JP7463786B2 - Sprocket wheel and conveyor drive device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a sprocket wheel and a drive unit for a conveyor device used in a reverse sorter conveyor device that circulates multiple conveyors in a conveyor path that includes straight paths arranged vertically, and delivers items (conveyed objects) placed on the multiple conveyors to a desired delivery section.

Sorting conveyor equipment can be classified according to the layout shape into line-type sorting conveyors and loop-type sorting conveyors, and branching types include horizontal push-out type, conveyor send-out type, and inclined sliding type. Among these, the belt carrier type sorting conveyor equipment is included in the conveyor send-out type of loop-type sorting (see JIS B 8825).

A belt carrier type sorting conveyor device moves a large number of transport carts that are connected in an endless manner along a transport path. Each transport cart of this sorting conveyor device has a conveyor (cross sorter conveyor) that runs in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the transport cart. By having the cross sorter conveyor on the transport cart, the transport cart can load or unload transported items during the process of movement.

For example, such a sorting conveyor device includes a reverse sorter conveyor device that circulates a transport cart in a loop-shaped transport path that includes two straight paths stacked in the height direction and a curved path connecting both ends of the two straight paths (see Patent Document 1). In the reverse sorter conveyor device, pairs of sprocket wheels (sprocket wheel pairs) are arranged at both ends of the longitudinal direction of the device body, and are arranged at a predetermined interval in the width direction of the device body. An endless chain or timing belt is wound around the sprocket wheel pairs. Each transport body is supported, for example, by an endless chain wound around one of the two sprocket wheel pairs at its left front end in the running direction, and an endless chain wound around the other of the two sprocket wheel pairs at its right rear end in the running direction. This allows each transport body to run in accordance with the running of the endless chain, and to move between the two straight paths without turning over.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 07-112813

The output (motor capacity) of the drive motor installed in the reverse sorter conveyor is determined taking into consideration the weight of each conveyor of the reverse sorter conveyor, the weight of the objects conveyed by the conveyors, the diameter of the sprocket wheel, the tensile strength of the timing belt wound around the sprocket wheel, and the like. The strength of the sprocket wheel is determined by the tension of the timing belt wound around it and the number of teeth of the timing belt (toothed belt). Therefore, if the sprocket wheel is manufactured by casting and cutting based on the tension of the timing belt wound around it and the rotational torque based on it, the sprocket diameter becomes large and the sprocket wheel becomes heavy. In addition, since a large load is applied to the rotating shaft of the sprocket wheel and the bearing part that supports the rotating shaft, a member with performance that matches the sprocket wheel is required in consideration of durability during driving. Furthermore, by using such a sprocket wheel, the drive motor installed in the reverse sorter conveyor needs to use a drive motor with a large motor capacity. As a result, the power consumption during driving of the reverse sorter conveyor increases.

The present invention aims to provide a sprocket wheel that contributes to reducing power consumption when driving a reverse sorter conveyor device and is highly durable.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the sprocket wheel of the present invention is characterized in comprising a cylindrical member through which a rotating shaft is inserted, a pair of disc members held on the cylindrical member at a predetermined distance and having a plurality of lightening holes , and engaging members fixed to the outer circumferential edges of the pair of disc members at a predetermined angular distance and spanning the pair of disc members, and engaging with engaging teeth of a toothed belt that is looped around the pair of disc members.

The pair of disk members preferably have a plurality of notches into which a portion of the interlocking member fits. The interlocking member is preferably a cylindrical or columnar member. In this case, the notches are preferably arc-shaped. Furthermore, the pair of disk members are preferably held in the tubular member such that a line connecting the centers of the notches of each disk member coincides with the direction of the rotation axis through which the notches fit.

It is preferable that the pair of disc members have cutouts around the entire circumference into which parts of the interlocking members fit at a pitch that meshes with the engagement teeth of the toothed belt , and that a metal tape with adjacent interlocking members attached in parallel is wound around the outer periphery of the pair of disc members, so that the interlocking members are arranged in the cutouts provided on the outer periphery of the pair of disc members. It is also preferable that the interlocking members are fixed to the pair of disc members by spot welding while arranged in the cutouts.

