JP5553922B1 - Chip carrier - Google Patents

Abstract

A chip conveying device capable of reducing an installation space is provided.
A chip conveying device includes a reflux path formed to extend in one direction, and a push rod disposed inside the reflux path and extending along the reflux path. A meshing chain unit 30 that includes a pair of meshing chains that are separated from each other and that are separated from each other, and an end of the stiffening portion is connected to one end of the push rod 20, and an end of the stiffening portion And a drive unit 40 that drives the meshing chain unit 30 so that the pair of meshing chains are separated in a direction different from the direction in which the refluxing channel 10 extends. .
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a chip conveying device for conveying chips generated by machining or the like.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a chip conveying device that conveys chips generated by machining or the like is known. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-132814 discloses a chip conveying conveyor that forcibly conveys cutting chips in a conveying path by reciprocating movement of a reciprocating rod.

JP 60-132814 A

  The conveyor for chip conveyance described in JP-A-60-132814 drives a reciprocating rod by an electric linear actuator using a ball screw. Therefore, when the stroke of the reciprocating rod is increased, the space other than the conveyance path is increased.

  The objective of this invention is providing the chip conveying apparatus which can make installation space small.

  The chip conveying device disclosed herein includes a reflux path formed so as to extend in one direction, a push rod disposed inside the reflux path and extending along the reflux path, and meshing with each other to be a stiffening portion. And a pair of meshing chains that disengage and separate from each other, and a meshing chain unit in which an end of the stiffening part is connected to one end of the push rod, and an end of the stiffening part, The reciprocating path reciprocates along the extending direction, and the pair of meshing chains includes a drive unit that drives the meshing chain unit so as to be separated in a direction different from the extending direction of the reflux path.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the chip conveying apparatus which can make installation space small is obtained.

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a chip conveying device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a part of the reflux path and the push rod extracted from the configuration of the chip conveying device. FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the push rod. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the meshing chain unit and the drive unit extracted from the configuration of the chip conveying device. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the meshing chain. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the sprocket unit. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a part of the configuration of the sprocket unit. FIG. 12A is a plan view illustrating a part of the configuration of the drive unit of the chip conveying device according to the comparative example, and is a diagram illustrating a state in which the push rod is most advanced. FIG. 12B is a plan view showing a part of the configuration of the drive unit of the chip conveying device according to the comparative example, and is a diagram showing a state in which the push rod is most retracted. FIG. 13A is a plan view illustrating a part of the configuration of the drive unit of the chip conveying device according to the present embodiment, and is a diagram illustrating a state in which the push rod is most advanced. FIG. 13B is a plan view showing a part of the configuration of the drive unit of the chip conveying device according to the present embodiment, and is a diagram showing a state in which the push rod is most retracted. FIG. 14 is a side view showing a part of the configuration of the drive unit of the chip conveying device according to the modification of the present embodiment.

  A chip conveying device according to an embodiment of the present invention meshes with a reflux path formed to extend in one direction, and a push rod disposed inside the reflux path and extending along the reflux path. And a pair of meshing chains that disengage and separate from each other, a meshing chain unit in which an end of the stiffening unit is connected to one end of the push rod, and a An end portion reciprocates along a direction in which the return path extends, and a drive unit that drives the engagement chain unit so that the pair of engagement chains are separated in a direction different from the direction in which the return path extends. (First configuration).

  According to said structure, a drive part drives a meshing chain unit so that the edge part of the stiffening part of a meshing chain unit reciprocates along the direction where a return path is extended. As a result, the push rod connected to the end of the stiffening portion reciprocates along the reflux path.

  When the meshing chain unit is reciprocated linearly, a space having the same length as the stroke is required on the rear side, so that a space approximately twice the stroke is required. On the other hand, according to said structure, a drive part isolate | separates a pair of meshing chain in the direction different from the direction where a reflux path is extended. In this case, the space required behind is the cosine of the stroke length. Therefore, the installation space can be reduced.

  In the first configuration, it is preferable to further include a chain guide that guides the pair of meshed chains separated from each other so as to extend along a direction in which the reflux path extends (second configuration).

  According to said structure, the size of the width direction of a reflux path of a chip conveyance apparatus can be made small, and installation space can be made smaller.

  In the first or second configuration, the meshing chain unit preferably travels in a horizontal plane (third configuration).

  According to said structure, the gravity concerning each of a pair of meshing chain can be made symmetrical.

