JP3585015B2 - Cable chain - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a hose or cable (hereinafter, referred to as a control signal) for transmitting a fluid (hereinafter, referred to as control signal means) such as electric power, a signal, air, or oil to various driving members attached to a movable body that reciprocates linearly. Transmission means).
[0002]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In various devices in which a driving member is attached to a movable body that moves linearly in a reciprocating manner, a control signal transmitting unit that supplies control signal means such as electric power, a control signal, and a fluid is connected to the driving member of the movable body. Since the control signal transmission means itself has at least the length of the maximum moving distance of the movable body, there is a possibility that the control signal transmitting means may be dragged or bent and damaged by the movement of the movable body.
[0003]
In order to solve this drawback, for example, as shown in JP-A-2-186146, a pair of link plates having a shaft at one end and a shaft support at the other end, and guides provided above and below the link plate. A plurality of guide members formed in a frame shape with a plate are connected to bendable by engaging a shaft portion with a shaft support portion, and the guide plates each have a flexible tongue piece at least in the front-rear direction. Various types of cable chains have been developed that are protruded on one side and the tongue pieces close between the guide plates. This type of cable chain has a large number of guide members depending on the moving distance of the movable body. After the shaft portion of one link plate is engaged with the shaft support portion of the other link plate and connected in a long shape, the control signal transmitting means is housed between the pair of link plates and the upper end portion is closed. Closed with wood, the contained control signal transmitting means is bent guides.
[0004]
In the above-mentioned conventional cable chain, the guide member and the closing member had to be formed separately, and the production efficiency was poor. In addition, after manufacture, the guide members must be connected by inserting the shaft portion into the shaft support portion, and a closing member must be attached to each guide member. Was a factor inviting.
[0005]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned conventional drawbacks, and an object of the present invention is to form a cover member integrally with a guide member to improve production and assembly efficiency. The point is to provide a chain.
[0006]
Another object of the present invention is that, although the guide member and the cover can be formed integrally, the cover can be easily removed when the control signal transmitting means is housed, and the control signal transmitting means can be securely mounted. It is an object of the present invention to provide a cable chain that can be accommodated in a cable chain and guided in bending.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
For this reason, in the present invention, a pair of opposing side plates in which a shaft support portion is integrally formed on one upper end and an engaged portion is integrally formed on the other upper end and a support plate connecting the lower portions of the side plates are made of synthetic resin. A bearing member rotatably supported on a shaft support portion between a integrally formed guide member and an upper portion of each side plate of the guide member by a synthetic resin having a non-fusing property with respect to the guide member, and a cover member. A chain unit member is constituted by a cover member integrally formed so as to have an engaging portion to be engaged with the engaging portion, and the chain unit members are connected to each other in a bendable manner.
[0008]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0009]
[Embodiment 1]
FIG. 1 is a central longitudinal sectional view of the cable chain.
[0010]
FIG. 2 is a partially broken perspective view of the cable chain.
[0011]
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the chain unit member corresponding to line III-III in FIG.
[0012]
FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the chain unit member corresponding to line IV-IV in FIG.
[0013]
FIG. 5 is a partially broken perspective view showing a hinge member formed in a plate shape.
[0014]
The cable chain 1 has a structure in which a number of chain unit members 3 are connected to each other by hinge members 5, and each chain unit member 3 is formed by molding a guide member 7 and a cover member 9.
[0015]
Each guide member 7 connects a pair of side plates 11 and 13 and a lower portion of the side plates 11 and 13 at a predetermined interval with a polyamide resin (including a reinforced composite resin containing glass fiber or carbon fiber in the polyamide resin). The front surface integrally formed with the supporting plate 15 is formed in an upward U-shape. The lower portions of the side plates 11 and 13 located below the support plate 15 form legs 11a and 13a.
[0016]
Curved portions 11b and 13b are formed at the upper end portions of the side plates 11 and 13 so as to face each other, and a shaft support portion 11c is formed integrally with a distal end of one curved portion 11b by providing a hole 11d. Each shaft support 11c has a substantially circular cross section in the direction perpendicular to the connection, and the distal end of the curved portion 11b located on both sides of the shaft support 11c is formed in a semicircular shape with an upper half cut away.
[0017]
A recess 13c having a predetermined width is formed on the outer surface of the middle portion in the connection direction of the other curved portion 13b so as to extend in the connection orthogonal direction, and an engaged portion 13d is formed at the end thereof. I have.
[0018]
The support plate 15 has a stepped recess 15a formed almost entirely, and a plurality of through holes 15b, 15c, and 15d are formed at both ends and an intermediate portion of the support plate 15 in the connection direction at intervals in the connection orthogonal direction. I have. In addition, a guide member 7 ′ disposed between the guide members 7 in which the through holes 15 b, 15 c, and 15 d are formed in the support plate 15 (each member in the guide member 7 ′ is substantially the same as that of the guide member 7). Therefore, a plurality of through holes 15e and 15f are formed at both ends in the connection direction of the support plate 15 at intervals in the connection orthogonal direction. ing.
