JP6061388B2 - Automatic tension mechanism and sterilizer equipped with the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic tension mechanism and a sterilization apparatus including the same.

  In a configuration in which a chain is used to transmit a driving force in a conventional automatic tension mechanism, since a predetermined tension is always applied to the chain, the chain may be extended due to deterioration over time.

  In order to improve this, conventionally, an automatic tension device has been proposed (see Patent Document 1).

JP-A-60-220251

  By the way, in the automatic tension device of the above-mentioned patent document 1, the tension of the chain is kept constant by using a special clutch mechanism. However, the chain stretches at a portion where the gravity of the baguette conveyed by the chain greatly affects. Is recognized.

  Then, an object of this invention is to provide the automatic tension | tensile_strength mechanism which can implement | achieve the chain | strand automatic tension | tensile_strength, and can absorb chain | stretch elongation, and a sterilizer provided with the same in view of the said problem.

The present invention includes a driving source, a first transmission system that receives the driving force of the driving source and conveys the carrier, and a second transmission system that can transmit the driving force from the driving source to the first transmission system. The first transmission system includes a first sprocket fixed to a rotating shaft, a first chain connected to the carrier and spanned over the first sprocket, and the first sprocket. A slack removing mechanism that removes slack in the chain, and the second transmission system is provided with a second sprocket that rotates together with the rotary shaft or is rotatable relative to the rotary shaft; and the second sprocket And a clutch mechanism fixed to the rotating shaft and capable of transmitting a rotational force from the second sprocket. The rotating shaft is located upstream and is directly driven by the driving source. Receive upstream A rotating shaft (S1) and a downstream rotating shaft (S3 ...) located downstream of the upstream rotating shaft (S1), and the rotational speed of the downstream rotating shaft (S3 ...) is It is set so as to be faster than the rotational speed of the upstream rotary shaft (S1), and the clutch mechanism is provided on at least a part of the downstream rotary shaft (S3...) And fixed to the rotary shaft. A clutch plate that contacts the second sprocket via a material capable of generating a high frictional force, such as a friction generated by the tension of the first chain between the clutch plate and the second sprocket. When the force is greater than the force, the second sprocket slides relative to the clutch plate and rotates relative to the rotation shaft, and the tension of the first chain is between the clutch plate and the second sprocket. The frictional force generated The second sprocket rotates together with the clutch plate and the rotating shaft, and the slack eliminating mechanism is located downstream of the upstream rotating shaft (S1) and is positioned on the rotating shaft at the lowest position. The shaft center position moving mechanism is capable of absorbing the slack of the first chain that acts and adjusts the position of the shaft center of the first sprocket to occur in the vicinity of the rotary shaft at the lowest position. .

  In this case, the shaft core position moving mechanism adjusts the elastic force of the elastic member and the elastic member that counteracts the tension acting on the rotating shaft from the spanned first chain with the elastic force, for example. It is preferable to have an elastic force adjusting member.

  In this case, it is preferable that a support member that rotatably supports the rotation shaft is provided.

  Furthermore, the sterilizer provided with the automatic tension mechanism of the present invention is preferable.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the automatic tension | tensile_strength of a chain can be implement | achieved and the elongation of a chain can be absorbed.

It is a whole block diagram of the sterilizer provided with the automatic tension mechanism of this invention. It is the figure which showed the installation state of the slack removal mechanism of the 1st transmission system provided in the sterilizer provided with the automatic tension mechanism of this invention. It is the figure which expanded and showed the structure of the slack removal mechanism. It is a figure when the clutch mechanism of the 2nd transmission system provided in the sterilizer provided with the automatic tension mechanism of this invention is seen from the side surface direction. It is a figure when a clutch mechanism is seen from a plane direction.

