Chain link of a cable guidance device with tension relief

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a chain link of a cable guidance device in which a strain relief unit is integrated and a cable guidance device.

[0002] Cable management devices for guiding cables or hoses between two connection points that are movable relative to each other are known from the prior art. These are used, for example, in machines with moving parts that require a supply of energy or media. The term "cable" encompasses, in particular, cables, hoses, and wires.

[0003] A cable guide system comprises a number of interconnected chain links, within which cables can be guided in a protected manner. A chain link can be formed by two opposing side plates and a crossbar connecting the side plates.

[0004] Relative movement between the two connection points is often associated with tensile forces acting on the cables. Such loads shorten the service life of the cables and also pose a risk to operational safety. Various strain relief concepts are known to absorb these forces.

[0005] WO 95 / 28582 discloses a fastening element that enables the integration of strain relief elements into chain links of cable management systems. This requires a comparatively high level of equipment complexity. The fastening elements are custom-made and must be robust due to the forces acting upon them. Since these forces are transferred into the fastening element, its strength is a key factor in determining the operational reliability and fail-safety of the entire cable management system.

[0006] German patent DE 100 02 782 A1 describes a clamping device for strain relief of dynamically stressed cables in an energy chain, comprising a shaft oriented transversely to the chain's longitudinal direction and secured within a chain link. An upper cross member supports the free end of the shaft by means of positive locking mechanisms.

[0007] The invention is based on the objective of at least partially overcoming problems known from the prior art and, in particular, providing a chain link in which tensile forces acting on the cables or hoses are minimized by absorbing them in another way. This objective is achieved by the features of the independent claims. The features listed individually in the dependent claims can be combined with one another in a technologically meaningful manner and can define further embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, the features specified in the claims are further specified and explained in the description, which also presents further preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0008] The invention relates to a chain link with an integrated strain relief unit, which is universally applicable. Forces and moments acting on the cables and the cable management system are absorbed by a fastening unit and at least one abutment. Since loads from tensile forces and torsional moments are advantageously introduced at several points into components of the chain link, it is possible to guide several cables one above the other in a single cable management system. With the chain link according to the invention, featuring an integrated strain relief unit, loads can be withstood with minimal equipment effort, and premature material fatigue can be prevented. Furthermore, the invention increases operational reliability and fail-safe operation, as loads are distributed across multiple elements.

[0009] A chain link for a cable guidance device is proposed. The cable guidance device can be used, in particular, for guiding cables or hoses between two connection points that are movable relative to each other. The chain link has two parallel side plates and a strain relief unit integrated into the chain link. Each side plate has a first and a second longitudinal edge. One longitudinal edge extends in the direction of the greatest extent of a side plate. The cables within the cable guidance device also run in this direction.

[0010] The strain relief unit comprises a fastening element and a strain relief element. The fastening element can, for example, be in the form of a rail that runs transversely between the side parts. The transverse direction of the chain link refers specifically to the direction from one side part to the other, perpendicular to the cables to be guided. The fastening element can be connected to a strain relief element. The connection is made at one of two end regions of the strain relief element. The strain relief element can, for example, either wrap around the fastening element or be inserted into it. The first end region of the strain relief element and the fastening element are advantageously geometrically matched.

[0011] The strain relief element can comprise a hollow body that is open along the longitudinal direction of the chain links. Cables can be routed through the hollow body.

[0012] At least one abutment is provided on at least one side plate, extending towards the opposite side plate. It projects sufficiently into the interior of a chain link that the abutment and the strain relief element overlap at least partially in the transverse direction of the chain link. Thus, the strain relief element and abutment are arranged longitudinally with minimal clearance, preventing longitudinal movement of the strain relief element by the abutment.

[0013] According to an advantageous embodiment, the abutment can be formed by a crossbar. A crossbar is understood to be an element that connects the side plates and fixes them at a distance from each other.

[0014] According to a further advantageous embodiment, more than one abutment can be provided to absorb forces. The tension relief element is positioned between two abutments in such a way that forces can be absorbed in two directions. This is particularly advantageous when recurring alternating tensile and compressive forces are expected.

[0015] A particularly preferred embodiment includes at least one press cup that can be connected to one end of the strain relief element. The press cup can be a shell-shaped or half-shell-shaped element designed to at least partially enclose and thus secure a cable. Alternatively, a series of half-shell-shaped sections can be arranged side by side, allowing multiple cables to pass through and be secured within the strain relief element.

