Arc-shaped cable protection device for rotary footbridge with large-radius annular rotation

Abstract

The application discloses an arc cable protection device for a rotary pedestrian bridge with large-radius annular rotation, which comprises a traction arm, a tow chain, a main guide groove and an extended guide groove. The upper part of the traction arm is fixedly connected with a rotating part. The free end of the tow chain is installed at the lower end of the traction arm. The main guide groove is installed on a fixed structure, is arc-shaped and has a curvature matched with the rotating shaft of the rotary bridge, and has a width greater than twice the width of the tow chain. The extended guide groove is formed by horizontally extending from one end of the main guide groove along the same arc, has a width less than twice the width of the tow chain, and has a side stand flush with the corresponding side stand of the main guide groove. The tow chain is kept in a single return bending state in the main guide groove and forms a return bending part. The tow chains on both sides of the return bending part are parallel in the width direction of the main guide groove. The return bending part can move between the two ends of the main guide groove. The free end can move between the end of the main guide groove away from the extended guide groove and the end of the extended guide groove. The device is matched with the single return bending of the tow chain through the arc-shaped guide groove, is suitable for large-angle arc rotation of the rotary bridge, and avoids cable twisting and deviation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of electrical installation technology for rotating bridges. More specifically, this invention relates to an arc-shaped cable protection device adapted for rotating pedestrian bridges with large-radius circular rotation. Background Technology

[0002] Rotating pedestrian bridges typically open or close horizontally via a central pivot. The bridge structure requires the installation of power cables, control signal lines, and lighting and monitoring cables. During rotation, these cables must follow the bridge's arc-shaped movement while maintaining a reasonable bending radius and stable direction to avoid twisting, compression, or excessive bending. Currently, cable protection for this type of bridge typically employs ordinary linear cable carriers, flexible metal conduits, or rotary cable carriers borrowed from industrial robotics. Ordinary linear cable carriers are primarily suitable for linear reciprocating motion. While flexible metal conduits can accommodate some bending, they lack effective zoning constraints for the internal cables. Industrial rotary cable carriers are often designed for smaller turning radii and specific installation spaces, such as those found for robot joints, and their direct application to municipal pedestrian bridges has limitations.

[0003] Conventional linear cable carriers are unsuitable for use on rotating pedestrian bridges. Because the bridge rotates at a large angle around its central axis, the cable carrier needs to be positioned along this arc and deform with the bridge structure. However, when using linear cable carriers for this arc-shaped rotation, the links cannot bend along the predetermined arc. The cables inside the cable carrier are prone to twisting, compression, and repeated bending, leading to cracking of the outer sheath and potential breakage of the core wires after prolonged operation. Furthermore, linear cable carriers cannot match the bridge's circular rotation trajectory, making them susceptible to jamming, detachment, or interference with the bridge structure during rotation, thus affecting the safety and reliability of the bridge's opening and closing operation.

[0004] While existing circular rotary cable carriers can be arranged along arcs, they still suffer from insufficient adaptability when used on pedestrian bridges with large-radius rotation. The unit links of this type of cable carrier typically lack a standardized arc curvature calibration structure for the bridge's turning radius, making the entire cable carrier prone to deviation and misalignment during operation. This causes localized stress concentration on the cables, resulting in unilateral wear. Furthermore, their internal structure often consists of a single-row cable channel, making it difficult to separate power cables, signal lines, lighting, and monitoring circuits into distinct layers, leading to easy entanglement and interference between cables. Summary of the Invention

[0005] One objective of this invention is to provide a protective device for arc-shaped cables on rotating pedestrian bridges that is adapted to large-radius circular rotations. By utilizing the main guide groove, the extension guide groove, and the single-bend of the drag chain, it can adapt to large-angle arc rotations and prevent cables from twisting and deviating.

[0006] To achieve these and other advantages according to the invention, the present invention provides an arc-shaped cable protection device adapted to a large-radius annular rotating pedestrian bridge, comprising: a traction arm, the upper part of which is fixedly connected to the rotating part of the rotating bridge; a cable carrier for threading cables, the cable carrier comprising several links, adjacent links being rotatably connected by vertical pins; the free end of the cable carrier being mounted on the lower end of the traction arm; a main guide groove, mounted on a fixed structure, the main guide groove being arc-shaped with its center of curvature on the axis of rotation of the rotating bridge; the width of the main guide groove being greater than twice the width of the cable carrier; and an extension guide groove extending from one end of the main guide groove along the same... An arc extends horizontally outward to form an extension guide groove. The width of the extension guide groove is less than twice the width of the cable chain, and one of its upright plates is aligned with the corresponding upright plate of the main guide groove. The fixed end of the cable chain is fixed to one end of the main guide groove near the extension guide groove. The cable chain maintains a single bend within the main guide groove and forms a bend. The cable chains on both sides of the bend are parallel in the width direction of the main guide groove. The bend is located within the main guide groove and can move between the two ends of the main guide groove. The free end of the cable chain extends out from the bend and can move between the end of the main guide groove away from the extension guide groove and the end of the extension guide groove.

[0007] Preferably, the extended guide groove is located on the inner arc side of the main guide groove, the inner arc side upright plate of the extended guide groove is flush with the inner arc side upright plate of the main guide groove, and the fixed end of the drag chain is set close to the outer arc side upright plate of the main guide groove.

[0008] Preferably, the side of the chain link that abuts the upper plate of the main guide groove is arc-shaped, and the curvature of the arc-shaped side of the chain link matches the arc-shaped side plate of the main guide groove.

[0009] Preferably, the chain link includes two chain plates arranged opposite each other, each chain plate has two pin holes along its length, two adjacent chain plates are rotatably connected by a pin shaft, two support plates are connected between the upper and lower chain plates, and several partition plates are detachably connected between the two support plates to form a wiring channel for separating cables.

