Energy Chain and Storage Unit for an Energy Chain

Abstract

An energy chain and storage unit for an energy chain (1) has a first chain portion (3) and a second chain portion (5), wherein the chain links (2) of the first chain portion and the chain links (4) of the second chain portion are connected to one another in a pivotable manner and comprise in each case two side parts (6, 7), which are located opposite one another in a transverse direction (q) in relation to the longitudinal direction (l) of the energy chain and have upper and lower narrow surfaces (8), which are oriented perpendicularly to the transverse direction (q) and to the longitudinal direction (l), wherein at least some of the chain links (2) of the first chain portion (3) have guide elements (12), which project outwards in the transverse direction (q) from the side parts (6, 7) of the chain links and are intended for guiding on guide tracks (35), which are arranged on the outside of the side parts of the chain links, and at least some of the chain links (4) of the second chain portion (5) have roller elements (13) or sliding elements (14), which project beyond the upper or the lower narrow surfaces (8) of the side parts (6, 7) of the chain links and can respectively roll or slide on a region which is located opposite said narrow surfaces (8) and establishes contact with the energy chain (1).

Claims

1. An energy chain (1) with a first chain portion (3) having several first chain links (2) and a second chain portion (5) having several second chain links (4), wherein the first and second chain links (2, 4) of the two chain portions (3, 5) are pivotably connected to one another and comprise in each case two side parts (6, 7), which lie opposite one another in a transverse direction (q) relative to the longitudinal direction (I) of the energy chain (1) and which have upper and lower narrow surfaces (8) facing perpendicularly to the transverse direction (q) and to the longitudinal direction (l), wherein at least some of the first and second chain links (2, 4) have cross members (9) connecting their side parts (6, 7), wherein at least some of the first chain links (2) of the first chain portion (3) have guide elements (12), which project outwards from their side parts (6, 7) in the transverse direction (q), for guiding the first chain links (2) against or on guide tracks (35) which can be arranged outside their side parts (6, 7), and at least some of the second chain links (4) of the second chain portion (5) have roller elements (13) or sliding elements (14), which project over the upper or lower narrow surfaces (8) of their side parts (6, 7) and can roll or slide on a region which lies opposite these narrow surfaces (8) and contacts the energy chain (1).

2. The energy chain (1) according to claim 1, wherein the two chain portions adjoin one another in an articulated manner.

3. The energy chain (1) according to claim 1, further comprising in each case only a first and a second chain portion (3, 5).

4. The energy chain (1) according to claim 1, further comprising several alternating first and second chain portions (3, 5).

5. The energy chain (1) according to claim 1, wherein an wherein an overall width (b2) of the second chain links (4) of the second chain portion (5) in the transverse direction (q) is smaller than or equal to an overall width (b1) of the first chain links (2) of the first chain portion (3) minus a width in the transverse direction (q) of the guide elements (12) extending on the outside.

6. The energy chain (1) according to claim 1, wherein the roller elements (13) or sliding elements (14) of the second chain portion (5) are arranged in the longitudinal direction flush with the narrow surfaces (8) of the side parts (6, 7) of the first chain links (2) of the first chain portion (3), with the result that the roller elements (13) or sliding elements (14) of a region of the second chain portion (5) can roll or slide on the narrow surfaces (8) of the side parts (6, 7) of a region of the first chain portion (3).

7. The energy chain (1) according to claim 1, further comprising a third chain link (15) having two side parts (6, 7) of which have an outwardly offset region (16) and an inwardly offset region (17), and the third chain link (15) is arranged between the two chain portions (3, 5), wherein the outwardly offset region (16) is connected in an articulated manner to the adjacent, in the longitudinal direction (l), side part (6, 7) of the first chain portion (3) and the inwardly offset region (17) is connected in an articulated manner to the adjacent, in the longitudinal direction (l), side part (6, 7) of the second chain portion (5).

8. The energy chain (1) according to claim 1, wherein the adjacent, in the longitudinal direction (l), side parts (6, 7) of the first and second chain links (2, 4) of the first chain portion (3) and/or of the second chain portion (5) are formed alternately of inner and outer plates.

