Cable entry

Abstract

Cable bushing with an elastic one-piece sealing element (7) in which several cable receiving channels (20) are provided, where the cable receiving channels (20) are distributed horizontally and vertically next to each other and are each closed off by thin wall sections, wherein individual wall sections can be severed by insertion slots (24), wherein the elastic sealing element (7) consists of a comb-like hard component (50) and an elastic component (52) which are designed to match one another and wherein a plurality of tubular recesses (54) are provided in the elastic component (52) which are designed to match typical cable diameters.

Description

The invention relates to a cable feedthrough according to the preamble of claim 1.In many electrical appliances, in particular in control systems for mobile work machines, as manufactured and sold by the applicant under the name ecomatmobile, the problem arises that cables have to be guided from the outside into the appliance housing by means of a cable feedthrough which ensures sufficient protection against splash water or dust.Since the field of application and thus the required cable count of these control systems is not known from the outset, cable feedthroughs different from the manufacturer must be provided for a particular cable count in each case. This is complicated and expensive for the manufacturer.Many cable feedthroughs are designed such that the cables are arranged parallel to one another. They require a correspondingly large amount of space. If this is not available, several cable feedthroughs must be provided on different housing parts.One housing part can be exposed to more environmental influences than another housing part. For a cable feedthrough provided on a more seriously compromised housing part, there are then increased requirements.DE 38 32 227 C1 discloses a line passage for sealed lines through a housing wall. The line passage consists of a cage which is inserted into a wall opening open at the edge. An elastic closure body is inserted into the cage, which is provided with insertion slots. The insertion slots are each arranged in a segment pair, wherein the segment pairs are located next to one another at a distance. Displacement bodies are introduced between the pairs of segments from the edge-open side of the wall opening, which displacement bodies press the elastic closure body material sealingly against the inserted lines.DE 82 35 062 U1 describes a switch cabinet with a base divided into at least two partial plates. Between the flanges of the partial plates, cables can be introduced into the switch cabinet in a sealed manner by elastic, deformable intermediate pieces. The slot between the partial plates is at least partially covered by elastic cable receiving blocks arranged in a row. The cable receiving blocks have plug slots for fastening on the flanges of the partial plates. In the cable receiving blocks, cylindrical parts are exposed in preparation, except for a predetermined breaking point. Lateral insertion slots are made for all the exposed cylindrical parts.It is therefore the object of the invention to specify a cable feedthrough which, on the one hand, ensures adequate protection against dust and splash water and which, at the same time, can be adapted to a different cable number and which can be produced easily and economically.This object is achieved by the features specified in the characterizing part of claim 1.Advantageous further developments of the invention are specified in the respective dependent claims.The essential idea of the invention consists, according to a first alternative, in that a plurality of cable-receiving channels extend in a two-dimensional manner in the one-piece elastic sealing element serving as cable feedthrough, in particular for control units in mobile work machines, wherein the individual cable-receiving channels are closed off by thin wall sections. To adapt to a specific number of cables, the user can produce insertion slots for a specific number of cable receiving channels even with a tool (e.g. knife). After the cables have been inserted, the sealing element forms sufficient protection against disruptive external influences in the installed state.According to a second alternative, not claimed, the sealing element has U-shaped recesses which are bounded by webs and are closed off by thin wall sections.Opposing webs each have a toothing or a guide into which a latching element can be inserted. By pressing on the latching element, cables which are inserted into the recess can be pressed together. This produces a dust- and water-resistant seal.Preferably, the second alternative is a cable feedthrough, in particular for control units in mobile work machines, having an elastic sealing element formed in one piece, in which a plurality of cable receiving channels are provided, wherein the cable receiving channels are formed by U-shaped recesses which are bounded by webs, wherein the recesses are each terminated by thin wall sections and opposing webs have corresponding toothings and guides which serve for receiving a latching element with which cables which can be inserted into the recess can be pressed together.The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawing.The following are shown: FIG. 1 is a top view of a housing of a control system for mobile work machines FIG. 2 is a perspective section through a housing according to FIG. 2 . 