Rotary module for guiding at least one line, and rotary module comprising at least one line

Abstract

The invention relates to a rotary module (1) for guiding at least one line, comprising a first receiving area (15) for receiving a first line portion to be wound about a rotational axis (d) in the shape of a first helix; a second receiving area (17) for receiving a second line portion to be wound about the rotational axis (d) in the shape of a second helix in the opposite direction of the first helix; a deflecting unit (19), between the first and second receiving area (15, 17), for guiding a deflecting region of the at least one line between the line portions to be wound in opposite directions; a first annular main face, which faces the first receiving area (15), for contacting the first line portion; and a second annular main face, which faces the second receiving area (17), for contacting the second line portion, wherein the two main faces have contact elements (23), which extend radially with respect to the rotational axis (d) and which are distributed over the circumference of the deflecting unit (19), in order to linearly contact the winding of the line portion in question resting against the respective main face.

Description

[0001] Rotating module for guiding at least one cable and rotating module with at least one cable

[0002] The invention generally relates to a rotary module with a first and a second connection element for at least one line to be guided between the connection elements, wherein the two connection elements are rotatable relative to one another about a common axis of rotation, with a first receiving space for receiving a first line section to be connected to the first connection element and wound in the form of a first helix around the axis of rotation, which is variable in its axial extent depending on the axial extent of the helix by increasing or decreasing the winding, with a second receiving space for receiving a second power section to be connected to the second connection element and wound in the form of a second helix around the axis of rotation in the opposite direction to the first helix, which is variable in its axial extent depending on the axial extent of the helix by increasing or decreasing the winding,with a deflection unit arranged between the first and the second receiving space for guiding a deflection area in which the at least one cable to be guided can be folded between the oppositely wound cable sections, so that the at least one cable is deflected from one receiving space into the other receiving space upon relative rotation of the connecting elements about the axis of rotation,wherein the deflection unit is arranged to be movable in the axial direction and around the axis of rotation, and wherein the deflection unit is designed to extend annularly around the axis of rotation with a through-opening extending axially with respect to the axis of rotation for passing through the deflection region of the at least one line between the two line sections and has a first annular main side facing the first receiving space for contact with the winding of the first line section opposite the first main side, and a second annular main side facing the second receiving space for contact with the winding of the second power section opposite the second main side.

[0003] A rotary module of the general type mentioned above is known from DE 40 04 233 A1. This rotary module has a housing with two housing parts which can be rotated relative to one another about a rotation axis. The housing defines a receiving space which is essentially cylindrical with respect to the rotation axis for a flat cable with two cable sections wound helically around the rotation axis, i.e. screw-like or corkscrew-like, each with a plurality of windings and a deflection region or U-shaped turning region connecting these cable sections. This deflection region is curved around the rotation axis and bent in an essentially U-shape about a deflection axis perpendicular to it, so that depending on the angle of rotation, one helically laid down cable section is lengthened and the other helically laid down cable section is shortened. The deflection region connecting the two cable sections can be supported by a deflection unit arranged floating in the housing.

[0004] A disadvantage of this rotary module is, among other things, that, particularly when there is a large number of cables to be guided and rotated, increased frictional forces act between the cables and between the deflection unit and the turns of the two helically wound cable sections opposite the deflection unit, which leads to more wear and a greater expenditure of force when rotating the housing parts relative to one another.

[0005] Another rotary module for guiding at least one cable is known from DE 20 2016 105 507 U1. This rotary module also comprises two housing parts that can be rotated relative to one another about a rotation axis, each for receiving one of two cable sections that are curved in opposite directions about the rotation axis. The cable sections are deflected in the through-opening of a deflection unit. The housing parts are essentially hollow, cylindrical or pot-shaped, with the radius of the outer housing wall determining the curvature of the accommodated cable section.

[0006] The rotary module according to DE 20 2016 105 507 U1, like the rotary module according to DE 40 04 233 A1, has the disadvantage that, particularly with a large number of cables to be guided and rotated, wear occurs due to friction between the cables and the deflection unit, and increased force is required to rotate the housing parts relative to one another. Furthermore, the rotary module according to DE 2016 105 507 U1 only allows the rotation of a cable over a relatively limited angle of rotation of typically 360°, max. 540°.

[0007] Another rotary module that allows larger angles of rotation is known from WO 2017 / 182583. Here, the cable is wound helically around a rotational axis in several first spiral layers and several second spiral layers, opposite to the direction of rotation of the first spiral layer. The turns of the cable are supported on a rotationally decoupled cylindrical sleeve that extends in the axial direction. Here, too, wear and force expenditure occur when the module rotates due to friction losses between the cylindrical sleeve and the turns opposite the sleeve.

[0008] A first object of the present invention is therefore to propose a generic rotary module as described at the outset, which enables improved guidance of the at least one line, particularly when there is a large number of lines to be guided, reduces wear and force required when rotating the rotary module and allows angles of rotation greater than 540°, in particular greater than 1000°.

[0009] This object is achieved by a rotary module having the features of claim 1 and a rotary module having at least one line guided therein according to claim 20. Advantageous embodiments of the rotary module and of the rotary module having at least one line guided therein are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0010] A further task is to propose a structure for the rotary module, in the case of a larger number of cables to be guided through the rotary module, which in particular enables the end user to subsequently and easily insert different, application-dependent cables.

[0011] According to the invention, in a rotary module of the generic type mentioned at the outset, it is proposed that the two annular main sides of the deflection unit have contact elements which extend radially with respect to the axis of rotation and are distributed over the circumference of the annular deflection unit for linear and exclusive contact with the turn of the oppositely wound line sections opposite the respective main side.

[0012] The rotary module according to the invention is particularly advantageous for guiding a plurality of independently manageable, rotating lines in a manner that reduces friction and wear.

