Line dispenser

Abstract

The invention relates to a line dispenser (2) for providing a line body (4), said line dispenser being equipped with a main part (6) which has a guide channel (12) formed between an inlet opening (8) and an outlet opening (10). Furthermore, the line dispenser is provided with blocking means (14), which are mounted on the main part (6), for producing a blocking effect on the line body (4), which is introduced into the guide channel (12) via the inlet opening (8), said blocking means blocking, by means of the blocking effect, a movement of the line body (4) towards the outlet opening (10). The invention is characterized in that the blocking means (14) are designed and configured in such a way that the blocking means automatically adapt the blocking effect to the cross-section (16) of the line body (4) introduced into the guide channel (12) by means of the shape of the blocking means such that the blocking effect is adjusted without auxiliary means and without an intervention. The blocking means (14) have a plurality of limbs (18, 18', 18'', 18'''), wherein at least two limbs of the plurality of limbs (18, 18', 18'', 18''') have a different distance to the guide channel (12) and are positioned along the guide channel (12) in such a way that the free ends of the limbs (18, 18', 18'', 18''') are arranged in order of increasing distance to the guide channel (12).

Description

[0001] Cable dispenser

[0002] The invention relates to a cable dispenser for providing a cable body according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0003] A cable dispenser of the type in question serves to provide a cable body in order to be able to make it available, for example and in particular in a simple manner, for further processing.

[0004] Such a cable dispenser can, for example, also be designed in the manner of a clamping device. Such a device is equipped with a base body that has a guide channel for the cable body formed between an inlet and an outlet opening. A guide channel serves to guide the cable body between the inlet and outlet openings. This also guides any movement of the cable body on the base body through the guide channel.

[0005] A conduit body is an elongated cylindrical body, such as a tape, hose, or cable, or it can also be a flexible cylindrical body.

[0006] Cable dispensers of the general type are known from DE1440738A, DE102015013791 A1, DE19544963A1 and also FR281 1818A1. Furthermore, cable dispensers of the type in question are known from WO2022207689A1. Moreover, cable dispensers of the type in question are known from CA486331 A, US6310290B1, WO2016133966A1 and also WO2015148908A1. In order to hold the cable body in a position or to secure it against slipping, a cable dispenser known from the prior art is equipped with blocking means arranged on the base body for generating a blocking effect on the cable body introduced into the guide channel via the inlet opening, by means of which they block any movement of the cable body towards the outlet opening.

[0007] The cable dispensers known from the prior art do indeed allow the cable body to be held in one position. It has been shown that, for certain cable cross-sections, they provide a sufficient blocking effect to secure the cable body to the cable dispenser. However, for cable bodies with a different cable cross-section, they can only provide a reduced blocking effect. This limits their use for a specific range of cable cross-sections.

[0008] The object of the invention is to provide a cable dispenser for providing a cable body which provides an improved blocking effect for a wide range of different cable cross-sections of cable bodies and is, at the same time, easier to handle than the known cable dispensers.

[0009] This object is achieved by an article having the features of claim 1.

[0010] Accordingly, to achieve the object set by the invention, the blocking means are designed and constructed in such a way that they automatically adapt the blocking effect to the cable cross-section of the cable body inserted into the guide channel. This means that, thanks to automatic adaptation, no additional aids, nor interventions or actuations, are necessary to adjust the blocking effect.

[0011] The invention provides that at least one of the blocking means automatically adjusts a blocking effect for the cable body due to its shape. This offers the advantage that no additional tools, interventions, or actuations are required to adjust the blocking effect. The adjustment is achieved by the shape of the blocking means, thereby facilitating the handling of a cable dispenser according to the invention and also achieving cost savings.

[0012] The invention thus provides for automatic adjustment, so that the blocking effect is set up and designed without the need for any aids or intervention and is effected or carried out in this way.

[0013] Furthermore, the invention provides that at least two of the plurality of legs have a different distance from the guide channel, which are arranged along the guide channel such that the free ends of the legs are arranged in a sequence with, in particular, a continuously increasing distance from the guide channel. According to the aforementioned at least two of the plurality of legs, further or several or all of the plurality of legs can also be designed or arranged accordingly. This allows for a simple implementation of a blocking effect that adapts to the conductor cross-section, while also preventing collisions between legs.

[0014] According to the invention, a conductor body can be understood as an electrical conductor, a plurality of electrical conductors, or electrical lines with, for example, plastic insulation, which can also be referred to as cables. Alternatively, the conductor body can also be designed as a pipe or hose, for example made of a flexible material, for conducting fluids, for example for the use of compressed air in a pneumatic system or a liquid as a working medium in a hydraulic system.

