JP2589014B2 - Cable drag chain distortion prevention structure - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a power cable for supplying power to a moving body, a hydraulic hose and the like (hereinafter simply referred to as "cable").
Called. The present invention relates to a structure for preventing distortion (distortion) of a cable drag chain that supports and guides a cable drag chain.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a cable drag chain of this type (not shown) usually connects a plurality of link bodies in which a pair of spaced-apart link plates are connected by connecting rods so as to be freely bent by overlapping the link plates. It is configured. The cable drag chain is connected to a moving body such as a machine tool that moves reciprocally in a straight line or a transport vehicle that conveys heavy objects, and a floor F near a power source (not shown) for transmitting power to the moving body (not shown). , And accommodates and protects a cable (not shown). For this reason, the cable drag chain is, for example, as shown in FIG.
The length of the U-shaped linear portion is changed while the shape of the U- shape is maintained, so as to bend and move.

[0003]

However, such a cable drag chain is distorted due to torsion or bending generated during bending movement, and a pair of link plates opposed to each other are separated.
Are separated in the width direction of the cable drag chain, or
Is disengaged from the joint of the multiple link plates
Therefore, there is a problem that the bending movement may not be performed smoothly.

[0004]

According to the present invention, there is provided a cable / hose in which a plurality of link bodies formed by connecting a pair of link plates which are separated from each other by connecting rods are freely bent by overlapping the link plates. In the cable drag chain accommodating the plurality of link bodies, the plurality of link bodies are in contact with each other at overlapping portions of the link plates.
And a plurality of stoppers for holding the
Link play by engaging with the contact surface of each stopper
Secondly, a link body formed by connecting a pair of spaced apart opposed link plates with a connecting rod is superposed on the link plates by a structure provided with a claw for preventing the overlapping portions of the overlapping portions from being separated in the width direction. In the cable drag chain in which a plurality of cables are connected in a freely bendable manner to accommodate cables, hoses and the like inside, a link plate in which a part of a link plate of an adjacent link body is connected to the end of the connecting rod by the connecting rod.
With a protruding piece that has a gap between
Ri, is obtained by solving the previous Symbol challenges.

[0005]

According to the first structure , the weight of each link plate is reduced.
It is provided in a portion, the pawl provided on the contact surface of the plurality of stopper holding multiple link member to substantially straight state
But engage each other, overlapping and link plate
Prevents separation of connecting parts in the width direction. Second distortion prevention structure
Is provided at the end of the coupling rod, the ends of the coupling rod
Is a part of the link plate next to the link plate
A protrusion having a gap for sandwiching the cable drag chain is provided to prevent separation of the bent portions of the overlapped link plates in the width direction during the bending movement of the cable drag chain.

[0006]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Cable drag chain 20 (FIGS. 1, 2, and 1)
9) is a moving body M (see FIG. 19) such as a machine tool that moves linearly reciprocatingly or a transport vehicle that transports heavy objects, and a floor F near a power source (not shown) for transmitting power to the moving body. , And accommodates and protects a cable (not shown). Note that the cable drag chain 20 may be connected between moving bodies.

The cable drag chain 20 includes a pair of link plates 21 and 22 facing each other and connecting rods 25 and 26 connecting the upper side 23 and the lower side 24 of the link plates 21 and 22 to each other. 27 are formed by connecting a plurality of flexures 27 freely.

The left ends of the link plate 22 and the connecting rod 25 (the left side in FIGS. 1 and 2) are connected to a hinge mechanism 3 described later.
0 are connected to each other detachably and tiltably.
The link plate 21 and the right end (the right side in FIGS. 1 and 2) of the connecting rod 25 are connected by a snap mechanism 40 described later. Both ends of the link plates 21 and 22 and the connecting rod 26 are connected by snap mechanisms 60 and 60 having a structure different from that of the snap mechanism 40 described later. Between the connecting rods 25 and 26, a plate-shaped left and right partitioning piece 28 for dividing the inside of the cable drag chain 20 into right and left is incorporated. In addition, the link plates 21 and 22, the connecting rod 25,
26, the left and right partition pieces 38 are resin molded products.

The link body 27 overlaps and is connected to the adjacent link plate. In this case, one end of each of the link plates 21 and 22 overlaps with the outside of the cable drag chain 20, and the other end thereof is inside.
That is, each link plate 21, 21 and 21 in FIG.
The left ends (the left end side in FIG. 1) of the second and second 22 overlap the adjacent link plate so that the right end (the right end side in FIG. 1) is inside the cable drag chain 20. The overlapping portion of the link plate is thinner than the non-overlapping portion of the link plate, and the entire linked link plate becomes a single plate having a constant thickness.

