US 12,435,816 B2
Three-dimensionally deflectable line guide apparatus, in particular for a robot
Jörg Ottersbach, Bornheim (DE); Ralf Steeger, Lohmar (DE); Irfan Krivdic, Cologne (DE); and Matthias Meyer, Cologne (DE)
Assigned to IGUS GMBH, Cologne (DE)
Appl. No. 18/548,125
Filed by IGUS GMBH, Cologne (DE)
PCT Filed Feb. 28, 2022, PCT No. PCT/IB2022/000087
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Aug. 28, 2023,
PCT Pub. No. WO2022/180450, PCT Pub. Date Sep. 1, 2022.
Claims priority of application No. 20 2020 100 995.0 (DE), filed on Feb. 26, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2024/0301969 A1, Sep. 12, 2024
Int. Cl. F16L 3/015 (2006.01); B25J 19/00 (2006.01); F16G 13/16 (2006.01); H02G 3/04 (2006.01); H02G 11/00 (2006.01)
CPC F16L 3/015 (2013.01) [B25J 19/0025 (2013.01); H02G 3/0475 (2013.01); H02G 11/006 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A line guide apparatus for guiding lines between a first and a second connection point movable relative to the first, comprising:
a plurality of links, which form an accommodation space for lines, are arranged successively in a longitudinal direction and are connected together in articulated manner by a respective articulated connection, wherein the articulated connection allows three-dimensional deflection of the connected links relative to one another; and
at least one elastic return element;
wherein the line guide apparatus has a variable-length portion, which comprises a number of links which are longitudinally adjustable relative to one another for elongation of the variable-length portion in the longitudinal direction; and
wherein the return element is elastically longitudinally expandable and is arranged in such a way that it exerts on the variable-length portion a return force which counteracts elongation of the variable-length portion.