JP3031161B2 - Cable coupling device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the routing of a cable for connecting a lever or the like on a power plant side to an operation unit such as a clutch pedal, and more particularly to a cable connection for splitting and connecting the middle of the cable. Related to the device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a cable connecting between an operating portion such as a clutch pedal and an operated portion such as a lever portion of a power plant is formed by inserting an inner wire into an outer tube. As described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2-141530, one end of the inner wire is connected to an accelerator pedal which is an operation unit, and the other end is connected to a throttle lever on the power plant side. Both ends of the outer tube covering the inner wire are respectively connected to a vehicle body as a fixing member via a bracket.

[0003] Displacement of an accelerator pedal, which is an operation section, is transmitted to a throttle lever via an inner wire. Conventionally, in order to prevent the vibration of the power plant from being transmitted to the operation unit via the cable, conventionally, anti-vibration rubber has been interposed between the inner wire or the end of the outer tube and each mounting part. An operation unit such as a clutch pedal from the power plant side via the cable,
Further, vibration transmitted to a driver operating the operation unit or a vehicle interior is also reduced.

[0004]

However, in the case of the cable as described above, when the direction of extension of the cable is changed due to the friction between the inner wire and the outer tube, the cable is prevented from being bent. In addition, it is necessary to determine a cable routing path by drawing an arc having a large radius of curvature.

When the radius of curvature is large and the total length of the cable is long, the outer tube fluctuates in the arc portion when the operating section is operated, so that the degree of freedom in cable routing is small. . Further, since the inner wire is covered with the outer tube, in order to reduce gear noise and the like transmitted through the inner wire, as described above, vibration isolation is provided to both end connecting portions connected to the lever and the like. The only option was to reduce the transmission of vibrations to the operation unit by interposing rubber.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and a cable connecting device that improves the degree of freedom of a cable routing path and reduces vibrations transmitted through a cable. It is intended to provide.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cable connecting device according to the first aspect of the present invention, in which a cable having an inner wire inserted into an outer tube is provided in the middle of the cable in the axial direction. A cable connecting device, comprising: a shaft supporting portion rotatably supported by a fixing member such as a vehicle body; and a shaft supporting portion integrally formed with the shaft supporting portion and extending from the shaft supporting portion to fix an inner wire to a distal end portion. The first wire mounting portion and the second wire mounting portion, and a space attached to the fixing member and covering at least the distal end portions of the two wire mounting portions by opening a space in which each wire mounting portion can pivot by a predetermined angle around the shaft support portion. And a cover member for connecting the ends of the two outer tubes, respectively.

In this case, as described in claim 2, the first wire mounting portion and the second wire mounting portion are formed from a single fan-shaped plate member, and the arc-shaped end surface of the plate member. It may be characterized in that an inner wire is fixed to each part. Further, as described in claim 3, a mass body may be fixed to the wire attachment portion.

Further, as described in claim 4,
The shaft support may be supported by a fixed member via a vibration-proof rubber. For example, as described in claim 5, a shaft hole opened in the shaft support portion, and a collar coaxially fitted in the shaft hole via a vibration-proof rubber, and provided through the collar And fixed to the fixing member.

Further, as described in claim 6,
The cover member and the outer tube are connected via a cylindrical vibration-proof rubber. Further, the distance from the center of rotation of the shaft support to the inner wire connection portion at the tip of each wire attachment portion may be different.

Further, as described in claim 8,
The axes of the pair of outer tubes connected to the cover member are orthogonal to each other, the center of gravity of the cover member is arranged on an extension of the axis of the outer tube on the operated section side, and the cover member is elastically supported by the fixed member. It is good to be characterized by having made it. According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the center of gravity of the member composed of the shaft support portion, the first wire attachment portion, and the second wire attachment portion is arranged on an extension of the shaft of the inner wire on the operated side. It should be a feature.

