JP4221407B2 - Chain structure - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a chain structure used for an article conveying conveyor or the like.

  For example, a speed increasing roller chain shown in FIG. 9 is used as a chain used for a roller conveyor for conveying articles.

The roller chain travels with a small diameter so that the load roller 1 is sandwiched between bushes 2 that rotatably hold the large-diameter loading roller 1 so that the article being conveyed can be conveyed at a speed faster than the traveling speed of the chain. The roller 3 is fixed, the support shaft 4 is rotatably inserted into the bush 2, and both ends of the support shaft 4 are spanned between a pair of left and right inner link plates 5.
Both ends of the support shaft 4 are press-fitted into the holes 5a of the inner link plates 5 and 5, respectively, and the support shaft 4 and the inner link plates 5 and 5 are fixedly fixed, and the two inner link plates 5 and 5 facing each other are fixed. The two support shafts 4 and 4 are connected to each other to form a rectangular frame shape.

  Further, a pin 7 is inserted into the support shaft 4, both ends of the pin 7 are spanned over a pair of left and right outer link plates 8, and both ends of the pin 7 are crimped to pin 7 and the outer link plate. 8 is fixed immovably. The inner and outer link plates 5 and 8 are sequentially connected in the longitudinal direction, and the long connected chain is bent as the pin 7 and the support shaft 4 rotate around each other. And the both ends of the chain are connected, and an annular roller chain is comprised.

As shown in FIG. 1 which is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment of the present invention, when the traveling roller 3 of the roller chain is placed on the fixed rail 6 and the roller chain is traveled, the traveling roller 3 rotates. When the traveling roller 3 rotates, the bush 2 fixed to the traveling roller 3 rotates, and the rotation of the bush 2 is transmitted to the loading roller 1 by friction, and the loading roller 1 rotates.
When the conveyed product is placed on the loading roller 1, the load of the conveyed product is dispersed from the loading roller 1 to the traveling roller 3 and is supported by the contact portion with the rail 6. The conveyed product is conveyed along with the rotation of the loading roller 1.
At this time, since the loading roller 1 has a larger diameter than the traveling roller 3, due to the difference in diameter, the conveying object placed on the upper surface of the loading roller 1, that is, the conveying surface, is faster than the traveling speed of the chain. (See, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP-A-7-330128

In the conventional chain structure typified by the speed increasing roller chain or the like, the support shaft 4 and the inner link plates 5 and 5 located on both sides of the support shaft 4 and the surface direction of the plates 5 and 5, It is firmly fixed in a state in which the axial direction is perpendicular to each other (see FIG. 9). This is because a large tensile force acts on the chain in the state of use, and thus the support shaft 4 needs to be firmly fixed to the inner link plate 5.
For the same reason, the pin 7 needs to be firmly fixed to the outer link plates 8 and 8.

  However, since the two support shafts 4 and the inner link plates 5 and 5 on both sides are fixed in a rectangular frame shape so as not to move with each other, the chain tends to be in a so-called twisted state.

For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the fixing angle of the support shaft 4 with respect to the inner link plate 5 is shifted by a minute angle α with respect to the right angle position s to be originally fixed, and the axis is the direction in the figure. In the state of the line t, the chain does not become linear along the longitudinal direction, but gradually twists in the width direction or in the vertical direction (FIG. 10 shows the chain twisted in the width direction). (The bending amount is exaggerated and greatly shown for easy understanding.)
This is because, when a tension (the above-mentioned tensile force) is applied to the chain, the pin 7 is in line contact with the inner surface of the support shaft 4 along the axial direction, and the axial direction of the support shaft 4 and the pin 7 This is because the axial direction faces the same direction. That is, if the fixed angle of the support shaft 4 is not perpendicular to the surface direction of the inner link plate 5, the outer link plates 8, 8 connected via the pins 7 fitted to the support shaft 4 are the inner link plate. The parallelism with 5 and 5 cannot be maintained, and the chain is twisted.

