DE102017100401B4 - Arrangement comprising a movable plastic chain - Google Patents

Abstract

Arrangement (32) comprising a movable plastic chain (33) with chain links (1), the chain links (1) being rotatably connected to one another and the axes of rotation (9) extending transversely to a direction of movement of the plastic chain (33), the arrangement (32) furthermore has at least one drive wheel (36) which can be brought into positive engagement with corresponding drive areas (23) of the chain links (1) in order to generate the movement of the plastic chain (33), the drive areas (23) being located in a central section (8) the chain links (1) are arranged between two axes of rotation (9) so that a force transmission between the drive wheel (36) and the plastic chain (33) takes place at a distance from the axes of rotation (9).

Description

The present invention relates to an arrangement comprising a movable plastic chain with chain links, the chain links being rotatably connected to one another.

Plastic chains of this type can be used, for example, as conveyor belts, but also as a climbing wall with a movable support body. A climbing wall with a movable support body is, for example, from the DE 20 2012 104 073 U1 known. The problem with the climbing wall described there is that stiffening webs on the back of individual chain links have to be interrupted in order to enable a power transmission between a drive wheel and the plastic chain. This has the disadvantage that a pull-out force transversely to the main plane of the plastic chain and transversely to the direction of movement must not become too great, because the chain link could deform too much in the area of the missing stiffening web. The resilience of such a plastic chain is therefore comparatively low.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an arrangement with a particularly resilient, movable plastic chain.

This object is achieved by the arrangement according to protection claim 1.

Advantageous refinements and developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

According to one embodiment, an arrangement comprises a movable plastic chain with chain links, the chain links being rotatably connected to one another and the axes of rotation extending transversely to a direction of movement of the plastic chain. The arrangement also has at least one drive wheel which can be positively engaged with corresponding drive regions of the chain links in order to generate the movement of the plastic chain.

The drive areas are arranged in a central section of the chain links between two axes of rotation, so that a force transmission between the drive wheel and the plastic chain takes place at a distance from the axes of rotation.

According to the invention, a releasable positive connection between the drive wheel and the chain links for power transmission from the drive wheel to the plastic chain is made. For this purpose, the drive wheel does not act on the axes of rotation itself, as has hitherto been customary, but drive regions of the chain links are provided at a distance from the axes of rotation in such a way that a positive connection between the drive regions and the drive wheel is made possible.

This has the advantage that greater freedom of design for stiffening webs of the individual chain links is achieved. In particular, it is possible to provide stiffening webs of this type continuously in the edge regions of the chain links in which they previously had to be interrupted in order to enable a force transmission in the region of the axis of rotation. This can be avoided by providing separate drive areas spaced apart from the axes of rotation.

According to one embodiment, the drive areas are designed as webs and corresponding engagement areas of the at least one drive wheel as first recesses. The form-fitting connection between the chain link and the drive wheel thus comes about through an engagement of the webs in the first recesses.

According to one embodiment, the at least one drive wheel also has second recesses which are designed to accommodate the axes of rotation, the second recesses being designed such that the at least one drive wheel does not exert any force on the axis of rotation or its sheathing or receptacles.

This ensures that the chain links can rest on the drive wheel without disturbing the axes of rotation. The second recesses are in particular designed in such a way that they leave sufficient space for receiving the axes of rotation and, if appropriate, stiffening webs of the next chain link arranged adjacent to the axes of rotation.

According to one embodiment, the drive areas have ribs running parallel to the direction of movement of the plastic chain. In other words: the ribs are arranged in such a way that their end faces come to rest on a connecting surface of the drive wheel, the force being transmitted from the drive wheel to the chain links on the connecting surface. The ribbed design of the drive areas compared to a smooth web has the advantage that greater pressure can be exerted on the end faces of the ribs because of the relatively small contact surfaces. In addition, the ribs can be designed as reinforcement or stiffening elements of the drive areas, which have the advantage over a solid drive area that they show less shrinkage during manufacture in the injection molding process because of their small thickness and thus the chain link is not warped.

According to one embodiment, the chain links are designed as plate-shaped elements with a first main surface, a second main surface, two first side surfaces and two second side surfaces. The chain links can be connected to further chain links on their first side surfaces for an extension of the plastic chain.

