EP2475817B1 - Rope comprising carbon filaments - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a rope, in particular for use in a load application, such as for use in a cable lift, which comprises filaments containing carbon and surrounded by a matrix of polymeric material, as well as a truck-trailer system with such a cable and a method for producing a cable such a rope.

It is known to provide carbon-containing filaments in ropes to increase the tensile strength of the rope and embed them in a matrix of polymeric material.

However, the known filaments containing carbon-based ropes have a relatively low wear resistance and a correspondingly short life. The relatively low wear resistance of these cables is due in particular to the fact that the individual filaments move relative to each other during a load of the rope and thereby rub against each other, whereby damage, such as cracks, can occur on the peripheral surface of the fibers, which the tensile strength of the individual filaments reduce or even lead to tearing of individual filaments.

Furthermore, the known ropes of the above type have the disadvantage that they have a relatively low flexibility transverse to the longitudinal direction of the rope and consequently a low curvature. Therefore, these ropes, for example, when used in a load elevator, in which these are guided over one or more pulleys, an increased wear, if they are not guided over the pulley (s) with a relatively large radius of curvature.

In DE 3813338 A1 describes a tension member made of unidirectionally extending high-strength fibers embedded in an elastic matrix, wherein the fibers do not touch each other.

Also in the WO 2009/090299 A1 is a tension member described, the tensile load receiving part consists of a fiber composite material, in which the reinforcing fibers extend unidirectionally in the direction of the tensile load.

In the WO 2009/063952 A1 a rubber rope is described that is reinforced with several separate fiber strands. A central fiber strand of fibers of high tensile strength is arranged centrally. This central strand is surrounded by several twisted fiber strands.

Against this background, the object of the present invention is to provide a cable, which is characterized by improved stability, better wear resistance, increased durability and increased flexibility, as well as in the provision of a load-train system with such a rope and a method for producing such a rope.

According to the invention this object is achieved by a rope according to claim 1 and in particular by a cable comprising carbon-containing filaments, which are each coated with a size, wherein the filaments encased in the size are surrounded by a matrix, wherein the matrix of a at least one elastomer and / or at least one thermoplastic elastomer containing material is composed and wherein individual from The plain-sheathed filaments are twisted together or formed as a fabric.

According to the invention, since the carbon-based filaments are in each case encased in a size, it is ensured that the individual filaments adhere firmly and permanently to the matrix material surrounding them. Consequently, the sheaths of the individual filaments of sizing act as adhesion promoters between the respective filament and the matrix surrounding it. In this case, the matrix separates the individual filaments encased in each case by the size. Because the matrix is composed of a material containing at least one elastomer and / or at least one thermoplastic elastomer, it is elastic and can absorb any stresses in the rope. This ensures that the individual filaments in the rope, even if the cable due to load application acts a large tensile force, can move relative to each other without touching the individual filaments directly and as a result rub against each other, due to which the rope a high and permanent wear resistance. This is especially true when the rope with applied load on a deflection, such as a pulley, is performed. In this case, large relative movements of the filaments present in the side of the rope adjacent to the deflection roller inevitably occur to the filaments located further out in the rope. Due to the elastic properties of the matrix surrounding the filaments and due to the firm adhesion of the filaments to the matrix material as a result of the coating of sizing, the individual filaments leading to wear are reliably prevented in this case as well. Because of this, the rope according to the invention is also characterized by increased flexibility and increased flexibility, which is why this example, even on pulleys with a relatively small radius can rest uniformly without being damaged under load.

Basically, any material which ensures good adhesion of carbon-based filaments to an elastomer or a thermoplastic elastomer, i. E. which has both good adhesion to carbon-based filaments and good adhesion to elastomer or thermoplastic elastomer. In particular, good results are obtained when the size contains at least one material selected from the group consisting of polyurethanes, thermoplastic elastomers, polyesters, rubbers, rubber derivatives and any combination of two or more of the above compounds. Preferably, the size is one of the above materials.

In principle, any elastomer and / or thermoplastic elastomer can be used as the matrix material. Particularly suitable examples of elastomer include materials selected from the group consisting of ethylene-propylene-diene rubbers, chloroprene rubbers, chlorosulfonyl-polyethylene rubbers, ethylene-vinyl acetate rubbers, butyl rubbers, Acrylonitrile-butadiene rubbers, natural rubber, styrene-butadiene rubbers, acrylic rubbers, fluororubbers, silicone rubbers, polyolefin rubbers, and any combination of two or more of the foregoing, the matrix preferably being one or more of the foregoing. These materials have good elasticity properties and, in addition, can bond firmly and permanently to carbon-based filaments after adhesion by size.

