JP2013147303A - Meshing chain type conveying apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a meshing chain type conveying apparatus capable of avoiding the buckling and breakage of a meshing chain unit in a state of avoiding the calculation adjustment of a concrete design value of an apparatus configuration, and achieving the improvement of a cost-benefit performance.SOLUTION: A meshing chain type conveying apparatus 100 is provided with: a meshing chain unit 110; an advancing/retreating unit 120 advanced and retreated according to the drive of the meshing chain unit 110 at a side of the meshing chain unit 110; an advancing/retreating unit fixing tool 130 extended from a tip of the meshing chain unit 110 to the side of the meshing chain unit 110 and fixing the advancing/retreating unit 120 to the meshing chain unit 110; chain guides 140, 140 coming into contact with a chain rigid part 110G from at least both sides of the chain rigid part 110G; a chain guide frame 150 including an inside wall face 152 for installing the chain guides 140 and an outside wall face 153 extended along a chain rigid direction D1; and a guide roller 160 guiding the advancing/retreating unit 120.

Description

  The present invention relates to a transport device that transports a workpiece using manufacturing equipment in various manufacturing fields, transfer equipment in a transport field, and the like, and more particularly, to a mesh chain type transport device that employs a mesh chain as a drive medium for transport operation.

Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, the lifting table 420 is driven up and down by using the meshing chain units 410 and 410 formed of a pair of meshing chains as a driving medium to transport the workpiece W, and the lifting table 420 is driven up and down. There is a meshing chain type vertical conveyor 400 provided with a table guide mechanism such as a guide pole 450 and a guide roller 460 for guiding.
Further, there is a meshing chain type lifting device that lifts and lowers a workpiece vertically with respect to the device installation surface using the meshing chain as a driving medium (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2009-280365 A (Claims, FIG. 1)

  However, in the above-described meshing chain type vertical conveyance machine 400, the load of the lifting table 420 and the workpiece W can be increased only by the buckling strength of the meshing chain unit 410 without providing the chain guide mechanism for guiding the meshing chain unit 410. Since the chain stiffening portion 410G, which has been stiffened by meshing a pair of meshing chains with each other, is lengthened to increase the lifting length of the lifting table 420, the meshing chain unit 410 is likely to buckle. There was a problem of becoming.

  Further, in the above-described meshing chain type vertical conveyance machine 400, since the table guide mechanism is provided only for guiding the raising / lowering drive of the raising / lowering table 420, the installation space of the mechanism for providing the table guide mechanism is increased, and the entire apparatus structure is increased. The problem of making it difficult to improve cost-effectiveness by comparing the increase in device manufacturing cost due to complication and increase in the number of parts, etc., and the effect that the lifting table 420 can be driven up and down with an accurate trajectory. There was a point.

  Further, in the above-described meshing chain type lifting device, the sprocket teeth are sequentially engaged with the meshing chain and vibrations are generated in the meshing chain in accordance with the load acting on the meshing chain from the lifting table and the length of the meshing chain. Since the amplitude of the meshing chain is increased, there is a problem in that the acting direction of the load on the meshing chain is unstable, and the meshing chain unit is easily buckled.

  In addition, according to specific values of various parameters such as the length of the meshing chain, the period at which the sprocket teeth are sequentially engaged with the meshing chain, the driving speed of the meshing chain, and the load acting on the meshing chain, Since the resonance point of the chain vibration is changed, it is difficult to avoid buckling and breakage of the meshing chain by setting a specific design value of the device configuration according to the required specifications of the device. There was a problem of being.

  Therefore, the present invention solves the conventional problems, that is, the object of the present invention is to buckle and break the meshing chain unit in a state where calculation adjustment of a specific design value of the device configuration is avoided. It is an object of the present invention to provide a meshing chain type conveying device that avoids the problem and realizes cost-effective improvement.

  The meshing chain type conveying device according to the first aspect of the present invention is in a state of being meshed with each other so as to face each other and stiffening integrally along the chain stiffening direction to form a chain stiffening portion and to disengage from each other and branch A meshing chain unit comprising a pair of meshing chains, and an advancing / retreating unit that moves forward and backward in response to the driving of the meshing chain unit by the side of the meshing chain unit so as to convey a workpiece along the chain stiffening direction. An advancing / retreating unit fixture that extends from the tip of the meshing chain unit to the side of the meshing chain unit and fixes the advancing / retreating unit to the meshing chain unit, and extends along the chain stiffening direction. A chain guide that contacts the chain stiffening portion from at least both sides of the chain stiffening portion; An avoidance groove extending along the chain stiffening direction is formed in a state avoiding the advancing / retreating space of the fixing device for the retreating / retreating unit so as to surround the chain stiffening portion and to install the chain guide A chain guide frame having an inner wall surface and an outer wall surface extending along the chain stiffening direction; and the advancing / retreating unit along the chain stiffening direction in contact with the outer wall surface of the chain guide frame. By providing guide means for advancing / retreating unit for guiding, the above-described problems are solved.

