WO2018061984A1

WO2018061984A1 - Chain guide

Info

Publication number: WO2018061984A1
Application number: PCT/JP2017/034128
Authority: WO
Inventors: 貞経風間
Original assignee: Ntn株式会社
Priority date: 2016-09-28
Filing date: 2017-09-21
Publication date: 2018-04-05
Also published as: JP2018053989A

Abstract

Provided is a chain guide with which the strength of a side plate can easily be ensured when a resin plate is used as a side plate for supporting an axial end of roller support shafts. This chain guide (7) has: a pair of opposing resin side plates (16a, 16b); support shafts (14), both ends of which in the axial direction are supported by the side plates (16a, 16b); and rollers (15) rotatably attached to the support shafts (14). The side plates (16a, 16b) have through-holes (18a, 18b) that fit together with the axial end of the support shafts (14). Locking grooves (20) are formed on the outer circumference of the support shafts (14). An engaging member (21) for engaging the locking grooves (20) and retaining the support shaft (14) is inserted between the rollers (15) and the side plate (16b).

Description

Chain guide

This invention relates to a chain guide for guiding the traveling of the chain.

The automobile engine transmits the rotation of the crankshaft to the camshaft via a timing chain (hereinafter simply referred to as “chain”), and opens and closes the combustion chamber valve by the rotation of the camshaft.

As such a camshaft drive chain transmission device, a crank sprocket attached to the engine crankshaft, a cam sprocket attached to the engine camshaft, and the crank sprocket and the cam sprocket are spanned. A slack side chain guide arranged to guide the chain traveling from the crank sprocket to the cam sprocket, and the chain traveling from the cam sprocket to the crank sprocket. A thing with the tension side chain guide arranged is often used.

As a slack side chain guide or a tension side chain guide used in such a chain transmission device, there is known a type in which a guide surface extending along the running direction of the chain is in sliding contact with the chain. However, since the contact with the chain is a sliding contact, there is a problem that the running resistance of the chain is large and the torque transmission loss is large.

As a chain guide for solving such a problem, a rolling contact type is known as in

Patent Documents

1 and 2 below. The chain guides described in

Patent Documents

1 and 2 are a pair of opposed resin side plates extending in the running direction of the chain, a plurality of support shafts whose axial ends are supported by the pair of side plates, and the respective support shafts. And a plurality of rollers rotatably attached to the roller, and the plurality of rollers are in rolling contact with the chain to guide the chain.

This chain guide has the advantage that the running resistance of the chain is small and the torque transmission loss is small because the contact with the chain is rolling contact.

JP 2011-047473 A JP 2012-172808 A

In the chain guides of

Patent Documents

1 and 2, a recess is formed on the inner side surface of the pair of opposed resin side plates so that both axial ends of the support shaft of the roller are fitted. This recess is made non-penetrating through the side plate so as to restrict the axial movement of the support shaft.

By the way, when the non-penetrating recess is formed in the inner surface of the pair of opposed resin side plates as in

Patent Documents

1 and 2, and both end portions in the axial direction of the support shaft are supported by the recess, non-penetrating Since the recess has a relatively small contact area with the outer periphery of the axial end portion of the support shaft, the strength of the resin side plate may not be ensured.

Therefore, the inventor of the present application forms a through hole in each of the pair of opposed side plates in order to ensure a contact area with the outer periphery of the axial end of the support shaft, and the axial end of the support shaft at the inner periphery of the through hole. The support of the outer periphery of the part was examined. If it does in this way, the contact area of the outer periphery of the axial direction edge part of a support shaft and resin-made side plates can be enlarged comparatively.

