DESC:FIELD

The present disclosure relates to vehicles. Particularly, the present disclosure relates to a system and method for tension adjustment for a flexible power transmission element of a flexible power transmission mechanism for a vehicle.

BACKGROUND

Vehicles, like two wheeled vehicles, utilize a swing arm for supporting at least one rear wheel. Generally, a single sided swing arm lies along only one side of the rear wheel of the vehicles. The swing arm is connected to a wheel hub provided with a sprocket which meshes with a chain in order to transmit rotary motion to the rear wheel. The structure and mounting pattern of the rear wheel on the swing arm poses difficulty in carrying out maintenance operations, such as tension adjustment of the chain of the rear wheel of the vehicle.

Conventionally, in order to adjust the tension of a belt or a chain of power transmission mechanism for a vehicle with single sided swing arm, a tool is engaged with the swing arm, such that the operative plane of the tool is parallel to the plane of the swing arm. This renders conventional tension adjusting mechanisms a complicated process, thereby requiring a high level of precision in carrying out proper engagement of the tool. Due to inadequate space between the wheel hub and the pulley/ sprocket, there is constraint on rotation of the tool with respect to a brake caliper and the wheel hub, thereby creating problems in chain tension adjustment. Furthermore, due to difficult accessibility of the tool in the limited space between the pulley/sprocket and the wheel hub, the belt or the chain tension adjustment becomes a tedious task.

Hence, there is a need to alleviate drawbacks associated with conventional chain tension adjustment mechanism.

OBJECTS

Some of the objects of the arrangement of the present disclosure are aimed to ameliorate one or more problems of the prior art or to at least provide a useful alternative and are listed herein below.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide system and method for tension adjustment for a flexible power transmission element of a flexible power transmission mechanism for a vehicle with which the tension adjustment work of the belt or the chain is made comparatively easier.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an effective and fast system and method for tension adjustment for a flexible power transmission element of a flexible power transmission mechanism for a vehicle.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a user friendly system and method for tension adjustment for a flexible power transmission element of a flexible power transmission mechanism for a vehicle.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a less stressful system and method for tension adjustment for a flexible power transmission element of a flexible power transmission mechanism for a vehicle.

Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures, which are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY

A tension adjusting system for a flexible power transmission element of a flexible drive power transmission mechanism for a vehicle is disclosed in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. The system includes a driven wheel, a driven pulley, a swing arm, an eccentric adjuster and a detachable tension adjustment tool. The driven wheel has a central opening for receiving a wheel axle therein such that the axis of the wheel axle is in line with the axis of the central opening. The off-centre opening is configured thereon such that the axis of the off-centre opening is parallel to the axis of the central opening and the wheel axle. The driven pulley of the flexible drive power transmission mechanism is rotatably mounted over the wheel axle coupled to the driven wheel and receives torque from a driving pulley via the flexible power transmission element movably disposed on the driving and the driven pulley. The swing arm is disposed between the driven wheel and the driven pulley. The swing arm has a first end and a second end. The second end has a cavity. The cavity is formed thereon and has the axis eccentric with the axis of the wheel axle. The eccentric adjuster is disposed within the cavity and is adapted to oscillate therein. The eccentric adjuster includes an opening. The opening is formed eccentrically thereon and receives the wheel axle on which the driven wheel and the driven pulley are mounted. The lug extends from an outer surface of the eccentric adjuster. The detachably tension adjusting tool has a first element and a second element orthogonally protruding from a handle. The first element is engaged with the central opening and the second element passes through the off-centre opening and engages with the lug, wherein in an operative rotary configuration of the handle, the handle facilitates rotation of the eccentric adjuster through the lug enabling positional movement of the driven pulley thereby varying the distance between the driven pulley and a driving pulley for enabling tension adjustment of the flexible power transmission element.

