Abstract:
A system guides and secures the position of strand elements, such as cables, hoses or tubes, in particular in wind power installations. The system includes a base body ( 1 ) that forms at least one strand passage with a receiving space ( 19 ) for at least one strand element. The respective strand passages are formed by inserts ( 3 ) in the form of independent components. A locking device with a locking element ( 25 ) forms a form-fitting latching of each insert ( 3 ) on the base body ( 1 ).

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a system for guiding and securing the position of strand elements, such as cables, hoses or tubes, in particular in wind power installations. The system has a base body forming at least one strand passage, which passage delimits a receiving space for at least one strand element. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Fastening systems of this type are the state of the art. DE 10 2010 032 687 A1, for example, discloses a fastening system of this type provided, in particular, for use with wind power installations. To convey the energy generated in wind power installations, and for other operational purposes, such as control, monitoring and the like, strand elements, such as cables for power transmission, hoses, tubes and/or lines for control or communication purposes, which lead from the nacelle into the tower, need to be reliably secured to appropriate support structures, for example to the tower segments. 
     With the aforementioned known solution, strand passages are formed in the base body for this purpose in such a manner that the strand passages succeed each other in a sequence extending at least over part of a ring, with external openings. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the invention is to provide an improved system for guiding and securing strand elements that can be manufactured simply and efficiently, and thereby cost-effectively. 
     This object is basically achieved according to the invention by a system having as an essential feature, the respective strand passages being formed by inserts in the form of independent components, and a locking device having locking elements for forming a form-fitting latching of the respective inserts on the base body. 
     With the systems of the prior art, manufacturing the base body is elaborate because this base body is not only a component supporting the strand passages, but also forms the strand passages due to the corresponding design. Along with the special design needed for this purpose, the base body, for example, with wind power installations, with a larger number of strand passages for likewise larger strand diameters, represents a component of large overall dimensions. This size compels the use of large format tools, for example, for the injection molding of the base body, whereby the manufacturing is cost-intensive. In contrast, with the invention, in that separate inserts each form strand passages that can be locked on the respective base body, the possibility arises to form a base body in a simple manner because the base body only needs to fulfill the function of a support body without itself forming strand passages. 
     The system according to the invention is furthermore, cost-effective insofar as it represents a type of modular system for a broad range of applications, with which different inserts having receiving spaces of different shapes and dimensions can be locked in a freely selectable arrangement to a base body. The base body only needs to form the supports for inserts, which can be shaped differently to adapt to different types and sizes of strand elements. 
     The locking device, in an advantageous manner, can have locking elements on the respective insert in the form of projecting hook parts. The hook parts form latch surfaces for forming a catch, securing the inserts to the base body. 
     With particular advantage, the locking device on the base body can have locking elements in the form of recesses. The recesses allow a form-fitting engagement at least of one part of hook parts located on the respective insert. 
     With particularly advantageous example embodiments, a base body is provided in the shape of a carrier plate, whose edge extends along at least one part of a circle. Passages, in which inserts can be accommodated, are formed and distributed along the edge of the carrier plate. Such carrier plates can be simply and efficiently manufactured as a metal part, for example. 
     Such a carrier plate can, in an advantageous manner, form an arc having an outer peripheral edge and an inner edge at a radial distance thereto. Starting from the peripheral edge, passages are formed for inserts. At ends of the passages facing toward the inner edge, projecting hook parts having latch surfaces located thereon can overlap the inner edge of the carrier plate for forming the locking. With inserts, injection molded from plastic material, the hook parts can be formed by integrally molded projections. 
     Alternatively, with advantageous example embodiments, the carrier plate can have the form of a star-shaped body having arms, the ends of which lie on a circular line. Passages are formed for a respective insert between the arms. On the ends of the inserts facing toward the center of the star-shaped body, hook parts are provided with latch surfaces that engage in associated boreholes of the star-shaped body for forming the locking. Thereby, inserts, which are disposed lying radially outside in the star, can be locked in the passages against radial movement due to fastening to the central region of the star-shaped body. The inserts can have receiving spaces of different shapes and/or sizes. 
     With particularly advantageous exemplary embodiments, the receiving spaces can, for the insertion of strand elements, have a lateral opening that can be closed by a cover device exerting a retaining force on inserted strand elements. The arrangement can be designed so that the cover device, as is known from the aforementioned document DE 10 2010 032 687 A1, has a retaining body, and a tension strap guided over the retaining body, which tension strap tensions the retaining body against the stand elements inserted in the strand passages. 