The drive device of the conveyor device of the present invention is characterized by having the above-mentioned sprocket wheel used as at least one of the drive sprocket or driven sprocket, a timing belt that is wound around the sprocket wheel, and an actuator that rotates the drive sprocket.

The present invention contributes to reducing power consumption when driving a reverse sorter conveyor device and provides a highly durable sprocket wheel.

FIG. 2 is a top view showing an example of a reverse sorter conveyor device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side view of the reverse sorter conveyor apparatus shown in FIG. 1 . 2 is an end view taken along line AA in FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a current collector and a trolley wire. FIG. 2A is an explanatory diagram of the vicinity of a driving sprocket, and FIG. 2B is an explanatory diagram of the vicinity of a driven sprocket. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a sprocket wheel. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a sprocket wheel. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the shape of a boss and a plate of the sprocket wheel.

An example of the reverse sorter conveyor device of the present invention will be described below. The reverse sorter conveyor device 10 of the present invention circulates multiple transport carts 20 without reversing them in a loop-shaped transport path including two straight paths arranged in an up-down direction. In the process of circulating multiple transport carts 20 in the transport path, the reverse sorter conveyor device 10 loads the transported objects 100 from the input conveyor device 15 onto the target transport cart 20. In the process of circulating multiple transport carts 20 in the transport path, the reverse sorter conveyor device 10 also discharges the transported objects 100 loaded onto the transport cart 20 to the discharge conveyor device 16 or the discharge chute 17. Note that the reference numeral 18 in FIG. 1 denotes a fall prevention plate that prevents the transported objects 100 loaded from the input conveyor device 15 from falling off the transport cart 20.

In FIG. 1, the input conveyor device 15 is intended to input the transported object 100 to the transport cart 20 traveling on the upper straight path (outward path) of two straight paths arranged vertically. The discharge conveyor device 16 is intended to discharge the transported object 100 from the transport cart 20 traveling on the lower straight path (return path). The discharge chute 17 is intended to discharge the transported object 100 from the transport cart 20 traveling on the outward path. However, the positions and numbers of the input conveyor device 15, discharge conveyor device 16, and discharge chute 17 are set appropriately.

The following describes the case where the direction of movement of the transport cart 20 on the outward journey is the X direction.

As shown in Figures 1 to 6, the reverse sorter conveyor device 10 includes multiple transport cars 20, a machine frame 21, and a drive device 22.

The transport cart 20 has side frames 31, 32, suspension members 33, 34, and a cross sorter conveyor 35. The side frames 31, 32 and the suspension members 33, 34 are components that form the framework of the transport cart 20.

The side frame 31 is disposed at the leading end side in the direction of movement of the transport cart 20 and perpendicular to the direction of movement of the transport cart 20. The side frame 32 is disposed at the trailing end side in the direction of movement of the transport cart 20 and perpendicular to the direction of movement of the transport cart 20.

The suspension member 33 is suspended across the side frames 31, 32 at one end (the right end in FIG. 3) of the width of the transport cart 20. The suspension member 34 is suspended across the side frames 31, 32 at the other end (the left end in FIG. 3) of the width of the transport cart 20. In other words, the longitudinal direction of the suspension members 33, 34 is aligned with the direction of movement of the transport cart 20.

The fall prevention plate 36 is fixed to the side frame 31 and blocks part of the space between the preceding transport cart 20, preventing the transported item 100 from falling. The fall prevention plate 37 is fixed to the side frame 32 and blocks part of the space between the following transport cart 20, preventing the transported item 100 from falling.

The suspension member 33 supports the guide roller 40 at its end which is the leading end in the direction of movement of the transport cart 20. The suspension member 33 also supports the guide roller pair 41 at its end which is the trailing end in the direction of movement of the transport cart 20. The shaft portion 41a of the guide roller pair 41 is supported by the drive timing belt 107 which will be described later. The center of rotation of the guide roller 40 and the center of rotation of the guide roller pair 41 are at the same height.

The suspension member 34 supports the guide roller pair 42 at the end portion that is the leading end side in the moving direction of the transport cart 20. Here, the shaft portion 42a of the guide roller pair 42 is supported by the drive timing belt 106 described later. The suspension member 34 also supports the guide roller 43 at the end portion that is the rear end side of the transport cart 20. The rotation center of the guide roller pair 42 and the rotation center of the guide roller 43 are at the same height. Here, the guide roller 40 supported by the suspension member 33 is supported coaxially with the guide roller pair 42 supported by the suspension member 34. Similarly, the guide roller pair 41 supported by the suspension member 33 is supported coaxially with the guide roller 43 supported by the suspension member 34.

