Terminal support device

Abstract

To provide a terminal support device which can inhibit moisture contents, such as muddy water, from entering a space in a casing cap from a gap between the casing cap and an elastic member.SOLUTION: A terminal support device 1 includes: a casing cap 2 including a cylindrical part 21 and a flange part 22; an elastic member 3; and an attachment part 4. The casing cap 2 has an insertion hole 23 into which an inner cable C2 is inserted. The flange part 22 has a casing cap side recessed part 24 which continuously extends so as to enclose the insertion hole 23 in a direction around an axis X of the cylindrical part 21. The elastic part 3 has an elastic member side protrusion part 34 which enters the casing cap side recessed part 24 at a position facing the casing cap side recessed part 24.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a terminal support device. [Background technology]

[0002] As a conventional terminal support device, a terminal support device as shown in Patent Document 1 is disclosed. This terminal support device includes a socket attached to a vehicle, a casing cap to which a terminal of an outer casing is fixed and partly housed in the socket, and an elastic member disposed between the inner surface of the socket and the casing cap. In this terminal support device, a flange portion protruding radially outward of the casing cap is covered with an elastic member to prevent moisture from entering between the casing cap and the elastic member. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-27247 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when the outer casing connected to the casing cap is routed with a small bend near the casing cap (when the outer casing is routed so that the radius of curvature is small), for example, when the outer casing receives a force that tries to straighten it during operation of the inner cable, the casing cap may swing in the socket. When the elastic member is deformed due to the swing of the casing cap, a gap is generated between the casing cap and the elastic member, and muddy water or the like may enter through the gap. When muddy water or the like enters the gap and reaches the space inside the casing cap, sand, stones, etc. that are generated after the muddy water or the like dries remain in the casing cap. In this case, the sand, stones, etc. remaining in the casing cap may cause wear or damage to the inner cable.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a terminal support device that is capable of preventing moisture such as muddy water from penetrating into the space within the casing cap through the gap between the casing cap and the elastic member. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The terminal support device of the present invention comprises a casing cap having a cylindrical portion to which an end of an outer casing is fixed and a flange portion protruding radially outward from the cylindrical portion, an elastic member arranged to cover the flange portion in the axial and radial directions of the cylindrical portion, and a mounting portion arranged radially outward of the cylindrical portion relative to the elastic member and attached to a predetermined mounting target, wherein the casing cap has an insertion hole through which an inner cable is inserted, and the tubular portion or the flange portion has a casing cap side recess or a casing cap side convex portion that extends continuously to surround the insertion hole in the axial direction of the tubular portion, and the elastic member has, at a position facing the casing cap side recess or casing cap side convex portion, an elastic member side convex portion that fits into the casing cap side recess or an elastic member side recess into which the casing cap side convex portion fits. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the terminal supporting device of the present invention, it is possible to prevent moisture such as muddy water from entering the space within the casing cap through a gap between the casing cap and the elastic member. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a partially sectional perspective view of a terminal support device according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which an elastic member and a mounting portion are cut in two along an axis. [Diagram 2] 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of a terminal support device according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which a casing cap, an outer casing, an elastic member and an attachment portion are cut in two along an axis. FIG. [Diagram 3] 1 is a diagram showing a state before a terminal support device of an embodiment of the present invention is attached to an attachment target. [Figure 4] 11 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of a casing cap to which an elastic member is attached, the elastic member being cut along an axial direction. FIG. [Diagram 5] 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining the action and effect of a terminal support device according to an embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, a terminal support device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment described below is merely an example, and the terminal support device of the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described below.

[0010] In this specification, the terms "perpendicular to A" and similar expressions do not only refer to a direction completely perpendicular to A, but also refer to a direction that is approximately perpendicular to A. In this specification, the terms "parallel to B" and similar expressions do not only refer to a direction that is completely parallel to B, but also refer to a direction that is approximately parallel to B. In this specification, the terms "C-shape" and similar expressions do not only refer to a perfect C-shape, but also refer to a shape that visually resembles a C-shape (approximately a C-shape).

