OFFSET CONVEYOR CHAIN

Abstract

An offset conveyor chain (10) with: a chain (22) extending in one running direction, a plurality of side rollers (24) arranged in a staggered manner on both sides of the chain (22) in the running direction, characterized in that the offset conveyor chain (10) comprises a plurality of preventing elements (26) each arranged to be paired with the side rollers (24) across the chain (22) in an offset manner on both sides of the chain (22) in the running direction, and which are designed to to prevent the entry of foreign material (FM) which obstructs the side rollers (24) into a space (SP) between the side rollers (24) adjacent in the running direction, wherein on each of the two sides of the chain (22) each of the plurality of prevention elements (26) is arranged in the space (SP) between the side rollers (24) adjacent in the running direction.

Description

Background of the inventionField of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to an offset conveyor chain in which side rollers are arranged in an offset manner on both sides. Description of the state of the art

[0002] JP H08-277886 A describes a conveyor chain formed from a plurality of pairs of inner plates and a plurality of pairs of outer plates connected in series by coupling pins so as to rotate continuously, and which further comprises side rollers arranged offset in the serial direction (chain running direction).

[0003] JP S62- 38 206 U, CN 2 01 406 182 Y and US 2009 / 0 188 778 A1 disclose offset conveyor chains with a chain extending in the running direction and a plurality of side rollers arranged offset from one another on both sides of the chain in the running direction.

[0004] US 5,809,767 A discloses a chain with a connecting pin, inner and outer plates, and a swell seal body. The swell seal body is located between the inner and outer plates on both sides of the connecting pin. Summary of the invention

[0005] In the conveyor chain according to JP H08-277886 A, side rollers are staggered on both sides of the chain along the serial (running) direction of the chain. Therefore, compared to a design in which side rollers are arranged on both sides of the chain so that they face each other across the chain, a large gap is formed between adjacent side rollers in the running direction. For this reason, foreign matter may enter the gap between adjacent side rollers in the running direction of the chain, raising the concern that the forward movement of the chain may be inadvertently stopped.

[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to propose an offset conveyor chain which can prevent accidental stopping of the forward movement.

[0007] This object is achieved by the offset conveyor chain having the features of claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention emerge from the dependent claims.

[0008] A staggered conveyor chain includes a chain extending in a serial (running) direction, a plurality of side rollers arranged in a staggered manner on both sides of the chain in the running direction, and a plurality of preventing members each arranged to be paired with the side rollers across the chain in a staggered manner on both sides of the chain in the running direction and configured to prevent foreign material interfering with the side rollers from entering a space between the side rollers adjacent in the running direction.

[0009] In the conveyor chain described above, the preventing element prevents foreign material that interferes with the side rollers from entering a space between adjacent side rollers in the running direction. With the conveyor chain according to the above-described design, it is therefore possible to prevent inadvertent stopping of the forward movement.

[0010] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown by way of example. Short description of the drawings Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a partial configuration of an offset conveyor chain according to an embodiment, Fig. 2 is a plan view of the offset conveyor chain according to Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the prevention element according to Fig. 1 shows, and Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a prevention member according to a different example. Description of the preferred embodiments

[0011] The offset conveyor chain according to the present invention will be described in detail below by explaining preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Embodiment]

[0012] Fig. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a partial configuration of an offset conveyor chain 10 according to one embodiment. The offset conveyor chain 10 in the present embodiment is wound over a plurality of sprockets 12. In Fig. For the sake of simplicity, only a part of the offset conveyor chain 10 with only one gear 12 is shown in Fig. 1.

[0013] The gear 12 has a tensioner 14 for adjusting the tension of the offset conveyor chain 10. The offset conveyor chain 10 is wound around the gear 12 by the tensioner 14 without any slack. For simplification, Fig. 1 only a part of the tensioner 14 is shown.

[0014] The offset conveyor chain 10 rotates along with the rotation of the gear 12, engaging (meshing) with the teeth 12a of the gear 12. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the offset conveyor chain 10. The offset conveyor chain 10 includes, as main components, a chain 22, a plurality of side rollers (side rollers) 24, and a plurality of preventing members 26.

