SEPARATOR, TRANSVERSE WEB AND COMPARTMENT BOTTOM FOR ENERGY GUIDING CHAINS

Abstract

Novel separators, transverse links and transverse bases or compartment bottoms for chain links of energy chains. The separator has a pivotable sidebar wherein the top portion and the bottom portion each have a holding clamp for interacting with the narrow sides of a transverse link, the top portion being connected to the first side bar and being detachable and/or pivotable together therewith. The transverse link has a row of teeth protruding at the narrow sides for interlocking with the separators, designed in a manner complementary thereto, and/or a cable-protecting protective layer on the inner face for protecting the guided cables.

Claims

1-22. (canceled)

23. A separator for a chain link of an energy guiding chain, wherein the chain link has two side plates which are spaced apart from one another and are connected to one another by two transverse webs and which define a receiving space for one or more lines, the separator comprising: the separator configured in a manner of a plate having a plurality of through-openings and having a top portion, a bottom portion, a first side bar, and a second side bar, wherein the first and second side bars delimit the plurality of through-openings in a width direction of the separator, wherein the first side bar is detachable and/or pivotable to provide access to the plurality of through-openings such that a compartment bottom is insertable into or removable from each one of the plurality of through-openings, respectively, wherein the top portion and the bottom portion are each configured to attach to one of the transverse webs, respectively, wherein the top portion and the bottom portion each have a holding clamp to interact with narrow sides of one of the transverse webs, respectively, and wherein the top portion is connected to the first side bar and is detachable and/or pivotable together with the first side bar.

24. The separator according to claim 23, wherein the top portion and/or the first side bar are/is connectable by positive locking to the bottom portion and/or the second side bar and/or a central region of the separator.

25. The separator according to claim 23, wherein the top portion and/or the first side bar are/is latchable to the second side bar.

26. The separator according to claim 25, wherein the top portion and/or the first side bar are/is latchable to the second side bar by a latching notch at a top-portion-side end of the second side bar, and a latching lug on the top portion configured to engage the latching notch.

27. The separator according to claim 23, wherein the top portion has broad sides and a planar recess is between the broad sides, and wherein the separator has a central region, and a top-portion-side end of the central region has a projection extending in a height direction of the separator to engage the recess.

28. The separator according to claim 23, wherein the first side bar is manufactured in one piece with the top portion.

29. The separator according to claim 23, wherein the first side bar is connectable to the bottom portion by a hinge-like articulated connection.

30. The separator according to claim 29, wherein the articulated connection comprises a pivot joint, and wherein a bearing receptacle is formed on the bottom portion.

31. The separator according to claim 29, wherein a pivot axis of the articulated connection extends perpendicularly to the width direction of the separator and perpendicularly to a height direction of the separator.

32. The separator according to claim 23, wherein the separator has a central region, and the central region comprises a plurality of tongues extending in the width direction of the separator, and wherein the first side bar comprises a plurality of pockets to receive the plurality of tongues.

33. The separator according to claim 23, wherein each through-opening of the plurality of through-openings comprises a latching cam on one side to latch the respective compartment bottom.

34. A transverse web for a chain link of an energy guiding chain, wherein the chain link has two side plates which are spaced apart from each other, the transverse web comprising: the transverse web having longitudinal ends and being connectable at each of the longitudinal ends to a respective one of the side plates to define a receiving space for one or more lines, wherein the transverse web has two narrow sides extending in a longitudinal direction of the transverse web, the narrow sides having a holding device to retain one or more separators, wherein each holding device comprises a respective row of teeth on the respective narrow side to form a positive connection to the one or more separators, wherein the one or more separators each have a complementary design to form the positive connection, wherein each tooth of the row of teeth projects in a width direction of the transverse web, and wherein each tooth of the row of teeth has a dimension in a height direction of the transverse web which is greater than a dimension of the tooth in a longitudinal direction of the transverse web.

35. The transverse web according to claim 34, wherein each tooth of the row of teeth has a dimension in the height direction of the transverse web which is greater than a dimension of the tooth in the width direction of the transverse web.

36. The transverse web according to claim 34, wherein the dimension of the tooth in the height direction of the transverse web is at least 3 mm.

37. The transverse web according to claim 34, wherein the teeth are spaced apart by tooth gaps and the teeth and tooth gaps are alternately and uniformly distributed along at least a major portion of a longitudinal extension of the narrow sides and/or have a rounded profile.

