JPH0532601B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a tension adjusting device for a manipulation wire. More specifically, when permanent elongation occurs in the wire or excessive tension occurs in the wire, the permanent elongation and excessive tension are automatically resolved, and appropriate tension is always applied to the wire. The invention relates to a device that can be adjusted to

[Conventional technology]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, operating wires (hereinafter simply referred to as wires) made of twisted steel wires or synthetic resin wires, for example, have been widely used as means for remotely controlling driven devices such as clutches in automobiles.

One end of the wire is connected to a driven device such as a clutch or brake that is always biased in the return direction by a return spring, and the other end is connected to an operating means such as a clutch pedal or hand lever, and the intermediate portion thereof is It is typically routed in a series of pulleys mounted on a fixed member, such as the frame of an automobile, or slidably guided by a conduit fixed at both ends on said fixed member. The latter is a mechanism known as a control cable (Bowden cable).

With the wiring as described above, when the operating means is operated in the pulling direction of the wire, the movement is transmitted to the driven device such as the clutch via the wire, and the operation is performed against the biasing force of the return spring. Then, when the wire is released, the return spring causes the driven member to return to its original position.

On the other hand, as mentioned above, a wire made of steel wire or the like is subjected to repeated tensioning and relaxing operations over a long period of time, so that it gradually stretches and undergoes permanent elongation that does not return to its original state. As a result, the wire may become slack, and the operating force may not be transmitted accurately.

In order to absorb such permanent elongation of the wire, for example, it is possible to separate the wire in the middle and wind the separated end around a pulley to directly adjust the actual length of the wire, or to adjust the length of the control cable. A method is adopted in which the length of the conduit is adjusted to be extended by operating a screw at the attachment end of the conduit, and the length of the inner cable is relatively shortened.

The elongation absorption work is extremely complicated because it must be performed every time elongation occurs.
To solve this problem, we have developed a method that automatically absorbs the elongation of the wire, for example,
Those disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 79268, Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 52-21358, and Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 60-51320 are known.

For example, in the elongation absorbing device described in Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 60-51320, a clutch mechanism is directly connected to one end of the inner rope of a control cable, and a clutch pedal is directly connected to the other end of the control cable. It is arranged in the middle and absorbs the elongation of the inner cable by automatically sending out the conduit following the elongation. That is, since the spring provided in the absorption device is always biased in the direction in which the conduit is sent out (the direction in which tension is applied to the inner cable), the conduit is sent out following the extension of the inner cable. On the other hand, when the inner cable is pulled by operating the clutch pedal, the conduit end (adjusting part) located inside the absorption device and having outer circumferential engaging teeth and the collet member having inner circumferential engaging teeth No movement of the conduit occurs as it is interlocked and fixed within the absorber. In this manner, since the collet member and the adjustment portion are engaged at appropriate positions in the conduit, the pedal is always operated in a state in which the slack in the inner cable is absorbed.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

By the way, in addition to the above-mentioned permanent elongation, wire elongation includes elastic elongation, which temporarily elongates only when an external force is applied and returns to its original state when the external force is removed.

All of the conventional elongation absorbing devices described above absorb the elongation of the inner cable using a one-way clutch means that combines a ratchet and a pawl, so they absorb not only the permanent elongation of the wire but also the elastic elongation. There is a problem with putting it away. For example, when such a device is used in a car's clutch system, it absorbs the apparent elongation of the wire that occurs due to distortion of the car body while driving, as well as the elastic elongation caused by overload during operation. . This can create excessive tension in the wire, for example, causing the clutch system to be permanently in a half-clutch position, resulting in 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.

In the absorption device described in the above-mentioned Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 60-51320, the conduit is in a free state when the clutch pedal is not operated, and does not absorb such elastic elongation. However, like other prior art,
Since the conduit is fed out by changing the meshing position of the engaging teeth, the elongation and absorption of the inner cord can only be done discontinuously and in stages, and fine adjustment is not possible.

On the other hand, as parts such as the clutch plate of the clutch device and the brake lining of the brake device gradually wear out, the length of the wire becomes insufficient and excessive tension is generated in the wire. In that case, the length of the wire may need to be increased to eliminate excessive tension. However, there is no known tension adjusting device with a simple structure that can automatically adjust the length of the wire in such a case.

For example, in the absorption device described in the above-mentioned Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 60-51320, since both ends of the inner cable of the control cable are directly connected to the clutch pedal and the clutch mechanism, what should be done when excessive tension is applied to the inner cable? No amount of manipulation of the conduit will relieve the excessive tension.

