WO2011113517A1

WO2011113517A1 - Guide profile

Info

Publication number: WO2011113517A1
Application number: PCT/EP2011/000895
Authority: WO
Inventors: Herbert Schulze
Original assignee: Eisenmann Ag
Priority date: 2010-03-16
Filing date: 2011-02-24
Publication date: 2011-09-22
Also published as: DE102010011499A1

Abstract

A guide profile for an endless drive means comprises a first and a second cheek element (26, 28) which define opposite and parallel inner surfaces (50) which laterally delimit a conveying channel (52) at least in certain regions, in which channel there is arranged a guide device (54, 68) for the drive means. The cheek elements (26, 28) are connected to one another by connecting means (80, 82). According to the invention, a plurality of spacer elements (64, 74) are arranged along the cheek elements (26, 28), these spacer elements extending from the inner surface (50) of the first cheek element (26) to the inner surface (50) of the second cheek element (28) and being detachably coupled to the cheek elements (26, 28) by coupling means (66, 76). The cheek elements (26, 28) are also detachably connected to one another by the connecting means (80, 82).

Description

guide profile

The invention relates to a guide profile for an endless drive means with a) a first and a second cheek element, which specify opposite and parallel inner surfaces which define a conveyor channel at least partially laterally, in which a guide means for the drive means is arranged; b) connecting means by which the cheek elements are interconnected.

Such guide profiles are used for example in systems for the surface treatment of vehicle bodies. They serve to guide conveyor chains that work together with skids on which the vehicle bodies to be treated are mounted.

In the case of such guide profiles known from the market, the cheek elements are connected to one another by transverse struts, which are welded to the inner surfaces of the cheek elements. These crossbars also serve as spacers between the cheeks elements and specify the distance in which the cheeks elements are arranged from one another.

The guide device is formed in such known guide profiles by rectangular guide angle. These are attached via one of their legs by means of a plurality of screws to a respective cheek element.

The installation of such guide profiles is relatively expensive, since on the one hand must be welded and the other Ren very many screw connections are available. Due to the welded connection between the cheek elements and the transverse struts these components are also irreversibly connected to each other, which is why the profile structure formed therefrom can only be moved as a whole. In addition, there are often many different components from which the guide profile is constructed, which drives its overall manufacturing costs in the air.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a guide profile of the type mentioned, which is simpler and easier to install.

This object is achieved in a guide profile of the type mentioned in that c) along the cheeks elements a plurality of spacer elements are arranged, which extend from the inner surface of the first cheek element to the inner surface of the second cheek element; d) the spacer elements by coupling means detachable with the

Cheek elements are coupled; e) the cheek elements by the connecting means releasably

connected to each other.

Overall, the guide profile is constructed from detachable interconnectable individual components. The invention is based on the finding that a sufficiently resilient guide profile can also be formed without expensive welded joints. The arrangement of the two cheek elements and their distance from each other is ensured during assembly by the spacer elements. Although the spacer elements can also at the same time as connecting means for the Cheek elements serve. However, the spacer elements and the connecting means are preferably separate components.

With regard to the spacer elements, it may be sufficient if they are loosely positioned on the cheek elements during assembly of the guide profile, without being secured against loosening of the cheek elements. The stable overall structure of the guide profile is then established only by the connecting means. However, it is more favorable if the spacer elements can be fixed at least temporarily releasably to at least one of the cheek elements by the coupling means. So slipping of the spacer elements can be prevented.

The coupling means advantageously comprise at least one retaining lug, which is complementary to a depression or a passage in the cheek elements. For non-modified retaining lugs, these may be e.g. be loosely inserted into corresponding openings in the cheek elements.

The above expressed desire for an at least temporary fixation of the spacer elements is advantageously met if the at least one retaining lug is slotted and has two tabs which can be bent apart. The retaining lug may then be e.g. inserted through a corresponding passage in the cheek elements and then bent from the opposite side, optionally with the aid of a tool, apart.

If the coupling means comprise at least one hook element which can jam one of the cheek elements to the spacer elements, it may even be possible to partially dispense with additional connecting means. The idea of an on-site assembly of individual components is also implemented with regard to the guide device if it comprises at least one guide structure which defines a running surface for the drive means and is detachably coupled to the cheek elements.