  In the third configuration, it is preferable to further include a support member that is disposed in a vertically lower portion of the meshing chain unit and supports the meshing chain unit from below (fourth configuration).

  According to said structure, it can suppress that a thrust load is applied to a meshing chain unit.

  In the fourth configuration, it is preferable that the support member does not contact the meshing chain unit when the meshing chain unit travels, and contacts the meshing chain unit when the traveling direction of the meshing chain unit is switched ( Fifth configuration).

  According to said structure, abrasion of a meshing chain unit and a supporting member can be reduced.

[Embodiment]
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will not be repeated. In addition, in order to make the explanation easy to understand, in the drawings referred to below, the configuration is shown in a simplified or schematic manner, or some components are omitted. Further, the dimensional ratio between the constituent members shown in each drawing does not necessarily indicate an actual dimensional ratio.

[Overall configuration]
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a chip conveying device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The chip conveying device 1 includes a reflux path (trough) 10 formed to extend in one direction, a push rod 20 that reciprocates along the reflux path 10 inside the reflux path 10, and one of the push rods 20. A meshing chain unit 30 connected to the end portion and a drive unit 40 for driving the meshing chain unit 30 are provided.

  Hereinafter, the direction in which the reflux path 10 extends is referred to as the x direction, and the direction perpendicular to the x direction in the horizontal plane is referred to as the y direction. The vertical direction is called the z direction.

  The chip conveying apparatus 1 is used with the machining apparatus 90, for example. The machining apparatus 90 is, for example, a machining center or an NC (Numerical Control) lathe. Chips (metal chips or chips) generated in the machining device 90 are put into the reflux path 10 of the chip transfer device 1 through, for example, a chute 91 together with cutting oil (coolant) used during processing.

  The chip conveying device 1 conveys the chip and cutting oil in a direction opposite to the drive unit 40 by reciprocating the push rod 20 along the reflux path 10. Although not shown in FIG. 1, a screen is attached to the bottom surface in the vicinity of the end of the reflux path 10 in the transport direction. This screen separates the chips and the cutting oil and collects the cutting oil.

  Hereinafter, in the x direction, the side (x direction minus side) on which chips and cutting oil are conveyed is referred to as the downstream side, and the opposite side (x direction plus side) is referred to as the upstream side.

[Configuration of the reflux path 10 and the push rod 20]
FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a part of the reflux path 10 and the push rod 20 extracted from the configuration of the chip conveying device 1. FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG.

  The reflux path 10 has a groove 100 opened at the top. The opening of the groove 100 may be sealed except for a place where chips are put.

  On the side surfaces 100a on both sides of the groove 100, a plurality of protrusions 11 and protrusions 12 are regularly arranged along the x direction. A rail plate 13 is attached to the bottom surface 100b of the groove 100. The rail plate 13 has an inverted T-shaped cross section and extends in the x direction.

  The protrusion 11 and the protrusion 12 have a plate-like shape that is substantially triangular in plan view. The protrusion 11 and the protrusion 12 are arranged so that one side is along the side surface 100a.

  The protrusion 11 and the protrusion 12 are formed such that the vertex facing the side along the side surface 100a, that is, the vertex protruding from the side surface 100a is located downstream in the x direction from the midpoint of the side along the side surface 100a. It is preferable. In the present embodiment, the protrusion 11 is formed such that the vertex protruding from the side surface 100a is located on the downstream side in the x direction with respect to the side along the side surface 100a.

  The positions when the projections 11 and 12 are projected onto the yz plane are schematically shown by two-dot chain lines in FIG. The protrusions 11 are arranged in two vertical rows in the z direction. The protrusion 12 is disposed on the bottom surface 100b side of the protrusion 11 on the side surface 100a.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the push rod 20. A plurality of protrusions 21 and protrusions 22 are regularly arranged along the x direction on the push rod 20. The protrusion 21 is disposed on the upper part of the push rod 20 (opening side of the groove 100), and the protrusion 22 is disposed on the lower part of the push rod 20 (on the bottom surface 100b side of the groove 100).

  The protrusion 21 has a plate-like shape that is substantially triangular in a side view (xz plane view). The protrusion 21 is arranged so that one side is along the outer peripheral surface of the push rod 20.

  The protrusion 21 has a vertex facing the side along the outer peripheral surface of the push rod 20, that is, a vertex protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the push rod 20 in the x direction from the midpoint of the side along the outer peripheral surface of the push rod 20. It is preferably located on the downstream side. In the present embodiment, the protrusion 21 is formed such that the apex protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the push rod 20 is located on the downstream side in the x direction with respect to the side along the outer peripheral surface of the push rod 20.

