Abstract:
The invention relates to a cable loom, in particular for use in a motor vehicle, the cable loom comprising at least one electrical cable and a stretching device longitudinally engaging at least a section of the cable loom, wherein the stretching device exerts a force aligning the cable loom so as to be substantially free of curvature on the portion of the cable loom engaged by the stretching device.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to a cable loom, in particular for use in motor vehicles. Cable looms such as cable harnesses comprise one or more cables which serve, for example, the transmission of signals or the supply of power.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Known cable looms are often designed to be very flexible and pliable. Unfortunately, the desirability of flexibility in a cable loom often results in unwanted bulges and kinks in the cable loom, which can lead to damage to the cable loom.  
         [0003]     Frequently, cable looms also have to be arranged in a movable manner. This can, for example, be the case when a cable loom is connected to a moving component, for example to a door. In certain states, a portion of the cable loom is then excessive and has to be stowed safely.  
         [0004]     The frequently substantial stowage space of a cable loom portion to be stored is frequently disadvantageous. Frequently, unwanted noises also occur which are caused by the stowed cable loom portion (for example knocking on vibrations).  
         [0005]     In most cases, the part of a cable loom to be moved must be guided through apertures. This guiding of the cable loom through apertures, such as on the opening or closing of a door, is often solved in an unsatisfactory manner.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     It is the underlying object of the invention to provide a cable loom which can be stowed easily and can be guided simply through apertures. Furthermore, a method should be provided to stow a cable loom in a simple and safe manner.  
         [0007]     This object is satisfied by the features of the independent claims.  
         [0008]     The cable loom in accordance with the invention, which comprises at least one electrical cable, is wherein it is provided at least sectionally with a stretching device along its longitudinal extent. This stretching device exerts a force on the portion of the cable loom which comprises the stretching device to align the cable loom substantially free of curves. The cable loom in accordance with the invention therefore tends to align itself in a straight line due to the effect of the stretching device.  
         [0009]     The stabilizing effect of the stretching device already enables a simple “threading” of the cable loom through apertures on the assembly of the cable loom in accordance with the invention. Flexible cable looms can only be pulled through apertures, whereas the cable loom in accordance with the invention can also be pushed through apertures. Even in cases where the cable loom has to be arranged in a movable manner, a stiffening of this type is advantageous since the movement of the cable loom can be effected both by a pulling force and by a pushing force.  
         [0010]     Furthermore, the cable loom in accordance with the invention has no unwanted bulges, kinks and/or angled sections in its extent since they are prevented by the stretching effect of the stretching device.  
         [0011]     The flexibility of the cable loom in accordance with the invention can be matched to the radii of curvature or forces to be expected. Depending on the area of application, a stretching device can be provided which has a stronger effect or a weaker effect. The stretching device can also only be provided sectionally along the longitudinal extent of the cable loom.  
         [0012]     Advantageous embodiments of the invention are recited in the dependent claims, in the description and in the drawings.  
         [0013]     In accordance with an embodiment of the cable loom in accordance with the invention, the stretching device is arranged such that it does not surround the cable loom in the peripheral direction. It is therefore neither tubular, nor does it surround the cable loom in the form of a spiral or a helix.  
         [0014]     In a further embodiment, the cable loom is part of a cable harness which is bundled by at least one enveloping element. Enveloping elements of this type can, for example, be cable binders, clips or hoses. The enveloping elements ensure the cohesion of the individual cables of the cable harness and can, for example, also serve the protection of the cable harness from wear, moisture or temperature. They can also be provided for the bundling of the stretching device with the cables of the cable loom.  
         [0015]     In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the stretching device comprises at least one steel spring or a steel band (gauge strip). It can, for example, be a spring which extends parallel to the longitudinal extent of the cable loom. A deflection of the cable loom out of a straight-line alignment strains the spring transversely to its longitudinal axis. The restoring force has the effect that the cable loom is again aligned and stretched substantially in a straight line. A stretching device of this type can be realized simply and effectively and moreover also in a cost-favorable manner.  
         [0016]     In accordance with a further advantageous embodiment, the cable loom in accordance with the invention is arranged at least partly in a cable stowage bag. It substantially comprises a pouch with a first and a second aperture. This pouch protects a temporarily excess cable loom portion and moreover damps noises which arise, for example, on vibrations by the cable loom.  
