Patents Assigned to Igus GmbH
  • 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: 12007365
    Abstract: The invention relates to a monitoring system for an energy chain guiding at least one line between two connection points and comprising chain sections that are positionally variable relative to one another. The monitoring system comprises at least one strain relief device having a line holder coupled to the line; a carrier part on at least one of the connection points fixing the strain relief device in a stationary manner, by means of which the at least one line is fixed at the end side in a strain-relieving manner; and at least one measuring device which is arranged and configured to measure forces exerted on the fixed line during operation of the energy chain and/or which are transmitted by the at least one line in the direction towards the carrier part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: IGUS GMBH
    Inventor: Konstantin Schmer
  • Patent number: 12000509
    Abstract: A channel clip for fixing conductors to the outside of guide channels of power conduction chains. The aim of the invention is to be able to fix the conductors to the outer sides of guide channels with little effort by means of such a channel clip. This aim is achieved in that the channel clip substantially comprises a U-shaped bracket of resilient plastic material having a first U limb and a second U limb, in that the two U limbs form a receiving region for the conductors to be held, in that a transverse web is provided on the upper end of the first U limb and extends in the direction toward the upper end of the second U limb, in that, to close the receiving region at the free end of the transverse web and at the adjacent upper end of the second U limb, a snap-in connection that can be latched in is provided, and in that the first limb, provided with the transverse web, has a device for mounting the channel clip on a guide channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: IGUS GMBH
    Inventors: Joerg Ottersbach, Georg Theiss
  • Patent number: 11988312
    Abstract: An injection-moulded plastic part for a cable carrier, particularly a side part of a chain link produced in an injection moulding process. The injection moulded part has a visible, identifiable marking on a first side, particularly the outside. The at least one marking comprises a data code marking having a 2D code for data encoding which is introduced into the plastic body directly in the injection moulding process so that said marking is provided on the first side to be machine-readable. The invention likewise relates to a corresponding injection moulding tool having a number of first symbol regions and second symbol regions for producing the data code marking in the injection moulding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: IGUS GMBH
    Inventor: Frank Blase
  • Patent number: 11981024
    Abstract: A manipulator comprising at least one profile as a supporting connection element between two joints and/or between a motor and joint. In order to provide a manipulator that is simply constructed and offers a multitude of design possibilities, according to the invention, the profile is designed as a multi-functional profile with an internal channel and at least one lateral receiving groove, and at least one further multi-functional profile is provided which is designed as a shaft and with at least sections thereof being structurally identical to the multi-functional profile at least in terms of the profile formation, or designed as a rack and with at least sections thereof being structurally identical to the multi-functional profile at least in terms of the cross-sectional contour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: IGUS GMBH
    Inventors: Martin Raak, Felix Berger
  • 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: 11927245
    Abstract: An energy chain comprising rollers on a number of chain links of the upper strand and/or of the lower strand. The rollers project, at least to a slight extent, beyond narrow sides of the lateral plates in the direction of the respectively opposite strand, in order to allow for rolling action when the energy chain is displaced. The invention provides for the rollers to comprise a wheel body made of plastic and having a hub, a rim and a radial region, which connects the hub and rim. The material thickness of the radial region is reduced in comparison with the rim such that radial impacts during the course of the rolling action can be damped by elastic deformability of the radial region of the roller itself. This significantly reduces the development of noise and vibration caused by rollers located opposite one another coming into contact with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: IGUS GMBH
    Inventors: Stefan Strack, Andreas Hermey
  • Patent number: 11865712
    Abstract: An arm joint for a manipulator having a motor with a transmission, comprising a gear wheel that can rotate about a transmission axis of rotation, wherein the gear wheel is rotatably mounted in a housing of the arm joint and has an adapter on at least one of its end sides, and wherein the adapter has an opening that is central relative to the transmission axis of rotation on the side facing away from the end side of the gear wheel The central opening has an internal thread for the purpose of a simple construction, easy assembly and a great number of variation possibilities in terms of construction and application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: IGUS GMBH
    Inventors: Martin Raak, Felix Berger
  • 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: 11824333
    Abstract: Monitoring systems for energy chains which guide lines, and which are displaceable along a displacement path and thereby form a movable strand, a stationary strand, and a deflection arc therebetween. According to a first aspect, one or multiple sensors are arranged stationary and form a detection path along the displacement path of the energy chain, in order to react to an approaching and/or contact of the energy chain. According to a second aspect, a plurality of sensor modules are distributed along the energy chain. In this case, each sensor module has a measurand detector and a communication unit for transmitting outputs to an evaluation unit. The first and the second aspect allow function monitoring, for example for the purpose of a safety shutdown. According to a third aspect, a sensor module is arranged on the driver-side end region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: IGUS GMBH
