Side-roller attachment structure and chain equipped with side roller

Abstract

This side-roller attachment structure comprises a side roller (40) that is rotatably supported by an insertion shaft (32) having a circular cross-section and projecting from a side portion of a movable body. The side roller (40) is provided with a roller member (42), a bearing (41) that rotatably supports the roller member (42), and a cylindrical sleeve (33) mounted on the inner circumferential side of the bearing (41). The insertion shaft (32) includes a locking unit (50) provided with a locking member capable of protruding outward in the radial direction of the insertion shaft (32). The sleeve (33) receives the locking unit (50) on the inner circumference of the sleeve (33) to cause the locking unit (50) to slide, and includes a locking section (33d). The locking section (33d) locks the locking unit (50).

Description

Side roller mounting structure and chain with side rollers

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a side roller mounting structure and a chain with side rollers, and more particularly to a side roller mounting structure and a chain with side rollers that are easy to attach and detach from a moving body such as a chain.

[0002] Conventionally, for example, side rollers that are attached to the side of a moving body such as a chain and roll to stably move an item, and chains with side rollers in which these side rollers are attached to the side of the chain, have been used.

[0003] Fig. 15 is a partially cutaway perspective view of a side roller 140 attached to an outer link plate 117 of a chain 112 described in Patent Document 1, which is a conventional technique. Fig. 16 shows a cross-sectional view of the conventional side roller 140 before an insert pin 132 is inserted. Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing the side roller 140 shown in Fig. 16 with the insert pin 132 inserted.

[0004] As shown in FIG. 16 , in a chain 112 equipped with a side roller 140 disclosed in Patent Document 1, an insert pin retaining ring 135 is fitted into a sleeve groove 133a on the inner periphery of a sleeve 133. As shown in FIG. 17 , an insert pin groove 132a is formed at the tip of the insert pin 132. When the insert pin 132 is inserted into the sleeve 133, a fixing plate 136 is inserted along its outer surface, pushing and expanding the insert pin retaining ring 135. When the insert pin groove 132a reaches the position of the insert pin retaining ring 135, the elasticity of the insert pin retaining ring 135 causes it to fit into the insert pin groove 132a. The insert pin 132 is then fixed by the sleeve 133. This procedure was used to fix the side roller 140 to the insert pin 132.

[0005] International Publication No. 2017 / 103183

[0006] However, in the configuration described in Patent Document 1, the work of attaching the side rollers 140 to the insert pins 132 is cumbersome. In addition, the side rollers 140 are fixed by the flexible insert pin retaining rings 135, so the fixing strength is weak, and it is desirable to improve the fixing strength.

[0007] The problem that the side roller mounting structure and chain with side rollers disclosed herein aim to solve is to firmly fix side rollers of a moving body such as a chain while facilitating their attachment and detachment.

[0008] A side roller mounting structure according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a side roller rotatably supported by an insertion shaft having a circular cross section protruding from the side of a moving body, the side roller comprising a roller member, a bearing that rotatably supports the roller member, and a cylindrical sleeve attached to the inner periphery of the bearing, and the roller member is attached to the insertion shaft via the sleeve, the insertion shaft having a locking unit with a locking member that can protrude radially outward from the insertion shaft, the sleeve receiving and sliding the locking unit on its inner periphery and having a locking portion that locks the locking unit.

[0009] A chain with side rollers according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes the side rollers and a chain as the moving body.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway plan view of a chain with side rollers according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an insert pin and a cutaway view of a side roller before the insert pin is inserted. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an insert pin and a cross-section of a side roller before the insert pin is inserted. FIG. 4 is a front view of a side roller according to this embodiment as seen from the Y direction. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the V-V cross-section of FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the VI-VI cross-section of FIG. 4. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a cross-section of a sleeve. FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a pawl unit. FIG. 9 is a front view of the pawl unit as seen from the movement direction X. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the X-X cross-section shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the XI-XI cross-section of FIG. 10. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a second embodiment. FIG. 13A is a front view of an insert pin according to the second embodiment as seen from the Y direction. FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional view of the XII(b)-XII(b) cross-section of FIG. 13A. Fig. 14A is a side view of the sleeve of the second embodiment as seen from the X direction. Fig. 14B is a cross-sectional view of the XIV(b)-XIV(b) cross section of Fig. 14A. Fig. 14B is a partially cutaway perspective view of a side roller attached to the outer link of a chain described in Patent Document 1. Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing the state before an insert pin is inserted into the conventional side roller shown in Fig. 15. Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing the state after an insert pin has been inserted into the side roller shown in Fig. 16.

[0011] Hereinafter, a mounting structure for side rollers 40 in a chain with side rollers 11, in which side rollers 40 are attached to a chain 12, will be described as one embodiment of the mounting structure for side rollers of the present disclosure with reference to FIGS. 1 to 14B.

[0012] <Problems with the Prior Art> The conventional mounting structure of the side roller 140 has the problems described above. However, the present embodiment further addresses the following problem, and therefore, the following explanation will be provided.

[0013] In the conventional technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, an insert pin 132, which is an insertion shaft, is inserted into a side roller 140 shown in Fig. 16, as shown in Fig. 17. A donut-shaped fixing plate 136 with a tapered tip is fastened to the tip of the insert pin 132 by a bolt 134. A recess is formed on the periphery of the base end of this fixing plate 136, and when attached to the insert pin 132 by the bolt 134, an annular insert pin groove 132a is formed around the tip periphery of the insert pin 132.

[0014] Meanwhile, an annular sleeve groove 133a is formed on the inner peripheral surface at the rear side in the insertion direction of the sleeve 133. A flexible insert pin retaining ring 135 is fitted into this annular sleeve groove 133a.

