U.S. patent application number 14/307895 was filed with the patent office on 2015-01-15 for laminated sprocket assembly.
This patent application is currently assigned to Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG. The applicant listed for this patent is Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG. Invention is credited to Lucian Botez, Gregory Cowen, Jeffrey Hewitt, Jesse Myers, Anuj Sahai.
Application Number | 20150018150 14/307895 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52277537 |
Filed Date | 2015-01-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150018150 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cowen; Gregory ; et
al. |
January 15, 2015 |
LAMINATED SPROCKET ASSEMBLY
Abstract
A laminated sprocket assembly is provided formed of a plurality
of layers that are connected together. Each of the layers is a
stamped sheet metal layer having a plurality of spaced apart teeth
located around a periphery thereof. The teeth in the plurality of
connected layers are aligned. At least one of voids, channels,
openings, or recesses are located in or between at least some of
the layers for receiving and holding lubricating oil. This reduces
noise and wear.
Inventors: |
Cowen; Gregory; (Windsor,
CA) ; Myers; Jesse; (Waterford, MI) ; Sahai;
Anuj; (Rochester Hills, MI) ; Botez; Lucian;
(Novi, MI) ; Hewitt; Jeffrey; (Windsor,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG |
Herzogenaurach |
|
DE |
|
|
Assignee: |
Schaeffler Technologies GmbH &
Co. KG
Herzogenaurach
DE
|
Family ID: |
52277537 |
Appl. No.: |
14/307895 |
Filed: |
June 18, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61844094 |
Jul 9, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
474/152 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16H 55/30 20130101;
F16H 55/17 20130101; F16H 57/05 20130101; F16H 57/0431
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
474/152 |
International
Class: |
F16H 55/17 20060101
F16H055/17 |
Claims
1. A laminated sprocket assembly, comprising: a plurality of layers
that are connected together, each of the layers being a stamped
sheet metal layer having a plurality of spaced apart teeth located
around a periphery thereof, and the teeth in the plurality of
connected layers are aligned; and at least one of voids, channels,
openings, or recesses being located in or between at least some of
the layers for receiving lubricating oil.
2. The laminated sprocket assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the
layers includes a shaft opening.
3. The laminated sprocket assembly of claim 2, wherein aligned
openings are defined in each of the layers in a position spaced
apart from the shaft opening and the teeth.
4. The laminated sprocket assembly of claim 1, wherein recesses are
located in at least some of the layers in sides of at least some of
the teeth.
5. The laminated sprocket assembly of claim 4, wherein the recesses
are formed by a radius, and the layers on either side of the layers
with the recesses include teeth having side flanks without the
recesses.
6. The laminated sprocket assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the
layers includes a shaft opening, and at least some of the layers
define at least one channel that extends from the shaft opening to
a periphery of the laminated sprocket assembly.
7. The laminated sprocket assembly of claim 6, wherein the channel
is defined by a slot extending through the layer.
8. The laminated sprocket assembly of claim 7, wherein the slot is
punched in the sheet metal layer.
9. The laminated sprocket assembly of claim 7, wherein the layers
adjacent to the slot are solid, at least in an area of the slot, to
define the channel.
10. The laminated sprocket assembly of claim 6, wherein the
channels extend generally radially and are spaced apart in a
peripheral direction.
11. The laminated sprocket assembly of claim 6, wherein one of the
channels is defined by slots in two adjacent layers.
12. The laminated sprocket assembly of claim 6, wherein the channel
has an opening in a side of one of the teeth.
13. The laminated sprocket assembly of claim 6, wherein the
openings of the channels are axially and peripherally spaced apart
from one another.
