LINE GUIDE DEVICE FOR CLEANROOM APPLICATIONS AND ALSO SUPPORTING CHAIN AND CHAIN LINK FOR IT

Abstract

A line guide device comprising an envelope for supply lines and an articulated support chain. One chain link has an inside projection in a first longitudinal portion and an inside cross-bridge with an extended stop face and a recess adjoining the cross-bridge in a second longitudinal portion. In the extended position, the projection of one chain link engages in the recess of the following chain link and on the cross-bridge thereof. A support chain, in which each chain link has, in its second longitudinal portion, an outside cross-connection which in the arcuate position interacts with an outside arc stop face of the first longitudinal portion and has an inside cross-connection which in the extended position interacts with an inside extended stop face of the first longitudinal portion.

Claims

1-20. (canceled)

21. A line guide device, in particular for cleanroom applications, for protected guidance of supply lines such as cables, hoses or the like between two connection points, at least one of which is mobile relative to the other, wherein the line guide device has a longitudinal direction and is displaceable to-and-fro forming two runs and a deflection arc, comprising: a flexible envelope with a number of receiving ducts arranged next to one another and extending in the longitudinal direction, in each case for at least one supply line; and at least one support chain, which is arrangeable in a receiving duct to support the line guide device, wherein the support chain may adopt extended positions to form the runs and an arcuate position to form the deflection arc and to this end has a plurality of individual chain links which are connected together in articulated manner, wherein the chain links each comprise a first, front longitudinal portion and a second, rear longitudinal portion complementary thereto with two side parts and a space therebetween, into which the first longitudinal portion of an adjacent following chain link is introduced, and the chain links each have an inside and an outside relative to the deflection arc, wherein: in an end region and on the inside, the first longitudinal portion has a projection protruding transversely of the longitudinal direction; and the second longitudinal portion on the inside has an inside cross-bridge connecting the side parts, with an extended stop face for the extended position, and a recess adjoining the cross-bridge in the longitudinal direction; such that, in the extended position, the projection of one chain link engages in the recess of the connected following chain link and on the inside cross-bridge thereof.

22. A support chain for supporting a line guide device with a flexible envelope according to claim 21, wherein the support chain may adopt extended positions to form extended runs and an arcuate position to form a deflection arc and to this end has a plurality of individual chain links with a longitudinal direction which are connected together in articulated manner, wherein the chain links each comprise a first, front longitudinal portion and comprise a second, rear longitudinal portion complementary thereto with two side parts and a space therebetween, in which the first longitudinal portion of an adjacent chain link is arranged, and the chain links each have an inside and an outside relative to the deflection arc, wherein: in an end region and on the inside, the first longitudinal portion has a projection protruding transversely of the longitudinal direction; and the second longitudinal portion on the inside has an inside cross-bridge connecting the side parts, with an extended stop face for the extended position, and a recess adjoining the cross-bridge at the front in the longitudinal direction; wherein, in the extended position, the projection of one chain link engages in the recess of the connected following chain link and at the front on the inside cross-bridge thereof.

23. The device according to claim 21, wherein at the outside and in a rear end region, the second longitudinal portion has a transverse stop, in particular an outside cross-bridge connecting the side parts, which lies opposite the outside of the first longitudinal portion of an adjacent chain link as abutment for the extended position.

24. The device according to claim 21, wherein the projection forms a contact face for resting against the inside cross-bridge, which is arranged substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

25. The device according to claim 23, wherein the first and second longitudinal portions have stop faces which interact in the extended position and in that the projection and the inside cross-bridge have interacting contact faces which lie substantially perpendicular to the extended stop faces and are arranged such that the projection of one chain link rests, in the extended position, with its contact face against the contact face of the inside cross-bridge of the following chain link.

26. The device according to claim 21, wherein the projection, in particular the contact face thereof, extends over the entire width of the first longitudinal portion cross-sectionally relative to the longitudinal direction and/or the projection, in particular the contact face thereof, projects with a protrusion of at least 5%, preferably at least 10%, of the structural height of the chain link cross-sectionally relative to the longitudinal direction.

