Conveyance chain

Abstract

To provide a conveyance chain capable of reducing residual of objects to be conveyed on a conveyance passage with a simple structure.SOLUTION: An attachment 7 extending so as to protrude to both sides toward the width direction when installed in a conveyance passage is fixed to at least some of chain bodies 3. The attachment 7 has a plate-like shape, and a scraper 9a is disposed in front of the travelling direction and is fixed by a pressing plate 8. On the Y side of the chain body 3, an inclined surface 11 is provided in front of the travelling direction of the chain 1. With the inclined surface 11, a mechanism for aligning the chain bodies 3 in the X direction using force received from objects to be conveyed in front serves as an aligning mechanism.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a conveyor chain for conveying an object on a conveyor path. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, when barley, wheat, soybeans, rapeseed, corn, etc. are received at a port or the like and then transported to or from the respective storage facilities, the transported goods are transported by chains on a transport path.

[0003] Fig. 9(a) is a schematic diagram showing a chain 100 in a conventional conveying path 101, and Fig. 9(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line PP in Fig. 9(a). Fig. 10 is an enlarged plan view showing a part of the chain 100 moving in the conveying path 101. Normally, the conveying path 101 is covered with a lid, making the internal conveying space a closed space, but in the following description, the lid of the conveying path 101 is omitted from the illustration.

[0004] A chain 100 is arranged as an endless track on a conveying path 101 of a predetermined length. That is, the chain 100 moves under the conveying path 101 in the conveying direction of the transported object, and returns in the opposite direction above the conveying path 101. Note that the chain 100 in the return direction is not shown in the figure.

[0005] As shown in Figure 10, the chain 100 is formed by connecting multiple chain bodies 3. Attachments 109 are fixed to some of the chain bodies 103. In the example shown, attachments 109 are fixed to every other chain body 103. The attachments 109 protrude from the chain body 103 in a direction perpendicular to the movement direction (the direction of arrow S in Figure 10) (the up-down direction in Figure 10, hereinafter referred to as the width direction).

[0006] A scraper 105 is fixed to the front or rear surface of the attachment 109 in the movement direction by a pressure plate 107. The scraper 105 is made of, for example, resin, and is fixed so as to protrude slightly downward and to the side from the attachment 109 (and pressure plate 107), and serves as a part that scrapes out the transported object (not shown) in the conveying path 101. For example, the scraper 105 comes into contact with the bottom surface of the conveying path 101, so that the transported object at the bottom of the conveying path 101 can be conveyed in the conveying direction.

[0007] Here, the conveying path 101 may have a length of several tens of meters to about 100 meters. Therefore, the conveying path 101 may meander to some extent, and it is difficult to keep the inner width of the conveying path 101 constant with perfect precision over its entire length. Therefore, for example, if the overall width of the scraper 105 were to be perfectly consistent with the inner width of the conveying path 101, the scraper 105 and the conveying path 101 would mesh in some parts, which could make it difficult for the chain 100 to move.

[0008] For this reason, the overall width (width Q in FIG. 9(b)) of the chain 100 (scraper 105) is usually set slightly shorter than the inner width (width R in FIG. 9(b)) of the conveying path 101, and as a result, a gap is generated between the scraper 105 and the inner surface of the conveying path 101, as shown in FIG. 10. When such a gap is generated, the conveyed object leaks backward through this gap (in the direction of arrow T in FIG. 10). In other words, there is a risk that part of the conveyed object will remain in the conveying path 101.

[0009] Normally, since there is a possibility that a plurality of types of transported objects may be transported on the same transport path 101, if a transported object remains on the transport path 101 in this way, there is a risk that other transported objects transported previously may be mixed into the transported object. If a plurality of types of transported objects are mixed in this way, there is a risk of problems such as allergies. For this reason, after transport, it is necessary to perform an operation to remove the transported objects remaining on the transport path 101, particularly at the ends in the width direction.

