EP1076342A2 - Cable - Google Patents

Abstract

The cable (10) has a cable core enclosed by a casing within the exterior (32) of the cable. Retroreflective elements (22) are arranged in the external surface (32) of the cable which are visible by retroreflection through the external surface of the cable when light falls on the cable. Each retroreflective element contains an optical element and a reflector film.

Description

The invention relates to a cable comprising a cable core and a sheath surrounding the cable core, which inside an outside of the cable.

With such cables there is the problem that they often unfavorable lighting conditions are difficult to see.

In motor vehicles in particular there is the problem that the Cable if it is on an externally accessible side of the motor vehicle run at night for a third party are not recognizable and misjudgements regarding the dimensions of the motor vehicles and the relative can lead to motor vehicle running cables to Can cause accidents.

For this reason, the invention is based on the object to improve a cable of the type described in the introduction, that it is good even in poor lighting conditions is visible.

This task is described with a cable of the beginning Kind solved in that within the outer surface of the cable retroreflective elements are arranged, which at Incidence of light from outside the cable through the outer surface of the cable are retroreflective visible.

The advantage of the solution according to the invention can be seen in that thus the cable according to the invention per se due to their Retroreflection can be seen without additional measures are required for this.

In particular, by providing retroreflective Elements the possibility of a high reflection of light in that the light opens essentially parallel to its direction of incidence, but opposite to it is reflected back and thus, for example, by Illumination of the cable from one side also from the same The reflected light can be recognized immediately.

So there is a simple way, the Course of a cable even in unfavorable lighting conditions thereby recognizing that this cable from one side is illuminated, because in this direction again Light is reflected back.

The retroreflective elements are preferably designed such that that it is always an optical, i.e. light-deflecting, Element and a reflective element, wherein the reflective element is preferably a reflector layer is.

With regard to the arrangement of the retroreflective elements the most varied of solutions are conceivable. For example it is conceivable the optical elements and the reflector layer to arrange.

A particularly favorable solution, however, provides that the retroreflective elements on an the optical element and the reflective element fixing support are.

For example, the retroreflective elements be evenly or unevenly distributed over the carrier. It has proven to be particularly favorable if the retroreflective Elements grouped together on the Carriers are arranged.

Such groups of reflective elements could, for example be formed substantially identically means a defined order within the groups have retroreflective elements.

A particularly favorable for the solution according to the invention Variant provides that the carrier and the retroreflective Elements parts of a slack retroreflective Flat material, which is simple is manageable and easy to manufacture of cables for retroreflecting them Properties can be used.

A particularly cheap solution provides that retroreflective flat material is designed as a tape, because such a tape is particularly cheap to manufacture of cables for integrating the flat material into the Can insert cable.

It is particularly favorable if the retroreflective Flat material a layer of the cable surrounding the cable core forms, with the situation no continuous and the cable core must be completely enclosing, but definitely can also have interruptions, provided the arrangement of the retroreflective elements at such a distance the cable is recognizable as a coherent cable is.

Particularly favorable with regard to the reflective properties it is there, in particular for simplified production of the cable if the retroreflective flat material completely encloses the cable core and thus one completely, the cable core enclosing layer forms.

The introduction of the retroreflective flat material into a Cable is particularly easy to implement if that retroreflective flat material around a longitudinal axis of the Cable is wound.

The winding can be done in many different ways respectively. A preferred solution is that the retroreflective Flat material is wound helically, wherein preferably the flat material is formed as a band and then around the cable core or possibly an inner jacket is wound as a winding body.

There is either the possibility of the individual turns the helical winding so that the Bump the side edges of the tape together or one have a slight distance from each other. this could however, damage to the side edges on strong alternating bending lead stressed cables.

For this reason, see another preferred embodiment before that the individual turns of the winding with their side edges overlap.

Another advantageous way of arranging the retroreflective Flat material provides that this in Longitudinal direction of the cable, this in the form of Meandering or extending in the longitudinal direction Strips or ribbons can be made.

For example, it would be conceivable to have several extending in the longitudinal direction Strips of retroreflective material in the Provide cables, the strips with their side edges can either be arranged at a distance from one another, or knock against each other with their side edges or with theirs Side edges can be arranged overlapping.

A particularly cheap solution, especially for a complete one Enclosing the cable core, provides that the retroreflective material in the longitudinal direction of the Cable extending band forms the circumferential direction of the Cable core and across its longitudinal direction around the cable core or if necessary one arranged on the cable core Inner jacket is turned over and the cable core and optionally surrounds an inner jacket.