[0013] According to the proposed solution, the receiving space comprising the two receiving spaces variable in the axial direction can be dimensioned such that a connecting element of the at least one line on a first side of the rotary module can be rotated by several, in particular five, complete revolutions relative to the other connecting element of the at least one line on a second side of the rotary module, so that the overall effort required during rotation is kept low. In particular, the rotary module according to the invention is also suitable for rotation by smaller angles with frequent changes in the direction of the rotary movement with low friction losses.

[0014] The lines can be electrical supply lines, media lines, such as pneumatic or hydraulic hoses, or combinations of electrical supply lines and media lines. However, the rotary module according to the invention is not limited to the rotary guidance of such lines, but is equally suitable for the rotary guidance of at least one suitable line guidance device, such as a spatially deflectable energy guide chain, in which the aforementioned lines can be accommodated and guided.

[0015] To simplify the terminology, the term "management" used here also includes

[0016] Cable routing devices in which the above-mentioned cables are accommodated and guided.

[0017] In particular, in the case of larger cable packages to be guided through the rotary module, several cable guide devices arranged radially next to one another with respect to the axis of rotation and which can be handled independently of one another, which can be opened and closed, have the advantage that they allow individual, simple insertion, replacement and removal of the individual cables.

[0018] The contact elements reducing friction between the two main sides of the deflection unit and the turns of the first line section and the second line section opposite each other can have the same cross section perpendicular to their radial extension over their radial extension with respect to the axis of rotation.

[0019] In particular, the contact elements can have a convex curvature in cross-section perpendicular to their radial extension towards the respective receiving space.

[0020] In another embodiment, the contact elements on the respective main side of the deflection unit can be designed as rollers mounted so as to be rotatable about radial axes with respect to the axis of rotation.

[0021] In particular, when guiding a plurality of lines arranged radially next to one another in the two receiving spaces and the through-opening of the deflection unit, which lines are each guided between a first and a second connection element, the contact elements on the respective main side of the deflection unit can each be formed from a plurality of rollers arranged radially next to one another and rotatable independently of one another about a common radial axis.

[0022] Since the cables located further out in the radial direction move at a higher speed than the cables located further inside when the cables arranged next to each other are wound, the individual rollers can move at corresponding rotational speeds.

[0023] An alternative to compensating for speed differences would be to use a roller for each contact element, the diameter of which decreases in the radial direction from the outside to the inside.

[0024] The deflection unit of the rotary module according to the invention can have a radially outer circumferential side extending between the two main sides, extending over the circumference of the deflection unit, which has rollers extending axially with respect to the axis of rotation on the outside and distributed over the circumference, mounted rotatably about axial axes. The receiving spaces for the two oppositely helically wound line sections are provided with a sheath extending at least partially in their axial extent and having an inner side running annularly around the axis of rotation, on which the rollers can roll.

[0025] In the rotary module according to the invention, the maximum axial distance between the main surfaces of the deflection unit can be smaller than the radial extent of the main sides with respect to the axis of rotation. The through-opening extending axially with respect to the axis of rotation for passing through the deflection area of ​​the at least one line between the two

[0026] Line sections have two sides which delimit the through-opening in the circumferential direction of the annular deflection unit and which can be designed as surfaces.

[0027] The side which delimits the through-opening and which lies opposite the inside of the deflection region of the at least one line can be designed as a convex surface, in particular of a half-cylinder with a cylinder axis which runs substantially radially to the axis of rotation.

[0028] Contact elements extending perpendicular to the axis of rotation and distributed over the circumference of the surface can be arranged on this surface for linear and exclusive contact with the deflection area of ​​the at least one line. The contact elements can be designed as described above for the contact elements on the two main sides of the deflection unit.

[0029] The side which is located on the outside opposite the deflection region of the at least one line and which delimits the through-opening can have a surface which runs parallel to the axis of rotation.

[0030] In an alternative embodiment, the side which is located on the outside opposite the deflection region and which delimits the through-opening can be designed as a concave surface, in particular conjugated to the convex surface of the other side which delimits the through-opening.

[0031] In a further alternative embodiment, the side located on the outside opposite the deflection area and delimiting the through-opening can have at least one roller mounted for rotation about an axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The at least one roller allows the deflection area of ​​the at least one line to be guided on the outside with low friction, particularly when the at least one line is guided against the relevant side during movement.

[0032] The distance between the two sides delimiting the through-opening of the deflection unit in the circumferential direction is preferably smaller than the radial extension of these sides with respect to the axis of rotation.

[0033] Preferably, the two main sides of the deflection unit extend in the circumferential direction in a spiral-like manner, ascending from the side located on the outside opposite the deflection region of the at least one line and delimiting the through-opening to the side located on the inside opposite the deflection region and delimiting the through-opening. The spiral-like course of the main sides corresponds to the spiral-like winding of the line sections arranged thereon and guides the turns of the respective winding one above the other.

[0034] The deflection unit can be formed from ring-segment-shaped components that are connected to one another in the circumferential direction. To reduce the weight of the deflection unit, the ring-segment-shaped parts can be formed by a rod assembly made of struts that stabilize the ring-segment-shaped parts at their radial edges that run parallel to the axis of rotation and also run circumferentially in the outer radius and inner radius. In addition, reinforcing struts can be provided between the struts that run parallel to the axis of rotation. In such a design, the rollers that are mounted on the circumferential side of the deflection unit can each be rotatably mounted about an axis that is axial with respect to the axis of rotation on the struts that extend circumferentially in the inner and outer radius.

[0035] Alternatively, the edges of the ring-segment-shaped components extending radially with respect to the axis of rotation can be connected to one another in the circumferential direction and in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation by flat walls.

