VERSCHLEISSRING

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a wear ring for attachment to a pipe, hose, cable, or the like, in particular to a corrugated pipe. The wear ring comprises two ring halves which can be joined together to form a ring, wherein a fastening structure is arranged on the ring halves by which the wear ring can be fixed to the pipe, hose, cable, or the like. The ring halves have connecting means by which they can be positively connected to each other in an axial direction. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] These wear rings are fitted at critical points on protective cable conduits on machines, especially moving machine parts, to prevent damage to the conduit itself from abrasion at these critical points. Because the wear rings are positioned at critical points, they can themselves be worn down.

[0003] EP 1 398 555 A1 discloses a wear ring comprising two ring halves connected to each other by screws fastened tangentially in the area of ​​the contact surfaces. In a first region, a ribbed structure is arranged on the inside of the wear ring in the axial direction. These ribs hold the wear ring to the corrugated tube after the ring halves are joined. In a second region, which adjoins the first region axially, a rotatably mounted inner ring is arranged within the wear ring, allowing two corrugated tubes connected to each other in the region of the wear ring to rotate relative to each other.

[0004] From DE 298 14 418 U1, a wear ring for a corrugated tube is known, which is intended to protect a robot's cable guide against wear. The wear ring has two ring halves which are connected to each other by two tangentially inserted screws. On the inside, the wear ring has a ribbed structure with which the wear ring is fixed to the corrugated tube in the axial direction. Each ring half is formed from two different materials molded on top of each other in order to be able to determine the wear status, so that after excessive wear, the robot is not damaged by protruding screws of the wear ring.

[0005] DE 20 2007 012 036 U1 discloses a wear ring for corrugated pipes. The wear ring is formed from two ring halves, which have an inner rib and groove structure to fix the wear ring to the corrugated pipe in an assembled form. The ring halves have a centrally located groove on their outer surface, through which the ring halves are connected to each other by means of a cable tie arranged in the groove.

[0006] Document DE 10 2013 011 819 A1 describes a plastic shell consisting of two identical, detachably connected half-shells designed to hold a spiral hose. Each half-shell has at least one row of engagement studs on its inner surface that engage at specific points in the helically circumferential trough of the spiral hose, thus enabling longitudinal fixation. The half-shells are equipped with locking hooks and corresponding receptacles, allowing for easy connection. The identical design of the half-shells and the specific arrangement of the studs ensure cost-effective manufacturing and secure fastening of the spiral hose.

[0007] Document DE 8805482 U1 describes a connector for a ribbed conduit, used particularly as a flexible cable conduit. The document describes a cylindrical housing with a recessed area and a split slot running through it, as well as a U-shaped locking element equipped with locking tabs and ribs to securely fix the conduit. The specific arrangement of the slots, locking tabs, and locking element ensures high housing strength and allows for easy and secure connection and disconnection of the conduit. This improves the stability of the connector and reduces the risk of unintentional disconnection due to external forces.

[0008] Because the half-shells are currently preferably made with metal or metal-like screws, abrasion can occur precisely at the point where the screw is located. This can result in damage to the counter-body, such as an industrial robot or a metal fitting, and significant damage to surrounding equipment.

[0009] Furthermore, the exact positions of the wear ring are only defined after the fact, which necessitates repositioning. This means that, due to the design and the fastening with screws, cable ties, Velcro, or similar fasteners, the wear ring must be completely detached and reattached. With a large number of wear rings, this is usually time-consuming.

[0010] The object of the invention is to provide a wear ring which prevents damage to the surrounding structure and with which the position on the corrugated tube, pipe or cable can be changed in a short time.

[0011] To solve the problem, a wear ring with the features of claim 1 is specified. Advantageous embodiments of the invention can be found in the respective dependent claims. REVELATION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The invention is characterized by a wear ring according to the features of the characterizing part of claim 1.

[0013] Although the invention is specified with respect to a corrugated tube, a pipe, hose, cable, or the like can also be used instead. In this invention, the axial direction refers to the ring and simultaneously corresponds to the direction of the corrugated tube accommodated within the wear ring. The connecting means are designed such that assembly or disassembly of the ring halves is only possible in the axial direction. The wear ring is assembled directly onto the corrugated tube. The positive-locking connection of the ring halves has the advantage that no screws or other fasteners are required, which could damage the surrounding structures. This significantly simplifies assembly, as no additional tools are necessary for fastening.