Such a surrounding of cable core and possibly Inner jacket does not necessarily require that the side edges abut the ribbon. There is a possibility to provide these at a distance from each other. It exists but also the possibility of joining the side edges together nudge or preferably overlap to complete Enclosing the cable core and, if necessary, one To reach the inner jacket.

Regarding the construction of the cable itself within it No details have yet been given on the outside. So provides an advantageous embodiment that the retroreflective flat material forms the cable sheath. In In this case, it should preferably be provided that this flat material has such stability that it is in the Is able, the cable core and / or possibly an inner jacket to protect adequately.

The advantage of this solution is the fact that it does retroreflective flat material with regard to its Reflectivity no additional impairments experiences.

In this case, however, the retroreflective is required Flat material on the cable core or the Inner jacket is fixed, for example by an adhesive layer or in that the reflective sheet one closed in the azimuthal direction around the longitudinal axis tubular sleeve for the cable core and possibly forms an inner jacket and thus on one the same is positively fixed by the enclosing.

Alternatively, it is provided that the retroreflective Flat material is surrounded by an outer jacket of the cable, the outer sheath of the cable preferably being formed in this way is that it is transparent to the desired light.

In the simplest case, the outer jacket is made of one for visible light made of transparent material.

As an alternative to the advantageous provision described so far of a retroreflective flat material sees another preferred embodiment that the retroreflective Elements embedded in the outer sheath of the cable are.

In this case, the outer jacket of the cable is preferred also made of transparent material for the desired light, preferably transparent for visible light Material, manufactured. The retroreflective Elements as individual elements or combined into groups in be embedded in the cable jacket.

A particularly inexpensive solution is the retroreflective one Elements in the form of pieces retroreflective Embed flat material in the cable sheath.

Another advantageous possibility provides that in the Cable sheath the optical elements of the retroreflective Elements are embedded, while the reflector layer from Cable sheath is enclosed.

For example, it would be conceivable for the cable core or to surround an inner jacket with a reflector layer and then embed the optical elements in the cable sheath, which then together with the reflector layer the retroreflective Elements result.

Regarding the formation of the retroreflective elements are composed of an optical element and a reflector layer the most different possibilities conceivable.

An advantageous solution provides that the reflector layer rests directly on the optical elements.

Another possibility provides that the reflector layer at a distance from the optical element, for example separately through a spacer layer.

The optical elements are preferably designed as glass bodies. It is particularly favorable to use glass microbeads as glass bodies to use.

Further features and advantages of the solution according to the invention are the subject of the following description and the graphical representation of some embodiments.

Fig. 1

ein erstes Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Kabels;

Fig. 2

eine ausschnittsweise Darstellung eines ersten Ausführungsbeispiels einer retroreflektierenden Schicht mit retroreflektierenden Elementen;

Fig. 3

ein zweites Ausführungsbeispiel einer erfindungsgemäßen retroreflektierenden Schicht mit retroreflektierenden Elementen;

Fig. 4

eine erste Art einer Anordnung der retroreflektierenden Schicht in dem Kabel gemäß dem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel;

Fig. 5

eine zweite Art der Anordnung der retroreflektierenden Schicht in dem Kabel gemäß dem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel;

Fig. 6

ein zweites Ausführungsbeispiels eines erfindungsgemäßen Kabels;

Fig. 7

ein drittes Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Kabels;

Fig. 8

ein viertes Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Kabels;

Fig. 9

eine ausschnittsweise Seitenansicht des vierten Ausführungsbeispiels des erfindungsgemäßen Kabels und

Fig. 10

ein fünftes Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Kabels.

The drawing shows:

Fig. 1

a first embodiment of a cable according to the invention;

Fig. 2

a partial representation of a first embodiment of a retroreflective layer with retroreflective elements;

Fig. 3

a second embodiment of a retroreflective layer according to the invention with retroreflective elements;

Fig. 4

a first type of arrangement of the retroreflective layer in the cable according to the first embodiment;

Fig. 5

a second type of arrangement of the retroreflective layer in the cable according to the first embodiment;

Fig. 6

a second embodiment of a cable according to the invention;

Fig. 7

a third embodiment of a cable according to the invention;

Fig. 8

a fourth embodiment of a cable according to the invention;

Fig. 9

a partial side view of the fourth embodiment of the cable according to the invention and

Fig. 10

a fifth embodiment of a cable according to the invention.

A first embodiment of an inventive Cable, designated as a whole in Fig. 1 with 10, comprises a Cable core 12, for example, from a variety of juxtaposed single wires 14 with one of these enclosing insulation jacket 16 is formed.

