Silent Chain Structure With Split Pitches and Low-Noise Inner Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional chains lack flexibility in design specifications due to inner and outer links having the same pitch, and existing power transmission technologies do not effectively combine the benefits of belt drive transmission's low noise with chain drive transmission's high rigidity and ease of assembly.
Innovation Solution
A silent chain design featuring inner and outer links with alternating arrangements, interconnected by rotation rods, and a chainring with engagement teeth that engage the outer links, allowing for different pitch sizes and reducing noise through nonmetallic inner links, while maintaining high rigidity and ease of assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional chains use inner links and outer links with the same pitch to engage the chainring, then the chain structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the design flexibility of chain plates is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The chain is divided into inner links and outer links with different pitch specifications. The inner links have a first pitch while the outer links have a second pitch different from the first pitch, allowing independent design optimization for each link type while maintaining overall chain functionality
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the chain are given different properties: inner links are designed with specific pitch and structure for engagement with chainring teeth, while outer links are designed with different pitch and structure for engagement with inner links, allowing each component to be optimized for its specific function
2Object-generated harmful factors
If belt drive transmission is used, then vibration noise is reduced and maintenance is minimized, but rigidity and assembly ease are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The chain uses a composite structure combining metallic components (outer links, rotation rods) for rigidity and nonmetallic materials (inner chain body) for noise reduction. This composite approach integrates the advantages of both material types to achieve low noise and high rigidity simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the advantages of belt drive transmission (low noise) with chain drive transmission (high rigidity) by using nonmetallic inner chain bodies that reduce noise while maintaining the rigid metallic outer link structure for strong power transmission
3Power
If conventional chains engage the chainring using alternating inner and outer links, then power transmission is achieved, but the inner and outer links can only be designed with the same pitch limiting design specifications
Solution Approach 1:
The chain design allows dynamic adaptation through different pitch specifications for inner and outer links, enabling the chain to engage with various chainring configurations and adapt to different power transmission requirements while maintaining smooth operation
Data Source
AI summary
A silent chain includes a plurality of inner links, a plurality of outer links, and a plurality of rotation rods. The inner links are arranged along a transmission direction. At least one of the inner links includes an inner chain body that is made of a nonmetallic material and that has an engagement protrusion protruding in an engagement direction, and an inner plate unit that is disposed on an outer side of the inner chain body. The outer links are spaced apart from each other along the transmission direction and are disposed on outer sides of the inner links. The outer links and the inner links are disposed in an alternating arrangement along the transmission direction. The rotation rods interconnect the inner links and the outer links in series so that each of the inner links is rotatable relative to each of two adjacent ones of the outer links.