Vertical guide channel

Abstract

The present invention relates to a guide channel (1) for guiding an energy chain (3) along a vertical line or a line extending with a vertical component. The guide channel has boundary walls formed by separate guide plates (4, 5) arranged opposite each other. The two guide plates (4, 5) have smooth sliding surfaces (6, 7) on their faces facing the energy chain (3), and the sliding surfaces are provided with guide flanges (8, 9, 10, 11) projecting at right angles in their lateral edge regions. The guide plates (4, 5) are held in U-shaped brackets (12) that can be fastened to a support wall at offset intervals in height. The outer surface of the U-shaped web (13) of the bracket (12) abuts the support wall, and the guide plates (4, 5) can be fastened to the inner surfaces of the U-shaped legs (14, 15) of the bracket (12).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a guide channel type device for guiding an energy chain, consisting of links movably connected to one another along a vertical line or a line extending with a vertical component, in which flexible supply lines connecting connectors arranged at a fixed height to a vertically movable device or machine are guided in the energy chain, which is guided between the lateral boundary walls. [Background technology]

[0002] A guide channel for energy chains, which is also suitable for vertical movement, is known (US Pat. No. 5,399,313). The energy chain is magnetically held in the guide channel. For this, the chain links are all provided with permanent magnets on the outer surface of their web, which interact with steel plates embedded in the bottom surface of the guide channel. Apart from the fact that the guide channel can only accommodate a single strand and is only suitable for specially adapted energy chains, such an arrangement is relatively expensive. Details of how the guide channel can be fastened to the vertical wall are not included in this publication.

[0003] Another known device (US Pat. No. 5,399,633) provided exclusively for horizontal movement consists essentially of a U-shaped guide channel for the energy chain, the side walls of which have at their lower and upper ends protrusions bent inwards by 90 degrees. In the case of this guide channel bent from sheet metal, the side walls are connected to each other via an integrally formed bottom surface. The channel is fastened onto a flat horizontal support via screws reaching through the bottom surface.

[0004] Furthermore, a guide channel for an energy chain, which is likewise provided for horizontal movement, is known (US Pat. No. 5,399,323). The guide channel is U-shaped and can be fastened to a smooth, vertical wall by means of lateral supports. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] European Patent No. 2546546 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Pat. No. 5,178,247 [Patent Document 3] German Utility Model No. 202011100313 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The object of the invention is to provide a vertical guide for energy chains, known per se, which can be manufactured with little effort and which can be appropriately fastened to a vertical wall.

[0007] According to the invention, this object is achieved by means of claim 1, the characteristics of which can be seen in particular in the following: The lateral boundary walls are formed by separate guide plates arranged opposite each other, The two guide plates have smooth sliding surfaces on their faces facing the energy chain, The sliding surfaces are provided with guide flanges projecting at right angles in their lateral edge regions, The guide plates are carried on brackets fastenable to the support wall at offset intervals in height; The bracket is formed in a U-shape, and an outer surface of the U-shaped web of the bracket abuts the support wall; The guide plate is fastenable to an inner surface of the U-leg of the bracket.

[0008] A completely new guide system has been created by the invention, which does not require guide channels formed in the traditional sense. Elongated separate guide plates with smooth sliding surfaces on the faces facing the energy chain are merely provided as lateral boundary walls. To hold the energy chain between them, the guide plates have guide flanges projecting at right angles in their edge regions. Together with brackets arranged at intervals with offset height, the guide plates are held in their position, so that a good guideway for the energy chain is guaranteed between the guide plates.

[0009] The device according to the invention can receive two strands of an energy chain interconnected by a deflection region, the guide flanges extending in the lateral edge regions of the sliding surface defining the space in which the two strands of the energy chain move. This results in a very compact design with very small space requirements.

[0010] Catch means which are interengageable and which can result in a firm retention over the entire length of the guide channel are preferably provided on the rear face of the guide plate facing the U-leg of the bracket and on the inner face of the U-leg.

[0011] The catch means provided on the rear surface of the guide plate are protrusions with suitable pairs of undercut lugs, the lugs of the pair of protrusions facing in opposite directions. Correspondingly, opposing protrusions with similarly opposing undercut lugs formed in pairs are formed on the U-shaped legs of the bracket, and when the guide plate is pressed against the inner surface of the U-shaped legs, the lugs formed on the protrusions and the opposing protrusions snap back against each other through slight elastic deformation of the protrusions and the opposing protrusions. This allows for a good seating that can withstand relatively large vibrations.

