Organization system for connecting cables

Abstract

Cable positioner (10) for jointly fixing a plurality of electrical lines (12) between a plurality of electrical devices (39) independently of their connection to the electrical devices (39), in particular for the orderly separation of line ends (30) of the electrical lines (12) from a connection device (40) of one of the electrical devices (39) and for the subsequent connection of the ordered line ends (30) to the connection device (40), further in particular for use in a switch cabinet, wherein the cable positioner (10) is designed to jointly receive a cable section (20) of the electrical cables (12) spaced apart from the respective cable end (30) in order to jointly fix the cables (12) in a fixed arrangement in a force-fitting and / or form-fitting manner, the cable ends (30) are spaced apart from the cable positioner (10) in a state determined therefrom, the cable positioner (10) has a plurality of individual receiving areas (18) for the individual reception of one of the cable sections (20), and the plurality of receiving areas (18) are arranged in a plurality of parallel rows, wherein the receiving areas (18) of adjacent rows are arranged offset from one another.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a cable positioner for jointly fixing a plurality of electrical lines between a plurality of electrical devices.

[0002] The present invention further relates to an arrangement comprising a plurality of electrical devices, in particular in a switch cabinet, which are connected to one another via a plurality of electrical lines, and at least one of the above-mentioned cable positioners.

[0003] The present invention additionally relates to a method for jointly fixing a plurality of electrical lines between a plurality of electrical devices independently of their connection to the electrical devices, in particular for an already existing installation of a plurality of electrical devices and a plurality of electrical lines between the electrical devices.

[0004] The present invention also relates to a method for orderly separating line ends of a plurality of electrical lines from a connection device of an electrical device and for subsequently connecting the line ends to the connection device using a cable positioner as described above.

[0005] In electrical engineering, it is often necessary to connect a plurality of electrical cables to a connection device of an electrical device such as a device, a terminal block, a printed circuit board connection or similar. For this purpose, the ends of the electrical cables, which may have a contact plug, are connected to electrical contacts or terminals of the connection device. It is common for these electrical cables to be routed or bundled together, for example in a cable duct or with cable ties. To make it easier to connect the electrical cables to the respective connection device, the electrical cables are often labeled or marked in some other way. This makes it particularly easier to reconnect the electrical cables to the respective connection device after they have been previously disconnected.Without such measures, the arrangement of the electrical wires on the connection device is lost upon disconnection. This presents the user with the challenge of correctly reassigning the electrical wires when reconnecting to the same or a similar connection device. Even with existing labeling, reconnecting multiple electrical wires to the respective connection device can be laborious and time-consuming. Alternatively, a connector can be used to firmly arrange the electrical wires relative to one another and connect them together with a mating connector. However, this is associated with very high costs.

[0006] In this context, for example, document US Pat. No. 7,077,688 B2 discloses a cable manager comprising a body and a cable clamping device integrally formed on the body. The cable clamping device has a pair of clamping pieces forming a space and an opening therein, wherein the space has a receiving width and the opening has an opening width. The opening width is relatively smaller than the receiving width.

[0007] Document CH 463 594 A relates to a wire guide device for an electrical connection element with guide holes designed for lateral insertion of the wires. The device is in the form of a strip and is designed for attachment to one side of the mounted connection element. Its guide holes, located between each pair of slats, are sealed by lugs on the slats, preventing the wires from accidentally becoming free.

[0008] Document US 8 262 035 B2 relates to a cable retention clip that is or can be attached to a device to which a plurality of cables are or will be operatively connected. The clip comprises a series of upright, open-topped cable management elements and a semi-flexible or substantially rigid closure element that can be secured on top of the management elements to retain cables when present therein, the closure element being selectively mountable at two or more different heights relative to the management element to retain cables of different diameters.

[0009] From JP H11 122 758 A, a cable holding device is known that can prevent the missing or deviation of a held cable without exerting unnecessary pressure on a cable. A base member for orderly holding a plurality of cables is provided with a plurality of dividing protrusions in the shape of comb teeth, the width of which extends from one end side along an arrangement direction to the center in the wiring direction. An arm member pivotally coupled to this base member via a hinge is provided with a sponge facing a cable placement surface where the dividing protrusion is not formed, the gap being kept smaller than the diameter of the cable. A cable is inserted between the dividing protrusions, and the arm member overlaps the base member. As a result, the cable is pressed and held onto the cable placement surface by the sponge.

[0010] Document DE 199 61 244 C1 relates to a housing for accommodating electrical and / or electronic components, in which a wall element of a housing body has a cutout or recess to or in which a support can be attached, to which cable entry elements arranged in series can be secured. Cables can be inserted between adjacent cable entry elements into the interior enclosed by the housing body. The cables are sealed by the sealing elements assigned to the cable entry elements.An option for inserting cables into the interior of the housing body and securing the cables is provided by the cable entry elements having receptacles for the sealing elements on their mounting sides, the receptacles having longitudinal walls running parallel to the cutout and delimiting the receptacle, the longitudinal walls being provided with recesses on their free longitudinal edges for securing the cable positions, and the sealing elements inserted into the receptacles covering at least these recesses.

[0011] Document CN 104 653 865 A relates to a cable tray with a guide body, the guide body comprising a cross member. Several cable passage holes are evenly distributed longitudinally in the cross member. Support feet are symmetrically connected to the two ends of the lower surface of the cross member. Furthermore, gaps are formed in the ends of the support feet.

[0012] Document US 2008 / 0 130 261 A1 discloses a cable manager for arranging a plurality of electronic data cables in fixed positions for presentation at corresponding connection positions of an electronic communications connector block. A plurality of cable guides are provided for securing sections of the cables in spaced-apart positions so that they converge at a common location remote from the cable manager.

