DE10356305A1 - Flat conductor for use in motor vehicle, has isolation body including protruding sections on its external surface, where the sections provide defined gap, so that adhesive is uniformly distributed on surface of conductor - Google Patents

Abstract

The conductor has an isolation body (1) surrounding an electrical conductor and is made of flexible foils. The isolation body is provided with protruding sections (3) in its external surface, where the sections have identical height. The protruding sections provide a defined gap, so that an adhesive is uniformly distributed on the surface of the conductor. A blade lies on the top side of the flat conductor. Independent claims are also included for the following: (A) a tool for manufacturing a flat conductor (B) a process for manufacturing a flat conductor.

Description

The The present invention relates generally to a flat conductor or a flat conductor ribbon cable, all the way particularly preferred for use in motor vehicles, and relates in particular a flat conductor according to claim 1, a tool according to Claim 11 for its production, a method according to claim 14 for its production and a method according to claim 20 to the latter Connection with a carrier, for example, with a body or a support structure in the assembly of motor vehicles.

flat Head or flat conductor ribbon cable of the generic type at least an electrical conductor, wherein the conductor or conductors of an insulating body a flexible, insulating material, preferably of a plastic, surrounded and enclosed by this. Especially in the automotive industry arrive such a flat conductor to a greater extent to the wiring system wiring Commitment. Flat conductors are characterized by high flexibility, a small footprint and a high weight saving and can by means of suitable layout programs in any configuration, in particular also with branches, flexible to individual needs the manufacturer will be adjusted. Such flat conductors can also in a simple way with other flat conductors or contact plugs be connected to ensure a stable power or signal line.

Flat conductor, in particular, how these are to be encompassed by the present invention Plastic materials can be extruded or made from film materials be laminated. It is also known for this purpose, flexible Films with printed or silk-screen printed conductor structures to train over which another flexible film is laminated to form a flat conductor. Flat conductor or flat conductor ribbon cable of the generic type are in particular under the designations FLC (Flexible Laminated Cable), FFC (Flexible Flat Cable), FFCe (Flat Flexible Cable extruded) and FPC (Flexible Printed Cable).

For a trouble-free Signal and power line is at such flat conductors of the distance between the conductors or conductor structures provided in the flat conductor using layout programs suitably specified, in particular with regard to the current carrying capacity and the voltage drop in the width direction. Towards the Height of such flat conductors However, it is always paid attention to a flat design, because flat Flat conductor ribbon cables are particularly easy and flexible to be laid can, without to require a lot of space. conventional flat conductors are therefore formed with flat or flat outer surfaces, especially for Applications in the automotive industry.

DE 198 42 041 A1 discloses a flexible flat harness set preconfigured on a foam sheet. The wires run in tracks, starting from a multiplex module to individual areas or zones where an electrical connection is to be made. Such areas can be distributed over the entire door frame of a door module distributed anywhere where electrical signals or power is needed, for example, in the vicinity of door switches or in the vicinity of motors of an electric window lifting system.

DE 101 33 418 A1 discloses a vehicle door in shell construction, eliminating the conventional wiring harnesses in the vehicle door due to the use of flat conductors. It is known to attach such foil conductors by means of punches in the foil conductor and by means of such sweeping clip holders on suitable carriers. During assembly, particular attention must be paid to compliance with appropriate safety guidelines, for example with regard to vibration resistance and crash behavior.

US 6,518,503 B1 discloses a flexible ribbon cable in which a conductor pattern is disposed between two adhesive-coated plastic films. By laminating the two coated plastic films, the ribbon cable is formed.

Clip holders for fixing flat conductors of the aforementioned type are relatively complex and reduce the flexibility in motor vehicle construction. In order to allow trouble-free fixing of flat conductors without the risk of uncontrolled slipping with increased stability and without changing the height, disclosed DE 100 64 696 A1 a flat conductor, in which at least along a surface of the outer insulation is formed of a plastic material existing and the outer insulation laterally projecting flat portion over which the flat conductor is fixed to a support. The laterally projecting the insulation portions are formed of a plastic material and can be fixed by welding or gluing or mechanically, for example by means of riveted joints to a support. Such connecting portions are not formed directly on the outer surface of the flat conductor, but rather adjacent to the flat conductor. The formation of protruding from the flat side of the flat conductor sections is not desirable in view of the need to achieve the lowest possible height.

