JP2009150424A - Element for belt and drive belt - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an element for a belt having good assembling property with a ring and a drive belt using the element. <P>SOLUTION: A plurality of plate shape elements E have a recess part 7 storing an endless annular shape ring R formed thereon, and have falling-off prevention parts 8, 9 making the ring R engage with opening end sides of right and left inner surfaces 5a, 6a of the recess part 7 and preventing breakaway thereof formed thereon. The elements E for the belt compose the drive belt V by being annularly disposed to set the opening end side at an outer circumference side, and fitting and assembling the ring R to an inner circumference side of both falling-off prevention parts 8, 9 of the annularly disposed row of the element E. The element E is formed in such a manner that plate thickness of an upper half part 15 at the opening end side is thinner than thickness of a part where a locking edge 10 on which adjacent another element E touches when the elements E are put in a disposed condition bent in an arc shape. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a belt element that constitutes a belt by being assembled into an endless annular ring and bound into an annular shape, and a transmission belt using the element.

  Generally, as a transmission that is used when power is transmitted between a plurality of rotating members, a stepped transmission that can change a gear ratio stepwise, and a gear ratio that changes continuously, that is, steplessly. There are known continuously variable transmissions, and belt-type continuously variable transmissions, toroidal-type continuously variable transmissions, and the like are known as the latter continuously variable transmission. Of these, the belt-type continuously variable transmission is a transmission that uses two sets of pulleys, a driving pulley and a driven pulley, and a transmission belt wound around these pulleys to change the gear ratio steplessly. is there. As a power transmission belt used in such a belt-type continuously variable transmission, for example, a large number of plate pieces called elements or blocks are arranged in an annular shape by overlapping each other in the plate thickness direction. A belt formed into an endless ring shape is known by binding the ring in a ring shape with a ring or band or carrier called a carrier.

  When the driving pulley is driven in a state in which such a belt is wound around two sets of pulleys on the driving side and the driven side, the frictional force of the contact portion between the element and the driving pulley is applied to the element, and Then, a compressive force is applied in the element stacking direction applied to the element from the driving pulley, that is, in the thickness direction of the element, according to the torque of the driving pulley. Then, the compressive force transmitted to the element in contact with the driving pulley is transmitted to the element in contact with the driven pulley via the element not wound around the pulley. When a compressive force is transmitted to the element in contact with the driven pulley, the driven pulley is rotated in accordance with the frictional force of the contact portion between the element and the driven pulley and the transmitted compressive force. Torque is generated. In this way, power is transmitted between the driving pulley and the driven pulley via the belt.

  An example of the belt as described above is described in Patent Document 1. The high load transmission belt described in Patent Document 1 is a transmission belt including a center belt and a block that reinforces side pressure resistance, and specifically, two belts having a locking portion at the upper end. Both sides of the belt and the block (element) formed by the connecting member that connects them at the lower end, and the engagement groove (opening recess of the element) that is open between the both engagement portions of the element It is constituted by two endless carriers (rings) fitted so as not to be detached from the element by the portion. The front and rear surfaces of the two belt side portions of the element are respectively provided with a convex portion and a concave portion, and the convex portion and the concave portion are fitted between the front and rear elements, so that the element is attached to the belt. They are arranged even while driving.

JP 2000-249195 A

  The element of the transmission belt described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 is formed with a locking portion that locks the ring and the element on the belt side portions at both ends, and in the plane portion above both belt side portions, A concavity and convexity part for fitting is formed to fit each other between adjacent elements. That is, the concave and convex portions for fitting are provided in two places symmetrically on both sides of the element. And a transmission belt is comprised by fitting two rows of rings in the opening recessed part formed between both belt side parts, and assembling | attaching so that it may be latched by a latching | locking part.

  When a power transmission belt is constructed by assembling elements having an opening recess for accommodating such a ring and two rows of rings, or when removing an element assembled to the ring from the ring, the elements are arranged in two rows. It is necessary to realize a state in which parts of the rings that have been overlapped with each other. That is, when an element is assembled to or removed from the two rows of rings, the two rows of rings are twisted and overlapped with each other so that the width of the two rows of rings can be adjusted between the locking portions of the elements. It is necessary to make the state narrower than the opening width.