[0013] According to document US 2010 / 0 013 362 A1, an image display device is provided with a cable management device. The image display device comprises a housing enclosing electronic components, a plurality of analog, digital, or power cables connected to and extending from the electronic components, and a cable management device connected to the housing. The cable management device comprises a plurality of teeth and at least one first tooth opening and one second tooth opening sized to removably retain the cables.

[0014] WO 2014 / 015 986 A1 relates to a mounting system for arranging, for example, electrical devices, particularly in switch cabinets, wherein the mounting system comprises at least one preferably horizontally extending mounting web to which at least one device can be attached, and wherein the mounting system comprises an organizing means connectable to the mounting web for organizing the connecting lines of the device to be attached to the mounting web. The organizing means comprises a plurality of interconnected or adjacent organizing segments along the longitudinal direction of the mounting web. Individual or multiple organizing segments can be detached from the organizing means and removed from the organizing means, leaving a gap in the organizing means, or can be exchanged for another organizing segment.

[0015] Document US 6 315 249 B1 discloses a cable management system for coupling and retaining cables for rack-mounted electronic components. The cable management system includes a cable arm that can pivot between an extended position and a retracted position to accommodate the movement of the rack-mounted component. Cable retainers are coupled to the cable arm. Each cable retainer includes a platform and prongs. Each prong includes a shank and a tapered projection. The combination of the platform, shank, and the tapered projection of adjacent prongs forms a cavity for receiving a cable. The cable arm includes a number of slots in the cable arm supports for receiving latches, locks, or other fasteners of the cable retainer for coupling the cable retainer to the cable arm.

[0016] Furthermore, document JP S56-25 884 U relates to a cable positioner with a plurality of receptacles arranged in a row. The receptacles are separated by separating elements that have lugs at their free ends for holding the cables in the receptacles.

[0017] The present invention is therefore based on the object of specifying a cable positioner, an arrangement comprising a plurality of electrical devices and at least one such cable positioner, as well as a method, which enable a simple connection of a plurality of electrical lines to a connection device of an electrical device, such as a device, a terminal block, a printed circuit board connection, or the like, regardless of their connection to the electrical devices. This particularly relates to reconnecting the plurality of electrical lines to these connection devices after a previous disconnection of the electrical lines therefrom.

[0018] The object underlying the present invention is achieved by a cable positioner for jointly securing a plurality of electrical lines between a plurality of electrical devices having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the cable positioner are described in claims 2 to 12 dependent on claim 1.

[0019] More specifically, the object underlying the present invention is achieved by a cable positioner for jointly securing a plurality of electrical lines between a plurality of electrical devices, regardless of their connection to the electrical devices, in particular for the orderly separation of line ends of the electrical lines from a connection device of one of the electrical devices and for the subsequent connection of the ordered line ends to the connection device, further in particular for use in a switch cabinet, wherein the cable positioner is designed to jointly accommodate a line section of the electrical lines spaced apart from the respective line end in order to jointly secure the lines in a fixed arrangement in a force-fitting and / or form-fitting manner, the line ends are spaced apart from the cable positioner in a state fixed thereto,the cable positioner has a plurality of individual receiving areas for the individual reception of each of the cable sections, and the plurality of receiving areas are arranged in a plurality of parallel rows, wherein the receiving areas of adjacent rows are arranged offset from one another.

[0020] The object underlying the present invention is also achieved by an arrangement having the features of claim 13.

[0021] More specifically, the object underlying the present invention is also achieved by an arrangement with a plurality of electrical devices, in particular in a switch cabinet, which are connected to one another via a plurality of electrical lines, and at least one above-mentioned cable positioner, wherein at least some of the electrical lines are fixed to the cable positioner in a force-fitting and / or form-fitting manner.

[0022] The object underlying the present invention is also achieved by a method having the features of claim 14.

[0023] In more detail, the object underlying the present invention is also achieved by a method for jointly securing a plurality of electrical lines between a plurality of electrical devices, regardless of their connection to the electrical devices, in particular for an already existing installation of a plurality of electrical devices and a plurality of electrical lines between the electrical devices, wherein a plurality of line sections spaced apart from the respective line end are jointly secured in a fixed arrangement in a force-locking and / or form-locking manner, wherein the line ends of the line sections jointly secured in the fixed arrangement in a force-locking and / or form-locking manner are spaced apart from these line sections, wherein the line sections are each individually received in a plurality of individual receiving areas,and the plurality of receiving areas are arranged in a plurality of parallel rows, wherein the receiving areas of adjacent rows are arranged offset from one another.

[0024] The object underlying the present invention is also achieved by a method having the features of claim 15. An advantageous embodiment of the method is specified in claim 16, which is dependent on claim 15.

[0025] More specifically, the object underlying the present invention is also achieved by a method for the orderly separation of line ends of a plurality of electrical lines from a connection device of an electrical device and for the subsequent connection of the line ends to the connection device using an above-mentioned cable positioner. The method comprises the steps of securing line sections of the electrical lines with the cable positioner according to their connection to the connection device, wherein the line ends are spaced apart from the connection device in a state secured in the cable positioner, separating the line ends from the connection device in their state secured in the cable positioner, and connecting the line ends to the connection device in their state secured in the cable positioner according to their arrangement in the cable positioner.