  The protrusion 22 has a columnar shape formed such that the yz section has a substantially trapezoidal shape and extends in the x direction. The protrusion 22 preferably has a downstream cross-sectional area larger than an upstream cross-sectional area.

  A groove 22a is formed in the protrusion 22 along the x direction at the center in the y direction. As shown in FIG. 3, the push rod 20 is disposed so that the protruding portion of the rail plate 13 of the reflux path 10 and the groove 22 a are fitted. With this configuration, the push rod 20 can be moved in parallel with the x direction.

  Next, a mechanism for conveying chips by the reflux path 10 and the push rod 20 will be described.

  First, the push rod 20 is moved to the downstream side of the reflux path 10. Hereinafter, this operation is referred to as advancement of the push rod 20. The chips in the reflux path 10 are pushed out by the protrusions 21 and 22 and move to the downstream side together with the push rod 20.

  Subsequently, the push rod 20 is moved to the upstream side of the reflux path 10. Hereinafter, this operation is referred to as retraction of the push rod 20. The chips in the reflux path 10 are caught by the protrusions 11 and 12 of the reflux path 10 and do not move upstream.

  By repeating the forward and backward movement of the push rod, the chips can be sequentially moved downstream.

  As described above, the protrusion 11 and the protrusion 12 formed in the groove 100 are formed such that the vertex protruding from the side surface 100a is positioned on the downstream side in the x direction with respect to at least the midpoint of the side along the side surface 100a. It is preferable. Thereby, when the push rod 20 moves forward, it can be made a shape in which chips are not easily caught.

  It is preferable that the protrusion 21 of the push rod 20 has a vertex protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the push rod 20 on the downstream side in the x direction with respect to at least the midpoint of the side along the outer peripheral surface of the push rod 20. Moreover, it is preferable that the area | region of the cross section of the downstream of the protrusion 22 is larger than the area of the upstream team surface. Thereby, when the push rod 20 moves backward, it is possible to form a shape that makes it difficult to push back the chips.

[Configurations of the meshing chain unit 30 and the drive unit 40]
FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the meshing chain unit 30 and the drive unit 40 extracted from the configuration of the chip conveying device 1. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG.

  The meshing chain unit 30 includes a pair of meshing chains 30A and a meshing chain 30B. Part of the meshing chain 30A and part of the meshing chain 30B mesh with each other to form a stiffening portion 30a. The end of the stiffening part 30 a is connected to the end of the push rod 20.

  FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the meshing chain 30A. The meshing chain 30 </ b> A includes a plurality of outer plates 31, a plurality of pins 32, a plurality of inner link units LU, and a plurality of intermediate plates 36. In addition, since the structure of the meshing chain 30B is the same as that of the meshing chain 30A, illustration and detailed description are abbreviate | omitted.

  Each of the plurality of inner link units LU includes a pair of inner plates 33, a pair of bushes 34, and a pair of rollers 35. The pair of inner plates 33 are disposed so as to face each other with the bush 34 interposed therebetween. The bush 34 is press-fitted into the inner plate 33, and the inner plate 33 and the bush 34 are integrated. On the other hand, the roller 35 is attached so that it can rotate about the bush 34 as a rotating shaft.

  The pin 32 is inserted inside the bush 34 of the inner link unit LU. The inner link unit LU is attached so that it can rotate with the bush 34 as a bearing and the pin 32 as a rotation axis.

  Outer plates 31 are disposed at both ends of the pin 32. An intermediate plate 36 is disposed between adjacent inner link units LU. The pin 32 is press-fitted into the outer plate 31 and the intermediate plate 36, and the pin 32, the outer plate 31, and the intermediate plate 36 are integrated. The position of the inner link unit LU in the z direction is regulated by the outer plate 31 and the intermediate plate 36.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the meshing chain 30A is a chain with a three-row structure including three inner link units LU in the z direction. This configuration is an example, and the meshing chain 30A may be a single chain with one inner link unit LU and no intermediate plate 36, a two-row chain, or A chain with a four-row structure or more may be used. Further, the meshing chain 30 </ b> A may be a so-called bush chain that does not include the roller 35.

  In the portion other than the stiffening portion 30a, the inner link unit LU can rotate with respect to the outer plate 31 and the intermediate plate 36 using the pin 32 as a rotation axis. Therefore, the meshing chain 30A and the meshing chain 30B can be bent in the xy plane with the pin 32 as an axis at portions other than the stiffening portion 30a.

