JP2024539594A - Assembly of line guide systems with reversible drives - Google Patents

Abstract

A line guide system (1) is proposed, which includes a line guide unit (2) with a first fixed end (3a) and a second fixed end (3b), a deflection unit (4) arranged between the first fixed end (3a) and the second fixed end (3b), and a reversible drive (24). The line guide unit (2) is arranged in a suspended manner and forms a first U-shaped section (6a) between the first fixed end (3a) and the deflection unit (4) and a second U-shaped section (6b) between the deflection unit (4) and the second fixed end (3b), in which the drive (24) cooperates with the line guide unit (2).

Description

The present invention relates to a line guide system including a line guide unit, in particular for guiding cables and hoses. Such a line guide unit can also be called an energy guide chain.

Various configurations of line guide units are known from the prior art. With these configurations, a line, such as a cable or a hose, can be guided between two components that are movable relative to one another. The line guide unit aims in particular to prevent the line from being damaged by the movement of these components.

A conventional line guide unit is the so-called energy guide chain. The energy guide chain is formed by links that are pivotally connected to one another and can pivot relative to one another.

The type of arrangement and the movement sequence of the line guide units depend on a number of factors. Various installation variants are known from the catalog "DER GROSS KABELSCHLEPP Energieketten aus Vollkunststoff Kunststoff mit Aluminium-Stegen Stahl/Edelstahl" by TSUBAKI KABELLSCHLEPP GmbH, 2018, pages 74 to 89. In particular, in the field of storage technology in which a lifting and lowering movement is performed, a so-called zigzag arrangement is preferred, since this allows an extremely space-saving arrangement to be realized. If space conditions are sufficient, vertically suspended or standing line guide units can be used.

In the field of storage technology, storage systems are known which operate according to the paternoster principle. In this case, a storage platform is attached to two endlessly running chains arranged opposite each other. The storage platform then passes through two reversal points, an upper reversal point and a lower reversal point, so that the platform first performs a vertical upward movement up to the upper reversal point. In the region of the upper reversal point, the platform undergoes a movement directed perpendicular to the upward movement and subsequently performs a downwardly directed vertical movement up to the lower reversal point. At the lower reversal point, the platform is displaced in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction so that it again reaches its initial position.

In view of this, the objective underlying the present invention is to describe a line guide system that offers the possibility of connecting components that perform a series of upward, lateral and downward movements, and conversely, downward, lateral and upward movements, with a line guide unit in a virtual vertical plane.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a line guide system having the features set forth in claim 1. Advantageous refinements and configurations of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

The line guide system according to the invention comprises a suspended line guide unit. The line guide unit has a first end portion arranged in a fixed position and a second end portion arranged in a fixed position. Both fixed ends of the line guide unit are preferably arranged at the same height with respect to the same base.

Between the first fixed end and the second fixed end, a deflection unit is provided. In this case, it is preferable that the deflection unit is arranged not higher than both fixed ends.

Furthermore, the line guide system according to the present invention has a reversibly operating drive device, which cooperates with the line guide unit.

The line guide unit is arranged in a suspended manner, where the line guide unit forms a first U-shaped section between the first fixed end and the deflection unit and a second U-shaped section between the deflection unit and the second fixed end.

Furthermore, the line guide unit has a transfer unit by means of which the lines laid in the line guide unit can be led out from the line guide unit to a given component, in particular to a storage platform of the storage system.

Such a configuration of the line guide unit requires that the line guide unit can be bent in both a counterclockwise and a clockwise direction when the line guide unit is in an extended state. Such a line guide unit is also considered to be a line guide unit that is formed such that the line guide unit can achieve a bend radius and a back bend radius.

The line guide system according to the invention has the advantage that the line guide unit can be loaded in tension independently of the direction of rotation of the reversibly operating drive. This is particularly important, since it allows a defined movement of the line guide unit with links that can form both a bend radius and a backbend radius to be obtained.

The line guide unit is preferably formed by a number of links that are pivotally connected to one another. Each link includes two lateral link plates that are preferably connected to one another by two transverse webs, so that each link defines a substantially rectangular cross-section within which the line can be guided.

In order to achieve the specified travel distance, it is particularly preferred that the line guide unit has a follower which cooperates with a correspondingly formed deflection unit.

The follower preferably has a circular cross section. The follower may be a pin-shaped element, in particular arranged in the middle of a lateral part of the link.

Preferably, the links of the line guide unit are manufactured from plastic. The follower is also preferably manufactured from plastic. Special configurations are possible in which the follower and the side parts are formed in one piece.