[0015] The chain 22 has a structure in which a plurality of pairs of inner plates 22a and a plurality of pairs of outer plates 22b are rotatably connected in series via a plurality of connecting pins 22c, extending in the serial (running) direction.

[0016] Specifically, the inner plate 22a and the outer plate 22b are displaced in the running direction such that their end portions overlap each other, and the connecting pin 22c is inserted through the overlapping end portions so that the inner plate 22a and the outer plate 22b are connected in series. The connecting pins 22c are provided at a substantially equal interval along the running direction of the chain 22 and are directed substantially perpendicular to the running direction of the chain 22.

[0017] A tubular member 22d is provided between each pair of inner plates 22a to allow the insertion of the connecting pin 22c and to fix the relative position between the pair of inner plates 22a in the width direction. The tubular members 22d are arranged at substantially equal intervals along the running direction of the chain 22 so that the teeth 12a (see FIG. Fig. 1) of the gear 12 engage in the gaps between the tubular elements 22d.

[0018] The plurality of side rollers 24a are damping rollers for mitigating collisions or the like between the chain 22 and a conveyor body (not shown) arranged on the chain 22. They are arranged in a staggered manner in the running direction of the chain 22 on both sides of the pair of outer plates 22b.

[0019] Each of these side rollers 24a is rotatably provided on the connecting pin 22c extending outward from the outer plate 22b. Specifically, for example, a tubular sleeve 24a is fixed to the outer surface of the outer plate 22b, and the side roller 24 is mounted to rotate over the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve 24a. The connecting pin 22c is inserted through the hole of the tubular sleeve 24a, and the end portion of the inserted connecting pin 22c is fixed to the sleeve 24a via a cotter pin, crimping, or the like.

[0020] The plurality of preventing members 26 prevent foreign matter FM that interferes with the side rollers 24 from entering the gaps (the distance SP between the adjacent side rollers 24 in the running direction). Examples of foreign matter FM that interferes with the gaps SP between the side rollers 24 and interferes with the side rollers 24 include an operator's finger, the work clothes and equipment used by the operator, and others.

[0021] The plurality of preventing elements 26 are arranged in a staggered manner on both sides of the chain 22 in the running direction such that the preventing elements 26 are paired with the side rollers 24 across the chain 22, respectively. Thus, the preventing element is arranged at the end portion of the connecting pin 22c opposite the end portion where the side roller 24 is arranged. This opposite-side end portion refers to the outer portion of the connecting pin 22c, which extends beyond the outer plate 22b.

[0022] In other words, in the connecting pin 22c, the end portion on the side where the side roller 24 is provided and the end portion on the side where the preventing member 26 is provided are provided alternately in the running direction of the chain 22.

[0023] Of the two longitudinal ends of the connecting pin 22c, the end portion at which the side roller 24 is provided is referred to as a first end portion of the connecting pin 22c, while the end portion at which the preventing member 26 is provided is referred to as a second end portion of the connecting pin 22c.

[0024] Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the preventing member 26. The preventing member 26 is, for example, a cap that covers the second end portion of the connecting pin 22c. Thus, the preventing member 26 has a hole 26a with an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the connecting pin 22c. The connecting pin 22c is press-fitted into the hole 26a, so that the preventing member 26 is fixed to the connecting pin 22c so that it cannot rotate relative to the connecting pin 22c. Although the material of the preventing member 26 is not particularly limited, a material other than the metal used for the chain 22, such as a resin, plastic, or the like, should be used.

[0025] By covering the second end portion of the connecting pin 22c, the preventing member 26 can prevent the connecting pin 22c inserted through the outer plate 22b from falling out of the outer plate 22b. However, the second end portion of the connecting pin 22c can also be fixed to the outer plate 22b, for example, by a cotter pin or crimping.

[0026] The thus constructed preventing members 26 prevent foreign matter FM, which interferes with the side rollers 24, from entering the gaps SP between the adjacent side rollers 24 in the running direction. Therefore, with the offset conveyor chain 10 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent accidental stopping of the chain.

