JP2024042150A - Conveyor transport device with replacement conveyor chain storage - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To develop a conveyor transport device that allows a replacement conveyor chain in a conveyor chain storage to be easily replaced with a conveyor chain on a production line, which is a conveyor transport device in the production line of foods such as instant noodles.

SOLUTION: Replacement conveyor chain 5-3 in a conveyor chain storage 13 includes an engaging portion 29 whose end portion hangs down from the storage 13 and engages an end region of the replacement conveyor chain 5-3 hanging from the replacement conveyor chain storage 13 on a top surface of the conveyor transport device 50.

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

COPYRIGHT: (C)2024,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention is a conveyor conveyance device commonly used in manufacturing processes such as instant noodle frying and hot air drying, which is equipped with a storage for a replacement conveyor chain for replacing a conveyor chain connected to a formwork (retainer). The present invention relates to a conveyor transport device and a method for holding a replacement conveyor chain.

In the continuous production of various dry foods such as instant noodles, noodle strings are stored in a porous mold in steps such as frying and hot air drying, and then steps such as frying and hot air drying are carried out. There are many.
For example, in a conveyor transport device used for frying on an instant noodle production line, after cutting a group of noodle strings after steaming, a plurality of liquid-permeable containers are placed between a pair of conveyor chains as shown in FIG. As shown in Fig. 16, the conveyor chain with the retainer attached is covered with a lid on top and then immersed in a frying tank for frying. I often get .

In this case, as shown in FIG. 16, a conveyor chain with a retainer is often circulated endlessly to perform dipping and discharging into the frying tank.
On the other hand, in the frying process step, different molds (retainers) are often used depending on the type and size, and after producing a specific type on the conveyor conveyor in the frying process of the production line, When switching to a conveyor chain, it is necessary to replace the retainer (formwork), so it is necessary to replace the conveyor chain with another retainer.

In such cases, the overall weight of the conveyor chain with a retainer is heavy, and in order to facilitate replacement, for example, as shown in FIG. (storage) may be provided.
Two types of conveyor chains with replacement retainers are prepared in the storage in Fig. 17, on the left and right sides of the paper. Connect the two ends of either side of the replacement (replacement) conveyor chain with a retainer to the conveyor chain with a retainer, and store the conveyor chain with a retainer in the conveyor conveyance device of the production line. A method such as a method of replacing the caged conveyor chain in the production line's conveyor transporting device with a replacement caged conveyor chain by pulling out and lowering the caged conveyor chain into the manufacturing line's conveyor transporting device. was hiring.

The reason why the conveyor chain with a retainer is stored at a high place in this way is, for example, as shown in FIG. This is because it was necessary to lift the conveyor transport device of the lid, and it was necessary to secure a space for such a case.
On the other hand, when a storage is provided in the upper space, it is necessary to take out the conveyor chain with a retainer from the upper storage, which may require time and effort.

Furthermore, in addition to the work being done at a height, the caged conveyor chain is heavy, making it difficult for workers to work there.
There is nothing particularly related to this prior patent related to the storage of a conveyor chain with a retainer in a conveyor conveyance device, and the only thing that is disclosed is a prior art related to a movable storage for the conveyor chain with a retainer. .

JP2019-099355

Therefore, the inventors of the present invention set out to develop a method that allows the caged conveyor chain to be replaced more easily from a replacement conveyor chain storage located at a high place when replacing the caged conveyor chain in a conveyor transport device. And so.

As a result of intensive research by the present inventors, it was found that the ends of the replacement conveyor chain in the storage were suspended from the storage, and the replacement conveyor chain hanging from the replacement conveyor chain storage was placed on the upper surface of the conveyor transport device. The present invention was completed by discovering that replacing the conveyor chain can be easily performed by providing an engaging portion that engages the end region of the conveyor chain.
That is, the first invention of the present application is
“A conveyor transport device that transports a conveyor chain,
a replacement conveyor chain storage located above the conveyance device;
A conveyor conveyance device comprising a replacement conveyor chain storage, the conveyor conveyance device having an engagement portion that engages an end region of the replacement conveyor chain hanging down from the replacement conveyor chain storage on an upper surface of the conveyor conveyance device. “, is.