  On the other hand, in the stiffening portion 30a, the outer plate 31, the inner plate 33, and the intermediate plate 36 of the meshing chain 30A and the outer plate 31, the inner plate 33, and the intermediate plate 36 of the meshing chain 30B mesh with each other. Therefore, in the stiffening part 30a, the inner link unit LU cannot rotate with respect to the outer plate 31 and the intermediate plate 36. As a result, the meshing chain unit 30 becomes a single columnar structure in the stiffening portion 30a.

  With reference to FIGS. 5-7, the structure of the drive part 40 is demonstrated. The drive unit 40 includes a motor M, a drive chain D driven by the motor M, a sprocket unit 41 driven by the drive chain D, a chain guide 42, and support members 43 to 45.

  The chain guide 42 guides the meshing chain 30A and the meshing chain 30B. More specifically, the chain guide 42 guides the meshing chain 30A and the meshing chain 30B driven so as to be separated in the y direction by the sprocket unit 41, and the meshing chain 30A and the meshing chain 30B travel substantially parallel to the x direction. Let

  The chain guide 42 is a pair of plates in which slits are formed along the direction of guiding the meshing chain 30A and the meshing chain 30B. As shown in FIG. 6, the chain guide 42 is disposed so as to be located inside (in the z direction) the inner link units LU in the first row and the third row of the meshing chain 30A and the meshing chain 30B. The chain guide 42 guides the meshing chain 30A and the meshing chain 30B by contacting the roller 35 of the inner link unit LU.

  The support member 43 is disposed at a vertically lower portion (lower portion in the z direction) of the meshing chain 30A and the meshing chain 30B. The support member 43 is disposed so as not to contact the meshing chain 30A and the meshing chain 30B when the meshing chain unit 30 is traveling. That is, the support member 43 is disposed so as not to contact the meshing chain 30A and the meshing chain 30B when the meshing chain unit 30 is tensioned.

  The support member 43 contacts the meshing chain 30A and the meshing chain 30B when the traveling direction of the meshing chain unit 30 is switched, that is, when the push rod 20 is switched from forward to backward, or from backward to forward, and the meshing chain 30A and The meshing chain 30B is supported from below.

  The support member 44 is disposed at a vertically lower portion of the rigidizing portion 30 a of the meshing chain unit 30. The support member 44 is disposed so as not to come into contact with the stiffening portion 30 a of the meshing chain unit 30 when the meshing chain unit 30 travels. The support member 44 contacts the stiffening portion 30a of the meshing chain unit 30 when the traveling direction of the meshing chain unit 30 is switched, and supports the stiffening portion 30a of the meshing chain unit 30 from below.

  The support member 45 is disposed in the vertical lower portion of the push rod 20. The support member 45 is disposed so as not to contact the push rod 20 when the meshing chain unit 30 travels. The support member 45 contacts the push rod 20 and supports the push rod 20 from below when the traveling direction of the meshing chain unit 30 is switched.

  The support members 43 to 45 slide with the meshing chain unit 30 or the push rod 20 when the traveling direction of the meshing chain unit 30 is switched. Therefore, the support members 43 to 45 are preferably excellent in impact resistance and wear resistance. The support members 43 to 45 preferably have self-lubricating properties. As a material having such characteristics, for example, ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene or a fluorinated resin such as PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) can be used. A more preferred material is ultra high molecular weight polyethylene.

  The support members 43 and 44 may be provided on the entire track of the meshing chain unit 30 or may be provided intermittently.

[Configuration of sprocket unit 41]
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the sprocket unit 41. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. 9, and FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a part of the configuration of the sprocket unit 41. The sprocket unit 41 includes an upper support member 41A and a lower support member 41B, rotating shafts 51 and 52, a bearing 53, a chain guide 54 (FIGS. 10 and 11), and a lifting prevention plate 55 (FIG. 11).

  As shown in FIG. 10, the rotating shaft 51 includes three rows of sprockets 511 that are formed coaxially, a synchronous gear 512, and a sprocket 513. The rotating shaft 52 includes three rows of sprockets 521 formed coaxially and a synchronous gear 522.