  An automatic tension mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention and a sterilizer equipped with the same will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, although the following embodiment demonstrates the aspect applied to the sterilizer as one use of an automatic tension | tensile_strength mechanism, of course, it is not restricted to this. The automatic tensioning mechanism of the present invention can be applied to all devices in which a constant tension is always required for the chain.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the sterilizer 10 mainly includes a heating chamber 12 and a cooling chamber 14. The heating chamber 12 is a chamber for heat sterilizing an object (not shown) using, for example, steam. The cooling chamber 14 is a room for cooling an object (not shown) using watering by a shower or the like, for example.

  In addition to the heating chamber 12 and the cooling chamber 14, the sterilizer 10 includes at least a drive source 20 and a first transmission system 16 that is a conveying means for the conveying body 22 to move inside the heating chamber 12 and the cooling chamber 14. And a second transmission system 18 which is a drive transmission means for applying a driving force to the first transmission system 16.

  First, the drive source 20 will be described.

  As the drive source 20, an electric motor such as a motor is used. For example, the drive source 20 is fixed to a support plate 24 attached to the heating chamber 12. The arrangement position of the drive source 20 is not particularly limited. The drive source 20 has a drive shaft 26. A power sprocket 28 is attached to the drive shaft 26. A driving chain T is spanned between the power sprocket 28 and a driving sprocket (not shown) attached to the other axial end of the first rotation shaft S1.

  Next, the first transmission system 16 will be described.

  The first transmission system 16 includes a plurality of rotating shaft groups. Specifically, the rotating shaft group includes the first rotating shaft S1, the second rotating shaft S2, the third rotating shaft S3, the fourth rotating shaft S4, the fifth rotating shaft S5, and the sixth rotating shaft S6. A seventh rotation axis S7, an eighth rotation axis S8, a ninth rotation axis S9, a tenth rotation axis S10, an eleventh rotation axis S11, a twelfth rotation axis S12, and a thirteenth rotation axis S13. , 14th rotation axis S14, 15th rotation axis S15, 16th rotation axis S16, 17th rotation axis S17, 18th rotation axis S18, 19th rotation axis S19, 20th rotation axis S20, 21st rotation axis S21, 22nd rotation axis S22, 23rd rotation axis S23, 24th rotation axis S24, 25th rotation axis S25, 26th rotation axis S26, 27th rotation axis S27, 28 rotation axis S28, 29th rotation axis S29, 30th rotation axis S30, 31st rotation axis S31 , Including the. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, it is simply expressed as a “rotating shaft” or “rotating shaft group”.

  Some of the plurality of rotating shafts, for example, the rotating shafts from the first rotating shaft S1 to the eleventh rotating shaft S11 also function as rotating shafts on which the second transmission system 18 is provided. In the present embodiment, the first rotation axis S1, the third rotation axis S3, the fifth rotation axis S5, the seventh rotation axis S7, and the respective rotation axes of the eighth rotation axis S8 to the eleventh rotation axis S11 are: Although it functions as a rotating shaft provided with the second transmission system 18, it is not limited to this configuration.

  The number of rotating shafts included in the rotating shaft group is not limited to the above, and can be freely set / changed according to the size of the sterilizer 10 and the type / weight of the object to be transported.

  Conveying sprockets 30 are fixed to both ends of each rotary shaft of the first transmission system 16. The sprocket 30 for conveyance rotates with a rotating shaft. Teeth (not shown) set to a predetermined number of teeth are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the transport sprocket 30.

  A transport chain C is suspended over the transport sprocket 30. FIG. 5 shows only a part of the conveying chain C. Here, on the transfer sprocket 30 located inside the heating chamber 12, the transfer chain C is stretched over the substantially vertical direction in order. In addition, a transfer chain C is stretched over a substantially horizontal direction in turn on the transfer sprocket 30 located inside the cooling chamber 14. A transport chain C is also stretched over the transport sprocket 30 of the rotating shaft located outside the heating chamber 12 and the cooling chamber 14. In this way, the transport chain C is stretched over the transport sprocket 30 fixed to all the rotating shafts.