[0012] To achieve a sufficiently secure retention across the width of the guide plate, two pairs of protrusions and opposing protrusions may be located both on the rear face of the guide plate and on the inner face of the U-leg.

[0013] The protruding portion and the counter-protruding portion are suitably formed as a continuous rib, with the undercut lug provided on the rib also extending continuously the entire length of the rib.

[0014] The projections and the counter projections formed as ribs preferably extend vertically, whereby an optimally stable hold is achieved.

[0015] The protrusion formed as a rib on the rear surface of the guide plate appropriately extends over the entire length of the guide plate, as a result of which the guide plate acquires additional rigidity, so that the guide plate also acquires sufficient stability in the free area between the two brackets, where there are no supports.

[0016] On the face of the rib-like counter projection of the bracket, which in the engaged state abuts on the rib-like projection of the guide plate, a protrusion may be provided which protrudes beyond the height of the rib-like projection, which ensures a better retention of the projection and the counter projection which are snapped together, creating a secure fixation against displacement of the parts relative to each other.

[0017] For accurate positioning of the guide plates, at least two stops are provided on the bracket, so that optimal dimensional accuracy for receiving the strands between the guide plates is ensured.

[0018] The stops are formed such that the inner stops are formed as continuous stop bars on the inner surface of the U-web and the outer stops are formed as inwardly bent tips of each U-leg of the bracket.

[0019] The bracket may be formed as a one-piece plastic part. Preferably, PVC or PE is used to manufacture the bracket.

[0020] The guide plate as an integral part may also consist of PVC or PE, and it would of course also be possible to manufacture the guide plate from metal.

[0021] The guide plates and brackets can be extruded or injection molded.

[0022] The web and the two U-legs of the bracket, which are connected to each other by ribs arranged in a truss shape, preferably consist of two plates extending away from each other, which allows significant material savings during the manufacture of the bracket without adversely affecting its stability.

[0023] Each bracket can be connected to the support wall by means of fastening elements via a protruding fastening flange, which may be provided on both sides of the U-shaped web of the bracket.

[0024] Furthermore, a holder for a line to be fixedly laid can be arranged on the outer surface of the U-leg of the bracket. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] 1A-1C are diagrams of example embodiments of vertical guide channels in accordance with the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the guide channel according to FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a view of part III of FIG. 1 on a greatly enlarged scale. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the part according to FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a view of the bracket from above with the guide plate inserted. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line VI of FIG. 5 on a further enlarged scale. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] The invention is illustrated by way of example in the drawings and will be explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0027] In figures 1 and 2 of the drawings a guide channel (guide channel type device) 1 for vertical guiding of an energy chain is shown. Such a guide channel 1 can also be used advantageously if the guiding is performed for a line that runs over an inclined surface by simply having a vertical component. In this case the energy chain is used to guide a flexible supply line that connects a connector placed at a fixed height to a vertically movable device or machine.

[0028] The energy chain is guided between lateral boundary walls formed by separate guide plates 4 and 5 in the device according to the invention. The guide plates 4 and 5 are held in a bracket 12, which will be described in more detail below.

[0029] The part III marked in FIG. 1 is shown in detail on an enlarged scale in FIGS.

[0030] As can be seen from these figures, the two guide plates 4 and 5 arranged opposite each other have smooth sliding surfaces 6 and 7 on their faces facing the receiving space for the energy chain, which are provided with guide flanges protruding at right angles in the lateral edge regions, guide plate 4 having guide flanges 8 and 9 and guide plate 5 having guide flanges 10 and 11.

[0031] As can be seen in particular from FIG. 5, the space between the two sliding surfaces 6 and 7 of the guide plates 4 and 5 serves as a space for receiving two strands 16 and 17 of the energy chain 3, which consist of links 2 interconnected by deflection regions and which are both movably connected to one another.

[0032] The two guide plates 4 and 5 are held and fixed in their position only by brackets 12 which are arranged vertically offset.

[0033] The bracket 12 is formed in a U-shape, with the outer surface of the U-shaped web 13 capable of being fastened to a smooth support wall. The guide plates 4 and 5 are both fastened to the inner surfaces of the U-legs 14 and 15 of the respective bracket 12.

[0034] On the rear faces of the guide plates 4 and 5 facing the U-legs 14 and 15 of the bracket 12 and on the inner faces of the U-legs 14 and 15, catch means are provided which are firmly engageable with each other.

