Support system and support system connection elements made of molded parts

Abstract

The invention relates to a connection element (5) of a support system for supporting tools and / or for supporting workpieces in order to process same, comprising a plurality of octagonal profiled sections (2), each of which has eight lateral surfaces (21), each lateral surface having a plurality of positioning holes (22) positioned in a defined manner. The connection element (5) is designed to connect two support system elements (2) of the support system together, at least one of which is an octagonal profiled section (2). The connection element (5) has a positioning section (10) for connecting to an octagonal profiled section (2) of the support system (1), said positioning section being designed to surround three adjacent lateral surfaces (21) of the octagonal profiled section (2). According to the invention, the connection element (5) comprises at least one molded part (12, 13), thus leading to weight and cost advantages in particular. The invention additionally relates to a support system for supporting tools and / or for supporting workpieces in order to process same, comprising a plurality of orthogonal profiled sections (2), support system elements of the support system being connected together via the aforementioned connection elements (5).

Description

[0001] Support system and connecting elements of a support system made from molded parts

[0002] The invention relates to a support system, in particular a modular support system, for supporting tools and / or for supporting workpieces for their processing, comprising a plurality of octagonal profiles, each with eight side surfaces, which each have a plurality of defined arrangement holes. Several of the octagonal profiles are connected to one another via connecting elements to form a basic support structure. These connecting elements are a further subject of the present invention, wherein the connecting elements are designed to connect two elements of the support system, in particular two octagonal profiles of the support system arranged at an angle other than 180° to one another. Such support systems are used in particular in the automotive industry for handling body components for vehicle production.

[0003] A possible design of a modular support system constructed from several octagonal profiles for attachment to robots and for connecting tools such as clamping, gripping, and suction devices is known, for example, from DE 299 05 687 U1. DE 10 2013 006 723 A1 describes an advantageous design of an octagonal profile for such a support system. EP 2 604 381 B1 discloses another possible design of a modular support system for securing machining tools during the bodyshell production of motor vehicle bodies. In addition, EP 1 533 072 B1 describes an element system intended for constructing such a support system. Another design of a modular support system is disclosed in DE 10 2022 204 659 A1.

[0004] The problem is that, especially with new electric vehicles, the weight of the batteries requires reinforced and therefore heavier bodies and underbodies, for which existing support systems are often not designed, especially when the vehicles are vans or SUVs (SUVs: Sport Utility Vehicles). This means that the support systems must be adapted, which also means an increase in weight for the aforementioned support systems, which sometimes pushes the load-bearing capacity of the robots used to their limits. Adapting to higher loads generally makes the support systems more costly.

[0005] Against this background, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved modular support system, in particular improved connecting elements for the support system. The improvement is intended, in particular, to be such that the connecting elements can be manufactured cost-effectively in large quantities, wherein the connecting elements preferably offer high fatigue strength and advantageously high rigidity with reduced weight, and furthermore advantageously have a reduced CO2 footprint.

[0006] To achieve this object, a connecting element according to claim 1 and a support system according to the independent claim are proposed. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims and the description, as well as illustrated in the figures.

[0007] The proposed solution provides a connecting element of a support system, in particular a support system connecting element, wherein the support system is designed to support tools and / or to support workpieces for their processing and comprises a plurality of octagonal profiles, each with eight side surfaces, which each have a multiplicity of defined arrangement holes. The connecting element is designed to connect two support system elements of the support system to one another, at least one of which is an octagonal profile, wherein the connecting element has an arrangement section for connecting to the at least one octagonal profile of the support system, which arrangement section is designed to encompass three adjacent side surfaces of the octagonal profile. According to the invention, the connecting element comprises at least one shaped part, wherein the connecting element is formed in particular by the at least one shaped part.Molded parts refer, in particular, to parts produced by a forming operation, especially sheet metal parts. In this respect, the molded parts are not cast parts. Because the connecting element is advantageously formed from at least one molded part, such a connecting element can advantageously be produced cost-effectively in large quantities. Advantageously, the connecting element is manufactured in a shell construction, with advantageous designs of connecting elements being provided that are made from multiple molded parts.

[0008] An advantageous embodiment of the connecting element provides that the at least one formed part comprises at least one sheet metal part, wherein advantageously at least one of the formed parts is a sheet metal part, in particular a sheet metal part machined in a forming operation, further in particular a sheet steel part produced in a forming operation. A connecting element formed from at least one sheet steel part advantageously has high rigidity. Furthermore, an improved CO2 balance can be achieved, in particular compared to a connecting element manufactured as an aluminum casting. Furthermore, a high fatigue strength of the connecting element can be achieved with sheet steel parts.

[0009] In particular, it is provided that all of the molded parts are sheet metal parts, which advantageously enables cost-effective production. Preferably, the at least one molded part, in particular the at least one sheet steel part, is manufactured in a pressing tool, wherein the pressing tool can be designed in particular as a single tool or a progressive composite tool. Advantageously, further cost advantages can be achieved through this production. In addition, the rigidity of the connecting element formed from one or more sheet steel parts manufactured in this way can be further improved. As an advantageous design variant, molded parts made of other metallic and / or non-metallic materials are also provided, in particular molded parts made of CFRP (CFRP: carbon fiber reinforced plastic). Although these have been more expensive to date, they offer high strength with low weight. In this case, however, it is particularly provided that at least one of the molded parts is a sheet metal part.

[0010] According to an advantageous embodiment, the connecting element is designed as an angle connector. Angle connectors are, in particular, connecting elements that connect two octagonal profiles in the same arrangement plane at an angle other than 180°. In particular, a connecting element designed as an angle connector is designed for connecting two octagonal profiles at right angles in the same arrangement plane, wherein connecting elements designed in this way are preferably provided for connecting octagonal profiles to one another to form a basic supporting structure of the supporting system. Further advantageously, a connecting element designed as an angle connector is provided which is not designed for connecting two octagonal profiles at right angles, but which is designed in particular for connecting octagonal profiles at an angle between 10° and 80°, in particular for connecting octagonal profiles at an angle of 20°, 30°, 45° and / or 60°.In particular, such a connecting element has two arrangement sections, wherein one arrangement section can be connected to one of the two octagonal profiles and the other arrangement section can be connected to the other of the two octagonal profiles. The arrangement sections can be designed for connection to octagonal profiles with the same wrench size or for connection to octagonal profiles with different wrench sizes. Advantageously, a connecting element designed as an angle connector increases the flexibility in constructing a support system. An advantageous embodiment provides that a connecting element designed as an angle connector comprises precisely one formed part, in particular a sheet metal part formed in a forming operation.As will be explained below, connecting elements designed as angle connectors are also provided, which comprise a plurality of shaped parts, in particular two shaped parts, further in particular two sheet metal parts each formed in a forming operation.

