RoboChain

Abstract

The present invention provides a RoboChain that connects plates without separate connecting members, improves assembly, minimizes contact between plates, and prevents noise. In the RoboChain of the present invention, a plate and a corresponding plate are rotatably connected while overlapping partially in a circular overlapping region, and the pivot protrusion formed on the plate rotates while moving along the pivot groove formed in the corresponding plate, and the connection pin of the plate is fitted into the connection pin coupling groove of the corresponding plate to fasten them together.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a RoboChain, and more particularly to a RoboChain that is easily assembled without separate connecting members, does not generate noise, and reduces wear on built-in cables, etc. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, Robochain is a device used in industrial sites that handle various types of machinery. It has a chain structure that allows it to bend between a straight and curved state, and through this bending movement, it reciprocates hydraulic and pneumatic hoses, cables, etc. (hereinafter referred to as "cables") housed within its internal space.

[0003] In this regard, prior art related to Robochain is disclosed in Korean Patent Publication KR10-1196888B1 (Patent Document 1), which was filed earlier by the applicant.

[0004] Patent Document 1 relates to a Robo Chain and connecting members used therein, which is composed of a plurality of link units (or plates), connecting members that connect the link units, recessed portions formed inside the link units so that the connecting members can be detachably coupled to each other in each of the link units, and a neck portion formed on the connecting member so that the connecting members cannot easily come off when fastened to the recessed portions.

[0005] However, in conventional RoboChains, connecting members are pulled into recesses to connect link units. This not only makes fastening the connecting members inconvenient, but also complicates the assembly process because link units must be connected through the connecting members. In addition, the necks of the connecting members protrude into the inside of the chain links, causing wear on cables. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The present invention was devised in light of the above-mentioned points, and aims to provide a RoboChain that connects plates without separate connecting members, improves assembly, minimizes contact between plates to prevent noise, and forms flat the inner surfaces of the plates that come into contact with cables, thereby reducing wear on the built-in cables. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above-mentioned objects, the RoboChain of the present invention provides a RoboChain in which chain links, each comprising a pair of plates facing each other at a fixed interval and links connecting the upper or lower portions of the pair of plates, are connected continuously in the longitudinal direction of the chain. The corresponding plate connected to one plate has the same shape and is connected with a partial overlap at a circular overlapping area having a concave step. At the overlapping area, a cylindrical connecting pin protrudes from the center of the plate and three equally spaced pivot protrusions are protruded from the edge. The corresponding plate has inner and outer rings protruding therefrom, each with a connecting pin coupling groove. Three equally spaced stoppers are formed between the inner and outer rings, and three pivot grooves are formed between the stoppers. The plates and corresponding plates rotate as the pivot protrusions move along the pivot grooves, and the connecting pins are fitted into the connecting pin coupling grooves to fasten them together.

[0008] A rail groove may be formed around the outer periphery of the contact pin, and a rail protrusion may be formed around the inner periphery of the contact pin coupling groove to couple with the rail groove.

[0009] The rotation groove may be formed so that the length on the outer ring side is longer than the length on the inner ring side, and the side surface of the rotation protrusion and the side surface of the stopper may not come into contact with each other.

[0010] The lower surface of the plate that contacts the bottom surface on which the RoboChain is placed may be rounded.

[0011] The plate and the counter plate may further be provided with a rotation space extending from the overlapping region outside the overlapping region.

[0012] The width of the overlapping region where the plate and the corresponding plate are fastened together may be greater than the combined width of the plate and the corresponding plate at the edge of the overlapping region.

[0013] The inner side of the plate exposed to the inside of the chain link may be formed as a flat surface.

[0014] The contact pin may be cylindrical.

[0015] The rotation protrusion, the stopper and the rotation groove may each be configured as a pair arranged at equal intervals. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] The RoboChain of the present invention can be configured so that the plate and the corresponding plate are fastened to each other only by the undercut and the corresponding shape, and can be easily fastened without a separate connecting member.

[0017] Furthermore, the RoboChain of the present invention can be easily disassembled and assembled because the plates and corresponding plates are fastened together only by the connecting pins and connecting pin coupling grooves.