Next, it is also preferable to connect a dummy chain for adjustment to the end of the replacement conveyor chain in order to smoothly carry out the replacement work.
That is, the second invention of the present application is
"The conveyor transport device according to claim 1, further comprising a dummy chain connected to the end of the replacement conveyor chain."

Next, the applicant of the present invention also contemplates a method for holding the replacement conveyor chain by engaging it with an engaging portion provided on the top surface of the conveyor conveyance device.
That is, the third invention of the present application is
“A method for holding a replacement conveyor chain for replacing a conveyor chain in a conveyor conveyance device that conveys a conveyor chain,
arranging a replacement conveyor chain storage so as to be located above the conveyor conveyance device, and allowing an end region of the replacement conveyor chain to hang down from the replacement conveyor chain storage;
An exchange in which an engaging portion that engages with an end region of a replacement conveyor chain is provided on the upper surface of the conveyor conveyance device, and the end region of the hanging replacement conveyor chain is engaged with the engaging portion. How to hold a conveyor chain. “, is.

Furthermore, in the holding method, it is also preferable that the end region of the replacement conveyor chain to be suspended is a dummy chain.
That is, the fourth invention of the present application is
"The method for holding a replacement conveyor chain according to claim 3, wherein the hanging end region of the replacement conveyor chain is a dummy chain."

By utilizing the present invention, in a conveyor transport device using a conveyor chain with a retainer, it is possible to more easily replace the conveyor chain with a retainer in the replacement conveyor chain storage located at a high place and the conveyor chain on the production line.

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of the entire conveyor transport device equipped with a conveyor chain storage according to the first embodiment. It is a top perspective view of a conveyor chain with a retainer in which a retainer (form) is connected to the conveyor chain of the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the conveyor conveyance device of the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the conveyor chain storage of the first embodiment. It is an enlarged schematic side view of the conveyor chain storage of a first embodiment. It is a top perspective view when a guide rail is provided with respect to the conveyor chain with a retainer of a 1st embodiment. It is a side view schematic diagram when a guide rail is provided in the replacement conveyor chain storage of the first embodiment. It is a side enlarged schematic diagram which showed the aspect which moves the sprocket of the uppermost stage of the conveyor chain storage of a 1st embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which showed the movement of the guide rail when moving the sprocket of the uppermost stage of the conveyor chain storage of a 1st embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of an engaging portion provided on the top surface of the conveyor transport device of the first embodiment. It is a top perspective view of the engagement part provided on the top surface of the conveyor conveyance device of a first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic side view showing a state in which the conveyor chain on the production line and the conveyor chain in the conveyor chain storage are replaced in the conveyor transport device of the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic side view when a dummy chain is used in the replacement conveyor chain in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic side view showing a state of conveyor chain replacement when a dummy chain is used in the replacement conveyor chain in the first embodiment. It is a top perspective view of a conveyor chain with a retainer in which a retainer (form) is connected to the conveyor chain. FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the conveyor transport device. FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of a conveyor transport device equipped with a conveyor chain storage. FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the conveyor conveyance device equipped with a conveyor chain storage when the lid portion of the conveyor conveyance device is lifted up.

1 Conveyor chain 3 Formwork (retainer)
5 Conveyor chain with retainer 5-1 Conveyor chain with retainer in production line 5-3 Replacement conveyor chain with retainer 7 Weight tension 9 Driven sprocket 11 Drive sprocket 12 Sprocket 13 Replacement conveyor chain with retainer storage 15 Lid conveyor 19 Frying oil tank 21 Guide rail 23 Another conveyor 25 Sprocket 27 for storage of conveyor chain with replacement retainer Guide rail 29 Engagement portion 31 Vertical bar 33 Horizontal bar 35 Hook-shaped engagement member 37 Dummy chain 50 Conveyor conveyance Device

The first embodiment of the present application will be described below. However, the present application is not limited to this example. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a conveyor transfer device equipped with a replacement conveyor chain storage in a first embodiment of the present invention.

