ENERGY GUIDING CHAIN

Abstract

On an energy guiding chain for guiding hoses, cables and the like, where the upper strand rests on the lower strand and rollers (5, 6) are provided on at least some chain links of the upper strand and/or the lower strand, which can roll on running surfaces (9, 10) provided on the chain links of the opposite strand and which, on their running surface, display a number of spaced peripheral guide grooves that can be engaged by the crests (13, 14) of the rollers of the opposite strand, it is envisaged, in order to facilitate traversing of the chain, that the running surfaces display spaced longitudinal slits that allow the crests of the roller profile to pass through, where the webs (17, 18) between the longitudinal slits cover the guide grooves on the side facing the other strand, such that the crests of the rollers of the other strand can roll on the webs.

Description

The practical examples presented below are intended to further illustrate the invention, and they are described in reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic partial cross-section through a strap section of an energy guiding chain according to the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-section of a strap section of another embodiment according to the invention.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-section of the embodiment according to FIG. 2 in a different operating state.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of a strap section of a third embodiment.

FIG. 5 shows a cross-section of a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 1 shows a partial section of the opposite parts of side straps 1 of the upper strand, and 2 of the lower strand of an energy guiding chain. Pins 3 and 4 are provided for fastening cross-members (not shown), which face towards the interior of the chain links formed from side straps and cross-members, and at the remote ends of which side straps (not visible) are again mounted. Mounted on the sides of the side straps facing away from pins 3, 4 are rollers 5, 6, which can rotate in the known manner about horizontal axes (not shown). On their peripheral surfaces, the rollers display guide grooves 15, 16, which are flanked by crests 13, 14. The side straps furthermore display wider areas 7, 8 on the opposite edges. The opposite surfaces of the wider areas serve as running surfaces 9, 10 for rolling of rollers 5, 6. Provided in these wider areas are longitudinal slits 11, 12, which allow the crests of the rollers to pass through and border webs 17, 18, which run in the longitudinal direction. When the upper strand lies as closely as possible on the lower strand, crests 13, 14 of the guide rollers rest on webs 17, 18 and do not touch. When the energy guiding chain is traversed, the crests of the rollers roll on the webs, or on the running surfaces, without any sliding friction occurring between them.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show cross-sections through a pair of side straps 101, 102, which belong to the upper and lower strand, respectively. Pins 103, 104 are again used for fastening cross-members. Mounted in ball bearings in each side strap, at a distance from each other and with a common axial direction, are two rollers on roller carriers 115, 116. The side surfaces of side straps 101, 102 that face each other form the running surfaces 111 for the rollers. Provided in the running surfaces are longitudinal slits 112, 113, which allow the radially outer sections of the rollers to project to the outside. As crests of the roller system, these outer sections of the two rollers of each and every side strap border a guide groove 110. FIG. 2 shows this embodiment in a state where the rollers are remote from each other and each roll on running surfaces 111. In contrast, the rollers are opposite each other in the state shown in FIG. 3, rolling on the webs between slits 112, 113. It can be seen that there is again no contact between the rollers during traversing, and therefore no sliding friction occurs between them.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of a further embodiment according to the invention. Formed in side surfaces 207, 208 of side straps 201, 202 in this case are longitudinal channels 205, 206, in which rollers 203, 204 roll. The longitudinal channels extend in the direction of, and following on from, the longitudinal slits, not shown here, for passage of the rollers. This additional guidance of the rollers in the longitudinal channels likewise takes place almost entirely without sliding friction.

FIG. 5 shows a fourth embodiment of the energy guiding chain according to the invention, as a front view of two chain links in the lower and upper strand. The chain links consist of side straps 301, 302 and cross-members 303, 304, 305. The outer side of cross-members 304, 305, which face each other, displays a saw-like structure. When passing through, teeth 306 of the structure are guided by grooves 307, this avoiding lateral offsetting of the upper strand.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

• 1, 2 Side strap
• 3, 4 Pin for cross-member
• 5, 6 Roller
• 7, 8 Wider area at the edge
• 9, 10 Running surface
• 11, 12 Longitudinal slit
• 13, 14 Crest of the roller
• 15, 16 Guide groove of the roller
• 17, 18 Longitudinal web
• 101, 102 Side strap
• 103, 104 Pin for cross-member
• 105, 106 Roller
• 107, 108 Roller
• 110 Guide groove
• 111 Running surface
• 113, 114 Longitudinal slit
• 115, 116 Roller carrier
• 201, 202 Side strap
• 203, 204 Roller
• 205, 206 Longitudinal channel
• 207, 208 Side surface of the side strap
• 301, 302 Side strap
• 303 Cross-member
• 304, 305 Cross-member with saw structure
• 306 Tooth
• 307 Groove

Claims

1. Energy guiding chain for guiding hoses, cables and the like, with a number of chain links connected to each other in articulated fashion, which are formed by mutually parallel side straps and cross-members connecting them, where the energy guiding chain can be traversed in such a way that it forms an upper strand, a lower strand, and a deflection zone connecting them, where the upper strand rests on the lower strand, and rollers are provided on at least some chain links of the upper strand and/or the lower strand, being arranged in such a way that, when the energy chain moves, they can roll on running surfaces provided on the chain links of the opposite strand, and displaying a number of spaced, peripheral guide grooves in their running surface, which can be engaged by the crests of the rollers of the opposite strand, characterized in that the running surfaces display spaced longitudinal slits that allow the crests of the roller profile to pass through, where the webs between the longitudinal slits cover the guide grooves on the side facing the other strand, such that the crests of the rollers of the other strand can roll on the webs.

2. Energy guiding chain according to claim 1, characterized in that a guide groove is present.

3. Energy guiding chain according to claim 1, characterized in that several guide grooves are present.

4. Energy guiding chain according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide grooves are formed by two or more rollers, lying axially against each other or spaced apart.

5. Energy guiding chain according to claim 4, characterized in that two rollers form a guide groove.

6. Energy guiding chain according to claim 1, characterized in that guide channels are provided in the running surfaces in continuation of the longitudinal slits in the longitudinal direction of the energy guiding chain, in which the crests of the rollers can run.

7. Energy guiding chain according to claim 1, characterized in that guide elements are present on the cross-members of the chain links.

8. Energy guiding chain according to claim 7, characterized in that saw-like structures are present on the outer sides of opposite cross-members, as guide elements that can engage each other during traversing.