DE102022125087A1 - Energy supply device and linear system with an energy supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

An energy supply device (4) intended for connection to a linearly displaceable energy consumer comprises - a connection element (7) intended for stationary installation, - a rotary arm (5) which is pivotably mounted on the connection element (7) and can be moved in a horizontal plane and which comprises a telescopic tube (12), - a vertical section (6) which is articulated to the telescopic tube (12) and intended for connection to the energy consumer, - an energy chain (10) arranged in the rotary arm (5) and connected to the vertical section (6), wherein a bent section (11) of the energy chain (10) is provided to compensate for length when the energy consumer is displaced, which section is laid in at least half a turn around the pivot axis (SP) of the rotary arm (5).

Description

The invention relates to an energy supply device intended for connection to a linearly displaceable energy consumer. The invention further relates to a linear system including such an energy supply device.

The EN 10 2014 205 984 A1 discloses a linear drive comprising two parallel rails, each of which can be connected to a pole of a power source. Overall, the device according to the EN 10 2014 205 984 A1 two power sources, wherein a control device is designed to electrically connect one of the power sources to the rails and to electrically disconnect the other power source from the rails.

Systems for monitoring the operation of a power chain are, for example, from the EP 3 971 445 A1 Possible designs of plastic components for energy chains are described in detail in the WO 2021/140162 A1 described.

The EN 10 2020 208 593 A1 discloses a linear system for automatically transporting and/or assembling vehicle wheels of a vehicle. The linear system according to the EN 10 2020 208 593 A1 includes, among other things, a vertically aligned base column and a guide unit arranged on the base column, which can be moved along the base column.

The DE 10 2017 000 281 A1 describes a ceiling stand that can be used in particular in dental practices. The ceiling stand includes a ceiling-mounted slewing ring, which is combined with a linear guide and a telescope. For example, a work light or a surgical microscope can be attached to the ceiling stand.

Other ceiling mounts intended for use in medical facilities are described, for example, in the documents EN 20 2019 104 435 U1 and EN 20 2020 101 438 U1 described. The EN 10 2013 211 385 A1 discloses various stands designed for medical imaging systems, which can be designed either as floor stands or as ceiling stands.

The invention is based on the object of further developing possibilities for supplying energy, in particular power, to linearly movable components compared to the aforementioned prior art, whereby a compact, assembly- and cleaning-friendly design is sought and the space around the travel range of the linearly mounted components is to be kept as free as possible.

This object is achieved according to the invention by an energy supply device with the features of claim 1. The energy supply device can be used in particular as part of a linear system according to claim 8.

• - ein zur ortsfesten Installation vorgesehenes Anschlusselement,
• - einen am Anschlusselement schwenkbar gelagerten, in einer horizontalen Ebene bewegbaren Dreharm, welcher ein Teleskoprohr umfasst,
• - einen mit dem Teleskoprohr gelenkig verbundenen, zum Anschluss an den Energieabnehmer vorgesehenen Vertikalabschnitt,
• - eine im Dreharm angeordnete, an den Vertikalabschnitt angeschlossene Energiekette,

wobei zum Längenausgleich bei Verschiebungen des Energieabnehmers ein gebogener Abschnitt der Energiekette vorgesehen ist, welcher in mindestens einer halben Windung um die Schwenkachse des Dreharms gelegt ist.The energy supply device is generally intended and includes a connection to a linearly displaceable energy consumer

• - a connection element intended for stationary installation,
• - a rotating arm which is pivotably mounted on the connecting element and can be moved in a horizontal plane and which comprises a telescopic tube,
• - a vertical section articulated to the telescopic tube and intended for connection to the energy consumer,
• - an energy chain arranged in the rotating arm and connected to the vertical section,

to compensate for the length when the energy consumer moves, a curved section of the energy chain is provided, which is placed in at least half a turn around the pivot axis of the rotating arm.

The energy consumer can in particular be a platform that can be moved on rails or a machine mounted on such a platform. In all cases, the permanently installed connection element can be located above and/or next to the movable energy consumer. The energy consumer can be displaced using power provided via the energy supply device or in any other way.

In particular, the connection element is mounted in the middle of the displacement range of the energy collector - when viewed from the side of the movable components attributable to the energy collector. The rotary arm, which is mounted on the connection element, can be pivoted about a fixed pivot axis, typically by no more than 180°, in particular by a maximum of 150°, which provides a single degree of freedom of the pivoting movement.

