阅读说明：本技术 驱动系统 (Drive system ) 是由 博特勒·耶尔格 于 2019-05-22 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种驱动系统(1),包括驱动元件(2)、沿着运输路径布置的固定配合齿(30)。驱动元件(2)具有用于与配合齿(30)相互接合以传输驱动力的环形链(20)以及用于与链(20)相互接合并且用于驱动链(20)的至少一个驱动小齿轮。引导部件(23)被设置在链(20)处。驱动系统(1)具有用于引导链(20)的引导部件(23)的引导元件(24)。该驱动系统可以传输大的驱动扭矩,同时需要较小的安装空间。(A drive system (1) comprises a drive element (2), a fixed mating tooth (30) arranged along a transport path. The drive element (2) has an endless chain (20) for mutual engagement with mating teeth (30) for transmitting a drive force and at least one drive pinion for mutual engagement with the chain (20) and for driving the chain (20). The guide member (23) is provided at the chain (20). The drive system (1) has a guide element (24) for guiding a guide component (23) of the chain (20). The drive system can transmit a large drive torque while requiring a small installation space.)

1. A drive system (1) comprising:

a drive element (2); and

a matching tooth (30),

the drive element (2) comprises: an endless chain (20) for mutual engagement with the mating teeth (30) for transmitting a driving force; and at least one drive pinion (21, 22) for mutual engagement with the chain (20) and for driving the chain (20), wherein

A guide member (23) is arranged at the chain (20); and is

The drive system (1) has a guide element (24) for guiding the guide component (23) of the chain (20) at least in a region engaging with the mating tooth (30), the guide element (24) being arranged such that the guide component (23) is guided by the guide element (24) during movement of the chain (20).

2. Drive system (1) according to claim 1, wherein

The mating teeth (30) are arranged in a fixed manner at least along a portion of the transport path, in particular to a guide rail (3) of said portion of the transport path.

3. Drive system (1) according to claim 1, wherein

The mating teeth (30) are movable, while the drive element (2) is fixedly arranged.

4. The drive system (1) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein

The guiding element (24) has at least one of a guiding groove (241) and a guiding surface for engaging and/or abutting the guiding component (23).

5. The drive system (1) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein

The guide member (23) includes a bolt.

6. The drive system (1) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein

The guide part (23) comprises a rolling bearing and/or a sliding bush.

7. The drive system (1) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein

The guide member (23) comprises at least one guide chain.

8. The drive system (1) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein

The guide part (23) is designed to roll on the guide element (24).

9. The drive system (1) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein

The guide element (23) is arranged transversely to the chain (20) or extends transversely from the chain (20).

10. The drive system (1) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein

The guide elements (23) are arranged transversely to the pins and/or rollers of the chain (20).

11. The drive system (1) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein

The guide members (23) are arranged on both sides of the chain (20).

12. The drive system (1) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein

The matching teeth (30) are racks.

13. The drive system (1) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein

The drive system has an electric motor which drives the at least one drive pinion (21, 22), in particular the two drive pinions (21, 22).

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a drive system comprising a drive member and a counter-toothing, the drive member comprising an endless chain for inter-engaging with the counter-toothing for transmitting a drive force and at least one drive pinion for inter-engaging with the chain and for driving the chain.

Background

Transport vehicles with a positive drive are known, for example as rack and pinion railways or in the mining industry. A positive locking drive has the advantage that the efficiency can be increased compared to a friction locking drive, because sliding of the drive wheel on the drive track is hardly possible when having a positive locking connection. Furthermore, large torques and thus large accelerations can be transferred from the drive to the rail. These drives are also used on amusement rides such as roller coasters.

Typically, a positive-locking drive has a toothed pinion attached to the vehicle and driven by a motor attached to the vehicle, which meshes with the teeth of a rack or toothed chain arranged along the path of travel (e.g. on a rail). However, there arise problems that proper transmission from the motor to the mating teeth cannot be promoted, and power transmission is limited by the number of teeth of the drive pinion that mesh with the mating teeth. This problem can be solved by increasing the diameter of the pinion. However, this significantly increases the required installation space and leads to an increase in the required torque provided by the motor, i.e. the gear requirements.

