LINE GUIDING SYSTEM WITH SIMPLIFIED GUIDING DEVICE FOR TRANSVERSE STABILIZING AND ADD-ON MODULE THEREFOR

Abstract

A line guiding system comprising an articulated line guiding apparatus which, for guiding supply lines between two connection points that are movable relative to each other, is curved about a deflection axis extending in a transverse direction transverse to the longitudinal direction, and a separate guiding device for guiding the line guiding apparatus along at least a section of the travel path. The guiding device comprises at least one guide strand, which is arrangeable for predefining a desired course of the section of the travel path. The line guiding apparatus comprises external profile regions, which are arranged for lying against and/or on the guide strand and are shaped with a profile shape for a transversely stabilizing guiding against or on the guide strand by projecting and/or recessed interengagement of guide strand and profile shape to counteract a lateral deviation of the movable line guiding apparatus in the transverse direction.

Claims

1-21. (canceled)

22. A line guiding system comprising: a line guiding apparatus, in particular an energy chain, for dynamic guiding supply lines, such as cables, hoses or the like, from a first to a second connection point, of which at least one is movable relative to the other along a travel path; and a separate guiding device for guiding the line guiding apparatus along at least a section of the travel path, wherein the line guiding apparatus has a longitudinal direction and is formed in an articulated manner such that the line guiding apparatus can be turned around or deflected for travel, forming two opposite runs and a deflection curve connecting the runs, which is curved about a deflection axis extending in a transverse direction transverse to the longitudinal direction, wherein the guiding device comprises at least one guide strand, which is arrangeable for predefining a desired course of the section of the travel path, and in that the line guiding apparatus comprises external profile regions, which are arranged for lying against and/or on the guide strand and are shaped with a profile shape for transversely stabilizing guiding against or on the guide strand by projecting and/or recessed interengagement of guide strand and profile shape to counteract a lateral deviation of the movable line guiding apparatus in the transverse direction, wherein the profile regions are provided on a side of the line guiding apparatus which, during travel of the line guiding apparatus, faces towards the respective opposite run, and/or on a side of the line guiding apparatus which, during travel of the line guiding apparatus, faces away from the respective opposite run.

23. The line guiding system according to claim 22, wherein the profile regions of the line guiding apparatus are formed such that they are complementary in cross-section to the cross-section of the interacting guide strand, and are in particular concave, in particular with two lateral retaining surfaces.

24. The line guiding system according to claim 22, wherein at least some of the profile regions each have at least one depression extending in the longitudinal direction with a cylindrical inner wall, preferably with an arc-shaped cross-section.

25. The line guiding system according to claim 22, wherein: the at least one guide strand is arrangeable such that it extends in a linear manner to define a linear course of the section and to counteract a deviation of the line guiding apparatus from straight running; and/or the profile regions are provided on separate add-on modules, which are fastened to the line guiding apparatus.

26. The line guiding system according to claim 22, wherein the guiding device comprises a longitudinal portion with at least one supporting guide strand, which is arranged for supporting at least part of the load of the line guiding apparatus, in particular for supporting the upper run, wherein profile regions are preferably supported on the guide strand in a load-transferring manner.

27. The line guiding system according to claim 22, wherein the at least one guide strand is configured continuously along the section of the travel path, in particular in one piece, in particular as a rope, wire, cord or the like, or as a continuous profile bar or continuous profile strand, wherein the guiding device preferably comprises two guide strands, which can be installed parallel to each other.

28. The line guiding system according to claim 22, wherein the guiding device comprises at least one fastening device for the guide strand, and in an operational state the at least one guide strand is fastened at least at its ends or only at its ends by a fastening device in each case, preferably stretched between two fastening devices as a rope, wire, cord or the like.

29. The line guiding system according to claim 22, wherein the line guiding apparatus comprises a plurality of chain links or segments each connected to one another in an articulated manner, wherein the at least one guide strand can be built up from a number of separate longitudinal portions, wherein a longitudinal extension of a longitudinal portion of the guide strand preferably amounts in each case to a multiple of the longitudinal extension of a chain link or segment of the line guiding apparatus.

