Cable protection guide device

Abstract

This cable protection guide device has: a plurality of first links that are rotatably connected to each other and form a first spiral link connection body extending in a spiral shape; a plurality of second links that are rotatably connected to each other and form a second spiral link connection body extending in a spiral shape; and a plurality of connection members that connect the first and second links corresponding to each other, thereby connecting the first and second spiral link connection bodies and forming a double spiral structure. Each of the connection members is provided with a groove part that extends in the extension direction of the cable protection guide device and accommodates a cable. Openings of the groove parts of the plurality of connection members open toward either one of two spiral gaps formed between the first spiral link connection body and the second spiral link connection body.

Description

Cable protection guide device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cable protection and guide device.

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a cable protection and guide device configured by pivotally connecting multiple links. Each link includes first and second link plates facing each other at a distance, a connecting plate connecting the first and second link plates, and a connecting arm facing the connecting plate at a distance. One end of the connecting arm is pivotally supported on the first link plate, and the other end is detachably snap-engaged with the second link plate. A cable is set in the cable protection and guide device so as to pass through a space surrounded by the first and second link plates, the connecting plate, and the connecting arm of each link.

[0003] JP 2011-38545 A

[0004] However, in the case of the cable protection and guide device described in Patent Document 1, when setting a cable in the cable protection and guide device, it is necessary to release the snap engagement between the other end of each link's connecting arm and the second link plate and rotate each link's connecting arm. Then, after placing the cable in each link, it is necessary to rotate each link's connecting arm and snap the other end into the second link plate. As a result, it takes time to set the cable in the cable protection and guide device.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a cable protection and guide device with a structure that allows cables to be set in the device in a short time.

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a cable protection and guide device for protecting a cable, comprising: a plurality of first links rotatably connected to each other to form a first spiral link assembly extending in a spiral; a plurality of second links rotatably connected to each other to form a second spiral link assembly extending in a spiral; and a plurality of connecting members that connect the first and second spiral link assemblies by respectively connecting corresponding first links and second links to form a double spiral structure, wherein each of the connecting members has a groove that extends in the extension direction of the cable protection and guide device and accommodates the cable, and openings of the grooves of the plurality of connecting members open toward either of two spiral gaps formed between the first spiral link assembly and the second spiral link assembly.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, a cable protection and guide device can have a structure that allows cables to be set in the device in a short time.

[0008] 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a cable protection and guide device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 2 is a top view of a portion of the cable protection and guide device with a cable housed therein; 3 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the cable protection and guide device; 4 is a perspective view showing the connection of a plurality of first links; 5 is a perspective view showing the connection of a plurality of second links; 6 is a perspective view of a connecting member connecting a first and second spiral link assembly;

[0009] A cable protection and guide device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a cable protection and guide device that protects cables, and includes a plurality of first links that are rotatably connected to each other to form a first spiral link assembly that extends spirally, a plurality of second links that are rotatably connected to each other to form a second spiral link assembly that extends spirally, and a plurality of connecting members that connect the first and second spiral link assemblies by respectively connecting corresponding first links and second links to form a double spiral structure, wherein each of the connecting members has a groove that extends in the extension direction of the cable protection and guide device and accommodates the cable, and the openings of the grooves of the plurality of connecting members open toward either of two spiral gaps formed between the first spiral link assembly and the second spiral link assembly.

[0010] According to this aspect, the cable protection and guide device can have a structure that allows the cable to be set in place in a short time.

[0011] For example, each of the first links may rotate relative to the other first link connected to one of them around a first rotation center line, and rotate relative to the other first link connected to the other of them around a second rotation center line that extends in a direction different from the first rotation center line when viewed in the extension direction, each of the second links may rotate relative to the other second link connected to one of them around a third rotation center line, and rotate relative to the other second link connected to the other of them around a fourth rotation center line that extends in a direction different from the third rotation center line when viewed in the extension direction, and the connecting member may connect the first and second spiral link connecting bodies so that the first rotation center line of each of the first links and the third rotation center line of the corresponding second link are positioned on the same straight line, and the second rotation center line of each of the first links and the fourth rotation center line of the corresponding second link are positioned on the same straight line.

