WO2008009425A1

WO2008009425A1 - Flexible supply cable and method for the production thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2008009425A1
Application number: PCT/EP2007/006346
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andreas Nickel; Udo Ferchenbauer; Andreas Döll
Original assignee: Leoni Kabel Holding Gmbh & Co. Kg
Priority date: 2006-07-18
Filing date: 2007-07-18
Publication date: 2008-01-24
Also published as: DE102006038351A1

Abstract

In order to increase the utility of a flat ribbon cable (2), in particular for connecting two machine parts moving relative to each other, and to guarantee a defined rolling and unrolling behavior, it is provided that a cable pocket (12) is arranged on the outside of a cable sheath (8) of the ribbon cable (2). At least one additional supply lead (30) can also be pulled into the cable pocket (12).

Description

Bend flexible supply cable and method for the production of the supply cable

The invention relates to a flexibly flexible supply cable, in particular a ribbon cable for connecting two relatively moving machine parts and a method for its production.

To supply two relatively movably mounted machine parts, it is necessary that the supply cable can perform a compensating movement. Two machine parts which are moved relative to one another and are interconnected via a supply cable are used, for example, in industrial production in the case of linear drives. In such systems, it is usually required that the cables be routed in a targeted manner and not loose and undefined in space. Usually, it is provided that the supply cable moves only along a defined longitudinal direction and has two superimposed partial sections, which lie one above the other "up and unroll".

For such systems partial supply cables are used, in which the individual line components are guided in a braided hose. In addition, so-called drag chains are used, which consist of several interconnected chain links, the individual chain links form between them a cable channel through which the individual components are pulled. In principle, fixed power supply units and machine parts can be connected to one another with such supply cables.

The invention has for its object to provide an improved supply cable, in particular for the connection of two relatively moving machine parts.

The object is achieved according to the invention by a flexibly flexible supply cable, in particular ribbon cable, with a number of longitudinally extending supply lines, which are surrounded by a common cable sheath are, wherein on the outer side of the cable sheath, a longitudinally extending cable pocket is formed. The at least one supply line in this case is in particular an electrical supply line. Alternatively, as supply lines and media lines for guiding gases or liquids may be provided. In this case, supply line is understood to mean an independently functional cable with jacket. In the case of an electrical power line, the supply line comprises at least one current-carrying conductor surrounded by an insulation jacket. For a shielded cable, the supply line also includes a shield. When designed as a media guide for liquids (coolant, oil ...) or gases (air, inert gas, working or fuel gas ...) line this is at least one suitable trained hose.

Ribbon cable is generally understood to mean a cable in which the individual supply lines are arranged next to one another in particular only in one plane. It can also be provided several levels of adjacent supply lines. Different types of supply lines can be arranged side by side. The flat-ribbon cable is designed, for example, as a so-called bridge line, in which a separating web formed by the cable sheath is arranged between individual supply lines or groups of supply lines.

The design as a ribbon cable is of particular importance in terms of bending flexibility. Under bending flexibility is generally understood the property that the ribbon cable can be bent in a transverse to the longitudinal axis with a small bending radius of, for example, only a few centimeters. This makes it possible for sections of the ribbon cable to run parallel to one another or antiparallel one above the other. As a result of this bending flexibility, the ribbon cable is particularly suitable for connecting two machine parts moving relative to one another, in particular in highly dynamic applications in which a plurality of relative movements are carried out per minute. This is the case in automated production systems such as pick and place machines, especially in semiconductor technology. Due to the arrangement of the cable sheath additionally attached to the cable pocket an additional free channel along the ribbon cable is created, which is available for different uses depending on the application. In particular, the cable pocket serves to accommodate at least one further supply line, which can easily be retrofitted into the cable pocket. It can therefore be carried by the cable pocket individually different line components. With such a ribbon cable so also a cost-effective retrofitting and extending the functionality of the supply cable is possible in a simple manner, without the entire supply cable must be replaced. The cable pocket is designed such that further the bending flexibility is obtained, so that the ribbon cable can continue to roll up and down.

Since in contrast to a drag chain no relatively moving members are present, this ribbon cable is at least largely free of abrasion, so there are no dusts or the like. This has a positive effect on the lifespan. On the other hand, such a ribbon cable due to greatly reduced abrasion can be used easily in clean and clean rooms. Since the ribbon cables are guided in the common cable sheath, there is no Abrieb between the individual supply lines and the chain links, as is usually the case with a drag chain. In addition, such a ribbon cable compared to a drag chain is comparatively cheap to manufacture and also easy to handle. Finally, this ribbon cable is characterized by a very low noise.

Conveniently, the cable jacket is composed in the longitudinal direction of a plurality of individual segments, so that the individually arranged one behind the other and spaced from each other by free spaces segments form the cable pocket. By this measure, the high bending flexibility is maintained.

