Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US7980975?dq=645576
Timestamp: 2017-07-26 16:51:11
Document Index: 209470437

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 210', 'art 210', 'art 210', 'art 210', 'art 210', 'art 210', 'art 210', 'art 210', 'art 502', 'art 502', 'art 502', 'art 502', 'art 502', 'art 1112', 'art 1112']

Patent US7980975 - Drive configuration and method thereof - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inPatentsA drive configuration for driving one or more rotating sprockets (e.g., of an engine drive train), including a flexible force transmitting member forming a closed curve enclosing an area; a drive sprocket situated outside the area and driving the force transmitting member; first and second pulleys situated...http://www.google.com/patents/US7980975?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US7980975 - Drive configuration and method thereofAdvanced Patent SearchTry the new Google Patents, with machine-classified Google Scholar results, and Japanese and South Korean patents.Publication numberUS7980975 B2Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 11/985,695Publication dateJul 19, 2011Filing dateNov 16, 2007Priority dateNov 16, 2007Fee statusPaidAlso published asUS8495978, US20090131207, US20110253083, WO2009065009A2, WO2009065009A3Publication number11985695, 985695, US 7980975 B2, US 7980975B2, US-B2-7980975, US7980975 B2, US7980975B2InventorsVictor A. GrossmanOriginal AssigneeGrossman Victor AExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (23), Referenced by (2), Classifications (10), Legal Events (3) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetDrive configuration and method thereof
US 7980975 B2Abstract
The present invention relates generally to a drive configuration for mounting drive belts, and more particularly to an apparatus and method for mounting a timing belt and a method for changing the same.
Typically, vehicles use a timing belt or a timing chain to operate one or more camshafts and/or other accessories (e.g., oil and/or water pumps, balance shafts, etc.). Timing belts are preferred over timing chains for many reasons. For example, timing belts cost less and emit less noise than conventional timing chains when used in automobiles and other vehicles. Moreover, timing belts do not require lubrication and initially cost less than a timing chain. However, timing belts have a limited life span and typically require replacement in as little as 25,000 miles (as opposed to timing chains which can last for the life of the vehicle).
Moreover, as typical timing-belt installation is complicated, timing belts are often incorrectly installed. Accordingly, it is not uncommon for components (such as cams, balance shafts, etc.) to be misaligned (i.e., mistimed) which can adversely affect fuel economy, timing, engine life, balance (e.g., resulting in vibration), and can lead to unexpected engine failure—which can occur at critical times. Moreover, improper tensioning, can allow a timing belt to skip, which can also result in unexpected failure (e.g., of the belt and the engine) and lead to a dangerous situation. For example, when a driver accelerates to cross a busy three-lane boulevard, if a timing belt skips cogs when the driver begins to accelerate, the engine can stall and leave the vehicle unexpectedly in the path of oncoming traffic.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to solve the above-noted and other problems of conventional timing belts and to provide an apparatus and a method for easily mounting and installing timing belts (or chains) in vehicles. It is another aspect of the present invention to provide an apparatus and a method for driving vehicle accessories such as alternators, air conditioning compressors, power steering pumps, etc. It is yet another aspect of the present invention to provide a means for changing a timing belt without removing accessory belts such as power steering, air conditioning, water pump, alternator, etc. drive belts. It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a cartridge including base for supporting pulleys and a timing belt. Wherein the timing belt can be installed or removed by installing or removing the cartridge.
A front view diagram illustrating the timing belt apparatus according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 2A. Pulleys 204 and 206 position timing belt 202 so that it engages sprocket 208. A mounting part 210 can include one or more elements (e.g., one or more front plates, rear plates, struts, rods, etc., as will be described below) and positions one or more of the pulleys 204 and 206 so that the timing belt 202 is located in a desired position relative to the sprocket 208 (e.g., a crankshaft sprocket which, for example, is attached to an engines crankshaft). The mounting part 210 is attached to an engine block or to a corresponding component (e.g., a front cover, cylinder head, etc.—which are not shown) via any suitable means. For example, tracks, rails, guides, bolts, pins, friction fits, keyways, etc. can be used to attach the mounting part 210 to, for example, the front cover of the engine. For the sake of clarity, mounting means for attaching the mounting part 210 to the engine will not be shown. Moreover, also for the sake of clarity, only a few cogs “C” (or teeth) are shown on each of the timing belt 202 and crank sprocket 208. Optional cavities 223 can be used for accepting guide pins and/or securing the mounting part 210 using, for example, bolts, lugs, pins, etc. For example, during installation, a bifurcated tool (not shown) can be aligned with sprocket 208 (and likewise the crankshaft—using, for example, a pin which is not shown) and its ends inserted into the mounting part 210 such that the mounting part 210 is aligned with the sprocket 208 and possibly rotated therewith. This can aid the installation process as will be described below. However, it is also envisioned that the cavities can extend through one or more ends of the mounting part 210 such that one or more guide pins, bolts, rods, etc. can be inserted therein.
