Patent ID: 8298104
Filing Date: 2012-10-30
Classification: F01L,F16G,F16H

Abstract:
1. A timing chain driving system comprising: a driving sprocket having an axis of rotation; at least one driven sprocket; and a chain in meshing engagement with said sprockets for conveying rotational force from the driving sprocket to each said driven sprocket while maintaining the angular rotations of said sprockets in a predetermined phase relationship; wherein: the chain comprises outer links and inner links in alternating, overlapping relationship; each outer link comprises a pair of outer link plates in laterally spaced relationship; the outer link plates of each pair are connected by a pair of connecting pins secured respectively in front and rear pin holes in said pair of outer link plates; each inner link comprises a pair of inner link plates in laterally spaced relationship; the inner link plates of each pair are connected by a pair of bushings secured respectively in front and rear bushing holes in said pair of inner link plates; each connecting pin of each outer link extends through, and is rotatable in, a bushing of an overlapping inner link; each of said outer link plates and each of said inner link plates is formed with front and rear link plate teeth; said driving sprocket has central sprocket teeth which engage with said bushings or with rollers rotatable on said bushings, the central sprocket teeth having tooth gap bottoms and tips; and said driving sprocket also has side sprocket teeth which engage with said link plate teeth, the side sprocket teeth also having tooth gap bottoms and tips; in which the tooth gap bottoms of the central sprocket teeth are farther than the tooth gap bottoms of the side sprocket teeth from said axis, and the tips of the central sprocket teeth are also farther than the tips of the side sprocket teeth from said axis; in which the angular pitch of the side sprocket teeth is the same as the angular pitch of the central sprocket teeth; in which the tooth gap bottoms of the central sprocket teeth are at the same angular positions as the tooth gap bottoms of the side sprocket teeth and the tips of the central sprocket teeth are also at the same angular positions as the tips of the side sprocket teeth; and in which each of the teeth of each of the link plates has an inner and outer flank, wherein the inner flanks of the front and rear teeth of each of said outer link plates have different shapes and wherein the inner flanks of the front and rear teeth of each of said inner link plates also have different shapes.