DE102012203316B4 - cable arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

Cable arrangement (1), with at least three electrical cables (2) arranged essentially parallel to one another, with at least two rows of connecting webs (3) offset relative to one another, wherein adjacent cables (2) are connected to one another via the connecting webs (3) and wherein free spaces (4) are formed between the connecting webs (3) in such a way that the respective adjacent cables (2) are movable towards one another, with a plurality of connecting webs (3) and a plurality of free spaces (4) in an intermittent and/or alternating pattern are formed along a longitudinal direction of the cable arrangement (1), wherein in a transverse direction of the cable arrangement (1), which is arranged perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction, a maximum of one connecting web (3) is always formed at the same time.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a cable arrangement with a multiplicity of cables arranged essentially parallel to one another.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

the EP 0 106 518 A2 describes a ribbon cable having a plurality of laterally spaced parallel conductors. Furthermore, the ribbon cable has a connecting network which connects adjacent conductors to one another, the connecting network connecting a multiplicity of adjacent conductors in a line transverse to the longitudinal direction of the ribbon cable. The connection network is designed in such a way that the ribbon cable can be shaped in the shape of a parallelogram.

the US 2002/0 121 389 A1 describes a communication cable with a first and a second cable which are arranged parallel to one another. Connecting bars are arranged between the two cables, which enable one of the two cables to be connected to an external device without removing the connecting bars.

the EP 1 544 868 A1 describes an electrical cable. The cable has at least three conductors, each of which is surrounded by an insulating sleeve.

When laying cables in buildings, for example to create a communication infrastructure, it is often necessary to pull several cables into empty conduits specially provided for this purpose. Special variants of these cables consist of several individual but firmly connected cable elements, whereby these are arranged next to each other as duplex, triplex cables or in even higher numbers and create a fundamentally flat basic element. If these elements are pulled into empty conduits, the preferred bending direction and the increased space requirement compared to round elements result in high friction and deflection resistance - especially if the diameter of the empty conduit is relatively small or several cables are to be pulled through the same empty conduit. The resulting forces increase rapidly with increasing lengths of insertion, but must not exceed the limit forces permissible for the individual element, which is a problem, especially in the case of communication cables with their thin conductors.

Flat cables consisting of several individual elements are used in numerous applications in order to be able to transmit several electrical signals and different services in parallel and independently of one another in a relatively small space. These flat cables have advantages in production, transport and logistics, since only one cable arrangement has to be handled instead of several individual cables and work steps. There are also advantages during on-site assembly, since all desired services can be made available at the same time by pulling in a (flat) cable.

The forces acting on flat cables during handling are extremely directional, with lateral forces stretching the outer elements and compressing the inner elements. To reduce these forces, there are various solutions such that the cable, which is flat per se, is shaped round or is given an outer reinforcement and casing that is intended to protect against excessive forces. In addition to greater material requirements, higher production costs and greater weight, these measures usually lead to increased space requirements and counteract the drawing into tubular elements of limited size.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Against this background, it is an object of the present invention to provide a cable arrangement that is particularly flexible, particularly in the direction transverse to the alignment axis of the cable.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a cable arrangement having the features of patent claim 1 .

Accordingly, a cable arrangement is provided with a large number of electrical cables arranged essentially parallel to one another, with adjacent cables being connected to one another via connecting webs and free spaces being formed between the connecting webs in such a way that the respective adjacent cables can be moved relative to one another.

The idea on which the invention is based is to provide a large number of free spaces between adjacent cables in the case of cables arranged parallel to one another, instead of a continuous connecting bridge. Due to the regularly distributed or stochastically distributed connecting webs, the individual cables of the cable arrangement remain mechanically connected to one another sufficiently firmly to maintain the cable assembly, i.e. the cable arrangement, and to ensure the advantages of joint production, transport, insertion and assignment after insertion . Due to the free spaces formed between directly adjacent cables, these are in certain areas move freely to each other. In this way, the mechanical stresses on the cable arrangement can be absorbed in sections by the individual cables. Furthermore, the free spaces allow individual cables of the cable arrangement to be arranged freely in the area between two webs, so that the mechanical stresses on the individual cables of the cable arrangement are minimized.

It is essential that the connecting webs are coupled to one another by more or less stable connecting webs, in contrast to the well-known stranding technique, such as is used in power engineering, in which various power cables of a cable arrangement are loosely held together by ropes. These connecting webs act as spacers and thus at least partially exert a radial force perpendicular to the axial direction of a respective cable. In contrast to cables, the connecting webs therefore have a certain rigidity in the radial direction.

In this way, it is possible for the various cables of a cable arrangement to be drawn into an empty pipe and pulled through the empty pipe in a very simple manner. Because the individual cables are connected to one another via the connecting webs, the entire cable arrangement can be pulled through an empty pipe with less effort, since in particular frictional forces of the individual cables on the inner wall of the empty pipe are reduced.

