Line protection cross bar for energy guide chains

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cross bar (512) for a chain link (10) of an energy guide chain (1) for guiding a line. The cross bar (512) has an elongated body (525) made of a first plastic and connection areas at both longitudinal ends for connection to side plates (11). The body (525) of the cross bar (512) has two long narrow sides (523), each with a holding device for a separation bar (20). According to the present invention, a line protection layer (565) for soft handling of the line is provided on the inside (562) of the body (525) facing the line. The line protection layer (565) is made of a second plastic different from the plastic of the body (525) and selected to reduce abrasion due to relative movement between the line and the cross bar. In this case, the line protection layer (565) extends from one narrow surface (523) to the other narrow surface, covering at least most of the interior (565) of the main body (525), but not covering the respective holding devices on the one narrow surface (523) and the other narrow surface (523).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The invention generally relates to the field of energy guide chains for the protected dynamic guidance of lines such as cables, hoses, etc. Energy guide chains are usually composed of pivotally connected chain links, each of which has two side plates spaced apart from one another transversely to the longitudinal extent of the energy guide chain. In at least part of the chain links, the side plates are connected to one another in a stable relationship by two cross bars and define an internal receiving space or guide passage in which the line is guided. Energy guide chains usually have two ends which are movable relative to one another and which are respectively connected to a connection area. A typical energy guide chain shuttles between the connection areas by the formation of two runs and a redirection arc between the runs. The direction of each run is reversed in the redirection arc.

[0002] The present invention specifically relates to cross bars (also called cross members) for the chain links of an energy guide chain, which serve to connect the side plates together and to mount and hold the separation bars. [Background technology]

[0003] Such a cross bar usually has an elongated plastic body and at each of its longitudinal ends a connection area for fastening to one of the side plates. The side plates and the cross bar define a receiving space for the chain links transverse to the longitudinal direction of the line to be guided.

[0004] Due to the internal division, the receiving space in the chain link can be divided by a separating bar and a shelf section so that the lines can be guided in an aligned arrangement and do not get entangled. For this purpose, the separating bar is usually fitted between two cross bars of the chain link parallel to the side plate and is held by at least one of the cross bars.

[0005] The body of the cross bar is typically of plate-like construction and has two main faces, two long narrow faces extending in the longitudinal direction of the cross bar, and two short faces extending in the width direction of the cross bar. Each of the longitudinally extending narrow faces of the cross bar typically has a respective holding device for holding a separation bar. The separation bar can also hold shelf portions parallel to the cross bar, for example by fastening to the separation bar or through openings in the separation bar through which the shelf portions can extend.

[0006] When there is a displacement of the energy guide chain, friction occurs with respect to the guided lines against the cross bars, especially in the area of ​​the turning arc. For example, contact with the edges of the plate-like body of the cross bars can lead to abrasion and wear of the guided lines. Contact with the surface of the body, which usually consists of a fiber-reinforced plastic of considerable hardness, can also be a cause of abrasion of the lines, especially in the case of electric wires, which usually have an outer housing made of a softer plastic.

[0007] To protect the guided line, EP 1 099 636 A1 proposes coating the inner surfaces of the chain links, which may come into contact with the line, in particular the inner surfaces of the cross bars, with an anti-friction lacquer which is soft on the line and has a friction-reducing effect. However, EP 1 099 636 A1 does not disclose how the chain links are constructed and how the various parts of the internal structure are interconnected, in particular in terms of additional layers on the surface. Furthermore, the coating process is technically complex and laborious, for example in relation to different product series, in order to ensure equal coating quality for each.

[0008] US 6,399,433 discloses a cross bar with separate elastically deformable tube elements that are rotatably mounted on the cross bar and can act to reduce wear of the line in the guide. However, the tube elements project radially into the receiving space in the chain links, thereby occupying a relatively large amount of the internal space, which is consequently not available for the line to be guided. Furthermore, the cross bar can only be fixed between the tube elements, i.e. the internal division of the receiving space is limited.

[0009] Patent document 3 discloses a cross bar for a typical chain link of an energy guide chain, which has two side portions interconnected and a long, narrow body. The body of the cross bar of Patent document 3 has two narrow faces extending in the longitudinal direction of the cross bar, each narrow face having a retaining groove suitable for retaining the cross bar.

[0010] The cross bar of the patent '363 is equipped with rollers inside, which allow the line to roll against the cross bar. The rolling action certainly reduces the associated friction, but for this purpose a structurally complex arrangement with mounting means for rotatable rollers on the cross bar is required. That solution also significantly reduces the space available within the internal space of the chain links. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0011] [Patent Document 1] European Patent Application Publication No. 1564438 [Patent Document 2] DE 102012106400 [Patent Document 3] WO 99 / 054642 Summary of the Invention

[0012] The object of the present invention is therefore to develop a known cross bar for chain links of energy guide chains, which is capable of holding the guided line in a receiving space so as to handle the line as softly as possible and which can be produced as simply as possible.The object of the present invention is to enable a flexible internal division in the chain links to be compatible with existing design configurations and / or to be optionally retrofittable.

