JP2013198224A - Assembly of cable and cable support device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a compact assembly of a cable and a cable support device capable of restraining dust.SOLUTION: An assembly of a cable and a cable support device comprises: at least one cable intended to be wired in a U-shape; and a pair of cable support devices that extend along the cable to support the cable and that can be curved into a U-shape. The pair of cable support devices is arranged in parallel, and the cable is arranged between the pair of cable support devices arranged in parallel. The pair of cable support devices and the cable are fixed to each other at two fixing parts sandwiching a U-shaped curve section therebetween. The cable and the pair of cable support devices have lengths between the two fixing parts so that there is a gap capable of preventing friction due to a change of a position of a mobile body between the cable and each cable support device and also between cables when plural cables are laminated, at the U-shaped curve section.

Description

  The present invention relates to an assembly of a cable that can be bent and moved and a cable support device.

  For example, in a machining line, a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus, and an electronic component mounting apparatus, a robot traveling apparatus for gripping and transferring a workpiece such as a workpiece, a wafer, or a substrate is incorporated. In a robot traveling apparatus, a robot that handles a workpiece is mounted on a traveling carriage that is a moving body that reciprocates on a track.

  An electric cable, an optical cable, a hydraulic or pneumatic power supply tube or the like (hereinafter referred to as “cable”) is connected to the traveling carriage of such a robot traveling apparatus. Since the traveling carriage constantly reciprocates and its position changes, it is necessary to move the cable with the traveling carriage without difficulty by following the change in position. For this reason, the cable is made to follow the change in the position of the traveling carriage by bending and supporting a cable of a certain length in a U shape and changing the length of the opposite sides of the U shape. An articulated cable protection guide device is known.

  The cable protection guide device of Patent Document 1 is composed of a series of link frame bodies connected in a chain shape by pin coupling. A space is formed inside the link frame, and the cable passes through the space.

JP 2009-264480 A

  In the cable protection guide device of Patent Document 1, the cable is protected and supported by the link frame, and is guided. However, the cable is rubbed between the cable and the link frame in a U-shaped curved portion that repeatedly moves back and forth. There is a risk that the dust generation caused by. Further, in order to avoid the occurrence of the rubbing in the curved portion, it is conceivable to increase the radial dimension of the curved portion of the link frame, but naturally, the height in the non-curved portion also increases, so Such a plan has not been adopted due to various restrictions.

  This invention is made | formed in view of the above subjects, The objective is to provide the assembly of the compact cable and cable support apparatus which can suppress dust generation.

  In order to solve the above problem, the first aspect of the present invention is intended to be wired in a U-shape so as to follow a change in the position of the moving body connected to the moving body that reciprocates linearly. A cable comprising at least one cable and a pair of cable support devices that extend along the cable to support the cable and can be bent in a U-shape so as to follow a change in the position of the moving body; An assembly with a cable support device, wherein the pair of cable support devices are arranged in parallel, and at least one cable is arranged between the pair of cable support devices arranged in parallel. The supporting device and the cable are fixed to each other at two fixing portions sandwiching the U-shaped curved portion, and when the cable and the pair of cable supporting devices are formed in a U-shape, the U-shaped curved portion , Cable and each cable support device, and in the case where a plurality of cables are stacked, at least one cable is formed so as to create a gap that can prevent rubbing due to a change in position. The cable and the pair of cable support devices provide a cable and cable support device assembly having respective lengths between the two fixing portions.

  According to this, by generating the gap described above in the curved portion, dust generation caused by rubbing between the cable and the cable support device and rubbing between the cables can be suppressed, while extending linearly. It is possible to obtain an assembly of a cable and a cable support device in which the portion is formed compact without a gap.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, the radial direction of the curved portion is the thickness direction, the direction in which the cable extends is the longitudinal direction, and the direction perpendicular to the two directions of the thickness direction and the longitudinal direction is the width direction. Then, the cable may be sandwiched between the thickness direction and the width direction by a pair of cable support devices.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, the cable support device includes at least one multi-joint type cable support member and a covering member formed of a flexible material that accommodates the cable support member. The member may include a series of piece members articulated together.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, the cable support device includes two cable support members extending in parallel, and the covering member accommodates the cable support members and is spaced apart in the width direction and extends in two in parallel. You may have a tube part and the connection part extended between two tube parts.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, the two cable support members may be arranged so that the longitudinal position of the piece member is shifted between the two cable support members.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, the covering member may include a tensile member extending in the longitudinal direction in order to increase the elongation rigidity of the covering member.

