Cable connecting device

Abstract

To provide a cable connecting device that allows for high degree of freedom in cable routing, size reduction of the entire device, a sufficient amount of cable stroke, and improvement of durability.SOLUTION: A cable connecting device 1 includes a casing 2, a pinion gear 3, a first slider 41 and a second slider 42, a first output cable 51 connected to the first slider 41, and a second output cable 52 connected to the second slider 42. The first slider 41 includes a first rack portion 411 and a first end connection portion 412, and the second slider 42 includes a second rack portion 421 and a second end connection portion 422. The first output cable 51 is led out from the casing 2 to one side in the movement direction D1, and the second output cable 52 is led out from the casing 2 to the other side in the movement direction D2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cable connecting device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a device that can operate two cables (hereinafter referred to as output cables) in conjunction with the operation of one cable (hereinafter referred to as input cable). This device includes a case, a joint piece that slides within the case, one input cable connected to the joint piece, and two output cables connected to the joint piece. The device in Patent Document 1 is a seat reclining device, and when an unlocking lever (hereinafter referred to as an operation target) connected to the two output cables is operated by the output cables, the seat is unlocked and can be reclined.

[0003] Furthermore, devices such as those disclosed in Patent Documents 2 and 3 are devices in which two output cables are led out from a case in mutually opposite directions. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-26041 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2017-115955 A [Patent Document 3] JP 2021-110364 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In Patent Document 1, the operation target is disposed on both sides of the seat in the left-right direction at a distance, and two output cables are led out from the case in the same direction and arranged so as to extend from the center of the lower part of the seat where the case is provided to the left and right of the seat where the operation target is provided. In this case, one output cable is arranged so as to extend from the case located in the center of the lower part of the seat to one side of the left-right direction of the seat (for example, the right side), but the other output cable needs to be led out from the case to one side of the left-right direction of the seat, and then turned toward the other side of the left-right direction of the seat and arranged in the opposite direction. Therefore, the output cable needs to be bent and arranged in a U-turn. In this way, when two output cables are led out from the case in the same direction and the operation target is located in the opposite direction to the direction in which the cables are led out, the degree of freedom of cable arrangement is low and the cable arrangement lengths are different, so it is necessary to adjust the operation amount of the shorter cable according to the longer cable.

[0006] On the other hand, in the device of Patent Document 2, a belt is used to lead out two output cables in the same direction, and stretching or rubbing of the belt may cause stroke loss or durability problems. Also, in the device of Patent Document 3, a link member that rotates around a rotation axis is used. In the case of a structure such as the device of Patent Document 3, in order to increase the stroke amount of the cable, it is necessary to increase the length of the link member from the rotation axis, but if the length of the link member from the rotation axis increases, the size of the device itself will also increase.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE An object of the present invention is to provide a cable connecting device that allows a high degree of freedom in cable routing, allows the device to be made smaller, ensures a sufficient cable stroke amount, and improves durability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The cable connecting device of the present invention includes a casing, a pinion gear supported rotatably around a rotation axis relative to the casing, a first slider and a second slider configured to move within the casing along a predetermined moving direction, a first output cable having one end connected to the first slider and the other end connected to a first operation object, and a second output cable having one end connected to the second slider and the other end connected to a second operation object, the first slider having a first rack portion that meshes with the pinion gear, The second slider has a second rack portion that meshes with the pinion gear and a second end connection portion to which one end of the second output cable is connected, the first slider is disposed on the opposite side of the second slider in the radial direction of the pinion gear, across the pinion gear, the first output cable is led out from the casing to one side in the movement direction, and the second output cable is led out from the casing to the other side in the movement direction. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the cable connecting device of the present invention, the degree of freedom in routing the cables is high, and it is possible to reduce the size of the entire device, ensure the amount of cable stroke, and improve durability. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which a first output cable is connected to a first operation object and a second output cable is connected to a second operation object in a cable connection device of an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is an exploded perspective view of a cable connecting device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] 1 is a plan view of a cable connecting device according to an embodiment of the present invention with a second casing removed. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first slider. [Diagram 5]4 is a plan view showing a state in which the first slider has moved in the second movement direction from the state shown in FIG. 3, and the second slider has moved in the first movement direction. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a modified example in which a second input cable is provided. [Figure 7] 7 is a plan view showing a state in which a first input cable is operated in the modified example of FIG. 6. FIG. [Figure 8] 7 is a plan view showing a state in which a second input cable is operated in the modification of FIG. 6. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a cable connecting device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] 13 is a partial cross-sectional view of a second guide portion of a casing of a cable connecting device of a second embodiment, taken along the direction of movement. FIG. [Figure 11] 13 is a plan view of the cable connecting device of the second embodiment with a second casing removed. FIG. [Figure 12] 12 is a plan view showing a state in which the first slider has moved in the second movement direction from the state shown in FIG. 11, and the second slider has moved in the first movement direction. [Figure 13] 13 is a cross-sectional view of the cable connecting device of the second embodiment taken along line XIII-XIII in FIG. 11 with the first casing closed by the second casing. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a first slider of the cable connecting device of the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, a cable connecting device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment described below is merely an example, and the cable connecting device of the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described below.

[0012] In this specification, the terms "perpendicular to A" and similar expressions do not only refer to a direction completely perpendicular to A, but also refer to a direction that is approximately perpendicular to A. In this specification, the terms "parallel to B" and similar expressions do not only refer to a direction that is completely parallel to B, but also refer to a direction that is approximately parallel to B. In this specification, the terms "C-shape" and similar expressions do not only refer to a perfect C-shape, but also refer to a shape that visually resembles a C-shape (approximately a C-shape).

[0013] 1 to 3, the cable connecting device 1 of this embodiment includes a casing 2, a pinion gear 3 supported rotatably around a rotation axis X relative to the casing 2, a first slider 41 and a second slider 42 configured to move along a predetermined moving direction D1 within the casing 2, a first output cable 51 having one end connected to the first slider 41 and the other end connected to a first operation object OP1 (see FIG. 1), and a second output cable 52 having one end connected to the second slider 42 and the other end connected to a second operation object OP2 (see FIG. 1). Details will be described later, but in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the first output cable 51 is led out from the casing 2 in one direction (first moving direction D11) in the moving direction D1, and the second output cable 52 is led out from the casing 2 in the other direction (second moving direction D12) in the moving direction D. In this embodiment, the cable connecting device 1 includes an input cable 6 for operating the first output cable 51 and the second output cable 52, as shown in FIGS.

[0014] In this specification, one of the moving directions D1 in which the first output cable 51 is led out from the casing 2 is called the first moving direction D11. The other of the moving directions D in which the second output cable 52 is led out from the casing 2 is called the second moving direction D12. The first moving direction D11 and the second moving direction D12 are collectively called the moving direction D1. In this embodiment, the rotation axis X of the pinion gear 3 extends in one direction perpendicular to the moving direction D1 (see FIG. 2), and the direction in which the rotation axis X of the pinion gear 3 extends is called the axial direction D2 of the rotation axis X of the pinion gear 3 (hereinafter, simply called the axial direction D2). In addition, the direction perpendicular to both the moving direction D1 and the axial direction D2 (the direction in which the first slider 41 and the second slider 42 move away from each other) is called the width direction D3 of the casing 2.

