Cable shoe for connecting cables to a metal surface

Abstract

 The present invention relates to a cable shoe for mounting metal cables on a metal surface, wherein the cable shoe comprises a first mounting part for mounting a cable on the cable shoe, and a second mounting part for mounting the cable shoe on the metal surface, wherein the first mounting part is provided with a plastic part, wherein a first part of the plastic part extends along the outer periphery of the first mounting part of the cable shoe and wherein a second part of the plastic part extends freely from the cable shoe, characterized in that at least a portion of the second part of the plastic part is provided with mechanical sealing means such that during use a substantially watertight connection is formed between the cable and the second part of the plastic part.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a cable shoe for mounting metal wires on a metal surface, wherein the cable shoe comprises a first mounting part for mounting a cable on the cable shoe and a second mounting part for mounting the cable shoe on the metal surface.

[0002] Cable shoes are already much used to connect cables to a metal surface of for instance a vehicle. Cable shoes can however also be used in other devices wherein cables are connected to a metal surface, such as for instance so-called white goods such as washing machines and dishwashers. The cables usually comprise a metal core around which an insulating sheathing layer is arranged as casing.

[0003] It is important that very good contact is made between the outer ends of the cable shoe with the cables and the metal surface of the device, such as for instance the bonnet, doors or chassis of a vehicle. If this connection is not good, this can result in all kinds of malfunction in the electrical equipment. This is of particularly great importance nowadays since the electrical fittings are very susceptible to malfunction in respect of the conduction of the electric current.

[0004] Furthermore, it is important that no corrosion occurs around the mounting point of the cable shoe on the metal surface and at the mounting point of the cable on the cable shoe. In order to prevent corrosion the connection between the cable shoe and the cable must be substantially watertight. An effective method of substantially watertight connection of a cable shoe to a cable is not known in the prior art.

[0005] A method is thus described in the American patent US 2004/253871 for mounting a cable on a cable shoe. Here however, the core of the cable is first connected to the cable shoe, whereafter the portion where the core of the cable is connected to the cable is provided in a mould with a plastic seal. This is a relatively complicated and time-consuming method since the cable must first be connected to the cable shoe, and the whole unit, i.e. cable with cable shoe, must then be placed in a mould.

[0006] The present invention has for its object to provide a solution to these problems.

[0007] A first aspect of the present invention relates to a cable shoe for mounting metal cables on a metal surface, wherein the cable shoe comprises a first mounting part for mounting a cable on the cable shoe, and a second mounting part for mounting the cable shoe on the metal surface, wherein the first mounting part is provided with a plastic part, wherein a first part of the plastic part extends along the outer periphery of the first mounting part of the cable shoe and wherein a second part of the plastic part extends freely from the cable shoe, characterized in that at least a portion of the second part of the plastic part is provided with mechanical sealing means such that during use a substantially watertight connection is formed between the cable and the second part of the plastic part.

[0008] An advantage of such a cable shoe is that corrosion between the cable and the cable shoe is prevented because no water can penetrate. This prevents changes occurring in the conductivity, whereby malfunction of electrical equipment can be avoided. It is noted here that the invention can be applied particularly in vehicles such as cars, trucks, ships, trains and aircraft, since very sensitive electronic equipment is often arranged therein. Electronic equipment is here understood to mean all electronic equipment which may be present in a vehicle, such as for instance a navigation system, ignition mechanisms, lighting, motor management system and an electronic combustion.

[0009] This cable shoe has the further advantage that it can be used directly at the desired (assembly) location. Only a portion of the casing of the cable does after all need to be removed such that the core is exposed, and this core is fastened to the first mounting part of the cable shoe, for instance by squeezing the whole together. The cable is herein guided through at least a portion of the plastic part such that the plastic part extends around the cable. Because the second part of this plastic part extends beyond the cable shoe, this part comes into contact with at least a portion of the casing of the cable, and a watertight seal between the cable and the plastic part is obtained by the mechanical sealing means. Using the cable shoe according to the present invention it is therefore no longer necessary, once the cable is mounted on the cable shoe, to arrange a plastic layer around the mounting area by making use of a mould. A watertight seal has after all already been effected by the plastic part which has already been mounted on the cable shoe. This has a very favourable effect on the time required to mount a cable shoe on a cable.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment the mechanical sealing means comprise at least one rib and/or rill extending along the inner periphery of the second part of the plastic part. An advantage of using a rib and/or rill is that a substantially watertight seal is obtained in simple and efficient manner between the plastic part and the insulating casing of the cable. Because the material of the plastic part is preferably somewhat flexible, the ribs or the standing parts of the rills come into sealing contact with the casing of the cable.

[0011] It is further recommended that the rill and/or rib forms a closed curve extending along the inner surface of the second part of the plastic part. A seal is also obtained in this manner which has very good water-sealing properties.

[0012] In an embodiment of the present invention the rill or rib extends in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the plastic part. An advantage hereof is that a good sealing is obtained, wherein different ribs or rills can be placed successively such that a plurality of seals are formed.

[0013] The first and the second mounting parts of the cable shoe are preferably integrated.

