Improved durability non-metallic conveyor chain and sludge removal equipment equipped therewith

Abstract

The present invention provides a non-metallic conveyor chain having improved durability by improving the chain link structure of the non-metallic conveyor chain and increasing the shear strength of the chain applied to sludge removal equipment.To this end, the present invention provides a conveyor chain for a sludge collector including a plurality of unit chains and chain pins for linking the unit chains to each other, the unit chains each having a barrel portion on one side and a yoke portion on the other side, a chain pocket having a recessed groove structure on the outer side of the barrel portion of the unit chain, and a protruding chain boss on the inner side of the yoke portion of the unit chain to correspond to the chain pocket of the linked unit chain.

Description

Technical Field

[0005] ,

[0004] , , ,

[0006]

[0001] The present invention relates to a non-metallic conveyor chain and sludge removal equipment provided with the same, and more particularly to a technique for improving the chain link structure of the non-metallic conveyor chain and improving the durability of the chain applied to the sludge removal equipment.

Background Art

[0002] In sewage treatment plants and wastewater treatment plants, various organic and inorganic substances are present in the raw water flowing into the treatment plant, and these flow into the treatment plant together with various suspended substances, and a sewage treatment process is performed on them.

[0003] In a normal sewage treatment process, after removing sand and suspended substances contained in the inflowing sewage in an inflow tank, sedimentation separation is performed by gravity sedimentation in a primary sedimentation tank, and a biological reaction tank for decomposing organic substances by microorganisms is passed through. The supernatant water passing through the biological reaction tank is sedimented again in a secondary sedimentation tank to remove suspended substances. Next, the supernatant water passes through a final total phosphorus facility and undergoes a treatment process to make it cleaner again, and finally undergoes a sterilization treatment and is discharged.

[0004] During such a treatment process, in the initial sedimentation tank which is the primary sedimentation tank and the final sedimentation tank which is the secondary sedimentation tank, a scum skimmer for scum removal is installed together with a sludge collector for removing the settled sludge.

[0005] Referring to FIG. 1, the sedimentation tank 1 is generally provided with a sludge collector 5 that scrapes up the sludge settled at the bottom and sends it to a hopper H for sludge discharge, and a scum skimmer device 2 that scoops up scum and floating substances such as vinyl floating on the sewage and discharges it through a trough T.

[0006] And, behind the installation area of the scum skimmer device 2, a supernatant water discharge water channel 120 is provided so that the supernatant water after passing through the scum skimmer 2 is discharged outside the sedimentation tank 1.

[0007] Here, the sludge collector 5 comprises a collector drive motor 51, a head shaft 52 installed to rotate when the collector drive motor 51 is driven, idle shafts 53, take-up shaft 54, and corner shafts 55, which are sequentially installed to rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the head shaft 52, and a main chain 56 that is wound around the idle shafts 53, take-up shafts 54, and corner shafts 55 so as to transmit rotational force to the idle shafts 53, take-up shafts 54, and corner shafts 55 when the head shaft 52 rotates, and a plurality of flights 57 arranged along the length of the main chain 56.

[0008] To explain the operation process of the sludge collector 5, the driving force of the collector drive motor 51 is transmitted to the head shaft 52 via a head shaft drive chain wound around a splacket coupled to the head shaft 52. When the head shaft 52 rotates, the main chain 56 wound around the head shaft 52, idle shaft 53, take-up shaft 54, and corner shaft 55 rotates these shafts and completes a full rotation along a predetermined path.

[0009] In this way, when the main chain 56 rotates, the flights 57, which are installed at regular intervals from the main chain 56, collect sludge at the bottom of the sedimentation tank 1 and push scum and suspended matter towards the skimmer at the water surface. At the same time, the sludge collected by the flights 57 at the bottom of the sedimentation tank 1 falls into the hopper H and is discharged, while at the water surface, the scum and suspended matter pushed towards the side where the scum skimmer is installed by the flights 57 is sent to a trough provided on the beach plate by the removal action of the scum skimmer device 2 as it rotates and is discharged to the outside.

[0010] The supernatant water that has passed through the scum skimmer device 2 is then discharged to the outside of the sedimentation tank 1 via the weir 120 that constitutes the drainage channel.

[0011] In other words, in the sludge collector, two rows of tracked chains are installed along the length of the sedimentation tank, and flights are attached to them at regular intervals in the width direction of the sedimentation tank. When the tracked chains are driven by a splacket while receiving power, the flights attached to the chain at regular intervals transfer the sludge that has settled by gravity to the hopper.

[0012] In a sludge collector of the so-called chain-flight type, which uses flights attached to the aforementioned chain to transport sludge, a conveyor chain is used as a means of moving the flights.

