JP4192272B2 - Transport device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention mainly relates to a transport device that is devised so that, for example, a precise linear transport without backlash can be performed in a transport device using a chain.

  Conventionally, various types of transport devices using this type of chain have been provided. For example, a conventional precision chain is configured to use a bearing or the like in the roller portion so as to mesh with the sprocket tooth portion without causing play in the roller portion.

Further, because the chain performs polygonal movement on both the driving side and the driven side due to the relationship between the chain pitch during rotation and the number of sprocket teeth, a cordal action occurs and the distance between the centers is constantly changing.
For example, as shown in FIG. 11, when a chain with a pitch (P) is wound around a pair of sprockets with six teeth, the chain is on a reference pitch circle as shown in (I). When the chain is wound without slack and when the sprocket is rotated by a predetermined amount (30 degrees) as in (II), a cordal action due to polygonal motion occurs and the distance between the centers of the maximum a is In the state of (II), the movement cannot be performed unless the entire length of the chain C is extended by 2a.

None

  However, in conventional conveyors, the arc between the sprocket teeth and the chain roller cannot be completely constrained, so backlash always occurs, causing rotation irregularities, and the accuracy of the transmission conveyance distance is low. was there.

In addition, when a chordal action occurs due to polygonal movement on the drive side and driven side, and the inter-center distance changes, the chain itself plays, slack, and chain at the sprocket teeth. Although it is constructed so as to be absorbed by a play of a meshing portion with a roller or a buffer mechanism using a spring or the like, there is a difficulty that high rotational accuracy cannot be obtained.
In particular, in the case of a sprocket having 6 teeth, the center-to-core variation appears remarkably, so that the chain tension cannot be increased and it is not suitable for precision conveyance.

  In addition, with the conventional precision chain mechanism, the accuracy and play of the chain are now provided with no problem, but with the sprocket, even if the processing accuracy of its teeth is increased There was a difficulty that could not completely eliminate play.

  Furthermore, in order to suppress fluctuations between the cores as much as possible, the chain pitch is reduced or the number of sprocket teeth is increased to adjust the chain tension loosely. When the number of teeth is increased, there is a problem that the whole apparatus becomes large.

  Therefore, the present invention eliminates the above-mentioned difficulties and the like, eliminates play of the meshing part of the chain and sprocket, absorbs fluctuations between the cores without play, and enables smooth rotation even with a small sprocket, and wear resistance of the chain It was created to provide an economical transport device that can improve the performance, suppress elongation, etc., can be precisely transported, has a simple structure, has excellent durability, is suitable for mass production.

Thus, in the transport apparatus according to claim 1, the sprocket A that is appropriately rotated by the driving means, the guide body B disposed on the desired transport path, and the chain wound around the sprocket A and the guide body B C, and the sprocket A includes a rotating base plate 2 and a plurality of cylindrical teeth 3 which are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the rotating base plate 2 and have a substantially cylindrical shape. The body B has a pair of guide substrates 5 arranged at a predetermined interval. The chain C includes a plurality of links 10, a connection pin 12 that connects the links 10 so as to be swingable, and the connection pins 12. The side rollers 13 are rotatably mounted on both end portions of the guide body B. The side rollers 13 are configured to move while contacting the outer peripheral portion of the guide substrate 5 of the guide body B. Transport direction both In the portion, a curved concave surface 11 is formed so as to be in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical tooth 3, and the pair of curved concave surfaces 11 adjacent to the adjacent link 10 can be locked to the cylindrical tooth 3. A locking groove is formed, and this locking groove can be deformed together with the swaying of the links 10 adjacent to each other with the connecting pin 12 as a fulcrum. Adopted the means of close construction.