  A transport body 22 is connected to the transport chain C. For example, a bucket is used as the carrier 22. The conveyance body 22 carries a target object and conveys it. Examples of the target object include general foods, beverages, fruits, meats, processed foods, and the like that require sterilization and cooling. These are usually accommodated in a container or a package. In addition, since the conveyance body 22 gives load with respect to the chain C for conveyance, it is expressed also as a load body in the state which included the target object in the single state.

  When a driving force is applied to the first transmission system 16 from the drive source 20 and the second transmission system 18, the first transmission system 16 rotates the conveyance chain C that always maintains a predetermined tension. Thereby, the conveyance body 22 connected with the chain C for conveyance passes the inside of the heating chamber 12 and the cooling chamber 14 in order. The design ingenuity for maintaining the tension of the transport chain C is based on the second transmission system 18, and details will be described later.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first transmission system 16 includes a slack removing mechanism 32 (not shown in FIG. 1) for removing slack in the transport chain C. The sagging removal mechanism 32 acts on a part of the rotating shafts of the plurality of rotating shafts constituting the first transmission system 16. In the present embodiment, the slack removing mechanism 32 is one that acts on the sixteenth rotating shaft S16 and the eighteenth rotating shaft S18. However, the number and installation positions of the slack removing mechanisms 32 are limited to these. Is not to be done. Below, the structure of the slack removal mechanism 32 which acts on the 16th rotation axis S16 will be described as an example.

  The sag removing mechanism 32 is an axis position moving mechanism 34 that can absorb the sag of the transport chain C by automatically adjusting the position of the axis of an arbitrary rotation axis. For example, the sag removal mechanism 32 rotatably supports the rotation axis S16. Bearing member 36, a linear screw member 38 connected to the bearing member 36, a positioning member 40 screwed into the screw member 38, and a spring member 42 that can be expanded and contracted according to the pressure applied from the positioning member 40 ,have.

  The bearing member 36 is provided on the frame or the like of the sterilizer 10 so as to be movable in the linear direction (the arrow X direction in FIG. 3). As the bearing member 36 moves in the linear direction, the rotation axis S16 also moves in the linear direction in conjunction with the movement. Due to the movement of the rotation axis S16 in the linear direction, the distance between the adjacent rotation axes (in this embodiment, the sixteenth rotation axis S16 and the seventeenth rotation axis S17, or the sixteenth rotation axis S16 and the fifteenth rotation axis S15). Fluctuates. When the sixteenth rotation shaft S16 moves in the direction in which the distance between the adjacent rotation shafts extends, the slack of the conveyance chain C stretched over the conveyance sprocket 30 fixed to the sixteenth rotation shaft S16 is obtained. Can be absorbed.

  The screw member 38 is configured linearly, for example, like a screw shaft of a ball screw. The screw member 38 is fixed to the bearing member 36. The screw member 38 is inserted into a through hole (not shown) of the fixed wall 44 provided in the frame or the like of the sterilizer 10. The screw member 38 is configured to be movable integrally with the bearing member 36.

  The positioning member 40 is configured to be movable relative to the screw member 38 on the outer peripheral surface of the screw member 38, for example, like a nut of a ball screw. When the positioning member 40 rotates in a predetermined direction, the screw member 38 moves relative to the positioning member 40 in one axial direction while resisting the elastic force from the spring member 42 to position the bearing member 36. The separation distance from the member 40 is shortened. When the positioning member 40 rotates in the opposite direction, the screw member 38 moves relative to the positioning member 40 toward the other side in the axial direction while being pressed by the elastic force from the spring member 42 and the bearing member 36. The separation distance from the positioning member 40 is increased. In this way, the sixteenth rotation axis S16 can be moved in the linear direction (the direction of the arrow X in FIG. 3).

  For example, a coil spring is used as the spring member 42, and is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the screw member 38. One end of the spring member 42 is in contact with the positioning member 40, and the other end is in contact with the fixed wall 44. In other words, the spring member 42 is provided in a state of being sandwiched between the fixed wall 44 and the positioning member 40.