Suitable examples of thermoplastic elastomers to be used in the matrix include materials selected from the group consisting of styrene block copolymers, styrene-diene block copolymers, mixtures of ethylene-propylene-diene rubbers, and polypropylene, urethane-based thermoplastic elastomers, thermoplastic ones Copolyester-based elastomers, copolyamide-based thermoplastic elastomers, and any combination of two or more of the aforementioned compounds, the matrix preferably consisting of one or more of the foregoing materials. These materials also have good elasticity properties and can also adhere firmly and permanently to filaments based on carbon after adhesion mediation by size.

As stated, for example, thermoplastic elastomers can be used both as a matrix material and as a sizing material. According to the invention, however, the size and the matrix are composed of two different materials, that is to say in the case of respectively thermoplastic elastomers of two different thermoplastic elastomers.

In order to achieve a particularly high resistance to wear of the rope, it is proposed in development of the invention that at least 50%, preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 90% and most preferably 100% of the coated filaments of each coated from The matrix material are completely enclosed. As a result, the individual filaments are separated from each other over their entire circumferential surface and their entire length by the matrix material, so that rubbing of the individual filaments over their entire surface is reliably prevented. Completely enclosed in this context means that the outer circumferential surface of each size coated filament is at least 80%, preferably at least 90%, more preferably at least 95%, most preferably at least 98%, and most preferably 100% surrounded by matrix material ,

Furthermore, it is preferred that the individual filaments in the matrix material, based on the cross section of the rope, are at least approximately evenly distributed, so that the individual filaments are each surrounded by an at least approximately equal amount of matrix material.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the filaments coated with the size are each at least 93% by weight, preferably at least 95% by weight, more preferably at least 98% by weight and most preferably entirely from carbon. Such filaments have a particularly high tensile strength.

In addition to the carbon-based filaments, the rope may contain fibers of other materials, such as those selected from the group consisting of glass fibers, aramid fibers, metal fibers, ceramic fibers, and any combination of two or more of the foregoing fiber types. However, in this case, it is preferable that at least 50% of the fibers surrounded by the matrix are carbon fibers.

In a further development of the inventive concept, it is proposed that at least 50% of the filaments encased in the size pass along the longitudinal direction of the rope, wherein the maximum deviation of the individual filaments from the longitudinal axis of the rope is preferably not more than 15 °, more preferably not more than 10 °, even more preferably not more than 5 °, particularly preferably not more than 2 ° and most preferably 0 °. This ensures that the filaments have their maximum tensile strength, without significant lateral forces acting on the individual fibers, whereby the tensile strength and robustness of the rope is increased. More preferably, at least 80%, more preferably at least 90%, and most preferably all filaments have such orientation.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the filaments encased in the size each cover at least half the length of the rope, preferably at least 75% of the length of the rope, more preferably at least 90% of the length of the rope and most preferably extend the entire length of the rope. To achieve this, the individual filaments can be several decimeters up to several meters long.

Individual filaments of the cable according to the invention are twisted together, which is particularly preferred when the cables are guided in their use by means of deflection devices, such as deflection rollers.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the rope has a flat cross-section. In the context of the present invention, a flat cross-section is understood to mean that the cable has an aspect ratio of greater than 1. Aspect ratio in this context refers to the quotient of the maximum cross-sectional dimension of the rope to the maximum extent of the cross-section of the rope in a direction that is proportional to the direction the maximum cross-sectional dimension is vertical. Due to the flat cross-section, the bendability of the rope in the height direction increases even further. Particularly good results are achieved in this regard if the aspect ratio is greater than 2 and particularly preferably greater than 4.

In order to facilitate an application of the cable to a deflection device, for example to a deflection roller, it is further preferred that the cross section of the cable is convex. For example, the rope may have a flat side with a smooth surface which is convexly curved and has no right-angled or acute-angled edges, and which preferably extends at least approximately over the entire width of the rope.

In addition, the cable may have in the longitudinal direction of the rope extending round edges and / or one or more extending in the longitudinal direction of the rope guide groove (s). Such a guide groove may, for example, be located at the edge of a surface as described above and be designed to secure the cable to a correspondingly configured deflection roller.

According to the invention, the filaments encased in the size are formed as a fabric. In this case, the warp content of the fabric is preferably higher than its weft content. According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cable has, based on its cross-section, a plurality of layers arranged one above the other, each layer comprising a plurality of the carbon-containing filaments. In this embodiment, it is preferred that the individual layers have different elasticities from each other, wherein the elasticities of the individual layers from one side of the rope to the opposite side of the rope, particularly preferably, increase successively. When using such a rope with a deflection, such as a deflection roller, preferably has the side of the rope with which the rope rests on the deflection, a lower elasticity than the opposite side of the rope. As a result, a good curvature of the rope in the direction of the deflection and a close contact of the rope is achieved at the deflection at the same time high tensile strength and stability of the rope. Such a variation of the elasticity can be achieved, for example, by providing a different number of filaments per cross-sectional area in the individual layers and / or filaments of different thicknesses or textures in the individual layers.