  In order to twist the two rows of rings so that they overlap each other, the elements that are already assembled to the rings and adjacent to each other need to be rotated relative to each other, that is, rolled. . However, the elements constituting the transmission belt described in Patent Document 1 are provided with two concave and convex portions on the left and right sides of the adjacent elements so that the elements operate in the rolling direction. Will be regulated. As a result, it becomes difficult to make the two rows of rings overlap each other, and the transmission belt may not be assembled.

  Even if the row of elements already assembled in the ring can be rolled and the two rows of rings can overlap each other, the stage immediately before the completion of assembly of the element and ring, that is, In the final stage of assembling the last one or several elements into the ring, there is not enough space between the adjacent rows of elements to insert the last element, As a result, it may be difficult to attach all the elements to the ring.

  That is, in the final stage of assembling the element and the ring, the element is rolled as described above in order to assemble the element and the ring, and the two rows of rings r1 and r2 are partially formed as shown in FIG. It is necessary to be in a state of being bent toward the inner peripheral side. In that case, in the row of elements assembled to the portion p that is bent to the inner peripheral side, as shown in FIG. 10, the heads h of the adjacent elements e abut each other, and the abutting portion is the base point. As a side, the row of elements e expands in a fan shape. As a result, the substantial length in the circumferential direction of the element rows is increased, and the margin for providing a gap for inserting the last one element between the element rows is reduced accordingly.

  Thus, an element having an opening recess for accommodating a ring, and a conventional belt element that constitutes a transmission belt by assembling the element and the ring, facilitates assembly with the ring, There is still room for improvement in order to improve the assemblability when the belt is constructed.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the above technical problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a belt element that can be easily assembled with a ring and a transmission belt using the element.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is provided with a recess for accommodating an endless annular ring, and the ring is engaged with the open end side of the left and right inner side surfaces in the recess. A plurality of plate-like elements formed with retaining portions for preventing separation, arranged in an annular shape so that the opening end side is on the outer peripheral side, and the both retaining members in the array of elements arranged in the annular shape In the belt element constituting the belt by fitting and assembling the ring on the inner peripheral side of the part, when the belt is configured and wound around the pulley and spreads in a fan shape with respect to the center of the pulley The belt element is characterized in that the plate thickness of the upper half on the opening end side is thinner than the portion where the rocking edge serving as a fulcrum is formed.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the thickness of the upper half portion is reduced toward the opening end side on at least one of the front and rear side surfaces facing each other in the thickness direction. The belt element is characterized in that an inclined tapered surface is formed.

  According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided the belt element according to the second aspect, wherein the taper surface starts the inclination starting from a portion where the rocking edge is formed.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, at least one of the front and rear side surfaces facing each other in the plate thickness direction of the upper half is curved so that the plate thickness becomes thinner toward the opening end side. The belt element is characterized in that a curved surface is formed.

  According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided the belt element according to the fourth aspect of the invention, wherein the curved surface starts from the portion where the rocking edge is formed.

  Further, the invention of claim 6 is the invention of claim 1, wherein the plate thickness of the upper half portion is larger than that of the portion where the locking edge is formed on at least one of the front and back side surfaces facing each other in the plate thickness direction. The belt element is characterized in that a thin thin portion is formed.

  The invention according to claim 7 is a transmission belt characterized in that it is configured in an annular shape by using at least two or more belt elements and the ring according to any one of claims 1 to 6. is there.

  Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the opening end side portion of the concave portion with respect to the locking edge of the belt element, in other words, the upper half portion that is the outer peripheral side portion in a state where the belt elements are arranged in an annular shape. The plate thickness of the portion is formed to be thinner than the plate thickness of the portion where the locking edge is formed. That is, when a large number of belt elements and rings are assembled, when a number of the belt elements and a part of the ring are bent toward the inner peripheral side of the ring, adjacent belt elements abut against each other. The plate thickness of the portion (that is, the tip portion of the upper half) is thinner than the portion where the locking edge is formed. As a result, when a number of belt elements and a part of the ring are bent toward the inner peripheral side of the ring as described above, another belt is used between the belt element rows assembled on the ring. It becomes easy to provide a gap for assembling the elements. Therefore, it is possible to easily assemble the belt element up to the last one on the ring.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, a tapered surface is formed on the front surface, the rear surface, or both the front and rear surfaces of the upper half of the belt element so as to be inclined toward the opening end side, that is, the outer peripheral side. As a result, when a large number of belt elements and rings are assembled and part of the ring is bent toward the inner peripheral side of the ring, the other peripheral belt elements The taper surface of the upper half part which becomes thin toward the side contacts. Therefore, a gap for assembling another belt element can be easily provided between the rows of belt elements assembled on the ring, and the belt element can be easily attached to the ring up to the last one. Can be assembled.