Here, deficiencies of the clutch mechanism 50 (e.g., reduction, etc. of the frictional force between the clutch plate 50 A and the clutch sprocket 48) driving force of the second transmission system 18 is not reliably transmitted to the first transmission system 16 by When the tensile force from the sixteenth rotation shaft S16 becomes stronger than the elastic force of the spring member 42 for the reasons described above, the spring member 42 contracts, and the bearing member 36 together with the screw member 38 and the positioning member 40 It moves from the initial position to one side in the linear direction (arrow X1 direction side in FIG. 3). At this time, the positioning member 40 does not move relative to the screw member 38, the spring member 42 elastically deforms and absorbs the tensile force from the sixteenth rotation axis S16, and the positioning member 40 and the screw member 38 Moves integrally to one side in the linear direction (arrow X1 direction side in FIG. 3). For this problem, by increasing the frictional force between the clutch plate 50 A and the clutch sprocket 48, the linear direction other side eventually positioning member 40 and the threaded member 38 together (in FIG. 3 arrow X2 Move to the direction side) and solve.

  On the other hand, when elongation occurs due to the aging deterioration of the transport chain C, the positioning member 40 is rotated in a direction in which the distance between the bearing member 36 and the positioning member 40 is shortened, so that the positioning member 40 is screwed. Move relative to. Thereby, the slack of the conveyance chain C can be removed.

In addition, you may provide the indicator (illustration omitted) which can confirm the position of the 16th rotating shaft S16 supported by the bearing member 36 instantaneously visually. Thus, when the position of the bearing member 36 is displaced from the initial position, abnormal early (reduction such as the frictional force between the example, the clutch plate 50 A and the clutch sprocket 48) deficiencies of the clutch mechanism 50 Can be found in. By executing the solution for the problem as described above, the abnormality can be eliminated.

  Next, the second transmission system 18 will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the second transmission system 18 includes a drive sprocket 46, a clutch sprocket 48, and a clutch mechanism 50. Although not shown, the second drive system 18 is not limited to the configuration provided only at one end portion in the axial direction of the rotation shaft, and is provided at both end portions in the axial direction of the rotation shaft. But you can.

  The drive sprocket 46 is fixed to the first axial end and the second axial end of the first rotation shaft S1. The drive sprocket 46 is configured to be rotatable integrally with the first rotation shaft S1. The driving sprocket (not shown) attached to the other axial end of the first rotating shaft S1 is hung on the driving chain T and attached to the one axial end of the first rotating shaft S1. A driving chain D is hung on the driving sprocket 46. The drive sprocket 46 is located outside the heating chamber 12.

  The clutch sprocket 48 is provided at one end portion in the axial direction of the third rotating shaft S3, the fifth rotating shaft S5, the seventh rotating shaft S7, and the eighth rotating shaft S8 to the eleventh rotating shaft S11. Hereinafter, the clutch sprocket 48 will be described with an example provided on the third rotation shaft S3.

  The clutch sprocket 48 is provided around the axis of the rotation shaft S3 via the oil bushing 52, and is configured to be capable of relative sliding rotation with respect to each rotation shaft. The clutch sprocket 48 is located outside the heating chamber 12 and the cooling chamber 14.

  The clutch sprocket 48 is a double-wheel integrated sprocket in which a driving side sprocket 48A and a passive side sprocket 48B are provided adjacent to each other in the axial direction. The number of teeth of the drive side sprocket 48A and the passive side sprocket 48B of the clutch sprocket 48 provided on the third rotating shaft S3 is slightly smaller than the number of teeth of the driving sprocket 46 fixed to the first rotating shaft S1. It is set to be. For this reason, the rotation speed of the clutch sprocket 48 provided on the third rotation shaft S3 rotates at a higher speed by the number of teeth than the rotation speed of the drive sprocket 46 fixed to the first rotation shaft S1. To come. As a result, the tension of the transport chain C is always automatically tensioned between the clutch sprocket 48 provided on the third rotation shaft S3 and the drive sprocket 46 fixed to the first rotation shaft S1. It becomes a state.

