JP2017222482A - Chain conveyor, cleaning device for the same and cleaning method for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a chain conveyor, a cleaning device for the same and a cleaning method for the same, which even dust stirred up when conveying objects to be conveyed such as particulate matters for instance adheres to a ceiling surface in a case, can easily remove such dust to clean inside of the case.SOLUTION: A chain conveyor 11 comprises: an endless chain 20 which circulates around in a case 12; and a scraping-up plate 24 which can convey an object W to be conveyed, along a bottom surface 26 in the case when moving a lower path part 27 in a circuital route for the chain, with the plate attached to the chain. On a ceiling surface 28 of the case are mounted with: a mounting port 41, through which is passed a cleaning device 40 equipped with sliding parts 54, 58 which can slide to the ceiling surface, when mounting the device on the chain; and a dismounting port 44 through which is passed the cleaning device when dismounting the device from the chain.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a chain conveyor that transports an object to be transported such as a granular material, a cleaning device thereof, and a cleaning method thereof.

  Conventionally, scrapers attached to the left and right sides of an endless chain that circulates in the case move along the bottom surface of the case, so that the inside of the case passes through the inlet provided in the upstream side in the moving direction. 2. Description of the Related Art A chain conveyor is known that transports an object to be transported such as a granular material that has been put into the container to the downstream side in the moving direction, and discharges it outside the case through a discharge port provided on the downstream side. Further, in such a chain conveyor, in order to suppress the transported object such as a granular material from being left as a residue in the gap formed between the edge of the scraper and the bottom and left and right inner surfaces of the case, Elastic scrapers whose edges slide on the bottom surface and both left and right inner surfaces of the case during circular movement of the chain are further attached to the left and right sides of the chain (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2008-143631 A

  By the way, when the object to be conveyed is a granular material such as a grain, fine dust rises in the case during the conveyance. For this reason, in a chain conveyor that transports such an object to be transported such as a granular material, dust that has risen during the transport adheres to the ceiling surface in the case. If the dust adhering to the ceiling surface is left without being removed, new dust adheres to the surface of the adhering dust and becomes a large lump, and finally peels off from the ceiling surface inside the case. And fall as a foreign substance in the object to be transported in the case. In addition, the elastic scraper attached to the left and right sides of the chain separately from the scraper slides the edges on the bottom surface and the left and right inner surfaces of the case, but does not slide the edges against the ceiling surface. The dust attached to the ceiling surface cannot be removed by this elastic scraper.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and the purpose thereof is, for example, even when dust that has risen during transport of an object to be transported such as a granular material adheres to the ceiling surface in the case. Another object of the present invention is to provide a chain conveyor, a cleaning device for the chain conveyor, and a cleaning method for the chain conveyor that can easily remove dust and clean the inside of the case.

Hereinafter, means for solving the above-described problems and the effects thereof will be described.
A chain conveyor that solves the above problems includes a case having a bottom surface and a ceiling surface facing the bottom surface, a lower path portion along the bottom surface in the case, and an upper path portion along the ceiling surface in the case. An endless chain that circulates along a circular path and an object to be transported along the bottom surface when moving along the circular path of the chain in a state of being attached to the chain. A scraper that can be transported to the chain, and a cleaning device capable of cleaning the ceiling surface at a position corresponding to the upstream position of the upper path portion on the ceiling surface of the case. An attachment port through which the cleaning device passes is provided when attaching the cleaning device to a position corresponding to a downstream position of the upper path portion. Remove port for passing the cleaning device upon removal from the down is provided.

  According to this configuration, when dust adheres to the ceiling surface in the case of the chain conveyor, after the cleaning device is attached to the chain from the attachment opening provided on the ceiling surface of the case, the cleaning device is connected to the upper path of the chain. When the part is moved so as to move from upstream to downstream, the cleaning device cleans the ceiling surface in the case. As a result, dust adhering to the ceiling surface is removed by a cleaning operation by the cleaning device. And after cleaning is complete | finished, conveyance of the to-be-conveyed object by a chain conveyor can be restarted again by removing a cleaning apparatus from a chain via the removal port provided in the ceiling surface of the case.

  In the chain conveyor, the removal port is between a first position state in which a latching portion provided in a part thereof is located in the case and a second position state in which the latching portion is located outside the case. When the displacement member is provided in the first position, the upper path portion is moved along the circular movement of the chain while the displacement member is in the first position. It is preferable that a part of the cleaning device that has moved from the upstream to the lower position is hooked to the hooking portion of the displacement member while moving.

  According to this configuration, the cleaning device attached to the chain from the attachment opening provided on the ceiling surface of the case has the displacement member positioned in the case with the displacement member relative to the removal opening. In the 1-position state, when it has moved to a position below the removal port, a part thereof is latched to the latching portion. When the displacement member is displaced from the state to the second position state where the latching portion is located outside the case, the cleaning device is also located outside the case together with the latching portion. It is possible to remove and collect from.

  In the chain conveyor, the displacement member is a lid provided to the removal port so that the removal port can be opened and closed, and the latching portion is configured to cover the removal port when the lid closes the removal port. It is preferable that it is comprised so that it may extend along the said upper side path | route part, ensuring the clearance gap by which the upstream side was open | released between the back surfaces which face the said case in a body.

  According to this configuration, the cleaning device that has moved the upper path portion from the upstream toward the downstream in accordance with the circular movement of the chain and reaches the lower position of the take-out port is partially between the back surface of the lid body. With respect to a latching portion provided so as to extend along the upper path portion while securing a gap opened on the upstream side, the latching is performed while moving downstream. When the lid is reversed from the state to the open state, the cleaning device is exposed to the outside of the case while being hooked on the hook, and can be removed and collected from the hook.