[0015] The cable connecting device 1 is a device that connects a first output cable 51 and a second output cable 52 inside a casing 2. Specifically, as shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the cable connecting device 1 connects the first output cable 51 and the second output cable 52 via a first slider 41, a pinion gear 3, and a second slider 42. As a result, the first output cable 51 and the second output cable 52 are operated in conjunction with each other, as will be described in detail later. In this embodiment, the first output cable 51 and the second output cable 52 are operated in conjunction with each other by operating an input cable 6, which will be described later.

[0016] The use of the cable connection device 1 is not particularly limited, but for example, as shown in Fig. 1, the cable connection device 1 is used in an application in which a plurality of operation objects, such as a first operation object OP1 and a second operation object OP2, are operated at once (substantially simultaneously) by a plurality of cables, such as a first output cable 51 and a second output cable 52. In this embodiment, in the cable connection device 1, the casing 2 is arranged so that the length L1 (not shown) of the first output cable 51 extending from the casing 2 to the first operation object OP1 is equal to the length L2 (not shown) of the second output cable 52 extending from the casing 2 to the second operation object OP2. Here, the length L1 of the first output cable 51 and the length L2 of the second output cable 52 being equal means that the length L1 of the first output cable 51 is 80 to 120% (0.8 x L2 ≦ L1 ≦ 1.2 x L2) of the length L2 of the second output cable 52, and preferably 90 to 110% (0.9 x L2 ≦ L1 ≦ 1.1 x L2). It should be noted that the length L1 of the first output cable 51 and the length of the second output cable L2 do not necessarily have to have the above-mentioned length relationship.

[0017] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the cable connecting device 1 is provided with a first operation object OP1 and a second operation object OP2 on both sides of a casing 2 in an attachment object M. In this embodiment, the cable connecting device 1 is applied to an operating device for a reclining mechanism of a vehicle seat. Specifically, locking parts (hereinafter referred to as locking parts OP1 and OP2) that lock the reclining mechanism of the seat M, which is the first and second operation object, are provided on both the left and right sides of the vehicle seat (hereinafter referred to as seat M. In FIG. 1, only the seat part of the seat M is shown by a two-dot chain line) that is the attachment object. In addition, the cable connecting device 1 has an operating part OP3 for operating the locking parts OP1 and OP2. The operating part OP3 is connected to the first slider 41 by an input cable 6. As a result, when the operating part OP3 is operated, the input cable 6 is pulled, and the first slider 41 and the second slider 42 operate in conjunction with each other via the pinion gear 3, as described later. Therefore, the first output cable 51 and the second output cable 52 are operated in conjunction with each other, and the locking units OP1 and OP2 are operated simultaneously. This releases the locked state of the seat M by the locking units OP1 and OP2, allowing the seat M to be reclined. Note that the cable connecting device 1 is not limited to being an operating device for a seat reclining mechanism, and may be applied to other mechanisms, such as a hood opening and closing mechanism.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 3, the casing 2 accommodates the pinion gear 3, the first slider 41, and the second slider 42. The casing 2 rotatably supports the pinion gear 3 and guides the first slider 41 and the second slider 42 in the moving direction D1. The shape and structure of the casing 2 are not particularly limited as long as the casing 2 can accommodate the pinion gear 3, the first slider 41, and the second slider 42. In this embodiment, the casing 2 includes a first casing 21 and a second casing 22, as shown in FIG. 2. Specifically, the casing 2 includes the first casing 21 provided on one side (lower side in FIG. 2) in the axial direction D2 of the rotation axis X of the pinion gear 3 and rotatably supports the pinion gear 3, and the second casing 22 provided on the other side (upper side in FIG. 2) in the axial direction D2 of the rotation axis X of the pinion gear 3. In this embodiment, the first casing 21 is configured to accommodate the pinion gear 3, the first slider 41, and the second slider 42. The second casing 22 functions as a lid that closes the first casing 21.

[0019] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the casing 2 (first casing 21) has a first guide portion 211 that guides the first slider 41 in the moving direction D1 and a second guide portion 212 that guides the second slider 42 in the moving direction D1. The casing 2 (first casing 21) also has a gear support portion 213 (see Fig. 2) that rotatably supports the pinion gear 3. The casing 2 also has a cable lead-out portion 214 through which cables such as the first output cable 51, the second output cable 52, and the input cable 6 are led out from the inside to the outside of the casing 2.

[0020] The first guide portion 211 guides the first slider 41 in the moving direction D1, and the second guide portion 212 guides the second slider 42 in the moving direction D1. The shapes and structures of the first guide portion 211 and the second guide portion 212 are not particularly limited as long as they can guide the first slider 41 and the second slider 42 in the moving direction D1. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the first guide portion 211 is configured to guide the first slider 41 in the moving direction D1 by a pair of guide walls W1 and W2 spaced apart by a predetermined distance in the width direction D3. More specifically, the first guide portion 211 is defined by the guide walls W1 and W2, the bottom B of the first casing 21, and an inner surface (not shown) of the second casing 22 that faces the bottom B of the first casing 21 in the axial direction D2. Similarly, the second guide portion 212 is configured to guide the second slider 42 in the movement direction D1 by a pair of guide walls W3, W4 spaced a predetermined distance apart in the width direction D3. The second guide portion 212 is defined by the guide walls W3, W4, the bottom B of the first casing 21, and the inner surface of the second casing 22.

[0021] The bottom B of the first casing 21 is a bottom portion of the first casing 21 that is a substantially rectangular box-like shape with one side open, and is a portion that faces the first slider 41, the second slider 42, and the pinion gear 3 in the axial direction D2. In this embodiment, the bottom B is configured by a plane extending along the moving direction D1 and the width direction D3, but the bottom does not have to be a plane. In this embodiment, the guide wall W1 and the guide wall W3 are configured by side walls that define a part of the outer periphery of the casing 2 (the first casing 21) that extends along the moving direction D1. The guide walls W2 and W4 are wall portions that extend along the moving direction D1 and are disposed on the inside of the casing 2 in the width direction D3 away from the guide walls W1 and W3. In this embodiment, the guide walls W2, W4 are configured so that the height from the bottom B in the axial direction D2 is lower than the height from the bottom B to a first rack portion 411 (or a second rack portion 421 of the second slider 42) described later of the first slider 41. This enables the first rack portion 411 and the second rack portion 421 to straddle the guide walls W2, W4 in the width direction D3, respectively, and mesh with the pinion gear 3, as shown in Fig. 3.

[0022] The gear support portion 213 is a portion that supports the pinion gear 3 rotatably around the rotation axis X. The gear support portion 213 is provided between the first guide portion 211 and the second guide portion 212 in the width direction D3. As shown in Fig. 2, the gear support portion 213 has a shaft member 213a that protrudes from the bottom portion B in the axial direction D2 of the rotation axis X.