9. The energy chain (l) according to claim 1, wherein the guide elements (12) of the first chain links (2) of the first chain portion (3) are formed as guide rollers (18).

10. The energy chain (1) according to claim 9, wherein two guide rollers (18) in each case are arranged on the outside of the outer plates of the first chain links (2) of the first chain portion (3).

11. The energy chain (1) according to claim 1, wherein two roller elements (13) in each case are arranged on the outside of the outer plates of the second chain links (4) of the second chain portion (5).

12. The energy chain (1) according to claim 1, wherein adjacent first and/or second chain links (2, 4) of the energy chain (1) are capable of being angled in one pivoting direction to a limited degree relative to one another due to limit stops, while the adjacent first and/or second chain links (2. 4) are capable of being angled in the other pivoting direction to a limited degree up to an orientation stretched out relative to one another.

13. A storage unit (21) for the energy chain (1), the storage unit (1) comprises a storage housing (22) and, arranged therein at least in portions, the energy chain (1) according to claim 1, wherein the energy chain (1) has in each case only one first chain portion (3) and, adjoining it, a second chain portion (5), is spirally wound in the storage housing (22) spirally with two winding axes (23, 24) which are variable in terms of a spacing between the two winding axes (23, 24) and has a fixed connection point (25) arranged stationary in the storage housing (22) in the interior of the spiral winding at one end and a movable connection point at the other end, wherein, by movement of the movable connection point and movement caused thereby of the energy chain (1), the spacing of the winding axes (23, 24) from one another is variable between a minimum spacing (m1) and a maximum spacing (m2), wherein the first chain portion (3) is connected to the movable connection point and the second chain portion (5) is connected to the fixed connection point (25), wherein the roller elements (13) or sliding elements (14) of the second chain links (4) of the second chain portion (5) project on the narrow surfaces (8), lying radially outwards in relation to the deflection regions (10), of the side parts (6, 7) of the second chain links (4) and can roll or slide on the radially inwardly facing sides of the chain links contacting them. wherein the storage housing (22) has guide tracks (35), which lie opposite one another and interact with the guide elements (12) projecting outwards on the first chain links (2) of the first chain portion (3) and extend spirally in one or more windings about two winding axes, which correspond to the winding axes (23, 24) of the energy chain (1) arranged at the maximum spacing (m2).

14. The storage unit (21) according to claim 13, wherein the first chain portion (3) of the energy chain (1) extends over the entire length of the guide tracks (35) in its state maximally retracted into the storage housing (22).

15. The storage unit (21) according to claim 13, wherein the guide tracks (35) are formed as guide rails on which the guide elements (12) projecting outwards on the first chain links (2) of the first chain portion (3) can roll or slide.

16. The storage unit (21) according to claim 13, further comprising an element (36) which limits the inner radius of the spiral winding of the second chain portion (5) about the winding axes (23, 24) arranged at the minimum spacing (m1) and supports the inner winding is provided.

17. The storage unit (21) according to claim 13, wherein the storage housing (22) includes two parallel side plates (26, 27) arranged parallel to the deflection arcs of the deflection regions (10) of the energy chain (1) and extend in the longitudinal direction (l) of the strands (11) over the deflection regions (10) of the energy chain (1) on both winding axes (23, 24), wherein the guide tracks (35), lying opposite one another, of the storage housing (22) are arranged on the inner faces of the side plates (26, 27).

18. The storage unit (21) according to claim 17, wherein, adjoining the region of the fixed connection point (25), an opening (37) passing through at least in one side plate (26, 27) of the storage housing (22), the opening configured to feed cables emerging from the energy chain (1).

19. The storage unit (21) according to claim 17, wherein at the face-side ends of the side plates (26, 27), the storage housing (22) includes face plates (28) and upper and lower closing plates (30, 31) connecting these to one another.

20. The storage unit (21) according to claim 19, wherein the upper and lower closing plate (30, 31) of the storage housing (22) is arranged such that the storage housing (22) guides the upper or lower strand (11) of the energy chain (1) arranged in the storage housing (22) in a sliding manner.

21. The storage unit (21) according to claim 19, wherein one of the face plates (28, 29) includes a feed-through opening (32) in the upper or lower region for the strand of the energy chain (1) connected to the movable connection point.

