Faculty of Engineering

University of Kragujevac

Sprocket

Professor: Student:

Dr Sandra Stefanović Lazar Borić 402/2017

Kragujevac, 2018.
Contents
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 1

1 Historical development of chain drives ....................................................................................... 1

1.1 Evolution of chain drives over time ................................................................................. 2

1.2 Division of the chain ........................................................................................................ 3

2 Mathematical model and physical laws ....................................................................................... 6

2.1 Chain speed and number of sprocket teeth ........................................................................... 6

2.2 Axis distance and number of chain articles .......................................................................... 6

2.3 Basic geometric and kinematic characteristics of the chain ................................................. 7

3 Application and way of functioning of the chain......................................................................... 9

3.1 Application of chain drives ................................................................................................... 9

3.2 Mode of functioning ........................................................................................................... 10

4 Advantages and disadvantages of chain drives .......................................................................... 10

5 Tendencies in the development of chain drives ......................................................................... 11

Conclusion .................................................................................................................................... 12

References: .................................................................................................................................... 13
Introduction
Gears are elements that are used to transfer power and torque from the drive to the working
machine. If this transfer is based on a mechanical principle, then it is a mechanical power
transfer. In modern engineering practice, mechanical power transducers are most commonly
used, and are most often used:

 Gear gearboxes,
 Chainsaws,
 Friction gears,
 Transmissions,
 Gear belt drives,
 Gearboxes and
 Threaded gearboxes.

(Stojanović, 2015)

Mechanical gears move and torque through the so-called connection shape or friction. The
choice of the appropriate gearbox is not easy and is mainly done based on the criteria that the
notebook must meet (small dimensions, constant transmission ratio, high efficiency, noise level,
vibration, resistance, longevity ...)

For transfer of power and movement between the shafts with a larger wheelbase and constant
transmission, the use of chain drives or gear belt drives are used. Considering the dynamic
characteristics, the chain drives are applied for less angular velocities, for short-term overloads,
and with this the transmission ratio must be constant.

1 Historical development of chain drives

The development of mechanical power transmissions was in parallel with the development of
civilization, elements of the first gears were found in all ancient civilizations (Greece, China,
Egypt, Mesopotamia ...), they were made of wood and were mainly used for mills, irrigation
devices for mechanisms raising the door on fortifications. As the old age is marked by constant

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wars, most of the inventions, among which the chain drive is its first application, is in military
necessities.

(Stojanović, 2015)

1.1 Evolution of chain drives over time

The earliest application of chain drives was recorded in ancient Greek, and it was used by an
ancient Greek engineer Filon of Byzantium (Philon Mechanic 280 -220 BC) for a kind of cross-
bridge called "palybolos". With this cross-link, the two chains were connected to the shaft and
automatically tapped the strung after the lightning was released.

Figure 1 palybolos (Source:

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Polybolos.JPG )

In the second century before the new era, metal chains were used as a mechanism for extracting
water from wells, this was a very simple construction, and the number of chain articles was
regulated depending on the water level in the well. The sprockets of that time were mostly made
of wood, while the chain (Figure 3.2) was a very simple construction and consisted of an inner
and outer lamellas and pins.

Several centuries later, Chinese engineer Su Song (1020-1101) described a chain notebook used
to manage the astronomical clock.

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The first drawings and construction solutions of certain parts of the chain gears were given by
Leonardo da Vinci, its elements of the chain were published by the Atlan Code.

Figure 2 astronomical clock (Source:

http://www.ssplprints.com/image/83792/scm-photo-studio-de-dondis-astrarium-the-worlds-first-
astronomical-clock-1364 )

The great use of chain drives is obtained in the 18th century, with the beginning of an industrial
revolution and the use of a steam engine as a catalyst instead of wind or water. In 1829, Andre
Gal patented his construction of the chain, the Gal's chain consisting of an inner lamella, an outer
lamellae and a sleeve without a sleeve. For a few decades, xenia, in 1879, Hans Renold made a
revolution in the field of chain drives. He added to the already known chain construction as an
integral part of the chain, making the lifespan of the chain transmissions become much longer,
and the chain drives have become more reliable and have entered a wider application.

1.2 Division of the chain

Today, a large number of different chains are used in machine engineering. According to the
basic characteristics that they express in exploitation, they can be divided into three basic groups:
driving, freight and traction.