[0018] Furthermore, the RoboChain of the present invention minimizes contact between the plates and the corresponding plates, significantly reducing noise and dust generation.

[0019] Furthermore, the RoboChain of the present invention has a flat inner surface of the plate that comes into contact with the cables, which has the effect of reducing wear and damage to the built-in cables. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the assembled state of a RoboChain according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view showing one chain link in an assembled state in a RoboChain according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of one of the chain links of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a connection state between a plate and a corresponding plate according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are exploded perspective views showing the connection between a plate and a corresponding plate according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from different angles. [Figure 6] 4 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state in which a connection pin is coupled to a connection pin coupling groove according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 7-9] 1 is a diagram illustrating a main part of a plate and a corresponding plate coupled together according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 10] 3A and 3B are side and top views showing a state in which a plate and a corresponding plate are joined together according to an embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] Hereinafter, the RoboChain of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0022] While the present invention can be modified in various ways and can have various embodiments, specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and will be described in detail in the detailed description, but it is understood that this is not intended to limit the present invention to the specific embodiments, and that the present invention includes all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives that fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0023] When a component is referred to as being "connected" or "coupled" to another component, it is understood that the component may be directly connected or coupled to the other component, but that there may be other intervening components. Conversely, when a component is referred to as being "directly connected" or "directly coupled" to another component, it is understood that there are no other intervening components.

[0024] The terms used in this specification are merely used to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. The singular expressions include the plural expressions unless otherwise clearly indicated in the context.

[0025] As used herein, terms such as "comprise" or "have" are intended to specify the presence of features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described herein, but are understood not to preclude the possible presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0026] Furthermore, the components of the embodiments described with reference to each drawing are not limited to those embodiments, but may be implemented to be included in other embodiments within the scope of maintaining the technical spirit of the present invention, and it is natural that even if separate descriptions are omitted, multiple embodiments can be realized again in a single integrated embodiment.

[0027] Furthermore, in the description with reference to the accompanying drawings, the same components are given the same or related reference symbols regardless of the drawing symbols, and redundant description thereof will be omitted. In the description of the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of related known technology may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0028] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an assembled RoboChain according to one embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing one chain link in the RoboChain according to one embodiment of the present invention in an assembled state, Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing one chain link in Fig. 2 in an exploded state, Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the connection between a plate and a corresponding plate according to one embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the connection between a plate and a corresponding plate according to one embodiment of the present invention from a different angle, Fig. 6 is a partially cut-away cross-sectional view showing a state in which a connection pin according to one embodiment of the present invention is engaged with a connection pin engagement groove, Figs. 7 to 9 are exemplary views of the main part showing the connection between a plate and a corresponding plate according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 10 is a side view and a top view showing the connection between a plate and a corresponding plate according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] As shown in the drawings, Robochain according to one embodiment of the present invention is a Robochain in which chain links 200, each comprising a pair of plates 100, 140 facing each other with a fixed gap between them and links 160 connecting the upper or lower parts of the plates 100, 140, are connected continuously in the longitudinal direction of the chain. The corresponding plate 120 connected to the plate 100 on one side is formed in the same shape and is connected while partially overlapping in a circular overlapping area 110 with a concave step. In the overlapping area 110, The plate 100 has a cylindrical connecting pin 105 protruding from the center thereof, and three rotating protrusions 107 protruding from the edge at equal intervals. The corresponding plate 120 has an inner ring 123 and an outer ring 124 protruding therefrom, each having a connecting pin coupling groove 121. Three stoppers 126 are formed between the inner and outer rings at equal intervals, and three rotating grooves 128 are formed between the stoppers. The plate and the corresponding plate are fastened together by the rotating protrusions 107 moving along the rotating grooves 128 and the connecting pins 105 being fitted into the connecting pin coupling grooves 121.