  Further, in the transport apparatus according to claim 2, a sprocket A that is appropriately rotated by a driving means, a guide body B that is arranged on a desired transport path, and a chain C that is wound around the sprocket A and the guide body B. The sprocket A includes a pair of rotating substrates 2 arranged at a predetermined interval, and a plurality of sprockets A interposed between the pair of rotating substrates 2 and arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction. The guide body B has a pair of guide substrates 5 arranged at predetermined intervals, and the chain C is capable of swinging a plurality of links 10 and the links 10 with each other. It has a connecting pin 12 to be connected, and side rollers 13 that are rotatably attached to both end portions of the connecting pin 12, and this side roller 13 contacts the outer peripheral portion of the guide substrate 5 of the guide body B. Configured to move while A curved concave surface 11 is formed at both ends of the link 10 in the conveying direction so as to be close to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical tooth 3, and the cylindrical tooth 3 is formed by a pair of curved concave surfaces 11 adjacent to the adjacent link 10. A locking groove that can be locked is formed, and this locking groove can be deformed together with the rocking of the links 10 adjacent to each other with the connecting pin 12 as a fulcrum, and at the rotational force transmission position by the sprocket A, A means configured to be in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical tooth 3 was adopted.

  Furthermore, in the conveying apparatus according to claim 3, the center-to-center variation amount adjusting curved surface 5a that can absorb the center-to-center variation of the chain C in the outer peripheral portion of the guide substrate 5 of the guide body B. The means to provide was adopted.

  In the conveying apparatus according to claim 4, the inter-center variation adjusting curve 5a is set to be 1 pitch or less or 2 pitch or less of the side rollers 13 in the transport direction, and the inter-center variation adjusting curve. The means which comprises the both ends of the surface 5a with the circular arc surface 5b was employ | adopted.

  Then, in the transport device according to claim 5, a travel rail D for guiding the chain C is arranged on a transport path connecting the sprocket A and the guide body B, and the travel rail D and the chain C are arranged on the travel rail D and the chain C. Rail guide means is provided, and means is adopted that is configured so that the chain C can move along the traveling rail D.

  In addition, in the transport apparatus according to claim 6, the rail guide means includes a guide groove 21 provided in the traveling rail D and a pair of guide rollers 14 provided in the link 10 of the chain C, and the guide The left and right side walls of the groove 21 are moved while the pair of guide rollers 14 are in contact with each other so that the chain C can move without moving in the width direction of the traveling rail D.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the rail guide means comprises a guide ridge 22 provided on the traveling rail D and a pair of guide rollers 14 provided on the link 10 of the chain C. A means is adopted in which the left and right side walls of the ridge 22 are moved while the pair of guide rollers 14 are in contact with each other so that the chain C can move without blurring in the width direction of the traveling rail D.

  Furthermore, in the conveying apparatus according to claim 8, the rail guide means includes a pair of guide rollers 23 provided on the traveling rail D and a pair of guide protrusions 15 provided on the link 10 of the chain C. The pair of guide rollers 23 are in contact with the side walls of the guide ridges 15 so that the chain C can move without blurring in the width direction of the travel rail D.

Therefore, according to the conveying device of the first aspect of the present invention, the cylindrical teeth 3 of the sprocket A and the curved concave surface 11 of the chain C can be completely restrained without play at the rotational force transmission position. Backlash does not occur, it is easy to absorb the fluctuation between the cores without play, no rotation unevenness occurs, the accuracy of the transfer conveyance distance is high, high rotation accuracy is obtained, and precise linear conveyance can be performed.
As a result, there are few restrictions on the general-purpose jigs attached to the chain C, the sprocket A can be configured small, and the entire apparatus can be configured compactly.
In addition, the wear resistance of the chain C itself can be improved, elongation and the like can be suppressed, and the structure is simple, excellent in durability, suitable for mass production, and an economical conveying device.
In particular, the side roller 13 allows the chain C to move smoothly and accurately .

Further, according to the conveying device according to claim 2 of the present invention, the cylindrical tooth 3 of the sprocket A and the curved concave surface 11 of the chain C can be completely restrained without play at the rotational force transmission position. Backlash does not occur, it is easy to absorb the fluctuation between the cores without play, no rotation unevenness occurs, the accuracy of the transfer conveyance distance is high, high rotation accuracy is obtained, and precise linear conveyance can be performed.
As a result, there are few restrictions on the general-purpose jigs attached to the chain C, the sprocket A can be configured small, and the entire apparatus can be configured compactly.
In addition, the wear resistance of the chain C itself can be improved, elongation and the like can be suppressed, and the structure is simple, excellent in durability, suitable for mass production, and an economical conveying device.
In particular, the side roller 13 allows the chain C to move smoothly and accurately.