[0026] The cable positioner according to the invention, the arrangement according to the invention, and the method according to the invention have the advantages that the individual electrical lines are fixedly positioned according to their arrangement in the cable positioner, so that an arrangement of the electrical lines can be established in accordance with an arrangement of electrical contacts or terminals of the connection device for connecting the electrical lines. The order of the electrical lines is not lost even after separation from the respective connection device. As a result, a reconnection of these lines to the respective connection device can be easily established, in particular after a previous separation of the electrical lines, so that, for example, the respective electrical device can be easily replaced.Furthermore, it is also possible to arrange a plurality of electrical cables together in the cable positioner before a first connection to the connection device of the respective electrical device, whereby the initial connection of the electrical cables to the connection device can be carried out in a simple manner. For example, bundles of electrical cables can be pre-assembled with the cable positioner, for example, ex-factory, for later connection to the connection device of a known electrical device. The cable positioner can therefore be used to jointly secure a plurality of electrical cables at any time.A loosely held cable section in the cable positioner allows the cable positioner to be moved along the cable sections, allowing flexible handling and ensuring it doesn't interfere with the connection of the cable ends to the connection device, especially when working in tight switch cabinets. The order of the electrical cables in the cable positioner is maintained.

[0027] Such electrical devices can be an electrical device, a terminal block, a printed circuit board connector, or similar device with a corresponding connection device. Such electrical devices can, for example, be part of an I / O system.

[0028] The connecting devices typically have an arrangement of electrical contacts or terminals in a row, which can also be specified by the cable positioner. This arrangement of the electrical contacts or terminals of the respective connecting device often results from the use of electrical circuit boards or printed circuit boards of the electrical devices, for example, if the electrical contacts or terminals are arranged on an edge thereof. To facilitate the connection and disconnection of the electrical lines, the contacts or terminals are often arranged directly adjacent to the respective connecting device.

[0029] The electrical lines can be designed as individual electrical lines, which can, for example, transmit a single electrical potential. Alternatively, an electrical cable can comprise a plurality of individual wires, which can then be connected as electrical lines individually or in groups to the connection device of the respective electrical device. In this case, the cable positioner is generally designed to accommodate various types of electrical lines. This particularly applies to electrical lines with different cross-sections.

[0030] Overall, the joint securing of a plurality of electrical cables simplifies assembly, both when connecting them to the connection device and when disconnecting the cable ends from the connection device. Labeling or other marking of the cable ends is no longer necessary. The cable sections of the electrical cables can simply be held in place with a form-fitting manner, allowing the cable positioner to be moved along the cable sections, for example. The cable positioner is preferably positioned in close proximity to the ends of the electrical cables. The electrical cables can be secured before or after they are connected to the respective connection device.

[0031] The individual receiving areas allow the individual electrical cables to be accommodated in an orderly manner, allowing for a particularly simple and reliable arrangement of the electrical cables in accordance with the arrangement of electrical contacts or terminals of the connection device for connecting the electrical cables. The order of the electrical cables is not lost in the individual receiving areas, even after separation from the respective connection device. The cable positioner is very easy to use, as the orderly securing of the cable sections can be achieved by simply inserting them into the individual receiving areas. Further assembly to attach the electrical cables in the individual receiving areas is not required.Preferably, the cables are fixed in a form-fitting manner in the individual receiving areas.

[0032] The plurality of receiving areas are preferably arranged in at least one row. The row can be straight or curved. The distances between the receiving areas are preferably equal. Alternatively, different distances between the receiving areas can be provided. A star-shaped arrangement of the receiving areas is also possible. This facilitates, for example, the fixing of individual electrical lines of a cable comprising these electrical lines.

[0033] The receiving areas are specifically designed to accommodate cable sections with the same cross-sections, meaning the dimensions of the receiving areas are identical. However, this also allows for the accommodation of cable sections with different cross-sections, as long as the cable sections do not exceed a maximum cross-section. The receiving areas can, in principle, have any shape, for example, round, oval, rectangular, or square.

[0034] In an advantageous embodiment, the cable positioner has a base body from which a plurality of separating elements extend. The receiving areas are designed as passages between the separating elements, and the receiving areas each have an inlet opening formed between the ends of adjacent separating elements facing away from the base body. The separating elements are spaced appropriately, in particular evenly spaced, on the base body, with the receiving areas being defined between the separating elements. However, complete separation of the receiving areas is not necessary. Accordingly, the separating elements can have a height that is less than a conductor cross-section of the electrical cables to be secured, for example when the cable sections are pressed force-fittingly against the base body.The separating elements on the base body create a comb-like design of the cable positioner, with the separating elements forming the teeth of the comb. This allows for easy securing of the electrical cables by inserting their cable sections between the separating elements.

[0035] In an advantageous embodiment, at least one of the separating elements, preferably at least every second of the separating elements, has / have at least one closure element at its end(s) facing away from the base body, wherein the at least one closure element forms a closure for at least one of the inlet openings. In order to close the inlet openings, the separating elements, together with the respective closure elements, have at least an extension from the base body that corresponds to the diameter of the electrical cable to be secured. The closures can secure the electrical cables against accidental removal from the receiving areas. This allows the electrical cables to be secured particularly reliably in the cable positioner. Individual closure elements can, for example, extend from the separating elements in the direction of another, adjacent separating element.The closure elements can be arranged on one or two sides of the separating elements and extend accordingly in the direction of one or two adjacent separating elements. Alternatively or additionally, individual closure elements can extend from the separating elements in the direction of two further, adjacent separating elements. The closures of the inlet openings can already be formed by a closure element of one separating element. Alternatively, the closures of the inlet openings can be formed by closure elements of both adjacent separating elements. The separating elements can, for example, form a T-shape with their closure elements if the closure elements extend in both directions to adjacent separating elements, or an L-shape if a closure element extends in directions to an adjacent separating element.Depending on the design of the separating elements with the closing elements, it may be sufficient if only every second separating element is designed with closing elements in order to achieve a reliable closure of the inlet opening.

