A chain and an inner link plate for a bicycle chain having chain rollers is provided. A protrusion of the inner link plate in relation to the respectively assigned chain roller in a front lower longitudinal end region of an inner link plate outer periphery is reduced, in comparison to the protrusion in a front upper longitudinal end region and/or in a rear lower longitudinal end region of the inner link plate outer periphery.

An object of the present invention is to provide a chain drive system capable of reducing sliding resistance between a chain and a guide shoe, suppressing an increase, over time, in sliding resistance, and reducing wear on the guide shoe. A chain drive system according to the present invention includes a chain having a plurality of chain plates, a plurality of sprockets on which the chain is wound, and one or more guides each including, integrally or separately, a guide shoe having a chain-running surface, and slidably guiding, in presence of lubricating oil, the chain. At least one of the plurality of chain plates has a lubricant region retaining a solid lubricant.

A link (2) for a chain (1), and a chain (1) of links (2), the link (2) comprising a body defining first and second parallel through bores (4) separated by a length, in which the body has a first width (d1) perpendicular to the length over at least a portion of the body adjacent to each bore (4) and a second width (d2) through each bore (4) parallel to the first width (d1) and perpendicular to the length, in which the first (d1) and second (d2) widths are different. The links (2) may be joined by joints (3), each joint (3) joining a pair of successive links (2), each joint (3) comprising a body (5a, 5b) and two shafts (6), the body (5a, 5b) supporting the two shafts (6), with each shaft (6) engaging the first bore (4) of one of the pair of links (2) and the second bore (4) of the other of the pair of links (2), the joint (3) being arranged such that it can rotate relative to each of the of the pair of links (2) about the shaft (6) which engages each link (2).

A link (2) for a chain (1), and a chain (1) of links (2), the link (2) comprising a body defining first and second parallel through bores (4) separated by a length, in which the body has a first width (d1) perpendicular to the length over at least a portion of the body adjacent to each bore (4) and a second width (d2) through each bore (4) parallel to the first width (d1) and perpendicular to the length, in which the first (d1) and second (d2) widths are different. The links (2) may be joined by joints (3), each joint (3) joining a pair of successive links (2), each joint (3) comprising a body (5a, 5b) and two shafts (6), the body (5a, 5b) supporting the two shafts (6), with each shaft (6) engaging the first bore (4) of one of the pair of links (2) and the second bore (4) of the other of the pair of links (2), the joint (3) being arranged such that it can rotate relative to each of the of the pair of links (2) about the shaft (6) which engages each link (2).

A link chain comprises an inner link plate, an outer link plate, a bushing and a pin that form a chain link, and a labyrinth seal between the outer link plate and the inner link plate. The labyrinth seal comprises at least one lug having lug length and at least one groove having a groove depth, the lug length and groove depth being between 10% to 50% of an average respective link plate thickness, wherein in response to an overload of the link chain, the flow of force within the link chain is partially diverted across surfaces of the labyrinth seal formed by the at least one lug and the at least one groove.

A link chain comprises an inner link plate, an outer link plate, a bushing and a pin that form a chain link, and a labyrinth seal between the outer link plate and the inner link plate. The labyrinth seal comprises at least one lug having lug length and at least one groove having a groove depth, the lug length and groove depth being between 10% to 50% of an average respective link plate thickness, wherein in response to an overload of the link chain, the flow of force within the link chain is partially diverted across surfaces of the labyrinth seal formed by the at least one lug and the at least one groove.

In a method for determining the elongation of segments of a chain of a chain drive during operation, a plurality of measured values is determined at different positions of the chain. A plurality of length values is determined from the plurality of measured values and a position of the segments of the chain is determined. The length values are assigned to the segments of the chain, with the length of the segments of the chain being smaller than the length of the chain.

In a method for determining the elongation of segments of a chain of a chain drive during operation, a plurality of measured values is determined at different positions of the chain. A plurality of length values is determined from the plurality of measured values and a position of the segments of the chain is determined. The length values are assigned to the segments of the chain, with the length of the segments of the chain being smaller than the length of the chain.

A roller chain includes a plurality of inner and outer link units and a plurality of sealing rings. Each inner link unit includes two inner chain plates and two bushings. Each outer link unit interconnects an adjacent pair of the inner link units, and includes two outer chain plates and two connecting rods. Each of the outer chain plates has two inner surrounding surface portions each partially defining a retaining space. Each of the sealing rings is disposed in a respective one of the retaining spaces in the outer chain plates.

A roller chain includes a plurality of inner and outer link units and a plurality of sealing rings. Each inner link unit includes two inner chain plates and two bushings. Each outer link unit interconnects an adjacent pair of the inner link units, and includes two outer chain plates and two connecting rods. Each of the outer chain plates has two inner surrounding surface portions each partially defining a retaining space. Each of the sealing rings is disposed in a respective one of the retaining spaces in the outer chain plates.