[0010] Preferably, on the bottom plates of the main guide groove and the extended guide groove, a plurality of support rollers are provided at intervals corresponding to the position of the drag chain. The support rollers are used to support the bottom of the drag chain, and the axis of the support rollers is horizontally arranged and intersects with the axis of rotation of the rotating bridge.

[0011] Preferably, the bottom plate of the main channel is further provided with a row of pads, the pads are arranged along the central arc of the main channel and are located between the two rows of drag chain segments formed after the drag chain bends back, and the top surface of the pads is flush with the top of the support roller shaft.

[0012] Preferably, the system also includes a guide assembly, which includes a guide member located between the two rows of cable chains after the bend. An arc-shaped outer plate matching the curvature of the main guide channel is installed on at least one of the inner arc side and the outer arc side of the main guide channel. An arc-shaped guide rail is installed on the arc-shaped outer plate. A slider is slidably fitted on the guide rail. A drive module that drives the arc-shaped outer plate is installed on the slider. A support body for supporting the guide member is also installed on the slider. The drive module drives the slider to move along the guide rail, thereby driving the support body and the guide member to move along the arc, so that the guide member is always located between the traction arm and the bend in the arc position.

[0013] Preferably, the arc-shaped outer plate has a toothed belt along the arc edge, and the drive module includes a reduction motor mounted on the slider, with a transmission gear meshing with the toothed belt at the output end of the reduction motor.

[0014] Preferably, the guide rail is inverted L-shaped, including a guide rail vertical plate and a guide rail horizontal plate folded towards the toothed belt; the slider part includes a lower slider and an upper slider, the lower slider has a horizontal part and a vertical part, the horizontal part is located between the lower surface of the guide rail horizontal plate and the upper surface of the arc-shaped outer plate, and contacts the lower surface of the guide rail horizontal plate and the upper surface of the arc-shaped outer plate respectively through a first ball bearing structure and a second ball bearing structure; the upper slider is horizontally arranged and connected to the vertical part of the lower slider, the lower surface of the upper slider contacts the upper surface of the guide rail horizontal plate through a third ball bearing structure; the upper slider is also provided with a plurality of limiting rollers that rotate downward at intervals, the limiting rollers contacting the side of the guide rail vertical plate away from the toothed belt.

[0015] Preferably, the guide includes two downwardly positioned rollers, each corresponding to one of the two rows of cable chains after the bend.

[0016] The present invention has at least the following beneficial effects: This invention utilizes the arc curvature of the main guide groove to match the rotating shaft of the rotating bridge, and through the width difference between the main guide groove and the extension guide groove, as well as the single bend of the cable chain in the main guide groove, the cable chain always maintains an arc arrangement within the large-angle rotation range of the rotating bridge. The free end can move between the end of the main guide groove away from the extension guide groove and the end of the extension guide groove away from the main guide groove, thereby adapting to a large rotation angle. The cable does not need to be twisted or compressed inside the cable chain, reducing the risk of wear on the cable outer sheath and breakage of the core wire.

[0017] This invention sets the fixed end of the cable chain at one end of the main guide groove near the extension guide groove, and moves the return section between the two ends of the main guide groove. After the cable chain returns, the two rows of cable chain segments formed are arranged side by side in the width direction of the main guide groove. At the same time, the width of the extension guide groove is less than twice the width of the cable chain, and one side plate is flush with the corresponding side plate of the main guide groove. This makes the cable chain maintain a stable arrangement during the extension and retraction process, avoids cable chain confusion, jamming or detachment, and improves the reliability of cable follow-up during bridge opening and closing.

[0018] Other advantages, objectives and features of the present invention will become apparent in part from the following description, and in part from those skilled in the art through study and practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a plan view of the device in one technical solution of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the device in use according to one technical solution of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing the junction position of the main guide groove and the extended guide groove in one technical solution of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the main channel structure in one technical solution of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a cable chain traction seat in one technical solution of the present invention; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of link assembly in one technical solution of the present invention; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the cross-section of a chain link in one technical solution of the present invention; Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram showing the usage state of the guiding component in one technical solution of the present invention; Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the motion of the guiding component in one technical solution of the present invention; Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the guiding component in one technical solution of the present invention; Figure 11 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the slider part in one technical solution of the present invention; Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the disassembly of the slider part in one technical solution of the present invention.

[0020] Reference numerals: 1-Traction arm, 11-Support beam frame, 2-Main guide groove, 3-Extension guide groove, 4-Drag chain, 41-Drag chain fixing seat, 42-Drag chain traction seat, 421-Connecting plate, 43-Chain link, 431-Chain plate, 432-Pin shaft, 433-Support plate, 434-Separator plate, 5-Support roller shaft, 51-Pad plate, 6-Arc-shaped outer plate, 61-Toothed belt, 62-Guide rail, 621-Guide rail upright plate, 622-Guide rail horizontal plate, 7-Guiding assembly, 71-Slider section, 711-Lower slider, 712-Upper slider, 713-First ball bearing structure, 714-Second ball bearing structure, 715-Third ball bearing structure, 716-Limiting roller shaft, 717-Motor support seat, 72-Drive module, 721-Transmission gear, 73-Bracket body, 74-Guiding component, 8-Cable. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, so that those skilled in the art can implement it based on the description.

[0022] It should be understood that terms such as “having,” “comprising,” and “including” as used herein do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other elements or combinations thereof.

[0023] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the experimental methods described in the following embodiments are conventional methods, and the reagents and materials mentioned are commercially available. In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "setting" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to fixed connection or setting, detachable connection or setting, or integral connection or setting. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances. The terms "lateral," "longitudinal," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description. They do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this invention.