The cable drag chain 20 (FIGS. 1 and 2)
Connecting pins 34 (see FIG. 3) and 35 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) protrude from the inner surfaces of the left ends of the link plates 21 and 22 of FIG. Fitting holes 36 and 37 are formed through the right ends of the link plates 21 and 22. The link body 27 is connected to connection pins 34 and 35 formed in each of the link plates 21 and 22 and fitting holes 36 and 37.

The connecting pins 34 are provided with inward stoppers 71, 71, 7 in circular recesses 121 formed on the inner surface (the rear side of the paper surface of FIG. 6) of the link plate 21 (see FIG. 6).
The projections 2 and 72 project toward the inside of the cable drag chain 20. For this reason, the connecting pin 34 and the inward stoppers 71, 71, 72, 72 are
Is surrounded by an inner wall 91. Inward stoppers 71, 7
1, 72, 72 are formed as a pair on the diametrical lines H, H orthogonal to the connecting pin 34 and on both sides of the connecting pin 34. Furthermore, each inward stopper 71,
The reference numerals 71, 72, 72 are formed at equal intervals on a concentric circle K of the connection pin 34 .

The fitting hole 36 is provided in the link plate 21 (FIG. 6).
(See FIG. 2) is formed together with outward stoppers 76, 76, 77, 77 on a circular convex portion 122 formed on the outer surface of the outer peripheral surface. The outward stoppers 76, 76, 77, 77 are provided with the inward stoppers 71, 71, 72,
72 for receiving the four stoppers 104
Is formed, the portion remaining on the circular convex portion 122,
It is surrounded by the outer wall 92 of the circular projection 122. The outward stoppers 76, 76, 77, 77 are orthogonal to the fitting holes 36 .
One pair is formed on the radial direction lines H, H on both sides of the fitting hole 36. In addition, each outward stopper 76,76,77,77 is, concentric circle K of the fitting hole 36
It is formed at equal intervals on the top. Note that all the concentric circles K have the same diameter.

Each inward stopper 71, 71, 72, 7
2 the arrangement of the outward stopper 76,76,77,77 is 1, as shown in FIG. 3, connects the link plates to each other, each outwardly stopper for憐接 76,76,77,
77 and the inward stoppers 71 , 71 , 72 , 72
By contact, the plurality of ring bodies are held in a substantially straight state . The pawls 73, 73, 74, which engage with each other in a state where the stoppers are in contact with the respective contact surfaces.
74, 78, 78, 79 and 79 (see FIGS. 1 to 3 and FIG. 6) are formed so as to protrude by a length Y (see FIG. 4) in parallel with the plane of the link plate.

Similarly to the link plate 21, the link plate 22 has a connecting pin 35, a circular concave portion 131, inward stoppers 81, 81, 82, 82, an inner wall 96, a fitting hole 37, a circular convex portion 132, and an outward direction. Stoppers 86, 86,
87, 87, four stopper receiving portions 114, outer wall 9
7, claws 83, 83, 84, 84, claws 88, 88, 89,
89 are formed.

Next, the connection relationship between the link plates 21 and 21 will be described. Connecting pin 34 of link plate 21
3 (see the center of FIG. 3) is fitted in the fitting hole 36 of the link plate 21 on the right side. The outer wall 92 of the circular convex portion 122 is the inner wall 91 of the circular concave portion 121 of the link plate 21 on the right side.
Is inside. Further, the four stopper receiving portions 104 receive the inward stoppers 81, 81, 82, 82 of the link plate 21 on the right side. The same applies to the connection relationship (not shown) between the other link plates 22, 22. The connection pin 35 of the link plate 22 is fitted in the fitting hole 37 of the adjacent link plate 22, and the outer wall 97 of the circular convex portion 132 is connected to the adjacent link plate 22. Each of the link plates 22 enters the inner wall 96 of the circular recess 131. Further, the stopper receiving portions 114 have the inward stoppers 86, 86, 87, 87 of the adjacent link plate 22 inserted therein.

As shown in FIG. 3, the inward stopper 7
1, 71, 72, 72 and outward stoppers 76, 76,
In the case where the link plates 77 and 77 are in contact with each other, the left link plate 21 rotates in the direction of arrow N, but cannot rotate in the direction of arrow L, and is restricted in rotation.
The plurality of link bodies are held in a substantially linear state . The same applies to the regulation of the rotation of the other link plates 22,22. That is, the state of FIG. 3 shows the link plates 21 and 21 in a state shifted to the upper side 201 of the cable drag chain 20 shown in FIG.

