JP2021071134A - Control cable device - Google Patents

Abstract

To enable a further predetermined operation in an operation part after the operation part is operated at a predetermined operation amount needed to operate an inner cable and inhibit twisting of an outer casing.SOLUTION: A control cable device 1 includes a first inner cable 211, a first outer casing 212, a second inner cable 221, a second outer casing 222, and a cable connection mechanism 3. The cable connection mechanism 3 includes: a first connection part 4 with which the first outer casing 212 is connected; a second connection part 5 with which the second outer casing 222 is connected; a joint member 6; and a biasing member 7. The cable connection mechanism 3 is provided with an engagement part E which engages with the first connection part 4 and the second connection part 5 and inhibits relative rotation between the first connection part 4 and the second connection part 5.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a control cable device.

The control cable device that transmits the operating force of a predetermined operating unit to the operated unit is attached to an attachment target such as a vehicle by a predetermined wiring route. In such a control cable device, for example, as shown in Patent Document 1, a control cable on the operation unit side and a control cable on the operated unit side are connected to each other by a relay mechanism, whereby a predetermined routing route is provided. May be arranged in. The device shown in Patent Document 1 has a relay casing and a relay piston slidable in the relay casing, and the inner cable on the operating portion side and the inner cable on the operated portion side are connected by the relay piston. ing. In this device, when the operation unit is operated, the inner cable on the operation unit side is pulled by a predetermined amount according to the operation amount of the operation unit, and the inner cable on the operated unit side is pulled through the relay piston. , The operated portion is operated by a predetermined amount.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 8-277830

However, in the case of a structure like the control cable device of Patent Document 1, when the inner cable on the operation unit side is pulled by the operation unit by a predetermined amount required for a predetermined operation of the operated unit, the operation unit operates. The above movement is restricted. In the case of such a structure, it is difficult for the user to judge whether or not the operation is surely completed by the operation feeling of the operation unit. Further, when the inner cable on the operation unit side is pulled by the operation unit by a predetermined amount required for the predetermined operation of the operated unit and then a force is further applied to the operation unit, a load is applied to the operation unit, the relay piston, and the like. It will take.

Further, the relay casing of the relay mechanism includes a casing on the operation portion side and a casing on the operated portion side. The casing on the operation unit side and the casing on the operated unit side are assembled to each other when they are attached to an attachment target such as a vehicle body. When such two casings are assembled to each other or after being assembled, when the casing on the operated portion side to which the plurality of (two) outer casings are connected rotates relative to the casing on the operating portion side, the casing is covered. A plurality of outer casings of the casing on the operation unit side may be twisted around the shaft. In this case, due to the change in the wiring path due to the twist of the outer casing, the wiring path of the inner cable inserted into the outer casing also changes, and the slidability of the inner cable may deteriorate.

Therefore, according to the present invention, after operating the operation unit with a predetermined required operation amount of the inner cable, the operation unit can further perform a predetermined operation, which has a good operation feeling and is a component such as an operation unit and a joint member. It is an object of the present invention to provide a control cable device capable of suppressing damage to the outer casing and suppressing twisting of the outer casing.

The control cable device of the present invention has a first inner cable having one end connected to an operation portion and a first outer casing through which the first inner cable is inserted and one end is attached to an operation portion side mounting portion. A second control cable having a control cable, a second inner cable whose one end is connected to the operated portion, and a second outer casing through which the second inner cable is inserted and one end of which is attached to the mounted portion on the operated portion side. A cable connecting mechanism for connecting the first control cable and the second control cable is provided, and the cable connecting mechanism includes a first connecting portion to which the other end of the first outer casing is connected, and the first connecting portion. 2 A second connecting portion to which the other end of the outer casing is connected, a joint member connecting the other end of the first inner cable and the other end of the second inner cable, and the first connecting portion and the second connection. The first connecting portion and the second connecting portion so that the distance between the urging member provided between the portions and the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion is within a predetermined distance. The urging member is provided with a regulating unit that regulates relative movement with the operating unit, and the urging member separates the first connecting portion from the second connecting portion in an initial state before the operating unit is operated, and the operating unit. In the operating state in which the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are close to each other, at least one of the first inner cable and the second inner cable has a plurality of inner cables. The cable connection mechanism engages with the first connection portion and the second connection portion to suppress the relative rotation between the first connection portion and the second connection portion. An engaging portion is provided.

According to the control cable device of the present invention, after operating the operation unit with a predetermined required operation amount of the inner cable, further predetermined operation can be performed in the operation unit to improve the operation feeling, and the operation unit, the joint member, etc. Damage to the components of the outer casing can be suppressed, and twisting of the outer casing can be suppressed.

It is an overall view of the control cable device of one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing an initial state before the operation unit is operated in the control cable device shown in FIG. 1. It is a schematic diagram which shows the operation completion state which the operation part was operated by a predetermined amount, and the operated part was operated by a predetermined amount from the state shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing an operation completion confirmation state in which the operation unit is further operated from the state shown in FIG. 3 and the first connection unit is moved with respect to the second connection unit. It is a side view of the control cable device which shows the state which the 1st connection part and the 2nd connection part were housed in the cover member. FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. It is a side view which shows the state before the 1st connection part and the 2nd connection part of the control cable apparatus shown in FIG. 1 are assembled. From the state shown in FIG. 7, it is a side view which shows the state before the 1st connection part and the 2nd connection part are assembled and locked by a lock member. From the state shown in FIG. 8, it is a side view which shows the state which the 1st connection part and the 2nd connection part were locked by the lock member. Cross-sectional view in which the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are assembled and the first connecting portion, the second connecting portion and the locking member are cut in a direction perpendicular to the axis X direction in a state before being locked by the locking member. Is. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which the 1st connection part and the 2nd connection part were locked by the lock member from the state shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a lock member is attached when the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are arranged so as to be offset in the direction around the axis X.

Hereinafter, the control cable device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments shown below are merely examples, and the control cable device of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

As shown in FIG. 1, the control cable device 1 of the present embodiment has a cable connection mechanism for connecting the first control cable 21, the second control cable 22, the first control cable 21, and the second control cable 22. It has 3 and.

The control cable device 1 transmits the operating force applied to the operation unit P1 to the operated unit P2 via the first control cable 21, the cable connection mechanism 3, and the second control cable 22. As a result, the controlled cable device 1 remotely controls the operated portion P2. The control cable device 1 is attached to an attachment target such as a vehicle by a predetermined routing route, for example.

The application to which the control cable device 1 is applied is not particularly limited. The control cable device 1 is a seat cable operating mechanism in which the operated portion P2 such as the seat lock portion for changing the tilted state of the vehicle seat is operated by operating the operating portion P1 such as the operating lever. It can be applied to the operating force transmission mechanism such as.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the first control cable 21 is inserted with the first inner cable 211 to which one end 211a is connected to the operation unit P1 and the first inner cable 211, and the one end 212a is inserted. It has a first outer casing 212 that is attached to the operation unit side attachment portion B1. The second control cable 22 has a second inner cable 221 in which one end 221a is connected to the operated portion P2 and a second inner cable 221 through which the second inner cable 221 is inserted and one end 222a is attached to the operated portion side mounting portion B2. It has an outer casing 222.

The first control cable 21 is a control cable provided on the operation unit P1 side with respect to the cable connection mechanism 3, and transmits the operation force of the operation unit P1 to the cable connection mechanism 3. The first control cable 21 is routed between the operation unit P1 and the cable connection mechanism 3 by a predetermined route.

The first inner cable 211 is an inner cable that connects the operation unit P1 and the cable connection mechanism 3. The first inner cable 211 has one end 211a and the other end 211b. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, one end 211a of the first inner cable 211 is connected to the operation unit P1, and the other end 211b is connected to a joint member 6 described later in the cable connection mechanism 3. As the first inner cable 211, a known inner cable having a cable end at one end 211a and the other end 211b can be used.

The first outer casing 212 slidably accommodates the first inner cable 211. The first outer casing 212 is routed in a predetermined wiring path curved in two dimensions or three dimensions in a mounting target (for example, a vehicle) of the control cable device 1, and the first inner cable 211 is arranged in a predetermined arrangement. Guide along the cable route.