[0036] Preferably, the sides which delimit the through-opening of the deflection unit in the circumferential direction are arranged parallel to one another in a direction running perpendicular to the axis of rotation. This means that they are each at the same distance in the circumferential direction of the deflection unit, which distance can vary in the axial direction with respect to the axis of rotation, e.g. due to the one convex side. Due to the parallel arrangement, not both sides run radially with respect to the axis of rotation. At least one of the sides, preferably the side opposite the outside of the deflection region, runs in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation in a direction which is offset with respect to the radial direction. In particular, the side which is offset with respect to the radial direction can be arranged in a recess in the deflection unit which is offset with respect to the radial direction.

[0037] The above-mentioned design has the advantage that the at least one cable, when moving against the side on the outside opposite the deflection area, does not experience any force component radially outward perpendicular to the axis of rotation, and the deflection of the at least one cable, as frictionless and trouble-free as possible, occurs exclusively around an axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation. Particularly in the case of energy chains with a substantially rectangular cross-section of their chain links perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the chains, tilting of the chain links upon contact with the side on the outside opposite the deflection area and delimiting the through-opening is avoided.

[0038] Preferably, the casing of the receiving spaces of the rotary module according to the invention for the oppositely helically wound line sections can have two axially adjacent outer sleeves which rotate relative to each other about the axis of rotation when the two connecting elements rotate.

[0039] The two sleeves can have the same axial extension with respect to the axis of rotation.

[0040] The two sleeves can be arranged axially aligned with each other with respect to the axis of rotation.

[0041] The two axially adjacent sleeves can have an axial space in the form of an annular gap, which can be dimensioned such that the deflection unit covers the gap from the inside in each of its axial positions.

[0042] At least one of the sleeves can have, on its end face facing away from the deflection unit, a circular or annular cover-like part from which the at least one line can be guided out of the rotary module. The connection element for the at least one line can be connected to the cover-like part. If there are several lines arranged next to one another in the radial direction with respect to the axis of rotation, the connection elements provided for securing the lines can also be arranged radially next to one another.

[0043] The connecting elements can have strain-relieving fastenings for the cable in question.

[0044] The cover-like part can have a recess with at least one radially extending side, on or in which the connecting element fixing the at least one line or the connecting elements for a plurality of lines arranged radially next to one another are arranged.

[0045] The sleeve in question can have a circumferentially extending slot or a circumferentially extending groove in the region of the recess, from which the at least one line or the plurality of lines emerge from the rotary module.

[0046] The cover-like part can be designed as a circular or annular part that is axially narrow with respect to the axis of rotation and has a height offset that runs axially with respect to the axis of rotation along the radially running side of the recess. The circular or annular part can extend in a spiral manner from one radially running edge of the side in the circumferential direction to the other radially running edge of the side. The relevant connection element for the at least one line or the majority of the connection elements for the lines arranged radially next to one another can be arranged on or in the height offset. The narrow circular or annular part can be composed of several flat circular or ring-segment-shaped parts that form the spiral shape of the part in a polygonal manner in the circumferential direction and are fastened to the sleeve.

[0047] Preferably, the lid-like part is annular and extends between the outer sleeve and an inner sleeve.

[0048] Preferably, both outer sleeves forming the casing of the receiving spaces of the rotary module are provided on their mutually opposite end faces with an annular lid-like part which extends between the respective outer sleeve and inner sleeve.

[0049] The structural units consisting of the outer sleeve, the inner sleeve and the annular cover-like part connecting the two sleeves to one another for delimiting the receiving spaces for the at least one line can be designed to be mirror-symmetrical with respect to a mirror plane running through the gap perpendicular to the axis of rotation and can form housing halves of the rotary module.

[0050] Preferably, the two structural units are rotatably mounted on their mutually facing end faces of the inner sleeves.

[0051] For this purpose, the inner sleeves can be pivotally mounted on their mutually facing end faces.

[0052] In particular, they can have an annular flange on the opposite end faces, which forms a sliding bearing with sliding elements distributed over the circumference. The present invention further comprises a rotary module according to the possible embodiments described above and at least one line guided through the rotary module, as also described above in connection with the rotary module.

[0053] The present invention further comprises a rotary module of the generic type mentioned at the outset with at least one line guided through the rotary module, wherein a plurality of lines which can be handled independently of one another are provided, which lines are arranged next to one another in the two line sections and the deflection area in the radial direction with respect to the axis of rotation.

[0054] The plurality of lines can, in particular, be spatially deflectable line guiding devices, such as energy guiding chains and hose-like line guiding devices for receiving and guiding electrical and / or optical cables and / or media lines, as well as media hoses, such as pneumatic or hydraulic hoses. The plurality of lines that are not connected to one another can also be a combination of the aforementioned lines or

[0055] Cable routing devices include .

[0056] Spatially deflectable cable guide devices are known, for example, from WO 2004 / 093279 A1 or WO 2014 / 161734 A1. Such cable guide devices can be guided in the rotary module between two points that can be rotated relative to one another. However, in principle, any type of spatially deflectable cable guide device or...

[0057] Energy guidance systems can be considered, e.g., with ball joints or cardanic, multi-axis bendable joints between the guide elements. Simpler, flexible guide hoses or hose packages, or the like, can also be easily accommodated in the rotary module according to the invention.

[0058] The use of such lines or line guide devices guided by the rotary module according to the invention, which are arranged next to one another in their two helical line sections and their deflection regions in the radial direction with respect to the axis of rotation, is particularly advantageous in systems with components which can be rotated relative to one another and in which a large number of lines are to be guided in a rotatable manner.

