Title: Conveying chain guide
Abstract: A conveying chain guide, in which the stick slip phenomenon of a conveying chain, which meshes with a driving sprocket, and a seasickness phenomenon are removed whereby stable conveying of articles can be smoothly realized and the driving force and vibration noise of a conveying chain can be remarkably reduced. When continuous three rollers C1, C2, C3 in the conveying chain C is to be meshed with the sprocket while gradually descending from the linear rail R for supporting the conveying surface toward the driving sprocket S, in such an arrangement traveling state that always corresponds to the linear rail R for supporting the conveying surface, a transfer position X1 and a meshing position X2, the guide track T is defined along an movement passage of the roller C2 in the transfer position X1.
Patent Number: 7,011,207 Issued on 03/14/2006 to Suzuki, et al.
| Inventors:
|
Suzuki; Kenshi (Osaka, JP);
Sonoda; Masatoshi (Osaka, JP)
|
| Assignee:
|
Tsubakimoto Chain Co. (Osaka, JP)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
766378 |
| Filed:
|
January 27, 2004 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
| Jan 28, 2003[JP] | 2003-019109 |
| Current U.S. Class: |
198/838; 198/845 |
| Current Intern'l Class: |
B65G 15/60 (20060101) |
| Field of Search: |
198/845,838,834
|
References Cited [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Dillon, Jr.; Joe
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Woodling, Krost and Rust
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A conveying chain guide disposed in a transfer position between a driving
sprocket and a linear rail for supporting a conveying surface, a conveying chain
comprising a plurality of chain rollers sequentially pivotally connected to each
other at given chain pitches, said conveying chain traveling on said linear rail
and driving said conveying surface at a fixed speed, said chain rollers interengage
and mesh with said driving sprocket and move polygonally about said driving sprocket,
said driving sprocket rotating at a fixed angular speed, characterized in that
said chain guide comprises a transfer passageway having a first arc-shaped curved
portion and a second arc-shaped curved portion, said first and second arc-shaped
curved portions being continuous, said chain rollers of said conveying chain passing
through said transfer passageway of said chain guide thereby substantially removing
any speed variation of said conveying chain and permitting smooth operation of
said conveying surface.
2. A conveying chain guide as claimed in claim 1 wherein said guide further includes
lower portions and upper portions.
3. A conveying chain guide as claimed in claim 1 wherein said guide further includes
an inflection point between said first and second arc-shaped curved portions.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD TO WHICH THE INVENTION PERTAINS
The present invention relates to a conveying chain guide used for canceling a
change in the speed of a conveying chain, which performs a polygonal motion by
meshing with a driving sprocket in a conveyor, which conveys articles.
RELATED ART
As a related art there is known a pulsation-preventing device for a sprocket
driving
chain, which provides on a tension side of a roller chain trained around a driving
sprocket a deflection guide member having a deflection arc surface, which abut
with a roller of a roller chain to deflect the chain whereby the chain is trained
around the driving sprocket, and in which a relationship between a chain length
L and a chain pitch P between points where the roller of the roller chain begin
to contact the deflection guide member and a tooth of the driving sprocket, respectively
is set to L=(n+0.5)×P. This pulsation-preventing device prevents rotational
variations, so called, a pulsation (see the following Patent Reference 1, for example).
Patent Reference 1 is Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. (Sho) 55-63047
(on page 1, FIG. 2).
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION
However, the conventional pulsation-preventing device for a sprocket driving
chain is designed in such a manner that the centers of the rollers pivot-connected
to a roller chain are advanced to a driving sprocket along the tangential line
of a meshing pitch circle. Accordingly, when the number of teeth of the driving
sprocket is small, a change in the speed of a roller chain is caused by a polygonal
motion, which is generated at a meshing position where the roller chain was meshed
with the driving sprocket.