[0010] In response to this, a chain conveyor has been proposed that uses a biasing means for biasing a cleaner (scraper) attached to an attachment toward the inner surface of the conveying path (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0011] [Patent Document 1] JP 2005-335847 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0012] However, as mentioned above, the conveying chain needs to be long enough to travel back and forth over the entire length of the conveying path 101, and even if attachments using biasing means are placed at predetermined intervals as in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to place a large number of attachments with biasing means. This makes the chain complex and expensive.

[0013] The present invention has been made in consideration of such problems, and has an object to provide a conveyor chain that has a simple structure and is capable of reducing the amount of transported objects remaining on the conveyor path. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a conveying chain in which a plurality of chain bodies are connected, wherein at least some of the chain bodies have an attachment fixed to them extending in the width direction of the conveying path, and a first scraper is fixed to the attachment, and at least some of the chain bodies located within a predetermined range in the movement direction of the chain are provided with a width-shifting mechanism that generates a force to shift the chain body in one or the other direction in the width direction in response to a force received from an object being conveyed from the front, and the width-shifting mechanism that shifts the chain body in the one width direction and the width-shifting mechanism that shifts the chain body in the other width direction are arranged at different positions at a predetermined interval in the movement direction of the chain.

[0015] In the width-shifting mechanism that shifts the width in one direction in the width direction, a part of the chain bodies may have a second scraper fixed to at least one end of the attachment in the width direction, and in the width-shifting mechanism that shifts the width in the other direction in the width direction, a part of the chain bodies may have a second scraper fixed to at least the other end of the attachment in the width direction.

[0016] The width-shifting mechanism that shifts the width in one direction in the width direction is an inclined surface at the front side in the traveling direction of the chain, inclining from the other side to the one side toward the front in the traveling direction of the chain, and the width-shifting mechanism that shifts the width in the other direction in the width direction is an inclined surface at the front side in the traveling direction of the chain, inclined from the one side to the other side toward the front in the traveling direction of the chain, and the inclined surface may be formed on at least a portion of the front side of the chain.

[0017] The inclined surface may be formed by a change in thickness of at least a portion of a scraper fixed to the front of the attachment.

[0018] The inclined surface may be formed such that at least a portion of the attachment is inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular to a direction of travel, and the first scraper may be disposed along the attachment.

[0019] The width-shifting mechanism that shifts the width in one direction in the width direction may be a bent portion where the end portion on the other side of the attachment is bent toward the rear, and the width-shifting mechanism that shifts the width in the other direction in the width direction may be a bent portion where the end portion on the one side of the attachment is bent toward the rear.

[0020] According to the first invention, a part of the chain body has a width shifting mechanism that can shift the chain itself to one side or the other side by the force received from the transported object from the front, so the first scraper can be shifted in the width direction only by the force received from the transported object without using a biasing means for the attachment. Therefore, the first scraper can be brought into contact with the inner surface of the transport path at that part, and the transported object can be prevented from falling off to the rear. Therefore, the transported object can be prevented from remaining on the transport path.

[0021] Furthermore, by providing a second scraper in the width-shifting direction, for example, the first scraper can be used to transport the material across almost the entire width, and the second scraper can be made to protrude widthwise further than the first scraper in the width-shifting direction, thereby more reliably scraping off the material from the widthwise end portion.

[0022] Furthermore, if the width-shifting mechanism is an inclined surface provided on the front side in the direction of chain travel, the chain can be easily shifted to one side or the other by simply making slight changes to the shape of conventionally used components, without using special components.

[0023] Furthermore, if the inclined surface is formed by changing the thickness of at least a portion of the scraper fixed to the front of the attachment, the chain body and the attachment can be of conventional shapes as they are.

[0024] Furthermore, if the inclined surface is formed by inclining at least a portion of the attachment with respect to a plane perpendicular to the traveling direction, the chain body and scraper can be of conventional shapes as they are.