  A second aspect of the present invention provides at least one cable that is connected to a moving body that reciprocates linearly and is intended to be wired in a U-shape so as to follow a change in the position of the moving body. Providing a pair of cable support devices that extend along the cable to support the cable and can be bent in a U-shape so as to follow a change in the position of the moving body; and a pair of cable supports Arranging the devices in parallel, arranging the cable between two cable support devices arranged in parallel, fixing the pair of cable support devices and the cables to each other by a first fixing portion; And the pair of cable support devices are fixed to each other by a second fixing portion at a position where the U-shaped curved portion is sandwiched between the first fixing portions, and the cable and the pair of cable support devices are formed in a U shape. When In a U-shaped curved portion, a gap that can prevent rubbing due to a change in position between the cable and each cable support device and between the cables when a plurality of cables are stacked. And fixing the cable and the pair of cable support devices to each other with the second fixing portions at respective lengths from the first fixing portion. I will provide a.

  According to this method, by generating the above-described gap in the curved portion, dust generation caused by friction between the cable and the cable support device and friction between the cables can be suppressed, while being linear. It is possible to obtain an assembly of a cable and a cable support device in which the extending portion is compactly formed without a gap.

It is a disassembled perspective view of the assembly of the cable and cable support apparatus by 1st Embodiment. It is a cross-sectional view of the part extended linearly of the said assembly by 1st Embodiment. It is a front view which shows the one end side of the cable support member of the cable support apparatus of the said assembly. It is a front view which shows the said cable support member bent by U shape. It is the front view (a) and side view (b) of the piece member of the said cable support member. It is a typical front view which shows the state bent by the U-shape of the said assembly by 1st Embodiment. It is a cross-sectional view of the linearly extending portion of the assembly according to the first embodiment in which cables are laminated in four layers. It is a typical front view which shows the state bent by the U-shape of the said assembly by 1st Embodiment which laminates | stacks a cable in two layers. It is a cross-sectional view of the coating | coated member of the cable support apparatus in the example of a change of the said assembly of 1st Embodiment. It is a cross-sectional view of the linearly extending portion of the cable and cable support device assembly according to the second embodiment. It is a mimetic diagram explaining the state where the assembly of the cable and cable support device by an embodiment of the present invention was arranged horizontally. It is a mimetic diagram explaining the state where the assembly of the cable and cable support device by an embodiment of the present invention was arranged perpendicularly. It is a mimetic diagram explaining the state where the assembly of the cable and cable support device by an embodiment of the present invention was arranged perpendicularly. It is a mimetic diagram explaining the state where the assembly of the cable and cable support device by the embodiment of the present invention carried out bending or rotation.

Hereinafter, the assembly 1 of the cable and the cable support device according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the cable support device 3 and the cable 2 of the assembly 1 according to the first embodiment in a state of being bent in a U shape or a J shape. Cable 2 is not yet combined. In this embodiment, the assembly 1 includes five cables 2 arranged in a line in the width direction shown in FIG. 1B, and the upper and lower sides of the figure as shown in FIG. And a pair of cable support devices 3 extending in the longitudinal direction of the cable 2 to be supported, and two fixing means 4 for fixing the cable support device 3 and the cable 2 to each other at both ends. . Further, as shown in FIG. 1C, the cable 2 is supported by a cable after being inserted into a flexible cable insertion bag 5 made of synthetic resin in which a plurality of (in this case, five) tubes are connected in parallel. It may be combined with the device 3.

  The cable 2 is intended to be wired in the above-described U shape so as to be connected to a moving body (not shown) that reciprocally moves linearly and to follow a change in the position of the moving body. It is.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the linearly extending portion of the assembly 1, but the cable 2 is disposed between the pair of cable support devices 3 that are stacked. More specifically, the cable 2 is sandwiched in the thickness direction, that is, in the vertical direction of the drawing by a web portion 35b of a covering member 35 described later of the cable support device 3, and further a support member 31 described later of the cable support device 3 is inserted. It is also sandwiched by the tube portion 35a of the covering member 35 in the width direction, that is, the left-right direction in the figure.

  Each of the pair of cable support devices 3 includes two multi-joint type cable support members 31 that can be bent in a U shape at an arbitrary position so as to follow a change in the position of the movable body, and the two And a flexible synthetic resin covering member 35 that accommodates the cable support member 31.