The cable core 12 has an outer side 18 on which a layer of a retroreflective flat material 20 is placed which has retroreflective elements 22, the location of the retroreflective flat material with an underside 24 on the outside 18 of the cable core 12 rests and on its upper side 26 by an outer jacket 30 is covered, which is made of a transparent material is formed so that from the outside on an outer surface 32 of the Cable 10, which is also the outer surface 32 of the outer jacket 30 represents incident electromagnetic radiation 34, preferably light, penetrates the outer jacket 30 and the retroreflective elements 22 of the retroreflective Flat material 20 hits and is reflected by this become.

Such a retroreflective element 22 comprises, as For example, shown in Fig. 2, a lens Micro glass ball 40, which with a reflector layer 42nd interacts, for example on a hemispherical side 44 the micro glass ball 40 rests while one of the hemispherical side 44 opposite hemisphere side 46 the light incidence side represents. In the micro glass ball 40 and Retroreflective element 22 comprising reflector layer 42 incident light 34 is reflected back so that the reflected light 46 approximately parallel to the incident Light 34 runs, but reverses to this spreads.

Preferably, the retroreflective elements 22 are in a carrier layer 48 is embedded, the Reflector layer 42 lies in the carrier layer 48 while the micro glass ball 40 with the light incident side 46 over the Carrier layer 48 protrudes.

To protect the retroreflective elements 22, these are preferably also covered with a cover layer 50, wherein between the cover layer 50 and the light incidence sides 46 of the Micro glass ball 40 still has a space 52, which for example filled with air. Furthermore, the top layer 50 expediently via connection points 54 the carrier layer 48 is connected and the carrier layer 48 for example, still on its facing away from the cover layer 50 Side provided with an adhesive layer 56.

The carrier layer 48 and the cover layer 50 as well as the retroreflective ones Elements 22 are altogether part of the slack retroreflective flat material 20, for example with the adhesive layer 56 on the outside 18 of the Cable core 12 is glued on.

But it is also conceivable that the retroreflective flat material 20 simply without an adhesive connection to the outside 18 of the cable core 12 is placed and only from that Outer jacket 30 is held in contact with the cable core 12.

A second embodiment of an inventive retroreflective sheet 20 ', as in FIG. 3 shown, also retroreflective elements 22 ' on the one hand have micro glass balls 40, which the reflector layer 42 'is assigned, but with the reflector layer 42 'is arranged at a distance from the hemisphere 44, so that over the hemisphere representing the light incidence side 46 incident light 34 in the region of the hemisphere 44 emerges again from the micro glass ball 40 onto the curved one Reflector layer 42 is imaged and due to this the adjusted curvature is reflected again so that overall opposite, but roughly parallel to incident light 34 propagating reflected light 46 arises.

In this embodiment, the retroreflective Flat material 20 ', the reflector layer 42' is preferred formed as a continuous layer, which on the carrier layer 48 rests, the carrier layer 48 lying opposite a spacer layer 60 is provided that extends between the reflector layer 42 'and the hemispheres 44 of the Micro glass balls 40 extends while the micro glass balls 40 covered in the area of their hemispheres 46 by the cover layer 50 are.

The slack retroreflective sheet 20 or 20 'can be, for example, in the form of a strip Produce tapes 70 which on the outside 18 of the Cable core 12 helical in relation to its longitudinal axis 72 are wound, as shown for example in Fig. 4.

Here, as shown for example in FIG. 4, the Wrap the tape 70 so that its one side edge 74 the other side edge 76 of the already wound into one turn coiled tape or so that the edges 74th and 76 overlap, with the overlap of the band 70 of Turn to turn may be up to about 10%, preferably is in the range of about 5% to about 10%.

The band 70 wound helically on the cable core is then applied by, for example, extrusion Outer jacket 30 covered and by this on the Cable core 12 fixed.

Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 5, but also Possibility given to the retroreflective flat material 20 or 20 'as a wide band 90, the width of which at least one circumference of the cable core 12 on its outside 18 corresponds. With this, the wide band 90 can be approximated Feed parallel to the longitudinal axis 72 of the cable core 12 and fold over the outside 18 so that its outer edges 94 and 96 either touch each other or overlap lie.

In addition, the tape 90 is then also applied by the Cable sheath 30 fixed on the cable core 12.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention 6, the cable core 12 of an inner jacket 100, for example extruding and on the outside 102 is then the retroreflective Flat material 20 placed so that this with his Bottom 24 rests on the outside 102 and with it Top 26, the outer surface 32 of the second embodiment 10 'of the cable according to the invention forms.

So that the reflection of incident light 34 by the retroreflective sheet 20 in any way an outer cable jacket is impaired, however but also the retroreflective flat material 20 from not protected against external influences, so that the retroreflective Flat material itself has sufficient stability must have.

