Chain conveyor with adjustable balance weight

Abstract

The chain conveyor comprises a driving unit, a load unit, a balance weight unit, a frame unit and a chain, the driving unit drives the load unit and the balance weight unit to move up and down in the frame unit through the chain, and the load unit and the balance weight unit are connected through the chain and have opposite movement trends. The elevator has the advantages that the weight of the load unit in the elevator is balanced by additionally arranging the counterweight unit, the output capacity needed by the driving unit is reduced, the cost of the driving unit is reduced, meanwhile, the counterweight unit with the adjustable weight is adopted, and the weight of the elevator is adjusted. The elevator is simple in structure and suitable for the working condition environment with large load weight change, the requirement for the output capacity of the driving unit is further lowered, meanwhile, the closed-loop chain connecting mode is adopted, and abnormal sound generated by equipment internal collision or chain non-tensioning in the working process of the elevator is effectively avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application is applied to the field of automated conveying, and specifically relates to a chain conveyor with adjustable counterweight. Background Art

[0002] Elevators are commonly used conveying devices in the field of automated conveying, used to move loads from a conveyor line at one height to a conveyor line at another height. In the existing technology, when the load is heavy, the torque requirement for the drive motor is high, which increases the cost. At the same time, during the process of the elevator lifting the load, vibration or impact may occur, affecting the device. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of the above reasons, the present application discloses a chain conveyor with adjustable counterweight, including a drive unit, a load unit, a counterweight unit, a frame unit and a chain. The drive unit drives the load unit and the counterweight unit to move up and down in the frame unit through the chain. The load unit and the counterweight unit are connected through the chain and have opposite movement tendencies. The weight of the counterweight unit can be adaptively adjusted according to the weight of the load unit.

[0004] Preferably, a first double-row sprocket is provided at the upper end of the first side of the frame unit, and a first single-row sprocket is provided at the upper end of the second side of the frame unit, the first side and the second side are opposite sides, the chain includes a first chain and a second chain, one end of the first chain is connected to the upper end of the counterweight unit, the other end of the first chain is passed around the first double-row sprocket and the first single-row sprocket and then connected to the load unit near the upper end of the second side, one end of the second chain is connected to the upper end of the counterweight unit, the other end of the second chain is passed around the first double-row sprocket and then connected to the load unit near the upper end of the first side, and the driving unit drives the first double-row sprocket to rotate.

[0005] Preferably, a second double-row sprocket is provided at the lower end of the first side of the frame unit, and a second single-row sprocket is provided at the lower end of the second side of the frame unit. The chain also includes a third chain and a fourth chain. One end of the third chain is connected to the lower end of the counterweight unit, and the other end of the third chain is connected to the load unit near the lower end of the second side after passing through the second double-row sprocket and the second single-row sprocket. One end of the fourth chain is connected to the lower end of the counterweight unit, and the other end of the fourth chain is connected to the load unit near the lower end of the first side after passing through the second double-row sprocket.

[0006] Preferably, the counterweight unit includes a manual counterweight mechanism, which includes a counterweight frame and a counterweight plate. The counterweight frame has a horizontally open accommodating portion, and several counterweight plates can be stacked in the accommodating portion. The number of the counterweight plates is positively correlated with the weight of the load unit.

[0007] Preferably, one side of the weight plate has a notch portion, and when a plurality of the weight plates are stacked on the accommodating portion, adjacent stacked notches are stacked in a staggered manner in a vertical direction.

[0008] Preferably, the counterweight unit also includes an electrically controlled counterweight mechanism, which includes a first electromagnet, a second electromagnet and a supplementary counterweight block. The first electromagnet is arranged at the lower end of the counterweight frame, and the second electromagnet is arranged at the lower end of the first side of the frame unit. The supplementary counterweight block is adsorbed on the first electromagnet or the second electromagnet according to the power supply status of the first electromagnet and the second electromagnet.

