GB2521771A

GB2521771A - Guide element for guiding lines extending through a pass-through

Info

Publication number: GB2521771A
Application number: GB1422753.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Sebastian Ahlers; Jeffrey Groshong; Michael Heath
Original assignee: Daimler AG
Current assignee: Mercedes Benz Group AG
Priority date: 2014-12-19
Filing date: 2014-12-19
Publication date: 2015-07-01

Abstract

A guide element 10 for guiding lines 12, 14 extending through a pass-through 16 of a frame 18 of a vehicle, the guide element being configured to overlap the pass-through at least partially, and comprising: a first guide channel 20 configured to receive first line 14 extending through the pass-through, and guide the first line, and second guide channel 22 configured to receive second line 12 extending through the pass-through, and guide the second line. Where the guide channels extend in different directions, and so guide the respective lines in the different directions. Preferably the guide element is formed as one piece and is arranged to be partially within the pass-through. A fastening element 24 may be included for attaching the guide element to the frame and may comprise one fir tree structure (38, figure 5).

Description

Guide Element for Guiding Lines extending through a Pass-Through The invention relates to a guide element according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

Such a guide element for guiding lines extending through a pass-through of a vehicle is known from DE 102 25 164 Al. For example, the pass-through is a through opening of a wall of the vehicle, wherein said wall can be part of a frame rail of a frame of a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle. For example, the lines are routed through the path-through in order to connect both ends of the respective lines to respective components of the vehicle.

The guide element is configured to overlap the pass-through so that, for example, the guide element can receive the lines thereby protecting the lines from touching the wall bounding the pass-through, i.e. the through opening. Moreover, the guide element is configured to guide the respective lines. For this purpose, the guide element comprises a first guide channel which is configured to receive at least partially at least one first line extending through the pass-through. Furthermore, the first guide channels configured to guide the first line. Moreover, the guide element comprises at least second guide channel which is configured to receive at least partially at least one second line extending through the pass-thiough, wherein the second guide channel is configured to guide the second line.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a guide element of the previously mentioned kind, by means of which the lines can be guided in a particularly space-and cost-efficient way.

This object is solved by a guide element having the features of patent claim 1.

Advantageous embodiments with expedient and developments of the invention are indicated in the other patent claims.

In order to provide a guide element of the kind indicated in the preamble of patent claim 1, by means of which the lines can be guided in a particularly space and cost-efficient way according to the present invention the guide channels extend in different directions so as to guide the respective lines in the different directions. In other words, the first guide channel extends in a first direction so that the first line can be guided by the first guide channel in the first direction. The second guide channel extends in a second direction which extends angularly to the first direction. This means the second direction is different from the first direction. Thereby, the second line can be guided by means of the second guide channel in the second direction.

Preferably, the lines have different outlets in different directions. This means the lines can be routed in the different directions and, thus, connected to different components arranged at different locations. Moreover, a plurality of lines can be routed through the pass-through and guided by the guide element which is, for example, a grommet. Thus, the pass-thiough can be used for a plurality of lines so that the lines can be routed in a particularly space-and cost-efficient way. Since the guide channels can receive the respective lines at least partially, excessive and undesired movements of the lines can be avoided by means of the guide element. For example, the lines or at least one of said lines can be snapped into the corresponding guide channel so that at least one of the lines can be connected to the corresponding guide channel by means of a form fit. Thus, the line can be firmly fixed to the guide element. For example, the lines can be fastened or secured either by their own structure or by tie-strapping. Moreover, the lines can be prevented from kinking or taking damage by means of the guide element since the lines can be protected from touching a wall, in particular the frame, bounding the pass-through.

Since a guide element is configured to overlap the pass-through as well as guide the plurality of lines in the different directions the cost of the guide element can be kept particularly low so that the guide element is inexpensive. Moreover, for example, the guide element can be formed in one piece so that it can be manufactured inexpensively.

In order to firmly attach the guide element to the frame, the guide element can comprise at least one through opening for a bolt by means of which the guide element can be attached to the frame. Alternatively or additionally, the guide element can comprise a fir tree structure for attaching the guide element to the frame. For example, the fir tree structure is designed as a saw tooth structure.

