Cable guide and motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a cable guide (1) for connecting a cable between a vehicle body (52) and a sliding door (54), comprising a first connecting device (4), a second connecting device (2) and an energy chain (3) extending between the first connecting device (4) and the second connecting device (2), which has a stretched configuration when the sliding door (54) is closed and a deflected configuration when the sliding door (54) is open, wherein the energy chain (3) has a first end link (42) at one end and a second end link (22) at the opposite end, wherein the first end link (42) is pivotably supported on the first connecting device (4), and wherein the second connecting device (2) comprises a tensioning device (24) for the energy chain (3). A further development of the cable guide (1) according to the invention consists in that the second end link (22) of the energy chain (3) is supported on the second connecting device (2) in a longitudinally displaceable manner and is loaded by the tensioning device (24) in such a way that the second end link (22) is held in a floating equilibrium position in a bilaterally displaceable manner when the energy chain (3) is in a stretched configuration. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle (5) having a body (52) and at least one sliding door (54), which comprises a cable guide (1) according to the invention.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a cable guide for a cable connection between a vehicle body and a sliding door, comprising a first connecting device, a second connecting device and an energy chain extending between the first connecting device and the second connecting device, which has a stretched state when the sliding door is closed and a deflected state when the sliding door is open, wherein the energy chain has a first end link at one end and a second end link at the opposite end, wherein the first end link is pivotably supported on the first connecting device, and wherein the second connecting device comprises a tensioning device for the energy chain.

[0002] The invention furthermore relates to a motor vehicle having a body and at least one sliding door. Background Art

[0003] Conventional vehicle sliding doors are unlocked from a closed state and then forcibly guided when opening, so that the sliding door is first displaced transversely to the vehicle body and then moves along the vehicle body.

[0004] Such a cable guide for a permanent cable connection between a vehicle body and a sliding door is known, for example, from document DE 10 2005 055 848 A1. It is provided that, when the sliding door is in the closed state, the chain is kept stretched by a tensioning force F1 in order to ensure a defined initial state. When the sliding door is slid open, the end link pivotably attached on the door side is actively pivoted by means of a spring force F2 in order to deflect the chain. It has been shown that the reaction forces F1 and F2 must be carefully coordinated and regularly readjusted, otherwise the chain tends to rattle, especially at the beginning of the opening process, when the sliding door and the vehicle body are still very close, because the chain is either not sufficiently tensioned or is pressed too close to the vehicle body at the door-side end. Summary of the invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide an alternative to the known cable guides for cable connections between a vehicle body and a sliding door, wherein contact with the vehicle body and / or the sliding door is particularly effectively prevented and which can be produced cost-effectively and easily assembled.

[0006] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a cable guide for the cable connection between a vehicle body and a sliding door, comprising a first connecting device, a second connecting device and an energy chain extending between the first connecting device and the second connecting device, which has a stretched configuration when the sliding door is closed and a deflected configuration when the sliding door is open, wherein the energy chain has a first end link at one end and a second end link at the opposite end, wherein the first end link is pivotably supported on the first connecting device, and wherein the second connecting device comprises a tensioning device for the energy chain, wherein a further development of the cable guide according to the invention consists in that the second end link of the energy chain is supported on the second connecting device in a longitudinally movable manner and is loaded by the tensioning device in such a manner that the second end link is held in a floating equilibrium position in a bilaterally movable manner when the energy chain is in the stretched configuration.

[0007] According to the invention, it is particularly provided that the second end link of the energy chain is supported so that it can move along the axis of movement in two directions relative to the second connecting device. When the energy chain is in the stretched state, it is also provided according to the invention that the second end link is held in a floating equilibrium position by means of a tensioning device, wherein the link remains movable out of the equilibrium position along the axis of movement in two directions.

[0008] The mobility of the second end link relative to the second connecting device can be limited by suitable measures, such as a stop, to prevent the second end link from being separated from the second connecting device. However, when designing the components of the cable guide according to the invention, it should be ensured that the equilibrium position is sufficiently far away from the predetermined end point of the mobility of the second end link of the energy chain.

