Silent drive chain assembly having flexible links
US6939260B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 15, 2003 |
| Grant date | Sep 6, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 9, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16G13/04
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A chain assembly drivingly engages a plurality of sprocket teeth that extend radially outwardly from a sprocket of an automobile drivetrain. The chain assembly includes a plurality of rigid links pivotally interconnected to each other to form an endless loop, wherein each of the plurality of rigid links includes a driving surface for drivingly engaging each of the plurality of sprocket teeth during rotation of the sprocket in a first driving direction. A plurality of flexible links are each operatively coupled to at least one of the plurality of rigid links for engaging each of the plurality of sprocket teeth prior to the driving engagement with the driving surface, wherein each of the plurality of flexible links are elastically deformable for dampening noise due to the driving engagement between the plurality of sprocket teeth and the plurality of rigid links.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.