JP7056502B2 - Cable coupling device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a cable coupling device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a cable coupling device having a cable connecting portion for connecting operation cables having a double structure in which a linear inner cable is inserted inside a tubular outer cable so as to be able to transmit power in the axial direction to each other.

Conventionally, as a cable coupling device for connecting operation cables having a double structure so as to be able to transmit power to each other, the one disclosed in Patent Document 1 below is known. The cable coupling device includes an outer fixing part that fixes the end of the outer cable of the operation cable that is connected to each other, and an inner fixing part that fixes the end of each inner cable that is extended from the end of these outer cables. Has. The inner fixing portion is provided so as to be slidable in the axial direction with respect to the outer fixing portion.

In the cable coupling device, two operation cables are provided in parallel on one side and the other side of power transmission. As a result, the cable coupling device can pull the two operation cables on the other side together by pulling one of the two operation cables on one side of the power transmission.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2017-145926

In the above-mentioned conventional technique, since it is necessary to provide a cable coupling device for each group that transmits power, there is room for further improvement. The present invention has been devised to solve the above problems, and the problem to be solved by the present invention is to rationalize the cable coupling device.

In order to solve the above problems, the cable coupling device of the present invention takes the following means.

That is, the cable connecting device of the present invention has a cable connecting portion for connecting operation cables having a double structure in which a linear inner cable is inserted inside a tubular outer cable so that power can be transmitted to each other in the axial direction. It is a cable connecting device to have. The cable connection part is provided so as to be slidable in the axial direction with respect to the outer fixing part and the outer fixing part for fixing the ends of the outer cables of the respective operation cables connected to each other so as to face each other in the axial direction. It has an inner fixing part that fixes the end of the inner cable that is unwound from the end of each outer cable, and the inner cable on the input side is operated through the inner fixing part. It has a relay structure that transmits to the cable. The outer fixing portion can fix the end of the outer cable of the operation cable in parallel on each of the input / output sides in a direction intersecting the axial direction. A plurality of inner fixing portions are arranged in parallel in the crossing direction with respect to one outer fixing portion, and the operated power of the individually fixed input side inner cables is individually fixed on the output side. It is an individual relay structure that transmits to the inner cable.

According to the above configuration, a plurality of inner fixing portions can be individually provided for one outer fixing portion. Thereby, the rationalization of the cable coupling device can be achieved.

Further, the cable coupling device of the present invention may be further configured as follows. Each inner fixing portion can fix the end of the inner cable of the operation cable in a plurality of parallel directions on either the input / output side or each of the above-mentioned intersecting directions.

According to the above configuration, the power selectively operated by any one of the plurality of inner cables on the input side fixed to each inner fixing portion is transmitted to the inner cable fixed on the output side. Can be done. Alternatively, the power operated by the input side inner cable fixed to each inner fixing portion can be transmitted to a plurality of inner cables fixed to the output side.

Further, the cable coupling device of the present invention may be further configured as follows. Each inner fixing portion can fix two ends of the inner cable of the operation cable to each of the input / output sides.

According to the above configuration, the power selectively operated by any one of the plurality of input side inner cables fixed to each inner fixing portion is transmitted to the plurality of inner cables fixed to the output side. can do.

Further, the cable coupling device of the present invention may be further configured as follows. The cable coupling device further forms a concave fitting groove forming an outer fixing portion along the standing walls on both edges in the axial direction, and allows a slide member forming an inner fixing portion to slide in the axial direction. It has a housing composed of a main body case to be accommodated and a lid mounted so as to hold each operation cable between the main body case and the main body case. The back surface of the main body case and the front surface of the lid have an orientation display unit for displaying orientation information when each surface is used face up.

According to the above configuration, each operation cable can be fixed in a stable shape by the cable coupling device. Further, regardless of whether the cable coupling device is used in either the front or the back direction, the orientation display unit allows the user to recognize the correct orientation. Therefore, it is possible to prevent erroneous assembly of each operation cable.

Further, the cable coupling device of the present invention may be further configured as follows. The cable coupling device also has a claw-shaped snap fit that allows the cable coupling device to be plugged in and engaged with the object to be mounted.

According to the above configuration, the cable coupling device can be appropriately assembled to the object to be attached by a simple operation of only inserting.

Further, the cable coupling device of the present invention may be further configured as follows. The cable coupling device has snap fits on both the front and back sides of the cable coupling device, and the other, which is the free side when one of them is selectively engaged with the object to be mounted, inserts the predetermined mounting member. It is an engaging part to be engaged with.

