Stepping stone

Abstract

The invention relates to a separating web (20a, 20b) for a chain link (10, 10') of an energy guide chain, wherein the chain link (10, 10') has two side links (12) arranged at a distance from one another and detachably connected to one another by means of an upper and a lower frame web (14a, 14b) and encloses a section of a guide channel (16) for receiving supply lines, with a base body (24) which has fastening parts (26) for detachably fastening to the upper and lower frame webs (14a, 14b) and at least one receiving groove (28) for receiving a shelf (22), which leads to a first narrow side (30) extending between the fastening parts (26) and to a second narrow side (30) extending between the fastening parts (26) and facing away from the first narrow side (30). narrow side (32) extending first broad side (34) is open.According to the invention, it is provided that the at least one receiving groove (28) is closed to the second narrow side (32) and that a closing element (40) is arranged in the base body (24), which closing element is displaceable between a closed position in which it closes the at least one receiving groove (28) to the first narrow side (30), and a release position in which it releases the at least one receiving groove (28) to the first narrow side (30).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a separating web for a chain link of an energy guiding chain according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Dividers are used to divide the interior of a chain link of an energy guiding chain, which forms a section of a guide channel for supply lines, so that the guide channel is divided into sub-channels when all or at least some of the chain links are equipped with dividers. A further division into sub-channels is achieved by connecting shelves to the dividers. The shelves then run perpendicular to the dividers and essentially parallel to the frame webs, while the dividers are arranged perpendicular to the frame webs and essentially parallel to the side links. In order to be able to design the guide channel of an energy guiding chain flexibly, both the shelves are detachably connected to the dividers and the dividers are detachably inserted into the chain links. Various designs for attaching the shelves to the dividers are known.For example, a divider of the type mentioned above is known from WO 2022 / 049091 A1. This divider has receiving grooves for shelves, each of which is open towards the narrow sides of the base body. To secure the shelves in the receiving grooves, a locking slide is provided, which is housed centrally in the base body and has locking elements for engaging in recesses in the shelves.

[0003] It is the object of the invention to further develop a separating web of the type mentioned at the outset in such a way that it is simpler in construction and / or easier to handle.

[0004] This object is achieved according to the invention by a separating web having the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0005] The invention is based on the idea of ​​creating a simple mounting option for shelves on the divider by inserting them into the receiving groove(s) via the first narrow side. An end section of a shelf received in a receiving groove from slipping out towards the first narrow side is prevented by the receiving groove on the first narrow side being closed by the locking element. When the shelf is inserted into the receiving groove, the groove is released on the first narrow side by the locking element being moved into the release position. A second end of the shelf can be received in the same way in a receiving groove of an identical or similar divider or can be attached to a divider or a side link of the chain link in another way so that it cannot fall out of the receiving groove towards the first wide side in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extent of the receiving groove.The end of the shelf is arranged in the relevant receiving groove between two locking points, whereby the first locking point on the first narrow side is formed by the locking element and the second locking point on the second narrow side is formed by an end surface of the receiving groove closed there.

[0006] The at least one receiving groove is expediently closed off by a boundary wall to a second broad side running at a distance from the first broad side between the first and second narrow sides. According to an advantageous development of the invention, the base body has, for at least one and preferably for each receiving groove, on the side of the boundary wall facing away from this, a further receiving groove delimited by the boundary wall, which is closed off to the second narrow side and can be closed off to the first narrow side by means of the closing element. This allows shelves to be inserted into the divider on both sides of the divider. The base body is expediently designed to be mirror-symmetrical with respect to a central plane running through the boundary wall.

[0007] It is possible for the base body to have only one receiving groove. However, to allow for more flexible use of the divider, it is preferred that the base body have several receiving grooves extending between the first and second narrow sides, closed to the second narrow side, and closable to the first narrow side by means of the locking element. Each receiving groove can accommodate one of the ends of a shelf.

[0008] The locking element is expediently movable from the closed position to the release position against a restoring force. The restoring force prevents unintentional opening or release of the receiving groove on the first narrow side. The return spring is preferably a leaf spring. Furthermore, it is preferred that the locking element has a guide section slidably guided in the base body and, for each receiving groove and optionally for each additional receiving groove, a locking section firmly connected to the guide section. Preferably, each locking section has a ramp facing the first narrow side and rising from it, so that insertion of the shelf into the relevant receiving groove via the first narrow side is facilitated.

[0009] The locking element is advantageously made in one piece and preferably from plastic. In particular, the return spring and / or the locking elements are integrally formed on the guide section. It is also preferred that the base body be made in one piece and preferably from plastic. These measures simplify the production of the locking element or the base body.

[0010] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown schematically in the drawing. Fig. 1 a chain link for an energy chain viewed in the longitudinal direction of the chain; Fig. 2 a section of an alternative chain link of an energy chain in perspective view; Fig. 3a, Fig. 3b, Fig. 3c shows the process of removing a shelf from a receiving groove of a divider according to a first embodiment; Fig. 4a a divider according to a second embodiment with two partially shown shelves; Fig. 4b the divider according to Fig. 4a without shelves in a front view and Fig. 4c the divider according to Fig. 4b in section along line BB.

