WO2001040676A1

WO2001040676A1 - Energy guide unit

Info

Publication number: WO2001040676A1
Application number: PCT/EP2000/011308
Authority: WO
Inventors: Willibald Weber
Original assignee: Kabelschlepp Gmbh
Priority date: 1999-11-26
Filing date: 2000-11-15
Publication date: 2001-06-07
Also published as: JP2003524740A; TW470829B; DE19957021A1

Abstract

An energy guide unit, with chain sideplates (1, 2), linked together by means of joints, is disclosed, for guiding cables between a fixed connector point and a connector point moveable around a central axis on a curved track. The joint axes of neighbouring chain sideplates (1, 2) are offset by a circumference angle of 90°, to each other, and the chain sideplates (1, 2) may swing around the first joint axis (28), essentially only in the direction of the central axis and back.

Description

Energy supply unit

The subject matter of the invention relates to an energy supply unit for guiding lines between a fixed connection point and a connection point movable around a central axis and on a spatially curved path.

EP 0 277 389 B1 discloses an energy supply unit for guiding lines between a stationary connection point and a connection point which is movable about a vertically running central axis and on a spatially curved path. This energy supply unit is formed by articulated chain links. Each chain link has two sides arranged approximately parallel to one another. The sides are connected by a base plate. Furthermore, the sides of the chain links are connected to each other by removable webs. Each side of a chain link has an engagement connector at one end area and a slot-shaped receptacle at the other end area. The engagement connectors of one chain link engage in the slot-shaped receptacles of the adjacent chain link. Two adjacent chain links are connected using dowel pins. The joint axes of each chain link are at an angle to each other. The intersection of the axes defines a center of curvature of the energy supply unit, so that it is movable about a central axis and on a spatially curved path. For this purpose, the outside of the chain links are longer than the inside of the chain links. During the movement of the energy supply unit on a spatially curved path, the energy supply unit assumes an inclined position. WO 98/31950 discloses a further embodiment of an energy supply unit for guiding lines between a fixed connection point and a connection point which is movable about a central axis and on a spatially curved path. This energy supply unit has link plates which are connected to one another in an articulated manner and can be angled against one another. The hinge axes of the link plates intersect, so that movement of the energy supply unit on a spatially curved path is made possible. During the movement of the energy supply unit on a spatially curved path, it assumes an inclined position. In contrast to the energy supply unit known from EP 0 277 389 B1, the chain links are formed by only one side. Support means are provided on at least some sides to accommodate the lines to be routed. The formation of an energy supply unit with a single strand, which is formed by side plates of the chain links, is known from GB 1, 073.438. The individual chain links have suspension elements for receiving lines

However, the energy supply units known from EP 0 277 389 B1 and from WO 98/31950 have the disadvantage that the path radius is always determined by the angle at which the joint axes of each chain link intersect. For the implementation of movements around a central axis on a spatially curved path with different path radii, energy supply units are necessary in which the joint axes intersect at different angles. For this purpose, it is therefore necessary to design different side plates or chain links, so that the energy supply unit can also be guided on a desired path radius.

According to the explanations in WO 98/31950, the energy supply unit should make use of the fact that practically the entire load of the energy supply chain is absorbed by the outer side strand, so that it is transferred to another

Side strand can be dispensed with. However, this construction makes it necessary that the energy filling unit is guided in a guide trough. The design of such a guide trough is known for example from DE 197 42 861 Cl.

Proceeding from this, the present invention is based on the objective of developing the known energy supply unit in such a way that the energy supply unit can follow spatially curved paths with different radii without the expenditure for adapting the energy supply unit to this requirement being high. Another object of the invention is to develop the known energy supply unit in such a way that it can be moved without guide channels essentially independently of the size of an angle of rotation.

These objectives are achieved by an energy supply unit for guiding lines between a fixed connection point and a connection point which is movable about a central axis and on a spatially curved path, with the features of claim 1. Advantageous further developments and refinements of the energy supply unit are the subject of the dependent claims.

