Cables protection guide device

Abstract

To easily release an engagement state of a first connection member.SOLUTION: In a cables protection guide device, a plurality of links 20 are rotatably connected and extend, and cables are stored in a space surrounded by a pair of link plates 11, a first connection member 12 and a second connection member. The first connection member 12 has a plate-like body part 12a, a first engagement part 40 engaged with a first engaged part 30a, and a second engagement part engaged with a second engaged part 30b. At least one of the first engaged part 30a and the second engaged part 30b includes an outward engaged part (outward projection 32a). At least one of the first engagement part 40 and the second engagement part includes a suspended wall 42 extending in the thickness direction of the body part 12a, an inward engagement part (inward projection 43) disposed in the suspended wall 42 and engaged with the outward engaged part (outward projection 32a), and an outward projection wall 44 projecting outward from the suspended wall 42.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cable protection and guide device. [Background technology]

[0002] US Pat. No. 5,399,433 describes an energy conduction chain. 15, in an energy conducting chain 80, links 83 are formed by a pair of opposing link plates 81 and a connecting piece 82 that integrally connects the pair of link plates 81. In addition, a retaining plate 84 is stretched across the pair of link plates 81. An energy conductor such as a cable or a hose is disposed in the space surrounded by the pair of link plates 81, the connecting piece 82, and the retaining plate 84.

[0003] The pair of link plates 81 have an engagement piece at their upper ends that engages with the retaining plate 84. The engagement piece is constituted by a semicircular rod body 85 whose circumferential surface is on the inner side of the pair of link plates 81. The outer side of the rod body 85 is a flat surface 85a, and this flat surface 85a has a groove 85b that runs along the axial direction of the link 83.

[0004] The retaining plate 84 has a base plate 86, a first side piece 87 hanging down from one end of the base plate 86, and a second side piece 88 hanging down from the other end of the base plate 86. The first side piece 87 has a protrusion 87a that engages with a groove 85b of the rod body 85. The second side piece 88 has a semicircular locking hole 88a that fits into the rod body 85.

[0005] When attaching the retaining plate 84 to a pair of link plates 81, the rod 85 of the other link plate 81 is fitted into the semicircular locking hole 88a of the second side piece 88 of the retaining plate 84. Then, the retaining plate 84 is rotated about the semicircular locking hole 88a. The retaining plate 84 is attached to the pair of link plates 81 by engaging the protrusion 87a of the first side piece 87 of the retaining plate 84 with the groove 85b of the rod 85 of one link plate 81. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Publication No. 2-526 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] Incidentally, in the energy conductive chain 80 as a cable protection and guide device described in Patent Document 1 and the like, the engagement between the retaining plate 84 as the first connecting member and the link plate 81 may be released in order to inspect or replace cables. In this case, an operator inserts a tool or the like between the first side piece 87 of the retaining plate 84 and the rod body 85 of one of the link plates 81 to release the engagement between the protruding piece 87a of the first side piece 87 and the groove 85b of the rod body 85. However, it is difficult for an operator to know how to release the engagement using a tool or the like, so that it is difficult to release the engagement of the retaining plate 84. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The cable protection and guide device of aspect 1 has a link including a pair of opposing link plates, a first connecting member connecting the pair of link plates, and a second connecting member connecting the pair of link plates, and a plurality of the links are rotatably connected and extend, and cables are housed in a space surrounded by the pair of link plates, the first connecting member, and the second connecting member, and the first connecting member is a cable protection and guide device in which the first connecting member has a plate-shaped main body portion, a first engaging portion that engages with a first engaged portion provided on one of the pair of link plates, and The gist of the present invention is that the link plate has a second engaging portion that engages with a second engaged portion of the other of the pair of link plates, and if the direction in which the pair of link plates face each other is defined as the inward direction of the link and the opposite direction is defined as the outward direction of the link, at least one of the first engaged portion and the second engaged portion has an outer engaged portion, and at least one of the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion has a hanging wall extending in the thickness direction of the main body portion, an inner engaging portion provided on the hanging wall that engages with the outer engaged portion, and an outward protruding wall that protrudes outward beyond the hanging wall.

