JP7435668B1 - Conveyor belts, belt components, and belt-type conveying devices - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a conveyor belt capable of suppressing falling off of parts such as a plug for preventing falling off of a rotating shaft, a belt component used in the conveyor belt, and a belt-type conveyance device using the conveyor belt. A belt component 11 is a one-piece component, and includes an outermost connecting portion 16a, a first hinge piece 17 having a first shaft hole 21 with a space 19 therebetween, and a second shaft hole 22. The second hinge piece 18 is provided, and the swing piece 23 is located in the space 19 so as to overlap the shaft path 12a of the connecting shaft, and swings in the vertical direction with its base end serving as a swing shaft portion 23a. The swinging piece 23 includes an inclined surface 25a facing the first shaft hole 21 and a vertical surface 25b facing the second shaft hole 22. 23 is swung to allow the connection shaft to pass through, and even when the vertical surface 25b is pushed by the tip, the swing is suppressed and prevents the connection shaft from passing. [Selection diagram] Figure 4

Description

The present invention relates to a conveyor belt configured by a plurality of belt components rotatably connected by a connecting shaft, a belt component used in the conveyor belt, and a belt-type conveyance device using the conveyor belt.

2. Description of the Related Art Among belt-type conveyance devices for conveying works such as articles, there is one that uses a conveyor belt in which belt constituent members are connected through a connecting shaft. This type of conveyor belt is constructed by rotatably connecting belt constituent members adjacent to each other in the traveling direction of the conveyor belt through a connecting shaft. In a conveyor belt, a plug is attached to the end of the belt component located at the end in the width direction perpendicular to the direction of movement to prevent the rotating shaft from falling off. (For example, see Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

Patent No. 3331464 Patent No. 3586769

The plug for preventing the rotating shaft from falling off is a separate member from the belt component. Therefore, there is a risk that the plug may come off due to factors such as vibrations that are repeatedly applied when the conveyor belt runs. There is a possibility that the plug that has come off the belt component may be mixed into the workpiece that is being transported.

A conveyor belt for solving the above-mentioned problems is a conveyor belt configured by rotatably connecting belt components adjacent to each other in the traveling direction of conveying a work, and includes a plurality of belt components, The belt includes a connecting shaft extending in the width direction intersecting the traveling direction and connecting the belt constituent members that are adjacent to each other. At least one belt component among the plurality of belt components extends in the direction of the connecting portion and another belt component that is a connection partner with respect to the connecting portion, and is spaced apart from each other so that there is no space between them. a first hinge piece and a second hinge piece that define a space; a first shaft hole of the first hinge piece and a second shaft hole of the second hinge piece through which the connecting shaft can be inserted; A swinging piece is provided, which is located in the space so as to overlap the shaft path in which the connecting shaft is located, and whose swing shaft portion formed at the base end extends in the same direction as the shaft path . The connecting portion, the first hinge piece, the second hinge piece, and the swinging piece are integral. The rocking piece includes a first surface facing the first shaft hole and a second surface facing the second shaft hole. The first surface is a surface that, when pressed by the tip of the connecting shaft, causes the rocking piece to swing and allows the connecting shaft to pass through. The second surface is a surface that suppresses rocking even when pushed by the tip and prevents the connection shaft from passing through.

Further, the belt constituent members are connected to each other in the traveling direction of the conveyor belt that conveys the work to constitute the conveyor belt, and extend in a width direction intersecting the traveling direction with other belt constituent members to be connected. Belt structural members rotatably connected by a connecting shaft, the belt structural members extending in the direction of a connecting portion and the other belt structural members with respect to the connecting portion, and spaced apart from each other. a first hinge piece and a second hinge piece having a space therebetween; a first shaft hole provided in the first hinge piece and a second shaft hole provided in the second hinge piece, into which the connecting shaft can be inserted; and a rocking piece located in the space overlapping the shaft path in which the connecting shaft is located, and having a rocking shaft portion formed at the base end extending in the same direction as the shaft path . The connecting portion, the first hinge piece, the second hinge piece, and the swinging piece are integral. The rocking piece includes a first surface facing the first shaft hole and a second surface facing the second shaft hole. The first surface is a surface that, when pressed by the tip of the connecting shaft, causes the rocking piece to swing and allows the connecting shaft to pass through. The second surface is a surface that suppresses rocking even when pushed by the tip and prevents the connection shaft from passing through.

In a belt-type conveyor, an endless conveyor belt is constructed by rotatably connecting belt components that are adjacent to each other in the traveling direction of the conveyor belt that conveys the workpiece, and is engaged with sprockets at two positions separated by a predetermined distance. This is a belt-type conveying device in which the sprocket at one of two positions is driven by a drive source. The conveyor belt includes a plurality of belt constituent members and a connecting shaft that extends in a width direction intersecting the traveling direction and connects the belt constituent members that are adjacent to each other. At least one belt component among the plurality of belt components extends in the direction of the connecting portion and another belt component that is a connection partner with respect to the connecting portion, and is spaced apart from each other so that there is no space between them. a first hinge piece and a second hinge piece that define a space; a first shaft hole of the first hinge piece and a second shaft hole of the second hinge piece through which the connecting shaft can be inserted; A swinging piece is provided, which is located in the space so as to overlap the shaft path in which the connecting shaft is located, and whose swing shaft portion formed at the base end extends in the same direction as the shaft path . The connecting portion, the first hinge piece, the second hinge piece, and the swinging piece are integral. The rocking piece includes a first surface facing the first shaft hole and a second surface facing the second shaft hole. The first surface is a surface that, when pressed by the tip of the connecting shaft, causes the rocking piece to swing and allows the connecting shaft to pass through. The second surface is a surface that suppresses rocking even when pushed by the tip and prevents the connection shaft from passing through.