A front-view diagram illustrating the timing belt apparatus according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 5A. The timing apparatus 500 is essentially similar to the timing belt apparatus shown in FIG. 3A. However, a mounting part 502 (which may include one or more parts) includes a water pump 504 and a water pump pulley 506 for driving the water pump 504. Although not shown, the water pump 504 may be formed at least in part integrally with the mounting part 502. However, the water pump may also be attached to the mounting part 502. In some embodiments, an oil pump, a tensioning means (not shown) such as a tensioner including a pulley, etc. may be used in addition to (or in lieu of) the water pump 504. In yet other embodiments, a variable valve timing (VVT) means for advancing/retarding the timing of one or more camshafts may also be included. Moreover, the mounting part 502 may include one or more parts and/or various shapes corresponding to a desired application. Moreover, the mounting part can be designed such that its size and shape is in accordance with one or more different engine configurations—thus enhancing parts interchangeability. In other embodiments, the timing belt or chain may drive an intermediate shaft. Another flexible tensioning device (i.e., a timing belt or chain) or a gear drive can then drive one or more of the camshafts.
In yet other embodiments, the apparatus according to the present invention may include identification (ID) means which can provide identification information (using, for example, a wired connection or a wireless connection) to a requesting device (e.g., an engine control unit (ECU)). For example, a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag 508 (including data corresponding to the apparatus according to the present invention) may be attached to or embedded into, for example, the mounting part 502. Then, an RFID reader can download information related to the RFID tag and determine characteristics of the apparatus according to the present invention. For example, when installing a new timing belt, an RFID can read the data corresponding to the RFID tag. Thereafter, this data can be used to determine proper change times and/or intervals for the apparatus according to the present invention. For example, transmitting this information to an on-board diagnostic computer such as the vehicle's own computer (i.e., the engine control unit—ECU), can enable the computer to use this data to determine a proper change time and indicate when a change of the apparatus according to the present invention is necessary via a vehicle display screen, the vehicle's audio system, and/or via other means such as an at-home computer (e.g., via the Internet), a dealership alert means (e.g., the dealerships maintenance system which can alert service personnel and/or the vehicles owner), etc. However, this data may also be used by other computational means. As shown, the RFID tag can include data such as type, lot number, date of production, identification (ID) number, routing codes (for example, indicating distribution sources), etc. Accordingly, grey market parts can be identified and/or rejected by, for example, the ECU, or the vehicle's manufacturer. Further, using information transmitted by the ID means, a controller (e.g., the ECU) may limit certain functions. For example, based upon the ID information, engine speed and or operation may be limited, as desired. Thus, upon determining that the ID of the apparatus meets a certain condition, engine speed (e.g., RPM) may be limited so that it is less than (or otherwise within a certain predetermined range), if for example a substandard timing belt (e.g., a belt by another manufacturer, a defective belt such as recalled belt, etc.) is detected. This can provide even higher levels of safety to users.
A schematic view diagram of a controller for adjusting the timing according the present invention is shown in FIG. 10. A controller 1000 controls the overall operation of the system and may communicate with one or more of an input device 1018, a display 1002, a memory 1004, an identification (ID) sensor such as an RFID sensor 1006, sensors 1010, receiver (TX/RX) 1014, and/or actuator/control 1016. The sensors 1010 may include various engine control sensors such as one or more of crank and camshaft position sensors, vacuum, pressure, load, and/or angle sensors (e.g., reporting position of corresponding actuators, assemblies, engine load, etc.), battery-charge sensors, etc., as are used by conventional engine control systems. Alternatively, the controller 1000 may receive timing-related signals from an engine control computer and respond thereto accordingly. The display may include a remote display, the vehicle's display, etc., and may display requested and/or relevant information. For example, the display 1002 may display timing belt status such as recommended change interval, remaining lifespan, etc. The memory 1004 can be used to store desired information, e.g., ID numbers, date of change, operating parameters, etc. The optional RFID sensor 1006 can be used transmit/receive information using a short range communication system such as Bluetooth or other short-range communication methods. Further, communication may be established using wired means such as a wired connection, as compared to a wireless connection. The receiver 1014 may receive information such as software and other data (e.g., voice, multimedia data, maps, music, various information relating to the vehicle such as control information, etc.) using a long- or short-range communication systems. For example, the receiver 1014 may be used to receive updated software for controlling various components of the engine or may transmit information to a failure to a repair facility for expediting a repair. For example, information associated with the timing belt system according to the present invention may be transmitted to a repair center (etc.) so that adequate measures may be taken with minimum interruption to a user. Although not shown, the controller may include or be interfaced with an engine control unit (ECU—not shown and/or other vehicle computer). The input device may include a keyboard, a touch-screen display, a remote download device, a mechanics computer, etc for uploading/downloading information to/from the controller 1000. The downlink and/or uplink transmission systems can include one or more of systems such as cellular, satellite, short range (e.g., Bluetooth), etc.
A front-view diagram illustrating the timing belt apparatus according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 11. Timing apparatus 1100 is essentially similar to the timing belt apparatus shown and described in other embodiments of the present invention. However, the timing apparatus 1100 is configured for a “V”-type engine using a single timing belt. An optional water pump 504 and variable timing system is shown. The base part 1112 may be formed from one or more portions and may include rods, links, hinges, etc. (not shown) for attaching the different portions to each other and/or simplifying installation (e.g., by allowing folding of the various components). Moreover, if desired, the timing belt may be positioned over the camshaft sprockets 220 such as is shown in FIG. 3B, in which case the base part 1112 may be much smaller such as is shown in FIGS. 2A and 3B. For example, the base part may include one or more links (e.g., struts) which allow the device according to the present invention to unfold during installation thus ensuring a small footprint and easing installation. Additionally, the one or more links may include coupling means for allowing the length of the links to be adjusted as desired.
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