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US 6,203,460 B1Granted
Phased continuously variable transmission chain with asymmetrical guide link and modified strut location
AssigneeBorgWarner Inc.
InventorsLaurence Parks, Mark D. Reese
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A chain for use with a continuously variable transmission is formed in two portions that are phased, or offset, by one-half pitch length. The chain portions include an asymmetrical guide link on the outside of alternate rows. The inner links have a substantially horizontal lower body and a horizontal upper portion of the passageway to position the strut in close proximity to the chain pitch line.
Claims6
A power transmission chain, comprising:
- a first chain portion having a plurality of interlaced rows of links with each row having a plurality of transversely arranged links,
- pivot members joining said interlaced rows of links to form a chain assembly,
- said rows of links including inner links, said inner links each having a pair of apertures for receiving said pivot members and a pair of toes extending downward from each link to define a passageway,
- alternate rows of said links include asymmetrical guide links on the outer ends of said rows of links, said guide links having a pair of apertures for receiving said pivot members, said pivot members being fit securely within said apertures of said guide links,
- said guide links having a lower edge portion at a first end and an outwardly extending portion at a second end, said lower edge portion and said outwardly extending portion being asymmetrical about a vertical centerline between the apertures of said links,
- a plurality of struts, said struts having top portions positioned in said passageway of said toes of said links of said first chain portion;
- a second chain portion having a plurality of interlaced rows of links with each row having a plurality of transversely arranged links,
- pivot members joining said interlaced rows of links to form a chain assembly,
- said rows of links including inner links, said inner links each having a pair of apertures for receiving said pivot members and a pair of toes extending downward from each link to define a passageway,
- alternate rows of said links include asymmetrical guide links on the outer ends of said rows of links, said guide links having a pair of apertures for receiving said pivot members, said pivot members being fit securely within said apertures of said guide links,
- said guide links having a lower edge portion at a first end and an outwardly extending portion at a second end, said lower edge portion and said outwardly extending portion being asymmetrical about a vertical centerline between the apertures of said links,
- a plurality of struts, said struts having top portions positioned in said passageway of said toes of said links of said second chain portion;
- and
- said first chain portion and said second chain portion being placed in side-by-side relation and offset by one-half pitch length of said chain, said struts positioned within said first portion being interleaved with said struts positioned within said second portion.
11 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.