  As shown in FIG. 3 showing a part of one end of the cable support member 31 and FIG. 4 showing a U-shaped curved state, a series of piece members 32 jointed to each other, and these piece members 32. In order to maintain the articulation, a compression coil spring 33 that applies a compression force to the piece member 32 is provided.

  As shown in the front view of FIG. 5 (a) and the side view of FIG. 5 (b), the piece member 32 has a first joint surface 32a curved in a substantially inverted S shape on the left end surface and the first joint. A second joint surface 32b curved in a substantially inverted S-shape that fits into the surface 32a is provided on the right end surface, and a longitudinal through hole 32c through which the spring 33 is inserted is also provided. Also, the piece member 32, when combined with the spring 33, can easily rotate in the direction of Bb in FIG. 3, but exhibits a large resistance to rotation in the opposite direction of Ba. Is shaped. This property is obtained by appropriately setting the shapes of the first joint surface 32 a and the second joint surface 32 b and the positional relationship between them and the central axis of the spring 33.

  The spring 33 has sleeve members 34 that are crimped and fixed to both ends thereof in order to apply a compressive force to the piece member 32. When the sleeve member 34 is crimped and fixed to the spring 33, the spring 33 is passed through the aligned multiple piece members 32 and extended to apply a compressive force thereto.

  Since the piece member 32 can be rotated by an angle with respect to the adjacent piece member 32, the support member 31 can be curved in a U shape with a radius R as shown in FIG. It is also possible to move the position of the bending portion to an arbitrary position by changing the length of the opposite sides of the character.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the covering member 35 includes two parallel tube portions 35a that are spaced apart in the width direction and extend perpendicular to the paper surface of the drawing, and a connection portion or a web portion that extends between the two tube portions 35a. 35b. A cable support member 31 is inserted into the tube portion 35a, the two tube portions 35a are connected by the web portion 35b, and the cable 2 disposed between the two support devices 3 is covered. Such a covering member 35 is manufactured, for example, by joining two sheets using EPTFE as a base material, leaving the space of the tube portion 35a, or by melt extrusion molding using polyvinyl chloride as a material. Can do.

  The fixing means 4 includes a rectangular flat base member 41, a hat-shaped pressing member 42, four screws, and a pad 43 attached to each inner surface of the base member 41 and the pressing member 42. doing. The inner dimension of the pressing member 42 in the height direction and the thickness of the pad 43 are determined by tightening the screws with the two cable support devices 3 and the cable 2 stacked between the base member 41 and the pressing member 42 therebetween. Are dimensioned to be fixed to each other. In addition, when the outer diameter or thickness of the cable 2 increases, the pad 43 may be unnecessary.

  The cable 2 and the pair of cable support devices 3 are fixed by fixing means 4 at two fixing portions, and these two fixing portions are set at positions where an assumed U-shaped curved portion is sandwiched therebetween. In addition, the assembly 1 of the present embodiment has the cable 2 and each cable support device 3 that have sufficient radial gaps between the cable 2 and each cable support device 3 in the U-shaped curved portion. The length between the two fixed parts is set respectively. As schematically shown in FIG. 6, the sufficient gap means that the position of the U-shaped curved portion moves in accordance with the change in the position of the moving body described above. This means a sufficient gap that does not rub against the cable support device 3.

  In the assembly 1 of the present embodiment, the gap in the curved portion is more specifically represented by the maximum distance C of the space between the web portion 35b of the covering member 35 of each cable support device 3 and the cable 2. In addition, the length between each of the inner and outer cable support devices 3 and the two fixing portions of the cable 2 is determined so that the value is about 25 mm.

  According to the assembly 1 of the present embodiment, in the U-shaped curved portion, a sufficient gap that does not cause rubbing is generated, while in a portion that extends linearly on the opposite side of the U-shape, Since the gap is unnecessary, the gap is made compact in the thickness direction as shown in FIG.

  Next, a case where the cables 2 are stacked in the assembly 1 of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the assembly 1 of this example, five cables 2 are stacked in four layers in the width direction. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the linearly extending portion of the assembly 1. As shown in this figure, the cable 2 is a web of covering members 35 of a pair of cable support devices 3 stacked one above the other. The portion 35b and the tube portion 35a through which the support member 31 is inserted are surrounded and protected. That is, the cable 2 is sandwiched in the thickness direction by the web portion 35b of the covering member 35 of the cable support device 3, and is also sandwiched in the width direction by the tube portion 35a of the covering member 35 into which the support member 31 is inserted. In addition, it can be seen that the dimension in the thickness direction of the assembly 1 is a compact dimension in which the thickness of the laminated cable 2 is added to the thickness of the two web portions 35b.

