EP1894212B1 - Electrical cable - Google Patents

Abstract

An electrical cable (16) the electrical cable with one or more stranded wires (13), wires or other electrical conductors comprising at least one pneumatic element for building pressure and at least one pneumatic line for transmitting pressure to a switch, sensor, controller etc.

Description

The invention relates to an electrical cable with one or more strands, wires or other electrical conductors and with at least one conduit for a medium and at least one in parts or in whole elastic hollow body, wherein the conduit for a medium as a pneumatic line and the hollow body as a pneumatic Element is constructed.

From the prior art it is known to integrate into an electrical cable a switch or controller for controlling the device powered by the cable. In this case, a Schnurzwischenschalter or - dimmer or regulator is used, which switches or regulates the power of one or more strands of the electric cable at its installation. This construction is z. B. often used for switching lights.

Furthermore, pneumatically operated electrical switches are known which are operated by air pressure, which is constructed in a pneumatic bellows or the like and forwarded by a separate air hose. These are used to protect against sparks in potentially explosive areas, so that the electrical switch and the pneumatic bellows are located in different rooms. In these constructions, the air hose carries only air, but no electrical lines.

Furthermore, from the prior art nor the patents US 2,933,570 A and US Pat. No. 3,683,600 known. These relate to devices for switching on a submersible pump arranged in a vessel filled with liquid, depending on the level of the liquid level within the respective vessel, so that excess liquid is carried away. This regulation takes place according to level: the higher the level, the stronger the liquid pressure, which is sensed. When the fluid pressure exceeds a threshold, a switch turns on the motor of the pump; there the pressure of the liquid is compared with the atmospheric pressure, which is led for this purpose via an air hose to the submersible pump.

Such a submersible pump may only be switched on when the pressure in the fluid rises or exceeds a threshold value. This threshold value for the liquid pressure is above the atmospheric pressure according to the state of the container filling. Both Vorerfindungen intend to make a manual switch on the submersible pump when the normal switch-on criterion - level high or threshold value for the fluid pressure exceeded - is not met. For this purpose, on a membrane, which is exposed to the liquid pressure on one side, on the other hand, the atmospheric pressure, just this air pressure is lowered below the atmospheric pressure, so that the pressure difference fluid pressure minus air pressure is increased and the pump in question turns on. The principle according to both prior inventions therefore works only with negative pressure in the air hose and with a switching element whose switching threshold is set to an air pressure value below the atmospheric pressure. The switching off of the submersible pump takes place at its automatic start due to a hydrostatic overpressure in the liquid when the hydrostatic pressure has dropped below a lower threshold; When manually switched on by means of negative pressure in the air line, the engine runs until the negative pressure is removed and the atmospheric air pressure in the air line is restored. Thus, turning off the pump motor in these prior inventions does not take place otherwise than venting the air hose with atmospheric air pressure. The air hose never leads to overpressure, either when the pump motor is switched on or off. The disadvantage of this arrangement is that, in the switching state, a higher air pressure is applied to the rear side of the relevant membrane than to the part of the membrane exposed to the atmosphere, corresponding to the filling state in the vessel with the submersible pump. However, this requires a leakage problem: Should a switch, for example, over a longer period work, it must be ensured that the internal pressure gradient does not disappear during this time. This may be possible for a few hours, but not over days, weeks or even months. Therefore, such an arrangement would have in rooms with atmospheric pressure, where an internal pressure accumulator would be required for the operation, only an extremely short life, which is completely unsuitable in practice. Such a switching mechanism would unchecked after a very short period of time or off and / or no longer respond to the wishes of the owner.

From these disadvantages of the prior art, the problem initiating the invention is to provide a structurally particularly simple electrical actuating element whose switching characteristic is independent of leakage problems, so that it functions reliably over longer periods of time.

The solution to this problem is achieved in a generic cable by the characterizing features specified in the protection claim 1. Thereafter, the electrical cable according to the invention with one or more strands, wires or other electrical conductors characterized in that constructed by compressing the hollow body in the interior of a pressure and passed to the pneumatic line and from this to an electrical actuator, in particular to a switch, Sensor, controller or the like, which is actuated by the thus transmitted pressure.

For example, a pressure-operated switch switches an electrical circuit due to the transmitted pressure, ie, an electrical contact is switched, or a pressure-operated regulator regulates a current due to the transmitted pressure.