[0011] 1 and 2, the terminal support device 1 of this embodiment includes a casing cap 2 having a cylindrical portion 21 to which an end of an outer casing C1 is fixed and a flange portion 22 protruding from the cylindrical portion 21 radially outward of the cylindrical portion 21, an elastic member 3 provided to cover the flange portion 22 in the axial X direction and radial direction of the cylindrical portion 21, and a mounting portion 4 provided radially outward of the cylindrical portion 21 with respect to the elastic member 3 and mounted to a predetermined mounting object T (see FIG. 3). In this embodiment, the terminal support device 1 further includes a guide pipe 5.

[0012] In this specification, the direction in which the axis X of the cylindrical portion 21 extends is referred to as the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 21. In the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 21, the direction in which the outer casing C1 is led out (leftward in FIG. 1) is referred to as "one side of the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 21", and in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 21, the direction opposite to the direction in which the outer casing C1 is led out (in this embodiment, the direction toward the flange portion 22 (rightward in FIG. 1)) is referred to as "the other side of the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 21". In addition, the circumferential direction (the direction of rotation around the axis X) of the cylindrical portion 21 is referred to as the axial direction. In this specification, the above-mentioned axial direction, radial direction, and axial direction may be used to describe other parts other than the cylindrical portion 21.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 3, the terminal support device 1 is a device that fixes a terminal (end) of an outer casing C1 to an attachment object T. Specifically, the terminal of the outer casing C1 is attached to a casing cap 2, and the attachment part 4 is attached to the attachment object T, so that the outer casing C1 is supported by the attachment object T. As a result, a control cable C having the outer casing C1 and the inner cable C2 is routed to an installation object such as a vehicle body along a predetermined routing path. Note that a structure including the terminal support device 1, the outer casing C1, and the inner cable C2 is called a control cable assembly. The location where the terminal support device 1 is provided is not particularly limited, but for example, the terminal support device 1 is provided in a portion that separates a first space (e.g., outdoors) in which dirty moisture such as muddy water or rainwater exists, from a second space (e.g., indoors) in which the dirty moisture is less than that in the first space. More specifically, the terminal support device 1 is attached to an attachment target (bracket) T in an engine room so that the casing cap 2 side faces the outside (engine room) and the guide pipe 5 side faces the inside of the room.

[0014] The mounting object T is a portion to which the mounting portion 4 is attached. The mounting portion 4 is attached to the mounting object T, whereby the terminal support device 1 is attached to an installation object such as a vehicle body. In this embodiment, the mounting object T is configured as a plate-shaped mounting portion (bracket) as shown in FIG. 3. The structure of the mounting object T is not particularly limited as long as the terminal support device 1 can be attached. The mounting object T may be a plate-shaped member as shown in FIG. 3, or may be a box-shaped member having a plate-shaped wall portion. In this embodiment, the mounting object T is a plate-shaped member or portion having a mounting groove T2 cut out in a groove shape from an edge T1 of the mounting object T as shown in FIG. 3. The mounting groove T2 opens at the edge T1 so that the mounting portion 4 can be inserted.

[0015] In this embodiment, as shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the control cable C has an outer casing C1 and an inner cable C2 inserted into the outer casing C1. One end of the inner cable C2 is connected to an operating part (not shown) such as a shift lever, and the other end is connected to an operated part (not shown) such as a transmission. When the operating part is operated, the inner cable C2 slides inside the outer casing C1 and transmits an operating force to the operated part. In this embodiment, an end of the inner cable C2 is connected to a rod R and configured to slide inside a guide pipe 5.

[0016] The outer casing C1 is arranged in a predetermined routing path in an installation object such as a vehicle body, and guides the inner cable C2 inserted through the outer casing C1. One end of the outer casing C1 is fixed to a fixing part (not shown), and the other end of the outer casing C1 is fixed to the cylindrical part 21 of the casing cap 2 (see FIG. 2).

[0017] The guide pipe 5 is a cylindrical member through which the inner cable C2 is inserted and which guides the end (rod R) of the inner cable C2. As shown in FIG. 2, a part of the guide pipe 5 is inserted into the attachment part 4 and protrudes from the attachment part 4 to the other side in the axial X direction. As shown in FIG. 2, one end of the guide pipe 5 in the axial X direction is supported inside the elastic member 3 and configured to be swingable with respect to the elastic member 3. In this embodiment, the guide pipe 5 has a substantially spherical engagement end 51 at one end in the axial X direction. The engagement end 51 is inserted into and engaged with a guide pipe covering part 33 of the elastic member 3, which will be described later. The engagement end 51 is elastically supported in a state in which pressure is applied radially inward by the guide pipe covering part 33 of the elastic member 3, and is configured to be swingable with the engagement end 51 as a fulcrum.

