JP2004023817A - Cable duct - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cable duct wherein a stress concentration due to bending of the cable duct is avoided and its bending life is thereby lengthened. <P>SOLUTION: Narrow insertion portions 5 and wider arresting portions 6 are alternatively formed on an elastic plate 3. Unit ducts 10 are coupled with the elastic plate 3 by inserting the edges of the insertion portions 5 into insertion grooves 22. The length of the insertion portions 5 (the spacing between the arresting portions 6) is larger than the length of the unit ducts 10. Therefore, when the elastic plate 3 is bent with bending of the cable duct 1, the intervals between the unit ducts 10 are varied to follow the binding. The unit ducts 10 can be moved in the direction of the length of the elastic plate 3 within the range of the intervals between the arresting portions 6. Therefore, the curvatures of the elastic plate 3 at bends are averaged, and stress is prevented from concentrating on part of the elastic plate 3. As a result, the bending life of the cable duct 1 is lengthened. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention belongs to the technical field of cable ducts.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, there is a cable duct which can be bent and stretched by connecting unit ducts each having a rectangular cross section and being connected to each other.
For example, JP-A-2000-351898 and JP-A-2001-221292 disclose a cable duct formed by connecting unit ducts with a plate-shaped hinge member.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the cable duct of the related art, since the curvature of each hinge member can be different at the time of bending, there is a possibility that the bending life may be reduced due to stress concentration on the hinge member at an end portion or the like of the cable duct.
[0004]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to improve the bending life of a cable duct by avoiding stress concentration due to bending of a cable duct.
[0005]
Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention
The cable duct according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of unit ducts each having a hollow inside and both ends open to allow the cable to pass therethrough are connected along the cable insertion direction,
Both ends of the cable in the insertion direction are also open, and the unit duct is provided with a pair of insertion grooves that are disposed so as to face each other with their bottoms facing each other. An elastic plate in which insertion portions having a width capable of simultaneously inserting an edge into each of the pair of insertion grooves and having a length exceeding the length of the unit duct and a restriction portion wider than the insertion portion are alternately arranged. Consisting of
It is characterized in that a plurality of the unit ducts are connected via the elastic plate by inserting both edges of one insertion portion into the insertion groove of each unit duct.
[0006]
Each unit duct is attached to the elastic plate by inserting both edges of one insertion portion into the insertion groove, and is connected to each other via the elastic plate to form a cable duct.
Since the length of the insertion part (the distance between the restriction parts) exceeds the length of the unit duct, when the elastic plate bends with the bending of the cable duct, the mutual distance between the unit ducts changes and this bending occurs. Follow. Since the unit duct can move in the longitudinal direction of the elastic plate within the range of the interval between the regulating portions, the curvature of the elastic plate at the bent portion is averaged, and the concentration of stress on a part of the elastic plate can be avoided. Thereby, the bending life of the cable duct is improved.
[0007]
Further, the bending and extension of the cable duct can be freely changed as long as the elastic plate is bent and stretched, and since the elastic plate can be twisted, the cable duct can be twisted and changed within that range. That is, both bending and elongation and torsion can be changed, and a combination thereof can also be changed.
[0008]
When the cable duct is displaced in a hollow state by fixing one end of the cable duct and attaching the other end to a movable portion, for example, the elastic plate serves as a core material to prevent sagging and the like, and also allows the cable duct to be hollow. Since the movement range is appropriately regulated, the movement range (trajectory) of the cable duct when the movable part moves is stabilized. Thus, since it has a high degree of freedom in bending and stretching and can maintain its posture even in a hollow state, it is suitable for mounting on a movable mechanism such as a robot arm.
[0009]
Examples of the elastic plate include a plastic plate and a thin metal plate. Further, how many unit ducts are connected to one elastic plate is a so-called design matter, and may be determined according to a use or the like.
The length of each insertion portion (the interval between the restriction portions), that is, the mounting pitch of the unit ducts may be equal or may be partially different. In addition, since the mounting pitch of the unit duct can be appropriately set according to the use of the cable duct, the degree of freedom in that aspect is high.
[0010]
The shape of the unit duct is not particularly limited as long as both ends are open. However, since the elastic plate is inserted through the insertion grooves arranged facing each other, it is necessary that at least the insertion grooves have an elastic plate, that is, a shape along a plane. Therefore, the portion where the insertion groove is provided is preferably made flat. If the portion where the insertion groove is provided is formed in a flat plate shape, it is desirable that the sectional shape of the unit duct be rectangular or similar to a rectangle.
