Apparatus for fastening lines

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus for fastening lines, in particular power cables, pipes or hoses, comprising two clamp parts which form a feedthrough, which are pivotably connected to one another and which each have at least one channel, in the form of a cylindrical shell portion, for receiving a line, wherein a clamping closure (7) is arranged at the end of one clamp part situated opposite the pivotable connection and has a clamping fitting (73) which can be brought into engagement with a receptacle arranged at the end of the other clamp part situated opposite the pivotable connection. The clamp parts are formed by clamp portions (2, 3) of a common bent sheet-metal part (1), which are connected to one another in one piece via a pivot portion (4), the pivot portion (4) having a material weakening.

Description

[0001] Lawyer's file 24290

[0002] December 13, 2024

[0003] Device for securing cables

[0004] The invention relates to a device for fastening conductors, in particular electrical cables, pipes or hoses according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0005] Clamps are regularly used to secure cables, especially electrical cables, pipes, and hoses. These clamps consist of a body made of thermoplastic or elastomeric material, or even metal. The clamp body is often made up of two fasteners that can be connected by screws, forming a passage for the cable when assembled.

[0006] Various types of clamps of the aforementioned type are currently used for laying and securing cables and lines within the tower of a wind turbine. A disadvantage of these clamps is their high number of components, which complicates installation.

[0007] Against this background, EP 3 835 638 B1 proposes a device for securing cables, comprising two clamp sections hinged together and each accommodating a clamping block with a cylindrical channel for receiving a cable. One of the clamp sections is equipped with a locking mechanism by which the clamping blocks can be clamped against each other. For accommodating a single cable, the device has two hinged clamp sections, each with a cuboid clamping block. For accommodating three cables, one clamp section is provided with two prismatic clamping blocks positioned at an angle of 120° to each other, and the second clamp section is provided with a prismatic clamping block that can be positioned at an angle of 120° to the other two clamping blocks and clamped against them by means of the locking mechanism.This device has proven its worth in practice. The flat surface of the cylindrical, segment-shaped channel effectively prevents damage to the cable inside. Temporarily releasing the clamping mechanism allows for easy repositioning of the cable within the device. The identical design of the clamping blocks simplifies manufacturing and assembly.

[0008] Against this background, the invention aims to provide a device for fastening conductors, in particular electrical cables, pipes, or hoses, which, while retaining the advantageous properties of the device described above and proven to be effective, has a further reduced number of components and is simple and cost-effective to manufacture. According to the invention, this objective is achieved by a device with the features of the characterizing part of claim 1.

[0009] The invention provides a device for fastening conductors, in particular electrical cables, pipes, or hoses, which, while retaining the advantageous properties of the previously described and proven device, has a further reduced number of components and is simple and cost-effective to manufacture. Cost-effective manufacturing is achieved by forming the clamp components from clamp sections of a common sheet metal bending part, which are integrally connected to one another via a pivot section, while simultaneously reducing the number of components. The weakening of the pivot section increases its flexibility, thus enabling limited hinge-like pivoting.

[0010] In a further development of the invention, the material weakening of the pivot section is achieved by a sheet thickness that is reduced, at least in some areas, compared to the clamp sections and / or by recesses incorporated into the pivot section. This results in a material weakening that can be integrated into a sheet metal stamping and bending process, thus enabling a streamlined manufacturing process and resulting in cost reduction. In an embodiment of the invention, the channels are formed by cylindrically bent channel sections of the clamp sections. This eliminates the clamping blocks required in the prior art, thereby reducing the number of components. Furthermore, this results in a significant weight reduction. Preferably, the channel sections have a circular arc cross-section spanning an angle of between 115° and 125°, particularly preferably 120°.An angle of approximately 120° results in an essentially triangular shape of the device in the clamped state, thereby ensuring a stable connection of three received cables to one another.