  In addition, a chain conveyor cleaning device that solves the above problems includes a case having a bottom surface and a ceiling surface facing the bottom surface, a lower path portion along the bottom surface in the case, and the ceiling surface in the case. An endless chain that circulates along a circular path including the upper path part, and an object to be conveyed when the lower path part moves along with the circular movement of the chain while attached to the chain. A cleaning device for a chain conveyor comprising a scraper that can be transported so as to be scraped along a part of the chain and the upper side when the cleaning device is attached to the chain. An engagement portion that engages in the path portion, and the upper warp as the chain moves around in a state where the cleaning device is attached to the chain with the engagement portion engaged. The part and a sliding portion which slides with respect to the ceiling surface as it moves along the ceiling surface.

  According to this structure, when dust adheres to the ceiling surface in the case of the chain conveyor, the cleaning device is engaged with the chain at the upper path portion in the circulation path with respect to the chain of the chain conveyor. When the chain is moved around after being attached, the sliding portion of the cleaning device attached to the chain slides with respect to the ceiling surface in the case. As a result, the dust adhering to the ceiling surface is removed by being scraped off by the sliding portion of the cleaning device.

  In the chain conveyor cleaning device, the sliding portion is configured to be displaceable, and presses against the ceiling surface when the cleaning device is attached to the chain at the upper path portion. It is preferable to be biased.

  According to this configuration, the cleaning unit can be kept in pressure contact with the ceiling surface when the cleaning device moves along the ceiling surface along with the circular movement of the chain. Can be done.

  In the above-described chain conveyor cleaning device, it is preferable that the sliding portion is composed of a plurality of sliding portions provided with their positions shifted in a direction crossing a direction in which the upper path portion extends.

  According to this configuration, in the case of the sliding portion having a plurality of member configurations, compared to the case where the sliding portion has a wide single member configuration in the direction intersecting the direction in which the upper path portion extends. Since a multi-sided sliding state can be obtained with respect to the ceiling surface, for example, even when a part of the ceiling surface is distorted, dust adhering to the ceiling surface can be favorably removed.

  In the chain conveyor cleaning device, the engaging portion is positioned from the downstream side of the upper path portion with respect to the scraper plate in a state where the cleaning device is mounted on the chain in the upper path portion. It is preferable to engage in a state.

  According to this configuration, when the cleaning device is placed on the chain at the upper path portion and the engaging portion of the cleaning device is engaged with the scraper of the chain from the downstream side of the upper path portion, the cleaning device is attached to the chain. On the other hand, it can be attached in a positioning state. And after cleaning is complete | finished, since the engagement of the engaging part with respect to a scraping board is cancelled | released only by lifting a cleaning apparatus from a chain on an upper path part, a cleaning apparatus can be easily removed from a chain.

  The chain conveyor cleaning device is configured to move the upper path portion along the ceiling surface as the chain rotates while the cleaning device is attached with the engagement portion engaged with the chain. It is preferable to further include a sliding portion that slides on the inner surface of the case.

  According to this configuration, the cleaning device is provided with the sliding portion that slides on the inner surface of the case in addition to the sliding portion that slides on the ceiling surface of the case. It can be efficiently cleaned by two cleaning devices.

  In addition, a chain conveyor cleaning method that solves the above problems includes a case having a bottom surface and a ceiling surface facing the bottom surface, a lower path portion along the bottom surface in the case, and the ceiling surface in the case. An endless chain that circulates along a circular path including the upper path part, and an object to be conveyed when the lower path part moves along with the circular movement of the chain while attached to the chain. A chain conveyor cleaning method comprising: a scraping plate that can be transported so as to be scraped along the mounting surface, wherein the cleaning device capable of cleaning the ceiling surface is attached to the chain at an upstream position of the upper path portion And moving the chain so that the cleaning device moves the upper path portion along the ceiling surface from upstream to downstream while cleaning the ceiling surface. Comprising a moving step of, a, and removal step of removing at a position downstream of the upper path portion said cleaning device from the chain.

  According to this configuration, when dust adheres to the ceiling surface in the case of the chain conveyor, the cleaning device is attached to the chain of the chain conveyor at the upstream position of the upper path portion, and then the chain is removed by the cleaning device. When it is moved so as to move from upstream to downstream, the cleaning device cleans the ceiling surface in the case. As a result, dust adhering to the ceiling surface is removed by a cleaning operation by the cleaning device. And after cleaning is complete | finished, conveyance of the to-be-conveyed object by a chain conveyor can be restarted again by removing a cleaning apparatus from a chain in the downstream position of an upper path part.

  According to the present invention, for example, even when dust that has risen during transport of an object to be transported such as a granular material adheres to the ceiling surface in the case, such dust is easily removed and the inside of the case is cleaned. Can do.

The partially broken side view which shows roughly the whole structure about one Embodiment of a chain conveyor. FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 1. The perspective view which shows the state in which the cleaning apparatus was attached with respect to the chain in a chain conveyor. The cross-sectional view which shows the state by which the cleaning apparatus was attached with respect to the chain in a chain conveyor. The fragmentary sectional side view which shows a state when attaching a cleaning apparatus to the chain in a chain conveyor via the attachment port of a case. The fragmentary sectional side view which shows the state which the attachment of the cleaning apparatus with respect to the chain in a chain conveyor completed. The fragmentary sectional side view which shows the state which the cleaning apparatus reached to the downward position of the extraction port of the case in a chain conveyor. The partial perspective view which shows a state when the rolling element of a cleaning apparatus rides on the inclination part of the latching | locking part in a chain conveyor. The fragmentary sectional side view which shows the state by which the rolling element of the cleaning apparatus was latched by the latching | locking part in a chain conveyor. The fragmentary sectional side view which shows a state when the cover body of the extraction port of the case in a chain conveyor is made into an open state, and collect | recovers cleaning apparatuses.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a chain conveyor will be described with reference to the drawings together with a cleaning device for cleaning the ceiling surface of the case of the chain conveyor and a method for cleaning the ceiling surface. In the following description, when referring to the front-rear direction, the left-right direction, and the up-down direction, it is assumed that the direction shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the chain conveyor 11 of the present embodiment has a case 12 whose overall shape in a side view is a horizontally long rectangular tube. The case 12 has a rectangular cylindrical front case 13 along the front-rear direction at the front position in the front-rear direction, which is the length direction thereof, and a rectangular cylindrical rear case 14 along the front-rear direction, at a position rearward of the front case 13. And a square cylindrical intermediate case 15 that connects the rear end of the front case 13 and the front end of the rear case 14 along the front-rear direction.

