Device for the Protection of Cables Laid in Switch Cabinets or Other Equipment

The present invention relates to a device for the protection of cables laid in switch cabinets, other equipment or the like.

It is common practice to establish electrically conductive connections by means of cables and plug connectors. The length of the cable is usually minimized. This leads to instances when establishing a connection, i.e. when inserting the plug connector into the terminal position or when laying the cables, that the cables are bent so far that a damage to the core or to the insulation may occur.

The present invention is a device which attaches to the cable ducts of switching cabinets and other cabinets or chassis housing electrical components. The cable duct has an exit opening though which cables lying in the cable duct can exit and travel to their corresponding electrical component. At these exit openings, there is a guide means which prevents the cable from bending further than the minimum recommended bend radius for that particular cable, in order to prevent damage to the cable. The guide means includes a rounded guide element which can be formed in one piece with the cable duct and extends outward from the exit opening along a curve towards a radius larger than or equal to the minimum bending radius of the cable. The guide means also includes a funnel shaped part which is insertable into the exit opening of the cable duct. The funnel shaped part has a substantially straight end which fits into the exit opening and can have a dimension to cause an outside surface of the substantially straight end to snugly contact the inside surface of the cable duct. A flare end of the funnel extends outwardly and the rounded guiding element follows the direction of the flare end. A portion of the guide means, can cover cables inside the cable duct in order to insure that the cables do not fall out of the cable duct.

It is therefore the object of the invention to provide a device that prevents the cables from falling below a minimum bending radius at the exits of cable ducts, or similar equipment, and that prevents corresponding damages.

Such a guiding device widens in the direction of exit and is rounded. The guiding device makes sure by its shape and dimensions that bends smaller than approximately four times the cable diameter are prevented. The guiding device can be at least partially funnel-shaped and can be inserted into the exit opening, which leads to an economical assembly. By corresponding dimensions and/or shape, the guiding device can be secured by positive linkage and/or by friction. Another rounded guiding element can follow the funnel-shaped part, the further guiding element securing a larger section and the full critical section wherein the cables are guided. The device can also be configured such that only the critical section is covered and uncritical local sections are left free.

The various features of the novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 a conventional cable guiding device;

FIG. 2 a device according to the invention.

In the cable guiding system shown in FIG. 1, the cables 4 are held by a displaceable cable guiding device 7 and are guided from a cable duct 2 to terminal positions which are not shown. In this example, the cable 4' is subject to excessive bending, which is more than allowed, and may lead to damages.

In contrast thereto, in the embodiment according to the invention (FIG. 2), a guiding device or means 3 is provided at the exit opening 1. The guiding device prevents the cables 4 from bending below a minimum bending radius. Immediately in the interior of the exit opening 1, a funnel-shaped part 5 is provided. The funnel-shaped part 5 encloses the exit opening 1. Then follows another also rounded guiding element 6, so to shield all sections and to obtain complete protection against overstressing of the cables 4. From the example of the only cable 4, in FIG. 2, guided from the cable duct 2' to a terminal position 8, it can be seen that a smaller bending radius than the minimum bending radius is absolutely prevented. The rounded guiding element 6 is, in this embodiment, an integral part of the exit opening 1. It can, however, also be a separate part to be connected with the cable duct 2 for fitting later. A fixing device 9 of the guiding element 6 at the panel 10 where the terminals 8 are provided will lead to satisfactory fixation, and damages are prevented even with high loads, since the minimum radius is always maintained.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.