EP1364129B1 - Rodless linear drive - Google Patents

Rodless linear drive Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1364129B1
EP1364129B1 EP02716083A EP02716083A EP1364129B1 EP 1364129 B1 EP1364129 B1 EP 1364129B1 EP 02716083 A EP02716083 A EP 02716083A EP 02716083 A EP02716083 A EP 02716083A EP 1364129 B1 EP1364129 B1 EP 1364129B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
covering
linear drive
drive according
section
snap
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP02716083A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP1364129A2 (en
Inventor
Rolf Weberruss
Gerhard Krafft
Thomas Wagner
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Festo SE and Co KG
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Festo SE and Co KG
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Publication date
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Publication of EP1364129A2 publication Critical patent/EP1364129A2/en
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Publication of EP1364129B1 publication Critical patent/EP1364129B1/en
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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F15—FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS; HYDRAULICS OR PNEUMATICS IN GENERAL
    • F15B—SYSTEMS ACTING BY MEANS OF FLUIDS IN GENERAL; FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS, e.g. SERVOMOTORS; DETAILS OF FLUID-PRESSURE SYSTEMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F15B15/00—Fluid-actuated devices for displacing a member from one position to another; Gearing associated therewith
    • F15B15/08—Characterised by the construction of the motor unit
    • F15B15/082—Characterised by the construction of the motor unit the motor being of the slotted cylinder type

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a rodless linear drive, comprising a housing having a longitudinal slot penetrated by a movable force transmission member, the outer slot opening is associated with at least one masking cover containing cover, said at least one masking tape fixed to the housing on a first longitudinal side of the outer slot opening fixed mounting portion and a pivotable cover portion, wherein on the pivotable cover portion locking means are provided for releasably locking locking in a covering position in which the longitudinal slot is covered over its entire width by the covering device.
  • DE 3509891 A discloses a rodless linear drive which has a housing in which a piston displaceable by fluid force is arranged, which is motion-coupled to a force transmission member that passes through a longitudinal slot of the housing.
  • a sealing tape To avoid fluid leakage of the piston receiving space facing inner slot opening of the longitudinal slot is assigned a sealing tape.
  • a cover strip is provided, which extends over the slot length and with a longitudinal attachment section on a first Longitudinal side of the outer slot opening fixed to the housing.
  • a cover portion of the cover band pivotally connected to this attachment portion covers the outer slot opening axially on both sides of the power transmission member to prevent entry of contaminants into the longitudinal slot.
  • the cover section In the region of the force transmission member, the cover section is pivoted up into a release position in order to allow the passage of the force transmission member.
  • This pass-through area shifts along the longitudinal slot according to the movement and instantaneous position of the piston and the power transmission member connected thereto.
  • the covering exclusively consists of the at least one cover strip, the covering portion between a covering the outer slot opening covering position and the passage of the force transmitting member gestattenden release position is pivotable and that are provided with the force transmitting member motion-coupled application means, the apply the associated masking tape to effect the locking.
  • the cover device is thus further formed with at least one masking tape, which at the current position the power transmission member is lifted only on one longitudinal side of the longitudinal slot or the housing defining it.
  • This has the advantage that expensive channel-like bushings for the cover strip, if desired, can be dispensed with on the force transmission element.
  • the latching connection ensures a safe whereabouts of the cover portion of the cover strip in the covering position, wherein any material fatigue has no adverse effects.
  • the latching means are formed by a fork-like profiled latching portion of the cover portion, which is preferably located on the mounting portion opposite the edge portion of the cover and cooperates in particular with counter-latching means, the an extending in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal slot retaining rib are formed, which is located on the first longitudinal side opposite the second longitudinal side of the outer slot opening.
  • the masking tape is expediently anchored to the attachment portion in a fastening slot of the housing which is open towards the longitudinal slot.
  • the assembly takes place in particular by frontal insertion over one of the two end openings of the mounting groove away.
  • the embodiment according to the invention is particularly suitable for a covering device with only one cover strip, which covers the entire slot width of the longitudinal slot in the covering position.
  • the loading means provided for causing the latching connection are expediently located axially on both sides of the force transmission member. Furthermore, it is expedient to form the loading means as part of a motion-coupled to the power transmission member guide means which controls the pivoting operation of the cover when releasing and closing the longitudinal slot.
  • the cover strip is expediently made of elastic plastic material, in particular elastomeric material.
  • the possibly existing guide device is preferably made of plastic material.
  • the rodless linear drive of the exemplary embodiment designated in its generality by reference numeral 1 is actuated by fluid force and in particular by compressed air.
  • the linear drive 1 has a housing 2 having a longitudinal extent, in which a housing extending in the longitudinal direction Piston receiving space 3 is formed with preferably cylindrical cross-sectional contour.
  • the housing 2 contains a tubular body 4, designed in particular as a profiled tube, with end caps attached to the end face on both sides, which are not shown in greater detail in the drawing.
  • the housing 2 has an axially extending over approximately the entire length of the housing longitudinal slot 5, which is located in particular in the tubular body 4. It passes through the wall of the housing 2 in the circumferential region of the piston receiving space 3 in the radial direction, so that there is an inner slot opening 6 facing the piston receiving space 3 and an outer slot opening 7 located in the area of the outer surface of the housing 2. Both slit openings 6, 7 extend in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal slot 5.
  • a piston 8 is arranged guided axially displaceable. It is noted that it is accessible to the piston receiving space 3. It is notedstat- at axially spaced apart locations, preferably at the two axial end portions, each with a sealing device 12, Tet, which cooperates sealingly with the inner surface of the piston receiving space 3.
  • the piston receiving space 3 is divided into three axially successive subspaces, namely a lying between the two sealing means 12 central subspace and two axially on both sides of the piston 8 subsequent outer subspaces, between a respective sealing means 12 and the facing end cover of the housing 2 lie and have the function of fluid acted work spaces.
  • the linear movement of the piston 8 can be tapped outside of the housing 2 at a Kraftabgriffsteil 14, which is fixed to a power transmission member 15 which is coupled in motion with the piston 8 in the direction of movement 13.
  • the Kraftabgriffsteil 14 has not shown fastening means for securing one or more objects to be moved.
  • the Kraftabgriffsteil 14 is guided by means of a linear guide device 16 outside the housing 2 in the direction of movement 13 displaceable and supported in the transverse direction thereto. In this way, it is prevented that the piston 8 and the force transmission member 15 are excessively stressed by forces occurring at the Kraftabgriffsteil 14.
  • the force tapping part 14 may be formed like a carriage.
  • the force transmission member 15 may also be referred to as a driver and extends web-like radially through the longitudinal slot 5 therethrough.
  • fasteners 17 formed by screws are used for attachment to the force tapping part 14.
  • the force transmission member 15 is provided at the end located within the piston receiving space 3 with a fork-like holding portion 18, with which it in the piston 8, from the longitudinal side . is plugged in.
  • the piston 8 has a recess 22 receiving the holding section 18, whose dimensions measured in the direction of movement 13 correspond to those of the holding section 18, so that a positive connection results in the direction of movement 13.
  • Each axial movement of the piston 8 is thus transferred to the power transmission member 15 without play.
  • the inner slot opening 6 is associated with a flexurally elastic sealing band 24, which has the purpose to seal the two axially on both sides of the piston 8 lying working spaces to the environment and to avoid escape of actuating fluid through the longitudinal slot 5 therethrough.
  • the sealing strip 24 extends over the entire length of the longitudinal slot 5 and lies with its axially outside of the piston 8 outer sealing band portions 25 under sealing to the longitudinal slot 5 on both sides limiting housing-side slot flanks 26.
  • the sealing contact takes place as a rule in the transition region between the piston receiving space 3 and the longitudinal slot 5, wherein the sealing tape 24 as shown wholly or partially immersed in the longitudinal slot 5 from the inside.
  • the sealing tape 24 At the height of the piston 8 and thereby in the middle subspace between the two sealing means 12 is the sealing tape 24 completely over a part of its length away from the longitudinal slot 5, that is, from the slot flanks 26, lifted.
  • the lifted sealing strip section 27 passes through a deflection channel 28 defined in the interior of the piston 8, which passes under the force transmission element 15. In this way, the power transmission member 15 can pass through the longitudinal slot 5 from the sealing band 24 unhindered.
  • a fluid outlet from the piston receiving space 3 in this area is excluded because the middle part of the space is separated by the sealing contact between the sealing means 12 and the sealing strip 24 from the adjoining work spaces fluid-tight.
  • the outer slot opening 7 of the longitudinal slot 5 is associated with a cover generally designated by reference numeral 32. It contains in the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 6 each have a single masking tape 33, which as the sealing tape 24 is made of plastic material and has rubber-elastic properties. Preferably, it is a masking tape 33 made of elastomeric material.
  • the cover strip 33 extends over the entire length of the longitudinal slot 5 and has the purpose of preventing ingress of impurities in the longitudinal slot 5 from the vicinity of the linear drive 1.
  • the masking tape 33 causes, regardless of the current piston position closing the outer slot opening 7 axially on both sides of the piston 8, but allows a penetration of the power transmission member 15.
  • the cover 33 is not completely lifted in the region of the power transmission member 15 from the longitudinal slot 5 and the housing 2 defining this.
  • the cover strip 33 always remains firmly connected to the housing 2 on one longitudinal side of the longitudinal slot 5 and is lifted off only on the opposite longitudinal side and thereby deflected around the force transmission element 15. This results in the not insignificant advantage that the power transmission member 15 does not require a complicated through-channel for the cover 33, but this can be guided past the outer surface of the power transmission member 15.
  • the cover strip 33 is subdivided in the longitudinal direction into two adjoining strip sections, namely into a fastening section 34 and a cover section 35. Both sections 34, 35 are integrally connected to each other, wherein the connecting section has a pivoting region 36 extending in the longitudinal direction of the cover strip 33 Swivel axis defined.
  • the attachment portion 34 With the attachment portion 34, the cover 33 is fixed to the housing fixed on a first longitudinal side 37 of the outer slot opening 7.
  • the attachment portion 34 may be formed bead-like and compared to the subsequent cover portion 35 have a larger cross-section, so that it can be anchored in a longitudinal slot 5 toward open mounting groove 42 of the housing 2.
  • the attachment portion 34 is contoured circular and sits in a corresponding contoured portion of the mounting groove 42, which merges into the narrower groove opening through which the cover portion 35 protrudes.
  • the transverse dimensions of the fastening section 34 and the fastening groove 42 are in particular matched to one another such that the mounting section 34 can be inserted into the fastening groove 42 from an end face during assembly of the cover strip 33. This may well be associated with a slight press-fitting.
  • the cover portion 35 is pivotable relative to the attachment portion 34 and thus to the housing 2 between a cover position shown in FIG. 4 and a release position shown in FIG. 5.
  • the pivoting movement is indicated by a double arrow at 43.
  • the cover section 35 In the covering position, the cover section 35 extends between the first longitudinal side 37 and the second longitudinal side 38 of the outer slot opening 7 opposite thereto and thus covers the outer slot opening 7 over its entire width.
  • the cover portion 35 may be partially or completely immersed from the outside into the longitudinal slot 5.
  • the transition between the covering position and the release position is controlled by a guide means 44 coupled to the force transmitting member 15 in an axially movement-coupled manner.
  • the release position is characterized by a different pivoting angle of the cover portion 35, which has its maximum at the height of the power transmission member 15 and gradually decreases in the course of the transition regions 45 to the end of the guide means 44 and then present covering position.
  • a significant feature of the cover 33 is that its pivotable cover portion 35 has locking means 46, by means of which it is releasably locked in the covering position.
  • the latching causes a reliable contact between the contact portion 34 opposite longitudinal edge portion 41 of the cover portion 35 and the housing 2 on the associated second longitudinal side 38.
  • the cover 33 passes through its cover portion 35, the above-mentioned guide means 44, wherein the guide means 44 causes both the unlatching and the locking of the cover portion 35.
  • the latching means 46 of the cover section 35 cooperate with counter-latching means 47, which are provided directly on the housing 2 of the linear drive 1.
  • the counter-locking means 47 are preferably formed by a holding rib 48 extending in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal slot 5, which is located on the second longitudinal side 38 of the longitudinal slot 5 and projects in the direction of the opposite slot edge.
  • the locking means 46 consist of a fork-like profiled locking portion 49 of the cover portion 35, in the groove-like opening, the retaining rib 48 dips in the locked state.
  • the retaining rib 48 is clamped between the two fork arms 53a, 53b of the latching section 49.
  • the inner fork arm 53b is deformable and is bent during engagement and disengagement. One could also speak of a snap connection here.
  • the retaining rib 48 is provided with a cross-section tapering towards the free end, and the intermediate space of the locking section 49 defined between the fork arms 53a, 53b also tapers in the depth direction. As a result, in particular, the latching process is supported.
  • the guide means 44 has axially on both sides of the force transmission member 15 via biasing means 54, with the direction away from the longitudinal slot 5 outer surface 55 of the cover 35 can work together to lock the cover portion 35 at the transition between the release position in the cover fixed to the housing.
  • the biasing means 54 press on the outer surface 55, so that the cover portion 35 is pivoted inwardly and is forced into latching engagement with the counter-latching means 47.
  • the urging means 54 mark the two outer ends of the transition regions 45 and are formed by loading surfaces whose course corresponds to the desired course of the cover section 35. They are curved, with their distance to the outer slot opening 7 decreases with increasing distance from the force transmission member 15. As a result, the cover section 35 is gradually pressed downwards against the longitudinal slot 5 when passing under the corresponding loading surface and in the corresponding direction of movement of the piston 8.
  • the guide means 44 is provided with an oppositely oriented guide surface 56. It is, starting from the end portions opposite to the loading means 54, towards the power transmission member 15 increasingly steep. Since the cover portion 35 slides along with its inner surface 57 on the guide surface 56, thus determines the course of the guide surface 56, the pivoting operation of the cover portion 35 at the transition between the covering position and the release position. The steepest is the guide surface 56 thus in the region of the force transmission member 15, the latter can form an immediate part of the guide surface 56.
  • the guide surface 56 as the biasing means 54 and thus the entire guide means 44 is provided on a single component which forms in the embodiment of an insert 58 which is inserted alongside the piston 8.
  • the insert 58 is made of plastic material, wherein the loading surfaces of the biasing means 54 and the guide surface 56 have been made in particular by free-forming.
  • the piston 8 has a recess 59 open to a longitudinal side into which the insert 58 is inserted with a foot portion 62 perpendicular to the direction of movement 13.
  • Interlocking centering means 63 such as ribs and grooves, provide for an exact positioning.
  • the above-mentioned deflection channel is preferably located in the recess 59 and is defined partly by the piston 8 and partly by the foot portion 62 of the insert 58.
  • the latter may have a deflection surface 64 facing the sealing band 24.
  • the power transmission member 15 could in principle be an integral part of the insert 58. However, for the reasons already explained above, an independent implementation is more advantageous.
  • the insert 58 at the level of the recess 22 of the piston 8 is provided with a further recess 65 which allows insertion of the fork-like holding portion 18 and the insert 58 is ultimately embraced by the holding portion 18 riderä Inc.
  • the intermediate guide surface 56 which may be composed of a plurality of successive surface portions, is responsible for raising the cover portion 35 in the release position for the purpose of deflection around the force transmission member 15.
  • a further embodiment of the linear drive is shown in which the cover portion 35 is clamped in the latched state, in turn, on the second longitudinal side 38 of the outer slot opening 7 with the housing 2.
  • the counter-locking means 47 are not provided here directly on the housing 2, but are located on the cover strip 33 facing surface of the sealing strip 24, which is supported in the sealing position on the housing 2. This design has the advantage that the cover 33 and the sealing tape 24 each other hold in the covering position or sealing position.
  • FIG. 7 differs from the previously described mainly by the fact that the cover 32 instead of only one cover strip on two cover strips 33a, 33b has.
  • Each of these masking tapes 33a, 33b has a fastening portion 34 and a cover portion 35, wherein they are fixed fixed to the housing with their fastening portions 34 on opposite longitudinal sides of the longitudinal slot 5.
  • their covering sections 35 project toward one another, wherein they each cover a partial width of the outer slot opening 7.
  • the arrangement is chosen so that the longitudinal slot 5 is covered by two cover sections 35 in the covering each half its width.
  • each covering section 35 will be assigned its own guide surface, so that the cover sections 35 are directed past on opposite sides of the force tapping part 14.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Actuator (AREA)
  • Valve Device For Special Equipments (AREA)
  • Reciprocating, Oscillating Or Vibrating Motors (AREA)
  • Fluid-Damping Devices (AREA)
  • Basic Packing Technique (AREA)

