Long object guiding device

Abstract

A guide device (11) for a long object has a plurality of links (15) connected in series in the longitudinal direction (X). Each chain link (15) comprises a pair of side plates (17) which are separated in the width direction (Y) and face each other. The plurality of links (15) are displaceable between a linear state and a curved state. Each of a pair of side plates (17) of each link (15) is provided with: a contact section (51) that comes into contact with an adjacent side plate when a plurality of links (15) are displaced between a linear state and a curved state; and an impact mitigation section (55) which elastically deforms by coming into contact with at least one of the adjacent side plate and the contact section immediately before the contact section (51) comes into contact with the adjacent side plate, and which can mitigate an impact force when the adjacent side plate comes into contact with the contact section.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a guiding device for a long object, which cooperates with the movement of a movable body such as a machine tool, guides the long object while protecting the long object that supplies power or liquid to the movable body, wherein the long object is a flexible cable, hose, etc. Background Art

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a guide device for a long object. The device includes a plurality of links connected in series. Each link includes a pair of side plates that are separated and arranged in a left-right direction and opposed to each other, and a coupling arm that is provided between the left and right side plates. In addition, in a storage space that is surrounded by the left and right side plates and the coupling arm in the plurality of links that are continuous in the series direction and that is extended in the series direction, the long object is stored in a manner along the series direction.

[0003] The pair of side plates of each link respectively comprises: a front side plate portion connected to the corresponding side plate of the other link preceding in the series direction; a rear side plate portion connected to the corresponding side plate of the other link following in the series direction; and a bendable joint portion between the front side plate portion and the rear side plate portion. The front side plate portion and the rear side plate portion are respectively formed of a high-rigidity resin. On the other hand, the joint portion is formed by integrating the front side plate portion and the rear side plate portion with a soft fatigue-resistant resin by two-color molding.

[0004] In the guide device for the long object, the plurality of chain links can be displaced between a straight state in which the chain links are arranged in a straight line and a bent state in which the chain links are arranged in a bent state as the moving body moves. At this time, the positional relationship between the chain links adjacent to each other in the series connection direction is relatively changed by the bending deformation of the joint portion. That is, the chain links adjacent to each other in the series connection direction are displaced between a contact state in which the side plates of the chain links partially contact each other and a separated state in which the chain links are separated from each other as the joint portion is bent and deformed. Prior art literature Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-192367 Summary of the invention Problems to be solved by the invention

[0006] In the case of the above-mentioned guide device for long objects, the side plates of each link are formed of a high-rigidity resin. Therefore, there is a problem that when the side plates of the adjacent links in the series direction approach each other from a separated state to abutting state due to the bending deformation of the joint portion, a large impact force is applied to each other's side plates. Solutions to Solve Problems

[0007] The guiding device for a long object according to one embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises a plurality of chain links which are sequentially connected in a state of being arranged in series along a length direction, each chain link comprising a pair of side plates which are separated and opposed in a width direction orthogonal to the length direction, and the guiding device for the long object is configured such that, when the long object is stored in a storage space formed between the plurality of pairs of the side plates along the length direction, the guiding device for the long object can be shifted between a straight state in which the plurality of chain links are arranged in a straight line and a bent state in which the plurality of chain links are arranged in a bent state, and when the long object is stored in a storage space formed between the plurality of pairs of the side plates along the length direction, the guiding device for the long object can be shifted between a straight state in which the plurality of chain links are arranged in a straight line and a bent state in which the plurality of chain links are arranged in a bent state. In the guiding device, a pair of side plates of each chain link respectively comprises: a contact portion, which contacts with an adjacent side plate when a plurality of chain links shift between the straight state and the bent state, and the adjacent side plate is a corresponding side plate of a pair of side plates of other chain links adjacent to the chain link in the length direction; and an impact mitigation portion, which elastically deforms by contacting with at least one of the adjacent side plate and the contact portion before the contact portion is about to contact with the adjacent side plate, thereby mitigating the impact force when the adjacent side plate contacts with the contact portion. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 It is a perspective view schematically showing the main parts of a guide device for a long object according to an embodiment. Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional view of the side plate of the guide device for the long object viewed from the outside. Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional view of a side plate of a guide device for a long object viewed from the inside. Figure 4 This is a perspective view of a state where a side panel and an adjacent side panel are connected as viewed from the outside. Figure 5 This is a perspective view of a state where a side panel and an adjacent side panel are connected as viewed from the inside. Figure 6 yes Figure 1 Side view taken along line 6-6. Figure 7 yes Figure 1 Side view of the section taken along line 7-7. Figure 8 Yes Figure 6 A portion A surrounded by a double-dashed circle is shown in an enlarged side view. Fig. 9 It is a side view showing a state where the first contact portion and the first impact absorbing portion are in contact with each other. Fig.10 Yes Figure 7 A portion A surrounded by a double-dashed circle is shown in an enlarged side view. Fig.11 It is a side view showing a state where the adjacent side plate and the second impact absorbing portion are in contact with each other. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a guiding device for a long object will be described with reference to the drawings. <Guiding device for long objects> like Figure 1 As shown, the guide device 11 for long objects has a long protective guide portion 14. The protective guide portion 14 forms a storage space 13 inside, and can store a flexible long object 12 in the storage space 13 in an extended state. The protective guide portion 14 is formed by sequentially connecting a plurality of chain links 15 arranged in series along the length direction X. The protective guide portion 14 is bent in the middle of the length direction X to form a curved portion 16 in which a plurality of chain links 15 are arranged in a curved shape. In addition, in the following, in the length direction X, the protective guide portion 14 is moved from Figure 1 The direction in which the upper end of the bent portion 16 in FIG. 1 extends obliquely toward the upper left is referred to as a first direction X1, and the opposite direction is referred to as a second direction X2.