  In addition to the structure according to claim 1, the mesh chain type conveying device of the present invention according to claim 2 solves the above-described problem by the chain stiffening direction being an upward direction along the vertical direction. It is a thing.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the meshing chain type conveying device according to the present invention, in addition to the configuration according to the second aspect, wherein the advance / retreat unit is a rectangular lift table or lift frame that is lifted and lowered along the vertical direction. A transfer module configured as a set of the meshing chain unit, the advancing / retreating unit fixing tool, the chain guide, the chain guide frame, and the advancing / retreating unit guide means is arranged around the rectangular elevating table or elevating frame. A plurality of the transport modules are arranged so as to share a load around the rectangular lift table or lift frame around the rectangular lift table or lift frame. It solves the problem.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the meshing chain type conveying device according to the present invention, in addition to the structure according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the advance / retreat unit guide means is pivotally supported by the advance / retreat unit. Thus, the advancing / retreating unit side guide roller in contact with the outer wall surface of the chain guide frame solves the above-described problem.

  In addition to the structure in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 4, the mesh chain type conveying apparatus of this invention which concerns on Claim 5 solves the subject mentioned above by the said chain guide being resin. It is a thing.

  The meshing chain type conveying device according to the first aspect of the present invention is in a state of being meshed with each other so as to face each other and stiffening integrally along the chain stiffening direction to form a chain stiffening portion and to disengage from each other and branch A meshing chain unit comprising a pair of meshing chains, and an advancing / retreating unit that moves forward and backward in response to the driving of the meshing chain unit by the side of the meshing chain unit so as to convey a workpiece along the chain stiffening direction. An advancing / retreating unit fixture that extends from the tip of the meshing chain unit to the side of the meshing chain unit and fixes the advancing / retreating unit to the meshing chain unit, and extends along the chain stiffening direction. A chain guide that contacts the chain stiffening portion from at least both sides of the chain stiffening portion; An avoidance groove extending along the chain stiffening direction is formed in a state avoiding the advancing / retreating space of the fixing device for the retreating / retreating unit so as to surround the chain stiffening portion and to install the chain guide A chain guide frame having an inner wall surface and an outer wall surface extending along the chain stiffening direction; and the advancing / retreating unit along the chain stiffening direction in contact with the outer wall surface of the chain guide frame. Since the guide means for the advancing / retreating unit for guiding is provided, the chain guide and the chain guide frame are installed as an integral structure to guide the meshing chain unit and the advancing / retreating unit so as to be spaced apart from each other. Using two guide mechanisms, the meshing chain unit and the advancing / retracting unit are separated separately. Compared with the case where the guide mechanism is provided, the installation space for the mechanism is increased, the overall structure of the apparatus is complicated, and the manufacturing cost of the apparatus due to the increase in the number of parts is avoided. In addition to improving the cost-effectiveness of both the moving chain and the meshing chain, the meshing chain is made rigid and the chain stiffening part is lengthened to increase the advancing / retracting length of the advancing / retreating unit. The direction of the load on the unit is stabilized to avoid buckling of the meshing chain unit, the length of the meshing chain, the cycle in which the driving force medium such as the drive sprocket is sequentially engaged with the meshing chain, Vibration of the meshing chain is avoided while avoiding calculation adjustment of specific values of various parameters such as driving speed and load acting on the meshing chain. It is possible to avoid buckling and breakage of the meshing chain unit by avoiding fluctuations in the width and resonance point of chain vibration.

