sprocket

Abstract

A sprocket chain is adapted to be used in combination with a sprocket. The sprocket chain comprises a plurality of chain link sets and a plurality of chain shafts. The chain link sets are arranged in a first direction. Each chain link set comprises two outer links arranged in a second direction, two inner links arranged between and staggered with the outer links, and a middle link arranged between the inner links. The thickness of each inner link is 1.8-3.8 times the thickness of each outer link. The thickness of each middle link is 2.1-4.6 times the thickness of each outer link. The chain shafts are arranged in the first direction and penetrate the chain link sets. The contact area between the chain links and the chain shafts is increased by increasing the thickness of the chain links, and the durability and smoothness of the sprocket chain are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a transmission chain, and more particularly to a toothed chain used in mechanical equipment. Background Technology

[0002] See Figure 1 and Figure 2 A conventional toothed chain 600 is suitable for use with a sprocket 8 having multiple teeth 81. The toothed chain 600 includes multiple chain link groups 6 arranged along a chain length direction X', and multiple chain shafts 7 arranged along the chain length direction X' and connected in series with the chain link groups 6. Each chain link group 6 includes two outer chain links 61 spaced apart along a chain width direction Y', three inner chain links 62 located between the outer chain links 61 and spaced apart along the chain width direction Y' and intersecting with the outer chain links 61, and two intermediate chain links 63 located between the inner chain links 62 and spaced apart along the chain width direction Y'.

[0003] Each outer chain piece 61 has two outer piece holes 611 arranged along the chain length direction X'. Each inner chain piece 62 has two inner piece holes 621 arranged along the chain length direction X', and an inner slot 622 located below each inner chain piece 62. Each middle piece 63 has two middle piece holes 631 arranged along the chain length direction X', and a middle slot 632 located below each middle piece 63.

[0004] Each of the chain shafts 7 passes through each of the corresponding outer plate holes 611, inner plate holes 621, and middle plate holes 631 along the chain width direction Y'.

[0005] When the toothed chain 600 is in use, the two intermediate slots 632 in each link group 6 overlap each other. Simultaneously, between any two adjacent link groups 6, three inner slots 622 also overlap each other. Therefore, the toothed chain 600 can mesh with the sprocket 8 through the staggered inner slots 622 and intermediate slots 632.

[0006] Since each link group 6 consists of seven links, to prevent the links from jamming during transmission, the six gaps between the outer link 61, the inner link 62, and the middle link 63 must all maintain a fixed gap distance of 0.1 mm. However, the combination of seven links reduces the contact area between the links and the chain shaft 7 in the toothed chain 600 due to the gap distance, thus reducing the durability and smoothness of the toothed chain 600 during transmission.

[0007] See Figure 3Another existing toothed chain 600 structure consists of nine chain pieces. Since each link group 6 adds an inner chain piece 62 and an intermediate chain piece 63, there are a total of two outer chain pieces 61, four inner chain pieces 62, and three intermediate chain pieces 63, forming eight gaps. Similarly, the toothed chain 600 is a combination of nine chain pieces. The more chain pieces there are, the greater the gap distance, resulting in a smaller contact area between the chain pieces and the chain shaft 7, and reducing the durability and smoothness of the toothed chain 600 during transmission. Utility Model Content

[0008] The purpose of this invention is to provide a device that can overcome at least one of the shortcomings of the prior art.

[0009] The toothed chain of this invention comprises a plurality of chain shafts arranged along a first direction and is suitable for use with a sprocket having multiple teeth. The toothed chain comprises a plurality of chain link groups arranged along the first direction.

[0010] The chain link assembly is connected in series by the chain shaft and is used to mesh with the gear teeth. Each chain link assembly includes two outer chain links spaced apart along a second direction that is transverse to the first direction, two inner chain links located between the outer chain links and spaced apart along the second direction and intersecting with the outer chain links, and an intermediate chain link located between the inner chain links.

