Abstract: A line guide device for lines like for example cables, hoses or the like, in particular for a clean room application, which has a flexible sheath. The sheath is designed in the manner of a corrugated tube and has a corrugated profile for the purposes of flexibility. The sheath 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. There is proposed a particular configuration of shell portions for constructing the sheath, in particular in respect of the corrugated profiles and the fixing of the shell portions. A further aspect concerns a supporting skeleton for a corrugated tube.

Abstract: A tension relief for a cable carrier. A multi-part holding frame comprising bars which are connected by side parts holds block-like spacers, between which a plurality of lines, such as cables, hoses or the like, are laid. In order to exert a clamping force by the holding frame on the spacers for the purpose of strain relief, a quickly closable device is provided. A quick release clamp can be provided, which in the closed position clamps the side parts and/or the bars to one another. According to the invention, the two side parts are mounted pivotably on the lower strip and are fastened releasably to the first bar, for example by screws or the quick release clamp. Each side part can thus be pivoted from the closed position into an open position and vice versa in order to release and clamp the lines respectively.

Abstract: A tension relief for supply lines and a block-like clamping part therefor, which has a lateral surface designed as a clamping surface. The clamping surface of the clamping part is formed at least in one clamping portion by an elastic wall, which is delimited on the side facing away from the clamping surface by a cavity structure, which is formed by additional walls. The clamping part can be variedly used without modification on certain line diameters, in particular in a tension relief of a cable carrier or also in a connector housing.

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 cable-routing device, the members of which have central joint bodies for articulation to one another, which comprise a joint head and a joint socket. The joint head has an axial region in which the cross-section thereof has a peripheral geometry with at least two corner points and lateral lines which connect the latter to one another, the lateral lines which meet at a corner point forming an internal angle of less than 180°, and the joint socket has a receiving region which geometrically corresponds to the axial region of the joint head and into which the joint head can lock.

Abstract: A divider bar for an energy guide chain comprising chain links having two side plates which at least in some chain links are connected together by two transverse bars. In its central part the divider bar has at least one elongate opening in the form of a through hole for a transverse plate, wherein the opening opens to a narrow side of the divider bar by way of an insertion aperture so that a transverse plate can be inserted through the insertion aperture In relation to each opening the divider bar has a respective bending region by means of the bending of which the gap size of the insertion aperture of the associated opening can be varied. In that way the gap size of the insertion aperture, in particular in the installed state of the divider bar, can be reduced to a dimension which is slight in comparison with the internal width of the opening, whereby inter alia an inserted transverse plate is secured.

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.

Abstract: A connecting arrangement having connecting elements for connecting two adjacent members of a line guiding device, comprising members which are connected together in a row in the longitudinal direction. The members each have two side wall segments which are arranged spaced in the transverse direction and delimit a receiving space. The side wall segments in the installation position are respectively connected by way of a connecting element to the associated side wall segment of the respectively adjacent member. To simplify the structure, production and assembly and for easier cleaning of the line guiding device it is provided that the connecting elements provided for connecting the side wall segments of two adjacent members are connected together at a mutual spacing by way of a transverse member with the formation of a base unit of the connecting arrangement.

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 concerns a side portion for a chain link of an energy guiding chain designed for guiding supply lines. For pivotable arrangement of adjacent chain links the side portion has at its ends a respective overlap region which for limiting the pivotal movement are provided with corresponding abutment surfaces and with a pivot axis, that is to say a first overlap region having first abutment surfaces and a second overlap region having second abutment surfaces. For damping the deceleration of the pivotal movement disposed in front of at least each first abutment surface is a damping element in the form of a spring lip which is resiliently deformable about a bending axis parallel to the pivot axis.

Abstract: The invention concerns an active line guide like for example an energy guiding chain with detection of deterioration. An apparatus for detection of deterioration in a critical region of at least one portion of the line guide is in the form of a radio circuit and is distinguished by a transponder and at least one detector element which cooperates with the transponder and which is so arranged that the detector element changes the behaviour of the transponder at a predetermined amount of deterioration wear in the critical region. In that way a change due to wear, for example due to abrasion wear, cracking and/or fatigue breakage, can be detected wirelessly, that is to say in contact-less fashion. A corresponding system and a method as well as a detection module for original fitment or retro-fitment to an active line guide having a function for detection of deterioration are proposed. A radio circuit is also disclosed for particularly reliable detection of deterioration.

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: 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 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 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: 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 (10) for automatically docking a container stacker crane (11), in particular a RTG, to a movable supply, having a docking device (14) with a transverse advancer unit (16) and an extendable extension arm (20) of which an end portion (22) can be advanced transversely to the movable supply and connects thereto. According to the invention, an energy guiding chain (12) with an entrainment member (24) serves as a movable supply. A mechanical coupling is proposed with a coupling piece (26) on the end portion (22) and a coupling counterpart (28) on the entrainment member (24). The entrainment member (24) floatingly supports (34) the coupling counterpart (28) with transverse play. A plug connector (30) on said end portion (22) cooperates with a socket (32) on the entrainment member (24). The mechanical coupling has a coupling piece (26) configured as a funnel (40) and a cooperating coupling counterpart (28) configured as coupling head (42).

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.

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.