The first outer casing 212 has one end 212a and the other end 212b. In the present embodiment, one end 212a of the first outer casing 212 is attached to the operation portion side attachment portion B1 provided on the operation portion P1 side, and the other end 212b is connected to the first connection portion 4 described later. The shape and structure of the operation unit side mounting portion B1 are not particularly limited as long as one end 212a of the first outer casing 212 can be mounted. The operation unit side mounting portion B1 is a portion to which one end 212a of the first outer casing 212 can be fixed, such as a bracket provided on a mounting target such as a vehicle or mounted on the mounting target. One end 212a of the first outer casing 212 is fixed at a predetermined position with respect to the mounting target by the mounting portion B1 on the operating portion side. The first connecting portion 4 to which the other end 212b of the first outer casing 212 is connected will be described later. As the first outer casing 212, a known outer casing can be used.

The second control cable 22 is a control cable provided on the operated portion P2 side with respect to the cable connecting mechanism 3, and transmits the operating force transmitted to the cable connecting mechanism 3 to the operated portion P2 side. The second control cable 22 is routed between the cable connecting mechanism 3 and the operated portion P2 by a predetermined routing route.

The second inner cable 221 is an inner cable that connects the cable connecting mechanism 3 and the operated portion P2. The second inner cable 221 has one end 221a and the other end 221b. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, one end 221a of the second inner cable 221 is connected to the operated portion P2, and the other end 221b is connected to a joint member 6 described later in the cable connection mechanism 3. As the second inner cable 221, a known inner cable having a cable end at one end 221a and the other end 221b can be used.

The second outer casing 222 slidably accommodates the second inner cable 221. The second outer casing 222 is routed in a predetermined wiring path curved in two dimensions or three dimensions in a mounting target (for example, a vehicle) of the control cable device 1, and the second inner cable 221 is arranged in a predetermined arrangement. Guide along the cable route.

The second outer casing 222 has one end 222a and the other end 222b. In the present embodiment, one end 222a of the second outer casing 222 is attached to the operated portion side mounting portion B2 provided on the operated portion P2 side, and the other end 222b is connected to the second connecting portion 5 described later. There is. Since the shape and structure of the mounted portion B2 on the operated portion side can be the same as that of the mounted portion B1 on the operated portion side, the description thereof will be omitted. The second connecting portion 5 to which the other end 222b of the second outer casing 222 is connected will be described later. As the second outer casing 222, a known outer casing can be used.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the control cable device 1 includes one first control cable 21 (one first inner cable 211 and one first outer casing 212) and two second controls. It has a cable 22 (two second inner cables 221 and two second outer casing 222). In the present embodiment, by operating one first inner cable 211, two second inner cables 221 are operated at the same time. The number of first control cables 21 (first inner cable 211 and first outer casing 212) and the number of second control cables 22 (second inner cable 221 and second outer casing 222) provided in the control cable device 1. Is not limited to the one shown in the drawing, and at least one of the first inner cable 211 and the second inner cable 221 may be composed of a plurality of inner cables. For example, the first inner cable 211 may be one and the second inner cable 221 may be a plurality of cables, or the first inner cable 211 may be a plurality of cables and the second inner cable 221 may be a plurality of cables. .. When the first inner cable 211 and the second inner cable 221 are both a plurality of cables, the first inner cable 211 and the second inner cable 221 may have the same number or different numbers. ..

The cable connection mechanism 3 connects the first control cable 21 and the second control cable 22. Specifically, the cable connection mechanism 3 connects the first inner cable 211 of the first control cable 21 and the second inner cable 221 of the second control cable 22. Further, the cable connection mechanism 3 connects the first outer casing 212 and the second outer casing 222.

As shown in FIG. 1, the cable connection mechanism 3 has a second connection in which the first connection portion 4 to which the other end 212b of the first outer casing 212 is connected and the other end 222b of the second outer casing 222 are connected. The portion 5 includes a joint member 6 that connects the other end 211b of the first inner cable 211 and the other end 221b of the second inner cable 221. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the cable connecting mechanism 3 includes an urging member 7 provided between the first connecting portion 4 and the second connecting portion 5, and the first connecting portion 4 and the second connecting portion. A regulation unit 8 that regulates the relative movement between the first connection unit 4 and the second connection unit 5 is provided so that the distance between the first connection unit 4 and the second connection unit 5 is within a predetermined distance. In the present embodiment, the cable connecting mechanism 3 further includes a cover member 9 that at least partially covers the first connecting portion 4 and the second connecting portion 5.

The cable connection mechanism 3 is attached to a predetermined attachment target such as a vehicle body by a known attachment means. In the present embodiment, the cable connection mechanism 3 is configured to be attached to the attachment target via the cover member 9, but for example, the attachment target is attached via a portion other than the cover member 9, such as the second connection portion 5. It may be attached to. The mounting means may be an engaging portion (not shown) provided in the cable connecting mechanism 3 that can be engaged with a bracket provided on the mounting target such as a vehicle body, or a cable connection such as a binding band or the like. It may be a mounting member provided as a member separate from the mechanism 3.

The first connecting portion 4 is a portion to which the other end 212b of the first outer casing 212 is connected. In the present embodiment, the first connection portion 4 is in the axis X direction (hereinafter, also referred to as the first direction D1) of the first inner cable 211 extending linearly in the cable connection mechanism 3 with respect to the second connection portion 5. It is configured to be able to move relative to each other. As will be described later, the first connecting portion 4 is urged by the urging member 7 in the direction away from the second connecting portion 5 in the axis X direction.

The shape and structure of the first connecting portion 4 are not particularly limited as long as the other end 212b of the first outer casing 212 can be connected and can move relative to the second connecting portion 5. In the present embodiment, the first connection portion 4 has a first case C1. In the present embodiment, the first connection portion 4 is composed of the first case C1, but the first connection portion 4 may include members other than the first case C1. In the present embodiment, the first connection portion 4 (first case C1) is connected to the first outer casing connection portion 41 to which the other end 212b of the first outer casing 212 is connected, in the axis X direction of the first inner cable 211. It has a first tubular portion 42 extending in a certain first direction D1 and a spring seat 43 to which one end 7a of the urging member 7 is connected. Specifically, in the first connecting portion 4, the other end 212b of the first outer casing 212 is fixed to one end (end portion on the operating portion P1 side) 4a side of the first connecting portion 4 in the axis X direction. 1 It has an outer casing connecting portion 41. In the first outer casing connecting portion 41, the other end 212b of the first outer casing 212 is fixed by a known fixing means such as caulking. The first tubular portion 42 is provided adjacent to the first outer casing connecting portion 41 in the axis X direction. In the present embodiment, the first tubular portion 42 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape having a cavity inside, and the second tubular portion 52 of the second connecting portion 5, which will be described later, can be moved in the cavity of the first tubular portion 42. To be housed in. In the present embodiment, the spring seat 43 is provided on the other end (end portion on the operated portion P2 side) 4b side of the first connecting portion 4 which is opposite to the first outer casing connecting portion 41 in the axis X direction. Has been done. In the present embodiment, the spring seat 43 is provided on the flange portion F1 that projects radially outward with respect to the outer circumference of the first tubular portion 42. Specifically, of the flange portion F1, the end surface of the first connecting portion 4 on the other end 4b side constitutes the spring seat 43. The portion of the flange portion F1 on the one end 4a side of the first connection portion 4 constitutes a contact portion 44 that abuts with the regulation portion 8 described later in the axis X direction. When the regulating portion 8 and the abutting portion 44 abut in the axis X direction, the first connecting portion 4 urged by the urging member 7 in the direction away from the second connecting portion 5 becomes the second connecting portion 5. On the other hand, the movement of the axis X direction so as to be separated by a predetermined distance or more is suppressed, and the movement is held at a predetermined position with respect to the second connecting portion 5.

