Abstract:
A guide device for guiding an endless torque-transmitting member of a belt-driven, conical-pulley transmission. The device includes an outer guide section, and an inner guide section that is spaced from the outer guide section and between which guide sections the endless torque-transmitting member is guidable in a direction of travel of that member. The device is formed from two halves that are connected to each other by a plug-in and slide connection arrangement, in order to improve the guide device structurally, functionally, and from a producibility standpoint.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is the U.S. national phase application under 35 U.S.C. §371 of International Application Serial No. PCT/EP2013/062973, having an international filing date of 21 Jun. 2013, and designating the United States, which claims priority based upon German Patent Application No. DE 10 2012 212 472.1, filed on 17 Jul. 2012, the entire contents of each of which applications are hereby incorporated by reference herein to the same extent as if fully rewritten. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a guide device for an endless torque-transmitting means of a belt-driven conical-pulley transmission, having a first guide section and a second guide section spaced apart from the first guide section, between which the endless torque-transmitting means is guidable in a direction of travel. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     From German patent publication DE 100 17 005 A1 a transmission is known, such as a continuously adjustable, belt-driven, conical-pulley transmission. The transmission includes a first conical disk pair and a second conical disk pair, each disk pair having one axially movable and one axially fixed conical disk, and an endless torque-transmitting means for torque transmission situated between the conical disk pairs. A receiving rail is provided to at least partially receive the endless torque-transmitting means, in order to improve the transmission relative to its manner of operation, in particular with regard to the acoustic properties, and to keep the construction of the transmission and the assembly as simple as possible. That German published application discloses a receiving rail which has a U-shaped contour in cross section. In that case, the strand is on only one side of the receptacle, while there is a free space on the other side. The endless torque-transmitting means can be inserted through the opening. That receiving rail is designed in a single piece. 
     From German patent publication No. DE 10 2011 081 481.7 a guide device is known for an endless torque-transmitting means of a belt-driven, conical-pulley transmission, the guide device having a first guide section and a second guide section that is spaced apart from the first guide section. Between the guide sections the endless torque-transmitting means is guidable in a direction of travel, the guide sections having a longitudinal direction which corresponds to the direction of travel of the endless torque-transmitting means, a transverse direction perpendicular thereto, and lateral edge sections which delimit the guide sections in the transverse direction. At least one guide section has at least one longitudinal rib which extends in the longitudinal direction, and which is positioned apart from the edge sections. According to that German patent application the guide device is designed as a two-part guide rail. One guide rail half has a locating pin, a locating pin receptacle, a latching hook and a latching bow to connect with a second guide rail half. 
     From German patent application No. DE 10 2012 203 077.8 a guide device is known for an endless torque-transmitting means of a belt-driven, conical-pulley transmission having a first guide section and a second guide section which is spaced apart from the first guide section, between which the endless torque-transmitting means is guidable in a direction of travel, in which the guide device has a guide module and a stiffening module with at least one stiffening core. According to that German patent application, the guide module is designed as a two-part guide rail having two guide rail halves. The guide rail is divided in the longitudinal direction into the two guide rail halves. The guide rail halves each have a locating pin, a locating pin receptacle, a latching hook and a latching bow to connect with the other guide rail half. 
     An object of the present invention is to structurally and/or functionally improve a guiding device identified at the beginning. In particular, a connection between the halves of the guide device is to be simplified, a reliable connecting system is to be created, and producibility of the halves of the guide device is to be simplified. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The object is achieved with a guide device for an endless torque-transmitting means of a belt-driven, conical-pulley transmission having a first guide section and a second guide section which is spaced apart from the first guide section, between which the endless torque-transmitting means is guidable in a direction of travel, in which the guide device has two halves that are connected to each other with the help of a plug-in and slide connection. 
     The transmission ratio of the belt-driven conical-pulley transmission can be continuously adjustable. The belt-driven conical-pulley transmission can be a continuously variable transmission (CVT), and can be a variator transmission. Additionally, the belt-driven, conical-pulley transmission can be positioned in a drivetrain of a motor vehicle and can have a first conical pulley pair and a second conical pulley pair. The conical pulley pairs can have parallel axes of rotation and each conical pulley pair can have one axially fixed conical disk and one axially movable conical disk. The axially movable conical disks of the conical pulley pairs can be movable in opposite directions. The first conical pulley pair can be drivable by means of an input drive that can be an internal combustion engine. An output drive can be connectible by means of the second conical pulley pair. The endless torque-transmitting means can serve to transmit mechanical power between the first conical pulley pair and the second conical pulley pair. The belt-driven conical-pulley transmission can have a housing and conical disks can be supported in the housing. 
