Bearing chain and delivery device with same

Abstract

According to the bearing chain and the delivery device with the bearing chain, through the hooking parts and the pivot parts of the chain links, direct detachable clamping connection between the adjacent chain links is achieved, the types of parts are simplified, and the part universality and the assembly flexibility of the chain are improved. Meanwhile, the loading piece is arranged on at least one chain link, so that the chain can bear objects while transmitting power, and integration of transmission and bearing is achieved. In addition, through the size transition design of the opening of the hook cavity, the step-shaped space layout, the limiting part and other structures, the reliability and stability of connection are further improved. The chain has the beneficial technical effects that the part universality is high, and the chain links can be directly connected with one another.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of transmission device technology, and in particular to a load-bearing chain and a shipping device having the same. Background Technology

[0002] In automated dispensing equipment for small items such as vending machines and game prize redemption devices, there is a need for a conveyor chain structure that can be flexibly adjusted according to the length of the dispensing channel and is easy to assemble on-site. Traditional conveyor chains usually use riveting to fix the outer chain plate to the pin shaft. If users need to cut or lengthen the chain according to the actual installation length, they must use special tools to break the riveting joints or use expensive special connectors to connect them, which is cumbersome and labor-intensive.

[0003] Chinese invention patent application CN115539572A discloses a chain that can be easily disassembled and assembled. This chain adopts the basic structure of a traditional roller chain, including an outer link plate, an inner link plate, a bushing, and a pin. Its innovation lies in the groove on the inner side of the pin end and the gourd-shaped groove on the inner side of the outer link plate end. During assembly, the groove is slid into the smaller end of the groove for fixation; during disassembly, the outer link plate can be removed by clamping the relevant components to slide the groove towards the larger end of the groove. While this technical solution solves the problem of difficult disassembly and assembly after riveting traditional chains to some extent, it still uses the classic structure of roller chains, requiring four different types of components—outer link plate, inner link plate, bushing, and pin—to work together to assemble a single link. The connecting function is distributed among the pin and the outer link plate, which must be used in pairs and are not interchangeable, resulting in a large variety of chain components and poor part versatility.

[0004] In summary, the chains disclosed in the prior art still have technical defects due to their multi-component distributed connection architecture, such as poor part versatility and inability to achieve direct interconnection between chain links. This makes it difficult to meet the actual needs of small item shipping devices for chain assembly flexibility and modularity. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The main objective of this invention is to provide a load-bearing chain and a shipping device having the chain, aiming to solve the technical problems of poor component versatility and inability to achieve direct interconnection between chain links in the prior art.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention proposes a load-bearing chain, which is composed of several chain links connected together. Each chain link includes a hook portion and a pivot portion. Two adjacent chain links are detachably engaged and connected by the hook portion and the pivot portion, and can swing relative to each other. At least one chain link is provided with a loading member.

[0007] Furthermore, the hook portion defines a hook cavity with an opening on one side, and the dimension of the transition position between the opening and the hook cavity is less than or equal to the radial dimension of the pivot portion.

[0008] Furthermore, the opening size of the hook portion expands from the inside out.

[0009] Furthermore, at least one side of the opening expands outward in the form of an arc surface, a slope, or a combination of an arc surface and a slope.

[0010] Furthermore, the region where the pivot portion of the link is located and the region where the hook portion of the link is located are arranged in a stepped manner in the axial direction of the pivot portion, and the region where the hook portion is located extends beyond the region where the pivot portion of the link is located in the axial direction of the pivot portion.

[0011] Furthermore, the hook portion is formed by a hook body that extends in an arc shape from one end of the chain link. The stepped surface formed by the area where the pivot portion of the chain link is located and the area where the hook portion of the chain link is located is an arc surface that matches the front end face of the hook portion. When adjacent chain links are detachably engaged, the area where the pivot portion of the chain link is located and the area where the hook portion of the chain link is located at least partially overlap, and the areas where the hook portions of two adjacent chain links are located are flush or approximately flush.

[0012] Furthermore, a limiting part extends from the end of the stepped surface to limit the swing amplitude of the pivot part relative to the adjacent chain link of the hook part.

[0013] Furthermore, the chain link has hooks and pivots on both sides of the pivot in the axial direction.