27. The device according to claim 21, wherein the projection is arranged in the terminal front quarter of the first longitudinal portion and the inside cross-bridge is preferably arranged in the remote rear half of the second longitudinal portion.

28. The device according to claim 21, wherein the recess forms an opening from the space toward the inside.

29. The device according to claim 21, wherein each chain link includes an outside crosspiece on the outside in its second longitudinal portion, wherein cross-bridge and crosspiece connect the side parts, spanning the space, and in that the inside cross-bridge interacts in the extended position with an inside extended stop face of the first longitudinal portion and the outside crosspiece interacts in the arcuate position with an outside arc stop face of the first longitudinal portion.

30. A support chain for supporting a line guide device with a flexible envelope according to claim 21, wherein the support chain may adopt extended positions to form extended runs and an arcuate position to form a deflection arc and to this end has a plurality of individual chain links with a longitudinal direction which are connected together in articulated manner, wherein the chain links each comprise a first longitudinal portion and a second longitudinal portion complementary thereto with two side regions and a space therebetween, in which the first longitudinal portion of an adjacent following chain link is arranged, and the chain links each have an inside and an outside, wherein each chain link includes an outside cross-connection on the outside in its second longitudinal portion and an inside cross-connection on the inside, which span the space and connect the side regions, and in that the inside cross-connection interacts in the extended position with an inside extended stop face of the first longitudinal portion and the outside cross-connection interacts in the arcuate position with an outside arc stop face of the first longitudinal portion.

31. The support chain according to claim 30, wherein the outside cross-connection is embodied as a crosspiece and the inside cross-connection is embodied as a cross-bridge; and preferably each chain link includes, in its second longitudinal portion, the crosspiece on the outside in the front region and an outside cross-bridge in a rear end region; wherein the first longitudinal portion includes a protruding region on the outside which engages in the arcuate position between the crosspiece and the outside cross-bridge, and wherein the first longitudinal portion preferably wedges together with the second longitudinal portion in the arcuate position.

32. The support chain according to claim 30, wherein the first longitudinal portion is insertable into the space in the second longitudinal portion of an adjacent following chain link in the longitudinal direction.

33. The support chain according claim 32, wherein the longitudinal portions are embodied to form a latched connection against detachment in the longitudinal direction, each chain link having, in the one longitudinal portion, two opposing pins projecting laterally relative to the longitudinal direction, wherein each pin is latchable together with a corresponding cut-out in the other longitudinal portion, wherein the pins have insertion bevels tapering obliquely in the longitudinal direction.

34. The support chain according to claim 33, wherein each chain link includes insertion grooves for the pins opening into the cut-outs and extending substantially in the longitudinal direction.

35. A support chain for supporting a line guide device with a flexible envelope according to claim 21, wherein the support chain may adopt extended positions to form extended runs and an arcuate position to form a deflection arc and to this end has a plurality of individual chain links with a longitudinal direction which are connected together in articulated manner, wherein the chain links each comprise a first, front longitudinal portion and a second, rear longitudinal portion complementary thereto with two side regions and a space therebetween, in which the first longitudinal portion of an adjacent following chain link is arranged, and both side regions of the second longitudinal portion each include a front end face and a rear end face, which lie opposite one another in the case of adjacent chain links, wherein the front end face forms a joint region and the rear end face forms a joint region, such that the respective joint regions of the front end face of one chain link and the rear end face of an adjacent chain link interact for articulated connection of these two chain links.

36. The support chain according to claim 35, wherein the joint region of the front end face is convexly configured and the joint region of the rear end face is concavely configured and/or the joint regions are embodied for a swivelable articulated connection with a swivel axis perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

37. The support chain according to claim 35, wherein the end faces in each case form in the heightwise direction at least on one side, preferably on both sides of the joint region, a contact face, preferably a curved contact face, for the arcuate or extended position.