In order to protect the cable against external mechanical influences, the cable according to the invention may comprise a sheath enclosing the matrix, which preferably comprises or consists of a plastic and at least one aggregate, which is preferably a metal.

In addition, the rope may have an edge protector, which preferably comprises a fabric made of metal.

Another object of the invention is a truck traction system comprising a rope according to the invention. The load-train system may in particular be a cable lift, wherein the cable may be connected at one end to a load, for example an elevator car.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the truck-trailer system comprises at least one deflector over which the cable is guided. In this case, the at least one deflection device may be, for example, a deflection roller.

In particular, in the above embodiment, the cable preferably has a flat side and rests with the flat side on the surface of the deflection device.

In the above embodiment, it is also preferred that the cable, based on its cross-section, at least two superimposed layers each having different elasticity, wherein the deflecting device facing away from the layer has a higher elasticity than the deflection of the facing layer. In this way, as mentioned above, a good curvature of the rope in the direction of the deflection and close contact of the rope to the deflector can be achieved with high tensile strength and stability of the rope.

Another object of the invention is the use of a rope according to the invention or a load-train system according to the invention for pulling a load.

When the cable is guided during its use over at least one deflection device, for example via at least one deflection roller, the individual filaments of the rope are twisted together.

Another object of the present invention is a method for producing a previously described rope, in which at least two filaments containing carbon are each coated with a size and the filaments encased in the size are subsequently coated with at least one elastomer and / or at least one thermoplastic elastomer-containing matrix material are impregnated.

Preferably, after application of the size and / or prior to impregnation, the filaments are present as loose filaments or filament bundles (rovings) so that the impregnation can penetrate particularly easily into the region between the filaments coated by the size. For this purpose, the filaments can be dried and / or cured after application of the size and before impregnation. For this purpose, for example, one or more roving (s) can be pulled through a bath of the sizing material, the thus treated filaments are then optionally dried and then impregnated with the matrix material, for example by pultrusion.

Fig. 1

eine teilweise geschnittene Ansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Seils gemäß eines ersten Ausführungsbeispiels;

Fig. 2

eine Vergrößerung des Ausschnitts A des in der Fig. 1 gezeigten Seils;

Fig. 3

eine teilweise geschnittene Ansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Seils gemäß eines zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels;

Fig. 4

eine teilweise geschnittene Ansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Seils gemäß eines dritten Ausführungsbeispiels und

Fig. 5

eine Schnittansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Seils gemäß eines vierten Ausführungsbeispiels.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described purely by way of example with reference to advantageous embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. Showing:

Fig. 1

a partially sectioned view of a cable according to the invention according to a first embodiment;

Fig. 2

an enlargement of section A of the Fig. 1 shown rope;

Fig. 3

a partially sectioned view of a cable according to the invention according to a second embodiment;

Fig. 4

a partially sectioned view of a cable according to the invention according to a third embodiment and

Fig. 5

a sectional view of a cable according to the invention according to a fourth embodiment.

In the Fig. 1 an inventive rope is shown according to a first embodiment. The cable has a plurality of carbon-containing filaments 10, each of which is coated with a size 12, the filaments 10 covered by the size 12 being surrounded by a matrix 14 made of a material containing at least one elastomer and / or at least one thermoplastic elastomer is composed. The filaments 10 are 100% carbon filaments.

The rope has a convex cross section and an aspect ratio, which corresponds to the quotient from the width B to the height H, of greater than 1.

The Fig. 2 shows an enlargement of the section A of the cross section of the in Fig. 1 illustrated rope. For illustration purposes, in this figure, only for two of the filaments 10 covered by the sizing 12 is the extension in the longitudinal direction of the rope shown.

Like in the Fig. 2 shown, the filaments 10 extend at least approximately parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction of the rope, the individual filaments 10 are separated from each other by the matrix 14 and are each completely enclosed by matrix material 14. The filaments 10 are distributed relatively uniformly in the matrix 14, so that the distance d between individual filaments 10 and their nearest neighbor filaments 10 is at least approximately the same for all filaments 10. By enclosing the filaments 10 with the matrix 14 and caused by the sizing 12 good adhesion of the matrix material 14 on the filaments 10 a mutual rubbing of the individual filaments 10 is prevented with each other and by the elastic deformability of the matrix 14 at the same time a relative mobility of the individual filaments 10 guarantees each other, whereby a total of a high and durable wear resistance of the rope is achieved.