  A driving sprocket 16 is supported at the front end in the front case 13 so as to be rotatable about a shaft 17 extending in the left-right direction, while being slightly closer to the front than the center in the rear case 14. The slave wheel 18 is supported so as to be rotatable about a shaft 19 extending in the left-right direction. A drive motor (not shown) is disposed in a part of the front case 13, and the drive sprocket 16 is configured to rotate in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 1 based on the drive rotation of the drive motor.

  Further, an endless chain 20 is hung between the drive sprocket 16 and the follower 18 in the case 12 of the chain conveyor 11. The chain 20 includes a pair of left and right inner link plates 21 arranged in parallel in the left and right direction and a pair of left and right outer links arranged in parallel in the left and right direction at a wider interval than the inner link plate 21. The plate 22 and the other link plates 21, 22 adjacent in the series direction (front-rear direction) and the ends are connected to each other by a connecting pin 23 so as to be freely rotatable. Further, on each outer surface of the left and right inner link plates 21, a scraping plate 24 having a rectangular shape when viewed from the front-rear direction is attached so as to protrude in the left-right direction.

  In the chain 20, a roller 25 (see FIGS. 2 to 4) rotatably supported by a connecting pin 23 between the left and right inner link plates 21 is formed on the outer periphery of the rotating drive sprocket 16. By meshing with each tooth portion, it is configured to move counterclockwise in the case 12 as shown by the arrow in FIG. The chain 20 includes an inner link in which a bush (not shown) in which a roller 25 is loosely fitted is fitted and fixed to bush holes (not shown) at both front and rear ends of a pair of left and right inner link plates 21 and a pair of outer links. An outer link in which a connecting pin 23 is fitted and fixed to pin holes (not shown) at both front and rear ends of the plate 22 is connected endlessly by a connecting pin 23 inserted into a bush.

  Further, in this case, the chain 20 faces the lower path portion 27 and the bottom surface 26 along the bottom surface 26 of a predetermined length constituted by the continuous bottom surfaces of the front and rear and middle cases 13, 14, 15 in the case 12. Circulates along the circulation path 30 including the upper path part 29 along the ceiling surface 28. Incidentally, a guide rail 31 that supports the roller 25 of the chain 20 in a rollable manner is provided at a position below the upper path portion 29 between the drive sprocket 16 and the slave wheel 18 in the case 12. Is provided so as to extend in the front-rear direction.

  Further, in the case 12 of the chain conveyor 11, an inlet 33 for the article W to be transported into the case 12 is formed at a position near the rear end of the upper wall portion 15 a of the intermediate case 15, while the front case 13, a discharge port 34 for the conveyed object W to the outside of the case 12 is formed at a position below the drive sprocket 16. That is, when the scraper plate 24 attached to the inner link plate 21 of the chain 20 so as to protrude on both the left and right sides moves in the forward direction of the lower path portion 27 of the circular path 30 along with the circular movement of the chain 20, The article to be conveyed W introduced into the case 12 through the insertion port 33 is conveyed toward the front where the discharge port 34 is provided so as to be scraped along the bottom surface 26 of the case 12. Then, the transported object W thus transported can be discharged from the discharge port 34 below the case 12 (see FIG. 1).

  By the way, as shown in FIG. 2, when the article to be transported W that is thrown into the case 12 through the slot 33 and transported by the scraper 24 of the chain 20 is a granular material such as grain or cement, During transport, fine dust D rises in the case 12, and the dust D so raised adheres to the ceiling surface 28 and the inner side surface 35 in the case 12. It is preferable to remove such dust D without leaving it. Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to remove the dust D attached to the ceiling surface 28 and the inner side surface 35 of the case 12, a cleaning device 40 that can clean the inside of the case 12 is used. Incidentally, the inner side surface 35 in the case 12 is a vertical inner surface on both the left and right sides that vertically connects the left and right side edges of the bottom surface 26 and the left and right side edges of the ceiling surface 28 in the case 12. is there.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the cleaning device 40 is detachably attached to the chain 20 that circulates around the drive sprocket 16 and the slave wheel 18 in the case 12. More specifically, in the length direction of the chain 20, the chain 20 is attached in a mounted state to the chain portion that moves the upper path portion 29 along the ceiling surface 28 that is one section of the circulation path 30. Therefore, on the ceiling surface 28 of the case 12, the cleaning device 40 is attached to the chain 20 in the case 12 from the outside of the case 12 at a position corresponding to the upstream position of the upper path portion 29 (the right position on the paper surface of FIG. 1). At the time of attachment, an attachment port 41 through which the cleaning device 40 passes is provided. An opening / closing lid 42 that can open and close the attachment port 41 is rotatably attached to the attachment port 41 via a hinge 43.

  On the other hand, when the cleaning device 40 is removed from the chain 20 in the case 12 at a position on the ceiling surface 28 of the case 12 corresponding to the downstream position of the upper path portion 29 (the left position on the paper surface of FIG. 1). A removal port 44 through which the cleaning device 40 passes outside the case 12 is provided. The removal port 44 is provided on the ceiling surface 28 of the case 12 at a position behind the insertion port 33 and above the slave wheel 18. The removal port 44 is provided with a lid 45 capable of closing the front half of the removal port 44 and a lid 46 capable of closing the rear half of the removal port 44. Incidentally, the lid body 46 capable of closing the rear half of the removal port 44 is attached to the rear end of the case 12 (specifically, the rear case 14) via the hinge 47 so as to be rotatable. It has been. In other words, the lid 46 can be opened and closed with respect to the removal port 44 by a user's operation, and is displaced in a first position state where the rear half of the removal port 44 is closed and a second position state where the rear half is opened. Functions as a member.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the lid body 45 capable of closing the front half of the removal port 44 has a strip-like rail 71 extending on the back surface 45 a side in a direction parallel to the back surface 45 a. . The rails 71 are arranged in the left-right direction of the bent plate having a crank-shaped cross section attached to the left and right end portions of the rear side of the back surface 45a of the lid body 45 along the front-rear direction. It is composed of a strip-like portion that projects horizontally into the case 12 so as to face each other. As shown in FIG. 8, the rail 71 has the lid 45 in the first position where the front half of the removal port 44 is closed and the rail 71 is positioned in the case 12. It is provided so as to extend along the upper path portion 29 while ensuring a gap S with the front side (the right side on the paper surface of FIG. 8) opened between the back surface 45a. At the front end portion of the rail 71, there is an inclined portion 72 that is inclined so as to be separated from the back surface 45a toward the front side (the upstream side of the upper path portion 29 and the right side on the paper surface of FIG. 8). Is provided.