30. The line guiding system according to claim 22, wherein the guiding device comprises two guide planes with at least one guide strand in each guide plane.

31. The line guiding system according to claim 22, wherein the line guiding apparatus is an energy chain having two mutually opposite strands of lateral link plates and crossbars connecting these in the transverse direction, wherein the lateral link plates of a strand are connected to each other in pairs in an articulated manner in each case, wherein the line guiding system comprises add-on modules for retrofitting the energy chain with the profile regions, wherein the add-on modules each have at least one profile region and are formed for fastening on a crossbar and/or a lateral link plate, and in particular are latchable with a crossbar and/or with a lateral link plate; or at least some of the crossbars and/or at least some of the lateral link plates each have at least one integrated profile region for interaction with the guide strand.

32. The line guiding system according to claim 31, wherein the energy chain forms during travel two opposite runs and a deflection curve connecting the runs, wherein the add-on modules are arranged externally on the facing away side of the energy chain, which, during travel, faces away from the opposite run in each case or faces away from the deflection axis of the deflection curve; wherein support skids preferably provided laterally in pairs externally on the facing away side, in particular support skids that are integral with the add-on modules, are provided, which are spaced apart from each other and from the profile regions in the transverse direction.

33. The line guiding system according to claim 22, wherein: the guiding device comprises a first pair of parallel guide strands in the form of profile bars for guiding the stationary run, and a second pair of parallel guide strands in the form of profile bars for guiding and supporting the movable run, wherein each run comprises first profile regions arranged in pairs and symmetrically in cross-section, which, during travel, face away from the opposite run in each case, and second profile regions arranged in pairs and symmetrically in cross-section, which, during travel, face towards the opposite run in each case, and the first profile regions interact with the first pair of profile bars and the second profile regions interact with the second pair of profile bars.

34. The line guiding system according to claim 32, wherein an add-on module comprises both profile regions facing, during travel, towards the opposite run or the deflection axis, and profile regions facing, during travel, away from the opposite run or the deflection axis.

35. The line guiding system according to claim 22, wherein the guiding device comprises at least one guide strand configured as a profile strand, preferably with a profile cross-section that interacts with the profile regions by alternating projecting and recessed interlocking.

36. The line guiding system according to claim 35, wherein the line guiding apparatus comprises a plurality of comb-like projections extending in the longitudinal direction on the side of each run facing, during travel, towards the opposite run in each case, to allow the comb-like projections of the two runs to mesh with one another during travel of the one, upper run on the other, lower run, in order to keep the two runs together against a transverse shift relative to each other or together laterally.

37. The line guiding system according to claim 36, wherein: the run, which is the lower run during travel, is guided by interaction of an allocated guide strand, in particular by a tensioned rope or the like, with profile regions that are arranged externally on the facing away side of the energy chain facing away from the opposite run in each case; and/or the run, which is the upper run during travel, is guided by interaction of the guide strand configured as a profile strand with the comb-like projections.

38. The line guiding system according to claim 37, wherein the guide strand for the upper run configured as the profile strand is retained laterally on the rope-like guide strand for the lower run.

39. An add-on module for retrofitting of an existing energy chain, which is formed in an articulated manner for dynamic guiding of supply lines to a movable consumer and forms during travel two opposite runs and a deflection curve connecting the runs, wherein the add-on module comprises at least one externally arranged profile region and is formed for fitting on a crossbar and/or on a lateral link plate of a chain link of the energy chain, such that the at least one profile region of the add-on module is arranged so that during travel of the energy chain it is externally accessible on a side of the energy chain which faces towards the opposite run in each case or on a side of the energy chain which faces away from the opposite run in each case, wherein the add-on module is configured for interacting with at least one transversely stabilizing guide strand, wherein the particular profile region is formed such that it is complementary to a rope- or bar-like guide strand and comprises at least one depression with a partially cylindrical inner wall, and the add-on module is in particular latchable with the crossbar and/or the lateral link plate.

