MXPA99000297A - Remote control unit that has a block terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a motion transmitting remote control assembly (10) for transmitting movement along a curved path, said assembly (10) including: a flexible central transmitting movement element (14); ) attached to one end of said central element (14), said terminal (18, 40 and 64) including a plurality of cantilevered parallel arms (56) arranged around a cavity, said arms (56) being normally disposed in a position retainer for retaining a controlled element (62) in said cavity (58) and being movable to a receiving position for receiving said controlled element (62) in said cavity (58); and a locking means for locking said arms in said position to hold the controlled element in said cavity, said locking means being movably supported by said terminal, for its transverse movement towards said arms between a block position or to lock said arms in said retention position and a release position that allows said arms to flex toward said receiving position

Description

REMOTE CONTROL UNIT THAT HAS A LOCKOUT TERMINAL - BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the invention The present invention relates in general to a remote transmitting movement control assembly of the type for transmitting forces along a curved path and, more specifically, to a locking terminal for the same. 2. Description of the Prior Art The remote control sets of motion transmitters of the type for transmitting movement in a curved path by means of a central flexible transmitting movement element are frequently used in automotive applications to control the movement of a device from a remote position. For example, the air inlet valve of an internal combustion engine is typically controlled with a foot pedal or hand lever. Other examples include the remote manipulation of transmissions, ventilation systems, fuel plugs, and opening of hoods by means of a remote control transmitter of movement. Such remote control transmitting movement assemblies may include a sheath-like protective conduit that slidably supports a moving internal central element. The conduits are often of the composite type with an internal tubular coating defining the internal boundaries of a central passage, at least one metallic coil and support wire wound helically around the covering, and an outer cover disposed around the collation wire. Alternatively, the conduit may be of a more traditional Bowden type construction. The central element can be a single wire or a multiple strand wire. For applications involving relatively large longitudinal force transfer, such as when remotely controlling an automatic transmission, the assembly must be fixedly connected to a portion of the controlled element, typically a ball stud. The prior art has described the establishment of a terminal having a flexible lock or a plurality of arms for receiving and retaining the ball stud. Accordingly, a remote control assembly with a terminal that can be locked to the controlled element is needed. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES The present invention provides a remote transmitting motion control assembly for transmitting movement along a curved path. The assembly includes a flexible central transmitting movement element and a terminal attached to one end of the central element. The terminal includes a plurality of cantilevered arms defining a cavity. The arms, normally disposed in a detent position for retaining a controlled element in the cavity, can be moved to a receiving position to receive the controlled element in the cavity. The assembly is characterized by locking means for locking the arms in the retention position in order to block the controlled element in the cavity. Accordingly, the invention provides a terminal that can be positively locked in the controlled element to transfer very high loads without being accidentally removed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as it is better understood by reference to the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an exploded view of a remote control assembly according to the present invention including a length regulator, a slider, and an interlocking device having locking means. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the remote control assembly connected to a controlled element with the locking device shown in the locked position.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the remote control assembly connected to the controlled element with the locking device represented in the shipping position. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the remote control assembly connected to the controlled element, the locking means being shown in the locked position.

And Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the remote control assembly connected to the controlled element, the interlock device being represented between the length regulator and the slider. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference to the figures, where analogous numbers indicate analogous or corresponding parts in all the different views, a remote transmitter movement set is generally represented at 10. The assembly 10 is of the type that includes a flexible conduit, indicated generally at 12, having a pair of spaced ends, of which only one is shown in Figure 1. The conduit 12 is preferably of the composite type with an internal tubular covering which defines the internal boundaries of a central passage, at least one metallic coil and support wire wound helically around the coating, and an outer cover disposed around the laminating wire. A flexible central element 14 is slidably disposed in the conduit 12 to transmit longitudinal forces along the same. The central element 14 extends from both ends of the conduit 12 and is attached, respectively, to the control and controlled elements. For example, the control end of the central element 14 can be connected to a shift lever (not shown) located in the passenger compartment, while the controlled end of the central element 14 can be connected to an automatic transmission (which can also be It represents) . In the above example where the central element 14 has to transmit both tensile and compressive forces, a rigid extension 16 is fixedly connected to the end of the central element 14 to provide resistance to buckling. In such circumstances, it is customary to enclose a portion of the rigid extension 16 in a rotating tube as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Naturally, other applications of a motion transmitting remote control assembly including a conduit 12 and a central member 14 are possible, without departing from the invention defined in the appended claims, and many other alternative configurations of the preferred embodiment described are also possible. In the present memory. Because of the unavoidable dimensional variations between the control and controlled devices in a typical motor vehicle, a length regulator, indicated generally at 18, is provided for adjusting the longitudinal length of the central element 14. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the length regulator 18 can be easily modified to adjust the length of the conduit 12 instead of the central element 14 to obtain essentially the same results. The length regulator 18 avoids the slack or excessive tension in the remote control assembly 10, relaxes the dimensional controls observed during the manufacture of the assembly 10, and also simplifies the installation process in the vehicle. As shown in Figure 1, the length regulator 18 includes a housing 20 having a first set of transverse teeth 22 along a first surface 24 and a second set of transverse teeth 26 along a second surface 28 The second surface 28 of the housing 20 faces the first surface 24. The housing 20 has a generally rectangular shape including an inner hole 30 extending in the longitudinal direction and having a predetermined width. The first set of teeth 22 and the second set of teeth 26 extend perpendicularly to the hole 30 and are located on flank sides of the hole 30. The first set of teeth 22 includes an upper front row of teeth 32 adjacent to one side of the hole interior 30 and a row of upper rear teeth 34 next to the opposite side of the inner hole 30. The second set of teeth 26 includes a row of lower front teeth 36 adjacent to one side of the inner hole 30 and a row of lower rear teeth 38 together to the opposite side of the inner hole 30. In the preferred embodiment, the rigid extension 16 of the central element 14 is embedded in the housing 20, for example, by an overmolding operation. In this way, the housing 20 and the central element 14 are integrally fixed to one another. The assembly 10 also includes a slide 40 that can move longitudinally within the predetermined width of the hole 30. The slide 40 includes a head 42, a first shelf 44 and a second shelf 46. The head 42 is defined by a first flange 48 that extends longitudinally from a first side 50 of the slide 40 and a second flange 52 extending longitudinally from a second side 54 opposite the first side 50 of the slide 40. The head 42, including the first flange 48 and the second flange 52 , is narrower than the predetermined width of the hole 30, whereby the head 42 can be inserted through the hole 30. The first shelf 44 and the second shelf 46 extend longitudinally from the first side 50 and the