Engaging chain

Abstract

Provided is an engaging chain capable of ensuring load resistance performance against a large local force, and capable of reducing frictional loss and noise during engagement, improving safety, and prolonging the life of the chain. Specifically, the engaging chain has a pair of an inner chain member (120) and an outer chain member (130) that are driven to be advanced and retracted and engaged with each other, a first distance between link pins (125) of the inner chain member (120) is smaller than a second distance between link pins (135) of the outer chain member (130), and at least one of the inner chain member (120) and the outer chain member (130) includes a specific pair of links configured such that a total plate thickness in a chain width direction on an engaging portion (111) is thinner than a total plate thickness in the chain width direction on a linking portion (115).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an interlocking chain having at least a pair of chain components capable of forward and backward movement, which interlock and become integrated by moving the pair of chain components forward, and disengage and branch by moving the chain components backward from the integrated interlocking state. Background Technology

[0002] Previously, there was a known meshing chain in which multiple pairs of chain components capable of moving forward and backward meshed and merged together as they moved in the forward direction, and disengaged and branched as they moved backward from this merged meshing state.

[0003] As such a meshing chain, there is a known type of meshing chain (hereinafter also referred to as an "arc chain") that allows a movable body connected to the forward-direction end of the meshing chain to move along a curved movement trajectory (see, for example, Patent Document 1, etc.). In an arc chain, when paired chain members mesh and integrate with each other as they move in the forward direction, the chain member on the side with the smaller distance between a pair of pin holes on the link plate constituting that chain member is positioned on the inner circumferential side, forming a curved, integrated shape. Thus, it can move forward and backward along a curved movement trajectory with a predetermined curvature corresponding to the curved shape.

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 6814861 Summary of the Invention

[0006] A direct-drive meshing chain is a structure in which the load is transferred between the chain links in the release direction without applying a load to the connecting pin, and is configured to generate a large force in the compression direction.

[0007] However, on an arc-shaped chain that extends outwards in a curved form, as the chain is extended further outwards, the angle between the direction of extension and the direction of the load received from the top increases, resulting in bending deformation. The result, for example, is... Figure 13 As shown (exaggerated depiction with bending deformation), the curved chain 210 has sections where forces are applied in the compressive direction and sections where forces are applied in the tensile direction. Specifically, excessive tensile stress is generated locally around the pin holes in the forward and backward movement direction of the curved chain 210. This significantly reduces the durability of the curved chain 210.

[0008] Although the claws of the chain link plate are elements that bear the load when subjected to compressive load, the compressive load generated on the claws is relatively small on curved chains.

[0009] Therefore, when all link plates are configured with claws, as in the meshing chain described in Patent Document 1, the number of claws exceeds the required number, resulting in excess weight. This leads to increased weight and greater resistance during meshing, which in turn increases the thrust required to extend and retract the chain, thereby increasing the motor load.

[0010] Furthermore, when using a meshing chain, for example, as a drive unit for opening and closing truck flaps, the center of gravity of the truck is raised because the movable body moving mechanism containing the meshing chain is located on the upper part of the truck bed. Therefore, when the weight of the movable body moving mechanism containing the meshing chain is large, the rollover moment will increase, for example, when the truck is turning left or right, driving in a serpentine manner, or when subjected to lateral loads due to strong winds or gusts, posing a risk of the truck easily overturning.

[0011] This invention is designed to solve these problems. The technical problem to be solved is to provide a meshing chain that can ensure load-bearing performance under localized maximum tensile force, and can reduce friction loss and noise during meshing, improve safety, and extend service life.

