JPH0130655Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a tension adjustment device for an inner rope of a control cable. More specifically, it automatically eliminates slack or excessive tension that occurs in the inner cable of the control cable due to permanent elongation of the inner cable or wear of the mating member to be controlled, and maintains appropriate tension at all times. The present invention relates to a tension adjustment device that can be automatically adjusted to apply tension to an inner cable.

[Prior Art] Control cables (hereinafter simply referred to as cables) have been widely used as a means for remotely controlling devices.

Such a cable consists of a flexible conduit and a flexible inner cable made of stranded steel wire or the like that is slidably inserted into the conduit. Such cables have less inertia during operation than rods, etc., and have less power transmission loss. Furthermore, since the cable as a whole has flexibility, it has the advantage that it can be routed in a freely curved state. Such cables are routed by having both ends of the conduit fixed to the frame of the automobile, one end of the inner cable being connected to an operating means such as a lever, and the other end being connected to a driven device such as a clutch or brake. Ru. As a result, the pulling motion of the inner cable applied to the operating means is accurately transmitted to the driven equipment, and remote control is performed.

On the other hand, as described above, the inner cable of the cable is made of twisted steel wires made by twisting at least several steel wires together. Therefore, when the inner cable is subjected to repeated tension and relaxation operations over a long period of time, especially due to heavy loads such as those used in automobile clutches and brakes, the inner cable gradually stretches, resulting in permanent elongation that cannot be restored. As a result, the inner cable may become slack, and the operating force may not be transmitted accurately.

To accommodate such permanent elongation of the inner cord,
For example, you can directly adjust the actual length of the inner cable by separating the inner cable midway and winding the separated end around a pulley, or adjust the length of the conduit by operating a screw at the end of the cable. However, methods such as indirectly shortening the length of the inner cable have been adopted.

The elongation absorption work is extremely complicated because it must be performed every time elongation occurs.
To solve this problem, we have developed a system that automatically absorbs the elongation of the inner cable, for example,
Those disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 79268 and Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 52-21358 are known.

[Problem that the invention aims to solve] By the way, in addition to the above-mentioned permanent elongation, the elongation of the inner cable also involves elasticity, which temporarily elongates only when it is subjected to an external force and returns to its original state once the external force is removed. There is growth.

All of the conventional elongation absorbing devices described above absorb elongation of the inner cable using a one-way clutch means that combines a ratchet and a pawl, so they absorb not only permanent elongation of the inner cable but also elastic elongation. There is a problem with this. For example, when such a device is used for clutch operation, it also absorbs the apparent elongation of the inner cable caused by distortion of the vehicle body while running, as well as elastic elongation due to overload during operation. This may create excessive tension in the inner cable, causing the clutch device to be in a permanently half-clutched state, which may lead to burnout of the clutch plate. Furthermore, when used for brakes, there are problems such as the brake lining being burnt out if the brake is left in a pulled state.

On the other hand, as parts such as the clutch plate and brake lining of the clutch device and brake device gradually wear out, the length of the inner cable becomes insufficient, and excessive tension is generated in the inner cable. Therefore, it is necessary to adjust the length of the inner cable to make it longer. However, there has been no known inner cable adjusting device with a simple structure that can automatically adjust the length of the inner cable in such a case.

This invention automatically adjusts the length of the inner cable to shorten it when the tension on the inner cable is relaxed, and automatically lengthens the length of the inner cable when excessive tension is applied to the inner cable. It is an object of the present invention to provide a tension adjustment device for an inner cable of a control cable, which is simple in construction and reliable in operation, and can be adjusted to the tension of the inner cable.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The tension adjustment device for the inner cable of the control cable of the present invention comprises a control cable consisting of a conduit and an inner cable slidably inserted into the conduit, and an end of the conduit. a cap member, which is fixed to the cap member, has a first hole through which the inner cable is slidably inserted, and has a large number of locking protrusions formed on the outer periphery of the distal end thereof; a casing housing the member slidably in the axial direction; a first biasing means for biasing the cap member toward the conduit;
One end thereof is pivotally supported inside the casing, extends toward the conduit side while being inclined inward in the radial direction, and a locking portion capable of engaging with the locking protrusion is formed at its free end. at least one pawl member; a second biasing means for biasing the pawl member radially inward; has a second hole for slidably inserting the claw member, has a first abutting portion at its tip, and has a second abutting portion abutting the obliquely extending side edge of the claw member at its rear end. The lock release member is composed of a lock release member and a nipple fixed to a portion of the inner cable protruding from the lock release member so as to be able to contact the first contact portion.