A basic idea of the invention is to integrate a pneumatic element and a pneumatic line into an electrical cable. The pneumatic element can sit at one or more arbitrary points of the cable. If it is actuated, for example, by being compressed by hand, it passes on the resulting pressure in this pressure to the pneumatic line, for example, along with the strands of the cable and to a controller, switch, sensor or the like to control the current through just this pressure is connected. The controller, switch or sensor can be accommodated both on the device-side end of the cable and on the plug-side end of the cable, or at any point in or on the cable or in the device. For example, a lamp can be switched or regulated (dimmed) by finger pressure on the pneumatic element. Dimming can be controlled by both the magnitude of the duration of the pressure and the volume of the pneumatic medium moved (eg, the amount of air).

Device components can also be switched or controlled in the same way. Applications would be, for example, the volume control of headsets or headphones.

In one possible embodiment of the invention, the controller, switch or sensor sits directly on the pneumatic element, so that the pneumatic line is shortened to a minimum.

In the construction and the formal design of the pneumatic element the imagination knows no bounds. It may be formed by a simple elastic rotationally symmetrical hollow body, but may also take forms such as those of symbols, animals, trademarks, etc. It may be a partially or fully elastic hollow body, a pneumatic cylinder, a bellows or any other construction, which is capable of generating pressure.

In summary, the invention proposes to integrate in a current-carrying cable devices for switching or regulating, for example, the powered by the cable devices or device components. These devices can be freely chosen in their structural design very simple and in shape, so that they can convey the user both a haptic and aesthetic value and at the same time can be produced inexpensively.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention is specified in protection claim 2. Thereafter, the pneumatic line is a hose or the like, which runs along with the strands and is surrounded by the same cable sheath.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention is specified in protection claim 3. Thereafter, the cable sheath forms a whatever shaped cavity, which runs parallel to the strands and the function of the pneumatic line (pressure transmission) takes over. In this possible embodiment of the invention can be dispensed with the hose. The pressure transmission takes instead a parallel with the strands extending and formed by the cable sheath cavity.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention is stated in protection claim 4. Thereafter, the pneumatic element is a partially or wholly elastic hollow body, which is slipped over the cable or which surrounds the cable at a certain point in whole or in part.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention is specified in protection claim 5. Thereafter, the pneumatic element is formed by a whatever shaped compressible bladder or bulge of the pneumatic line. To dispense with items or for aesthetic reasons, it may be beneficial to use the pneumatic element form directly through a bubble or bulge of the pneumatic line.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention is specified in protection claim 6. Thereafter, the pneumatic element is formed by a whatever shaped compressible bladder of the cable sheath. To dispense with items or for aesthetic reasons, it may be advantageous to form the pneumatic element directly through a bubble or bulge of the cable sheath. This construction is particularly useful if the pneumatic line as shown in protection claim 3 is also formed by the Kabelumantelung.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention is specified in protection claim 7. Thereafter, the pneumatic line is compressible and thus also forms the pneumatic element in the construction unit. Here, the pneumatic line is designed elastic. It can be compressed anywhere, eg. B. by finger pressure. Thus, the necessary switching or control pressure is built up directly in the pneumatic line. Pneumatic element and pneumatic line are thus united together in one component.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention is specified in protection claim 8. Thereafter, air is used as the pneumatic medium. This allows a particularly simple handling and inexpensive production of the invention.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention is specified in protection claim 9. Thereafter, at least one pneumatic element assumes the function of a manual switch or controller and / or at least one pneumatic element performs the function of a footswitch or controller.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention is specified in protection claim 10. Thereafter, the primary circuit of a transformer, or a plug-in transformer, switched or regulated with the cable according to the invention.

The construction according to the invention makes it possible to switch the power at any location, regardless of the location of the switching operation, ie the location of the pneumatic element. This is especially of great advantage in the operation of plug-in transformers or transformers in general. The operated by the pneumatic element and the pneumatic line switch or controller is installed in the primary circuit of the transformer. With this design, the transformer is only supplied with power when the device is actually turned on. As a result, both electrosmog as well as energy consumption and heat generation over conventional constructions are greatly reduced.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention is specified in protection claim 11. Thereafter, the pneumatic element is fluorescent and / or illuminated. Thus, the optical value added can be increased significantly.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention is specified in protection claim 12. Thereafter, the pneumatic element is slidably mounted on the cable. There are applications in which a displaceable pneumatic element is advantageous, since in this way the location of the switching or control operation is individually adjustable.

Another advantage of the invention in its various embodiments is that it can be used to construct watertight units (cable, pneumatic element and pneumatic unit) in the simplest way. Thus, currents can be switched by means of a pneumatic element directly on the cable (as with a conventional cord switch), however without the disadvantage of having to isolate the Schnurzwischenschalter consuming moisture.