To increase the movement stability of the line guide unit, the deflection unit is preferably formed by rollers having axially spaced apart flanges between which the line guide unit is guided. The flanges preferably have radially inwardly formed recesses into which the follower engages.

For a particularly compact construction of the line guide system, in another advantageous configuration it is proposed that the deflection unit is connected to the drive.

The lines guided in the line guide unit can be led out of the line guide unit by a transfer unit and can be connected, for example, to a storage platform. It is also possible for the line guide unit to have multiple transfer units.

In the line guide unit, the line is preferably guided with a slack length, so that differences in the travel distance can be compensated for. It is particularly preferred that the line has a slack length at the transfer unit.

The line guide system according to the invention is particularly suitable for storage systems that operate reversibly according to the paternoster principle. In this context, "reversible" means that the paternoster principle does not operate in a cyclical manner but only passes through the upper reversal point.

The present invention and related technologies are explained in detail below with reference to the drawings. The drawings show particularly preferred embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. It should be noted that the drawings and especially the size ratios shown are only approximate. The same reference numerals indicate the same objects.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a first embodiment of a line guide system. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of a link of a line guide unit. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of a link of a line guide unit. FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a deflection unit with a drive; FIG. 13 shows a second embodiment of the line guide system. FIG. 6 is a partial view showing a support portion of the line guide system shown in FIG. 5 .

From FIG. 1, a first embodiment of the line guide system 1 can be seen. The line guide system 1 comprises a line guide unit 2. The line guide unit 2 has a first fixed end 3a and a second fixed end 3b. Between the first fixed end 3a and the second fixed end 3b, a deflection unit 4 is provided.

The arrangement of the line guide unit 2 is such that the line guide unit 2 is arranged in a suspended manner. The suspended arrangement of the line guide unit 2 forms a first U-shaped section 6a, which in the illustrated embodiment extends from the first fixed end 3a to the deflection unit 4. Furthermore, a second U-shaped section 6b is provided, which is formed between the deflection unit 4 and the second fixed end 3b. The line guide unit 2 has a transfer unit 7, which will be described in more detail below. The deflection unit 4 is designed to be rotatable about an axis 5. For this purpose, the deflection unit 4 can be connected to a drive, which is not shown in FIG. 1. The drive is designed in this case such that it operates reversibly. This means that the deflection unit 4 can be rotated clockwise or counterclockwise. This is indicated in FIG. 1 by the arrow G.

As can be seen from FIG. 1, both the first U-shaped section 6a and the second U-shaped section 6b have a bend section A. The line guide unit 2 is partially wrapped around the deflection unit 4. If the curved area A of the curved section of the line guide unit 2, designated "A", is defined as an area having a "bend radius", then the reversely curved area B of the deflection unit 4 can be said to be an area having a "backbend radius". Figuratively speaking, the bend sections of the U-shaped sections 6a and 6b are curved concavely, and the bend section of the line guide unit in the deflection unit is curved convexly.

In a preferred configuration of the line guide system, the vertical spacing of the axis 5 is equidistant to the fixed ends 3a, 3b. Preferably, the line guide unit 2 wraps around the deflection unit 4 over an angle of 180°. The 180° wrapping angle, together with the equal spacing between the first fixed end 3a and the axis 5 and between the axis 5 and the second fixed end 3b with respect to a horizontal line, has the advantage that the strands of the first U-shaped section 6a and the second U-shaped section 6b of the line guide unit 2 run parallel to each other.

Figure 2 shows a first embodiment of a link 10 of a line guide unit 2. A line guide unit formed from a number of links that are pivotally connected to one another is also called an energy guide chain or, for short, an energy chain.

The link 10 is formed by two lateral parts 11a, 11b arranged parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other. The lateral parts 11a, 11b are connected to each other by transverse webs 12a, 12b, so that the link 10 defines a substantially rectangular space in which a line (not shown) may be arranged.

In the end region of each side part 11a, 11b, a spigot 13 is provided, which is directed outward with respect to the link. In the opposite region of the side part 11a or 11b, a hole 14 is provided. The hole 14 is formed in such a way that it is suitable and defined for receiving the spigot 13 of the adjacent link. The side parts 11a, 11b have stops, by means of which the pivot angle of the adjacent chain links can be limited.

As can be seen from the perspective view shown in FIG. 2, the outer side 15a is provided with a follower 16a. The follower 16a is preferably arranged in the middle of the side part 11a. The follower 16a has a circular cross section. A corresponding follower is also provided on the outer side 15b of the side part 11b.

This or these followers may be connected to the respective side parts as separate components. Preferably, the side parts 11a, 11b and the followers 16a, 16b are formed in one piece. This can be achieved, for example, by the side parts and the followers being manufactured from plastic.