[0009] Preferably, the driving unit includes a motor and a driving shaft, the driving shaft is horizontally connected to the first double-row sprocket, and the motor is connected to the driving shaft.

[0010] Preferably, it also includes a maintenance limit mechanism, which includes a limit plate, a positioning pin and a pin seat. The limit plate is arranged at one end of the drive shaft and rotates coaxially with the drive shaft. A limit hole is provided at an eccentric position of the limit plate. The pin seat is arranged on the frame unit. The positioning pin can be inserted into the pin seat and pass through the limit hole, thereby limiting the rotation of the drive shaft.

[0011] Preferably, a first vertical slide rail is provided on the first side of the frame unit, and the counterweight unit is connected to the first slide rail and is arranged on the first side of the frame unit.

[0012] Preferably, the frame unit is provided with a second vertical slide rail, and the load unit is arranged in the frame unit in cooperation with the second slide rail.

[0013] The advantage of this application is that by adding a counterweight unit to balance the weight of the load unit in the conveyor, the output capacity required by the drive unit is reduced, and the cost of the drive unit is reduced. At the same time, the use of an adjustable weight counterweight unit is suitable for working environments with large changes in load weight, further reducing the output capacity requirements of the drive unit. At the same time, a closed-loop chain connection method is adopted to effectively avoid abnormal noise caused by internal collision of the equipment or loose chain during the operation of the conveyor.

[0014] Other specific features and specific advantages of the present application will be described in the subsequent description, or some features and advantages can be inferred or determined without doubt from the description, or can be learned by practicing the above-mentioned technology of the present disclosure.

[0015] In order to make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present application more obvious and easy to understand, preferred embodiments are given below and described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] In order to more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the specific embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this application.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a top view of the structure of this application.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the rear structure of the hidden frame unit of this application.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a simplified schematic diagram of the partial structure of the chain, counterweight unit and load unit of this application.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a partial structural diagram of the counterweight unit of this application.

[0022] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the partial structure of the drive unit of this application.

[0023] In the figure: 1. profile frame; 2. load frame; 3. roller conveyor; 4. load; 5. first double-row sprocket; 6. first single-row sprocket; 7. first chain; 8. second chain; 9. second double-row sprocket; 10. second single-row sprocket; 11. third chain; 12. fourth chain; 13. counterweight frame; 1301. accommodating portion; 14. counterweight plate; 1401. notch portion; 15. counterweight cover; 16. adjustable nut; 17. first electromagnet; 18. second electromagnet; 19. additional counterweight block; 20. motor; 21. drive shaft; 22. limit plate; 23. positioning pin; 24. pin seat; 25. safety clamp assembly; 26. first slide rail; 27. slider; 28. second slide rail; 29. ​​guide shoe. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention more clear, the technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the embodiments described are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field based on the embodiments of the present invention without making any creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0025] like Figures 1 to 4As shown, the frame unit is formed into a rectangular profile frame 1 by a plurality of frame profiles, which plays a supporting and protective role. The load unit is placed in the rectangular profile frame 1. The load unit can be a load frame 2 of a rectangular shape surrounded by a plurality of profiles. A horizontal conveying device is provided in the load frame 2, which can be a conventional conveying device such as a roller conveyor 3 and a belt conveyor. The present application takes the roller conveyor 3 as an implementation method. The load 4 is placed on the conveying surface of the roller conveyor 3. The roller conveyor 3 provides the horizontal conveying capacity for the load 4. The counterweight unit is placed on the first side of the profile frame 1. A first double A row of sprockets 5, the first double-row sprocket 5 is a sprocket with a double-row toothed disc, which can drive two chains to run synchronously at the same time. A first single-row sprocket 6 is provided at the upper end of the second side of the profile frame 1, wherein the first side and the second side are opposite sides, that is, the left and right sides of the profile frame 1, or the front and rear sides of the profile frame 1. One end of the first chain 7 is fixedly connected to the upper end of the counterweight unit, and the other end is wound around one row of toothed discs of the first double-row sprocket 5, and after winding around the first single-row sprocket 6, it is fixedly connected to the upper end of the load frame 2 near the second side. One end of the second chain 8 is fixedly connected to the upper end of the counterweight unit, and the other end of the second chain 8 is wound around After the toothed disc of the first double-row sprocket 5 not occupied by the first chain 7 is provided, it is fixedly connected to the upper end of the load frame 2 near the first side, and the driving unit drives the first double-row sprocket 5 to rotate. During the rotation of the first double-row sprocket 5, the first chain 7 and the second chain 8 are driven to drive the load frame 2, the roller conveyor 3 and the load 4 thereon to rise vertically. At the same time, the corresponding counterweight unit is driven vertically by the first chain 7 and the second chain 8. By setting the counterweight unit, the weight of the load unit can be balanced, so that the driving unit can use a smaller driving force to complete the lifting and lowering operation of the load unit. Due to the actual working conditions, , there will be a large weight difference between different loads 4 on the roller conveyor 3. If the weight of the counterweight unit is fixed, there will be a mismatch between the weight of the counterweight unit and the load unit, and the drive unit will need to increase the driving force, which will cause a greater burden on the drive unit, or a drive unit with greater torque will be selected to increase the use cost. The weight of the counterweight unit in this application can be adaptively adjusted according to the weight of the load unit. When the load 4 is lighter, the weight of the counterweight unit is reduced. When the load 4 is heavier, the weight of the counterweight unit is increased accordingly, which reduces the demand for changes in the driving force of the drive unit, saves costs, and improves the conveying efficiency.