However, when the outer periphery of the axial end of the support shaft is supported by the inner periphery of the through hole, the support shaft may move in the axial direction and come out of the through hole. Here, as a method for preventing the support shaft from coming out of the through hole, for example, there is a method of providing a fastening margin between the inner periphery of the through hole and the outer periphery of the axial end portion of the support shaft. When the linear expansion coefficient of the resin constituting the resin is larger than the linear expansion coefficient of the material (metal or the like) constituting the support shaft, the allowance decreases at a high temperature, and as a result, the support shaft may come out of the through hole. Further, as a method for preventing the support shaft from coming out of the through hole, for example, there is a method in which both end portions in the axial direction of the support shaft protrude from the through hole to the outside of the pair of opposed side plates and a retaining ring is attached to the protruding portion. Although it is mentioned, if it does in this way, the width dimension of a chain guide will become large.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a chain guide that easily secures the strength of the side plate when a resin-made side plate is used to support the axial end of the support shaft of the roller. .

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a chain guide having the following configuration.
A pair of opposed resin side plates extending in the running direction of the chain;
A support shaft in which both ends in the axial direction are supported by the pair of side plates;
In a chain guide having a roller rotatably attached to the support shaft and in rolling contact with the chain,
Each of the side plates has a through hole that fits with an axial end of the support shaft,
On the outer periphery of the support shaft, a locking groove is formed in a portion located between the roller and one of the pair of side plates,
A locking member for preventing the support shaft from coming off from the through hole is inserted between the roller and the one side plate, and the locking member is engaged with the locking groove on the outer periphery of the support shaft. And restricting relative movement in the axial direction of the support shaft and the locking member,
A chain guide characterized by that.

In this way, since the axial end of the support shaft is fitted into the through hole of the resin side plate, the contact area between the outer periphery of the axial end of the support shaft and the resin side plate is relatively large. It is easy to ensure the strength of the resin side plate. Further, since the locking member for preventing the support shaft from coming off from the through hole is disposed between the roller and the side plate, it is necessary to provide a portion for preventing the support shaft from coming off from the through hole on the outside of the pair of opposed side plates. In addition, the width dimension of the chain guide can be kept small.

It is preferable that a recess into which the locking member is fitted is formed in the one side plate, and the locking member is prevented from rotating around the one side plate by fitting the recess with the locking member.

In this case, since the locking member is prevented from rotating on the side plate, the locking member can be prevented from rotating due to contact with the roller, and the contact portion of the resin side plate with the locking member can be prevented. Abrasion can be prevented.

The locking groove has a shape in which the groove bottom extends linearly in a cross section perpendicular to the axis of the support shaft, and the support shaft is used as the locking member by engagement of the locking groove and the locking member. It is preferable to prevent the rotation.

In this way, since the support shaft is prevented from rotating around the side plate, the support shaft is prevented from rotating with the roller, and the inner periphery of the through hole of the resin side plate is prevented from being worn. Can do.

In addition, an outer peripheral cylindrical surface and a part of the outer peripheral cylindrical surface are cut along a plane parallel to the axis of the support shaft at the outer periphery of one axial end of the axial end portions of the support shaft. The outer peripheral plane of the shape is formed,
An inner peripheral cylindrical surface facing the outer peripheral cylindrical surface and an inner peripheral plane facing the outer peripheral plane are formed on the inner periphery of the through hole into which the one axial end of the support shaft fits. Further, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which the support shaft is prevented from rotating on the side plate by fitting the through hole and the one axial end portion of the support shaft.

In this case, of the inner circumference of the through hole, the half circumference on the side close to the contact position between the roller and the chain so that the entire half circumference on the side far from the contact position between the roller and the chain becomes the inner circumferential cylindrical surface. It is preferable to arrange the inner peripheral plane in the portion.

In this way, the portion of the inner circumference of the through hole that receives the force of the chain (the half circumference on the side far from the contact position between the roller and the chain) is a cylindrical surface, so local stress is generated on the inner circumference of the through hole. Can be prevented, and the strength of the resin side plate can be effectively ensured.

It is preferable that a tool engagement recess for engaging with a rotary operation tool for rotating the support shaft is formed on the shaft end surface of the support shaft.

In this way, when assembling the chain guide, it is possible to work while adjusting the rotation angle of the support shaft by engaging the rotary operation tool with the tool engagement recess.

