JP2010030737A - Chain conveyor device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a chain conveyor device for preventing a speed change or a tension change of a conveyor chain and an irregular carrying speed or position change of carriages resulting from the play of engaging means while preventing the irregular carrying speed or position change of the carriages even in a passage curved in the horizontal direction. <P>SOLUTION: The chain conveyor device 100 includes the carriages 120 carried in engagement with the conveyor chain 110. Each engaging means 130 includes a dog 131 provided on the conveyor chain 110, and an engaging pawl 132 and a retaining pawl 133 provided on the carriage 120 with the same rocking shaft 134. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention is a cart that can be guided and traveled by a traveling rail, a conveyor chain that is guided and circulated by a guide rail provided below the traveling rail, and engages the conveyor chain and the cart, More particularly, the present invention relates to a chain conveyor apparatus suitable as a transport means for a production line that transports assembly, processing, coating, and the like that require accurate speed and positioning.

Conventionally, a cart that can be guided by a traveling rail and a conveyor chain that is circulated and guided by a guide rail provided below the traveling rail are engaged by an engaging means provided on the conveyor chain and the cart. A chain conveyor device in which a conveyor chain pulls and conveys a carriage is well known.
In order to prevent irregular fluctuations and unintentional runaway of the transport speed and position of the carriage due to changes in the speed and tension of the conveyor chain, play of the engagement means, etc. A chain conveyor apparatus provided with a pressing member for pressing the engaging means from the rear side in the traveling direction is known.

As shown in FIG. 8, the known chain conveyor apparatus 500 includes a conveyor chain 510 that is supported by guide rails (not shown) by side rollers 512 attached to both sides of the connecting portion of the chain link 511 and is circulated. A carriage 520 supported by a rail (not shown) and capable of traveling, and an engagement means 530 for engaging the conveyor chain 510 and the carriage 520 are provided.
The engaging means 530 includes a propelling member 531 and a pressing member 532 provided on the conveyor chain 510, and an engaging member 521 provided on the carriage 520.

The propelling member 531 and the presser member 532 are pivotally supported by pins 515 on brackets 513 and 514 fixed to the upper portion of the chain link 511 at an appropriate interval. It is held at the engaging position facing the letter shape.
The engagement member 521 is attached to the lower portion of the carriage 520, the tip of the propulsion member 531 hits the rear surface of the engagement member 521, and the carriage 520 is pushed, and the tip surface of the presser member 532 is in contact with the lower front surface of the engagement member 521. This prevents the cart 520 from running away (see Patent Document 1).
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 62-150415 microfilm (especially, pages 4 to 6, see FIGS. 1 to 3)

  However, in such a known conventional chain conveyor device 500, the propelling member 531 and the pressing member 532 which are the engaging means 530 on the conveyor chain 510 side are provided in different chain links 511. Due to the inevitable gap, the accuracy of the distance between the propelling member 531 and the pressing member 532 is low, and the trolley transport speed and position irregularly vary due to changes in the speed and tension of the conveyor chain and play of the engaging means. There was a problem that occurred.

  In addition, when the conveyor chain 510 is bent horizontally, the distance between the propelling member 531 and the pressing member 532 provided in different chain links 511 is further greatly changed, so that the chain conveyor apparatus having a path that curves in the horizontal direction. There was a problem that it was not applicable to 500.

  Therefore, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention, that is, the object of the present invention is to irregularly change the transport speed and position of the carriage due to the speed change and tension change of the conveyor chain, the play of the engaging means, etc. It is to provide a chain conveyor device that prevents irregular fluctuations in the conveyance speed and position of a carriage even in a path that is curved in the horizontal direction.

  First, the invention according to claim 1 is a cart that can be guided and traveled by a traveling rail, a conveyor chain that is guided and guided by a guide rail provided below the traveling rail, and the conveyor chain. In the chain conveyor apparatus having an engagement means that can engage and disengage the carriage, the engagement means is engaged with a dog provided on the conveyor chain and a forward direction of the dog provided on the carriage. The above-mentioned problem is solved by having an engaging claw to be engaged and a presser claw provided so as to be able to swing in the vertical direction by a swing shaft provided on the rear side in the traveling direction from the dog of the carriage. is there.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the chain conveyor device according to claim 1, wherein the dog has a shape substantially similar to the swinging track of the tip of the presser claw when engaged with the engagement claw. Thus, the above-described problems are further solved.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the chain conveyor apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the engaging claw can swing in the vertical direction coaxially with the swing shaft of the presser claw, By having a presser claw stopper that regulates the lower limit of swinging of the presser claw, the above-described problems are further solved.