In the conveyor belt, belt component, and belt type conveyance device configured as described above, the connecting shaft is inserted through the first shaft hole, and the insertion end of the connecting shaft continuously presses the first surface. Then, the swinging piece swings to allow the connection shaft to pass through. The insertion end of the connecting shaft abuts against the second surface of the rocking piece. This swinging piece is suppressed from swinging even if it hits the second surface. After the connecting shaft is inserted, the end of the connecting shaft faces the second surface, which prevents the connecting shaft from falling out of the shaft hole. A belt component having such an effect can be constructed in one piece by resin molding. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the plug or the like, which is a drop-off prevention means, from falling off as in the conventional case.

In the above configuration, the base end portion of the swinging piece may be integral with the connecting portion, and the swinging shaft portion may be positioned so as to extend in the same direction as the shaft path. According to the above configuration, the swing shaft portion can be arranged so that it is easy to swing when the first surface is pushed by the end of the connecting shaft, and difficult to swing when the second surface is pushed. The pressing direction of the central axis of the connecting shaft against the second surface coincides with the direction of high strength rigidity in which the swinging shaft portion extends. Therefore, the rocking piece is less likely to be damaged even when the second surface is pressed with a high pressing force.

In the above configuration, a pair of the first hinge piece and the second hinge piece that includes the swinging piece in the space is located at the end of the conveyor belt in the width direction, and among the set, The first hinge piece may be located at the extreme end.

According to the above configuration, the inserted connecting shaft can be arranged between the swinging pieces located at the ends in the width direction. The first surface is positioned at the extreme end to allow insertion of the connecting shaft. Each end of the inserted connecting shaft faces the second surface. This makes it difficult for the connecting shaft to fall off because it is sandwiched between the second surfaces.

In the above configuration, the swinging piece has a substrate that is perpendicular to the bottom surface of the connecting portion constituting the space, and a triangular shape in which one surface of the substrate corresponds to the base, and A protruding portion having one side corresponding to the first surface and the other side corresponding to the second surface. The first surface may be an inclined surface, and the second surface may be a surface steeper than the inclined surface.

According to the above configuration, since the first surface is an inclined surface, the connecting shaft is inserted while the insertion end slides on the first surface and swings the swinging piece. Since the connecting shaft after insertion faces the steep second surface, it becomes difficult to swing even if the swinging piece is pushed by the end of the connecting shaft. After insertion, the connecting shaft becomes difficult to fall off.

In the above configuration, the rocking piece is erected with respect to the bottom surface of the connecting portion constituting the space, and is twisted toward the tip so that the first surface and the second surface are It includes a substrate made up of twisted surfaces. The first surface is configured with a torsion surface that bends the substrate in the direction of opening the shaft path when pressed by the tip of the connecting shaft to be inserted, and the second surface is configured with a torsion surface that bends the substrate in the direction of opening the shaft path. The substrate may be configured with a twisting surface that bends the substrate in a direction that blocks the axial path when the substrate is pushed by the tip in the pulling direction.

According to the above configuration, the insertion end slides on the first surface and is inserted by swinging and twisting the swinging piece. Since the connecting shaft after insertion faces the second surface, it becomes difficult to swing even if the swinging piece is pushed by the end of the connecting shaft. After insertion, the connecting shaft becomes difficult to fall off.

According to the present invention, falling of components can be suppressed.

FIG. 1 is a side view of the belt-type conveyance device described in the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of essential parts of a conveyor belt used in the belt-type conveyance device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the conveyor belt shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a main part showing a pair of hinge pieces and a swinging piece disposed in a space formed between them in the belt constituent members constituting the conveyor belt shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a main part of the conveyor belt shown in FIG. 3, showing a state in which the belt constituent members are combined and the connecting shaft is not inserted. FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a main part of the conveyor belt, continuing from FIG. 5, and showing the state of the swinging piece when the connecting shaft begins to be inserted into the shaft hole. FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a main part of the conveyor belt, continuing from FIG. 6, with the connecting shaft inserted and showing the relationship between the connecting shaft and the swinging piece. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of essential parts of a conveyor belt according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the conveyor belt shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a main part showing a pair of hinge pieces and a swinging piece disposed in a space formed between them in the belt constituent members constituting the conveyor belt shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a main part of the conveyor belt shown in FIG. 9, showing a state in which the belt constituent members are combined and the connecting shaft is not inserted. FIG. 12 is a sectional view of a main part of the conveyor belt, continuing from FIG. 11, and showing the state of the swinging piece when the connecting shaft begins to be inserted into the shaft hole. FIG. 13 is a sectional view of a main part of the conveyor belt, continuing from FIG. 6, with the connecting shaft inserted and showing the relationship between the connecting shaft and the swinging piece.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A belt-type conveyance device to which the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to the drawings.
〔overall structure〕
As shown in FIG. 1, the belt-type conveyance device 1 includes a conveyor belt 2, at least two sprockets 3a and 3b, and a drive source 3c. The conveyor belt 2 is a band-shaped endless belt, and is hooked onto sprockets 3a and 3b that are arranged a predetermined distance apart in the traveling direction D1. The upper surface of the conveyor belt 2 serves as a work placement surface 2a on which the work 4 is placed. Of the sprockets 3a and 3b, the sprocket 3a is on the driving side, and the sprocket 3b is on the driven side. The drive-side sprocket 3a is connected to a motor 3c, which is an example of a power source, via a power transmission mechanism. Furthermore, a plurality of rollers 5 are arranged below the conveyor belt 2 to support the conveyor belt 2 from hanging down.