[Function] When the inner cable is pulled toward the driven device by the return spring on the driven device side, the nipple pushes the lock release member toward the driven device, so the second abutting portion of the lock release member touches the claw member. Push out the side edges.
As a result, the claw member and the locking protrusion are disengaged, and the cap member becomes free from the casing.

In that state, the tension applied to the inner cable,
That is, the cap member has moved to a position where the compressive force applied to the conduit is balanced with the repulsive force of the first biasing means that constantly biases the cap member toward the conduit.

When the inner cable is then pulled out by the operating means, the nipple separates from the first contact portion of the lock release member, so that the lock release member loses its force to spread the claw members. As a result, the pawl member rotates radially inward, the locking portion of the pawl member and the locking protrusion of the cap member are firmly engaged, and the cap member is rotated radially inward, so that the cap member is properly adjusted under the tension of the inner rope of the cable. It will be integrated with the casing in the state.

As a result, the pulling operation of the inner rope is carried out under appropriate tension.

Note that the tension adjustment of the inner rope of the cable described above is performed every time the operation of the inner cable is completed. Therefore, even if permanent elongation occurs in the inner cable or wear occurs in the members of the driven equipment, the cable tension is automatically adjusted to an appropriate state at all times, achieving maintenance-free operation.

[Example] Next, a control cable inner rope tension adjustment device (hereinafter referred to as device) of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following explanation, the case where the device of the present invention is applied to a pull control cable for operating the clutch of an automobile will be explained as a representative case, but the device of the present invention is not limited to such an example of use. It can be used for automobile brake operation cables and other cables for various industrial equipment that are repeatedly subjected to high-load tension/relaxation operation forces.

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an embodiment of the device of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a partially sectional side view showing the operating state of the device shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a side view of the device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway exploded perspective view showing an example of the application of the device of the present invention to a clutch operating cable of an automobile.

In FIG. 1, 1 is a cable, and the cable 1 consists of a conduit 2 and an inner cable 3 slidably inserted into the conduit 2.

The end of the conduit 2 is connected to one end 4 of a cylindrical cap member 4.
It is fixed to a. To secure the conduit 2 to the cap member 4, for example, one end 4 of the cap member 4 can be secured.
A method such as inserting the end of the conduit 2 into the hole 5 formed in the hole 5 and caulking the outer periphery of the cap member 4 may be adopted.

A flange 6 is provided at the center of the cap member 4, and a male screw 8 is formed as a locking protrusion on the surface of a certain region of the tip 7 extending on the opposite side from the one end 4a. There is. A hole 9 through which the inner cable 3 is slidably inserted is formed in the cap member 4 along the central axis.

The cap member 4 is accommodated in a cylindrical casing 10 so as to be slidable in the axial direction. The casing 10 has a shape in which a cup-shaped first part 11 and a second part 12 are joined near the opening. From the bottom of the second part 12 is a tubular tip 1.
3 is formed to extend in the axial direction.

The inner peripheral surface 14 of the first portion 11 is in sliding contact with the outer peripheral surface of the flange 6 of the cap member 4.
A hole 16 for passing the cap member 4 or the cable 1 is formed in the bottom 15 of the cap member 1 .

Two bearing portions 17 as shown in FIG. 3 are provided near the bottom of the second portion 12, that is, near the tip of the entire casing 10. As shown in FIG. A pin 19 for rotatably supporting the claw 18 is inserted into each bearing portion 17 . Claw 1
8 extends radially inward and towards the conduit 2 side.

A protrusion 20 that engages with the male screw 8 is formed as a locking portion inside the tip of the claw 18 . A substantially arc-shaped first cam surface 21 is formed at the tip of the claw 18, and an inclined second cam surface 22 is formed on the inner side surface of the claw 18.