  Further, according to the invention of claim 3, the taper surface of the upper half of the belt element starts to be inclined from the portion where the locking edge is formed toward the opening end side, that is, the outer peripheral end. In other words, the upper half portion of the belt element is formed as a tapered surface in which the entire front surface, rear surface, or both front and rear surfaces of the upper half portion is inclined in a direction in which the plate thickness becomes thinner toward the opening end side, that is, the outer peripheral side. Therefore, a gap for assembling another belt element can be easily and reliably provided between the rows of belt elements assembled on the ring.

  According to the invention of claim 4, a curved surface is formed on the front surface, the rear surface, or both the front and rear surfaces of the upper half of the belt element so as to bend in the direction in which the plate thickness decreases toward the opening end side, that is, the outer peripheral side. As a result, when a large number of belt elements and rings are assembled and part of the ring is bent toward the inner peripheral side of the ring, the other peripheral belt elements The curved surface of the upper half that is thinner toward the side comes into contact. Therefore, a gap for assembling another belt element can be easily provided between the rows of belt elements assembled on the ring, and the belt element can be easily attached to the ring up to the last one. Can be assembled.

  According to the invention of claim 5, the curved surface of the upper half of the belt element starts to bend from the portion where the locking edge is formed toward the opening end side, that is, the outer peripheral side tip. In other words, the upper half of the belt element is formed as a curved surface in which the entire front surface, rear surface, or both front and rear surfaces of the upper half are curved toward the opening end side, that is, the outer peripheral side. Therefore, a gap for assembling another belt element can be easily and reliably provided between the rows of belt elements assembled on the ring.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, a thin portion having a plate thickness thinner than a portion where the locking edge is formed is formed on the front surface, the rear surface, or both the front and rear surfaces of the upper half of the belt element. In other words, the front or rear surface or both front and rear surfaces of the upper half portion of the belt element are thinned, and the upper half portion is formed as a thin portion that is thinner than the portion where the locking edge is formed. As a result, when a large number of belt elements and rings are assembled and a part of the ring is bent toward the inner periphery of the ring, The thin part of the half comes into contact. Therefore, a gap for assembling another belt element can be easily provided between the rows of belt elements assembled on the ring, and the belt element can be easily attached to the ring up to the last one. Can be assembled.

  According to the invention of claim 7, at least two belt elements having a plate thickness of the upper half thinner than the plate thickness of the portion where the locking edge is formed are used. Assembling the transmission belt can be improved by assembling the ring and the ring to form the transmission belt.

(First configuration example)
Next, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. First, a first configuration example of a belt element according to the present invention and a transmission belt using the belt element will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, the transmission belt V is wound around a driving side (input shaft) pulley and a driven side (output shaft) pulley of a belt type continuously variable transmission, and transmits power between these pulleys. An example of a belt is shown. The transmission belt V includes an endless annular ring R and a number of belt elements E formed in a plate shape.

  First, the element E is made of, for example, a metal plate-like member, and the left and right side surfaces 1 and 2 in the width direction (x-axis direction in FIG. 1) are formed as tapered inclined surfaces ( The base body) portion 3 has tapered side surfaces 1 and 2 and belt winding grooves (V-shaped grooves) 4a of a pulley 4 that is a driving pulley or a driven pulley of a belt-type continuously variable transmission. Torque is transmitted through frictional contact.

  At both left and right ends in the width direction of the main body 3 (x-axis direction in FIG. 1), a part of the main body 3 and above the element E in the vertical direction (y-axis direction in FIGS. 1 and 2) Left and right column parts 5 and 6 are formed respectively. Accordingly, the upper end surface 3a which is the upper edge portion in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the main body 3, and the left and right inner surfaces 5a and 6a facing the center in the width direction of the main body 3 of both pillars 5 and 6; Thus, a recess 7 is formed which is open on the upper side of element E (upper side in the y-axis direction in FIG. 1), that is, on the outer peripheral side of transmission belt V.

