JPH0727124A - Automatic tensile force adjusting mechanism for control cable - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To eliminate slackness automatically when a cable is elongated by connecting a screw rod to the cable end, inserting the screw rod freely by the inclination, and installing internally a locking plate meshed with the screw rod and a spring to regulate the inclination of the locking plate in a case. CONSTITUTION:When a cable is elongated and slackness is caused, a screw rod 1 is pulled nearer by a slackened quantity in the inverse arrow direction (c) of the arrow direction (a) by elastic pressure of a spring 13. Since the screw rod 1 is pulled in the arrow direction (c), a locking plate 19 in a case 17 is pulled in the arrow direction (c) together with the screw rod 1 against the elastic pressure of the spring 13, so that the locking plate 19 stands up. Locking force of the screw rod 1 and the locking plate 19 is released by this standing up, and only the screw rod 1 is pulled in the arrow direction (c) by the extent that the slackness of the cable is eliminated by the elastic pressure of the spring 13, and the cable is tensioned thereby, and tensile force of the cable is adjusted automatically. After the automatic adjustment, the locking relationship between the screw rod 1 and the locking plate 19 is restored to a former position, and cable tension force is maintained.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a control cable tension automatic adjusting mechanism for keeping a floating length of a control cable used in an automobile or the like constant.

Control cables used in automobiles include, for example, a parking brake cable, an accelerator cable, an automatic transmission cable, a kickdown cable, and the like. These cables are stretched by repeated tensioning over a long period of time. ,
Due to this elongation, for example, the braking force is insufficient and the accelerator operating force is insufficient.

For example, in a brake cable used in a parking brake device, the cable itself is stretched by repeatedly tensioning the parking brake cable. In particular, the parking brake cable immediately after assembling the parking brake device is significantly stretched, which makes it impossible to properly maintain the braking force of the parking brake.

Therefore, when the parking brake cable is stretched, a length adjusting mechanism for the parking brake cable, for example, has been developed to absorb the amount of the stretching so that a stable floating length can be obtained. There is.

[0005]

2. Description of the Related Art A known example of this type of cable length adjusting mechanism will be described with reference to FIG. 1. Reference numeral 1 denotes a screw rod to which a front cable 2 connected to, for example, a parking brake handle (not shown) is connected. (Long bolt), 3
Are a pair of rear cables connected to a brake unit (not shown). Reference numeral 4 denotes an equalizer formed in a flat rectangular shape (not necessarily rectangular), and locking holes 5 are formed at both end portions of the equalizer 4. The rear ends of the respective rear cables 3 are fitted and locked to the terminals 5 via terminal stoppers 6.
Reference numeral 7 is a locking hole formed in the center of the equalizer 4, and a center pin 8 is fitted and locked in the locking hole 7.

The center pin 8 is provided with a through hole 9 penetrating in a direction orthogonal to the pin axis. The screw rod 1 is inserted into the through hole 9 and the center pin 8 is further inserted. A floating length adjusting nut (including a lock nut) 10 is screwed onto the tip of the threaded rod 1 inserted through.

The cable length adjusting mechanism 11 configured as described above is interposed between the front cable 2 and the rear cable 3, and, for example, the parking brake handle and the brake unit include the front cable 2 and the adjusting mechanism. 11, the brake unit is connected via the rear cable 3, and the brake unit is operated by the operation of the parking brake handle.
Alternatively, if the rear cable is stretched, the operating force of the parking brake handle cannot be effectively transmitted to the brake unit.

Therefore, when the front cable 2 and the rear cable are stretched, the tension adjusting nut 10
The above-mentioned tightening work manually adjusts the tension of the cables 2 and 3 so as to obtain a desired tension.

[0009]

Therefore, in the cable length adjusting mechanism 11 of this conventional example, the tension must be manually adjusted every time the cables 2 and 3 are stretched. Due to this, it is difficult to perform fine adjustment of the cable tension force, and there is a problem that the adjustment work takes time.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems, and a first object thereof is to automatically absorb the elongation of a cable when the elongation occurs. The purpose is to return to the desired tension state.
A second object is to propose a wide variety of automatic cable length adjusting mechanisms in the conventional example, but in the present invention, the structure is simplified, the economical efficiency is improved, and further, the weight is reduced to provide an equipment structure for a vehicle. To be advantageous. The third purpose is
The conventional adjusting mechanism is made to be an automatic adjusting mechanism by a simple assembling work such as adding to the existing adjusting mechanism without changing the structure of the existing manually adjusting type cable length adjusting mechanism.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below in detail based on the embodiments shown in the drawings. The same parts as the structure of this embodiment and the structure described in the conventional example are designated by the reference numerals used in the conventional example. Then, the structural description of the same structural part is omitted.