[0026] In some embodiments, as Figures 1 to 4As shown, a second double-row sprocket 9 is provided at the lower end of the first side of the profile frame 1, and a second single-row sprocket 10 is provided at the lower end of the second side of the profile frame. The position of the second double-row sprocket 9 corresponds to the position of the first double-row sprocket 5 up and down, and the position of the second single-row sprocket 10 corresponds to the position of the first single-row sprocket 6 up and down. The second double-row sprocket 9 and the second single-row sprocket 10 are both freely rotatable free wheels. The second double-row sprocket 9 is a sprocket with a double-row toothed disc. One end of the third chain 11 is connected to the lower end of the counterweight unit, and the other end of the third chain 11 is wrapped around a row of toothed discs of the second double-row sprocket 9, and then wrapped around the second single-row sprocket 10, and is fixedly connected to the lower end of the load frame 2 near the second side. One end of the fourth chain 12 is connected to the lower end of the counterweight unit Then, the other end of the fourth chain 12 is wrapped around the other row of toothed discs of the second double-row sprocket 9, and is fixedly connected to the lower end of the load frame 2 near the first side. The first chain 7 and the second chain 8 lift the load unit and the counterweight unit, and the third chain 11 and the fourth chain 12 tension the first chain 7 and the second chain 8. That is, during the driving process, the first chain 7, the second chain 8, the third chain 11, the fourth chain 12, the load unit and the counterweight unit form a power closed loop on the vertical plane, which can effectively reduce the shaking of the load unit and the counterweight unit during the vertical up and down displacement, reduce the abnormal noise caused by contact with the profile frame 1 or other components during movement, and increase the service life of the equipment.

[0027] It should be noted that for stability reasons, the first chain 7, the second chain 8, the third chain 11, the fourth chain 12 and the corresponding first double-row sprocket 5, the first single-row sprocket 6, the second double-row sprocket 9, the second single-row sprocket 10 can be multiple groups arranged in parallel, depending on actual needs, and this application does not impose any restrictions.

