Cable routing device as well as side flap and link therefor

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a side tab for a link for a cable guidance device, a link for a cable guidance device and a cable guidance device.

[0002] Cable management devices are known from the prior art, with which cables and / or hoses can be guided between bodies that are movable relative to each other.

[0003] Cable guides typically form a loop consisting of an upper run, a deflection section, and a lower run. The upper and lower runs merge into each other via the deflection section. There are so-called cantilevered cable guides, in which the upper and lower runs do not touch each other. There are also cable guides in which the upper run rests on the lower run. In this case, when the cable guide is moved, the upper run slides over the lower run. This sliding is made more difficult by friction. Furthermore, the sliding often leads to wear on the cable guide chain. Therefore, cable guides are known in which the sliding is facilitated by rollers. One such cable guide is known, for example, from EP 2 549 144 A1. However, in this design, the rollers of the upper and lower runs can collide.This can lead to shocks that cause the cable routing devices to vibrate unintentionally.

[0004] Based on this, the present invention aims to overcome, at least partially, the problems known from the prior art and, in particular, to provide a cable guidance device in which the upper and lower runs can be moved relative to each other with particularly low friction and vibration. Furthermore, a link for such a cable guidance device and a side plate for such a link are to be provided.

[0005] These problems are solved by the features of the independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims. The features listed individually in the dependent claims can be combined in a technologically meaningful way and can define further embodiments of the invention. In addition, the features specified in the claims are further specified and explained in the description, which also presents further preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0006] According to the invention, a side tab for a link for a cable guidance device according to claim 1 is presented.

[0007] The side tab is suitable for being part of a link in a cable guidance device. A cable guidance device serves to guide lines such as cables and / or hoses between bodies that are movable relative to each other. The cables are protected by the cable guidance device, particularly from excessive bending. The cable guidance device is preferably formed from a plurality of links. At least some of these links preferably have at least one side tab designed as described. The described side tab is particularly suitable for a cable guidance device that has a loop consisting of an upper run, a deflection section, and a lower run, wherein the upper run can rest against the lower run (except for a gap formed by the rollers).The deflection area is defined as the portion of the cable guide that is not in contact with any other part of the cable guide. In this definition, the entire upper and lower runs are in contact with each other. During operation of the cable guide, the upper and lower runs can move past each other. This movement is facilitated by rolling, so the movement can be described as a rolling motion. Compared to simple sliding, a rolling motion has the advantage of lower friction and reduced wear.

[0008] The rollers are provided in the side tabs of the links. The side tabs of the links of a cable guide are preferably arranged such that the side tabs form one or more side tab strands. A side tab strand is a series of side tabs along a direction of propagation of the cable guide. Preferably, all links have the same number of side tabs. If each link has exactly one side tab, the side tabs of the links form exactly one side tab strand. If each link has two side tabs, two side tab strands are formed: each first side tab of the links is part of a first side tab strand, and each second side tab of the links is part of a second side tab strand. If each link has more than two side tabs, more than two side tab strands are formed accordingly.

[0009] The described side plate has a tread and a roller. If a link has exactly one side plate, this plate has a tread and a roller. The link therefore has one tread and one roller. If the link has two side plates, each of these side plates preferably has its own tread and one roller. The link therefore has two treads and two rollers. It is also possible for the link to have one side plate with a tread and a roller and one side plate without a tread and / or without a roller. In this case, the link has two side plates, but only one tread and / or only one roller. The same applies to links with more than two side plates.

[0010] The rollers of the cable guide links can roll on the running surface: rollers of the upper run links can roll on the running surfaces of the lower run links, and rollers of the lower run links can roll on the running surfaces of the upper run links. The rollers and running surfaces of the deflection section links remain unused. It should be noted, however, that whether a link belongs to the upper run, the deflection section, or the lower run depends on the position of the cable guide link. For example, in one position of the cable guide link, a link may be part of the deflection section, meaning that one roller and one running surface of this link are unused.In a second position of the guide system, the considered link can, for example, be part of the lower run, so that the roller of the considered link can roll on the running surface of links of the upper run and that rollers of links of the upper run can roll on the running surface of the considered link.