Based on 13 and 14 Below are further problems with the connection set forth by conventional flat conductors with a carrier by gluing. According to the 13 is a flat conductor 1 with a carrier 20 , For example, a vehicle body inner surface or a support structure connected. For this purpose, the lower flat side of the flat conductor 1 and / or the surface of the carrier 20 with an adhesive film 21 Mistake. Subsequently, the flat conductor 1 on the carrier 20 pressed and so the adhesive film 21 to an adhesive stain 22 (see. 14 ) expanded. This expansion of the adhesive film 21 to an adhesive stain 22 takes place in an uncontrolled manner, so that the thickness s of the adhesive gap between the flat conductor 1 and the carrier 20 can not be defined defined. So it can lead to areas of a thinner and thicker adhesive film 21 come. Also, it may cause the formation of air bubbles in the adhesive film 21 or even for direct installation of the flat conductor 1 on a surface of the carrier 20 come. Is the surface of the carrier 20 roughened or wavy or structured in another way, this can lead to further irregularities of the adhesive film 21 to lead. Such and other non-uniformities of the adhesive film 21 lead to a weakening of the connection between the flat conductor 1 and the carrier 2 So that safety specifications can only be met at an increased cost. It should also be noted that it is necessary to pay attention to the lowest reject rates, especially in motor vehicle construction, so that adhesive joints of the aforementioned type are currently not being used on a large scale in motor vehicle construction.

The The present invention has been made in view of the above disadvantages and has the particular aim of providing a flat conductor, to achieve sufficiently stable and reproducible producible Adhesive connections is designed. Further, according to the present invention a tool for producing such a flat conductor, a method for producing such a flat conductor and a method for Connecting such a flat conductor provided with a carrier become.

The The above and other objects of the present invention will be solved by a flat conductor having the features of claim 1, by a tool according to claim 11, by a method according to claim 14 and by a method for connecting a flat conductor with a carrier according to claim 20. Further advantageous embodiments are the subject the dependent claims.

According to the present Invention is a flat conductor with at least one electrical Provided conductor and an insulation body surrounding or enclosing the conductor (s), which is provided by a provided on an outer surface of the insulating body Plural of prominent sections that at least in sections an identical height with respect to the outer surface of the insulator exhibit.

According to the present Invention can the projecting sections as spacers or the distance to the outer surface of the insulator Regulating elements are used to determine the thickness of one Adhesive films in a simple way evenly on the whole, with the Specify adhesive to be coated surface of the flat conductor. According to the invention can Adhesive as adhesive film on the surface areas to be coated can be applied, then a Glattstreichvorrichtung, the to the from the outer surface of the insulator supports above sections, used to smooth the plastic film, so that the thickness of the plastic film after the smoothing process exactly or substantially the amount of Distance elements corresponds, and then the flat conductor with the carrier be connected by gluing. Because the height of the outside surface of the insulator provided spacer elements at least in sections, preferably on the entire surface of the insulating body, constant or identical, the thickness of the plastic film to be formed be specified exactly after the smoothing or equalization. That way you can According to the invention adhesive bonds be formed with predefined adhesive strength and stability.

One Another advantage is that according to the invention inclusions of air bubbles or other foreign matter in the adhesive film practically excluded can be because the adhesive film is precise can be smoothed, for example with the aid of a squeegee, without changing the thickness of the adhesive film when smoothing.

Prefers are the protruding spacers made of a plastic material educated. Such a plastic material has a certain flexibility or compliance on, so that in any case when pressing the flat conductor according to the invention to the carrier the adhesive film formed between the projecting portions essentially full surface with the surface of the carrier in touch passes to be able to form an adhesive bond.

Preferably, the protruding spacer elements are formed from the same plastic material as the outer surface of the insulating body supporting it. Thus, the outer surface of the flat conductor has no stress points or the like causing discontinuities, and the manufacturing process for manufacturing the flat conductor are simplified.