When the transport cart 20 moves along the outward path, the guide roller 40 and the guide roller pair 41 roll on the upper surface of the support member 75 arranged inside the frame 71. When the transport cart 20 moves along the return path, the guide roller 40 and the guide roller pair 41 roll on the upper surface of the support member 87 arranged inside the frame 72. When the transport cart 20 moves from the outward path to the return path, the guide roller 40 enters a guide rail 125 (see FIG. 6(a)) provided on the machine frame 21 and moves along the guide rail 125.

Meanwhile, when the transport cart 20 moves along the outward path, the guide roller pair 42 and the guide roller 43 roll on the upper surface of the support member 76 arranged inside the frame 71. When the transport cart 20 moves along the return path, the guide roller pair 42 and the guide roller 43 roll on the upper surface of the support member 88 arranged inside the frame 72. When the transport cart 20 moves from the return path to the outward path, the guide roller 43 enters a guide rail 126 (see FIG. 6(b)) provided on the machine frame 21 and moves along the guide rail 126.

The cross sorter conveyor 35 includes a drive pulley 46, a driven pulley 47, multiple pulleys 48, and an endless belt 49. The drive pulley 46 is supported on one end of the transport cart 20 in the width direction, straddling the side frames 31 and 32. The drive pulley 46 is, for example, a motor pulley with a built-in drive motor.

The driven pulley 47 is supported across the side frames 31, 32 at the end opposite the end at which the drive pulley 46 is supported in the width direction of the transport cart 20. The multiple pulleys 48 are arranged between the drive pulley 46 and the driven pulley 47. Here, the drive pulley 46, the driven pulley 47, and the multiple pulleys 48 are arranged so that the rotation axis direction of each pulley is parallel to the movement direction of the transport cart 20. In addition, the drive pulley 46, the driven pulley 47, and the multiple pulleys 48 are each arranged so that the apex of each pulley is located on the same horizontal plane.

The endless belt 49 is wound around the drive pulley 46 and the driven pulley 47. When the endless belt 49 is wound around the drive pulley 46 and the driven pulley 47, the multiple pulleys 48 arranged between the drive pulley 46 and the driven pulley 47 support the upper part of the endless belt 49 (the part on which the transported object is placed) from below. By winding the endless belt 49 around the drive pulley 46 and the driven pulley 47, the endless belt 49 runs in a direction along the width direction of the transport cart 20.

The current collector 51 is provided at the bottom of the transport cart 20. The current collector 51 is fixed to a holding member 52 that is fixed across the side frames 31, 32. When the current collector 51 moves along the trolley wire 79 or trolley wire 89 (see FIG. 3), it supplies power from the ground to the drive pulley 46. The current collector 51 extends the trolley wire 79 or trolley wire 89 by a predetermined length before and after the input conveyor 15, the discharge conveyor 16, the discharge chute 17, etc. that are to operate the cross sorter conveyor 35 (see FIG. 1).

The current collector 51 includes current collectors 53 and 54, as well as rotating support mechanisms 55 and 56 and a base plate 57.

When the transport cart 20 moves along the trolley wire 79, the current collector 53 enters the guide groove 80a of the trolley wire 79 and moves along the guide groove 80a. At that time, it comes into sliding contact with either the conductor 81 or the insulator 82 provided in the guide groove 80a. Also, when the transport cart 20 moves along the trolley wire 89, the current collector 53 enters the guide groove 90a of the trolley wire 89 and moves along the guide groove 90a. At that time, it comes into sliding contact with either the conductor 91 or the insulator (not shown) provided in the guide groove 90a.

When the transport cart 20 moves along the trolley wire 79, the current collector 54 enters the guide groove 80b of the trolley wire 79 and moves along the guide groove 80b. At that time, it comes into sliding contact with either the conductor 83 or the insulator 84 provided in the guide groove 80b. Also, when the transport cart 20 moves along the trolley wire 89, the current collector 54 enters the guide groove 89b of the trolley wire 89 and moves along the guide groove 89b. At that time, it comes into sliding contact with either the conductor 93 or the insulator (not shown) provided in the guide groove 89b.