[0012] This invention relates to an interlocking chain having at least one pair of inner chain members and outer chain members capable of forward and backward movement. The paired inner chain members and outer chain members mesh and integrate with each other by moving in the forward direction. Furthermore, from this integrated meshing state, the inner chain members and outer chain members disengage and separate by moving in the backward direction. The problem can be solved by configuring each inner chain member and outer chain member as follows: a plurality of first link plates with a pair of first pin holes are arranged in the forward and backward movement direction, and a plurality of second link plates with a pair of second pin holes are arranged in the same direction, such that the first pin hole of one of the first link plates is adjacent to the first link plate in the forward and backward movement direction. When the second pin holes on the other side of the second link plate are connected in series in an overlapping manner, the connecting pins passing through the first pin holes and the second pin holes are rotatably connected. The first distance between the connecting pins arranged in the forward and backward movement direction on the inner chain member is smaller than the second distance between the connecting pins arranged in the forward and backward movement direction on the outer chain member. When the first link plate and the second link plate adjacent in the forward and backward movement direction are regarded as a link pair, at least one of the pair of chain members includes a specific link pair. The specific link pair is configured such that the total thickness of the plate in the chain width direction on the meshing portion where the pair of chain members mesh with each other is thinner than the total thickness of the plate in the chain width direction on the connecting portion connected by the connecting pin.

[0013] According to the present invention, basically, for each connecting portion on the inner chain component and the outer chain component, by sufficiently ensuring the thickness of each link plate, it is possible to reduce the stress generated around the first pin hole and the second pin hole of each link plate on each of the inner chain component and the outer chain component. Furthermore, since specific link pairs are included, wherein the total thickness of the plates in the chain width direction on the meshing portion of the chain component is thinner than the total thickness of the plates in the chain width direction on the connecting portion, the contact area between the meshing portions can be reduced when the meshing portion on one chain component engages with the meshing portion on the other chain component, thereby reducing friction and noise during engagement.

[0014] Furthermore, the lightweight design of the chain components reduces the thrust of the drive source required to move the meshing chain forward and backward. This allows for the use of a smaller drive source while reducing the load on the drive source and extending its lifespan, and also enables the lightweighting of the movable body movement mechanism itself that utilizes the meshing chain. Moreover, the lightweight meshing chain, for example when used as a drive unit for opening and closing truck winglets, reduces the rollover moment caused by lateral loads on the truck. This mitigates the risk of truck rollover and improves safety.

[0015] By using a link plate with a thickness that is thinner than that of the plate body, a specific link pair can be formed, which can stably maintain the inner and outer chain components in a bent, integrated meshing state.

[0016] Because the first link plate includes a link plate with a thickness different from that of the second link plate, the total contact area of ​​the contact surfaces of the first link plate of the outer chain member in contact with the first link plate of the inner chain member during engagement can be made equal to the total contact area of ​​the contact surfaces of the second link plate of the outer chain member in contact with the second link plate of the inner chain member during engagement, without changing the side view shape of the contact surfaces. Therefore, the load-bearing capacity of the first link plates is equal to that of the second link plates, resulting in higher load-bearing capacity in the compression direction and maximizing the driving force per occupied space.

[0017] By making the third distance from the end edge of the inner chain component opposite to the outer chain component to the central axis of the connecting pin on the inner chain component greater than the fourth distance from the end edge of the outer chain component opposite to the inner chain component to the central axis of the connecting pin on the outer chain component, the load-bearing capacity of the inner chain component, which generates localized maximum tension near the end of the bending section, can be improved. Thus, even during large bends or long releases, damage to the chain link plates can be prevented. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing the deployment of the meshing chain, illustrating an example of a movable body moving mechanism using a meshing chain according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 It means Figure 1 An enlarged front view of the structure near the drive section of the movable body moving mechanism shown.

[0020] Figure 3It is a three-dimensional view of a portion of the meshing chain, representing the meshing state, as viewed from the inner chain component side.

[0021] Figure 4 It is a three-dimensional view of a portion of the meshing chain, representing the meshing state, as viewed from the side of the outer chain component.

[0022] Figure 5 It is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of the inner chain components.

[0023] Figure 6 It is an exploded three-dimensional diagram showing the structure of the outer chain component.