The second connecting portion 5 is a portion to which the other end 222b of the second outer casing 222 is connected. The second connecting portion 5 is configured to be movable relative to the first connecting portion 4 in the axis X direction. In the present embodiment, the second connecting portion 5 does not move in the axis X direction, but only the first connecting portion 4 moves, so that the first connecting portion 4 and the second connecting portion 5 move relative to each other. It is configured to do. However, the cable connection mechanism 3 may be configured such that the first connection portion 4 and the second connection portion 5 move relative to each other in the axis X direction. For example, the first connection portion 4 and the second connection portion 5 may be arranged. Both may be configured to move in the axis X direction. As will be described later, the second connecting portion 5 is urged by the urging member 7 in the direction away from the first connecting portion 4 in the axis X direction.

The shape and structure of the second connecting portion 5 are not particularly limited as long as the other end 222b of the second outer casing 222 can be connected and can move relative to the first connecting portion 4. In the present embodiment, the second connection portion 5 has a second case C2. In the present embodiment, the second connecting portion 5 is composed of the second case C2, but the second connecting portion 5 may include members other than the second case C2. In the present embodiment, the second connecting portion 5 (second case C2) is a second outer casing connecting portion 51 to which the other end 222b of the second outer casing 222 is connected, and a second tubular portion extending in the first direction D1. It has a 52 and a spring seat 53 to which one end 7a of the urging member 7 is connected. Specifically, in the second connecting portion 5, the other end 222b of the second outer casing 222 is fixed to one end (the end on the operated portion P2 side) 5a side of the second connecting portion 5 in the axis X direction. It has a second outer casing connecting portion 51. In the second outer casing connecting portion 51, the other end 222b of the second outer casing 222 is fixed by a known fixing means such as caulking. In the present embodiment, the other ends 222b of the two second outer casing 222s are fixed to the second outer casing connecting portion 51. In the present embodiment, the second case C2 includes a tubular body C21 including a second tubular body 52 and a spring seat 53, and a second outer casing connecting portion 51 attached to the end of the tubular body C21. It includes a cap member C22 including the cap member C22. The tubular body C21 and the cap member C22 are connected to each other in the axis X direction to form the second case C2.

The second tubular portion 52 is provided adjacent to the second outer casing connecting portion 51 in the axis X direction. In the present embodiment, the second tubular portion 52 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape having a cavity inside. In the present embodiment, the joint member 6 moves in the axis X direction in the cavity of the second tubular portion 52. In the present embodiment, the second cylinder portion 52 of the second case C2 is nested with respect to the first cylinder portion 42 of the first case C1, but the first cylinder portion 42 and the second cylinder portion It is sufficient that one of the 52 cylinders is nested into the other cylinder. In this way, when one of the first cylinder portion 42 and the second cylinder portion 52 is inserted into the other cylinder portion in a nested manner, one cylinder portion is guided to the other cylinder portion. , The relative movement between the first cylinder portion 42 and the second cylinder portion 52 is stable. As a modification, the first cylinder portion 42 may be configured to move in the cavity inside the second cylinder portion 52.

In the present embodiment, the second tubular portion 52 is formed in a size that allows the joint member 6 to move in the internal cavity. Specifically, the second tubular portion 52 is configured such that the joint member 6 is slid and guided along the inner peripheral surface of the second tubular portion 52. The length of the second tubular portion 52 in the axis X direction is set to a length corresponding to a predetermined movement amount of the joint member 6 to be moved by the operation of the first inner cable 211, or a length longer than the predetermined movement amount. ing. As a modification, when the first cylinder portion 42 moves through the cavity inside the second cylinder portion 52, the joint member 6 slides along the inner peripheral surface of the first cylinder portion 42 in the first cylinder portion 42. It is configured to move and be guided. In this case, the length of the first tubular portion 42 in the axis X direction is set to a length corresponding to a predetermined movement amount of the joint member 6 or a length longer than the predetermined movement amount.

The spring seat 53 is provided at a position separated from the spring seat 43 of the first connecting portion 4 by a predetermined distance in the axis X direction. In the present embodiment, the spring seat 53 is provided in the vicinity of the end portion of the second tubular portion 52 on the side of the second outer casing connecting portion 51. In the present embodiment, the spring seat 53 is provided on the flange portion F2 that protrudes radially outward with respect to the outer circumference of the second tubular portion 52. Specifically, of the flange portion F2, the end surface facing the spring seat 43 of the first connecting portion 4 in the axis X direction is the spring seat 53. For example, when the urging member 7 is provided inside the second cylinder portion 52, the spring seat 53 of the second cylinder portion 52 does not interfere with the movement of the joint member 6 in the axis X direction. It may be provided on the inner surface.

The joint member 6 is configured so that the other end 211b of the first inner cable 211 and the other end 221b of the second inner cable 221 are connected so that the operating force of the first inner cable 211 can be transmitted to the second inner cable 221. ing. The joint member 6 is provided so as to be movable between the first connecting portion 4 and the second connecting portion 5 by moving the first inner cable 211. Specifically, when the first inner cable 211 is operated and the first inner cable 211 moves in the axis X direction, the joint member 6 is operated by the first inner cable 211 to be operated by the first inner cable 211 and the first connection portion 4 and the first. It is configured to move in the axis X direction in the moving space formed by the two connecting portions 5. In the present embodiment, the moving space in which the joint member 6 moves is formed by the first tubular portion 42 and / or the second tubular portion 52. When the operation unit P1 is operated, the joint member 6 is pulled through the first inner cable 211 according to the operation amount of the operation unit P1 and moves in the moving space in the axis X direction. The movement of the joint member 6 in the axis X direction pulls the second inner cable 221, and the second inner cable 221 operates the operated portion P2. In the present embodiment, when the joint member 6 moves by a predetermined amount of movement and the operated portion P2 is operated by a predetermined required amount of operation, the joint member 6 stops at a predetermined position in the axis X direction.

As described above, the joint member 6 is configured to move through the cavity inside the tubular portion provided inside the first tubular portion 42 and the second tubular portion 52. In the present embodiment, the joint member 6 is configured so that the cavity inside the second tubular portion 52 slides on the inner peripheral surface of the second tubular portion 52. The shape and structure of the joint member 6 are not particularly limited. In the present embodiment, the joint member 6 has a curved outer peripheral surface of the first tubular portion 42 and the second tubular portion 52 along the inner circumference of the tubular portion on which the joint member 6 slides. For example, the joint member 6 can be formed in a substantially columnar shape having a cable connecting portion to which the first inner cable 211 and the second inner cable 221 are connected.

The regulation unit 8 regulates the relative movement between the first connection unit 4 and the second connection unit 5 so that the distance between the first connection unit 4 and the second connection unit 5 is within a predetermined distance. To do. In the present embodiment, the "distance between the first connecting portion 4 and the second connecting portion 5" is a predetermined portion of the first connecting portion 4 (for example, a spring seat 43) and a predetermined portion of the second connecting portion 5. Is the distance in the axis X direction from the portion of (for example, the spring seat 53). In the regulating unit 8, the distance between the first connecting portion 4 urged by the urging member 7 in the direction away from the second connecting portion 5 and the second connecting portion 5 in the axis X direction is within a predetermined distance. The relative movement between the first connecting portion 4 and the second connecting portion 5 is regulated so as to be (not to be larger than a predetermined distance).

In the present embodiment, the regulation unit 8 regulates the movement of the first connection unit 4 in the direction away from the second connection unit 5 by engaging with the first connection unit 4 in the axis X direction. There is. More specifically, the regulating portion 8 is of the first connecting portion 4 which is urged by the urging member 7 by engaging with the flange portion F1 (contact portion 44) of the first connecting portion 4 in the axis X direction. The urging member 7 is held in a state of maintaining a predetermined urging force between the spring seat 43 and the spring seat 53 of the second connecting portion 5. If the shape and structure of the regulating portion 8 can be engaged with the first connecting portion 4 in the axis X direction and the first connecting portion 4 can be restricted from moving in a direction away from the second connecting portion 5. There is no particular limitation. In this embodiment, the regulation unit 8 is provided on the lock member LC, which will be described later. The lock member LC will be described later.