[0028] In some embodiments, as Figures 1 to 5 As shown, the counterweight unit includes a manual counterweight mechanism, which includes a counterweight frame 13 and a counterweight plate 14. The counterweight frame 13 has a horizontally open accommodating portion 1301, and the specific opening direction can be a horizontal opening direction away from the second side for easy operation by personnel. The counterweight plate 14 is sheet metal, and the counterweight plate 14 can be stacked in the accommodating portion 1301. The number of counterweight plates 14 placed in the counterweight frame is adjusted according to the weight of the load unit to achieve dynamic balance and reduce the maximum output torque requirement of the drive unit, wherein the first chain 7 and the second chain 8 are respectively connected to the top end of the counterweight frame 13, and the third chain 11 and the fourth chain 12 are respectively connected to the bottom end of the counterweight frame 13.

[0029] In some embodiments, as Figure 5As shown, a counterweight cover 15 is provided at the opening position of the accommodating portion 1301. When the counterweight cover 15 is in the open state, the counterweight plate 14 can be placed in the accommodating portion 1301 or taken out from the accommodating portion 1301. When completed, the counterweight cover 15 is closed to prevent the counterweight plate 14 from moving out of the accommodating portion 1301 during the lifting process.

[0030] In some embodiments, as Figure 5 As shown, a clamping member is provided above the counterweight frame 13, and the clamping member can be an adjustable nut 16 that passes through the upper surface of the counterweight frame 13 and the interior of the accommodating portion 1301. When the counterweight plates 14 are stacked in the accommodating portion 1301, the adjustable nut 16 can be rotated to make the bottom end of the adjustable nut 16 abut against the counterweight plate 14 stacked on the top, thereby pressing the stacked counterweight plates 14 in the accommodating portion 1301 to prevent displacement and collision during the lifting and lowering of the counterweight plates 14 and the generation of abnormal noise.

[0031] In some embodiments, as Figure 5 As shown, one side of the counterweight plate 14 has an inwardly recessed notch portion 1401. When multiple counterweight plates 14 are stacked in the accommodating portion 1301, the notch portion 1401 faces the opening direction of the accommodating portion 1301, and the notches 1401 of the upper and lower adjacent stacked counterweight plates 14 are staggered and stacked in the vertical direction. Due to the existence of the notch portion 1401, it is convenient to manually remove the stacked single counterweight plates 14, and the problem that the vertical surface of the stacked counterweight plates 14 facing the opening direction of the accommodating portion 1301 is flat and inconvenient to directly remove is avoided.

[0032] In some embodiments, as Figures 1 to 5As shown, the counterweight unit also includes an electrically controlled counterweight mechanism, which includes a first electromagnet 17, a second electromagnet 18 and a supplementary counterweight block 19, wherein the first electromagnet 17 is arranged at the lower end of the counterweight frame 13, and the second electromagnet 18 is arranged at the lower end of the first side of the profile frame 1 and is fixedly connected to the profile frame 1. The second electromagnet 18 corresponds to the first electromagnet 17 in position up and down. The supplementary counterweight block 19 is an iron block or a plastic-coated iron block that can be magnetically adsorbed, and usually has a large weight. The specific weight can be selected according to the actual load condition. The first electromagnet 17 and the second electromagnet 18 can generate magnetism according to their respective power-on conditions, that is, the corresponding electromagnet generates magnetism after power is turned on, and the magnetism disappears after power is turned off. Under normal conditions, the second electromagnet 18 is energized and has magnetism, and the supplementary counterweight block 19 is adsorbed on the second electromagnet 18, located at the lower end of the first side of the profile frame 1, and has no effect on the up and down vertical stroke of the counterweight unit. When it is necessary to add supplementary counterweight to the counterweight unit, the first electromagnet 17 is energized and the second electromagnet 18 is de-energized. When the counterweight frame 13 is in the lower stroke position with the first electromagnet 17, the supplementary counterweight block 19 is adsorbed by the first electromagnet 17, and the counterweight unit increases the weight of the supplementary counterweight block 19 to adapt to higher load scenarios. If a smaller counterweight unit weight is required, when the counterweight frame 13 moves to the lower stroke position, the first electromagnet 17 is disconnected from the power state, and the second electromagnet 18 is energized at the same time, and the additional counterweight block is adsorbed on the second electromagnet 18 to complete the weight reduction of the counterweight unit. The power state of the first electromagnet 17 and the second electromagnet 18 can be achieved through an electrically controlled switch. The electrically controlled counterweight mechanism is suitable for situations where the load weight switching changes are relatively fixed and the weight changes are large. No manual handling operation is required, and it can be achieved by switching the switch state of the electrically controlled switch to control the corresponding electromagnet to be energized and de-energized.

