Line guide

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016348756-A1
Application number	US-201415036931-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 10, 2014
Priority date	Nov 14, 2013
Publication date	Dec 1, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

The invention relates to a line guide ( 100; 200; 300 ) for protecting at least one line, such as a cable, a hose, or the like for example, for supplying a motor vehicle seat for example. A longitudinal portion with multiple segments ( 110, 112; 210; 310 ) of the line guide is produced as a single piece, and each of the multiple segments has a closable holder ( 123; 223; 323 ) for the at least one line. Thus, the line can be positioned in a receiving area ( 130; 230; 330 ) when the holder is open and is held transversely to the longitudinal direction (L) in the closed position of the holder. The segments are connected together in the longitudinal direction so as to form an elbow ( 106; 206 ) by means of a flexible connection. The invention is characterized in that the connection between the segments comprises a first flexible section ( 120; 220; 320 ) and a second flexible section ( 120; 220; 320 ), and at least one transverse connector ( 122; 222; 322 ) is provided which is produced integrally with the sections and which runs about the longitudinal direction (L) in an arc- or bracket-like manner in the closed position of the holder so that the two sections ( 120; 220; 320 ) lie laterally relative to the receiving area and specify a neutral axis which crosses the receiving area ( 130; 230; 330 ).

First claim

1 . A line guide for protecting at least one line like for example a cable, a hose or the like, wherein a longitudinal portion with a plurality of segments of the line guide is produced in one piece, each of the plurality of segments includes a closable holder for the at least one line, the line can be inserted into a receiving space when the holder is open and is held in the closed position of the holder in the receiving space transversely relative to the longitudinal direction (L), and wherein the segments are connected together by a flexible connection in the longitudinal direction for the purposes of forming a direction-changing arc,
characterised in that the connection between the segments includes a first flexible section and a second flexible section, and that there is provided at least one transverse connector which is produced in one piece with the sections and which in the closed position of the holders extends in an arcuate or loop form around the longitudinal direction so that the two sections are disposed laterally of the receiving space and predetermine a neutral fiber crossing the receiving space.

2 . A line guide as set forth in claim 1 characterised in that in the closed position the two sections are disposed approximately centrally laterally of the receiving space and that the sections predetermine a neutral fiber crossing the receiving space approximately at half the height.

3 . A line guide as set forth in claim 1 characterised in that each segment, in particular each holder respectively has one or more separate transverse connectors.

4 . A line guide as set forth in claim 3 characterised in that the transverse connectors are produced partially or completely flexibly and/or foldably and it is only in the closed position of the corresponding holder that they respectively adopt the arcuate or loop-shaped configuration, in particular a configuration in the form of a round arc and/or in the form of a polygon.

5 . A line guide as set forth in claim 3 , characterised in that the transverse connectors are produced in partially flexurally stiff form, in particular completely flexurally stiff form, with a configuration around the longitudinal direction, that is permanently arcuate or loop-shaped.

6 . A line guide as set forth in claim 1 , characterised in that each holder has a mechanical closure for closing the holder, in particular by latching engagement, hooking, locking and/or the like.

7 . A line guide as set forth in claim 6 , characterised in that each mechanical closure has end abutment surfaces which carry bending loads in the straight position.

8 . A line guide as set forth in claim 1 , characterised in that each transverse connector has two flexurally stiff longitudinal projections with end abutment surfaces which carry bending loads in the straight position.

9 . A line guide as set forth in claim 6 , characterised in that the mechanical closure has a snap hook, in particular two cooperating snap hooks at the end region of a flexurally elastic transverse projection.

10 . A line guide as set forth in claim 7 characterised in that the longitudinal dimension between the abutment surfaces of a segment of the line guide is slightly greater than the regular segment length in the longitudinal direction.

11 . A line guide as set forth in claim 1 , characterised in that a mechanical closure and a transverse connector form a respective holder, wherein the closure and the transverse connector are arranged at approximately the same longitudinal position.

12 . A line guide as set forth in claim 1 , characterised in that the two sections are flexurally elastic to form a direction-changing arc of a predefined radius.

13 . A line guide as set forth in claim 12 characterised in that the self-supporting interval length of the sections between two transverse connectors is at least three times and the section thickness.

14 . A line guide as set forth in claim 12 characterised in that the self-supporting interval length of the sections between two transverse connectors is at most fifteen times and the section thickness.

15 . A line guide as set forth in claim 1 , characterised in that the two sections are of an identical cross-section and are of a cable or band configuration.

16 . A line guide as set forth in claim 1 , characterised in that the peripheral dimension of the transverse connector between the sections is at least 150% of the width of the receiving space at the height of the neutral fiber and is in the region of 30-70% of the overall periphery of the receiving space.

17 . A line guide as set forth in claim 1 characterised in that the overall line guide is produced in one piece from plastic, in particular in an injection molding process, wherein each segment includes fixing means for force-locking and/or positively locking fixing of the end segments of the line guide.

18 . A line guide as set forth in claim 1 , characterised in that the two sections extend substantially parallel and are in mutually opposite relationship in the operative position, wherein separate transverse connectors respectively extend perpendicularly to the sections at a regular longitudinal spacing.

19 . Use of a line guide as set forth in claim 1 for connecting a motor vehicle seat to electrical supply and/or signal lines.

20 . An arrangement including a motor vehicle seat, at least one electrical supply and/or signal line and a line guide as set forth in claim 1 which protects the electrical supply and/or signal line.

Assignees

• Igus Gmbh

Inventors

• Strack Stefan

Classifications

• H02G11/006

  using extensible carrier for the cable, e.g. self-coiling spring (extensible conductors or cables H01B7/06) · CPC title

• F16G13/16 Primary

  with arrangements for holding electric cables, hoses, or the like · CPC title