  In addition to the effect of the meshing chain transport device according to claim 1, the meshing chain transport device of the present invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the chain stiffening direction is an upward direction along the vertical direction. In order to avoid the generation of a component force along the oblique direction with respect to the vertical direction of the load acting on the meshing chain unit according to the weight of the work placed on the advance / retreat unit, the meshing chain unit is set in the vertical direction. In addition, the buckling of the meshing chain unit can be reliably avoided in the state in which the vertical movement is driven straight up and down and the advance / retreat unit is driven straight up and down along the vertical direction.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the meshing chain type transport device according to the present invention, in addition to the effect achieved by the meshing chain type transport device according to the second aspect, the advance / retreat unit is lifted and lowered along the vertical direction. A transport module comprising a rectangular lifting table or lifting frame, and comprising the engagement chain unit, the advancing / retreating unit fixture, the chain guide, the chain guide frame, and the advancing / retreating unit guide means as a set. A plurality of lifting modules or lifting frames are provided around the shape of the lifting table or lifting frame, and the plurality of transfer modules share the load around the rectangular lifting table or lifting frame around the rectangular lifting table or lifting frame. In order to support the advancing / retreating unit uniformly with a plurality of transfer modules, It can be compared with the case of providing the transfer module to avoid buckling of reliably engagement chain unit in a state with increased lifting permissible weight of elevatable work through a lifting table or lifting frame.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the meshing chain type conveying device according to the present invention, in addition to the effect produced by the meshing chain type conveying device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the advance / retreat unit guide. The means is a forward / backward unit side guide roller that is pivotally supported by the forward / backward unit and is in contact with the outer wall surface of the chain guide frame, whereby a sliding structure that slides on the outer wall surface of the chain guide frame is provided. Compared with the case where the guide unit for the advance / retreat unit is provided, the advance / retreat unit is smoothly driven by avoiding an increase in contact friction between the guide unit for the advance / retreat unit and the outer wall surface of the chain guide frame. Manufacture equipment that avoids the increase in design and manufacturing cost of guide means for advancing / retreating unit while avoiding structural adjustment of guide means and selection of constituent materials It is both a possible to move forward and backward in precise orbits forward and backward movement unit and avoiding the cost increase can be further improved cost-effective.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the meshing chain type conveying device according to the present invention, in addition to the effect of the meshing chain type conveying device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the chain guide is made of resin. As a result, compared to the case where the chain guide is made of other materials such as metal, the meshing chain is fastened to avoid an increase in contact friction between the meshing chain and the chain guide according to the self-lubricating property of the chain guide. Even when driven, it is possible to reliably avoid buckling of the meshing chain unit by eliminating the catch between the meshing chain and the chain guide according to the contact friction force.

The perspective view of the meshing chain type conveying apparatus which concerns on one Example of this invention. The top view of the meshing chain type conveying apparatus shown in FIG. The perspective view near the front-end | tip of a meshing chain unit. The perspective view which shows the disassembled assembly state of a meshing chain, and the disengagement state. The perspective view of a drive sprocket vicinity. The side view of the drive sprocket vicinity. The front view of the meshing chain type conveying apparatus which concerns on the other Example of this invention. The side view of the meshing chain type conveying apparatus which concerns on the other Example of this invention. The top view of the meshing chain type conveying apparatus shown in FIG.7 and FIG.8. The outline explanatory view which looked at the work loading / unloading mechanism from the surface. The perspective view of the conveyance module integrated in the meshing chain type conveying apparatus shown in FIG. 7 thru | or FIG. The top view of the conveyance module integrated in the meshing chain type conveying apparatus which concerns on the other Example of this invention. The perspective view of the conveyance module integrated in the meshing chain type conveying apparatus which concerns on the other Example of this invention. The top view of the conveyance module shown in FIG. The front view of the conventional meshing chain type vertical conveyance machine. The top view of the meshing chain type vertical conveyance machine shown in FIG.

