Abstract
The invention relates to a side plate (10; 30A, 30B) for an energy chain, comprising a single-piece plate body that is made of plastic and has two overlapping regions (11A, 11B; 31A . . . 31D), each for pivotable connection to a corresponding overlapping region of an adjoining plate, the plate body also having a center region (12; 32A, 32B) between the overlapping regions. The overlapping regions and the center region have a number of cross-section transitions, each of which is located between two outer partial surfaces and at least one of which is rounded or broken (Q1 . . . Q5) between a first partial surface (F11, F21, F31) of the plate body and a second partial surface (F12, F22, F32) extending at an angle, particularly an angle of 90°, to the first partial surface.
Claims
1-14. (canceled)
15. A side plate for an energy guide chain for guiding one or more lines using chain links which comprise two opposing side plates which are connected together via at least one crosspiece, the side plate comprising: a one-piece plate body of plastics material with two overlap regions, each overlap region of the two overlap regions for swivelable connection to a corresponding overlap region of an adjoining plate, a central region between the overlap regions, and wherein the overlap regions and the central region have a plurality of cross-sectional transitions, wherein each cross-sectional transition of the plurality of cross-sectional transitions is between two outer subsurfaces, at least one cross-sectional transition of the plurality of cross-sectional transitions, between a first subsurface of the plate body and a second subsurface of the plate body extending at an angle 90° to the first subsurface, is rounded or chamfered, wherein the at least one cross-sectional transition is delimited by an envelope transition curve with a course such that, for a starting point of the transition curve at the first subsurface, which is located at a distance A from an intersection curve of the first subsurface with the second subsurface, an endpoint of the transition curve at the second subsurface is located at a distance Z from the intersection curve with 1.7 A≤Z≤4.0 A, in particular with 2.3 A≤Z≤3.4 A, and such that a cross-sectional area of the cross-sectional transition decreases continuously along the transition curve from the starting point to the endpoint.
16. The side plate according to claim 15, wherein the transition curve corresponds to a smooth or stepless, and strictly monotonically falling curve.
17. The side plate according to claim 15, wherein the first subsurface is located perpendicular to a main plane of the side plate and the second subsurface is located parallel to the main plane of the plate body.
18. The side plate according to claim 17, wherein the first subsurface with the starting point is located on the central region, and the second subsurface with the endpoint is located on an overlap region of the overlap regions.
19. The side plate according to claim 17, wherein the first subsurface with the starting point corresponds to a stop surface with a limit stop effect of a stop recess in an overlap region of the overlap regions, and the second subsurface with the endpoint corresponds to a bottom wall which closes the stop recess on one side.
20. The side plate according to claim 17, wherein the first subsurface with the starting point is located on a swivel pin in an overlap region of the overlap regions, and the second subsurface with the endpoint is located on a sidewall region from which the swivel pin protrudes.
21. The side plate according to claim 15, wherein the transition curve defines the cross-sectional transition from an outer surface of the plate body into a material recess.
22. The side plate according to claim 16, wherein the course of the transition curve is selected such that the endpoint is located at the distance Z from the intersection curve with 2.2 A≤Z≤2.6 A, and the course corresponds to a 45° circle segment of a circle which tangentially touches the second subsurface in the endpoint.
23. The side plate according to claim 15, wherein the angle between the first subsurface and the second subsurface amounts to a constant 90° along the cross-sectional transition, wherein the course of the transition curve in an initial portion at the starting point has a tangent which forms an angle of approx. 45°±5° with the first subsurface, and/or wherein the course of the transition curve in an end portion at the endpoint has a tangent which is substantially parallel to the second subsurface or continuously merges into the second subsurface.
24. The side plate according to claim 15, wherein the at least one cross-sectional transition is asymmetric to a bisector of the first and second subsurfaces and/or is produced in one piece with the plate body from a thermoplastic.
25. The side plate according to claim 24, wherein the thermoplastic is injection molded.
26. The side plate according to claim 15, wherein the second subsurface with the endpoint of the transition curve is provided at a region of the plate body which is to transmit at least tensile force.