  Furthermore, according to the conveying device of the third aspect of the present invention, the center-to-center variation of the sprocket A can be absorbed surely and smoothly by the center-to-center variation adjusting curved surface 5a of the guide substrate 5 of the guide body B. Thus, precise linear conveyance can be performed. That is, the chain C can be moved accurately and accurately.

  According to the conveying apparatus of the fourth aspect of the present invention, from when the chain C is on the reference pitch circle and the side roller 13 is in contact with the arc surface 5b of the guide substrate 5 (see FIG. 12). The center-to-center variation when the sprocket A rotates by a predetermined amount can be reliably and smoothly absorbed by the side roller 13 coming into contact with the center-center variation adjusting curved surface 5a of the guide substrate 5 (see FIG. 13). Therefore, precise linear conveyance can be performed. That is, the chain C can be moved accurately and accurately.

  Then, according to the transport device of the fifth aspect of the present invention, the traveling rail D and the rail guide means can smoothly move the chain C more accurately and accurately.

  In addition, according to the transport apparatus of the sixth aspect of the present invention, the traveling rail D can be smoothly moved without the chain C moving in the width direction of the traveling rail D.

  Moreover, according to the conveying apparatus of Claim 7 of this invention, the chain C can move the traveling rail D smoothly, without shaking in the width direction of the traveling rail D.

  Furthermore, according to the conveying apparatus of the eighth aspect of the present invention, the traveling rail D can be smoothly moved without the chain C moving in the width direction of the traveling rail D.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on illustrated examples as follows.
The present invention is mainly a transport apparatus that can perform precise linear transport without backlash, and is specifically arranged on a sprocket A that is appropriately rotated by a driving means and a desired transport path. A guide body B, a sprocket A, a chain C wound around the guide body B, a travel rail D arranged on a conveyance path connecting the sprocket A and the guide body B to guide the chain C, and the travel Rail guide means for linking the traveling rail D and the chain C is provided so that the chain C can move along the rail D.

  Furthermore, the sprocket A is interposed between the pair of rotating substrates 2 arranged at a predetermined interval and the pair of rotating substrates 2 and a plurality of cylinders arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction. The guide body B has a pair of guide substrates 5 arranged at predetermined intervals, and the chain C connects the plurality of links 10 and the links 10 so as to be swingable. It has a connecting pin 12 and side rollers 13 that are rotatably attached to both end portions of the connecting pin 12, and this side roller 13 is attached to the outer peripheral portion of the guide substrate 5 of the traveling rail D or the guide body B. It is configured to move while being in contact with each other. A curved concave surface 11 is formed at both ends of the link 10 in the conveying direction so as to be in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical tooth 3, and a pair of adjacent links 10 are provided adjacent to each other. The curved concave surface 11 is engaged with the cylindrical tooth 3 A locking groove is formed, and this locking groove can be deformed along with the rocking of the links 10 adjacent to each other with the connecting pin 12 as a fulcrum, and the cylindrical tooth 3 at the rotational force transmission position by the sprocket A. It is comprised so that it may closely_contact | adhere to the outer peripheral surface.

The sprocket A is appropriately connected to an output shaft such as a drive means (for example, an indexer suitable for precision intermittent linear feed, a non-backlash drive mechanism suitable for precision continuous linear feed, etc.), etc. A pair of substantially thick disk-shaped rotary substrates 2 arranged in parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other, and the pair of rotary substrates. 2 and a plurality of cylindrical teeth 3 arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction. That is, the sprocket A is simple, robust, easily reduced in weight, and formed in a well-balanced manner.
The sprocket A may be configured such that the cylindrical teeth 3 are mounted in a cantilever manner on a single rotating substrate 2 so that further simplification and weight reduction can be achieved.

