Cover structure for control cable

Abstract

The present application relates to a cover structure of a control cable which can suppress the increase in size while improving the strength, characterized by a cover main body portion, a mounting portion, and a front end portion which are formed integrally, the mounting portion being located between the cover main body portion and the front end portion, the cover main body portion being bent, the mounting portion having a pair of flange portions and a mounting groove provided between the flange portions, a reinforcing wall extending from the flange portions being provided on the inner side of the bending of the cover main body portion, and a reinforcing rib being provided between the cover main body portion and the flange portion on the cover main body portion side, the reinforcing rib extending on a plane intersecting the reinforcing wall from the flange portion on the cover main body portion side.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a cover structure for control cables. Background Technology

[0002] To mount the control cable to a vehicle bracket, for example, as shown in Patent Document 1, a cover is sometimes used for securing it. Furthermore, when mounting the control cable to a vehicle, for example, as shown in Patent Document 2, the cable is sometimes routed in a bent manner near the bracket.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: CN107532635A

[0006] Patent Document 2: CN118017408A Summary of the Invention

[0007] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0008] However, the cover disclosed in Patent Document 1 lacks reinforcing walls or ribs, resulting in poor strength. In the cover disclosed in Patent Document 2, reinforcing ribs and auxiliary ribs are provided to maintain the reaction force generated when the cable is stretched, but this results in a large reinforcing structure and poor vehicle compatibility. Therefore, there is a need for a cover structure that can improve strength while suppressing the growth of large control cables.

[0009] Technical solutions for solving the problem

[0010] The cover structure of the control cable according to one aspect of this disclosure is characterized by integrally forming a cover body, a mounting portion, and a front end portion, the mounting portion being located between the cover body and the front end portion, the cover body being curved, the mounting portion having a pair of flange portions and a mounting groove disposed between the flange portions, a reinforcing wall extending from the flange portions being provided on the inner side of the curve of the cover body, and a reinforcing rib being provided between the flange portions on the cover body side and the flange portions on the cover body side, the reinforcing rib extending from the flange portions on the cover body side in a plane intersecting the reinforcing wall.

[0011] According to this structure, loads toward the inner side of the bend can be supported by the reinforcing wall, and loads in that direction can be supported by reinforcing ribs extending on a plane intersecting the reinforcing wall. Since the reinforcing ribs do not protrude radially outward from the flange, they do not become too large. Thus, it is possible to increase strength while suppressing the enlargement of the cover structure.

[0012] Alternatively, a pair of reinforcing ribs may be provided.

[0013] Based on this structure, the strength of the cover structure can be further improved.

[0014] Alternatively, the pair of reinforcing ribs can be symmetrically arranged across the cover body.

[0015] This structure allows for a uniform increase in the strength of the cover structure.

[0016] Alternatively, the front end of the cover structure may consist of a central portion in the shape of a frustum cone and a plurality of ribs disposed around the central portion.

[0017] According to this structure, compared with a structure where the front end is only a truncated cone shape, it can improve strength and achieve weight reduction.

[0018] Alternatively, the height of the truncated cone shape at the center may be smaller than the minimum diameter of the truncated cone shape.

[0019] Based on this structure, the cover structure can be further miniaturized.

[0020] Alternatively, the height of the truncated cone shape at the center may be approximately the same as the thickness of the flange.

[0021] Based on this structure, the cover structure can be further miniaturized.

[0022] Invention Effects

[0023] The cover structure of the control cable according to the present invention can improve strength while suppressing its large size. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is an overall view of a control cable connection structure having a cover structure according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 2 It is a three-dimensional diagram representing the structure of the cover.

[0026] Figure 3 This is another three-dimensional view representing the structure of the cover.

[0027] Figure 4 This is a side view showing the cover structure.

[0028] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing the cover structure mounted on a vehicle.

[0029] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram showing the cover structure mounted on a vehicle. Detailed Implementation

[0030] Hereinafter, a cover structure according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, the embodiments shown below are merely examples, and the cover structure of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

[0031] Furthermore, in this specification, "vertical" does not refer only to a perfectly perpendicular direction, but includes cases where it is approximately perpendicular.

[0032] like Figure 1 As shown, the cover structure 1 in this embodiment is a component connected to the end of the outer housing Cb through which the inner cable Ca is inserted (hereinafter, the inner cable Ca and the outer housing Cb are collectively referred to as the control cable C). The cover structure 1 is provided for mounting the end of the outer housing Cb, which is wired in a predetermined wiring path in a mounting object such as a vehicle, to a predetermined mounting object M via the cover structure 1. Furthermore, the mounting object is not limited to a vehicle as long as it is an object on which the cover structure 1 and the control cable C are mounted, and can also be a structure other than a vehicle. Furthermore, the material constituting the cover structure 1 is not particularly limited as long as it has a predetermined rigidity, for example, it can be made of rigid resin.

