TOOTHED BELT AND POWER TRANSMISSION DEVICE USING THE SAME

Abstract: In a toothed belt, each tooth of the belt in longitudinal corss-section has a tooth top part composed of a pair of tooth top portions (2c) and a tooth tip portions (2d) formed in circular arcs, respectively, whose radius dimensions and location of centers are predetermined by a set of equations and inequalities so that a first contact point of the belt tooth with a pulley groove approaches to a tooth center line. In a power transmission device using the abovedescribed toothed belt and a toothed pulley, a shape of each pulley goorve of the pulley is predetermined by a set of equations and inequalities so that a compressive force applied to the belt tooth during engagement concentrates to the tooth center line.

Description: This invention relates to a toothed belt of the kind as referred by the preamble of claim 1 and also to a power transmission device composed of such a toothed belt and toothed pulleys engaging therewith. With a known toothed belt of this kind as disclosed in US-A-4 108 011 and shown in Fig. 12 of the attached drawing the belt B′ is provided with a belt body 1′ made of elastomer material as reinforced with at least one high elastic tensile member which extends longitudinally thereof along a belt pich line L′. Along an inner periphery of the belt body 1′ a plurality of sychronous belt teeth 2′ are formed at a certain pitch and each with a width W′ at the tooth root being smaller than the pitch. A flank portion of each belt tooth 2′ is formed in a circular arc with a radius R′₂ equal to the width W′ at the tooth root and with centers of this circular arc on intersections Q and Q between the belt pitch line L′ and imaginarily extended arcs of an outline of the belt tooth which at a tooth root portion 2′a is formed with another radius R′₁ also in a circular arc. During an engagement of a thusly formed toothed belt B′ with a toothed pulley P′ of a respective power transmission device composed of such elements each belt tooth 2′, as shown in Fig. 13, meshes with a pulley groove P′₁ of the pulley under a compressed and deformed condition in particular at its top portion 2′b because of the formation of the flank portion in a circular arc. Since the tooth height of each belt tooth is larger than the depth of the pulley groove the tooth root portion 2′a of each belt tooth 2′ is on the other hand protected from a formation of cracks and at the same time an increased wear at the tooth top portion 2′b as well as an increased vibration and an increased noise level are avoided. It may also be accepted that since the resistivity against the shearing force at the tooth root portion increases because of the compressive force Fc as applied at the belt tooth 2′ during engagement, the same effect can therefore be obtained as when a high shearing strength member would be used so that the durability of the belt tooth is considerably improved. In the conventional toothed belt B′ the tooth top portion 2′b is flat-shaped. This brings about an interference with the pulley groove P′₁ during engagement of the belt with a pulley leading to the following problems. When the belt B′ engages with the pulley P′, as shown in Fig. 13, a first contact point S′ between a belt tooth and a pulley groove appears at a position apart from the center line L₂ of the pulley groove. A shearing component Fs of the force F applied to the flat shape of the tooth top portion 2′b during the period ranging from such a first contact to the entire engagement between the top portion of each tooth 2′ and the pulley groove P′₁ is therefore relatively large whereas a compressive component Fc of the force F is relatively small and deviated from the center line L₁ of the belt tooth 2′ so that thereby a stress concentration is being caused. Each belt tooth is therefore severely fatigued so that its durability is substantially lowered. Since the first contact point S′ is also apart from the center line L₁ of the belt tooth 2′, the angle of rotation of the pulley is on the other hand correspondingly larger over the same period so that thereby the slip quantity of the belt is increased as well as also the fatigue of each belt tooth and the overall noise level. In case a bottom portion of the pulley groove P′₁ of the toothed pulley P′, as shown in Fig. 13, is formed in a convex circular arc whose center lies on the center line L₂ of the pulley groove on the opposite side of the pulley pitch line, the compressive force during engagement of the belt tooth 2′ with the pulley groove is deviated from the belt tooth center line L₁ causing a stress concentration toward the toth root. In this case the belt tooth is easily chipped. Also, when plus pitch errors exist in the engagement, as shown in Fig. 