It is also important that the individual cables are not necessarily linked to one another from an electrical point of view, as is the case, for example, with a multi-wire data cable, ribbon cable or the like. Rather, the individual cables can also be designed as completely independent cables that are only connected to one another via the connecting webs for the purpose of assembly or handling.

According to the invention, the tie bars and the spaces are formed in an intermittent and/or alternating pattern along a longitudinal direction of the cable assembly. Due to this alternating and/or intermittent arrangement of the free spaces and the connecting webs, the mechanical stresses can be distributed very well over the entire cable arrangement. Because of this configuration, the cable arrangement is highly flexible, in particular in the direction transverse to the plane of the cables, and can therefore withstand mechanical loads well. Furthermore, due to its increased flexibility, the cable arrangement according to the invention offers advantages when reeling, cutting to size, storing and pulling in.

According to the invention, in a transverse direction of the cable arrangement, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, a maximum of one connecting web is always formed at the same time. In this way the flexibility of the cable arrangement is even greater.

Further advantageous refinements and developments result from the further dependent claims and from the description with reference to the figures of the drawing.

Depending on the application, the connecting webs can be formed at regular intervals of, for example, 100 cm, 75 cm, 50 cm, 10 cm, 5 cm, 2 cm or 1 cm between adjacent cables. An interruption of the order of magnitude of several cable diameters is advantageous. Depending on the area of application and the required bending radii of the cable arrangement, these distances can be adjusted as required. These intervals of the connecting webs can be chosen to be regular or more or less randomly variable. For example, the distance is chosen to be larger for very small bending radii of the cable arrangement. In the case of large bending radii, the distance is chosen to be correspondingly smaller.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the cable arrangement is designed as a flexible, multi-core ribbon cable. In this case, each cable of the ribbon cable forms a single-wire electrical conductor with an insulating sleeve. A ribbon cable is a multi-core cable in which the electrical conductors - also referred to as cores or strands - are not arranged in a circular bundle in a round insulating tube, but are routed parallel to one another. As a result, the individual conductors are arranged in one plane. Ribbon cables typically have a large number of conductors, with conventional ribbon cables having up to 96 conductors arranged next to one another, depending on the application. The distance between adjacent conductors can typically be 0.5 mm to 2.54 mm (without flexible compression in the area of the free spaces). The most commonly used pitch is 1/20" (1.27mm) as this allows easy mating with dual row headers for 2.54mm headers.

In an alternative embodiment, a respective cable of the cable arrangement is designed as a single or multi-wire coaxial cable, as a single or multi-wire power cable, as a single or multi-wire data cable and/or as any other single or multi-wire electrical cable. Of course, other forms of electrical conductors and cables would also be conceivable. The cables can have any shape, ie they can preferably be round. Alternatively, it would also be conceivable that the cables are oval, square, polygonal or the like.

In one embodiment of the invention, the cables of the cable assembly are surrounded by an insulating sleeve. The connecting webs are preferably formed in one piece with the insulating sleeve. In this way, the cable arrangement according to the invention can be of particularly simple design. The cable arrangement is also particularly stable as a result, since there is no predetermined breaking point between the conductor and the webs.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, a thickness of the connecting webs corresponds to a wall thickness of the insulating sleeve, in particular when the connecting webs and the insulating sleeve have the same material and are produced by the same manufacturing step, such as an extrusion process.

In a further embodiment, the insulating sleeve and/or the connecting webs are made of a plastic. For example, the insulating sleeve is made of polyethylene, polyurethane, PVC or Teflon. Depending on the field of application of the cable arrangement, other plastics can also be used to form the insulating sleeve. For example, a glass fiber fabric can also be used for the insulating cover. Furthermore, it is also possible to form the webs from a different plastic than the plastic that is used for the insulating sleeve of the individual cables. For example, the connecting webs can be made of a plastic that has greater elasticity than the plastic that is used for the insulating sleeve of the individual conductors.

In a further embodiment, the cable arrangement is produced in an injection molding process. Here, the connecting webs and the free spaces are introduced into the cable arrangement during the extrusion process. In this way, the cable arrangement can be manufactured particularly inexpensively. This is particularly advantageous in the case of a cable arrangement designed as a ribbon cable.

In a further embodiment, the free spaces are produced by being punched out. The connecting webs form the connections between adjacent cables that remain after the punching out. In this way, it is possible to subsequently form a cable arrangement that has already been produced according to the invention. Alternatively, it would also be conceivable for only a single continuous connecting web to be formed between adjacent cables and for the free spaces to be formed by recesses that do not completely penetrate through the material of the connecting webs. The free spaces thus form a material thinning compared to the connecting webs surrounding these free spaces. In addition or as an alternative, it would also be conceivable for the free spaces to be formed by a material with greater elasticity than the connecting webs surrounding these free spaces.