  The concave portion 7 is a portion for inserting and accommodating an endless annular ring R for binding the elements E arranged in an annular shape in close contact with each other, so that the upper end surface 3a is located inside the ring R. It is a saddle surface 3a on which the circumferential surface is placed in contact.

At the upper end portions of the left and right column portions 5 and 6, left and right retaining portions 8 and 9 having left and right distal end surfaces 8a and 9a extending toward the center in the width direction of the main body 3 are respectively provided on both column portions 5. , 6 are integrally formed. In other words, the both inner side surfaces 5a, 6a on the opening end of the recess 7 (the end of the outer periphery of the transmission belt V in the recess 7) are directed toward the center side in the width direction of the recess 7 (x-axis direction in FIG. 1). Retaining portions 8 and 9 are formed. Therefore, the opening width of the recess 7 is defined by the distance W ₁ between the two front end surfaces 8 a and 9 a on the opening end side of the recess 7. Then, in the bottom of the recess 7 (i.e. saddle surface (upper surface)) 3a side, both the distal end surface 8a, and it has a wide opening width W ₂ than the distance (opening width) W ₁ between 9a.

Here, the ring R which constitutes the transmission belt V together with the element E is a so-called laminated ring formed by laminating a plurality of metal annular strips in the radial direction, for example. Internally, it is constituted by two split rings 13 and split rings 14 arranged in parallel in two rows. Each of these split rings 13 and 14 is formed of two metal laminated rings having the same shape, size, material, and strength, for example. The width dimension L _{1 of} the ring R (dimension in the x-axis direction in FIG. 1) L ₁ , that is, the total width dimension L ₁ in a state where the divided rings 13 and 14 are arranged in parallel is the opening width W of the recess 7 of the element E. longer than _1, the shape and dimensions of the respective parts are formed is set to a value within a range shorter than the opening width W _2.

  The element E is configured by being bound by the ring R divided into two rows as described above in an annularly arranged state, thereby forming a transmission belt V, and in this state, the pulley 4 on each of the driving side and the driven side Wrapped. Therefore, in the state of being wound around the pulley 4, each element E needs to spread out in a fan shape with respect to the center of the pulley 4 and be in close contact with each other. A portion (a portion on the center side in an annular arrangement) is formed thin.

  Specifically, the lower portion from a predetermined position on one surface of the main body 3 (for example, the left surface in FIG. 2), in this configuration example, the lower portion from the saddle surface 3a is scraped off. It is becoming thinner. Therefore, when each element E is arranged in an annular shape and expands into a fan shape and comes into contact, it comes into contact with another adjacent element E at the boundary portion where the plate thickness changes. In other words, when the boundary portion where the plate thickness changes as described above expands in a fan shape with respect to the center of the pulley 4 in a state where each element E constitutes the transmission belt V together with the ring R and is wound around the pulley 4. As a fulcrum. That is, the edge of this boundary portion is a so-called rocking edge 10.

  Further, a dimple 11 and a hole 12 for determining the relative position of each element E are formed in a central portion in the width direction of the main body 3 of the element E. Specifically, a frustoconical dimple 11 that is convex on one surface side of the main body 3 (in the example of FIG. 2, the surface side with the locking edge 10) is formed. A bottomed cylindrical hole 12 for loosely fitting (free fitting) the dimple 11 in the adjacent element E is formed on the surface opposite to the dimple 11.

  Therefore, when the elements E are stacked and arranged in the plate thickness direction, the dimples 11 and the holes 12 of the adjacent elements E are fitted to each other, so that the elements E in the state in FIG. The relative position in the direction and the vertical direction can be determined. For example, when the transmission belt V configured by using this element E is wound around a pulley and operated, the transmission belt V can be prevented from rattling and the transmission belt V can be stably driven. it can.

  In addition, dimples 11 and holes 12 that are loosely fitted to the dimples 11 are formed in the center portion in the width direction of the main body 3 and on both front and rear sides of the element E, respectively. By providing only one joint portion, when the elements E are arranged in a ring and connected, the elements E adjacent to each other are relatively rotated in the plane of the respective facing surfaces, that is, Rolling can be performed between the elements E adjacent to each other.

  The element E according to the present invention is easy to the last one of the expected number of elements E to be assembled to the link R when the element E and the two rows of rings R are assembled to form the transmission belt V. The portion on the opening end side (the upper side in FIGS. 1 and 2) of the element E is formed thinner than the locking edge 10 of the element E.