[0012] For example, each of the first links may include a first rotating shaft portion and a first bearing portion that rotatably supports the first rotating shaft portion of another of the first links connected to it, each of the second links may include a second rotating shaft portion and a second bearing portion that rotatably supports the second rotating shaft portion of another of the second links connected to it, and the connecting member may include a first engagement hole that rotatably engages with the first rotating shaft portion of the first link when it has passed through the first bearing portion of the other of the first links, and a second engagement hole that rotatably engages with the second rotating shaft portion of the second link when it has passed through the second bearing portion of the other of the second links.

[0013] For example, the first rotation shaft portion of the first link may snap-engage with the first engagement hole of the connecting member, and the second rotation shaft portion of the second link may snap-engage with the second engagement hole of the connecting member.

[0014] For example, the first and second links may each include a stopper that limits the range of rotation of the connecting member so that the opening of the groove of the connecting member continues to face one of the two spiral gaps.

[0015] For example, the first and second links may have the same shape.

[0016] Hereinafter, several embodiments according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0017] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a cable protection and guide device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Fig. 2 is a top view of the portion of the cable protection and guide device, and Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the portion of the cable protection and guide device.

[0018] The X-Y-Z Cartesian coordinate system shown in the figure is for facilitating understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure and is not intended to limit the embodiments of the present disclosure. The Z-axis direction represents the extension direction ED of the cable protection and guide device, the X-axis direction represents the width direction of the cable protection and guide device, and the Y-axis direction represents the thickness direction of the cable protection and guide device.

[0019] 1 to 3, a cable protection and guide device 10 according to this embodiment is a so-called Cableveyor (registered trademark) and includes a plurality of first links 20 and a plurality of second links 30. The plurality of first links 20 are connected to one another in series to form a first spiral link assembly 40. The plurality of second links 30 are connected to one another in series to form a second spiral link assembly 50. Details of the first and second links 20, 30 that respectively form the first and second spiral link assembly 40, 50 will be described.

[0020] Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the connection of a plurality of first links, and Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the connection of a plurality of second links.

[0021] 4, in this embodiment, the multiple first links 20 have the same shape. The first links 20 extend in the extension direction ED (Z-axis direction) of the cable protection and guide device 10, but are bent when viewed in the extension direction ED of the cable protection and guide device 10. In this embodiment, the first links 20 have an arc-like shape when viewed in the extension direction ED of the cable protection and guide device 10.

[0022] 3 and 4, the plurality of first links 20 are connected in series. That is, each first link 20 is connected to another first link 20 at one side in the extending direction ED (Z-axis direction) of the cable protection and guide device 10, and is also connected to another first link 20 at the other side.

[0023] Furthermore, in this embodiment, each of the first links 20 rotates about first and second rotation center lines C1 and C2. Specifically, each of the first links 20 is connected to the other first link 20 connected to it so as to be rotatable about the first rotation center line C1, and is connected to the other first link 20 connected to it so as to be rotatable about the second rotation center line C2.

[0024] The first rotation center line C1 and the second rotation center line C2 extend in different directions. Specifically, the first rotation center line C1 and the second rotation center line C2 intersect when viewed in the extension direction ED (Z-axis direction) of the cable protection and guide device 10. In this embodiment, the extension direction of the first rotation center line C1 (X-axis direction) and the extension direction of the second rotation center line C2 (Y-axis direction) intersect at an angle of substantially 90 degrees when viewed in the extension direction ED of the cable protection and guide device 10.

[0025] As described above, each of the multiple first links 20 is connected to the other first links 20 so as to be rotatable about the first and second rotation center lines C1, C2. To this end, in the case of this embodiment, each of the first links 20 includes a first rotation shaft portion 20a and a first bearing portion 20b that rotatably supports the first rotation shaft portion 20a, as shown in Figures 3 and 4 .

[0026] The first rotating shaft portion 20a is provided at one end of each of the first links 20, and extends in a direction intersecting the extension direction ED (Z-axis direction) of the cable protection and guide device 10, i.e., in the extension direction (X-axis direction or Y-axis direction) of the first rotation center line C1 or the second rotation center line C2. In this embodiment, the first rotating shaft portion 20a is cylindrical.