[0013] In a cross bar of the above-mentioned general type according to the subject matter of claim 1, the object is already achieved in that a layer is provided on the inside of the body of the cross bar facing the receiving space in the intended use, which layer is soft to the lines and consists of a second plastic, which is selected to be different from the plastic of the body, which is the first plastic, at least in terms of composition, but in particular in terms of the substrate, for example the selected base polymer, and which acts to reduce wear during the relative movement between the guided line and the cross bar. The line protection layer in this case extends from one narrow face of the body to the other narrow face. According to the invention, the layer at least largely, preferably substantially completely, covers the inside of the body between the narrow faces, but in this respect both holding devices, i.e. the holding device at one narrow face and the holding device at the other narrow face, remain uncovered.

[0014] Since the retaining device, or at least one of them in case of several redundant retaining devices, remains uncovered in the case of the cross bar according to the invention, the respective retaining device remains accessible for a positive locking and / or force-locking connection to the separation bar. The retaining area of ​​the retaining device at each narrow face of the body preferably remains uncovered in the longitudinal direction of the cross bar over its entire working length and is therefore freely accessible.

[0015] This configuration allows existing design configurations, especially of the separation bars, to be used without modification, and the internal division can be of a flexible nature and can be changed later if necessary: ​​the internal division does not have to be adapted to the line protection layer, and the line protection layer does not have to be adapted to the desired internal division.

[0016] The second plastic differs from the plastic of the body, the first plastic, in particular with regard to anti-friction properties, such as for example the coefficient of friction. In particular with regard to the outer material of the guided line, the (sliding) coefficient of friction of the second plastic is lower than the (sliding) coefficient of friction of the first plastic under corresponding test conditions. The reduction of wear as a function of the relative movement between the line and the transverse bar is brought about by a reduction of the sliding friction of the guided line, in particular against the transverse bar ("sliding softly against the line").

[0017] The layer soft to the line can in particular be produced as a separate or retrofittable component or moulding, in particular integrally, particularly preferably in the form of a coherent continuous layer of uniform structure with respect to its material.

[0018] When loaded for its intended purpose, the line protection layer may remain immobile relative to the surface of the body.

[0019] The material thickness of the additional line protection layer may in this case be significantly smaller than that of the body constituting the actual structural component.

[0020] The holding devices of the cross bars for holding the separation bars may, for example, include teeth and / or holding grooves on the respective narrow faces for positive locking connection to the separation bars in a complementary configuration. The line protection layer does not extend over the holding devices so that the respective holding devices remain accessible for connection to the separation bars. Nevertheless, the line protection layer may form an edge protection that covers and cushions problematic edges on the body.

[0021] In order to provide as complete protection as possible for the line, the embodiment provides that the line protection layer extends continuously or without interruption in the longitudinal direction between the longitudinal ends or connection regions and in the width direction from one narrow face to the other narrow face, thus essentially completely covering the inside of the body over the entire surface area, in particular continuously in the width and longitudinal directions of the cross bars.

[0022] In this regard, the width direction of the cross bar corresponds to the longitudinal extent of the chain links in the chain direction, i.e. in the direction of the guided line, and the longitudinal direction of the cross bar corresponds to the transverse direction of the chain links (not the chain).

[0023] The line protection layer is preferably produced in the form of a free-standing or molded part and can in particular be removably connected to the body, this embodiment allowing retrofitting of the crossbar with the line protection layer and possibly also replacement of the line protection layer, for example in case of wear.

[0024] The line protection layer may preferably be an attachment component, especially for retrofitting, if desired.

[0025] The line protection layer may be fixed in the form of an attachment component in a positive and / or force-locking relationship, in particular removably, by a locking connection to the body. The line protection layer and the body may in particular have mutually matching locking elements, for example clip connectors for clipping the line protection layer to the body. The line protection layer and the body may be of such a configuration that the line protection layer can be snap-fitted to the body transversely to the main plane. The locking means of a simple configuration that allows for manufacturing tolerances allows the line protection layer to be quickly fitted to the body, even without complex and laborious alignment of the two parts relative to each other, in the case of plastic.

[0026] The cross bar and line protection layer may be produced in the form of an independent part, in particular an injection moulded part.

[0027] The line protection layer can preferably face the inside of the body in a tight or flush mounting relationship, and in particular in the form of a molding having a complementary shape to the surface configuration of the inside. On the surface facing the body, the line protection layer can be of a complementary profile to the profile of the inside of the body. The line protection layer can preferably face the body in a fixed manner without play or in a flush mounting relationship.

[0028] The body may have at least one fastening area for fastening the line protection layer. The line protection layer may be in the form of an independent molded part and may also have at least one snap or locking connection area which cooperates with the at least one fastening area of ​​the body. Alternatively or additionally, the snap or locking connection area of ​​the line protection layer may cooperate with one of the holding devices, which may possibly not be required for connection to the separation bar.

