Cable assembly

Abstract

A cable assembly includes: a cable composed of a plurality of cable strands; a cable sheath, wherein the cable is accommodated in the cable sheath in a sliding manner; a bellows in which the cable is accommodated in a slidable manner; the protective ring is tightly fixed on the cable; and a bellows cap secured to the retainer after the retainer is tightly secured to the cable, securing the bellows cap to the retainer such that material of the retainer is received into gaps between the plurality of cable strands to provide a waterproof barrier, and when the bellows is slidably received onto the cable, the bellows cap is secured to the retainer such that the material of the retainer is received into the gaps between the plurality of cable strands to provide a waterproof barrier. The bellows cap is configured to be received within the opening of the bellows such that the bellows cap and the retainer provide a waterproof barrier.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a cable having a waterproof corrugated cover. Background Art

[0002] Some cables have a jacket with a bellows fixed to one end of the jacket and a cap fixed to the other end of the bellows. In some applications, the cap fixed to the bellows does not provide an adequate watertight seal.

[0003] Therefore, there is a need to provide a cap with an improved watertight seal. Utility Model Content

[0004] A cable assembly is disclosed, comprising: a cable composed of a plurality of cable strands; a cable sheath, in which the cable is slidably accommodated; a corrugated tube, in which the cable is slidably accommodated; a retaining ring tightly fixed on the cable; and a corrugated tube cap, which is fixed to the retaining ring after the retaining ring is tightly fixed to the cable, the corrugated tube cap is fixed to the retaining ring so that the material of the retaining ring is received into the gaps between the plurality of cable strands to provide a waterproof barrier, and when the corrugated tube is slidably received on the cable, the corrugated tube cap is configured to be accommodated in an opening of the corrugated tube so that the corrugated tube cap and the retaining ring provide a waterproof barrier.

[0005] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the preceding embodiments, the bellows cap is formed of plastic.

[0006] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the preceding embodiments, the bellows cap is formed of a zinc-aluminum (ZnAl) alloy.

[0007] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the preceding embodiments, the retainer is formed of a zinc aluminum (ZnAl) alloy.

[0008] In addition to one or more of the above features, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, a device is further included to be fixed at one end of the cable.

[0009] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the apparatus is configured to secure one end of the cable assembly to a component of a vehicle.

[0010] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the preceding embodiments, the component of the vehicle device is a vehicle latch.

[0011] A method for providing a waterproof barrier in a cable assembly is also disclosed, comprising: providing a cable composed of multiple cable strands; slidably positioning a cable sheath on the cable located therein; slidably positioning a corrugated tube on the cable; tightly fixing a retaining ring on the cable; and after fixing the retaining ring on the cable, fixing the corrugated tube cap on the retaining ring so that the material of the retaining ring is accommodated in the gaps between the multiple cable strands to provide a waterproof barrier, and when the corrugated tube is slidably received on the cable, configuring the corrugated tube cap to be accommodated in an opening of the corrugated tube so that the corrugated tube cap and the retaining ring provide a waterproof barrier. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The following description should not be considered limiting. Referring to the accompanying drawings, similar elements are numbered the same:

[0013] Figure 1A is a view of a cable assembly with a lower cap;

[0014] Figure 1B for Figure 1A A view along line 1B-1B in the middle;

[0015] Figure 1C yes Figure 1B A view along line 1C-1C in the middle;

[0016] Figure 1D for Figure 1B A view along the 1D-1D line;

[0017] Figure 2A is a view of a cable assembly with a waterproof lower cap according to the present disclosure;

[0018] Figure 2B is a view of a portion of a cable assembly according to the present disclosure prior to application of a lower cap; and

[0019] Figure 2C yes Figure 2A View along line 2C-2C. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and methods is presented herein by way of example and not limitation with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0021] Figure 1A 1 is a view of a cable assembly 10 according to the present disclosure. The cable assembly 10 includes a cable 12, a cable jacket 14, a corrugated tube 16, and a corrugated tube cap 18. The corrugated tube cap 18 is configured to be received in an opening 17 at one end of the corrugated tube 16, and one end 19 of the cable jacket 14 is configured to be received in the other end of the corrugated tube 16. The cable 12 includes a plurality of cable strands 20. Figure 1B-Figure 1D As shown, a plurality of gaps 22 are located between each of the plurality of cable strands 20. Figure 1B As shown, water 21 can drain between the gaps 22 of the plurality of cable strands 20. In one non-limiting embodiment, the cable assembly 10 can include a device 30 secured to one end of the cable 12. The device 30 is configured to secure one end of the cable 12 to a vehicle latch or a vehicle body such as a vehicle body latch. Figure 1A The one indicated by reference numeral 31 or Figure 2A The cable assembly 10 is shown on a vehicle component of a vehicle handle, generally indicated by reference numeral 131. Of course, it is contemplated that the cable assembly 10 may be used in components other than a vehicle latch or a vehicle handle, such as other vehicle components or other non-vehicle components.