[0015] The base body can be made, for example and in particular, from a plastic or insulating material, preferably as a plastic part.

[0016] The base body has an inlet opening and an outlet opening, which can be arranged, for example and in particular, on opposite sides of the housing element, for guiding the line body along the guide channel formed between them.

[0017] Therefore, the two openings can also be referred to as through-openings through which a cable body is inserted into or removed from the guide channel.

[0018] The openings can be arranged in surfaces of the housing element and completely surrounded by a material of the housing element, or only partially surrounded by the material of the housing element, for example open to one or more sides, in order to thereby enable a lateral insertion of the lead body.

[0019] The guide channel serves to guide the cable body along the base body or through it. The guide channel can, for example, be groove-shaped. According to the invention, the guide channel is formed between the inlet opening and the outlet opening and extends between them. Furthermore, it can have a cylindrical contour, at least in sections. Within the scope of the invention, a blocking effect is understood to mean a direction-dependent inhibition of movement of the cable body inserted in the guide channel. This is intended to prevent unintentional or spontaneous movement of the cable body relative to the base body of the cable dispenser and to hold the cable carrier securely in one position on the cable dispenser. Within the scope of the invention, the blocking effect can also be overcome by applying a sufficient tensile force to the cable body in the blocked direction of movement.According to the invention, however, this may, for example and in particular, be associated with damage to the cable dispenser and / or the cable body inserted into the guide channel.

[0020] Advantageously, a cable dispenser according to the invention can securely hold a cable body with a definable clamping force in order to prevent accidental slipping of the cable body relative to the base body of the cable dispenser, while at the same time a user can pull the cable body out of the outlet opening, for example when wiring a control cabinet.

[0021] A further advantage of a cable dispenser according to the invention is that it automatically adjusts the blocking effect to different cable cross-sections and thus brings about a sufficient blocking effect depending on the cable cross-section of the cable body introduced into the guide channel without the need for additional interaction.

[0022] According to the invention, the base body can be formed in one piece or from a plurality of components. Within the scope of the invention, a plurality is understood to mean at least two or more components.

[0023] An advantageous development of the invention is characterized in that the blocking means have at least one leg which, in a resting state, presses the cable body against the guide channel with a spring force. Due to the spring force effect, the spectrum of permissible cable cross-sections for a cable body that can be used with the cable dispenser according to the invention is very wide. The use of legs which, in a resting state, are brought into contact with the cable body inserted into the guide channel, serves to further simplify the construction of a cable dispenser according to the invention. Thus, within the scope of the invention, it is provided that the leg is designed and constructed in such a way that a movement of the cable body in a direction towards the inlet opening causes wedging or jamming and thus also a stopping of the cable body in this one direction.This allows the cable body to be easily inserted into the guide channel.

[0024] For this purpose, an advantageous development of the invention provides that at least one of the, several, or all of the legs is / are positioned at an angle inclined to the guide channel in an initial state. Thus, the desired blocking effect is achieved in a simple manner by the position or arrangement of the leg relative to the guide channel, by means of which movement of the conduit body is permitted in one direction toward the exit opening and blocked in an opposite direction. The angle of attack is selected, for example, and in particular, such that the leg is positioned at an acute angle to the guide channel.

[0025] Furthermore, in an advantageous development of the invention, it is determined that at least one of the or several or all of the legs has a free end which, in the contact state, rests against the line body, wherein the free end has a tapered, in particular wedge-like, shape.

[0026] The system's condition has already been described previously, so the explanation for it also applies to this scenario, regardless of what was previously described. Therefore, it will not be explained again here.

[0027] By designing a leg or its free end in this way, it is achieved that, in the installation state, the leg rests against the line body at least in sections by means of its free end.

[0028] A wedge-like shape of the free end is achieved by two side surfaces of the free end converging at an acute angle. This simply supports and advantageously enhances the blocking effect.

[0029] A further increase in the blocking effect can be achieved by providing the leg with independently elastically deformable sections at its free end. For this purpose, an advantageous development of the invention is characterized in that at least one of the legs, several of the legs, or all of the legs have a plurality of prongs at their free end.

[0030] According to the invention, the prongs can be designed in various ways. Slots at the free end of the leg form the prongs in a simple manner. This advantageously allows the free end of the leg to adapt better to the outer contour, thus increasing the blocking effect. Furthermore, it can provide additional guidance for a cable body. The prongs can also be designed in a slatted manner, allowing them to conform to the outer contour of the cable body. The invention allows for further designs, so the above-mentioned explanations are not intended to be exhaustive.