[0009] A second aspect is the cable protection and guide device of the first aspect, wherein the first engagement portion has a curved portion between the hanging wall and the main body portion. In aspect 3, in the cable protection and guide device of aspect 1 or 2, at least one of the first engaged portion and the second engaged portion has a release recess on its outer surface for releasing the engagement between the outer engaged portion and the inner engaging portion.

[0010] In aspect 4, in the cable protection and guide device of aspect 3, the width of the release recess along the direction in which the multiple links are connected is the same as or smaller than the width of the inner engagement portion of the first connecting member along the same direction.

[0011] A fifth aspect of the present invention relates to the cable protection and guide device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, in which an outer surface of the outwardly protruding wall of the first connecting member is positioned lower than an outer surface of a main body of the first connecting member.

[0012] Aspect 6 is a cable protection and guide device described in any one of aspects 1 to 5, wherein the other of the first engaged portion and the second engaged portion has a hinge bearing portion, and the other of the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion has a hinge axis that engages with the hinge bearing portion. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, the first connecting member can be easily released from its engaged state. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a cable protection and guide device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a first connecting member. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the first connecting member from a different angle. [Diagram 5] 13 is a perspective view of a second engaged portion of the link plate. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a hinge shaft is engaged with a hinge bearing portion. FIG. [Figure 8] 13 is a perspective view of an outer engaged portion of the first engaged portion of the link plate and an inner engaging portion of the first engaging portion of the first connecting member before they are engaged with each other. FIG. [Figure 9] 13 is a perspective view showing a state in which an outer engaged portion of the first engaged portion of the link plate and an inner engaging portion of the first engaging portion of the first connecting member are engaged with each other. FIG. [Figure 10] 13 is a partial cross-sectional view of an outer engaged portion of the first engaged portion of the link plate and an inner engaging portion of the first engaging portion of the first connecting member before they engage with each other. FIG. [Figure 11] 11 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state in which the outer engaged portion and the inner engaging portion are engaged with each other. FIG. [Figure 12] 13 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state in which an outer engaged portion and an inner engaging portion of a modified example are engaged with each other. FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of another modified example in which an outer engaged portion and an inner engaging portion are engaged with each other. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of yet another modified example in which an outer engaged portion and an inner engaging portion are engaged with each other. [Figure 15] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional cable protection and guide device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A cable protection and guide device according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described. 1 and 2, a cable protection and guide device (hereinafter also referred to as a guide device) 10 of this embodiment has a link 20 including a pair of opposing link plates 11, a first connecting member 12 connecting the pair of link plates 11, and a second connecting member 13 connecting the pair of link plates 11. In the guide device 10, a plurality of links 20 are connected in series so as to be rotatable relative to one another.

[0016] Hereinafter, the direction in which the multiple links 20 are connected in series and extend is referred to as a serial direction X. The direction perpendicular to the serial direction X and in which the pair of link plates 11 face each other is referred to as a width direction Y.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, a direction perpendicular to both the serial direction X and the width direction Y is defined as an up-down direction Z based on a point where the multiple links 20 extend linearly. Of the multiple connected links 20, the link 20 located at one end in the serial direction X has a connecting fitting 14 connected to a moving body (not shown) that reciprocates in the serial direction X. The link 20 located at the other end in the serial direction X has a fixing fitting 15 fixed to a fixing portion (not shown). The direction connected to the connecting fitting 14 is defined as the front, and the direction fixed to the fixing fitting 15 is defined as the rear.

[0018] 2, the direction in which the pair of link plates 11 face each other is the inside of the link 20, and the opposite direction is the outside of the link 20. In the pair of link plates 11, the link plate 11 located at the back side in FIG. 2 is referred to as one link plate 21, and the link plate 11 at the front side is referred to as the other link plate 22.

[0019] 1 and 2, the guide device 10 accommodates cables TK in a space surrounded by a pair of link plates 11, a first connecting member 12, and a second connecting member 13. The cables TK can be bent flexibly. The guide device 10 accommodates the cables TK in the space and guides the cables TK with multiple links 20 while protecting them.