According to the invention can projecting portions in a regular arrangement on the outer surface of the insulator be provided. The distances between each of the preceding sections are dimensioned so that the thickness of the adhesive film to be formed between them nor in a suitable manner, for example by smoothing by means a squeegee, can be specified. Of course, the protruding sections but also in irregular sections on the outer surface of the insulator be provided.

According to one preferred embodiment the protruding portions on only one side of the insulating body, preferably on the flat side, arranged. Such an embodiment is particularly suitable for the gluing of a flat conductor on a flat sheet metal and / or Plastic support structure in motor vehicle construction. Of course, for example also on the two opposite flat sides of a Flat conductor projecting spacers according to the present invention be arranged.

The above sections can one piece with the insulating body be formed, so that the insulating body of the flat conductor and the above Spacers also in a single manufacturing process, for example by extruding a plastic material can.

Of course, the projecting spacers also cohesively with the outer surface of the insulator be connected, which is especially for the subsequent application a plurality of inventive spacer elements on the outside surface of a usual Flat conductor with a flat outer surface is suitable. In particular, the protruding spacers by applying plastic droplets in suitable geometric shape and with a predefined thickness and then curing the same or by sticking on prefabricated spacer elements, for example of pimples, on the outer surface of the Flat conductor are formed.

Prefers the protruding portions are tapered, tapered by the outer surface of the insulator protruding outer edges. Such a basic shape of the protruding sections can manufacturing technology Benefit, for example, when extruding or hot stamping the protruding sections because they can then be better detached from shaping tools, and also has advantages in applying and comparing the Adhesive films offer because of the adhesive in the above Sections trained recordings even easier introduced and there without the inclusion of gas bubbles and the like, for example in undercuts, can be made uniform.

One Inventive flat conductor can be formed by extruding plastic materials. According to one another embodiment may be a flat conductor according to the invention also formed by laminating two or more flexible plastic films become. It can on at least one of the flexible plastic films a ladder structure are formed in advance, for example by means of a known screen printing technique or as flexible, in printing technology manufactured Printed Circuit Structure (FPC).

All more preferably, the protruding portions are formed that at the front ends only a substantially point or line contact between the protruding sections and the one with the flat conductor to be connected carrier is realized. In such punctiform or linear tops of the above Sections can already low pressure forces Sufficient to apply the adhesive film between the above Sections is formed substantially with the entire surface the surface of the carrier to be connected to the flat conductor to bring into abutment.

Further Aspects of the present invention relate to a tool for producing a flat conductor according to the above type, a method for producing such a flat conductor and a method for Connecting such a flat conductor with a carrier, completely particularly preferred in motor vehicle construction, for example for connection a flexible plastic flat conductor with a sheet metal and / or Plastic support structure in a motor vehicle.

following the invention will be described by way of example and with reference on the attached Drawings are described, resulting in further advantages, features and to be solved Tasks will result. Show it:

1 in a perspective sectional view of a flat conductor according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

2 in a perspective view connected to a carrier by gluing flat conductor according to the 1 ;

3 in a schematic plan view of the arrangement according to the 2 ;

4 in a perspective sectional view of a tool for extruding the flat conductor according to the 1 ;

5 in a schematic view of an apparatus for laying a flat conductor according to the present invention;

6 in a perspective sectional view of a flat conductor according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

7 in a schematic sectional view of a process for adhering the flat conductor according to the 6 on a carrier;

8th in a schematic plan view of glued to a support flat conductor according to the 6 ;

9 in a schematic view of an apparatus for producing a flat conductor according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

10 in a schematic view of another device for producing a flat conductor according to the third embodiment of the present invention;

11 in a schematic view of an apparatus for producing a flat conductor according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

12 in a perspective view of a modification of the flat conductor according to the 11 before joining its individual components;

13 in a perspective view of a glued to a carrier flat conductor according to the prior art; and

14 in a schematic plan view of the arrangement according to the 13 ,

In the figures denote identical reference numerals identical or essentially equivalent elements or groups of elements.