     In particularly advantageous exemplary embodiments, the carrier plate has the shape of a circular disk. Passages are provided in the circular disk for inserts in the form of ring bodies and are provided disposed along the periphery. 
     The arrangement can be designed with advantage so that inserts that can be pushed from one side into the passages of the disk are provided in the form of integral ring bodies. On ring bodies, radially projecting shoulders are integrally molded as locking elements. In an insertion position, the locking elements can penetrate through recesses of the disk and, by rotation of the ring body out of the insertion position into a locking position, engage behind the assigned edge of the respective passage of the disk. A locking in the form a bayonet locking is thereby formed. The circular disk provided as a base body can be manufactured efficiently, using laser technology, from a metal disk, having the passages for the inserts and the recesses for the radially projecting shoulders of the ring bodies. Alternatively, fabric-based laminate and waterjet cutting, or other mechanical processing is also possible. 
     With particularly preferred exemplary embodiments, in which the radially projecting shoulders have angled latch noses on the end, the respective ring bodies can be secured in the locking position in that the latch noses latch with latch recesses of the disk. 
     Alternatively, two-part ring bodies can be provided with ring halves formed as identical parts. These parts can be pushed from opposite sides into the respective passages of the disk, and are provided with latch noses and latch receivers as locking elements, which, during pushing in, latch the ring halves with each other for forming the assembled ring body. 
     Other objects, advantages and salient features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the drawings, discloses preferred embodiments of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Referring to the drawings that form a part of this disclosure: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a system according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention, having three inserts serving as strand passages, secured in a carrier plate, with an associated tension strap being omitted; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view shown in larger scale of only a single insert of the system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of a carrier plate in the form of a star-shaped body, with an associated tension strap being omitted according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of the star-shaped body from  FIG. 3 , shown in an individual representation; 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of an insert formed by a ring body having a strand passage in the form of a passage ring according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the ring body of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of a system according to a third exemplary embodiment of the invention having a carrier plate in the form of a circular disk and having four inserts formed by the ring bodies of  FIGS. 5 and 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is an oblique perspective view of the bottom side of the system of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of only one ring half for forming an assembled ring body, which is provided as an insert according to a modified exemplary embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the ring halves of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a system according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the invention with the ring halves of  FIGS. 9 and 10  provided as inserts; 
         FIG. 12  is an enlarged partial side view in section of the system of  FIG. 11  taken along line  12 - 12  of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a top view of a system according to a fifth exemplary embodiment of the invention, similar to  FIG. 3 , but with a tension lock provided instead of a tension strap; 
         FIG. 14  is a top view of the star-shaped body of the embodiment of  FIG. 13  serving as a carrier plate; 
         FIG. 15  is a side view of an insert in a base body, provided with tension lock according to a sixth exemplary embodiment of the invention, and 
         FIG. 16  a side view of the base body of  FIG. 15 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIGS. 1 to 4  show exemplary embodiments of the system according to the invention having inserts  3  fixed to a base body in the form of a carrier plate  1 . One insert  3  is shown in an individual representation in  FIG. 2 . With the example from  FIG. 1 , the carrier plate  1  has the shape of a circular arc section, is composed of a metal material, and is welded to an associated fastening element  5 . With the example of  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the carrier plate  1  has the shape of a star-shaped body  7  having four arms  9  that extend radially outward from the center  11  and at the outer ends thereof define an imaginary circular line. Passages  13  extend from the peripheral edge in the direction of the center  11 . Inserts  3  can be accommodated and locked in passages  13  formed between the arms  9 . With the example of  FIG. 1 , passages  13  for inserts  3  are formed in a corresponding manner starting from the outer peripheral edge  15 . 
     Fastening locations  17  are provided both on an arc of the carrier plate  1  of  FIG. 1 , as well as on the star-shaped body  7  of  FIGS. 3 and 4 , for a tension strap, not shown, as is known from the prior art, (see DE 10 2010 032 687 A1). By using a tension strap, the outer periphery of the carrier plate can be tensioned.  FIG. 2  shows the design of an insert  3  in the form of an injection molded part composed of a thermoplastic plastic material. Insert  3  is formed trough-shaped and delimits a strand passage  19 , which strand passage extends from an outer opening  21  with a substantially V-shaped tapering in the direction of a locking end  24  on which projecting hook part  25  is integrally molded and provided as a locking element. The hook part  25  is angled at its free end such that a latch surface  27  is formed. With the example of  FIG. 1 , the latch surface  27  overlaps the inner edge  29  of the arc of the carrier plate  1  to lock the respective insert  3  at the carrier plate  1 . 
