Modular conveyor chain

Abstract

A modular conveyor chain comprises multiple consecutive, hingedly connected modules. Each module includes a linking portion made of sheet metal having a main body forming a conveying surface. The main body has a centrally positioned connector on one side and a pair of spaced-apart connectors on the opposite side, with a gap between the spaced-apart connectors. The connectors of the continuous modules mate to form a hinged assembly because the centrally positioned connector of the linking portion is received in the gap between the spaced-apart connectors of the linking portion of the continuous module, and because a hinge pin extends through the aligned receiving space of the mating connectors. The modular conveyor chain also includes a plastic bearing element received between the centrally positioned connector and the hinge pin. The hinge pin has a substantially constant cross-section, and the bearing element, having a closed cross-section, extends along the hinge pin only at the location of the centrally positioned connector. Each of the two opposite ends of the hinge pin is provided with an end cap, which includes a cover portion extending along the hinge pin only at the location of the spaced-apart connecting member, and a radially inwardly extending flange portion that mates with the end face of the hinge pin.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a modular conveyor chain, comprising a linking portion made of sheet metal. Background Technology

[0002] Modular metal conveyor chains are well-known and are used, for example, for conveying glass bottles.

[0003] Metal conveyor chain modules are very common and have been standardized in DIN 8153 / ISO 4348. The DIN 8153 / ISO 4348 standard defines the size and dimensions of so-called flat-top chain modules, such as the pitch between chain modules, the diameter of the hinge pins, and how the connecting parts of the modules need to be coiled. This standard applies to chains with single-hinged and double-hinged assemblies. The hinge assembly consists of hinge eyes that surround the hinge receiving space to hold the hinge pins.

[0004] The chain is manufactured by stamping chain link blanks from sheet metal, thus forming the basic form of the link portion. The blank consists of an elongated conveyor body and tongues extending from the longitudinal side of the conveyor body to form connectors. The tongues are bent to surround a receiving space for a hinge pin. One tongue is centrally positioned on one longitudinal side of the elongated conveyor body, and two spaced-apart tongues are positioned on opposite longitudinal sides. The two spaced-apart tongues on one longitudinal side are arranged with a gap, such that when the tongues are bent to form the connector, the centrally positioned connector is received in the gap between two spaced-apart connectors on the continuous module. Continuous metal conveyor chain modules are linked together by holding metal hinge pins in the hinge receiving space, allowing adjacent modules to rotate relative to each other transversely to the axis of the conveyor chain. Modular conveyor chains can be assembled by axially driving the hinge pins into a hinge assembly formed by the cooperating connectors of two continuous modules.

[0005] During use, the hinge pins and hinge eyes will wear in the rotating areas, requiring replacement over time. As a matter of routine, the chain should be lubricated to reduce wear on the hinge pins. However, lubrication is tricky. Maintaining the correct amount of lubrication is not simple; excessive lubricant can easily cause slippage around the conveyor system and contaminate the conveyor. In some food processing industries, lubrication is prohibited, which further exacerbates problems caused by wear.

[0006] NL 2020301 discloses a conveyor chain comprising a bearing element in the form of a plastic sleeve to reduce wear on the hinge pin and hinge eye without lubrication, thus allowing the conveyor chain to be used, for example, in situations where lubrication is prohibited. The bearing element is supported on a hinge pin having a substantially constant cross-section and received between a centrally positioned coupling and the hinge pin. In one embodiment, the plastic sleeve extends along the entire length of the hinge pin and has a radially inwardly extending flange portion at one end that mates with the end face of the hinge pin for insertion. The sleeve is secured to the hinge pin to prevent axial movement using two spaced-apart couplings. In another embodiment, the plastic sleeve extends along the hinge pin only at the location of the central coupling, and a tubular filler may be disposed below the two spaced-apart couplings to prevent axial movement. For ease of insertion, the sleeve has an open C-shaped cross-section.

[0007] In practice, the assembly of this chain with the plastic sleeve has proven problematic, and / or the plastic sleeve has very low abrasion resistance. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a modular conveyor chain that mitigates the above-mentioned disadvantages, and in particular, to provide a steel modular conveyor chain that can be used without lubrication, is wear-resistant, and can be manufactured and assembled at low cost.