[0013] Since the specifications of sedimentation tanks are not standardized according to processing capacity, their widths are selected from a wide range of 16m to 2m, and their lengths are selected from a wide range of 15m to 120m and supplied accordingly. As a result, the flights are selected from a wide range of heights, from 150mm to 360mm, and their lengths are selected and supplied according to the width of the sedimentation tank.

[0014] Traditionally, conveyor chains made of cast iron or stainless steel were primarily used. However, considering the overall length of the chain based on the capacity of the sedimentation tank, using a metal chain as the entire unit would require excessive power to drive the chain under high loads (e.g., 19 tons), leading to various problems such as inconvenience in maintenance and repair. To address these issues, there is a growing trend in recent years to use non-metallic conveyor chains made of composite materials or high-strength engineering plastics.

[0015] On the other hand, among existing chain-flight type sludge collectors for small sedimentation tanks, the two-row chain-flight system, which has two rows of chains, is the most frequently used. In this two-row chain-flight system, sludge is collected by assembling and moving flights on two rows of chains that are spaced apart from each other.

[0016] While this is not much of a problem in small sedimentation tanks, in large sedimentation tanks with widths ranging from 7m to 15m and lengths ranging from 20m to 120m, there is a risk of frequent chain breakage and flight sagging causing damage during operation using the chain flight system. Due to these problems, various solutions have been proposed to improve the situation.

[0017] For example, as one of various solutions to improve failure due to flight sagging, the applicant's previous Korean patent No. 10-2169694 (Title of Invention: Chain Flight Type Sludge Collector with Reinforced Flights) presents a technique to address this by reinforcing the flights.

[0018] Specifically, Korean Patent No. 10-2169694 presents a technology that can effectively prevent warping, deformation, or damage to a flight caused by the amount of sagging at the center of the flight due to the load of sludge when the flight moves while collecting sludge.

[0019] On the other hand, among the main components of the sludge collector 5, namely the drive unit, splacket, conveyor chain, and flights, the conveyor chain is a product that requires high strength and durability according to the specifications of the sedimentation tank. Considering the maintenance and assembly of the chain, it is fundamental that when connecting the chain links, the yoke and barrel sections move horizontally during assembly.

[0020] In other words, as shown in Figures 2a and 2b, the existing transport chain consists of a yoke, a barrel, and a chain pin. The conveyor chain, in which each unit chain is linked to one another, is equipped with attachments for flight installation (see Figure 4) at regular intervals.

[0021] When connecting the chain links, the barrel portion 101 of one of the two unit chains to be connected and the yoke portion 102 of the other chain are positioned to face each other (see Figure 2a).

[0022] After that, with the barrel portion 101 positioned inside the yoke portion 102 in the state shown in Figure 2a, the steel sleeve integrated chain pin 11 is inserted so as to pass through the yoke portion and the barrel portion, connecting the two unit chains 10 (see Figure 2b).

[0023] However, such existing conveyor chains with a chain link structure are subjected to tensile forces while installed in a sedimentation tank. Furthermore, the tensile force applied to the chain acts as a shear load on the chain pins 11, but existing structures do not allow for the distribution of the shear load concentrated on the chain pins 11, so the chain pins 11 bear the entire load.

[0024] As a result, existing designs had the problem that the chain pin would either break, as can be seen in the reference diagram in Figure 3a, or that stress would concentrate on the yoke portion 102 or barrel portion 101 adjacent to the chain pin, causing those portions to break, as can be seen in the reference diagrams in Figures 3b and 3c.

[0025] The breakage of chains or chain pins caused by the chain link structure of existing conveyor chains results not only in cost losses due to the maintenance and repair of the conveyor chains, but also in social and economic losses due to the inability to properly treat the raw water in the sedimentation tank. Therefore, technological development to solve this problem is required.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0026] The present invention is for solving various problems as described above, and aims to improve the durability of a non-metal conveyor chain by improving the chain link structure of the non-metal conveyor chain and increasing the shear strength of the chain applied to sludge removal equipment.

[0027] That is, the present invention aims to provide a non-metal conveyor chain that can improve the durability of the chain through an increase in the shear resistance of the non-metal conveyor chain by causing the barrel part and the yoke part of the chain that covers the chain pin to jointly receive the shear load that the chain pin has been entirely bearing due to the tensile load applied to the chain in the sedimentation tank, and sludge removal equipment equipped with the same.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0028] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a conveyor chain for a sludge collector including a plurality of unit chains and chain pins that mediate so that these unit chains are linked to each other; a barrel part is provided on one side of the unit chain, a yoke part is provided on the other side, a chain pocket having a recessed groove structure is provided outside the barrel part of the unit chain, and a chain boss protruding so as to correspond to the chain pocket of the linked unit chain is provided inside the yoke part of the unit chain, and a non-metal conveyor chain with improved durability is provided.