[0015] When the insert pin 132 is inserted into the sleeve 133, the fixing plate 136 pushes and spreads the flexible annular insert pin retaining ring 135 while bending it, allowing the insert pin 132 to enter. When the insert pin groove 132a reaches the position of the insert pin retaining ring 135, the elasticity of the insert pin retaining ring 135 causes it to fit into the insert pin groove 132a. The insert pin 132 is then fixed to the sleeve 133 by the insert pin retaining ring 135. In this manner, the side roller 140 is fixed to the insert pin 132. The roller member 142 can rotate smoothly relative to the insert pin 132 by means of the ball bearing 141.

[0016] In the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, the insert pin 132 and the sleeve 133 are fixed together by friction between the insert pin groove 132a and the insert pin retaining ring 135 and friction between the sleeve groove 133a and the insert pin retaining ring 135. However, the ball bearing 141 may experience increased rotational friction due to wear, intrusion of foreign matter, deterioration of the lubricant, and other reasons. In such cases, if the rotational resistance of the ball bearing 141 becomes greater than the frictional force between the insert pin 132 and the sleeve 133, slippage may occur between the insert pin 132 and the sleeve 133. Such slippage can further cause wear on the insert pin 132, the fixing plate 136, the insert pin retaining ring 135, the sleeve groove 133a, and other components.

[0017] Therefore, in Patent Document 1, a rotation prevention device 137 is attached to the base end of the insert pin 132 and engages with a notch in a stop device 133b at the opening of the sleeve 133 to prevent rotation of the sleeve 133. However, in this case, the notch position must be aligned at the final stage after the insert pin 132 is inserted into the sleeve 133. In this case, there is no gap between the outer circumferential surface of the insert pin 132 and the outer circumferential surface of the sleeve 133. Furthermore, when the insert pin retaining ring 135 is pushed in while being deflected by the fixed plate 136 of the insert pin 132, the protruding force of the insert pin retaining ring 135 acts strongly on the outer circumferential surface of the fixed plate 136. This makes it difficult to rotate the insert pin 132 to align the notch position.

[0018] Furthermore, the insert pin retaining ring 135 needs to be flexible in order to be attached to the sleeve groove 133a or the insert pin groove 132a by elastic deformation, and therefore does not have high strength, which poses the problem of it being prone to slippage in the insertion direction.

[0019] <Outline of this embodiment> In this embodiment, first, the insert pin 32, which is the insertion shaft, is inserted into the side roller 40. Due to the structure of the claw unit 50, the side roller 40 can be fixed to the insert pin 32 with a single touch, without having to tighten the bolt 134 as in the conventional case.

[0020] Furthermore, since the claw members 51 of the claw unit 50 have high rigidity, the side rollers 40 can be fixed with high fixing strength to the insert pins 32. Furthermore, the insert pins 32 are provided with guide grooves 32g along the insertion direction, and a positioning pin 33h protruding inward from the sleeve 33 restricts the relative rotation between the insert pins 32 and the sleeve 33.

[0021] These features will be described in detail below. First Embodiment A chain 11 with side rollers according to a first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0022] 1, the chain with side rollers 11 includes a chain 12 as an example of a moving body, and side rollers 40 rotatably mounted on insert pins 32 protruding from the sides of the chain 12. The side rollers 40 move in the moving direction X while rolling on rails (not shown) as the chain 12 moves.

[0023] <Chain 12> The chain 12 includes a plurality of inner links 16 and a plurality of outer links 18. Each inner link 16 has a pair of inner link plates 15 arranged opposite and spaced apart from each other in the width direction Y. Each outer link 18 has a pair of outer link plates 17 arranged to sandwich the inner link plates 15 of two adjacent inner links 16 from the outside in the width direction Y. The inner link plates 15 of the inner links 16 and the outer link plates 17 of the outer links 18 are each shaped like a substantially rectangular plate extending along the movement direction X.

[0024] The inner link plates 15 and outer link plates 17 that face each other in the width direction Y are arranged parallel to each other. Therefore, the chain 12 of this embodiment is a so-called flat-type chain that is configured so that the spacing between the inner link plates 15 and the spacing between the outer link plates 17 are equal at one end and the other end of the inner links 16 and outer links 18 in the movement direction X.

[0025] A circular bushing insertion hole 15a is formed at each end of the inner link plate 15 in the movement direction X, penetrating the inner link plate 15 in the width direction Y, which is also the thickness direction of the inner link plate 15. Two cylindrical bushings 19 are assembled between a pair of opposing inner link plates 15 in the inner link 16 so as to maintain the distance between the pair of inner link plates 15. Both end portions of the bushings 19 are fitted into the bushing insertion holes 15a of the pair of inner link plates 15. The bushings 19 are inserted into cylindrical rollers 20 to rotatably support the rollers 20. In other words, the bushings 19 are loosely fitted into the rollers 20.

[0026] <Shaft member 30> Circular pin insertion holes 17a are formed at both ends of the outer link plate 17 in the movement direction X, so as to penetrate in the width direction Y, which is also the thickness direction of the outer link plate 17. A cylindrical shaft member 30 having an outer diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the bushing 19 is inserted into each pin insertion hole 17a.

[0027] The shaft member 30 has a chain pin 31 in the center in the width direction Y. The chain pin 31 functions as a connecting shaft for connecting the outer link plates 17 to each other. In addition, the shaft member 30 has insert pins 32 at both ends in the width direction Y, each of which protrudes from the outer link plates 17.

[0028] The inner link 16 is formed by assembling a bushing 19 between a pair of inner link plates 15. The outer link plate 17 of the outer link 18 is rotatably connected to the inner link plate 15 of the inner link 16 from the outside of the inner link plate 15 via a shaft member 30.

