JP2002339941A - Semiautomatic length adjuster for protection sheathing of control cable - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a low-cost and compact length adjuster for a protection sheathing of a control cable easily usable in a narrow place and limiting the number of components. SOLUTION: This length adjuster for the protection sheathing 2 of the control cable 3 is provided with a hollow body 4 having both ends opened for passing the control cable 3 therethrough, a hollow sheath pipe 6 positioned on an extension line of an axis X-X', having both open ends for passing the control cable 3, having a groove 7 for storing one end of the protection sheathing 2, and fitted to the body 4 so as to axially rotate in parallel to the axis X-X' or parallel move in the axial direction between the maximum extended position Emax and a contracted position R, a spring 10 interposed between the body 4 and the sheath pipe 6 and positioning the sheath pipe 6 in the extension position, and a parallel moving blocking means 15 for the sheath pipe movable from a block released state D, so-called free translation state, to a block state B by the axial rotation motion of the sheath pipe 6 to the body 4.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to a cable control device, including a flexible cable that translates inside a protective sheath, a so-called control cable.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Such a cable control device is used in many fields, particularly in the field of automobiles, for controlling the opening / closing of a door or a trunk or transmitting commands sent from a shift lever or a pedal. .

Control cables often include a boule or stopper at one end for acting on a lever of a control component, the accuracy of the operation of the cable being determined by the relative length of the sheath to the cable. Therefore, if the armor is too short, it cannot affect the entire amplitude of the movement of the control lever, and if the armor is too long, the movement of the control cable does not affect the control components, that is, the so-called non-operating range. There is a risk of leaving much.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need for a means by which the length of the sheath or the free length of the cable can be adjusted according to the operating conditions of the control device.

In order to meet the need for such adjustment, the length adjustment device for the protective sheathing of the control cable proposed by French Patent Application FR-A-2 689 189 translates axially on the extension of the axis XX '. A hollow sheath tube includes a hollow body passing through the body. The control cable passes through the sheath, which has a groove at one end to accommodate one end of the cable protection sheath. The device also includes a spring disposed between the body and the sheath tube to place the sheath tube in the extended position relative to the body. The equipment is
In addition, it includes means for translating the sheath tube comprising a key with a keyhole-shaped opening through which the sheath tube passes. The translation blocking means also includes a series of grooves in the outer wall of the sheath tube.

[0006] To block the device, the sheath tube axis X-
Translate the key perpendicular to X 'to engage the narrow portion of the keyhole opening in the groove of the sheath tube, thereby avoiding any relative translational movement of the sheath tube and the body.

This device can in fact adjust the length of the sheath or the length of the cable in a semi-automatic manner. However, it has the disadvantage of interposing a blocking key which increases the external dimensions of the entire device, and its operation is not always easy in a narrow place where access to the device is difficult to access.

[0008] Moreover, when a blocking key is used,
This is a factor that increases the manufacturing cost of the adjusting device.

[0009]

Accordingly, a new control cable protective sheathing having a small external dimension, being easily usable in confined spaces, and having a limited number of components to reduce manufacturing costs. Requires a length adjustment device.

[0010]

To this end, the present invention relates to a device for adjusting the length of a protective sheath of a control cable, the device comprising a hollow body open at both ends for passing the control cable. And on the extension of the axis XX ',
Both ends are open to allow the control cable to pass through, and a groove is provided at one end to accommodate one end of the protective sheath, and the main body is configured to perform axial rotation and axial translation between the maximum extension position and the contraction position. An attached hollow sheath tube, a spring interposed between the main body and the sheath tube to place the sheath tube in the extended position, and an axial rotation movement of the sheath tube causes the block to be released from a block released state, a so-called free translation state. Translational blocking means for the sheath tube that is transferable.

[0011] Preferably, the translation blocking means is reversible.

The translation blocking means can be constructed in any suitable way, and preferably has at least one rack provided on one of the two elements of the sheath tube or body and the other of said elements. And at least one tooth configured to cooperate with said rack.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the translation blocking means comprises at least one rack provided on a part of the inner wall of the body and at least one other provided on a part of the outer wall of the sheath tube. And a sheath tube rack,
Cooperating with the rack of the body is configured to translationally block the sheath tube relative to the body.

According to a feature of the present invention, the translation blocking means is configured to perform translation of the sheath tube in the axial direction at the time of transition from the unblocked state D to the blocked state B. . In this case, such axial movement by a predetermined value corresponds to contraction movement or extension movement. With this advantageous feature of the invention,
In the case of the extension movement, a compression suppressing action of the protective sheath can be exerted so as to correct the length of the protective sheath shortened by compression after operating the control cable to some extent. Conversely, in the case of a contraction movement, such a movement value corresponds, for example, to a functional play given to the control cable.