[0018] The casing cap 2 is fixed to an end of the outer casing C1 and attaches the outer casing C1 to the terminal support device 1. The material constituting the casing cap 2 is not particularly limited, but it is made of a metal or resin material having a predetermined rigidity capable of holding the end of the outer casing C1 in a predetermined position.

[0019] The casing cap 2 has an insertion hole 23 through which the inner cable C2 is inserted. In this embodiment, the insertion hole 23 penetrates the casing cap 2 in the axial X direction and extends through the inside of the cylindrical portion 21 and the flange portion 22. In this embodiment, as shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the outer casing C1 extends from one end of the casing cap 2 in the axial X direction. On the other hand, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the other end of the casing cap 2 in the axial X direction has an opening 23a, and the opening 23a is not closed and is open in the axial X direction. The inner cable C2 led out from the outer casing C1 into the insertion hole 23 is led out from the opening 23a to the outside of the casing cap 2 toward the other side in the axial X direction. In this embodiment, the inner cable C2 led out from the casing cap 2 is inserted into the guide pipe 5 inside the elastic member 3.

[0020] The cylindrical portion 21 is a portion to which an end of the outer casing C1 is fixed. There is no particular limitation on the method of fixing the cylindrical portion 21 and the outer casing C1, but for example, the outer casing C1 can be fixed by inserting it into the cylindrical portion 21 and then crimping it from the outside.

[0021] The flange portion 22 is a portion that protrudes radially outward from the cylindrical portion 21. The flange portion 22 functions as an engagement portion that makes it difficult for the casing cap 2 to come off from the elastic member 3, and also bends the path of the gap between the outer surface of the casing cap 2 and the inner surface of the elastic member 3, thereby suppressing the intrusion of water between the casing cap 2 and the elastic member 3.

[0022] In this embodiment, the flange portion 22 is provided at the other end of the casing cap 2 in the axial X direction. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the flange portion 22 has a first surface 22a which is the other end surface of the casing cap 2 in the axial X direction, a second surface 22b which is the surface opposite to the first surface 22a, and an outer peripheral surface 22c which connects the first surface 22a and the second surface 22b in the axial X direction. The above-mentioned opening 23a is formed in the first surface 22a. The flange portion may be provided at a portion other than the end of the casing cap 2 (for example, the casing cap 2 may have a structure in which a cylindrical portion is provided on both sides of the flange portion in the axial X direction). The outer diameter of the flange portion 22 (the outer diameter of the outer peripheral surface 22c) is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, it is 1.3 to 1.6 times the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 21. In this case, the area of ​​the portion where the first surface 22a of the flange portion 22 and the elastic member 3 face each other in the axial direction and make contact is larger than when the outer diameter of the flange portion is small. Therefore, when a force acts on the casing cap 2 to tilt the casing cap 2 with the flange portion 22 side as a fulcrum, the pressure applied from the first surface 22a to the elastic member 3 is dispersed, and the casing cap 2 can be prevented from swinging (tilting) significantly.

[0023] The mounting portion 4 is a portion that is attached to the mounting object T. By attaching the terminal support device 1 to the mounting object T via the mounting portion 4, an end portion of the outer casing C1 is indirectly fixed to the mounting object T. The mounting portion 4 is disposed radially outside the elastic member 3, and is configured so that the elastic member 3 and the casing cap 2 can be attached to the mounting object T.

[0024] The shape and structure of the mounting part 4 are not particularly limited as long as it can be attached to the mounting object T. In this embodiment, the mounting part 4 is a cylindrical socket that houses the elastic member 3 inside, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. In this embodiment, the mounting part 4 has an accommodation space capable of housing the elastic member 3 inside the mounting part 4. The accommodation space of the mounting part 4 has a shape and size corresponding to the shape and size of the elastic member 3. The size of the accommodation space in the portion where the elastic member 3 is arranged (the inner diameter of the mounting part 4) may be the same as or slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the elastic member 3 (the outer diameter of the portion excluding the outer peripheral protrusion P (see Fig. 4) described later).