[0009] During unlocking, the distance between the two connecting devices of such a cable guide, which is present between the vehicle body and the sliding door, decreases. The floating equilibrium position provided according to the invention makes it possible to keep the energy chain in a tensioned state both when the sliding door is closed and when the sliding door is unlocked, until the opened sliding door has moved laterally away from the vehicle body. At the same time, due to the floating equilibrium position, any necessary tolerance compensation is always guaranteed. Therefore, due to the invention, the energy chain only relaxes when there is enough space between the vehicle body and the sliding door to deflect the energy chain when the sliding door is pushed open. The longitudinally movable mounting of the second end link of the energy chain on the second connecting device according to the invention also advantageously ensures that the energy chain does not move in the direction of the vehicle body or in the direction of the sliding door during tolerance compensation and / or tensioning. This effectively prevents the energy chain from hitting the vehicle body or the sliding door with a rattling sound.

[0010] By means of the tensioning device provided according to the invention on the second connecting device, a simple and cost-effective construction can be achieved here which has a clear tensioning force direction and strength and correspondingly a reliable function of the tensioning device.

[0011] The floating equilibrium position of the stretched energy chain also provides for a simple and effective tolerance compensation for the length of the energy chain or the distance between two connecting devices.

[0012] The second connection device preferably comprises at least one stop for limiting the range of motion of the second end link in the deflected configuration of the energy chain. This means in particular that, regardless of the floating equilibrium position when the sliding door is closed, the second end link of the energy chain bears against the stop under the influence of the tensioning device when the sliding door is opened.

[0013] For example, the first connection device forms a fixation for the body side, while the second connection device forms a fixation for the door side. This means in particular that the energy chain is pivotably attached on the body side, while the energy chain is oriented essentially longitudinally relative to the sliding door in the stretched configuration.

[0014] This ensures that the entire deflection area of ​​the energy chain is always located between the open sliding door and the body, even if the sliding door is only partially opened. This effectively protects the energy chain from accidental damage when getting in and out of the vehicle.

[0015] The first end link of the energy chain is preferably pivotably supported on the first connecting device without pretensioning. The pretensioning of the energy chain in the stretched state is thus essentially determined by the tensioning device and can therefore be predetermined in a targeted manner. The forces acting on the energy chain can be reduced to a minimum, thereby reducing stresses and wear in the movable links. Lighter and / or cheaper materials, such as plastics, can also be used for the energy chain instead of metal.

[0016] Advantageously, the first connecting device comprises stops for limiting the pivoting range of the first end link on both sides. By suitable design of these stops it can be ensured that the deflected and therefore unprestressed energy chain does not strike the vehicle body and / or the sliding door. At the opposite end of the pivoting range, an over-dead point position or a pivoting of the first end link in the wrong direction when the sliding door is pushed open can be prevented by suitable design of the relevant stops.

[0017] The chain links of an energy chain are usually connected to one another in such a way that the chain links can be pivoted out of the stretched configuration relative to one another in only one specific deflection direction and are limited in the pivoting range in such a way that a minimum radius of curvature is present. In contrast, the chain links are usually supported against one another in such a way that a pivoting beyond the stretched configuration of the energy chain is prevented, counter to the deflection direction.

[0018] It has proven to be particularly advantageous if the energy chain of the cable guide according to the invention has a first section at the first connecting device and a second section at the second connecting device, wherein the two sections can each be deflected in opposite directions starting from the stretched configuration.

[0019] When installed as intended between the vehicle body and the sliding door, it is preferably provided that the deflection direction of the first section is away from the vehicle body and the deflection direction of the second section is away from the sliding door.

[0020] In the area of ​​the connection device of the energy chain closest to the vehicle body or sliding door, a possible deflection of the energy chain toward the vehicle body or sliding door is thus prevented. Even if the energy chain undergoes slight movements, for example due to vibrations or impacts, knocks and rattling can be effectively prevented.

[0021] Furthermore, it is achieved that even when the energy chain is pretensioned in the stretched state, an angle not equal to 180° is provided at the transition between the two sections, which angle forces the energy chain to deflect correctly when the sliding door is pushed open and the tensioning force is removed.

[0022] If the first section of the energy chain has a larger minimum radius of curvature than the second section, for example, a sufficient distance between the deflected energy chain and the vehicle body can be ensured. Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the first section of the energy chain is shorter than the second section.

[0023] The tensioning device preferably comprises a pressure-loaded spring. The pressure-loaded spring is preferably supported appropriately on the second connecting device in order to exert a tensioning force on the second end link to pre-tension the energy chain. Compared to the use of a tension-loaded spring, a significantly simpler design and assembly of the tensioning device and / or the second connecting device and / or the second end link of the energy chain is thereby achieved.

[0024] If the second end link of the energy chain is supported in a rotationally fixed manner on the second connecting device, an unintentional twisting of the energy chain is effectively prevented.