Abstract

A piston rod-less linear drive ( 1 ) has a housing ( 2 ) with a longitudinal slot ( 5 ) having a moving force coupling member extending through it. The outer slot opening ( 7 ) is provided with at least one covering band ( 33 ), which is fixed at an attachment section ( 34 ) on a longitudinal side ( 37 ) of the outer slot opening ( 7 ). The covering band ( ) 33 ) furthermore has a pivoting covering section ( 35 ), which is provided with detent means ( 46 ), which render possible a releasable detent function in a covering position covering the outer slot opening. Actuating means kinematically coupled with the force coupling member may act on the covering band in order to cause the detent locking action.

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft einen kolbenstangenlosen Linearantrieb, mit einem Gehäuse, das einen von einem beweglichen Kraftübertragungsglied durchsetzten Längsschlitz aufweist, dessen äußerer Schlitzöffnung eine mindestens ein Abdeckband enthaltende Abdeckeinrichtung zugeordnet ist, wobei das mindestens eine Abdeckband einen auf einer ersten Längsseite der äußeren Schlitzöffnung gehäusefest fixierten Befestigungsabschnitt und einen verschwenkbaren Abdeckabschnitt aufweist, wobei an dem schwenkbeweglichen Abdeckabschnitt Rastmittel zur lösbaren verrastenden Fixierung in einer Abdeckstellung vorgesehen sind, in der der Längsschlitz über seine gesamte Breite von der Abdeckeinrichtung abgedeckt ist.The invention relates to a rodless linear drive, comprising a housing having a longitudinal slot penetrated by a movable force transmission member, the outer slot opening is associated with at least one masking cover containing cover, said at least one masking tape fixed to the housing on a first longitudinal side of the outer slot opening fixed mounting portion and a pivotable cover portion, wherein on the pivotable cover portion locking means are provided for releasably locking locking in a covering position in which the longitudinal slot is covered over its entire width by the covering device.

Aus der DE 3509891 A geht ein kolbenstangenloser Linearantrieb hervor, der ein Gehäuse besitzt, in dem ein durch Fluidkraft verschiebbarer Kolben angeordnet ist, der mit einem einen Längsschlitz des Gehäuses durchgreifenden Kraftübertragungsglied bewegungsgekoppelt ist. Zur Vermeidung eines Fluidaustrittes ist der dem Kolbenaufnahmeraum zugewandten inneren Schlitzöffnung des Längsschlitzes ein Dichtband zugeordnet. Im Bereich der sich an der Außenfläche des Gehäuses befindenden äußeren Schlitzöffnung ist ein Abdeckband vorgesehen, das sich über die Schlitzlänge erstreckt und mit einem längsseitigen Befestigungsabschnitt an einer ersten Längsseite der äußeren Schlitzöffnung gehäusefest fixiert ist. Ein mit diesem Befestigungsabschnitt schwenkbeweglich verbundener Abdeckabschnitt des Abdeckbandes deckt die äußere Schlitzöffnung axial beidseits des Kraftübertragungsgliedes ab, um den Eintritt von Verunreinigungen in den Längsschlitz zu verhindern. Im Bereich des Kraftübertragungsgliedes ist der Abdeckabschnitt in eine Freigabestellung hochgeschwenkt, um den Durchgriff des Kraftübertragungsgliedes zu gestatten. Dieser Durchgriffsbereich verlagert sich entlang dem Längsschlitz entsprechend der Bewegung und momentanen Position des Kolbens und des mit diesem verbundenen Kraftübertragungsgliedes.DE 3509891 A discloses a rodless linear drive which has a housing in which a piston displaceable by fluid force is arranged, which is motion-coupled to a force transmission member that passes through a longitudinal slot of the housing. To avoid fluid leakage of the piston receiving space facing inner slot opening of the longitudinal slot is assigned a sealing tape. In the area of the outer slot opening located on the outer surface of the housing, a cover strip is provided, which extends over the slot length and with a longitudinal attachment section on a first Longitudinal side of the outer slot opening fixed to the housing. A cover portion of the cover band pivotally connected to this attachment portion covers the outer slot opening axially on both sides of the power transmission member to prevent entry of contaminants into the longitudinal slot. In the region of the force transmission member, the cover section is pivoted up into a release position in order to allow the passage of the force transmission member. This pass-through area shifts along the longitudinal slot according to the movement and instantaneous position of the piston and the power transmission member connected thereto.