  Note that the configuration of the clutch sprocket 48 provided on the other rotary shaft is basically the same as the configuration of the clutch sprocket 48 provided on the third rotary shaft S3, and therefore redundant description is omitted. To do.

  The clutch mechanism 50 is provided in the vicinity of the clutch sprocket 48. The clutch mechanism 50 includes a clutch plate 50A fixed to the third rotation shaft S3, and a brake plate 50B interposed between the clutch plate 50A and the passive sprocket 48B of the clutch sprocket 48.

  The clutch plate 50A is fixed to the third rotation shaft S3 and rotates integrally with the third rotation shaft S3.

  The brake plate 50B is attached to the clutch plate 50A, and is made of a material capable of generating a high frictional force such as a rubber member, for example.

  An attachment shaft portion 54 is formed at one end portion in the axial direction of the third rotation shaft S3. A coil spring 56 and a thrust bearing 57 are mounted on the mounting shaft portion 54. The coil spring 56 and the thrust bearing 57 are positioned between the clutch sprocket 48 and the adjustment nut 58. The adjusting nut 58 is screwed to one end portion in the axial direction of the third rotating shaft S3, and the elastic force of the coil spring 56 can be adjusted by the screwing position. As a result, the magnitude of the frictional force that can be generated between the clutch sprocket 48 and the clutch plate 50A can be adjusted. Generally, when the coil spring 56 is further contracted, a frictional force generated between the clutch sprocket 48 and the clutch plate 50A is increased. When the coil spring 56 is further extended, the friction force generated between the clutch sprocket 48 and the clutch plate 50A is increased. The generated friction force is reduced.

  Since a thrust bearing 57 is interposed between the adjustment nut 58 and the coil spring 56 and between the adjustment nut 58 and the clutch sprocket 48, the adjustment nut 58 and the coil spring 56, and The frictional force generated between the adjusting nut 58 and the clutch sprocket 48 can be reduced. Thereby, the loss at the time of transmitting a driving force from the clutch sprocket 48 to the clutch mechanism 50 can be suppressed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the third rotating shaft S3 is rotatably supported by a bearing 60 (not shown in FIG. 5). The bearing 60 is fixed to the main body 11 of the sterilizer 10 via a heat radiating member 62 and a seal member 64 (both not shown in FIG. 5).

  For example, an aluminum plate made of aluminum is used for the heat dissipation member 62. Since the bearing 60 is fixed to the main body 11 of the sterilizer 10 via the heat radiating member 62, the heat from the sterilizer 10, for example, the heating chamber 12, can be radiated to the atmosphere before being transferred to the bearing 60. it can. As a result, it is possible to prevent the product life of the bearing 60 from being reduced by heat. In particular, the heat dissipation effect can be enhanced by increasing the surface area of the heat dissipation member 62. In addition, by using an aluminum plate made of aluminum as the heat radiating member 62, the heat transfer rate can be increased and the heat radiation efficiency to the atmosphere can be increased.

  For the seal member 64, for example, rubber packing or asbestos is used. By providing the seal member 64, it is possible to prevent the sterilizer 10, for example, a liquid from leaking from the inside of the heating chamber 12 to the outside.

  The third rotation shaft S3 is rotatably supported by the support mechanism 66. The support mechanism 66 supports the arm member 66B that is fixed to the main body 11 side of the sterilizer 10 and a bearing support member 66A that rotatably supports the third rotation shaft S3, an arm member 66B that supports the bearing support member 66A. 66C. The bearing support member 66A is set so as to support a position between the clutch plate 50A and the bearing 60, for example.

  By providing the support mechanism 66, it is possible to reinforce the rigidity of the third rotation shaft S3 so as to be able to counter external forces and bending moments acting on the sprockets of the third rotation shaft S3. Thereby, it can prevent that 3rd rotating shaft S3 bends.