[0023] The cable lead-out portion 214 is a portion where cables such as the first output cable 51, the second output cable 52, the input cable 6, etc. are led out from the inside to the outside of the casing 2. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the cable lead-out portion 214 is configured so that an end portion of the outer casing OC, through which cables such as the first output cable 51, the second output cable 52, the input cable 6, etc. are inserted, can be attached thereto.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1, the first output cable 51 is a cable having one end connected to the first slider 41 and the other end connected to the first operation object OP1. The second output cable 52 is a cable having one end connected to the second slider 42 and the other end connected to the second operation object OP2. The first output cable 51 is operated in the movement direction D1 by the first slider 41 moving in the movement direction D1 by a predetermined driving force. The second output cable 52 is operated in the movement direction D1 by the second slider 42 moving in the movement direction D1 by a predetermined driving force. In this embodiment, the input cable 6 is operated by the operation unit OP3, so that the first slider 41 moves in the second movement direction D12 (left side in FIG. 1). As a result, the first output cable 51 is pulled in the second movement direction D12 so as to be drawn into the casing 2 by the first slider 41. Therefore, the first operation object OP1 is operated by the first output cable 51. On the other hand, when the first slider 41 moves in the second movement direction D12 (left side in FIG. 1), the second slider 42 moves in the first movement direction D11 (right side in FIG. 1) via the pinion gear 3. As a result, the second output cable 52 connected to the second slider 42 is pulled in the first movement direction D11 so as to be drawn into the casing 2. Therefore, the second operation object OP2 is operated by the second output cable 52.

[0025] 1, the first output cable 51 is routed along a predetermined routing path connecting the first slider 41 and the first operation object OP1. The second output cable 52 is routed along a predetermined routing path connecting the second slider 42 and the second operation object OP2. In this embodiment, the first output cable 51 and the second output cable 52 are housed in the outer casing OC and routed along the predetermined routing path.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 1, the first output cable 51 includes a cable main body 51a, a cable end 51b provided at one end of the cable main body 51a, and a cable end 51c provided at the other end of the cable main body 51a. In this embodiment, the cable end 51b at one end of the first output cable 51 is engaged and connected to the first slider 41. The cable end 51c at the other end of the first output cable 51 is engaged and connected to the first operation object OP1. Similarly, the second output cable 52 includes a cable main body 52a, a cable end 52b provided at one end of the cable main body 52a, and a cable end 52c provided at the other end of the cable main body 52a. The cable end 52b at one end of the second output cable 52 is engaged and connected to the second slider 42. The cable end 52c at the other end of the second output cable 52 is engaged and connected to the second operation object OP2.

[0027] The first output cable 51 and the second output cable 52 may be inner cables of known control cables. Although the cable ends 51b, 52b are shown as being spherical in the drawings, shapes other than spherical may be adopted.

[0028] The input cable (first input cable) 6 is a cable capable of operating the first slider 41 in order to operate the first output cable 51 and the second output cable 52. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, one end of the input cable 6 is connected to the first slider 41, and the other end is connected to the operation unit OP3. Although details will be described later, by operating the input cable 6 to the other side (second movement direction D12) in the movement direction D1, the first output cable 51 is operated to the other side (second movement direction D12) in the movement direction D1, and the second output cable 52 is operated to one side (first movement direction D11) in the movement direction D1. Specifically, by operating the input cable 6 by the operation unit OP3, as shown in FIG. 5, the first slider 41 moves in the second movement direction D12. As a result, the first output cable 51 is pulled by the first slider 41 in the second movement direction D12. Furthermore, the movement of the first slider 41 in the second movement direction D12 causes the pinion gear 3 to rotate about the rotation axis X. This causes the second slider 42 meshing with the pinion gear 3 to move in the first movement direction D11. Therefore, the second output cable 52 connected to the second slider 42 is pulled in the first movement direction D11. As described above, by operating the input cable 6, the first output cable 51 and the second output cable 52 are operated in mutually opposite directions in an interlocking manner.

[0029] 1, the input cable 6 is routed along a predetermined routing path connecting the first slider 41 and the operation unit OP3. In this embodiment, the input cable 6 is housed in an outer casing OC, and is routed along a predetermined routing path connecting the first slider 41 and the operation unit OP3 by the outer casing OC.

[0030] 1, the input cable 6 includes a cable main body 6a, a cable end 6b provided at one end of the cable main body 6a, and a cable end 6c provided at the other end of the cable main body 6a. In this embodiment, the cable end 6b at one end of the input cable 6 is engaged with and connected to the first slider 41. The cable end 6c at the other end of the input cable 6 is engaged with and connected to the operating part OP3.

[0031] As a modification of this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 6 to Fig. 8, the cable connection device 1 may have two input cables, a first input cable 61 and a second input cable 62. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 6, the first input cable 61 is connected to the first slider 41, and the second input cable 62 capable of operating the second slider 42 is connected to the second slider 42. In the case of this modification, by operating the first input cable 61 to the other side in the movement direction D1 (second movement direction D12, left side in Fig. 6), as shown in Fig. 7, the first output cable 51 is operated to the other side in the movement direction D1 (second movement direction D12), and the second output cable 52 is operated to one side in the movement direction D1 (first movement direction D11). On the other hand, by operating the second input cable 62 to one side in the movement direction D1 (first movement direction D11; right side in Fig. 6), the first output cable 51 is operated to the other side in the movement direction D1 (second movement direction D12), and the second output cable 52 is operated to one side in the movement direction D1 (first movement direction D11), as shown in Fig. 8. In this way, in this modified example, both the first output cable 51 and the second output cable 52 can be operated not only by the first input cable 61 but also by the second input cable 62.

[0032] As another modified example, the cable connecting device may not have an input cable, but may have a drive unit (motor or the like) that rotates the pinion gear 3 about the rotation axis X. In this case, the drive unit rotates the pinion gear 3 about the rotation axis X, and the first slider 41 and the second slider 42 are driven by the rotational force. This causes the first output cable 51 and the second output cable 52 to be operated.

[0033] The pinion gear 3 meshes with the first slider 41 and the second slider 42 to interlock the first slider 41 and the second slider 42. Specifically, teeth provided on the outer periphery of the pinion gear 3 mesh with a first rack portion 411 (described later) of the first slider 41 and a second rack portion 421 (described later) of the second slider 42. When one of the first slider 41 and the second slider 42 moves in one direction in the moving direction D1, the other of the first slider 41 and the second slider 42 moves in the other direction in the moving direction D1, and the first slider 41 and the second slider 42 move in the opposite directions. The pinion gear 3 is supported by the gear support portion 213 of the casing 2 to be rotatable about the rotation axis X. In this embodiment, the pinion gear 3 is rotatably supported by the shaft member 213a at the center of the casing 2 in the moving direction D1 and at the center of the casing 2 in the width direction D3.