  That is, the locking edge 10 on one side surface 15a (the left side surface in FIG. 2 in this example) of the upper half portion 15 which is the outer peripheral side (upper side in FIGS. 1 and 2) of the locking edge 10 of the element E. The thickness is gradually reduced in a state in which a portion on the outer peripheral side has been scraped off from the thin-wall starting point portion 16 that has been raised (offset) by a predetermined dimension. In other words, a tapered surface 17 is formed on the side surface 15a of the upper half 15 of the element E so as to be inclined so that the plate thickness of the element E becomes thinner toward the opening end side, that is, the outer peripheral side, starting from the thin-wall starting point portion 16.

Therefore, the plate thickness of the element E is the opening end portion of the upper half portion 15, that is, the outermost end portion (in FIGS. 1 and 2), where the plate thickness T ₁ is the portion where the locking edge 10 is formed. thickness of the upper end portion) of which it is a thin plate thickness T ₂ than the thickness T _1.

  The tapered surface 17 formed on the upper half 15 of the element E as described above is formed on the other side surface 15b (the right side surface in FIG. 3) of the upper half 15 as shown in FIG. 3 (configuration shown in FIG. 3A), and can also be formed on both front and rear side surfaces 15a and 15b (left and right sides in FIG. 3) of the upper half 15 (shown in FIG. 3B). Constitution).

  FIG. 4 shows another form of the first configuration example. The configuration example shown in FIG. 4 is an example in which the thin-wall starting point portion 16 of the upper half portion 15 is formed at the same position as the portion where the locking edge 10 is formed. That is, as shown in FIG. 4 (a), on the side surface 15a of the upper half 15 of the element E, starting from the locking edge 10, in other words, in the height direction of the element E (y-axis direction in FIG. 4). A tapered surface 17 is formed so that the plate thickness of the element E becomes thinner toward the opening end side, that is, the outer peripheral side, starting from the thin-walled starting point portion 16 provided at the same position as the portion where the locking edge 10 is formed. Yes.

  Accordingly, the upper half 15 in this case has a tapered surface 17 on one entire side surface 15a. Also in this case, as in the case of the first configuration example shown in FIG. 3, the tapered surface 17 formed on the upper half portion 15 of the element E is the other side surface 15b of the upper half portion 15 (see FIG. 4 (right side surface in FIG. 4) (configuration shown in FIG. 4 (b)), and may be formed on both front and rear side surfaces 15a and 15b (left and right side surfaces in FIG. 4) of the upper half 15. Yes (configuration shown in FIG. 4C).

  The transmission belt V is configured by assembling the element E configured as described above and the ring R divided into two rows. That is, two rows of rings R are fitted into the recesses 7 of a large number of elements E in an annular arrangement, specifically on the inner peripheral side of both retaining portions 8 and 9 of the recesses 7. The ring R is assembled to form an endless annular transmission belt V.

The assembly of the element E and the two rows of rings R in this case will be specifically described. First, as shown in FIG. 5, predetermined portions in the circumferential direction of the divided rings 13 and 14 arranged in parallel are mutually connected. The overlapping state of the ring R is set by overlapping. By setting the superposition state, in the ring R, the superposition state (the state indicated by part A in FIG. 5) and the parallel state (the state indicated by part B in FIG. 5) are simultaneously set. The part of the overlapping state of the ring R, since the width of the ring R is narrower than the opening width W ₁ of the element E, the recess from the portion of the overlapping state, one or prearranged, predetermined number of elements E 7 is fitted with a ring R.

Subsequently, one or a plurality of elements E in which the overlapping portion of the ring R is fitted in the recess 7 are moved in the circumferential direction of the ring R to the parallel portion of the ring R. In the parallel portion of the ring R, the width R _{1 of the} ring R is narrower than the opening width W _{2 of the} element E and wider than the opening width W _{1 of the} element E, so that the ring R is fitted in the recess 7. When the element E is moved to the parallel portion of the ring R, the ring R is locked by the two retaining portions 8 and 9 of the concave portion 7 and engaged with the concave portion 7 in the parallel portion. That is, the element E and the ring R are assembled.

  Then, the above-described operation of fitting the ring R overlapped portion into the recesses 7 of the predetermined number of elements E and moving the predetermined number of elements E to the parallel portion of the ring R is sequentially repeated. .