Another possibility to solve this problem is to double the drive chain, i.e. to use two or more pinions instead of one, thereby increasing the power transmission. However, this necessarily results in higher costs and more complex control requirements for the motor.

European patent EP2483121B1 discloses a known positive locking drive.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the invention is to provide a drive system which can transmit a large drive torque while requiring a small installation space.

The invention provides a drive system comprising a drive element and mating teeth. The drive element includes: an endless chain for mutual engagement with the mating teeth to transmit a driving force; and at least one drive pinion for inter-engagement with the chain and for driving the chain. The guide member is arranged at the chain; and the drive system has a guide element for guiding the guide component of the chain at least in the region of engagement with the mating tooth, the guide element being arranged such that the guide component is guided by the guide element during movement of the chain.

Preferably, the mating teeth are arranged in a fixed manner at least along a portion of the transport path, in particular to a guide rail of said portion of the transport path.

Preferably, the mating teeth are movable, while the drive element is fixedly arranged.

Preferably, the guide element has at least one of a guide groove and a guide surface for engaging and/or abutting the guide member.

Preferably, the guide member comprises a bolt.

Preferably, the guide member comprises a rolling bearing and/or a sliding bush.

Preferably, the guide member comprises at least one guide chain.

Preferably, the guide member is designed for rolling on said guide element.

Preferably, the guide member is arranged transversely to the chain or extends transversely from the chain.

Preferably, the guide members are arranged transversely to the pins and/or rollers of the chain.

Preferably, the guide members are arranged on both sides of the chain.

Preferably, the mating teeth are racks.

Preferably, the drive system has an electric motor which drives at least one drive pinion, in particular two drive pinions.

The drive system according to the invention comprises a drive element or drive unit and mating teeth, wherein the drive element and the drive unit each comprise: an endless chain for mutual engagement with the mating teeth to transmit a driving force; and at least one drive pinion for interengaging with the chain and for driving the chain. Providing a guide member at the chain; and the drive system and the drive unit each comprise a guide element for guiding a guide member of the chain at least in the region of engagement with the mating tooth, wherein the guide element is arranged such that during movement of the chain the guide member located in the region of the guide element is guided by the guide element.

By this drive system, a larger effective pitch circle (pitch circle) can be simulated, which simultaneously meshes with the teeth of a plurality of carriers or mating teeth. For example, by rigidly guiding the drive pins of the chain (e.g., in the slots) via the guide members, a pitch circle with a large pitch circle diameter (e.g., 800mm with other typical geometries) may be generated, which results in increased overlap (e.g., 5 teeth).

In the drive system of the present invention, the guide member (e.g., guide rail) has a circular cross-sectional shape with a pitch radius of any size. Thus, the pins of the chain are guided along this pitch circle in the rack at the travel track (e.g., tube or rail) so that multiple pins can be simultaneously tooth-engaged. Therefore, a multi-tooth meshing superposition is used. This allows for the transmission of higher forces/torques than if a pinion were used to transmit the force directly to the mating teeth, while reducing the installation space. Thus, the driving force may be transferred to the plurality of pins, so that each pin is correspondingly less stressed. The gear ratios may be integrated in the drive element or the drive system.

In particular, such a chain drive has the advantage that: compared to known solutions using one drive wheel, a higher driving force can be transmitted with a much smaller space requirement.

In particular, the drive pins are connected to each other as a chain via a plate. However, the term "chain" is to be broadly defined and includes any endless flexible engaging element engageable with a corresponding mating tooth portion of the chain.

In particular, two sprockets may be provided to drive the chain. The two sprockets can simultaneously drive the chain and thereby share the required power or torque. This results in a higher force absorption due to the stack of many brackets in a compact design. The motor may be flanged to the housing of the compact drive element. The system provides a drive train preferably having two motors, however, one or more than two motors or drive pinions may be integrated into the system.

In the drive system of the present invention, the pins (preferably all pins or part pins) of the ordinary chain can be rigidly guided by the guide member, thereby increasing the effective pitch circle with which the mating teeth mesh.

In particular, the mating teeth are fixedly arranged along the transport section, in particular on the guide rails of the transport section.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the drive system may be designed in the following way: the mating teeth are e.g. movable along a (fixed) guide portion while the drive element is fixed. The drive system acts as a linear drive, similar to a spindle drive or an electric cylinder, and can apply a large force to the mating teeth/racks.

