JP2014025526A - Seal chain - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a seal chain capable of improving sealability caused by packing arranged between an outer plate and an inner plate by devising a shape of the outer plate of an outer link or the inner plate of an inner link, capable of improving lubrication holding performance and capable of displaying high lubrication holding performance also in use under a high temperature environment.SOLUTION: In a seal chain 100, packing 150 composed of a heat resistant solid lubricant for sealing a lubrication space 103 between a pin 115 and a bush 125 is arranged between an outer plate 110 and an inner plate 120. In a compressed state that the packing 150 is compressed in a width direction and elastic deformation is generated, an outside seal surface 160 and an inside seal surface 170 are respectively formed on the outer plate 110 and the inner plate 120. The outside seal surface 160 includes a width direction seal surface 161 facing the width direction and a radial direction seal surface 162 facing a radial direction. The inside seal surface 170 includes a width direction seal surface 171 facing the width direction.

Description

The present invention relates to a seal chain including a packing that seals a lubricating space formed between a pin that connects a pair of outer plates and a bush that connects a pair of inner plates.
The seal chain is used as, for example, a conveyor chain or a transmission chain, and is used in a transport machine, an automobile, and the like.

Conventionally, the operating temperature range of a standard chain usually has an upper limit of 60 ° C. This upper limit temperature is a temperature determined by the characteristics of the lubricating oil used in the chain, in particular, the retention of the lubricating oil in the chain (in other words, the difficulty of lubricating oil flowing out), for example, a chain having a sintered bush Then, since the said retainability improves, the upper limit of the use temperature range is 150 degreeC.
Thus, the upper limit temperature of the operating temperature range of the chain is greatly affected by the lubricant retention performance (hereinafter referred to as “lubrication retention performance”) in the chain as well as the heat resistance of the lubricant itself used.
Therefore, in order to improve the lubrication holding performance of the chain, a seal chain provided with a seal member for preventing the lubricant from flowing out in the lubrication space formed between the pin and the bush is usually used. A chain in which a sleeve made of a solid lubricant is provided in the lubrication space has also been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2008-190547 A (paragraphs 0034 to 0038, FIGS. 1 to 3)

For example, when the seal chain is used in an operating temperature range where the upper limit temperature is 200 ° C. or more, if the packing as the seal member is a rubber seal ring (for example, an O-ring), the seal ring is formed. The rubber that is softened and deteriorated easily, and when the viscosity of the lubricating oil decreases and its fluidity increases, the sealing performance of the seal ring decreases and the lubricant is likely to leak. Therefore, there is a problem that the lubrication holding performance of the chain is lowered.
In large chains such as conveyor chains, sleeves made of solid lubricant can be used. However, in small chains, the lubrication space formed between the pins and bushings is very small. It was extremely difficult to incorporate the sleeve into the space, and there was a problem that the assemblability of the chain was lowered.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to devise the shape of the outer plate of the outer link or the inner plate of the inner link, thereby arranging the packing disposed between the outer plate and the inner plate. It is an object of the present invention to provide a seal chain that improves the sealing performance, improves the lubrication retention performance, and exhibits good lubrication retention performance even when used in a high temperature environment.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a seal chain that is downsized in the width direction while having an annular plate-shaped packing.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a good assembly property by exhibiting a sealing property that enables the use of lubricating oil or grease as a lubricant contained in a lubricating space even in a high temperature environment. It is to provide a secured seal chain.

  The invention according to claim 1 is a pair of an outer link in which a pair of outer plates are connected by a pair of pins, and a pair of inner plates disposed between the pair of outer plates in the width direction. The inner link connected by the bush is connected to the pin so that it can be bent alternately in the longitudinal direction, and is formed between the pin and the bush to contain the lubricant. In a seal chain in which a packing that seals the lubricated space is disposed so as to surround the pin between the outer plate and the inner plate that are adjacent in the width direction, the packing is made of a heat-resistant solid lubricant. An annular plate that is formed in a compressed state in which the packing is compressed in the width direction by the outer plate and the inner plate to cause elastic deformation. An outer seal surface and an inner seal surface that are in contact with the packing are formed, respectively, and the outer seal surface and the inner seal surface are formed as an annular width direction seal surface facing in the width direction. Each of the sealing surfaces has an inner width direction sealing surface, and one of the outer sealing surface and the inner sealing surface has an annular radial sealing surface facing in the radial direction, thereby solving the above-described problems. is there.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect of the invention, the radial seal surface is in contact with the peripheral edge of the packing and is radially in the peripheral edge based on the elastic deformation. Elongation is limited, and the peripheral edge portion restricts the radial extension by the radial seal surface, and the radial seal surface and the other seal surface of the outer seal surface and the inner seal surface The above-mentioned problem is solved by constituting a seal pressure increasing portion that increases the seal pressure against the above.

  In the invention according to claim 3, in addition to the configuration of the invention according to claim 1 or 2, the one seal surface is formed on one of the outer plate and the inner plate, and the one plate Has a recess for accommodating the packing, the recess facing the width direction and pressing the packing in the width direction, and a peripheral wall surface continuous to the bottom wall surface and facing the radial direction. And the bottom wall surface is formed with the widthwise sealing surface, and the circumferential wall surface is formed with the radial sealing surface continuous with the widthwise sealing surface, thereby solving the above-described problem. Is.

