A link chain system includes a guided endless chain having multiple links, the links having hinge axes where they join with neighboring links, the links having a length L between the respective hinge axes of the links; a chain path along which the hinge axes are guided when driven such as by a drive wheel or sprocket or by any external drive force, the chain path having no discontinuities of curvature and no discontinuities of tangency; and the chain path having a constant length in links L independent of the relative phase position of the links of chain along the path. The link chain system can include a drive sprocket or drive wheel and transition curves of the chain path to and from the drive sprocket or drive wheel and a straight-to-straight transition curve.

The invention provides a chain and a chain guide plate that suppress occurrence of noise during chain traveling while attaining a reduction in costs and also attaining space saving. A chain includes first plate rows and second late rows. Each of the first plate rows includes a guide plate including a guide slide contact section for coming into slide contact with an inner side guide. The guide slide contact section extends in a chain longitudinal direction to be asymmetrical relative to an imaginary center line. During guiding by the inner side guide, lines drawn by the guide slide contact sections of a plurality of the guide plates are continuous in the chain longitudinal direction.

The invention provides a chain and a chain guide plate that suppress occurrence of noise during chain traveling while attaining a reduction in costs and also attaining space saving. A chain includes first plate rows and second late rows. Each of the first plate rows includes a guide plate including a guide slide contact section for coming into slide contact with an inner side guide. The guide slide contact section extends in a chain longitudinal direction to be asymmetrical relative to an imaginary center line. During guiding by the inner side guide, lines drawn by the guide slide contact sections of a plurality of the guide plates are continuous in the chain longitudinal direction.

A bicycle chain includes a pair of outer plates, a pair of inner plates, and a connecting pin assembly. The pair of outer plates defines a width of the bicycle chain in a transverse direction, and the pair of inner plates is positioned at least partially between the pair of outer plates. The connecting pin assembly connects the pair of outer plates with the pair of inner plates and includes a first rocker pin, a second rocker pin, and a center pin between the first rocker pin and the second rocker pin in a longitudinal direction. A length of the center pin in the transverse direction is less than the width of the bicycle chain.

A hybrid vehicle is provided in which deterioration of vehicle mounting characteristics is suppressed. A drive device of the vehicle includes a power splitting mechanism having a sun gear to which a first motor-generator is linked, a carrier to which an output shaft is linked, and a ring gear to which an engine is linked, and a speed reduction mechanism that transmits the torque of the output shaft to a differential mechanism while reducing the rotational speed of the output shaft. The speed reduction mechanism is built up as a chain transmission mechanism which includes a driving sprocket that rotates together with the output shaft, a driven sprocket that is provided to the differential mechanism, and a belt chain that is fitted around these sprockets.

A hybrid vehicle is provided in which deterioration of vehicle mounting characteristics is suppressed. A drive device of the vehicle includes a power splitting mechanism having a sun gear to which a first motor-generator is linked, a carrier to which an output shaft is linked, and a ring gear to which an engine is linked, and a speed reduction mechanism that transmits the torque of the output shaft to a differential mechanism while reducing the rotational speed of the output shaft. The speed reduction mechanism is built up as a chain transmission mechanism which includes a driving sprocket that rotates together with the output shaft, a driven sprocket that is provided to the differential mechanism, and a belt chain that is fitted around these sprockets.

The silent drive chain system for a motorcycle rear drive includes a small chain wheel, a large chain wheel and a silent drive chain, where the silent drive chain is a toothed chain and includes: an outer chain plate, inner chain plates, a guide plate, a pin, a sleeve and a damping sealing ring; the sleeve is in interference fit with mounting holes of both the inner chain plate and the guide plate and forms an inner chain link together with the inner chain plate and the guide plate, the pin penetrates into the sleeve and is in clearance fit with the sleeve, two ends of the pin are in interference fit with a mounting hole of the outer chain plate, and form an outer chain link together with the outer chain plate, and the damping sealing ring is arranged between the outer chain link and the inner chain link.

The silent drive chain system for a motorcycle rear drive includes a small chain wheel, a large chain wheel and a silent drive chain, where the silent drive chain is a toothed chain and includes: an outer chain plate, inner chain plates, a guide plate, a pin, a sleeve and a damping sealing ring; the sleeve is in interference fit with mounting holes of both the inner chain plate and the guide plate and forms an inner chain link together with the inner chain plate and the guide plate, the pin penetrates into the sleeve and is in clearance fit with the sleeve, two ends of the pin are in interference fit with a mounting hole of the outer chain plate, and form an outer chain link together with the outer chain plate, and the damping sealing ring is arranged between the outer chain link and the inner chain link.

A plate link chain for a motor vehicle drive having a continuously variable transmission includes a pressure piece with a first bearing face and a second bearing face, and a plate with a third bearing face and a fourth bearing face. The first bearing face and the third bearing face bear against one another to form a force transmitting outer contact region relative to a rotation direction of the plate link chain, and the outer contact region forms an outer contact face that is linear or flat and encloses an angle α that is ≥160° and ≤180°. The second bearing face and the fourth bearing face bear against one another to form a force transmitting inner contact region relative to the rotation direction, and the inner contact region forms an inner contact face enclosing an angle that is ≥90° and ≤135°.

A plate link chain for a motor vehicle drive having a continuously variable transmission includes a pressure piece with a first bearing face and a second bearing face, and a plate with a third bearing face and a fourth bearing face. The first bearing face and the third bearing face bear against one another to form a force transmitting outer contact region relative to a rotation direction of the plate link chain, and the outer contact region forms an outer contact face that is linear or flat and encloses an angle α that is ≥160° and ≤180°. The second bearing face and the fourth bearing face bear against one another to form a force transmitting inner contact region relative to the rotation direction, and the inner contact region forms an inner contact face enclosing an angle that is ≥90° and ≤135°.