[0036] In an advantageous embodiment, the closure elements are designed as thickening elements which form a thickening, in particular a spherical thickening, of the separating elements in the region of the inlet openings, which narrows the inlet openings, or the closure elements are designed as hook or rod elements which extend from the separating elements in the region of the inlet openings and form an at least partial closure of the inlet openings. The rod elements extend essentially transversely to the separating elements, i.e. at an angle of 90°. The hook elements extend in a similar way to the rod elements, but at an angle of less than 90° to the separating elements. This facilitates the insertion of the line sections of the electrical lines into the individual receiving areas, in that the line section can be inserted along the respective hook element.At the same time, unintentional removal of the line sections from the receiving areas is reliably prevented. When the separating element is designed with one hook element, the entire separating element has a hook shape. When the separating element is designed with two hook elements arranged in the direction of the two adjacent separating elements, the entire separating element has an arrow shape. The thickening elements can, in principle, have any shape to close the inlet openings, for example, a bulbous shape, a circular shape, a spherical shape, an elliptical shape, or even an irregular shape.

[0037] In an advantageous embodiment, the separating elements are designed as flexible or elastic separating elements and / or the closing elements are designed as flexible or elastic closing elements. This embodiment facilitates the insertion of the line sections of the electrical cables into the individual receiving areas as well as the removal of the line sections therefrom. Due to the flexible or elastic design of the separating elements and / or the closing elements, for example, the inlet opening can normally be closed in order to reliably hold the corresponding line section, i.e. the inlet opening is smaller than a cross-section of the respective line section. By deforming the separating elements and / or the closing elements, the inlet opening can then be opened in order to insert the line section into the respective receiving area or to remove the line section, i.e.The inlet opening has at least the dimensions of the cable section. The deformation is preferably achieved by inserting the cable section into the respective receiving area. The flexible or elastic design of the separating elements and / or the closure elements also allows for the cable sections to be easily clipped onto the cable positioner.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment, the cable positioner comprises a base body and a holding part, wherein the holding part is pivotable between a fixing position in which the line sections are fixed in the cable positioner, and an open position in which the line sections can be positioned in the cable positioner and / or removed from the cable positioner. This embodiment of the cable positioner enables easy fixing of the line sections. After pivoting the holding part, the line sections can be reliably held. Corresponding locking elements are preferably formed on the holding part and the base body in order to hold the holding part and the base body firmly together in the fixing position and to prevent unintentional opening of the holding part.The cable sections can be pressed against the base body with the holding part, so that the cables are secured together in their fixed arrangement by force-fitting. Alternatively or additionally, receiving areas can be formed between the base body and the holding part in the securing position, so that the cables are secured together in their fixed arrangement by form-fitting. For this purpose, separating elements can be formed on the base body and / or on the holding part, between which the receiving areas are formed. The cable positioner with the holding part that can be pivoted relative to the base body is a type of "clip."

[0039] In a preferred embodiment, the cable positioner has a base body and a holding part, wherein the holding part can be attached to the base body in a fixing position in which the line sections are fixed in the cable positioner. The holding part is therefore a separate component from the base body. The attachment of the holding part is preferably reversible, i.e. the holding part can be removed again from the fixing position. This embodiment of the cable positioner also enables the line sections to be easily fixed. Once the holding part has been attached, the line sections can be reliably held. Corresponding locking elements are preferably formed on the holding part and the base body in order to hold the holding part and the base body firmly together in the fixing position and to prevent unintentional release of the holding part.The cable sections can be pressed against the base body with the retaining part, so that the cables are secured together in their fixed arrangement by force-fitting. Alternatively or additionally, receiving areas can be formed between the base body and the retaining part in the securing position, so that the cables are secured together in their fixed arrangement by form-fitting. For this purpose, separating elements can be formed on the base body and / or the retaining part, between which the receiving areas are formed.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment, the receiving areas are designed as closed passages for inserting the cable ends and holding the cable sections. The receiving areas are preferably formed as annular through-openings, whereby the through-openings can in principle have any desired shape. The electrical cables are inserted into the passages in the axial direction. Preferably, a cross-section of the ring elements is smaller than the cross-sections of the cable ends, for example, the cross-sections of connecting elements or plug contacts attached thereto, but larger than the cross-sections of the cable sections of the electrical cables. Due to their closed shape, the passages enable a particularly reliable arrangement of the cable sections.If, after the cable sections have been inserted into the respective receiving areas, connecting elements or plug contacts are attached to the cable ends and the connecting elements or plug contacts have a cross-section that is larger than the cross-section of the openings, the electrical cables can be held captively.

[0041] Multiple rows with individual receiving areas can be arranged one above the other, allowing the cable positioner to hold a large number of cable sections despite being short. The design of the cable positioner with multiple rows of receiving areas preferably corresponds to the arrangement of the electrical cables on the connection device, for example an I / O connection field. The offset arrangement of the receiving areas means that the receiving areas of adjacent rows are shifted relative to one another in the longitudinal direction of the rows. For example, a receiving area in one row can be arranged in correspondence with an intermediate area between two receiving areas in an adjacent row, allowing a compact arrangement of the receiving areas.