     The endless torque-transmitting means may can be a traction medium that can be a chain. The chain can be a plate-link chain having plates and pressure members. The pressure members can serve to couple the endless torque-transmitting means with the conical pulley pairs. A coupling between the pressure members and the conical pulley pairs can occur by frictional engagement, and the plates can serve to couple the pressure members. The endless torque-transmitting means can have a load strand and a slack strand. 
     In operation, vibrations in a transverse direction be induced in the load strand and/or in the slack strand of the endless torque-transmitting means. A transverse direction can be a direction that is perpendicular to the travel direction of the endless torque-transmitting means and to the axes of rotation of the conical pulley pair. The endless torque-transmitting means can assume a running position independent of a transmission ratio of the belt-driven conical-pulley transmission. The running position of the endless torque-transmitting means can change with a change in the transmission ratio of the belt-driven conical-pulley transmission. 
     With the guide device, the endless torque-transmitting means can be guidable on a load strand. With the guide device, the endless torque-transmitting means can be guidable on a slack strand. The endless torque-transmitting means can be guidable at the first guide section and at the second guide section in a transverse direction. The endless torque-transmitting means can be guidable at least nearly free of clearance between the first guide section and the second guide section. The endless torque-transmitting means can slide in operation at the first guide section and/or at the second guide section. At the first guide section, the endless torque-transmitting means can be guidable by its inner side. An inner side of the endless torque-transmitting means can be a side facing the axes of rotation of the conical pulley pair. At the second guide section, the endless torque-transmitting means can be guidable by its outer side. An outer side of the endless torque-transmitting means can be a side facing away from the axes of rotation of the conical pulley pair. 
     The guide device can have a joining plane that extends in the travel direction of the endless torque-transmitting means. The joining plane can be positioned perpendicular to the axes of rotation of the conical disks. The halves of the guide device can be connected to each other along the joining plane. The halves can each have a mating surface and can have their mating surfaces resting against each other. The guide device can have a first half and a second half. 
     The first guide section can be divided along the joining plane. The first guide section can be divided along the joining plane into a first part and a second part. The first part of the first guide section can be formed with the first half of the guide device. The second part of the first guide section can be formed with the second half of the guide device. The second guide section can be divided along the joining plane into a first part and a second part. The first part of the second guide section can be formed with the first half of the guide device, and the second part of the second guide section can be formed with the second half of the guide device. 
     The first part of the first guide section and the first part of the second guide section can be connected to each other with the help of a first connecting section of the guide device. The first half of the guide device can have the first part of the first guide section, the first part of the second guide section, and the first connecting section. The first half of the guide device can be produced in a single piece. The second part of the first guide section and the second part of the second guide section can be connected to each other with the help of a second connecting section of the guide device. The second half of the guide device can have the second part of the first guide section, the second part of the second guide section, and the second connecting section. The second half of the guide device can be produced in a single piece. 
     The plug-in and slide connection can serve to connect the halves in a form-locked manner. The plug-in and slide connection can serve to connect the halves in a pretensioned, form-locked manner. The plug-in and slide connection can serve to connect the halves directly in a form-locked manner. The plug-in and slide connection can be connectible through plugging and subsequent sliding. The plug-in and slide connection can be connectible through plugging the two halves together and subsequently moving the two halves relative to each other. The plug-in and slide connection can be connectible through plugging the two halves together in the extension direction of the axes of rotation of the conical disks and subsequently moving the two halves relative to each other in the extension direction of the joining plane. 
     With the guide device according to the invention, assembly is simplified. The guide device has increased strength. Process reliability in assembly is increased, and testing of pulling-out force can be omitted. Assembly problems are avoided. Formation of gaps between the halves is avoided. A connection between the halves has increased reliability. Producibility of the guide device is simplified. Holding force between the halves is increased. 
     The plug-in and slide connection can have at least one rigid, hook-shaped first connecting element and at least one second connecting element with a receiving section and an undercut section. The plug-in and slide connection can have two rigid hook-shaped first connecting elements and two second connecting elements, each having a receiving section and an undercut section. 
     The at least one first connecting element can be designed as a rigid, L-shaped hook. The at least one first connecting element can project beyond a mating surface of the particular half in a plug-in direction of the plug-in and slide connection. The at least one second connecting element can be designed as an L-shaped cutout formed with two side sections, where one side section can form the receiving section, and on the other side section the undercut section can be formed. To join the plug-in and slide connection, in each case a rigid, L-shaped hook can be introduced into the receiving section of a cutout, and subsequently, through moving the halves, the rigid, L-shaped hook can be moved to the undercut section, so that releasing the plug-in and slide connection contrary to the plug-in direction of the plug-in and slide connection is prevented by a positive lock. 