The drive chains are the most widespread and in most cases they transmit power and make
movement from sources of energy. They are applied for both small and high speeds (up to 30-35
[m / s]). One chain can transfer power to multiple shafts at the same time, at different spacing

3
between the chain. The degree of useful effect of this branch of chains depends largely on the
work of the friction force in the wrist and under the best conditions reaches the value of h = 0,97
÷ 0,99.

The group of drive chains includes:

 Rolling chains
 Magnetic chains
 Gear chains

(Volkov,.1980)

Rolling chains consist of a series of successively connected joints bound to external, internal and
external articles. In the opening of the inner lamella, a sleeve is shrouded on which the roller is
freely pulled in order to reduce the wear of the lantern. In the opening of the outer lamella, the
shaft is shaken.

There are four types of connecting articles, depending on the steps, and whether the number of
articles in the chain is even or odd.

The magnetic chains are made up of external, internal and connecting articles. With this type of
chain, the roller is omitted, which significantly increases the bearing surface and reduces the
specific pressure in the joint.

This group of chains is characterized by more intense wear compared to rolling chains, so they
are prone to work at lower speeds. For chains with a step h ≤ 40 [mm], a speed of up to 4 [m / s]
is allowed, and for chains with a step h> 40 [mm] the allowed speed is up to 3 [m / s].

Gear chains appeared for the first time in 1895. They provide more uniform work with smaller
noise than rolling chains. They also provide a high kinematic accuracy of the transfer at the
expense of more evenly changing the steps in the work process. This type of chain has greater
reliability in the work due to omission of the sleeve and rollers, as well as due to the fact that the
break of one blade does not lead to the interruption of the entire chain.

The chainsaws consist of a series of zuppous lamellae, connected with axes with a certain
sequence.

4
In the education of chains, the lamellas of one article enter the intermediate lamell of another
article, the width of the chain determines the thickness and number of the blades of adjacent
articles. In order not to break the chain, the bobbin is placed on the rear lamella and the clamp is
fixed on the shaft by pressing. Apart from the working blades that engage with the sprocket, the
articles of the toothed chain also contain the control blades, placed inside or disposed on both
sides of the article. The use of gypsum chains is justified where high kinematic accuracy, more
uniform operation, reduced noise as well as at higher speeds (v ≥ 5 [m / s]) and higher power are
required.

(Volkov,.1980)

Freight chains are applied in the lifting mechanisms of the manual and mechanical drives. They
are able to transfer large loads at a small step, which can significantly reduce the overall
dimensions of the mechanisms. The lifetime of this group of chains, in the correct choice and
exploitation, is, as a rule, longer than the lifetimes of the mechanisms themselves. Among others
in the chain of freight chains are:

chains with bolts (varnishes) and chains with bolts (heavy).

(Volkov,.1980)

Traction chains are used for transporting and moving loads at any angle. apply to conveyors,
cranes, escalators, elevators, etc. Their speed does not exceed 2 (m / s). Various types of these
chains are used, and among them most often: rolling chains for agricultural machines and
conveyors

escalator chains.

By analyzing the use of chain conveyors in the construction as well as the annual chain
production, it can be concluded that the most commonly used power chains are: cylindrical and
magnetic.

(Volkov,.1980)

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2 Mathematical model and physical laws
2.1 Chain speed and number of sprocket teeth

Due to their geometry, the parameters of the chain movement through the sprockets are directly
determined by the movement of the wrists of the articles. Its movement is in the form of a
polygon, and this effect leads to an uneven speed of chain movement. Depending on the position
of the article on the sprocket, the actual diameter varies within the limits: formula

The speed depends directly on the diameter of the chain. The number of teeth of the chain
sprockets is the departure of the chain speed change. Large deviations of the speed change lead
to unbalanced operation in the chain drive, causing great vibration and uneven operation. Also,
small chain teeth have a much shorter working life because of the large number of teeth in the
joint and therefore the increased load and wear.

From the aspect of stability, the number of teeth of the drive chain should be as high as it directly
affects the lifetime and evenness of the chain drive, and indirectly to the appearance of
vibrations, noise and noise.

Recommended number of drive sprocket teeth:

 For hand-held notebooks Z1: 6-7

 For chain speeds up to 1m / s and even load Z1: 8 - 10
 For chain speeds below 4 m / s for even or one-way variable load Z1: 11-13
 For chain speeds below 7 m / s for even or one-way variable load Z1: 14 - 26.