The 1 shows in a perspective sectional view of a flat conductor according to a first embodiment of the present invention. According to the 1 For example, the flat conductor has a plurality of conductors spaced apart from each other in the width direction 2 on top of an insulation body 1 of an insulating material, preferably of an insulating plastic material, are surrounded. The ladder 2 can in different material thicknesses, widths, shapes and conduction lines, in particular taking into account their different material properties and their current carrying capacity and the voltage drop in the direction of the width, in the insulating body 1 to be ordered. On the as a flat conductor ribbon cable according to the 1 trained flat conductor branch pieces and union areas can be provided in any configuration, for example, in adaptation to the harness to be formed for a motor vehicle.

According to the 1 the flat conductor has a low overall height and is elongated in the direction of the width. In the direction of the length, the flat conductor may be formed as an endless cable or one or more branching or joining sections may be provided. In particular, contact regions can be provided at one or more end sections of the flat conductor, in particular also with conductors already stripped 2 for connection with suitable contact means, such as contact plugs, or can already be connected to the flat conductor corresponding contact plug.

According to the 1 are on the upper side or on the upper flat side of the flat conductor, a plurality of ridge-shaped or rib-shaped, extending in the longitudinal direction of the flat conductor protruding sections 3 educated. According to the 1 have all the preceding sections 3 an identical height with respect to the outer surface of the insulating body 1 on. However, this is not mandatory according to the invention. It is particularly envisaged that on the outer surface of the insulating body 1 , For example, in the width direction, a plurality of longitudinally extending sub-regions are provided, each having a plurality of protruding portions 3 according to the 1 in the respective sub-area with respect to the outer surface of the insulating body 1 have an identical height. In this way, as explained in more detail below, also different connection regions with different adhesive film thicknesses can be formed in the direction of the width.

According to the 1 The protruding portions are respectively formed in a tapered or frusto-conical shape and have these flat upper sides, which with respect to the outer surface of the insulating body 1 under one by the height of the protruding sections 3 predetermined distance are arranged and parallel to the outer surface of the insulating body 1 extend in the longitudinal direction.

The 2 shows in a schematic perspective view of the flat conductor according to the 1 which is glued to a support. For this purpose, on the outer surface of the flat conductor in the Area in which the plurality of protruding sections 3 are provided, an adhesive applied and the between the protruding sections 3 trained shots 4 with an adhesive film having a thickness substantially defined by the height of the protruding portions 3 with respect to the outer surface of the insulating body 1 is given, filled out. This can, as follows from the 5 will be described by smoothing out the adhesive film using a doctor blade.

Such, on its flat side with an adhesive film of constant thickness coated flat conductor 1 is in accordance with the 2 on the carrier 20 , For example, a vehicle body inner surface or a support structure, placed so that the tops of the protruding portions on the surface of the carrier 20 abut and so the top of the shots 4 between the preceding sections 3 trained adhesive films 21 in full contact with the surface of the carrier 20 arrives. Again 2 is removable, is determined by the height of the protruding sections 3 with respect to the outer surface of the insulating body, a defined adhesive gap with a thickness s' given. By activation of the adhesive, for example by irradiation, heat application and / or pressurization, the flat conductor 1 essentially full surface with the carrier 20 connected.

The 3 shows the arrangement of flat conductor 1 and carriers 20 in a schematic plan view. Again 3 is removable, are the adhesive films 21 each in the receptacles between the preceding sections 3 of the flat conductor 1 homogeneous and constant, by the height of the protruding sections 3 formed predetermined thickness. In this way, a very homogeneous and easily predefinable adhesive connection between the lead can be 1 and the carrier 20 achieve.

The 4 shows a tool for producing the flat conductor according to the 1 by extruding a plastic. The 4 shows in a perspective sectional view a section of an extrusion head 30 which has a generally rectangular cross-section cavity 31 in which a plurality of conductors 2 in a predefined configuration spaced from the inner peripheral surfaces of the cavity 31 be arranged to be surrounded by extruding the plastic material from an insulating body made of a plastic. According to the 4 are on the lower inner peripheral surface of the cavity 31 a plurality of truncated conical recesses or grooves 32 formed after the extrusion step in the 1 shown protruding sections 3 in the form of truncated cone-like ribs or webs.