  On the other hand, a strip-like rail 73 extending in a direction parallel to the back surface 46 a is also provided on the back surface 46 a side of the lid 46 that can close the rear half of the removal port 44. The rails 73 are arranged in the case 12 so as to be opposed to each other in the left-right direction on the bent crank-shaped bent plates that are respectively attached along the front-rear direction with respect to the entire length direction of the left and right ends of the back surface 46a of the lid 46. It is composed of a strip-like part that protrudes horizontally toward the surface. As shown in FIG. 8, this rail 73 also has a lid when the lid 46 is in the first position state where the rear half of the removal port 44 is closed and the rail 73 is positioned in the case 12. The front side (the upstream side of the upper path portion 29 and the right side on the paper surface of FIG. 8) is opened between the back surface 46a of the body 46 and the gap 46 is opened so as to extend along the upper path portion 29. Is provided.

  It should be noted that the rail 73 provided on the back surface 46a of the lid 46 has the lid 45, 46 closing the removal port 44 more than the rail 71 provided on the back surface 45a of the lid 45 located in front of the rail 73. When in a state, it is in a high position, and the front end portion of the rail 73 is provided so as to overlap the rear end portion of the front rail 71. And the movement on the rail 73 of other articles | goods (for example, articles | goods rolling on the rail 73) to the rear side rather than the position is prevented in the position slightly ahead of the rear end in the rear rail 73. A stopper portion 74 made of a plate piece is provided.

Next, the cleaning device 40 will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, when the cleaning device 40 is attached to a chain portion that moves the upper path portion 29 in the chain 20, the lower surface thereof is connected to the plurality of link plates 21 and 22 in the chain 20. The fixed-shaped base | substrate part 50 made to contact | abut to the upper end surface of this is provided. That is, the cleaning device 40 is placed on the chain 20 because the lower surface of the base portion 50 is in contact with the upper end surfaces of the plurality of link plates 21 and 22 in the chain 20. Further, when the cleaning device 40 is placed on the chain 20 via the base portion 50, the scraping plate protrudes to the left and right sides from the outer surfaces of the pair of left and right inner link plates 21 in the chain 20. An engagement portion 51 is provided to engage with the surface of 24 in a positioning state from the downstream side of the upper path portion 29.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the engaging portion 51 is a pair of left and right horizontal plate members that can be handled integrally with the base portion 50, and the cleaning device 40 connects the base portion 50 to the chain 20. In the state of being mounted and mounted on the upper side, the pair of left and right engaging portions 51 sandwich the chain 20 from both the left and right sides. In that state, the front end edge (the upper end edge on the paper surface of FIG. 5) of the plate-like member constituting each engaging portion 51 is downstream of the upper path portion 29 with respect to the surface of the scraper plate 24 along the vertical direction. The side edges that face each other across the chain 20 in the left and right engaging portions 51 abut each other on the outer surface of the outer link plate 22. As a result, in the cleaning device 40, the base portion 50 contacts the link plates 21 and 22 of the chain 20 in the vertical direction, and each engaging portion 51 is against the scraper plate 24 and the outer link plate 22 of the chain 20. By abutting in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction, the chain 20 is positioned.

