Patent Description:
It is customary in modern vehicles to arrange electric loads in the doors and flaps of motor vehicles. These can include, for example, motors for window openers, external lights, internal lights, etc. In the case of sliding doors, this can also be, for example, a motor, by means of which the sliding door can be opened and closed in a motorized manner.

In normal pivoting doors and pivoting flaps (tailgates, engine-compartment covers, etc.), one section of the door or flap in each case remains relatively close to the same part of a vehicle body, for example to an A pillar or the like. Consequently, the provision of a flexible line connection between the vehicle body and the door or flap is generally unproblematical.

It is a different matter in sliding doors. The latter are offset in parallel to a section of a vehicle body, and therefore the distance between a transfer point on the body and a transfer point on the sliding door may differ greatly depending on whether the sliding door is opened or closed.

Besides, in some vehicles equipped with a sliding door, the sliding door can be opened and closed by using electric power. In such a sliding door, harnesses for a power supply and sensors must be routed between the vehicle body and the sliding door.

When routing the harnesses, the harnesses are protected by providing a cable-guide arrangement that retains the harnesses, wires and cables. The cable-guide arrangement is provided because the profile of the harnesses, or specifically, the routing configuration, changes as the sliding door is opened and closed.

Documents <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT> disclose a cable-guide arrangement, in which an articulation arm pivotably holds a moveable body, such as a sliding door, on a fixed body, such as a vehicle body. A cable form is attached to the articulation arm such that said cable form extends along the articulation arm.

<CIT> is directed to a cable-guide arrangement with a pivoting arm and a bearing part which has a bearing shell section. A cam is formed on the bearing part in the region of the bearing shell section, such that the pivoting arm and the bearing part are captively pre-assembled.

Whilst this type of pivoting arrangements and cable-guide arrangements functions effectively, it has been found that its construction may be improved upon in order to provide a pivoting arrangements and cable-guide arrangements easy to manufacture, to assemble and reliable.

It is notably an object of the present invention to provide a pivoting arrangement and a cable-guide arrangement with an improved and reliable sealing.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a pivoting arrangement according to claim <NUM>. The position of the sealing ring within the notch prevent any fluid to enter protective chamber. More particularly, the position of the sealing ring allows a compact and tight pivoting arrangement, reducing the risks of damaging cables and wire harnesses without increasing the size of the entire arrangement. Besides, the two-part pivoting arm simplifies the assembly of the cable. The cable can be snap fitted within the pivoting arm. (A one-part pivoting arm would have to open laterally to be able to mount a cable. This has the disadvantage that moisture can penetrate through the pivoting arm. ) The sealing ring is notably directly overmoulded on the second shaft portion.

In an embodiment, the second shaft portion comprises an annular groove extending on an external surface of the second shaft portion. In an embodiment, the sealing ring is arranged within the annular groove. Thus, one can control to which extends the sealing ring radially extends within the notch. Besides, the sealing ring remains in position.

In an embodiment, a cable support sleeve is arranged at a free end of the second shaft portion opposite the first shaft portion. The cable support sleeve improve the sealing while guiding the cable within the protective chamber. The two-parts pivoting arm allows the assembly of such cable support sleeve.

In an embodiment, the base plate comprises a (injection moulded) plate seal arranged on the upper surface, wherein the seal extends between the cap and the base plate. This again improves the sealing properties.

In a further embodiment, the plate seal comprises a first portion extending on a periphery of the upper surface and a second portion extending sensibly orthogonally to the first portion and between the pivoting arm and the second receiving member.

In an embodiment, the plate seal is discontinuous at the notch. Due to the sealing ring, there is no need to provide a continuous plate seal. The position of the sealing ring within the notch, and not at an end surface of the notch (as it would have been the case if the plate seal was continuous) allows a better sealing, but also less maintenance, since it is not visible from the outside and therefore less subject to wear.

In an embodiment, the base plate comprises a ground body, the ground body being sensibly flat with the upper and lower surfaces, and the second receiving portion is formed by a second reinforcing part, the second reinforcing part extending sensibly orthogonal to the ground body. The base plate is thus sensibly compact.

In an embodiment, a first reinforcing part forms the first receiving portion. The first reinforcing part extends sensibly orthogonal to the ground body. The base plate with the first and second reinforcing parts is made integral in one piece of material.

In an embodiment, the base plate comprises an under seal arranged on the lower surface, and wherein the under seal extends on the entire periphery of the lower surface.

In an embodiment, the cap comprises a cap notch and the cap notch and the notch of the base plate cooperate to define an aperture through which the second shaft portion extends.

In an embodiment, a connecting plug is arranged on the lower surface of the base plate. This allows a quick connection with the vehicle body.

The present application is also directed to a cable-guide arrangement for a motor vehicle sliding door, comprising:.

wherein the first attachment or the second attachment comprises a pivoting arrangement as previously described. The cable-guide arrangement is compact and tight.