(Blagojević, 2015)

2.2 Axis distance and number of chain articles

In addition to the number of teeth, a very important factor is the axial distance and a little axial
distance requires high value of the oblique angles, which leads to a higher load of the chain,
higher axial distances lead to a smaller chain wear, the recommended axial distance of the shaft
should be in the range a = 30-50r .

While the maximum value of the axial distance would be mah = 80r, where r is the chain step.

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When selecting chain article numbers, the number of chain teeth should also be considered. In
case the number of teeth is odd, you must select the number of chain articles. Otherwise, the
number of articles may be either odd or odd. These recommendations influence the smooth
operation and more uniform wear of the chain and sprocket.

(Karabegović, 1999)
2.3 Basic geometric and kinematic characteristics of the chain

The geometric dimensions as well as the dimensions of the sprockets depend on the transmission
ratio of the chain drive which is calculated as the ratio of the boring of the chain teeth or as a
ratio of the diameter or as a ratio of the numbers of the rotation and takes the form:

𝑍1 𝑑2 𝑛1
I= = =
𝑍2 𝑑1 𝑛2

The optimal value of the transfer ratio is 3. Based on the recommendations of the references, the
maximum transmission ratio is 7. For a higher transfer relationship, the oblique angle (Figure
4.1.) Is small. As the minimum allowable angle is 120 °, in this case, a small number of drive
sprocket teeth are coupled which leads to accelerated wear and drastically shortens the lifespan
of this gearbox.

(Stojanović, 2015)

Figure 4 parts of the chain (Source:

7
 https://osjmtio.wordpress.com/7-разред/машине-и-механизми/39-42-елементи-машина-и-
механизама/елементи-за-преношење-снаге-и-кретања/ )

The chain of the sprockets is also influenced by the correct choice of the constructional
dimensions of the sprocket. The structural dimensions of the profile of the teeth of the sprocket
are given by the standards of the four basic toothed profiles:

 Ugnuto-convex,
 Straight,
 Straightly protruding and
 Doused.

(Stojanović, 2015)

The choice of the toothed teeth is determined based on the conditions of exploitation, the type of
lubrication and the type of materials from which it was made

The basic geometric characteristics of the chain are:

p
Diameter of the sub-circle of the chain: d  , where p is the corner step,
sin( t / 2)

Circuit Diameter: d= d-d1, where d1 is the diameter of the roller,

r
d  d cos  0.8d1
Short Circumference: 2

Intermediate radius: r1min  0.505d1 , r1max  0.505d1  0.069 d1 - r1 is adopted from the
3

interval r from minimum to r maximum,

The radius of the head of the tooth: rmin  0.12d1z  2 , max

r  0.008d1 z 2  180  
- r is also
adopted from the interval r from minimum to r maximum.

(Stojanović, 2015)

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Figure 5 basic chain parameters (Source:
http://www.motobencony.com/katalog/rezervni-dijelovi/lancanici/page/5/view/3807/ )

3 Application and way of functioning of the chain

3.1 Application of chain drives

Chain gearboxes today have wide application in mechanical engineering, usually at places where
an exact overload relationship is required and the use of gear gears is not possible. Chain transfer
is applied not only in mechanical engineering but also in many other industries, such as:

 car industry,
 textile industry,
 agricultural machines,
 transport devices
 construction machinery,
 machine tools
 Woodworking machines,
 Drilling rigs and others.

(Karabegović, 1999)

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It is impossible to imagine any production or conveyor belt without a chain drive. Usually, the
chain drive consists of a chain and two sprockets, drive and work (driven). Although, in certain
situations, there may be two drive chains or more workplaces. This is most commonly
encountered in places where the torque is to be transmitted at high speeds and at places where
the use of gears is not possible.

3.2 Mode of functioning

Chain drives belong to a group of mechanical gearboxes that perform their working function
using the so-called connection form. These gears are composed of at least two sprockets and
chains, and the transmission of power and torque is done by means of the chain sprockets
coming out of the joints of the chain, thereby turning the rotational movement of the drive chain
into a straight line movement of the chain that again turns into a rotary movement on the
workpiece. The drive and rack sprockets are similarly coupled with the chain, and the speed and
transmission relationship are directly dependent on the volume and number of teeth of the driven
and driven sprockets.

