Patent Application
20160137039
Exemplary embodiments of the invention are directed to insulators for elongate members and, more particularly, to highly efficient insulators and methods of manufacturing for elongate members subject to movement and vibration.
Vehicles such as automobiles include many complex assemblies that include tightly spaced components packaged in locations that may be difficult to access following assembly. Many assemblies include elongate members that are used for various applications ranging from door latch actuators to fuel and brake lines. One commonality of most elongate members is that they are predisposed to movement or vibration at some point along their length.
When movement or vibration occurs in tightly spaced, complex assemblies, contact with other components may occur and the result can be undesirable noise, wear of components, etc. To address direct part-to-part contact between elongate members and other components, insulating sleeves or sheathing is commonly used. The sheathing may be constructed of a soft, damping material such as plastic or rubber and extends along a length of the elongate member where contact, noise and vibration is to be expected. The sheathing will typically cover the entire elongate member even though it may be sufficient to limit such insulation to less than the entire outer surface thereof. Cost and weight are negative factors with such a design.
In one exemplary embodiment a door assembly for a motor vehicle comprises a door inner panel, a trim panel, an elongated handle cable extending between the door inner panel and the trim panel and an insulating member installed over the elongated handle cable and comprising a tubular member having a wall defining an opening that allows for the insertion of the elongated handle cable and a helical slice extending from adjacent a first end of the insulating member along a portion thereof. The helical slice is configured to allow the first and second ends to be pulled apart to increase the length of the tubular member.
In another exemplary embodiment an insulator for an elongated member having a first, proximate end and a second, distal end comprises a tubular member having a wall defining an opening that allows for the insertion of the elongated member and at least one slice extending from adjacent a first end of the tubular member along a portion thereof. The slice is configured to allow the first and second ends to be pulled apart to increase the length of the tubular member.
In yet another exemplary embodiment a door assembly for a motor vehicle comprises a door inner panel, a trim panel, an elongated handle cable extending between the door inner panel and the trim panel and an insulating member installed over the elongated handle cable and comprising a tubular member having a wall defining an opening that allows for the insertion of the elongated handle cable and spaced slices extending from adjacent a first end of the insulating member along a portion thereof. The spaced slices configured to allow the first and second ends to be pulled apart to increase the length of the tubular member.
The above features and advantages, and other features and advantages of the invention, are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
Other features, advantages and details appear, by way of example only, in the following detailed description of embodiments, the detailed description referring to the drawings in which:
The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, its application or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features. As used herein, the term vehicle is not limited to just an automobile, truck, van or sport utility vehicle, but includes any self-propelled or towed conveyance suitable for transporting a burden.
Referring to
In the illustration of
In many cases, physical restraint of the central, elongate portion 24 of an elongate member 16 may not be feasible or desirable. In an embodiment, an insulating member or sheath 30 may be installed over the elongated handle cable 16,
As the ends 38, 40 of the tubular member 32 of the insulating member 30 are drawn apart, the diameter of the opening 34 may be reduced about the elongated handle cable 16 thereby ensuring a snug fit thereabout and preventing the insulating member 30 from returning to its original configuration. Additionally, the first and second ends 38, 40 may be fixed in position following elongation using mechanical fasteners (not shown) or an adhesive.
Referring to
As the ends 38, 40 of the tubular member 32 of the insulating member 30 are drawn apart, the diameter of the opening 34 may be reduced about the elongated handle cable 16, thereby ensuring a snug fit thereabout and preventing the insulating member 30 from returning to its original configuration. Additionally, the first and second ends 38, 40 may be fixed in position following elongation using mechanical fasteners (not shown) or an adhesive.
In embodiments the insulating member 30 may be constructed of any suitable material that is easily deformed in a manner that will allow elongation of the sliced tubular member 32 following its installation onto an elongated member such as the elongated handle cable of the present example. Such materials may include rubber, foam, plastic, composite, etc.
While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation of material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the application.
