EP1359248B1 - Luminous rope - Google Patents

Abstract

A luminous element such as electroluminescent cable extends over a portion of the rope. The cable is in active luminous state, when connected source feeds the electroluminescent cable.

Description

The invention relates to a rope according to the preamble of claim 1.

Ropes and in particular wire ropes are used in various designs as stranded or spiral ropes. Stranded ropes are used as conveyor and traction cables for tracks, as crane and elevator ropes and for other purposes. They are also used as winching ropes for winches, for example, in snow groomers, helicopters, ships, off-road vehicles and the like. Litzenseile consist of helically around a deposit (soul) beaten strands, which in turn are formed by wires. Spiral ropes are used in various designs (open, half-closed or fully closed) as carrying, guiding, tensioning or guy ropes for aerial cableways, in rope structures, as architectural ropes and for other purposes. Spiral ropes consist of helically twisted wires, which are beaten around an insert, usually a heart wire (soul). Wire ropes made of drawn steel wires are of particular importance due to their high breaking load with comparably smaller cross sections. A wire rope of this kind is for example in the document EP-A-685592 disclosed.

Ropes have the disadvantage that they are poorly visible in the terrain, which can lead to accidents without adequate marking.

A light-emitting rope is for example from the document JP-A-1200388 known. A glow effect is Accordingly, it is generated by a light-emitting region comprising phosphorescent pigments and another light-emitting region having a reflective structure at least on the outer surface of the rope main body.

A rope in the function of a document and Zugtrosse with a lighting function is for example from the document CH-A 674 967 known. In this case, reflective or self-luminous substances are introduced by finishing in the threads of the rope.

The present invention is the object of the invention to provide a rope, the use of which eliminates the need for a separate mark or at least temporarily existing ambient light.

This object is achieved by a rope with the features of claim 1.

Further preferred embodiments of the inventive wire rope form the subject of the dependent claims.

The rope according to the invention with a luminous element according to claim 1 is clearly visible in the terrain, without an additional marking or an additional external light source, such as sunlight or ambient light, for the excitation of a phosphor is necessary. As a result, an existing due to poor visibility of the rope accident risk can be largely eliminated.

However, the inventive design of the wire can contribute not only to improve visibility (security aspect), but also to be exploited for aesthetic purposes. Wire ropes, for example, have become an important design element for architects - as supporting cables for buildings, for tensioning roofs, as railings and for many other purposes.

Fig. 1

einen Teil eines erfindungsgemässen Drahtlitzenseiles in Seitenansicht;

Fig. 2

das Drahtlitzenseil nach Fig. 1 im Querschnitt;

Fig. 3

ein zweites Ausführungsbeispiel eines möglichen Drahtlitzenseil im Querschnitt;

Fig. 4

eine weitere Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemässen Drahtlitzenseiles in perspektivischer Ansicht;

Fig. 5

das Drahtlitzenseil nach Fig. 4 im Querschnitt;

Fig. 6

einen Teil eines erfindungsgemässen vollverschlossenen Spiralseils in Seitenansicht;

Fig. 7

das Spiralseil nach Fig. 6 im Querschnitt;

Fig. 8

eine Variante eines offenen Spiralseils im Querschnitt;

Fig. 9

einen Schnitt durch ein Leuchtkörperelement mit einem Leuchtkabel, einer Zugentlastung und einem Kunststoffmantel;

Fig. 10

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Leuchtkörperelements mit einem Kunststoffgeflecht zur Zugentlastung und einem Kunststoffmantel; und

Fig. 11

ein Detail des Kunststoffgeflechts aus Fig. 10.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. Show it:

Fig. 1

a part of an inventive Drahtlitzenseiles in side view;

Fig. 2

the wire strand rope after Fig. 1 in cross-section;

Fig. 3

a second embodiment of a possible Drahtlitzenseil in cross section;

Fig. 4

a further embodiment of an inventive Drahtlitzenseiles in a perspective view;

Fig. 5

the wire strand rope after Fig. 4 in cross-section;