[First embodiment]
[Conveyor belt]
As shown in FIG. 2, the conveyor belt 2 is a modular chain (modular conveyor belt). The conveyor belt 2 includes a plurality of belt components 11 and a connecting shaft 12. The belt component members 11 are arranged linearly in the width direction D2 of the conveyor belt 2, which intersects the traveling direction D1, so that they have a predetermined width. Further, the conveyor belt 2 is rotatably connected so that the traveling direction D1 has a predetermined length. Thereby, in the conveyor belt 2, the belt constituent members 11 arranged in the traveling direction D1 and the width direction D2 are connected by the connecting shaft 12, and are rotatable with respect to the belt constituent members 11 arranged in the traveling direction D1.

Both the belt component 11 and the connecting shaft 12 are resin molded products made of plastic. For example, the belt component 11 and the connecting shaft 12 are molded products made of a resin material such as polyethylene, polyacetal, polypropylene, or engineering plastic.

Further, the connecting shaft 12 is an extrusion molded product. Therefore, the connecting shaft 12 does not have a groove or a protrusion extending in the circumferential direction, and has the same cross-sectional shape no matter where it is cut. Note that the connecting shaft 12 has a cylindrical shape and includes a hollow portion inside. This improves dimensional stability. Such a connecting shaft 12 has a simpler structure than a D pin having a D-shaped tip or a knurling pin having a knurling process, and can be extruded. The connecting shaft 12 is cut as appropriate depending on the dimension in the width direction D2 of the conveyor belt 2 to be used. Note that the connecting shaft 12 may be a solid member without a hollow portion.

[Belt component]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the belt component 11 includes a connecting portion 16, hinge pieces 15, 17, and 18. The connecting portion 16 includes an outermost connecting portion 16a located at the farthest end in the width direction D2, and an intermediate connecting portion 16b extending between the outermost connecting portions 16a. The farthest connecting portion 16a located at the farthest end in the width direction D2 has a linear shape and has two first and second ends. In the endmost connecting portion 16a, a first hinge piece 17 extends from a first end, and a second hinge piece 18 extends from a second end. Note that, hereinafter, the endmost connecting portion 16a and the intermediate connecting portion 16b are also collectively referred to as the connecting portion 16. The first hinge piece 17 and the second hinge piece 18 constitute one set at the extreme end in the width direction D2.

Each of the one or more intermediate connecting portions 16b located between the two endmost connecting portions 16a has a V-shape, and the intermediate connecting portions 16b that are adjacent to each other are oriented in opposite directions. Therefore, the intermediate connecting portions 16b have a wave shape and are continuous in the width direction D2. At each end of the intermediate connecting portions 16b that are adjacent to each other, a pair of hinge pieces 15 extend apart from each other in the traveling direction D1. A pair of hinge pieces 15 also extend in the direction opposite to the arrow D1 from the two valleys of the intermediate connecting portions 16b that are adjacent to each other. The hinge piece 15 and the hinge pieces 17 and 18 have the same configuration.

In the endmost connecting portion 16a, among the first hinge piece 17 and the second hinge piece 18, the hinge piece located at the end in the width direction D2 is the first hinge piece, and the hinge piece located second from the end is the first hinge piece. This is the second hinge piece 18. The second hinge piece 18 of the endmost connecting part 16a is also the hinge piece 15 of the intermediate connecting part 16b located next to it.

The pair of hinge pieces 15 and the intermediate connecting part 16b, and the hinge pieces 17 and 18 and the outermost connecting part 16a each constitute a U-shaped space 19. The tip of the first hinge piece 17 is provided with a first shaft hole 21 , and the tip of the second hinge piece 18 is provided with a second shaft hole 22 . The pair of hinge pieces 15 also each have a similar shaft hole. The shaft holes 21 and 22 are circular through-holes through which the connecting shaft 12 can be inserted, and whose centers coincide with each other. The first axial hole 21 is a through hole located at the extreme end in the width direction D2, and the second axial hole 22 is a through hole located one hole inside the first axial hole 21 in the width direction D2. In the space 19, between the shaft holes 21 and 22 is a shaft path 12a for the connecting shaft 12 to extend.

As shown in FIG. 4, in the outermost connecting portion 16a, the surface that constitutes the space 19 is a bottom surface 19a that is a flat surface. In the first hinge piece 17 and the second hinge piece 18 extending from the outermost connecting portion 16a, the opposing surfaces forming the space 19 are also a first side surface 19b and a second side surface 19c, which are configured as flat surfaces. In the space 19, the corner portion formed by the pair of side surfaces 19b and 19c with respect to the bottom surface 19a is 90 degrees.

[Rocking piece]
A swing piece 23 is arranged in a space 19 formed by the endmost connecting portion 16a, the first hinge piece 17, and the second hinge piece 18 that are spaced apart from each other. The swing piece 23 is a plate piece that integrally extends from the bottom surface 19a of the outermost connecting portion 16a toward the opening side of the space 19. The swinging piece 23 has a base end portion, which is a base portion with respect to the bottom surface 19a, as a swinging shaft portion 23a extending in the width direction D2. The swing piece 23 is an elastic piece that is displaced in the vertical direction D3 intersecting the work placement surface 2a. The direction in which the swing shaft portion 23a extends is the width direction D2, and also the direction in which the connecting shaft 12 is inserted. Such a swing piece 23 is located on the bottom surface 19a at a height that overlaps with the shaft path 12a between the shaft holes 21 and 22. Here, the swing piece 23 is located between the center and the lower end of the shaft holes 21 and 22. That is, the swinging piece 23 is located below the center of the shaft holes 21 and 22.