[0010] In the length direction X of the protection guide portion 14, Figure 1 A movable body (not shown) is mounted to the end of the portion extending from the upper end of the curved portion 16 toward the first direction X1 so as to be reciprocatable along the longitudinal direction X of the protection guide portion 14. Figure 1 The end of the portion extending from the lower end of the curved portion 16 toward the second direction X2 is fixed to a fixing portion (not shown), which is provided, for example, on the ground where the guide device 11 for the long object is provided. The guide device 11 for the long object is configured such that the curved portion 16 is displaced in either the first direction X1 or the second direction X2 along with the movement of the above-mentioned moving body, so that the plurality of chain links 15 can be displaced between a straight state in which the chain links 15 are arranged in a straight line and a curved state in which the chain links 15 are arranged in a curved line.

[0011] In addition, examples of the long object 12 stored in the storage space 13 of the protection guide portion 14 include cables for powering or transmitting signals to the moving body, hoses for supplying gas such as air or liquid such as oil to the moving body, etc. That is, the long object 12 can be any flexible long member as long as it can be stored in the storage space 13 inside the protection guide portion 14 in an extended state along the longitudinal direction X of the protection guide portion 14.

[0012] <Chain Links> The link 15 includes: a pair of side plates 17 separated in the width direction Y orthogonal to the length direction X of the protection guide portion 14; and a first arm member 18 and a second arm member 19 in the form of a strip, which are arranged between the two opposing side plates 17. The first arm member 18 is arranged between the portions located on the outer peripheral side at the curved portions 16 of the two opposing side plates 17. On the other hand, the second arm member 19 is arranged between the portions located on the inner peripheral side at the curved portions 16 of the two opposing side plates 17. Furthermore, a storage space 13 capable of storing the above-mentioned long object 12 in an extended state is formed by a spatial region surrounded by these multiple pairs of side plates 17 and the first arm member 18 and the second arm member 19 in a manner extending along the length direction X of the protection guide portion 14.

[0013] <Side panel> like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the side plate 17 is a structure in which a hard part 20 with high rigidity formed by a hard resin and a soft part 21 formed by a soft resin are integrally formed by two-color molding. As the hard resin, for example, glass fiber reinforced resin, carbon fiber reinforced resin, polyamide, etc. can be used. On the other hand, as the soft resin, non-reinforced resin, elastomer, high-toughness polyamide, etc., which are softer than hard resin and have toughness to withstand repeated bending, can be used. In addition, Figure 2 The outer side surface, which is the surface exposed outside the protection guide portion 14, of the inner and outer side surfaces of the side plate 17 is shown. Figure 3 Of the inner and outer side surfaces of the side plate 17 , the inner side surface is shown, which is the surface facing the storage space 13 inside the protection guide portion 14 .

[0014] In addition, the side plate 17 has a plate-shaped side plate main body 22, a side plate connecting part 23 of a shape smaller than the side plate main body 22, and a flexure 24 that is integrally interposed between the side plate main body 22 and the side plate connecting part 23 and is capable of flexural deformation. The side plate main body 22 is formed of the above-mentioned hard part 20 whose molding material is a hard resin, thereby having high rigidity. On the other hand, the side plate connecting part 23 and the flexure 24 are formed of the above-mentioned soft part 21 whose molding material is a soft resin, thereby being capable of elastic deformation. That is, the side plate 17 is integrally formed with the side plate main body 22, the side plate connecting part 23, and the flexure 24 by two-color molding using a hard resin and a soft resin.