1. Conveyor Chain The conveyor chain 1 in the present invention is a conveyor chain used in the continuous production of various foods including instant noodles. In particular, in the present invention, a container called a formwork (also referred to as a retainer) 3, which is formed by connecting a plurality of formworks as shown in FIG. A conveyor chain 5 with a retainer attached to the conveyor chain 5 can be used.

The conveyor chain 5 with a retainer is used in a conveyor conveyance device of a food production line for instant noodles, etc. For example, in the case of frying instant noodles, a group of cut noodle strings are fed into the frying process. (oil heat drying) and hot air drying. In addition, it can also be used in the production of various other dry foods (confectionery, etc.).
In addition, in the conveyor transfer device 50 as shown in FIG. 1, a pair of conveyor chains 5 with retainers arranged substantially parallel are wound around a pair of sprockets to rotate the sprockets, thereby conveying the retainer 3. The most common form is

Moreover, when the conveyor chain 5 with a retainer is attached to a conveyor conveyance device of a production line, it often becomes an endless circulating mode. FIG. 1, which is the first embodiment of the present invention, shows a schematic diagram of a continuous production line for food (fried noodle blocks), in which a conveyor chain 5 with a retainer circulates endlessly and After the group of noodle strings put in at the side is covered from above by a lid conveyor and fried for a predetermined period of time, the fried noodle chunks are taken out from the retainer 3 by reversing the retainer 3. The figure shows a mode of sequentially discharging.

Furthermore, a motor unit connected to a sprocket is used to drive the conveyor chain 1.
Although the first embodiment of the present invention uses a conveyor chain with a formwork (retainer), the present invention is not limited to this, and various types of conveyor chains can be used as long as they are conveyed by a conveyor chain. For example, it may be a belt-like member other than a formwork (retainer), or it may be a wire-mesh-like belt conveyor.

2. Conveyor Transport Apparatus As shown in Figures 1 to 3, a conveyor transport apparatus 50 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is configured so that a form 3 being conveyed by a conveyor passes through a predetermined frying tank 19, and relates to a conveyor transport apparatus for frying food.
A driven sprocket 9 and a driving sprocket 11 are attached to a predetermined support, and the rotation of the driving sprocket 11 causes the conveyor as a whole to transport food in the direction of the arrow. A frying tank 19 is disposed midway through the transport, and the food is configured to pass through the frying tank 19. Heated oil and fat are stored in the frying tank 19, and the food is fried as it passes through the frying tank 19.

Furthermore, in the first embodiment of the present invention, a lid conveyor transport device 15 for covering the mold 3 being transported with a lid from above is also provided. That is, food is stored in the mold 3, and before the mold 3 is conveyed and enters the frying tank, a lid is placed over the top, and the food enters the frying tank 19 with the lid holding down the top of the mold 3, The structure is such that the fried object does not come off the mold 3 while the object is being fried. Further, when the mold is removed from the frying tank 19, the upper lid is removed and only the mold 3 is transported.
The lid conveyor transport device may be of a type that follows the formwork 3 or of a type that is driven independently while synchronizing with the formwork. Each configuration will be further explained in detail below.

3. Overall configuration of conveyor transfer device As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, in the first embodiment of the present invention, a conveyor transfer device 50 has a pair of driving sprockets 9 and a pair of driven sprockets 11 parallel to a predetermined support. It is attached so that it is placed in the
Of these, a pair of driving sprockets 11 are fixed to a support body and connected to a predetermined power section such as a motor section.
Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a predetermined weight tension 7 is applied to the driven sprocket 9, and the driven sprocket 9 is mounted so as to be slidable in the horizontal direction. That is, a hanging weight is connected to the driven sprocket 9 by a wire, and as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, a weight tension 7 that acts outward with respect to the conveyor transfer device is applied.