  In the invention according to claim 4, in addition to the configuration of the invention according to claim 3, the other plate of the outer plate and the inner plate has a convex portion that fits into the concave portion, and the convex portion is It has a top wall surface that faces the width direction and presses the packing in the width direction, and the width direction seal surface of the other plate is formed on the top wall surface, thereby solving the above-mentioned problems. is there.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the radial seal surface is disposed radially outside the outer peripheral edge of the packing. A radial inner seal surface that is in contact with the inner peripheral edge of the packing is formed by the elastic deformation on the outer peripheral surface of the pin or the bush. It has been solved.

  According to a sixth aspect of the invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect of the invention according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the solid lubricant is graphite, and the lubricant is lubricating oil or grease. This solves the above-mentioned problems.

In connection with the present invention, the width direction is the chain width direction, and the longitudinal direction is the chain longitudinal direction.
Moreover, a high temperature environment is an environment whose environmental temperature is 200 degreeC or more, and heat resistance means the property by which a characteristic is maintained in the said high temperature environment.

  The seal chain of the present invention includes an outer link in which a pair of outer plates are connected by a pair of pins, and a pair of inner plates disposed between the pair of outer plates in the width direction by a pair of bushes. The connected inner link is connected to the pin so that the bushing is fitted to the pin so that it can be bent alternately in the longitudinal direction, and the lubricating space is formed between the pin and the bush to contain the lubricant. Since the sealing packing is disposed so as to surround the pin between the outer plate and the inner plate which are adjacent in the width direction, the packing is lubricated in the lubricating space between the pin and the bush between the outer plate and the inner plate. In addition to preventing leakage of the agent and preventing foreign matter from entering the lubrication space from the outside of the seal chain, the following effects specific to the present invention can be achieved.

That is, according to the seal chain of the present invention according to claim 1, in the compressed state in which the packing is compressed in the width direction by the outer plate and the inner plate to cause elastic deformation, the outer plate and the inner plate have the packing and An outer seal surface and an inner seal surface that are in contact with each other are formed, and the outer seal surface and the inner seal surface are annular width direction seal surfaces facing in the width direction. Each of the seal surfaces of the outer seal surface and the inner seal surface has an annular radial seal surface facing in the radial direction, so that the packing is compressed in the width direction in the radial direction. As a result, the radial extension, which is the elastic deformation of the outer plate, causes the outer width direction seal surface of the outer plate and the inner width direction seal surface of the inner plate to Le pressure (i.e., contact pressure) in addition to the action of, radially sealing surface of the outer plate or inner plate, exert a sealing pressure in the radial direction. For this reason, by devising the shape of the outer plate or the inner plate so that a radial seal surface is formed, it is possible to avoid an increase in the radial direction of the annular plate-shaped packing, and also due to the packing. The sealing performance can be improved, and therefore the lubrication holding performance of the seal chain can be improved. Furthermore, since the packing has heat resistance, it is possible to exhibit good lubrication holding performance even when the seal chain is used in a high temperature environment.
In addition, since the packing is an annular plate formed of a heat-resistant solid lubricant, the contact of the outer plate and the inner plate with the packing is in contact with the solid lubricant having self-lubricating properties. Even in a high temperature environment, the sliding resistance between the outer link and the inner link and the packing when the outer link and the inner link are relatively bent is reduced, and the bending resistance of the seal chain can be reduced. . Further, since the wear powder of the packing acts as a lubricant for the powder, the wear powder reduces the wear of the outer plate and the inner plate and contributes to the improvement of the durability of the seal chain. Furthermore, since the packing is an annular plate, the shape of the packing made of the solid lubricant is simplified and the formation thereof is facilitated, so that the cost can be reduced.

  According to the seal chain of the present invention according to claim 2, in addition to the effect of the invention according to claim 1, the radial seal surface is in contact with the peripheral portion of the packing and at the peripheral portion based on elastic deformation. The radial pressure of the outer peripheral surface is restricted, and the peripheral edge restricts the radial extension of the radial seal surface, so that the seal pressure against the radial seal surface and the other seal surface of the outer seal surface and the inner seal surface is reduced. Since the seal pressure increasing portion is configured to increase the peripheral edge portion, the outer peripheral seal surface and the inner seal surface are separated by the peripheral edge portion based on the radial seal surface restricting the radial extension at the peripheral edge portion. In one of the seal surfaces, the seal pressure at the radial seal surface is increased, and the seal pressure at the other seal surface of the outer seal surface and the inner seal surface is increased. For this reason, without complicating the shape of the packing, it is possible to improve the sealing performance by the packing while maintaining the cost reduction effect of the packing having a simplified shape.

  According to the seal chain of the present invention according to claim 3, in addition to the effect produced by the invention according to claim 1 or claim 2, one seal surface is formed on one of the outer plate and the inner plate, One plate has a recess for receiving the packing, and the recess has a bottom wall surface that faces the width direction and presses the packing in the width direction, and a peripheral wall surface that continues to the bottom wall surface and faces the radial direction. The bottom wall surface is formed with a width direction sealing surface, and the circumferential wall surface is formed with a radial direction sealing surface continuous with the width direction sealing surface. Since the surface can be easily formed and the packing is accommodated in the recess, the outer plate and the inner plate on which the packing is interposed can be made closer in the width direction, so the seal chain can be made smaller in the width direction. It can be. In addition, the radial seal surface formed on the peripheral wall surface is not divided with respect to the width direction seal surface formed on the bottom wall surface, and is a seal surface continuous with the width direction seal surface. Since the connecting portion with the bottom wall surface is also in contact with the packing, the sealing performance by the packing can be improved from the bottom wall surface to the peripheral wall surface.