In accordance with one embodiment, a method for adjusting tension for a flexible power transmission element of a flexible drive power transmission mechanism for a vehicle is disclosed. The method includes the steps of loosening a securing device inhibiting movement of an eccentric adjuster which has a lug within a cavity, lifting a detachable tension adjusting tool which has a first element and a second element orthogonally protruding from a handle, engaging the first element with a central opening on a driven wheel, engaging the second element with the lug of the eccentric adjuster by adapting the second element to pass through an off-center opening, operating the handle in an oscillatory configuration thereby facilitating oscillation of the eccentric adjuster through the lug enabling position movement between a drive pulley and a driven pulley thereby facilitating tension adjustment of the flexible power transmission element and tightening the securing device for securely holding the eccentric adjuster having the lug within the cavity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The system and method for tension adjustment for a flexible power transmission element of a flexible power transmission mechanism for a vehicle of the present disclosure will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a schematic representation of a system for tension adjusting for a flexible power transmission element of a flexible drive power transmission mechanism for a vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 2 illustrates another schematic representation of the system for tension adjusting of Figure 1;

Figure 3 illustrates a detailed view of a driven wheel of the system for tension adjusting of Figure 1;

Figure 4 illustrates a schematic representation of the detachable tension adjusting tool of the system for tension adjusting of Figure 1; and

Figure 5 illustrates a schematic representation of a swing arm coupled with an eccentric adjuster of the system for tension adjusting of Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The system and method of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments do not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The description relates purely to the examples and preferred embodiments of the disclosed method and its suggested applications.

The mechanism herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known parameters and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

The present disclosure discloses a system and method for tension adjusting for a flexible power transmission element of a flexible drive power transmitting mechanism for a vehicle. The system and method for tension adjusting for the flexible power transmission element enables the tension adjustment work of the belt or the chain utilized in the power transmission mechanism in comparatively easier manner.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure will now be explained with reference to Figure 1 through Figure 5 wherein the key components are referenced generally by numerals as indicated in the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 and Figure 2 illustrates a schematic representation of an operative configuration of a system 100 for tension adjusting for a flexible power transmission element. The system 100 includes a driven wheel 10, a driven pulley (not illustrated in Figures), a swing arm 30, an eccentric adjuster 40 and a detachable tension adjusting tool 50. The eccentric adjuster 40 has a lug 40a that extends away from the outer surface 40c. The swing arm 30 is disposed between the driven wheel 10 and the driven pulley. The swing arm has a first end (not illustrated in the Figures) and a second end 30a. The first end is connected to a body frame (not illustrated in the Figures) of the vehicle. The second end 30a includes a cavity 32. The detachable tension adjusting tool 50 comprises a first element 52 and a second element 54.

The driven wheel 10, the details of which are shown in Figure 3, has a central opening 12, a plurality of spaced apart openings 11 and an off-center opening 14. The driven wheel 10 is disposed on a wheel axle 16. More specifically, the central opening 12 of the driven wheel 10 receives the wheel axle 16 therein such that the axis of the wheel axle 16 is in line with the axis of the central opening 12. The driven wheel 10 also has the off-centre opening 14 defined proximate to the central opening 12. The off-centre opening 14 is disposed in such a way that the axis of the off-centre opening 14 is parallel to the axis of the central opening 12 and the wheel axle 16. In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, the driven wheel 10 is a rear wheel. In one embodiment, the wheel axle 16 has a portion 16a with a plurality of inner holes 16b and a plurality of outer holes 16c. The inner holes 16b enables secure connection of the driven wheel 10 on the axle wheel 16. More specifically, the plurality of spaced apart openings 11 of the driven wheel 10 are in line with the inner holes 16b of the portion 16a. Typically, nut and bolt arrangements are used for inserted through the plurality of spaced apart openings 11 and the inner holes 16b for securely connecting the driven wheel 10 with the portion 16a. The outer holes 16c are provided for securing a disc (not illustrated in Figures), typically by nut and bolt arrangements.