Die Einnahme der Abdeckstellung des Abdeckabschnittes soll im Falle des bekannten Linearantriebes durch eine ausreichende Vorspannung bewirkt werden, die den Abdeckabschnitt, wie auch das entsprechend ausgestaltete Dichtband, nach dem Verschwenken in die Freigabestellung selbsttätig zurückstellt. Die Vorspannung wird durch einen mit dem Abdeckband und dem Dichtband integral ausgebildeten Verbindungssteg gewährleistet, der den Längsschlitz durchsetzt. Hierbei ist jedoch nachteilig, dass im Laufe der zeit eintretende Materialermüdung eine sichere Einnahme der Abdeckstellung nicht mehr gewährleisten kann.The assumption of the covering of the cover should be effected in the case of the known linear drive by a sufficient bias, which automatically resets the cover, as well as the appropriately designed sealing strip after pivoting in the release position. The bias is ensured by an integrally formed with the cover strip and the sealing strip connecting web, which passes through the longitudinal slot. In this case, however, it is disadvantageous that over the course of time occurring material fatigue can no longer ensure a safe receipt of the covering position.

Eine vergleichbare Problematik ist bei dem nach gleichen Prinzipien arbeitenden Abdeckband gemäß US-A-4555980 gegeben. Abweichend zur Ausführungsform gemäß DE 3509891 A enthält die dortige Abdeckeinrichtung allerdings zwei Abdeckbänder, die den Längsschlitz gemeinsam abdecken.A comparable problem is given in the operating according to the same principles masking tape according to US-A-4555980. Notwithstanding the embodiment according to DE 3509891 A, the cover there, however, contains two cover strips that cover the longitudinal slot together.

Man hat in der US-A-4555980 zwar auch schon vorgeschlagen, das Abdeckband durch eine mit dem Dichtband eingegangene lösbare Rastverbindung in der Abdeckstellung zu fixieren. Hierzu ist jedoch eine andere Bauart des Abdeckbandes vorgesehen, bei der das Abdeckband im Bereich des Kraftübertragungsgliedes entlang seiner gesamten Breite vom Längsschlitz abgehoben wird, was seitens des Kraftübertragungsgliedes einen komplizierten Aufbau erfordert, weil dieses mit einem Durchführungskanal für das Abdeckband ausgestattet werden muss.Although it has been proposed in US-A-4555980, the masking tape by a received with the sealing tape detachable Fix locking connection in the covering position. For this purpose, however, another type of cover strip is provided in which the cover strip is lifted in the region of the power transmission member along its entire width from the longitudinal slot, which requires a complicated structure of the force transmission member, because this must be equipped with a feed-through channel for the cover.

Bei einem aus der EP-A-0 969 213 bekannten Linearantrieb der eingangs genannten Art sind der äußeren Schlitzöffnung des Längsschlitzes ebenfalls zwei Abdeckbänder zugeordnet, die jeweils mit einem Befestigungsschnitt gehäusefest fixiert sind und zwischen denen das Kraftübertragungsglied hindurchgleiten kann. Hier bildet jedoch auch das Dichtband einen Bestandteil der Abdeckeinrichtung, indem es zwischen die Abdeckbänder hineinragt und von diesen gehalten wird. Ist das Dichtband nach Innen vom Längsschlitz abgehoben, bleibt die äußere Schlitzöffnung zwischen den beiden Abdeckbändern offen.In one known from EP-A-0 969 213 linear drive of the type mentioned the outer slot opening of the longitudinal slot are also associated with two cover strips, which are fixed fixed to the housing with a fastening cut and between which the power transmission member can slide. Here, however, the sealing tape forms a part of the cover by protruding between the cover strips and is held by them. If the sealing tape is lifted inward from the longitudinal slot, the outer slot opening between the two cover strips remains open.

Es ist die Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung, einen Linearantrieb der eingangs genannten Art zu schaffen, der bei einfachem Aufbau auch noch nach langer Betriebsdauer ein zuverlässiges Abdecken des Längsschlitzes gewährleistet.It is the object of the present invention to provide a linear drive of the type mentioned above, which ensures a reliable covering of the longitudinal slot with a simple structure even after a long period of operation.

Diese Aufgabe wird dadurch gelöst, dass die Abdeckeinrichtung ausschließlich aus dem mindestens einen Abdeckband besteht, dessen Abdeckabschnitt zwischen einer die äußere Schlitzöffnung abdeckenden Abdeckstellung und einer den Durchgriff des Kraftübertragungsgliedes gestattenden Freigabestellung verschwenkbar ist und dass mit dem Kraftübertragungsglied bewegungsgekoppelte Beaufschlagungsmittel vorgesehen sind, die das zugeordnete Abdeckband beaufschlagen, um das Verrasten zu bewirken.This object is achieved in that the covering exclusively consists of the at least one cover strip, the covering portion between a covering the outer slot opening covering position and the passage of the force transmitting member gestattenden release position is pivotable and that are provided with the force transmitting member motion-coupled application means, the apply the associated masking tape to effect the locking.

Die Abdeckeinrichtung ist somit weiterhin mit mindestens einem Abdeckband ausgebildet, das an der momentanen Position des Kraftübertragungsgliedes nur an einer Längsseite vom Längsschlitz beziehungsweise dem diesen definierenden Gehäuse abgehoben wird. Dies hat den Vorteil, dass am Kraftübertragungsglied aufwändige kanalartige Durchführungen für das Abdeckband, sofern gewünscht, entfallen können. Die Rastverbindung gewährleistet einen sicheren Verbleib des Abdeckabschnittes des Abdeckbandes in der Abdeckstellung, wobei eventuell auftretende Materialermüdung keine nachteiligen Auswirkungen hat. Für das zuverlässige Verrasten sorgen mit dem Kraftübertragungsglied bewegungsgekoppelte Beaufschlagungsmittel, die das betreffende Abdeckband, insbesondere an der Außenfläche des Abdeckabschnittes, beaufschlagen.The cover device is thus further formed with at least one masking tape, which at the current position the power transmission member is lifted only on one longitudinal side of the longitudinal slot or the housing defining it. This has the advantage that expensive channel-like bushings for the cover strip, if desired, can be dispensed with on the force transmission element. The latching connection ensures a safe whereabouts of the cover portion of the cover strip in the covering position, wherein any material fatigue has no adverse effects. For the reliable locking provided with the force transmitting member motion-coupled urging means which act on the cover band in question, in particular on the outer surface of the cover.

Vorteilhafte Weiterbildungen der Erfindung gehen aus den Unteransprüchen hervor.Advantageous developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims.

Eine optimale Fixierung des Abdeckbandes in der Abdeckstellung ergibt sich, wenn die Rastmittel mit Gegenrastmitteln zusammenarbeiten können, die am Gehäuse des Linearantriebes vorgesehen sind. Gleichwohl besteht jedoch durchaus die Möglichkeit, die Gegenrastmittel an einem zusätzlich vorhandenen, der inneren Schlitzöffnung zugeordneten Dichtband vorzusehen, was den zusätzlichen Vorteil bringt, dass das Dichtband sicher in der Dichtstellung gehalten wird.An optimal fixation of the cover strip in the covering position results when the locking means can cooperate with counter-locking means, which are provided on the housing of the linear drive. However, however, it is quite possible to provide the counter-locking means on an additionally existing, the inner slot opening associated sealing strip, which brings the additional advantage that the sealing strip is held securely in the sealing position.

Vorzugsweise sind die Rastmittel von einem gabelartig profilierten Rastabschnitt des Abdeckabschnittes gebildet, der sich vorzugsweise an dem dem Befestigungsabschnitt entgegengesetzten Randbereich des Abdeckabschnittes befindet und der insbesondere mit Gegenrastmitteln zusammenarbeitet, die von einer sich in Längsrichtung des Längsschlitzes erstreckenden Halterippe gebildet sind, welche sich an der der ersten Längsseite gegenüberliegenden zweiten Längsseite der äußeren Schlitzöffnung befindet.Preferably, the latching means are formed by a fork-like profiled latching portion of the cover portion, which is preferably located on the mounting portion opposite the edge portion of the cover and cooperates in particular with counter-latching means, the an extending in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal slot retaining rib are formed, which is located on the first longitudinal side opposite the second longitudinal side of the outer slot opening.

Es wäre prinzipiell möglich, den Befestigungsabschnitt derart am Gehäuse des Linearantriebes zu fixieren, dass er die Schwenkbewegung des Abdeckabschnittes mitmacht und somit das Abdeckband über seine gesamte Breite hinweg als Schwenkteil fungiert. Vorgezogen wird allerdings eine Bauform, bei der der Befestigungsabschnitt unbeweglich am Gehäuse gehalten ist und bei der Schwenkbewegung des Abdeckabschnittes eine Relativbewegung zwischen diesem und dem ortsfest fixierten Befestigungsabschnitt stattfindet. Dies hat unter anderem auch den Vorteil, dass die eventuell vorhandene Federelastizität des Abdeckbandes einen Beitrag für die am Abdeckabschnitt angreifende Rückstellkraft liefern kann.It would be possible in principle to fix the attachment portion in such a way on the housing of the linear drive that it participates in the pivoting movement of the cover and thus the cover strip over its entire width away acts as a pivoting part. However, preferred is a design in which the mounting portion is immovably held on the housing and during the pivotal movement of the cover takes place a relative movement between this and the fixed fixed mounting portion. Among other things, this has the advantage that the possibly present resilience of the cover strip can make a contribution to the restoring force acting on the cover section.