[0015] <Side panel main body> like Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the side plate body 22 includes a first side plate 25 located on the outer peripheral side of the curved portion 16 when the side plate 17 is located at the curved portion 16, and a second side plate 26 located on the inner peripheral side. The curved portion 16 of the first side plate 25 has an engagement groove 27 formed on the end surface located on the outer peripheral side for engaging the end of the arm member 18. Figure 3 As shown, a cantilever beam 28 is provided to protrude from the inner peripheral portion of the inner surface of the second side plate 26 in the horizontal direction which is also the width direction Y of the link 15 , and the second arm member 19 can be supported by the cantilever beam 28 in a bridged state.

[0016] In addition, in Figure 2 and Figure 3 The side plate 17 shown in the figure is paired with the other side plate 17 in the width direction Y of the link 15. The inner side surface of the second side plate portion 26 is also provided with a similar cantilever beam portion 28 protruding in the horizontal direction. And, the end of the first arm member 18 is engaged with the engagement groove portion 27 of the opposing side plates 17, and the second arm member 19 is bridged between the two cantilever beam portions 28, so that the storage space 13 is surrounded by the side plate 17, the first arm member 18 and the second arm member 19.

[0017] <1st side plate> like Figure 2 As shown, a fitting recess 30 is formed in the substantially central portion of the outer side surface of the first side plate portion 25, and the side plate connecting portion 23 of the side plate 17 of the other link 15 adjacent in the length direction X can be fitted into the fitting recess 30. Figure 2 The edge of the outer peripheral side of the upper side is connected to the fitting groove portion 27. Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , the fitting recess 30 has a straight-walled locking portion 31 at a position slightly below the position communicating with the fitting groove 27. Figure 2 As shown, the fitting recess 30 has an insertion hole 32 with a portion of its edge being arc-shaped and a locking hole 33 with a rectangular edge arranged in a horizontal direction at a position further below the locking portion 31. Figure 3 As shown, the locking hole 33 has a locking step portion 34 at a position that is midway in the thickness direction of the first side plate portion 25 on the inner wall surface thereof.

[0018] The portion of the first side plate portion 25 that is closer to the second direction X2 side than the portion where the fitting recess 30 is formed is formed as a second direction side first thin plate portion 35, and the thickness of the second direction side first thin plate portion 35 is from the middle of the width direction Y to Figure 2 The inner side surface of the side surface as the inner side. And, on the second direction side, the first thin plate portion 35 is Figure 2The outer side surface of the side surface that becomes the outer side is formed with a first locking recess 36 having a substantially fan-shaped edge. In addition, the portion of the first side plate portion 25 that is closer to the first direction X1 side than the portion where the fitting recess 30 is formed is formed as a first direction side first thin plate portion 37, and the plate thickness of the first direction side first thin plate portion 37 is from the middle of the width direction Y to Figure 3 The outer side surface of the side surface serving as the inner side. Figure 3 A first locking projection 38 having a shape along the edge on the first direction X1 side of the inner side surface of the outer side surface is formed.

[0019] <Second side plate> like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown in the figure, the portion of the second side plate portion 26 which is closer to the second direction X2 side than the middle of the length direction X and has the cantilever beam portion 28 formed on the inner side is formed as the second direction side second thin plate portion 39, and the plate thickness of the second direction side second thin plate portion 39 is from the middle of the width direction Y to Figure 2 The inner side surface of the side surface as the inner side. And, on the second direction side, the second thin plate portion 39 is Figure 2 The edge of the outer side surface of the side surface that becomes the outer side in the second direction X2 is formed with a second locking protrusion 40 of a shape along the edge. In addition, the portion of the second side plate portion 26 that is closer to the first direction X1 side than the middle of the length direction X is formed as a first direction side second thin plate portion 41, and the plate thickness of the first direction side second thin plate portion 41 is from the middle of the width direction Y to the Figure 3 The outer side surface of the side surface serving as the inner side. Figure 3 A second locking recess 42 having a substantially fan-shaped edge is formed on the inner side surface of the side surface that becomes the outer side.