[0012]

The cable is divided at a portion where the extension direction of the cable is desired to be changed, and the divided cables are connected by the cable connecting device of the present invention. When the inner wire of one of the divided cables is displaced by a predetermined length in the axial direction, one of the wire mounting portions turns by a predetermined angle about the shaft support portion, and the other wire mounting portion is synchronized with the turning. Also rotates by the same angle, and the inner wire of the other split cable is displaced in the axial direction by a predetermined length. Thus, the same displacement transmission as before the cable division is performed, and the performance of the cable is not deteriorated.

At this time, since the turning radius of the wire mounting portion and the mutual angle between the two wire mounting portions can be selected relatively freely, the degree of freedom of the cable routing path is greatly improved. In addition, by appropriately selecting the division position of the cable, the resonance mode of vibration depending on the length of the cable can be adjusted, and the cable can be routed in a combination of straight lines.

Further, a first fixing means for fixing each of the inner wires.
The wire attachment portion and the second wire attachment portion may be separate bodies, but may be formed from a fan-shaped plate member and integrated as described in claim 2. In this case, the inner wire is fixed on the arc end face so that the inner wire rides on the arc. The contact between the inner wire and the outer wire can be reduced, and the radial fluctuation of the cable itself can be suppressed.

Further, when an appropriate mass body is attached to the wire attachment portion as described in claim 3, the mass body fixed to the wire attachment portion serves as a mass damper to reduce vibration input to the inner wire. Contribute. Further, as described in claim 4, by soft-mounting the shaft supporting portion with a vibration isolating rubber, the vibration transmitted from the inner wire to the wire mounting portion and the shaft supporting portion from the power unit or the like can be reduced by the vibration isolating rubber. And is prevented from being transmitted to a fixing member such as a vehicle body that supports the shaft supporting portion.

The structure of the elastic support may be implemented, for example, as described in claim 5. By interposing the collar, the pivot portion can be turned and the vibration is prevented by the vibration-proof rubber. Also, as described in claim 6, by connecting the end of the outer tube to the cover member via a vibration-proof rubber, vibration transmitted through the outer tube is prevented. The vibration absorbed by the vibration rubber and transmitted to the outer tube at an intermediate position thereof can be reduced.

Further, as described in claim 7,
The turning radius of the tip of the first wire attachment portion and the tip of the second wire attachment portion may be made different from each other so as to amplify or reduce the displacement to be operated. The turning trajectories of the respective distal end portions of the second wire attachment portion need not be located on the same plane. Also,
As set forth in claim 8, the axes of the pair of outer tubes connected to the cover member are orthogonal to each other, and the center of gravity of the cover member is on an extension of the axis of the outer tube on the operated portion side such as a power plant. And the cover member may be elastically supported by the fixing member.

The differential noise and gear noise generated on the operated portion side of the power unit and the like are mainly transmitted as vibrations in the axial direction of the cable, but the center of gravity of the cover member is connected to the outer tube on the operated portion side as described above. The cover member vibrates as a translational motion in the axial direction of the outer tube on the operated portion side by the vibration transmitted from the operated portion by disposing the extension member on the extension line of the shaft.

For this reason, the operation side outer tube disposed orthogonal to the outer tube is transmitted as vibration in the direction perpendicular to the axis via the cover member. Is hardly transmitted, so that vibration such as differential noise and gear noise is prevented from being transmitted to the operation unit side. Further, the cover member is elastically supported by the fixing member, so that even if the cover member vibrates, the vibration of the cover member is prevented from being transmitted to the fixing member side.

At this time, if the outer tube and the cover member are connected via a cylindrical vibration-isolating rubber as described in claim 6, in addition to the above-mentioned operation, the cover member is opened from the operated side. Because the vibration transmitted by is reduced,
The anti-vibration effect is further improved. Similarly, as set forth in claim 9, the center of gravity of the member consisting of the shaft support portion, the first wire attachment portion, and the second wire attachment portion is arranged on an extension of the shaft of the inner wire on the operated side. The vibration input through the operated inner wire causes the member including the shaft support, the first wire mounting portion, and the second wire mounting portion to translate in the axial direction of the inner wire. The vibration is transmitted to the inner wire on the side in a direction orthogonal to the axis or in a direction close to the axis, so that the transmission of vibration to the operation unit is reduced.

