Chain

Abstract

To provide a chain capable of suppressing occurrence of defective rotation of a roller.SOLUTION: A roller 5 is substantially cylindrical, and has in a center part a hole 15 through which a bushing 13 passes. The hole 15 penetrates to both end surfaces 19 of the roller 5. A groove 17 is formed on an inner surface of the roller 5. The groove 17 is formed linearly in an axial direction from a center side to an outer peripheral side along the inner surface of the roller 5. That is, both end parts of the groove 17 are exposed at both end surfaces 19 of the roller 5. The plurality of grooves 17 are formed on the inner surface of the roller 5 at predetermined intervals in a circumferential direction. The grooves 17 function as a groove-like foreign matter discharge structure that can discharge foreign matter having entered between the bushing and the roller 5 during rotation of the roller 5.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a chain used, for example, in a conveying path for conveyed objects. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, chains are made up of multiple outer and inner plates connected to each other via pins and bushings so that they can bend freely. In this case, rotatable rollers are sometimes used on the outer periphery of the bushings to reduce friction caused by contact between the bushings and rails, sprockets, etc. of the conveying path (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-112807 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] 11(a) is a cross-sectional view of a conventional chain 100. A pin 101 is fixed in a fitting hole of a pair of outer plates 109b. A bushing 103 that is rotatable relative to the pin is disposed on the outer periphery of the pin 101, and both ends of the bushing 103 are fixed in fitting holes of a pair of inner plates 109a.

[0005] Rollers 105 are arranged on the outer periphery of bushings 103 so as to be rotatable relative to bushings 103. Rollers 105 can rotate freely relative to bushings 103. This reduces resistance when chain 100 moves, for example, at contact points with rails, sprockets, etc. of the conveying path.

[0006] Here, in order to reduce the rotational resistance of roller 105, it is necessary to form gap 107a between the side end face of roller 105 and inner plate 109a, and gap 107b between the inner peripheral surface of roller 105 and the outer peripheral surface of bushing 103. When the transported object is large, gaps 107a and 107b can be made smaller than the transported object to prevent the transported object from getting stuck in the gaps.

[0007] However, such chains are sometimes used to transport granular materials of various sizes, such as wood pellets and wood chips, which are used as biomass raw materials. In this way, especially when the granular sizes vary greatly, there is a risk that the materials will be pushed into gaps and cause clogging inside the chain.

[0008] For example, as shown in Figure 11(b), foreign matter 111 may be pushed into gap 107b between the inner surface of roller 105 and the outer surface of bushing 103, or as shown in Figure 11(c), foreign matter 111 may be pushed into gap 107a between the end face of roller 105 and the inner surface of inner plate 109a. If foreign matter 111 remains pushed into gaps 107a and 107b in this way, roller 105 will be unable to rotate relative to bushing 103, which will cause an increase in frictional resistance (and therefore an increase in tension) when chain 100 moves, wear on roller 105, rails, etc. due to sliding, and the inclusion of wear powder.

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and has an object to provide a chain that can suppress the occurrence of poor rotation of the rollers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a chain comprising outer plate portions connected by pins, inner plate portions connected by bushings arranged on the outer periphery of the pins, and rollers rotatably arranged on the outer periphery of the bushings, the chain being characterized in that the inner surface or end surface of the roller has a groove-like or notch-like foreign object discharge structure that can discharge foreign objects that have entered between the bushing and the roller or between the end surface of the roller and the inner surface of the inner plate portion when the roller rotates.

[0011] the foreign object discharge structures are notches formed on both end surfaces of the roller, The notch may have a shape that is obliquely cut out with respect to the axis when viewed from a predetermined direction perpendicular to the axis of the roller.

[0012] The notches at both ends of the roller may be formed obliquely relative to the axis at different rotational angular positions of the roller.

[0013] The foreign matter discharge structure may be a groove formed on the end surface of the roller, and the groove may be formed from the center side toward the outer periphery side of the roller.

