Interlocking chain

Abstract

To provide an interlocking chain which can move back and forth along a curved movement locus with a predetermined curvature corresponding to a curved shape, improves load-bearing performance even against a very large local tensile force, and has no risk of damaging link plates even with a large curve or long payout. [Solution] The chain has a pair of chain members 101, 105 that can be driven freely back and forth and mesh with each other to form a single unit, and a first distance P1 between a pair of pin holes in the inner link plate of the inner chain member 101 is smaller than a second distance P2 between the pair of pin holes in the outer link plate of the outer chain member 105, and a distance W1 from the edge of the inner link plate opposite the outer link plate to the center of the pin hole is greater than a distance W2 from the edge of the outer link plate opposite the inner link plate to the center of the pin hole.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an interlocking chain having at least one pair of chain members that can move forward and backward, in which the pair of chain members mesh with each other and become one unit as they move in the forward direction, but when the chain members move from this integrated interlocking state in the backward direction, they disengage from each other and branch off. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, interlocking chains used in movable body movement devices, etc., have been known in which multiple pairs of chain members that can move forward and backward mesh with each other and become integrated as they move in the forward direction, but then branch off by disengaging from each other as they move from this integrated interlocking state in the backward direction. In addition, a known interlocking chain is one in which, in order to move a movable body connected to the end of the interlocking chain facing in the direction of travel along a curved movement trajectory, when a pair of chain members interlock with each other and become one as they move in the direction of travel, the chain member of the pair with the relatively smaller distance between a pair of pin holes in the link plates that make up that chain member is positioned on the inner side, forming a curved, integrated shape, and is able to move back and forth along a curved movement trajectory with a predetermined curvature that corresponds to the curved shape (see Patent Document 1, etc.). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6814861 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The interlocking chain is configured to be able to generate a large force in the compression direction in order to transmit a pressing force to the tip in the payout direction and receive a load. However, when the fiber is unwound into a curved shape, the angle between the unwound direction and the direction of the load applied from the tip increases as the fiber is unwound, causing bending deformation. As shown in Figure 9 (where the bending deformation is exaggerated), there are areas where forces are applied in both the compressive and tensile directions. At this time, the tensile force on the outside of the curve is borne by the outer chain member 505, and the tensile force on the inside of the curve is borne by the inner chain member 501. The interlocking chain known from Patent Document 1 has high load-bearing capacity in the compression direction and sufficient load-bearing capacity in the tension direction, but when the curve is large or depending on the length of the unwound chain, there may be locations where extremely large tensile forces are applied locally. For example, as shown in Figure 9, there is a problem in that a strong tensile force is generated in the inner chain member 501 near the end of the curved section (drive unit 600, tip), which may exceed the allowable tensile load and damage the link plates.

[0005] The present invention aims to solve these problems by providing an interlocking chain that can move back and forth along a curved movement path with a predetermined curvature corresponding to the curved shape, has improved load-bearing performance even against extremely large localized tensile forces, and is free from the risk of damage to the link plates even with large curves or long payouts. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention provides an interlocking chain having at least a pair of chain members that can move back and forth, wherein the pair of chain members mesh with each other and become one unit as they move in the forward direction, and the chain members move from this integrated meshed state in the backward direction and disengage and branch off from each other, wherein the chain members are configured such that a plurality of link plates, each having a pair of pin holes aligned in the forward and backward movement direction, are rotatably connected by a connecting pin inserted through the pin holes in a state in which one of the pair of pin holes overlaps the other of the pair of pin holes of the other link plate adjacent in the forward and backward movement direction, and When the chain member is an inner chain member and the link plate of the inner chain member is an inner link plate, and the other chain member is an outer chain member and the link plate of the outer chain member is an outer link plate, the first distance between the pair of pin holes in the inner link plate is smaller than the second distance between the pair of pin holes in the outer link plate, and the distance from the edge of the inner link plate opposite the outer link plate to the center of the pin hole is greater than the distance from the edge of the outer link plate opposite the inner link plate to the center of the pin hole, thereby solving the problem. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the invention of claim 1, the distance from the edge of the inner link plate opposite the outer link plate to the center of the pin hole is greater than the distance from the edge of the outer link plate opposite the inner link plate to the center of the pin hole. This improves the load-bearing capacity of the inner chain member against tensile forces that occur locally near the ends of the curved section, thereby preventing damage to the link plates even when the chain is curved significantly or pulled out over a long distance.

