ADJUSTABLE CABLE CLAMPING DEVICE

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for clamping and securing cables (5) to a support (3), said device comprising a base (2) for mounting on the support and a flange (1) having a first assembly member cooperating with a second assembly member carried by said base, the base (2) and the flange (1) defining between them a housing (10) for at least one cable, characterized in that the first and second assembly members cooperate by snap-fitting, leaving an intermediate gap (10) between the cable (5) and the wall of its housing (10) so as to allow relative translational movement of the cable, and in that the flange (1) carries a locking member (4) for securing the cable in its housing after mounting the device on the support (3). Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: ADJUSTABLE CABLE CLAMPING DEVICE

[0001] The invention relates, in general, to the field of fixing cables to a support and is concerned, in particular, with a device providing adjustable clamping of a bundle of electrical cables.

[0002] There are already clamping devices such as staples, collars, ducts, etc. which are used to orient and guide electrical cables on a cable tray and fix them to a support.

[0003] These clamping devices are generally used in two ways. A first mode of use consists of positioning and fixing the device on the support or integrating it into this support, engaging the cable in the device and then clamping the cable by permanently locking the device. However, this mode of implementation involves a large number of manipulations and requires complex logistics, in particular, to bring the device to the edge of the assembly line while pulling lengths of cable.

[0004] According to another mode of use, the clamping device is previously mounted on the cable(s) without allowing them freedom of movement and then the assembly is fixed to a support. However, with this mode of implementation, it is not possible to adjust the length of the cable(s).

[0005] Furthermore, the prior mounting of the clamping device on the cables results in significant dispersions in position and orientation. However, these dispersions generate variations in cable length between the adjacent clamping zones. Thus, the length of the cable harness may turn out to be too short compared to the assembly plan, which then requires exerting traction on the cables to be able to fix them to their support, which is problematic for their integrity.

[0006] Conversely, the cable harness may have excess length between two clamping points, which leads to detrimental deformations of the cables and deviations in route from the assembly plan.

[0007] For large diameter cables, variations in cable length between the different clamping points are aggravating factors because these differences cannot be compensated for by the deformation capacity of these cables. Indeed, the flexibility of a cable is reduced as its diameter increases. Under these conditions, the assembly of the cable harness requires the application of additional forces and results in stressing the interfaces, in particular the electrical connectors.

[0008] Patent US9080698B2 describes a device for connecting two tubular conduits comprising a base and a flange which are articulated and can be folded onto each other, defining housings in which projecting clamping elements ensure the wedging of these conduits under stress. However, this device is intended for tubular conduits and not for bundles of cables which are more or less rigid depending on their diameter. Furthermore, this device does not allow the longitudinal position and orientation of the conduits to be adjusted, nor the clamping force exerted on these conduits, which is incompatible with an application to cables.

[0009] In this context, the invention therefore sought a technical solution intended to resolve the problems posed by current or known clamping means by proposing a device making it possible to avoid, at the same time, uncontrolled variations in the cable lengths between the clamping points and the multiplication of handling operations during cable harness assembly operations.

[0010] This object is achieved, according to the invention, by means of a device for clamping and fixing cables on a support, said device comprising a base intended to be mounted on the support and a flange provided with a first assembly member cooperating with a second assembly member carried by said base, the base and the flange delimiting between them a housing for at least one cable, characterized in that the first and second assembly members cooperate by snap-fastening, leaving an intermediate clearance between the cable and the wall of its housing so as to allow the relative movement of the cable in translation and in that the flange carries a member for locking the cable in its housing after mounting the device on the support.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment of the device of the invention, the support comprises a boss of truncated cone profile intended to be covered by the base and a flat base against which the base comes into abutment when locking the cable in its housing.

[0012] According to a specific embodiment variant, this boss comprises an axial bore into which the cable locking member is introduced and tightened.

[0013] Preferably, this boss carries lateral ribs for wedging the base.

[0014] According to another variant embodiment of the clamping device of the invention, the housing is delimited between facing inclined walls provided, respectively, in the clamp and in the base and the angle of inclination of which is determined as a function of the orientation chosen for mounting the cable.

