Transmission system

Abstract

A transmission system can include a drive sprocket and a drive member adapted to mesh with the drive sprocket. The drive sprocket can include a plurality of teeth for meshing with the drive member to transmit rotary motion, and the drive member can include a plurality of engagement pockets adapted to engage the teeth of the drive sprocket.

Claims

1. A transmission system comprising a drive sprocket and a drive member adapted to mesh with the drive sprocket, the drive sprocket comprising a plurality of teeth for meshing with the drive member to transmit rotary motion and the drive member comprising a plurality of engagement pockets adapted to engage the teeth of the drive sprocket, wherein each tooth of the drive sprocket has a tooth profile defined by a first side comprising a first engagement surface and an opposite second side comprising a second engagement surface, which engagement surfaces are configured such that when driven, a tooth meshes to an engagement pocket at a first contact location on the first engagement surface and also at a second contact location on the second engagement surface, the first contact location being radially offset from the second contact location, wherein the drive member comprises a roller chain comprising a plurality of spaced apart rollers, each roller being spaced apart from adjacent rollers by a predetermined distance, and connected to an adjacent roller by a rigid connecting member extending between two adjacent rollers whereby the engagement pockets are defined between adjacent rollers, wherein, a first engagement pocket is formed by first and second rollers which are adjacent to one another, a second engagement pocket is formed by the first roller and a third roller, and a third engagement pocket is formed by the second roller and a fourth roller, the third roller being adjacent to the first roller, and the fourth roller being adjacent to the second roller, and wherein an angle formed between a connecting member connecting the first and second rollers, and a connecting member connecting the first and third rollers, comprises a first articulation angle, and an angle formed between the connecting member connecting the first and second rollers, and a connecting member connecting the second and fourth rollers comprises a second articulation angle, wherein, the magnitude of the first articulation angle formed when the first second and third rollers are all in contact with a tooth is different to the magnitude of the second articulation angle formed when the first second and fourth rollers are all in contact with a tooth.

2. A transmission system according to claim 1, wherein the drive member comprises a plurality of articulation points, and the articulation angles are defined at articulation points.

3. A transmission system according to claim 1, wherein the first roller comprises a load bearing roller and the second roller comprises a supporting roller.

4. A transmission system according to claim 1, wherein the magnitude of the first articulation angle is greater than the magnitude of the second articulation angle.

5. A transmission system according to claim 1, wherein the magnitude of every other articulation angle is substantially the same.

6. A transmission system according to claim 1, wherein the shape of each tooth face is symmetrical about a radial axis of the tooth.

7. A transmission system according to claim 1, wherein the first side of each face is defined at least partially by a first face arc, and the second side of each face is defined at least partially by a second face arc.

8. A transmission system according to claim 7, wherein the first face arc forms a base portion of the first side of each tooth, and the second face arc forms a base portion of the second side of each tooth, wherein the first and second face arcs each comprise a roller seating curve.

9. A transmission system according to claim 8, wherein the roller seating curve is adapted to receive a roller which is adapted to mesh with the drive sprocket.

10. A transmission system according to claim 8, wherein each first and second side comprises a second portion comprising a convex arc extending from a respective roller seating curve towards a tip portion of a respective tooth.

11. A transmission system according to claim 8, comprising a supporting curve extending from the roller seating curve of a first tooth towards a roller seating curve of an adjacent tooth.

12. A transmission system according to claim 1, wherein the roller chain comprises a plurality of inner links, each of which serves to connect two rollers to form a roller pair, and a plurality of outer links, each of which serves to connect roller pairs to one another to form the roller chain, such that a space is defined between inner surfaces of facing inner links, and also between inner surfaces of facing outer links wherein each tooth of the drive sprocket has a first width which is the same as, or slightly less than the distance between inner surfaces of facing outer links, and greater than the distance between inner surfaces of facing inner links.

13. A transmission system according to claim 12, wherein each tooth of the drive sprocket comprises a second width which is the same as or slightly less than the distance between inner surfaces of facing inner links.

