DE202022101553U1 - Chain link, energy chain and drive and guide device - Google Patents

Abstract

Chain link of an energy transmission chain (18; 19) for receiving and guiding cables, the chain link (1a; 1b; 2a; 2b) having a border (3a; 3b; 4a; 4b) which extends in a longitudinal direction (1). the accommodating space (a) for the lines extending through the enclosure and which has means for the articulated connection of the chain link to an adjacent chain link about an articulation axis (g) in its end regions facing away from one another with respect to the longitudinal direction (1), characterized in that the chain link has a fixed to the frame and extending outwards from the frame in a transverse direction (q) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (1) of the frame and to the axis of articulation (g), two opposite webs extending in the longitudinal direction (l) of the frame has extending side areas (6, 7) and on at least one of the side areas (6, 7) a rolling surface (8, 9) extending over the entire length of the web (5) in the longitudinal direction (l) of the border for a roller (26) that can be arranged on the outside of the border, the length of the web (5) in the longitudinal direction (l) of the border being dimensioned in such a way that when the chain link is stretched out relative to an adjacent chain link, the webs (5) rest on one another at the front or are at a small distance from each other, so that the webs (5) form a trouble-free, continuous rolling surface for the roller (26).

Description

The invention relates to a chain link of an energy transmission chain for accommodating and guiding cables, the chain link having a border which delimits a receiving space for the cables that extends in a longitudinal direction through the border and which, in their end regions facing away from one another in the longitudinal direction, means for articulated Connection of the chain link having an adjacent chain link about a hinge axis.

The invention also relates to a power transmission chain comprising several of these chain links, which runs between a stationary connection and a movable connection and which, in the form of a loop, has a movable strand connected to the movable connection, a strand connected to the stationary connection and the two strands together connecting deflection area can be moved, and a drive and guide device for such a power transmission chain.

In the case of very long energy guiding chains in particular, it is desirable to drive the strand connected to the movable connection over the travel path of the strand, optionally in addition to a drive acting on the movable connection. For this purpose, the invention provides a chain link suitable for such a drive, an energy transmission chain composed of such chain links, and a drive and guide device.

Drive devices for the movable strand of an energy transmission chain, e.g. B. using driven rollers, gears, drive belts, movable carriage or electromagnetic drive devices are known from the prior art. However, they have various disadvantages, such as abrasion on the side plates or crossbars of chain links, existing slippage or slippage caused by abrasion between the drive means and the areas of chain links interacting with them, inadequate guidance of the energy transmission chain or complex design measures for the chain links or the drive and guide device regarding.

The object of the present invention is to provide a drive and guide device with a suitably designed energy guiding chain, which enables reliable driving of the movable strand of the energy guiding chain and is structurally simple.

The object is achieved according to claim 1 in that a chain link of the type mentioned at the beginning is provided with a web which is firmly connected to the border of the chain link and which extends outwards from the border in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the border and to the joint axis, two side areas facing away from each other and extending in the longitudinal direction of the frame and having on at least one of the side areas a rolling surface extending over the entire length of the web in the longitudinal direction of the frame for a roller that can be arranged on the outside of the frame, the length of the web in the longitudinal direction being dimensioned in such a way that in a stretched arrangement of the chain link relative to an immediately adjacent chain link, the webs abut one another at the front or are spaced apart a small distance from one another, so that the webs form a trouble-free continuous rolling surface for the roller.

Due to the straight arrangement of the two chain links with webs that abut one another at their end faces, pivoting of the two chain links about the joint axis relative to one another in the transverse direction can be largely prevented. The framing of the two chain links can be designed in such a way that it allows the two chain links to pivot about the hinge axis in the direction opposite to the transverse direction.

Said articulation axis can be provided as the only axis for the articulated connection of two adjacent chain links. Alternatively, the articulated connection can have at least one additional articulation axis for pivoting adjacent chain links relative to one another in addition to the articulation axis mentioned, which articulation axis can in particular run parallel to the transverse direction.

An extended arrangement of the chain link relative to an adjacent chain link means that the longitudinal directions of the two borders of the chain links match in this arrangement. A trouble-free, continuous rolling surface means here that when the webs, and with them the chain links, are driven by the roller by means of frictional and/or positive locking, the webs can be acted upon in terms of drive in their transition areas even if there is a small distance between their opposite end faces and the roller, so that continuous movement of the webs across their transition areas is allowed by the roller.

The border of the chain link and the frame firmly connected to the web are formed such that they are from a position in which the relevant side area of the web with the rolling surface is not in contact with the roller, are movable in the transverse direction of the frame into a position in which the side area with the rolling surface is in contact with the roller.

The web preferably has a rolling surface on each of its two side regions, which extends over the entire length of the web in the longitudinal direction, for contact with a respective roller. At least one of the rollers which can be arranged on the two side regions of the bar is provided as a drive roller for moving the bar and with it for moving the chain link in the longitudinal direction of the casing. Alternatively, a sliding surface extending over the entire length of the web for sliding contact with a sliding element that can be arranged on the outside of the web can be provided on the side area of the web opposite the side area having the rolling surface for the roller.

The web extending from the skirt in the transverse direction can be attached to the skirt as a separate part with a foot end. Alternatively, the web can also be formed in one piece with a foot end on the frame.

In particular, the web can be plate-shaped, with the two side areas of the web being able to be arranged parallel to one another. In this case, the rolling surface for the roller points in a direction running parallel to the joint axis and interacts with a roller that can be driven about an axis arranged parallel to the transverse direction. In an alternative embodiment, the plate-shaped web can taper in the direction of the transverse direction, with the two side areas of the web being arranged at an angle to one another.

At its free end pointing in the transverse direction, the plate-shaped web can have a narrow side pointing in the transverse direction and extending in the longitudinal direction.

The run-off surface can be designed as a flat surface for frictional engagement with a roller.

The rolling surface can have corrugations or teeth running perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction for a form fit provided as an alternative or in addition to the frictional connection with a corresponding corrugation or teeth of the roller.

The rolling surface of the web can extend above the height of the skirt in the transverse direction.

On its end faces pointing in the longitudinal direction of the border, the web can have a stop surface for contacting the end face of the web of an adjacent chain link in such a way that an angling of the two chain links to one another from their stretched arrangement in a direction pointing to the transverse direction is largely prevented. The edging of the chain link can also have stops which prevent adjacent chain links from bending out of their stretched arrangement in a direction pointing opposite to the transverse direction of the edging.

The edging of the chain link can have a central body which extends in the longitudinal direction of the edging and has two edging areas for the lines which extend laterally from the central body parallel to the joint axis in opposite directions.

The web extending from the skirt in the first transverse direction may be rigidly connected to the central body.

The central body can have means for an articulated connection to an adjacent chain link of the same design around the articulation axis at its two end regions which face away from one another in the longitudinal direction of the enclosure.

For the articulated connection, the central body can have articulated areas in its two end regions facing away from each other in the longitudinal direction of the border, which are designed to overlap with corresponding articulated areas of the central bodies of adjacent chain links forming the articulated connection.

One of the joint areas can have a joint projection extending parallel to the joint axis and the other joint area can have a joint recess designed for articulated interaction with the joint projection of the relevant joint area of the central body of an adjacent chain link.

Such a central body of the chain link can have a strap-shaped joint area in one of its two end areas and a fork-shaped joint area provided with a recess in its other end area. As an alternative to this, the central body can have strap-shaped joint areas in its two end areas or fork-shaped joint areas in its two end areas. In this case, the central bodies of adjacent chain links are designed alternately as central bodies with strap-shaped and fork-shaped joint areas.

Further alternative designs of the central body with articulated areas formed in its two end areas can also be considered for the invention. The central body can be designed as a cranked plate, one joint area being cranked towards the interior of the chain link and the other joint area being cranked outwards from the interior and the cranked joint areas overlapping with the cranked joint areas of the central body of an adjacent chain link. In another embodiment, the central body can be designed as an inner plate with its articulated areas facing the interior of the chain link or as an outer plate with the articulated areas facing the interior of the chain link on the outside. In this case, the central bodies of adjacent chain links are designed alternately as inner and outer link plates.

As an alternative to the above-mentioned configurations of the joint areas, the joint areas of the central body of the chain link for articulated connection to central bodies of adjacent chain links can also have other connecting means known to the person skilled in the art or which he can easily design for articulated connection between the central bodies of adjacent chain links.

The central bodies, which overlap with their adjacent joint areas, can be arranged with their side areas aligned with one another.

The means for the articulated connection of a central body to an adjacent central body can alternatively or in addition to the articulation areas described above be designed as fastening means for fastening an articulated element for articulated connection to the central body of an adjacent chain link. have the longitudinally pointing end regions of the central body of the chain link. The joint element can be formed in one piece on one of the two end regions of the central body. As a separate element, the joint element can extend over the central bodies of a plurality of chain links.

Alternatively, it can be provided that the central body of the chain link is connected in one piece to the central body of an adjacent chain link via a joint element.

A plurality of central bodies connected to one another in one piece via joint elements can form a one-piece central body segment with enclosing areas arranged laterally on each central body for receiving the lines.

The central body can be designed in such a way that it has two parallel side faces extending perpendicularly to the joint axis and two narrow faces extending perpendicularly to these and to the transverse direction and which are narrower in relation to the extent of the two side faces.

The edging areas extending laterally from the central body of the chain link for accommodating the cables can each comprise a side part arranged on the outside in the direction of extent and crossbars connecting the side part to the central body, with a receiving space for the cables being arranged between the central body, the side part and the crossbars. The traverses can be connected to the central body in the area adjoining the narrow surfaces of the central body.

The side parts of the edging areas can have two side faces that face away from one another and extend perpendicularly to the joint axis and narrow faces that run perpendicularly to these and to the transverse direction and are dimensioned narrower in relation to the extension of the side faces.

The traverses of the edging areas can be connected to areas of the central body and/or the side parts adjoining the narrow sides.

The connection of the trusses with the central body and / or the side panels can, for. B. as a locking connection, be detachable.

The traverses connecting the central body to the side parts can extend parallel to the hinge axis.

The side parts can each be designed in the form of a side plate, the two side surfaces of which point in directions running parallel to the axis of the joint. The longitudinal extent of the side panels of the skirt may be less than the longitudinal extent of the central body. In particular, the extent of the side plate in the longitudinal direction can be dimensioned in such a way that it corresponds to the width of the traverses in the areas where they are connected to the side plate.

Alternatively, the side parts of the edging areas extending laterally from the central body of the chain link can be designed as side plates, which extend in the longitudinal direction of the edging and in the opposite direction to the longitudinal direction so far that they overlap the side plates of the edging areas of adjacent chain links with overlapping areas. The overlapping areas are designed in such a way that they allow the chain link to pivot relative to an adjacent chain link.

For this purpose, the side straps can be designed as cranked straps with an overlapping area that is bent inwards toward the central body and an overlapping area that is bent outwards and points away from the central body. Alternatively, the side straps can be designed as inner straps on the inside of the chain link or as outer straps on the outside with respect to the interior of the chain link, the side straps of adjacent chain links being arranged alternately as inner and outer straps.

As an alternative to or in addition to the means for the articulated connection of the central body, the overlapping regions of the side straps can have means for the articulated connection of the chain link to an adjacent chain link about the hinge axis. For this purpose, the overlapping areas can be designed as articulated areas for articulated connection with correspondingly designed articulated areas in the overlapping areas of the side straps of an adjacent chain link of the same shape. If means for the articulated connection of adjacent chain links are provided both on the central body and on the side straps, the hinge axes of both means match. The means for articulating the side flaps may be as set out above for the means for articulating the central body.

In an energy guiding chain of the type mentioned at the outset, according to the invention, the webs extending outwards in the transverse direction from the above-described borders of the chain links point outwards in relation to the deflection area and are aligned with one another in the stretched arrangement of the chain links in the strands without gaps or with small gaps arranged in such a way that they have a trouble-free, continuous rolling surface for the rollers in the longitudinal direction of the mounts.

In particular, the energy guiding chain can be arranged in such a way that one of the strands extends as the upper strand over the other strand, the lower strand.

By stops that allow adjacent chain links to pivot relative to each other from their stretched arrangement in a direction pointing away from the transverse direction by generating a certain restoring force, and arranging a driver of the movable connection with a movable upper run or the stationary connection with an upper run connected to it the upper run can be designed as a self-supporting run over its entire extent or at least part of its extent.

On the other hand, by allowing a limited free pivoting angle from the stretched arrangement of adjacent chain links relative to one another in a direction pointing away from the transverse direction and by allowing play between the opposite end faces of the webs of adjacent chain links that are firmly connected to the mounts, the upper run can be placed on the lower run and slid on be led to this. For this purpose, the sides of the frames of the chain links opposite the webs are each provided with a sliding surface on which the chain links above can be moved in a sliding manner. If the frames are provided with central bodies of the type described above, the sliding surfaces can be arranged on the opposite sides of the central bodies from the webs. If, as described above, the central bodies are lug-shaped with larger side surfaces and narrow surfaces running perpendicularly to the transverse direction, the sliding surfaces can be arranged on the narrow surfaces of the central bodies opposite the webs.

On their sides having the webs, the enclosures can have, at least on one side of the web, a sliding surface extending in the longitudinal direction of the enclosure for sliding guidance along a guide rail or a running surface for rolling guide rollers, the running surface extending in the longitudinal direction of the enclosure so far that in a stretched arrangement of the chain link relative to an adjacent chain link, the running surfaces of both enclosures form a smooth, continuous running surface for the guide roller. The running surfaces can directly adjoin one another or be arranged at such a small distance from one another that a trouble-free rolling of a roller that can be arranged opposite is possible on the running surfaces.

If the border of the chain links has a central body of the type described above, the sliding surface or running surface arranged at least on one side of the bar can be arranged on the side of the central body that has the bar. In the above-described design of the central body as a bracket with larger side surfaces and narrow surfaces running perpendicular to these, the sliding surface or the running surface for the guide roller can be formed on the narrow surface of the central body that has the web, preferably adjacent to the foot of the web.

The invention further relates to a drive and guide device for the movable strand of a power transmission chain of the type described above and its possible configurations, which has a guide rail that can be arranged on a component, e.g. a base or a carrier, and extends in a longitudinal direction, with a extending in the longitudinal direction of the guide rail and open on a longitudinal side of the guide rail recess is provided, in which the webs of the chain links of an energy transmission chain described above can be engaged and slidably guided. The recess can have the same cross section over its entire length.

The recess extends in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the guide rail, which corresponds to the above-defined first transverse direction of the frame of a chain link, from its opening on the relevant longitudinal side of the guide rail over a depth at least equal to the length of the transverse direction of the frames Webs of the chain links corresponds.

In at least one area of the guide rail, there is a lateral opening of the recess in the guide rail pointing in a direction perpendicular to its longitudinal direction and transverse direction. A roller mounted on the guide rail or on a component carrying the guide rail is arranged to the side of the opening, the axis of which runs parallel to the transverse direction of the guide rail. The roller reaches into the recess through the opening. It can be arranged on the guide rail or on a component carrying the guide rail in such a way that when pressure is applied to its area protruding into the recess, it can be moved out of the recess against a spring force in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and transverse direction of the guide rail.

The lateral opening can end with the opening of the recess running on the relevant longitudinal side of the guide rail.

A further opening can be arranged opposite the opening, into which a second roller mounted on the guide rail or on a component carrying the guide rail engages with an axis of rotation running parallel to the transverse direction of the guide rail. The second roller, which is opposite the first-mentioned roller in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and transverse direction of the guide rail, can also be arranged on the guide rail or on a component supporting the guide rail in such a way that when pressure is applied to its area protruding into the recess, it moves against a spring force in a direction perpendicular to the The direction pointing longitudinally and transversely of the guide rail can be moved out of the recess. At least one of the two rollers can be driven by a motor, in particular an electric motor.

The guide rail can be designed as a profile rail, in which the opening or the two opposite openings are made in the at least one area. It can have a rectangular cross-sectional contour extending longitudinally in said transverse direction.

Guide rollers arranged at a distance from one another can be provided on at least one side of the guide rail, the axes of rotation of which run perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and transverse direction of the guide rail. Opposite guide rollers are preferably provided on both sides of the guide rail. The guide rollers can extend in the transverse direction of the guide rail up to the opening of the recess on the relevant longitudinal side of the guide rail or beyond.

In an alternative embodiment, the guide rail can have a T-shaped cross-sectional contour, with the two T-crosspieces extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction and to the transverse direction of the guide rail. You can end in the transverse direction of the guide rail with the opening of the recess on the relevant longitudinal side of the guide rail. To the extent that the T-crosspieces run in the transverse direction of the guide rail at the level of the two lateral openings of the at least one area of the guide rail, they are perforated in the area of the openings.

The guide rail can be used to support and/or guide a movable lower strand of an energy guiding chain of the type and configuration described above. In particular, it can be arranged with a T-foot on a component. The guide rail can also be used to guide a movable upper run of an energy transmission chain, it being able to be arranged on a component at the height of the upper run.

In addition to the above-described guide rail for guiding and driving the movable lower run of the energy transmission chain, the drive and guide device according to the invention for the movable run of an energy transmission chain can have a second guide rail arranged parallel to this first guide rail and at a distance in its transverse direction for holding the stationary Connection connected strands of the energy chain aufwei senior The second guide rail can be designed like the first guide rail described above, it being possible to dispense with an opening pointing perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction for the passage of a drivable roller. The two guide rails are arranged in such a way that the recesses running in their longitudinal directions are arranged opposite one another.

The second guide rail can be connected to the first guide rail via a bracket, for example by brackets arranged at a distance from one another in the longitudinal direction of the two rails. The stationary connection of the energy guiding chain can be connected to the second guide rail.

For a self-supporting energy guiding chain, no further mountings of the upper run are required in its extended position, apart from the lateral mounting by virtue of the recess in the second guide rail for receiving the webs of the mounts of the chain links of the upper run. In the case of a chain that is not self-supporting, the upper run can be carried or supported in its straight orientation by additional holding devices known to those skilled in the art from the drive and guide guide device.

The brackets holding the two guide rails can be constructed in a C-shape consisting of a vertical web and two horizontal webs arranged at its ends, with the guide rails being able to be fastened opposite one another on the horizontal webs. While in an arrangement for driving the lower strand, the first guide rail is fastened to the bottom horizontal webs of the consoles and the second guide rail is fastened to the upper horizontal webs of the consoles, in an arrangement for driving the upper strand the first guide rail is fastened to the upper horizontal crossbars of the Consoles and the second guide rail attached to the lower horizontal webs of the consoles.

In both arrangements, the rollers assigned to the first guide rail for driving the movable run can be mounted on the respective horizontal webs of the consoles. In particular, the rollers can be arranged in a rotationally fixed manner on the drive axles of electric motors, which are fastened to the relevant horizontal webs of the consoles.

The invention also includes a guiding and driving device of the type described above and its designs with an energy guiding chain guided and driven therein.

If the first guide rail, which in particular has a rectangular cross-sectional contour, is provided with lateral rollers for guiding the movable strand, the axes of which run perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and transverse direction of the guide rail, running surfaces are provided on the sides of the edgings of the chain links that have the webs, which during movement of the strand interact with the rollers.

If, in an alternative embodiment, the guide rail has a T-shaped cross-sectional contour, sliding surfaces are provided on the side of the frame of the chain links that has the webs, which can be slid over the T-cross webs of the guide rail when the lower strand is moved.

The rollers, which reach through the openings in at least one area of the guide rail with their circumferential rolling surfaces, can act with a preload on the webs of the edgings of the chain links by frictional engagement and move them together with the chain links of the movable strand in the longitudinal direction of the rail. If the lateral rolling surfaces of the webs are provided with ribbing or toothing, the rollers are provided with corresponding ribbing or toothing and are arranged in such a way that they form-fit with the ribbing or toothing of the webs for the movement of the webs and with these of the chain links, in particular additionally frictionally, interact.

If a second guide rail is used to guide the run connected to the stationary connection, e.g. to guide the upper run or to place the lower run in a targeted manner, the cable drag chain is arranged between the first guide rail and the second guide rail.

The drive and guide device can have a control device for the motors driving the rollers, in particular electric motors. The movable connection of the energy guiding chain can be connected to a driver that is coupled to a movable energy consumer. The driver can be driven along the guide rail of the guide and drive device guiding the movable strand by the movement of the movable component itself, so that the drive and guide device according to the invention also serves to support the drive of the movable strand. The control device can be designed in such a way that it is dependent drives the motors from the movement of the driver or the energy consumer. The motors of the rollers causing the additional drive of the movable strand can be controlled individually by the control device depending on the movement state of the driver or the movable connection and its position along the guide rail guiding the movable strand.

For this purpose, one or more sensors can be provided, which determine a movement of the driver or the movable connection of the energy guiding chain and are connected to the control device in terms of signals.

• 1 eine perspektivische Darstellung zweier schwenkbar miteinander verbundener Kettenglieder,
• 2 eine stirnseitige Ansicht der in 1 dargestellten Kettenglieder in Richtung des Pfeils A,
• 3 eine perspektivische Ansicht einer anderen Ausführungsform zweier verbundener Kettenglieder, gegenüber den beiden in 1 dargestellten Kettengliedern um 180° gedreht,
• 4 eine stirnseitige Ansicht der in 3 dargestellten Kettenglieder in Richtung des Pfeils B,
• 5 eine perspektivische Darstellung einer Antriebs- und Führungseinrichtung mit daran angeordnetem Abschnitt einer Energieführungskette,
• 6 eine seitliche Ansicht der in 5 dargestellten Vorrichtung mit daran angeordnetem Abschnitt einer Energieführungskette in Richtung des Pfeils C,
• 7 eine stirnseitige Ansicht der in 6 gezeigten Vorrichtung in Richtung des Pfeils D, wobei die seitlich gegenüberliegenden Rollen jeweils durch einen Motor angetrieben werden,
• 8 die stirnseitige Ansicht gemäß 7, wobei nur eine der beiden gegenüberliegenden Rollen durch einen Motor angetrieben wird,
• 9 eine perspektivische Darstellung der Antriebs- und Führungseinrichtung gemäß 5 mit einer anderen Ausführung der Energieführungskette,
• 10 eine seitliche Ansicht der in 5 dargestellten Vorrichtung in Richtung des Pfeils E,
• 11 eine stirnseitige Ansicht der in 10 dargestellten Vorrichtung in Richtung des Pfeils F,
• 12 eine perspektivische Darstellung einer anderen Ausführung der Antriebs- und Führungseinrichtung mit dem in den 5-8 gezeigten Abschnitt der Energieführungskette,
• 13 eine seitliche Ansicht der in 12 dargestellten Vorrichtung in Richtung des Pfeils G,
• 14 eine stirnseitige Ansicht der in 13 dargestellten Vorrichtung in Richtung des Pfeils H, wobei die beiden gegenüberliegenden Rollen durch jeweils einen Motor angetrieben werden,
• 15 die stirnseitige Ansicht gemäß 14, wobei nur eine der beiden gegenüberliegenden Rollen durch einen Motor angetrieben wird,
• 16 eine perspektivische Darstellung einer weiteren Ausführung der Antriebs- Führungseinrichtung mit einem Abschnitt einer freitragenden Energieführungskette,
• 17 eine seitliche Darstellung der in 16 dargestellten Vorrichtung in Richtung des Pfeils I,
• 18 eine stirnseitige Ansicht der in 17 dargestellten Vorrichtung in Richtung des Pfeils J, wobei die beiden gegenüberliegenden Rollen durch jeweils einem Motor angetrieben werden,
• 19 eine stirnseitige Ansicht gemäß 18, wobei nur eine der beiden gegenüberliegenden Rollen durch einen Motor angetrieben wird,
• 20 eine perspektivische Darstellung der in den 16-19 dargestellten Antriebs- und Führungseinrichtung mit einer anderen Ausführung der freitragenden Energieführungskette,
• 21 eine seitliche Darstellung der in 20 gezeigten Vorrichtung in Richtung des Pfeils K,
• 22 eine stirnseitige Ansicht der in 21 gezeigten Vorrichtung in Richtung des Pfeils L,
• 23 eine perspektivische Darstellung einer weiteren Antriebs- und Führungseinrichtung mit der in den 16-19 gezeigten Energieführungskette,
• 24 eine seitliche Darstellung der in 23 gezeigten Vorrichtung in Richtung des Pfeils M,
• 25 eine stirnseitige Ansicht der in 24 gezeigten Vorrichtung in Richtung des Pfeils N, wobei die beiden gegenüberliegenden Rollen durch jeweils einem Motor angetrieben werden,
• 26 die stirnseitige Ansicht gemäß 25, wobei nur eine der beiden gegenüberliegenden Rollen durch einen Motor angetrieben wird,
• 27 eine weitere Ausführung der Antriebs- und Führungseinrichtung zum Antrieb des Obertrums einer Energieführungskette,
• 28 eine seitliche Darstellung der in 27 gezeigten Vorrichtung in Richtung des Pfeils O und
• 29 eine stirnseitige Ansicht der in 28 gezeigten Vorrichtung in Richtung des Pfeils P, wobei beide gegenüberliegenden Rollen durch jeweils einen Motor angetrieben werden.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings show:

• 1 a perspective view of two pivotally connected chain links,
• 2 an end view of the in 1 illustrated chain links in the direction of arrow A,
• 3 a perspective view of another embodiment of two connected chain links, opposite the two in 1 shown chain links rotated by 180°,
• 4 an end view of the in 3 illustrated chain links in the direction of arrow B,
• 5 a perspective view of a drive and guide device with a section of an energy guide chain arranged thereon,
• 6 a lateral view of the in 5 device shown with a section of an energy transmission chain arranged on it in the direction of arrow C,
• 7 an end view of the in 6 device shown in the direction of arrow D, with the laterally opposite rollers each being driven by a motor,
• 8th according to the front view 7 , whereby only one of the two opposing rollers is driven by a motor,
• 9 a perspective view of the drive and guide device according to 5 with a different version of the cable drag chain,
• 10 a lateral view of the in 5 shown device in the direction of arrow E,
• 11 an end view of the in 10 shown device in the direction of arrow F,
• 12 a perspective view of another embodiment of the drive and guide device with the in the 5-8 section of the drag chain shown,
• 13 a lateral view of the in 12 shown device in the direction of arrow G,
• 14 an end view of the in 13 device shown in the direction of arrow H, with the two opposite rollers each being driven by a motor,
• 15 according to the front view 14 , whereby only one of the two opposing rollers is driven by a motor,
• 16 a perspective view of a further embodiment of the drive guide device with a section of a self-supporting energy guide chain,
• 17 a lateral representation of the in 16 shown device in the direction of arrow I,
• 18 an end view of the in 17 device shown in the direction of arrow J, with the two opposite rollers each being driven by a motor,
• 19 an end view according to FIG 18 , whereby only one of the two opposing rollers is driven by a motor,
• 20 a perspective view of the 16-19 illustrated drive and guide device with a different version of the self-supporting energy chain,
• 21 a lateral representation of the in 20 device shown in the direction of arrow K,
• 22 an end view of the in 21 device shown in the direction of arrow L,
• 23 a perspective view of another drive and guide device with the in 16-19 shown energy guiding chain,
• 24 a lateral representation of the in 23 device shown in the direction of arrow M,
• 25 an end view of the in 24 device shown in the direction of arrow N, with the two opposite rollers each being driven by a motor,
• 26 according to the front view 25 , whereby only one of the two opposing rollers is driven by a motor,
• 27 a further embodiment of the drive and guide device for driving the upper strand of an energy guiding chain,
• 28 a lateral representation of the in 27 device shown in the direction of arrow O and
• 29 an end view of the in 28 shown device in the direction of the arrow P, wherein both opposite rollers are driven by a motor.

The 1 , 2 and 3 , 4 The drawing shows two adjacent chain links 1a, 1b or 2a, 2b, which can be pivoted relative to one another, of an energy transmission chain for receiving and guiding lines (not shown in the drawing), which can be energy-transmitting and/or information-transmitting lines. The chain links each have a border 3a, 3b, 4a or 4b, which delimits a receiving space a for the lines extending through the border in a longitudinal direction l of the border and which, in their end regions facing away from one another in relation to the longitudinal direction 1, has means for articulated Connection of the chain link to an adjacent chain link about a hinge axis g.

The chain link 1a, 1b, 2a or 2b has a web 5 firmly connected to the frame 3a, 3b, 4a or 4b, which extends outwards from the frame in a transverse direction q perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 1 and to the joint axis g. The web 5 has two side regions 6, 7 facing away from one another and extending in the longitudinal direction 1 of the frame and, in both side regions, a rolling surface 8, 9 extending over the entire length of the web 5 in the longitudinal direction 1 for a roller that can be arranged on the outside of the frame. The rolling surfaces 8, 9 extend over the entire side areas 6 and 7.

How from the 1 and 3 shows that the webs 5 are in a stretched arrangement of the two chain links 1a, 1b or 2a, 2b against each other at the front, so that the side areas of the two webs 5 form a continuous rolling surface for the roller that can be arranged on the outside. The stretched arrangement of the two chain links 1a, 1b or 2a, 2b with webs 5 lying against one another at their end faces prevents the two chain links from pivoting about the joint axis g relative to one another in the direction of the transverse direction q. However, the mounts 3a, 3b or 4a, 4b of the two chain links 1a, 1b or 2a, 2b are designed in such a way that they allow the two chain links to pivot about the joint axis g in the direction opposite to the transverse direction q.

The web 5 is plate-shaped, with the two side areas 6 and 7 of the web being arranged parallel to one another and the rolling surfaces 8 and 9 for the rollers pointing in a direction parallel to the joint axis g. At its free end pointing in the transverse direction q, the plate-shaped web 5 has a narrow side 10 pointing in the transverse direction q and extending in the longitudinal direction l. The web 5 extends above the height of the border 3a, 3b, 4a or 4b in the transverse direction q.

How from the 1-4 shows, the frame 3a, 3b, 4a or 4b has a central body 11a, 11b extending in the longitudinal direction 1, which has two frame areas for the lines extending laterally from the central body 11a, 11b parallel to the joint axis g in opposite directions and with which the web 5 is firmly connected. The central body 11a, 11b is provided with joint regions 12a, 12b on its two end regions facing away from one another in the longitudinal direction l of the border, which are designed to overlap with corresponding joint regions of the central bodies of adjacent chain links that form the articulated connection.

How to continue from the 1 and 3 shows, the central body 11a of the chain links 1a and 2a has fork-shaped joint areas 12a in its two end areas and the central body 11b of the chain links 1b and 2b has strap-shaped joint areas 12b in its two end areas. The central bodies 11a and 11b thus form at least one area of the energy guiding chain in an alternating sequence. The tab-shaped joint areas 12b have joint projections 13 extending parallel to the joint axis g, which cooperate with joint recesses (not shown in the drawing) of the fork-shaped joint areas 12a of the adjacent chain link 1a or 2a to form the articulated connection. The central bodies 11a, 11b have flat narrow surfaces 14a and 14b on their sides pointing in the transverse direction q and in the direction opposite to the transverse direction q.

The border areas extending laterally from the central body 11a, 11b of the chain link for receiving the cables each comprise a side part arranged on the outside in their direction of extension and crossbars 15 connecting the side part to the central body 11a, 11b, with between the central body 11a, 11b, the side part and the Traverses 15 a receiving space a is arranged for the lines. The traverses 15 are connected to the central body 11a, 11b in the area adjoining the narrow surfaces 14a, 14b of the central body 11a, 11b.

At the in the 1 and 2 In the illustrated embodiment of two adjacent chain links 1a and 1b, the side parts are each designed in the form of a side plate 16, the extent of which in the longitudinal direction l of the frame is smaller than the extent of the central body 11a, 11b in the longitudinal direction 1 and approximately the width of the traverses 15 in their connecting areas corresponds to the side plate 16.

At the in the 3 and 4 In the exemplary embodiment shown, the side parts of the border areas extending laterally from the central body 11a, 11b are designed as side straps 17, which extend in the longitudinal direction of the border 4a, 4b so far that they overlap the side straps of an adjacent chain link. The side straps 17 are designed in their overlapping areas in such a way that they allow the two chain links to pivot relative to one another. This means that they can be pivoted about the joint axis g of the adjacent central bodies 11a, 11b.

The 5-11 show a first exemplary embodiment of a drive and guide device for the movable run, here the lower run, of an energy transmission chain. The in the 5-8 shown section of the energy guiding chain 18 is made up of in the 1 and 2 Shown chain links 1a and 1b together, while in the 9-11 shown section of a power transmission chain 19 from the in 3 and 4 shown chain links 2a and 2b composed.

The drive and guide device 20 has a guide rail 21 that extends in a longitudinal direction l' and is provided with a recess 23 that extends in the longitudinal direction l' and is open on a longitudinal side 22 of the guide rail 21, into which the webs 5 of the above described chain links 1a, 1b engage and are slidably guided. The recess 21 has a cross section that is the same over its entire length.

The recess 23 extends in a transverse direction q' perpendicular to the longitudinal direction l' of the guide rail 21, which corresponds to the transverse direction q defined above of the edgings 3a, 3b of the chain links 1a, 1b, from its opening 24 on the relevant longitudinal side 22 of the guide rail 21 a depth which is smaller than the length of the webs 5 of the chain links 1a, 1b extending in the transverse direction q of the frames 3a, 3b.

Two laterally opposite openings 25 of the recess 23 in the guide rail 21 pointing in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction l′ and transverse direction q′ of the guide rail 21 are provided in several areas of the guide rail 21 . A roller 26 , which is mounted on the guide rail 21 and whose axis runs parallel to the transverse direction q′ of the guide rail 21 , is arranged to the side of the openings 25 . The roller 26 engages through the respective opening 25 into the recess 23 so that the two laterally opposite rollers 26 bear with a prestress against the webs 5 running in the recess 23 between the openings 25 when the energy guiding chain 18 is moved.

At the in 7 shown embodiment, the two rollers 26 are each driven by an electric motor 27. The two rollers 26 driven by the electric motors 27 bring about a drive of the lower strand of the energy guiding chain 18 through the frictional engagement of their peripheral surfaces with the webs 5 of the energy guiding chain 18 located between the openings 25.

At the in 8th shown embodiment, only the roller 26 shown on the right in the figure is driven by an electric motor 27 . The left roller 26 serves here with its peripheral surface only as a counter-supported guide roller for the webs 5.

The guide rail 21 is in the in the 5-11 illustrated embodiment of the drive and guide device 20 designed as a profile rail with a rectangular cross-sectional contour, in which the laterally opposite openings 25 are introduced. In the areas of the openings 25 and rollers 26, the guide rail 21 has a transverse web 28 on its side opposite the longitudinal side 22 with the recess 23, on which the two electric motors 27 and the rollers 26 ( 7 ) or an electric motor 27 with the roller 26 driven by it on one side and the freely rotatably mounted roller 26 on the other side.

Spaced-apart guide rollers 29 are also provided on both sides of the guide rail 21, the axes of rotation of which run perpendicular to the longitudinal direction l' and transverse direction q' of the guide rail 21 and extend slightly beyond the opening 24 of the recess 23 of the guide rail 21. The guide rollers 29 act with running surfaces 30 arranged on both sides of the webs 5 (see 3 ) together.

The 9-11 differ from the 5-7 only by the execution of the energy guiding chain. The in the 9-11 shown section of the energy guiding chain 19 has with side tenlaschen 17 provided chain links 2a and 2b.

At the in the 12-15 In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the drive and guide device 31 has a guide rail 32 with a T-shaped cross-sectional contour, with the two T-crosspieces 33 extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction l' and to the transverse direction q' of the guide rail 32 and the opening 24 of the recess 23 the relevant longitudinal side 22 of the guide rail 32 include. The T-crossbars 33 are each broken in the area of the two lateral openings 25 of the guide rail 32 .

The T-crossbars act with sliding surfaces arranged on both sides of the webs 5, which correspond to the running surfaces 30 (see 3 ) for the guide rollers 29 correspond to the drive and guide device 20 described above, for the sliding guidance of the lower run on the guide rail 32. The sliding guide of this embodiment of the guide rail 32 is an alternative to the roller guide in the 5-11 illustrated embodiment of the guide rail 21.

At the in the 16-25 In the illustrated exemplary embodiments of a drive and guide device 34 or 35, in addition to the guide rail 21 or 32 driving the lower strand 36 of the energy guiding chain 18 or 19 with rollers 26, there is a second guide rail 37 arranged parallel to this guide rail for guiding the upper strand 38 of a self-supporting design the energy guiding chain 18 or 19 is provided.

The second guide rail 37, like the guide rail 21 or 32, has a recess 23 which extends in its longitudinal direction l' and is open on one longitudinal side 22, into which the webs 5 of the chain links of the upper strand 38 of the energy guiding chain 18 or 19 engage and can be guided in a sliding manner are. The guide rail 21 or 32 for guiding the lower strand 36 and the second guide rail 37 for slidingly guiding the upper strand 38 are arranged such that the recesses 23 running in their longitudinal directions l' are arranged opposite one another. The second guide rail 37 has a T-shaped cross section, in which the two T-crosspieces are arranged on the longitudinal side of the guide rail 37 facing away from the opening 24 of the recess 23 .

The second guide rail 37 is connected to the guide rail 21 or 32 by brackets 39 arranged at a distance from one another in the longitudinal direction l' of the guide rails. The brackets 39 holding the guide rails are C-shaped with a vertical web 40 and two horizontal webs 41 and 42 arranged at its ends, the guide rails 21 or 32 and 37 being attached to the horizontal webs 41 and 42 opposite one another. The guide rails 21 and 32 associated rollers 26 for driving the lower strand 36 are in the 18 , 22 and 25 shown embodiment with its two electric motors 27 attached to the lower horizontal web 41 of the brackets 39. At the in the 19 and 26 In the embodiment shown, a roller 26 is fastened with a motor 27 to the lower horizontal bar 41, while the second roller 26 is mounted on the lower horizontal bar 41 so that it can rotate freely.

That in the 27-29 shown embodiment of a drive and guide device 43 has a reversed by 180 ° arrangement in the 23-25 illustrated embodiment of the drive and guide device 35 and is used to drive the movable upper strand 38 of a cantilevered version of the energy guiding chain 18. Except for the reversal of the arrangement, all details of the drive and guide device 35 for the upper strand 38 correspond to those in FIGS 23-25 shown drive and guide device for the lower strand 36 of the energy guiding chain 18.

Reference List

1a, 1b

chain link

2a, 2b

chain link

3a, 3b

surround

4a, 4b

surround

5

web

6

side panel

7

side panel

8th

rolling surface

9

rolling surface

10

narrow side

11a, 11b

central body

12a, 12b

joint area

13

joint protrusion

14a, 14b

narrow surface

15

traverse

16

side plate

17

side tab

18

cable drag chain

19

cable drag chain

20

Drive and guidance device

21

guide rail

22

long side

23

recess

24

opening

25

opening

26

role

27

electric motor

28

cross bar

29

leadership role

30

tread

31

Drive and guidance device

32

guide rail

33

T-bar

34

Drive and guidance device

35

Drive and guidance device

36

return run

37

second guide rail

38

upper run

39

console

40

vertical bridge

41

horizontal bar

42

horizontal bar

43

Drive and guidance device

a

recording room

l

longitudinal direction

q

transverse direction

G

joint axis

l'

longitudinal direction

q'

transverse direction

Claims (24)

Chain link of an energy transmission chain (18; 19) for receiving and guiding cables, the chain link (1a; 1b; 2a; 2b) having a border (3a; 3b; 4a; 4b) which extends in a longitudinal direction (1). the accommodating space (a) for the lines extending through the enclosure and which, in its end regions facing away from one another in relation to the longitudinal direction (1), has means for the articulated connection of the chain link to an adjacent chain link about an articulation axis (g), characterized in that the chain link has a fixed to the frame and extending outwards from the frame in a transverse direction (q) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (1) of the frame and to the axis of articulation (g), two opposite webs extending in the longitudinal direction (l) of the frame has extending side areas (6, 7) and on at least one of the side areas (6, 7) a rolling surface (8, 9) extending over the entire length of the web (5) in the longitudinal direction (l) of the border for a roll-off surface that can be arranged on the outside of the border roller (26), wherein the length of the web (5) in the longitudinal direction (l) of the border is dimensioned such that when the chain link is in a stretched arrangement relative to an adjacent chain link, the webs (5) rest on one another on the front side or are at a small distance from one another are, so that the webs (5) form a trouble-free, continuous rolling surface for the roller (26). chain link after claim 1 , characterized in that the web (5) in each of its two side regions (6, 7) has a rolling surface (8, 9) extending over the entire length of the web (5) in the longitudinal direction (l) of the frame for contact with a respective Has roller (26). chain link after claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the web (5) is plate-shaped, with the two side areas (6, 7) of the web (5) being arranged parallel to one another and the rolling surface (8, 9) for the roller in a direction parallel to the joint axis (g ) direction. Chain link after one of Claims 1 - 3 , characterized in that the rolling surface (8, 9) is designed as a flat surface for frictional engagement with a roller (26). Chain link after one of Claims 1 - 3 , characterized in that the rolling surface has a corrugation or toothing running perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction (l) of the border for a form fit provided as an alternative or in addition to the frictional connection with a corresponding corrugation or toothing of a roller (26). Chain link after one of Claims 1 - 5 , characterized in that the edging of the chain link has a central body (11a; 11b) extending in the longitudinal direction (l) of the edging, with which the web (5) is fixedly connected and the two extending from the central body (11a; 11b) laterally parallel to the joint axis (g) in opposite directions extending edging areas for the lines. chain link after claim 6 , characterized in that the central body (11a; 11b) facing away from each other at its two in the longitudinal direction (l) of the frame end regions with tel for the articulated connection of the chain link to an adjacent chain link about the hinge axis (g). chain link after claim 7 , characterized in that the central body (11a; 11b) for the articulated connection to an adjacent chain link in its two end regions facing away from one another in the longitudinal direction (l) of the border has articulated regions (12a, 12b) which are intended to overlap with corresponding, the articulated connection forming joint areas (12a, 12b) of the central bodies (11a; 11b) of adjacent chain links are formed. Chain link after one of Claims 6 - 8th , characterized in that the border regions extending laterally from the central body (11a; 11b) each comprise a side part arranged on the outside in their direction of extension and crossbars (15) connecting the side part to the central body, with between the central body (11a; 11b), the side part and a receiving space (a) for the lines is arranged on the traverses (15). chain link after claim 9 , characterized in that the side parts are each designed in the form of a side plate (16), both of whose side faces which are on the outside in the direction of extension of the edging areas point in directions running parallel to the joint axis and whose extension in the longitudinal direction (l) of the edging is smaller than the extension of the central body (11a; 11b) in the longitudinal direction (l) of the frame. chain link after claim 9 , characterized in that the side parts are each designed in the form of a side flap (17) which extends in the longitudinal direction (l) of the border and in the direction opposite to the longitudinal direction (l) so far that it attaches to the side flaps (17 ) adjoins the edging areas of adjacent chain links, in particular overlaps the side straps of adjacent chain links adjacent to it. Energy guiding chain, the at least partially chain links according to claims 1 - 11 and which can be moved in the form of a loop with a movable strand connected to a movable connection, a strand connected to a stationary connection and a deflection area connecting the two strands to one another, characterized in that the edges (3a; 3b; 4a; 4b) of the chain links (1a; 1b; 2a; 2b) firmly connected webs (5) extend outwards in relation to the deflection area and are arranged in a stretched arrangement of the chain links in the strands of the energy guiding chain in alignment with one another without gaps or with small gaps that they have a trouble-free, continuous rolling surface for rollers arranged outside in the longitudinal direction (l) of the mounts. energy guiding chain claim 12 , characterized in that the edgings (3a; 3b; 4a; 4b) of the chain links on their sides having the webs (5) have, at least on one side of the webs (5), a sliding surface extending in the longitudinal direction (l) of the edgings for sliding guidance along a guide rail or a running surface for rolling off guide rollers, with the running surfaces extending in the longitudinal direction (l) of the borders so far that when the chain links are stretched out in the area of the strands, the running surfaces form a smooth, continuous running surface for the guide rollers. energy guiding chain Claim 13 , The chain links forming at least one section of the energy guiding chain having a central body according to one of Claims 6 - 11 characterized in that the sliding surface or running surface arranged at least on one side of the web (5) is arranged on the side of the central body (11a; 11b) which has the web (5), in particular adjacent to a foot of the web (5) , with which the web is firmly connected to the central body. Driving and guiding device for an energy guiding chain according to one of Claims 12 - 14 having a guide rail (21; 32) extending in a longitudinal direction (l') with a transverse direction running in the longitudinal direction (l') of the guide rail (21; 32) and in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (l'). (q') extending along the guide rail (21; 32) and open on a longitudinal side (22) of the guide rail (21; 32) and into which the webs (5) of the chain links of the energy guide chain (18; 19) can be engaged and slidably guided, with a roller (26) mounted laterally of the guide rail being arranged in at least one area of the guide rail (21; 32) in such a way that it engages in and is guided in the recess with a peripheral rolling surface in the relevant area of the guide rail Webs (5) of the movable strand of the energy transmission chain are acted upon in a driving manner at their rolling surfaces (8, 9) in the longitudinal direction (l') of the guide rail. Drive and guide device after claim 15 , characterized in that in the at least one region of the guide rail (21; 32) a lateral, in one direction opening (25) of the recess (23) pointing perpendicularly to its longitudinal direction (l') and transverse direction (q') and through which the roller (26) engages in the recess (23). Drive and guide device after claim 15 or 16 , characterized in that the roller (26) is mounted in such a way that, when pressure is applied to its circumferential rolling surface, it can be moved in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (l') and transverse direction (q') of the guide rail against a spring force in this direction. Drive and guide device according to one of Claims 15 - 17 , characterized in that in at least one area of the guide rail two oppositely arranged rollers (26) are provided on both sides of the guide rail. Drive and guide device according to one of Claims 15 - 18 , characterized in that a motor, in particular an electric motor (27), is provided to drive the roller (26), and that each of the two rollers located opposite one another in the at least one region of the guide rail has a motor for driving, or only one of the rollers has a motor has for driving and the other roller is mounted freely rotatably on the side of the guide rail. Drive and guide device according to one of Claims 15 - 19 , characterized in that at least one side of the guide rail (21) is provided with one or more guide rollers (29) which are arranged at a distance from one another in the longitudinal direction (l') of the guide rail and whose axes of rotation are perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (l') and transverse direction ( q') of the guide rail (21). Drive and guide device according to one of Claims 15 - 19 , characterized in that the guide rail (32) has a T-shaped cross-sectional contour, the two T-crosspieces extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction (l') and to the transverse direction (q') of the guide rail (32) and with the opening of the recess on the relevant long side of the guide rail (32). Drive and guide device according to one of Claims 15 - 21 , characterized in that in addition to the guide rail (21; 32) for guiding and driving the movable strand of the energy guiding chain (18; 19), a second guide rail (37) arranged parallel and in the transverse direction (q'') at a distance therefrom for guiding the strand of the energy supply chain (18; 19) connected to the stationary connection, which has a recess (23) running in its longitudinal direction (l') for engaging the webs (5) of the strand connected to the stationary connection , wherein the recess of the second guide rail (37) and the recess (23) of the guide rail (21; 32) for driving and for guiding the movable strand are arranged opposite one another. Drive and guide device after Claim 22 , characterized in that the second guide rail (37) is connected to the first guide rail (21; 32) via a holder, in particular by brackets (39) arranged at a distance from one another in the longitudinal direction (l') of the two rails. Drive and guide device according to one of Claims 15 until 23 , characterized in that a control device for the motors driving the rollers (26) is provided, which, depending on the movement and/or the position of the movable strand and/or a driver connected to the movable strand, controls the motors for driving the rollers ( 26) controls.

Images