22. The storage unit (21) according to claim 13, wherein the storage housing (22) includes two housing shells (33, 34), the separation face of which lies in a plane which extends parallel to the deflection arcs of the deflection regions (10) of the energy chain (1).

Description

IN THE DRAWING THERE ARE SHOWN IN

[0037] FIG. 1 a side view of a portion of a first embodiment example of an energy chain,

[0038] FIG. 2 a plan view of the portion of the energy chain represented in FIG. 1,

[0039] FIG. 3 a face-side view of the portion of the energy chain represented in FIG. 1 in the direction of the arrow A,

[0040] FIG. 4 a perspective representation of the portion of the energy chain represented in FIG. 1,

[0041] FIG. 5 the perspective view according to FIG. 4 with an exploded representation of the guide elements attached to the side parts of the first portion and of the roller elements arranged rotatably on the side plates of the second portion,

[0042] FIG. 6 a perspective exploded representation of a storage unit for the energy chain,

[0043] FIG. 7 a side view of the energy chain arranged in the storage housing in its maximally retracted state,

[0044] FIG. 8 a side view of the energy chain arranged in the storage housing in its maximally pulled-out state,

[0045] FIG. 9 a side view of a portion of a second embodiment example of an energy chain,

[0046] FIG. 10 a plan view of the portion of the energy chain represented in FIG. 9,

[0047] FIG. 11 a face-side view of the portion represented in FIG. 9 in the direction of the arrow A,

[0048] FIG. 12 a perspective view of the portion represented in FIG. 9,

[0049] FIG. 13 the perspective view according to FIG. 12 with an exploded representation of the guide elements attached to the side parts of the first portion and of the sliding elements attached to the side parts of the second portion,

[0050] FIG. 14 a perspective exploded representation of a storage unit for the energy chain,

[0051] FIG. 15 a side view of the energy chain arranged in the storage housing in its maximally retracted state and

[0052] FIG. 16 a side view of the energy chain arranged in the storage housing in its maximally extended state.

[0053] As follows from FIGS. 1-5 and 9-13, the energy chain 1 respectively shown therein in portions includes a first chain portion 3 having several chain links 2 and a second chain portion 5 having several chain links 4. The chain links 2, 4 of the two chain portions 3, 5 are pivotably connected to one another. They have in each case two side parts 6, 7, which lie opposite one another in a transverse direction q relative to the longitudinal direction I of the energy chain 1 and which are provided with upper and lower narrow surfaces 8 facing perpendicularly to the transverse direction q and the longitudinal direction I. At least some of the chain links 2, 4 have cross members 9 connecting their side parts 6, 7.

[0054] The portion of the respective energy chain shown in the named figures is arranged with a deflection region 10, which the portion of a strand 11 adjoins.

[0055] The chain links 2 of the first chain portion 3 have guide elements 12, which project outwards from their side parts 6, 7 in the transverse direction q and which serve to guide the chain links 2 against or on guide tracks (not represented in FIGS. 1-5 and 9-13) which can be arranged outside their side parts 6, 7. The chain links 4 of the second chain portion 5, on the other hand, have roller elements (FIGS. 1-5) or sliding elements (FIGS. 9-13), which project over the upper narrow surfaces 8, according to the drawing figures, of their side parts 6, 7 and which can roll or slide on a region (not represented in the named figures) which lies opposite these narrow surfaces 8 and contacts the energy chain 1.

[0056] The overall width b2 of the chain links 4 of the second chain portion 5 in the transverse direction, including the roller elements 13 or sliding elements 14, is equal to the overall width b1 of the chain links 2 of the first chain portion 3 minus the guide elements 12 extending on the outside, i.e. the width of the region of the guide elements 12 which interacts with the guide tracks.

[0057] As furthermore follows from FIGS. 2 and 10 in particular, the roller elements 13 or sliding elements 14 of the second chain portion 5 are arranged in the longitudinal direction flush with the narrow surfaces 8 of the side parts 6, 7 of the chain links 2 of the first chain portion 3, with the result that the roller elements 13 or sliding elements 14 of a region of the second chain portion 5 can roll or slide on the narrow surfaces 8 of the side parts 6, 7 of a region of the first chain portion 3. As a result, in a region in which guide tracks are arranged for the external guiding of the first chain portion 3, the second chain portion 5 is not obstructed by the guide tracks. Because of its correspondingly smaller overall width b2 it can be moved past the guide tracks.