[0019]
The guide members 7, 7 'arranged so that their spaces communicate with each other are connected to each other by a hinge member 5. The hinge member 5 is made of a synthetic resin that can be elastically deformed, such as an olefin-based elastomer resin, a synthetic resin having hinge resistance such as a polypropylene resin, a polyamide resin, or a flexible synthetic rubber. The guide member 7 'is formed to have a width and a thickness in the connection orthogonal direction to be fitted into the stepped recess 15a of the support plate 15 and a length in the connection direction extending between the guide members 7, 7'.
[0020]
At both ends of the lower surface of the hinge member 5 in the connection direction, a half columnar shaft portion 5a to be inserted into the through hole 15c of the support plate 15 and a columnar shaft portion to be inserted into the through holes 15c, 15d, 15e, and 15f, respectively. 5b are integrally formed. These shaft portions 5a and 5b have axial lengths whose tips project from the through holes 15b, 15c and 15d, and the through holes 15e and 15f, and the large diameter portions 5c and 5d engage with the lower surface of the support plate 15 at the tips. Are formed integrally.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 5, the hinge member 5 is formed in a plate shape in which shaft portions 5a and 5b are provided on the lower surface in advance, and the respective hinge portions 5a and 5b are aligned with the step recesses 15a in the support plate 15. After the large-diameter portions 5c and 5d are press-fit into the corresponding through holes 15b, 15c and 15d, 15e and 15f while elastically deforming the large-diameter portions 5c and 5d, the large-diameter portions 5c and 5d that return elastically are locked to the lower surface of the support plate 15. The guide members 7, 7 'may be connected to each other by fixing them. In the case where the hinge member 5 is formed in a plate shape in advance, as shown in FIG. 6, in order to easily reduce the diameter of the large diameter portion 5d by elastic deformation, a minus or plus shape is added to the tip of the shaft portion 5b. May be formed.
[0022]
Further, the hinge member 5 may be integrally formed with the support plates 15 of the adjacent guide members 7, 7 'using a synthetic resin such as an olefin-based elastomer resin or a polypropylene resin. In this case, when the guide members 7, 7 'and the hinge member 5 are integrally formed, the hinge member 5 is fused to the upper surface of the support plate 15 and filled and fused into the through holes 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, 15f to guide. The members 7, 7 'may be connected to each other.
[0023]
When the hinge member 5 is integrally formed of an olefin-based elastomer resin, the guide members 7, 7 'can be flexibly connected to each other by their own elastic force. However, the hinge member 5 is integrally formed of a polypropylene resin. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7, an inverted V-shaped concave portion 5f is formed on the bottom surface of the boundary between the guide members 7, 7 'so as to extend in the direction orthogonal to the connection, and the guide members 7, 7' are formed. May be made bendable. Since this polypropylene resin has a hinge-resistant property, the guide members 7, 7 'can be flexibly connected to each other for a long period of time.
[0024]
A cover member 9 is integrally formed between the curved portions 11b and 13b of each side plate 11 and 13. The cover member 9 is made of a synthetic resin such as a polyester-based elastomer resin having a non-fusing property with respect to the polyamide resin constituting the guide member 7. A bearing portion 9a wrapped around the entire circumference, and a fitting portion 9b inserted into the recess 13c and an engaging portion 9c engaged with the engaged portion 13d are integrally formed at the other end of the curved portion 13b. Is formed. The cover member 9 is secondarily molded with a polyester elastomer resin between the curved portions 11b and 13b of the side plates 11 and 13 in the primary molded guide member 7.
[0025]
At this time, since the polyester-based elastomer resin forming the hinge member 5 has the non-fusing property with respect to the polyamide resin of the guide member 7 as described above, when the cover member 9 is formed on the guide member 7, Even if there is, the cover member 9 can be removed from the guide member 7. In the case of the cable chain 1 in which the guide members 7, 7 'are connected to each other by the hinge members 5, which are formed in a plate shape in advance, the guide members 7, 7' which have been formed in advance are connected to each other. The cover member 9 may be secondarily formed after being connected by the hinge member 5. When the hinge members 5 are secondarily formed and connected to the guide members 7, 7 ', the hinge members 5 are simultaneously formed, or after the hinge members 5 or the cover members 9 are secondarily formed. The cover member 9 or the hinge member 5 may be tertiarily formed.