It is also advantageous in the case of the guide structure if at least one retaining lug is provided, which is complementary to a depression or a passage in the cheek elements.

A secure guidance of the drive means is ensured if the at least one guide structure is designed as a guide trough.

As an alternative or in addition to the guide trough, the at least one guide structure is designed as a pair of guide angles which predetermine running surfaces lying in a plane.

Embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings. In these show:

Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a guide profile in a front view, wherein in addition a current in the guide profile conveyor chain is shown;

FIG. 2 shows a frontal view of FIG. 1 corresponding to FIG

Guide profile without conveyor chain;

Figure 3 is a side view of the guide profile of FIG

2;

FIG. 4 shows a section of the guide profile of FIG. 3. long section-line IV-IV there;

FIG. 5 shows a section corresponding to FIG. 4

Guide profile according to a second embodiment with releasably fixable distance bulkhead;

6 shows a section of the guide profile according to the second embodiment with fixed distance bulkhead;

Figure 7 is a side view of the guide profile of FIG

6

8 shows a Figures 4 to 6 corresponding section of a guide profile according to a third embodiment.

In the figures 1 to 4, a guide profile 10 for an endless conveyor chain 12 is shown as a first embodiment, which in turn is shown only in Figure 1 as an example of an endless drive means.

The conveyor chain 12 is formed in a manner known per se and has a plurality of hingedly interconnected chain links 14 which each support rollers 16 and lateral guide rollers 18 and carry a driver 20. The conveyor chain 12 circulates in a conventional manner on not specially shown circulating rollers or pinion and provides an upper run 22 and a lower run 24 before.

A reference coordinate system shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 is firmly anchored to the guide profile 10, so that it moves with the guide profile 10 in the space. The directional information used below refers to the guide profile 10, as it is mounted in operation. In this 5

- 6 -

Case and referring to the coordinate system, the longitudinal direction used in the following meanings are the positive or negative x-direction, on the right the positive y-direction and on the top the positive z-direction. The direction information left and below thus indicate the opposite direction. An xy-plane runs in the horizontal, a vertical standing vertically perpendicular thereto.

The guide profile 10 comprises two identical side cheeks 26 and 28, which are Z-shaped in cross section. The side cheeks 26, 28 each have a planar web portion 30, from which at one longitudinal end an upper flange 32 and at the opposite longitudinal end a lower flange 34 are folded in opposite directions at right angles.

The side cheeks 26, 28 are parallel to each other in the manner that their web portions 30 are arranged vertically and parallel to each other. The upper flanges 32 of the side cheeks 26, 28 protrude respectively to the left and right outside of each other, whereas the lower flanges 34 each facing inwardly on each other.

The side cheeks 26, 28 are traversed along their longitudinal extent in their web portion 30 at regular intervals by pairs of through-holes 36, 38, whose two central axes are arranged on a common vertical line. The upper through holes 36 are arranged in a respective same distance from the upper flange 32 and the lower through holes 38 at a same distance from the lower flange 34. The through holes 36 and 38 are shown in dashed lines only in Figure 3.

In addition to each pair of through holes 36, 38, a set 40 of passages in the web portion 30 of the lateral eing 26, 28 incorporated, the center axes are arranged on a common vertical line. In the top-to-bottom direction, each set 40 includes a first one

Passage 42, a second passage 44, a third passage 46 and a fourth passage 48. The first and the third passage 42 and 46 have an identical, with respect to the longitudinal direction of the guide profile 10 horizontally elongated-rectangular cross-section. The second and fourth passages 44 and 48 also have an identical cross section, but this is approximately square.

The mutually facing surfaces 50 of the web portions 30 of the two side cheeks 26 and 28 form inner surfaces which partially delimit a conveying channel 52 extending between the side cheeks 26, 28 to the left and right.

The side cheeks 26 and 28 flank a forwardly and upwardly open guide trough 54 having a planar bottom 56 and two planar side walls 58 and 60 perpendicular thereto abutting the inner surfaces 50 of the side cheeks 26, 28 and upwardly above the upper flanges 32 thereof survive. The bottom 56 of the guide trough 54 defines the running surface for the rollers 16 of the upper run 22 of the conveyor chain 12, whose lateral guide rollers 18 cooperate with the side walls 58 and 60 of the guide trough 54.

