Patent ID: 6533691
Filing Date: 2003-03-18
Classification: F16G

Abstract:
A low noise silent chain for mesh with a sprocket, comprising:a number of link plates each having a pair of link teeth formed into a bifurcated configuration for mesh with teeth of the sprocket, the link plates being interleaved and connected together by connector pins, each link tooth having an inside flank and an outside flank, an inside meshing surface formed on the inside flank thereof, an outside meshing surface formed on the outside flank thereof, and a tip at which the inside and outside meshing surfaces merge together, the inside meshing surface of one link tooth, when the silent chain is stretched straight, projecting slightly outward from the outside meshing surface of another link tooth that overlaps the one link tooth so that meshing engagement of the link teeth with respect to the sprocket teeth starts from the inside meshing surface and is ended when the outside meshing surface is seated on one sprocket tooth; said inside meshing surface including a convexly arcuate mesh start portion disposed on a tip side of each link tooth, and a convexly arcuate mesh guide portion disposed on a root side of each link tooth; and said convexly arcuate mesh guide portion having a radius of curvature and a circular arc length which are greater than the radius of curvature and the circular arc length, respectively of said convexly arcuate mesh start portion.