The segments are in this case preferably formed by elastic, film-like belt loops. These have, in particular, only a low inherent rigidity, so they can be compressed without much effort and give partially already Your own weight in the form. The material thickness of the belt loops is in the millimeter range. The belt loops are preferably made of plastic and in particular of the same plastic as the cable sheath Such belt loops therefore do not increase the stiffness of the ribbon cable. In the present case, elastic is understood as meaning that the free space of the cable pocket spanned by the strap loops is easily changeable and not dimensionally stable. Overall, this ensures the high flexural flexibility of the ribbon cable.

According to an expedient embodiment, the segments are attached in particular to the edge sides of the cable sheath or on the opposite underside of the cable sheath, for example by gluing, welding, laminating or the like. They are therefore preferably attached in an additional process step to an existing ribbon cable. This is simple and offers the possibility to use conventional ribbon cables and to fit them around the cable pocket.

As an alternative to the formation of individual segments, the cable pocket is formed continuously. Again, the cable pocket is preferably formed of a thin, sheet-like material. In one embodiment, the cable bag is completely sealed except for front-end openings at the beginning of the cable and at the cable end. The interior of the cable bag is therefore almost hermetically sealed, so that no dirt can penetrate into the interior. Conveniently, the cable pocket is formed like a half shell and fixed with its free longitudinal sides on the outside of the cable sheath by gluing, welding and the like. Alternatively, there is in principle the possibility to design the cable pocket like a tube and to attach the full surface with its outside on the cable sheath. In this case, the cable bag nestles against the outer contour of the cable sheath.

In an alternative embodiment, the cable pocket in particular has slot-like openings, which preferably extend obliquely or transversely to the longitudinal direction. As a result, the bending flexibility is increased, in particular on the pressure side (inner side in the case of a bend). Conveniently, the free inner height of the cable pocket is a multiple, for example about 3 times and for example 5-10 times larger than the height of the ribbon cable without cable pocket. As a result, a very large space is formed, which exceeds the diameter of the guided in the cable sheath individual lines by a multiple and allows easy subsequent introduction of multiple supply lines. In particular, large-volume supply lines, such as fluid lines can be carried out if only electrical lines with comparatively small cross-section are performed simultaneously in the ribbon cable. Also, whole other trunk groups can be carried out, so that there are wide expansion options.

In order to favorably influence the winding and unwinding behavior of the ribbon cable, it is expediently provided that the cable pocket covers the cable jacket only partially and preferably on one side. The cable pocket therefore preferably covers about 180 ° of the cable, ie only one side of the ribbon cable. The cable pocket runs in this case - viewed in cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction - parallel to the cable sheath, so in particular has a rectangular cross-sectional area.

According to an expedient development, the cable pocket is divided by at least one partition into several subspaces. The dividing wall preferably extends over the entire length of the cable pocket. By this measure, on the one hand, the rigidity of the cable pocket is increased, so that overall the ribbon cable has a defined rolling behavior. On the other hand, these subspaces offer the possibility of separate management of components to be recovered.

Preferably, in the cable pocket, in particular in one or more of the subspaces, stiffening elements retracted so that the cable is securely guided in its longitudinal direction and does not dodge laterally. That is, the stiffness of the ribbon cable compared to transverse bends is increased to ensure a defined rolling and Aufrollverhalteπ. Furthermore, it is provided in a preferred embodiment that the cable pocket is structured at least in a partial area, in particular on the outer wall facing away from the cable sheath. In this case, structuring is understood to mean that the outer wall, at least the outer side of the outer wall has elevations and depressions or material thickenings and material weakenings. The outer side of the cable pocket therefore has in particular a transverse surface structure, for example in the form of ribs in the manner of a corrugated tube profile or in the form of other patterns. This structuring serves - similar to the arrangement of transverse slots - to increase the flexibility and also allows tight bending radii.

The object is further achieved according to the invention by an arrangement according to claim 12 and a method according to claim 13. The advantages and preferred embodiments stated with regard to the ribbon cable are to be transferred analogously also to the arrangement and the method.

In the arrangement, the ribbon cable is used quasi as a replacement of a drag chain to connect two relatively moving machine parts together. The machine parts are, for example, parts of a machine tool and the ribbon cable is used to supply a tool head of the machine with electrical energy, data, consumer or working media. Due to the free space of the cable pocket is a free guide channel for guiding a supply line available. The free space therefore virtually replaces the free interior of a drag chain with which the supply cables are routed in previously customary applications.

