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: 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.

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.

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.

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 system for monitoring the state of a cable (70), which is guided in an energy chain (1) between a base and a movable driver element. The movable energy chain forms a movable run (1B) at a driver element (2), a resting run (1A) at a base (4) and, between the two runs, a deflecting bend (1C). A monitoring device having at least one indicating element (64) at the energy chain (1) evaluates an indicating-element signal and monitors whether an error state occurs. The indicating element has two electrical indicating conductors (62A, 62B) guided by the energy chain, which indicating conductors extend along the movable run (1B), and the monitoring device comprises a measuring circuit for resistance measurement or conductance measurement (65 . . . 69).