Endless belt power transmission systems or components – Positive drive belt – Belt formed of rigid links
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-05
2001-02-20
Hannon, Thomas R. (Department: 3682)
Endless belt power transmission systems or components
Positive drive belt
Belt formed of rigid links
C474S226000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06190277
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an energy transmission chain for guiding hoses, cables and the like between two connection points, where the chain links each have two side elements connected by cross-members, and the side elements of adjacent chain links display overlapping sections and are joined via these in a pivoting and swivelling fashion in one plane.
2. Prior Art
Energy transmission chains of this kind are mainly used for guiding flexible supply lines from a fixed starting point to a moveable consumer. In this context, the energy transmission chains, following the movement of the consumer, are traversed in a vertical plane. Particularly in self-supporting applications of energy transmission chain with sagging arc-shaped sections, i.e. where the upper strand of the energy transmission chain is arranged freely above the lower strand and thus sags, high moments of force which act on the joints of the chain links occur in the event of tensile or compressive stresses on the self-supporting part of the energy transmission chain. If the energy transmission chain used in such a manner displays only insufficient lateral stability, this can result in the overlapping sections swivelling out of the swivelling plane, meaning that a uniform load is no longer placed on the hinge pins by the adjacent side elements. Instead, zones of high mechanical stress arise at the hinge pins which may ultimately result in the fracture of the hinge pins. Similar wear phenomena are also observed in the ascending section of the deflection arcs of energy transmission chains if the upper strand is guided on the lower strand in a sliding manner.
In another field of application, the moveable consumers are moved in a horizontal plane, meaning that the energy transmission chains also have to be traversed in this horizontal plane. Insufficient lateral stability of the energy transmission chains again proves to be disadvantageous in this context. As the energy transmission chains are usually arranged in a freely suspended manner, supporting the energy transmission chains on the underside by means of appropriately modified guide channels involves extremely complicated constructions or is simply impossible. Energy transmission chains which are freely arranged in a lateral position thus often sag. This necessitates increased expenditure of energy when the energy transmission chain is traversed and, owing to the chain sagging, results in the joints of the chain links being exposed to great mechanical stress perpendicular to the travel path, this in turn causes zones of high stress which entail increased wear. This drastically reduces the service life of the chain links.
OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is thus the task of the present invention to create an energy transmission chain which displays high lateral stability, does not sag, particularly when installed in a lateral position, and is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.
According to the invention, this task is solved in that at least one of the said side elements of said adjacent chain links having at least one guide groove extending at least partially parallel to the plane of rotation and another of the side elements of an adjacent chain links having at least one guide element extending at least partially parallel in the plane of rotation over a distance of the arc of rotation, the guide element being rotatably engaged in at least one of said guide grooves.
These measures ensures that at the time the guide element engages the guide groove lateral forces to the side elements or pivoting axes can be absorbed by the guide elements, so that the lateral stability of the energy transmission chain is considerably increased and tilting of both the chain links out of the swivelling plane relative to each other and lateral displacement of the chain links is prevented. Sagging is effectively prevented, particularly in freely suspended energy transmission chains in a lateral position.
The guide grooves extending parallel to the plane of rotation are to be understood as guide grooves extending in their longitudinal direction in a plane parallel to the plane of rotation, i.e. the swivelling plane. Accordingly, the arc of rotation of the related guide element engaging the guide groove defines a plane being arranged parallel to the plane of rotation. It is to be understood that it is not necessary that the bottom of the groove is arc-like shaped but the guide groove enables a arc-like motion of the guide element.
Accordingly, guide grooves longitudinally extending in the plane of rotation are included having side walls being inclined to this plane, so far as it is ensured that the guide element being arranged in the guide groove can absorb lateral forces to the energy transmission chain.
Preferably, guide grooves and guide elements are arranged in that it is ensured that over the entire distance of the arc of rotation at any time at least one of said guide elements being rotatably engaged in at least one of said guide grooves. This includes that over the entire distance of the arc of rotation different guide elements engage different grooves in a way so that no guide element engages over the entire distance one and the same guide groove. Furthermore, it is included that no guide groove is provided being engaged by at least one guide element over the entire distance of the arc of rotation. Accordingly, the guide groove or grooves can be of comparatively short length in comparison with the arc of rotation which is terminated by engagement of corresponding stopping elements. As an example, the guide groove or the flanks of the same can be perforated, meaning that the guide groove is ultimately defined solely by one or more projections arranged at intervals from each other.
If the guide element of the adjacent side element engaging the guide groove is designed with little clearance to both flanks of the guide groove, the side elements are prevented from tilting out of the swivelling plane in either direction and the energy transmission chain can be used in both of its lateral positions.
Furthermore, more than one guide groove, e.g. 2, 3 or more, can be provided. One or more guide grooves, independent from each other, may extend over a portion of the arc of rotation or over the entire distance of the arc of rotation and combinations may be realized. Preferably, at each point of the arc of rotation a portion of a guide groove is provided.
Preferably, guide grooves and guide elements are located between the inner and outer side walls of the side elements, but is possible that the guide elements forms protrusions which are laterally extending from the outer and/or inner side walls of the side elements.
An overlapping portion may be provided with a guide groove as well as with an guide element, each of which is able to be engaged with a corresponding guide element and guide groove of an adjacent side element, respectively. Guide groove and guide element may be positioned at different parts of the longitudinal extension of the side element, without limitation to this set-up. Both cranked side elements and combinations of inner and outer straps forming parts of adjacent side elements can be constructed in this way.
Maximum lateral stability is achieved in case the guide element has maximum distance from the pivoting axes, i.e. is arranged at the face end of the side element. However, lateral stability already is significantly improved in case side elements are provided with guide elements radially apart from the pivoting axes, i.e. arranged at a position between the pivoting axes and the face end of the side element. Accordingly, the guide element preferably is not attached to or part of the pivoting axes.
The guide element is preferably arranged at the side element in order to be able to absorb high lateral forces and can be arranged at the overlapping portions or at an area adjacent to an overlapping portion as for instance a thickened part of a side element adjacent to the middle part of the side element.
Preferab
Browdy and Neimark
Hannon Thomas R.
Igus Spritzgussteile fur die Industrie GmbH
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