Further advantages, features, and details of the invention derive from the following description of preferred embodiments as well as from the drawings. The features and feature combinations previously mentioned in the description as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned in the following description of the figures and/or shown in the figures alone can be employed not only in the respective indicated combination but also in any other combination or taking alone without leaving the scope of the invention.

The drawings show in: Fig. 1 a schematic perspective view of a guide element for guiding lines extending through a pass-through of a frame of a vehicle, the guide element comprising at least two guide channels configured to receive respective lines, wherein the guide channels extend in different directions so as to guide the respective lines in the different directions; Fig. 2 a schematic perspective view of the guide element according to Fig. 1; Fig. 3 an arrangement of the guide element on the frame of the vehicle, in which arrangement said lines are guided by the guide element which is, for example, designed as a grommet; Fig. 4 a perspective front view of the guide element comprising at least one fastening element for attaching the guide element to the frame, the fastening element comprising a fir structure; Fig. 5 a schematic sectional view of the guide element according to Fig. 4; Fig. 6 part of a schematic front view of a frame rail of the frame, the frame rail comprising said pass-through and a through opening being different from the pass-through, wherein the guide element can be attached to the frame rail by means of said through opening; and Fig. 7 a schematic perspective view of the guide elements guiding the lines in different directions.

In the figures the same elements or elements having the same functions are indicated by the same reference signs.

Figs. 1 and 2 show a guide element 10 for guiding at least two lines 12 and 14 (Fig. 3) which extend through a pass-through 16o1 a frame rail 18. The frame rail 18 is part of a frame of a vehicle in the form of a commercial vehicle. For example, the commercial vehicle comprises said frame, a driver's cab, and at least one further body, wherein the driver's cab and the body are mounted on the frame. Moreover, the vehicle comprises several components to which the lines 12 and 14 are connected on their respective ends.

As can be seen from Fig. 3, the pass-through 16 of the frame rail 18 is a through opening through which the lines 12 and 14 are routed. Thus, the lines 12 and 14 can be routed from the respective first components to the respective second components via the pass-through 16. The guide element 10 is configured to overlap the pass-through at least partially. Moreover, the guide element 10 is configured to guide at least the lines 12 and 14, wherein the guide element 10 is also the referred to as a grommet or a further pass-through. The guide element 10 can also be used as a cable feed through.

For example, the line 14 is an air line configured to guide air of a pneumatic braking system of the vehicle. For example, the air line 14 can be a 1/2 inch airline. For example, the air line 14 runs from a brake valve to a steering axle brake valve, so that the brake valve is fluidically connected to the steering axle brake valve by means of the line 14.

Moreover, the line 12 can be a power steering hose configured to guide a hydraulic fluid of a power steering system of the vehicle.

In order to guide the lines 12 and 14 in a particularly space-and cost-efficient way, the guide element 10 comprises a first guide channel 20 which is also referred to as a first spout. The first guide channel 20 is configured to receive at least the line 14 at least partially, the line 14 extending through the pass-through 16 and the guide element 10, (grommet). Moreover, the first guide channel 20 is configured to guide the line 14.

Furthermore, the guide element 10 comprises a second guide channel 22 which is also referred to as a second spout. The second guide channel 22 is configured to receive the line 12 at least partially, the line 12 extending through the pass-through 16 and the guide element 10. Moreover, the second guide channel 22 is configured to guide the line 12.

As can be seen particularly well from Fig. 3 the guide channels 20 and 22 extend in different directions so as to guide the respective lines 12 and 14 in said different directions. As can be seen from Fig. 3 said directions interlace. In order to manufacture the guide element 10 particularly cost-efficiently, the guide element 10 is formed in one piece and made of a plastic material.

Moreover, the guide channels 20 and 22 are configured to receive the lines 12 and 14 by moving the lines 12 and 14 perpendicularly to the respective directions into the guide channels. In other words, the guide channel 20 extends in a first direction so as to guide the line 14 in the first direction. The guide channel 22 extends in a second direction being different from the first direction, so that the line 12 is guided in the second direction. The line 14 can be put into the corresponding guide channel 20 by moving the line 14 perpendicularly to the first direction into the guide channel 20. For this purpose, the guide channel 20 is not completely closed in its circumferential direction, but the guide channel has a lateral opening extending across the complete extension of the guide channel 20, wherein the line 14 can be put into the guide channel 20 via said opening.

