FR2777325A1 - Cable junction for use in a motor vehicle control - Google Patents

Abstract

The joining piece (4) for two cable ends consists of two parts. One part (6) consists of a sleeve (12) guiding the cable (3) whose end contains a ball joint (7). The other part (5) consists of a body (9) containing a female enclosure (8) with radial end claws (20) which are deformable. The ball joint engages in the female enclosure and the deformable end claws are held in position by a spring (34) operated locking ring (30).

Description

The invention relates to a junction device between first and

  second sections of cables, a mechanical assembly which can be controlled by cable and provided with the

  device and an auotmobile vehicle, which is provided with these

  this. Document FR-A-2 677 086 describes a cable control in two parts, intended for a vehicle, an apparatus or a machine with a view to being associated with an accelerator or a

other similar use.

  The first part comprises a body having a first end sleeve and, housed sliding in the body, a first hooking end, by elastic snap-fastening,

  mounted at the end of the first section of cable.

  The second part comprises a second hooking end by elastic snap, mounted at the end of the second section of cable and a sheath slidingly receiving this second section. The sheath has a second sleeve

  end comprising a seat for the second endpiece.

  The first tip is female and the second tip is male. These ends can be hooked to each other by elastic snap-fastening as a result of a reciprocal axial thrust. The first and second sleeves are of complementary shape and comprise reciprocal axial association members by snap-fastening as a result of reciprocal axial thrust. The first sleeve has a retractable internal projection allowing the first and second end pieces to slide as a result of a greater axial thrust

  to that allowing the attachment of these.

  The first part is located on the side of the accelerator pedal, while the second part is located on the

  side of the vehicle engine including this accelerator.

  This cable control has the disadvantage of not allowing a quick and easy disconnection between the two

joining parts.

  The invention aims to overcome this drawback in particular.

  In addition, the connection between the first and second junction parts must also be able to be made.

quickly and easily.

  In addition, in the automotive industry, one of the junction parts, connected by its cable section, to the mechanical assembly of the vehicle is often located in a cavity thereof. It is therefore necessary to be able to blindly make the connection and disconnection between the two parts of

junction in the cavity.

  A first object of the invention is a junction device between first and second sections of cables,

  having first and second joining parts.

  The first part comprises a body arranged to retain axially on a first side an end part of the first section of cable and a female latching member,

  elastically deformable radially.

  The second part comprises a male latching member, intended to be fixed to an end part of the second section of cable and to be snapped and disengaged axially in the female latching member by

  radial elastic deformation of the latter.

  The second junction part further comprises a sleeve, intended to slide the second section of cable and in which a seat is provided.

for the male latching member.

  The cable is for example intended for the control of a

mechanical assembly.

  The joining device is specially intended for a mechanical assembly, which can be actuated by cable, such as a gearbox, a clutch, a brake, a

  accelerator or the like of a motor vehicle.

  The female latching member is axially integral

  on a second side of the body, distant from its first side.

  The first junction part includes a

  locking of the female latching member.

  This locking member is axially retractable at

  the exterior of the female latching member.

  The locking member has a position remote from the body or distal and a position close to the body or

proximal.

  In the distal position, the locking member is applied to the female latching member so that the radial elastic deformation of the female latching member allowing the latching and unlatching

be prevented.

  In the proximal position, the radial elastic deformation of the latching member allowing the latching and the

  release is made possible.

  The first junction part carries means for forcing the locking member to pass from the proximal position to the distal position, in a direction of

locking.

  The sleeve is able to move, by axial thrust, the locking member from the position distal to the

proximal position.

  The sleeve is able to move the male latching member, via the seat, from the disengaged state with the female latching member, in the distal position, to the latched state with the member latching

female, in the proximal position.

  The male latching member has an end portion of axial revolution and the female latching member has a housing for the end portion, of shape substantially complementary to

this one.

  The female latching member comprises, integral with the body, jaws, for example four or six jaws, extending axially, elastically deformable radially, delimiting the housing for the end part of the male latching member and set aside

one from the other.

  At least one jaw comprises, extending axially in the locking direction, a connection base, for example rectilinear, to the body, a branch of radial application to the end part, an axial retaining tooth of the part d end and an axial introduction guide, for example in the form of a frustoconical ramp, for the end part, the retaining teeth defining an introduction opening, of cross section, in the distal position of the locking member, more smaller than that of the housing and of the introduction guide, and capable of allowing the end portion to be passed axially, by radial elastic deformation, in the proximal position of the locking member. The end portion is spherical, ovoid, or the like. The end part comprises an axially tapered introduction head and a rear axial retaining shoulder. The locking member comprises a ring mounted to slide axially around the jaws, the ring being applied radially, in a distal position, to the jaws, so as to prevent the radial elastic deformation of the female latching member, the member lock having a stop surface against the sleeve. The ring and the jaws respectively have internally and externally inclined surfaces in a complementary manner, for example in the form of frustoconical or cylindrical ramps, so that the ring is retained, in the distal position of the

locking, on the jaws.