[0014] The radial movement of the ring insert reduces the inner diameter of the wear ring until it is fixed to the corrugated tube. Since the ring insert is responsible for fixing the ring to the corrugated tube, the ring can move axially on the tube before being secured by the insert. This allows the wear ring to be repositioned after the ring insert is loosened. To remove the wear ring from the corrugated tube, only the ring insert needs to be loosened and moved to a radially outer position. The ring does not need to be disassembled. This allows for quick and easy repositioning of the wear ring.

[0015] Preferably, the wear ring has two opposing ring inserts. This has the advantage of increasing the durability of the wear ring on the corrugated pipe. Furthermore, the corrugated pipe is clamped evenly by the ring inserts.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the ring insert is arranged interchangeably on the ring half. This allows the ring insert to be replaced with one having a different contour on the inside. This enables the contour to be adapted to the corrugated pipe, cable, etc., being used. The wear ring is thus usable on various surfaces, making it highly versatile. Since only the ring insert needs to be replaced, the number of different parts required for the various corrugated pipes, cables, etc., is significantly reduced.

[0017] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the ring halves have means by which the ring insert is held in a delivery position. The delivery position is a position in which the ring insert is in a radially inner position. This position essentially corresponds to the fixed position. However, in this position, the ring is not fixed to the corrugated tube. The means can be designed such that a clamping force is exerted on the ring insert. This prevents the ring inserts from falling out of the ring halves during transport. The ring halves can thus be delivered with pre-assembled ring inserts, thereby reducing the number of individual parts. This simplifies the handling of the wear ring.

[0018] Preferably, the connecting means for axially joining the ring halves feature a snap-fit ​​connection, which fixes the ring halves in a connected position relative to each other in the axial direction. In a mounted position, the snap-fit ​​connection locks into place. The ring halves can therefore no longer shift relative to each other. This automatically ensures a correct mounting position of the ring halves relative to each other, which is haptically indicated to the user by the snapping action. Additionally, the ring formed by the ring halves cannot shift or fall apart during axial movement on the corrugated tube. This simplifies the use of the wear ring.

[0019] In a further advantageous embodiment, the ring insert is positioned in a pre-assembled position within an inner recess of the ring half. By accommodating the ring in this recess, a minimal inner diameter can be selected. This results in a wear ring that is no larger than a conventionally used wear ring. This has the advantage of allowing the wear ring to be made smaller.

[0020] Preferably, the ring insert is positioned completely within the recess in the pre-assembly position, so that the ring insert does not protrude beyond the inner surface of the ring. This has the additional advantage that any ribs formed on the ring insert do not impede axial movement of the wear ring on the corrugated tube. Since the inner surface of the ring is preferably smooth, the wear ring can be moved axially along the outer surface of the corrugated tube without resistance. This significantly simplifies the positioning of the wear ring.

[0021] Advantageously, the ring insert has extensions which, in a pre-assembly position, project beyond a radial outer surface of the ring half. The extensions preferably extend in the radial direction of movement of the ring insert.

[0022] The extensions allow the ring insert to be moved from the outside of the ring into a fixed position. This simplifies the process of fixing the wear ring for the user.

[0023] In a further advantageous embodiment, the extensions have locking lugs which engage with the ring half in a fixed position. Locking lugs are a simple way to secure the ring inserts in a fixed position without additional fasteners. Locking lugs also have the advantage that they can be released by moving the lug in the opposite direction to its engagement. This makes it possible to create a releasable connection, allowing the wear ring to be repositioned as needed.

[0024] According to a practical design, end caps can be fitted onto the protrusions of the ring when it is in its fixed position. These end caps cover the protrusions in this fixed position on the corrugated tube. This allows for easy visual verification of the fixed position. Preferably, the end caps are a different color. This color makes the end caps even more visible to the user, enabling easy visual identification of the wear ring's fixed position.