[0024] Figure 7 This is an explanatory diagram showing the first distance between the central axes of adjacent connecting pins of the inner chain component and the second distance between the central axes of adjacent connecting pins of the outer chain component.

[0025] Figure 8 This is an explanatory diagram showing the plate thickness of each link plate in a specific pair of links that make up the inner chain component.

[0026] Figure 9 This is an explanatory diagram showing the plate thickness of each link plate in a specific pair of links that make up the outer chain component.

[0027] Figure 10 This is a perspective view showing a portion of the meshing state of the meshing chain involved in other embodiments of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 11 This is an explanatory diagram showing the plate thickness of each link plate in a specific pair of links that make up the inner chain component.

[0029] Figure 12 This is an explanatory diagram showing the plate thickness of each link plate in a specific pair of links that make up the outer chain component.

[0030] Figure 13 It is an exaggeration diagram showing the bending deformation of the meshing chain.

[0031] Symbol Explanation

[0032] 100 - Movable body movement mechanism; 101 - Joint link; 105 - Movable body; 110 - Engaging chain; 210 - Arc-shaped chain (engaging chain); 111 - Engaging part; 115 - Connecting part; 120 - Inner chain component; 121 - First link plate; 122 - Inner outer plate; 123 - Inner middle plate; 124 - First pin hole; 125 - Connecting pin; 126 - Second link plate; 127 - Inner inner plate; 128 - Second pin Hole; 130 - Outer chain component; 131 - First link plate; 132 - Outer outer plate; 133 - Outer middle plate; 134 - First pin hole; 135 - Connecting pin; 136 - Second link plate; 137 - Outer inner plate; 138 - Second pin hole; 140 - Drive unit; 141 - Pin guide; 142 - Guide groove; 143 - Inner guide; 144 - Outer guide; 145 - Drive sprocket; Pb - Plate body; Pc - Claw. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, illustrates a movable body moving mechanism that uses an engaging chain and an engaging chain to move a movable body according to one embodiment of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

[0034] Additionally, in this manual, "forward and backward movement direction" refers to the direction in which the meshing chain extends, and "width direction" refers to the direction of the central axis of the connecting pin. Furthermore, in this manual, "front and back" refers to the "front and back" of the "forward and backward movement direction".

[0035] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the movable body moving mechanism 100 includes: a meshing chain 110, which can move forward and backward along a curved moving trajectory with a predetermined curvature; a drive unit 140, which is fixedly disposed on the base end side of the meshing chain 110; and a movable body 105, which is connected to the end of the top end side of the meshing chain 110 via a joint link 101.

[0036] The meshing chain 110 has a pair of inner chain parts 120 and outer chain parts 130 that are capable of meshing with each other.

[0037] The meshing chain 110 is configured such that the paired inner chain members 120 and outer chain members 130 mesh with each other and become integrated by moving in the forward direction. On the other hand, from this integrated meshing state, the inner chain members 120 and outer chain members 130 disengage from each other and diverge by moving in the backward direction.

[0038] like Figure 5As shown, the inner chain component 120 includes: a first link plate 121, comprising a pair of inner outer plates 122 in the width direction having a pair of front and rear first pin holes 124, and a plurality of inner intermediate plates 123 disposed between the pair of inner outer plates 122 in the width direction and having a pair of front and rear first pin holes 124; and a second link plate 126, comprising a plurality of inner inner plates 127 having a pair of front and rear second pin holes 128.

[0039] The inner outer plate 122, the inner middle plate 123, and the inner inner plate 127 are configured such that, in a series configuration where the first pin holes 124, 124 on each of the inner outer plate 122 and the inner middle plate 123 overlap with the second pin hole 128 on the inner inner plate 127 adjacent in the forward and backward movement direction, the connecting pins 125 passing through the first pin holes 124, 124, and the second pin holes 128 are rotatably connected, thereby allowing the first link plate 121 and the second link plate 126 to bend alternately in the forward and backward movement direction.