second side 54 of the 40, respectively. In addition, the first shelf 44 and the second shelf 46 extend transversely from the first side 50 and the second side 54, respectively, so that they are wider than the predetermined width of the hole 30, thereby preventing the slide 40 from fully passing through. through the hole 30 as shown in Figure 2. In this way, the slide 40 can freely advance longitudinally back and forth in the hole 30 between adjusted positions of maximum and minimum length. The adjusted position of maximum length, defined by the end of the hole 30 distal to the rigid extension 16 of the central element 14, establishes the maximum length at which the length regulator 18 can put the central element 14. Conversely, the position adjusted length of minimum, defined by the end of the hole 30 next to the rigid extension 16 of the central element 14, establishes the minimum length at which the length regulator 18 can put the central element 14. The slide 40 also includes a first slot 55 and a plurality of cantilevered arms 56 defining a cavity 58, as shown in Figure 4. The brackets 56 are normally disposed in a detent position to retain a controlled element 62 in the cavity 58, but can be flexing to a receiving position to receive the controlled element 62. Each arm 56 includes a radially extending hook 57 for retaining the controlled element 62 in the cavity. 58. Each hook 57 is chamfered to facilitate bending of the arms 56 upon receiving the controlled element 62 in the cavity 58. In a preferred embodiment, the slide includes two cantilevered arms 56, and a second slot 59 on the side of the slide 40 opposite the first slot 55. Preferably, a ball stud 60, shown in transparency, extends from the controlled element 62, such as an automatic transmission. The entire slide 40, including the head 42, the first shelf 44, the second shelf 46 and the arms 56, can be manufactured integrally by an injection molding operation. The assembly 10 also includes an interlocking device, generally indicated at 64, which can be moved transversely relative to the slide 40. The locking device 64 includes locking means 65 movably supported by the locking device. 64 for movement between a locking position, shown in Figure 4, to lock the arms 56 of the slide 40 in the detent position, and a release position that allows the arms 56 to move to the receiving position. In a preferred embodiment, the locking means 65 is a tab 67 that extends through the first slot 55 of the slider 40 to lock one of the arms 56 in the detent position. Alternatively, the tongue 67 can be inserted into the second groove 59 from the opposite direction. The interlocking device 64 also includes a rectangular shaped frame 66, a first pair of upper and lower legs 68, 70, and a second pair of upper and lower legs 72, 74. Each pair of legs 68, 70 and 72, 74 extends perpendicularly from the frame 66. The first pair of legs upper and lower 68, 70 and the second pair of legs 72, 74 are spaced to receive the longitudinal length of the slide 40. In other words, the distance between the first pair of legs 68, 70 and the second pair of legs 72, 74 is equal to or slightly greater than the longitudinal length of the slider 40. Each pair of legs 68, 70 and 72, 74 are spaced apart to receive the height of the length regulator 18. In other words, the distance between the first upper legs 68 and the first lower leg 70 and the distance between the second upper leg 72 and the second lower leg 74 is equal to or slightly greater than the height of the length regulator 18. As shown in Figures 2 and 5, the assembly 10 is assembled with the first upper leg 68 interspersed with re the first flange 48 of the head 42 and the first surface 24 of the length regulator 18, the first lower leg 70 sandwiched between the second surface 28 of the length regulator 18 and the first shelf 44, the second upper leg 72 interposed between the second flange 52 of the head 42 and the first surface 24 of the length regulator 18, sandwiched between the second surface 28 of the length regulator 18 and the second shelf 46. As best shown in Figure 1, the first upper leg 68 has at least one upper front tooth 76 and at least one upper rear tooth 78. The first lower leg of 70 has at least one lower front tooth 80 and at least one lower rear tooth 82. The second upper leg 72 has at least one front tooth upper 84 and at least one upper rear tooth 86. The second lower leg 74 has at least one lower front tooth 88 and at least one lower rear tooth 90. The front teeth 76, 80, 84 and 88 are spaced from the rear teeth 78, 82, 86 and 90, respectively, to operate accordingly in a shipping position and a locked position.

