Power Guide Chain System with Movable Arm for Sliding Door Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy guide chain systems are complex and costly, and they fail to effectively guide cables and hoses over non-linear paths without subjecting them to excessive mechanical loading, especially in sliding door systems where the movable arm is integrated into a linear guide rail, limiting their suitability for non-linear displacement.
Innovation Solution
A guide channel with a hollow profile and a movable arm that can engage the movable connection point outside the space between the energy guide chain runs, allowing for variable spacing and enabling the energy guide chain to move in two linear degrees of freedom, minimizing mechanical loading and providing protection for the cables and the guide channel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the movable arm is integrated into a linear guide rail, then the energy guide chain can be guided, but the construction becomes complicated and costly with excessive mechanical loading on cables
Solution Approach 1:
The guide channel is divided into two separate runs that are guided in mutually parallel relationship, with the deflection region positioned between them. This segmentation allows the energy guide chain to follow a U-shaped path without requiring complex integrated guide rails, simplifying the overall construction while maintaining reliable guidance.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflection region acts as an intermediary element that connects the two parallel runs of the energy guide chain. This intermediate structure enables the chain to change direction smoothly without requiring complex integrated guidance mechanisms, reducing both construction complexity and mechanical loading on cables.
2Ease of operation
If the movable arm is integrated into a linear guide rail, then guidance is provided, but the system is only suitable for linear displacement and not for non-linear displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The energy guide chain is configured with two parallel runs connected by a deflection region, creating a dynamic U-shaped path that can accommodate both linear and non-linear displacement. This dynamic configuration allows the movable arm to follow complex trajectories while the energy guide chain maintains proper tension and guidance throughout the range of motion.
Solution Approach 2:
By positioning the deflection region between two parallel runs and allowing the movable arm to move in traverse relationship with the longitudinal direction of the runs, the system adds a transverse dimension to the motion path. This enables non-linear displacement while maintaining proper energy guide chain guidance.
3Ease of manufacture
If the movable arm is eccentrically mounted in the guide rail, then connection is achieved, but cables are subjected to heavier loading during movement
Solution Approach 1:
The deflection region is extracted from the movable arm and positioned as a separate element between the two parallel runs of the energy guide chain. This separation allows the movable arm to be mounted without eccentricity issues, as the deflection region independently handles the directional change, thereby reducing cable loading during movement.
4Adaptability or versatility
If individual links of the energy guide chain are made pivotable in the transverse direction, then non-linear path guidance is enabled, but cables are bent to the same degree and mechanically loaded
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making individual chain links pivotable, the system segments the energy guide chain into two parallel runs with a separate deflection region. This segmentation allows the chain to follow a non-linear U-shaped path while maintaining link integrity, preventing excessive bending and mechanical loading on the cables.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a powered guide chain system (1), comprising a powered guide chain (3), for guiding cables (4), hoses or the like between a stationary and a mobile connection point, a driver (7) to which the powered guide chain (3) is connected via the mobile connection point, and a guide channel (8), which comprises a hollow profile with a passage (9) for the driver (7), extending in the longitudinal direction, whereby the powered guide chain (3) is guided into the guide channel (8) in the longitudinal direction thereof, forming two runs which are guided parallel to each other and connected to each other via a deviation area. The invention also relates to a sliding door system (2) for a vehicle, provided with said powered guide chain system (1). The aim of the invention is to obtain an easy and safe guidance of cables (4), hoses or the like in at least two directions. Said aim is achieved, whereby the driver (7) comprises a mobile arm (12) which protrudes from the guide channel (8) with a fastening side (13) for connection to a device movable in relation to the guide channel (8), the distance between the fastening side (13) and the guide channel (8) being changeable in a travel component transverse to the longitudinal direction of the guide channel (8).