[0035] The catch means provided on the rear faces of both guide plates 4 and 5 consist of two pairs of projections 18 and 19 provided with undercut lugs 20 and 21. The undercut lugs 20 and 21 of each pair of projections 18 and 19 face in opposite directions, i.e. are spaced apart from each other.

[0036] Corresponding opposing projections 22 and 23, each formed with a pair of undercut lugs 24 and 25, are formed on the U-legs 14 and 15 of the bracket 12, with the lugs of each pair of projections facing in opposite directions, i.e., opposite each other in this case.

[0037] When the guide plates 4 and 5 are pressed against the inner surfaces of the U-legs 14 and 15, respectively, the lugs 20, 21, 24 and 25 formed on the protrusions 18 and 19 and the counter protrusions 22 and 23 snap back onto each other via slight elastic deformation of the protrusions and counter protrusions. Each pair of protrusions 18 and 19 of the guide plates 4 and 5 reaches between the pair of protrusions 22 and 23 of the U-legs 14 and 15 of the bracket 12, so that the lugs of the protrusions facing in opposite directions engage back to back with each other.

[0038] As can be seen particularly from Figure 5, two pairs of protrusions 18 and 19 which cooperate with two pairs of opposing protrusions 22 and 23 arranged on the U-shaped legs 14 and 15 of the bracket 12 are both arranged on the guide plates 4 and 5.

[0039] The projections 18 and 19 and the opposing projections 22 and 23 are formed as a continuous rib, and the undercut lugs 20, 21 and 24, 25 formed on the rib also extend continuously. The projections 18 and 19 and the opposing projections 22 and 23 formed as ribs are arranged in a vertical direction.

[0040] The projections 18 and 19 formed as ribs on the rear faces of the guide plates 4 and 5 extend over the entire length of the guide plates 4 and 5, thereby giving them particularly good rigidity, so that the guide plates 4 and 5 are also mounted with sufficient rigidity in the area between the two brackets 12 and provide reliable guidance for the two strands of the energy chain.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 6, individual protruding convexities 33, which increase the sliding resistance between the protrusions 18 and 19 and the opposing protrusions 22 and 23 and, as a result, improve the overall stability of the guide channel, are formed on the surfaces of the rib-like opposing protrusions 22 and 23 provided on the bracket 12 which abut against the rib-like protrusions 18 and 19 of the guide plates 4 and 5 in the engaged state.

[0042] For the exact positioning of the guide plates 4 and 5 between the U-legs 14 and 15 of the bracket 12, two stops 26 and 27 are provided on each of the brackets 12. The inner stop 26 is formed as a continuous stop bar on the inner surface of the U-web 13, the outer stop 27 is formed as an inwardly bent tip of each of the U-legs 14 and 15 of the bracket 12. By this measure the exact distance between the sliding surfaces 6 and 7 of the guide plates is set.

[0043] The bracket 12 is formed as a one-piece plastic part made of PVC or PE. The same applies to the guide plates 4 and 5. Both the guide plates 4 and 5 and the bracket 12 are extruded or injection moulded, the extrusion process being advantageously suited to at least the elongated guide plates 4 and 5.

[0044] The bracket 12 has an extremely lightweight structure, i.e., each U-shaped web 13 as well as the two U-shaped legs 14 and 15 each consist of two plates 28 and 29 extending apart from each other, which are interconnected by ribs 30 arranged in a truss-like manner.

[0045] Protruding fastening flanges 31 are provided on both sides of the U-shaped web 13 for fastening the bracket 12, for example, to a smooth supporting wall. The flanges are provided with notches or drilled holes through which fastening elements, for example screws, can be inserted.

[0046] In the embodiment shown in the drawings, an additional retaining portion 32 is provided on the outer surface of the U-leg of the bracket, to which a fixedly laid line can be fastened.

