JP2011111244A - Chain conveyor device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a chain conveyor device which smoothly runs without pulsation in linear running speed, and has a compact height and a simple structure. <P>SOLUTION: The chain conveyor device 100 includes at least two conveyor chains 110 parallelly provided independently from each other endlessly, along a predetermined conveying passage. Engaging means provided on the opposite side of the conveying surface of each conveyor chain 110, are driven, at one or more positions in the conveying direction, in engagement with a screw shaft 121 which is rotationally driven in synchronization. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a chain conveyor device having at least two conveyor chains provided endlessly and independently in parallel along a predetermined transport path, and a drive mechanism for causing each conveyor chain to run synchronously. is there.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an apparatus for conveying a large-sized object such as an automobile body, an assembly line, etc., two conveyor chains having a conveying surface on the upper side are independently provided in parallel along a predetermined conveying path. 2. Description of the Related Art A chain conveyor apparatus is known that is configured to perform operations such as assembling while transporting an object to be transported placed across two conveyor chains by driving in synchronization.

  In these chain conveyor apparatuses 500, as shown in FIG. 8, a conveyor chain 510 is wound endlessly between a drive sprocket 530 and a driven sprocket 540, and the drive sprocket 530 is rotated by a drive mechanism 520 such as a motor. The conveyor chain 510 is configured to travel along a predetermined conveyance path.

  In such a chain conveyor apparatus 500, the conveyor chain 510 that is wound around the drive sprocket 530 has a polygonal shape, and therefore, when the drive sprocket 530 is rotated at a constant speed, pulsation occurs in the linear travel speed of the conveyor chain 510. There was a problem to do.

  In order to reduce the pulsation of the linear travel speed of the conveyor chain, a command is issued to make the linear travel speed of the conveyor chain constant by using the relationship between the rotation angle obtained by calculation and the linear travel speed of the conveyor chain. It is known to calculate the power speed and control the drive sprocket at the speed to be commanded according to the rotation angle of the drive sprocket (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2005-510432 A (page 4-5, FIG. 1)

  In the chain conveyor device 500 in which pulsation occurs in the linear traveling speed, when the drive sprocket 530 has a small diameter and a small number of teeth, the pulsation of the linear traveling speed of the conveyor chain 510 becomes large, and smooth conveyance is hindered and work on the line. Therefore, the drive sprocket 530 has to be enlarged, and the entire chain conveyor device 500 becomes larger in the height direction.

  Also, those that control the drive sprocket at the commanded speed according to the rotation angle of the drive sprocket need to employ a precisely controllable motor and provide a complicated detection / control circuit, and the drive mechanism is complicated. There was a problem of becoming expensive.

  Furthermore, at a position away from the drive sprocket, there is a problem that speed fluctuation in the running direction occurs due to tension fluctuation and vibration of the conveyor chain, and smooth running at the working position is impaired.

  The present invention solves the problems of the prior art as described above, that is, the object of the present invention is to enable smooth travel without pulsation of the linear travel speed, and to make the height compact and simple. It is to provide a chain conveyor device having a simple structure.

  The invention according to claim 1 is a chain having at least two conveyor chains provided endlessly and independently in parallel along a predetermined conveying path, and a drive mechanism for causing each conveyor chain to run synchronously. In the conveyor apparatus, the drive mechanism has a screw shaft that is rotationally driven synchronously in at least one place in the conveying direction of each conveyor chain, and the conveyor chain is engaged with the screw shaft on the opposite side of the conveying surface. The above-described problem is solved by having the engaging means.

  In the invention according to claim 2, in addition to the structure of the chain conveyor device according to claim 1, a guide rail that defines a travel path of the conveyor chain is provided in the transport path, and the conveyor chain is A traveling roller that is provided on the side and rolls in contact with the guide rail from above; and a guide that is provided on the opposite side of the conveying surface and rolls in contact with the guide rail from the side to counter lateral load. By having a roller, the above-mentioned problem is further solved.

  In the invention according to claim 3, in addition to the structure of the chain conveyor device according to claim 2, the engagement means has an engagement roller that abuts and rolls on a screw groove provided on the screw shaft. The engagement roller is provided on the same shaft as the guide roller, thereby further solving the above problem.

  In the invention according to claim 4, in addition to the structure of the chain conveyor device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the screw shaft is provided at a work position of the conveyance path. The above-mentioned problem is further solved.

  In the invention according to claim 5, in addition to the structure of the chain conveyor device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the helical pitch of the screw groove is an integral multiple of the chain pitch of the conveyor chain or By being a fraction of an integer, the above-described problem is further solved.

  The chain conveyor apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention includes at least two conveyor chains provided independently and in parallel along an endless path along a predetermined transport path, and a drive for causing each conveyor chain to run synchronously. In a chain conveyor apparatus having a mechanism, the drive mechanism has a screw shaft that is rotationally driven synchronously in at least one place in the conveying direction of each conveyor chain, and the conveyor chain engages with the screw shaft on the opposite side of the conveying surface Since the conveyor chain travels at a constant speed by rotating the screw shaft at a constant speed, the pulsation of the linear travel speed can be eliminated with a simple structure and a low cost drive mechanism. At the same time, the sprocket diameter can be reduced to such an extent that the screw shaft can be inserted. It is possible to reduce the height of the entire Nkonbeya device.