The swing piece 23 includes a base plate 24 and a protrusion 25. The substrate 24 is a flat plate piece having a rectangular shape, and stands vertically from the bottom surface 19a when not swinging. The length from the bottom surface 19a of the substrate 24 to the tip is the same as the tips of the first hinge piece 17 and the second hinge piece 18. Of course, the tip of the substrate 24 may be positioned slightly protruding from the tips of the hinge pieces 17 and 18, or may be positioned recessed. The substrate 24 includes an upper surface 24a and a lower surface 24b. The upper surface 24a is flat and has a protrusion 25 thereon. The lower surface 24b, which is the opposite surface to the upper surface 24a, is not provided with anything and is a flat surface.

The protrusion 25 is a protrusion provided on the upper surface 24a, and has a triangular shape, preferably a right triangular shape. The upper surface 24a of the protrusion 25 corresponds to the base of the triangle. In the protruding portion 25, an inclined surface 25a corresponding to the oblique side faces the first shaft hole 21. In the protruding portion 25, a vertical surface 25b corresponding to the vertical side faces the second shaft hole 22. The vertical surface 25b preferably has a size that closes more than half of the second shaft hole 22, thereby making it difficult for the connecting shaft 12 to fall off from the belt component 11. The size of the vertical surface 25b may be any size as long as it can prevent the connection shaft 12 from passing through.

The inclined surface 25a serving as the first surface has an obtuse first angle θ1 with respect to the central axis A of the shaft path 12a when viewed from the first shaft hole 21 side. The inclined surface 25a is a smooth surface on which the end of the connecting shaft 12 can slide. The vertical surface 25b serving as the second surface has a second angle θ2 perpendicular to the central axis A of the shaft path 12a when viewed from the second shaft hole 22 side. Note that on the second surface, the second angle θ2 may be slightly smaller than 90° or may be larger. The vertical surface 25b functions as a restricting surface that restricts the end of the connecting shaft 12 from passing through the space 19. That is, the vertical surface 25b does not have to be strictly perpendicular to the upper surface 24a, but may be a surface that is steeper than the inclined surface 25a, for example, where the relationship θ1>θ2 holds.

The conveyor belt 2 has two ends in the width direction D2, and in the endmost connecting portion 16a located at each end, the first hinge piece 17 is located at the endmost end. A second hinge piece 18 is located next to the hinge piece 17 on the inside. The inclined surface 25a faces the first shaft hole 21, which serves as an insertion port for the connecting shaft 12. The vertical surface 25b faces the second shaft hole 22. Note that the space 19 formed between the pair of hinge pieces 15 provided in the intermediate connecting portion 16b does not include the swing piece 23.

[How to insert the connecting shaft]
First, in the width direction D2, the belt constituent members 11 that are adjacent to each other are arranged so that the center axes A of the shaft holes 21 and 22 coincide with each other. In addition, in the traveling direction D1, the pair of hinge pieces 15 of the second belt constituent member 11 to which the pair of hinge pieces 15 of the first belt constituent member 11 is connected are connected to each other in the belt constituent members 11 that are adjacent to each other. They are inserted so that they fit together. Then, the center axes A of the shaft holes 21 and 22 of the first belt component 11 and the shaft holes 21 and 22 of the second belt component 11 are aligned. Furthermore, the central axis A of the shaft holes provided in the pair of hinge pieces 15 also coincides with each other. Thereby, a shaft path 12a in which the shaft holes 21 and 22 are lined up in the width direction D2 is configured.

As shown in FIG. 5, before the connecting shaft 12 is inserted into the shaft holes 21 and 22, the swinging piece 23 in the space 19 located at the farthest end in the width direction D2 is not subjected to any load. Not moving. Therefore, the swing piece 23 is perpendicular to the bottom surface 19a. The protruding portion 25 is in a state overlapping the shaft path 12a, that is, in a state in which it is blocking the shaft path 12a.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6, one of the first shaft holes 21 located at the end in the width direction D2 is an insertion hole for the connecting shaft 12. The connecting shaft 12 is inserted through the first shaft hole 21 .
Here, the connecting shaft 12 has a length that can extend between the second hinge pieces 18 at both ends in the width direction D2. The connecting shaft 12 is cut according to the dimension in the width direction D2 of the conveyor belt 2 to be used.

The connecting shaft 12 inserted from the first shaft hole 21 pushes the inclined surface 25a at the insertion end to swing the swinging piece 23 downward. As a result, the connecting shaft 12 inserted through the first shaft hole 21 pushes down the swinging piece 23 so that the insertion end slides on the inclined surface 25a, straddles the swinging piece 23, and then enters the second shaft hole 22. It is inserted. This allows the connecting shaft 12 to advance in the direction of the next space 19.

As shown in FIG. 7, the insertion end of the connecting shaft 12 abuts against the vertical surface 25b of the swinging piece 23 after passing through the second shaft hole 22 of the second hinge piece 18 provided in the farthest connecting part 16a on the opposite side. . Therefore, the swinging piece 23 is suppressed from swinging even if the insertion end of the connecting shaft 12 pushes against the vertical surface 25b. At this point, the rocking piece 23 located on the insertion side of the connecting shaft 12 has an opposite end opposite to the insertion end of the connecting shaft 12 passing through the space 19 in which the rocking piece 23 is arranged. , returns to the original state with no load applied. Therefore, the opposite end of the connecting shaft 12 also faces the vertical surface 25b of the swinging piece 23. Thereby, the connecting shaft 12 is located in the space 19 where the swinging pieces 23 connected in the width direction D2 are not arranged. That is, the connecting shaft 12 is sandwiched between the vertical surfaces 25b of the respective swing pieces 23 located at both ends in the width direction D2.