In a further embodiment, the connecting webs are formed at periodic intervals in the longitudinal direction of the cable arrangement. A connecting web between two adjacent cables is advantageously located in an area which corresponds to free spaces for adjacent cables. In this way, the flexibility of the cable arrangement can be adapted to specific bending radii.

In a further exemplary embodiment, a shield is designed to electrically shield the cable arrangement and/or individual cables of the cable arrangement. This shielding can consist, for example, of aluminum or copper foil wrapped around a respective cable.

character list

• 1 eine schematische Ansicht eines Ausführungsbeispiels einer erfindungsgemäßen Kabelanordnung;
• 2 eine schematische Ansicht einer beispielhaften Kabelanordnung;
• 3 eine schematische Ansicht einer beispielhaften Kabelanordnung;
• 4 eine schematische Ansicht einer beispielhaften Kabelanordnung;
• 5 eine schematische Querschnittsansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Kabelanordnung; und
• 6 eine schematische Querschnittsansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Kabelanordnung.

The present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments given in the schematic figures of the drawings. They show:

• 1 a schematic view of an embodiment of a cable assembly according to the invention;
• 2 a schematic view of an exemplary cable assembly;
• 3 a schematic view of an exemplary cable assembly;
• 4 a schematic view of an exemplary cable assembly;
• 5 a schematic cross-sectional view of a cable assembly according to the invention; and
• 6 a schematic cross-sectional view of a cable assembly according to the invention.

The accompanying drawings are provided to provide a further understanding of embodiments of the invention. They illustrate embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain principles and concepts of the invention. Other embodiments and many of the foregoing advantages will become apparent by reference to the drawings.

The elements of the drawings are not necessarily shown to scale with respect to one another.

In the figures of the drawings, elements, features and components that are the same and have the same function and effect are provided with the same reference symbols unless otherwise stated.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is explained specifically below with reference to a cable arrangement designed as a flat ribbon cable, but without restricting the invention thereto. Rather, the invention can explicitly also be extended to other cable applications and configurations.

1 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a ribbon cable 1 according to the invention. In this embodiment of the invention, the ribbon cable 1 has three conductors 2.1, 2.2. and 2.3, which are arranged side by side. The three electrical conductors 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3 are made of copper, aluminum or another electrically conductive material, for example. Between the electrical conductors 2.1 and 2.2 there is a multiplicity of connecting webs 3 which mechanically connect the electrical conductor 2.1 to the electrical conductor 2.2. Spaces 4 are formed between the connecting webs 3, in which the electrical conductors 2.1 and 2.2 can move freely relative to one another.

The electrical conductor 2.2 is also coupled to the electrical conductor 2.3 via a large number of connecting webs 3. Also between the connecting webs 3 between the conductor 2.2 and the conductor 2.3, a multiplicity of free spaces 4 are formed, in which the electrical conductor 2.2 can move freely with respect to the electrical conductor 2.3. In this way, the ribbon cable 1 can be designed to be movable in all spatial directions. As a result, the ribbon cable has the desired flexibility so that it can also be laid in very crooked areas.

The webs 3, which extend between the conductors 2.1 and 2.2, are advantageously formed in areas which correspond to the free spaces 4 between the conductors 2.2 and 2.3. This creates a ribbon cable 1, which has connecting webs 4 in an intermittent and alternating pattern. In this way, the flexibility of the ribbon cable 1 is significantly increased. This avoids damage to the cable, for example cable breakage, since the stresses on the individual conductors 2 when the ribbon cable 1 is bent remain very small.

2 shows a further schematic representation of a ribbon cable 1. In this exemplary cable arrangement, four electrical conductors 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 and 2.4 are arranged next to one another. Two directly adjacent conductors 2 are each coupled to one another with connecting webs 3 . The connecting webs 3 can be made of a different material than the insulating sleeve 5 of the electrical conductors 2 . For example, the material of the connecting webs 3 can have other elasticity properties. It has proven to be advantageous to form the connecting webs 3 from a very elastic plastic, while the insulating sleeve is formed from a less elastic plastic.

A multiplicity of free spaces 4 is formed between the multiplicity of connecting webs 3 . In the areas of the free spaces 4, two directly adjacent electrical conductors 1 can move freely relative to one another. in the in 2 In the flat cable 1 shown, the connecting webs 3 are formed in an alternating and intermittent pattern along the longitudinal direction of the flat cable 1 .