4 Advantages and disadvantages of chain drives

Chain drives are used to run various mechanisms and machines whose nominal power is up to
1000kw, speed v  35m / s and transmission ratio I  7 .

Chain gears can transfer substantially higher power from belt gears at a much smaller angle of
engagement and less bifurcation.

(Karabegović, 1999)

The advantages of using chain drives:

 High strength of the chain

 The ability to transmit power and movement from one to several shafts
 The possibility of connecting returned to great wheelbases
 No slipping
 Less chain dimensions than the belt, especially width
 High degree of exploitation

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  Constant midrange transmission
 Less load of shaft bearing due to absence of previous tightening
 The ability to transmit high power
 Possible operation in both small and high speed conditions
 Maintenance of satisfactory working ability in conditions of high and low temperatures
 Easily adjust the wheelbase (by adding or removing a chain article)
 Possibility to work under extreme conditions (in the presence of abrasives, dust or some
other contaminants).

(Stojanović, 2015)

Disadvantages of the use of chain drives:

 The relatively high wear and tear of the chain and sprocket
 The use of tensile mechanisms is necessary to compensate for the elongation of the chain
step
 Necessity of proper assembly
 Continuous control and monitoring of the chain condition is required
 Mandatory lubrication
 The occurrence of noise and vibration, especially in small numbers of teeth of sprockets
and at high speeds, especially when contacting chain and chain teeth
 Inability to apply with vertical shafts

(Stojanović, 2015)

5 Tendencies in the development of chain drives

Through the history of chain drives have changed a lot, the shape of the chain and chain sprocket
has changed in accordance with the needs or conditions to be exploited. The development of
chain drives, in the form of designing new chain models, new shapes, less wear-less
constructions, has been accelerated during the revolutionary discovery of the Gal's chain. Since
then, many types of chains have been made, of which the most famous are cylindrical, magnetic

11
and grip chains. In the mid-to late 20th century, the transmission gears were losing some of their
importance because the belt pulled the chain into a major power transfer. However, there are
elements that need to be driven by a chain drive, therefore there is still a tendency to improve
chain drives. Since the basic construction of the chain has not changed much in time, the
development trends are going to tackle the basic shortcomings of these gears, which are
primarily wear and vibration.

The basic form of improvement of these gears is certainly the reduction of losses caused by
friction in the chain itself and in the contact between the chain and the chain.

This friction can be reduced by the use of adequate lubricants and the appropriate method of
application of the lubricant layer. Higher accuracy of the chain design will result in reduced
noise and vibration during operation. As the maximum energy dissipation occurs by starting the
excess mass, the constant tendency of the constructor is to reduce the weight of the chain and
sprocket. The use of new materials (composites) or the modern processing of steel parts could
lead to greater reliability of these parts. Tribology is a science that greatly helps the development
of chain drives, not only with regard to the application of adequate lubricants, but also because of
the choice of materials for contact couples. The contact pair is represented by two surfaces that
move relative to each other. Proper selection of contact materials will reduce the wear and tear of
the gear units and increase its reliability.

Conclusion
Chain drives belong to a group of mechanical gearboxes whose main function is the transmission
of power and torque from the drive to the driven (driven) shaft. Power transfer is done by means
of a connection between the chain and the chain. Chainsaws have been through a long history of
development, which has not yet been completed. Constant modifications and innovations
maintain a cost-effective large-scale application of these gears, primarily in automotive military
indusry, shipbuilding and other production lines.

According to their characteristics, the chain drives are located somewhere between the toothed
and belt drives, that is, to a large extent they combine their positive characteristics. The transfer
of power is realized indirectly by means of the oblique element-the chain, which connects two
parallel parallel shafts through the sprocket. Due to their reliability and economical performance,

12
they have wide application, especially for bicycles, motorcycles, engines, agricultural machines,
mining and construction machines, machine tools, textile machines, printing machines, wood
processing machines, and transport equipment.

References:
Stojanovic B. (2015) Mehanički prenosnici, Faculty of Engineering Kragujevac, Kragujevac

Blagojevic M. (2015) Mašinski elementi, Faculty of Engineering Kragujevac, Kragujevac

Davim P. (2012) Tribology in manufacturing technology, Library of science

Todorovic P. (2016) Osnovi održavanja, Faculty of Engineering Kragujevac, Kragujevac

Volkov V.(1980) Elementi mašina, Sarajevo

Karabegović I. (1999) Osnovi mašinstva, Bihać

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