[0020] <Side plate connection> like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the outer shape of the side plate connecting portion 23 when viewed from the width direction Y is formed to be the same shape as the edge of the fitting recess 30 formed on the outer side surface of the first side plate portion 25 of the side plate main body 22. Figure 3 The inner side surface of the side surface that becomes the outer side is formed with a locking groove 43, and the locking groove 43 can be locked in the straight wall-shaped locking portion 31 formed by the fitting recess 30 of the first side plate portion 25. In addition, the formation position of the locking groove 43 on the inner side surface of the side plate connecting portion 23 is greater than that of the locking groove 43. Figure 3 An insertion shaft portion 44 and a locking claw portion 45 are formed in the lower middle portion. The insertion shaft portion 44 is inserted into the insertion hole 32 in the fitting recess 30 of the first side plate portion 25 , and the locking claw portion 45 is inserted into the locking hole 33 and can be locked with the locking step portion 34 .

[0021] <Flexing section> like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 1 , the flexure 24 is formed to have an S-shaped outer shape when viewed from the width direction Y. Figure 2 and Figure 3 The top end portion of the upper end portion is integrated with the base end portion of the side plate connecting portion 23. Figure 2 and Figure 3 The base end portion of the bending portion 24 which becomes the lower end portion is integrated with the second side plate portion 26 of the side plate main body 22. In detail, the base end portion of the bending portion 24 is integrated with the second side plate portion 26 which becomes the Figure 2 and Figure 3 The boundary portion between the first-direction-side second thin plate portion 41 and the second-direction-side second thin plate portion 39 at the upper edge is integrated.

[0022] <Adjacent side panels> like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the side plates 17 of the adjacent links 15 in the length direction X are connected to each other through the side plate connecting portion 23 of the side plate 17 of one link 15, namely the reference side plate 17A, engaging with the side plate main body 22 of the side plate 17 of the other link 15, namely the adjacent side plate 17B. That is, the side plates 17 of the plurality of adjacent links 15 in the length direction X are connected to each other through the engagement of the side plate connecting portion 23 of the reference side plate 17 (17A) located on the second direction X2 side with the engagement recess 30 of the side plate main body 22 of the adjacent side plate 17 (17B) located on the first direction X1 side. That is, a pair of side plates 17 of each link 15 are respectively connected to a corresponding side plate (adjacent side plate 17B) in a pair of side plates 17 of the other link 15 adjacent to the link 15. And, as Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown by the two-dot chain line, in this state, the first arm member 18 and the second arm member 19 are bridged between the two side plates 17 facing each other in the width direction Y, thereby forming a long protection guide part 14 having a storage space 13 for the long object 12 inside.

[0023] <Contact part> exist Figure 4 and Figure 5 In the state shown, the side end surfaces of the side plate main body 22 of the reference side plate 17A located on the second direction X2 side and the adjacent side plate 17B located on the first direction X1 side do not abut against each other. Figure 4 and Figure 5In the state shown, when the first side plate portion 25 on the outer circumference side and the second side plate portion 26 on the inner circumference side are displaced in opposite directions in the longitudinal direction X along with the flexure deformation of the flexure portion 24, they come into contact with the adjacent side plate 17B on the first direction X1 side. That is, when the plurality of links 15 are displaced between a straight state in which they are arranged in a straight line with other links 15 adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction X and a bent state in which they are arranged in a bent state, the side plate body portion 22 of the reference side plate 17A on the second direction X2 side comes into contact with the adjacent side plate 17B on the first direction X1 side.

[0024] Specifically, when the plurality of links 15 connected in the longitudinal direction X are displaced from the bent state to the straight state, the first side plate portion 25 in the side plate main body portion 22 of the reference side plate 17A on the second direction X2 side abuts against the adjacent side plate 17B on the first direction X1 side. More specifically, the first abutting portion 51 constituted by the side end surface on the first direction X1 side of the first thin plate portion 37 on the first direction side of the first side plate portion 25 abuts against the side end surface 25a on the second direction X2 side of the first side plate portion 25 of the adjacent side plate 17B of the other link 15 adjacent in the longitudinal direction X.

[0025] On the other hand, when the plurality of links 15 connected in the longitudinal direction X are displaced from the straight state to the curved state, the second side plate portion 26 in the side plate main body portion 22 of the reference side plate 17A on the second direction X2 side abuts against the adjacent side plate 17B on the first direction X1 side. More specifically, the second abutting portion 52 constituted by the side end surface on the first direction X1 side of the second thin plate portion 41 on the first direction side of the second side plate portion 26 abuts against the side end surface 26a on the second direction X2 side of the second side plate portion 26 in the adjacent side plate 17B of the other link 15 adjacent in the longitudinal direction X.