The columnar teeth 3 are formed in a substantially columnar shape (or may be formed in a cylindrical shape so that weight reduction or the like can be achieved), and are fixed to the rotating substrate 2.
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the cylindrical teeth 3 have shaft portions projecting at both ends thereof (or the shaft portions are penetrated through the cylindrical teeth 3 so that the shaft portions can rotate freely), and the shaft portions are connected to the rotating substrate. It may be configured so as to be rotatable by being inserted into a circular hole drilled in 2, or other specific mounting means may be employed.

  The guide body B is composed of, for example, a pair of substantially thick tongue-shaped guide substrates 5 arranged parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other. Further, the guide body B is supported at a desired position by appropriate support means, and the pair of guide substrates 5 are also appropriately fixed by the support means.

Further, the guide substrate 5 has a substantially semicircular arc-shaped portion connected to the end portions of the two parallel lines at the outer peripheral portion thereof, and the center-to-core variation adjusting curved surface 5a and the distance between the centers. It is comprised by the circular arc surface 5b which follows each both ends of the fluctuation amount adjustment curved surface 5a.
The inter-center variation adjusting curved surface 5a is 1 pitch or less of the side roller 13 in the conveying direction (when the number of the cylindrical teeth 3 in the sprocket A divided by 2 is an odd number), or 2 pitches The following is set (when the number of the cylindrical teeth 3 in the sprocket A divided by 2 is an even number) and is positioned slightly closer to the center than the virtual arc line connecting the two arc surfaces 5b with the same radius. Thus, the inter-center variation amount adjusting curved surface 5a of the guide substrate 5 is formed so that the inter-center variation due to the rotation of the sprocket A can be absorbed.
That is, when the sprocket A rotates by a predetermined amount (30 degrees) from when the chain C is on the reference pitch circle and the side roller 13 is in contact with the arcuate surface 5b of the guide substrate 5 (the state of FIG. 12). Then, the fluctuation between the cores at that time is such that the side roller 13 is in contact with the curvature variation adjusting curved surface 5a of the guide board 5 (at this time, the sprocket A and the guide body B are on the center line of the conveying device). The side roller 13 is positioned) (see FIG. 13), so that it can be surely and smoothly absorbed.

  The chain C is, for example, a plurality of substantially block-shaped links 10, a plurality of connecting pins 12 that slidably connect end portions of the links 10, and both end portions of the connecting pins 12. And a plurality of side rollers 13 that are mounted on the sprocket A and the guide body B.

  The link 10 has, for example, an overall substantially block shape that is long in the transport direction. A substantially tongue-like central coupling protrusion projects from the center of one end of the transport direction, and is substantially Tongue-shaped left and right connecting protrusions are respectively provided, and the central connecting protrusions of the adjacent links 10 are accommodated between the left and right connecting protrusions, and these are adjacently provided by passing through the connecting pins 12. The links 10 are configured to be swingable with respect to each other.

Furthermore, curved concave surfaces 11 are formed at both end portions (both end corner portions) of the link 10 so as to be a part of the circumferential surface of the cylinder that can be in close contact with the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical teeth 3, for example. A pair of curved concave surfaces 11 provided next to the adjacent link 10 forms a locking groove that can be locked to the columnar tooth 3.
In addition, the locking groove can be deformed (for example, changes between a substantially semicircular arc shape and a substantially semielliptical circle shape) with the swinging of the links 10 adjacent to each other with the connecting pin 12 as a fulcrum.
That is, the locking groove comes into close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical tooth 3 at the rotational force transmission position by the sprocket A (the side away from the guide body B in the sprocket A). As the distance increases, the distance from the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical tooth 3 gradually increases.

  For example, the side roller 13 moves while the outer peripheral surface thereof is in contact with the outer peripheral portion of the guide substrate 5 of the guide body B and the traveling rail D, and the chain C does not loosen a predetermined conveyance path, and accurately. It is configured to move smoothly in a trace shape.

  For example, the traveling rail D is arranged along a circumscribing line connecting the sprocket A and the guide body B, and the chain C is arranged so as not to hang down due to gravity.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the rail guide means includes a guide groove 21 that is recessed in the bottom wall portion of the traveling rail D and a pair of guide rollers 14 that are provided in the link 10 of the chain C. The pair of guide rollers 14 are moved in contact with the left and right side walls of the chain 21 so that the chain C can move smoothly without blurring in the width direction of the traveling rail D.