Description
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
[0001] The following documents are incorporated herein by reference
as if fully set forth: U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/844,094,
filed Jul. 9, 2013.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a sprocket assembly and in
particular to a laminated sprocket assembly.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Laminated sprocket assemblies formed with a plurality of
layers that are bonded or welded together are known. For example,
U.S. Pat. No. 5,074,406 teaches such a laminated sprocket in which
each of the layers includes a central opening for fitting onto a
drive shaft. Teeth or other driving surfaces are formed around the
periphery of the layers and the layers can be stacked with spacers
located between the layers so that the teeth are spaced apart for
example to carry a chain conveyor or belt conveyor having pockets
in which the teeth of the laminated sprocket are engaged.
[0004] In the field of automotive engines, sprockets are used in
connection with timing chains and timing drives and for various
other purposes. Generally such sprockets have been formed as a
solid machined part or a sintered part due to the high speeds and
loads with which such sprockets operate. However, such machined or
sintered sprockets are associated with higher costs.
[0005] It would be desirable to provide a laminated sprocket which
would be suitable for use in connection with high speed equipment,
and particularly for use as timing chain sprockets and/or other
sprockets used in connection with internal combustion engines.
SUMMARY
[0006] A laminated sprocket assembly is provided formed of a
plurality of layers that are connected together. Each of the layers
is a stamped sheet metal layer having a plurality of spaced apart
teeth located around a periphery thereof. The teeth in the
plurality of connected layers are aligned. At least one of voids,
channels, openings, or recesses are located in or between at least
some of the layers for receiving and holding lubricating oil.
[0007] Preferably, each of the stamped or punched sheet metal
layers includes a shaft opening. Additional aligned openings may be
defined in each of the layers in a position spaced apart from the
shaft opening and the teeth which can be used to contain
lubricating oil. In one preferred aspect, voids are located between
the sheet metal layers used to form the laminated sprocket assembly
and lubricating oil is retained in and/or seeps through these
layers to provide lubrication at the surfaces of the teeth.
Lubricant can be received through the aligned openings located in
the layers at a position spaced apart from the shaft opening and
teeth.
[0008] Additionally, it is possible to have recesses located in at
least some of the layers in the face, flank, or undercut (generally
referred to as the tooth side) of each of the teeth with these
recesses preferably being formed by a radius, and the layers on
either side of the layers with the recesses including teeth having
sides without recesses in order to form pockets for retaining
lubricating oil. This provides for noise reduction and
lubrication.
[0009] In another aspect, each of the layers includes a shaft
opening, and at least some of the layers include a channel that
extends from the shaft opening to a periphery of the laminated
sprocket assembly. In one aspect, the channel can be defined by a
slot extending through the layer with the slot preferably being
punched in the sheet metal layer as each layer is being formed.
Preferably, the layers adjacent to the slot are solid, at least in
the area of the slot, in order to define a confined channel. A
plurality of channels is provided that preferably extend generally
radially and are spaced apart in a peripheral direction.
Preferably, each of the channels ends at an opening in a side of
one of the teeth so that oil can be fed from the shaft upon which
the laminated sprocket assembly is mounted through the channels to
the teeth where a chain is engaged. The openings of the channels
are preferably axially and peripherally spaced apart from one
another so that several or all of the teeth include an opening for
a lubrication channel.
[0010] It is also possible for one of the channels to be defined by
slots of two adjacent ones of the layers, for example with the
slots in one of the layers extending only part way from the shaft
opening toward the teeth and the slots in the adjacent layer
extending from the position partway between the shaft opening and
the teeth to the openings in the teeth surfaces.
[0011] One or more of the above features can be combined in order
to provide a laminated sprocket assembly that includes a feature to
retain or provide lubrication in order to provide noise reduction
and reduced wear.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The foregoing Summary and the following detailed description
will be better understood when read in conjunction with the
appended drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the
invention. In the drawings:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a
laminated sprocket assembly according to the invention.
[0014] FIG. 2 is an enlarged detail showing the teeth of the
laminated sprocket assembly of FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a single layer used in
forming a laminated sprocket assembly.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the single layer shown in FIG.
3.
[0017] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view showing a preferred tooth
configuration of the layer in FIG. 4.
