GB2427904A

GB2427904A - A mechanism for anchoring a Bowden cable

Info

Publication number: GB2427904A
Application number: GB0513397A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Adam Richards; Graham Foster
Original assignee: Hi Lex Cable System Co Ltd
Current assignee: Hi Lex Cable System Co Ltd
Priority date: 2005-06-30
Filing date: 2005-06-30
Publication date: 2007-01-10
Also published as: GB0513397D0

Abstract

A mechanism 32 for anchoring a Bowden cable relative to a support device 30 of a movable control part of a vehicle comprises a support device 30 fixedly mounted on a vehicle, a control cable 10, 18 having an anchoring device 16 located coaxially around it, the support device comprises a bracket 32 defining a slot (see seat 36) for receiving said anchoring device 16 so as to prevent axial movement thereof relative to the bracket 32, and retaining means 38 for retaining the anchoring device within the slot. The retaining means may be a separate member 38 or may be flexible clips integral with the bracket (see figure 13). The bracket may be made integrally with the support device. For separate retaining means, tabs on rails 34a, 34b preferably hold it in place. An independent claim entails a support device to which the anchoring mechanism is attached.

Description

ANCHORING AN ELONGATE MEMBER

This invention relates to a mechanism for use in anchoring an elongate member to another member and, more particularly, to a mechanism for receiving an abutment for use in anchoring a flexible control cable to fixed components of a vehicle.

A "push-pull" cable is a device for translating a push/pull movement at one location to a push/pull movement (in the same or any different direction) at a different location, often for control purposes, and such a cable comprises a flexible conduit in which a control wire is slidable to perform the desired function. In order for the relative movement of the control wire and the conduit to take place in a controlled manner for the reliable operation of, for example, a clutch or gearbox mechanism or throttle of a motor vehicle, it is necessary that each end of the conduit be anchored, for example to the body of the vehicle. In particular, the practice has developed of anchoring an end of the conduit to an opening in a bracket or bulkhead across which the control cable passes.

In general, such anchorage is achieved by means of a bracket or similar fixed member provided in or on the chassis or bodywork of a vehicle, the bracket having a generally U-shaped slot therein for receiving an abutment attached to the cable. The abutment is located in the slot of the bracket and fixed therein by some means so as to resist withdrawal of the abutment from the slot and also axial movement of the abutment relative to the slot. * S. * * S *5S S 555*

In particular in the motor industry, there is a constant requirement to minimise the number of components and, more particularly, the number of assembly steps in the vehicle assembly process, and it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a mechanism for use in anchoring an elongate member to another member, wherein no extra assembly step or component is required to provide the bracket for S...

*:: ::* receiving the abutment.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a mechanism for anchoring a control cable relative to a support device for supporting a moveable control mechanism of a vehicle, said support device being fixedly mounted or otherwise provided in or on a fixed component of said vehicle, in use, said control cable comprising an anchoring device fixed coaxially around said cable and comprising means for coupling said control cable to said control mechanism, said anchoring mechanism comprising a bracket provided in or on said support device, said bracket defining a slot for receiving said anchoring device so as to prevent axial movement thereof relative to said bracket, the anchoring mechanism further comprising retaining means for retaining said anchoring device within said slot.

Thus, the above-mentioned object is achieved by integrating an abutment bracket into the body of, say, a shifter device for supporting a gear stick of a vehicle, which shifter device is fixedly mounted within the vehicle when in the assembled configuration, thereby removing the necessity for a separate bracket on the vehicle chassis or bodywork to hold an abutment provided on the cable assembly, thereby reducing the number of assembly steps and components required.

In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, the retaining means comprise a separate clip means that fits between opposing leading edges of the slot, above the anchoring device, to prevent withdrawal of the anchoring device from the slot, in use.

In an alternative embodiment, the retaining means may be provided on the bracket, for example, in the form of resiliently flexible clips for preventing withdrawal of the anchoring device from the slot, when in use.