[0011]
The cable is inserted into the cable duct after the unit ducts are connected to each other to complete the cable duct.
At this time, the cable may be inserted from the end of the cable duct, but if the cable duct is long, the work becomes difficult.
[0012]
This inconvenience is achieved by adopting the configuration of claim 2, that is, the cable duct according to claim 1, wherein the unit duct is provided with a cable insertion portion for inserting the cable inside the unit duct. This can be resolved.
Since a cable insertion portion (for example, a cut along the axial direction of the cable) is provided in the unit duct, the cable is aligned with the cable insertion portion, and if the cable is pushed in, for example, the cable is put inside the unit duct, that is, the cable duct. Can be inserted.
[0013]
Therefore, it is very easy to insert the cable into the cable duct. Moreover, no matter how long the cable duct is, the insertion of the cable is extremely easy. Of course, the cable may be inserted from the end.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the cable duct according to the first or second aspect, the elastic plate has a structure in which a part of a band having a width of the restricting portion is cut out to form the insertion portion. The production of the elastic plate is easy. In addition, since the mounting pitch of the unit ducts depends on the pitch of the notches, it is easy to change the mounting pitch of the unit ducts according to the application.
[0014]
The notch processing may be performed on both sides of the strip, but it is sufficient that the notch processing is performed only on one side of the strip, as described in claim 4. This reduces the amount of notch processing.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the cable duct according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, further comprising a fixing unit for fixing a part of the cable duct to an installation location. Can be easily attached to the installation location. Examples of the fixing means include a hole for a screw, a projection or a hole fitted to the installation location side, a hook engaged with the installation location side, a double-sided adhesive tape, a snap pin, and the like.
[0015]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to examples of the present invention.
[0016]
【Example】
As shown in FIG. 1, the cable duct 1 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of unit ducts 10 and one elastic plate 3. The unit duct 10 is an injection molded product made of an elastic plastic (polypropylene in this embodiment), and the elastic plate 3 is made of plastic (polyamide in this embodiment).
[0017]
As best shown in FIG. 2, the unit duct 10 is composed of a pair of side surfaces 12 arranged facing each other, a bottom surface 14 provided between lower ends of the side surfaces 12, and a bottom surface from the upper end of the side surface 12. It has a pair of ceiling portions 16 that are inclined and extend to the portion 14 side.
[0018]
The inside surrounded by the side part 12, the bottom part 14, and the ceiling part 16 is a cavity, through which a cable is inserted. An insertion gap 18 (cable insertion portion) is formed between the tips of the pair of ceiling portions 16, that is, at the position corresponding to the bottom of the valley portion formed by the ceiling portion 16, from which a cable can be pushed. it can.
[0019]
In the vicinity of the corner between the side surface portion 12 and the bottom surface portion 14, a protrusion 20 protruding from the side surface portion 12 is provided, and an insertion groove 22 is provided between the protrusion 20 and the bottom surface portion 14. The two insertion grooves 22 are arranged so as to face each other with their bottoms facing each other, and are open not only at the portion facing the bottom but also at both ends. Further, the width of the insertion groove 22 is slightly larger than the thickness of the elastic plate 3, and the elastic plate 3 can be inserted therein, and the inserted elastic plate 3 is relatively moved along the longitudinal direction of the insertion groove 22. it can.
[0020]
As shown in FIG. 3, the elastic plate 3 is provided with a pair of cutout recesses 4 on both sides, and the width of the elastic plate 3 between the recesses 4 is narrow. The narrow portion is the insertion portion 5, the width of which is such that both edges (recess 4) can be inserted into each of the pair of insertion grooves 22 at the same time, and the length is slightly smaller than the length of the unit duct 10. Better than Both sides of the insertion portion 5 are restriction portions 6 having the original width of the elastic plate 3. Then, as shown in FIG. 1, the regulating portions 6 and the insertion portions 5 are alternately arranged. The length of each insertion portion 5 (the interval between the restriction portions 6) is set to be equal.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 1, the cable duct 1 is configured such that a plurality of unit ducts 10 are inserted through the elastic plate 3 by inserting the edge of each insertion portion 5 of the elastic plate 3 into the insertion groove 22 of each unit duct 10. It is composed in succession. The operation of inserting the insertion portion 5 into the insertion groove 22 (connection between the elastic plate 3 and the unit duct 10) is performed using the elasticity of the elastic plate 3 and the unit duct 10.
