Abstract:
A transmission having a steplessly adjustable transmission ratio that includes an endless torque-transmitting element in the form of a plate-link chain. The chain is adapted to pass over and around two pairs of conical disks, and it includes a number of side-by-side plate links having openings for receiving pressure members that interconnect plate links and that have end faces that frictionally engage the conical disks. The plate links are arranged in transverse rows and in longitudinal rows. Each of the outermost lateral edges of the chain is defined by pairs of side-by-side plate links.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The invention relates to a transmission with a steplessly adjustable transmission ratio with an endless torque-transmitting means, particularly for transmitting power between two pairs of conical disks of the transmission.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]      FIG. 1  shows a side view of an endless torque-transmitting means in the form of a chain, as is known from DE 199 22 827 A1. The endless torque-transmitting means is assembled from plate links  10   a ,  10   b  several of which, not visible in  FIG. 1 , are arranged in longitudinal rows in the length direction of the endless torque-transmitting means. The plate links have openings  12  through which pressure members  12  grippingly extend by means of which the plate links are assembled and joined together in a longitudinal and transverse connection to form the endless torque-transmitting means. Opening  12  of each plate link is penetrated by two pressure members  14  that are supported on the forward and rear walls of the opening, whereby at least single ones of the plate links  10   a ,  10   b  that are in different longitudinal rows of plate links in the longitudinal direction of the endless torque-transmitting means are displaceably arranged in a longitudinal dimension of an opening less the pressure member diameter, so that a pressure member that extends transversely through the endless torque-transmitting means and projects therethrough is supported on one end side of the openings and another of the pressure members on the other end side, through which the transmission of longitudinal forces within the endless torque-transmitting means is made possible.  
         [0005]     The end surfaces  16  on the sides of the pressure members are designed for frictional engagement with associated conical surfaces of conical disk pairs (not shown), between which the endless torque-transmitting means transmits forces or torques.  
         [0006]     The pressure members  14  are in each case subdivided into two rocker members that roll against each other by chain articulation movements of the plate links and thereby minimize the friction on the plate links of the link structure. To connect the pressure members in a secure manner with the plate links  10 , formations in the form of weld points are applied to the outer periphery of the pressure members  14 .  
         [0007]     An endless torque-transmitting means in accordance with  FIG. 1  is generally constructed in such a way that the arrangement of the individual plate links that are aligned relative to each other in the transverse direction of the endless torque-transmitting means are periodically repeated in individual longitudinal rows, for example the second transverse row that is offset relative to the first transverse row is arranged differently than the third transverse row that is in turn offset relative to the second transverse row, to which, in turn, the first transverse row follows. One refers then to a three-link connection.  
         [0008]     The arrangement of the individual plate links within the longitudinal rows and the transverse rows has a marked influence on the operating behavior of the endless torque-transmitting means, such as its endurance, its abrasion, and the like.  
         [0009]     An object of the invention is to develop a generic transmission with an endless torque-transmitting means of such a type that the forces that appear within the plate links in the interconnection of the endless torque-transmitting means or plate-link chain, and therewith the stress on the plate links and on the pressure members, is as uniform as possible.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     The object is achieved in that in accordance with the invention in each case in the outermost region of the chain two or more immediately adjacently arranged plate links carry the uniformly divided forces, especially in the highly-loaded outer marginal region of the endless torque-transmitting means, by means of the double plate links or paired plate links provided there. In the middle region of such an endless torque-transmitting means in accordance with the invention there can be provided in individual transverse rows only individual plate links.  
         [0011]     Furthermore, it is advantageous that the endless torque-transmitting means in accordance with the invention, as is known, can be formed as a triple connection. It should be understood that also other connections are possible.  
         [0012]     Moreover, in each case there can be arranged on the outside more than two plate links immediately next to each other.  
         [0013]     It is furthermore advantageous, at a position inside the outermost aligned plate links that are immediately adjacently arranged, to arrange a large number of immediately adjacently arranged offset plate links.  