The cover member 9 covers at least a part of the first connecting part 4 and at least a part of the second connecting part 5 from the outer peripheral side. The cover member 9 contains the first connecting portion 4 and the second connecting portion 5 so that the first connecting portion 4 and the second connecting portion 5 can move relative to each other. The shape and structure of the cover member 9 are not particularly limited. As shown in FIG. 5, the cover member 9 can be, for example, a substantially tubular member composed of a pair of hinge-connected half-split members. In the present embodiment, the cover member 9 covers the outer periphery of the urging member 7 so that the expansion / contraction operation of the urging member 7 is not hindered.

In the present embodiment, the cover member 9 includes a cover portion 91 that covers the outer periphery of the urging member 7, and a lock member LC attached to the first connection portion 4 and the second connection portion 5, as shown in FIG. It has a lock member accommodating portion 92 for accommodating the above. Further, the cover member 9 has a second cover portion 93 that covers the first cylinder portion 42 of the first connection portion 4 on the opposite side of the lock member accommodating portion 92 from the cover portion 91.

In the present embodiment, the cover portion 91 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape (specifically, a substantially cylindrical shape) and covers the outer periphery of the second tubular portion 52 and the urging member 7. The cover portion 91 prevents the urging member 7 from being exposed to the outside and hindering the expansion and contraction operation of the urging member 7. The cover portion 91 has an inner diameter large enough to cover the urging member 7, and also has an inner diameter that allows the first connecting portion 4 to move in the axis X direction. Specifically, in the cover portion 91, the flange portion F1 having the maximum diameter of the first connecting portion 4 (if the second connecting portion 5 is movable in the axis X direction, the flange portion F2) is in the axis X direction. It has an inner diameter that allows it to slide.

In the present embodiment, the lock member accommodating portion 92 accommodates the lock member LC so as to engage with the lock member LC in the axis X direction, as shown in FIG. The lock member accommodating portion 92 engages with the lock member LC in the axis X direction to suppress the movement of the first connecting portion 4 and the second connecting portion 5 with respect to the cover member 9 in the axis X direction. In the present embodiment, the lock member accommodating portion 92 is configured to be in contact with the lock member LC on both sides in the axial X direction. Specifically, the lock member accommodating portion 92 has a larger inner diameter than the tubular cover portion 91 and the second cover portion 93, and has a stepped portion that is a surface perpendicular to the axis X direction. Both end faces of the lock member LC are engaged with the stepped portion of the lock member accommodating portion 92 in the axis X direction, and the relative movement between the lock member LC and the cover member 9 is restricted.

The cover member 9 may be configured to engage the first connecting portion 4 and the second connecting portion 5 in the direction around the axis X. In this case, the first connection portion 4 and the second connection portion 5 are restricted from rotating relative to the cover member 9. The engagement structure between the cover member 9 and the first connecting portion 4 and the second connecting portion 5 is not particularly limited. For example, between the outer periphery of the first cylinder portion 42 and the second cover portion 93, between the flange portion F1 or the flange portion F2 and the inner surface of the cover portion 91, and between the lock member LC and the lock member accommodating portion 92. By providing an engaging structure such as a predetermined engaging protrusion, it is possible to restrict the first connecting portion 4 and the second connecting portion 5 from rotating relative to the cover member 9.

As shown in FIG. 1, the urging member 7 is provided between the first connecting portion 4 and the second connecting portion 5, and urges the first connecting portion 4 in a direction away from the second connecting portion 5. .. In the present embodiment, the urging member 7 is provided so as to be expandable and contractible in the axis X direction, one end 7a in the axis X direction is connected to the first connecting portion 4, and the other end 7b is connected to the second connecting portion 5. Has been done. More specifically, one end 7a of the urging member 7 is connected to the spring seat 43 of the first connecting portion 4, and the other end 7b of the urging member 7 is connected to the spring seat 53 of the second connecting portion 5. ing.

In the present embodiment, the urging member 7 has an urging force that separates the first connecting portion 4 from the second connecting portion 5 in the initial state (see FIG. 2) before the operating portion P1 is operated. .. More specifically, the urging member 7 is connected to the first connecting portion 4 and the second connecting portion 5 before the operated portion P2 moves a movable amount due to the movement of the first inner cable 211. It has an urging force that causes the joint member 6 to move while the contraction of the distance between the joint members is suppressed. As a result, in order to operate the operated portion P2 by a predetermined amount, while the joint member 6 moves via the operating portion P1 and the first inner cable 211, the first connecting portion 4 and the second connecting portion 5 are connected to each other. The contraction of the urging member 7 is suppressed so that the distance between them is shortened. As described above, the "distance between the first connecting portion 4 and the second connecting portion 5" refers to the predetermined portion of the first connecting portion 4 (for example, the spring seat 43) and the second connecting portion 5. It is the distance in the axis X direction to a predetermined portion (for example, the spring seat 53). Further, the "movable amount of movement" of the operated unit P2 means that the operated unit P2 moves when the operation required for the operated unit P2 (or the operation target connected to the operated unit P2) is performed. The amount of movement to be performed. The movable amount of movement of the operated portion P2 corresponds to the moving amount of the joint member 6, and when the joint member 6 moves by a predetermined amount, the operated portion P2 is operated by the movable amount of movement and is operated. After the operation unit P2 is operated with a movable amount of movement, the joint member 6 is restrained from further movement (stops at a predetermined position).

When the urging member 7 has the above-mentioned urging force, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the urging member 7 does not contract while the joint member 6 moves in the axis X direction, and the first urging member 7 does not contract. The distance between the connecting portion 4 and the second connecting portion 5 is maintained at a predetermined distance. In this case, the position of the other end 212b of the first outer casing 212 connected to the first connecting portion 4 does not change substantially. Therefore, the positions of one end 212a and the other end 212b of the first outer casing 212 fixed to the operation portion side mounting portion B1 do not change substantially. Therefore, when the joint member 6 moves to operate the operated portion P2, the positions of both ends of the first outer casing 212 and the wiring path of the first outer casing 212 do not substantially change, and the first inner casing 212 does not change. The operating force of the cable 211 is efficiently transmitted to the joint member 6.

Further, the urging member 7 has an urging force that allows the first connecting portion 4 and the second connecting portion 5 to be close to each other in the operating state (see FIG. 4) in which the operating unit P1 is operated. The "operation state in which the operation unit P1 is operated" is, for example, a state in which the operation unit P1 is further operated in the operation completion state in which the predetermined operation of the operated unit P2 is completed, as shown in FIG. Can be. More specifically, when the urging member 7 moves a movable amount that allows the operated portion P2 to move due to the movement of the first inner cable 211, and then a load is further applied to the first inner cable 211, It has an urging force that reduces the distance between the first connecting portion 4 and the second connecting portion 5. After the operated unit P2 moves with a movable amount (for example, after the operated unit P2 moves to a state where it cannot be further operated), the operation unit P1 is further operated, so that the first inner cable 211 is loaded. Is applied, further tension is applied to the first inner cable 211 between the operation unit P1 and the joint member 6 whose movement is suppressed and whose position is substantially unchanged. When tension is applied to the first inner cable 211, the first inner cable 211 tends to become linear in the wiring path. When the first inner cable 211 tries to be straight, as shown in FIG. 4, the curved and arranged first outer casing 212 also tries to be straight. Since one end 212a of the first outer casing 212 is fixed to the operation portion side mounting portion B1 and the position does not change, when the first outer casing 212 tries to be linear, the other end 212b of the first outer casing 212 is set to the initial position. On the other hand, it tries to move to the second connecting portion 5 side (right side in FIG. 4). As a result, the movable first connecting portion 4 to which the other end 212b of the first outer casing 212 is connected contracts the urging member 7 in the axis X direction, and the axis X with respect to the second connecting portion 5. Move in the direction.