[0014] Furthermore, the loading component is integrally formed into the chain link, and the loading component is a hook or clamp.

[0015] The present invention also proposes a shipping device having the aforementioned carrying chain, including a housing, a drive assembly and the aforementioned carrying chain. The housing has an opening on its side for the loading component to extend outward. The drive assembly includes a drive component, a drive sprocket and a driven sprocket. The drive component and the drive sprocket are connected by transmission. The drive sprocket and the driven sprocket are rotatably connected to the housing. The carrying chain is arranged around the drive sprocket and the driven sprocket and meshes with the drive sprocket and the driven sprocket respectively.

[0016] This invention achieves a direct, detachable, and engaging connection between adjacent chain links through the hook and pivot portions of the chain links, simplifying component types and improving the chain's part versatility and assembly flexibility. Simultaneously, by incorporating a loading component on at least one chain link, the chain can carry items while transmitting power, achieving integration of transmission and load-bearing. Furthermore, the design of the hook cavity opening's dimensional transition, the stepped spatial layout, and the limiting portion further enhance the reliability and stability of the connection. This invention offers the advantageous technical benefits of strong part versatility and the ability to achieve direct interconnection between chain links. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1A schematic diagram of the planar structure supporting the chain;

[0018] Figure 2 Diagram of the coordination of adjacent links Figure 1 ;

[0019] Figure 3 Diagram of the coordination of adjacent links Figure 2 ;

[0020] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the shipping device Figure 1 ;

[0021] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the shipping device Figure 2 ;

[0022] Figure 6 Diagram illustrating the fit between the support chain and the housing. Figure 1 ;

[0023] Figure 7 Diagram illustrating the fit between the support chain and the housing. Figure 2 ;

[0024] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of a portion of the housing;

[0025] Figure 9 A schematic diagram illustrating the connection between the support chain and the drive assembly;

[0026] Figure 10 A schematic diagram illustrating the connection between the load-bearing chain and the driving or driven sprocket.

[0027] The above figures include the following reference numerals:

[0028] 1. Carrying chain; 10. Chain link; 11. Hook; 111. Opening; 112. Hook cavity; 12. Pivot; 13. Stepped surface; 14. Limiting part; 15. Loading component; 2. Discharging device; 3. Housing; 31. Through port; 32. Platform; 33. Carrying part; 34. Mounting groove; 4. Drive assembly; 41. Drive component; 42. Drive sprocket; 43. Driven sprocket; 5. Guide bar; 6. Bearing. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of them. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0030] It should be noted that if the embodiments of the present invention involve directional indicators (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, top, bottom, inside, outside, vertical, horizontal, longitudinal, counterclockwise, clockwise, circumferential, radial, axial, etc.), the directional indicators are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of the components in a certain specific posture (as shown in the figure). If the specific posture changes, the directional indicators will also change accordingly.

[0031] Furthermore, if the embodiments of this invention involve descriptions such as "first" or "second," these descriptions are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, features defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of those features. Additionally, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but this must be based on the ability of those skilled in the art to implement them. If the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or impossible to implement, it should be considered that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection claimed by this invention.

[0032] In existing technologies, such as the chain structure disclosed in Chinese invention patent application CN115539572A, which can be easily disassembled and assembled, a rivet-free disassembly and assembly function is achieved by the engagement of a slot at the end of the pin with a gourd-shaped groove on the outer link plate. However, this chain structure still follows the basic architecture of traditional roller chains, requiring four different types of components—outer link plate, inner link plate, sleeve, and pin—to work together to complete the assembly of a single link. The connecting function is distributed among the pin and the outer link plate. The pin provides the slot for engagement, and the outer link plate provides the groove for mating; these two components must be used in pairs and are not interchangeable. This multi-component, distributed connection architecture results in a wide variety of chain components and poor part versatility, preventing true modular assembly. Users still need to identify and distinguish various different types of parts when adjusting the chain length. To address these problems, this invention provides a chain-carrying and shipping device, the core of which lies in the hook and pivot parts of the chain links, thereby achieving direct interconnection between adjacent links. The technical solution of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0033] This invention proposes a load-bearing chain 1. For example... Figures 1 to 3As shown, the carrying chain 1 is composed of several links 10 connected sequentially. Each link 10 includes a hook portion 11 and a pivot portion 12. Two adjacent links 10 are detachably connected by the hook portion 11 of one link 10 and the pivot portion 12 of the other link 10, allowing them to swing relative to each other after connection. At least one link 10 is provided with a loading member 15. Compared with the roller chain structure commonly found in the prior art, this embodiment differs fundamentally in the structural logic of the carrying chain 1. The prior art requires four different types of components—outer link plate, inner link plate, sleeve, and pin—to assemble a single link, and the connecting function is distributed among the pin and outer link plate components, which must be used in pairs and cannot be interchanged. This embodiment is completely different; the link 10 itself possesses both the hook portion 11 and the pivot portion 12, meaning the link itself is both the connector and the connected. This self-contained structural design allows the construction of the supporting chain 1 to be simplified to a single component, and adjacent links 10 can be directly connected to each other without distinguishing between different types of parts.