14, or minus pitch errors exist therein, as shown in Fig. 15, causing the slip out or position of the exact engagement between the belt teeth and the pulley grooves, a correspondingly increased movement of each belt tooth causes a larger noise level since the direction in which the compressive force applies largely deviates from the belt tooth center line. From EP-A-0 106 694 a toothed belt is known having an end-less belt body made of elastomer material, tensile members embedded in said belt body extending longitudinally thereof along a belt pitch line and a plurality of teeth integrally formed with said belt body along an inner periphery thereof at a certain pitch adapted for engaging with a toothed pulley in pulley grooves thereon; said belt teeth being separated by belt cavity portions, each belt tooth being symmetrical about a belt tooth center line in longitudinal cross-section, each said belt cavity portion being symmetrical about a belt cavity center line in longitudinal cross-section; each said belt tooth being divided into four regions in longitudinal cross-section from a tooth root to a tooth tip, a pair of opposed tooth root portions occupying a first region, a pair of convex arcuate tooth flank portions which extend from ends of said tooth root portions towards said tooth tip occupying a second region, a pair of convex arcuate tooth top portions, which extend from ends of said tooth flank portions towards said tooth tip occupying a third region, and a tooth tip portion which connects ends of said tooth top portions occupying a fourth region, all said portions being connected so as to be formed in a continuous curvature; each said tooth root portion of said belt tooth being formed in a first circular arc with a radius connecting said tooth flank portion to a base part of said belt cavity portion in both sides of the belt tooth center line, wherein said base part in longitudinal cross-section is a line coinciding with a belt land line which is colinear with base parts of other belt cavity portions on said belt; each said tooth having a tooth height measured between an extremity of said tooth tip portion and the belt land line on the belt tooth center line, wherein the tooth height is predetermined to be higher than a groove depth dimension of said pulley groove; said tooth tip portion being formed in a fourth circular arc whose center lies on the belt tooth center line; each said tooth top portion being formed in a third circular arc whose center lies on a point apart from the belt troth center line in the same side as said tooth top portions . The principal object of the present invention is to improve the durability of a toothed belt of the kind as referred by the preamble of claim 1 and to decrease the noise level during its engagement with toothed pulleys of a power transmission device composed therewith by improving the shape of the belt teeth as well as also the shape of the pulley teeth of such toothed pulleys that are in engagement with such belt teeth of such a toothed belt. With the inventive toothed belt in accordance with claim 1 and with the inventive power transmission device in accordance with claim 3 and in particular of claim 4 the shape of each belt tooth and in particular of its top portion is predetermined such that the first contact point of each belt tooth with a pulley groove approaches the pulley groove center line and also the belt tooth center line. The shape of each pulley groove is on the other hand predetermined such that the direction in which the compressive force applies to the belt is toward the belt tooth center line during the engagement even when pitch errors exist. The overall fatigue of the inventive toothed belt is therefore decreased since the shearing force applied to the top portions of the belt teeth is reduced. Since on the other hand the compressive force is increased and at the same time concentrated in the direction toward each belt tooth center line during the period ranging from the first contact to the entire engagement the overall noise level is as well decreased. Also decreased is finally the slip quantity because of a smaller angle of rotation over the same period whereby it still should be mentioned with respect to the inventive power transmission device that also a correspondingly increased durability of the same with an overall reduced noise level is of course also obtained. Brief Description of the Drawings Fig.1 is a fragmentary longitudinal side view of a toothed belt of this invention. Fig.2 is a fragmentary longitudinal side view of the toothed pulley of this invention. Fig.3 is a fragmentary longitudinal side view of the pulley and belt when the first contact occurs. Fig.4 is a fragmentary longitudinal side view of the pulley and belt when the