[0033] In this embodiment, the cover structure 1, together with the inner cable Ca, the outer casing Cb, and the mounting object M in the installation object such as a vehicle, constitutes a control cable connection structure. The control cable connection structure is as follows: in the installation object such as a vehicle, one end OP of the inner cable Ca is connected to the operating object, and one end of the outer casing Cb is connected to the mounting object M via the cover structure 1 (see also...). Figure 5 , Figure 6 In this embodiment, the control cable connection structure is part of the control cable operating device. In this embodiment, the control cable operating device includes a connector J and a control cable connection structure. A pair of control cables C extend toward a pair of operating objects. Another control cable (not shown) is connected to the side of the connector J opposite to the control cables C, with one end of its connection attached to a drive unit. When the drive unit is activated, the other control cable (not shown) is operated, and the pair of operating objects are operated via the connector J and the inner cable Ca of the pair of control cables C. Furthermore, the application of the control cable operating device is not particularly limited. For example, the control cable operating device can be applied to locking and unlocking mechanisms such as seat tilting mechanisms, and hood openers for vehicle hoods.

[0034] The control cable C includes an inner cable Ca and an outer casing Cb through which the inner cable Ca is inserted. One end OP of the inner cable Ca is connected to the object being operated on, in a manner capable of transmitting operating force to the object. In this embodiment, one end OP of the inner cable Ca is connected to the object, and the other end of the inner cable Ca is connected to the connector J. The object is operated by manipulating the inner cable Ca using the driving force of the drive unit. Alternatively, the object can be configured to function as the drive unit, and operating force can be applied to other parts besides the object by manipulating the inner cable Ca through the object.

[0035] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the cover structure 1 is integrally formed with a cover body 2, a mounting part 3, and a front end 4.

[0036] The cover body 2 is curved and has a curved guide path P that guides the inner cable Ca while it is bent. According to this structure, the inner cable Ca can be oriented near the mounting object M without significant bending of the outer casing Cb. Therefore, the flexibility in the layout of the control cable C is increased, and the space required for wiring is reduced. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the bending state of the inner cable Ca is approximately constant due to the guide path P provided in the cover body 2, making it difficult to experience travel loss. Additionally, even for wiring paths that require significant bending near the mounting object M, there is no need to forcibly bend the outer casing Cb before mounting it to the limiting component. Therefore, the installation of the cover structure 1 onto the mounting object M becomes easier.

[0037] The guide path P is the portion that guides the inner cable Ca along a curved path. The guide path P is curved in such a way that the inner cable Ca, from one end to the other, changes direction at a predetermined angle. The angle at which the guide path P changes direction from one end to the other is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, the angle at which the guide path P changes direction is 90°, for example, it can be set to 90 to 180°.

[0038] The shape and structure of the guide path P are not particularly limited, as long as they can guide the inner cable Ca while it is bent. In this embodiment, for example... Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the guide path P opens radially outward in a manner that connects the guide path P with the space outside the cover structure 1. However, the guide path P can also be a closed guide path that does not connect with the space outside the cover structure 1. The guide path P can be entirely open or partially open (or partially closed). In this embodiment, the guide path P curves continuously from one end to the other end, but it can also have a partially straight path between the two ends.

[0039] The mounting portion 3 is located between the cover body portion 2 and the front end portion 4 (described later), and has a pair of flange portions 31 and 32, and a mounting groove 33 provided between the flange portions 31 and 32. The mounting portion 3 has an insertion passage for the internal cable Ca to pass through. The flange portions 31 and 32 are spaced apart from each other and project radially outward in a direction perpendicular to the insertion passage, expanding to form a generally plate-like shape (a circular plate in this embodiment). A cylindrical portion with a smaller diameter than the flange portions is formed between the flange portions 31 and 32, thereby forming the mounting groove 33 between the flange portions 31 and 32. The mounting portion 3 is the part that engages with the mounting object M for mounting the cover structure 1 to the mounting object M. In this embodiment, the mounting portion 3 is configured to be able to be mounted on a generally plate-like mounting object M (see reference 1). Figure 5 and Figure 6 In this embodiment, a cylindrical portion is formed between the flange portions 31 and 32, but there is no particular limitation as long as the mounting groove 33 can engage with the mounting object M.

[0040] The mounting object M is the object (component, part) on which the cover structure 1 is mounted. The mounting object M is made of a material, such as metal, with a specified rigidity that allows the cover structure 1 to be held in a specified position and posture. The shape and structure of the mounting object M are not particularly limited, as long as it can accommodate the cover structure 1. In this embodiment, for example... Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the mounting object M is formed in a generally plate-like shape capable of mounting the cover structure 1. In this specification, "generally plate-like" mounting object M refers to an object having a plate-like or approximately plate-like shape. Furthermore, the generally plate-like mounting object M only needs to have at least the portion where the cover structure 1 is mounted be generally plate-like; the entire mounting object M does not need to be plate-like. Additionally, the mounting object M may be part of a housing or partition that at least partially divides the space where the operating object is located, or it may be mounted on such a housing or partition.