38. A separator for a chain link of an energy guiding chain, wherein the chain link has two side plates which are spaced apart from one another and are connected to one another by two transverse webs and which define a receiving space for one or more lines, the separator comprising: the separator being of plate-like design and having a top portion and a bottom portion to hold and/or fasten to the transverse webs, wherein the top portion and/or the bottom portion each comprise a holding clamp to engage in a row of teeth of one of the two transverse webs, wherein the respective holding clamp comprises two opposite retaining extensions which each have at least one tooth projection to positively engage in the row of teeth of the transverse web, and wherein the tooth projections of the two opposite retaining extensions face one another and project from the retaining extension in a direction of the opposite tooth projection.

39. The separator according to claim 38, wherein the tooth projections each comprise an extension in the direction toward the opposite tooth projection that corresponds to a depth of a tooth gap and has an extension in a height direction of the separator that is at least 3 mm.

40. The separator according to claim 38, wherein the separator comprises a central portion between the top and bottom portions, wherein the holding clamp protrudes perpendicularly to a main plane of the separator to each side by not more than 150% of a thickness in the central portion of the separator.

41. The separator according to claim 38, wherein each of the retaining extensions comprises two tooth projections to positively engage in two successive tooth gaps of the transverse web.

42. The separator according to claim 41, wherein each of the retaining extensions is U-shaped in cross-section.

43. A compartment bottom for a chain link of an energy guiding chain, wherein the chain link has two side plates which are spaced apart from one another and are connected to one another by two transverse webs and at least one separator arranged between the transverse webs and having at least one through-opening, wherein the through-opening has a latching cam on one side to latch the compartment bottom, the compartment bottom comprising: the compartment bottom being of plate-like design and formed in cross-section to match the through-opening, wherein the compartment bottom has a toothing on a long narrow side to interact with the latching cam of the through-opening, wherein the compartment bottom has a recess on an opposite other long narrow side, a recess which is continuously toothless in a longitudinal direction and in which the latching cam is accommodatable in a longitudinally displaceable manner.

44. A transverse web for a chain link of an energy guiding chain, wherein the chain link has two side plates which are spaced apart from one another, the transverse web comprising: an elongated main body made of plastic and having longitudinal ends, wherein each of the longitudinal ends has a fastening region by which such is connectable to one of the side plates to define a receiving space for one or more lines, wherein a line-protecting layer made of a second plastic which is different from the plastic of the main body is provided on an inner side of the main body which faces the receiving space.

45. The transverse web according to claim 44, wherein the transverse web has two narrow sides extending in a longitudinal direction of the transverse web, wherein each narrow side of the narrow sides has a holding device to retain one or more separators, and wherein the line-protecting layer extends in the longitudinal direction between the longitudinal ends and in a width direction from the one narrow side to the other narrow side and covers the inner side of the main body.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] Further details, features and advantages of the invention can be found in the following, more detailed description of preferred exemplary embodiments based on the accompanying figures. These show purely by way of example:

[0045] FIG. 1: shows a cross-section of a chain link of a purely exemplary energy guiding chain equipped with lines and an internal separation;

[0046] FIGS. 2A-2B: show an exemplary embodiment of a separator according to the invention in a side view (FIG. 2A) of the assembled state, and in a longitudinal section parallel to the main plane of the separator (FIG. 2B);

[0047] FIGS. 3A-3B: show a partial view of a chain link according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention in perspective (FIG. 3A) and in cross-section through the main plane of the compartment bottom (FIG. 3B);

[0048] FIG. 4: shows another exemplary embodiment of a separator and transverse web according to the invention in partial view from below;

[0049] FIG. 5: shows a further exemplary embodiment of a separator according to the invention in a side view; and

[0050] FIG. 6: shows another exemplary embodiment of a transverse web or opening transverse web according to the invention in front view of a narrow side.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] FIG. 1 illustrates, in cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of an energy guiding chain 1 through a chain link 10, an exemplary internal structure of the energy guiding chain 1 for actively guiding lines, such as cables 17 and hoses 16. The energy guiding chain 1 is composed of a plurality of chain links 10 pivotably connected to one another in the direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 1. The chain links 10 in this case also consist of individual parts and have at least two side plates 11. The chain links 10 also consist here of individual parts and have at least two side plates 11. In the case of each or, for example, every second chain link 10, the side plates 11 are firmly connected by two parallel, identical transverse webs 12 to form a stable framework and are kept at a distance in the transverse direction of the energy guiding chain 1 and parallel. For this purpose, the transverse webs 12 are detachably fastened to the side plates 11 by means of end-side fastening areas, for example by means of clamping receptacles on horns (not shown) of the side plates 11. The side plates 11 and transverse webs 12 delimit a receiving space 14 for the lines 16, 17. The structure of an energy guiding chain 1 is known and can be arbitrary, e.g. with cranked side plates or alternating inner and outer bars as side plates 11. In particular, two-piece chain links are also possible, in which the two side plates 11 and one transverse web 12 are manufactured from one piece, i.e. in one piece, and only the other transverse web 12 is detachable (not shown).