As can be seen in Figure 4, from the side walls 58 and 60 of the guide trough 54 at regular intervals retaining lugs 62 are bent outwards. These retaining tabs 62 are complementary in cross-section and arrangement to the elongate first passages 42 in the side cheeks 26 and 28 and project through each one of these passageways 42. Below the guide trough 54 are used as spacers between see the side cheeks 26, 28 a plurality of upper plate-shaped Distanzschotts 64 present, which each extend from the inner surface 50 of the first side cheek 26 to the opposite inner surface 50 of the second side cheek 28. The upper spacer bulkheads 64 have retaining lugs 66 at both opposite ends, which with their approximately square cross section and in their arrangement are complementary to the second passages 44 in the side cheeks 26 and 28 and project through one of these passages 44.

The distance in the vertical direction between the first and the second passage 42 and 44 in the side cheeks 26, 28 and the formation of the guide trough 54 and the upper spacer 64 are adapted to each other, that the guide trough 54 with its bottom 56 on the upper edge of Distance bulkhead 64 rests and is supported by this down.

Below the upper distance bulkhead 64 lie on the inner surfaces 50 of the side cheeks 26, 28 respectively vertical leg 68a of L-shaped guide angles 68, the horizontal inwardly into the conveyor channel 52 projecting and facing each other leg 68b running surfaces for the rollers 16 of the lower strand 24 of the conveyor chain 12 pretend. The lateral guide rollers 18 of the conveyor chain 12 cooperate correspondingly with the vertical legs 68a of the guide angles 68.

Thus, the guide trough 54 and the guide angle 68 together form a guide means for the conveyor chain 12th

As can be seen again in FIG. 4, retaining lugs 70 are bent outward out of the guide angles 68 at uniform intervals. These retaining lugs 70 are in their Cross-section and its arrangement complementary to the elongated third passages 46 in the side walls 26 and 28 and project through each one of these passages 46 therethrough.

The horizontal legs 68b of the guide angles 68 have passages 72 incorporated in the longitudinal direction at regular intervals.

Below the guide angles 68, as a further spacer elements between the side cheeks 26, 28 there are a plurality of lower plate-shaped spacer bulkheads 74 which each extend from the inner surface 50 of the first side cheek 26 to the opposite inner surface 50 of the second side cheek 28. The lower distance bulkheads 74 have retaining lugs 76 at their two opposite ends which, with their approximately square cross section and their arrangement, are complementary to the fourth passages 48 in the side cheeks 26 and 28 and protrude through one of these passages 48.

At its upper edge, the lower spacer bulkheads 74 carry upwardly projecting fixing lug 78. These are so complementary in their cross-section and their arrangement to one another

Passages 72 formed in the horizontal legs 68b of the guide angle 68 that the fixing lug 78 protrude into the passages 72 of the guide angle 68, but not projecting above the respective horizontal leg 68b. By the fixing lug 78 ensures that the guide angle 68 can not move in the direction of the conveyor channel 52 in the direction of the side walls 26, 28 away.

The distance in the vertical direction between the third and the fourth passage 46 and 48 in the side cheeks 26, 28 and the formation of the guide angle 68 and the lower Distance bulkheads 74 are adapted to one another in such a way that, apart from the fixing lugs 78, the horizontal limbs 68b of the guide angles 68 rest on upper marginal areas of the lower distance bulkheads 74 and are thus supported downward by the latter.

The two side cheeks 26 and 28 are aligned with each other such that each upper through-bore 36 of the side cheek 26 is coaxial with an upper through-bore 36 of the side cheek 28. Correspondingly, in each case a lower through hole 38 in the side cheek 26 extends coaxially to a lower through hole 38 in the side cheek 28. The two side cheeks 26, 28 are releasably connected to each other via long screws 80, respectively from the right through a coaxial pair of through holes 36 and 38th are guided and countered on the side wall 26 by means of an associated nut 82.