If such an error accumulates, the chain will be greatly twisted along its length. When the chain is twisted, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, the adjacent inner and outer link plates 5, 8 may be gradually twisted up and down (so-called twisted) at a minute angle β. is there. In such a state, the chain may be lifted off the rail or dropped off, which is not preferable.
Therefore, high accuracy is required for the fixed angle (right angle) of the support shaft 4 with respect to the inner link plate 5.

  Therefore, in order to prevent the chain from being twisted, the fixing position of the support shaft 4 with respect to the inner link plates 5 and 5 and the mounting accuracy of the fixing angle (right angle) were improved, and this occurred even after the assembly. The work which corrects a twist suitably is required. However, the improvement of accuracy causes a great deal of labor, time, and cost, and the correction work after assembly is a very complicated work. Therefore, it is desirable that the chain is difficult to be twisted.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to make it difficult for the chain to be twisted.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention relates to the relationship between two opposing inner link plates and two supporting shafts connecting the inner link plates, and one end of one supporting shaft is connected to one side. The other link shaft is fixed with respect to the inner link plate, and the other end is movable with respect to the inner link plate on the opposite side. The other end is fixedly fixed to the opposite inner link plate.

In this way, the two inner link plates facing each other can move within a certain movable range without being fixedly fixed at a position where both are in a parallel state. Therefore, even if there is a slight error in the direction (right angle) of the support shaft relative to each inner link plate or its mounting position, the two inner link plates facing each other move to cancel the error, and the inner link The pair of support shafts spanned between the plates can be maintained in parallel or in a state closer to parallel.
If the pair of support shafts can be maintained in parallel, the outer link plates connected to both sides in the longitudinal direction by pins inserted through the support shafts can be maintained in parallel along the axis of the chain. For this reason, it becomes difficult for the chain to be twisted.

  In the above configuration, one end of one pin connecting the two outer link plates facing each other is movable with respect to the one outer link plate, and the other end of the one pin is connected to the opposite side. While fixing immovably to the outer link plate, one end of the other pin is fixed immovably to the outer link plate on the one side, and the other end of the other pin is fixed to the outer link plate on the opposite side. May be movable.

  In this way, as with the relationship between the inner link plate and the support shaft, even if there is a slight error in the direction (right angle) of the pin with respect to each outer link plate or its mounting position, it continues to the outer link plate. The pair of support shafts spanned between the inner link plates can function in parallel or in a state of being more parallel. For this reason, the chain can be made more difficult to be twisted.

In addition, as described above, the configuration in which one end of the pin is movable with respect to the outer link plate should be adopted even when both ends of the support shaft are fixedly fixed to the inner link plates on both sides. Can do.
That is, one end of one pin connecting the two outer link plates facing each other is fixedly fixed to the one outer link plate, and the other end of the one pin is fixed to the opposite outer link plate. The other end of the other pin is movable with respect to the outer link plate on the one side, and the other end of the other pin is fixedly fixed to the outer link plate on the opposite side. This is the configuration.

  As described above, as a means for fixing one end of the support shaft or the pin to the corresponding inner / outer link plate or making it movable, for example, on the fixed side, a hole in which the support shaft is formed in the inner link plate. In addition to the method of fixing by press-fitting into the plate, known methods such as adhesion and welding can be adopted. On the movable side, the support shaft is fitted in a hole formed in the inner link plate with a gap so that both can move in the radial direction of the support shaft, and there is a gap between them. For example, both of them can be moved in the axial direction of the support shaft.

  Further, by interposing an elastic material between the support shaft and the inner link plate and between the pin and the outer link plate, both can be made movable without a gap. In addition, although the structure is complicated, the support shaft or the pin and the link plate are connected by a known link mechanism, a sliding member that can slide to each other, and the support shaft or the pin and the link plate are connected in the radial direction, Alternatively, a method of moving in the axial direction is also conceivable.

