FR2778961A1 - Support collar for wiring and conduits in vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

The collar consists of two or more housings (3) to accommodate the longitudinal items along the central axis (4) of each of the housings. The collar is made up of a support ring (1) in heat shrinkable plastic that defines the housings and spacing sleeve (2), which passes transversally around the support ring. This sleeve separates the housings by a dimension (e), perpendicular to the axis (4) of the housings.

Description

The present invention relates to a support collar for at least two

elongated elements such as

  tubular conduits or bundles of electrical cables

  ques. The collar should generally provide support

  a predetermined spacing between the elongate elements.

  Such collars are commonly used in the automotive industry, for example for holding hoses or pipes in the engine compartment of

motor vehicles.

  To keep two elongated elements at a distance from each other, it is known to use clips or staples comprising a housing for each element to be maintained. These clips are generally made by molding

  by injection of a slightly elastic plastic.

  One drawback of these clips is their relative bulk.

  really important. In addition, the production of these clips requires the manufacture of a mold adapted to the section of the elements to be maintained and to the spacing separating them. This results in a high manufacturing cost making these clips

  only suitable for very large series.

  It is also known to mold a collar directly on the elements to be assembled (overmolding). These necklaces are delicate to use and require, as before, significant investments for

associated tools.

  Another means of holding elongated elements is constituted by the clamps with rapid tightening by screwing or snap-fastening. However, such collars have a relatively large size. In addition, these

  necklaces are generally made of a relative material

  rigidly preventing any transverse expansion of the elongated elements on which they are fixed, which creates constraints both at the level of the elements

elongated only from the necklace.

  Finally, today, more and more use is made of tubes or caps, extruded or molded, made of a heat-shrinkable material. These tubes or caps have the advantage of being suitable for holding elongated elements having transverse dimensions comprised within a certain range. However, known systems of this type allow maintenance only for

  elongated elements extending parallel to each other.

  These systems are also relatively expensive, in particular because their manufacture requires a tool, die or mold, specifically dedicated to the configuration of the

elongated elements to maintain.

  However, it appears today, especially in the automotive industry, a need for a new type of collar that can be adapted very simply to different configurations of the elongated elements, as well as their dimensions, number, shape ... In addition, to cope with the decrease in available space, in particular in the engine compartment, it is necessary for the collar to have a small footprint. Finally, to meet the cost criteria imposed by automobile manufacturers, the collar must imperatively be easy to assemble and inexpensive. The object of the invention is therefore to design a

  support collar meeting these criteria, without presein-

  ter the drawbacks of the known systems mentioned above. To solve this problem, according to

  the invention, a support collar for at least two

  elongated elements, said collar delimiting at least two housings intended to receive said elements so that the longitudinal direction of each element extends substantially along a central axis of the corresponding housing, the collar comprising at least one retaining ring made of heat-shrinkable plastic delimiting said housings, and a spacer passing transversely around the retaining ring to form the abovementioned housings on either side dudir_ spacer, the spacer having a dimension, in a substantially perpendicular direction to the central axes of the dwellings, corresponding to a distance

predetermined spacing.

  Thus, the spacer member performs a double function, namely a compartmentalisation function of the retaining ring to form the housings and a function of fixing the spacing distance, while the retaining ring ensures, when it is retracted, maintaining the collar on the elongated elements and reverse

  is lying. In this way, the collar provides particularly

  highly effective in maintaining the elongated elements according to a determined spacing. The size of the collar is also reduced. The collar also has, once the retaining ring retracted, sufficient flexibility to allow the expansion of the elongated elements and small relative movements thereof. The structure of the necklace is

  furthermore simple and inexpensive to produce.

  Furthermore, the above structure is not

  fixed, and the collar is easily adaptable to the configuration

  tion of the elements to be maintained by modifying the number of

  retaining rings and / or the number of spacers.

  According to a first alternative embodiment, the spacer member is made of a material essentially

  not retractable. Thus, the dimensions of the spreading member

  are fixed. The accuracy of the corresponding dimension

  at the predetermined spacing distance then depends only on the precision of production of this member. A precise spacing can thus be easily maintained between

  two elements elongated by the collar according to this variant.

  Preferably then, the or each retaining ring is in a partially retracted state so that the associated housings have a section close to that of the elements that they are intended to receive. The mounting of the collar on the elongated elements

  is thus greatly facilitated.