[0030] The RoboChain 10 of the present invention is formed by continuously connecting chain links 200 in the longitudinal direction of the chain, each of which includes a pair of plates 100, 140 facing each other at a fixed distance and links 160 connecting the upper or lower parts of the plates 100, 140. Here, the opposing plate 140 is formed substantially symmetrically to the plate 100, and the adjacent corresponding plate 120 connected to one plate 100 is formed to have the same shape as the plate 100, and the plate 100 and the corresponding plate 120 are connected to each other so that they can rotate.

[0031] The pair of plates 100, 140 are connected at least at the top or bottom by a link 160. Link coupling parts 162 to which the link 160 is coupled are formed at the top and bottom of the plates, and the link 160 has a link coupling hole 161 that can be coupled to the link coupling part 162. The fastening structure between the plate 100 and the link 160 can be formed in various other forms as long as it can couple the two together.

[0032] As shown in Figure 2, a roughly rectangular space S is formed inside a chain link 200, which is made up of a pair of opposing plates 100, 140 and a link 160, and cables are housed in this space S. The RoboChain 10 is formed by connecting such chain links 200 continuously in the longitudinal direction of the chain so that they can rotate with each other.

[0033] As described above, the opposing plate 140 has a shape and structure that is substantially symmetrical to the plate 100, and the corresponding plate 120, which is adjacent to the right side of the plate 100 and connected to the plate 100, has the same shape and structure as the plate 100. In the present invention, the left plate will be described as the plate 100, and the right plate will be described as the corresponding plate 120.

[0034] As shown in Figure 3, the plate 100 has a fixed length in the longitudinal direction of the chain and has an upper surface 102, a lower surface 101, an inner side surface 104, and an outer side surface 103, with both ends formed into an approximately semicircular shape. In the present invention, the lower surface 101 of the plate 100 that comes into contact with the bottom surface on which the RoboChain 10 is placed can be formed in a rounded shape. Because a plate with a rounded lower surface makes smooth contact with the bottom surface, noise caused by contact with the bottom surface as the RoboChain runs can be reduced.

[0035] 4 and 5, a recessed step is formed on the inner side surface 104 of one end on the right side of the plate 100, and the recessed step has a generally circular shape. Correspondingly, a recessed step is also formed on the outer side surface 103 of the other end on the left side of the counter plate 120, and the recessed step also has a generally circular shape. The counter plate 120 adjacent to the plate 100 is connected while partially overlapping at this circular overlapping region 110 (see FIG. 7).

[0036] The plate 100 and the corresponding plate 120 are assembled so as to be rotatable by a certain angle. As shown in the drawing, in the overlapping region 110, a cylindrical connection pin 105 is formed protruding from the center of the plate 100, and three rotation protrusions 107 are formed protruding at equal intervals from the edge. In this embodiment, the connection pin 105 is formed cylindrically, but the connection pin 105 can also be formed columnarly. However, a cylindrical connection pin 105 is more preferable from the viewpoint of reducing the weight of the part and reducing manufacturing costs.

[0037] In the overlapping region 110, the counterpart plate 120 has an inner ring 123 and an outer ring 124, each having a connecting pin coupling groove 121, protruding therefrom. The inner ring 123 protrudes further than the outer ring 124. Three stoppers 126 are formed between the inner and outer rings, spaced at equal intervals and extending to the same height as the inner ring 123. Thus, three rotation grooves 128 are formed in the space bounded by the inner ring 123, the outer ring 124, and the stoppers on both sides. The rotation grooves 128 are spaces in which the plate 100 can rotate, and the maximum rotation angle can be adjusted by adjusting the length of the arc of the rotation grooves 128.

[0038] The rotation groove 128 is configured so that the length on the outer ring side is longer than the length on the inner ring side. As shown in Figure 9, when the plate 100 rotates at the maximum rotation angle, the side surface 108 of the rotation protrusion 107 does not come into contact with the side surface 129 of the rotation groove 128, thereby preventing the rotation protrusion 107 from coming into contact with the side surface of the rotation groove 128 and generating noise when the RoboChain runs. This will be described later.