[0008] According to the configuration described in claim 2, when the inner chain member and the outer chain member are mutually meshed and integrated, the edge opposite the outer chain member is formed in a continuous arc shape in a side view.This makes it possible to place a guide member or the like inside the curved shape that can always contact and support the interlocking chain at a predetermined contact length, and by reducing the bending deformation of the interlocking chain, it is possible to suppress the generation of extremely large localized tensile forces, and prevent damage to the link plates even with large bending or long payout. According to the configuration described in claim 3, when the outer chain member and the inner chain member are mutually meshed and integrated, the edge opposite the inner chain member is formed in a continuous arc shape in a side view.This makes it possible to arrange a guide member or the like on the outside of the curved shape that can always contact and support the interlocking chain at a predetermined contact length, and by reducing the bending deformation of the interlocking chain, it is possible to suppress the generation of extremely large localized tensile forces, and prevent damage to the link plates even with large bending or long payout. According to the configuration described in claim 4, it is possible to increase the number of link plates relative to the width of the chain member, and by improving the load-bearing capacity of the entire chain member against tensile force, it is possible to prevent damage to the link plates even when the chain is bent significantly or extended over a long distance. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of an interlocking chain according to an embodiment of the present invention when being unwound; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of FIG. 1 from another angle. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an enlarged front view of FIG. 1 with some parts removed near the drive unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the drive unit shown in FIG. 1 with some components removed. [Figure 5] 10 is a perspective view of an interlocking chain with some of the link plates removed, as viewed from the outer chain member side; FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is a perspective view of an interlocking chain with some of the link plates removed, as viewed from the inner chain member side; FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the distance between the pin hole and the edge of the link plate. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the thickness of a link plate. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is an exaggerated explanatory diagram showing bending deformation of interlocking chains. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Examples of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 6. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. In this specification, the terms "advancing and retreating movement direction" and "width direction" refer to the direction in which the chain extends and the direction of the central axis of the connecting pin that is perpendicular to the extending direction, as shown in FIG. Furthermore, the term "front and rear" in this specification refers to the "front and rear" of the "direction of forward and backward movement." [Example]

[0011] An interlocking chain 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention and a movable body moving mechanism that moves a movable body using the interlocking chain 100 will be described with reference to the drawings. The movable body movement mechanism includes an interlocking chain 100 that can move back and forth along the direction of movement, a drive unit 200 that is fixedly arranged at the base end of the interlocking chain 100, and a movable body 108 that is connected to the tip end of the interlocking chain 100 via a joint link 107. The interlocking chain 100 has a pair of inner and outer chain members 101 and 105 that can interlock with each other. The interlocking chain 100 is configured such that the pair of chain members, the inner chain member 101 and the outer chain member 105, move in the forward direction to interlock and become one, but when the inner chain member 101 and the outer chain member 105 move in the backward direction from this integrated interlocked state, they disengage and branch off from each other.

[0012] As shown in Figure 6, the inner chain member 101 has a pair of widthwise inner outer plates 110 each having a pair of front and rear pin holes, an inner middle plate 120 arranged between the pair of widthwise inner outer plates 110 and each having a pair of front and rear pin holes, and a plurality of inner inner plates 130 each having a pair of front and rear pin holes, and a first link group consisting of the inner outer plates 110 and the inner middle plates 120 and a second link group consisting of the inner inner plates 130 are connected by connecting pins 102 so that they can be alternately bent in the direction of chain forward and backward movement. The connecting pins 102 are provided so as to protrude on both sides in the width direction.

[0013] As shown in Figure 5, the outer chain member 105 has a pair of widthwise outer outer plates 150 each having a pair of front and rear pin holes, an outer middle plate 160 arranged between the pair of widthwise outer outer plates 150 and having a pair of front and rear pin holes, and a plurality of outer inner plates 170 each having a pair of front and rear pin holes, and the first link group consisting of the outer outer plates 150 and the outer middle plates 160 and the second link group consisting of the outer inner plates 170 are connected by connecting pins 106 so that they can be alternately bent in the direction of chain forward and backward movement. The connecting pins 106 are provided so as to protrude on both sides in the width direction. 1 to 6, the inner outer plate 110, inner middle plate 120, and inner inner plate 130 of the inner chain member 101 and the outer outer plate 150, outer middle plate 160, and outer inner plate 170 of the outer chain member 105 are each constructed by overlapping two link plates to ensure the widthwise thickness of each meshing point between the inner chain member 101 and the outer chain member 105, with the two inner middle plates 120 and outer middle plates 160 and the three inner inner plates 130 and outer inner plates 170 being arranged alternately in the widthwise direction. Note that each link plate may be constructed by overlapping two or more plates, or may be constructed from a single thick link plate.