  According to the seal chain of the present invention according to claim 4, in addition to the effect exerted by the invention according to claim 3, the other plate of the outer plate and the inner plate has a convex portion that fits into the concave portion. The portion has a top wall surface that faces the width direction and presses the packing in the width direction, and the width direction seal surface of the other plate is formed on the top wall surface, thereby pressing the packing in the width direction. Since the convex part which is is pressed into the concave wall and presses the packing accommodated in the concave part with the top wall surface, the required seal against the radial seal surface is compared with the case where the pressing part is not the convex part. The thickness in the width direction of the packing for obtaining pressure can be reduced. For this reason, the seal chain can be reduced in weight by downsizing the packing in the width direction, and the seal chain can be reduced in size in the width direction.

  According to the seal chain of the present invention according to claim 5, in addition to the effect of the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the radial seal surface is in contact with the outer peripheral edge of the packing. The outer circumferential surface of the pin or bush is compressed by forming a radially inner sealing surface in contact with the inner peripheral edge of the packing by elastic deformation of the packing. In the packing in the state, the radial extension due to elastic deformation is limited by the radial seal surface radially outward and by the radial inner seal surface formed on the outer peripheral surface of the pin or bushing radially inward. Is done. For this reason, since the expansion of the packing is limited by the outer peripheral edge and the inner peripheral edge, the sealing pressure on the radial seal surface and the radial inner seal surface is increased, and the sealing performance by the packing can be improved. .

  According to the seal chain of the present invention according to claim 6, in addition to the effect exerted by the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the solid lubricant is graphite and the lubricant is lubricating oil or Because it is a grease, graphite is a solid lubricant with excellent heat resistance, so the sliding resistance between the packing and the outer and inner plates decreases due to the self-lubricating properties of graphite even in high temperature environments. This reduces the bending resistance of the chain. In addition, since graphite is a solid lubricant with excellent stress relaxation resistance, the stress generated by elastic deformation is maintained in the packing even in a high temperature environment, and high sealing performance is ensured. Consumption of the lubricating oil or grease in the space is prevented, so that the durability of the chain can be improved, and good assembly of the seal chain including a small seal chain can be ensured.

The 1st Example of the present invention is shown and an exploded perspective view of the important section of a seal chain. The figure which shows the principal part of the seal chain of FIG. 1, and a part is a cross section in the plane containing a bending centerline. The enlarged view of the principal part of FIG. The figure which shows 2nd Example of this invention and corresponds to the cross section in FIG. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. 4 and corresponds to FIG. 3. The figure which shows 3rd Example of this invention and is equivalent to the cross section in FIG. The figure which shows 4th Example of this invention and corresponds to the cross section in FIG.

  The seal chain of the present invention includes an outer link in which a pair of outer plates are connected by a pair of pins, and a pair of inner plates disposed between the pair of outer plates in the width direction by a pair of bushes. The connected inner link is connected to the pin so that the bushing is fitted to the pin so that it can be bent alternately in the longitudinal direction, and the lubricating space is formed between the pin and the bush to contain the lubricant. The packing to be sealed is disposed between the outer plate and the inner plate adjacent in the width direction so as to surround the pin, and the packing is an annular plate formed of a heat-resistant solid lubricant, and the packing is formed from the outer plate and the inner plate. The outer plate and the inner plate are respectively formed with an outer seal surface and an inner seal surface that are in contact with the packing in a compressed state in which the plate is compressed in the width direction to cause elastic deformation. The seal surface and the inner seal surface each have an outer width direction seal surface and an inner width direction seal surface as an annular width direction seal surface facing in the width direction, and one of the outer seal surface and the inner seal surface However, by having an annular radial seal surface that faces in the radial direction, by devising the shape of the outer plate or the inner plate, the sealing performance by the packing disposed between the outer plate and the inner plate is improved. As long as the lubrication retention performance is improved and the lubrication retention performance is exhibited even when used in a high temperature environment, any specific embodiment may be used.

For example, the heat-resistant solid lubricant forming the seal chain packing of the present invention is graphite, molybdenum disulfide, tungsten disulfide, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), etc., depending on the use environment of the seal chain. It can be of any kind. When the seal chain is used at an ambient temperature of 400 ° C. or higher, the solid lubricant is preferably graphite.
The seal chain of the present invention is used in a conveyance machine, an industrial machine, or a vehicle (for example, an automobile) as a machine. In addition to a high temperature environment, the seal chain is used in an environment lower than the environment temperature in the high temperature environment. May be used. Therefore, the operating temperature range of the seal chain of the present invention includes a temperature range in a high temperature environment and a temperature range of an environmental temperature lower than the environmental temperature in the high temperature environment.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
1 to 3 are diagrams for explaining a first embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 1, in a first embodiment, a seal chain 100 (hereinafter referred to as “chain 100”) is a conveyor chain provided in a transport machine together with a plurality of sprockets around which the chain 100 is stretched. The chain 100 is a heat-resistant chain that can be used even in a high-temperature environment, and is an oil-free chain.
In the present embodiment, the high temperature environment is an environment having an environmental temperature of 200 ° C. to 300 ° C.

  1 and 2, the chain 100 includes a plurality of outer links 101 each having a pair of outer plates 110 and a pair of pins 115, a pair of inner plates 120, and a pair of bushes 125. And an endless chain including a plurality of inner links 102 having a pair of rollers 129 and a plurality of packings 150 each surrounding each pin 115.