[0024] like Figures 1-12As shown, this invention provides an arc-shaped cable protection device adapted to a large-radius circular rotating pedestrian bridge, comprising: a traction arm 1, the upper part of which is fixedly connected to the rotating part of the rotating bridge; a drag chain 4 for threading cables 8, the drag chain 4 comprising several chain links 43, adjacent chain links 43 being rotatably connected by vertical pins 432, the free end of the drag chain 4 being installed at the lower end of the traction arm 1; a main guide groove 2, installed on a fixed structure, the main guide groove 2 being arc-shaped with its curvature center on the axis of rotation of the rotating bridge, the width of the main guide groove 2 being greater than twice the width of the drag chain 4; and an extension guide groove 3 extending horizontally outward from one end of the main guide groove 2 along the same arc. The extension guide groove 3 is less than twice the width of the cable chain 4, and one of its upright plates is aligned with the corresponding upright plate of the main guide groove 2. The fixed end of the cable chain 4 is fixed to one end of the main guide groove 2 near the extension guide groove 3. The cable chain 4 maintains a single bend within the main guide groove 2 and forms a bend. The cable chains 4 on both sides of the bend are parallel in the width direction of the main guide groove 2. The bend is located within the main guide groove 2 and can move between the two ends of the main guide groove 2. The free end of the cable chain 4 extends from the bend and can move between the end of the main guide groove 2 away from the extension guide groove 3 and the end of the extension guide groove 3.

[0025] The upper part of the traction arm 1 can be fixedly connected to the rotating part of the rotating bridge by means of bolts, welding or flange connection, so that the traction arm 1 can rotate synchronously with the rotating bridge. The lower end of the traction arm 1 can be provided with a connecting seat or connecting hole. The free end of the cable chain 4 can be connected to the lower end of the traction arm 1 through the cable chain traction seat 42. The cable chain traction seat 42 includes a vertical plate connected to the first chain link 43, and also includes a horizontally arranged connecting plate 421. The connecting plate 421 is bolted to the lower end of the traction arm 1.

[0026] The cable chain 4 is formed by connecting several chain links 43 sequentially. Each chain link 43 may include two chain plates 431 arranged vertically opposite each other, forming a space between the two chain plates 431 for threading cables 8. Pin holes are opened at both ends of the chain plates 431 along their length, and adjacent chain links 43 are rotatably connected by pins 432 passing through the pin holes. The pins 432 are vertically positioned, allowing the cable chain 4 to bend in the horizontal plane. The pins 432 can be made of steel shafts, with a clearance fit between them and the pin holes. If necessary, wear-resistant bushings can be installed in the pin holes to reduce rotational friction and noise. The chain plates 431 can be formed by stamping steel plates, laser cutting and bending, or injection molding engineering plastics. The specific material can be selected according to the bridge's outdoor load and weather resistance requirements.

[0027] The main channel 2 is installed on a fixed structure, which can be a fixed base of the bridge, the side of a pier, or a steel bracket connected to a fixed part of the bridge. The main channel 2 is generally arc-shaped and can be formed by cutting and bending steel plates, or by welding multiple sections of steel plates together or by rolling profiles. The main channel 2 includes a base plate and vertical plates on both sides of the width of the base plate. The distance between the two vertical plates is the width of the main channel 2. To ensure that the cable chains 4 can be arranged in two parallel rows within the main channel 2, the width of the main channel 2 is greater than twice the width of the cable chains 4, for example, greater than 2.05 to 2.5 times the width of the cable chains 4.

[0028] The extended guide groove 3 is formed by extending horizontally outward from one end of the main guide groove 2 along the same arc. The extended guide groove 3 and the main guide groove 2 are on the same horizontal plane, and their arc directions are continuous. The extended guide groove 3 can be made of the same or similar material and forming method as the main guide groove 2, and is butt-connected to one end of the main guide groove 2. The connection method can be welding, bolting, or integral forming. The width of the extended guide groove 3 is less than twice the width of the cable chain 4, so that only a single row of cable chains 4 can pass through the extended guide groove 3, thereby guiding the free end of the cable chain 4 to move along the arc. One side plate of the extended guide groove 3 is aligned with the corresponding side plate of the main guide groove 2, forming a continuous guide surface for the cable chain 4, preventing the cable chain 4 from lateral misalignment or jamming when passing through the intersection of the two grooves.

[0029] The fixed end of the cable chain 4 is fixed to the end of the main guide groove 2 near the extension guide groove 3. The fixed end of the cable chain 4 can be connected to the bottom plate and the upright plate of the main guide groove 2 through the cable chain fixing seat 41. The cable chain fixing seat 41 can be a bent steel plate or a welded part, and is fixed in the main guide groove 2 by bolts or welding. The fixed end is located at the end of the main guide groove 2 near the extension guide groove 3, so that the cable chain 4 first extends along the main guide groove 2 away from the extension guide groove 3, and then bends back and returns to the extension guide groove 3, thus forming a single bend state in the main guide groove 2. The cable chain 4 maintains this single bend state in the main guide groove 2, and the bend portion is located in the main guide groove 2. The cable chain segments on both sides of the bend portion are arranged side by side in the width direction of the main guide groove 2. When the rotating bridge drives the traction arm 1 to move, the free end of the cable chain 4 can move between the end of the main guide groove 2 away from the extension guide groove 3 and the end of the extension guide groove 3 away from the main guide groove 2, and the bend portion moves accordingly between the two ends of the main guide groove 2. By varying the length of the drag chain segments on both sides of the bend, drag chain 4 can adapt to the length changes caused by the movement of the free end.

[0030] The main guide channel 2, the extension guide channel 3, and the traction arm 1 can be made of weathering steel, stainless steel, or aluminum alloy, while the chain plate 431 can be made of metal or engineering plastic. Fixed connections can be made using bolts, welding, riveting, etc., while rotating connections can be made using a pin 432 with a pin hole. The surfaces of all metal components can be treated with hot-dip galvanizing, powder coating, or painting as needed to improve the bridge's weather resistance in outdoor environments.