Further, the tension force of the conveyor chain 1 opposes the tension force, and the driven sprocket 9 is located at a point where both are balanced.
A pair of conveyor chains 1 are endlessly wound around the driven sprocket 9 and the driving sprocket 11, and form an engaged state when the lid closes the mold (retainer) from above. The driving force of the driving sprocket 11 is transmitted to the driven sprocket 9.

In addition to the driving sprocket 9 and the driven sprocket 11, a number of guides and sprockets are provided to regulate the direction of conveyance of the conveyor chain 1.
As for the transport path of the conveyor chain 1, the upper side is the transport surface for storing and transporting food, and as shown in Figure 1, a form (retainer) 3 is connected to it, and the food to be transported is stored in the form 3 and transported. After the food has been transported, the upside-down form 3 is transported along the transport path below the conveyor chain 1, and this process is repeated in a circular fashion.

Next, a feeder for feeding food is installed near the driven sprocket 9, and food is fed from above and sequentially into the formwork. In particular, in the case of producing noodle blocks of instant noodles as the food, a noodle feeder for feeding noodle strands is installed as shown in Figures 1 and 3, and the noodle strands hanging down from the upper conveyor are cut out sequentially by a rotating blade, and the cut noodle strands are fed into the formwork (retainer) 3. In this way, the conveyor transport device of this first embodiment can be suitably used for producing such noodle blocks.

In addition, in the area of the conveyor chain 1 where the formwork (retainer) 3 is conveyed near the driven sprocket 9, the formwork 3 connected to the conveyor chain 1 is prevented from moving up and down when the noodle strings are introduced. To avoid this, a rail 21 is provided to support the conveyor chain 1 from below, as shown in FIG.
The presence of the rail 21 makes it possible to avoid problems such as the mold 3 swinging due to impact when the food (noodle strings) is fed on the conveyance surface near the driven sprocket 9. This enables stable conveyance.

Further, on the conveyor conveyance surface (upper surface) of the food in the conveyor conveyance device 50, after the food to be fried is conveyed while being supplied from the feeder, the mold 3 is conveyed and enters the frying tank 19. The lid covers the top of the mold 3 before entering the frying tank 19 with the lid holding down the top of the mold 3, so that the fried food does not come off the mold 3 while the object is being fried. It is configured as follows.

In order to regulate the trajectory of the conveyor chain 1 within the frying tank, a track regulating rod is appropriately provided in the frying tank 19. By configuring the track regulating rod so that the conveyor chain passes through it, the transport track of the conveyor chain is regulated.
Furthermore, when the mold is removed from the frying tank 19, the upper lid is separated and the mold is transported with only the mold 3 in place. The formwork 3 with the lid removed is inverted at the end of the conveying surface and is faced upside down, and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the formwork 3 in the inverted state is fried. Another conveyor 23 receives the fried food and moves it to the next step.

4. Replacement conveyor chain storage The replacement conveyor chain storage 13 shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is equipped with a formwork (retainer) 3 installed on a conveyor conveyance device of a production line. This is a storage for storing a replacement conveyor chain 5-3 for the conveyor chain 5 with a retainer.
As shown in FIG. 1, the replacement conveyor chain storage 13 is installed separately and independently from the conveyor transport device itself of the production line.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, a replacement conveyor chain with a retainer 5-3 is inserted horizontally into the replacement conveyor chain storage 13 of the first embodiment of the present invention, and the replacement conveyor chain 5-3 is inserted through a plurality of sprockets. The replacement retainer-equipped conveyor chain 5-3 is stored in a connected state in multiple stages in the vertical direction.

