Drag chain

Abstract

The present invention provides a drag chain which is formed by connecting a plurality of link plates without a separate connecting member, thereby improving assemblability and preventing noise by minimizing contact between the plurality of link plates. In the drag chain of the present invention, a part of a link plate and a part of a corresponding link plate overlap in a circular overlapping region and are rotatably connected, a rotating protrusion formed on the link plate moves and rotates along a rotating groove formed in the corresponding link plate, and a connecting pin of the link plate is fastened to a connecting pin coupling groove of the corresponding link plate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a drag chain, and more particularly to a drag chain which can be easily assembled without separate connecting parts, does not generate noise, and reduces wear of built-in cables and the like. Background Art

[0002] Generally, a drag chain is a device used in industrial sites that handle various machines. It forms a chain structure that can perform curved motion between a straight state and a bent state. Through the curved motion, pneumatic hoses, cables, etc. (hereinafter referred to as "cables") contained in its internal space can reciprocate.

[0003] In this regard, as a prior art related to a drag chain, Korean Patent Publication KR10-1196888B1 (Patent Document 1) previously applied by the present applicant has been disclosed.

[0004] Patent document 1 relates to a drag chain and a connecting component therefor, which includes: a plurality of link units (or chain plates); a connecting component for connecting the plurality of link units; a recess formed on the inner side of the link unit so that the connecting component is detachably coupled to each of the link units; and a neck formed on the connecting component to prevent the connecting component from easily detaching when it is fastened to the recess.

[0005] However, in order to connect multiple link units, the existing drag chain introduces the connecting component into the recess, which not only makes the fastening of the connecting component inconvenient, but also requires the use of the connecting component to connect multiple link units. Therefore, there are problems such as complicated assembly process and cable wear caused by the neck of the connecting component protruding into the inside of the drag chain link. Summary of the invention

[0006] Technical issues

[0007] The present invention has been proposed in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a drag chain that is formed by connecting a plurality of chain plates without the need for separate connecting components, thereby improving assemblability, preventing noise by minimizing contact between the plurality of chain plates, and reducing wear of the built-in cables by forming the inner side surfaces of the chain plates that contact the cables into a flat shape.

[0008] Technical Solution

[0009] The present invention is used to achieve the purpose as described above. The drag chain of the present invention is formed by chain links continuously connected along the length direction of the drag chain, and the chain links include: a pair of chain plates facing each other in a state of being separated by a specified interval; and a chain used to connect the upper or lower parts of multiple chain plates. The drag chain is characterized in that the corresponding chain plates connected to the chain plates on one side are formed into the same shape, and a part of the corresponding chain plates are overlapped and connected in a circular overlapping area with a concave height difference portion. In the overlapping area, a cylindrical connecting pin is protruded at the center of the chain plate, and three rotating protrusions are protruded at the edge at equal intervals. In the corresponding chain plate, an inner ring and an outer ring with a connecting pin coupling groove are protruded, and three stoppers are formed at equal intervals between the inner ring and the outer ring. Three rotating grooves are formed between the multiple stoppers. In the chain plate and the corresponding chain plate, the rotating protrusion moves and rotates along the rotating groove, and the connecting pin is buckled and fastened to the connecting pin coupling groove.

[0010] A guide rail groove may be formed around an outer side of the connection pin, and a guide rail protrusion coupled with the guide rail groove may be formed around an inner side of the connection pin coupling groove.

[0011] The side surface of the rotation protrusion and the side surface of the stopper may be prevented from contacting each other by making the length of the inner ring side of the rotation groove smaller than the length of the outer ring side.

[0012] The lower surface of the chain plate in contact with the bottom surface on which the drag chain is placed may be in an arc shape.

[0013] In the link plate and the corresponding link plate, a rotation space extending from the overlap area along the outer side of the overlap area may be further provided.

[0014] The width of the overlapped area fastening the link plate and the corresponding link plate may be greater than the sum of the widths of the link plate and the corresponding link plate in the edge of the overlapped area.

[0015] The inner side surface of the link plate exposed to the inner side of the link may be formed by a flat surface.

[0016] The connecting pin may be formed in a cylindrical shape.

[0017] The rotation protrusion, the stopper and the rotation groove may be arranged in a pair at equal intervals.

[0018] Effects of the Invention

[0019] The drag chain of the present invention allows the chain plate and the corresponding chain plate to be fastened to each other only by chamfering and shapes corresponding thereto, so that they can be fastened easily without a separate connecting component.

[0020] Furthermore, the drag chain of the present invention can make the chain plates and corresponding chain plates fastened only by the connecting pins and the connecting pin coupling grooves, so that the chain plates can be easily disassembled or assembled.

