Bowden Cable Sheats
Bowden cable sheaths, also called Bowden cable spirals, guide the cable pull and the force applied to the wire along a defined path. The Bowden cable sheath typically consists of a spirally wound wire, which is covered with a plastic sheath. Depending on how the Bowden cable sheath is stressed and used, different variants are differentiated.
The selection of the appropriate Bowden cable spiral follows besides geometric requirements also requirements for resistance to tensile or compressive stresses along the longitudinal axis. In addition, it must be considered that the required flexibility or resistance to deformation along the transverse axis is given. Due to these different properties, different kinds of Bowden cable sheaths are being used.
Advantages of Using Bowden Cable Spirals
The use of Bowden cable sheaths offers the advantage that transmitting components such as deflection pulleys are no longer necessary. In addition, the cables and strands are protected from environmental influences. This ensures the functionality of the Bowden cable and maintains a long life. Plastic tubes for inner coating of the Bowden cable sheath can further improve the sliding properties between the Bowden cable spiral and the inner cable.
When the Bowden cable is operated, the force is typically transmitted by the wire. However, the sheath must be able to apply a corresponding counterforce so that the transmission of the force is not lost and, for example, an unlocking can be triggered.
Bowden cable sleeves can be provided with an individual text or markings. This can allow easy identification of the Bowden cable or serve as assembly support for the Bowden cable.
Overview of Bowden Cable Sheats
Round Wire Sheats
Round wire sheaths are used for most Bowden cables and actuating cables. They are characterized by their very good flexibility and correspondingly good bending behaviour around relatively tight corners. However, round wire spirals can only withstand comparatively low compressive forces and hardly any tensile forces. In this type of Bowden cable sheath, a round wire is wound in a spiral. The lay length is the diameter of the wire.
Technical Drawing and Data of a Round Wire Sheats
We will be happy to advise you on your Bowden cable solution. Please contact Mr. Rainer Schmid.
| Order-No. | Nominal- Ø D3 | Nominal- Ø D2 | Nominal- Ø D1 | d | Weight kg/100m ca. | manufacturing length max./m |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.01.0000.135 | 4,90 | 4,00 | 2,20 | 0,90 | 6,457 | 50 |
| 5.01.0000.175 | 5,30 | 4,70 | 2,70 | 1,00 | 8,069 | 50 |
| 5.01.0000.036 | 6,00 | 5,00 | 2,20 | 1,40 | 11,353 | 50 |
Flat Wire Sheats
Flat wire sheats are used when higher tensile forces are to be transmitted with the Bowden cable. Due to their flattened geometry, flat wire sheaths can absorb greater compressive forces. Flat wire spirals are less suitable than round wire sheaths for transmitting the cable pull around corners and curves. However, a certain flexibility is still available. For absorbing tensile forces, flat wire spirals, like round wire spirals, are hardly suitable. In construction, the flattened wire is wound in a spiral and covered by a plastic layer.
Technical Drawing and Data of a Flat Wire Sheat
We will be happy to advise you on your Bowden cable solution. Please contact Mr. Rainer Schmid.
| Order-No. | Nominal- Ø D3 | Nominal- Ø D2 | Nominal- Ø D1 | s | Weight kg/100m ca. | manufacturing length max./m |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.53.0000.002 | 4,70 | 4,10 | 2,60 | 0,75 | 6,163 | 50 |
| 5.53.0000.051 | 5,30 | 4,40 | 3,00 | 0,70 | 6,898 | 50 |
| 5.53.0000.062 | 7,80 | 6,70 | 5,00 | 0,85 | 13,535 | 50 |
Push-Pull-Spirals
In wire rope sheats, also called push-pull sheaths or push-pull spiral, 18 wires are spirally wound around an inner plastic tube and then covered with plastic. Compared to the round wire sheath and flat wire sheath, the lay lenght is very large. This results in a stiff bending behavior. The special design of push pull spirals enables them to withstand tensile forces. Rope sheaths are used when tensile forces and/or compressive forces are transmitted with the Bowden cable. Rope sheaths are also very stable. However, the flexibility of push-pull spirals is limited. These Bowden cable sheaths should therefore be used primarily when routing around tight radii is no requirement.
Technical Drawing and Data of a Push-Pull-Spiral
We will be happy to advise you on your Bowden cable solution. Please contact Mr. Rainer Schmid.
| Order-No. | Nominal- Ø D4 | Nominal- Ø D3 | Nominal- Ø D2 | Nominal- Ø D1 | Design z/x | manufacturing length max./m | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.99.0460.013 | 4,70 | 3,95 | 2,90 | 1,60 | 18/ 43 | 4,551 | grau |
| 5.99.0000.036 | 4,70 | 3,95 | 2,90 | 1,60 | 18/ 43 | 4,551 | schwarz |
| 5.99.1449.033 | 5,80 | 4,90 | 3,75 | 2,25 | 20/63 | 7,050 | schwarz |
Plastic Sheats
A special variant of Bowden cable sheath is realized by making the sheath completely out of plastic. The installed properties are determined by the plastic used and can therefore be individually adapted depending on the applications requierements. Binder + Wöhrle’s broad expertise in plastic pipe and profile extrusion opens up individually adaptable solutions from a single source.
Bowden cable sleeves constructed only of plastic are typically are very flexible and thus not the most stable sleeves against deformation.
Plastic sleeves, however, make it possible to realize lightweight, low-wear and cost-effective solutions for a Bowden cable.
In addition, plastic sheaths are particularly well suited to connect injection molded connecting parts directly onto the Bowden cable sheat in one step. This offers a cost-efficient and specifically adaptable design option.
Open Wound Wire Sheats
Open wound wire sheaths are a special variant round wire sheaths. The special difference is that the lay length of that sheath is greater than the diameter of the wire. Therefore, the wires do not lie directly against each other. This characteristic makes it possible to lay the actuating wire in a particularly flexible manner. In addition, there is no change in the length of the Bowden cable sheath even if the Bowden cable is severely bent. However, the structure of the open sheath allows the Bowden cable sheath to withstand only very low tensile or compressive forces. Open wound wire sheaths are primarily used for special applications such as camera systems or fuse boxes where low forces have to be transmitted with very high accuracy.