first contact occurs in case plus pitch errors exist. Fig.5 is a fragmentary longitudinal side view of the pulley and belt when the first contact occurs in case minus pitch errors exist. Fig.6 is a longitudinal side view of another example of the toothed pulley. Fig.7 is a fragmentary longitudinal side view showing an engaging condition of the toothed belt with the same pulley as shown in Fig.6. Fig.8 is a schematic illustration of a test instrument for testing a noise level and a chip at a tooth root during engagement. Fig.9 is a graphical representation indicating the test result of the noise level test. Fig.10 is a schematic illustration showing an instrument for the tooth skip test. Fig.11 is a graphical representation indicating the test result of the tooth skip test. Fig.12 is a fragmentary longitudinal side view of a conventional type toothed belt. Fig.13 is a fragmentary longitudinal side view of a conventional pulley and belt when the first contact occurs. Fig.14 is a fragmentary longitudinal side view of the conventional pulley and belt when the first contact occurs in case plus pitch errors exist. Fig.15 is a fragmentary longitudinal side view of the conventional pulley and belt when the first contact occurs in case minus pitch errors exist. Special Embodiment of the Invention As shown in Fig.1, the toothed belt B has an endless belt body 1 made of elastomer material, in which at least one high elastic tensile member (not shown) which defines a belt pitch line Lb is embedded longitudinally extending along the belt pitch line Lb. On the inner periphery the belt body 1 has a plurality of same shaped belt teeth 2 formed at a certain pitch Pb and adapted for engaging in pulley grooves of a toothed pulley. The belt teeth 2 are separated by belt cavity portions 3 and each belt tooth 2 is symmetrical about a belt tooth center line L ₁ in longitudinal cross-section. Each belt cavity portion 3 is also symmetrical about a belt cavity center line L₃ in longitudinal cross-section. Each belt tooth 2 is divided into four regions in longitudinal cross-section from a tooth root to a tooth tip. Namely, each tooth 2 has a pair of opposed tooth root portions 2a occupying a first region, a pair of convex arcuate tooth flank portions 2b which extend from ends of tooth root portions 2a toward the tooth tip occupying a second region, a pair of convex arcuate tooth top portions 2c which extend from ends of tooth flank portions 2b toward the tooth tip occupying a third region, and a tooth tip portion 2d which connects ends of the tooth top portions 2c occupying a fourth region. All of these portions are connected so as to be formed in a continuous curvature. The belt tooth 2 has a width Wb at the tooth root measured between intersections Q and Q at which the belt pitch line Lb intersects imaginarily extended arcs f of each tooth flank portion 2b from conjunctive points thereof with each tooth root portion 2a toward the belt pitch line Lb. The width Wb at the tooth root is predetermined to be in a range of 0.3-0.8 times as long as the belt tooth pitch Pb. The tooth root portion 2a of the belt tooth 2 is formed in a first circular arc with a radius R₁ b connecting the tooth flank portion 2b to a base part 3a of the belt cavity portion 3 in both sides of the belt tooth center line L ₁ . The base part 3a is a line coinciding with a belt land line L R which is colinear with base parts 3a of other belt cavity portions 3 on the belt B in longitudinal cross-section. The tooth has a tooth height Hb measured between an extremity of the tooth tip portion 2d and the belt land line L R on the belt tooth center line L₁ . The tooth height Hb is predetermined to be 1.01-1.20 times, preferably 1.01-1.10 times as high as a groove depth Hp of the pulley groove of the toothed pulley. The tooth flank portion 2b is formed in a second circular arc with a radius R₂ b equal to the tooth root width Wb a center of which lies on the intersection Q between the belt pitch line Lb and the imaginarily extended arc f of the opposite tooth flank portion 2b from the belt tooth center line L₁ . The tooth tip portion 2d is formed in a fourth circular arc whose center 0 ₂ lies on the belt tooth center line L ₁ and whose radius R ₄ b is in a range given by the inequality (1). Moreover, the tooth top portion 2c is formed in a third circular arc whose center O ₂ lies on a point (x, y) apart from the belt tooth center line L₁ in the same side as the tooth top portion 2c. Concretely, the location of the point (x, y) is expressed by the equations (2)-(6) in an x-y coordinate system composed of an origin on an intersection Ob between the belt pitch line Lb and the belt tooth center line L₁ , x axis extending along the belt pitch line Lb in a direction toward the tooth top