[0025] The object on which the invention is based is also achieved by a motor vehicle having a body and at least one sliding door, which is further developed in that the motor vehicle comprises a cable guide according to the invention.

[0026] If the motor vehicle according to the invention comprises a plurality of sliding doors, then according to the invention a cable guide according to the invention is provided for at least one of the plurality of sliding doors.

[0027] Preferably, the first connecting device of the cable guide is fixed to the vehicle body and the second connecting device of the cable guide is fixed to the sliding door. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0029] Figure 1 An exemplary cable guide according to the present invention is schematically shown with the sliding door closed;

[0030] Figure 2 Schematically shows the Figure 1 The cable guide according to the present invention, wherein the sliding door is open;

[0031] Figure 3a Schematically shows the Figure 1 and Figure 2 A detailed view of the door-side connection device of the cable guide according to the present invention;

[0032] Figure 3b Schematically shows Figure 3a A cross-sectional view of a door-side connection device; and

[0033] Figure 4 An exemplary motor vehicle according to the invention is schematically shown, which has a cable guide according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Attached picture Figure 1 and Figure 2 An exemplary cable guide 1 according to the invention is schematically shown in FIG. Details of an exemplary cable guide according to the invention are shown in FIG. Figure 3a and Figure 3b The cable guide 1 is particularly designed and formed for reliably guiding cables or cable bundles between a vehicle body 52 having a door opening on the one hand and a sliding door 54 for closing the door opening on the other hand. The guided cables are not part of the invention and are therefore not shown in the drawings.

[0035] The cable guide 1 according to the invention comprises a door-side connection device 2 which can be securely connected to a sliding door 54. Furthermore, the cable guide 1 comprises a body-side connection device 4 which can be securely connected to a body 52. ​​Finally, the cable guide 1 comprises an energy chain 3 which at one end has a first end link 42 which is pivotably supported on the body-side connection device 4 and at its opposite end has a second end link 22 which is longitudinally movably supported on the door-side connection device 2.

[0036] Furthermore, the energy chain 3 comprises two sections 32, 34 with different, in particular opposite, deflection directions and different minimum radii of curvature. The door-side section 32 allows a deflection with a relatively small minimum radius of curvature toward the vehicle body 52, but not toward the sliding door 54, while the body-side section 34 allows a deflection with a relatively large minimum radius of curvature toward the sliding door 54, but not toward the vehicle body 52. ​​Furthermore, the body-side section 34 is significantly shorter than the door-side section 32.

[0037] exist Figure 3a and Figure 3b Details about the door-side connection device 22 can be seen in Figure 3a A side view is shown, while Figure 3b A side cross-sectional view is shown.

[0038] The door-side connection device 2 comprises a base body 20 which can be firmly connected to the sliding door 54. The base body 20 has a support 21 in which the second end link 22 of the energy chain 3 is arranged. For this purpose, the end link 22 has a substantially hollow cylindrical section which is pushed into the support 21.

[0039] The compression spring 24 is arranged concentrically around the hollow cylindrical section and is supported on a stop 212 on the bracket 21. On the opposite side, the compression spring 21 is fixed by a sleeve 26, which is arranged at least partially concentrically between the hollow cylindrical section of the end link 22 and the bracket 21 and is fixed by a locking hook 266, which engages in a suitable recess 226 on the end link 22 and is thereby connected to the end link 22 in a rotationally fixed manner. On its outer circumference, the sleeve 26 has a longitudinally axially extending ridge 264, which extends in a matching groove on the inside of the bracket 21, so that the sleeve 26 can be moved longitudinally together with the end link 22, but is supported in a rotationally fixed manner inside the bracket 21 or the door-side connection device 2.

[0040] The longitudinal movement of the end link 22 in the connecting device 2 is limited by the stop 212 on both sides, namely on the one hand when the spring 24 is fully compressed and on the other hand when it abuts against the thickened section adjoining the hollow cylindrical section on the chain side.

[0041] For example, in order to connect a strain relief device or other cable guiding elements inside a sliding door, an end piece 222 is also provided at the end of the end link 22 facing away from the chain, which end piece is permanently or detachably connected to the hollow cylindrical section of the end link 22, for example by latching, screwing, gluing or friction welding.