         [0014]     The number of plate links that are seen in the transverse direction of the endless torque-transmitting means with their openings aligned relative to each other and arranged behind each other can be uniform, and that number can in other exemplary embodiments be different in the longitudinal direction of the endless torque-transmitting means.  
         [0015]     Furthermore, the arrangement of the plate links relative to the longitudinal centerline of the endless torque-transmitting means can be symmetrical or unsymmetrical. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]     The invention will be further explained below by examples and with further details on the basis of schematic drawings in which there is shown:  
         [0017]      FIG. 1 a  side view of an endless torque-transmitting means formed as a plate-link chain,  
         [0018]      FIG. 2 a  top view of a section of an endless torque-transmitting means,  
         [0019]      FIG. 3  two sections in accordance with  FIG. 2  joined together,  
         [0020]      FIG. 4 a  top view of a section of a plate-link chain that is modified relative to  FIG. 2 ,  
         [0021]      FIG. 5 a  top view of a section of a further embodiment of a plate-link chain,  
         [0022]      FIG. 6 a  top view of a section of a further modified embodiment of a plate-link chain,  
         [0023]      FIG. 7 a  top view of a section of a further modified embodiment of a plate-link chain,  
         [0024]      FIG. 8 a  force curve across the width of a plate-link chain,  
         [0025]      FIGS. 9 and 10  a top view of a section of two further modified embodiments of a plate-link chain. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0026]      FIG. 2  shows a top view of a section of a plate-link chain whose plate links  10  are arranged in forty-one side-by-side, longitudinal rows extending in the longitudinal direction of the plate-link chain (vertical direction of the paper). The plate-link chain is assembled from three different transverse rows A, B, and C, within which in each case two pressure members  14  intervene to provide a connection between each two transverse rows. The transverse rows A, B, and C are each offset from each other in the longitudinal extent of the openings  12  ( FIG. 1 ), less the diameters of the pressure members  14 .  
         [0027]     As can be seen from  FIG. 2 , the plate links in the different transverse rows in the transverse direction of the plate-link chain are arranged in such a way that viewed from left to right first of all two outermost plate links are arranged in transverse row B, then follow two plate links in transverse row A, then follow four plate links in transverse row C, then follow two plate links in transverse row A, then follow four rows in transverse row B, then follow two plate links in transverse row A, two plate links in transverse row C, two plate links in transverse row A, two plate links in transverse row B, one plate link in transverse row C, two plate links in transverse row A, two plate links in transverse row C, two plate links in transverse row B, two plate links in transverse row C, two plate links in transverse row A, four plate links in transverse row B, two plate links in transverse row A, and two plate links in transverse row C. Transverse row A contains fourteen plate links, transverse row B likewise contains fourteen plate links, and transverse row C contains 13 plate links, that in the described way divide into longitudinal rows  1  to  41 .  
         [0028]      FIG. 3  shows two sections of  FIG. 2  placed together to show that the pattern of  FIG. 2  is in each case repeated.  
         [0029]     Whereas in  FIG. 1 , which shows a side view of a known plate-link chain, from the outside the outermost plate links of all three transverse rows are visible, in the plate-link chain with an interconnection in accordance with  FIG. 2  from the left only the outermost plate links of transverse rows B and A are visible.  
         [0030]      FIG. 4  shows an arrangement of plate links of a plate-link chain that is different from the arrangement in accordance with  FIG. 2 , in that the longitudinal rows  28  to  37  are filled differently.  
         [0031]     FIGS.  5  to  7  show views of sections of a plate-link chain that are composed of only 36 longitudinal rows. On the other hand, the outermost plate links are each arranged in side-by-side immediate pairs, whereby those plate links are in each case arranged in transverse row B. The pattern of  FIGS. 5 and 6  is symmetrically related on the longitudinal centerline, wherein in each transverse row twelve plate links are arranged.  