[0029] In this case, the shaft member 30 is in a state in which the chain pin 31 is inserted into the bushing 19 assembled between the pair of inner link plates 15 of the inner link 16. In this state, both ends of the chain pin 31 are fitted into the pin insertion holes 17a of the pair of outer link plates 17 of the outer link 18. Therefore, the shaft member 30 passes through each of the pair of outer link plates 17. Furthermore, the inner link plate 15 of the inner link 16 and the outer link plate 17 of the outer link 18 that are adjacent in the movement direction X are rotatably connected at their ends in the movement direction X via the chain pin 31 and the bushing 19. The chain 12 in this embodiment is made of steel.

[0030] <Insert pin 32> Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the insert pin 32 and a cutaway view of the side roller 40 before the insert pin 32 is inserted. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the insert pin 32 and a cross-section of the side roller 40 before the insert pin 32 is inserted. Fig. 4 is a side view of the side roller 40 with the insert pin 32 inserted, as seen from the outside in the width direction Y. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the V-V cross-section of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the VI-VI cross-section of Fig. 4.

[0031] 1, both ends of the shaft member 30 constitute insert pins 32 with a reduced diameter. Movement of the shaft member 30 in the width direction Y is restricted by attaching side rollers 40 to the insert pins 32.

[0032] 2, the insert pin 32 has a cylindrical shape. The insert pin 32 has an outer peripheral surface 32c that forms its side surface. The outer peripheral surface 32c has a large diameter portion 32d that forms the base side (chain 12 side), a small diameter portion 32e that forms the tip side and has a smaller diameter than the large diameter portion 32d, and a sloped step portion 32f that connects these.

[0033] 2 and 3, the side rollers 40 are fixed by inserting insert pins 32. The side rollers 40 include a cylindrical roller member 42, a ball bearing 41 as an example of a bearing, and a sleeve 33. The roller member 42 is rotatably supported on the insert pin 32 via the ball bearing 41, and rolls as the chain 12 moves in the movement direction X. In this embodiment, two ball bearings 41 are provided adjacent to each other in the width direction Y, which is also the axial direction of the ball bearings 41.

[0034] 5, the ball bearing 41 includes an annular inner ring 41a (inner race) fixed to the outer peripheral surface 32c of the insert pin 32 via a sleeve 33. The ball bearing 41 also includes an annular outer ring 41b (outer race) fixed to the inner peripheral surface 42a of the roller member 42. The ball bearing 41 further includes a plurality of balls 41c. These balls 41c are interposed between the inner ring 41a and the outer ring 41b and are held by a cage (not shown) in a state where they are arranged in a row at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0035] As shown in Figure 5, of the two ball bearings 41, the ball bearing 41 on the chain 12 side (the lower side in Figure 5) has its inner ring 41a abutting against the stepped portion 33c of the sleeve 33. Also, the outer ring 41b of this ball bearing 41 abuts against a lower corner 42b of the inner circumferential surface 42a of the roller member 42, thereby restricting misalignment in the insertion direction (width direction Y).

[0036] Furthermore, the outer ring 41b of the outer (upper in Figure 5) ball bearing 41 of the two ball bearings 41 abuts against an annular retaining ring 45 fitted into an annular groove 42c provided on the inner surface 42a of the roller member 42 at the upper side, thereby regulating positional deviation in the width direction Y.

[0037] In addition, the inner ring 41a of the ball bearing 41 on the opposite side to the chain 12 (the upper side in Figure 5) of the two ball bearings 41 has its upper side (the upper side in Figure 5) abutting against an annular retaining ring 33g fitted into an annular groove 33f provided on the outer peripheral surface 33e of the sleeve 33, thereby regulating positional deviation in the width direction Y.

[0038] The lubricant used inside the ball bearing 41 is synthetic resin impregnated with grease or the like. <Sleeve 33> FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a cross section of the sleeve 33. As described above, the sleeve 33 is disposed on the inner periphery of the side roller 40. Specifically, the sleeve 33 is disposed further inward than the inner ring 41a of the ball bearing 41, which is disposed on the inner periphery of the roller member 42. The roller member 42 is attached to the insert pin 32 by attaching the sleeve 33 to the insert pin 32. In other words, the roller member 42 is attached to the insert pin 32 via the sleeve 33. The portion of the sleeve 33 not shown in FIG. 7 is an entirely cylindrical member that appears symmetrical to the cross section shown in FIG. 7. The sleeve 33 has a large diameter portion 33a on the side facing the chain 12, which is the lower side in FIG. 7. The sleeve 33 also has a small diameter portion 33b, which is smaller in diameter than the large diameter portion 33a, on the side opposite the chain 12, which is the upper side in FIG. 7. The sleeve 33 has a step 33c connecting the large diameter portion 33a and the small diameter portion 33b, located slightly below the center in the height direction (width direction Y) of the outer circumferential surface 33e. This step 33c supports the lower end of the inner ring 41a of the ball bearing 41 on the chain 12 side. The upper end of the outer circumferential surface 33e has a groove 33f for fixing the upper part of the inner ring 41a of the outer ball bearing 41, and the ball bearing 41 is fixed via a snap ring 33g (see Figure 5).

[0039] The upper end surface of the sleeve 33 forms a locking portion 33d with which the locking claw 51b of the claw member 51 is locked (see FIG. 6). Also, as shown in FIG. 7, a pair of positioning pin holes 33i, 33i penetrating the inner circumferential surface 33k and the outer circumferential surface 33e are arranged in the upper portion of the sleeve 33 along the insertion direction (width direction Y). As shown in FIG. 5, a positioning pin 33h is inserted into the pair of positioning pin holes 33i, 33i. As shown in FIG. 2, the positioning pin 33h protrudes inside the sleeve 33. When the insert pin 32 is inserted, the pair of positioning pin holes 33i, 33i slides within a guide groove 32g (see FIG. 2) provided in the outer circumferential surface 32c of the insert pin 32.