[0025] The number of members constituting the mounting portion 4 is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, the mounting portion 4 is composed of a plurality of members. In this embodiment, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the mounting portion 4 has a first mounting portion 41 and a second mounting portion 42 configured to sandwich a flange portion covering portion 31 of the elastic member 3, which will be described later, in the axial direction X. The first mounting portion 41 and the second mounting portion 42 are attached so as to approach each other in the axial direction X, and are configured to compress the flange portion covering portion 31 of the elastic member 3 in the axial direction X. In this embodiment, the mounting portion 4 has other portions in addition to the first mounting portion 41 and the second mounting portion 42, but the description thereof will be omitted since it is not the essence of the invention.

[0026] The mounting portion 4 is attached to the mounting object T as described above. In this embodiment, the mounting portion 4 has an engagement portion 43 that engages with the mounting object T formed by a bracket. As shown in FIG. 2, the engagement portion 43 has a pair of wall portions 43a, 43b spaced apart in the axial X direction, and a groove portion 43c provided between the wall portions 43a, 43b. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, when the mounting portion 4 is attached to the mounting object T, the groove portion 43c enters the mounting groove T2 from the end edge T1 of the mounting object T, and the pair of wall portions 43a, 43b engage with the peripheral portion of the mounting groove T2 of the mounting object T in the axial X direction. As a result, the terminal support device 1 is fixed to the mounting object T. The structure of the mounting portion is not particularly limited as long as it can be attached to the mounting object T, and may have other structures such as a snap-fit ​​structure. In addition to the members shown in the figure, the mounting portion may also have a known clip (see, for example, JP 2022-086373 A) that prevents the terminal support device 1 from coming off the mounting groove T2.

[0027] The elastic member 3 adheres to the outer surface of the casing cap 2 and prevents moisture from moving in the axial direction along the outer surface of the casing cap 2. Specifically, the elastic member 3 adheres to the outer surface of the casing cap 2 and prevents moisture from penetrating through a gap between the outer surface of the casing cap 2 and the inner surface of the elastic member 3 toward the inner cable C2 passing inside the casing cap 2. This prevents moisture from contacting the inner cable C2 and causing deterioration. In this embodiment, the elastic member 3 also prevents moisture from penetrating through a gap between the inner surface of the mounting portion (socket) 4 and the outer surface of the elastic member 3. In this embodiment, the elastic member 3 engages with the flange portion 22 of the casing cap 2 in the axial direction to hold the casing cap 2 at a predetermined position in the axial direction.

[0028] The material constituting the elastic member 3 is not particularly limited as long as it can adhere closely to the outer surface of the casing cap 2 and suppress the movement of moisture in the axial direction X along the outer surface of the casing cap 2. The elastic member 3 can be made of a known material used for waterproofing the casing cap 2, such as rubber or elastomer.

[0029] As shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4, the elastic member 3 is provided so as to cover the flange portion 22 of the casing cap 2 in the axial direction and the radial direction. In this embodiment, the elastic member 3 is provided so as to cover the outer surface of a part of the cylindrical portion 21 adjacent to the flange portion 22 in the axial direction. In this embodiment, the elastic member 3 is provided so as to cover the engagement end portion 51 of the guide pipe 5 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Specifically, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4, the elastic member 3 has a flange portion covering portion 31 that covers the flange portion 22 in the axial direction and the radial direction, a cylindrical portion covering portion 32 that is provided on one side of the flange portion covering portion 31 in the axial direction and is provided radially outside a part of the cylindrical portion 21 adjacent to the flange portion 22, and a guide pipe covering portion 33 that partially covers the guide pipe 5.

[0030] The shape of the elastic member 3 is not particularly limited as long as it can adhere closely to the outer surface of the casing cap 2 and suppress the movement of moisture in the axial direction X along the outer surface of the casing cap 2. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 4, the flange covering portion 31 is configured as a large diameter portion in which the outer diameter of the flange covering portion 31 is larger than the outer diameter of the flange portion 22, and the cylindrical portion covering portion 32 and the guide pipe covering portion 33 are configured as a first small diameter portion and a second small diameter portion that are smaller in diameter than the flange covering portion 31.