[0011] In a further embodiment of the invention, the sheet metal bending part has an outwardly angled collar on at least one of its longitudinal sides, at least in the area of ​​the channel sections. This increases the stability of the device. Furthermore, damage to a cable held within it by sharp edges is prevented. Preferably, the sheet metal bending part has an outwardly angled collar along its entire longitudinal side, advantageously on both longitudinal sides, with the exception of the area of ​​the pivot section, whose bending properties would be restricted by a collar.

[0012] In a further development of the invention, the collar is at least partially curved outwards and has an arc-shaped cross-section extending outwards. This ensures gentle placement of a received cable on at least one longitudinal side.

[0013] In an embodiment of the invention, at least one clamp section has at least one outwardly curved bead extending in the longitudinal direction of the sheet metal bending part. This stabilizes the clamp section.

[0014] In a further embodiment of the invention, the at least one bead extends into the at least one groove of the clamp section. This allows the insulating material of a cable resting against the groove to penetrate into the at least one bead, thus preventing axial sliding of the cable within the device. Advantageously, the transitions of the beads to the surrounding surfaces of the sheet metal bending part have a radius. This prevents damage to the insulating material of a held cable.

[0015] In a further development of the invention, at least one clamp section has an outwardly convex section provided with a bore for a fastening screw. This allows the device to be fastened to a supporting structure, for example, inside the tower of a wind turbine, by means of a screw, with the screw head being positioned in the convex section, thus preventing contact between the screw head and a cable held by the device. Damage to a cable by the screw head is therefore prevented. Preferably, a groove extending longitudinally along the clamp section runs through the outwardly convex section.

[0016] In an embodiment of the invention, the sheet metal part is bent outwards on each of its transverse sides, forming a loop. An axle is arranged in one of the two loops, via which the clamping fastener is pivotably connected to the sheet metal part. This provides a simple, pivotable attachment of the clamping fastener to the sheet metal part.

[0017] In a further embodiment of the invention, a recess is provided in the other of the two loops, opening into a narrower opening that passes through the arc of the loop. The toggle latch comprises a tensioning bar with a shaped piece at its end, which can be inserted into the recess by passing the tensioning bar through the opening. This provides a simple, easily manufactured abutment for the tensioning bar of the toggle latch. Advantageously, the outer contour of the shaped piece essentially corresponds to the inner contour of the recess into which it is inserted. The two loops and the recess provided in them can be easily produced within a sheet metal stamping and bending process. For stability, the loops are preferably connected to the adjacent sheet metal section, for example by riveting or welding.

[0018] In a further development of the invention, the clamping arm is connected to a clamping bracket of the clamping fastener via a threaded spindle. This allows for easy adjustment of the clamping arm to set the clamping force of the clamping fastener.

[0019] In one embodiment of the invention, the clamping jaw is pre-tensioned relative to the clamping bracket by means of spring elements, which preferably comprise disc springs and / or coil springs. This compensates for any loss of elasticity in the sheet metal bending part, thereby ensuring the required holding force of the device.

[0020] In a further embodiment of the invention, the spring elements are arranged between two spring seat plates that are slidably mounted relative to each other on the clamping bracket. Each spring seat plate has a rib that is slidably guided in a slot in the opposite spring seat plate. Adjacent to at least one slot is a scale from which the relative position of the two spring seat plates can be read. This allows the currently applied spring preload to be read, making any change in the spring preload detectable. Preferably, the scale includes a maximum position and a minimum position. As long as the rib is located between these two positions, the spring preload required for proper retention of the cables is present.

[0021] Other further developments and embodiments of the invention are specified in the remaining dependent claims. Exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are described in detail below. Figure 1 shows a schematic three-dimensional representation of a device for fastening a cable;

[0022] Figure 2 shows the device from Figure 1 in an exploded view;

[0023] Figure 3 shows the spatial representation of the sheet metal bending part of the device from Figure 1 a) in a top view; b) in a bottom view;

[0024] Figure 4 shows the spatial representation of the sheet metal bending part from Figure 3 a) in a position rotated by 120°; b) in a position rotated by 240°;

[0025] Figure 5 shows the device from Figure 3 in a top view;

[0026] Figure 6 shows a schematic spatial representation of a device for fastening a cable in a further embodiment, and Figure 7 shows the device from Figure 6 in an exploded view.