This also applies to the line 12 and the corresponding guide channel 22. This means the line 12 can be put into the guide channel 22 by moving the line 12 perpendicularly to the second direction into the guide channel 22. For this purpose, the guide channel 22 is not completely closed in its circumferential direction but comprises a lateral open extending across the complete extension of the guide channel 22. Thus, there is no need to push the lines 12 and 14 in their respective axial directions through the guide channels 20 and 22 but the lines 12 and 14 can be put in their respective radial directions into the guide channels 20 and 22. Thus, the lines 12 and 14 can be inseited into the guide channels 20 and 22 particularly easily.

Since the guide channels 20 and 22 are configured to receive the lines 12 and 14 at least partially, the lines 12 and 14 can be protected from touching the frame rail 18 by means of the guide element 10. Moreover, the lines 12 and 14 can be protected from kinking and taking damage. For example, the guide element 10 is configured to be arranged at least partially within the pass-through 16. For example, the pass-through 16 is a slot through which not only one but a plurality of lines are routed and can be guided by the guide element 10 in a particularly space-and cost-efficient way. For example, the guide element is a part that fits into the pass-through 16 and can hold the plurality of lines so that a power steering line, ABS modulator brake air line, ABS modulator wires and at least one ABS sensor wire can be routed through the pass-through 16 and guided by the guide element 10 without rubbing on each other on the frame.

The line 12 (power steering hose) has a diameter which expands and contracts during operation of the vehicle. Therefore, caution is required when moving the line 12 into the guide channel 22, in particular clamping the line 20 into the guide channel 22. For example, the guide element 10 can be configured to form a form fit or snap fit with the lines 12 and 14. This means, for example, the lines 12 and 14 can be snapped into the guide channels 20 and 22 so that undesired movements of the lines 12 and 14 can be avoided. In other words, the guide element 10 can be configured to form a form-fit connection with the lines 12 and 14 so that the lines 12 and 14 can be positively connected to the guide element 10 thereby avoiding undesired movements of the lines 12 and 14. Alternatively or additionally, at least one of the lines 12 and 14 can be attached by tie-strapping.

As can be seen from Figs. 1,2 and 6, the guide element 10 comprises a fastening element 24 for attaching the guide element 10 to the frame rail 18. The fastening element 24 comprises a boss 26 having a through opening 28 being different from the guide channels 20 and 22 which open into a mutual through opening 30 of the guide element 10, the through opening 30 being different from the through opening 28. As can be seen from Figs. 3 and 6, the guide element 10 can be attached to the frame rail 18 by means of the boss 26, the through opening 28, a bolt 32 and a nut 34. For this purpose, the bolt 32 is inserted into a corresponding through opening 37 of the frame rail 18 and the through opening 28 of the boss 26, the through opening 37 being different from the pass-through 16. Then, the nut 34 and the bolt 32 are screwed together thereby attaching the guide element 10 to the frame rail 18.

For example, the bolt 32 is an M8 bolt put through the through openings 37 and 28 from the inside of the frame rail 18 moreover. A washer 36 is arranged between the nut 34 and the guide element 10 to prevent the plastic material of the guide element 10 to prevent from flowing. For example, the nut 34 is a prevailing torque nut. After the guide element is fastened to the frame rail 18, the lines 12 and 14 can be put through the pass-through 16 and the guide element 10, i.e. the through opening 30 and the guide channels and 22.

Alternatively or additionally, the fastening element 24 can comprise at least one fir tree structure 38 for attaching the guide element 10 to the frame. Thus, the guide element 10 is attached to the frame rail 18 by its own structure in the form of the fir tiee structure 38 which is arranged on an outer circumference 40 of the guide element. Thus, the guide element 10 can be put into the pass-through 16 particularly easily and it could either pulled out using more power or until it gets destroyed. The fir tree structure 38 is an inexpensive solution because it can easily be molded and therefore does not create any additional cost.

For example, when fastening the guide element 10 by the bolt 32 a 50mm grid pattern of 17.5mm holes of the frame rail 18 can be used, wherein the holes can be drilled. As can be seen from Fig. 6, the through opening 37 can be a 23.5 mm hole which is arranged right beneath the pass-through 16 (slot). This hole (through opening 37) can be drilled and used to fasten the guide element 10 to the frame rail 18. Using a bolt offers better stability to the guide element 10 (pass-through) which has to absorb the lines' movements. As M16 bolt are used for fastening components to the frame rail 18, preferably, a metal ring is inserted into the plastic part forming the guide element 10.