[0011] The running surface of the described side tab is formed on the longitudinal edge of the side tab. The longitudinal edge of the side tab is a surface that runs parallel to the longitudinal direction of the side tab. The side tab is preferably designed such that, when the side tab is used as intended, its longitudinal direction runs along the direction of propagation of the conductor. The side tabs of a side tab string are preferably assembled in the longitudinal direction of the side tabs. This means that a side tab of an adjacent link is attached to each of two longitudinally opposite sides of a side tab.

[0012] The running surfaces of the side links, which together form a side link strand, create a running surface for this side link strand. The running surface of the side link strand can be considered a single running surface or—equally—composed of the running surfaces of the individual side links. The description that the rollers of the lower run links roll on running surfaces of the upper run links is therefore equivalent to the description that the rollers of the lower run links roll on the running surface of the corresponding side link strand in the upper run.

[0013] The running surface of a side-link section extends over the entire length of the cable guide. Rollers can roll on the entire running surface. However, not every roller can utilize the entire running surface. The rollers of the lower run links can only utilize the running surface of the upper run links; the rollers of the upper run links can only utilize the running surface of the lower run links; the rollers of the deflection section links cannot utilize the running surface at all. Even if the assignment of links to the upper run, deflection section, and lower run is variable, a deflection section with a minimum dimension is always present between the lower and upper runs. Accordingly, a roller can never utilize the running surface of its own link or of one or, potentially, even several of its adjacent links.

[0014] If the cable guide has exactly one set of side plates, there is exactly one running surface on which the rollers can roll. If the cable guide has multiple sets of side plates, the rollers in the side plates of the first set of side plates can roll on the running surface of the first set of side plates, and the rollers in the side plates of the second set of side plates can roll on the running surface of the second set of side plates. The same applies if the cable guide has more than two sets of side plates.

[0015] The roller of the described side plate is mounted on the axle in such a way that the roller is movable transversely to the running surface of the side plate. This corresponds to a change in the distance between the axle and the running surface. The distance between the axle and the running surface is the shortest distance between the axle and the running surface. Since the axle and the running surface are parallel to each other, the distance is the same at different points on the axle and the running surface, respectively. The distance is therefore defined perpendicular to both the running surface and the axle.

[0016] The roller is preferably rigidly mounted to the axle. Consequently, any movement of the axle is accompanied by a movement of the roller. The roller is preferably rigid in design. The rolling surface of the roller therefore moves parallel to the axle. Alternatively, it is preferred that the roller be at least partially flexible. This allows for even greater shock absorption.

[0017] The axle is arranged parallel to the running surface and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the side plate. One rolling direction of the roller is therefore parallel to the longitudinal direction of the side plate. The arrangement of the axle relative to the running surface and the longitudinal direction refers to a normal state in which the roller is not subjected to any external forces. The axle of the roller can be held within the side plate in such a way that the roller can be tilted by the application of an external force. For example, the axle of the roller can be held in place by dampers within the side plate. This allows the axle to be tilted relative to the running surface and / or the longitudinal direction. However, this does not affect the described definition of the arrangement of the axle relative to the running surface and the longitudinal direction, because this definition refers to the normal state.

[0018] The roller protrudes from the running surface, at least in the first position. The roller is therefore positioned in the side flap in such a way that, in the first position, part of the roller is located outside the side flap, extending beyond the running surface of the side flap.

[0019] When a roller from the upper run and a roller from the lower run collide during the cable guidance system's operation, the damped variability of the rollers' distance to the running surface can prevent or at least dampen an impact. This is because the damped movement allows the distance between the running surface of the upper run and the running surface of the lower run to remain constant or at least to change only slightly when the rollers collide. For example, in the normal state, the rollers may be in their first position, i.e., protruding from the running surface. The normal state is particularly likely to exist as long as no two rollers collide. If two rollers collide, both can be moved into their respective running surfaces in such a way that neither roller protrudes from the surface anymore, or only to a lesser extent.Alternatively, one of the two rollers can remain unchanged, and the other roller can be moved into its respective running surface in such a way that it no longer protrudes, or only protrudes a small portion of, the surface. The movement of the two rollers, or of the single roller, into the running surface is preferably precisely such that the distance between the two running surfaces remains constant when the rollers meet. For example, both rollers can be moved into their respective running surfaces so that they protrude only half as far as in their normal state. Alternatively, one of the two rollers can be moved completely into its respective running surface, so that it no longer protrudes at all. The other roller can remain in the first position.