[0047] The vertical guide channel according to the invention has various advantageous effects compared to the current state of the art: it consists of few individual parts which can be manufactured inexpensively, preferably from plastic, and due to the sophisticated structure of the brackets and guide plates, a remarkable rigidity of the whole device is achieved despite the low material costs, so that a reliable operation is guaranteed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1 Guide Channel 2 Links 3. Energy Chain 4 Guide Plate 5 Guide Plate 6 Sliding Surface 7 Sliding Surface 8 Guide flange 9 Guide flange 10 Guide flange 11 Guide flange 12 Bracket 13 U-shaped web 14 U-shaped legs 15 U-shaped legs 16 Strand 17 Strand 18 Protrusion 19 Protrusion 20 Undercut Lug 21 Undercut Lug 22 Opposing protrusion 23 Opposing protrusion 24 Undercut Lug 25 Undercut Lug 26 Stopper 27 Stopper 28 Plate 29 Plate 30 Ribs 31 Fastening flange 32 Holding part 33 Convex

Claims

1. A guide channel type device (1) for guiding an energy chain (3), consisting of links (2) movably connected to one another along a vertical line or a line extending with a vertical component, in which flexible supply lines connecting connectors arranged at a fixed height to a vertically movable device or machine are guided in said energy chain (3), said energy chain (3) being guided between the lateral boundary walls, The lateral boundary walls are formed by separate guide plates (4, 5) arranged opposite each other, The two guide plates (4, 5) have smooth sliding surfaces (6, 7) on their faces facing the energy chain (3), each of said sliding surfaces (6, 7) comprises a first lateral edge region in which said sliding surface (6, 7) is provided with a first guide flange (8, 10) and a second lateral edge region in which said sliding surface (6, 7) is provided with a second guide flange (9, 11), said first guide flanges (8, 10) of the two sliding surfaces (6, 7) projecting perpendicularly towards each other and said second guide flanges (9, 11) projecting perpendicularly towards each other are not connected to each other, The guide plates (4, 5) are held in brackets (12) that can be fastened to a support wall at height-offset intervals; The bracket (12) is formed in a U-shape, and an outer surface of a U-shaped web (13) of the bracket (12) abuts against the support wall; The guide plates (4, 5) can be fastened to the inner surfaces of the U-shaped legs (14, 15) of the bracket (12); said guide channel type device (1) is used to receive two strands (16, 17) of said energy chain (3) interconnected by a deflection region, The first and second guide flanges (8, 9, 10, 11) extending into the first and second lateral edge regions of the sliding surfaces (6, 7) define a space through which the two strands (16, 17) of the energy chain (3) move such that the energy chain (3) is held between the guide plates (4, 5).

2. 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein mutually engageable catch means are provided on the rear faces of the guide plates (4, 5) facing the U-legs (14, 15) of the bracket (12) and on the inner faces of the U-legs (14, 15).

3. The catch means provided on the rear faces of the guide plates (4, 5) are projections (18, 19) provided in pairs with undercut lugs (20, 21); The lugs (20, 21) of a pair of projections (18, 19) face in opposite directions; corresponding opposed projections (22, 23) formed on said U-legs (14, 15) each having a corresponding pair of oppositely facing undercut lugs (24, 25); 3. The device according to claim 2, wherein when the guide plates (4, 5) are pressed against the inner surface of the U-legs (14, 15), the lugs (20, 21, 24, 25) formed on the protrusions (18, 19) and the counter-protrusions (22, 23) snap back against each other via slight elastic deformation of the protrusions and the counter-protrusions.

4. 4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the two pairs of projections (18, 19) and the opposing projections (22, 23) are both disposed on the rear face of the guide plate (4, 5) and on the inner face of the U-legs (14, 15).

5. The protrusions (18, 19) and the opposing protrusions (22, 23) are formed as continuous ribs; 5. Apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the undercut lugs (20, 21, 24, 25) formed on the ribs extend continuously as well.

6. 6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the projections (18, 19) and the counter projections (22, 23) formed as ribs extend vertically.

7. 7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the protrusions (18, 19) formed as ribs on the rear faces of the guide plates (4, 5) extend over the entire length of the guide plates (4, 5).

