Patent Publication Number: US-2013248662-A1

Title: Cable routing arrangement

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a U.S. National Phase application under 35 U.S.C. §371 of International Application No. PCT/EP2011/069076, filed on Oct. 31, 2011 and which claims benefit to German Patent Application No. 20 2010 013 064.6, filed on Dec. 6, 2010. The International Application was published in German on Jun. 14, 2012 as WO 2012/076252 A1 under PCT Article 21(2). 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a cable routing arrangement comprising a hollow profile and a band part which can be fastened to a fastening surface of the hollow profile, and which has at least one cable-routing duct. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Devices such as, for example, electric block locks, lock bars, switching and/or reed contacts, escape door openers, display units, etc., that are in particular used for door wings, usually require a line connection between the frame and the wing, for example, for providing an energy supply to these devices and/or data transmission between a control or a regulation unit in the building and the devices in the wing. 
     These lines are usually electric cables. The present invention is, however, not limited thereto, but relates to all lines that are required for the respective intended use. Examples include fiber optic cables, tubes and hydraulic lines. 
     Cable duct transitions have been described wherein a cable outlet on the door wing side is connected to a cable outlet on the frame side by means of a flexible metal tube in order to feed the lines from the fixed frame to the wing that is pivotably fastened to the frame by means of bands. 
     Through the cable outlet on the wing side, the cable is inserted into the flexible metal tube, at the other end of which the cable exits again through the cable outlet on the frame side. Between the two cable outlets, the metal tube is visible from one side of the door, which, of course, also applies to the two cable outlets. This results in a disturbance of the overall visual impression of the door and an increased risk of manipulation since, by simply cutting through the flexible metal tube containing the cable, the line connection in devices provided in the wing can be disconnected. 
     DE 20 2006 016 439 U1 describes a device for connecting lines which extend between a fixed frame and a wing that is pivotable about a hinge axis by means of bands comprising frame and wing band parts fastened to the wing. This device has a connector that is connected to the lines and comprises two parts, which parts, by shifting the wing from the frame in the direction toward the hinge axis, can be detached so as to be disconnected, or the lines can be brought together so as to be operatively connected. The frame as well as the wing can thereby be prepared with the associated band parts and the parts of the connector. Establishing the operative connection then takes place automatically when the wing (as usual) is mounted by sliding the wing band parts onto the band pin defining the hinge axis (in other words: by hanging). 
     DE 20 2006 016 439 U1 describes matching the outer shape of this device with the outer shape of the bands used for pivotably fastening the wing to the frame so that the device visually appears as an additional band. 
     Many of the known band arrangements are configured to provide the possibility to shift the wing in the frame in the direction of the hinge axis as well as perpendicular thereto for the purpose of adjusting the wing. The connector of the device described in DE 20 2006 016 439 U1 is accordingly configured to allow this shifting of the wing in the frame for adjusting purposes while maintaining the operative connection. The one part of the connector is thereby arranged to be shiftable in the direction perpendicular to the hinge axis, and the other part of the connector is arranged to be shiftable in the direction of the hinge axis. 
     A disadvantage of this arrangement is that shifting the wing relative to the frame results in an offset between the wing part and the band part of the device. The visual impression given hereby is in particular adversely influenced in those cases in which displacing the bands carrying the wing takes place by shifting the fastening parts of their band straps relative to the frame or the wing, and thus no offset of the band straps of a band relative to one another takes place. 
     Unpublished DE 20 2010 008 551.9 describes an arrangement in which the band part is fastened to the fastening surface of the hollow profile so as to be floatable at least in one spatial direction, usually in all spatial directions in which the bands provided for pivotably fastening the wing to the frame allow a displacement for adjusting purposes. Adjusting the wing in the frame is hereby possible without shifting the band part fastened to the wing and the band part fastened to the frame relative to one another. A disadvantage here is that a gentle transition of the cable from the band part into the hollow profile and protection of the cable when shifting the wing in the frame, in particular for adjusting the wing, is not provided under all circumstances. 
     SUMMARY 
     An aspect of the present invention is to provide an improved cable routing arrangement. 