[0021] Furthermore, the drag chain of the present invention can minimize the contact between chain plates and corresponding chain plates, thereby significantly reducing the generation of noise or dust.

[0022] Furthermore, the drag chain of the present invention can make the inner side surface of the chain plate in contact with the cables flat, thereby having the effect of reducing the wear or damage of the built-in cables. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional view showing the assembly state of a drag chain according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 2 The present invention is a perspective view showing a link of a drag chain in an assembled state according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 3 Shown in exploded state Figure 2 A three-dimensional view of a chain link in the.

[0026] Figure 4 It is an exploded perspective view for illustrating the connection state of a link plate and a corresponding link plate according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 5 The present invention is an exploded perspective view showing the connection state of a link plate and a corresponding link plate according to an embodiment of the present invention viewed from another angle.

[0028] Figure 6 A partially cutaway cross-sectional view showing a state in which a connecting pin is coupled to a connecting pin coupling groove according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figures 7 to 9 This is an exemplary diagram of the main parts showing the connection state between a link plate and a corresponding link plate according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Fig.10 The figure is a side view and a top view showing the combined state of a link plate and a corresponding link plate according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Hereinafter, the drag chain of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0032] The present invention can be implemented in various variations and can have various embodiments, therefore, a number of specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the detailed description. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, and it should be understood that all variations, equivalent technical solutions and alternative technical solutions included in the concept and technical scope of the present invention are included.

[0033] When it is mentioned that a certain structural element is "connected" or "coupled" to other structural elements, it should be understood that it may be directly connected or coupled to other structural elements, but other structural elements may also exist in between. On the contrary, when it is mentioned that a certain structural element is "directly connected" or "directly coupled" to other structural elements, it should be understood that there are no other structural elements in between.

[0034] The terms used in this specification are only used to illustrate specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. Unless clearly indicated in the context, a singular expression includes a plural expression.

[0035] In this specification, it should be understood that terms such as "including" or "having" are intended to specify the existence of features, numbers, steps, actions, structural elements, accessories or combinations thereof recorded in the specification, and are not intended to exclude the existence or additional possibilities of one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, structural elements, accessories or combinations thereof.

[0036] Furthermore, the structural elements of the embodiments described with reference to the accompanying drawings are not limited to the corresponding embodiments, but can be implemented as included in other embodiments within the scope of maintaining the technical idea of ​​the present invention, and even if some individual descriptions are omitted, it should be understood that multiple embodiments can be combined into one embodiment and re-implemented.

[0037] Furthermore, when describing with reference to the accompanying drawings, regardless of the reference numerals, identical structural elements are assigned identical or related reference numerals, and repeated descriptions thereof are omitted. When describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known technology may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted.

[0038] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional diagram showing the assembly state of a drag chain according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 A perspective view showing a link of a drag chain according to an embodiment of the present invention in an assembled state. Figure 3 Shown in exploded state Figure 2 A three-dimensional image of a chain link in Figure 4 FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view for illustrating a connection state between a chain plate and a corresponding chain plate according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 This is an exploded perspective view showing the connection state of the link plate and the corresponding link plate according to one embodiment of the present invention from another angle. Figure 6 A partially cutaway cross-sectional view showing a state in which a connecting pin is combined with a connecting pin combining groove according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figures 7 to 9 This is a diagram showing the main parts of a chain plate and a corresponding chain plate in a combined state according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig.10The figure is a side view and a top view showing the combined state of a link plate and a corresponding link plate according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] As shown in the figure, a drag chain (Robochain) according to an embodiment of the present invention is formed by chain links 200 connected continuously along the length direction of the drag chain, and the chain links 200 include: a pair of chain plates 100, 140 facing each other at a predetermined interval; and a chain 160 for connecting the upper or lower parts of these chain plates 100, 140. The drag chain is characterized in that the corresponding chain plates 120 connected to the chain plates 100 on one side form the same shape, and a part of the corresponding chain plates 120 overlaps and connects in a circular overlapping area 110 having a concave height difference portion, and in the overlapping area In 110, a cylindrical connecting pin 105 is protruded at the center of the chain plate 100, and three rotating protrusions 107 are protruded at equal intervals on the edge. In the corresponding chain plate 120, an inner ring 123 and an outer ring 124 with a connecting pin coupling groove 121 are protruded, and three stoppers 126 are formed at equal intervals between the inner ring and the outer ring. Three rotating grooves 128 are formed between the multiple stoppers. In the chain plate and the corresponding chain plate, the rotating protrusion 107 moves and rotates along the rotating groove 128, and the connecting pin 105 is fastened to the connecting pin coupling groove 121.