[0058] As shown in particular in FIGS. 2 and 10, the adjacent, in the longitudinal direction, side parts 6, 7 of the two chain portions 3 and 5 consist alternately of inner and outer plates. The inner and outer plates have overlapping regions, wherein the overlapping regions of the outer plates are arranged outside the overlapping regions of the inner plates.

[0059] As follows in particular from FIG. 2, an intermediate chain link 15, the side parts 6, 7 of which have an outwardly offset region 16 and an inwardly offset region 17, is arranged between the two chain portions 3 and 5. The outwardly offset region 16 is connected in an articulated manner to the adjacent, in the longitudinal direction, side part 6, 7 of the first chain portion 3 and the inwardly offset region 17 is connected in an articulated manner to the adjacent, in the longitudinal direction, side part 6, 7 of the second chain portion 5.

[0060] In the embodiment examples represented in the drawing, the guide elements 12 of the chain links 2 of the first chain portion 3 are formed as guide rollers 18. Two guide rollers 18 in each case are connected via a plate-shaped part 19, on which they are mounted in an articulated manner, to the outer plates of the chain links 2.

[0061] The plate-shaped parts 19 of the two embodiment examples differ only in their thickness, which is adapted in each case to the overall width b2 of the second chain portion 5.

[0062] In the embodiment example represented in FIGS. 1-5, two roller elements 13 in each case are connected externally via a correspondingly designed plate-shaped part 20, on which they are rotatably mounted, to the outer plates of the chain links 4 of the second chain portion 5.

[0063] Alternatively, according to the second embodiment example represented in the drawing, sliding elements 14 are attached externally to the outer plates of the chain links 4 of the second chain portion.

[0064] Adjacent chain links 2, 4, 15 of the energy chain 1 are capable of being angled in one pivoting direction, which is identified by the deflection region 10 depicted in FIGS. 1 and 9, to a limited degree relative to one another due to limit stops. The limit stops define a minimum radius for the deflection arc of the deflection region 10. The chain links 2, 4, 15 are capable of being angled in the opposite pivoting direction to the pivoting direction according to FIGS. 1 and 9 to a limited degree up to their orientation, stretched out relative to one another, of the strand 11 shown in FIGS. 1 and 9. Since the chain links 2, 4, 15 in this case are not pivotable beyond their orientation stretched out relative to one another, in the case of a substantially self-supporting strand in particular a relatively stable straight extension thereof is made possible, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 9.

[0065] In each case a storage unit 21 for the energy chain 1 shown in portions in FIGS. 1-5 and 9-13 is represented in FIGS. 6-8 and 14-16.

[0066] As follows from the figures, the energy chain 1 is spirally wound in a storage housing 22 with two winding axes 23, 24 which are variable in terms of their spacing. It has a fixed connection point 25 arranged stationarily in the storage housing 22 in the interior of the spiral winding at one of its ends and a movable connection point (not shown in the drawing) at its other end, with the result that, by movement of the movable connection point and by movement caused thereby of the energy chain 1, the spacing of the winding axes 23, 24 from one another is variable between a minimum spacing m1 and a maximum spacing m2. The first chain portion 3 is connected to the movable connection point and the second chain portion 5 is connected to the fixed connection point 25. The fixed connection point 25 is arranged in the central region of the storage housing relative to its extension in the longitudinal direction I of the strands 11.

[0067] The storage housing 22 has two parallel side plates 26, 27, which are arranged parallel to the deflection arcs of the deflection regions 10 of the energy chain 1 and extend in the longitudinal direction of the strands 11 over the deflection regions 10 of the energy chain 1 on both winding axes 23, 24. At the face-side ends of the side plates 26, 27 the storage housing 22 has face plates 28, 29 and upper and lower closing plates 30, 31 connecting these to one another. The face plate 28 facing in the direction of the movable connection point located outside the storage housing 22 has a feed-through opening 32 in its upper region for the strand, connected to the movable connection point, of the first chain portion 3 of the energy chain 1. The storage housing 22 is formed of two housing shells 33, 34, which can be attached to one another and which receive the region of the energy chain 1 arranged in the storage housing 22.