[0041] The method for fixing the cover structure 1 to the mounting object M is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, the mounting part 3 engages with the generally plate-shaped mounting object M in the thickness direction of the mounting object M, thereby fixing the cover structure 1 to the mounting object M.

[0042] A reinforcing wall 5 extending from the flange portion 31 is provided on the inner side of the bend of the cover body portion 2. Because the cover body portion 2 has the reinforcing wall 5, when tension is applied to the inner cable Ca and a force F is applied to the cover body portion 2 in the bend direction toward the guide path P (e.g., as...), Figure 5 (As shown by the hollow arrow), the situation of suppressing the deflection of the main body 2 and guiding the deformation of the road P.

[0043] Furthermore, a reinforcing rib 6 is provided between the cover body portion 2 and the flange portion 31 on the side of the cover body portion 2. The reinforcing rib 6 extends from the flange portion 31 on the side of the cover body portion 2 in a plane intersecting with the reinforcing wall 5. A pair of reinforcing ribs 6 may be provided. In this embodiment, the extending direction of the reinforcing rib 6 is perpendicular to both the extending direction of the flange portion 31 and the extending direction of the reinforcing wall 5. In this embodiment, a pair of reinforcing ribs 6 are symmetrically arranged across the cover body portion 2. By having a pair of reinforcing ribs 6 in the cover structure 1, when the aforementioned force F is applied to the cover body portion 2, further support can be provided in the direction intersecting with the reinforcing wall 5 (see also...). Figure 6 ), to increase strength.

[0044] Reference Figure 3 The front end portion 4 protrudes forward from the side of the flange portion 32 opposite to the mounting groove 33, and has an insertion passage for the internal cable Ca to be inserted. The front end portion consists of a central portion 41 in the shape of a truncated cone and a plurality of ribs 42 disposed around the central portion 41. In this embodiment, four ribs 42 are provided at equal intervals around the central portion 41. However, the number of ribs 42 and their arrangement around the central portion 41 are not particularly limited. With this configuration, compared with a structure where the front end is only truncated cone-shaped, strength can be improved and weight reduction can be achieved.

[0045] Additionally, refer to Figure 4 When the minimum diameter of the truncated cone shape of the central portion 41 is set as d, the height of the truncated cone shape is set as h1, and the thickness of the flange portion 32 is set as h2, the height h1 of the truncated cone shape is smaller than the minimum diameter d of the truncated cone shape. That is to say, the front end has a relatively flat shape. With this configuration, the cover structure 1 can be further miniaturized, reducing the space required for the cover structure 1.

[0046] Furthermore, the height h1 of the truncated cone shape of the central portion 41 is approximately the same as the thickness h2 of the flange portion, for example, the difference between the two is no more than 0.2 mm. This configuration further prevents the front end from becoming too large and reduces the space required for the cover structure 1.

[0047] It should be noted that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of this disclosure is not shown by the description of the above embodiments, but by the scope of the claims, and includes all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the scope of the claims.

[0048] Label Explanation

[0049] 1. Cover structure

[0050] 2. Cover body

[0051] 3 Installation Department

[0052] 31, 32 Flange portion

[0053] 33 mounting slots

[0054] 4. Front end

[0055] 41. Central Section

[0056] 42 ribs

[0057] 5. Reinforced wall

[0058] 6 Reinforcing ribs

[0059] Ca internal cable

[0060] Cb shell

[0061] P Guiding Path

[0062] M Installation Object

[0063] One end of the OP internal cable

[0064] J Connector section.

Claims

1. A cover structure for a control cable, characterized in that, The covered main body, mounting section, and front end are integrally formed. The mounting portion is located between the cover body portion and the front end portion. The main body of the cover is bent. The mounting portion has a pair of flange portions and a mounting groove disposed between the flange portions. A reinforcing wall extending from the flange portion is provided on the curved inner side of the cover body. A reinforcing rib is provided between the main body portion of the cover and the flange portion on the side of the main body portion of the cover. The reinforcing rib extends from the flange portion on the side of the cover body in a plane intersecting the reinforcing wall.

2. The cover structure for the control cable according to claim 1, characterized in that, The reinforcing ribs are provided in pairs.

3. The cover structure for the control cable according to claim 2, characterized in that, The pair of reinforcing ribs are symmetrically arranged across the cover body.

4. The cover structure for the control cable according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The front end of the cover structure consists of a central portion in the shape of a frustum and a plurality of ribs disposed around the central portion.

5. The cover structure for the control cable according to claim 4, characterized in that, The height of the truncated cone shape at the center is smaller than the minimum diameter of the truncated cone shape.

6. The cover structure for the control cable according to claim 4, characterized in that, The height of the truncated cone shape in the central part is approximately the same as the thickness of the flange.

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