[0031] Within the scope of the invention, it has been shown that larger cable cross-sections require a greater blocking effect than smaller ones for the desired fixation of the cable body to the base body. With smaller cable cross-sections, an excessively high blocking effect can cause damage to the cable body, which must be avoided.

[0032] Against this background, an advantageous development of the invention provides that at least one of the legs or several or all of the legs cause the spring force by an elastic deformation of the leg, wherein the leg(s) is / are designed, in particular shaped, in such a way that an elastic deformability increases at least in sections in the direction of its free end.

[0033] This advantageously makes it possible to set the spring force by means of an adapted shaping in such a way that the spring force increases with increasing cable cross-section and is correspondingly low for smaller cable cross-sections.

[0034] This can be achieved within the scope of the invention, for example and in particular, by the leg being tapered towards its free end.

[0035] According to the invention, the arrangement of a leg can be realized in a variety of ways, using a force-fitting and / or form-fitting arrangement. To reduce costs and facilitate easy handling, an advantageous development of the invention provides for at least one of the legs, several legs, or all of the legs to be integrally connected to the base body. This enables simple implementation and also ensures that the leg is securely held to the base body.

[0036] According to the invention, the blocking effect for different cable cross-sections can be achieved by using a plurality of legs. Therefore, a further advantageous development of the invention provides that the blocking means of at least two or more of the plurality of legs are configured and designed in such a way that they apply different spring forces to the cable body inserted in the guide channel.

[0037] The different spring forces can be achieved by the shape and the relative arrangement of the individual legs. The inventive use of a plurality of legs allows for a simple adjustment of the blocking effect depending on the respective conductor cross-section. Such adjustment is achieved not only by the use of multiple legs, but also by the aforementioned shape and arrangement of the respective legs.

[0038] The shape and / or arrangement of the respective legs can differ from one another or be the same for some or all of the legs. In particular, the angle of inclination of each leg can be individually implemented, so that the legs meet the cable body at different angles and / or have a different shape. Furthermore, it is easy to ensure that, depending on the cable cross-section, one leg, several legs, or all legs act on the cable body.

[0039] Against this background, the invention includes the fact that one leg exerts no spring force on a cable body inserted into the guide channel or does not touch it. Thus, the spring force of one or more of the legs can have a value of zero, while another leg has a different spring force value and applies this spring force to the cable body.

[0040] To further improve the blocking effect, a further advantageous development of the invention provides that the guide channel has a contour with at least one recess and / or elevation against which the lead body inserted into the guide channel rests. Accordingly, a plurality of recesses and / or elevations can also be provided. Therefore, the guide channel can have a ribbed profile and / or a rubber coating, at least in sections, by means of which the blocking effect can advantageously be increased in a simple manner.

[0041] To ensure secure attachment of the cable dispenser, a further development of the invention provides that the base body has a locking foot that is designed and constructed for attachment to a mounting rail, in particular a top-hat rail. Various implementation options are known for this purpose, from which the invention benefits in terms of a simple and proven implementation.

[0042] For example, and in particular, the locking foot can be configured and designed to hold or fasten the base body to a standardized top-hat rail. Furthermore, the locking foot can also be configured and designed for fastening to other known profile rails. In one embodiment, the housing element is designed for arrangement on a terminal block for modular terminal blocks.

[0043] Furthermore, according to the invention, it is possible for the base body to have a receptacle for one or more labeling elements. Advantageously, the labeling allows for easy identification of the cable body inserted into the guide channel.

[0044] Furthermore, by means of an advantageous further development, the invention is capable of comprising a conducting body which is arranged and designed in its interior to conduct energy and / or fluid media between its ends, between which the conducting body is longitudinally extended, wherein the conducting body is in particular an electrical cable.

[0045] According to the invention, the line body can therefore also be designed as a pipe or hose, for example, made of a flexible material, and serve, for example and in particular, for the use of compressed air in a pneumatic system or a liquid as a working medium in a hydraulic system. The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawing, which shows exemplary embodiments representative of a plurality of variants of a line dispenser according to the invention, with the aid of which the invention is clarified.

[0046] All features claimed, described and shown in the drawing, taken individually and in any combination with one another, form the subject matter of the invention, regardless of their references and regardless of their description or representation in the drawing.

[0047] According to the invention, the features explained with reference to the exemplary embodiments are not tied to the constellation explained below, but can also characterize a cable dispenser according to the invention in isolation from one another as well as in a different combination or constellations.

[0048] The figures of the drawing show the respective embodiment of a cable dispenser according to the invention in a schematic representation.

