JP2001019325A - Conveyor device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To always direct a line connecting left and right guide rollers in the normal line direction, to secure attitude and traveling stability and to shorten an installation distance of a comb at an exit part. SOLUTION: A pallet fixes one end of a connecting rod 2. At a prescribed position, the other end of the connecting rod 2 on an adjacent pallet side and a link body 13 with guide rollers 16, 16 guided by guide rails 8, 8 installed are revolvably installed. At least one pair of the guide rollers 16, 16 are provided and are constituted so as to hold the guide rails 8, 8, and a link body revolution center where the link body 13 revolves and the guide rollers 16, 16 are arranged on a substantially straight line.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a conveyor device capable of arbitrarily setting a transfer route and capable of performing forward / reverse operation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional conveyor of this type, there is, for example, a horizontally moving moving sidewalk. The moving sidewalk generally has a straight path, and a straight side or a curved line that is arbitrarily combined and that enables both forward and reverse driving has hardly been put to practical use.

[0003] Therefore, the present applicant has proposed a conveyor device capable of forming an arbitrary curved path in a loop formed by an endless transport path. FIG. 12 is a plan view of a curved path portion showing a conventional conveyor device according to this proposal,
FIG. 13 is a front view including a partial cross-sectional view schematically showing a relationship between a pallet and a connecting rod for connecting the pallets serving as the treads.

In this conventional conveyor device, one end 2a of a connecting rod 2 is fixed to the lower surface of a pallet 1a, 1b, 1c. The other end 2b of the connecting rod 2 extends forward and is rotatably connected to a longitudinal axis 3 provided on a fixing portion 2c of the connecting rod on the adjacent pallet side via a spherical joint 4 in a horizontal plane. In this manner, the pallets 1a, 1b, 1c,... Are connected to each other to form the endless pallet 1.

The leading and trailing edges, which are the contact surfaces of the respective pallets, are formed in an arc centered on the spherical joint 4 of the connecting rod 2, and interfere with each other in a horizontal plane with the spherical joint 4 as the center. The relative rotation can be performed without performing. That is, the pallet has a convex arc (here, a rear end edge) 5 centered on the spherical joint 4 portion of the pallet and a concave arc (here, the convex arc) facing the convex arc of the adjacent pallet located on the anti-convex arc side. 6 is the front edge).

A traveling wheel 7 composed of a caster capable of changing the direction of an axle is attached to the lower surface of each of the pallets 1a, 1b, 1c... And traveling rails arranged on both sides along the transport path. Guides are provided at 10,10. In the universal caster, a bracket for supporting a wheel is attached to a counterpart (pallet) via an eccentric bearing as is well known. Then, at the time of conveyance, the wheels constantly come to the rear of the eccentric bearing, and the axle operates so as to always face the normal direction of the conveyance path.

Below the endless pallet 1, two guide rails 8, 8 which are opposed to each other and serve as an endless transport path are laid, and are adjacent to the connecting rod fixing portion 2c on the lower surface of each pallet 1a, 1b, 1c. A pair of guide rollers 9, 9 installed on both sides of the connection point with the connection rod are guided on the inner surfaces of the guide rails 8, 8, whereby both ends 2a, 2b of each connection rod 2 are respectively provided. Is always guided by the guide rollers 9 and 9.
, That is, on the endless transport path, and the free rotation of each pallet 1a, 1b, 1c... Is also regulated. Then, a driving force is applied to a predetermined portion (for example, a linear portion) of the endless transport path via a power transmission mechanism (not shown), and the endless pallet 1 is operated.

[0008]

The conventional conveyor device is constructed as described above, and each pallet 1a, 1b, 1
are determined by the connecting rods 2 and the guide rollers 9, 9 arranged on both sides of the connecting points of the connecting rods and guided by the inner surfaces of the guide rails 8, 8, respectively. As a result, at the time of passing through the curve, the axes a, b, c,.
8, a gap g, g is formed between the guide rollers 9, 9 and the guide rails 8, 8, and the guide rollers 9, 9 are moved by the guide rails 8 due to the inertia of the pallet. , 8 while passing through the curved section. At this time, a large impact load acts on the guide rollers 9 and 9 and noise is generated. In addition, the posture of the guide rollers 9, 9 is not stable, and when entering the curved section from the straight section, the posture remains unstable due to the influence of the preceding guide rollers 9, 9 in the curved section. The posture becomes unstable from the range of the two previous pallets. On the other hand, at the exit of the curved section, since the preceding guide rollers 9, 9 have already entered the straight section, it is clear from experiments that straightness is maintained.