[0031] When the rotating bridge rotates, the traction arm 1 drives the free end of the cable chain 4 to move within the main guide groove 2 and the extension guide groove 3. When the free end of the cable chain 4 moves towards the end of the extension guide groove 3 away from the main guide groove 2, the return bend of the cable chain 4 moves accordingly towards the end of the main guide groove 2 closer to the extension guide groove 3. At this time, the cable chain 4 naturally bends back within the main guide groove 2, and the lengths of the two cable chain segments are adjusted accordingly. The cable 8 remains inside the cable chain 4 and does not require additional tensioning. When the free end moves in the opposite direction, since the width of the extension guide groove 3 is less than twice the width of the cable chain 4, it can only accommodate a single cable chain segment. The extension guide groove 3 provides lateral guidance to the cable chain segment where the free end is located, allowing that segment of the cable chain to smoothly return to the main guide groove 2 along an arc. At the same time, the return bend located within the main guide groove 2 moves towards the end away from the extension guide groove 3 under the combined action of the rigidity of the cable chain itself and the side wall of the guide groove, causing the two cable chain segments to gradually retract and reset. In this way, the cable chain 4 maintains a single bend throughout the entire rotation process, and the position of the bend changes accordingly with the movement of the free end, thus preventing the cable chain 4 from becoming chaotic, coming off, or twisting during the large-angle opening and closing of the rotating bridge.

[0032] In another technical solution, the extension guide 3 is located on the inner arc side of the main guide 2, and the inner arc side upright plate of the extension guide 3 is flush with the inner arc side upright plate of the main guide 2. The fixed end of the cable chain 4 is set close to the outer arc side upright plate of the main guide 2. The inner arc side refers to the side of the main guide 2 near the rotation axis of the rotating bridge. By arranging the extension guide 3 on the inner arc side of the main guide 2 and aligning the inner arc upright plate of the extension guide 3 with the inner arc upright plate of the main guide 2, the cable chain segment returning after the cable chain 4 bends back can smoothly enter the extension guide 3 along the inner arc side, reducing lateral misalignment or jamming at the junction of the main guide 2 and the extension guide 3. The fixed end of the cable chain 4 is set close to the outer arc side upright plate of the main guide 2, so that after the cable chain 4 starts from the fixed end, it first extends along the outer arc side towards the end of the main guide 2 away from the extension guide 3, and then returns to the inner arc side after bending back. In this way, the inner and outer arc sides correspond to the cable chain segments where the fixed end and free end are located, respectively, making more reasonable use of space and facilitating the connection between the fixed end and the external fixed structure. At the same time, it makes the extended guide groove 3 closer to the rotation axis of the rotating bridge, resulting in a more compact overall configuration.

[0033] In another technical solution, the side of link 43 that abuts against the upright plate of the main guide groove 2 is arc-shaped, and the curvature of the arc-shaped side of link 43 matches the inner arc-shaped upright plate of the main guide groove 2. Specifically, the corresponding edge of the chain plate 431 in link 43 can be machined into an arc shape, for example, by stamping steel plate, laser cutting followed by grinding, or by using a mold to bend it, so that one side of the chain plate 431 along its length forms an arc-shaped profile with the same curvature as the inner arc-shaped upright plate of the main guide groove 2. After the cable chain 4 bends back within the main guide groove 2, link 43 will abut against the inner arc-shaped upright plate of the main guide groove 2, forming a well-fitting arc-shaped guiding fit between link 43 and the inner arc-shaped upright plate. This further improves the guiding stability and anti-deviation capability of the cable chain 4 during the arc-shaped rotation process.

[0034] In another technical solution, the chain link 43 includes two chain plates 431 arranged vertically opposite each other. Each chain plate 431 has two pin holes along its length. Two adjacent chain plates 431 are rotatably connected by a pin 432. Two support plates 433 are connected between the two chain plates 431. Several partition plates 434 are detachably connected between the two support plates 433 to form a wiring channel for separating the cables 8. The two chain plates 431 can be made of steel plates or engineering plastic sheets. The two pin holes can be opened at both ends of the chain plate 431 along its length. After the chain plates 431 of adjacent chain links 43 are aligned at the pin holes, they are inserted into the pin 432 to form a horizontal rotatable connection. The two support plates 433 can be arranged at intervals along the length of the chain link 43 and fixedly connected to the two chain plates 431 respectively. The fixing method can be bolt connection, welding, or snap-fit. An installation area is formed between the support plates 433. A partition plate 434 is detachably installed between the two support plates 433 via slots, sockets, or bolts, dividing the internal space between the upper and lower chain plates 431 into multiple wiring channels. Depending on the type and quantity of cables 8, several partition plates 434 can be installed, for example, to accommodate power cables, control signal lines, lighting cables, or monitoring cables respectively, isolating different cables within the cable chain 4 and preventing tangling and friction during rotation. The partition plate 434 uses a detachable connection method, facilitating disassembly and assembly operations during subsequent maintenance, adding lines, or replacing cables.

[0035] In another technical solution, a plurality of support rollers 5 are spaced apart on the bottom plates of the main guide groove 2 and the extended guide groove 3, corresponding to the position of the cable chain 4. The support rollers 5 support the bottom of the cable chain 4, and their axes are horizontally aligned and intersect the rotation axis of the rotating bridge. The bottom plates of the main guide groove 2 and the extended guide groove 3 can be made of steel plate, with mounting holes or welded support seats spaced apart along the running arc of the cable chain 4. The support rollers 5 can be steel shafts, mounted in the support seats on the bottom plate via bearing seats, bushings, or rolling bearings, allowing the support rollers 5 to rotate flexibly around their own axes. The axes of the support rollers 5 are horizontally aligned, and the axis of each support roller 5 extends radially, intersecting the rotation axis of the rotating bridge, so that the rolling direction of the support rollers 5 is consistent with the direction of the cable chain 4's arc movement. When the cable chain 4 moves within the main guide trough 2 and the extension guide trough 3, its bottom contacts the support roller shaft 5, which provides rolling support to the cable chain 4, reducing the sliding friction between the cable chain 4 and the base plate, and lowering the movement resistance and bottom wear of the cable chain 4. The support roller shaft 5 is arranged at intervals along an arc, and can be arranged either below two rows of cable chain sections in the main guide trough 2 or below a single row of cable chain sections in the extension guide trough 3, so that the cable chain 4 can obtain stable rolling support throughout the entire rotation path, improving the smoothness of the cable chain 4's operation.

