Fastening device and belt segment with such a fastening device

Abstract

The invention relates to a fastening device for connecting a belt segment to a machine, comprising a connecting element and a receiving device, wherein the belt segment has a base body with cables running longitudinally within the base body and arranged parallel to one another in the transverse direction, wherein the cables protrude in sections from at least one open end of the base body, wherein the connecting element has a shoulder and a clamping unit, wherein the clamping unit can be connected to at least some of the cables by means of clamping, wherein the receiving device is designed for the positive reception of the connecting element.The receiving device is designed in several parts and has at least two shells that can be connected to one another, wherein the inner contour of the shells has the outer contour of the connecting element, wherein the shells are connected to one another for the complete form-fitting reception of the connecting element.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a fastening device according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention further relates to a belt segment according to the preamble of claim 3. Furthermore, the invention relates to a linear drive according to claim 7 and a forklift truck according to claim 8.

[0002] Straps or strap segments used for lifting or pulling loads have long been known. For this purpose, straps or strap segments can be used that have an open end to which the load to be lifted or pulled can be attached. In this case, the open end of the strap or strap segment is traditionally looped around a part or portion of the load, such as a hook or similar item.

[0003] The loop or tab is typically formed by folding the open end of the strap or strap segment around the hook or similar device, so that the open end rests on a portion of the strap or strap segment, and the two portions are clamped together. This creates a force-locking connection.

[0004] The disadvantage here is that in many applications, the strap or strap segment must be passed through a closed opening before the loop can be formed. In these cases, the clamp connection, which must be able to safely support or pull the load, must be installed in sometimes very tight and difficult-to-access spaces. This complicates and increases the cost of installation and increases the risk of an improperly executed clamp connection.

[0005] GB 1 063 303 A describes a conveyor belt with a flexible rubber element and a longitudinally rigid end element arranged at each end thereof, the element being reinforced by a layer of elongated parallel rubber-coated cords swaged within the end element. The latter consist of rigid metal or nylon segments separated by and bonded to flexible rubber elements. The segments have a T-shaped cross-section drilled lengthwise along the belt to receive the ends of the cords. An array of these belts is formed by sliding an end element from each of two adjacent belts into opposite sides of a connecting element. The latter comprises a plurality of rigid segments separated by and bonded to flexible rubber elements. Each side of the element is formed with a U-shaped groove into which the T-shaped elements slide.

[0006] GB 712 116 A describes a fastening device for a belt having one or more reinforcing strands of, for example, wire, embedded in a sheath of resilient, flexible material such as rubber, balata, or a plasticized polyvinyl compound. The fastening device comprises male and female terminal elements attached to the reinforcing strands at adjacent ends of the belt. The male element comprises a socket for attachment to the end of the reinforcing strand by swaging or soldering, and a quarter-ended shank with a semicircular head. The female element has a similar socket, shank, and head contained within a housing.The ends of the heads of both the male and female elements have beveled surfaces that interlock when the two elements are pushed together, twisting the two elements relative to each other until each head snaps back behind the other as the strands return to a normally relaxed state, in which they must first be assembled. Thus, two ends of a belt or lengths of belt with opposing male and female connectors can be quickly connected by pressing the male and female elements together.

[0007] EP 2 776 737 B1 relates to an open belt or an open belt segment for lifting or pulling loads, with steel cables running essentially in the longitudinal direction of the open belt or the open belt segment and arranged essentially parallel to one another, wherein the open belt or the open belt segment has at least one open end with a fastening device which is connected to at least some of the steel cables by means of a clamp. The fastening device can be connected to a connecting element of a machine via a provided interface, for example a bore. Disadvantageously, the force is transmitted between the fastening device and the connecting element of the machine at specific points over a small area. This results in a locally high load or a high surface pressure in the connecting element.A reduction in surface pressure, which enables greater power transmission, can only be achieved by enlarging the connecting element as the interface between the belt fastening device and the machine in which the belt is installed. This, in turn, disadvantageously results in increased installation space requirements.

[0008] The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a fastening device for connecting a belt or belt segment to a machine that resolves the conflicting objectives between maximum force transmission and, at the same time, minimal installation space requirements. Additionally or alternatively, the force that can be transmitted by the fastening device should be increased.

[0009] This problem is solved by a fastening device having the features of independent claim 1. A further solution to the problem is achieved by a belt segment having the features of claim 3. Furthermore, the solution to the problem is achieved by a linear drive having the features of claim 7 and by a forklift having the features of claim 8.

[0010] Further advantageous embodiments are disclosed in the dependent claims, as well as in the general description and the embodiments.

[0011] The present application relates to a fastening device for connecting a belt segment to a machine, comprising a connecting element and a receiving device. The belt segment has a base body with cables extending longitudinally within the base body and arranged parallel to one another in the transverse direction, the cables protruding in sections from at least one open end of the base body. The connecting element has a shoulder and a clamping unit, the clamping unit being connectable to at least some of the cables by means of a clamp. The receiving device is designed for the positive reception of the connecting element.The receiving device is designed in several parts and has at least two shells that can be connected to one another, wherein the inner contour of the shells has the outer contour of the connecting element, wherein the shells are connected to one another for the complete form-fitting reception of the connecting element.