In an embodiment, the first attachment comprises a pivoting arrangement as previously described, and the second attachment comprises a first part adapted to be fixed to the sliding door and a second part movably mounted to the first part. Thus, tolerance compensation is also allowed.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will readily appear from the following description of embodiments, provided as non-limitative examples, in reference to the accompanying drawings.

On the different figures, the same reference signs designate identical or similar elements.

<FIG> shows a cable guide arrangement <NUM> for a motor vehicle sliding door. The cable-guide arrangement <NUM> is for instance provided to securely guide and receive cables, wire(s), harnesses such as for example electricity supply harness or sensor harness, between a vehicle opening and a sliding door destined to close the vehicle opening. The cable guide arrangement <NUM> protects the cables (or harnesses or wires), whose profile changes between the completely closed position, the intermediate position, and the completely opened position of the sliding door. The cables (harnesses, wires) are not part of the present invention and therefore not shown in the drawings.

The cable guide arrangement <NUM> comprises on one end a first attachment <NUM> that is adapted to be installed on the vehicle body. On the other end, a second attachment <NUM> is provided. The second attachment <NUM> is adapted to be installed on the sliding door. Between the first and the second attachment <NUM>, <NUM> a cable-guide <NUM> that connects the first attachment <NUM> to the second attachment <NUM> is provided so as to enclose the cables. The cable guide <NUM> for instance comprises a plurality of segments <NUM> articulated in series with each other. For instance, the second attachment <NUM> comprises a first part adapted to be fixed to the sliding door and a second part movably mounted to the first part. The second attachment <NUM> and the cable guide <NUM> will not be further described here, as those skilled in the art appreciate how such parts are assembled.

The first attachment <NUM> is provided with a pivoting arrangement <NUM>. The pivoting arrangement <NUM> is more precisely depicted in <FIG>.

The pivoting arrangement <NUM> comprises a pivoting arm <NUM>. The pivoting arm <NUM> is adapted to be fixed to an end of the cable guide <NUM>. More particularly, the pivoting arm <NUM> is adapted to be fixed to an end segment of the cable guide. The pivoting arm <NUM> longitudinally extends between a first end <NUM> and a second end <NUM> along an arm axis X. The pivoting arm comprises a channel <NUM>, the channel <NUM> longitudinally extends along the arm axis X. The second end <NUM> of the pivoting arm <NUM> is destined to be connected to the cable guide <NUM>. The first end <NUM> of the pivoting arm <NUM> comprises a first and a second shaft portion <NUM>, <NUM> and is adapted to be rotatably mounted to a base plate <NUM>. The first shaft portion <NUM> extends sensibly orthogonal to the arm axis X. For instance, and as depicted in <FIG>, the first shaft portion <NUM> is sensibly cylindrical. The second shaft portion <NUM> extends sensibly orthogonal to the arm axis X. For instance, and as depicted in <FIG>, the second shaft portion <NUM> is sensibly cylindrical. The radius of the first shaft portion <NUM> is smaller than the radius of the second shaft portion <NUM>. The length of the first shaft portion <NUM> can be slightly smaller than the length of the second shaft portion <NUM>. In another embodiment, the lengths of the first and second shaft portions <NUM>, <NUM> can be the same. A bottleneck may be provided on the second shaft portion in the vicinity of the channel <NUM>.

The first shaft portion <NUM> comprises a closed end. The second shaft portion <NUM> comprises an open end, such that the cables can extend through the second shaft portion <NUM> and within the channel <NUM>. A cable support sleeve <NUM> can be arranged at a free end of the second shaft portion <NUM> opposite the first shaft portion <NUM>. The cable support sleeve <NUM> is for instance frustoconical and adapted to guide the cables. The greater base edge is directly arranged on the free end of the second shaft portion <NUM>.

For example, the greater base edge is fitted to the second shaft portion <NUM> or is directly overmoulded to the free end of the second shaft portion <NUM>.

The pivoting arm <NUM> is a two-part piece and comprises a first and a second casing <NUM>, <NUM>. The first and the second casing <NUM>, <NUM> are connected to each other to form a hollow section adapted to receive wire(s), cable(s) or harness(es). The first casing <NUM> comprises the first shaft portion <NUM>. The second casing <NUM> comprises the second shaft portion <NUM>. The first and second casings <NUM>, <NUM> are sensibly similar in a mirror plane. Each comprises a shaft portion at a first end and a one-half channel. The half channels form the channel <NUM>. The pivoting arm <NUM> is particularly easy to manufacture with these two parts.