[0009] Furthermore, the present invention provides a modular conveyor chain comprising a plurality of continuous, hingedly connected modules. Each module includes a linking portion made of sheet metal, the linking portion having a main body forming a conveying surface. The main body has a centrally positioned connector on one side and a pair of spaced-apart connectors on the opposite side, with a gap between the pair of spaced-apart connectors. Each of the connectors extends from the main body to surround a receiving space located below the main body. The centrally positioned connector of the linking portion is received in the gap between the spaced-apart connectors of the linking portion of the continuous module, and due to the hinge pins... Extending through the aligned receiving space of the mating connectors, the connectors of the continuous modules mate to form an articulated assembly. The modular conveyor chain also includes a bearing element received between a centrally positioned connector and a hinge pin, wherein the hinge pin has a substantially constant cross-section, wherein the middle portion of the hinge pin is provided with a plastic sleeve as a bearing element, the plastic sleeve having a closed cross-section and extending along the hinge pin only at the centrally positioned connector, and wherein each of the opposite ends of the hinge pin is provided with an end cap, the end cap including a cover portion extending along the hinge pin only at the spaced-apart connectors, and a radially inwardly extending flange portion mating with the end face of the hinge pin.

[0010] By using a hinge pin with a substantially constant cross-section, cylindrical hinge pins can be used, which saves costs. Furthermore, due to its constant cross-section, the hinge pin can be smoothly inserted axially into the bearing element, facilitating assembly. Therefore, expensive hinge pins with reduced diameter sections can be omitted.

[0011] By providing a plastic sleeve as a bearing element for the middle portion of the hinge pin, this sleeve has a closed cross-section and extends along the hinge pin only at the location of the central connecting piece, a low-cost bearing element that is easy to assemble yet wear-resistant can be provided. Specifically, the bearing element can rotate about the hinge pin to form a bearing, and there is no weakened peripheral area that is prone to wear.

[0012] By providing end caps at each of the opposite ends of the hinge pin, each end cap comprising a cover portion extending along the hinge pin only at spaced-apart locations of the connecting members, and a radially inwardly extending flange portion that mates with the end face of the hinge pin, axial movement of the plastic sleeve can be prevented while facilitating insertion. Specifically, during the insertion of the hinge pin with the plastic sleeve into the hinge assembly, the front end cap is driven by the mating of its flange portion with the front face of the hinge pin, while the rear end cap is pushed in by pressing its flange portion against the rear face of the hinge pin, both simultaneously holding the plastic sleeve in its proper axial position. This arrangement allows the end caps to be made of plastic material, which further reduces costs.

[0013] During use, the receiving spaces of the spaced-apart connectors can hold the hinge pin and end cap tightly together by clamping. The central connector can then be non-clamped, for example by a loose fit, to allow rotation about the hinge pin between continuously hinged modules of the modular conveyor chain. If desired, the ends of the hinge pin can be knurled on the cover surface in a conventional manner at the locations of the spaced or spaced-apart connectors.

[0014] By providing a bearing element with an inner diameter larger than that of the hinge pin, allowing the hinge pin to be received in the bearing element in a sliding fit, rotation of the hinge pin within the sleeve can be facilitated. Specifically, the hinge pin can be mounted in the bearing element to form a sleeve bearing.

[0015] By providing a constant wall thickness along the periphery of the bearing element's cross-section, the bearing element can be manufactured at a particularly low cost and with high wear resistance.

[0016] By forming the receiving spaces of the spaced-apart connector and the centrally positioned connector into essentially circular hinge eyes, the linking end of the chain module can be implemented in a conventional, standardized manner.

[0017] The diameter of the hinge pin can be selected so that the hinge pin, bearing element, and end cap each have a diameter corresponding to the standard 6.35 mm hinge pin. This allows the use of standard chain links.

[0018] The plastic material for the bearing element can be selected as an engineering plastic, possessing the required low friction, wear resistance, and stiffness during insertion. This gives the bearing element good structural characteristics, allowing for axial insertion of the bearing element into the hinge assembly and / or axial insertion of the hinge pin into the bearing element, while reducing wear on the hinge pin and hinge eye.