Thereby, damages of the guide element 10 made out of a plastic material can be prevented.

Moreover, it is possible to combine the fir tree structure 38 with the bolt 32, wherein the guide element 10 could be fastened by a pin having an outer circumferential fir tree structure which pops into the through opening 37 of the frame rail 18. This means the pin is a fir tree pin which would not be as strong as a bolt but in addition to a fir tree structure on the border of the pass-through 16, it could strengthen the guide element 10 and protect it from taking damage, for example, by movements of the line 12. Thus, a particularly long life span of the lines 12 and 14 can be realized.

As can be seen from Figs. 2 and 7, the guide element 10 comprises a third guide channel 42, wherein the guide channels 20, 22 and 42 are arranged beneath each other. The third guide channel 42 is configured to receive a further line 44 at least partially, the further line 44 being an electric wire or cable, for example. Thus, the guide element 10 can be used to guide airlines, hydraulic lines and/or electrical harnesses through the pass-through 16.

Moreover, a further line 46 being a further air line is arranged at least partially in the guide channel 20. Thus, the guide element 10 holds two air lines (lines 14 and 46), at least one electric wire (line 44) and a power steering hose (line 12). Preferably, more than one line can be inserted into the guide channel 42, 50 that, for example, the guide element 10 can hold at least two electric wires. The air lines are Y2" air lines extending through the guide element 10 and the pass-through 16. The line 44 has an electrical connector 48 which can easily be put through the guide element 10 after inserting the lines 14 and 46 into the guide channel 20. Moreover, the big power steering hose with its angled fitting on the end can easily be put through the guide element 10, i.e. through the through opening 30.

By using the guide element 10 expensive brackets to hold the lines 12, 14, 44 and 46 are not needed. Moreover, a particularly short path for the several lines can be realized since the lines can be routed through the pass-through 16 in a need-based manner.

Furthermore, a particularly simple manufacturing process can be realized. Moreover, the guide element 10 allows a safe path through the frame rail 18 instead of under the frame rail 18 where there is potential for damage.

As can be seen from Fig. 7, the lines 14 and 46 are fixed to the guide element 10, in particular the guide channel 20, by tie-strapping. In other words, a strap 49 is used to fix the lines 14 and 46 to the guide channel 20. Moreover, the line 12 is fixed to the guide element 10, in particular the guide channel 22, by tie-strapping. This means, at least one strap 50 is used to fix the line 12 to the guide channel 22.

List of reference signs guide element 12 line 14 line 16 pass-through 18 frame rail guide channel 22 guide channel 24 fastening element 26 boss 28 through opening through opening 32 bolt 34 nut 36 washer 37 through opening 38 fir tree structure outer circumference 42 guide channel 44 line 46 line 48 electrical connecter 49 strap strap

Claims

Claims A guide element (10) for guiding lines (12, 14) extending through a pass-through (16) of a frame of a vehicle, the guide element (10) being configured to overlap the pass-through (16) at least partially, and comprising: -a first guide channel (20) configured to receive at least partially at least one first line (14) extending through the pass-through (16), and guide the first line (14); and -at least one second guide channel (22) configured to receive at least partially at least one second line (12) extending through the pass-through (16), and guide the second line (12); characterized in that the guide channels (20, 22) extend in different directions so as to guide the respective lines (12, 14) in the different directions.
2. The guide element (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide channels (20, 22) are configured to receive the lines (12, 14) by moving the lines (12, 14) perpendicularly to the respective directions into the guide channels (20, 22).
3. The guide element (10) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the guide element (10) is formed in one piece.
4. The guide element (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide element (10) is configured to be arranged at least partially within the pass-through (16) of the frame.
5. The guide element (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide element (10) comprises at least one fastening element (24) for attaching the guide element (10) to the frame.
6. The guide element (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that the fastening element (24) comprises at least one fir tree structure (38) for attaching the guide element (10) to the frame.
7. An arrangement of a guide element (10) according to any one of the preceding claims on a frame of a vehicle.