Method and set-up for assembling an endless chain, in particular a transmission chain

Abstract

 The invention provides a method as well as a device (2) for assembling a transmission chain (54) comprising sets (40), each of two elongated elements (42,44) which lie with their long sides against each other and are coupled in pairs to each other by link plates (46) with openings of which chain one supports the sets (40) in accommodating holes (30) formed in a support, whereafter two adjacent sets (40) of elements (42,44) are coupled together by placing a link plate (46) on them. The device comprises a supporting assembling body with holes (30) for two adjacent longitudinal elements, each hole having a depth less than the element's length.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for assembling an endless chain, in particular a transmission chain, built up of individual sets, each of two elongated elements with their long sides lying against each other, said sets being coupled to each other in pairs by link plates provided with openings corresponding to those sets.

[0002] Producing chains of this kind in the usual way is done using large lengths from which a piece having a length corresponding to the circumference of the desired length to be made is detached from the rest. The devices, necessary for making a chain this way, are complicated and expensive.

[0003] The invention aims to propose a method as described above which has the advantage that it can be carried out manually as well as automated. According to the invention this method is carried out in such a way that the respective sets are supported parallel to each other in a number accommodating holes arranged in a closed circle and in a support, each hole having a depth less than the length of the elements and subsequently -in accordance with a desired pattern-two sets lying next to each other are coupled together by placing a link plate thereon until the part protruding from the support has been provided with link plates over a desired length. The subassembly obtained in this way can be detached from the support. If wanted, this subassembly can then be turned over and the remaining link plates can be placed on the remaining free parts of the longitudinal elements in accordance with the pattern desired.

[0004] Using the method described above a complete chain is thus made in one cycle consisting of a number of simple assembling steps. The number of specialized tools necessary for carrying out this method is minimal whereas the fact that the link plates only have to be placed on the elongated elements over a limited length (for example, no greater than half the length of this length) simplifies the method.

[0005] Preferably, the method is carried out in such a way that one supports the longest of these two elements at a level that lies below the level at which the shortest element is supported. Because of this, there is the advantage that the ends of the shorter elements will already directly lie at practically the same distance from the ends of the longer elements in the completed chain.

[0006] Furthermore, the claimed exclusive rights comprise a device for carrying out the method described above. This device comprises according to the invention a supporting assembling body with a closed ring of holes in it corresponding to the dimensions of the chain to be assembled, each hole having a cross-section adapted to a configuration of a combination of two longitudinal elements lying next to each other and having a depth less than the length thereof, where each hole is bounded on the top side by two raised edges situated radially at a distance from each other and is on the bottom side closed off by a stepped recess, in such a way that each longest element is inserted in a hole over a greater distance than same of the shorter element.

[0007] The method and the device according to the invention will be elucidated below by means of the photographs. Therein shows:

Figure 1 a perspective view from above of the device according to the invention;

Figure 2 a perspective view of the assembling body and its corresponding closing plate;

Figure 3 a perspective view of sets of elongated elements placed in the assembling body;

Figure 4 an enlarged detail from Figure 3;

Figure 5 a chain made on the assembling body in a semi-assembled state;

Figure 6 the assembling body with the turned-over, semi-assembled chain resting on it;

Figure 7 a detail from Figure 6; and

Figure 8 the fully assembled chain.

[0008] Figure 1 shows a complete device for assembling a transmission chain using the method according to the invention. This device, indicated in its entirety by the number 2, consists of the base 4 from which the spindle 6 protrudes. An assembling plate 8 and a closing plate 10, shown in detail in Figure 2, can rotate about the spindle. Furthermore, the device 2 comprises the upright column 12 along which an arm 16 is guided that can be moved up and down by means of a simple mechanism, driven by the operating lever 18 in the direction of the arrows 20. There is a gripper head 22 situated on the free end of the arm 16 with jaws 24 with which a link plate can be pressed onto a set of the elongated chain elements. As the figures show, near the outer periphery 8a of the assembling plate (which indeed could also be an assembling ring) there is a ring of axial openings 30 for inserting those sets situated between the plate's raised outer edge 32 and a raised inner edge 34. Each of these openings has a configuration which corresponds to the outer contour of a set of two elongated elements of the transmission chain to be assembled, each with their long sides lying against each other, as elucidated in detail by means of Figures 3 and 4. The upper surface 10a of the closing plate 10 to be placed under the assembling plate 8 is provided with a number of radial, shallow, recesses the width of which corresponds to the thickness of the longest elongated elements.