    Inventors: Andreas Hermey, Thilo-Alexander Jaeker, Dominik Barten, Richard Habering, Konstantin Schmer
  • Patent number: 11811154
    Abstract: A protective cable conduit for lines in a clean room application, with a flexible encasement which is movable back and forth for routing a line. Each receptacle extends in channel-like fashion from a first end to a second end. The encasement comprises at least one encasing unit, which forms the at least one receptacle for a line. The encasing unit has a first fastening strip on one longitudinal side and a second fastening strip on the other longitudinal side. The first and the second fastening strip are designed for releasable connection by interlocking engagement and/or frictional engagement, for example with a cooperating hook profile and claw profile, and are connectable to one another in a connection direction transverse to the longitudinal direction. A plurality of encasing units can thus be fastened to one another releasably using mating fastening strips by connecting the fastening strips in a connection direction transverse to the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: IGUS GMBH
    Inventors: Andreas Hermey, Dominik Barten
  • Patent number: 11799277
    Abstract: A fastening part for fastening a cable carrier to a component, said fastening part comprising: a foot web which can be arranged on a component so as to extend in the peripheral direction thereof and has holding means in its end regions for a first fastening element for fastening the fastening part to the component; and a fastening web which extends in the direction of the foot web and which has multiple fastening means for fastening a differently designed second fastening element for fastening a cable carrier to the fastening part; wherein the foot web and the fastening web are connected to one another in their central region via a connecting element, and side regions of the fastening web extending beyond the connecting element have at least some of the fastening means as first fastening means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: IGUS GMBH
    Inventors: Ralf Steeger, Joerg Ottersbach
  • Patent number: 11774006
    Abstract: A line routing device for guiding a plurality of lines, such as cables, hoses, or the like, particularly for hanging applications, such as supplying a vertically traveling power head of a drill. The line routing device has a flexible carrying strand and a plurality of guide bodies arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the carrying strand. According to the invention, adjacent guide bodies can be deflected spatially toward each other and each guide body has a central part having a center axis, which extends coaxially to the carrying strand, and an outer part having at least one circumferential element. The outer part delimits a receiving region, which is open in the axial direction, for the lines, radially to the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: IGUS GMBH
    Inventors: Dominik Barten, Harald Nehrign
  • Patent number: 11761514
    Abstract: A line guide device for lines in a clean room application, comprising an elongate, flexible envelope which is displaceable to-and-fro between a first connection point and a second connection point movable relative thereto, forming a deflection arc between two runs. The envelope has at least one undoable and reclosable connection region, for insertion or removal of a line when the connection region is open. The envelope, when closed, surrounds in dust-tight manner an inner space for accommodating one or more lines. A functional material is provided within the envelope to reduce the number of free particles in the inner space. The functional material may retain operationally released particles in the inner space and/or counteract the operational release of particles in the inner space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: IGUS GMBH
    Inventors: Andreas Hermey, Dominik Barten
  • Patent number: 11698313
    Abstract: A system for monitoring the state of a cable, which is guided in an energy chain between a base and a movable driver element. The movable energy chain forms a movable run at a driver element, a resting run at a base and, between the two runs, a deflecting bend. A monitoring device having at least one indicating element at the energy chain evaluates an indicating-element signal and monitors whether an error state occurs. The indicating element has two electrical indicating conductors guided by the energy chain, which indicating conductors extend along the movable run, and the monitoring device comprises a measuring circuit for resistance measurement or conductance measurement. One end point of each indicating conductor is connected to the measuring circuit and the other end points of the indicating conductors are short circuited such that the indicating conductors form a measurement loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: IGUS GMBH
    Inventor: Sebastian Krista
  • Patent number: 11692611
    Abstract: A chain link for an energy guide chain. The chain link has two link plates, 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. The articulated connection between the transverse web and the link plate has a substantially cylindrical joint pin with a radius (R1) over at least one part of the circumference of the pin on one of the corresponding components consisting of the transverse web and the chain link and a substantially cylindrical pin receiving area on the other of the two corresponding components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: IGUS GMBH
    Inventors: Joerg Dommnik, Stefan Strack, Thilo-Alexander Jaeker, Andreas Hermey
  • 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