[0034] The first slider 41 and the second slider 42 move in the moving direction D1 in the casing 2 by a predetermined driving force. The first slider 41 operates the first output cable 51 connected to the first slider 41 in the moving direction D1. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, in addition to the first output cable 51, the input cable 6 is also connected to the first slider 41. As shown in FIG. 5, the first slider 41 receives a force from the input cable 6 in the moving direction D1 and moves, so that the first output cable 51 is operated in the moving direction D1. The second slider 42 operates the second output cable 52 connected to the second slider 42 in the moving direction D1. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the linear motion of the first slider 41 in the moving direction D1 due to the operating force applied to the input cable 6 is transmitted via the pinion gear 3, so that the second slider 42 moves in the moving direction D1. As a result, the second output cable 52 is operated in the moving direction D1.

[0035] 2 to 4, the first slider 41 includes a first rack portion 411 that meshes with the pinion gear 3, and a first end connection portion 412 to which one end (cable end 51b) of the first output cable 51 is connected. Similarly, the second slider 42 includes a second rack portion 421 that meshes with the pinion gear 3, and a second end connection portion 422 to which one end (cable end 52b) of the second output cable 52 is connected.

[0036] The first rack portion 411 and the second rack portion 421 mesh with the pinion gear 3 to convert the linear motion of the first slider 41 or the second slider 42 into the rotational motion of the pinion gear 3, or convert the rotational motion of the pinion gear 3 into the linear motion of the first slider 41 or the second slider 42. In this embodiment, the first rack portion 411 engages with the pinion gear 3 to convert the linear motion of the first slider 41 in the moving direction D1 into the rotational motion of the pinion gear 3. The second rack portion 421 engages with the pinion gear 3 to convert the rotational motion of the pinion gear 3 into the linear motion of the second slider 42 in the moving direction D1.

[0037] The first rack portion 411 and the second rack portion 421 have a plurality of teeth along the moving direction D1 and mesh with the teeth of the pinion gear 3. In this embodiment, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the first rack portion 411 protrudes toward the second slider 42 from a side surface (a second side surface S2 described later) of the first end connection portion 412 that faces the second slider 42 in the width direction D3. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 3, the first rack portion 411 protrudes beyond the guide wall W2 in the width direction D3 at a position higher than the height from the bottom B of the guide wall W2, and engages with the pinion gear 3. The second rack portion 421 protrudes toward the first slider 41 from a side surface of the second end connection portion 422 that faces the first slider 41 in the width direction D3. As shown in FIG. 3, the second rack portion 421 protrudes beyond the guide wall W4 in the width direction D3 at a position higher than the height of the guide wall W4 from the bottom B, and engages with the pinion gear 3.

[0038] One end (cable end 51b) of the first output cable 51 is connected to the first end connection part 412. In this embodiment, the first end connection part 412 is a main body part of the first slider 41 excluding the first rack part 411 (in this embodiment, a part including a first end housing part 412a and a second end housing part 412b described later). One end (cable end 52b) of the second output cable 52 is connected to the second end connection part 422. In this embodiment, the second end connection part 422 is a main body part of the second slider 42 excluding the second rack part 421 (a part including a third end housing part 422a and a fourth end housing part 422b described later).

[0039] In this embodiment, the first end connection part 412 and the second end connection part 422 are guided in the moving direction D1 in the casing 2. Specifically, the first end connection part 412 is guided by the first guide part 211, and the second end connection part 422 is guided by the second guide part 212, and moves in the moving direction D1. The shape and structure of the first end connection part and the second end connection part are not particularly limited. In this embodiment, the first end connection part 412 and the second end connection part 422 are formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape having a predetermined length in the moving direction D1, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4. More specifically, as shown in Fig. 4, the first end connection part 412 includes a first side surface S1 facing the guide wall W1 in the width direction D3, a second side surface S2 from which the first rack part 411 protrudes and facing the guide wall W2 in the width direction D3, a third side surface S3 (lower surface) facing the bottom surface B of the first casing 21, a fourth side surface S4 (upper surface) facing the inner surface of the second casing 22, a first end surface S5 on the first moving direction D11 side, and a second end surface S6 on the second moving direction D12 side. Similarly, the second end connection part 422 includes first to fourth side surfaces, a first end surface, and a second end surface. In this embodiment, the first slider 41 and the second slider 42 have the same shape.

[0040] In this embodiment, as shown in Figs. 2 to 4, the first end connection part 412 has a first end accommodating part 412a in which one end (cable end 51b) of the first output cable 51 is accommodated. The first end accommodating part 412a is provided on one side (first moving direction D11 side) of the first end connection part 412 in the moving direction D1. Specifically, the first end accommodating part 412a is configured by a recess having a size capable of accommodating the cable end 51b, and is configured to be able to engage with the cable end 51b in the moving direction D1. In this embodiment, the first end connection part 412 has an opening A1 on the fourth side surface S4, and is configured so that the cable end 51b can be accommodated in the first end accommodating part 412a through the opening A1. A slit SL is formed in the first end face S5 of the first end connection portion 412 so as to communicate with the space inside the first end accommodating portion 412a to allow passage of the cable main body 51a extending from the cable end 51b of the first output cable 51. In this embodiment, as shown in Figs. 2 to 4, the opening A1 opens to a predetermined length in the movement direction D1 on the fourth side face S4, and the slit SL extends in the axial direction D2 on the first end face S5.

[0041] In this embodiment, as shown in Figs. 2 to 4, the first end connection part 412 has a second end accommodating part 412b in which one end (cable end 6b) of the input cable 6 is accommodated. The second end accommodating part 412b is provided on the other side (second movement direction D12 side) of the first end connection part 412 in the movement direction D1. Specifically, the second end accommodating part 412b is configured by a recess having a size capable of accommodating the cable end 6b, and is configured to be able to engage with the cable end 6b in the movement direction D1. In this embodiment, the first end connection part 412 has an opening A2 on the fourth side surface S4, and is configured so that the cable end 6b can be accommodated in the second end accommodating part 412b through the opening A2. A slit SL is formed on the second end surface S6 of the first end connection part 412. In this embodiment, the first end connection part 412 has an opening A5 (see the broken line in FIG. 4) on the third side surface S3 (lower surface) facing the bottom B of the casing 2 (first casing 21). When the opening A5 is provided, the contact area between the first slider 41 and the bottom surface B of the casing 2 is reduced, and the sliding resistance of the first slider 41 can be reduced. The second end connection part 422 of the second slider 42 has a third end accommodating part 422a and a fourth end accommodating part 422b, and has openings A3, A4, and a slit SL, similar to the first end connection part 412 of the first slider 41. In FIG. 3, the third end accommodating part 422a accommodates the cable end 52b of the second output cable 52, but no cable is connected to the fourth end accommodating part 422b. In the modification shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, a cable end of the second input cable 62 is connected to the fourth end accommodating portion 422b.

[0042] In this embodiment, the space in the first end housing portion 412a and the space in the second end housing portion 412b communicate with each other in the moving direction D1 (the same applies to the third end housing portion 422a and the fourth end housing portion 422b). In the modified example shown in FIG. 6 to FIG. 8, as shown in FIG. 7, when the second slider 42 moves in the first moving direction D11, the cable end 62b of the second input cable 62 that is not operated enters the communication space, thereby suppressing interference between the second slider 42 and the cable end 62b (similarly, as shown in FIG. 8, interference between the cable end 61b of the first input cable 61 that is not operated and the first slider 41 is also suppressed). The communication space between the space in the first end housing portion 412a and the space in the second end housing portion 412b is covered by a fourth side surface S4 (see FIG. 4) that is provided in a roof shape between the opening A1 and the opening A2. This restricts the movement of the cable end 62b located in the communicating space in Figure 7 in a direction away from the second end connection portion 422 (similarly, as shown in Figure 8, the movement of the cable end 61b in a direction away from the first end connection portion 412 is also restricted).