In addition, in FIGS. 1 and 4 of the first embodiment of the present invention, two types of replacement retainer-equipped conveyor chains 5-3 are prepared, one on the left and one in the paper, and the retainer-equipped conveyor chain 5-3 in the conveyor conveyance device on the production line. -1, connect the two ends of either side of the replacement conveyor chain with retainer 5-3 to the conveyor chain with retainer 5-1 in the conveyor conveyance device of the production line. Then, while storing the conveyor chain 5-1 with a retainer in the conveyor transport device of the production line, the replacement conveyor chain 5-3 with a retainer is pulled out and lowered into the conveyor transport device of the production line, and the manufacturing process begins. A method is adopted in which the conveyor chain 5-1 with a retainer in the conveyor conveyance device of the line is sequentially replaced with a replacement conveyor chain 5-3 with a retainer.

Note that FIGS. 1 and 4 show two sets of replacement conveyor chains with retainers 5-3 installed in the replacement conveyor chain with retainer storage 13, and the two sets are stored in this way. By doing so, it becomes possible to handle a plurality of different types of retainers 3 on the production line. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and it goes without saying that the present invention may be of a type in which only one set is stored in the storage. Alternatively, two or more sets may be stored.

Next, FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged view of the conveyor chain storage 13 with a replacement retainer shown in FIG. 4, and as shown in FIG. It is stored as it should be.
In the longitudinal direction of the replacement conveyor chain with retainer storage 13, a set of replacement conveyor chains with retainers 5-3 is stored in multiple stages in the horizontal direction while being inverted, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. It has a plurality of pairs of sprockets 25 at the front and back of the page. Each of the sprockets 25 has multiple stages and is located at alternate heights in the longitudinal direction.

That is, inside the replacement conveyor chain with retainer storage 13, there is a pair of sprockets 25 around which a pair of conveyor chains are wound so that the conveyor chain with retainer 5-3 can be stored horizontally in multiple stages. It is rotatably mounted.
In FIG. 4, the plurality of pairs of sprockets 25 are arranged so that the conveyor chain 1 is wound around the sprocket 25 and turned over to form 12 stages to accommodate the replacement retainer-equipped conveyor chain 5-3. They are arranged at alternate heights in the front and back directions and are rotatably mounted.

In order to prevent the conveyor chain 5-3 with a replacement retainer, which is stored horizontally, from loosening, the conveyor chain 1 of each stage is supported from below, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. It is preferable to provide a guide rail 21 at each stage.
In addition, when replacing the conveyor chain 5-1 with a retainer in a conveyor transport device on a production line, etc., among the sprockets 25 mentioned above, for convenience of work at the time of replacement, The top sprockets 25 at both ends of the page may be configured to slide and move in the horizontal direction, as shown in FIG. Further, it is also preferable that the sprockets 25 at the lowest stage at both ends of the drawing are configured to be movable in the horizontal direction as well.

If the sprocket can be slid, the area including the tip of the replacement conveyor chain with retainer 5-3 can be pulled out to the outside, making it easier to connect it to the conveyor chain with retainer 5-1 in the conveyor transport device of the production line. Because of this work, it is possible to secure the chain length, and the conveyor chain can be replaced smoothly. Note that the other sprockets 25 may also be fixed in position or may be slidably movable.

In addition, in such a horizontal sliding movement, the structure for the sliding movement may be a known sprocket, shaft, bearing, etc., and the position of the rotation center axis can be fixed with a screw as necessary. You can leave it as is.
In addition, when trying to slide the sprocket 25, the guide rail 21 that supports the conveyor chain 1 on the upper side of the conveyor chain 1 wound around the sprocket 25 among the above-mentioned guide rails 21 obstructs the movement of the sprocket 25. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, the guide rails 21 may have a structure in which a plurality of short guide rail units are consecutively arranged in the horizontal direction. Further, a configuration may be adopted in which the guide rail can be attached and detached as appropriate according to the sliding movement of the sprocket 25.

In addition, when the sprocket 25 slides and passes, the sprocket 25 can be made to slide temporarily by moving in the direction of the arrow as shown in FIG. 9 .
Incidentally, for the configuration for this purpose, a known method may be used as appropriate. For example, it is also possible to make the guide rail 21 swingable so that the sprocket 25 temporarily escapes to the outside when it moves.
Furthermore, the guide rail 21 may not be provided, and the conveyor chain 1 may be partially supported by a rod-shaped member or the like so as not to loosen.