* ** The support device, for example, shifter device, is beneficially provided with a plurality of brackets for anchoring a respective plurality of (often two) control cables relative thereto, at appropriate positions. The brackets are preferably integrally :. moulded as part of the support device (shifter) body, which is usually made of metal :. or similarly resilient rigid material. The one or more brackets are beneficially provided at or adjacent the support device. The bracket is beneficially arranged and * . S configured such that opposing shoulder portions of the anchoring device bear against * said bracket so as to prevent axial movement of the anchoring device relative to the bracket, in use.

The present invention extends to a support device for supporting a moveable control mechanism of a vehicle, the support device comprising means for fixedly mounting said device in or on a fixed component of said vehicle, in use, the support device further comprising a mechanism for anchoring a control cable relative to said support device, said control cable comprising an anchoring device fixed coaxially around said cable and comprising means for coupling said control cable to said control mechanism, said anchoring mechanism comprising a bracket provided in or on said support device, said bracket defining a slot for receiving said anchoring device so as to prevent axial movement thereof relative to said bracket, the anchoring mechanism further comprising means for retaining said anchoring device within said slot.

The bracket is beneficially integrally moulded with the support device. The retaining means may comprise one or more clips mounted in, on or adjacent, or provided integrally with, the bracket. Alternatively, the retaining means may comprise means, such as one or more guide rails or channels or the like, for receiving a separate retaining member.

These and other aspects of the present invention will be apparent from, and elucidated with reference to, the embodiments described herein.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of examples only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a partial schematic drawing illustrating a cable assembly for use with a .: : mechanism according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a partial schematic drawing of a shifter device according to a first : exemplary embodiment of the present invention, showing how the cable assembly of * Figure 1 interact with an abutment bracket provided therein; a..

* . Figures 3 and 4 illustrate the interaction of the retaining clip with the cable assembly and abutment bracket of the shifter of Figure 2; S...

Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of the retaining clip illustrated in Figures 3 and 4; Figure 6 is a schematic close-up view of the abutment brackets of the shifter of Figure 2; Figure 7 is a cross- sectional slice through the cable assembly and abutment bracket of Figure 2, showing the relative configuration thereof; Figure 8 is a partial schematic drawing illustrating a cable assembly for use with a mechanism according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure 9 is a partial schematic drawing of a shifter according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure 10 is a schematic close-up view of the abutment bracket and retaining means of the shifter of Figure 9; Figure 11 is a close-up view of the retaining means incorporated in the abutment bracket of the shifter of Figure 9; Figures 12 and 13 are partial schematic, close-up respective front and rear views of an abutment bracket according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the configuration of the retaining means when a cable assembly is anchored therein; * 0* * * * :::.: Figure 14 is a partial perspective plan view of a shifter according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention including abutment brackets in which respective cable abutments are disposed; and 4** Figure 15 is a partial schematic drawing illustrating a cable assembly for use with a * . mechanism according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention. a...

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, a cable assembly 10 for use with an abutment bracket incorporated in a shifter according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises a cylindrical conduit 12, upon which is situated a rubber damping means 16. The rubber damping means 16 is formed in two parts, being fixed to the conduit 12 by way of an intermediate steel abutment with a plastic over- moulded flange, that fixes the position of the rear portion of the rubber damping means 16 relative to the conduit 12, such that when a guide tube 14 is snapped into place from the end side of the conduit 12, the rubber damping means 16, conduit 12 and guide tube 14 are all fixed. A free- moving length of cable 18 runs through the conduit 12 and guide tube 14, the end of which length of cable 18 has an end fitting that is used to enable the cable to be connected to an input.

Referring to Figures 2 to 7 of the drawings, there is illustrated a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which it is illustrated how the cable assembly of Figure 1 can be immobilised by an abutment bracket that is fully integrated into the shifter body 30. An abutment bracket assembly 32 is integrally moulded as part of the shifter body 30, during manufacture thereof, and enables the cable assembly 10 to be immobilised by means of a substantially U-shaped bracket 40, the bottom of which defines a seat 36 shaped and configured in accordance with the dimensions of the rubber damping means 16 it is intended to receive. The bracket 32 defines a pair of rails 34a, 34b extending upwardly on either side of the seat 36.

In the illustrated embodiment, the assembly 32 is provided with two abutment brackets 40, in side-by-side relation, such that two cable assemblies 10 can be immobilised or anchored by means of the shifter 30.