[0014] The foreign matter discharge structure may be a groove formed on the inner surface of the roller, and the groove may be formed in the axial direction from the center of the roller toward the outer periphery.

[0015] The inner surface of the roller may further have another groove formed spirally in the axial direction.

[0016] According to the present invention, the inner surface or end surface of the roller has a foreign object discharge structure that can discharge foreign objects that have entered the gap between the roller and the bushing or inner plate portion, thereby efficiently discharging foreign objects that have entered the gap and suppressing the occurrence of rotation problems.

[0017] Furthermore, if the foreign object discharge mechanism is an oblique notch on the end face of the roller, foreign objects can be discharged by changing the gap between the roller and the inner plate as the roller rotates. Also, since it can be formed by cutting notches on both ends of the roller, it is easy to manufacture.

[0018] Furthermore, if the notches at both ends of the roller are formed obliquely relative to the axis at different rotational angle positions of the roller, foreign matter can be discharged more efficiently.

[0019] Furthermore, if the foreign matter discharge structure is a groove formed on the end face of the roller, foreign matter in the gap between the end face of the roller and the inner plate can be discharged to the outside along the groove as the roller rotates.

[0020] Furthermore, if the foreign matter discharge structure is a groove formed on the end face of the roller, foreign matter in the gap between the inner surface of the roller and the outer surface of the bushing can be discharged to the outside along the groove as the roller rotates.

[0021] Furthermore, if the groove is spiral, foreign matter can be expelled to the outside along the spiral groove as the device rotates. [Effects of the Invention]

[0022] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a chain that can suppress the occurrence of roller rotation failure. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1A is a plan view showing the chain 1 in use, and FIG. 1B is a partial perspective view. [Figure 2] (a) is an enlarged plan view of Chain 1, and (b) is a cross-sectional view of (a) taken along line AA. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] 1A is a side view of the roller 5, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. [Figure 5] 1A is a perspective view of the roller 5a, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the roller 5a. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] 10A is a side view of the roller 5c, and FIG. 10B is a side view of the roller 5d. [Figure 9] 10(a) to 10(d) are plan views of the roller 5e at different rotation angles. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing differences in the circumferential positions of the notches at both ends of a roller 5e. [Figure 11] (a) is a cross-sectional view of a conventional chain 100, (b) is a diagram showing a state in which a foreign object 111 is stuck in a gap 107b of the chain 100, and (c) is a diagram showing a state in which a foreign object 111 is stuck in a gap 107a of the chain 100. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1(a) is a schematic diagram showing a chain 1 on a conveying path 3. Fig. 1(b) is an enlarged perspective view showing a part of the chain 1, Fig. 2(a) is an enlarged plan view showing a part of the chain 1, and Fig. 2(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 2(a). Normally, the conveying path 3 is covered with a lid, making the internal conveying space a closed space, but the lid for the conveying path 3 is not shown in the drawings.

[0025] The chain 1 is arranged as an endless track on the conveying path 3 of a predetermined length. That is, the chain 1 moves along the lower part of the conveying path 3 in the conveying direction of the transported object, and returns in the opposite direction above the conveying path 3. Note that the chain 1 in the return direction is not shown in the illustration.

[0026] As shown in Figure 2(b), the chain 1 is mainly composed of inner plates 9a, outer plates 9b, pins 11, bushings 13, rollers 5, etc. The outer plates 9b are plate-shaped members, and have pin fitting holes, which are through holes, formed near both ends in the longitudinal direction. The pins 11 are fixed near both ends in the respective pin fitting holes, and the pair of outer plates 9b are connected by the pins 11.