     In an embodiment, the present invention provides a cable routing arrangement which includes at least one hollow profile comprising at least one perforation and a fastening surface and at least one of a first band part and a second band part. The first band part is configured to be fastened to the fastening surface. The first band part comprises at least one first cable routing duct. The at least one first cable routing duct comprises a first region configured to reach into the at least one hollow profile. The second band part is configured to be fastened to the fastening surface. The second band part comprises at least one second cable routing duct. The at least one second cable routing duct comprises a second region configured to reach into the at least one hollow profile. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention is described in greater detail below on the basis of embodiments and of the drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective illustration of an arrangement described in the prior art which is visually based on a three-piece band, with the band part not yet mounted on the hollow profile; 
         FIG. 2  partially shows the band part according to  FIG. 1  in an individual illustration from behind; 
         FIG. 3  shows the arrangement according to  FIG. 1  in the mounted state; 
         FIG. 4  shows a section in the plane IV-IV in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  shows the section V in  FIG. 4  in an enlarged, individual illustration; 
         FIGS. 6   a ) and  b ) show a fastening element known from the prior art in a perspective individual view and a view on the narrow side; 
         FIG. 7  shows a perspective illustration of the arrangement according to the present invention that is visually based on a three-piece band, without covers; 
         FIG. 8  shows an image as in  FIG. 1  in a partially exploded view; 
         FIG. 9  shows an illustration of a section along the line III-III in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 10  shows a sectional illustration along the line IV-IV in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 10   a  shows the cut-out in  FIG. 10  in an enlarged individual illustration; 
         FIG. 11  shows a sectional illustration along the line V-V in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 12  shows a sectional illustration along the line VI-VI, without a cable; 
         FIG. 13  shows a perspective illustration of the arrangement according to the present invention with covers in a typical application; 
         FIG. 14  shows an illustration as in  FIG. 13  without covers and without hollow profiles; 
         FIG. 15  shows a perspective illustration of a cut-out of the arrangement according to the present invention with view on that side of the arrangement that faces toward the fastening side and focus on the wing band part; 
         FIG. 16  shows an illustration as in  FIG. 9  with focus on the upper region of the frame band part; 
         FIG. 17  shows a partial perspective illustration of the arrangement according to the present invention with a view on the side facing away from the fastening surface and focus on the upper region of the frame band part. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The cable routing arrangement according to the present invention comprises at least one hollow profile which has at least one perforation. The arrangement further comprises a first band part which can be fastened to a fastening surface of the hollow profile and which has at least one first cable-routing duct and/or a second band part which can be fastened to a fastening surface of the hollow profile and which has at least one second cable-routing duct. The at least one first duct has a first region that reaches into the hollow profile and/or the at least one second duct has a second region that reaches into the hollow profile. 
     In this manner, the cable is protected against, for example, sharp bore edges of the perforation in the hollow profile. 
     If in connection with the arrangement according to the present invention “band parts” are mentioned, this does not mean that these parts transmit holding forces between the frame and the wing. Arrangements that only serve to transmit (for example, electrical) energy between the frame and the wing are also included. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of ducts and a plurality of perforations can, for example, be provided. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, the region reaching into the perforation can, for example, be formed by a component that is separate from the band part and, for example, also separate from the remaining duct in the band part. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, the first band part can, for example, be floatingly fastened to the fastening surface. This means that the band part is held on the fastening surface and secured against removing; however, shifting relative to the fastening surface is possible without requiring particular measures such as untightening fasteners. 
     The diameter of the first region reaching into the hollow profile is smaller than the diameter of the perforation. This provides that the first region does not impede displaceability, in particular, caused by adjusting the wing, of the first band part relative to the fastening surface. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, the cable passes inside the hollow profile through webs running in the hollow profile in close proximity to the band part. The first region reaching into this hollow profile in this embodiment can, for example, have a length so that these webs, which run inside the hollow profile and through which the cable passes, are penetrated by the first region. The cable thus passes through these webs inside the first duct. In this manner, the cable is also protected against damage caused by the webs of the hollow profile. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, the first region can, for example be formed by a cable bushing. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, the second band part can, for example, be fixedly fastened to the fastening surface of the hollow profile. The diameter of the second region reaching into the hollow profile can, for example, correspond at least approximately to the diameter of the perforation. In this manner, the second region reaching into the hollow profile, in addition to the protective function for the cable, can also assume fastening functions for the second band part. Since displaceability of the second band part relative to its fastening surface is prevented in this manner, this embodiment is in particular suitable for use for a second band part which interacts with a first band part, the displaceability of which relative to the fastening surface is not prevented. In an embodiment of the present invention, the second region reaching into the hollow profile can, for example, be formed by a centering sleeve. 