The energy chain is installed in the telescopic tube of the rotating arm in such a way that a fixed spatial relationship is established at least between the front section of the telescopic tube connected to the vertical section and the energy chain. The term “telescopic tube” is used independently of the cross-sectional design of this tube. Open, grid-like, length-adjustable elements that support the energy chain are also subsumed under the term “telescopic tube”.

Changes in length of the telescopic tube are carried out by the energy chain in that the section of the energy chain that is at least partially wound around the pivot axis of the rotating arm describes a narrower or wider arc depending on the setting of the telescopic tube. This has, among other things, the advantage that there is a mass concentration near the pivot axis. The rotating arm itself, on the other hand, can be designed to be very slim and easy to clean. Optionally, the rotating arm has side cover plates that can be easily removed, for example to allow access to the cables of the energy chain.

In an advantageous embodiment, the curved section of the energy chain is arranged in a housing rigidly connected to the rotating arm. This housing can also have smooth, chemically resistant surfaces that are very easy to clean.

The connection element can in particular be a connection plate intended for ceiling mounting, with the pivotable housing having a flat shape that is parallel to the connection plate.

Embodiments with a connection element intended for wall mounting, in particular in the form of a connection plate, are also possible. Regardless of where the connection element is attached, the housing, which can be pivoted together with the rotating arm, can be mounted on the connection plate, for example by means of a pivot bearing designed as an axial angular contact ball bearing.

The vertical section, which is to be attributed to the energy supply device, can in particular be attached to the side of the movable platform. The vertical section is optionally height-adjustable, for example in the manner of a telescopically extendable shaft.

The energy chain is intended in particular for supplying electrical energy to the energy consumer or to a plurality of energy consumers. Likewise, fluids, in particular a hydraulic medium and/or compressed air, can be supplied to the at least one energy consumer via the energy chain.

• 1 ein Linearsystem in einer ersten, mittleren Einstellung in Seitenansicht,
• 2 das Linearsystem in der Einstellung nach 1 in Draufsicht,
• 3 das Linearsystem in der Einstellung nach 1 in perspektivischer Ansicht,
• 4 das Linearsystem in einer zweiten Einstellung in Seitenansicht,
• 5 das Linearsystem in der Einstellung nach 4 in Draufsicht,
• 6 das Linearsystem in der Einstellung nach 4 in perspektivischer Ansicht,
• 7 das Linearsystem in einer dritten Einstellung in Seitenansicht,
• 8 das Linearsystem in der Einstellung nach 7 in frontaler Ansicht,
• 9 das Linearsystem in der Einstellung nach 7 in Draufsicht,
• 10 das Linearsystem in der Einstellung nach 7 in perspektivischer Ansicht.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing. Herein show:

• 1 a linear system in a first, middle shot in a side view,
• 2 the linear system in the setting 1 in plan view,
• 3 the linear system in the setting 1 in perspective view,
• 4 the linear system in a second shot in side view,
• 5 the linear system in the setting 4 in plan view,
• 6 the linear system in the setting 4 in perspective view,
• 7 the linear system in a third shot in a side view,
• 8th the linear system in the setting 7 in frontal view,
• 9 the linear system in the setting 7 in plan view,
• 10 the linear system in the setting 7 in perspective view.

A linear system, identified overall by the reference number 1, comprises a platform 2 which can be moved on rails 3, wherein the entire linear adjustment range of the platform 2 is indicated by LV. H designates the height of the entire linear system 1 including an energy supply device 4.

The energy supply device 4 comprises a horizontal section 5, which is also referred to as a rotating arm, and a vertical section 6, which is attached to the platform 2. The horizontal section 5 is mounted on a connecting plate 7 with the aid of a pivot bearing 19. In the present case, the pivot bearing 19 is designed as a multi-row angular contact ball bearing. The vertical pivot axis provided by the pivot bearing 19 is designated SP. In the exemplary embodiment, the connecting plate 7 is intended for ceiling mounting.