[0049] The representations in the figures are therefore not necessarily to scale, so that, among other things, the scales chosen in the figures may differ from one another.

[0050] For a better overview, the representations are reduced to the elements / components / parts that support understanding.

[0051] In the figures, identical or corresponding components / components or elements are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0052] For a better overview, not all elements / components / parts are always provided with reference symbols in the figures, whereby the assignment results from the same representation or a representation adapted to the view.

[0053] They show:

[0054] Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of an inventive

[0055] Cable dispenser in a side view and in a schematic representation;

[0056] Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment of an inventive

[0057] Cable dispenser in a side view similar to Fig. 1 and in a schematic representation;

[0058] Fig. 3 shows a third embodiment of an inventive

[0059] Cable dispenser in a perspective side view and in a schematic representation. Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a cable dispenser 2 according to the invention for providing a cable body 4. The respective embodiment of a cable dispenser 2 according to the invention is also referred to below for short as cable dispenser 2.

[0060] The cable dispenser 2 has a base body 6, which in turn has a guide channel 12 formed between an inlet opening 8 and an outlet opening 10, with blocking means 14 arranged on the base body for generating a blocking effect on the cable body 4 introduced into the guide channel 12 via the inlet opening 8, by means of which they block a movement of the cable body 4 directed towards the outlet opening 10.

[0061] According to the invention, the blocking means 14 are arranged and designed in such a way that they automatically adapt the blocking effect to a line cross-section 16 of the line body 4 introduced into the guide channel 12.

[0062] For this purpose, the blocking means 14 have a shape by virtue of which they automatically adjust a blocking effect for the line body 4, in that the blocking means 14 have a plurality of legs 18, 18', 18", 18'", which in a system state, as is illustrated in Fig. 1, presses the line body 4 against the guide channel 12 with a spring force.

[0063] In an initial state in which no line body 4 is inserted into the guide channel 12, the respective leg 18, 18', 18", 18'" is inclined to the guide channel 12 at an angle of attack 20. The angle of attack is illustrated in Fig. 1 on one of the legs 18, which does not act on the line body 4 and applies a spring force thereto.

[0064] Fig. 1 shows that the legs each have a free end 22, 22", 22", 22'". The free end 22'" of the leg 18"' is in a contact state in which it rests against the line body 4, wherein the free end 22 has a tapered, and in this embodiment, a wedge-like shape. The other free ends 22, 22", 22" are also shaped in this way. In the embodiments shown in the figures, it is provided that the respective leg 18, 18', 18", 18'" effects the spring force through elastic deformation, wherein the respective leg 18, 18", 18", 18"' is shaped in such a way that its elastic deformability increases continuously towards its free end 22, 22', 22", 22'".

[0065] In the embodiments illustrated in the figures, it is also provided that the respective leg 18, 18', 18", 18'" is connected in one piece to the base body 6. This is done by injection molding, with the base body 6 and the respective leg 18, 18', 18", 18"' being made of a plastic.

[0066] The legs 18, 18', 18", 18'" are arranged and designed in such a way that they apply different spring forces to the line body 4 introduced in the guide channel 12, wherein the legs 18, 18", 18", 18'" are arranged along the guide channel 12 in such a way that the legs 18, 18', 18", 18'" each apply a spring force to the line body 4 depending on the line cross-section 16 of the line body.

[0067] In Fig. 1 it is made clear that at least two, in this embodiment each, of the plurality of legs 18, 18', 18", 18'" have a different distance from the guide channel 12.

[0068] Furthermore, Fig. 1 shows that the legs 18, 18', 18", 18'" are arranged along the guide channel 12 such that the free ends 22, 22", 22", 22'" of the legs 18, 18', 18", 18'" are arranged in a sequence with increasing distance from the guide channel 12.

[0069] The base body 6 of the cable dispenser 2 shown in Fig. 1 has a locking foot 24 which is arranged and designed to be held on a support rail (not shown).

[0070] In contrast to the first embodiment of Fig. 1, the second embodiment of a cable dispenser 2 according to the invention shown in Fig. 2 has a guide channel 12 with a contour 26 with four recesses 28 (uniformly marked 28 in Fig. 2) against which the cable body 4 introduced into the guide channel 12 rests.

[0071] The cable dispensers 2 shown in the aforementioned figures comprise a cable body 4, which is designed and constructed in its interior to conduct energy, wherein the cable body 4 is an electrical cable. The third exemplary embodiment of a cable dispenser 2 according to the invention shown in Fig. 3, in contrast to the first exemplary embodiment of a cable dispenser 2 according to the invention, shows a shaping of the legs 18, 18', 18", 18'" at their respective free ends 22, 22', 22", 22'", on which a plurality of prongs 30 are formed, with which the respective leg 18, 18', 18", 18'" conforms to the contour of the cable body 4. For better clarity, one prong 30 is designated by the reference numeral 30 as representative of the other prongs.