When the radius of curvature is reduced, passengers are not usually transported in this curved section, and fixed comb teeth called "coms" for passengers to get on and off are installed in the straight section at the entrance and exit of the curved section. The comb is installed to ensure safety for passengers, and the fixed comb teeth of the comb and the pallet side comb teeth formed on the upper surface of the pallet have a tenon combination. However, as described above, when straightness at the curved section entrance / exit portion (particularly at the entrance portion) is not ensured, the fixed comb teeth and the pallet-side comb teeth do not have a tenoned relationship and interfere with each other. In order to avoid this, it is necessary to increase the groove width of the tenon set or to secure a sufficient installation distance of the comb at the entrance of the curved section. However, in the case of the former, the groove width dimension is limited from the viewpoint of safety, and the design becomes poor. In the latter case,
The distance over which passengers can be transported is reduced.

Although the traveling wheels 7 are provided on the pallet side, the traveling wheels 7 cannot be arranged in the area d shown by hatching in FIG. However, this is a dead area in the case where all the curved sections of the transport path are set clockwise, and if there is a further counterclockwise curved section in the transport path, it is on the opposite side of the pallet center axis o. Even the dead area expands. In any case, the support means (running wheel) cannot be arranged below the front end of the convex arc 5 which is the rear end edge. Also, the support means (running wheels) cannot be arranged below the center of the concave arc 6 which is the front edge of the pallet having a plane arc shape (crescent shape).
Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the connecting rod 2 is rotatably connected in a horizontal plane via a spherical joint 4 to the longitudinal axis 3 of the adjacent pallet at the other end 2b, and can slide vertically. For this reason, even if four running wheels 7 are arranged on the front, rear, left and right sides of the pallet, the running wheels 7 cannot be bent when a passenger rides on the front and rear ends of the pallet, and a step is generated between the front and rear pallets. Furthermore, at the time of maintenance,
When such a pallet with traveling wheels is separated from the connecting rod, the supporting portion of the connecting rod at that portion is lost, and the pallet becomes unstable and cannot be transported.

When the traveling wheels 7 of the free caster type are used by switching the conveyor between forward and reverse operation, it is necessary to reverse the direction of the wheels by 180 °. Take a posture. At this time, a large conveyance resistance is generated and the number thereof is enormous, so that it acts as a brake and cannot be operated. Such a problem,
The problem can be solved by providing a device for automatically rotating the eccentric bearing. However, since the cost of the product is significantly increased, it is practically necessary to limit the operation to either one of the operations.

On the other hand, when a fixed traveling wheel is used instead of the free caster type, when passing through a curved line, the axes a, b, c. , The axle does not point in the direction of the normal of the endless transport path, and a new problem occurs in that the wheels are skid.

A first technical problem of the present invention is that the line connecting the left and right guide rollers can always be directed in the normal direction, the posture and running stability can be ensured, and the comb at the entrance portion can be secured. An object is to shorten the installation distance.

A second technical problem of the present invention is that a fixed traveling wheel can be used so that the conveyor can be used by switching between forward and reverse operation, and the load on the front and rear ends of the pallet can be reduced. And to facilitate maintenance and management.

[0015]

The conveyor device according to claim 1 of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, in a conveyor device having an endless pallet formed by connecting planar arc-shaped pallets to each other so as to be freely bent, and a guide rail for guiding the endless pallet, the pallet fixes one end of a connecting rod and moves the pallet to a predetermined position. The other end of the connecting rod on the side of the adjacent pallet and the link body on which the guide roller guided by the guide rail is installed are each pivotally installed, and at least one pair of the guide rollers sandwiches the guide rail. In addition to the above configuration, the link body turning center around which the link body turns and the guide rollers are arranged on a substantially straight line.

Further, a conveyor device according to a second aspect of the present invention is one in which traveling wheels are installed on a link body.

Further, in the conveyor device according to a third aspect of the present invention, a pallet supporting portion for slidably supporting the lower surface of the side portion of the pallet is provided on the upper surface of the link body.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the conveyor apparatus, the link body slidably supports the pallet on which the link body is installed on both sides, and the adjacent pallet at the link body turning center. Are slidably supported.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the conveyor device, the pallet has a convex arc centered on the center of rotation of a link body of the pallet, and a link on an adjacent pallet side located on the anti-convex arc side. A concave arc facing the convex arc centered on the body rotation center, and the convex arc of one pallet and the concave arc of the other pallet opposing the arc are slidably locked within a predetermined range. The stopping means is provided on one or both of the facing convex and concave arcs.