In addition to the function of the conventional device to automatically shorten the length of the wire when the tension on the wire becomes loose, the present invention automatically adjusts the length of the wire when excessive tension is applied to the inner cable. It is an object of the present invention to provide a tension adjustment device for a manipulation wire that can be adjusted to increase its length, has a simple structure, and has reliable operation.

[Means for solving problems]

The operating wire tension adjustment device of the present invention comprises an operating wire whose one end is connected to a reciprocating driven member which is always urged in the return direction by a return spring, and an operating means for the wire. (a) a first thread having a loose pitch and concentric with the wire; (b) a second member that is fitted into the first member and has a second screw threadedly engaged with the first screw; (c) rotatably supports the second member, and a carrier connected to the operating means; (d) an adjustment spring for biasing the second member in the direction of wire pull, at least when the operating means is near a return position; and (e) an adjustment spring for biasing the second member in the direction of wire pull. a rotation lock mechanism for freeing rotation of the second member when the means is in the return position and restraining rotation of the second member when the operating means is away from the return position; and (f) a holding means for holding the second member movably in the axial direction with respect to the carrier; (h) a friction surface formed on the second member and the carrier so as to come into contact with the second member; It consists of a stopper for release.

Note that a screw with a loose pitch angle as referred to in the claims refers to a screw lead that is sufficiently long compared to the effective diameter of the screw, so that one of the first member and second member that are screwed together is fixed in the axial direction. A screw that can move while rotating the other when pushed or pulled.

[Effect]

Unless the rotation locking means is temporarily released when the operating means is in the return position, the second
The rotation of the member is always restrained by the locking means. Therefore, under normal conditions, the operation of pulling or returning the operating means is performed from the carrier to the second
After being transmitted to the member, it is transmitted to the first member by engagement between the screw of the second member and the screw of the first member, and further transmitted to the wire. As a result, the driven equipment is also pulled against the force of the return spring,
It returns due to the force of the return spring.

In the device of the present invention, the first member and the second member are always screwed together, and by locking or unlocking the rotation of the second member, movement of the first member in the axial direction with respect to the second member is prevented. indirectly binding or permitting. Therefore, compared to locking by direct engagement between the locking pawl and the tooth row,
The locking and unlocking operations are much smoother, there is less damage to the engaging portion, and there are advantages that the locking and unlocking operations can be adjusted steplessly.

While the rotation locking means is temporarily released, the first member can freely move in its axial direction while rotating the second member. Therefore, when permanent elongation occurs in the wire, the action of the adjustment spring causes the first and second members to move relative to each other so as to shorten the effective length of the wire, and the rotation locking means is reengaged. At the time of mating, the permanent elongation of the wire has been absorbed.

Further, when excessive tension is applied to the wire, the first member and the second member move relative to each other so as to extend the effective length of the wire by pulling the wire toward the driven member, and the wire is pulled toward the driven member. Excessive tension is eliminated.

Note that if the wire is not permanently elongated or has excessive tension, the first member and second member will not move relative to each other even when the rotation lock is released, and the wire will be reattached while maintaining an appropriate tension. A rotation locking means is engaged.

The above-mentioned rotation locking action and wire tension adjustment action are performed each time the wire reciprocates once, that is, each time the operating means such as the clutch pedal returns to the return position, so the wire is automatically maintained at an appropriate tension state at all times. maintenance-free operation is achieved.

〔Example〕

Next, the apparatus of the present invention will be explained with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an embodiment of the device of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side view showing the operating state of the device shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the device shown in FIG. 1. Figure 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main parts of the carrier etc. in the device shown in Figure 1, Figure 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main parts showing the operating state of the carrier etc. shown in Figure 4, and Figure 6 is the same as Figure 1. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation state of the clutch operating device equipped with the device shown in FIG.

1 and 4, the clutch pedal 31 and other operating means are not operated, so the wire 3 and rod 4 are not operated.
is pulled back in the direction of arrow B by a return spring (39 in FIG. 6). 2 and 5 show a state in which the operating means is being operated in reverse, and the wire 3 and the like are being pulled in the direction of arrow A.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a stationary member such as the body of an automobile, and the stationary member 1 has an opening 2 formed therein. A wire 3, one end of which is connected to a movable member (for example, the lever 38 in FIG. 6) provided in a driven device such as a clutch, is inserted through the opening 2, and the wire 3 is inserted from one end of the wire 3. A rod 4 constituting the first member is connected in the extending direction. A multi-thread female thread 5 with a loose pitch angle is formed on the surface of the rod 4 as a first thread. In this way, by loosening the pitch angle of the screw, when the nut 16 is in a freely rotatable state and the rod 4 fixed to the wire 3 is prevented from moving in the axial direction,
If the rod 4 is moved in its axial direction, the nut 16
can be easily rotated. The number of screw threads and pitch angle are not particularly limited, but are usually 4 to 4.
Approximately 8 strips with an angle of 25 to 50 degrees are used. Further, the materials of the rod 4 and the nut 9 to be described later are not particularly limited, but for example, S35C (galvanized material such as MFZn5-C), BsBM, etc. can be used. Further, a ball screw or the like may be used as the first screw and the second screw.

