JP2003314628A - Seal chain - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a seal chain composed of an inner link and an outer link bendably connected together, in which the gap between the inner and outer plates does not expand, i.e., the chain width does not expand. <P>SOLUTION: The outer plate 7 is furnished at its inner surface 11 with a ring groove 12 centering on a pin 6, in which an O-ring 9 is fitted, and a seal plate 10 is interposed between the outside surface 14 of the inner plate 4 and the O-ring 9. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a seal chain in which a seal ring is fitted between inner and outer plates connecting an inner link and an outer link.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a motorcycle, a seal chain has been conventionally used, and it is possible to suppress wear caused by bending of an inner link and an outer link, and thus to prevent chain elongation. In the roller chain for motorcycles, the pin of the outer link is inserted and connected to the bush hole of the inner link, but the inner link and the outer link bend each other when wrapped around the sprocket and when separated from the sprocket. Then, the inner peripheral surface of the bush and the outer peripheral surface of the pin rub against each other.

At this time, since a large tension is applied, the outer peripheral surface of the pin and the inner peripheral surface of the bush, which are sliding surfaces, are worn. Therefore, a pin is fitted in a state that the bush hole is filled with grease serving as lubricating oil, and the bush hole is sealed so that the grease does not escape. This is called a seal chain, and a seal ring is fitted around the bush between the inner plate of the inner link and the outer plate of the outer link. There are various sectional shapes of the seal ring, and most commonly, an O-shaped section, an X-shaped section and the like are used.

Such seal chains are often applied not only to roller chains for motorcycles but also to conveyor chains. The conveyor chain does not run at high speed like a roller chain for motorcycles, but the tension that acts on it is extremely high, and depending on the environment in which it is used, dust and other particles enter the gap between the pin and bush holes to promote wear. Often.

FIG. 3 shows a partial cross section of a conventional seal chain. Install the inner plates (b) at both ends of the bush (a) and axially support the rollers (c) on the bush (a) to form an inner link, and also install the outer plates (e) at both ends of the pin (d). Attached to form an outer link. An O-ring (f) is fitted around the bush (a) between the outer plate (e) of the outer link and the inner plate (b) of the inner link. Then, the O-ring (f) is directly connected to the inner plate (b) and the outer plate.
(E) Metal seal plate (g)
(H) is on both sides of the O-ring (F). Therefore, when the inner link and the outer link bend, they are in contact with the smooth seal plates (g) and (h), so that the O-ring (f) is not worn or damaged.

However, the inner plate (b) and the outer plate (e)
By interposing two seal plates (g) and (h) and an O-ring (f) between them, a gap A is generated between the inner and outer plates,
As a result, the width of the chain is increased, and if it is a conveyor chain, the entire apparatus for mounting the conveyor chain must be changed. In other words, it cannot be used for conventional conveyor devices equipped with chains,
Not compatible.

[0007]

As described above, the conventional seal chain has the above-mentioned problems. The problem to be solved by the present invention is this problem, and provides a seal chain that does not increase the gap between the inner plate and the outer plate, that is, does not increase the width of the chain.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A seal chain according to the present invention is a chain which does not expand the gap between the inner and outer plates even if a seal ring is interposed between the inner plate and the outer plate. A ring groove is formed on the inner surface of the outer plate, and a seal ring is fitted in the ring groove. The seal plate is fitted so that the seal ring does not directly contact the outer surface of the inner plate.

It is also possible to form a ring groove on the outer surface of the inner plate, fit a seal ring in the ring groove, and interpose a seal plate between the inner surface and the inner surface of the outer plate. The seal ring fitted in the ring groove rotates together with the ring groove as the inner and outer links bend, and makes a sliding contact with the seal plate. Therefore, even if the seal plate is provided only on one side, the seal ring will not be worn or damaged. Of course, the grease filled between the bush hole and the pin will not leak out. Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0010]

1 is an embodiment showing a seal chain according to the present invention, which is a conveyor chain. In the conveyor chain, an inner link 1 and an outer link 2 are alternately bendably connected. The inner link 1 is constructed by attaching inner plates 4 and 4 to both ends of two bushes 3 which are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, and a roller 5 is rotatably supported by the bush 3 rotatably.