In the present invention, one end of one spindle is fixedly fixed to the inner link plate, and the other end is made movable with respect to the opposite inner link plate. Since it is movable with respect to the plate and the other end is fixedly fixed to the opposite inner link plate, the chain is unlikely to be twisted.
In addition, one end of one pin is fixed to the outer link plate, and the other end is movable with respect to the opposite outer link plate. Since the other end is fixed with respect to the opposite outer link plate, the chain is not easily twisted even in this configuration.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The chain structure of this embodiment relates to a speed-increasing roller chain that enables an article that is a conveyed product to be conveyed at a speed faster than the traveling speed of the chain. Since the main configuration is the same as that of the conventional example, a description thereof will be omitted, and the difference will be mainly described below.

  Two cylindrical support shafts 4 are provided in parallel so as to connect the two opposing inner link plates 5, 5. Each inner link plate 5 is provided with a pair of holes 5a and 5a ', and the hole 5a' has a slightly larger inner diameter than the hole 5a having an inner diameter into which the support shaft 4 fits. (See FIG. 3).

Of the two support shafts 4 connecting the two inner link plates 5 and 5 facing each other, one end of one support shaft 4 is press-fitted into a hole 5a formed in the inner link plate 5 on one side so as not to move. Fix it. Further, the other end is fitted into a hole 5a ′ formed in the opposite inner link plate 5 with a gap w around the entire circumference.
When the support shaft 4 is fitted into the hole 5a ′ of the inner link plate 5, the support link 4 and the support shaft 4 can support the support shaft within a range in which the gap w around the support shaft 4 can be reduced or enlarged. It becomes movable in the radial direction of the shaft 4. In addition, both are movable in the axial direction of the support shaft 4.
On the other hand, the other support shaft 4 is movable in the same manner as described above by fitting one end of the support shaft 4 into the hole 5a 'formed in the inner link plate 5 on the one side, and the other end is connected to the opposite side. It is press-fitted into the hole 5a formed in the inner link plate 5 and fixed immovably.

  Further, a pin 7 is inserted into the support shaft 4, both ends of the pin 7 are stretched over a pair of left and right outer link plates 8, and both ends of the pin 7 are crimped to pin 7 and the outer link plate. 8 is fixed immovably (see FIG. 3).

In the chain structure assembled in this way, the two inner link plates 5 and 5 facing each other can move relative to each other without being constrained in a parallel state. For example, in the schematic diagram of FIG. Like the right support shaft 4 shown in the drawing, the fixing angle between the support shaft 4 and the lower inner link plate 5 in the figure is shifted by a minute angle α with respect to the right angle position s to be originally fixed, and the direction line t In this state, when the chain is tensioned, the two inner link plates 5 and 5 facing each other are in the hole 5a ′ of the left support shaft 4 and the lower link plate 5 in the drawing. The pair of support shafts 4, 4 spanned between the link plates 5, 5 are maintained in parallel by moving so as to appropriately reduce or enlarge the gap w with the peripheral surface.
For this reason, the outer link plates 8 and 8 continuing on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the chain with respect to the inner link plates 5 and 5 are respectively maintained parallel to the center line C of the chain, and as a result, the chain is in a twisted state. It becomes difficult to become.

  Such an effect is effective not only when the fixed angle between the support shaft 4 and the inner link plate 5 is shifted in the lateral direction (chain conveying direction) but also when it is shifted in the vertical direction. Can demonstrate. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10 described above, a twisted state in which the chain rotates around its central axis along the longitudinal direction can be avoided.

Further, according to this chain structure, the chain can be used in a state where the chain is twisted around the center line C along the longitudinal direction (see FIG. 10). For example, even if a local height difference occurs between the left and right rails 6 and 6 shown in FIG. 1 and the rails 6 and 6 are twisted along the longitudinal direction, the chain is not Since it moves following the twist of 6, the chain does not come off from the rail 6.
This is because the two inner link plates 5 and 5 facing each other can move relative to each other as described above, so if an external force is applied to the chain and twisted, the pair of the inner link plates 5 and 5 are connected. This is because the directions of the support shafts 4 and 4 can be shifted within a certain range based on the parallel position.