[0042] In a preferred embodiment, the cable positioner has at least one flexible region, which is designed in particular as a hinge region, or the cable positioner is designed entirely as a flexible component. This allows for flexible handling of the cable positioner. The cable positioner can thus be designed, for example, to be foldable or rollable. This facilitates transport and installation of the cable positioner. The hinge region is preferably designed as a film hinge. Cable positioners can be provided with a large number of individual receiving regions, parts of which can be separated as independent cable positioners. Preferably, the cable positioner is provided, for example, as a quasi-endless plastic band, for example as a roll, in order to be able to separate individual cable positioners with a desired number of receiving regions from it.The cable positioner can be made, for example, from plastic, in particular by injection molding, or from a metal sheet, for example by stamping.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment, the cable positioner has at least one labeling surface for at least partially labeling the common, fixed arrangement of the force- and / or form-fitting electrical cables. Preferably, the cable positioner comprises several labeling surfaces. Further preferably, each labeling surface is assigned to at least one of the receiving areas. The labeling surfaces enable labeling of the electrical cables received or to be received, or of the receiving areas assigned to these cables. A complex and unreliable application of labels to the electrical cables themselves can be eliminated. The labeling surfaces can also merge with one another and be used for the joint labeling of one or more electrical cables or of the receiving areas assigned to these cables.In principle, a single labeling surface or marking is sufficient to determine the arrangement of the electrical cables relative to the connection device.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment, the cable positioner has at least one connecting element for connection to at least one corresponding connecting element of another cable positioner. Thus, in principle, cable positioners of any size can be formed in order to jointly secure any number of electrical lines. Preferably, the cable positioners are each provided with a connecting element on both sides for connection to a corresponding connecting element of another cable positioner, so that only one type of cable positioner needs to be kept on hand.

[0045] In a preferred embodiment, the cable positioner has at least one fastening element for attachment, in particular, to one of the electrical devices. The fastening element can, for example, be a through-hole for screw mounting of the cable positioner or a hook for hanging the cable positioner.

[0046] In a preferred embodiment, the cable positioner is designed for detachable connection to the connection device. The cable positioner can remain on the cable sections, for example, when replacing the connection device, allowing the cable ends to be easily connected to a replaced connection unit. The cables are thus always correctly positioned.

[0047] In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises an additional step for removing the cable sections of the electrical cables from the state defined by the cable positioner. This allows the cable positioner to be used elsewhere after use, for example, to replace the connection device.

[0048] Further advantages, details, and features of the invention will become apparent from the following exemplary embodiments. In particular, they show: Fig. 1: a schematic representation of a cable positioner according to the invention for jointly fixing a plurality of electrical lines according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2: a schematic representation of a cable positioner according to the invention for jointly fixing a plurality of electrical lines according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3: a schematic representation of a cable positioner according to the invention for jointly fixing a plurality of electrical lines according to a third embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 4: a schematic representation of a cable positioner according to the invention for jointly fixing a plurality of electrical lines according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 5: a schematic representation of a cable positioner according to the invention for jointly fixing a plurality of electrical lines according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 6: a schematic representation of a cable positioner according to the invention for jointly fixing a plurality of electrical lines according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 7: a schematic representation of a cable positioner according to the invention for jointly fixing a plurality of electrical lines according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 8: a schematic representation of an electrical device with a connection device and a plurality of electrical lines connected to the connection device, in a view obliquely from above; Fig. 9: a representation of the connection device and the plurality of electrical lines in accordance with Fig. 8, whereby the electrical cables are connected to the cable positioner from Fig. 7 are jointly determined, in a plan view; and Fig. 10: a schematic representation of the connection device and the plurality of electrical lines in accordance with Fig. 8, whereby the electrical cables are connected to the cable positioner from Fig. 7 are jointly determined and separate from the connection device.

[0049] In the following description, identical reference numerals designate identical components or identical features, so that a description given with reference to one figure regarding a component also applies to the other figures, thus avoiding repetitive description. Furthermore, individual features described in connection with one embodiment can also be used separately in other embodiments.

[0050] Fig. Figure 1 shows a cable positioner 10 for jointly securing a plurality of electrical lines 12 according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. The electrical lines 12 are designed as individual electrical lines 12, which, for example, transmit a single electrical potential. Alternatively, an electrical cable comprises a plurality of individual wires that are used individually as electrical lines 12.

[0051] The cable positioner 10 of the first embodiment comprises a base body 14 from which a plurality of separating elements 16 extend. The separating elements 16 are arranged at a distance from one another and extend parallel to one another. This results in a comb-like configuration of the cable positioner 10, with the separating elements 16 forming the teeth of the comb.

[0052] The cable positioner 10 comprises a plurality of individual receiving areas 18, each for receiving a line section 20 of the electrical lines 12, in order to collect the lines 12 in an orderly manner. Various types of electrical lines 12 can be accommodated in the receiving areas 18. This particularly applies to electrical lines 12 with different cross-sections.

[0053] The receiving areas 18 are designed as passages between the separating elements 16. They each have an inlet opening 22 formed between the ends of adjacent separating elements 16 facing away from the base body 14. The receiving areas 18 are arranged in a row at a distance from one another and have a rectangular shape.

[0054] The separating elements 16 have closure elements 24 at their ends facing away from the base body 14, which form closures for the inlet openings 22. In this exemplary embodiment, the closure elements 24 are designed as thickening elements that form a rectangular projection on the separating elements 16 in the region of the inlet openings 22.

[0055] In this exemplary embodiment, a closure element 24 is arranged on each side of the separating elements 16, so that a closure element 24 extends from each separating element 16 toward each adjacent separating element 16. Accordingly, the closures of the inlet openings 22 are jointly formed by the two closure elements 24 of both adjacent separating elements 16, which extend toward the respective receiving area 18. In this exemplary embodiment, each separating element 16, together with its closure elements 24, has a T-shape.