The meshing chain type conveying device of the present invention is a pair of meshing chains which are stiffened integrally along the chain stiffening direction to form a chain stiffening portion while being engaged with each other and opposed to each other, and are separated from each other and branched off. Engage from the tip of the meshing chain unit, an advancing / retreating unit that moves forward / backward according to the driving of the meshing chain unit on the side of the meshing chain unit so as to transport the workpiece along the direction of chain rigidity The advancing / retracting unit fixture that extends to the side of the chain unit and fixes the advancing / retreating unit to the meshing chain unit, and extends along the chain stiffening direction to contact the chain stiffening portion from at least both sides of the chain stiffening portion The chain guide and the advancing / retreating unit fixing tool are kept away from the advancing / retreating space. Forming an avoiding groove extending along the direction of rigidity of the chain to surround the chain rigidity portion and having an inner wall surface for installing the chain guide and an outer wall surface extending along the direction of chain rigidity. And a guide unit for advancing / retreating unit that guides the advancing / retreating unit along the chain stiffening direction in contact with the outer wall surface of the chain guide frame, and two guides spaced apart from each other Compared to the case where the meshing chain unit and the advancing / retracting unit are independently and separately guided using the mechanism, the device manufacturing is accompanied by an increase in the space for installing the mechanism for providing the guide mechanism, the complexity of the entire device structure, and the increase in the number of parts. Cost-effectiveness is achieved by avoiding the increase in cost and moving the advance / retreat unit back and forth in the correct path At the same time, the chain stiffened by meshing the meshing chain and lengthening the length of the chain stiffening part to increase the advance / retreat length of the advance / retreat unit stabilizes the direction of the load acting on the meshing chain unit. Avoiding buckling of the unit, such as the length of the meshing chain, the period at which the driving force medium such as sprocket teeth is sequentially engaged with the meshing chain, the driving speed of the meshing chain, the load acting on the meshing chain, etc. If it avoids buckling and breakage of the meshing chain unit by avoiding fluctuations in the meshing chain amplitude and the resonance point of the chain vibration while avoiding calculation adjustment of specific values of various parameters Any embodiment may be used.
For example, the meshing chain type conveying device of the present invention is not limited to the unit that vertically moves the advancing / retreating unit on which the workpiece is mounted between the lower position and the upper position. The advancing / retreating direction of the advancing / retreating unit may be set, or the meshing chain unit may be driven in an oblique direction intersecting the vertical direction to set the advancing / retreating direction of the advancing / retreating unit in the oblique direction. May be.
The meshing chain type conveying device of the present invention drives the advancing / retreating unit in the horizontal direction or the oblique direction described above, thereby supporting the load of the meshing chain with the chain guide. Therefore, the chain generated due to the self-weight of the meshing chain Deflection and chain breakage can also be avoided.
Further, in the meshing chain type conveying device of the present invention, even when the chain guide is made of metal, the surface of the chain guide is coated with a lubricant such as grease so that the meshing between the meshing chain and the chain guide can be reliably engaged. Buckling of the chain unit can be avoided.
In the meshed chain type conveying device of the present invention, the advancing / retreating unit guide means may be a roller in contact with the outer wall surface of the chain guide frame, or the advancing / retreating unit can be slidably contacted with the chain guide frame. The formed sliding mechanism may be sufficient.

  Further, the meshing chain type conveying device of the present invention raises and lowers the workpiece loaded from the workpiece loading side such as the loading-side conveyor connected to the lower position, and then vertically and horizontally of the advancing and retracting unit such as the lifting table. Any of those that are carried out to the workpiece delivery side, such as a delivery-side conveyor connected to the side of the workpiece, or those that are conveyed vertically by lowering the workpiece, can be applied.

The meshing chain unit used in the meshing chain type conveying device of the present invention is a unit in which a pair of meshing chains are meshed with each other by a pair of drive sprockets and is separated from each other by a pair of drive sprockets and branches. Alternatively, it may be driven by engaging a drive sprocket with one of the pair of meshing chains.
Further, the specific chain form of the pair of meshing chains constituting the meshing chain unit may be any one, for example, one single row in the chain width direction or two or more rows in the chain width direction. It does not matter if it is a double row or the like.
In particular, when a meshing chain having a double-row structure along the chain width direction is employed, the hook-shaped external tooth plate and the hook-shaped internal tooth plate constituting one of the pair of meshing chains are opposite to each other. Since the hook-shaped outer tooth plate and the hook-shaped inner tooth plate constituting the meshing chain are engaged in multiple hooks in the chain width direction in multiple rows in the chain width direction, they tend to occur in the chain width direction of the meshing chain. It is more preferable in that buckling can be reliably suppressed and excellent chain durability can be realized.
In addition, the pair of meshing chains used in the meshing chain type conveying device of the present invention may be any one that does not have a roller, that is, one that has only a bush or one that has a roller. In the case of using the one having only the chain, the number of chain parts can be reduced, and the weight of the chain can be reduced.

Hereinafter, an interlocking chain type conveying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 14.
Here, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the meshing chain type transport device according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view of the meshing chain type transport device shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a disassembled state and a disengaged state of the meshing chain, FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the vicinity of the drive sprocket, and FIG. FIG. 7 is a side view of the vicinity of a sprocket, FIG. 7 is a front view of a meshing chain type transport device according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a meshed chain type transport device according to another embodiment of the present invention. 9 is a plan view of the meshing chain type conveying device shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, FIG. 10 is a schematic explanatory view of the work loading / unloading mechanism as seen from the surface, and FIG. It is assembled in the mesh chain type transport device shown in FIGS. FIG. 12 is a plan view of a transfer module incorporated in a meshing chain type transfer device according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 13 is another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a conveyance module incorporated in the meshing chain type conveyance device according to FIG. 14, and FIG. 14 is a plan view of the conveyance module shown in FIG.

First, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6, the mesh chain type transport device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 6, the mesh chain type conveying device 100 is used for manufacturing equipment in various manufacturing fields, transfer equipment in the transport field, and the like, and a work W placed on the advance / retreat unit 120 is used. It conveys in the up-down direction with respect to the installation surface G of the meshing chain type conveying apparatus 100.
The meshing chain type conveying apparatus 100 employs an advance / retreat unit side guide roller 160 as an example of the “advance / retreat unit guide means” of the present invention.