[0034] This design brings beneficial technical effects. First, it enables modular assembly of the load-bearing chain 1. Users do not need to identify and distinguish between various types of parts; they only need to engage the hook part 11 of one link 10 with the pivot part 12 of another link 10 to complete the connection. The assembly process is intuitive and simple. Second, it improves the assembly flexibility of the load-bearing chain 1. In the prior art, the disassembly and assembly of the chain often requires special tools (such as riveting tools, chain cutters) or complex operating procedures; however, in this embodiment, the hook part 11 and the pivot part 12 form a detachable connection by engaging with each other, allowing users to connect and separate the links by hand without any special tools. Furthermore, it reduces manufacturing costs and inventory management difficulties. The links 10 can use the same structure, requiring only one set of molds for production. The parts have high versatility, and the investment in molds and the types of spare parts can be greatly reduced.

[0035] It should be explained that the hook portion 11 and pivot portion 12 described in this embodiment are general terms for the functional areas on the link 10. The hook portion 11 refers to the part on the link 10 used for actively hooking, snapping, or engaging with another link; the pivot portion 12 refers to the part on the link 10 used for passively receiving the hook portion 11 of another link, and the two are functionally matched. The hook portion 11 of one link 10 cooperates with the pivot portion 12 of another link 10 to form a detachable mechanical connection. In some embodiments of the present invention, both the hook portion 11 and the pivot portion 12 are located in the length direction of the link 10 (i.e., the extension direction of the carrying chain 1), which makes the connecting force between the links 10 mainly act in the horizontal direction, consistent with the direction of the tensile load during sprocket transmission, which is beneficial to optimizing the stress state. The loading member 15 is located on one side of the link 10 in the vertical direction, so that the loading member 15 naturally extends to the side or below the chain during the transmission of the carrying chain 1, which is convenient for hanging or carrying items. This spatial layout, with horizontal connections and vertical load-bearing, clearly separates the transmission and load-bearing functions in the spatial dimension, avoiding interference between the functional structures.

[0036] In some embodiments of the present invention, the hook portion 11 defines a hook cavity 112 with an opening on one side. Specifically, the hook portion 11 is provided with an opening 111 that communicates with the hook cavity 112. The hook cavity 112 is the space inside the hook portion 11 for accommodating the pivot portion 12. The dimension of the transition position between the opening 111 and the hook cavity 112 (i.e., the dimension at the narrowest point) is set to be less than or equal to the radial dimension of the pivot portion 12. During engagement, the pivot portion 12 needs to overcome the dimensional constraint of this narrowest point to enter the hook cavity 112. When the pivot portion 12 is fully engaged in the hook cavity 112, since the dimension of this narrowest point is less than or equal to the radial dimension of the pivot portion 12, the pivot portion 12 is not easily disengaged from the hook cavity 112 on its own, thereby forming a reliable engagement connection. This design ensures the stability of the connection and allows the user to manually disassemble and assemble the device after applying a certain amount of force.

[0037] Furthermore, the opening 111 of the hook portion 11 expands from the inside out. Specifically, starting from the transition position (narrowest point) between the opening 111 and the hook cavity 112, the distance between the two side walls of the opening 111 gradually increases towards the outer edge of the opening 111, making the opening 111 flared or gradually expanding. The narrowest transition position constrains the pivot portion 12 after engagement, making it difficult for it to disengage; the outwardly expanding portion guides the pivot portion 12 smoothly into the hook cavity 112 during engagement, reducing resistance and alignment difficulty during engagement.