  The rail guide means includes, for example, a guide ridge 22 projecting from the center of the bottom wall portion of the traveling rail D and a pair of guide rollers 14 provided on the link 10 of the chain C, as shown in FIG. Thus, the left and right side walls of the guide ridge 22 are moved while the pair of guide rollers 14 are in contact with each other, and the chain C can be moved smoothly without shaking in the width direction of the traveling rail D.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the rail guide means includes a pair of guide rollers 23 provided at a substantially central portion of the bottom wall portion of the traveling rail D and a pair of guide protrusions provided on the link 10 of the chain C. The guide ribs 15 are formed so that the side walls of the guide protrusions 15 are in contact with the pair of guide rollers 23 so that the chain C can move smoothly without being shaken in the width direction of the traveling rail D. .

  By the way, the specific configuration of the transport device, the specific configuration of the sprocket A, the shape, the dimensions, the material, the configuration of the specific drive means of the sprocket A, the specific configuration, the shape, dimensions, and the material of the drive shaft 1 Specific configuration, shape, dimensions, material, number, specific configuration of cylindrical teeth 3, shape, dimensions, material, number, arrangement position, specific configuration of guide body B, shape, dimensions, material, number, arrangement Position, specific configuration, shape, dimensions, material of the guide substrate 5, specific shape of the inter-core variation adjustment curved surface 5a, dimensions, arrangement position, specific shape, dimensions, arrangement position of the arc surface 5b, chain Specific configuration of C, shape, dimensions, material, specific configuration of link 10, shape, dimensions, material, number, specific configuration of curved concave surface 11, shape, dimensions, arrangement position, number, specific of connecting pin 12 Configuration, shape, dimensions, material, location, specific side roller 13 Configuration, shape, dimensions, material, arrangement position, specific configuration of guide roller 14, shape, dimensions, material, number, arrangement position, specific configuration of guide protrusion 15, shape, dimensions, material, number, arrangement Installation position, specific configuration of travel rail D, shape, dimensions, material, arrangement position, specific configuration of rail body 20, shape, dimensions, material, arrangement position, specific configuration of guide groove 21, shape, dimensions , Arrangement position, number, specific configuration, shape, dimensions, material, arrangement state, number of guide protrusion 22, specific configuration, shape, dimensions, material, arrangement position, number, etc. of guide roller 23 are: The present invention is not limited to the illustrated example, and can be set and changed as appropriate.

It is a partially-omission front view illustrating the conveyance device of the present invention. It is a partially notched perspective view which illustrates the sprocket part of the conveying apparatus of this invention. It is a partially notched front view which illustrates the sprocket part of the conveying apparatus of this invention. It is a front view which illustrates the sprocket of the conveying apparatus of this invention. It is a vertical side view which illustrates the sprocket part of the conveying apparatus of this invention. It is a front view which illustrates the guide plate part of the conveying apparatus of this invention. It is a partially notched side view which illustrates the guide plate part of the conveying apparatus of this invention. The rail guide means of the conveying apparatus of this invention is illustrated, (I) is a partial front view, (II) is a partially notched side view. The other rail guide means of the conveying apparatus of this invention is illustrated, (I) is a partial front view, (II) is a partially notched side view. The other rail guide means of the conveying apparatus of this invention is illustrated, (I) is a partial front view, (II) is a partially notched side view. It is explanatory drawing which shows the fluctuation | variation of the center distance in a general conveying apparatus, (I) is a state when a chain exists on a reference | standard pitch circle, (II) is a center distance when a sprocket rotates predetermined amount. It shows the state when the fluctuates. FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing a relationship among a sprocket, a guide body, and a chain in the transport device of the present invention, and when the chain is on a reference pitch circle. The relationship between the sprocket, the guide body and the chain in the transport device of the present invention is shown. The sprocket rotates by a predetermined amount from the time when the chain is on the reference pitch circle, and the side roller has a center-to-center variation amount. It is the schematic when contacting the adjustment curved surface.