[0052] For internal partitioning, it is known, as shown by way of example in FIG. 1, to provide horizontal compartment bottoms 18 for dividing the height H of the receiving space 14 and vertical separators 20 for dividing the width B of the receiving space 14. The separators 20 have two end regions in the direction of the height H, a top portion 22 and a bottom portion 24, and can be fastened at least at one of the end regions, for example at the bottom portion 24, to the narrow sides 23 of the transverse webs 12 at a selectable position in the direction of the width B of the receiving space 14 or in the direction of the length of the transverse web 12, for example by a latching connection. In any case, the transverse webs 12 are secured in the longitudinal direction of the energy guiding chain 1 or in the direction of the width of the transverse web. The compartment bottoms 18 are each provided in horizontally continuous through-openings 32 (as can be seen in FIGS. 2A-2B), which are provided on the separators 20 in accordance with a predetermined grid and are to be mounted in selectable steps of height H. FIG. 1 here shows insertable shelves as compartment bottoms 18 which are almost completely continuous over the width B. Shorter shelves which divide only part of the width B are also possible. The separators 20 are of plate-like or flat design and extend with their main plane or longitudinal direction parallel to the side plates 11. The compartment bottoms 18 are also of plate-like design and extend parallel to the transverse webs 12. For each chain link 10 with transverse webs 12, a similar internal division of the receiving space 14 should be made for the benefit of the lines 16, 17. Separators 20 and compartment bottoms 18 should thus be provided at regular intervals and in identical arrangement on every n.sup.th chain link 10, in order to divide the receiving space 14 into constant compartments 19 for the orderly and better protected guidance of the cables 16, 17. FIGS. 2A,B show an exemplary embodiment of a separator 20 according to the first aspect of the invention in side view in the assembled state of the separator 20 (FIG. 2A), and in longitudinal section of the assembled state (FIG. 2B). The separator 20 has a top portion 22 and a bottom portion 24 each for connecting to a transverse web. The separator 20 further comprises a first and a second side bar 26, 28, and a central region 30 bounded by the top portion 22, the bottom portion 24, the first side bar 26, and the second side bar 28. The separator 20 has a plurality of through-openings 32 in its central region 30, in this case, for example, three through-openings 32 for accommodating compartment bottoms 18. In FIG. 2B, for example, an accommodated compartment bottom 18 is shown.

[0053] In FIGS. 2A-2B, the first side bar 26 is manufactured in one piece with the top portion 22. The second side bar 28 is manufactured, e.g. also as an injection molded part, in one piece with the bottom portion 24 and the central region 30. The first side bar 26 is connected to the bottom portion 24 by a hinge-like articulated connection, which is formed as a pivot joint 40. For this purpose, the bottom portion 24 has a bearing receptacle of the pivot joint 40, and the bottom-portion-side end of the first side bar 26 comprises the matching pivot pin. The separator 20 is assembled from, in this example, two separately manufactured components (Lop portion 22 with the first side bar 26 on the one hand and bottom portion 24 with the second side bar 28 and the central region 30 on the other hand) by inserting the pivot bolt into the bearing receptacle, for example in the manner of a latching connection. In FIGS. 2A-2B, the first side bar 26 is pivotally mounted to the bottom portion 24 together with the top portion 22. Here, the pivot axis of the pivot joint 40 extends perpendicularly to the main plane of the separator 20 (plane shown in FIG. 2B).

[0054] Each through-opening 32 has an elongated oval outline, with main axis in the direction of the separator width, matching the cross-section of the compartment bottoms 18. For simplified mounting of a compartment bottom 18 transversely to its longitudinal direction or in the longitudinal direction of the chain, each through-opening 32 has its own respective insertion opening 33 opening into it, which can be closed by the pivotable first side plate 24 (as shown in FIGS. 2A-2B).

[0055] The separator 20 can thus be opened or unfolded by pivoting the first side bar 26 together with the top portion 22 in the main plane. The separator 20 is thereby unfolded along the parting line 36. The parting line 36 extends here at the upper edge of the central region 30 perpendicular to the height direction of the separator 20, stating from the second side bar 28 and then perpendicularly towards the bottom portion 24, and thereby laterally through the end regions of the through-openings 32. In the unfolded state of the separator 20, the through-openings 32 are thus accessible through the associated insertion openings 33, i.e. one can easily mount and dismount the compartment bottoms 18 through the insertion openings 33.

