Patents Assigned to Igus GmbH
  • Patent number: 12230945
    Abstract: The invention relates to an energy chain for receiving and guiding cables, having pivotal chain links which adjoin one another in the longitudinal direction and each of which has cross members and comprises two side pieces lying opposite each other in a direction (q) transverse to the longitudinal direction (I), wherein the energy chain (5) includes a plurality of sections, each of which is designed in the form of two strand (7, 8) that are connected together by a deflecting region (6) extending about a deflecting arc. The energy chain can be moved about the deflecting arc, and each deflecting region (6) of the plurality of sections is guided on the inner face and the outer face thereof through guide elements (10) extending in an arc-shaped manner about the respective axis of the deflecting arc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: igus GmbH
    Inventors: Jörg Dommnik, Simon Moritz
  • Patent number: 12031569
    Abstract: A sliding element works with a guide system having two guide parts that can be moved relative to one another. The sliding element can be fixed to one of the guide parts by an attachment face (3) and includes, on a face opposite the attachment face (3), a sliding surface (6) so as to be slidingly supported on the other guide part. The sliding element includes a first part (I) and a second part (2) which is mounted so as to be rotatable relative thereto, which parts include a contact surface (3) for mutual support. The contact surface (7) is axially inclined in a rotational direction of the second part (2) counter to the first part (I), and the two parts (I, 2) can be locked to one another in various angular positions and the locking can be released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: igus GmbH
    Inventor: Horst Moshammer
  • Patent number: 12027834
    Abstract: The invention relates to a winding device (10) for a line (1), such as a cable or hose, including a stationary frame (11) and a winding drum (12), which is rotatably mounted on said frame and has an interior (12B). From the outside (12A) of the winding drum (12), the line can be wound or unwound. An inner rotary guide (18) in the interior (12B) guides the line (1) continuously from a fixed point (F) fixed with respect to the frame to a rotation point (R) on the winding drum (12) and defines a line course, having two opposite windings (18A, 18B) about the axis of rotation (A), and a rotatable deflection element (18C), in which the line changes over.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: igus GmbH
    Inventor: Georg Theiß
  • Patent number: 12015223
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for supplying a consumer, the position of which initially cannot be exactly determined but later can be substantially stationarily fixed, with energy from a stationary supplier. The device includes a movable carriage or slide (2) connected to an arm (3). The arm (3) is movable between a first position (7) and a second position (8) and the arm (3) includes at least one plug part (4) for connection to an energy supply line (5) of the consumer. The plug part (4) is connected to the supplier by means of an energy supply line (6). A cover part (9), which is movable with the movement of the arm, is arranged on the arm (3). In the first position (7) of the arm (3), the cover part at least partially covers the plug part (4), and in the second position (8) of the arm (3), the cover part exposes the plug part (4) for connection to the energy supply line (5) of the consumer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: igus GmbH
    Inventors: Sean McCaskill, Robb Duff, Martin Tiling
  • Patent number: 11975941
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rotary guide (1) for guiding at least one line (2) between two points (3, 4), which can be rotated relative to each other, without interruptions. Two receiving parts (12, 14) for receiving a respective sub-section of two sub-sections (29, 31), which are to be wound about the common rotational axis (X) in opposite directions, of a line section (2a), which can be received in the rotary guide (1), can be rotated relative to each other about a rotational axis (X). A deflecting unit (16) supports a deflecting region (18), in which the line section (2a) of the line (2) changes over between the opposite sub-sections (29, 31) in order to deflect the line (2) to be guided from one receiving part (12, 14) to the other receiving part (12, 14) in the event of a relative rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: igus GmbH
    Inventor: Georg Theiß
  • Patent number: 11955784
    Abstract: An energy guiding chain (1) includes at least one detection unit (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 120) for detecting wear on at least one chain link. The detection unit (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 120) according to one embodiment includes a first electric component (11, 41, 51, 121) on a first chain link and a second electric component (12, 42, 52, 122), which is provided on an adjacent second chain link connected to the first chain link in an articulated manner. The first and second electric components interact in a contactless manner, for example in an inductive, magnetic, or capacitive manner, in order to change the coupling in the event of radial and/or axial play in the joint connection between the chain links due to wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: igus GmbH
    Inventors: Richard Habering, Sebastian Krista, Konstantin Schmer
  • Patent number: 11838071
    Abstract: A monitoring system is proposed for monitoring the state of a cable which is routed through a cable routing device or an energy chain. A monitoring apparatus (10; 20; 30) is provided for this purpose and has an evaluation unit which determines information relating to the state of the cable to be monitored. The invention provides for the monitoring apparatus to comprise a first data communication device (11) with a data communication interface and a second data communication device (12; 12?) with a data communication interface. These devices (11,12) are configured for data communication according to a digital data transmission protocol and are connected by means of the interfaces thereof via the cable (13; I3A; I3B) to be monitored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: igus GmbH