[0009] As Figure 3 shows, firstly the closing plate 10 and then the assembly plate 8 is placed round the spindle 6 and in such a position with regard to each other that the recessed grooves 36 in the closing plate 10 lie under the holes 30 in which the longest of the elements are inserted. This can, of course, be realized in a simple manner. Because the method and set-up according to the invention are intended in particular for assembling a transmission chain of the type described in the European patent EP 0741255 and the American patent US 5728021 respectively, both in the name of the applicant, a set of elongated transmission elements, indicated in Figures 3 and 4 by the number 40, will consist of a long pin 42 and a little shorter roll-off strip 44; in use, the longer pins 42 are in contact with the tapered cone pulleys and realize the transmission of power to the link plates, a few of which are shown in detail in Figure 4 and are indicated by the numeral 46. Always the combination of a pin 42 and a strip 44 is placed in a take-up opening 30, where the pin 42 will come to lie a little lower than the strip because the end of the pin will fit into the radial recess 36. Figure 3 shows the situation in which all the sets of pins and strips have been placed in the assembling plate and Figure 4 shows the start of the phase wherein the link plates 46 are being placed on the pins and strips. This takes place in accordance with the pattern desired and can easily be done manually or be carried out mechanically. In the embodiment shown, the link plates are pressed onto the sets of pins and strips by the jaws 24 during the downward movement of the lever 18. Figure 5 shows the situation in which the transmission chain is halfway assembled; the upper part of each set of pins and strips is coupled to the adjoining set by a link plate.

[0010] The subassembly 50 obtained in this way is now detached from the assembly plate 8, turned over and again put on the assembling plate 8: this is the situation in Figure 6. The purpose of the raised edges at the periphery 32 and 34 respectively is now also apparent; they enclose in between them the protruding ends of the pins and strips protruding from the entity of links 50 which has already been made, as a result of which the entity remains in position. Figure 7 shows how the first link plates 46 will complete the subassembly which has already been made and finally Figure 8 shows the finished transmission chain 54.

[0011] Figure 4 in particular shows a favourable detail of the configuration of pins and strips respectively and particularly the bevel 56 and 58 respectively on the head-end which makes it easier to place the link plates over the sets of pins and strips, especially when the pins and strips are coupled to the link plates with a light drive press-fit.

Claims

1. Method for assembling an endless transmission chain built up of individual sets, each of two elongated elements, with their long sides lying against each other, said sets are coupled to each other in pairs by link plates provided with openings corresponding to those sets, in which the respective sets are supported parallel to each other in a number of accommodating holes arranged in a closed circle in a support, each hole having a depth less than the length of the elements and whereafter each time in accordance with a desired pattern two sets lying next to each other are coupled together by placing a link plate thereon until that part of the elements protruding from the support has been provided with link plates along a desired length, after which the assembly thus obtained is detached from the support.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the assembly obtained is then turned over and the remaining link plates are placed in accordance with the pattern desired on the remaining free parts of the longitudinal elements.

3. Method according to claims 1-2 for assembling a chain where in each set of elongated elements one is always shorter than the other, characterized in that the longest of these two elements is supported at a level that lies below the level at which the shortest element is supported.

4. Device for carrying out the method according to claims 2-3 characterized by a supporting assembling body with a closed ring of holes in it corresponding to the measurements of the chain to be assembled, each hole having a cross-section adapted to the configuration of the combination of two longitudinal elements lying next to each other, and with a depth less than its length, in which each hole is bounded on the top side by two raised edges situated radially at a distance from each other and on the bottom side is closed off by a stepped recess, in such a way that each longest elements is inserted in a hole over a distance greater than same of the shorter element.

5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the stepped recesses are made in a separate plate which abuts to the bottom side of the body comprising the respective holes for inserting the elements.

Amended claims

Amended claims in accordance with Rule 86(2) EPC.

1. Method of assembling a transmission chain (54) comprising elongated entities (42, 44; 56, 58), coupled to each other in pairs by means of link plates (46) provided with openings for accommodating said entities, in which method these entities are supported over a part of their length and parallel to each other in a number of registering positions on a support (8), and are coupled together by placing link plates (46) on the parts of the elements protruding from the surface of the support and are thereafter removed from said support,
characterized in that
   for assembling a transmission chain (54) which is closed in itself and of which each of said entities comprises two elongated elements (42, 44; 56, 58) lying with their long sides against each other, said registering positions are ranged in a closed loop, each of said positions being defined by a hole (30) in the support (8), of which hole the wall encloses said two elongated elements, while the elements, interconnected by the link plates thereon, are withdrawn from this support in a direction parallel to the longitudinal orientation of the elements.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that in a first step only part of the length of the elements are provide with links, and in a subsequent step the thus obtained assembly (50) is turned over and the remaining link plates are placed in accordance with the desired pattern on the remaining free parts of the longitudinal elements (fig. 5, 6).

3. Method according to claims 1-2 for assembling a chain where in each set of elongated elements one (44; 58) is always shorter than the other (42, 56), in which that the longest (42, 56) of these two elements is supported at a level (36) that lies below the level at which the shortest element is supported.

4. Device (2) for carrying out the method according to claims 2-3 characterized by a supporting assembling body (8) with a closed ring of holes (30) in it corresponding to the measurements of the chain to be assembled, each hole (30) having a cross-section adapted to the configuration of the combination of two longitudinal elements (42, 44; 56, 58) lying next to each other, and with a depth less than its length, in which each hole is bounded on the top side by two raised edges (32, 34) situated radially at a distance from each other and on the bottom side is closed off by a stepped recess (36), in such a way that each longest elements is inserted in a hole over a distance greater than same of the shorter element.

5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the stepped recesses (36) are made in a separate plate (10) which abuts to the bottom side of the body (8) comprising the respective holes (30) for inserting the elements.

Drawing