Validation of Kinematic Simulation of Sprocket Contacts of Chain Links by Experiments

Abstract

Considering a general chain driving system, the motion of chain link along the sprockets still generates several problems when contact points are considered. Therefore, the characterization of this motion is of utmost importance for the overall behaviour of the chain. This paper aims to perform a comparative study on the kinematics of sprocket contacts of chain links, when the analysis uses either experimental approach or numerical simulation. The experiments are conducted on an analogous Huygens Pendulum. The results should give a better understanding on how geometries and lacings can affect the damping of the oscillations and magnitudes of contact forces between various chain plates on the same sprocket. At the same time, it is expected a close correlation between the experimental and numerical models, which will lead to a validated model to be further used in numerical simulations.