[0011] The drawing shows Fig. 1 a chain link 10 of an energy chain and in Fig. 2 shows a detail of an alternative chain link 10'. Each of the chain links has two side links 12 and, connecting the side links 12 and detachably connected to them, an upper frame web 14a and a lower frame web 14b. The side links 12 and the frame webs 14a, 14b enclose a section of a guide channel 16 for supply lines. To form an energy guide chain, the side links 12 are pivotally connected to the side links of another, possibly identical, chain link in a limited manner.

[0012] To divide the guide channel 16 into sub-channels 18, which can have different sizes, the chain link 10 has two separating webs of the first type 20a and two separating webs of the second type 20b as well as several shelves 22, while the chain link 10' according to Fig. 2 in the section shown has two dividers of the first type 20a and two shelves 22.

[0013] The first type of dividers 20a comprise a base body 24 having fastening sections 26 for fastening to the upper and lower frame webs 14a, 14b, and a plurality of receiving grooves 28, seven in the present embodiment, for receiving end regions of the shelf boards 22. The receiving grooves 28 are open toward a first narrow side 30 of the base body 24 and closed toward a second narrow side 32 facing away from the first narrow side 30. The narrow sides 30, 32 each extend between the fastening sections 26. Furthermore, the receiving grooves 28 are open toward a first broad side 34 running between the narrow sides 30, 32 and closed by means of a boundary wall 38 toward a second broad side 36 running at a distance from the first broad side 34 between the narrow sides 30, 32.In addition, the separating web of the first type 20a has a closing element 40 for closing the receiving grooves 28 on the first narrow side 30, which has a guide section 42 which is slidably received in the base body 24 and, for each of the receiving grooves 28, a closing section 44 which is firmly connected to the guide section 42. The closing sections 44 close the respective receiving groove 28 to the first narrow side 30 at a first closing point, while the receiving groove 28 to the second narrow side 32 is closed by a rear wall 46 of the base body 24 at a second closing point. By pressing down on a handle 48 which is firmly connected to the guide section 42 against the force of a leaf spring designed as a leaf spring, not shown in detail in the illustration of the separating web of the first type 20a, but in conjunction with the illustration of the separating web of the second type 20b in . Fig. 4c, the locking element 40 can be actuated by a return spring 50 shown in Fig. 3a shown closed position into a release position according to Fig. 3b, in which the closing parts 44 disappear in the base body 24 and release the receiving grooves 28 towards their first narrow side 30, so that the shelf received in the receiving groove 28 can be removed towards the first narrow side 30, as in Fig. 3b, Fig. 3c. The handle 48 is then released, and the return spring 50 returns the locking element 40 to the closed position (cf. Fig. 3a). The insertion of a shelf 22 into the receiving groove 28 occurs in the reverse direction, with ramps 52 of the locking sections 44 facing the first narrow side 30 and rising from it facilitating the insertion of the shelf 22 into the receiving groove 28. Both the base body 24 and the locking element 40 are made of a single piece of plastic.

[0014] The second type of separator 20b is essentially identical in structure and function to the first type of separator 20a and differs from it only in the following features. On the side of the boundary wall 38 facing away from the receiving grooves 28, a further receiving groove 54 of identical shape is arranged in the base body 24 at the same height as each receiving groove 28, so that the base body 24 is mirror-symmetrical with respect to a center plane running through the boundary wall 38. The further receiving grooves 54 are also open towards the first narrow side 30 and closed towards the second narrow side 32. In the second type of separator 20b, the closing element 40 also has a closing section 44 for each further receiving groove 54, which is identical in shape to the corresponding closing section 44 that serves to close the opposite receiving groove 28.

[0015] For chain link 10' according to Fig. 2, two first-type dividers 20a are arranged approximately centrally between the frame webs 14a, 14b, with the first narrow sides 30 pointing in the same direction and the first broad sides 34 facing each other, so that the receiving grooves 28 are open in the same direction. The first-type dividers 20a are arranged at such a distance from each other that the ends of the shelves 22 engage in a receiving groove 28 of one divider 20a and in a receiving groove 28 arranged at the same height in the other divider 20a, so that they cannot slip out of the receiving groove 28 in the direction of the respective first broad side 34. The shelves 22 can only be removed via the first narrow sides 30 of the base bodies 24 when the locking elements 40 are brought into the release position.

[0016] For chain link 10 according to Fig.1, a first-type divider 20a is arranged adjacent to each side member 12, while two second-type dividers 20b are arranged approximately centrally between the frame members 14a, 14b. The first-type dividers 20a are arranged such that the respective boundary wall 38 is associated with the adjacent side member 12. Here, too, the dividers 20a, 20b are spaced apart from one another such that the shelves 22 can only be removed at the first narrow sides 30. Receiving grooves 28 or further receiving grooves 54 of adjacent dividers 20a, 20b are located opposite one another at the same height, so that the shelves 22 are received with a first end section in one divider 20a, 20b and with their other end section in the adjacent divider 20a, 20b.