Preferably, the translation blocking means is configured to shift from the unblocked state to the blocked state by rotating the sheath tube one quarter turn with respect to the main body.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the adjusting device comprises:
At least in the translation block position, means for locking axial rotation of the sheath tube relative to the body. Preferably, these rotation locking means are reversible.

The rotation locking means may be constructed in any suitable way, preferably at least one groove in the outer wall of the body, substantially parallel to the axis XX ', and one end of the sheath tube. And a stay extending from the body to the exterior of the body, the stay including a pin cooperating with the groove to prevent rotation of the sheath tube relative to the body when the sheath tube is in the translation block position.

For the proper use of the adjusting device according to the invention, the device also comprises a control for preventing any translational locking of the sheath when the extension of the sheath relative to the body is below or above a predetermined value. Means can be included.

Preferably, the control means is configured to prevent any rotation of the sheath tube from the freely translatable position when the extension of the sheath tube is not within the predetermined value range.

In a preferred embodiment, the rotation locking means comprises:
Includes at least one groove in the outer wall of the body, generally parallel to the axis XX ', and a stay extending from one end of the sheath to the exterior of the body, wherein the stay is in the translation block position. Sometimes it includes a pin that engages the groove to prevent rotation of the sheath tube relative to the body.

A rotation locking means is provided on the outer wall of the body, substantially parallel to the axis XX 'to prevent locking of the device in the improperly adjusted position, and the stay of the stay in the translatable position of the sheath tube. A second groove in which the pin is engaged, and stopper means provided at one end of the groove on both sides of the second groove to prevent the pin from coming out of the groove; The rotation of the tube is blocked and the translation of the sheath tube is not locked if the sheath tube is stretched such that the pin is between the stopper means.

Thus, the second groove and the stopper means constitute control means for properly adjusting the extension of the sheath tube with respect to the main body.

Various other features of the invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating a non-limiting embodiment of the adjustment device according to the invention.

[0024]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As can be seen from FIG. 1, a device for adjusting the length of the protective sheath 2 of a control cable 3 according to the invention is indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 and has two ends for passing the control cable 3 through. Includes an open elongated body 4.

According to the example shown, as shown in FIG. 2, the body 4 has a substantially cylindrical shape centered on the axis XX '. Of course, the body 4 may take any other shape suitable for its function. The body 4 defines a chamber 5 containing a sheath tube 6. The sheath tube 6, like the body 4, also takes an elongated shape centered on the axis XX '.

Preferably, but not necessarily, the sheath tube 6 and the chamber 5 are both axis XX '
Has a substantially rotating cylindrical shape centered at the center. Sheath tube 6
Performs a translational movement parallel to the axis XX ′ in the chamber 5 and a rotational movement of itself about the axis XX ′. In this case, the sheath tube 6 translates between the maximum extension position Emax shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 and the contraction position R shown in FIG. 4 in which the sheath tube 6 is almost entirely retracted into the main body 4. .

The sheath tube 6 is hollow and open at both ends so that the control cable 3 can pass therethrough. Furthermore, the sheath tube 6 includes a groove 7 at one end that is not arranged in the main body 4, for accommodating one end of the protective sheath 2 of the cable 3. The groove 7 preferably has a shape that engages the shape of the end of the armor 2, and the armor 2 can be elastically blocked in the groove 7. For this reason, according to the illustrated example, the groove 7
Has a substantially triangular cross section, as can be seen from FIG. Of course, the groove 7 may be of any other shape, for example it may have a substantially circular cross section.

In the adjusting device 1 according to the invention, a coil spring 10 is preferably interposed between the main body 4 and the sheath tube 6, and the sheath tube 6 is placed at the maximum extension position Emax with respect to the main body 4. Thus, the spring 10 is supported by a shoulder 11 provided in the chamber 5 opposite the end through which the sheath tube 6 passes. According to the example shown, the shoulder 11 defines a flange 12 with which the spring 10 is engaged. On the other hand, the spring 10
It is supported by a sheath tube 6 on the opposite side of the shoulder 11. According to the example shown, the spring 10 is engaged in an engaging-shaped groove 13 provided in the sheath tube 6.

