Rocker-pin type friction gearing chain

Abstract

A rocker-pin type continuously variable transmission chain having a plurality of link plates connected endlessly by rocker pins which project into pin insertion holes formed in the link plates. Each pin insertion hole defines thereon a side load transmitting surface which engages an opposed side load transmitting surface on the rocker pin. These load transmitting surfaces on the rocker pin and hole have opposed center surface portions which are maintained free of contact with one another. A pair of concave surface portions are smoothly joined directly to opposite ends of the center surface portion of the hole, and project outwardly in opposite directions therefrom. A similar pair of convex surface portions are formed on the rocker pin, and are joined to opposite ends of the center surface portion thereof and project outwardly therefrom. The concave and convex surface portions are defined generally as partial elliptic surfaces which are generated about and symmetrically disposed with respect to a major axis of an ellipse, which major axis extend centrally of the bore in the lengthwise or longitudinal direction of the link plate. The elliptically shaped concave and convex surfaces directly engagingly contact one another, and create a wedge-like configuration which prevents rotation of the rocker pin relative to the bore, and provides for uniform load transmission over the extensive surface areas defined by the contacting convex and concave surface portions.