[0040] The connecting pin 125 is configured to protrude to both sides in the width direction.

[0041] The inner outer plate 122, inner middle plate 123, and inner inner plate 127 of the inner chain component 120 are configured with the same outer peripheral contour shape, having: a plate body portion Pb in a generally rectangular plate shape with arc-shaped ends in the forward and backward movement direction; and a hook-shaped claw portion Pc connected to one side edge of the plate body portion Pb (the side edge of the outer chain component 130 side) and facing the forward direction. A pair of first pin holes 124 are formed on the plate body portion Pb on the inner outer plate 122 and the inner middle plate 123, and a pair of second pin holes 128 are formed on the plate body portion Pb on the inner inner plate 127.

[0042] like Figure 6 As shown, the outer chain component 130 includes: a first link plate 131, comprising a pair of outer outer plates 132 in the width direction having a pair of front and rear first pin holes 134, and a plurality of outer intermediate plates 133 disposed between the pair of outer outer plates 132 in the width direction and having a pair of front and rear first pin holes 134; and a second link plate 136, comprising a plurality of outer inner plates 137 having a pair of front and rear second pin holes 138.

[0043] The outer outer plate 132, the outer middle plate 133, and the outer inner plate 137 are configured such that, in a series configuration with the first pin hole 134, 134 on one side of the outer outer plate 132 and the second pin hole 138 on the other side of the outer inner plate 137 adjacent in the forward and backward movement direction, the connecting pin 135 passing through the first pin hole 134, 134 and the second pin hole 138 are rotatably connected, thereby allowing the first link plate 131 and the second link plate 136 to bend alternately in the forward and backward movement direction.

[0044] The connecting pin 135 is configured to protrude to both sides in the width direction.

[0045] The outer outer plate 132, outer intermediate plate 133, and outer inner plate 137 of the outer chain component 130 are configured with the same outer peripheral contour shape, having: a generally rectangular plate body Pb with arc-shaped ends in the forward and backward movement direction; and a hook-shaped claw Pc connected to the other side edge of the plate body Pb (the side edge of the inner chain component 120) and facing the backward direction. A pair of first pin holes 134 are formed on the plate body Pb on the outer outer plate 132 and the outer intermediate plate 133, and a pair of second pin holes 138 are formed on the plate body Pb on the outer inner plate 137.

[0046] Although Figures 1 to 6 In the embodiment shown, each of the first link plates 121, 131 and the second link plates 126, 136 in the inner chain component 120 and the outer chain component 130 is formed by overlapping two plate elements, but it is also possible to overlap two or more plate elements to form each link plate, and it can also be formed by a single plate element with thickness.

[0047] Because the link plates 121, 131 and 126, 136 are stacked, or the plate elements constituting each link plate have sufficient thickness, the tensile load causing the flexural deformation of the meshing chain 110 can be distributed across multiple link plates. Therefore, excessive stress generated around the first pin hole 124 and the second pin hole 134 on each link plate of the inner chain member 120 and the outer chain member 130 can be reduced.

[0048] like Figure 2As shown, the drive unit 140 includes: a pin guide 141 disposed on both sides of the meshing chain 110, and provided with guide grooves 142, 142 for guiding connecting pins 125, 135; an inner guide 143 for guiding the end edge of the inner chain member 120 opposite to the outer chain member 130; an outer guide 144 for guiding the end edge of the outer chain member 130 opposite to the inner chain member 120; and a drive sprocket 145 that engages with the connecting pin 125 of the inner chain member 120 for driving.

[0049] The drive sprocket 145 is configured to rotate in both directions and is configured to engage with the portions of the connecting pin 125 of the inner chain member 120 that protrude in the width direction within the range in which the inner chain member 120 moves along a curved trajectory to engage with the outer chain member 130.