[0027] The device chosen as an exemplary embodiment for fastening cables, in particular electrical cables, inside the tower of a wind turbine comprises a sheet metal bending part 1 and a clamping fastener 7.

[0028] The sheet metal bending part 1 comprises a first clamp section 2 and a second clamp section 3, between which a pivot section 4 is arranged. A loop 5, 6 is arranged on each of its two transverse sides, formed by bending the sheet metal bending part 1 outwards and subsequently fixing it by spot welding. A substantially rectangular recess 51 is formed in a first loop 5, creating two opposing axle receptacles 52 through which an axle 53 is guided. A semicircular recess 61 is formed in the other, second loop 6, opening into a narrower opening 62 than the recess 61.

[0029] The first clamp section 2 comprises a flat central section 21, which transitions on both sides into a cylindrically curved channel section 22. Both channel sections 22 have a circular arc cross-section spanning an angle of approximately 120°. The central section 21 has an outwardly curved section 211 in its center, which is provided with a bore 212 for the passage of a fastening screw (not shown). The first clamp section 2 is provided with three parallel, longitudinally extending, outwardly curved beads 23, which extend across the central section 21 into the two channel sections 22, with the middle bead 23 passing through the outwardly curved section 211.On both of its longitudinal sides, the first clamp section 2 transitions into an outwardly angled collar 24, which is curved outwards and has an arc-shaped cross-section extending outwards.

[0030] The second clamp section 3 comprises a cylindrically curved channel section 31 and also has a circular arc cross-section spanning an angle of approximately 120°. The second clamp section 3 is also provided with three parallel, longitudinally extending, outwardly curved beads 32, which are aligned with the beads 23 of the first clamp section 2. The second clamp section 3 transitions on both of its longitudinal sides into an outwardly angled collar 33, which is curved outwards and has an outwardly curved cross-section, and which is aligned with the respective collar 24 of the first clamp section 2.

[0031] The pivot section 4 is essentially planar and has four recesses 41 extending longitudinally along the sheet metal bending part 1 and arranged parallel to each other, which in the exemplary embodiment are rectangular. The recesses 41 are positioned such that two recesses 41 are arranged on either side of a bead 23, 32 of the clamp sections 2, 3 adjacent to the pivot section 4.

[0032] The sheet metal bending part 1 has an almost triangular cross-section due to the three cylindrically curved channel sections 22, 31 of the two clamp sections 2, 3. The corners of this cross-section are formed by the channel sections 22, 31, which are each offset from one another by approximately 120°. (Due to the flexibility of the sheet metal bending part 1, an exact angle of 120° is hardly achievable in practice. After clamping three cables that are axially abutting each other, these cables support the desired angle of 120°.)

[0033] The clamping fastener 7 comprises a clamping bracket 71, which is pivotably mounted on the axis 53 of the first loop 5. The clamping bracket 71 is formed from an i-shaped bent sheet metal piece, the parallel legs 71 1 of which are angled at their ends. Spaced apart from the axis 53, which is guided at the ends of the two legs 71 1, a cylindrical piece 72 is rotatably mounted between the legs 71 1. A radial bore 721 is provided through this cylindrical piece, and a clamping rod 73 is guided through this bore. Spaced apart from the cylindrical piece 72, a bore 712 for the passage of a cotter pin 74 is provided in the angled section of the legs 71 1, aligned with each other.