[0029] At this time, the chain pocket includes a save rim formed in a predetermined region along the periphery of the pin hole and separated from the pin hole of the barrel part, and an opening that serves as a passage so that the chain boss is inserted into the chain pocket and positioned.

[0030] Furthermore, it is preferable that the width of the opening is formed to be at least the same as the outer diameter of the chain boss.

[0031] Furthermore, a guide is provided, having a surface that guides the movement of the chain boss inserted into the chain pocket through the opening, extending from one side of the opening to the inner surface of one side of the save rim, and the guide together with the save rim constitutes the chain pocket.

[0032] Furthermore, the inner surface of the chain pocket may be formed in such a way that it has a gradient, with the diameter increasing as you go deeper into the pocket in the depth direction.

[0033] On the other hand, in order to achieve the above objective, another embodiment of the present invention provides a non-metallic conveyor chain for a sludge collector, comprising a plurality of unit chains and chain pins mediating the linking of these unit chains to one another; wherein one side of the unit chain is provided with a barrel portion and the other side with a yoke portion, the outside of the barrel portion of the unit chain is provided with a chain boss, and the inside of the yoke portion of the unit chain is provided with a recessed chain pocket corresponding to the chain boss of the linked unit chains.

[0034] In this case, the maximum width formed by the chain bosses on both sides that are each formed on the outside of the barrel portion is greater than the inner width of the yoke portion into which the barrel portion is inserted.

[0035] Furthermore, the front region of the chain boss in the insertion direction of the barrel portion is formed in such a way that it becomes lower towards the front so that the barrel portion can be easily inserted into the inside of the yoke portion when the barrel portion and the yoke portion are assembled.

[0036] On the other hand, the chain pin is characterized by being an SRP chain pin made by applying steel-reinforced plastic (SRP).

[0037] On the other hand, according to yet another embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above objectives, a sludge removal system is provided comprising: a sedimentation tank into which raw water flows; and a sludge collector provided to scrape sludge at the bottom of the sedimentation tank and discharge it to the outside of the sedimentation tank, wherein the sludge collector is provided to have a non-metallic conveyor chain configured according to any one of claims 1 to 8, so as to send the scum pushed out by the action of the flights constituting the sludge collector at the water surface of the sedimentation tank to a trough for discharge. [Effects of the Invention]

[0038] The effect of the present invention is that, due to the tensile load applied to the chain in the sedimentation tank, the shear load that was previously entirely borne by the chain pin is now shared by both the barrel portion and the yoke portion of the chain that cover the chain pin. This increases the shear resistance of the non-metallic conveyor chain, thereby improving the durability of the chain.

[0039] In other words, according to the present invention, the chain pocket on the outside of the barrel section and the chain boss on the inside of the yoke section interlock, and together with the chain pin, they reduce shear stress, thereby improving the durability of the non-metallic conveyor chain and providing the effect of increasing the service life of the chain.

[0040] Furthermore, according to the present invention, by applying high-strength steel-reinforced plastic (SRP) technology to the chain pin, which is an element constituting the chain link structure, and by applying a chain pin that is inserted inside a stainless steel pipe, the lifespan and tensile strength of the chain can be significantly increased compared to existing chain link structures, maintenance and operating costs can be reduced, it is possible to protect against wear caused by sand and sludge, and the phenomenon of fine plastic leaching can be reduced.

[0041] As described above, the present invention improves the chain link structure of non-metallic conveyor chains and enhances the durability and service life of non-metallic conveyor chains. This not only reduces the cost losses incurred due to replacement and maintenance repairs caused by chain breakage in existing conveyor chains, but also contributes to improving the economic efficiency of sludge removal equipment operations by preventing social and economic losses resulting from the inability to properly treat raw water in sedimentation tanks. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0042] [Figure 1] This is a partial dissection perspective view showing an example of a sludge removal facility.

[0043]

[0044] [Figure 2a] This is a partially cut-out plan view showing the link assembly process of an existing conveyor chain. The diagram shows the state before assembly.

[0045] [Figure 2b] This is a partially cut-out plan view showing the link assembly process of an existing conveyor chain. The diagram shows the state after assembly.

[0046] [Figure 3a] This is a reference diagram illustrating the problems associated with the chain link structure of existing non-metallic conveyor chains. [Figure 3b] This is a reference diagram illustrating the problems associated with the chain link structure of existing non-metallic conveyor chains. [Figure 3c] This is a reference diagram illustrating the problems associated with the chain link structure of existing non-metallic conveyor chains.