[0016] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the strain relief element has a crimping screw in its second end region. This screw penetrates the second end region. The crimping screw allows the position of the at least one crimping cup within the strain relief element to be adjusted, thereby creating tension between the crimping cup and the cable and securing the at least one crimping cup and the cable.

[0017] According to a further inventive concept, a cable guidance device with a plurality of articulated links is presented. This cable guidance device is particularly suitable for guiding cables or hoses between two connection points that are movable relative to each other. At least one link of the chain is designed according to the embodiments described above.

[0018] Increased tensile loads are generally to be expected at the ends of a cable guidance system. Therefore, a variant of the cable guidance system is particularly preferred in which at least one chain link formed at one end of the cable guidance system is designed with a strain relief unit according to the embodiments described above.

[0019] 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 limited to the embodiment shown. In particular, unless explicitly stated otherwise, it is also possible to extract aspects of the facts explained in the figures and combine them with other elements and findings from the present description and / or figures. It should be noted that the figures, and especially the depicted dimensions, are schematic. Identical reference numerals denote the same objects, so that explanations from other figures may be consulted for supplementary information. The figures show: Fig. 1: a side view of a side tab of a chain link according to the invention, Fig. 2: a perspective view of a chain link according to the invention without an integrated strain relief element, Fig. 3: a perspective view of a chain link according to the invention with an integrated strain relief element and lines, Fig. 4: a sectional view of a chain link according to the invention.

[0020] Fig. 1Figure 1 shows a side view of a side plate 1 of a chain link 20 according to the invention. The side plate 1 has a first longitudinal region 2 and a second longitudinal region 3. A longitudinal region 2, 3 extends along the longest dimension of a side plate 1. Each longitudinal region 2, 3 has two U-shaped recesses 4, the openings of which are oriented towards the outer edge of the respective longitudinal region 2, 3. Each recess 4 has a locking rib. This is a cross-sectional constriction arranged centrally in the transverse direction of the side plate 1 within the recess 4.

[0021] A recess 5 is provided on the second longitudinal section 3. In this embodiment, this recess has a shape suitable for receiving a C-profile.

[0022] Fig. 2Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a chain link 20 according to the invention. For clarity, the strain relief element 8 and the cables running through the chain link 20 are not shown. The chain link 20 is formed by two side plates 1, which are connected to each other by four crossbars 6. The cross-section of a crossbar 6 corresponds to a segmented circle, so that a crossbar 6 can be inserted into a recess 4. By rotating it by 90°, the crossbars 6 and the side plates 1 are connected to each other. A crossbar 6 has a slot into which a locking rib of a recess 4 of a side plate 1 engages, so that the direction of movement transverse to the side plates 1 is blocked.

[0023] A fastening element 7 is inserted into the recesses 5 of the side parts 1 at the second longitudinal edge 3. In this embodiment, the fastening element 7 is formed by a C-rail. The fastening element 7 can also be formed by components with other cross-sections, e.g., a double-T cross-section.

[0024] Fig. 3 shows the perspective view of the chain link 20 according to the invention. Fig. 2 with inserted strain relief element 8 and cables 13. The strain relief element 8 and the fastening element 7 form a strain relief unit 12. The strain relief element 8 is integrated with a first end region 14 on the fastening element 7. The strain relief element 8 comprises a hollow body through which the cables 13 are guided.

[0025] The strain relief element 8 projects from the fastening element 7 with a second end region 15 to at least the level of an abutment 11. It can also project beyond the chain link 20 when viewed from a side view.

[0026] The strain relief element 8 and the abutment 11 are thus arranged in such a way that they overlap at least partially in the transverse direction of the chain link 20.

[0027] In this embodiment, the cross webs 6 on the first longitudinal edge 2 of the side parts 1 each form a support 11.

[0028] The strain relief element 8 has several press cups 10 between which cables 13 are routed. A press screw 9 allows the press cups 10 to be positioned so that they partially enclose and thus secure the cables 13.