These current collectors 53, 54 are connected to cables 58, 59. The cables 58, 59 are connected to a cable (not shown) of a motor built into the drive pulley 46. Therefore, when current is supplied to the conductors 81, 83 of the trolley wire 79 or the conductors 91, 93 of the trolley wire 89, respectively, current is supplied to the drive pulley 46 when the current collectors 53, 54 slide against the conductors 81, 83 of the trolley wire 79 or the conductors 91, 93 of the trolley wire 89. As a result, the drive pulley 46 rotates.

In this case, power is supplied via the trolley wires 79, 89 between the single-phase power source without an earth wire and the motor cable, but it goes without saying that in addition to the collectors 53, 54, the trolley wires 79, 89 of the earth wire can be connected to a conductor that runs the entire length, or another collector can be installed in parallel with a three-phase power source.

Although not shown in detail, the rotating support mechanism 55 has a rotating seat that rotates around the vertical direction of the base plate 57 as a rotation axis, a support arm that rotates around a rotation axis perpendicular to the rotation axis of the rotating seat, and a biasing means that biases the current collector 53 in a protruding direction. The support arm of the rotating support mechanism 55 holds the current collector 53 rotatably. Therefore, the current collector 53 is biased toward the conductor 81 or insulator 82 provided in the guide groove 80a of the trolley wire 79, or toward the conductor 91 or insulator 92 provided in the guide groove 89a of the trolley wire 89. As a result, the contact state between the current collector 53 and the trolley wire 79 or the trolley wire 89 is maintained well.

Similarly, the rotating support mechanism 56 has a rotating seat that rotates around the vertical direction of the base plate 57 as a rotation axis, a support arm that rotates around a rotation axis perpendicular to the rotation axis of the rotating seat, and a biasing means that biases the current collector 54 in a protruding direction. The support arm of the rotating support mechanism 56 holds the current collector 54 rotatably. Therefore, the current collector 54 is biased toward the conductor 83 or insulator 84 provided in the guide groove 80b of the trolley wire 79, or toward the conductor 93 or insulator 94 provided in the guide groove 90b of the trolley wire 89 (see Figure 5). As a result, the contact state between the current collector 54 and the trolley wire 79 or the trolley wire 89 is maintained well.

The machine frame 21 is a component that forms the framework of the reverse sorter conveyor device 10. The machine frame 21 has two ladder-shaped frames 71, 72 and a support member 73 that holds the frames 71, 72 at a predetermined distance in the vertical direction.

The frame 71 is a long ladder-shaped frame member using two types of frame components (e.g., channels) of different lengths. At multiple locations in the longitudinal direction of the frame 71, reinforcing members 74, which correspond to the treads of the ladder, are fixed at the lower ends of the two long frame sides that are horizontally laid across the frame, perpendicular to the two sides at positions that do not interfere with the movement of the transport cart 20. The reinforcing members 74 are, for example, channels or angles. The frame 71 has support members 75, 76 at both ends in the short direction (or width direction) and on the inside of the frame 71. The guide roller 40 and the guide roller pair 41 roll on the support member 75 when the transport cart 20 moves. The guide roller pair 42 and the guide roller 43 roll on the support member 76 when the transport cart 20 moves.

The frame 71 fixes the trolley wire 79 near the center of the reinforcement 74. The trolley wire 79 has an insulating frame 80 having guide grooves 80a, 80b, and 80c that open to the side. The guide groove 80a has a conductor 81 arranged in a predetermined range within the groove, and an insulator 82 arranged in the other range. The guide groove 80b has a conductor 83 arranged in a predetermined range within the groove, and an insulator 84 arranged in the other range. Furthermore, the guide groove 80c has an insulator 85 arranged in the groove. Here, the length of the conductors 81 and 83 is, for example, the distance that the transport cart 20 moves when the cross sorter conveyor 35 on the transport cart 20 continues to drive when the transport cart 20 loads the transported object 100 by the cross sorter conveyor 35. In addition, the length of the conductors 81 and 83 is, for example, the distance that the transport cart 20 moves when the cross sorter conveyor 35 on the transport cart 20 continues to drive when the transported object 100 is discharged from the transport cart 20 by the cross sorter conveyor 35. Pickup guides are attached to both ends of the trolley wire 79 described above.