[0047] [Figure 4] This is a perspective view showing the link structure of a conveyor chain according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] [Figure 5] This is an exploded perspective view of the main part, shown in relation to section "A" in Figure 4.

[0049] [Figure 6] This is a cross-sectional view of the main part shown in relation to section "A" in Figure 4, and it shows the state in which the insertion of the chain boss formed in the yoke portion into the chain pocket formed in the barrel portion of the conveyor chain has been completed.

[0050] [Figure 7] This is an exploded perspective view showing the link structure of a conveyor chain according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] [Figure 8] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the link structure of a conveyor chain according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] [Figure 9] This is an exploded perspective view showing the link structure of a conveyor chain according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] [Figure 10] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the link structure of a conveyor chain according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] [Figure 11] Figure 9 is a plan view of the barrel section.

[0055] [Figure 12] Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating the formation range of the guide inclined surface in the chain boss of the barrel section.

[0056] [Figure 13] This is an exploded perspective view showing the link structure of a conveyor chain according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0057] [Figure 14]Another embodiment of a chain pin to which the present invention applies is a perspective view of a chain pin to which steel-reinforced plastic (SRP) is applied.

[0058] [Figure 15] Figure 14 is an exploded perspective view. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0059] The object, characteristics, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent through a detailed description of each embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0060] However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below and can be embodied in a variety of different forms, and these embodiments are provided to complete the disclosure of the present invention and to fully inform those in the ordinary skill of the scope of the invention.

[0061] Therefore, the embodiments and configurations shown in the drawings described herein represent only one of the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical concept of the invention. It should be understood that, at the time of filing, there may be a variety of equivalents and modifications that can replace them. [Examples]

[0062]

[0063] [Example 1]

[0064] First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 4 to 6.

[0065] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the link structure of a conveyor chain according to the first embodiment of the present invention, Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of a main part shown in relation to part "A" in Figure 4, and Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a main part shown in relation to part "A" in Figure 4, showing the state in which the insertion of the chain boss formed in the yoke portion into the chain pocket formed in the barrel portion of the conveyor chain has been completed.

[0066] The link structure of the conveyor chain according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 4 to 6.

[0067] According to a first embodiment of the present invention, the conveyor chain for a sludge collector is configured to include a plurality of unit chains 10 and chain pins 11 that are inserted into pinholes 101a and 102a to mediate the linkage of these unit chains 10 to one another.

[0068] In this configuration, the unit chain 10 is provided with a barrel portion 101 on one side and a yoke portion 102 on the other side. The outer side of the barrel portion 101 of the unit chain 10 is provided with a recessed groove-shaped chain pocket CP, and the inner side of the yoke portion 102 of the unit chain 10 is provided with a chain boss CB, which is a protruding portion corresponding to the chain pocket CP of another unit chain 10 that is linked to it.

[0069] On the other hand, the chain pocket CP includes a save rim SR formed in a predetermined area along the periphery of the pinhole 101a, spaced apart from the pinhole 101a of the barrel portion 101; an opening CPO that serves as a passage for the chain boss CB to be inserted into and positioned in the chain pocket CP; and a guide CPG having a surface that guides the movement of the chain boss CB inserted into the chain pocket CP through the opening CPO, from one side of the entrance of the opening CPO to the inner surface of one side of the save rim SR.

[0070] In other words, the guide CPG, by having a vertical surface, forms a chain pocket CP together with the saverim SR and the opening CPO.

[0071] Furthermore, the width of the opening CPO is formed to be at least the same as or greater than the outer diameter of the chain boss CB.

[0072] The following describes the effects and advantages of the non-metallic conveyor chain according to the first embodiment of the present invention, which is configured as described above.

[0073] According to the conveyor chain link structure of this embodiment, the shear load applied to the chain in the sedimentation tank is received together by the chain pin 11 and the barrel portion 101 and yoke portion 102 that cover the chain pin 11, thereby increasing the shear resistance of the non-metallic conveyor chain and improving the durability of the chain.

[0074] In other words, in existing conveyor chain link structures, the tensile load applied to the chain in the sedimentation tank causes only the chain pin 11 to withstand the shear load, resulting in the yoke portion 102, barrel portion 101, or chain pin 11 of the chain to break, and consequently, the durability cannot be satisfied.

[0075] However, according to this embodiment, the shear load applied to the chain installed in the sedimentation tank is received by both the barrel portion 101 and the yoke portion 102 of the chain covering the chain pin 11, thereby increasing the shear resistance of the non-metallic conveyor chain and improving the durability of the conveyor chain.