[0014] It is further recommended that the plastic part comprises a tube, or is at least tubular. The advantage hereof is that the cable, at least the metal part of the cable, can be pushed easily into the opening of the tube and into the first mounting part of the cable shoe, and a portion of the first mounting part can then for instance be pressed together such that the cable, or at least the core of the cable, is fixedly connected to the cable shoe.

[0015] It is particularly recommended that the plastic part comprises polyvinyl, polyurethane, polypropane, polyethane, natural rubber and/or synthetic rubber. It is important that the plastic part has a high degree of insulating power.

[0016] It is further recommended that in use the second part of the plastic part fits closely round the cable arranged in the cable shoe. The advantage here is that moisture cannot enter the cable shoe, whereby corrosion is avoided.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment the second part of the plastic part extends at least one millimetre, preferably at least five millimetres, along a cable arranged in the cable shoe.

[0018] It is further recommended that at least a portion of the first mounting part of the cable shoe comprises grooves along the outer periphery. The advantage of such grooves is that the plastic part is fastened firmly to the cable shoe.

[0019] The second mounting part of the cable shoe is preferably provided with an opening for mounting the cable shoe on a metal surface. By means of this opening the cable shoe can be readily mounted on the metal surface of a device, such as for instance on the chassis or the bodywork of a vehicle. It is particularly recommended here that the second part of the cable shoe takes the form of an eye, ring, fork or of a so-called flat plug. In addition, the second part of the cable shoe is preferably substantially flat. The advantage hereof is that there is a relatively large conduction area for conducting the current to the metal surface via the cable mounted on the first part of the cable shoe.

[0020] It is further recommended that the first mounting part and/or the second mounting part are of metal, preferably of iron, more preferably copper with a tinned surface.

[0021] A second aspect of the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a cable shoe, comprising of providing a first mounting part and a second mounting part, placing the first mounting part in a mould and sheathing the first mounting part around the outer periphery with a plastic part, wherein a first part of the plastic part extends along the periphery of the first part of the cable shoe and wherein a second part of the plastic part extends freely from the cable shoe, characterized in that at least a portion of the second part of the plastic part is provided with mechanical sealing means such that during use a substantially watertight connection is formed between the cable and the second part of the plastic part.

[0022] An advantage of such a method is that a cable shoe can be obtained in very efficient manner which is less prone to corrosion than the usual cable shoe. This prevents changes occurring in the conductivity of the cable shoe through which malfunctions can occur in electronic equipment. It is moreover advantageous for a cable shoe to be already provided with a plastic part before mounting of a cable on the cable shoe. The cable can hereby be connected directly to the cable shoe without additional operations still being necessary for this purpose.

[0023] It is further recommended that the mechanical sealing means comprise at least one rib/rill extending along the inner periphery of the second part of the plastic part. A plurality of ribs and rills can however also be arranged. A good connection (seal) is hereby obtained between the plastic part and the insulating casing of the cable.

[0024] It is particularly recommended that the plastic part comprises polyvinyl, polypropane, polyethane, natural rubber and/or synthetic rubber.

[0025] It is further particularly recommended that grooves are arranged on the first mounting part. The advantage of such grooves is that a very good connection to the plastic part is obtained.

[0026] A third aspect of the present invention relates to a cable shoe obtainable in accordance with the above described method.

[0027] A fourth aspect of the present invention relates to a method for connecting a cable shoe to a cable, which cable comprises a conductive core and a casing, comprising of providing a cable shoe according to any of the claims 1-11 or 19, removing the casing from the cable on at least one end of the cable such that a portion of the core of the cable is exposed, bringing the core of the cable into contact with the first mounting part of the cable shoe, wherein at least a portion of the second part of the plastic part extends over the casing of the cable, wherein the mechanical sealing means provide a substantially watertight seal between the plastic part and the cable.

[0028] A fifth aspect of the present invention relates to a vehicle provided with the above described cable shoe. The cable shoe according to the present invention can be applied particularly well in cars, trucks, ships and aircraft.

[0029] A final aspect of the present invention relates to the use of the above described cable shoe for mounting a cable on a vehicle.

[0030] Mentioned and other features of the cable shoe according to the invention will be further elucidated hereinbelow on the basis of a number of exemplary embodiments, which are only given by way of example without the invention thereby being deemed limited thereto. Reference is made here to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1

shows a side view of an embodiment of the cable shoe according to the invention.

Figure 2

shows a side view of an embodiment of the cable shoe according to the invention.

[0031] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a cable shoe 1 according to the invention, this cable shoe 1 being mounted on a metal surface 2 of a vehicle. Cable shoe 1 comprises a first mounting part 3 on which the core 4 of a cable 5 is mounted. Cable shoe 1 further comprises a second mounting part 13 which is mounted on the metal surface 2 of for instance a vehicle, preferably a car. First mounting part 3 of cable shoe 1 is provided with a plastic part 6 extending along the periphery of first mounting part 3. A second part 7 of this plastic part 6 extends over cable 5. This second part 7 of plastic part 6 is herein provided with ribs 9 and rills 10 which ensure a watertight connection (seal) between casing 11 of cable 5 and plastic part 6 of cable shoe 1. If desired, the part 12 of the first mounting part can further also be provided with a plastic sheathing layer. First mounting part 3 of cable shoe 1 is further provided with grooves 8, these grooves 8 extending along the periphery of first mounting part 3 of the cable shoe.