When the connecting shaft 12 is attached, the direction of the pressing force that causes the connecting shaft 12 to come out of the shaft holes 21 and 22 is almost the same as the direction in which the swinging shaft portion 23a extends, and It corresponds to the direction of rigidity that is difficult to bend. Since the pressing force that is trying to escape from the shaft holes 21 and 22 is applied substantially perpendicularly to the vertical surface 25b, the swinging of the swinging piece 23 in the vertical direction D3 is also suppressed. Therefore, the connecting shaft 12 sandwiched between the two vertical surfaces 25b is prevented from passing through the shaft holes 21, 22 and the space 19 by the vertical surfaces 25b facing each end. That is, the connecting shaft 12 is prevented from falling off due to swinging of the swinging piece 23.

[How to remove the connecting shaft]
To remove the connecting shaft 12, a shaft-shaped tool having the same thickness as the connecting shaft 12 is inserted from the first shaft hole 21 located at one end. Then, the tip of the tool pushes the inclined surface 25a to swing the swinging piece 23 downward. Then, it is engaged with the end of the connecting shaft 12. By way of example, the tool is engaged with the open end of the hollow portion facing the end of the connecting shaft 12 by means of a screw action. The connecting shaft 12 is then integrated with the tool and pulled out from the shaft path 12a through the tool. As a result, the state returns to the state shown in FIG. 5, and the conveyor belt 2 becomes ready for disassembly.

[Effects of the first embodiment]
The belt type conveyance device 1 as described above can obtain the following effects.
(1-1) The belt component 11 is a one-piece component because it is an integrally molded product made of resin. The belt component 11 does not require a plug or the like, which is a separate member from the belt component 11, as a means for preventing the connecting shaft 12 from falling off. Thereby, the conveyor belt 2 made up of the belt component members 11 can reduce the number of parts and simplify the configuration. Further, it is possible to prevent plugs from falling off and foreign matter from getting mixed into the work being transported.

(1-2) It is necessary to attach the plugs as the falling-off suppressing means to both ends in the width direction D2, but there is a risk of attaching the plugs only to one end of the conveyor belt 2 and forgetting to attach the plugs to the other end. By providing the swing piece 23 in the belt component 11, forgetting to attach the plug can be prevented. Thereby, it is possible to prevent forgetting to provide a means for preventing the connecting shaft 12 from falling off at one end of the conveyor belt 2 in the width direction D2.

(1-3) To connect the belt components 11, it is only necessary to insert the connecting shaft 12, and the assembly process can be simplified and quickly performed. Specifically, conventionally, it was necessary to attach plugs to each end of the conveyor belt 2 in the width direction D2 after inserting the connecting shaft 12, but it is now possible to eliminate the need for such plug attaching operations. can.

(1-4) The connecting shaft 12 is an extrusion molded product, and can be prepared by simply cutting it to match the dimension of the conveyor belt 2 in the width direction D2. The connecting shaft 12 is easier to manufacture and more versatile than a D pin or a knurled pin. That is, in the case of D pins and knurled pins, injection molding is used instead of extrusion molding, so it is difficult to manufacture pins that are too long. In this respect, since the connecting shaft 12 is formed by extrusion molding, it is easy to manufacture a long connecting pin. Therefore, the connecting shaft 12 can easily accommodate a wide conveyor belt 2.

(1-5) The connecting shaft 12 can be removed by simply inserting one type of tool into the first shaft hole 21 and engaging the connecting shaft 12. Therefore, the conveyor belt 2 can be easily disassembled and repaired.

(1-6) The swinging piece 23 does not swing in any direction, up or down, except when the connecting shaft 12 is inserted. Therefore, since the swing piece 23 does not continue to be in a displaced state, it is less susceptible to deterioration and damage.

(1-7) In the conveyor belt 2, the connecting shaft 12 is inserted through the first shaft hole 21, and the insertion end of the connecting shaft 12 presses the inclined surface 25a, so that the swinging piece 23 is moved downward. to sway. The connecting shaft 12 is then allowed to pass through the space 19. The opposite end of the connecting shaft 12 opposite to the insertion end faces the vertical surface 25b of the swinging piece 23. This swinging piece 23 can be suppressed from swinging even if each end abuts against the vertical surface 25b. Therefore, after the connecting shaft 12 is inserted, there is no problem of the plug coming off due to vibrations while the conveyor belt 2 is running, and the connecting shaft 12 is prevented from falling out of the shaft holes 21 and 22. Ru.

(1-8) The direction in which the end of the connecting shaft 12 presses against the vertical surface 25b coincides with the rigid direction in which the high-strength swing shaft portion 23a extends. Therefore, the swing piece 23 is less likely to be damaged even when the vertical surface 25b is pressed with a high pressing force.

[Second embodiment]
The belt component 11 in the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the configuration of a swinging piece disposed in a space 19 formed by an outermost connecting portion 16a and hinge pieces 17 and 18.

As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the swing piece 31 is a plate piece that integrally extends from the bottom surface 19a of the outermost connecting portion 16a toward the opening side of the space 19. The swinging piece 31 is a piece that is displaced in the up-down direction D3, with a base portion connected to the bottom surface 19a serving as a swing shaft portion 31a extending in the width direction D2. The direction in which the swing shaft portion 31a extends is the width direction D2, and also the direction in which the connecting shaft 12 is inserted. Such a swing piece 31 is located at a height that overlaps the shaft holes 21 and 22 on the bottom surface 19a. Here, the root portion of the swing piece 31 is located at a height corresponding to the center of the shaft holes 21 and 22.