[0076] In other words, according to the present invention, the chain pocket CP on the outside of the barrel portion 101 and the chain boss CB on the inside of the yoke portion 102 interlock, and together with the chain pin 11, reduce shear stress, which in turn improves the durability of the non-metallic conveyor chain and thereby increases the service life of the chain and related equipment.

[0077]

[0078] [Example 2]

[0079] A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 7 to 8.

[0080] Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view showing the link structure of a conveyor chain according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the link structure of a conveyor chain according to a second embodiment of the present invention in relation to Figure 7.

[0081] Referring to Figures 7 to 8, the basic structure of the conveyor chain according to the second embodiment of the present invention is the same as that of the first embodiment, differing in that a gradient is formed on the meshing surfaces of the chain pocket CP and the chain boss CB.

[0082] In other words, the conveyor chain for the sludge collector according to this embodiment is also composed of a plurality of unit chains 10 and chain pins 11 that are inserted into pinholes 101a and 102a to mediate the linking of these unit chains 10 to one another.

[0083] In this configuration, the unit chain 10 is provided with a barrel portion 101 on one side and a yoke portion 102 on the other side. A recessed groove chain pocket CP is provided on the outside of the barrel portion 101 of the unit chain 10, and a protruding chain boss CB is provided on the inside of the yoke portion 102 of the unit chain 10 to correspond to the chain pocket CP of the linked unit chain 10.

[0084] The chain pocket CP includes a save rim SR formed in a predetermined area around the pinhole 101a, spaced apart from the pinhole 101a of the barrel portion 101; an opening CPO that serves as a passage for the chain boss CB to be inserted into and positioned in the chain pocket CP; and a guide CPG having a surface that guides the movement of the chain boss CB inserted into the chain pocket CP through the opening CPO, from one side of the entrance of the opening CPO to the inner surface of one side of the save rim SR.

[0085] In this embodiment, the guide CPG, together with the save rim SR and the opening CPO, constitutes the chain pocket CP. The guide surface of the guide CPG and the inner surface of the save rim SR are configured to have a gradient, so that the inner surface of the chain pocket CP generally has a shape in which the diameter increases from the outside of the pocket to the inside of the pocket in the depth direction.

[0086] In other words, the inner surface of the saverim SR that constitutes the chain pocket CP and the guide surface of the guide CPG have a gradient such that the diameter of the pocket increases as you go deeper into the chain pocket CP in the depth direction.

[0087] According to the second embodiment of the present invention configured in this way, a guide CPG having a gradient is provided on one side of the chain pocket CP to facilitate the smooth assembly of the chain boss CB of the yoke portion 102, which is inserted through the opening CPO, which is the area of ​​the chain pocket CP where the save rim SR is not formed.

[0088] On the other hand, the inner surface of the save rim SR and the inner surface of the guide CPG are designed to have a gradient such that the chain pocket CP widens towards the bottom surface of the chain pocket CP, and the outer surface of the chain boss CB is also designed to have a gradient to match this structure.

[0089] In this embodiment, the corresponding connecting surfaces of the chain boss CB and chain pocket CP have a gradient, which further effectively prevents the yoke portion from expanding.

[0090] In other words, the locking portion CPH is formed by the gradient created between the chain boss CB and the chain pocket CP, which further effectively prevents the phenomenon in existing systems where the chain pin 11 bends and the yoke portion expands when the chain is subjected to a tensile load.

[0091] More specifically, when the chain pin 11 is about to bend due to the tensile load acting on the conveyor chain, in existing designs the yoke portion 102 easily spreads along the axial direction of the chain pin 11. However, in this embodiment, the chain boss CB and chain pocket CP have a locking portion CPH formed by the gradients formed on each of them, which interferes with the axial movement of the chain pin 11 and prevents the yoke portion 102 from spreading.

[0092] Therefore, even when a force acts to bend the chain pin 11 while the conveyor chain is subjected to a tensile load, the phenomenon of the yoke portion 102 expanding is effectively blocked, thereby more effectively preventing the chain from breaking.

[0093]

[0094] [Example 3]

[0095] A third embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 9 to 12.

[0096] Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of the main parts showing the link structure of a conveyor chain according to the third embodiment of the present invention, Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the link structure of a conveyor chain according to the third embodiment of the present invention in relation to Figure 9, Figure 11 is a plan view of the barrel portion of Figure 9, and Figure 12 is a diagram for explaining the formation range of the guide inclined surface in the chain boss of the barrel portion of Figure 9.

[0097] Referring to Figures 9 to 12, the conveyor chain for a sludge collector according to the third embodiment of the present invention comprises a plurality of unit chains 10 and chain pins 11 that mediate the linking of these unit chains 10 to one another.