[0042] Figure 1 The cable guide 1 according to the invention is shown in a stretched configuration, which corresponds to a closed sliding door 54 when used as intended. The dimensions of the cable guide 1, in particular the length of the energy chain 3, are selected in such a way that the end link 22 is prestressed by the spring 24 in the door-side connection device 2 and can be longitudinally displaced in both directions. A particular advantage of the invention is that the longitudinally displaceable mounting of the second end link 22 for tensioning the energy chain 3 does not cause a transverse movement in the direction of the sliding door 54 or the vehicle body 52. ​​In particular, knocking or rattling of the stretched energy chain 3 is effectively prevented at the beginning of opening or at the end of closing of the sliding door 54, when the gap between the sliding door 54 and the vehicle body 52 is particularly narrow.

[0043] In contrast, Figure 2The same cable guide 1 according to the invention is shown in a deflected configuration which corresponds to an open sliding door 54 when used as intended.

[0044] An exemplary motor vehicle 5 according to the present invention is Figure 4 The motor vehicle 5 includes a vehicle body 52 having an opening that can be closed by a sliding door 54. The motor vehicle 5 according to the present invention is characterized in that a cable guide 1 according to the present invention is arranged between the vehicle body 52 and the sliding door 54. Here, the door-side connecting device 2 of the cable guide 1 is connected to the sliding door 54, and the vehicle body-side connecting device 4 of the cable guide 1 is connected to the vehicle body 52.

[0045] Figure 4 The view of FIG. 5 shows a motor vehicle 5 according to the invention, with a closed sliding door 54. Here, the opening in the vehicle body 52 is closed by the sliding door 54, and the cable guide 1 is located on the side of the sliding door 54 facing the vehicle interior and is covered by it. The energy chain 3 of the cable guide 1 between the door-side connecting device 2 and the body-side connecting device 4 is in a stretched state.

[0046] Description of Reference Numerals

[0047] 1 Cable guide

[0048] 2 Door side connection device

[0049] 20 Matrix

[0050] 21Stand

[0051] 212 stopper

[0052] 22 Door side end chain link

[0053] 222 end parts

[0054] 226 Gap

[0055] 24 Spring

[0056] 26 sleeve

[0057] 262 end face

[0058] 264 spine

[0059] 266 Locking Hook

[0060] 3 Energy Chain

[0061] 32 first section

[0062] 34Second Section

[0063] 4 Body side connection device

[0064] 40 base

[0065] 42 Body side end link

[0066] 5 Motor Vehicles

[0067] 52 Body

[0068] 54 Sliding Door

Claims

1. A cable guide (1) for connecting a cable between a vehicle body (52) and a sliding door (54), comprising a first connecting device (4), a second connecting device (2) and an energy chain (3) extending between the first connecting device (4) and the second connecting device (2), the energy chain having a stretched configuration when the sliding door (54) is closed and a deflected configuration when the sliding door (54) is open, wherein the energy chain (3) has a first end link (42) at one end and a second end link (22) at the opposite end, wherein the first end link (42) is pivotably supported on the first connecting device (4), and wherein the second connecting device (2) comprises a tensioning device (24) for the energy chain (3), It is characterized in that The second end link (22) of the energy chain (3) is supported on the second connecting device (2) in a longitudinally movable manner and is loaded by the tensioning device (24) in such a way that the second end link (22) is held in a floating equilibrium position in a bilaterally movable manner when the energy chain (3) is in a stretched state.

2. The cable guide (1) according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The first connecting device (4) is formed for fixing on the body side, and the second connecting device (2) is formed for fixing on the door side.

3. The cable guide (1) according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that A first end link (42) of the energy chain (3) is pivotably mounted on a first connecting device (4) without prestressing.

4. The cable guide (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, It is characterized in that The energy chain (3) has a first section (34) at a first connecting device (4) and a second section (32) at a second connecting device (2), wherein the two sections (34, 32) can be deflected in opposite directions starting from a stretched state.

5. The cable guide (1) according to claim 4, It is characterized in that The first section (34) of the energy chain (3) has a larger minimum radius of curvature than the second section (32).

6. The cable guide (1) according to claim 4 or 5, It is characterized in that The first section (34) of the energy chain (3) is shorter than the second section (32).

7. The cable guide (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, It is characterized in that The tensioning device (24) comprises a pressure-loaded spring (24).

8. The cable guide (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, It is characterized in that The second end link (22) of the energy chain (3) is supported on the second connecting device (2) in a rotationally fixed manner.

9. A motor vehicle (5) comprising a body (52) and at least one sliding door (54), It is characterized in that The motor vehicle (5) comprises a cable guide (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The motor vehicle (5) according to claim 9, It is characterized in that The first connecting device (4) of the cable guide (1) is fixed to the vehicle body (52), and the second connecting device (2) of the cable guide (1) is fixed to the sliding door (54).

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