Energy guide chain and roller module

Abstract

A cable carrier for accommodating and guiding cables, comprising parallel first link strands of opposing first links which are connected to each other by means of first cross stays, wherein outside at least one first link strand and parallel to this a second link strand of second links is arranged, which are opposite the first links of the adjacent first link strand and of which at least some are connected by way of second cross stays to the opposite first links, and wherein, between at least some of the opposing first and second links, rollers are arranged which project beyond the first and second links on at least one side of the cable carrier perpendicular to the first and second cross stays.

Claims

1. An energy guide chain to accommodate and guide at least one of at least one energy transmission line or at least one information transmission line, comprising: parallel first plate rows in which first plates are arranged oppositely, wherein the first plates of each first plate row are hingedly connected together, wherein first transverse limbs connect at least some of the opposite first plates of the first plate rows to each other, wherein arranged outside, parallel and adjacent at least one of the first plate rows is a second plate row comprising hingedly interconnected second plates which are opposite the first plates of the adjacent first plate row, wherein second transverse limbs connect at least some of the second plates to the opposite first plates, wherein the energy guide chain has a plane extending in a center thereof and parallel to the first plate rows, and wherein arranged between at least some of the second plates of the second plate row and the first plates of the adjacent first plate row, wherein the second plate row and the adjacent first plate row are at a same side of the plane, are rollers which project beyond the first and second plates at at least one side of the energy guide chain, that face perpendicularly to the first and second transverse limbs.

2. The energy guide chain according to claim 1, wherein directly adjacent plates of each of the first and second plate row are pivotable relative to each other from a position of being substantially straight in a longitudinal direction of the energy guide chain in a first pivotal direction over an angle α≠0° such that the energy guide chain is bendable to form a first arc and is pivotable in a second pivotal direction opposite to the first pivotal direction over a pivotal angle β>0°, wherein α>β and wherein the rollers project beyond the first and second plates at the outside of the energy guide chain which is bendable to form the first arc.

3. The energy guide chain according to claim 1, wherein the first and second plates are of a same height.

4. The energy guide chain according to claim 1, wherein the first and second plates each have a height, respectively, and a diameter of the rollers is greater than or equal to the height of the first and/or second plates and less than or equal to double the height of the first and/or second plates.

5. The energy guide chain according to claim 1, wherein the first and/or second plates connected to the second transverse limbs have fixing portions which cooperate with fixing portions arranged at the second transverse limbs for releasable connection to the second transverse limbs.

6. The energy guide chain according to claim 1, wherein the first plates connected by the first transverse limbs have fixing portions which cooperate with fixing portions arranged at the first transverse limbs for releasable connection to the first transverse limbs.

7. The energy guide chain according to claim 1, wherein at least one roller of the rollers is mounted in a holding means which is in a form of a yoke, with two limbs which are parallel to the first and second plates and between which the roller is arranged, and which are connected together in a first end region by a connecting limb, wherein the holding means forms one of the second transverse limbs connecting one of the first plates and one of the second plates opposite thereto.

8. The energy guide chain according to claim 1, wherein the first and second plates having one of the rollers arranged therebetween are connected together by a second transverse limb at a side opposite to the side at which the roller projects outwardly.

9. The energy guide chain according to claim 8, wherein the roller is mounted in a holding means which is supported inwardly on the transverse limb and which is fixed at the opposite first and second plates.

10. The energy guide chain according to claim 9, wherein the holding means is in a form of a yoke, with two lateral limbs-which are parallel to the first and second plates and which are connected together in a first end region by a connecting limb, and which in a second end region opposite the first end region respectively have outwardly angled regions, wherein the connecting limb is supported on an inside by the second transverse limb and the angled regions bear against undersides of the first and second plates.

11. The energy guide chain according to claim 10 the angled regions are fixed by screws to the undersides of the first and second plates.

12. The energy guide chain according to claim 10 the angled regions bear without fixing means against the undersides of the first and second plates, wherein provided beneath the angled region engaging over the first plate is a fixing element for the holding means on an adjacent first or second plate, wherein the fixing element has a fixing portion which is of an identical configuration to the fixing portion of the second transverse limb and is fixable to the fixing portion of the first plate.

13. The energy guide chain according to claim 12 at least one of the second end regions of the parallel limbs of the holding means has an opening through which the respective fixing element extends and fastens the angled regions to prevent lateral displacement relative to the first or second plate respectively.