[0098] In this configuration, one side of the unit chain 10 is provided with a barrel portion 101, and the other side of the unit chain 10 is provided with a yoke portion 102. A chain boss CB' is provided on the outside of the barrel portion 101 of the unit chain 10, and a chain pocket CP' is provided on the inside of the yoke portion 102 of the unit chain 10, recessed to correspond to the chain boss CB' of the linked unit chain 10.

[0099] Furthermore, the maximum width of the chain bosses CB' on both sides, which is defined as the distance between the outer surfaces of the chain bosses CB' formed on the outside of the barrel portion 101, is formed to be larger than the inner width of the yoke portion 102 into which the barrel portion 101 is inserted (i.e., the distance between the inner surfaces on both sides of the yoke portion).

[0100] Furthermore, the front portion CB'-F region of the chain boss CB' in the insertion direction of the barrel portion 101 is shaped to become lower towards the front, so that the barrel portion 101 can be easily inserted into the inside of the yoke portion 102 when the barrel portion 101 and the yoke portion 102 are assembled.

[0101] The following describes the effects of a third embodiment of the present invention having the above-described structural features.

[0102] In the conveyor chain according to this embodiment, the maximum width of the chain bosses CB' formed on both sides outside the barrel portion 101 is larger than the inner width of the yoke portion 102 into which the barrel portion 101 is inserted. However, in exchange, the front portion CB'-F of the chain bosses CB' in the insertion direction of the barrel portion 101 becomes lower towards the front end. Therefore, when assembling the barrel portion 101 and the yoke portion 102, the barrel portion 101 can be easily inserted into the inside of the yoke portion 102.

[0103] In other words, because the front side of the front portion CB'-F region is low, the barrel portion 101 can easily enter the space between the inner widths of the yoke portion 102 during the initial stages of assembly. Subsequently, the maximum widths of the chain bosses CB' formed on both sides outside the barrel portion 101 are larger than the inner width of the yoke portion 102 into which the barrel portion 101 is inserted. As a result, the entry of the barrel portion 101 causes the chain bosses CB' of the barrel portion 101 to interfere with the yoke portion 102.

[0104] At this time, the yoke portion 102, which has a structure that allows for elastic deformation due to interference with the chain boss CB' of the barrel portion 101, expands to both sides, and the barrel portion 101 continues to enter, and when the chain boss CB' of the barrel portion 101 reaches a position where it aligns with the chain pocket CP' of the yoke portion 102, the yoke portion 102 collapses inward due to its elastic restoring force, thereby precisely inserting the chain boss CB' of the barrel portion 101 into the chain pocket CP' of the yoke portion 102.

[0105] In the third embodiment configured in this way, it is not necessary to form the opening CPO or guide CPG that are separately provided in the first or second embodiment.

[0106] In this embodiment, during assembly, the conveyor chain is designed so that the chain boss CB' of the barrel portion 101 is inserted into the chain pocket CP' of the yoke portion 102 by the elasticity of the yoke portion 102, and when a tensile load is applied to the conveyor chain, the inner wall of the chain pocket CP' is locked into the protruding rear portion of the chain boss CB'.

[0107] Furthermore, this locking phenomenon causes shear stress to be applied to the chain boss CB' of the barrel section 101, thereby increasing the tensile load that the conveyor chain according to this embodiment can withstand compared to existing chains. This improves the durability and service life of the conveyor chain.

[0108]

[0109] [Example 4]

[0110] A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figure 13.

[0111] In the first to third embodiments described above, it can be confirmed that the force that can withstand chain breakage is increased by the chain bosses CB and CB' that engage with the inner walls of the chain pockets CP and CP'. In addition, the fourth embodiment of the present invention improves the structure of the barrel portion of the unit chain 10 from an existing integrated type to a separate type structure, and the structure according to this embodiment is applicable to all of the unit chain structures of the present invention according to the first to third embodiments described above.

[0112] More specifically, the fourth embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that, in the barrel portion 101 which is an element constituting a unit chain, the connecting component that connected the left and right sides of the barrel portion is configured as a roller with a separately separated structure.

[0113] The effects and advantages of the fourth embodiment of the present invention, configured as described above, will be explained below.

[0114] In this embodiment, in the unit chain 10, the connecting parts that integrally connected the left and right sides of the barrel portion 101 are separated to form rollers. These separated roller-shaped connecting parts 1011 are assembled and supported by support parts 1012 that protrude from the left and right inner surfaces of the barrel portion during chain assembly.

[0115] Therefore, when the unit chain 10 according to this embodiment is applied to a sedimentation tank, the roller-shaped connecting portion 1011 is separated in the engagement between the chain and the splacket. As a result, when interference with the splacket occurs, the roller-shaped connecting portion 1011 can roll back to its original position, and this rolling action of the connecting portion 1011 can change the engagement position of the connecting portion 1011 with respect to the splacket.