27. The side plate according to claim 15, wherein the side plate takes a form of an inner plate, an outer plate or an offset plate.
28. The side plate according to claim 15, wherein the side plate is disposed in a chain link.
29. The side plate according to claim 15, wherein the side plate is disposed in a chain link of an energy guide chain.
Description
[0033] Further features and advantages of the invention may be inferred without limitation of the scope of protection from the following, more detailed description of preferred exemplary embodiments made on the basis of the appended figures, in which, purely by way of example:
[0034] FIGS. 1A-1E show views of an offset side plate according to a first embodiment in side view from the outer side facing away from the chain interior (FIG. 1A), in longitudinal section according to section line A-A (FIG. 1B), in an enlarged partial cross-section D (FIG. 1D), in perspective (FIG. 1C) and in an enlarged partial cross-section (FIG. 1E) according to section line B-B from FIG. 1A;
[0035] FIG. 2 shows a greatly enlarged curve representation of the transition curve of the cross-sectional transition which is shown for example in FIG. 1D and FIG. 1E; and
[0036] FIG. 3 shows perspective views of an inner plate from the outside (FIG. 3A) and an outer plate from the inside (FIG. 3B).
[0037] FIGS. 1A-1E show an offset side plate 10 which is produced as a one-piece plate body of plastics material by the injection molding method. The side plate 10 has two flat, laterally staggered overlap regions 11A, 11B and a central region 12 over half a chain pitch length. The central region 12 has a greater wall thickness in comparison with the overlap regions 11A, 11B. The first overlap region 11A has a joint receptacle 13 for swivelable engagement with a matching joint pin 14 of an identically constructed side plate 10 which is to be connected. The joint pin 14 protrudes on the outside from the opposing second overlap region 11B. Identically dimensioned stop pockets 15A, 15B are in each case provided on circular arc-shaped end regions of the overlap regions 11A, 11B as cutouts in the plate body. A matching stop projection 16A, 16B of the respective adjoining side plate 10 engages in each stop pocket 15A, 15B, in order to limit the relative swivel angle about the swivel axis of the cylindrical joint pin 14 to the desired width. This proceeds by the stop projection 16A, 16B coming to a stop in the complementary stop pocket 15A, 15B. Fastening projections of the side plate 10 for crosspieces are, for example, not shown. The side plate 10 may moreover also be a component of a chain link produced in one piece with an opposing side plate which is mirror-reflected to the side plate 10 and is otherwise identically constructed.
[0038] In the longitudinal direction of the side plate 10, the central region 12 is delimited on both sides by a front-end surface F11, F12 which extends in an approximately circular arc shape around the respective swivel axis and is located perpendicular to the main plane H of the plate (FIG. 1D). The inside of the outwardly offset overlap region 11A forms a planar surface F21 and the outside of the inwardly offset overlap region 11B forms a further flat surface F21. The surfaces F21, F22 are located parallel to and slightly laterally staggered with movement clearance to the main plane H of the plate, i.e. the surfaces F21, F22 are perpendicular to the front-end surface F11, F12. The surface F21 of the first overlap region 11A and the one front-end surface F11 of the central region 12 are connected by a cross-sectional transition Q1. The surface F22 of the second overlap region 11B and the other front-end surface F12 of the central region 12 are connected by a cross-sectional transition Q2. The cross-sectional profile of the cross-sectional transitions Q1, Q2 is identically shaped corresponding to a transition curve C, which is shown in greater detail for example in FIG. 2, with a shorter leg toward the front-end surface F11, F12 and a longer leg toward the lateral surfaces F21, F22.
[0039] FIG. 1E shows a further cross-sectional transition Q3, the profile of which is defined by the transition curve C from FIG. 2. The cross-sectional transition Q3 bridges a stop surface F31 with a limit stop effect as the edge of the stop pocket 15B in the overlap region 11B and the outer surface F32 of a bottom wall which closes the stop pocket 15B on one side, in FIG. 1E toward the chain interior, with a relatively small (wall) thickness in comparison with the remainder of the overlap region 11B. Identically shaped cross-sectional transitions Q3 are provided on both sides in both stop pockets 15A, 15B, in each case on the stop surface serving as a mating stop for the stop projection 16A, 16B. Instead of rounded edges (not shown), cross-sectional transitions complementary to the cross-sectional transitions Q3 may optionally be provided on each stop projection 16A, 16B.
