wiring duct

Abstract

Wiring duct made of only one plastic material with a U-shaped cross-section, having a base (1) and two side walls (2), wherein a cover (3) can be placed on the side walls (2), which has retaining profiles (31) that correspond to cover retaining profiles (23) that are arranged at the ends of the side walls (2) facing away from the base (1), characterized in that the retaining profiles (31) or the cover retaining profiles (23) have a notched structure (33).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a wiring duct made of only one plastic material with a U-shaped cross-section, which has a base and two side walls, wherein a cover can be placed on the side walls, which has retaining profiles that correspond to cover retaining profiles that are arranged at the ends of the side walls facing away from the base.

[0002] Wiring ducts are known in a variety of forms (see, for example, DE 298 01 353 U1). They are used, for example, in control cabinets, switchgear, control systems, etc. Wiring ducts within the meaning of the present invention also include installation and skirting ducts. These ducts serve to neatly route electrical cables and wires.

[0003] The channels are made of plastic. They have a U-shaped cross-section with a base and two side walls. The side walls of wiring channels are slotted, creating ribs. The channels are typically closed with a cover. For the cover's removable attachment, the side walls have retaining profiles at their ends furthest from the base, which correspond to retaining profiles on the cover itself.

[0004] The slots in the side walls of the wiring channels allow wires or cables to be inserted and removed. At the same time, the slotted design of the side walls provides a degree of flexibility, allowing them to flex when the cover is fitted to create a snap-fit ​​connection.

[0005] In cases where cables or wires with a cross-section larger than the width of the slots need to be inserted or removed, individual webs can be broken out. To facilitate this breaking, the webs can be provided with predetermined breaking points.

[0006] The known ducts meet the requirements placed upon them. However, there are known applications where the stability of the snap-fit ​​connection between the side walls and the cover is insufficient to reliably hold the cover in its predetermined position throughout its entire operating life. This can be the case, in particular, if the ducts are subject to strong vibrations or if the wiring ducts are installed vertically, e.g., in wind turbines.

[0007] To reduce the risk of the lid slipping, it is known from DE 20 2012 003 820 U1 to provide a positive-locking toothed connection between the side walls and the lid in the clamping area. While this counteracts slippage of the lid, the known design requires a high degree of manufacturing precision to ensure an accurate toothed fit.

[0008] Furthermore, to reduce the risk of the cover slipping, it is known to inject a non-slip plastic into the area of ​​the retaining profiles on the covers. While this design reduces the risk of the cover slipping, it has the disadvantage of increasing the production costs of such wiring ducts. Additionally, this design involves a two-component plastic part, which complicates the disposal or recycling of such wiring ducts.

[0009] Against this background, the invention aims to create a wiring duct that reduces the risk of the cover slipping and is made entirely of plastic. According to the invention, this objective is achieved by the features of claim 1.

[0010] The invention provides a wiring duct in which the risk of the cover slipping is reduced, even when the duct is vertically oriented, and which is manufactured from a single plastic material. This is achieved by reducing the contact area between the side walls and the cover, thereby increasing the surface pressure. Furthermore, since the wiring duct consists of only one plastic material, there are no increased manufacturing costs.

[0011] The retaining profiles have an advantageous feature: a locking edge on which the notch structure is arranged. This locking edge creates a narrow, protruding area that forms the contact point with the side walls. This design also prevents slippage.

[0012] In a further development of the invention, the groove structure is formed by adjacent recesses. These recesses can be easily incorporated during the injection molding process, so that no additional costs are incurred compared to wiring channels without a groove structure.

[0013] Preferably, the end facing the ribs of the area between two recesses forms a contact point with the locking recess. These contact points transmit the force or frictional connection to the side walls. Although the contact area between the side walls and the cover is reduced compared to wiring channels without a notch structure, it leads to the aforementioned increase in surface pressure and simultaneously provides a sufficiently large area to ensure a precise fit of the cover against the side walls.

[0014] Other embodiments and configurations of the invention are specified in the remaining dependent claims. An exemplary embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings and is described in detail below. The drawings show: Fig. 1. The three-dimensional representation of a wiring duct; Fig. 2 the section-by-section enlarged representation of the in Fig. 1. Wiring duct shown from a different perspective; Fig. 3 the section-by-section enlarged representation of the in Fig. 1. Wiring duct shown from another perspective; Fig. 4 the section-by-section enlarged representation of the in Fig. 1 shown wiring duct.

[0015] The wiring duct chosen as an example consists of only one type of plastic, which is preferably flame-retardant and dimensionally stable over a wide temperature range. In this example, the plastic is lead-free rigid PVC; other plastics are of course also suitable.