[0027] Similarly, the inner plate 9a is a plate-like member with approximately the same outer shape as the outer plate 9b, and is provided with bushing fitting holes, which are through holes, near both longitudinal ends. Both ends of bushings 13 are fixed to the bushing fitting holes. The bushings 13 are cylindrical members with through holes provided therein, through which the pins 11 are inserted. The bushings 13 are arranged on the outer peripheries of the pins 11, and the pair of inner plates 9a are connected by the bushings 13. In this case, because the outer diameter of the pins 11 is smaller than the inner diameter of the bushings 13, the pins 11 can rotate freely relative to the bushings 13. Therefore, the chain 1 in a connected state can rotate and bend freely at the connection portion.

[0028] The rollers 5 are arranged on the outer periphery of the bushing 13 so as to be rotatable relative to the bushing 13. That is, the above-mentioned gaps are formed between both end surfaces of the rollers 5 and the inner surface of the inner plate 9a, and between the inner surface of the rollers 5 and the outer surface of the bushing 13. The rollers 5 will be described in detail later.

[0029] As shown in Figures 1(b) and 2(a), attachments 7 are fixed to both side surfaces of the inner plate 9a and the outer plate 9b. The attachments 7 are plate-shaped members, and in the example shown, the attachments 7 are slightly inclined upward from the direction of travel toward the rear. As the chain 1 moves, the attachments 7 can scrape out and transport objects on the transport path 3.

[0030] It is also possible to use an offset chain in which one end functions as an inner plate and the other end functions as an outer plate. In other words, the chain may be configured with an inner plate portion that functions as an inner plate and an outer plate portion that functions as an outer plate at the chain joint. The shape and arrangement of the attachment 7 are not limited to the example shown in the figure. For example, the attachment 7 does not have to be fixed to all plates.

[0031] Next, the roller 5 will be described in detail. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the roller 5, Fig. 4(a) is a side view of the roller 5, and Fig. 4(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in Fig. 4(a). As mentioned above, the roller 5 is substantially cylindrical, and has a hole 15 in the center through which the bushing 13 passes. The hole 15 passes through the roller 5 to end faces 19 on both sides.

[0032] Grooves 17 are formed on the inner surface of roller 5. Grooves 17 are formed linearly in the axial direction from the center toward the outer periphery along the inner surface of roller 5. In other words, both ends of groove 17 are exposed at opposite end faces 19 of roller 5. A plurality of grooves 17 are formed on the inner surface of roller 5 at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction. Grooves 17 function as a groove-shaped foreign object discharge structure that can discharge foreign objects that have entered between bushing 13 and roller 5 as roller 5 rotates.

[0033] The size and number of grooves 17 are not limited to the example shown in the figure. As shown in the figure, grooves 17 may be formed to have the same depth or width in the axial direction of roller 5, but may also be formed so that the depth or width increases from the center toward the outside in the axial direction.

[0034] Furthermore, groove 17 does not have to be formed linearly in the axial direction of roller 5. Fig. 5(a) is a perspective view showing roller 5a, and Fig. 5(b) is a cross-sectional view in the axial direction. In addition to groove 17, roller 5a is further formed with groove 17a.

[0035] Groove 17a is formed spirally in the axial direction on the inner surface of roller 5. That is, groove 17a is formed obliquely with respect to the axial direction of roller 5, and both ends of groove 17a are exposed at end surface 19 of roller 5. The rotation of roller 5 and spiral groove 17a can alleviate clogging of groove 17. Groove 17a may also be formed with the same depth or width in the axial direction of roller 5, or may have a depth or width that increases from the center toward the outside in the axial direction. Also, instead of groove 17, only groove 17a may be formed.

[0036] Furthermore, the width or depth of groove 17 may be greater than or less than the width or depth of groove 17a. If groove 17 has a greater width or depth, groove 17a will assist in the discharge by groove 17, and groove 17a can alleviate blockage of groove 17 caused by a large number of foreign objects or large foreign objects entering the groove 17. On the other hand, if groove 17a has a greater width or depth, groove 17 will assist in the discharge by groove 17a, and foreign objects that have entered groove 17 will be introduced into groove 17a, and the ability of roller 5 to discharge foreign objects outward as roller 5 rotates can be improved.