portion 2c in question from the belt tooth center line L₁ and y axis extending along the belt tooth center line L ₁ in a direction toward the tooth top portion 2c from the belt pitch line Lb. The radius R₃ b is predetermined to be in a range given by the inequalities (7) and (8). On the other hand, the toothed pulley P has a plurality of pulley grooves 5 formed along an outer periphery of the pulley body 4 at a certain pitch Pp in which the belt teeth 2 of the toothed belt B engage under a compressed condition. as shown in Fig.2. Pulley grooves 5 are separated by pulley teeth 6 and each pulley groove 5 is symmetrical about a pulley groove center line L₂ which intersects a center of the pulley in longitudinal cross-section. Each pulley tooth 6 is also symmetrical about a pulley tooth center line L₄ which intersects the center of the pulley in longitudinal cross-section. Each pulley groove 5 is divided into four regions in longitudinal cross-section from a tooth root of the pulley tooth 6 to a groove bottom. Namely, the pulley groove 5 is composed of a pair of convex arcuate tooth root portions 5a which continue to the pulley tooth 6 occupying a first region, a pair of concave arcuate groove flank portions 5b which extend from ends of root portions 5a toward the groove bottom occupying a second region, a pair of concave arcuate groove bottom portions 5c which extend from ends of the flank portions 5b toward the groove bottom occupying a third region, and a groove innermost portion 5d which connects ends of the groove bottom portions occupying a fourth region. All of these portions 5a-5d are connected so as to be formed in a continuous curvature. The pulley groove 5 has a groove width Wp measured between intersections R and R at which the pulley pitch line Lp intersects imaginarily extended arcs g of pulley flank portions 5b from conjunctive points thereof with the tooth root portions 5a toward the pulley pitch line Lp. The groove width Wp is predetermined to be a sum of the width Wb at the tooth root of the belt tooth 2 and a backlash quantity C therebetween. The tooth root portion 5a of the pulley groove 5 is formed in a first circular arc with a radius R₁ p connecting the groove flank portion 5b to an outermost part 6a of the pulley tooth 6 in both sides of the pulley groove center line L₂ . The outermost part 6a is a line coinciding with an outside diameter of the pulley whose center lies on a pulley center in longitudinal cross-section with other outermost parts 6a of the pulley tooth 6. The groove flank portion 5b is formed in a second circular arc with a radius R₂ p equal to the groove width Wp a center of which lies on the intersection R between the pulley pitch line Lp and the imaginarily extended arc of the opposite groove flank portion 5b from the pulley groove center line L₂ . The groove innermost portion 5d is formed in a fourth circular arc whose center O ₄ lies on the pulley groove center line L₂ and whose radius R ₄ p is in a range given by the following inequality. R₄ p ≧ R₄ b Each pulley groove has a groove height Hp measured on the pulley center line from an intersection between the outer periphery line and the pulley to the extremity of the innermost portion 5d. Each groove bottom portion 5c is formed in a third circular arc whose center O ₃ lies on a point (x, y) apart from the groove center line L ₂ in the same side as the groove bottom portions 5c and whose radius R₃ p is in a range given by the inequalities (16) and (17). Concretely, the location of the center O ₃ of the groove bottom portion 5c is expressed by the equations (9)-(15) in an x-y coordinate system which is composed of an origin on an intersection Op between the pulley pitch line Lp and the pulley groove center line L₂, x axis extending along the pulley pitch line Lp in a direction toward the groove bottom portions 5c in question from the pulley groove center line L₂ and y axis extending along the pulley groove center line L ₂ in an outward direction. The pulley groove 5 of the toothed pulley P is preferably determined so as to satisfy the following three expressions with respect to the belt tooth 2 of the toothed belt B: Hb / Hp = 1. 01∼1. 