Embodiment 1 In FIG. 2, in this embodiment, an automatic adjuster 12 which is a main product of the present invention shown in FIG. 3 is inserted between a center pin 8 and a tension adjusting nut 10 in a screw rod 2. Further, the automatic adjuster 12 is pressed against the center pin 8 side by the elastic force of the spring 13.

As shown in FIG. 3, the structure of the automatic adjuster 12 is such that one circular opening 14 that gently penetrates the screw rod 2 is provided.
A cylindrical case 17 in which an inclined locking plate receiving surface 15 is provided on the inner side of the edge and a spring receiving surface 16 is formed on the inner side of the edge of the other circular opening 14, and is housed in the case 17. In addition, a locking plate 19 having a through hole 18 having an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the screw rod 1 and through which the screw rod 1 is inserted,
The spring 20 is housed in the case 17 and presses the locking plate 19 against the locking plate receiving surface 15.

The outer shape of the locking plate 19 is as shown in FIG. 4, and the thickness of the locking plate 19 is related to the pitch width of the screw thread in the screw rod 1. It is desirable that the pitch width is 2 pitch widths. More specifically, when the outer diameter of the screw rod 2 is 6 mm, the locking plate 19
Has a plate thickness of 1 to 2 mm, and the through hole 18 has an inner diameter of 6.2 to
It is desirable that it is 6.6 mm.

Next, the operation of the automatic adjuster 12 will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 2, the automatic adjuster 12 inserted into the screw rod 1 is pressed against the center pin 18 by utilizing the tightening force of the nut 10 and the elastic force of the spring 13. When the automatic adjusting mechanism including the automatic adjuster 12 is used in the center lever type parking brake system, the brake lever 21 and the adjusting screw 22 are used as shown in FIG.
Is connected between the front cable 2 and the rear cable 3 connected to the brake unit 23. Reference numeral 24 indicates a bracket of the rear cable 3.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of using the automatic adjusting mechanism of the above embodiment in a foot-operated parking brake system. The front cable 2 is connected to the parking brake pedal 25 and the rear cable is connected to the brake unit 23. It is interposed between the cable 3 and the cable 3.

Therefore, when the front cable 2 and the rear cable 3 are strained, the tension between the two cables causes the screw rod 1 to move in the arrow direction (a) and the equalizer 4 to move in the arrow direction in FIG. Since it is pulled by (b), the outer end surface (the end surface on the locking plate receiving surface 15 side) 17A of the case 17 of the automatic adjuster 12 is pressed against the end surface of the center pin 8 so that the case 17 of the automatic adjuster 12 faces the nut 10 direction. To the through hole 18 of the locking plate 19 at this time.
The hole edge is locked with the thread of the screw rod 1 as shown in FIG.
Therefore, the screw rod 1 is integrally connected to the center pin 8 and the equalizer 4 via the automatic adjuster 12, so that the tension of the front cable and the rear cable is maintained.

However, when the front cable and / or the rear cable is stretched and loosened, the elastic force of the spring 13 causes the screw rod 1 to move in the direction opposite to the arrow direction (a) by the looseness. It is pulled in the direction (c).

When the screw rod 1 is pulled in the arrow direction (c), the locking plate 19 installed inside the case 17 resists the elastic force of the spring 20 and together with the screw rod 2, the arrow plate (c). ), This action causes the locking plate 19 to stand up as shown in FIG. Due to the standing of the locking plate 19, the locking force between the screw rod 1 and the locking plate 19 is released, and the screw rod 1
The elastic force of the spring 13 pulls only the cable 2 in the arrow direction (c) so as to eliminate the looseness of the cable, whereby the cables 2 and 3 are tensioned and the cable tension is automatically adjusted.

After such automatic adjustment of the cable tension, the tension of the cable returns the locking relationship between the screw rod 1 and the locking plate 19 to the positions shown in FIGS. It will be maintained.

Embodiment 2 In Embodiment 1, the operation of changing the meshing position between the teeth of the screw rod 1 and the locking plate 19 in the case 17 according to the amount of sagging of the cable is performed by the elastic force of the spring 13. For example, in a center lever type parking brake system, when the length of the front cable is short and the rigidity is high, the front cable does not sag and the screw rod 1 is extended by the amount of extension of the cable. Can be pushed in the arrow direction (c), so in the second embodiment, as shown in FIG.
2 is provided with a fixed external bracket 26 that comes into contact with the back surface of the second.

