Roller Chain Based Three Speed Transmission

[Rickertsen2]

I think this is a great idea, however i worry about proper tensioning. I ahve often wondered how well a shifter based on chains and sprockets would work. If your team has the resources to risk something liek this, i think it would be awesome. I am curious to see how this goes.

[Rob Colatutto]

Originally Posted by Rickertsen2

I think this is a great idea, however i worry about proper tensioning.

Like most other shifters you could always simply lock it into one speed during competition if you find that the chain won't stay tensioned in one speed setting, or if the chain ever falls off. I must say, it is an interesting idea to look into if a team is willing to work on it in the fall. I would say its too risky to take on at first during the 6 weeks, but thats probably because I came from a team with little engineer input/machining help. Its nice to see that your always thinking and working to make things easier for newer teams M.

The one thing that I would start getting worried about at this point is the weight... Look at all those gears needed just to power all 3 of the sprockets, and that late in the drivetrain I'd suggest not any smaller than 20 pitch gears. At 8 gears, 6+ sprockets, tensioners, a lot of shafts, the shifting motor, and a gearbox and motors before that (on each side!), your looking at a whole lot of weight. Yes gears and sprockets can be lightened but only to a point... This design idea in a game such as last year when teams could get away with a simple, lightweight mechanism. In all, its an idea, and a good way to get people thinking about some design considerations right before kickoff. Keep up the nice conceptual work M.