     It is conceivable that the cable bushings comprise plastics and the centering sleeves comprise metal. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, the arrangement can, for example, comprise a wing band part and a frame band part. The wing band part can, for example, comprise the first band part and the frame band part can, for example, comprise the second band part. Both band parts can, for example, have two cable-routing ducts in each case. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, the perforation can, for example, also be suitable for receiving fasteners for a band carrying the wing. Implementing the perforation in the hollow profile can then be carried out with tools which have to be provided anyway for mounting the bands effecting the pivotable fastening. 
     An embodiment of an arrangement described in the prior art, as a whole designated by  100 , comprises a hollow profile  1  which is designed as a multi-chamber profile having isolating webs  4 ,  5  (see  FIG. 4 ) separating the chambers  2 ,  3  from one another. 
     The hollow profile  1  comprises two perforations  6 ,  7  which, with regard to their position in the hollow profile and to their diameter, correspond to such perforations that serve for receiving fastening elements for mounting a band (not shown in the drawings) effecting a pivotably movable connection of the hollow profile  1  on a frame profile  8 . 
     The arrangement  100  furthermore comprises a band part  9  that is floatingly fastened in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 3  on a fastening surface  10  of the hollow profile  1 , which fastening surface faces obliquely toward the viewer. 
     In order to implement this floating fastening, the band part  9  comprises a groove  11  with an undercut that is open toward the fastening surface  10 , the undercut of which groove is formed by two projections  12 ,  13  that face one another and run parallel to the fastening surface  10 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the groove  11  is open toward the pivot axis S. 
     A fastening element  14  serves for engaging in the groove of the band part  9  which is illustrated in detail in  FIGS. 6   a  and  b ). The fastening element  14  is formed rotationally symmetric about a longitudinal center axis L and comprises a base  15  which rests with its end face  16  against the fastening surface  10 . The base  15  has a thickness D that is slightly larger than the thickness B of the projections  12  and  13  (see  FIG. 5 ). The diameter X of the base  15  is smaller than the inner width Z between the two projections  12 ,  13 . The fastening element  14  engages in the undercut, formed by the projections  12  and  13 , of the groove  11  with a collar  17  which is formed onto the base  15  and the diameter Y of which is smaller than the groove width Z and the thickness A of which is smaller than the groove depth T. 
     A fastening means  18  serves for fastening the fastening element  14  which is designed as a self-drilling and self-cutting screw  27  which penetrates the fastening element  14  in a central bore  19  and by tightening of which the end face  16  can be clamped against the fastening surface  10 . Due to the clearance of the fastening element  14  in the groove  11 , the band part  9  can be slid onto the fastening element, after the latter is mounted, and can be hingedly connected to another band part  20 , for example by means of a pin  21  defining the pivot axis S. 
     In that side of the band part  9  that faces the fastening surface  10 , ducts  22 ,  23  are incorporated which are approximately aligned with the perforations  6 ,  7  of the hollow profile. Cables run through the perforations  6 ,  7 , the diameter of the cables being smaller than the diameters of the perforations  6 ,  7  and/or the channels  22 ,  23 . Due to the diameter difference, the band part can shift within the circumference of the clearance between the fastening element  14  and the groove  11  relative to the fastening surface without clamping the cables  24 ,  25 . 
     In a simple constructional manner, a cable routing arrangement is thus provided which allows adjusting the wing in the frame, for example, by means of known three-dimensional adjustable bands without further measures. 