[0027] The first bearing portion 20b is provided at the other end of each first link 20 and is a through hole that opens in a direction intersecting both the extension direction ED (Z-axis direction) of the cable protection and guide device 10 and the extension direction of the first rotating shaft portion 20a. In the present embodiment, the extension direction of the first rotating shaft portion 20a and the opening direction of the first bearing portion 20b are perpendicular to each other when viewed in the extension direction ED of the cable protection and guide device 10. When the first rotating shaft portion 20a is inserted into such a first bearing portion 20b, the first bearing portion 20b of one first link 20 rotatably supports the first rotating shaft portion 20a of the other first link 20.

[0028] When each of the plurality of first links 20 is connected in series to other first links 20 so as to be rotatable about the first and second rotation center lines C1, C2, a first spiral link assembly 40 extending in a spiral shape is formed, as shown in Fig. 3. The first spiral link assembly 40 is a deformable link assembly having a plurality of first rotation center lines C1 and a plurality of second rotation center lines C2 arranged alternately in the extension direction ED (Z-axis direction) of the cable protection and guide device 10.

[0029] In this specification, the term "spiral" refers to a three-dimensional curve that goes around a reference line extending in one direction and moves in the direction of the reference line. In the present disclosure, the reference line of the spiral corresponds to a line that extends in the extension direction ED (Z-axis direction) of the cable protection and guide device 10 and passes through the cross-sectional shape of the cable protection and guide device 10 perpendicular to the extension direction ED (i.e., a line that is located within the outline of the cross-sectional shape when viewed from the extension direction ED).

[0030] In this embodiment, the first links 20 have the same shape, and the first and second rotation center lines C1, C2 are substantially perpendicular to each other when viewed in the extending direction ED (Z-axis direction) of the cable protection and guide device 10. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4 , four consecutive first links 20 correspond to one period (one pitch) of the first spiral link assembly 40.

[0031] 5, in this embodiment, the plurality of second links 30 have the same shape. The second links 30 extend in the extension direction ED (Z-axis direction) of the cable protection and guide device 10, and are bent when viewed in the extension direction ED of the cable protection and guide device 10. In this embodiment, the second links 30 have an arc-like shape when viewed in the extension direction ED of the cable protection and guide device 10.

[0032] 3 and 5, the second links 30 are connected in series. That is, each second link 30 is connected to another second link 30 at one side in the extending direction ED (Z-axis direction) of the cable protection and guide device 10, and is also connected to another second link 30 at the other side.

[0033] Furthermore, in this embodiment, each second link 30 rotates about third and fourth rotation center lines C3 and C4. Specifically, each second link 30 is connected to the other second link 30 connected to it so as to be rotatable about the third rotation center line C3, and is connected to the other second link 30 connected to it so as to be rotatable about the fourth rotation center line C4.

[0034] The third rotation center line C3 and the fourth rotation center line C4 extend in different directions. Specifically, the third rotation center line C3 and the fourth rotation center line C4 intersect when viewed in the extension direction ED (Z-axis direction) of the cable protection and guide device 10. In this embodiment, the extension direction of the third rotation center line C3 (X-axis direction) and the extension direction of the fourth rotation center line C4 (Y-axis direction) intersect at an angle of substantially 90 degrees when viewed in the extension direction ED of the cable protection and guide device 10.

[0035] As described above, each of the multiple second links 30 is rotatably connected to the other second links 30 about the third and fourth rotation center lines C3, C4. To this end, in the case of the present embodiment, each of the second links 30 includes a second rotation shaft portion 30a and a second bearing portion 30b that rotatably supports the second rotation shaft portion 30a, as shown in Figures 3 and 5 .

[0036] The second rotation shaft portion 30a is provided at one end of each second link 30, and extends in a direction intersecting the extension direction ED (Z-axis direction) of the cable protection and guide device 10, i.e., in the extension direction (X-axis direction or Y-axis direction) of the third rotation center line C3 or the fourth rotation center line C4. In this embodiment, the second rotation shaft portion 30a is cylindrical.