14. A roller module for lateral fixing to an energy guide chain having parallel first plate rows in which first plates are arranged oppositely, wherein the energy guide chain has a plane extending in a center thereof and parallel to the first plate rows, wherein at least some of the opposite first plates are connected together by transverse limbs, wherein the roller module has a second plate which is suitable for a second plate row of the energy guide chain and a roller mounted in a holding means, wherein the holding means is connected to the second plate and has a fixing means for releasable fixing to a first plate of one of the first plates of an adjacent first plate row of the first plate rows, that is in opposite relationship to the second plate, and the roller projects beyond the second plate in a direction facing parallel to the second plate, wherein the second plate row and the adjacent first plate row are at a same side of the plane.

15. The roller module according to claim 14, wherein the holding means is in a form of a yoke, with two limbs which are parallel to the second plate and between which the roller is arranged, and which are connected together in a first end region by a connecting limb, wherein the holding means forms a transverse limb which is arrangeable between the first plate of the energy guide chain and the second plate of the roller module.

16. The roller module according to claim 15, wherein at the first end regions the parallel limbs have projections which are extended in a longitudinal direction thereof and which project laterally beyond the transverse limb and which bear against ends of the transverse limb, that face perpendicularly to a spindle of the roller.

17. The roller module according to claim 15, wherein at one or more sides facing in a longitudinal direction the angled regions have plates facing towards the first end region of the parallel limbs and which are laterally engageable over the fixing elements.

18. The roller module according to claim 14, wherein the roller module has a transverse limb which extends transversely relative to the second plate and which in a first end region is connected to the second plate and in a second end region has a fixing portion for releasable fixing to a first plate of the first plates of the energy guide chain.

19. The roller module according to claim 18, wherein the first end region the transverse limb has a fixing portion releasably connected to a fixing portion at the second plate.

20. The roller module according to claim 18, wherein the roller is mounted in the holding means which is supported inwardly on the transverse limb and which is connected to the second plate and has fixing means for connection to an oppositely disposed first plate of an energy guide chain.

21. The roller module according to claim 20, wherein the holding means is in a form of a yoke, with two lateral limbs which are parallel to the second plate and which in a first end region are connected together by a connecting limb and in a second end region have outwardly angled regions, wherein the connecting limb bears against an inside of the transverse limb and the angled regions are to bear against a side of the first and second plates, at which the roller projects.

22. The roller module according to claim 21, wherein the angled regions have fixing means for fixing at the side of the first and second plates, at which the roller projects.

23. The roller module according to claim 21, wherein one of the angled regions bears without fixing means against the side of the second plate, at which the roller projects outwardly, and the other one of the angled regions is bearable against the first plate of an energy guide chain, wherein the second end regions of the parallel limbs respectively have an opening through which a fixing element is extendable, with which the angled regions are secured to the first and second plate respectively.

24. The roller module according to claim 14, wherein the holding means has a height, and a diameter of the roller is greater than or equal to the height and less than or equal to double the height of the holding means.

25. A roller module for lateral fixing to an energy guide chain having parallel plate rows comprising opposite first plates, wherein at least some of the opposite plates are connected together by transverse limbs, wherein the roller module has a second plate which is suitable for the energy guide chain and a roller mounted in a holding means, wherein the holding means is connected to the second plate and has a fixing means for releasable fixing to a first plate of the first plates of the energy guide chain, that is in opposite relationship to the second plate, and the roller projects beyond the second plate in a direction facing parallel to the second plate, wherein the holding means is in a form of a yoke, with two limbs which are parallel to the second plate and between which the roller is arranged, and which are connected together in a first end region by a connecting limb, wherein the holding means forms a transverse limb which is arrangeable between the first plate of the energy guide chain and the second plate of the roller module.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Embodiments by way of example of the present invention are described in greater detail hereinafter with reference to the drawings.

(2) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view (from below) of a portion of a first embodiment of an energy guide chain,

(3) FIG. 2 shows a chain link with rollers of the energy guide chain shown in FIG. 1 as a perspective view (from below),

(4) FIG. 3 shows a perspective view (from below) of a portion of a second embodiment of an energy guide chain,

(5) FIG. 4 shows a perspective view (from below) of a chain link with rollers of the energy guide chain shown in FIG. 3,

(6) FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a roller unit which can be inserted in the energy guide chain of FIG. 1, and

(7) FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a roller unit which can be inserted in the energy guide chain of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(8) The energy guide chains shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 (as a portion of a run) have parallel first plate rows 1 comprising oppositely disposed first link plates 2, wherein the first plates 2 of each first plate row 1 are hingedly connected together and the oppositely disposed first plates 2 are connected together by first transverse limbs 3. Arranged outside the first plate rows 1 and parallel thereto is a respective second plate row 4 comprising hingedly interconnected second plates 5 which are opposite to the first plates 2 of the adjacent first plate row 1 and are connected by way of second transverse limbs 6 to the respectively oppositely disposed first plates 2.