10 R₄ b ≦ R₄ p R₃ b > R₃ p Therefore, in the toothed belt B of the above described embodiment, as shown in Fig.3. a first contact point S at which the belt tooth 2 of the toothed belt B first contacts with the pulley groove 5 of the toothed pulley P extremely approaches to the belt tooth center line L ₁ and the pulley groove center line L₂ when the toothed belt B engages with the toothed pulley P, and lies almost on it. With reference to the components of a force F which applies to the belt tooth top during the period ranging from the first contact between the belt tooth 2 and the pulley groove 5 to the entire engagement therebetween, a shearing component Fs decreases and a compressive component Fc increases and concentrates toward the belt tooth center line L₁ . In result, the fatigue of the belt tooth 2 is reduced. Further, an angle of rotation of the belt tooth 2 from the first contact with the pulley groove 5 to the entire engagement therewith is decreased to decrease a slip quantity s since the first contact point S approaches near the belt tooth center line L ₁ . Therefore, the fatigue of the belt tooth 2 can be more reduced and the noise level becomes small. As described above, in a power transmission device employing the toothed belt B and the toothed pulley P, durability of the belt B is improved and the noise level during engagement is decreased. Moreover, since the centers of the groove bottom portion 5c and the groove innermost portion 5d of the pulley 5 are located in the same side as the pulley pitch line Lp from the groove innermost, the compressive force applied to the belt B concentrates toward a direction of the belt tooth center line L₁ during engagement to protect the belt tooth 2 from breaking. Further, even when the belt and the pulley are slipped out of position of the exact engagement caused by pitch errors in a plus value as shown in Fig.4 or in a minus value as shown in Fig.5, the behavior quantity of the belt tooth 2 is small since a deviation of the direction of the compressive force Fc from the direction of the belt tooth center line L₁ is small. Hence, durability of the belt B is improved and the noise level during engagement is further decreased. Fig.6 shows the toothed pulley P′ of another example (same toothed pulley as conventional one shown in Fig.13), Fig.7 shows a condition of the engagement between the toothed pulley P′ and the toothed belt B shown in Fig.1. The toothed pulley P′ has a plurality of pulley grooves 5′ along an outer periphery of a pulley body 4′ at a certain pitch Pp in which the belt teeth 2 of the toothed belt B engage under the compressed condition. Pulley grooves 5′ are separated by pulley teeth 6′ and each pulley groove 5′ is symmetrical about a pulley groove center line L₂ which intersects the pulley center in longitudinal cross-section. Also, each pulley tooth 6′ is symmetrical about a pulley tooth center line L₄ which intersects the pulley center in longitudinal cross-section. The pulley groove 5′ is substantially composed of a pair of circular arcs centers of which lie on the pulley pitch line Lp. Concretely, each pulley 5′ is divided into four regions in longitudinal cross-section from the tooth root to the groove bottom of the pulley tooth 6′. Namely, the pulley groove 5′ is composed of a pair of convex arcuate tooth root portions 5′a which continue to the pulley tooth 6′, a pair of concave arcuate groove flank portions 5′b which extend from ends of the tooth root portions 5′a toward the groove bottom, a convex arcuate base portion 5′d formed in a groove base, and a pair of concave arcuate conjunctive portions 5′c which connect the base portion 5′d with each flank portion 5′b. All of these portions are connected so as to be formed in a continuous curvature. The pulley 5′ has a groove width Wp measured between the intersections R and R at which the pulley pitch line Lp intersects imaginarily extended arcs of the pulley flank portions 5′b from conjunctive points thereof with the tooth root portions 5′a. The groove width Wp is predetermined to be a sum of the width Wb at tooth root of the belt tooth and the backlash quantity c therebetween. Each tooth root portion 5′a of the pulley groove 5′ is formed in a circular arc with a radius R ₁ p connecting between the groove flank portion 5′b and an outermost part of the pulley tooth 6′ in both sides of the pulley groove center line L₂ . The groove flank portion 5′b is also formed in a circular arc with a radius R ₂ p equal to the groove width Wp a center of which lies on the intersection R between the pulley pitch line Lp and the imaginarily extended arc of the opposite groove flank portion 5′b. The groove innermost portion 5′d is formed in a circular arc with a radius Rdp a center of which lies on the pulley groove center line L ₂ . Concretely, the location of the center of the circular arc of the groove innermost portion 5′d is expressed by the following equations in an x-y coordinate system which is composed of an origin on an intersection Op between the pulley pitch line Lp and the pulley groove center line L ₂ , x axis extending in a direction of the pulley pitch line Lp and y axis extending in an outward direction: x = () y = - Ap - Hp - Rdp wherein Rdp > () Moreover, the conjunctive portion 5′c is formed in a circular arc which has a small radius Rcp and has a center apart from the pulley