[0037] The second bearing portion 30b is provided at the other end of each second link 30 and is a through hole that opens in a direction intersecting both the extension direction ED (Z-axis direction) of the cable protection and guide device 10 and the extension direction of the second rotating shaft portion 30a. In the present embodiment, the extension direction of the second rotating shaft portion 30a and the opening direction of the second bearing portion 30b are perpendicular to each other when viewed in the extension direction ED of the cable protection and guide device 10. When the second rotating shaft portion 30a is inserted into such second bearing portion 30b, the second bearing portion 30b of one second link 30 rotatably supports the second rotating shaft portion 30a of the other second link 30.

[0038] When each of the plurality of second links 30 is connected in series to other second links 30 so as to be rotatable about the third and fourth rotation center lines C3, C4, a second spiral link assembly 50 extending in a spiral shape is formed, as shown in Fig. 3. The second spiral link assembly 50 is a deformable link assembly including a plurality of third rotation center lines C3 and a plurality of fourth rotation center lines C4 arranged alternately in the extension direction ED (Z-axis direction) of the cable protection and guide device 10.

[0039] In this embodiment, the plurality of second links 30 have the same shape, and the third and fourth rotation center lines C3, C4 are substantially perpendicular to each other when viewed in the extending direction ED (Z-axis direction) of the cable protection and guide device 10. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5 , four consecutive second links 30 correspond to one period (one pitch) of the second spiral link assembly 50.

[0040] In this embodiment, the first link 20 and the second link 30 have the same shape.

[0041] 1 to 3, a first spiral link assembly 40 formed from a plurality of first links 20 and a second spiral link assembly 50 formed from a plurality of second links 30 are connected by a plurality of connecting members 60 to form a cable protection and guide device 10. Specifically, the first spiral link assembly 40 and the second spiral link assembly 50 are connected to form a double spiral structure.

[0042] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a connecting member that connects the first and second spiral link assemblies. Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the connection of the first and second links to one connecting member. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the cable protection and guide device taken along line A-A in Fig. 2. Fig. 9 is an exploded cross-sectional view corresponding to Fig. 8.

[0043] 6 to 9 , the connecting member 60 includes a groove 60a that extends in the extending direction ED (Z-axis direction) of the cable protection and guide device 10 and accommodates the cable W. In the present embodiment, the connecting member 60 is U-shaped when viewed in the extending direction ED of the cable protection and guide device 10.

[0044] The connecting member 60 also includes a first link support portion 60b that rotatably supports the first link 20 and a second link support portion 60c that rotatably supports the second link 30. The first link support portion 60b and the second link support portion 60c face each other with a gap in between in a direction intersecting the extension direction ED (Z-axis direction) of the cable protection and guide device 10.

[0045] A first engagement hole 60d is formed in the first link support portion 60b of the connecting member 60, and the first engagement hole 60d rotatably engages with the first rotation shaft portion 20a of the first link 20. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 , the first engagement hole 60d engages with the first rotation shaft portion 20a after it has passed through the first bearing portion 20b of another first link 20. In this embodiment, the first rotation shaft portion 20a of the first link 20 snaps into engagement with the first engagement hole 60d of the connecting member 60. For this purpose, a hook portion 20c is provided at the tip of the first rotation shaft portion 20a, which hooks onto the opening edge of the first engagement hole 60d. The cylindrical first rotation shaft portion 20a is also formed with a plurality of notches 20d extending from its tip. This cutout portion 20 d allows the first rotating shaft portion 20 a to be elastically deformed so that the hook portion 20 c can pass through the first engaging hole 60 d of the connecting member 60 .

[0046] A second engagement hole 60e is formed in the second link support portion 60c of the connecting member 60. The second engagement hole 60e rotatably engages with the second rotation shaft portion 30a of the second link 30. Specifically, the second engagement hole 60e engages with the second rotation shaft portion 30a after it has passed through the second bearing portion 30b of another second link 30. In this embodiment, the second rotation shaft portion 30a of the second link 30 snaps into engagement with the second engagement hole 60e of the connecting member 60. For this purpose, a hook portion 30c is provided at the tip of the second rotation shaft portion 30a, which hooks onto the opening edge of the second engagement hole 60e. The cylindrical second rotation shaft portion 30a has a plurality of notches 30d extending from its tip. This notch 30 d allows the second rotating shaft 30 a to be elastically deformed so that the hook 30 c can pass through the second engaging hole 60 e of the connecting member 60 .