[0020] The guide device 10 will be described in detail below. <Link plate> 2, the link plate 11 is configured as a long plate in the serial direction X. Both ends of the link plate 11 in the serial direction X are semicircular with both outer sides in the serial direction X being convex.

[0021] The link plate 11 has an engaged portion 30 with which the first connecting member 12 engages at an upper end portion in the up-down direction Z in a central portion in the serial direction X. The engaged portion 30 will be described later. The link plate 11 has an engaged portion at the lower end in the up-down direction Z in the center of the serial direction X, with which the second connecting member 13 engages. A description of this engaged portion will be omitted. The second connecting member 13 is connected to both of the pair of link plates 11. The second connecting member 13 connects the lower ends of the pair of link plates 11 to each other.

[0022] The other link plate 22 of the pair of link plates 11 will be described below. 2, link plate 22 has a through hole 23 forward of the center in the serial direction X. Link plate 22 has an outer thin portion 24 rearward of the center in the serial direction X, the outer thin portion 24 having a thickness that decreases from the outside to the inside of link plate 22. The front edge of outer thin portion 24 has a curved shape that convexly extends forward.

[0023] Link plate 22 has a cylindrical shaft portion 25 that protrudes outward from the center of outer thin portion 24. The protruding height of shaft portion 25 is approximately equal to the depth of outer thin portion 24. In other words, the top of shaft portion 25 is approximately flush with the outer surface of link plate 22 excluding outer thin portion 24.

[0024] Link plate 22 has a rectangular protrusion 26 in outer thin portion 24, located forward of shaft portion 25. Also, link plate 22 has a sectorial recess 27, located rearward of shaft portion 25, where link plate 22 becomes even thinner and expands rearward in a sector shape.

[0025] The link plate 22 has an inner thin portion 28 recessed from the inside to the outside of the link plate 22, further forward than the center portion in the serial direction X. 2, the shape of the inner thin portion 28 is the same as that of the outer thin portion 24 when link plate 22 is rotated 180° around rotation axis P, assuming that rotation axis P extends in the up-down direction Z, at the center of link plate 22 in the serial direction X. That is, inner thin portion 28 has a rectangular protrusion 26 and a sectorial recess 27 on the inward side of link 20, and has a through hole 23 at the position of shaft portion 25 in outer thin portion 24.

[0026] 2, the pair of link plates 11 are symmetrical on the left and right. In other words, the pair of link plates 11 are mirror symmetrical to each other, including the shape of the engaged portion 30. That is, one link plate 21 and the other link plate 22 are in a mirror image relationship in the opposing direction.

[0027] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, in the guide device 10, a plurality of links 20 are connected in series so as to be rotatable with respect to each other. When connecting the plurality of links 20, the rear side of one pair of link plates 11 is connected to the front side of another pair of link plates 11. Specifically, the shaft portion 25 located in the outer thin portion 24 of one pair of link plates 11 is fitted into the through hole 23 located in the inner thin portion 28 of the other pair of link plates 11. At that time, the rectangular convex portion 26 of the outer thin portion 24 is disposed in the sectorial recess 27 of the inner thin portion 28. Also, the rectangular convex portion 26 of the inner thin portion 28 is disposed in the sectorial recess 27 of the outer thin portion 24.

[0028] This allows one pair of link plates 11 to rotate around the shafts 25 of the other pair of link plates 11. The rotation range of the other pair of link plates 11 is defined within the range within which the rectangular protrusions 26 of the other pair of link plates 11 arranged in the sectorial recesses 27 of the pair of link plates 11 can swing. The rotation range can be changed by changing the angle or direction of the sector in the sectorial recesses 27 or the shape or position of the rectangular protrusions 26.

[0029] As described above, by repeatedly connecting one pair of link plates 11 to another pair of link plates 11, the multiple links 20 are rotatably connected. <Engaged portion of link plate> 2, the link plate 11 has an engaged portion 30 with which the first connecting member 12 engages at an upper end portion at the center in the serial direction X. Specifically, one link plate 21 of the pair of link plates 11 has a first engaged portion 30a with which the first engaging portion 40 of the first connecting member 12 engages. The other link plate 22 of the pair of link plates 11 has a second engaged portion 30b with which the second engaging portion 50 of the first connecting member 12 engages.