In this state, the pawls 73, 73 and the pawl 7
8 and 78 engage with each other (see FIG. 4) and regulate the link plates 21 and 21 so as not to separate from each other in the directions of arrows P and P. The claws 83, 83 of the other link plates 22, 22, and the claws 88, 88 are similarly engaged to prevent the link plates 22, 22 from being separated from each other. For this reason,
The upper part 201 of the cable drag chain 20 is in a state of increased rigidity, and as shown in FIG.
Moves to the position indicated by the solid line on the right, and even if it becomes longer, there is almost no change in the amount of deflection S when it is shorter.

Furthermore, even if the link plates are bent together with the movement of the moving body M, the inner walls 91,
The outer walls 92 and 97 are always fitted in the 96 (see FIG. 5), and the entry of dust into the stoppers 71, 17, 72 and 72 is prevented.

Of the above-described configuration, the stopper 71,
72,76,77,81,82,86,87 constitutes the rotation angle restriction Organization, claw 73,74,78,79,83,8
4, 88, 89 constitute the first strain prevention structure 102 of the cable drag chain (see FIG. 4), and the inner walls 91, 96.
The outer walls 92 and 97 constitute a dust intrusion prevention structure 103 (see FIGS. 3 and 5).

The link plate 22 and the left end (the left side in FIGS. 1 and 2) of the connecting rod 25 are connected to each other by a hinge mechanism 30 so as to be detachable and tiltable. The hinge mechanism 30 (see FIGS. 8 and 10 to 12) includes a pair of engaged projections 38, 38 having an arc-shaped cross section and formed near the upper side 23 of the link plate 22. Part 38,
And an engaged shaft 31 formed at one end of the engaging rod 25 and having a semicircular cross section formed to connect
A pair of engagement recesses 39, 39 for engaging the upper and lower portions 8, 38 from below (FIG. 11, FIG. 12, lower end);
9, the engaged shaft 31 is moved upward (FIGS. 11 and 12).
And the hook-shaped engaging piece 32 that engages from the upper end side).

A protruding piece 33 is provided outside each of the engagement recesses 39, 39.
1, 332 are formed, and one protruding piece (overlapping portion)
331, the length X protrusion (9 participation in a circular recess 13 1 formed to accommodate the next link plate 22
) , A part of the adjacent link plate is replaced with the circular recess 131.
And a gap sandwiched therebetween. For this reason, the adjacent link plate is sandwiched between the projecting piece 331 of the connecting rod 25 and the link plate 22 provided with the connecting rod 25,
The protruding piece 331 prevents the link plates 22 from being separated from each other in the width direction. The projecting piece 331 constitutes the cable drag chain distortion prevention structure 110 (see FIGS. 8 and 9).
Due to the second strain prevention structure 110, the cable drag chain 20 is in a state of increased rigidity, and as shown in FIG.
Even if the portion 1 becomes long, there is almost no change in the amount of deflection S when it is short.

The link plate 21 and the right end (the right side in FIGS. 1 and 2) of the connecting rod 25 are connected by a snap mechanism 40. Link plate 21 (FIGS. 8, 1)
4 to FIG. 18), a link protruding piece 41, which constitutes the snap mechanism 40 and protrudes inside the link plate 21, and the link protruding piece 41 in the vertical direction (FIGS. 15 to 1).
8, a pair of tongue pieces 42, 42 protruding at positions facing away from each other (upper and lower ends of the upper and lower ends 8), a link protruding piece 41 and a tongue piece 42, 4
Link grooves 43, 43 formed at two places between
A snap engagement recess 44 formed on the upper side 23 of the link plate 21 and a guide piece engagement recess 45 formed near the snap engagement recess 44 are provided.

The engaging rod 25 (see FIGS. 8 and 14 to 18) also has a pair of protruding pieces 47 which form a snap mechanism 40 and are formed at the end of the engaging rod 25 and have a claw 46 at the tip.
1 and 472, a snap piece 49 having a hook 48 at the tip and formed to protrude further between the pair of projecting pieces 471 and 472, and a lower surface of the snap piece 49 (FIGS. 15 to 17).
At the lower end of the drawing)
And a link receiving recess 51 formed on the lower surface of a part of the protruding pieces 471 and 472 and the snap piece 49. The guide piece 50 is formed with an oblique guide slope 52.