[0040] The drag chain 10 of the present invention is formed by chain links 200 connected continuously along the length direction of the drag chain, and the chain links 200 include: a pair of chain plates 100, 140 facing each other with a predetermined spacing therebetween; and a chain 160 for connecting the upper or lower parts of the chain plates 100, 140. The chain plates 140 facing each other are substantially symmetrical with the chain plates 100, and the adjacent corresponding chain plates 120 connected to the chain plates 100 on one side are formed in the same shape as the chain plates 100, and the chain plates 100 and the corresponding chain plates 120 are connected in a manner that they can rotate with each other.

[0041] Furthermore, the pair of link plates 100 and 140 are connected at least at the upper part or the lower part by the chain 160. A chain coupling portion 162 for coupling with the chain 160 is formed at the upper part and the lower part of the link plate, and the chain 160 has a chain coupling hole 161 that can be coupled with the chain coupling portion 162. As long as the two can be coupled, the fastening structure of the link plate 100 and the chain 160 can also be formed in other various forms.

[0042] like Figure 2 As shown, a substantially quadrilateral space S is formed inside a link 200 including a pair of facing link plates 100 and 140 and a chain 160, and cables are accommodated in the space S. The drag chain 10 is formed by continuously connecting such links 200 in a mutually rotatable manner along the length direction of the drag chain.

[0043] As described above, the facing link plate 140 has a shape and structure substantially symmetrical to the link plate 100, and the corresponding link plate 120 adjacent to the right side of the link plate 100 and connected to the link plate 100 has the same shape and structure as the link plate 100. In the present invention, the link plate on the left side is referred to as the link plate 100, and the link plate on the right side is referred to as the corresponding link plate 120 for explanation.

[0044] like Figure 3 As shown, the chain plate 100 has a predetermined length along the length direction of the drag chain, and has an upper surface 102, a lower surface 101, an inner side surface 104, and an outer side surface 103, and its two ends are roughly formed into a semicircular shape. In the present invention, the lower surface 101 of the chain plate 100 that contacts the bottom surface on which the drag chain 10 is placed can be in an arc shape. The chain plate with an arc-shaped lower surface can contact the bottom surface softly, so when the drag chain is running, the noise generated by contact with the bottom surface can be reduced.

[0045] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, a concave height difference portion is formed on the inner side surface 104 of one right end portion of the link plate 100, and the concave height difference portion is generally circular. Correspondingly, a concave height difference portion is also formed on the outer side surface 103 of the other left end portion of the corresponding link plate 120, and the concave height difference portion is also generally circular. A portion of the corresponding link plate 120 adjacent to the link plate 100 overlaps and connects in such a circular overlap area 110 (see Figure 7 ).

[0046] The link plate 100 and the corresponding link plate 120 are assembled in a manner that allows them to rotate at a predetermined angle. As shown in the figure, in the overlapping area 110, a cylindrical connecting pin 105 is formed at the center of the link plate 100, and three rotating protrusions 107 are formed at equal intervals on the edge. In this embodiment, although the connecting pin 105 is formed in a cylindrical shape, the connecting pin 105 can also be formed in a cylindrical shape. However, the cylindrical connecting pin 105 is more preferred in terms of lightweighting of accessories or reducing manufacturing costs.

[0047] In the overlapping area 110, an inner ring 123 and an outer ring 124 having a connecting pin coupling groove 121 are protrudingly formed on the corresponding link plate 120. The inner ring 123 is more protruding than the outer ring 124. In addition, three stoppers 126 extending at the same height as the inner ring 123 are formed at equal intervals between the inner ring and the outer ring. Thus, three rotation grooves 128 are formed in the space defined by the inner ring 123, the outer ring 124 and the stoppers on both sides. The rotation groove 128 is a space in which the link plate 100 can rotate, and the maximum rotation angle can be adjusted by adjusting the length of the arc of the rotation groove 128.

[0048] The rotation groove 128 is shaped such that the length of the outer ring side is greater than the length of the inner ring side. Fig. 9 As shown, when the chain plate 100 rotates to the maximum rotation angle, the side 108 of the rotating protrusion 107 does not contact the side 129 of the rotating groove 128, thereby preventing the rotating protrusion 107 from contacting the side of the rotating groove 128 and generating noise when the drag chain is running. This will be described in detail later.