[0040] <Cover member 43> As shown in Figure 5, a step 42d is provided in the circumferential direction on the inside of the opening at the tip end (upper side in Figure 5) of the cylindrical roller member 42, with the inner diameter decreasing from the opening. A disk-shaped cover member 43 is attached to this step 42d so as to seal the inside of the roller member 42. A sealant accommodation groove 42e for accommodating a sealant 43a is provided above the step 42d on the inner periphery of the opening of the roller member 42. The cover member 43 is fitted in such a manner that its outer periphery is sealed by the sealant 43a accommodated in the sealant accommodation groove 42e.

[0041] The lid member 43 seals the opening with its lower peripheral edge abutting against the step 42d. An annular retaining ring groove 42f is provided on the inner peripheral surface 42a of the opening of the roller member 42. A retaining ring 43b is housed in the retaining ring groove 42f and is elastically biased outward. The retaining ring 43b prevents the lid member 43 from coming off the roller member 42.

[0042] <Seal Chamber 46> As shown in Figure 6, an annular seal chamber 46 is formed in the width direction Y between the roller member 42 and the sleeve 33 at a position adjacent to the ball bearing 41 on the chain 12 side. The seal chamber 46 is defined by the roller member 42, the insert pin 32, and the ball bearing 41. An oil seal (not shown) is disposed in the seal chamber 46 as an example of a seal member. This seal chamber 46 prevents the intrusion of metal powder and dirty water from the chain 12 side. This oil seal may be a contact-type seal member that utilizes elastic force, a non-contact labyrinth seal, a felt seal, or the like.

[0043] 2 and 3 , the claw unit 50, which is an example of a locking unit, is disposed at the insertion side tip of the insert pin 32. The claw unit 50 is bolted to the tip of the insert pin 32 by a bolt 34. The claw unit 50 is composed of a claw member 51, a support plate 52, a slide bar 53, a spring 54, and a bushing 55.

[0044] Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the claw unit 50. Fig. 9 is a front view of the claw unit 50 as seen from the movement direction X. Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the X-X cross section shown in Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the XI-XI cross section of Fig. 10.

[0045] <Support Plate 52> As shown in FIG. 8 , the tip surface 32i of the cylindrical insert pin 32 is flat. A bottom portion 52a of a disk-shaped support plate 52 having a notch 52f is disposed on the tip surface 32i so as to cover the tip surface 32i of the insert pin 32. The notch 52f is formed by cutting out a portion of the outer periphery of the disk-shaped support plate 52 linearly along the thickness direction of the support plate 52. The notch 52f is cut out to correspond to the position of a restricting portion 32j that protrudes axially from the tip surface 32i of the insert pin 32. Therefore, the support plate 52 abuts against the restricting portion 32j that protrudes so as to fill the notch 52f. The height of the restricting portion 32j of the insert pin 32 is flush with the height of the bottom portion 52a. Therefore, rotation of the support plate 52 about the central axis C is restricted. The support plate 52 has wall portions 52b, 52c that rise up like a wall on the peripheral edge of the support plate 52 on the side of the notch 52f and on the side opposite the notch 52f in the radial direction of the support plate 52. The wall portions 52b, 52c extend in a curved manner along the outer periphery of the support plate 52 and have a substantially constant thickness. A pair of flat, wall-less openings 52d, 52d are formed between the wall portions 52b, 52c, facing each other.

[0046] 10 , a pair of claw members 51 are disposed on the inner periphery of the wall portions 52b, 52c on the bottom portion 52a of the support plate 52. The claw member 51 includes an arc-shaped main body 51a that conforms to the inner periphery of the wall portions 52b, 52c. A tongue-shaped locking claw 51b is provided so as to extend outward from the center of the main body 51a.

[0047] <Main Body 51a> As shown in FIG. 11 , the locking claws 51b of the claw members 51 are guided by the inner surface of the opening 52d and are displaceable radially outward and inward, perpendicular to the width direction Y. Therefore, the claw members 51 are displaced between a protruding position indicated by a solid line and a retracted position indicated by a two-dot chain line, allowing the locking claws 51b to protrude from or retract into the support plate 52. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 10 , each claw member 51 has an arc-shaped main body 51a. Guide holes 51c, 51c are formed at both ends of the main body 51a. The guide holes 51c, 51c of the claw members 51 are positioned opposite each other in the protruding direction. Slide bars 53 are inserted into the guide holes 51c, 51c that face each other in the protruding direction. Therefore, the pair of claw members 51 are guided by the slide bars 53 and move relative to each other in the protruding and retracting directions while maintaining their respective postures. When the pair of claw members 51 are at their farthest apart position, the bodies 51a abut against the inner peripheries of the walls 52b and 52c, restricting the position in the protruding direction. The locking claws 51b protrude from the openings 52d of the support plate 52. Each slide bar 53 is fitted with a spring 54, which is a compression spring made of a helical spring, and biases the bodies 51a of the pair of claw members 51 in the direction of separating them.

[0048] <Latching Pawl 51b> The locking pawl 51b is a tongue-shaped portion that can be displaced radially outward from the center of the main body 51a within the opening 52d and is arranged to extend radially outward. The locking pawl 51b is tapered in a protruding direction from the front end in the insertion direction toward the base end of the insert pin 32. The locking pawl 51b has a claw shape with a generally planar inclined surface 51d (see FIG. 8). That is, the normal to the inclined surface 51d inclines outward in the insertion direction. The surface of the locking pawl 51b facing the support plate 52 is a flat surface parallel to the bottom 52a. When the insert pin 32 is inserted, the inclined surface 51d abuts against the inclined surface 33l of the inner circumferential surface 33k of the sleeve 33, pushing the locking pawl 51b radially inward. That is, the locking pawl 51b is pushed into the support plate 52. Therefore, the locking claws 51b of the claw members 51 are formed to be movable in the insertion direction along the inner circumferential surface 33k of the sleeve 33. Therefore, the insert pin 32 can be smoothly inserted into the sleeve 33.