The frame 72 is a long ladder-shaped member using two types of frame components (e.g., channels) of different lengths. At multiple locations in the longitudinal direction of the frame 72, reinforcing members 86, which correspond to the treads of the ladder, are fixed at the lower ends of the two long frame sides that are horizontally laid across the frame, perpendicular to the two sides at positions that do not interfere with the movement of the transport cart 20. The reinforcing members 86 are, for example, channels or angles. The frame 72 has support members 87, 88 at both ends in the short direction (or width direction) and on the inside of the frame 72. The guide roller 40 and the guide roller pair 41 roll on the support member 87 when the transport cart 20 travels. The guide roller pair 42 and the guide roller 43 roll on the support member 88 when the transport cart 20 travels.

The frame 72 fixes the trolley wire 89 near the center of the reinforcement 86. The trolley wire 89 has an insulating frame 90 having three guide grooves 90a, 90b, and 90c that open to the side. The guide groove 90a places a conductor 91 in a predetermined range within the groove, and an insulator 92 in the other range. The guide groove 90b places a conductor 93 in a predetermined range within the groove, and an insulator 94 in the other range. The guide groove 90c places an insulator 95 within the groove. Here, the length of the conductors 91 and 93 is the same as the length of the conductors 81 and 83. Although not shown in the figure, pickup guides are attached to both ends of the trolley wires 79 and 89 described above.

The drive unit 22 includes a drive motor 101, drive sprockets 102 and 103, driven sprockets 104 and 105, and drive timing belts 106 and 107.

The drive motor 101 is disposed at one end of the machine frame 21 in the longitudinal direction and at the right edge of the machine frame 21 in the width direction. The drive motor 101 is, for example, a hollow shaft type motor with a hollow shaft as the rotating shaft. A rotating shaft 113 with drive pulleys 111, 112 fixed to both ends is fitted inside the hollow shaft. The rotating shaft 113 is supported by the machine frame 21 via bearing members (not shown) that hold both ends.

The driving sprocket 102 is fixed to a rotating shaft 116 that holds a driven pulley 115 at one end. The rotating shaft 116 is supported at one end of the machine frame 21 in the longitudinal direction and on the right edge of the machine frame 21 in the width direction. Reference numeral 117 denotes a timing belt that is wound around the driving pulley 111 and the driven pulley 115.

The driving sprocket 103 is fixed to a rotating shaft 119 that holds a driven pulley 118 at one end. The rotating shaft 119 is supported at one end of the machine frame 21 in the longitudinal direction and at the left edge of the machine frame 21 in the width direction. Reference numeral 120 denotes a timing belt that is wound around the driving pulley 112 and the driven pulley 118.

The driving sprocket 103 is offset by a predetermined amount toward the center in the longitudinal direction of the machine frame 21 relative to the driving sprocket 102. The predetermined amount is the distance in the forward movement direction X from the center of rotation of the guide roller pair 42 of the transport cart 20 to the center of rotation of the guide roller pair 41.

The driven sprocket 104 is supported at the end of the machine frame 21 opposite the end where the drive sprocket 102 is located, and at the right edge in the width direction of the machine frame 21. The driven sprocket 105 is supported at the end of the machine frame 21 opposite the end where the drive sprocket 103 is located, and at the left edge in the width direction of the machine frame 21. The driven sprocket 104 is positioned a predetermined amount toward the center of the machine frame 21 in the longitudinal direction, offset from the driven sprocket 105. The predetermined amount is the distance in the outward movement direction X from the center of rotation of the guide roller pair 41 of the transport cart 20 to the center of rotation of the guide roller pair 42.

The drive timing belt 106 is, for example, a toothed belt. The drive timing belt 106 is wound around the drive sprocket 102 and the driven sprocket 104. The drive timing belt 106 supports the shafts 42a of the guide roller pairs 42 of the transport carriage 20 by being sandwiched between adjacent teeth at a plurality of positions.
The drive timing belt 107 is, for example, a toothed belt. The drive timing belt 107 is wound around the drive sprocket 103 and the driven sprocket 105. The drive timing belt 107 supports the shafts 41 a of the guide roller pairs 41 of the transport cart 20 by being sandwiched between adjacent teeth at a plurality of positions.