[0029] Fig. 4Figure 1 is a sectional view of a chain link 20 according to the invention. This view shows how the strain relief element 8 is connected to the fastening element 7. In this embodiment, the strain relief element 8 engages with the fastening element 7. The first end region 14 of the strain relief element 7 is asymmetrically designed, so that the strain relief element can be inserted into the fastening element with minimal assembly effort by tilting it during the connection process. Combinations of fastening element 7 and strain relief element 8 are also possible in which the strain relief element 8 wraps around the fastening element 7 and is connected by positive locking and / or force locking.

[0030] In Fig. 4The forces and moments that occur are illustrated by arrows. A tensile force F acting on the conduits 13 causes a torsional moment Mt. This moment acts at the connection point between the fastening element 7 and the strain relief element 8. A transverse web 6 at the first longitudinal edge 2 forms an abutment 11 and absorbs part of the load caused by the tensile force F. For this purpose, the strain relief element 8 is arranged with minimal clearance between the two transverse webs 6 at the first longitudinal edge 2, so that a change in the position of the strain relief element 8 in response to tensile forces acting on the conduits 13 is prevented. In the event of a load change, i.e., an opposing tensile or compressive force, the load can be absorbed by the other transverse web 6.

[0031] The invention relates to a chain link of a cable management device and a cable management device itself. The chain link has an integrated strain relief unit. Due to its advantageous design, forces and moments acting on the cables and cable management device can be absorbed and dissipated, thus reducing the risk of material breakage and increasing the service life of all components. Furthermore, the invention proves to be particularly easy to assemble and maintain.

[0032] A chain link is generally understood to be a section of a cable management system. It can be a separable part. Likewise, a chain link can be a single segment of a series of multiple segments, which is pivotable about at least one axis and is suitable for accommodating at least one cable. Reference symbol list

[0033] 1 Side tab 2 First longitudinal section 3 Second longitudinal section 4 Recess for crossbar 5 Recess 6 Crossbar 7 Fastening element 8 Strain relief element 9 Press screw 10 Press trough 11 Abutment 12 Strain relief unit 13 Pipe 14 First end section 15 Second end section 20 Chain link

Claims

1. Chain link (20) of a line guiding device for guiding lines (13) or hoses between two connection locations which can be moved relative to each other, wherein the chain link (20) has two parallel side flaps (1) and a strain relief unit (12) which is integrated in the chain link (20), wherein each side flap (1) has a first longitudinal edge (2) and a second longitudinal edge (3), wherein the strain relief unit (12) has a securing element (7) which is connected to the side flaps (1) and at least one strain relief element (8) having a first end region (14) which is connected to the securing element (7) and a second end region (15) opposite the first, wherein at least one abutment (11) which extends from a side flap (1) in the direction of the opposing side flap (1) and which at least partially overlaps the strain relief element (8) is provided, characterized in that the second end region (15) of the strain relief element (8) is arranged between two abutments (11).

2. Chain link (20) according to Claim 1, wherein an abutment (11) is formed by means of a transverse web (6) which connects the side flaps (1).

3. Chain link (20) according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the strain relief element (8) comprises at least one press trough (10) which can be connected to at least one end region (14, 15).

4. Chain link (20) according to Claim 3, wherein the strain relief element (8) has in the second end region (15) thereof a press screw (9) which extends in the direction of the at least one press trough (10) and which extends through the second end region (15).

5. Line guiding device for guiding lines (13) or hoses between two connection locations which can be moved relative to each other, comprising chain links (20) which are connected to each other in an articulated manner, wherein at least one chain link (20) has two parallel side flaps (1) and a strain relief unit (12) which is integrated in the chain link (20), wherein each side flap (1) has a first longitudinal edge (2) and a second longitudinaledge (3), wherein the strain relief unit (12) has a securing element (7) which is connected to the side flaps (1) and at least one strain relief element (8) having a first end region (14) which is connected to the securing element (7) and a second end region (15) opposite the first, wherein at least one abutment (11) which extends from a side flap (1) in the direction of the opposing side flap (1) and which at least partially overlaps the strain relief element (8) is provided, characterized in that the second end region (15) of the strain relief element (8) is arranged between two abutments (11).

6. Line guiding device comprising a plurality of chain links (20), wherein at least one chain link (20) is configured according to one of Claims 2 to 4.

7. Line guiding device according to Claim 5 or 6, wherein at least one chain link (20) which is formed at an end of the line guiding device is configured according to one of Claims 1 to 4.