[0022]
Each connected unit duct 10 is movable in the length direction of the elastic plate 3 within a range of a difference between the length of the insertion portion 5 (the interval between the regulating portions 6) and the length of the unit duct 10.
The length of the cable duct 1 (the number of connected unit ducts 10) is arbitrary and not limited according to the application.
[0023]
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, cables C1 and C2 are inserted into the inside of the cable duct 1 (here, two cables C1 and C2 are shown, but the cable diameter, the size of the unit duct 10 and Can be inserted up to the number determined according to).
In the cable duct 1 of the present embodiment, since the insertion gap 18 is provided in each unit duct 10, the cables C1 and C2 (see FIG. 4) can be inserted from the insertion gap 18 so as to be pushed in. There is no need to insert the cables C1 and C2 from the ends of the cable duct 1, and it is extremely easy to insert the cables C1 and C2 into the cable duct 1. Moreover, no matter how long the cable duct 1 becomes, the insertion of the cables C1 and C2 is extremely easy. Of course, the cables C1 and C2 may be inserted from the end of the cable duct 1.
[0024]
The cable duct 1 is elastically deformed along the plane of the elastic plate 3 (along the plane of the drawing) (see FIGS. 6 and 7), and the approach and separation of the unit ducts 10 in the range of the insertion portion 5. As a result, as shown in FIG. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7, since the insertion portion 5 can be bent within the range of the groove width of the insertion groove 22, the bending of the elastic plate 3 becomes smooth as a whole, and an excessive bending stress is locally generated. You can avoid hanging.
[0025]
Since the length of the insertion portion 5 (the interval between the restricting portions 6) exceeds the length of the unit duct 10, when the elastic plate 3 is bent with the bending of the cable duct 1, the mutual interval between the unit ducts 10 is reduced. It changes and follows this bend. Since the unit duct 10 can move in the longitudinal direction of the elastic plate 3 within the range of the interval between the regulating portions 6, the curvature of the elastic plate 3 at the bent portion is averaged, and the concentration of stress on a part of the elastic plate 3 is reduced. Can be avoided. Thereby, the bending life of the cable duct 1 is improved.
[0026]
In addition, since the elastic plate 3 is capable of torsional deformation, the cable duct 1 is also capable of three-dimensional deformation in which it is torsionally deformed simultaneously with bending and elongation (simple torsional deformation is also possible). That is, both bending and elongation and torsion can be changed, and a combination thereof can also be changed.
[0027]
When the cable duct 1 is fixed at one end and the other end is attached to a movable part such as a machine to displace the cable duct 1 in a hollow state, the elastic plate 3 serves as a core to prevent the cable duct 1 from sagging. Since the moving range of the duct 1 in the hollow is appropriately regulated, the moving range (trajectory) of the cable duct 1 is stabilized when the movable portion moves.
[0028]
Since the cable duct 1 has such a high degree of freedom in bending and elongation and can maintain its posture even in a hollow state, it is suitable for mounting on a movable mechanism such as a robot arm.
[0029]
[Modifications]
Next, a modified example of each unit will be described.
[Modification of insertion section]
Since the insertion portion only needs to be narrower than the regulating portion, the insertion portion 5 may be formed by providing the concave portion 4 on only one side as illustrated in FIG. In this way, the amount of processing when the notch 4 is formed in the elastic band material to be the material of the elastic plate 3 to form the recess 4, that is, the insertion portion 5, can be reduced.
[Modification 1 of insertion groove]
As shown in FIG. 9, a protrusion 20 a is provided on an extension 12 a extending downward from the side surface 12, and an insertion groove 22 can be provided between the protrusion 20 a and the bottom surface 14. In this case, since the connection work between the elastic plate 3 and the unit duct 10 is performed outside the unit duct 10, this work is facilitated.
[Modification 2 of insertion groove]
As shown in FIG. 10, a protrusion 20 b is provided on the inner surface of one side surface portion 12, and a protrusion 20 c is provided on the bottom surface portion 14 at a position facing the protrusion 20 b. 22 may be provided.
[Modification 3 of insertion groove]
As shown in FIG. 11, protrusions 20 d and 20 e may be provided on the outer surface of one side surface portion 12, and an insertion groove 22 may be provided between the protrusions 20 d and 20 e and the side surface portion 12.