[0056] The separator 20 is secured and/or latched in the closed state by positive locking. For this purpose, the top portion 22 has, among other things, a latching lug 222 and the second side bar 28 has, at its top portion end, a latching notch 282 that matches the latching lug 222, wherein the latching lug 222 is configured to engage the latching notch 282. Thus, the top portion 22 and the second side bar 28 can latch into each other. The separator 20 includes a number of other form-fitting means with which it is reinforced when assembled. For example, a top-portion-side end of the central region 30 has a thin projection 302 extending in a height direction of the separator 20, with a smaller material thickness than the body of the central region 30. The top portion 22 forms a recess 224 between its broad sides, and the projection 302 is accommodated in the recess 224 when the separator 20 is assembled and stabilizes the two-part separator 20 transversely of its main plane in the manner of a tongue-and-groove joint.

[0057] The central region 30 further includes similarly thin tongues 304 extending in the direction of the separator width. The first side bar 26 has matching pockets 262 for receiving the tongues 304, and when the tongues 304 are accommodated therein in the assembled state of the separator 20, this further stabilizes the separator 20.

[0058] Furthermore, each through-opening 32 comprises a latching cam 38 for latching a compartment bottom 18 (according to the third aspect). The latching cam 38 is formed as a projection on the major axis of the through-opening 32 relative to the insertion opening 33.

[0059] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the top and bottom portions 22, 24 are identically configured for attachment to the transverse webs 12. They each have a holding clamp 34 that engages the narrow sides 23 of the transverse web 12 so that the separator 20 is secured in the longitudinal direction of the transverse web 12.

[0060] FIGS. 3A-3B show, particularly according to the second aspect, another exemplary embodiment of the separator 320 comprising a top portion 322, a bottom portion 324 and a central portion 360 between the top and bottom portions 322, 324. Here, the holding clamps 334 on the top and bottom portions 322, 324 are configured identically to each other. As FIG. 3A shows, the separator 320 is inserted between two identical transverse webs 312, with the holding clamps 334 holding on the narrow sides 323 of the transverse webs.

[0061] Each transverse web 312 is elongated and plate-like in design and has a tooth strip or strip-like row of teeth 340 on each of its two longer narrow sides 323, which are designed to form a positive connection with the separators 320 which are designed in a complementary manner.

[0062] As best seen in FIG. 4, the outer contour of each of the narrow sides 323 forms a row of teeth 340 with teeth 341 projecting outwardly in the widthwise direction of the transverse web 312 and spaced apart by tooth gaps 342. A plurality of identically shaped teeth 341 and tooth gaps 342 are provided alternately and uniformly distributed along a major portion of the longitudinal extension of the narrow sides 323. The teeth 341 and tooth gaps 342 each have a rounded profile on the face side. Each tooth 341 has a dimension in the height direction of the transverse web 312 that is greater than its dimension in the longitudinal direction of the transverse web 312, and is, for example, 7 mm. This dimension of the tooth 341 in the height direction of the transverse web 312 is also larger than the dimension of the tooth in the width direction of the transverse web 312. Thus, a smooth-running and at the same time tilt-resistant plug-in connection is achieved.

[0063] The holding clamp 334 has two opposing retaining extensions 350 in the direction of the separator width, which are designed to be complementary to the rows of teeth 340 for retention on the narrow sides 323 of a transverse web 312. The distance between the retaining extensions 350 of a holding clamp 334 corresponds to the width of the transverse web 312. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the retaining extensions 350 each have a pair of tooth projections 351. The tooth projections 351 are designed for positive insertion into the tooth strip or row of teeth 340, in this case into two successive tooth gaps 342 in each case. The end region of the retaining extension 350 is here, for example, U-shaped in cross-section.

[0064] The dimension of the tooth projections 351 in the direction of the separator width corresponds to the depth of the tooth gaps 342. The dimension of the tooth projections 351 in the height direction of the separator 320 is, for example, approximately 5 mm in the illustrated exemplary embodiment.

[0065] The top portion 322 and the bottom portion 324, in particular their holding clamp 334, can be designed in a very narrow manner thanks to the proposed plug-in connection and protrude, for example, perpendicularly to the main plane of the separator 320. i.e. in the direction of the separator thickness, on each side by only about 25% of the material thickness in the central portion 360 of the separator 320.

