JPH076635A - Signal transmission cable - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a signal transmission cable for preventing external appearance from worsening due to a bending habit or the like while improving usability without getting entangled. CONSTITUTION:A signal transmission cable 1 is constituted with a conductor wire for transmitting a voice signal or the like through a wire by a shape memory alloy preset into a prescribed memory shape. The memory shape of the wire by the shape memory alloy is made almost in a linear shape, a circular shape or a curled shape.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a signal transmission cable suitable for use in audio equipment such as headphones, microphones and speakers.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Audio signal transmission cables used as headphone cords, microphone cords, or speaker cords generally have a plurality of copper wires spirally wound around a central yarn such as tetron or aramito fiber. To form a conductor line (signal transmission line), and the periphery thereof is covered with a cover made of polyvinyl chloride or the like.

[0003]

However, when headphones or a microphone are not used, the cables are usually bundled or wound in a circular shape for storage, but the user does not bundle them roughly or a part of the cables. When the copper wire or the covering body is stored in a folded state and a bending force is applied to the copper wire or the covering body, a bending habit is formed due to mechanical hysteresis of the copper wire or the covering body. And if you take it out again at the time of use, the cable tends to get entangled due to the habit of breaking,
There is a problem in that it becomes difficult to use, and it also has a bad external appearance.

There is also known a signal transmission cable which is curled so as to have elasticity when used, but in this case as well, a part of the cable is bent due to rough handling and storage conditions and the curling direction is changed. There was a case where it was turned over, and it was in a stretched state due to long-term use or unreasonable stretching.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and includes a conductor wire for transmitting a signal such as a voice signal and a wire made of a shape memory alloy set to a predetermined memory shape. Provided is a signal transmission cable that is threaded. Here, the memory shape of the wire made of the shape memory alloy is substantially linear. Alternatively, the memory shape of all or part of the wire is set to be substantially circular. Or, the memory shape of the wire is curled.

[0006]

[Function] By passing the wire made of shape memory alloy through the signal transmission cable, the cable will be naturally based on the memorized shape of the shape memory alloy wire when taken out from the storage state in which the cables are bundled or rolled. It becomes a substantially linear shape, a circular shape, or the original curled shape.

[0007]

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment in which the signal transmission cable of the present invention is used as a headphone cord. Reference numeral 10 is a headphone, 11 is a connection plug, and 1 is a cable.
The cable 1 is of a four-core type, for example, as shown in a sectional view in FIG. Reference numeral 2 is a tetoron yarn which is a central yarn of the conductive wire, and 3 is a copper wire portion wound around the tetron yarn 2. For example, 14 0.06 mm copper wires are wound in a spiral shape to form one channel. And a signal is transmitted.

Reference numeral 4 is a hollow (tube-shaped) covering portion made of polyvinyl chloride or the like, which covers the outside of the 4-wire copper wire portion 3. A wire 5 made of a shape memory alloy having a diameter of about 0.5 mm is arranged at the central position of the copper wire portion 3 of 4 units.

Here, as is generally known, the shape memory alloy returns to its original shape even if it is deformed at a certain temperature or higher. Therefore, the wire 5 is preliminarily stored with a substantially linear shape, for example, with a memory temperature of 0 °. Then, at normal temperature, the wire 5 returns to a straight line, and for example, even if the user roughly uses the headphones 10 to clutter the cable 1 as shown in FIG. ) Will return to a straight line. In addition, even if it is pushed into a storage case or the like to be stored in the state shown in FIG. 1B, the cable 1 must be returned to a linear shape as shown in FIG. 1A when it is taken out and used next time. become.

In other words, there is no tendency to bend or a so-called twisted state, and a good appearance is maintained during use, and the cable 1 is not entangled and there is no difficulty during use.