[0011] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the connecting element is designed as a cross connector. Advantageously, a connecting element designed as a cross connector is designed to connect two octagonal profiles of a support system to one another in arrangement planes arranged parallel and offset from one another, in particular to connect two octagonal profiles of a support system to one another in arrangement planes arranged parallel and offset from one another at a right angle to one another. In particular, such a connecting element has two arrangement sections, wherein one arrangement section can be connected to one of the two octagonal profiles and the other arrangement section can be connected to the other of the two octagonal profiles. The arrangement sections can be designed for connection to octagonal profiles with the same wrench size or for connection to octagonal profiles with different wrench sizes.Advantageously, a connecting element designed as a cross connector further increases the flexibility in constructing a support system. In particular, it is provided that a connecting element designed as a cross connector comprises several formed parts, in particular several sheet metal parts each formed in a single forming operation.

[0012] A further advantageous embodiment provides that the connecting element is designed as a functional connection, in particular as a pipe connection. Advantageously, a connecting element designed as a functional connection is designed to connect a further functionality to an octagonal profile of a support system. In particular, such a connecting element has only one arrangement section, which can encompass three adjacent side surfaces of an octagonal profile. In addition to the arrangement section, the connecting element designed as a functional connection advantageously also has a functional section that provides the further function or via which the further function can be provided, in particular by connecting a pipe to which a tool can advantageously be arranged.If the functional section of the functional connection is designed to connect a pipe, the functional connection is advantageously a pipe connection. According to a further advantageous embodiment of the connecting element, the arrangement section of the connecting element is further designed to make planar contact with only two non-adjacent side surfaces of the three adjacent side surfaces. In particular, it is provided that at least one web element extends from the arrangement section, wherein the at least one web element extends at least partially between the regions designed to make planar contact with the two non-adjacent side surfaces of the three adjacent side surfaces.Advantageously, a further weight reduction is achieved in this way, in particular because a third contact surface of the arrangement section, which in the prior art contacts the middle of three encompassed side surfaces or extends equidistantly to this side surface, can be saved.

[0013] A further advantageous embodiment provides that the connecting element is formed by at least two molded parts, in particular by two molded parts connected to one another. According to this embodiment, the connecting element is particularly formed in several parts.In particular, a connecting element of a support system is proposed, wherein the support system is designed to support tools and / or to support workpieces for their processing and comprises a plurality of octagonal profiles, each with eight side surfaces, which each have a plurality of defined arrangement holes, and wherein the connecting element is designed to connect two support system elements of the support system to one another, at least one of which is an octagonal profile, wherein the connecting element has an arrangement section for connection to the at least one octagonal profile of the support system, which arrangement section is designed to encompass three adjacent side surfaces of the octagonal profile, and wherein the connecting element is formed by at least two molded parts connected to one another, in particular is formed by at least two molded parts connected to one another.Advantageously, the connecting element is made of several molded parts in a shell construction. Furthermore, at least two of the molded parts are advantageously connected to form a box profile. The fact that the connecting elements are formed from molded parts, rather than cast parts as previously customary, advantageously results in weight savings.

[0014] If the connecting element comprises at least two molded parts, it is particularly provided that the molded parts of the connecting element are connected to one another by a joining process. Such a connection has a further advantageous effect on the costs for a connecting element manufactured in this way. In particular, connection can be achieved by means of riveting, clinching, screwing, welding, soldering or gluing or any suitable combination thereof. Molded parts made of sheet steel are advantageously connected to one another by spot welding or laser welding. For joining CFRP molded parts, gluing is particularly provided as a joining process. These joining processes are particularly well suited to achieving high fatigue strength at low cost. In particular, it is provided that the molded parts, or at least some of the molded parts, have connecting elements, in particular connecting flanges, for connecting them to one another.

[0015] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the connecting element comprises at least one contact element as a molded part. The contact element is advantageously designed as a contact surface. Particularly advantageously, the contact element is designed as a contact rail. Preferably, the contact element has the arrangement section. In particular, the contact element is designed to be arranged on at least one octagonal profile of a support system such that the contact element encompasses three adjacent side surfaces of the at least one octagonal profile. Advantageously, the contact element bears in a form-fitting manner on at least two of the three adjacent side surfaces that are not directly adjacent. In particular, a configuration is also provided in which the contact element bears in a form-fitting manner on all three adjacent side surfaces.

[0016] A further advantageous embodiment provides that the contact element is spaced from a middle of the three adjacent side surfaces of an octagonal profile, in particular is spaced equally spaced, and can be arranged in a form-fitting manner on the outer of the adjacent side surfaces of an octagonal profile via the arrangement holes of the outer of the adjacent side surfaces. In particular, it is provided that the contact element in this embodiment is spaced from the middle of the three adjacent side surfaces of an octagonal profile by 0.5 mm (mm: millimeters) to 20 mm, more particularly by 1 mm to 5 mm. In embodiments in which only two surfaces of the contact element rest on an octagonal profile, larger tolerances can advantageously be realized because there is no geometric overdetermination. This advantageously simplifies the structure of the support system.In addition, cables for grippers and / or other functional elements that can be arranged on a support system can advantageously be routed through the cavities thus formed between the arrangement section and the octagonal profile. This advantageously eliminates or at least reduces the need for additional cable guides, resulting in a further weight reduction for the support system.