  The locking member comprises at least one axial bar abutting against the sleeve, for example four bars distributed regularly, integral with the ring and allowing the elastic deformation of the jaws in

proximal position.

  The locking member comprises a stop crown against the sleeve, integral with the ring by means of the bars, the crown and the bars allowing the elastic deformation of the jaws in

proximal position.

  The stressing means comprise a compression spring, for example a helical one, a first end portion of which is applied against an shoulder outside the body and the second end portion of which is housed in a groove in the locking member, by

example in the ring.

  The male and female latching members are of dimensions such that in the proximal position, the free end of the female latching member is flush with

  or protrudes axially from the locking member.

  The joining device is specially intended for a mechanical assembly such as a gearbox, clutch,

  brake or the like of a motor vehicle.

  A second object of the invention is a mechanical assembly which can be actuated by cable, such as a gearbox, clutch, brake, accelerator or the like of a motor vehicle, the mechanical assembly comprising the device

junction.

  A third object of the invention is a motor vehicle comprising the mechanical assembly and / or the

joining device.

  The invention will be clearly understood on reading the

description which follows.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic view in axial section of the junction device, the male latching member being shown in solid lines, when it is snapped into the female member and in dashed lines when it is disengaged, l the locking member being remote from the body. Figure 2 is a schematic view in axial section of the junction device in the latched state, the member

  locking being brought closer to the body.

  Figure 3 is a schematic top view of the

  second joining part of the joining device.

  Figure 4 is a schematic view in axial section along the line IVIV of Figure 6 of the body and the female latching member of the second junction part of the device. Figure 5 is a schematic view in axial section, along the line V-V of Figure 6, of the body and the female latching member of the second part of

junction.

  Figure 6 is a top view of the body and organ

  female snap-fastening of the second junction part.

  Figure 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view along line VII-VII of Figure 4, of the body of the female latching member of the second junction part. Figure 8 is a schematic top view of the member

locking device.

  Figure 9 is a schematic side view of the locking member. Figure 10 is a schematic view in axial section along the line X-X of Figure 9, of the locking member. Figure 11 is a schematic view in axial section, along the line XI-XI of Figure 8, of the locking member. Figure 12 is a schematic bottom view of the organ

lock.

  FIG. 13 is a schematic view in axial section of the second junction part of the device, provided with the

second section of cable.

  Figure 14 is a schematic view in axial section, on a larger scale, of the second junction part

  fitted with the second section of cable.

  FIG. 15 is a schematic view in axial section of a sheath for the first section of cable, to which the

  first part of the device junction.

  The invention is described with reference to a geometric axis of symmetry 1. The terms "axial", "radial" and

  "transverse" are taken in reference to this axis 1.

  The invention is described with reference to a cable control of a mechanical assembly, for example a gearbox, a clutch, a brake or an accelerator

of a motor vehicle.

  The invention provides that the cable comprises two first and second sections 2, 3 interconnected by a device

  junction 4 into two junction parts 5, 6.

  The first junction part 5 is intended to be mounted

  at an extreme part of the first section 2 of cable.

  While the second junction part 6 is intended to be mounted at an end part of the second section 3 of cable. The first and second junction parts 5, 6 are such that they retain axially, in the direction of traction on the first and second sections 2, 3, the

  first and second sections 2, 3 of cable.

  The first section 2 of cable and the first junction part 5 are intended to be permanently mounted on the mechanical assembly, the second section of cable 3 being connected to the first section 2 of cable via the junction device for the final assembly of the order

by cable.

  The first section 2 of cable and the first junction part 5 are for example intended to be mounted near a clutch bell in the case of a clutch control, the first section 2 of cable being

wrapped around a drum.

  The first and second parts 5, 6 are able to be

  connected and disconnected between them.

  The first and second junction parts 5, 6 have male and female latching members

reciprocal 7, 8.

  In one embodiment, not shown, the male latching member is located on the first junction part, while the female latching member is

  found on the second junction part.

  In the embodiment shown, the male latching member 7 is located on the second junction part 6 while the female latching member 8 is

  found on the first junction part 5.