Returning to FIG. 1, the deflection unit 4 has a number of notches 17, which are formed to correspond to the shape of the driving bodies 16a, 16b.

Figure 3 shows a second embodiment of the link 10 of the line guide unit 2. The basic structure of the link shown in Figure 3 corresponds to the structure of the link shown in Figure 2. In this regard, reference should be made to the description of the link shown in Figure 2, and only the differences from the embodiment of the link shown in Figure 2 will be described.

The link shown in FIG. 3 has followers 16a, 16b, which are formed from several parts. Each side part 11a, 11b has an outwardly directed pin 18 on which a roller 19a or 19b is arranged. To fix the roller 19a or 19b, the pin 18 has a threaded hole into which a screw 20 is screwed. Between the screw head of the screw 20 and the roller 19a, a retaining disk 21 is provided, which allows the axial position of the roller 19a to be fixed. A corresponding arrangement exists in relation to the roller 19b.

The configuration of the follower with rotatable rollers has the advantage that friction between the follower and the notches in the deflection unit can be reduced.

In FIG. 4, a side view of the deflection unit 4 is shown diagrammatically. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the deflection unit 4 comprises rollers 22. The rollers 22 have flanges 23a, 23b formed at a distance from each other. Each flange 23a, 23b has radially inwardly directed notches 17 into which the corresponding follower 16a or 16b engages when a section of the line guide unit 2 is partially wrapped around the deflection unit 4. The flanges 23a, 23b have a larger outer radius than the rollers 22, so that the link 10 is guided between the flanges 23a, 23b.

The deflection unit 4 is connected to a drive 24. The drive 24 may be indirectly or directly connected to the deflection unit 4. The drive 24 may be, for example, an electric motor drive. A corresponding transmission 25 may be provided between the drive 24 and the deflection unit 4.

The drive unit can also be formed, for example, by a drive belt, which is connected to a drive of the device that acts in cooperation with the line guide system.

The deflection unit 4 is rotated by the reversible drive 24. When the deflection unit 4 rotates clockwise as shown in FIG. 1, the first U-shaped section 6a of the line guide unit is shortened because the followers 16a, 16b on the links of the line guide unit 2 engage with the corresponding notches 17a, 17b. At the same time, the second U-shaped section 6b of the line guide unit 2 is correspondingly lengthened.

If the direction of rotation of the deflection unit 4 is reversed, i.e. if the deflection unit 4 rotates counterclockwise, the second U-shaped section 6b shortens and, in contrast, the first U-shaped section 6a lengthens. The rotation of the deflection unit 4 also causes the transfer unit 7 to move in a vertical direction. The transfer unit 7 is in this case designed in such a way that it can move past the deflection unit 4, so that depending on the number of rotations of the deflection unit 4, the transfer unit 7 can move from the first U-shaped section 6a to the second U-shaped section 6b.

The lines can be led out of the line guide unit via the delivery unit 7. In that case, the lines can be connected to corresponding connections for a given device or equipment.

In FIG. 5, a second embodiment of the line guide system is shown in a schematic diagram. In the line guide system as shown in FIG. 5, the line guide system also has a line guide unit 2 with a first fixed end 3a and a second fixed end 3b. Between the first fixed end 3a and the second fixed end 3b, the deflection unit 4 is formed by a roller. The roller has axially spaced flanges between which the line guide unit 2 is guided. The line guide unit 2 is arranged in a suspended manner.

As can be seen from FIG. 5, the diameter of the deflection unit 4 is relatively small compared to the distance between the two fixed ends 3a, 3b. In order to achieve that the strands of the line guide units of the U-shaped sections 6a, 6b run essentially parallel to one another, i.e. essentially perpendicularly, guide channels 25a, 25b are provided on both sides of the deflection unit 4. The guide channels 25a, 25b are shown enlarged in FIG. 6. The guide channels 25a, 25b are preferably U-shaped. Due to the dimensioning of the deflection unit 4 and the corresponding dimensioning of other geometric factors, such as, for example, the distance between the fixing points of the energy guide chain, the bend radius and the back bend radius, it is not necessary that the guide channels 25a, 25b are provided. Nevertheless, it may be expedient to provide guide elements and/or protective elements at various points, for example for wind protection.

In FIG. 5, the line guide system 1 is shown together with a storage system which operates according to the Paternoster principle. Storage systems which operate according to the Paternoster principle have already been known for a long time. For example, from DE 1 938 640 A1, an installation for parking motor vehicles which operates according to the Paternoster principle is known.