[Modification 4 of insertion groove]
As shown in FIG. 12, a pair of ceiling portions 16a and 16b extend in a direction from the front end of each side portion 12 toward the other side, and a space between the ceiling portions 16a and 16b is formed as an insertion groove 22, and the ceiling portions 16a are separated from each other. The gap formed between the ceiling 16b and the ceiling 16b can be used as the insertion gap 18.
[0030]
In this case, since the elastic plate 3 is a member that closes the insertion gap 18, it is possible to reliably prevent the cable from falling off. In addition, a work procedure for connecting the elastic plate 3 and the unit duct 10 after passing the cable through each unit duct 10 can be adopted, and in that case, the insertion of the cable becomes extremely easy.
[Modification 5 of insertion groove]
As shown in FIG. 13, the length of the projection 20 for forming the insertion groove 22 can be shorter than the length of the unit duct 10, or as shown in FIG. 14, only one of the projections 20 can be shortened. It is.
[Modification Example 1 of Cable Insertion Section]
As shown in FIG. 15, an engagement projection 17a is provided at the tip of one ceiling 16c, and an engagement recess 17b is provided at the tip of the other ceiling 16d. When pressed from above, the elasticity of the ceilings 16c and 16d is increased. A configuration is adopted in which the engagement between the engagement protrusion 17a and the engagement recess 17b is released by deformation, and the cable insertion portion 18a is opened, and when the external force is released, the engagement is restored and the cable insertion portion 18a is closed. it can.
[0031]
When the cable is pushed in, the cable insertion part 18a is opened, and when the pushing is completed, the cable insertion part 18a is closed, so that the cable can be easily inserted and the cable can be securely prevented from dropping.
[Modification Example 2 of Cable Insertion Section]
As shown in FIG. 16, a ceiling 16 e and one side surface 12 are connected by a hinge 13, and a hook 17 c at a tip of the ceiling 16 e and a hook 17 d provided at a tip of the other side 12 are connected. You may employ | adopt the structure made disengageable.
[0032]
In this case, when the hooks 17c and 17d are unlocked, the ceiling 16e can be opened and closed in the form of a door around the hinge 13 so that the ceiling 16e is opened and a cable is inserted, and then the ceiling 16e is closed. The hooks 17c and 17d may be locked. Therefore, it is easy to insert the cable, and the cable is surely prevented from falling off.
[Modification 3 of Cable Insertion Section]
As shown in FIG. 17, ceiling portions 16a and 16b similar to those described with reference to FIG. 12 are provided, and a space between the ceiling portions 16a and 16b is defined as a closing plate insertion groove 23. The insertion groove 22 is provided on the bottom surface 14 side, not between the ceiling portions 16a and 16b. The gap formed between the ceiling portions 16a and between the ceiling portions 16b is used as a cable insertion portion (insertion gap 18), and the insertion gap 18 is closed by inserting the closing plate 7 into the closing plate insertion groove 23, It is configured to be opened when the closing plate 7 is removed.
[0033]
In this case, since the closing plate 7 is a member that closes the insertion gap 18, the cable can be reliably prevented from falling off. In addition, it is possible to adopt an operation procedure in which the closing plate 7 is inserted into the closing plate insertion groove 23 after passing the cable through each unit duct 10, and the insertion of the cable becomes extremely easy.
[0034]
[Fixing means]
Providing the cable duct with a fixing means makes it easy to attach the cable duct to the installation location. Next, a specific example of the fixing means will be described.
[Example 1 of fixing means]
FIG. 18 shows an example in which a round hole 31 and a long hole 32 serving as fixing means are provided in both the unit duct 10 and the elastic plate 3 located at both ends of the cable duct 1. The configuration of the unit duct 10 and the elastic plate 3 is the same as that of the embodiment except for the round hole 31 and the long hole 32.
[0035]
Using one set of a round hole 31 and a long hole 32, one end of the cable duct 1 is fixed to, for example, an installation place with screws or bolts penetrating therethrough, and the other end of the cable duct 1 is used by using the other set. Can be attached to a movable mechanism such as a robot arm. Since one of the holes is the elongated hole 32, adjustment with a screw hole or the like on the mounting partner side is possible.