[0019] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the technical features of the current conveyor chain described in the foregoing paragraphs can be used advantageously not only individually in a conveyor chain, but also in any possible combination. The technical features described in the paragraphs can be separated from the context, and technical features separated from different paragraphs can also be combined. Such combinations are specifically disclosed in this specification. Attached Figure Description

[0020] The present invention will be further illustrated based on the non-limiting exemplary embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0021] Figure 1 A schematic perspective bottom view of the modular conveyor chain according to the present invention is shown;

[0022] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional three-dimensional top view of the conveyor chain module, and

[0023] Figure 3 Showing with Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of the bearing elements of the chain and the hinge pin of the end cap.

[0024] It should be noted that the accompanying drawings are merely illustrative representations of preferred embodiments of the present invention. In the drawings, identical or corresponding parts are indicated by the same reference numerals. Detailed Implementation

[0025] Reference Figure 1-3 The diagram illustrates module 1 of a modular conveyor chain 2 according to the present invention. The modular conveyor chain 2 comprises a plurality of modules 1 that are continuous in the conveying direction and hingedly connected to each other.

[0026] Module 1 includes a link portion 3 made of sheet metal, which has a main body 4 forming a conveying surface S. The main body 4 has a centrally positioned connector 5 on one longitudinal side and a pair of spaced-apart connectors 6 on its opposite longitudinal side, with a gap between the pair of spaced-apart connectors. The connectors 5 and 6 extend from the main body 4 to surround a receiving space 7 positioned below the main body 4. In use, the connectors 5 of the link portion 3 are received in the gap between the spaced-apart connectors 6 of the link portion 3 of the continuous module 1, and the connectors 5 and 6 of the continuous module 1 mate to form a hinge assembly because the hinge pin 8 extends transversely to the conveying direction through the aligned receiving space 7 of the mating connectors 5 and 6. Each connector 5 and 6 forms a substantially circular hinge eye. Therefore, in this embodiment, the connectors are implemented in a conventional, standardized manner.

[0027] The hinge pin 8 has a substantially constant cross-section and a smooth cylindrical surface. The hinge pin 8 is made of steel and is a conventional cylindrical hinge pin 8.

[0028] The middle portion 10 of the hinge pin is provided with a plastic sleeve to serve as a bearing element 9. In this embodiment, the plastic sleeve forming the bearing element 9 is implemented as an extruded tube. The bearing element 9 is received between the centrally positioned connector 5 and the hinge pin 8. The bearing element 9 has a closed cross-section and extends along the hinge pin only at the centrally positioned connector 5.

[0029] The bearing element 9 has a constant wall thickness along the periphery of its cross-section. The bearing element 9 includes an inner diameter that, in its unassembled state, is excessively large relative to the diameter of the hinge pin 8, such that the hinge pin 8 is received in the bearing element 9 in a sliding fit. The hinge pin is thus mounted in the bearing element 9, and the bearing element 9 forms a sleeve bearing.

[0030] Each of the opposite ends 11 of the hinge pin is provided with an end cap 12. In this embodiment, each end cap 12 is made of plastic material and is manufactured by injection molding. Each end cap 12 includes a cover portion 13 extending axially along the hinge pin 8 only at the location of the spaced-apart connector 6, and a radially inwardly extending flange portion 14 that mates with the end face 15 of the hinge pin 8.

[0031] By providing end caps 12 at each of the opposite ends of the hinge pin 8, each end cap comprising a cover portion 13 extending axially along the hinge pin 8 only at the location of the spaced-apart connecting member 6, and a radially inwardly extending flange portion 14 that mates with the end face of the hinge pin 15, axial movement of the plastic sleeve forming the bearing element 9 is prevented, while facilitating insertion into the hinge assembly. The end caps 14 are mounted on the opposite ends 11 of the hinge pin 8 in an interference fit. During axial insertion of the hinge pin 8 with the plastic sleeve 9 and end caps 12 into the hinge assembly in the direction of arrow A, the front end cap 12a is driven by its flange portion 14a mates with the front end face 15a of the hinge pin 8, while the rear end cap 12b is pushed in by pressing its flange portion 14b against the rear end face 15b of the hinge pin 8, simultaneously holding the plastic sleeve in its proper axial position. This arrangement allows the thin-walled end caps 14 to be made of plastic material, which, despite its relative flexibility, further reduces costs.