[0040] The cross-sectional transitions Q1, Q2, Q3 according to the transition curve C are optimized with regard to fatigue damage, in particular force flow-related local stress concentrations or stress peaks in the respective region of the plate body of the side plate 10 since these regions have to withstand constant load cycling and/or elevated forces. The cross-sectional transitions Q1, Q2 or Q3 permit a reduction in material thickness of the plate body or further reduction of the bottom wall of the stop pockets 15A, 15B or, at constant material thickness, bring about increased operational endurance (resistance to repeated load cycling) of the adjoining regions of the side plate 10.
[0041] In further regions which are not critical with respect to stress peaks, the overlap regions 11A, 11B and the central region 12 moreover have cross-sectional transitions which are rounded as chamfers or conventionally with a radius corresponding to a quarter circle. Conventional radius curvatures are here shown by way of example for the transitions of the lateral surfaces F21, F22 of the overlap regions 11A, 11B to the upper and lower narrow sides of the side plate 10 (FIG. 1C) or for the front-end surface F11, F12 to the outer side surfaces of the side plate (FIG. 1D).
[0042] FIG. 2 shows a preferred transition curve C for constructing the cross-sectional transitions Q1, Q2 or Q3, wherein the transition curve C should be scaled to the respective size ratios. As is apparent from FIG. 2, the starting point PA of the transition curve C on the one subsurface F11, F21, F31 is in each case at a distance A from the intersection curve of the first subsurface with the second subsurface F12, F22, F32, in this case perpendicular due to perpendicular subsurfaces, and the endpoint PZ of the transition curve C on the second subsurface F12, F22, F32 is at a distance Z from the intersection curve of the two subsurfaces, in this case perpendicular to the subsurface F11, F21, F31. In FIG. 2 the distance Z of the end point PZ amounts to approx. Z=2.5.Math.A and the transition curve C is a 45° circular arc segment, the radius R of which is selected for a desired distance A such that the circle forming the circular arc segment tangentially meets the second subsurface F12, F22, F32 at exactly Z=2.5.Math.A or touches the latter only at the point PZ. It is accordingly simultaneously ensured that the cross-sectional area of the cross-sectional transition Q1, Q2 or Q3 decreases continuously along the transition curve C from the starting point PA to the endpoint PZ, in this case according to a strictly monotonically falling curve. The transition curve C is preferably selected such that 2.3.Math.A≤Z≤3.4.Math.A is observed, particularly preferably 2.2.Math.A≤Z≤2.6. Other functions, in particular without a constant radius of curvature, may also be considered, for example a tangent curve (not shown), for instance tangent (x) with x=0 to x(PZ) and 1.25≤x(PZ)≤1.4 or applied such that Z/A≈3.4 and the curve intersects the first subsurface F11, F21, F31 at PA at approximately 45°. The latter may in particular be considered for transitions of perpendicular surfaces (as in FIGS. 1A-1E). Other trigonometric functions may also be considered or for example an elliptical segment, provided the curve tangent rotates continuously, preferably strictly monotonically, along the course of the curve in the direction of parallelism with the second subsurface F12, F22, F32.
[0043] Transition curves favorable for optimizing force flow extend between two equidistant or parallel curves on both sides at a distance d=0.1.Math.A from the 45° circle segment with Z/A=approx. 2.5. On the basis of a limit value consideration, the transition curve C has a tangent at the starting point PA which intersects the first subsurface F11, F21, F31 for instance at an angle of approx. 45°±5°, wherein a residual edge can be left as non-critical at this point to simplify design.