First side surfaces are those that follow one another in the direction of movement of the plastic chain, i.e. that run across the direction of movement. The connection of successive chain links on their first side surfaces is rotatable via their axes of rotation.

According to one embodiment, the chain links on the second main surface have stiffening structures which extend at least parallel to the axes of rotation, each chain link on a first section of a first side surface having a receptacle for an axis of rotation and on an adjoining second section parallel to the Has axes of rotation extending, continuous stiffening web.

A continuous stiffening web is understood here and in the following to mean a web which extends from the reception of the axis of rotation to the end of the first side surfaces. In the case of chain links connected to one another via their first side surfaces, the continuous stiffening web comes to lie parallel to the reception of the axis of rotation of the following chain link.

The continuous design of the stiffening web has the advantage that it is considerably more effective than stiffening by means of individual short or interrupted webs and thus allows a higher pull-out force transversely to the main level of the chain links.

According to one embodiment, the chain links for widening the plastic chain can also be connected to other chain links on their second side faces. This has the advantage that the chain links can be assembled into a plastic chain of any length and width. The connection of chain links on their second side surfaces is typically rigid, but it can also be movable, for example to allow a conveyor belt to be guided around curves.

The connection on the second side surfaces can be made in particular by means of a snap connection. For this purpose, the chain links can each have a latching hook on one of their second side surfaces and a receptacle for the latching hook of the adjacent chain link on the other of their side surfaces.

According to one embodiment, hold-down devices can be inserted into a plastic chain between second side surfaces of adjacent chain links, the hold-down devices being guided movably in guide rails of the arrangement. This has the advantage that the plastic chain does not sag even in the area of an overhang. This is particularly advantageous when using the plastic chain as a climbing wall.

According to one embodiment, the arrangement has a plurality of drive wheels which are arranged next to one another and which engage in chain links arranged next to one another. The term “side by side” refers to the direction of movement or conveyance of the plastic chain. This embodiment has the advantage that instead of a few drive wheels, many are provided which engage in all adjacent chain links, so that the power transmission on the individual drive wheel and the individual chain link can be kept relatively low.

According to one embodiment, the arrangement is designed as a climbing wall, the chain links having at least one socket on their first main surface for receiving a climbing grip. The socket can in particular comprise a screw thread, which is made of steel or brass.

• 1: ein Kettenglied gemäß einer Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Anordnung in Draufsicht,
• 2: das Kettenglied gemäß 1 in Seitenansicht,
• 3: das Kettenglied gemäß 1 von unten,
• 4: eine Anordnung mit Kettengliedern gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung in Draufsicht,
• 5: die Anordnung gemäß 4 in Seitenansicht,
• 6: eine Anordnung mit Kettengliedern gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform der Erfindung in einer Schnittansicht und
• 7: die Anordnung gemäß 6 in einer teilgeschnittenen Ansicht.

The invention is explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment and with reference to the attached schematic drawings. Show it:

• 1 a chain link according to an embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention in plan view,
• 2nd : the chain link according to 1 in side view,
• 3rd : the chain link according to 1 from underneath,
• 4th an arrangement with chain links according to an embodiment of the invention in plan view,
• 5 : the arrangement according to 4th in side view,
• 6 an arrangement with chain links according to a further embodiment of the invention in a sectional view and
• 7 : the arrangement according to 6 in a partially sectioned view.

In the different figures, the same parts are always provided with the same reference numerals and are therefore usually only named or mentioned once.

The 1 to 3rd schematically each show a chain link of an arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention. The chain link 10th is essentially plate-shaped and has a first main surface 3rd , a second main surface 17th , two first faces 5 and two second side surfaces 7 on.

The first main surface 3rd is essentially flat and has a socket in the embodiment shown 16 to hold a climbing grip. The socket 16 can also be provided for screwing in other functional elements. It is also possible that there is no socket 16 is provided so that the first main surface 3rd is essentially closed over the entire surface.

On its first side faces 5 and its second side surfaces 7 is the chain link 1 connectable with other chain links. On the first side surfaces 5 this connection is made movably via rotary axes 9 in the form of bolts in a receptacle 11 are rotatably received. A bolt is partially in one receptacle 11 of a first chain link and partially in a receptacle 11 Another chain link arranged so that subsequent chain links are rotatably connected to each other by means of the bolt. On the first side surfaces 5 is next to the recording 11 one return each 13 provided space to accommodate 11 of the subsequent or previous chain link 1 to accomplish.