  The first junction part 5 comprises a body 9 in the form of a socket, in which is provided on a first side a seat 10 for axially retaining a nozzle 11 mounted at the

  extreme part of the first section 2 of cable.

  The body 9 of the first junction part 5 is extended axially, on a second side opposite the seat 10, towards the second junction part 6, by the female latching member 8. The second junction part 6 comprises a sleeve 12, for example circular cylindrical in which is provided a

seat 13.

  The sleeve 12 is for example integral with a sheath 14 for

the second section 3 of cable.

  The sleeve 12 has an axial shoulder 15 facing towards

the first part 5 of junction.

  The second section 3 of cable is slidably mounted axially in the sleeve 12 and comprises, fixed to an end part facing the first junction part, a retaining endpiece 16 comprising a shoulder 17

facing seat 13.

  The retaining endpiece 16 and its shoulder 17 are by

circular cylindrical example.

  The end piece 16 is extended axially, opposite its shoulder 17, towards the first junction part 5, by

the male latching member 7.

  The female and male locking members 8, 7 are capable of being snapped on and off with each other by

reciprocal axial displacement.

  The male locking member 7 is symmetrically

  revolution around the geometric axis 1.

  In the embodiment shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, the male latching member 7 has an end portion 18 of spherical outer shape, the female latching member 8 having a housing 19 of shaped

complementary to it.

  In the embodiment shown in Figures 4 to 7 and Figures 13 to 15, the male latching member 7 has an end portion 18 with a tapered head pointing axially in the direction of introduction into the female latching member 8, the female latching member 8 comprising a housing 19 of shape complementary to this

end part 18.

  In other embodiments, not shown, the male latching member 7 comprises an end portion 18

ovoid or the like.

  The female latching member 8 is capable of being elastically deformed radially for the axial introduction of

the male latching member 7.

  The female latching member 8 comprises jaws 20 extending axially, being radially elastic and delimiting

housing 19.

  In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the female latching member 10 comprises six jaws 20 distributed regularly around the geometric axis 1 and each delimited radially by two edges 21, 22

  opposite and parallel to an axial plane.

  The jaws 20 are separated from each other by spaces 23 in the form of an angular sector, for example

substantially equal to 60.

  In other embodiments, not shown, the female latching member 10 comprises a different number of jaws 20 of this kind, in a number at least equal to

three.

  In the embodiment shown in Figures 4 to 7, the jaws 20 are in the form of a cylinder sector centered on the geometric axis 1, each delimited by two edges 21, 22. The edges 21, 22 of two adjacent jaws are spaced apart and parallel to a median axial plane. The female latching member 10 comprises four jaws 20 distributed at approximately 90 from one another, the edges 21, 22 of each jaw 20 being substantially

orthogonal to each other.

  In the embodiments shown, each jaw 20 comprises along the geometric axis 1 towards the second junction part 6, a connecting base 24 at the second side of the body 9, a branch 25 for application to the end part 18, a axial retaining tooth 26 of the end portion 18, an axial introduction guide 27 for the

end part 18.

  The application branch 25 and the retaining tooth 26 are of complementary shape to the end portion 18 of

the male latching member 17.

  The insertion guide 27 has a radial surface which narrows axially towards the retaining tooth 26 and by

tapered example.

  The retaining teeth 26 delimit an opening 28 for introducing the end portion 18, which is of smaller section than that delimited by the guide 27 and

by branches 25.

  The opening 28 is capable of allowing the end portion 18 to pass axially, by radial elastic deformation, for its introduction into the housing 19 and its exit therefrom. There is provided on the endpiece 16, between the shoulder 17 and the end portion 18, a rear shoulder 29, capable of cooperating with the teeth 26 to axially retain the

  end part 18 in the housing 19.

  In Figures 1 and 2, the rear shoulder 29 is located on the rear hemisphere of the end portion 18, located from

side of end piece 16.

  In FIG. 15, the rear shoulder 29 is formed by the

  base of the head of the end part 18.

  The joining device 4 comprises a member for

  locking 30 of the female latching member 8.

  The locking member 30 is mounted around the female latching member 8 and the body 7 and is retractable

  axially outside of these.

  In a locking or distal position, in which the locking member 30 is distant from the body 9, the locking member 30 is applied to the female latching member 8 so that the radial elastic deformation thereof , allowing the latching and

  the opening, be prevented.

  In an unlocked or proximal position, in which the locking member 30 is brought closer to the body 9, the radial elastic deformation of the female latching member 8 allowing the latching and the

  release is made possible.