Mixed forms between the described embodiments and their modifications are part of the invention.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Detailansicht einer möglichen Ausführungsform des Kabels;

Fig. 2

eine Schnittansicht einer weiteren möglichen Ausführungsform des Kabels;

Fig. 3

eine perspektivische Detailansicht einer möglichen Ausführungsform des Kabels mit einer möglichen Ausführungsform des pneumatischen Elements;

Fig. 4

eine perspektivische Detailansicht einer möglichen Ausführungsform des Kabels mit einer möglichen Ausführungsform des pneumatischen Elements; und

Fig. 5

eine perspektivische Detailansicht einer möglichen Ausführungsform des Kabels mit einer weiteren möglichen Ausführungsform des pneumatischen Elements.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1

a detailed perspective view of a possible embodiment of the cable;

Fig. 2

a sectional view of another possible embodiment of the cable;

Fig. 3

a detailed perspective view of a possible embodiment of the cable with a possible embodiment of the pneumatic element;

Fig. 4

a detailed perspective view of a possible embodiment of the cable with a possible embodiment of the pneumatic element; and

Fig. 5

a detailed perspective view of a possible embodiment of the cable with a further possible embodiment of the pneumatic element.

Fig. 1 shows by way of example a two-strand cable 16 with strands 13, their insulation 12, a hose 14 and a cable sheath 11th

Fig. 2 shows by way of example a two-strand cable with strands 23, their insulation 22, a cable sheath 21 and a formed by the cable sheath cavity 29, but was dispensed with the hose 14.

Fig. 3 shows by way of example in part or in whole elastic or compressible hollow body 35 which is slipped over a cable 36 and which surrounds this at a certain point and sealingly closes with this in the areas 38. The hollow body takes over the function of the pneumatic element, ie by compressing pressure is built up in its interior and passed on to the pneumatic line. The elastic hollow body or the pneumatic element can be made of a variety of materials such as rubber, latex, synthetic resin, plastic, silicone, PVC, etc. and take any shape imaginable. The pneumatic element may also be a bellows or the like. The pneumatic element can pull the cable completely (as in Fig. 3 shown) or only partially surrounded. The cable may be equipped with one or more elements 35.

Fig. 4 shows by way of example a cable 46, a pneumatic element 45 and a connecting hole 47, which serves the pressure transmission between the pneumatic element 45 and the pneumatic line which extends within the cable 46. The pneumatic element 45 is shown cut open for better understanding.

Fig. 5 shows a construction, wherein the pneumatic line is formed by the Kabelumantelung.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

11.21

cable sheathing

12, 22

insulation

13, 23

braid

14

tube

16,36,46

electric wire

29

cavity

35

hollow body

38

Area

45

pneumatic element

47

connecting hole

Claims (12)

1. Electrical cable (16,36,46) with one or more cords (13,23), wires or other electric conductors as well as with at least one conduit for a medium and at least one partially or entirely elastic hollow body (35), whereby the conduit for a medium is constructed as a pneumatic conduit and the hollow body (35) is constructed as a pneumatic element, characterized in that by compressing the hollow body (35), pressure is built up inside its interior and is transmitted to the pneumatic conduit and through this to an electric actuator, especially to a switch, sensor, controller or the like, which is actuated by the pressure transmitted in this way.
2. Cable according to claim 1, characterized in that the pneumatic conduit is a hose (14) or something similar, which runs in common with the cords (13,23') and is surrounded together with them by the same cable jacket (11,21).
3. Cable according to claim 1, characterized in that the cable jacket (11,21) forms a cavity (29) of any shape, which runs parallel to the cords (13,23) and performs the function of the pneumatic conduit (transmission of pressure).
4. Cable according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pneumatic element is a partially or entirely elastic hollow body, which is pulled over the cable (16,36,46) or which surrounds the cable (16,36,46) entirely or partially at a specific position.
5. Cable according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the pneumatic element is formed by a compressible bulb or bulge, respectively, of the pneumatic conduit, which is shaped in any form.
6. Cable according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the pneumatic element is formed by a compressible bulb or bulge, respectively, of the cable jacket (11,21), which is shaped in any form.
7. Cable according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the pneumatic conduit is compressible and therefore forms the pneumatic element in common, too.
8. Cable according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pneumatic medium is air.
9. Cable according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one pneumatic element performs the function of a manual switch or controller, respectively, and/or at least one pneumatic element performs the function of a foot switch or controller, respectively.
10. Cable according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the primary electric circuit of a transformer, or of a plug transformer, respectively, is switched or controlled by it.
11. Cable according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pneumatic element is fluorescent and/or is illuminated.
12. Cable according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pneumatic element is fixed to the cable (16,36,46) in a displaceable manner.

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