(9) Arranged between the plates 2, 5 of each third pair of oppositely disposed first and second plates are rollers 7 which project beyond the first and second plates 2, 5 at at least one side (underside) of the energy guide chain, being the side facing perpendicularly to the first and second transverse limbs 3, 6.

(10) The portions of energy guide chains, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, are portions of a run of the energy guide chains, which can roll at its underside with the rollers 7 on a support surface. In particular this involves energy guide chains whose immediately adjacent plates in the first and second plate rows 1 and 4 respectively are pivotable from their substantially straight position in the longitudinal direction of the energy guide chain over an angle different from zero, relative to each other, so that in that situation the energy guide chain is bendable to form an arc. At the outsides of the energy guide chain which is bendable to form the arc the rollers 7 project beyond the first and second plates 2, 5. The outside forms the underside of the run of the energy guide chain, that is respectively shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.

(11) The first plates and the second plates 2, 5 are plates of identical size and involving the same pivotal angle. They have cranked overlap regions with the directly adjacent plates of a plate row. The oppositely disposed first plates 2 of the two first plate rows 1 are so arranged that an inwardly cranked overlap region 8 and an outwardly cranked overlap region 9 are respectively disposed in opposite relationship. The second plates 5, in opposite relationship to the first plates 2, of one of the second plate rows 4 are so arranged that the inwardly cranked and the outwardly cranked overlap regions 8, 9 of the first and second plates 2, 5 are respectively disposed in opposite relationship while the second plates 5 of the other second plate row 4 are so arranged that the inwardly cranked overlap regions 8 of the first plates 2 are opposite the outwardly cranked overlap regions 9 of the second plates 5 and the outwardly cranked overlap regions of the first plates 2 are opposite the inwardly cranked overlap regions 8 of the second plates 5.

(12) The first plates 2 of the first plate rows 1 are of a identical configuration. The second plates 5 of the second plate rows 4 are of a mirror-image symmetrical configuration in their arrangement in the energy guide chain with respect to the plane extending in the center thereof and parallel to the plates. Accordingly, it is possible for the second plates 5 to use standard plates of an energy guide chain comprising two plate rows, being of mirror-image symmetrical configuration with respect to the parallel central plane thereof. Plates of a single type, that is to say of the same configuration, can be used as the first plates 2.

(13) The first and second transverse limbs 3, 6, except for their differing length, are also of an identical configuration so that for the second transverse limbs it is possible to use standard transverse limbs, corresponding to the first transverse limbs 3, of an energy guide chain. In their two end regions they have identical fixing portions for releasable connection to the first and second plates 2 and 5 respectively.

(14) For connection to the first and second transverse limbs 3 and 6 respectively, provided at the inward and outward sides of the first plates 2 are fixing portions cooperating with the fixing portions 10 of the first and second transverse limbs 3, 6. The fixing portions are in the form of pins (not shown in the drawing) which are latchable with the fixing portions 10 of the first and second transverse limbs 3, 6. The fixing portions for the first and second transverse limbs 3, 6 are respectively arranged centrally in opposite relationship at first plates 2 in the upper and lower regions thereof and are of the same configuration. The first plates 2 of both first plate rows 1 can thus be produced in the form of a single type of plate, as a special plate.

(15) The second plates 5 at their insides have fixing portions (not shown in the drawing) for connection to the second transverse limbs 6 which are of the same configuration as the fixing portions of the first plates 2 and as in the case thereof are disposed centrally in the upper region and the lower region thereof.

(16) The second transverse limbs 6 which are arranged in the region of the underside of the energy guide chain, at which the rollers 7 project, of the energy guide chain run shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, are recessed at each third chain link which accommodates a roller 7, while at the top side of the run, that is opposite to the underside, the oppositely disposed first and second plates 2, 5 respectively have a second transverse limb 6.