A guide hole 23 is formed in the distal end portion 13 of the second portion 12 of the casing 10 in the axial direction. A cylindrical unlocking member 24 with a bottom is inserted into the guide hole 23 so as to be slidable in the axial direction. A flange portion 25 is formed at the end of the lock release member 24 on the conduit 2 side to prevent the lock release member 24 from slipping out, and the outer periphery of the flange portion 25 is formed on the second cam surface 22.
A second contact portion 26 is configured to come into contact with the second contact portion 26 . A hole 28 through which the inner cable 3 is inserted is formed in the bottom plate 27 on the distal end side of the lock release member 24. Note that the outer end surface of the bottom plate 27 is a first contact portion that comes into contact with a nipple 43, which will be described later. The inner peripheral surface 29 of the lock release member 24 slidably guides the tip 7 of the cap member 4. That is, the cap member 4
can move smoothly in the axial direction within the casing 10 by having the flange portion 6 and the tip portion 7 guided in the axial direction.

The cavity 30 inside the casing 10 is the first part 1
1 and the second part 12 are separated by a ring member 32 having an L-shaped cross section and housed in the second part 12 near the connecting part 31 . A spacer 34 having a trapezoidal cross section is interposed between the ring member 32 and a step portion 33 formed near the bearing portion 17, so that the ring member 32 is attached to the casing 1.
Fixed within 0. Note that the hole 35 in the center of the ring member 32 is for inserting the tip 7 side of the cap member 4.

Inside the ring member 32, a piston 37 and a coil spring 38 are provided as second biasing means for constantly biasing the claw 18 inward in the radial direction.
is accommodated. The piston 37 is the ring member 3
2, the coil spring 38 is always biased toward the tip end, that is, in the direction of arrow A.

A cap member 4 is further disposed within the first portion 11.
A coil spring 39 is housed between the flange 6 and the ring member 32 as a first biasing means for constantly biasing the cap member 4 toward the conduit 2, that is, in the direction of arrow B.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a coil spring 41 is further provided in the cavity 40 in the lock release member 24 for constantly biasing the lock release member 24 in the direction of arrow A.
is accommodated as the third biasing means.

Further, a male threaded portion 42 is formed on the outer periphery of the tip portion 13 of the second portion 12 as a means for fixing the entire casing 10 to a frame of an automobile or the like.

A nipple 43 is fixed to the outer periphery of the inner cable 3 protruding from the hole 28 in the bottom plate 27 of the lock release member 24.

Next, the operation of the device constructed as described above will be explained.

The device shown in FIG. 1 is used, for example, in conjunction with one end of a cable 1 for operating a clutch 51 of a motor vehicle as shown in FIG.

One end of the conduit 2 of the cable 1 is fixed as described above to a cap member in a tension adjustment device 53 mounted on the frame 52, and the other end is fixed to the frame 52b in the vicinity of the clutch 51.
One end of the inner cable 3 of the cable 1 passes through the tension adjustment device 53 and is connected to the lower end of the clutch pedal 54 as described above, and the other end is connected to the lever 55 of the clutch 51. As a result, when the clutch pedal 54 is depressed in the direction of arrow C, the inner cable 3 slides in the direction of arrow A, and the clutch plates 56 and 57 are separated from each other, and when the force with which the clutch pedal 54 is depressed is weakened, the return spring 58 of the clutch 51 , the clutch plates 56 and 57 are connected together, and the movement of the inner cable 3 in the direction of arrow B causes the clutch pedal 5 to be connected.
4 rises in the direction of arrow D.

FIG. 1 shows the device in a state in which the clutch pedal 54 is not depressed, that is, the inner cable is moving in the direction of arrow B in FIG. It shows.

The lock release member 24 is pressed in the direction of arrow B, and the second contact portion 26 of the flange portion 25 is pressed against the claw 1.
The claw 18 expands radially outward by pressing the second cam surface 22 of the second cam surface 22 of the second cam surface 22 of the third cam.

Therefore, the protrusion 20 of the claw 18 does not engage with the male thread 8 of the cap member 4. Therefore, the cap member 4 is in a state where it can freely move in the axial direction within the casing 10.