[0017] A further advantageous embodiment provides that the connecting element is formed by exactly one molded part as an angle connector, wherein the connecting element comprises a contact element with an integrated web element as the molded part. The contact element is advantageously designed to be arranged on a first octagonal profile of a support system and on a second octagonal profile of a support system in such a way that the contact element encompasses the three adjacent side surfaces of the respective octagonal profile and in doing so only makes surface contact with two non-adjacent side surfaces of the three adjacent side surfaces. The web element advantageously extends from one end of the contact element to the other end of the contact element. This embodiment advantageously requires little material while achieving high rigidity and load-bearing capacity and is therefore advantageously further reduced in weight.Furthermore, this advantageously allows an angle connector to be manufactured cost-effectively by forming a suitably cut sheet metal part. This design variant advantageously eliminates the need to join multiple parts together to form an angle connector.

[0018] A further advantageous embodiment, however, provides that the connecting element is designed as an angle connector comprising at least two molded parts. In such a configuration, the connecting element preferably comprises a contact element with two sections, in particular a contact rail with two sections, wherein the sections are preferably arranged at an angle to one another at which the octagonal profiles to be connected are to be connected to one another. Therefore, if, for example, two octagonal profiles are to be connected to one another at an angle of 90° using an angle connector designed in this way, the two sections of the contact element are preferably arranged at an angle of 90° to one another. The sections advantageously form the arrangement sections.

[0019] A further advantageous embodiment of the connecting element provides that the contact element, in particular the contact element designed as a contact rail, comprises a first section and a second section, wherein the first section and the second section are advantageously arranged to one another via a third section at an angle at which the octagonal profiles to be connected are to be connected to one another. The first section and the second section are preferably the arrangement sections. In particular, for a design of the connecting element as an angle connector, it is provided that the first section and the second section are arranged to one another via the third section at an angle of 90°. Advantageously, the third section of the contact element comprises a stiffener, by means of which the stiffness of the connecting element is advantageously further increased.In particular, indentations, more particularly beads, can be incorporated into the third section as reinforcement. Furthermore, a reinforcement element, preferably a further sheet metal part, in particular a locking plate, is advantageously provided as reinforcement of the third section. According to a further advantageous embodiment of the connecting element, at least the third section of the contact element is manufactured in a shell construction, in particular as a shell in the sense of technical mechanics.

[0020] Further advantageously, the at least one contact element, in particular the at least one contact rail, has holes corresponding to the at least one octagonal profile on which the contact element is advantageously to be arranged, via which the connecting element can advantageously be connected to the octagonal profile, in particular by screwing. In particular, the contact element is designed as a sheet steel part. In particular, the holes are located in the arrangement section of the connecting element.

[0021] According to a further particularly advantageous embodiment, the connecting element comprises at least one web element, in particular at least one web plate. In particular, it is provided that, in a configuration of the connecting element which comprises a plurality of interconnected molded parts, the connecting element comprises at least one web element, in particular at least one web plate, as a molded part. The at least one web element advantageously functions as a connecting strut or connecting profile between two octagonal profiles of a support system when the connecting element is arranged between two octagonal profiles. Advantageously, the rigidity of the connecting element is further increased by the at least one web element. In particular, the web element is designed as a sheet steel part. One design variant provides for a CFRP web element.Preferably, the at least one web element formed as a molded part comprises connecting elements, in particular connecting flanges and / or connecting tabs. The connecting elements can, in particular, be angled relative to the web element. A connecting element, in particular a connecting element formed as a connecting flange, can advantageously be curved inwardly or outwardly.

[0022] In particular, it is provided that the at least one web element formed as a molded part is connected to one of the contact elements via at least one of the connecting elements, in particular by means of a joining process. It is further advantageously provided that a connecting element comprises a plurality of web elements, in particular a plurality of web plates. In this case, it is particularly provided that at least two of the web elements, in particular all web elements of the connecting element, are connected to one another via connecting elements of the web elements, in particular via connecting elements of the web elements.

[0023] Further advantageously, the at least one web element comprises a stiffener. This stiffener advantageously further increases the rigidity of the connecting element and its fatigue strength. According to an advantageous embodiment, the connecting element has at least one bead introduced into the at least one web element, in particular into the at least one web plate, as a stiffener. Preferably, the at least one bead is introduced into the web element in such a way that its longitudinal extension extends between the two octagonal profiles that the connecting element is intended to connect when the connecting element is used as intended.

[0024] Advantageously, when the connecting element is configured as an angle connector, the web element is bent at least in sections to form a U-shaped profile, or at least substantially a U-shaped profile, from which the connection to the support element advantageously takes place. If the web element is configured as a separate molded part, the connecting elements, in particular the connecting flanges, preferably extend from the U-shaped profile and are connected in particular to a support element of the connecting element, in particular to a support rail of the connecting element.

[0025] A further advantageous embodiment, in which the connecting element is designed as a cross connector, provides that the connecting element comprises four interconnected web elements, in particular four interconnected web plates. Further advantageously, the connecting element designed as a cross connector comprises two contact elements, in particular two contact rails, which are also connected to the web elements. A web element is preferably connected with one side to a connecting element, in particular a connecting flange, on one side of one contact element, and with the opposite side to all three sides of the other contact element.

[0026] Particularly advantageously, the at least two web elements, in particular the aforementioned four web elements, are connected to one another in such a way that they form a box profile. This box profile is advantageously very rigid, which further increases the rigidity of the connecting element.

[0027] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the connecting element is designed as a cross connector and comprises four identical molded parts. The molded parts advantageously comprise web elements with connecting elements, wherein the connecting elements advantageously have holes, in particular corresponding to the at least one octagonal profile on which the contact element is advantageously to be arranged. The connecting element can advantageously be connected to the octagonal profile via the holes, in particular by screwing. Advantageously, the molded parts are connected exclusively by connecting the molded parts to the octagonal profiles of a support system. Advantageously, this eliminates the need for joining, in particular welding, the molded parts to one another, which advantageously further reduces the costs for the connecting elements.Further advantageously, this design of the connecting element comprises two support rails as additional molded parts to increase rigidity. The support rails advantageously encompass three adjacent side surfaces of the octagonal profiles, which the connecting element is intended to connect to each other as a cross connector. The support rails advantageously also have corresponding holes. The support rails are advantageously arranged on the octagonal profiles, and then the additional web elements, which are provided with connecting elements, are connected to the octagonal profiles via the support rails. The support rails are designed, in particular, as C-shaped strips.