  The rotation shaft 51 and the rotation shaft 52 are attached to the upper support member 41A and the lower support member 41B by a bearing 53 so as to be able to rotate with their respective central axes as rotation axes. A drive chain D is hung on the sprocket 513 of the rotary shaft 51. The rotation shaft 51 and the rotation shaft 52 are rotated in opposite directions in synchronization with each other by the synchronization gear 512 and the synchronization gear 522. According to this configuration, the drive shaft D is driven by the motor M to rotate the rotating shaft 51, whereby the rotating shaft 52 can be rotated in the opposite direction to the rotating shaft 51 at the same speed.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the lifting prevention plate 55 is disposed in front of the meshing chain 30 </ b> A and the meshing chain 30 </ b> B (downstream in the x direction) and prevents the meshing chain 30 </ b> A and the meshing chain 30 </ b> B from floating from the chain guide 54.

  The sprocket 511 drives the meshing chain 30A, and the sprocket 521 drives the meshing chain 30B.

  When the sprocket 511 rotates clockwise in FIG. 11, the sprocket 521 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. The meshing chain 30 </ b> A and the meshing chain 30 </ b> B are guided by the chain guide 54 and are drawn downstream in the x direction.

  As a result, the meshing chain 30A and the meshing chain 30B mesh with each other to form the rigid portion 30a. At the same time, the end of the stiffening section 30a moves downstream in the x direction. As a result, the push rod 20 (FIG. 5) moves forward.

  On the other hand, when the sprocket 511 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 11, the sprocket 521 rotates clockwise in FIG. The stiffening portion 30a is drawn upstream in the x direction.

  When the stiffening portion 30a is drawn upstream in the x direction, it is guided by the chain guide 54, and the meshing chain 30A and the meshing chain 30B are disengaged from each other and separated in the y direction. At the same time, the end of the stiffening part 30a moves upstream in the x direction. As a result, the push rod 20 (FIG. 5) moves backward.

  As described above, the drive unit 40 drives the meshing chain unit 30 through the sprocket unit 40 by rotating or reversely rotating the motor M, and is connected to the end of the stiffening unit 30a of the meshing chain unit 30. Move 20 forward or backward.

  The drive unit 40 switches the rotation direction of the motor M at a predetermined cycle, and drives the meshing chain unit 30 so that the end of the stiffening unit 30a reciprocates along the x direction. The drive unit 40 drives the meshing chain unit 30 so that the end of the stiffening unit 30a reciprocates along the x direction and the meshing chain 30A and the meshing chain 30B are separated in the y direction.

  The drive unit 40 may be configured to separate the meshing chain 30A and the meshing chain 30B in directions other than the y direction. The direction in which the drive unit 40 separates the meshing chain 30A and the meshing chain 30B may be any direction other than the x direction.

[Effect of the chip conveying device 1]
12A and 12B are plan views showing a part of the configuration of the drive unit of the chip conveying device according to the hypothetical comparative example for explaining the effect of the present embodiment. FIG. 12A shows a state where the push rod 20 is most advanced, and FIG. 12B shows a state where the push rod 20 is most retracted.

  In the chip conveying device according to the comparative example, the push rod 20 is reciprocated by the cylinder 92 and the rod 93 instead of the meshing chain unit 30. As shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, when the cylinder 92 and the rod 93 are used, a space about twice the stroke ST of the push rod 20 is required.

  13A and 13B are plan views showing a part of the configuration of the drive unit 40 of the chip conveying device 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 13A shows a state where the push rod 20 is most advanced, and FIG. 13B shows a state where the push rod 20 is most retracted.

  In this embodiment, the push rod 20 is reciprocated by the meshing chain unit 30. The meshing chain unit 30 is separated in the y direction into the meshing chain 30A and the meshing chain 30B on the upstream side in the x direction. Therefore, when using the meshing chain unit 30, it is sufficient if there is a space equivalent to the stroke ST of the push rod 20.

  That is, according to the present embodiment, the installation space can be reduced as compared with the chip conveying device according to the comparative example. This effect becomes more prominent as the stroke ST of the push rod 20 becomes longer.

  The chip conveying device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a chain guide 42 that guides the meshing chain 30A and the meshing chain 30B so as to travel substantially parallel to the x direction. By causing the meshing chain 30A and the meshing chain 30B to run approximately parallel to the x direction, the installation space in the y direction can also be reduced.

  In the present embodiment, the meshing chain unit 30 is configured to travel in a horizontal plane (in the xy plane). In other words, the axial direction of the pin 32 (FIG. 8) of the meshing chain unit 30 is configured to be the vertical direction (z direction). However, the chip conveying device 1 may be configured such that the meshing chain unit 30 travels in the vertical plane (in the yz plane).