[0015] According to an advantageous characteristic of the device of the invention, the flange carries lugs of different geometries at the front and at the rear intended to engage in cavities of complementary profiles provided at the front and at the rear of the base to ensure indexing and error-proofing of the assembly.

[0016] Preferably, the base is provided with internal pads on which the cable rests in the housing.

[0017] According to yet another variant embodiment of the clamping device of the invention, the clamp and the base are connected by a hinge.

[0018] Another variant embodiment of the device of the invention consists in that the flange and the base delimit at least two juxtaposed and parallel housings intended to receive a bundle of cables.

[0019] Another object of the invention is a motor vehicle comprising cable harnesses mounted on the body by means of a clamping device as defined above.

[0020] The combination of the flange, the base and the support making up the device of the invention makes it possible to group the cables and avoid tedious adjustments to their length and / or their orientation when mounting the harnesses on the vehicle. The final clamping of the cables is carried out quickly by tightening the locking member which is possibly attached to the flange.

[0021] Furthermore, thanks to the invention, it becomes possible to receive in the factory cable bundles on which the flange / base assembly is pre-assembled. This pre-assembly can, for example, be carried out at the cable supplier and allows the cables to be grouped together, thus facilitating logistics management.

[0022] All that remains for the assembly line operators is to adjust the length and orientation of the cables which are still free to move in their housing, to position the base on the support and then to clamp the cables by tightening the locking member pre-positioned on the clamp. The number of manipulations is thus significantly reduced while preserving the integrity of the cables, which ensures increased reliability and contributes to better quality.

[0023] Similarly, with the device of the invention, the removal of the cable bundles is facilitated during maintenance operations because the flange / base assembly remains attached to the cables and the risk of loss of the mounting elements is eliminated.

[0024] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge on reading the description which follows, with reference to the appended figures, for which:

[0025] [Fig. 1] is an exploded perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the clamping device according to the invention during the mounting of a cable on a support.

[0026] [Fig.2] is a partial cross-sectional view of the clamping device of the invention in the process of assembling a bundle of two cables, after introducing the cables into their housing, assembling the flange on the base and placing the base on the support.

[0027] [Fig.3] is a partial cross-sectional view of the clamping device of the [Fig.2] at the end of assembly, after clamping the two cables and tightening the locking device- rust on the support.

[0028] [Fig.4] is a perspective top view of one embodiment of the support suitable and intended to receive the flange / base assembly of the clamping device of the invention.

[0029] For clarity, identical or similar elements are identified by identical reference signs in the description and in the figures.

[0030] Naturally, the embodiment of the clamping device of the invention illustrated schematically by the figures presented above and described below, is given only as a non-limiting example. It is explicitly provided within the scope of the invention that different modes can be proposed and combined with each other to propose others.

[0031] The invention relates to the mounting of cable bundles on a support and is concerned, in particular, with a device intended to ensure the positioning and clamping of these cables on a predetermined path.

[0032] As illustrated by figures 1 and 2, this device generally comprises an assembly consisting of a flange 1 and a base 2 intended to be mounted on a support 3. The flange 1 and the base 2 are two separate parts which delimit between them a housing for at least one cable and here two housings 10 of cylindrical section which are juxtaposed and parallel to receive a bundle consisting of two cables 5. The invention also covers embodiments of the clamping device which can accommodate bundles comprising more than two cables.

[0033] The flange 1 carries a member 4 (figures 1 and 3) ensuring the locking of the cables 5 in their housing 10 final assembly of the device on the support 3. The flange 1 is provided with a first assembly member cooperating with a second assembly member carried by the base 2. In the embodiment illustrated by the figures, these assembly members cooperate here by snap-fastening. For this purpose, the first assembly member is formed of at least two tabs and here of four tabs 12 with turned-over edges projecting, on either side, on all sides of the flange 1. The second assembly member is formed of at least two and here of four cavities 21 arranged on the base 2 opposite the tabs 12.

[0034] According to a variant embodiment of the device of the invention, not shown, the flange 1 and the base 2 are connected by a hinge and the assembly members are then produced on only one side. If necessary, it is then possible to produce the flange 1 and the base 2 by injection molding a plastic material in the form of a single piece with a flexible hinge.

