Test window in a mounting for a corrugated tube

Abstract

An arrangement, comprising a corrugated tube (1), wherein: some portions of the corrugated tube (1) are enclosed by a first shell-like element (2) and at least one further shell-like element (3) for the purpose of fixing; and at least one or exactly one test window (5) is provided in at least one of the shell-like elements (2, 3).

Description

[0001] Inspection window in a fixture for a corrugated pipe

[0002] Description

[0003] The invention relates to an arrangement comprising a corrugated pipe, wherein the corrugated pipe is enclosed in sections by a first shell-like element and at least one further shell-like element for the purpose of fixing, according to the features of the preamble of patent claim 1.

[0004] Arrangements comprising a corrugated pipe are known. For example, electrical cables are routed through the corrugated pipe, protecting these cables from external influences such as pressure, moisture, and the like. Furthermore, liquids and gases can be transported through the interior of corrugated pipes.

[0005] This requires that the corrugated pipe be secured at its installation location, usually section by section, for example, along its axial length, but also at its end. This can be achieved in the simplest case using cable ties, which are used to position the corrugated pipe at its intended location and permanently secure it.

[0006] In addition, shell-like elements have already become known which surround the outer surface of the corrugated pipe in sections, so that this section of the corrugated pipe is arranged and fixed in these elements, wherein at least one of these shell-like elements is arranged and fixed at the installation location with suitable fastening means.

[0007] While such a known design generally functions satisfactorily in practice, there is a risk that, precisely when one end of the corrugated pipe is to be inserted into these shell-like elements, a sufficiently long section of the corrugated pipe will not be inserted into these shell-like elements, and this end of the corrugated pipe, which is actually supposed to be secured, will not be adequately secured.

[0008] The invention is therefore based on the object of improving a known arrangement in such a way that the intended arrangement and fixing of the corrugated pipe at its intended installation location is carried out reliably and safely.

[0009] This problem is solved by the features of patent claim 1.

[0010] According to the invention, at least one or exactly one inspection window is provided in at least one of the shell-like elements. As a rule, it will be sufficient if only one inspection window is provided in only one shell-like element. This, on the one hand, ensures sufficient visibility of the corrugated pipe used, and, on the other hand, maintains the stability of the at least two or exactly two shell-like elements.

[0011] By means of the test window according to the invention, it can thus be ensured that a sufficiently long section, preferably an end section, of the corrugated pipe has been inserted between the shell-like elements or has been enclosed by them in order to ensure the secure arrangement of this section in the shell-like elements.

[0012] In a further development of the invention, it is provided that exactly two shell-like elements enclose a section of the corrugated pipe. This reduces the variety of parts and increases ease of assembly, especially when the two shell-like elements are of the same design.

[0013] An embodiment according to the invention, to which it is not limited, is shown in Figures 1 to 4 and described below.

[0014] Figure 1 shows an arrangement with a partially illustrated corrugated pipe 1, which can be surrounded by a first shell-like element 2 and at least one further, preferably exactly one further shell-like element 3. The two shell-like elements 2 and 3 can be secured in a suitable manner, for example by rusting, on the surface of the corrugated pipe 1. To securely fix the section of the corrugated pipe 1 to be fastened between the two shell-like elements 2, 3, these have an inner contour that corresponds to the outer contour of the corrugated pipe 1. This means that a circumferential elevation of the corrugated pipe 1 corresponds to an inner circumferential depression in the two shell-like elements 2, 3, and vice versa.

[0015] Figure 1 shows that the further shell-like element 3 has a base 4, but this is not required. The shell-like element 2 can also have a corresponding base. By means of this base 4, the two shell-like elements 2, 3 can be fixed in place at their installation location. Alternatively, it is also conceivable for the base 4 and thus also the one shell-like element 3 to be part of a housing, a wall or the like. If, for example, a cable is to be led into a housing by means of the corrugated pipe 1, this wall of the housing can integrally encompass the base 4 and thus also the shell-like element 3. Alternatively, it is conceivable for the shell-like element 3 to be connected to the wall of the housing by means of its base 4 via a suitable fastening (such as gluing, pressing, caulking, snap-locking or the like) and to be secured thereto.

[0016] Figure 1 also shows the assembly of the corrugated pipe 1. Preferably, one end of the corrugated pipe 1 is inserted into the already assembled or yet-to-be-assembled shell-like element 3 (work step M1), after which at least one further shell-like element 2 (or possibly further such shell-like elements) is assembled with the shell-like element 3 (work step M2). This assembly can ideally be carried out by snapping together, as this is a quick and uncomplicated process that is easily automated. However, other connections such as gluing, pressing, or the like are also conceivable.