[0020] The conveyor device according to claim 6 of the present invention comprises a traveling rail on which a traveling wheel travels in a linear portion;
The pallet is provided with a spherical body that supports the pallet so that the pallet can run freely in the turning section.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiment 1 FIG. Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on the illustrated embodiments. 1 to 6 show a conveyor device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a plan view of a curved path portion, and FIG. 2 shows a relationship between a connecting rod and a pallet from obliquely above. Perspective view, FIG. 3
4 is a perspective view showing the relationship between the connecting rod and the pallet from obliquely below, FIG. 4 is a side view including a partial sectional view showing the relationship between the pallet, the connecting rod and the link body, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow A. FIG. 6 is a view showing various examples of locking means for mutually supporting the facing convex and concave arcs between the pallets. In each figure, the same parts as those in the above-described conventional example are the same. Signs are shown.

In the conveyor device of the first embodiment, one end 2a of a connecting rod 2 is fixed to the lower surface of a pallet 1a, 1b, 1c. A fixing portion 2c for the pallet 1a formed at one end 2a of the connecting rod 2 has a horizontal fork shape which is bifurcated into upper and lower portions, and a fork end 2d is screwed to the pallet 1a and the fork base is fixed. The end is inside the concave arc of the pallet 1a,
That is, the pallet is formed on the center bearing 2e so as to extend outside the front edge. Holes 2f, 2g penetrating the upper and lower pieces of the fork are formed in the core receiver 2e, and the connecting pin 11 is slidably inserted into the holes 2f, 2g from above to penetrate. The connecting pin 11 has a
The other end 2b of the connection rod 2 on the side of the adjacent pallet 1b is connected via a spherical joint 4 so as to be rotatable in a horizontal plane. It goes without saying that the other end 2b of the connection rod 2 on the pallet 1a side is also rotatably connected to the connection pin 11 on the adjacent pallet side located forward of the connection rod 2 via the spherical joint 4 in the horizontal plane. And each pallet 1
a, 1b, 1c,... are connected to each other to form an endless pallet 1.

The head 11a of the connecting pin 11 is housed in a counterbore 2h provided in the upper fork, and the top surface 11b of the head 11a is set flush with the upper surface of the upper fork. A low-friction material or an abrasion-resistant material made of, for example, ethylene tetrafluoride or high-molecular-weight polyethylene is applied or affixed on the top surface 11b and the upper surface of the support 2e, respectively. A rear end portion (a convex arc described later) of the adjacent pallet is slidably supported on the upper surface of the portion 11b and the center 2e.

At the center receiving penetrating end (lower part) of the connecting pin 11,
As shown in FIG. 4, a link body 13 is pivotally mounted in a horizontal plane via a bearing 12, an outer race of the bearing 12 is fixed to the link body 13 side by a C spring 14, and an inner race of the bearing 12 is To the connecting pin 11 side.

Below the endless pallet 1, two guide rails 8, 8 disposed opposite to each other as an endless transport path are laid, and both ends of the link body 13, that is, connecting pins 11 of the link body 13 are connected. A pair of guide rollers 16, 16 capable of sandwiching the guide rails 8, from the outside, are provided at symmetric positions with respect to the center. Therefore, each link body 13 has its posture, that is, the axes A, B, C as shown in FIG.
... are defined by the guide rollers 16 and 16 and always operate in the normal direction.

The front edge and the rear edge, which are the contact surfaces of the respective pallets, are respectively the center of rotation of the link body 13, that is, a convex arc centered on the connecting pin 11 (here, the rear edge).
17 and a concave arc (here, the rear end edge) 18 facing the convex arc centered on the connecting pin, which is located on the anti-convex arc side and is the link pin turning center of the link body on the adjacent pallet side,
Relative rotation is possible without interference in the horizontal plane.

Fixed traveling wheels 19, 19 are respectively attached to the left and right sides of the concave arc 18 side of each pallet, and are guided by traveling rails 21, 21 arranged on both sides along the transport path. ing. Furthermore, in the turning part,
The running rail is removed and, instead, a spherical roller 36a comprising a plurality of spheres arranged along the guide rails 8,8,
36b supports both end portions of the endless pallet 1 below. In this case, there is no need to make the running wheels free casters.

Further, locking means 22 are provided on the left and right sides of the edge of the concave arc 18 of each pallet so as to slidably engage with the convex arc 17 of the adjacent pallet. No matter where you ride, the load can be received between adjacent pallets.
Note that various types of locking means 22 can be employed, and examples thereof are shown in FIG.