That is, when the drive motor 101 is driven, the drive pulleys 111 and 112 rotate. A timing belt 117 is wound around the drive pulley 111 and the driven pulley 115, and a timing belt 120 is wound around the drive pulley 112 and the driven pulley 118. As a result, the driven pulleys 115 and 118 rotate. The driven pulley 115 and the drive side sprocket 102 are fixed to the rotating shaft 116. The driven pulley 118 and the drive side sprocket 103 are fixed to the rotating shaft 119. Therefore, the rotation of the driven pulley 115 rotates the drive side sprocket 102. The rotation of the driven pulley 118 rotates the drive side sprocket 103. The rotation direction of the drive side sprocket 102 and the rotation direction of the drive side sprocket 103 are the same. Therefore, the drive timing belts 106 and 107 move in the same direction. As a result, the transport cart 20 moves in the same direction as the running direction of the drive timing belts 106 and 107.

The machine frame 21 has a guide rail 125 that guides the guide roller 40 at the end opposite the end where the driving sprocket 102 is arranged in the width direction of the machine frame 21. The machine frame 21 also has a guide rail 126 that guides the guide roller 43 at the end opposite the end where the driven sprocket 105 is arranged in the width direction of the machine frame 21.

Therefore, when the transport cart 20 moves from the forward path to the return path, the transport cart 20 moves while its posture is maintained horizontally at three points: the pair of guide rollers 41, 42 journaled by the drive timing belts 106, 107, and the guide roller 40 guided by the guide rail 125. As a result, the transport cart 20 moving from the forward path to the return path does not turn around, but moves along an arc-shaped movement trajectory.

Similarly, when the transport cart 20 moves from the return path to the forward path, the transport cart 20 moves while its posture is maintained horizontally at three points: the pair of guide rollers 41, 42 journaled by the drive timing belts 106, 107, and the guide roller 43 guided by the guide rail 126. As a result, the transport cart 20 moving from the forward path to the return path does not turn around, but moves along an arc-shaped movement trajectory.

Next, the drive sprockets 102, 103 and driven sprockets 104, 105 used in the above-mentioned reverse sorter conveyor device 10 will be described. The drive sprockets 102, 103 and driven sprockets 104, 105 are sprocket wheels of the same shape. As shown in Figures 7 to 9, the sprocket wheel 150 has a boss (corresponding to a cylindrical member in the claims), plates (corresponding to a pair of disc members in the claims), and a pipe (corresponding to a meshing member in the claims). In Figure 7, in order to reduce the complexity of the drawing, only a portion of the pipe 154 fixed to the outer periphery of the plates 152, 153 is indicated by a reference number.

The boss 151 is a member fixed to the rotating shaft of the sprocket wheel 150. The boss 151 is manufactured by cutting or casting using general structural rolled steel such as SS400. The boss 151 has a shape in which multiple cylinders with different outer diameters are combined in the axial direction. For example, the boss 151 is provided with a small diameter portion 151a, a large diameter portion 151b, and a small diameter portion 151c in this order from one end side in the axial direction. The outer diameter D1 of the small diameter portion 151a is the same diameter as the outer diameter D3 of the small diameter portion 151c. In addition, the outer diameter D2 of the large diameter portion 151b is larger than the outer diameter D1 of the small diameter portion 151a. Therefore, step portions 151e and 151f based on the edge of the diameter are formed between the small diameter portion 151a and the large diameter portion 151b, and between the large diameter portion 151b and the small diameter portion 151c. Reference numeral 151g denotes an insertion hole through which the rotating shaft of the sprocket wheel 150 is inserted. The inserted rotating shaft is fixed so as not to rotate, for example, by a key and a key groove provided between the rotating shaft and the insertion hole.