  On the other hand, FIG. 8 is a schematic front view when the cable 2 is laminated in two layers in the assembly 1 of the first embodiment. In this case, not only between the inner cable 2 and the inner cable support device 3 and between the outer cable 2 and the outer support device 3 but also between the stacked cables in the curved portion. Each length between the two fixing portions is determined so that a sufficient gap represented by the distance C is generated.

  Next, a modified example of the cable / cable support device assembly 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. 9 which is a cross-sectional view of the covering member 35 of the cable support device 3. . In the assembly 1 of this embodiment, the covering member 35 of the cable support device 3 includes two tube portions 35a and a web portion 35b extending between the two tube portions 35a, as in the first embodiment. have. However, the covering member 35 of this modified example includes three tensile members 36 that extend along with the web portion 35b and are hatched in the drawing, in the web portion 35b. The tensile member 36 is provided to increase the elongation rigidity of the covering member 35, and is thus formed of a synthetic resin material or a metal material having a longitudinal elastic modulus larger than that of the material of the covering member 35.

  By the way, the cable support device 3 normally has one end stationary and the other end connected to the moving body and reciprocating linearly with the moving body with a predetermined stroke. Although the generation position is configured to move as the end moves, the bending in the width direction tends to increase or the straightness tends to decrease as the stroke becomes longer. On the other hand, it has been confirmed by the inventors of the present invention that the straightness is improved by increasing the elongation rigidity of the covering member 35 as in this modified example.

  Next, an assembly 100 of a cable and a cable support device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. 10 which is a cross-sectional view of the linearly extending portion. The assembly 100 according to the second embodiment includes a cable 2 stacked in two layers of five in the width direction, and a parallel arrangement in the vertical direction across the cable 2, and both in the longitudinal direction of the cable 2 to be supported. A pair of extending cable support devices 103 and two fixing means (not shown) for fixing the cable support device 103 and the cable 2 to each other at both ends are provided. Further, the covering member 135 of this embodiment does not have a web portion and has a shape in which two right and left tube portions 135a are joined.

  In the first embodiment, the cable 2 is sandwiched not only in the thickness direction but also in the width direction by the pair of cable support devices 3. In the second embodiment, the cable 2 is thick by the pair of cable support devices 103. It differs from the case of the first embodiment in that it is sandwiched only in the vertical direction. In the second embodiment, the width of the cable support device 103 is narrower than that of the first embodiment, and the tube portion 135a in which the support member 31 is inserted is not in contact with the cable 2 but protects it. doing.

  Although not shown, also in the second embodiment, in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment, in the curved portion, between the inner cable 2 and the inner cable support device 103 and between the outer cable 2 and the outer support device 103. Each length between the two fixing portions is determined so that a sufficient gap represented by the distance C is generated between the stacked cables 2 as well as between the two cables.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the assembly 1 of the cable and the cable support device in each of the above-described embodiments is U-shaped horizontally when the A end and the B end of the both end portions move horizontally and in parallel. The cable support device can pinch the cable and restrict the drooping and swelling of the cable.

  As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the assembly 1 of the cable and the cable support device is U-shaped (FIG. 12) or inverted U when the A end and the B end move relative to each other vertically and in parallel. It can be arranged in the shape of a letter (FIG. 13) and can follow its movement, and can also regulate the drooping and swelling of the cable.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the assembly 1 of the cable and the cable support device can be applied, for example, when the A end bends or rotates with respect to the fixed B end. Also in this case, the cable support device prevents the cable from sagging and bulging, and the rotational movement of the A end can be smoothed.

  Further, the assembly of the cable and the cable support device can also be applied to the case where the A end and the B end perform a motion that combines the motions shown in FIGS.

Other Embodiments Although the cable support members 31 of the cable support devices 3 and 103 are composed of a series of piece members 32 and a spring 33 that presses them, the two support members 31 included in the cable support devices 3 and 103 are used. In the present invention, an embodiment in which the position of the piece member 32 is shifted by, for example, about a half pitch in the direction of the vertical axis is also possible in the present invention. By doing so, the timing at which the bending portion changes to the straight portion or vice versa is shifted between the two left and right support members 31, so that the effect of reducing vibration and noise generated from the support member 31 is obtained. .