  FIG. 14 is a “side view” showing an extracted configuration of a part of the drive unit 40M of the chip conveying device according to the modification of the present embodiment. In the chip conveying device according to this modification, the meshing chain unit 30 is configured to travel in the vertical plane (in the xz plane). In other words, the meshing chain unit 30 is configured such that the axial direction of the pin 32 (FIG. 8) is in a horizontal plane (y direction in FIG. 14). In the chip conveying device according to this modification, the meshing chain unit 30 is separated so that the meshing chain 30A is vertically upward (z direction plus side) and the meshing chain 30B is vertically downward (z direction minus side). .

  Also in this modified example, the chip conveying device includes a chain guide 42 that guides the meshing chain 30A and the meshing chain 30B so as to run substantially parallel to the x direction. Therefore, the installation space can be reduced as in the case of the chip conveying device 1.

  However, it is more preferable that the meshing chain unit 30 is configured to travel in a horizontal plane as in this embodiment. This is because the weight applied to the meshing chain 30A and the meshing chain 30B can be made symmetrical.

  On the other hand, when the meshing chain unit 30 is configured to travel in a horizontal plane, a load is applied to the meshing chain unit 30 in the axial direction of the pin 32 due to gravity.

  When the meshing chain unit 30 is traveling, that is, when the meshing chain unit 30 is under tension, the roller 35 (FIG. 8) contacts the sprockets 511 and 521 and the chain guide 42. At this time, a radial load is applied to the meshing chain unit 30, the sprockets 511 and 521, and the chain guide 42.

  On the other hand, when the traveling direction of the meshing chain unit 30 is switched, the tension applied to the meshing chain unit 30 is weakened and the meshing chain unit 30 tends to bend in the z direction. At this time, a thrust load is applied to the meshing chain unit 30, the sprockets 511 and 521, and the chain guide 42.

  The meshing chain unit 30 is generally less durable against thrust loads than it is against radial loads. Also, sprockets 511 and 521 and chain guide 42 are typically not designed to support thrust loads.

  According to the present embodiment, the support members 43 and 44 support the meshing chain unit 30 from below. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a thrust load from being applied to the meshing chain unit 30, the sprockets 511 and 521, and the chain guide 42.

  That is, according to the present embodiment, the meshing chain unit 30 is arranged so that the meshing chain unit 30 travels in a horizontal plane, and the traveling direction of the meshing chain unit 30 is periodically switched. And it can suppress that a thrust load is applied to the structure with which the meshing chain unit 30 is hung.

  According to the present embodiment, the support members 43 and 44 do not contact the meshing chain unit 30 when the meshing chain unit 30 travels, and contact the meshing chain unit 30 only when the traveling direction of the meshing chain unit 30 is switched. According to this configuration, wear of the meshing chain unit 30 and the support members 43 and 44 can be reduced.

  In the present embodiment, the speed can be switched by changing the reduction ratio of the motor M. Therefore, for example, controllability is excellent as compared with the case of using a hydraulic cylinder. In addition, since no oil is used, it is excellent in maintainability.

[Other Embodiments]
As mentioned above, although embodiment about this invention was described, this invention is not limited only to the above-mentioned embodiment, A various change is possible within the scope of the invention.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be industrially used as a chip conveying device for conveying chips generated by machining or the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Chip conveying apparatus 10 Return path 20 Push rod 30 Engagement chain unit 30a Stiffening part 30A, 30B Engagement chain 40 Drive part 41 Sprocket unit 42 Chain guide 43, 44, 45 Support member

Claims (5)

A reflux path formed to extend in one direction;
A push rod disposed inside the return path and extending along the return path;
A meshing chain unit that includes a pair of meshing chains that mesh with each other to form a stiffening portion and that disengages and separates from each other, and an end of the stiffening portion is connected to one end of the push rod;
The end of the stiffening part reciprocates along the direction in which the return path extends, and drives the engagement chain unit so that the pair of engagement chains are separated in a direction different from the direction in which the return path extends. A chip conveying device comprising a drive unit.   The chip conveying apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a chain guide that guides the pair of meshing chains separated from each other so as to extend along a direction in which the reflux path extends.   The chip conveying device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the meshing chain unit travels in a horizontal plane.   The chip conveying apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a support member that is disposed in a vertically lower portion of the meshing chain unit and supports the meshing chain unit from below.   The chip conveying device according to claim 4, wherein the support member does not contact the meshing chain unit when the meshing chain unit travels, and contacts the meshing chain unit when the traveling direction of the meshing chain unit is switched. .

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