PLASTICS PARTS FOR ENERGY CHAINS WITH INTEGRATED SENSORS

Abstract

Energy chains, namely chain parts, in particular chain link plates, therefor and guiding parts of a guide trough for an energy chain. The chain part or guiding part comprises a formed part made from plastic, on which a functional electric circuit with a sensor function is arranged. The functional circuit comprises at least one trace conductor structure, which is formed on the formed part as the carrier of the trace conductor structure, e.g. is applied by an additive manufacturing method.

Claims

1-23. (canceled)

24. A chain link part, for an energy chain, comprising: a plastic formed part, on which at least one functional electric circuit with a sensor function for acquisition of an operating parameter is arranged, wherein the functional circuit comprises at least one trace conductor structure, which is formed directly on the formed part, wherein the formed part itself forms a carrier of the trace conductor structure, wherein the functional circuit is applied by an additive manufacturing method on the formed part made of plastic.

25. The chain link part according to claim 24, wherein the plastic formed part is a premanufactured plastic formed part which operates as a circuit carrier for the functional circuit.

26. The chain link part according to claim 25, wherein the premanufactured plastic formed part comprises an injection-molded plastic circuit carrier for the functional circuit.

27. The chain link part according to claim 24, wherein the functional circuit comprises a detection region that is sensitive to the operating parameter.

28. The chain link part according to claim 27, wherein the formed part comprises a glide surface on a narrow side of the chain link part to glide on a further chain link part and/or on a glide rail of a guide trough.

29. The chain link part according to claim 28, wherein the detection region is at a predefined distance from the glide surface, on a surface opposite the glide surface.

30. The chain link part according to claim 29, wherein the functional circuit is applied on a surface of the formed part, and is integrated into the surface.

31. The chain link part according to claim 27, wherein the detection region extends at least partially along a wear limit to be detected such that an exceeding of the wear limit is detectable by the functional circuit.

32. The chain link part according to claim 24, wherein the formed part comprises an indentation in which the functional circuit lies at least partially.

33. The chain link part according to claim 24, wherein the trace conductor structure is integrally deposited on the formed part, and is connected to the formed part by a substance-to-substance bond.

34. The chain link part according to claim 24, wherein the trace conductor structure is made of a material having significantly higher conductivity than the plastic of the formed part.

35. The chain link part according to claim 34, wherein the trace conductor structure is made of a material with a silver, copper and/or carbon content.

36. The chain link part according to claim 24, wherein the trace conductor structure comprises trace conductors that are applied additively by an additive manufacturing method and have a first layer thickness, with a conductor width of 0.5-5 mm; as well as contact regions for a releasable contact, which are applied additively by the additive manufacturing method and which have a second layer thickness, which is greater than the first layer thickness.

37. The chain link part according to claim 36, wherein the functional circuit is of passive configuration and consists of the trace conductors and contact regions, and is used for resistive wear detection by a conductor interruption.

38. The chain link part according to claim 24, wherein the functional circuit comprises an inductive, a capacitive, a temperature-sensitive or a piezo-resistive detection region, wherein the detection region detects a change of position of the chain link part relative to a further chain link part that is moving relative to the chain link part.

39. The chain link part according to claim 24, wherein the formed part comprises a tribopolymer, which comprises a base polymer and solid lubricants.

40. The chain link part according to claim 24, having two broad sides and four narrow sides, wherein at least one of the narrow sides is formed for gliding on a glide rail or narrow sides of further chain link parts, and/or wherein at least one of the broad sides comprises at least one pin and/or at least one corresponding receptacle to form articulated joints each having a nominal pivot axis between consecutive chain link parts, wherein the functional circuit is attached or printed on the at least one pin and/or on the at least one receptacle and/or on at least one of the narrow sides.

41. The chain link part according to claim 24, wherein the chain link part is a chain link plate.

42. The chain link part according to claim 24, wherein the chain link part is disposed in a line guiding system having the energy chain, for dynamic guiding of supply lines between two connection points that are movable relative to each other.

43. A guiding part of a guide trough of a line guiding system with an energy chain, comprising: a plastic formed part, which comprises a glide surface for the energy chain guided in the guide trough, wherein on the formed part at least one functional electric circuit with a sensor function for acquisition of an operating parameter is arranged, wherein the functional circuit comprises at least one trace conductor structure, which is formed directly on the formed part, wherein the formed part itself forms a carrier of the trace conductor structure, wherein the functional circuit is applied by an additive manufacturing method on the formed part made of plastic.