Therefore, by increasing or decreasing the compression of the spring 10, the extension of the sheath tube 5 with respect to the main body 2 can be changed. However, when the compressive stress is released, the spring 10
Tends to return the sheath tube 6 to the maximum extension position Emax.
In order to be able to fix the sheath tube 6 with respect to the body 4 at a given extension, the adjusting device 1 further comprises means 15 for blocking the translation of the sheath tube 6 with respect to the body 4. According to a main feature of the invention, the translation blocking means 15 comprises
By simply rotating the sheath tube 6 in the axial direction, the unblocked state D, a so-called free translation state,
The state transits to the block state B in which any translation is prohibited.

According to the illustrated example, the translation blocking means 15 is provided only on a part of the outer wall of the sheath tube 6 at the position of the sheath tube 6 and is radially opposed to each other, as shown particularly in FIG. And two racks 16.

The translation blocking means 15 further includes two teeth 17 provided on the inner wall of the cavity 5 at the position of the main body 4. The teeth 17 are arranged facing each other and the cavity 5
Extends to only part of the inner wall. Tooth 17, of course,
It is configured to cooperate with the rack 16. The teeth 17 and the rack 16 are configured so that they can be moved from the cooperating position corresponding to the translation block B to the mutual release position D corresponding to the translatable state by simply rotating the sheath tube 6 with respect to the main body 4. Is done. According to the illustrated example, the translation blocking means 15 is configured to shift from the block release state D shown in FIG. 5 to the translation block state B shown in FIG. 6 by a quarter rotation, that is, 90 ° rotation. Be composed.

In order to maintain the stability of the device 1 in the translation block position B, in a preferred embodiment, the device 1 locks the axial rotation of the sheath tube 6 with respect to the body 4 at least in the translation block position B. 20.

According to the illustrated example, as shown in FIG. 7, the rotating block means 20 includes a groove 21 provided on the outer wall of the main body 4. The groove 21 is provided on the axis X- of the main body and the sheath tube 6.
It is substantially parallel to X ′ and extends at least for a length corresponding to the extension adjustment width of the sheath tube 6.

The rotation locking means 20 further includes a stay 22 extending from one end of the sheath tube 6 to the outside of the main body 4. The stay 22 includes a pin 23 at one end located opposite the end connected to the sheath tube 6. The pin 23 cooperates with the groove 21 when the sheath tube 6 is in the translation block position B to prevent the rotation of the sheath tube 6 with respect to the main body 4. Therefore, when the pins 23 are arranged in the grooves 21, the stays 16
7 are arranged angularly with respect to the rack 16 so as to cooperate with the rack 7.

According to the example shown, the rotation blocking means 20 comprises a second groove 25 defined by a group of four pins 26 and a shoulder 27 on the outer wall of the body 4. The second groove 25 corresponds to the position where the sheath tube 6 can be freely translated.
It is located 90 ° from the first groove 21. The pin 23 is thus guided by the groove 25 in the unblocking position D of the translation blocking means 15, which limits the risk of an inappropriate translation lock during use and adjustment of the device 1.

The device 1 according to the invention is used as follows. First, the device 1 is attached to one end of the protective sheath of the control cable. Next, the cable 3 is passed through the sheath 2, the sheath tube 6, and then through the body 4, and reaches the end of the body 4 arranged on the opposite side to the end through which the sheath tube 6 passes. The end of the cable arranged on the side of the device 1 generally comprises the operating part 30 of the control device.

The adjusting device connected to the armor 2 and the cable 3 is given to the worker in charge. The operator places the pin 23 in the groove 25 and assembles the device in the translation unlocking position D.

At the time of assembly, the operator puts the control component 30 of the cable 3 into the control device 31 and then arranges the main component 4 so that the main component 4 is stopped by the stop component 32 of the control component support structure. During this operation, the sheath tube can be translated with respect to the main body, so that the length of the cable 3 and the length of the sheath can be automatically changed according to the movement of the worker without any special assistance from the worker. Can be.

When the body 4 is arranged so as to hit the stop part 32, the extension of the sheath tube 6 takes into account the presence of the spring 10,
It corresponds to an optimum adjustment of the length of the sheath of which the device 1 is a component or, according to an aspect of the invention, to an optimum adjustment of the free length of the cable 3.

In this case, the operator rotates the sheath tube 6 with the main body 4 so as to engage the pin 23 with the groove 21,
Translation locking can be performed. Then, the device 1
Will be in a completely locked position and will be free of inconsistencies. The transition to the locked position or the unlocked position is performed without changing the external dimensions of the device, and can be performed in a small space.

Of course, as long as the translation block means and the rotation locking means are reversible, the operator can easily disassemble the device 1 as well.