  The locking member 30 is movable between one and the other of the two locking positions and

unlocking.

  In the embodiments shown in Figures 1, 2 and 8 to 12, the locking member 30 comprises an annular ring 31. The jaws 20 have an outer radial surface 32 widening relative to the geometric axis 1 in the direction from the body 9 towards the guide 27, for example at

  level of teeth 25 and / or guide 27.

  In the locking position remote from the body 7, the ring 31 is applied radially against the outer surface 32. The ring 31 has an inner surface 33

complementary to surface 32.

  The surfaces 32, 33 comprise for example frustoconical ramps. The joining device 4 includes means 34 for forcing the locking member 30 to pass from its close unlocking position of the body 9 to its

  locking position away from the body 9.

  The constraint means 34 comprise a spring 35 of

  compression, for example helical.

  The body 9 has an external shoulder 36, for example an annular one turned axially towards the locking member 30 and against which a first end part

spring 35 is applied.

  The ring 31 has a groove 37, facing the shoulder 36 and in which the second is housed

end part of the spring 35.

  The spring 35 axially surrounds the body 9.

  The surfaces 32 and 33 are inclined relative to the geometric axis 1 so that the ring 31 is retained, in

  locking position, around the jaws 20.

  In one embodiment, not shown, the surfaces 32 and

33 are cylindrical and adjacent.

  The locking member 30 has a surface

  transverse stop 39 against the sleeve 12.

  The sleeve 12 is able to move, by axial thrust against the locking direction 38, the locking member 30 from the locking position to the

unlock position.

  The locking direction 38 is substantially parallel to

axis 1 geometric.

  In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the locking member 30 comprises at least one stop bar, for example four stop bars 40 axially extending the ring 31 and bearing in their part

  extreme free the abutment surface 39.

  In the embodiment shown in Figures 8 to 12, the bars 40 are connected, opposite the ring 31, to an annular abutment ring 41 carrying the abutment surface 39. The bars 40 extend radially, regularly around the geometric axis 1, for example at 90 one of

  the other in the case of four bars 40.

  The bars 40 extend internally towards the ring 31

to surface 33.

  In FIG. 2, the male and female latching members 7, 8 are of dimensions such that in the unlocked position, the extreme free part of the member

  female latching 8 is flush with the abutment surface 39.

  In other embodiments, not shown, the male and female latching members are of dimensions such that in the unlocked position, the free end of the female latching member 8 protrudes axially from

the locking member 30.

  The bars 40 and the crown 41 are such that they allow the elastic deformation of the jaws 20 in

unlock position.

  In the embodiment shown in Figures 4 to 7, the jaws 20 have, on their free end portion, radial retaining spouts 42 of the ring 31, which are rotated

outwards.

  In an alternative embodiment, shown in Figures 13 and 14, the ring 31 is extended axially, in the locking direction 38 in a circular cylindrical bushing 43, the free end of which carries the surface

39 stop.

  The spring 35 is applied to an outer edge of the ring 31.

  The shoulder 36 is located on the second side of the body 9.

  While in Figures 1 and 2, the shoulder 36 is located from the

first side of the body 9.

  The body 9, the female latching member 8, the locking member 30, the sleeve 12 are for example made of material

plastic.

  The spring 35, the male latching member 7 and the end piece

16 are for example made of metal.

  To connect the first and second junction parts 5, 6 to one another, the sleeve 12 is axially pushed against the abutment surface 39 in the opposite direction to the locking direction 38, in order to pass the locking member 30 from its position to its unlocked position. The seat 13 pushes the endpiece 16 and the male latching member 7 into the housing 19 of the latching member

  female 8 until it is retained there.

  The sleeve 12 is moved axially in the locking direction 38 to return the locking member 30 to its locking position, the male latching member 7 remaining snapped into the female latching member 8 and the sliding sleeve 12 compared to the second section

3 of cable.

  To disconnect the first and second junction parts 5, 6 from one another, an axial thrust is exerted on the sleeve 12 against the locking direction 38 to move the locking member 30 to its position unlocking and pulling, for example simultaneously, in the locking direction 38, on the second section of cable 3. Traction on the second section 3 of cable relative to the first section 2 of cable causes the release between the members

  male and female snap 7, 8.