  In addition, a part of the cleaning device 40 on the rear side of the pair of left and right engaging portions 51 in the front-rear direction (lower side on the paper surface of FIG. 5) includes a pair of left and right parallel four-bar links. Each of the swing link mechanisms 52 swings in the direction. Sliding portions 54 each made of a plate-like elastic scraper are provided on the upper end portion which is a movable end of each swing link mechanism 52 via a mounting portion 53 extending in the left-right direction. The left and right swing link mechanisms 52 have a biasing member 55 made of a coil spring that engages one end with a part (fixed portion) of the lower end portion of the swing link mechanism 52 while the other end swings. The movable link mechanism 52 is engaged with a part (movable part) of a freely displaceable upper end. As a result, the swing link mechanism 52 having the sliding portion 54 provided at the upper end portion swings in a direction in which the sliding portion 54 is pushed upward by the biasing force of the biasing member 55 to be contracted. Is being energized.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, the portion on the upstream edge side in the front-rear direction of the pair of left and right engaging portions 51 in the cleaning device 40 includes a pair of left and right parallel four-bar links in the vertical direction. The swing link mechanism 56 that swings in the direction is provided so as to be positioned between the right end portion of the left engagement portion 51 and the left end portion of the right engagement portion 51. A sliding portion 58 formed of a plate-like elastic scraper is provided at an upper end portion serving as a movable end of the swing link mechanism 56 via a mounting portion 57 extending in the left-right direction. Further, in this swinging link mechanism 56, a biasing member 59 made of a coil spring is located at one end of the base member 50 behind the swinging link mechanism 56 (downward on the paper surface of FIG. 5) ( The other end is engaged with a part (movable part) of the upper end of the swing link mechanism 56 that is freely displaceable. As a result, the swing link mechanism 56 having the sliding portion 58 provided at the upper end portion swings in a direction in which the sliding portion 58 is pushed upward by the biasing force of the biasing member 59 to be contracted. Is being energized.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the plurality of sliding portions 54 and 58 in the cleaning device 40 are along the width direction (left-right direction) intersecting with the extending direction of the upper path portion 29 in the circulation path 30 of the chain 20. Each of them extends and is provided with its position shifted in the width direction (left-right direction). Of the plurality of sliding portions 54, 58, the sliding portion 58 provided at the upper end portion of the swing link mechanism 56 is a left and right sliding portion provided at each upper end portion of the left and right swing link mechanisms 52. It is located upstream of the moving part 54 in the moving direction of the chain 20 (upper side on the paper surface of FIG. 5). The central sliding portion 58 is a part of both the left and right sliding portions 54 in which both ends in the width direction (left and right direction) are located on the downstream side (lower side on the paper surface of FIG. 5). So as to overlap each other.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the left and right sides of the cleaning device 40 on the left and right sides of the front part of the base part 50 in the front-rear direction include a parallel four-bar link and swings in the left-right direction. Each of the dynamic link mechanisms 60 is provided. In each swing link mechanism 60, a sliding portion 62 made of a plate-like elastic scraper is provided at a side end portion serving as a movable end via a mounting portion 61 extending in the vertical direction. Further, in the left and right swing link mechanism 60, an urging member 63 made of a coil spring locks one end thereof to the rear end portion (the lower end portion on the paper surface of FIG. 5) of the base portion 50, while the other end. Is locked to a part of the side end portion which becomes the movable end of the swing link mechanism 60. As a result, the rocking link mechanism 60 provided at the side end portion where the sliding portion 62 becomes the movable end causes the sliding portion 62 to move to the inner side surface 35 of the case 12 by the biasing force of the biasing member 63 to be contracted. It is urged so as to swing in the direction of pressing against. That is, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, the sliding portion 62 along the vertical direction is in a constant region of a height corresponding to the upper path portion 29 of the chain 20 among the left and right inner side surfaces 35 in the case 12. It can slide against. In this case, the sliding portion 62 along the vertical direction has a height corresponding to the upper path portion 29 of the chain 20 on the inner side surface 35 of the case 12 by appropriately changing the size and position of the vertical direction. It is possible to clean an arbitrary area including other areas other than the certain area.

  In the cleaning device 40, a long hole 64 is formed along the front-rear direction at a position on the rear side of the base part 50 in the front-rear direction (lower side on the paper surface of FIG. 5) and substantially in the center in the left-right direction. ing. A piece member 65 that can be moved and operated by the user with a fingertip is assembled in the long hole 64 so as to be movable along the long hole 64 and stop at a position after being moved. Yes. The top member 65 is linked to a side end portion that is a movable end of the left and right swing link mechanism 60 via a linkage mechanism (not shown), and moves left and right along the long hole 64 to swing left and right. The link mechanism 60 is swung in the left-right direction. That is, the position of the left and right sliding portions 62 in the left-right direction is determined by the positioning of the top member 65 in the direction along the long hole 64. In the present embodiment, when the position of the top member 65 in the long hole 64 is relatively rearward (downward on the paper surface of FIG. 5), it is relatively forward (upward on the paper surface of FIG. 5). The distance between the left and right sliding portions 62 in the left-right direction is narrower than in some cases.

  Also, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a pair of left and right parallel parts are provided on the rear side (lower side on the paper surface of FIG. 5) of the cleaning device 40 on the rear side of the base portion 50 in the front-rear direction. A swing link mechanism 66 that swings in the vertical direction including the four-bar link is provided. A roller-shaped rolling element 67 that rotates about an axis along the left-right direction is rotatably supported on the upper end portion that is a movable end of the swing link mechanism 66. The left and right parallel four-bar links constituting the swing link mechanism 66 are provided with a central sliding portion 58 at the upper end in front of the swing link mechanism 66 (upward on the paper surface of FIG. 5). The left and right parallel four-links in the swing link mechanism 56 swinging in the vertical direction substantially coincide with the positions in the left and right directions. The roller-shaped rolling element 67 is provided from the upper end of the left parallel four-bar link in the swing link mechanism 66 and from the upper end of the right parallel four-bar link in the swing link mechanism 66. And a rolling element 67 provided on the right side.

  Further, the swinging link mechanism 66 having the rolling element 67 provided at the upper end thereof is engaged with a fixed shaft 68 positioned at substantially the center in the front-rear direction of the base body 50, while the other end is swung. An urging member 70 made of a coil spring locked to a movable shaft 69 located at the upper end of the link mechanism 66 is provided. As a result, the swing link mechanism 66 provided with the rolling element 67 at the upper end is attached so as to swing in the direction in which the rolling element 67 is pushed upward by the biasing force of the biasing member 70 to be contracted. It is energized.

  Next, with respect to the operation of the chain conveyor 11 and its cleaning device 40, as shown in FIG. 2, when the dust D adheres to the inner surface (the ceiling surface 28 and the inner surface 35) of the case 12 of the chain conveyor 11. Then, the dust D is removed by the cleaning device 40 and the cleaning method when cleaning the inside of the case 12 will be described.

  When the inside of the case 12 is cleaned by the cleaning device 40, first, as shown in FIG. 6, the opening / closing lid 42 that is in the state of closing the mounting port 41 of the case 12 is opened to open the mounting port 41. To do. Then, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 6, after the cleaning device 40 is held at the front obliquely upper position of the attachment port 41, it is moved backward and obliquely downward from the position as indicated by the white arrow. Let Then, the cleaning device 40 passes through the attachment port 41 from the outside of the case 12 into the case 12. At this time, if the cleaning device 40 is positioned relatively rearward (downward on the paper surface of FIG. 5) in the elongated hole 64, the cleaning device 40 moves to the swing link mechanism 60 that swings in the left-right direction. Since the distance between the supported left and right sliding portions 62 in the left-right direction is reduced, the attachment port 41 can be easily passed.

