DRIVE LINK FOR A SAWCHAIN, AND AN ARRANGEMENT OF A PLURALITY OF DRIVE LINKS FOR A SAWCHAIN

Abstract

A drive link for a sawchain is disclosed wherein the drive link has a top side which faces away from an opening plane defined by the respective axes of the rivet openings and extends at least partially at the drive link apex. A functional surface and a contact surface spaced apart from the functional surface are provided on the top side of the drive link. The functional surface is formed on the drive link apex and includes a section of the top side in which the top side is at a maximum spacing from the opening plane. The functional surface of the top side of the drive link is point-symmetric to a symmetry point with respect to the contact surface in the viewing direction toward the drive link plane.

Claims

1. A drive link for a sawchain, the drive link comprising: a drive link body defining two openings for joint elements and having a drive link apex and a drive appendage; said drive link body being planar and extending in a drive link plane; said two openings each defining a center axis; said drive link body defining an opening plane containing said center axes of said two openings and extending perpendicularly to said drive link plane; said drive link body defining a transverse plane extending perpendicular to said opening plane and centrally between said center axes of said two openings; said drive link body defining a longitudinal axis extending in said drive link plane and intersecting said center axes of said two openings; said drive link apex being asymmetrical with respect to said transverse plane; said drive link body having a top side facing away from said opening plane and extending at least partially at said drive link apex; said drive link body having a functional surface and a contact surface spaced apart from said functional surface at said top side; said functional surface being formed on said drive link apex and including a section of said top side in which said top side has a maximum spacing from said opening plane; and, said functional surface, with respect to said contact surface in a viewing direction toward said drive link plane, being configured point-symmetric to a symmetry point.

2. The drive link of claim 1, wherein said functional surface extends over a depth (b) measured in a direction perpendicular to said opening plane; and, said depth (b) corresponds to at least one of the following: i) at most 20% of a maximum spacing (a) between said functional surface and said opening plane; and, ii) at most 10% of said maximum spacing (a).

3. The drive link of claim 1, wherein a length (c), measured in the direction of the longitudinal axis, of said functional surface is at least one of the following: i) at least 15% of a length (d) measured in the direction of the longitudinal axis; and, ii) at least 25% of said length (d).

4. The drive link of claim 1, wherein the top side of the drive link has a first middle section and a second middle section; and, said first middle section extends from said functional surface to said symmetry point and said second middle section extends from said symmetry point to said contact surface.

5. The drive link of claim 4, wherein said first middle section and said second middle section are so configured that, in an arrangement of two of said drive links with respect to one another wherein the respective top sides of said two drive links are in mutual contact and their respective symmetry points lie on top of one another, a spandrel is provided between said first and second middle sections of the top sides with a smallest radius (r) of at least 1.5 mm.

6. The drive link of claim 4, wherein, with respect to said second middle section, said first middle section is at least partially point-symmetric with respect to said symmetry point in the viewing direction toward said drive link plane.

7. The drive link of claim 4, wherein, with respect to said second middle section, said first middle section is fully point-symmetric with respect to said symmetry point in said viewing direction toward said drive link plane.

8. The drive link of claim 3, wherein said functional surface, said first middle section, said second middle section and said contact surface conjointly form said top side of said drive link.

9. The drive link of claim 8, wherein said top side has a length (e) measured in the direction of the longitudinal axis; and, said length (e) corresponds to at least one of the following: i) at least 65% of said length (d) of said drive link; ii) at least 75% of said length (d); and, iii) approximately 85% of said length (d).

10. The drive link of claim 1, wherein said symmetry point lies, in the direction of said longitudinal axis, between said center axes of said openings.

11. The drive link of claim 1, wherein said symmetry point lies, in the direction of said longitudinal axis, centrally between said openings.

12. The drive link of claim 1, wherein said symmetry point is at a spacing from said transverse plane of at least one of the following: i) less than 10% of said length (d) of said drive link; and, ii) less than 5% of said length (d).

13. The drive link of claim 1, wherein: said drive link has first and second longitudinal ends and has first and second end faces at corresponding ones of said first and second longitudinal ends; and, said first and second end faces have respective identical contours viewed in a direction perpendicular to said drink link plane.