The shape memory alloy wire 5 may be used instead of the Tetron thread 2. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, a copper wire may be wound around the wire 5 to form the copper wire portion 3. Further, in FIG. 3, the wires 5 are provided as the center lines of all the copper wire parts 3 of 4 units, or the center line may be the wire 5 for at least one of the copper wire parts 3.

Further, for example, in a two-core type cable, the wire 5 may be added to each of the copper wire portions 3, 3 as shown in FIG. Of course, also in this case, Tetoron thread 2
Alternatively, the wire 5 may be used. Of course, even in the case of a multi-core type cable having 3 cores or 5 cores or more, wires made of a shape memory alloy may be similarly provided.

FIG. 5 shows a microphone 20 which uses the same signal transmission cable 1 as that shown in FIG. Reference numeral 21 indicates a connection plug. Also in this case, even if the cable 1 is roughly stored as shown in FIG.
As described above, the cable 1 returns to a linear shape, the entanglement of the cable 1 during use is eliminated, and the appearance is improved.

Further, in particular, as in FIGS. 1 and 5, the wire 5 is
6 is an example in which it is preferable to store the linear shape in FIG.
The ear receiver 30 is shown in FIG. Reference numeral 31 is a driver unit, and 32 is a connection plug. The ear receiver 30 can be housed with the cable 1 wound in a dedicated case 33 as shown in FIG. 6A, for example.
If you remove the from the special case 33 when using the cable 1
Is instantly made substantially straight without being entangled, as shown in FIG. 6B, which is very convenient for use.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of a headphone 10 in which the memory shape of the wire 5 arranged on the cable 1 is different. In this case, the wire 5 in the cable 1 is memorized as a rounded shape having a diameter of, for example, about 200 mm. Such an embodiment is effective for setting the extension length of the cable 1 to be long. For example, if the cable 1 becomes 5 m to 10 m long or longer, it will always return to a straight line at room temperature, so if the cable is not in use and stored in a case, etc. It becomes a state of lying unnecessarily,
It can be annoying.

Therefore, when the headphone 10 is a long cord type, the memory shape of the shape memory alloy wire 5 in the cable 1 is round as shown in FIG. Then, considering the case of connecting to the stereo set 12 for use, for example, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, only the required length is extended according to the use position (user's position), and the extra length is in a round state. Will be kept. In other words, the extra length portion is neatly put together at the time of use and is not bothersome. Further, since it is assembled as shown in FIG. 7 even after use, it is not bothersome to leave it as it is, and it can be stored in a predetermined case or the like as it is, which is very convenient.

FIG. 9 shows a wire 5 stored in a round shape.
FIG. 10 shows an example of a microphone 20 using the cable 1 in which is arranged, and FIG. 10 shows a portable type speaker 40 (for example, a small active speaker) in a round shape as a transmission cable between the speaker body and the connection plug 41. This is an example using the cable 1 in which the stored wires 5 are arranged. In these cases, the same effect as that of the headphone 10 can be obtained.

FIG. 11 shows an embodiment of the headphone 10 in which the memory shape of the wire 5 arranged on the cable 1 is further different. In this case, the wire 5 is stored in a curl shape, that is, it corresponds to a cable which is a normal curl cord. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the curl direction from being bent or twisted so that the curl direction is reversed even if the sheets are randomly stored.

Further, the characteristic of the weight of the shape memory alloy with respect to the amount of deflection is shown by the broken line in FIG. 12 (the solid line is for stainless steel or copper), but the amount of deformation increases in the shape memory alloy as shown by the area A in the figure. However, there is a superelastic region in which the force generated by it (the force to return to the original shape) exhibits a constant weighted characteristic. Then, as shown in the figure, the flexed state returns to the state before the load. On the other hand, in the case of stainless steel and copper, the load must be increased as the amount of deflection (deformation amount) is increased, and due to mechanical hysteresis, the state before applying the load cannot be restored and permanent deformation does not occur. Will occur.