[0038] Preferably, at least one side of the opening 111 expands outward in the form of an arc surface, a slope, or a combination of arc and slope. An arc surface design allows the pivot portion 12 to roll or slide smoothly along the arc surface during engagement, reducing friction and jamming; a slope design simplifies processing and reduces cost; and a combination of arc and slope structures balances smooth guidance and ease of processing. Regardless of the expansion method used, as long as the size of the opening 111 gradually increases from its narrowest transition position towards the outer edge, it should be considered an equivalent implementation of this embodiment.

[0039] In some embodiments of the present invention, the region where the pivot portion 12 of the link 10 is located and the region where the hook portion 11 of the link 10 is located are arranged in a stepped manner in the axial direction of the pivot portion 12, and the region where the hook portion 11 is located extends beyond the region where the pivot portion 12 of the link 10 is located in the axial direction of the pivot portion 12. This stepped arrangement means that in the width direction of the link 10 (i.e., the axial direction of the pivot portion 12), the region where the hook portion 11 is located is offset relative to the region where the pivot portion 12 is located. Specifically, the hook portion 11 is closer to one edge of the link 10, while the pivot portion 12 is relatively closer to the other side. When two adjacent links 10 are engaged, the hook portion 11 of one link 10 can laterally hook the pivot portion 12 of the other link 10 without interfering with the hook portion 11 of the other link 10. This spatial misalignment design makes the connection between the links 10 more compact, while allowing full utilization of the space of the links 10 in the width direction.

[0040] Specifically, the hook portion 11 is formed by a hook body extending in an arc shape from one end of the link 10. The stepped surface 13 formed by the area where the pivot portion 12 of the link 10 is located and the area where the hook portion 11 of the link 10 is located is constructed as an arc surface that matches the front end face of the hook portion 11. When adjacent links 10 are detachably engaged, the area where the pivot portion 12 of the link 10 is located and the area where the hook portion 11 of the link 10 is located at least partially overlap, and the areas where the hook portions 11 of two adjacent links 10 are located are flush or approximately flush. This means that in the engaged state, the hook portions 11 of two adjacent links 10 are on the same plane or approximately the same plane in the width direction, resulting in a neat overall appearance of the chain and uniform stress distribution. The arc surface design of the stepped surface 13 matches the arc surface of the front end face of the hook portion 11, forming a smooth contact during engagement, reducing stress concentration, and helping to guide the hook portion 11 into accurate position.

[0041] Furthermore, a limiting portion 14 extends from the end of the stepped surface 13 to limit the swing amplitude of the hook portion 11 relative to the pivot portion 12 of the adjacent link 10. The limiting portion 14 is a protrusion or stop structure extending outward from the stepped surface 13. When the adjacent links 10 swing relative to each other to a certain angle, the limiting portion 14 abuts against the side or end of the hook portion 11, thereby preventing further swing. This design prevents the links 10 from excessively swinging under abnormal operating conditions, which could lead to engagement failure or damage to parts. The limiting portion 14 can be a continuous flange or multiple discrete protrusions, and its specific shape and size can be optimized according to the maximum allowable swing angle of the chain.

[0042] In some embodiments of the present invention, the link 10 has a hook portion 11 and a pivot portion 12 on both sides of the pivot portion 12 in the axial direction. This means that the link 10 has a symmetrical structure: a hook portion 11 and a pivot portion 12 are provided on one side in the width direction, and a hook portion 11 and a pivot portion 12 are also provided on the other side. This double-sided arrangement makes the link 10 non-directional, and two links 10 can be connected to each other regardless of their orientation, further improving the flexibility of assembly. At the same time, the double-sided arrangement also makes the chain more evenly stressed in the width direction, which is beneficial to improving the stability of the transmission.