40. The add-on module according to claim 39, wherein the add-on module comprises, beside the profile region, two lateral support skids which are spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction.

41. A chain link of an energy chain for a line guiding system according to claim 22, wherein the energy chain is formed in an articulated manner for dynamic guiding of supply lines to a movable consumer, such that it can be turned around or deflected and forms during travel two opposite runs and a deflection curve which is curved about a deflection axis and connects the runs, the chain link comprising two lateral link plates opposite each other in a transverse direction, each having two narrow sides extending in a longitudinal direction, and at least one crossbar connecting these lateral link plates, wherein the lateral link plates and the crossbar define a receiving space for supply lines to be guided, wherein the respective lateral link plate is formed to be connected to lateral link plates of neighboring chain links, pivotably relative to each other about a pivot axis which extends in the transverse direction, wherein the chain link comprises at least one external profile region facing away from the receiving space for interacting with at least one rope- or bar-like guide strand, wherein the particular profile region is arranged on at least one of the crossbars and/or on at least one of the narrow sides of the particular lateral link plate, wherein, in respect to the pivot axis, the respective profile region is arranged on a radially inner side or a radially outer side of the chain link and has a profile shape that is complementary in cross-section to the rope- or bar-like guide strand, in particular a concave partially cylindrical profile shape.

42. The chain link according to claim 41, wherein the profile region is shaped integrally with the external side of the crossbar, and is in particular formed on the crossbar, or is latched with the crossbar as a component of a separate add-on module.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0058] Further details, features and advantages of the invention can be taken from the following, more detailed description of preferred exemplary embodiments with reference to the annexed figures, in which, purely by way of example:

[0059] FIG. 1A, 1B: a first exemplary embodiment of the system according to the invention in side view (FIG. 1A) and in cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (FIG. 1B);

[0060] FIG. 2A-2D: a second exemplary embodiment of the system according to the invention in side view (FIG. 2A), in cross-section along N-N (FIG. 2B), in cross-section along P-P (FIG. 2C) and in perspective view (FIG. 2D);

[0061] FIG. 3A-3C a third exemplary embodiment of the system according to the invention in side view (FIG. 3A), in cross-section along V-V (FIG. 3B) and in cross-section along W-W (FIG. 3C); and

[0062] FIG. 4A-4B: an add-on module (FIG. 4A) and a chain link with the add-on module as in FIG. 4A (FIG. 4B) fitted, in a perspective illustration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0063] FIGS. 1A, 2A and 3A show a line guiding apparatus 10, which guides supply lines (not shown) from a first connection point 13 on a fixed base to a second connection point 15 on a machine to be supplied. The second, movable connection point 15 travels in a longitudinal direction L along a travel path W (shown in FIG. 2D), in a vertical plane here. The line guiding apparatus 10 forms a lower run 12 and an upper run 14 in the operational state shown. The lower run 12 is connected at its end to the fixed connection point 13 and is laid on an installation surface 31. The upper run 14 is connected to the movable connection point 15 and travels along the travel path W partially on the lower run 12 in a gliding manner. Between the two runs 12, 14 a deflection curve 16 is formed, which is curved about a deflection axis U and likewise travels along the travel path W. The deflection axis U extends perpendicularly to the plane of FIGS. 1A, 2A and 3A, horizontally here.

[0064] The line guiding apparatus 10 travels in a travel plane in which the longitudinal direction L and a height direction H lie, with a transverse direction Q extending parallel to the deflection axis U. The line guiding apparatus 10 comprises two sides A, B in the installed or operational state. The radially inner side A faces towards the deflection axis U in the region of the deflection curve 16, and in the regions of the runs 12, 14 it faces towards the opposite run 12, 14 in each case. The radially outer side B faces away from the deflection axis U in the region of the deflection curve 16, and in the regions of the runs 12, 14 it faces away from the opposite run 12, 14 in each case. The side B in the lower run 12 is supported on the bearing surface or installation surface 31.