The connection of the snap mechanism 40 is performed as follows. First, the free end side of the connecting rod 25 which can be freely tilted by the hinge mechanism 30 is indicated by an arrow D (FIG. 1).
(See Reference) direction to approach the link plate 21. Next, the engaging rod 25 is pressed against the link plate 21,
The tips of the projecting pieces 471, 472 are brought into contact with the tongue pieces 42, 42. When the engaging rod 25 is further pressed, the guide piece 50 enters the guide piece engaging recess 45, and the protruding pieces 471, 472 engage with the link grooves 43, 43. The snap piece 49 is engaged with the snap engagement recess 44. Thereby, the connection of the snap mechanism 40 is completed.

In this manner, the engagement of the pawl portions 46 with the link grooves 43 restricts the position of the connecting rod 25 in the direction of the arrow A (see FIG. 17). The engagement of the link receiving recess 51 with the link projecting piece 41 restricts the position of the connecting rod 25 in the direction of the arrow B (see FIG. 8). Further, the engagement of the hook 48 of the snap piece 49 with the snap engagement concave portion 44 regulates the position of the connecting rod 25 in the direction of the arrow C (see FIGS. 8 and 17).

Both ends of the link plates 21 and 22 and the connecting rod 26 are engaged by snap mechanisms 60 and 60 (see FIGS. 1, 2, 6 and 7). The snap mechanism 60
The connecting rod insertion portion 61 is formed so as to protrude inside the link plates 21 and 22, and the engaging claws 62, 62, 62, 62 formed on both ends of the connecting rod 26. The snap mechanism 60 pushes the engaging claw 62 into the connecting rod insertion portion 61 and once pushes and widens the opening 63 of the connecting rod insertion portion 61 or deforms the engaging claw 62 inward.
Properly will cause these variations simultaneously, after the hook 64, 64 formed in the opening portion 63 is engaged with the engagement claws 62 and 62, thereby Kakaekoma the end of the coupling rod 26 by coupling rod insertion portion 61 As a result, the connecting rod 26 is
1 and 22. This join
This is performed simultaneously by both the snap mechanisms 60 and 60.

In this way, the pair of link plates 21 and 22 and the connecting rods 25 and 26 of the cable drag chain 20 which are separated from each other are detachably mounted on the hinge mechanism 3.
0, coupled by snub mechanism 40,60,60.

A pair of protrusions of the snub mechanism 40 described above
One of the pieces 471 and 472, one protruding piece (overlapping portion) 472
(Refer to FIG. 13) is projected into the circular concave portion 121 formed to receive the adjacent link plate 21 by a length X, and a part of the inner portion of the adjacent link plate is received and pinched between the circular concave portion 121 and the circular concave portion 121. It has a gap to make . For this reason, the projecting piece 472 of the connecting rod 25 and the link plate 21 provided with the connecting rod 25 make the adjacent link plate 2
1, the projection 472 prevents the link plates from being separated from each other. Protrusion 472 constitutes the second distortion prevention structure 11a similar to the distortion prevention structure 111 of a cable drag chain (see FIG. 8, FIG. 13).

The distortion preventing structure 111, together with the distortion preventing structure 110, floats from the floor when the cable drag chain 20 (see FIG. 19) moves while bending while maintaining the U-shaped shape. Even if the portion becomes long and the link plates of the portion are separated from each other and bend, the separation can be prevented.

As a result, the portion (the portion indicated by reference numeral 201) floating from the floor of the cable drag chain is
Since the rigidity against bending is increased, the bending amount S is almost the same as when the length is short, and the bending movement of the cable drag chain becomes smooth. In addition, this distortion prevention structure 11
Since 0 and 111 prevent separation between adjacent link plates, they can also resist twisting of the cable drag chain 20. Note that the distortion prevention structures 110 and 111
It is not always necessary to provide both, and it is possible to prevent the cable drag chain from bending even if only one side is provided.