14. The drive link of claim 1, wherein: said drive link has first and second longitudinal ends and has first and second end faces at corresponding ones of said first and second longitudinal ends; and, said first and second end faces have respective contours orientated parallel to one another in a viewing direction perpendicular to said drive link plane.

15. An arrangement of a plurality of drive links for a sawchain, the arrangement comprising: at least four structurally identical drive links; each of said drive links including: a drive link body defining two openings for joint elements and having a drive link apex and a drive appendage; said drive link body being planar and extending in a drive link plane; said two openings each defining a center axis; said drive link body defining an opening plane containing said center axes of said two openings and extending perpendicularly to said drive link plane; said drive link body defining a transverse plane extending perpendicular to said opening plane and centrally between said center axes of said two openings; said drive link body defining a longitudinal axis extending in said drive link plane and intersecting said center axes of said two openings; said drive link apex being asymmetrical with respect to said transverse plane; said drive link body having a top side facing away from said opening plane and extending at least partially at said drive link apex; said drive link body having a functional surface and a contact surface spaced apart from said functional surface at said top side; said functional surface being formed on said drive link apex and including a section of said top side in which said top side has a maximum spacing from said opening plane; said functional surface, with respect to said contact surface in a viewing direction toward said drive link plane, being configured point-symmetric to a symmetry point; each one of said drive links having first and second longitudinal ends and having first and second end faces at corresponding ones of said first and second longitudinal ends; a first two of said drive links being in mutual contact at the respective top sides thereof; a second two of said drive links also being in mutual contact at the respective top sides thereof; said first two of said drive links being in mutual contact at respective end faces thereof and said second two of said drive links being in mutual contact at respective end faces thereof; and, said first two and said second two of said drive links conjointly enclosing a central spandrel between respective ones of said top sides thereof and respective ones of said end faces thereof.

16. The arrangement of claim 15, wherein the smallest radius (r) of the central spandrel is at least 1.5 mm.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The invention will now be described with reference to the drawings wherein:

[0022] FIG. 1 shows a perspective illustration of a detail of a sawchain for a chainsaw, having a drive link according to the disclosure;

[0023] FIG. 2 shows a side illustration of the drive link according to the disclosure;

[0024] FIG. 3 shows a rear illustration of the drive link according to FIG. 2;

[0025] FIG. 4 shows a sectional illustration of the drive link along the line IV in FIG. 2; and,

[0026] FIG. 5 shows a side illustration of an arrangement of a plurality of drive links.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] FIG. 1 shows a detail of a sawchain 1 for a work apparatus, in particular for a chainsaw. The sawchain 1 is constructed from cutting links 2, connecting links 3 and drive links 4, 5. The drive links 4, 5, cutting links 2 and connecting links 3 are connected together in an articulated manner via joint elements 7, in particular rivets. The sawchain 1 has a running direction 8, in which the sawchain 1 mounted on the chainsaw has to be moved in order to cut material to be cut, for example wood et cetera. The drive links 4, 5 are arranged centrally in the sawchain 1 and the connecting links 3 are provided at their outer sides. In the embodiment, each drive link 4, 5 has a drive appendage 9 for engaging in a drive member of a chainsaw. The drive links 4, 5 have a rear opening 13 and a front opening 13′ with regard to the running direction 8 (FIG. 2). The rear opening 13 of a drive link 4, 5 is connected in each case to a front rivet opening of a connecting link 3, and the front opening 13′ of a drive link 4, 5 is connected in each case to a rear rivet opening of a connecting link 3.

[0028] As seen in the running direction 8, every two connecting links 3, a cutting link 2 is arranged rather than a connecting link 3. The cutting links 2 are in this case provided alternately on a respective longitudinal side of the sawchain 1. The cutting links 2 have a cutting tooth 11, upstream of which a depth delimiter 19 is provided with regard to the running direction 8. The cutting tooth 11 serves to machine the cutting material to be cut. Provided next to the depth delimiter 19, on an adjacent drive link 5, is a drive link apex 6 for reinforcing the depth delimiter 19. An alternative structure of a sawchain 1 can also be provided.

[0029] FIG. 2 shows the drive link 5 with the drive link apex 6. The drive link 5 has two openings 13, 13′, specifically a rear opening 13 and a front opening 13′. Furthermore, the drive link 5 includes the drive appendage 9, on which the bottom 32 of the drive link 5 at least partially extends. As shown in FIG. 4, a lubricant channel 33 is formed in the drive link 4, the lubricant channel 33 being connected to the openings 13, 13′. During operation of the sawchain 1, lubricant reaches the rivets 7 via the lubricant channel 33.