Das Abdeckband ist mit dem Befestigungsabschnitt zweckmäßigerweise in einer zum Längsschlitz hin offenen Befestigungsnut des Gehäuses verankert. Die Montage erfolgt insbesondere durch stirnseitiges Einschieben über eine der beiden stirnseitigen Öffnungen der Befestigungsnut hinweg.The masking tape is expediently anchored to the attachment portion in a fastening slot of the housing which is open towards the longitudinal slot. The assembly takes place in particular by frontal insertion over one of the two end openings of the mounting groove away.

Die erfindungsgemäße Ausgestaltung eignet sich zwar besonders für eine Abdeckeinrichtung mit nur einem Abdeckband, das in der Abdeckstellung die gesamte Schlitzbreite des Längsschlitzes abdeckt. Gleichwohl ist es möglich, eine Abdeckeinrichtung mit zwei längsseits nebeneinanderliegenden Abdeckbändern vorzusehen, wobei jedes Abdeckband einen schwenkbeweglichen Abdeckabschnitt aufweist und beide Abdeckbänder gemeinsam zum kompletten Abdecken des Längsschlitzes beitragen.Although the embodiment according to the invention is particularly suitable for a covering device with only one cover strip, which covers the entire slot width of the longitudinal slot in the covering position. However, it is possible to provide a cover with two side by side covering strips, each cover a pivotable Having cover portion and contribute both cover strips together to completely cover the longitudinal slot.

Die zum Verursachen der Rastverbindung vorgesehenen Beaufschlagungsmittel befinden sich zweckmäßigerweise axial beidseits des Kraftübertragungsgliedes. Ferner ist es zweckmäßig, die Beaufschlagungsmittel als Bestandteil einer mit dem Kraftübertragungsglied bewegungsgekoppelten Führungseinrichtung auszubilden, die den Schwenkvorgang des Abdeckabschnittes beim Freigeben und Verschließen des Längsschlitzes steuert.The loading means provided for causing the latching connection are expediently located axially on both sides of the force transmission member. Furthermore, it is expedient to form the loading means as part of a motion-coupled to the power transmission member guide means which controls the pivoting operation of the cover when releasing and closing the longitudinal slot.

Das Abdeckband besteht zweckmäßigerweise aus elastischem Kunststoffmaterial, insbesondere aus Elastomermaterial. Auch die eventuell vorhandene Führungseinrichtung besteht vorzugsweise aus Kunststoffmaterial.The cover strip is expediently made of elastic plastic material, in particular elastomeric material. The possibly existing guide device is preferably made of plastic material.

Nachfolgend wird die Erfindung anhand der beiliegenden Zeichnung näher erläutert. In dieser zeigen:

Fig. 1
eine Stirnansicht einer ersten Bauform des erfindungsgemäßen kolbenstangenlosen Linearantriebes bei abgenommenem Gehäusedeckel, so dass der Kolben sichtbar ist,
Fig. 2
einen Längenabschnitt des Linearantriebes aus Fig. 1 in perspektivischer Darstellung und ohne Abbildung des Gehäuses,
Fig. 3
eine Explosionsdarstellung der aus Fig. 2 ersichtlichen Komponenten, allerdings ohne Abdeckband,
Fig. 4
den Linearantrieb aus Fig. 1 bis 3 in einer Querschnittsdarstellung, wobei die Schnittebene axial außerhalb des Kolbens liegt und wobei nur das Gehäuse, das Abdeckband und das Dichtband gezeigt sind,
Fig. 5
eine der Fig. 4 entsprechende Darstellung bei in die Freigabestellung verschwenktem Abdeckabschnitt, wobei die Schnittebene im Bereich des nicht dargestellten Kraftübertragungsgliedes verläuft,
Fig. 6
im Querschnitt eine Teildarstellung einer weiteren Ausführungsform des Linearantriebes, wobei die Rastverbindung zwischen dem Abdeckband und dem Dichtband vorgesehen ist, und
Fig. 7
eine weitere Ausführungsform des Linearantriebes, bei der eine über zwei Abdeckbänder verfügende Abdeckeinrichtung vorgesehen ist.
The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this show:
Fig. 1
an end view of a first design of the rodless linear actuator according to the invention with the housing cover removed, so that the piston is visible,
Fig. 2
a longitudinal section of the linear drive of Figure 1 in perspective and without illustration of the housing.
Fig. 3
an exploded view of the apparent from Fig. 2 components, but without masking tape,
Fig. 4
1 to 3 in a cross-sectional view, wherein the sectional plane lies axially outside the piston and wherein only the housing, the cover band and the sealing tape are shown,
Fig. 5
4 corresponding representation in the release position pivoted cover portion, wherein the cutting plane extends in the region of the power transmission member, not shown,
Fig. 6
in cross section a partial view of another embodiment of the linear drive, wherein the locking connection is provided between the cover strip and the sealing strip, and
Fig. 7
a further embodiment of the linear drive, in which a covering device is provided with two cover strips is provided.

Der in seiner Allgemeinheit mit Bezugsziffer 1 bezeichnete kolbenstangenlose Linearantrieb des Ausführungsbeispiels wird durch Fluidkraft betätigt und dabei insbesondere durch Druckluft.The rodless linear drive of the exemplary embodiment designated in its generality by reference numeral 1 is actuated by fluid force and in particular by compressed air.

Der Linearantrieb 1 verfügt über ein Längserstreckung aufweisendes Gehäuse 2, in dem ein sich in Längsrichtung erstreckender Kolbenaufnahmeraum 3 mit vorzugsweise zylindrischer Querschnittskontur ausgebildet ist. In der Regel enthält das Gehäuse 2 einen insbesondere als Profilrohr ausgebildeten Rohrkörper 4 mit stirnseitig beidseits angesetzten Abschlussdeckeln, die in der Zeichnung nicht näher dargestellt sind.The linear drive 1 has a housing 2 having a longitudinal extent, in which a housing extending in the longitudinal direction Piston receiving space 3 is formed with preferably cylindrical cross-sectional contour. As a rule, the housing 2 contains a tubular body 4, designed in particular as a profiled tube, with end caps attached to the end face on both sides, which are not shown in greater detail in the drawing.

Das Gehäuse 2 verfügt über einen sich axial über annähernd die gesamte Gehäuselänge erstreckenden Längsschlitz 5, der sich insbesondere in dem Rohrkörper 4 befindet. Er durchsetzt die Wandung des Gehäuses 2 im Umfangsbereich des Kolbenaufnahmeraumes 3 in radialer Richtung, so dass sich eine dem Kolbenaufnahmeraum 3 zugewandte innere Schlitzöffnung 6 und eine im Bereich der Außenfläche des Gehäuses 2 befindliche äußere Schlitzöffnung 7 ergibt. Beide Schlitzöffnungen 6, 7 erstrecken sich in Längsrichtung des Längsschlitzes 5.The housing 2 has an axially extending over approximately the entire length of the housing longitudinal slot 5, which is located in particular in the tubular body 4. It passes through the wall of the housing 2 in the circumferential region of the piston receiving space 3 in the radial direction, so that there is an inner slot opening 6 facing the piston receiving space 3 and an outer slot opening 7 located in the area of the outer surface of the housing 2. Both slit openings 6, 7 extend in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal slot 5.

In dem Kolbenaufnahmeraum 3 ist ein Kolben 8 axial verschiebbar geführt angeordnet. Er ist an mit axialem Abstand zueinander platzierten Stellen, vorzugsweise an den beiden axialen Endbereichen, mit je einer Dichtungseinrichtung 12 ausgestat-, tet, welche mit der Innenfläche des Kolbenaufnahmeraumes 3 dichtend zusammenarbeitet. Auf diese Weise wird der Kolbenaufnahmeraum 3 in drei axial aufeinanderfolgende Teilräume unterteilt, und zwar einen zwischen den beiden Dichtungseinrichtungen 12 liegenden mittleren Teilraum sowie in zwei axial beidseits an den Kolben 8 anschließende äußere Teilräume, die zwischen einer jeweiligen Dichtungseinrichtung 12 und dem zugewandten Abschlussdeckel des Gehäuses 2 liegen und die Funktion von fluidbeaufschlagbaren Arbeitsräumen haben.In the piston receiving space 3, a piston 8 is arranged guided axially displaceable. It is ausgestat- at axially spaced apart locations, preferably at the two axial end portions, each with a sealing device 12, Tet, which cooperates sealingly with the inner surface of the piston receiving space 3. In this way, the piston receiving space 3 is divided into three axially successive subspaces, namely a lying between the two sealing means 12 central subspace and two axially on both sides of the piston 8 subsequent outer subspaces, between a respective sealing means 12 and the facing end cover of the housing 2 lie and have the function of fluid acted work spaces.

Durch an sich bekannte, gesteuerte Beaufschlagung der Arbeitsräume mittels eines Betätigungsfluids über nicht näher dargestellte, im Gehäuse 2 verlaufende Fluidkanäle kann der Kolben 8 zu einer Linearbewegung in Längsrichtung des Gehäuses 2 veranlasst werden. Die Bewegungsrichtung ist durch Doppelpfeil 13 verdeutlicht.By known, controlled admission of the working spaces by means of an actuating fluid via not shown in detail, extending in the housing 2 fluid channels of the piston 8 can be caused to a linear movement in the longitudinal direction of the housing 2. The direction of movement is illustrated by double arrow 13.