groove center line L₂ in the same side as the conjunctive portion 5′c from the pulley groove center line L ₂ . Concretely, the location of the center of the circular arc of the conjunctive portion 5′c is expressed by the following equations in an x-y coordinate system which is composed of an origin on the intersection Op between the pulley pitch line Lp and the pulley groove center line L ₂ , x axis extending in a direction toward the conjunctive portion 5′c in question from the pulley pitch line Lp, and y axis extending in an outward direction of the pulley groove center line L₂ : x = 2A₂ · B₂ · {2 (1 + A₂ ² ) } ⁻¹ + [4A₂ ² · B₂ ² - 4 (1 + A₂ ²) · {B₂ ² - (Rdp - Rcp) ² } ] ¹ ² · {2 (1 + A₂ ² ) } ⁻¹ y = x · A₂ + B₂ - Hp - Rdp - ap wherein A₂ = -A₁ / B₁ B₂ = { - A₁ ² - (Rdp - Rcp) ² - B₁ ² + (R₂ p - Rcp) ² } / ( - 2B₁ ) A₁ = -Wp / 2 B₁ = { Od² - (Wp / 2) ² } ¹ ² - Od + Hp + Rdp+ ap Od = Pp · N / (2 π) (reference Pp is a pitch of the pulley groove) Therefore, as shown in Fig.7, in the toothed pulley P′, the first contact point S approaches the belt tooth center line L ₁ and the pulley groove center line L₂ when the belt B¹ engages with the pulley P¹ since the belt tooth 2 of the toothed belt B is formed in four circular ares 5a to 5d as described above. For this reason, the slip quantity s during the period from the first contact between the belt tooth 2 and the pulley groove 5′ to the entire engagement therebetween under a compressed condition is decreased and the noise level decreases during engagement. Also, since the slip quantity s is small, the shearing force Fs applied to the belt tooth 2 during engagement is decreased and the compressive force Fc applied to the belt tooth 2 is increased. Therefore, durability of the belt can be improved by these synergetic effects. The test results of the noise level tests, the crack tests at the tooth roots, and teeth skip tests of the teeth during engagement between the toothed belt B and the toothed pulley P′, as shown in Fig.7, are described below. As shown in Fig.8, the test instrument was composed of a driving pulley 10 having eighteen teeth, a driven pulley 11 having thirty-six teeth placed above the driving pulley 10, a back face tensioner 12 having 52mm diameter placed therebetween and the toothed belt B in the present invention or a conventional type toothed belt B′ trained therebetween. The noise level was detected by a microphone 13 placed at a distance 30mm apart from the driving pulley 10 in the horizontal position when the driving pulley 10 was rotated at 1000rpm under the condition of an air temperature 100 ° c. The test results are shown in Fig.9. A variation of the property of the belt was evaluated in accordance with four variations of the radius R₃ b of the third circular arc of the tooth top portion of the belt tooth within the range predetermined by the inequalities (7) and (8). The dimensions of the portions of the belt are described in a table 1. The radius of the circular arc corresponding to the third circular are was 0.8mm in the conventional type. The time required until the crack at the tooth root of the belt is formed was measured in two cases where the transmittal load torque between both pulleys 10 and 11 are large and small. The test results are shown in table 2. Regarding these test results, the belts of this invention display the superior properties to the conventional type belt in the noise level during engagement and in the time till the formation of the crack at the tooth root, and it is found the noise is reduced and durability is improved. The effective results are derived when the radius R ₃ b of the third circular arc of the tooth top portion is predetermined within the range given by the inequalities (7) and (8). Especially, the larger the value of the radius R₃ b is predetermined, the more effective results are derived. Also, as shown in Fig.10, the tooth skip test was done under the condition where the pulleys 10′ and 11′ are rotated at 100rpm, and a tooth skip torque was measured. In this test, the toothed belt B of this invention or the conventional type belt B′ is trained between the driving pulley 10′ and driven pulley 11′, both pulleys 10′ and 11′ having the twenty-four teeth, and tensions of both belts B and B′ were varied in two values, 12kgf and 25kgf. The radius R₃ b of the third circular arc of this invention was varied in four types to compare with the conventional type belt (the radius of the circular arc equals 0.8mm). The test results are shown in Fig.11. As shown in Fig.11, in the belt of this invention the tooth skip more scarcely occurs than in the conventional type belt. It is found that the larger the radius R ₃ b of the third circular arc of the tooth top portion on the belt is, the lower the tooth skip torque is.