Further, such a change in the speed of the roller chain leads to a cause
of falling down, falling out or the like, which is generated in a conveying article
on a conveyor, so called a stick slip phenomenon, and generates forward and backward
motions and up and down motions of assembled articles on an assembling line, so
called a seasickness phenomenon thereby to produce an assembly defective, or an
change in tension in the roller chain is generated and an excessive driving power
is required whereby a chain's size is increased and vibration and noise is increased,
which makes conveying operation environment worse.
Accordingly, the objects of the present invention are to solve the above-mentioned
related art problems and to provide a conveying chain guide, in which the stick
slip phenomenon of a conveying chain, which meshes with a driving sprocket, and
a seasickness phenomenon are removed whereby stable conveying of articles can be
smoothly realized and the driving force and vibration noise of a conveying chain
can be remarkably reduced.
MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS
The invention of claim 1 solves the above-mentioned problems by that a
conveying chain guide disposed in a transfer position just before a conveying chain,
in which a number of rollers were sequentially pivot-connected to each other at
given chain pitches and said conveying chain was traveled on a linear rail for
supporting a conveying surface at a fixed speed, is meshed with a driving sprocket,
which is rotated at a fixed speed, and including a guide track to cancel an change
in the speed generated in the rollers of said conveying chain, which performs a
polygonal motion at a meshing position just after said conveying roller chain was
meshed with said driving sprocket, characterized in that when continuous three
rollers in the conveying chain is to be meshed with the sprocket while gradually
descending from the linear rail for supporting the conveying surface toward said
driving sprocket, in such an arrangement traveling state that always corresponds
to a linear rail for supporting the conveying surface, a transfer position and
a meshing position, said guide track is defined along an movement passage of the
roller in said transfer position.
The invention of Claim 2 further solves the above-mentioned problems by
that in addition to the configuration of the above-mentioned claim 1, said
guide track has continuous two arc-shaped curves.
"The transfer position" in the present invention means a movement region from
the linear rail R for supporting the conveying surface to a position where the
roller in the conveying chain sent from the linear rail for supporting the conveying
surface approaches the driving sprocket while descending to mesh with it. Further,
"the meshing position" in the present invention means a movement region from a
position where the roller meshed with the driving sprocket to a position where
the roller was moved until a subsequent roller meshes with the driving sprocket.
Action
According to the present invention, when continuous three rollers in the
conveying chain is to be meshed with the sprocket while gradually descending from
the linear rail for supporting the conveying surface toward the driving sprocket,
in such an arrangement traveling state that always corresponds to a linear rail
for supporting the conveying surface, a transfer position and a meshing position,
the guide track is defined along an movement passage of the rollers in said transfer
position. Thus, the guide track formed of continuous two arc-shaped curves cancel
a change in the speed of a conveying chain, which is meshed with the driving sprocket
to perform a polygonal motion, whereby the variations of the conveying chain speed
are removed.
The invention will be better understood when reference is made to the BRIEF DESCRIPTION
OF THE DRAWINGS, DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND CLAIMS which follow hereinbelow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an arrangement view of a conveying chain guide, which is a first Example
of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a view showing a movement passage for a conveying chain roller.
FIG. 3 is an arrangement view of a conveying chain guide, which is a second
Example of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an arrangement view of a conveying chain guide, which is a third Example
of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an arrangement view of a conveying chain guide, which is a fourth
Example of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is an arrangement view of a conveying chain guide, which is a fifth Example
of the present invention.
A better understanding of the invention will be had when reference is made to
the
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION and CLAIMS which follow hereinbelow.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the Invention
Examples of preferable embodiments of a conveying chain guide according
to the present invention will be described below with reference to drawings. FIG.
1 is an arrangement view of a conveying chain guide 100, which is a first
Example of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a view showing a movement passage of
rollers in a conveying chain, FIG. 3 is an arrangement view of a conveying chain
guide 200, which is a second Example of the present invention, FIG. 4 is
an arrangement view of a conveying chain guide 300, which is a third Example
of the present invention, FIG. 5 is an arrangement view of a conveying chain guide
400, which is a fourth Example of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is an
arrangement view of a conveying chain guide 500, which is a fifth Example
of the present invention.
