SHOULDERCH ARRANGEMENT

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a push chain arrangement with a push chain composed of a plurality of chain links, which can be deflected along a bending direction when a force is applied, and which can be brought into a push-stable, preferably slightly overstretched configuration when a force is applied along a blocking direction.

[0002] Such push chains are known, for example, from EP 3 396 095 B1. There, they serve as a component of a chain-driven actuator for operating movable leaves, doors, or flaps, particularly ventilation flaps, especially in building ceilings.

[0003] Such designs tend to buckle or bend sideways when the push chain is extended. Such instabilities are inherent in the system and occur even with minor misalignments in the connection between the chain drive and the device / wing / flap being operated. Particularly with high lifting heights and correspondingly long chains, this can lead to twisting and ultimately premature chain failure.

[0004] A push chain assembly having the features of the preamble of claim 1 is known from DE 20 2018 107 202 U1. Similar push chain assemblies are also disclosed in US 2 755 122 A and DE 295 14 179 U1.

[0005] The object of the invention is to provide a rigid chain arrangement or a rigid chain system - i.e. a rigid chain itself plus further components - of the type mentioned, which reduces or avoids the aforementioned instabilities in rigid chains in a simple and cost-effective manner, and which is as universal as possible for different chain types.

[0006] The object is achieved according to the invention by a push chain arrangement having the features of claim 1.

[0007] What is essential to the invention is, among other things, that an end piece is mounted on one end of the push chain, which is connected to a connecting element intended for attachment to an object to be actuated, wherein the end piece is mounted in a tiltable or pivotable manner and is spring-loaded in / on the connecting element by means of a spring element in such a way that the push chain is automatically brought into the push-stable configuration (preferably with slight back bending) by the spring force of the spring element when subjected to a push load.

[0008] The invention is based on the idea of ​​specifically pre-tensioning the push chain when subjected to shear stress, specifically in the locking direction, so that a particularly stable, preferably slightly overstretched configuration with a slight back bend is automatically established. This makes the chain's behavior stable and controllable. Any lateral offset and / or lateral disruptive forces are thereby compensated for and rendered harmless. The lateral deflection under lateral forces is reduced. Within the scope of the invention, this is achieved by a spring-loaded eccentric bearing of the chain end in a connecting element (shaped piece) intended for attachment to the object to be actuated. The deflection desired for pre-tensioning the push chain is achieved under shear stress by tilting the bearing points as a result of the spring force. Additional guide or support elements for the free-running chain section are not required.When tensile stress is applied, the spring element is relieved and the bearing returns to its basic position.

[0009] In an inventive embodiment of this basic concept, the end piece and the connecting element are connected to each other via a cross bolt, with the cross bolt being mounted on one side in a round hole and on the other side in an elongated hole in the connecting element. The spring element is preferably attached to the connecting element and acts directly on the cross bolt. The connection between the end piece and the connecting element is preferably detachable by pulling out the cross bolt.

[0010] The push chain assembly is preferably used in an actuating device for a movable object, in particular a wing, a flap, a window, or a door, wherein the connecting element in this case is firmly connected to the object. The push chain is preferably driven by a drive unit with a motor.

[0011] An embodiment of the invention is illustrated schematically in the drawings. They show: FIGS. 1 to 5 show several perspective views of a push chain with a connecting element mounted at the end, and FIGS. 6 to 7 show two enlarged perspective views of the push chain in the area of ​​the connecting element.

[0012] The push chain 2 shown in the figures serves, in conjunction with an associated drive, to move or actuate a movable, in particular pivotable, wing, a closure flap, a ventilation flap or a similar object.

[0013] The push chain 2 has a plurality of chain links 4, which are connected to one another in a rotatable or pivotable manner by means of chain pins 6. The push chain 2 is designed to exert tensile forces 8 in the pulling direction and thrust forces 10 in the opposite pushing direction on the object to be actuated. For fastening or connecting to the object to be actuated, the push chain 2 is provided with or connected to a connecting or connecting element 12, also referred to as a coupling bracket, at its end facing the object.

[0014] By appropriately shaping the chain links 4, the push chain 2 is designed to allow deflection with a comparatively small bending radius when a force is applied in the bending direction 14, and thus a change in direction or deflection. In this example, a deflection of approximately 90° occurs at an associated deflection pulley 16. When a force is applied in the opposite direction, the so-called locking direction 18, the push chain 2 can only be bent slightly beyond the stretched state (so-called back bend). In the example here, such a slightly overstretched state exists for the chain section between the deflection pulley 16 and the connecting element 12. If a corresponding force is applied in the transverse or lateral direction 20, in particular by the chain drive, and / or as a result of a lateral offset between the deflection pulley 16 and the connecting element 12, a slight lateral bend may also occur.

