EP1076342B1 - Cable - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a cable comprising a cable core and a jacket surrounding the cable core, which within an outer surface of the cable lie.

In such cables, the problem is that they often at unfavorable lighting conditions are difficult to see.

In particular, there is a problem with motor vehicles that the Cable then when on an externally accessible side of the motor vehicle, at night for a third party are not recognizable and thereby misjudgements regarding the dimensions of motor vehicles and the relative may lead to the motor vehicle extending cable to Accidents can result.

For this reason, the invention is based on the object to improve a cable of the type described above in such a way that it is good even in unfavorable light conditions is visible.

This object is achieved with a cable of the type described above Art solved by that within the outer surface of the cable retroreflective elements are arranged, which at Light from outside the cable through the outer surface the cable are retroreflective visible.

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

In particular, the provision of retroreflective Elements the possibility of a high reflection of light thereby opening, that the light is substantially parallel to his direction of incidence, but opposite to this is reflected back and thus, for example, by Lighting the cable from one side also of the same Side immediately the reflected light can be detected.

Thus, in a simple way, the possibility that Course of a cable even in unfavorable lighting conditions characterized in that this cable from one side is illuminated, as in this direction again the Light is reflected back.

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

Regarding the arrangement of the retroreflective elements the most different 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 one the optical element and the reflective element fixing carrier arranged are.

In this case, for example, the retroreflective elements be evenly or irregularly distributed over the carrier. It has proved to be particularly favorable when the retroreflective Elements grouped together on the Carriers are arranged.

Such groups of reflective elements could, for example be formed substantially identical, the means within the groups a fixed arrangement of having retroreflective elements.

A particularly favorable for the inventive solution Variant provides that the carrier and the retroreflective Elements parts of a limp retroreflective Flat material are, which in a simple way is manageable and also easy to manufacture of cables to provide the same with retroreflective Properties can be used.

A particularly favorable solution provides that the retroreflective sheet is formed as a band, since such a band is particularly favorable in the production of cables for integration of the sheet in the Insert cable.

It is particularly favorable when the retroreflective Flat material surrounding the cable core location of the cable forms, whereby the situation no continuous and the cable soul completely enclosing situation, but quite may also have interruptions, provided that the arrangement of retroreflective elements at such a distance done that the cable recognizable as a continuous cable is.

Particularly favorable in terms of reflective properties it is there, in particular for simplified production of the cable when the retroreflective sheeting the cable core completely encloses and thus a completely forming the cable core encircling lay.

The introduction of the retroreflective sheet in a Cable is particularly easy to implement when the retroreflective sheet about a longitudinal axis of the Cable is wound.

Here, the winding in 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 wound as a wound body.

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

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

Another advantageous way to arrange the retroreflective Flat material provides that this in Lengthwise of the cable runs, 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 longitudinally extending Strip of retroreflective material in the Provide cable, the strips with their side edges can either be spaced apart, or with their side edges abut each other or with their Side edges can be arranged overlapping.

A particularly favorable solution, especially for the complete Enclosing the cable core, provides that the retroreflective material extending in the longitudinal direction of the Cable extending band forms in the circumferential direction of the Cable core and transverse to its longitudinal direction around the cable core or optionally one arranged on the cable core Inner sheath is turned over while the cable core and optionally surrounding an inner jacket.

Such surrounding of cable core and possibly Inner sheath does not necessarily require that the side edges of the band abut each other. There is a possibility to provide them at a distance from each other. It exists but also the possibility of the side edges together to bump or preferably overlap to a complete Enclosing the cable core and possibly one Inner jacket to reach.

Regarding the construction of the cable itself within it Outside area have not been specified so far. So provides an advantageous embodiment that the retroreflective sheet forms the cable sheath. In In this case, it should preferably be provided that this flat material has such a stability that it is in the Location is the cable core and / or optionally an inner sheath to protect adequately.

The advantage of this solution is the fact that while the retroreflective sheet in terms of its Reflectance no additional impairments experiences.

In this case, however, it is necessary that the retroreflective Flat material on the cable core or the Inner shell is fixed, for example by an adhesive layer or in that the reflective sheet a closed in azimuthal direction about the longitudinal axis tubular casing for the cable core and optionally forms an inner shell and thus on a the same is positively fixed by enclosing.

Alternatively, it is contemplated that the retroreflective Flat material is surrounded by an outer jacket of the cable, wherein preferably the outer jacket of the cable is formed is that it is transparent to the respective desired light.

In the simplest case, while the outer sheath of a for visible light made of transparent material.

Alternatively to the previously described advantageous provision one retroreflective sheeting sees another preferred embodiment, that the retroreflective Elements embedded in the outer jacket of the cable are.

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

A particularly favorable solution provides the retroreflective Elements in the form of pieces retroreflective Embed flat material in the cable sheath.