Although not required, in a preferred embodiment, the second groove 25 has a stop 35 located at the end of the sheath tube 6 opposite the free end. When the stopper 35 is at the contracted position R as shown in FIG.
It is configured to prevent any rotation of the sheath tube 6 and thus to prevent the translational lock. This configuration of the invention very advantageously constitutes a control means which prevents any translational locking of the sheath tube 6 when the extension of the sheath tube 6 relative to the body 4 is less than a predetermined value. According to the example shown, this arrangement, which prevents locking of the device when the sheath tube is completely contracted, allows the operator, for example, to ensure that the system he is installing does not meet the required tolerances. I can let you know.

According to the illustrated example, the control means 35
While the sheath tube only prevents the translational lock when in the retracted position R, it is also possible to consider that the sheath tube constitutes a control means which impedes the translation block, for example when in the maximum contracted position Emax.

Similarly, according to the above example, the translation and rotation blocking means are completely independent. However, they can also be combined. Thus, the translation and rotation blocking means may be configured by making the outer wall of the sheath tube 6 an eccentric shape that is supported and blocked by the wall of the chamber of the body 4 by rotation.

According to the illustrated example, the translation blocking means of the sheath tube 6 is provided at the position of the main body 4 by the rack 16 of the sheath tube 6.
It consists of two teeth that cooperate with.

On the other hand, other embodiments of the blocking means can be considered. To that end, the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 8 comprises a rack 40 provided with blocking means on the inner wall of the cavity 5, which cooperates with an engaging rack of the sheath tube 6.

According to the example shown, the body 4 is, in particular,
A window 41 is provided on the front of the rack 40 to allow the passage of mold elements that form the rack during casting of the body 4. In that case, the window 41 has a passage cross section equal to or larger than the protruding surface of the rack.

According to the illustrated example, the rack 41 is continuous, but may include a plurality of discontinuous sections each including one or a plurality of teeth. In this case, the main body 4
Includes a window in front of each section or segment.

In particular, according to the variant embodiment shown in FIG.
The rack 41 has a spiral contour. Of course, the rack of the sheath tube 6 also has a spiral profile. The contour of the rack of sheath tube 6 and body 4 is then configured to move the sheath tube in the direction of extension when transitioning to the blocking position. This movement, whose movement value is determined by the pitch of the rack, makes it possible to extract the compressive stress of the protective sheath. With this advantageous configuration of the invention, it is possible to compensate for the shortened length of the sheath after a certain operation of the control cable.

Thus, the spring 10 compensates for play when installing the device, and the blocking means acts in the direction of travel of the sheath tube to compensate for the reduction in play that occurs only after the first operation of the cable. be able to. Such a decrease in play is due in particular to the compression of the protective sheath. Certainly, it is not desirable to apply a compressive stress by a spring. This is because the spring must be too stiff to allow tool-less compression.
Further, if the spring is too rigid, the operation of the device controlled by the cable 2 is impaired.

In some applications, conversely, it may be necessary to provide functional play to the control cable.
In this case, the profile of the rack is configured to retract the sheath tube during translational locking.

Of course, in the sense of the present invention, the translational locking of the sheath can also prevent the sheath from moving axially at all.

Furthermore, according to the invention, the rack 16 of the sheath tube and the teeth 1 of the body 4 in the device shown in FIGS.
7 may be formed into a helical shape so that when the sheath tube 6 or the main body 4 is rotated, the sheath tube 6 is extended or contracted with respect to the main body 4 to block the translation of the sheath tube 6 with respect to the main body 4.

Of course, any other embodiment of the translation blocking means 15 by rotation of the sheath tube in the main body can be considered.

Similarly, according to the example shown, the translation blocking means and the rotation locking means are reversible. However, these means do not have to be reversible, for example by means of a split clasp or a hook by means of a canine hook so as to be engaged in the engagement opening. Therefore, in this case, the unlocking can only be performed by breaking the hook.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an axial sectional view showing an adjusting device of the present invention mounted on a protective sheath of a control cable in a freely translatable position.

FIG. 2 is an axial section similar to FIG. 1 with the device according to the invention in the locked position and omitting the control cable and the protective sheathing of the control cable.

3 is a perspective view of the adjustment device according to the invention in different extended positions of the sheath tube; FIG.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the adjustment device according to the present invention in different extended positions of the sheath tube.