[0032] Figure 2 shows an embodiment of a cable shoe 14 according to the invention, this cable shoe 14 being mounted on a metal surface 15 of a vehicle, such as for instance a car. Cable shoe 14 further comprises a first mounting part 16 on which a cable 17 is mounted. Core 18 of cable 17 is herein connected to first mounting part 16 of cable shoe 14. Cable shoe 14 further comprises a second mounting part 19 which is mounted on metal surface 15 of for instance a vehicle, preferably a car. First mounting part 16 of cable shoe 14 is provided with a plastic part 20 extending along the periphery of first mounting part 16. A second part 21 of this plastic part is provided with ribs 22 and rills 23. By means of these ribs 22 and rills 23 a good and substantially watertight seal is obtained between casing 24 of cable 17 and plastic part 20.

Claims

1. Cable shoe for mounting metal cables on a metal surface, wherein the cable shoe comprises a first mounting part for mounting a cable on the cable shoe, and a second mounting part for mounting the cable shoe on the metal surface, wherein the first mounting part is provided with a plastic part, wherein a first part of the plastic part extends along the outer periphery of the first mounting part of the cable shoe and wherein a second part of the plastic part extends freely from the cable shoe, characterized in that at least a portion of the second part of the plastic part is provided with mechanical sealing means such that during use a substantially watertight connection is formed between the cable and the second part of the plastic part.

2. Cable shoe as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mechanical sealing means comprise at least one rib and/or rill extending along the inner periphery of the second part of the plastic part.

3. Cable shoe as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the rib and/or rill forms a closed curve extending along the inner surface of the second part of the plastic part.

4. Cable shoe as claimed in any of the claims 1-3, wherein the rib and/or rill extends in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the plastic part.

5. Cable shoe as claimed in any of the claims 1-4, wherein the first and the second mounting parts are integrated.

6. Cable shoe as claimed in any of the claims 1-5, wherein the plastic part comprises a tube, or is at least tubular.

7. Cable shoe as claimed in any of the claims 1-6, wherein the plastic part comprises polyvinyl, polyurethane, polypropane, polyethane, natural rubber and/or synthetic rubber.

8. Cable shoe as claimed in any of the claims 1-7, wherein the second part of the plastic part extends at least 1 mm., preferably at least 5 mm. along the cable.

9. Cable shoe as claimed in any of the claims 1-8, wherein at least a portion of the first mounting part of the cable shoe comprises grooves along the outer periphery.

10. Cable shoe as claimed in any of the claims 1-9, wherein the second mounting part of the cable shoe is provided with an opening for mounting the cable shoe on the metal surface.

11. Cable shoe as claimed in any of the claims 1-10, wherein the first mounting part and the second mounting part are of metal, preferably iron, more preferably copper with a tinned surface.

12. Method for manufacturing a cable shoe, comprising of providing a first mounting part connected to a second mounting part, placing the first mounting part in a mould and sheathing the first mounting part around the outer periphery with a plastic part, wherein a first part of the plastic part extends along the periphery of the first part of the cable shoe and wherein a second part of the plastic part extends freely from the cable shoe, characterized in that at least a portion of the second part of the plastic part is provided with mechanical sealing means such that during use a substantially watertight connection is formed between the cable and the second part of the plastic part.

13. Method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the mechanical sealing means comprise at least one rib and/or rill extending along the inner periphery of the second part of the plastic part.

14. Method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the rib and/or rill forms a closed curve extending along the inner surface of the second part of the plastic part.

15. Method as claimed in any of the claims 12-14, wherein the rib and/or rill extends in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the plastic part.

16. Method as claimed in any of the claims 12-15, wherein the plastic part is formed into a tube, or at least a tubular shape.

17. Method as claimed in any of the claims 12-16, wherein grooves are arranged on the first mounting part.

18. Method as claimed in any of the claims 12-17, wherein the plastic part comprises polyvinyl, polyurethane, polypropane, polyethane, natural rubber and/or synthetic rubber.

19. Cable shoe obtainable by the method of any of the claims 12-18.

20. Method for connecting a cable shoe on a cable, which cable comprises a conductive core and a casing, comprising of providing a cable shoe as claimed in any of the claims 1-11 or 19, removing the casing from the cable on at least one end of the cable such that a portion of the core of the cable is exposed, bringing the core of the cable into contact with the first mounting part of the cable shoe, wherein at least a portion of the second part of the plastic part extends over the casing of the cable, wherein the mechanical sealing means provide a substantially watertight seal between the plastic part and the cable.

21. Vehicle provided with a cable shoe as claimed in any of the claims 1-11 or 19.

22. Use of a cable shoe as claimed in any of the claims 1-11 or 19 for mounting a cable on a vehicle.

Drawing