GB2523641A

GB2523641A - Connecting Device and Method for Producing a Composite Cable Harness

Info

Publication number: GB2523641A
Application number: GB1500670.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Martin Westhoff
Original assignee: S Y Systems Technologies Europe GmbH
Current assignee: Yazaki Systems Technologies GmbH
Priority date: 2014-01-17
Filing date: 2015-01-15
Publication date: 2015-09-02
Anticipated expiration: 2035-01-15
Also published as: FR3016729B1; GB2523641B; GB201500670D0; DE102014100516A1; FR3016729A1; DE102014100516B4

Abstract

The invention relates to a connecting device 100 for producing a composite cable harness 110 comprising at least two strand-like elements 120, in particular cables, hoses or the like, using at least one connecting element 130, wherein at least two elements 120 are wrapped around in the circumferential direction by the connecting element. Arranged between the elements and the connecting element is a sleeve-like structure 140 having a first region 142, a second region 144 and a third region 146, wherein the first region is delimited on both sides, at its edge regions by the second region and the third region in such a way that the first region forms a kind of circumferential groove for receiving the connecting element, as a result of which axial displacement of said connecting element is prevented. The connecting element could be a cable tie, clamp, binding twine, rope ties or the like. The second and third regions may be constructed as windings. The first region may have a smooth surface finish and the second and third regions may have a rougher surface finish than the first region. The first region may have a self adhesive underside.

Description

Connecting device for producing a composite cable harness The invention relates to a connecting device for producing a composite cable harness according to Patent Claim 1 and a method for producing a composite cable harness according to Claim 15.

A composite cable harness or cable loom is a grouping of individual cables or lines which convey signals or working currents. The cables in question are pre-assembled in a composite cable harness according to the sphere of application; thus, for example, composite cable harnesses or cable looms are used in motor vehicles, the cable looms being, as a rule, combined, connected to one another and then transported and installed according to the geometrical and electrical requirements.

The use of connecting elements for composite cable harnesses of this kind is accordingly known in the most diverse forms of embodiment. Clamps, cable ties, binding twine, hose clamps, rope ties or the like are known in the most manifold forms. In practice, the cable tie has become generally accepted for connecting a composite cable harness or cable loom, the said cable ties being, as a rule, constructed in such a way that they are wrapped around the cable which is to be bunched together, and are tightened by means of a detent mechanism with a defined tightening-up force, under which circumstances the cable ties are often * ** tightened up in such a way that either a twisting of the cable tie in the circumferential direction of the composite * cable harness, which twisting is necessary for the purpose of using it, is no longer possible, or else unintended axial displacement of the cable tie or of the fastening points, for example during transport, cannot be ruled out.

The object of the invention consists in providing an improved connecting device for producing a composite cable harness, which device guarantees a connection between *the connecting element and strand-like elements which is rotatable in the circumferential direction but not axially displaceable and which is, at the same time, simple, cost-effective and flexible in its application.

The object of the invention is achieved by means of a connecting device for producing a composite cable harness according to Patent Claim 1, and by means of a method for producing a composite cable harness according to Claim 15.

Further advantageous forms of embodiment of the invention are indicated in the dependent claims.

What is proposed, for the purpose of achieving this object, is a connecting device for producing a composite cable harness comprising at least two strand-like elements, in particular cables, hoses or the like, using at least one connecting element, wherein at least two elements are wrapped around in the circumferential direction by the

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connecting element. Arranged between the elements and the connecting element is a sleeve-like structure having a first region, a second region and a third region, wherein * ** the first region is delimited on both sides, at its edge regions, by the second region and the third region in such **S

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a way that the first region forms a kind of circumferential groove for receiving the connecting element, as a result of which axial displacement of said connecting element is prevented.

One advantage of this connecting device according to the invention consists in the fact that a simple and secure connection between the connecting element and the composite cable harness can be guaranteed, while ensuring that the connecting element can be twisted in the circumferential direction on the first region of the sleeve-like structure, this first region being delimited by the second region and the third region in such a way that the connecting element cannot be displaced axially, for example during transport.