The power guide unit according to the invention for guiding lines between a fixed and a connection point movable about a central axis and on a spatially curved path with articulated link plates which form at least one strand and with suspension means arranged on at least some link plates is distinguished by that the hinge axes - first and second hinge axes - of adjacent chain links are offset by a circumferential angle of 90 ° to one another and the link plates can be pivoted essentially only in the direction of the central axis and back about the first link axes.

This configuration of the energy supply unit according to the invention has made it possible to use such an energy supply unit even if the radius of the spatially curved path changes or the energy supply unit is to be used for other rail radii. This configuration of the energy guide chain according to the invention essentially has two articulated axes which allow the link plates to be deflected independently of one another. While the first link axes allow the link plates to be deflected in a plane that is essentially parallel to the link plates, as is the case with conventional energy guiding chains, the second link axes create the possibility of seeing the link plates essentially transversely and thus to pivot towards and away from the central axis.

It has been found that the energy supply unit according to the invention also permits relatively large angles of rotation of the connection point, in particular angles of rotation of> 180 °, without a guide channel having to be provided.

The inventive configuration of the energy supply unit provides an inexpensive possibility of producing energy supply units for guiding lines between a fixed connection point and a connection point which is movable about a central axis and on a spatially curved path. In contrast to the known energy supply units, no different link plates are necessary for different track radii. Instead, the energy supply unit can be constructed from standard link plates.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the energy supply unit, it is proposed that the pivoting angles about the first joint axes are essentially the same. This configuration has the advantage that the energy supply unit runs relatively smoothly.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the energy supply unit, it is proposed that swivel angle limiters are provided, by means of which the swivel angles of the link plates about the first joint axes are limited.

These swivel angle limiters have the advantage that the deflectability of the Chain links around the first joint axes within a well-defined swivel angle is made possible. It is not absolutely necessary that the swivel angle limiters are always the same. The arrangement of the swivel angle limiter and the swivel angle permitted by the swivel angle limiter can be different, so that the energy supply unit is also suitable for describing a path which is spatially curved with a changing radius. Such a movement of an energy supply unit is not possible either by an energy supply unit according to EP 0 277 389 B1 or according to WO 98/31950.

To reduce the manufacturing costs of the energy supply unit, it is proposed according to yet another advantageous embodiment of the invention that the swivel angle limiters are each detachably connected to at least one link plate.

According to a still further advantageous embodiment of the energy supply unit, it is proposed that, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the link plates, adjacent link plates engage in one another and are connected to one another via joint openings and joint pins.

The energy supply unit is expediently constructed in such a way that adjacent link plates partially overlap one another and are connected to one another by articulated openings and articulated pins, the articulated openings and the articulated pins being formed coaxially with respect to the second articulated axis. In particular, it is proposed that the hinge openings or the hinge pins are formed directly on the link plate.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the energy supply unit, it is proposed that it be formed by two different types of link plates, the link plates of the respective type being formed symmetrically with respect to a central plane. Further details and advantages of an energy supply unit according to the invention are explained on the basis of the exemplary embodiment shown in the drawing.

Show it

1 is a perspective view of a section of an energy supply unit;

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of two adjacent link plates.

3 shows a perspective illustration of an energy supply unit;

4 shows the energy supply unit in a front view;

5 shows the energy supply unit in a top view and

6 shows the energy supply unit in connection with a handling device.

Figure 1 shows a portion of an energy management unit in a perspective view. Two link plates 1, 2 are shown. The chain link 2 has a hinge pin 4. In the illustrated embodiment, the hinge pin 4 is formed on the bottom of a recess 18. Stop cams 17 are arranged within the recess 18. The stop cams 17 are aligned in the longitudinal direction of the link plate 2.

The link plate 2 is articulated to the link plate 1. The link plates 1, 2 are connected to one another by an articulated pin 5. The link plate 1 has a joint opening 3, in which a pivot pin 4 of an adjacent chain 2 engages. A suspension element 6 is connected to the link plate 2. The suspension element 6 is formed by an upper crosspiece 7 and a lower crosspiece 8. The transverse webs 7, 8 are connected to one another by side webs 9.

FIG. 2 shows a section of an energy supply unit in an exploded view.