The conveying chain guide 100, which is the first Example of the present
invention, is disposed at a transfer position X1 just before a conveying
chain C in which a number of rollers C1, C2, C3, . . . were
sequentially pivot-connected to each other at given chain pitches Cp and the rollers
were traveled at a fixed speed on a linear rail R for supporting the conveying
surfaces, is meshed with a driving sprocket S, which is rotated at a fixed speed,
to cancel an change in the conveying chain C speed, as shown in FIG. 1. It is noted
that a reference numeral Sα in FIG. 1 denotes a pitch angle per one tooth
of the driving sprocket.
As shown in FIG. 2, when continuous three rollers C1, C2, and C3
in the conveying chain is to be meshed with the sprocket S while gradually descending
from the linear rail R for supporting the conveying surfaces toward driving sprocket
S, in arrangement traveling states, which are always corresponding to the a linear
rail R for supporting the conveying surface, the transfer position X1 and
the meshing position X2, a guide track T, which is formed in the conveying
chain guide 100 of the present invention, is defined as a movement passage
consisting of continuous two arc-shaped curves T1 and T2 where the
roller C2 can be smoothly moved while keeping a distance of a chain pitch
Cp from the roller C1 and the roller C3, respectively.
Here, "the transfer position X1" in the present invention means for
example a movement region from the linear rail R for supporting the conveying surface
to a position where the roller C2 in the conveying chain C sent from the
linear rail R for supporting the conveying surface approaches the driving sprocket
S while descending to mesh with it. "The meshing position X2" in the present
invention means for example a movement region from a position where the roller
C meshed with the driving sprocket S to a position where the roller was moved until
a subsequent roller C meshes with the driving sprocket S.
Further, an arrangement level Hr of the linear rail R for supporting the
conveying surface may take any arrangement level, in which the conveying chain
can mesh with the driving sprocket while gradually descending and the above-mentioned
guide track T can form continuous two arc-shaped curves T1 and T2,
that is an arrangement level higher than the tangential line of a meshing pitch
circle Sp (not shown) formed in the driving sprocket S.
Further, in FIG. 2, an inflection point Tp between two arc-shaped curves
T1 and T2 can be defined as a traveling position of the roller C2
when the roller C1, which is traveling on the linear rail R for supporting
the conveying surface, the roller C2, which is traveling on the transfer
position X1 and the roller C3, which is traveling on the meshing
position X2 were brought into a linear arrangement state.
Therefore, the conveying chain guide of the present invention can be provided
on at least a lower side or an upper side of a movement passage for the transfer
position X1 based on a radius of curvature of the guide taking the two arc-shaped
curves T1, T2 forming the above-mentioned movement passage and the
roller radii of the rollers C1, C2, C3 into consideration.
That is the conveying chain guide 100 of the first Example shown in FIG.
1 comprises lower guides 111, 112 and upper guides 121, 122
provided along the movement passage taking the radii of the rollers at the transfer
position X1 into consideration. Next, the conveying chain guide 200
of the second Example shown in FIG. 3 comprises lower guides 211, 212
and an upper guide 221 provided along the movement passage taking the radii
of the rollers at the transfer position X1 into consideration. Next, the
conveying chain guide 300 of the third Example shown in FIG. 4 comprises
lower guides 311, 312 provided along the movement passage taking
the radii of the rollers at the transfer position X1 into consideration.
Also the conveying chain guide 400 of the fourth Example shown in FIG. 5
comprises a lower guide 411 and an upper guide 421 provided on the
side of the linear rail R for supporting the conveying surface in the movement
passage taking the radii of the rollers at the transfer position X1 into
consideration, and the conveying chain guide 500 of the fifth Example shown
in FIG. 6 comprises a lower guide 511 provided on the side of the linear
rail R for supporting the conveying surface in the movement passage taking the
radii of the rollers at the transfer position X1 into consideration.