[0059] The radial extent of the main sides of the deflection unit with respect to the rotational axis is preferably greater than the sum of the diameters of the lines or line guide devices arranged radially next to one another in the radial direction. This allows for play between the lines or line guide devices and between these and the sheathing of the line sections and the deflection area. The maximum possible play between two adjacent lines or line guide devices arranged radially next to one another is preferably greater than half their diameter in the radial direction.

[0060] The play between the cables or cable guide devices has the advantage that they can move flexibly in their radial distance with respect to the axis of rotation during their movement in the rotary module, in particular at the transition between the receiving spaces and the through-opening in the deflection unit, whereby friction between the cables or cable guide devices is reduced and a deflection that is as smooth as possible is made possible.

[0061] Further embodiments of the rotary module can correspond to the above-described embodiments of the invention relating to the rotary module, wherein the arrangement of contact elements on the main sides of the deflection unit in the above-described use of a plurality of lines or line guiding devices arranged radially with respect to the axis of rotation does not represent a necessary feature but can merely be included as an optional feature.

[0062] Further details, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent—without limiting the generality of the above teachings—from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments with reference to the following drawings. Identical or equivalent parts are provided with the same reference numerals and are described only once. The drawings show:

[0063] Figure 1 : an exemplary embodiment of the rotary module in perspective view,

[0064] Figure 2 : the embodiment shown with the housing removed according to Figure 1 ,

[0065] Figure 3 : a perspective view of the deflection unit shown in Figure 2 on one of the main sides,

[0066] Figure 4: a perspective view of the deflection unit shown in Figure 2 on the other main side, Figure 5: a rotary module with the housing removed and a different version of the deflection unit in perspective view,

[0067] Figure 6: the deflection unit resulting from Figure 5 in perspective view of a main side,

[0068] Figure 7 : a side view of the deflection unit in the direction of arrow A in Figure 6,

[0069] Figure 8: a perspective view of an embodiment of a housing half of the rotary module on a front side,

[0070] Figure 9: a perspective view of the housing half of the rotary module shown in Figure 8 on the other end side,

[0071] Figure 10: a plan view of a housing of the rotary module composed of mirror-symmetrical housing halves according to Figures 8 and 9,

[0072] Figure 11: a longitudinal section along the line AA of the housing in Figure 10,

[0073] Figure 12: an enlarged view of area B in the sectional drawing of Figure 11,

[0074] Figure 13: an embodiment of several cable guide devices with a rectangular cross-section guided through the rotary module and arranged next to one another in the radial direction with respect to the axis of rotation, Figure 14: an embodiment of several hose-like cable guide devices guided through the rotary module and arranged next to one another in the radial direction with respect to the axis of rotation, and,

[0075] Figure 15: an embodiment of several media hoses guided through the rotary module and arranged radially next to one another with respect to the axis of rotation.

[0076] As can be seen from Figure 1, the rotary module 1 has two housing halves 2 and 3 which can be rotated relative to one another about an axis of rotation d. The housing halves 2 and 3 are each formed from an outer sleeve 4 which encloses the rotary module 1 on the outside, an inner sleeve 5 which is only partially shown in Figure 1 and an annular, cover-like part 6 which connects the outer sleeve 4 to the inner sleeve 5 on one of its end faces.

[0077] The two outer sleeves 4 are arranged in axial alignment with one another with respect to the axis of rotation d and are separated from one another in the axial direction by an annular, relatively narrow gap 7. The two inner sleeves 5 of the housing halves 2 and 3 are also arranged in axial alignment with one another and are mounted on their mutually facing end faces so as to be rotatable about the axis of rotation d, so that both housing halves 2 and 3 are rotatable relative to one another about the axis of rotation d. The two housing halves 2 and 3 are mirror-symmetrical with respect to a plane running perpendicular to the axis of rotation d through the gap 7.

[0078] The cover-like parts 6 each have a recess 8 with a side 9 which runs radially between the outer sleeve 4 and the inner sleeve 5 and forms an axial height offset with respect to the axis of rotation d, in which side 9 radially arranged next to one another connecting elements 10 are arranged for fixing a plurality of line guiding devices which are also arranged next to one another in the radial direction and can be handled independently of one another.

[0079] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, various cables and hoses, generally designated by the reference numeral 11, are housed and guided in the cable guide devices. The cover-like parts 6 arranged on the front sides of the two housing halves 2 and 3 each have an annular surface on the outside which extends helically from one radially extending edge of the side 9 to the other radially extending edge of the side 9 and corresponds to the helical course of the turn of the cable guide devices opposite the cover-like part 6.

[0080] As can be seen from Figure 1, the outer sleeves 4 in the region of the recess 8 of the cover-like part 6 each have a groove 12 running in the circumferential direction, from which the cables or hoses 11 extending from the connecting elements 10 into the recess 12 are led out of the rotary module 1.

[0081] The cable guiding devices shown schematically in Figure 2 are spatially deflectable energy guiding chains 13 which receive and guide the cables or hoses 11 and whose chain links (not individualized in Figure 2) have a substantially rectangular cross-section. The end sections of the cable guiding devices are fixed by the connecting elements 10 in the side 9 of the recess 8 which forms a vertical offset, so that a rotation of the housing halves 2 and 3 relative to one another about the axis of rotation d brings about a corresponding rotation of the connecting elements 10 about the axis of rotation d.

[0082] The five energy guiding chains 13 shown are arranged with a first line section 14 in the form of a first helix in a receiving space 15 extending between the outer sleeve 4 and the inner sleeve 5 of the first housing half 2 and with a second line section 16 in the form of a second helix wound in the opposite direction to the first helix in a second receiving space 17 which extends between the outer sleeve 4 and the inner sleeve 5 of the second housing half 3 of the rotary module 1.