On the second side surfaces 7 the chain links arranged next to each other are connected 1 by means of a locking connection. For this purpose each chain link points 1 Locking hook 15 and adjacent recordings 19th for the locking hook 15 of the adjacent chain link 1 on. The locking hooks 15 are in the recordings 19th introduced and latch there.

On the second main surface 17th of the chain link 1 , which represents its underside, are stiffening structures in the form of stiffening webs 21st intended. These extend both in the direction of movement B of the plastic chain and across it. It is also possible to provide oblique stiffening webs. In particular, a continuous stiffening web extends in each case 27th along the recesses 13 and therefore parallel to the entire recording 11 of the next chain link for the axis of rotation 9 . The first side surfaces include 5 a first section each 14 and a second section 18th . In the first part 14 is the recording 11 for the axis of rotation 9 arranged. Over the length of the second section 18th extends the continuous stiffening web 27th . Become individual chain links 1 Assembled into a plastic chain, so comes the first section 14 a chain link 1 next to a second section 18th of an adjacent chain link 1 to lie.

On the second main surface 17th are also drive areas 23 provided with one in the 1 to 3rd drive wheel, not shown, can be brought into engagement with the chain links 1 to set the formed plastic chain in motion. The drive areas 23 are also in the form of stiffening bars 21st executed, but they also have ribs 25th that extend in the direction of movement B. End faces 26 this ribs 25th are brought into contact with surfaces of the drive wheel, so that over the end faces 26 the ribs 25th the power transmission between the drive wheel and the chain links 1 he follows.

The drive areas 23 are in a central area 8th of the chain link 1 arranged in the direction of movement B between two edge regions 6 is arranged. The marginal areas 6 include the first side surfaces 5 and the axes of rotation 9 . So the drive areas 23 spaced from the axes of rotation 9 arranged.

4th shows a section of a plan view of an arrangement 32 with a plastic chain 33 made up of individual chain links 1 is formed, which are connected to one another on their first side surfaces and second side surfaces. On the chain links 1 are the side end pieces 30th , 31 appropriate. They also serve to hide laterally arranged snap hooks 15 and axes of rotation 9 , so the side guide surfaces should be as flat as possible 28 , 29 can be trained.

The plastic chain 33 is essentially flat and has a main extension plane, which here lies in the image plane. It therefore has a thickness that is small compared to the length and width.

The chain links 1 are movably connected to each other, via the axes of rotation 9 in the form of bolts.

In the side view in 5 is a hold-down 34 recognizable, that on the second main surface 17th the chain links 1 between two adjacent chain links 1 is arranged. It serves the plastic chain 33 to fix in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement B. For this, the hold-down device 34 for example guided in a guide rail. This makes the plastic chain advantageous 33 stabilized during a load.

6 shows an arrangement 32 who the plastic chain 33 from individual chain links 1 as well as a drive wheel 36 includes. The drive wheel 36 is on a drive shaft 38 arranged. It has a number of first recesses 40 and second recesses 42 on its circumference, always with a first recess 40 to a second recess 42 follows. The first recesses 40 are designed in such a way that they temporarily have a releasable positive connection with the drive areas 23 the chain links 1 can train. With such a positive connection, side walls of the recesses are located 40 on the end faces 26 the ribs 25th of the drive areas 23 and transfer a force from the drive wheel there 36 on the chain links 1 the plastic chain 33 . For this are the drive areas 23 and the first recesses 40 designed so that the drive areas 23 without significant play in the first recesses 40 can intervene.

The second recesses 42 are used to accommodate the axis of rotation 9 and their recordings 11 as well as the continuous stiffening webs 27th intended. In this area there should be no power transmission between the drive wheel 36 and the chain links 1 occur. A power transmission in the area of the rotary axes 9 would be due to the continuous connecting bridges running directly next to it 27th problematic. Thus, the second recesses 42 so broadly trained that they take the pictures 11 and the continuous stiffening webs 27th can record without this in contact with the side walls of the second recesses 42 advise what inhibits the mobility of the plastic chain 33 would lead. In contrast to the positive connection between the drive wheel 36 and plastic chain 33 in the area of the first recesses 40 become the second recesses 42 thus constructed in such a way that there is a generous play between the plastic chain 33 and the drive wheel 36 consists.