[0015] The term 'slightly overstretched' used here means that the bending radius of the back bend is much larger than the bending radius in the bending direction, so that the angular deviation from the maximum stretched configuration, as achieved, for example, under tensile load, in the back bend is at most only a few degrees, preferably only fractions thereof, over the length of one or more chain links.

[0016] The drive of the push chain 2 is preferably effected by means of a gear, also called a drive pinion or sprocket 22, which in this example is arranged on the side of the push chain 2 opposite the deflection roller 16 and meshes with the chain links 6. Viewed in the direction of extension (longitudinal direction) of the push chain 2, the deflection roller 16 and the sprocket 22 are essentially in the same position in this example, thus clamping the push chain 2 at this point on both sides.

[0017] In a typical application, the object to be actuated, such as a ventilation flap, is located in a building ceiling. The spatial orientation of the push chain 2 then corresponds to the orientation shown in the figures: A horizontally running section of the push chain 2 is deflected at the deflection roller 16 and transitions into a substantially vertically running section, which is coupled at the upper end to the object to be actuated by means of the connecting element 12.

[0018] During the upward pushing movement, it is desirable that the vertical section of the push chain 2 is essentially in the slightly overextended configuration with a slight back bend—as shown in the figures—to prevent lateral deflection in the lateral direction 20 and the associated instabilities as much as possible. Under no circumstances should any deflection or buckling in the bending direction 14 occur, to prevent uncontrolled collapse of the push chain.

[0019] To achieve this goal without additional guide elements or rails, according to the invention, the connecting element 12 is used to pre-tension the section of the rigid chain 2 located between the deflection roller 16 and the connecting element 12 in the locking direction. Due to the pre-tension, this section, regardless of its length (i.e., how far the rigid chain 2 is extended upward), is in the slightly overextended configuration. This means that the rigid chain 2 is stabilized accordingly.

[0020] For this purpose, the push chain 2 comprises a U-shaped end piece 24 at the upper end facing the connecting element 16, which is firmly connected to the last (or first, depending on the visibility) chain link 4. The end piece 24 thus comprises two parallel, flat legs 26, each of which rests against the side wall of the associated chain link 4, and a curved section 28 enclosing the end face of the chain link 4 and merging into the legs 26 at the end. The end piece 24 is expediently attached to the chain link 4 using chain bolts 6 inserted through corresponding recesses in the chain link 4 and in the legs 26.

[0021] Between the end face of the last chain link 4 and the bend 28, there is space for the passage of a cross pin 30. The gap is preferably dimensioned such that the inserted cross pin 30 lies therein largely free of play. In the final assembly state, the axial position of the cross pin 30 is fixed relative to the end piece 24 by a locking pin or the like (not shown here). The cross pin 30 is aligned perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the push chain 2 and perpendicular to the direction of the chain pins 6. In this example, the cross pin 30 is a cylindrical pin, i.e., it has a circular cross-section.

[0022] The length of the cross bolt 30 is selected such that, in the final assembly position, it protrudes laterally beyond the edge of the end piece 24 on both sides and engages in corresponding receptacles of the connecting element 12. A force exerted on the respective protruding end of the cross bolt 30 is thus transferred to the end piece 24 and the end of the push chain 2 connected to it, as will be described in more detail below.

[0023] In the final assembly state, which is shown in the figures, the end piece 24 of the push chain 2 is inserted into the connecting element 12. The connecting element 12 comprises a flat, rectangular base plate 32 with a top surface 34, which is intended for attachment to or contact with the object to be actuated. The connection to the object is preferably made by screwing, for which purpose the base plate 34 has suitable screw holes 36.

[0024] Furthermore, on the underside of the base plate 32 facing away from the object, two flat webs 38 each protrude perpendicularly from the base plate 32. The distance between the webs 38 is selected to be slightly larger than the width of the end piece 24 of the push chain 2, so that the end piece 24 fits with clearance between the webs 38 in the orientation shown in the figures. The length of the webs 38 in the direction perpendicular to the base plate 32 is dimensioned such that they extend approximately to half the length of the inserted end piece 24 of the push chain 32, but at least to the respective penetration point of the cross bolt 30 and slightly beyond.

[0025] One web 38 has a round hole 40 for receiving one protruding end of the cross bolt 30. The diameter of the round hole 40 is preferably slightly larger than the diameter of the cross bolt 30, so that the cross bolt 30 sits therein with play in the final assembly state and can be tilted relative to the vertical on the web 38. The other web 38 has an elongated hole 42 for receiving the other protruding end of the cross bolt 30. The elongated hole 42 runs parallel to the longitudinal direction of the web 38, i.e., in the longitudinal direction of the end section of the push chain 12 inserted into the connecting element 12.

[0026] This design ensures that the end piece 24 can be inserted into the connecting element 12. For assembly, the end piece 24 is first pushed into the space between the webs 38, and then the cross pin 30 is pushed through the corresponding recesses and secured with a locking pin. Thus, in the final assembly state, the end of the push chain 2 is positively connected to the end piece 24.