  In the chain 100, a pair of outer plates 110, each having a pair of outer plates 110 connected by a pair of pins 115, and a pair of inner plates 120 disposed between the pair of outer plates 110 in the width direction. The inner links 102 connected by the bushing 125 are alternately fitted in the longitudinal direction and pivoted about the pin 115 or the bending center line L when the bushing 125 is rotatably fitted to the pin 115. Connected as possible. The roller 129 is externally fitted to the bush 125 and is rotatably supported, and can mesh with the sprocket.

Here, the width direction is parallel to the bending center line L defined by the pin 115 (which is also the center axis of the pin 115 in this embodiment). The bending center line L is a center line when the outer link 101 and the inner link 102 are relatively rotated and bent when the chain 100 is engaged with and disengaged from the sprocket.
The radial direction and the circumferential direction are a radial direction and a circumferential direction around the pin 115 or the bent center line L, respectively.

The outer plate 110 and the inner plate 120 are provided with a pair of pin holes 111 and a pair of bush holes 121, respectively, spaced apart in the longitudinal direction. The pin 115 is inserted into the pair of pin holes 111 facing each other in the width direction of the pair of outer plates 110 at both ends 116 thereof, and is sealed to the outer plate 110 by press-fitting as a coupling means. It is connected so that relative movement is impossible.
The bushes 125 that are rotatably supported by the pins 115 are inserted into a pair of bushing holes 121 opposed to each other in the width direction of the pair of inner plates 120 at both ends 126 thereof as coupling means. By press-fitting, the inner plate 120 is coupled in a sealed state so as not to be relatively movable.

  Referring mainly to FIG. 3 and appropriately referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the lubricating space 103 formed between the outer peripheral surface 117 of the pin 115 and the inner peripheral surface 128 of the bush 125 has a lubricant (not shown). Are filled and accommodated. In the present embodiment, the lubricant is a lubricant, for example, a heat-resistant lubricant such as a fluorine-based lubricant or an ester-based lubricant.

The outer plate 110 as one of the outer plate 110 and the inner plate 120 is in a compressed state (hereinafter simply referred to as a “compressed state”) in which it is compressed by a pressing force in the width direction to cause elastic deformation. A recess 130 is provided for accommodating the entire packing 150 (shown by a solid line in FIGS. 2 and 3). The recess 130 is formed on the inner surface 112 of the outer plate 110 by embossing so as to surround the pin 115 in the circumferential direction over the entire circumference.
When the inner link 102 to which the roller 129 is attached is assembled to the outer link 101, the pressing force is a natural state packing 150 (indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 3) in which the elastic deformation is not generated. .) Is a force acting on the packing 150 when it is assembled to the pair of pins 115 while being temporarily held in the recess 130, and each pin 115 is connected to each outer plate 110 by press-fitting. .

  The recess 130 has an annular bottom wall 131 that faces the width direction and presses the compressed packing 150 in the width direction, and an annular outer peripheral wall 132 that continues to the bottom wall 131 and faces the radial direction. . A pin hole 111 is opened in the bottom wall surface 131. The outer peripheral wall surface 132 is a surface that is continuous with the bottom wall surface 131 at the boundary 132a with the bottom wall surface 131, and is inclined in the width direction from the boundary 132a (in addition to a linear inclination, a curved inclination is also included. ) State or in a parallel state.

The outer peripheral wall surface 132 includes a connection surface 133 having an arcuate cross section (that is, an R shape) extending in an inclined state in the width direction, and a parallel surface 134 substantially parallel to the width direction. A connection surface 133 that is a curved surface continuous with the parallel surface 134 is a connection portion (or a transition surface from the bottom wall surface 131 to the parallel surface 134) on the outer peripheral wall surface 132, and a corner of the recess 130. It is a wall surface.
The parallel surface 134 is substantially concentric with the pin 115 and the outer peripheral surface 153 of the packing 150 in a natural state when concentric with the pin 115.

Here, the cross-sectional shape is a cross-sectional shape on a plane including the central axis (or the bending center line L) of the pin 115.
Note that the expression “almost” includes the case where there is no modifier “almost” and does not exactly match the case where there is no modifier “almost”, but the modifier “almost”. It means a range where there is no significant difference in action or effect compared to the case where there is no.
Moreover, in the present embodiment and the second to fourth embodiments described later, all of “annular” are substantially annular.

The inner plate 120 as the other of the outer plate 110 and the inner plate 120 has a convex portion 140 that fits into the concave portion 130 together with the end portion 126 of the bush 125 in a gap fitting state. The end portion 126 and the convex portion 140 are pressing portions that press the packing 150 with the pressing force.
The convex portion 140 is formed on the outer surface 122 of the inner plate 120 by embossing so as to surround the pin 115 and the bush 125 over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction. The convex portion 140 has a top wall surface 141 facing the width direction and pressing the packing 150 in a natural state with the pressing force in the width direction, and an outer peripheral wall surface 142 and an inner peripheral wall surface 143 facing in the radial direction. The inner peripheral wall surface 143 also serves as a part of the hole wall surface 121 a forming the bush hole 121. The bottom wall surface 131 and the top wall surface 141 are substantially flat surfaces that are substantially orthogonal to the width direction.

A radial gap C1 is formed between the parallel surface 134 and the outer peripheral wall surface 142 of the outer peripheral wall surface 132 facing each other in the radial direction when the concave portion 130 and the convex portion 140 of the chain 100 in the assembled state are fitted. Between the opposing surface 112a of the inner side surface 112 and the opposing surface 122a of the outer side surface 122 facing each other in the width direction, a minimum width direction gap C5 is formed on the inner side surface 112 and the outer side surface 122. 122 is maintained in a non-contact state via the packing 150.
Note that the minimum gap C5 may be set such that excessive compression of the packing 150 in the width direction is prevented by the two facing surfaces 112a and 122a contacting in the width direction when the chain 100 is running. .