[0012] The invention is based on the discovery that the connection between the cables of a belt or belt segment, which are preferably designed as steel cables, and the clamping unit, which is preferably designed as a metallic body, can be achieved by clamping. For this purpose, the steel cables can be inserted into corresponding openings in the heel and the clamping unit. The openings of the clamping unit can then be compressed from the outside, narrowing their diameter or cross-section to such an extent that a force-locking clamping connection is created between the clamping unit and the cables.

[0013] The advantage is that the belt segment can be easily and quickly mounted on a load, within a machine or the like, or can be dismantled again to replace the belt segment. The receiving device can be reused regardless of wear and tear on the belt segment. The receiving device is advantageously designed to completely and positively receive the connecting element. In other words, the receiving device completely encloses the connecting element. The surface of the outer contour of the connecting element is in complete contact with the surface of the inner contour of the shells of the receiving device, so that the entire surface of the connecting element serves to positively transmit force between the connecting element and the receiving device. In particular, the reception of the heel in the receiving device can anchor the connecting element orof the connected belt segment in the direction of force transmission in the receiving device. The force can thus be transmitted over the largest possible force transmission surface between the connecting element and the receiving device, whereby the surface pressure is evenly distributed across the surface of the connecting element. This allows the connecting element or fastening device to be constructed more compactly overall while maintaining the same force transmission. Alternatively, the force transmission of the fastening device can be increased overall by enlarging the force transmission surface while maintaining the same size.

[0014] According to a further aspect of the present invention, the shoulder and the clamping unit have a plurality of openings for receiving the cables. The position or orientation of the cables can advantageously be predetermined by the individual openings. In other words, the individual openings ensure that the cables are arranged in the fastening device in the direction of force and cannot shift, for example, when the openings of the clamping unit are pressed shut. This ensures that the cables are loaded in their preferred direction, i.e., in the longitudinal direction.

[0015] The present invention also relates to a belt segment with a fastening device according to the invention, wherein the belt segment has a base body with cables running longitudinally within the base body and arranged parallel to one another in the transverse direction. The aforementioned properties and advantages of the fastening device can thus be transferred to the connection of a belt segment to a device or machine. When used as intended, the belt segment can be arranged to transmit power and / or movement between a drive motor and a horizontally and / or vertically movable, linearly displaceable carriage. The belt segment is preferably installed in a mast of a forklift truck or a storage and retrieval machine between a drive motor and a lifting platform.

[0016] According to a further aspect of the present invention, the base body comprises a polymeric material, preferably a polyurethane or an elastomer.

[0017] According to a further aspect of the present invention, the belt segment is a drive belt. Drive belts are known in a wide variety of designs. Examples of drive belts include toothed belts for positive power transmission, as well as V-belts and / or V-ribbed belts for non-positive power transmission.

[0018] According to a further aspect of the present invention, the drive belt has a longitudinally extending profile for guiding the drive belt in the transverse direction. A profile corresponding to the profile of the drive belt can be formed in at least one pulley or idler pulley engaging with the drive belt. By interlocking the profile of the drive belt with the corresponding profile of the pulley or idler pulley, the drive belt can be prevented from running off the pulley or idler pulley laterally. The profile can be arranged on the power-transmitting drive side of the drive belt or on the opposite back side of the drive belt. In the case of a V-ribbed belt or V-belt, the rib-shaped geometry as such alone can ensure the guidance of the drive belt in the transverse direction.

[0019] The present invention also relates to a linear drive with a belt segment according to the invention. The inventive solution can be particularly advantageous, particularly for linear drives for safety-relevant applications requiring a design with high safety factors, since the safety factor can be higher while maintaining the same power transmission. In other words, with the inventive solution, the maximum permissible power transmission does not have to be restricted in favor of meeting a safety factor.

[0020] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a forklift truck with a linear drive according to the invention. The aforementioned properties and advantages of the linear drive according to the invention can be transferred to application in a forklift truck.

[0021] Embodiments and further advantages of the invention are schematically illustrated and explained in more detail below in connection with the following figures. It shows Fig. 1 a perspective schematic representation of a connecting element of a fastening device according to the invention. Fig. 2 shows a perspective schematic representation of a belt segment or drive belt according to the invention with the connecting element from Fig. 1. Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of the belt segment or drive belt from Fig. 2 in a plan view, wherein the connecting element is inserted into a shell of a receiving device.

[0022] The description of the above figures is in Cartesian coordinates with a longitudinal direction X, a transverse direction Y perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X and a vertical direction Z perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction Y. The longitudinal direction X can also be referred to as depth X, the transverse direction Y as width Y and the vertical direction Z as height Z. The longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction Y together form the horizontal, X, Y, which can also be referred to as the horizontal plane X, Y. The longitudinal direction X, the transverse direction Y and the vertical direction Z can together also be referred to as spatial directions X, Y, Z or as Cartesian spatial directions X, Y, Z.