[0043] In some embodiments of the present invention, the loading element 15 is integrally formed on the chain link 10, and the loading element 15 is a hook or clip. Compared with the prior art, which requires additional independent load-bearing attachments to be installed on the chain, this embodiment directly integrates the loading element 15 onto the chain link 10 body, eliminating the need for any fasteners or assembly processes, simplifying the overall structure of the load-bearing chain 1 and reducing manufacturing costs. Simultaneously, the integral forming ensures the connection strength between the loading element 15 and the chain link 10, avoiding the risk of loosening or detachment that may occur due to separate assembly, making it particularly suitable for use scenarios in shipping devices where items need to be repeatedly loaded and unloaded. It should be noted that at least one chain link 10 is provided with the loading element 15, but not all chain links 10 need to be equipped with it; the configuration can be based on the actual spacing and quantity requirements of the shipped items.

[0044] When the loading component 15 is located on one side of the chain link 10 in the vertical direction, this spatial arrangement allows the loading component 15 to naturally extend to the side or downwards of the chain when the carrying chain 1 is wrapped around the sprocket. In practical applications, if the carrying chain 1 is in an upright position, the loading component 15 usually extends downwards to facilitate hanging items under gravity; if the carrying chain 1 is in a horizontal position, the loading component 15 extends to the side, suitable for horizontal conveying scenarios. The loading component 15 in this embodiment can be a hook or a clamp, and the choice between the two can be flexibly determined according to the shape of the specific goods being shipped and the picking method of the shipping device.

[0045] Understandably, the specific form of the loading component 15 is not limited to hooks and clips. For example, the loading component 15 can be a magnetic base, suction cup, elastic claw, storage tray, or tipping structure. The integral molding method of the loading component 15 and the link 10 is not limited to injection molding, but can also be die casting, metal powder injection molding, or 3D printing.

[0046] The present invention also proposes a shipping device 2, such as Figures 4 to 10 As shown, the shipping device 2 includes the aforementioned carrying chain 1, as well as a housing 3 and a drive assembly 4. The housing 3 has a port 31 on its side for the loading member 15 to pass through. The drive assembly 4 includes a drive component 41, a drive sprocket 42, and a driven sprocket 43. The drive component 41 and the drive sprocket 42 are connected in a driving transmission, and the drive sprocket 42 and the driven sprocket 43 are rotatably connected to the housing 3. The carrying chain 1 is arranged around the drive sprocket 42 and the driven sprocket 43, and meshes with both the drive sprocket 42 and the driven sprocket 43. The carrying chain 1 in this shipping device 2 refers to the above embodiment. Since this shipping device 2 adopts all the technical solutions of all the embodiments of the carrying chain 1 described above, it possesses at least all the beneficial effects brought about by the technical solutions of the above embodiments, which will not be elaborated further here.

[0047] The dispensing device 2 described in this embodiment has a wide range of applications. For example, in a game prize redemption machine, when the loading component 15 is a hook, it can hang small prizes (such as pendants or dolls); when the loading component 15 is a clip, it can hold flat items such as cards and packaging bags. In a vending machine, the loading component 15 can be designed as a tray or a tipping structure to carry bagged snacks, small daily necessities, etc. The specific form of the drive component 41 can be a stepper motor, a DC geared motor, or a servo motor, etc., selected according to the dispensing accuracy and speed requirements. The number and layout of the driving sprocket 42 and the driven sprocket 43 are not limited to a pair. Multiple tension wheels or guide wheels can be set according to the shape of the housing 3 and the winding path of the carrying chain 1. As long as the carrying chain 1 can form a closed loop and transmit power stably, it should be considered an equivalent evolution of this embodiment. It should be noted that in this embodiment, the housing 3 has a passage 31 on its side for the loading component 15 to pass through, and it is not required that the passage 31 be located in a unique position. The opening 31 can be located on the front, rear, left, or right side of the housing 3, depending on the design location of the loading port. The length and width of the opening 31 should match the movement trajectory and dimensions of the loading component 15 to ensure that the loading component 15 does not interfere with its passage. In some optimized designs, a flexible baffle or movable cover can be provided at the opening 31 to prevent foreign objects from entering the housing 3 while allowing the loading component 15 to pass smoothly. These additional features can be further added based on this embodiment without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0048] In some embodiments of the present invention, the carrying chain 1 is placed vertically inside the housing 3, with an opening 31 at the bottom of the housing 3. The housing 3 has a platform 32 on the side of the carrying chain 1, and a guide bar 5 is provided on the platform 32, abutting against the carrying chain 1 from the side or bottom. This vertical arrangement allows the loading item 15 to extend from the bottom opening 31 under the drive of the carrying chain 1, and the item falls or hangs naturally under gravity, making it particularly suitable for shipping scenarios requiring gravity-fed material dropping or hanging display. The guide bar 5 guides and constrains the movement trajectory of the carrying chain 1, suppressing lateral swaying or vertical jumping of the chain. The guide bar 5 can be a continuous elongated rib or a discrete guide structure composed of multiple spaced guide blocks; its material is preferably a self-lubricating material (such as polyoxymethylene, nylon, or ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene). The number of guide bars 5 is not limited to one; one can be provided on each side of the carrying chain 1 to form a double-sided guide.