The tension of the inner cable 3 is adjusted in such a state. That is, when permanent elongation occurs in the inner cable 3 and the tension is smaller than an appropriate value, the compressive force in the axial direction of the conduit 2 becomes smaller as a reaction. Thereby, the cap member 4 is moved in the direction of arrow B by the biasing force of the spring 39 to a position where an appropriate compressive force is restored to the conduit 2, that is, a position where an appropriate tension is applied to the inner cable 3.

In addition, if the inner cable 3 shrinks for some reason, or if the clutch plates 56 and 57 shown in FIG. do not touch. Therefore, tension based on the return spring 3 (the same tension as when the clutch is operated) is still applied to the inner cable 3, and a large compressive force is also applied to the conduit 2.

In this case, the cap member 4 moves in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1 while resisting the urging force of the coil spring 39, and stops at a position where the compressive force of the conduit 2 is balanced with the coil spring 39.

In FIG. 4, the length of the conduit 2 is therefore reduced. Correspondingly, the length of the inner cable 3 emerging from the conduit 2 on the side of the clutch 51 is adjusted to be substantially longer. As a result, the lever 55 is rotated in the direction of arrow B, and the clutch plates 56 and 57 are automatically adjusted to ensure that they meet each other.
Therefore, harmful effects such as a half-clutch are prevented.

The adjustment of the control cable as described above is performed each time the inner cable 3 is operated, for example, each time the clutch pedal 54 shown in FIG. 4 is depressed and further released. That is, each time the length of the conduit 2 is adjusted, and thereby the tension and length of the inner cable 3 are adjusted to an appropriate state.

In the device of the present invention, it is preferable that about 2 to 4 claws are arranged radially, but the number of claws may be one or five or more.

Further, as a biasing means for biasing the claw inward in the radial direction, a piston 37 as shown in FIG.
In addition to the combination of and coil spring 38,
For example, torsion coil springs can also be used.

The locking protrusion carved on the outer periphery of the distal end of the cap member 4 may be, in addition to the male thread 8 shown in FIG. 1, a large number of annular grooves.

[Effects of the invention] In the device of the present invention, the locking portion of the claw member whose one end is rotatably provided engages and disengages from the locking protrusion of the cap member, so that the cap member and the casing can be easily connected to each other. The effect of integration and separation is very reliable. In particular, when releasing the locking action of the claw members, the unlocking member directly forcibly pushes all the claw members apart, so the unlocking action is reliable, stable, and smooth. Furthermore, since the locking and unlocking actions are smooth, the adjustment of the inner cable is accurate.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an embodiment of the device of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a partially sectional side view showing the operating state of the device shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a side view of the device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway exploded perspective view showing an example of the case where the device of the present invention is applied to a clutch operation cable of an automobile. Main symbols in the drawing: 1: cable, 2: conduit,
3: Inner cable, 4: Cap member, 8: Male thread, 1
0: Casing, 18: Claw, 20: Protrusion, 2
4: Lock release member, 37: Piston.

Claims (1)

[Claims for Utility Model Registration] 1. A control cable consisting of a conduit and an inner cable slidably inserted into the conduit, and a control cable fixed to an end of the conduit and into which the inner cable is slidably inserted. a cap member having a first hole for freely inserting the cap member and having a large number of locking protrusions formed on the outer periphery of the distal end thereof; a casing housing the cap member so as to be slidable in the axial direction; a first biasing means for biasing the cap member toward the conduit; one end of the first biasing means is pivotally supported inside the casing, and the first biasing means extends toward the conduit while being inclined inward in the radial direction; at least one claw member having a free end formed with a locking portion capable of engaging with the locking protrusion; a second biasing means for biasing the claw member radially inward; and a distal end of the casing. The inner cable is accommodated in the section so as to be slidable in the axial direction, and has a second hole therein through which the inner cable is slidably inserted. a lock release member having a second contact portion that contacts the diagonally extending side edge of the claw member; and a lock release member that is fixed to a portion of the inner cable protruding from the lock release member so as to come into contact with the first contact portion. A tension adjustment device for the inner cable of the control cable, which consists of a nipple and a nipple. 2. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a third biasing means for biasing the lock release member toward the outside of the casing.