  The meshing chain type conveying device 100 has a pair of meshing chains that are stiffened together along the chain stiffening direction D1 to form a chain stiffening portion 110G while being meshed with each other and opposed to each other, and to be separated from each other and branched. The meshing chain unit 110 composed of 111 and 111 and the advancing / retreating unit 120 that is advanced and retracted by the driving of the meshing chain unit 110 on the side of the meshing chain unit 110 so as to convey the workpiece W along the chain stiffening direction D1. An advancing / retreating unit fixture 130 that extends from the tip of the engaging chain unit 110 to the side of the engaging chain unit 110 and fixes the advancing / retreating unit 120 to the engaging chain unit 110, and extends along the chain stiffening direction D1. Check the chain from at least both sides of the chain stiffening part 110G. The chain guides 140 and 140 that are in contact with the rigid portion 110G and the avoidance groove 151 that extends along the chain stiffening direction D1 while avoiding the advance / retreat space P of the advance / retreat unit fixing tool 130 are formed. A chain guide frame 150 that surrounds the chain stiffening portion 110G and has an inner wall surface 152 on which the chain guide 140 is installed and an outer wall surface 153 that extends along the chain stiffening direction D1, and the chain guide frame 150 And a guide roller 160 that guides the advance / retreat unit 120 along the chain stiffening direction D1 while being in contact with the outer wall surface 153, so that the chain guide 140 and the chain guide frame 150 are installed as an integral structure. The meshing chain unit 110 and the advancing / retracting unit Compared to the case where the meshing chain unit 110 and the advancing / retreating unit 120 are independently guided separately using two guide mechanisms that are spaced apart from each other, the mechanism installation space for providing the guide mechanism is greater. Avoid cost increase due to increase, complexity of overall device structure, increase in the number of parts, etc. and increase / decrease advance / retreat unit 120 in a precise trajectory to improve cost effectiveness At the same time, the direction of the load applied to the meshing chain unit 110 is stabilized even when the chain stiffening portion 110G meshed with the meshing chain 111 is lengthened to increase the advance / retreat length of the advance / retreat unit 120. The buckling of the meshing chain unit 110 is avoided, and the length of the meshing chain 111 and the drive chain are reduced. In a state in which calculation adjustment of specific values of various parameters such as a period in which a driving force medium such as a procket SP is sequentially engaged with the meshing chain 111, a driving speed of the meshing chain 111, and a load acting on the meshing chain 111 is avoided. Buckling and breakage of the meshing chain unit 110 are avoided while avoiding fluctuations in the amplitude of the meshing chain 111 and the resonance point of chain vibration.

  Further, the meshing chain type conveying device 100 is configured such that the chain stiffening direction D1 is the upward direction UD along the vertical direction, so that the meshing chain unit 110 corresponds to the weight of the workpiece W placed on the advance / retreat unit 120. In order to avoid the generation of a component force along the oblique direction with respect to the vertical direction, the meshing chain unit 110 is driven up and down in the vertical direction along the vertical direction, and the advance / retreat unit 120 is moved along the vertical direction. Thus, buckling of the meshing chain unit 110 is reliably avoided in a state where it is driven straight up and down.

  Further, the meshing chain type conveying apparatus 100 is provided with an advancing / retreating unit side guide roller 160 that is pivotally supported by the advancing / retreating unit 120 and is in contact with the outer wall surface 153 of the guide frame 150 as guide means for the advancing / retreating unit. As a result, the advancing / retreating unit guide means and the outer wall surface 153 of the chain guide frame 150 are provided with a sliding structure that slides on the outer wall surface 153 of the chain guide frame 150 as the advancing / retreating unit guide means. In order to smoothly drive the advancing / retreating unit 120 while avoiding an increase in contact friction, the design / manufacturing cost of the advancing / retreating unit guide means while avoiding structural adjustment of the advancing / retreating unit guide means and selection of constituent materials To avoid the increase of the manufacturing cost of the apparatus and the advance / retreat unit 120 By both the thereby move forward and backward in a precise orbit so that the further improve the cost-effectiveness.

  Further, in the meshing chain type conveying device 100, since the chain guide 140 is made of resin, the chain guide 140 is made according to the self-lubricating property of the chain guide 140 as compared with the case where the chain guide 140 is made of other materials such as metal. In order to avoid an increase in contact friction between the meshing chain 111 and the chain guide 140, even when the meshing chain 111 is driven at a high speed, there is no catch between the meshing chain 111 and the chain guide 110 according to the contact frictional force, and the meshing chain is securely engaged. The unit 110 is prevented from buckling.

