Cable channel with flexible region

Abstract

The invention relates to an arrangement system (1) having a cable channel (2) into which at least one electrical cable (10) with an electrical conductor is inserted, wherein the cable channel (2) has at least one flexible section (3) in its axial extension.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an arrangement system having a cable channel according to the features of the preamble of claim 1, wherein at least one cable with an electrical conductor is inserted into the cable channel. Background Technology

[0002] Conventional cable channels are designed to be rigid along their axial direction, protecting the inserted cables or multiple cables from external mechanical forces. Additionally, there are cable channels designed to be flexible along their entire length, constructed for concealed installation of power cables within walls, but these are not discussed here.

[0003] According to the standard, rigid cable channels along their length (see the embodiment in the attached figure, at the bottom) have the following disadvantages: they cannot be altered (extended or shortened) in their axial extension (length) or twisted about their own axis without tools or additional parts, thus greatly limiting their application possibilities.

[0004] The prior art is shown in Figure 5. A known arrangement system 12 has a rigid cable channel 13 extending in the axial direction. A cable (not shown in detail) is arranged in the cable channel 13, one end of which enters a plug 14. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, the objective of this invention is to improve, in terms of application, an arrangement system having a cable channel into which at least one cable with an electrical conductor is inserted.

[0006] This task is solved by the features of claim 1.

[0007] According to the invention, the cable channel has at least one flexible section (flexible zone) in its axial direction. With the aid of this flexible section, it is advantageously possible to shorten or lengthen the cable channel as needed, and / or to twist two sections of the cable channel adjacent to the flexible section relative to each other. Particularly in the latter case, at least two cables inserted in the cable channel can be twisted relative to each other in their axial direction (e.g., up to 180°).

[0008] Above the flexible section and across it in one or more directions, a covering (in the sense of a housing) may be provided to reinforce and / or support the flexible section. This covering may be manufactured as a plastic injection-molded encapsulation.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the flexible section is designed as a rod or tube, wherein the two ends of the cable channel adjacent to the flexible section are connected to each other by means of the rod or tube. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Corresponding embodiments of the present invention are shown and briefly described in the accompanying drawings.

[0011] exist Figures 1 to 4 The arrangement system 1 according to the present invention is shown in the figure. Detailed Implementation

[0012] according to Figure 1 The cable channel system has a cable channel 2, which includes a flexible section 3. A connecting element 4 is arranged within the flexible section 3. This connecting element 4 connects the front section 5 and the rear section 6 of the cable channel 2 within the region of the flexible section 3. The term "front section" means that a portion of the cable channel 2 is located at one end of the connecting element 4 and extends from that end. Similarly, the term "rear section" means that another portion of the cable channel 2 is located at the other end of the connecting element 4 and extends from that end. Therefore, the connecting element 4 is located within the respective end of the front section 5 or the rear section 6, connecting the two sections in such a way that the two sections 5 and 6, although connected to each other, can move relative to each other. This movement can be axial and / or relative rotational. This movement is determined by the geometry of the connecting element 4 (e.g., designed as a thin rod or thin tubular structure), but also by its material selection. The connecting element 4 is preferably made of the same material as the two sections 5 and 6 of the cable channel 2, but it can also be made of a different material. In the latter case, the two segments 5 and 6 can be manufactured from plastic together with the connecting element 4 in a two-component injection molding method.

[0013] In addition, Figure 1 As shown, a plug 7 is arranged at the end of the rear section 6 opposite to the connecting element 4. Instead of plug 7, it is also possible to lead the cable located inside the cable channel 2 out from this end of the cable channel 2. Furthermore, in this… Figure 1 It can also be seen that the cable channel 2 may have (but does not necessarily have) at least one limiting element 8 and / or at least one positioning element 9. These two elements 8 and 9 are... Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, these elements 8 and 9 are arranged on the rear section 6, but may additionally or alternatively also be arranged on the front section 5. With the aid of these elements 8 and 9, when the cable channel 2 is inserted into its surrounding housing (if any), the position of the cable channel 2 within the housing can be achieved in a precise manner, or its final position within the housing can be predetermined.