[0031] The cylindrical portion covering portion 32 adheres closely to the outer surface of the cylindrical portion 21 and prevents moisture from penetrating into the inside of the elastic member 3 from an opening on one side in the axial X direction of the elastic member 3. In this embodiment, the cylindrical portion covering portion 32 is formed to be thinner than the flange portion covering portion 31 (second covering portion 31b). The guide pipe covering portion 33 adheres closely to the engaging end portion 51 of the guide pipe 5 while holding it, and prevents moisture from penetrating into the inside of the elastic member 3 from an opening on the other side in the axial X direction of the elastic member 3. The inner surface of the guide pipe covering portion 33 has a curved recess corresponding to the outer surface of the engaging end portion 51 in order to facilitate swinging of the guide pipe 5 when the inner cable C2 is operated.

[0032] The flange covering portion 31 adheres to the outer surface of the flange portion 22 (and a part of the tubular portion 21 adjacent to the flange portion 22) and prevents moisture from penetrating toward the inner cable C2 passing through the inside of the casing cap 2. In the present embodiment, the flange covering portion 31 adheres to the inner surface of the mounting portion (socket) 4 and prevents moisture that has penetrated into the mounting portion 4 from moving in the axial direction X through a gap between the inner surface of the mounting portion 4 and the outer surface of the flange covering portion 31. As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, the flange covering portion 31 has a first covering portion 31a facing the first surface 22a of the flange portion 22 in the axial direction X, a second covering portion 31b facing the second surface 22b of the flange portion 22 in the axial direction X, and a central portion 31c located between the first covering portion 31a and the second covering portion 31b in the axial direction X and located radially outward of the outer circumferential surface 22c of the flange portion 22.

[0033] In this embodiment, the first covering portion 31a, the second covering portion 31b, and the central portion 31c have the same outer diameter (except for the portion of the outer peripheral protrusion P described later). In this embodiment, the radial thickness of the first covering portion 31a is thicker than the radial length from the outer surface of the cylindrical portion 21 to the outer peripheral surface 22c of the flange portion 22. The radial thickness of the second covering portion 31b is also provided to be approximately the same thickness as that of the first covering portion 31a (in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the inner surface of the first covering portion 31a is located radially inside the inner surface of the second covering portion 31b, and the first covering portion 31a is slightly thicker than the second covering portion 31b). In this embodiment, the first covering portion 31a and the second covering portion 31b, which are thick, are provided on both sides of the flange portion 22 in the axial X direction, thereby improving the vibration-proofing property of the casing cap 2.

[0034] In this embodiment, the first covering portion 31a and the second covering portion 31b are provided to have predetermined widths W1, W2 (see FIG. 2) in the axial direction X. Specifically, in order to ensure a predetermined rigidity for holding the flange portion 22 in a predetermined posture in addition to a predetermined elasticity for closely contacting the flange portion 22, the widths W1, W2 in the axial direction X of the first covering portion 31a and the second covering portion 31b are preferably equal to or larger than the thickness TH (see FIG. 2) of the flange portion 22 in the axial direction X and equal to or smaller than three times the thickness TH of the flange portion 22, and more preferably equal to or larger than 1.5 times the thickness TH of the flange portion 22 and equal to or smaller than 2.5 times the thickness TH of the flange portion 22.

[0035] In this embodiment, the elastic member 3 is provided with an outer peripheral protrusion P at a portion facing the inner surface of the mounting portion 4, as shown in Fig. 4. In this embodiment, the outer peripheral protrusion P protrudes radially outward from the outer periphery of the flange covering portion 31 at a predetermined height, and extends continuously in the direction around the axis X. In Figs. 1 and 2, the outer peripheral protrusion P is shown in a state where it is crushed by the inner surface of the mounting portion 4, and by the outer peripheral protrusion P being crushed by the inner surface of the mounting portion 4, the gap between the inner surface of the mounting portion 4 and the outer surface of the elastic member 3 is more tightly sealed. The position of the outer peripheral protrusion P is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, it is provided on the outer surface of the first covering portion 31a.