In the chain guide of the present invention, the axial end of the support shaft is fitted in the through hole of the resin side plate, so the contact area between the outer periphery of the axial end of the support shaft and the resin side plate is compared. It is easy to ensure the strength of the resin side plate.

The figure which shows the chain transmission apparatus incorporating the chain guide (The swing side chain guide and the fixed side chain guide) of 1st Embodiment of this invention FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the swing side chain guide of FIG. The figure which expands and shows a part of chain guide of FIG. Sectional view along line IV-IV in FIG. Sectional view along line VV in FIG. Sectional drawing which shows the state before engaging the locking member shown in FIG. 5 with the locking groove of the outer periphery of a support shaft. 3 and 4 are exploded perspective views of the roller, the support shaft, the locking member, and the guide base. The figure which shows the modification which provided the latching groove | channel shown in FIG. 5 four places so that the cross-sectional shape of a support shaft may exhibit a square shape. The figure which shows the chain guide of 2nd Embodiment of this invention corresponding to FIG. Sectional view along line XX in FIG. Sectional view along line XI-XI in FIG. Sectional drawing which shows the state before engaging the locking member shown in FIG. 11 with the locking groove of the outer periphery of a support shaft.

FIG. 1 shows a chain transmission device incorporating a chain guide according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The chain transmission device includes a crank sprocket 2 fixedly attached to a crankshaft 1 of an engine, a cam sprocket 4 fixedly attached to a camshaft 3, and a span between the crank sprocket 2 and the cam sprocket 4. The rotation of the crankshaft 1 is transmitted to the camshaft 3 through the chain 5, and the combustion chamber valve (not shown) is opened and closed by the rotation of the camshaft 3.

When the engine is operating, the rotation direction of the crankshaft 1 is constant (right rotation in the figure). At this time, the chain 5 travels from the crank sprocket 2 toward the cam sprocket 4 (left part in the figure). ) Is the slack side, and the portion (right side in the figure) that travels from the cam sprocket 4 toward the crank sprocket 2 is the tension side. On the slack side of the chain 5, there are provided a chain guide 7 that is swingably supported around the fulcrum shaft 6 and a chain tensioner 8 that presses the chain guide 7 toward the chain 5. On the other hand, a fixed chain guide 9 is provided on the tension side of the chain 5.

The chain guide 7 has a shape that extends long along the chain 5, and a fulcrum shaft 6 is inserted into a fulcrum hole 10 formed at an end in the longitudinal direction of the chain guide 7. Has been. A chain tensioner 8 is in contact with an end of the chain guide 7 opposite to the fulcrum hole 10, and the chain guide 7 is pressed toward the chain 5 by the chain tensioner 8.

The chain guide 9 also has a shape that extends long along the chain 5, similarly to the chain guide 7. The chain guide 9 is fixed by tightening the bolts 12 by inserting bolts 12 into bolt insertion holes 11 formed at both ends in the longitudinal direction.

Here, the swingable chain guide 7 and the fixed chain guide 9 have fulcrum holes 10 for swing support, whereas the chain guide 9 has bolt insertion holes 11 for fixed support. However, the rest of the configuration is basically the same.

Therefore, the swing-side chain guide 7 will be described below, and the fixed-side chain guide 9 will be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 2, the chain guide 7 is attached to a guide base 13 extending in the traveling direction of the chain 5, a plurality of support shafts 14 attached to the guide base 13, and each support shaft 14 so as to be rotatable. And a plurality of rollers 15. Each roller 15 is arranged at intervals in the running direction of the chain 5, and each roller 15 is in rolling contact with the chain 5 to guide the chain 5.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the guide base 13 connects a pair of opposed

resin side plates

16 a and 16 b extending in the running direction of the chain 5 and the

side plates

16 a and 16 b between the adjacent rollers 15. And a connecting portion 17. The connecting portion 17 fixes the

side plates

16a and 16b so that the pair of

side plates

16a and 16b do not move with each other, and thereby the facing distance between the pair of

side plates

16a and 16b is maintained.