[0039] The connection pins 105 of the plate 100 have an outer diameter that is approximately equal to the inner diameter of the connection pin coupling grooves 121 of the corresponding plate 120, and are configured in a shape that allows them to be fitted into the connection pin coupling grooves 121 and coupled together. Therefore, the plates 100 and the corresponding plate 120 are fastened together in a rotatable state by fitting the connection pins 105 of the plate 100 into the connection pin coupling grooves 121 of the corresponding plate 120 and inserting the rotation protrusions 107 of the plate 100 into the rotation grooves 128 of the corresponding plate 120.

[0040] The plate 100 and the corresponding plate 120 are rotatably connected to overlap each other at the overlapping region 110, and the inner side surfaces 104 of the plate 100 and the corresponding plate 120 exposed to the inside of the chain link 160 are formed as flat surfaces. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 1, in the storage space S where the cables are stored, the inner side surfaces of the plates are formed as flat surfaces with no protruding parts, so that the cables can be protected from wear and damage.

[0041] 6, a rail groove 106 can be formed around the outer periphery of the contact pin 105, and a rail protrusion 122 that engages with the rail groove 106 can be formed around the inner periphery of the contact pin coupling groove 121. If the contact pin 105 and the contact pin coupling groove 121 are fastened together using the rail groove and rail protrusion, the plate 100 and the counterpart plate 120 can be more firmly fastened together and can rotate smoothly relative to each other. Conversely, it is of course possible to form a rail protrusion on the contact pin and a rail groove in the contact pin coupling groove.

[0042] Furthermore, the portion where the connection pin 105 and the connection pin coupling groove 121 are fastened is completely sealed by the outer side surface of the plate, so even if dust is generated due to friction when the connection pin 105 rotates in the connection pin coupling groove 121, the generated dust is prevented from scattering outside the plate.

[0043] In addition, in one embodiment of the present invention, the rotation protrusions 107, stoppers 126, and rotation grooves 128 are formed in triplicate at equal intervals, but the rotation protrusions 107, stoppers 126, and rotation grooves 128 may also be formed in pairs arranged at equal intervals. However, compared to a pair of rotation protrusions 107, stoppers 126, and rotation grooves 128, a triplet provides stronger support at three points, improving support strength and providing advantageous stress dispersion.

[0044] 7 to 9 show an example of the coupling relationship between the plate 100 and the corresponding plate 120 (i.e., in the drawings, only the overlapping area of ​​the corresponding plate 120 is shown to show the coupling relationship with the plate 100 in more detail). Here, Fig. 7 shows the case where RoboChain is in a straight state, and Figs. 8 and 9 show the case where RoboChain is in a bent state.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 7, the connecting pin 105 of the plate 100 is fitted into the connecting pin coupling groove 121 of the corresponding plate 120, while the rotating protrusion 107 of the plate 100 is inserted into the rotating groove 128 of the corresponding plate 120, so that the two are coupled together so as to be rotatable at a certain angle.

[0046] In this state, when the other left end of plate 100 or one right end of corresponding plate 120 is rotated upward, plate 100 or corresponding plate 120 rotates as rotation protrusion 107 moves gradually along rotation groove 128. Fig. 8 shows intermediate steps of the rotation of plate 100 or corresponding plate 120, and Fig. 9 shows the state when plate 100 or corresponding plate 120 has rotated to the maximum rotation angle.

[0047] 9, when the plate 100 is rotated to the maximum rotation angle, the top A of the rotation protrusion 107 is broken while coming into close contact with the inner ring side of the rotation groove 128, preventing the rotation protrusion 107 from moving. Therefore, the side surface 108 of the rotation protrusion and the side surface of the rotation groove 128 (i.e., the same as the side surface of the stopper 126) do not come into contact with each other even when the plate 100 or the corresponding plate 120 rotates. As a result, even when the plate 100 or the corresponding plate 120 is rotated to the maximum rotation angle, contact is only made at a minimum of contact points, which has the effect of significantly reducing noise caused by contact during rotation.

[0048] Additionally, rotation spaces 109 and 130 are provided outside the overlapping area where plate 100 and corresponding plate 120 overlap each other, extending from overlapping area 110. Therefore, due to the ample space provided by rotation spaces 109 and 130, plate 100 and corresponding plate 120 can rotate smoothly without their sides coming into contact with each other when rotating, which prevents noise caused by contact between the sides of plate 100 and corresponding plate 120 when they rotate, and also prevents dust from being generated due to friction.