[0020] When two rollers collide, there is either no impact or only a weakened one. This prevents or reduces vibrations in the cable guide system. The reduction of vibrations goes beyond mere damping of the rollers. This is because the described damped movement of the rollers is particularly important when two rollers collide. Simple damping aims to compensate for impacts caused by unevenness in a running surface. These unevennesses can be of any kind. The case where two equally mobile rollers collide is more specific, because the goal is not simply to compensate for any arbitrary unevenness.

[0021] The variability of the distance between the running surface and the axle is limited to the first position of the roller and to a second position of the roller.

[0022] The roller can only move between the first and second positions, not beyond either. This limitation can be achieved by stops. For example, if the axle is spring-mounted, limiting the roller's movement can prevent the springs from being overloaded.

[0023] In the second position, the roller protrudes from the running surface.

[0024] The roller therefore protrudes from the running surface in both the first and second positions. The movement of the roller perpendicular to the running surface is thus limited to the degree to which this protrusion is variable. Such limited mobility of the roller reduces the design complexity. This limited mobility is also sufficient. Ultimately, the damped movement of the gap between the axle and the running surface primarily serves to prevent or mitigate impacts when two rollers collide. The extent by which the individual rollers must be moved for this purpose is limited. For example, the height of a gap between the upper and lower runs can be kept constant by pressing two colliding rollers into their respective side flanges by half the height of this gap.Should any unevenness on the running surface need to be compensated for, it would be preferable for the roller to not protrude from the running surface in the second position. However, cable management systems typically do not experience contamination or damage that would necessitate such pronounced damping. Therefore, it is sufficient that the individual rollers can be pressed slightly into the side tabs. It is not necessary for the rollers to be able to be pressed completely into the side tabs.

[0025] According to a preferred embodiment of the side flap, the distance between the running surface and the axis in the first position of the roller is 0.5% to 10% smaller than in the second position of the roller.

[0026] The roller diameter is defined perpendicular to the roller's axis. For a deformable roller, the roller diameter is defined in the normal state, where no external force acts on the roller. The variability of the distance between the axle and the running surface is defined with respect to this roller diameter. The roller diameter can be measured, in particular, along the direction in which the axle, and thus the roller, can move. The roller can be moved in this direction by 0.5 to 10% of its dimension. This is sufficient to avoid or at least mitigate impacts when two rollers collide. Greater axle mobility and a correspondingly greater design complexity are unnecessary. Consequently, the design of the side plate in the present embodiment is particularly simple.

[0027] According to a further preferred embodiment, the side flap has a roller holder in which the roller is mounted and which is held in a receptacle of the side flap by means of a damping device.

[0028] The side flap has a recess in which the roller holder is accommodated. The recess is preferably larger than the roller holder such that the roller can be moved transversely to the running surface between the first position and the second position by moving the roller holder within the recess.

[0029] The roll holder is held in the receptacle by the damping device. In this respect, the roll holder is movable within the receptacle with damping. The roll is preferably mounted in the roll holder such that the axis of the roll can move with the roll holder. Consequently, the roll can also be moved by the movement of the roll holder.

[0030] The roller can be mounted on the roller holder, for example, by arranging a first part of the roller holder on a first side of the roller and a second part of the roller holder on a second side of the roller opposite the first side. In this case, the axis preferably extends from the first part of the roller holder through the roller to the second part of the roller holder.

[0031] According to another preferred embodiment of the side tab, the roller holder has a first stop which, in the first position of the roller, touches an edge of the receptacle, thereby limiting the variability of the distance between the running surface and the axis.

