Help Calculating Forces on engaged sprocket teeth

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on calculating the forces acting on engaged sprocket teeth in a chain and sprocket system. The user seeks to replicate calculations from a referenced paper, highlighting discrepancies in the equations provided. Key concepts include the radial and circumferential forces exerted by chain rollers on sprocket teeth, and the relationship between chain tension and the number of engaged teeth. The user concludes that chain stretch is more significant than sprocket deformation, allowing for simplifications in the analysis.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of mechanical engineering principles related to chain and sprocket systems
  • Familiarity with force analysis, including radial and circumferential forces
  • Knowledge of chain tension dynamics and its impact on sprocket engagement
  • Ability to interpret and derive equations from mechanical engineering literature
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the derivation of forces in chain and sprocket systems using "Mechanical Engineering Dynamics"
  • Learn about "Finite Element Analysis (FEA)" for modeling sprocket deformation under load
  • Study "Chain Drive Design" to understand the impact of chain tension on performance
  • Explore "Engineering Mechanics: Dynamics" for detailed examples of force calculations in similar systems
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Mechanical engineers, automotive engineers, and anyone involved in the design and analysis of chain and sprocket systems will benefit from this discussion.

darthapple35
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Hello,

I am trying to analyze the forces on a chain and sprocket system. Specifically the force on each tooth that is engaged with the chain rollers on a driven sprocket. Here are a couple links on the topic, however niether of which provide a derivation or sample calcs on how they got their numbers.

-http://ijera.com/papers/Vol6_issue9/Part-5/M060905066069.pdf

https://www.physicsforums.com/chrome-extension://gphandlahdpffmccakmbngmbjnjiiahp/img/icon-fill.png-http://chain-guide.com/basics/2-1-2-engagement-with-sprockets.html

The first link are the numbers(input and output) i am trying to replicate. I included the second link because the equation is written wrong in the first link. If anyone can shed light on this or even provide a derivation of that equation that would be much appreciated. I am dooped as of right now.
 
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Consider the chain without tension fits neatly in the roots of the sprocket. With tension in the chain, the chain pitch increases, so the chain rollers are progressively laid higher up the tooth, where the increased radius matches the stretched chain pitch. The rollers therefore start higher on the tooth and progressively roll down to the root as more chain is fed onto the sprocket, with tension being progressively reduced until the chain is lifted out of the root and so departs contact with the sprocket.

Since there will be a change in chain direction at every roller, there will be a radial force and a circumferential force applied by each roller against the contact angle of the sprocket tooth. The tension in the chain will equal the sum of all the circumferential forces on the sprocket teeth. If the chain transfers that tension over say 12 teeth, then you have a series of terms that reduce the chain tension to zero over those 12 teeth.

I believe chain stretch will be significantly greater than sprocket deformation, so I would initially ignore sprocket deformation. You can tell how high the tense chain will ride at the first contact because you know the stretch in chain pitch and so the radius of the circle required. You can apply that rationale to each link of the chain as tension is progressively reduced as it crosses each of the 12 teeth.
 

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