[0017] In order to verify that the end of the corrugated pipe 1 inserted into the two shell-like elements 2, 3 has been inserted properly and with sufficient length between these two elements and thus secured, one of the shell-like elements, here the shell-like element 3, according to the invention has an inspection window 5. This inspection window 5 is an opening in the shell-like element 3 (and / or other shell-like elements), so that a visual inspection is possible, in particular without further aids, as to whether the corrugated pipe 1 has been inserted with sufficient length between the at least two shell-like elements 2, 3.

[0018] Figure 2 shows a view after the two shell-like elements 2, 3 have been assembled. It is clearly visible through the inspection window 5 according to the invention that the corrugated pipe 1, in particular one end, has been inserted and secured with sufficient length between the two shell-like elements 2, 3. If this were not the case, the outer surface of the corrugated pipe 1 would not be visible through the inspection window 5, and it can be deduced from this that the securing was not sufficient and that an assembly correction is necessary.

[0019] Figures 3 and 4 show the arrangement according to the invention in further views, with further elements being shown here and described below.

[0020] In addition to the parts already described, the first shell-like element 2 has guide pins 6, preferably in each end region of the element 2. These guide pins 6 ensure correct positioning of the first shell-like element 2 on the further shell-like element 3 during and after assembly.

[0021] In addition, the first shell-like element 2 has a locking hook 7 on each of its two long sides, each locking hook 7 interacting with a locking web 8, each locking web 8 being arranged on a long side of the further shell-like element 3. Due to the presence and interaction of locking hooks 7 with locking web 8, the two shell-like elements 2, 3 can be connected to one another quickly, easily, and, above all, permanently in order to secure the corrugated pipe 1, preferably one end of it, between them. Such a locking connection also allows the two shell-like elements 2, 3 to be released from one another, in particular if it has been determined by means of the inspection window 5 that the corrugated pipe 1 is not sufficiently located between the two shell-like elements 2, 3 due to incorrect assembly and corrective assembly is necessary.

[0022] The at least one or exactly one inspection window 5 in one of the shell-like elements 2, 3 also has the advantage that it not only allows for a visual inspection, but that the inspection can also be carried out automatically, for example by means of a test pin that is moved through the inspection window 6. If the test pin moves onto the outer surface of the correctly installed corrugated pipe 1, this correct installation is determined. However, if the corrugated pipe 1 is not properly installed, it can penetrate into the interior between the two elements 2, 3 and thus travel a greater distance, so that this greater distance is an indication of an improperly installed corrugated pipe 1.

[0023] List of reference symbols

[0024] 1. Corrugated pipe

[0025] 2. first shell-like element

[0026] 3. further shell-like element

[0027] 4. Basis

[0028] 5. Test window

[0029] 6. Guide pin

[0030] 7. Locking hook

[0031] 8. Rest bridge

Claims

Patent claims 1. Arrangement comprising a corrugated pipe (1), wherein the corrugated pipe (1) is enclosed in sections by a first shell-like element (2) and at least one further shell-like element (3) for the purpose of fixing, characterized in that at least one or exactly one inspection window (5) is provided in at least one of the shell-like elements (2, 3).

2. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that exactly two shell-like elements (2, 3) enclose a section of the corrugated pipe (1).

3. Arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that only one test window (5) is provided in only one shell-like element (2, 3) 4. Arrangement according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the at least two shell-like elements (2, 3) can be fixed on the surface of the corrugated pipe (1), for example by a locking mechanism.

5. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least two shell-like elements (2, 3) have an inner contour which corresponds to the outer contour of the corrugated pipe (1).

6. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the one shell-like element (2, 3) has a base (4), wherein by means of this base (4) the at least one shell-like element (2, 3), in particular the two shell-like elements (2, 3), can be fixed at their installation location.

7. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the one shell-like element (2, 3) has a base (4) and the base (4) and thus also the one shell-like element (2, 3) is part of a housing, a wall or the like.

8. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the one shell-like element (2, 3) has guide pins (6), preferably in each end region of the shell-like element (2, 3), whereby by means of these guide pins (6) a correct positioning of the one shell-like element (2, 3) on the further shell-like element (2, 3) is ensured during and after assembly.

9. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the one shell-like element (2, 3) there is a latching hook (7) on each of its two longitudinal sides, each latching hook (7) interacting with a latching web (8), each latching web (8) being arranged on a longitudinal side of the further shell-like element (2, 3).

10. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the test window (5) is suitable and designed for the passage of a test pin.

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