  In the chain conveyor device according to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the chain conveyor device according to the first aspect, a guide rail that defines the travel path of the conveyor chain is provided on the transport path, and the conveyor chain is A traveling roller that is provided on the side and abuts and rolls on the guide rail from above, and a guide roller that is provided on the opposite side of the conveying surface and abuts and rolls on the side of the guide rail from the side to counter lateral loads. Thus, even when a large object to be transported is placed across each independent conveyor chain, the traveling roller abuts and rolls on the guide rail from above to receive the load, thereby stabilizing the posture of the object to be transported. The guide roller rolls against the guide rail from the side by the lateral force applied to each conveyor chain by the screw shaft. By receiving in Rukoto prevent meandering and twisting, etc. in the width direction can be smoothly travel.

  In addition to the effect of the chain conveyor device according to the second aspect, the chain conveyor device according to the third aspect of the invention includes an engagement roller that engages and rolls against the screw groove provided on the screw shaft. And the engagement roller is provided on the same shaft as the guide roller, so that the structure of the conveyor chain is simplified and the guide roller guides the lateral force on the conveyor chain by the screw shaft most recently. By receiving by rolling abutting against the rail from the side, meandering, twisting and the like in the width direction can be further prevented and the vehicle can run smoothly.

  In addition to the effects of the chain conveyor device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the chain conveyor device of the invention according to claim 4 is provided with a screw shaft provided at the work position of the conveyance path. In the working position, speed fluctuation in the running direction does not occur due to tension fluctuation or vibration of the conveyor chain, and smooth running can be ensured.

  In addition to the effects of the chain conveyor device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the chain conveyor device of the invention according to claim 5 has an integral multiple of the chain pitch of the conveyor chain. Alternatively, by being a fraction of an integer, the mounting interval of the engaging means and the length of the screw shaft can be set freely, so the degree of freedom for installation and recombination is improved according to the installation environment of the chain conveyor device. can do.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The whole side view of the chain conveyor apparatus which is one Example of this invention. AA sectional drawing of FIG. BB sectional drawing of FIG. The side view of the work position vicinity of FIG. FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 4. FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 2. The side view of the sprocket vicinity of the chain conveyor apparatus which is one Example of this invention. Explanatory drawing of the conventional chain conveyor apparatus.

  The chain conveyor apparatus of the present invention is a chain conveyor having at least two conveyor chains provided endlessly and independently in parallel along a predetermined conveying path, and a drive mechanism for causing each conveyor chain to run synchronously. In the apparatus, the drive mechanism has a screw shaft that is rotationally driven synchronously in at least one place in the conveying direction of each conveyor chain, and the conveyor chain has an engaging means that engages with the screw shaft on the opposite side of the conveying surface. As long as it has the effect of being able to run smoothly without pulsation of the linear running speed, and having a compact height and a simple structure, the specific embodiment is not limited. It doesn't matter if it exists.

  In other words, the screw shaft of the chain conveyor device of the present invention may be one in which a spiral screw groove is provided on the surface of a cylindrical shaft, and a plate is erected in a spiral manner on the outer periphery of the cylindrical shaft. A cylindrical plate with a slit in a spiral shape may be fixed to a columnar shaft directly or at a distance, and any structure can be used as long as the engaging means engages with the spiral groove. It may be a thing.

  Below, the chain conveyor apparatus which is an Example of this invention is demonstrated based on drawing.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the chain conveyor apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is configured such that two conveyor chains 110 are endlessly wound around a sprocket 140 along a predetermined conveyance path. And each conveyor chain 110 is configured to run synchronously by a drive mechanism 120 along a guide rail 101 that defines a travel path, and is to be conveyed W above the two conveyor chains 110. Is placed so as to straddle and conveyed to travel of the conveyor chain 110.

In this embodiment, the conveyance carriage 150 is provided in the middle of the two conveyor chains 110, the conveyance carriage 150 receives the load of the article W to be conveyed in a part of the conveyance path, and the conveyor chain 110 is in the conveyance direction. It is comprised so that only the driving force to may be transmitted.
Furthermore, the article to be conveyed W may be released from the driving force of the conveyor chain 110, and the conveyance carriage 150 may be configured to handle both load and conveyance.

  The drive mechanism 120 includes a screw shaft 121 that rotates in the conveying direction of the conveyor chain 110 and a motor 122 that rotationally drives the screw shaft 121, and a screw groove 123 of the screw shaft 121 serves as each conveyor chain. 110 is provided so as to engage with an engaging means provided on the opposite side of the conveying surface.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the conveyor chain 110 is provided with a traveling roller 113 that abuts and rolls on the side of the traveling surface 102 of the guide rail 101 from above and a guide rail on the opposite side of the conveying surface. A guide roller 112 that abuts on the side guide 103 of the 101 from the side and rolls against the lateral load is provided.