[0037] As described above, according to this embodiment, by providing grooves 17, 17a that communicate with end face 19 on the inner surface of rollers 5, 5a, foreign matter that has entered the gap between rollers 5, 5a and bushing 13 is guided into grooves 17, 17a when rollers 5, 5a rotate, and can be expelled to the outside of roller 5 (toward end face 19). This makes it possible to prevent malfunction of rollers 5, 5a.

[0038] For example, even with conventional roller 105, if the roller has sufficient rotational capacity, it can still rotate to discharge a small amount of foreign matter even if it gets into the gap between bushing 13 and roller 5. However, if a slightly larger piece of wood or the like gets caught in the gap between bushing 13 and roller 5, the rotation of roller 105 is restricted. As a result, the roller's ability to discharge foreign matter decreases, and the foreign matter continues to get in, eventually making it impossible for the roller to rotate at all.

[0039] However, in this embodiment, even if a foreign object first enters the gap between the bushing 13 and the rollers 5, 5a, the rollers 5, 5a regain their rotational ability once the foreign object is discharged into the grooves 17, 17a, and as a result, the rollers 5, 5a are able to improve (maintain) their ability to discharge foreign objects as they rotate, thereby preventing the rollers 5, 5a from malfunctioning.

[0040] In particular, groove 17, which is linear in the axial direction, can expel foreign matter in the shortest distance from the gap between bushing 13 and roller 5 to the end face of roller 5. Furthermore, groove 17a can increase the force with which foreign matter is expelled in the axial direction by the rotation of roller 5a.

[0041] Next, a second embodiment will be described. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a roller 5b according to the second embodiment, and Fig. 7 is a side view of the roller 5b. In the following description, components that perform the same functions as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals as in Figs. 1 to 5, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0042] Grooves 17b are provided in end face 19 of roller 5b over a predetermined range from the axial center toward the outer periphery. In the illustrated example, the end face 19 of roller 5b has a convex shape around hole 15 relative to the outer periphery of roller 5, increasing the width of the roller in the axial direction. Grooves 17b are formed in roller 5b by cutting out part of this convex shape. Grooves 17b are formed on end face 19 of roller 5 from the center (around hole 15) toward the outer periphery, and function as a foreign object discharge structure that can discharge foreign objects that have entered between the end face of roller 5 and the inner surface of inner plate 9a as roller 5 rotates.

[0043] Grooves 17b are formed so that their width in a side view increases from the center toward the outside. Furthermore, on end surface 19 of roller 5, grooves 17b are formed inclined from the center (hole 15 side) toward the outer periphery toward the opposite side of the rotation direction of roller 5 (counterclockwise direction in FIG. 7). In this way, grooves 17b are not formed in a linear direction passing through the central axis, but are inclined rearward in the rotation direction toward the outer periphery, so that foreign matter can be smoothly discharged to the outside of roller 5 during rotation.

[0044] In roller 5b, grooves 17b are not formed around holes 15, but grooves 17b may extend all the way to holes 15. FIG. 8(a) is a side view of roller 5c. In roller 5c, grooves 17b are formed in the convex portion on end surface 19 of roller 5c, as described above, so as to extend outward from holes 15. In this way, the roller can also exhibit a discharge function for foreign matter discharged through holes 15.

[0045] 8(b), the grooves 17b may be formed continuously from the holes 15 to the outer peripheral surface of the roller 5d. That is, as described above, the roller 5d does not have a convex shape around the holes 15, and the entire end face 19 is formed as a substantially flat surface, with the grooves 17b formed all over the flat end face 19.