[0011] Each outer link has two outer link holes arranged along the first direction. Each inner link has two inner link holes arranged along the first direction, and the thickness of each inner link is 1.8 to 3.8 times the thickness of each outer link. Each middle link has two middle link holes arranged along the first direction, and the thickness of each middle link is 2.1 to 4.6 times the thickness of each outer link. Each link shaft passes through each corresponding outer link hole, each inner link hole, and each middle link hole along the second direction.

[0012] The toothed chain of this utility model has two convex inner chain pieces that are located below the corresponding inner chain piece holes, and an inner groove defined by the convex inner chain pieces. Each inner groove is located below each inner chain piece and is used to mesh with the corresponding gear teeth.

[0013] The toothed chain of this utility model further includes two convex teeth located below the corresponding holes of the middle piece, and an intermediate groove defined by the convex teeth. Each intermediate groove is located below each middle piece and is used to mesh with the corresponding gear teeth.

[0014] The toothed chain of this invention has an inner chain piece with the same thickness as an intermediate chain piece, and the thickness of each inner chain piece and each intermediate chain piece is 2.1 to 3.8 times the thickness of each outer chain piece.

[0015] The toothed chain of this utility model has an inner chain piece with a thickness that is different from the middle chain piece, and the thickness of each inner chain piece is 1.8 to 3.2 times the thickness of each outer chain piece, and the thickness of each middle chain piece is 2.5 to 4.6 times the thickness of each outer chain piece.

[0016] The toothed chain of this invention also has a weight-reducing groove located between the holes of the outer chain pieces at the top of each outer chain piece.

[0017] The beneficial effects of this utility model are: increasing the thickness of the inner chain plate and the middle plate, reducing the total gap distance in each chain link group, thereby increasing the contact area between the chain plate and the chain shaft, and increasing the durability and stability of the toothed chain drive. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Other features and beneficial effects of this utility model will be clearly presented in the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0019] Figure 1 This is a side view exploded diagram illustrating the existing toothed chain;

[0020] Figure 2 It is a partial top sectional view illustrating the seven-piece chain assembly in an existing toothed chain;

[0021] Figure 3 It is a partial top sectional view illustrating the nine-piece chain assembly in an existing toothed chain;

[0022] Figure 4 This is an exploded perspective view illustrating one embodiment of the toothed chain of this utility model;

[0023] Figure 5 This is a partial top sectional view illustrating the chain structure of the embodiment;

[0024] Figure 6 It is a partially enlarged exploded side view illustrating the state of the described embodiment during operation. Detailed Implementation

[0025] See Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6An embodiment of the toothed chain 100 of this utility model is suitable for use with a sprocket 3 having a plurality of teeth 31. The toothed chain 100 includes a plurality of chain link groups 1 arranged along a first direction X, and a plurality of chain shafts 2 arranged along the first direction X.

[0026] The chain link assembly 1 is used to mesh with the gear teeth 31. Each chain link assembly 1 includes two outer chain links 11 spaced apart along a second direction Y that intersects the first direction X, two inner chain links 12 located between the outer chain links 11 and spaced apart along the second direction Y, and intersecting with the outer chain links 11, and an intermediate link 13 located between the inner chain links 12. The outer chain links 11, the inner chain links 12, and the intermediate link 13 are arranged along the second direction Y and maintain a fixed gap distance to prevent the chain links from jamming together.

[0027] Each of the outer chain links 11 has two outer chain holes 111 arranged along the first direction X, and a weight-reducing groove 112 located on the top of each outer chain link 11 and between the outer chain holes 111. Each weight-reducing groove 112 can reduce the weight of each outer chain link 11, making the toothed chain 100 easier to operate.

[0028] Each inner chain link 12 has two inner link holes 121 arranged along the first direction X, two convex inner teeth 122 located below the corresponding inner link holes 121, and an inner groove 123 defined by the inner teeth 122. Each inner groove 123 is located below each inner chain link 12 and is used to engage with the corresponding gear tooth 31.