According to the above configuration, of the snap fits provided on both the front and back sides of the cable coupling device, the side that is not used for attachment to the object to be attached is engaged for attaching another member (predetermined attachment member). It can be effectively used as a department.

It is a perspective view which showed the schematic structure of the cable coupling apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view which showed the state which the cable coupling device was removed from a seat frame. FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view showing a main part of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. It is an enlarged perspective view of a cable coupling device. It is a perspective view which showed the state which the lid of the cable coupling device was removed. It is a perspective view which showed the state which each operation cable was set in the cable coupling device. FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII of FIG. It is a perspective view which showed the state which the front and back sides of a cable coupling device were turned upside down. It is a transmission diagram which showed the internal structure of a cable coupling device. It is a transmission diagram which shows the state which the predetermined inner cable on the input side was operated. It is a transmission diagram which shows the state which the other inner cable on the input side was operated.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<< First Embodiment >>
First, the configuration of the cable coupling device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 12. In the following description, when each direction such as front-back, up-down, left-right, etc. is shown, it means each direction shown in each figure. Further, when the term "seat width direction" is used, it refers to the width direction of the sheet S, which will be described later, that is, the left-right direction.

As shown in FIG. 1, the cable coupling device 1 according to the present embodiment is applied to a seat S for an automobile. The above-mentioned seat S includes a seat back (not shown) which is a backrest portion of a seated occupant, and a seat cushion S / C which is a seating portion. The seat cushion S / C has a structure in which the seat frame 10 forming the skeleton is assembled in the shape of a substantially frame in a plan view. Specifically, the seat frame 10 includes a pair of left and right standing plate-shaped side frames 11 extending in the front-rear direction, a plate-shaped front panel 12 bridged between the front ends of each side frame 11, and a rear plate. It is assembled in a substantially frame shape by a circular tubular rear pipe (not shown) bridged between the ends.

Further, the seat frame 10 has a circular tubular front pipe 14 bridged between portions rearward and lower than the front panel 12 of each side frame 11. As shown in FIG. 2, the cable coupling device 1 is attached by being inserted diagonally from the rear lower side to a mounting plate 15 that is welded to the lower surface portion of the front pipe 14 and extends diagonally to the rear lower side. .. Specifically, in the cable coupling device 1, when the mounting portion 6 formed on the surface thereof is inserted into the mounting plate 15, the locking claw 6B formed on the mounting portion 6 snap-fits to the mounting plate 15. It is installed. The mounting plate 15 is arranged at a substantially central position in the seat width direction of the front pipe 14.

By the above attachment, the cable coupling device 1 is arranged at a low position not to exceed the front pipe 14 on the upper side. As a result, the seat pad (not shown) set on the upper part of the front pipe 14 is less likely to interfere with the cable coupling device 1. Therefore, when the occupant sits on the seat cushion S / C, the occupant is less likely to feel the bottoming feeling or the feeling of foreign matter due to the interference with the cable coupling device 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the cable coupling device 1 described above is a relay member that connects predetermined objects from among a plurality of operation cables CA arranged along the seat frame 10 so as to be able to transmit power to each other. It is configured as. Each operation cable CA transmits the operating force of various operating members provided on the seat S to various mechanisms provided on the seat S, and is arranged as a power transmission member for performing various seat arrangements. Has been done.

Specifically, the above-mentioned seat S is configured as a left side seat in the second row of a vehicle having three rows of seats. The seat S has a slide rail SR for adjusting the seat position in the front-rear direction thereof, and a slide lever L1 for performing an operation of unlocking the seat S. The slide rail SR is composed of a pair of left and right slide rails, and each of them is unlocked all at once by operating the slide lever L1. The slide lever L1 is provided on the left side of the seat cushion S / C.

Further, the seat S has a reclining for adjusting the backrest angle of the seat back (not shown) and a reclining lever (not shown) for performing an unlocking operation thereof. The reclining levers are also composed of a pair of left and right reclining levers, and each of them can be unlocked all at once by operating the reclining lever. The reclining lever is provided on the left side of the seat cushion S / C.

Further, the seat S has a walk-in function for expanding the entrance / exit opening to the third row seat, and a walk-in lever (not shown) for performing the operation thereof. The walk-in lever is provided on the shoulder opening of a seat back (not shown). When the walk-in lever is operated, each of the recliners (not shown above) is unlocked, and the seat back is tilted forward. At that time, the mechanism for detecting the forward tilting of the seat back is operated, and the lock of each slide rail SR is also released. As a result, the seat S can be moved forward, and the entrance / exit opening to the third row seat can be expanded by the forward movement.