         [0017]     Provision can be made for the portion of the cable loom arranged in the interior of the cable stowage bag to extend substantially in one plane. Provision can furthermore be made for this portion to form a loop in the interior of the cable stowage bag. The formation of the loop can be caused by the effect of the stretching device. An arrangement in a plane and/or in a loop is very space-saving and prevents inter alia an unintentional forming of knots in the cable loom.  
         [0018]     The pouch of the cable stowage bag can be made of flexible material. Provision can be made for the material to be made of one or more layers of fabric material and/or foil material. A design of this type of the pouch material is cost-favorable, saves weight and damps noises which can arise due to the cable loom in a simple and efficient manner. The material can be selected in line with the demands such that the cable stowage bag exerts additional protective functions (electrical and thermal insulation, fire-inhibiting effect, protection from moisture and the like).  
         [0019]     In accordance with a further advantageous embodiment, the cable loom is fixed with respect to a movement through one of the apertures of the cable stowage bag. This makes it possible to except specific portions of the cable loom from a loading with a pulling force, e.g. the portion between the cable stowage bag and the vehicle interior.  
         [0020]     A cable stowage bag of this type can be installed in the roof of a vehicle. Construction space in the roof of a vehicle can thus be utilized by a flat design of the geometry of the cable stowage bag. The construction space occupied by conventional cable harnesses is then available for a further use.  
         [0021]     An installation part with a reception space can also be provided which is made available instead of or in addition to a cable stowage bag for the reception of a cable loom. This installation part can, for example, be a foamed part which receives the cable loom portion to be stowed in its interior. The installation parts can be integrated in a simple manner e.g. in the door trims of a vehicle and/or in the vehicle headlining. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0022]     The invention will be described in the following purely by way of example with reference to advantageous embodiments and to the drawings. There are shown:  
         [0023]      FIG. 1   a  is a schematic cross-section of an embodiment of a cable loom;  
         [0024]      FIG. 1   b  is a schematic cross-section of a further embodiment of a cable loom;  
         [0025]      FIG. 2   a  is a schematic representation of a vehicle with cable stowage bags;  
         [0026]      FIG. 2   b  is a schematic representation of the arrangement of a cable stowage bag in the roof of a vehicle; and  
         [0027]      FIG. 3  is a schematic representation of a cable stowage bag. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0028]      FIG. 1   a  schematically shows the cross-section of a cable loom  10  in accordance with the invention. It comprises a plurality of cables  12 . The cables  10  can be arranged in a different manner and do not have to be arranged in such a regular manner as shown in  FIG. 1   a . The cables  10  do not have to be only electrical cables, but can also be liquid and/or gas lines, optical cables or lines or cables of a different type, for example. A plurality of stretching elements  14  are arranged on the cables  12 . They serve the stabilization of the cable loom  10  and ensure that the cable loom adopts an extent free of curvature, or at least low in curvature, without the effect of external forces. The properties of the stretching device can be matched to the conditions of use and to the demands on the flexibility of the cable loom  10 , for example by a suitable number of stretching elements  14  and/or by the choice of suitable elastic properties of the stretching elements  14 . The stretching elements  14  can be springs, for example plate springs, steel wire springs or can be made of other different materials (e.g. plastic or metal). Simple elastic bars which are arranged along the cable loom  10  also develop the effect of a stretching device.  
         [0029]     The cable loom  10  is surrounded by a protective envelope  16 . A protective envelope of this type can be provided when the cable loom  10  should be protected from external influences. The protective envelope  16  can also contribute to the cohesion/bundling of the cable loom  10  in addition to its protective function. The cable loom  10  can also be held together by other means such as cable binders or clips.  
         [0030]      FIG. 1   b  shows a further embodiment of the cable loom  10 . In this embodiment, the stretching element  14  is arranged in the interior of the cable loom  10 . The cables  12  of the cable loom  10  are in turn surrounded by the protective envelope  16 . This embodiment is also characterized by its simple design which can be manufactured in a cost-favorable manner. Mixed forms of the two embodiments described above are likewise conceivable. The cable loom  10  can in particular be woven with the cables.  