44. A line guiding system having an energy chain, for dynamic guiding of supply lines between two connection points that are movable relative to each other, comprising: a chain link part of the energy chain and/or a guiding part of a guide trough for the energy chain wherein the chain link part of the energy chain comprises a plastic formed part, on which at least one functional electric circuit with a sensor function for acquisition of an operating parameter is arranged, wherein the functional circuit comprises at least one trace conductor structure, which is formed directly on the formed chain link part, wherein the formed chain link part itself forms a carrier of the trace conductor structure, wherein the functional circuit is applied by an additive manufacturing method on the formed chain link part made of plastic, wherein the guiding part of the guide trough for the energy chain comprises a plastic formed part, which comprises a glide surface for the energy chain guided in the guide trough, wherein on the formed guiding part at least one functional electric circuit with a sensor function for acquisition of an operating parameter is arranged, wherein the functional circuit comprises at least one trace conductor structure, which is formed directly on the formed guiding part, wherein the formed guiding part itself forms a carrier of the trace conductor structure, wherein the functional circuit is applied by an additive manufacturing method on the formed guiding part made of plastic, and wherein the system further comprises an evaluation circuit, which has a releasable signaling connection, to the functional circuit.

45. The system according to claim 44, wherein the system comprises a contact device connected to the evaluation circuit for a releasable contact of the evaluation circuit with the functional circuit.

46. The system according to claim 44, wherein the evaluation circuit evaluates at least one operating parameter with aid of the functional circuit(s) and includes a communication module, which is set up to transmit an evaluation result to a higher-level monitoring system.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0075] Further details, features and advantages of the invention can be taken - without limiting the generality of the above teaching - from the following detailed description of preferred exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached figures, in which:

[0076] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of an exemplary embodiment of a line guiding system;

[0077] FIGS. 2A-2D are exemplary embodiments of a chain link plate: perspective (FIG. 2A), in a side view (FIG. 2B), and in sectional views according to FIG. 2B (FIGS. 2C-2D);

[0078] FIGS. 3A-3D are further exemplary embodiments of the chain link plate in a perspective view; and

[0079] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a glide rail for a system as in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0080] The line guiding system 1 shown purely by way of example in FIG. 1 comprises an energy chain 2 and a guide trough 3 for the energy chain 2. The energy chain 2 guides supply lines 9 from a fixedly positioned connection point 4 to a movable connection point on a moving end 5, e.g. on an equipment part to be supplied. The energy chain 2 here travels as intended along its travel path in a longitudinal direction L between two end positions, indicated here by 6 (left) and 7 (right), the same energy chain 2 being shown in both end positions in FIG. 1 for illustration purposes.

[0081] The guide trough 3 extends in the longitudinal direction L at least between the end positions 6 and 7 and is equipped with a number of aligning glide rails 14 over about half its length towards the extended end position 6. The individual glide rail 14 is shown in more detail in FIG. 4. The energy chain 2 forms a lower run 12, an upper run 13 and a deflection curve 15 during travel. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the energy chain 2 travels in a gliding manner, i.e. the upper run 13 initially glides on the lower run 12 when the moving end 5 is located between the fixed point 4 and the end position 7, or on the glide rails 14 when the moving end 5 is moving between the fixed point 4 and the extended end position 6.

[0082] The energy chain 2 is made up of two link plate strands which are spaced apart from each other in a transverse direction and are connected by suitable crossbars (not shown). The link plate strands and the crossbars form a receptacle space in the energy chain 2, in which the supply lines 9 being guided are accommodated. The link plate strands are made up of chain link plates 11 connected to each other, with two consecutive chain link plates 11 being pivotable relative to each other to a limited degree in each case.

[0083] FIGS. 2A-2D show various views of an exemplary embodiment of a chain link plate 21 according to the invention. The body of the chain link plate 21 is configured as a plastics formed part 22, which is produced from a thermoplastic by injection molding. The chain link plate 21 is plate-like and comprises two broad sides 211, 212 and four narrow sides 213, 214, 215 and 216. The broad sides 211, 212 run parallel to the main plane of the chain link plate 21 in which the longitudinal direction and, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L, the height direction lie. The narrow sides 215, 216 run in the longitudinal direction L, and the narrow sides 212, 213 run in a curved manner substantially in the height direction. The chain link plate 21 furthermore comprises a cylindrical pin 218 (see FIG. 3B) for a receptacle 219 to form an articulated joint with a further chain link plate 21 of the same link plate strand, and a protrusion 230 in the form of a detent lug for connecting to crossbars. FIG. 2C is a section through the protrusion 230. FIG. 2D is a section through the receptacle 219.