[0083] The two opposing turns of the two cable sections 14 and 16 are connected to each other by a deflection region 18, in which the energy guiding chains 13 are also arranged adjacent to each other in a substantially radial direction relative to the rotational axis d. The deflection region 18 is designed in the form of an arc extending by 180° and leads to an opposing winding of the two cable sections 14 and 16.

[0084] The smallest radius of the curved deflection area 1 is slightly larger than the minimum permissible bending radius or radius of curvature of the energy guiding chains 13 around the axis running radially to the axis of rotation d or corresponds to this radius. The radius of curvature of the energy guiding chains 13 located radially inside the two cable sections 14 and 16 is slightly larger than the minimum permissible bending radius or radius of curvature of the energy guiding chain around the axis of rotation d or corresponds to this radius.

[0085] As can also be seen from Figure 2, an annular deflection unit 19 is provided between the first receiving space 15 and the second receiving space 17 for the two line sections 14 and 16, each wound in opposite directions in the form of a helix, to support the radius and guide the deflection region 18. The deflection unit 19 is freely movable in the axial direction with respect to the axis of rotation d during the rotational guidance of the energy guide chains 13, depending on the axial extent of the line sections 14 and 16, and is freely rotatable in the direction of rotation about the axis of rotation d, i.e., is arranged in a floating manner.

[0086] The deflection unit 19 borders radially on the outside on the outer sleeves 4 and radially on the inside on the inner sleeves 5 of the two housing halves 2 and 3 of the rotary module 1 and is arranged between them so that it can move freely axially and rotate freely.

[0087] The receiving space comprising the two receiving spaces 15 and 17 which are variable in the axial direction is dimensioned such that one of the housing halves 2, 3 with the connecting elements 10 for the energy guide chains 13 arranged thereon can be rotated by five complete revolutions relative to the other housing half with the connecting elements 10 arranged thereon.

[0088] The annular deflection unit 19 is shown in more detail as such in Figures 3 and 4. As already apparent from Figure 2, the deflection unit 19 has a through-opening 20 extending axially with respect to the axis of rotation d for passing through the deflection region 18 of the energy guide chains 13 between their two oppositely helically wound cable sections 14 and 16. The through-opening 20 is also open on both sides in the radial direction and is thus delimited by the outer sleeves 4 and inner sleeves 5 of the two housing halves 2 and 3 of the rotary module 1.

[0089] The annular deflection unit 19 has on one of its end faces a first annular main face 21 for engaging the opposite winding of the first cable section 14 of the energy guide chains 13 and on its other end face a second annular main face 22 for engaging the opposite winding of the second cable section 16 of the energy guide chains 13. The two annular main faces 21 and 22 are each provided with contact elements 23 which extend radially with respect to the axis of rotation d and are evenly distributed over the circumference of the annular deflection unit 19 and with which they make linear contact exclusively with the winding of the mutually wound cable sections 14, 16 which are opposite the respective main face 21, 22.

[0090] The contact elements 23 extend over the entire radial extent of the two main sides 21 and 22. Their cross-sections have convexly curved surfaces facing the receiving spaces 15 and 17. They have the same cross-section over their entire radial extent.

[0091] The through-opening 20 of the annular deflection unit 19 has two sides 24 and 25 which delimit it in the circumferential direction and which are designed as surfaces. The side 24 which delimits the through-opening 20 and which lies opposite the inside of the deflection region 18 of the energy guide chains 13 is designed as a surface which is curved about the axis of rotation d and is bent essentially in a U-shape about a deflection axis of the deflection region 18 which is perpendicular thereto. Contact elements 23 are provided on this surface and extend perpendicular to the axis of rotation d and are arranged distributed over the circumference of the curvature of the surface. The design of said contact elements 23 corresponds to the contact elements 23 arranged on the two main sides 21 and 22 of the deflection unit 19.

[0092] The side 25 which is located on the outside opposite the deflection region 18 and delimits the through-opening 20 is designed as a surface which runs parallel to the axis of rotation d. The two sides 24 and 25 extend parallel to one another in a direction which is perpendicular to the axis of rotation d. This means that in this direction they are each at the same distance from one another, which distance varies in the axial direction in accordance with the U-shaped curvature of the side 24 around the deflection axis of the deflection region 18. The side 25 of the through-opening 20 which is located on the outside opposite the deflection region 18 and is designed as a flat surface which extends parallel to the axis of rotation d, runs in a direction which is offset from the radial direction in the circumferential direction of the annular deflection unit 19. It is designed as the side of a recess 26 in the through-opening 20 of the deflection unit 19.

[0093] As can be seen from Figure 2, the radial extent of the main sides 21 and 22 of the deflection unit 19 with respect to the rotational axis d is larger than the sum of the diameters of the energy guide chains 13 in the radial direction. This allows for radial play between the energy guide chains 13 and the outer and inner circumferentially extending edges of the main sides 21 and 22, or between the outer sleeve 4 and the inner sleeve 5 of the housing of the rotary module 1.

[0094] As further shown in Figures 3 and 4, the main sides 21 and 22 of the deflection unit 19 extend in a helical manner in the direction of the opposite receiving spaces 15 and 17, respectively, from the first side 24 defining the opening 20 to the second side 25 defining the through-opening 20, and therefore adapt to the helical course of the turns of the first and second line sections 14 and 16 adjacent to the main sides 21 and 22, respectively.

[0095] Figures 5 to 7 show a second exemplary embodiment of a deflection unit 27 which, in principle, like the exemplary embodiment shown in Figures 2 to 3, has a first main side 21 facing the line section 14 and a second main side 22 facing the line section 16. The two main sides 21 and 22 have, as described above for the exemplary embodiment shown in Figures 2 to 3, a helical shape with a height increasing in the direction of the respective receiving space 15 or 17 between a first side 24 delimiting the through-opening 20 in the circumferential direction and a second side 25 delimiting the through-opening 20 in the circumferential direction.