The plate 152 is a disk-shaped member. The plate 152 is manufactured using, for example, a hot-rolled steel plate. The plate 152 has an opening 152a that is coaxial with the center of rotation. The opening 152a passes through the small diameter portion 151a of the boss 151. Therefore, the inner diameter D4 of the opening 152a is the same diameter as the outer diameter D1 of the small diameter portion 151a. The plate 152 has a plurality of lightening holes 152b at a predetermined angular pitch interval (for example, 60° intervals) on the same circle centered on the center of rotation of the plate 152 on the outer periphery of the opening 152a. The plate 152 has a plurality of lightening holes 152b, which reduces the weight of the plate 152. The plate 152 has a plurality of recesses (corresponding to the notch portion described in the claims) 152c on the outer periphery. Here, the recesses 152c are, for example, arc-shaped recesses. Although details are not shown in the figure, the diameter D8 of the recess 152c is the same as the outer diameter D10 of the pipe 154. The recesses 152c are arranged at a predetermined angular pitch (for example, 6° intervals) on the same circle with the center of each recess 152c being the center of rotation of the plate 152.

The plate 153 is a disk-shaped member, similar to the plate 152. The outer diameter of the plate 153 is the same as the outer diameter of the plate 152. The plate 153 is manufactured using, for example, a hot-rolled steel plate. The plate 153 has an opening 153a that is coaxial with the center of rotation. The opening 153a passes through the small diameter portion 151c of the boss 151. Therefore, the inner diameter D5 of the opening 153a is the same diameter as the outer diameter D3 of the small diameter portion 151c. The plate 153 has a plurality of lightening holes 153b on the outer periphery of the opening 153a at a predetermined angular pitch interval (for example, 60° interval) on the same circle centered on the center of rotation of the plate 153. The plate 153 has a plurality of lightening holes 153b, which reduces the weight of the plate 153. The plate 153 has a plurality of recesses (notches) 153c on the outer periphery. Here, the recess 153c is, for example, an arc-shaped recess. Although not shown in detail, the diameter D9 of the recess 153c is the same as the outer diameter D10 of the pipe 154. The recesses 153c are arranged at a predetermined angular pitch (for example, 6°) on the same circle with the center of each recess 153c being the center of rotation of the plate 152.

The above-mentioned plates 152 and 153 are fixed to the boss 151 so that the line connecting the centers of the recesses 152c and 153c provided on the outer periphery coincides with the direction of the rotation axis inserted into the insertion hole 151g (the axial direction is parallel). When the plates 152 and 153 are fixed to the boss 151, a hollow space 155 is provided between the plates 152 and 153. The thickness (width) D6 of the hollow space is, for example, the same as the thickness D7 of the large diameter portion 151b.

The pipe 154 is a member fixed across the plates 152 and 153 fixed to the boss 151. The pipe 154 is, for example, a cylindrical member. The pipe 154 is fixed to the plates 152 and 153 by, for example, welding. The pipe 154 is, for example, a carbon steel pipe. As described above, the multiple recesses 152c provided on the outer periphery of the plate 152 and the multiple recesses 153c provided on the outer periphery of the plate 153 are arranged at a predetermined angular pitch interval, and when the plates 152 and 153 are fixed to the boss 151, the recesses 152c and the recesses 153c are arranged so that their centers coincide (are coaxial). Therefore, the pipe 154 is arranged so that its axial direction is parallel to the rotation axis direction of the boss 151. By fixing the pipe 154 across the plates 152 and 153, the multiple pipes 154 function as teeth that mesh with the teeth of the timing belt. The spacing between the multiple pipes (predetermined angular pitch) is determined depending on the pitch of the timing belt. Here, a pipe is used as an example of the meshing member that functions as a toothed portion that meshes with the teeth of the timing belt, but a cylindrical pin may also be used instead of a pipe.

The manufacturing method of the sprocket wheel 150 is as follows. First, the plate 152 is fixed to the boss 151. The small diameter portion 151a of the boss 151 is inserted into the opening 152a of the plate 152. At this time, the plate 152 is held in contact with the step portion 151e of the boss 151. In this state, the plate 152 and the boss 151 are fixed together by welding or the like. Next, the plate 153 is fixed to the boss 151.