Fig. 6

a part of an inventive fully closed spiral rope in side view;

Fig. 7

the spiral rope after Fig. 6 in cross-section;

Fig. 8

a variant of an open spiral rope in cross section;

Fig. 9

a section through a luminous element with a light cable, a strain relief and a plastic sheath;

Fig. 10

a perspective view of a luminous element with a Plastic braid for strain relief and a plastic sheath; and

Fig. 11

a detail of the plastic mesh Fig. 10 ,

Fig. 1 shows a trained as Drahtlitzenseil wire rope 1, which has a plurality of helically wound wire strands 2, 2 ', 2''. The wire strands 2, 2 ', 2''each consist of a number of wires which are twisted together to form a strand. According to the invention, at least one filament element 6, for example an electroluminescent cable 6 ', extending at least partially over the length of the cable and beaten with the wire strands 2, 2', 2 "is provided on the surface of the wire strand cable 1. Such cables are for example from the publications EP-A-1146778 or WO-A-0248605 known.

This Drahtlitzenseil 1 can thus be made much better visible compared to a conventional rope in a simple way. As a result, significant improvements are achieved in terms of safety.

As in particular from Fig. 2 shows, the Drahtlitzenseil 1 five wire strands 2, 2 ', 2'', which are arranged in a circle around a cable extending in the longitudinal direction of the core 4 (also called soul). In the embodiment according to Fig. 2 it is a core made of plastic 4.

According to the invention, between the two wire strands 2 ', 2 "which follow one another in the circumferential direction of the cable, the luminous element 6 is arranged in the position of a sixth strand 5, which is connected to the wire strands 2, 2 ', 2''beaten. The wire strands 2, 2 ', 2''and the luminous element 6 have an approximately equal outside diameter and are arranged uniformly around the core 4. The luminous element generating a luminous effect element 6, is an electro-luminescent cable 6 '.

In Fig. 2 a further embodiment of a wire strand rope according to the invention is shown. At Drahtlitzenseil 1 a luminous element 8 is arranged, which is guided in a space which is between the theoretical cable circumference U _S and the periphery of adjacent wire strands 7, 9. In this case, the luminous element 6 could also be replaced by a strand of wire corresponding to the strands 2, 2 ', 2''. This makes it possible to arrange lighting elements without reducing the load capacity of the rope.

Fig. 3 shows in cross section a further embodiment of a possible Drahtlitzenseiles with a steel core 14, with nine arranged around the steel core 14 inner wire strands 13 and seven arranged on the cable circumference outer strands 12 ', 12'',12''' and two filament elements 15 in the positions of two outer strands. The filament elements 15 are in turn struck between two respective wire strands 12 ', 12 "in successive cable circumferential directions, wherein the two filament elements 15 are arranged substantially opposite one another.

In addition or as an alternative, a filament element 15 'is twisted together between two wires 15'a, 15'b of an outer wire strand 12'". It occupies the location of a wire of the strand of wire 12 '''.

Of course, other embodiments of stranded wire cables with a different number, design and arrangement of conventional wire strands and the luminous effect-generating filament elements at the positions of strands and / or wires are quite possible. In particular, in stranded cables, which do not have to absorb large loads, but are used rather for aesthetic or safety purposes, for example, two or more lighting elements could be provided in positions between two successive wire strands. This version can be used, for example, as a handrail in tunnels or on railings in staircases.

Another possible variant of a wire rope 10 according to the invention is shown in FIG 4 and 5 shown. This in turn formed as wire strand cable 10 contains six wire strands 22, each of which nine outer stranded wires 23 of the same diameter and another ten inner stranded wires. The wire strands 22 are helically disposed about a core 24 extending in the longitudinal direction of the cable (eg made of an elastomer), wherein in this embodiment, profile-shaped inserts 25 are present between the individual wire strands 22. Each insert 25 has a head portion 25k projecting up to the theoretical circumference U _{S of} the cable, a foot portion 25f resting against the core 24 and an intermediate portion 25m therebetween. However, it is also possible that the inserts protrude in the radial direction over the circumference U _S or are set back relative to the circumference U _S. The middle part 25m is provided with two concave curvatures 26, the radius of which corresponds almost to the perimeter radius U _{L of} the wire strands 22. Other versions with differently shaped parts of the deposits both in size as well as shape are also possible. The voltage applied to the buckles 26 wire strands 22 are held by the inserts 25 from each other and the core 24 in position; in a particular embodiment of the foot parts 25f even the core 24 can be omitted. Such a wire rope is for example from the document EP-A-685592 known.