  In the assembling work of the element E and the ring R as described above, in the initial stage of assembling the element E and the ring R, each of the split rings 13 and 14 can be freely operated, and the ring R can be relatively easily performed. Can be set. On the other hand, at the stage where the ring R and a relatively large number of elements E are assembled, that is, at the final stage of assembly, each divided ring is arranged by a row of elements E in which the dimples 11 and the holes 12 are fitted and connected. 13 and 14 are restricted, and it becomes increasingly difficult to roll the element E and superimpose the divided rings 13 and 14.

  Therefore, as in the example of the rings r1 and r2 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the rings R are overlapped by bringing the two rows of rings 13 and 14 into a partially curved state on the inner peripheral side. Set the state. However, in this case, as described above, the heads of adjacent elements E, that is, the open end portions of the upper half 15 contact each other, and the row of elements e expands in a fan shape with the contact portion as a base point side. It becomes a state. As a result, the substantial length in the circumferential direction of the row of elements E is increased, and accordingly, there is less room for providing a gap for inserting the last element E between the rows of elements E. End up.

Therefore, the element E in the present invention, as described above, is formed as a plate thickness T ₂ of the opening end side of the upper half portion 15 than the plate thickness T ₁ of the portion where the rocking edge 10 is formed is thinner ing. As described above, the taper surface 17 is provided in the upper half portion 15 of the element E, and the thickness is made thinner toward the opening end side of the upper half portion 15, so that it is already assembled with the ring R. It becomes easy to provide a space for assembling another element E between the rows of the elements E. Therefore, even in the final assembly stage of the element E and the ring R, the assembly can be easily performed.

(Second configuration example)
Next, a second configuration example of a belt element according to the present invention and a transmission belt using the belt element will be described with reference to FIGS. In the first configuration example described above, the upper half portion 15 of the element E is provided with the tapered surface 17 that is inclined so that the plate thickness of the element E becomes thinner toward the opening end side, that is, the outer peripheral side. In this second configuration example, an example is shown in which the upper half 15 of the element E is provided with a curved surface that curves so that the plate thickness of the element E becomes thinner toward the opening end side, that is, the outer peripheral side. Therefore, parts other than the part related to the curved surface of the upper half 15 are the same as those in the first configuration example shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, and FIGS. The same reference numerals as those in FIG.

  6A, the element E in the second configuration example is the opening end side of the recess 7 from the locking edge 10 of the element E (upper side in FIG. 6) as in the first configuration example described above. The part of is formed thin. That is, the outer peripheral portion is gradually rounded off from the thin-walled starting portion 16 that is raised (offset) by a predetermined dimension from the locking edge 10 on one side surface 15a of the upper half portion 15 of the element E. It has become. In other words, the curved surface 21 is formed on the side surface 15a of the upper half portion 15 of the element E so that the plate thickness of the element E becomes thinner toward the opening end side, that is, the outer peripheral side, starting from the thin-walled origin 16.

Therefore, the plate thickness of the element E is the opening end portion of the upper half portion 15, that is, the outermost end portion (the upper end portion in FIG. 6), where the plate thickness T ₁ is the portion where the locking edge 10 is formed. ) Is a plate thickness T ₂ that is thinner than the plate thickness T ₁ .

  Note that the curved surface 21 formed in the upper half 15 of the element E as described above is similar to the case of the first configuration example described above, as shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C. It can be formed on the other side surface 15b of the half portion 15 (configuration shown in FIG. 6B), or can be formed on both side surfaces 15a and 15b before and after the upper half portion 15 (FIG. 6). Configuration shown in (c)).

  FIG. 7 shows another form of the second configuration example. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 7, as in the case of the first configuration example described above, the thin-wall starting point portion 16 of the upper half portion 15 is formed at the same position as the portion where the locking edge 10 is formed. It is an example. That is, as shown in FIG. 7 (a), on the side surface 15a of the upper half 15 of the element E, starting from the locking edge 10, in other words, in the height direction of the element E (y-axis direction in FIG. 7). A curved surface 21 that is curved so that the plate thickness of the element E becomes thinner toward the opening end side, that is, the outer peripheral side, starting from the thin-walled starting point portion 16 provided at the same position as the portion where the locking edge 10 is formed is formed. Yes.