As a result, from the operation completed state in which the operation of the operated portion P2 is completed and the joint member 6 is hardly moved, the urging member 7 is further contracted to move the first connecting portion 4, and the operating portion is moved. It becomes possible to operate P1. Therefore, the user can further operate the operation unit P1 from the operation completed state of the operated unit P2, and the operation feeling of the operation unit P1 when the urging member 7 is contracted to move the first connection unit 4 , The user can easily grasp that the operation is completed. In the present embodiment, the urging member 7 is contracted in the axis X direction while the movement of the joint member 6 is suppressed, but as will be described later, the joint member 6 is moving in the axis X direction. , The urging member 7 may be configured to contract in the axis X direction. Further, even if a force is further applied to the operation unit P1 in the operation completed state of the operated unit P2, the force is consumed to contract the urging member 7, so that the operation unit P1, the joint member 6, etc. The load on the components is reduced. Therefore, damage to components such as the operation unit P1 and the joint member 6 can be suppressed.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when the operated portion P2 is operated, the operating force of the first inner cable 211 is transmitted while keeping the positions of the first outer casing 212 and the first connecting portion 4 as they are. In addition to improving efficiency, after the operation of the operated portion P2 is completed, the urging member 7 is contracted to change the position of the first connecting portion 4, and the completion of the operation can be easily grasped by the operation feeling. ..

2 to 4 show an example in which the first connecting portion 4 moves in the axis X direction with respect to the second connecting portion 5, but after the operated portion P2 moves by a movable amount of movement, Further, when a load is applied to the first inner cable 211, the second connecting portion 5 may be configured to move in the axis X direction with respect to the first connecting portion 4, or the first connecting portion 4 may be configured. And both of the second connecting portion 5 may be configured to move in the axis X direction. For example, after the operated portion P2 moves by a movable amount, the operating portion P1 is further operated, so that a load is applied to the second inner cable 221 via the first inner cable 211 and the joint member 6. To. In this case, additional tension is applied to the second inner cable 221. When further tension is applied to the second inner cable 221, the second inner cable 221 tries to become linear in the wiring path, and the curved second outer casing 222 also tries to become linear. Since one end 222a of the second outer casing 222 is fixed to the mounted portion B2 on the side to be operated and the position does not change, when the second outer casing 222 tries to be linear, the other end 222b of the second outer casing 222 is in the initial position. On the other hand, it tries to move to the first connecting portion 4 side. As a result, when the second connecting portion 5 is configured to be movable, the second connecting portion 5 to which the other end 222b of the second outer casing 222 is connected contracts the urging member 7 in the axis X direction. , Moves in the axis X direction so as to approach the first connecting portion 4. As a result, it is possible to operate the operating unit P1 while further contracting the urging member 7 and moving the second connecting unit 5 from the operation completed state in which the operation of the operated unit P2 is completed. In this case, when the operation unit P1 is operated from the operation completed state, the first inner cable 211 is pulled when the second inner cable 221 becomes linear, and the joint member 6 moves toward the operation unit P1 side. Move in the X direction of the axis.

In the present embodiment, the urging member 7 is a coil spring as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, but the urging member 7 is not particularly limited as long as it has the above-mentioned urging force, and the coil spring. It may be an urging member other than. Further, in the present embodiment, the urging member 7 is one coil spring (hereinafter, also referred to as a coil spring 7), and a moving space for the joint member 6 is provided inside the coil spring 7. In this case, since the space provided inside the coil spring 7 in the radial direction becomes the moving space of the joint member 6, the cable connecting mechanism 3 can be made compact in the radial direction.

Further, in the present embodiment, at least one of the first case C1 and the second case C2 is housed inside the coil spring 7. In this case, the cable connection mechanism 3 can be made compact in the radial direction, and the coil spring 7 can be guided by the first case C1 or the second case C2 to stably expand and contract the coil spring 7. In the present embodiment, a tubular portion (second tubular portion 52 in the present embodiment) is provided between the inner surface of the coil spring 7 and the joint member 6 in the radial direction of the coil spring 7. In this case, the joint member 6 and the coil spring 7 do not interfere with each other, and the joint member 6 can be smoothly moved in the axis X direction. In the present embodiment, the second cylinder portion 52 functions as a spring guide for the coil spring 7, and the coil spring 7 can be easily assembled.

The number and arrangement of the urging members 7 are not limited to those shown in the figure. For example, a plurality of urging members 7 may be provided in the axis X direction or the axis X peripheral direction.

As shown in FIG. 6, the cable connecting mechanism 3 engages with the first connecting portion 4 and the second connecting portion 5, and relatively rotates between the first connecting portion 4 and the second connecting portion 5. The engaging portion E is provided to suppress the above. The engaging portion E engages with each of the first connecting portion 4 and the second connecting portion 5 in the axial direction around the axis X, and engages with each of the first connecting portion 4 and the second connecting portion 5 in the axial direction around the axis X. Suppress relative rotation. In the present embodiment, the engaging portion E engages with each of the first connecting portion 4 and the second connecting portion 5 in both one direction and the other direction in the direction around the axis X. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the engaging portion E abuts on the first connecting portion 4 and the second connecting portion 5 in the direction around the axis X, and the first connecting portion 4 and the second connecting portion 4 and the second connecting portion 5 are brought into contact with each other. The first engaging portion E1 that suppresses one rotation in the direction around the axis X and the first connecting portion 4 and the second connecting portion 5 in the direction around the axis X are brought into contact with each other to form the first connecting portion 4 and the second. The two connecting portions 5 have a second engaging portion E2 that suppresses the rotation of the other in the direction around the axis X. In the present embodiment, the first engaging portion E1 is an engaging portion provided on the first arm LC1 of the lock member LC described later, and the second engaging portion E2 is the first engaging portion E2 of the lock member LC described later. It is an engaging portion provided on the two-arm LC2.

Since the cable connecting mechanism 3 is provided with the engaging portion E, the engaging portion E engages with both the first connecting portion 4 and the second connecting portion 5, and the first connecting portion 4 and the second connecting portion 4 are connected to each other. Relative rotation with the part 5 is suppressed. As a result, for example, the plurality of second outer casings 222 connected to the second connecting portion 5 are formed by rotating the second connecting portion 5 relative to the first connecting portion 4 (see the arrow R in FIG. 5). Twisting around the axis X is suppressed. This point will be described in more detail below. For example, since there are a plurality (two) of the second outer casing 222 connected to the second connecting portion 5, each of the second outer casing 222 does not extend on the extension line of the shaft X, and is shown in FIG. As a result, it extends radially outward from the axis X. Therefore, when the second connecting portion 5 rotates relative to the first connecting portion 4 in the direction of the arrow R, the second outer casing 222 is twisted with respect to the state before the relative rotation. When the second outer casing 222 is twisted, the wiring path of the second outer casing 222 changes, and the wiring path of the second inner cable 221 sliding inside the second outer casing 222 changes from the state before being twisted. Therefore, the second inner cable 221 is routed in a route different from the design route, which increases the sliding resistance and makes the slidability between one and the other of the two second inner cables 221. It may be different and it may not be possible to slide efficiently. In the present embodiment, by providing the engaging portion E, the relative rotation between the first connecting portion 4 and the second connecting portion 5 is suppressed, and such a twist of the second outer casing 222 is prevented. It can be suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the slidability of the second inner cable 221 due to the twisting of the second outer casing 222. In the present embodiment, two second outer casings 222 are provided to suppress twisting of the second outer casing 222, but when a plurality of first outer casings 212 are provided, the first outer casing 212 is provided. Twisting of the outer casing 212 is suppressed, and the same effect can be obtained.

At the position where the engaging portion E is provided, the engaging portion E engages with the first connecting portion 4 and the second connecting portion 5, and causes a relative rotation between the first connecting portion 4 and the second connecting portion 5. As long as it can be suppressed, it is not particularly limited. In the present embodiment, the engaging portion E is provided on the lock member LC described later together with the regulating portion 8, but may be provided as a separate member at a position different from the regulating portion 8. Further, in the present embodiment, the engaging portion E is engaged with each of the first connecting portion 4 and the second connecting portion 5 at the same position in the axis X direction, but at different positions in the axis X direction. May engage with each of the first connecting portion 4 and the second connecting portion 5.

In this embodiment, the cable connection mechanism 3 includes a lock member LC having an engaging portion E, as shown in FIG. The lock member LC is attached to the first connecting portion 4 and the second connecting portion 5. The lock member LC is attached to the first connection portion 4 and the second connection portion 5, so that the engagement portion E of the lock member LC causes the relative rotation between the first connection portion 4 and the second connection portion 5. Suppress. The mounting direction of the lock member LC to the first connection portion 4 and the second connection portion 5 is not particularly limited, but in the present embodiment, the lock member LC has a second position substantially perpendicular to the first direction D1 (axis X direction). It is attached along the direction D2 (the radial direction of the first cylinder portion 42) (see FIGS. 8 and 9).

