Alternating Tooth Chain Ring With Lateral Teeth Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional chain rings with uniformly sized teeth can lead to chain disengagement, increased weight, and entanglement issues due to larger teeth sizes, which compromise performance and safety.
Innovation Solution
A chain ring design featuring teeth positioned in alternating lateral positions across its thickness, with some teeth configured to engage outer and inner links of the chain differently to apply lateral forces, allowing the chain to flex and maintain engagement without shifting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If teeth of larger size are used to correspond to alternating chain links, then chain engagement is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying tooth dimensions and positions specifically at different locations around the chain ring. Teeth are made wider or narrower depending on their position to match the alternating link widths, rather than using uniform teeth throughout. This localized adaptation improves engagement with specific chain links while minimizing overall weight increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces lateral positioning of teeth across the thickness of the chain ring body as an additional dimension. Teeth are positioned at different lateral locations (first position, second position, third position) to engage with outer and inner links differently. This dimensional approach allows selective engagement without increasing overall tooth size and weight.
2Reliability
If teeth of larger size are used to correspond to alternating chain links, then chain engagement is improved, but risk of tooth catching on chain increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying tooth dimensions and positions specifically at different locations around the chain ring. Teeth are made wider or narrower depending on their position to match the alternating link widths, rather than using uniform teeth throughout. This localized adaptation improves engagement with specific chain links while minimizing overall weight increase.
3Reliability
If teeth of larger size are used to correspond to alternating chain links, then chain engagement is improved, but likelihood of dirt and debris entanglement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying tooth dimensions and positions specifically at different locations around the chain ring. Teeth are made wider or narrower depending on their position to match the alternating link widths, rather than using uniform teeth throughout. This localized adaptation improves engagement with specific chain links while minimizing overall weight increase.
4Ease of manufacture
If uniformly sized teeth are used in conventional chain ring, then manufacturing is simplified, but chain disengagement risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying tooth dimensions and positions specifically at different locations around the chain ring. Teeth are made wider or narrower depending on their position to match the alternating link widths, rather than using uniform teeth throughout. This localized adaptation improves engagement with specific chain links while minimizing overall weight increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the teeth into different groups based on their lateral positions and dimensions. Teeth are divided into those at first positions, second positions, and third positions across the thickness, with different engagement characteristics. This segmentation allows optimized engagement for different chain link types while maintaining manageable manufacturing complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a chain ring having teeth positioned in one of three lateral positions. At least one tooth may be placed in each lateral position. At least half the teeth may be positioned in a middle lateral position. The teeth in the first and third lateral positions may apply opposing lateral forces to a bicycle drive chain.