[0035] When assembling the flange 1 on the base 2, the tabs 12 are locked by elastic deformation in the lateral cavities 21 formed in the base 2. This snap-fastening is reversible in order to be able to proceed with the disassembly of the assembly and the possible separation of the cables 5 and is designed, according to the invention, so that an intermediate clearance 15 remains between the cables 5 and the walls of their housing 10, as illustrated by [Fig.2].

[0036] The clearance 15 which is here located in the base 2, allows the displacement in longitudinal translation of the cables 5 relative to the device, even when the flange 1 is snapped onto the base 2. This configuration makes it easier to adjust the length of the cables 5 between two fixing points of the bundle before their final clamping which is illustrated by [Fig.3].

[0037] In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 3 and 4, the support 3 comprises a boss 32 of truncated cone profile intended to be capped by the base 2 and a flat base 31 against which the base 2 abuts when the cables 5 ([Fig.3]) are clamped by tightening the locking member 4. The boss 32 comprises an axial bore 30 (possibly tapped) into which the locking member 4 is introduced and tightened, which is here formed of a screw. Preferably, the boss 32 carries lateral ribs 33 for wedging the base 2. If necessary, the locking member 4 will be permanently connected to the clamping device by being retained by an insert (not shown) in the flange.

[0038] As long as the locking member 4 is not tightened, the flange 2 is not in contact with the boss 32. After tightening the locking member 4, the clearance 15 is filled at least partially and the clamped cables 5 are firmly trapped in their housing 10 between the flange 1 and the base 2. The flange 1 is then in abutment contact against the boss 32 and exerts a bearing force against the cables 5 illustrated by the arrows in [Fig.3].

[0039] Preferably, the portion of the housings 10 located in the base 2 is provided with internal wedging pads 13 on which the cables 5 rest. Where appropriate, these pads 13 have damping properties making it possible to absorb any vibrations to which the cables may be subjected.

[0040] According to an alternative embodiment (not shown) of the clamping device of the invention, the housing(s) 10 are delimited between facing inclined walls provided, respectively, in the flange 1 and in the base 2 and the angle of inclination of which is determined as a function of the orientation chosen for mounting the cable(s) relative to the plane of the support. In this case, the flange 1 carries lugs of different geometries at the front and rear intended to engage in cavities of complementary profiles provided at the front and rear of the base to ensure indexing and “fooling” of the assembly and to make the slopes of the walls coincide.

Claims

Claims

1. Device for clamping and fixing cables (5) on a support (3), said device comprising a base (2) intended to be mounted on the support and a flange (1) provided with a first assembly member cooperating with a second assembly member carried by said base, the base (2) and the flange (1) delimiting between them a housing (10) for at least one cable, characterized in that the first and second assembly members cooperate by snap-fastening, leaving an intermediate clearance (10) between the cable (5) and the wall of its housing (10) so as to allow the relative movement of the cable in translation and in that the flange (1) carries a member (4) for locking the cable in its housing after mounting the device on the support (3).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said support (3) comprises a boss (32) of truncated cone profile intended to be covered by said base (2) and a flat base (31) against which said base comes into abutment when locking the cable (5) in its housing (10).

3. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said boss (32) comprises an axial bore (30) into which said member (4) for locking the cable (5) is introduced and tightened.

4. Device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said boss (32) carries lateral ribs (33) for wedging said base (2).

5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said housing (10) is delimited between inclined walls facing each other provided, respectively, in the flange (1) and in the base (2) and the angle of inclination of which is determined as a function of the orientation chosen for mounting the cable (5).

6. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the flange (1) carries lugs of different geometries at the front and at the rear intended to engage in cavities of complementary profiles provided at the front and at the rear of the base to ensure the foolproofing of the assembly.

7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said base (2) is provided with internal pads (13) on which the cable (5) rests in the housing (10).

8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flange (1) and the base (2) are connected by a hinge.

9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flange (1) and the base (2) delimit at least two juxtaposed and parallel housings intended to receive a bundle of cables.

10. Motor vehicle comprising cable harnesses (5) mounted on the body by means of a clamping device according to one of the preceding claims.

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