Furthermore, as clearly shown in Figure 11,
A hole 6 is formed at the tip of the rod 4, and a torsion coil spring 7, whose one end 7a is inserted through the hole 6 and whose other end 7b is attached to the stationary member 1, is arranged as an adjustment spring. The torsion coil spring 7 keeps the rod 4 in a direction that constantly pulls the wire 3;
That is, it is elastically biased in the direction of arrow A, and furthermore, rotation of the rod 4 about its own axis is stopped.

Note that the other end 7b of the torsion coil spring 7 may be always restrained by the stationary member 1;
In order to reduce the burden on the clutch side, the biasing force is applied only when necessary, that is, only when the wire 3 etc. has returned to the vicinity of the return position.
For example, it may be attached to the stationary member 1 so as to be swingable within a certain range.

A nut 9 constituting a second member is fitted onto the outer periphery of the rod 4 and has a female thread 8 as a second thread formed on the inner periphery thereof to be screwed into the male thread 5.

As shown in detail in Figures 4-5, Nut 9
is housed in a cylindrical carrier 10 so as to be rotatable and capable of some axial movement.
The carrier 10 includes a cylindrical main body 10a having a locking step 11 extending radially inward at one end, and a main body 10a.
A cap 10 is screwed to close the other end of a.
It is composed of b.

An opening 12 is formed inside the locking step 11, and a through hole 10c is formed in the center of the carrier 10b.
is formed. In the device shown in FIG. 1, an abutment member 13 whose one end projects from the opening 12 is housed in a carrier 10 so as to be concentric with the nut 9 and movable in the axial direction. The contact member 13 has a hole 14 through which the rod 4 is inserted.
and a flange portion 15 that comes into contact with the inner surface of the locking step portion 11. The flange portion 15 is provided to prevent the contact member 13 from coming off the carrier 10 when it is pushed in the direction of arrow B by the nut 9. A flange portion 16 is also provided on the outer periphery of the nut 9, and the flange portion 16
can come into contact with a step 17 formed on the inner wall of the carrier 10.

The rod 4 is assembled to the carrier 10 so as to pass through a hole 14 formed in the abutting member 13, to be screwed into the nut 9, and to protrude outside from the hole 10c of the cap 10b.

A stopper 22 is provided at a position facing the tip of the abutting member 13 for pressing the abutting member 13 in the direction of the arrow A when the carrier 10 moves in the direction of the arrow B. The stopper 22 is fixed, for example, to the stationary member 1, and further has a hole 22a formed therein through which the rod 4 is inserted.

between the inner surface of the abutment member 13 and the center portion 16c of one surface of the flange portion 16;
Between the other surface 16b of the cap 10b and the inner surface of the cap 10b, balls 18 for forming thrust ball bearings are housed together with a retainer 19, thereby smoothing the rotation of the nut 9 within the carrier 10.

Note that when the abutting member 13 and the nut 9, and the cap 10b and the nut 9 are made of materials with low sliding friction, they are designed to abut directly without intervening the ball 18 or the abutting member 13. may be configured.

The nut 9 can move within the cavity of the carrier 10 in the direction of arrow B until the flange portion 16 abuts against the stepped portion 17, and in the direction of arrow A via the ball 18 until it is stopped by the cap 10b. Can be moved.

In the case shown in FIG. 4, the stepped portion 17 of the carrier 10 constituting the friction surface and the peripheral edge portion 16a of the one surface of the flange portion 16 of the nut 9 are tapered surfaces, so that the abutment occurs. A structure is adopted which strengthens the adhesion during this time and increases the frictional force between the two, that is, the force that locks the rotation of the nut 9. The taper angle of the tapered surface may be appropriately selected depending on the material of the nut, etc., but for example, 0
~45° is preferable. Furthermore, radial serrations or the like may be formed on the peripheral edge 16a and the stepped portion 17 of the one surface to further increase the rotational locking effect.