[0032] According to another preferred embodiment of the side tab, the roller holder has a second stop which, in the second position of the roller, touches an edge of the receptacle, thereby limiting the variability of the distance between the running surface and the axis.

[0033] The preferred embodiment is a combination of these two designs. The roller holder has both the first stop and the second stop.

[0034] The roller holder can be moved within the receptacle to allow for adjustment of the distance between the running surface and the axle. Preferably, the roller can only be moved between the first and second positions, but not beyond either position. This limitation is achieved by the corresponding stop. If the roller holder abuts the edge of the receptacle, the roller holder, and consequently the roller, cannot be moved further. In the first position, the first stop contacts the edge of the receptacle, and / or in the second position, the second stop contacts the edge of the receptacle. The first stop contacts a different part of the receptacle's edge in the first position than the second stop does in the second position.

[0035] The first stop is preferably formed by a first side of the roller holder facing the running surface. If the roller holder has a first part on the first side of the roller and a second part on the second side of the roller, the first stop is preferably formed by a first side of the first part facing the running surface and a first side of the second part facing the running surface. The first stop therefore need not be a single, continuous surface, but can also be composed of several sections, which may be separated from each other, in particular, by the roller.

[0036] Accordingly, the second stop is preferably formed by a second side of the roller holder facing away from the running surface. If the roller holder has a first part on the first side of the roller and a second part on the second side of the roller, the second stop is preferably formed by a second side of the first part facing away from the running surface and a second side of the second part facing away from the running surface. The second stop therefore need not be formed as a continuous surface, but can also be composed of several sections, which may be separated from each other, in particular, by the roller.

[0037] According to another preferred embodiment of the side flap, the damping device has four dampers arranged in the form of a rectangle parallel to the running surface.

[0038] The dampers are preferably springs, elements made of flexible plastic, or pneumatic and / or hydraulic dampers.

[0039] A rectangular arrangement exists when the dampers are located at the four corners of the rectangle. The edges of the rectangle do not need to be defined by physical features. It is sufficient that the dampers are arranged in such a way that they form an imaginary rectangle.

[0040] Particularly in this embodiment, it is preferred that the roll holder has a first part on the first side of the roll and a second part on the second side of the roll. In this embodiment, each of the two parts can be damped by two dampers.

[0041] Preferably, two sides of the rectangle parallel to each other are parallel to an axis of the roller.

[0042] It has been found that the described arrangement of the dampers allows the roller to be moved out of the running surface particularly reliably when it encounters another roller. In particular, the symmetrical arrangement of the dampers prevents one axis of the roller from tilting.

[0043] According to another preferred embodiment of the side tab, the roller holder has a first side facing the running surface, which is curved towards the running surface.

[0044] The curvature of the first side is preferably only present when viewed in a plane perpendicular to the running surface and perpendicular to the axis of the roller. Preferably, the portion of the receptacle's edge that the first side of the roller holder contacts in the first position is similarly curved. Thus, the first side of the roller holder can be in full contact with this portion of the edge in the first position. In this respect, the first side of the roller holder forms the first stop. Due to the curvature, the first stop not only limits the roller's movement perpendicular to the running surface but also ensures the roller holder is centered. This can stabilize both the roller holder and the roller.

[0045] If the roller holder has a first part on the first side of the roller and a second part on the second side of the roller, it is preferred that the first part of the roller holder and the second part of the roller holder each have a first side facing the running surface, which is each curved towards the running surface.

[0046] According to another preferred embodiment of the side tab, the roller holder has a second side facing away from the running surface, which is curved away from the running surface in a central area.

[0047] According to a further preferred embodiment of the side flap, the second side of the roller holder outside the central area has two plateaus parallel to the running surface, on each of which a damper of the damping device acts.

[0048] The combination of these two embodiments is preferred. The roller holder has a second side facing away from the running surface, which is curved away from the running surface in a central area and which has two plateaus parallel to the running surface outside the central area, on each of which a damper of the damping device acts.

