Silent Chain Link Plate Layout for Sprocket Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing chain power transmission mechanisms using silent chains around sprockets fail to effectively reduce the peak of primary sound and noise across the entire system, leading to potential durability and lifetime issues, especially when transmitting large torque, due to consistent noise patterns and tension changes.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating inner-flank-engagement and outer-flank-engagement link plates in the silent chain, where combinations of link plates at engagement and disengagement positions with sprockets are synchronized, varying the engagement mode to reduce noise and vibration, and ensuring all link plates seat in either outer-flank or inner-flank modes to stabilize tension.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If irregularized engagement timings are implemented to reduce noise, then noise reduction is achieved, but tension changes may unintentionally increase noise and vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The chain is designed with dynamic engagement characteristics where link plates can engage in different modes (inner-flank or outer-flank) depending on their position and the sprocket's rotation. This dynamic engagement pattern creates more uniform tension distribution compared to regular engagement, reducing vibration while maintaining noise reduction benefits.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If irregularized engagement timings are used to reduce noise, then noise is reduced, but durability and lifetime may be adversely affected in high torque applications
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the link plates into different engagement types, the engagement load is distributed more evenly across the chain and sprocket interface. This prevents concentrated stress at specific engagement points, reducing wear and improving durability while maintaining the noise reduction effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement parameters are changed by allowing different link plates to engage from different flanks (inner or outer), which alters the engagement timing and force distribution. This parameter variation reduces peak loads and stress concentrations, thereby improving the durability and lifetime of the chain power transmission mechanism in high torque applications.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a chain power transmission mechanism and a silent chain each having a simple configuration, easy to manufacture, and capable of reducing noise in the entire chain power transmission mechanism. Link plates of the silent chain include an inner-flank-engagement link plate which engages with a sprocket in an inner flank engagement mode and an outer-flank-engagement link plate which engages with the sprocket in an outer flank engagement mode. The inner-flank-engagement link plate and the outer-flank-engagement link plate are arranged such that combinations of the link plates at positions where engagement with and disengagement from a plurality of the sprockets are synchronized include a combination in which at least one of the link plates is different in engagement mode from another link plate.