Meshing type load chain structure and chain group thereof

Abstract

The utility model discloses a meshing type load chain structure and a chain group thereof. The chain structure comprises a first chain A and a second chain B which are oppositely arranged, the first chain A and the second chain B are each formed by connecting a plurality of chain links with two or more inner chain pieces and outer chain pieces in series, wherein the outer chain pieces are connected with the chain links in an end-to-end alternating mode through pin shafts. The inner chain pieces and the outer chain pieces are the same in shape and structure and are in axial symmetry. Each inner chain sheet of the first chain A and the inner chain sheet of the second chain B are oppositely and correspondingly arranged and are meshed with each other; each outer chain sheet of the first chain sheet A and the outer chain sheet of the second chain B are oppositely and correspondingly arranged and are meshed with each other; and the opposite surfaces of the inner chain sheets and the outer chain sheets are parallel and continuous smooth curved surfaces. By the adoption of the chain structure and the chain set, the load generated when the chain structure is used for conducting linear reciprocating transmission in a limited space can be effectively increased, and the mechanical noise problem generated when the chain structure and the chain set are in the working state is remarkably reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to rigid chains, and more particularly to an interlocking load-bearing chain structure and its chain assembly. Background Technology

[0002] Chains are common mechanical energy conversion devices in industrial products, using external force to drive transmission. Rigid chains are specialized chains designed to meet certain load requirements and perform linear telescopic motion. Due to the unique design of their links and links, rigid chains are used by combining two chains into a chain assembly, which mesh tightly in opposite directions for reciprocating transmission, exhibiting high rigidity and durability. Ordinary transmission chains, when subjected to gravity or pressure loads, will tilt or collapse due to the force point deviating from the center of the pin. Rigid chains, however, are different. When the inner and outer links on both sides of the chain assembly mesh with each other, a locking force is generated between the opposing chains, thereby locking adjacent links together. Thus, the two chains, i.e., the chain assembly, exhibit the characteristics of a rigid push rod.

[0003] Existing rigid chain technology, such as the utility model patent with publication number CN220600350U entitled "A Stable Interlocking Chain" (see reference). Figure 1A This paper discloses an interlocking chain structure. A main shaft 2, externally mounted inside a housing 1, is driven by a drive motor (not shown). The rotation of the main shaft 2 drives a gear 3, which in turn drives a first chain 4. The first chain 4 and a second chain 5 are interlocked by interlocking inner and outer chain plates. The gear 3, through its rotating teeth, actuates the pin of the first chain 4, driving the first chain 4 to extend and retract. The second chain 5, driven by the first chain 4, performs synchronous extension and retraction, thus enabling the interlocking first chain 4 and second chain 5 to move as a single rigid component. While this design solves the problem of small space occupation in rigid chain extension systems, in scenarios requiring a certain load, especially in low-noise or even silent operating environments, its load capacity often falls short. Furthermore, with increasing load and extension speed, it generates greater mechanical noise.

[0004] For example, utility model patent CN220706320U, entitled "Chain Structure of Interlocking Chain," discloses a chain structure with strong stability and enhanced support. It achieves this by creating toothed grooves on the outer walls of the inner and outer chain plates, allowing them to mesh with gears (not shown), which then drive the chain to move up and down (see reference). Figure 1BAlthough it solves the problem of transmission smoothness and improves the load to a certain extent, due to the dense toothed grooves on the outer walls of both the inner and outer chain plates, there are connection gaps between the toothed grooves on adjacent inner and outer chain plates, and the chain still cannot avoid issues such as the gaps between chain links on one side and the chain links on the opposite side during operation. Figure 1A The diagram illustrates the collision problem during the meshing of the inner and outer chain links. Therefore, when the drive gears on both sides of the chain mesh with the tooth grooves for transmission, several types of mechanical noise are superimposed, resulting in greater mechanical noise during operation. Utility Model Content

[0005] In view of this, the main objective of this utility model is to provide an interlocking load chain structure and chain assembly, so as to effectively improve the load of linear reciprocating transmission using the chain structure in a limited space, and significantly reduce the mechanical noise problem of the chain structure and chain assembly in the working state.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution of this utility model is as follows:

[0007] A meshing load chain structure includes a first chain A and a second chain B arranged facing each other. Both the first chain A and the second chain B are composed of several chain links with two or more inner chain pieces and outer chain pieces alternately connected to the chain links by pins. The inner and outer chain pieces have the same shape and structure, and are axially symmetrical. Each inner chain piece of the first chain A is respectively arranged facing and meshing with an inner chain piece of the second chain B. Each outer chain piece of the first chain A is respectively arranged facing and meshing with an outer chain piece of the second chain B. The facing surfaces of the inner and outer chain pieces are parallel and continuous smooth curved surfaces.