[0021]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
The cable is formed by inserting an inner wire formed by twisting or braiding a large number of stainless steel wires into an outer tube made of a synthetic resin, and has a predetermined flexibility.

Conventionally, such a cable has, for example, both ends of an outer tube fixed to a vehicle body, which is a fixing member, via a bracket. Also, both ends of the inner wire projecting from the end of the outer tube are:
One end thereof is connected to a clutch pedal which is an operation unit, and the other end is connected and connected to a withdrawal lever on the transmission side which is a power unit.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the cable is divided at a predetermined intermediate position and a cable connecting device is interposed. The main body of the cable connecting device is a fan-shaped plate member 3 as shown in FIG. 1, and a shaft support portion 1 supported by a fixed member such as a vehicle body and a fan-shaped plate member extending radially integrally with the shaft support portion 1. And the circular arc portion 2
Arc-shaped end surfaces constitute a first wire attachment portion and a second wire attachment portion.

A guide groove is formed in the arc-shaped end face in the direction in which the arc extends, and the end portion of the divided inner wire rests on the groove. The shaft support 1 has a through hole 1a in the thickness direction, and is rotatably supported by a fixing member 6 such as a vehicle body through the through hole 1a. As shown in FIG. 2, the supporting structure is such that a collar 5 is coaxially mounted in the through-hole 1a via an anti-vibration rubber 4 and a vehicle body is mounted through a mounting bolt 13 inserted through the collar 5. It is rotatably attached to a fixing member 6 such as a frame.

Further, a tip portion of the arc portion 2 (arc side)
Is covered by the cover member 7 so as to be able to rotate by a predetermined angle. The cover member 7 is formed by forming a notch 7a into which a tip of the arc portion 2 can be inserted along an axis in a cylindrical body extending in a curved line along the arc of the arc portion 2.
Both ends of the cylindrical body can be coaxially attached to the ends of the outer tube 8, respectively. The cover member 7 is bolted to a fixing member 6 such as a vehicle body frame.

Although the cover member 7 is bolted to the fixing member 6, the cover member 7 may be elastically supported to prevent transmission of vibration to the fixing member 6, as a matter of course. As shown in FIG. 3, the ends of the outer tubes 8 of the divided cables are coaxially fitted to both ends of the cover member 7 through cylindrical anti-vibration rubbers 10 arranged coaxially. I do. Thereby, the outer tube 8 is fixed to the cover member.

At this time, an inner wire 9 protruding from the outer tube 8 is inserted into the cover member 7, and its tip 9a is attached along the arc surface of the arc portion 2 of the fan-shaped plate member 3, respectively. As described above, the shaft support 1 is supported by the fixing member 6. When the clutch pedal is operated, for example, with the cable connecting device interposed in the middle of the cable, the inner wire 9 on the clutch pedal side is pulled by an amount corresponding to the operation amount, as shown in FIG. The fan-shaped plate member 3 is displaced in the axial direction by a predetermined amount, whereby the fan-shaped plate member 3 turns by a predetermined angle around the shaft support portion 1 to pull the inner wire 9 on the withdrawal lever side, and the inner wire 9 Only axial displacement.

As described above, even when the cable connecting device is interposed, the cable transmits the displacement of the operation unit as in the conventional case.
At this time, even if the turning radius R of the plate member 3 is reduced or the angle θ between the mounting portions of the inner wires 9 is changed,
Since a problematic interference does not occur between the inner wire 9 and the outer tube 8, the turning radius R and the angle θ can be freely selected.

