The invention pertains to the field of endless-loop power transmission elements. More particularly, the invention pertains to chain pin retention in a chain belt for a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
Some continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) use a chain belt and two pulleys (usually called “sheaves”) which are connected by the chain belt. Each sheave has two halves with sloping inner faces, and the distance between the halves of the sheaves can be varied. Changing the inner distance of the sheaves varies the effective diameters of the sheaves by causing the load members (struts) on the chain belt which contact the sloping inner surfaces of the sheaves to move radially inward or outward from the axis of rotation. By having the sheaves expand or contract oppositely, the ratio of the transmission (the ratio of the rotational speed of the driving and driven sheaves) is changed by changing the position at which the load members of the chain belt contact the sloping inner surfaces of each of the sheaves.
Chain belts for a continuously variable transmission include lengthwise links with apertures which are connected to each other through pins or struts. Retaining elements, such as a spherical metal ball, metallic bead, hemispherical metallic element, cylindrical metallic element, and square metallic block are welded to the surface ends of the pins or struts and are used to secure the links against falling off of the struts or from becoming misaligned. The welded elements on the surface ends of the struts can easily break during handling of the chain due to variations of the weld.
A chain belt for a continuously variable transmission which has a plurality of links and a plurality of coupling members which connect the plurality of links together. Each of the coupling members has a first end with a first bore and a second end with a second bore. A first retaining pin is fastened within the first bore of each of the coupling members and a second retaining pin is fastened within the second bore of each of the coupling members. The first and second retaining pins retain the plurality of links on the coupling member.
The coupling member 9 has a first end 9a and a second end 9b, with the alternating sets of links 4-5 being threaded on the coupling member 9 between the first end 9a and the second end 9b. The coupling member 9 also includes a first bore 10 at the first end 9a and a second bore 11 at the second end 9b for each receiving a retaining member 12. The retaining member 12 prevents the sets of links 4-5 from falling off of the coupling member 9 and from being misaligned. The position of the bores 10 at the first end 9a and bore 11 at the second end 9b of the coupling member 9 may vary from the position shown in the figures and is dependent upon the width W of the connected sets of links 4-5.
As shown in
The pin 12 may be rectangular, square, round or a combination of shapes. The bores 10, 11 may be round, square, rectangular or a combination of shapes. The bores 10, 11 may be blind holes, through holes, staged holes or multiple staged holes.
In an alternate embodiment as shown in
In another embodiment, the bores 30, 31 of the coupling member 9 may be an L-shape 31, 32 to allow a pin 30 to be press fit or snug fit and then bent such that a portion 33 of the pin 30 is captured in the L-shaped bore 31, 32 of the coupling member and cannot be removed as shown in
The coupling member 9 may be a single connecting pin as shown in
Referring to
It should be noted that the links and coupling member are shown generically and that any design of the links or types of coupling members may be used within the scope of the invention. It should also be noted that the number of links may also vary from the links shown in the Figures within the scope of the invention.
It should be noted that while in the figures both of the bores at the first end and the second end of the coupling member were shown as being the same, any combination of shaped bores and associated pins disclosed above and in
Accordingly, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention herein described are merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the invention. Reference herein to details of the illustrated embodiments is not intended to limit the scope of the claims, which themselves recite those features regarded as essential to the invention.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/US2016/065247 | 12/7/2016 | WO | 00 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62269594 | Dec 2015 | US |