DEVICE FOR RECORDING A CABLE HARNESS

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for receiving an elongated element according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention further relates to a system consisting of a device and a cable harness.

[0002] Devices for holding a cable harness are known in the prior art. They typically comprise an enclosure into which the cable harness is enclosed and a cover. The enclosure is usually a housing. The cover is closed to the housing by means of a fastener. The fastener consists of a receptacle and an insert designed to be inserted into the receptacle to close the fastener. The receptacle is connected to the housing, and the insert is connected to the cover. The receptacle in the prior art is shaped similarly to a ring segment, which is connected to the housing at both ends. In devices for holding a cable harness, the receptacle and the housing are usually made of plastic and are cast in one piece. In this process, the casting material first flows into the mold for the housing and then into the mold for the ring-segment-shaped receptacle.The casting material penetrates the mold for the receiving element through both ends, with the resulting partial flows meeting approximately in the middle of the mold. At this point, a weld line forms in the finished receiving element, making it particularly susceptible to breakage. This is especially disadvantageous because receiving elements are sometimes subjected to high operating forces. Conventional devices for receiving cable strands cannot guarantee a secure closure under such conditions. In addition to high operating forces, low temperatures also significantly increase the risk of breakage in devices known from the prior art. In contrast, the device according to the invention has been shown to ensure a more secure closure than comparable conventional devices, even at low temperatures.

[0003] US 2016 040 822 is designed to protect hoses secured in a device from a moving object impacting the device by means of a hook element extending from the device. The device comprises a housing having an outer surface and a passage. The passage is configured to receive the hose and extends from a first end to a second end of the housing. The hook element extends from the outer surface of the housing and is configured to engage the moving object to protect a section of hose.

[0004] US patent 2017 331 263 A1 discloses a protective device. The protective device comprises a first protective part for a curved section, which protects a horizontally bent first bent part of a wire group; a second protective part for a curved section, which protects a downwardly bent second bent part; a first cover part; a second cover part; and a first locking part, wherein the first cover part is integrally connected with the first protective part for the curved section and is closed and locked, and the second cover part is integrally formed with the first cover part and develops on the same plane as it, and is bent downward and is closed and locked after the first cover part is closed, and the second cover part is equipped with a second locking part.

[0005] The object of the present invention is therefore to propose a device for receiving elongated elements or a combination of elongated elements that ensures a more reliable closure of the casing and lid.

[0006] This problem is solved by the device according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are contained in the dependent claims.

[0007] The basic idea of ​​the invention is to design the shape of the receptacle differently compared to the shapes of receptacles in the prior art, and thereby, in particular, to depart from the ring segment shape, which has proven to be prone to breakage in cast receptacles. Since the receptacle has a web that is connected to the casing only at its first end and extends away from the casing towards the second end, the casting material flows into the mold of the receptacle only at one end during casting. Furthermore, since the receptacle has two side segments, each connected to the web at one end, extending away from the web towards the other end, and extending in different directions, the flow of the casting material branches off in two different directions, and the two partial flows do not meet at another point, but rather terminate in the molds for the respective side segments.This prevents the formation of a binding seam and thus eliminates the associated risk of breakage.

[0008] Surprisingly, it has also been shown that the device according to the invention can withstand higher loads than comparable devices with known receptacles and inserts, without the closure of the lid and casing being unintentionally released. The closure of the device according to the invention is particularly effective in counteracting torsional forces, which in comparable devices from the prior art can cause the lock to spring open. The invention utilizes the fact that torsion is caused by two opposing torques and proposes the use of two detent elements such that at least one of the two remains engaged when the device is torsioned, thus ensuring that the entire closure remains securely in place.

[0009] The secure closure allows the enclosure to be compactly filled with cables. Even when the enclosure is so densely filled that the cables press against the lid from the inside when closed, it can be more reliably ensured, compared to similar prior art devices, that the lid will not open unintentionally. This allows for a space-saving device and results in material savings. In particular, it has been shown that the enclosure remains securely closed when used to hold cable bundles subjected to high torsional forces.

[0010] The high holding forces are also due to the fact that the insert has two sections, each with a locking element. The device is designed such that the insert can be slid into the holding piece, with the web then located between the sections and the locking element preventing the insert from being pushed out when the insert is pushed in until each locking element has passed a side section.

[0011] In addition to its reliable closure, the locking mechanism between the novel receptacle and the insert has also proven to require less assembly force than conventional closures. Furthermore, assembly is simple and requires only basic tools. This results in reduced labor and time, and therefore lower costs.