  In the outer plate 110 and the inner plate 120 that are adjacent to each other in the width direction, the packing 150 is disposed between the inner side surface 112 and the outer side surface 122 so as to surround the pin 115 over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction. To seal. The packing 150 is an annular plate formed of graphite as a heat-resistant solid lubricant, and is a member formed by pressure molding of a material having a composition of 100% graphite, preferably 100% natural graphite.

  The packing 150 in the natural state has an outer surface 151, an inner surface 152, an outer peripheral surface 153, and an inner peripheral surface 154, and has a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape (see FIG. 3). In the packing 150 in the natural state, the inner diameter defined by the inner peripheral surface 154 is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the pin 115, and from the viewpoint of ease of mounting on the pin 115, it is loosely fitted to the pin 115. It is preferable that it is the magnitude | size of. In the natural packing 150, the outer diameter defined by the outer peripheral surface 153 is substantially the same as the diameter of the parallel surface 134.

When the outer link 101 and the inner link 102 are assembled to each other, the packing 150 in a natural state (for example, a state indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 3) partially accommodated and held in the recess 130. Then, it is pressed by the pressing force from the convex portion 140 and the end portion 126 of the bush 125 and is compressed in the width direction in the concave portion 130 and elastically deformed.
Due to this elastic deformation, an annular outer seal surface 160 and an inner seal surface 170 that are in contact with the packing 150 are formed on the inner surface 112 of the outer plate 110 and the outer surface 122 of the inner plate 120, respectively. An annular radial inner seal surface 181 and an end seal surface 182 are formed on the surface 117 and the end surface 126a of the bush 125, respectively. Each of these sealing surfaces 160, 170, 181, and 182 is in contact with the graphite forming the packing 150 as a whole.

The outer seal surface 160 as one of the outer seal surface 160 and the inner seal surface 170 includes an outer width direction seal surface 161 as an annular width direction seal surface and an annular radial seal facing in the radial direction. Surface 162. In the recess 130, an outer width direction seal surface 161 is formed on the entire bottom wall surface 131, and an outer width direction seal surface 161 is formed on the outer peripheral wall surface 132 on the entire connection surface 133 and a part of the parallel surface 134. A continuous radial seal surface 162 is formed.
The inner seal surface 170 as the other seal surface of the outer seal surface 160 and the inner seal surface 170 has an inner width direction seal surface 171 as an annular width direction seal surface. In the convex portion 140, an inner width direction seal surface 171 is formed on the entire top wall surface 141.

Due to the elastic deformation when the packing 150 changes from the natural state to the compressed state, the packing 150 is elastically deformed at the outer peripheral edge portion 150o and the inner peripheral edge portion 150i, respectively, radially outward and radially inward. A certain radial elongation (hereinafter referred to as “radial elongation”) occurs.
And the radial direction seal surface 162 which is a radial direction outer seal surface which is contacting the outer peripheral edge part 150o restrict | limits the radial extension to the radial direction outward in the outer peripheral edge part 150o. On the other hand, the radially inner seal surface 181 that is in contact with the inner peripheral edge portion 150i limits the radial extension inward in the radial direction at the inner peripheral edge portion 150i.

The outer peripheral edge portion 150o includes an outer peripheral surface 153 and portions near the outer peripheral surfaces 153 on the outer surface 151 and the inner surface 152 in the packing 150, and at least the entire portion in contact with the radial seal surface 162. It is a part to include.
The outer peripheral edge 150o has a connection surface 133 (radial seal surface 162 as a raised surface that is a deformation forcing surface that deforms the packing 150 in the width direction, and the radial seal surface 162 limits the radial extension. Is a seal against at least the radial seal surface 162 of the outer seal surface 160 and the inner width direction seal surface 171 of the inner seal surface 170 based on each of the outer peripheral edge portions 150o being compressed and deformed. A radially outer seal pressure increasing portion for increasing the pressure is configured.
In the connection surface 133, the corner portion of the packing 150 in the natural state where the cross-sectional shape of the outer peripheral edge portion 150 o is substantially perpendicular is in contact with the entire surface of the connection surface 133 along the connection surface 133 having a circular cross-sectional shape. Since it deform | transforms, the sealing pressure by the packing 150 increases and a sealing performance improves.

The inner peripheral edge 150 i includes an inner peripheral surface 154 and portions of the outer surface 151 and the inner side 152 near the inner peripheral surface 154 in the packing 150, and is in contact with at least the radially inner seal surface 181. It is a part including the whole part.
The inner peripheral edge 150i seals against the radially inner seal surface 181 and the outer width direction seal surface 161 of the outer seal surface 160 based on the radial inner seal surface 181 restricting radial extension. A radially inner seal pressure increasing portion for increasing the pressure is configured.
Each range of the outer peripheral edge portion 150o and the inner peripheral edge portion 150i can be set based on experiments or simulations capable of determining an increase in seal pressure.