[0036] 1, 2 and 4, in this embodiment, the flange portion 22 has a casing cap side recess 24 that extends continuously so as to surround the insertion hole 23 in the direction around the axis X of the cylindrical portion 21, and the elastic member 3 has an elastic member side protrusion 34 that fits into the casing cap side recess 24 at a position facing the casing cap side recess 24. The elastic member side protrusion 34 fits into the casing cap side recess 24, thereby preventing moisture such as muddy water from penetrating into the insertion hole 23 of the casing cap 2 from between the casing cap 2 and the elastic member 3. This prevents moisture from adhering to the inner cable C2 inserted into the insertion hole 23, and prevents wear and damage to the inner cable C2 caused by sand and stones contained in the muddy water.

[0037] In this embodiment, the casing cap side recess 24 and the elastic member side protrusion 34 prevent moisture such as muddy water from entering the insertion hole 23 of the casing cap 2 from between the casing cap 2 and the elastic member 3. However, the illustrated uneven state may be reversed, that is, the flange portion 22 may have a casing cap side protrusion, and the elastic member 3 may have an elastic member side recess into which the casing cap side protrusion fits at a position facing the casing cap side protrusion. In this case, too, the same effect as the combination of the casing cap side recess 24 and the elastic member side protrusion 34 can be obtained. In this embodiment, the casing cap side recess 24 (or the casing cap side protrusion) is provided in the flange portion 22, but may be provided in the cylindrical portion 21.

[0038] The casing cap side recess 24 (casing cap side protrusion) may be annular as long as it extends continuously so as to surround the insertion hole 23 in the direction around the axis X (so long as it extends continuously around the axis for at least one revolution), or may be a shape other than annular, such as a polygonal shape or an elliptical shape, that extends continuously so as to surround the insertion hole 23 in the direction around the axis X. Furthermore, the casing cap side recess 24 (casing cap side protrusion) may be provided in a plurality of positions, for example, two or more of which are provided concentrically, on both the first surface 22a and the second surface 22b of the flange portion 22. Furthermore, the elastic member side convex portion 34 (elastic member side concave portion) may be annular as long as it extends continuously so as to surround the insertion hole 23 in the direction about the axis X (so long as it extends continuously at least one revolution around the axis) when it enters the casing cap side concave portion 24 (casing cap side convex portion), or may be a shape other than annular, such as a polygonal shape or an elliptical shape, that extends continuously so as to surround the insertion hole 23 in the direction about the axis X. Furthermore, a plurality of elastic member side convex portions 34 (elastic member side concave portions) may be provided, for example, two or more concentrically provided, or provided so as to face both the first surface 22a and the second surface 22b of the flange portion 22.

[0039] The size of the casing cap side recess 24 (casing cap side protrusion) is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, the depth of the casing cap side recess 24 (the height of the casing cap side protrusion) can be, for example, half or less of the thickness TH of the flange portion 22 (for example, 50 to 20% of the thickness TH). In addition, the size of the elastic member side protrusion 34 (elastic member side recess) is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, the height of the elastic member side protrusion 34 (the depth of the elastic member side recess) can be, for example, half or less of the thickness TH of the flange portion 22 (for example, 50 to 20% of the thickness TH).

[0040] In this embodiment, the casing cap 2 and the elastic member 3 are configured as an integrally molded product. For example, the elastic member 3 is molded around the flange portion 22 of the casing cap 2 by insert molding, so that the casing cap 2 and the elastic member 3 become an integrally molded product. In this case, molding of the elastic member side convex portion 34 (elastic member side concave portion) becomes easy, and the elastic member side convex portion 34 (casing cap side convex portion) can be reliably inserted into the casing cap side concave portion 24 (elastic member side concave portion). Note that the casing cap 2 and the elastic member 3 may be separated as separate bodies, and the elastic member side convex portion 34 (casing cap side convex portion) may be inserted into the casing cap side concave portion 24 (elastic member side concave portion) when assembling the terminal support device 1.