[0030] Since the first engaged portion 30a and the second engaged portion 30b have the same shape, the following will describe the second engaged portion 30b, and a description of the first engaged portion 30a will be omitted. 5, the second engaged portion 30b has a first notch 31 as a notch cut downward from the upper end portion of the link plate 22. The first notch 31 penetrates the link plate 22 in the thickness direction. The depth of the first notch 31, i.e., the length of the first notch 31 in the up-down direction Z, is approximately equal to the thickness of the main body portion 12a of the first connecting member 12.

[0031] The second engaged portion 30b has hinge bearing portions 31a recessed on both sides in the serial direction X from the first notch 31. The hinge bearing portion 31a extends to the outer surface of the link plate 22 in the thickness direction of the link plate 22. The inner peripheral edge of the hinge bearing portion 31a is semicircular, and a hinge shaft 52, which will be described later, can rotate in a state of being engaged with the hinge bearing portion 31a.

[0032] The second engaged portion 30b has a second notch 32 below the first notch 31. The second notch 32 cuts out an outer portion of the link plate 22 in the thickness direction of the link plate 22. The width of the second notch 32 along the serial direction X is the same as the width of the first notch 31 along the same direction.

[0033] The second engaged portion 30b has, on the inside of the second cutout 32, an outer convex portion 32a that protrudes outward and serves as an outer engaged portion. 7, outer convex portion 32a has inclined surface 32b that slopes diagonally downward outward. In addition, outer convex portion 32a has horizontal surface 32c that extends along the thickness direction of link plate 22 below inclined surface 32b.

[0034] 5 and 7, the second engaged portion 30b has a third notch 33 below the second notch 32. The third notch 33 extends obliquely downward and outward from the center of the second notch 32 in the serial direction X, and has an inclined surface 33a that is obliquely downward and outward. The width of the third notch 33 along the serial direction X is shorter than the width of the second notch 32. The third notch 33 functions as a release recess into which a jig or finger is inserted when removing the first engaging portion 40 of the first connecting member 12 from the engaged portion 30 of the link plate 21.

[0035] <First connecting member> As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the first connecting member 12 has a plate-shaped main body portion 12a, a first engaging portion 40 that engages with the first engaged portion 30a provided on one link plate 21, and a second engaging portion 50 that engages with the second engaged portion 30b provided on the other link plate 22.

[0036] (Main body) As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the main body 12a has a plate surface aligned in the serial direction X and extends in the width direction Y in an elongated shape.

[0037] In the following description, in the longitudinal direction of the main body portion 12a, the direction toward the center of the main body portion 12a is defined as the inside of the first connecting member 12, and the opposite direction is defined as the outside. (First engagement portion) The first engagement portion 40 has a curved portion 41 extending from one longitudinal end of the main body portion 12a, a hanging wall 42 extending downward from the outer end of the curved portion 41 along the thickness direction of the main body portion 12a, and an outward protruding wall 44 protruding outward from the upper end of the hanging wall 42.

[0038] 3 and 4, the curved portion 41 protrudes from one end of the main body portion 12a outwardly of the main body portion 12a, then curves upward and further outwardly. That is, the curved portion 41 extends in a crank-like curve. Note that the crank-like shape refers to a shape having two or more portions curved in opposite directions.

[0039] In addition, the above-mentioned hanging wall 42 "extending downward along the thickness direction of main body portion 12a" does not necessarily have to coincide completely with the thickness direction of main body portion 12a, and also includes a direction that is slightly inclined relative to the thickness direction of main body portion 12a.

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first engagement portion 40 has an inward protrusion 43 at the lower end of the hanging wall 42, which protrudes inwardly and serves as an inner engagement portion. 10, the inward protrusion 43 has an inclined surface 43a that is inclined diagonally upward inward. The inward protrusion 43 also has a parallel surface 43b above the inclined surface 43a that extends parallel to the longitudinal direction of the main body 12a.