4. Conveyor chain end area hanging down from conveyor chain storage In the present invention, as shown in FIG. The engagement part 29 is provided.
Moreover, FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the engaging portion of the first embodiment.
As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, in the first embodiment, the engaging portion 29 includes a set of two vertical bars 31 for one type of conveyor chain 5-3 with a replacement retainer. Two upper and lower horizontal bars 33 are provided that cross the vertical bar 31, and a pair of hook-shaped engagement members 35 are attached near the left and right ends of the horizontal bars 33. A mode is shown in which a conveyor chain 5-3 with a replacement retainer hanging down from above is engaged with the engaging portion 29.

In addition, the engagement referred to in the present invention includes various states such as simply being hooked on the hook-shaped engaging member 35, being connected with screws, etc., and being temporarily fastened, and includes the state in which the engagement member 35 is attached with a replacement retainer. The present invention includes any aspect as long as it suppresses the swinging of the end region of the conveyor chain to a predetermined extent, and may be any aspect as long as it is provided on the upper surface of the conveyor transport device.
Furthermore, the engagement in the present invention is not limited only when the part that is actually hooked or connected to the hook is a part of a conveyor chain, but also when a conveyor chain with a retainer is used as in the first embodiment of the present invention. In the case of a chain, this also includes hooking or connecting the retainer part.

The present invention includes any aspect as long as the rocking of the end region of the conveyor chain of the retainer chain itself is suppressed to a predetermined extent by engaging either the retainer chain itself or a portion connected to the retainer chain.
In the first embodiment, two engaging structures each consisting of the vertical bar 31, the horizontal bar 33, and the hook-shaped engaging member 35 are provided so as to face each other, and each engages with one type of engaging member. It can be used with a replacement conveyor chain with retainer 5-3.

In the present invention, it is preferable to provide the engaging portion 29 on the top surface of the conveyor conveyance device because the operator can easily carry out the replacement work within reach.
Incidentally, even if there is a case where the conveyor transport device of the lid part is lifted as described in the background art of the present application, the slack area of the replacement retainer-equipped conveyor chain 5-3 that is engaged with the engaging part will only increase. This is not a particular problem.

5. Connecting and replacing the conveyor chain and conveyor line from the conveyor storage In the conveyor transfer device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the conveyor chain 5-1 with a retainer that is already attached to the conveyor transfer device on the production line is replaced. Explain when to do so.
As shown in Fig. 12, the joint link of the conveyor chain with retainer (broken line) 5-1 in the production line is removed in the region before the downstream end of the conveyor transport device of the production line, and the replacement link that was engaged is removed. Connect with the ends (2 locations) of the conveyor chain with retainer (solid line) 5-3. Thereafter, conveyance of the -1 retainer-equipped conveyor chain 5 is started in the conveyor conveyance device, and the retainer-equipped conveyor chain 5-1 on the production line is sequentially replaced with a replacement retainer-equipped conveyor chain 5-3.

After all the conveyor chains with retainers 5-1 on the production line have been replaced with the replacement conveyor chains with retainers 5-3, remove the previously connected joints (2 places) and connect the ends of the conveyor chains with retainers after replacement. Connect the parts to complete the exchange.
That is, by sequentially moving the conveyor chain 1 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. The replacement retainer-equipped conveyor chains 5-3 are sequentially supplied into the conveyor transport device of the production line. In this way, the replacement retainer-equipped conveyor chains 5-3 stored in the storage 13 are sequentially supplied to the conveyor conveyance device of the production line, and after all have been supplied, they are conversely transferred to the conveyor conveyance device of the production line. The retainer-equipped conveyor chain 5-1 is stored in the storage 13.