[0049] Specifically, the housing 3 has a support portion 33 within the closed area enclosed by the support chain 1. The support portion 33 abuts against the support chain 1 and supports the vertical force on the middle of the support chain 1. In applications where the support chain 1 is placed vertically and has a large span, the weight of the support chain 1 itself and the weight of the items carried by the loading component 15 will cause downward vertical deformation in the middle of the chain. The support portion 33 provides upward support to the middle of the chain, offsetting or reducing the sagging and ensuring that the loading component 15 passes through the opening 31 in an accurate posture. The support portion 33 can be a support plate, support rib, or support block extending from the inner wall of the housing 3 into the closed area, or it can be a guide rail or bracket independently installed inside the housing 3; the contact between it and the support chain 1 can be sliding contact or rolling contact.

[0050] Specifically, the housing 3 has a mounting groove 34 at the same height as the driven sprocket 43. The driven sprocket 43 extends into the mounting groove 34 and is rotatably connected to the mounting groove 34 via a bearing 6. This modular installation method simplifies the assembly process, eliminating the need for additional bearings or complex alignment adjustments. The bearing 6 changes the contact between the driven sprocket 43 and the mounting groove 34 from sliding friction to rolling friction, reducing rotational resistance.

[0051] In some embodiments of the present invention, the drive component 41 is a geared motor, and the output end of the geared motor is rotatably connected to the drive sprocket 42 via a bearing 6. The geared motor is particularly suitable for shipping devices 2 that require precise control of the shipping rhythm or carry heavy items, as it has a compact structure and occupies little space.

[0052] The following content serves as an explanation of the working principle of this invention:

[0053] When the machine is not in use, the load-bearing chain 1 is wrapped between the driving sprocket 42 and the driven sprocket 43 and housed inside the housing 3. If the load-bearing chain 1 is placed vertically, the loading component 15 naturally points downwards, and the opening 31 is located at the bottom; if it is placed horizontally, the loading component 15 points to the side, and the opening 31 is located on the side. The user can select the type of loading component 15 and the direction of the opening 31 according to the shape of the goods being shipped.

[0054] When a shipping operation is required, the drive unit 41 is activated, and its output end drives the drive sprocket 42 to rotate. The drive sprocket 42 drives the carrying chain 1 to move along a circular path by engaging with the carrying chain 1 (e.g., with the extended portion of the pivot 12 or other engaging structures on the chain link 10). The loading component 15 on the chain link 10 moves synchronously with the carrying chain 1. When the loading component 15 moves to the opening 31 on the side or bottom of the housing 3, the loading component 15 extends out of the opening 31. For the hook-type loading component 15, the items suspended on it fall naturally under gravity or move to the picking position with the hook; for the clamp-type loading component 15, the clamped items are released at the opening 31 or can be picked up by the user. Since the carrying chain 1 is arranged in a circular manner, the loading component 15 circulates through the opening 31 driven by the carrying chain 1, enabling continuous one-by-one shipping.