  When the mesh chain type transport device 100 is installed and used indoors, the advancing / retreating unit 120 is moved forward and backward from the mounting surface G to the ceiling with the upper end of the chain guide frame 150 fixedly connected to the ceiling. Thus, the workpiece W can be transported.

Here, the structure of the meshing chain unit 110 and the vicinity thereof will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 4, the pair of meshing chains 111 and 111 constituting the meshing chain unit 110 is formed by press-fitting a pair of front and rear bushes 111D to hook-like inner tooth plates 111A that are spaced apart from each other on the left and right. A plurality of inner link units 111U are connected in the longitudinal direction of the chain by a pair of front and rear connection pins 111C that are press-fitted into a pair of front and rear pin holes of a hook-shaped external tooth plate 111B disposed on the outermost side in the chain width direction.
Further, the bush 111D is loosely fitted to the roller 111E.
The meshing chain unit 110 having such a configuration integrally engages the hook-shaped inner tooth plates 111A and the hook-shaped outer tooth plates 111B that face each other while deflecting from the horizontal direction to the upward direction UD in the vertical direction. The pair of meshing chains 111 and 111 are configured to rise in a self-supporting state, and disengage the hook-like inner tooth plates 111A and the hook-like outer tooth plates 111B from each other while deflecting from the upward direction UD to the horizontal direction. Is to be branched.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a pair of meshing chains 111, 111 stores the meshing chains branched off from each other and guides the pair of meshing chains 111, 111, respectively. The plate 170 is installed in a state where the installation groove 171 of the drive sprocket SP is formed.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the drive sprocket SP is provided at a rigid position where the pair of meshing chains 111 and 111 are meshed together.
Thus, in order to form a so-called pinion rack mechanism between the chain stiffening portion 110G and the drive sprocket SP, the mesh chain type transport device 100 winds the drive sprocket SP around the mesh chain 111 at the deflection position of the mesh chain 111. To avoid the occurrence of a well-known chordal action (polygonal motion) that occurs between the drive sprocket SP and the meshing chain 111 when engaged, and the vertical motion (pulsation), vibration, noise, and speed caused by the chordal action. The occurrence of fluctuations is prevented, and stable lifting and lowering driving of the workpiece W is realized.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the drive sprocket SP is provided so as to engage with one of the pair of meshing chains 111, 111.
As a result, the mesh chain type transport device 100 reduces the number of parts of the entire device as compared with a mesh chain type vertical transport device in which a separate drive sprocket is engaged with each of the pair of mesh chains 111, 111. In addition, the apparatus configuration is simplified to ensure a high degree of freedom with respect to the design of other components and the installation location of the entire apparatus, and the work load related to apparatus assembly and maintenance is further reduced.
In addition, between the pair of meshing chains 111 and 111 caused by the rotational phase shift between the pair of driving sprockets, which is likely to occur in the meshing chain type vertical conveyor having the driving sprockets installed on both of the pair of meshing chains 111 and 111, respectively. Since the generation of the meshing vibration is avoided, the meshing chain type transport machine device 100 realizes a stable lifting operation of the workpiece W.

  As described above, the meshing chain type transport device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a chain guide that extends along the chain stiffening direction D1 and contacts the chain stiffening portion 110G from at least both sides of the chain stiffening portion 110G. 140, 140 and an avoidance groove 151 extending along the chain stiffening direction D1 in a state avoiding the advance / retreat space P of the advancing / retreating unit fixture 130, and surrounding the chain stiffening portion 110G. A chain guide frame 150 having an inner wall surface 152 for installing the chain guide 140 and an outer wall surface 153 extending along the chain stiffening direction D1, and a chain in contact with the outer wall surface 153 of the chain guide frame 150. A guide row that guides the advance / retreat unit 120 along the stiffening direction D1. 160 to avoid an increase in device manufacturing cost due to an increase in the installation space of the mechanism, an increase in the overall structure of the device, and an increase in the number of parts, and the advance / retreat unit 120 is advanced and retracted in an accurate path To avoid the occurrence of buckling in the meshing chain unit 110 by stabilizing the acting direction of the load on the meshing chain unit 110, and to improve the cost effectiveness. The effect is enormous, such as avoiding buckling and breakage of the meshing chain unit 110 by avoiding fluctuations in the amplitude of the meshing chain 111 and the resonance point of chain vibration while avoiding the calculation adjustment.