* * Once the abutment portion of a cable assembly 10 is located in the seat 36 of the abutment bracket 40, it can be locked in place by a separate, resiliently flexible retaining means 38, that has a substantially laterally convex (viewed from underneath) top section 50, and has inner dimensions corresponding to that of the rubber damping * means 16 of the abutment. Protruding upwardly from either side of the laterally S* convex top section 50 are two substantially rectangular tabs 52, 54, that act as a * . clipping means for holding the retaining means 38 in place against the inside faces of * . the substantially rectangular rails 34a, 34b.

* * S. The retaining means 38 can be seen, for example in Figure 4, locking into place within the bracket 40, with the rubber damping means 16 clamped between the seat 36 and the retaining means 38. This effectively immobilises the cable assembly 10, whilst allowing the inner control cable 18 to move in accordance with an input via its end fitting 20. From Figure 4 it can be seen that the substantially rectangular tabs 52, 54 are greater in height than the uppermost most extremity of the two substantially rectangular rails or channels 34a, 34b on each side of the seat 36, such that there is room to enable each of the tabs 52, 54 to be pressed towards one another, releasing the retaining means 38 from the rails 34a, 34b, such that it can be vertically lifted away and the cable assembly 10 can be removed from the bracket.

The above-mentioned first exemplary embodiment of the present invention therefore eliminates a number of components compared to a typical quick fit design according to the prior art including the abutment body on the cable assembly, the damper cap also in the cable assembly, the quick fit collar which would usually anchor the cable assembly to a fixed point as well as a compressive spring used to stabilise the setup.

System and tooling costs are also significantly reduced. Furthermore, the push/pull load instigated when an input is implemented on the cable is now taken by the shifter body moulding, not the snap fit component (damper cap), as in the prior art. There is zero lash as the damper rubber(s) can be made an interference fit into the bracket 40.

As well as this, there is an improved lateral support for the steel abutment and more importantly, a simple assembly process.

Referring now to Figures 8 to 13 of the drawings, a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, wherein a different cable assembly 60 is immobilised by a different respective abutment bracket integrated into the shifter 30, by way of a different fixing means 70 to that of the previous embodiment. In this S *. S

. exemplary embodiment, complexity is further reduced in respect of the abutment 62 * by moulding free' features into the abutment bracket 70 on the shifter body 30. ..DTD: Thus, the cable assembly 60 of the second exemplary embodiment is a simplified * version of current designs, and is retained by way of its inherent non- orientated nose feature. Damping means 64 are once3 again provided on this cable assembly 60.

The cable assembly 60 is introduced into the abutment bracket from above, as shown in Figure 9. The abutment bracket 70 in this exemplary embodiment comprises two receiving channels 80, each defined by a substantially box like structure made up of two essentially rectangular side sections 76, 78, that when viewed from the plan, are cross- sectionally E' shaped and facing one another. The lower part of the channel is configured in a concave arrangement 79 of similar or equal dimension and proportion to that of the defining features 62, 64 of the cable assembly 60 that it is designed to accept.

Referring more specifically to Figures 10 to 13, the retaining means to lock the cable assembly 60 in place relative to the bracket 70 in this exemplary embodiment is provided by two deformable tabs 72 (in each channel) that can rotate to a certain degree about an axle 74 that is housed between the two furthest displaced flanges of said E' shaped, substantially rectangular side sections 76, 78. The deformable tabs 72 are substantially rectangular in shape, with approximately a third of the lower extremity angled substantially 45 degrees from a plane on the other two thirds. The axle 74 that provides rotation is moulded as a part of said deformable tabs 72, being positioned perpendicular to the tabs 72 length and intersecting as the point in which the final third of the tab 72 changes angle. There is a strengthening rib 73 connecting each angled aspect of tab 72 as well as the axle 74 as clearly displayed in Figure 11.

The deformable tabs 72 can be moulded with a single split tool.

Referring now to Figure 12, the way in which the deformable tabs 72 are configured allows for the cable assembly 60 to be snap-fitted into a locked state within the bracket simply by being introduced to the receiving channel 80 thereof with a : * ** reasonable degree of force. In a similar fashion to the previous embodiment, the cable assembly 60 can easily be removed from the retaining means 70 by compressing the * deformable tabs 72 towards one another, thereby moving the angled part thereof away * from their respective positions in contact with the cable assembly 60.