[0018] FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view showing a second
embodiment of a sprocket assembly according to the invention with
recesses located in a side of the teeth.
[0019] FIG. 7 is a partial plan view showing two layers used to
form the sprocket assembly of FIG. 6 with the top layer including
recesses being placed upon an adjacent layer that does not include
recesses in the sides of each of the teeth.
[0020] FIG. 8 is a partial plan view showing a layer having teeth
with recesses as used in the sprocket assembly of FIG. 6.
[0021] FIG. 9 is an enlarged view showing pockets formed between
the recesses and the chain links.
[0022] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a layer in which the teeth
include recesses.
[0023] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a
laminated sprocket assembly according to the invention.
[0024] FIG. 12 is a partial perspective view showing a partially
assembled sprocket assembly with an oil feed channel in one layer
extending between the shaft opening and the teeth.
[0025] FIG. 13 is a plan view showing one layer used in the
sprocket assembly of FIG. 11 having the oil feed channel that is
placed on an adjacent layer that does not include the oil feed
channel.
[0026] FIG. 14 is a plan view showing a plurality of oil feed
channels located within the sprocket assembly shown in FIG. 11.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0027] Certain terminology is used in the following description for
convenience only and is not limiting. The words "front," "rear,"
"upper" and "lower" designate directions in the drawings to which
reference is made. The words "inwardly" and "outwardly" refer to
directions toward and away from the parts referenced in the
drawings. "Axially" refers to a direction along the axis of a
shaft. A reference to a list of items that are cited as "at least
one of a, b, or c" (where a, b, and c represent the items being
listed) means any single one of the items a, b, or c, or
combinations thereof. The terminology includes the words
specifically noted above, derivatives thereof and words of similar
import.
[0028] Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, a first embodiment of a
laminated sprocket assembly 10 is shown. The laminated sprocket
assembly 10 includes a plurality of layers 12 that are connected
together, with each of the layers 12 being a stamped or punched
sheet metal layer having a plurality of spaced apart teeth 14
located around a periphery thereof. Stamping or punching are used
synonymously herein, and allow the layers to be produced cheaply.
The teeth 14 of the plurality of layers 12 to be connected are
aligned. Preferably a shaft opening 11 extends through each of the
layers and is adapted to receive a shaft when the sprocket assembly
is installed, for example on a camshaft of an internal combustion
engine. According to the first preferred embodiment of the
laminated sprocket assembly 10, the aligned layers 12 are connected
together by bonding, welding or any other suitable means.
[0029] In the first preferred embodiment of the laminated sprocket
assembly 10, voids 16 are located in or between at least some of
the layers 12 for receiving lubricating oil. These voids indicated
as 16 in FIG. 2 can be the result of unevenness in the layers
generated by the stamping process or can be specifically designed
through unevenness introduced in the stamping dies used to form the
sheet metal layers 12. This provides small gaps for residual oil to
be retained. In order to feed lubricating oil to these small
residual gaps, it is also possible to provide openings 18 for
lubrication to penetrate into the laminated sprocket assembly 10 as
shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Here, a single layer 12 is shown which can
be used in the embodiment of FIG. 1 which is shown without the
openings 18. The profile of the teeth 14 is adapted to the
particular application for use with a chain of a particular design.
Depending upon the application, steel sheet metal is utilized which
can be hardened.
[0030] Referring now to FIGS. 6-10, a second embodiment of a
laminated sprocket assembly 30 is shown. The laminated sprocket
assembly 30 is similar to the laminated sprocket assembly 10 and
includes a shaft opening 31, shown in FIG. 10, as well as teeth 34,
located around a periphery of the layers 32, 33 that are laminated
together in order to form the sprocket assembly 30. In the
laminated sprocket assembly 30, recesses 40 are located in at least
some of the layers 33, preferably in one or both sides 35 of each
of the teeth 34. The recesses 40 are preferably formed by a radius.