[0027] The preventing member 26 in the present embodiment has a portion that protrudes outwardly beyond each of the side rollers 24. Therefore, unlike a case where no member protruding outwardly beyond the side rollers 24 is provided, it is possible to reliably prevent foreign matter FM that obstructs the side rollers 24 from entering the gaps SP between the side rollers 24.

[0028] In addition, the preventing elements 26 are not in contact with the side rollers 24 adjacent in the running direction of the chain 22. This can prevent the rotation of the side rollers 24 from being hindered by the preventing elements 26.

[0029] A dimension L1 of the preventing element 26 in the running direction of the chain 22 is smaller than a dimension L2 of the side roller 24 in the running direction of the chain 22. This makes it easier to bring the side rollers 24, which are adjacent to each other in the running direction of the chain 22, close to each other. [Different example]

[0030] Although the above embodiment has been described as an example of the present invention, the technical scope of the present invention should not be limited to the scope explained in the above-described embodiment. It is readily understood that various modifications or improvements can be made to the above embodiment. It will be understood from the description of the scope of the claims that embodiments with such modifications or improvements are encompassed within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0031] Some modified or improved embodiments will be described below as different examples. Note that the same reference numerals are used for the same components as in the above embodiment, and repeated explanations are omitted. [Differing Example 1]

[0032] In the above embodiment, the preventing member 26 is formed as a cap covering the second end portion of the connecting pin 22c. As shown in Fig. 4, the preventing member 26 may also be formed integrally with the connecting pin 22c as a pin head that projects radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the connecting pin 22c.

[0033] Even if the preventing member 26 is provided as the pin head, it is possible to prevent foreign matter FM, which interferes with the side rollers 24, from entering the gap SP between the side rollers 24 adjacent in the running direction, as in the above-described embodiment. Even if the preventing member 26 is provided as the pin head, it is possible to prevent the connecting pin 22c, which is inserted through the outer plate 22b, from falling out of the outer plate 22b, as in the above-described embodiment. [Different Example 2]

[0034] In the above embodiment, the preventing member 26 is configured as a cap that covers the second end portion of the connecting pin 22c. However, the preventing member 26 may also be a simple elongated structure of the connecting pin 22c. This makes it possible to reduce the number of parts compared to the case where the preventing member 26 is configured as a cap. [Differing Example 3]

[0035] In the above embodiment, the preventing member 26 has a portion that protrudes outward beyond the adjacent side rollers 24 arranged in the running direction of the chain 22. However, the preventing member 26 does not need to protrude outward beyond the side rollers 24, fitting into the gap SP between the adjacent side rollers 24 in the running direction of the chain 22.

[0036] In order to still prevent foreign material FM, which obstructs the side rollers 24, from entering the gap SP between the side rollers 24 adjacent in the running direction, the tip of the preventing element 26 is preferably arranged at a position outside the center of the width of the side roller 24. More preferably, at least a part of the preventing element 26 protrudes outward beyond the adjacent side rollers 24 arranged in the running direction of the chain 22. [Differing Example 4]

[0037] In the above embodiment, the side rollers 24 are arranged on both sides of the paired outer plates 22b at every other pin. However, they may also be arranged at every third or more odd numbers of pins. Similarly, the preventing members 26 are provided on both sides of the paired outer plates 22b at each pin, but they may also be provided at every third or more odd numbers of pins. [Differing Example 5]

[0038] Although in the above embodiment, no roller is provided on the outer peripheral side of the tubular member 22d provided between the paired inner plates 22a, such a roller may also be provided. [Differing Example 6]

[0039] The above embodiment and the deviating examples 1 to 5 can be combined as desired, as long as no contradictions arise. [Technical Ideas]

[0040] Technical considerations resulting from the above embodiment and the deviating examples are described below.

[0041] The staggered conveyor chain (10) comprises the chain (22) extending in a running direction, the plurality of side rollers (24) arranged in a staggered manner on both sides of the chain (22) in the running direction, and the plurality of preventing members (26) each arranged to be paired with the side rollers (24) across the chain (22) in a staggered manner on both sides of the chain (22) in the running direction, and configured to prevent foreign material (FM) obstructing the side rollers (24) from entering the gap (SP) between the side rollers (24) adjacent in the running direction.