The guide base 13 is formed by resin injection molding. By this resin injection molding, the pair of opposing

side plates

16a, 16b and each connecting portion 17 are formed integrally with no joint. As the resin, for example, polyamide (PA) such as PA66 or PA46 can be used. The resin is preferably mixed with a fiber reinforcing material. Glass fiber, carbon fiber, aramid fiber, or the like can be used as the fiber reinforcing material blended in the resin.

The support shaft 14 is made of a steel material such as SUJ2 or SC material, and is heat-treated to improve the wear resistance of the surface. As the heat treatment, bright quenching or induction quenching can be employed. The linear expansion coefficient of the resin constituting the guide base 13 is larger than the linear expansion coefficient of the steel material constituting the support shaft 14.

As shown in FIG. 4, the side plate 16 a has a through hole 18 a that penetrates the side plate 16 a in the axial direction, and the through hole 18 a is fitted to the axial end of the support shaft 14, thereby Supports the axial end. Similarly, the other side plate 16b also has a through hole 18b penetrating the side plate 16b in the axial direction, and the through hole 18b is fitted to the axial end of the support shaft 14 so that the axial direction of the support shaft 14 is increased. Supports the end. The inner periphery of the through

holes

18a and 18b is a cylindrical surface over the entire periphery. The length from one shaft end surface of the support shaft 14 to the other shaft end surface is the same as the distance between the outer surfaces of the pair of

opposed side plates

16a and 16b, and the shaft end surface of the support shaft 14 and the pair of

opposed side plates

16a and 16a, Both ends in the axial direction of the support shaft 14 are fitted into the through

holes

18a and 18b so that the outer surface of 16b is on the same plane.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a tool engagement recess 19 is formed on the shaft end surface of the support shaft 14. By engaging the rotation operation tool with the tool engagement recess 19, the support shaft 14 can be rotated using the rotation operation tool.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a locking groove 20 is formed on the outer periphery of the support shaft 14 at a portion located between the roller 15 and the side plate 16b. Further, between the roller 15 and the side plate 16b, a locking member 21 that is engaged with the locking groove 20 and prevents the support shaft 14 from coming off from the through

holes

18a and 18b is inserted.

As shown in FIG. 6, the locking groove 20 has a shape in which the groove bottom extends linearly in the cross section perpendicular to the support shaft 14. A pair of locking grooves 20 are formed on both sides of the support shaft 14, and the groove bottoms of the locking grooves 20 of the locking member 21 when the locking member 21 is inserted between the roller 15 and the side plate 16 b. It extends in a straight line parallel to the direction of travel.

The locking member 21 has a shaft fitting recess 23 that fits with the outer periphery of the support shaft 14. The shaft fitting recess 23 is formed in a U-shape that opens forward in the traveling direction of the locking member 21 when the locking member 21 is inserted between the roller 15 and the side plate 16b. The shaft fitting recess 23 is a pair of opposing tapered shapes in which the inner width gradually decreases from the front side to the rear side of the locking member 21 when the locking member 21 is inserted between the roller 15 and the side plate 16b. The guide edge 24 and the fitting edge 25 located behind the guide edge 24 in the moving direction of the locking member 21. The fitting edge 25 has a pair of linear portions extending in parallel to each other so as to be fitted to the groove bottom of the locking groove 20 on the outer periphery of the support shaft 14.

Inner width W ₂ of the pair of guide edges 24 at a position in the traveling direction front end of the locking member 21 when inserting the locking member 21 between the roller 15 and the side plate 16b, a pair of engaging the outer periphery of the support shaft 14 It is wider than the outer width W ₀ between the groove bottoms of the stop groove 20. Further, the inner width W ₁ of the pair of guide edges 24 at the position closest to the fitting edge 25 is narrower than the outer width W ₀ between the groove bottoms of the pair of locking grooves 20 on the outer periphery of the support shaft 14. Yes.