[0028] When the connecting element is designed as an angle connector, it is provided in particular that, in a connecting element comprising several molded parts, a web element is connected to the first section of the contact element via its connecting elements and is connected to the second section of the contact element. Further advantageously, the web element comprises further connecting elements with which the web element is connected to the third section of the contact element. The contact element is advantageously a contact rail. In a connecting element formed from only one molded part, which is designed as an angle connector, it is provided in particular that a web element merges with a first end into a first section of the contact element and with a second end into a second section of the contact element.

[0029] The support system further proposed to achieve the aforementioned object is intended for supporting tools and / or for supporting workpieces for their processing. The support system comprises a plurality of octagonal profiles, each with eight side surfaces, each having a plurality of defined arrangement holes. Several support system elements are connected to one another via connecting elements. In particular, several of the octagonal profiles are connected to one another via connecting elements to form a support structure, in particular a base support structure. The connecting elements of the support system are at least partially designed according to the invention, which in particular have the features described above, individually or in any suitable combination.

[0030] In particular, the octagonal profiles of the support system are hollow in themselves, although a support structure may be present inside. The arrangement holes in the side surfaces of the octagonal profiles are advantageously positioned in a defined manner, in particular at equidistant intervals, wherein each side surface preferably has a row of arrangement holes, so that two arrangement holes on two side surfaces are advantageously always located opposite each other in pairs. The arrangement holes are advantageously designed as threaded bores. Furthermore, the octagonal profiles advantageously have a material accumulation on the inside below the side surfaces. The arrangement holes advantageously pass through the respective material accumulation. This advantageously makes it possible to introduce internal threads into the arrangement holes, advantageously without increasing the overall wall thickness of the octagonal profiles.Accordingly, it is particularly provided that the arrangement holes have an internal thread. Further advantageously, at least some of the connecting elements, in particular all of the connecting elements, are arranged on the octagonal profiles with anti-friction coated screws. The anti-friction coating advantageously increases the screw preload force of each screw connection and thus increases the rigidity of the overall element system. Furthermore, it is particularly provided that the support system comprises a base body, in particular a base body plate, wherein the base body is preferably arranged on the support base structure. Advantageously, the base body is a gripper connection plate. In particular, it is provided that a robot is connected to the base body. Furthermore, end effectors are advantageously connected via standpipes, which are preferably fastened to the support system.

[0031] Advantageously, the support system can also be used for devices, component grippers, stands, shelves, storage units or other similar applications in body construction as operating equipment for vehicle production, but in particular as a support system for the transport of sheet metal parts in body construction, and more particularly for the handling, positioning and fixing of such parts. The basis for this is always the use of polygonal hollow profiles with circumferential arrangement holes, in particular with grid holes as arrangement holes, and the connection with the connecting elements. The connection is preferably made by screwing the connecting elements during assembly of the support system, advantageously with a form-fitting connection to a maximum of two non-adjacent surfaces of the polygonal hollow profile. During assembly of the support system, the connecting elements are advantageously positioned lengthwise using centering pins in the grid dimension.Since the connecting elements do not wrap around the polygonal hollow profile, a particularly complex support system can be created. The properties of the connecting elements advantageously allow for fewer connecting elements throughout the entire support system compared to conventional support systems. This further reduces the overall mass of the support system and saves resources. The support system advantageously includes cross connectors, angle connectors, and / or functional connections as connecting elements.

[0032] In particular, it is further provided that the support system comprises octagonal profiles with different wrench sizes, and thus in particular with different circumferences, in particular octagonal profiles with a first wrench size and octagonal profiles with a second wrench size. The first wrench size is in particular between 30 mm (mm: millimeters) and 80 mm. The second wrench size is in particular between 50 mm and 160 mm. In particular, it is provided that the first wrench size is smaller than the second wrench size. In particular, an octagonal profile can also be designed as a double profile, in particular as a double profile with a wrench size of 2x80 mm. More rigid profile tube geometries, in particular two octagonal profiles combined one above the other, are also provided as a further advantageous embodiment, in particular to increase section moduli in certain load directions.Advantageously, at least some of the first connectors, in particular some of the angle connectors, and / or at least some of the second connectors, in particular some of the cross connectors, connect two octagonal profiles with different circumferences. Connecting two different octagonal profile widths can advantageously have a positive impact on reducing the overall weight of the support system, taking into account the rigidity of the support system.

[0033] The octagonal profiles of the support system are made, in particular, of aluminum. According to an alternative, particularly advantageous embodiment, however, at least some of the octagonal profiles, in particular all of the octagonal profiles, and more particularly the octagonal profiles forming the basic supporting structure, are formed from sheet steel. The sheet steel is then advantageously folded to form the octagonal profile, with the ends of the sheet steel being welded together. Advantageously, the steel octagonal profiles are highly resilient and, while offering comparable load-bearing capacity to aluminum octagonal profiles, are lighter. Furthermore, the use of steel instead of aluminum results in a reduced carbon footprint.In the case of octagonal profiles made of sheet steel, it is particularly provided that blind rivet nuts are inserted into the arrangement holes so that the connecting elements are attached, in particular screwed, via them. In particular, the sheet steel has a thickness of between 1 mm and 20 mm. According to an advantageous design variant, the sheet steel has an accumulation of material in the area of ​​the arrangement holes so that the sheet steel has a greater thickness there, wherein a thread is advantageously introduced, in particular cut, into the arrangement holes. Advantageously, the assembly of the support system is further simplified if a thread is introduced into the arrangement holes. In particular, the octagonal profiles are designed as rolled profiles.

[0034] Further advantageous details, features, and design details of the invention are explained in more detail in connection with the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures (Fig.: Figure).