In the present embodiment, the lock member LC has a regulating portion 8 in addition to the engaging portion E (see FIG. 5). In this case, one lock member LC can suppress both the relative rotation in the direction around the axis X and the relative movement in the axis X direction between the first connecting portion 4 and the second connecting portion 5. Therefore, it is not necessary to suppress the relative rotation in the axis X direction and the relative movement in the axis X direction by separate members, the number of parts of the control cable device 1 can be reduced, and the control cable device 1 can be made compact. it can.

In the present embodiment, as described above, the first connecting portion 4 has the first tubular portion 42, the second connecting portion 5 has the second tubular portion 52, and the first tubular portion 42 and the second tubular portion 52. One of the cylinders 52 is nested in the other. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, when the lock member LC is attached to the first connecting portion 4 and the second connecting portion 5, one of the tubular portions (in the present embodiment, the locking member LC) is arranged radially inside. The second tubular portion 52) can be engaged with the other tubular portion (in the present embodiment, the first tubular portion 42) arranged on the outer side in the radial direction. In this case, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the locking member LC is engaged by the operation of attaching the locking member LC at the overlapping portion where one tubular portion is nested into the other tubular portion. The part E engages with the first connecting part 4 and the second connecting part 5 at a time. Therefore, the relative rotation between the first connecting portion 4 and the second connecting portion 5 can be suppressed by a simple operation.

In the present embodiment, of the first cylinder portion 42 and the second cylinder portion 52, the other cylinder portion (the first cylinder portion 42 in the present embodiment) arranged radially outside is shown in FIGS. 7 and 10. In the region where the first cylinder portion 42 and the second cylinder portion 52 overlap in the radial direction, the first cylinder portion 42 and the second cylinder portion 52 have a pair of openings OP1 and OP2 penetrating from the outside to the inside of the other cylinder portion. As a result, the engaging portion E of the lock member LC passes through the pair of openings OP1 and OP2 and engages with one tubular portion (second tubular portion 52 in the present embodiment) arranged inward in the radial direction. be able to.

Further, in the present embodiment, the other tubular portion (first tubular portion 42) arranged on the outer side in the radial direction is a pair of openings OP1 and OP2, respectively, as shown in FIGS. 6, 10 and 11. The opening edge has a first contact portion A1 that engages with the first engagement portion E1 and a second contact portion A2 that engages with the second engagement portion E2. Further, one of the tubular portions (second tubular portion 52) arranged inside in the radial direction engages with the third contact portion A3 that engages with the first engaging portion E1 and the second engaging portion E2. It has a fourth contact portion A4.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 10, one tubular portion (second tubular portion 52) arranged on the inner side in the radial direction has the other tubular portion (first tubular portion 42) arranged on the outer side in the radial direction. ), The pair of notches N1 and N2 are provided at positions corresponding to the pair of openings OP1 and OP2. The engaging portion E of the lock member LC engages with the notches N1 and N2. In the present embodiment, the notches N1 and N2 are openings that penetrate from the outside to the inside of the cylinder, but the notches N1 and N2 are not the openings that penetrate, but are recesses formed on the outer surface of the cylinder. You may.

In the present embodiment, one of the openings OP1 and OP2 and the notches N1 and N2 (in the present embodiment, the notches N1 and N2) is the first lock member LC as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. It has a first length L4 corresponding to the width of the direction D1 and extends in the first direction D1. Then, the lock member LC is fitted into the notches N1 and N2, and the engaging portion E of the lock member LC engages with the notches N1 and N2 in the direction around the axis X, and the lock member LC is the first. It engages with the notches N1 and N2 on both sides of the direction D1 (axis X direction). As a result, the lock member LC is fitted into the tubular portion (second tubular portion 52) arranged inside in the radial direction, and is in the axis X direction between the lock member LC and the tubular portion (second tubular portion 52). Regulate relative movement in.

Further, the other of the openings OP1 and OP2 and the notches N1 and N2 (in this embodiment, the openings OP1 and OP2) is a second length longer than the first length L4, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. It has a length L5 and extends in the first direction D1. In the lock member LC, the engaging portion E of the lock member LC engages with the opening edges of the openings OP1 and OP2 (opening edges extending along the first direction D1) in the direction around the axis X, while the first direction D1 ( In the axis X direction), the end face side of the lock member LC provided with the restricting portion 8 engages with the opening edges of the openings OP1 and OP2 (opening edges extending along the second direction D2), but the other of the lock member LC. The end face side is not engaged with other members. Therefore, with the lock member LC attached to the first cylinder portion 42 and the second cylinder portion 52, the first cylinder portion 42 is relative to the second cylinder portion 52 in one of the first directions D1. You can move.

In the present embodiment, the openings OP1 and OP2 and the notches N1 and N2 are formed in a substantially rectangular shape on the side surface of the tubular portion when viewed in the second direction D2, but the openings OP1 and OP2 and the notches are formed. The shapes of parts N1 and N2 are not particularly limited.

In the present embodiment, the first cylinder portion 42 and the second cylinder portion 52 are shafts in a state before the lock member LC is attached to the first connection portion 4 and the second connection portion 5 (see FIGS. 8 and 10). It is configured so that it can rotate relative to the X circumference direction. In this case, when assembling the control cable device 1, when assembling the first cylinder portion 42 and the second cylinder portion 52 in the axis X direction, the first cylinder portion 42 and the second cylinder portion 52 are around the axis X. It is not necessary to insert it after accurately aligning it in the direction, which facilitates assembly. In particular, in the present embodiment, the outer circumference of the tubular portion (in the present embodiment, the second tubular portion 52) arranged inside in the radial direction has a substantially circular cross section perpendicular to the axis X direction, and is arranged outside in the radial direction. The inner surface of the tubular portion (in the present embodiment, the first tubular portion 42) has a substantially circular cross section perpendicular to the axis X direction. In this case, there is no unevenness on the surfaces of the first cylinder portion 42 and the second cylinder portion 52 facing each other in the radial direction, and the positional relationship between the first cylinder portion 42 and the second cylinder portion 52 in the direction around the axis X. In any case, the first cylinder portion 42 and the second cylinder portion 52 can be easily assembled.

The shape of the lock member LC can be attached to the first connection portion 4 and the second connection portion 5, and is relative to the first connection portion 4 and the second connection portion 5 by the engagement portion E of the lock member LC. As long as the rotation can be suppressed, there is no particular limitation. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6, 10 and 11, the lock member LC is parallel to the first arm LC1 extending in the second direction D2 substantially perpendicular to the first direction D1 and the first arm LC1. It has a second arm LC2 extending in the second direction D2, and a connecting portion LC3 connecting the first arm LC1 and the second arm LC2. More specifically, the lock member LC is composed of a thin plate-shaped member in the axis X direction having a substantially C-shaped cross section perpendicular to the axis X direction. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 11, the lock member LC uses the first arm LC1 and the second arm LC2 to connect the first cylinder portion 42 and the second cylinder portion 52 to the first direction D1. It is sandwiched by a third direction D3 that is substantially perpendicular to the second direction D2.

The first arm LC1 has a first engaging portion E1. In the present embodiment, the first arm LC1 has a first engaging portion E1 on a surface facing the second arm LC2 in the third direction D3. The surface of the first arm LC1 facing the second arm LC2 is formed as a flat surface from the base end side to the tip end side of the first arm LC1 on the connecting portion LC3 side. In the present embodiment, the lock member LC is attached so that the first contact portion A1 of the first cylinder portion 42 and the third contact portion A3 of the second cylinder portion 52 are in surface contact with the first engagement portion E1. When they are formed, they are formed so as to line up on the same surface (see FIG. 10). In the present embodiment, the first contact portion A1 includes a base end side contact portion that contacts the base end side of the first arm LC1 and a tip end side contact portion that contacts the tip end side of the first arm LC1. The third contact portion A3 has a proximal end side contact portion that contacts the proximal end side of the first arm LC1 and a distal end side contact portion that contacts the distal end side of the first arm LC1. ing.