(17) The inwardly and outwardly cranked overlap regions 8, 9 of the first and second plates 2, 5 can have hinge pins in an overlap region at the side of the adjacent cranked overlap region while in their other overlap region at the side facing towards the adjacent cranked overlap region they have hinge recesses for forming a hinge connection to respective directly adjacent plates as well as abutments and abutment surfaces cooperating therewith to limit the pivotal angle.

(18) Instead of the second transverse limbs 6 at the underside, a holding means 11 having the roller 7 is used in each third chain link. As can be seen in particular from FIGS. 2 and 4 the holding means 11 is of a yoke configuration with two lateral limbs 12, 13 which are parallel to the respective first and second plates 2, 5 and which are connected together in a first end region by a connecting limb 14 and in a second end region opposite to the first end region respectively have an outwardly angled region 15, 16. The connecting limb 14 is supported on the inside of the respective second transverse limb 6 disposed in the region of the top side of the energy guide chain run shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. The angled regions 15, 16 bear against the underside of the oppositely disposed first and second plates 2, 5. The respective roller 7 is mounted rotatably on a spindle 17 fixed to the two parallel limbs 12 and 13.

(19) As can be seen from FIGS. 2 and 4 and in particular FIGS. 5 and 6 the parallel limbs 12 and 13 of the holding means 11, in the first end regions thereof, in which they are connected to the connecting limb 14, have projections 18 and 19 which are extended in the longitudinal direction thereof and project laterally beyond the connecting limb 14 and the transverse limb 6 and bear against the ends of the second transverse limb 6, that face perpendicularly to the spindle 17 of the roller 7.

(20) In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6 the angled regions 15 and 16 are respectively fixed at the underside of the first and second plates 2, 5 by means of a screw 20 engaging through a corresponding hole 21 in the angled regions 15 and 16.

(21) In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 the angled regions 15 and 16 bear without fixing means against the undersides of the first and second plates 2, 5, wherein provided beneath the angled regions 15, 16 which engage over the first and second plates, there is a respective fixing element 22 for the holding means on the adjacent first or second plate 2 and 5 respectively. The fixing element 22 has a fixing portion 10 which is of the same configuration as the fixing portion 10 of the second transverse limb 6 and is fixed to the fixing portion of the first and second plate 2 and 5 respectively. For passing the fixing elements 22 through the two parallel limbs 12, 13 a respective opening 23 is provided in the second end region of the limbs 12, 13. The fixing element extending through the opening 23 secures the respective angled region 15 and 16 of the holding means 11, that is supported on the underside of the first and second plates 2 and 5 respectively, to prevent lateral displacement relative to the plate in question.

(22) The fixing portions 10 of the first and second transverse limbs 3, 6 and of the fixing element 22, in the region of the contact thereof against the respective plates, have lateral broadening portions 24 which extend in the longitudinal direction of the plates and which project beyond a part of the overlap region 8 and 9 of the directly adjacent plate in order to secure the directly adjacent plates to prevent displacement directed transversely relative to the longitudinal direction of the plates.

(23) In order additionally to secure the angled regions 15, 16 of the limbs 12, 13 to prevent displacement in the longitudinal direction of the first and second plates 2 and 5 respectively connected thereto the angled regions 15, 16, at a side facing in the longitudinal direction of the plates, respectively have a plate 25 which extends in a direction towards the connecting limb 14 and which engages laterally over the fixing element 22.

(24) The respective component comprising a second plate 2, a second transverse limb 6, the above-described holding means 11 and the roller 7 mounted therein forms a roller module which can be fixed laterally to a chain link of an energy guide chain, that comprises oppositely disposed first plates 2 and first transverse limbs 3 connecting same.

(25) In addition, the holding means 11 with the roller 7 mounted therein forms a roller unit which can be fitted into a component of an energy guide chain, that comprises two first plates 2 connected together by first transverse limbs 3, and a second plate 5 connected outside a first plate 2 to same by way of a second transverse limb 6.

LIST OF REFERENCES

(26) 1 first plate row 2 first plate 3 first transverse limb 4 second plate row 5 second plate 6 second transverse limb 7 roller 8 inwardly cranked overlap region 9 outwardly cranked overlap region 10 fixing portion 11 holding means 12 limb 13 limb 14 connecting limb 15 angled region 16 angled region 17 spindle 18 projection 19 projection 20 screw 21 hole 22 fixing element 23 opening 24 broadening portion 25 plate