Flexible drive ring belt
AssigneeThe Gates Corporation
InventorJing Yuan
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A flexible drive ring CVT belt comprises a flexible drive ring having a plurality of adjacent ring segments. The segments comprise metallic or non-metallic material sufficient to bear a compressive load imposed by CVT sheaves. The segments are interlocked along a longitudinal axis and are preloaded in the assembled position by an elastomeric member. A tensile member or belt bears on an outer circumferential bearing surface formed by the interlocked segments. The tensile member is moveable along a longitudinal axis relative to the flexible drive ring on the circumferential bearing surface. The segments further comprise opposing inclined surfaces for engaging sheave surfaces on a pulley.
Claims10
A belt comprising:
- a plurality of segments arranged adjacent to each other such that an endless member is formed;
- each segment having opposing inclined surfaces for engaging a pulley side, the opposing inclined surfaces describing an included angle;
- at least one retaining member engaged to each segment whereby the segments are retained adjacent to each other;
- a tensile member having a multiple-ribbed profile bearing upon a circumferential bearing surface, the circumferential bearing surface being formed by the adjacent segments;
- and
- as least one slot for receiving the retaining member, the slot disposed between the circumferential bearing surface and the included angle apex.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.