8. A guide channel type device (1) for guiding an energy chain (3), comprising links (2) movably connected to one another along a vertical line or a line extending with a vertical component, in which flexible supply lines connecting connectors arranged at a fixed height to a vertically movable device or machine are guided in the energy chain (3), the energy chain (3) being guided between lateral boundary walls, The lateral boundary walls are formed by separate guide plates (4, 5) arranged opposite each other, The two guide plates (4, 5) have smooth sliding surfaces (6, 7) on their faces facing the energy chain (3), each of said sliding surfaces (6, 7) comprises a first lateral edge region in which said sliding surface (6, 7) is provided with a first guide flange (8, 10) and a second lateral edge region in which said sliding surface (6, 7) is provided with a second guide flange (9, 11), said first guide flanges (8, 10) of the two sliding surfaces (6, 7) projecting perpendicularly towards each other and said second guide flanges (9, 11) projecting perpendicularly towards each other are not connected to each other, The guide plates (4, 5) are held in brackets (12) that can be fastened to a support wall at height-offset intervals; The bracket (12) is formed in a U-shape, and an outer surface of a U-shaped web (13) of the bracket (12) abuts against the support wall; The guide plates (4, 5) can be fastened to the inner surfaces of the U-shaped legs (14, 15) of the bracket (12); on the rear faces of the guide plates (4, 5) facing the U-legs (14, 15) of the bracket (12) and on the inner faces of the U-legs (14, 15), mutually engageable catch means are provided; The catch means provided on the rear faces of the guide plates (4, 5) are projections (18, 19) provided in pairs with undercut lugs (20, 21); The lugs (20, 21) of a pair of projections (18, 19) face in opposite directions; corresponding opposed projections (22, 23) formed on said U-legs (14, 15) each having a corresponding pair of oppositely facing undercut lugs (24, 25); when the guide plates (4, 5) are pressed against the inner surfaces of the U-legs (14, 15), the lugs (20, 21, 24, 25) formed on the protrusions (18, 19) and the counter-protrusions (22, 23) snap back against each other via slight elastic deformation of the protrusions and the counter-protrusions, The protrusions (18, 19) and the opposing protrusions (22, 23) are formed as continuous ribs; The undercut lugs (20, 21, 24, 25) formed on the ribs extend continuously in the same manner, The protrusions (18, 19) and the opposing protrusions (22, 23) formed as ribs extend vertically; a convex portion is formed on the surface of the rib-shaped opposing protrusion (22, 23) provided on the bracket (12) that abuts against the rib-shaped protrusion (18, 19) of the guide plate (4, 5) when engaged.

9. A guide channel type device (1) for guiding an energy chain (3), comprising links (2) movably connected to one another along a vertical line or a line extending with a vertical component, in which flexible supply lines connecting connectors arranged at a fixed height to a vertically movable device or machine are guided in the energy chain (3), the energy chain (3) being guided between lateral boundary walls, The lateral boundary walls are formed by separate guide plates (4, 5) arranged opposite each other, The two guide plates (4, 5) have smooth sliding surfaces (6, 7) on their faces facing the energy chain (3), each of said sliding surfaces (6, 7) comprises a first lateral edge region in which said sliding surface (6, 7) is provided with a first guide flange (8, 10) and a second lateral edge region in which said sliding surface (6, 7) is provided with a second guide flange (9, 11), said first guide flanges (8, 10) of the two sliding surfaces (6, 7) projecting perpendicularly towards each other and said second guide flanges (9, 11) projecting perpendicularly towards each other are not connected to each other, The guide plates (4, 5) are held in brackets (12) that can be fastened to a support wall at height-offset intervals; The bracket (12) is formed in a U-shape, and an outer surface of a U-shaped web (13) of the bracket (12) abuts against the support wall; The guide plates (4, 5) can be fastened to the inner surfaces of the U-shaped legs (14, 15) of the bracket (12); At least two stops (26, 27) are provided on the bracket (12) for accurate positioning of the guide plates (4, 5).

10. 10. The device according to claim 9, wherein the inner stops (26) are formed as continuous stop bars on the inner surface of the U-shaped web (13) and the outer stops (27) are formed as inwardly bent tips of each of the U-shaped legs (14, 15) of the bracket (12).

11. 11. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bracket (12) is formed as a one-piece plastic part.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein the bracket (12) is made of PVC or PE.

13. 13. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide plates (4, 5) as one-piece parts are likewise made of PVC or PE.

14. 14. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide plates (4, 5) and the bracket (12) are extruded or injection moulded.

15. 15. The device according to claim 1, wherein the U-shaped web (13) and the two U-shaped legs (14, 15) of the bracket (12), which are interconnected by ribs (30) arranged in a truss shape, each consist of two plates (28, 29) extending apart from each other.

16. 16. The device according to claim 1, wherein each bracket (12) is connectable to the support wall by means of a fastening element via a protruding fastening flange (31), the protruding fastening flange (31) being provided on both sides of the U-shaped web (13) of the bracket (12).

17. 17. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a holding portion (32) for a line to be fixedly laid is arranged on the outer surface of the U-legs (14, 15) of the bracket (12).

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