[0026]
In the case where the hinge member 5 and the cover member 9 are simultaneously formed on the guide members 7, 7 'as described above, the cover member 9, and therefore, the hinge member 5 may be used in addition to the polyester elastomer resin. Any of a polyamide-based elastomer resin, a polypropylene resin, and a polyamide resin may be used. When the cover member 9 is formed separately from the hinge member 5 for the guide members 7, 7 ', a polyester resin other than the above resin is used. It may be.
[0027]
Since the above-mentioned respective synthetic resins have non-fusing properties with each other, for example, when the cover member 9 is formed of the same polyamide resin as the guide members 7.7 ′, or when the guide members 7.7 ′ cooled and cured. In any case where the cover member 9 is molded by injecting a polyamide resin, both can be in a non-fused state.
[0028]
Next, an example of use of the cable chain 1 formed as described above will be described.
[0029]
In order to accommodate the control signal transmitting means 21 between the side plates 11 and 13 of the mutually connected guide members 7 and 7 ', it is necessary to form between the curved portions 11b and 13b of the side plates 11 and 13 as shown in FIG. After lifting the fitting portion 9b fitted in the recess 13c to release the engagement of the engaging portion 9c with the engaged portion 13d, the cover member 9 opened is opened around the pivot support portion 11c. The opening 23 is formed by turning in the direction between the curved portions 11b and 13b.
[0030]
At this time, since the cover member 9 itself is molded in a non-fused state with respect to the poamide resin forming the guide members 7.7 'as described above, the fitting portion 9b and the engaged portion The engaging portion 9c can be detached from 13d, and the bearing portion 9a can be rotated with respect to the shaft support portion 11c.
[0031]
Then, after the control signal transmitting means 21 is accommodated in the space between the side plates 11 and 13 from the opening 23 formed between the curved portions 11b and 13b of the guide members 7 and 7 ', the cover member 9 is moved to the shaft support 11c. The opening 23 between the curved portions 11b, 13b is closed by pivoting in the opposite direction to the center to engage the engaging portion 9c with the engaged portion 13d and insert the fitting portion 9c into the recess 13c. Let it.
[0032]
With the cable chain 1 containing the control signal transmitting means 21 and the respective ends of the control signal transmitting means 21 attached to the fixed part and the movable part (both not shown) of the apparatus as described above, the movable part When the cable chain 1 is reciprocated linearly, the cable chain 1 bends the control signal transmission means 21 while bending the chain unit members 3 with the hinge members 5 as shown in FIG. At this time, as described above, since the bearing 9a of the cover member 9 is supported by the shaft support 11c and the engaging portion 9c is engaged with the engaged portion 13d, the control signal transmitting means 21 which bends. Can be guided while preventing the control signal transmitting means 21 from jumping out of the side plates 11 and 13 even if the control signal transmitting means 21 comes into contact with the inner surface of the cover member 9.
[0033]
When the opening 23 between the curved portions 11b and 13b is opened or closed by the cover member 9 that rotates about the shaft supporting portion 11c, the bearing 9a of the cover member 9 supported by the shaft supporting portion 11c becomes the shaft supporting portion 11c. The displacement of the cover member 9 from the guide members 7.7 'is prevented by restricting the displacement in the connecting direction by the notch 11d.
[0034]
[Embodiment 2]
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a chain unit member.
[0035]
FIG. 11 is a vertical sectional view taken along line XI-XI in FIG.
[0036]
FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view showing a connected state of the chain unit members.
[0037]
The chain unit member 31 includes a guide member 33 and a cover member 9 that covers an upper opening of the guide member 33. The cover member 9 in the second embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment, and the same reference numerals are given and the detailed description is omitted.
[0038]
The guide member 33 is made of a polyamide resin (including a reinforced composite resin containing glass fiber or carbon fiber or the like in the polyamide resin), similarly to the guide member 7, and a pair of side plates 35 and 37 facing each other at a predetermined interval. A support plate 39 for connecting the lower portions of the side plates 35 and 37 in a direction orthogonal to the connection is integrally formed.
[0039]
The one end 35a / 37a and the other end 35b / 37b of each side plate 35/37 have a semicircular side surface, and the center of the one end 35a / 37a has a shaft support hole 35c / 37c. ing. In addition, arcuate concave portions 35d and 37d substantially corresponding to the radii of the one end portions 35a and 37a are formed on the inner surfaces of the one end portions 35a and 37a, and shafts are formed on the inner surfaces of the concave portions 35d and 37d on the distal end side. Concave portions 35e and 37e having a predetermined angle around the support holes 35c and 37c are formed. Further, stoppers 35f and 37f are formed at one end portions 35a and 37a on the outer peripheral side of the recesses 35d and 37d.