Again, this embodiment eliminates a number of components compared to a typical * ..: quick ft design, including the quick fit collar which would usually anchor the cable assembly to a fixed point as well as the compressive spring conventionally used to stabilise the setup. En addition, the cable assembly 60 can easily be removed from this compact package.

Referring now to Figures 14 and 15, a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, wherein the cable assembly 90 to be anchored requires no damping means. In this embodiment a very simple overmoulded abutment 92 can be used, with substantially the same fixing method and bracket as described above in relation to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It will be appreciated that it can be designed to fit a smaller package than that shown.

In terms of advantages, there are provided by the present invention, not only significant reductions in system and tooling costs, but also an extremely simple abutment design and assembly, wherein lash is removed from the system, a simple assembly process is provided with the cable assembly being easily removable, and overall a very compact package can be facilitated.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrates rather than limits the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be capable of designing many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed in parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claims. The word "comprising" and "comprises", and the like, does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those listed in any claim or the specification as a whole. The singular reference of an element does not exclude the plural reference of such elements and vice-versa. The invention may be implemented by means of hardware comprising several distinct elements. In a device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by * ** one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in 0 mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these 0 measures cannot be used to advantage. ** * 0 * ISS * *.. * S. * *.* e

Claims

Claims I. A mechanism for anchoring a control cable relative to a support

device for supporting a moveable control mechanism of a vehicle, said support device being fixedly mounted or otherwise provided in or on a fixed component of said vehicle, in use, said control cable comprising an anchoring device fixed coaxially around said cable and comprising means for coupling said control cable to said control mechanism, said anchoring mechanism comprising a bracket provided in or on said support device, said bracket defining a slot for receiving said anchoring device so as to prevent axial movement thereof relative to said bracket, the anchoring mechanism further comprising retaining means for retaining said anchoring device within said slot. * S. * S S S... S...
2. A mechanism according to claim I, wherein the retaining means comprises a separate : * : : :* clips means that fits between opposing leading edges of the slot, above the anchoring *. device, to prevent withdrawal of the anchoring device from the slot, in use. *S.

::
3. A mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the retaining means is provided on the * bracket, for example, in the form of resiliently flexible clips for preventing withdrawal of the anchoring device from the slot, when in use.
4. A mechanism according to any preceding claim, wherein said support device, for example, shifter device, is provided with a plurality of brackets for anchoring a respective plurality of (often two) control cables relative thereto, at appropriate positions.
5. A mechanism according to claim 4, wherein said brackets are integrally moulded as part of the support device (shifter) body, which is usually made of metal or similar resilient rigid material.
6. A mechanism according to either of claims 4 or 5, wherein said one or more brackets are provided at or adjacent the support device.
7. A mechanism according to any of claims 4-6, wherein said bracket is arranged and configured such that opposing shoulder portions of the anchoring device bear against said bracket so as to prevent axial movement of the anchoring device relative to the bracket in use.
8. A support device for supporting a moveable control mechanism of a vehicle, the support device comprising means for fixedly mounting said device in or on fixed component of said vehicle, in use, the support device further comprising a - mechanism for anchoring a control cable relative to said support device, said control cable comprising an anchoring device fixedly coaxially around said cable and comprising means for coupling said control cable to said control mechanism, said * anchoring mechanism comprising a bracket provided in or on said support device, said bracket defining a slot for receiving said anchoring device so as to prevent axial movement thereof relative to said bracket, the anchoring mechanism further comprising means for retaining said anchoring device within said slot. *S.
9. A support device according to claim 8, wherein said bracket is integrally moulded SI, with the support device.
10. A support device according to claim 8, wherein said retaining means comprises one or more clips mounted in, on or adjacent, or provided integrally with, the bracket.
I I. A support device according to claim 8, wherein said retaining means comprises means, such as one or more guide rails or channels or the like, for receiving a separate retaining member.
12. A mechanism as hereinbefore described in claims 1-7 with reference to the accompanying drawings.
13. A support device as hereinbefore described in claims 8-11 with reference to the accompanying drawings.