[0033] In some embodiments, as Figure 1 、 Figure 3 and Figure 6 As shown, the drive unit includes a motor 20 and a drive shaft 21. The motor 20 is fixedly arranged at the top of the profile frame 1. The motor 20 is connected to the drive shaft 21 through a coupling. The drive shaft 21 is passed between the bearing seat fixedly arranged at the top of the profile frame 1. The drive shaft 21 is horizontal. At the same time, the drive shaft 21 is connected to the first double-row sprocket 5. When the motor 20 drives the drive shaft 21 to rotate, it also drives the first double-row sprocket 5 to rotate, and then drives the counterweight unit and the load unit to move up and down. Since the counterweight unit balances the load unit, the choice of motor 20 is more free, which saves the motor cost and is not easy to wear.

[0034] In some embodiments, as Figure 1 and Figure 6As shown, it includes a maintenance limit mechanism, which is used to prevent the maintenance personnel from being injured by accidental startup of the motor 20 during the maintenance process by physical means. The maintenance limit mechanism includes a limit plate 22, a positioning latch 23 and a latch seat 24. The limit plate 22 is arranged at one end of the drive shaft 21, and can specifically be arranged at the end of the drive shaft 21 away from the motor 20. The limit plate 22 rotates coaxially with the drive shaft 21. A limiting hole is provided at the eccentric position of the limit plate 22. One limiting hole can be provided, or multiple limiting holes can be provided along the circumference. The latch seat 24 is fixedly provided at the corresponding position of the profile frame 1. The latch seat 24 has a latch hole. When the positioning latch 23 passes through the latch hole and the limiting hole at the same time, the limit plate 22 and the latch seat 24 are relatively fixed, that is, the drive shaft 21 and the profile frame 1 are relatively fixed, and the drive shaft 21 cannot rotate, thereby avoiding the risk of personnel operation caused by accidental startup of the motor 20 in the maintenance state.

[0035] In some embodiments, a safety clamp assembly 25 may be provided on the second side of the profile frame to prevent the load unit from falling abnormally. The safety clamp assembly is a conventional commercially available part and is not limited here.

[0036] In some embodiments, as Figures 1 to 3 As shown, two opposite first slide rails 26 perpendicular to the ground are provided on the first side of the profile frame 1, and sliders 27 are provided on both sides of the counterweight frame 13. The sliders 27 cooperate with the first slide rails 26 to allow the counterweight frame 13 to move up and down in the profile frame 1.

[0037] In some embodiments, as Figures 1 to 3 As shown, a second slide rail 28 perpendicular to the ground is further provided on the second side of the profile frame 1. A guide shoe 29 is provided on the side of the load frame 2 opposite to the second slide rail 28. The guide shoe 29 is cooperatively connected to the second slide rail 28. The load frame 2 completes the up and down displacement in the profile frame 1 under the guidance of the second slide rail 28.

[0038] In the description of this application, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicating orientations or positional relationships, are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are intended solely to facilitate the description of this application and simplify the description. They do not indicate or imply that the devices or components referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed, or operate in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this application. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0039] Finally, it should be noted that the above-described embodiments are only specific implementation methods of the present application, which are used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application rather than to limit them. The scope of protection of the present application is not limited thereto. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, ordinary technicians in this field should understand that any technician familiar with this technical field can still modify the technical solutions recorded in the aforementioned embodiments within the technical scope disclosed in the present application, or make equivalent replacements for some of the technical features therein; and these modifications, changes or replacements do not deviate the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and should all be covered by the scope of protection of the present application.