[0008] Wherein: the opposing surfaces of the inner and outer chain pieces are parallel and continuous smooth surfaces, including a circular surface segment a, a segment c conforming to a bidirectional involute smooth surface, a circular surface segment e with a radius of curvature greater than 2 to 5 times that of segment a; and a first transition surface segment b connecting one end of segment a and segment c, and a second transition surface segment d connecting the other end of segment e and segment c.

[0009] In the smooth curved surfaces of the outer edges of the inner and outer chain pieces, the radius of curvature of the circular surface segment e ranges from 2.5 to 4 times that of the radius of curvature of the circular surface segment a.

[0010] Preferably, in the smooth outer surface of the inner and outer chain pieces, the radius of curvature of the circular surface segment e is 2.6 to 3.1 times that of the radius of curvature of the circular surface segment a.

[0011] The thickness of the inner and outer chain pieces is 1mm to 5mm.

[0012] Preferably, the thickness of the inner and outer chain sheets is 2 mm to 4 mm.

[0013] Either the first chain A or the second chain B is the active chain, and the other is the passive chain.

[0014] A chain assembly comprising the aforementioned interlocking chain structure, the chain assembly comprising two sets of double chain structures formed by two or more of the aforementioned interlocking load chain structures being connected side-by-side in an alternating manner via pins.

[0015] Wherein: any one set of inner and outer chain pieces of the double chain structure in the chain group are interlocked with the inner and outer chain pieces of the other set of double chain structures.

[0016] The meshing load chain structure and chain assembly of this utility model have the following beneficial effects:

[0017] 1) The meshing load chain structure of this utility model can smoothly mesh or separate with each other in an involute manner through the chain plates of the chain links arranged in opposite directions during operation. This can ensure the smoothness and continuity of the chain load extension and contraction movement, and significantly reduce mechanical noise.

[0018] 2) The meshing load chain structure of this utility model can reduce the meshing distance (equivalent to the link pitch) of the opposing chain pieces by half by setting the same chain pieces coaxially or off-axis on both sides of the chain links, thereby further improving the stability and continuity of the chain pieces of the chain and the chain pieces of the opposing chain when they mesh or separate, and also improving the load capacity of the load chain structure.

[0019] 3) The meshing load chain structure of this utility model can also form a chain group by setting two or more chain structures, thereby realizing the parallel expansion of the load chain structure. That is, the number of chain pairs can be flexibly increased or decreased according to the actual load requirements, thereby realizing the adjustment of the load capacity of the meshing chain group.

[0020] 4) The load chain assembly of this utility model can smoothly mesh and separate with each other in an involute manner through the chain plates fixed on both sides of the chain link and the chain plates fixed on the chain shaft between adjacent chain links and the meshing surfaces of the opposing chain plates, which not only ensures the large load capacity of the chain assembly, but also ensures the low noise requirement when the chain assembly is working under large load conditions. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1A This is a schematic diagram of a stable interlocking chain structure in the prior art;

[0022] Figure 1BThis is a schematic diagram of another interlocking chain structure in the prior art;

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of an interlocking load chain structure according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0024] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the meshing side (partial) of the chain link / chain piece of the meshing type load-bearing chain structure shown;

[0025] Figure 4 for Figure 3 The image shown is an enlarged view of a link (including a chain piece);

[0026] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the working state of an interlocking load chain structure according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0027] Figure 5a for Figure 5 A partially enlarged view of the meshing process and state of the chain structure shown;

[0028] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of another meshing load chain structure (chain group) according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0029] Figure 7 for Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the chain link / chain piece meshing section (one side) of the meshing type load-bearing chain structure shown;

[0030] Figure 8 for Figure 6 The diagram shows the working state of the meshing load chain structure. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples of this utility model. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this application. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0032] The terms "first," "second," etc., used in the specification and claims of this application are used to distinguish similar objects and not to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such use of data can be interchanged where appropriate so that embodiments of this application can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described in this application, and the objects distinguished by "first," "second," etc., are generally of the same class, without limiting the number of objects; for example, the first object can be one or more. Furthermore, in the specification and claims, "and / or" indicates at least one of the connected objects, and the character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0033] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of an interlocking load chain structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] like Figure 2 As shown, this meshing load chain structure mainly includes a first chain A and a second chain B. The first chain A and the second chain B have essentially the same body shape and structure. The first chain A and the second chain B each consist of several opposing and interlocking first chain links 6 (see reference). Figure 4 The first link is connected in series with the second link 7 and several opposing and interlocking outer links (i.e., the links connecting the two links) in an alternating manner.