Claims: 1. A toothed belt (B) having an endless belt body (1) made of elastomer material, tensile members embedded in said belt body extending longitudinally thereof along a belt pitch line (Lb) and a plurality of teeth (2) integrally formed with said belt body along an inner periphery thereof at a certain pitch (Pb) adapted for engaging with a toothed pulley in pulley grooves (5) thereon; said belt teeth (2) being separated by belt cavity portions (3) each belt tooth being symmetrical about a belt tooth center line (L₁) in longitudinal cross-section, each belt cavity portion (3) being symmetrical about a belt cavity center line (L₃) in longitudinal cross-section; each belt tooth (2) being divided into four regions in longitudinal cross-section from a tooth root to a tooth tip, a pair of opposed tooth root portions (2a) occupying a first region, a pair of convex arcuate tooth flank portions (2b) which extend from ends of said tooth root portions toward said tooth tip occupying a second region, a pair of convex arcuate tooth top portions (2c) which extend from ends of said tooth flank portions toward said tooth tip occupying a third region, and a tooth tip portion (2d) which connects ends of said tooth top portions occupying a fourth region, all said portions being connected so as to be formed in a continuous curvature; each belt tooth (2) having a width (Wb) at the tooth root measured between intersections (Q and Q) at which the belt pitch line (Lb) intersects imaginarily extended arcs (f) of said tooth flank portions (2b) from conjunctive points thereof with each tooth root portion (2a) in longitudinal cross-section, wherein the width (Wb) at the tooth root is smaller than the belt tooth pitch (Pb); each tooth root portion (2a) of each belt tooth (2) being formed in a first circular arc with a radius (R₁b) connecting said tooth flank portion (2b) to a base part (3a) of said belt cavity portion (3) in both sides of the belt tooth center line (L₁), wherein said base part in longitudinal cross-section is a line coinciding with a belt land line (L R ) which is colinear with the base parts of other belt cavity portions on said belt; each belt tooth (2) having a tooth height (Hb) measured between an extremity of said tooth tip portion (2d) and said belt land line (L R ) on the belt tooth center line (L₁) which is larger than the groove depth (Hp) of each pulley groove (5); and each tooth flank portion (2b) being formed in a second circular arc with a radius (R ₂ b) equal to the width (Wb) at the tooth root whose center lies on the intersection (Q) between the belt pitch line (Lb) and the imaginarily extended arc (f) of the opposite tooth flank portion (2b) from the belt tooth center line (L₁); characterised in that said width (Wb) of each belt tooth (2) at the tooth root being in the range of 0.3-0.8 times the belt tooth pitch (Pb) along the belt pitch line (Lb); said tooth tip portion (2d) being formed in a fourth circular arc whose center (O₂) lies on the belt tooth center line (L₁) and whose radius (R₄ b) is in a range given by the following inequality, R₄ b > { (Wb / 2) ² + Kb ² - (R₂ b) ²} / 4 (Kb - R₂ b ) (wherein reference Kb is a distance measured between the extremity of said tooth tip portion and said belt pitch line.); and said tooth top portions (2c) being each formed in a third circular are whose center (O₁) lies on a point (x, y) apart from said belt tooth center line (L₁) in the same side as the tooth top portions, the location of the point (x, y) being expressed by the following equations in an x-y coordinate system which is composed of an origin on an intersection (Ob) between the belt pitch line (Lb) and the belt tooth center line (L₁), x axis extending along the belt pitch line in a direction toward the tooth line and y axis extending along the belt tooth center line (L₁) in a direction toward the tooth top portions from the belt pitch line (Lb) : x = - (Wb / 2) + (R₂ b - R ₃ b ) cos ϑ y = (R₂ b - R₃ b) sin ϑ wherein ϑ = sin⁻¹ {4T A / (R₂ b - R₂ b ) · Wb} T A = {T s · (T s - R₂ b + R₃ b) · (T s - R₄ b + R₃ b) · (T s - Wb / 2)} ¹ ² T s = (R₂ b + R₄ b - 2R₃ b + Wb / 2) / 2 and whose radius (R₃ b) is in a range given by the following inequalities. R₃ b > {(Wb / 2)² + Kb² (R₂ b) ² } / 4 (Kb - R₂ b) R₃b < {(Wb / 2)² + Kb² - (R₂ b) ² } / 2 (Kb - R₂ b) 2. The toothed belt of Claim 1, wherein the tooth height (Hb) of each belt tooth is in a range of 1.01-1.20 times as high, as the depth (Hp) of each pulley groove (5). 3. A power transmission device composed of a toothed belt (B) as defined in claim 1 or in claim 2 and toothed pulleys engaging therewith. 