[0014] The drive unit 200 has pin guides 240 arranged on both sides of the interlocking chain 100 and provided with guide grooves 241 for guiding the connecting pins 102, 106, an outer guide 230 that guides the edge of the outer chain member 105 opposite the inner chain member 101, an inner guide 220 that guides the edge of the inner chain member 101 opposite the outer chain member 105, and a drive sprocket 210 that engages with and drives the connecting pin 102. A drive sprocket 210, which can rotate in both forward and reverse directions, engages with the connecting pin 102 of the inner chain member 101, and when the drive sprocket 210 is driven to rotate in both forward and reverse directions by a motor (not shown), the inner chain member 101 and the outer chain member 105 housed in a storage section (not shown) are guided by the guide groove 241 and mesh with each other to form a single meshed chain 100, which is then unwound; alternatively, when driven in the opposite direction, the inner chain member 101 and the outer chain member 105 are separated in the drive section 200 and housed in their respective storage sections, causing the movable body 108 to move in the forward and backward movement direction. The drive sprocket 210 is positioned so as to engage with the portions of the connecting pin 102 of the inner chain member 101 that protrude from both ends in the width direction in the section where the inner chain member 101 moves in a curved trajectory to engage with the outer chain member 105.

[0015] As shown in Figure 3, a first distance P1 between a pair of pin holes in the inner outer plate 110, inner middle plate 120, and inner inner plate 130 of the inner chain member 101 is set to be smaller than a second distance P2 between a pair of pin holes in the outer outer plate 150, outer middle plate 160, and outer inner plate 170 of the outer chain member 105. As a result, when the inner chain member 101 and the outer chain member 105 are engaged with each other, the interlocking chain 100 assumes a curved shape toward the inner chain member 101, making it possible to move the movable body 108 back and forth along the curved trajectory.

[0016] Also, as shown in FIG. 7, the distance W1 from the edge of the inner outer plate 110 of the inner chain member 101 on the side opposite to the outer chain member 105 to the center of the pin hole is set to be larger than the distance W2 from the edge of the outer outer plate 150 of the outer chain member 105 on the side opposite to the inner chain member 101 to the center of the pin hole. The relationship between the inner middle plate 120, the inner inner plate 130 and the outer middle plate 160, the outer inner plate 170 is the same. By this, even when a locally extremely large tensile force is generated near the end of the curved section as shown in FIG. 9, damage to the inner chain member 101 can be prevented by improving the load-bearing performance of the inner chain member 101 against the tensile force, even by large curvature or long extension.

[0017] Also, as shown in FIG. 8, the sum of the thicknesses Dg1, Dg4 of the inner outer plate 110 of the first link group of the inner chain member 101, the thicknesses Dg2, Dg3 of the inner middle plate 120 is configured to be equal to the sum of the thicknesses Di1, Di2, Di3 of the inner inner plate 130 of the second link group. Also, in the present embodiment, it is configured such that Dg1 = Dg2 = Dg3 = Dg4 < Di1 = Di2 = Di3. The relationship of the thicknesses of the second outer plate 150, the second middle plate 160, and the second inner plate 170 of the second chain member 105 is the same. As a result, the total contact area of the contact surfaces where the inner outer plate and the inner middle plate contact the second outer plate and the second middle plate during meshing is equal to the total contact area of the contact surfaces where the inner inner plate contacts the second inner plate during meshing, and the load-bearing performance between the link plates of the first link group of the inner chain member 101 and the second chain member 105 and the load-bearing performance between the link plates of the second link group can be made equal, having high load-bearing performance in the compression direction, and the driving force per occupied space can be increased to the maximum.

[0018] As shown in Figures 3 and 7, the inner chain member 101 is formed so that when it meshes with the second chain member 105 and becomes one with it, the edge opposite the second chain member 105 forms a continuous arc in side view, and the second chain member 105 is formed so that when it meshes with the inner chain member 101 and becomes one with it, the edge opposite the inner chain member 101 forms a continuous arc in side view. This allows guide members or the like to be placed on the inside and outside of the curved shape so that they can always be in contact with and support the interlocking chain at a predetermined contact length, reducing the bending deformation of the interlocking chain 100 and suppressing the generation of extremely large localized tensile forces, thereby preventing damage to the link plates of the interlocking chain 100 even when the chain is bent significantly or pulled out for a long distance.