[0049] The curvature of the second side in the central area is preferably only present when viewed in a plane perpendicular to the running surface and perpendicular to the axis of the roller. Preferably, the portion of the edge of the receptacle that the central area of ​​the second side of the roller holder contacts in the second position is similarly curved. Thus, in the second position, the central area of ​​the second side of the roller holder can be in full contact with this portion of the edge. In this respect, the central area of ​​the second side of the roller holder forms the second stop. Due to the curvature, the second stop not only limits the movement of the roller perpendicular to the running surface but also ensures the centering of the roller holder. This can stabilize both the roller holder and the roller.

[0050] If the roller holder has a first part on the first side of the roller and a second part on the second side of the roller, it is preferred that both the first part and the second part of the roller holder have a second side facing away from the running surface, which is convex in a central area towards the running surface. Outside the central area, these second sides preferably each have two plateaus parallel to the running surface, on each of which a damper of the damping device acts. The roller holder thus has a total of four such plateaus, so that four dampers can be accommodated.

[0051] If the curvature of the second side in the central area is only present when viewed in a plane that is perpendicular to the running surface and perpendicular to the axis of the roller, a plateau is preferably provided on both sides of the curvature, which adjoins the curvature.

[0052] It has been found that the dampers, due to the formation of the plateaus, can attack the reel seat in a particularly compact way.

[0053] According to a further aspect of the invention, a component for a cable guidance device is presented. The component comprises at least two parallel side tabs, which are connected to each other via at least one transverse web. At least one of the two side tabs is configured as described.

[0054] The described special advantages and design features of the side flap are applicable and transferable to the link, and vice versa.

[0055] Preferably, the link has exactly two side tabs. In this case, the described link is suitable for a cable guide device which has exactly two sets of side tabs. A first of the two side tabs of the described link can be part of a first of these two sets of side tabs; a second of the two side tabs of the described link can be part of a second of these two sets of side tabs.

[0056] The two side tabs are arranged parallel to each other, resulting in two parallel side tab strands. The cables, guided by the described cable routing device, can be positioned between these two side tab strands.

[0057] The running surfaces of the two side tabs are aligned parallel to each other. Preferably, the running surfaces of the two side tabs lie in a common (imaginary) plane.

[0058] Preferably, all side tabs of the link are designed as described. However, the link may also have one or more side tabs that are designed differently, in particular in that these side tabs do not have a roller. These side tabs preferably have at least one longitudinal edge extending in a longitudinal direction along the respective side tab, on which a corresponding running surface is formed. Thus, these side tabs do not have a roller, but they do form at least part of the running surface.

[0059] According to a further aspect of the invention, a cable guidance device with a plurality of articulated links is presented. The links form a loop consisting of an upper run, a deflection area, and a lower run. Side tabs of the links form at least one side tab strand with a respective running surface on the inside of the loop. At least a portion of the links each comprise at least one side tab, which having a longitudinal edge extending in a longitudinal direction of the side flap, on which part of the running surface of the corresponding side flap strand is formed, and having a roller which is rotatably mounted about an axis, wherein the axis is arranged parallel to the running surface of the corresponding side flap and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, wherein a distance between the running surface of the corresponding side flap and the axis is damped and variable, and wherein the roller protrudes from the running surface of the corresponding side flap at least in a first position.

[0060] The upper and lower runs can lie against each other via the running surface of at least one side flap strand in such a way that the upper and lower runs can be moved relative to each other by means of the rollers.

[0061] The described special advantages and design features of the side tab and the link are applicable and transferable to the cable guidance device, and vice versa. In particular, it is preferred that at least one of the side tabs of the links with a roller, and preferably all side tabs of the links with a roller, are designed as described. This means that these side tabs have the described features and, optionally, also one or more of the features of the side tab described as preferred. This applies to each of the side tabs of each of the links with a roller individually, so that these links do not have to be identical. However, it is preferred that the links with a roller are identical. The cable guidance device can also have links without a roller. These preferably include at least one side tab with a running surface.The running surface of a side-link assembly is formed by the running surfaces of the links (with or without rollers) of that side-link assembly. It is not necessary for the running surface to be continuous. In particular, the cable guide may have links with or without rollers that are configured differently than described. The running surface may also be interrupted by such links.