  Also in this case, the curved surface 21 formed on the upper half portion 15 of the element E can be formed on the other side surface 15b of the upper half portion 15 as in the case of the first configuration example described above. (Configuration shown in FIG. 7 (b)), and can also be formed on the front and back side surfaces 15a and 15b of the upper half 15 (configuration shown in FIG. 7 (c)).

  And the transmission belt V is comprised by assembling the element E comprised as mentioned above and the ring R divided | segmented into 2 rows. That is, two rows of rings R are fitted into the recesses 7 of a large number of elements E in an annular arrangement, specifically on the inner peripheral side of both retaining portions 8 and 9 of the recesses 7. The ring R is assembled to form an endless annular transmission belt V.

  Thus, also in the second configuration example, similarly to the case of the first configuration example described above, the curved surface 21 is provided in the upper half portion 15 of the element E, and the opening end side of the upper half portion 15 is provided. By forming the plate so as to be thin, it becomes easy to provide a space for assembling another element E between the rows of the elements E already assembled with the ring R. Therefore, even in the final assembly stage of the element E and the ring R, the assembly can be easily performed.

(Third configuration example)
Next, a third configuration example of the belt element according to the present invention and a transmission belt using the belt element will be described with reference to FIG. In the first and second configuration examples, the tapered surface 17 or the curved surface 21 is inclined or curved in the upper half portion 15 of the element E so that the plate thickness of the element E becomes thinner toward the opening end side, that is, the outer peripheral side. In the third configuration example, a thin portion having a thinner plate thickness than the portion where the locking edge 10 is formed is provided in the upper half portion 15 of the element E. An example is shown. Therefore, parts other than the part related to the thin part of the upper half 15 are the same as those in the first and second configuration examples shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, FIG. 6 and FIG. 1 to 4, 6, and 7 are assigned the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

  8A, the element E in the third configuration example is formed such that the opening end side (upper side in FIG. 8) of the recess 7 is thinner than the locking edge 10 of the element E. In other words, a portion on the outer peripheral side is scraped off from the thin-wall starting point portion 16 that is raised (offset) by a predetermined dimension from the locking edge 10 on the one side surface 15a of the upper half portion 15 of the element E to be thinned. In other words, the opening end side, that is, the outer peripheral side portion of the side surface 15a of the upper half portion 15 of the element E is formed so that the plate thickness is thinner than the portion where the locking edge 10 is formed. The thin portion 31 is formed.

Therefore, the thickness of the element E, when the thickness of the portion rocking edge 10 is formed to a thickness T _1, the opening end or outermost edge of the upper half portion 15 (the upper end in FIG. 8 ) Is a plate thickness T ₂ which is thinner than the plate thickness T ₁ .

  As described above, the thin portion 31 formed in the upper half portion 15 of the element E is as shown in FIGS. 8B and 8C as in the first and second configuration examples. In addition, it can be formed on the other side surface 15b of the upper half portion 15 (configuration shown in FIG. 8B), and can also be formed on both side surfaces 15a and 15b before and after the upper half portion 15 ( Configuration shown in FIG.

  And the transmission belt V is comprised by assembling the element E comprised as mentioned above and the ring R divided | segmented into 2 rows. That is, two rows of rings R are fitted into the recesses 7 of a large number of elements E in an annular arrangement, specifically on the inner peripheral side of both retaining portions 8 and 9 of the recesses 7. The ring R is assembled to form an endless annular transmission belt V.

  In the third configuration example, similarly to the first and second configuration examples described above, the thin portion 31 is provided in the upper half portion 15 of the element E, and the opening end side of the upper half portion 15 is locked. A space for assembling another element E between the rows of the elements E already assembled with the ring R by being formed so as to be thinner than the portion where the edge 10 is formed. It becomes easy to provide. Therefore, even in the final assembly stage of the element E and the ring R, the assembly can be easily performed.

As described above, according to the belt element E and the transmission belt V using the element E according to the present invention, the portion closer to the opening end of the recess 7 than the locking edge 10 of the belt element E, in other words, for the belt thickness T ₂ of the half portion 15 on the element E is an outer peripheral portion of a state of being arranged in a ring is formed to be thinner than the plate thickness T ₁ of the portion where the rocking edge 10 is formed The That is, when a plurality of belt elements E and a ring R are assembled, a part of the plurality of belt elements E and the ring R is bent toward the inner peripheral side of the ring R. The portion where the elements E are in contact with each other, that is, the tip portion of the upper half portion 15 is thinner than the portion where the locking edge 10 is formed.