Furthermore, in the outer peripheral edge portion 150o, the inner peripheral edge portion 150i, and the inner side surface 152, the packing 150 is compressed in the width direction in the radial gap C1, and the radial seal surface 162 restricts radial extension. Further, the packing 150 is compressed in the width direction in the radial gap C2 (which is also a part of the lubricating space 103) between the pin 115 and the end face 126a of the bush 125, and the radial inner The side seal surface 181 restricts the radial extension, and further, the packing 150 is compressed in the width direction in the radial gap C3 between the bush 125 and the inner plate 120 in the bush hole 121. Protruding portions 155, 156, and 157 in which a part of 150 protrudes in the width direction are formed.
Since the protruding portions 155, 156, and 157 increase the respective sealing surfaces on the parallel surface 134 and the outer peripheral wall surface 142132, the outer peripheral surface and the end surface 126a of the convex portion 140, and the inner peripheral wall surface 143 and the end surface 126a of the convex portion 140. The sealing performance by the packing 150 is improved.
In FIG. 3, the degree of the protruding portions 155, 156, and 157 of the deformation of the packing 150 is exaggerated for convenience of explanation.

Next, operations and effects of the embodiment configured as described above will be described.
In the chain 100, the outer link 101 and the inner link 102 are coupled between the pins 115 and the bushes 125 so that the bushes 125 are externally fitted to the pins 115 so that they can be bent alternately in the longitudinal direction. An annular plate-shaped packing 150 that seals the lubricating space 103 containing the lubricant is disposed between the outer plate 110 and the inner plate 120 that are adjacent in the width direction so as to surround the pin 115.
Thereby, the packing 150 prevents leakage of the lubricant existing in the lubrication space 103 between the outer plate 110 and the inner plate 120, and foreign matter (dust, moisture, etc.) from the outside of the chain 100 to the lubrication space 103. ) Can be prevented.

In a compressed state in which the packing 150 is compressed in the width direction by the outer plate 110 and the inner plate 120 to cause elastic deformation, an outer seal surface 160 and an inner seal surface 170 are formed on the outer plate 110 and the inner plate 120, respectively. The outer seal surface 160 and the inner seal surface 170 have an outer width direction seal surface 161 and an inner width direction seal surface 171, respectively, and the outer seal surface 160 has a radial seal surface 162.
As a result, the packing 150 is compressed in the width direction, and causes radial expansion that is elastic deformation in the radial direction. Therefore, the packing 150 has a width direction on the outer width direction seal surface 161 and the inner width direction seal surface 171. The seal pressure in the radial direction is applied to the radial seal surface 162. For this reason, by devising the shape of the outer plate 110 or the inner plate 120 so that the radial seal surface 162 is formed, the annular plate-shaped packing 150 can be prevented from being enlarged in the radial direction. Therefore, the sealing performance by the packing 150 can be improved, and therefore the lubrication holding performance of the chain 100 can be improved. Furthermore, since the packing 150 has heat resistance, even when the chain 100 is used in a high temperature environment, good lubrication holding performance can be exhibited.

  In addition, since the packing 150 is an annular plate formed of a heat-resistant solid lubricant, the outer plate 110 and the inner plate 120 are brought into contact with the packing 150 with the self-lubricating solid lubricant. Therefore, even in a high temperature environment, the sliding resistance between the outer link 101 and the inner link 102 and the packing 150 when the outer link 101 and the inner link 102 are bent relatively decreases, and the chain 100 Bending resistance can be reduced.

In particular, the solid lubricant forming the packing 150 is graphite, and the lubricant accommodated in the lubricating space 103 is lubricating oil. Thereby, since the graphite is a solid lubricant having excellent heat resistance, the sliding resistance between the packing 150 and each of the plates 110 and 120 is reduced due to the self-lubricating property of the graphite even in a high temperature environment. The bending resistance of the chain 100 is reduced. Moreover, since graphite is a solid lubricant having excellent stress relaxation resistance, the stress generated by elastic deformation is maintained in the packing 150 even in a high temperature environment, and high sealing performance is ensured. Grease or lubricating oil in the lubrication space 103 is prevented from being consumed (deteriorated or vaporized), and the durability of the chain 100 can be improved. In addition, the assembly of the chain 100 including a small seal chain can be improved. Can be secured.
Further, since the wear powder of the packing 150 works as a powder lubricant, the wear powder reduces wear of the outer plate 110 and the inner plate 120 and contributes to improvement of the durability of the chain 100. Furthermore, since the packing 150 is an annular plate, the shape of the packing 150 made of a solid lubricant is simplified and the formation thereof is facilitated, so that the cost can be reduced.

The radial seal surface 162 is in contact with the outer peripheral edge portion 150o of the packing 150 and restricts radial extension at the outer peripheral edge portion 150o based on elastic deformation, and the outer peripheral edge portion 150o has a radial seal surface 162. Restricts the elongation in the radial direction to constitute a seal pressure increasing portion that increases the seal pressure against the radial seal surface 162 and the inner seal surface 170.
As a result, the outer peripheral edge 150o is formed by the outer peripheral edge 150o by the radial seal surface 162 by the outer peripheral edge 150o based on the restriction of the radial seal surface 162 in the radial direction at the outer peripheral edge 150o. The sealing pressure at the inner sealing surface 170 is increased. For this reason, without complicating the shape of the packing 150, it is possible to improve the sealing performance by the packing 150 while maintaining the cost reduction effect of the packing 150 having a simplified shape. Moreover, the connection surface 133 that is a part of the radial seal surface 162 protrudes toward the top wall surface 141 in the width direction with respect to the bottom wall surface 131, and causes the packing 150 to undergo large elastic deformation in the width direction. Yes. For this reason, the sealing pressure at the radial seal surface 162 is further increased by the connection surface 133, and the sealing performance is improved.

