Sealed self-lubricating roller chain
By using sintered self-lubricating bushings and seals in the roller chain, the problem of frequent lubrication of the roller chain is solved, and the effect of automatic lubrication and reducing product damage is achieved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202411155281.8
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-08-25
- Filing Date
- 2024-08-22
- Publication Date
- 2025-02-25
AI Technical Summary
Existing roller chains need to be stopped frequently during operation for lubrication, and the lubricant is prone to contact with the product and cargo, resulting in damage.
A self-lubricated roller chain is designed, lubricated with a sintered bushing that releases lubricant when moving, reduces the risk of contact to products and goods, and prevents foreign matter from entering through seals.
The roller chain is automatically lubricated during operation, reducing the need to stop lubrication, reducing the risk of contact with products and goods, extending service life and reducing maintenance costs.
Smart Images
Figure CN119503398A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The invention relates to the lubrication of roller chains, in particular roller chains of components for conveying products and goods, for example in packaging machines, the electronics industry, the food industry, the beverage industry, agriculture or paper machines. Background Art
[0002] Generally, conveying systems include moving conveying means to transport products and goods. Roller chains are a well-known conveying means.
[0003] Roller chains generally comprise a plurality of consecutive aligned rollers rotatably mounted on pins, the ends of two consecutive pins being linked together by side plates.
[0004] Lubrication of roller chains is essential for components with relative friction, such as between pins and rollers and between side plates, in order to maintain optimal mechanical conditions, reduce maintenance tasks and related costs, and extend service life.
[0005] Lubricant can be applied manually during regular maintenance procedures, but it is desirable to perform lubrication while the roller chain is running. In addition, for safety reasons, access to the roller chain may be limited or impossible.
[0006] An automatic lubrication system is preferably used to lubricate the roller chain, so that the roller chain can be lubricated more frequently and regularly at any time and at desired locations without stopping the roller chain.
[0007] The lubricant applicator that applies the lubricant to the roller chain can be of the following type: a brush that is in permanent contact with the roller chain, an air nozzle for spraying a volume of lubricant accompanied by a regulated air flow, or an airless nozzle. There is always a risk that this lubricant will encounter products and goods, damaging them.
[0008] The present invention aims to solve the above-identified problems and therefore provides a roller chain which reduces the need to periodically stop the roller chain in order to lubricate the roller chain.
[0009] According to this aim, an object of the present invention is to provide a roller chain which reduces the risk of products and goods coming into contact with lubricants. Summary of the invention
[0010] The invention relates to a roller chain comprising at least one outer link and at least one inner link articulated relative to each other.
[0011] The outer link includes a first outer plate and a second outer plate spaced apart from the first outer plate.
[0012] The inner link is partially disposed between a first outer plate and a second outer plate of the outer link.
[0013] The inner link includes a first inner plate having at least a first through hole and a second inner plate having at least a second through hole coaxial with the first through hole, the second inner plate of the inner link being spaced apart from the first inner plate.
[0014] The roller chain includes at least one bushing passing through the first through hole of the first inner plate and the second through hole of the second inner plate of the inner link.
[0015] The roller chain includes at least one pin inserted into the bushing and connected to the first outer plate and the second outer plate of the outer link.
[0016] The roller chain includes at least one roller disposed between a first inner plate and a second inner plate of the inner link and surrounding the bushing.
[0017] According to general characteristics, the bushing is sintered and impregnated with a lubricant.
[0018] The roller chain further comprises at least a first seal which is arranged axially between a first inner plate of the inner link and a first outer plate of the outer link.
[0019] The roller chain comprises at least a second seal which is arranged axially between a second inner plate of the inner link and a second outer plate of the outer link.
[0020] The bushing, which is sintered and impregnated with lubricant, releases lubricant when the roller chain moves, thus lubricating the interfaces between the pin and the bushing, between the bushing and the roller, between the bushing and the first outer plate of the outer link, and between the bushing and the second outer plate of the outer link.