According to the 1 to 4 the protruding portions are formed on the upper flat side of the flat conductor. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Rather, according to the present invention, it is also contemplated that a plurality of projecting portions each having identical heights with respect to the corresponding outer surface of the insulating body are also formed on a plurality of sides, in particular on an upper and a lower flat side, of the flat conductor. As will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, for this purpose, in the extrusion head according to the 4 also on the upper inner peripheral surface of the cavity 31 be formed a plurality of corresponding recesses. Such a flat conductor ribbon cable can be coated on the upper and lower flat side with a uniform adhesive film, to be glued between two carriers.

According to the 1 to 4 For example, the protruding portions are arranged at regular intervals in the width direction. However, the present invention is not limited to a regular arrangement of the above portions. As will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, for the purposes of the present invention, it is only important that the projecting portions have an identical height to each other with respect to the outer surface of the insulator body, so that a homogeneous adhesive film having a uniform thickness can be formed therebetween , Thus, the rib-shaped or web-shaped projecting portions 3 according to the 1 may also be formed in any other Linienverläufen on the upper and / or lower flat side of the flat conductor, in particular in wavy shape, zigzag or intermittent, for example, for receiving transverse webs to be connected to the flat conductor carrier. As will also be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, between the foregoing paragraphs 3 Also interruption areas may be provided, which should not be coated with an adhesive film, so that on the upper and / or lower flat side of the flat conductor also a plurality of linear adhesive courses can be formed, between which unconnected areas can be provided. In such unconnected areas, for example, carriers or guide structures can be accommodated on the surface of the carrier, or these unconnected areas can be subsequently slit, for example by cutting, slashed and separated from one another, in particular in corner or peripheral areas of a motor vehicle.

The 5 shows in a schematic Sei tenansicht a procedure for bonding a flat conductor according to the invention on a support. According to the 5 becomes the flat conductor 1 by means of a conveyor 27 For example, by means of a roller or belt assembly, passed to a plurality of processing station and flat on the support, for example, a vehicle body inner surface or a support structure, placed. According to the 5 becomes the flat conductor 1 first sprayed over a large area by means of a spray device to activate the subsequently applied adhesive. The activator film 23 on top of the flat conductor 1 is then attached to an adhesive dispenser 42 passed past, where the adhesive is applied over a large area on the top of the flat conductor. Subsequently, the flat conductor 1 with the activator film 23 and the adhesive film 21 to an adhesive film homogenizer 25 , in particular a squeegee, further promoted where the thickness of the adhesive film 21 across the width of the flat conductor 1 is evened out. According to the 5 is the squeegee 25 over the entire surface on the top of the flat conductor 1 on, leaving the bottom edge of the squeegee 25 on the tops of the protruding portions, for example on the tops of the rib or ridge portions 3 according to the 1 , supports and so any adhesive overhang 26 reserves back, located upstream of the squeegee 25 accumulates. Downstream of the squeegee 25 is thus on top of the flat conductor 1 a homogeneous adhesive film is formed whose thickness is predetermined in a predefined manner by the height of the projecting portions with respect to the outer surface of the insulating body. Such an adhesive film points in the direction of the width of the flat conductor 1 a substantially constant thickness and has no air bubbles or Fremdmitteleinschlsse.

According to the 5 becomes the flat conductor 1 at the rear end of the conveyor 27 deflected, leaving the flat conductor 1 substantially tangential to the surface of the carrier 20 guided and flat on the surface of the carrier 20 is filed. Thus, between the flat conductor 1 and the carrier 20 an adhesive film 21 formed with a uniform thickness, so that it is possible to achieve a very homogeneous and reliable and reproducible producible adhesive connection. according to the 5 the laying on of the flat conductor takes place 1 on the carrier 20 by means of a relative movement between the flat conductor 1 and carriers 20 , Of course, the flat conductor 1 even after homogenization of the adhesive film 21 flat in the manner described above, from the top to the top of the carrier 20 be hung up, for example, by hand during assembly. As will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, the device may 40 for laying the flat conductor 1 especially in the form of a manually operable, portable device or be designed as a corresponding mounting head of a production robot.