[0049] <Bush 55> The bushing 55 shown in FIG. 8 is a member including a cylindrical tubular portion 55a and a flange portion 55b formed in a flange shape at the leading end of the tubular portion 55a in the insertion direction. The tubular portion 55a of the bushing 55 is inserted into a circular through-hole 52e opening in the center of the support plate 52. The outer diameter of the tubular portion 55a is approximately equal to the inner diameter of the through-hole 52e. The outer diameter of the flange portion 55b is set so that the periphery of the flange portion 55b abuts against the inner periphery of the wall portions 52b and 52c of the support plate 52. Therefore, when the tubular portion 55a of the bushing 55 is inserted into the through-hole 52e of the support plate 52 containing the claw member 51, the flange portion 55b displaceably holds the claw member 51. The inner diameter of the tubular portion 55a of the bushing 55 is approximately equal to the thread diameter of the bolt 34.

[0050] 8 , the bolt 34 can be threaded into the threaded hole 32h of the insert pin 32. That is, when the bolt 34 is passed through the through hole 55c of the bushing 55 and threaded into the threaded hole 32h of the insert pin 32, the claw unit 50 is attached and fixed to the tip of the insert pin 32.

[0051] (Operation of the First Embodiment) The chain with side rollers 11 configured as described above operates as follows. <Attaching the side rollers 40 to the insert pin 32> As shown in Figure 2, the insert pin 32 is inserted into the sleeve 33 of the side roller 40. Then, the locking pawl 51b shown in Figure 8 passes through the inner circumferential surface 33k of the large diameter portion 33a of the sleeve 33 while remaining in a protruding state. Therefore, the insert pin 32 can be easily rotated about the central axis C relative to the side roller 40.

[0052] When the insert pin 32 is further inserted, the tip of the locking claw 51b abuts against the inclined surface 33l (see FIG. 7) on the inner circumferential surface 33k of the sleeve 33. The positioning pin 33h may also interfere with a portion of the claw unit 50. In this case, the insert pin 32 cannot be inserted into the sleeve 33. At this point, if the sleeve 33 is rotated relative to the insert pin 32, the interference between the positioning pin 33h and a portion of the claw unit 50 is eliminated when the guide groove 32g and the positioning pin 33h are aligned. This allows the insert pin 32 to be inserted further into the sleeve 33.

[0053] When the insert pin 32 is further inserted, the inclined surface 51d of the locking claw 51b abuts against the inclined surface 33l on the inner periphery of the sleeve 33, displacing the locking claw 51b radially inward. Therefore, the claw unit 50 does not interfere with the sleeve 33 when the insert pin 32 is inserted, and the positioning pin 33h of the sleeve 33 is guided by the guide groove 32g and inserted. Therefore, the positioning pin 33h is restricted from rotating relative to the insert pin 32 and the sleeve 33 by the guide groove 32g.

[0054] When the insert pin 32 is further inserted into the sleeve 33, the step portion 32f (see FIG. 2) of the insert pin 32 abuts against the inclined surface 33l of the sleeve 33, restricting further insertion, as shown in FIG. 6. At this stage, the locking claw 51b of the claw unit 50 protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction. As a result, the locking claw 51b is locked with the locking portion 33d (see FIG. 7) of the sleeve 33, preventing the insert pin 32 from coming out of the sleeve 33.

[0055] That is, the side rollers 40 are fixed to the insert pins 32. In this manner, the side rollers 40 can be attached to the chain 12 with a single touch by simply pressing the side rollers 40 against the insert pins 32 of the chain 12 shown in FIG.

[0056] <Using the Chain with Side Rollers 11> As shown in FIG. 1 , during use of the chain with side rollers 11, the insert pin 32 moves as the chain 12 moves, and this movement causes the side rollers 40 to roll. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5 , the inner ring 41a of the ball bearing 41 is screwed to the insert pin 32 via the sleeve 33 with a bolt 34. The outer ring 41b of the ball bearing 41 is fixed to the rolling roller member 42. In this state, the rotational resistance of the ball bearing 41 itself may increase due to wear, rust, intrusion of liquid or solid foreign matter, deterioration of the lubricating oil, etc. In such a state, the rotational resistance of the ball bearing 41 may become greater than the frictional resistance between the insert pin 32 and the sleeve 33, resulting in slippage between the insert pin 32 and the sleeve 33. This slippage may result in wear or deformation of the insert pin 32 or the sleeve 33. Therefore, in this embodiment, the sleeve 33 is provided with positioning pins 33h, 33h, and the insert pin 32 is inserted into the guide groove 32g, thereby restricting slippage between the insert pin 32 and the sleeve 33.

[0057] <Removing the Side Roller 40> A method for removing the side roller 40 from the insert pin 32 from the state shown in Figure 6 will be described. First, in order to remove the cover member 43 that seals the outside of the roller member 42 of the side roller 40 in the width direction Y, the retaining ring 43b (Figure 4) that secures the cover member 43 is removed. The C-shaped retaining ring 43b is elastically biased to expand outward and is fitted into the retaining ring receiving groove 42f on the inner periphery of the roller member 42. This retaining ring 43b is bent inward and removed from the roller member 42. This allows the cover member 43 to be removed.