[0029] Each of the intermediate pieces 13 has two intermediate piece holes 131 arranged along the first direction X, two convex central teeth 132 located below the corresponding intermediate piece holes 131, and an intermediate groove 133 defined by the central teeth 132. Each intermediate groove 133 is located below each intermediate piece 13 and is used to engage with the corresponding gear teeth 31.

[0030] The chain shaft 2 is used to connect the chain link group 1 in series. Each chain shaft 2 passes through each of the corresponding outer plate holes 111, inner plate holes 121, and middle plate holes 131 along the second direction Y.

[0031] In each link group 1, the distance between the inner sides of the outer link pieces 11 is called the inner link width W. The outer link pieces 11, the inner link pieces 12, and the middle link pieces 13 all have a fixed gap distance. The distance between any two adjacent link shafts 2 is called the pitch P. In this embodiment, the inner link width W is 5.1–7.15 mm. The gap distance is fixed at 0.1 mm, and the pitch P is a fixed distance of 6.35 mm. Therefore, the distance between any two adjacent outer link holes 111, inner link holes 121, and middle link holes 131 is also fixed.

[0032] See Figure 5 and Figure 6 When the toothed chain 100 is mounted on the sprocket 3, some of the teeth 31 will be located in the chain link group 1 and simultaneously mesh with the intermediate slot 133. The other portion of the teeth 31 will be located between any two adjacent chain link groups 1 and simultaneously mesh with the inner slot 123.

[0033] Compared with the prior art, the toothed chain 100 of the present invention reduces the number of inner chain pieces 12 and the intermediate pieces 13, and increases the thickness of the inner chain pieces 12 and the intermediate pieces 13 and reduces the gap distance, so as to keep the distance between the outer chain pieces 11 in each chain link group 1 unchanged, while not affecting the meshing state of the inner slot 123, the intermediate slot 133 and the gear teeth 31.

[0034] Therefore, in this embodiment, the toothed chain 100 is a five-piece chain assembly. Table 1 below illustrates the thickness of each outer chain piece 11, each middle chain piece 13, and each inner chain piece 12 when the toothed chain 100 is improved from a seven-piece chain assembly, with each inner chain piece 12 and each middle chain piece 13 having the same thickness and different thicknesses. As shown in Table 1, each outer chain piece 11 is fixed at 0.7 mm, each middle chain piece 13 is 1.7 or 2.00 mm, and each inner chain piece 12 is 1.7 or 1.5 mm.

[0035] Table 1. In the embodiment of the toothed chain 100 of this utility model, the chain piece combination is changed from seven pieces to five pieces, and the thickness and thickness ratio of each chain piece are shown.

[0036]

[0037] Similarly, Table 2 below illustrates the thicknesses of each outer chain piece 11, each intermediate chain piece 13, and each inner chain piece 12 when the toothed chain 100 is improved by a nine-piece chain piece combination, with the inner chain piece 12 and each intermediate chain piece 13 having the same thickness and different thicknesses. Table 2 shows that each outer chain piece 11 is fixed at 0.7 mm, each intermediate chain piece 13 is 2.4 or 3.00 mm, and each inner chain piece 12 is 2.4 or 2.00 mm.

[0038] Table 2. In the embodiment of the toothed chain 100 of this utility model, the chain piece combination is changed from nine pieces to five pieces, and the thickness and thickness ratio of each chain piece are as follows.

[0039]

[0040] As shown in the “Overall Proportion Suggested Range” and “Individual Proportion Suggested Range” columns in Tables 1 and 2, the thickness of each inner link 12 is increased to 1.8 to 3.8 times the thickness of each outer link 11, and the thickness of each intermediate link 13 is increased to 2.1 to 4.6 times the thickness of each outer link 11.