For example, assume that a spring is made of a stainless wire as shown in FIG. 13 (a) and is pulled by an excessive force as shown in FIG. 13 (b). Then, even if the spring is released, only the state shown in FIG. 13C is restored, that is, a certain amount is permanently deformed. Moreover, the longer the spring is, the stronger the force required to pull the spring becomes.

However, the shape memory alloy shown in FIG.
It is assumed that a spring is made as shown in FIG. 14 and is pulled by an excessive force as shown in FIG. In this case, when the spring is released, the spring returns to its original state as shown in FIG. 14 (c) and no deformation occurs. In other words, it will be strong against deformation,
This strength is about 10 times that of stainless steel and piano wire. Further, the force for pulling the spring does not change in the superelastic region even if the spring becomes long.

Due to these characteristics, it is possible to prevent the so-called elongation from occurring by arranging the wire 5 of the shape memory alloy in the cable 1 having the curl cord, and to wear the headphone 10, for example. Even if you need to leave the stereo set as it is and extend the curl, due to the constant load characteristics of the super elastic region,
The user can pull it to some extent with ease.
Of course, such a curled cable 1 may be used for a microphone or a speaker.

By the way, in the embodiment, the example in which the present invention is adopted in an audio device such as a headphone, a speaker, and a microphone is given. However, the present invention further includes a signal transmission cable for transmitting a video signal between video devices, and a computer device. It can also be used as a cable for transmitting various digital data in a word processor, a data recording device, a data reproducing device, and the like. Further, it is also useful as a transmission cable for a telephone, that is, a transmission cable between a telephone body and a handset, and an output signal cable for electronic musical instruments and electric musical instruments. And, in these various devices, the present invention is particularly suitable for use as a cable connected to a device worn, carried or carried by a user.

[0024]

As described above, in the signal transmission cable of the present invention, the wire made of the shape memory alloy is passed through the signal transmission cable, so that the cable can be taken out from the storage state such as bundling or winding. Alternatively, even if handled roughly, the cable naturally becomes a substantially linear shape, a circular shape, or an original curled shape based on the memorized shape of the shape memory alloy wire. Therefore, there is an effect that the cable is not entangled during use and it is easy to use, and there is no crease or twist in appearance, which is favorable.

Further, by storing the data in a circular shape (round shape), it is easy to take up the cable even when the cable is long and it is not uncomfortable to leave it as it is. There are advantages. further,
When the memory shape is curled, the shape retention is good,
There is also an advantage that a curl code without permanent deformation can be realized.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment in which a cable having a linear memory shape according to the present invention is used in headphones.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of the cable of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration of a cable of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of the cable of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment in which a cable having a linear memory shape according to the present invention is used for a microphone.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment in which a cable having a linear memory shape according to the present invention is used for an ear receiver.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment in which a cable having a circular memory shape according to the present invention is used in headphones.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram when using an embodiment in which a cable having a circular memory shape according to the present invention is used for headphones.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment in which a cable having a circular memory shape according to the present invention is used for a microphone.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment in which a cable having a circular memory shape according to the present invention is used for a speaker.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram when using an embodiment in which a cable having a curled memory shape according to the present invention is used for headphones.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of characteristics of a shape memory alloy.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of permanent deformation due to a stainless spring.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of a returning action of the shape memory alloy spring.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Cable 2 Tetoron Thread 3 Copper Wire Part 4 Covering Part 5 Shape Memory Alloy Wire 10 Headphones 20 Microphone 30 Ear Receiver 40 Speaker

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A signal transmission cable comprising a conductor wire for transmitting a signal and a wire made of a shape memory alloy set to have a predetermined memory shape. 2. The signal transmission cable according to claim 1, wherein the memory shape of the wire made of the shape memory alloy is substantially linear. 3. The signal transmission cable according to claim 1, wherein the memory shape of all or a part of the wire made of the shape memory alloy is substantially circular. 4. The memory shape of the wire made of the shape memory alloy is curled.
Signal transmission cable described in.