  According to a second variant embodiment,

  the spacer is made of a heat-shrinkable material.

  The spacer then participates in maintaining the

  elongated elements in the necklace.

  Preferably in this variant, the or each retaining ring and the spacer member are in a

  partially retracted so that the

  associated elements have a section close to that of the elements they are intended to receive. The assembly of the

  collar on the elongated elements is again facilitated.

  According to a particular embodiment, the axes

  central dwellings are parallel.

  As a variant, the central axes of at least two housings form an angle with respect to each other. The collar is thus suitable for holding elongated elements making angles with respect to each other, which

  was excluded with the aforementioned known systems.

  According to particular embodiments suitable for holding more than two elements, the retaining ring is folded back on itself at least once to delimit at least three housings associated with this retaining ring, or the collar comprises at least two bodies of spacing to form at least three housings with one or the same retaining ring, or the collar comprises at least two retaining rings each delimiting at least two housings, or the spacer member delimits with a retaining ring additional accommodation having united

  central axis substantially perpendicular to the central axes of the housings already delimited by this retaining ring. It is thus possible to maintain more than two elongated elements in specific configurations. These differences

  annuities configurations are obtained very easily by adding retaining rings or spacers and generate only a small additional cost. The use of the collar according to the invention is therefore particularly flexible.

  Other features and advantages of the

  vention will appear more clearly on reading the

  description which follows of particular embodiments

non-limiting of the invention.

  Reference will be made to the accompanying drawings, among which: - Figures la, lb and lc represent perspective views, respectively of a collar according to a first embodiment in the non-retracted state, of said collar in the partially state retracted, and said collar finally retracted into position on two elongated elements with parallel axes, - Figure 2 is a perspective view of a spacer in a rigid material, - Figure 3 is a perspective view of a collar for holding two elongated elements with perpendicular axes, - Figure 4 is a view of a collar adapted to hold six parallel elongated elements, - Figures 5, 6 and 7 show a collar agency in three modes of particular embodiments adapted to the maintenance of three elongated parallel elements in different configurations, - Figure 8 is an elevational view in partial section of a collar for the maintenance of two elements a elongated with parallel axes and another elongated element with an axis perpendicular thereto, - Figure 9 is a perspective view of a collar according to an alternative embodiment for holding two elongated elements, with internal deposition a layer of adhesive. Referring to Figure la, the collar according to the invention, here in the free state, that is to say whose heat-shrinkable components are in the non-retracted state, comprises a retaining ring 1 of flexible plastic material heat shrink. A spacer 2, produced here in the form of a ring of flexible heat-shrinkable plastic material, passes transversely around the retaining ring 1 so that two housings 3 are formed by the retaining ring 1 on both sides other of said spacer member 2. The housings 3 have here

central axes 4 parallel.

  The retaining ring 1 and the spacer 2 can be made of identical or different materials. The flexible heat-shrinkable plastic material used to produce the retaining ring 1 and the spacer 2 is for example a crosslinked polyethylene, a polyvinyl chloride, a fluorine polyvinylidene, a

fluorinated elastomer ...

  The retaining ring 1 and the spacer 2 are preferably produced by the transverse cut

a tubular sheath.

  The retaining ring 1 and the spacer member I 2 may have identical or different colors, possibly allowing the identification of the elongated elements.

  that the housings 3 are intended to receive.

  According to an essential characteristic of the invention, the spacer 2 has a dimension e, in a direction substantially perpendicular to the central axes 4, e0 corresponding to the predetermined distance from which must be separated from each other the elongated elements that are

  intended to receive housing 3.

  In the non-retracted state, a means (not shown here) may be provided for holding the spacer 2 in position on the spacer ring 1 before mounting the collar on the elongated elements. This means could be

for example a point of adhesive.

  In FIG. 1b, the collar can be seen in a partially retracted state, in order to form a semi-finished product which is extremely advantageous for the positioning of the elongated elements. The housings 3 have in fact, as a result of this partial retraction, a neighboring section, both in size and in shape, of the section of the elongated elements

that they are meant to receive.

  This state is obtained for example by placing the collar on two mandrels with a sliding external surface having a cross section of dimension slightly greater than that of the elongated elements, and by heating the collar on its mandrels to cause a partial retraction of the retaining ring 1 and of the spacer 2. By partially retracted state, we mean a state in which the retaining ring 1 and the spacer 2 have been retracted incompletely so that they are

  susceptible to subsequent withdrawal.