[0021] The first seal and the second seal act as a protective barrier to prevent foreign matter, such as dust and other dirt particles, from intruding between the bushing and the pin, thereby allowing the roller chain to be used in high humidity and dusty applications.
[0022] The first seal and the second seal protect the sintered bushing and prevent spilling of lubricant impregnated into the bushing.
[0023] This roller chain is a self-lubricating chain, providing a long-lasting maintenance-free solution. Planned lubrication intervals are unnecessary and maintenance costs are reduced accordingly.
[0024] The bushing may protrude axially relative to the first inner plate of the inner link and may form a seat for the first seal. The seat for the first seal formed by the bushing provides radial centering of the first seal and ensures that the first seal is well positioned for optimal sealing efficiency.
[0025] The bushing may protrude axially relative to the second inner plate of the inner link and may form a seat for the second seal. The seat for the second seal formed by the bushing provides radial centering of the second seal and ensures that the second seal is well positioned for optimal sealing efficiency.
[0026] The first seal may be in axial contact with the first inner plate of the inner link.
[0027] The first seal may be in axial contact with the first outer plate of the outer link.
[0028] The second seal may be in axial contact with the second inner plate of the inner link.
[0029] The second seal may be in axial contact with the second outer plate of the outer link.
[0030] The first inner plate of the inner link may be black oxide coated or nickel plated.
[0031] The second inner plate of the inner link may be coated with black oxide or nickel plated.
[0032] The first outer plate of the outer link may be coated with black oxide or nickel plated.
[0033] The second outer plate of the outer link may be coated with black oxide or nickel plated.
[0034] The first seal may comprise an X-ring or an O-ring seal.
[0035] The second seal may comprise an X-ring or an O-ring seal.
[0036] The lubricant may include oil.
[0037] The first seal may be made of an elastomeric material.
[0038] The first sealing member may be made of urethane.
[0039] The first seal may be made of a polymer.
[0040] The first seal can be made of Viton TM Made.
[0041] The second seal may be made of an elastomeric material.
[0042] The second sealing member may be made of polyurethane.
[0043] The second seal may be made of a polymer.
[0044] The second seal can be made of Viton TM Made.
[0045] The invention also relates to a method for assembling a roller chain as defined above, said method comprising the following steps:
[0046] - a lubricant projection step onto the bushing, and
[0047] - an assembly step of the pin, the bushing, the roller, the inner link, the outer link, the first seal and the second seal. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0048] Other advantages and features of the invention will emerge from the detailed description of an embodiment of the invention shown, by way of non-limiting example, in the accompanying drawings in which:
[0049] [ Figure 1 ] is a schematic front view ( / front view) of a roller chain according to a first example of the present invention,
[0050] [ Figure 2 ] is along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view along the axis II-II,
[0051] [ Figure 3 ]yes Figure 2 Detailed view of
[0052] [ Figure 4 ] is a cross-sectional view of a roller chain according to a second example of the present invention,
[0053] [ Figure 5 ]yes Figure 4 A detailed view of
[0054] [ Figure 6 ] is a schematic diagram of an assembly method according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0055] like Figure 1 As shown, a roller chain 2 comprises alternating inner links 4 and outer links 6 connected to one another.
[0056] Each inner link 4 is arranged between two consecutive outer links 6 , such that the two consecutive outer links 6 partially surround the inner link 4 , and the two consecutive outer links 6 each surround a different extremity of the inner link 4 .
[0057] like Figure 2 As more clearly shown in FIG. 1 , each inner link 4 includes a first inner plate 8 and a second inner plate 10. For example, both the first inner plate 8 and the second inner plate 10 of the inner link 4 are coated with black oxide or nickel plating.