In order to perform each of the above operations, the seat S includes an operation cable CA for transmitting the operating force of the slide lever L1. Further, the seat S includes an operation cable CA for transmitting the operating force of the reclining lever (not shown). Further, the seat S includes an operation cable CA for transmitting the operating force of the walk-in lever (not shown). Further, the seat S includes an operation cable CA for detecting and transmitting a movement in which the seat back is moved forward by operating a walk-in lever (not shown). As described above, the seat S includes four operation cables CA as a power transmission member on the input side for transmitting each of the above-mentioned operating forces.

Further, the seat S includes two operation cables CA for transmitting an operating force to each slide rail SR in order to unlock each slide rail SR when the slide lever L1 is operated. Further, the seat S includes two operation cables CA for transmitting an operating force to each reclining in order to unlock each reclining when a reclining lever (not shown) is operated. As described above, the seat S includes four operation cables CA as a power transmission member on the output side for transmitting the operation force to each of the above-mentioned mechanisms.

The two operation cables CA for transmitting the operating force to each of the slide rail SRs described above were similarly connected to the slide lever L1 when the slide lever L1 was operated and when the walk-in lever (not shown) was operated. It must be operated by receiving power transmission from one of the two operating cables CA. Further, the two operation cables CA for transmitting the operating force to each of the reclining levers described above are similarly connected to these when the reclining lever (not shown) is operated and when the walk-in lever (not shown) is operated. It must be operated by receiving power transmission from one of the two operating cables CA.

As described above, the seat S is configured to include four operation cables CA on each of the input / output sides. Each of the four operation cables CA on the input / output side needs to be connected so that two of them on the input / output side can transmit power to each other, while being connected to the other two. It is a structure that does not have a relationship. In that case, for example, it is conceivable to connect two operation cables CAs on the input / output side to each other by using two coupling devices for each set of the power transmission. However, in such a configuration, the number of parts of the coupling device and the installation space increase.

However, the cable coupling device 1 according to the present embodiment can appropriately connect each of the four operation cable CAs on the input / output side to each set of power transmission by the configuration consisting of one unit component. It has become. Hereinafter, the specific configuration of the cable coupling device 1 will be described in detail.

As shown in FIGS. 6 to 7, the above-mentioned cable connecting device 1 divides each of the above-mentioned four operation cable CAs on the input / output side into an input side and an output side on the left and right, respectively, with respect to the axial direction D1. It is configured to be fixed in a state of being lined up in a row in the intersecting direction D2 (front-back direction). Each operation cable CA has a double cable structure in which a linear inner cable C2 is inserted inside a tubular outer cable C1. Each operation cable CA uses the outer cable C1 as a fixed casing, and transmits the operating force of the inner cable C2 being pulled from one end side in the axial direction D1 as a relative movement amount to the other end side. It is said to have a power transmission structure.

As shown in FIG. 5, the cable coupling device 1 has an outer shape formed by a thin box-shaped housing 2 that is long in the seat width direction. The housing 2 is formed of injection-molded resin parts. As shown in FIG. 6, the housing 2 has a thin container-shaped main body case 3 that opens to the upper side in the drawing, and a lid 4 that is snap-fitted and fitted to the main body case 3 from the upper side in the drawing. Further, the housing 2 includes a cable connection portion 5 to which each operation cable CA on the input / output side is fixed, and a mounting portion 6 for mounting the housing 2 on the mounting plate 15 of the seat frame 10 described above in FIG. Has.

As shown in FIG. 6, the main body case 3 includes a substantially rectangular plate-shaped bottom plate 3A, a standing wall 3B that rises from the peripheral edge of the bottom plate 3A in the shape of a surrounding wall, and a partition wall 3C that partitions the center of the bottom plate 3A in the longitudinal direction. Have. Two slide members 3E are set side by side on the bottom plate 3A of the main body case 3 in the direction D2 (front-back direction) intersecting the axial direction D1. These slide members 3E are separately arranged one by one in each region partitioned by the vertical wall 3B and the partition wall 3C of the main body case 3. These slide members 3E are guided from both sides by the surrounding standing wall 3B and the partition wall 3C so as to be slidable in the longitudinal direction along the bottom plate 3A of the main body case 3.