[0035] In this embodiment, the first link 6 (reference) is connected Figure 4 Two (or more) outer chain pieces at one end, such as the fourth chain piece 64. Figure 2 Not shown, for reference only. Figure 5 ) and the fifth link 65, respectively connected to the next first link 6 (reference) Figure 4 One end of the outer chain piece 64 is connected by a pin; the other end of the outer chain piece 65, namely the fourth chain piece 64 and the fifth chain piece 65, is then connected to the pin of another first chain link 6 with the same structure.

[0036] Similarly, the two (or more) outer links connecting the second link 7, such as the ninth link 74 and the tenth link 75, are respectively connected to one end of the next second link 7 by a pin; the other end of the outer links, namely the ninth link 74 and the tenth link 75, is then connected to the pin of the second link 7 with the same structure.

[0037] In this way, the first chain A is connected end-to-end through the first link 6, the outer chain plate, and the first link 6. The structure of the second chain B is similar to that of the first chain A, except that the links or outer chain plates are interlocked in opposite directions.

[0038] like Figure 2As shown, taking the first link 6 of the first chain A as an example. The first link 6 may contain only two parallel chain pieces, namely the first chain piece 61 and the second chain piece 62 (see reference). Figure 4 This is called an inner chain piece; it may also contain two or more chain pieces, such as a first chain piece 61, a second chain piece 62, and a third chain piece 63, etc. The chain pieces are all parallel to each other and pass between two pins 66. A bushing 67 is also fitted onto the pin section between the first chain piece 61 and the second chain piece 62. A through hole 68 is provided at the center of the tongue of each chain piece for tightening calibration or precise error inspection during installation.

[0039] The second chain B is similar. Taking the second link 7 as an example, it also includes two parallel chain pieces, namely the sixth chain piece 71 and the seventh chain piece 72, also called inner chain pieces; it may also include more than two chain pieces, such as the sixth chain piece 71, the seventh chain piece 72, and the eighth chain piece 73, etc. The inner chain pieces are all parallel to each other and pass between two pins 76. The pin section between the sixth chain piece 71 and the seventh chain piece 72 is also fitted with a bushing 77. The center of the tongue of each chain piece has a through hole 78 for fastening calibration or precise inspection of errors during installation.

[0040] First link 6 (reference) Figure 4 A bushing 67 is fitted onto the pin 66 between the first chain link 61 and the second chain link 62. The pin 66 extends outwards from both ends of the first chain link 61 and the second chain link 62, with a fixing pin seat at one end and an anti-loosening washer and a nut at the other end. Similarly, the second chain link 7 also has a pin 76, a fixing pin seat, an anti-loosening washer, and a nut of the same shape and structure.

[0041] The first chain A, through the teeth of the rotating gear engaging between the first chain link 61 and the second chain link 62, drives the bushing 67 for transmission, thereby causing the first chain A to move linearly. Either the first chain A or the second chain B can be used as the driving chain. When the second chain B is the driving chain, the gear teeth can also drive the bushing 77 for transmission, in which case the first chain A acts as the driven chain. Preferably, the first chain A and the second chain B can also be used simultaneously as driving chains, that is, two synchronously driven gears drive the first chain A and the second chain B for transmission.

[0042] Adjacent links of the first chain A and the second chain B are connected in series via outer chain plates of the same size. Taking the second chain B as an example, two adjacent second chain links 7 are connected in series by passing parallel between two adjacent pins 76, i.e., via the ninth chain plate 74 and the tenth chain plate 75, thus allowing the second chain B to be sequentially connected to form a complete chain structure. The first chain A is similar, and can be connected via the fourth chain plate 64 (see reference). Figure 3The fifth chain piece 65 and the adjacent first chain segment 6 are connected in series, making the first chain A a whole chain structure.

[0043] like Figure 3 As shown, in this embodiment of the present invention, the first chain A and the second chain B are engaged with each other through inner chain plates, namely the first chain plate 61 and the sixth chain plate 71, and through outer chain plates, namely the fourth chain plate 64 and the ninth chain plate 74.