[0029] The cooperation of the fastening areas of the body with the snap-connection or locking connection areas of the line protection layer can be produced, for example, by a snap-fit ​​connection or a clip connection.

[0030] In an embodiment, the fastening area of ​​the body may comprise a profile groove or recess on the inner surface of the body for receiving a respective complementary protrusion in the form of a snap-connection area or a locking connection area of ​​the line protection layer, the protrusion comprising at least one area acting in the manner of a barb or a snap-engagement hook.

[0031] The locking connection by the hook region allows a simple connection of the line protection layer to the body, which is fixed against displacement. The two parts of the cross bar are held immovable relative to each other during the operation of the energy guide chain. The recesses for the projections run groove-like in the longitudinal direction of the cross bar and can be positioned in any desired manner relative to the transverse direction of the cross bar.

[0032] The arrangement may in particular have two or more recesses. In this case, the projections may extend longitudinally over part of the length of the cross bar and / or multiple projections may be distributed along the longitudinal direction so as to cooperate with corresponding openings, for example elongated grooves or separate recesses in the interior of the body. In principle, the projections may be arranged in corresponding recesses in the body or in the line protection layer, but this is not preferred, since the cross bar or the body should be usable without the line protection layer.

[0033] In an embodiment that can be combined with the preceding embodiment, the two end fastening regions for fastening the line protection layer to the body are in the form of longitudinal grooves along the respective narrow sides of the body. They can serve for engagement through the respective edge regions of the line protection layer. In this embodiment, the edge regions can be in the form of snap-connection regions or locking connection regions. In this case, the respective longitudinal grooves are preferably open at the ends in the width direction of the body and the respective edge regions of the line protection layer are preferably of clamp-shaped, in particular C-shaped cross section. In this way, the line protection layer can engage in the longitudinal grooves corresponding to the respective edge regions. The line protection layer can thus be snapped onto the body, its edge regions lockingly engaging in the longitudinal grooves of the body. An advantageous effect of this embodiment is the robust fastening, for which no additional fastening means are necessary. Furthermore, the edge regions can inherently provide edge protection, for example by means of a rounded outer contour.

[0034] Alternatively to the preferred multi-component construction, the line protection layer may be connected integrally and / or in materially bonded relation to the body, in particular by injection into the body. Such cross bars can be produced, for example, by means of a suitable two-component (2C) injection molding process or, on the other hand, for example, by subsequent injection of a second plastic into a separately produced body.

[0035] Each of the retaining devices of the body may include on its respective narrow face a row of teeth for generating a positive locking connection to the separation bar of a complementary configuration, in particular by means of teeth projecting in the width direction of the cross bar, where each tooth may be of a dimension in the height direction of the cross bar that is greater than its dimension in the longitudinal direction of the cross bar.

[0036] Alternatively or additionally, each retaining device of the body may have a respective retaining groove in a respective narrow face of the body for positive and / or force-locking fixation or connection to a separation bar of complementary configuration, in which case the retaining groove may extend in the longitudinal direction of the cross bar.

[0037] The line protection layer is preferably provided only inside the body and between the narrow faces of the body, so that the outwardly facing faces opposite the inwardly facing faces and facing away from the receiving space in the chain link in the intended operating condition of the cross bar fitted to the chain link are substantially free from or not covered by the line protection layer. In this preferred embodiment, material is saved, since the line protection layer of this structure is provided only inside the body, where the guided line may come into contact with the cross bar.

[0038] Providing the line protection layer on one side is made possible in particular by fastening areas for fixing the line protection layer to the main body, which, as described above, allows for a locking or snap connection, thereby allowing for a non-displaceable fixed connection despite the layer being applied on one side, which does not slip even when in contact with the guided line.

[0039] The line protection layer may preferably comprise a material that has a wear-reducing, in particular friction-reducing, effect in comparison with the main body. Due to its tribological properties, the material may have a wear-reducing, in particular friction-reducing effect on the guided line.

[0040] The material of the line protection layer may, for example, be a different thermoplastic material and may be based on a different polymer than the plastic of the body. The body may be produced from a normal polyimide, possibly reinforced or provided with additives, while the additional line protection layer may be made from polyethylene or polypropylene, etc. In this case, the plastic of the line protection layer may in particular be of a different hardness and / or stiffness than the material of the body, so that a wear-reducing effect is achieved to protect the guided line.

[0041] The second plastic of the line protection layer particularly preferably comprises or consists of a substrate or base polymer which is softer or has a lower hardness (Shore hardness D, i.e. hardness value according to VDI / VDE 2616) than the plastic (substrate) of the body of the crossbar, in which case it may possibly be softer elastic than the plastic of the body.

[0042] The material may preferably be a tribopolymer, comprising solid lubricants (particles) embedded in a base polymer, for example HMWPE or UHMWPE. The second plastic may be provided with additives to improve the sliding action, for example PTFE. In addition, other lubricants may be included, for example dispersed waxes and / or oils. However, the material particularly preferably does not require any additional lubricants. The second plastic, like the first plastic, may comprise fillers, for example in the form of fibers or balls, such as glass, glass fibers, carbon fibers or aramid, for reinforcing purposes.