[0062] The links of the cable guidance device are preferably articulated to one another in such a way that the loop consisting of the upper run, deflection area, and lower run can be formed by the links. In particular, it is preferred that adjacent links are pivotable relative to each other about a pivot axis, which is parallel to the running surface and perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the cable guidance device. The pivot axes are preferably arranged parallel to the axes of the rollers.

[0063] The loop has an inner and an outer surface. The running surface, or surfaces, are formed on the inner surface of the loop. The upper and lower strands can be guided past each other via their respective inner surfaces, particularly by means of the rollers. This means that rollers of the upper strand can roll on the running surfaces of the lower strand, and vice versa.

[0064] The invention and its technical context are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. It should be noted that the invention is not intended to be limited by the illustrated embodiment. In particular, unless explicitly stated otherwise, it is also possible to extract partial aspects of the situations explained in the figures and combine them with other components and findings from the present description and / or figures. It should be emphasized that the figures, and especially the depicted dimensions, are only schematic. Identical reference numerals denote the same objects, so that explanations from other figures may be consulted as needed. The figures show: Fig. 1: a side view of a cable guidance device according to the invention, Fig. 2: a first perspective view of a part of a member of the cable guidance device made of Fig. 1, Fig. 3: a second perspective view of part of the limb made of Fig. 2 , Fig. 4: a sectional view of the member from the Fig. 2 and 3 , Fig. 5: a first side view of the member made of Figs. 2 to 4 , Fig. 6: a second side view of the member made of Fig. 2 to 5 , Fig. 7: a first lateral sectional view of a part of the cable routing device made of Fig. 1 , and Fig. 8: a second lateral sectional view of part of the cable routing device made of Fig. 1 .

[0065] Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows a cable guide 1 with a plurality of articulated links 2. The links 2 form a loop 17 consisting of an upper run 18, a deflection section 19, and a lower run 20. The upper run 18 rests on the lower run 20, except for a gap. Side tabs 3 of the links 2 form two side tab strands 22, each with a running surface 4. In the illustration of the Fig. 1Only one of the side flap strands 22 is visible; another side flap strand, identically shaped to this one, is arranged perpendicular to the plane of the drawing behind the side flap strand 22 shown. The side flap strands 22 are connected to each other by transverse webs that are oriented perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. The loop 17 has an inner loop side 21 and an outer loop side 23. The running surface 4 is formed on the inner loop side 21.

[0066] Fig. 2 shows a first perspective view of part of a link 2 of the cable guidance device 1. Fig. 1 Link 2 has a side flap 3, which is only partially shown. The side flap 3 has a roller receptacle 26 and a receptacle 8 for a (in the Figs. 3 to 6The roller holder 6 (as shown) is shown. An edge 11 of the receptacle 8 is indicated. The running surface 4 is also indicated. The running surface 4 is formed on a longitudinal edge 28 of the side flap 3. The longitudinal edge 28 extends in a longitudinal direction 27 of the side flap 3.

[0067] Fig. 3 shows a second perspective view of a (different) part of link 2 from Fig. 2 Shown here is a roller 5 with the roller holder 6. The roller holder 6 has a first part 24 and a second part 25, which are arranged on different sides of the roller 5. The roller 5 is rotatably mounted about an axis 29. The axis 29 is parallel to the one, for example, in Fig. 2 shown running surface 4 and perpendicular to the one also in Fig. 2 arranged in the longitudinal direction 27 shown.

[0068] Furthermore, a damping device 7 is shown. This has four dampers 12, two of which are visible. The two shown in the view of Fig. 3 The concealed dampers are arranged on the second part 25 of the roller holder 6 in the same way as the two visible dampers 12 are arranged on the first part 24 of the roller holder 6. The four dampers 12 are arranged in the form of a rectangle parallel to the running surface 4. The rectangle is only imaginary; its edges are not defined by any physical features.

