摘要 |
An apparatus for assisting the movement of a transport chain (105, 405) in correspondence of a curve of a transport path of an articles conveyor (100, 400) is proposed. The transport chain comprises a plurality of modules (120i−1, 120i, 120i+1; 420i−1, 420i, 420i+1); each module being coupled to adjacent modules in order to form a loop. Moreover, top surfaces (122; 422) of the coupled modules define a transport surface (124; 424) for supporting the articles to be transported and a side surface (315; 540) define a chain side surface of the chain. The apparatus comprises at least one auxiliary chain (135, 435) arranged in a curvilinear running region (130, 430) corresponding to the transport path curve. In the solution according to an embodiment of the present invention, said auxiliary chain comprises a plurality of contact elements (235, 535). Each contact element is adapted to laterally adhere to the transport chain, part of said plurality of contact elements simultaneously laterally adhering to a portion of said chain running trough the curved portion, in such a way to determine a same running speed for the transport chain and the auxiliary chain. |