In another form of embodiment, the connecting element is a cable tie, as a result of which the connecting device is simple, cost-effective and flexible in its application.

In another form of embodiment, the second region overlaps the edge region of the first region on a first side, and the third region overlaps the edge region of the first region on a second side. In this way, on the one hand, the first region of the sleeve-like structure can be fixed in position on the elements by the second and third regions of said structure and, on the other hand, the delimitation of the first region by the second and third regions can be guaranteed. a* * * U * * **

In another form of embodiment, the first region has a * ** surface finish which is so smooth that the connecting element can be rotated around the elements in the circumferential direction. Accordingly, it is particularly advantageous if the second region and the third region are of a different material from the first region, in which case delimitation on both sides, and thereby the provision of the circumferential groove, can be achieved, in particular, through the fact that the second region and the third region have a rougher surface finish than the first region and/or are thicker than the first region.

In another form of embodiment, the second region and the third region are constructed as windings, said windings enveloping the elements in the circumferential direction at least once in each case. Alternatively it is possible for the windings of the second region and third region to envelop the elements a number of times in the circumferential direction, as a result of which the second region and third region delimit the first region On both sides solely by the number of windings, and thereby form the circumferential groove for the connecting element.

In another form of embodiment, the second region and third region have a self-adhesive underside, asa result of which the first region is fixed in position on the elements by means of the self-adhesive second and third regions. In this way, the second and third regions are themselves also fixed in position on the elements, so that axial or radial displacement of the sleeve-like structure is not possible.

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In another form of embodiment, the first region is constructed as a winding, in which case this winding too * ** wraps around the elements in the circumferential direction * * . ** . at least once, or alternatively even a number of times, it being always necessary to ensure, irrespective of the number of windings, that the second region and third region delimit the first region in such a way that axial displacement of the connecting element can be prevented.

In another form of embodiment, the first region is constructed as a sleeve, in which case said sleeve is fixed in position on the elements by means of the second region and the third region. A sleeve has the advantage that it has, irrespective of its substratum, a smooth surface structure without irregularities, as a result of which a very good connection, which can be rotated in the circumferential direction, between the connecting element and the strand-like elements can be guaranteed.

In another form of embodiment, the first region has a self-adhesive underside, as a result of which said first region is fixed in position on the elements independehtly of the second and third regions, and the first region thereby cannot be displaced either axially or in the circumferential direction.

The method according to the invention provides simple and reliable production of a composite cable harness.

Other features, possible applications and advantages of the invention become apparent from the following description of

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the examples of embodiment of the invention which are represented in the drawings. In this connection, it should be noted that the features described or represented in the * *. drawings are only of a descriptive character, either individually or in any desired combination of the subject

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of the invention, irrespective of their surrirnarisation in the patent claims or their back-referencing, and also irrespective of their formulation or representation in the description or drawings respectively, and are not intended to restrict the invention in any manner whatsoever.

The invention will be explained in greater detail below with the aid of the drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a diagrarriruatic sectional representation of a composite cable harness with a connecting device which is Fig. 2 shows a diagrammatic sectional representation of a composite cable harness with a connecting device which is Figures 1 and 2 show, in a diagrammatic sectional representation, a composite cable harness 110 with a connecting device 100, said composite cable harness 110 comprising, in the example of embodiment represented, a number of strand-like elements 120. The strand-like elements 120 in question.may be, in particular, cables, hoses, lines or the like. These elements 120 are connected in the circumferential direction by means of a connecting element 130, a cable tie serving as said connecting element 130. Alternatively, use may also be made, as the connecting element 130, of a different connecting element such as, for example, clamps, binding twine, hose clamps, rope ties or the like, although the use of a cable * ** tie as the connecting device 100 for producing a composite * * S *** S cable harness 110 is simple, cost-effective and flexible in its application.