[0044] FIGS. 3A-3B show a second exemplary embodiment with an inner plate 30A and an outer plate 30B. The inner plate 30A, with two overlap regions 31A, 31B and a central region 32A, is produced in one piece of plastics material. The outer plate 30B, with two overlap regions 31C, 31D and a central region 32B, is likewise produced in one piece in an injection molding step. The inner plate 30A and the outer plate 30B are in each case symmetrical with respect to their vertical central plane and are swivelably connected together in an alternating sequence to form a string with the assistance of the joint receptacles 33, in this case on the inner plate 30A, and the joint pins 34, in this case on the outer plate 30B. The inner plate 30A has on the outside four identically shaped stop pockets 35A, 35B, 35C, 35D distributed rotationally symmetrically about the swivel axis. The outer plate 30B has on the inside four protruding stop projections 36A, 36B, 36C, 36D to engage matchingly in said pockets for the purpose of limiting the swivel angle.
[0045] Similarly to the principle from FIG. 1D, according to FIG. 3A front-end surfaces F11 of the central region 32A of the inner plate 30A merge with cross-sectional transitions Q1 into lateral surfaces F21 perpendicular to the front-end surfaces F11 of the overlap regions 31A, 31B. The cross-sectional transitions Q1 are correspondingly scaled according to the transition curve C from FIG. 2. In correspondingly similar manner, front-end surfaces F12 merge from the central region 32B of the outer plate 30B (FIG. 3B) with cross-sectional transitions Q1 into lateral surfaces F21 of the overlap regions 31C, 31D in order to reduce the risk of fatigue fracture in these critical regions.
[0046] In contrast with FIGS. 1A-1E, in order to reduce notch stresses, the outer plate 30B here has further cross-sectional transitions Q4 according to the invention at the stop projections 36A, 36B, 36C, 36D. The cross-sectional transitions Q4 are in each case located circumferentially at the base of the stop projections 36A, 36B, 36C, 36D and correspond to a scaled transition curve C from FIG. 2. Cross-sectional transitions corresponding to FIG. 1E may optionally also be used in the stop pockets 35A, 35B, 35C, 35D.
[0047] FIGS. 3A-3B furthermore show two material recesses 37A on the outside of the central region 32A of the inner plate 30A and in each case four further rotationally symmetrically arranged and identically shaped material recesses 37B in the outer plate 30B. Using cross-sectional transitions Q5 according to the invention according to a transition curve C as shown in FIG. 2 for the inward transition into these material recesses 37A, 37B enables better material utilization in the plate body of the inner plate 30A and the outer plate 30B and thus simultaneously a perceptible reduction in component mass or the quantity of plastics material required per plate, so lowering material costs and possibly reducing injection molding machine cycle times.
[0048] With regard to other per se known features of an energy guide chain, some of which are not shown here, reference is finally made for brevity's sake, to DE 3 531 066 C2 (with offset plates) or to WO 95/04231 A1 (with inner/outer plates). The terms inner and outer should be understood below in relation to the receiving space for lines in the chain link of the energy guide chain (not shown).
LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS
[0049] FIGS. 1A-1E [0050] 10 Side plate (offset) [0051] 11A, 11B Overlap regions [0052] 12 Central region [0053] 13 Joint receptacle [0054] 14 Joint pin [0055] 15A, 15B Stop pocket [0056] 16A, 16B Stop projection [0057] F11, F21, F31 First subsurface [0058] F12, F22, F32 Second subsurface [0059] H Main plane of the plate [0060] Q1, Q2, Q3 Cross-sectional transition [0061] FIG. 2 [0062] C Transition curve [0063] PA Starting point (transition curve) [0064] PZ Endpoint (transition curve) [0065] R Radius (45° circle segment) [0066] FIGS. 3A-3B [0067] 30A Inner plate [0068] 30B Outer plate [0069] 31A, 31B Overlap regions (inner plate) [0070] 31C, 31D Overlap regions (outer plate) [0071] 32A, 32B Central region [0072] 33 Joint receptacle [0073] 34 Joint pin [0074] 35A, 35B, 35C, 35D Stop pocket [0075] 36A, 36B, 36C, 36D Stop projection [0076] 37A, 37B Material recess [0077] F11, F21 First subsurface [0078] F12, F22 Second subsurface [0079] Q1, Q2, Q4, Q5 Cross-sectional transition