[0036] In another technical solution, a row of pads 51 is also provided on the bottom plate of the main guide trough 2. The pads 51 are arranged along the central arc of the main guide trough 2 and are located between the two rows of drag chain segments formed after the drag chain 4 bends back. The top surface of the pads 51 is flush with the top of the support roller shaft 5. The pads 51 can be made of materials such as wear-resistant steel plate, nylon plate, or polytetrafluoroethylene plate, and are set along the arc extension direction of the main guide trough 2. The pads 51 can be a single integral arc-shaped plate or multiple short pads arranged in sequence to form a row. The pads 51 are installed on the bottom plate of the main guide trough 2 by bolt fixing, welding, or snap-fitting. The installation position is located in the middle area of ​​the width direction of the main guide trough 2, that is, in the gap between the two rows of drag chain segments formed after the drag chain 4 bends back. The top surface of the pad 51 is flush with the top of the support roller shaft 5. Its height can be adjusted by installing shims or adjusting bolts below the pad 51, or by machining steps on the base plate, ensuring that the top surface of the pad 51 is at the same level as the tops of the support roller shafts 5 on both sides. Since the bottom of the return bend of the cable chain 4 is located between two cable chain sections when it moves within the main guide groove 2, the pad 51 positioned there provides support to the bottom of the return bend. This prevents the return bend from sagging or deforming due to lack of support in the gap between adjacent support roller shafts 5, ensuring continuous support during movement, reducing vibration and localized stress concentration during cable chain 4 operation, and improving the smoothness of the cable chain 4's rotation within the main guide groove 2.

[0037] In another technical solution, a guiding component 7 is also included. The guiding component 7 includes a guiding member 74 located between the two rows of drag chains 4 after the bend. An arc-shaped outer plate 6 matching the curvature of the main guide groove 2 is installed on at least one of the inner arc side and the outer arc side. An arc-shaped guide rail 62 is installed on the arc-shaped outer plate 6. A slider part 71 is slidably engaged on the guide rail 62. A drive module 72 that drives the arc-shaped outer plate 6 is installed on the slider part 71. A bracket body 73 for supporting the guiding member 74 is also installed on the slider part 71. The drive module 72 drives the slider part 71 to move along the guide rail 62, so as to drive the bracket body 73 and the guiding member 74 to move along the arc, so that the guiding member 74 is always located between the traction arm 1 and the bend in the arc position.

[0038] The arc-shaped outer plate 6 can be made by cutting and bending steel plates, or by welding multiple arc-shaped plates together, and its curvature is consistent with that of the main channel 2. The arc-shaped outer plate 6 can be installed on the inner arc side or the outer arc side of the main channel 2, or it can be installed on both the inner arc side and the outer arc side simultaneously. The bottom of the arc-shaped outer plate 6 can be fixed to the support beam 11 by bolts or welding. The support beam 11 is installed on an external fixed structure, so that the arc-shaped outer plate 6 and the main channel 2 remain relatively stable. The guide rail 62 is provided along the upper surface of the arc-shaped outer plate 6 and can be fixed to the arc-shaped outer plate 6 by welding, bolting, or integral molding. The guide rail 62 is arc-shaped, and its direction is consistent with the arc of the main channel 2, and it is used to guide the slider part 71 to slide along the arc. The slider part 71 can be made of metal or engineering plastic material and is installed on the guide rail 62 by sliding fit, rolling fit, or ball bearing guide structure, so that the slider part 71 can move smoothly along the guide rail 62.

[0039] A drive module 72 is mounted on the slider section 71 and is used to drive the slider section 71 to move along the guide rail 62. The drive module 72 can be in the form of a drive motor combined with a transmission mechanism, such as a gear and rack drive, friction wheel drive, or synchronous belt drive. The drive module 72 forms a drive engagement with the arc-shaped outer plate 6. For example, a transmission structure that engages with the drive module 72 can be provided on the side or upper surface of the arc-shaped outer plate 6, thereby converting the driving force of the drive module 72 into the movement of the slider section 71 along the arc. A support body 73 is fixedly mounted on the slider section 71, with one end of the support body 73 extending between the two rows of cable chains 4. A guide member 74 is mounted on this end of the support body 73. The guide member 74 can be a roller, wheel, stop, or fork, etc., and is located in the gap area between the two rows of cable chains 4 after the bend, used to limit the lateral displacement of the cable chains 4 and the bending state near the bend.

[0040] During operation, the rotating bridge drives the free end of the cable chain 4 to move via the traction arm 1, and the return bend of the cable chain 4 moves accordingly within the main guide groove 2. Relying solely on the rigidity of the cable chain 4 makes it difficult to ensure that the return bend is always in the correct position and that the two rows of cable chain segments are smoothly aligned. At this time, the drive module 72 drives the slider 71 to move along the guide rail 62, causing the support body 73 and the guide member 74 to move along the arc direction, ensuring that the guide member 74 is always positioned between the traction arm 1 and the return bend. During its movement, the guide member 74 applies lateral guidance to the two rows of cable chain segments, causing the cable chain segment closer to the inner arc side of the return bend to abut against the inner arc side upright plate of the main guide groove 2, and the cable chain segment closer to the outer arc side to abut against the outer arc side upright plate of the main guide groove 2. This ensures that the two rows of cable chain segments remain stably aligned in the width direction of the main guide groove 2, reducing additional bending, deviation, or jamming of the cable chain 4 caused by the lag or offset of the return bend movement. The drive module 72 can be a servo motor or a stepper motor and is connected to the rotation control system of the rotary bridge. It controls the speed of the reduction motor according to the rotational angular velocity signal of the rotary bridge, so that the moving speed of the guide 74 along the arc matches the theoretical moving speed of the return bend, which is usually about half of the moving speed of the free end. This ensures that the guide 74 is always in a suitable position between the traction arm 1 and the return bend during the movement, further improving the movement stability of the drag chain 4 during the rotation process.