[0056] In this exemplary embodiment, the separating elements 16, together with the closure elements 24, are designed to be elastically deformable. As a result, the inlet opening 22 is normally closed to hold the corresponding line section 20, i.e., the inlet opening 22 is smaller than the respective line section 20. Through elastic deformation of the separating elements 16 with the closure elements 24, the inlet opening 22 is released to allow the line section 20 to be inserted into or removed from the respective receiving area 18.

[0057] Furthermore, the cable positioner 10 is designed as a flexible component, which in this embodiment is made of plastic or sheet metal. The cable positioner 10 is provided as a virtually endless belt, from which individual cable positioners 10 with a desired number of receiving areas 18 can be separated.

[0058] Fig. Figure 2 shows a cable positioner 10 for jointly securing a plurality of electrical lines 12 according to a second embodiment. The cable positioner 10 of the second embodiment is based on the cable positioner 10 of the first embodiment, so only differences between the cable positioners 10 of the first and second embodiments will be described below. Details not specified regarding the cable positioner 10 of the second embodiment correspond to those of the first embodiment in case of doubt.

[0059] In addition to the cable positioner 10 of the first embodiment, the cable positioner 10 of the second embodiment comprises a plurality of labeling surfaces 26. The labeling surfaces 26 are each assigned to one or more of the receiving areas 18. As shown in Fig. 2, the labeling surfaces 26 are formed on an upper side of the cable positioner 10 and serve for the joint labeling of several receiving areas 18.

[0060] Fig. 3 shows a cable positioner 10 for jointly securing a plurality of electrical lines 12 according to a third embodiment. The cable positioner 10 of the third embodiment is based on the cable positioner 10 of the first embodiment, so only differences between the cable positioners 10 of the first and third embodiments will be described below. Details not specified regarding the cable positioner 10 of the third embodiment correspond to those of the first embodiment in case of doubt.

[0061] The cable positioners 10 of the first and third embodiments differ in the design of the closure elements 24. In contrast to the separating elements 16 of the first embodiment, the separating elements 16 of the cable positioner of the third embodiment each have a closure element 24 at their ends facing away from the base body 14, which closure element is designed as a spherical thickening element and extends from the respective separating element 16 toward each adjacent separating element 16. Accordingly, according to the third embodiment, the closures of the inlet openings 22 are also formed jointly by the closure elements 24 of both adjacent separating elements 16.

[0062] Fig. 4 shows a cable positioner 10 for jointly securing a plurality of electrical lines 12 according to a fourth embodiment. The cable positioner 10 of the fourth embodiment is based on the cable positioner 10 of the first embodiment, so only differences between the cable positioners 10 of the first and fourth embodiments will be described below. Details not specified regarding the cable positioner 10 of the fourth embodiment correspond to those of the first embodiment in case of doubt.

[0063] The cable positioners 10 of the first and fourth embodiments differ in the design of the closure elements 24. In contrast to the separating elements 16 of the first embodiment, the separating elements 16 of the cable positioner of the fourth embodiment each have two closure elements 24 at their ends facing away from the base body 14. The closure elements 24 each extend in the direction of an adjacent separating element 16. Accordingly, according to the fourth embodiment, the closures of the inlet openings 22 are also formed jointly by the closure elements 24 of both adjacent separating elements 16.

[0064] The closure elements 24 of the fourth embodiment are designed as hook elements that extend at an angle of less than 90° to the separating elements 16. In this embodiment of the separating element 16 with two hook elements arranged in the direction of both adjacent separating elements 16, the separating element 16 has an overall arrow shape.

[0065] Fig. 5 shows a cable positioner 10 for jointly securing a plurality of electrical lines 12 according to a fifth embodiment. The cable positioner 10 of the fifth embodiment is based on the cable positioner 10 of the first embodiment, so only differences between the cable positioners 10 of the first and fifth embodiments will be described below. Details not specified regarding the cable positioner 10 of the fifth embodiment correspond to those of the first embodiment in case of doubt.

[0066] The cable positioners 10 of the first and fifth embodiments differ in the design of the closure elements 24. In contrast to the separating elements 16 of the first embodiment, the separating elements 16 of the cable positioner of the fifth embodiment each have a closure element 24 at their ends facing away from the base body 14. The closure elements 24 extend from the respective separating element 16 toward an adjacent separating element 16. Accordingly, the closures of the inlet openings 22 according to the fifth embodiment are each formed by a closure element 24.

[0067] The closure elements 24 of the fifth embodiment are designed as hook elements that extend at an angle of less than 90° to the respective separating elements 16. In this embodiment of the separating elements 16, each with a hook element, the separating element 16 has a hook shape as a whole, as shown in Fig. 5 is shown.

[0068] In the Fig. In the cable positioners 10 of the first to fifth embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 5, the electrical cables 12 with their cable sections 20 are inserted into the receiving areas 18 via the inlet opening 22, wherein the separating elements 16 deform elastically to release the insertion opening 22 for the insertion of the respective cable section 20. In this case, the cable ends 30 of the electrical cables 12 are spaced apart from the cable positioner 10 in their fixed state. The electrical cables 12 are in the positions shown in the Fig. 1 to 5 shown cable positioners 10 of the first to fifth embodiments are fixed together in a fixed arrangement in a form-fitting manner.

[0069] Fig. 6 shows a cable positioner 10 for jointly securing a plurality of electrical lines 12 according to a sixth embodiment. The cable positioner 10 of the sixth embodiment is based on the cable positioner 10 of the first embodiment, so that the following essentially describes the differences between the cable positioners 10 of the first and sixth embodiments. Details of the cable positioner 10 of the sixth embodiment that are not specified correspond to those of the first embodiment.