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

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

Regarding the design of the retroreflective elements of an optical element and a reflector layer the most diverse 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, separated by a spacer layer.

The optical elements are preferably formed as glass body. It is particularly advantageous as a glass body micro glass beads to use.

Further features and advantages of the solution according to the invention are the subject of the following description as well as the Drawing 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.

In the drawing show:

Fig. 1

a first embodiment of a cable according to the invention;

Fig. 2

a fragmentary view of a first embodiment of a retroreflective layer with retroreflective elements;

Fig. 3

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

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 in Fig. 1 as a whole by 10, comprises a Cable core 12, for example, from a variety of adjacent individual wires 14 with one of these enclosing insulating jacket 16 is formed.

The cable core 12 has an outer side 18, on which a layer of retroreflective sheet 20 is placed is that has retroreflective elements 22, wherein the position of the retroreflective sheet with a bottom 24 on the outside 18 of the cable core 12th rests on its top 26 of an outer shell 30th 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 at the same time the outer surface 32 of the outer shell 30 represents impinging electromagnetic radiation 34, preferably light, the outer sheath 30 penetrates and on the retroreflective elements 22 of the retroreflective Flat material 20 meets and reflects from this become.

Such a retroreflective element 22 comprises, as For example, shown in Fig. 2, acting as a lens Microglass ball 40, which with a reflector layer 42nd cooperates, for example, on a hemisphere side 44th the glass microglass 40 rests while one of the hemisphere side 44 opposite hemisphere side 46, the light incident side represents. Into which the glass microglass 40 and the Reflector layer 42 comprehensive retroreflective element 22nd Incident light 34 is reflected back so that the back-reflected light 46 is approximately parallel to the incident Light 34 runs, but inversely to this spreads.

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

To protect the retroreflective elements 22, these are preferably still covered with a cover layer 50, wherein between the cover layer 50 and the light incident sides 46 of Microglass ball 40 still a gap 52 remains, which for example, filled with air. Further, the cover layer 50 expediently via connection points 54 with the carrier layer 48 is connected and the carrier layer 48 is for example, still facing away from the cover layer 50 Side provided with an adhesive layer 56.

The carrier layer 48 and the cover layer 50 and the retroreflective Elements 22 are all part of the limp retroreflective sheet 20, for example with the adhesive layer 56 on the outside 18 of the Cable core 12 is glued.

But it is also conceivable that the retroreflective sheet 20 simply without glue on the outside 18 of the cable core 12 is placed and only from the Outer jacket 30 is held in contact with the cable core 12.

A second embodiment of an inventive retroreflective sheet 20 'as shown in FIG. 3 Also shown are retroreflective elements 22 ' on the one hand have glass microspheres 40, which the reflector layer 42 'is assigned, however, wherein the reflector layer 42 'is arranged at a distance from the hemisphere 44, so that on the light incidence side representing hemisphere 46 incident light 34 in the hemisphere 44 again exits from the glass microbead 40, on the curved Reflector layer 42 is imaged and due to this the adjusted curvature is reflected back so that in total Opposite, but approximately parallel to incident light 34 propagating reflected light 46 arises.

In this embodiment of the retroreflective Sheet 20 'is the reflector layer 42' preferably formed as a continuous layer, which on the carrier layer 48 rests, wherein the carrier layer 48 opposite a spacer layer 60 is provided which is between the reflector layer 42 'and the hemispheres 44 of the Microglass balls 40 extends, while the glass microspheres 40th covered by the cover layer 50 in the region of their hemispheres 46 are.

The pliable retroreflective sheet 20 or 20 'can be, for example, in the form of strip-shaped Making tapes 70 which on the outside 18 of the Cable core 12 helically relative to the longitudinal axis 72nd are wound, as shown for example in Fig. 4.

In this case, as shown for example in Fig. 4, the Winding the belt 70 so that its one side edge 74 at the other side edge 76 of the already wound to a turn wound tape or so that the edges 74 and 76 overlap, with the overlap of the belt 70 of FIG Turn to turn can be up to about 10%, preferably is in the range of about 5% to about 10%.

The helically wound on the cable core band 70th is then applied through, for example, by extrusion Covered outer jacket 30 and through this at the Cable core 12 fixed.

Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 5, but also the Possibility, the retroreflective sheet 20 or 20 'form as a wide band 90 whose width at least one circumference of the cable core 12 on its outside 18 corresponds. Thus, the wide band 90 can be approximately feed parallel to the longitudinal axis 72 of the cable core 12 and so turn around the outside 18 that its outer edges 94 and 96 either abut or overlap lie.

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

In an alternative embodiment of the invention Cable, shown in Fig. 6, the cable core 12 of an inner shell 100, for example, extrusion, surrounded and on its outside 102 then the retroreflective Flat 20 placed so that this with his Bottom 24 rests on the outside 102 and with his Top 26, the outer surface 32 of the second embodiment 10 'of the cable according to the invention forms.