The peripheral edge 16a of one side of the flange 16 of the nut 9 and the stepped portion 17 of the carrier 10 are connected to the nut 9.
The abutment member 13 is a friction surface that restrains the rotation when the abutment member 13 rotates. Push in the direction of arrow A to remove the peripheral edge 16 on one side of the flange portion 16.
This creates a gap 23 between a and the stepped portion 17. That is, in the device shown in FIG.
Carrier 1 that accommodates nut 9 so as to be movable in the axial direction
The cavity 0, the stepped portion 17, the abutment member 13, the stopper 22, etc., allow the nut 9 to rotate freely when the operating means is in the return position (the position shown in FIG. 1), and when the operating means is in the return position. The nut 9 constitutes a rotation locking means for restraining rotation of the nut 9 when the nut 9 is separated from the nut 9.

Two pins 21 are protruded from the outer peripheral surface of the carrier 10, and the pins 21 are rotatably supported at the end of an operating means such as a clutch pedal 31 as shown in FIG. 6, for example.

The tension adjusting device configured as described above is arranged so as to be interposed between the end of the wire 3 and the end 33 of the clutch pedal 31 on the clutch pedal 31 side of the clutch operating device shown in FIG. 6, for example. can be assembled into.

6 is a conduit for slidably guiding the wire 3, and together with the wire 3 constitutes a control cable (Bowden cable). The conduit 34 is fixed to the stationary member 1, for example with a cable cap 32 in FIG. The device of the present invention can be used not only for such control cable wires but also for wires whose direction is changed by a pulley or a cable guide, or which are slidably guided.

Further, numeral 35 in FIG. 6 indicates a conventionally known clutch, in which a clutch plate 37 is always urged in the direction of arrow B by a plate-shaped return spring 36, and a lever 38 for releasing the engagement of the clutch plate 37.
Consists of etc. Note that the clutch pedal 31 is also provided with a return spring 39.

Next, the operation of the device will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1-2 and 6. The solid lines in FIGS. 1 and 6 and the imaginary lines in FIGS. 2 and 6 are in a relationship showing the main parts and the whole in the same state, respectively.

First, when the clutch pedal 31 is not depressed (see FIG. 1 and FIG. 6 (solid line)),
Since the return spring 36 of the clutch 35 pushes the clutch plate 37 in the direction of arrow B, the clutch plate 37 is stopped at a position where it comes into contact with a member 40 such as a flyhole. In this state, wire 3 is also pulled in the direction of arrow B, and rod 4 and nut 9
and the clutch pedal 31 via the carrier 10.
is also pulled back in the direction of arrow F.

That is, when the clutch pedal is not depressed, the contact member 13 in the carrier 10 contacts the stopper 22, as shown in detail in FIG.
The flange portion 16 of the nut 9 is separated from the stepped portion 17. Therefore, the nut 9 is rotatable, and the rod 4 can also be freely moved in the directions of arrows A and B.

The tension adjustment of the wire 3 according to the invention takes place in the meantime. In other words, if the wire 3 is slack due to permanent elongation, the torsion coil spring 7
is pulling the rod 4 in the direction of arrow A, so the rod 4 moves in the direction of arrow A while rotating the nut 9. Therefore, the effective length of the wire 3 is shortened, the elongation of the wire 3 is absorbed, and the tension of the wire 3 is restored.

Furthermore, if excessive tension is applied to the wire 3, that tension will pull the rod 4 in the direction of arrow B against the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 7.
moves in the direction of arrow B while rotating the nut 9. The effective length of the wire 3 is thereby increased and excessive tension on the wire 3 is removed.

Then, as shown by the imaginary line in FIG. 6, when the clutch pedal 31 is depressed to release the clutch 35, the carrier 10 moves in the direction of arrow A (see FIG. 2).

In this case, the abutment member 13 separates from the stopper 22, and the flange 16 of the nut 9 is pushed in the direction of arrow A by the step 17 of the carrier 10.
Therefore, the rotation of the nut 9 is restrained by the frictional force between the one surface 16a of the flange portion 16 and the stepped portion 17, and the nut 9 and the rod 4 are placed in relative positions where the tension of the wire 3 is appropriately maintained. It is pulled in the direction of arrow A against the biasing force of the return spring 36 without changing the direction.

When the force with which the clutch pedal 31 is depressed is then relaxed and the clutch plate 37 is reconnected, the operation is performed in the reverse order as described above, and the clutch pedal 31 returns to its original position (the position shown in FIG. 1). The wire tension adjustment function is then performed.