  Further, the invention according to claim 4 is the chain conveyor device according to claim 3, wherein the guide rail is gradually spaced from the traveling rail in a region where the engagement between the conveyor chain and the carriage is started. By being arranged so as to be narrow, the above-described problems are further solved.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the chain conveyor device according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the carriage has an engagement claw stopper that regulates a swing lower limit of the engagement claw. This problem is further solved.

  The chain conveyor device according to the present invention relates to a carriage that can be guided by a travel rail, a conveyor chain that is guided by a guide rail provided below the travel rail and is circulated, and the conveyor chain and the carriage. In this case, it is possible to control the conveyance speed and position according to the conveyance section without providing a driving device or a control device for each individual carriage by having the engagement means that can be detached, and the following unique features The special effect corresponding to the structure of can be produced.

  That is, in the chain conveyor device according to the first aspect, the engagement means is advanced from the dog provided on the conveyor chain, the engagement claw provided on the carriage and engaged in the forward direction of the dog, and the dog of the carriage. By having the presser claw provided so as to be able to swing in the vertical direction by the swing shaft provided on the rear side in the direction, the distance between the engagement claw that is the engagement means on the carriage side and the presser claw can be arranged with high accuracy. Therefore, it is possible to prevent irregular fluctuations in the transport speed and position of the carriage caused by changes in the speed and tension of the conveyor chain, play in the engaging means, etc., and the dog as the engaging means on the conveyor chain side is one chain. Since the gap between the engaging claw and the presser claw is provided on the link and does not change even in the horizontal direction, irregular fluctuations in the transport speed and position of the carriage can be prevented even in a path that is curved in the horizontal direction.

  And in addition to the effect which the chain conveyor apparatus which concerns on Claim 2 shows | plays, the chain conveyor apparatus which concerns on this 2nd aspect is substantially similar to the rocking | fluctuation track | orbit of the front-end | tip of a presser claw at the time of engagement with an engaging claw. With this shape, the presser claw will not interfere with the dog until the dog and the engaging claw approach and the engagement is completed, and the presser claw will press the rear when the engagement is completed. Furthermore, the play of the engaging means is reduced, and irregular fluctuations in the transport speed and position of the carriage caused by the play of the engaging means can be prevented.

  Further, in the chain conveyor device according to the third aspect of the invention, in addition to the effect exhibited by the chain conveyor device according to the first or second aspect, the engaging claw swings in the vertical direction coaxially with the swinging shaft of the presser claw. It is possible to release the engagement with the dog by swinging the engagement claw upward by having a stopper that regulates the lower limit of the swing of the presser claw. Since the lower limit of the swinging movement with respect to the engaging claw is regulated by the stopper provided on the hook, the dog can pass smoothly at the start of the engagement and the like, and the speed change and tension change of the conveyor chain can be reduced.

  Moreover, in addition to the effect which the chain conveyor apparatus which concerns on Claim 3 show | plays the chain conveyor apparatus which concerns on this invention 4, in the area | region where engagement with a conveyor chain and a trolley | bogie is started, the guide rail and Since the gap is arranged so as to be gradually narrowed, the dog abuts on the engaging claw swinging downward and gradually rises to the position during conveyance. In addition to being able to contact, the presser claw can be reliably positioned behind the dog, and the speed change and tension change of the conveyor chain can be reduced.

  Further, in the chain conveyor device according to the fifth aspect, in addition to the effect exhibited by the chain conveyor device according to the third or fourth aspect, the carriage has an engaging claw stopper for restricting the lower limit of swinging of the engaging claw. As a result, the amount by which the engaging claw is swung upward before engaging the dog and the engaging claw is reduced, and the contact claw can be smoothly engaged and restricted by the presser claw stopper provided on the engaging claw. Because the lower limit of the swing of the presser claw is also restricted, the amount of swinging upward when the dog passes through the presser claw is reduced, so that the dog can smoothly come into contact with the engaging claw, and the speed change of the conveyor chain The tension change can be reduced.

  The chain conveyor device according to the present invention relates to a carriage that can be guided by a travel rail, a conveyor chain that is guided by a guide rail provided below the travel rail and is circulated, and the conveyor chain and the carriage. In the chain conveyor apparatus having the engaging means that can be detached, the engaging means includes a dog provided on the conveyor chain, an engaging claw provided on the carriage and engaged in the forward direction of the dog, The presser claw is provided so that it can be swung in the vertical direction by a rocking shaft provided on the rear side in the traveling direction from the dog, and the carriage caused by changes in the speed and tension of the conveyor chain, play in the engaging means, etc. To provide a chain conveyor device that prevents irregular fluctuations in the conveyance speed and position and prevents irregular fluctuations in the conveyance speed and position of the carriage even in a horizontally curved path. , Manner of its specific implementation, may any be any one.

