Patent Publication Number: US-6655258-B2

Title: Rodless cylinder using a round stick type chain

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a rodless cylinder using a round stick type chain and more particularly, to the rodless cylinder using a round stick type chain, wherein it can be applied to an elevator or a carrier for horizontal movement for the efficient transportation of materials in the industrial fields with better durability and safety of rodless cylinder, as well as the cost-saving effects in manufacture. 
     A rodless cylinder with various types designed to distribute the materials has been extensively used in the industrial field, but the conventional rodless cylinder has recognized some disadvantages in that their poor tensile strength proven to be inadequate for the use of an industrial elevator or carrier due to lower durability during the long-term use. Moreover, a cable-shaped with a limited diameter of cable wire is restricted in use due to the weight limitedness of transport materials. 
     Another conventional magnetic-shaped rodless cylinder has been used for the transportation of light weight materials depending on the indirect transportation method, but it cannot be applied to a vertically- moving elevator. 
     Under such circumstances, there is an urgent need for the development of an efficient driving means to be applicable to the conventional elevator and a carrier for horizontal movement. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     To overcome the various problems that the conventional rodless cylinder has faced, therefore, an object of this invention is to provide a rodless cylinder using a round stick type chain with the following advantages: 1 better rigidity and tensile strength to replace the conventional rodless cylinder, 2 simultaneous use of both mid-weight material and movement direction, and 3 economical effect in purchase due to a simple structure. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the whole structure showing one preferred embodiment of this invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a sectional view expanding ‘A part’ of this invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of this invention 
    
    
     Explanation of the main codes represented in the drawings 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 1: 
                 Rodless cylinder of round stick type chain 
               
               
                   
                 2: 
                 Round-stick type chain 
               
               
                   
                 3: 
                 Chain sprocket 
               
               
                   
                 4: 
                 Tension adjustment nut 
               
               
                   
                 5: 
                 Frame 
               
               
                   
                 6: 
                 Cylinder 
               
               
                   
                 7: 
                 Piston 
               
               
                   
                 8: 
                 Air inlet 
               
               
                   
                 9: 
                 Emerging hole 
               
               
                   
                 10: 
                 Cylinder cap 
               
               
                   
                 11: 
                 Chain guide 
               
               
                   
                 12: 
                 Dust seal 
               
               
                   
                 13: 
                 Packing 
               
               
                   
                 14: 
                 Exhaust silencer 
               
               
                   
                 15: 
                 Chain guide roller 
               
               
                   
                 16: 
                 Zebra-shaped cover 
               
               
                   
                 21: 
                 Guide bar 
               
               
                   