[0040]
On the other hand, concave portions 35g and 37g are formed on the outer surface of the other end portions 35b and 37b in an arc shape that substantially matches the radius of the other end portions 35b and 37b, and that substantially match the depths of the concave portions 35d and 37d. Concave portions 35h, 37h substantially corresponding to the concave portions 35e, 37e are formed on the outer surfaces on the end side of the concave portions 35g, 37g. Shafts 35i and 37i are formed on the outer surfaces of the central portions of the recesses 35g and 37g so as to be fittable in the shaft support holes 35c and 37c, and the other ends 35b and 37b on the outer peripheral side of the recesses 35g and 37g are formed. The stoppers 35j and 37j are formed so as to be engageable with the recesses 35e and 37e.
[0041]
Curved portions 35k and 37k are integrally formed so as to be opposed to each other at an upper portion of the intermediate portion in the connection direction of the side plates 35 and 37, and a shaft support portion 351 having a circular vertical cross section is formed at the tip of one curved portion 35k. Engaged portions 371 are formed at the distal end of the other curved portion 37k, respectively.
[0042]
A cover member 9 is formed between the distal ends of the curved portions 35k and 37k so as to cover the space of the guide member 33.
[0043]
Each chain unit member 31 formed as described above press-fits one end 35a, 37a of one chain unit member 31 into the space between the other ends 35b, 37b of the other chain unit member 31, and The shaft portions 35i and 37i are inserted into the holes 35c and 37c. At this time, the stoppers 35f and 37f of the one ends 35a and 37a are located in the recesses 35h and 37h of the other ends 35b and 37b. The long chain unit members 31 are formed by connecting the chain unit members 31 to each other as described above.
[0044]
The operation of opening and closing the cover member 9 when the control signal transmitting means 21 is accommodated in the space between the side plates 35 and 37 and the support plate 39 is the same as the operation of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. .
[0045]
【The invention's effect】
Therefore, according to the present invention, the cover member is formed integrally with the guide member, so that the production and assembly efficiency can be improved.
[0046]
Further, according to the present invention, although the guide member and the cover can be formed integrally, the cover can be easily removed when the control signal transmitting means is housed, and the control signal transmitting means is securely housed. Can be bent and guided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a central longitudinal sectional view of a cable chain.
FIG. 2 is a partially broken perspective view of the cable chain.
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a chain unit member corresponding to line III-III in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the chain unit member corresponding to line IV-IV in FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a hinge member formed in a plate shape.
FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a modified example of a hinge member.
FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a modified example of a hinge member.
FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an open state of a cover member.
FIG. 9 is a front view showing a bending support state.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a chain unit member.
11 is a vertical sectional view taken along line XI-XI in FIG. 10;
FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view showing a connected state of chain unit members.
[Explanation of symbols]
1: cable chain, 3: chain unit member, 5: hinge member, 5a / 5b: shaft portion, 7.7 ': guide member, 9: cover member, 9a: bearing portion, 9c: engagement portion, 11/13 : Side plate, 13d: engaged portion, 15: support plate, 15a to 15f: through hole, 33: guide member, 35/37: side plate, 35c / 37c: shaft support hole, 35i / 37i: shaft portion

Claims (8)

A guide member formed integrally with a pair of opposing side plates and a support plate connecting the lower portions of the side plates integrally formed with a shaft support portion at one upper end and an engaged portion at the other upper end respectively. A synthetic resin having a non-fusing property with respect to the guide member is provided between an upper portion of each side plate of the guide member, and is engaged with the bearing portion and the engaged portion rotatably supported by the shaft support portion. And a cover member integrally formed so as to have an engaging portion that forms a chain unit member, and the respective chain unit members are flexibly connected to each other. 2. The cable chain according to claim 1, wherein the guide members are connected to each other by a hinge member made of the same synthetic resin as the cover member. 2. The cable chain according to claim 1, wherein the guide members are connected to each other by a hinge member made of a synthetic resin different from the cover member. The cable chain according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the hinge member is fixed to a preformed plate-like body on a support plate of an adjacent guide member to connect the guide members to each other. The cable chain according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the hinge members are connected to each other by injecting and fusing a synthetic resin to a support plate between the guide members arranged adjacent to each other. In claim 4, a through hole is formed in the support plate of each guide member and a shaft portion is formed in the hinge member, and the hinge member is inserted into the support plate of each guide member, and the shaft portion is inserted into the through hole. A cable chain that connects guide members to each other by being fixed. 6. The cable chain according to claim 5, wherein a through hole is formed in a support plate of each guide member, and synthetic resin injected into the support plate of each guide member is filled and fused in the through hole to connect the guide members to each other. The guide according to claim 1, wherein a shaft is provided at one end of each side plate in the connection direction and a shaft support hole is provided at the other end, and the shaft of the guide member is inserted into the shaft support hole of the adjacent guide member to guide the shaft. A cable chain that connects members to each other.

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