Power-assisted roller chain

Abstract

The challenge is to nearly double the driving force of the roller chain. [Solution] Experiments have shown that it is possible to amplify the driving force by changing the action-reaction trajectory. By creating micro-cracks in the central part of the inner or outer plates of a roller chain, the line of motion between the input and output pins changes, thereby increasing the driving force. The amplification range of the driving force can be increased by creating micro-cracks in the plate units on both the front and back sides at the same position in both the front and back plate rows. Furthermore, the amplification range of the driving force can be further expanded by increasing the number of cracked plate units through combinations such as alternating plate units with two or more different crack sizes, incorporating plate units with different crack sizes on the front and back sides, combining plate units with circular cracks that are angled in different directions, or incorporating plate units with different crack angle directions on the front and back sides.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to amplification of driving force of a roller chain that performs a function of transmitting driving force in a bicycle or the like.

Background Art

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0002] A roller chain with the problem of amplifying the driving input nearly twice. Means for realizing the problem

[0003] When the lines of motion of the action and reaction generated when driving an object are on the same line of motion, the negative effect of the reaction is maximized, so the driving efficiency is minimized. On the other hand, when the lines of motion of the action and reaction are not on the same line, the negative effect of the reaction decreases and the driving efficiency increases. As a method of artificially making the lines of motion of the action and reaction different, it is possible by making small cracks on the line connecting the input point and the output point and refracting the line of motion of the driving input.

[0004] The present invention utilizes this phenomenon in a roller chain, makes fine cracks such as small holes in the outer plate unit or the inner plate unit, and enables amplification of driving efficiency by making a structure in which the lines of motion of the action and reaction do not lie on the same gland. Effects of the Invention

[0005] By using the roller chain of the present invention, the driving efficiency of the driving input increases, so that significant labor saving of bicycles and various mechanical appliances becomes possible.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006] By creating micro-cracks, such as circular holes, in the center of the outer and inner plates of a roller chain, the lines of motion for the action-reaction between the traction pin and the tractioned pin are no longer on the same line, reducing the negative effect of the reaction and thus increasing the driving efficiency. The roller chain's drive force transmission system consists of two rows of plates: a front row and a back row, which are formed by connecting an outer plate and an inner plate. By creating micro-cracks in one of the plate rows, a certain drive force amplification effect is generated. However, by creating micro-cracks in both the front and back surfaces of plate units located in the same position on both sides, the drive force amplification effect is greatly expanded.

[0007] Even a small change in the angle of motion due to a crack is effective, and the smaller the angle of inclination, the higher the motion efficiency; therefore, the smaller the crack size, the greater the expansion of the driving force. In bicycle and other roller chain systems, there are parts where tension acts and parts where tension does not. To ensure that a power-multiplying function is generated in the parts where tension acts, plate units with three or more micro-cracks spaced evenly on both the front and back plate rows are incorporated to enable stable rotation. Furthermore, increasing the number of plate units with micro-cracks or changing the combination of cracked plate units can further amplify the drive efficiency. Specifically, by incorporating multiple combinations of micro-cracked plate units, such as alternating cracks of different sizes on the outer or inner plate row, adding cracks of different sizes to the front and back plates of a plate unit, combining plate units with inclined cracks in alternating opposite inclination directions, or incorporating plate units with cracks inclined in different directions on the front and back plates, the range of amplification of drive efficiency can be further expanded. [Examples]

[0008] Figure 2 shows a surface view and a partial cross-sectional view of the roller chain system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In this embodiment, a force-multiplying roller chain is constructed by incorporating outer plate units into both the front and back rows of plates. These units have numerous fine circular cracks of the same size on both sides at equal intervals, so that the force-multiplying function is always active in the areas where tension is applied. In this embodiment, we used an outer plate unit with a circular crack with a diameter of 0.7 mm, but it is also possible to use even smaller circular cracks. [Examples]

[0009] Figure 3 is a front view of the roller chain system of Embodiment 2 of this invention. The back view is the same as the front view and is therefore omitted. This embodiment is a power-amplifying roller chain that expands the range of driving force amplification by incorporating, in three locations, a combination of an outer plate unit with the same size micro-circular cracks on both the front and back sides, and an outer plate unit with the same size micro-circular cracks on both sides but of a different size from the former, into both the front and back plate rows of the roller chain. In this embodiment, we used outer plate units with circular cracks of 0.7 mm in diameter and outer plate units with circular cracks of 0.8 mm in diameter. [Examples]