[0027] In the final assembly state, with a suitably selected length of the elongated hole 42, the end piece 24 can be pivoted or tilted in the tilting direction 44 as indicated by the double arrow. The tilting movement is dimensioned such that, in the lower end position of the cross pin 30 located in the elongated hole 42, the end piece 24, and thus the entire vertical section of the push chain 2, is deflected toward the slightly overextended configuration (with back bend). The cross pin 30 is inclined relative to the base plate 32.

[0028] A spring element 46, also referred to as a snap-in, attached to the underside of the base plate 32 ensures that the tilted position of the end piece 24 between the webs 38 of the connecting element 12 in the direction of the slightly overlapped chain configuration is actually achieved during normal operation of the push chain 2. This means that the spring preload of the spring element 46 is selected such that the downward spring force exceeds the usual operational forces that tend to push the cross pin 30 in the elongated hole 42 upward toward the base plate 32. This ensures the above-described stabilization of the push chain 2 when moving upward in the push direction 10.

[0029] The downward movement of the push chain 2 in the pulling direction 8 is uncritical. In this case, the push chain 2 is subjected to tensile stress and the spring element 46 is loaded. In this case, the end piece 24 tilts back to its original position, in which the cross pin 30 sits essentially parallel to the base plate 38 in the elongated hole 42.

[0030] By targeted manual pressure application, the spring element 46 can be compressed to such an extent that the cross bolt 30 can be pulled out of the arrangement after removal of the safety pin and the push chain 2 can be released from the connecting element 12.

[0031] In order to allow access to the slot 42, it may be provided that the spring element 46 is moved from its normal operating position ( FIG. 2 ) sideways into a parking position, as shown in some of the figures ( FIG. 1 , 4 , 6 , 7). For this purpose, the fastening leg 48 can be seated in a correspondingly designed clamping rail or the like on / in the base plate 32.

[0032] The spring element 46 is preferably a metal spring with an elongated spring bar or strip. It has a fastening leg 48 resting against the base plate 32, an actuating leg 50 acting on the cross bolt 30, and a spring-actuated bending section 52 or kink located therebetween. The actuating leg 50 has a concavity 54 matched to the position and diameter of the cross bolt 30. This creates a seat for the cross bolt 30 from which the cross bolt 30 cannot jump out. The spring element 46 acts as a compression spring and, as already described, presses the cross bolt 30 downward in the elongated hole 42, thereby achieving the desired stabilization of the push chain 2 in the overextended configuration. List of reference symbols

[0033] 2 Push chain 4 Chain link 6 Chain pin 8 Pulling direction 10 Pushing direction 12 Connecting element 14 Bending direction 16 Deflection pulley 18 Locking direction 20 Lateral direction 22 Sprocket 24 End piece 26 Leg 28 Bend 30 Cross pin 32 Base plate 34 Top 36 Screw hole 38 Web 40 Round hole 42 Long hole 44 Tilting direction 46 Spring element 48 Fastening leg 50 Operating leg 52 Bending section 54 Curvature

Claims

1. A thrust chain assembly having a thrust chain (2) which is composed of a plurality of chain links (4) and can be deflected when force is applied along a bending direction (14) and which can be brought into a thrust-stable, preferably slightly overstretched configuration when force is applied along a locking direction (18), wherein an end piece (24) is mounted on one end of the thrust chain (2) and is connected to a connection element (12) provided for attachment to an object to be actuated, wherein the end piece (24) can be tilted or pivoted and mounted in / on the connection element (12) in a springloaded manner by means of a spring element (46) in such a way that the thrust chain (2) is brought into the thrust-stable configuration by the spring force of the spring element (46) under thrust load, characterized in that the end piece (24) and the connection element (24) are connected to one another via a transverse bolt (30), and wherein the transverse bolt (30) is mounted on the one side in a round hole (40) and on the other side in an elongate hole (42) of the connection element (24).

2. The thrust chain assembly according to Claim 1, wherein the spring element (46) is attached to the connection element (12) and acts directly on the transverse bolt (30) .

3. The thrust chain assembly according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the connection between the end piece (24) and the connection element (12) can be released by removing the transverse bolt (30).

4. The thrust chain assembly according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the end piece (24) is designed as a U-shaped bracket engaging around the end of the thrust chain (24).

5. The thrust chain assembly according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the spring element (46) is a bent steel strip or bar or sheet.

6. The thrust chain assembly according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a section of the thrust chain (2) located between the connection element (12) and a deflection roller (16) or a drive wheel runs without further support or guidance.

7. An actuating device for a moveable object, in particular a sash, flap, window or door, having a thrust chain assembly according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the connection element (12) is fixedly connected to the object.