For assembly, the guide profile 10 is first plugged together by the two side cheeks 26 and 28, the guide trough 54, the upper spacer 64, the guide angle 68 and the lower spacer 74 are positioned to each other so that the respective retaining lugs 62, 66, 70th and 76 of said components 54, 64, 68 and 74 project through the respective retaining lugs 62, 66, 70 and 76 associated passages 42, 44, 46 and 48 in the side walls 26 and 28 and the fixing lug 78 on the lower spacer 64th engage in the passages 72 of the guide angle 68. Then, this plug-in structure is fixed by the side panels 26 and 28 to each other ^¬ be tightened by means of long screws 80, and thereby clamp the arranged between the side walls 26 and 28 components 54, 64, 68 and 74th Next to the upper and lower distance bulkheads 64 and 74 Also, the guide trough 54 acts as a spacer, which dictates the distance between the side walls 26 and 28.

In a modification not specifically shown, a pair of guide angles corresponding to the guide angles 68 may be provided instead of the guide trough 54 as the guide means for the upper run of the conveyor chain 12. The upper distance bulkhead 64 may then be equipped, like the lower distance bulkhead 74, with upwardly projecting fixing lugs, which cooperate with corresponding passages in these guide angles.

In another variant not specifically shown, instead of the guide angles 68, a further guide trough may be supported by the lower distance bulkhead 74, which may be formed like the guide trough 54 and whose retaining lugs can cooperate with corresponding passages in the side cheeks 26, 28. In FIGS. 5 to 7, as a second exemplary embodiment, a guide profile 10 'is shown, in which components which correspond to the components of the guide profile 10 bear the same reference numerals. The only difference with respect to the guide profile 10 is that a horizontal slot 84 or 86 is respectively incorporated into the retaining lugs 66 of the upper spacer bulkhead 64 and into the retaining lugs 76 of the lower spacer bulkhead 74, so that in each case two lugs 88 and 90, respectively, are inserted. are formed.

As a result, the spacer bulkheads 64 and 74 can be secured during the assembly of the guide profile 10 'against slipping out of the retaining lugs 66 or 76 from the passages 44 and 48 of the side cheeks 26 and 28 before the long screws 80 are used.

For this purpose, the slotted retaining lugs 66 and 76 are pushed through their associated passages 44 and 48 and the tabs 88 and 90 respectively bent from the outside with a tool in the vertical direction, so that the tabs 88 and 90 on the respective outer side of the side cheeks 26, 28 over the clear contour of the passages 44, 48 survive. This can be seen in particular in FIG. 6, but also in FIG. 7 in comparison with FIG. 3 in the guide profile 10 with spacer bulkheads 64, 74 without straps 88, 90.

The further assembly of the guide profile 10 'takes place as in the guide profile 10. For a possible disassembly, the tabs 88 and 90 of the distance bulkheads 64 and 74, for example by means of pliers towards each other to be bent until the slotted retaining lugs 66 and 76th again out of the passages 44 and 48 of the side walls 26, 28 can be led out.

In Figure 8, as a third embodiment, a guide profile 10 '' shown, in which components corresponding to the components of the guide profiles 10 and 10 ', the same reference numerals.

In contrast to the guide profiles 10 and 10 'carries the lower spacer bulkhead 74 instead of retaining lugs 74 hook elements in the form of clamping hook 92, which include a horizontal support web 94 and a vertically downward clamping web 96. The inner surface 96a of the clamping webs 96 is a little obliquely outwards from top to bottom. In addition, the side cheeks 26, 28 have no lower through holes more. When mounting the guide profile 10 ' ¹ , first the guide trough 54, the upper spacer 64, the guide angle 68 and the lower distance bulkhead 74 are attached to the side wall 26. The lower distance bulkheads 74 are thereby hooked into a correspondingly assigned passage 48 in such a way that the lower distance bulkhead 74 rests with the support web 94 on the lower edge of the passage 48 and is jammed against the side wall 26 due to the inclination of the inner surface 96a of the clamping web 96 ,

In order to better absorb the downward forces, the support web 94 of the clamping hook 92 may optionally be formed thicker. In this case, the cross-section of the lowermost passages 48 of the side cheeks 26 and 28 must be adapted to this design and have a correspondingly longer in cross section in the vertical direction.