[0058] Next, the cover member 43 is removed to expose the claw unit 50. The locking claws 51b of this claw unit 50 are pushed into the support plate 52 with a tool or the like to release the lock with the locking portion 33d. Then, while releasing the lock, the side rollers 40 can be pulled out of the insert pins 32, thereby removing the side rollers 40 from the chain 12.

[0059] Furthermore, when the cover member 43 is removed, the bolt 34 is exposed. Therefore, the bolt 34 may be removed with a tool. This will detach the pawl unit 50 that fixed the insert pin 32 to the sleeve 33. This allows the insert pin 32 to be removed from the sleeve 33. In other words, the side roller 40 can be removed from the chain 12. Then, by fixing the pawl unit 50 with the bolt 34 again, the side roller 40 can be attached to the insert pin 32 again with a single touch.

[0060] (Effects of the First Embodiment) (1-1) The mounting structure of the side roller 40 of this embodiment has the effect of making it easy to attach and detach the side roller 40 to the moving body consisting of the chain 12 while firmly fixing it.

[0061] (1-2) The mounting structure of the side roller 40 of this embodiment includes a pawl unit 50 provided at the tip of the insert pin 32. The pawl unit 50 has a locking pawl 51b that can protrude radially outward, perpendicular to the insertion direction (width direction Y) in which the insert pin 32 is inserted into the sleeve 33. The sleeve 33 receives the locking pawl 51b on its inner periphery and allows it to slide. The sleeve 33 includes a locking portion 33d that locks onto the locking pawl 51b of the insert pin 32 (pawl unit 50).

[0062] Therefore, by projecting the locking claws 51b of the claw members 51 at the locking portions 33d, the side rollers 40 can be locked to the insert pins 32. When the locking claws 51b of the claw members 51 project at the locking portions 33d, a clicking sound is generated. Therefore, the clicking sound allows the operator to easily confirm that the installation is complete.

[0063] (1-3) The locking claws 51b are biased in the protruding direction (radially outward), and are configured to be displaceable radially inward when the insert pin 32 is inserted into the sleeve 33. Therefore, the locking claws 51b can be displaced radially inward during insertion, allowing for smooth insertion. Once insertion is complete, the locking claws 51b can be protruded to lock the side roller 40 onto the insert pin 32 with a single touch.

[0064] (1-4) The locking claws 51b have a claw shape with inclined surfaces 51d that are inclined in the protruding direction from the front end in the insertion direction (width direction Y) toward the base end of the insert pin 32. Furthermore, when the insert pin 32 is inserted, the inclined surfaces 51d come into contact with the inner circumferential surface 33k of the sleeve 33, displacing the locking claws 51b radially inward. This allows the locking claws 51b to move in the insertion direction along the inner circumferential surface 33k of the sleeve 33. Therefore, when the insert pin 32 is inserted into the sleeve 33, the locking claws 51b do not interfere with the insertion, and after insertion, the locking claws 51b can firmly fix the sleeve 33 to the insert pin 32.

[0065] (1-5) The cylindrical sleeve 33 includes a large-diameter portion 33a constituting the base end in the insertion direction, a small-diameter portion 33b constituting the tip end in the insertion direction, and a step portion 33c connecting the large-diameter portion 33a and the small-diameter portion 33b with a slope. A locking claw 51b protrudes radially from the large-diameter portion 33a but does not interfere with the sleeve 33. As the insert pin 32 is inserted, the locking claw 51b is displaced radially inward at the step portion 33c. The locking claw 51b remains displaced radially inward at the small-diameter portion 33b, and the locking claw 51b protrudes radially outward and is locked at the locking portion 33d. Therefore, the insert pin 32 can be inserted rotatably without resistance up to the middle of insertion. This has the advantage of facilitating alignment of the guide groove 32g and the positioning pin 33h.

[0066] (1-6) A pair of claw members 51 are provided on both sides of the central axis C of the insert pin 32, and the pair of claw members 51 are biased in the protruding direction by a spring 54. This has the effect of keeping the locking claws 51b in a protruding state at all times.

[0067] (1-7) The pawl unit 50 is provided at the tip of the insert pin 32 in the insertion direction (width direction Y). The mounting structure of the side roller 40 of this embodiment also includes a bolt 34 that detachably fastens the pawl unit 50 from the tip direction. By removing this bolt 34, the side roller 40 can be removed from the insert pin 32.

[0068] (1-8) The insert pin 32 has a guide groove 32g along the insertion direction on the outer peripheral surface 32c of the insert pin 32. In addition, a positioning pin 33h that slides relatively within the guide groove 32g is provided on the inner peripheral surface 33k of the sleeve 33. This has the effect of restricting the relative rotation between the insert pin 32 and the sleeve 33.

[0069] (1-9) The moving body is the chain 12, and the insert pin 32 is configured coaxially with the chain pin 31 of the shaft member 30 that constitutes the chain pin 31 that connects the chain 12. Therefore, it is possible to arrange the side roller 40 at the bent portion of the chain 12, which has the effect of enabling the chain 11 with side rollers to move smoothly.

[0070] (1-10) The claw unit 50 includes a dish-shaped support plate 52 fixed to the tip of the insert pin 32. The support plate 52 slidably holds the locking claws 51b of the pair of claw members 51 within the support plate 52. A spring 54 disposed between the pair of claw members 51 biases the pair of claw members 51 in the protruding direction, causing the locking claws 51b of the claw members 51 to protrude so as to be able to be locked. The support plate 52 has the effect of allowing the claw unit 50 to have an integrated configuration.

[0071] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment, which is another example of the present disclosure, will be described. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the configuration for restricting relative rotation between the insert pin 32 and the sleeve 33. Note that a description of the common configuration will be omitted.