[0041] 11, the protruding length of the outward protruding wall 44 is set so that the tip of the outward protruding wall 44 does not protrude from the outer end of the link plate 21 when the first engaging portion 40 is attached to the first engaged portion 30a of the link plate 21. Specifically, the tip of the outward protruding wall 44 is flush with the outer end of the link plate 21.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 11, the upper surface which is the outer surface of the outwardly protruding wall 44 is located lower than the upper surface which is the outer surface of the main body portion 12a of the first connecting member 12. As shown in FIG. 8, the length of the first engagement portion 40 along the serial direction X, i.e., the widths of the curved portion 41, the hanging wall 42, the inward convex portion 43, and the outward protruding wall 44 along the serial direction X, are slightly smaller than the width of the second notch 32 along the same direction.

[0043] (Second engagement portion) 3 and 4, the second engagement portion 50 has a protruding piece 51 protruding outward from the other end of the main body portion 12a in the longitudinal direction, and a hinge shaft 52 protruding on both sides in the lateral direction of the main body portion 12a from the tip of the protruding piece 51. The cross section of the hinge shaft 52 is circular.

[0044] <Second connecting member> 2, the second connecting member 13 is made of a long plate material. The second connecting member 13 connects the lower ends of a pair of link plates 11. When the link 20 is viewed from the width direction Y, the second connecting member 13 is attached at a position overlapping the first connecting member 12 in the up-down direction Z.

[0045] <Attachment mechanism for first connecting member> As shown in Figure 6, when attaching the first connecting member 12 to a pair of link plates 11, first, the hinge shaft 52 of the second engaging portion 50 of the first connecting member 12 is inserted from the outside into the hinge bearing portion 31a of the second engaged portion 30b of the other link plate 22.

[0046] 7, in a state where the hinge shaft 52 abuts against the semicircular periphery of the hinge bearing portion 31a, the hinge shaft 52 is restricted from moving any further inwardly of the link plate 22. As a result, the second engaging portion 50 of the first connecting member 12 is brought into engagement with the second engaged portion 30b of the other link plate 22.

[0047] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the first connecting member 12 is rotated about the hinge shaft 52 so that the first engaging portion 40 approaches the first engaged portion 30a of one link plate 21. As shown in FIG. 9, the first engaging portion 40 of the first connecting member 12 is inserted into the first notch 31 in the first engaged portion 30a of one link plate 21.

[0048] As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the inward convex portion 43 of the hanging wall 42 of the first connecting member 12 engages from the outward side with the outward convex portion 32a in the second notch 32 of the first engaged portion 30a of the link plate 21, thereby preventing the first engaging portion 40 from coming loose from the engaged portion 30.

[0049] When the inner convex portion 43 and the outer convex portion 32a engage with each other, the resistance during engagement is reduced by the inclined surface 32b of the outer convex portion 32a coming into contact with the inclined surface 43a of the inner convex portion 43. After the outer convex portion 32a and the inner convex portion 43 engage with each other, when the engagement between them is about to be released, the horizontal surface 32c of the outer convex portion 32a comes into contact with the parallel surface 43b of the inner convex portion 43, making it difficult to release the engagement.

[0050] Moreover, the curved portion 41 of the first engaging portion 40 abuts against the lower end of the first notch 31 of the first engaged portion 30a. In other words, the curved portion 41 of the first engaging portion 40 abuts against the outer protrusion 32a of the second notch 32. By the curved portion 41 of the first engaging portion 40 abutting against the outer protrusion 32a of the second notch 32, rattling of the first connecting member 12 is suppressed.

[0051] 11, the upper surface which is the outer surface of outwardly protruding wall 44 of first connecting member 12 is located below the upper end of link plate 21. Moreover, the tip of outwardly protruding wall 44 at first engagement portion 40 does not protrude from the outer surface of one link plate 21 in the thickness direction of link plate 21, but is flush with the outer surface.

[0052] There are no particular limitations on the materials of the link plate 11, the first connecting member 12, and the second connecting member 13 that constitute the guide device 10. For example, resin or metal can be used as the material.