[0084] The narrow sides 215, 216 of the chain link plate 21 intentionally comprise glide surfaces 27 that are intended for gliding. When the upper run 13 of the energy chain 2 made up of the chain link plates 21 glides on the glide rail 14, 44 or on the lower run 12, the glide surfaces 27 of the narrow sides 216 of the chain link plates 21 glide on the glide surface 47 of the glide rail 14, 44 or on the glide surfaces 27 of the chain link plates 21 of the lower run 12. Particularly in the case of long travel paths or at high speeds, the glide surfaces 27 are subject to unavoidable wear. With an increasing operating life, excessive wear can result in a chain link plate 21 being damaged or even broken, which can lead to the breakage of the energy chain 2 and, in the worst case, to the breakage of supply lines 9 being guided. To prevent this, at least a number of chain link plates 21 of the energy chain 2 are equipped with a special functional circuit 24 for detecting wear.

[0085] The functional circuit 24 is applied according to the invention on the body of the chain link plate 21, i.e. on the plastics formed part 22. The formed part 22 here acts as a circuit carrier for the functional circuit 24.

[0086] The functional circuit 24 comprises a trace conductor structure 25, with a detection region 26 and two contact regions 29. The functional circuit 24 is passive and is configured as a two-pole and, in this example, it is used for resistive wear detection, namely by a conductor interruption. It consists only of the trace conductors of the detection region 26 and the contact regions 29. The detection region 26 is as a portion of a trace conductor structure, composed e.g. of silver- or copper-containing particles, which were printed on the pre-manufactured formed part 22 by 3D printing. The detection region 26 has a layer thickness of 5-100 .Math.m and a trace conductor width of 0.5-5 mm. The contact regions 29 were likewise printed on the pre-manufactured formed part 22 by 3D printing, preferably in one step with the printing of the detection region 26. However, the contact regions 29 have a greater layer thickness, in particular of 250-500 .Math.m.

[0087] The line guiding system 1 furthermore comprises a suitable evaluation circuit (not illustrated), which makes releasable contact with the contact regions 29 of the functional circuit 24 through a contact device with spring contact pins. In this way, the functional circuit 24 becomes part of the evaluation circuit. The wear detection works as follows: friction-related wear causes deterioration or abrasion of the glide surface 27 as far as a wear limit, which is predetermined at the design stage, until the trace conductor is also damaged in the detection region 26, which marks the wear limit or runs along the wear limit, to the extent that a trace conductor interruption occurs. Thus, the electric circuit is interrupted, and critical wear is detectable. Other measuring principles, e.g. inductive or capacitive measuring principles, are also possible.

[0088] FIGS. 3A-3D show a further arrangement of the functional circuit 34 on a chain link plate 31. The chain link plate 31 is a so-called cranked chain link plate with a pin 318 on a broad side 311 and a receptacle 320 on the opposite broad side 312, the pin 318 and receptacle 320 of consecutive chain link plates 31 forming the articulated joint thereof. The pin 318 and the receptacle 319 have cylindrical regions with glide surfaces 37. When the two chain link plates 31 pivot relative to each other, the mutually adjacent cylindrical surfaces of the pin 318 and the receptacle 319 glide against each other, i.e. they are susceptible to wear, particularly under high tensile forces, i.e. in comparatively long or rapidly moving energy chains 1. It is also possible to arrange a functional circuit 34 on the glide surfaces 37 of the articulated joint, e.g. in an indentation on the surface of the receptacle 319 or of the pin 318, at a distance from the corresponding glide surface 37. The construction of the functional circuit 34 in this case can correspond to FIG. 2. The deterioration of this glide surface 37 can be detected as a trace conductor interruption in the functional circuit 34.