[0072] Furthermore, the base body 6 of the third embodiment of a cable dispenser 2 according to the invention has two recesses 32, 32" for identification carriers (not shown) in order to be able to quickly and clearly identify the cable body 6 inserted in the respective cable dispenser 2.

[0073] Fig. 3 illustrates an initial state in which no cable carrier 6 is inserted into the guide channel 12.

[0074] The invention allows for a variety of implementation options, of which the presented embodiments illustrate only a selection to which the invention is not limited.

[0075] List of reference symbols

[0076] 2 cable dispensers

[0077] 4 cable bodies

[0078] 6 basic bodies

[0079] 8 Entrance opening

[0080] 10 Exit opening

[0081] 12 guide channel

[0082] 14 Blocking agents

[0083] 16 cable cross-section

[0084] 18,18",18",18'" legs

[0085] 20 angle of attack

[0086] 22,22“ ,22“ ,22'“ free end (of the leg)

[0087] 24 locking foot

[0088] 26 Contour

[0089] 28 recesses

[0090] 30 tines

[0091] 32, 32" recess

Claims

Patent claims 1 . Cable dispenser (2) for providing a cable body (4) with a base body (6) which has a guide channel (12) formed between an inlet opening (8) and an outlet opening (10), with blocking means (14) arranged on the base body (6) for generating a blocking effect on the cable body (4) introduced into the guide channel (12) via the inlet opening (8), by means of which they block a movement of the cable body (4) directed towards the outlet opening (10), characterized in that the blocking means (14) are arranged and designed such that, through their shape, they automatically adapt the blocking effect to a cable cross-section (16) of the cable body (4) introduced into the guide channel (12), so that an adjustment of the blocking effect takes place without aids and intervention, wherein the blocking means (14) have a plurality of legs (18, 18', 18", 18"') and at least two of the Majority of the legs (18,18', 18", 18"') have a different distance from the guide channel (12) and (18, 18', 18", 18'") are arranged along the guide channel (12) such that the free ends of the legs (18, 18', 18", 18"') are arranged in a sequence with increasing distance from the guide channel (12).

2. Cable dispenser (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the legs (18, 18', 18", 18"') in a contact state presses the cable body (4) against the guide channel (12) with a spring force.

3. Line dispenser (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one of the legs (18, 18', 18", 18"') is inclined in an initial state with an angle of incidence (20) to the guide channel (12).

4. Cable dispenser (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the legs (18, 18', 18", 18"') has a free end (22, 22', 22", 22'") which, in the abutting state, rests against the cable body (4), wherein the free end has a tapered, in particular wedge-like, shape.

5. Cable dispenser (2) according to claim 6, characterized in that at least one of the legs (18, 18', 18", 18"') has a plurality of prongs (30) at its free end (22, 22', 22", 22'").

6. Cable dispenser (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the legs (18, 18', 18", 18"') effects the spring force by an elastic deformation of the leg (18, 18', 18", 18"'), wherein the leg (18, 18', 18", 18"') is in particular designed, in particular shaped, such that an elastic deformability increases at least in sections in the direction of its free end (22, 22', 22", 22'").

7. Line dispenser (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the legs (18, 18', 18", 18"') is connected in one piece to the base body (6).

8. Cable dispenser (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two of the plurality of legs (18, 18', 18", 18"') are arranged and designed such that the legs (18, 18', 18", 18"') apply different spring forces to the cable body (4) introduced into the guide channel (12).

9. Cable dispenser (2) according to claim 9, characterized in that the at least two legs (18, 18', 18", 18"') are arranged along the guide channel (12) in such a way that the number of legs (18, 18', 18", 18"') which apply a spring force to the cable body (4) introduced into the guide channel (12) depends on the cable cross-section (16) of the cable body (4).

10. Cable dispenser (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide channel (12) has a contour (26) with at least one recess (28) and / or elevation against which the cable body (4) introduced into the guide channel (12) rests. 1 1. Cable dispenser (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base body (6) has a locking foot (24) which is arranged and designed for holding on a support rail, in particular a top-hat rail.

12. Cable dispenser (2) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a cable body (4) which is arranged and designed in its interior to conduct energy and / or fluid media between its ends, between which the cable body (4) is longitudinally extended, wherein the cable body (4) is in particular an electrical cable.

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