The 6 shows in a perspective sectional view of a flat conductor according to a second embodiment of the present invention. According to the 6 are on the upper flat side of the insulation body 1 a plurality of raised portions 6 formed, which are formed substantially point-shaped. According to the 6 are the preceding sections 6 formed as substantially hemispherical knobs which abut in the connection of the flat conductor with a carrier substantially only punctiform, that is, with their front ends, on the surface of the carrier. Of course, the preceding sections 6 according to the 6 in other ways, such as a truncated cone, be formed and can also in an irregular arrangement on the outer surface of the insulating body 1 be provided. The distance between the protruding sections 6 However, it must always be such that, for example by smoothing, using a squeegee, as described above 5 described, between the preceding sections 6 still a homogeneous adhesive film with a by the height of the protruding sections 6 predetermined thickness can be formed.

According to the 7 becomes the flat conductor 1 on the top of the vehicle 20 put on so that the front ends of the knob-shaped, protruding sections 6 with the surface of the carrier 20 come into contact and between the knob-shaped, protruding sections 6 an adhesive film 21 with a uniform, by the height of the knob-shaped, protruding sections 6 predetermined thickness is formed. The 8th shows the arrangement according to the 7 in a schematic plan view.

As the skilled person with reference to the above 1 to 7 will be readily apparent, the protruding portions on the outer surface of the insulating body to a certain elasticity or flexibility, so that the uniformized between these adhesive film by pressing flat conductor and carrier over the entire surface into contact with the two surfaces to be joined, so as a to ensure full-surface, cohesive connection between the flat conductor and the carrier.

Of course, also the knob-shaped, protruding sections 6 according to the 6 be arranged in any geometric configuration, for example, to form bonding sub-areas, which are interrupted by non-adherent sub-areas to form.

According to the 6 are the knob-shaped, protruding sections 6 formed integrally with the insulating body, for which purpose the knob-shaped, protruding portions 6 can be formed for example by hot stamping or suitable extrusion. However, the present invention is not limited to that the protruding portions are integrally connected to the outer surface of the insulating body. Rather, according to the invention, the protruding portions can also be subsequently applied to corresponding areas on a flat outer surface of the insulating body.

The 9 shows a schematic view of an example of such a device for producing a flat conductor according to a third embodiment of the present invention. According to the 9 becomes a flat conductor 1 with substantially smooth surfaces from an extrusion die 34 formed and by means of a conveyor not shown on a molding tool 35 passed, which is a material reservoir 36 for the material of the trainees, preceding sections 6 having. In the bottom of the forming tool 35 Dispensing openings are designed to be on top of the flat conductor 1 Apply filler droplets with a predefined geometric shape and at a predefined height. For this purpose, the molding tool 35 be vertically and / or horizontally movable, as indicated schematically by the double arrow. Furthermore, on the bottom of the molding tool 36 Spacers (not shown) may be provided to increase the height of the filler droplets deposited on top of the flat conductor 1 be pretended to pretend. Downstream of the forming tool 35 are thus a plurality of protruding sections 6 on top of the flat conductor 1 arranged in a geometric configuration, in a simple and flexible manner by the forming tool 35 can be specified. In this way, in particular in a random arrangement or in subregions arranged projecting portions 6 be formed. In the sub-areas is the height of the protruding sections 6 in relation to the outer surface of the flat conductor 1 each identical while the height of the protruding sections 6 between the subregions can also vary in each case. According to the 9 the filler material is preferably in liquid form on the surface of the flat conductor 1 applied to harden there. According to this embodiment, the protruding portions on the outer surface of the insulating body may be formed of a material other than the material of the insulating body, for example, a plastic material that is more flexible or compliant than the material of the insulating body.

The 10 shows a variant of the device according to the 9 in which the preceding sections 6 initially be formed separately and then from a corresponding application device 38 be arranged in a predefined geometric arrangement on the top of the flat conductor. For example, the material plugs 39 , which are hemispherical and formed with flat bottoms, on top of the flat conductor 1 glued or melted with this by applying heat or the action of a corresponding solvent or flux.

According to the above figures, the flat conductor was formed by extruding a plastic material. However, the present invention is not only applicable to extruded flat conductors but can also be applied to laminated flat conductors in a corresponding manner. This will be described below by way of example with reference to 11 to be discribed.