     In order that the arrangement  100  known from the prior art cannot shift uncontrolled out of the mounting position illustrated in the drawing, the band part  20 , with which the band part  9  is pivotably connected via the pin  21 , is screwed in a conventional manner to the profile  8  with fastening screws  26  (see  FIG. 4 ). However, if needed, the band part  20  can also be fastened in a floating manner. 
     The exemplary embodiment of an arrangement according to the present invention, as a whole designated by  200  in the drawings, comprises two hollow profiles  101 ,  101 ′ which are formed as multi-chamber profiles having chambers  102 ,  103  separated from one another by isolating webs  104 ,  105 . A hollow profile  101  is part of a wing (wing profile  108 ), and the other hollow profile  101 ′ is part of a frame (frame profile  108   a ). The wing profile  108  comprises two perforations  107  of which in  FIG. 8  only the upper one is visible, and which, with regard to their position in the wing profile and to their diameter, correspond to such perforations that serve for receiving fastening elements for mounting a band that carries the wing. Both of these perforations  107  serve for cable routing. The frame profile  108   a  comprises four perforations  106 ,  106 ′,  106   a ,  106   a ′ which, with regard to their position in the frame profile and to their diameter, likewise correspond to such perforations that serve for receiving fastening elements for mounting a band (not illustrated in the drawings) that carries the wing. In two of these perforations  106   a ,  106   a ′, fastening screws  126 ,  126 ′ are inserted. The remaining two perforations  106 ,  106 ′ serve for cable routing. 
     The arrangement according to the present invention comprises a first band part  109  and a second band part  109 ′. The two band parts  109 ,  109 ′ are connected to one another, for example, via a pin  21  defining the pivot axis S. The first band part  109  is floatingly fastened to the wing profile and thus forms the wing band part  109   a . The floating fastening is carried out by means of, among other things, a fastening element  114  on the fastening surface  110 , in the same manner as in the case of the above-described band part  9  known from the prior art. 
     The second band part  109 ′ is fixedly fastened to the frame profile  108   a  (frame band part  109   b ). 
     The wing band part  109   a  has two first ducts  122 ,  123  which extend through the perforations  107  into the wing profile  108 . The frame band part  109   b  has two second ducts  122 ′,  123 ′ which extend through the perforations  106 ,  106 ′ into the frame profile  108   a.    
     In the frame band part  109   b , the second ducts  122 ′,  123 ′ comprise bores  130 ,  130 ′ that transition into centering sleeves  128 ,  128 ′ which are inserted into the bores  130 ,  130 ′. Each centering sleeve  128 ,  128 ′ extends the duct  122 ′,  123 ′ situated in the frame band part up into the hollow profile (see  FIG. 10 ). Each centering sleeve  128 ,  128 ′ has three regions E, F, G (see  FIG. 10   a ). The region E penetrates the perforation  106 ,  106 ′ of the frame profile  108   a  and forms the second region  135   a  that extends into the hollow profile  101 ′. The region E has an outside diameter O that corresponds at least approximately to the diameter N of the perforation  106 ,  106 ′ of the frame profile  108   a . The region F adjoining the region E differs from the latter in that it has a slightly larger outside diameter which corresponds at least approximately to the diameter of the cable-routing bore  130 ,  130 ′ in the frame band part in which the centering sleeve  128 ,  128 ′ is inserted. In the region G adjoining the region F, the centering sleeve  128 ,  128 ′ widens slightly so that its outer contour rests against the widening cable-routing bore  130 ,  130 ′ in the frame band part. The centering sleeves  128 ,  128 ′ fulfill a plurality of tasks. On the one hand, they serve for fastening the frame band part  109   b  by counteracting twisting of the frame band part. This is in particular important if the arrangement is not based on a three-piece band design, as shown, but on a two-piece band design (not shown). On the other hand, they guide the cables  124 ′,  125 ′ running therethrough and protect them in particular against the edges of the perforations  106 ,  106 ′. The fastening of the frame band part  109   b  thus represents a fastening combination of fastening screws  126 ,  126 ′ (e.g. anchor screws) as a direct fastening for screwing the frame band part to the frame profile  108   a , and the centering sleeves  128 ,  128 ′. 