Thus, the reflection of incident light 34 by the retroreflective sheeting 20 in no way an outer cable sheath affected, however, is but also the retroreflective sheet 20 of outside not protected against impacts, so that the retroreflective Flat material itself sufficient stability must have.

The application of retroreflective sheet 20 may be in accordance with the in connection with the first Embodiment described procedures on the Outside 102 of the inner shell 100 done.

Furthermore, the retroreflective sheet 20 may be correspondingly the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 be educated.

In a third embodiment 10 '' of the invention Cable, shown in Fig. 7 is the cable core 12th surrounded by the inner shell 100, on its outer side 102nd then the retroreflective sheet 20 with its Bottom 24 is launched while a top 26 of the retroreflective sheet 20 from the outer jacket 30 'is covered, which then with its outside the outer surface 32 of the cable 10 "forms.

The third embodiment is in terms of Reflection of the incident light with the first embodiment comparable, but with the difference that in addition, the cable core 12 still through the inner shell 100th which offers the particular advantage of having its outside 102 a defined, substantially round and smooth bearing surface for the retroreflective sheet 20 to provide.

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

The retroreflective elements 22 are preferably in pieces of retroreflective sheeting, for example formed according to FIGS. 2 and 3, arranged and for example, when making the outer jacket 30 " the ansich transparent material of the outer jacket 30 "added and thus preferably applied together with this and thus in the transparent material of the outer jacket 30 " embedded.

This encloses, as shown in Fig. 8 and 9, the outer jacket 30 "as the total mass, the cable core 12 and lies on the outside 18 directly on without the retroreflective Sheet 20 is an independent layer forms.

In a fifth embodiment 10 "" of an inventive Cable, shown in Fig. 10, is the cable core 12th on its outside 18 with the reflector layer 42 "for the provided retroreflective elements 22, the for example, prior to application of the outer sheath 30 "'as separate layer is applied, and in the outer jacket 30 '' ' the microglass spheres 40 "embedded with the reflector layer 42 "interact while the retroreflective Elements 22 "form.

The glass microspheres 40 "are preferably also in embedded the outer shell 30 "'forming mass, wherein this the outer shell 30 "'forming mass also one 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)

1. Cable comprising a cable core (12) and a sheath (30, 30', 30", 30'", 100) surrounding the cable core, which core and sheath lie inside an outer surface (32) of the cable,
   characterized in that inside the outer surface (32) of the cable (10) retro-reflecting elements (22) are disposed, which given light incidence (34) from outside of the cable (10) are visible in a retro-reflecting manner through the outer surface (32) of the cable (10).
2. Cable according to claim 1, characterized in that each retro-reflecting element (22) comprises an optical element (40) and a reflector layer (42).
3. Cable according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the retro-reflecting elements (22) are disposed on a carrier (48).
4. Cable according to claim 3, characterized in that the retro-reflecting elements (22) are arranged combined into groups on the carrier (48).
5. Cable according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the carrier (48) and the retro-reflecting elements (22) are composed of a flexible retro-reflecting flat material (20).
6. Cable according to claim 5, characterized in that the retro-reflecting flat material (20) takes the form of a strip.
7. Cable according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the retro-reflecting flat material (20) forms a layer of the cable (10) that surrounds the cable core (12).
8. Cable according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the retro-reflecting flat material (20) completely encloses the cable core (12).
9. Cable according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the retro-reflecting flat material (20) is wound around a longitudinal axis (72) of the cable (10).
10. Cable according to claim 9, characterized in that the retro-reflecting flat material (20) is wound helically.
11. Cable according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the retro-reflecting flat material extends in the cable in longitudinal direction (72) thereof.
12. Cable according to claim 11, characterized in that the retro-reflecting flat material runs transversely relative to its longitudinal direction in peripheral direction of the cable core.
13. Cable according to claim 12, characterized in that the retro-reflecting flat material surrounds the cable core in a transverse direction relative to its longitudinal direction.
14. Cable according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the retro-reflecting elements (22) are enclosed by an outer sheath (30) of the cable (10).
15. Cable according to claim 14, characterized in that the outer sheath (30) is manufactured from transparent material.
16. Cable according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the retro-reflecting elements (22) are embedded in the outer sheath (30).
17. Cable according to claim 16, characterized in that the retro-reflecting elements (22) are disposed in pieces of retro-reflecting flat material (20).
18. Cable according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the retro-reflecting elements (22) comprise optical elements embedded in the cable sheath (30) as well as a reflector layer (42") covered by the cable sheath (30).
19. Cable according to one of claims 2 to 18, characterized in that the retro-reflecting elements (22) comprise a glass body (4) as an optical element.
20. Cable according to claim 19, characterized in that the retro-reflecting elements (22) comprise glass microspheres (40) as optical elements.

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