     The halves of the guide device can have at least one first connecting section and at least one second connecting section. The halves can each have exactly one first connecting section and exactly one second connecting section. 
     At least one half can have at least one detent element which is effective in a plug-in direction of the plug-in and slide connection, to lock the halves to each other in a connected position. The at least one detent element can project beyond the mating surface of a half. The at least one detent element can catch elastically and can be a latching finger. Each of the halves can have at least one detent element, which can correspond to at least one detent element of the other half. The detent elements can be oriented opposite to each other. 
     The halves of the guide device can be designed identically, at least with regard to their connecting sections. The halves of the guide device can be designed at least approximately identically. 
     In summary, and portrayed in other words, the invention thus yields, among other things, a one-click guide rail. The guide rail can be symmetrical. The guide rail can have four hooks, four corresponding holes, and two clips (for 2 halves). Assembly can be accomplished through two steps: 1. The two halves can first be united on the chain; 2. The two halves can then be moved relative to each other in the direction of travel, so that they are located opposite each other. A click ensures that an assembly has occurred. The design can be characterized by the following points: a pulling-out force is significantly increased, and it can be possible to omit measuring; the guide rail has fewer elements and is then easier to produce; a gap between the tongues can be reduced; an erroneous assembly is unlikely, because there is no clip on the mating surface; a single click ensures a correct assembly. 
     “Can” or “may” designate in particular optional features of the invention. Accordingly, in each case there is one exemplary embodiment of the invention which has the particular feature or particular features. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described in greater detail below in reference to drawing figures. That description will yield additional features and advantages. Concrete features of those exemplary embodiments can depict general features of the invention. Features of those exemplary embodiments combined with other features can also represent individual features of the invention. 
       The figures show the following, schematically and by way of example: 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of a continuously variable transmission having two conical disk pairs, a chain, and a two-part guide rail to guide the chain, 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a two-part guide rail having a first guide rail half and a second guide rail half, which are connected to each other by a plug-in and slide connection, 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a first guide rail half, with hooks, cutouts, and a latching finger, 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a second guide rail half, with hooks, cutouts, and a latching finger, 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of a first guide rail half and a second guide rail half before joining, and 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of a first guide rail half and a second guide rail half in a joined state. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  shows a continuously variable transmission  100  having two conical disk pairs  102 ,  104 , a chain  106 , and a guide rail  108  to guide the chain  106 . The conical disk pair  102  is drivable starting from a motor vehicle internal combustion engine. An axis of rotation of the conical disk pair  102  is identified as  110 . The arrow direction a shows a direction of drive rotation. The conical disk pair  104  can be drive-connected to driving wheels of the motor vehicle. An axis of rotation of the conical disk pair  104  is identified as  112 . The chain  106  serves to transmit mechanical power between the conical disk pair  102  and the conical pulley  104 . In the figure, the chain  106  runs on a small radius on the conical pulley  102  and on a large radius on the conical pulley pair  104 . That results in a transmission ratio change in the slower direction in the present case. 
     The conical disks of the conical pulley pairs  102 ,  104  are movable relative to each other in the direction of the axes of rotation  110 ,  112 . If the conical disks of a conical pulley pair  102 ,  104  are far apart from each other, the chain  106  runs on a small radius. If the conical disks of a conical pulley pair  102 ,  104  have a small distance between them, the chain  106  runs on a large radius. If the distance between the conical disks is increased, the running radius of the chain  106  shifts in the direction of smaller radii. If the distance between the conical disks is decreased, the running radius of the chain  106  shifts in the direction of larger radii. The conical disks of the conical pulley pair  102 ,  104  are adjusted in opposite directions, so that the chain  106  remains pre-tensioned. When the transmission ratio of the transmission  100  is changed, the relative position between the chain  106  and the axes  110 ,  112  of the conical pulley pair  102 ,  104  changes. 