6 (a) to 6 (d) show the ridges and valleys of the pallets facing each other in a vertical section along the normal direction. It is configured. That is, (a) shows the locking means 22
With a chevron 23 formed on the edge of one of the pallets.
And a groove-shaped concave portion 24 formed at the edge of the other pallet and into which the convex portion 23 is slidably fitted. (B) shows a case in which the locking means 22 is provided with a convex portion 25 formed below the edge of one pallet and a convex portion 25 formed below the edge of the other pallet so that the convex portion 25 is slidably fitted. The notch 26 includes a notch 26 and a recess forming piece 27 that is attached to the notch-side pallet and forms a recess for fitting a protrusion with the notch 26. (C) is locking means 2
Wedge surface 2 where both opposing surfaces overlap each other
At the lower edge of the pallet having wedge surfaces 29 formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the pallets 8 and 29, a concave portion forming piece 31 is formed to form a concave portion into which the other wedge surface 28 is slidably fitted together with the wedge surface 29. It is a thing. (D) is locking means 2
2 is attached to the lower edge of one pallet.
And a recess forming piece 33 attached to the lower edge of the other pallet.
And

At the bottom of the endless transport path composed of the guide rails 8, 8, a chain guide 34 is disposed at a predetermined position, for example, a straight path on both sides of the curved path section. In the section of the road, the transport chain 35 can enter and move into the endless transport path. Power is transmitted from the transport chain 35 to the endless pallet 1 by engaging the pawl 2h formed on the connecting rod 2 with the transport chain 35 on the straight path.

As described above, in the conveyor device of the first embodiment, the centering 2e is provided on the fixing portion 2c of the connecting rod 2 having one end fixed to the pallet, and the connecting pin 11 is attached to the centering 2e.
And the other end of the connecting rod 2 on the adjacent pallet side is connected to the connecting pin 11 via the spherical joint 4 so as to be rotatable in a horizontal plane. And a pair of guide rollers 1 capable of sandwiching guide rails 8, 8 serving as an endless conveyance path from outside, at positions symmetrical with respect to the center of rotation of the link body 13.
6 and 16, the axis A of each link body 13
B, C... Always face the normal direction, and the guide rollers 16, 1
No gap is formed between the guide rails 6 and the guide rails 8, 8, and the posture and running stability can be ensured. For this reason,
The installation distance of the comb at the entrance can be shortened, and the generation of noise can be suppressed.

The top surface 11b of the connecting pin 11 and the
On the upper surface of the portion e, a convex arc 17 serving as a rear end of an adjacent pallet is slidably supported, and fixed traveling wheels 19 are provided on the left and right sides of the concave arc 18 serving as a front end of the pallet. Therefore, it is possible to bend when a passenger rides on the front and rear ends of the pallet, and it is possible to prevent a step from occurring between the front and rear pallets. Further, the locking means 22 is provided on the left and right sides of the edge of the concave arc 18 of the pallet so as to slidably lock and support the convex arc 17 of the adjacent pallet, so that the passenger can pallet the pallet surface. No matter where you get on the front, back, left or right,
The load can be received between the adjacent pallets, and the occurrence of a step can be reliably prevented.

In the curved path, the spherical rollers 36a,
Since both side portions of the endless pallet 1 are supported by 36b, fixed traveling wheels 19, 19 are used as traveling wheels.
Can be used, and the conveyor can be used by switching between forward and reverse operation.

Embodiment 2 FIG. 7 is a plan view of a curved path portion showing a conveyor device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
Is a perspective view showing the relationship between the connecting rod and the pallet from obliquely above, FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the relationship between the connecting rod and the pallet from obliquely below, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view as viewed from the direction of the arrow B, and in each of the drawings, the same portions as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the conveyor device of the second embodiment, fixed traveling wheels 19, 19 are provided on the axis of both extension portions 13a, 13b of the link body 13A in which the link body of the first embodiment is set long on both sides. And pallet support portions 41a and 41b for slidably supporting the lower surfaces of the side portions of the pallets, respectively, at both end portions of the link body. The pallet supporting portions 41a and 41b are formed by processing a low friction or abrasion resistant plate made of a resin such as ethylene tetrafluoride or high-molecular polyethylene into a sled shape. We do not arrange ring. Other configurations are the same as the above-described first embodiment,
It has all the functions of the first embodiment.