38. The support chain according to claim 37, wherein, in the one longitudinal portion, each chain link includes two opposing pins projecting laterally relative to the longitudinal direction, wherein each pin is latchable together with a corresponding cut-out in the other longitudinal portion, wherein the cut-outs run in arc of a circle-shaped manner in the side regions in a longitudinal plane.

39. The device according to claim 21, wherein the chain link is produced in one piece from plastics material, in particular using the injection molding method.

40. A chain link for a support chain, wherein the chain link has the features according to claim 21.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0076] Further details and advantages of the individual aspects of the invention may be inferred, without restricting the general nature of the above, from the following explanation of preferred exemplary embodiments on the basis of the appended drawings. Features of corresponding or identical structure or function have corresponding reference signs and may not be repeatedly described. In the figures:

[0077] FIG. 1: is a perspective view of a line guide device for cleanroom applications, here with two envelopes, in a purely exemplary operating position with an extended self-supporting upper run, an extended resting lower run and a deflection arc therebetween;

[0078] FIG. 2: shows a cross-section (perpendicular to the longitudinal direction) of an exemplary multilayer structure with a number of stacked envelopes for a plurality of lines, wherein support chains are accommodated in the receiving ducts of a number of envelopes;

[0079] FIG. 3: shows structural views of an individual chain link for a support chain according to a first exemplary embodiment in side view (A), view from below (B), plan view (C), front view (D) and rear view (E);

[0080] FIGS. 4A-4B: show perspective views of the chain link according to FIG. 3;

[0081] FIGS. 5A-5B: show longitudinal sections through the central plane of a sub-length of a support chain of chain links according to FIG. 3, in the extended position (left in FIG. 5A) and fully bent arcuate position (right in FIG. 5A) in the deflection arc and with an only partly bent intermediate position between two chain links (FIG. 5B);

[0082] FIG. 6: shows a partial longitudinal section in the arcuate position similar to FIG. 5A, in a laterally outer region to illustrate the latched connection and articulated joint between chain links;

[0083] FIG. 7A: shows an enlarged longitudinal section of the connection regions of two chain links in the extended position similar to FIG. 5A to illustrate the introduction of force;

[0084] FIG. 7B: shows an enlarged side view of the connection regions of two chain links in the extended position to illustrate a preferred floating articulated joint; and

[0085] FIG. 8: shows structural views of an individual chain link according to a second exemplary embodiment in side view (A), view from below (B), plan view (C), front view (D) and rear view (E).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0086] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary line guide device 1 which guides supply lines 3 (FIG. 2) between a stationary connection point 2 on a base and a mobile connection point 4 on a moving end. The moving end is not shown in any greater detail and can typically be displaced to-and-fro in linear manner in the longitudinal direction L. The supply lines 3 are cables, hoses or the like and supply the mobile part of a machine for example with power, signals and/or operating media. FIG. 1 shows a snapshot of the line guide assembly 1 with a self-supporting, extended upper run 5, a lower run 6 optionally lying on a bearing surface and a deflection arc 7. The deflection arc 7 has a predetermined bending radius or deflection radius about a notional deflection axis A. When in operation, the deflection arc 7 travels to-and-fro relative to the stationary connection point 2 when the upper run 1 with the mobile connection point 4 travels forward or backward in the longitudinal direction.

[0087] The line guide device 1 is suitable and intended in particular for cleanrooms or other fields of applications in which the release of particles must be reduced or prevented. To this end, it has one or more flexible envelopes 10 of flexible plastics material extended in the longitudinal direction L, which envelopes enclose the supply lines 3 in dust-tight manner along their entire length between the connection points 2 and 4. The ends of each envelope 10 and of the lines 3 are fastened at the end to the connection points 2, 4, for example using clamping devices 11 or end connections.