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the two cable support members 31 of the cable support device are both arranged on the left side when the first joint surface 32a of the piece member 32 is viewed in FIG. 3 and the second joint surface 32b on the right side. However, one of the two support members 31 of the cable support device has the second joint surface 32b on the left side and the first joint surface 32a on the left side. Embodiments incorporated in the cable support devices 3,103 so as to be arranged on the right side are also possible in the present invention. By doing so, the straightness of the cable support device is reduced due to the decrease in the straightness of the support member 31 that may be caused by the accumulation of the slight shape errors of the piece members 32 in one direction. This has the effect of being offset and avoided.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, one cable support device 3,103 includes two cable support members 31, but the number of cable support members included in the cable support device is limited to two. Alternatively, embodiments where it is 1 or an integer greater than or equal to 3 are possible.

  The support member 31 in the above-described embodiment has the compression coil spring 33, and the compression force is applied to the joint surfaces of the series of piece members 32 by the spring 33, so that the cable supportability and flexibility of the support member 31 are increased. Although the multi-joint type is compatible, the cable support member only needs to be able to support the cable so that the cable smoothly draws a U-shape. For example, the cable support member has a chain shape in which link members are connected by pins. Other multi-joint types such as a type or a type in which a series of piece members are coupled to a single strip-shaped thin metal spring may be used, and embodiments other than the multi-joint type are also possible in the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Assembly of cable and cable support device 2 Cable 3 Cable support device 4 Fixing means 31 Cable support member 32 Piece member 33 Spring 35 Cover member 35a Tube portion 35b Web portion

Claims (7)

At least one cable connected to a reciprocating linearly moving mobile body and intended to be arranged in a U-shape to follow a change in position of the mobile body;
A pair of cable support devices that extend along the cable to support the cable and can be bent in a U-shape so as to follow a change in the position of the movable body, and a cable support device; An assembly of
The pair of cable support devices are arranged in parallel, and the at least one cable is arranged between the pair of cable support devices arranged in parallel,
The pair of cable support devices and the cable are fixed to each other by two fixing portions sandwiching the U-shaped curved portion therebetween,
When the cable and the pair of cable support devices are U-shaped, in the U-shaped curved portion, between the cable and each cable support device, and when a plurality of cables are stacked, the cables Between the two fixing portions, the at least one cable and the pair of cable support devices are arranged so that a gap that prevents rubbing due to the change in position is generated between the two fixing portions. An assembly of a cable and a cable support device, characterized by having a length. When the radial direction of the curved portion is the thickness direction, the direction in which the cable extends is the longitudinal direction, and the direction perpendicular to the two directions of the thickness direction and the longitudinal direction is the width direction,
The cable and cable support device assembly according to claim 1, wherein the cable is sandwiched between the pair of cable support devices in a thickness direction and a width direction. The cable support device includes at least one articulated cable support member, and a covering member formed of a flexible material that accommodates the cable support member,
3. The cable and cable support device assembly according to claim 2, wherein the cable support member includes a series of piece members articulated to each other. The cable support device includes two cable support members extending in parallel, and the covering member accommodates the cable support members, and is spaced apart in the width direction and extends in parallel with the two tube portions. The cable / cable support device assembly according to claim 3, further comprising a connection portion extending between the tube portions.   5. The cable and the cable support device according to claim 4, wherein the two cable support members are arranged such that a position in a longitudinal direction of the piece member is shifted between the two cable support members. And assembly.   The cable and the cable support device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the covering member includes a tensile member extending in a longitudinal direction in order to increase elongation rigidity of the covering member. Assembly. Providing at least one cable connected to a reciprocating linearly moving mobile body and intended to be routed in a U-shape to follow a change in position of the mobile body;
Providing a pair of cable support devices extending along the cable to support the cable and capable of bending in a U-shape to follow a change in the position of the moving body;
Arranging the pair of cable support devices in parallel and arranging the cables between the two cable support devices arranged in parallel;
Fixing the pair of cable support devices and the cable to each other by a first fixing portion;
The cable and the pair of cable support devices are fixed to each other by a second fixing portion at a position where the U-shaped curved portion is sandwiched between the first fixing portion and the cable and the pair of cable support devices When the device is U-shaped, in the U-shaped curved portion, between the cable and each cable support device, and when a plurality of cables are stacked, also between the cables, The cable and the pair of cable support devices are fixed to each other by the second fixing portion at respective lengths from the first fixing portion so that a gap that can prevent rubbing due to a change in position is generated. A method of assembling the cable and the cable support device.

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