  Note that in the partially rotated state, the spacer 2 is held around the retaining ring 1 by the shape of the housings 3. This pre-assembly considerably facilitates the mounting of the collar on the

elongated elements.

  In FIG. 1c, the collar shown in position and retracted on elongated elements 5 received in the housings 3 has been shown so that the longitudinal direction of each elongated element corresponds to the central axis 4 of the corresponding housing. This assembly can be made using either a collar in the non-retracted state (figure la) or in the partially state

retracted (Figure lb).

  The elongated elements 5 are here tubular conduits of circular section, but they could also be of polygonal or other section. The elongated elements could also be bundles of cables

electric or other.

  The dimensions and the material of the retaining ring 1 are determined so that in the retracted state the retaining ring 1 exerts a slight clamping force on the pipes 5. In addition, the retraction of the coupling member 2 accentuates the clamping force exerted by the retaining ring 1, which is favorable for good retaining

elongated elements.

  It will be understood that the dimension e of the coupling member 2 corresponds to the spacing separating the

two lines 5.

  Identical or analogous items will bear

  in the description which follows of the other embodiments

  the same reference number.

  In Figure 2, we can see a delivery device

  plement 2 produced in the form of an essentially rigid ring, here of rectangular cross section. This ring can be obtained by molding or by cutting a tubular section of rectangular section. The organ

  spacer 2 could also have a cross section

  oval, circular, or other shape.

  It will be noted that the projecting edges of the ring 2 are preferably chamfered so that the spacer 2 cannot scratch or deteriorate as long as the

  retaining ring 1 that the elongated elements 5.

  This spacer 2 could for example be

made of polyamide.

  Advantageously, the spacing member 2 of FIG. 2 has an external surface 6 arranged to form an identification support, for example elements kept or printed hot. By is meant that the external surface 6 is able to withstand any type of marking. In Figure 3 is shown in the retracted state a collar comprising a retaining ring 1 which is associated with a spacer 2 made in the form of a ring of heat-shrinkable material extending transversely around the retaining ring 1 to delimit two housings 3 whose central axes 4 are

  substantially perpendicular to each other.

  This particular configuration can be achieved during the partial retraction of the collar to form the semi-finished product, or during the retraction

  end of the necklace on the elongated elements 5 while giving.

  the predetermined relative angle, here 90, to the elements received

in accommodation 3.

  The collar shown in Figure 4 is suitable for holding six elongated elements. This necklace includes three contiguous retaining rings 1, around which

  crosses a ring 2 of thermo-material

  towable, so that the retaining rings 1 each form, on either side of the ring 2, two housings 3 with parallel central axes. Note that the ring 2 then forms a spacing member between gods

groups of three dwellings 3.

  Figures 5, 6 and 7 show other variants of collars suitable for holding three conductors.

  tes parallèles.25 With reference to FIG. 5, the collar, represented in the non-retracted state, comprises a support ring 1 which is folded back on itself once, and associated with a spacer 2 formed by '' a heat-shrinkable ring passing transversely around this folded mainltien ring 1, so as to delimit a housing - 3 at the fold and two housings 3 at the portions of the

  retaining ring 1 opposite to the fold. The splitting organ

  tement 2 then maintains a gap between the

  slot 3 of the fold and the other two slots 3.

  In Figure 6, there is shown a collar in the partially retracted state comprising a retaining ring 1 around which extend transversely two spacers 2 spaced from one another. It is thus formed three housings 3 aligned with central axes 4 parallel. In Figure 7, there is shown a collar comprising a retaining ring 1 having three loops around each of which extends transversely a

  spacer 2 formed from a heat-shrinkable ring.

  There are thus formed three housings 3 with central axes

  parallels arranged at the top of a triangle.

  Alternatively, provision may be made to employ

  spacers 2 having different dimensions

  tes perpendicular to the central axes of the dwellings concerned. In FIG. 8, a collar is shown according to another alternative embodiment comprising a retaining ring 1 delimiting two housings 3 in which two conduits 5 are received, and a spacer member 2 which extends transversely around the retaining ring I to form said housings 3, and which further delimits, along its central axis, an additional housing 10 of axis 12 in which it receives a third pipe 5. It is understood that the central axes of the housing 3 are soOti parallel l to one another and perpendicular to the central axis 12 of the housing 10. It will also be noted that the spacing fixed by the spacer 2 only concerns the

  lines 5 received in the housings 3.