Further, the protrusions constituting the distortion prevention structure 111 are provided.
The piece 472, together with the other protruding piece 471, also serves to prevent deformation of the cable drag chain in the horizontal direction (the direction of the front and back in FIG. 12) and prevent the connecting rod 25 from coming off the link plate 21. Cable drag chain 20
When the link plate 21 is tilted in the direction of arrow F in FIG. 8, the tip of the projecting piece 471 on the upper end side in FIG. 8 prevents the link plate 21 from tilting and prevents the snap mechanism 40 from being distorted. When the link plate 21 is tilted in the direction of arrow G in FIG. 8, the tip of the projecting piece 472 on the lower end side in FIG. 8 prevents the link plate 21 from tilting, thereby preventing the snub mechanism 40 from being distorted. As described above, the pair of projecting pieces 471 and 472 have a function of preventing the inclination of the link plate 21 and preventing the snap mechanism 40 from being disassembled. That is, the protrusion 472 constituting the distortion prevention structure 111, together with the other protrusion 471, is the third distortion prevention structure 130 of the cable drag chain for preventing the connection rod and the link plate from being distorted and coming off.
(See FIG. 8).

Although the cable drag chain described above is an open type cable drag chain having a gap between adjacent connecting rods, the cable drag chain is completely sealed without any gap between the adjacent connecting rods. Even if it is a closed cable drag chain, even if it is a rotation angle restriction mechanism, dust entry prevention structure,
A strain prevention structure for the cable drag chain can be provided.

[0033]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the plurality of link bodies are substantially linear and the plurality of stoppers are mutually connected.
When they come into contact with each other, they are provided on the respective stopper contact surfaces.
The claws engage with each other to prevent the connecting portions of the overlapping link plates from being separated from each other in the radial direction, so that distortion of the cable drag chain can be prevented. This allows the cable drag chain to move smoothly. The distortion preventing structure according to claim 2 is formed between the end of the connecting rod and the link plate having the connecting rod .
Since the adjacent link plate is sandwiched in the gap, it prevents the width direction of the bent part of the overlapping link plate that is going to separate during the bending movement of the cable drag chain,
The distortion of the cable drag chain can be prevented. This allows the cable drag chain to move smoothly.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a cable drag chain provided with a distortion prevention structure of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the cable drag chain of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a view of the cable drag chain of FIG. 1 as viewed from the right side.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along arrow 4-4 in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along arrow 5-5 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a view of the right link plate in FIG. 2 as viewed from the right side (outside of the cable drag chain).

FIG. 7 is a view of the left link plate of FIG. 2 as viewed from the right side (the inside of the cable drag chain).

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a coupling state between an upper coupling rod and left and right link plates of the cable drag chain in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line 9-9 in FIG.

FIG. 10 is an exploded plan view of a left end of a connecting rod and a left link plate in FIG. 8;

11 is a sectional view taken along the arrow 11-11 in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along arrow 12-12 in FIG.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along arrow 13-13 in FIG.

FIG. 14 is an exploded plan view of a right end of the connecting rod and a right link plate in FIG. 8;

FIG. 15 is an explanatory view of a connecting operation between the connecting rod and the link plate in FIG.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory view of a connecting operation between the connecting rod and the link plate in FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is a sectional view taken along arrow 17-17 in FIG.

FIG. 18 is a sectional view taken along arrow 18-18 in FIG.

FIG. 19 is a schematic front view of a cable drag chain.

[Explanation of symbols]

20 Cable Drag Chain 21,22
Link plate 25, 26 Connecting rod 27
Link bodies 71, 72, 76, 77, 81, 82, 86, 87
Topper 73,74,78,79,83,84,88,89 distortion prevention structure of the nail 102,110,111,130 cable drag chain 331,472 protrusion

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Hiroshi Nishimura 4-17-96, Tsurumi, Tsurumi-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Tsubakimoto Chain Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-63-251646 (JP, A) Hei 3-79838 (JP, A) Japanese Utility Model 63-69836 (JP, U) Japanese Utility Model 62-167956 (JP, U)

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A cable, comprising: a plurality of link bodies formed by connecting a pair of link plates which are opposed to each other with a connecting rod so as to be freely bent by overlapping the end portions of the link plates;
In a cable drag chain that houses a hose or the like inside, it abuts against the overlapping end of each link plate
To maintain the plurality of link bodies in a substantially linear state.
Stoppers are provided, and abutment surfaces of the respective stoppers are
In the width direction of the overlapping end of the link plate.
A structure for preventing distortion of a cable drag chain, wherein a claw for preventing a gap is provided . 2. A cable drag chain in which a plurality of link bodies in which a pair of link plates opposed to each other are connected by connecting rods are flexibly connected to each other by overlapping the link plates, and a cable / hose or the like is housed inside. At the end of the connecting rod, a part of a link plate of an adjacent link body is connected to a link plate connected by the connecting rod.
A structure for preventing distortion of a cable drag chain, characterized in that a protrusion having a gap sandwiched therebetween is provided .