[0022] Figure 2A 1 is a view of a cable assembly 110 according to the present disclosure. The cable assembly 110 includes a cable 112, a cable jacket 114, a bellows 116, and a bellows cap 118. The cable jacket 114 and the bellows 116 are slidably received over the cable 112 such that they provide a protective covering. The bellows cap 118 is configured to be received within an opening 117 at one end of the bellows 116, and an end 119 of the cable jacket 114 is configured to be received within an opposite end of the bellows 16. Similar to at least Figure 1D The cable 112 shown in FIG. 1 includes a plurality of cable strands 120 and a plurality of gaps 122 disposed between each of the plurality of cable racks 120. Figure 2B As shown, the retainer 124 is first formed around the plurality of cable strands 120, and then the bellows cap 118 is formed on the retainer 124, so that during the formation of the bellows cap 118 around the retainer 124, the material of the retainer 124 is pushed into and received within the plurality of gaps 122 of the cable strands 120, and the plurality of gaps 122 are filled with the material of the retainer 124. Figure 2C This method makes it impossible for water to pass between the plurality of gaps 122 located between the plurality of cable strands 120 because these gaps 122 are now filled with the material of the guard 124. In an alternative method, during application of the guard to the cable 112, the material of the guard 124 is partially or completely received within the plurality of gaps, and thereafter, the bellows cap 118 is then formed over the guard 124.

[0023] According to the present disclosure, before the bellows cap 118 is applied to the retainer 124, the retainer 124 is first formed on the plurality of cable strands 120. In a non-limiting embodiment, the bellows cap 118 is formed on the retainer 124 by a crimping process so that the material of the retainer 124 is received in the gap 122. In a non-limiting embodiment, the bellows cap 118 is formed on the retainer 124 by an injection molding process and a crimping process of the retainer 124 so that the material of the retainer 124 is located in the gap 122 between the cable strands 120. In a non-limiting embodiment, the bellows cap 118 can be formed of plastic or a zinc aluminum (ZnAl) alloy. Of course, other materials can also be used for the bellows cap 118. In a non-limiting embodiment, the retainer 124 can be formed of a zinc aluminum (ZnAl) alloy. Of course, other materials can also be used for the retainer 124.

[0024] In one non-limiting embodiment, the cable assembly 110 may include a device 130 secured to one end of the cable 112. The device 130 is configured to secure one end of the cable 112 to a vehicle such as a vehicle latch or a vehicle body. Figure 2A Of course, the cable assembly 110 is contemplated for use with other components other than vehicle latches, such as other vehicle components or other non-vehicle components.

[0025] The term "about" is intended to include the degree of error associated with measurement of a particular quantity based on the equipment available at the time the application was filed. For example, "about" may include a range of ±8% or 5% or 2% of a given value.

[0026] The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should be further understood that the terms "include" and / or "comprising", when used in this specification, specify the presence of the features, integers, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, element components and / or groups.

[0027] Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to one or more exemplary embodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents of its elements may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt specific circumstances or materials to the teachings of the present utility model without departing from its basic scope. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out the present disclosure, but that the present disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A cable assembly (110), comprising: a cable (112) composed of a plurality of cable strands (120); a cable sheath (114), wherein the cable (112) is slidably received in the cable sheath (114); a bellows (116), wherein the cable (112) is slidably received in the bellows (116); a retaining ring (124) tightly fixed on the cable (112); and A bellows cap (118) is secured to the retainer (124) after the retainer (124) is tightly secured to the cable (112), wherein securing the bellows cap (118) to the retainer (124) causes material of the retainer (124) to be received into the gaps (122) between the plurality of cable strands (120) to provide a waterproof barrier, and when the bellows (116) is slidably received onto the cable (112), the bellows cap (118) is configured to be received within an opening of the bellows (116) so that the bellows cap (118) and the retainer (124) provide a waterproof barrier.

2. The cable assembly (110) according to claim 1, wherein: The bellows cap (118) is formed of plastic.

3. The cable assembly (110) according to claim 1, wherein: The bellows cap (118) is formed of zinc-aluminum alloy.

4. The cable assembly (110) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, wherein: The retaining ring (124) is formed of a zinc-aluminum alloy.

5. The cable assembly (110) according to claim 1, further comprising a device (130) fixed to one end of the cable (112).

6. The cable assembly (110) according to claim 5, wherein: The device is configured to secure one end of the cable assembly (110) to a component of a vehicle.

7. The cable assembly (110) according to claim 6, wherein: The component of the vehicle is a vehicle latch.

8. The cable assembly (110) according to claim 7, wherein: The bellows cap (118) is formed of plastic.

9. The cable assembly (110) according to claim 6, wherein: The bellows cap (118) is formed of zinc-aluminum alloy.

10. The cable assembly (110) according to any one of the preceding claims 7 to 9, wherein: The retaining ring (124) is formed of a zinc-aluminum alloy.

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