  As an engaging means for engaging with the screw groove 123 of the screw shaft 121, the engaging roller 111 is provided in common with the guide shaft 114 provided with the guide roller 112, and the screw roller 121 is engaged by rotating. The roller 111 is driven in the transport direction so that the conveyor chain 110 travels, and the placed article W is transported.

  At this time, the engaging roller 111 also receives a lateral force from the screw shaft 121. However, since the engaging roller 111 and the guide roller 112 are provided coaxially with the guide shaft 114, the guide roller 112 is connected to the side guide 103. Since the lateral movement of the guide shaft 114 can be directly regulated by abutting and rolling from the side, the lateral movement other than the traveling direction does not occur in the conveyor chain 110.

  In the chain conveyor apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention configured as described above, the conveyor chain 110 pulsates by being endlessly wound around the sprocket 140 and rotating the screw shaft 121 at a constant speed. Since the vehicle travels at a constant speed, as shown in FIG. 7, the diameter of the sprocket 140 can be reduced as long as the engagement roller 111 does not collide with the rotating shaft, and the height of the chain conveyor device can be reduced.

  Further, since the drive mechanism 120 of the conveyor chain 110 can be installed if there is a space corresponding to the diameter of the screw shaft 121, it can be arranged at any position without raising the chain conveyor device, and is therefore arranged at the working position. As a result, speed fluctuation in the running direction does not occur due to tension fluctuation or vibration of the conveyor chain 110, and smooth running can be ensured.

  In this embodiment, the helical pitch of the screw grooves 123 of the screw shaft 121 is set to be twice the chain pitch of the conveyor chain 110, and the engagement rollers 111 are provided one by one on the four pitches of the conveyor chain 110. If necessary, the length of the screw shaft 121 can be set to change the number of the engaging rollers 111 engaged with the screw grooves 123 of the screw shaft 121, thereby adjusting the driving force.

  Further, if the helical pitch of the screw groove 123 and the chain pitch of the conveyor chain 110 are an integral multiple or a fraction of an integer, the mounting interval of the engagement roller 111 and the length of the screw shaft 121 can be freely set. Therefore, the degree of freedom for installation, recombination, and the like can be improved in accordance with the installation environment of the chain conveyor device 100.

  As described above, according to the chain conveyor device of the present invention, it is possible to eliminate the pulsation of the linear traveling speed with a simple structure and a low-cost drive mechanism, and to reduce the sprocket diameter to such an extent that the screw shaft can be inserted. Since the height of the entire chain conveyor device can be reduced, the effect is enormous.

In the above embodiment, two conveyor chains 110 are arranged in parallel, but three or more rows may be arranged.
Further, the drive mechanisms 120 may be provided at a plurality of locations on the travel route of the conveyor chain 110.

  Further, one motor 122 of the drive mechanism 120 is provided for each screw shaft 121 and is driven from the side via a transmission mechanism. The screw 122 is directly coupled to the motor shaft to rotate. Alternatively, a transmission mechanism may be provided so that the screw shafts 121 are interlocked, and a plurality of screw shafts 121 may be rotationally driven by one motor.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100, 500 ... Chain conveyor apparatus 101 ... Guide rail 102 ... Running surface 103 ... Side guide 110, 510 ... Conveyor chain 111 ... Engagement roller 112 ... Guide roller 113 .... Running rollers 120, 520 ... Drive mechanism 121 ... Screw shaft 122 ... Motor 123 ... Screw groove 530 ... Drive sprocket 140 ... Sprocket 540 ... Drive sprocket 150 ... Carriage w

Claims (5)

In a chain conveyor device having at least two conveyor chains provided endlessly and independently in parallel along a predetermined transport path, and a drive mechanism for causing each conveyor chain to run synchronously,
The drive mechanism has a screw shaft that is rotationally driven synchronously in at least one place in the conveying direction of each conveyor chain;
The chain conveyor apparatus characterized in that the conveyor chain has engaging means for engaging with the screw shaft on the opposite side of the conveying surface. The transport path is provided with a guide rail that defines a travel path of the conveyor chain,
The conveyor chain is provided on the side and rolls in contact with the guide rail from above, and the conveyor roller is provided on the opposite side of the conveying surface and rolls in contact with the guide rail from the side. The chain conveyor device according to claim 1, further comprising a guide roller that opposes the guide roller. The engagement means has an engagement roller that contacts and rolls on a screw groove provided on the screw shaft,
The chain conveyor device according to claim 2, wherein the engaging roller is provided on the same shaft as the guide roller.   The chain conveyor device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the screw shaft is provided at a work position of the conveyance path.   The chain conveyor apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a helical pitch of the screw groove is an integral multiple or a fraction of an integer of a chain pitch of the conveyor chain.

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