[0058] The first inner plate 8 of each inner link 4 includes two first through holes 12 spaced apart from each other. The second inner plate 10 of each inner link 4 includes two second through holes 14 spaced apart from each other, and each second through hole 14 is coaxial with one of the first through holes 12 of the first inner plate 8 of the inner link 4. The first through hole 12 of the first inner plate 8 of each inner link 4 is arranged at a distance from the edge of the first inner plate 8. The second through hole 14 of the second inner plate 10 of each inner link 4 is arranged at a distance from the edge of the second inner plate 10.
[0059] The second inner plate 10 of each inner link 4 is spaced apart from and parallel to the first inner plate 8 of the inner link 4. Alternatively, the second inner plate 10 of each inner link 4 may be substantially parallel to the first inner plate 8 of the inner link 4.
[0060] Each outer link 6 includes a first outer plate 16 and a second outer plate 18. For example, both the first outer plate 16 and the second outer plate 18 of the outer link 6 are coated with black oxide or nickel plating.
[0061] The first outer plate 16 of each outer link 6 includes two first through holes 20 spaced apart from each other. The second outer plate 18 of each outer link 6 includes two second through holes 22 spaced apart from each other, and each second through hole 22 is coaxial with one of the first through holes 20 of the first outer plate 16 of the outer link 6. The first through hole 20 of the first outer plate 16 of each outer link 6 is arranged at a distance from the edge of the first outer plate 16. The second through hole 22 of the second outer plate 18 of each outer link 6 is arranged at a distance from the edge of the second outer plate 18.
[0062] The second outer plate 18 of each outer link 6 is spaced apart from and parallel to the first outer plate 16 of the outer link 6, and the first outer plate 16 and the second outer plate 18 of each outer link 6 are axially arranged on both sides of the first inner plate 8 and the second inner plate 10 of each inner link 4 enclosed in the outer link 6. Alternatively, the second outer plate 18 of each outer link 6 may be substantially parallel to the first outer plate 16 of the outer link 6.
[0063] The roller chain 2 includes a plurality of bushings 24, each bushing 24 being in the form of a hollow cylinder. Each bushing 24 extends axially through the first through hole 12 of the first inner plate 8 of the inner link 4 and through the second through hole 14 of the second inner plate 10 of the inner link 4 coaxial with the first through hole 12. The bushing 24 is in radial contact with both the first inner plate 8 and the second inner plate 10 of the inner link 4, and the bushing 24 is fixed relative to the inner link 4. A first extremity 26 of the bushing 24 protrudes axially outward from the first inner plate 8 of the inner link 4. A second extremity 28 of the bushing 24, which is axially opposite to the first extremity 26, protrudes axially outward from the second inner plate 10 of the inner link 4. The bushing 24 is held axially away from both the first outer plate 16 and the second outer plate 18 of the outer link 6 surrounding the bushing 24.
[0064] As another option, the first end 26 of the bushing 24 may be flush with the outer radial surface of the first inner plate 8 of the inner link 4, or the first end 26 of the bushing 24 may be axially offset inward relative to the outer radial surface. As another alternative, the second end 28 of the bushing 24 may be flush with the outer radial surface of the second inner plate 10 of the inner link 4, or the second end 28 of the bushing 24 may be axially offset inward relative to the outer radial surface.
[0065] The roller chain 2 comprises a plurality of pins 30, each of which is inserted into a bushing 24. Each pin 30 extends axially through a first through hole 20 of a first outer plate 16 of an outer link 6, the first through hole 20 axially facing the bushing 24 into which the pin 30 is inserted. The pin 30 is in radial contact with the aperture of the associated bushing 24. The pin 30 extends axially through a second through hole 22 of a second outer plate 18 of an outer link 6, the second through hole 22 axially facing the bushing 24 into which the pin 30 is inserted. The pin 30 protrudes axially outward from both the first outer plate 16 and the second outer plate 18 of the outer link 6. The pin 30 is fixed to both the first outer plate 16 and the second outer plate 18 of the outer link 6, the pin 30 being fixed relative to the outer link 6. As another alternative, other connections of the pin 30 to the outer link 6 are possible.
