Design of an Engagement Guiding Mechanism for Roller Chain Drives

Abstract

On a roller chain drive, if the incoming engaging roller moves tangent to the pitch circle at the moment of engagement, no roller-sprocket impact should occur. Based on such a notion, an engagement guiding mechanism is proposed to make this possible. The algorithm of kinematic design of the mechanism is presented. Comparisons between the new model and a conventional model show significant improvements made in the kinematic properties of the engaging roller.