[0096] As can be seen in particular from Figure 6, contact elements 23 extending radially with respect to the rotational axis d are arranged on the two main sides 21 and 22 of the deflection unit 27. The contact elements 23 are each formed from three rollers 28 arranged radially next to one another and rotatable independently of one another about a common radial axis. The contact elements 23 extend essentially over the entire radial extent of the main sides 21 and 22.

[0097] On the radially outer circumferential side of the deflection unit 27 extending between the two main sides 21 and 22, there are rollers 29 which extend axially with respect to the axis of rotation d and are distributed over the circumference and are mounted rotatably about axial axes. When the deflection unit 27 rotates about the axis of rotation d, the rollers 29 run on the inner surfaces of the sleeves 4, 5 of the two housing halves 2 and 3 of the rotary module 1.

[0098] As in the embodiment shown in Figures 2 to 4, the maximum axial distance between the main surfaces 21 and 22 of the deflection unit with respect to the rotation axis d is smaller than the radial extension of the main sides 21 and 22 with respect to the rotation axis d.

[0099] The end regions of the main sides 21 and 22 adjacent to the first side 24 of the through-opening 20, which is opposite the deflection region 18 of the energy guiding chains 13, each have a contact element 23 composed of the three rollers 28. The first side 24 extends essentially parallel to the axis of rotation d in the radial direction. The minimum permissible bending radius or radius of curvature when the energy guiding chains 13 are bent in the deflection region 18 is dimensioned such that the deflection region 18 of the energy guiding chains 13 is supported only by the two contact elements 23 in the two aforementioned end regions of the main sides 21 and 22 and otherwise does not come into contact with the first side 24.

[0100] The second side 25, which delimits the through-opening 20 and is located on the outside opposite the deflection region 18 of the energy guide chains 13, has two rollers 30 arranged at an axial distance with respect to the axis of rotation d, which rollers 30 are rotatably mounted about axes extending perpendicular to the axis of rotation d. The second side 25 with the rollers 30 is arranged such that the deflection region 18 of the energy guide chains 13 is guided externally on the rollers 30, in particular when the energy guide chains 13 are guided against the second side 25 during relative rotation of the two housing halves of the rotary module 1.

[0101] The second side 25 with the rollers 30 runs essentially parallel to the first side 24 and thus in a direction offset from the radial direction in the circumferential direction of the deflection unit 27. It is arranged in a recess 31 of the deflection unit 27 formed in the through-opening 20.

[0102] The deflection unit 27, like the deflection unit 19 of the first embodiment, consists of ring-segment-shaped components 32 connected to one another in the circumferential direction. The ring-segment-shaped components 32 are formed by a rod assembly of struts 33, which stabilize the ring-segment-shaped parts 31 at their radially extending edges, which run parallel to the rotation axis d and extend in the circumferential direction in the outer radius and inner radius. Additional reinforcing struts 34 are provided in the outer circumference of individual ring-segment-shaped parts 32.

[0103] Figures 8 and 9 show one of the mirror-symmetrical housing parts 2 and 3 in a perspective view of one or the other end face. As can be seen from these figures, the outer sleeve 4 is composed of ring-segment-shaped sleeve parts 35, which are fastened to one another at their circumferential ends. The sleeve parts 35 are sheet metal parts.

[0104] The inner sleeve 5 is composed of flat parts 36, also made of sheet metal, which are connected to one another in the circumferential direction. An annular, cover-like part 6 extends between the outer sleeve 4 and the inner sleeve 5, from which part the cables and hoses 11 guided in the energy guide chains 13 can be guided out of the rotary module 1. As already shown in Figure 1, the cover-like part 6 extends from a side 9 forming a height offset, in which the connecting elements 10 for the energy guide chains 13 are arranged next to one another in the radial direction, in a spiral manner in the circumferential direction leading back to this side 9.

[0105] The cover-like parts 6 are composed of several flat ring-segment-shaped parts 37, which form the helically extending cover-like part 6 in a polygonal manner in the circumferential direction and are connected to the outer sleeve 4 and the inner sleeve 5. The ring-segment-shaped parts 37 are formed by struts 38 on their radial and circumferential edges.

[0106] The two housing halves 2 and 3 forming the housing of the rotary module 1 are mounted on the mutually facing end faces of the inner sleeves 5 so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis d. For this purpose, the opposite end faces of the inner sleeves 5 each have an annular flange 39 which forms a bearing between the two inner sleeves 5.

[0107] The bearing arrangement is shown in more detail in Figures 10 to 12.

[0108] Figure 10 shows an end view of the housing halves 2 and 3 mounted on one another according to Figures 8 and 9. The sectional view in Figure 11 shows the mounting of the two housing halves 2 and 3 on the mutually facing end faces of the inner sleeves 5. The enlarged view in Figure 12 shows a slide bearing area in detail.

[0109] The plain bearing area shown in Figure 12 has a metal part 40 arranged on the annular flange 39 of the upper inner sleeve 5, which is guided in a receiving part 41 arranged on the annular flange 39 of the lower inner sleeve 5 and which, in the sectional view, is C-shaped when the two housing halves 2 and 3 rotate relative to one another. On the inner side of the receiving part 41 opposite the metal part 40, plastic sliding elements 42 are arranged for sliding guidance of the metal part 40.

[0110] Figures 13 and 14 show two different designs of the cable guide devices guided in the rotating module 1. Figure 13 shows the spatially deflectable energy guide chains 13, already described with reference to Figures 2 and 5, whose chain links have a rectangular cross-section.

[0111] Figure 14 shows, as alternatives to the energy guiding chains 13 shown in Figure 13, the possibility of using tubular spatially deflectable energy guiding chains or hose-shaped cable guides 43 for receiving and guiding cables or hoses, designated overall by 11.