[0065] The line guiding apparatus 10 is preferably an energy chain, which is made up of chain links 41, 42, 43, 44 that are connected to each other in an articulated or pivoting manner. A chain link 44 is shown in perspective in FIG. 4B and in cross-section in FIG. 1B, FIG. 2B and FIG. 3B. The chain link 41, 42, 43, 44 comprises two parallel lateral link plates 410, which are each spaced apart from one another and connected to one another in the transverse direction Q here by two crossbars 421, 422, 423, 424. The lateral link plates 410 of consecutive chain links 41 are pivotable relative to each other about a pivot axis, the pivot axis extending in the transverse direction Q parallel to the deflection axis U or defining this.

[0066] The line guiding system 1 in all the exemplary embodiments comprises at least one guiding device 20 with a guide strand 22, which guides the line guiding apparatus 10 along the travel path W. The line guiding apparatus 10 comprises profile regions 18 that are compatible with or shaped so as to be complementary to the guide strand 22, which engage with the guide strand 22 during the travel of the line guiding device 10 and can travel in the longitudinal direction L in engagement with the guide strand 22. Because of this interaction, the line guiding apparatus 10 remains laterally retained in the provided travel plane in which the movable connection point 15 travels, i.e. perpendicularly to the deflection axis U. To this end, the profile regions 18 form lateral retaining surfaces 111, 211, 311 of suitable geometry, which are shaped according to the selected guide strand 22. The individual profile regions 18 are arranged such that they are distributed along the length of the line guiding apparatus 10 and have a shorter longitudinal extension than the individual chain link 41, 42, 43, 44.

[0067] The profile shape of the profile regions 18 corresponds in cross-section to the cross-sectional shape of the guide strand 22, and is selected such that when the profile region 18 of a chain link 41 presses or lies against or on the guide strand 22, the profile region 18 aligns with the guide strand 22 and the chain link 41 tends towards an intended, desired orientation of the guide strand 22. In this way a deviation, e.g. from a desired straight running, is counteracted and the line guiding apparatus 10 is prevented from veering laterally out of the intended travel plane.

[0068] The guide strand 22 in the exemplary embodiment as in FIG. 1A, 1B is configured as a high-tensile-strength rope 221, e.g. as a steel rope or plastics rope, and has a substantially circular cross-section. The rope 221 is tensioned between two fastening devices 17, i.e. it extends in the intended travel plane corresponding to the intended travel path W of the machine to be supplied. The fastening and alignment can thus take place particularly simply using two end fastening devices 17, between which the rope 221 is tensioned. The tensioning force of the rope 221 between the fastening devices 17 is selected such that it absorbs typical transverse forces that can occur on the energy chain 10.

[0069] The chain links 41, illustrated in more detail in FIG. 4B, are each furnished with add-on modules 404 composed of plastic, which are locked on the side B with crossbars 421, e.g. by a plug-in clip connection. An appropriate add-on module 404 is shown individually in detail in FIG. 4A and can be produced e.g. as a one-piece injection molding. The profile regions 18 are each shaped as a depression 19, groove, trough, receptacle or the like, with a concave cross-section. The depression 19 is arranged centrally on the add-on module 404, and thus the crossbar 421, in relation to the transverse direction Q and has a semi-cylindrical inner wall with a uniform cross-section in the longitudinal direction L, here for example in the form of a semi-circular disc fitting the cross-section of the rope 221. The add-on module 404 further comprises two lateral support skids 405, one on each side of the depression 19, which are spaced apart from each other and from the profile regions 18 in the transverse direction Q. The support skids 405, which are optional depending on the shape of the profile regions 18, counteract a tilting about the longitudinal direction L on the rope 221.