  The chain conveyor apparatus of the present invention may be used for any application, and is particularly suitable for use in a production line for carrying assembly, processing, painting, and the like that require accurate speed and positioning.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
Here, FIG. 1 is an overall side view of a chain conveyor apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged explanatory view of FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 4 is an A sectional view, FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram at the start of engagement in the engagement start region of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram in the middle of engagement in the engagement start region of the present invention. 6 is an explanatory diagram when the engagement is completed in the engagement start region of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram when the engagement is released in the disengagement region of the present invention.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a chain conveyor device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a carriage 120 that can be guided by a traveling rail 101 and a guide rail 102 that is provided below the traveling rail 101. The conveyor chain 110 guided and circulated is engaged by the engaging means 130 provided on the conveyor chain 110 and the carriage 120 so that the conveyor chain 110 pulls and conveys the carriage 120.

The distance between the traveling rail 101 and the guide rail 102 gradually decreases in the engagement start area 103 where the engagement between the conveyor chain 110 and the carriage 120 starts, and is parallel in the conveyance area 104. The disengagement area 105 for releasing the engagement is arranged so as to gradually widen.
The traveling rail 101 is composed of a pair of U-shaped rails arranged so that the open sides are opposed to each other, and the guide rail 102 is a pair of rails arranged so that the open sides are opposed from at least the engagement start region 103 to the disengagement region 105. It consists of a U-shaped rail.

In the carriage 120, a front carriage 121 having an engagement means 130 and a rear carriage 122 having a conveyed product holding means 123 are connected to each other so as to be bent in a horizontal direction via a connection means 124, and the front carriage 121 pulls the rear carriage 122. It is configured as follows.
As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the front carriage 121 and the rear carriage 122 are, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. And is configured to travel along the travel guide 101.

  In the conveyor chain 110, a large number of chain links 111 are connected endlessly by pins 115, side rollers 112 are provided on both sides of the pins 115, and the side rollers 112 are U-shaped in cross section of the guide rail 102. The vehicle is driven along the guide rail 102 at least from the engagement start area 103 to the disengagement area 105.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the engaging means 130 includes a dog 131 fixedly standing on the carriage side of the chain link 111 at an appropriate interval of the conveyor chain 110, and a swing shaft on the front carriage 121. An engaging claw 132 and a presser claw 133 are provided so as to be swingable in the vertical direction via 134.
The lower limit of the swing of the engaging claw 132 is restricted by the engaging claw stopper 135 provided on the front carriage 121, and the lower limit of the swing of the presser claw 133 is restricted by the presser claw stopper 137 provided on the engaging claw 132. Has been.
In this embodiment, the carriage 120 includes the front carriage 121 and the rear carriage 122, but naturally, one carriage may include both the engaging means and the conveyed product holding means.
Hereinafter, it will be described as a cart 120.

Next, the detail of each structure of the engaging means 130 is demonstrated based on FIG. 2 thru | or FIG.
The engaging claw 132 is supported by a swinging shaft 134 provided on the carriage 120 and extends forward, and its front end is bent downward to engage with the dog 131, and the lower surface 152 of the portion extending forward. The engaging surface 151 of the part bent downward is configured to form an acute angle. Further, an engaging claw swing restricting portion 138 is provided above the portion extending forward, and the lower limit of the swing of the engaging claw 132 with respect to the cart 120 is in contact with the engaging claw stopper 135 provided on the cart 120. It is regulated. Further, a push-up portion 136 protruding left and right in the transport direction is formed at the tip of the portion bent downward of the engaging claw 132.

  The presser claw 133 is supported by a swing shaft 134 provided on the carriage 120 and extends forward. The lower surface of the rear end of the engaging claw 132 functions as a presser claw stopper 137, and the upper surface of the rear end of the presser claw 133 is pressed. The lower limit of swinging of the presser claw 133 with respect to the engaging claw 132 in contact with the claw stopper 137 is regulated.

The dog 131 is fixedly erected on the side of the carriage 120 of the chain link 111, the dog upper surface 142 is a plane parallel to the line connecting the pins 115 of the chain link 111, and the dog front surface 141 contacting the engaging claw 132 is the dog upper surface. The dog rear surface 143 that abuts on the flat surface 142 and the presser claw 133 forms a curved surface similar to the arc trajectory of the front end of the presser claw 133 at an obtuse angle with the dog upper surface 142.
As shown in FIG. 6, the acute angle formed by the dog front surface 141 and the dog upper surface 142 is smaller than the acute angle formed by the lower surface 152 of the engagement claw 132 and the engagement surface 151, and the corner portions of both are respectively R-shaped. Is formed.