The swinging piece 31 includes a base plate 32, and the base plate 32 has a shape twisted in one direction around a vertical axis extending perpendicularly to the bottom surface 19a at the center of the swing shaft portion 31a, and The opposing upper surface 32a and lower surface 32b are configured with twisted surfaces. The upper surface 32 a as the first surface faces the first shaft hole 21 , and the lower surface 32 b as the second surface faces the second shaft hole 22 . The upper surface 32a and the lower surface 32b are positioned so as to close almost the entire shaft path 12a between the shaft holes 21 and 22. The upper surface 32a is constituted by a twisting surface that bends the substrate 32 in the direction of opening the shaft path 12a when pushed by the insertion end of the connecting shaft 12 to be inserted. The lower surface 32b is constituted by a twisting surface that bends the substrate in the direction of closing the shaft path 12a when pushed by the tip in the direction of extraction from the shaft holes 21, 22. Both of the upper and lower surfaces 32a and 32b are not surfaces provided with irregularities, but the upper surface 32a in particular is a smooth surface on which the end of the connecting shaft 12 can slide. The lower surface 32b is a restricting surface that restricts the end of the connecting shaft 12 from passing through the space 19.

[How to insert the connecting shaft]
First, in the width direction D2, the belt constituent members 11 that are adjacent to each other are arranged so that the center axes A of the shaft holes 21 and 22 coincide with each other. Further, in the traveling direction D1, the belt constituent members 11 that are adjacent to each other are inserted such that the pair of hinge pieces 15 of one first belt constituent member 11 and the pair of hinge pieces 15 of the other second belt constituent member 11 are engaged with each other. be done. Then, the center axes A of the shaft holes 21 and 22 of the first belt component 11 and the shaft holes 21 and 22 of the second belt component 11 are aligned. Thereby, a shaft path 12a in which the shaft holes 21 and 22 are lined up in the width direction D2 is configured.

As shown in FIG. 11, before the connecting shaft 12 is inserted into the shaft holes 21 and 22, the swinging piece 31 in the space 19 located at the farthest end in the width direction D2 is not subjected to any load, so Not moving. Therefore, the swing piece 31 is perpendicular to the bottom surface 19a. The swing piece 31 overlaps the shaft path 12a and is in a state of blocking the shaft path 12a.

Next, as shown in FIG. 12, the connecting shaft 12 is inserted from one of the first shaft holes 21 located at the end in the width direction D2. The connecting shaft 12 inserted from the first shaft hole 21 pushes the upper surface 32a with its insertion end to cause the swinging piece 23 to bend the substrate 32 in the direction of opening the shaft path 12a. As a result, the swinging piece 23 swings downward while being twisted and bent. The connecting shaft 12 inserted through the first shaft hole 21 straddles the swinging piece 23 by pushing down the insertion end so as to slide on the upper surface 32a, and then is inserted into the second shaft hole 22. The connecting shaft 12 can then proceed in the direction of the next space 19.

As shown in FIG. 13, the insertion end of the connecting shaft 12 abuts against the lower surface 32b of the swinging piece 31 after passing through the second shaft hole 22 of the second hinge piece 18 provided in the farthest connecting part 16a on the opposite side. Even if the lower surface 32b of the swing piece 31 is pushed by the end of the connecting shaft 12, it only deflects the substrate 32 in the direction of blocking the shaft path 12a, but does not allow the end to pass through. At this point, the swinging piece 31 located on the insertion side of the connecting shaft 12 has the opposite end opposite to the insertion end of the connecting shaft 12 passing through the space 19 in which the swinging piece 31 is arranged. , return to the original state. Therefore, the opposite end of the connecting shaft 12 also faces the lower surface 32b of the swinging piece 31. That is, the connecting shaft 12 is located in the space 19 where the swing pieces 31 connected in the width direction D2 are not arranged. That is, the connecting shaft 12 is sandwiched between the lower surfaces 32b of the respective swinging pieces 31 located at both ends in the width direction D2, thereby preventing the connecting shaft 12 from falling off from the first shaft holes 21 at both ends.

When the connecting shaft 12 is attached, the direction of the pressing force that causes the connecting shaft 12 to come out of the shaft holes 21 and 22 is almost the same as the direction in which the swinging shaft portion 23a extends, and It corresponds to the direction of rigidity that is difficult to bend. The pressing force that causes the connecting shaft 12 to come out of the shaft holes 21 and 22 causes the end of the connecting shaft 12 to abut against the lower surface 32b, thereby twisting the swinging piece 31 in a direction that closes the shaft path 12a. Therefore, the connecting shaft 12 sandwiched between the two lower surfaces 32b is prevented from passing through the shaft holes 21, 22 and the space 19 by the lower surfaces 32b facing each end. That is, the connection shaft 12 is prevented from falling off.

[How to remove the connecting shaft]
To remove the connecting shaft 12, a shaft-shaped tool having the same thickness as the connecting shaft 12 is inserted from the first shaft hole 21 located at one end. Then, the tool pushes the upper surface 32a with its tip and swings the swinging piece 31 downward while being twisted and bent. Then, it is engaged with the end of the connecting shaft 12. By way of example, the tool is engaged with the open end of the hollow part facing the end of the connecting shaft 12 by means of a screw action. The connecting shaft 12 is then integrated with the tool and pulled out from the shaft path 12a through the tool. As a result, the state returns to the state shown in FIG. 5, and the conveyor belt 2 is in a state where it can be disassembled.

[Effects of the second embodiment]
Even when the belt component 11 is configured with the swinging piece 31 as described above, the same effects as in (1-1) to (1-6) above can be obtained. Furthermore, the following effects can be obtained.

(2-1) In the conveyor belt 2, the connecting shaft 12 is inserted through the first shaft hole 21, and the insertion end of the connecting shaft 12 continuously presses the upper surface 32a, so that the swinging piece 31 moves along the shaft path. It swings downward while being twisted and bent in the direction of opening 12a. Thereby, the swing piece 31 allows the connecting shaft 12 to pass through the space 19. The opposite end of the connecting shaft 12 opposite to the insertion end faces the lower surface 32b of the swinging piece 31. Even if each end of the swinging piece 31 abuts against the lower surface 32b, the swinging piece 31 is only twisted in the direction of closing the shaft path 12a by the pressing force. Therefore, after the connecting shaft 12 is inserted, there is no problem of the plug coming off due to vibrations while the conveyor belt 2 is running, and the connecting shaft 12 is prevented from falling out of the shaft holes 21 and 22. Ru.