[0069] The roller holder 6 has a first side 13 (when installed) facing the running surface 4, which is curved towards the running surface 4. This applies to both the first part 24 and the second part 25 of the roller holder 6. The first side 13 forms a first stop 9. The roller holder 6 also has a second side 14 (when installed) facing away from the running surface 4, which is curved away from the running surface 4 in a central area 15. This also applies to both the first part 24 and the second part 25 of the roller holder 6. Outside the central area 15, the second side 14 of the roller holder 6 has two plateaus 16 parallel to the running surface 4, on each of which one of the dampers 12 of the damping device 7 acts.This also applies to both the first part 24 of the roller holder 6 and the second part 25 of the roller holder 6, so that the damping device 7 has a total of four dampers 12. The second side 14 forms a second stop 10.

[0070] Fig. 4 shows a sectional view of a side flap 3 of the member 2 from the Fig. 2 and 3 It can be seen that the link 2 in the side tab 3 shown has the roller 5, which protrudes from the running surface 4. The roller holder 6 with the first part 24 and the second part 25 is also visible. The damping device 7 with the dampers 12 is also visible.

[0071] Furthermore, a distance 31 between the axis 29 and the running surface 4 is shown. This distance varies damped between a first position of the roller and a second position of the roller. The variability of the distance 31 is therefore limited to the first and second positions of the roller 5. A roller diameter 30 is also shown. The distance 31 is 0.5% to 10% smaller than the roller diameter 30 in the first position of the roller 5 than in the second position of the roller 5.

[0072] The Figs. 5 and 6 show largely corresponding side views of member 2 from the Figs. 2 to 4 It can be seen that the roller 5 is mounted in such a way that the distance 31 between the running surface 4 and the axis 29 is between a first position ( Fig. 5 ) and a second position ( Fig. 6 ) is dampened and variable. Both in the first position ( Fig. 5 ) as well as in the second position ( Fig. 6The roller 5 protrudes from the running surface 4. According to a non-inventive alternative, the roller 5 could also be mounted such that in the second position (in contrast to the embodiment in Fig. 6 ) does not protrude from the running surface 4.

[0073] This can be recognized by Figs. 5 and 6 Furthermore, the side flap 3 has the roller holder 6, of which only the first part 24 is visible. The roller 5 is mounted in the roller holder 6. The roller holder 6 is held in the receptacle 8 of the side flap 3 by means of the damping device 7 with the dampers 12.

[0074] The roller holder 6 has a first stop 9, which in the first position ( Fig. 5) the roller 5 touches an edge 11 of the receptacle 8, thereby limiting the variability of the distance 31. The first stop 9 is formed on a first side 13 of the roller holder 6. In addition, the roller holder 6 has a second stop 10, which in the second position ( Fig. 6 The roller 5 touches an edge 11 of the receptacle 8, thereby limiting the variability of the distance 31. The second stop 10 is formed on a second side 14 of the roller holder 6.

[0075] Figs. 7 and 8 side sectional views of a part of the cable routing device 1 are shown. Fig. 1 It can be seen that the upper run 18 and the lower run 20 interact with each other via the running surface 4 in such a way that the upper run 18 and the lower run 20 can be moved relative to each other by means of the rollers 5. List of reference symbols

[0076] 1 Cable guide 2 Link 3 Side tab 4 Running surface 5 Roller 6 Roller holder 7 Damping device 8 Mount 9 First stop 10 Second stop 11 Edge 12 Damper 13 First side 14 Second side 15 Central area 16 Platform 17 Loop 18 Upper run 19 Deflection area 20 Lower run 21 Inner loop 22 Side tab strand 23 Outer loop 24 First part 25 Second part 26 Roller mount 27 Longitudinal direction 28 Longitudinal edge 29 Axis 30 Roller diameter 31 Spacing

Claims

1. Side bracket (3) for a link (2) for a line-routing device (1), wherein the side bracket (3) has a longitudinal periphery (28) which extends in a longitudinal direction (27) of the side bracket (3) and on which a running surface (4) is formed, wherein the side bracket (3) has a roller (5) which is mounted so as to be rotatable about an axle (29), wherein the axle (29) is disposed so as to be parallel to the running surface (4) and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (27), wherein a spacing (31) between the running surface (4) and the axle (29) is variable in a damped manner, and wherein the roller (5), at least in a first position, protrudes from the running surface (4), characterized in that a variability of the spacing (31) between the running surface (4) and the axle (29) is restricted to the first position of the roller (5) and to a second position of the roller (5), and wherein the roller (5) in the second position protrudes from the running surface (4).