[0026] <Impact Mitigation Section> like Figure 2 to Figure 5 As shown, on the side surface of the side plate connecting portion 23 in the side plate 17 on the second direction X2 side, a convex portion 53 is provided protrudingly toward the second direction X2 side where the first abutting portion 51 is located, and the outer shape of the convex portion 53 when viewed from the width direction Y is generally in the shape of a horizontal T. On the other hand, on the side surface of the first side plate portion 25 in the side plate 17 on the second direction X2 side, a cutout recess 54 is cut out to communicate with the fitting recess 30, and the convex portion 53 can be inserted into the cutout recess 54 from the outside in the width direction Y.

[0027] In addition, the convex portion 53 is formed such that, when embedded in the cutout recess 54, the surface of the convex portion 53 on the second direction X2 side is formed into a convex shape that protrudes toward the first abutting portion 51 side from the side end surface 25a on the second direction X2 side of the first side plate portion 25 on which the cutout recess 54 is formed. Here, the convex portion 53 is a part of the side plate connecting portion 23 formed by the soft portion 21, and is therefore elastically deformable. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the surface of the convex shape on the second direction X2 side of the convex portion 53 that is elastically deformable constitutes the first impact buffering portion 55, and the first impact buffering portion 55 can buffer the impact force when the first side plate portions 25 of the adjacent two side plates 17 abut against each other.

[0028] On the other hand, the second side plate portion 26 is integrally formed with a cylinder portion 56, which is composed of the same elastically deformable soft portion 21 as the flexure portion 24, and a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder portion 56 is exposed from the side end surface of the second thin plate portion 39 on the second direction side, that is, the second abutting portion 52. In addition, the outer peripheral surface portion of the cylinder portion 56 exposed from the second abutting portion 52 to the first direction X1 side is formed into a convex shape extending from the side end surface 26a on the second direction X2 side of the second side plate portion 26 in the adjacent side plate 17B on the first direction X1 side. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the second impact easing portion 57 is formed by the surface portion of the outer peripheral surface of the elastically deformable cylinder portion 56 that extends to the first direction X1 side more than the second abutting portion 52, and the second impact easing portion 57 can ease the impact force when the second side plate portions 26 of the adjacent two side plates 17 abut against each other.

[0029] <Function> Next, the operation of the long object guiding device 11 according to the present embodiment will be described. like Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown in FIG. 1 , the plurality of chain links 15 constituting the protection guide portion 14 of the guide device 11 for the long object are configured such that the plurality of chain links 15 are arranged in a curved shape at the curved portion 16. Furthermore, when the moving body (not shown) moves toward the first direction X1 side, the curved portion 16 also moves toward the first direction X1 side along with the movement. Thus, the plurality of chain links 15 that were previously arranged in a curved shape at the curved portion 16 are moved along with the curved portion 16. Figure 6 and Figure 7 The chain links 15 are displaced in a counterclockwise rotation and are arranged in a straight line with adjacent links 15 arranged in a straight line.

[0030] On the other hand, when a moving object (not shown) moves from Figure 6 and Figure 7 When the state shown in FIG. 1 moves toward the second direction X2 side, the curved portion 16 also moves toward the second direction X2 side. Then, the plurality of links 15 which were previously arranged linearly on the first direction X1 side relative to the curved portion 16 successively reach the curved portion 16, while Figure 6 and Figure 7 The chain links 15 are displaced in a clockwise rotation and are in a bent state in which adjacent chain links 15 are arranged in a bent state.

[0031] Therefore, the following will describe how the side plates 17 of two adjacent links 15 in the length direction X are displaced relative to each other when the plurality of links 15 are displaced between a straight state in which the links 15 are arranged in a straight line and a curved state in which the links 15 are arranged in a curved line. That is, the following will describe how the side plates 17 on the first direction X1 side, i.e., the adjacent side plates 17B, and the side plates 17 on the second direction X2 side, i.e., the reference side plates 17A, are displaced between a contact state and a separation state when the two links 15 are moved along the length direction X.

[0032] <Contact State and Separation State> like Figure 6 As shown in the A portion surrounded by a double-dashed circle in FIG, when the reference side plate 17A on the second direction X2 side is located at the curved portion 16, the first abutting portion 51 on the outer peripheral side is separated from the side end surface 25a on the second direction X2 side of the adjacent side plate 17B on the first direction X1 side. Figure 7 As shown in the B portion surrounded by a double-dashed circle in the figure, at this time, the side plate 17 on the second direction X2 side is in a contact state where the second contact portion 52 on the inner circumference side contacts the side end surface 26a on the second direction X2 side of the side plate 17 on the first direction X1 side.

