Drive configuration and method thereof
First Claim
1. A drive configuration for driving one or more rotating sprockets, comprising:
- a flexible force transmitting member forming a closed curve enclosing an area;
a drive sprocket situated outside the area and driving the force transmitting member;
first and second pulleys situated at least partially within the area and on opposing sides of the drive sprocket so as to urge the force transmitting member against the drive sprocket; and
one or more driven sprockets each coupled to the force transmitting member.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A drive configuration for driving one or more rotating sprockets (e.g., of an engine drive train), including a flexible force transmitting member forming a closed curve enclosing an area; a drive sprocket situated outside the area and driving the force transmitting member; first and second pulleys situated at least partially within the area and on opposing sides of the drive sprocket so as to urge the force transmitting member against the drive sprocket; and one or more driven sprockets each coupled to the force transmitting member. The drive configuration may include a cartridge including a base, one or more secondary pulleys being situated on opposing sides of the first pulley such that a timing belt is urged into contact with a drive sprocket and each of the pulleys. Accordingly, a timing belt may be rapidly installed or removed by inserting or removing the cartridge according to the present invention.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A drive configuration for driving one or more rotating sprockets, comprising:
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a flexible force transmitting member forming a closed curve enclosing an area; a drive sprocket situated outside the area and driving the force transmitting member; first and second pulleys situated at least partially within the area and on opposing sides of the drive sprocket so as to urge the force transmitting member against the drive sprocket; and one or more driven sprockets each coupled to the force transmitting member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A valve train drive configuration for an engine having a drive sprocket for transferring a force to or from one or more other sprockets via a flexible force transmitting member, comprising:
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first and second pulleys; a base structured and arranged to be connected to the engine and at least one of the first and second pulleys such that the axis of the first and second pulleys are situated apart from each other; a force transmitting member forming a closed curve enclosing an area, wherein the first and second pulleys are situated at least in part within the area and apart from each other so as to urge the force transmitting member against the drive sprocket such that the force transmitting member is coupled to the drive sprocket, the drive sprocket being located outside of the area. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for configuring a flexible force transmitting member in an engine, the method comprising:
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forming, using a flexible force transmitting member comprising a belt or chain, a closed curve defining an area; locating first and second pulleys apart from each other and about a drive sprocket; routing the flexible force transmitting member about the first and second pulleys and the drive sprocket such that the first and second pulleys are located within the area and the drive sprocket is located outside of the area. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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Specification