  The above-described structure is not limited to the third rotation axis S3, but is applied to all the rotation axes provided with the second transmission system 18 among the rotation axes used in the sterilization apparatus 10.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 5, the driving chain D extends over the driving sprocket 46 fixed to the first rotating shaft S1 and the passive sprocket 48B of the clutch sprocket 48 provided on the third rotating shaft S3. Is over. Although not shown, there is no drive between the drive side sprocket 48A of the clutch sprocket 48 provided on the third rotary shaft S3 and the drive side sprocket 48A of the clutch sprocket 48 provided on the fifth rotary shaft S5. The chain D is suspended. Similarly, between the passive side sprocket 48A of the clutch sprocket 48 provided on the fifth rotating shaft S5 and the passive side sprocket 48B of the clutch sprocket 48 provided on the seventh rotating shaft S7, A driving chain D is suspended. Between the drive side sprocket 48A of the clutch sprocket 48 provided on the seventh rotary shaft S7 and the drive side sprocket 48A of the clutch sprocket 48 provided on the eighth rotary shaft S8, a drive chain D is provided. It is being handed over. Between the passive side sprocket 48B of the clutch sprocket 48 provided on the eighth rotating shaft S8 and the passive side sprocket 48B of the clutch sprocket 48 provided on the ninth rotating shaft S9, a drive chain D is provided. It is being handed over. Between the drive side sprocket 48A of the clutch sprocket 48 provided on the ninth rotation shaft S9 and the drive side sprocket 48A of the clutch sprocket 48 provided on the tenth rotation shaft S10, a drive chain D is provided. It is being handed over. Between the passive sprocket 48B of the clutch sprocket 48 provided on the tenth rotary shaft S10 and the passive sprocket 48B of the clutch sprocket 48 provided on the eleventh rotary shaft S11, a drive chain D is provided. It is being handed over.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

(Explanation of dynamics for realizing transmission of driving force)
First, dynamics for realizing transmission of driving force will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 4, and 5, when the drive source 20 is driven, a driving force is transmitted to the first rotation shaft S <b> 1 through the driving chain T, and the first rotation shaft S <b> 1 rotates. When the first rotation shaft S1 rotates, the driving force is transmitted to the clutch sprocket 48 of the third rotation shaft S3 via the drive chain D, and the clutch sprocket 48 rotates. At this time, the clutch sprocket 48 rotates faster than the first rotation shaft S1 by that amount because the number of teeth of the drive side sprocket 48A and the number of teeth of the passive side sprocket 48B is smaller than the number of teeth of the drive sprocket 46. When the clutch sprocket 48 rotates, if the tension of the transport chain C is smaller than the frictional force generated between the clutch sprocket 48 and the clutch plate 50A, it is considered that both are integrally formed. Therefore, the clutch plate 50A rotates. When the clutch plate 50A rotates, the third rotation shaft S3 to which the clutch plate 50A is fixed rotates. As a result, the third rotation axis S3 rotates faster than the first rotation axis S1.

  The fifth rotating shaft S7, the seventh rotating shaft S7, and the eighth rotating shaft S8 to the eleventh rotating shaft S11 also rotate by the same mechanical action. The number of teeth of the clutch sprocket 48 provided on the fifth rotation shaft S5, the seventh rotation shaft S7, and the eighth rotation shaft S8 to the eleventh rotation shaft S11 is the number of teeth of the clutch sprocket 48 of the third rotation shaft S3. Since it is set to the same number as the number, it rotates at substantially the same rotational speed as the third rotational axis S3 and rotates at a rotational speed faster than the first rotational axis S1.

  In this way, each rotational shaft rotates with a change in rotational speed, so that the driving force is transmitted to the transport chain C and the transport chain C is always pulled automatically. To do. As a result, no slack is generated in the conveying chain C between the first rotating shaft S1 and the eleventh rotating shaft S11, and the conveying chain C is driven.