[0033] Then, when the plurality of side plates 17 including the reference side plate 17A and the adjacent side plate 17B are arranged in a straight line as the moving body (not shown) moves toward the first direction X1 from this state, the side plate 17 on the second direction X2 side, i.e., the reference side plate 17A, is displaced as follows. Figure 6 As shown in the B portion surrounded by the double-dashed circle in FIG. 1 , the side plate 17 on the second direction X2 side is in a state where the first abutting portion 51 on the outer peripheral side abuts against the side end surface 25a on the second direction X2 side of the side plate 17 on the first direction X1 side. Figure 7 As shown in the portion A surrounded by a double-dashed circle in the figure, at this time, the side plate 17 on the second direction X2 side is in a separated state in which the second abutment portion 52 on the inner circumference side is separated from the side end surface 26a on the second direction X2 side of the side plate 17 on the first direction X1 side.

[0034] Furthermore, in contrast to the above, when the reference side plate 17A in a straight state moves toward the second direction X2 side by a moving body (not shown) and moves together with the adjacent side plate 17B toward the second direction X2 side and reaches the curved portion 16, the reference side plate 17A is displaced as follows. Figure 6As shown in the A portion surrounded by the double-dashed circle in FIG. 1 , the reference side plate 17A on the second direction X2 side is in a separated state in which the first abutting portion 51 on the outer peripheral side is separated from the side end surface 25a on the second direction X2 side of the adjacent side plate 17B. Figure 7 As shown in the B portion surrounded by a double-dashed circle in the figure, at this time, the side plate 17 on the second direction X2 side is in a contact state where the second abutment portion 52 on the inner circumference side abuts against the side end surface 26a on the second direction X2 side of the side plate 17 on the first direction X1 side.

[0035] <Impact mitigation> Here, when the first contact portion 51 and the second contact portion 52 of the reference side plate 17A contact the side end surface 25a of the first side plate portion 25 and the side end surface 26a of the second side plate portion 26 in the adjacent side plate 17B, a large impact force is applied to the two side plates 17. In particular, since the side plate main body 22 including the first side plate portion 25 and the second side plate portion 26 where the side end surfaces 25a and 26a contacting the first side plate portion 51 and the second side plate portion 52 are located is composed of a high-rigidity hard portion 20, a large collision sound is also generated. In this regard, in the present embodiment, by providing the first impact mitigation portion 55 and the second impact mitigation portion 57 that can be elastically deformed, the generation of such impact force and collision sound is suppressed.

[0036] First, if Figure 8 and Fig. 9 As shown in FIG. 1 , when the reference side plate 17A is in a state where the first abutting portion 51 is separated from the side end surface 25a of the adjacent side plate 17B, Figure 8 If the position is shifted by rotating in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 9 As shown, the first abutment portion 51 abuts against the first impact mitigation portion 55 having a convex shape. That is, before the first abutment portion 51 is about to abut against the side end face 25a of the adjacent side plate 17B, the first abutment portion 51 abuts against the first impact mitigation portion 55 extending toward the second direction X2 side where the first abutment portion 51 is located relative to the side end face 25a with an impact force. Then, the first impact mitigation portion 55 formed by the soft portion 21 elastically deforms in a contracting manner. Therefore, by the elastic deformation of the first impact mitigation portion 55, the speed at which the reference side plate 17A is displaced while rotating in the counterclockwise direction is decelerated. Therefore, immediately afterwards, as Figure 6 As shown in the B portion surrounded by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1 , the collision speed when the first contact portion 51 contacts the side end surface 25 a of the adjacent side plate 17B is reduced, and the impact force during the contact is mitigated.

[0037] On the other hand, Fig.10 and Fig.11As shown in FIG. 1 , when the reference side plate 17A is in a state where the second abutting portion 52 is separated from the side end surface 26a of the adjacent side plate 17B, the reference side plate 17A moves toward Fig.10 If the position is shifted by rotating in the direction of the arrow in the figure, the position becomes as follows. Fig.11 As shown, the second impact mitigation portion 57 abuts against the side end face 26a of the adjacent side plate 17B. That is, before the second abutting portion 52 is about to abut against the side end face 26a of the adjacent side plate 17B, the second impact mitigation portion 57, which extends further than the second abutting portion 52 to the first direction X1 side where the side end face 26a is located, abuts against the side end face 26a with an impact force. Then, the second impact mitigation portion 57 formed by the soft portion 21 elastically deforms in a contracting manner. Therefore, by the elastic deformation of the second impact mitigation portion 57, the speed at which the reference side plate 17A is displaced as it rotates in the clockwise direction is decelerated. Therefore, immediately afterwards, as Figure 7 As shown in the B portion surrounded by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1 , the collision speed when the second contact portion 52 contacts the side end surface 26 a of the adjacent side plate 17B is reduced, and the impact force during the contact is mitigated.