[0023] One in Fig. The connecting element 3 shown in Figure 1 has a first partial area, referred to as shoulder 7. The shoulder 7 is followed by a second partial area, referred to as the clamping unit 8. Preferably, the shoulder 7 and the clamping unit 8 are integrally formed, i.e., are made from a single solid body. The shoulder 7 and the clamping unit 8 have a plurality of openings 9. The openings 9 are formed as bores 9, which are arranged spaced apart from one another in a plane.

[0024] Fig. 2 shows a perspective schematic representation of a belt segment 2 according to the invention with the connecting element 3. The belt segment 2 is designed as a drive belt 2 and has a base body 5 made of an elastomeric material with steel cables 6 running in the longitudinal direction X and arranged parallel to one another in the transverse direction Y. The cables 6 protrude in sections from at least one open end of the base body 5. This area of ​​the cables 6 is used to connect the drive belt 2 to the connecting element 3 by inserting this area of ​​the cables 6 into the openings 9 of the connecting element 3 and clamping it there by deforming the clamping unit 8. The bores 9 arranged in the connecting element 3 each serve to accommodate a cable 6 of the drive belt 2. To connect the clamping unit 8 to the cables 6, a force can be exerted on the clamping unit 8 from the outside, so that the diameter orThe cross-section of the openings 9 is narrowed to such an extent that a force-locking clamping connection is created between the clamping unit 8 and the cables 6. The drive belt 2 has a profile 10 extending in the longitudinal direction X for guiding the drive belt 2 in the transverse direction Y in cooperation with a pulley or deflection roller (not shown).

[0025] Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of the belt segment 2 or drive belt 2 from Fig. 2 in a plan view, wherein the connecting element 3 is inserted into a shell of a receiving device 4. For schematic representation, the receiving device 4 is shown in the illustration of Fig.3 shown in section through plane X, Y in the form of a first half-shell. The inner contour of the receiving device 4 or the shell has the outer contour of the connecting element 3. By closing the receiving device 4 with a second half-shell, the connecting element 3 is completely received in a form-fitting manner by the receiving device 4. The surface of the outer contour of the connecting element 3 is in complete contact with the surface of the inner contour of the shells of the receiving device 4, so that the entire surface of the connecting element 3 serves for the form-fitting force transmission between the connecting element 3 and the receiving device 4. The force can thus be transmitted over the largest possible force transmission surface, whereby the surface pressure is evenly distributed over the surface of the connecting element 3.In particular, the inclusion of the shoulder 7 in the receiving device 4 ensures anchoring of the connecting element 3 or the drive belt 2 connected thereto in the receiving device 4 in the longitudinal direction X, which corresponds to the direction in which the power transmission takes place at least substantially. List of reference symbols (part of the description) 1 fastening device 2 belt segment, drive belt 3 Connecting element 4 Mounting device 5 basic bodies 6 rope 7 paragraph 8 clamping unit 9 Opening, bore 10 Profiling X longitudinal direction; depth Y transverse direction; width Z vertical direction; height X, Y horizontals; horizontal plane 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] GB 1 063 303 A

[0005] GB 712 116 A

[0006] EP 2 776 737 B1

[0007]

Claims

[1] Fastening device (1) for connecting a belt segment (2) to a machine, comprising a connecting element (3) and a receiving device (4), wherein the belt segment (2) has a base body (5) with cables (6) running in the longitudinal direction (X) within the base body (5) and arranged parallel to one another in the transverse direction (Y), wherein the cables (6) protrude in sections from at least one open end of the base body (5), wherein the connecting element (3) has a shoulder (7) and a clamping unit (8), wherein the clamping unit (8) can be connected to at least some of the cables (6) by means of clamping, wherein the receiving device (4) is designed for the positive reception of the connecting element (3), characterized bythat the receiving device (4) is designed in several parts and has at least two shells which can be connected to one another, wherein the inner contour of the shells has the outer contour of the connecting element (3), wherein the shells are connected to one another for the complete form-fitting reception of the connecting element (3). [2] Fastening device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the shoulder (7) and the clamping unit (8) have a plurality of openings (9) for receiving the ropes (6). [3] Belt segment (2) with a fastening device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the belt segment (2) has a base body (5) with cables (6) running in the longitudinal direction (X) within the base body (5) and arranged parallel to one another in the transverse direction (Y). [4] Belt segment (2) according to claim 3, wherein the base body (5) comprises a polymeric material, preferably a polyurethane or an elastomer. [5] Belt segment (2) according to one of claims 3 or 4, wherein the belt segment (2) is a drive belt (2). [6] Belt segment (2) according to claim 5, wherein the drive belt (2) has a profiling (10) extending in the longitudinal direction (X) for guiding the drive belt in the transverse direction (Y). [7] Linear drive with a belt segment (2) according to one of claims 3 to 6. [8] Forklift truck with a linear drive according to claim 7.

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