[0088] According to FIG. 2, each envelope 10 has a number of tube-shaped receiving ducts 12 for guiding in each case at least one or more supply lines 3. Each envelope 10 is hose-like overall and sufficiently flexible, inter alia through suitable design and/or material selection, to allow reversibly flexible curvature of the deflection arc 7 with little application of force and to follow the movement in the longitudinal direction L with the least possible resistance.

[0089] The line guide device 1 further includes a number of support chains 20 which extend along the entire length of the line guide device 1 from connection point 2 to connection point 4. In the purely exemplary arrangement according to FIG. 2, a multilayer structure is shown with a plurality of stacked layers 13 of envelopes 10 with lines 3. In this respect, an inner support layer 14 facing the deflection arc 7 is provided, in which support chains 20 are provided in all the receiving ducts 12 of the envelope(s), i.e. this inner support layer 14 does not guide any lines 3. Additional support chains 20 may also be arranged in the envelope(s) 10 in further layers 13, e.g. on the outer sides, for the purpose of stabilization against transverse forces, cf. FIG. 2.

[0090] A core function of the support chains 20 consists in predetermining the radius of curvature of the deflection arc 7 or limiting the minimum radius thereof about the deflection axis A. A further core function of each support chain 20 consists in supporting or indeed enabling the self-supporting length of the upper run 5, in particular in the fully advanced position of the moving end (not shown in FIG. 1). Each support chain 20 in this case supports the envelope 10, in particular against gravity-induced sagging, or has a load-bearing action. A sufficient number of support chains 20 is provided for the load weight and length.

[0091] The support chain 20 takes the form of a link chain and is explained in greater detail below with reference to two exemplary embodiments of the individual chain links.

[0092] FIGS. 3-7 show a preferred first embodiment of a chain link 100 which combines all three core aspects of the invention. The chain link 100 has, when viewed in the longitudinal direction L, a front or first longitudinal portion 101 and a rear or second longitudinal portion 102 of complementary configuration thereto. The chain link 100 furthermore has two side parts 102A, 102B which are configured in the manner of clevis plates and form a space 103 therebetween. The first longitudinal portion 101, embodied as a male connector, of an adjacent following chain link 100 can be inserted into the space 103 and largely accommodated therein, cf. FIGS. 5A-5B. The second longitudinal portion 102 forms with the space 103 a corresponding female connector. Each chain link 100 is a one-piece injection molding of durable, flexurally rigid plastics material. At the transition to the shorter first longitudinal portion 101, the extended second longitudinal portion 102 forms a reinforced trunk region 104, which may be embodied as a solid body or with weight-reducing cut-outs, and bounds or closes off the space in the longitudinal direction L, cf. FIG. 4B.

[0093] The chain link 100 is approximately square in cross-section (perpendicular to the longitudinal direction), cf. rear view FIG. 3(E), with compact dimensions, preferably with a width of ≤25 mm×height≤25 mm. The length amounts to a multiple of the height or width, but should be as short as possible for small radii of the deflection arc 7, for example in the region of 4 times to at most 10 times the structural height.

[0094] FIG. 3(C) is a plan view of the outside of the chain link 100 remote from the deflection axis A, cf. also FIG. 5A. FIG. 3(A) is a view from below of the inside of the chain link 100 facing the deflection axis A. On the inside thereof, the male longitudinal portion 101 has a projection 105 in the front end region protruding transversely of the longitudinal direction L, as is shown most clearly in FIG. 4B. The projection 105, which here is roughly cuboidal or plate-like, is approximately flush with the inside of the other longitudinal portion 102 or the side parts 102A, 102B.

