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.

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).

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.

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.

Abstract: A robot arm comprising at least two arm joints which are pivotally connected together and which are driven directly. The aim of the invention is to reduce the energy required to move the parts when pivoting the arm joint and allow an uncomplicated adaptation of the robot arm to changed use conditions. This is achieved in that at least one of the two arm joints has a motor part and a joint part, wherein the two parts are arranged in a mutually spaced manner via a spacer part, and the other arm joint is arranged so as to engage with the spacer part of the arm joint such that the position can be changed relative to the arm joint.

Abstract: Coupling unit for coupling a freely movable device into an energy chain system which is connected to a coupling carriage that is movable parallel to the displacement path of the device, wherein the coupling unit has a first plug part which is able to be connected to the device in a flexible and tension-resistant manner and which is able to be connected to a second plug part arranged on the coupling carriage, wherein the coupling unit is able to be extended in the direction of the coupling carriage, wherein the coupling carriage has a guide unit by way of which a vertically displaceable strut arranged on the device is able to be raised with the first plug part, and wherein, when the coupling carriage stops in a predetermined position relative to the device the strut drops into a receptacle of the coupling carriage and surrounds the latter, wherein the two plug parts are positioned horizontally and vertically with respect to one another.

Abstract: The invention relates to a guide device, in particular for a cable chain, comprising laterally opposite guiding walls for guiding the top part and/or the bottom part of the cable carrier, which are formed from wall elements interconnected from the area of the front-sided end. Said wall elements are made from a single piece of plastic, and they comprise, in the area of the front-sided ends, first securing means made of one piece which enable said elements to be fixed in a positive and/or non-positive fit to a directly adjacent wall element such that a separation therefrom and pivoting counter to is prevented in any direction.

Abstract: An energy chain for cables, which chain comprises chain links, of which at least a section of said chain links has side plates that are parallel to one another and has transverse connecting pieces that connect the side plates, wherein the majority of the guided cables run inside the chain links in a longitudinal direction, while at least one further cable is arranged outside the chain links and is supported by holding elements provided on the energy chain. Receptacles are attached on one side of the energy chain on the outer surfaces of at least some of the side plates in the region between each pair of pivot axes, in which receptacles the holding elements for the at least one further cable can be inserted along a plane that runs parallel to the side plates.

Abstract: The invention concerns a line guide device (100 . . . 1100) for lines like for example cables, hoses or the like, in particular for a clean room application, which has a flexible sheath (210 . . . 610). The sheath (210 . . . 1100) is designed in the manner of a corrugated tube and has a corrugated profile for the purposes of flexibility. The sheath (210 . . . 1100) has an asymmetric bending characteristic in relation to curvature about the direction-changing axis and to opposite curvature such that the permitted bending sag is considerably less than the desired curvature. According to an aspect there is proposed a particular configuration of shell portions (331, 332; 1031, 1032; 1201, 1202) for constructing the sheath, in particular in respect of the corrugated profiles and the fixing of the shell portions (1201, 1202). A further aspect concerns a supporting skeleton (440; 540; 640; 940) for a corrugated tube.

Abstract: A linear guide which is of a simple structure and which can be easily fitted, having self-adjusting play reduction. It includes a slider with slide surfaces and a rail with guide surfaces, wherein the slider is guided with its slide surfaces adapted to the guide slide surfaces in a slidingly displaceable reciprocating relationship in a displacement direction at the guide surfaces of the rail. The self-adjusting play reduction of the linear guide has at least one adjusting element which according to the invention has a slide surface forming a portion of one of the slide surfaces of the slider.

Abstract: A chain link for a handling chain and to the handling chain. The handling chain has a body consisting of a plurality of chain links, which adjoin each other in the longitudinal direction of the handling chain, wherein the chain links are connected to each other in the adjoining connection regions thereof in such a way that, in each case, the chain links can be pivoted about a first pivot axis extending in the transverse direction. The chain link is designed to form a hinge-joint connection with the joint partner, wherein the chain link has at least one connection region designed as a first connection region, said connection region being designed in such a way that the hinge-joint connection enables at least one further relative motion of the joint partners in addition to the pivoting about the first pivot axis.

Abstract: In a cable routing device having a cable carrier and a guiding device for the cable carrier, wherein the cable carrier has a first strand connected to a first connector and a second strand connected to a second connector, which are connected to one another via a rerouting area, and the guiding device having a contact area for the stationary contact of at least one part of one of the strand is provided for a secure contact of the corresponding part of the strand with the contact area and for preventing sliding friction, the cable carrier having at least one magnet, and the contact area having a ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic material, wherein the magnet interacts with the contact area in a predetermined positioning area of the cable carrier relative to the guiding device such that the strand having the magnet adheres to the contact area with a predetermined magnetic attractive force.