[0014] exist Figure 2 It can be seen from this that, according to Figure 1The cable channel 2 is fitted with cables 10. In this embodiment, two cables 10 are present. However, it is also conceivable that only one cable or more than two cables are inserted into and fixed therein in the cable channel 2 and its flexible section 3. It can be seen that the two cables 10 are arranged relatively torsionally within the area of ​​the flexible section 3, specifically rotated relative to each other by about or exactly 180°. This can be achieved during the assembly of the cable channel 2. For this purpose, the cable channel 2 has recesses (e.g., grooves) or holes or the like extending in the axial direction in its front section 5 and its rear section 6, through which the corresponding cables 10 can be inserted or passed. Figure 2 As becomes clear from the embodiments and observations, one cable 10 is arranged above in the front section 5 and below in the rear section 6. The second cable 10, in contrast, is arranged below in the front section 5 and correspondingly above in the rear section 6. It is possible to realize the flexible section 3 of the cable channel 2 together with the connecting element 4 through the relative twisting of the two sections 5, 6 in one direction or the other. For this purpose, the connecting element 4 is designed, and its material is selected, so that the two sections 5, 6 can be moved towards or away from each other in the axial direction, thereby reducing or expanding the flexible section 3. This change in the flexible section 3 is therefore achieved (if necessary) through linear movement or relative rotational movement of the two sections 5, 6. Relative bending of the two sections 5, 6 can also be considered.

[0015] This also applies to... Figure 3 This is an example. It can be seen that one cable 10 is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the cable channel 2 and arranged substantially or exactly parallel to it within the cable channel. The same applies to the second cable 10. Here, exactly two cables 10 (or more than two such cables) are also arranged in the corresponding recesses (grooves) of the two sections 5 and 6.

[0016] If as Figure 3 As shown, cable 10 is assembled in cable channel 2. It is feasible to achieve the twisting (a kind of stranding) of cable 10 between the two sections 5 and 6 by means of the relative twisting of the two sections 5 and 6 according to the invention, using the flexible section 3. This can then lead to... Figure 2 The final state shown. Conversely, the reverse is also true. Figure 2 This indicates the initial state, and the two sections 5 and 6 are twisted to align with each other (in the axial direction and / or the torsional direction and / or the bending direction) until... Figure 3 The final state shown.

[0017] Finally in Figure 4 As shown, a housing (cladding) is partially or completely arranged around cable channel 2. This housing is based on... Figure 4The design is a plastic injection-molded encapsulation 11. Therefore, after aligning the two sections 5, 6 in a predetermined direction (linear and / or rotational and / or bending), the cable channel 2 is inserted into the housing or surrounded by the plastic injection-molded encapsulation 11. In this embodiment, a plug 7 is also arranged at one end of the cable channel 2, i.e., on its rear section 6. Instead of the plug 7, one or more cables 10 can be led out from the housing, particularly from the plastic injection-molded encapsulation 11. The housing and preferably the plastic injection-molded encapsulation 10 ensure that the two sections 5, 6 are fixed to each other in a predetermined orientation, thereby reinforcing the flexible section 3 so that it is no longer possible to change the relative positions of the two sections 5, 6.

[0018] according to Figure 2 The at least one positioning element 9 is designed for positioning the cable channel 2 within its housing with Poka-Yoke protection, and according to Figure 2 The at least one positioning element 9 is designed for positioning the cable channel 2 within its housing with error-proof protection. The term error-proof (Poka-Yoke) refers to a principle consisting of multiple elements, including technical precautions or devices for the immediate detection and prevention of errors.

[0019] Finally, it should also be mentioned that, in Figures 1 to 4 In the illustrated embodiment, the two sections 5 and 6 are always arranged opposite each other with an axially aligned orientation. Furthermore, it is also possible that the cable channel 2 can be bent or folded around the flexible section 3.

[0020] 1. Layout System

[0021] 2 Cable Channel

[0022] 3 Flexible Section

[0023] 4 Connecting elements

[0024] 5. Front Section

[0025] 6 Rear Section

[0026] 7 plugs

[0027] 8 Limiting elements

[0028] 9. Positioning elements

[0029] 10 Cables

[0030] 11 Plastic Injection Molding Encapsulation Section

[0031] 12 Layout System

[0032] 13 Cable Channel

[0033] 14. Plug.

Claims

1. A wiring system (1) having a cable channel (2) into which at least one cable (10) with an electrical conductor is inserted, characterized in that, The cable channel (2) has at least one flexible section (3) in its axial extension direction.

2. The arrangement system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flexible section (3) is composed of a rod-shaped or tubular connecting element (4) that connects the front section (5) and the rear section (6) of the cable channel (2) to each other.

3. The arrangement system (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The front section (5) and / or rear section (6) of the cable channel (2) have recesses for accommodating at least one cable (10), and the corresponding cable (10) is placed in its associated recess.

4. The arrangement system (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The front section (5) and / or rear section (6) of the cable channel (2) have a threaded portion for accommodating the at least one cable (10), through which the respective cable (10) passes.

5. The arrangement system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The cable channel (2) has at least one limiting element (8).

6. The arrangement system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The cable channel (2) has at least one positioning element (9).

7. The arrangement system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The cable channel (2) is inserted into a cover.

8. The arrangement system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The cable channel (2) is surrounded by a plastic injection-molded encapsulation (11).

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