[0055] During the movement of the carrying chain 1, if a guide bar 5 and a support part 33 are provided, the guide bar 5 abuts against the carrying chain 1 from the side or bottom, suppressing the lateral swaying or vertical jump of the chain; the support part 33 supports the middle of the chain upward in the closed area enclosed by the carrying chain 1, counteracting the sagging deformation caused by its own weight and the weight of the item, ensuring that the loaded item 15 always passes through the opening 31 in an accurate posture. The driven sprocket 43 is rotatably connected to the mounting groove 34 of the housing 3 via a bearing 6, and passively rotates with the movement of the carrying chain 1, maintaining the tension and smooth operation of the chain. The hook part 11 between adjacent chain links 10 is engaged with the pivot part 12 and can swing relative to each other, allowing the chain to pass smoothly through the arc section of the driving sprocket 42 and the driven sprocket 43. The dimension of the transition position (narrowest point) between the opening 111 and the hook cavity 112 is less than or equal to the radial dimension of the pivot portion 12, making it difficult for the pivot portion 12 to disengage. The opening 111 expands from the inside out, serving as a guide during engagement. The stepped spatial layout causes the area of ​​the hook portion 11 to extend axially upwards from the pivot portion 12, overlapping with the pivot portion 12 of the adjacent link 10, and the hook portion 11 areas of two adjacent links 10 are approximately flush. The limiting portion 14 abuts against the hook portion 11 when the links 10 swing to their limit angle, limiting the swing amplitude. If the links 10 have hook portions 11 and pivot portions 12 on both sides of the pivot portion 12, the chain is more evenly stressed in the width direction, and the assembly is non-directional.

[0056] When maintenance or replacement of the load-bearing chain 1 is required, the user can manually detach the hook part 11 from the pivot part 12 to achieve quick disassembly and assembly of the chain link 10.

[0057] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the patent scope of the present invention. Any equivalent structural transformations made using the contents of the present invention's specification and drawings under the inventive concept of the present invention, or direct / indirect applications in other related technical fields, are included within the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A load-bearing chain (1), composed of several chain links (10) connected together, characterized in that: The link (10) includes a hook (11) and a pivot (12). Two adjacent links (10) are detachably engaged and connected by the hook (11) and the pivot (12) and can swing relative to each other. At least one link (10) is provided with a loading member (15).

2. The load-bearing chain (1) as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The hook portion (11) defines a hook cavity (112) with an opening (111) on one side, and the size of the transition position between the opening (111) and the hook cavity (112) is less than or equal to the radial size of the pivot portion (12).

3. The load-bearing chain (1) as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The opening (111) of the hook part (11) expands from the inside to the outside.

4. The load-bearing chain (1) as described in claim 3, characterized in that: At least one side of the opening (111) expands outward in the form of an arc surface, a slope, or a combination of an arc surface and a slope.

5. The load-bearing chain (1) as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The area where the pivot portion (12) of the link (10) is located and the area where the hook portion (11) of the link (10) is located are arranged in a stepped manner in the axial direction of the pivot portion (12), and the area of ​​the hook portion (11) extends out of the area where the pivot portion (12) of the link (10) is located in the axial direction of the pivot portion (12).

6. The load-bearing chain (1) as described in claim 5, characterized in that: The hook part (11) is formed by a hook body that extends in an arc shape from one end of the link (10). The step surface (13) formed by the area where the pivot part (12) of the link (10) is located and the area where the hook part (11) of the link (10) is located is an arc surface that matches the front end face of the hook part (11). When adjacent links (10) are detachably engaged, the area where the pivot part (12) of the link (10) is located and the area where the hook part (11) of the link (10) is located overlaps at least partially, and the areas where the hook parts (11) of two adjacent links (10) are located are flush or approximately flush.

7. The load-bearing chain (1) as described in claim 6, characterized in that: The end of the stepped surface (13) extends a limiting part (14) for limiting the swing amplitude of the pivot part (12) of the hook part (11) relative to the adjacent link (10).

8. The load-bearing chain (1) as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The link (10) has a hook (11) and a pivot (12) on both sides of the pivot (12) in the axial direction.

9. The load-bearing chain (1) as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The loading component (15) is integrally formed on the chain link (10), and the loading component (15) is a hook or a clip.

10. A shipping device (2) having a carrying chain (1) as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The device includes a housing (3), a drive assembly (4), and a load-bearing chain (1) as described in claims 1-9. The housing (3) has a through-hole (31) on its side for the loading component (15) to extend outward. The drive assembly (4) includes a drive component (41), a drive sprocket (42), and a driven sprocket (43). The drive component (41) and the drive sprocket (42) are connected in a transmission. The drive sprocket (42) and the driven sprocket (43) are rotatably connected to the housing (3). The load-bearing chain (1) is arranged around the drive sprocket (42) and the driven sprocket (43) and meshes with the drive sprocket (42) and the driven sprocket (43) respectively.

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