[0047] In this manner, the first and second links 20, 30 snap-engage with the connecting member 60, so that the first and second links 20, 30 and the connecting member 60 can be easily increased or decreased, i.e., the length of the cable protection and guide device 10 can be easily adjusted.

[0048] 6, in each connecting member 60, the first engagement hole 60d and the second engagement hole 60e are located on the same straight line extending in a direction intersecting the extension direction ED (Z-axis direction) of the cable protection and guide device 10. As a result, as shown in Fig. 8, the multiple connecting members 60 connect the first spiral link assembly 40 and the second spiral link assembly 50 in a state where the first rotation center line C1 of each first link 20 and the third rotation center line C3 of the corresponding second link 30 are located on the same straight line, and where the second rotation center line C2 of each first link 20 and the fourth rotation center line C4 of the corresponding second link 30 are located on the same straight line.

[0049] 3, the multiple connecting members 60 are not aligned in the same position in the extending direction ED (Z-axis direction) of the cable protection and guide device 10. That is, the multiple connecting members 60 are aligned in the extending direction ED of the cable protection and guide device 10 such that the opening directions of the openings 60f of the respective grooves 60a are periodically different.

[0050] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6 , the opening 60 f of the groove 60 a of each connecting member 60 faces in a direction (opening direction OD) that intersects with the extension direction ED of the cable protection and guide device 10. In this embodiment, the opening 60 f is a gap between the tip of the first link support 60 b and the tip of the second link support 60 c. As shown in FIG. 3 , the multiple connecting members 60 are arranged in the extension direction ED of the cable protection and guide device 10 such that the opening direction OD of each connecting member 60 differs by 90 degrees from the opening direction OD of the opening 60 f of the adjacent connecting member 60 when viewed in the extension direction ED of the cable protection and guide device 10 (Z-axis direction). Furthermore, the opening direction OD of one connecting member 60 differs by +90 degrees from the opening direction OD of the adjacent connecting member 60 on one side of the extension direction ED of the cable protection and guide device 10 and differs by −90 degrees from the opening direction OD of the adjacent connecting member 60 on the other side.

[0051] 3, the opening 60f of the groove 60a of the first connecting member 60 counting from the left opens in direction OD1, the opening 60f of the second connecting member 60 opens in direction OD2 which is 90 degrees different from direction OD1, the opening 60f of the third connecting member 60 opens in direction OD3 which is 90 degrees different from direction OD2, and the opening 60f of the fourth connecting member 60 opens in direction OD4 which is 90 degrees different from direction OD3. As a result, the openings 60f of the Nth connecting member 60 and the (N+3)th connecting member 60 face in the same direction.

[0052] In this way, by arranging the multiple connecting members 60 in the extension direction ED of the cable protection and guide device 10 so that the opening direction OD of each opening 60f differs periodically, it becomes possible to set the cable W into the cable protection and guide device 10 in a short period of time.

[0053] Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a portion of the cable protection and guide device when a cable is being set in place, and Fig. 11 is a front view of the cable protection and guide device after the cable has been set in place.

[0054] As shown in Figure 10, two helical gaps (helical gaps) G1, G2 are formed between a first spiral link assembly 40 and a second spiral link assembly 50, each of which is formed by connecting a plurality of first links 20. The openings 60f of the plurality of connecting members 60 open toward one of the helical gaps G1. However, the openings 60f of the plurality of connecting members 60 do not open toward the other helical gap G2. In other words, the plurality of connecting members 60 are arranged in the extension direction ED of the cable protection and guide device 10 so that the opening directions OD of the openings 60f differ periodically, and thus the openings 60f of the plurality of connecting members 60 are arranged in a spiral shape so as to face one of the helical gaps G1.

[0055] As a result, when the cable W is spirally wound around the cable protection and guide device 10 so that the cable W passes through the opening 60f of the connecting member 60 via one of the spiral gaps G1 as shown in Fig. 10, the cable W is ultimately housed in the groove 60a of each connecting member 60 as shown in Fig. 11. Since the cable W can be set in the cable protection and guide device 10 simply by spirally winding the cable W around the cable protection and guide device 10, the cable W can be set in the cable protection and guide device 10 in a short time.