[0025] Furthermore, if the width-adjusting mechanism is a bent portion formed by bending the end of the attachment rearward, there is no need to form an inclined surface on the front surface in the movement direction. Effect of the Invention

[0026] According to the present invention, a conveyor chain is provided that has a simple structure and is capable of reducing the amount of transported objects remaining on the conveyor path. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing a portion of the chain 1. [Diagram 2] FIG. 4A is a plan view showing a state in which the chain 1 is arranged on the conveying path 13, and FIG. 4B is a view showing a state in which the chain 1 has been moved. [Diagram 3] (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line KK in FIG. 2(b), and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line LL in FIG. 2(b). [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing a portion of the chain 1a. [Diagram 5] 1A is a schematic plan view showing a portion of a chain 1b, and FIG. 1B is a schematic plan view showing a portion of a chain 1c. [Figure 6] 1A is a front view showing another scraper 9a, FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along line MM of FIG. 1A, and FIG. 1C is a view showing another form of FIG. [Figure 7] 10A is a front view showing still another scraper 9a, FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view taken along line NN in FIG. 10A, and FIG. 10C is a view showing another form of FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing a portion of a chain 1d. [Figure 9] FIG. 1A is a plan view showing a chain 100 in a conventional conveying path 101, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along line PP in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing the chain 100 on the conveying path 101. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a part of the configuration of a chain 1 according to this embodiment. The chain 1 is mainly composed of a chain body 3, an attachment 7, scrapers 9a, 9b, etc. A link 5a is provided at one end of the chain body 3, and a link 5b is provided at the other end. The links 5a and 5b of multiple chain bodies 3 are connected by pins, bushings, etc. to form an endless track, and the chain 1 for transporting grains, etc. is constructed.

[0029] At least a part of the chain bodies 3 has an attachment 7 fixed thereto, which extends so as to protrude on both sides in the width direction when the attachment 7 is installed on the conveying path. The attachment 7 is plate-shaped, and a scraper 9a, which is a first scraper, is disposed on the front side in the traveling direction (the right side in the drawing) and is fixed by a pressure plate 8. A scraper 9b, which is a second scraper, is disposed on top of the scraper 9a on one side in the width direction (the lower side in the drawing) and is fixed by the pressure plate 8. The scraper 9b protrudes slightly toward the end side in the width direction relative to the scraper 9a. The scrapers 9a and 9b may be disposed behind the attachment 7 instead of in front of it.

[0030] Here, in the width direction of the chain 1, one side (lower side in the figure) on which the scraper 9b is provided is defined as the X direction, and the opposite side (upper side in the figure) is defined as the Y direction. That is, scrapers 9a and 9b are provided on the X side of the width direction of the chain body 3, and only scraper 9a is provided on the Y side. Note that scraper 9b is not necessarily required, and in the following description, scrapers 9a and 9b may be simply referred to as scraper 9.

[0031] In this embodiment, on the Y side of the chain body 3, an inclined surface 11 is provided on the front surface in the traveling direction of the chain 1. More specifically, in a plan view, at least a part of the attachment 7 is formed so as to be inclined rearward (angle θ in the figure) toward the end with respect to a plane (A in the figure) perpendicular to the traveling direction. The scraper 9a is disposed along the inclined attachment 7, so that the inclined surface 11 is provided on the front surface in the traveling direction of the chain 1. On the other hand, on the X side of the chain body 3, the front surface of the scraper 9 is a plane perpendicular to the traveling direction of the chain 1. In other words, the shape is asymmetric with respect to the center line in the width direction of the chain body 3.

[0032] When the chain 1 moves in the traveling direction in this state, the scraper 9 receives a force from the transported object from the front. For example, on the X side, the scraper 9 has a surface perpendicular to the traveling direction, so the scraper 9 receives a force from the transported object substantially perpendicular to its front surface (arrow B in the figure). In this way, when the scraper 9 receives a force perpendicular to its front surface, only a balance of forces parallel to the traveling direction is generated between the scraper 9 and the transported object.

[0033] On the other hand, on the Y side, since the scraper 9 has an inclined surface 11 that inclines backward as it approaches the end in the width direction, the transported object from the front moves outward along the inclined surface 11 of the scraper 9 (arrow C in the figure). Therefore, due to this reaction force, the scraper 9 receives a force in the opposite direction (X direction). In other words, the chain body 3 receives a force component in the direction perpendicular to the traveling direction, and receives a force in the X direction as a whole (arrow D in the figure).