Abstract: A system for automatically docking a container stacker crane, in particular a RTG, to a movable supply, having a docking device with a transverse advancer unit and an extendable extension arm of which an end portion can be advanced transversely to the movable supply and connects thereto. An energy guiding chain with an entrainment member serves as a movable supply. A mechanical coupling is proposed with a coupling piece on the end portion and a coupling counterpart on the entrainment member. The entrainment member floatingly supports the coupling counterpart with transverse play. A plug connector on said end portion cooperates with a socket on the entrainment member. The mechanical coupling has a coupling piece configured as a funnel and a cooperating coupling counterpart configured as coupling head. The coupling head includes at least one extension, which cooperates with the funnel and/or a locking bolt for securing perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a guide system for supply lines for a handling device, particularly for a robot, having a guide base, a deflecting element guided along a linear travel path by the guide base, and a chain-like, hose-like or belt-like strand, where the deflecting element can travel along the travel path, from a retracted position into an extended position, by means of a tensile force acting on the strand and against a restoring force, the restoring force being generated by a restoring device located on or in the guide base. The restoring device displays at least one elastic cord or elastic belt that is guided around a deflecting device located on or in the guide base, adjacent to the retracted position of the deflecting element, and, adjoining it, a first section that is connected to the deflecting element, and a second section that is connected to the guide base. The invention furthermore relates to a handling device, particularly robot, having a guide system of this kind.

Abstract: The invention relates to a monitoring system for tractive and compressive forces in a power track chain (1) for protected guidance of cables, hoses etc. The monitoring system comprises at least one force sensor (10, 90) for measuring a tractive or compressive force transmitted between a driver (4) and a moveable end (3) of the power track chain, and an evaluation unit (12) for evaluating the measurement signals detected by the force sensor. The invention is characterized by the design and arrangement of the force sensor (10, 90). This force sensor is designed as a connecting member for attaching the moveable end (3) of the power track chain (1) on the driver (4) and comprises at least one web (32, 34, 92) extended substantially transversely to the direction of the tractive/compressive force. The web has at least one elastically deformable bending region (321, 322, 341, 342) with an associated sensor (621, 622, 641, 642) for measuring deformation produced by bending.

Abstract: The invention relates to a retainer for laterally fastening a guide groove for energy supply chains to a structure. The retainer has a support for a bottom area of the guide groove and a position fixer for the guide groove and extends with a vertical section to the side of an intended accommodating space for the guide groove, in which first fastening elements for fastening the retainer at the height of the vertical section laterally to the structure are provided. The retainer has additional fastening elements, which are arranged at a distance from the support in the vertical direction for support and which are designed to engage on the guide groove in a form- and/or force-closed manner. The invention further relates to a retaining system having the retainer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a chain link for a circular chain and to the circular chain for accommodating and guiding energy lines between two connections points that can be moved in relation to each other, in a circular motion about an axis of rotation (d). The circular chain has a circular-arc-shaped body having a circle center-point axis (k), which body is composed of a plurality of sector-shaped chain links adjoining each other in the circumferential direction, wherein the chain links are connected to each other in the adjoining connection regions thereof in such a way that, in each case, the chain links can be pivoted about a first pivot axis (s1) radial to the circle center-point axis (k).

Abstract: An opening aid for an energy guide chain with chain links. At least some of the chain links at their top side have a respective transverse leg which is arranged pivotably on a side plate and which can be fixed to the other side plate. The opening aid for guidance of the transverse legs upon opening thereof has a body extending in a working direction and a lateral extension having an inclined sliding deflection surface for the transverse legs. To simplify handling and structure of the opening aid it is proposed that the extension is mounted to the body movably relative thereto and is reciprocatingly movable between a working position in which the extension is arranged extending laterally from the body in operative guiding relationship for the transverse legs and a rest position in which the extension is arranged in inoperative guiding relationship of being moved away from the working position.

Abstract: An energy guiding chain (12) with additional protection against a line break is proposed. It includes link members (20) or segments for guiding one or more lines like cables, hoses or the like, wherein the link members or segments can be angled relative to each other to form a direction-changing curve (28). The protection means includes a detector for monitoring the energy guiding chain. The detector (16) is mechanically operatively connected to a low-stretch triggering cord (30) and has a sensor (36) for detecting a kinematic parameter of the triggering cord (30). A break (13) in the energy guiding chain (12 can be detected in good time by a change in the kinematic parameter. In that way guided cables, hoses or the like can be protected against a line break.

Abstract: The invention relates to an energy guiding chain for guiding cables, hoses and the like between two connecting points that move relative to each other, comprising a plurality of tubular chain links (1), which are connected to each other in articulated fashion and made of plastic, and each of which displays a bottom wall (2), adjoining, opposite side walls (3, 4), and a cover wall (5), where the cover wall (5) is or can be detachably connected to the side walls (3, 4), the side walls (3, 4) each display a pivot pin (6) and a joint opening (7) for the articulated connection of adjacent chain links (1), the pivoting angle is limited by stops (8) in both pivoting directions, and the cover walls (5), side walls (3, 4) and bottom walls (2) overlap over the entire pivoting angle. On an energy guiding chain of this kind, the protection of the interior is to be even further improved, and handling during opening and closing of the energy guiding chain facilitated.