(2-2) The direction in which the end of the connecting shaft 12 presses against the lower surface 32b coincides with the rigid direction in which the high-strength swing shaft portion 31a extends. Therefore, the swing piece 31 is less likely to be damaged even when the lower surface 32b is pressed with a high pressing force.

Note that the belt component 11 can be further modified and implemented as described below.
- In the second embodiment, the direction in which the swinging piece 31 is twisted is not particularly limited. That is, the direction in which the swinging piece 31 is twisted is a twisting surface that bends the substrate 32 in the direction of opening the shaft path 12a when either surface of the substrate 32 is pushed by the connecting shaft 12 inserted. The other surface may be a twisting surface that bends the substrate 32 in the direction of closing the shaft path 12a when pushed by the connecting shaft 12. With such a configuration as well, the same effects as in the second embodiment can be obtained.

- In the first embodiment, the shape of the protrusion 25 is not limited to a triangular shape. For example, the shape of the protrusion 25 may be a trapezoid. In the case of a trapezoidal shape, the upper surface 24a corresponds to the lower base of the trapezoid. One leg facing the first shaft hole 21 is an inclined surface 25a, and the other leg facing the second shaft hole 22 is a vertical surface 25b. The upper base is parallel to the upper surface 24a. Further, the surface corresponding to the upper base is also a part of the inclined surface 25a and is a smooth surface. Therefore, the surface corresponding to the upper base may be an inclined surface that slopes from the upper end of the inclined surface 25a toward the upper end of the vertical surface 25b. Alternatively, it may be configured with an arcuate surface that bulges upward or is concave downward. Furthermore, the protrusion 25 is not limited to a triangular shape or a trapezoidal shape. With such a configuration, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

- The swinging pieces 23, 31 may be arranged not only in the space 19 formed in the outermost connecting part 16a but also in all or part of the space 19 formed in the intermediate connecting part 16b. As a result, the swinging pieces 23, 31 are in constant contact with the connecting shaft 12 with a predetermined pressure, and are in pressure contact with the inner circumferential surfaces of the shaft holes 21, 22, and as a result, in the width direction D2. It becomes less slippery. As a result, even if the swinging pieces 23 and 31 disposed in the space 19 of the outermost connecting portion 16a are damaged, the connecting shaft 12 has no damage to the swing pieces 23 and 31 disposed in the space 19 of the intermediate connecting portion 16b. A load is applied by the swing pieces 23 and 31. Therefore, the connecting shaft 12 can be prevented from immediately falling out of the shaft holes 21 and 22. In the case of repair, as described above, it can be easily disassembled using a tool and the belt component 11 can be replaced.

When a plurality of swinging pieces 23, 31 are provided in the space 19 configured in the intermediate connecting portion 16b, the swinging pieces 23, 31 are arranged so that the first surface thereof is oriented in a direction (in the width direction D2) that allows the passage of the connecting shaft 12. By aligning the connecting shafts 12 (orientations), the connecting shaft 12 can be inserted in one direction.

- The configuration of the belt component 11 constituting the conveyor belt 2 may be such that the swinging pieces 23, 31 are provided at the outermost connecting portion 16a of at least one end in the width direction D2. In this case, an intermediate belt component (not provided with the swinging pieces 23 and 31) in which the intermediate connecting portions 16b are connected is prepared, and the intermediate belt component 16b is further positioned at the extreme end in the width direction D2 with respect to this intermediate belt component. What is necessary is just to arrange|position the belt component 11 (equipped with the rocking|swiveling pieces 23 and 31).

- One belt component 11 located at the extreme end in the width direction D2 includes at least the end connecting portion 16a, the first hinge piece 17, the second hinge piece 18, the space 19, and the swing pieces 23, 31. Just be prepared. The portion consisting of the intermediate connecting portion 16b connected to the endmost connecting portion 16a, the pair of hinge pieces 15, and the space 19 may not be provided, may be one, or may be two or more.

- The swing piece 23 of the first embodiment is arranged at one end of the conveyor belt 2 in the width direction D2, and the swing piece 31 of the second embodiment is arranged at the other end. It's okay. Further, either of the swinging pieces 23, 31 may be arranged at one end. In this case, either the swing pieces 23 or 31 may be arranged in the space 19 of the intermediate connecting portion 16b.

- In the rows of belt component members 11 lined up in the traveling direction D1 of the conveyor belt 2, the swinging pieces 23, 31 may not be arranged at the ends in the width direction D2 of all rows. For example, rows in which the swinging pieces 23, 31 are arranged may be provided every other row or every second row. Even in the case of such a configuration, the same effect as described above can be obtained in the row in which the swinging pieces 23 and 31 are arranged.

In the case where the swing pieces 23 and 31 are provided on the bottom surface 19a, the swing shaft portions 23a and 31a are slightly inclined with respect to the width direction D2 extending in the width direction D2 which is the same direction as the direction in which the connecting shaft 12 enters. It may be configured as follows. Further, the swinging pieces 23, 31 may be configured such that the swing shaft portions 23a, 31a extend in the direction of travel D1 or are slightly inclined with respect to the direction of travel D1 on either of the side surfaces 19b, 19c. good.

