LUBRICATING ARRANGEMENT OF CHAIN ASSEMBLAGE

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a lubricating arrangement of a chain assemblage, in particular to one applied to coat the chain components of the chain assemblage with layers of non-electrolytic nickel and Polytetrafluoroethylene alloy to attain effects of automatically lubricating and increasing the surface hardness and durability of the chain without burdening the tensile strength.

2. Description of the Related Art

Generally, the assemblage of the chain is required to be immersed in a heat and liquefied lubricating liquid. When the liquefied lubricating liquid gradually becomes thick lubricant oil at room temperature, the chain assemblage is homogenized to be coated with the lubricant oil. In the long term, the critical occurrence attendant on the lubricant-coated chain is the large consumption of the lubricant oil caused by the wrapping of soil, mud, or sand on the chain components and the combination thereof with the redundant oil. Such difficulty not only decreases the efficiency of the chain operation but obstructs the further addition of the liquid lubricant into the chain shaft. Therefore, the conventional chain configuration is still in a rugged operation. The conventional chain also facilely incurs the problems of the rusty chain shaft and the oil stains on user's clothes while operating the chain.

A closed prior is cited by Taiwanese Patent No. M275160, shown in FIG. 8, also exists the aforementioned deficiencies, in which mainly discloses to embed inner protrusions A1 of chain plates A into respective chain hubs B. Such configuration also renders the lubricating oil unable to drip into chain axles C, and the chain axles C would facilely become rusty and result in the premature abrasion and exhaustion of the chain plates A.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a lubricating arrangement that coats every chain component with layers of non-electrolytic nickel and Polytetrafluoroethylene alloy to obtain an automatic lubrication and to increase the surface hardness and durability of the chain without burdening the tensile strength.

The present invention in conformity with the lubricating arrangement of chain assemblage applied to components thereof mainly comprises a first lubricating layer coating the surface of the chain assemblage and a second lubricating layer covering the surface of the first lubricating layer; wherein, the first lubricating layer is preferably fabricated of a non-electrolytic nickel layer in a thickness of 2 to 5 micrometers (i), and the second lubricating layer is preferably made of a Polytetrafluoroethylene alloy (PTFE alloy) layer in a thickness of 2 to 8 micrometers (i) and provided with the volume of Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE, namely Teflon) ranging from 3 to 35 vol %.

Further, the chain assemblage comprises one of a chain hub, a chain axle, an interior chain plate, an exterior chain plate and a bushing or the combination of the above.

The chain assemblage is preferably constituted of the eighth group of periodic element.

The non-electrolytic nickel layer preferably has components in weight (wt %) ranging from 6 to 13 wt % phosphorus (P) and 87 to 94 wt % nickel (Ni).

The PTFE alloy layer preferably contains ranging from 20 to 35 vol % PTFE and provides the density ranging from 5.9 to 6.8 g/cm³, equating with 6 to 12.5 wt %. The PTFE alloy layer further comprises components in weight (wt %) ranging from 7.5 to 10 wt % phosphorus (P) and 77 to 86 wt % nickel (Ni).

The second lubricating layer is further overlaid with either a reinforcing layer or a painting, wherein the reinforcing layer is a layer of titanium nitride (TiN).

Accordingly, the advantages of present invention set forth below:

• 1. In view of the first non-electrolytic nickel layer possessing the properties of an even coating, a great adhesion, a high hardness, favorable wear and corrosion resistances, and available welding and coating hardness higher than 500 HV (HRC50). The coating hardness would preferably obtain 1000 HV (HRC70) via processing a specific treatment, so as to efficiently enhance the hardness of the chain assemblage.
• 2. The present invention renders the particles of PTFE ranging from 3 to 35 vol % to be dispersed eutectoidly with respect to the non-electrolytic nickel layer for the purpose of lubricating the chain assemblage. Such layer substantially provides the merits:
  • (1) a favorable lubrication with a lower friction coefficient;
  • (2) a broad temperature endurance;
  • (3) a great corrosion resistance to attain a strong chemical stability;
  • (4) a non-adhesive surface;
  • (5) a favorable electric insulation with a minimum value of dielectric constant within the wide frequency;
  • (6) a great ageing retardation without being subject to the erosion of Oxygen, Ozone, and ultraviolet rays;
  • (7) a precious incombustibility; and
  • (8) a diminutive absorption capability.
• 3. The components of the chain assemblage, which would be alternatively made of the eighth group of periodic element as well as the alloy thereof, stainless steel, copper (Cu) as well as the alloy thereof, titanium (Ti) as well as the alloy thereof, and magnesium (Mg) as well as the alloy thereof, can be coated with the non-electrolytic nickel layer, hence attaining a wide application.

The advantages of the present invention over the known prior arts will become more apparent to those of ordinary skilled in the art by reading the following descriptions with the relating drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing chain components according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of an interior chain plate according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a local cross-sectional view showing the interior chain plate according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of an exterior chain plate according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3A is a local cross-sectional view showing the exterior chain plate according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of a chain hub according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4A is a local cross-sectional view showing the chain hub according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of a chain axle according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5A is a local cross-sectional view showing the chain axle according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing chain components according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of a bushing according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7A is a local cross-sectional view the bushing according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional chain assemblage.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Before describing in greater detail, it should note that the like elements are denoted by the similar reference numerals throughout the disclosure.