2. Side bracket (3) according to Claim 1, wherein the spacing (31) between the running surface (4) and the axle (29) in the first position of the roller (5) is smaller by 0.5% to 10% of a roller diameter (30) than in the second position of the roller (5).

3. Side bracket (3) according to one of the preceding claims, furthermore having a roller support (6) in which the roller (5) is mounted and which is held in a receptacle (8) of the side bracket (3) by way of a damping device (7).

4. Side bracket (3) according to Claim 3, wherein the roller support (6) has a first detent (9) which, in the first position of the roller (5), contacts a periphery (11) of the receptacle (8), as a result of which the variability of the spacing (31) between the running surface (4) and the axle (29) is restricted.

5. Side bracket (3) according to Claim 3 or 4, wherein the roller support (6) has a second detent (10) which, in a second position of the roller (5), contacts a periphery (11) of the receptacle (8), as result of which the variability of the spacing (31) between the running surface (4) and the axle (29) is restricted.

6. Side bracket (3) according to one of Claims 3 to 5, wherein the damping device (7) has four dampers (12) which are disposed in the shape of a rectangle disposed so as to be parallel to the running surface (4).

7. Side bracket (3) according to one of Claims 3 to 6, wherein the roller support (6) has a first side (13) that faces the running surface (4) and is curved in the direction toward the running surface (4).

8. Side bracket (3) according to one of Claims 3 to 7, wherein the roller support (6) has a second side (14) facing away from the running surface (4), which is curved away in a central area (15) in the direction of the running surface (4).

9. Side bracket (3) according to Claim 8, wherein the second side (14) of the roller support (6) outside the central region (15) has two plateaus (16) which are parallel to the running surface (4), one damper (12) of the damping device (7) engaging on each of said two plateaus.

10. Link (2) for a line-routing device (1), comprising at least two side brackets (3) which are disposed so as to be mutually parallel and which are connected to one another by way of at least one transverse web, and wherein at least one of the two side brackets (3) is configured according to one of Claims 1 to 11.

11. Line-routing device (1) having a multiplicity of links (2) which are connected to one another in an articulated manner and which form a loop (17) composed of an upper lead (18), a deflection region (19), and a lower lead (20), wherein side brackets (3) of the links (2) form at least one side bracket strand (22) having a respective running surface (4) on a loop internal side (21), wherein at least some of the links (2) comprise in each case at least one side bracket (3) which - has a longitudinal periphery (28) which extends in a longitudinal direction (27) of the side bracket (3) and on which part of the running surface (4) of the corresponding side bracket strand (22) is formed, and - has a roller (5) which is mounted so as to be rotatable about an axle (29), wherein the axle (29) is disposed so as to be parallel to the running surface (4) of the corresponding side bracket (3) and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (27), wherein a spacing (31) between the running surface (4) of the corresponding side bracket (3) and the axle (29) is variable in a damped manner, and wherein the roller (5), at least in a first position, protrudes from the running surface (4) of the corresponding side bracket (3), wherein a variability of the spacing (31) between the running surface (4) and the axle (29) is restricted to the first position of the roller (5) and to a second position of the roller (5), and wherein the roller (5) in the second position protrudes from the running surface (4), and wherein the upper lead (18) and the lower lead (19), by way of the running surface (4) of the at least one side bracket strand (22), can bear on one another in such a manner that the upper lead (18) and the lower lead (20) are displaceable relative to one another by means of the rollers (5).

12. Line-routing device (1) according to Claim 11, wherein at least one of the side brackets (3) of the links (2) is configured according to one of Claims 1 to 9.