[0046] According to the second embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. In particular, foreign matter that has entered the gap between the end faces 19 of the rollers 5b to 5d and the inner surface of the inner plate 9a can be expelled to the outside of the rollers 5b to 5d by the grooves 17b when the rollers 5b to 5d rotate. This makes it possible to prevent malfunctions in the rotation of the rollers 5b to 5d.

[0047] Furthermore, groove 17b is formed so that it becomes wider toward the outer periphery and is inclined backward in rotation toward the outer periphery, thereby improving the ability to discharge foreign matter as rollers 5b to 5d rotate.

[0048] Furthermore, by forming a convex portion around the hole 15 on the end face 19 of the roller and forming a groove 17b in the convex portion, foreign matter entering from the outer periphery of the roller 5 is first prevented from entering the hole 15 side by the convex portion, and foreign matter that has entered near the hole 15 can be efficiently expelled from the hole 15 side by the groove 17b formed in the convex portion.

[0049] In this case, by not connecting grooves 17b to holes 15, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering holes 15 via grooves 17b. On the other hand, by connecting grooves 17b to holes 15, it is possible to improve the ability to discharge foreign matter that has entered holes 15. Note that grooves 17, 17a formed in the axial direction on the inner surface, as in rollers 5, 5a, and grooves 17b formed in the radial direction on end face 19, as in rollers 5b to 5d, can be combined with each other.

[0050] Next, a third embodiment will be described. Figures 9(a) to 9(d) are plan views of the roller 5e at each rotation angle. For example, with Figure 9(a) as the base, the roller 5e rotates in the direction of arrow C in the figure, and Figure 9(b) is a plan view showing a rotation state of +90° from the base, Figure 9(c) is a plan view showing a rotation state of +180° from the base, and Figure 9(d) is a plan view showing a rotation state of +270° from the base.

[0051] While each of the rollers described above has a generally cylindrical shape with both end faces 19 formed generally parallel to one another, roller 5e has a notch 21 cut out at an angle to the axis when viewed from a specific direction perpendicular to the axis of the roller. That is, notch 21 of roller 5e functions as a structure for discharging foreign matter that has entered the gap between the end face of roller 5e and inner plate 9a.

[0052] Furthermore, in the roller 5e, the notches 21 on each end face 19 on both sides are formed obliquely with respect to the axis at different rotational angle positions of the roller 5e. For example, in Fig. 9(a), the end face 19 on the left side of the roller 5e in the drawing is formed obliquely, while as shown in Fig. 9(b), the end face 19 on the right side of the roller 5e in the drawing is formed obliquely when the roller 5e is rotated 90°. In other words, the end faces of the roller 5e are not parallel.

[0053] The inclination angle of the notches 21 on each side of the roller 5e (angle θ in FIG. 9(a)) is preferably 3 to 10°. If it is less than 3°, the effect of the inclination is reduced, and if it exceeds 10°, the gap becomes too large and the axial length of the roller 5e becomes shorter, which makes wear more likely to progress.

[0054] Fig. 10 is a table summarizing the misalignment of the oblique notches 21 on both sides of roller 5e depending on the rotation angle. Fig. 10 shows a conceptual plan view of the roller at a reference rotation angle position and at a 90° rotation position and a 180° rotation position for each roller with an inclination misalignment of 0°, 90°, and 180°.

[0055] "Tilt position deviation of 0°" (left column of the table) means that at a rotation angle where one end face of the roller is formed at an angle, a notch is formed at the other end face with an inclination in the same direction. In other words, in this case, at the reference rotation angle, the roller is represented as an approximately parallelogram, and both end faces are parallel.

[0056] On the other hand, "tilt position shift of 90°" (center column of the table) is the case where, as shown in Figures 9(a) to 9(d), by rotating one end face of the roller by +90° from the rotation angle at which one end face is formed at an angle, a notch is formed on the other end face with an inclination in the same direction.

[0057] Also, "tilt position deviation of 180°" (right column of the table) is the case where, at a rotation angle where one end face of the roller is formed at an angle, the other end face has a notch formed at an angle in the opposite direction. In other words, in this case, the roller is expressed as an approximately trapezoid at the reference rotation angle.