     With an input drive corresponding to arrow direction a, the chain  106  runs in arrow direction b. The guide rail  108  is then positioned on a load strand of the chain  106 . The guide rail  108  has an inner guide section  114  and an outer guide section  116 . The guide sections  114 ,  116  are connected to each other by connection sections, such as  118 . The chain  106  is guided between the guide sections  114 ,  116  with only a small clearance. The guide rail  108  is positioned on a support tube  120 . The support tube  120  is firmly positioned on a housing of the transmission  100 , and thus in fixed relation to the axes  110 ,  112  of the conical pulley pairs  102 ,  104 . For the disposition on the support tube  120 , the guide rail  108  has a receptacle in the shape of an elongated hole. During operation of the transmission  100 , vibrations can be induced in a transverse direction c in the chain  106 . The elongated-hole-shaped receptacle of the guide rail  108  extends in arrow direction c. In order to enable a change in position of the chain  106  when the transmission ratio of the transmission  100  changes, the guide rail  108  is situated on the support tube  120  so that it is pivotable about a longitudinal axis of the support tube  120 , and is movable in arrow direction c. The guide-rail  108  has a two-part structure. 
       FIG. 2  shows a two-part guide rail  200  having a first guide rail half  202  and a second guide rail half  204 , which are connected to each other by a plug-in and slide connection arrangement.  FIG. 3  shows the first guide rail half  202  with hooks  206 , cutouts  208 , and latching finger  210 .  FIG. 4  shows the second guide rail half  204  with hooks  212 , cutouts  214 , and latching finger  216 .  FIG. 5  shows the first guide rail half  202  and the second guide rail half  204  before they are joined.  FIG. 6  shows the first guide rail half  202  and the second guide rail half  204  in a joined state. 
     The guide rail  200  has an inner guide section  218 , an outer guide section  220  and connecting sections  222 ,  224 . The inner guide section  218  has an inner guide surface for a chain, such as chain  106  shown in  FIG. 1 . The outer guide section  220  has an outer guide surface for the chain. The guide rail  200  is divided in the longitudinal direction into the two guide rail halves  202 ,  204 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , guide rail half  202  has a part of the inner guide section  218 , a part of the outer guide section  220 , and the connecting section  222 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , guide rail half  204  has a part of the inner guide section  218 , a part of the outer guide section  220 , and the connecting section  224 . The guide sections  218 ,  220  are kept apart from each other by the connecting sections  222 ,  224 . The connecting sections  222 ,  224  are each narrower at their ends assigned to the inner guide section  218  than at their ends assigned to the outer guide section  220 . With their respective facing inner surfaces, the connecting sections  222 ,  224  each form a lateral guide for the sides of a chain. The inner guide section  218  serves to guide the radially inner surfaces of the chain. The outer guide section  220  serves to guide the radially outer surfaces of the chain. A receptacle  226  for connecting with a support tube, such as support tube  120  shown in  FIG. 1 , is provided on the inner guide section  218  and on the outer guide section  220 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , guide rail halves  202 ,  204  are each produced in a single piece. The guide rail halves  202 ,  204  are each made of a synthetic material, for example a polyamide, possibly with a glass fiber filling, and are each produced by an injection molding process. The guide rail halves  202 ,  204  are connected to each other with the help of a plug-in and slide connection. The plug-in and slide connection has hooks  206 ,  212 , cutouts  208 ,  214  and latching fingers  210 ,  216 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , guide rail half  202  includes connection surfaces  203 ,  205  for connecting to corresponding, opposed surfaces of the guide rail half  204 . The guide rail half  202  has on its surfaces  203 ,  205  two hooks  206 , two cutouts  208 , and one latching finger  210 . The hooks  206  are situated on respective surfaces  203 ,  205  of the guide rail half  202 , and project outwardly from the respective mating surface. The cutouts  208  are also situated on respective surfaces  203 ,  205  of the guide rail half  202 . Positioned on connection surface  205  of the guide rail half  202 , and in spaced relationship along connection surface  205 , are a hook  206  and a cutout  208 . Positioned on the outer guide section of the guide rail half  202  are a hook  206 , a cutout  208 , and the latching finger  210 . The positions of hook  206  and the cutout  208  on connection surface  205  of the guide rail half  202 , and the positions of hook  206  and the cutout  208  on connection surface  203  of the guide rail half  202  are spatially interchanged relative to each other. The latching finger  210  is positioned between the hook  206  and the cutout  208  on connection surface  203  of the guide rail half  202 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , and similar to guide rail half  202 , guide rail half  204  has connection surfaces  207 ,  209  for connection to corresponding opposed connection surfaces  203 ,  205  of the guide rail half  202 . The guide rail half  204  includes on its connection surfaces  207 ,  209  two hooks  212 , two cutouts  214 , and one latching finger  216 . The hooks  212  are situated on each of connection surfaces  207 ,  209  of the guide rail half  204 , and project outwardly from the respective surfaces. The cutouts  214  are also situated on the respective connection surfaces  207 ,  209  of the guide rail half  204 . Positioned on connection surface  207  of the guide rail half  204 , and in spaced relationship along connection surface  209 , are a hook  212  and a cutout  214 . Positioned on connection surface  207  of the guide rail half  204 , and in spaced relationship along connection surface  207 , are a hook  212 , a cutout  214 , and the latching finger  216 . The positions of hook  212  and the cutout  214  on connection surface  209  of the guide rail half  204 , and the positions of hook  212  and the cutout  214  on connection surface  207  of the guide rail half  204  are spatially interchanged relative to each other. The latching finger  216  is positioned between the hook  212  and the cutout  214  on connection surface  207  of the guide rail half  204 . 