In the third direction D3 of the first arm LC1, the side opposite to the surface provided with the first engaging portion E1 is convex in the third direction D3 as shown in FIGS. 6, 10 and 11. It has a curved convex part. This convex portion is curved along the outer circumference of the first tubular portion 42 when the lock member LC is attached to the first connecting portion 4 and the second connecting portion 5.

The second arm LC2 has a second engaging portion E2. In the present embodiment, the second arm LC2 has a second engaging portion E2 on a surface facing the first arm LC1 in the third direction D3. The surface of the second arm LC2 facing the first arm LC1 is formed as a flat surface from the base end side to the tip end side of the second arm LC2 on the connecting portion LC3 side. In the present embodiment, the lock member LC is attached so that the second contact portion A2 of the first cylinder portion 42 and the fourth contact portion A4 of the second cylinder portion 52 are in surface contact with the second engaging portion E2. When they are formed, they are formed so as to line up on the same surface (see FIGS. 10 and 11). In the present embodiment, the second contact portion A2 includes a base end side contact portion that contacts the base end side of the second arm LC2 and a tip end side contact portion that contacts the tip end side of the second arm LC2. The fourth contact portion A4 has a proximal end side contact portion that contacts the proximal end side of the second arm LC2 and a distal end side contact portion that contacts the distal end side of the second arm LC2. ing. Like the first arm LC1, the second arm LC2 also has a convex portion curved along the outer circumference of the first tubular portion 42.

Each of the first arm LC1 and the second arm LC2 is in the third direction D3 so as to approach each other from the tip side of the first arm LC1 and the second arm LC2 as shown in FIGS. 6, 10 and 11. It has an extending engaging claw CL. The distance between the pair of engaging claws CL in the third direction D3 is the distance in the third direction D3 between the first contact portion A1 and the second contact portion A2 and the distance between the third contact portion A3 and the third contact portion A2. 4 It is shorter than the distance of the third direction D3 from the contact portion A4. The engaging claw CL is formed on the outer surface of the other tubular portion (in the present embodiment, the first tubular portion 42) located on the outer side in the radial direction of the first tubular portion 42 and the second tubular portion 52 and in the second direction D2. Engagement prevents the lock member LC from being disengaged from the first cylinder portion 42 and the second cylinder portion 52.

Further, in the present embodiment, the first arm LC1 and the second arm LC2 are used in the third direction D3 when the lock member LC is attached to the first cylinder portion 42 and the second cylinder portion 52 in the second direction D2. It has elasticity that allows it to bend in the direction away from each other and in the direction approaching each other. In this case, for example, when the first arm LC1 and the second arm LC2 have the engaging claw CL, when the lock member LC is pushed in, the first arm LC1 and the second arm LC2 flex in a direction away from each other. Therefore, the lock member LC can be easily attached to the first cylinder portion 42 and the second cylinder portion 52. Further, as shown in FIG. 12, for example, the second tubular portion 52 on the inner side in the radial direction and the first tubular portion 42 on the outer side in the radial direction are positioned in the direction around the axis X when the lock member LC is attached. Even when the first arm LC1 and the second arm LC2 are bent in the direction away from each other, the lock member LC can be attached. Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 12, the second tubular portion 52 on the inner side in the radial direction, which is displaced in the direction around the axis X, is bent in the direction away from each other in the first arm LC1 and the second arm LC2. The restoring force of the first arm LC1 and the second arm LC2 receives the force indicated by the arrows AR1 and AR2. As a result, the second cylinder portion 52, which is displaced from the first cylinder portion 42 in the direction around the axis X, is moved to the normal position as shown in FIG. 11 by the first arm LC1 and the second arm LC2. The position is corrected by rotating with, and the normal engagement state is obtained. The position of the tubular portion may be corrected semi-automatically by the elasticity of the first arm LC1 and the second arm LC2 at the time of attaching the lock member LC, or the operator may correct the position of the tubular portion after attaching the lock member LC. This may be done by lightly vibrating the portion, rotating the tubular portion slightly, or the like.

Next, an example of the procedure for assembling the control cable device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 11. The following procedure is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to the following description. The procedure does not necessarily have to be as follows, and the order may be changed.

For example, before assembling the control cable device 1 in the vehicle, as shown in FIG. 7, a first control cable 21 provided on the operation unit P1 side and a second control cable provided on the operated unit P2 side are provided. 22 is arranged in a separated state.

From the state shown in FIG. 7, the coil spring 7 is attached to the outside of the second cylinder portion 52 of the second connecting portion 5, and the other end 211b of the first inner cable 211 and the other end 221b of the second inner cable 221. Is engaged with the joint member 6. The joint member 6 is housed inside the second tubular portion 52.

Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the first connecting portion 4 and the second connecting portion 5 are moved so as to approach the axis X direction, and the second tubular portion 52 is inserted into the first tubular portion 42. .. In that state, the second tubular portion 52 is further moved with respect to the first tubular portion 42 in the axis X direction, and the coil spring 7 is contracted by a predetermined amount. Since both the first cylinder portion 42 and the second cylinder portion 52 are substantially cylindrical, when the second cylinder portion 52 is inserted into the first cylinder portion 42, the first cylinder portion 42 of the second cylinder portion 52 is inserted. The first cylinder portion 42 and the second cylinder portion 52 can be quickly assembled regardless of the position in the direction around the axis X with respect to the axis X.

The second cylinder portion 52 is inserted into the first cylinder portion 42, and as shown in FIG. 8, passes through the openings OP1 and OP2 of the first cylinder portion 42 to the notches N1 and N2 of the second cylinder portion 52. When the lock member LC can be attached, the lock member LC is moved in the second direction D2, and the lock member LC is attached to the first connection portion 4 and the second connection portion 5.

When the lock member LC is moved in the second direction D2 from the state shown in FIG. 10 to the state shown in FIG. 11, the first arm LC1 and the second arm LC2 of the lock member LC are elastically deformed in a direction away from each other. While moving in the second direction D2 by a predetermined amount. As a result, as shown in FIG. 11, the first cylinder portion 42 and the second cylinder portion 52 are sandwiched in the third direction D3 by the first arm LC1 and the second arm LC2. At this time, the first arm LC1 and the second arm LC2 are fitted into the notches N1 and N2, and the lock member LC is restricted from moving in the axis X direction with respect to the second cylinder portion 52.

As shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 8, when the force in the direction of pushing the first cylinder portion 42 and the second cylinder portion 52 into each other in the axis X direction is released with the lock member LC attached, the coil spring 7 Due to the urging force, the first connecting portion 4 receives a force in the direction away from the second connecting portion 5 in the axis X direction (to the left in FIG. 8). As a result, from the state shown in FIG. 8, the lock member LC and the flange portion F1 (or the opening OP1 of the first cylinder portion 42 and the opening edge extending in the second direction D2 of the OP2) come into contact with the first connecting portion 4. Until it touches, it moves in the direction away from the second connecting portion 5 in the axis X direction and stops in the state shown in FIG. In this state, the first connection portion 4 and the second connection portion 5 are housed in the cover member 9 in a state where the first connection portion 4 and the second connection portion 5 are integrated (see FIGS. 5 and 6). .. When accommodating the first connection portion 4 and the second connection portion 5 in the cover member 9, it is not necessary to contract the coil spring 7, and the first connection portion 4 and the second connection portion 5 in a state of being assembled to each other are brought into contact with each other. It is only necessary to move the cover member 9 in a direction perpendicular to the axis X direction, and the attachment to the cover member 9 is very easy.

After that, the cover member 9 in which the first connecting portion 4 and the second connecting portion 5 are housed is moved to a predetermined position of the vehicle to be attached and fixed, so that the control cable device 1 can be attached to the vehicle. Complete.

Next, the control cable device of the present embodiment will be described in more detail by taking the operation mechanism of the vehicle seat as an example. The present invention is not limited by the following description.