[0072] Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the second embodiment. Fig. 13A is a front view of the insert pin 32 of the second embodiment as seen from the Y direction. Fig. 13B is a cross-sectional view taken along line XII(b)-XII(b) in Fig. 13A. Fig. 14A is a side view of a modified example of the sleeve 33 of the second embodiment as seen from the X direction. Fig. 14B is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIV(b)-XIV(b) in Fig. 14A.

[0073] In the first embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the insert pin 32 has a guide groove 32g, but in the second embodiment shown in Fig. 12, 13A, and 13B, the insert pin 32 does not have the guide groove 32g. The other parts have basically the same configuration as the insert pin 32 and the claw unit 50 of the first embodiment.

[0074] In the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the sleeve 33 is provided with a positioning pin 33h, but in the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 12, 14A, and 14B, the sleeve 33 is not provided with a positioning pin 33h.

[0075] 12, in the second embodiment, the sleeve 33 has a guide groove 33m on the inner circumferential surface thereof, which is not present in the first embodiment. This guide groove 33m is a groove that extends in the insertion direction of the sleeve 33 in the small diameter portion 33b of the sleeve 33. The width of the guide groove 33m is approximately equal to the width of the locking claw 51b of the claw unit 50, and the locking claw 51b is guided tightly within the guide groove 33m to slide in the insertion direction.

[0076] The sleeve 33 of the second embodiment also includes a locking portion 33d', similar to the sleeve 33 of the first embodiment. However, in the locking portion 33d of the first embodiment, the entire end surface of the tip side of the sleeve 33 is a flat locking portion 33d, as shown in Figures 2 and 7. Therefore, the locking claw 51b itself does not have the function of restricting the relative rotation between the insert pin 32 and the sleeve 33.

[0077] On the other hand, the locking portion 33d' in the second embodiment has rotation restricting portions 33j formed on both sides extending toward the tip. Therefore, the circumferential width of the locking portion 33d' in the second embodiment is formed to be approximately equal to the width of the locking claw 51b by the rotation restricting portions 33j on both sides. In other words, the locking portion 33d' in the second embodiment restricts the rotation of the locking claw 51b about the central axis C by the rotation restricting portions 33j.

[0078] (Operation of the Second Embodiment) Referring to FIG. 12 , when the insert pin 32 is inserted into the sleeve 33, the locking claw 51b of the claw unit 50 passes through the large diameter portion 33a in a protruding state. As the insert pin 32 is further inserted, the locking claw 51b abuts against the stepped portion 33c. When the insert pin 32 is further inserted in this state, the locking claw 51b passes through the small diameter portion 33b while being pushed in by the stepped portion 33c. At this time, even if the locking claw 51b is misaligned with the guide groove 33m, the insert pin 32 can be inserted. As long as the locking claw 51b is aligned with the guide groove 33m, the insert pin 32 can be inserted as is. If the locking claw 51b is misaligned with the guide groove 33m, the insert pin 32 can be rotated relative to the sleeve 33, and when the locking claw 51b is aligned with the guide groove 33m, the locking claw 51b will fit into the guide groove 33m.

[0079] (Modification) In the second embodiment shown in FIG. 12 , the sleeve 33 includes a large-diameter portion 33 a and a small-diameter portion 33 b, as in the first embodiment. However, the stepped portion 33 c can be omitted, as in the modification shown in FIG. 14B . In this case, smooth insertion can be achieved by visually aligning the rotational positions of the locking claw 51 b and the guide groove 33 m when starting insertion. Furthermore, the locking claw 51 b may be misaligned with the guide groove 33 m. Even in this case, by rotating the insert pin 32 relative to the sleeve 33, the locking claw 51 b will fit into the guide groove 33 m when its rotational position matches that of the guide groove 33 m.

[0080] In either case, if insertion continues as is, the locking claw 51b will protrude and lock into the locking portion 33d', completing the attachment of the side roller 40 to the insert pin 32. Note that insertion is possible even if the locking claw 51b is misaligned in rotational position with the guide groove 33m. However, if inserted while misaligned, the locking claw 51b will not lock into the locking portion 33d'. Therefore, the side roller 40 cannot be attached to the insert pin 32, and there is no clicking sound when the locking claw 51b locks into the locking portion 33d', allowing the operator to easily confirm that attachment is complete.

[0081] (Effects of the Second Embodiment) In addition to the effects common to the first embodiment, the second embodiment has the following effects.

[0082] (2-1) When the insert pin 32 is inserted into the side roller 40, the locking claw 51b of the claw member 51 attached to the tip of the insert pin 32 is guided into the guide groove 33m of the sleeve 33. This has the effect of suppressing relative rotation between the insert pin 32 and the side roller 40 around the central axis C.

[0083] (2-2) The locking claws 51b of the claw unit 50, which slide within the guide grooves 33m of the sleeve 33, are locked into the locking portions 33d' as they are when inserted, which has the effect of making it easy to attach the side rollers 40 to the insert pins 32.

[0084] (2-3) The locking claw 51b locked to the locking portion 33d' has the effect of being restricted from moving in the circumferential direction by the rotation restricting portions 33j, 33j provided on both circumferential sides thereof. (2-4) Even if the locking claw 51b of the claw member 51 is not guided into the guide groove 33m of the sleeve 33, the locking claw 51b can be easily introduced into the guide groove 33m by rotating the sleeve 33 and the insert pin 32 relatively about the central axis C.

[0085] (2-5) There is an advantage that the structure is simplified because there is no need to drill the positioning pin hole 33i in the sleeve 33 and fix the positioning pin 33h as in the first embodiment. <Modifications> The first and second embodiments can be modified and implemented as follows.

