WO1998046906B1

WO1998046906B1 - Power supply chain

Info

Publication number: WO1998046906B1
Application number: PCT/DE1998/001004
Authority: WO
Filing date: 1998-04-07
Publication date: 1998-12-23

Abstract

The invention relates to a power supply chain (1) for guiding cables, flexible tubes and the like between two connection points, comprising several chain links connected and detached by upper and lower crossbars. Said links are assembled in two parallel strands, overlap each other and can be inclined. In each chain strand, the chain links (2) alternate in the form of inner links (3) having inner overlap areas (5) and outer links (4) having outer overlap areas (5). Inclination of the chain links (2) in relation to each other is limited by stops (8, 9, 12, 13) which are arranged in the overlap areas. The curvature of the chain (1) is defined by the arrangement of the stops (8, 9, 12, 13). By arranging the symmetrically disposed stops (8, 9, 12, 13) in an unsymmetrical position in relation to the central axis running in the longitudinal direction of the chain (S2), two different curvatures of the power supply chain (1) can be obtained using the same inner and outer links (3, 4) depending on the orientation of the links (3, 4) in relation to the longitudinal direction of the chain.

Claims

AMENDED CLAIMS [received by the International Bureau on 9 November 1998 (09.11.98); original claims 1-6 replaced by amended claims 1-7 (2 pages)]

1. Energiefurgungskette (1) for guiding hoses, cables and the like between two relatively movable and superimposed connection points, the chain having an approximately rectilinear region (Untertrum), to which a deflection region and an at least partially cantilevered area ( Upper strand), with a plurality of transverse webs connected to link plates (2), which are assembled into two parallel strands, wherein the link plates (2) overlap each other and angled about swivel axes, wherein in each tab strand tabs with inner overlap areas (inner flaps 3 ) and tabs with outer overlap areas (outer tabs 4) alternate with each other and inner (3) and outer tabs (4) are respectively opposed in the parallel tab strands and wherein the inner (3) and outer tabs (4) each have stops with first abutment surfaces (9 ) or (13) for limiting the curvature of the U mlenkbereichs and second abutment surfaces (8) and (12) for limiting the curvature of the self-supporting end strand have, characterized in that the stop surfaces (8, 9) or (12, 13) of inner (3) and outer plates ( 4) are arranged asymmetrically with respect to a reflection at the center plane containing the pivot axes (S ₂ ), so that in a 180 ° Ummorientierung either the inner plates (3) or the outer plates (4) to those in the middle between the two pivot axes and to this parallel center axis (S ₃ ), the cantilevered part of the upper strand and / or the deflection region has a different curvature.

2. Energiefuhrungskette according to claim 1, characterized in that the abutment surfaces (8,9) and (12,13) of the inner (3) and outer plates (4) are arranged so asymmetrically to the median plane (S ₂ ) that after a 180 ° -orientation of either the inner straps (3) or the outer plates (4) around the central axis (S ₃ ) of the deflection region has a slightly different curvature.

3. Energiefuhrungskette according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the abutment surfaces (8,9) and (12,13) mirror-symmetrically with respect to the perpendicular to the chain longitudinal direction extending center plane (S _x ) of

Chain straps (2) are arranged.

4. Energiefuhrungskette according to one of claims 1 to 3, d a d u r c h e c e n e z e i n h e in that the provided for 180 ° Ummation lugs are the outer flaps.

5. Energiefuhrungskette according to claim 4, characterized in that the first stop surfaces (13) of the outer plates (4) are arranged parallel and the second stop surfaces (12) of the outer plates (4) slightly inclined to the pivot axes containing center plane (S ₂ ).

6. Energiefuhrungskette according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that provided on the outer sides of the tab strands for 180 ° - reorientation tabs with respect to the pivot axes containing central plane (S ₂ ) asymmetric marking for determining the respective orientation of the respective Have tabs and thus the curvature properties of the chain.

7. Energiefuhrungskette according to one of claims 1 to 6, d a d u r c h e c e n e c e in that there are provided double-acting stops, each with two abutment surfaces (8,9) and (12,13) for limiting the curvature of the deflection and the self-supporting upper strand of the chain.