14. A drive sprocket forming part of a transmission system according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will now be further described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a transmission system according to an embodiment of the first aspect of the invention comprising a roller chain engaged with a sprocket according to an embodiment of the second aspect of the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the transmission system of FIG. 1 with some links removed to show more clearly how the rollers of the chain engage with the sprocket;

(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of part of the sprocket of FIG. 1 showing the tooth profile of the teeth of the sprocket;

(5) FIG. 4 is a schematic representation showing how the rollers of the roller chain engage with the teeth of the sprocket;

(6) FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of the transmission system of FIG. 1 showing how the rollers of the roller chain engage with the teeth of the sprocket and showing the articulation angles;

(7) FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of a polygon formed by the articulation points of a sprocket forming part of a transmission system according to a second embodiment of the invention;

(8) FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of the polygon of FIG. 6 superimposed on the sprocket of FIG. 6 showing the rollers arranged around the sprocket;

(9) FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of a portion of the roller chain of FIG. 1 showing inner links and outer links;

(10) FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of a sprocket according to another embodiment of the invention wherein each tooth has a first width and a second width, the second width being greater than the first width; and

(11) FIG. 10 is a schematic representation showing the sprocket of FIG. 9 engaged with a standard roller chain of the type shown in FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(12) Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2 a transmission system according to an embodiment of the invention is designated generally by the reference numeral 2. The transmission system comprises a sprocket 4 and a drive member comprising a roller chain 6.

(13) In this embodiment of the invention the roller chain 6 is a standard roller chain comprising a plurality of rollers 8 which extend transversely across the transmission member and are spaced apart along the length of the drive member to form the chain. The rollers are connected to one another by links 10 in a known manner. The roller chain 6 is able to articulate between adjacent rollers 8. An engagement pocket 40 is defined between adjacent rollers 8. Each engagement pocket 40 is adapted to engage with a tooth 12 as will be described in more detail below.

(14) By means of the present invention, however, only every other engagement pocket 40 will engage with a tooth during use of the transmission system 2. The remaining every other engagement pockets 40 will effectively engage with the space between adjacent teeth 12.

(15) Turning now to FIG. 3, the sprocket 4 is shown in more detail.

(16) The sprocket 4 comprises a plurality of teeth 12 which are all shaped substantially identically to one another. Each tooth has a tooth face or profile 14 which is symmetrical about a radial axis R of the sprocket 4.

(17) The tooth profile 14 is defined by a first side 16 comprising a first engagement surface 18, and a second side 20 defining a second engagement surface 22. Each of the first and second sides 16,20 comprises a base portion 24 which forms a roller seating curve 25. Each side further comprises a portion 26 extending from the roller seating curve towards a tip 28 of the tooth. The portion 26 is convex and defines a working curve 29.

(18) The sprocket 4 comprises a further curve 30 forming a supporting curve 31 which extends between adjacent teeth.

(19) As shown in FIG. 4 particularly, in use of the transmission system 2, every other engagement pocket 40 will engage with a respective tooth 12 whilst the remaining every other engagement pocket 40 will not engage a tooth. This is because, due to the dimensions of the sprocket, and particularly the profile of the tooth, relative to the dimensions of the rollers 8, when the roller chain 6 is engaged with the sprocket 4 there will be two rollers 8 positioned between adjacent teeth. This in turn means that every other engagement pocket 40 will engage with a tooth 12, with every other engagement pocket effectively engaging with spaces between adjacent teeth 12 of the sprocket.

(20) Referring to FIG. 4 the manner in which the rollers 8 engage with the sprocket 4 during use of the transmission system 2 is shown schematically.

(21) When considering a pair of rollers 8 positioned on either side of a tooth 12, one roller 32 will be a load bearing roller, and the second roller 8 will be a supporting roller 34.

(22) The roller seating curve 25 provides an initial seating position for the engaged rollers 8 of the roller chain 6. For both load bearing and supporting rollers, this curve helps to distribute the contact load over a larger area reducing material stresses, at least initially when the chain wear is low. The roller seating curve 25 enables rollers to easily transition between supporting and load bearing positions if the drive direction is ever reversed.

