Fatigue Strength Analysis and Fatigue Damage Evaluation of Roller Chain

Abstract

This paper deals with the roller chain commonly used for transmission of mechanical power on many kinds of industrial machinery, including conveyors, cars, motorcycles, bicycles, and so forth. It consists of a series of four components called a pin, a bush, a plate, and a roller, which are driven by a sprocket. To clarify the fatigue damage, in this paper, the finite element method (FEM) is applied to those components under three different types of states, that is, the press-fitting state, the static tensile state, and the sprocket-engaging state. By comparing those states, the stress amplitude and the average stress of each component are calculated and plotted on the fatigue limit diagram. The effect of the plastic zone on the fatigue strength is also discussed. The results show that the fatigue crack initiation may start around the middle inner surface of the bush. As am example, the FEM results show that the fatigue crack of the inner plate may start from a certain point at the hole edge. The results agree with the actual fractured position in roller chains used in industry.

Joining of hybrid semi-finished products from sheet metal by orbital forming

“…For the application of a combined axial as well as torsional load, a mechanical roller chain, as investigated in reference, 16 is fastened around laser cut teeth on the steel ring of the specimens. These are clamped onto the testing rig, which is mounted eccentrically onto the universal testing machine center in order to create a defined peeling angle of α = 10.0°.…”

Experimental study of pin surface precision on lubrication behavior of pin–bush pairs in industrial roller chains

“…In the worst case, undesired phenomena such as “jumping over teeth,” “jumping off the chain” and sprocket wear are produced. Kim and Song (2020) and Saito et al (2018) used the finite element method to analyze the stress state of the roller chain. The results show that the maximum pressure occurs at the intersection of the outer chain plate and the bush, where the pin bends and deforms under the action of forces.…”

Effect of pin generatrix on the elastohydrodynamic lubrication performance of pin-bush pair in industrial roller chains

“…The research works on industrial chains have been few, far less than those on rolling element bearings or gears. Kim and Song 1 and Saito et al 2 simulated the force state of the roller chain by finite element method and found that the maximum pressure on the pin situated at the intersect point of the bush and outer chain plate. Tandler et al 3 found that the maximum wear depth of the pin occurs at the left and right ends of the profile by the finite element simulation of the automobile chains, which is in good agreement with the real wear of the chain.…”