[0019] Conventional interlocking chains emphasize the transmission of compressive loads through the link plates. The present invention addresses the finding that when interlocking chains are used as curved chains, localized tensile loads occur during the forward and backward movement of the chains. Incidentally, by arranging the link plates of the first link group and the link plates of the second link group alternately in the width direction, it is possible to withstand stronger compressive loads, but by making the distance from the edge of the inner link plate opposite the outer link plate to the center of the pin hole greater than the distance from the edge of the outer link plate opposite the inner link plate to the center of the pin hole, as in the present invention, it is possible to withstand localized tensile loads.

[0020] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above configuration. In the above embodiment, the link plates of the first link group and the link plates of the second link group of the inner chain member 101 and the outer chain member 105 are arranged alternately in the width direction, but the link plates may be arranged only on both sides of the connecting pin in the width direction, and may be configured to mesh with the drive sprocket in the width direction of the connecting pin. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the drive sprocket 210 is positioned to engage with the connecting pin 102 of the inner chain member 101 in the section where the inner chain member 101 moves in a curved trajectory to mesh with the outer chain member 105, but the drive sprocket 210 may also be positioned to engage with the connecting pin 102 in the section where the inner chain member 101 and the outer chain member 105 are meshed. Alternatively, the drive sprocket 210 may be provided at two locations so as to engage with the connecting pin 106 of the outer chain member 105 or to engage with both the inner chain member 101 and the outer chain member 105 . [Explanation of symbols]

[0021] 100 ··· Interlocking chain 101, 501 Inner chain member 102 Connecting pin (of inner chain member) 105, 505 Outer chain member 106 Connecting pin (of outer chain member) 107, 507 ··· Joint link 108, 508... Movable body 110 Inner outer plate 120 Inner middle plate 130 Inner plate 150 Outer plate 160 Outer middle plate 170 Outer inner plate 200, 600... Drive unit 210 Drive sprocket 220 Inner guide 230 Outer guide 240 Pin guide 241 Guide groove

Claims

1. An interlocking chain has at least one pair of chain members that can move forward and backward, and the pair of chain members move in the forward direction to mesh with each other and become one unit, and when the chain members move in the backward direction from the integrated meshed state, they disengage from each other and branch off, The chain member is rotatably connected by connecting pins inserted into the pin holes in a state in which a plurality of link plates, each having a pair of pin holes aligned in the advancing / retreating direction, are arranged in series such that one of the pair of pin holes overlaps the other of the pair of pin holes of another link plate adjacent to the advancing / retreating direction, When one of the pair of chain members is an inner chain member and the link plates of the inner chain member are inner link plates, and the other chain member is an outer chain member and the link plates of the outer chain member are outer link plates, a first distance between the pair of pin holes in the inner link plate is smaller than a second distance between the pair of pin holes in the outer link plate; A meshing chain characterized in that the distance from the edge of the inner link plate opposite the outer link plate to the center of the pin hole is greater than the distance from the edge of the outer link plate opposite the inner link plate to the center of the pin hole.

2. The interlocking chain according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the inner chain member and the outer chain member are interlocked and integrated, the edge of the inner chain member opposite the outer chain member is formed in a continuous arc shape in a side view.

3. The interlocking chain according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the outer chain member and the inner chain member are interlocked and integrated, the edge of the outer chain member opposite the inner chain member is formed in a continuous arc shape in a side view.

4. the inner link plate includes a pair of widthwise inner outer plates each having a pair of front and rear pin holes, an inner middle plate disposed between the pair of widthwise inner outer plates each having a pair of front and rear pin holes, and a plurality of inner inner plates each having a pair of front and rear pin holes, the inner chain member is connected by the connecting pin to a first link group consisting of the inner outer plate and the inner middle plate, and a second link group consisting of the inner inner plate, so as to be alternately bendable in the chain forward / backward movement direction; the outer link plate includes a pair of widthwise outer outer plates each having a pair of front and rear pin holes, an outer middle plate disposed between the pair of widthwise outer outer plates each having a pair of front and rear pin holes, and a plurality of outer inner plates each having a pair of front and rear pin holes, The outer chain member is a first group of links consisting of the outer outer plate and the outer middle plate, and a second group of links consisting of the outer inner plate, which are connected by the connecting pin so that they can be bent alternately in the direction of chain forward and backward movement.

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