FIG. 1 shows a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, a chain assemblage of the present invention is primarily constituted of the eighth group of periodic element, namely elements of ferrum (F), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), ruthenium (Ru), rhodium (Rn), palladium (Pd), osmium (Os), iridium (Ir), platinum (Pt) and the alloy thereof. Further, the chain assemblage includes a pair of interior chain plates 1, a pair of exterior chain plates 2, a chain hub 3, and a chain axle 4.

The pair of interior chain plates 1 are disposed in relative positions. Each interior chain plate 1 includes a first pivot bore 11 arranged thereon, a first lubricating layer 12, and a second lubricating layer 13 as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 2A. The first lubricating layer 12 coats the surface of the interior chain plate 1 and has a thickness of 2 to 5 micrometers (i). Particularly, the first lubricating layer 12 is preferably fabricated of a non-electrolytic nickel layer containing in weight (wt %) of 6 to 13 wt % phosphorus (P) and 87 to 94 wt % nickel (Ni). It is adopted in the first embodiment that the non-electrolytic nickel layer having components in weight of 11 wt % phosphorus and 89 wt % nickel. The physical properties of the non-electrolytic nickel layer in different proportions of phosphorus and nickel are depicted in Table 1:

In addition, the chain assemblage, which is alternatively made of the eighth group of periodic element as well as the alloy thereof, stainless steel, copper (Cu) as well as the alloy thereof, titanium (Ti) as well as the alloy thereof, and magnesium (Mg) as well as the alloy thereof, can be coated with the non-electrolytic nickel layer, hence attaining a wide application.

Furthermore, the second lubricating layer 13 coats the surface of the first lubricating layer 12 and has a thickness of 2 to 8 micrometers (μ). The second lubricating layer 13 is preferably made of a Polytetrafluoroethylene alloy (PTFE alloy) layer that contains particles of Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) ranging from 3 to 35 vol % for being dispersed eutectoidly among the non-electrolytic nickel layer. It is adopted in the first preferred embodiment that the PTFE alloy layer, which includes the proportion in weight (wt %) ranging from 7.5 to 10 wt % phosphorus (P) and 77 to 86 wt % nickel (Ni), possesses 20 to 35 vol % PTFE and a density ranging from 5.9 to 6.8 g/cm³, equating with 6 to 12.5 wt %. A subsequent layer of titanium nitride (TiN) can serve as a reinforcing layer or process through the painting treatment for coating the surface of the second lubricating layer 13. The physical characteristics of the PTFE alloy layer with different proportions addition to PTFE particles and the non-electrolytic nickel layer are herein shown in Table 2:

Table 3 further performs the comparisons between the friction coefficients of PTFE alloy layer and that of the conventional material with lower friction coefficients as set forth below:

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 3A, the pair of exterior chain plates 2 relatively overlaps the pair of interior chain plates 1. Each exterior chain plate 2 also has a second pivot bore 21 relative to the first pivot bore 11. Each exterior chain plate 2 is also coated with a first lubricating layer 22 and a second lubricating layer 23. The characters of the lubricating layers have been described as above and herein are omitted.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 4A, the chain hub 3 is disposed between the pair of the interior chain plates 1 and has a circular contour, on which a hub orifice 31 is defined. The chain hub 3 is also coated with a first lubricating layer 32 and a second lubricating layer 33. The characters of the lubricating layers have been described as above and herein are omitted.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 5A, the chain axle 4 penetrates through the hub orifice 31 of the chain hub 3 and pivots to the second pivot bores 21 of adjacent exterior chain plates 2 and the first pivot bores 11 of adjacent interior chain plates 1. The chain axle 4 is also coated with a first lubricating layer 41 and a second lubricating layer 42. The characters of the lubricating layers have been described as above and herein are omitted.

FIG. 6 shows a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, which is substantially similar to the first preferred embodiment with the exception described hereinafter. The chain assemblage further comprises a bushing 5, in which a bushing orifice 51 is defined. The bushing 5 densely embeds among the pair of the interior chain plates 1 and disposed within the chain hub 3 for permitting turning. As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 7A, the bushing 5 is also coated with a first lubricating layer 52 and a second lubricating layer 53. The characters of the lubricating layers have been described as above and herein are omitted.

To sum up, the present invention mainly coat every component of the chain assemblage with dual lubricating layers, that is, the first non-electrolytic nickel layers 12, 22, 32, 41, 52 possessing the characteristics of a homogeneous coating, a great adhesion, a high hardness, a favorable wear resistance, a preferable anti-corrosion, and available welding and coating hardness higher than 500 HV (HRC50). The coating hardness would preferably obtain 1000 HV (HRC70) via processing a specific treatment, so as to efficiently enhance the hardness of the chain assemblage. Further, in view of the second lubricating layers 13, 23, 33, 42, 53 is the PTFE alloy layer having a friction coefficient lower than the conventional materials (see Table 3). The second lubricating layer substantially provides the merits of a favorable lubrication and a non-adhesive surface, thereby avoiding the wrapping of the dirt on the components and the rugged operation of the chain assemblage. Further, the second lubricating layer also possesses the properties of a strong temperature endurance, a favorable electric insulation, a great ageing retardation, a precious incombustibility, a great corrosion resistance to enhance the chemical stability, and a diminutive absorption capability. Consequently, the present invention facilitates to attain a durable utilization without frequent renewals, an automatic lubricating effect, and an increment of the surface hardness of the chain assemblage without burdening the tensile strength.

While we have shown and described the embodiment in accordance with the present invention, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that further embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.