(23) The load bearing roller 32 will engage with the tooth 12 on a first engagement surface 36, and the support roller 34 will engage with the tooth at a second engagement surface 38.

(24) The first and second engagement surfaces 36,38 are radially offset from one another. This enables the pair of rollers 8 engaging the tooth 12 to engage with dual engagement, since the roller chain makes contact with the sprocket teeth 12 at two contact points 37, 39 on engagement surfaces 36, 38 in each tooth of the sprocket.

(25) The two contact points 37, 39 are thus on opposing sides of the tooth relative to its radial centreline R, and are radially offset from one another and therefore not symmetric relative to the radial centreline R.

(26) The combination of these features leads to a secure engagement of the drive sprocket tooth by the roller chain 6 and ensures that the rollers 8 do not become wedged on the tooth. In addition, there is little to no relative movement between the tooth and the rollers 8 whilst in contact.

(27) The first contact point 37 is load bearing and transfers the load between the roller chain 6 and the tooth 12. The second contact point 39 is supporting and thus stabilises the roller chain 6 on the sprocket 4 and increases the load distribution over the sprocket teeth 12.

(28) As shown in FIG. 4, each tooth 12 further comprises a working curve 26 that extends from the roller seating curve towards the tip 28 of the tooth.

(29) The working curve 26 is convex, and the convex arc forming the working curve 26 curves towards the tooth centreline R. The surface of working curve 26 makes contact with the load bearing roller 32, enabling torque transfer between the roller chain 6 and the sprocket 4. As the chain pitch elongates due to internal wear, this surface also accommodates the climbing of the load-bearing roller.

(30) Turning again to FIG. 3, the sprocket further comprises a supporting curve 50 which extends between the roller seating curves of adjacent teeth.

(31) As mentioned above, the rollers 8 of the roller chain 6 are able to articulate relative to one another via the links connecting adjacent rollers to one another.

(32) In FIG. 6 two articulations angles are shown, a.sub.1 and a.sub.2 and these will now be explained further.

(33) First roller 32 and second roller 34 are shown forming a first engagement pocket 401 which meshes with a first tooth 112. A third roller 322 is in contact with a second tooth 212 and is positioned to one side of the first roller 32. The third roller 322 and the first roller 32 together form a second engagement pocket 402.

(34) A fourth roller 422 is positioned adjacent to second roller 34 and is in contact with a third tooth 312. The second and fourth rollers 34, 422 together form a third engagement pocket 403.

(35) In this embodiment of the invention, the first roller 32 is a load bearing roller, and the second roller 34 is a support roller. Every other roller starting with the load bearing roller 32 will also be a load bearing roller. With reference to FIG. 5 therefore, the fourth roller 422 is also a load bearing roller. This pattern will repeat itself around the sprocket 4.

(36) At the point that first roller 32 makes contact with first tooth 112, and third roller 322 is also in contact with a second tooth 212, first roller 32 and third roller 322 are positioned on their respective engagement surfaces, and the second roller 34 is in position, a first articulation angle a.sub.1 is formed at an articulation point 400, which in this embodiment coincides with the axis of the first roller 32.

(37) Considering now the second roller 34 and fourth roller 422, the second articulation angle a.sub.z is formed at the second roller 34 when the second roller 34 and the fourth roller 422 are in contact with a respective tooth 12, and the first roller 322 is in contact with tooth 112.

(38) The magnitude of the first articulation angle a.sub.1 at the point defined above, is in this example greater than the second articulation angle a.sub.z at the point defined above.

(39) Similarly, every other roller starting with the second roller 34 is a support roller. In this embodiment therefore the third roller 322 is also a support roller and this pattern will repeat itself around the sprocket 4.

(40) In this embodiment, every other articulation angle will be the same. This means that the articulation angle a.sub.1 will be at every load bearing roller, and the articulation angle a.sub.z will be at every support roller.

(41) Adjacent rollers are connected to one another by a link which provides a rigid connection between adjacent rollers.

(42) In this embodiment, first roller 32 is connected to second roller 34 by link 450. Third roller 322 is connected to first roller 32 by link 452, and second roller 34 is connected to fourth roller 422 by link 454.