Preferably, in the manufacture of the cable bag, a molded part is first applied to the cable sheath, over which a cover is drawn with precision and connected to the cable sheath. The cover is here a suitable plastic material, which is fastened in particular in a lamination on the cable sheath. After attaching the molding is pulled out again. Preferably, the production of the ribbon cable takes place in a continuous continuous process in which the likewise present as Endlosteil molded part and the cover is applied cohesively. The attachment takes place here in particular by a lamination and alternatively by gluing or welding or by Training a Velcro connection. The cable sheath is expediently applied in a lamination process around the individual supply lines. The formation of the cable sheath is preferably carried out simultaneously with the formation of the cable pocket in a continuous process. Subsequently, the ribbon cable is cut to the desired lengths and the molding is removed from the then comparatively short cable pieces.

As an alternative to the formation of the cable pocket together in one operation with the cable sheath, a two-stage manufacturing process is provided. In this case, the supply line is first made and then the cable bag is attached to the cable sheath.

Embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing. In each case, schematic and greatly simplified cross-sectional representations are shown:

1 shows a ribbon cable with two adjacent line groups, with each cable group a cable pocket is provided for

2 shows a ribbon cable with a plurality of uniformly distributed conductor pairs with a common cable pocket,

Fig. 3a, b, c respectively a longitudinal section through ribbon cable with differently designed cable pockets.

In the figures, like-acting parts are provided with the same reference numerals.

The ribbon cable 2 according to FIG. 1 has a plurality of signal lines 4 as supply lines. Each two signal lines 4 are arranged in pairs and surrounded in the embodiment of a film wrapping 6 together. Each of the signal lines 4 has a lead wire surrounded by insulation. Four signal line pairs are arranged next to each other and combined to form a line group. In the embodiment of Fig. 1, two groups of lines are formed on signal line pairs. The two groups are surrounded by a common cable sheath 8, wherein the two groups via a web 10 of the cable sheath connected to each other, so that there is a coherent cable sheath 8. The web 10 lies in a horizontal plane and is also provided on the outer edge sides of the two groups.

On the top of the cable sheath 8, a cable pocket 12 is attached to the cable sheath 8 to each group of signal line pairs. The cable pocket 12 here has an approximately rectangular outer contour. The cable pocket 12 is formed by an approximately U-shaped cover 14 which surrounds a cavity 16 towards the cable sheath 8. The cable pocket 12 is connected to the cable jacket 8 in the area of its free longitudinal sides 18.

The cable pocket 12 consists in particular of a very thin-walled, film-like material, as can be seen from the right half of FIG. 1. The cable bag has at most a low inherent rigidity, so that the bending flexibility of the cable 2 is not impaired. The material is preferably the same material as that of the cable sheath. In contrast to the illustrated embodiment, the free space, so the height of the cable pocket 12, by a multiple higher than the thickness of the ribbon cable 2 without cable pocket 12th

To form the cable pocket 12, a shaped part not shown here in detail is placed on the surface of the cable sheath 8, whose cross-sectional contour corresponds to the cross-sectional contour of the cavity 16 to be formed. Subsequently, the cover 14 is pulled over the molding and connected to the cable sheath 8. This is preferably done in a lamination process. The film-like cover 14 has a thickness of, for example, only one or only a few millimeters. The production takes place in this case in a continuous manufacturing process, in which quasi an endless product is formed. Subsequent to the formation of the cable pocket 12, the ribbon cable 2 is cut to the desired length of, for example, a few meters and then the molded part is pulled out of the hollow space 16 formed. Alternatively, it is possible to separately produce the cable pocket 12 in a separate method and to connect it before or after the cutting of the ribbon cable 2. The cable pocket 12 on the left half of Fig. 1 of the ribbon cable 2 has in its interior two additional partitions 20, so that the cavity 16 is divided into a plurality of subspaces. In particular, two guide pockets 22 are formed by the two partitions 20, which each separate the corner regions, in which stiffening rods 24 acting as stiffening elements are retracted. By the stiffening rods 24, the rigidity of the ribbon cable 2 is increased overall and ensures a defined rolling behavior during normal operation use.

The ribbon cable 2 is used in particular for connecting two relatively moving parts of a work or production machine or in sliding doors, gates and linear drives, or the like. In all cases, the flat-ribbon cable 2 is preferably guided in the manner of a loop in order to allow a length compensation, so that a partial region of the flat cable 2 extends below and a partial region of the flat cable 2 above, the two partial regions being connected to one another via an arc. Other installation forms are also possible due to the flexibility of the ribbon cable 2, such as a helical installation for winding and unwinding the ribbon cable 2. At one end of the two sections, the movable machine part is attached. During its movement, which takes place, for example, in the longitudinal direction of the ribbon cable 2, the sheet "wanders" and, depending on the direction of movement, the upper portion is laid down or the lower portion is guided upward. Since in the processing machines sometimes very high speeds and very high accelerations of the machine parts moved relative to one another are achieved, the flat-ribbon cable 2 must have a defined roll-up and roll-off behavior since uncontrolled movements of the ribbon cable 2 could lead to disturbances. The ribbon cable 2 can of course also be used in mutually fixed machine parts.