[0030] FIG. 4 shows a section view of the drive link 5 along the line IV-IV in the running direction 8. It is clearly apparent from the section view that the drive link 5 is planar. The drive link 5 extends in a drive link plane 16. As is apparent from FIGS. 2 and 4, the drive link 5 has an opening plane 15. The opening plane 15 contains the center axes 14 of the openings 13. The opening plane is oriented perpendicularly to the drive link plane 16.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 2, the drive link 5 has a transverse plane 17. The transverse plane 17 is oriented perpendicularly to the opening plane 15. The transverse plane 17 extends centrally between the center axes 14 of the two openings 13. Furthermore, the drive link 5 has a longitudinal axis 18, wherein the longitudinal axis 18 extends in the drive link plane 16 and intersects the center axes 14 of the openings 13. The drive link apex 6 is asymmetric to the transverse plane 17.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 2, the drive link 5 has a top 12 facing away from the opening plane 15. The bottom 32 of the drive link 5 in turn faces away from the top 12. The top 12 extends at least partially at the drive link apex 6.

[0033] Provided on the top 12 of the dive link 5 is a functional surface 22. The functional surface 22 is formed on the drive link apex 6. The functional surface 22 corresponds to the section of the top 12 of the drive link 5 that cooperates functionally with the bottom of the cut when a material is being cut, that is, is in contact therewith and thus serves as a depth delimiter for the cut. The functional surface 22 accordingly includes a section of the surface 12 in which the top 12 is at a maximum spacing a from the opening plane 15. Furthermore, the functional surface 22 of the top 12 extends over a depth b measured in a direction perpendicular to the opening plane 15. The depth b corresponds to at most 20%, in particular at most 10% of the maximum spacing a between the functional surface 22 and the opening plane 15. The cutting process is a highly dynamic process, and so it should be assumed that the drive link 5 is in contact with the material to be cut not only at the “highest point” of its drive link apex 6 but there are operative connections at regions adjacent to the “highest point” too. This region is schematically indicated by a reference line 34 which corresponds to the depth b of the functional surface 22. Furthermore, the functional surface 22 has a length c measured in the direction of the longitudinal axis 18, wherein the length c of the functional surface 22 is at least 15%, in particular at least 25% of a length d, measured in the direction of the longitudinal axis 18, of the drive link 5.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2, a contact surface 23 is provided on the top 12. The contact surface 23 is formed on the top 12 at a spacing from the functional surface 22. The functional surface 22 of the top 12 of the drive link 5 is point-symmetric to a symmetry point 20 with respect to the contact surface 23 in the viewing direction toward the drive link plane 16. The symmetry point 20 lies, in the preferred embodiment, on the top 12 of the drive link 5. This at least partially symmetric configuration of the top 12 allows, as shown in FIG. 5, an arrangement of two structurally identical drive links 5, 5′ such that, in the embodiment, their tops 12 are in contact fully at the functional surface 22 and the contact surface 23, in particular over their entire top 12, that is, also at the middle sections 24, 25, in particular continuously. In the embodiment, the frontmost and rearmost points of the top 12, 12′ of one and of the other drive link 5, 5′ bear on one another. In an alternative embodiment, it may be expedient for the top 12 of the drive link 5 to be configured such that, in an arrangement, the tops 12 of two drive links 5, 5′ are in contact only over a part of the functional surface 22 and the contact surface 23 of the other drive link 5′.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 2, the top 12 of the drive link 5 has a first middle section 24 and a second middle section 25. The first middle section 24 extends from the function surface 22 to the symmetry point 20. The second middle section 25 extends from the symmetry point 20 to the contact surface 23. In the embodiment, the functional surface 22, the first middle section 24, the second middle section 25, and the contact surface 23 form the top 12 of the drive link 5. The top 12 has in this case a length e measured in the direction of the longitudinal axis 18, wherein the length e corresponds to at least 65%, in particular at least 75%, preferably approximately 85% of the length d of the drive link 5. In the embodiment, the contours of the first middle section 24 and of the second middle section 25 jointly form, in the viewing direction toward the drive link plane 16, a connecting straight line between the functional surface 22 and the contact surface 23. The connecting straight line intersects the symmetry point 20. Accordingly, in the embodiment, the first middle section 24 and the second middle section 25 are formed fully point-symmetrically with regard to the symmetry point 20 likewise in the viewing direction toward the drive link plane 16. Accordingly, in an arrangement of two structurally identical drive links 5, which bear mutually against their tops 12 and have no spandrel between the tops 12, arises (FIG. 5).