The recess 130 that accommodates the packing 150 has a bottom wall surface 131 that faces the width direction and presses the packing 150 in the width direction, and an outer peripheral wall surface 132 that continues to the bottom wall surface 131 and faces the radial direction. An outer width direction seal surface 161 is formed on 131, and a radial seal surface 162 continuous with the outer width direction seal surface 161 is formed on the outer peripheral wall surface 132.
Thus, the radial seal surface 162 can be easily formed using the outer peripheral wall surface 132 of the recess 130, and the outer plate 110 in which the packing 150 is interposed is accommodated in the recess 130. And since the inner plate 120 can be made to adjoin in the width direction, the chain 100 can be reduced in size in the width direction.
In addition, the radial seal surface 162 formed on the outer peripheral wall surface 132 is not divided with respect to the outer width direction seal surface 161 formed on the bottom wall surface 131, and is continuous to the outer width direction seal surface 161. Therefore, since the connection surface 133 (that is, the corner wall surface of the recess 130) that is a connection portion of the outer peripheral wall surface 132 with the bottom wall surface 131 is also in contact with the packing 150, the packing 150 extends from the bottom wall surface 131 to the peripheral wall surface. The sealing performance due to can be improved.

The inner plate 120 has a convex portion 140 that fits into the concave portion 130, and the convex portion 140 has a top wall surface 141 that faces the width direction and presses the packing 150 in the width direction, and has an inner width of the inner plate 120. A direction seal surface 171 is formed on the top wall surface 141.
Thereby, the convex part 140 which is a pressing part which presses the packing 150 in the width direction presses the packing 150 accommodated in the concave part 130 with the top wall surface 141 by fitting into the concave part 130, so that the pressing Compared to the case where the portion is not the convex portion 140, the thickness in the width direction of the packing 150 for obtaining a required sealing pressure for the radial seal surface 162 can be reduced. For this reason, the chain 100 can be reduced in weight by downsizing the packing 150 in the width direction, and the chain 100 can be reduced in size in the width direction.

  A radially inner seal surface 181 that is in contact with the inner peripheral edge 150 i of the packing 150 is formed on the outer peripheral surface 117 of the pin 115 by the elastic deformation. Thereby, in the packing 150 in the compressed state, the radial extension due to the elastic deformation is limited by the radial seal surface 162 and the radial inner seal surface 181 in the radially outward direction. For this reason, since the expansion of the packing 150 is limited by the outer peripheral edge portion 150o and the inner peripheral edge portion 150i, the sealing pressure with respect to the radial seal surface 162 and the radial inner seal surface 181 increases, and the sealing performance by the packing 150 is increased. Can be improved.

  Next, second to fourth embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The second to fourth embodiments are different from the first embodiment in that the shape of the constituent members of the chain is partially different, and the other portions basically have the same configuration. Therefore, the description of the same part is omitted or simplified, and different points will be mainly described. In addition, about the member etc. which are the same as the member etc. of 1st Example, or a corresponding member, the code | symbol same as the code | symbol in 1st Example is fundamentally used.

4 and 5, in the seal chain 200 of the second embodiment, the outer side surface 151 of the packing 250 in the natural state (shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 5) and the bottom wall surface 131 of the recess 230 have a diameter. The taper surface protrudes in the width direction as it goes inward in the direction, here, toward the outer plate 110, and has substantially the same inclination.
According to the second embodiment, the following operations and effects are exhibited in addition to the operations and effects achieved by the structure common to or corresponding to the first embodiment.
Since the bottom wall surface 131 on which the outer width direction seal surface 161 is formed and the outer surface 151 of the packing 250 in contact with the bottom wall surface 131 are both tapered surfaces, the packing 250 in the compressed state 250 has Based on the pressing force that presses in the width direction, a component force is applied to move the packing 250 radially inward. For this reason, the seal pressure with respect to the radially inner seal surface 181 increases by the component force, and the sealing performance by the packing 250 on the radially inner seal surface 181 is improved.

  Referring mainly to FIG. 6 and appropriately referring to FIG. 3, in the seal chain 300 of the third embodiment, each end portion 326 of the bush 325 in a non-contact state with respect to the outer plate 110 is connected to the inner plate 120. A protrusion 326p that penetrates and protrudes toward the outer plate 110 is provided. In the protrusion 326p, a radially inner seal surface 381 that is in contact with the inner peripheral edge 150i of the packing 150 in a compressed state is formed on the outer peripheral surface 327 of the bush 325 by the elastic deformation.

According to the third embodiment, the following actions and effects are exhibited in addition to the actions and effects exhibited by the structure common to or corresponding to the first embodiment.
On the outer peripheral surface 327 of the protrusion 326p of the bush 325, the radial direction in contact with the inner peripheral edge 150i is the same as the radial inner seal surface 181 formed on the outer peripheral surface 117 of the pin 115 of the first embodiment. An inner seal surface 381 is formed. As a result, the radial extension of the packing 150 at the outer peripheral edge 150o and the inner peripheral edge 150i is limited by the radial seal surface 162 and the radial inner seal surface 381, respectively. The seal pressure with respect to the direction inner seal surface 381 is increased, and the sealing performance by the packing 150 is improved.