However, other shapes could be utilized. Preferably, the layers 32
on either side of the layers 33 with the recesses 40 include teeth
34 having sides 35 without the recesses. Preferably, the layer 33
with the recesses 40 is located as every second, third, fourth, or
fifth layer in the sprocket 30, with the remaining layers 32 not
having recesses so that a series of pockets 44 are spaced apart
across the axial surface of each tooth 34. As shown in FIGS. 6 and
8, openings 38 can also be provided in a position spaced apart from
the shaft opening 31 and the teeth 34. These can be used in order
for lubrication to be introduced into the laminated sprocket
assembly 30 which can travel through the voids 36 between layers
radially outwardly due to centrifugal force as the sprocket 30
turns to lubricate the chain contact surfaces of the teeth 34. The
recesses 40 allow for residual oil to be held on the tooth
surface.
[0031] As shown in FIG. 9, the pockets 44 formed by the recesses 40
provide an area for lubricating oil to be held between the tooth
surfaces and a chain link 42 when the laminated sprocket assembly
30 is in use. This provides a lubricant holding area for cushioning
and sound deadening as well as lubrication in use.
[0032] Referring now to FIGS. 11-14, a third embodiment of a
laminated sprocket assembly 50 is shown. The laminated sprocket
assembly 50 is similar to the laminated sprocket assemblies 10 and
30 in that it is formed from a plurality of layers 52, 53 which are
stamped sheet metal layers and have a plurality of teeth 54 located
around a periphery thereof. Each of the layers include a shaft
opening 51 so that the laminated sprocket assembly 50 can be
mounted on a shaft. Here, as shown in FIG. 11, oil channels 58
extend through at least some of the layers 53 from the shaft
opening 51 to an oil opening on a periphery of the sprocket
assembly 50. As shown in detail in FIGS. 12-14, preferably the oil
channels 58 include an oil exit opening 60 located on a side 55 of
at least some of the teeth 54. The channels 58 are preferably
defined as a slot that extends through the layer 53. FIG. 13 shows
one layer 53 including the slot stacked on top of a layer 52 that
either does not include the slot or includes a slot rotated to a
different radial position. In a preferred embodiment, the layers 53
which include the slot to form the oil channel 58 have an adjacent
layer 52 that does not include a slot and therefore forms a solid
disc rather than a slotted disc. Alternatively, layers 53 that
include the slots can be located adjacent to one another with the
slots rotated to different peripheral positions, for example as
shown in FIG. 14. In the preferred embodiment, the channels 58
extend generally radially and are spaced apart in the peripheral
direction. While a single slot through a layer 53 is shown as
forming one complete channel in FIGS. 12 and 13, it is also
possible to provide one channel 58 that extends from the shaft
opening 51 to a periphery of the laminated sprocket assembly 50 by
slots defined in two adjacent layers. For example, a slot in one
layer can extend from the shaft opening part of the way to the
periphery of the laminated sprocket assembly 50 while the slot in
the adjacent layer can extend from the part way position to the
periphery. In a preferred embodiment, the channel 58 has an opening
60 located in a side of a respective tooth 54 and, preferably
openings 60 of the channels 58 in a single sprocket assembly 50 are
axially and peripherally spaced apart from one another in order to
provide a generally uniform distribution of lubrication channels 58
to the various peripheral areas of the laminated sprocket assembly
50 as shown in FIG. 14.
[0033] Having thus described the present invention in detail, it is
to be appreciated and will be apparent to those skilled in the art
that many physical changes, only a few of which are exemplified in
the detailed description of the invention, could be made without
altering the inventive concepts and principles embodied therein. It
is also to be appreciated that numerous embodiments incorporating
only part of the preferred embodiment are possible which do not
alter, with respect to those parts, the inventive concepts and
principles embodied therein. The present embodiment and optional
configurations are therefore to be considered in all respects as
exemplary and/or illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the
invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the
foregoing description, and all alternate embodiments and changes to
this embodiment which come within the meaning and range of
equivalency of said claims are therefore to be embraced
therein.
* * * * *