To provide a drive wheel which can prevent any slip phenomenon even when water, oil, powder or the like is adhered on a belt surface of a belt conveyor by a belt surface drive system and allow stable travel of a belt.
The belt conveyor 1 comprises an endless belt 5 stretched between front and back ends of a frame 2, a drive unit 6 attachable/detachable to/from a lower part of the frame, a pair of holding rollers 8 and 8 fixed to a lower part of the frame at the drive unit fitting position and in contact with an inner surface of the return side belt, a drive wheel 10 constantly pressed and urged against the holding roller side, and a pair of snub rollers 9 and 9. An uneven surface 20 is formed on a peripheral surface of the drive wheel 10, and the return side belt held between the holding rollers 8 and 8 and the drive wheel 10 is friction-driven without applying any tension to the belt by the pressure from the belt surface 5a.
Next Patent: ARTICLE LEVITATING DEVICE, ARTICLE CARRYING DEVICE, AND ARTICLE RECEIVING DEVICE