that When the first distance is La1, the third distance is La2, the second distance is Lb1, the fourth distance is Lb2, the diameters of the first pin and the second pin are W, and La1>(La2, Lb1, Lb2), the following equation is satisfied: La1≤W / 2, La2=2La1 / 5, Lb1=La1 / 5, Lb2=0.

9. The chain according to claim 4, characterized in that When the first distance is La1, the third distance is La2, the second distance is Lb1, the fourth distance is Lb2, the diameters of the first pin and the second pin are W, and La2>(La1, Lb1, Lb2), the following equation is satisfied: La1=0, La2≤W / 2, Lb1=2La2 / 5, Lb2=La2 / 5.

10. The chain according to claim 4, characterized in that When the first distance is La1, the third distance is La2, the second distance is Lb1, the fourth distance is Lb2, the diameters of the first pin and the second pin are W, and La2>(La1, Lb1, Lb2), the following equation is satisfied: La1=2La2 / 5, La2≤W / 2, Lb1=0, Lb2=La2 / 5.

11. The chain according to any one of claims 3 to 10, characterized in that: The contact point of the end surface of the first pin which starts to contact the pulley is located on the first inclined surface closer to the center of the first pin than the end of the end surface of the first pin on the upstream side in the traveling direction of the chain. A contact point of the end surface of the second pin starting to contact the pulley is located on the second inclined surface closer to the center of the second pin than an end of the end surface of the second pin on the downstream side in the running direction of the chain.

12. The chain according to any one of claims 3 to 10, characterized in that: The end portion of the first inclined surface on the center side of the first pin and the end portion of the second inclined surface on the center side of the second pin are subjected to arc processing.

13. The chain according to claim 1, characterized in that The cross-sectional shapes of the first pin and the second pin are respectively asymmetrical.

14. The chain according to claim 1, characterized in that When a predetermined tension is applied to the chain, at least one of an amount of deflection and a direction of deflection of the first pin and the second pin is different.

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