5 is a sectional view taken along line VV of FIG. 1 showing the device according to the invention in a different state;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line VV of FIG. 1 showing the device according to the invention in different states;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view similar to FIGS. 3 and 4, showing the device according to the invention in the locked position.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view, taken along plane VIII-VIII of FIG. 3, showing a modified embodiment of the body of the adjusting device according to the invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 8, showing another modified embodiment of the main body of the adjusting device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 Protective exterior 3 Control cable 4 Main body 6 Sheath tube 7 Groove 10 Spring 15 Translation blocking means 16, 40 Rack 17 Teeth 20 Rotation lock means 21 Groove 22 Stay 23 Pin 25 Second groove 30 Operating part 35 Control means or stopper means D Unblocked state B Blocked state R Contraction position Emax Maximum extension position

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A device for adjusting the length of a protective sheath (2) of a control cable (3), comprising a hollow body (4) open at both ends for passing the control cable (3), and an axis XX. ', Which has an open end for the control cable (3) and a groove (7) for accommodating one end of the protective sheath (3) at one end, and has a maximum extension position Emax
A hollow sheath tube (6) attached to the main body (4) so as to perform axial rotation and axial translation parallel to the axis XX ′ between the main body (4) and the main body ( A spring (10) interposed between 4) and the sheath tube (6) to place the sheath tube (6) in the extended position; and a translation blocking means (15) for the sheath tube, wherein the translation blocking means comprises: Due to the rotational movement of the sheath tube (6) with respect to the main body (4), the block is released from the unblocked state (D), that is, from the so-called free translation state to the blocked state (B).
An apparatus characterized in that the apparatus can be transferred to. 2. The adjusting device according to claim 1, wherein the translation blocking means is reversible. 3. The translation blocking means (15) comprises at least one rack provided on a part of the inner wall of the body (4) and at least one rack provided on a part of the outer wall of the sheath tube (6). 3. The adjustment of claim 1 or 2, wherein the sheath tube rack is configured to cooperate with the body rack to block translation of the sheath tube relative to the body. apparatus. 4. The translation blocking means (15) comprises at least one rack (16) provided on one of two elements of the sheath tube or body and the rack provided on the other of said elements. Adjustment device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises at least one tooth (17) configured to cooperate with (16). 5. The adjustment device according to claim 4, wherein the body (4) includes at least one window arranged opposite a rack provided on the inner wall of the body (4). 6. The translation blocking means (15) configured to perform translation of the sheath tube in the axial direction when transitioning from the unblocked state (D) to the blocked state (B). The adjustment device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. 7. The adjustment according to claim 6, wherein the movement of the sheath tube induced by the blocking means during the transition from the unblocked state (D) to the blocked state (B) corresponds to a stretching movement. apparatus. 8. A translation blocking means (15) such that the sheath tube (6) is rotated by a quarter turn with respect to the main body (4) so as to transition from the unblocked state (D) to the blocked state (B). 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein
The adjustment device according to any one of claims 1 to 7. 9. At least at the translation block position (B),
9. The device according to claim 1, further comprising means for locking the axial movement of the sheath tube relative to the body.
The adjustment device according to any one of claims 1 to 7. 10. The adjusting device according to claim 9, wherein the rotation locking means (20) is reversible. 11. A rotary locking means (20) comprising: at least one groove (21) provided on the outer wall of the body (4), substantially parallel to the axis XX '; and one end of the sheath tube (6). A stay (22) extending outside the body (4), the stay (22) being adapted to prevent rotation of the sheath (6) relative to the body (4) when the sheath is in the translation block position. 11. The adjusting device according to claim 9, wherein the adjusting device comprises a pin (23) cooperating with the adjusting device. 12. A control means (35) for preventing any translational locking of the sheath tube (6) when the extension of the sheath tube (6) relative to the body (4) is below a predetermined value or above a predetermined value. Adjustment device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that: 13. The control means (35) configured to prevent any rotation of the sheath tube (6) from the freely translatable position (D) when the extension of the sheath tube (6) is not within a predetermined value range. The adjusting device according to claim 12, characterized in that: 14. The rotation locking means (20) is provided on the outer wall of the main body, substantially parallel to the axis XX ', and the pin (23) of the stay (22) is provided at the freely translatable position (D) of the sheath tube. And a stopper means (25) provided at one end of this groove on both sides of the second groove (25) to prevent the pin (23) from coming out of the groove. 35), wherein the stopper means (35) blocks the rotation of the sheath tube (6), and the pin is connected to the stopper means (3).
5. The translation of the sheath tube (6) is not locked when the sheath tube (6) is extended so as to be between 5).
2. The adjustment device according to 1.