  Then, as indicated by a solid line in FIG. 6, the cleaning device 40 is placed on the chain 20 via the base portion 50 at a position upstream of the upper path portion 29. In the state where the cleaning device 40 is placed on the chain 20 in this manner, the height positions of the upper ends of the sliding portions 54 and 58 and the rolling elements 67 along the left-right direction are within the attachment port 41. The height is higher than the height of the ceiling surface 28 of the case 12. The reason is that the swinging link mechanisms 52, 56, 66 that support the respective sliding portions 54, 58 and the respective rolling elements 67 and swing in the vertical direction are respectively connected to the respective sliding portions 54, 58 and the respective rolling elements 67. This is because the urging members 55, 59, and 70 are biased in the direction of pushing up.

  After the cleaning device 40 is placed on the chain 20, the frame member 65 is moved and adjusted forward (upward on the paper surface of FIG. 5) in the long hole 64, and both left and right sliding portions 62 along the vertical direction are adjusted. However, the mutual distance in the left-right direction is widened so that it can slide on the inner surface 35 of the case 12. In this case, the engaging portion 51 of the cleaning device 40 is engaged with the scraping plate 24 of the chain 20 so as to come into contact with the scraper 24 from the downstream side of the upper path portion 29. Then, the cleaning device 40 is attached to the chain 20 in the positioning state in the placement mode, and the attaching process of the cleaning device 40 to the chain 20 is thereby completed.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the attachment opening 41 is closed by closing the opening / closing lid 42 that was in the state in which the attachment opening 41 of the case 12 was opened. Then, the rolling element 67 at the upper end portion of the swing link mechanism 66 in the cleaning device 40 is pushed from above by the closing operation of the opening / closing lid 42, and the swing link mechanism 66 resists the biasing force of the biasing member 70. Swing in the direction to lower the part. Similarly, the sliding portions 54 and 58 at the upper end portions of the swing link mechanisms 52 and 56 in the cleaning device 40 are also pushed from above by the closed opening / closing lid 42, and the swing link mechanisms 52 and 56 are urged members 55. , 59 swings in the direction of lowering the upper end against the urging force. In this state, when the drive sprocket 16 is driven to rotate and the chain 20 is rotated, the cleaning device 40 moves the upper path portion 29 together with the chain 20 to the downstream side (rearward leftward on the paper surface of FIG. 7). Moving.

  At that time, the cleaning device 40 rolls the rolling element 67 with respect to the ceiling surface 28 in the case 12, and the upstream side of the upper path portion 29 from the rolling element 67 (right side on the paper surface of FIG. 7). The pair of left and right sliding portions 54 extending in the width direction (left and right direction) and the central sliding portion 58 are slid in pressure contact with the ceiling surface 28. Furthermore, a pair of left and right sliding portions 62 extending in the vertical direction is provided on the inner side surface 35 of the case 12 on the downstream side of the upper path portion 29 from the rolling element 67 (the rear side on the left side in FIG. 7). Slide against. That is, the cleaning device 40 moves while sliding the sliding portions 54, 58, 62 on the ceiling surface 28 and the inner side surface 35 in the case 12 in a state where the cleaning device 40 is attached to the circularly moving chain 20. The dust 12 adhering to the ceiling surface 28 and the inner surface 35 is scraped off to clean the inside of the case 12. When the cleaning device 40 that has further moved to the downstream side through the upper path portion 29 reaches a position below the removal port 44 provided in the rear case 14 of the case 12, the moving process of the cleaning device 40 by the chain 20 is completed. .

  Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the cleaning device 40 attached to the chain 20 in a mounting manner and reaching the position below the removal port 44 urges the rolling elements 67 from below on the ceiling surface 28 until then. The swinging link mechanism 66 that is in contact with the swinging member swings upward so as to push up the rolling element 67 in the removal port 44 based on the biasing force of the biasing member 70. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, the rolling element 67 pushed upward in the front half region of the removal port 44 is the inclined portion of the front end that becomes the upstream end of the rail 71 on the back surface 45 a side of the front lid 45. 72 is approached.

  As shown in FIG. 9, at this time, the swing link mechanism 66 has an outer dimension in the left-right direction smaller than the distance between the pair of rails 71 facing in the left-right direction. It moves downstream without interference, and only the rolling element 67 is brought into contact with the inclined portion 72 of the rail 71. Then, when the cleaning device 40 moves further downstream in that state, the rolling element 67 rolls up the inclined portion 72 and rolls on the rail 71 until reaching the rear end that is the downstream end of the rail 71. Transfer from the upstream rail 71 to the rail 73 provided on the rear surface 46a of the rear lid 46. And when the rolling element 67 rolls on the rails 71 and 73 in this way, the cleaning apparatus 40 is raised in the height position of the apparatus itself as compared with the case where it has been placed on the chain 20 so far. Therefore, it is in a state of being lifted from the chain 20.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 10, the cleaning device 40 has an inertial force on the downstream side in the movement direction (rearward in this case) in that state, so that the cleaning device 40 tries to roll further back on the rail 73. However, it abuts against the stopper portion 74 just before the rear end of the rail 73, and further backward rolling is prevented. As a result, the cleaning device 40 is in a state in which the rolling element 67 that is a part of the cleaning device 40 is hooked to the rail 73 provided on the back surface 46 a of the lid 46. At this point, the rail 73, including the front rail 71, is partially moved by the cleaning device 40 that has moved the upper path portion 29 of the chain 20 to a position below the removal port 44 (the rolling element 67). It functions as a latching part that latches.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 11, the rear lid 46 in which the cleaning device 40 is hooked on the rail 73 via the rolling elements 67 is changed from the closed state (first position state) shown in FIG. 10. The hinge 47 is used as a fulcrum to displace it in the opening direction to bring it into the open state (second position state). Then, since the back surface 46 a of the lid 46 is exposed outside the case 12, the cleaning device 40 that is hooked on the rail 73 on the back surface 46 a side is also exposed outside the case 12. Therefore, when the rolling element 67 is pulled out from the rail 73 on the back surface 46a side of the lid 46 and rolled in the direction, the cleaning device 40 attached to the chain 20 in order to remove the dust D from the case 12 becomes the chain conveyor 11. Removed from. And the removal process of the cleaning apparatus 40 from the chain 20 is complete | finished by this.