    Inventors: Richard Habering, Sebastian Krista
  • Patent number: 11635127
    Abstract: In a spindle gear mechanism (1) having a spindle component (2) with a spindle thread (21) which has a pitch which alters over a longitudinal axis of the spindle component (2), and having a threaded component (3) which engages in the spindle thread (21), wherein the two components (2; 3) can be displaced relative to one another in relation to the longitudinal axis (1) of the spindle component (2), provision is made, for the purpose of straightforward production capability and suitability for a large number of applications, for the threaded component (3) to have at least one freely movable threaded element (4) which engages in the spindle thread (21) and, during operation, adapts automatically to the pitch of the spindle thread (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: igus GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Niermann, Sebastian Polle
  • Publication number: 20220120302
    Abstract: A sliding element works with a guide system having two guide parts that can be moved relative to one another. The sliding element can be fixed to one of the guide parts by an attachment face (3) and includes, on a face opposite the attachment face (3), a sliding surface (6) so as to be slidingly supported on the other guide part. The sliding element includes a first part (I) and a second part (2) which is mounted so as to be rotatable relative thereto, which parts include a contact surface (3) for mutual support. The contact surface (7) is axially inclined in a rotational direction of the second part (2) counter to the first part (I), and the two parts (I, 2) can be locked to one another in various angular positions and the locking can be released.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2021
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Applicant: igus GmbH
    Inventor: Horst Moshammer
  • Publication number: 20220014232
    Abstract: A monitoring system is proposed for monitoring the state of a cable which is routed through a cable routing device or an energy chain. A monitoring apparatus (10; 20; 30) is provided for this purpose and has an evaluation unit which determines information relating to the state of the cable to be monitored. The invention provides for the monitoring apparatus to comprise a first data communication device (11) with a data communication interface and a second data communication device (12; 12?) with a data communication interface. These devices (11,12) are configured for data communication according to a digital data transmission protocol and are connected by means of the interfaces thereof via the cable (13; I3A; I3B) to be monitored.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Applicant: igus GmbH
    Inventors: Richard Habering, Sebastian Krista
  • Publication number: 20210310548
    Abstract: In a spindle gear mechanism (1) having a spindle component (2) with a spindle thread (21) which has a pitch which alters over a longitudinal axis of the spindle component (2), and having a threaded component (3) which engages in the spindle thread (21), wherein the two components (2; 3) can be displaced relative to one another in relation to the longitudinal axis (1) of the spindle component (2), provision is made, for the purpose of straightforward production capability and suitability for a large number of applications, for the threaded component (3) to have at least one freely movable threaded element (4) which engages in the spindle thread (21) and, during operation, adapts automatically to the pitch of the spindle thread (21).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Applicant: igus GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Niermann, Sebastian Polle
  • Publication number: 20210151973
    Abstract: An energy guiding chain (1) includes at least one detection unit (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 120) for detecting wear on at least one chain link. The detection unit (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 120) according to one embodiment includes a first electric component (11, 41, 51, 121) on a first chain link and a second electric component (12, 42, 52, 122), which is provided on an adjacent second chain link connected to the first chain link in an articulated manner. The first and second electric components interact in a contactless manner, for example in an inductive, magnetic, or capacitive manner, in order to change the coupling in the event of radial and/or axial play in the joint connection between the chain links due to wear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Applicant: igus GmbH
    Inventors: Richard Habering, Sebastian Krista, Konstantin Schmer
  • Publication number: 20210107765
    Abstract: The invention relates to a modular rotary feed-through (1, 2) for circular movements across a limited rotational angle of one or multiple lines such as cables, hoses, or the like between two connecting points (A, B) which are rotatable relative to one another about a rotational axis. Therein, the line(s) is/are guided in an uninterrupted manner, i.e., without slip rings, rotary couplings or the like. The rotary feed-through (1, 2) has a first winding core (11a, 11) which is rotatable about the rotational axis (R) and which has a first energy guide chain (12a, 12) which winds and unwinds in a spiraling manner, correspondingly to a planar spiral. According to the invention, at least one second winding core (11b, 11) is provided axially adjacent, coaxial and rotatable about the rotational axis (R) relative to the first winding core (11a, 11), which second winding core (11b, 11) is equipped with a second energy guide chain (12b, 12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2019
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Applicant: igus GmbH