The rotary motion of the driven wheel 10 is caused by the driven pulley. The driven pulley is rotatably fitted adjacent to the eccentric adjuster 40 at a position ‘X’ (as illustrated in Figure 2) on the wheel axle 16. The driven pulley is one of the elements of the flexible drive power transmitting mechanism. Along with the driven pulley, the power transmission mechanism includes a power source (not illustrated in the Figures), a driving pulley (not illustrated in the Figures) and a belt (not illustrated in the Figures) or a chain (not illustrated in the figures) connecting the driving pulley and the driven pulley. The belt or the chain enables transmitting power from the drive pulley to the driven pulley. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the driving pulley and the driven pulley are configured with sprockets for mounting the chain thereon.

Figure 4 illustrates the detachable tension adjusting tool 50 in detail. The detachable tension adjusting tool 50 is used for actuating the eccentric adjuster 40. A first element 52 and a second element 54 orthogonally protrude from a handle 56.

As illustrated in Figure 5, the axis of the cavity 32 is eccentric with the axis of the wheel axle 16. The eccentric adjuster 40 is disposed within the cavity 32. The eccentric adjuster 40 is adapted to oscillate within the cavity 32. The eccentric adjuster 40 has an opening 40b the axis of which is coaxially located with the axes of the wheel axle 16 and the driven pulley. The axis of the lug 40a is in line with the axis of the off-centre opening 14. The eccentric adjuster 40 is actuated by the detachable tension adjusting tool 50. The actuation of eccentric adjuster 40 enables positional movement of the driven pulley that in turn alters the degree of tension in the belt or the chain. The positional movement of the driven pulley may be vertical, horizontal or the combination thereof. In accordance with one embodiment, a securing device S, typically a nut and bolt arrangement is used for securely clamping the eccentric adjuster 40 within the cavity 32.

In an operative configuration, the first element 52 of the detachable tension adjustment tool 50 gets engaged with the central opening 12 and the second element 54 gets engaged with the lug 40a through the off-centre opening 14. As illustrated in Figure 1, the detachable tension adjusting tool 50 is engaged with the driven wheel 10 from the side opposite to the side where the swing arm 30 is connected to the driven wheel 10, thereby providing an ease to the user in accessibility of the detachable tension adjusting tool 50. The detachable tension adjusting tool is thus comparatively less stressful. The detachable tension adjusting tool 50 passes through the driven wheel 10 and extends up to the swing arm 30.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, the distance between the first element 52 and the second element 54 is adjustable. Further, cross sectional area, geometry and shape of the first element 52 and the second element 54 are also adjustable. Furthermore, point of application of force applied by the detachable tension adjusting tool 50 may vary depending on the parameters related to shape and structure of the detachable tension adjusting tool 50.

Although the mechanism of the present disclosure is described with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, other configurations of the system are included in the scope of the present disclosure.

The method of tensioning the flexible power transmission elements, such as the belt or the chain, of the flexible drive power transmission mechanism is disclosed. Initially, the securing device S is loosened, typically by means of a spanner. Then-after the detachable tension adjusting tool 50 is lifted and the first element 52 of the handle 56 is functionally connected to the central opening 12 of the driven wheel 10. The second element 54 of the handle 56 passes through off-centre opening 14 and then the lug 40a thereby getting functionally connected to the eccentric adjuster 40. During rotation of the handle 56, either manually or automatically, the lug 40a is actuated for facilitating oscillatory motion of the eccentric adjuster 40. The oscillatory motion of the eccentric adjuster 40 causes positional movement of the driven pulley due to eccentricity of the axis of the eccentric adjuster 40 with that of the axis of the driven pulley and the driven wheel 10. The positional movement of the driven pulley causes variation in the distance between the driven pulley and the driving pulley for enabling tension adjustment of the flexible power transmission element, such as the belt or the chain, utilized by the flexible drive power transmission mechanism for the vehicle. Then-after the securing device S is tightened for securely holding the eccentric adjuster 40 having the lug 40a within the cavity 32.