  In the above embodiment, in order to make the support shaft 4 and the inner link plate 5 movable, a gap w is interposed between the hole 5a ′ formed in the inner link plate 5 and the support shaft 4. A method of fixing the support shaft 4 and the inner link plate 5 in a movable state can be adopted in addition to the above-described aspect. For example, a mode in which the support shaft 4 is fitted into the hole 5a ′ formed in the inner link plate 5 with an elastic body such as rubber interposed therebetween, and both of them can be moved in the radial direction and the axial direction of the support shaft 4 can be adopted. .

(Second embodiment)
A second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the chain structure of this embodiment, a movable portion is provided between the pin 7 and the outer link plate 8 in addition to the chain structure of the first embodiment.
Two pins 7 are provided in parallel so as to connect two opposing outer link plates 8 and 8, and each outer link plate 8 is provided with a pair of holes 8 a and 8 a ′, respectively. Yes. The hole 8a ′ has a slightly larger inner diameter than the hole 8a having an inner diameter into which the pin 7 fits snugly (see FIG. 6).

Of the two pins 7 connecting the two outer link plates 8, 8 facing each other, one end of one pin 7 has a gap v around the entire circumference in a hole 8 a ′ formed in the outer link plate 8 on one side. And the other end is press-fitted into a hole 8a formed in the opposite outer link plate 8 and fixed immovably. One end of the other pin 7 is fixed in a hole 8 a formed in the outer link plate 8 on one side, and the other end is movable to the outer link plate 8 on the opposite side.
Thus, the hole 8a ′ having a diameter slightly larger than the hole 8a is provided on the opposite side of the hole 5a ′ provided in the inner link plate 5, and the movable part of the support shaft 4 and the movable part of the pin 7 are movable. The part is arranged in a staggered pattern.
Further, a pin 9 is provided at the end of the pin 7 at a portion where the pin 7 is fitted in the hole 8a ′ with a gap v so that the pin 7 and the outer link plate 8 are not detached. ing.

  According to this configuration, for example, like the central pin 7 shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 7, the fixing angle between the pin 7 and the outer link plate 8 on the lower side in the figure is the right angle position s to be originally fixed. When it is in a state of a direction line t ′ shifted by a minute angle β with respect to “the supporting shaft 4 (a pair spanned between adjacent right inner link plates 5, 5) on which the pin 7 shifted in that angle is fitted. The left support shaft 4) of the support shafts 4 and 4 is not perpendicular to the center line C of the chain. However, since the adjacent inner link plates 5 and 5 can move relative to each other with the gap w as in the first embodiment, the right support shaft 4 (between adjacent inner link plates 5 and 5) can be moved. The right support shaft 4) of the spanned support shafts 4 and 4 is corrected to a state perpendicular to the center line C of the chain. For this reason, the chain can more reliably avoid the twisted state.

If a configuration in which one end of the pin 7 is movable with respect to the outer link plate 8 in this way is adopted, both ends of the pair of support shafts 4 and 4 are respectively connected to the inner link plates 5 and 5 on both sides. Even when it is fixed immovably, it can function to prevent twisting of the chain.
This is because one end of one pin 7 and the other end of the other pin 7 correspond to the corresponding side even if the two inner link plates 5, 5 facing each other are fixedly fixed by the support shafts 4, 4. If the gap v with the inner peripheral surface of the hole 8a ′ of the outer link plate 8 can be moved so as to be appropriately reduced or enlarged, the pair of pins 7 and 7 spanned between the outer link plates 8 and 8 This is because the outer link plates 8 and 8 can move so as to keep parallel. For this reason, the chain can function so as not to be further twisted.