[0012] For the purposes of this invention, the term "enclosure" refers to a device that encloses a space from the outside, allowing the space to be filled with objects and thus enabling the device to be used for storing items. The phrase "encloses from the outside" means that at least one opening remains, which can be closed by the lid. This phrase also includes cases where multiple openings are provided.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the enclosure is a housing. The housing serves in particular to accommodate an elongated element or a combination of elongated elements. However, the enclosure, especially the housing, can also be configured to accommodate items other than elongated elements, or items other than elongated elements.

[0014] An elongated element can be, for example, a cable or a wire. A group of elongated elements can therefore be, for example, a cable bundle. A cable bundle typically comprises a bundle of cables, which may or may not be connected to each other.

[0015] The housing can, for example, consist of a base and two side walls that define an interior space for storing the cables. Furthermore, the housing can, for example, have a box shape or a half-tube shape. Other shapes known from the prior art are conceivable.

[0016] In many applications (e.g., in vehicles), the housing only contains a section of a cable harness, with the remainder of the harness outside the housing. For this application, the housing must have one or more openings to allow the unenclosed section of the cable harness to enter and exit, or to allow the housing to be placed over only this section. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the entire housing has no such openings.

[0017] In an alternative embodiment, the casing is a container for storing or transporting items. The container can, for example, be made of plastic and be suitable for storing food (especially food and beverages). A container could, for example, be a can.

[0018] For the purposes of this invention, the term "cover" refers to a means for covering the enclosure, wherein the means is removable from the enclosure (e.g., by opening or removing it), thus enabling the enclosure to be loaded with a cable harness. The covering can be complete or partial. The cover can, for example, be plate-shaped or semi-tubular. A U-shaped cover is also conceivable, which covers only a small portion of the enclosure but, when closed, prevents the cable harness from exiting the opening in the enclosure. In a preferred embodiment, the cover and enclosure are two separate pieces. Alternatively, they can also be formed as a single piece.

[0019] The web serves as a central section connected to the casing, and the side sections are connected to it. The web is connected to the casing at its first end and extends away from the casing to its second end. Preferably, the web is arranged orthogonally to the surface of the casing to which it is connected. Preferably, the receptacle has only a single web, which is connected to the casing at its first end and extends away from the casing to its second end, and to which the two side sections are each connected at their ends. Preferably, the two side sections are connected only to the single web, which is connected to the casing at its first end and extends away from the casing to its second end, and no other element is provided that connects the side sections to the casing.

[0020] The first end of the web is understood to be the part of the web that is connected to the covering. Preferably, the web is substantially cuboid, and more preferably, plate-shaped. For the purposes of the invention, a plate shape is understood to be a sub-shape of the cuboid shape in which the thickness is much smaller than the length and width. In the case of a cuboid or plate-shaped web, the first end is one side of the cuboid or plate.

[0021] The side sections are each connected to the web at one end and extend away from the web at the other end. They extend away from the web in different directions, preferably in substantially diametrically opposed directions. Particularly preferably, the side sections are connected to the web at the other end. The side sections and the web then form a T-arrangement (comparable to a T-joint in welding).

[0022] Preferably, the side sections are cuboid or plate-shaped, with the web also being particularly preferably cuboid or plate-shaped. Particularly preferably, in the T-arrangement, the side sections are designed as a single plate.

[0023] The lid has an insertion piece for insertion into the receptacle. The insertion piece can also be referred to as a locking hook. Preferably, the lid and the insertion piece are formed integrally, particularly preferably from a single casting, e.g., using plastic as the casting material. The insertion piece has an end on the lid side where it is connected to the lid. The insertion piece has an end away from the lid, which is designed to be inserted into the receptacle.

[0024] The connecting element between the insert and the receptacle contains the web between the sections. This creates a gap between the sections. This gap has an opening at the end furthest from the cover, allowing the web to be inserted and the sections to be pushed deep enough into the receptacle to lock into place.

[0025] The sections extend from the end closest to the lid to the end furthest from the lid. Preferably, the sections are essentially plate-shaped. Particularly preferably, they lie in a plane.

[0026] To ensure a secure connection between the insert and the receptacle, each section includes a locking element. The locking element prevents the insert from being pushed out when it is inserted until each locking element has passed a side section. As the insert is pushed into the receptacle, the locking element initially slides over the side sections. After passing the side sections, the locking elements then snap into place. The locking elements are preferably located at the end of the sections furthest from the cover. Examples of detent elements include a detent element, a detent spring, a detent hook, a latch.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, the receptacle and the casing are formed in one piece. They are particularly preferably manufactured by casting, with plastic being the preferred casting material. Unlike plastic receptacles in the prior art, receptacles manufactured from plastic according to the invention exhibit a significantly lower risk of breakage, which is primarily due to the absence of a weld line. The receptacle and the casing are particularly preferably manufactured by injection molding. Alternatively, the receptacle and the casing can be made of metal. In an alternative embodiment, the receptacle and the casing are manufactured by bending and stamping.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the locking elements are chamfered such that their width decreases in the insertion direction.