[0016] The wiring duct has a U-shaped cross-section and comprises a base 1 and two perpendicular side walls 2. The wiring duct can be closed with a cover 3.

[0017] In the exemplary embodiment, the base 1 is almost completely formed. It merely has holes 11 at regular intervals for the passage of fasteners (not shown) with which the wiring duct can be fastened in the respective application. Screws are typically used for fastening.

[0018] The side walls 2 have webs 21 between which slots 22 are formed. At the ends of the webs 21 facing away from the base 1, a lid retaining profile 23 is arranged. The lid retaining profile 23 has a hook-shaped cross-section, forming a locking recess 24. The locking recess 24 is completely flat at its base.

[0019] The cover 3 is flat and closed. On its longitudinal sides, the cover 3 has retaining profiles 31, which in the exemplary embodiment extend over the entire length of the cover 3. In the exemplary embodiment, the retaining profiles 31 have a V-shaped cross-section, forming a locking edge 32.

[0020] In the exemplary embodiment, the retaining profiles 31 each have a notch structure 33 for frictional connection with the side walls 2. In a modification of the exemplary embodiment, the notch structure can be formed in the locking recesses 24 of the cover retaining profiles 22 of the side walls 2. A notch structure within the meaning of the invention is any design that has a surface that is not continuously flat in the longitudinal direction of the retaining profiles 31 or the cover retaining profiles 23.

[0021] In the exemplary embodiment, the notch structure 33 is arranged on the locking edge 32. In this embodiment, it consists of adjacent recesses 331, which have a V-shaped cross-section. The recess 331 forms a step in the locking edge 32. The area between two recesses 331 has a substantially trapezoidal cross-section in the exemplary embodiment, with the end facing the webs 21 or the cover retaining profiles 23 forming a contact point 332 with the locking recess 24. In a variation of the exemplary embodiment, the notch structure 33 can also have a different shape, e.g., the contour of a spur-toothed rack or the like.

[0022] The retaining profiles 31 of the cover 3 correspond, in the assembled state, to the cover retaining profiles 23 of the side walls 2. The interaction of the cover retaining profiles 23 of the side walls 2 with the retaining profiles 31 of the cover 3 provides a snap-fit ​​or locking connection.

[0023] To create the connection, the cover 3 is placed onto the side walls 2 from above during assembly. When pressure is applied to the cover 3, the retaining profiles 31 press against the free ends of the cover retaining profiles 23. Due to the V-shaped design of the retaining profiles 31, the free ends of the cover retaining profiles 23 slide along the retaining profiles 31 and simultaneously yield to them due to the elasticity of the webs 21.

[0024] As soon as the locking edge 32 reaches the locking recesses 24, the webs 21 spring back, causing the locking edges 32 of the cover 3 to engage in the locking recesses 24 on the cover retaining profiles 23 of the webs 21. The webs 21 are slightly pre-tensioned in this position. The contact point 332 of the notch structure 33 is then in contact with the base of the locking recesses 24.

[0025] In the wiring duct according to the invention, the safety against slippage of the cover 3 is increased, for example, in the case of a vertical installation. This is achieved by providing the groove structure 33. Due to the recesses 331 formed in the locking edges 32 within the groove structure 33, the contact area between the locking edges 32 and the locking recesses 24 is reduced compared to locking edges without a groove structure. This results in increased surface pressure, leading to improved frictional engagement between the side walls and the cover.

[0026] This advantage also arises when the notch structure is implemented in the locking recesses of the side walls and the locking edge has a smooth surface. With such a design, the surface pressure is also increased, leading to improved frictional engagement. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 298 01 353 U1

[0002] DE 20 2012 003 820 U1

[0007]

Claims

[1] Wiring duct made of only one plastic material with a U-shaped cross-section, having a base (1) and two side walls (2), wherein a cover (3) can be placed on the side walls (2), the cover having retaining profiles (31) that correspond to cover retaining profiles (23) that are arranged at the ends of the side walls (2) facing away from the base (1), characterized by that the retaining profiles (31) or the cover retaining profiles (23) have a notch structure (33). [2] Wiring duct according to claim 1, characterized by that the retaining profiles (31) have a locking edge (32) on which the notch structure (33) is arranged. [3] Wiring duct according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the notch structure (33) is formed by adjacent depressions (331). [4] Wiring duct according to claim 3, characterized by , that the depressions (331) have a V-shaped cross-section. [5] Wiring duct according to claim 3 or 4, characterized by , that the area between two depressions (331) has an essentially trapezoidal cross-section. [6] Wiring duct according to claim 5, characterized by , that the end facing the ridges (21) of the area between two recesses (331) forms a contact point (332) with the ratchet recess (24).

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