[0041] When the inner and outer arc sides of the main guide groove 2 are equipped with arc-shaped outer plates 6 and corresponding guide rails 62, sliders 71, and drive modules 72, the support body 73 can span two rows of cable chain sections, with its two ends connected to the sliders 71 located on both sides of the main guide groove 2, and the guide member 74 located between the two rows of cable chain sections. At this time, the drive modules 72 on both sides need to maintain synchronous movement to ensure that the guide member 74 moves smoothly along the arc, avoiding the guide member 74 from deflecting, jamming, or generating additional lateral force on the cable chain 4 due to inconsistent movement speeds on both sides. The synchronization of the drive modules 72 on both sides can be achieved by sending synchronous control signals to the drive modules 72 on both sides through the same controller, or by connecting the sliders 71 on both sides through a mechanical linkage structure, or by using a single motor to drive the transmission mechanisms on both sides simultaneously. When the arc-shaped outer plate 6 and drive module 72 are only set on one side, the support body 73 can adopt a cantilever structure. In this case, the rigidity of the support body 73 and the connection strength with the sliders 71 should be appropriately strengthened to ensure the positioning accuracy and operational stability of the guide member 74.

[0042] In another technical solution, the arc edge of the arc-shaped outer plate 6 is provided with a toothed belt 61 along the arc line, and the drive module 72 includes a reduction motor mounted on the slider part 71, and the output end of the reduction motor is equipped with a transmission gear 721 that meshes with the toothed belt 61.

[0043] The toothed belt 61 can be continuously arranged along the arc direction of the arc-shaped outer plate 6, or it can be formed by splicing multiple segments of toothed racks sequentially. The toothed belt 61 can be directly machined with teeth on the edge of the arc-shaped outer plate 6, or it can be an independent toothed rack part, fixed to the arc edge of the arc-shaped outer plate 6 by bolting, welding, or riveting. The tooth shape of the toothed belt 61 can be straight, helical, or arc-shaped, and the tooth pitch and module are determined according to the transmission load, running speed, and accuracy requirements of the guiding component 7. The toothed belt 61 is fixed to the arc-shaped outer plate 6 so that it can withstand the thrust or pull along the arc direction when the transmission gear 721 meshes.

[0044] The geared motor in the drive module 72 is mounted on the slider part 71 and can be directly fixed to the upper surface or side of the slider part 71 via the motor support 717, mounting flange, or bolts. The output shaft of the geared motor is arranged towards the toothed belt 61, and a transmission gear 721 is mounted at the end of the output shaft. The transmission gear 721 and the toothed belt 61 have the same module and tooth profile, and the two form a matching mesh. The transmission gear 721 can be fixed to the output shaft of the geared motor by means of key connection, set screw, set screw, or expansion sleeve to prevent slippage or loosening during transmission. After the geared motor is powered on, the output shaft drives the transmission gear 721 to rotate, and the transmission gear 721 meshes with the toothed belt 61, thereby driving the slider part 71 to move along the guide rail 62, and then driving the guide member 74 to move along an arc through the bracket body 73.

[0045] The drive system, employing a gear and toothed belt 61, effectively adapts to the arc of the outer curved plate 6, allowing the slider 71 to move smoothly along the arc-shaped guide rail 62. The geared motor can be a worm gear motor, planetary gear motor, or geared motor, or a servo motor or stepper motor can be used as the power source to control the movement speed of the guide component 74 based on the movement of the free end of the cable chain 4. In actual operation, by controlling the speed of the geared motor, the guide component 74 can be kept at a suitable position between the traction arm 1 and the return bend, providing continuous and stable guidance for the cable chain 4.

[0046] In another technical solution, the guide rail 62 is inverted L-shaped, including a guide rail vertical plate 621 and a guide rail horizontal plate 622 folded towards the toothed belt 61; the slider part 71 includes a lower slider 711 and an upper slider 712. The lower slider 711 has a horizontal part and a vertical part. Its horizontal part is located between the lower surface of the guide rail horizontal plate 622 and the upper surface of the arc-shaped outer plate 6, and contacts the lower surface of the guide rail horizontal plate 622 and the upper surface of the arc-shaped outer plate 6 respectively through a first ball bearing structure 713 and a second ball bearing structure 714; the upper slider 712 is horizontally arranged and connected to the vertical part of the lower slider 711. The lower surface of the upper slider 712 contacts the upper surface of the guide rail horizontal plate 622 through a third ball bearing structure 715; a plurality of limiting rollers 716 are also arranged downwardly at intervals on the upper slider 712. The limiting rollers 716 contact the side of the guide rail vertical plate 621 away from the toothed belt 61.

[0047] The guide rail upright plate 621 and the guide rail horizontal plate 622 can be integrally formed, for example, by bending steel plates to form an inverted L-shaped cross-section, or they can be processed separately and then connected by welding or bolts. The guide rail 62 extends along the arc direction of the arc-shaped outer plate 6, so both the guide rail upright plate 621 and the guide rail horizontal plate 622 are arc-shaped in the horizontal plane. During processing, profiles or plates can be bent using roll bending equipment, or they can be processed in sections and then spliced ​​to form a continuous arc-shaped guide rail. The material of the guide rail 62 can be wear-resistant steel, stainless steel, or surface-hardened alloy steel to reduce wear under long-term sliding or rolling friction.