[0041] Further, the position where the casing cap side recess 24 (or the casing cap side protrusion) is provided is not particularly limited as long as it is a position facing the cylindrical portion covering portion 32 or the flange portion covering portion 31. In this embodiment, the casing cap side recess 24 (or the casing cap side protrusion) is provided on a surface (first surface 22a, second surface 22b) of the flange portion 22 extending perpendicularly to the axis of the cylindrical portion 21. In this case, the casing cap side recess 24 (or the casing cap side protrusion) is disposed at a position closer to the opening 23a of the insertion hole 23 than the position of the outer circumferential surface 22c of the flange portion 22. Therefore, for example, in FIG. 5, when the left end of the casing cap 2 is swung upward with the flange portion 22 as the rotation center RC (see arrow A1 in FIG. 5), the amount of displacement (see arrow A3 in FIG. 5) around the opening 23a of the flange portion 22 is smaller than the amount of displacement (see arrow A2 in FIG. 5) on the outer circumferential surface 22c side of the flange portion 22. Therefore, when the casing cap 2 is swung, the casing cap side recess 24 (casing cap side protrusion) is unlikely to separate from the elastic member side protrusion 34 (elastic member side recess) in the axial direction X, and a gap is unlikely to occur between the flange portion 22 and the elastic member 3. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the casing cap side recess 24 (casing cap side protrusion) is provided on the axial side of the flange portion 22 from the radial center (the radial center of the portion radially outside the cylindrical portion 21 of the flange portion 22). In this case, the casing cap side recess 24 (casing cap side protrusion) is closer to the axis X. Therefore, the casing cap side recess 24 (casing cap side protrusion) is less likely to separate from the elastic member side protrusion 34 (elastic member side recess) in the axial direction X, and a gap is less likely to occur between the flange portion 22 and the elastic member 3. In this embodiment, the casing cap side recess 24 (or the casing cap side protrusion) is provided on the first surface 22a.In this case, even if the radial position of the casing cap side recess 24 (casing cap side protrusion) from the axis X is the same, the distance of the casing cap side recess 24 (casing cap side protrusion) from the rotation center RC is closer when the casing cap side recess 24 (casing cap side protrusion) is provided on the first surface 22a than when it is provided on the second surface 22b. Therefore, the casing cap side recess 24 (casing cap side protrusion) is less likely to separate from the elastic member side protrusion 34 (elastic member side recess) in the axial direction X, and a gap is less likely to occur between the flange portion 22 and the elastic member 3.

[0042] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the elastic member 3 has an outer peripheral protrusion P protruding radially outward from the outer periphery of the first covering portion 31a. The casing cap side recess 24 (casing cap side protrusion) is provided on the first surface 22a, and the elastic member side protrusion 34 (elastic member side recess) is provided at a position of the first covering portion 31a facing the casing cap side recess 24 (casing cap side protrusion) on the first surface 22a. In this case, as shown in FIG. 5, when the elastic member 3 is accommodated in the mounting portion 4, the outer peripheral protrusion P presses the inner surface of the mounting portion 4, so that the first covering portion 31a receives a reaction force F1 from the inner surface of the mounting portion 4 inward in the radial direction. Due to the reaction force F1, the elastic member side protrusion 34 (elastic member side recess) of the elastic member 3 receives a force in a direction to penetrate deeper toward the casing cap side recess 24 (casing cap side protrusion). Therefore, the elastic member 3 strongly presses the first surface 22a around the opening 23a of the insertion hole 23 of the casing cap 2, and the waterproof performance can be further improved. In addition, in this embodiment, the engaging end 51 of the guide pipe 5 is configured to expand the guide pipe covering part 33. That is, the inner surface of the guide pipe covering part 33 is configured to be slightly smaller than the surface of the engaging end 51 before the engaging end 51 is inserted. As a result, when the engaging end 51 of the guide pipe 5 is inserted into the guide pipe covering part 33, the guide pipe covering part 33 receives a force indicated by an arrow F2 in FIG. 5 from the engaging end 51 of the guide pipe 5. This force F2 causes the elastic member side convex part 34 (elastic member side concave part) of the elastic member 3 to receive a force in a direction to penetrate deeper toward the casing cap side concave part 24 (casing cap side convex part). Therefore, the radially inward force F1 generated by the outer peripheral protrusion P and the radially outward force F2 generated by the engagement end 51 of the guide pipe 5 make it easier for the elastic member 3 to enter the elastic member side convex portion 34 (elastic member side concave portion) of the elastic member 3 toward the casing cap side concave portion 24 (casing cap side convex portion) in the axial X direction. This further improves the waterproof performance.