The Fig. 3 shows a partially sectioned view of a cable according to the invention according to a second embodiment, which has a rectangular cross-section, wherein the individual corners are rounded to form four round edges 16.

In the Fig. 4 is a partially sectioned view of a cable according to the invention according to a third embodiment shown, which has two guide grooves 18. With the guide grooves 18, the rope can engage accurately in a guide or deflection.

The Fig. 5 shows a sectional view of a cable according to the invention according to a fourth embodiment, which is guided over a guide roller 20 which is mounted on an axle 22. The rope has, based on its cross-section, a plurality of superimposed layers 24a-d, each layer 24a-d comprising a plurality of carbon-containing filaments 10. The layers 24a-d have different elasticities, wherein the elasticity of the layer 24a, which is located on the side facing away from the guide roller 20 side of the rope to the layer 24d, which is located on the pulley 20 side facing the rope, gradually decreases.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

filament

12

plain

14

matrix

16

round edge

18

guide

20

idler pulley

22

Axle of a pulley

24a-d

layer

B

width

H

height

d

distance

Claims (15)

1. Cable, for example, for use in a traction lift, which comprises carbon-containing filaments (10) which are surrounded by a sizing (12), wherein the filaments (10) surrounded by the sizing (12) are covered by a matrix (14), wherein the matrix (14) is composed of a material containing at least one elastomer and/or at least one thermoplastic elastomer, wherein individual filaments (10) surrounded by the sizing (12) are twisted with one another or are configured as fabric.
2. The cable according to claim 1,
   characterised in that
   the sizing (12) contains at least one material selected from the group consisting of polyurethanes, thermoplastic elastomers, polyesters, rubbers, rubber derivatives and any combinations of two or more of the preceding compounds.
3. The cable according to claim 1 or 2,
   characterised in that
   the at least one elastomer is selected from the group consisting of ethylene propylene diene rubbers, chloroprene rubbers, chlorosulfonyl polyethylene rubbers, ethylene vinyl acetate rubbers, butyl rubbers, acrylonitrile butadiene rubbers, natural rubber, styrene butadiene rubbers, acrylic rubbers, fluororubbers, silicone rubbers, polyolefin rubbers and any combinations of two or more of the aforesaid compounds.
4. The cable according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   the at least one thermoplastic elastomer is selected from the group consisting of styrene block copolymers, styrene diene block copolymers, mixtures of ethylene propylene diene rubbers as well as polypropylene, urethane-based thermoplastic elastomers, copolyester-based thermoplastic elastomers, copolyamide-based thermoplastic elastomers and any combinations of two or more of the aforesaid compounds.
5. The cable according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   at least 50%, preferably at least 80%, particularly preferably at least 90% and quite particularly preferably 100% of the filaments (10) surrounded by the sizing (12) are each completely covered by the matrix material.
6. The cable according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   the filaments (10) surrounded by the sizing (12) in each case consist of at least 93 wt.%, preferably at least 95 wt.%, particularly preferably at least 98 wt.% and quite particularly preferably completely of carbon.
7. The cable according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   the cable additionally contains filaments which are selected from the group consisting of glass fibres, aramid fibres, metal fibres, ceramic fibres and any combinations of two or more of the preceding fibres.
8. The cable according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   the warp fraction of the fabric is higher than its weft fraction.
9. The cable according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   the cable, relative to the cross-section, comprises a plurality of superposed layers (24a-d), wherein each layer (24a-d) comprises a plurality of the carbon-containing filaments (10).
10. Goods lift system, in particular traction lift, which comprises a cable according to any one of claims 1 to 9.
11. The goods lift system according to claim 10,
    characterised in that
    this comprises at least one deflecting device, preferably at least one deflecting roller (20), over which the cable is guided.
12. The goods lift system according to claim 11,
    characterised in that
    the cable has a flat side and rests with the flat side on the surface of the deflecting device.
13. The goods lift system according to claim 11 or 12,
    characterised in that
    the cable, relative to the cross-section comprises at least two superposed layers (24a-d) each of different elasticity, wherein the layer (24a, b, c) facing away from the deflecting device has a higher elasticity than the layer (24b, c, d) facing the deflecting device.
14. Use of a cable according to any one of claims 1 to 21 for pulling a load, wherein the cable is guided over at least one deflecting device, preferably at least one deflecting roller (20).
15. Method for manufacturing a cable according to any one of claims 1 to 9, in which at least two carbon-containing filaments (10) are each surrounded by a sizing (12), the filaments (10) surrounded by the sizing (12) are twisted with one another or are configured as fabric, and the filaments (10) surrounded by the sizing (12) are impregnated with at least one elastomer and/or at least one matrix material comprising a thermoplastic elastomer.

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