[0058] The table shows the projected area of the gap between the roller and the plate (inner plate) in a plan view ("projected gap area") and the sum of the left and right gaps between the inner surface of the plate and both end faces of the roller on the central axis in a plan view (the dashed line at the reference angle) ("plate / roller gap"). As shown in the figure, by forming an oblique notch, the projected gap area and plate / roller gap change depending on the rotation angle of the roller.

[0059] When the tilt position misalignment is 0°, the change in the "projected gap area" and "plate / roller gap" due to the rotation angle is extremely small. In contrast, when the tilt position misalignment angle increases, such as when the tilt position misalignment is 90° or 180°, the change in the "projected gap area" and "plate / roller gap" due to the rotation angle increases.

[0060] To prevent foreign matter from clogging the gap between the roller end face and the inner plate, it is desirable to vary the "projected gap area" to some extent. For example, since the chain can become embedded in the conveyed material, if the "projected gap area" does not change much, even if foreign matter is discharged from one gap to the outside, it will be pushed into the other gap, making it difficult for the discharge function to function. Therefore, by actively varying the "projected gap area" in accordance with the rotation of the roller, it is possible to promote the discharge of foreign matter from the gap.

[0061] On the other hand, if the "plate / roller gap" becomes too small, there is a risk that foreign matter will be pushed into the gap and not be discharged. For this reason, it is desirable that the "plate / roller gap" does not become too small depending on the rotation angle. Taking this into consideration, it is desirable that the tilt position deviation, which is the rotation angle at which the diagonal notch is formed on one side relative to the rotation angle at which the diagonal notch is formed on the other side, be in the range of 45° to 135°.

[0062] According to the third embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. Furthermore, by shifting the rotation angle positions at which the oblique notches are formed on both end faces, foreign matter can be efficiently discharged and clogging can be suppressed. Note that the grooves in the first and second embodiments may be further added to the third embodiment.

[0063] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. It is clear that those skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications and alterations within the scope of the technical ideas described in the claims, and it is understood that these modifications and alterations also fall within the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 1...Chain 3...Transport path 5, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e...Laura 7. Attachment 9a………Inner plate 9b………Outer plate 11...Pin 13... Bush 15……hole 17, 17a, 17b……Groove 19……End face 21...Notch 100...Chain 101...pin 103... Bush 105...Laura 107a, 107b...gaps 109a………Inner plate 109b………Outer plate 111……Foreign object

Claims

1. an outer plate portion connected by a pin; an inner plate portion connected to the pin by a bushing disposed on the outer periphery of the pin; a roller rotatably disposed on an outer periphery of the bushing; Equipped with A chain characterized in that the inner surface or end surface of the roller has a groove-like or notch-like foreign object discharge structure that can discharge foreign objects that have entered between the bushing and the roller or between the end surface of the roller and the inner surface of the inner plate portion when the roller rotates.

2. the foreign object discharge structures are notches formed on both end surfaces of the roller, 2. The chain according to claim 1, wherein the notch has a shape obliquely cut out with respect to the axis of the roller when viewed from a predetermined direction perpendicular to the axis of the roller.

3. 3. The chain according to claim 2, wherein the notches at both ends of the roller are formed obliquely relative to the axis at different rotational angular positions of the roller.

4. the foreign matter discharge structure is a groove formed on the end surface of the roller, 2. The chain according to claim 1, wherein the grooves are formed from the center of the roller toward the outer periphery.

5. the foreign matter discharge structure is a groove formed on the inner surface of the roller, 2. The chain according to claim 1, wherein the grooves are formed in the axial direction from the center of the roller toward the outer periphery.

6. 6. The chain according to claim 5, wherein the inner surface of said roller is further formed with another groove spirally in the axial direction.

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