[0089] Further embodiments of functional circuits also lie within the scope of the invention, e.g. with a capacitive, temperature-sensitive or piezo-resistive detection region. They can for example be used for detecting a wear-related change in a distance or in a relative arrangement of two overlapping chain link plates 31. With suitable functional circuits on chain link plates, in particular the occurrence of a clearance in an articulated joint between pin 318 and receptacle 319, or a clearance between the broad sides 311, 312 of the chain link plates 31 in the overlap region, can be detected, e.g. by capacitive or inductive measurement as described e.g. in WO 2019/201482 A1. The corresponding teaching from WO 2019/201482 A1 relating to electrically suitable functional circuits and the arrangement thereof is therefore incorporated herein.

[0090] The narrow sides 313, 314 can also have glide surfaces. In chain link plates 31 according to FIGS. 3A-3D, for example, a curved end-face protrusion 321 of a chain link plate 31 is accommodated in a corresponding recess or groove 322 of an overlapping chain link plate 31 for lateral stabilization. A functional circuit 34 can also be provided in this region, e.g. to check that lateral breaking apart does not occur.

[0091] FIG. 4 shows a glide rail 14, e.g. for a guide trough 3 according to FIG. 1. The glide rail 14 comprises, as intended, a glide surface 47. In the operating position, the glide rail 14 is arranged in the guide trough 3 such that the glide surface 47 provides a supporting running surface for the energy chain 2. In FIG. 4 the glide rail 14 is shown in a perspective view from the underside, which faces away from the glide surface 47. The glide rail 14 has an elongated body in the longitudinal direction, which is produced as a formed part 42, preferably from a tribopolymer, by injection molding. The body has an open cross-section, which is formed as an angled profile. The body possesses a mounting region 410 for mounting on the side portions of the guide trough 3. The mounting region 410 comprises profile elements 411 for this purpose.

[0092] The formed part 42 acts according to the invention as a circuit carrier for the functional circuit 44. In FIG. 4 only one functional circuit 44 is illustrated. The glide rail 14 can also, depending on its overall length, have a plurality of functional circuits 44 spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction for detecting wear at various points along the glide rail 14 and/or for plausibility checking. The functional circuits 44 are attached on the surface 48 of the glide rail 14 facing away from the glide surface 47. The functional circuit 44 is substantially made up of trace conductors 45 and contact regions 49, similarly to the functional circuit 24 described above, and operates according to the resistive principle described above. Each functional circuit 44 here can correspond in its construction to the functional circuit 24 from FIG. 2, for example, with a detection region that is sensitive to the operating parameter. It is also possible for a capacitive or inductive principle to be utilized in the functional circuit 44 as an alternative or in addition.

[0093] The functional circuits 24, 34, 44 from FIGS. 2-4 here comprise at least one trace conductor structure 25, 35, which is applied by a suitable additive manufacturing method directly on the formed part 22, 32 or 42 that acts as a carrier or substrate for the trace conductor structure 25, 35 and has by comparison considerably lower conductivity.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

[0094] FIG. 1 [0095] 1 Line guiding system [0096] 2 Energy chain [0097] 3 Guide trough [0098] 4 Fixed point [0099] 5 Moving end [0100] 6, 7 End positions [0101] 9 Supply lines [0102] 11 Chain link plate [0103] 12 Lower run [0104] 13 Upper run [0105] 15 Deflection curve [0106] 14 Glide rail [0107] L Longitudinal direction

[0108] FIGS. 2A-2D [0109] 21 Chain link plate [0110] 22 Formed part [0111] 24 Functional circuit [0112] 25 Trace conductor structure [0113] 26 Detection region [0114] 29 Contact region [0115] 27 Glide surfaces [0116] 28 Indentation [0117] 211, 212 Broad sides [0118] 213, 214, 215, 216 Narrow sides [0119] 218 (Joint) pin [0120] 219 (Joint) receptacle [0121] L Longitudinal direction

[0122] FIGS. 3A-3D [0123] 31 Chain link plate [0124] 34 Functional circuit [0125] 35 Trace conductor structure [0126] 37 Glide surfaces [0127] 311, 312 Broad side [0128] 313, 314, 315, 316 Narrow sides [0129] 318 Pin [0130] 319, 320 Receptacle [0131] 321 Protrusion [0132] 322 Groove

[0133] FIG. 4 [0134] 14 Glide rail [0135] 42 Formed part [0136] 44 Functional circuit [0137] 47 Glide surface [0138] 48 Surface [0139] 410 Mounting region [0140] 411 Profile elements