[0066] FIGS. 3A-3B further show a compartment bottom 318, which is of plate-like design and formed in cross-section to match the through-opening 32. On one of its long narrow sides 317, the compartment bottom 318 has a toothing 327 for cooperating with the latching cam 38 of the through-opening 32. On the opposite long narrow side 319, a recess free of toothing throughout in the longitudinal direction is provided, for example, a groove 329 with the same cross-section throughout. Depending on the orientation of the compartment bottom, the latching cam 38 of the separator 320 may be received in the groove 329 in a longitudinally displaceable manner or may be locked by means of tie toothing 327 (as shown in FIG. 3B). Thus, the compartment bottom 318 may optionally be inserted into the through-opening 32 in the reverse orientation so that the latching cam 38 does not provide a locking action due to the groove 329 passing therethrough. In this case, the compartment bottom 318 can be moved perpendicularly to the main plane of the separator 320.

[0067] FIG. 5 shows a separator 520 according to another exemplary embodiment, without through-openings for compartment bottoms. The separator 520 has a holding clamp 534 at each of its top and bottom portions 522, 524 for retaining on a transverse web 312 by means of retaining extensions 550. The retaining extensions 550 each have tooth projections 551 at the ends for positive engagement in a row of teeth 340. The separator 520 can be placed vertically on a suitable transverse web, for example according to FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 4, and released therefrom without tools and in a time-saving manner. The design of the tooth projections 551 corresponds to FIG. 4.

[0068] FIG. 6 shows, in side view of the narrow sides, a further development of the transverse web 612 of FIGS. 3A-3B which also has the two tooth strips for a separator 320. In the case of the transverse web 612, the elongated main body 625, like the transverse web 312, is made of a first plastic material, e.g. a reinforced polyamide, to provide robust fastening regions 661A, 661B at each of its longitudinal ends, by means of which the transverse web 612 is connected to the side plates 11. However, at the inner side 662 of the main body 625 shown in FIG. 6 above, which is intended to face the receiving space 14 (cf. FIG. 1), the transverse web 612 comprises a line-protecting layer 665 made of a second plastic material different from the plastic material of the main body 625 and specifically selected to protect the lines. The transverse web 612 may be manufactured, for example, as a 2K injection-molded part. The line-protecting layer 665 covers the entire surface of the main body 625 in the longitudinal direction between the longitudinal ends and in the width direction from one narrow side 623 to the other narrow side, so that only the toothing on the end face projects outwardly (FIGS. 3A-3B).

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0069] FIG. 1: [0070] 1 Energy guiding chain [0071] 2 Chain link [0072] 11 Side plate [0073] 12 Transverse web [0074] 14 Receiving space [0075] 16 Hoses [0076] 17 Cables [0077] 18 Compartment bottom [0078] 19 Compartments of the receiving space [0079] 20 Separator [0080] 22 Top portion of the separator [0081] 23 Narrow side of the transverse web [0082] 24 Bottom portion of the separator [0083] H Height of the receiving space [0084] B Width of the receiving space

[0085] FIGS. 2A, B: [0086] Separator [0087] 22 Top portion [0088] 222 Latching lug [0089] 224 Recess [0090] 24 Bottom portion [0091] 26 First side bar [0092] 262 Pockets [0093] 28 Second side bar [0094] 282 Latching notch [0095] 30 Central region [0096] 302 Projection [0097] 304 Tongues [0098] 32 Through-opening [0099] 33 Insertion opening [0100] 34 Holding clamp [0101] 36 Parting line [0102] 38 Latching cams [0103] Pivot joint

[0104] FIGS. 3A, B: [0105] 312 Transverse web [0106] 317, 319 Long narrow sides of the compartment bottom [0107] 318 Compartment bottom [0108] 320 Separator [0109] 322 Top portion of the separator [0110] 323 Narrow side of the transverse web [0111] 324 Bottom portion of the separator [0112] 327 Toothing on the compartment bottom [0113] 329 Groove on compartment bottom [0114] 334 Holding clamp [0115] 340 Row of teeth [0116] 350 Retaining extension [0117] 351 Tooth projection [0118] 360 Central portion of the separator

[0119] FIG. 4: [0120] 341 Tooth [0121] 342 Tooth gap

[0122] FIG. 5: [0123] 520 Separator [0124] 522 Top portion [0125] 524 Bottom portion [0126] 534 Holding clamp [0127] 550 Retaining extension [0128] 551 Tooth projection [0129] 560 Central portion

[0130] FIG. 6: [0131] 612 Transverse web [0132] 623 Narrow side [0133] 625 Main body [0134] 665 Protective layer [0135] 661A, 661B Fastening region