Die Linearbewegung des Kolbens 8 kann außerhalb des Gehäuses 2 an einem Kraftabgriffsteil 14 abgegriffen werden, das an einem Kraftübertragungsglied 15 befestigt ist, welches mit dem Kolben 8 in der Bewegungsrichtung 13 bewegungsgekoppelt ist. Das Kraftabgriffsteil 14 verfügt über nicht näher dargestellte Befestigungsmittel zum Befestigen eines oder mehrerer zu bewegender Gegenstände. Bevorzugt ist das Kraftabgriffsteil 14 mittels einer Linearführungseinrichtung 16 außen am Gehäuse 2 in der Bewegungsrichtung 13 verlagerbar geführt und in Querrichtung dazu abgestützt. Auf diese Weise wird verhindert, dass der Kolben 8 und das Kraftübertragungsglied 15 durch am Kraftabgriffsteil 14 auftretende Kräfte übermäßig beansprucht werden. Das Kraftabgriffsteil 14 kann schlittenartig ausgebildet sein.The linear movement of the piston 8 can be tapped outside of the housing 2 at a Kraftabgriffsteil 14, which is fixed to a power transmission member 15 which is coupled in motion with the piston 8 in the direction of movement 13. The Kraftabgriffsteil 14 has not shown fastening means for securing one or more objects to be moved. Preferably, the Kraftabgriffsteil 14 is guided by means of a linear guide device 16 outside the housing 2 in the direction of movement 13 displaceable and supported in the transverse direction thereto. In this way, it is prevented that the piston 8 and the force transmission member 15 are excessively stressed by forces occurring at the Kraftabgriffsteil 14. The force tapping part 14 may be formed like a carriage.

Das Kraftübertragungsglied 15 kann auch als Mitnehmer bezeichnet werden und erstreckt sich stegartig radial durch den Längsschlitz 5 hindurch. Zum Beispiel von Schrauben gebildete Befestigungsmittel 17 dienen der Befestigung am Kraftabgriffsteil 14. Zur Verbindung mit dem Kolben 8 ist das Kraftübertragungsglied 15 am innerhalb des Kolbenaufnahmeraumes 3 liegenden Ende mit einem gabelartigen Halteabschnitt 18 versehen, mit dem es in den Kolben 8, von dessen Längsseite her, eingesteckt ist. Der Kolben 8 hat zu diesem Zweck eine den Halteabschnitt 18 aufnehmende Aussparung 22, deren in der Bewegungsrichtung 13 gemessene Abmessungen denjenigen des Halteabschnittes 18 entsprechen, so dass sich in der Bewegungsrichtung 13 eine formschlüssige Verbindung ergibt. Jede axiale Bewegung des Kolbens 8 wird somit spielfrei auf das Kraftübertragungsglied 15 übertragen. Zugleich kann in und entgegen der durch einen Pfeil markierten Einsteckrichtung 23 des Halteabschnittes 18 Bewegungsspiel zwischen letzterem und dem Kolben 8 bestehen, so dass ein selbsttätiger Ausgleich von Abweichungen in der Parallelität des Kolbenaufnahmeraumes 3 und der Linearführungseinrichtung 16 stattfinden kann.The force transmission member 15 may also be referred to as a driver and extends web-like radially through the longitudinal slot 5 therethrough. For example, fasteners 17 formed by screws are used for attachment to the force tapping part 14. For connection to the piston 8, the force transmission member 15 is provided at the end located within the piston receiving space 3 with a fork-like holding portion 18, with which it in the piston 8, from the longitudinal side . is plugged in. For this purpose, the piston 8 has a recess 22 receiving the holding section 18, whose dimensions measured in the direction of movement 13 correspond to those of the holding section 18, so that a positive connection results in the direction of movement 13. Each axial movement of the piston 8 is thus transferred to the power transmission member 15 without play. At the same time in and against the marked by an arrow insertion 23 of the holding portion 18 movement between the latter and the piston 8 exist, so that an automatic compensation of deviations in the parallelism of the piston receiving space 3 and the linear guide device 16 can take place.

Der inneren Schlitzöffnung 6 ist ein biegeelastisches Dichtband 24 zugeordnet, das den Zweck hat, die beiden axial beidseits des Kolbens 8 liegenden Arbeitsräume zur Umgebung hin abzudichten und ein Entweichen von Betätigungsfluid durch den Längsschlitz 5 hindurch zu vermeiden. Das Dichtband 24 erstreckt sich über die gesamte Länge des Längsschlitzes 5 und liegt mit seinen axial außerhalb des Kolbens 8 liegenden äußeren Dichtbandabschnitten 25 unter Abdichtung an den den Längsschlitz 5 beidseits begrenzenden gehäuseseitigen Schlitzflanken 26 an. Der Dichtkontakt findet dabei in aller Regel im Übergangsbereich zwischen dem Kolbenaufnahmeraum 3 und dem Längsschlitz 5 statt, wobei das Dichtband 24 wie abgebildet ganz oder teilweise in den Längsschlitz 5 von innen her eintauchen kann.The inner slot opening 6 is associated with a flexurally elastic sealing band 24, which has the purpose to seal the two axially on both sides of the piston 8 lying working spaces to the environment and to avoid escape of actuating fluid through the longitudinal slot 5 therethrough. The sealing strip 24 extends over the entire length of the longitudinal slot 5 and lies with its axially outside of the piston 8 outer sealing band portions 25 under sealing to the longitudinal slot 5 on both sides limiting housing-side slot flanks 26. The sealing contact takes place as a rule in the transition region between the piston receiving space 3 and the longitudinal slot 5, wherein the sealing tape 24 as shown wholly or partially immersed in the longitudinal slot 5 from the inside.

Auf Höhe des Kolbens 8 und dabei in dem mittleren Teilraum zwischen den beiden Dichtungseinrichtungen 12 ist das Dichtband 24 über einen Teil seiner Länge hinweg komplett vom Längsschlitz 5, das heißt von den Schlitzflanken 26, abgehoben. Der abgehobene Dichtbandabschnitt 27 durchläuft hier einen im Innern des Kolbens 8 definierten Umlenkkanal 28, welcher unter dem Kraftübertragungsglied 15 hindurchläuft. Auf diese Weise kann das Kraftübertragungsglied 15 den Längsschlitz 5 vom Dichtband 24 ungehindert durchsetzen. Ein Fluidaustritt aus dem Kolbenaufnahmeraum 3 in diesem Bereich ist ausgeschlossen, weil der mittlere Teilraum durch den Dichtkontakt zwischen den Dichtungseinrichtungen 12 und dem Dichtband 24 von den sich anschließenden Arbeitsräumen fluiddicht abgetrennt ist.At the height of the piston 8 and thereby in the middle subspace between the two sealing means 12 is the sealing tape 24 completely over a part of its length away from the longitudinal slot 5, that is, from the slot flanks 26, lifted. The lifted sealing strip section 27 passes through a deflection channel 28 defined in the interior of the piston 8, which passes under the force transmission element 15. In this way, the power transmission member 15 can pass through the longitudinal slot 5 from the sealing band 24 unhindered. A fluid outlet from the piston receiving space 3 in this area is excluded because the middle part of the space is separated by the sealing contact between the sealing means 12 and the sealing strip 24 from the adjoining work spaces fluid-tight.

Der äußeren Schlitzöffnung 7 des Längsschlitzes 5 ist eine allgemein mit Bezugsziffer 32 bezeichnete Abdeckeinrichtung zugeordnet. Sie enthält bei den Ausführungsbeispielen gemäß Fig. 1 bis 6 jeweils ein einziges Abdeckband 33, welches wie das Dichtband 24 aus Kunststoffmaterial besteht und über gummielastische Eigenschaften verfügt. Bevorzugt handelt es sich um ein Abdeckband 33 aus Elastomermaterial.The outer slot opening 7 of the longitudinal slot 5 is associated with a cover generally designated by reference numeral 32. It contains in the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 6 each have a single masking tape 33, which as the sealing tape 24 is made of plastic material and has rubber-elastic properties. Preferably, it is a masking tape 33 made of elastomeric material.

Das Abdeckband 33 erstreckt sich über die gesamte Länge des Längsschlitzes 5 und hat den Zweck, ein Eindringen von Verunreinigungen in den Längsschlitz 5 aus der Umgebung des Linearantriebes 1 zu verhindern.The cover strip 33 extends over the entire length of the longitudinal slot 5 and has the purpose of preventing ingress of impurities in the longitudinal slot 5 from the vicinity of the linear drive 1.

Das Abdeckband 33 bewirkt unabhängig von der aktuellen Kolbenposition ein Verschließen der äußeren Schlitzöffnung 7 axial beidseits des Kolbens 8, ermöglicht jedoch einen Durchgriff des Kraftübertragungsgliedes 15. Anders als im Falle des Dichtbandes 24 wird das Abdeckband 33 jedoch im Bereich des Kraftübertragungsgliedes 15 nicht vollständig vom Längsschlitz 5 beziehungsweise dem diesen definierenden Gehäuse 2 abgehoben. Das Abdeckband 33 bleibt an einer Längsseite des Längsschlitzes 5 stets fest mit dem Gehäuse 2 verbunden und wird nur auf der entgegengesetzten Längsseite abgehoben und dadurch um das Kraftübertragungsglied 15 herumgelenkt. Daraus resultiert der nicht unwesentliche Vorteil, dass das Kraftübertragungsglied 15 keines komplizierten Durchgangskanales für das Abdeckband 33 bedarf, sondern dieses an der Außenfläche des Kraftübertragungsgliedes 15 vorbeigeführt werden kann.The masking tape 33 causes, regardless of the current piston position closing the outer slot opening 7 axially on both sides of the piston 8, but allows a penetration of the power transmission member 15. Other than in the case However, the sealing tape 24, the cover 33 is not completely lifted in the region of the power transmission member 15 from the longitudinal slot 5 and the housing 2 defining this. The cover strip 33 always remains firmly connected to the housing 2 on one longitudinal side of the longitudinal slot 5 and is lifted off only on the opposite longitudinal side and thereby deflected around the force transmission element 15. This results in the not insignificant advantage that the power transmission member 15 does not require a complicated through-channel for the cover 33, but this can be guided past the outer surface of the power transmission member 15.