[0050] The drive unit 140 is configured such that by using a motor (not shown) to rotate the drive sprocket 145 in the forward direction, the inner chain member 120 and the outer chain member 130 housed in the housing (not shown) are guided to the guide grooves 142, 142, and the meshing chain 110, which is engaged and integrated at the same time, is released. By rotating the drive sprocket 145 in the reverse direction, the inner chain member 120 and the outer chain member 130 are separated and housed in their respective housings in the drive unit 140.

[0051] like Figure 7 As shown, the first distance P1 between the central axes of the adjacent connecting pins 125 of the inner chain member 120 is set to be smaller than the second distance P2 between the central axes of the adjacent connecting pins 135 of the outer chain member 130. As a result, when the inner chain member 120 and the outer chain member 130 are engaged, the engaging chain 110 becomes a shape that bends toward the inner chain member 120, and the movable body 105 can move forward and backward along the curved trajectory.

[0052] Furthermore, the third distance W1 from the end edge of the inner outer plate 122 of the inner chain member 120 opposite to the side of the outer chain member 130 to the central axis of the connecting pin 125 is set to be greater than the fourth distance W2 from the end edge of the outer outer plate 132 of the outer chain member 130 opposite to the side of the inner chain member 120 to the central axis of the connecting pin 135.

[0053] The relationship between the inner middle plate 123 and the outer middle plate 133, as well as the relationship between the inner inner plate 127 and the outer inner plate 137, are the same.

[0054] Therefore, as Figure 13As shown, even when there is a localized great tension near the end of the bending section, by improving the load-bearing capacity of the inner chain component 120 against the tension, damage to the inner chain component 120 can be prevented even with large bending or long release.

[0055] In the meshing chain 110 of this embodiment, the inner chain member 120 is configured such that, when the first link plate 121 and the second link plate 126 adjacent in the forward and backward movement direction are used as link pairs, it includes a specific link pair (hereinafter referred to as a "plate thickness change link pair"). The specific link pair is configured such that the total plate thickness in the chain width direction of the meshing portion where the inner chain member 120 and the outer chain member 130 mesh with each other is thinner than the total plate thickness in the chain width direction of the connecting portion connected by the connecting pin 125. At the same time, the outer chain member 130 is configured such that, when the first link plate 131 and the second link plate 136 adjacent in the forward and backward movement direction are used as link pairs, it includes a plate thickness change link pair.

[0056] like Figure 8 As shown, in this embodiment, the inner intermediate plate 123 and inner inner plate 127 of the inner chain component 120 are respectively composed of chain link plates with certain plate thicknesses dm and di, and the inner outer plate 122 is composed of a plate thickness-changing chain link plate. The plate thickness-changing chain link plate is configured such that the total plate thickness dpc of the claw portions Pc of the two plate elements is less than the plate thickness dpb of the plate body portion Pb. Thus, a plate thickness-changing chain link pair is formed, wherein the total plate thickness in the chain width direction on the meshing portion 111 composed of the claw portions Pc of each chain link plate is less than the total plate thickness in the chain width direction on the connecting portion 115 composed of the plate body portion Pb of each chain link plate.

[0057] Similarly, as Figure 9 As shown, the outer middle plate 133 and the outer inner plate 137 of the outer chain component 130 are respectively composed of chain link plates with certain plate thicknesses dm and di. The outer outer plate 132 is composed of a plate thickness-changing chain link plate. The plate thickness-changing chain link plate is configured such that the total plate thickness dpc of the claw portions Pc of the two plate elements is less than the plate thickness dpb of the plate body portion Pb. Thus, a plate thickness-changing chain link pair is formed, wherein the total plate thickness in the chain width direction on the meshing portion 111 formed by the claw portions Pc of each chain link plate is less than the total plate thickness in the chain width direction on the connecting portion 115 formed by the plate body portion Pb of each chain link plate.