[0095] Likewise on the inside, the female longitudinal portion 102 has a plate-like cross-bridge 106 at the rear end region, which cross-bridge runs perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L and connects the side parts 102A, 102B in stabilizing manner. The cross-bridge 106 has roughly the wall thickness of the side parts 102A, 102B, e.g. roughly 10-25% of the height or width. In the longitudinal direction toward the front end region 101, the cross-bridge 106 bounds on the inside a recess 107, which here is a through-recess, i.e. opens to the outside from the space 103. Furthermore, FIGS. 3-4 show a further, outside cross-bridge 108 at the rear end region of the longitudinal portion 102. The two cross-bridges 106, 108 connect and stabilize the side parts 102A, 102B into a cross-sectionally box-shaped or circumferentially closed structure (cf. FIG. 3(E)) and in particular counteract unintended spreading of the side parts 102A, 102B at the rear end of the longitudinal portion 102.

[0096] As FIG. 5A (left) illustrates, the projection 105 of one chain link 100 engages in each case in the recess 107 of the chain link 100 connected or following in the chain strand and in the process may act at the front on the inside cross-bridge 106 thereof, in order, according to the first aspect of the invention, to transfer or introduce a tensile force. This effect is explained in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 7A-7B.

[0097] In the extended relative position of two connected chain links 100, as shown in FIG. 7A, the tongue-like first end region 101 bears with a first extended stop face 110A facing the deflection axis A extensively and in force-transmitting manner on an opposing extended stop face 110B of the cross-bridge 106 of the second end region 102. In this way, in the extended state, in particular in the self-supporting part of the upper run 5 (FIG. 1), some of the load may be transmitted between the chain links 100 or absorbed by the support chain 20. The extended stop faces 110A, 110B active in the extended position here lie substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction L.

[0098] According to the first aspect, improved force introduction is achieved in that the projection 105 interacts via a contact face 111 substantially perpendicular in the longitudinal direction L with an associated mating face 112 of the cross-bridge 106, in particular in the tensile force direction. Through action of the contact face 111 of the projection 105 on the mating face 112 of the cross-bridge 106, in the extended position a proportion of the load, in particular weight load, is introduced into the cross-bridge 106 as a force parallel to the longitudinal direction L and in the direction of a tensile force. This corresponds, as FIGS. 3-4 or FIG. 7A show, to the direction in which the cross-bridge 106 has distinctly greater dimensions and flexural rigidity than in the heightwise direction H, without having to the increase the structural size thereof. Thus, a markedly more robust or longer-lasting support chain 20 is achieved for equally compact external dimensions.

[0099] This advantageous effect according to the first aspect may be enhanced to a greater extent by the pivot point of the articulated joint indicated schematically with R in FIG. 7A being displaced outward (away from the deflection axis A), namely if the chain links 100, in particular the tongue-like first longitudinal portion 101, deform under heavy loads. Such deformation is enabled, as intended, by suitable dimensioning, in particular of the first end region 101, until a corresponding shoulder or active area 115A on the outside, in particular at the transition between the first longitudinal portion 101 and the second longitudinal portion 102, strikes against an abutment area 115B of the opposing, outside cross-bridge 108, as illustrated in the region in FIG. 7A designated schematically with W. When the active area 115A strikes against the cross-bridge 108 in this region W (not shown in FIG. 7), the cross-bridge 108 thus forms an abutment. This results in a lever effect, which proportionally increases the more favorable introduction of force via the contact face 111 of the projection 105 and assigned contact face or mating face 112 of the cross-bridge 106 and thus proportionally or largely relieves the surface pressure between the extended stop faces 110A, 110B. The lever length is defined by the maximally terminal arrangement of the projection 105 and its contact face 111 on the first longitudinal portion 101. The projection 105 is for this purpose arranged in the front, terminal quarter of the first longitudinal portion 101 and the internal cross-bridge 106 is preferably arranged in the remote rear half of the second longitudinal portion 102, as shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. 7A.

[0100] The lever effect may be optimized by a suitable loose or floating articulated joint (cf. third aspect) or an articulated joint with play in the heightwise direction H. Introduction of the load via the contact faces 111, 112 may extend up to a predominant proportion.

