Motorcycle Chain DLC Coating Thickness for Lower Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motorcycle chain driving apparatuses with ta-C coatings face increased wear due to the high hardness and attacking properties of the coatings.
Innovation Solution
A chain with a-C:H type diamond-like carbon coatings on the outer surfaces of bushes and rollers, where the film thickness of the coatings is between 1.5 to 4.0 µm, and the film thickness on the bush is greater than on the roller, reducing wear and attacking properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ta-C coatings with high hardness are applied to bushings and rollers, then wear resistance is improved, but the attacking property to counterpart components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the coating material from ta-C to a-C:H type diamond-like carbon, which has different physical and chemical properties. This parameter change maintains high hardness for wear resistance while reducing the attacking property to counterpart components, thus resolving the technical contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material structure with a-C:H coating applied on top of the base metal (bushing and roller materials). This composite approach combines the wear resistance of diamond-like carbon with the toughness of the base metal, reducing the harmful attacking effects while maintaining protective properties.
2Reliability
If the film thickness of the coating is increased to enhance protection, then wear resistance is improved, but the attacking property to counterpart components is heightened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies an optimal film thickness range of 1.5 to 4.0 μm for the a-C:H coating. This parameter optimization ensures sufficient wear protection while limiting the coating thickness to prevent excessive hardness and attacking properties, thereby resolving the contradiction between protection and harmful effects.
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 reduces wear on the chain components, extends service life, and lowers maintenance requirements, while also reducing the environmental impact by minimizing lubricant use.
Implementation Method 1
coatings of an a-C:H type diamond-like carbon formed on outer circumferential surfaces of the bush and the roller
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3
AI summary
A chain includes a plurality of outer links each of which includes a pair of outer plates and pins connecting both end portions of the pair of outer plates, and a plurality of inner links each of which includes a pair of inner plates, bushes connecting both end portions of the pair of inner plates, and rollers rotatably fitted onto the bushes, the plurality of inner links being alternately connected to the outer links. An a-C:H type diamond-like carbon coatings (20) are formed on outer circumferential surfaces of the bush and the roller. A film thickness of the coating (20) is 1.5 to 4.0 µm, and a film thickness of the outer circumferential surface of the bush is formed to be equal to or more than a film thickness of the outer circumferential surface of the roller.