[Second fixing example 2]
As shown in FIG. 19, a double-sided tape 33 is attached to the bottom surface 14 of the unit duct 10 which is the end of the cable duct 1, and this can be used as fixing means. The use of the double-sided tape 33 simplifies the mounting operation as compared with the case of using screws or the like.
[Example 3 of fixing means]
As shown in FIG. 20, a snap pin 34 is provided on the bottom surface 14 of the unit duct 10 which is an end of the cable duct 1, and this can be used as fixing means. When the snap pins 34 are used, the mounting operation is simplified as compared with the case where screws or the like are used, and the mounting force is stronger than that of the double-sided tape.
[Example 4 of fixing means]
As shown in FIG. 21, a round hole 36 is provided in a mounting piece 35 extending laterally from the bottom surface 14 of the unit duct 10 which is an end of the cable duct 1, and this can be used as fixing means. The method of using the round hole 36 is the same as in [Fixing means example 1]. Note that one of the round holes 36 may be an elongated hole.
[Example 5 of fixing means]
As shown in FIG. 22, a double-sided tape 33 is attached to an appropriate range of the end portion of the elastic plate 3 (in this example, one portion of each of the restricting portion 6 and the insertion portion 5), and this can be used as fixing means. . The use of the double-sided tape 33 simplifies the mounting operation as compared with the case of using screws or the like.
[Example 6 of fixing means]
When the double-sided tape 33 is attached to an appropriate range of the end of the elastic plate 3, a clamp 37 with the double-sided tape 33 may be used as shown in FIG. In this example, since the clamp 37 is attached using the constriction of the insertion portion 5, there is no possibility that the clamp 37 will fall off the elastic plate 3.
[0036]
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the examples and the like, the present invention is not limited to such examples, and it goes without saying that various embodiments can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cable duct according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the cable duct of the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state where a cable is inserted through the cable duct of the embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a transverse sectional view of the state of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of bending of the cable duct of the embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged sectional view of FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of a modification of the insertion section.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory view of a first modification of the insertion groove.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a second modification of the insertion groove.
FIG. 11 is an explanatory view of a third modification of the insertion groove.
FIG. 12 is an explanatory view of a fourth modification of the insertion groove.
FIG. 13 is an explanatory view of Modification Example 5 of the insertion groove.
FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of a first modification of the cable insertion unit.
FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of a second modification of the cable insertion unit.
FIG. 16 is an explanatory view of a third modification of the cable insertion unit.
FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of a fourth modification of the cable insertion unit.
FIG. 18 is an explanatory view of a fixing means example 1.
FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram of a fixing means example 2.
FIG. 20 is an explanatory view of a fixing means example 3.
FIG. 21 is an explanatory view of a fixing means example 4.
FIG. 22 is an explanatory view of a fixing means example 5;
FIG. 23 is an explanatory view of a fixing means example 6.
[Explanation of symbols]
Reference Signs List 1 Cable duct 3 Elastic plate 4 Recess 5 Insertion section 6 Restriction section 10 Unit duct 12 Side section 14 Bottom section 16 Ceiling section 18 Insertion gap (cable insertion section)
20 Projection 22 Insertion groove

Claims (5)

In a cable duct formed by connecting a plurality of unit ducts whose insides are hollow and both ends are open to allow a cable to pass through along the cable insertion direction,
The unit duct provided with a pair of insertion grooves arranged so that both ends of the cable in the insertion direction are also open and the bottoms of the cables face each other.
An insertion portion having a thickness that can be inserted into the insertion groove, a width that allows both edges to be inserted into each of the pair of insertion grooves at the same time, and a width that is longer than the length of the unit duct and wider than the insertion portion. And an elastic plate in which the regulating portions are alternately arranged,
A cable duct, wherein a plurality of unit ducts are connected via the elastic plate by inserting both edges of one insertion portion into the insertion groove of each unit duct. The cable duct according to claim 1,
The said unit duct is provided with the cable insertion part for inserting the said cable inside the said unit duct, The cable duct characterized by the above-mentioned. The cable duct according to claim 1 or 2,
The cable duct, wherein the elastic plate has a structure in which a part of a band having a width of the restricting portion is cut out to form the insertion portion. The cable duct according to claim 3,
The cable duct, wherein the notch processing is performed only on one side of the band material. The cable duct according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A cable duct comprising fixing means for fixing a part of the cable duct to a place where the cable duct is installed.

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