[0049] The outer diameter of the connecting pin 105 of the chain plate 100 is substantially the same as the inner diameter of the connecting pin coupling groove 121 of the corresponding chain plate 120, thereby forming a shape that can be buckled and coupled to the connecting pin coupling groove 121. Thus, the chain plate 100 and the corresponding chain plate 120 buckle the connecting pin 105 of the chain plate 100 to the connecting pin coupling groove 121 of the corresponding chain plate 120, and insert the rotating protrusion 107 of the chain plate 100 into the rotating groove 128 of the corresponding chain plate 120, so that the chain plate 100 and the corresponding chain plate 120 are fastened in a state where they can rotate.

[0050] The link plate 100 and the corresponding link plate 120 overlap each other in the overlap region 110 and are rotatably coupled, and the inner side surfaces 104 of the link plate 100 and the corresponding link plate 120 exposed to the inner side of the chain 160 are formed as flat surfaces. Figure 1 As shown, in the storage space S for storing cables, the inner side surface of the link plate has no protruding portion but is formed as a flat surface, so the cables can be protected without being worn or damaged.

[0051] And, if Figure 6 As shown, a guide rail groove 106 is formed around the outer side of the connecting pin 105, and a guide rail protrusion 122 combined with the guide rail groove 106 can be formed around the inner side of the connecting pin coupling groove 121. If the connecting pin 105 and the connecting pin coupling groove 121 are fastened by the guide rail groove and the guide rail protrusion, the chain plate 100 and the corresponding chain plate 120 can be fastened more firmly and rotated flexibly with each other. Conversely, the guide rail protrusion can also be formed on the connecting pin, and the guide rail groove can be formed on the connecting pin coupling groove.

[0052] Moreover, the portion where the connecting pin 105 is fastened to the connecting pin coupling groove 121 is completely sealed by the outer side of the chain plate. Therefore, even if the connecting pin 105 generates dust due to friction when the connecting pin coupling groove 121 rotates, the generated dust can be prevented from flying to the outside of the chain plate.

[0053] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the present invention, although the rotation protrusion 107, the stopper 126 and the rotation groove 128 are formed in three at equal intervals, the rotation protrusion 107, the stopper 126 and the rotation groove 128 may be arranged in a pair at equal intervals. However, compared with the rotation protrusion 107, the stopper 126 and the rotation groove 128 being formed in a pair, the case of forming three can provide strong support at three points, thereby improving the support strength, and has the advantage of being conducive to dispersing stress.

[0054] exist Figures 7 to 9 exemplarily shows the combination relationship between the chain plate 100 and the corresponding chain plate 120 (that is, in order to show the combination relationship with the chain plate 100 in more detail, only the overlapping area of ​​the corresponding chain plate 120 is shown in the figure). Figure 7 Shows the situation where the drag chain is in a straight line. Figure 8 and Fig. 9 Shown is the e-chain in a bent state.

[0055] like Figure 7 As shown, while the connecting pin 105 of the chain plate 100 is engaged with the connecting pin coupling groove 121 of the corresponding chain plate 120, the rotating protrusion 107 of the chain plate 100 is inserted into the rotating groove 128 of the corresponding chain plate 120, so that the two are combined in a manner that can rotate a specified angle.

[0056] In this state, if the other left end of the link plate 100 or the right end of the corresponding link plate 120 is rotated upward, the rotation protrusion 107 gradually moves along the rotation groove 128, causing the link plate 100 or the corresponding link plate 120 to rotate. Figure 8 shows an intermediate stage of the rotation of the chain plate 100 or the corresponding chain plate 120, Fig. 9 The state where the link plate 100 or the corresponding link plate 120 is rotated to the maximum rotation angle is shown.

[0057] like Fig. 9 As shown in the enlarged part in FIG. 1 , when the chain plate 100 is rotated to the maximum rotation angle, the top A of the rotating protrusion 107 is in close contact with the inner ring side of the rotating groove 128 and is braked at the same time, so that the rotating protrusion 107 does not move. Therefore, even if the chain plate 100 or the corresponding chain plate 120 rotates, the side surface 108 of the rotating protrusion and the side surface of the rotating groove 128 (i.e., the same as the side surface of the stopper 126) do not contact each other. Therefore, even if the chain plate 100 or the corresponding chain plate 120 rotates to the maximum rotation angle, they only contact at the smallest contact point, so that the noise generated by contact during rotation can be greatly reduced.

[0058] Furthermore, rotation spaces 109 and 130 extending from the overlapping area 110 are provided outside the overlapping area where the link plate 100 and the corresponding link plate 120 overlap each other. Thus, when the link plate 100 and the corresponding link plate 120 rotate due to the rotation spaces 109 and 130 serving as margin spaces, the side surfaces do not contact each other, but can rotate flexibly, so that when the link plate 100 or the corresponding link plate 120 rotates, noise due to contact between the side surfaces is not generated, and dust generated due to friction is prevented.