The guide element may have a guide groove and/or a guide surface for engagement with the guide member. The chain is guided at least in the region of the pitch circle along which it engages the mating tooth.

Preferably, the guide member may have a bolt. For example, they may be configured in the form of extensions of the pins of the drive chain.

Preferably, the guide part can have a rolling bearing and/or a sliding bush. For example, the rolling bearing runs in a guide groove of the guide element to keep the friction (rolling friction) as low as possible.

The guide member may comprise at least one additional guide chain. The guide chain may be attached to a side of the drive chain. The links of the guide chain may be regarded as guide members.

In particular, the guide member may be designed to roll on the guide element, for example by means of a rotatable roller/bushing or roller bearing attached to the side of the drive chain. In particular, the guide member can roll on the guide element independently of the drive chain.

In summary, rolling bearings, sliding bearings, sleeve bearings, guide chains, bolts, etc. can be considered as options for guiding.

Preferably, the guide member is arranged or extends to the side of the drive chain. The term "lateral" refers to the direction of movement of the drive chain. The plane formed by the direction of movement and the direction of engagement of the mating teeth can be described as the plane of movement of the chain. The guide member is disposed on one or both sides of the plane. To ensure optimal engagement, the pins of the drive chain must be inserted relatively deep into the mating teeth so that the tooth tips extend beyond the roller chain. This can be ensured, according to the principles of the present invention, by a lateral offset of the guide (comprising the guide member and the guide element).

The guide member may especially be arranged at the side of the pins and/or rollers of the drive chain, e.g. at the right side of the pins/rollers of the guide chain. In a preferred embodiment this can be provided by simply extending the pins of the drive chain to the guide members.

In a preferred embodiment, the guide members may be arranged on both sides of the chain.

For example, the mating teeth may be racks.

In particular, the drive system comprises an electric motor driving at least one pinion (in particular two drive pinions). In another embodiment, two or more motors (smaller and of lower power than higher power drive motors) may be provided for each drive pinion.

By enclosing the drive member, a compact drive module can be provided. The housing reduces noise. Noise generation may be further reduced by using soft rollers. The drive chain, known as a conventional wearing part, can be easily replaced.

However, in the context of the present invention, not only the drive system but also a part of the drive system, i.e. the roller chain, is claimed, which comprises means for being forcibly guided on a predetermined two-dimensional trajectory curve. Thus, the roller chain has guide members and guide elements as described above and below, e.g. additional outer rollers which may be arranged on the extension pins of the chain. The rollers may be rigidly guided to reduce rolling friction (via rolling bearings), thereby generating, for example, a higher overlap. All features described in connection with the drive system should be used with the roller chain as long as technically reasonable.

Drawings

Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the description of preferred embodiments of the invention, given with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a drive system according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows another schematic view of a drive system according to the present invention;

FIGS. 3a, 3b are views of a portion of a first embodiment of the drive system of the present invention;

FIGS. 4a, 4b are views of a portion of a second embodiment of the drive system of the present invention;

FIGS. 5a and 5b are views of a portion of a third embodiment of the drive system of the present invention; and

fig. 6 is a diagram of another embodiment of a drive system according to the present invention.

Detailed Description

The embodiments described below relate to a drive system according to the invention, in particular for a rail transport system, in particular for an amusement vehicle.

The drive system 1 shown in fig. 1 and 2 has on the one hand a drive element 2 or drive unit and on the other hand a mating tooth 30, in the present embodiment the mating tooth 30 being arranged on the guide rail 3. For example, the mating teeth 30 may be a rack or pinion chain.

The drive element 2 has two drive pinions 21 and 22 and a drive train 20 driven by the drive pinions 21 and 22. The drive chain 20 may be a conventional roller chain with pins connected on both sides by plates 201 (outer or inner plates). The rollers 200 are arranged on the bolts so that they can roll off the flanks of the mating teeth. The drive chain 20 is designed for intermeshing with the mating teeth 30 to provide a compact, rigid drive.

Furthermore, according to the invention, the drive element 2 has a guide member connected to the chain 20 and at least one guide element cooperating with the guide member to hold or guide the chain in a predetermined portion on a predetermined track or path. The following describes a modification of the guide member.