[0034] The clamping jaw 73 is cylindrical and has a threaded section 731 with an external thread at one end. At its end opposite the threaded section, the clamping jaw has an angled section 732 that transitions into a shaped piece 733, the outer contour of which essentially corresponds to the inner contour of the recess 61 of the second loop 6 of the sheet metal bending part 1. It is not essential that the outer contour of the shaped piece 733 corresponds to the inner contour of the recess 61 of the second loop 6. What is essential is that the shaped piece 733 is designed such that it can be inserted into the recess 61 in such a way that it abuts both sides of the opening 62 through which the clamping jaw 73 projects.

[0035] A spring assembly 75 is mounted on the clamping rod 73, bearing against the cylinder section 72 and axially secured by a nut 76 screwed onto the threaded section 731 of the clamping rod 73. The spring assembly 75 is composed of two essentially U-shaped spring seat plates 751. Each spring seat plate 751 has a projecting web 752 on one leg and a slot 753 in the other leg, in which the web 752 of the opposing spring seat plate 751 is guided. The two spring seat plates 751 are thus axially displaceable from one another. A first helical spring 754 is arranged between the spring seat plates 751, by means of which one spring seat plate 751 is pre-tensioned against the nut 76 and the other spring seat plate 751 against the cylinder section 72. In the exemplary embodiment, the spring assembly 75 is designed as a force-measuring sleeve.For this purpose, a scale 755 is provided on both sides of a slot 753 of at least one of the two spring seat plates 751, comprising a maximum position and a minimum position. The position of the web 752 in the respective slot 753 can be read directly from the scale 755. As long as the web 752 is located between the minimum and maximum positions, the preload required for the secure retention of cables in the device is present.

[0036] On the side of the cylinder piece 72 opposite the nut 76, a spring assembly formed from two coil springs 77 arranged one behind the other is applied to the clamping hinge 73. This assembly is pre-tensioned against the shaped piece 733 on one side and against the cylinder piece 72 on the other. A single, longer second coil spring 77 can also be used instead of the spring assembly.

[0037] The shaped piece 733 of the clamping bracket 73 can be inserted into the recess 61 of the second loop 6 to clamp the first loop 5 against the second loop 6, the clamping bracket 73 passing through the opening 62 of the loop 6. By pivoting the clamping bracket 71, the second loop 6 is pulled towards the first loop 5.

[0038] The device according to Figure 1 is designed to accommodate three cables (not shown). To secure the cables, they are first placed in a groove of each clamp section 2, after which the shaped piece 733 of the clamping arm 73 is inserted into the recess 61 of the second loop 6. The clamping arm 73 is guided through the opening 62 of the loop 6. By pivoting the clamping bracket 71, the second loop 6 is pulled towards the first loop 5, thereby clamping the sheet metal part 1 around the three cables. The sheathing of the cables (not shown) is pressed into the grooves 23, 32 of the clamp sections 2, 3, thus holding the cables axially in the device in a form-fit and force-fit manner.

[0039] To prevent the clamping lock 7 from opening unintentionally, it is secured by a locking pin 74, which is inserted through the bores 712 of the clamping bracket 71.

[0040] In the embodiment shown in Figure 6, the device is designed to accommodate a single cable (not shown) which may consist of several cables bundled together by a sheath. The clamp sections 2', 3' are essentially identical and each has a cylindrically curved channel section 25, 34. The clamp sections 2', 3' are each provided with three parallel, longitudinally extending, outwardly curved beads 23, 32. The loops 5, 6 and the clamping fastener 7 located at the outer ends of the sheet metal bending part 1' are unchanged from the previously described embodiment.