A recess 26 into which the locking member 21 is fitted is formed on the inner surface of the side plate 16b. The recess 26 is provided so as to surround the through hole 18 b when viewed in the axial direction of the support shaft 14. The recess 26 is formed in a U-shape that opens to the side where the chain 5 is seen when viewed from the support shaft 14 and is closed on the opposite side. Further, the inner peripheral edge of the recess 26 and the outer peripheral edge of the locking member 21 that fits into the recess 26 rotate around the locking member 21 to the side plate 16b in a state where the locking member 21 is fitted into the recess 26. It is a non-circular shape (square shape in the figure) to be stopped. When the locking member 21 is fixed to the guide base 13 by, for example, providing a fastening margin between the locking member 21 and the recess 26, it is possible to improve the noise reduction.

As shown in FIG. 4, the axial thickness of the locking member 21 is set to be larger than the axially movable distance (play size) of the roller 15 between the pair of

opposed side plates

16a and 16b. . In addition, the insertion length of each end of the support shaft 14 in the axial direction into the through

holes

18a and 18b is also determined by the axially movable distance (size of play) of the roller 15 between the pair of

opposed side plates

16a and 16b. It is set large.

The roller 15 is a roller bearing that includes an outer ring 27, a plurality of rollers 28 incorporated inside the outer ring 27, and a cage 29 that holds these rollers 28. The outer ring 27 is a shell-shaped outer ring having a cylindrical portion having a cylindrical outer peripheral surface and radially inward flange portions provided at both ends of the cylindrical portion. Such an outer ring 27 can be formed by drawing a steel plate such as SPC or SCM. Other types of bearings can be used instead of the roller bearings. Here, the roller bearing refers to a cylindrical roller bearing and a needle roller bearing.

The method for assembling the chain guide 7 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 7, first, the roller 15 is inserted between the pair of

side plates

16a and 16b. Next, the axial end of the support shaft 14 is inserted into the through hole 18a from the outside of the side plate 16a, inserted through the roller 15, and fitted into the opposite through hole 18b. Thereafter, the locking member 21 is inserted between the roller 15 and the side plate 16 b, and the locking member 21 is engaged with the locking groove 20 on the outer periphery of the support shaft 14. At this time, the locking member 21 is elastically deformed in a direction in which the distance between the pair of guide edges 24 is increased by the pair of guide edges 24 coming into contact with the outer periphery of the support shaft 14. When it is fitted to the outer periphery of 14, it is elastically restored to its original shape. When the locking member 21 is elastically deformed, the edge of the recess 26 of the resin side plate 16b is also elastically deformed. When the locking member 21 engages with the locking groove 20 on the outer periphery of the support shaft 14, the relative movement in the axial direction of the support shaft 14 and the locking member 21 is restricted by the engagement, and the support shaft 14 penetrates. It will be in the state where it stopped from

holes

18a and 18b. Further, the contact between the groove bottom of the locking groove 20 on the outer periphery of the support shaft 14 and the locking member 21 prevents the support shaft 14 from rotating around the locking member 21, and the locking member 21 is fitted to the recess 26. As a result, the support shaft 14 is prevented from rotating around the side plate 16b.

Next, an operation example of the chain transmission device configured as described above will be described.

When the engine is operating, the chain 5 travels between the crank sprocket 2 and the cam sprocket 4 as shown in FIG. 1, and torque is transmitted from the crankshaft 1 to the camshaft 3 by the chain 5. At this time, the swing-side chain guide 7 keeps the tension of the chain 5 constant by pressing the chain 5 with the urging force of the chain tensioner 8, and the fixed-side chain guide 9 is used to run the ideal chain 5. The vibration of the chain 5 is suppressed while keeping the line. Here, the rollers 15 of the chain guides 7 and 9 rotate while contacting the chain 5.

In the chain guide 7, the axial end portion of the support shaft 14 is fitted in the through

holes

18 a and 18 b of the

resin side plates

16 a and 16 b, so that the outer circumference of the axial end portion of the support shaft 14 and the resin are made. The contact areas with the

side plates

16a and 16b are relatively large, and it is easy to ensure the strength of the

resin side plates

16a and 16b. Further, since the locking member 21 that prevents the support shaft 14 from coming off from the through

holes

18a and 18b is disposed between the roller 15 and the side plate 16b, the support shaft 14 is used to prevent the support shaft 14 from coming off from the through

holes

18a and 18b. It is not necessary to provide the site outside the pair of

opposed side plates

16a and 16b, and the width of the chain guide 7 can be kept small.