[0068] On their inner faces the side plates 26, 27 of the storage housing 22 have guide tracks 35, which lie opposite one another and which interact with the guide elements 12 projecting outwards on the chain links 2 of the first chain portion 3. The guide tracks 35 extend spirally in two windings on the inner faces of the side plates 26, 27 about two winding axes, which correspond to the winding axes 23, 24 of the energy chain 1 arranged at their maximum spacing m2. The length of the guide tracks wound about their two stationary winding axes is adapted to the length of the first chain portion 3 of the energy chain 1 maximally retracted into the storage unit 21. As follows from FIGS. 7 and 15, in the maximally retracted position, the second chain portion 5 adjoining the first chain portion 3 extends, in the two embodiment examples represented in the drawing, with one deflection region 10 in each case, about the winding axes 23, 24 arranged at their maximum spacing m2, towards the fixed connection point 25 and, with its side facing radially outwards in relation to the deflection regions 10, rests against the first chain portion 3 via the roller elements 13 of the first embodiment example or the sliding elements 14 of the second embodiment example.

[0069] If the energy chain 1, with its first chain portion 3, is pulled out of the storage housing 22, the region of the first chain portion 3 stored spirally in the storage housing 22 along the guide tracks unwinds. In this case the chain links 4 of the second chain portion 5 adjoining the first chain portion 3 are spirally wound up without obstruction by the guide tracks 35, wherein the spacing between their winding axes 23, 24 is reduced up to their minimum spacing m1, represented in FIGS. 8 and 16, in the region of the fixed connection point 25.

[0070] To limit the inner radius of the spiral winding of the second chain portion 5 about the winding axes 23, 24 arranged at their minimum spacing m1, an element 36 supporting the inner winding is provided in the form of a protrusion extending about a spiral winding.

[0071] The guide tracks 35 arranged internally on the side plates 26, 27 of the storage housing 22 are formed as guide rails on which the guide rollers 18 of the two embodiment examples, projecting outwards on the chain links 2 of the first chain portion 3, roll.

[0072] The roller elements 13 according to the first embodiment example and the sliding elements 14 according to the second embodiment example of the chain links 4 of the second chain portion project on the narrow surfaces 8, lying radially outwards in relation to the deflection regions 10, of the side parts 6, 7 of the chain links 4 and thus roll or slide on the radially inwardly facing sides of the chain links, contacting them, of the portion of the energy chain 1 arranged in the storage housing 22.

[0073] Adjoining the region of the fixed connection point 25, an opening 37 is provided in both side plates 26, 27 of the storage housing 22 for feeding the cables (not shown in the drawing) emerging from the energy chain 1 in the case of the fixed connection point 25 through.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0074] 1 Energy chain

[0075] 2 Chain link

[0076] 3 First chain portion

[0077] 4 Chain link

[0078] 5 Second chain portion

[0079] 6 Side part

[0080] 7 Side part

[0081] 8 Narrow surface

[0082] 9 Cross member

[0083] 10 Deflection region

[0084] 11 Strand

[0085] 12 Guide element

[0086] 13 Roller element

[0087] 14 Sliding element

[0088] 15 Chain link

[0089] 16 Outwardly offset region

[0090] 17 Inwardly offset region

[0091] 18 Guide roller

[0092] 19 Plate-shaped part

[0093] 20 Plate-shaped part

[0094] 21 Storage unit

[0095] 22 Storage housing

[0096] 23 Winding axis

[0097] 24 Winding axis

[0098] 25 Fixed connection point

[0099] 26 Side plate

[0100] 27 Side plate

[0101] 28 Face plate

[0102] 29 Face plate

[0103] 30 Closing plate

[0104] Closing plate

[0105] Feed-through opening

[0106] Housing shell

[0107] Housing shell

[0108] Guide track

[0109] Supporting element

[0110] Opening

[0111] q Transverse direction

[0112] l Longitudinal direction

[0113] b1 Overall width

[0114] b2 Overall width

[0115] m1 Minimum spacing

[0116] m2 Maximum spacing