[0035] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a support system designed according to the invention; Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a connecting element designed according to the invention as an angle connector;

[0036] Fig. 3a shows a further perspective view of a further embodiment of a connecting element designed according to the invention as an angle connector;

[0037] Fig. 3b shows a further perspective view of a further embodiment of a connecting element designed according to the invention as an angle connector;

[0038] Fig. 4a shows a schematic side view of a further embodiment of a connecting element designed according to the invention as an angle connector;

[0039] Fig. 4b shows a schematic perspective view of the connecting element designed according to the invention according to Fig. 4a;

[0040] Fig. 5a shows a schematic perspective view of a further embodiment of a connecting element designed according to the invention as a cross connector, in which only one of four web plates is shown;

[0041] Fig. 5b shows a schematic perspective view of a further embodiment of a connecting element designed according to the invention as a cross connector;

[0042] Fig. 6 shows a schematic perspective view of a further embodiment of a connecting element designed according to the invention as a pipe connection (functional connection);

[0043] Fig. 7a shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a contact element designed as a contact rail of a connecting element designed according to the invention with a strike plate as a stiffening element and a view of the side facing the octagonal profiles;

[0044] Fig. 7b shows a schematic perspective view of a further exemplary embodiment of a section of a contact element designed as a contact rail of a connecting element designed according to the invention with a locking plate as a stiffening element and a view of the side facing the octagonal profiles; Fig. 8a shows a perspective view of a further exemplary embodiment of a connecting element designed according to the invention, comprising a molded part, as an angle connector;

[0045] Fig. 8b in a further perspective view from behind the connecting element according to Fig. 8a;

[0046] Fig. 9a shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of a connecting element designed according to the invention as a cross connector;

[0047] Fig. 9b shows a side view of the connecting element according to Fig. 9a; and

[0048] Fig. 9c shows an exploded view of the connecting element according to Fig. 9a.

[0049] In the various figures, identical parts are generally provided with the same reference symbols and are therefore sometimes explained only in connection with one of the figures.

[0050] Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a support system 1 which is intended for supporting tools and / or for supporting workpieces for their processing. The support system 1 has a modular design and comprises a plurality of octagonal profiles 2, some of which have different wrench sizes. In this embodiment, the octagonal profiles 2 are made of steel and each have eight side surfaces, into each of which a plurality of defined arrangement holes are made. The octagonal profiles 2 of the support system 1 are connected to one another via differently designed connecting elements 5, 6, with some of the octagonal profiles 2 being connected to a supporting base structure 3 using connecting elements designed as angle connectors 5. In this embodiment, a base body plate 4 is arranged on the supporting base structure 3.Furthermore, additional octagonal profiles 2 are arranged on the supporting base structure 3 via additional connectors 5, 6, which in particular offer the possibility of arranging additional functional elements and / or connecting elements that provide additional functions. In this way, individual modular support systems can be constructed. Advantageous embodiments of connecting elements 5, 6 of the support system 1 and an embodiment of a connecting element 7 designed as a pipe connection, which can also be combined with the support system 1, are described below with reference to the additional figures.

[0051] The connecting elements 5, 6 of the support system 1 are each designed to connect two support system elements of the support system 1 to one another, i.e. in particular two octagonal profiles 2, but in particular also one octagonal profile and another support system element, such as in particular a round tube for arranging a gripper or another tool. For connection to an octagonal profile 2 of the support system 1, each connecting element 5, 6 of the support system 1 has an arrangement section 10 which is designed to encompass three adjacent side surfaces 21 of a respective octagonal profile 2. The connecting elements 5, 6 are adapted to the respective wrench size of the octagonal profiles 2. Advantageously, both connecting elements 5, 6 are provided which connect octagonal profiles 2 with the same wrench size, and connecting elements 5, 6 are provided which connect octagonal profiles 2 with different wrench sizes.The connecting elements 5, 6 are formed by at least two interconnected sheet metal parts, which in this embodiment are advantageously made of steel.

[0052] The support system 1 shown in Fig. 1 comprises connecting elements designed as angle connectors 5 and cross connectors 6. In addition, functional connections 7 can also be provided as additional connecting elements. Furthermore, the support system 1 can also include connecting elements that are not designed according to the invention.

[0053] In this exemplary embodiment, the angle connectors 5 of the support system 1 are designed to connect two octagonal profiles 2 of the support system in the same arrangement plane, which can be oriented horizontally or vertically, at an angle of 90°. The cross connectors 6 are designed in this exemplary embodiment to connect two octagonal profiles 2 of the support system 1 in arrangement planes arranged parallel and offset from one another, which can be oriented horizontally or vertically, at a right angle to one another. Design details for a connecting element designed as an angle connector 5 are shown in Fig. 2 to Fig. 4b and Fig. 7a and Fig. 7b. A more detailed exemplary embodiment for a connecting element designed as a cross connector 6 is shown in Fig. 5a and Fig. 5b. An exemplary embodiment for a connecting element designed as a functional connection 7 is shown in Fig. 6.

[0054] Fig. 2 shows two sections of octagonal profiles 2 with the same width across flats, which are connected to one another by a connecting element designed as an angle connector 5. The octagonal profiles 2 each have eight side surfaces 21 with a plurality of defined arrangement holes 22. In this exemplary embodiment, the arrangement holes 22 in the side surfaces 21 of the octagonal profiles 2 are arranged at equidistant intervals, with each side surface 21 having a row of arrangement holes 22, so that two arrangement holes 22 of two side surfaces 21 are always located opposite one another in pairs. This advantageously achieves a standardization that promotes a flexible, modular construction of a support system 1 with such octagonal profiles 2.

[0055] In this exemplary embodiment, the connecting element 5 is formed from two preformed parts made of sheet steel, namely a contact element 12 designed as a contact rail and a web element designed as a web plate 13. At defined joining points 17, the web plate 13 is spot-welded to the contact element 12 via connecting flanges 131, 132. The contact element 12 comprises two arrangement sections 10. The arrangement sections 10 are designed such that they each encompass three adjacent side surfaces 21 of the octagonal profile 2, as shown in Fig. 2. The arrangement sections 10 of the contact element 12 are also arranged at a right angle to one another, so that the octagonal profiles 2 can be connected to one another at an angle of 90°.The transition from one arrangement section 10 to the other arrangement section 10 of the contact element 12 is bent according to a bending radius, wherein this transition is particularly semi-tubular in a shell construction, as shown in Fig. 2. This advantageously further improves the rigidity of the connecting element 5.