[0043] The above mentioned material preferences apply both with regard to the construction in the form of an independent component and in the case of integral production with the body, for example by injection in an injection moulding process.

[0044] The line protection layer is preferably of material thickness in a direction perpendicular to the main plane of the cross bar less than the corresponding dimension of the body. The material thickness of the line protection layer may, for example, be 40% or less of the corresponding dimension of the body.

[0045] The line protection layer may be of unitary construction in itself and may have a surface or sliding surface which is immovable relative to the surface of the body under normal loads in operation.

[0046] The cross bar is preferably a so-called open bar and may have, preferably at least at one of its longitudinal ends, a connection area adapted for releasable fixing to a respective one of the side plates.

[0047] At least one connection area may be provided, for example, for pivotable mounting of the cross bar to each one of the side plates, so that the receiving space in the chain link is accessible without removing the cross bar from the chain link.

[0048] The invention further relates to a chain link for an energy guide chain comprising two side plates interconnected by a cross bar and pivotally connectable to a side plate of a further chain link in the longitudinal direction, the chain link having at least one cross bar with a line protection layer according to one of the above embodiments.

[0049] The invention also relates to an energy guide chain for dynamically guiding lines, for example cables and / or hoses, which comprises at least one above-mentioned chain link, preferably substantially comprising such chain links, particularly preferably all chain links between the end links of the energy guide chain each comprising at least one cross bar with a line protection layer according to one of the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0050] Further details, configurations and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description of preferred embodiments by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0051] [Figure 1]1 shows a cross-sectional view of a chain link of an energy guide chain equipped with a line and an internal split as an example. [Figure 2A] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a chain link according to an embodiment. [Figure 2B] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view through a transverse bottom main plane of a portion of a chain link according to an embodiment. [Figure 2C] FIG. 13 is a bottom view of a portion of a chain link according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] An embodiment of a cross bar or aperture bar is shown in end view of a narrow face having a line protection layer according to the present invention. [Figure 4A] A further embodiment of a cross bar is shown in cross section with a line protection layer according to the invention provided as an independent mounting part. [Figure 4B] A further embodiment of a cross bar is shown in a perspective view with a line protection layer according to the invention provided as an independent mounting part. [Figure 5A] A still further embodiment of a cross bar is shown in cross section with a line protection layer according to the invention provided as an independent mounting part. [Figure 5B] 1 shows a yet further embodiment of a cross bar in a perspective view, with a line protection layer according to the invention provided as an independent mounting part; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0052] FIG. 1 shows a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the energy guide chain 1 through a chain link 10, showing an exemplary internal structure of the energy guide chain 1 for actively guiding lines, such as cables 17 and hoses 16. The energy guide chain 1 is made up of a number of chain links 10 pivotally connected to one another in a direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 1. Here, the chain links 10 also comprise individual parts and have at least two side plates 11. Each, i.e. for example every second chain link 10, of the side plates 11 is fixedly connected by two parallel identical transverse bars 12 to form a stable structure, held parallel and spaced apart in the transverse direction of the energy guide chain 1. For this purpose, the transverse bars 12 are removably fixed to the side plates 11 by means of end fastening areas, for example by means of fastening receiving means to horns (not shown) of the side plates 11. The side plates 11 and the transverse bars 12 define receiving spaces 14 for the lines 16, 17. The structure of the energy guide chain 1 is well known and may be of any desired structure, for example cranked side plates or alternating inner and outer plates forming the side plates 11. In particular, a two-part chain link may be considered, in which the two side plates 11 and the cross bar 12 are produced from one piece, i.e. integrally, and only the other cross bar 12 is removable (this is not shown).

[0053] For the purpose of the internal division, it is known to provide horizontal transverse plate portions 18 for dividing the height h of the receiving space 14 and longitudinal separation bars 20 for dividing the width q of the receiving space 14, as shown by way of example in FIG. 1. In the direction of the height h, the separation bar 20 has two end regions, an upper end portion 22 and a lower end portion 24. They can be fixed at least in one of the end regions, for example in the lower end portion 24, for example by means of a locking connection, to the narrow face 23 of the transverse bar 12 at a selectable position in the direction of the width q of the receiving space 14 or in the direction of the length of the transverse bar 12. The transverse bar 12 is fixed in any case in the longitudinal direction of the energy guide chain 1 and in the direction of the width B of the transverse bar. The transverse plate portions are to be fitted respectively into horizontally successive through-openings 26 (see FIG. 2) in the separation bar 20 according to a predetermined pattern and in selectable increments with respect to the height h. In this respect, FIG. 1 shows the transverse plate portions 18 in the form of insert plate portions extending almost completely over the width q. Short shelf plate sections dividing only a part of the width q are also possible. The separating bars 20 are of plate-like or flat construction and extend with their main plane or longitudinal direction parallel to the side plates 11. The transverse sections 18 are also of plate-like construction and extend parallel to the transverse bars 12. For each chain link 10 with a transverse bar 12, a similar internal division of the receiving space 14 should be provided for the benefit of the lines 16, 17. Thus, the separating bars 20 and the transverse plate sections 18 should be provided at regular intervals and in the same configuration at each n-th chain link in order to divide the receiving space 14 into compartments or partitions 19 for the alignment and guidance of the lines 16, 17 with better protection of the lines 16, 17.