The control cable device 1 is attached to the vehicle body to be attached by a predetermined wiring route. The first outer casing 212 is curvedly arranged from the operation portion P1 for operating the seat to the first connection portion 4 as roughly shown in FIG. The state shown in FIG. 2 is a state before the operation unit P1 is operated. The first connection portion 4 is urged to the operation portion P1 side (left side in FIG. 2) by the coil spring 7, the contact portion 44 of the first connection portion 4 abuts on the regulation portion 8, and the first connection portion 4 is a shaft. It is held in a predetermined position in the X direction.

When the operation unit P1 is operated from the state shown in FIG. 2, as shown in FIG. 3, the first inner cable 211 is pulled, and the joint member 6 is moved by the first inner cable 211 to the second cylinder portion 52. In the inner moving space, it moves in the axis X direction toward the operation unit P1 side. At this time, due to the predetermined urging force of the coil spring 7, the coil spring 7 does not contract, the first connection portion 4 does not substantially move from the initial position, and the first connection portion 4 and the second connection portion 5 are separated from each other. The joint member 6 moves in the axis X direction without changing the position in the axis X direction.

When the joint member 6 moves from the position of FIG. 2 to the position of FIG. 3, the joint member 6 pulls the second inner cable 221 in the axis X direction. When the second inner cable 221 is pulled, the operated portion P2 is operated by one end 221a of the second inner cable 221. As a result, the lock mechanism of the vehicle seat (not shown) is unlocked, and the tilted state of the seat can be changed.

In the present embodiment, the operated portion P2 is movable by the second inner cable 221 from the position shown in FIG. 2 to the operation completed state shown in FIG. 3 (FIG. 3). (See) is operated, and when the movement amount L1 is operated, further pulling operation is restricted, and the joint member 6 stops at a predetermined position. At this time, the first inner cable 221 is operated with an operation amount L2 (see FIG. 3) corresponding to the movement amount L1. In the present embodiment, the operation unit P1 is configured to be further operable in this operation completed state, and the first inner cable 211 can be further pulled by further operation of the operation unit P1.

Specifically, when the first inner cable 211 is further pulled by the operation of the operation unit P1 in the operation completed state, as shown in FIG. 4, the position of the joint member 6 is operated without substantially changing. The first outer casing 212, which is curved and arranged from the portion-side mounting portion B1 to the first connection portion 4, is arranged so that the arrangement path approaches the shortest distance by the first inner cable 211 which is going to be straight. Trying to be straight. When the first outer casing 212 tries to be linear, the other end 212b of the first outer casing 212 tends to move to the second connecting portion 5 side (right side in FIG. 4) with respect to the initial position. As a result, the first connecting portion 4 receives a force from the first outer casing 212 and contracts the coil spring 7 in the axis X direction as shown in FIG. 4, while the axis X with respect to the second connecting portion 5. Move in the direction.

As a result, the position of the joint member 6 remains the same, the coil spring 7 is contracted, the first connecting portion 4 moves, and the operating portion P1 is operated with a further preliminary operation amount L3 (see FIG. 4). The user can easily grasp the completion of the operation by the operation feeling when the preliminary operation amount L3 of the operation unit P1 is used. In the process of operating the operation unit P1, first, the resistance when operating the joint member 6 and the second inner cable 221 by the first inner cable 211 is felt as an operation feeling, and then the joint member is once in the operation completed state. A different feeling of resistance is felt when 6 is stopped, and then another feeling of resistance is felt when the coil spring 7 is contracted after the operation is completed. Therefore, the user can easily grasp the completion of the operation by the operation feeling. Further, when the coil spring 7 is contracted, the feeling of resistance gradually increases according to the preliminary operation amount L3 of the operation unit P1, so that it becomes easier to grasp the completion of the operation.

1 Control cable device 21 First control cable 211 First inner cable 211a One end of the first inner cable 211b The other end of the first inner cable 212 First outer casing 212a One end of the first outer casing 212b The other end of the first outer casing 22 2nd control cable 221 2nd inner cable 221a One end of the 2nd inner cable 221b The other end of the 2nd inner cable 222 2nd outer casing 222a One end of the 2nd outer casing 222b The other end of the 2nd outer casing 3 Cable connection mechanism 4th 1 Connection part 4a One end of the first connection part 4b The other end of the first connection part 41 First outer casing connection part 42 First cylinder part 43 Spring seat 44 Contact part 5 Second connection part 5a One end of the second connection part 51 2nd outer casing connection part 52 2nd cylinder part 53 Spring seat 6 Joint member 7 Biasing member (coil spring)
7a One end of the urging member 7b The other end of the urging member 8 Regulatory part 9 Cover member 91 Cover part 92 Lock member accommodating part 93 Second cover part A1 First contact part A2 Second contact part A3 Third contact part A4 4th contact part B1 Operation part side mounting part B2 Operated part side mounting part C1 1st case C2 2nd case C21 Cylindrical body C22 Cap member CL engaging claw D1 1st direction D2 2nd direction D3 3rd direction E Engagement part E1 1st engagement part E2 2nd engagement part F1 Flange part F2 Flange part L1 Movable movement amount of operated part L2 Operation amount of 1st inner cable L3 Preliminary operation amount of 1st inner cable LC Lock member LC1 1st arm LC2 2nd arm LC3 Connecting part N1, N2 Notch OP1, OP2 Opening P1 Operating part P2 Operated part X 1st inner cable shaft

Claims (4)

A first inner cable having one end connected to the operation unit, and a first control cable having a first outer casing through which the first inner cable is inserted and one end of which is attached to the operation unit side mounting portion.
A second inner cable having one end connected to the operated portion, and a second control cable having a second outer casing through which the second inner cable is inserted and one end of which is attached to the attached portion on the operated portion side.
A cable connection mechanism for connecting the first control cable and the second control cable is provided.
The cable connection mechanism is
With the first connecting portion to which the other end of the first outer casing is connected,
With the second connecting portion to which the other end of the second outer casing is connected,
A joint member connecting the other end of the first inner cable and the other end of the second inner cable,
An urging member provided between the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion,
A regulating unit that regulates the relative movement between the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion is provided so that the distance between the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion is within a predetermined distance.
The urging member
In the initial state before the operation unit is operated, the first connection unit is separated from the second connection unit, and in the operation state in which the operation unit is operated, the first connection unit and the second connection unit are operated. Has an urging force that can be approached
At least one of the first inner cable and the second inner cable is composed of a plurality of inner cables.
The cable connecting mechanism includes an engaging portion that engages with the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion to suppress relative rotation between the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion. Provided,
Control cable device. The engaging portion is
The first inner cable comes into contact with the first connection portion and the second connection portion in the axial direction, and suppresses the rotation of one of the first connection portion and the second connection portion in the axial direction. The first engaging part and
The first connection portion and the second connection portion are in contact with each other in the axial direction of the first inner cable, and the rotation of the first connection portion and the second connection portion is suppressed in the axial direction. The control cable device according to claim 1, further comprising a second engaging portion. The cable connecting mechanism includes a locking member having the engaging portion.
The lock member is attached to the first connection portion and the second connection portion, and is attached to the first connection portion.
The first connecting portion has a first tubular portion extending in a first direction which is an axial direction of the first inner cable.
The second connecting portion has a second tubular portion extending in the first direction.
One of the first cylinder and the second cylinder is nested into the other cylinder.
When the lock member is attached to the first connection portion and the second connection portion, the lock member includes the one cylinder portion arranged inside in the radial direction and the other cylinder portion arranged in the outside in the radial direction. Can be engaged with
Claim 1 in which the first cylinder portion and the second cylinder portion can rotate relative to each other in the axial direction in a state before the lock member is attached to the first connection portion and the second connection portion. Or the control cable device according to 2. The lock member is
A first arm extending in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction,
A second arm extending in the second direction in parallel with the first arm,
It has a connecting portion that connects the first arm and the second arm.
The lock member sandwiches the first cylinder portion and the second cylinder portion by the first arm and the second arm in a third direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction.
When the lock member is attached to the first cylinder portion and the second cylinder portion in the second direction, the first arm and the second arm are oriented toward each other and closer to each other in the third direction. The control cable device according to claim 3, which has elasticity capable of bending.

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