[0086] The first and second embodiments can be combined as appropriate by those skilled in the art as long as there is no contradiction. In this embodiment, a pair of claw members 51, 51 is illustrated as an example of the locking member of the present disclosure, disposed on both sides of the central axis C of the insert pin 32. However, the number of locking members is not limited to one pair, and one or three or more locking members may be used. However, it is desirable that the number of locking members be an even number from the standpoint of balance.

[0087] The configurations in which the insert pin 32 and the sleeve 33 are guided and inserted while restricting rotation, such as the guide groove 32g and the positioning pin 33h illustrated in the first embodiment and the guide groove 33m and the locking claw 51b illustrated in the second embodiment, are not limited to these. For example, instead of the groove, a rib-like portion and a slider that slides on this rib may be used.

[0088] The locking claws 51b of the claw unit 50 do not have to be tapered and may have a uniform thickness. In this case, the sleeve 33 has an inclined surface 33l, which allows the locking claws 51b to be pushed in.

[0089] Furthermore, if the locking claws 51b of the claw unit 50 have a tapered shape with a thin tip, the locking claws 51b can be pushed in even if a vertical step is used instead of the inclined surface 33l of the sleeve 33.

[0090] In the present embodiment, the elastic member of the present disclosure is a helical spring 54, but the elastic body is not limited to this, and a leaf spring can also be used. Furthermore, a biasing force can also be applied using an elastic body such as rubber.

[0091] In the present embodiment, the locking claw 51b is biased by the spring 54 so as to protrude, but this does not necessarily have to be the case. For example, the locking claw 51b may be manually biased to protrude at the position where the side roller 40 is attached to the insert pin 32.

[0092] Either one of the two ball bearings 41 may be omitted. Also, three or more ball bearings 41 may be used. The bearings disclosed herein are not limited to any type, and roller bearings may be used instead of the ball bearings 41. Other types of bearings may also be used.

[0093] Although the bolt 34 for fixing the claw unit 50 has been exemplified as a fixing means for removably fixing the locking unit of the present disclosure from the tip direction, the fixing means need not be limited to the bolt 34 as long as it can fix the locking unit from the tip direction in a removably manner.

[0094] The moving body of the present disclosure is not limited to the chain 12, and may be a belt conveyor, a tray or case for transport, etc. In the present embodiment, the side rollers 40 are provided on both sides of the chain 12, but the side rollers 40 may be provided on only one side.

[0095] In the present embodiment, the shaft member 30 is illustrated as being integrally provided with the chain pin 31 and the insert pin 32, but the chain pin 31 and the insert pin 32 may be configured as separate bodies. The drawings are schematic drawings for explaining the configuration of the present embodiment, and the number, shape, dimensions, etc. thereof do not reflect the actual form.

[0096] The numerical values, numerical ranges, shapes, materials, etc., such as the quantity, shape, and dimensions, are merely examples and do not limit the present disclosure. It goes without saying that these may be optimized as appropriate by those skilled in the art. While metal parts are used in this disclosure, any type of metal is acceptable, and resin parts can also be used when the load is small. Furthermore, the roller members 42 may be made of rubber or the like.

[0097] In addition, it goes without saying that those skilled in the art can add, delete, or modify the configuration of this disclosure without departing from the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A mounting structure for a side roller comprising a side roller rotatably supported by an insertion shaft with a circular cross section protruding from the side of a moving body, the side roller comprising a roller member, a bearing that rotatably supports the roller member, and a cylindrical sleeve attached to the inner peripheral side of the bearing, the roller member being attached to the insertion shaft via the sleeve, the insertion shaft having a locking unit with a locking member that can protrude radially outward from the insertion shaft, the sleeve receiving and sliding the locking unit on its inner peripheral side and having a locking portion that locks the locking unit.

2. The side roller mounting structure according to claim 1, wherein the locking member is biased in the protruding direction and is configured so that the locking member can be displaced radially inward when the insertion shaft is inserted into the sleeve.

3. The side roller mounting structure according to claim 2, wherein the locking member has a claw shape with an inclined surface that slopes in the protruding direction from the front end in the insertion direction of the insertion shaft toward the base end of the insertion shaft, and the inclined surface abuts and slides against the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve when the insertion shaft is inserted, thereby allowing the locking member to move along the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve in the insertion direction of the insertion shaft.

4. The sleeve comprises a large diameter section that forms the base end in the insertion direction of the insertion shaft, a small diameter section that forms the tip end in the insertion direction, and a step section that connects the large diameter section and the small diameter section with a slope, wherein the locking member does not displace in the large diameter section, the locking member displaces in the step section as the insertion shaft is inserted, the displaced state of the locking member is maintained in the small diameter section, and the locking member protrudes and is locked in the locking section. A side roller mounting structure as described in claim 2.

5. The side roller mounting structure according to claim 2, wherein the locking member is one of two locking members that make a pair and are provided on either side of the central axis of the insertion shaft, and the pair of locking members is biased in the protruding direction by an elastic body.

6. The side roller mounting structure according to claim 2, wherein either the outer peripheral surface of the insertion shaft or the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve is provided with a guide groove aligned with the insertion direction of the insertion shaft, and a positioning pin is provided on the other of the outer peripheral surface of the insertion shaft or the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve, and the positioning pin is relatively movable within the guide groove.

7. The side roller mounting structure according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve has a guide groove that guides the locking member in the insertion direction of the insertion shaft, the locking member protrudes into the locking portion and is locked onto it when insertion of the insertion shaft is complete, and the locking portion has a rotation restricting portion that restricts the locking member from rotating around the central axis of the insertion shaft when the locking member is locked.

8. A chain with side rollers, comprising the side rollers according to any one of claims 1 to 7 and a chain as the moving body.

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