Now, the second side wall 28 is first tilted outwardly relative to the xz plane in the z-direction so as to the side cheek 28 facing clamping hook 92 of the lower spacer 74 zoomed up that they can be passed through the respective passages 48 of the side wall 28 therethrough. Then, the side cheek 28 is moved into the vertical, wherein the retaining lugs 62, 66, 70 of the guide trough 54, the upper spacer 64 and the right guide angle 68 through their respective associated passages 42, 44, 46 guided in the side cheek 28 therethrough.

The clamping hooks 92 of the lower spacer block 74 jam the two side cheeks 26, 28 in their lower region, so that they are connected to one another via the lower spacer bulkhead 74. The lower distance bulkheads 74 thus also form connecting means for the side cheeks 26, 28 in this case and replace the profiles 10 and 10 'necessary lower long screws 80th

If the upper spacer bulkheads 64 have slotted retaining lugs 66, which need not be the case, but is shown as an example in FIG. 8, the lugs 88 are respectively bent apart from outside with a tool in the vertical direction.

The so far largely loosely merged in the upper section guide profile 10 '' is now by the long screws 80, which are guided by the upper through holes 36 of the side walls 26 and 28, finally fixed.

Overall, the guide profiles 10, 10 'and 10 ¹ ' can be assembled at the installation site without welding with simple mechanical means of a few individual parts. Moreover, there is only one type of screw connection, which is why no assignment of different types of screw to different through holes is necessary.

All components of the guide profiles 10, 10 'and 10' ^{1 1} apart from the long screws 80 and the nut 82 are made in the present embodiments of 5 mm thick sheet steel, which can be brought in relatively simple steps such as lasers and edges in the desired shape , As mentioned above, if necessary, the support web 94 of the clamping hooks 92 may be made thicker.

In the guide profile 10 ', the passages 42, 44, 46 and 48 in the side walls 26, 28 may alternatively be formed only as non-continuous recesses. The retaining lugs 62, 66, 70 and 76 on the guide trough 54, the upper distance bulkhead 64, the guide angles 68 and the lower distance bulkhead 74 must then be correspondingly shorter. to be.

In the guide profiles 10 and 10 '' can be formed as non-continuous depressions in a corresponding manner, only the passages 42 and 46 for the retaining lugs 62 of the guide trough 54 and the retaining lugs 70 of the guide angle.

Claims

claims

Guide profile for an endless drive means with a) a first and a second cheek element (26, 28) which define opposite and parallel inner surfaces (50) which delimit a conveyor channel (52) at least partially laterally, in which a guide device (54, 68) is arranged for the drive means; b) connection means (80, 82, 80, 82, 74) by which the cheek elements (26, 28) are connected to each other; characterized in that c) a plurality of spacer elements (64, 74) are arranged along the cheek elements (26, 28), which extend from the inner surface (50) of the first cheek element (26) to the inner surface (50) of the second cheek element (28) ; d) the spacer elements (64, 74) by coupling means (66, 76, 92) releasably coupled to the cheek elements (26, 28) are coupled; e) the cheek elements (26, 28) are releasably connected together by the connecting means (80, 82, 80, 82, 74).

Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the spacer elements (64, 74) by the coupling means (66, 76, 92) at least temporarily releasably connected to less at least one of the cheek elements (26, 28) are fixable.

Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the coupling means (66, 76, 92) comprise at least one retaining lug (66, 76) leading to a depression or passage (44, 48) in the cheek elements (26, 28). is complementary.

Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the at least one retaining lug (66, 76) is slotted and has two deflectable tabs (88, 90).

Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the coupling means (66, 76, 92) comprise at least one hook element (92), which can jam one of the cheek elements (26, 28) on the spacer elements (64, 74).

Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the guide means (54, 68) at least one guide structure (54, 68) which predetermines a running surface for the drive means and is releasably coupled to the cheek elements (26, 28).

Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the at least one guide structure (54, 68) comprises at least one retaining lug (62, 70) which is complementary to a recess or passage (42, 46) in the cheek elements (26, 28) ,

Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the at least one guide structure (54) is designed as a guide trough (54).

9. Device according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the at least one guide structure (68) is formed as a pair of guide angles (68), which define lying in a plane running surfaces.