The drive wheel turns during operation 36 around the drive shaft 38 in the direction of rotation C and promotes the plastic chain 33 in the direction of movement B. The plastic chain 33 or their direction of movement B run both horizontally and vertically or obliquely, so that the arrangement 32 for example as a conveyor belt or as a climbing wall.

7 shows a partially sectioned view of an arrangement 32 according to an embodiment of the invention, the plastic chain 33 is formed from several adjacent chain links. In this embodiment, several are side by side on a common drive shaft 38 arranged drive wheels 36 intended. This view also shows how the hold-down device is 34 in guide rails 44 are led.

Reference symbol list

1

Chain link

3rd

first main surface

5

first side surface

6

Edge area

7

second side surface

8th

central area

9

Axis of rotation

11

admission

13

Return

14

first section

15

Locking hook

16

Rifle

17th

second main surface

18th

second part

19th

admission

21st

Stiffening bar

23

Drive range

25th

rib

26

Face

27th

continuous stiffening web

28, 29

Side guide surface

30, 31

Side end piece

32

arrangement

33

Plastic chain

34

Hold-down

36

drive wheel

38

drive shaft

40

first recess

42

second recess

44

Guide rail

Claims (11)

Arrangement (32) comprising a movable plastic chain (33) with chain links (1), the chain links (1) being rotatably connected to one another and the axes of rotation (9) extending transversely to a direction of movement of the plastic chain (33), the arrangement (32) furthermore has at least one drive wheel (36) which can be positively engaged with corresponding drive areas (23) of the chain links (1) in order to generate the movement of the plastic chain (33), the drive areas (23) being in a central position Section (8) of the chain links (1) are arranged between two axes of rotation (9), so that a force transmission takes place between the drive wheel (36) and the plastic chain (33) at a distance from the axes of rotation (9). Arrangement (32) after Claim 1 , The drive areas (23) being designed as webs and corresponding engagement areas of the at least one drive wheel (36) as first recesses (40). Arrangement (32) after Claim 2 , wherein the at least one drive wheel (36) further has second recesses (42) which are designed to receive the axes of rotation (9), the second recesses (42) being designed such that the at least one drive wheel (36) does not exert any force exercises the axes of rotation (9). Arrangement (32) according to one of the Claims 1 to 3rd The drive areas (23) have ribs (25) running parallel to the direction of movement of the plastic chain (33). Arrangement (32) according to one of the Claims 1 to 4th , wherein the chain links (1) are designed as plate-shaped elements with a first main surface (3), a second main surface (17), two first side surfaces (5) and two second side surfaces (7), the chain links (1) on their first Side surfaces (5) for an extension of the plastic chain (33) can be connected to further chain links (1). Arrangement (32) after Claim 5 , wherein the chain links (1) on the second main surface (17) have stiffening structures which extend at least parallel to the axes of rotation (9), each chain link (1) on a first section (14) of a first side surface (5) a receptacle (11) for an axis of rotation (9) and on a second section (18) adjoining it has a continuous stiffening web (27) extending parallel to the axes of rotation (9). Arrangement (32) after Claim 5 The chain links (1) can also be connected to other chain links (1) on their second side surfaces (7) for widening the plastic chain (33). Arrangement (32) after Claim 7 , wherein the connection on the second side surfaces (7) takes place by means of a snap connection. Arrangement (32) after Claim 7 or 8th The downholder (34) can be inserted into the plastic chain (33) between the second side surfaces (7) of adjacent chain links (1), the downholder (34) being movably guided in guide rails (44) of the arrangement (32). Arrangement (32) according to one of the Claims 1 to 9 The arrangement (32) has a plurality of drive wheels (36) arranged next to one another, which engage in chain links (1) arranged next to one another. Arrangement (32) according to one of the Claims 1 to 10th , which is designed as a climbing wall, the chain links (1) having on their first main surface (3) at least one socket (16) for receiving a climbing grip.

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