    Inventor: Georg Theiß
  • Patent number: 10862290
    Abstract: The invention concerns line guide devices, for example energy guide chains (31, 51), having a movement sensor. An aspect concerns a movement sensor (10; 20) including a bearing having a first component, for example a guide (11; 21) of a linear bearing, and a second component moveable relative thereto, for example a longitudinally displaceable slider (12; 22), and at least one pick-up (13, 14; 23, 24) whose output signal depends on the relative position of both components. The movement sensor (10; 20) can be arranged with the first component at the connecting location to be supplied and with the second component at the moveable end of the line guide device, or vice-versa. A further aspect concerns an apparatus (30; 40) for winding up and unwinding a line guide device. A rotatable drum (32; 42) for winding up and unwinding the line guide device has a drum drive (38; 48). A sensor unit (35; 45) is arranged at the load-side end region (52B) of the line guide device, for detecting a movement parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: igus GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Hermey, Georg Theiss, Thilo-Alexander Jaeker, Philip Howold
  • Publication number: 20200355242
    Abstract: The invention relates to a chain link for an energy guide chain for guiding cables and the like, comprising chain links which are connected in an articulated manner. The chain link has two link plates, which are laterally spaced from each other and which have narrow sides, and at least one pivotal transverse web, which connects the link plates together in an articulated manner and which can be converted into a closed position that connects the link plates together and into an open position that at least partly releases the link plate intermediate space. At least one pivotally designed end region of the transverse web can be secured to the link plate in a latching manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Applicant: igus GmbH
    Inventors: Jörg DOMMNIK, Stefan STRACK, Thilo-Alexander JAEKER, Andreas HERMEY
  • Patent number: 9685773
    Abstract: The invention relates to a guiding device for a line, in particular a power chain (12), which can be turned over in such a way that a section (upper run) (16) of the power chain can be positioned above another section (lower run) (14) of the power chain and the upper run and the lower run are connected to each other by an arched section (18), wherein the guiding device has resting surfaces and lateral guiding surfaces and is provided with retaining elements (22) arranged at distances one another in the direction of travel, to which retaining elements guide rails (24) are attached preferably by means of clip connections, which guide rails bridge the distances between the retaining elements and support the lower run and/or the upper run of the line or power chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: igus GmbH
    Inventors: Thilo-Alexander Jaeker, Christian Barthen
  • Patent number: 9599157
    Abstract: An axial-radial sliding bearing with polymer sliding elements includes a first bearing race and a second bearing race, which are rotatable oppositely to each other about a bearing shaft, wherein the second bearing race defines a substantially U-shaped cross section for receiving the first bearing race at least in certain regions. The sliding elements are made from tribopolymer and are arranged between the first and the second bearing races. The sliding elements each have a substantially L-shaped cross section comprising an axial region having axial sliding surfaces and a radial region having radial sliding surfaces. The radial region of the sliding elements includes at least one hinge connection, which connects two segments of the radial region in a flexible manner and so as to be movable oppositely to each other. A sliding element may include at least one such hinge connection in the radial region of the sliding element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: igus GmbH
    Inventor: Ralf Selzer
  • Patent number: 9494215
    Abstract: The invention relates to an energy guiding chain, with chain links (1, 2) each comprising two side straps (3, 4). The side straps (3, 4) form opposite strap strands transversely to their longitudinal direction, where at least some of the opposite side straps (3, 4) are connected to each other by cross-members (5, 6), the ends of at least some of which display a bearing area (7) with an essentially cylindrical journal (10), extending in the longitudinal direction, for pivotable mounting in a bearing seat (8) on an associated side strap (3, 4). To improve the angular stability of the side straps when the cross-member is opened, it is proposed that the journal (10) display a first flattened section (12) on its lateral surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: igus GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Hermey
  • Patent number: 9476480
    Abstract: Energy guiding chain, whose chain links (1, 2) each consist of two side straps (3, 4) that are connected to each other by cross-members (5, 6), where the cross-members display a bearing area (7) on at least one of their ends and, seen in the longitudinal direction of the side straps (3, 4), a contact area (9) outside the bearing area. To avoid the accumulation of foreign bodies, the side (11) of the contact area of the cross-members facing from the inside of the chain outwards displays a convex curvature or a linear slope towards its contact surface (10) and encloses an angle of <90° with the inner side (3a, 4a) of the respective side strap, such that the contact surface (10) moves along the inner side of the side strap towards the inside of the chain when the cross-member is pivoted open until a completely opened position is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: igus GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Hermey, Thilo-Alexander Jaeker, Stefan Strack
  • Patent number: D949941
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: igus GmbH
    Inventor: Thilo Jaeker