The 11 shows a schematic view of an apparatus for producing a laminated flat conductor (FLC). According to the 11 is a flexible plastic film 14 on an upper Folienzuführvorrichtung 11 wound up and is a flexible plastic film 13 on a lower Folienzuführvorrichtung 12 wound, which rotate in a counterclockwise direction to output the plastic films continuously in the gap formed between them and on the fed into this gap conductor or on the conductor structure 10 applied. By means of the two Folienzuführvorrichtungen 11 . 12 or by means of a pressing device, not shown, the two plastic films 13 . 14 with the conductor structure arranged therebetween 11 to a flat conductor or flat conductor ribbon cable 1 laminated. For an adhesive bond between the two plastic films 13 . 14 Can one or both surfaces of the plastic films 13 . 14 be coated with an adhesive layer. Of course, the adhesive may also be separated into the gap between the two Folienzuführvorrichtungen 11 . 12 be introduced, for example by means of a Klebstoffdispensdüse.

According to the 11 are on top of the upper flexible plastic film 14 a plurality of protruding sections 6 trained, of course, in the form of in the 1 can be formed rib-shaped or web-shaped sections shown. As will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, the foregoing paragraphs 6 on the outer surface of the flat conductor 1 be subsequently applied, for example by hot stamping by means of a correspondingly structured hot embossing roll or in the manner as described above with reference to 9 and 10 described.

According to the preceding figures, the conductor structure has always been formed separately and integrated in the lead. However, the present invention is not limited to such an approach. Rather, a conductor structure can also be integrated into one or more flexible plastic films to be connected to one another. This will be exemplified by the following 12 to be discribed.

According to the 12 is on top of a lower flexible plastic film 15 a ladder structure 16 trained, for example in screen printing technology or as a flexible print. Such a flexible plastic film 15 Of course, can also be prefabricated separately. On the lower plastic film 15 is in accordance with the 12 an upper adhesive film 14 applied and the two plastic films are pressed together to form a flat conductor, which is manufactured in FPCB technology (Flexible Printed Circuit Board).

As will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, according to the present Invention Flat conductor or flat conductor ribbon cable with conductor structures in any configuration, especially with branches and union sections. The flat conductor can be fitted in a simple manner with contact plugs and in a reliable manner by gluing with a carrier get connected. By the above sections of the invention on the outer surface of the insulator the flat conductor can be given a defined adhesive gap in a simple manner so that the glue is defined and applied over the entire surface the surface of the flat conductor can be distributed. Thus, according to the invention, flat conductors, in particular in motor vehicle construction, on sheet metal and / or plastic carrier structures glued on. So can the strict safety requirements in motor vehicle construction, in particular in terms of stability, Continuous load capacity and the crash behavior of the flat conductor, complied with readily become. Furthermore, so relatively low reject rates for the adhesive joints achieve.

1

Flat conductor / insulator

2

ladder

3

above Stege

4

admission for glue

5

border area

6

above Sections / knobs

10

conductor structure

11

film feeding

12

film feeding

13

Lower adhesive film

14

Upper adhesive film

15

Lower Foil with conductor structure

16

conductor structure

20

Carrier / substrate

21

adhesive film

22

adhesive patch

23

Activator film

24

adhesive droplets

25

Squeegee / adhesive film evening out device

26

Adhesive supernatant

27

funding

30

extrusion die

31

cavity

32

Recess for projecting webs 3

34

extrusion die

35

shaping tool for above sections

36

material reservoir

37

contraption for producing a flat conductor

38

Applicator / stamp tool

39

material plug

40

Device for laying the flat conductor 1

41

Spraying / adhesive activation

42

Klebstoffdispenser

s

undefined adhesive gap

s'

defined bonding gap

Claims (24)