[0056] In this exemplary embodiment, the arrangement sections 10 of the contact element 12 are also designed to correspond to the respective octagonal profile section they contact, so that the contact element 12, with the respective arrangement section 10, rests positively against the three adjacent side surfaces 21 of the octagonal profile 2 and thus encompasses these three adjacent side surfaces 21. Three holes 121 are also provided in each side surface of the contact element 12, so that the contact element 12 has a total of twelve holes that overlap with arrangement holes 22 of the octagonal profiles 2. In this exemplary embodiment, the connecting element 5 is screwed to the octagonal profiles 2 via these holes 121.

[0057] The web plate 13 of the connecting element 5, which is connected to the contact element 12, further increases the rigidity and fatigue strength of the connecting element 5. In this exemplary embodiment, the web plate 13 is bent in such a way that it essentially forms a U-shaped profile, from which connecting flanges 131, 132 extend as attachment elements. Outwardly directed connecting flanges 131 are connected to the side surfaces of the contact element 12, and inwardly directed connecting flanges 132 are each connected to the central surface of the contact element 12. In addition, recesses 134 are formed in the central section of the web plate 13.

[0058] Fig. 3a shows a further exemplary embodiment of a connecting element designed as an angle connector 5. Here, too, the connecting element 5 is formed by a contact element 12 connected to a web element 13. The contact element 12 is designed like the contact element 12 of the exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. 2. The web element 13 is in turn connected to the contact element 12 via connection elements designed as connecting flanges 131 by a joining process at predetermined joining points 17. In contrast to the exemplary embodiment according to Fig. 2, the connecting flanges 131 in the exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. 3 are all designed as outwardly directed connecting flanges 131. Furthermore, the web element 13 in this exemplary embodiment has no recesses 134. The contact element 12 and the web element 13 can both be designed as sheet metal parts.In particular, however, a design variant is also provided in which the contact element 12 is made of steel, and in particular is designed as a steel contact rail, and the web element 13 is made of CFRP, wherein the web element 13 is glued to the contact element 12 at the joining points 17.

[0059] The contact element 12 of the connecting element 5 comprises a first section 122 and a second section 123, which essentially correspond to the arrangement sections 10. The first section 122 and the second section 123 are arranged at an angle of 90° to one another via a third section 124. In this exemplary embodiment, the web element 13 is connected to the contact element 12 only via joining points 17 on the first section 122 and the second section 123 of the contact element 12. Fig. 3b, on the other hand, shows a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment in which the web element 13 also comprises a connecting element 131, which is connected to the third section 124 of the contact element 12. This advantageously further increases the rigidity of the connecting element 5.In this embodiment, the web element 13 also has a recess, in particular a lightening hole, between the connecting elements 131 on each side, as also schematically indicated in Fig. 3b.

[0060] In a more abstract representation, Fig. 4a and Fig. 4b show another exemplary embodiment of a connecting element designed as an angle connector 5. Here, too, the connecting element 5 comprises a contact element 12 designed as a contact rail, which is formed as a first sheet metal part, and a web element 13, which is formed as a second sheet metal part. In this exemplary embodiment, the web element 13 and the contact element 12 are made of sheet steel and manufactured using press tools.

[0061] The web element 13 is designed at each end as a gusset plate, which is firmly connected to the contact element 12 by laser welding. The laser weld seams 18 are indicated in Fig. 4a and Fig. 4b. In addition, a joining point 17 is located at each end of the web element 13. In this exemplary embodiment, the contact element 12 is also designed to be arranged on two octagonal profiles arranged at right angles to one another in such a way that the contact element 12 encompasses the three adjacent side surfaces of the respective octagonal profile.

[0062] An exemplary embodiment of a connecting element designed as a cross connector 6 is shown in Fig. 5a. The connecting element 6 is designed to connect two octagonal profiles of a support system arranged in mutually parallel arrangement planes. For connection to a respective octagonal profile of a support system, the connecting element 6 has two arrangement sections 10 formed by a contact element 12 designed as a contact rail, which are designed to encompass three adjacent side surfaces 21 of a respective octagonal profile 2. The contact elements 12 are shaped parts that are connected to one another via web elements 13 that are also designed as shaped parts, whereby only one of a total of four web elements is shown in Fig. 5a.The web elements 13 of the connecting element 6 each have connecting flanges 131, 132, via which the web elements 13 are connected to one another by a joining process to form a box profile, and via which the web elements 13 are connected to the contact elements 12 by a joining process. The web elements 13 also each have a stiffener 133. The stiffener 133 is formed by a bead introduced into the respective web plate 13.

[0063] Fig. 5b shows a further embodiment of a connecting element designed as a cross connector 6, in which the web elements 13 are connected to one another to form a box profile 14. The two system rails 12 of the connecting element 6 are connected to one another via the box profile 14 thus formed.

[0064] Fig. 6 shows an embodiment of a connecting element formed from a plurality of molded parts as a functional connection 7. This connecting element 7 comprises, as a first molded part, a contact element 12 designed as a contact rail. This contact element 12 comprises the arrangement section 10 for arrangement on an octagonal profile. As further molded parts, the connecting element 7 comprises a plurality of web elements 13 connected to one another to form a box profile 14, which web elements are also arranged on the contact element 12 and connected to it. At the opposite end of the box profile 14, a tube 8 is arranged via connection elements of the web elements 13, only a section of which is shown in Fig. 6. A gripper or another tool, for example, can then be connected to the tube 8.

[0065] Fig. 7a and Fig. 7b show two exemplary embodiments of contact elements 12 of an angle connector 5, in which the contact element 12 has additional stiffening in addition to indentations 136 in the third section 124 of the contact element 12. This additional stiffening is realized by a striking plate 15, which is schematically indicated in Fig. 7a and Fig. 7b. This is offset in sheet thickness from the contact element 12. The striking plate 15 is connected to the contact element 12 in the region of the third section 124 at the joining points 17 additionally shown in Fig. 7a. The rigidity of the connecting element is advantageously further increased by the striking plate 15.