Im einzelnen ist das Abdeckband 33 in Längsrichtung in zwei längsseits aneinander anschließende Bandabschnitte unterteilt, und zwar in einen Befestigungsabschnitt 34 und einen Abdeckabschnitt 35. Beide Abschnitte 34, 35 sind einstückig miteinander verbunden, wobei der Verbindungsbereich einen Schwenkbereich 36 mit in Längsrichtung des Abdeckbandes 33 verlaufender Schwenkachse definiert.In detail, the cover strip 33 is subdivided in the longitudinal direction into two adjoining strip sections, namely into a fastening section 34 and a cover section 35. Both sections 34, 35 are integrally connected to each other, wherein the connecting section has a pivoting region 36 extending in the longitudinal direction of the cover strip 33 Swivel axis defined.

Mit dem Befestigungsabschnitt 34 ist das Abdeckband 33 auf einer ersten Längsseite 37 der äußeren Schlitzöffnung 7 gehäusefest fixiert. Hierzu kann der Befestigungsabschnitt 34 wulstartig ausgebildet sein und im Vergleich zum sich anschließenden Abdeckabschnitt 35 über einen größeren Querschnitt verfügen, so dass er sich in einer zum Längsschlitz 5 hin offenen Befestigungsnut 42 des Gehäuses 2 verankern lässt. Beim Ausführungsbeispiel ist der Befestigungsabschnitt 34 kreisförmig konturiert und sitzt in einem entsprechend konturierten Abschnitt der Befestigungsnut 42, der in die schmälere Nutöffnung übergeht, durch die hindurch der Abdeckabschnitt 35 herausragt.With the attachment portion 34, the cover 33 is fixed to the housing fixed on a first longitudinal side 37 of the outer slot opening 7. For this purpose, the attachment portion 34 may be formed bead-like and compared to the subsequent cover portion 35 have a larger cross-section, so that it can be anchored in a longitudinal slot 5 toward open mounting groove 42 of the housing 2. In the embodiment, the attachment portion 34 is contoured circular and sits in a corresponding contoured portion of the mounting groove 42, which merges into the narrower groove opening through which the cover portion 35 protrudes.

Die Querabmessungen des Befestigungsabschnittes 34 und der Befestigungsnut 42 sind insbesondere so aufeinander abgestimmt, dass der Befestigungsabschnitt 34 bei der Montage des Abdeckbandes 33 von einer Stirnseite her in die Befestigungsnut 42 einschiebbar ist. Dies kann durchaus mit einem leichten Einpressen verbunden sein.The transverse dimensions of the fastening section 34 and the fastening groove 42 are in particular matched to one another such that the mounting section 34 can be inserted into the fastening groove 42 from an end face during assembly of the cover strip 33. This may well be associated with a slight press-fitting.

Der Abdeckabschnitt 35 ist zwischen einer aus Fig. 4 ersichtlichen Abdeckstellung und einer aus Fig. 5 ersichtlichen Freigabestellung relativ zum Befestigungsabschnitt 34 und somit zum Gehäuse 2 verschwenkbar. Die Schwenkbewegung ist durch einen Doppelpfeil bei 43 angedeutet. In der Abdeckstellung erstreckt sich der Abdeckabschnitt 35 zwischen der ersten Längsseite 37 und der dieser gegenüberliegenden zweiten Längsseite 38 der äußeren Schlitzöffnung 7 und deckt somit die äußere Schlitzöffnung 7 über ihre gesamte Breite hinweg ab. Der Abdeckabschnitt 35 kann dabei partiell oder auch komplett von außen her in den Längsschlitz 5 eintauchen.The cover portion 35 is pivotable relative to the attachment portion 34 and thus to the housing 2 between a cover position shown in FIG. 4 and a release position shown in FIG. 5. The pivoting movement is indicated by a double arrow at 43. In the covering position, the cover section 35 extends between the first longitudinal side 37 and the second longitudinal side 38 of the outer slot opening 7 opposite thereto and thus covers the outer slot opening 7 over its entire width. The cover portion 35 may be partially or completely immersed from the outside into the longitudinal slot 5.

In der Freigabestellung ist der Abdeckabschnitt 35 vom Gehäuse 2 weggeschwenkt und gibt somit die äußere Schlitzöffnung 7 für den Durchgriff des Kraftübertragungsgliedes 15 frei.In the release position, the cover portion 35 is pivoted away from the housing 2 and thus releases the outer slot opening 7 for the passage of the power transmission member 15.

Der Übergang zwischen der Abdeckstellung und der Freigabestellung wird durch eine mit dem Kraftübertragungsglied 15 axial bewegungsgekoppelte Führungseinrichtung 44 gesteuert.The transition between the covering position and the release position is controlled by a guide means 44 coupled to the force transmitting member 15 in an axially movement-coupled manner.

Ihr Aufbau ist so getroffen, dass sie dem Abdeckabschnitt 35 auf axialer Höhe des Kraftübertragungsgliedes 15 sowie in sich axial beidseits daran anschließenden Übergangsbereichen 45 die Freigabestellung auferlegt und im Anschluss daran jeweils die Abdeckstellung hervorruft. Die Freigabestellung zeichnet sich dabei durch einen unterschiedlich großen Schwenkwinkel des Abdeckabschnittes 35 aus, welcher auf Höhe des Kraftübertragungsgliedes 15 sein Maximum hat und im Verlauf der Übergangsbereiche 45 bis hin zum Ende der Führungseinrichtung 44 und der dann vorliegenden Abdeckstellung allmählich abnimmt.Their structure is such that it imposes on the cover portion 35 at the axial height of the power transmission member 15 as well as in axially adjoining thereto transition regions 45, the release position and subsequently causes each of the covering position. The release position is characterized by a different pivoting angle of the cover portion 35, which has its maximum at the height of the power transmission member 15 and gradually decreases in the course of the transition regions 45 to the end of the guide means 44 and then present covering position.

Eine wesentliche Besonderheit des Abdeckbandes 33 liegt darin, dass sein schwenkbeweglicher Abdeckabschnitt 35 über Rastmittel 46 verfügt, mit deren Hilfe er in der Abdeckstellung lösbar verrastet ist. Die Verrastung bewirkt einen zuverlässigen Berührkontakt zwischen dem dem Befestigungsabschnitt 34 entgegengesetzten längsseitigen Randbereich 41 des Abdeckabschnittes 35 und dem Gehäuse 2 an der zugeordneten zweiten Längsseite 38. Man kann bei der Verrastung eine Vorspannung zwischen den erwähnten Bestandteilen erreichen, was zu einem Dichtkontakt führt, der einen Eintritt von Verunreinigungen fester und flüssiger Natur sehr zuverlässig verhindert.A significant feature of the cover 33 is that its pivotable cover portion 35 has locking means 46, by means of which it is releasably locked in the covering position. The latching causes a reliable contact between the contact portion 34 opposite longitudinal edge portion 41 of the cover portion 35 and the housing 2 on the associated second longitudinal side 38. One can achieve a bias between the mentioned components in the latching, resulting in a sealing contact, the one Entry of impurities of solid and liquid nature very reliably prevented.

Bei der Linearbewegung des Kolbens 8 durchläuft das Abdeckband 33 mit seinem Abdeckabschnitt 35 die oben erwähnte Führungseinrichtung 44, wobei die Führungseinrichtung 44 sowohl das Entrasten als auch das Verrasten des Abdeckabschnittes 35 bewirkt.During the linear movement of the piston 8, the cover 33 passes through its cover portion 35, the above-mentioned guide means 44, wherein the guide means 44 causes both the unlatching and the locking of the cover portion 35.

Bei den Ausführungsbeispielen gemäß Fig. 1 bis 5 kooperieren die Rastmittel 46 des Abdeckabschnittes 35 mit Gegenrastmitteln 47, die unmittelbar am Gehäuse 2 des Linearantriebes 1 vorgesehen sind. Bevorzugt sind hier die Gegenrastmittel 47 von einer sich in Längsrichtung des Längsschlitzes 5 erstreckenden Halterippe 48 gebildet, die sich an der zweiten Längsseite 38 des Längsschlitzes 5 befindet und in Richtung zum entgegengesetzten Schlitzrand ragt. Die Rastmittel 46 bestehen aus einem gabelartig profilierten Rastabschnitt 49 des Abdeckabschnittes 35, in dessen rinnenartige Öffnung die Halterippe 48 im verrasteten Zustand eintaucht. Die Halterippe 48 ist dabei zwischen den beiden Gabelarmen 53a, 53b des Rastabschnittes 49 eingespannt.In the embodiments according to FIGS. 1 to 5, the latching means 46 of the cover section 35 cooperate with counter-latching means 47, which are provided directly on the housing 2 of the linear drive 1. Here, the counter-locking means 47 are preferably formed by a holding rib 48 extending in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal slot 5, which is located on the second longitudinal side 38 of the longitudinal slot 5 and projects in the direction of the opposite slot edge. The locking means 46 consist of a fork-like profiled locking portion 49 of the cover portion 35, in the groove-like opening, the retaining rib 48 dips in the locked state. The retaining rib 48 is clamped between the two fork arms 53a, 53b of the latching section 49.

Der innere Gabelarm 53b ist verformbar und wird beim Ein- und Ausrasten umgebogen. Man könnte hier auch von einer Schnappverbindung sprechen.The inner fork arm 53b is deformable and is bent during engagement and disengagement. One could also speak of a snap connection here.

Damit garantiert eine spielfreie und somit dichte Rastverbindung vorliegt, ist die Halterippe 48 mit einem sich zum freien Ende hin verjüngenden Querschnitt ausgestattet, und der zwischen den Gabelarmen 53a, 53b definierte Zwischenraum des Rastabschnittes 49 verjüngt sich in der Tiefenrichtung ebenfalls. Dadurch wird insbesondere auch der Verrastvorgang unterstützt.In order to guarantee a backlash-free and therefore tight locking connection, the retaining rib 48 is provided with a cross-section tapering towards the free end, and the intermediate space of the locking section 49 defined between the fork arms 53a, 53b also tapers in the depth direction. As a result, in particular, the latching process is supported.