[0043] In this embodiment, the first slider 41 is disposed on the opposite side of the second slider 42 in the radial direction (width direction D3) of the pinion gear 3, sandwiching the pinion gear 3 therebetween. As a result, the first slider 41 and the second slider 42 move in opposite directions to each other in the moving direction D1. Therefore, the first output cable 51 connected to the first slider 41 and the second output cable 52 connected to the second slider 42 can be operated in opposite directions to each other in the moving direction D1. Therefore, the first output cable 51 can be led out from the casing 2 in one direction (first moving direction D11) in the moving direction D1, and the second output cable 52 can be led out from the casing 2 in the other direction (second moving direction D12) in the moving direction D1. More specifically, while the first output cable 51 and the second output cable 52 are led out in opposite directions to each other with respect to the casing 2, a pulling operation can be performed to pull the first output cable 51 and the second output cable 52 into the casing 2 at the same time. In this case, for example, when the first operation object OP1 and the second operation object OP2 are arranged on opposite sides of the casing 2, it is not necessary to make a U-turn on one of the two output cables to route them, and the degree of freedom in routing the cables can be increased. In addition, in this embodiment, when the first output cable 51 and the second output cable 52 are operated with a predetermined stroke amount by the rack-and-pinion mechanism of the pinion gear 3, the first slider 41, and the second slider 42, the entire device can be made smaller than when a link member that rotates around a rotation axis is used as in Patent Document 3 described above (when a link member that rotates is used as in Patent Document 3, the rotation radius needs to be increased to increase the stroke amount, and the entire device becomes larger). In addition, in this embodiment, as described above, the rack-and-pinion mechanism of the pinion gear 3, the first slider 41, and the second slider 42 is adopted, and a member that is likely to suffer stroke loss or durability deterioration due to repeated operations, such as a belt that is likely to be stretched or rubbed as in Patent Document 2, is not used. Therefore, in this embodiment, the durability of the device is high.

[0044] 2 and 3, in this embodiment, the first end connection portion 412 is disposed on the radial outside (width direction D3) of the pinion gear 3 with respect to the first rack portion 411, and the second end connection portion 422 is disposed on the radial outside (width direction D3) of the pinion gear 3 with respect to the second rack portion 421. In this case, as shown in Fig. 3, the first end connection portion 412, the first rack portion 411, the pinion gear 3, the second rack portion 421, and the second end connection portion 422 are arranged in this order in the width direction D3. Therefore, it is possible to thin the casing 2 of the cable connecting device 1 in the axial direction D2.

[0045] <Second embodiment> Next, a cable connecting device of a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 9 to 14. In the following description, the description of the matters common to the above-mentioned first embodiment will be omitted, and the differences will be mainly described. All matters described in the first embodiment can be applied to the cable connecting device of the second embodiment as long as the object of the invention can be achieved, and the configuration of this embodiment can be used in combination with the contents described in the first embodiment. Furthermore, the effects obtained by the configuration described in the first embodiment can also be obtained in the second embodiment as long as the second embodiment has the configuration.

[0046] 9, the cable connection device 1 of the second embodiment includes a casing 2, a pinion gear 3, a first slider 41, a second slider 42, a first output cable 51 and a second output cable 52, similar to the first embodiment. The cable connection device 1 of the second embodiment also includes an input cable 6. The cable connection device 1 of the second embodiment may also include a second input cable, similar to the first embodiment.

[0047] In this embodiment, the casing 2 has a first casing 21 and a second casing 22, as shown in Fig. 9 and Fig. 13. The first casing 21 has a first guide portion 211 that guides the first slider 41 and a second guide portion 212 that guides the second slider 42, as shown in Fig. 13. The first casing 21 has a guide rail G1 that extends along the movement direction D1 on the bottom B, as shown in Figs. 10 to 13, and the guide rail G1 separates the first guide portion 211 and the second guide portion 212. In addition, the second casing 22 has a guide rail G2 that extends along the movement direction D1 and guides the first slider 41 and the second slider 42 in the movement direction D1 on an inner surface IS of the second casing 22 facing the bottom B of the first casing 21, as shown in Fig. 13. The first guide portion 211 is defined by the side wall 21a of the first casing 21, the guide rails G1, G2, the bottom B of the first casing 21, and the inner surface IS of the second casing 22. Similarly, the second guide portion 212 is defined by the side wall 21b of the first casing 21, the guide rails G1, G2, the bottom B of the first casing 21, and the inner surface IS of the second casing 22.

[0048] The guide rail G1 of the first casing 21 protrudes from the bottom B at a predetermined height (a height lower than a first partition wall (third side wall S3) described later) as shown in FIG. 13. The guide rail G1 has a recess in the center in the moving direction D1 to accommodate the pinion gear 3 rotatably around the rotation axis X as shown in FIG. 10. The width of the guide rail G1 in the width direction D3 is shorter than the diameter of the pinion gear 3 as shown in FIG. 11, and the teeth of the pinion gear 3 protrude from both sides in the width direction D3 of the guide rail G1. The guide rail G2 of the second casing 22 protrudes from the inner surface IS of the second casing 22 toward the bottom B in the axial direction D2 as shown in FIG. 13 at a predetermined height.

[0049] The operation of the cable connecting device 1 of the second embodiment is basically the same as that of the cable connecting device of the first embodiment. Specifically, by operating the input cable 6 by the operating part OP3 (see FIG. 1), the first slider 41 moves in the second moving direction D12, and the first output cable 51 is pulled in the second moving direction D12, as shown in FIG. 12. In addition, by the movement of the first slider 41 in the second moving direction D12, the pinion gear 3 rotates around the rotation axis X. As a result, as shown in FIG. 12, the second slider 42 meshing with the pinion gear 3 moves in the first moving direction D11. Therefore, the second output cable 52 connected to the second slider 42 is pulled in the first moving direction D11. As described above, by operating the input cable 6, the first output cable 51 and the second output cable 52 are operated in mutually opposite directions in an interlocking manner.

[0050] In the cable connecting device 1 of this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the first slider 41 is positioned on the opposite side of the second slider 42 in the radial direction (width direction D3) of the pinion gear 3, sandwiching the pinion gear 3, and the first output cable 51 is led out from the casing 2 to one side in the moving direction D1 (first moving direction D11), and the second output cable 52 is led out from the casing 2 to the other side in the moving direction D1 (second moving direction D12).