  As a variant, the housing 10 could receive, instead of a pipe 5, an element for fixing the collar to a support, such as a finger secured to the body

of a car for example.

  In Figure 9, there is shown, in the partially retracted state, a collar comprising a retaining ring 1 associated with a spacer 2 formed of a heat-shrinkable ring extending transversely around

  of the retaining ring 1 to delimit two housings 3.

  The spacer 2 and the retaining ring 1 have in addition a respective internal surface 8 and 9 on which is deposited a layer of adhesive 11. The adhesive 11 used here can be a heat-reactivable adhesive of the type hot melt. Thus, during the retraction, the heating of the collar causes the activation of the adhesive which reinforces

  still maintaining the elongated elements in the collar.

  In addition, the adhesive also allows the configuration to be frozen.

  of the collar, especially when the central axes of the

dwellings are not parallel.

  The retaining ring 1 also has a surface

  external 7 arranged to form an identification support.

  The external surface 7 here bears printed inscriptions to identify the elongated elements intended to be received

in accommodation 3.

  Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described, and we can add

  variants without departing from the scope of the invention-

  tion as defined by the claims.

  In particular, although the spacer 2 has been described in the form of a thermc) retractablo 23 or rigid ring, the spacer could be produced in the form of a flexible ring, or a clip, or in any other form suitable for passing transversely around

  one or more heat-shrinkable retaining strips.

  Although the collars have been shown with housings 3 of identical sections, it is possible to make a collar whose housings 3 have different sections, both in shape and in dimensions. In addition, one could imagine combining some of the embodiments described to adapt a

  necklace with a particular configuration of elongated elements.

Claims (13)

  1. Support collar for at least two -the-   elongated elements, said collar delimiting at least two housings (3) intended to receive said elements so that the longitudinal direction of each element extends substantially along a central axis (4) of the corresponding location, characterized in that the collar comprises at least one retaining ring (1) made of heat-shrinkable plastic delimiting said housings (3), and a spacer (2) passing transversely around the retaining ring (1) to form the abovementioned housings (3) and on the other side of said spacer member (2), the spacer member having a dimension (e), in a direction substantially perpendicular to the central axes (4) of the housings (3), corresponding to a distance predetermined spacing.   2. Collar according to claim 1, characterized in that the spacer (2) is made of a material essentially non-retractable.   3. Collar according to claim 2, characterized in that the or each retaining ring (1) is in a partially retracted state so that the associated housings (3) have a section close to that   items they are intended to receive.   4. Collar according to claim 1, characterized in that the spacer (2) is made of a heat-shrinkable material. 5. Collar according to claim 4, characterized in that the or each retaining ring (1) and the spacer (2) are in a partially retracted state so that the associated housings (3) have a section close to that of the elements they are intended to receive.   6. Necklace according to one of the preceding claims -   teeth, characterized in that the central axes (4) of the housings (3) are parallel.   7. Necklace according to one of claims 1 to 5,   characterized in that the central axes (4) of at least two   housings (3) form an angle with respect to each other.   8. Necklace according to one of the preceding claims.   teeth, characterized in that it comprises a retaining ring (1) folded back on itself at least once to delimit at least three housings (3) associated with this retaining ring (1).   9. Necklace according to one of claims 1 to 7,   characterized in that it comprises at least two spacers (2) to form at least three housings (3)   with the same retaining ring (1).   10. Necklace according to one of claims 1 to 7,   characterized in that it comprises at least two retaining rings (1) each delimiting at least two housings (3)   11. Necklace according to one of claims 1 to 7,   characterized in that the spacer (2) delimits with a retaining ring (1) an additional housing (10) having united central axis (12) substantially perpendicular to the central axes (4) of the housing (3) already delimited by this retaining ring (1).   12. Collar according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the retaining ring (1) and / or the spacer member (2) have an external surface (7,   6) arranged to form an identification medium.   13. Collar according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the retaining ring (1) and / or the spacer (2) have an internal surface (9,   8) on which is deposited a layer of adhesive (11).