In this way, it becomes possible to easily replace the conveyor chain 5 with a retainer that is already attached to the conveyor transport device of the production line with a conveyor chain 5 with a retainer of another type to be newly used.
In addition, in order to create slack in the chain for work such as connecting the conveyor chain 5 with a retainer, the tension of the conveyor chain on the production line should be lowered and the conveyor chain 5 with a retainer 5 should be stretched as appropriate. Can be done.

Furthermore, it goes without saying that the sprocket 25 of the replacement conveyor chain with retainer storage 13 may be moved to give slack to the replacement conveyor chain with retainer 5-3 as described above.
Additionally, in addition to or in addition to the above-mentioned method of giving slack to the conveyor chain 5 with a retainer for connection/disconnection with the conveyor chain 5 with a retainer, a dummy chain 37 may be used as described below. is also possible.

6. Dummy Chain Connected to End of Conveyor Chain Next, as shown in FIG. 13, a part of the end region (thick lined part) of the conveyor chain may be used as a dummy chain 37. The dummy chain 37 can be replaced easily by ensuring the chain length of the retainer-equipped conveyor chain 5 when replacing the dummy chain 37 portion.
It goes without saying that the parts other than the dummy chain 37 will be installed on the production line. Furthermore, the dummy chain 37 may be connected to either end (the leading side or the terminal side) of the replacement conveyor chain 37 with a retainer.

Further, in the area of the dummy chain 37, a simple rod-shaped member may be used instead of connecting the retainer 3 as shown in FIG. 2. Furthermore, an embodiment in which nothing is connected is also possible.

Regarding the procedure for replacing the conveyor chain with retainer 5 when using the dummy chain 37, replace the joint link of the conveyor chain with retainer (broken line) 5-1 on the production line in the area in front of the downstream end on the production line. , and connect them to the ends (two locations) of the replacement conveyor chain with retainer (solid line) 5-3 with dummy chain that was engaged with the engaging part.

After that, the conveyor chain 5 with a retainer is transported in the conveyor transport device in the production line, and the replacement conveyor chain with a retainer is transferred to the dummy chain part to the terminal area of the conveyor chain 5-1 with a cage on the production line. (Figure 14).
With all the conveyor chains with retainers 5-1 on the production line replaced with the replacement conveyor chains with retainers 5-3, remove the connection between the replacement conveyor chains with retainers 5 and the dummy chain before the replacement work. At the same time, remove the connection between the conveyor chain with retainer 5 that was on the production line and the replacement conveyor chain with retainer 5, and connect the ends of the replaced conveyor chain with retainer, excluding the dummy chain, to complete the replacement. .

Moreover, on the side of the storage 13, a dummy chain is stored in a state in which a dummy chain is added to the conveyor chain 5 with a retainer used in the conveyor transport device on the production line.
Note that the connected dummy chain area may be removed and reconnected as necessary, and adjustments can be made as appropriate.

Claims (4)

A conveyor transport device that transports a conveyor chain;
a replacement conveyor chain storage located above the conveyance device;
A conveyor conveyance device comprising a replacement conveyor chain storage, the upper surface of the conveyor conveyance device having an engaging portion that engages an end region of the replacement conveyor chain hanging down from the replacement conveyor chain storage.
2. The conveyor transport device according to claim 1, further comprising a dummy chain connected to the end of said replacement conveyor chain.
A method for holding a replacement conveyor chain for replacing a conveyor chain in a conveyor conveyance device that conveys the conveyor chain, the method comprising:
arranging a replacement conveyor chain storage so as to be located above the conveyor conveyance device, and allowing an end region of the replacement conveyor chain to hang down from the replacement conveyor chain storage;
An exchange in which an engaging portion that engages with an end region of a replacement conveyor chain is provided on the upper surface of the conveyor conveyance device, and the end region of the hanging replacement conveyor chain is engaged with the engaging portion. How to hold a conveyor chain.
4. The method for holding a replacement conveyor chain according to claim 3, wherein the hanging end region of said replacement conveyor chain is a dummy chain.