[0053] <Action and Effects> The operation of the guide device 10 of this embodiment will be described. 9 and 11, in the guiding device 10, an upward stress (arrow B) may be applied to the first connecting member 12 from the space that accommodates the cables located inside the link 20. For example, the above-mentioned stress may be applied when the cables accommodated in the guiding device 10 cannot follow the movement of the guiding device 10 or when there is not enough space to accommodate the cables in the guiding device 10. When this stress is applied, the center side in the longitudinal direction of the first connecting member 12 is easily displaced upward.

[0054] 11, even if the longitudinal center side of first connecting member 12 is displaced upward, the contact state between horizontal surface 32c of outer convex portion 32a and parallel surface 43b of inner convex portion 43 is maintained, so that hanging wall 42 of first engaging portion 40 of first connecting member 12 is unlikely to be displaced outward. Therefore, the engagement state between inner convex portion 43 of hanging wall 42 and outer convex portion 32a of one link plate 21 is unlikely to be released. In other words, first engaging portion 40 of first connecting member 12 is unlikely to come off first engaged portion 30a of link plate 21.

[0055] 11, when removing the first engaging portion 40 of the first connecting member 12 from the first engaged portion 30a of the link plate 21, an upward stress (arrow A) is applied to the outward protruding wall 44 of the first engaging portion 40 using a finger or a jig. This stress causes the curved portion 41 to bend, displacing the hanging wall 42 outward. This releases the engagement between the inward convex portion 43 of the first engaging portion 40 and the outward convex portion 32a of the first engaged portion 30a.

[0056] 9, the outwardly protruding wall 44 can be easily visually recognized from the outside of the link 20, so that an operator can easily recognize that the outwardly protruding wall 44 is a portion for applying stress to remove the first connecting member 12. Furthermore, the presence of the outwardly protruding wall 44 makes it easier for an operator to apply stress upward using a finger or a tool, so that the engaged state of the first engaging portion 40 can be easily released.

[0057] 9, the link 20 further has a third notch 33 on the outside thereof as a release recess into which a tool or finger can be inserted when removing the first engaging portion 40 from the first engaged portion 30a of the link plate 21. Therefore, as shown in FIG 11, the engagement state of the first engaging portion 40 can also be released by inserting a tool or finger in the direction along the inclined surface 33a of the third notch 33 (the direction of arrow C).

[0058] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the third notch 33 has an inclined surface 33a inclined outwardly and obliquely downward. Moreover, the width of the third notch 33 along the serial direction X is smaller than the width of the hanging wall 42 and the inward protrusion 43 of the first connecting member 12 along the serial direction X. In other words, the width of the third notch 33 along the serial direction X is smaller than the width of the second notch 32 along the serial direction X. In this way, since the third notch 33 has an inclined surface 33a inclined outwardly and obliquely downward, the position of the third notch 33 can be easily recognized by the worker. Furthermore, since the width of the third notch 33 is small, the position of the third notch 33 can be more easily recognized by the worker when the link 20 is viewed from the outside. Therefore, the worker can easily insert a jig or a finger into the third notch 33 to release the engagement state of the first engagement portion 40.

[0059] The effects of the guide device 10 of this embodiment will be described. (1) The first engaging portion 40 of the first connecting member 12 has a hanging wall 42 extending in the thickness direction of the main body portion 12a, an inward convex portion 43 provided on the hanging wall 42 and engaging with the outward convex portion 32a of the link plate 21, and an outward protruding wall 44 protruding outward further than the hanging wall 42.

[0060] Therefore, even if the longitudinal center side of the first connecting member 12 is displaced upward, the engagement between the inner protrusion 43 of the first engagement portion 40 and the outer protrusion 32a of the link plate 21 is unlikely to be released.

[0061] Furthermore, when releasing the engagement between the inward protrusion 43 of the first engagement portion 40 and the outward protrusion 32a of the link plate 21, the engagement can be easily released by displacing the outward protruding wall 44 of the first engagement portion 40 upward with a finger or a jig. Furthermore, since the outward protruding wall 44 is easily visible from the outside of the link 20, the worker can easily displace the outward protruding wall 44 to release the engagement of the first engagement portion 40.