[0056] In addition, in order for the cable W to pass through the opening 60f of the connecting member 60 via one of the spiral gaps G1, it is necessary to maintain the opening 60f of the connecting member 60 facing toward one of the spiral gaps G1.

[0057] 8 and 9 , in this embodiment, the connecting member 60 is rotatably connected to the first rotation shaft portion 20a of the first link 20 and the second rotation shaft portion 30a of the second link 30 via the first and second engagement holes 60d, 60e. Therefore, the connecting member 60 can rotate 360 ​​degrees. In order to limit the rotation of the connecting member 60 to a rotation range in which the opening 60f can continue to face one of the spiral gaps G1, the first and second links 20, 30 are provided with first and second stoppers 20e, 30e, respectively.

[0058] 4 to 6 and 10 to 11 , in this embodiment, the first and second stoppers 20e, 30e of the first link 20 and the second link 30, respectively, are provided near the first and second bearing portions 20b, 30b and are convex portions that protrude toward the connecting member 60. Arc-shaped first and second guide grooves 60g, 60h that engage with the convex first and second stoppers 20e, 30e are formed near the first and second engaging holes 60d, 60e of the connecting member 60. Since the movement ranges of the first and second stoppers 20e, 30e are limited to within the first and second guide grooves 60g, 60h, the rotation of the connecting member 60 is limited to within a rotation range in which the opening 60f can continue to face one of the spiral gaps G1.

[0059] Unlike this embodiment, the first and second stoppers may be provided on the connecting member 60, and the first and second guide grooves may be provided on the first and second links, respectively.

[0060] According to the present embodiment as described above, the cable protection and guide device 10 can be provided with a structure that allows the cable W to be set in place in a short time.

[0061] While the cable protection and guide device according to the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the above-described embodiment, the cable protection and guide device according to the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

[0062] For example, in the above-described embodiment, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, the first and second links 20 and 30 are provided with first and second rotation shaft portions 20a and 30a, respectively, and the connecting member 60 is provided with first and second engagement holes 60d and 60e that connect these. However, the embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited to this. The first and second rotation shaft portions may be provided on the connecting member. In this case, the first link is provided with a first engagement hole that rotatably connects to the first rotation shaft portion, and the second link is provided with a second engagement hole that rotatably connects to the second rotation shaft portion.

[0063] In the above-described embodiment, the first rotation shaft 20a of the first link 20 is rotatably supported by the first bearing 20b of another first link 20. Similarly, the second rotation shaft 30a of the second link 30 is rotatably supported by the second bearing 30b of another second link 30. Therefore, the first and second rotation center lines C1 and C2 of the first link 20 are limited to rotation center lines extending in the extension direction of the first rotation shaft 20a. Similarly, the third and fourth rotation center lines C3 and C4 of the second link 30 are limited to rotation center lines extending in the extension direction of the second rotation shaft 30a. However, the embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the first link 20 may be rotatably connected to another first link 20 via a ball joint. Similarly, the second link 30 may be rotatably connected to another second link 30 via a ball joint.

[0064] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, four first links 20 constitute one cycle of the first spiral link assembly 40, and four second links 30 constitute one cycle of the second spiral link assembly 50. However, the embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, six first links may constitute one cycle of the first spiral link assembly, and six second links may constitute one cycle of the second spiral link assembly. In this case, when viewed in the extension direction of the cable protection and guide device, the first and second rotation center lines of the first links intersect at an angle of 60 degrees, and the third and fourth rotation center lines of the second links intersect at an angle of 60 degrees.

[0065] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , the first and second links 20, 30 in one cable protection and guide device 10 have the same shape. However, the embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited to this. In one cable protection and guide device, the first links and the second links may have different shapes. In this regard, not all of the first links constituting the first spiral link assembly need to have the same shape, and not all of the second links constituting the second spiral link assembly need to have the same shape. For example, a first spiral link assembly having one period made up of four first links may be connected to a first spiral link assembly having one period made up of six first links to form a first spiral link assembly of cable protection and guide devices having a partially different structure (similarly, a second spiral link assembly of cable protection and guide devices having a partially different structure may also be formed).