                 22: 
                 Connector 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the whole structure showing one preferred embodiment of this invention FIG. 2 is a sectional view expanding ‘A part’ of this invention. FIG. 3 is a partial cut way perspective view of the rodless cylinder using a round stick type chain  1  according to this invention. 
     This invention is explained in detail by accompanying these drawings. 
     According to this invention, a rodless cylinder of a round stick type chain  1  is characterized by using a round stick type chain  2  for its structure, provided that the detailed description on the structures of both a round stick type chain  2  and a chain sprocket  3  in which the chain  2  is equipped with caterpillar form, since these structures (utility design No. 248087) was already registered in the Korean Industrial Property Office through the application of the inventor. 
     With an encounter of the frame  5  constituting the rodless cylinder of a round stick type chain  1 , the chain sprocket  3  in a chain gear form, which is intended for guiding the round stick type chain  2  in a caterpillar form is axially installed within the cylinder. 
     The round stick type chain  2  and chain sprocket  3  may be installed in more than one place, and the illustrated example represents the round stick type chain  2  in a line. 
     The middle part of the round stick type chain  2  is connected with a connector  22  where a tension adjustment nut  4  is jointed with a bolt; the other part of the round stick type chain  2  is connected with a piston  7  where a shuttle movement is made available through air flow within the inside of a cylinder  6  formed in the frame  5 . 
     An air inlet  8  is formed on either side of cylinder cap  10  from the cylinder  6 , and either side of the cylinder  6  supplies the air alternatively from an air compressor (non-illustrated), thus inducing the piston  7  to make its shuttle movement from side to side or vertically depending on the installed direction. 
     An emerging hole  9  is formed on the cylinder  10  which is connected to both end-sides of the cylinder  6  and the round stick type chain  2  may be emerged may be emerged in the emerging hole  9 . Also, a chain guide  11  designed to guide the emerging round stick type chain  2  is formed on either side of the emerging hole  9 ; the inside of chain guide  11  comprises a dust seal  1  and tightness, respectively. 
     Further, an exhaust silencer  14  is formed at the side of the cylinder cap  100 , so as to exhaust the remaining air within the emerging hole  9 . 
     In an effort to guide and support the round stick type chain  2  emerging in the cylinder cap  100 , a chain guide roller  15  is formed at either side of the frame. The outer side of the round stick type chain  2 , which passes through the corresponding part of the cylinder  6  is covered with a zebra-shaped cover  16 , so as to prevent the input of any foreign materials. 
     A connector  22 , which is connected to the tension adjustment nut  4 , which is connected to both end sides of the round stick type chain  2 , is connected by a guide bar  21  formed between the frame  5  and to an elevator or a carrier for the transportation of materials. 
     The code  17  in the drawing denotes a stop ring to fix the chain guide  11 ; the code  18  denotes a wearing for the piston  7 ; the code  19  denotes a packing for the piston  7 ; and, the code  20  denotes O-ring formed on the cylinder cap  10 . 
     As such, the rodless cylinder using a round stick type chain  1  of this invention may be used as a driving means to drive an elevator or carrier for horizontal movement in the industrial fields. Hence, this invention describes the detailed procedures of the rodless cylinder using a round stick type chain  1  as set forth hereunder. 
     (1) An elevator or carrier is selectively connected to the connector  22  where both sides of the round stick type chain  2  is connected by the tension adjustment nut. 
     (2) Then, the air compressor is connected to the air inlet  8  at both sides of the cylinder  6  to supply the air on either side alternatively; then, the piston  7  is moved towards the other direction by the air supplied form the air inlet  8  on one side. 
     (3) The round stick type chain  2  in a caterpillar form, which is connected to both sides of the piston  7 , is moving via the emerging hole  9  on the cylinder cap  10  and thus, an elevator or carrier, which is linked to the connector  22  formed at the middle part of the round stick type chain  2 , may make its shuttle driving vertically or from side to side. 
     The driving direction and speed of the round stick type chain  2  is determined depending on the air direction of air inlet  8  formed on the cylinder cap  10  on either side of the cylinder  6 . The length of the round stick type chain  2 , namely, the full length of the rodless cylinder  1  may be optionally adjusted in accordance with the transportation stroke of an elevator or carrier. 
     When the round stick type chain  2  is operated on the cylinder  6 , the remaining air in the emerging hole  9  is efficiently exhausted via the exhaust silencer  14 , thus preventing the operation defects due to the remaining air in advance. 
     The chain guide  11  at the front and rear of the emerging hole  9  can efficiently guide the entry of the round stick type chain  2 , while the dust seal  12  functions to prevent any foreign materials into the cylinder  6  in advance. 
     This invention is characterized by the components of the round stick type chain  2  and the polygonal chain sprocket  3  which serves to guide the round stick type chain  2 , thus extending the expected life span of the rodless cylinder using a round stick type chain through its efficient driving with a combination of excellent properties such as tightness and tensile strength. 
     As described above, the rodless cylinder using a round stick type chain  1  of this invention is intended for the use as a driving means of an elevator or carrier for the transportation of materials in the various industrial fields, wherein it comprises (1) the round stick type chain  2 , (2) chain sprocket  3  to guide the round stick type chain  2  in a caterpillar form, (3) the cylinder  6  housing the piston  7  which is operated by air to drive the round stick type chain  2 . 
     The rodless cylinder using a round stick type chain  1  of this invention is advantageous in that (1) it can be extensively applied to the vertical and horizontal transportation of various materials in the industrial fields as well as the transportation of light and heavy materials, (2) it can be safely used, and (3) it can be economically manufactured and marketed in a reasonable price level. 
     The present disclosure relates to subject matter contained in priority Korean Patent Application No. 2001-37846, filed on Dec. 7, 2001, the contents of which is herein expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety.