END FASTENING PART OF AN ENERGY CHAIN

Abstract

An end fastening part for an energy chain, for connecting to a link plate of a terminal chain link at one end and to a connection point on a system part at the other end. The single-piece end fastening part has a main plane and comprises: an overlapping region having a side wall for connecting to a link plate; a frame-type fastening region having a frame, in which a plurality of fastening holes is provided, for fastening to a connection point; and, therebetween, a transition region, in which a concave end face is provided. According to the invention, the end face has at least two retaining protrusions, which protrude parallel to the main plane and behind which a link plate can engage such that the link plate is retained transversely to the main plane. Furthermore, the overlapping region has at least one, preferably two fixing protrusions, which protrude from the side wall perpendicularly to the main plane, for fixing a connected link plate in position in the longitudinal direction.

Claims

1-10. (canceled)

11. An end fastening part for an energy chain for guiding cables, hoses or suchlike between two connection points, wherein the end fastening part comprises a main plane and is constituted in one piece, comprising: an overlapping region with a side wall for connecting to a link plate of a terminal chain link of the energy chain; and a frame-shaped fastening region with a frame, in which a plurality of fastening holes are provided, by means of which the end fastening part can be fastened to a connection point, by means of a screw connection, wherein in a transition region between the overlapping region and the fastening region, a concave end face is provided, wherein the end face comprises at least two retaining protrusions which project parallel to the main plane, behind which a link plate can engage in order to hold the latter transversely to the main plane, and that the overlapping region comprises at least one fixing protrusions, which project perpendicular to the main plane from the side wall, to which a connected link plate can be connected for fixing the position in the longitudinal direction.

12. The end fastening part according to claim 11, wherein the end face comprises two first retaining protrusions projecting offset relative to the main plane and at least one second retaining protrusion protruding offset relative to the main plane, wherein the first retaining protrusions are arranged in the direction transverse to the main plane offset with respect to the at least one second retaining protrusion.

13. The end fastening part according to claim 11, wherein two fixing protrusions are provided at a distance from one another in the height direction of the side wall and are designed for form-fit and/or force-fit connection to a connected link plate.

14. The end fastening part according claim 11, wherein each fixing protrusion is designed for snap connection with a connected link plate, in the manner of a clip for the snap connection, in each case with a complementary recess in the link plate.

15. The end fastening part according to claim 11, wherein each fixing protrusion projects in the direction perpendicular to the main plane from the side wall up to a spacing between the first and second retaining protrusions.

16. The end fastening part according to claim 11, wherein the end fastening part has a longitudinal median plane and at least the retaining protrusions and the at least one fixing protrusion are arranged symmetrically with respect to the latter.

17. The end fastening part according to claim 11, wherein the side wall has a dimension in the longitudinal direction starting from the end face that is larger than half the chain pitch of a chain link to be fastened or projects up to over the central region of a connected link plate, and that the fixing protrusions are arranged in a height plane, which lies at a distance from the end face corresponding to half the chain pitch of a chain link to be fastened or intersects the central region of a connected link plate.

18. The end fastening part according to claim 11, wherein the end fastening part is produced in one piece from plastic, and an associated opening in the side wall is provided, in each case, in respect of each retaining protrusion, which is aligned with the respective retaining protrusion perpendicular to the main plane and the contour whereof frames the contour of the assigned retaining protrusion.

19. The end fastening part according to claim 11, wherein two extensions are provided at inner side of the frame on both sides for holding a C-rail for strain relief and/or two fittings are provided for comb-like strain relief.

20. The end fastening part according to claim 11, wherein the side wall has a significantly smaller wall thickness than the frame, in particular <50% of the wall thickness of the frame.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Further details, features and advantages of the invention will emerge from the following detailed description of preferred examples of embodiment by reference to the appended drawings. In the latter:

[0030] FIG. 1a: shows a cross-sectional view of the end regions of an energy chain with connected end fastening parts according to a first example of embodiment;

[0031] FIG. 1b: shows an enlarged detail view according B according to FIG. 1a;

[0032] FIG. 1c: shows an enlarged detail view according C according to FIG. 1a;

[0033] FIG. 2a: shows a side view of the end fastening part according to the first example of embodiment;

[0034] FIG. 2b: shows a longitudinal section A-A corresponding to FIG. 2a;

[0035] FIG. 2c: shows a perspective view of the end fastening part according to FIG. 2a; and

[0036] FIG. 3: a side view of an end fastening part according to a second example of embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] FIG. 1a shows two terminal regions of an energy chain 2 with four identical end fastening parts 1, which are connected to the four link plates 3 of the two terminal chain links 4, in order to fastening the latter to a connection point. FIG. 2b shows a longitudinal cross-section of a non-connected end fastening part 1.

[0038] Each end fastening part 1 is designed flat with a main plane perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 1a. The longitudinal direction L lies in the main plane, which in the illustrated connected state corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the terminal chain link of energy chain 2 or the cables routed-through there, and height direction H, which runs in the main plane perpendicular to longitudinal direction L.

[0039] End fastening part 1 has in relation to longitudinal direction L three functional regions—and overlapping region 10, a fastening region 14, and a transition region 20 between overlapping region 10 and fastening region 14. Overlapping region 10 overlaps, in the connected state of end fastening part 1, with a terminal link plate 3 up to over a central region 30 of link plate 3. Fastening region 14 is used for fastening to one of the connection points of energy chain 2, for example to a stationary or mobile machine part.

[0040] Overlapping region 10 has a side wall 12, which extends parallel to the main plane and end fastening part 1 and borders end fastening part 1 in the transverse direction perpendicular to the main plane. Fastening region 14 is essentially formed by a frame 16. Frame 16 surrounds in the present example a window 17 which is designed as a continuous opening in the transverse direction. Window 17 can be closed with a side wall similar to side wall 12. Side wall 12 of overlapping region 10 has a much smaller wall thickness than frame 16 of fastening region 14, in the present example approximately ⅙ of the wall thickness of frame 16.

[0041] Due to the difference in the wall thickness between fastening region 14 and overlapping region 10, end attachment part 1 comprises in its transition region 20 an offset 21 or a bent portion, and forms an end face 22, which runs essentially perpendicular to the main plane of end fastening part 1. End face 22 is facing an end face of link plate 3 in the connected state.

[0042] As can best be seen in FIG. 1b and FIG. 1c, individual protruding retaining protrusions 24 are provided at end face 22. Retaining projections 24 are designed as tongues, which run here parallel to the main plane of end fastening part 1 and lie at a distance from side wall 12 in the direction perpendicular to the main plane. An end region of link plate 3 can accordingly be introduced and accommodated between retaining protrusions 24 and side wall 12 or engage behind the latter.

[0043] In FIG. 1-3, three retaining protrusions 24 are formed at end face 22—two first retaining protrusions 24a and a second retaining protrusion 24b. Second retaining protrusion 24b lies closer to side wall 12 than first retaining protrusions 24a. Here, first retaining protrusions 24a lie in the direction perpendicular to the main plane, flush with frame 16. The outwardly or inwardly bent end region of link plate 3 can thus be accommodated optionally between first and second retaining protrusion 24a, 24b, as in FIG. 1c, or between side wall 12 and second retaining protrusion 24b, as in FIG. 1b. Each of retaining protrusions 24a, 24b extend in the present example over approximately a fifth of the radian dimension of end face 22.

[0044] FIG. 2a shows, in respect of the first example of embodiment of end fastening part 1, two fixing protrusions 26, which are arranged mirror-symmetrical with respect to longitudinal median plane M. Longitudinal median plane M runs perpendicular to the main plane of end fastening part 1 (and perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 2a). Retaining protrusions 24 are also constituted and arranged mirror-symmetrical with respect to longitudinal median plane M. This symmetry allows a rotation of end fastening part 1 in the plane parallel to the main plane, so that it can optionally fasten the one or the other link strand of energy chain 2 at the end.

[0045] As can be seen in FIGS. 2b and 2c, fixing protrusions 26 are designed as clip connectors for the snap connection or latching, in each case with a complementary recess 28 in link plate 3. Each fixing protrusion 28 comprises a longitudinally slotted head at the end with resilient latching hooks. Once accommodated in recess 28, fixing protrusions 26 can prevent both a displacement of end fastening part 1 in longitudinal direction L and also in height direction H. Recesses 28 can be provided in central region 30 of link plate 3 or exactly in the middle with respect to the longitudinal direction.

[0046] End fastening part 1 is produced in one piece from plastic in the injection moulding process. Openings 32 behind each retaining protrusion 24 can be seen in FIG. 2a, the respective areas of which are somewhat larger than the areas of associated retaining protrusions 24, so that the contour of openings 32 behind retaining protrusions 24 can be seen in side view in FIG. 2a, in order to be able to use simple, two-part injection moulds for forming retaining protrusions 24a, 24b.

[0047] Frame 16 of fastening region 14 is provided with fastening holes 18. Two fastening holes in each case emerge at each of three narrow sides of frame 16. Fastening holes 18 emerge at the other side into window 17. Fastening holes 18 are used for fastening by means of screw connection, optionally with metal bushings (not shown) in fastening holes 18, at a connection point.

[0048] As represented in FIG. 2a, 2c, frame 16 comprises at its inner side 34, in each case on both sides of longitudinal median plane M, an extension 36 and in each case a fitting. A metal profile, e.g. a C-rail (not shown), can be attached to extension 36, so that the end faces of a C-rail engage around extension 36 in a form-fit manner. Inner side 34 of frame 16 also comprises a pocket 37 matching the end face of the C-rail, which flanks or surrounds extension 36. Such metal profiles or C-rails are used for fastening to strap clips known per se for strain relief of cables. Thus, the one or other type of strain relief can optionally be used on end fastening part 1.

[0049] FIG. 3 shows an end fastening part 1 according to a modified second example of embodiment, which differs from the first example of embodiment only by the type of fixing protrusions 27. Here, fixing protrusions 27 are designed as a pair of double snap hooks 27. Each of double snap hooks 27 can engage around the fastening peg for a crossbar 5, which is present at link plate 3 to be connected, and at both sides with respect to the longitudinal direction and abut against an inner side of link plate 3. Two snap hooks 27 provided in pairs on both sides of longitudinal median plane M can thus hold link plate 3 both in the longitudinal direction and also perpendicular thereto.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0050] 1 End fastening part [0051] 2 Energy chain [0052] 3 Link plate [0053] 4 Terminal chain link [0054] 5 Crossbar [0055] 10 Overlapping region [0056] 12 Side wall of overlapping region [0057] 14 Fastening region [0058] 16 Frame [0059] 17 Window [0060] 18 Fastening holes [0061] 20 Transition region [0062] 21 Offset [0063] 22 End face [0064] 24 Retaining protrusions [0065] 24a First retaining protrusions [0066] 24b Second retaining protrusions [0067] 26, 27 Fixing protrusions [0068] 28 Recess [0069] 30 Central region of the link plate [0070] 32 Opening [0071] 34 Inner side of the frame [0072] 36 Extension [0073] 37 Pocket [0074] 38 Fitting [0075] L Longitudinal direction [0076] H Height direction [0077] M Longitudinal median plane