         [0031]     An example for the use and effect of a cable loom  10  in accordance with the invention is shown in  FIG. 2   a . It shows a vehicle  18  which is fitted with two front doors  20 ,  20 ′ and two sliding doors  22 ,  22 ′. Different electrical consumers (not shown) in the sliding doors  22 ,  22 ′ are connected to control units (not shown) and to a battery (not shown) of the vehicle  18  via cable looms  10 ,  10 ′ (cable harnesses). The extent of the cable looms  10 ,  10 ′ is shown only schematically.  
         [0032]     The sliding door  22 ′ of the left hand vehicle side is closed. The cable loom  10 ′ leads from the sliding door  22 ′ into a cable stowage bag  24 ′. The extent of the cable loom  10 ′ is shown in the interior of the cable stowage bag  24 ′ in broken lines. The cable loom  10 ′ extends in a loop in the interior of the cable stowage bag  24 ′ and exits the cable stowage bag  24 ′ toward the front side of the vehicle. The further extent of the cable loom  10 ′ is not shown.  
         [0033]     The cable loom  10 ′ presses against the inner walls of the cable bag  24 ′ due to the stretching device of the cable loom  10 ′ whose effect always seeks to increase the radius of curvature of the cable loom  10 ′. A knot in the extent of the cable loom  10 ′ due to an uncontrolled stowing procedure can thus not occur.  
         [0034]     The situation with an open sliding door  22  is shown on the right hand side of the vehicle. During the opening of the sliding door  22 , the cable loom  10  is drawn out of the cable stowage bag  24 . The portion of the cable loom  10  still located in the cable stowage bag  24  still forms a loop. A pulling force directed into the interior of the cable stowage bag  24  is exerted by the stretching device  10  onto the extent of the cable loom  10  between the cable stowage bag  24  and the sliding door  22 . The cable loom  10  is automatically pulled back into the cable stowage bag  24  on the closing of the sliding door  22  by this pulling force. In addition, the pulling force ensures a proper alignment and an extent of the cable loom  10  which is in as straight a line as possible. It is thereby also prevented that the cable loom  10  is caught on the closing of the sliding door  22 ,  22 ′. The stretching effect of the stretching device of the cable loom  10  also facilitates the “threading” of the cable loom  10  through the diverse apertures of the vehicle body.  
         [0035]      FIG. 2   b  illustrates the arrangement of the cable stowage bag  24  in the roof of the vehicle  18 . Provision can, however, also be made to attach the cable stowage bag  24  in the floor, in the doors or at other locations of the vehicle.  
         [0036]      FIG. 3  schematically shows the design of an embodiment of the cable stowage bag  24 . The cable stowage bag  24  comprises a pouch  26 . This comprises a door-side aperture  28  and a vehicle-side aperture  30 . The cable loom  10  is prevented from moving through the vehicle-side aperture  30  by a fixing connection  32 . This ensures that the cable loom  10  is not unintentionally loaded with a pulling force in the vehicle interior of the vehicle  18 . The cable loom  10  is essentially freely movable in the interior of the pouch  26 . The cable loom  10  is, however, automatically pressed toward the inner side of the pouch  26  by the stretching effect of the stretching device. On an opening of the sliding door  22 ,  22 ′, the cable loom  10  is pulled out of the cable stowage bag  24  in the direction of movement A. For this purpose, a force has to be applied since the stretching device seeks to align the cable loom  10  free of curvature. This stretching effect therefore causes a pulling force which is directed into the cable stowage bag  24 . This pulling force has to be overcome on the opening of the door. If the cable loom  10  passes through an aperture, for example in the body  34 , in its extent, guide elements  36  are provided at the aperture to facilitate the passage through the cable loom  10 .  
         [0037]     If the sliding door  22  is closed, the cable loom  10  is pulled back into the cable stowage bag  24  by the pulling force described above (direction of movement B). The stiffening effect of the stretching device additionally facilitates the passage of the cable loom  10  through apertures (for example in the body).  
         [0038]     The stretching device of the cable loom  10  thus always provides an appropriate pull for the stowing of the cable loom  10 . The stretching device additionally acts advantageously on the extent of the cable loom  10  outside the cable stowage bag  24 . Due to an aligning effect free of curvature, no unintended loops or kinks arise in the extent of the cable loom which could inter alia result in damage to the cable loom  10 . The extent of the cable loom  10  is thus more controlled than with a conventional cable loom.