[0066] Finally, in the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , only one cable W is set in the cable protection and guide device 10. However, the embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited to this. Multiple cables, for example, multiple types of cables with different diameters, may be set in the cable protection and guide device 10. It is clear that the cable protection and guide device according to the present disclosure can be used to protect not only cables for signal transmission or power supply, but also long objects such as optical fibers that transmit optical signals and tubes through which fluids flow. Therefore, the cable protection and guide device according to the present disclosure is not limited to being set in a cable.

[0067] That is, the cable protection and guide device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is, in a broad sense, a cable protection and guide device that protects cables, and includes a plurality of first links that are rotatably connected to each other and form a first spiral link assembly that extends spirally, a plurality of second links that are rotatably connected to each other and form a second spiral link assembly that extends spirally, and a plurality of connecting members that connect the first and second spiral link assemblies by respectively connecting corresponding first links and second links, thereby forming a double spiral structure, wherein each of the connecting members has a groove that extends in the extension direction of the cable protection and guide device and accommodates the cable, and the openings of the grooves of the plurality of connecting members open toward one of the two spiral gaps formed between the first spiral link assembly and the second spiral link assembly.

[0068] By appropriately combining any of the above-described embodiments and various modifications, it is possible to achieve the effects of each of the embodiments and modifications.

[0069] Although the present disclosure has been fully described in connection with the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, various variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such variations and modifications should be understood to be included within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims, unless they depart therefrom. Furthermore, changes in the combination and order of elements in each embodiment may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.

[0070] The present disclosure is applicable to a cable protection and guide device that protects cables.

Claims

1. A cable protection and guide device for protecting cables, comprising: a plurality of first links rotatably connected to each other to form a first spiral link assembly extending in a spiral; a plurality of second links rotatably connected to each other to form a second spiral link assembly extending in a spiral; and a plurality of connecting members that connect the first and second spiral link assemblies by respectively connecting corresponding first links and second links, thereby forming a double spiral structure, wherein each of the connecting members has a groove that extends in the extension direction of the cable protection and guide device and accommodates the cable, and the openings of the grooves of the plurality of connecting members open toward one of two spiral gaps formed between the first spiral link assembly and the second spiral link assembly.

2. A cable protection and guide device as described in claim 1, wherein each of the first links rotates relative to the other first link connected to it about a first rotation center line, and rotates relative to the other first link connected to it about a second rotation center line that extends in a direction different from the first rotation center line when viewed in the extension direction, and each of the second links rotates relative to the other second link connected to it about a third rotation center line, and rotates relative to the other second link connected to it about a fourth rotation center line that extends in a direction different from the third rotation center line when viewed in the extension direction, and the connecting member connects the first and second spiral link connecting bodies so that the first rotation center line of each of the first links and the third rotation center line of the corresponding second link are positioned on the same straight line, and so that the second rotation center line of each of the first links and the fourth rotation center line of the corresponding second link are positioned on the same straight line.

3. A cable protection and guide device as described in claim 2, wherein each of the first links comprises a first rotating shaft portion and a first bearing portion that rotatably supports the first rotating shaft portion of another of the first links connected to it, each of the second links comprises a second rotating shaft portion and a second bearing portion that rotatably supports the second rotating shaft portion of another of the second links connected to it, and the connecting member comprises a first engagement hole that rotatably engages with the first rotating shaft portion of the first link when it has passed through the first bearing portion of the other of the first links, and a second engagement hole that rotatably engages with the second rotating shaft portion of the second link when it has passed through the second bearing portion of the other of the second links.

4. A cable protection and guide device as described in claim 3, wherein the first rotating shaft portion of the first link snaps into engagement with the first engagement hole of the connecting member, and the second rotating shaft portion of the second link snaps into engagement with the second engagement hole of the connecting member.

5. A cable protection and guide device as described in claim 3, wherein the first and second links are provided with stoppers that limit the range of rotation of the connecting member so that the opening of the groove portion of the connecting member continues to face one of the two spiral gaps.

6. The cable protection and guide device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second links have the same shape.

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