[0042] In this offset conveyor chain (10), the prevention element (26) prevents foreign material (FM) that obstructs the side rollers (24) from entering the gap (SP) between the side rollers (24) adjacent in the running direction. This makes it possible to prevent the chain (22) from stopping accidentally.

[0043] The chain (22) may have a structure in which the plurality of pairs of inner plates (22a) and the plurality of pairs of outer plates (22b) are rotatably connected in series via the plurality of connecting pins (22c), and in which the preventing member (26) may be disposed at the end portion of each of the connecting pins (22c) opposite the end portion where the side roller (24) is disposed. This structure makes it possible to use a plate having the same shape as the inner plate (22a) or the outer plate (22b), unlike a case in which a preventing member (26) is provided at the outer plate (22b).

[0044] At least a portion of the preventing element (26) can protrude outward beyond the adjacent side rollers (24). This configuration makes it possible to reliably prevent foreign material (FM) that obstructs the side rollers (24) from entering the gap (SP) between the side rollers (24) adjacent in the running direction.

[0045] The dimension (length) (L1) of the preventing element (26) in the running direction can be smaller than the dimension (length) (L2) of the side roller (24) in the running direction. This makes it easier to bring the side rollers (24) adjacent in the running direction close to each other.

[0046] The preventing element (26) may be attached to the connecting pin (22c) in such a way that it cannot rotate relative to the connecting pin (22c). This facilitates reducing friction between the preventing element (26) and the outer plate (22b).

[0047] The preventing member (26) may be a cap covering the end portion of the connecting pin (22c). This not only prevents foreign matter (FM) that interferes with the side rollers (24) from entering the gap (SP) between the side rollers (24) adjacent in the running direction, but also prevents the connecting pin (22c) from falling out of the outer plate (22b).

[0048] The preventing member (26) may be formed integrally with the connecting pin (22c) as a pin head projecting radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the connecting pin (22c). This not only prevents foreign matter (FM) that interferes with the side rollers (24) from entering the gap (SP) between the adjacent side rollers (24) in the running direction, but also prevents the connecting pin (22c) from falling out of the outer plate (22b). Furthermore, since the preventing member (26) is formed integrally with the connecting pin (22c), the number of parts can be reduced.

Claims

[1] An offset conveyor chain (10) with: a chain (22) extending in one running direction, a plurality of side rollers (24) arranged in a staggered manner on both sides of the chain (22) in the running direction, characterized in that the offset conveyor chain (10) comprises a plurality of preventing elements (26) each arranged to be paired with the side rollers (24) across the chain (22) in an offset manner on both sides of the chain (22) in the running direction, and which are designed to to prevent the entry of foreign material (FM) which obstructs the side rollers (24) into a space (SP) between the side rollers (24) adjacent in the running direction, wherein on each of the two sides of the chain (22) each of the plurality of prevention elements (26) is arranged in the space (SP) between the side rollers (24) adjacent in the running direction. [2] The staggered conveyor chain (10) according to claim 1, wherein the chain (22) has a structure in which a plurality of pairs of inner plates (22a) and a plurality of pairs of outer plates (22b) are rotatably connected in series via a plurality of connecting pins (22c), and wherein the preventing member (26) is arranged at an end portion of each of the connecting pins (22c) opposite to an end portion at which the side roller (24) is arranged. [3] The offset conveyor chain (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least a portion of the preventing member (26) projects outwardly beyond the adjacent side rollers (24). [4] The offset conveyor chain (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a dimension (L1) of the preventing member (26) in the running direction is smaller than a dimension (L2) of the side roller (24) in the running direction. [5] The offset conveyor chain (10) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the preventing member (26) is fixed to the connecting pin (22c) so as to be non-rotatable relative to the connecting pin (22c). [6] The offset conveyor chain (10) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the preventing member (26) is a cap covering the end portion of the connecting pin (22c). [7] The offset conveyor chain (10) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the preventing member (26) is formed integrally with the connecting pin (22c) as a pin head projecting radially outward from an outer peripheral surface of the connecting pin (22c).

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