[0058] Furthermore, on the inner chain member 120, the first link plate includes a link plate with a thickness different from that of the second link plate. In this embodiment, the thickness dpb of the plate body portion Pb on the inner outer plate 122 of the first link plate 121 and the thickness dm of the inner middle plate 123 of the first link plate 121 are the same as each other, and are different from the thickness di of the inner inner plate 127 of the second link plate 126. The same applies to the outer chain member 130.

[0059] Since the first link plate 121 includes a link plate with a thickness different from that of the second link plate 126, the total contact area of ​​the contact surface between the first link plate 121 of the inner chain member 120 and the first link plate 131 of the outer chain member 130 when engaged can be made equal to the total contact area of ​​the contact surface between the second link plate 126 of the inner chain member 120 and the second link plate 136 of the outer chain member 130 when engaged, without changing the side view shape of the contact surface. Therefore, the load-bearing capacity of the first link plates 121 and 131 can be made equal to that of the second link plates 126 and 136, resulting in higher load-bearing capacity in the compression direction and maximizing the driving force per occupied space.

[0060] Furthermore, according to the meshing chain 110 configured as described above, by sufficiently ensuring the thickness of each link plate on the connecting portions 115 of each link plate on the inner chain member 120 and the outer chain member 130, it is possible to reduce the stress generated around the first pin holes 124 and 134 and the second pin holes 128 and 138 of each link plate on the inner chain member 120 and the outer chain member 130. Moreover, since both the inner chain member 120 and the outer chain member 130 include link pairs with varying plate thicknesses, when the meshing portions 111 on the inner chain member 120 and the meshing portions 111 on the outer chain member 130 are engaged, the contact area between the meshing portions 111 can be reduced, thereby reducing friction and noise during engagement.

[0061] Furthermore, since the inner chain component 120 and the outer chain component 130 can be made lighter, the thrust of the drive source required to move the meshing chain 110 forward and backward can be reduced. Therefore, while reducing the load on the drive source and achieving a longer service life, a smaller drive source can be used, and the movable body movement mechanism 100 using the meshing chain 110 itself can be made lighter. Moreover, by making the meshing chain 110 lighter, for example when used as a drive unit for opening and closing truck wing panels, the rollover moment caused by the load generated in the left and right directions of the truck can be reduced. Thus, the risk of truck rollover can be reduced, and safety can be improved.

[0062] While one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above configuration.

[0063] For example, although in the above embodiment both the outer chain component and the inner chain component are configured to include a plate thickness change link pair, either the outer chain component or the inner chain component can also be configured to include a plate thickness change link pair.

[0064] Furthermore, although in the above embodiment, all link pairs on each of the outer chain component and the inner chain component are composed of plate thickness variation link pairs, it is also possible that a portion of the link pairs are composed of plate thickness variation link pairs.

[0065] Furthermore, although in the above embodiment, the plate thickness variation link pair is formed by using a plate thickness variation link plate to form the outer plate, the plate thickness variation link pair can also be formed by using a plate thickness variation link plate to form the middle plate or the inner plate, or by using a plate thickness variation link plate to form two types of link plates selected from the outer plate, the middle plate, and the inner plate.

[0066] Furthermore, although in the above embodiments, a specific link pair is formed by using link plates with varying plate thicknesses to construct at least one type of link plate among the outer plate, middle plate, and inner plate, a specific link pair can also be formed by using link plates without claws to construct at least one type of link plate among the outer plate, middle plate, and inner plate. Figures 10-12 The image shows an example of the configuration of such an interlocking chain.

[0067] like Figure 11 As shown, the inner chain component 120 of the meshing chain 110 according to this embodiment is configured such that the inner outer plate 122, the inner middle plate 123, and the inner inner plate 127 are each composed of link plates having certain plate thicknesses dpb, dm, and di, and the inner outer plate 122 does not have a claw portion Pc. Thus, a specific link pair is formed, wherein the total plate thickness in the chain width direction on the meshing portion 111, which is only composed of the claw portions Pc of the inner middle plate 123 and the inner inner plate 127, is less than the total plate thickness in the chain width direction on the connecting portion 115, which is composed of the plate body portions Pb of each link plate.