For this reason, the conventional arrangement route is determined by drawing a curve having a large radius of curvature. However, by installing the above-described cable connecting device, it is possible to arrange a route having a free radius of curvature, for example, to bend. It is possible to greatly improve the degree of freedom of routing. In the above-described embodiment, the cable connecting device is provided only at one location. However, a plurality of division positions may be selected and a plurality of cable connecting devices may be provided.
By doing so, since the inner wires 9 are substantially divided, it is also possible to adjust the length of each divided inner wire 9 to a length that does not resonate with the vibration transmitted from the power unit.

Conventionally, vibration damping of the cable is performed by mounting the inner wire 9 and the outer tube 8
Can be reduced by the anti-vibration rubber 4, but it is difficult to cope with the anti-vibration because the inner wire 9 in the middle of the cable is covered with the outer cable. However, in this embodiment, it is expected that the body of the cable connecting device functions as a mass damper to reduce the vibration transmitting the inner wire 9 at the middle of the wiring.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 4, a mass 15 having a predetermined mass may be fixed to the fan-shaped plate member 3 to improve the effect of the mass damper. The vibration input to the plate member 3 from the inner wire 9 is absorbed by the vibration isolating rubber 4 interposed in the shaft portion of the shaft support portion 1 and transmitted to the fixed member 6 that supports the plate member 3. Is prevented. Further, since the outer tube 8 and the cover member 7 are also connected via the cylindrical anti-vibration rubber 10, the vibration transmitted through the outer tube 8 is also reduced by the anti-vibration rubber 10. .

Further, in the above embodiment, the first wire mounting portion and the second wire mounting portion are constituted by one fan-shaped plate member 3, but as shown in FIG. The rods 20 and 21 are integrally formed of rods 20 and 21 extending radially from the shaft support 1 at a predetermined angle θ.
The inner wire 9 may be attached to the tip of the first wire. In the drawing, reference numeral 23 denotes a reinforcing member.

At this time, the rods 20 and 21 do not need to extend in a straight line, but may extend in a curved line. Alternatively, the angle θ between the two 20 and 21 is set to 0 degree and the ends of both inner wires 9 are formed. The connection parts may be matched. Further, in the above embodiment, the distance from the center of rotation of the shaft support 1 to each wire mounting portion, that is, the turning radius R is equal, but may be different as shown in FIG.

For example, if the turning radius on the clamp pedal side is set shorter, the displacement on the withdrawal lever side relative to the displacement of the inner wire 9 on the clamp pedal side is set relatively large. In particular, in recent years, a power assist mechanism has been added to the operation unit side, and optimal tuning of the movement amount (stroke amount) has been required rather than reduction of the operation force. The stroke amount on the operation unit can be easily tuned to an optimum value while the same stroke amount as the conventional one is secured.

In the above embodiment, each inner wire connecting portion 9a is configured to pivot on the same plane. However, the inner wire connecting portions 9a are arranged vertically so as to avoid interference with other members. You may. Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the above-described first embodiment, only the distal end portion (on the arc side) of the arc portion 2 of the fan-shaped plate member 3 is covered with the cover member 7 so as to be able to rotate by a predetermined angle. However, in the second embodiment,
As shown in FIG. 7, the entire fan-shaped plate member 3 is covered.

In FIG. 7, A denotes the position of the shaft support at the position of the shaft support. In addition, the divided outer tube 8
The attachment axes L1 and L2 of the a and 8b to the cover member 7 are arranged so as to be orthogonal to each other. In the drawing, it is assumed that the outer tube 8a on the left side is connected to the power plant which is the operated side, and the outer tube 8b on the lower side is connected to the clutch pedal side on the operating side.

At this time, an arc member 2 having a long arc such as a semicircular shape as shown in FIG. 8 is employed so that the inner wire 9 inserted through the outer tube 8 does not fluctuate in the direction perpendicular to the axis when the cable is operated. Then, the attachment point 9a of the inner wire 9 with respect to the arc end face of the arc member 2 is set at a position which is shifted from the end of the arc by an axial displacement generated in the inner wire 9.