[0112] According to Figure 15, media hoses 44 are guided in the rotary module 1. In all three cases, the energy guide chains 13 or hose-shaped cable guides 43 or media hoses 44 are fixed in or on the side 9 of the spiral cover-like parts 6 forming the height offset by connecting elements, wherein the cables or hoses 11 emerge from the ends of the energy guide chains 13 or hose-shaped cable guides 43 located in the connecting elements. The media hoses 44 shown in Figure 15 are only fixed to the connecting elements and also extend into the exterior of the rotary module 1.

[0113] List of reference symbols Rotary module First housing half Second housing half Outer sleeve Inner sleeve Cover-like part Gap Recess Radially extending side Connection element Cable or hoses Groove Energy chain First cable section First receiving space Second cable section Second receiving space Deflection area Deflection unit Through-opening First main side Second main side Contact element First side delimiting the through-opening Second side delimiting the through-opening Recess Deflection unit Roller 30 Roller

[0114] 29 roll

[0115] 31 recess

[0116] 32 ring-segment-shaped component 33 strut

[0117] 34 Reinforcing strut

[0118] 35 sleeve part

[0119] 36 sheet metal parts

[0120] 37 ring-segment-shaped part 38 strut

[0121] 39 flange

[0122] 40 metal part

[0123] 41 Taking part

[0124] 42 Plastic sliding element 43 Tubular cable guide

[0125] 44 Media hose d rotation axis

Claims

Claims 1. Rotary module (1) with a first and a second connecting element (10) for at least one line to be guided between the connecting elements, wherein the two connecting elements (10) are rotatable relative to one another about a common axis of rotation (d), with a first receiving space (15) for receiving a first line section (14) to be connected to the first connecting element (10) and wound in the form of a first helix about the axis of rotation (d), which is variable in its axial extent with respect to the axis of rotation (d) depending on the axial extent of the helix by increasing or decreasing the winding, with a second receiving space (17) for receiving a second line section (16) to be connected to the second connecting element and wound in the form of a second helix in the opposite direction to the first helix around the rotation axis (d), which second line section is variable in its axial extent as a function of the axial extent of the helix by increasing or decreasing the winding, with a deflection unit (19; 27) arranged between the first and the second receiving space (15, 17) for guiding a deflection region (18), in which the at least one line to be guided can be folded between the line sections (14, 16) to be wound in the opposite direction, so that the at least one line is deflected from one receiving space into the other receiving space upon relative rotation of the connecting elements about the rotation axis (d), wherein the deflection unit (19; 27) is arranged to be movable in the axial direction and about the rotation axis (d), and wherein the Deflection unit (19; 27) is designed to run in a ring shape around the axis of rotation (d) with a through-opening (20) extending axially with respect to the axis of rotation (d) for passing through the deflection region (18) of the at least one line between the two line sections (14, 16) and a first annular main side (21) pointing towards the first receiving space (15) for bearing against the winding of the first line section (14) opposite the first main side (21) and a second annular main side (22) pointing towards the second receiving space (17) for bearing against the winding of the second line section (16) opposite the second main side (22), characterized in that the two annular main sides (21, 22) of the deflection unit (19; 27) have radially extending with respect to the axis of rotation (d) and over the circumference of the annular deflection unit (19;27) distributed contact elements (23) for linear and exclusive contact with the winding of the oppositely wound line sections (14, 16) lying on the respective main side (21, 22); 2. Rotary module according to claim 1, characterized in that the contact elements (23) have the same cross-section over their radial extension with respect to the axis of rotation (d), in particular have convexly curved surfaces towards the respective receiving space (15, 17).

3. Rotary module according to claim 1, characterized in that the contact elements (23) on the respective main side (21, 22) of the deflection unit (19; 27) are designed as rollers rotatably mounted about radial axes with respect to the axis of rotation (d).

4. Rotary module according to claim 1, characterized in that the contact elements (23) on the respective main side (21,22) of the deflection unit (19; 27) are each formed from a plurality of rollers (28) arranged radially next to one another with respect to the axis of rotation (d) and rotatable independently of one another about a common radial axis.

5. Rotary module according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the deflection unit (19; 27) has a radially outer circumferential side extending between the two main sides (21, 22) and extending over the circumference of the deflection unit, which circumferential side has rollers (29) extending axially on the outside with respect to the axis of rotation (d), distributed over the circumference and mounted rotatably about axial axes, wherein the receiving spaces (15, 17) for the two line sections (14, 16) wound in opposite directions helically have a casing extending at least partially over their axial length with an inner side running annularly around the axis of rotation (d), on which inner side the rollers (29) can roll.

6. Rotary module according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the maximum axial distance between the two main sides (21, 22) of the deflection unit (19; 27) is smaller than the radial extension of the main sides (21, 22) with respect to the axis of rotation (d).

7. Rotary module according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the through-opening (20) for passing through the deflection region (18) of the at least one line has a first side (24) which delimits the through-opening (20) in the circumferential direction and is located inside opposite the deflection region (18) of the at least one line, and a second side (25) which delimits the through-opening (20) in the circumferential direction and is located outside opposite the deflection region (18).

8. Rotary module according to claim 7, characterized in that the first side (24) delimiting the through-opening (20) is designed as a surface curved about the axis of rotation (d) and substantially U-shaped about a deflection axis of the deflection region 18 perpendicular thereto.

9. Rotary module according to claim 8, characterized in that contact elements (23) extending perpendicular to the axis of rotation (d) and distributed over the circumference of the surface are arranged on the surface for linear and exclusive contact with the deflection region (18) of the at least one line.