In the conveyor device of the second embodiment, the fixed traveling wheels 19, 1 are located on the axis of the link 13A.
9, the guide rollers 16 and 16 and the connecting pin 11 which is the center of rotation of the link body are arranged.
, The axes A, B, C,... Of the link members 13 always face the normal direction, and the fixed traveling wheels 19 arranged on these axes. , 19 axles always point in the normal direction. For this reason, no side slip occurs on the wheels when passing through a curve, the fixed traveling wheels 19, 19 can be effectively operated over the entire area of the endless transport path, and means for supporting both side portions of the endless pallet 1 on the curved path portion is provided. The conveyor can be used by switching between forward and reverse operation without providing separately.

The link 13A is connected to the running wheels 19,19.
The link body 13A can receive the load of the adjacent pallet applied to the head 11a of the connecting pin 11 and reduce the load applied to the upper surface of the core receiver 2e of the connecting rod 2. Therefore, the life of the connecting rod connecting portion can be extended, and the reliability is improved.

The running wheels 19, 19 are connected to the connecting rod 2 side.
Since the attached link body 13A is attached, even when the pallet is separated from the connecting rod 2 at the time of maintenance, the connecting rod 2 is supported by the traveling wheels 19, 19 and can run stably. For this reason, at the time of maintenance, one pallet is removed, and the lower part of the pallet under running conditions, that is, the state of the drive system and rail members, the connected state of the connecting rod 2, the states of the running wheels 19, 19, the guide rails 8, 8
And the state of the guide rollers 16, 16 can be visually confirmed, and maintenance becomes easy.

Embodiment 3 FIG. 12 is a plan view of a curved path portion showing a conveyor device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In the drawing, the same portions as those in the above-described first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the conveyor device according to the third embodiment, the inner width between the two guide rails 8 facing each other, which is an endless conveying path, is set to be large, and the link body according to the first embodiment is used. Two pairs of guide rollers 16a, 16b, 16a, 16b capable of sandwiching the guide rails 8, 8 from the inside and outside, respectively, are provided on the axis of the extension portions 13c, 13d on both sides of the link body 13B having the length set on both sides. The other configuration is the same as that of the above-described first embodiment, and has all the functions of the first embodiment.

In the conveyor device of the third embodiment, two pairs of guide rollers 16a, 16b, 16a, 16
Since all of the guide rails b are arranged on the axis, and each of the guide rails 8 is held between two points inside and outside, even if a load that shifts from the normal direction is applied, this can be suppressed. For this reason, each guide roller 16a, 16b, 16
The life of the shaft portions a and 16b can be extended without exerting excessive force on the shaft portions.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the endless transport path is constituted by two guide rails. However, in the first and second embodiments, a single rail is formed to be wide. The wide rail may be sandwiched between a pair of guide rollers from the outside. In this case, the same operation and effect as those of the first and second embodiments are provided.

The pinching by a pair of guide rollers is not limited to the case where both guide rollers are in constant contact with the rail surface and are pressed against each other. When touching a surface,
This includes the case where the other guide roller is separated from the rail surface by a predetermined gap.

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the guide roller is set at a symmetrical position with respect to the link body turning center, and the link body turning center is set at the center in the rail width direction. The invention is not necessarily limited to this, and the link body turning center may be deviated.
In short, it is only necessary that the link body center of rotation is on the line connecting the pair of guide rollers, and that each guide roller is disposed at a position where the guide roller substantially contacts the outside of the rail.