In addition, since the locking member 21 is prevented from rotating around the side plate 16b, the chain guide 7 can prevent the locking member 21 from rotating due to contact with the roller 15, and the resin side plate 16b. It is possible to prevent the contact portion with the locking member 21 from being worn.

Further, since the support shaft 14 is prevented from rotating around the side plate 16b in the chain guide 7, the support shaft 14 is prevented from rotating with the roller 15, and the through holes 18a of the

resin side plates

16a, 16b are provided. It is possible to prevent the inner circumference of 18b from being worn.

Further, the above-described chain guide 7 has a tool engaging recess 19 that engages with a rotary operation tool that rotates the support shaft 14 on the shaft end surface of the support shaft 14. When performing, the rotary operation tool is engaged with the tool engagement recess 19 on the shaft end surface of the support shaft 14, and the locking member 21 can be inserted while adjusting the rotation angle of the support shaft 14 with the rotary operation tool. . Therefore, the operation of engaging the locking member 21 with the locking groove 20 is easy.

In the above-described embodiment, a description has been given by taking as an example a case in which the locking groove 20 having a shape in which the groove bottom extends linearly in the cross section perpendicular to the axis of the support shaft 14 is formed on both sides sandwiching the support shaft 14 as an example. As shown in FIG. 8, four locking grooves 20 may be formed on the outer periphery of the support shaft 14, and the cross-sectional shape of the support shaft 14 along the locking groove 20 may have a square shape.

9 to 12 show the chain guide 7 of the second embodiment. Hereinafter, the parts corresponding to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the outer peripheral cylindrical surface 30 and one of the outer peripheral cylindrical surfaces 30 are arranged on the outer periphery of the axial end fitted into the through-hole 18 a among the both ends in the axial direction of the support shaft 14. An outer peripheral plane 31 having a shape obtained by cutting a portion along a plane parallel to the axis of the support shaft 14 is formed. In addition, an inner circumferential cylindrical surface 32 that faces the outer circumferential cylindrical surface 30 and an inner circumferential plane 33 that faces the outer circumferential plane 31 are formed on the inner circumference of the through hole 18a, and the through hole 18a and the axial end portion are formed. The support shaft 14 is prevented from rotating around the side plate 16a. Here, the inner peripheral surface 33 is a contact between the roller 15 and the chain 5 such that the entire inner periphery of the through hole 18a on the side far from the contact position between the roller 15 and the chain 5 becomes the inner peripheral cylindrical surface 32. It is arranged in the half-circumference part on the side close to the position.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the locking groove 20 has a shape in which the groove bottom extends in an annular shape in the cross section perpendicular to the axis of the support shaft 14. On the other hand, the locking member 21 has a shaft fitting recess 23 that fits with the outer periphery of the support shaft 14. The shaft fitting recess 23 is formed in a U-shape that opens forward in the traveling direction of the locking member 21 when the locking member 21 is inserted between the roller 15 and the side plate 16b. The shaft fitting recess 23 is a pair of opposing tapered shapes in which the inner width gradually decreases from the front side to the rear side of the locking member 21 when the locking member 21 is inserted between the roller 15 and the side plate 16b. The guide edge 24 and the fitting edge 25 located behind the guide edge 24 in the moving direction of the locking member 21. The fitting edge 25 is formed in an arc shape so as to fit with the groove bottom of the locking groove 20 on the outer periphery of the support shaft 14.

Inner width W ₂ of the pair of guide edges 24 at a position in the traveling direction front end of the locking member 21 when inserting the locking member 21 between the roller 15 and the side plate 16b is engaging groove of the outer periphery of the support shaft 14 It is wider than the diameter D of 20 groove bottoms. Further, the inner width W ₁ of the pair of guide edges 24 at the position closest to the fitting edge 25 is narrower than the diameter D of the groove bottom of the locking groove 20 on the outer periphery of the support shaft 14.