In the outer link 2, outer plates 7a and 7b are attached to both ends of two pins 6 and 6 which are separated by a predetermined distance. Then, the pin 6 fits in the bush hole and the outer link 2
Are connected to the inner link 1. Further, the outer plate 7b of the outer link 2 shown in the figure has a large size so as to function as a bracket, and is provided with four holes 8, 8 ... For mounting other members.

FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of a portion B of FIG. The pin 6 is fitted into the hole of the bush 3 at the connecting portion of the inner link 1 and the outer link 2, but there is a proper gap between the bush hole and the pin 6 so that they can rotate with each other.
A (clearance) is provided, and grease (lubricating oil) is filled in this gap. The filled grease is sealed so as not to flow out, but in the present invention, the O-ring 9 and the seal plate 10 are used.

A ring groove 12 centered on the pin 6 is formed on the inner surface 11 of the outer plate 7, and the ring groove 12 has an O-shape.
The ring 9 is fitted. Of course, since the O-ring 9 does not completely fit into the ring groove 12 and a part of the O-ring 9 protrudes, the O-ring 9 that has protruded is brought into contact with the seal plate 10 and compressed. The seal plate 10 forms a ring,
The inner peripheral portion is fitted in the notch groove 13 formed in the end surface of the bush, and is in close contact with the outer surface 14 of the inner plate 4.

Therefore, the grease filled between the bush hole and the pin 6 can be separated from the end surface of the bush 3 and the outer plate 7.
Even if it flows from the gap between them, it is blocked by the O-ring 9 and the seal plate 10. And the seal plate 1
Since 0 is in close contact with the outer surface 14 of the inner plate 4, the seal plate 10 rotates with the inner plate 4, and the O-ring 9 fits in the ring groove 12 and therefore rotates with the outer plate 7. Therefore, as the inner link 1 and the outer link 2 bend, the O-ring 9 and the seal plate 10 slide together.

On the other hand, a ring groove 12 is formed in the outer surface 14 of the inner plate 4 to fit the O-ring 9, and the outer plate 7
It is also possible to constitute by making the seal plate 10 contact the inner surface 11 of the. As described above, the seal chain of the present invention is one in which the ring groove is formed in the plate, the seal ring is fitted, and the seal plate is interposed, and the following effects can be obtained.

[0016]

According to the seal chain of the present invention, a seal ring such as an O-ring and a seal plate are provided in the joint portion of the inner link and the outer link, and a ring groove is formed in one of the facing surfaces of the inner and outer plates to fit the seal ring. , The seal plate is interposed between the seal ring and the other plate. Therefore,
The grease filled between the bush hole and the pin is sealed without flowing out.

By fitting and mounting the seal ring in the ring groove formed on the plate surface, the gap between the inner and outer plates does not expand, and there is no dimensional difference from the conventional unsealed chain. Therefore, the seal chains of the present invention are compatible. For example, in the case of a conveyor chain, the seal chain of the present invention can be mounted on a conventional conveyor device.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an embodiment showing a seal chain according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of part B in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a conventional seal structure.

[Explanation of symbols]

Link in 1 2 outside links 3 bush 4 Inner plate 5 roller 6 pin 7 Outer plate 8 holes 9 O-ring 10 seal plate 11 Inside 12 ring groove 13 Notch groove 14 exterior

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A chain comprising an inner link and an outer link flexibly connected to each other, wherein a ring groove is formed around the pin on the inner surface of the outer plate to fit a seal ring, and the outer surface of the inner plate is sealed. A seal chain characterized in that a seal plate is interposed between the rings. 2. A chain comprising an inner link and an outer link flexibly connected to each other, wherein a ring groove is formed around a bush on the outer surface of the inner plate to fit a seal ring, and the inner surface of the outer plate is sealed. A seal chain characterized in that a seal plate is interposed between the rings. 3. The seal chain according to claim 1, wherein an O-ring is used as the seal ring.