The components of the drive element 2 can be compactly accommodated in the housing 4. One or two motors (not shown) driving the drive pinions 21 and/or 22 may be arranged outside the housing 4 and coupled to the drive element 2 (i.e. the drive pinions 21, 22). In another embodiment, the motor may be integrated in the housing 4.

The following figures show variants or concepts of the drive system 1 according to the invention. In fig. 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a and 5b, parts of the drive element 2 and the mating tooth 30 are shown. Identical or corresponding parts are marked with the same reference numerals. In particular, the drive element 2 has a drive chain 20. In each figure, the engaging portion (pitch circle) of the chain 20 is shown, which engages with the mating tooth 30 or almost engages with the mating tooth 30.

Fig. 3a and 3b show a first embodiment of the inventive drive system 2 from two different perspectives. According to the invention, each link has a guide member 23 in the form of a guide pin extending from the pin of the drive chain to both sides. The guide pin may be an extension of a pin of the drive chain 20 that projects laterally from the drive chain 20.

The guide member 23 is guided by a guide element 24 (here comprising an upper guide element 24a and a lower guide element 24b), the guide element 24 having at least one groove engaging with the guide pin. As shown in fig. 3a and 3b, the guide element 24 is arranged in the region of the drive element 2 in which the drive chain 20 is intended to engage with the mating tooth 30.

Fig. 4a and 4b show a second embodiment of the inventive drive system 2 from two different perspectives. According to the invention, each chain link has a guide member 23 in the form of a sliding bushing or a roller extending on both sides from the chain link of the drive chain 20. The sliding bush can roll independently of the drive chain 20 on the guide element 24 (here comprising an upper guide element 24a and a lower guide element 24 b). For example, the guide element 24 may have a curved guide surface of large radius, with which the rollers of the drive element 2 contact and roll along in the engaging portion of the drive element 2 to guide the drive chain 20 in this portion. This reduces the friction (rolling friction rather than sliding friction) generated by the guide. Such variants include rolling bearings. As shown in fig. 4a, 4b, the guide element 24 is arranged in at least one region of the drive chain 20 in the drive element 2 for engagement/meshing with the mating tooth 30.

Fig. 5a and 5b show a third embodiment of the inventive drive system 2 from two different perspectives. According to the invention, the guide member 23 for the drive chain 30 is designed in the form of a guide chain (or a part thereof) arranged transversely on the drive chain 30 and connected to the drive chain 30. In this case, two guide chains 23a or 23b are provided, one attached to each side of the drive chain 30. The drive chain 20 and the guide chain 23 are connected to each other such that the guide chain 23 guides the drive chain 20.

The guide chains 23a and 23b interact with the guide elements 24 to guide the drive chain 23. The guide elements 24 may comprise guide surfaces or grooves on/in which the guide chain slides. However, preferably, the guide member 24 has a structure along which the rollers of the guide chain 23 can roll or unwind. For example, a profile can be provided on the guide element 24, on which the rollers of the guide chain roll, for example, along thin ribs (burr) arranged between the chain links of the guide chain. In another embodiment, the guide element 24 itself may be designed in the form of a plurality of gears guiding the guide chain 23 and thus the drive chain 20 connected therewith. In this variant, the links of the chains 20 and 23 roll away at the corresponding mating teeth 30 or teeth of the guide element 24, so that the friction is reduced.

Since the guide members 23 are arranged at the sides of the drive chain 20, the guide construction does not interfere with the drive and vice versa. Thus, the teeth of the mating teeth 30 can engage deeply between the links of the drive chain 20. This allows transmission of large forces. The guide formations may be designed to transmit the drive forces relatively independently.

In the illustrated embodiment, the drive chain 20 and, if applicable, the guide chain 23 are both shown as roller chains. Of course, any type of chain is suitable for use in the present invention. In any case, a pitch circle with a large radius and thus a high power transmission can be achieved between the drive element 2 and the mating tooth 30. The size of the drive element 2 is still small.

Fig. 6 shows another application of the present invention. In this embodiment, the system 1 has a drive element 2 fixed at position P and a movable mating tooth 30. The drive element 2 is designed to linearly move or drive the mating teeth 30 (e.g., a rack) in the stationary guide member 300, similar to a spindle drive.