[0041] In this embodiment, the pivot section 4' is U-shaped and, at the transition to the two clamp sections 2', 3', each has an S-shaped connecting web 42 in which three rectangular recesses 43 are provided at intervals. The recesses 43 are aligned with the three beads 23, 32 of the two clamp sections 2', 3'. A bore 44 for a fastening screw (not shown) is provided centrally in the pivot section 4'. Due to the two S-shaped connecting webs 42, contact between the screw head of a fastening screw passing through the bore 44 and a cable held by the device is prevented. No further recesses are present in the pivot section 4'.The S-shaped connecting webs 42, which have a material weakening due to the incorporated recesses 43, allow the two clamp sections 2', 3' to pivot. To secure the cable, it is placed between the grooves of the two clamp sections 2', 3', after which the shaped piece 733 of the clamping arm 73 is inserted into the recess 61 of the second loop 6, with the clamping arm 73 being guided through the opening 62 of the loop 6. By pivoting the clamping arm 71, the second loop 6 is pulled towards the first loop 5, thereby clamping the sheet metal bending part 1 around the cable (not shown). The sheathing of the cable (not shown) is pressed into the grooves 23, 32 of the clamp sections 2', 3', thus holding it axially in the device in a form-fit and force-fit manner.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Device for fastening conductors, in particular electrical cables, pipes or hoses, comprising two clamp parts which form a feedthrough and which are pivotably connected to each other and which each have at least one cylindrical shell section-shaped groove for receiving a conductor, wherein a clamping fastener (7) is arranged at the end of one clamp part opposite the pivotable connection, the clamping lever (73) of which can be brought into engagement with a receptacle arranged at the end of the other clamp part opposite the pivotable connection, characterized in that the clamp parts are formed by clamp sections (2, 3) of a common sheet metal bending part (1) which are integrally connected to each other via a pivot section (4), wherein the pivot section (4) has a material weakening.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the material weakening of the pivot section (4) is formed by a sheet thickness that is reduced at least in some areas compared to the clamp sections (2, 3) and / or by recesses (41) provided in the pivot section (4).

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the channels are formed by cylindrically curved channel sections (22, 31) of the clamp sections (2, 3), wherein the channel sections preferably have a circular arc cross-section spanning an angle of between 15° and 125°, preferably 120°.

4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sheet metal bending part (1 ) has an outwardly angled collar (24, 33) on at least one of its longitudinal sides, at least in the area of ​​the channel sections (22, 31 ).

5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the collar (24, 33) is formed at least partially curved outwards and has an arc-shaped cross-section extending outwards.

6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one clamp section (2, 3) has at least one outwardly curved bead (23, 32) extending in the longitudinal direction of the sheet metal bending part (1).

7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the at least one groove (23, 32) extends into the at least one channel section (22, 31) of the clamp section (2, 3).

8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one clamp section (2, 3) has an outwardly curved section (211) which is provided with a bore (212) for the passage of a fastening screw.

9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that a groove (23) extending in the longitudinal direction of the clamp section runs through the outwardly curved section (211).

10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sheet metal bending part (1 ) is bent outwards on each of its transverse sides forming a loop (5, 6), wherein an axis is arranged in one of the two loops (5) via which the clamping fastener (7) is pivotably connected to the sheet metal bending part (1 ).

11. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that a recess (61) is provided in the other of the two loops (6), which opens into a narrower opening (62) guided through the arc section of the loop (6) compared to the recess (61), wherein the tension lock (7) comprises a tensioning hinge (73) which has a shaped piece (733) at its end, which, by passing the tensioning hinge can be inserted through the opening into the recess (61), wherein the outer contour of the molded part preferably corresponds substantially to the inner contour of the recess.

12. Device according to claim 1 1 , characterized in that the clamping arm (73) is connected via a threaded section (731 ) to a clamping bracket (71 ) of the clamping lock (7).

13. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the clamping arm (73) is pre-tensioned relative to the clamping bracket (71) by means of spring elements, which preferably comprise disc springs and / or coil springs (754).

14. Device according to claim 13, characterized in that the spring elements are arranged between two spring seat plates (751) which are slidably arranged relative to each other on the clamping bracket, each having a web (752) which is slidably guided in a slot (753) in the respective opposite spring seat plate (751), wherein a scale (755) is arranged adjacent to at least one slot (753) on which the relative position of the two spring seat plates (751) relative to each other can be read.

Images