According to the invention, at least one of these inserts 25 defining the position of the wire strands 22 is designed as a luminous element 25 '". In particular, the luminous element 25 '"comprises at least the head part 25k visible on the surface of the cable 10. It is also possible for several or all inserts 25 to be designed as luminous element elements 25 '' '.

The integration of luminous elements in the inserts can also, as in Fig. 5 shown, carried out by guiding a wire-shaped luminous element 25 '' in the insert 25 '. In this case, the luminous element is embodied as an electroluminescent cable 6 '.

Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 show a trained as a spiral rope wire 60, in which a plurality of wire layers 62,63 are helically stranded around a core wire 67 and a core strand. Each wire layer 62, 63 consists in each case of a number of individual wires 64, 65 (round wires, shaped wires such as round and / or I wires or Z wires).

According to the invention, a luminous body element 66 which extends preferably over the cable length and is stranded with the outer wires 61, is visible on the surface of the wire 60 and produces a luminous effect, which is embodied, for example, as an electroluminescent cable 6 '. It is, like the other outer wires in the present embodiment, Z-shaped. Of course, a plurality of filament elements 66 may be stranded with the outer wires 61.

This spiral rope 60 can thus be made much better visible in a simple manner than conventional spiral ropes.

In the spiral rope 80 according to Fig. 8 it is such with a number of outer wires 81, for example 24, which are arranged uniformly in a circle on the circumference of a core wire extending in the longitudinal direction of the core wire or core strand and overlying layers 82, 83.

According to the invention, a luminous element 86, which occupies the position of a wire and is stranded together with the wires 81, is arranged between two outer wires 81 ', 81 "following one another in the circumferential direction of the cable. It may, for example, be an electroluminescent light cable which is connected to a source 88 designed as a voltage source and is actively lit in the fed state.

Of course, further embodiments of spiral cables with a different number, design and arrangement of outer wires and various, the luminous effect generating and varying in number luminous elements are quite possible.

In Fig. 9 a particularly suitable embodiment of a luminous element is shown. These are light cables 90 with a double core, which is provided with a kidney-shaped strain relief 92. These Combination of the light cable 90 and the strain relief 92 is surrounded by a transparent plastic jacket 94. The strain relief 92 is made of, for example, aramid, high stretch polyamide, polyethylene, steel wire, carbon fibers or a glass fiber material. The transparent plastic jacket 94 serves to protect the enclosed elements and, by varying its radial extent, also makes it possible to adapt the outside diameter of the luminous element to the external dimensions required in its position, for example instead of a wire or a stranded wire. The plastic sheath 94 may be colored to illuminate the rope by means of the luminous element in the desired color.

In Fig. 10 a further embodiment of a luminous element is shown. As a strain relief while a plastic braid 98 is attached to the light cable 90 with a simple core. In analogy to in Fig. 9 shown plastic sheath 94, is also executed in this embodiment, designated 100, transparent sheath made of plastic.

A detail of the braid 98 is in Fig. 11 displayed. The braid 98 of preferably at least almost transparent fibers for strain relief envelops the light cable 90. When using more absorbent or reflective fibers or wires, the braid is correspondingly coarser and with fewer fibers to the light emitted from the light cable 90 in the jacket 100 so to impede little as possible. Of course, combinations of transparent and more absorbent or reflective fibers or wires for the braid 98 conceivable.