The small diameter portion 151c of the boss 151 is inserted into the opening 153a of the plate 153. At this time, the center of the recess 153c provided on the outer periphery of the plate 153 is aligned with the center of the recess 152c provided on the outer periphery of the plate 152. At the same time, the plate 153 is held in a state of abutment against the step portion 151f of the boss 151. Note that a dedicated jig may be used to position the plates 153 and 152. In this state, the plate 153 and the boss 151 are fixed by welding or the like. Finally, the pipe 154 is fixed to the outer periphery of the plates 152 and 153 by welding or the like across these plates 152 and 153. By fixing the pipe 154 to the outer periphery of the plates 152 and 153 by welding or the like, the number of parts can be reduced compared to, for example, a case in which the pipe 154 is fastened to the outer periphery of the plates 152 and 153 by bolts and nuts. Furthermore, when fastening with bolts and nuts, it is anticipated that the fasteners may loosen or the bolts or nuts may fall off, but by using fastening by welding, there is no need to anticipate these events occurring.

As described above, plate 152 has multiple lightening holes 152b on the outer periphery of opening 152a through which small diameter portion 151a of boss 151 is inserted. Plate 153 has multiple lightening holes 153b on the outer periphery of opening 153a through which small diameter portion 151c of boss 151 is inserted. Furthermore, when plates 152 and 153 are fixed to boss 151, hollow space 155 is provided between plates 152 and 153. This not only reduces the weight of plates 152 and 153, but also reduces the weight of the entire sprocket wheel 150.

Although the central axis is fixed by the boss 151, the two plates 152 and 153 are individually thin around the periphery and vulnerable to bending or buckling. However, the pipe 154 is welded at multiple points at short intervals around the entire circumference, so the periphery does not bend and is rigidly fixed, making it extremely strong against buckling or bending.

It is also preferable that adjacent interlocking members are attached in parallel to a metal tape, that the pair of disk members have notches around the entire circumference into which parts of the interlocking members fit at a pitch that interlocks with the engaging teeth of a toothed belt, and that the interlocking members are placed in the notches by wrapping the metal tape around them. It is also preferable that the interlocking members are fixed to the disk members by spot welding while placed in the notches.

As described above, the sprocket wheels 150 are incorporated into the reverse sorter conveyor device 10 as the driving sprockets 102, 103 and the driven sprockets 104, 105. Therefore, the power consumption when the reverse sorter conveyor device 10 is driven is suppressed by reducing the inertial force of the sprockets and the overall weight to be driven. In addition, by adopting the lightweight sprocket wheels 150 as the driving sprockets 102, 103 and the driven sprockets 104, 105, the bearing durability of the rotating shafts of the driving sprockets 102, 103 and the driven sprockets 104, 105 is improved.

10...Reverse sorter conveyor device, 102, 103...Drive sprocket, 104, 105...Driven sprocket, 150...Sprocket wheel, 151...Boss, 152, 153...Plate, 154...Pipe

Claims (6)

A sprocket wheel used to drive a reverse sorter conveyor device, comprising:
A cylindrical member through which a rotating shaft is inserted;
a pair of disk members held by the cylindrical member at a predetermined interval and having a plurality of lightening holes;
a meshing member fixed to the outer circumferential edges of the pair of disk members at a predetermined angular interval and straddling the pair of disk members, and meshing with an engagement tooth of a toothed belt that is wound around the pair of disk members;
Equipped with
the pair of disk members have a plurality of notches around the circumference into which a portion of the meshing member is inserted at a pitch that meshes with the engagement teeth of the toothed belt;
A sprocket wheel characterized in that a metal tape with adjacent meshing members attached in parallel is wrapped around the outer periphery of the pair of disc members, so that the meshing members are positioned in the cutout portions provided on the outer periphery of the pair of disc members . 2. The sprocket wheel according to claim 1 ,
A sprocket wheel, wherein the meshing member is a cylindrical or columnar member. 3. The sprocket wheel according to claim 2 ,
The sprocket wheel according to claim 1, wherein the cutout portion is an arc-shaped cutout portion. 4. The sprocket wheel according to claim 3 ,
A sprocket wheel characterized in that the pair of disc members are held in the tubular member so that a line connecting the centers of the cutout portions of each disc member is aligned with the rotation axis through which the line passes. 2. The sprocket wheel according to claim 1 ,
The sprocket wheel according to claim 1, wherein the meshing members are disposed in the cutout portions and fixed to the pair of disk members by spot welding. A sprocket wheel according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which is used as at least one of a driving sprocket and a driven sprocket;
a timing belt wound around the sprocket wheel;
an actuator that rotates the drive sprocket;
A drive device for a conveyor apparatus, comprising:

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