Claims (15)

  1. Joining device (4) between first and second sections (2, 3) of cable, the cable being for example intended for the control of a mechanical assembly of a motor vehicle, the device (4) comprising first and second junction parts (5, 6), the first part (5) comprising a body (9) arranged to retain axially on a first side an end part of the first section (2) of cable and a female latching member (8) radially elastically deformable; the second junction part (6) comprising a male latching member (7) intended to be fixed to an end part of the second cable section (3) and to be engaged and disengaged axially in the female latching member (8 ) by radial elastic deformation of the latter, and a sleeve (12), which is intended to receive in a sliding manner the second section of cable (3) and in which is provided a seat (13) for the male latching member (7); characterized in that the female latching member (8) is axially integral with a second side of the body (9), distant from its first side; the first junction part (5) comprises: - a locking member (30) of the latching member   female (8), retractable axially outside of it   ci and having: * a distal position, in which it is applied to the female latching member (8) so that the latching and the unlatching is prevented; and * a proximal position, in which the latching and the unlatching are made possible; - Means (34) for forcing the locking member (30) to pass from the proximal position to the distal position in a locking direction (38); - the sleeve (12) being able to move, by axial thrust, the locking member (30) from the distal position to the proximal position and the male latching member (7), via the seat ( 13), from the disengaged state in the distal position to the engaged state in proximal position.   2. Joining device (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that the male latching member (7) has an end portion (18) of axial rotation and the female latching member (8) has a housing (19) for the end part (18), of shaped   substantially complementary to it.   3. Joining device (4) according to claim 2, characterized in that the female latching member (8) comprises, integral with the body (9), jaws (20), for example four or six jaws (20 ), extending axially, elastically deformable radially, delimiting the housing (19) for the end part (18) of the male latching member (7) and spaced from one another. 4. Joining device (4) according to claim 3, characterized in that at least one jaw (20) comprises, extending axially in the locking direction (38), a connecting base (24), for example straight, to the body (9), a radial application branch (25) to the end part (18), an axial retaining tooth (26) of the end part (18) and an insertion guide axial, for example in the form of a frustoconical ramp, for the end part (18), the retaining teeth (26) defining an opening (28) for introduction, of cross section, in the distal position of the member (30) locking, smaller than that of the housing (19) and of the guide (27) for introduction, and capable of allowing the end portion (18) to pass axially, by radial elastic deformation   in the proximal position of the locking member (30).   5. Joining device (4) according to any one of   claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the part   end (18) is spherical, ovoid, or the like. 6. Joining device (4) according to any one of   claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the part   end (18) has a tapered insertion head   axially and a rear shoulder (29) for axial retention.   7. Joining device (4) according to any one of   claims 3, 4 and 5, 6, when dependent on the   claim 3, characterized in that the locking member (30) comprises a ring (31) slidably mounted axially around the jaws (20), the ring (31) being applied radially, in a distal position, on the jaws (20) , so as to prevent the radial elastic deformation of the female latching member (8), the locking member (30) having a surface stop (39) against the sleeve (12).   8. Joining device (4) according to claim 7, characterized in that the ring (31) and the jaws (20) respectively have internally and externally surfaces (33, 32) inclined in a complementary manner, for example in the form of frustoconical or cylindrical ramps, so that the ring (31) is retained, in the distal position of the member (30) of   locking, on the jaws (20).   9. Joining device (4) according to any one of   claims 7 and 8, characterized in that the   locking (30) comprises at least one bar (40) axial abutment against the sleeve (12), for example four bars (40) distributed regularly, integral with the ring (31) and allowing the elastic deformation of   jaws (20) in the proximal position.   10. Joining device (4) according to claim 9, characterized in that the locking member (30) comprises a stop ring against the sleeve (12), integral with the ring (31) via the bars (40), the crown and the bars (40) allowing the elastic deformation of the jaws (20) in the proximal position. 11. Joining device (4) according to any one of   Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the means for   stress (34) comprise a compression spring (35), for example helical, a first end portion of which is applied against an external shoulder (36) of the body (9) and the second end portion of which is housed in a groove (37) formed in the locking member (30), by example in the ring (31).   12. Joining device (4) according to any one of   claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the organs   male and female latching (7, 8) are of dimensions such that in the proximal position, the free end of the female latching member (8) is flush with or exceeds   axially of the locking member (30).   13.Junction device (4) according to any one of   claims 1 to 12, characterized in that it is   specially intended for a mechanical assembly such as a gearbox, clutch, brake or the like of a motor vehicle. 14. Mechanical assembly 2, which can be actuated by cable 2, such as a gearbox, clutch, brake, accelerator or the like of a motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a joining device (4) according to one   any of claims 1 to 13.   15. Motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a mechanical assembly according to claim 14 and / or a joining device (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 13.