[0034] In this way, the inclined surface 11 functions as a width-shifting mechanism that shifts the chain body 3 in the X direction due to the force received from the transported object from the front. Similarly, by inverting Fig. 1 and providing the inclined surface 11 that slopes toward the width direction end side on the front surface of the scraper 9 on the X side, and forming the front surface of the scraper 9 perpendicular to the traveling direction on the Y side, it is possible to make the chain body 3 function as a width-shifting mechanism that shifts the chain body 3 in the Y direction due to the force received from the transported object from the front.

[0035] That is, the width-shifting mechanism that shifts the width in the X direction is an inclined surface 11 that inclines toward the front in the movement direction from the Y side toward the X side at the front in the traveling direction of the chain 1 (inclines toward the rear in the movement direction from the X side toward the Y side), and the width-shifting mechanism that shifts the width in the Y direction is an inclined surface 11 that inclines toward the front in the movement direction from the X side toward the Y side at the front in the traveling direction of the chain 1 (inclines toward the rear in the movement direction from the Y side toward the X side).

[0036] 2(a) is a diagram showing a state in which the chain 1 is arranged on the conveying path 13. The width-shifting mechanism described above is formed on a predetermined length of the chain 1. For example, the chain 1 can be configured such that in the range E in the figure, as shown in FIG. 1, a width-shifting mechanism facing the X direction side is arranged, and in the range G in the figure, a width-shifting mechanism facing the Y direction side, which is the upside-down view of FIG. 1, is arranged, and in the range F in the figure between these two, no width-shifting mechanism is provided.

[0037] For example, in the range E in the figure, the attachments 7 are provided at predetermined intervals on the multiple connected chain bodies 3, and in the multiple chain bodies 3 with the attachments 7, an inclined surface 11 is provided on the front surface of the Y-side scraper 9 as a width-shifting mechanism facing the X direction. Also, in the range G in the figure, the attachments 7 are provided at predetermined intervals on the multiple connected chain bodies 3, and in the multiple chain bodies 3 with the attachments 7, an inclined surface 11 is provided on the front surface of the X-side scraper 9 as a width-shifting mechanism facing the Y direction.

[0038] Furthermore, for range F between ranges E and G, the conventional chain 100 shown in FIG. 10 (with an attachment 109 and scraper 105 provided on a portion of the chain body 103) can be applied as a chain without a width-shifting mechanism. That is, the front surface of the scraper 9 on both the X side and the Y side is a surface perpendicular to the traveling direction. Note that range F (the range without a width-shifting mechanism) is not necessarily required.

[0039] In this way, at least a portion of the chain body 3 located within a predetermined range in the movement direction of the chain 1 is provided with a width-shifting mechanism that generates a force to shift the chain body 3 in one width direction, X direction, or the other width direction, Y direction, in response to a force received from a transported object from the front. In this case, the width-shifting mechanism that shifts the chain body 3 in one width direction, X direction, and the width-shifting mechanism that shifts the chain body 3 in the other width direction, Y direction, are disposed at different positions at a predetermined interval in the movement direction of the chain 1.

[0040] In addition, ranges E and G may be alternately arranged in a plurality of locations along the longitudinal direction of the chain 1, or ranges E and G may be arranged at one location each along the endless track. In either case, when the chain 1 is moved, ranges E and G pass repeatedly at a predetermined position on the conveying path 13.

[0041] Furthermore, in ranges E and G, it is not necessary to form a width-shifting mechanism for all attachments 7 (chain body 3). For example, a width-shifting mechanism may be formed only for some of the attachments 7 (chain body 3) in range E, and no width-shifting mechanism may be provided for the remaining attachments 7 (chain body 3).

[0042] Figure 2(b) is a conceptual diagram showing the state in which chain 1 is advanced (in the direction of arrow H in the figure) when there is an object to be transported (not shown) on conveying path 13, Figure 3(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line KK in Figure 2(b), and Figure 3(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line LL in Figure 2(b).