     The hooks  206 ,  212  each have an L-shaped cross section with a first leg and a second leg. The first legs extend outwardly of and at right angles to the respective connection surface. The second legs extend from an outer end of the respective first legs and are positioned at right angles to the first legs. The second legs are directed away from the mating planes of the guide sections  218 ,  220 , starting from the first legs. The second legs are situated at a distance from the respective connection surfaces of the guide rail half  202 ,  204 , and extend parallel to the respective connection surfaces. The second legs define an outer face of the hooks  206 ,  212 , which are of rigid design. 
     The cutouts  208 ,  214  are of L-shaped form, with a first section and a second section. The first sections of the cutouts  208 ,  214  correspond in shape to the faces of the second legs of the hooks  206 ,  212 . The second sections of the cutouts  208 ,  214  extend along connection surfaces  203 ,  205 ,  207 ,  209 , and correspond in shape to a cross section of the first legs of the hooks  206 ,  214 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , latching fingers  210 ,  216  each have a free outer end  209 ,  211 , respectively, which extends outwardly relative to the respective connection surfaces of the guide rail halves  202 ,  204 . The latching fingers  210 ,  216  extend in opposite directions relative to the connection surfaces and are connected to the respective guide rail halves  202 ,  204  in such a way that their free ends can be deflected inward and outward relative to the respective connection surface. The free ends of the latching fingers  210 ,  216  point in the sliding direction of the plug-in and slide connection and form ramp surfaces, which serve to bring about an inward deflection of the latching fingers  210 ,  216 . The free ends of the latching fingers  210 ,  216  are positioned approximately centered on the respective guide rail halves  202 ,  204  in the sliding direction of the plug-in and slide connection. 
     The guide rail halves  202 ,  204  are of similar overall design when viewed while facing their respective connection surfaces, at least with regard to the arrangement of the hooks  206 ,  212 , the cutouts  208 ,  214  and the latching fingers  210 ,  216 . When the guide rail halves  202 ,  204  are positioned with their respective connection surfaces opposite to and facing each other, the hooks  206  and the cutouts  214 , the hooks  212  and the cutouts  208 , and the latching finger  210  and the latching finger  216  are each opposite each other. 
     In order to connect the guide rail halves  202 ,  204  to each other so that their respective connection surfaces extend as shown in assembled form in  FIG. 6 , the guide rail halves  202 ,  204  are first positioned facing each other in the x-axis direction shown in  FIG. 5 . The hooks  206  are introduced with their second legs extending into the first sections of the cutouts  214  and the hooks  212  with their second legs extending into the first sections of the cutouts  208 , until the respective connection surfaces of the guide rail halves  202 ,  204  are touching each other. Next, the guide rail halves  202 ,  204  are moved relative to each other in the y-axis direction shown in  FIG. 5 , so that the hooks  206 ,  212  with their first legs are moved along the second sections of the cutouts  208 . The guide rail halves  202 ,  204  are moved relative to each other in the y-axis direction shown in  FIG. 5 , until the latching fingers  210 ,  216  latch with their free ends against each other as shown in  FIG. 6 . The latching engagement of the latching fingers  210 ,  216  is acoustically and tactilely perceptible. That movement in the y-axis direction forms a positive lock between the second legs of the hooks  206 ,  212  and edge sections of the first sections of the cutouts  214 , so that the guide rail halves  202 ,  204  are connected to each other. Detachment of the guide rail halves  202 ,  204  from each other is not possible when the outermost ends of the latching fingers  210 ,  216  are in the positions shown in  FIG. 6 . The guide rail halves  202 ,  204  can be detached from each other when the outer ends of the latching fingers  210 ,  216  are deflected toward their respective connection surfaces of the guide rail halves and are moved in the y-axis direction that is opposite from the connection movement direction, so that the guide rail halves can be moved apart and detached from each other.