[0101] The first longitudinal portion 101 is embodied with a smaller cross-section than the space 103 in the second longitudinal portion 102, as a comparison of FIG. 3(D) with FIG. 3(E) shows. The first longitudinal portion 101 is swivelable in the space with little play and without abrasion edges in the longitudinal and heightwise plane L-H and in this plane is more readily deformably dimensioned than the box-shapedly reinforced second longitudinal portion 102, in order to allow interaction of the active areas 115A, 115B.

[0102] A further decisive advantage of the interaction of projection 105 and cross-bridge 106 lies in the transfer of tensile forces in the extended position of the upper run 5, i.e. on advance of the moving end, which, as a result of the proposed design, are able to flow predominantly or completely over the contact faces 111, 112 and the cross-bridge 106. Accordingly, the articulated joint, which often constitutes a weak spot with regard to fatigue fracture, can, irrespective of its construction, be largely relieved of tensile forces. The load cycling amplitude at the articulated joint may accordingly be markedly reduced, which likewise increases service life.

[0103] For a design which is robust with regard to force transmission, the projection 105 is embodied with its contact face 111 in such a way that it extends over the entire width of the first longitudinal portion 101 (cross-sectionally relative to the longitudinal direction L), as shown in FIG. 3(B) and FIG. 3(C). Both may project with a protrusion of around 10% of the height of the chain link 100 (dimensions in heightwise direction H). In this way, a comparatively large-area contact face 111 is achieved, with a simultaneously compact construction of the chain link 100. For compact construction, the recess 107 is embodied as an opening starting from the space 103 toward the inside. The recess 107 may form-fittingly accommodate the projection 105 in the extended position in order to bring about additional lateral stability of the deflection arc 7.

[0104] To delimit the relative swivel angle in the arcuate relative position of the chain links 100 in the deflection arc, the chain links 100 have interacting arc stop faces 114A, 114B, as is most clearly apparent from a comparison of FIG. 5A with FIG. 5B.

[0105] At the outer side, remote from the projection 105, of the first longitudinal portion 101, a first arc stop face 114A is provided, which, in the fully bent position (FIG. 5A, right) interacts with an opposing second arc stop face 114B. This second arc stop face 114B is, according to a second aspect of the invention, provided on an additional crosspiece 109 and faces the space 103. The crosspiece 109 connects the side parts 102A, 102B in a stabilizing manner, similar to the cross-bridge 108, and additionally transitions in one piece into the trunk region 104 and is thus reinforced thereby against twisting. This results in elevated stability of the limit stops in the arcuately curved relative position of the chain links 100 in the deflection arc 7. Thanks to the further crosspieces 109 and resistant arc stop faces 114B formed thereon, according to the second aspect of the invention a comparatively high load-bearing capacity of the deflection arc 7 of the support chain is achieved, which is advantageous inter alia for long self-supporting lengths.

[0106] Furthermore, the first longitudinal portion 101 on the outside has a protruding region 116, which engages in the arcuate position (FIG. 5A, right) in a further cut-out between the crosspiece 109 and the cross-bridge 108. In this way, the tongue-shaped first longitudinal portion 101 may wedge together with the second longitudinal portion 102 of the next chain link in the arcuate position, in that a further active area 116A provided on the protruding region 116 acts on or wedges together with a further abutment area of the outer cross-bridge 108, as illustrated in FIG. 5A. In this way, the support chain 20 transmits tensile force also in the deflection arc 7 or in the case of fully bent chain links 100, i.e. if the projection 105 is not positioned in the extended position in such a way as to transmit tensile force. Thus, in this position too, no or a markedly reduced tensile force is transmitted via the articulated joint. The protruding region 116 additionally forms a reinforcement of the front end region of the longitudinal portion 101 with the projection 105, cf. FIG. 7A.