The pivoting arm <NUM> is provided with a sealing ring <NUM> extending around the second shaft portion <NUM>. The sealing ring <NUM> is provided on the second casing <NUM>. For instance, the second shaft portion <NUM> is sensibly cylindrical and comprises a groove <NUM>. The groove is annular. The sealing ring <NUM> can extend within the groove <NUM>. The groove <NUM> is for instance arranged at equal distance from the ends of the second shaft portion. The sealing ring <NUM> is sensibly annular. The sealing ring <NUM> protrudes from the outer surface of the second shaft portion <NUM>. The sealing ring <NUM> is over moulded on the second shaft portion <NUM>. The sealing ring <NUM> is for instance arranged sensibly in the middle of the second shaft portion <NUM>.

The first and second shaft portions <NUM>, <NUM> are rotatably mounted to the base plate <NUM>. The base plate <NUM> has a first receiving portion <NUM> adapted to receive the first shaft portion <NUM>. The base plate <NUM> further comprises a second receiving portion <NUM> adapted to receive the second shaft portion <NUM>. More particularly, the first shaft portion <NUM> is rotatably received in the first receiving portion <NUM>. The second shaft portion <NUM> is rotatably received in the second receiving portion <NUM>.

For instance, the base plate <NUM> comprises a ground body <NUM> extending sensibly in a base plane. Two reinforcing parts protrudes from the ground plate. The first reinforcing part <NUM> extends sensibly perpendicularly to the ground body <NUM>. The second reinforcing part <NUM> extends sensibly perpendicularly to the ground body <NUM>. The first reinforcing part <NUM> comprises a hole which forms the first receiving portion <NUM>. The hole may be a blind hole, or as represented a through hole. The first shaft portion <NUM> extends at least partially within the hole. The second reinforcing part <NUM> comprises a notch <NUM>. The second reinforcing part with the notch <NUM> forms the second receiving portion <NUM>. The second shaft portion <NUM> is arranged within the notch <NUM>. The sealing ring <NUM> seats on the second shaft portion <NUM> and extends between the notch <NUM> and the second shaft portion <NUM>. The position of the sealing ring <NUM> is such that it is arranged in the middle (or sensibly in the middle) of the notch <NUM> (in the mounted position of the pivoting arm).

The base plate <NUM> (and more particularly the ground body) comprises an upper surface and a lower surface. The lower surface is adapted to face the body vehicle. For instance, the base plate <NUM> comprises a connecting plug <NUM>, as depicted in <FIG>. The connecting plug <NUM> is arranged on the lower surface and allows a quick connection with the vehicle body.

An under seal <NUM> is arranged on the lower surface of the base plate <NUM>. The under seal <NUM> continuously extends on the entire periphery of the lower surface. The under seal <NUM> ensures sealing between the vehicle body and the base plate <NUM>. The under seal <NUM> follows the outer contours of the lower surface of the base plate <NUM>. For instance, the under seal <NUM> is made with the same material than the sealing ring <NUM>. The under seal <NUM> is overmoulded on the lower surface.

The base plate <NUM> is adapted to cooperate with a cap <NUM>. The cap <NUM> is connected to the upper surface of the base plate <NUM>. The cap <NUM> comprises a recess <NUM>. When mounted together, the cap <NUM> and the base plate <NUM> define a protective chambre <NUM> in which cables (or harness or wires) can extend. The protective chamber is delimited by the wall of the recess <NUM> and the base plate <NUM>. The cap <NUM> comprises a cap notch <NUM> which cooperate with the notch <NUM> to form an aperture through which the second shaft portion end extends. The base plate <NUM> and the cap <NUM> form a support member <NUM>.

Claim 1:
Pivoting arrangement (<NUM>) for a cable-guide arrangement (<NUM>), with:
- a pivoting arm (<NUM>) longitudinally extending between a first end and a second end along an arm axis (X), the pivoting arm (<NUM>) being hollow and adapted to receive cables, wherein the first end is provided with a first and a second shaft portion (<NUM>, <NUM>),
- a support member (<NUM>) adapted to be arranged on a vehicle body, wherein the support member comprises:
- a base plate (<NUM>) with a first and a second receiving portion (<NUM>, <NUM>), the first shaft portion (<NUM>) extending in the first receiving portion (<NUM>), and the second shaft portion (<NUM>) extending in the second receiving portion (<NUM>), such that the pivoting arm (<NUM>) is rotatably mounted to the support member, wherein the first receiving portion comprises a hole in which the first shaft portion extends, and the second receiving portion comprises a notch (<NUM>), wherein the base plate comprises an upper surface and a lower surface opposite the upper surface and adapted to be arranged on a vehicle body,
- a cap (<NUM>) connected to the upper surface of the base plate and defining with the base plate a protective chamber (<NUM>), in which the cables can extend,
Characterized in that the pivoting arm (<NUM>) is a two-part piece having a first casing (<NUM>) and a second casing (<NUM>), the first and second casing being connected to each other to define a hollow section adapted to receive the cables, the first casing comprising the first shaft portion (<NUM>), the second casing comprising the second shaft portion (<NUM>), and
in that the second casing is provided with a sealing ring (<NUM>) extending around the second shaft portion (<NUM>) and in the notch (<NUM>).