Asymmetrical Chain Guide Plate for Noise Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional chain guiding methods, such as outer side guides and idler sprockets, face challenges in space and cost constraints, and inner side guides result in noise due to intermittent collisions during chain travel.
Innovation Solution
A chain design with guide plates featuring asymmetrical guide slide contact sections extending in the chain longitudinal direction, allowing continuous contact with inner side guides, reducing noise and maintaining contact balance while avoiding structural complexity and cost increases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If an inner side guide is used to guide the chain, then space is saved and costs are reduced compared to outer side guides and idler sprockets, but noise occurs due to intermittent collision between guide slide contact sections and the shoe surface
Solution Approach 1:
The guide slide contact section is designed with an asymmetrical shape relative to the imaginary center line, allowing the contact surfaces of alternating guide plates to align continuously in the chain longitudinal direction. This asymmetrical configuration ensures that while one guide plate's contact section is approaching the shoe surface, the adjacent guide plate's contact section is retracting, creating a continuous contact pattern that eliminates intermittent collision and noise
Solution Approach 2:
The guide slide contact sections are designed to maintain continuous contact with the shoe surface of the inner side guide during chain travel. By arranging the contact sections such that lines drawn by them are continuous in the chain longitudinal direction, the system ensures uninterrupted guiding action, preventing the intermittent collision that generates noise while maintaining constant guidance functionality
2Device complexity
If conventional symmetrical guide plates are used with an inner side guide, then the structure is simple, but spaces are formed among guide slide contact sections causing intermittent collision and noise
Solution Approach 1:
The guide plate transitions from a symmetrical design to an asymmetrical design, where the guide slide contact section is positioned offset from the imaginary center line. This asymmetrical configuration allows the contact sections of alternating guide plates to interlock in space, ensuring continuous contact with the shoe surface and eliminating gaps that cause intermittent collision and noise
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively suppresses noise during chain travel, achieves space savings, and maintains contact balance with inner side guides, preventing disengagement and ensuring smooth operation.
Implementation Method 1
guide slide contact section for coming into slide contact with an inner side guide arranged on a chain bending inner circumferential side
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a chain and a chain guide plate that suppress occurrence of noise during chain traveling while attaining a reduction in costs and also attaining space saving. A chain includes first plate rows and second late rows. Each of the first plate rows includes a guide plate including a guide slide contact section for coming into slide contact with an inner side guide. The guide slide contact section extends in a chain longitudinal direction to be asymmetrical relative to an imaginary center line. During guiding by the inner side guide, lines drawn by the guide slide contact sections of a plurality of the guide plates are continuous in the chain longitudinal direction.