[0025] According to another advantageous embodiment, the ring halves are identical. Identical ring halves have the advantage that the same manufacturing process and injection mold can be used for both. This simplifies production and makes it more economical. It also prevents the user from accidentally swapping parts. This makes the wear ring easier and safer to use. Ideally, the ring inserts are also identical.

[0026] Preferably, the ring insert can be fixed to the pipe, hose, cable, or similar component by either a positive or non-positive connection. The ring insert can be interchangeably arranged in the ring halves. This makes it possible to use a ring insert whose inner surface is designed with ribs for a positive connection. Consequently, high durability can be achieved on, for example, corrugated pipes. Since cables, for example, do not have a structured surface, good durability can also be achieved on such a surface with a non-positive connection. With components such as over-extruded corrugated pipes, a positive connection would lead to surface damage. Therefore, a non-positive connection is used. The wear ring can thus be used for various pipes, hoses, or cables, enabling a wide range of applications for the wear ring.

[0027] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the ring insert and the ring halves are made of a single plastic material. This allows for simple and cost-effective manufacturing of the ring insert and the ring halves. For example, these components can be manufactured using injection molding. Plastic material also has the advantage of being lightweight, so the wear ring does not unnecessarily weigh down, for example, the corrugated pipe. Furthermore, the plastic material does not damage the structure. Preferably, the ring insert and the ring halves are made of the same plastic material, making the wear ring economically viable to manufacture.

[0028] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawing and explained in more detail in the following description. It shows: Figure 1: Sectional view of an embodiment of a wear ring in a fixed position; Figure 2: Sectional view of the wear ring made of Figure 1in a pre-assembly position, Figure 3 Perspective view of one ring half of the wear ring without ring insert, Figure 4 Perspective view of one ring half of the wear ring without ring insert, and Figure 5 Sectional view of another embodiment of a wear ring in a fixed position with end caps.

[0029] In Figure 1Figure 1 shows a sectional view of an embodiment of a wear ring 10 in a fixed position. In this position, the wear ring 10 is fixed to a corrugated tube 14, shown here with dashed lines, which the wear ring 10 surrounds. The wear ring 10 comprises two ring halves 18a, 18b, which are positively connected to each other in a radial direction by means of connecting elements 22. Both ring halves 18a, 18b together form a ring 18 in which two fastening structures designed as ring inserts 26 are arranged. In this embodiment, the ring inserts 26 form a ribbed structure 34 on an inner surface 30, which is positively engaged with the corrugated structure of the tube 14. In this embodiment, both the ring 18 and the ring inserts 26 are made of a plastic material.

[0030] The inner diameter DIR of the ring 18 is larger than the outer diameter DAW of the corrugated tube 14. This allows the wear ring 10 to be held on the corrugated tube 14 by the ring inserts 26. Each ring insert 26 has two projections 38 which, in a fixed position, are flush with an outer surface 42 of the ring 18. Each projection 38 has a locking lug 46 which, in the fixed position, engages with a recess 50 in the ring half 18a. This locks the ring insert 26 in the fixed position.

[0031] Figure 2 shows a sectional view of the wear ring 10 made of Figure 1in a pre-assembly position. In this position, the ring inserts 26 are arranged in inner recesses 54 of the ring halves 18a, 18b. The ring inserts 26 do not project beyond an inner surface 58 of the ring 18. This allows the wear ring 10 to move axially on the corrugated tube 14. In the pre-assembly position, the projections 38 project beyond the outer surface 42 of the ring 18. This allows the ring inserts 26 to be brought into a fixed position by applying a radially inward force to the projections 26.

[0032] A perspective view of one half of the ring 18a of the wear ring 10 is shown in Figure 3The ring half 18a is shown here without the ring insert 26. Since the two ring halves 18a and 18b are identical, only ring half 18a is described here as an example. In this embodiment, ring half 18a has a convex outer contour. Connecting elements 22, designed as engagement elements, are arranged in the area of ​​the joint with the other ring half 18b. The engagement elements 22 extend in an axial direction, so that the two ring halves 18a and 18b can be connected to each other by axial movement. Snap connections 62 are formed on the engagement elements 22. In a mounted position, the two ring halves 18a and 18b are fixed to each other by the snap connection 62, making axial separation of the two ring halves 18a and 18b difficult.