[0043] As described above, in range E, the width-shifting mechanism functions in the X direction, and in range G, the width-shifting mechanism functions in the Y direction. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 2(b), the chain 1 moves in a serpentine manner with respect to the traveling direction (H in the figure).

[0044] 3(a), in range E, the chain body 3 is shifted in the X direction, and the scraper 9 comes into contact with the inner surface of the conveying path 13 on the X side (arrow I in the figure). Similarly, in range G, as shown in FIG. 3(b), the chain body 3 is shifted in the Y direction, and the scraper 9 comes into contact with the inner surface of the conveying path 13 on the Y side (arrow J in the figure).

[0045] In this way, when range E of the chain 1 passes, the transported object at the width direction end on the X side is transported by the chain 1, and is prevented from falling off backward. Also, when range G of the chain 1 passes, the transported object at the width direction end on the Y side is transported by the chain 1, and is prevented from falling off backward. Therefore, when the entire chain 1 moves on the transport path 13, the transported object at the width direction end can be reliably transported by the chain 1 in at least a part of the longitudinal direction, and thus it is possible to prevent the transported object from remaining behind.

[0046] As described above, according to this embodiment, in a predetermined range in the longitudinal direction of the chain 1, the attachment 7 on one side (e.g., the X side) is tilted backward in the moving direction as it approaches the end, so that the inclined surface 11 can be formed on the front surface of the scraper 9 of the chain 1. Therefore, this inclined surface 11 can function as a width-pushing mechanism to the other side (e.g., the Y side) without using a special structure such as a spring. Therefore, the chain 1 can be moved by bringing the scraper 9 into contact with the inner surface of the conveying path 13, and the residue of the conveyed object at the width direction end of the conveying path can be suppressed.

[0047] In addition, by forming the width-shifting mechanisms in each direction at a predetermined interval in the longitudinal direction of the chain 1, it is possible to alternately pass the width-shifting mechanisms in each width direction at any position on the conveying path 13. This makes it possible to prevent conveyed objects from remaining along the entire length of the conveying path 13.

[0048] Also, in a width shifting mechanism that shifts width in the X direction, by stacking and fixing scraper 9b in addition to scraper 9a to at least the X-side end in the width direction of attachment 7 to a part of chain body 3, the scraper 9b can more reliably scrape off transported objects at the end. Similarly, in a width shifting mechanism that shifts width in the Y direction, by fixing scraper 9b to at least the Y-side end in the width direction of attachment 7 to a part of chain body 3, the scraper 9b can more reliably scrape off transported objects at the end.

[0049] Next, the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a part of a chain 1a according to the second embodiment. In the following description, the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 are used for the components that perform the same functions as in the first embodiment, and the overlapping description will be omitted. In the following drawings, the scraper 9b is omitted, but as in the first embodiment, a scraper 9b may be arranged in addition to the scraper 9a at the end side on the side to be shifted. In the following description, the shifting mechanism to one side (X side) will be described, but the shifting mechanism to the other side (Y side) may be configured symmetrically.

[0050] The chain 1 has a structure substantially similar to that of the chain 1a, but differs in that a scraper 9a is not provided for the attachment 7 on one side.

[0051] In the illustrated example, on the Y side in the width direction, an inclined surface 11 is provided on the front surface of the attachment 7, which is inclined toward the rear in the movement direction of the chain 1a as it approaches the end on the Y side with respect to a surface A perpendicular to the movement direction. Therefore, the chain body 3 receives a force from the transported object from the front and is shifted toward the X side (direction D in the figure).

[0052] In the illustrated example, the entire attachment 7 is exposed to the front on the width direction Y side, but even on the Y side, a part of the inclined surface 11 may be covered by the scraper 9a.

[0053] According to the second embodiment, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the first embodiment. Also, in the width-shifting mechanism, a part of the attachment 7 is exposed to the front on the side opposite to the side to be shifted, so that some of the scrapers 9a can be made smaller.

[0054] Next, a third embodiment will be described. Fig. 5(a) is a plan view showing a part of a chain 1b according to a third embodiment. The chain 1b has a similar structure to the chain 1, but the side on which the inclined surface 11 is formed is different.