The lid 4 has a substantially rectangular plate-shaped top plate 4A set to cover the opening of the main body case 3, and an engaging claw 4B extending in a protruding shape from six locations around the top plate 4A to the lower side in the drawing. And have. The lid 4 is set so that the opening of the main body case 3 is covered with the top plate 4A, so that each engaging claw 4B is formed at six corresponding peripheral parts of the standing wall 3B of the main body case 3. It is snap-fitted to each of the claws 3D and mounted in an integrally fitted state (see FIG. 5).

As shown in FIG. 6, the cable connection portion 5 includes an outer fixing portion 5A for fixing the end portion of the outer cable C1 of each operation cable CA on the input / output side, and each inner extending from the end portion of the outer cable C1. It has an inner fixing portion 5B for fixing the end portion of the cable C2. The outer fixing portion 5A is composed of four concave fitting grooves on the input / output side formed along the vertical wall 3B on both edges in the longitudinal direction of the main body case 3.

The outer fixing portion 5A fits the end of each outer cable C1 on the input / output side into each of the four fitting grooves on the input / output side from the upper side shown in the drawing, thereby fitting the end of each outer cable C1. It is held in an integrally fixed state (see FIG. 7). The four fitting grooves on the input / output side forming the outer fixing portion 5A can fix the ends of the outer cables C1 on the input / output side fitted therein so as to face each other in the axial direction D1. They are arranged facing each other.

As shown in FIG. 6, the inner fixing portion 5B is formed on two slide members 3E set side by side on the bottom plate 3A of the main body case 3 described above. Specifically, the inner fixing portion 5B is composed of two concave fitting grooves on the input / output side formed along both edges in the longitudinal direction (slide direction) of the two slide members 3E.

The inner fixing portion 5B is formed by fitting the end portion of each input / output inner cable C2 into each of the four fitting grooves on the input / output side formed separately from the two slide members 3E described above from the upper side in the drawing. , The ends of each inner cable C2 are held in a state of being integrally fixed to the slide member 3E on the fitted side thereof (see FIG. 7). The four fitting grooves on the input / output side forming the above-mentioned inner fixing portion 5B can fix the ends of the inner cables C2 on the input / output side fitted therein so as to face each other in the axial direction D1. It is arranged facing each other.

As described above, the cable connection portion 5 is formed between the main body case 3 and the two slide members 3E slidably provided along the main body case 3. The end of the outer cable C1 and the end of the inner cable C2 of each operation cable CA on the input / output side fixed to the cable connection portion 5 are the main body by mounting the lid 4 on the main body case 3, respectively. The position is held as being pressed between the case 3 and the lid 4 (see FIG. 8).

As shown in FIG. 5, the mounting portion 6 is formed at the central portion in the longitudinal direction on the surface (upper surface of the figure) of the lid 4. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the mounting portion 6 is also formed at the central portion in the longitudinal direction on the back surface (upper surface in the drawing) of the main body case 3. These mounting portions 6 are formed in the same shape that is symmetrical on the front and back sides of each other. Specifically, each mounting portion 6 allows the mounting plate 15 described above in FIG. 2 to be inserted only from the same side in the lateral direction (lower side in the drawing: direction D2 intersecting the axial direction D1). It is formed as a pocket-shaped seat portion having an insertion port 6A opened in a slit shape. Each mounting portion 6 is snap-fitted to the claw portion 15A formed on the mounting portion 15 by inserting the mounting plate 15 into the insertion port 6A, and the locking claw 6B for preventing the mounting plate 15 from coming off. Have.

Since the mounting portions 6 are formed on both the front and back portions of the cable coupling device 1 as described above, the mounting portions 6 can be inserted into the mounting plate 15 and mounted regardless of the front or back orientation. However, as described above in FIG. 7 and the like, in the cable coupling device 1, the direction in which each operation cable CA on the input / output side is connected to the cable connecting portion 5 is determined. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, when the cable coupling device 1 is applied to the seat S which is the left seat, the main body case 3 faces the front side and is placed on the surface of the main body case 3. The formed mounting portion 6 is inserted into the mounting plate 15 and mounted.

On the other hand, when the cable coupling device 1 is applied to a right seat (not shown), the mounting portion 6 formed on the lid 4 is inserted into the mounting plate 15 and mounted with the lid 4 facing the front side. The reason is that in the right seat, each operation cable CA is arranged symmetrically with the seat S which is the left seat. Therefore, the cable coupling device 1 needs to be oriented in a predetermined direction depending on whether it is applied to the left seat (seat S) or the right seat. Has been done.

Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 9, the cable coupling device 1 has an appropriate orientation depending on whether it is applied to the left seat (seat S) or the right seat. The orientation display unit 7 for visually displaying the orientation information is formed. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 9, the same-direction display unit 7 includes an L display unit 7L representing the front-facing letter “L” formed at the left front corner on the illustrated surface of the main body case 3 and FIG. As shown in 5, the lid 4 is composed of an R display unit 7R representing a forward-looking letter "R" formed at a corner portion on the right front side of the illustration on the illustrated surface of the lid 4.

The L display unit 7L shown in FIGS. 2 and 9 provides orientation information (the acronym "L" of Left) of the surface to be turned to the front side when the cable coupling device 1 is applied to the seat S which is the left seat. It is to be displayed. Further, the R display unit 7R shown in FIG. 5 displays orientation information (the acronym "R" of Right) of the surface to be turned to the front side when the cable coupling device 1 is applied to a right seat (not shown). It is a thing. As shown in FIG. 2, the orientation display unit 7 attaches the cable coupling device 1 to each seat from a working position standing on the front side of the seat cushion S / C when the operator assembles the cable coupling device 1 to the mounting plate 15. By pointing to the correct orientation specified in, the letters "R" or "L" are oriented so that they can be read by the operator.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the mounting portion 6 on the front side of the cable coupling device 1 is mounted on the mounting plate 15, the mounting portion 6 on the back side thereof is not shown on the floor of the vehicle as shown in FIG. It is considered to be facing downward at a position away from the top. Therefore, a predetermined mounting member M such as an ECU for a seat heater (not shown) or a clamp member of a wire harness can be mounted on the mounting portion 6 on the back side.

Since the predetermined mounting member M may not be mounted on the mounting portion 6 on the back side, it is indicated by a virtual line in FIG. By attaching the predetermined mounting member M to the back side of the cable coupling device 1 as described above, the predetermined mounting member M is less likely to interfere with the seat pad (not shown) set on the upper part of the front pipe 14. Therefore, the predetermined mounting member M can be mounted and provided on the cable coupling device 1 without impairing the seating feeling of the seat cushion S / C.

As shown in FIG. 10, in the cable coupling device 1 described above, in the initial state before the various operating members described above are operated, each slide member 3E is located at the end position on the output side (left side in the drawing) of the main body case 3. It is said that it is in a state of being drawn to. It should be noted that each of the views shown in FIGS. 10 to 12 is shown as a view of the cable coupling device 1 viewed from the bottom in the direction opposite to the plan view shown in FIG. From the above initial state, for example, of the four operation cable CAs (circled numbers 1 to 4) lined up on the input side (right side in the figure), one of the two operation cable CAs on the front side (circled numbers 1 or 2). Is pulled to the input side (right side in the drawing) of the slide member 3E on the front side as shown in FIG.

As a result, the two operation cables CA (circled numbers 5 and 6) on the output side (left side in the drawing) connected to the slide member 3E on the front side are towed all at once. Further, as shown in FIG. 12, when one of the two rear operation cables CA (circled number 3 or 4) is towed, the rear slide member 3E is pulled to the input side (right side in the figure). It will be taken. As a result, the two operation cables CA (circled numbers 7 and 8) on the output side (left side in the drawing) connected to the slide member 3E on the rear side are towed all at once.

The operation cable CA indicated by the circled number 1 is, for example, a cable connected to the reclining lever (not shown) described above. Further, the operation cable CA indicated by the circled number 2 is, for example, a cable connected to the above-mentioned walk-in lever (not shown). Then, each of the operation cable CAs indicated by the circled numbers 5 and 6 operated by these operation cable CAs (circled number 1 or 2) is an unlocking operation connected to the left and right recliners (not shown) described above. It is a cable for doing.

Further, the operation cable CA indicated by the circled number 3 is, for example, a cable connected to the slide lever L1 described above in FIG. Further, the operation cable CA indicated by the circled number 4 is, for example, a cable connected to the seat back so as to detect the movement of the seat back being tilted forward by the operation of the walk-in lever (not shown) described above. Then, each of the operation cable CAs indicated by the circled numbers 7 and 8 operated by these operation cable CAs (circled number 3 or 4) is unlocked connected to the left and right slide rail SR described above in FIG. It is a cable for performing the operation of.