With the help of the stiffening rods 24, this roll-up and roll-off can be adjusted specifically. For this purpose, different types of stiffening rods 24 (different materials, different stiffness, different diameters, etc.) can be used to set a desired behavior. In order not to impede winding and unwinding in the desired direction and to enable bending, it is further preferably provided that the outside wall of the cable pocket 12 has its outer wall structured and, in particular, cut in the transverse direction, so that transverse slots are formed , Furthermore, in the cavity 16 easily another supply line can be retrofitted.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 2, signal lines 4 are also arranged in pairs and surrounded in pairs by a film wrapping 6. Here, however, the paired signal lines 4 are arranged uniformly spaced from one another. The paired signal lines 4 are in turn surrounded by a common cable sheath 8, wherein the sections between the individual pairs via webs 10 of the cable sheath are formed. At the top of the cable sheath 8, a common cable pocket 12 is guided over all the signal line pairs, which therefore extends over the entire width of the ribbon cable 2.

FIGS. 3a, b, c show in each case a longitudinal section through a ribbon cable 2 with a plurality of supply lines 26 formed as a fluid line, which are surrounded by the cable sheath 8. In each case at the top of the cable sheath 8, the cable pocket 12 is formed through which a complementary formed as a fluid line supply line 30 is retracted. In all three embodiments, the bending flexibility of the ribbon cable 2 is increased by the configuration of the cable pocket 12.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 3 a, the cable pocket 12 is formed from a plurality of segments 32, which are spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction and are arranged individually with the inclusion of free spaces. These segments 32 are formed in particular in the manner of bands, which are fastened with their end sides on the cable sheath 8 by gluing, welding, laminating or similar fastening means. The bands are here attached to the edge sides of the cable sheath 8 or even on its underside. In the embodiment according to FIG. 3b, the outer side of the cable pocket 12 is structured by thin and thick wall regions, so that a crenellated profile results in cross section. In contrast to this, the cable pocket 12 according to FIG. 3c has transverse slots 34, which extend over only a partial angle region of the cable pocket 12, so that it continues to be in one piece.

List of Reference Numerals (area without line numbers!)

Ribbon cable

signal line

film wrapping

cable sheath

web

cable bag

cover

Cavity free longitudinal side

partition wall

guide pocket

stiffening rod

Supply line additional supply line

segment

transverse slot

Claims

claims

Bending flexible supply cable (2), in particular ribbon cable for connecting two relatively moving machine parts with a number s longitudinally extending supply lines (4,26), which are surrounded by a common cable sheath (8), wherein on the outside of the cable sheath (8) a longitudinally extending cable pocket (12) is formed. O

Second supply cable (2) according to claim 1, wherein the cable pocket (12) in the longitudinal direction of a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart segments (32) composed.

3. supply cable (2) according to claim 2, wherein the segments (32) are formed by elastic band loops.

4. supply cable (2) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the segments (32) are fixed with their end sides on the cable sheath (8) by gluing, welding, laminating or the like.

5. supply cable (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cable pocket (12) the cable sheath (8) only partially, in particular approximately half-sided, covered.

6. supply cable (2) according to claim 1, wherein the cable pocket (12) openings, in particular transverse slots (34).

7. supply cable (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a free inner height of the cable pocket (12) is a multiple of the thickness of

Cable sheath (8) including the supply lines arranged therein amounts.

8. supply cable (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which a cable jacket (8) opposite wall portion of the cable pocket (12) viewed transversely to the longitudinal direction parallel and equidistant from the cable sheath (8).

5

9. supply cable (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cable pocket (12) is divided into a plurality of subspaces (16,22) by at least one partition wall (20).

10. Supply cable (2) according to one of the preceding claims, in which a stiffening element (24) is drawn into the cable pocket (12).

11. supply cable (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cable pocket (12) has a structured outer wall i5 at least in a partial area.

12. Arrangement with two relatively movable machine parts, which are connected to a supply cable according to one of the preceding claims in the manner of a drag chain with each other. 0

13. A method for producing a supply cable (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein a cable pocket (12) on an outer side of a cable sheath (8) of the supply cable (2) is attached. 5

14. The method of claim 13, wherein a molded part is placed on the cable sheath (8) and mounted on the molding for forming the cable pocket (12) a cover (14) and connected to the cable sheath (8). 0

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the cover (14) with the cable sheath (8) is integrally connected.