Next, the engaging and releasing operations of the engaging means 130 will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, at the position where the distance between the start point of the engagement start region 103, that is, the center line of the pin 115 of the conveyor chain 110 and the center line of the swing shaft 134 provided on the carriage 120 is R1, which is the farthest, The dog 131 approaches the engaging claw 132 from the upstream (left direction in the drawing) by driving the conveyor chain 110.

When the dog 131 is approaching, the dog claw 133 swings slightly upward and passes, and the dog front surface 141 comes into contact with the engagement surface 151 of the engagement claw 132, resulting in the state shown in FIG.
At this time, the distance between the center line of the pin 115 of the conveyor chain 110 and the center line of the swing shaft 134 provided on the carriage 120 is separated, and the swing lower limit of the presser claw 133 is restricted. The impact when 131 comes in contact with the presser claw 133 is extremely small.

When the dog 131 advances (rightward in the drawing), the dog 131 pushes the engagement claw 132, and the carriage 120 reaches the middle point of the engagement start area 103 and enters the state shown in FIG.
At this time, the distance between the center line of the pin 115 of the conveyor chain 110 and the center line of the swing shaft 134 provided on the carriage 120 gradually decreases to R2, and during this time, the dog 131 moves forward and rises. The acute angle formed by 141 and the dog upper surface 142 is smaller than the acute angle formed by the lower surface 152 of the engagement claw 132 and the engagement surface 151, and the driving force exerted on the engagement claw 132 by the dog 131 swings the engagement claw 132 downward. Since the component force to be generated is generated, the dog 131 and the engagement claw 132 are not disengaged.

  In addition, as the dog 131 rises, the front end of the presser claw 133 approaches the dog 131, but the rear surface 143 of the dog has a curved surface similar to the arc trajectory of the front end of the presser claw 133 at an obtuse angle with the dog upper surface 142. The presser claw 133 does not come into contact with the dog 131.

Further, when the dog 131 advances (rightward in the drawing), the dog 131 pushes the engagement claw 132 and the carriage 120 reaches the final point of the engagement start area 103, and is in the state shown in FIG.
At this time, the distance between the center line of the pin 115 of the conveyor chain 110 and the center line of the swing shaft 134 provided on the carriage 120 is gradually narrowed to R3. During this time, the dog 131 moves forward and rises, and finally the dog The upper surface 142 and the engaging claw lower surface 152 abut.

  As the dog 131 rises, the tip of the presser claw 133 further approaches the dog 131, the tip of the presser claw 133 comes into contact with the rear surface 143 of the dog and presses the dog 131 from the rear in the advancing direction. Eliminate play. Note that, due to a dimensional error during manufacturing, the tip of the presser claw 133 may have a slight gap at the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 6, or may contact the dog rear surface 143 at the position indicated by the dotted line. In either case, the play of the engaging means is extremely reduced, and the effect of preventing irregular fluctuations in the transport speed and position of the carriage 120 due to play and the like is achieved.

  In the conveyance area 104 following the engagement start area 103, the dog 131 and the engaging claw 132 are engaged in the state shown in FIG. 6, and the tip of the presser claw 133 presses the dog 131 from the rear in the advancing direction. When the conveyor chain 110 is driven, the carriage 120 is smoothly pulled and conveyed.

The disengagement of the engagement means 130 in the disengagement area 105 is in the state of FIG. 6 at the starting point of the disengagement area 105, contrary to the engagement operation in the engagement start area 103, and the dog 131 advances (right of the drawing). ), The dog 131 propels the engaging claw 132 and the carriage 120 reaches the intermediate point of the disengagement region 105 and enters the state shown in FIG. 5. Further, when the dog 131 advances (to the right in the drawing), the dog 131 is engaged. By driving the pawl 132, the carriage 120 reaches the final point of the separation area 105, and is in the state shown in FIG.
Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the disengagement member 160 at the position where the distance between the center line of the pin 115 of the conveyor chain 110 and the center line of the swing shaft 134 provided on the carriage 120 is the farthest R1. The engagement between the engagement claw 132 and the dog 131 is released by pushing up the push-up portion 136 provided at the tip of the engagement claw 132 and swinging the engagement claw 132 upward.
At this time, as shown in FIG. 4, the dog 131 is in a position lowered with respect to the engaging claw 131, and the tip of the presser claw 133 is in a position away from the dog 131, so that the engaging claw 131 is swung upward. Even if the presser claw 133 swings upward together with the engaging claw 131 when it is moved, it does not interfere with the dog 131.