[0043] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. Note that the above embodiment mainly describes the invention having the following configuration.

[0044] (1) A casing cap including a cylindrical portion to which an end of an outer casing is fixed and a flange portion protruding radially outward from the cylindrical portion; an elastic member provided to cover the flange portion in the axial and radial directions of the cylindrical portion; an attachment portion provided radially outward of the cylindrical portion with respect to the elastic member, the attachment portion being attached to a predetermined attachment target; Equipped with The casing cap has an insertion hole through which an inner cable is inserted, the cylindrical portion or the flange portion has a casing cap side recess or a casing cap side protrusion that extends continuously so as to surround the insertion hole in a direction around the axis of the cylindrical portion, the elastic member has an elastic member-side convex portion that fits into the casing cap-side concave portion or an elastic member-side concave portion into which the casing cap-side convex portion fits, at a position facing the casing cap-side concave portion or the casing cap-side convex portion; Terminal support device.

[0045] (2) A terminal support device as described in (1), in which the casing cap side concave portion or the casing cap side convex portion is provided on a surface of the flange portion that extends perpendicular to the axis of the cylindrical portion.

[0046] (3) The outer casing extends from one end of the casing cap in the axial direction, The flange portion is provided at the other end of the casing cap in the axial direction, A terminal support device as described in (1) or (2), wherein the casing cap side concave portion or the casing cap side convex portion is provided on the other side surface in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion among the surfaces extending perpendicular to the axis of the cylindrical portion.

[0047] (4) The terminal support device according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the attachment portion is a cylindrical socket that houses the elastic member therein. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1 Terminal support device 2 Casing cap 21 Cylindrical part 22 Flange 22a First Face 22b Second Face 22c Outer surface 23 Insertion hole 23a opening 24 Casing cap side recess 3 Elastic member 31 Flange covering part 31a First covering part 31b Second covering part 31c central part 32 Cylindrical part covering part 33 Guide pipe covering part 34 Elastic member side convex portion 4 Mounting part 41 First mounting part 42 Second mounting part 43 Engagement part 43a, 43b wall section 43c Groove 5 Guide Pipe 51 Engagement end C Control Cable C1 Outer casing C2 inner cable F1: Reaction force acting radially inward from the inner surface of the mounting part to the first coating part F2 Force applied to the guide pipe coating from the engagement end of the guide pipe P outer protrusion R Rod RC Rotation Center T Installation target T1 Edge of mounting object T2 mounting groove TH Flange thickness W1 Width of the first coated part W2 Width of the second coating X Axis of the cylindrical part

Claims

1. a casing cap including a cylindrical portion to which an end of an outer casing is fixed and a flange portion protruding from the cylindrical portion to a radially outer side of the cylindrical portion; an elastic member provided to cover the flange portion in the axial and radial directions of the cylindrical portion; an attachment portion provided radially outward of the cylindrical portion with respect to the elastic member, the attachment portion being attached to a predetermined attachment target; Equipped with The casing cap has an insertion hole through which an inner cable is inserted, the cylindrical portion or the flange portion has a casing cap side recess or a casing cap side protrusion that extends continuously so as to surround the insertion hole in a direction around the axis of the cylindrical portion, the elastic member has an elastic member-side convex portion that fits into the casing cap-side concave portion or an elastic member-side concave portion into which the casing cap-side convex portion fits, at a position facing the casing cap-side concave portion or the casing cap-side convex portion; Terminal support device.

2. 2. The terminal support device according to claim 1, wherein the casing cap recess or the casing cap protrusion is provided on a surface of the flange portion that extends perpendicularly to the axis of the cylindrical portion.

3. The outer casing extends from one end of the casing cap in the axial direction, The flange portion is provided at the other end of the casing cap in the axial direction, 3. The terminal support device according to claim 2, wherein the casing cap side recess or the casing cap side protrusion is provided on the other surface in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion among surfaces extending perpendicular to the axis of the cylindrical portion.

4. The terminal support device according to claim 1 , wherein the mounting portion is a cylindrical socket that houses the elastic member therein.

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