According to said embodiment, the following effects can be acquired.
(1) When dust D adheres to the ceiling surface 28 in the case 12 of the chain conveyor 11, after the cleaning device 40 is attached to the chain 20 from the attachment port 41 provided in the ceiling surface 28 of the case 12, the chain When the cleaning device 40 is rotated so that the cleaning device 40 moves the upper path portion 29 downstream, the ceiling surface 28 can be cleaned by the cleaning device 40. That is, since the dust D adhering to the ceiling surface 28 is removed so as to be scraped off by the sliding portions 54 and 58 of the cleaning device 40, the upper wall portion whose back surface becomes the ceiling surface 28 in the case 12 is used as the case. The ceiling surface 28 in the case 12 of the chain conveyor 11 can be easily cleaned without performing a troublesome operation such as removing from the upper end portions of the left and right side wall portions.

  (2) After the cleaning of the ceiling surface 28 in the case 12 by the cleaning device 40 is completed, the cleaning device 40 is detached from the chain 20 through the removal port 44 provided in the ceiling surface 28 of the case 12. Thereby, the conveyance of the article W to be conveyed by the chain conveyor 11 can be easily resumed again.

  (3) The cleaning device 40 that has moved the upper path portion 29 toward the downstream with the circular movement of the chain 20 and has reached the lower position of the take-out port 44 has a rolling element 67 as a part of the lid 46. A gap S is opened between the rear surface 46a and the upstream side is secured, and the rail 73 provided horizontally is hooked while moving downstream. When the lid 46 is reversed from the state to the open state, the cleaning device 40 is exposed to the outside of the case 12 while being hooked on the rail 73 that functions as a hooking portion. Can be removed and recovered.

  (4) When the cleaning device 40 moves to the downstream side along the ceiling surface 28 with the circular movement of the chain 20, the swing link mechanisms 52 and 56 are moved by the biasing force of the biasing members 55 and 59. Thus, the sliding portions 54 and 58 can be kept in pressure contact with the ceiling surface 28 at all times. Therefore, the sliding portions 54 and 58 are pressed with an appropriate force against the ceiling surface 28 to which the dust D is adhered, so that the cleaning operation involving the removal of the dust D can be performed stably.

  (5) The cleaning device 40 is configured such that the plurality of sliding portions 54 and 58 sliding on the ceiling surface 28 partially overlap each other in the left-right direction (width direction) intersecting the front-rear direction in which the upper path portion 29 extends. Is arranged. Therefore, in the case of the sliding portions 54 and 58 having a plurality of member configurations, the sliding portion is multifaceted with respect to the ceiling surface 28 as compared with the case where the sliding portion has a single member configuration that is wide in the left-right direction. For example, when a part of the ceiling surface 28 is distorted, it can be flexibly dealt with and the dust D adhering to the ceiling surface 28 can be removed well.

  (6) When the cleaning device 40 is placed on the chain 20 by the upper path portion 29, the engaging portion 51 of the cleaning device 40 is brought into contact with the scraping plate 24 of the chain 20 from the downstream side of the upper path portion 29. When engaged, the cleaning device 40 can be attached to the chain 20 in a positioning state. Then, after the cleaning is completed, the engagement of the engaging portion 51 with the scraper 24 is released simply by lifting the cleaning device 40 from above the chain 20 in the upper path portion 29, so that the cleaning device 40 is removed from the chain 20. It can be easily removed.

  (7) The cleaning device 40 that has moved the upper path portion 29 toward the downstream side along with the circular movement of the chain 20 and has reached the lower position of the takeout port 44 has its rolling element 67 half of the upstream side of the takeout port 44. Is engaged so as to ride on the inclined portion 72 at the upstream end of the rail 71 extending horizontally while ensuring a gap S on the back surface 45a of the upstream lid 45 in the closed state. In this state, the rolling element 67 rolls on the horizontal rail 71 while being guided by the inclined portion 72, and then, similarly, a clearance S is formed on the rear surface 46a of the rear lid 46 on the downstream side. It moves onto the rail 73 that is secured and extends horizontally, and is hooked on the rail 73. Therefore, the cleaning device 40 that has reached the position below the take-out port 44 can be smoothly latched to the rails 71 and 73 that function as latching portions by the guide action of the inclined portion 72.

  (8) The cleaning device 40 is provided with sliding portions 62 that slide on the left and right inner side surfaces 35 of the case 12 in addition to the sliding portions 54 and 58 that slide on the ceiling surface 28 of the case 12. The plurality of inner surfaces (the ceiling surface 28 and the inner surface 35) of the case 12 can be efficiently cleaned by the single cleaning device 40.

In addition, you may change said embodiment as follows.
In the cleaning device 40, the engaging portion 51 that engages with the scraper plate 24 when attached to the chain 20 is not configured to abut and engage with the scraper plate 24 from the downstream side. You may be comprised by the slit-shaped groove | channel etc. to insert. Even with such a configuration, the cleaning device 40 can be attached to the chain 20 in a positioning state.

  The cleaning device 40 may be attached in a fixed state with a fixing screw or the like, in addition to being attached to the chain 20 in a mounting manner. In this case, the fixing screw is also removed when the cleaning device 40 is removed from the chain 20 via the removal port 44.

The cleaning device 40 may be configured not to include the sliding portion 62 with respect to the left and right inner side surfaces 35 of the case 12.
In the cleaning device 40, the plurality of sliding portions 54 and 58 with respect to the ceiling surface 28 may have a single member configuration.

  The cleaning device 40 may have an arrangement configuration in which the plurality of sliding portions 54 and 58 with respect to the ceiling surface 28 are arranged in a straight line in the width direction thereof. In other words, the left end of the right sliding portion 54 may come into contact with the right end of the central sliding portion 58, and the right end of the left sliding portion 54 may come into contact with the left end of the central sliding portion 58. .