[0055] The chain 1b is provided with an inclined surface 11 on the X side in the width direction, which is inclined forward as it approaches the end. As described above, the chain body 3 moves toward the X side by receiving a force component perpendicular to the traveling direction from the conveyed object from the front at the inclined surface 11. That is, the inclined surface 11 formed on the X side functions as a mechanism for shifting the width toward the X side.

[0056] 5(b), the inclined surface 11 of the chain 1 and the inclined surface 11 of the chain 1b may be formed together. That is, on the width direction Y side, an inclined surface 11 inclined backward toward the end side is provided, and on the width direction X side, an inclined surface 11 inclined forward toward the end side is provided. That is, on both the X side and the Y side, at the front in the traveling direction of the chain 1c, the inclined surface 11 inclines forward in the moving direction from the Y side toward the X side.

[0057] According to the third embodiment, it is possible to obtain the same effect as the first embodiment. In this way, the inclined surface 11 may be provided on the width-shifting side of the width-shifting mechanism, and by doing so, the transported objects scraped off at the end side can be gathered toward the center of the chain body 3.

[0058] Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. Fig. 6(a) is a front view showing a scraper 9a used in a chain according to the fourth embodiment, and Fig. 6(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line MM in Fig. 6(a). The scraper 9a of this embodiment differs in that it is not uniform in thickness overall, but has an inclined surface 11 whose thickness gradually changes.

[0059] In the illustrated example, the inclined surface 11 is formed on a part of the Y side in the width direction on the front surface of the scraper 9a. More specifically, the thickness gradually decreases toward the end side of the Y side of the scraper 9a, thereby forming the inclined surface 11 on the front surface. Therefore, when the inclined surface 11 receives a force from the conveyed object from the front (arrow C in FIG. 6(b)), the scraper 9a receives a component of the force toward the width direction X side (arrow D in FIG. 6(b)). The scraper 9a is fixed by the pressing plate 8 in front of the attachment 7. In this case, the inclined surface 11 is formed at a position that avoids the pressing plate 8. On the other hand, as described above, the scraper 9a may be disposed behind the attachment 7. In this case, the inclined surface 11 is formed at a position that avoids the attachment 7. That is, in either case, the inclined surface 11 is formed so as to be exposed forward.

[0060] 6(c), the thickness of the inclined surface 11 may be substantially constant at both ends in the width direction and may be thicker at the center on the Y side. In any case, it is sufficient that the front surface of the scraper 9 is formed with an inclined surface 11 whose thickness gradually decreases toward the Y side end.

[0061] 7(a) is a front view of a scraper 9a with inclined surfaces 11 formed on both sides in the width direction, and FIG. 7(b) is a cross-sectional view of line NN in FIG. 7(a). In the illustrated example, inclined surfaces 11 are formed on the front surface on both the X side and Y side in the width direction of the scraper 9a. In FIG. 7(b), the X side end in the width direction is the thickest, and the thickness gradually decreases from the X side end toward the width direction center, and also gradually decreases from the width direction center toward the Y direction end, with the Y side end in the width direction being the thinnest.

[0062] As shown in Fig. 7(c), the inclined surfaces 11 may be formed to have the same thickness on both the X side and the Y side. That is, the maximum thickness part on the X side (X side end) and the maximum thickness on the Y side (near the end in the X direction on the Y side) may be substantially the same, and the minimum thickness part on the X side (near the end in the Y direction on the X side) and the minimum thickness on the Y side (Y side end) may be substantially the same. In either case, when the inclined surface 11 receives a force from the transported object (arrow C in the figure), the scraper 9a receives a force component toward the width direction X side (arrow D in the figure).

[0063] According to the fourth embodiment, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained. In this way, the inclined surface 11 may be formed by changing the thickness of the scraper 9. In this way, the attachment 7 can be formed perpendicular to the traveling direction as in the conventional case.