[0044] refer to Figure 2 On the other side (outer side) of the first chain A and the second chain B, the third chain piece 63 and the eighth chain piece 73 mesh with each other, and the fifth chain piece 65 and the tenth chain piece 75 mesh with each other, respectively. On the inner side, the second chain piece 62 and the sixth chain piece 72 mesh with each other.

[0045] In summary, in this embodiment, the inner chain plates of the first chain A are respectively arranged facing each other and meshing with the inner chain plates of the second chain B; the outer chain plates of the first chain plate A are also respectively arranged facing each other and meshing with the outer chain plates of the second chain B.

[0046] In the embodiments of this utility model, taking the first link 6 of the first chain A as an example, the structure of the first link 6 and the functions of each different part and each arc surface / segment of the meshing surface are described in detail, such as... Figure 4 As shown.

[0047] The first link 6 includes a first chain plate 61 and a second chain plate 62. Both the first chain plate 61 and the second chain plate 62 are wear-resistant metal plates with a certain thickness. Their thickness ranges from 1mm to 5mm. Preferably, the wear-resistant steel plate is 2 to 4mm thick. In this embodiment, a 3mm thick steel plate is used as an example for illustration.

[0048] The facing surfaces (i.e., the corresponding outer edge surfaces) of the first chain link 61 and the sixth chain link 71 are parallel and continuous smooth curved surfaces, wherein: segment a is a circular curved surface, segment c is a bidirectional involute (smooth) curved surface (such as a spline surface), and segment e is a circular curved surface with a radius of curvature 2 to 5 times greater than that of segment a. Segment b is a first transition surface connecting one end of segment a and segment c, and segment d is a second transition surface connecting the other end of segment e and segment c. All chain links, including the first chain link 61 and the second chain link 62, are axisymmetric structures. Taking the first chain link 61 as an example, its upper segment e is symmetrical and identical to its lower segment e, and the remaining curved surfaces are also symmetrical and identical. In this embodiment, among the first chain link 61, the sixth chain link 71, and other outer chain links, preferably, segment e is a circular curved surface with a radius of curvature 2.5 to 4 times greater than that of segment a, more preferably 2.6 to 3.1 times greater.

[0049] Figure 5This is a schematic diagram of the working state of an interlocking load chain structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5a for Figure 5 A magnified view of the meshing process and state of the chain structure shown.

[0050] refer to Figure 3 and Figure 5 When the first link 6 of the first chain A and the sixth link 7 of the second chain B are about to engage, driven by the rotation of the gears, the d-segment curved surface of the sixth link 71 of the second chain A first smoothly contacts the b-segment curved surface of the first link 6, then one end of the c-segment involute curved surface of the sixth link 71 abuts against one end of the c-segment involute curved surface of the first link 61, until the c-segment involute curved surface of the sixth link 71 completely coincides with the c-segment involute curved surface of the first link 61. As the first chain A and the second chain B continue to move, the ninth link 74 connecting two adjacent second links 7 sequentially contacts and coincides with the curved surface and involute surface of the fourth link 64 connecting two adjacent first chains A. Then, the link of the next link of the second chain B sequentially contacts and coincides with the link of the next link of the first chain A. In this way, the first chain A and the second chain B are tightly meshed, enabling them to perform linear elongation motion under load.

[0051] Conversely, when the first chain A and the second chain B need to retract, the gears can be rotated in the opposite direction to drive the first chain A or the second chain B to move in the opposite direction. This causes the first chain piece 61 of the first chain link 6 to separate from the sixth chain piece 71 of the second chain link 7 of the second chain B from the meshing state, and causes the ninth chain piece 74 to separate from the fourth chain piece 64 facing each other. This allows the single chain group composed of the first chain A and the second chain B to achieve the retraction function.

[0052] refer to Figure 5a When the fourth link 64 of the first chain A and the ninth link 74 of the second chain B begin to mesh, as the gears rotate, the upper b-segment arc surface of the fourth link 64 first contacts the lower d-segment arc surface of the ninth link 74. Then, the lower half of the smooth surface of the involute surface of the c-segment of the fourth link 64 simultaneously abuts against and is subjected to force with the lower c-segment of the opposite ninth link 74, until the upper half of the smooth surface of the involute surface of the c-segment of the fourth link 64 is fully meshed with the upper c-segment of the opposite ninth link 74. As the gears rotate, the bidirectional involute smooth surface of the c-segment of the next opposite ninth link 74 first contacts, then meshes with, and is subjected to force with the symmetrical c-segment of the involute smooth surface of the fourth link 64. This achieves continuous close meshing or separation during reverse movement.