Since the device of the present invention can be constructed so that most of the mechanisms can be housed within the carrier 10, it is 2/3 the length and 2/3 the width of the conventional wire elongation absorbing device used for the same wire. , it can be designed extremely compactly at 1/2 the weight, and can be produced at low cost.

Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

For example, as mentioned above, since the rotation of the rod 4 around its own axis is restrained by the torsion coil spring 7, there is no need to provide a rotation stopper in particular. A guide may be formed to stop the rotation.

Further, instead of the torsion coil spring 7, a tension spring, a compression spring, or the like can also be used. Further, the nut 9 shown in FIG. 1 may be fixedly connected to the wire 3 side to form the first member, and the rod 4 may be rotatably connected to the carrier 10 to form the second member. In that case, the nut 9 may be provided at the tip of a pipe or the like having an internal space capable of accommodating the rod 4, for example.

In addition, in the device shown in FIG. 1, when the clutch pedal 31, which is the operating means, is in the return position, the rotation of the nut 9 is not restricted at all times, but the lock is released only when the clutch pedal 31 moves slightly away from the return position, for example. , and may be configured to be locked again when returning to the return position.

Such a mechanism is such that, for example, when the nut 9 moves to the right end in the drawing, the other surface 16b of the flange portion 16 comes into strong contact with the cap 10b, etc., and the rotation of the nut 9 is stopped by the frictional force between them. It can be configured by

According to this configuration, the nut 9 is free to rotate only while the nut 9 moves from one end to the other end within the carrier 10 immediately before the clutch pedal 31 and the like return to the return position and immediately after leaving the return position. During this time, the tension adjustment effect of the wire 3 as described above is performed. At other times, including when the clutch pedal 31 is in the return position, the nut 9
The relative positions of Rod 4 and Rod 4 remain unchanged.

In such a device, the first member such as the rod and the second member such as the nut are locked when the operating means such as the clutch pedal is returned to its original position, so it is necessary to use an adjustment spring with a large spring force. This has the advantage that the clutch can be more smoothly attached and detached.

Furthermore, since the first member and the second member are locked after the operating means such as the clutch pedal is returned, the return spring force of the clutch can be offset by the return spring force of the clutch pedal. This has the advantage of not putting any extra load on the clutch's return spring.

〔Effect of the invention〕

When employing the mechanism of the present invention, not only permanent elongation of the wire but also excessive tension is automatically resolved. Furthermore, since the wire tension is adjusted each time the operating means is operated, the wire is always kept under an appropriate tension. Also, the rotation of the nut, which is always screwed into the male screw with a loose pitch angle between the wire and the operating means, is restricted. Since the disengagement is performed indirectly, the engagement and disengagement action is extremely smooth, and the tension of the wire can be adjusted steplessly.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an embodiment of the device of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side view showing the operating state of the device shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the device shown in FIG. 1. Figure 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main parts of the carrier etc. in the device shown in Figure 1, Figure 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main parts showing the operating state of the carrier etc. shown in Figure 4, and Figure 6 is the same as Figure 1. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation state of the clutch operating device equipped with the device shown in FIG. (Main symbols in the drawing) 3: wire, 4: rod, 5: male screw, 7: torsional recoil spring, 8: female screw, 9: nut, 10: carrier, 22: stopper.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. Interposed between an operating wire whose one end is connected to a reciprocating driven member that is always urged in the return direction by a return spring and an operating means for the wire. The tension adjustment device includes: (a) a first screw connected to the other end of the wire so as to extend and not rotate about its own axis, and having a first thread concentric with the wire and having a gentle pitch angle; (b) a second member that is fitted into the first member and has a second screw threadedly engaged with the first screw; (c) rotatably supports the second member, and a carrier connected to the operating means; (d) an adjustment spring for biasing the first member in the direction of wire pull, at least when the operating means is near a return position; and (e) an adjustment spring for biasing the first member in the direction of wire pull. a rotation lock mechanism for freeing rotation of the second member when the means is in the return position and restraining rotation of the second member when the operating means is away from the return position; and (f) a holding means for holding the second member movably in the axial direction with respect to the carrier; (h) a friction surface formed on the second member and the carrier so as to come into contact with the second member; An operating wire tension adjustment device comprising a stopper for release. 2. A patent claim in which the first member is a rod having a male thread with a loose pitch angle formed around its periphery, and the second member is a nut having a female thread formed on its inner periphery to engage with the male thread. The device according to item 1. 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the friction surface is a tapered surface. 4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first screw and the second screw are multi-thread screws.