[0070] The guiding device 20 in FIG. 2A-2D is constructed for action on two guide planes 201, 202. In a lower guide plane 201 the guiding action corresponds to the rope 221 shown in FIG. 1A-1C, which is clamped in a straight line between two fastening devices 17. The rope 221 guides and retains the lower run 12. The upper guide plane 202 is formed by a plurality of parallel profile strands 222, which are formed integrally with a support surface 23. The support surface 23 is spaced apart from the external installation surface 31 in the height direction H or vertically, e.g. on a machine. The profile strands 222 guide the upper run 14 further in a linear elongation of the lower run 13, and to this end they have a uniform cross-section in the longitudinal direction L which is complementary to comb-like projections 412 of the line guiding apparatus 10. The comb-like projections here can be shaped according to the teaching of EP 0 879 367 B1, which is therefore incorporated herein for the sake of brevity. The profile strands 222 are provided integrally with the support surface 23 by one or more structurally identical channel-like plastics profiles 225, which are configured such that they are compatible with the principle from EP 0 879 367 B1.

[0071] The upper run 14, starting from the deflection curve 16, initially travels on the lower run 12, with the comb-like projections 412 on the inner side A of the upper run 14 and on the inner side A of the lower run 12 meshing with one another. The upper run 14 travels past the fixed connection point 13 on to the support surface 23, which acts as a supporting running surface 212 for the upper run 14, and is guided here by the profile strands 222 and supported by the support surface 23. The guide strand 22 of the guiding device 20 comprising the support surface 23 with the profile strands 222 can be produced cost-effectively as a channel-like hollow plastics profile 225, e.g. by extrusion. On the bottom side of the plastics profile 225 facing towards the installation surface 31, a receptacle 224 is formed for a form-fitting connection with the rope 221. By means of the receptacle 224, fitting the rope 221, the hollow plastics profile 225 is secured against displacement in the transverse direction Q (see FIG. 2C).

[0072] In the exemplary embodiment as in FIG. 2A-2D, the guiding device 20 comprises both the rope 221 as a first guide strand for the lower run 12 and a second profile-type guide strand for the upper run 14, with the profile strands 222 projecting from the support surface 23. The support surface 23 here additionally has a supporting function for the upper run 14.

[0073] The guiding device 30 in FIG. 3A-3C likewise comprises two guide planes 201, 202, each with two parallel guide strands 32. In the example as in FIG. 3A-3C, the guide strands 32 are configured not flexibly in the manner of a rope but rigidly in the manner of a bar as profile bars 323 each having a round cross-section, which is uniform in the longitudinal direction L. The profile bars 323 can be configured e.g. as metal bars that are circular in profile. On each of the lower and upper guide planes 201, 202 there is a pair of parallel profile bars 323, which may optionally be composed of a plurality of longitudinal portions 24.

[0074] At least every nth chain link 43 of the energy chain in this example is furnished with a pair of first profile regions 318a and a pair of second profile regions 318b, which are provided on an add-on module 304. The add-on module 304 in this example, unlike FIG. 4B, is fastened over the crossbar 423 on to the narrow sides 411 of the lateral link plates 410, e.g. by a locking connection. In FIG. 3A-3C, the add-on modules 304 each comprise two pairs of profile regions 318a, 318b. The two first profile regions 318a are arranged on the radially outer side B of the energy chain and the second profile regions 318b are arranged facing away from the profile regions a on the radially inner side A of the energy chain. The spacing of the lower profile bars 323 from each other in the transverse direction Q is equal to the corresponding spacing of the first profile regions 318a from each other, and a spacing of the upper profile bars 323 from each other in the transverse direction Q is equal to the corresponding spacing of the second profile regions 318b from each other.

[0075] Each profile region 318a, 318b comprises a depression 19 with a semi-cylindrical inner wall, similar to FIG. 1-2, coaxially with the longitudinal direction L. All the profile regions 318a, 318b in FIG. 3A-3C have an identical cross-section, such that identical profile bars 323 can be used. During travel of the energy chain 10, the runs 12, 14 glide with the corresponding profile regions 318a, 318b on the profile bars 323, i.e. engage with the guide bars 223, such that a deviation of the runs 12, 14 in the transverse direction Q is prevented, possibly assisted by their weight.

[0076] Besides the guiding function, the profile bars 323 can have a weight-bearing action, i.e. a support function. In FIG. 3A-3C the upper run 14 is supported by the profile bars 323 movably in a gliding manner in the guide plane 202. The upper run 14 in this case can be supported on the profile bars 323 of the second guide plane 202 by its second profile regions 318b in a gliding manner and guided in a suspended manner, as it were. The construction and installation of the guide strands 32 composed of profile bars 323 here are simple, similarly to FIG. 1-2, and in particular rapidly alignable with few individual parts.