[0062] (2) The first engagement portion 40 has a curved portion 41 between the hanging wall 42 and the main body portion 12a. By having the curved portion 41, it becomes easier to displace the outwardly protruding wall 44 by bending the curved portion 41, so that it becomes easier to release the engagement state of the first engagement portion 40.

[0063] (3) The first engaged portion 30a has a third notch (removal recess) 33 on its outer surface into which a tool or finger can be inserted to release the engagement between the outer convex portion 32a and the inner convex portion 43. Therefore, the engagement of the first engaging portion 40 can be released by inserting a tool or finger into the third notch (removal recess) 33. Since the worker can select the method for releasing the engagement of the first engaging portion 40, the worker can efficiently perform the work in a manner suitable for the worker.

[0064] (4) The third notch (removal recess) 33 has an inclined surface 33a that is inclined diagonally downward outward. Therefore, the position of the third notch (removal recess) 33 can be easily recognized by an operator, and the operator can easily insert a tool or finger into the third notch (removal recess) 33 to release the engagement state of the first engagement portion 40.

[0065] (5) The width of the third notch (release recess) 33 along the serial direction X is smaller than the width of the hanging wall 42 and the inward protrusion 43 of the first connecting member 12 along the same direction. When the link 20 is viewed from the outside, the position of the third notch 33 can be more easily recognized by the worker. This makes it easier for the worker to insert a tool or finger into the third notch 33 to release the engagement state of the first engagement portion 40. Furthermore, the small width of the third notch 33 can prevent other members from being erroneously inserted into the third notch 33.

[0066] (6) The outer surface of the outwardly protruding wall 44 of the first connecting member 12 is located lower than the outer surface of the main body 12a of the first connecting member 12 and the upper end of the link plate 21. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 9, interference of other members with the outwardly protruding wall 44 from above the link 20 can be suppressed.

[0067] (7) The tip of the outwardly protruding wall 44 of the first engagement portion 40 is flush with the outer end portion of the link plate 21. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 9, it is possible to reduce unevenness at the outer end portion of the link 20, which makes it easier to prevent other members from interfering with the outer end portion of the link 20.

[0068] (8) The pair of link plates 11 are symmetrical. When attaching the first connecting member 12 to the pair of link plates 11, the first connecting member 12 can be attached without worrying about the left-right orientation of the first connecting member 12, which improves work efficiency.

[0069] <Example of change> This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that there is no technical contradiction.

[0070] The outer surface of the outwardly protruding wall 44 of the first connecting member 12 is not limited to being located below the outer surface of the main body portion 12a of the first connecting member 12. 12, for example, the outer surface of the outwardly protruding wall 44 of the first connecting member 12 may be flush with the outer surface of the main body portion 12a of the first connecting member 12. Also, it may be located above the outer surface of the main body portion 12a of the first connecting member.

[0071] The shape of the curved portion 41 of the first engagement portion 40 of the first connecting member 12 is not limited to the shape of this embodiment. 13, for example, the curved portion 41 may be crank-shaped, protruding from one end of the main body portion 12a in the longitudinal direction of the main body portion 12a, then curving downward and further curving outward. In addition, the number of crank-shaped curved portions is not limited to two, and may be three or more.

[0072] The curved portion 41 of the first engagement portion 40 of the first connecting member 12 may be omitted. As shown in FIG. 14, for example, the first engagement portion 40 of the first connecting member 12 may be provided with a straight portion 45 extending linearly along the longitudinal direction of the main body portion 12a between one end of the main body portion 12a and the hanging wall 42.

[0073] In the present embodiment, the first engaging portion 40 of the first connecting member 12 has an inner convex portion 43 as an inner engaging portion at the lower end of the hanging wall 42, and the first engaged portion 30a of one link plate 21 has an outer convex portion 32a as an outer engaged portion, but this is not limited to the embodiment. As long as the inner engaging portion and the outer engaged portion can engage with each other in a convex-concave relationship, either one of them may be a concave portion.

[0074] In the present embodiment, the width of the third notch 33 along the serial direction X is configured to be smaller than the width of the inward protrusion 43 of the first engagement portion 40 along the serial direction X, but this is not limited to the embodiment. The width of the third notch 33 along the serial direction X may be the same as the width of the inward protrusion 43 along the serial direction X. In other words, the width of the third notch 33 along the serial direction X may be the same as the width of the second notch 32 along the serial direction X.