(Third embodiment)
A third embodiment is shown in FIG. The chain structure of this embodiment is obtained by applying the structure of the speed increasing roller chain of the second embodiment to a general chain. The loading roller 1 of the speed increasing roller chain corresponds to the roller 1 of FIG. Moreover, the use of this chain is not particularly limited.
As in the second embodiment, the cylindrical support shaft 4 is provided in parallel so as to connect the two inner link plates 5 and 5 facing each other. Each inner link plate 5 is provided with a pair of holes 5a and 5a ', and the hole 5a' has a slightly larger inner diameter than the hole 5a having an inner diameter into which the support shaft 4 fits. .

  Of the two support shafts 4 connecting the two inner link plates 5 and 5 facing each other, one end of one support shaft 4 is press-fitted into a hole 5a formed in the inner link plate 5 on one side so as not to move. Fix it. Further, the other end is fitted into a hole 5 a ′ formed in the opposite inner link plate 5 with a gap w around the entire circumference. Further, the other support shaft 4 is reversed.

  Also, two pins 7 are provided in parallel so as to connect the two opposing outer link plates 8 and 8, and each outer link plate 8 is provided with a pair of holes 8 a and 8 a ′, respectively. It has been. The hole 8a 'has a slightly larger inner diameter than the hole 8a having an inner diameter into which the pin 7 fits.

Of the two pins 7 that connect the two outer link plates 8 and 8 facing each other, one end of one pin 7 has a gap v around the entire circumference in a hole 8a 'formed in the outer link plate 8 on one side. And the other end is press-fitted into a hole 8a formed in the opposite outer link plate 8 and fixed immovably. One end of the other pin 7 is fixed in a hole 8a formed in the outer link plate 8 on one side, and the other end is movable to the outer link plate 8 on the opposite side. It is crimped and measures are taken to prevent it from coming off.
In this general chain structure, as in the first embodiment, the movable part may be set only between the support shaft 4 and the inner link plate 5, or conversely, the movable part is pinned. 7 may be set only between the outer link plate 8 and the outer link plate 8.

Sectional drawing which shows the use condition of the roller chain of 1st embodiment Cutting plan view of the same embodiment Exploded perspective view of the same embodiment Schematic showing the operation of the same embodiment Sectional drawing which shows the use condition of the roller chain of 2nd embodiment Cutting plan view of the same embodiment Schematic showing the operation of the same embodiment The perspective view which shows the roller chain of 3rd embodiment. Cutting plan view of conventional example The principal part expanded sectional view which shows the effect | action of a prior art example The perspective view which shows the effect | action of a prior art example

Explanation of symbols

1 Loading roller (roller)
2 Bush 3 Traveling roller 4 Support shaft 5 Inner link plates 5a, 5a ', 8a Hole 6 Rail 7 Pin 8 Outer link plate 9 Retaining pin

Claims (6)