Flat conductor with at least one electrical conductor ( 2 ) and an insulating body surrounding the conductor (s) ( 1 ), characterized in that on an outer surface of the insulating body ( 1 ) a plurality of protruding sections ( 3 ; 6 ) is provided which at least in sections an identical height with respect to the outer surface of the insulating body ( 1 ) exhibit. A lead according to claim 1, wherein the protruding portions ( 3 ; 6 ) are formed of a plastic material. A lead according to claim 2, wherein the protruding portions ( 3 ; 6 ) are formed from the same plastic material as the outer surface of the insulating body (FIG. 1 ). Flat conductor according to one of the preceding claims, in which the projecting portions ( 3 ; 6 ) in a regular arrangement on the outer surface of the insulating body ( 1 ) are arranged. Flat conductor according to one of the preceding claims, in which the projecting portions ( 3 ; 6 ) on only one side, preferably on a flat side, of the insulating body ( 1 ) are arranged. Flat conductor according to one of the preceding claims, in which the projecting portions ( 3 ; 6 ) in one piece with the insulating body ( 1 ) are. A lead according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the projecting portions ( 3 ; 6 ) cohesively with the outer surface of the insulating body ( 1 ) are connected. Flat conductor according to one of the preceding claims, in which the projecting portions ( 3 ; 6 ) are tapered from the outer surface. Flat conductor according to one of the preceding claims, in which the insulating body ( 1 ) of at least two flexible films ( 15 . 16 ) is formed, wherein at least one film is coated on one side with an adhesive. A flat conductor according to claim 9, wherein a base foil ( 15 ) with a ladder structure ( 16 ) is provided. Tool for producing a flat conductor ( 1 ), in particular according to one of the preceding claims, by extruding a plastic from an extrusion head ( 30 ), wherein the extrusion head ( 30 ) a cavity ( 31 ) for receiving at least one conductor ( 2 ) spaced from the inner peripheral surfaces of the cavity, characterized in that on at least one of the inner peripheral surfaces a plurality of recesses ( 32 ) for forming protruding sections on an outer surface of the flat conductor ( 1 ) are formed. Tool according to the preceding claim, in which the recesses ( 32 ) at regular intervals on the at least one inner peripheral surface of the cavity ( 31 ) are formed. Tool according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the recesses ( 32 ) from the inner peripheral surface of the cavity ( 31 ) are tapered. Method for producing a flat conductor ( 1 ), in particular according to one of claims 1 to 10, with the following steps: providing at least one conductor ( 2 ) in a predetermined arrangement; Providing an insulating body ( 1 ) to the conductor (s) ( 2 ) to surround; and forming a plurality of projecting portions (FIG. 3 ; 6 ) on an outer surface of the insulating body ( 1 ), so that the protruding portions at least in sections an identical height with respect to the outer surface of the insulating body ( 1 ) exhibit. Method according to Claim 14, in which the insulating body ( 1 ) is formed by extrusion from a plastic material. The method of claim 14, wherein the insulating body by gluing at least two flexible films ( 15 . 16 ) is formed. Method according to the preceding claim, in which on a 15 ) of the films has a conductor structure ( 16 ) is formed. Method according to one of the two preceding claims, in the at least one of the films before bonding with an adhesive is coated. Method according to one of claims 14 to 18, wherein the insulating body ( 1 ) is first provided with a substantially smooth outer surface and the projecting portions ( 6 ) are formed on the smooth outer surface. Method for connecting a flat conductor to a carrier ( 20 ), with the following steps: providing a flat conductor ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 10, in particular with the process steps according to one of claims 14 to 19; Applying an adhesive to an outer surface of the flat conductor ( 1 ) on which the plurality of protruding sections ( 3 ; 6 ) are formed; and Comparative the adhesive, so that between the above sections ( 3 ; 6 ) an adhesive film ( 21 ) with a height determined by the protruding sections ( 3 ; 6 ) predetermined thickness (s') is formed; and gluing the with the adhesive film ( 21 ) coated flat conductor ( 1 ) on the carrier ( 20 ). Method according to Claim 20, in which the surface of the flat conductor ( 1 ) applied adhesive with a doctor blade or a smoother ( 25 ) is made uniform. A method according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the adhesive is by means of a nozzle ( 42 ) in the region of the outer surface of the flat conductor ( 1 ), where the preceding sections ( 3 ; 6 ), is applied. The method of claim 22, wherein the adhesive is applied so that top surfaces of the protruding portions (FIG. 3 ; 6 ) should not be coated with the adhesive. Method according to one of Claims 18 to 23, in which a conveying means ( 27 ) the carrier ( 20 ) the flat conductor ( 1 ) is fed so that the flat conductor ( 1 ) substantially tangential to the surface of the Carrier ( 20 ) is deposited.