[0116] By changing the engagement position of the connecting portion 1011 through rolling, it is possible to prevent uneven wear of the connecting portion 1011 that occurs when the barrel portion 101 engages with the splacket, and this configuration provides the effect of reducing the load on the chain.

[0117] In the following, other embodiments of the chain pin to which the present invention applies will be described with reference to Figures 14 and 15.

[0118] Figure 14 is a perspective view of a chain pin made of steel-reinforced plastic (SRP) in another embodiment of the chain pin to which the present invention applies, and Figure 15 is an exploded perspective view of Figure 14.

[0119] Referring to these drawings, in the first to fourth embodiments described above, a chain pin made of high-strength steel-reinforced plastic (SRP) may be used as the chain pin in each embodiment.

[0120] In other words, a chain pin 11' to which high-strength steel-reinforced plastic (SRP) technology is applied (hereinafter referred to as "SRP chain pin") refers to a chain pin in which the shaft portion of the pin is inserted inside a stainless steel pipe, and is applied to the connecting parts to which each unit chain 10 is connected in order for each unit chain 10 to be regularly linked together to form a line.

[0121] To describe the specific configuration of the SRP chain pin 11' of the present invention, the SRP chain pin 11' comprises a plastic pin unit 170 made of plastic material and a stainless steel sleeve 180 coupled to the plastic pin unit 170.

[0122] On the other hand, the plastic pin unit 170 may be made of, for example, an engineering plastic material. Such a plastic pin unit 170 includes a shaft portion 171, a jaw portion 172 coupled to one end of the shaft portion 171, and a flange portion 173 formed at the other end of the shaft portion 171 and having a larger cross-sectional area than the shaft portion 171.

[0123] The shaft portion 171 may have numerous through-holes (not shown) formed in the axial direction. In this case, since the plastic pin unit 170 itself is made of plastic, it is much lighter than metal, but in addition to this, the overall weight can be further reduced by forming numerous through-holes in the shaft portion 171.

[0124] However, in the case of the plastic pin unit 170, the strength and wear resistance may be weaker compared to when the entire shaft is made of steel, but the steel sleeve 180 can compensate for these shortcomings.

[0125] On the other hand, the jaw portion 172 forms one end of the shaft portion 171. After the steel sleeve 180 made of stainless steel is assembled to the shaft portion 171 by press-fitting, the jaw portion 172 may be joined to one end of the shaft portion 171, but such an assembly method does not limit the scope of the present invention.

[0126] The reason for this is that the SRP chain pin 11' may be formed by other methods. For example, when injection molding the shaft portion 171, a steel sleeve 180 can be inserted into the mold and integrally with the shaft portion 171 by insert injection molding, thereby eliminating the need for a separate assembly process of press-fitting the steel sleeve 180 into the shaft portion 171. Furthermore, in other molding methods, the jaw portion 172 can be injection molded to one end of the shaft portion 171 at the same time as the injection molding of the shaft portion 171.

[0127] On the other hand, the jaw portion 172 may include a jaw pocket 172a and a number of jaw blades 172b that protrude inclined from the surrounding surface of the jaw pocket 172a. The number of jaw blades 172b can be engaged with boundary steps on one side of pinholes formed in the unit chain 10, thereby enabling the SRP chain pin 11' to be assembled into the unit chain.

[0128] Then, a fix pin 172c is provided at the center of the numerous jaw blades 172b.

[0129] Furthermore, the flange portion 173 forms the other end of the shaft portion 171. Since the flange portion 173 has a larger cross-sectional area than the shaft portion 171, it acts to prevent the plastic pin unit 170 from coming out of the pinhole formed in the unit chain 10.

[0130] On the other hand, the steel sleeve 180 is formed when it is integrally injected onto the shaft portion 171 of the plastic pin unit 170. In this embodiment, the steel sleeve 180 is integrally insert-injected onto the outer wall of the shaft portion 171 inside the mold and is applied to the steel sleeve integrated chain pin 11 using an integral molding insert injection method.

[0131] In this configuration, numerous assembly holes 181 are formed in the externally assembled steel sleeve 180, and assembly protrusions 174 are formed on the outer wall of the shaft portion 171 to be assembled into the assembly holes 181. Therefore, the phenomenon of the pin unit 170 and the steel sleeve 180 spinning freely does not occur in the insert injection type SRP chain pin 11'.

[0132] Such insert-injection type SRP chain pins 11' serve to prevent delamination caused by repeated buckling loads acting on the non-metallic conveyor chain according to this embodiment. Of course, it is also possible to deviate from this method and press-fit an externally assembled steel sleeve 180 integrally into the shaft portion 171 of the plastic pin unit 170 using a press-fit method.