     In the wing band part  109   a , the first ducts  122 ,  123  comprise bores  132 ,  132 ′ that transition into cable bushings  129 ,  129 ′ that are inserted into the bores  132 ,  132 ′. As is in particular shown in  FIG. 11 , the regions of the cable bushings that are arranged in the bores  132 ,  132 ′ are adapted to the course of the bores in a similar manner as the centering sleeves  128 ,  128 ′.  FIG. 11  also shows that the cable bushings  129 ,  129 ′ have a first region  135  which extends into the inside of the hollow profile  101  and which has such a length I that the webs  133 ,  134 , which run inside the hollow profile and through which the cable  125  passes, are penetrated. The diameter M of the first region  135  is significantly smaller than the diameter N of the perforation  107 . 
     The cable-routing bores  130 ,  130 ′,  132 ,  132 ′ in the two band parts  109   a ,  109   b  have the same position, form and size as the bores that are provided for receiving the fastening screws. 
     Running through the frame band part  109   b  are a cable  124 ′ which is in electrical operative connection with a cable  124  that runs through the wing band part  109   a , and a further cable  125 ′ running therebelow which is in electrical operative connection with a further cable  125  running below the cable  124  through the wing band part. The cable  124 ′ runs in the inside of the frame profile  108   a , through the centering sleeve  128  and the further second channel  122 ′ of the frame band part  109   b  up to the electrical operative connection with the cable  124 . In the wing band part  109   a , the cable  124  runs through the first duct  122  and the cable bushing  129  into the inside of the wing profile  108 . The lower cables  125 ′ and  125  run correspondingly. If the covers are arranged on the band parts, as in  FIG. 13 , the cables are invisible from the outside. 
     The arrangement according to the present invention can be used on right- and left-hinged wings. Shifting the wing in the frame, in particular, by displacing or adjusting the bands carrying the wing, is enabled by the arrangement and has no negative effect on the cables or their durability. Used are the perforations  106 ,  106 ′,  107  which already exist or can be implemented with existing tools in the hollow profiles. For the wing band part  109   a , no conventional fastening means are required. The arrangement can be mounted in a very simple manner, can be retrofitted, is extremely cost-effective and can be used for all frame materials. 
     The present invention is not limited to embodiments described herein; reference should be had to the appended claims. 
     REFERENCE LIST 
     
         
         
           
               100 ,  200  Arrangement 
               1 ,  101 ,  101 ′ Hollow profile 
               2 ,  102  Chamber 
               3 ,  103  Chamber 
               4 ,  104  Isolating web 
               5 ,  105  Isolating web 
               6 ,  106 ,  106 ′ Perforation 
               106   a ,  106   a ′ Perforation 
               7 ,  107  Perforation 
               108  Wing profile 
               8 ,  108   a  Frame profile 
               9  Band part 
               109  First band part 
               109 ′ Second band part 
               109   a  Wing band part 
               109   b  Frame band part 
               10 ,  110 ,  110 ′ Fastening surface 
               11  Groove 
               12  Projection 
               13  Projection 
               14 ,  114  Fastening element 
               15  Base 
               16  End face 
               17  Collar 
               18  Fastening means 
               19  Bore 
               20  Band part 
               21 ,  121  Pin 
               22 ,  23  Duct 
               122 ,  123  First duct 
               122 ′,  123 ′ Second duct 
               24 ,  124  Cable 
               25 ,  125  Cable 
               124 ′,  125 ′ Cable 
               26 ,  126 ,  126 ′ Fastening screws 
               27 ,  127  Screw 
               128 ,  128 ′ Centering sleeve 
               129 ,  129 ′ Cable bushing 
               130 ,  130 ′ Cable-routing bores 
               131 ,  131 ′ Fastening bores 
               132 ,  132 ′ Cable-routing bores 
               133  Web 
               134  Web 
               135  First region 
               135   a  Second region 
             A Thickness 
             B Thickness 
             D Thickness 
             E Region 
             F Region 
             G Region 
             M Diameter 
             N Diameter 
               0  Diameter 
             L Longitudinal center axis 
             I Length 
             S Pivot axis 
             T Groove depth 
             X Diameter 
             Y Diameter 
             Z Groove width