  As described above, the present invention includes a carriage that is guided by a traveling rail and can travel, a conveyor chain that is guided by a guide rail provided below the traveling rail and is circulated, and the conveyor chain and the carriage. In the chain conveyor apparatus having the engaging means that can be engaged and disengaged, the engaging means includes a dog provided on the conveyor chain, and an engaging claw that is provided on the carriage and that engages in the forward direction of the dog. By having a presser claw that can be swung up and down by a rocking shaft that is provided on the rear side in the direction of travel from the dog of the carriage, it is possible to change the speed and tension of the conveyor chain, and play the engaging means. It is possible to prevent irregular fluctuations in the conveyance speed and position of the carriage due to the above, and to prevent irregular fluctuations in the conveyance speed and position of the carriage even in a horizontally curved path. That.

In this embodiment, the disengagement of the engagement means 130 in the disengagement area 105 is performed at the final point of the disengagement area 105, but the dog 131 is lowered to some extent with respect to the engagement claw 131, and the engagement claw As long as the presser pawl 133 swings upward together with the engaging pawl 131 when swinging 131 upward, it may be an intermediate point of the disengagement region 105 as long as it does not interfere with the dog 131.
Further, the disengagement member 160 may move up and down to selectively disengage any cart 120, and is fixedly provided on the route and automatically moves with the travel of the cart 120. The engagement of the carriage 120 may be released.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The whole side view of the chain conveyor apparatus which is one Example of this invention. Explanatory drawing which expanded a part of FIG. AA sectional drawing of FIG. Explanatory drawing at the time of the engagement start in the engagement start area | region of this invention. Explanatory drawing in the middle of engagement in the engagement start area | region of this invention. Explanatory drawing at the time of completion of engagement in the engagement start area | region of this invention. Explanatory drawing at the time of engagement cancellation | release in the detachment | leave area | region of this invention. Side surface explanatory drawing of the whole side view of the conventional chain conveyor apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100, 500 ... Chain conveyor apparatus 101 ... Traveling rail 102 ... Guide rail 103 ... Engagement start area 104 ... Conveyance area 105 ... Disengagement area 110, 510 ... Conveyor chain 111 511: Chain links 112, 512: Side rollers 513: Brackets 514: Brackets 115, 515: Pins 120, 520: Carts 121: Front trucks 122: Rear Carriage 123 ... Conveyed material holding means 124 ... Connection means 125 ... Traveling roller 126 ... Guide roller 521 ... Engaging members 130, 530 ... Engaging means 131 ... Dog 132- ··· engaging claw 133 ··· presser claw 134 ··· swinging shaft 135 ··· engaging claw stopper 136 ··· push-up portion 137 · · · ··· Holding claw stopper 138 ··· Engagement claw swing restricting portion 531 ··· Propulsion member 532 ··· Holding member 533 ··· Weight portion 141 ··· Dog front surface 142 · · · Dog upper surface 143 ··· -Dog rear surface 151 ... engagement surface 152 ... engagement claw lower surface 160 ... engagement release member

Claims (5)

A cart capable of traveling by being guided by a traveling rail, a conveyor chain guided by a guide rail provided under the traveling rail and circulatingly driven, and the conveyor chain and the cart can be engaged and disengaged. In the chain conveyor device having the engaging means,
The engagement means is provided on a dog provided on the conveyor chain, an engagement claw provided on the carriage and engaged in front of the dog in the moving direction, and provided on a rear side in the moving direction from the dog of the carriage. A chain conveyor device comprising a presser claw provided so as to be swingable in a vertical direction by a swing shaft.   The chain conveyor apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the dog has a shape substantially similar to a swinging track of a tip of the presser claw when engaged with the engagement claw.   The said engaging claw can be rock | fluctuated up and down coaxially with the rocking | fluctuation axis | shaft of the said press nail, and has a press nail stopper which controls the rocking | fluctuation lower limit of the said press nail. Item 3. The chain conveyor device according to Item 2.   The chain conveyor according to claim 3, wherein the guide rail is disposed so that a distance between the guide rail and the traveling rail gradually decreases in a region where the engagement between the conveyor chain and the carriage is started. apparatus.   The chain conveyor apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the carriage has an engagement claw stopper that regulates a lower limit of swing of the engagement claw.

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