         [0032]     The embodiment of the plate-link chain in accordance with  FIG. 7  is unsymmetrical relative to the longitudinal central plane of the plate-link chain, wherein there are twelve plate links arranged in transverse row A, eleven plate links in transverse row B, and thirteen plate links in transverse row C.  
         [0033]     As is immediately apparent from the figures, the illustrated embodiments of plate-link chains in accordance with the invention are common in that each of the outermost plate links (in transverse rows B and C in accordance with  FIGS. 2 and 4 ) and in the transverse row B in accordance with  FIG. 5  to  7  are in each case arranged in pairs immediately next to each other. In the interior there follows in each case a further plate-link pair, as to which further to the inside in a transverse row a number greater than two immediately adjacently arranged plate links are connected.  
         [0034]      FIG. 8  shows the operating plate-link loads K within the plate-link chain as a function of the width position B in the plate-link chain. The continuous curve k shows the load distribution in conventional plate-link chains. The dashed curve e shows the load distribution in plate-link chains in accordance with the invention. As can be seen, the differences between the operating loads in the outer regions relative to the loads in the inner region of the plate-link chain are clearly diminished by the arrangement of the plate links in accordance with the invention.  
         [0035]      FIG. 2  shows a top view of a section of a plate-link chain whose plate links  10  are arranged in 41 side-by-side-arranged longitudinal rows in the longitudinal direction of the plate-link chain (vertical paper direction). The plate-link chain is assembled from three different transverse rows, within which in each case two pressure members  14  establish a connection between each two transverse rows. Transverse rows A, B, and C are in each case offset relative to each other in the longitudinal extent of openings  12  ( FIG. 1 ) less the diameter of pressure members  14 .  
         [0036]     As can be seen from  FIG. 2 , in the transverse direction of the plate-link chain the arrangement of the plate links in the different transverse rows is such that viewed from left to right first of all two outermost plate links are in transverse row B, then follow two plate links in transverse row A, then follow three plate links in transverse row C. Then follows a plate link in each of transverse rows B, C, A, C, B. Thereafter follows a further single plate-link connection on rows B, C, B, A, B, C. The following plate link  101  of row A is the central axis of the chain. The chain pattern of the second half of the chain is the mirror image.  
         [0037]      FIG. 10  likewise shows a symmetrical plate link connection with thirty rows of plate links linked together in rows A, B, C in the transverse direction. Both plate links  201  arranged in row B thereby form the plane of symmetry, from there outward the plate links are arranged as follows to edge position  1  or  30 : plate link  201  followed by individual plate links in rows A, B, A, two plate links in row B, a single plate link in row A, four plate links in row C, two plate links in row A, and two plate links in row B.  
         [0038]     The claims that are filed in the application are formulation proposals without prejudice for the obtaining of broader patent protection. The applicant reserves the right to claim still further combinations of features that, at this time, are disclosed only in the specification and/or in the drawings.  
         [0039]     The references made in dependent claims point out further developments of the matter of the main claim through the features of the respective dependent claims; they are not to be understood to constitute a waiver of the achievement of an independent objective protection for the combinations of features of dependent claims that refer to preceding claims.  
         [0040]     Since the features of dependent claims, as far as the state of the prior art on the priority date is concerned, can constitute separate and independent inventions, applicant reserves the right to recite the subject matter of such dependent claims in independent claims or in divisional applications. Furthermore, such dependent claims can recite independent inventions embodying structure other than that in the parent dependent claims.  
         [0041]     The exemplary embodiments should not be interpreted as a limitation of the invention. On the contrary, within the scope of the present disclosure numerous changes and modifications are possible, especially such modifications, elements and combinations and/or materials that, for example, as a result of combinations or modifications of individual features or elements or method steps contained in the general description, in the descriptions of various embodiments, and in the claims, and illustrated in the drawing, can be comprehended by persons skilled in the art as far as the achievement of the object is concerned and, as a result of combinable features, lead to a novel device or to novel method steps and/or sequences of method steps, also as far as the manufacture, testing and mode of operation are concerned.