  The cleaning device 40 may be configured not to include the urging members 55 and 59 that urge the plurality of sliding portions 54 and 58 with respect to the ceiling surface 28. In this case, for example, the sliding portions 54 and 58 are plate-like members made of an elastically deformable material, and the upper end portions of the plate-like members slide with bending deformation on the ceiling surface 28. Is preferred.

  The sliding portions 54, 58, 62 of the cleaning device 40 may be plate members having rigidity if urged by the urging members 55, 59, 63 in addition to the configuration of the plate-like elastic scraper. Moreover, it may be a brush member composed of a large number of fluffs.

  The lid bodies 45 and 46 provided so as to be able to close the removal port 44 of the case 12 may have a single lid structure. For example, the downstream lid 46 is formed longer in the front-rear direction by the upstream lid 45, the length of the rail 73 on the back surface 46 a is approximately doubled, and the inclined portion 72 is formed at the upstream end of the rail 73. May be formed.

  In the removal opening 44 of the case 12, a displacement member having a latching portion that latches a part of the cleaning device 40 is configured as a member different from the lid bodies 45 and 46, and the latching portion is the case 12. You may make it provide the displacement member which can displace between the 1st position state located inside, and the 2nd position state located outside the case 12. FIG. Also in this case, when the cleaning device 40 is moved to a position below the removal port 44 with the lids 45 and 46 closing the removal port 44 and being placed on the chain 20, the displacement member is moved. A part of the cleaning device (the rolling element 67) is latched while moving with respect to the latching part that it has. Then, if the lids 45 and 46 are opened and the displacement member is displaced so that the latching portion is exposed outside the case 12, the cleaning device 40 can be easily removed from the latching portion as in the case of the embodiment. Can be removed and collected.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Chain conveyor, 12 ... Case, 20 ... Chain, 24 ... Scrap plate, 26 ... Bottom surface, 27 ... Lower path part, 28 ... Ceiling surface, 29 ... Upper path part, 30 ... Circulation path, 40 ... Cleaning apparatus, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 41 ... Installation port, 44 ... Removal port, 46 ... Openable and closable cover body which is an example of a displacement member, 46a ... Back surface, 51 ... Engagement part, 54, 58, 62 ... Sliding part, S ... Gap, W ... Conveyed object.

Claims (9)

Endlessly moving along a circular path including a case having a bottom surface and a ceiling surface facing the bottom surface, a lower path portion along the bottom surface in the case, and an upper path portion along the ceiling surface in the case And a scraper that can be transported so as to scrape the object to be transported along the bottom surface when moving the lower path portion with the circular movement of the chain in a state of being attached to the chain. A chain conveyor with
In the ceiling surface of the case, an attachment port through which the cleaning device passes when the cleaning device capable of cleaning the ceiling surface is attached to the chain is provided at a position corresponding to the upstream position of the upper path portion. On the other hand, the chain conveyor is provided with a removal port through which the cleaning device passes when the cleaning device is removed from the chain at a position corresponding to the downstream position of the upper path portion.   The removal port is displaceable between a first position state in which a latching portion provided in a part thereof is located inside the case and a second position state in which the latching portion is located outside the case. When the displacement member is in the first position state, the upper path portion is moved upstream to the lower position of the removal port with the circular movement of the chain while being placed on the chain. 2. The chain conveyor according to claim 1, wherein a part of the cleaning device that has moved from the position is hooked on the hook portion of the displacement member while moving. The displacement member is a lid provided on the removal port so that the removal port can be opened and closed,
In the state where the lid closes the removal port, the latching portion is provided along the upper path portion while ensuring a gap that is open on the upstream side between the lid and the back surface facing the case. It is comprised so that it may extend, The chain conveyor of Claim 2 characterized by the above-mentioned. Endlessly moving along a circular path including a case having a bottom surface and a ceiling surface facing the bottom surface, a lower path portion along the bottom surface in the case, and an upper path portion along the ceiling surface in the case And a scraper that can be transported so as to scrape the object to be transported along the bottom surface when moving the lower path portion with the circular movement of the chain in a state of being attached to the chain. A chain conveyor cleaning device provided,
An engagement portion that engages a part of the chain with the upper path portion when the cleaning device is attached to the chain; and
When the cleaning device is attached to the chain with the engaging portion engaged, the upper path portion is slid relative to the ceiling surface as the chain moves around the ceiling surface as the chain rotates. A moving sliding part;
A cleaning device for a chain conveyor, comprising:   The sliding portion is configured to be displaceable, and in a state where the cleaning device is attached to the chain by the upper path portion, the sliding portion is biased so as to be pressed against the ceiling surface. The chain conveyor cleaning device according to claim 4, wherein the chain conveyor is a cleaning device.   The said sliding part is comprised by the several sliding part provided by shifting the position in the direction which cross | intersects the direction where the said upper side path | route part is extended, The Claim 4 or Claim 5 characterized by the above-mentioned. Chain conveyor cleaning device.   The engaging portion engages with the scraper in a positioning state from the downstream side of the upper path portion in a state where the cleaning device is mounted on the chain in the upper path portion. The chain conveyor cleaning device according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein:   When the cleaning device is attached to the chain with the engaging portion engaged, the upper path portion is moved along the ceiling surface along the circular movement of the chain. The chain conveyor cleaning device according to any one of claims 4 to 7, further comprising a sliding portion that slides relative to the chain conveyor. Endlessly moving along a circular path including a case having a bottom surface and a ceiling surface facing the bottom surface, a lower path portion along the bottom surface in the case, and an upper path portion along the ceiling surface in the case And a scraper that can be transported so as to scrape the object to be transported along the bottom surface when moving the lower path portion with the circular movement of the chain in a state of being attached to the chain. A chain conveyor cleaning method provided,
An attaching step of attaching a cleaning device capable of cleaning the ceiling surface to the chain at an upstream position of the upper path portion;
A moving step of rotating the chain so as to move the upper path portion from upstream to downstream along the ceiling surface while the cleaning device cleans the ceiling surface;
A removing step of removing the cleaning device from the chain at a position downstream of the upper path portion;
A method for cleaning a chain conveyor, comprising:

Images