Next, with reference to FIG. 7 to FIG. 12, a meshing chain type transport device 200 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
Note that the meshing chain transport devices 200 and 300 according to the second and third embodiments described below basically include lifting frames 220F and 320F as an example of an advance / retreat unit, and a plurality of transport modules 200M. , 300M is different in configuration from the above-described meshing chain type transport device 100.
For this reason, in the meshed chain transport devices 200 and 300 according to the second and third embodiments, the reference numerals of the parts common to the meshed chain transport device 100 described above are read from the 100s to the 200s and 300s. Detailed description is omitted.
Further, in the mesh chain type conveying devices 200 and 300 according to the second and third embodiments, the workpiece W may be conveyed by moving up and down a rectangular lifting table instead of the lifting frames 220F and 320F.

As shown in FIG. 7 to FIG. 12, the mesh chain type transport apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of transport modules 200M installed on the installation surface G and a lifting frame fixedly connected to the transport modules 200M. A work W such as a heavy object carried from the lower-side carry-in side roll conveyor IR is mounted on the work carry-in / out mechanism 280 on the lifting frame 220F in a state where 220F is housed in the dust-proof cover body 290, and this work is carried in / out. The mechanism 280 is moved up and down with the lifting frame 220F with respect to the installation surface G of the work area, and the work W is carried out to either the carry-out side roll conveyors OR1 and OR2 at the upper position.
7 and 8, the elevating frame 220 </ b> F, the workpiece loading / unloading mechanism 280 and the workpiece W that have been lowered to the lower position of the meshing chain transport device 200 are shown by solid lines, and are raised to the upper position of the meshing chain transport device 200. The raised / lowered frame 220F, the workpiece carry-in / out mechanism 280, and the workpiece W are shown by virtual lines.
Also, the thick arrows in FIGS. 7 to 9 indicate the conveyance direction of the workpiece W in this embodiment.
Further, the purpose of showing the directions X1, X2, Y1, and Y2 in FIGS. 7 to 9 is that the loading direction and the unloading direction of the workpiece W and the front side surface and the side surface side of the meshing chain type conveying device 200 as viewed in a plane. This is to enable identification.

As shown in FIG. 10, the work loading / unloading mechanism 280 is configured such that a large number of chain links 280a are inserted into the pin holes 280c provided in the hinge portion 280b, that is, in the longitudinal direction of the chain via the hinge pins 280d. A plurality of units are connected to each other, and a free ball 280f is mounted in the form of a ball unit 280h on a unit mounting region 280e formed on the chain link 280a, that is, the free ball 280f is held by the chain link 280a and has a flat bottom surface. The conveyor chain is configured to carry the workpiece W in and out of the front, rear, left, and right after loading the workpiece W having a box shape, a plate shape, or the like on the free ball 280f.
The free ball 280f is rotatably held by a pair of upper and lower retainers 280i and 280i that hold a ball unit 280h.
In the present embodiment, a general roller conveyor or chain conveyor can be used as the workpiece loading / unloading mechanism in addition to the workpiece loading / unloading mechanism 280 described above.

  As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, in the meshing chain type transport device 200 according to the present embodiment, a lifting frame 220 </ b> F that moves up and down along the vertical direction is provided as an advance / retreat unit, and the meshing chain unit 210, The conveying module 200M configured as a set of the lifting frame fixing tool 230 as the moving unit fixing tool, the chain guide 240, the chain guide frame 250, and the lifting frame side guide roller 260 as the advancing / retreating unit guide means moves up and down. A plurality of transfer modules 200M and 200M are provided around the frame 220F, and the plurality of transfer modules 200M and 200M are arranged so as to share a load around the lift frame 220F with the lift frame 220F as a center. Lift frame 220 Therefore, the meshing chain type transport device 200 is more reliable in a state where the allowable lifting weight of the work W that can be lifted and lowered via the lifting frame 220F is increased as compared with the case where a pair of transport modules 200M is provided. The buckling of the meshing chain unit 210 is avoided.

In the mesh chain transport device 200 according to the present embodiment, in particular, the two transport modules 200M and 200M are symmetrically arranged along the directions Y1 and Y2 with respect to the center position of the mesh chain transport device 200 to share the load. Therefore, the meshing chain type transport device 200 avoids buckling of the meshing chain unit 210 in a state where loads are uniformly supported by the plurality of transport modules 200M and 200M from the lifting frame 220F along the directions Y1 and Y2. It is supposed to be.
Note that the meshing chain transport device 200 according to the present embodiment may include two transport modules 200M and 200M that are installed to be shifted from each other along the directions Y1 and Y2.