[0049] 10A and 10B show the coupling relationship between the plate 100 and the corresponding plate 120 in side and top views. The side view of Fig. 10A shows, as an example, that a rotation space 130 is formed in the corresponding plate 120, allowing the plate 100 and the corresponding plate 120 to rotate smoothly without contacting each other.

[0050] 10(b), the width a of the overlapping region 110 where the plate 100 and the corresponding plate 120 are fastened together is greater than the combined width b+c of the plate width c and the corresponding plate width b at the edge of the overlapping region, so that a gap 131 exists between the plate 100 and the corresponding plate 120 at the edge of the overlapping region. That is, the plate 100 and the corresponding plate 120 do not come into contact with each other in the overlapping region 110 except for the portion where the connection pin 105 and the rotation protrusion 107 of the plate 100 are coupled with the connection pin coupling groove 121 and the rotation groove 128 of the corresponding plate 120. Therefore, when the plate 100 and the corresponding plate 120 rotate, the inner side surface 104 of the plate 100 and the outer side surface 103 of the corresponding plate 120 do not come into contact with each other, which prevents noise due to contact and further prevents dust from being generated due to friction.

[0051] As described above, the RoboChain 10 according to the present invention can be configured so that the plates and corresponding plates are fastened to each other only through the undercuts and corresponding shapes, allowing for easy fastening without the need for separate connecting members; the plates and corresponding plates are fastened only through the connecting pins and connecting pin coupling grooves, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly; contact between the plates and corresponding plates is minimized, significantly reducing noise and dust generation; and the inner surfaces of the plates that come into contact with the cables are flat, reducing wear and damage to the built-in cables.

[0052] While the present invention has been shown and described in connection with preferred embodiments for the purpose of illustrating the principles of the invention, the invention is not limited to the exact construction and operation so shown and described. Rather, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous changes and modifications can be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A RoboChain is a chain in which chain links each including a pair of plates facing each other while being spaced apart at a fixed interval and a link connecting the upper or lower part of the pair of plates are continuously connected in the longitudinal direction of the chain, The corresponding plate connected to one plate is formed in the same shape and is connected to the other plate while overlapping with a portion of the corresponding plate in a circular overlapping region having a concave step. In the overlapping region, a cylindrical connecting pin is formed protruding from the center of the plate, and three rotating protrusions are formed protruding at equal intervals from the edge, An inner ring and an outer ring each having a connecting pin coupling groove are protrudingly formed on the corresponding plate, three stoppers are formed at equal intervals between the inner ring and the outer ring, and three rotation grooves are formed between the stoppers, The plate and the corresponding plate are fastened together by the rotation protrusion moving along the rotation groove and the connection pin being fitted into the connection pin coupling groove, a portion where the connection pin and the connection pin coupling groove are fastened is sealed by an outer side surface of the plate; The plate and the corresponding plate are further provided with a rotation space extending from the overlapping region outside the overlapping region, The RoboChain is characterized in that the width of the overlapping region where the plate and the corresponding plate are fastened together is greater than the combined width of the plate and the corresponding plate at the edge of the overlapping region.

2. A rail groove is formed around the outer periphery of the connection pin, and a rail protrusion is formed around the inner periphery of the connection pin coupling groove to couple with the rail groove. The RoboChain according to claim 1.

3. The rotation groove is formed so that the length of the outer ring side is longer than the length of the inner ring side, and the side surface of the rotation protrusion and the side surface of the stopper do not come into contact with each other. The RoboChain according to claim 1.

4. The lower surface of the plate that comes into contact with the bottom surface on which the RoboChain is placed is rounded. The RoboChain according to claim 1.

5. The inner side of the plate exposed to the inside of the chain link is formed as a flat surface. The RoboChain according to claim 1.

6. The connection pin is cylindrical. The RoboChain according to claim 1.

7. The rotation protrusion, the stopper and the rotation groove are each configured as a pair arranged at equal intervals. The RoboChain according to claim 1.

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