[0051] In this embodiment, as described above, the first slider 41 and the second slider 42 move in opposite directions to each other in the movement direction D1. Therefore, the first output cable 51 connected to the first slider 41 and the second output cable 52 connected to the second slider 42 can be operated in opposite directions to each other in the movement direction D1. Therefore, the first output cable 51 can be led out from the casing 2 in one direction (first movement direction D11) in the movement direction D1, and the second output cable 52 can be led out from the casing 2 in the other direction (second movement direction D12) in the movement direction D1. In this case, for example, when the first operation object OP1 and the second operation object OP2 are arranged on opposite sides to each other with respect to the casing 2, it is not necessary to make a U-turn on one of the two output cables for routing, and the degree of freedom in routing the cables can be increased. In addition, in this embodiment, when the first output cable 51 and the second output cable 52 are operated at a predetermined stroke amount by the rack-and-pinion mechanism of the pinion gear 3, the first slider 41, and the second slider 42, the entire device can be made smaller than when a link member that rotates around a rotation axis is used. In addition, since the rack-and-pinion mechanism of the pinion gear 3, the first slider 41, and the second slider 42 is adopted as described above, a member that is likely to cause stroke loss or decrease in durability due to repeated operation, such as a belt that is likely to stretch or rub, is not used. Therefore, in this embodiment, the durability of the device is increased.

[0052] 13 and 14, the first slider 41 includes a first rack forming region R11 in which the first rack portion 411 is provided, and a first end connection region R12 in which the first end connection portion 412 is provided, and the first end connection region R12 is disposed so as to overlap one side of the first rack forming region R11 in the axial direction D2 of the rotation axis X of the pinion gear 3. Similarly, the second slider 42 includes a second rack forming region R21 in which the second rack portion 421 is provided, and a second end connection region R22 in which the second end connection portion 422 is provided, and the second end connection region R22 is disposed so as to overlap one side of the second rack forming region R21 in the axial direction D2 of the rotation axis X of the pinion gear 3.

[0053] As described above, in the first slider 41, the first rack forming region R11 in which the first rack portion 411 is provided and the first end connection region R12 in which the first end connection portion 412 is provided are arranged so as to be aligned in the axial direction D2 (so that the first rack forming region R11 and the first end connection region R12 are overlapped when viewed in the axial direction D2) rather than aligned in the width direction D3. Similarly, in the second slider 42, the second rack forming region R21 in which the second rack portion 421 is provided and the second end connection region R22 in which the second end connection portion 422 is provided are arranged so as to be aligned in the axial direction D2. Therefore, even if a rack and pinion mechanism is used, the casing 2 does not become large in the width direction D3, and the casing 2 can be made small. In this case, the distance DT (see FIG. 11) in the width direction D3 between the first output cable 51 led out from one side in the movement direction D1 of the casing 2, and the second output cable 52 led out from the other side in the movement direction D1 of the casing 2, is shorter than the distance in the width direction D3 between the first output cable 51 and the second output cable 52 in the first embodiment. Therefore, it is possible to make the wiring path of the first output cable 51 to the first operation target OP1 and the wiring path of the second output cable to the second operation target OP2 closer to the same path, and the length of the first output cable 51 and the length of the second output cable 52 can also be made closer to the same length.

[0054] The shape and structure of the first slider 41 are not particularly limited as long as it has a first rack forming region R11 and a first end connection region R12, and the first end connection region R12 is arranged to overlap one side of the first rack forming region R11 in the axial direction D2. In this embodiment, the first slider 41 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped first end connection region R12 and a first rack forming region R11 extending from the first end connection region R12 toward the bottom surface B side of the casing 2 in the axial direction D2. In this embodiment, the first slider 41 is configured so that the dimension in the axial direction D2 is larger than the dimension in the width direction D3 when viewed in the moving direction D1, as shown in FIG. 13. More specifically, the first end connection region R12 and the first rack forming region R11 are configured so that the dimensions in the axial direction D2 are approximately the same as each other, and the dimensions in the width direction D3 are also approximately the same as each other. The shape and structure of the second slider 42 can be the same as the first slider 41.

[0055] The first rack forming region R11 is a region of the first slider 41 where the first rack portion 411 is formed. In this embodiment, the first rack forming region R11 includes a rack forming wall portion R111 that abuts against a side wall (guide wall) 21a located on the opposite side of the pinion gear 3 in the width direction D3 with respect to the first slider 41 and forms the first rack portion 411, a first rack portion 411 that is provided along the moving direction D1 and protrudes from the rack forming wall portion R111 toward the pinion gear 3 in the width direction D3, and a bottom wall R112 that is provided to abut against the bottom B of the casing 2. In this embodiment, the rack forming wall portion R111 is a portion that is an extension of a first side wall S1 (described later) of the first end connection region R12 in the axial direction D2. In this embodiment, the rack forming wall R111 and the first side wall S1 are continuous surfaces that come into surface contact with the side wall 21a over a wide area, so that the first slider 41 can be moved stably even if a force is applied to the first slider 41 at a position offset from the center of the axial direction D2. In this embodiment, the rack forming wall R111 and the bottom wall R112 are provided to be substantially L-shaped when viewed in the moving direction D1. The first rack portion 411 protrudes and extends from the rack forming wall R111 in the width direction D3 within a space surrounded by the rack forming wall R111, the bottom wall R112, and a first partition wall (third side wall S3) described later. The second rack forming region R21 of the second slider 42 includes a rack forming wall R211, a second rack portion 421, and a bottom wall R212, similar to the first rack forming region R11.

[0056] In this embodiment, the bottom walls R112, R212 have a notch N as shown in Fig. 12 and Fig. 14. The notch N is cut out in a shape that follows the outer periphery of the pinion gear 3 (an arc connecting the tips of the teeth of the pinion gear 3). With the pinion gear 3 attached to the casing 2, the first slider 41 can be attached to the casing 2 by moving the first slider 41 toward the bottom B so that the portion where the notch N is provided is aligned with the position of the teeth of the pinion gear 3.

[0057] In this embodiment, the notch N of the first slider 41 is provided on the end side of the area of ​​the bottom wall R112 that is shifted to one side (the first moving direction D11 side) with respect to the center of the moving direction D1, as shown in Fig. 12. On the other hand, the notch N of the second slider 42 is provided on the end side of the area of ​​the bottom wall R112 that is shifted to the other side (the second moving direction D12 side) with respect to the center of the moving direction D1. When the first slider 41 and the second slider 42 are attached so that the position of the notch N is the position of the teeth of the pinion gear 3, as shown in Fig. 12, the first slider 41 is located on the second moving direction D12 side from the center in the moving direction D1 of the casing 2, and the second slider 42 is located on the first moving direction D11 side from the center in the moving direction D1 of the casing 2. The notch N of the first slider 41 and the notch N of the second slider 42 are the same distance from the end (specifically, the first slider 41 and the second slider 42 are the same member, and the second slider 42 is the first slider 41 rotated 180° around the rotation axis X). Therefore, after the first slider 41 and the second slider 42 are attached to the casing 2 at the position shown in FIG. 12, the first slider 41 and the second slider 42 are moved to the center position in the moving direction D1, so that the first slider 41 and the second slider 42 are accurately positioned with their positions aligned in the moving direction D1, as shown in FIG. 11. This makes it easy to position the first slider 41 and the second slider 42 in the moving direction D1. Furthermore, in the initial position in which the first slider 41 and the second slider 42 are not manipulated as shown in FIG. 11, the cutout portion N and the pinion gear 3 are positioned at different positions in the moving direction D1, so that the first slider 41 and the second slider 42 are prevented from coming off the first casing 21 during the assembly work.