[0107] The proposed construction with opposing cross-bridges 106, 108 and the crosspiece 109 is enabled inter alia in that the chain links 100 are connected to one another by being plugged together substantially in the longitudinal direction L, as is apparent from FIGS. 5A-5B. The first longitudinal portion 101 is embodied in the manner of a tongue-shaped tip, which can be inserted in the longitudinal direction L into the space 103 in the second longitudinal portion 102 of an adjacent following chain link 100.

[0108] In order to enable transfer of tensile forces in particular even in intermediate positions between the fully bent arc position in the deflection arc 7 and the extended position in the upper run 5, the longitudinal portions 101, 102 are embodied to form a latched connection, which secures against detachment in the longitudinal direction L in intermediate positions (FIG. 5B) under nominal tensile loads. To this end, each chain link 100 has, in the one longitudinal portion 101, two opposing latching pins 117A, 117B projecting laterally relative to the longitudinal direction and which end laterally roughly flush with the side parts 102A, 102B. Each latching pin 117A, 117B is latchable together with a corresponding latching cut-out 118A, 118B in the other longitudinal portion 102. The latching cut-outs 118A, 118B are provided in the rear region of the side parts 102A, 102B on the side of the space 103, here as openings in the side parts 102A, 102B. Since the chain links 100 are plugged together in the longitudinal direction L, the latching pins 117A, 117B have insertion bevels tapering obliquely in the longitudinal direction L toward the tip of the first end region 101, as shown in FIG. 3(B) and FIG. 3(C). Furthermore, to simplify plugging together, each chain link 100 has insertion grooves 119A, 119B for the latching pins 117A, 117B. The insertion grooves 119A, 119B lead from the insertion orifice at the rear end of the end region 102 into the cut-outs 118A, 118B and are oriented substantially in the longitudinal direction L.

[0109] Looking at FIG. 6 and FIG. 7B in combination with FIGS. 3-4 reveals the transfer of shearing forces in this preferred exemplary embodiment. The two side regions 102A, 102B of the second longitudinal portion 102 each have a front end face 121 and a rear end face 122, which lie opposite one another in the case of adjacent chain links 100 and strike against one another under shearing force on the upper run 5 or the deflection arc 7, as is most clearly apparent from the longitudinal section through the side parts 102A in FIG. 6. In the process, the striking end faces 121, 122 transfer the shearing force from one chain link 100 to the next. The tongue-shaped first longitudinal portion 101 and the latched connection using latching pins 117A, 117B and corresponding latching cut-outs 118A, 118B are preferably dimensioned with sufficient play in the longitudinal direction L for no shearing forces to be transferred via them.

[0110] In addition to the shaping of the interacting end faces 121, 122, FIG. 7B further illustrates a third, independent aspect of the invention, according to which the end faces 121, 122 of the two side parts 102A, 102B also form the articulated joint in a type of floating (non-locating) bearing in the form of a tilting bearing. To this end, a joint region 123A at the front end face 121 is of convex configuration and an interacting joint region 123B of the rear end face 122 is of conjugately concave configuration. The joint regions 123A, 123B may in particular be embodied as circular cylindrical surfaces with a radius indicated schematically by the dashed circle region R in FIG. 7B, wherein larger or smaller radii are also possible. The tilting bearing formed by the joint regions 123A, 123B specifies a defined axis of rotation perpendicular to the L-H plane (plane of FIG. 7B) under shear load at least in the extended position and at a small angle relative thereto. A significant advantage of this configuration lies in the fact that the floating joint does not transmit any tensile force and cannot be overloaded thereby. In addition, a degree of freedom is provided in heightwise direction H, which is advantageous particularly in combination with the optimized force introduction according to the first aspect (cf. FIG. 7A). Irrespective of this, the loose articulated joint formed by the end faces 121, 122 also offers advantages with regard to design latitude and surface pressure or introduction of shearing force.

[0111] As is moreover shown most clearly in FIG. 7B, the cut-outs 118A, 118B run in the longitudinal and heightwise plane L-H in arc of a circle-shaped manner in the side regions 102A, 102B in accordance with the pivot point of the joint regions 123A, 123B. The latching pins 117A, 117B may likewise be of elongately curved configuration and run in the arc of a circle-shaped receptacles 118A, 118B as in a slotted guide or curvilinear guide.