[0075] The inclined surface 33a of the third cutout 33 is not limited to being inclined obliquely downward and outward from the center of the second cutout 32 in the serial direction X. The inclined surface 33a of the third cutout 33 may be inclined obliquely downward and outward from either end of the second cutout 32 in the serial direction X.

[0076] The inclined surface 33a may be omitted from the third cutout 33. In other words, the third cutout 33 may be cut out along the thickness direction of the link plate 11. The third notch 33 serving as the release recess may be omitted.

[0077] The tip of the outward protruding wall 44 at the first engagement portion 40 may protrude from the outer surface of the link plate 21 in the thickness direction of one of the link plates 21, or may be located inward from the outer surface of the link plate 21.

[0078] In this embodiment, both the first engaged portion 30a and the second engaged portion 30b of the pair of link plates 11 have the outer convex portion 32a and the hinge bearing portion 31a, but this is not limited to the embodiment. The first engaged portion 30a and the second engaged portion 30b may have the outer convex portion 32a but may omit the hinge bearing portion 31a. Also, only one of the first engaged portion 30a and the second engaged portion 30b may have the outer convex portion 32a, and only the other may have the hinge bearing portion 31a.

[0079] In the present embodiment, the first connecting member 12 has the inward convex portion 43 at the first engagement portion 40 and the hinge shaft 52 at the second engagement portion 50, but is not limited to this aspect. The first connecting member 12 may have the hinge shaft 52 at the first engagement portion 40 and the inward convex portion 43 at the second engagement portion 50. Also, the first connecting member 12 may have the inward convex portion 43 at both the first engagement portion 40 and the second engagement portion 50, and the hinge shaft 52 may be omitted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 10... Cable protection guide device, 11... Link plate, 12... First connecting member, 12a... Main body, 13... Second connecting member, 20... Link, 30... Engaged part, 30a... First engaged part, 30b... Second engaged part, 3 1a... Hinge bearing part, 32a... Outer engaged part (outer convex part), 40... First engaging part, 42... Hanging wall, 43... Inner engaging part (inner convex part), 44... Outward protruding wall, 50... Second engaging part, 52... Hinge shaft, TK... Cables.

Claims

1. A pair of opposing link plates; a first connecting member that connects the pair of link plates together; a second connecting member connecting the pair of link plates to each other, A plurality of the links are rotatably connected and extend, A cable protection and guide device in which cables are housed in a space surrounded by the pair of link plates, the first connecting member, and the second connecting member, the first connecting member has a plate-shaped main body, a first engaging portion that engages with a first engaged portion of one of the pair of link plates, and a second engaging portion that engages with a second engaged portion of the other of the pair of link plates, If the direction in which the pair of link plates face each other is defined as the inner side of the link, and the opposite direction is defined as the outer side of the link, At least one of the first engaged portion and the second engaged portion includes an outer engaged portion, A cable protection and guide device characterized in that at least one of the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion has a hanging wall extending in the thickness direction of the main body portion, an inner engagement portion provided on the hanging wall and engaging with the outer engaged portion, and an outer protruding wall protruding outward beyond the hanging wall.

2. The cable protection and guide device according to claim 1 , wherein the first engagement portion has a curved portion between the hanging wall and the main body portion.

3. The cable protection and guide device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first engaged portion and the second engaged portion has a release recess on its outer surface for releasing the engagement between the outer engaged portion and the inner engaging portion.

4. A cable protection and guide device as described in claim 3, wherein a width of the release recess along the extension direction of the multiple links is the same as or smaller than a width of the inner engagement portion of the first connecting member along the same direction.

5. The cable protection and guide device according to claim 1 , wherein an outer surface of the outwardly protruding wall of the first connecting member is positioned lower than an outer surface of the main body of the first connecting member.

6. the other of the first engaged portion and the second engaged portion has a hinge bearing portion, 2. The cable protection and guide device according to claim 1, wherein the other of the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion has a hinge shaft that engages with the hinge bearing portion.

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