By setting in this manner, the position where each inner wire 9 separates from the plate member 3 is prevented from reaching the end of the arc, and the fluctuation of the inner wire 9 in the direction perpendicular to the axis due to the operation is reduced. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the center of gravity G1 of the cover member 7 is set so as to be located on an extension of the mounting axis L1 of the outer tube 8a on the power plant side.

The cover member 7 is used as a fixing member as shown in FIG.
Elastically supported at the position B in FIG. At this time, the rigid body resonance using the cover member 7 as a mass body is set sufficiently lower than the frequency at which the vibration is to be prevented. For example, since differential noise and gear noise pose a problem at 400 Hz or higher, the rigid body resonance of the cover member is set at 300 Hz or lower.

The other structure is the same as that of the first embodiment. With this setting, it is possible to prevent the vibration transmitted to the cover member 7 via the outer tube 8a on the power plant side from being transmitted to the fixed member side such as the vehicle body frame. Further, the differential noise and gear noise generated on the power plant side are mainly input to the cover member as vibration in the cable axial direction. In this embodiment, however, the differential noise and the gear noise are on the extension of the mounting shaft L1 of the outer tube 8a on the power plant side. Since the center of gravity G1 of the cover member 7 is set, the input vibration causes the cover member 7 to perform a translational movement parallel to the mounting axis L1 of the outer tube 8a on the power plant side.

Therefore, the vibration transmitted to the operation side outer tube 8b via the cover member 7 is transmitted as a vibration in a direction orthogonal to the axis L2 of the outer tube 8b. Since the vibration in the direction perpendicular to the shaft is hardly transmitted, the transmission of the differential noise and the gear noise generated on the power plant side to the interior of the vehicle can be greatly reduced without being transmitted to the operation unit.

In particular, in recent years, the background noise in the passenger compartment has been reduced, and the transmission of the above-mentioned differential noise and gear noise into the passenger compartment becomes a problem. In this embodiment, the differential noise and the gear noise through the cable are used. Transmission to the passenger compartment can be greatly reduced, and the riding comfort is improved. Other functions and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 9, by adding a predetermined mass body 30 to the plate member 3,
May be set in the direction in which the axis of the operated inner wire 9a extends. With this setting, the vibration transmitted to the plate member 3 via the inner wire 9a also causes the plate member 3 to translate along the direction in which the axis of the inner wire 9a extends. Is transmitted as vibration in the direction perpendicular to the axis to the inner wire 9b on the side of the inner side, so that the inner wire 9b is transmitted.
The vibration transmitted to the operation unit via the control unit can also be reduced.

[0044]

As described above, by using the cable connecting device of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the vibration transmitted through the cable, especially the inner wire, in the middle of the cable, and the power plant as the operated part Transmission of vibrations such as gear noise and differential noise generated in the vehicle through the cable is greatly reduced, and the ride comfort of the vehicle can be improved.

Further, by using the cable connecting device of the present invention, the cable can be appropriately divided and routed, and the resonance mode of vibration depending on the length of the cable can be adjusted. Can be routed in combination with a straight line, thereby greatly improving the degree of freedom of the cable routing route. Further, as described in claim 2, the first wire mounting portion and the second wire mounting portion are formed from a single fan-shaped plate member, and the inner wires are fixed to the arc-shaped end face portions of the plate member, respectively. By this, it is possible to reduce the fluctuation of the inner wire in the direction perpendicular to the axis due to the operation of the cable, it is possible to reduce the friction between the inner wire and the outer tube, and it is possible to suppress the cable rotation during the operation. Become.

Further, as described in claim 3,
By fixing the mass body to the wire attachment part, a mass damper by the wire attachment part and the mass body can be provided in the middle of the wiring of the inner wire, and the vibration transmitted through the inner wire can be reduced. Further, when the shaft support is supported by a fixed member via a vibration-proof rubber, for example, as set forth in claim 5, the vibration transmitted to the wire attachment portion is supported by the shaft support. Through the vehicle body.