[0066] Each bushing 24 can rotate relative to a pin 30 inserted inside the bushing 24 , so that each inner link 4 is articulated relative to the two outer links 6 connected to the inner link 4 .
[0067] The roller chain 2 includes a plurality of rollers 32, each roller 32 surrounding a bushing 24. Each roller 32 extends axially between the first inner plate 8 and the second inner plate 10 of the inner link 4 across the bushing 24 surrounded by the roller 32. The roller 32 is in contact with the bushing 24 surrounded by the roller 32 in the radial direction.
[0068] Each bushing 24 is sintered and impregnated with a lubricant 34. The bushing 24 is porous, and the lubricant 34 is inserted into the pores of the bushing 24. For example, the size of the pores may be comprised between 5 μm and 500 μm, and in particular between 10 μm and 100 μm. The aperture of the bushing 24 includes pores that are radially open inwardly, and the outer surface of the bushing 24 includes pores that are radially open outwardly. The porous texture of the bushing 24 holds the lubricant 34 in the structure of the bushing 24, and then gradually releases the lubricant 34 as the bushing 24 moves.
[0069] The relative movement of each bushing 24 with respect to the pin 30 inserted inside the bushing 24 causes the bushing to release the lubricant 34 at the interface between the bushing 24 and the pin 30 inserted inside the bushing 24. For example, the lubricant 34 includes oil.
[0070] The lubricant 34 may have at least one of the following properties: a density of less than 0.9 g / cm at 15°C; 3 , especially close to 0.897g / cm 3 , the viscosity at 40°C is included in 90mm 2 / S to 100mm 2 / S, especially close to 95.3mm 2 / S, viscosity at 100°C is included in 12mm 2 / S to 13mm 2 / S, especially close to 12.5mm 2 / S, flash point is greater than 250°C, especially close to 270°C.
[0071] In order to avoid escape of the lubricant 34 , the roller chain 2 comprises a first seal 36 radially surrounding the first end 26 of each bushing 24 and a second seal 38 radially surrounding the second end 28 of each bushing 24 .
[0072] like Figure 3 As shown more clearly in FIG. 3 , the first seal 36 is here an X-ring seal, a seal with an X-shaped cross section. Here, the second seal 38 is also an X-ring seal.
[0073] Each first seal 36 is axially arranged between the first inner plate 8 of the inner link 4 and the first outer plate 16 of the outer link 6 surrounding the inner link 4. The first seal 36 is in axial contact with the outer radial surface of the first inner plate 8 of the inner link 4 and with the inner radial surface of the first outer plate 16 of the outer link 6, and the first seal 36 forms a contact seal. The outer radial surface of the first inner plate 8 faces the inner radial surface of the first outer plate 16 in the axial direction.
[0074] Each first seal 36 is in radial contact with the first end 26 of the bushing 24 , the first end 26 of the bushing 24 forming a seat for the first seal 36 .
[0075] Each second seal 38 is axially arranged between the second inner plate 10 of the inner link 4 and the second outer plate 18 of the outer link 6 surrounding the inner link 4. The second seal 38 is in axial contact with the outer radial surface of the second inner plate 10 of the inner link 4 and with the inner radial surface of the second outer plate 18 of the outer link 6, and the second seal 38 forms a contact seal. The outer radial surface of the second inner plate 10 faces the inner radial surface of the second outer plate 18 in the axial direction.
[0076] Each second seal 38 is in radial contact with the second end 28 of the bushing 24, and the second end 28 of the bushing 24 forms a seat for the second seal 38. Each first seal 36 and second seal 38 is made of an elastomeric material, such as polyurethane. As another option, each first seal 36 and second seal 38 is made of a polymer, such as Viton. TM Made.