[0059] Fig.10 The side view and the top view show the connection relationship between the link plate 100 and the corresponding link plate 120. Fig.10 The side view of part (a) of FIG. 1 exemplarily shows that the link plate 100 and the side surfaces of the corresponding link plate 120 are not in contact with each other and can rotate flexibly by forming a rotation space 130 in the corresponding link plate 120 .

[0060] And, if Fig.10 As shown in part (b) of FIG. 1 , the width a of the overlap region 110 where the link plate 100 and the corresponding link plate 120 are fastened is greater than the sum b+c of the width c of the link plate and the width b of the corresponding link plate in the edge of the overlap region, and therefore, there is a gap 131 between the link plate 100 and the corresponding link plate 120 in the edge of the overlap region. That is, in the overlap region 110, except for the portion where the connecting pin 105 and the rotating protrusion 107 of the link plate 100 are coupled to the connecting pin coupling groove 121 and the rotating groove 128 of the corresponding link plate 120, there is no portion where the link plate 100 and the corresponding link plate 120 contact each other. Thus, when the link plate 100 or the corresponding link plate 120 rotates, the inner side surface 104 of the link plate 100 and the outer side surface 103 of the corresponding link plate 120 do not contact each other, and therefore, noise due to contact is not generated, and dust generation due to friction is further prevented.

[0061] As described above, in the drag chain 10 of the present invention, the chain plate and the corresponding chain plate can be fastened to each other only by chamfering and shapes corresponding thereto, and therefore, can be easily fastened without a separate connecting component, and the chain plate and the corresponding chain plate are fastened only by connecting pins and connecting pin coupling grooves, so that they can be easily disassembled or assembled, and the contact between the chain plate and the corresponding chain plate can be minimized, thereby greatly reducing the generation of noise or dust, and the inner side surface of the chain plate in contact with the cables is flat, thereby reducing the wear or damage of the built-in cables.

[0062] Although the present invention has been shown and described above in conjunction with the preferred embodiments for illustrating the principles of the present invention, the present invention is not limited to the structures and functions illustrated and described above. On the contrary, it will be well understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be changed and modified many times without departing from the spirit and scope of the scope of the attached invention claims.

Claims

1. A drag chain, which is formed by chain links continuously connected along the length direction of the drag chain, and the chain links include: A pair of chain plates facing each other at a predetermined interval; and a chain for connecting the upper or lower parts of a plurality of the chain plates, wherein the drag chain is characterized in that: The corresponding link plates connected to the link plates on one side are formed in the same shape, and a part of the corresponding link plates is overlapped and connected in a circular overlapping area having a concave height difference portion. In the overlapping area, a cylindrical connecting pin is protruded from the center of the chain plate, and three rotating protrusions are protruded at equal intervals from the edge. In the corresponding chain plate, an inner ring and an outer ring with a connecting pin coupling groove are protrudingly formed, three stoppers are formed at equal intervals between the inner ring and the outer ring, and three rotation grooves are formed between the plurality of stoppers. In the link plate and the corresponding link plate, the rotation protrusion moves and rotates along the rotation groove, and the connecting pin is fastened to the connecting pin coupling groove.

2. The drag chain according to claim 1, characterized in that: A guide rail groove is formed around the outer side of the connecting pin, and a guide rail protrusion combined with the guide rail groove is formed around the inner side of the connecting pin combining groove.

3. The drag chain according to claim 1, characterized in that: By making the length of the inner ring side of the rotation groove smaller than the length of the outer ring side, the side surface of the rotation protrusion and the side surface of the stopper do not contact each other.

4. The drag chain according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lower surface of the chain plate contacting the bottom surface on which the drag chain is placed is in an arc shape.

5. The drag chain according to claim 1, characterized in that: In the link plate and the counter link plate, a rotation space extending from the overlap area along the outer side of the overlap area is further provided.

6. The drag chain according to claim 1, characterized in that: The width of the overlapping area fastening the link plate and the corresponding link plate is greater than the sum of the widths of the link plate and the corresponding link plate in the edge of the overlapping area.

7. The drag chain according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner side surface of the link plate exposed to the inner side of the link is formed of a flat surface.

8. The drag chain according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connecting pin is formed in a cylindrical shape.

9. The drag chain according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rotating protrusions, the stoppers and the rotating grooves are arranged in pairs at equal intervals.

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