10. Rotary module according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the second side (25) which is located on the outside opposite the deflection region (18) of the at least one line and delimits the through-opening (20) has a flat surface running parallel to the axis of rotation (d) 11. Rotary module according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the second side (25) lying on the outside opposite the deflection region (18) and delimiting the through-opening (20) has at least one, in particular two rollers (30) rotatably mounted about axes running perpendicular to the axis of rotation (d) and parallel to it.

12. Rotary module according to one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that the two annular main sides (21, 22) of the deflection unit (19; 27) extend in the circumferential direction in a spiral-like manner from the first side (24) lying opposite the deflection region (18) on the inside and delimiting the through-opening (20) to the first side (21) lying opposite the deflection region (18) on the outside and delimiting the through-opening (20).

13. Rotary module according to one of claims 7 to 12, characterized in that the two circumferentially limiting the through-opening (20) of the deflection unit (19; 27) Sides (24, 25) are arranged parallel to each other in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation (d).

14. Rotary module according to one of claims 7 to 13, characterized in that the side (25) lying on the outside opposite the deflection region (18) is arranged in a direction offset from the radial direction in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation (d), in particular in a recess (26) of the deflection unit (19; 27) formed in the through-opening (20).

15. Rotary module according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the two line sections (14, 16) of the at least one line connected to one another by the deflection region (18) and the floating deflection unit (19; 27) arranged between the line sections (14, 16) form a rotating axis with respect to the axis of rotation (d) have an axially extending, radially outer casing and a radially inner casing, which are in particular sleeve-shaped and arranged concentrically to one another.

16. Rotary module according to claim 15, characterized in that the sleeve-shaped casings have an annular cover-like part (6) on at least one of their end faces.

17. Rotary module according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the sleeve-shaped casings consist of two pairs each comprising an outer sleeve (4) and an inner sleeve (5) and arranged axially with respect to the axis of rotation (d), which at their mutually opposite end faces each have a cover-like part (6).

18. Rotary module according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that the cover-like part (6) is designed as an annular part which is axially narrow with respect to the axis of rotation (d), which has a recess (8) with a radially extending side (9) delimiting the recess (8) and having two axially spaced radially extending edges, on or in which a connecting element (10) which fixes the at least one line is arranged.

19. Rotary module according to claim 18, characterized in that the cover-like part (6) extends in a spiral manner from one radially extending edge to the other radially extending edge of the side (9).

20. Rotary module according to one of claims 17 to 19, characterized in that the inner sleeves (5) are rotatably mounted on their mutually facing end faces, while the outer sleeves (4) are arranged axially spaced from one another by an annular gap (7).

21. Rotary module according to one of claims 1 to 20, with at least one line guided therein.

22. Rotary module with a first connecting element (10) and a second connecting element with at least one line or line guiding device to be guided between the connecting elements, wherein the two connecting elements are rotatable relative to one another about a common axis of rotation (d), with a first receiving space (15) in which a first line section (14) is arranged, which is connected to the first connecting element (10) and wound in the form of a first helix about the axis of rotation (d), with a second receiving space (17) in which a a second line section (16) connected to the second connection element and wound in the form of a second helix in the opposite direction to the first helix around the axis of rotation (d), with a deflection unit (19; 27) arranged between the first and the second receiving space (15, 17) for guiding a deflection region (18) connecting the two line sections (14, 16) to one another, in which the at least one line is deflected between the line sections (14, 16) to be wound in the opposite direction upon relative rotation of the connection elements about the axis of rotation (d), wherein the deflection unit (19; 27) is arranged such that it can be moved in the axial direction and around the axis of rotation (d), characterized in that a plurality of lines or line guiding devices which can be handled independently of one another are provided, which are arranged next to one another in a direction which is essentially radial with respect to the axis of rotation (d) and form helical line sections arranged concentrically to one another.

23. Rotary module with several lines or line guiding devices according to claim 22, wherein the deflection unit (19; 27) is designed to run in a ring shape around the axis of rotation (d) with a through-opening (20) extending axially with respect to the axis of rotation for passing through the deflection region (18) of the lines or line guiding devices between the two line sections (14, 16) and a first annular main side (21) pointing towards the first receiving space (15) for bearing against the winding of the first line section (14) opposite the first main side (21) and a second annular main side (22) pointing towards the second receiving space (17) for bearing against the winding of the second line section (16) opposite the second main side (22), wherein the Rotation axis (d) radial extension of the two main sides (21, 22) is larger than the sum of the diameters of the lines or line guiding devices contacting the two main sides (21, 22) in the radial direction.

24. Rotary module with several lines or line guiding devices according to claim 23, characterized in that the maximum axial distance between the two main sides (21, 22) of the deflection unit (19; 27) is smaller than the radial extension of the main sides (21, 22) with respect to the axis of rotation (d).

25. Rotary module with a plurality of lines or line guiding devices according to claim 23, characterized in that the through-opening (20) for passing through the deflection region (18) of the lines or line guiding devices has a first side (24) which delimits the through-opening (20) in the circumferential direction and is located inside opposite the deflection region (18) of the line guiding devices, and a second side (25) which delimits the through-opening (20) in the circumferential direction and is located outside opposite the deflection region (18), wherein the sides (24, 25) are arranged parallel to one another in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation (d).

26. Rotary module with several lines or line guiding devices according to claim 25, characterized in that the side (25) lying on the outside opposite the deflection region (18) is arranged in a direction offset from the radial direction in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation (d), in particular in a recess (26) of the deflection unit (19; 27) formed in the through-opening (20).

27. Rotary module with a plurality of lines or line guiding devices arranged radially next to one another with respect to the axis of rotation (d) according to one of claims 22 to 26, characterized in that the rotary module is designed according to one of claims 1 to 20.

Images