4. The power transmission device of claim 3, wherein each toothed pulley has a plurality of pulley grooves (5) formed along an outer periphery thereof at a certain pitch (Pp) in which said belt teeth (2) of said toothed belt (B) engage under a compressed condition; said pulley grooves (5) being separated by pulley teeth (6), each pulley groove (5) being symmetrical about a pulley groove center line (L₂) in longitudinal cross-section, each pulley tooth (6) being symmetrical about a pulley tooth center line (L₄) in longitudinal cross-section; each pulley groove (5) being divided into four regions in longitudinal cross-section from a tooth root to a groove bottom, composed of a pair of tooth root portions (5a) which continue to said pulley tooth (6) occupying a first region, a pair of concave arcuate groove flank portions (5b) which extend from ends of the tooth root portions toward the groove bottom occupying a second region, a pair of concave arcuate groove bottom portions (5c) which extend from ends of the groove flank portions toward the groove bottom occupying a third region, and a groove innermost portion (5d) which connects ends of the groove bottom portions occupying a fourth region, all these portions (5a-5d) being connected so as to be formed in a continuous curvature; each pulley groove (5) having a groove width (Wp) measured between intersections (R and R) at which the pulley pitch line (Lp) intersects imaginarily extended arcs (g) of the pulley flank portions (5b) from conjunctive points thereof with the tooth root portions (5a) in longitudinal cross-section, wherein the groove width (Wp) is predetermined to be a sum of the width (Wb) at the tooth root of the belt tooth (2) and a backlash quantity (c) therebetween; each tooth root portion (5a) of the pulley groove (5) being formed in a first circular arc with a radius (R₁ p) connecting the groove flank portion (5b) to an outermost part (6a) of the pulley tooth (6) in both sides of the pulley groove center line (L₂), wherein the outermost part in longitudinal cross-section is a line coinciding with an outside diameter of the pulley whose center lies on a pulley center with other outermost parts of the pulley tooth; each groove flank portion (5b) being formed in a second circular arc with a radius (R ₂ p) equal to the groove width (Wp) whose center lies on the intersection (R) between the pulley pitch line (Lp) and the imaginarily extended arc of the opposite groove flank portion (5b) from the pulley center line (L₂); each groove innermost portion (5d) being formed in a fourth circular arc whose center (O₄) lies on the pulley groove center line (L₂), and whose radius (R ₄ p) is in a range given by the following inequality R₄ p ≧ R₄ b; each pulley groove (5) having a groove height (Hp) measured on the pulley center line (L₂) from an intersection between the outer periphery line and the pulley to the extremity of the innermost portion (5d); and each groove bottom portion (5c) being formed in a third circular arc whose center (O₃) lies on a point (x, y) apart from the pulley groove center line (L₂) in the same side as the groove bottom portions (5c), the location of the point (x, y) being expressed by the following equations in an x-y coordinate system which is composed of an origin on an intersection (Op) between the pulley pitch line (Lp) and the pulley groove center line (L₂), x axis extending along the pulley pitch line in a direction toward the groove bottom portions in question from the pulley groove center line and y axis extending along the pulley groove center line in an outward direction: x = - 2A₂ · B₂ · {2 (1 + A₂ ² )} ⁻¹ + {4A₂² · B₂ ² - 4 ( 1 + A₂ ²) · {B₂ ² - (R₃ p - R₄ p) ²} ] 1/2 · {2 (1 + A₂ ²) } ⁻¹ y = X · A₂ + B₂ - Hp + R₄ p - ap wherein A₂ = -A₁ / B₁ B₂ = {- A₁² - (R₃ p - R₄ p ) ² - B₁² + (R₂ p - R₃ p ) ² } / ( - 2B₁ ) A₁ = -Wp / 2 B₁ = {Od² - (Wp / 2) ² } 1/2 - Od + Hp - R₄ p + ap Od = Pp · N / (2π) wherein reference ap is a differential quantity of the pulley pitch line (Lp) of the pulley, and reference N are the numbers of the pulley teeth) and whose radius (R₃ p) is in a range given by following inequalities: R₃ p > { (Wp / 2) ² + K p² - (R₂ p) ² } / 4 (Kp - R₂ p) R₃ p < { (Wp / 2) ² + Kp ² - (R₂ p) ² } / 2 (Kp - R₂p) (wherein reference Kp is a distance dimension measured between an extremity of the innermost portion of the pulley groove and the pulley pitch line.) 5. The power transmission device of Claim 3 or Claim 4, wherein the shape of each belt tooth (2) and the shape of each pulley groove (5) satisfy the following equation and inequalities: Hb / Hp = 1. 01∼1. 10 R₄ b ≦ R₄ p R₃ b > R₃ p

Inventors: KITABAYASHI, MASAYUKI C/O BANDO CHEMICAL, TANAKA, MICHIO C/O BANDO CHEMICAL
Applicants: BANDO CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES, LIMITED
Application year: 1989
Main classification: F16G1
IPC codes: F16G1, F16H7