Arranged between the elements 120 and the connecting element 130 is a sleeve-like structure 140, said structure having a central first region 142 which is surrounded by a second region 144 and a third region 146. Both the first region 142 and also the second region 144 and third region 146 may each form windings, the strand-like elements 120 being wrapped around once by the windings in the example of embodiment represented in Figure 1.

The figures clearly represent the fact that the first region 142 is delimited in such a way at its edge regions by the second region 144 and the third region 146 that said first region 142 forms a kind of circumferential groove for receiving the connecting element 130. In order to arrive at this situation, the second region 144 overlaps the edge region of the first region 142 on a first side 150, and the third region 146 overlaps the edge region of the said first region 142 on a second side 152. In this way, on the one hand, the first region 142 of the sleeve-like structure 140 can be fixed in position on the elements 130 by the second region 144 and the third region 146 of said sleeve-like structure 140 and, on the other hand, the formation of the : ,". circumferential groove in the first region 142 can be guaranteed by the delimitation, on both sides, of the second region 144 and of the third region 146, and the axial displacement of the connecting element 130 is advantageously prevented. * ** * * . *.* * *t. *

The first region 142 has a surface finish which is so smooth that the connecting element 130 can be twisted around the strand-like elements 120 in the circumferential direction, which makes it possible to guarantee that said connecting element 130 can still be adapted in a flexible manner to the particular installation situation during the assembly of the composite cable harness 110. In this connection, it is particularly advantageous if the second region 144 and the third region 146 are of a different material, or have a different surface finish, than the first region 142. In this way, the material of the second region 144 and of the third region 146 may be, for example, thicker and/or softer than the material of the first region 142. Also possible would be a rougher surface finish, in which case a second region 144 and third region 146 which are formed in this way further promote the delimitation on both sides and, thereby, the provision of the circumferential groove..

In the example of embodiment represented, the second region 144 and the third region 146 are constructed as windings, said windings enveloping the elements 120 once in each case in the circumferential direction, as represented in Figure 1. Alternatively, it is possible for the windings of the second region 144 and of the third region 146 to envelop the elements 120 in the circumferential direction a number of times, as represented in Figure 2. A multiple winding in combination with a rougher surface finish or a thicker *:*j material promotes the delimitation of the first region 142 on both sides, and thus the formation of a circumferential * ** groove. * * , *** . * **s

The second region 144 and the third region 146 may have a self-adhesive underside, which simplifies the attachment of the sleeve-like structure 140 to the elements 120. Both the second region 144 and the third region 146 are fixed in position directly on the strand-like elements 120 by means of the self-adhesive underside during assembly. In this way, moreover, and as a result of the overlapping of the second region 144 and of the third region 146 at the edge regions of the first region 142, said first region 142 is also fixed in position on the elements, so that axial or radial displacement of the sleeve-like structure 140 as a whole is not possible.

The firât region 142 may also be constructed as a winding; the said winding of the first region 142 wrapping around the strand-like elements 120 in the circumferential direction at least once, or alternatively even a number of times. In this case, it is always necessary to ensure, irrespective of the number of windings of the first region 142, that the second region 144 and the third region 146 delimit said first region 142 in such a way that axial displacement of the connecting element 130 can be prevented.

In one alternative form of embodiment, the first region 142 may be constructed as a sleeve. A sleeve has the advantage that that it has, irrespective of its substratum, a smooth surface structure without irregularities, as a result of which a very good connection, which can be rotated in the circumferential direction, between the connecting element * ** 130 and the strand-like elements 120 can be guaranteed. In this case, the second region 144 and the third region 146 overlap the sleeve at the edge regions, as a result of which said sleeve, and thereby the first region 142, is, on the one hand, delimited on both sides and, on the other hand, fixed in position on the elements 120; in which case said first region 142 may aTho have a self-adhesive underside. This has the advantage that the first region is fixed in position on the elements 120 independently of the second region 144 and the third region 146, as a result of which the attachment of the sleeve-like structure 140 to the strand-like elements 120 becomes longer-lived and more

stable.

