Variable-Radius Sprocket Geometry for Chain Noise and Vibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sprockets with phase variation patterns for reducing noise and vibration due to load torque variations still generate order noises and experience increased tension fluctuations, vibration, and noise under low chain tension or during resonance, especially when the engagement between the chain and sprocket is not influenced by tension.
Innovation Solution
A sprocket with teeth where the positions of no-load seating points in the radial direction change in a circumferentially continuous manner, increasing and decreasing depending on the circumferential positions, dynamically adjusting the pitch line to cancel torque variations and suppress noise and vibration, suitable for use with bushing, roller, or silent chains.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If phase variation pattern is applied to sprocket teeth to reduce tension fluctuations, then noise and vibration are reduced under normal load, but order noises are generated and tension fluctuations increase under low chain tension or resonance conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the sprocket teeth by varying the radial positions of no-load seating points in a circumferentially continuous manner. This creates a dynamic pitch line adjustment that adapts to different load conditions, reducing tension fluctuations across the full range from low to high chain tension and preventing order noises and resonance issues.
2Force
If sprocket teeth are arranged with phase variation pattern, then tension fluctuations are reduced under high load torque, but tension fluctuations increase when chain tension is low or engagement is free of tension influence
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the sprocket tooth arrangement dynamic by continuously varying the radial positions of no-load seating points in the circumferential direction. This dynamic configuration allows the pitch line to adjust automatically based on the operating conditions, providing optimal tension fluctuation reduction whether the chain tension is low, normal, or high, thus achieving versatility across all operating ranges.
Data Source
AI summary
To provide a sprocket that reduces the influence of tension fluctuations concurrent with load torque variations to suppress noise and vibration, and that prevents an increase in tension fluctuations, noise, and vibration even when the chain tension is low and the load torque is small, and in regions where engagement between the chain and sprocket is free of the influence of tension. The sprocket has a plurality of seating points for the chain when the chain sits under no load set between adjacent pairs of the teeth such that their radial positions change in a circumferentially continuous manner. The radial positions of the seating points under no load have a variation pattern in which the radial positions increase and decrease depending on circumferential positions of the seating points.