Energy chain and storage unit for an energy chain

An energy chain (1) comprising:

• a first chain portion (3) having a plurality of first chain links (2);
• a second chain portion (5) having a plurality of second chain links (4), each of the second chain links including a different characteristic than each of the first chain links;
• and
• a third chain link (15) having two side parts (6, 7) including an outwardly offset region (16) and an inwardly offset region (17), and the third chain link (15) is arranged between the first and second chain portions (3, 5),
• wherein each of the first and second chain links (2, 4) of the two first and second chain portions (3, 5) are pivotably connected to one another and each includes two side parts (6, 7), which lie opposite one another in a transverse direction (q) relative to a longitudinal direction (l) of the energy chain (1) and which have upper and lower narrow surfaces (8) facing perpendicularly to the transverse direction (q) and to the longitudinal direction (I), wherein at least some of the first and second chain links (2, 4) have cross members (9) connecting the side parts (6, 7), wherein at least some of the first chain links (2) of the first chain portion (3) have guide elements (12), which project outwards from the side parts (6, 7) in the transverse direction (q), for guiding the first chain links (2) against or on guide tracks (35) which can be arranged outside the side parts (6, 7), and at least some of the second chain links (4) of the second chain portion (5) have roller elements (13) or sliding elements (14), which project over the upper or lower narrow surfaces (8) of the side parts (6, 7) and can roll or slide on a region which lies opposite the upper and lower narrow surfaces (8) and contacts the energy chain (1), and
• wherein the outwardly offset region (16) is connected in an articulated manner to an adjacent one of the side parts in the longitudinal direction (l) of the first chain portion (3) and the inwardly offset region (17) is connected in an articulated manner to another adjacent one of the side parts in the longitudinal direction (l) of the second chain portion (5).