[0032] The spaced-apart receiving spaces 7 of the connectors 6 hold the opposite ends 10 of the hinge pin 10 and the end cap 12 supported thereon tightly together by clamping. The central connector 7 is non-clamping and has a loose fit to allow rotation about the hinge pin 8 between the continuously hingedly connected modules 1 of the modular conveyor chain 2.

[0033] The diameter of the hinge pin 8 is selected so that the diameters of the hinge pin, bearing element 9, and end cap 12 correspond to the diameter of a standard 6.35 mm hinge pin. This allows the use of a standard chain link.

[0034] The plastic materials for bearing element 9 and end cap 12 have been selected as engineering plastics with desired properties such as low friction, wear resistance and rigidity to allow axial insertion into the hinge assembly.

[0035] Regarding the scope of this disclosure, it should be noted that the technical features described may be susceptible to functional generalization. Furthermore, it should be noted that, unless explicitly stated otherwise, these technical features can be seen individually from the context of a given exemplary embodiment, and also from the technical features that cooperate with them in the context of the example.

[0036] Regarding the scope of protection, it should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments shown herein, and many variations are possible. For example, the invention can also be applied to chains having double-hinged components and / or chains having lateral flexural hinge components. Such variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art and are understood to fall within the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

[0037] List of reference numerals

[0038] Module 1

[0039] 2 Modular Conveyor Chain

[0040] 3. Links

[0041] 4. Main Components

[0042] 5. Centered connector

[0043] 6 spaced-apart connectors

[0044] 7. Acceptance Space

[0045] 8. Hinge pin

[0046] 9. Bearing components

[0047] 10. Middle section

[0048] 11. Relative ends

[0049] 12 end caps

[0050] 13 Cover Section

[0051] 14. Flange portion

[0052] 15 End face

[0053] Arrow A

[0054] P Conveying direction

[0055] S conveyor surface

Claims

1. A modular conveyor chain comprising a plurality of continuous, hingedly connected modules, each module including a linking portion made of sheet metal, the linking portion having a main body component forming a conveying surface, the main body component having a centrally positioned connector on one side and a pair of spaced-apart connectors on the opposite side, a gap being included between the pairs of spaced-apart connectors, each connector extending from the main body component to surround a receiving space positioned below the main body component, wherein... Since the centrally positioned connector of the link portion is received in the gap between the spaced connectors of the link portion of the continuous module, and since the hinge pin extends through the aligned receiving space of the mating connector, the connectors of the continuous module mate to form a hinge assembly. The modular conveyor chain also includes a bearing element received between the centrally positioned connector and the hinge pin, wherein the hinge pin has a substantially constant cross-section, wherein the middle portion of the hinge pin is provided with a plastic sleeve as a bearing element, the plastic sleeve having a closed cross-section and extending along the hinge pin only at the location of the centrally positioned connector, and wherein each of the opposite ends of the hinge pin is provided with an end cap, the end cap including a cover portion extending along the hinge pin only at the location of the spaced connector, and a radially inwardly extending flange portion mating with the end face of the hinge pin.

2. The modular conveyor chain according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bearing element includes an inner diameter that is excessively large relative to the diameter of the hinge pin, such that the hinge pin is received in the bearing element in a sliding fit manner.

3. The modular conveyor chain according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The bearing element has a constant wall thickness along the periphery of its cross-section.

4. The modular conveyor chain according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The receiving spaces of the spaced-apart connectors and the centrally positioned connectors each form a substantially circular hinge eye.

5. The modular conveyor chain according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The spaced-apart connectors clamp the end cap onto the hinge pin.

6. The modular conveyor chain according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The end cap is made of plastic material.

7. The modular conveyor chain according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The hinge pin and the bearing element together have a diameter corresponding to the diameter of a standard 6.35 mm hinge pin.

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