Die Führungseinrichtung 44 verfügt axial beidseits des Kraftübertragungsgliedes 15 über Beaufschlagungsmittel 54, die mit der vom Längsschlitz 5 wegweisenden Außenfläche 55 des Abdeckabschnittes 35 zusammenarbeiten können, um den Abdeckabschnitt 35 beim Übergang zwischen der Freigabestellung in die Abdeckstellung gehäusefest zu verrasten. Die Beaufschlagungsmittel 54 drücken auf die Außenfläche 55, so dass der Abdeckabschnitt 35 nach innen verschwenkt und in Rasteingriff mit den Gegenrastmitteln 47 gezwungen wird.The guide means 44 has axially on both sides of the force transmission member 15 via biasing means 54, with the direction away from the longitudinal slot 5 outer surface 55 of the cover 35 can work together to lock the cover portion 35 at the transition between the release position in the cover fixed to the housing. The biasing means 54 press on the outer surface 55, so that the cover portion 35 is pivoted inwardly and is forced into latching engagement with the counter-latching means 47.

Die Beaufschlagungsmittel 54 markieren die beiden äußeren Enden der Übergangsbereiche 45 und sind von Beaufschlagungsflächen gebildet, deren Verlauf dem gewünschten Verlauf des Abdeckabschnittes 35 entspricht. Sie sind gekrümmt, wobei sich ihr Abstand zur äußeren Schlitzöffnung 7 mit zunehmendem Abstand vom Kraftübertragungsglied 15 verringert. Dadurch wird der Abdeckabschnitt 35 beim Hindurchlaufen unter der entsprechenden Beaufschlagungsfläche und bei entsprechender Bewegungsrichtung des Kolbens 8 allmählich nach unten gegen den Längsschlitz 5 gedrückt.The urging means 54 mark the two outer ends of the transition regions 45 and are formed by loading surfaces whose course corresponds to the desired course of the cover section 35. They are curved, with their distance to the outer slot opening 7 decreases with increasing distance from the force transmission member 15. As a result, the cover section 35 is gradually pressed downwards against the longitudinal slot 5 when passing under the corresponding loading surface and in the corresponding direction of movement of the piston 8.

Axial zwischen den beiden Beaufschlagungsmitteln 54 ist die Führungseinrichtung 44 mit einer entgegengesetzt orientierten Führungsfläche 56 ausgestattet. Sie wird, ausgehend von den den Beaufschlagungsmitteln 54 entgegengesetzten Endbereichen, in Richtung zum Kraftübertragungsglied 15 zunehmend steiler. Da der Abdeckabschnitt 35 mit seiner Innenfläche 57 auf der Führungsfläche 56 entlanggleitet, bestimmt somit der Verlauf der Führungsfläche 56 den Schwenkvorgang des Abdeckabschnittes 35 beim Übergang zwischen der Abdeckstellung und der Freigabestellung. Am steilsten ist die Führungsfläche 56 mithin im Bereich des Kraftübertragungsgliedes 15, wobei letzteres einen unmittelbaren Bestandteil der Führungsfläche 56 bilden kann.Axially between the two loading means 54, the guide means 44 is provided with an oppositely oriented guide surface 56. It is, starting from the end portions opposite to the loading means 54, towards the power transmission member 15 increasingly steep. Since the cover portion 35 slides along with its inner surface 57 on the guide surface 56, thus determines the course of the guide surface 56, the pivoting operation of the cover portion 35 at the transition between the covering position and the release position. The steepest is the guide surface 56 thus in the region of the force transmission member 15, the latter can form an immediate part of the guide surface 56.

Abgesehen von dem eventuell am Kraftübertragungsglied 15 vorgesehenen Bestandteil, ist die Führungsfläche 56 wie die Beaufschlagungsmittel 54 und somit die gesamte Führungseinrichtung 44 an einem einzigen Bauteil vorgesehen, das beim Ausführungsbeispiel einen Einsatz 58 bildet, der längsseits in den Kolben 8 eingesetzt ist. Zweckmäßigerweise besteht der Einsatz 58 aus Kunststoffmaterial, wobei die Beaufschlagungsflächen der Beaufschlagungsmittel 54 sowie die Führungsfläche 56 insbesondere durch Freiformung hergestellt wurden. Die Realisierung der Führungseinrichtung 44 an einem eigenständigen Bauteil hat den Vorteil, dass die komplizierten Flächenverläufe unabhängig von der Herstellung des Kolbens 8 gefertigt werden können.Apart from the possibly provided on the force transmitting member 15 component, the guide surface 56 as the biasing means 54 and thus the entire guide means 44 is provided on a single component which forms in the embodiment of an insert 58 which is inserted alongside the piston 8. Conveniently, the insert 58 is made of plastic material, wherein the loading surfaces of the biasing means 54 and the guide surface 56 have been made in particular by free-forming. The realization of the guide device 44 on an independent component has the advantage that the complicated surface curves can be manufactured independently of the production of the piston 8.

Die Montage des Einsatzes 58 im Kolben 8 erfolgt zweckmäßigerweise durch Steckmontage, wobei der Kolben 8 eine zu einer Längsseite hin offene Ausnehmung 59 besitzt, in die der Einsatz 58 mit einem Fußabschnitt 62 rechtwinkelig zur Bewegungsrichtung 13 eingesteckt wird. Ineinandergreifende Zentriermittel 63, beispielsweise Rippen und Nuten, sorgen dabei für eine exakte Positionierung.The installation of the insert 58 in the piston 8 is advantageously carried out by plug-in mounting, the piston 8 has a recess 59 open to a longitudinal side into which the insert 58 is inserted with a foot portion 62 perpendicular to the direction of movement 13. Interlocking centering means 63, such as ribs and grooves, provide for an exact positioning.

Der oben erwähnte Umlenkkanal befindet sich vorzugsweise in der Ausnehmung 59 und wird teils vom Kolben 8 und teils vom Fußabschnitt 62 des Einsatzes 58 definiert. Letzterer kann über eine dem Dichtband 24 zugewandte Umlenkfläche 64 verfügen.The above-mentioned deflection channel is preferably located in the recess 59 and is defined partly by the piston 8 and partly by the foot portion 62 of the insert 58. The latter may have a deflection surface 64 facing the sealing band 24.

Das Kraftübertragungsglied 15 könnte prinzipiell ein einstückiger Bestandteil des Einsatzes 58 sein. Aus den oben bereits erläuterten Gründen ist eine eigenständige Realisierung jedoch vorteilhafter. So ist beim Ausführungsbeispiel der Einsatz 58 auf Höhe der Aussparung 22 des Kolbens 8 mit einer weiteren Aussparung 65 versehen, die ein Einsetzen des gabelartigen Halteabschnittes 18 ermöglicht und der Einsatz 58 letztlich von dem Halteabschnitt 18 reiterähnlich umgriffen wird.The power transmission member 15 could in principle be an integral part of the insert 58. However, for the reasons already explained above, an independent implementation is more advantageous. Thus, in the embodiment of the insert 58 at the level of the recess 22 of the piston 8 is provided with a further recess 65 which allows insertion of the fork-like holding portion 18 and the insert 58 is ultimately embraced by the holding portion 18 riderähnlich.

Beim Durchlaufen der Führungseinrichtung 44 wirken die Beaufschlagungsmittel 54 wie Niederhalter, die den Abdeckabschnitt 35 in den Verrastungszustand drücken. Die dazwischen verlaufende Führungsfläche 56, die sich aus mehreren aufeinanderfolgenden Flächenabschnitten zusammensetzen kann, ist für das Aufrichten des Abdeckabschnittes 35 in die Freigabestellung zum Zwecke des Umlenkens um das Kraftübertragungsglied 15 verantwortlich.When passing through the guiding device 44, the urging means 54 act like hold-downs which press the covering section 35 into the latching state. The intermediate guide surface 56, which may be composed of a plurality of successive surface portions, is responsible for raising the cover portion 35 in the release position for the purpose of deflection around the force transmission member 15.

Aus Fig. 6 geht eine weitere Ausführungsform des Linearantriebes hervor, bei dem der Abdeckabschnitt 35 im verrasteten Zustand wiederum an der zweiten Längsseite 38 der äußeren Schlitzöffnung 7 mit dem Gehäuse 2 verspannt ist. Allerdings sind die Gegenrastmittel 47 hier nicht unmittelbar am Gehäuse 2 vorgesehen, sondern befinden sich an der dem Abdeckband 33 zugewandten Fläche des Dichtbandes 24, das sich in der Dichtstellung am Gehäuse 2 abstützt. Diese Bauform hat den Vorteil, dass sich das Abdeckband 33 und das Dichtband 24 gegenseitig in der Abdeckstellung beziehungsweise Dichtstellung halten.From Fig. 6, a further embodiment of the linear drive is shown in which the cover portion 35 is clamped in the latched state, in turn, on the second longitudinal side 38 of the outer slot opening 7 with the housing 2. However, the counter-locking means 47 are not provided here directly on the housing 2, but are located on the cover strip 33 facing surface of the sealing strip 24, which is supported in the sealing position on the housing 2. This design has the advantage that the cover 33 and the sealing tape 24 each other hold in the covering position or sealing position.

Die in Fig. 7 gezeigte Bauform weicht von der bisher beschriebenen vor allem dadurch ab, dass die Abdeckeinrichtung 32 anstelle nur eines Abdeckbandes über zwei Abdeckbänder 33a, 33b verfügt. Jedes dieser Abdeckbänder 33a, 33b besitzt einen Befestigungsabschnitt 34 und einen Abdeckabschnitt 35, wobei sie mit ihren Befestigungsabschnitten 34 an entgegengesetzten Längsseiten des Längsschlitzes 5 gehäusefest fixiert sind. Ausgehend von dort ragen ihre Abdeckabschnitte 35 aufeinander zu, wobei sie jeweils eine Teilbreite der äußeren Schlitzöffnung 7 überdecken. Beim Ausführungsbeispiel ist die Anordnung so gewählt, dass der Längsschlitz 5 von beiden Abdeckabschnitten 35 in der Abdeckstellung je zur Hälfte seiner Breite abgedeckt ist.The design shown in Fig. 7 differs from the previously described mainly by the fact that the cover 32 instead of only one cover strip on two cover strips 33a, 33b has. Each of these masking tapes 33a, 33b has a fastening portion 34 and a cover portion 35, wherein they are fixed fixed to the housing with their fastening portions 34 on opposite longitudinal sides of the longitudinal slot 5. Starting from there, their covering sections 35 project toward one another, wherein they each cover a partial width of the outer slot opening 7. In the embodiment, the arrangement is chosen so that the longitudinal slot 5 is covered by two cover sections 35 in the covering each half its width.