[0017] In summary, the following can be stated: The invention relates to a separating web 20a, 20b for a chain link 10, 10' of an energy guide chain, wherein the chain link 10, 10' has two side links 12 arranged at a distance from one another and detachably connected to one another by means of an upper and a lower frame web 14a, 14b and encloses a section of a guide channel 16 for receiving supply lines, with a base body 24 which has fastening parts 26 for detachable fastening to the upper and lower frame webs 14a, 14b and at least one receiving groove 28 for receiving a shelf 22, which leads to a first narrow side 30 extending between the fastening parts 26 and to a second narrow side 32 extending from the first narrow side 30 to a second narrow side 32 extending between the fastening parts 26 and facing away from the first narrow side 30 running first broadside 34 is open.According to the invention, it is provided that the at least one receiving groove 28 is closed to the second narrow side 32 and that a closing element 40 is arranged in the base body 24, which is displaceable between a closed position in which it closes the at least one receiving groove 28 to the first narrow side 30, and a release position in which it releases the at least one receiving groove 28 to the first narrow side 30. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] WO 2022 / 049091 A1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Separating web for a chain link (10, 10') of an energy guide chain, wherein the chain link (10, 10') has two side links (12) arranged at a distance from one another and detachably connected to one another by means of an upper and a lower frame web (14a, 14b) and encloses a section of a guide channel (16) for receiving supply lines, with a base body (24) which has fastening parts (26) for detachably fastening to the upper and lower frame webs (14a, 14b) and at least one receiving groove (28) for receiving a shelf (22), which extends to a first narrow side (30) extending between the fastening parts (26) and to a first narrow side (32) extending from the first narrow side (30) to a second narrow side (32) extending between the fastening parts (26) and facing away from the first narrow side (30). broadside (34) is open, characterized bythat the at least one receiving groove (28) is closed to the second narrow side (32) and that a closing element (40) is arranged in the base body (24), which is displaceable between a closed position in which it closes the at least one receiving groove (28) to the first narrow side (30), and a release position in which it releases the at least one receiving groove (28) to the first narrow side (30). [2] Divider according to claim 1, characterized by that the at least one receiving groove (28) is closed by means of a boundary wall (38) to a second broad side (36) extending at a distance from the first broad side (34) between the first and the second narrow side (30, 32). [3] Divider according to claim 2, characterized bythat the base body (24) has, for at least one and preferably for each receiving groove (28), on the side of the boundary wall (38) facing away from this, a further receiving groove (54) delimited by the boundary wall (38), which is closed to the second narrow side (32) and can be closed to the first narrow side (32) by means of the closing element (40). [4] Divider according to claim 3, characterized by that the base body (24) is mirror-symmetrical with respect to a center plane passing through the boundary wall (38). [5] Divider according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the base body (24) has a plurality of receiving grooves (28) extending between the first and the second narrow side (30, 32), closed to the second narrow side (32) and closable to the first narrow side (30) by means of the closing element (40). [6] Divider according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the closing element (40) is movable against a restoring force from the closed position into the release position. [7] Divider according to claim 6, characterized by that the closing element (40) has a return spring (50) which applies the return force and is supported against the base body (24). [8] Divider according to claim 7, characterized by that the return spring (50) is a leaf spring. [9] Divider according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the closing element (40) has a guide part (42) which is displaceably guided in the base body (24) and a closing part (44) which is firmly connected to the guide part (42) for each receiving groove (28) and optionally for each further receiving groove (54). [10] Divider according to claim 9, characterized by that each closing section (44) has a run-up slope (52) facing the first narrow side (30) and rising from this. [11] Divider according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the closing element (40) is made in one piece and preferably from plastic. [12] Divider according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the base body (24) is made in one piece and preferably from plastic. [13] Chain link for an energy guide chain, which has two side links (12) arranged at a distance from one another and detachably connected to one another by means of an upper and a lower frame web (14a, 14b) and which encloses a section of a guide channel (16) for receiving supply lines and which has at least one separating web (20a, 20b) according to one of the preceding claims, the fastening parts (26) of which are detachably connected to the upper and the lower frame web (14a, 14b), wherein a shelf (22) is received in the at least one receiving groove (28) with one of its ends between the first narrow side (30) and the second narrow side (32). [14] Chain link according to claim 13, characterized by that the shelf (22) extends in the receiving groove (28) between a first closing point formed by the closing element (40) up to a second closing point on the second narrow side (32). [15] Chain link according to claim 13 or 14, characterized by that it has at least two separating webs (20a, 20b) according to one of claims 1 to 12 and that at least one shelf (22) is received with a first end in a receiving groove (28) of one separating web (20a, 20b) and with its second end in a receiving groove (28) or a further receiving groove (54) of the other separating web (20a, 20b).

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