[0077] FIG. 4A shows, by way of example, an add-on module 404 for the device in FIG. 1-2, in a perspective view from the side facing away from the profile region 18. The add-on module 404 comprises a transversely stabilizing profile region 18, here in the form of a depression 19 with a semi-cylindrical profile surface, which forms a semi-circle in cross-section. In the installed state on the chain link, the cylinder axis of the depression 19 lies parallel to the longitudinal direction L of the energy chain. Furthermore, the add-on module 404 comprises two support skids 405, which extend parallel to the depression 19. The add-on module 404 comprises a locking receptacle and locking projections 407 for locking with narrow sides 409 of a crossbar 424b.

[0078] FIG. 4B shows a chain link 44 of an energy chain 10 according to the preceding figures. The chain link 44 comprises two parallel lateral link plates 410, which are connected to each other in the transverse direction Q by at least one, here two, crossbars 424a, 424b. The lateral link plates 410 and the crossbars 424a, 424b define a receiving space 500 for guiding supply lines. The main sides 413 of the lateral link plates 410 in FIG. 4B each have a joint pin 415a that is known per se and a joint receptacle 415b that is known per se for articulated joints with two further chain links 44. Other types of articulated joints are also possible. Each lateral link plate 410 has two narrow sides 411 each extending in the longitudinal direction L, one facing the side A and one facing the side B of the line guiding apparatus 10 inside the line guiding apparatus 10. The crossbars 424a, 424b likewise each have two narrow sides 409, which extend along the transverse direction Q, and two main sides 408, one facing towards and one facing away from the receiving space 500. On the main side facing away from the receiving space 500, one of the crossbars 424a comprises comb-like projections 412, which are injection molded on the crossbar 424a here or may optionally be attached with a separate add-on part. The other, opposite, crossbar 424b of the chain link 44 has on its main side facing away from the receiving space 500 the add-on module 404, as illustrated in FIG. 4B, which is locked with the narrow sides 409 of the crossbar 424. The profile region 18, the support skids 405 and the comb-like projections 412 are arranged externally on the chain link 44 in relation to the receiving space 500 and extend in the longitudinal direction L of the chain link 44.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

[0079] 1 Line guiding system

[0080] 10 Line guiding apparatus

[0081] 12 Lower run

[0082] 13 First connection point

[0083] 14 Upper run

[0084] 15 Second connection point

[0085] 16 Deflection curve

[0086] 17 Fastening device

[0087] 18, 318a, 318b Profile region

[0088] 19 Depression

[0089] 20, 30 Guiding device

[0090] 22, 32 Guide strand

[0091] 23 Support surface

[0092] 24 Longitudinal portion of a guide strand

[0093] 31 Installation surface

[0094] 41, 42, 43, 44 Chain link

[0095] 111, 211, 311 Retaining surface

[0096] 201, 202 Guide plane

[0097] 221 Rope

[0098] 222 Molded-on profile strands

[0099] 224 Receptacle

[0100] 225 Plastics profile

[0101] 304, 404 Add-on module

[0102] 323 Profile bar

[0103] 405 Support skids

[0104] 407 Locking projections

[0105] 408 Main side of a crossbar

[0106] 409 Narrow side of a crossbar

[0107] 410 Lateral link plate

[0108] 411 Narrow side a lateral link plate

[0109] 412 Comb-like projection

[0110] 413 Main side a lateral link plate

[0111] 415a, 415b Joint pin, joint receptacle

[0112] 421, 422, 423, 424a, 424b Crossbar

[0113] 500 Receiving space

[0114] A Side facing towards the deflection axis

[0115] B Side facing away from the deflection axis

[0116] L Longitudinal direction

[0117] Q Transverse direction

[0118] H Height direction

[0119] U Deflection axis

[0120] W Travel path