In the conveying chain guides 100, 200, 300, 400 and
500 obtained as mentioned above, when continuous three rollers C1,
C2, and C3 in the conveying chain is to be meshed with the sprocket
S while gradually descending from the linear rail R for supporting the conveying
surfaces toward driving sprocket S, in arrangement traveling states, which are
always corresponding to the linear rail R for supporting the conveying surface,
the transfer position X1 and the meshing position X2, a transfer
position X1 just before meshing with the driving sprocket S is defined along
a movement passage consisting of continuous two arc-shaped curves T1 and
T2 where the roller C2 can be smoothly moved while keeping a distance
of a chain pitch Cp from the roller C1 and the roller C3, respectively.
Accordingly, such guide track T absorbs an change in the speed of the conveying
chain C, which meshes with the driving sprocket S to perform a polygonal motion,
so as to cancel the change, whereby the speed variation of the conveying chain
C can be removed.
Therefore, according to the conveying chain guide of the present invention,
a stick slip phenomenon, which is a cause of the falling down and falling out of
the conveying articles, which is liable to occur in a conveyor due to speed variation
in the conveying chain C, which is meshed with the driving sprocket S to perform
a polygonal motion, or a seasick phenomenon, which is a cause of the front and
rear or up and down motions of articles, which are liable to occur in an assembly
line, is removed and a stable article conveying operation or a reliable assembling
operation can be smoothly attained. Accordingly, the driving power and the variation
noise of the conveying chain C is remarkably reduced whereby the worsening of an
environment for the conveying operation can be prevented and a change in the conveying
chain C tension is avoided so that a miniaturization of the conveying chain C can
be attained.
Effects of the Invention
According to the present invention, when continuous three rollers in the
conveying chain is to be meshed with the sprocket while gradually descending from
the linear rail for supporting the conveying surface toward the driving sprocket,
in such an arrangement traveling state that always corresponds to a linear rail
for supporting the conveying surface, a transfer position and a meshing position,
the guide track is defined along an movement passage of the rollers in said transfer
position. Thus, the guide track formed of continuous two arc-shaped curves cancel
a change in the speed of a conveying chain, which is meshed with the driving sprocket
to perform a polygonal motion, whereby the variations of the conveying chain speed
can be removed. Therefore, according to the conveying chain guide of the present
invention, a conventional stick slip phenomenon, which is liable to occur in a
conveying chain, which is meshed with the driving sprocket to perform a polygonal
motion, or a seasick phenomenon, are removed so that a stable article conveying
operation can be smoothly attained, and the driving power and the variation noise
of the conveying chain can be remarkably reduced.
Description of Reference Numerals
100, 200, 300, 400, 500 . . . Conveying chain guide
111, 211, 311, 411, 511 . . . Lower guide provided on a side of a linear rail
R for supporting a conveying surface
112, 212, 312 . . . Lower guide provided on a driving sprocket S side
121, 221, 421 . . . Upper guide provided on the side of the linear rail R for
supporting a conveying surface
122 . . . Upper guide provided on the driving sprocket S side
S . . . Driving sprocket
Sp . . . Meshing pitch circle for the driving sprocket S
Sα . . . Pitch angle for the driving sprocket S
C . . . Conveying chain
C1 . . . Roller traveling on the linear rail R for supporting the
conveying surface
C2. . . Roller sent from the linear rail R for supporting the conveying surface
C3 . . . Roller, which have been just meshed with the driving sprocket S
Cp . . . Chain pitch
R . . . Linear rail for supporting a conveying surface
X1 . . . Transfer position
X2 . . . Meshing position
T . . . Guide track
T1, T2 . . . Arc-shaped curve
Tp . . . Inflection point between the arc-shaped curves T1 and T2
Hr . . . Arrangement level of the linear rail R for supporting the conveying surface
The invention has been described herein by way of example only and those skilled
in the art will readily recognize that changes may be made to the invention as
described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims which
follow hereinbelow.
*