[0029] The invention also relates to a system with a device according to the invention and an elongated element or a combination of elongated elements or a section of an elongated element or a combination of elongated elements, which is arranged in the covering.

[0030] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to drawings that illustrate only one embodiment of the invention. These drawings show: Fig. 1 The device according to the invention in a perspective view in the closed state. Fig. 2 The device according to the invention in a perspective view in the open state.

[0031] Figure 1Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention for receiving a cable harness in a closed state. The device 1 comprises a casing, which in this case is a housing. The housing 6 has a receptacle 3 with a web 4. The receptacle and housing are formed in one piece and, in this example, are made of plastic by injection molding. The web 4 is connected to the housing 6 at its first end and extends away from the housing towards its second end. Furthermore, the receptacle 3 has two side sections 5a, 5b, each of which is connected to the web 4 at one end, extends away from the web 4 towards its other end, and extends in opposite directions. The side sections 5a, 5b of this embodiment are connected to the second end of the web 4 and extend in diametrically opposite directions.

[0032] The device 1 further comprises a cover 2, which has an insertion piece 7 for insertion into the receptacle 3. The insertion piece 7 has two subsections 8a, 8b, and each subsection in turn has a locking element, which in this example is a locking lug 9a, 9b. The device 1 is designed such that the insertion piece 7 can be inserted into the receptacle 3, with the web 4 then located between the subsections 8a, 8b. The locking lugs 9a, 9b then prevent the insertion piece 7 from being pushed out when the insertion piece is pushed in until each locking lug 9a, 9b has passed a side section 5a, 5b. In this exemplary embodiment, the locking lugs are chamfered such that their width decreases in the insertion direction.

[0033] Since the receptacle 3 has a web 4 that is connected to the housing 6 only at its first end and extends away from the housing 6 towards its second end, the liquid plastic flows into the mold of the receptacle 3 only through one end during injection molding. Furthermore, since the receptacle has two side segments 5a, 5b, each connected to the web 4 at one end, extending away from the web 4 towards the other end and in opposite directions, the flow of the molded material diverges in two different directions, and the two partial flows do not meet at another point but terminate in the molds for the respective side segments. This prevents the formation of a weld line and thus eliminates the associated risk of breakage. Moreover, such a device 1 exhibits particularly high strength and is easy to operate (connect and disconnect).Thick cable bundles can be effectively compressed into housing 6 in this way, without the risk of the lock springing open. This has the advantage of allowing for space-saving installation and reducing the installation effort compared to conventional locks, which in turn leads to significantly lower costs (especially with numerous installations).

[0034] Fig. 2 shows the device according to the invention Figure 1 , with the sole difference being that the device is in an open state.

Claims

1. Device (1) for accommodating an element, in particular for accommodating an elongate element or a composite of elongate elements, comprising an enclosure (6), characterised by a receptacle (3) having a web (4) which is connected at its first end to the enclosure (6) and extends away from the enclosure (6) towards the second end, two side sections (5a, 5b) which are each connected at one end to the web (4), extend away from the web (4) towards the other end and extend in different directions; a cover (2), having an insertion piece (7) for insertion into the receptacle (3), wherein the insertion piece (7) has two sub-sections (8a, 8b) and each sub-section has a locking element (9a, 9b); wherein the device (1) is designed such that the insertion piece (7) can be pushed into the receptacle (3), wherein the web (4) is then located between the sub-sections (8a, 8b), wherein the locking elements (9a, 9b) prevent the insertion piece (7) from being pushed out when the insertion piece (7) is pushed in until each locking element (9a, 9b) has passed a side section (5a, 5b).

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the enclosure is a housing or a container.

3. Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the side sections (5a, 5b) are connected to the second end of the web (4).

4. Device (1) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said side sections (5a, 5b) extend in diametrically different directions.

5. Device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the locking elements (9a, 9b) are chamfered in such a way that their width decreases in the insertion direction.

6. Device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the receptacle (3) is formed integrally with the enclosure (6).

7. Device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the receptacle (3) and the enclosure (6) are manufactured by moulding, in particular injection moulding.

8. Device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the receptacle (3) and the enclosure (6) are made by bending and punching.

9. Device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the receptacle (3) and the enclosure (6) are made of plastic.

10. Device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 6 or 8, wherein the receptacle (3) and the enclosure (6) are made of metal.

11. System having a device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 9 and an elongate element or a composite of elongate elements or a section of an elongate element or a composite of elongate elements arranged in the enclosure (6).