[0112] Furthermore, in the heightwise direction, the end faces 121, 122 form curved contact faces in each case adjoining the joint region 123A, 123B thereof on both sides, namely for the arcuate or extended positions. Each end face 121, 122 is subdivided in the heightwise direction H into three functional regions: an extended contact face 125A or 125B respectively, the joint region 123A or 123B respectively and an arc contact face 124A or 124B respectively. The extended contact faces 125A, 125B interact in the extended position, cf. FIG. 7B, in particular in the self-supporting run 5. In contrast, the arc contact faces 124A, 124B interact in the deflection arc 7 (arcuate position). Accordingly, the opposing arc contact faces 124A, 124B and extended contact faces 125A, 125B are formed to match one another in conjugate manner, here curved roughly in arc of a circle-shaped manner with a comparatively large radius, markedly larger than the joint regions 123A, 123B, but with center points which do not coincide.

[0113] FIG. 8 shows an alternative exemplary embodiment of a chain link 200, which differs from the first in that the specific articulated joint according to the third aspect is not implemented but rather a conventional articulated joint with joint pin 240 and joint receptacle 242, which define a revolute joint with predetermined axis of rotation. Otherwise, the essential features of the chain link 200 are substantially identical to that of FIG. 3.

[0114] In the case also of chain link 200, the first aspect of the invention is implemented, using a projection 205 on the first longitudinal portion 201 and a cross-bridge 206 on the second longitudinal portion 202, as is the second aspect, with a further cross-bridge 208 and an additional crosspiece 209. The three aspects of the invention are in each case advantageously applicable alone.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

FIGS. 1-2:

[0115] 1 Line guide device [0116] 2, 4 Connection point [0117] 3 Supply line [0118] 5 Upper run [0119] 6 Lower run [0120] 7 Deflection arc [0121] 10 Envelope (“pod”) [0122] 11 Clamping devices [0123] 12 Receiving duct [0124] 13, 14 Layers [0125] 20 Support chain [0126] A Deflection axis [0127] L Longitudinal direction

FIGS. 3-7:

[0128] 20 Support chain [0129] 100 Chain link [0130] 101 First/front longitudinal portion [0131] 102 Second/rear longitudinal portion [0132] 102A, 102B Side parts [0133] 103 Space [0134] 104 Trunk region [0135] 105 Projection [0136] 106 Inside cross-bridge [0137] 107 Inside recess [0138] 108 Outside cross-bridge [0139] 109 Outside crosspiece [0140] 110A, 110B Extended stop faces [0141] 111 Contact face (on projection 105) [0142] 112 Contact face/mating face (on cross-bridge 106) [0143] 114A, 114B Arc stop faces [0144] 115A Active area [0145] 115B Abutment area [0146] 116 Protruding region [0147] 116A Further active area [0148] 116B Further abutment area [0149] 117A, 117B Latching pins [0150] 118A, 118B Latching cut-out [0151] 119A, 119B Insertion grooves [0152] 121 Front end face [0153] 122 Rear end face [0154] 123A, 123B Joint region (on end faces) [0155] 124A, 124B Arc contact faces [0156] 125A, 125B Extended contact faces [0157] FIG. 8 [0158] 200 Chain link [0159] 201 First/front longitudinal portion [0160] 202 Second/rear longitudinal portion [0161] 202A, 202B Side parts [0162] 203 Space [0163] 204 Trunk region [0164] 205 Projection [0165] 206 Inside cross-bridge [0166] 207 Inside recess [0167] 208 Outside cross-bridge [0168] 209 Outside crosspiece [0169] 211 Contact face (on projection 105) [0170] 212 Contact face/mating face (on cross-bridge 106) [0171] 240 Joint pins [0172] 242 Joint receptacle