Claims

1. A chain conveyor with adjustable counterweight, characterized in that: The device comprises a driving unit, a load unit, a counterweight unit, a frame unit and a chain, wherein the driving unit drives the load unit and the counterweight unit to move up and down within the frame unit through the chain, the load unit and the counterweight unit are connected through the chain and have relative and opposite movement tendencies, the weight of the counterweight unit can be adaptively adjusted according to the weight of the load unit, a first double-row sprocket is provided at the upper end of the first side of the frame unit, a first single-row sprocket is provided at the upper end of the second side of the frame unit, the first side and the second side are opposite sides, the chain comprises a first chain and a second chain, one end of the first chain is connected to the upper end of the counterweight unit, the other end of the first chain is passed through the first double-row sprocket and the first single-row sprocket and then connected to the upper end of the load unit near the second side, one end of the second chain is connected to the upper end of the counterweight unit, the other end of the second chain is passed through the first double-row sprocket and then connected to the upper end of the load unit near the first side, and the driving unit drives the first double-row sprocket to rotate.

2. The chain conveyor according to claim 1, characterized in that: A second double-row sprocket is provided at the lower end of the first side of the frame unit, and a second single-row sprocket is provided at the lower end of the second side of the frame unit. The chain also includes a third chain and a fourth chain. One end of the third chain is connected to the lower end of the counterweight unit, and the other end of the third chain is connected to the load unit near the lower end of the second side after passing through the second double-row sprocket and the second single-row sprocket. One end of the fourth chain is connected to the lower end of the counterweight unit, and the other end of the fourth chain is connected to the load unit near the lower end of the first side after passing through the second double-row sprocket.

3. The chain conveyor according to claim 2, characterized in that: The counterweight unit includes a manual counterweight mechanism, which includes a counterweight frame and a counterweight plate. The counterweight frame has a horizontally open accommodating portion, and several counterweight plates can be stacked in the accommodating portion. The number of the counterweight plates is positively correlated with the weight of the load unit.

4. The chain conveyor according to claim 3, characterized in that: One side of the weight plate has a notch portion. When a plurality of weight plates are stacked on the accommodating portion, adjacent stacked notches are stacked in a staggered manner in a vertical direction.

5. The chain conveyor according to claim 3, characterized in that: The counterweight unit also includes an electrically controlled counterweight mechanism, which includes a first electromagnet, a second electromagnet and a supplementary counterweight block. The first electromagnet is arranged at the lower end of the counterweight frame, and the second electromagnet is arranged at the lower end of the first side of the frame unit. The supplementary counterweight block is adsorbed on the first electromagnet or the second electromagnet according to the power supply status of the first electromagnet and the second electromagnet.

6. The chain conveyor according to claim 5, characterized in that: The drive shaft is connected to the first double-row sprocket in a horizontal direction, and the motor is connected to the drive shaft in a horizontal direction.

7. The chain conveyor according to claim 6, characterized in that: It also includes an inspection and limit mechanism, which includes a limit plate, a positioning pin and a pin seat. The limit plate is arranged at one end of the drive shaft and rotates coaxially with the drive shaft. A limit hole is provided at an eccentric position of the limit plate. The pin seat is arranged on the frame unit. The positioning pin can be inserted into the pin seat and pass through the limit hole, thereby limiting the rotation of the drive shaft.

8. The chain conveyor according to claim 1, characterized in that: A first vertical slide rail is provided on the first side of the frame unit, and the counterweight unit is connected to the first slide rail and is arranged on the first side of the frame unit.

9. The chain conveyor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The frame unit is provided with a second slide rail in a vertical direction, and the load unit is matched with the second slide rail and is arranged in the frame unit.

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