In FIG. 5, the chain 26 is shown. The chain 26 is arranged vertically and is guided via a lower sprocket 27 and an upper sprocket 28. A second chain (not shown) can be provided parallel to this assembly, which is also guided via corresponding upper and lower sprockets. Between and connected to both chains, a platform 29 can be provided. The platform 29 is connected to both chains, for example, according to the gondola principle, so that the platform 29 remains horizontally aligned at all times. This paternoster principle can have multiple platforms 29.

As shown diagrammatically in FIG. 5, the transfer unit 7 is connected to the platform 29 so that the line can be guided from the line guide unit to the platform 29.

The drive of the deflection unit 4 is connected to the drive of the gears 27, 28, so that the transfer unit 7 moves substantially synchronously with the platform 29. In order to compensate for the difference between the travel distance between the platform 29 and the gear 28 and the travel distance between the transfer unit 7 and the deflection unit 4, the line guided from the transfer unit 7 to the platform 29 may have a clearance length that compensates for such a travel stroke.

Unlike conventional storage systems based on the Paternoster principle, the platform does not move beyond the lower reversal point on the lower sprocket 27.

When the sprocket 28 is driven in a clockwise direction according to the arrow C, the platform 29 moves and at the same time the deflection unit 4, which is coupled to the movement of the platform 29, moves, and thus the transfer unit also moves. When the movement is vertically upwards, the deflection unit 4, the platform 29 and the transfer unit 7 pass through a reversal point where the upward movement transitions to a downward movement. Due to the structure of the paternoster and the line guide system, the line guide unit undergoes a movement in the vertical direction and a combined movement consisting of a movement in the vertical direction and a movement in the horizontal direction.

Due to the suspended arrangement of the line guide unit and the cooperation of the drive and the line guide unit via the deflection unit, only tensile forces are applied to the line guide unit. This construction has the great advantage that additional guide elements, for example for the U-shaped section of the line guide unit, are not necessarily required. If the subject matter of the invention is used together with a storage system, which preferably operates according to the Paternoster principle, it is also achieved that the platform or platforms can be supplied reliably and reliably, for example with current and signals, because the lines are not only protected by the energy guide chain but are also guided in a defined manner even in complex movement sequences.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Line guide system 2 Line guide unit 3a First fixed end 3b Second fixed end 4 Deflection unit 5 Axis 6a First U-shaped section 6b Second U-shaped section 7 Transfer unit 10 Chain link 11a, 11b Side section 12a, 12b Transverse web 13 Spigot 14 Hole 15a, 15b Outer side 16a, 16b Follower 17a, 17b Notch 18 Pin 19a, 19b Bearing 20 Screw 21 Disk 22 Roller 23a, 23b Flange 24 Drive 25a, 25b Guide passage 26 Chain 27 Sprocket 28 Sprocket 29 Platform

Claims (11)

1. A line guide system comprising:
A line guide unit (2) having a first fixed end (3a) and a second fixed end (3b);
a deflection unit (4) arranged between the first fixed end (3a) and the second fixed end (3b);
A reversible drive (24);
Including,
the line guide unit (2) is arranged in a suspended manner and forms a first U-shaped section (6a) between the first fixed end (3a) and the deflection unit (4) and a second U-shaped section (6b) between the deflection unit (4) and the second fixed end (3b),
The drive unit (24) cooperates with the line guide unit (2);
Line guide system. The line guide system according to claim 1, wherein the line guide unit (2) is formed by a plurality of links (10) pivotally connected to each other. The line guide system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the line guide unit (2) has a follower (16a, 16b) which cooperates with the correspondingly formed deflection unit (4). The line guide system according to claim 3, wherein the cross section of the follower (16a, 16b) is formed in a circular shape. The line guide system according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the followers (16a, 16b) are preferably arranged in the middle of the lateral parts (11a, 11b) of the link (10). The line guide system according to claim 3, 4 or 5, wherein the follower (16a, 16b) and the side portion (11a, 11b) are integrally formed. A line guide system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the deflection unit (4) comprises a roller (22) with axially spaced apart flanges (23a, 23b), and the line guide unit (2) is guided between the flanges (23a, 23b). The line guide system according to claim 7, wherein the flanges (23a, 23b) have notches (17a, 17b) formed radially inward, and the followers (16a, 16b) engage within the notches (17a, 17b). A line guide system according to at least one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the deflection unit (4) is connected to the drive device (24). A line guide system according to at least one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the line guide unit (2) has a delivery unit (7). A line guide system according to at least one of claims 1 to 10, in which a line having a slack length is guided in the line guide unit (2).

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