Therefore, according to the second embodiment, the cable 2
If the extension occurs in 3 and 3, the screw rod 1 is pushed in the arrow direction (c) by the extension amount, but since the case of the automatic adjuster 12 is positioned by the external bracket 26, The meshing position of the locking plate 19 meshed with the teeth of the rod 1 is changed in the same manner as in the above embodiment, and as a result, the extension of the cable is absorbed and the cable is restored to the proper tension state.

Third Embodiment In the third embodiment, the case 17 of the automatic adjuster 12 is fixed integrally with the center pin 8 fitted and locked in the equalizer 4.

Therefore, according to the third embodiment, the cable 2
If extension occurs in 3 and 3, the screw rod 1 is pushed in the direction of the arrow (c) by the extension, but the case of the automatic adjuster 12 is fixed to the equalizer 4 via the center pin 8. However, since the automatic adjuster 12 is not moved with respect to the equalizer 4, the meshing position of the locking plate 19 meshed with the teeth of the screw rod 1 is changed, as in the second embodiment.
As a result, the extension of the cable is absorbed and the cable is restored to the proper tension state.

[0025]

As described above, according to the present invention, the center rod 8 for penetrating and holding the screw rod 1 connected to the end of the front cable 2 with play in the axial direction is fitted and locked, and the rear cable 3 is attached. In a cable tension adjusting mechanism having an equalizer 4 for fitting and locking the ends, a locking plate receiving surface 1 which penetrates the screw rod and inwardly inclines with respect to the penetration axis thereof.
5 and a locking plate 1 having a tubular case 17 and a through hole 18 which is internally housed in the tubular case 17 and through which the screw rod 1 is gently inserted and which has an inner diameter close to the outer diameter of the screw rod.
9 and the locking plate 19 installed inside the cylindrical case 17
An automatic adjuster 12 including a spring 20 that presses against the locking plate receiving surface is positioned between the center pin 8 and the tip of the screw rod 1, and the automatic adjuster 12 is positioned on the center pin 8. Since it is the automatic tension adjustment mechanism for the control cable, it can automatically and effectively absorb the extension of the cable when extension occurs, and can maintain the tension of the cable in a stable manner. In the present invention, it is extremely easy to install the cable tension adjusting mechanism in the existing structure and improve the automatic tension adjusting mechanism.
Further, the automatic adjuster of the present invention has a simple structure and can be provided as an inexpensive product.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a structural explanatory view showing a conventional cable tension adjusting mechanism.

FIG. 2 is a structural explanatory view of a cable tension automatic adjusting mechanism according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a structural explanatory view of an automatic adjuster according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of only the locking plate of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a state where the automatic cable tension adjusting mechanism according to the embodiment of the present invention is assembled to the center lever type brake system.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the automatic cable tension adjusting mechanism according to the embodiment of the present invention is assembled to a foot-operated brake system.

FIG. 7 is an operation explanatory view of the automatic adjuster according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an operation explanatory view of the automatic adjuster according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a structural explanatory view of a cable tension automatic adjusting mechanism of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a structural explanatory view of a cable tension automatic adjusting mechanism of a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

12 ... Automatic adjuster 13 ... Spring 14 ... Opening 15 ... Locking plate receiving surface 16 ... Spring receiving surface 17 ... Case 18 ... Through hole 19 ... Locking plate 20 ... Spring 21 ... Brake lever 22 ... Adjusting screw 23 ... Brake Unit 24 ... Bracket 25 ... Brake pedal 26 ... External bracket

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] September 20, 1993

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be corrected] Claim 2

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Procedure Amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0012

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

Embodiment 1 In FIG. 2, in this embodiment, an automatic adjuster 12 which is a main product of the present invention shown in FIG. 3 is inserted between a center pin 8 and a tension adjusting nut 10 in a screw rod 1 . Further, the automatic adjuster 12 is pressed against the center pin 8 side by the elastic force of the spring 13.

[Procedure 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0013

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

As shown in FIG. 3, the structure of the automatic adjuster 12 is such that one circular opening 14 that gently penetrates the screw rod 1 is provided.
A cylindrical case 17 in which an inclined locking plate receiving surface 15 is provided on the inner side of the edge and a spring receiving surface 16 is formed on the inner side of the edge of the other circular opening 14, and is housed in the case 17. In addition, a locking plate 19 having a through hole 18 having an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the screw rod 1 and through which the screw rod 1 is inserted,
The spring 20 is housed in the case 17 and presses the locking plate 19 against the locking plate receiving surface 15.