[0064] Next, the fifth embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a part of a chain 1d according to the fifth embodiment. The chain 1d is substantially similar to the chain 1, but differs in that the inclined surface 11 is not formed on the front surface in the traveling direction. The front surface of the chain 1d is configured as a surface perpendicular to the traveling direction. Meanwhile, the end of the attachment 7 is bent backward on the Y side in the width direction. For example, the attachment 7 is bent backward on the end side of the bolt for fixing the scraper 9. The scraper 9 is fixed along the attachment 7 at a portion other than the bent portion.

[0065] As described above, the transported object from the front flows backward through the gap between the end of the chain 1d in the width direction and the side of the transport path. At this time, part of the transported object moves along the bent portion 12 of the attachment 7 (arrow O in the figure). Therefore, at the bent portion 12, the attachment 7 receives not only a force parallel to the traveling direction from the transported object, but also a force component perpendicular to the traveling direction, and an effect similar to that of the inclined surface 11 can be obtained. As a result, the chain body 3 is shifted widthwise toward the X side (arrow D in the figure).

[0066] In this way, the width-shifting mechanism that shifts the width to the X side in the width direction may be provided with a bent portion 12 that bends rearward at the Y side end of the attachment 7, and the width-shifting mechanism that shifts the width to the Y side in the width direction may be provided with a bent portion 12 that bends rearward at the X side end of the attachment 7.

[0067] According to the fifth embodiment, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the first embodiment. In this way, the width-shifting mechanism is not limited to an inclined surface formed on the front surface in the traveling direction.

[0068] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the attached drawings, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can think of various modifications or alterations within the scope of the technical ideas described in the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

[0069] For example, in the present invention, the configurations in the above-described embodiments may be combined with each other. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d... Chain 3………Chain body 5a, 5b………Link 7. Attachment 8: Retaining plate 9, 9a, 9b………Scraper 11……Slope surface 12...Bend 13...Transport path 100………Chain 101...Transport path 103………Chain body 105...Scraper 107.... Retaining plate 109………Attachment

Claims

1. A conveyor chain in which a plurality of chain bodies are connected, An attachment is fixed to at least a portion of the chain body, the attachment extending in the width direction of the conveying path, A first scraper is fixed to the attachment; At least a portion of the chain body located within a predetermined range in the moving direction of the chain is provided with a width shifting mechanism that generates a force to shift the chain body in one direction or the other direction in the width direction in response to a force received from a transported object from the front, A conveyor chain, characterized in that the width-shifting mechanism that shifts the width in one direction in the width direction and the width-shifting mechanism that shifts the width in the other direction in the width direction are arranged at different positions at a predetermined interval in the movement direction of the chain.

2. The conveyor chain according to claim 1, characterized in that in the width-shifting mechanism that shifts the width in one direction in the width direction, a second scraper is fixed to at least one end of the attachment in the width direction on a portion of the chain body, and in the width-shifting mechanism that shifts the width in the other direction in the width direction, a second scraper is fixed to at least the other end of the attachment in the width direction on a portion of the chain body.

3. the width shifting mechanism that shifts the width in the one direction in the width direction is an inclined surface that is inclined forward in the movement direction from the other side to the one side on a front surface in the traveling direction of the chain, the width shifting mechanism that shifts the width in the other direction in the width direction is an inclined surface that is inclined forward in the moving direction from the one side to the other side at a front in the advancing direction of the chain, 2. The conveyor chain according to claim 1, wherein the inclined surface is formed on at least a portion of the front surface of the chain.

4. 4. The conveyor chain according to claim 3, wherein the inclined surface is formed by a change in thickness of at least a portion of a scraper fixed to the front of the attachment.

5. 4. The conveyor chain according to claim 3, wherein the inclined surface is formed by forming at least a portion of the attachment at an incline with respect to a plane perpendicular to the direction of travel, and the first scraper being disposed along the attachment.

6. the width shifting mechanism that shifts the width in the one direction in the width direction is a bending portion in which an end portion of the attachment on the other side is bent rearward, 2. The conveyor chain according to claim 1, wherein the width-shifting mechanism for shifting the width in the other direction in the width direction is a bent portion in which an end portion on the one side of the attachment is bent rearward.

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