[0133] By applying the SRP chain pin 11' configured in this way, the wear resistance is improved compared to existing chain pins, significantly increasing the lifespan and strength of the chain link structure. This results in reduced maintenance and operating costs due to the increased lifespan. Furthermore, the stainless steel pipe protects the inner shaft from wear caused by sand and sludge, and reduces the phenomenon of fine plastics leaching out.

[0134] On the other hand, according to the present invention, when the SRP chain pin 11' is applied and the conveyor chain link structure according to the above-described examples 1 to 4 is applied, the shear load that the chain pin was previously able to withstand due to the tensile load applied to the chain in the sedimentation tank can be received together by the barrel portion 101 and yoke portion 102 of the chain covering the SRP chain pin, together with the high-strength reinforced SRP chain pin 11'. As a result, the durability of the chain can be improved by increasing the shear resistance of the non-metallic conveyor chain. Furthermore, this ultimately improves the economics of the sludge removal equipment by reducing maintenance costs and increasing service life in the maintenance and management of the sludge removal equipment. [Industrial applicability]

[0135] This invention improves the chain link structure of non-metallic conveyor chains applied to sedimentation tanks in sewage or wastewater treatment systems, and enhances durability by increasing the shear strength of chains applied to sludge removal equipment. As a result, it prevents phenomena that disrupt the operation of sewage or wastewater treatment systems due to conveyor chain short circuits, thereby improving operational efficiency. Since it can be applied not only to water treatment and contaminated water purification facilities but also to a variety of facilities that require chain equipment, this invention has very high industrial applicability.

Claims

1. A conveyor chain for a sludge collector, comprising multiple unit chains and chain pins that mediate the linking of these unit chains to one another, The unit chain is provided with a barrel portion on one side and a yoke portion on the other side. The outer surface of the barrel portion of the unit chain is provided with a chain pocket having a recessed groove structure. The inside of the yoke portion of the unit chain is provided with a chain boss that protrudes to correspond to the chain pocket of the linked unit chain, The aforementioned chain pocket is A save rim is formed in a predetermined area along the periphery of the pinhole, separated from the pinhole in the barrel portion, It has an opening that serves as a passage so that the chain boss is inserted into and positioned in the chain pocket, Furthermore, a guide is provided, extending from one side of the opening to the inner surface of one side of the save rim, having a surface that guides the movement of the chain boss inserted into the chain pocket through the opening. The guide, together with the save rim, constitutes a chain pocket. A non-metallic conveyor chain with improved durability, characterized in that the chain boss of the unit chain linked to the chain pocket of the unit chain is connected, and the chain pin is inserted through the yoke portion and corresponding barrel portion of two unit chains that are connected to each other, thereby connecting these two unit chains.

2. The non-metallic conveyor chain with improved durability according to claim 1, characterized in that the width of the opening is at least the same as the outer diameter of the chain boss.

3. The non-metallic conveyor chain with improved durability according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner surface of the chain pocket has a gradient such that the diameter increases as you go deeper into the pocket in the depth direction.

4. A conveyor chain for a sludge collector, comprising multiple unit chains and chain pins that mediate the linking of these unit chains to one another, The unit chain is provided with a barrel portion on one side and a yoke portion on the other side. The outer side of the barrel portion of the unit chain is provided with a chain boss. The inside of the yoke portion of the unit chain is provided with a recessed chain pocket that corresponds to the chain boss of the linked unit chain. The maximum width formed by the chain bosses on both sides, each formed on the outside of the barrel portion, is greater than the inner width of the yoke portion into which the barrel portion is inserted. A non-metallic conveyor chain with improved durability, characterized in that the front region of the chain boss in the insertion direction of the barrel portion is formed in a shape that becomes lower towards the front, so that the barrel portion can be easily inserted into the inside of the yoke portion when assembling the barrel portion and the yoke portion.

5. A non-metallic conveyor chain with improved durability according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the connecting parts that connect the left and right sides of the barrel section are configured as rollers with a separately separated structure.

6. The non-metallic conveyor chain with improved durability according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the chain pin is an SRP chain pin made by applying steel-reinforced plastic (SRP).

7. The sedimentation tank into which the raw water flows; The system comprises: a sludge collector equipped to collect sludge at the bottom of the sedimentation tank and discharge it to the outside of the sedimentation tank; The aforementioned sludge collector is A sludge removal system comprising a non-metallic conveyor chain configured according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which sends scum pushed out by the action of the flights constituting the sludge collector at the water surface of the sedimentation tank to a trough for discharge.

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