[0058] The first end connection region R12 of the first slider 41 is a region including a portion to which one end (cable end 51b) of the first output cable 51 is connected, including the first end connection portion 412. In this embodiment, the first end connection region R12 is configured by the first end connection portion 412, but may include a component other than the first end connection portion. Similarly, the second end connection region R22 of the second slider 42 is a region including a portion to which one end (cable end 52b) of the second output cable 52 is connected, including the second end connection portion 422.

[0059] In this embodiment, the first end connection part 412 of the first slider 41 has a configuration basically similar to that of the first end connection part 412 of the first embodiment, except that the positions of the openings A1, A2 are different from those of the first embodiment, as described later, and that the rack forming wall part R111 of the first rack forming region R11 is connected to the first end connection part 412. Specifically, the first end connection part 412 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape having a predetermined length in the movement direction D1, as shown in Fig. 14. More specifically, as shown in Fig. 14, the first end connection part 412 includes a first side surface S1 facing the side wall (guide wall) 21a (see Fig. 13) in the width direction D3, a second side surface S2 that is the surface opposite to the first side surface S1 in the width direction D3, a third side surface S3 (first partition wall described later) that is the surface of the first end connection part 412 on the first rack forming region R11 side in the axial direction D2, a fourth side surface S4 (upper surface) facing the inner surface IS (see Fig. 13) of the second casing 22, a first end surface S5 on the first moving direction D11 side, and a second end surface S6 on the second moving direction D12 side. The second end connection part 412 of the second slider 42 also has a shape and structure similar to those of the first end connection part 412.

[0060] In this embodiment, the first end connection portion 412 has a first end accommodating portion 412a and a second end accommodating portion 412b, as shown in Fig. 14. Similarly, the second end connection portion 422 has a third end accommodating portion and a fourth end accommodating portion (not shown). The first end accommodating portion 412a and the second end accommodating portion 412b are in communication with each other in the moving direction D1 (the same is true for the third end accommodating portion and the fourth end accommodating portion).

[0061] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the first end connection region R12 (first end connection portion 412) has openings A6 and A7 on a surface (second side surface S2) facing the second end connection region R22 (second end connection portion 422). Similarly, the second end connection region R22 has an opening (not shown) on a surface facing the first end connection region R12. In this embodiment, the cable end 51b of the first output cable 51 is accommodated in the first end accommodating portion 412a through the opening A6. Also, the cable end 6b of the input cable 6 is accommodated in the second end accommodating portion 412b through the opening A7.

[0062] In this embodiment, the openings A6 and A7 are provided on the surface facing the second end connection region R22, and the cable ends 51b and 6b are attached to the first end accommodating portion 412a and the second end accommodating portion 412b, respectively, by moving the cable ends 51b and 6b from the openings A6 and A7 in the width direction D3. The axial direction D2 of the first end accommodating portion 412a and the second end accommodating portion 412b is covered by the third side wall S3 and the fourth side wall S4. Therefore, for example, even if a force is applied to the outer casing OC in the axial direction D2 in the state of the assembly process shown in FIG. 10, the cable ends 51b and 6b are suppressed from coming off the first end accommodating portion 412a and the second end accommodating portion 412b. Therefore, in the assembly process of the cable connecting device 1, the cable ends 51b and 6b are suppressed from coming off the first slider 41, improving the workability of the assembly.

[0063] In this embodiment, the guide rail G2 is provided between the first end connection region R12 of the first slider 41 and the second end connection region R22 of the second slider 42, as shown in FIG. 13. In this embodiment, the guide rail G2 closes the openings A6 and A7 of the first end connection region R12 and the opening of the second end connection region R22. This prevents the cable ends 51b and 6b housed in the first end housing portion 412a and the second end housing portion 412b of the first end connection region R12, and the cable end 52b housed in the third end housing portion of the second end connection region R22 from coming off the openings. Note that "closing" the opening does not necessarily mean sealing the opening, but only covering the opening while being spaced from the opening so that there is a gap large enough to prevent the cable ends from coming off.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 14, a slit SL is formed in the first end surface S5 of the first end connection part 412 so as to communicate with the space in the first end accommodating part 412a so as to allow the cable main 51a extending from the cable end 51b of the first output cable 51 to pass therethrough. Similarly, a slit SL is formed in the second end surface S6 of the first end connection part 412 so as to communicate with the space in the second end accommodating part 412b so as to allow the cable main 6a extending from the cable end 6b of the input cable 6 to pass therethrough. In this embodiment, an opening (see the opening A8 provided in the second end connection part 422 in FIG. 9) is provided in the first side surface S1 of the first end connection part 412. When the opening A8 is provided, the contact area with the side walls 21a, 21b of the first casing 21 is reduced, and the sliding resistance of the first slider 41 and the second slider 42 can be reduced.

[0065] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 13 and Fig. 14, the first rack forming region R11 and the first end connection region R12 are partitioned by a first partition wall (third side surface S3) extending perpendicularly to the rotation axis X of the pinion gear 3 into an internal space of the first end connection portion 412 and a space in which the first rack portion 411 is provided. Similarly, the second rack forming region R21 and the second end connection region R22 are partitioned by a second partition wall (third side surface) into an internal space of the second end connection portion 422 and a space in which the second rack portion 421 is provided. As shown in Fig. 13, the first partition wall and the second partition wall are disposed opposite one end face of the pinion gear 3 so as to restrict movement in one of the axial directions D2 of the rotation axis X of the pinion gear 3 (upward in Fig. 13) within a predetermined range. In this case, even if the pinion gear 3 moves in the axial direction D2 of the rotation axis X relative to the casing 2, the first partition wall and the second partition wall restrict the movement of the pinion gear 3 within a predetermined range, thereby preventing the pinion gear 3 from coming off the shaft member 213a.

[0066] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. Note that the above embodiment mainly describes the invention having the following configuration.

[0067] (1) a casing; a pinion gear supported rotatably about a rotation axis relative to the casing; a first slider and a second slider configured to move along a predetermined movement direction within the casing; a first output cable having one end connected to the first slider and the other end connected to a first operation target; a second output cable having one end connected to the second slider and the other end connected to a second operation target; Equipped with the first slider includes a first rack portion that meshes with the pinion gear and a first end connection portion to which one end of the first output cable is connected, the second slider includes a second rack portion that meshes with the pinion gear and a second end connection portion to which one end of the second output cable is connected, The first slider is disposed on the opposite side of the second slider across the pinion gear in a radial direction of the pinion gear, the first output cable is led out from the casing to one side in the movement direction, and the second output cable is led out from the casing to the other side in the movement direction. Cable coupling device.

[0068] (2) a first input cable capable of operating the first slider is connected to the first slider; The cable connection device described in (1), wherein when the first input cable is operated in the other direction in the movement direction, the first output cable is operated in the other direction in the movement direction and the second output cable is operated in one direction in the movement direction.