A pair of cylindrical support shafts 4, 4 connecting the two inner link plates 5, 5 facing each other are provided in parallel, and a pin 7 is inserted into each of the support shafts 4, 4. In the chain structure in which both the inner and outer link plates 5 and 8 are rotatably connected by fixing both ends to the outer link plates 8 and 8 respectively disposed outside the both inner link plates 5 and 5,
One end of one supporting shaft 4 that connects the two inner link plates 5, 5 facing each other is fixed to the inner link plate 5 on one side, and the other end of the one supporting shaft 4 is It is movable with respect to the inner link plate 5 on the opposite side, one end of the other support shaft 4 is movable with respect to the inner link plate 5 on the one side, and the other end of the other support shaft 4 is Fixed to the inner link plate 5 on the opposite side ,
The support shaft 4 and the inner link plate 5 are movable when the corresponding support shaft 4 is fitted into a hole 5a ′ formed in the inner link plate 5 with an elastic material interposed therebetween. Characteristic chain structure. One end of one pin 7 connecting the two opposing outer link plates 8 and 8 is movable with respect to the outer link plate 8 on one side, and the other end of the one pin 7 is connected to the outer side of the opposite side. The other pin 7 is fixedly fixed to the one side outer link plate 8 and the other end of the other pin 7 is fixed to the opposite side. It is movable with respect to the outer link plate 8 ,
The pin 7 and the outer link plate 8 are movable when the corresponding pin 7 is fitted into a hole 8a ′ formed in the outer link plate 8 with an elastic material interposed therebetween. The chain structure according to claim 1. A pair of cylindrical support shafts 4, 4 connecting the two inner link plates 5, 5 facing each other are provided in parallel, and a pin 7 is inserted into each of the support shafts 4, 4. In the chain structure in which both the inner and outer link plates 5 and 8 are rotatably connected by fixing both ends to the outer link plates 8 and 8 respectively disposed outside the both inner link plates 5 and 5,
One end of one pin 7 connecting the two outer link plates 8, 8 facing each other is fixed to the outer link plate 8 on one side, and the other end of the one pin 7 is connected to the opposite side. The other link 7 is movable with respect to the outer link plate 8 on one side, and the other end of the other pin 7 is connected to the outer side of the opposite side. Fixed immovably to the link plate 8 ,
The pin 7 and the outer link plate 8 are movable when the corresponding pin 7 is fitted into a hole 8a ′ formed in the outer link plate 8 with an elastic material interposed therebetween. Chain structure. A pair of cylindrical support shafts 4, 4 connecting the two inner link plates 5, 5 facing each other are provided in parallel, and a pin 7 is inserted into each of the support shafts 4, 4. In the chain structure in which both the inner and outer link plates 5 and 8 are rotatably connected by fixing both ends to the outer link plates 8 and 8 respectively disposed outside the both inner link plates 5 and 5,
One end of one supporting shaft 4 that connects the two inner link plates 5, 5 facing each other is fixed to the inner link plate 5 on one side, and the other end of the one supporting shaft 4 is It is movable with respect to the inner link plate 5 on the opposite side, one end of the other support shaft 4 is movable with respect to the inner link plate 5 on the one side, and the other end of the other support shaft 4 is Fixed to the inner link plate 5 on the opposite side ,
The above support shaft 4 and the inner link plate 5, the hole 5a 'formed in the inner link plate 5, the support shaft 4 corresponding to the to characterized in that there What Do movable by being fitted with a gap chain structure that. One end of one pin 7 connecting the two opposing outer link plates 8 and 8 is movable with respect to the outer link plate 8 on one side, and the other end of the one pin 7 is connected to the outer side of the opposite side. The other pin 7 is fixedly fixed to the one side outer link plate 8 and the other end of the other pin 7 is fixed to the opposite side. It is movable with respect to the outer link plate 8 ,
The aforementioned pin 7 and the outer link plate 8, claim, wherein the holes 8a 'formed in the outer link plate 8, the pin 7 a corresponding, characterized in that the are I Do movable by being fitted with a gap 4. The chain structure according to 4 . A pair of cylindrical support shafts 4, 4 connecting the two inner link plates 5, 5 facing each other are provided in parallel, and a pin 7 is inserted into each of the support shafts 4, 4. In the chain structure in which both the inner and outer link plates 5 and 8 are rotatably connected by fixing both ends to the outer link plates 8 and 8 respectively disposed outside the both inner link plates 5 and 5,
One end of one pin 7 connecting the two outer link plates 8, 8 facing each other is fixed to the outer link plate 8 on one side, and the other end of the one pin 7 is connected to the opposite side. The other link 7 is movable with respect to the outer link plate 8 on one side, and the other end of the other pin 7 is connected to the outer side of the opposite side. Fixed immovably to the link plate 8 ,
The aforementioned pin 7 and the outer link plate 8, the chain structure, wherein said the hole 8a 'formed in the outer link plate 8, said pin 7 corresponding're I Do movable by being fitted with a gap .

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