In the possible form of embodiment represented in Figure 2, the windings of the first region 142, the second region 144 and the third region 146 wrap around the strand-like elements 120 three times, although in principle the number of windings is variable and can be adapted to the particular situation. Thus, for example, the first region 142 may merely have a single winding, whereas the windings of the second region 144 and of the third region 146 are wrapped around a number of times, as a result of which said second region 144 and said third region 146 would each turn out to be substantially thicker than the first region 142 (not represented) In this way, the first region 142, the second region 144 and the third region 146 might have, for example, the same material with a similar or even identical surface finish, and yet the first region 142 would be delimited by the second region 144 ahd the third region 146 on both sides in such a way that a circumferential groove would be formed, which prevents axial displacement of the * *. connecting element. * a ** * * *

In addition to the forms of embodiment described and illustrated, other forms of embodiment could be conceived of which may comprise other modifications and combinations of features. * .* * . * *** *

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Claims

Claims 1. Connecting device (100 for producing a composite cable harness (110) comprising at least two strand-like elements (120), in particular cables, hoses or the like, using at least one connecting element (130), wherein at least two elements (120) are wrapped around in the circumferential direction by the connecting element (130), characterised in that there is arranged between the elements (120) and the connecting element (130) a sleeve-like structure (140) having a first region (142), a second region (144) and a third region (146) , wherein the first region (142) is delimited on both sides, at its edge regions, by the second region (144) and the third region (146) in such a way that the first region (142) forms a kind of circumferential groove for receiving the connecting element (130) , as a result of which axial displacement of said connecting element (13.0) is prevented.
2. Connecting device (100) according to Claim 1, characterised in that the connecting element (130) is a cable tie.
3. Connecting device (1OC) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the second region (144) overlaps the edge region of the first region (142) on a first side (150), and the third region (146) overlaps the edge region of the first region (142) on a second side (152). * .* * * . * . *s. *
4. Connecting device (100) according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the first region (142) has a surface finish which is so smooth that the connecting element 130) can be rotated around the elements (120) in the circumferehtial direction.
5. Connecting device (100) according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the second region (144) and the third region (146) are of a. different material from the first region (142)
6. Connecting device (100) according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the second region (144) and the third region (146) have a rougher surface finish than the first region (142)
7. Connecting device (100) according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the second region (144) and the third region (146) are thicker than the first region (142)
8. Connecting device (100) according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the second region (144) and the third region (146) are constructed as windings, said windings enveloping the elements (120) in the circumferential direction at least once in each * case. * *9. Connecting device (100) according to Claim 8, characterised in that the windings of the second region (144) and of the third region (146) envelop the * e.elements (120) a number of times in the circumferential direction.10. Connecting device (100) according to one of Clalms 1 to 9, characterised in that the second region (144) and the third region (146) have a self-adhesive underside, as a result of which both the first region (142) and the second region (144) and third region (146) are fixed in position on the elements (120) 11. Connecting device (100) according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the first region (142) is constructed as a winding, said winding enveloping the elements (120) at least once in the circumferential direction.12. Connecting device (100) according to Claim 11, characterised in that the winding of the first region (142) is of multiple construction.13. Connecting device (100 according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the first region (142) is constructed as a sleeve, said sleeve being fixed in position on the elements (120) by means of the second region (144) and the third region (146). * .* * * *14. Connecting device (lOOi according to one of Claims 1 *....* * S to 13, characterised in that the first region (142) has a self-adhesive underside, as a result of which said first region (142) is fixed in position on the elements (120) . * ** 15. Method for producing a composite cable harness (110) having a connecting device (100) according to one of Claims 1 to 14. * * * * S *0 ** *.*** * ** * * * S S 55 -5* * a * SS* *U *