[0069] (3) a second input cable capable of operating the second slider is connected to the second slider; The cable connection device according to (1) or (2), wherein the first input cable is operated to the other side in the movement direction, or the second input cable is operated to one side in the movement direction, thereby operating the first output cable to the other side in the movement direction and operating the second output cable to one side in the movement direction.

[0070] (4) A cable connecting device described in any one of (1) to (3), wherein the first end connection portion is positioned radially outward of the pinion gear relative to the first rack portion, and the second end connection portion is positioned radially outward of the pinion gear relative to the second rack portion.

[0071] (5) The first slider is a first rack forming area in which the first rack portion is provided; a first end connection region in which the first end connection portion is provided, the first end connection region is disposed so as to overlap with one side of the first rack forming region in an axial direction of a rotation shaft of the pinion gear, The second slider is a second rack forming area in which the second rack portion is provided; a second end connection region in which the second end connection portion is provided, The cable connecting device according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the second end connection region is arranged to overlap one side of the second rack forming region in the axial direction of the rotation shaft of the pinion gear.

[0072] (6) The first rack forming region and the first end connection region are partitioned by a first partition wall extending perpendicular to the rotation axis of the pinion gear into an internal space of the first end connection portion and a space in which the first rack portion is provided, The second rack forming region and the second end connection region are partitioned by a second partition wall extending perpendicular to the rotation axis of the pinion gear into an internal space of the second end connection portion and a space in which the second rack portion is provided, The cable connecting device described in any one of (1) to (5), wherein the first partition wall and the second partition wall are arranged opposite one end face of the pinion gear so as to restrict movement of the pinion gear in one of the axial directions of the rotation shaft within a predetermined range.

[0073] (7) The casing includes a first casing provided on one side in the axial direction of the rotation shaft of the pinion gear, in which the pinion gear is rotatably supported, and a second casing provided on the other side in the axial direction of the rotation shaft of the pinion gear, the first end connection region has an opening on a surface facing the second end connection region, the second end connection region has an opening on a surface facing the first end connection region, The cable connecting device described in any one of (1) to (6), wherein the second casing is provided with a guide rail between the first end connection area and the second end connection area, the guide rail extending along the movement direction to guide the first slider and the second slider in the movement direction and close the opening of the first end connection area and the opening of the second end connection area. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 1 Cable connection device 2 Casing 21 First casing 21a Side wall of first casing 21b Side wall of first casing 211 First guide section 212 Second guide section 213 Gear support 213a Shaft member 214 Cable outlet 22 Second casing 3 Pinion gear 41 First slider 411 First Rack Section 412 First end connection 412a First end housing 412b Second end housing 42 Second slider 421 Second Rack Section 422 Second end connection 422a Third end housing 422b 4th end housing 51 1st output cable 51a Cable body 51b, 51c Cable end 52 2nd output cable 52a Cable body 52b, 52c Cable end 6 Input Cable 6a Cable body 6b, 6c Cable ends 61 1st input cable 61b Cable end 62 2nd input cable 62b Cable end A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8 opening B Bottom of the first casing D1 Movement direction D11 1st movement direction D12 Second movement direction D2 Axial direction D3 Width direction DT: Distance in the width direction between the first output cable 51 and the second output cable 52 G1, G2 guide rails IS Inner surface of second casing M Installation target (seat) N Notch OC outer casing OP1 First operation object (lock section) OP2 Second operation object (lock section) OP3 operation section R11 First rack formation area R111 Rack forming wall R112 Bottom wall R12 1st end connection area R21 Second rack formation area R211 Rack forming wall R212 bottom wall R22 Second end connection area S1 1st side S2 2nd side S3 3rd side S4 4th side S5 1st end surface S6 2nd end face SL Slit W1, W2, W3, W4 guide walls X Rotation Axis

Claims

1. A casing; a pinion gear supported rotatably about a rotation axis relative to the casing; a first slider and a second slider configured to move along a predetermined movement direction within the casing; a first output cable having one end connected to the first slider and the other end connected to a first operation target; a second output cable having one end connected to the second slider and the other end connected to a second operation target; Equipped with the first slider includes a first rack portion that meshes with the pinion gear and a first end connection portion to which one end of the first output cable is connected, the second slider includes a second rack portion that meshes with the pinion gear and a second end connection portion to which one end of the second output cable is connected, The first slider is disposed on an opposite side of the second slider with the pinion gear therebetween in a radial direction of the pinion gear, the first output cable is led out from the casing to one side in the movement direction, and the second output cable is led out from the casing to the other side in the movement direction. Cable coupling device.

2. a first input cable capable of operating the first slider is connected to the first slider; 2. The cable connection device of claim 1, wherein the first input cable is operated in the other direction in the movement direction, so that the first output cable is operated in the other direction in the movement direction and the second output cable is operated in one direction in the movement direction.

3. a second input cable capable of operating the second slider is connected to the second slider; 3. The cable connection device of claim 2, wherein the first input cable is operated to the other side in the movement direction or the second input cable is operated to one side in the movement direction, thereby operating the first output cable to the other side in the movement direction and operating the second output cable to one side in the movement direction.

4. 2. The cable coupling device of claim 1, wherein the first end connection portion is disposed radially outward of the pinion gear relative to the first rack portion, and the second end connection portion is disposed radially outward of the pinion gear relative to the second rack portion.

5. The first slider comprises: a first rack forming area in which the first rack portion is provided; a first end connection region in which the first end connection portion is provided, the first end connection region is disposed so as to overlap with one side of the first rack forming region in an axial direction of a rotation shaft of the pinion gear, The second slider is a second rack forming area in which the second rack portion is provided; a second end connection region in which the second end connection portion is provided, The cable connecting device according to claim 1 , wherein the second end connection region is disposed so as to overlap one side of the second rack forming region in an axial direction of the rotation shaft of the pinion gear.

6. The first rack forming region and the first end connection region are partitioned by a first partition wall extending perpendicular to the rotation axis of the pinion gear into an internal space of the first end connection portion and a space in which the first rack portion is provided, The second rack forming region and the second end connection region are partitioned by a second partition wall extending perpendicular to the rotation axis of the pinion gear into an internal space of the second end connection portion and a space in which the second rack portion is provided, 6. The cable connecting device according to claim 5, wherein the first partition wall and the second partition wall are disposed opposite one end face of the pinion gear so as to restrict movement of the pinion gear in one of the axial directions of the rotation shaft within a predetermined range.

7. the casing includes a first casing provided on one side in the axial direction of a rotation shaft of the pinion gear, the first casing rotatably supporting the pinion gear, and a second casing provided on the other side in the axial direction of the rotation shaft of the pinion gear, The first end connection region has an opening on a surface facing the second end connection region, The second end connection region has an opening on a surface facing the first end connection region, 6. The cable connection device according to claim 5, wherein the second casing is provided with a guide rail extending along the movement direction between the first end connection region and the second end connection region to guide the first slider and the second slider in the movement direction and to close the openings of the first end connection region and the openings of the second end connection region.

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