[0048] The lower slider 711 has a horizontal section and a vertical section. It can be formed by bending a single sheet of material into an L-shaped structure, or by welding or bolting a horizontal plate and a vertical plate together. The horizontal section of the lower slider 711 is located between the lower surface of the guide rail horizontal plate 622 and the upper surface of the arc-shaped outer plate 6, and is used to bear the upward vertical load. The upper surface of the horizontal section contacts the lower surface of the guide rail horizontal plate 622 through a first ball bearing structure 713, and the lower surface of the horizontal section contacts the upper surface of the arc-shaped outer plate 6 through a second ball bearing structure 714. The first ball bearing structure 713 and the second ball bearing structure 714 can use rolling elements such as balls, rollers, or needle rollers, and are used in conjunction with a cage or raceway. Since the slider section 71 moves along the arc-shaped guide rail 62, the raceways of the first ball bearing structure 713 and the second ball bearing structure 714 can be set to be arc-shaped. For example, arc-shaped ball grooves can be machined on the upper and lower surfaces of the horizontal section of the lower slider 711, so that the rolling elements roll in the arc-shaped ball grooves, adapting to the curved movement of the slider section 71.

[0049] The upper slider 712 is horizontally positioned and connected to the vertical portion of the lower slider 711. The lower surface of the upper slider 712 contacts the upper surface of the guide rail horizontal plate 622 via a third ball bearing structure 715. The third ball bearing structure 715 is mainly used to bear the downward vertical load while reducing the sliding friction between the upper slider 712 and the guide rail horizontal plate 622. The third ball bearing structure 715 may include rolling elements such as balls, rollers, or needle rollers, and may be provided with a cage and raceways. For example, an arc-shaped ball groove or roller groove may be formed on the lower surface of the upper slider 712, and the rolling elements are arranged in the groove. When rollers are used, the rollers may be arranged along the arc-shaped roller groove, so that the rollers adapt to the movement of the slider portion 71 along the arc-shaped guide rail 62 during rolling. To further adapt to arc-shaped motion, the roller axis can be arranged according to the curvature of the arc trajectory, or the roller groove can be machined into an arc-shaped groove, allowing the roller to roll along the arc direction during movement, avoiding uneven wear or jamming caused by the mismatch between the straight roller groove and the arc-shaped motion. The contact area between the roller and the arc-shaped roller groove is large, and the load-bearing capacity is strong, making it suitable for the guide assembly 7 to operate for a long time in the outdoor environment of bridges.

[0050] The upper slider 712 is also equipped with several downwardly rotating limiting rollers 716 at intervals. These limiting rollers 716 contact the side of the guide rail plate 621 away from the toothed belt 61. The limiting rollers 716 can be mounted on the upper slider 712 via vertically arranged shafts, allowing them to rotate around a vertical axis. The limiting rollers 716 can employ rolling bearings or bushing structures, enabling them to roll along the side of the guide rail plate 621. When the slider 71 moves along the guide rail 62, the limiting rollers 716 contact the side of the guide rail plate 621 away from the toothed belt 61, providing a horizontal limit on the slider 71, preventing it from disengaging away from the guide rail plate 621, and avoiding direct sliding friction between the upper slider 712 and the guide rail plate 621. The limiting rollers 716 are spaced apart along an arc, providing continuous horizontal limiting at different positions, ensuring smooth movement of the slider 71 on the arc-shaped guide rail 62.

[0051] During assembly, the horizontal portion of the lower slider 711 can be first positioned between the lower surface of the guide rail horizontal plate 622 and the upper surface of the arc-shaped outer plate 6, and the first ball bearing structure 713 and the second ball bearing structure 714 can be installed at the corresponding contact surfaces. Then, the upper slider 712 is placed above the guide rail horizontal plate 622, with the third ball bearing structure 715 positioned between the lower surface of the upper slider 712 and the upper surface of the guide rail horizontal plate 622. The vertical portions of the upper slider 712 and the lower slider 711 are fixedly connected by bolts or welding, and finally, a limiting roller shaft 716 is installed on the upper slider 712. This structure allows the slider portion 71 to move stably along the inverted L-shaped guide rail 62, while simultaneously bearing vertical and horizontal loads and adapting to the curved movement of the arc-shaped guide rail 62.

[0052] In another technical solution, the guide member 74 includes two downwardly positioned rollers, each corresponding to one of the two rows of cable chains 4 after the back bend. The two rollers are spaced apart along the width direction of the main guide groove 2 and are located on the sides of the two rows of cable chain segments that are close to each other after the back bend. The upper end of each roller can be installed on the lower end of the support body 73, and the axis of the roller is vertically positioned so that it can extend downward into the area between the two rows of cable chain segments. The roller can be installed on the support body 73 by means of bushings, rolling bearings, or sliding bearings, so that the roller can rotate flexibly around its own axis. The shaft of the roller can be made of wear-resistant steel, stainless steel, engineering plastics, or steel core wrapped with nylon, polyurethane, etc., to reduce wear on the surface of the chain link 43. The distance between the two rollers can be determined according to the spacing between the two rows of cable chain segments, so that the rollers can provide lateral restraint and guidance to the corresponding cable chain segments during the movement of the cable chain 4, avoiding unnecessary lateral misalignment or close-to-each side between the two rows of cable chain segments. Because the rollers are vertically positioned and can rotate freely, when the cable chain 4 moves along an arc, relative movement occurs between the chain link 43 and the rollers. The rollers can rotate along with the movement of the chain link 43, reducing the frictional resistance between them. The guide member 74 is located in the cable chain section area between the traction arm 1 and the return bend. It constrains the two rows of cable chain sections through two rollers, keeping the cable chain 4 in a relatively stable parallel arrangement within the main guide groove 2, further improving the smoothness of the cable chain 4 during rotation.

[0053] Although embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed above, they are not limited to the applications listed in the specification and embodiments. They can be applied to various fields suitable for the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other modifications can be easily made. Therefore, without departing from the general concept defined by the claims and their equivalents, the present invention is not limited to the specific details and illustrations shown and described herein.