     Retaining ribs  29 , formed as strand receivers for strand elements (which are not shown) inserted via the opening  21 , are projecting on the inside of the strand passage  19  of the inserts  3 . The opening  21  can be closed by a pusher part  31  in a manner know from the aforementioned document, which as a part of the cover device in cooperation with the tension strap (not shown) exerts a retaining force on inserted strand elements via a spring-loaded pressure element  33 . The pusher parts  31 , as is also known, are pivotably hinged at the edges of the openings  21 . With the example embodiment of  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the hook parts  25  for locking the inserts  3  engage with the latch surfaces  27  thereof in assigned, rectangular shaped boreholes  35  formed in the center  11  of the star shaped body  7 .  FIG. 2  shows a strand passage  19  in the form of a substantially V-shaped trough, wherein the passages  13  in the carrier plate  1  also have a V-shape corresponding hereto. In contrast,  FIGS. 3 and 4  show, at the location marked with arrows  37 , a U-shape of the respective passages  13  for an insert  3  in the shape of a U-shaped trough, with which the strand passage  19  is likewise designed to be U-shaped. 
       FIGS. 5 to 8  show an exemplary embodiment in which the carrier plate is formed by a metal circular disk  39 . Circular passages  41  are formed in disk  39  for inserts in the form of ring bodies  43 . These passages  41 , and further recesses  45  and  47  in the circular disk  39  are preferably formed using laser processing. 
     As shown most clearly in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the ring bodies  43  have a circular cylindrical part  49  ( FIG. 6 ), that can be pushed in from the top side of the circular disk  39 , visible in  FIG. 7 , into the passage  41 . A radially projecting end edge  51  lies on the top side of the circular disk  39 . On the opposite, bottom end of the cylindrical part  49 , radially projecting shoulders  53  are integrally molded as locking elements that can penetrate through the recesses  45  of the disk  39  while pushing the ring bodies  43  into the passages  41 .  FIG. 7  shows the ring body  43 , located on the extreme left, in the insertion position thereof, in which the shoulders  53  are aligned on the recesses  45  of the disk  39  so that the inserts  53  can penetrate through the recesses  45  and the ring body  43  can be inserted into the passage  41 . In contrast, the remaining ring bodies  43  shown in  FIG. 7  and in  FIG. 8  are rotated out of the insertion position into the end position or locking position, in which the shoulders  53  are located on the bottom side of the disk  39  as locking elements; see  FIG. 8  where the bottom side of the disk  39  is visible. The recesses  45 , in interaction with the shoulders  53  and using the ability of the ring bodies  43  to rotate, thus form a type of bayonet lock for locking the ring bodies  43  to the disk  39 . As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the shoulders  53  have latch noses  55  angled at the end sides. Latch noses  55  fall into recesses  47  during rotation of the ring bodies  43  into the end position to secure the ring bodies  43  in the rotation position corresponding to the locking position.  FIG. 8  shows the same situation as  FIG. 7 .  FIGS. 9 to 12  show a further exemplary embodiment having a base body in the shape of a circular disk  39 . Circular disk  39  contains no further recesses other than circular passages  41  for inserts. The inserts are provided again in the shape of ring bodies  43 . In contrast to  FIGS. 5 to 8 , ring bodies  43  are not formed as integral plastic bodies, but rather are formed two-piece. Two identical ring halves  57  are provided for this purpose, which ring halves  57  have latch noses  59  and latch receivers  61 . 
     During pushing into the passage  41  of the disk  39 , the ring halves  57  latch together from opposite sides of disk  30  to form the assembled ring body  43 . The radially projecting end edges  51  lie on the top and bottom side of the disk  39 . 
       FIGS. 13 and 14  show an exemplary embodiment that corresponds to the example from  FIGS. 3 and 4 , except that the cover device does not have a tension strap for interacting with the pressure parts  31 . Rather, a tension lock contains a known tension lever  65  containing a spring assembly. This tension lever, on the end opposite the handle  67 , has a pin  69  that can be hooked in a recess  71  on the edge of the openings  21  of the passages  13  during the pivoting of the tension lock in the position locking the opening  13  of the respective passage  13 . 
       FIGS. 15 and 16  shows an exemplary embodiment with which a carrier plate  1  having only one passage  13  for receiving a single insert  3  is provided as a base body. With this embodiment, a rectangular bore hole  35  is provided for locking the insert  3  in place, by catching with the latch surface of the hook part  25  of the insert  3 . A tension lock is provided, as with the example from  FIGS. 13 and 14 , as a cover device for locking the opening  21  of the passage  13 . 
     While various embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.