[0054] 2A-2C show an embodiment of an internal division of the chain link 10 in a partial view. At the upper end 222 and at the lower end 224, the separating bar 220 has respective retaining clips 234. In this case, the retaining clips 234 at the upper and lower ends 222, 224 are of identical construction. As shown in FIG. 2A, the separating bar 220 is fitted between two identical cross bars 212, and the retaining clips 234 hold the narrow faces 223 of the cross bars at the upper and lower ends of the separating bar, respectively.

[0055] Each cross bar 212 is elongated and of plate-like configuration, and in the illustrated example, its two longer narrow faces 223 have respective tooth strips or strip-like tooth rows 240 designed for a positive locking connection to a separation bar 220 of complementary configuration.

[0056] As can be seen best in FIG. 2C, the outer contour of the narrow face 223 defines a tooth row 240 with teeth 241 which project outward in the width direction B of the transverse bar 212 and are spaced apart from one another by inter-tooth gaps 242. A plurality of identical teeth 241 and inter-tooth gaps 242 are arranged alternately and evenly distributed along most of the longitudinal extent of the narrow face 223. The teeth 241 and inter-tooth gaps 242 each have a rounded profile at the ends. Each tooth 241 has a dimension in the height direction H of the transverse bar 212 that is greater than the dimension in the longitudinal direction Q of the transverse bar 212, for example 7 mm. The dimension of the tooth 241 in the height direction H of the transverse bar 212 is also greater than the dimension of the tooth in the width direction B of the transverse bar 212. This provides a push-in connection that is smoothly operable and at the same time tilt-resistant.

[0057] The retaining clip 234 has two opposing retaining extensions 250 designed for retention against the narrow faces 223 of the transverse bar 212 in complementary relationship with the tooth rows 240 in the direction of the width of the separating bar. The spacing between the retaining extensions 250 of the retaining clip 234 relative to one another corresponds to the width of the transverse bar 212. In the illustrated embodiment, the retaining extensions 250 each have a pair of teeth projections 251, which are designed for positive locking insertion into the tooth rows 240, here in two respectively consecutive inter-tooth gaps 242. Here, the end regions of the retaining extensions 250 are, for example, of U-shaped cross section.

[0058] The dimension of the teeth 251 in the direction of the width of the separation bar corresponds to the depth of the inter-tooth gap 242. The dimension of the teeth 251 in the direction of the height of the separation bar 20 in the illustrated embodiment is, for example, about 5 mm.

[0059] 2A-2C further show a transverse portion 218 which is of plate-like configuration and adapted in cross section to the through opening 26 in the separation bar 220. The transverse portion 218 on one of its long narrow sides has a teeth arrangement 227 for cooperating with a locking projection 28 of the through opening 26.

[0060] FIG. 3 shows a side view of the narrow side of an embodiment of a cross bar 312 with two rows of teeth for the separation bar 220. In the case of the cross bar 312, an elongated body 325 is produced at each of its longitudinal ends from a first plastic, for example reinforced polyamide, to provide a strong connection area 361A, 361B, by means of which the cross bar 312 is connected to the side plate 11. In the interior 362 of the body 325, shown at the top of FIG. 3 and facing the receiving space 14 (see FIG. 1) in the operating state (with the cross bar fitted in the chain link 10), the cross bar 312 comprises a line protection layer 365 for soft handling of the lines, made of a second plastic different from the plastic of the body 325 and specially selected to protect the lines. The cross bar 312 can be produced, for example, in the form of a two-part injection molding. The line protection layer 365 covers the body 325 over its entire area continuously in the longitudinal direction Q of the cross bar between the longitudinal ends and in the width direction B of the cross bar from one narrow face 323 to the other narrow face, so that only at the ends the tooth arrangement protrudes outwards (see FIG. 2 ). This leaves the tooth arrangement accessible and not covered by the line protection layer 365.

[0061] 4A-4B and 5A-5B show further embodiments of the cross bar 412, 512, except that the line protection layer 465, 565 is produced as an independent moulding. Here too, the line protection layer 465, 565 can be produced from a material with friction reducing properties using an injection moulding process, but is removably connected to the body 425, 525. The body 425, 525 is produced from fibre reinforced polyamide using an injection moulding process. In these examples, the line protection layer 465, 565 is produced from a softer material, for example with a lower Shore D hardness than the material of the body. Preferably, polyethylene (PE) or HMWPE is used, for example with PTFE as a sliding additive and optionally glass fibre reinforcement. The line protection layer may also be produced from UHMWPE with PTFE or dispersed wax and / or oil to improve tribological properties, and optionally with additional reinforcement including glass balls, glass fibre, carbon fibre, aramid and / or other fillers. These materials can also be used to produce the line protection layer according to the embodiment in FIG.