Claims

1. An arc-shaped cable protection device adapted to a large-radius circular rotating pedestrian bridge, characterized in that: include: The upper part of the traction arm (1) is fixedly connected to the rotating part of the rotating bridge; A drag chain (4) is used to thread cables (8). The drag chain (4) includes several links (43). Adjacent links (43) are rotatably connected by vertical pins (432). The free end of the drag chain (4) is installed at the lower end of the traction arm (1). The main groove (2) is installed on a fixed structure. The main groove (2) is arc-shaped and its curvature center is located on the axis of rotation of the rotating bridge. The width of the main groove (2) is greater than twice the width of the drag chain (4). The extended guide groove (3) is formed by extending horizontally outward along the same arc from one end of the main guide groove (2). The width of the extended guide groove (3) is less than twice the width of the drag chain (4), and one side plate of the extended guide groove (3) is aligned with the corresponding side plate of the main guide groove (2). The fixed end of the drag chain (4) is fixed to one end of the main guide groove (2) near the extension guide groove (3); The drag chain (4) maintains a single bend within the main guide groove (2) and forms a bend. The drag chains (4) on both sides of the bend are parallel in the width direction of the main guide groove (2). The bend is located within the main guide groove (2) and can move between the two ends of the main guide groove (2). The free end of the cable chain (4) extends from the bend and can move between the end of the main guide groove (2) away from the extension guide groove (3) and the end of the extension guide groove (3).

2. The arc-shaped cable protection device for a rotating pedestrian bridge with a large radius of circular rotation as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The extended guide groove (3) is located on the inner arc side of the main guide groove (2), the inner arc side plate of the extended guide groove (3) is aligned with the inner arc side plate of the main guide groove (2), and the fixed end of the drag chain (4) is set close to the outer arc side plate of the main guide groove (2).

3. The arc-shaped cable protection device for a rotating pedestrian bridge with a large radius of circular rotation as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The side of the link (43) that is against the vertical plate of the main guide groove (2) is arc-shaped, and the curvature of the arc side of the link (43) matches the inner arc side vertical plate of the main guide groove (2).

4. The arc-shaped cable protection device for a rotating pedestrian bridge with a large radius of circular rotation as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The link (43) includes two chain plates (431) arranged opposite each other. Each chain plate (431) has two pin holes along its length. The two adjacent chain plates (431) are rotatably connected by a pin (432). Two support plates (433) are connected between the upper and lower chain plates (431). Several partition plates (434) are detachably connected between the two support plates (433) to form a wiring channel for separating the cable (8).

5. The arc-shaped cable protection device for a rotating pedestrian bridge with a large radius of circular rotation as described in claim 1, characterized in that, On the bottom plates of the main guide groove (2) and the extended guide groove (3), a plurality of support roller shafts (5) are provided at intervals corresponding to the position of the drag chain (4). The support roller shafts (5) are used to support the bottom of the drag chain (4). The axis of the support roller shafts (5) is horizontally arranged and intersects with the axis of rotation of the rotating bridge.

6. The arc-shaped cable protection device for a rotating pedestrian bridge with a large radius of circular rotation as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The bottom plate of the main channel (2) is also provided with a row of pads (51). The pads (51) are arranged along the central arc of the main channel (2) and are located between the two rows of drag chain segments formed after the drag chain (4) bends back. The top surface of the pads (51) is flush with the top of the support roller shaft (5).

7. The arc-shaped cable protection device for a rotating pedestrian bridge with a large radius of circular rotation as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a guide assembly (7), which includes a guide member (74) located between the two rows of cable chains (4) after the bend. An arc-shaped outer plate (6) matching the curvature of the main guide groove (2) is installed on the exterior of at least one of the inner arc side and the outer arc side of the main guide groove (2). An arc-shaped guide rail (62) is installed on the arc-shaped outer plate (6), and a slider part (71) is slidably fitted on the guide rail (62). A component that matches the curvature of the main guide groove (2) is installed on the slider part (71). The arc-shaped outer plate (6) drives the drive module (72) to cooperate. The slider part (71) is also equipped with a bracket (73) for carrying the guide member (74). The drive module (72) drives the slider part (71) to move along the guide rail (62) so as to drive the bracket (73) and the guide member (74) to move along the arc, so that the guide member (74) is always located between the traction arm (1) and the return bend in the arc position.

8. The arc-shaped cable protection device for a rotating pedestrian bridge with a large radius of circular rotation as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The arc-shaped outer plate (6) has a toothed belt (61) along the arc edge. The drive module (72) includes a reduction motor mounted on the slider (71). The output end of the reduction motor is equipped with a transmission gear (721) that meshes with the toothed belt (61).

9. The arc-shaped cable protection device for a rotating pedestrian bridge with a large radius of circular rotation as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The guide rail (62) is inverted L-shaped, including a guide rail vertical plate (621) and a guide rail horizontal plate (622) folded towards the toothed belt (61); The slider part (71) includes a lower slider (711) and an upper slider (712). The lower slider (711) has a horizontal part and a vertical part. Its horizontal part is located between the lower surface of the guide rail horizontal plate (622) and the upper surface of the arc-shaped outer plate (6), and contacts the lower surface of the guide rail horizontal plate (622) and the upper surface of the arc-shaped outer plate (6) respectively through the first ball structure (713) and the second ball structure (714). The upper slider (712) is horizontally arranged and connected to the vertical part of the lower slider (711). The lower surface of the upper slider (712) contacts the upper surface of the guide rail horizontal plate (622) through the third ball structure (715). The upper slider (712) is also provided with a number of limiting rollers (716) that rotate downward at intervals. The limiting rollers (716) contact the side of the guide rail plate (621) away from the toothed belt (61).

10. The arc-shaped cable protection device for a rotating pedestrian bridge with a large radius of circular rotation as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The guide (74) includes two downwardly positioned rollers, each corresponding to one of the two columns of drag chains (4) after the bend.

Images