The application of the retroreflective sheet 20 can be according to the context of the first Procedures described embodiment on the Outside 102 of the inner jacket 100 take place.

Furthermore, the retroreflective flat material 20 can accordingly the embodiments shown in Figs. 2 and 3 be trained.

In a third embodiment 10 ″ of the invention 7 is the cable core 12 surrounded by the inner jacket 100, on the outside 102 thereof then the retroreflective sheet 20 with its Bottom 24 is placed, while a top 26 of the retroreflective sheet 20 from the outer jacket 30 'is covered, which then also with its outside forms the outer surface 32 of the cable 10 ″.

The third embodiment is in terms of Reflection of the incident light with the first embodiment comparable, but with the difference that additionally the cable core 12 through the inner jacket 100 is enclosed, which offers the particular advantage with its outside 102 a defined, essentially round and smooth contact surface for the retroreflective flat material 20 available.

In a fourth embodiment 10 '' 'of an inventive Cable, shown in FIG. 8, is the cable core 12 directly surrounded by an outer jacket 30 '' in which retroreflective elements 22 are provided.

The retroreflective elements 22 are preferred in pieces of retroreflective flat material, for example formed according to FIGS. 2 and 3, arranged and are used, for example, when manufacturing the outer casing 30 '' added to the transparent material of the outer jacket 30 '' and thus preferably applied together with this and thus into the transparent material of the outer jacket 30 '' embedded.

This surrounds the outer jacket, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 30 '' as the total mass, the cable core 12 and lies on the outside 18 immediately on without the retroreflective Flat material 20 an independent layer forms.

In a fifth embodiment 10 '' '' of an inventive 10 is the cable core 12 on the outside 18 with the reflector layer 42 '' for the inserted retroreflective elements 22 provided for example before applying the outer jacket 30 '' 'as separate layer is applied, and in the outer jacket 30 '' ' are the micro glass balls 40 '' embedded with the reflector layer 42 '' interact and the retroreflective Form elements 22 ''.

The micro glass balls 40 ″ are preferably also in embedded the mass forming the outer shell 30 '', wherein this mass forming the outer jacket 30 '' 'is also a is transparent mass, which ensures that the incident Light 34 to the retroreflective elements 22 '' can penetrate and through this retroreflective Elements 22 ″ in turn reflected back as reflected light 46 can be.

Claims (20)

Cable comprising a cable core and a jacket surrounding the cable core, which lie within an outside of the cable,
characterized in that retroreflective elements (22) are arranged inside the outer surface (32) of the cable (10), which are visible retroreflectively through the outer surface (32) of the cable (10) when light (34) comes in from outside the cable (10) are. Cable according to claim 1, characterized in that each retroreflective element (22) an optical element (40) and a reflector layer (42). Cable according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the retroreflective elements (22) on a Carriers (48) are arranged. Cable according to claim 3, characterized in that the retroreflective elements (22) combined in groups are arranged on the carrier (48). Cable according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that that the carrier (48) and the retroreflective Elements (22) from a slack retroreflective Flat material (20) are included. Cable according to claim 5, characterized in that the retroreflective flat material (20) formed as a tape is. Cable according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the retroreflective sheet (20) is a Cable core (12) forms the surrounding position of the cable (10). Cable according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that that the retroreflective flat material (20) completely encloses the cable core (12). Cable according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the retroreflective sheet (20) by one Longitudinal axis (72) of the cable (10) is wound. Cable according to claim 9, characterized in that the retroreflective flat material (20) helical is wrapped. Cable according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that the retroreflective flat material in the cable in the longitudinal direction (72) of the same extends. Cable according to claim 11, characterized in that the retroreflective flat material is transverse to its Longitudinal direction in the circumferential direction of the cable core. Cable according to claim 12, characterized in that the retroreflective flat material in the transverse direction its longitudinal direction surrounds the cable core. Cable according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that the retroreflective elements (22) from an outer jacket (30) of the cable (10) are enclosed. Cable according to claim 14, characterized in that the Outer jacket (30) made of transparent material is. Cable according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the retroreflective elements (22) in the outer jacket (30) are embedded. Cable according to claim 16, characterized in that the retroreflective elements (22) in pieces of retroreflective Flat material (20) are arranged. Cable according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that that the retroreflective elements (22) in Cable sheath (30) embedded optical elements and a reflector layer (42 '') covered by the cable jacket (30) include. Cable according to one of claims 2 to 18, characterized in that that the retroreflective elements (22) comprise a glass body (40) as an optical element. Cable according to claim 19, characterized in that the retroreflective elements (22) micro glass balls (40) include as optical elements.

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