Chain Guide Assembly Frame With Integrated Oil Passages

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing chain guide assemblies in engines inefficiently utilize lubricating oil, as it is not effectively collected and distributed to all components, leading to increased oil usage and potential wear and friction issues.

Innovation Solution

A chain guide assembly frame with integrated concave and convex oil passages that collect and guide lubricating oil from upper parts to specific locations, including drive and fixed chain guides, ensuring efficient lubrication with reduced oil consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional chain guide assembly is used without integrated oil passages, then the structure is simpler, but lubricating oil is not effectively distributed to all components leading to increased wear and friction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelubrication efficiencyVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple oil passages (first oil passage, second oil passage, third oil passage) directly into the chain guide assembly frame, merging the lubrication function with the structural frame. This combines previously separate lubrication systems into the main assembly, ensuring oil is effectively distributed to the chain guide, sprockets, and chain while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The chain guide assembly frame serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, guides the chain, holds sprockets, and distributes lubricating oil to multiple components simultaneously through integrated passages. This multi-functionality improves reliability by ensuring all components are lubricated while avoiding the need for separate lubrication systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If more lubricating oil is used to ensure sufficient lubrication of all parts, then lubrication coverage is improved, but oil consumption increases and efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelubrication coverageVSAvoidoil consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and utilizes the lubricating oil that naturally adheres to the upper parts of the assembly (chain guide, sprockets) and redirects it through integrated oil passages to areas that require lubrication but would otherwise receive insufficient oil, such as the chain and lower components. This extraction and redistribution ensures comprehensive lubrication coverage without requiring additional oil input.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of allowing oil that adheres to upper components to simply drain or be wasted, the patent recovers this oil through the integrated passage system and redirects it to where it is needed. This recovery approach maximizes the utilization of the lubricating oil already present in the system, reducing overall oil consumption while maintaining adequate lubrication coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Duration of action of stationary object

If lubricating oil is not effectively distributed to chain and sprockets, then the structure remains simple, but wear and friction increase reducing durability

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidoil passage structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the lubrication function directly into the chain guide assembly frame by integrating multiple oil passages. This ensures durable lubrication of the chain, sprockets, and chain guide while avoiding the need for separate, complex external lubrication systems. The merged structure provides reliable oil distribution to all wear-prone components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates oil passages that are pre-configured during manufacturing to deliver lubricating oil to critical components before wear begins. The passages are designed to capture oil from upper components and immediately redirect it to the chain and sprockets, ensuring lubrication is in place before friction and wear can cause damage, thereby extending durability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enhances lubrication efficiency across various parts of the chain guide assembly, reducing oil usage and minimizing wear and friction, while maintaining smooth operation.

Implementation Method 1

a main body 110, a top guide 115 provided on an upper surface of the main body 110, fixed chain guide 111 provided on one side face of the main body 110, and a pivoting chain guide holding portion 114 to which a pivoting chain guide 112 can be attached on a side face of the main body 110 opposite from the fixed chain guide 111

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP4198347B1Chain guide assembly frame
Publication Date: 2025.07.23 TSUBAKIMOTO CHAIN CO
  • EP4198347B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4198347B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

To provide a chain guide assembly frame capable of efficiently collecting the oil that adhered to various parts of the chain guide assembly, and guiding the collected oil to predetermined locations, to allow efficient use of oil, with a simple structure. The chain guide assembly frame includes driven sprocket holding portions, a fixed chain guide, and a pivoting chain guide holding portion on a main body. A drive sprocket holding portion is provided at a position lower than the driven sprocket holding portions. The main body includes a concave and/or convex oil passage that extends from an upper part toward a lower part to guide the oil toward above the drive sprocket holding portion.