In particular, in the case of ropes which have to absorb lower loads and are thus used more for aesthetic purposes, two or more wire-shaped lighting element elements could also be provided, for example. It is also possible, all wires or fibers, strands or yarns and Kardeele by filament elements, preferably by armored filament elements, as in the FIGS. 9 to 11 shown to replace. In this case, twisted or twisted filament elements, in turn preferably provided with a reinforcement, can also be used for strands, yarns or carded membranes.

Luminaire elements, as described in various shapes, designs and numbers of wire ropes, can also be used in plastic ropes, for example made of aramid, polypropylene, polyamide or high-stretched polyethylene, such as Spectra® or Dyneema®.

In all embodiments of cables with filament elements, it is possible at any time and depending on the particular current requirements to achieve the luminous effect of the filament elements by feeding from a connected source 88. In this case, a continuous feed or else an intermittent feed from a source 88, for example a voltage source, for generating a flashing light effect could be provided.

In embodiments which are particularly suitable, the luminous element elements, such as the luminous element 8 in Fig. 2 , 15 'in Fig. 3 , 25 '' in 4 and FIG. 5 , 66 in Fig. 7 and 86 in Fig. 8 , also as optical fiber be formed, which at least partially disengage light on its surface. These are connected at least at one end to a source 88, in this case a light source, which feeds the optical fiber continuously or intermittently.

Other embodiments are possible which emit light from different regions of the electromagnetic spectrum, that is, for example, shine in different colors. Furthermore, of course, combinations with passive filament elements, such as integrated fluorescent or phosphorescent phosphors are possible. In addition, the light emission can be influenced by suitable elements, such as reflective coatings.

The inventive ropes are preferably designed so that they shine over their entire length and thus ensure good visibility of the rope, so that in many places an accident risk can be eliminated without a special mark must be attached to the dangerous places. It is of particular advantage that the filament elements are always lit actively by feeding and their function is thus not dependent on factors that are only insufficiently influenceable, such as the ambient light. The inventive ropes can also be used to achieve a special aesthetic effect. For example, the strained ropes could be formed with such filament elements on a rope structure.

Claims (10)

1. A load-carrying wire rope, characterized by at least one luminous element (6, 8, 15, 15', 25'', 25''', 66, 86) which extends over at least a part of the rope length and is intended to be connected to a source (88), which is actively luminous in the state when it is fed from the source (88).
2. The load-carrying wire rope as claimed in claim 1, characterized by a luminous element (6, 8, 15, 15', 66, 86) which assumes the position of a braid or of a wire.
3. The load-carrying wire rope as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized by a profiled insert (25), which is arranged between braids, is equipped with a head part (25k) which can be seen from the outside and extends in a helical shape over the rope length, and by a luminous element (25'', 25'''), which is integrated in the insert (25').
4. The load-carrying wire rope as claimed in one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by a luminous element (8), which is guided at least approximately completely in a space which is located between a theoretical rope circumference (U_s) and a periphery in the rope circumferential direction of successive braids (7, 9) or wires.
5. The load-carrying wire rope as claimed in one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the luminous element (6, 8, 15, 15', 25'', 66, 86) is an electroluminescent cable light (6').
6. The load-carrying wire rope as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the source (88) produces an electrical voltage continuously or intermittently, and thus causes the luminous element (6, 8, 15, 15'_r 25'', 25''', 66, 86) to illuminate or blink continuously in a corresponding manner.
7. The load-carrying wire rope as claimed in one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the luminous element (6, 8, 15, 15', 25'', 25"', 66, 86) is an optical waveguide which emits light on its surface, at least in sections.
8. The load-carrying wire rope as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that at least one end of the optical waveguide is connected to a source (88.) in the form of a light source, which feeds light into the optical waveguide continuously or intermittently.
9. The load-carrying wire rope as claimed in one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by a luminous element (6, 8, 15, 15', 66, 86) which, for strain relief, is equipped with a reinforcement (92) in the form of a strand or with a mesh (98), and has a sheath (94, 100) of transparent plastic.
10. The load-carrying wire rope as claimed in one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by a luminous element (6, 8, 15, 15', 66, 86) which is itself composed of luminous elements which are twisted together, are twisted or are laid.

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