[0038] <Effect> (1) When the plurality of links 15 are displaced from the bent state to the straight state, the first impact absorbing portion 55 is in contact with the first impact absorbing portion 51 just before the first impact absorbing portion 51 of the side plate 17 is in contact with the adjacent side plate 17B adjacent in the first direction X1. On the other hand, when the plurality of links 15 are displaced from the straight state to the bent state, the second impact absorbing portion 57 is in contact with the adjacent side plate 17B just before the second impact absorbing portion 52 of the side plate 17 is in contact with the adjacent side plate 17B adjacent in the first direction X1. Then, the first impact absorbing portion 55 or the second impact absorbing portion 57 is elastically deformed in association with the contact, thereby reducing the displacement speed of the link 15 in the direction in which the adjacent side plate 17B is in contact with the first impact absorbing portion 51 or the second impact absorbing portion 52. Therefore, immediately afterwards, the collision speed when the adjacent side plate 17B and the first contact portion 51 or the second contact portion 52 contact each other is reduced, and the impact force at the time of the contact is mitigated.

[0039] (2) By using two-color molding of hard resin and soft resin, the side plate 17 in which the hard portion 20 having the first abutting portion 51 and the second abutting portion 52 and the soft portion 21 having the first impact absorbing portion 55 and the second impact absorbing portion 57 are integrated can be easily manufactured.

[0040] (3) By forming the side plate main body 22 from the hard portion 20, deformation of the side plate 17 caused by external force can be suppressed, and when connecting with other adjacent links 15 in the first direction X1, the side plate connecting portion 23 formed from the soft portion 21 is elastically deformed, so that the connecting operation can be easily performed. In addition, the side plate connecting portion 23 and the flexible portion 24 can be easily integrally molded using the same soft resin.

[0041] (4) By forming a part of the side plate 17 in a protruding shape, the first impact absorbing portion 55 and the second impact absorbing portion 57 can be easily formed. (5) By providing both the first impact buffering portion 55 on the outer circumference and the second impact buffering portion 57 on the inner circumference, the impact force when the adjacent side plates 17 abut against each other when the plurality of links 15 are displaced from the straight state to the curved state and from the curved state to the straight state can be buffered.

[0042] <Modification> Furthermore, the above-described embodiment may be modified into the following modified examples. In addition, the configuration included in the embodiment and the configuration included in the following modified examples may be arbitrarily combined, and the configurations included in the following modified examples may be arbitrarily combined with each other.

[0043] The first impact absorbing portion 55 and the second impact absorbing portion 57 may be configured such that only one of them is provided on the side plate 17. For example, even in the case of a configuration in which the second impact absorbing portion 57 is not provided and only the first impact absorbing portion 55 is provided on the side plate connecting portion 23 of the side plate 17, the impact force when the adjacent side plates 17 abut against each other when the plurality of links 15 are displaced from the bent state to the straight state can be mitigated. On the other hand, even in the case of a configuration in which the first impact absorbing portion 55 is not provided and only the second impact absorbing portion 57 is provided on the second side plate portion 26 on the inner circumference side of the side plate 17, the impact force when the adjacent side plates 17 abut against each other when the plurality of links 15 are displaced from the straight state to the bent state can be mitigated.

[0044] The first impact absorbing portion 55 may be formed as follows instead of being formed on the surface on the second direction X2 side of the convex portion 53 protruding from the side plate connecting portion 23. That is, the first impact absorbing portion 55 may be formed so as to protrude toward the second direction X2 side from the side end surface 25a on the second direction X2 side of the first side plate portion 25 in the side plate main body portion 22 of the adjacent side plate 17B, which is the side plate 17 of the other link 15 formed with the cutout recessed portion 54 into which the convex portion 53 is inserted.

[0045] The first impact absorbing portion 55 may not be formed on the surface on the second direction X2 side of the convex portion 53 protruding from the side plate connecting portion 23, but may be formed to extend from the first abutting portion 51 of the side plate main body 22 facing the surface to the first direction X1 side. Alternatively, the first impact absorbing portion 55 may be provided on both the surface on the second direction X2 side of the convex portion 53 and the first abutting portion 51.