[0066] Fig. 8a and Fig. 8b show an exemplary embodiment of a connecting element 5 of a support system comprising octagonal profiles, designed as an angle connector, wherein the connecting element 5 comprises only a single shaped part 1213, in particular a single sheet metal part that was formed into the shaped part in a cutting operation and a subsequent forming operation. The connecting element 5 shown in Fig. 8a and Fig. 8b is designed to connect two octagonal profiles with the same wrench size at an arrangement angle of 90°. In principle, however, the connecting element can also be designed such that it can connect two octagonal profiles with different wrench sizes and / or two octagonal profiles at an arrangement angle deviating from 90°.For connection to an octagonal profile, the connecting element 5 has two differently aligned arrangement sections 10, each designed to encompass three adjacent side surfaces of the octagonal profile. In this exemplary embodiment, the arrangement sections 10 are aligned at an angle of 90° to one another.

[0067] In this exemplary embodiment, the molded part 1213 comprises both a web element 13 and a contact element 12, wherein the contact element 12 of the molded part 1213 comprises the arrangement sections 10. In this exemplary embodiment, the respective arrangement section 10 is designed to make planar contact with only two non-adjacent side surfaces of three adjacent side surfaces of an octagonal profile. As can be seen from Fig. 8a and Fig. 8b, the contact surfaces of an arrangement section 10 to be arranged on an octagonal profile are not connected to one another via a surface extending over the middle of three adjacent side surfaces, but rather this connection is established via the web element 12.

[0068] The connecting element 5 shown in Fig. 8a and Fig. 8b is therefore designed as an angle connector by exactly one shaped part 1213, wherein the connecting element 5 comprises a contact element 12 with an integrated web element 13 as a shaped part 1213, wherein the contact element 12 is designed to be arranged on a first octagonal profile of a support system and on a second octagonal profile of a support system in such a way that the contact element 12 encompasses the three adjacent side surfaces of the respective octagonal profile and in each case only makes surface contact with two non-adjacent side surfaces of the three adjacent side surfaces, and wherein the web element 13 extends from one end of the contact element 12 to the other end of the contact element 12, as can be seen in Fig. 8a and Fig. 8b.

[0069] Fig. 9a to Fig. 9b show a further exemplary embodiment of a connecting element 6 of a support system designed as a cross connector. In this exemplary embodiment, the connecting element 6 comprises a total of six shaped parts 12, 15. Two shaped parts are designed as identically designed contact elements 12, and four identically designed shaped parts 15 each comprise a web element 13 provided with connecting elements 137. In this exemplary embodiment, the shaped parts 12, 15 are sheet metal parts that were formed into the shaped parts 12, 15 by appropriate cutting and forming operations. In this exemplary embodiment, the connecting element 6 is designed to connect two octagonal profiles arranged in different arrangement planes at an angle of 90°.In this exemplary embodiment, it is particularly provided that the individual molded parts 12, 15 are connected to one another exclusively by screwing to the corresponding octagonal profile. In an alternative embodiment, it is also provided that the individual molded parts 12, 15 are joined to one another at the points where the molded parts 12, 15 contact one another, in particular by resistance spot welding. As a further embodiment variant, a cross connector is provided as the connecting element 6, which exclusively comprises the four molded parts 15, thus dispensing with the contact elements 12. The connecting element 6 is then connected directly via the connecting elements 137 of the molded parts 15, which then form the arrangement section 10.Preferably, the molded parts 15 are joined together, in particular welded, which advantageously counteracts the reduced stability due to the omission of the contact elements 12. Depending on the design and the required stability, however, joining the molded parts 15 may also be omitted.

[0070] In the design variants shown in Fig. 9a to Fig. 9c, the contact elements 12 comprise the arrangement sections 10, which are designed to encompass three adjacent side surfaces of an octagonal profile. In the design variant not shown, in which the connecting element 6 is formed exclusively by the four identical shaped parts 15, the shaped parts 15, in particular the connecting elements 137 of the shaped parts 15, comprise the arrangement sections 10, which encompass three adjacent side surfaces of an octagonal profile.

[0071] The contact elements 12 of the embodiment shown in Fig. 9a to Fig. 9c have holes 121 corresponding to the octagonal profiles on which they are to be arranged, via which the connecting element 6 can be connected, in particular screwed, to the octagonal profiles 2. Furthermore, the contact elements 12 each have a recess 134.

[0072] The connecting element 6 according to the embodiment shown in Fig. 9a to Fig. 9c comprises a total of four web elements 13 as molded parts 15. The web elements 13 each taper towards one end. At the ends, the web elements 13 comprise connecting elements 137, which are arranged on the contact elements 12, as shown in Fig. 9a and Fig. 9b, and are then connected, in particular screwed, together with the contact elements 12 with an octagonal profile. In this exemplary embodiment, a web element 13 comprises a connecting element 137 at the tapered end. At the opposite end, each web element 13 has a recess 134 that separates two connecting elements 137 from one another.The connecting elements 137 of a molded part 15 are angled relative to the web element 13 of the molded part 15 such that they can make surface contact with a contact element 12, wherein the connecting element 137 at the tapered end of the web element 13 contacts the central surface of the contact element 12, and the two connecting elements 137 at the opposite end contact an outer surface of the contact element 12, as shown in Fig. 9a and Fig. 9b. The arrangement of the molded parts 15 forms a box profile.

[0073] The exemplary embodiments shown in the figures and explained in connection with them serve to explain the invention and are not limiting thereof.

[0074] List of reference symbols

[0075] 1 support system

[0076] 2 octagonal profile

[0077] 21 side surface

[0078] 22 Arrangement hole

[0079] 3 Supporting base structure

[0080] 4 Base plate

[0081] 5 angle connectors

[0082] 6 cross connectors

[0083] 7 Function connection

[0084] 8 pipe

[0085] 10 Arrangement section

[0086] 12 Contact element (contact rail)

[0087] 121 Hole in the contact element (12)

[0088] 122 first section of the investment element (12)

[0089] 123 second section of the investment element (12)

[0090] 124 third section of the investment element (12)

[0091] 13 web element

[0092] 131 Connecting element (connecting flange (outside))

[0093] 132 Connecting element (connecting flange (inside))

[0094] 133 Stiffener (bead)

[0095] 134 recess

[0096] 135 Recess (relief hole)

[0097] 136 stiffening (embossing)

[0098] 137 Connection element (with holes for screwed connection)

[0099] 1213 Moulded part comprising a web element (12) and a contact element (13)