[0045]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the pallet fixes one end of the connecting rod and guides it at a predetermined position by the other end of the connecting rod on the adjacent pallet side and the guide rail. The link body on which the guide roller is installed is installed so as to be pivotable, and at least one pair of the guide rollers is configured to sandwich the guide rail, and the link body pivot center where the link body pivots and Since the guide rollers are arranged on a substantially straight line, the axis of the link body always points in the normal direction, there is no gap between the guide rollers and the guide rails, and the posture and running stability can be secured. Was. For this reason, the installation distance of the comb at the entrance could be shortened, and the generation of noise could be suppressed.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the running wheels are provided on the link body, not only the guide rollers but also the axles of the running wheels can always be directed in the normal direction. For this reason, the fixed traveling wheels can be used as traveling wheels, and the fixed traveling wheels can be effectively operated over the entire area of the endless transport path, and a means for supporting both sides of the endless pallet on the curved path portion is provided. The conveyor could be used by switching between normal and reverse operation without the need for separate installation. Furthermore, even when the pallet was separated from the connecting rod during maintenance, the connecting rod was supported by the traveling wheels, and the vehicle could run stably. For this reason, at the time of maintenance, one pallet is removed, and the state of the drive system and rail members under the pallet, the state of the connecting rod, the state of the running wheels, the state of the guide rails and the guide rollers are visually checked under running conditions. And maintenance became easy.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the pallet supporting portion for slidably supporting the lower surface of the side portion of the pallet is provided on the upper surface of the link body, so that the load on the pallet is received by the link body. I was able to.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the link body slidably supports the pallet on which the link body is installed on both sides, and slides the adjacent pallet at the center of rotation of the link body. Because it was configured to support freely,
The load on the pallet can be supported by the three points of the link body, so that the load on the link body mounting portion of the pallet can be reduced, and the life of the related peripheral members can be extended, and the reliability can be improved. Could be improved.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the pallet has a convex arc centered on the turning center of the link body of the pallet and a link body turning center of the adjacent pallet located on the anti-convex arc side. And a locking means for slidably locking the convex arc of one pallet and the concave arc of the other pallet opposed thereto in a predetermined range. Since it is installed on one or both of these facing convex and concave arcs, even if a load is applied to the front, rear, left, and right in the pallet plane, it can be received between adjacent pallets. It was possible to prevent a step from occurring between them.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since a spherical body for supporting a pallet so as to be able to travel freely is provided in the turning portion instead of the traveling rail, a fixed traveling wheel can be used as the traveling wheel. The conveyor can be used by switching between forward and reverse operation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a curved path portion showing a conveyor device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a relationship between a connecting rod and a pallet of the conveyor device according to the first embodiment transparently from obliquely above.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a relationship between a connecting rod and a pallet of the conveyor device according to the first embodiment from obliquely below.

FIG. 4 is a side view including a partial sectional view showing a relationship between a pallet, a connecting rod, and a link body of the conveyor device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a view showing various examples of locking means for mutually supporting opposed convex and concave arcs between pallets of the conveyor device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a curved path portion showing a conveyor device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a relationship between a connecting rod and a pallet of a conveyor device according to a second embodiment, which is transparently viewed from obliquely above.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a relationship between a connecting rod and a pallet of a conveyor device according to a second embodiment from obliquely below.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a curved path portion showing a conveyor device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a curved path portion showing a conventional conveyor device.

FIG. 13 is a front view including a partial cross-sectional view schematically showing a relationship between a pallet and a connecting rod that connects pallets to be a tread of a conventional conveyor device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Endless pallet 1a, 1b, 1c ... Pallet 2 Connecting rod 2a One end of connecting rod 2b The other end of connecting rod 2c Connecting rod fixing part 8 Guide rail 11 Connecting pin (link body turning center) 13, 13A, 13B Link body 16, 16a, 16b Guide roller 17 Convex arc 18 Concave arc 19 Running wheel 22 Locking means 36a, 36b Spherical roller 41a, 41b Pallet support

Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Shinichiro Aoe 1-2-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo F-term (reference) 3F321 AA02 AA08 AA10 BA07 BA10 CB12 CB24 CB33

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A conveyor device comprising: an endless pallet formed by connecting planar arc-shaped pallets so as to be freely bendable; and a guide rail for guiding the endless pallet, wherein the pallet fixes one end of a connecting rod. At a predetermined position, the other end of the connecting rod on the adjacent pallet side, and a link body provided with a guide roller guided by a guide rail, are installed so as to be pivotable, respectively, and the guide rollers are at least one pair, A conveyor device comprising a configuration in which the guide rail is sandwiched, and wherein a link body turning center around which the link body turns and the guide roller are arranged on a substantially straight line. 2. The conveyor device according to claim 1, wherein running wheels are installed on the link body. 3. The conveyor device according to claim 2, wherein a pallet supporting portion for slidably supporting a lower surface of a side portion of the pallet is provided on an upper surface of the link body. 4. A link body slidably supports a pallet on which the link body is installed on both sides, and slidably supports an adjacent pallet at a link body turning center. The conveyor device according to claim 2. 5. The pallet has a concave surface facing a convex arc centered on the center of rotation of the link body of the pallet and a convex arc centered on the center of rotation of the link body on an adjacent pallet located on the side of the anti-convex arc. A convex arc of one of the pallets and a concave arc of the other pallet facing the pallet in a predetermined range. The conveyor device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the conveyor device is installed on one or both. 6. The conveyor device according to claim 1, further comprising a traveling rail on which a traveling wheel travels in a straight portion, and a spherical body which supports the pallet so as to be able to travel in a turning portion.