[0033] Figure 4Figure 1 shows another representation of ring half 18a of the wear ring 10 without the ring insert 26. In this representation, the recess 54 in ring half 18a for the ring insert 26 is clearly visible. Two openings 66 are also formed in ring half 18a, in which the projections 38 of the ring insert 26 are arranged. The recess 54 in ring half 18a additionally has means 70 with which the ring insert 26 is held in a delivery position. This prevents the ring insert 26 from falling out inwards. In this embodiment, these means 70 are designed as knobs. In this embodiment, the knobs 70 project axially into the recess 54. On an axially opposite side to the one shown here, knobs 70 are also arranged, though these are not shown here. The ring insert 26 is clamped in the delivery position via both pairs of studs.

[0034] In Figure 5 A sectional view of another embodiment of a wear ring 10 in a fixed position is shown. In contrast to the embodiment from Figure 1 In a fixed position, the extensions 38 do not terminate flush with the outer surface 42 of the ring 18. In this embodiment, the extensions 38 terminate flush with the ring 18 in the fixed position. Additionally, in this embodiment, end caps 74 are arranged on the extensions 38. These end caps 74 form a continuous surface with the outer surface 42. In this embodiment, the end caps 74 are a different color than the ring 18. This makes it easy for the user to see whether the ring 18 is in a fixed position. Reference symbol list

[0035] 10 Wear ring 14 Corrugated tube 18 Ring 18a Ring half 18b Ring half 22 Connecting element / Engagement element 26 Ring insert / Mounting structure 30 Inner surface 34 Ribbed structure 38 Extension 42 Outer side 46 Detent lug 50 Recess 54 Cutout 58 Inner side 62 Snap connection 66 Through hole 70 Center / Knob 74 End cap D IR Inner diameter Ring D AW Outer diameter Corrugated tube

Claims

1. Wear ring (10) for attachment to a pipe, hose, cable or the like, in particular to a corrugated pipe (14), comprising two ring halves (18a, 18b) which can be connected to each other to form a ring (18), wherein a fastening structure (26) is arranged on the ring halves (18a, 18b), with which the wear ring (10) can be fixed to the pipe, hose, cable or the like, wherein the ring halves (18a, 18b) have connecting means (22) with which they can be connected to each other in a form-fitting manner in an axial direction, characterised in that the connecting means (22) are designed in such a way that assembly or disassembly of the ring halves (18a, 18b) is only possible in the axial direction of the wear ring (10), and the fastening structure (26) is formed by at least one ring insert (26) that is radially movable on the wear ring (10) and which can be locked to the pipe, hose, cable or the like in a radially inner position on the wear ring (10), whereby the radial movement of the ring insert (26) reduces the inner diameter of the wear ring (10) until it is fixed on the pipe, hose, cable or the like.

2. Wear ring (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that the ring insert (26) is arranged interchangeably on the ring half (18a, 18b).

3. Wear ring (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the ring halves (18a, 18b) have means (70) by which the ring insert (26) is held in a delivery position.

4. Wear ring (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the connecting means (22) for axially connecting the ring halves (18a, 18b) comprise a snap connection (62) by means of which the ring halves (18a, 18b) are fixed in relation to each other in the axial direction in a connected position.

5. Wear ring (10) according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that the ring insert (26) is arranged in a pre-assembly position in an internal recess (54) of the ring half (18a, 18b).

6. Wear ring (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the ring insert (26) has projections (38) which, in a pre-assembly position, protrude beyond a radial outer side (42) of the ring half (18a, 18b).

7. Wear ring (10) according to claim 6, characterised in that the projections (38) have locking lugs (46) which engage with the ring half (18a, 18b) when the ring (18) is in a fixed position.

8. Wear ring (10) according to claim 6 or 7, characterised in that, in the fixed position of the ring (18), sealing caps (74) can be applied to the projections (38).

9. Wear ring (10) according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that the ring halves (18a, 18b) are identically designed.

10. Wear ring (10) according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that the ring insert (26) can be fixed to the pipe, hose, cable or the like by form fit or force fit.

11. Wear ring (10) according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that the ring insert (26) and the ring halves (18a, 18b) are made of a plastic material.