Referring mainly to FIG. 7 and appropriately referring to FIG. 3, in the seal chain 400 of the fourth embodiment, the inner plate 120 as at least one of the outer plate 110 and the inner plate 120 has the entire packing 150. The outer plate 110 as the other plate of the outer plate 110 and the inner plate 120 has a convex portion 140.
The inner seal surface 170 as one of the outer seal surface 160 and the inner seal surface 170 includes an inner width direction seal surface 471 corresponding to the outer width direction seal surface 161 of the first embodiment, and the diameter of the first embodiment. And a radial seal surface 472 corresponding to the direction seal surface 162.
The outer seal surface 160 as the other seal surface of the outer seal surface 160 and the inner seal surface 170 has an outer width direction seal surface 461 corresponding to the inner width direction seal surface 171 of the first embodiment.
According to the fourth embodiment, operations and effects similar to those of the first embodiment are achieved by a structure common to or equivalent to that of the first embodiment.

Hereinafter, an example in which a part of the configuration of the above-described embodiment is changed will be described with respect to the changed configuration.
A bearing (sliding bearing, rolling bearing) may be disposed in the lubricating space 103.
The concave portion is an annular concave portion having an outer peripheral wall surface and an inner peripheral wall surface, and the convex portion may be an annular convex portion having an outer peripheral wall surface and an inner peripheral wall surface. In this case, the peripheral edge portion of the packing serving as the seal pressure increasing portion may be at least one of the outer peripheral edge portion and the inner peripheral edge portion.
The inner surface 112 of the outer plate 110 and the outer surface 122 of the inner plate 120 may each be provided with a recess for accommodating the packing.
The packing should be at least in contact with both plates 110, 120, pins 115 and bushes 125, or in contact with both plates 110, 120 and bushes 325 with solid lubricant, and can be elastically deformed. That's fine. For example, the surface layer may be formed of a solid lubricant and the center portion may be formed of a material other than the solid lubricant.
The connection surface 133 may be a tapered surface whose cross-sectional shape is an inclined straight line.
In relation to the second embodiment, the inner surface 152 of the packing 250, the top wall surface 141, and the end surface 126a may be tapered surfaces that protrude toward the inner plate 120 in the width direction as they go radially inward. Good. Also in this case, the seal pressure against the radially inner seal surface 181 increases.
The lubricant accommodated in the lubrication space 103 may be grease or a solid lubricant (for example, graphite, molybdenum disulfide, tungsten disulfide, polytetrafluoroethylene) in addition to the lubricating oil. May be a sleeve, a sheet or a powder.
When the lubricant accommodated in the lubrication space can be used even at a temperature exceeding 300 ° C., the chain 100 depends on the type of the lubricant and the heat resistance of the solid lubricant forming the packing. Can be used even in a high temperature environment where the environmental temperature is 600 ° C. or less, for example.

100, 200, 300, 400 ... seal chain 101 ... outer link 102 ... inner link 103 ... lubrication space 110 ... outer plate 115 ... pin 120 ... inner plate 125, 325 ... Bush 130, 230 ... Concave 131 ... Bottom wall surface 132 ... Outer peripheral wall surface 140 ... Convex part 141 ... Top wall surface 150, 250 ... Packing 150o ... Outer peripheral edge part 150i ... Inner peripheral edge 160 ... Outer seal surfaces 161,461 ... Outer width direction seal surfaces 162,472 ... Diameter seal surface 170 ... Inner seal surfaces 171,471 ... Inner width direction Seal surface 181, 381... Radially inner seal surface

Claims (6)

An outer link in which a pair of outer plates are connected by a pair of pins, and an inner link in which a pair of inner plates disposed between the pair of outer plates in the width direction are connected by a pair of bushes; However, the bushes are externally fitted to the pins, so that the bushes are alternately bent in the longitudinal direction, and are formed between the pins and the bushes to seal a lubricating space in which a lubricant is accommodated. In the seal chain in which the packing is disposed so as to surround the pin between the outer plate and the inner plate that are adjacent in the width direction,
The packing is an annular plate formed of a heat-resistant solid lubricant;
In the compressed state in which the packing is compressed in the width direction by the outer plate and the inner plate to cause elastic deformation, the outer plate and the inner plate have an outer seal surface and an inner seal in contact with the packing. Each face is formed,
The outer seal surface and the inner seal surface each have an outer width direction seal surface and an inner width direction seal surface as annular width direction seal surfaces facing in the width direction,
A seal chain, wherein one of the outer seal surface and the inner seal surface has an annular radial seal surface facing in a radial direction. The radial seal surface is in contact with the peripheral edge of the packing and restricts radial extension at the peripheral edge based on the elastic deformation;
The peripheral edge seal increases the seal pressure against the radial seal surface and the other seal surface of the outer seal surface and the inner seal surface by limiting the radial extension of the radial seal surface. The seal chain according to claim 1, wherein the seal chain forms a pressure increasing portion. The one sealing surface is formed on one of the outer plate and the inner plate;
The one plate has a recess for accommodating the packing;
The concave portion has a bottom wall surface that faces the width direction and presses the packing in the width direction, and a peripheral wall surface that continues to the bottom wall surface and faces the radial direction,
The bottom wall surface is formed with the width direction sealing surface,
3. The seal chain according to claim 1, wherein the radial seal surface that is continuous with the width direction seal surface is formed on the peripheral wall surface. The other plate of the outer plate and the inner plate has a convex portion that fits into the concave portion,
The convex portion has a top wall surface facing the width direction and pressing the packing in the width direction,
The seal chain according to claim 3, wherein the widthwise seal surface of the other plate is formed on the top wall surface. The radial seal surface is a radial outer seal surface in contact with the outer peripheral edge of the packing,
5. A radially inner seal surface that is in contact with an inner peripheral edge of the packing is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the pin or the bush by the elastic deformation. The seal chain according to any one of the above. The solid lubricant is graphite;
The seal chain according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the lubricant is lubricating oil or grease.

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