As the detachable tension adjusting tool 50 easily engages and dis-engages with the eccentric adjuster for increasing the distance between the driven pulley and the driving pulley for enabling tension adjustment of the flexible power transmission element of the vehicle, the system 100 and method for tension adjustment of the flexible power transmission element is user friendly and effective.

TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS AND ECONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE

The technical advancements offered by the present disclosure include the realization of:

• a tension adjustment system with which the tension adjustment work of the belt or the chain is made comparatively easier;
• an effective and fast tension adjustment system;
• a user friendly tension adjustment system; and
• a less stressful tension adjustment system.

Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiment will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiment herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiment without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiment. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiment herein has been described in terms of preferred embodiment, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiment herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiment as described herein.

,CLAIMS:1) A tension adjusting system for a flexible power transmission element of a flexible drive power transmission mechanism for a vehicle, said system comprising:
• a driven wheel having:
o a central opening adapted to receive a wheel axle therein such that the axis of the wheel axle is in line with the axis of the central opening; and
o an off-centre opening configured thereon such that the axis of the off-centre opening is parallel to the axis of said central opening and said wheel axle;
• a driven pulley of said flexible drive power transmission mechanism rotatably mounted over said wheel axle and adapted to receive torque from a driving pulley via the flexible power transmission element movably disposed on said driving and said driven pulley;
• a swing arm disposed between said driven wheel and said driven pulley, said swing arm having a first end and a second end, said first end connected to a body frame of said vehicle, said second end having a cavity formed thereon, said cavity having the axis eccentric with the axis of said wheel axle;
• an eccentric adjuster disposed within said cavity and adapted to oscillate therein, said eccentric adjuster comprising:
o an opening formed eccentrically thereon, said opening adapted to receive said wheel axle on which said driven wheel and said driven pulley are mounted,
wherein said eccentric adjuster having a lug extending thereof; and
• a detachable tension adjusting tool having a first element and a second element orthogonally protruding from a handle, wherein said first element adapted to be engaged with said central opening and said second element adapted to pass through said off-centre opening and engage with said lug,

wherein in an operative rotary configuration of said handle, said handle facilitates rotation of said eccentric adjuster through said lug enabling positional movement of said driven pulley thereby varying the distance between said driven pulley and a drive pulley for enabling tension adjustment of said flexible power transmission element.

2) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said driven wheel is a rear wheel of a vehicle.

3) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said driving pulley has sprockets configured thereon.

4) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said driven pulley has sprockets configured thereon.

5) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said flexible power transmission element is one of a belt and a chain.

6) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said swing arm and said detachable tension adjusting tool are disposed on opposite longitudinal ends of said wheel axle.

7) The system as claimed in claim 1, said cavity is provided with a securing device that inhibits movement of said eccentric adjuster.

8) A method for adjusting tension for a flexible power transmission element of a flexible drive power transmission mechanism for a vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:

• loosening a securing device inhibiting movement of an eccentric adjuster having a lug within a cavity;
• lifting a detachable tension adjusting tool having a first element and a second element orthogonally protruding from a handle;
• engaging said first element with a central opening on a driven wheel;
• engaging said second element with said lug of said eccentric adjuster by adapting said second element to pass through an off-center opening;
• operating said handle in an oscillatory configuration thereby facilitating oscillation of said eccentric adjuster through said lug enabling position movement between a drive pulley and a driven pulley thereby facilitating tension adjustment of said flexible power transmission element; and
• tightening said securing device for securely holding said eccentric adjuster having said lug within said cavity.
9) The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein at least one of said loosening of said securing device, said lifting of a detachable tension adjusting tool, said engaging of said first element and said second element, said operating of said handle and said tightening of said securing device is manually performed.
10) The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein at least one of said loosening of said securing device, said lifting of a detachable tension adjusting tool, said engaging of said first element and said second element, said operating of said handle and said tightening of said securing device is automatically performed.

Dated this 24th day of December, 2014

MOHAN DEWAN
of R. K. DEWAN & CO.
APPLICANTS’ PATENT ATTORNEY