This chain guide 7 has the same effect as the first embodiment. Further, the chain guide 7 has a cylindrical surface at the inner periphery of the through hole 18a that receives the force of the chain 5 (the half periphery on the side far from the contact position between the roller 15 and the chain 5), so the inner periphery of the through hole 18a. It is possible to prevent local stress from being generated, and to effectively ensure the strength of the resin side plate 16a.

In addition, since the chain guide 7 is formed with a tool engaging recess 19 that engages with a rotary operation tool for rotating the support shaft 14 on the shaft end surface of the support shaft 14, the chain guide 7 is assembled. Sometimes, the rotational operation tool can be engaged with the tool engagement recess 19 on the shaft end surface of the support shaft 14, and the rotational angle of the support shaft 14 can be adjusted with the rotational operation tool. Therefore, the operation | work which inserts the axial direction edge part of the support shaft 14 in the through-hole 18a is easy.

The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

5 Chain 7 Chain guide 9 Chain guide 14 Support shaft 15

Rollers

16a and

16b Side plates

18a and 18b Through hole 19 Tool engaging recess 20 Locking groove 21 Locking member 26 Recess 30 Outer cylindrical surface 31 Outer peripheral plane 32 Inner peripheral cylindrical surface 33 Inner perimeter plane

Claims

A pair of opposed resin side plates (16a, 16b) extending in the running direction of the chain (5);
A support shaft (14) in which both ends in the axial direction are supported by the pair of side plates (16a, 16b);
A chain guide having a roller (15) rotatably attached to the support shaft (14) and in rolling contact with the chain (5),
Each said side plate (16a, 16b) has a through-hole (18a, 18b) fitted with the axial direction edge part of the said support shaft (14),
On the outer periphery of the support shaft (14), a locking groove (20) is formed at a portion located between the roller (15) and one side plate (16b) of the pair of side plates (16a, 16b). And
Between the roller (15) and the one side plate (16b), a locking member (21) for preventing the support shaft (14) from coming off from the through hole (18b) is inserted, and the locking member (21) is engaged with the locking groove (20) on the outer periphery of the support shaft (14) to restrict relative movement in the axial direction of the support shaft (14) and the locking member (21). Yes,
A chain guide characterized by that.
A recess (26) into which the locking member (21) is fitted is formed in the one side plate (16b), and the engagement is established by fitting the recess (26) with the locking member (21). The chain guide according to claim 1, wherein the stop member (21) is prevented from rotating around the one side plate (16b).
The locking groove (20) has a shape in which the groove bottom extends linearly in the cross section perpendicular to the axis of the support shaft (14), and the locking groove (20) and the locking member (21) are engaged with each other. The chain guide according to claim 2, wherein the support shaft (14) is prevented from rotating by the locking member (21).
An outer peripheral cylindrical surface (30) and a part of the outer peripheral cylindrical surface (30) are provided on the outer periphery of one axial end of the axial ends of the support shaft (14). An outer peripheral plane (31) having a shape cut along a plane parallel to the center is formed;
On the inner periphery of the through hole (18a) into which the one axial end of the support shaft (14) fits, an inner peripheral cylindrical surface (32) facing the outer peripheral cylindrical surface (30), and the outer periphery An inner peripheral plane (33) facing the plane (31) is formed, and the support shaft (14) is formed by fitting the through hole (18a) with the one axial end of the support shaft (14). The chain guide according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the side plate (16a) is prevented from rotating.
Of the inner circumference of the through hole (18a), the roller (15) is arranged such that the entire half circumference on the side far from the contact position of the roller (15) and the chain (5) becomes the inner circumferential cylindrical surface (32). 5) The chain guide according to claim 4, wherein the inner circumferential plane (33) is arranged in a half circumferential portion on the side close to the contact position of the chain (5).
The tool engagement recessed part (19) engaged with the rotary operation tool which rotates the support shaft (14) is formed in the shaft end surface of the support shaft (14). Chain guide.