Das Bewegungsverhalten der beiden Abdeckabschnitte 35 entspricht dem oben bereits erwähnten, so dass sich an dieser Stelle weitere Ausführungen erübrigen. Bei der Ausgestaltung der Führungseinrichtung 44 ist hingegen der Tatsache Rechnung zu tragen, dass die beiden Abdeckabschnitte 35 in entgegengesetzte Richtungen verschwenkt werden. Insbesondere wird man jedem Abdeckabschnitt 35 eine eigene Führungsfläche zuordnen, so dass die Abdeckabschnitte 35 auf entgegengesetzten Seiten des Kraftabgriffsteils 14 vorbeigelenkt werden.The movement behavior of the two cover sections 35 corresponds to those already mentioned above, so that at this point further explanations are unnecessary. In the embodiment of the guide means 44, however, to take into account the fact that the two cover portions 35 are pivoted in opposite directions. In particular, each covering section 35 will be assigned its own guide surface, so that the cover sections 35 are directed past on opposite sides of the force tapping part 14.

Bei der Bauform der Fig. 7 bietet es sich besonders an, die Rastverbindung in der Abdeckstellung zwischen den Abdeckabschnitten 35 und dem Dichtband 24 vorzunehmen. Insbesondere können an den einander zugewandten längsseitigen Randbereichen 41 der Abdeckabschnitte 35 geeignete Rastmittel 46 ausgebildet sein, die mit gemeinsam zugeordneten Gegenrastmitteln 47 des Dichtbandes 24 kooperieren.In the case of the design of FIG. 7, it is particularly appropriate to make the latching connection in the covering position between the covering sections 35 and the sealing strip 24. Especially can be formed on the mutually facing longitudinal edge portions 41 of the cover portions 35 suitable locking means 46 which cooperate with jointly associated counter-locking means 47 of the sealing strip 24.

Claims (20)

  1. Rodless linear drive with a housing (2) which has a longitudinal slot (5), through which passes a movable force transmission member (15), and to the outer slot aperture (7) of which is assigned a covering device (32) containing one or more covering strips (33, 33a, 33b), wherein the covering strip or strips (33, 33a, 33b) has/have a mounting section (34) fixed securely to the housing on a first side wall (37) of the outer slot aperture (7) and a swivelling covering section (35), wherein snap-in means (46) are provided on the swivelling covering section (35) for releasable engaged fixing in a covering position in which the longitudinal slot (5) is covered by the covering device (32) over its entire width, characterised in that the covering device (32) is comprised solely of the covering strip or strips (33, 33a, 33b), the covering section (35) of which is able to swivel between a covering position in which the outer slot aperture (7) is covered and a release position allowing the passage of the force transmission member (15), and that pressure-loading means (54) movement-coupled to the force transmission member (15) are provided and act upon the assigned covering strip (33, 33a, 33b) to effect the snap-in engagement.
  2. Linear drive according to claim 1, characterised in that the snap-in means (46) are in snap-in engagement with mating snap-in means (47) provided in the housing (2), in the covering position of the covering section (35).
  3. Linear drive according to claim 2, characterised in that the mating snap-in means (47) are provided on the second side wall (38) of the outer slot aperture (7) opposite the first side wall (37).
  4. Linear drive according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the snap-in means (46) are provided on the edge area (41) of the covering section (35) opposite the mounting section (34).
  5. Linear drive according to claim 1 characterised in that, in the covering position of the covering section (35), the snap-in means (46) are in snap-in engagement with mating snap-in means (47) provided on a sealing strip (24) assigned to the inner slot aperture (6) of the longitudinal slot (5).
  6. Linear drive according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the snap-in means (46) are formed by a fork-like profiled snap-in section (49) of the covering section (35).
  7. Linear drive according to claim 6, characterised by a retaining rib (48) extending in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal slot (5) and which, in the covering position of the covering section (35), engages as mating snap-in means (47) in the opening of the fork-like snap-in section (49).
  8. Linear drive according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the mounting section (34) is fixed immovably to the housing (2) and that the covering section (35) executes a swivelling movement (43) in the transition between the covering position and the release position.
  9. Linear drive according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the mounting section (34) is anchored in a mounting slot (42) of the housing (2) which is open towards the longitudinal slot (5).
  10. Linear drive according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the covering device (32) has a single covering strip (33) which, in the covered position of the longitudinal slot (5), covers the entire width in the area of the outer slot aperture (7).
  11. Linear drive according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the covering device (32) has two covering strips (33a, 33b) which are fixed to opposite side walls (37, 38) of the longitudinal slot (5) and which, in the covering position, together cover the longitudinal slot (5) over its entire width in the area of the outer slot aperture (7), by each extending over part of the width of the longitudinal slot (5).
  12. Linear drive according to any of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the measures provided for snap-in engagement are such that in the covering position the covering section (35) is biased against the housing (2) on the second side wall of the outer slot aperture (7) opposite the first side wall.
  13. Linear drive according to any of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the covering strip or strips (33, 33a, 33b) is/are made of flexible plastic material.
  14. Linear drive according to any of claims1 to 13, characterised in that the pressure-loading means (54) are provided axially either side of the force transmission member (15) and are responsible for the snap-in engagement process depending on the direction of movement of the force transmission member (15).
  15. Linear drive according to any of claims 1 to 14, characterised in that the pressure-loading means (54) belong to a guide device (44), movement-coupled to the force transmission member (15) and controlling the swivelling of the covering section (35), expediently in such a way that the covering section (35), while temporarily adopting the release position, is guided around the moving force transmission member (15).
  16. Linear drive according to any of claims 1 to 15, characterised in that the force transmission member (15) is movement-coupled to a sliding piston (8) contained in the housing (2).
  17. Linear drive according to claim 16, characterised in that the pressure-loading means (54) are formed on an insert (58) inserted into the long side of the piston (8).
  18. Linear drive according to claim 17, characterised in that the guide device (44) is formed at least partly and preferably in its entirety on the insert (58).
  19. Linear drive according to claim 17 or 18, characterised in that the force transmission member (15) has a fork-like holding section (18) by which it is inserted into the piston (8) from the side, while partly encompassing the insert (58).
  20. Linear drive according to any of claims 1 to 19, characterised by a design operable by fluid power and preferably pneumatic.
EP02716083A 2001-02-28 2002-01-25 Rodless linear drive Expired - Lifetime EP1364129B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE10109482A DE10109482A1 (en) 2001-02-28 2001-02-28 Piston rod-less linear actuator has means of locking provided on pivotable cover section for releasable locking fixing in covering position of longitudinal slot, with locking effected by component bearing pressure upon cover strip
DE10109482 2001-02-28
PCT/EP2002/000740 WO2002075163A2 (en) 2001-02-28 2002-01-25 Linear drive with no connecting rod

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1364129A2 EP1364129A2 (en) 2003-11-26
EP1364129B1 true EP1364129B1 (en) 2007-02-14

Family

ID=7675705

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP02716083A Expired - Lifetime EP1364129B1 (en) 2001-02-28 2002-01-25 Rodless linear drive

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Country Link
US (1) US6910408B2 (en)
EP (1) EP1364129B1 (en)
JP (1) JP3856761B2 (en)
AT (1) ATE354032T1 (en)
DE (2) DE10109482A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2002075163A2 (en)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2897327B1 (en) * 2006-02-16 2008-05-23 Sncf SYSTEM FOR DRIVING A SLIDING ELEMENT ON A GUIDE AND CLUTCH TRANSFER PLATFORM FOR A SLIDING ELEMENT ON A GUIDE
FR2897328B1 (en) * 2006-02-16 2012-05-11 Soc Nat Des Chemins De Fer Francais COVER SYSTEM DEPLOYABLE AND REPLOYABLE BY SLIDING ON A GUIDE BY VERIN

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE9410393U1 (en) * 1994-06-28 1994-08-18 Festo Kg linear actuator

Family Cites Families (7)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
SE8107724L (en) * 1981-12-22 1983-06-23 Mecman Ab DEVICE FOR A Piston Rod Loss PRESSURE CYLINDER
DE3509891A1 (en) * 1985-03-19 1986-09-25 Herion-Werke Kg, 7012 Fellbach PISTONLESS CYLINDER
US4852465A (en) * 1985-12-18 1989-08-01 Tol-O-Matic, Inc. Carrier bracket for power cylinder
DE3807786A1 (en) * 1987-03-12 1988-09-22 Ckd Corp PISTONLESS CYLINDER
DE19605387C2 (en) * 1996-02-14 1998-01-15 Neff Antriebstech Automation Guide device with masking tape
AT2690U1 (en) 1998-07-01 1999-02-25 Hygrama Ag PISTONLESS PRESSURE CYLINDER
DE69908179T2 (en) * 1998-12-18 2003-10-09 Accor Technology Inc PIPE CONNECTION

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE9410393U1 (en) * 1994-06-28 1994-08-18 Festo Kg linear actuator

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20040060434A1 (en) 2004-04-01
WO2002075163A2 (en) 2002-09-26
EP1364129A2 (en) 2003-11-26
WO2002075163A3 (en) 2002-12-12
ATE354032T1 (en) 2007-03-15
US6910408B2 (en) 2005-06-28
JP3856761B2 (en) 2006-12-13
JP2004526105A (en) 2004-08-26
DE50209479D1 (en) 2007-03-29
DE10109482A1 (en) 2002-09-12

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