[0053] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of another meshing type load chain (chain group) structure according to an embodiment of the present utility model; Figure 7 for Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a (single-sided) link / plate structure of a meshing load-bearing chain structure; Figure 8 for Figure 6 The diagram shows the working state of the meshing load chain (chain group) structure.

[0054] like Figure 6 The meshing load chain structure shown consists of two sets of... Figure 2 The shown is a double-row chain group formed by parallel amplification of the interlocking load chain structure.

[0055] In this embodiment, the chain assembly includes a first chain A, a second chain B, a third chain C, and a fourth chain D. Specifically, the first chain A and the third chain C are connected in parallel via interleaved pins to form a single parallel double-chain structure (see reference). Figure 7 The second chain B and the fourth chain D are connected in parallel by interleaved pins to form another integrated parallel double chain structure. The first chain A and the second chain B, the third chain C and the fourth chain D are tightly engaged by several chain pieces arranged in opposite directions to form an integrated double-row chain group structure.

[0056] like Figure 7 The illustrated double-chain structure, taking the first chain A and the parallel third chain C as an example, has five inner chain plates threaded sequentially through each of the two first chain links 6, and four outer chain plates threaded between each pair of adjacent chain links. Each double-chain link unit is connected to its adjacent double-chain link unit in parallel and then in series through the outer chain plates to form a double-chain structure with the ends connected. The second chain B and the fourth chain D are similar, so they will not be described in detail.

[0057] like Figure 8 The diagram shows the state of a first double-chain structure composed of a first chain A and a parallel third chain C (not shown), which engages or separates from a second double-chain structure composed of a second chain B and a parallel fourth chain D through several inner and outer chain plates.

[0058] In this embodiment, two single-column chains, such as the first chain A and the third chain C, are connected in parallel to form a double (column) chain structure. This double chain structure is then interlocked with another double (column) chain structure consisting of the second chain B and the fourth chain D to form a double-column chain group with double load capacity.

[0059] In another embodiment, two or more single-row chains can be connected in parallel to form a multi-row chain structure, and then combined with the opposing multi-row chain structure through multiple sets of inner chain plates and multiple sets of outer chain plates to form a multi-row chain group with a geometrically increased load-bearing capacity.

[0060] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this application in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, this application is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. The specific embodiments described above are merely illustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art can make many other forms under the guidance of this application without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims, and all of these forms are within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A meshing load chain structure, comprising a first chain A and a second chain B arranged opposite to each other; characterized in that, The first chain A and the second chain B are both composed of several chain links with two or more inner chain pieces and outer chain pieces that are alternately connected to the chain links by pins. The inner chain pieces and the outer chain pieces have the same shape and structure and are axially symmetrical. Each inner chain piece of the first chain A is respectively arranged facing and meshing with the inner chain piece of the second chain B. Each outer chain piece of the first chain A is respectively arranged facing and meshing with the outer chain piece of the second chain B. The facing surfaces of the inner chain pieces and the outer chain pieces are both parallel and continuous smooth curved surfaces.

2. The meshing load chain structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner and outer chain pieces have a parallel and continuous smooth surface facing each other, including a circular surface segment a, a segment c conforming to a bidirectional involute smooth surface, a circular surface segment e with a radius of curvature 2 to 5 times greater than segment a; a first transition surface segment b connecting one end of segment a and segment c, and a second transition surface segment d connecting the other end of segment e and segment c.

3. The meshing load chain structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, In the smooth curved surfaces of the outer edges of the inner and outer chain pieces, the radius of curvature of the circular surface segment e ranges from 2.5 to 4 times that of the radius of curvature of the circular surface segment a.

4. The meshing load chain structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, In the smooth curved surfaces of the outer edges of the inner and outer chain pieces, the radius of curvature of the circular surface segment e ranges from 2.6 to 3.1 times that of the radius of curvature of the circular surface segment a.

5. The meshing load chain structure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The thickness of the inner and outer chain pieces is 1mm to 5mm.

6. The meshing load chain structure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The thickness of the inner and outer chain pieces is 2mm to 4mm.

7. The meshing load chain structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, Either the first chain A or the second chain B is the active chain, and the other is the passive chain.

8. A chain assembly comprising the interlocking chain structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The chain assembly comprises two sets of double-chain structures formed by two or more of the aforementioned interlocking load chain structures connected side-by-side by interlocking pins.

9. The chain assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that, In the chain group, the inner and outer chain pieces of any one set of double-chain structures are interlocked with the inner and outer chain pieces of another set of double-chain structures.

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