  As a result, when a large number of belt elements E and a part of the ring R are bent toward the inner peripheral side of the ring R as described above, between the rows of the belt elements E assembled to the ring R, Furthermore, it becomes easy to provide a gap for assembling another belt element E. Therefore, the belt element E can be easily assembled to the ring R up to the last one. Therefore, it is possible to improve the assembling property of the transmission belt V constituted by assembling the belt element E and the ring R.

  The present invention is not limited to the specific examples described above. That is, in the above-described specific example, the transmission belt R includes the belt element E according to the present invention and the two rows of the rings R formed so that the opening end side is thinner than the portion where the locking edge 10 is formed. In this case, all the elements used in this case may be the belt element E according to the present invention, or the belt element E according to the present invention and the conventional belt element ( That is, an element having a structure in which the plate thickness on the opening end side is not thinned can be used in combination. In that case, at least two or more belt elements E according to the present invention are used, and the last one element is assembled in a gap provided while the belt elements E according to the present invention are arranged. Thereby, the favorable assembly | attachment property of the element E for belts and the ring R as mentioned above can be obtained.

  Further, although the transmission belt of the present invention is used in a belt-type continuously variable transmission, the transmission belt of the present invention is not limited to a belt-type continuously variable transmission, and includes a belt and a pulley. The present invention can also be applied to a transmission belt of another winding transmission device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a schematic diagram which shows the 1st structural example of the belt element which concerns on this invention, and the transmission belt using the belt element, Comprising: It is a front view of the belt element and transmission belt. It is a schematic diagram which shows the 1st structural example of the belt element which concerns on this invention, and the power transmission belt using the belt element, Comprising: It is a partial sectional side view of the belt element. It is a schematic diagram which shows the other structure of the element for belts in the 1st structural example of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows another form of a structure of the element for belts in the 1st structural example of this invention. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the state where the ring which comprises the transmission belt of this invention was piled up, and the state put in parallel. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the element for belts in the 2nd structural example of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows another form of a structure of the element for belts in the 2nd structural example of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the element for belts in the 3rd structural example of this invention. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the assembly | attachment state of an element and a ring. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating in detail the assembly | attachment state of an element and a ring.

Explanation of symbols

  E ... element, R ... ring, V ... transmission belt, 3 ... main body (base part), 4 ... pulley, 5a, 6a ... inner surface, 7 ... recess, 8, 9 ... retaining part, 10 ... locking edge, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 13, 14 ... Split ring, 15 ... Upper half part, 16 ... Thin-wall origin part, 17 ... Tapered surface, 21 ... Curved surface, 31 ... Thin-wall part.

Claims (7)

A plurality of plate-like members are formed with recesses for accommodating an endless annular ring, and retaining portions for preventing the rings from being engaged with the open end sides of the left and right inner surfaces of the recess. An element is arranged in an annular shape so that the opening end side is on the outer peripheral side, and the ring is fitted and assembled on the inner peripheral side of the both retaining portions in the row of elements arranged in the annular shape. In the element for the belt constituting
The plate thickness of the upper half of the opening end side is larger than the portion where the rocking edge that becomes a fulcrum is formed when the belt is configured to wrap around the pulley in the state of being wound around the pulley. A belt element characterized by being thinly formed.   The taper surface which inclines so that plate | board thickness may become so thin as the said opening end side may be formed in at least any one of the front and back sides which the said upper half part opposes in the plate | board thickness direction. The belt element according to 1.   The belt element according to claim 2, wherein the taper surface starts the inclination starting from a portion where the rocking edge is formed.   The curved surface which curves so that plate | board thickness may become thin toward the said opening end side is formed in at least any one of the front and back side surfaces which oppose in the plate | board thickness direction of the said upper half part. The belt element described in 1.   5. The belt element according to claim 4, wherein the curved surface starts from a portion where the rocking edge is formed. 5.   2. A thin-walled portion having a thinner plate thickness than a portion where the locking edge is formed is formed on at least one of the front and rear side surfaces facing each other in the plate thickness direction of the upper half portion. The belt element described in 1.   A power transmission belt comprising an annular shape using the ring and at least two or more belt elements according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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