When the locking device 64 is in the delivery position, shown in Figure 3, the upper front teeth 76 and 84 are disengaged from the row of upper front teeth 32 of the length regulator 18 and placed inside the hole 30 of the housing. 20, the lower front teeth 80 and 88 are disengaged from the row of lower front teeth 36 of the length regulator 18 and positioned within the hole 30 of the housing 20, the upper rear teeth 78 and 86 are disengaged from the row of rear teeth 34 of the length regulator 18 and positioned outside the housing 20, and the lower rear teeth 82 and 90 are disengaged from the row of lower rear teeth 38 of the length regulator 18 and placed outside the housing 20. This allows the free sliding movement of the slide 40 in the hole 30 between the adjusted positions of maximum and minimum length described above. When the interlocking device 64 is manually moved to the locked position, shown in FIG. 2, the upper front teeth 76 and 84 engage the upper front tooth row 32 of the length regulator 18, the lower front teeth 80 and 88 engage the row of lower front teeth 36 of length regulator 18, upper rear teeth 78 and 86 engage the row of upper rear teeth 34 of length regulator 18, and lower rear teeth 82 and 90 engage row of lower rear teeth 38 of length regulator 18. The teeth of the interlock device engage the teeth of the length regulator to transfer longitudinal forces between them and thereby manipulate the controlled element which, in this given example, is an automatic transmission. When the legs 68, 70, 72 and 74 rest directly on the slide 40, the transfer of longitudinal forces passes from the central element 14, to the rigid extension 16, to the housing 20, through the teeth of the locking device and of the coupled length regulator, to the legs 68, 70, 72 and 74, to the slide 40, and finally to the ball stud 60, and vice versa. The assembly 10 also includes a pair of cantilevers or detent devices 92 and 94 for retaining the locking device 64 in the locked position and for retaining the tongue 67 in the locked position. Each detent 92 and 94 is effectively isolated from the longitudinal forces transmitted between the central element 14 and the ball stud 68 without adverse effects due to the longitudinal forces. The detents 92 and 94 extend parallel and adjacent to the upper legs 68 and 72, respectively. The head 42 includes a pair of slots 96 and 98 in the first flange 48 and a second flange 50 respectively to receive the detents 92 and 94 and provide a degree of strength in the shipping position. When the interlocking device 64 is manually moved to the locked position, the detents 92 and 94 automatically engage a longitudinal edge 96 of the shelf 42, and thereby the locking device 64 in the locked position and retain the tab 67 in the position of blocking. When the detents 92 and 94 selectively deviate from the longitudinal edge 100 of the shelf 42, the interlocking device 64 can be manually returned to the shipping position by moving the tab 67 to the release position. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be practiced with a cantilevered retainer. The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology used is intended to be interpreted according to the nature of the terms of the description, rather than in a limiting sense. Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the foregoing ideas. Accordingly, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, where the reference numbers are indicated only for convenience and not in a limiting sense, the invention may be implemented in a manner other than that specifically described. .

Claims (9)

1. CLAIMS 1. A remote transmitting motion control assembly (10) for transmitting movement along a curved path, said assembly (10) including: a flexible central transmitting movement element (14); a terminal (40) attached to one end of said central element (14); said terminal (18, 40 and 64) including a plurality of cantilevered arms (56) defining a cavity (58), said arms (56) being normally disposed in a detent position to retain a controlled element. (62) in said cavity (58) and being able to move to a receiving position to receive said controlled element (62) in said cavity (58); and said assembly (10) is characterized by locking means (65) for locking said arms (56) in said retaining position to lock said controlled element (62) in said cavity (58). An assembly (10) as set forth in claim 1, wherein said locking means (65) is movably supported by said terminal (18, 40 and 64) for movement between a locking position to lock said arms (56) in said retaining position and a releasing position that allows said arms (56) to move to said receiving position. An assembly (10) as set forth in claim 2, further including a retainer (92) for retaining said locking means (65) in said locked position. An assembly (10) as set forth in claim 3, wherein said terminal (18, 40 and 64) includes a first slot (55) and said locking means (65) includes a tab (67) extending to through said first slot (55) to lock one of said arms (56) in said retention position. An assembly (10) as set forth in claim 4, wherein each of said arms (56) includes a hook (57) that extends radially to retain said controlled element (62) in said cavity (58). An assembly (10) as set forth in claim 5, wherein said hook (57) of each of said arms (56) is chamfered to facilitate said bending of said arms (56) upon receiving said controlled element (62) in said cavity (58). 7. An assembly (10) as set forth in claim 4, including only two of said arms (56). 8. A set (10) as set forth in claim 7, wherein said terminal (18, 40 and 64) includes a second slot (59) on the side of said terminal (18, 40 and 64) in front of said first slot. (55) to receive said tab (67) from the opposite direction. 9. A set (10) as set forth in claim 1, wherein said terminal (18, 40 and 64) includes a length regulator (18), a slider (40) including said arms (56), and an interlock device. (64) including said locking means (65), said locking device (64) blocking said slide (40) in a fixed position relative to said length regulator (18).