[0036] In an alternative embodiment, likewise according to the disclosure, of the drive link, provision may be made for the first middle section 24, with respect to the second middle section 25, to be formed only partially point-symmetrically with regard to the symmetry point 20 in the viewing direction toward the drive link plane 16. Accordingly, the two middle sections 24, 25 would be formed at least partially asymmetrically. This has the result that, in an arrangement of two structurally identical drive links 5 in which the tops 12 of the drive links 5 are in contact and their symmetry points 20 lie on one another, the tops 12 of the drive links 5 are only partially in contact. Accordingly, there is a spandrel between the tops 12 of the drive links 5 in the region of the middle sections 24, 25. In order nevertheless for it to be possible to realize a compact arrangement of the drive links, the spandrel needs to be producible. Accordingly, the middle sections 24, 25 are formed such that the smallest radius r is at least 1.5 mm. The smallest radius r is in particular at least 1.5 times the width f of the drive link 5. The width f of the drive link 5 is measured perpendicularly to the drive link plane 16.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 2, the symmetry point 20 lies in the direction of the longitudinal axis 18 between the center axes 14 of the openings 13, 13′. In the preferred embodiment, the symmetry point 20 lies between the openings 13, 13′ of the drive link 5. The symmetry point 20 is at a spacing from the transverse plane 17 of less than 10%, in particular less than 5% of the length d of the drive link 5. In the preferred embodiment, the symmetry point 20 lies in the transverse plane 17.

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the drive link 5 extends along its longitudinal axis 18 from one longitudinal end 27 to its other longitudinal end 29. The drive link 5 has, at one longitudinal end 27, a first end face 28 and, at its other longitudinal end 29, a second end face 30. In the preferred embodiment, the end faces 28, 30 are oriented parallel to one another. In addition, the end faces 28, 30 are oriented parallel to the transverse plane 17. This allows, as shown in FIG. 5, an arrangement of two structurally identical drive links 5, 5″ such that the end faces 28, 28″, 30, 30″ are in contact and cover one another at least partially, but preferably fully. In the arrangement according to FIG. 5, the drive links 5, 5″ are arranged in the longitudinal direction 18 such that the second end face 30 of one drive link 5 is in contact with the first end face 28″ of the other drive link 5″.

[0039] In an alternative embodiment of the drive link 5, the end faces 28, 30 can also have other contours, in particular a curved contour. In order that an arrangement of drive links 5 is still possible such that their end faces are in contact and substantially overlap, the second end face 30 of the drive link 5 is shifted in parallel with regard to the first end face 28 of the drive link 5. The parallel shift occurs preferably along the longitudinal axis 18 of the drive link 5.

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the functional surface 22 and thus also the contact surface 23 are formed parallel to the opening plane 15. Furthermore, the functional surface 22 and the contact surface 23 could, in an alternative embodiment, be shaped differently. The top 12 could, for example, have an S-shaped contour. Thus, contours are possible which form the at least partial point symmetry between the functional surface 22 and the contact surface 23.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 5, four structurally identical drive links 5, 5′, 5″, 5′″ are arranged with respect to one another. In each case two drive links 5, 5′, 5″, 5′″ are in contact with one another at their tops 12, 12′, 12″, 12′″ and in each case two drive links 5, 5′, 5″, 5′″ are in contact with one another at their end faces 30, 28″, 30′, 28′″. In this case, the drive links 5, 5′, 5″, 5′″ enclose a central spandrel 26 with their contours between the top sides 12, 12′, 12″, 12′″ and the end faces 30, 28″, 30′, 28′″. The contours are configured such that the smallest radius r of the central spandrel 26 is at least 1.5 mm. The smallest radius r of the central spandrel 26 is also preferably 1.5 times the width f of the drive link 5.

[0042] It is understood that the foregoing description is that of the preferred embodiments of the invention and that various changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.