Further, as described in claim 6,
By connecting the cover member and the outer tube via the cylindrical vibration isolating rubber, vibration transmitted to the cover member via the outer tube on the power plant side is reduced, and furthermore, the operation is performed via the cover member. Vibration transmitted to the outer tube on the part side is reduced. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the vibration transmitted to the operation unit, that is, the vehicle compartment side via the outer tube at a middle position of the outer tube.

Further, as described in claim 7,
By making the distance from the center of rotation of the shaft support to the inner wire connection at the tip of each wire attachment part, the amount of displacement on the operation side and the amount of displacement on the operated side can be changed and set, and the stroke amount on the power plant side can be changed. It is possible to easily tune the stroke amount of the operation unit to an optimum value while securing the same displacement amount as in the related art.

Further, the axes of the pair of outer tubes connected to the cover member are perpendicular to each other, and the center of gravity of the cover member is on an extension of the axis of the outer tube on the operated portion side. By disposing the cover member and the fixing member elastically supported, the transmission of vibration through the outer tube can be further reduced, and the transmission of vibration from the cover member to a fixing member such as a body frame is also reduced. It becomes possible.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, a shaft support,
By arranging the center of gravity of the member composed of the first wire attachment portion and the second wire attachment portion on an extension of the axis of the inner wire on the operated side, vibration transmission via the inner wire can be further reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a cable connecting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing a pivot support mounting structure according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view showing a connection portion between the cover member and the outer tube according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a plate member according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing another example of the plate member of the first embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a view showing another example of the cable connecting device of the first embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a view showing an appearance of a cable connecting device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a view showing a plate member according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing another example of the plate member of the second embodiment according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Shaft support part 2 Arc part 4,10 Anti-vibration rubber 5 Collar 7 Cover member 8 Outer tube 9 Inner wire

Continuation of front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) F16C 1/00-1/28 G05G 7/10

Claims (9)

(57) [Claims] 1. A cable connecting device interposed midway in the axial direction of a cable having an inner wire inserted into an outer tube, comprising: a shaft supporting portion rotatably supported by a fixed member such as a vehicle body; A first wire mounting portion and a second wire mounting portion which are integral with the shaft supporting portion and extend from the shaft supporting portion and fix the inner wires to the distal ends thereof; and at least the distal end portions of the two wire mounting portions mounted on the fixing member. And a cover member for connecting the ends of the two outer tubes by covering a space in which each wire mounting portion can rotate by a predetermined angle around the shaft support portion. . 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first wire attachment portion and the second wire attachment portion are formed from a single fan-shaped plate member, and the inner wire is fixed to each of the arc-shaped end surfaces of the plate member. The cable connecting device according to claim 1. 3. The cable connecting device according to claim 1, wherein a mass body is fixed to the wire attachment portion. 4. The cable connection device according to claim 1, wherein the shaft support is supported by a fixing member via a vibration-proof rubber. 5. A shaft hole opened in a shaft supporting portion, and a collar coaxially fitted in the shaft hole via a vibration-proof rubber, and the shaft is supported by a fixing member through the collar. The cable connecting device according to claim 4, wherein: 6. The cable connection structure according to claim 1, wherein the cover member and the outer tube are connected via a cylindrical vibration-proof rubber. 7. The cable connecting device according to claim 1, wherein the distance from the rotation center of the shaft support to the inner wire connecting portion at the tip of each wire mounting portion is different. . 8. The axes of a pair of outer tubes connected to the cover member are orthogonal to each other, the center of gravity of the cover member is arranged on an extension of the axis of the outer tube on the operated section side, and the cover member is attached to the outer tube. The cable connecting device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the cable connecting device is elastically supported by a fixing member. 9. A shaft support, a first wire mounting portion, and a second wire mounting portion.
The cable connecting device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a center of gravity of the member including the wire attachment portion is arranged on an extension of a shaft of the inner wire on the operated side.