[0062] As can be seen from Figures 4A-4B and 5A-5B, the line protection layer 465, 565 is fitted only on one side of the body 425, 525 of the cross bar 412, 512, more specifically on the inside 462, 562 of the body 425, 525. The line protection layer 465, 565 extends substantially from one long narrow face 423, 523 to the other narrow face and from one long end of the body to the other. Thus, the inside 462, 562 of the body 425, 525 is indeed substantially covered or shielded by the line protection layer 465, 565. In this way, when the cross bar 412, 512 is properly fitted to the chain link 10 of the energy guide chain 1, it can be ensured that the guided line comes into contact with the line protection layer 465, 565, not with the body 425, 525.

[0063] 4A-4B show an embodiment in which the cross bar 412 as a holding device for holding the separating bar comprises a holding groove 442 on each narrow face 423 extending in the longitudinal direction Q of the cross bar and a tooth arrangement 440 in the longitudinal groove 442. The line protection layer 465 covers the inside of the body but not the narrow faces 423 that are left uncovered, so that the holding groove 442 and the tooth arrangement 440 are available for connection to the separating bar over their entire length. Thus, an optional separating bar for the internal division of the chain links can be fixed in the cross bar 412 at any desired position along the longitudinal extent of the cross bar 412.

[0064] As shown in Fig. 4A-4B, the line protection layer 465 is fixed to the body by a snap connection or a locking connection. The line protection layer 465 for this purpose has at least one projection 472 arranged in the center (with respect to the width direction B of the cross bar 412). The projection 472 can extend in the form of a rib in the longitudinal direction Q of the cross bar 412 or there may be distributed individual locking projections. The projection 472 has a double snap hook or barb 474 on both sides. The body 425 likewise has a profile groove 470 or locking receiving means 470, the cross section of which corresponds to the cross section of the projection 472. To make the snap connection, the line protection layer 465 can be pressed, for example manually, into the interior 462 of the body 425 in a direction transverse to the main plane of the body 425, so that the projection 472 locks in the profile groove 470 by the snap hook 474. Removal of the line protection layer 465 from the body 425 is intended to require very high forces. This ensures that in normal operation of the energy guide chain 1, the line protection layer 465 is only fixed internally relative to the cross bar 412, but cannot detach from the body 425 and cannot be displaced relative to the surface of the body 425. In an embodiment, the profile groove 470 extends from one long end or short side of the body 425 to the other and opens at the end relative to the short end, so that the line protection layer 465 can also be pressed into the body 425 from the short end, whereby the layer 465 presses the projections 472 into the profile groove 470 in a relationship parallel to the main plane of the body in the longitudinal direction Q of the cross bar. In this way, removal of the line protection layer 465 from the body 425 can only be possible if the cross bar 412 becomes disassembled from the chain link 10, for example in the event of excessive wear. In this way, the line protection layer 465 can be prevented by the positive locking connection from detaching or falling off the body 425 in normal operation.

[0065] 5A-5B show a further embodiment in which the cross bar 512 has a respective row of teeth 540 on its body 525 as a holding device for holding the separation bar. Here, the teeth project from the main plane of the body 525 in the height direction H of the cross bar 512. The teeth can also project in the width direction B of the cross bar as in Figs. 3A-3C. Furthermore, along its long narrow face 523, the body 525 has a respective longitudinal groove 570 acting as a fastening area for fastening the line protection layer 565. Here, the line protection layer 565 is of a bowl-shaped configuration and also has edge areas 572 extending along its longitudinal extent and each cooperating as a snap connection area with the respective associated additional longitudinal groove 570 of the body 525. The line protection layer 565 can be manually pressed from its interior 562 onto the body 525 and snapped into place. The edge regions 572 of the line protection layer 565 are each of C-shaped cross section across its longitudinal extent, so that when the line protection layer 565 is snapped onto the body, each edge region 572 engages a corresponding longitudinal groove 570 to prevent the line protection layer 565 from slipping or falling off the body 525 during operation of the energy guide chain 1. In this example, the line protection layer 565 lies in a tight, tight or flush relationship against the interior 562 of the body 525. The narrow face 523 and the exterior 564 of the body 525 remain free, i.e. uncovered, so that the teeth 540 for connecting the separation bar are available along their entire length.

[0066] In the embodiment shown in Figures 4A-4B and 5A-5B, a snap or locking connection is made between a snap or locking connection area of ​​the line protection layer 465, 565 and a corresponding fastening area 470, 570 of the main body. For this purpose, the main body is provided with a fastening area 470 that is spatially separated from the holding devices for the separation bar (tooth rows 440, holding grooves 442). In this way, all holding devices provided therein remain free for connection to the separation bar.