(Reason for increasing the rotation speed of the rotating shaft on the downstream side)
Next, the reason why the rotational speed of the downstream rotary shaft is increased will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, in this embodiment, the clutch sprocket 48 provided on each of the downstream rotary shafts S3, S5, S7, S8 to S11 is thinned out to the upstream side. By reducing the number of teeth of the driving sprocket 46 provided on the first rotation shaft S1, the rotation speeds of the respective rotation shafts S3, S5, S7, S8 to S11 on the downstream side are positioned on the upstream side. It is set to be faster than the rotation speed of the rotation shaft S1. This is because the transport chain C is stretched due to aging and the like and absorbs this stretch. Thereby, there is no slack in the transport chain C located between the first rotation axis S1 and the eleventh rotation axis S11. As a result, the tension of the conveying chain C can always be kept constant automatically.

  Note that the conveyor chain C extended due to aging or the like has slack in some part, but due to the influence of gravity, this slack appears prominently in the vicinity of the sixteenth rotation axis S16. The slack in the transport chain C is removed by the slack removing mechanism 32, which will be described later.

(Reason for providing a clutch mechanism)
Next, the reason why the clutch mechanism is provided will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, each of the rotation shafts S <b> 3, S <b> 5, S <b> 7, S <b> 8 to S <b> 11 is provided with a clutch mechanism 50. If the friction force generated between the sprocket 48 and the sprocket 48 becomes larger, the clutch sprocket 48 slides against the clutch plate 50A, and a so-called slip phenomenon occurs. At this time, for example, the clutch sprocket 48 provided on the third rotation shaft S3 rotates relative to the third rotation shaft S3, so that the driving force transmitted to the clutch sprocket 48 is transmitted via the clutch plate 50A. Is not transmitted to the third rotation axis S3. Such a phenomenon is caused by, for example, when the weight of the object loaded on the transport body 22 increases and the tension of the transport chain C increases, the rotational resistance of the third rotating shaft S3 increases due to wear of the bearing 60 or the like. It may be the case.

  By providing the clutch mechanism 50, when the tension of the transport chain C increases, only the clutch sprocket 48 is rotated with respect to the third rotation shaft S3, and the clutch sprocket 48 and the third rotation shaft S3 are rotated. It is possible to cut the edges dynamically. For this reason, the driving force is not transmitted to the third rotating shaft S3, and the third rotating shaft S3 does not rotate. As a result, it is possible to prevent the conveying chain C and the driving chain D from pulling and both or one of them breaking.

  The magnitude of the frictional force generated between the clutch plate 50A and the clutch sprocket 48 can be controlled by the position of the adjustment nut 58. For this reason, by adjusting the frictional force so as to correspond to the tension of the conveying chain C, it is possible to realize the optimum work efficiency that flexibly corresponds to the operation state of the sterilizer 10. That is, since the frictional force can be freely adjusted in consideration of the deterioration of the transfer chain C, the wear of the bearing 60, the weight of the transfer body 22, and the like, the optimum operation of the sterilizer 10 can be realized. Can do.

(Reason for providing a slack removal mechanism)
Next, the reason why the slack removing mechanism is provided will be described.

  As described above, by providing the clutch mechanism 50, the rotational speeds of the respective rotary shafts S3 to S11 on the downstream side rotate faster than the rotational speed of the first rotary shaft S1 on the upstream side. Thereby, the slack of the conveyance chain C can be removed in the region from the first rotation axis S1 to the eleventh rotation axis S11. However, when the conveyance chain C is extended due to aging deterioration of the conveyance chain C, a sag of the conveyance chain C appears in some part.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the slack of the transport chain C appears prominently in the vicinity of the lowest 16th rotation axis S16 due to the influence of gravity or the like. For this reason, a sag removing mechanism 32 is provided for the sixteenth rotation axis S16. In addition, although the slack removal mechanism 32 is provided also with respect to the 18th rotating shaft S18, the effect | action of the slack removing mechanism 32 provided with respect to the 16th rotating shaft 16 is demonstrated as an example.