1 FIG. 3 shows different views of a sealing element according to the invention according to a first alternative FIG. 4 shows different views of a sealing element according to the invention according to a second alternative FIG. 5 shows a perspective illustration of a latching element for a sealing element according to FIG. 4 FIG. 6 shows different views of a latching element according to the invention according to a third alternativeReferring now to FIG. 1, a housing 10 of a control system for mobile work machines is shown in greater detail. The housing 10 essentially consists of a base part 1 and a cover part 3. The front side V of the housing is almost completely formed by a cable feedthrough 7, through which two cables K 1 and K 2 are guided into the interior of the housing 10. A plurality of cable connections are indicated in the interior 11 of the housing 10.The interior 11 of the housing 10 is sealed off in the dust- and water-tight manner according to IP 54 in the operating state. By opening a closure element 13, the cover part 3 can be lifted off. The cable feedthrough 7 must be separated separately. It is hooked on the bottom of the base part 1 and laterally.In FIG. 2, the sealing element 7 is shown in particular in a cut-away perspective view.In this figure, a plurality of cable receiving channels 20 running obliquely in the interior of the sealing element are very clearly seen, wherein one channel is free and is still closed by a thin wall section 20. The insertion slots necessary for inserting the cables K1 and K2 are not visible in this drawing. The sealing effect is improved by the obliquely running cable receiving channels 20, since the channel length is greater and the inclination makes the penetration of direct water sprays significantly more difficult.FIG. 3 shows two side views of the front side V and the rear side R of the sealing element 7, respectively. In addition, a top view of the rear side R is shown.Immediately after the sealing element 7 has been produced, the front side V is completely closed. All cable receiving channels 20 are thus closed off by thin wall sections (FIG. 3 a).In FIG. 3b, a plurality of cable receiving channels 20 are seen, which, however, are already connected by insertion slots 24. The cable channels 20 to which insertion slots 24 are guided are the matter of the user. With a knife, it can cut the insertion slots into the material (an elastomer 85 shore A). Cable receiving channels 20 that are not required remain closed. After the desired number of cables has been inserted, the sealing element is hooked onto the base part 1. Owing to the elasticity of the material, the insertion is problem-free.In FIG. 3 c, the course of individual insertion slots 24 can be seen more clearly. From this figure, the planar distribution of the cable receiving channels 24 is also clearly visible.FIG. 4 shows a side view of the rear side and a plan view of the front side of an alternative sealing element. This sealing element 7 can be latched to the base part 1.The cable receiving channels 20 are formed in this case by U-shaped recesses 30, which are bounded by webs 32. Here too, the cable receiving channels 20 are closed off by thin wall sections. Laterally on the webs 32, toothings 34 or guides 36 are provided. A latching element 40, which is illustrated in FIG. 5 and likewise has a toothing 34 aformed matching the toothing 34, can be inserted into the guide 36.In this exemplary embodiment, too, the user can adapt the cable feedthrough to the required cable number. For this purpose, it only needs to slit open the thin wall regions in the case of individual cable receiving channels 20.Subsequently, the cables are laid individually or severally into the cable receiving channels 20. By means of a latching element 40, which is inserted in each case into the occupied U-shaped recesses, the cable or cables can be pressed together. The sealing in this case is provided by the thin, soft wall regions.Furthermore, the latching element can be unlocked by pressing the tab downward and the cables can be removed or inserted anew.In an alternative embodiment of the invention, which is illustrated in FIG. 6, the sealing element 7 consists of a comb-like hard component 50 (FIG. 6 a) and an elastic component 52 (FIG. 6 b) which are formed to fit one another (FIG. 6 c, perspective view). The elastic component 52 substantially fills the comb interstices. In it, several recesses 54 are provided, which are designed to match typical cable diameters (e.g. 6 mm and 8 mm). The front side of the sealing element 7 or of the elastic component 52 is likewise closed by thin wall sections. For inserting a cable K into one of the recesses 54, the corresponding wall section must be cut. Due to the elasticity of the material, the wall section closes again after the cable has been inserted, except for the region directly around the cable. This results in a relatively tight cable feedthrough.FIG. 7 shows two views of a sealing element 7 with a multiplicity of cables in a perspective illustration. FIG. 7 a, viewed from the housing interior, therefore the cover part 3 is shown removed. FIG. 7 b shows a housing cover, but without a display / operating unit 5.An important advantage of the described sealing elements 7 is that they are suitable for prefabricated cables, i.e. cables with plugs. A troublesome unscrewing of the plugs, as is necessary in conventional cable feedthroughs, can be dispensed with.Advantageously, a simple cable tie can be used as strain relief, which comes to rest on the rear side R of the sealing element in the event of a tensile load. The cable tie usually encompasses a plurality of cables.

Claims

Cable feedthrough having an elastic one-piece sealing element (7) in which a plurality of cable receiving channels (20) are provided, wherein the cable receiving channels (20) run horizontally and vertically distributed next to one another and are each terminated by thin wall sections, wherein individual wall sections can be cut through insertion slots (24), wherein the elastic sealing element (7) consists of a comb-like hard component (50) and an elastic component (52) which are formed to fit one another, and wherein the elastic component (52) has a plurality of tubular recesses (54) which are formed to fit typical cable diameters.Cable feedthrough according to claim 1, characterised in that the cable receiving channels (20) extend obliquely in the sealing element (7).

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