[0067] On the other hand, embodiments are possible in which, at each narrow face of the body, the transverse bar has a plurality of redundant holding devices for the separation bar, or both a groove and a tooth arrangement or two parallel grooves extending in a spaced relationship in the width direction B of the transverse bar, the holding device extending closer to and along the corresponding narrow face. In this case, the line protection layer can be fitted by a snap-fastening action on the body, such that the grooves also cooperate with the snap connection areas of the line connection layer and the fastening areas. In this case, the tooth arrangement or the groove extending closer to the narrow face is available for connection to the separation bar. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] Figure 1 1 Energy Guide Chain 10 Chain Link 11 Side plate 12 Cross Bar 14 Receptive Space 16 Hose 17 Cable 18 Cross section 19 Division of receptive space 20 Separation Bar 22 Upper end of separation bar 23 Narrow side of cross bar 24 Lower end of separation bar h Height of receptive space q Width of receptive space Figures 2A-2C 26 Separation bar through opening 28 Locking protrusion of through opening 212 Cross Bar 218 Cross section 220 Separation Bar 222 Upper end of separation bar 223 Narrow Side 224 Lower end of separation bar 227 Tooth Configuration in Transverse Section 234 Retaining Clip 240 Dentition 241 teeth 242 Interdental Gap 250 Retention extension 251 Dental process B Width of cross bar H Height of cross bar Q Longitudinal direction of cross bar Figure 3 312 Cross Bar 323 Narrow Surface 325 Main Unit 340 Dentition 362 Internal 364 External 365 Line Protection Layer 361A, 361B connection area Figures 4A and 4B 412 Cross Bar 423 Narrow Surface 425 Body 440 Dentition 442 Retaining groove 462 Internal 464 External 465 Line Protection Layer 470 Profile Groove 472 Protrusion 474 Barb (Snap Hook) Figures 5A and 5B 512 Cross Bar 523 Narrow Surface 525 Body 540 Dentition 562 Internal 564 External 565 Line Protection Layer 570 Longitudinal groove 572 Line protection layer edge area

Claims

1. A cross bar (12; 312; 412; 512) for a chain link (10) of an energy guide chain (1) for guiding a line, The chain link (10) has two spaced apart side plates (11), said cross bar (12; 312; 412; 512) having an elongated body (325; 425; 525) made of a first plastic and connection areas (361A, 361B) at each of its longitudinal ends by means of which it can be connected to a respective one of said side plates (11) to define a receiving space (14) for a line (16, 17), the body (325; 425; 525) of the crossbar (12; 312; 412; 512) has two narrow faces (323; 423; 523) each having a holding device extending in the longitudinal direction (Q) of the crossbar (12; 312; 412; 512) for holding a separation bar (20; 220), i.e. a holding device on one narrow face (323; 423; 523) and a holding device on the other narrow face (323; 423; 523), a line protection layer (365; 465; 565) for soft handling of the line, made of a second plastic different from the plastic of the body (325; 425; 525) in order to reduce wear and tear on the relative movement between the line and the cross bar, is provided on the inside (362; 462; 562) of the body (325; 425; 525) facing the receiving space (14) in the intended use, said line protection layer (365; 465; 565) extends from said one narrow face (323; 423; 523) of said body (325; 425; 525) to said other narrow face (323; 423; 523) and at least largely, preferably substantially completely covers said interior (362; 462; 562) of said body (325; 425; 525) between said narrow faces (323; 423; 523) of said body (325; 425; 525), while leaving said two holding devices uncovered; Said line protection layer (465; 565) is produced integrally with said body in a two-part (2C) injection moulding process or is injected into said body, a cross bar (12; 312; 412; 512).

2. A cross bar (12; 312; 412; 512) for a chain link (10) of an energy guide chain (1) for guiding a line, The chain link (10) has two spaced apart side plates (11), The cross bar (12; 312; 412; 512) has an elongated body (325; 425; 525) made of a first plastic and connection areas (361A, 361B) at each of its longitudinal ends by means of which it can be connected to a respective one of the side plates (11) to define a receiving space (14) for a line (16, 17), the cross bar (12; 312; 412; 512) having a first plastic body (325; 425; 525) and a connecting area (361A, 361B) at each of its longitudinal ends by means of which it can be connected to a respective one of the side plates (11) to define a receiving space (14) for a line (16, 17), said body (325; 425; 525) of said cross bar (12; 312; 412; 512) having two narrow faces (323; 423; 523) each having a holding device extending in the longitudinal direction (Q) of said cross bar (12; 312; 412; 512) for holding a separation bar (20; 220), i.e. a holding device on one narrow face (323; 423; 523) and a holding device on the other narrow face (323; 423; 523), a line protection layer (365; 465; 565) for soft handling of the line, made of a second plastic different from the plastic of the body (325; 425; 525) in order to reduce wear on the relative movement between the line and the cross bar, is provided on the inside (362; 462; 562) of the body (325; 425; 525) facing the receiving space (14) in the intended use, said line protection layer (365; 465; 565) extends from said one narrow face (323; 423; 523) of said body (325; 425; 525) to said other narrow face (323; 423; 523) and at least largely, preferably substantially completely covers said interior (362; 462; 562) of said body (325; 425; 525) between said narrow faces (323; 423; 523) of said body (325; 425; 525), while leaving said two holding devices uncovered; The line protection layer (465; 565) is in the form of a separate body and is connected to the body (425; 525) of a cross bar (12; 312; 412; 512).