[0077] Figure 4 and Figure 5The example shown in FIG. 1 (where like elements have like reference numerals) differs from the previous example in that both the first seal 36 and the second seal 38 are O-ring seals, each having an O-shaped cross section. Alternatively, other shapes of the first seal 36 and the second seal 38 are possible, such as seals having an H-shaped cross section.
[0078] Figure 6 The assembly method ( / assembly process) of the roller chain 2 is schematically shown.
[0079] The method begins with a lubricant projection step 40 in which lubricant is projected onto each bushing 24 , with the lubricant 34 penetrating the bore of the bushing 24 .
[0080] The method continues with an assembly step 42 of each pin 30, bushing 24, roller 32, inner link 4, outer link 6, first seal 36 and second seal 38 to form roller chain 2. Each first seal 36 is located between the first inner plate 8 of the inner link 4 and the first outer plate 16 of the outer link 6 and is squeezed between the first inner plate 8 and the first outer plate 16. Each second seal 38 is located between the second inner plate 10 of the inner link 4 and the second outer plate 18 of the outer link 6 and is squeezed between the second inner plate 10 and the second outer plate 18.
Claims
1. A roller chain (2), comprising: at least one outer link (6) and at least one inner link (4) articulated relative to each other, The outer chain link (6) includes a first outer plate (16) and a second outer plate (18) spaced apart from the first outer plate (16). The inner chain link (4) is partially arranged between a first outer plate (16) and a second outer plate (18) of the outer chain link (6). The inner chain link (4) comprises a first inner plate (8) having at least a first through hole (12) and a second inner plate (10) having at least a second through hole (14) coaxial with the first through hole (12), the second inner plate (10) of the inner chain link (4) being spaced apart from the first inner plate (8), at least one bushing (24) passing through the first through hole (12) of the first inner plate (8) and the second through hole (14) of the second inner plate (10) of the inner link (4), at least one pin (30) inserted into the bushing (24) and connected to the first outer plate (16) and the second outer plate (18) of the outer link (6), and at least one roller (32) disposed between the first inner plate and the second inner plate (10) of the inner link (4) and surrounding the bushing (24), Characterized in that the bushing (24) is sintered and impregnated with a lubricant (34), and the roller chain further comprises: At least a first seal (36) is arranged axially between a first inner plate (8) of the inner chain link (4) and a first outer plate (16) of the outer chain link (6), and at least a second seal (38) arranged axially between the second inner plate (10) of the inner chain link (4) and the second outer plate (18) of the outer chain link (6).
2. The roller chain (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that The bushing (24) protrudes axially relative to the first inner plate (8) of the inner chain link (4) and forms a seat for the first seal (36).
3. The roller chain (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The bushing (24) protrudes axially relative to the second inner plate (10) of the inner link (4) and forms a seat for the second seal (38).
4. Roller chain (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The first seal (36) is in axial contact with the first inner plate (8) of the inner chain link (4) and with the first outer plate (16) of the outer chain link (6).
5. Roller chain (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The second seal (38) is in axial contact with the second inner plate (10) of the inner chain link (4) and with the second outer plate (18) of the outer chain link (6).
6. Roller chain according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The first inner plate (8) and the second inner plate (10) of the inner link (4) and the first outer plate (16) and the second outer plate (18) of the outer link (6) are each coated with black oxide or nickel plating.
7. Roller chain (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The first seal (36) comprises an X-ring or an O-ring seal.
8. Roller chain (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The second seal (38) comprises an X-ring or an O-ring seal.
9. Roller chain (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The first seal (36) and / or the second seal (38) are each made of an elastomeric material, preferably polyurethane, or the first seal (36) and / or the second seal (38) are each made of a polymer, preferably Viton. TM Made.
10. A method for assembling a roller chain (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the following steps: - a lubricant projection step (40) onto said bushing (24), and - an assembly step (42) of the pin (30), the bushing (24), the roller (32), the inner link (4), the outer link (6), the first seal (36) and the second seal (38).