  When the slack of the conveyance chain C occurs in the vicinity of the sixteenth rotation axis S16, the tension acting on the sixteenth rotation axis S16 from the conveyance chain C is locally increased. Thereby, by adjusting the screwing position of the positioning member 40 of the slack removing mechanism 32 and moving it to the bearing member 36 side, the elastic force of the spring member 42 becomes stronger, and the position of the sixteenth rotation shaft S16 is moved to the outside (see FIG. 3 in the direction of arrow X2). As a result, the slack in the transport chain C can be removed.

  Even when the frictional force between the clutch sprocket 48 of the clutch mechanism 50 and the clutch plate 50A is small, sagging may occur in the transport chain C. In this case, the position of the adjustment nut 58 is adjusted so as to find the slack portion of the transport chain C and increase the frictional force between the clutch sprocket 48 of the clutch mechanism 50 and the clutch plate 50A in the vicinity thereof. Thus, the elongation of the transfer chain C can be removed.

  As described above, according to the automatic tension mechanism of this embodiment and the sterilization apparatus including the same, it is possible to realize the automatic tension of the transport chain C and to absorb the elongation of the transport chain C.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Sterilizer 12 Heating chamber 14 Cooling chamber 16 1st transmission system 18 2nd transmission system 20 Drive source 30 Sprocket for conveyance (1st sprocket)
32 Slack removal mechanism 34 Axle core position moving mechanism 40 Positioning member (elastic force adjusting member)
42 Coil spring (elastic member)
48 Clutch sprocket (second sprocket)
50 Clutch mechanism 50A Clutch plate (clutch member)
50B Brake plate (friction member)
66 Support mechanism (support member)
C Conveying chain (first chain)
D Drive chain (second chain)
T power chain

Claims (4)

An automatic having a driving source, a first transmission system that receives a driving force of the driving source and conveys a carrier, and a second transmission system that can transmit the driving force from the driving source to the first transmission system A tension mechanism,
The first transmission system includes a first sprocket fixed to a rotating shaft, a first chain connected to the transport body and spanned over the first sprocket, and a slack removing mechanism for removing slack in the first chain; Including
The second transmission system includes a second sprocket that is rotated together with the rotation shaft or is rotatable relative to the rotation shaft, a second chain that spans the second sprocket, and a rotation shaft. A clutch mechanism fixed and capable of transmitting a rotational force from the second sprocket,
The rotary shaft is located on the upstream side and receives an upstream rotary shaft (S1) that receives a driving force directly from the drive source, and a downstream rotary shaft (S3 ...) that is positioned downstream of the upstream rotary shaft (S1). ) And
The rotational speed of the downstream rotary shaft (S3...) Is set to be faster than the rotational speed of the upstream rotary shaft (S1).
The clutch mechanism is provided on at least a part of the downstream rotary shaft (S3...) And fixed to the rotary shaft with respect to the second sprocket via a material capable of generating a high frictional force such as a rubber member. Having a clutch plate to contact,
When the tension of the first chain is greater than the frictional force generated between the clutch plate and the second sprocket, the second sprocket slides relative to the clutch plate and relatively to the rotation shaft. Rotate,
When the tension of the first chain is smaller than the friction force generated between the clutch plate and the second sprocket, the second sprocket rotates together with the clutch plate and the rotating shaft;
The slack eliminating mechanism is located downstream of the upstream rotary shaft (S1) and acts on the rotary shaft at the lowest position, and adjusts the position of the axis of the first sprocket to adjust the position of the lowest position. An automatic tensioning mechanism that is an axial center position moving mechanism capable of absorbing the slack of the first chain generated in the vicinity of the rotating shaft. The axis position moving mechanism is
An elastic member that counteracts the tension acting on the rotary shaft from the stretched first chain with an elastic force;
An elastic force adjusting member for adjusting an elastic force of the elastic member;
The automatic tensioning mechanism according to claim 1, comprising:   The automatic tension mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising a support member that rotatably supports the rotation shaft.   The sterilizer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising the automatic tension mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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