[0070] The cable positioner 10 of the sixth embodiment comprises a base body 14 on which a plurality of individual receiving areas 18 are arranged, each for receiving a line section 20 of electrical lines 12. The receiving areas 18 of the sixth embodiment are designed as closed passages 28 for inserting the line ends 30 and for holding the line sections 20 of the electrical lines 12. This allows the lines 12 to be secured in an orderly manner in the cable positioner 10 of the sixth embodiment. The securing takes place here in a form-fitting manner.

[0071] The receiving areas 18 are arranged in two parallel rows at a distance from each other. Furthermore, the receiving areas 18 of the two rows are offset from each other. Accordingly, the receiving areas 18 of adjacent rows are offset from each other in the longitudinal direction of the rows. Thus, a receiving area 18 of one row is arranged in correspondence with an intermediate area between two receiving areas 18 of an adjacent row.

[0072] The electrical lines 12 are inserted into the passages 28 in the axial direction, wherein a cross section of the ring elements 28 is smaller than cross sections of line ends 30, for example cross sections of connecting elements or plug contacts attached thereto, but larger than cross sections of the line sections 20 of the electrical lines 12.

[0073] Fig. 7 shows a cable positioner 10 for jointly securing a plurality of electrical lines 12 according to a seventh embodiment. The cable positioner 10 of the seventh embodiment is based on the cable positioner 10 of the first embodiment, so that the following essentially describes the differences between the cable positioners 10 of the first and seventh embodiments. Details of the cable positioner 10 of the seventh embodiment that are not specified correspond to those of the first embodiment.

[0074] The cable positioner 10 of the seventh embodiment comprises a base body 14 and a holding part 32. The holding part 32 is pivotally connected to the base body 14 via a hinge 34. The hinge 34 is embodied here, for example, as a film hinge. The holding part 32 is pivotable between a fixed position, in which it partially rests against the base body 14, and an open position, in which the holding part 32 protrudes from the base body 14.

[0075] Furthermore, corresponding locking elements 36, 38 are formed on the holding part 32 and the base body 14 to firmly hold the holding part 32 and the base body 14 together in the closed position. The locking elements 36, 38 comprise an opening 36 formed on the holding part 32 and a locking lug 38 formed on the base body 14 and adapted to engage the opening 36 to lock the cable positioner 10 as a whole.

[0076] When the holding part 32 is pivoted toward the base body 14, the received cable sections 20 of the electrical cables 12 are clamped between the base body 14 and the holding part 32 and thus held in a force-locking manner. This corresponds to the fastening position. As a result, the electrical cables 12 are secured in a force-locking manner between the base body 14 and the holding part 32.

[0077] In an alternative embodiment, the cable positioner 10 comprises a plurality of individual receiving areas 18, which, in the closed position, are formed as passages between the base body 14 and the holding part 32. Separating elements 16 are formed on the base body 14 and / or the holding part 32 between the base body 14 and the holding part 32 in a manner not shown here. The receiving areas 18 are formed between the separating elements 16. This enables a purely form-fitting fastening of the cables 12 in the cable positioner 10, or a form-fitting and force-fitting fastening.

[0078] The above-described cable positioners 10 of the first to seventh embodiments can receive and secure line sections 20 of electrical lines 12 in an orderly manner, wherein the securing takes place in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner depending on the design of the cable positioner 10. This is particularly advantageous for the orderly separation of the line ends 30 of electrical lines 12 connected to a connection device 40 of an electrical device 39 and for the subsequent connection of the line ends 30 to the connection device 40, as will be described below with reference to Fig. 8 to 10. In the Fig. Figures 8 to 10 show the cable positioner 10 of the seventh embodiment by way of example. This is interchangeable with any of the cable positioners 10 of the first to sixth embodiments.

[0079] In the Fig. Figures 8 to 10 show the electrical device 39 with its connection device 40. The electrical device 39 may be an electrical device, a terminal block, a printed circuit board connector, or the like. The electrical device 39 may, for example, be part of an I / O system. The connection device 40 has an arrangement of its electrical contacts or terminals for connection to the cable ends 20 in a row in accordance with the arrangement of the receiving areas 18 of the cable positioner 10.

[0080] Fig. Figure 8 shows the connection device 40 with a plurality of electrical lines 12, the ends 30 of which are connected to the connection device 40. The electrical lines 12 are loose and thus unsorted.

[0081] Based on this, the cable sections 20 of the electrical cables 12 are received and fixed in the receiving areas 18 of the cable positioner 10 according to their connection to the connection device 40, as shown in Fig. 9. The line sections 20 of the electrical lines 12 are kept spaced apart from the line ends 30.

[0082] Subsequently, the cable ends 30 are separated from the connection device 40 of the electrical device 39 in their collected and ordered state in the cable positioner 10, as shown in Fig. 10. This allows, for example, the electrical device 39 with the connection device 40 to be replaced with another electrical device 39 with a corresponding connection device 40.

[0083] Now the cable ends 20 are connected to the connection device 40 of the electrical device 39 in their state fixed in the cable positioner 10 according to their arrangement in the cable positioner 10. The Fig. 9 shown state is restored.

[0084] The cable positioner 10 can, in principle, be left in place so that the electrical lines 12 continue to be held in an orderly manner. Alternatively, the method comprises an additional step for removing the line sections 20 of the electrical lines 12 from the receiving areas 18 of the cable positioner 10. Fig. 8 is reached. In this state, the cable positioner 10 is separated from the electrical lines 12 and can be reused at any other location as previously described.