[0046] The second impact absorbing portion 57 may not be a portion of the outer peripheral surface that is mostly buried in the cylinder portion 56 of the second side plate portion 26 and exposed from the second abutment portion 52 to the first direction X1 side, but may be formed by extending a portion of the second abutment portion 52 of the side plate body portion 22 to the first direction X1 side in a convex shape.

[0047] The second impact absorbing portion 57 may be formed as follows instead of being formed to form a convex shape from the second abutting portion 52 to the first direction X1 side. That is, the second impact absorbing portion 57 may be formed to form a convex shape from the side end surface 26a on the second direction X2 side of the second side plate portion 26 in the side plate main body 22 of the adjacent side plate 17B, which is the side plate 17 of the other link 15 facing the second abutting portion 52. Alternatively, the second impact absorbing portion 57 may be provided on both the second abutting portion 52 and the side end surface 26a on the second direction X2 side of the second side plate portion 26. Alternatively, for example, like the first impact absorbing portion 55, the second impact absorbing portion 57 may be provided on the side plate 17 so as to abut against the second abutting portion 52 just before the side end face 26a of the adjacent side plate 17B adjacent to the side plate 17 abuts against the second abutting portion 52. Alternatively, in addition to the second impact absorbing portion 57, the side plate 17 may also have a second impact absorbing portion 57 provided on the second abutting portion 52 and abutting against the side end face 26a of the adjacent side plate 17B just before the side end face 26a abuts against the second abutting portion 52.

[0048] The side plate main body 22 , the side plate connecting portion 23 , and the flexible portion 24 of the side plate 17 may not be integrally formed, but may be formed separately and then connected to each other. The side plate connecting portion 23 may also be formed of the hard portion 20 similarly to the side plate main body portion 22. In this case, it is preferable that both the convex portion 53 and the first impact absorbing portion 55 protruding from the side plate connecting portion 23 toward the second direction X2 side, or only the first impact absorbing portion 55, are formed by the soft portion 21 formed of a soft resin.

[0049] At least one of the first impact absorbing portion 55 and the second impact absorbing portion 57 may be configured such that an elastically deformable tip portion is extended to hang down from a member other than the side plates 17 such as at least one of the first arm member 18 and the second arm member 19 to extend between adjacent side plates 17 .

Claims

1. A guiding device for a long object, characterized in that: The guide device for the long object is configured such that, when the long object is stored in a storage space formed between the plurality of pairs of side plates along the length direction, the guide device can shift between a straight state in which the plurality of chain links are arranged in a straight line and a curved state in which the plurality of chain links are arranged in a curved shape. In the guiding device for the elongated object, The pair of side plates of each link respectively comprises: an abutment portion that abuts against an adjacent side plate when the plurality of chain links are displaced between the straight state and the curved state, the adjacent side plate being a corresponding one of a pair of side plates of another chain link adjacent to the chain link in the length direction; and The impact absorbing portion is elastically deformed by abutting against at least one of the adjacent side plate and the abutting portion immediately before the abutting portion abuts against the adjacent side plate, thereby absorbing an impact force when the adjacent side plate abuts against the abutting portion.

2. The guiding device for the long object according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pair of side plates of each link are The structure is formed by two-color molding, in which a hard part with high rigidity made of hard resin and a soft part with elastic deformation made of soft resin are integrally formed. The abutment portion is disposed on the hard portion, The impact absorbing portion is provided on the soft portion.

3. The guiding device for the long object according to claim 2, characterized in that: The pair of side plates of each link respectively comprises: a side plate main body; a side plate connecting portion connected to the side plate main body of the adjacent side plate; and a flexure portion capable of flexural deformation, integrally disposed between the side plate main body and the side plate connecting portion, The side plate main body is composed of the hard part. The side plate connecting portion and the flexible portion are formed by the soft portion.

4. The guiding device for a long object according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The impact mitigation portion is configured as follows: A portion of the side plate is formed so as to protrude from at least one of the contact portion of the side plate and the adjacent side plate toward the other side when the link is connected to the other link adjacent to the longitudinal direction.

5. The guiding device for a long object according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The impact absorbing portion is composed of at least one of a first impact absorbing portion and a second impact absorbing portion. When the plurality of chain links are displaced from the bent state to the straight state, the first impact mitigation portion abuts against at least one of the adjacent side plate and the abutment portion before the abutment portion is about to abut against the adjacent side plate; when the plurality of chain links are displaced from the straight state to the bent state, the second impact mitigation portion abuts against at least one of the adjacent side plate and the abutment portion before the abutment portion is about to abut against the adjacent side plate.

Images