[0068] Similarly, as Figure 12As shown, the outer chain component 130 is configured such that the outer outer plate 132, the outer middle plate 133, and the outer inner plate 137 are each composed of link plates having certain plate thicknesses dpb, dm, and di, respectively, and the outer outer plate 132 does not have a claw portion Pc. Thus, a specific link pair is formed, wherein the total plate thickness in the chain width direction on the meshing portion 111 formed only by the claw portions Pc of the outer middle plate 133 and the outer inner plate 137 is less than the total plate thickness in the chain width direction on the connecting portion 115 formed by the plate body portions Pb of each link plate.

[0069] The meshing chain involved in this embodiment may also be configured such that either the outer chain component or the inner chain component includes a link pair with varying plate thickness, and a specific link pair may also be used to form part of the link pair. Furthermore, a specific link pair may be formed by using a link plate without claws to form the middle plate or the inner plate, or by using a link plate without claws to form two types of link plates selected from the outer plate, the middle plate, and the inner plate.

[0070] Furthermore, although in the above embodiment, all link plates of the outer and intermediate plates on the first link plate are configured such that the thickness of the plate body portion is different from the thickness of the plate body portion of the second link plate, it is also possible to configure a portion of the link plates of the outer and intermediate plates such that the thickness of the plate body portion is different from the thickness of the plate body portion of the second link plate. That is, it is not necessary for all link plates of the outer and intermediate plates to have the same thickness. The same applies to the second link plate.

[0071] In addition, the meshing chain can also be composed of two or more pairs of inner chain components and outer chain components.

Claims

1. A meshing chain having at least one pair of inner chain members and outer chain members capable of forward and backward movement, wherein the pair of inner chain members and outer chain members mesh and become integrated with each other by moving in a forward direction, and, from this integrated meshing state, the inner chain members and outer chain members disengage and diverge by moving in a backward direction, characterized in that, The inner chain component and the outer chain component are each configured such that, in the forward and backward movement direction, a plurality of first chain link plates having a pair of first pin holes and a plurality of second chain link plates having a pair of second pin holes are arranged in series, with one of the first pin holes on the first chain link plate overlapping the other of the second pin hole on the adjacent second chain link plate in the forward and backward movement direction, and are rotatably connected by a connecting pin passing through the first pin hole and the second pin hole. The first distance between the connecting pins arranged in the forward and backward movement direction on the inner chain component is smaller than the second distance between the connecting pins arranged in the forward and backward movement direction on the outer chain component. When the first link plate and the second link plate adjacent to each other in the forward and backward movement direction are regarded as a link pair, at least one of the paired inner chain components and the paired outer chain components includes a specific link pair, which is configured such that the total thickness of the plate in the chain width direction on the meshing portion where the paired inner chain components and the paired outer chain components mesh with each other is thinner than the total thickness of the plate in the chain width direction on the connecting portion connected by the connecting pin.

2. The meshing chain according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first link plate includes a pair of outer plates in the width direction and an intermediate plate disposed between the outer plates. The second link plate includes a plurality of inner plates disposed between the outer plate and the intermediate plate, or disposed between the outer plate and the intermediate plate and between the intermediate plates. The outer plate, the middle plate, and the inner plate each have a plate body portion constituting the connecting portion and a claw portion constituting the engaging portion. At least one of the outer plate, the middle plate, and the inner plate in the specific link pair is formed such that the thickness of the claw portion is thinner than the thickness of the plate body portion.

3. The meshing chain according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first link plate includes a link plate having a thickness different from that of the second link plate.

4. The meshing chain according to claim 1, characterized in that, The third distance from the end edge of the inner chain member opposite to that of the outer chain member to the central axis of the connecting pin on the inner chain member is greater than the fourth distance from the end edge of the outer chain member opposite to that of the inner chain member to the central axis of the connecting pin on the outer chain member.

Images