Chain Guide Frame Structure for Stable Driven Sprocket Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional chain guide assembly frames in timing systems face issues with increased component costs and potential detachment of driven sprockets due to insufficient chain tension, especially during transportation and assembly, where the weight of the chain fails to maintain proper alignment and tension.
Innovation Solution
A chain guide assembly frame design that incorporates a fixed-guide-side sprocket holding portion with multiple support points, allowing the driven sprocket to be simultaneously supported by multiple contact points, ensuring stable positioning even with insufficient chain tension, and featuring an adjustable design to prevent detachment by balancing the force vectors of gravity and chain tension.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a chain stopper guide is provided separately from the main body and connected by a spring, then the driven sprocket can be held in position, but the number of components increases leading to cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the chain stopper guide function with the main body into an integrated structure. The main body includes a sprocket holding portion with support surfaces that directly support the driven sprocket, eliminating the need for a separate chain stopper guide component while maintaining the positioning and tensioning functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The main body is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as the structural frame, provides sprocket holding portions for supporting driven sprockets, and includes chain guides for tension side and slack side. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate specialized components.
2Device complexity
If only sprocket holding portions are provided on the main body without additional chain stopper guide, then the structure is simplified, but the driven sprocket may detach due to insufficient chain tension during transportation and assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The sprocket holding portion includes specific support surfaces positioned at locations that provide stable support for the driven sprocket. The support surfaces are arranged to contact the sprocket at multiple points, creating localized stable support zones that prevent detachment even when chain tension is insufficient.
Solution Approach 2:
The support surfaces are pre-positioned on the main body to provide immediate stable support for the driven sprocket upon installation. This preliminary positioning ensures the sprocket is securely held before chain tension is applied during assembly and transportation.
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 ensures reliable maintenance of the correct positional relationship between driven sprockets and sprocket holding portions, preventing detachment and allowing for efficient assembly without misalignment, even when chain tension is insufficient or fluctuates.
Implementation Method 1
A locking portion 16a of the chain stopper guide 16 is connected via a spring 17 to a locking portion 13c of the main body 110, so that the chain stopper guide 16 is biased clockwise around the pivot shaft (pivot point), and the main body 110 is biased counterclockwise around the pivot shaft (pivot point).
Implementation Method 2
a state in which a driven sprocket is supported simultaneously by a first fixed-guide-side support portion and a second fixed-guide-side support portion, wherein a vector of gravity that acts on the driven sprocket and a tension acting from a chain on the driven sprocket sum up to a net force with a vector pointing between a first contact point and a second contact point
Data Source
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AI summary
To provide a simple-structured chain guide assembly frame capable of reliably maintaining a correct positional relationship between a driven sprocket and a sprocket holding portion without the possibility of driven sprocket detachment even when the tension acting on the chain is insufficient. The chain guide assembly frame includes a main body having a fixed-guide-side sprocket holding portion and a pivotingguide-side sprocket holding portion. The fixed-guide-side sprocket holding portion includes a first fixed-guide-side support portion that supports a driven sprocket at a first contact point, and a second fixed-guide-side support portion that supports the driven sprocket at a second contact point located more outside than the first contact point. When the driven sprocket is in an erected state in which the driven sprocket is supported at the first contact point and second contact point, the vector of gravity acting on the gravity center of the driven sprocket points between the first contact point and second contact point.