[Procedure amendment 4]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0014

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

The outer shape of the locking plate 19 is as shown in FIG. 4, and the thickness of the locking plate 19 is the pitch width of the screw thread.
Is preferably a multiple of. More specifically, engaging
When the plate thickness of the stop plate 19 is 1 mm,
The inner diameter is 6.2 mm, and when the plate thickness is 2 mm,
The diameter is 6.6 mm.

[Procedure Amendment 5]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0019

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

When the screw rod 1 is pulled in the arrow direction (c), the locking plate 19 installed inside the case 17 resists the elastic force of the spring 20 and together with the screw rod 1 , the arrow direction (c). ), This action causes the locking plate 19 to stand up as shown in FIG. Due to the standing of the locking plate 19, the locking force between the screw rod 1 and the locking plate 19 is released, and the screw rod 1
The elastic force of the spring 13 pulls only the cable 2 in the arrow direction (c) so as to eliminate the looseness of the cable, whereby the cables 2 and 3 are tensioned and the cable tension is automatically adjusted.

[Procedure correction 6]

[Document name to be corrected] Drawing

[Name of item to be corrected] Figure 1

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Figure 1]

[Procedure Amendment 7]

[Document name to be corrected] Drawing

[Name of item to be corrected] Figure 2

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Fig. 2]

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Yoshiharu Kitamura 4056 Sakuradai, Nakatsu, Aikawa-cho, Aiko-gun, Kanagawa Nihon Hatsujo Co., Ltd.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A rear cable (3) in which a screw rod (1) connected to an end of a front cable (2) is fitted and locked with a center pin (8) which holds the screw rod (1) through with play in the axial direction. In a cable tension adjusting mechanism having an equalizer (4) for fitting and locking the end of the above, there is a locking plate receiving surface (15) which penetrates the screw rod and inclines with respect to the penetration axis on the inside. A cylindrical case (17) and a through hole (18) which is internally housed in the cylindrical case (17) and gently inserts the screw rod (1) and has an inner diameter close to the outer diameter of the screw rod. The engaging plate (19) and the cylindrical case (1
The center pin (8) and the screw rod (1) are provided with an automatic adjuster (12) which is internally provided in the inside of (7) and comprises a spring (20) for pressing the locking plate (19) against the locking plate receiving surface.
It is located between the tip and the automatic adjuster (12)
To the center pin (8) by the elastic force of the spring (13).
An automatic tension adjustment mechanism for control cables, which is characterized by being pressed against. 2. A rear cable (3), wherein a screw rod (1) connected to an end of the front cable (2) is fitted and locked with a center pin (8) which holds the screw rod (1) through with play in the axial direction. In a cable tension adjusting mechanism having an equalizer (4) for fitting and locking the end of the above, there is a locking plate receiving surface (15) which penetrates the screw rod and inclines with respect to the penetration axis on the inside. A cylindrical case (17) and a through hole (18) which is internally housed in the cylindrical case (17) and gently inserts the screw rod (1) and has an inner diameter close to the outer diameter of the screw rod. Locking plate (19) having a plate thickness that is provided and is substantially equal to or less than the screw pitch width of the screw rod (1)
And a spring (2) which is housed in the cylindrical case (17) and presses the locking plate (19) against the locking plate receiving surface.
0) and an automatic adjuster (12) positioned between the center pin (8) and the tip of the screw rod (1), and the automatic adjuster (12) is fixed to an external bracket (26). ), The automatic tension adjusting mechanism for the control cable is characterized in that it is positioned between the outer bracket (26) and the center pin (8). 3. A rear cable (3), wherein a screw rod (1) connected to an end of the front cable (2) is fitted and locked with a center pin (8) which holds the screw rod (1) through with axial play. In a cable tension adjusting mechanism having an equalizer (4) for fitting and locking the end of the above, there is a locking plate receiving surface (15) which penetrates the screw rod and inclines with respect to the penetration axis on the inside. A cylindrical case (17) and a through hole (18) which is internally housed in the cylindrical case (17) and gently inserts the screw rod (1) and has an inner diameter close to the outer diameter of the screw rod. The engaging plate (19) and the cylindrical case (1
7) The automatic adjuster (12), which is internally provided in the inside and includes the spring (20) for pressing the locking plate (19) to the locking plate receiving surface, is integrally formed with the center pin (8). The feature is the automatic tension adjustment mechanism of the control cable.