3 shows a schematic view of an exemplary cable arrangement, which is designed as a ribbon cable 1 . In this example of the ribbon cable 1, three conductors are combined into a conductor group 2.5 and 2.6. The conductor group 2.5 is designed in one piece and the conductor group 2.6 is also designed in one piece. The two groups of conductors 2.5 and 2.6 are connected to one another via a large number of connecting webs 3. A multiplicity of free spaces 4 is formed between the multiplicity of connecting webs 3 .

In the free spaces 4, the conductor groups 2.5 and 2.6 can move freely relative to one another. This makes it possible for the ribbon cable 1 to have particularly small bending radii in any spatial direction.

4 shows a schematic view of an exemplary cable arrangement, which is designed as a ribbon cable 1 . The ribbon cable 1 has two conductors 2.1, 2.2. One conductor 2.1 is coupled to the conductor 2.2 adjacent thereto via a multiplicity of connecting webs 3. A large number of free spaces 4 are thus formed between the two conductors 2.1, 2.2, which are formed by those areas which form between the connecting webs 3 and the two adjacent conductors 2.1, 2.2.

5 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a ribbon cable 1. The ribbon cable 1 has a multiplicity of electrical conductors 6, which are surrounded by an insulating sleeve 5. The electrical conductors 6 with the insulating sleeve 5 surrounding them form a respective cable 2.

In this exemplary embodiment, the insulating cover 5 is shown as rectangular (approximately square). It goes without saying that the insulating sleeve 5 can also have other forms - e.g. B. circular, oval, hexagonal or polygonal - may have. The insulating sleeves 5 of the individual electrical conductors 6 are coupled to one another via connecting webs 3 . This makes it possible for the individual electrical conductors 6 to be able to move freely relative to one another. In this way, mechanical stresses that arise as a result of the bending of the ribbon cable 1 can be greatly reduced.

in the in 5 shown embodiment is shown with reference numeral 1, a single-core cable 6. However, it would also be conceivable if a different type of cable, for example a multi-core cable, a coaxial cable, a power cable, a cable assembly and the like, which is surrounded by the insulating sleeve 5 in order to form the cable 2 , is designated with reference number 6 .

6 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a ribbon cable 1. In this exemplary embodiment, three electrical conductors 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 are arranged next to one another. However, the number of conductors 2 can also be larger or smaller. In this exemplary embodiment, the connecting webs 3 between the conductors 2.1, 2.2 are formed on the upper side O of the ribbon cable 1. The connecting webs 3 between the conductors 2.2, 2.3 are, however, formed on the underside U of the ribbon cable. As a result, the flexibility of the ribbon cable 1 can be further increased.

Reference List

1

Cable assembly, ribbon cable

2

conductor, cable

2.1 - 2.4

conductor, cable

2.5, 2.6

leader group

3

connecting bars

4

free spaces

5

insulation sleeve

6

electrical conductor/cable

0

top

u

bottom

Claims (10)

Cable arrangement (1), with at least three electrical cables (2) arranged essentially parallel to one another, with at least two rows of connecting webs (3) offset relative to one another, wherein adjacent cables (2) are connected to one another via the connecting webs (3) and wherein free spaces (4) are formed between the connecting webs (3) in such a way that the respective adjacent cables (2) are movable towards one another, with a plurality of connecting webs (3) and a plurality of free spaces (4) in an intermittent and/or alternating pattern are formed along a longitudinal direction of the cable arrangement (1), wherein in a transverse direction of the cable arrangement (1), which is arranged perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction, a maximum of one connecting web (3) is always formed at the same time. Cable arrangement (1) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the cable arrangement (1) is designed as a flexible multi-core ribbon cable (1), in which each cable (2) of the ribbon cable (1) forms a single-core electrical conductor (6) with an insulating sleeve (5). Cable arrangement (1) according to claim 1 , characterized in that at least one cable (2) of the cable arrangement (1) designates a coaxial cable, a power cable, a data cable and/or a multi-core cable (2). Cable arrangement (1) according to claim 2 , characterized in that a respective cable (2) of the cable arrangement (1) is surrounded by an insulating sleeve (5) and that the connecting webs (3) are formed in one piece with the insulating sleeve (5). Cable arrangement (1) according to one of claims 2 or 4 , characterized in that a thickness of the connecting webs (3) corresponds to a wall thickness of the insulating sleeve (5). Cable arrangement (1) according to one of claims 2 , 4 or 5 , characterized in that a plastic is formed as the material of the insulating sleeve (5) and/or the connecting webs (3). Cable arrangement (1) according to claim 6 , characterized in that the plastic is PVC, PE, PUR or Teflon. Cable arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cable arrangement (1) is produced in an injection molding process. Cable arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the free spaces (4) are produced by punching out, the connecting webs (3) forming the connections between adjacent cables (2) remaining after punching out. Cable arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting webs (3) are formed at periodic intervals in the longitudinal direction of the cable arrangement (1).

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