The chain link 1 has a joint opening 3. Stop cams 14 are provided within a recess 15. The stop cams 14 are arranged offset by 90 ° compared to the stop cams 17.

The chain link 1 has a link 12 extending in the longitudinal direction of the chain link. At least one joint opening 11 is formed in the tab 12. The joint opening 1 1 extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the link plate 1. The width of the link plate 12 is smaller than the total width of the link plate 1. As can be seen from the illustration of the link plate 1, this is designed symmetrically with respect to a longitudinal center plane. Chamfers 13 are formed adjacent to the tab 12.

The chain link 2 has two extensions 19 formed at a distance from one another. Hinge openings 1 1 extend through the extensions 19. The distance between the extensions 19 is greater than the width of the plate 12. In the assembled state, the plate 12 engages between the extensions 19. The link plates 1, 2 are connected by means of the joint pin 5. This extends through the extensions 19 and through the tab 12.

FIG. 2 also shows two swivel angle limiters 10. The swivel angle limiters each have an articulated opening 11, so that the articulated pin 5 also extends through the swivel angle limiter 10. The swivel angle delimiters 10 are each arranged between an extension 19 and the tab 12, as shown in FIG. 1.

The swivel angle limiter 10 has two receptacles 20 lying opposite one another. The opening angle of the receptacles 20 is essentially the same. It is not necessary for the receptacles 20 to be symmetrical. These can also be designed asymmetrically, so that the link plates 1, 2 can only be pivoted in a preferred direction about the first hinge axis 28 formed by the hinge pin 5. The opening angle α of the receptacles 20 determines the pivoting angle by which the tabs 1, 2 are pivoted about the first joint axis 28.

The chain link 2 has opposite recesses 21. A pin 22 is formed within each of the recesses. The shape of the recess 21 is preferably designed so that a positive connection with the upper crosspiece 7 or the lower crosspiece 8 is made possible. The transverse webs 7, 8 are preferably of identical design. They have a number of bores 23. The bores 23 are designed such that the respective pin 22 can engage in them when the crossbar 7, 8 is introduced into the recess. The pin 22 and the bore 23 secure the cross bar 7, 8 so that it is not displaceable transversely to the longitudinal direction of the link plate 2.

The side webs 9 are connected to the transverse webs 7, 8. The connection is made in a corresponding manner. For this purpose, each side web 9 has opposite recesses 24 with a pin 25. The outer contour of the depressions 24 is in each case designed such that at least one form-fitting connection is produced between the side webs 9 and the cross webs 7, 8. The side webs 9 have receptacles 26 on the sides facing the tabs 1, 2. These are used for holding and receiving dividers, through which the space delimited by the transverse webs 7, 8 and side webs can be divided. FIG. 3 shows an energy supply unit for guiding lines between a fixed connection point and a connection point which is movable about a central axis on a spatially curved path.

The energy supply unit is constructed by a plurality of link plates 1, 2. The link plates form a strand, the joint axes of adjacent link plates 1, 2 being offset from one another by a circumferential angle of 90 °. As FIG. 1 shows, the link plates 1, 2 can be pivoted about a first joint axis 28. If a link plate 2 is connected to the link plate 1, it can be pivoted about a second joint axis 29, which is formed by the joint pin 4. These hinge axes 28, 29 are offset from one another by a circumferential angle of 90 °. The deflectability of the link plates about the respective joint axis is independent of the deflectability about the other joint axis.

The reference numeral 26 denotes an end member which is arranged in a fixed position. Reference number 27 denotes an end member which is connected to a movable connection point, not shown. A chain link 2 is connected to the end link 27. A chain link 1 is connected to this chain link 2. This is followed by a link plate 2 which is articulated to the link plate 1. The link plates can either be pivoted about the first joint axes 28, which are formed by the joint pins 5 and the joint openings 11, or about the second joint axes 29. The articulated axes 28, 29 are offset from one another by a circumferential angle of 90 °. Corresponding to the movement of a driver which is connected to the end link 27, the link plates 1, 2 are deflected about the first joint axes 28 and the second joint axes 29, respectively. The pivoting angle limiter limits the pivoting angle about the joint axes 28. FIG. 4 shows the energy management unit according to FIG. 3, FIG. 4 representing a snapshot which is obtained when the driver, which is connected to the end member 27, is moved essentially on a circular path. As can be seen from the illustration in FIG. 4, the energy management unit does not assume an inclined position, as is necessary with the energy management unit according to WO 98/31950. Even with large pivoting angles of a driver, in particular with pivoting angles> 180 °, it is not necessary to provide a guide trough for the energy supply unit. Due to its design, the energy management unit is suitable for absorbing high cable weights. The energy management unit as such is self-supporting.

FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the energy supply unit according to FIG. 3 in a top view. FIG. 5 also shows a protective device 30. The energy management unit is arranged inside the protective device 30. The protective device 30 is an essentially cylindrical protective device. This can be made of sheet metal, for example. The protective device is intended to ensure that operating personnel are not injured by the movement of the energy management unit. Furthermore, the protective device 30 protects the energy supply unit from external influences. The protective device 30 can also achieve a more targeted guidance of the energy management unit. The energy supply unit 30 can be pivoted about a central axis 31. The end member 26 can be connected to a driver.

Figure 6 shows the arrangement of a power supply unit with a protective device 30 in connection with a handling device 32. The handling device 32 has a driver 33 which is connected to the end member 26. The driver 33 describes an essentially circular movement. Due to the tractive force exerted by the driver, the energy supply unit is taken along in the direction of arrow A. If the driver is moved in the direction of arrow B, the driver 33 exerts a compressive force. The single ones Chain links are stored in the bottom area 34, during which the chain links pass through a region of curvature in which the chain links are pivoted essentially only about the second joint axes 29. The area of curvature is particularly evident in FIGS. 3 and 4. This is designated by reference number 34. The protective device 30 can be used to guide the energy supply unit when it is moved in the direction of arrow B.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

, 2 link plates

joint opening

pivot pin

pintle

Suspension means upper crosspiece lower crosspiece

Side bar 0 swivel angle limiter 1 joint opening 2 tab 3 chamfer 4 stop cam 5 recess 6 edge 7 stop cam 8 recess 9 extension 0 receptacle 1 recess 2 pin 3 bore 4 recess 5 pin 6, 27 end link 8 first joint axis 9 second joint axis 0 protective device Central axis handling device driver curvature area

Claims

claims

1. Energiefühmngseinheit for routing lines between a fixed and a about a central axis (31) and on a spatially curved path movable connection point with articulated chain links (1, 2), which form at least one strand, and with at least some Chain plates (1, 2) arranged suspension means (6), the articulated axes (28, 29) - first (28) and second (29) articulated axes - adjacent chain plates (1, 2) offset from one another by a circumferential angle of 90 ° and the chain plates (1, 2) about the first hinge axes (28) are essentially only pivotable in the direction of the central axis (31) and back.

2. Energiefühmngseinheit according to Anspmch 1, characterized in that the pivoting angle of adjacent link plates (1, 2) about the first joint axes (28) are substantially the same.

3. Energy supply unit, according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that pivot angle limiters (10) are provided, through which the

Swivel angle of the link plates (1, 2) around the first joint axes (28) are limited.

4. Energy supply unit according to claim 3, characterized in that a swivel angle limiter (10) is detachably connected to at least one link plate (1, 2).

5. Energy supply unit according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that viewed in the longitudinal direction of the link plates (1, 2) interlocking adjacent link plates and via joint openings

(1 1) and hinge pins (5) are connected.

6. Energy supply unit according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that adjacent link plates (1, 2) partially overlap one another and are connected to one another by articulated openings (3) and articulated pins (4), the articulated openings (3) and the

Hinge pins (4) are formed coaxially with respect to the second hinge axis (29).

7. Energiefühmngseinheit according to claim 6, characterized in that the joint openings (3) or the pivot pin (4) directly on the

Chain link (1, 2) is formed.

8. Energy conduction unit according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it is formed by two different types of link plates, the link plates (1, 2) of the respective type being formed symmetrically with respect to a central plane.