[0012] Figure 4 is a front view of the roller chain system of Embodiment 3 of the present invention. The back view is the same as the front view and is therefore omitted. This embodiment is a force-multiplying roller chain in which a combination of inner plate units with the same size micro-circular cracks on both the front and back sides, and inner plate units with the same size micro-circular cracks on both the front and back sides but of a different size, is incorporated at numerous locations on both the front and back plate rows of the roller chain. Note: In this embodiment, we used inner plate units with circular cracks of 0.7 mm in diameter and inner plate units with circular cracks of 0.8 mm in diameter. [Examples]

[0013] Figure 5 shows the front and back views of the roller chain system of Embodiment 4 of the present invention. This embodiment is a force-multiplying roller chain constructed by incorporating numerous outer plate units, each having micro-circular cracks of different sizes on the front and back of the plate rows of the roller chain. In this embodiment, the verification uses an outer plate unit with a circular hole crack of 0.7 mm in diameter on the front plate and a circular hole crack of 0.8 mm in diameter on the back plate. [Examples]

[0014] Figure 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the roller chain system of Embodiment 5 of the present invention. This embodiment is a force-multiplying roller chain system in which a combination of an outer plate unit having inclined micro-circular cracks on both the front and back surfaces and an outer plate unit having inclined micro-circular cracks in the opposite direction is incorporated at multiple locations on both the front and back plates of the roller chain. In this embodiment, we used an outer plate unit with a circular hole crack of 0.7 mm in diameter and an inclination angle of 1 / 1000, and an outer plate unit of the same size with a circular hole crack that is inclined in the opposite direction at the same rate.

Example

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0014] 1 ··· External plate unit 2 ··· Inner plate unit 3 ··· Roller 4 ··· Pin 5 ··· External plate unit with fine circular hole cracks (small) on both front and back surfaces 6 ··· External plate unit with fine circular hole cracks (large) on both front and back surfaces 7 ··· Inner plate unit with fine circular hole cracks (small) on both front and back surfaces 8 ··· Inner plate unit with fine circular hole cracks (large) on both front and back surfaces 9 ··· Front external plate with fine circular hole cracks (small) 10 ··· Back external plate with fine circular hole cracks (large) 11 ··· External plate unit with fine inclined circular hole cracks on both front and back surfaces 12 ··· External plate unit with fine circular hole cracks with an inclination in the opposite direction to the above on both front and back surfaces 13 ··· External plate unit with fine circular hole cracks having different inclination directions on the front and back

Claims

1. A force-multiplying roller chain comprising multiple outer plate units with micro-cracks on both the front and back surfaces, or inner plate units with micro-cracks on both the front and back surfaces, incorporated at various locations on both the front and back plate rows of the roller chain.

2. A force-multiplying roller chain comprising multiple combinations of outer plate units with micro-cracks on both sides and outer plate units with micro-cracks of a different size on both sides, in both the front and back plate rows of the roller chain. Alternatively, a force-multiplying roller chain comprising multiple combinations of inner plate units with micro-cracks on both sides and inner plate units with micro-cracks of a different size on both sides, in both the front and back plate rows of the roller chain.

3. A force-multiplying roller chain comprising multiple outer plate units, each having micro-cracks of different sizes on both the front and back plates of the roller chain, incorporated at various locations. Alternatively, a force-multiplying roller chain comprising multiple inner plate units, each having micro-cracks of different sizes on both the front and back plates of the roller chain, incorporated at various locations.

4. A force-multiplying roller chain comprising multiple combinations of outer plate units having inclined micro-cracks on both sides and outer plate units having micro-cracks inclined in a different direction on both sides, on both the front and back plate rows of the roller chain. Or, a force-multiplying roller chain comprising multiple combinations of inner plate units having inclined micro-cracks on both sides and inner plate units having micro-cracks inclined in a different direction on both sides, on both the front and back plate rows of the roller chain.

5. A force-multiplying roller chain comprising multiple outer plate units, each having micro-cracks with different orientations on the front and back of the plate rows, incorporated into both the front and back of the roller chain. Alternatively, a force-multiplying roller chain comprising multiple inner plate units, each having micro-cracks with different orientations on the front and back of the plate rows, incorporated into both the front and back of the roller chain.

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