[0041] Wherein, when the thickness of each inner link piece 12 is the same as the thickness of each intermediate piece 13, the thickness of each inner link piece 12 and each intermediate piece 13 is increased to 2.1 to 3.8 times the thickness of each outer link piece 11. When the thickness of each inner link piece 12 is different from the thickness of each intermediate piece 13, the thickness of each inner link piece 12 is increased to 1.8 to 3.2 times the thickness of each outer link piece 11, and the thickness of each intermediate piece 13 is increased to 2.5 to 4.6 times the thickness of each outer link piece 11, as shown in the "Suggested Overall Proportion Range" column in Tables 1 and 2.

[0042] The toothed chain 100 reduces assembly steps, and the thickened inner chain plate 12 and the intermediate plate 13 can increase the contact area between the chain plate and the chain shaft 2, making the transmission of the toothed chain 100 smoother during operation.

[0043] Since there are many types of designs for the outer link piece 11, the inner link piece 12, and the intermediate piece 13, and these are not the focus of this utility model improvement, the shape and appearance of the outer link piece 11, the inner link piece 12, and the intermediate piece 13 are not limited to the illustrated styles during implementation.

[0044] In summary, the five-piece chain assembly of the toothed chain 100 of this utility model, by reducing the number of chain pieces and increasing the thickness of the inner chain piece 12 and the middle chain piece 13, can increase the contact area between the chain pieces and the chain shaft 2, and increase the durability and stability of the toothed chain 100 during transmission. Therefore, the toothed chain 100 of this utility model is indeed a very practical invention, and thus effectively achieves the purpose of this utility model.

[0045] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this utility model and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims of this utility model. Equivalent variations made based on the contents of the claims and description of this utility model should also be covered by the scope of the claims of this utility model.

Claims

1. A toothed chain, comprising: a plurality of chain shafts arranged along a first direction, and suitable for use with a sprocket having a plurality of teeth, characterized in that: The toothed chain includes Multiple link groups are arranged along the first direction and connected in series by the chain shaft, and are used to mesh with the gear teeth. Each link group includes two outer link pieces arranged at intervals along a second direction intersecting the first direction, two inner link pieces located between the outer link pieces and arranged at intervals along the second direction and intersecting the outer link pieces, and an intermediate piece located between the inner link pieces. Each outer link piece has two outer link holes arranged along the first direction, each inner link piece has two inner link holes arranged along the first direction, and the thickness of each inner link piece is 1.8 to 3.8 times the thickness of each outer link piece. Each intermediate piece has two middle link holes arranged along the first direction, and the thickness of each intermediate piece is 2.1 to 4.6 times the thickness of each outer link piece. Each chain shaft passes through each corresponding outer link hole, each inner link hole, and each middle link hole along the second direction.

2. The toothed chain according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each inner chain link also has two convex inner teeth located below the corresponding inner chain link hole, and an inner groove defined by the inner teeth. Each inner groove is located below each inner chain link and is used to mesh with the corresponding gear teeth.

3. The toothed chain according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each of the intermediate pieces also has two convex teeth located below the corresponding intermediate piece holes, and an intermediate slot defined by the convex teeth. Each intermediate slot is located below each of the intermediate pieces and is used to mesh with the corresponding gear teeth.

4. The toothed chain according to claim 1, characterized in that: The thickness of each inner chain piece can be the same as the thickness of each intermediate piece, and the thickness of each inner chain piece and each intermediate piece is 2.1 to 3.8 times the thickness of each outer chain piece.

5. The toothed chain according to claim 1, characterized in that: The thickness of each inner chain piece may be different from the thickness of each intermediate piece, and the thickness of each inner chain piece is 1.8 to 3.2 times the thickness of each outer chain piece, and the thickness of each intermediate piece is 2.5 to 4.6 times the thickness of each outer chain piece.

6. The toothed chain according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each of the outer chain pieces also has a weight-reducing groove located between the holes of the outer piece at its top.

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