3. A cross bar (12; 312; 412; 512) according to claim 2, wherein the line protection layer (365; 465; 565) extends in the longitudinal direction (Q) between the longitudinal ends and in the width direction (B) from one narrow face (323; 423; 523) to the other narrow face and covers the interior (362; 462; 562) of the main body (325; 425; 525) substantially completely and in particular continuously over its entire area in the width direction and in the longitudinal direction.

4. 4. A cross bar (412; 512) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein said line protection layer (465; 565) is in the form of a moulding and is in particular removably connected to said body (425; 525).

5. A cross bar (412; 512) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the line protection layer (465; 565) is fixable to the body (425; 525) in a positive-locking and / or force-locking relationship, in particular by a locking connection.

6. A cross bar (412; 512) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the line protection layer (465; 565) faces the inner portion (462; 562) of the main body (425; 525) in a flush mounting relationship, in particular in the form of a moulded part of a shape complementary to the surface configuration of the inner portion (462; 562).

7. A cross bar (412; 512) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the main body (425; 525) has at least one fastening area for fastening the line protection layer (465; 565), the line protection layer (465; 565) being in the form of an independent moulded piece and having at least one snap connection area or locking connection area cooperating with at least one said fastening area.

8. The cross bar (412) according to claim 7, wherein the fixing areas are in the form of profile grooves (470) or recesses in the interior (462) of the body (425) for receiving respective complementary protrusions (472) on the line protection layer (465), the protrusions including at least one area acting in particular in the manner of a barb (474).

9. 9. A cross bar (512) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the body (525) has two end fixing regions for fixing the line protection layer (565) in the form of longitudinal grooves (570) along respective narrow faces (523) of the body (525) for engagement with respective edge regions (572) of the line protection layer (565), each of the longitudinal grooves (570) preferably opening in the width direction of the body (525) at an end, and each of the edge regions (572) of the line protection layer (565) preferably having a clamp shape, in particular a C-shaped cross section, engaging with each of the edge regions (572) in the corresponding longitudinal grooves (570).

10. The cross bar (312) of claim 2 or 3, wherein the line protection layer (365) is connected to the body (325) in a material bonding relationship.

11. A cross bar (312; 412; 512) as described in any one of claims 2 to 10, wherein the line protection layer (365; 465; 565) is of integral construction with a surface that is immovable relative to the surface of the main body (325; 425; 525) under intended operating loads.

12. A cross bar (212) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein each retaining device has a respective row of teeth (240) on each narrow face (223) for positive locking connection to a separation bar (220) in a complementary configuration by means of teeth (241) projecting in a width direction (B) of the cross bar (212), each tooth (241) having a dimension in a height direction (H) of the cross bar (212) greater than a dimension of the teeth (241) in the longitudinal direction (Q) of the cross bar (212).

13. A cross bar (412) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein each retaining device includes a respective retaining groove (442) in the respective narrow face (423) of the body (425) for positive locking connection to a separation bar (20; 220) of complementary configuration, the retaining groove (442) extending in the longitudinal direction (Q) of the cross bar.

14. A cross bar (312; 412; 512) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the line protection layer (365; 465; 565) is provided only in the interior (362; 462; 562) of the body (325; 425; 525) and between the narrow faces (323; 423; 523).

15. 15. A cross bar (312; 412; 512) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the line protection layer (365; 465; 565) comprises a material having a wear-reducing, in particular friction-reducing, effect compared to the main body.

16. A cross bar (312; 412; 512) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the line protection layer (365; 465; 565) has a material thickness in a direction perpendicular to the main plane of the cross bar that is less than the corresponding dimension of the main body (325; 425; 525), in particular not more than 40% of the corresponding dimension of the main body.

17. A cross bar (312; 412; 512) according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the cross bar has, at at least one of its longitudinal ends, a connection area (361A, 361B) provided for releasably fixing to a respective one of the side plates (11).

18. A chain link (10) for an energy guide chain (1) comprising two side plates (11) which are mutually connected by a cross bar (12; 212; 312; 412; 512) and which are pivotally connectable in the longitudinal direction to a side plate of a further chain link, A chain link (10) having at least one cross bar (312; 412; 512) with a line protection layer (365; 465; 565) according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

19. An energy guide chain (1) for dynamic guiding of lines, such as cables (17) and / or hoses (16), comprising at least one chain link (10) according to claim 18.

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