Explanation of symbols

A Sprocket 1 Drive shaft 2 Rotating board 3 Cylindrical tooth B Guide body 5 Guide board 5a Center-to-center variation adjustment curved surface 5b Arc surface C Chain 10 Link 11 Curved concave surface 12 Connecting pin 13 Side roller 14 Guide roller 15 Guide ridge D Travel Rail 20 Rail body 21 Guide groove 22 Guide protrusion 23 Guide roller

Claims (8)

A sprocket that is appropriately rotated by a driving means, a guide body that is arranged on a desired conveyance path, a sprocket and a chain that is wound around the guide body, and the sprocket includes a rotating substrate and a circumferential direction of the rotating substrate. The guide body has a pair of guide substrates arranged at predetermined intervals, and the chain has a plurality of links. And a connecting pin for slidably connecting the links to each other, and a side roller rotatably attached to both ends of the connecting pin , the side roller being an outer periphery of the guide substrate of the guide body is configured to move while contacting the portion, the conveying direction end portions of the link, to form a concave curved surface such that close contact can on the outer periphery surface of the cylindrical teeth, a pair of the bay adjacent set of links next set The concave groove forms a locking groove that can be locked to the cylindrical teeth, and this locking groove can be deformed along with the swaying of adjacent links with the connecting pin as a fulcrum, and at the rotational force transmission position by the sprocket. And a conveying device configured to be in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical tooth.   A sprocket that is appropriately rotated by a driving means, a guide body that is disposed on a desired conveyance path, and a chain that is wound around the sprocket and the guide body, and the sprocket includes a pair of rotating substrates that are disposed at predetermined intervals. And a plurality of cylindrical teeth interposed between the pair of rotating substrates and arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction, and the guide body is a pair of guides arranged at a predetermined interval. The chain includes a plurality of links, a connection pin that rotatably connects the links, and a side roller that is rotatably attached to both ends of the connection pin. The side rollers are configured to move while in contact with the outer peripheral portion of the guide substrate of the guide body, and at both end portions in the transport direction of the link, a curved concave surface is formed so as to be close to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical tooth, next to A pair of curved concave surfaces adjacent to the link to form a locking groove that can be locked to the cylindrical teeth, and this locking groove can be deformed along with the mutual swinging of the links adjacent to each other with the connecting pin as a fulcrum. A conveying device characterized in that it is configured to be in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical tooth at a rotational force transmission position by a sprocket.   The conveyance according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a curved surface for adjusting an inter-center variation amount is provided in an outer peripheral portion of the guide substrate of the guide body so as to be able to absorb the inter-core variation of the chain. apparatus.   The center-to-core variation adjustment curved surface is set to be 1 pitch or less or 2 pitch or less of a side roller in the conveying direction, and both end portions of the center-to-center variation adjustment curved surface are configured by arcuate surfaces. Item 4. The conveying device according to Item 3.   A traveling rail that guides the chain is arranged on a conveyance path that connects the sprocket and the guide body, rail guide means is provided on the traveling rail and the chain, and the chain can be moved along the traveling rail. The transfer device according to claim 1, claim 2, or claim 3.   The rail guide means comprises a guide groove provided on the travel rail and a pair of guide rollers provided on the link of the chain, and the chain travels on the left and right side walls of the guide groove while the pair of guide rollers are in contact with each other. 6. The conveying apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the conveying apparatus is configured to be movable without being shaken in a width direction of the rail.   The rail guide means comprises a guide ridge provided on the traveling rail and a pair of guide rollers provided on the link of the chain, and moves on the left and right side walls of the guide ridge while the pair of guide rollers are in contact with each other. The transport apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the transport apparatus is configured to be movable in the width direction of the traveling rail without blurring.   The rail guide means comprises a pair of guide rollers provided on the traveling rail and a pair of guide ridges provided on the link of the chain, the pair of guide rollers being in contact with the side walls of the guide ridges, The transport apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the transport apparatus is configured to be movable in the width direction of the traveling rail without blurring.

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