- The belt component 11 is not limited to being made of resin, but may be made of metal.
- The connecting shaft 12 is not limited to being made of resin, but may be made of metal.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Belt type conveyance device 2... Conveyor belt 11... Belt component member 12... Connection shaft 12a... Shaft path 16... Connection part 16a... Endmost connection part 16b... Intermediate connection part 17... First hinge piece 18... Second hinge piece 19... Space 19a... Bottom surface 19b... First side surface 19c... Second side surface 21... First shaft hole 22... Second shaft hole 23... Rocking piece 23a... Rocking shaft portion 24... Substrate 24a... Top surface 24b... Bottom surface 25... Protruding portion 25a... Inclined surface 25b... Vertical surface 31... Swinging piece 31a... Swinging shaft portion 32... Substrate 32a... Upper and lower surfaces 32a... Upper surface 32b... Lower surface

Claims (7)

A conveyor belt configured by rotatably connecting belt components that are adjacent to each other in a traveling direction in which a work is conveyed,
comprising a plurality of the belt constituent members and a connecting shaft extending in a width direction intersecting the traveling direction and connecting the belt constituent members adjacent in the traveling direction,
At least one belt component among the plurality of belt components extends in the direction of the connecting portion and another belt component that is a connection partner with respect to the connecting portion, and is spaced apart from each other so that there is no space between them. a first hinge piece and a second hinge piece that define a space; a first shaft hole of the first hinge piece and a second shaft hole of the second hinge piece through which the connecting shaft can be inserted; a rocking piece located in the space overlapping the shaft path in which the connecting shaft is located, and having a rocking shaft portion configured at the base end extending in the same direction as the shaft path ;
The connecting portion, the first hinge piece, the second hinge piece, and the swinging piece are integral,
The rocking piece includes a first surface facing the first shaft hole and a second surface facing the second shaft hole, and the first surface is configured to rotate when pressed by the tip of the connecting shaft. The conveyor is a surface that allows the moving piece to swing to allow the connecting shaft to pass, and the second surface is a surface that suppresses the swinging even when pushed by the tip and prevents the connecting shaft from passing. belt. A base end portion of the rocking piece is integral with the connecting portion,
The conveyor belt according to claim 1, wherein the swing shaft portion extends in the same direction as the shaft path. A pair of the first hinge piece and the second hinge piece that includes the swinging piece in the space is located at the end of the conveyor belt in the width direction,
The conveyor belt according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first hinge piece is located at the end of the group. The rocking piece is
a substrate that is perpendicular to the bottom surface of the connecting portion that configures the space;
a protruding portion having a triangular shape in which one surface of the substrate corresponds to a base, one side other than the base corresponds to the first surface, and the other side corresponds to the second surface. ,
The first surface is an inclined surface,
The conveyor belt according to claim 3, wherein the second surface is a steeper surface than the inclined surface. The rocking piece is
The base plate is provided with a substrate that is erected with respect to a bottom surface of the connecting portion constituting the space and that is twisted toward the tip so that the first surface and the second surface are configured as twisted surfaces. ,
The first surface is configured with a twisting surface that bends the substrate in the direction of opening the shaft path when pressed by the tip of the inserted connecting shaft,
The conveyor belt according to claim 3, wherein the second surface is configured with a twisting surface that bends the substrate in a direction that blocks the shaft path when pushed by the tip of the connecting shaft in the pulling direction. The conveyor belt is connected to each other in the traveling direction of the conveyor belt that conveys the workpiece, and is rotatable by a connecting shaft extending in the width direction that intersects with the other belt component to be connected to the conveyor belt. A connected belt component,
The belt component includes a connecting portion, and a first hinge piece and a second hinge piece that extend in the direction of the other belt component with respect to the connecting portion, and are spaced apart from each other to define a space therebetween. and a first shaft hole of the first hinge piece and a second shaft hole of the second hinge piece through which the connecting shaft can be inserted, and a position that overlaps with the axis path in which the connecting shaft is located in the space. and a rocking piece whose rocking shaft portion configured at the base end extends in the same direction as the shaft path ,
The connecting portion, the first hinge piece, the second hinge piece, and the swinging piece are integral,
The rocking piece includes a first surface facing the first shaft hole and a second surface facing the second shaft hole, and the first surface is configured to rotate when pressed by the tip of the connecting shaft. The second surface is a surface that allows the connecting shaft to pass through by swinging the rocking piece, and the second surface is a surface that suppresses the rocking even when pushed by the tip and prevents the connecting shaft from passing. Belt component. The conveyor belt, which is constructed by rotatably connecting belt components that are adjacent to each other in the traveling direction of an endless conveyor belt that conveys a workpiece, is engaged with a sprocket at two positions separated by a predetermined distance, A belt-type conveyance device in which a sprocket at one position of the belt is driven by a drive source,
The conveyor belt includes a plurality of belt constituent members and a connecting shaft that extends in a width direction intersecting the traveling direction and connects the belt constituent members that are adjacent to each other,
At least one belt component among the plurality of belt components extends in the direction of the connecting portion and another belt component that is a connection partner with respect to the connecting portion, and is spaced apart from each other so that there is no space between them. a first hinge piece and a second hinge piece that define a space; a first shaft hole of the first hinge piece and a second shaft hole of the second hinge piece through which the connecting shaft can be inserted; a rocking piece located in space overlapping the shaft path in which the connecting shaft is located, and having a rocking shaft portion configured at the base end extending in the same direction as the shaft path ;
The connecting portion, the first hinge piece, the second hinge piece, and the swinging piece are integral,
The rocking piece includes a first surface facing the first shaft hole and a second surface facing the second shaft hole, and the first surface is configured to rotate when pressed by the tip of the connecting shaft. The second surface is a surface that allows the connecting shaft to pass through by swinging the rocking piece, and the second surface is a surface that suppresses the rocking even when pushed by the tip and prevents the connecting shaft from passing. Belt type conveyor device.

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