Next, with reference to FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, an interlocking chain type conveyance device 300 according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The meshing chain transport device 300 according to this embodiment is different from the above-described meshing chain transport device 200 in that four transport modules 300M are arranged around the lifting frame 320F.
In the mesh chain transport device 300 according to the present embodiment, in particular, the four transport modules 300M are symmetrically arranged along the directions X1, X2, Y1, and Y2 with respect to the center position of the mesh chain transport device 300. Since the load is shared, the meshing chain type transfer device 300 uniformly distributes the load from the lifting frame 320F to the plurality of transfer modules 300M, 300M, 300M, and 300M along the directions X1, X2, Y1, and Y2. In this state, buckling of the meshing chain unit 210 is avoided.
In addition, in the mesh chain type conveyance device 300, the workpiece W is moved along the directions X1, X2, Y1, and Y2 through the space between the four conveyance modules 300M from the workpiece carry-in / out mechanism installed on the lifting frame 320F. There is an advantage that can be carried in and out.

100, 200, 300 ... meshing chain type transport device 200M, 300M ... transport module 110, 210, 310, 410 ... meshing chain unit 110G, 210G, 310G, 410G ... chain stiffening part 111, 211, 311 ... meshing chain 111A ... hook-like inner tooth plate 111B ... hook-like outer tooth plate 111C ... connecting pin 111D ... bushing 111E ... roller 111U ... inner link unit 120 Advancing / retreating unit 220F, 320F ... Elevating frame 130 ... Advancing / retracting unit fixture 230, 330 ... Elevating frame fixture 140, 240, 340 ... Chain guide 150, 250, 350 ... Chain guide frame 151, 251, 351 ... avoidance groove 152, 252, 352 ... inner wall surface of the chain guide frame 153, 253, 353 ... outer wall surface of the chain guide frame 450 ... guide pole 460 ... guide roller 160 ... Advance / retreat unit side guide roller 260, 360 ... Elevating frame side guide roller 170, 270, 370, 470 ... Chain storage plate 280, 480 ... Work loading / unloading mechanism 280a ... Chain link 280b ... Hinge part 280c ... Pin hole 280d ... Hinge pin 280e ... Unit mounting area 280f ... Free ball 280h ... Ball unit 280i ... Retainer 290, 490 ... Dust cover Body 400 Vertical transfer machine 420 ... Lifting table D1 ... Chain stiffening direction G ... Installation surface IR ... Loading side roll conveyor M ... Drive motor OR1, OR2 ... Unloading side roll conveyor P・ ・ ・ Advance / retreat space of fixture for advance / retreat unit SP ・ ・ ・ Drive sprocket UD ・ ・ ・ Upward direction W ・ ・ ・ Workpiece X1, X2, Y1, Y2 ・ ・ ・ Workpiece loading / unloading direction

Claims (5)

A meshing chain unit comprising a pair of meshing chains that are stiffened together in the chain stiffening direction in a state of meshing with each other and forming a chain stiffening portion while being separated from each other and branching
An advancing / retreating unit that moves forward / backward according to the driving of the meshing chain unit by the side of the meshing chain unit so as to convey a workpiece along the chain stiffening direction;
An advancing / retracting unit fixture that extends from the tip of the engaging chain unit to the side of the engaging chain unit and fixes the advance / retreat unit to the engaging chain unit;
A chain guide extending along the chain stiffening direction and contacting the chain stiffening portion from at least both sides of the chain stiffening portion;
An avoidance groove extending along the chain stiffening direction is formed in a state avoiding the advance / retreat space of the forward / backward unit fixing tool so as to surround the chain stiffening portion and to install the chain guide A chain guide frame having an inner wall surface and an outer wall surface extending along the chain stiffening direction;
An interlocking chain type conveying device comprising: an advancing / retreating unit guide means for guiding the advancing / retreating unit along the chain stiffening direction in contact with the outer wall surface of the chain guide frame.   The mesh chain type conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the chain stiffening direction is an upward direction along a vertical direction. The advance / retreat unit is a rectangular lift table or lift frame that is lifted and lowered along the vertical direction,
A plurality of transfer modules configured as a set of the meshing chain unit, the advancing / retreating unit fixing tool, the chain guide, the chain guide frame, and the advancing / retreating unit guide means are arranged around the rectangular elevating table or elevating frame. Provided,
The plurality of transfer modules are arranged so as to share a load around the rectangular lift table or lift frame around the rectangular lift table or lift frame. The mesh chain type conveying device as described.   4. The advancing / retreating unit side guide roller that is pivotally supported by the advancing / retreating unit and is in contact with the outer wall surface of the chain guide frame. The meshing chain transport device according to any one of the above.   The mesh chain type conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the chain guide is made of resin.

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