(43) It is the links 450, 452, 454 which articulate relative to one another as shown by the articulation angles.

(44) Because the articulation angle at each load bearing roller 32, 422 is larger in this embodiment that the articulation angle a.sub.z at every support roller 34, 322, each load bearing roller 332 will articulate for a longer duration than is the case with each support roller 34. This can improve the efficiency of the transmission system.

(45) By means of the present invention therefore it is possible to achieve selective articulation by setting the articulation angle at each tooth to be different, or to follow a regular pattern as is the case in this embodiment.

(46) This is desirable from the perspective of both power transmission efficiency and chain wear. Articulation under load causes inevitable friction between adjacent chain links. This leads to both energy loss and component wear. The size of these losses is roughly proportional to the size of the articulation angle.

(47) The losses associated with each articulation alternates with the alternating inner and outer chain links of a standard power transmission roller chain. The articulation of the outer link is more efficient than the inner, while the articulation of the inner link leads to less chain elongation than the outer. By using selective articulation, the magnitude of the beneficial or deleterious effects of a given articulation can be manipulated to improve the drive trains overall performance.

(48) As shown particularly in FIGS. 6 and 7, the articulation points 400 in a transmission system according to embodiments of the invention define a n sided irregular polygon 500.

(49) In embodiments of the invention where the first articulation angle is a.sub.1 and the second is a.sub.2, the pattern is repeated for every pair of links around the sprocket circumference.

(50) Thus, the relationship between these new articulation angles and the original exterior angle of a polygon of n sides, a is, a.sub.1+a.sub.2=2a as shown in FIG. 6.

(51) To achieve this n sided irregular polygon, a sprocket of n/2 teeth is used, where a tooth sits between the vertices of every other side of the polygon. This is shown more clearly in FIG. 7.

(52) Turning now to FIGS. 8 to 10, a sprocket 904 according to another embodiment of the invention is illustrated schematically. The sprocket 904 forms part of a transmission system 1002 comprising the sprocket 904 and a roller chain 6.

(53) Parts of the transmission system 1002 that are equivalent to the transmission system 2 described above will be given corresponding reference numerals for ease of reference.

(54) As shown particularly in FIG. 8, the roller chain 6 comprises a plurality of rollers 8. The rollers 8 are connected to adjacent rollers by means of inner links 810 and outer links 820.

(55) The inner links 810 serve to connect two rollers 8 together to form a roller pair 850. The outer links serve to connect roller pairs 850 together to form the roller chain 6. The distance between inner surfaces 860 of inner links 810 is indicated by the reference numeral d.sub.1 in FIG. 8. The distance between inner surfaces 870 of facing outer links 820 is indicated by the reference numeral d.sub.2. As shown in FIG. 8, d.sub.2 is greater than d.sub.1.

(56) Turning now to FIGS. 9 and 10, the sprocket 904 is described in more detail.

(57) The sprocket comprises a plurality of teeth 12 spaced apart around the sprocket. Each tooth has a first width 914 that is equal to or slightly less than the distance between inner surfaces of facing inner links 800 (d.sub.1).

(58) Each tooth 12 also has a second width 915 which is equal to or slightly less than the distance between the inner surfaces 870 of outer links 820 (d.sub.2).

(59) In this embodiment of the invention each tooth comprises a middle tooth portion 920 and outer tooth portions 922, 924 which together define the second width.

(60) When the sprocket 904 engages with the roller chain 6, the teeth will be positioned between two outer links as shown in FIG. 10. The width of the outer tooth portions 922, 924 together with the width of the middle portion 920 results in an overall tooth width that is the same as or slightly less than the distance (d.sub.2) between inner surfaces of facing outer links, and greater than the distance (d.sub.1) between the inner surfaces of facing inner links. This means that the fit between the tooth 12 and the chain 6 is such that there is little clearance between the tooth and the chain. Furthermore, the presence of the outer tooth portions 922, 924 prevents the teeth from engaging between inner links, and thus the alignment of the chain is substantially maintained during use of the drive transmission system.

(61) In addition, the presence of the middle portion 920 prevents the inner links from interfering with the tooth during use.