[0100] 14 Box profile

[0101] 15 molded part comprising a web element (13) and connecting elements (137)

[0102] 17 joining point

[0103] 18 Laser weld seam

[0104] D offset by sheet thickness

Claims

AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on 28 October 2024 (28.10.2024) 1. A connecting element (5, 6, 7) of a support system (1) for supporting tools and / or for supporting workpieces for their machining, comprising a plurality of octagonal profiles (2) each having eight side surfaces (21), each having a plurality of defined arrangement holes (22), wherein the connecting element (5, 6, 7) is designed to connect two support system elements (2) of the support system (1) to one another, at least one of which is an octagonal profile (2), wherein the connecting element (5, 6, 7) for connection to an octagonal profile (2) of the support system (1) has an arrangement section (10) which is designed to encompass three adjacent side surfaces (21) of the octagonal profile (2), characterized in that the connecting element (5, 6, 7) comprises at least one shaped part (12, 13, 12, 13, 15), wherein the at least one shaped part (12, 13, 1213,15) is a sheet metal part machined in a forming operation.

2. Connecting element (5, 6, 7) according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting element is designed as an angle connector (5), cross connector (6) or functional connection (7).

3. Connecting element (5, 6, 7) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the arrangement section (10) is further designed to make planar contact with only two non-adjacent side surfaces (21) of the three adjacent side surfaces (21).

4. Connecting element (5, 6, 7) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the connecting element (5, 6, 7) is formed by at least two molded parts (12, 13, 15), in particular by two molded parts (12, 13, 15) connected to one another.

5. Connecting element (5, 6, 7) according to claim 4, characterized in that at least two of the shaped parts (12, 13, 15) are connected to one another to form a box profile. AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) 6. Connecting element (5, 6, 7) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting element (5, 6, 7) comprises at least one contact element (12) as a shaped part, wherein the contact element (12) is designed to be arranged on at least one octagonal profile (2) of a support system (1) in such a way that the contact element (12) encompasses the three adjacent side surfaces (21) of the at least one octagonal profile (2).

7. Connecting element (5, 6, 7) according to claim 3, characterized in that the connecting element (5) is designed as an angle connector (5) by exactly one molded part (1213), wherein the connecting element (5) comprises a contact element (12) with an integrated web element (13) as the molded part (1213), wherein the contact element (12) is designed to be arranged on a first octagonal profile (2) of a support system (1) and on a second octagonal profile (2) of a support system (1) in such a way that the contact element (12) encompasses the three adjacent side surfaces (21) of the respective octagonal profile (2) and in doing so only makes surface contact with two non-adjacent side surfaces (21) of the three adjacent side surfaces (21), wherein the web element (13) extends from one end of the contact element (12) to the other end of the contact element (12).

8. Connecting element (5, 6, 7) according to claim 6 or claim 7, characterized in that the at least one contact element (12) has holes (121) corresponding to the at least one octagonal profile (2), via which the connecting element (5, 6, 7) can be connected, in particular screwed, to the octagonal profile (2).

9. Connecting element (5, 6, 7) according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the contact element (12) comprises a first section (122) and a second section (123), wherein the first section (122) and the second section (123) are arranged to one another via a third section (124) at an angle at which the octagonal profiles (2) to be connected are to be connected to one another.

10. Connecting element (5, 6, 7) according to claim 9, characterized in that the third section (124) of the contact element (12) comprises a stiffener. AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) 11. Connecting element (5, 6, 7) according to claim 9 or claim 10, characterized in that at least the third section of the contact element (12) is manufactured in a shell construction.

12. Connecting element (5, 6, 7) according to claim 7 and claim 11, characterized in that the web element (13) is also manufactured in a shell construction.

13. Connecting element (5, 6, 7) according to one of claims 4 to 11, characterized in that the connecting element (5, 6, 7) comprises at least one web element (13) as a molded part (13, 15, 1213).

14. Connecting element (5, 6, 7) according to claim 13, characterized in that the at least one web element (13) comprises connecting elements (131, 132, 137).

15. Connecting element (5, 6, 7) according to claim 14 and one of claims 6 or 8 to 11, characterized in that the at least one web element (13) is connected via at least one of the connecting elements (131, 132, 137) to one of the contact elements (12) is connected.

16. Connecting element (5, 6, 7) according to one of claims 7 or 11 to 15, characterized in that the at least one web element (13) comprises a stiffener (133).

17. Connecting element (5, 6, 7) according to one of claims 13 to 16, characterized in that the connecting element (6) is designed as a cross connector (6) and comprises four interconnected web elements (13).

18. Connecting element (5, 6, 7) according to one of claims 13 to 17, characterized in that the connecting element (5, 6, 7) has at least two web elements (13), wherein the at least two web elements (13) are connected to one another in such a way that they form a box profile (14).

19. Connecting element (5, 6, 7) according to one of claims 1 to 6 or 8 to 18, characterized in that the connecting element (6) is designed as a cross connector (6) AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) and comprises four identical shaped parts (15), wherein the shaped parts (15) comprise web elements (13) with connecting elements (137), wherein the connecting elements (137) have holes (121) via which the connecting element (6) can be connected, in particular screwed, to the octagonal profile (2).

20. Connecting element (5, 6, 7) according to claim 19, characterized in that the connecting element (6) additionally comprises two contact elements (12) as molded parts (12).

21. Connecting element (5, 6, 7) according to one of claims 4 to 6 or 8 to 20 as far as dependent on claim 4, characterized in that the shaped parts (12, 13, 15) are connected to one another by a joining process.

22. Connecting element (5, 6, 7) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one shaped part (12, 13, 12, 13, 15) is made of sheet steel.

23. Support system (1) for supporting tools and / or for supporting workpieces for their machining, comprising a plurality of octagonal profiles (2) each having eight side surfaces (21), each having a plurality of defined arrangement holes (22), wherein a plurality of support system elements (2) of the support system are connected to one another via connecting elements (5, 6, 7), in particular a plurality of the octagonal profiles (2) are connected to one another via connecting elements (5, 6) to form a support structure (3), characterized in that the connecting elements (5, 6) are at least partially designed as connecting elements according to one of the preceding claims. AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19)

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