The pivotable horizontal section 5 includes a flat housing 8, which is arranged parallel to the connection plate 7. The housing 8 is therefore located just below the ceiling of the room in which the linear system 1 is installed. The same applies to a telescopic tube 12, which connects to the housing 8 and also represents a section of the rotating arm 5. A support element which can be pivoted together with the housing 8 and on which the telescopic tube 12 is held is designated 14.

In the telescopic tube 12 there is an energy chain 10, which is inside the housing 8, as shown the 2 , 5 , 9 shows, describes at least half a turn placed around the pivot axis SP. In the present case, the energy chain 10 serves to supply electrical energy to a machine that is mounted on the platform 2. Optionally, the energy chain10 can also be used to supply hydraulic medium and/or compressed air.

The energy chain 10 extends from a fastening point 9 in the housing 8 to a fastening point 20 at the end of the telescopic tube 12 facing away from the housing 8. A straight section of the energy chain 10 located in the telescopic tube 12 is designated by 13. Inside the housing 8 there is a curved section 11 of the energy chain 10. The length of this curved section 11 is, as can be seen from a comparison of the 2 , 5 , 9 The housing 8 thus provides a compensation space 17 for the energy chain 10. Within the telescopic tube 12, the energy chain 10 always retains its straight shape.

At the end of the telescopic tube 12 there is a pivot bearing 15, with which an articulated connection to the vertical section 6 is established. The axis of rotation thus formed is generally designated D. Cables within the vertical section 6 are not shown. At the transition between the horizontal section 5 and the vertical section 6 there is a bellows 16. A height adjustment 18 enables the height of the vertical section 6 to be adjusted to the height of the room.

The connection plate 7, like the housing 8, is located laterally next to the movable platform 2. The distance between the pivot axis SP and the nearest rail 3, in a top view of the linear system 1, is designated DS. The distance DS is smaller than the linear adjustment range LV as well as the distance between the two rails 3.

Reference symbol list

1

Linear system

2

platform

3

rail

4

Energy supply device

5

Horizontal section, rotating arm

6

Vertical section

7

Connection plate

8th

Housing

9

Attachment point in the housing

10

Energy chain

11

curved section of the energy chain

12

Telescopic tube

13

straight section of the energy chain

14

Support element

15

Pivot bearing

16

Bellows

17

Compensation space

18

Height adjustment

19

Swivel bearing

20

Attachment point on the telescopic tube

D

Rotation axis

DS

Swivel arm-rail distance

H

Height

LV

linear adjustment range

SP

Pivot axis

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102014205984 A1 [0002]
• EP 3971445 A1 [0003]
• WO 2021140162 A1 [0003]
• DE 102020208593 A1 [0004]
• DE 102017000281 A1 [0005]
• DE 202019104435 U1 [0006]
• DE 202020101438 U1 [0006]
• DE 102013211385 A1 [0006]

Claims (8)

Energy supply device (4) for connection to a linearly displaceable energy consumer - a connection element (7) intended for stationary installation, - a rotating arm (5) which is pivotably mounted on the connecting element (7) and can be moved in a horizontal plane and which comprises a telescopic tube (12), - a vertical section (6) which is articulated to the telescopic tube (12) and is intended for connection to the energy consumer, - an energy chain (10) arranged in the rotating arm (5) and connected to the vertical section (6), a curved section (11) of the energy chain (10) being provided to compensate for the length when the energy consumer is displaced, which is in at least half a turn around the Pivot axis (SP) of the rotating arm (5) is placed. Energy supply device according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the curved section (11) of the energy chain (10) is arranged in a housing (8) rigidly connected to the rotating arm (5). Energy supply device according to Claim 2 , characterized in that the connection element (7) is designed as a connection plate intended for ceiling mounting, the pivotable housing (8) having a flat shape parallel to the connection plate (7). Energy supply device according to Claim 3 , characterized in that the housing (8) is mounted on the connection plate (7) by means of a pivot bearing (19) designed as an axial angular contact ball bearing. Energy supply device according to one of the Claims 1 until 4 , characterized in that the vertical section (6) is height-adjustable. Energy supply device according to one of the Claims 1 until 5 , characterized in that the energy chain (10) is provided for supplying electrical energy. Energy supply device according to one of the Claims 1 until 6 , characterized in that the energy chain (10) is provided for supplying a fluid. Linear system (1), comprising a platform (2) that can be moved on rails (3) and an energy supply device (4) coupled to the platform (2). Claim 1 .

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