[0085] In an alternative embodiment not shown here, the cable positioner 10 is connected to the electrical device 39. The connection can be released, for example, when replacing the electrical device 39 with the associated connection device 40, with the electrical lines 12 remaining fixed in their position in the cable positioner 10. List of reference symbols 10 Device 12 electrical cables 14 basic bodies 16 Separator 18 Recording area 20 line sections 22 Inlet opening 24 locking element 26 labeling area 28 ring element 30 End of line 32 Holding part 34 Hinge 36 Locking element, opening 38 Locking element, locking lug 39 electrical equipment 40 Connection device

Claims

[1] Cable positioner (10) for jointly fixing a plurality of electrical lines (12) between a plurality of electrical devices (39) independently of their connection to the electrical devices (39), in particular for the orderly separation of line ends (30) of the electrical lines (12) from a connection device (40) of one of the electrical devices (39) and for the subsequent connection of the ordered line ends (30) to the connection device (40), further in particular for use in a switch cabinet, wherein the cable positioner (10) is designed to jointly receive a cable section (20) of the electrical cables (12) spaced apart from the respective cable end (30) in order to jointly fix the cables (12) in a fixed arrangement in a force-fitting and / or form-fitting manner, the cable ends (30) are spaced apart from the cable positioner (10) in a state determined therefrom, the cable positioner (10) has a plurality of individual receiving areas (18) for the individual reception of one of the cable sections (20), and the plurality of receiving areas (18) are arranged in a plurality of parallel rows, wherein the receiving areas (18) of adjacent rows are arranged offset from one another. [2] Cable positioner (10) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the cable positioner (10) has a base body (14) from which a plurality of separating elements (16) extend, the receiving areas (18) are designed as passages between the separating elements (16), and the receiving areas (18) each have an inlet opening (22) which is formed between ends of adjacent separating elements (16) facing away from the base body (14). [3] Cable positioner (10) according to claim 2, characterized bythat at least one of the separating elements (16), preferably at least every second of the separating elements (16), has / have at least one closure element (24) at its end(s) facing away from the base body (14), wherein the at least one closure element (24) forms a closure of at least one of the inlet openings (22). [4] Cable positioner (10) according to claim 3, characterized by , that the closure elements (24) are designed as thickening elements which form a thickening, in particular a spherical thickening, of the separating elements (16) in the region of the inlet openings (22), which narrow the inlet openings (22), or the closure elements (24) are designed as hook or rod elements which extend from the separating elements (16) in the region of the inlet openings (22) and form an at least partial closure of the inlet openings (22). [5] Cable positioner (10) according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized by that the separating elements (16) are designed as flexible or elastic separating elements (16) and / or the closing elements (24) are designed as flexible or elastic closing elements (24). [6] Cable positioner (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by in that the cable positioner (10) has a base body (14) and a holding part (32), wherein the holding part (32) is pivotable between a fixing position in which the line sections (20) are fixed in the cable positioner (10) and an open position in which the line sections (20) can be positioned in the cable positioner (10) and / or removed from the cable positioner (10). [7] Cable positioner (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized byin that the cable positioner (10) has a base body (14) and a holding part (32), wherein the holding part (32) can be attached to the base body (14) in a fixing position in which the line sections (20) are fixed in the cable positioner (10). [8] Cable positioner (10) according to one of the preceding claims 1 or 5 to 7, characterized by that the receiving areas (18) are designed as closed passages (28) for inserting the line ends (30) and holding the line sections (20). [9] Cable positioner (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the cable positioner (10) has at least one flexible region, which is designed in particular as a hinge region, or the cable positioner (10) is designed as a flexible component. [10] Cable positioner (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the cable positioner (10) has at least one labeling surface (26) in order to at least partially label the common, fixed arrangement of the force- and / or form-locking electrical lines (12). [11] Cable positioner (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the cable positioner (10) has at least one connecting element for connection to at least one corresponding connecting element of another cable positioner (10). [12] Cable positioner (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the cable positioner (10) has at least one fastening element for attachment in particular to one of the electrical devices (39). [13] Arrangement with a plurality of electrical devices (39), in particular in a switch cabinet, which are connected to one another via a plurality of electrical lines (12), and at least one cable positioner (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least some of the electrical lines (12) are fixed to the cable positioner (10) in a force-fitting and / or form-fitting manner. [14] A method for jointly securing a plurality of electrical lines (12) between a plurality of electrical devices (39), regardless of their connection to the electrical devices (39), in particular for an existing installation of a plurality of electrical devices (39) and a plurality of electrical lines (12) between the electrical devices (39), wherein a plurality of line sections (20) spaced apart from the respective line end (30) are jointly secured in a fixed arrangement in a force-fitting and / or form-fitting manner, wherein the line ends (30) of the line sections (20) jointly secured in the fixed arrangement in a force-fitting and / or form-fitting manner are spaced apart from these line sections (20), wherein the line sections (20) are each individually received in a plurality of individual receiving areas (18), and the plurality of receiving areas (18) are arranged in a plurality of parallel rows,wherein the receiving areas (18) of adjacent rows are arranged offset from one another., [15] Method for the orderly separation of line ends (30) of a plurality of electrical lines (12) from a connection device (40) of an electrical device (39) and for the subsequent connection of the line ends (30) to the connection device (40) with a cable positioner (10) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 12, comprising the steps Fixing line sections (20) of the electrical lines (12) with the cable positioner (10) according to their connection to the connection device (40), wherein the line ends (30) are spaced from the cable positioner (10) in a state fixed thereto, Separating the cable ends (30) from the connecting device (40) in their state fixed in the cable positioner (10), and Connecting the cable ends (30) to the connecting device (40) in their state fixed in the cable positioner (10) according to their arrangement in the cable positioner (10). [16] Method according to claim 15, characterized by that the method comprises an additional step for removing the line sections (20) of the electrical lines (12) from the state fixed by the cable positioner (10).

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