The allocation of the operation cable CA is not limited to the above pattern and can be changed in various ways. Further, the cable coupling device may be used in such a form that the operation cable CA is not connected to a part of the cable connection portion 5 according to the specifications of the seat S. Further, the cable coupling device may be provided in a form of being laid down sideways or in a form of being erected in a vertical direction. The cable coupling device may be configured to be mounted at a position other than the mounting plate 15 of the seat frame 10.

Summarizing the above, the cable coupling device 1 according to the first embodiment has the following configuration. That is, in the cable coupling device (1), the operation cables (CA) having a double structure in which the linear inner cable (C2) is inserted inside the tubular outer cable (C1) are connected to each other in the axial direction (D1). It has a cable connection portion (5) that is connected so that power can be transmitted. The cable connection portion (5) has an outer fixing portion (5A) for fixing the ends of the outer cables (C1) of the respective operation cables (CA) connected to each other so as to face each other in the axial direction (D1). Inner fixing portion provided so as to be slidable in the axial direction (D1) with respect to the outer fixing portion (5A) and fixing the end portion of the inner cable (C2) drawn out from the end portion of each outer cable (C1). (5B), and has a relay structure in which the power operated by the inner cable (C2) on the input side is transmitted to the inner cable (C2) on the output side via the inner fixing portion (5B).

The outer fixing portion (5A) can fix the end of the outer cable (C1) of the operation cable (CA) in parallel in a direction (D2) intersecting the axial direction (D1) on each of the input / output sides. Will be done. A plurality of inner fixing portions (5B) are arranged in parallel in the intersecting direction (D2) with respect to one outer fixing portion (5A), and the inner cable (C2) on the input side fixed individually is operated. It is an individual relay structure that transmits the applied power to the individually fixed inner cable (C2) on the output side.

According to the above configuration, a plurality of inner fixing portions (5B) can be individually provided for one outer fixing portion (5A). Thereby, the cable coupling device (1) can be rationalized.

Further, each inner fixing portion (5B) can fix the end portion of the inner cable (C2) of the operation cable (CA) in parallel in a plurality of parallel directions (D2) on either the input / output side or each of them. It is said that. According to the above configuration, the power that is selectively operated by any one of the plurality of inner cables (C2) on the input side fixed to each inner fixing portion (5B) is fixed to the output side. It can be transmitted to the cable (C2). Alternatively, the power operated by the input side inner cable (C2) fixed to each inner fixing portion (5B) can be transmitted to a plurality of inner cables (C2) fixed to the output side.

Further, each inner fixing portion (5B) can fix two ends of the inner cable (C2) of the operation cable (CA) to each of the input / output sides. According to the above configuration, a plurality of powers selectively operated by any one of the plurality of inner cables (C2) on the input side fixed to each inner fixing portion (5B) are fixed to the output side. Can be transmitted to the inner cable (C2) of.

Further, the cable coupling device (1) is further formed with a concave fitting groove forming an outer fixing portion (5A) along the vertical walls (3B) on both edge sides in the axial direction (D1), and is internally fixed to the inner. The main body case (3) in which the slide member (3E) forming the portion (5B) is accommodated so as to be slidable in the axial direction (D1), and the main body case (3) with respect to the main body case (3), respectively. It has a housing (2) composed of a lid (4) mounted so as to hold the operation cable (CA) of the above in a pressed shape. The back surface of the main body case (3) and the front surface of the lid (4) have an orientation display unit (7) for displaying orientation information when each surface is used face up.

According to the above configuration, each operation cable (CA) can be fixed in a stable shape by the cable coupling device (1). Further, regardless of whether the cable coupling device (1) is used in either the front or the back direction, the orientation display unit (7) can make the user recognize the correct orientation. Therefore, it is possible to prevent erroneous assembly of each operation cable (CA).

Further, the cable coupling device (1) further has a claw-shaped snap fit (6B) capable of engaging the cable coupling device (1) with an object (15) to be attached by insertion. According to the above configuration, the cable coupling device (1) can be appropriately assembled to the object to be attached (15) by a simple operation of only inserting.

Further, when the cable coupling device (1) has snap fits (6B) on both the front and back portions of the cable coupling device (1), and one of them is selectively engaged with the object to be attached (15). The other side, which is on the free side of the above, is an engaging portion into which a predetermined mounting member (M) is inserted and engaged. According to the above configuration, of the snap fits (6B) provided on both the front and back sides of the cable coupling device (1), the side not used for attachment to the object to be attached (15) is the other member (predetermined attachment). It can be effectively used as an engaging portion for attaching the member (M)).

<< About other embodiments >>
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above using one embodiment, the present invention can be implemented in various embodiments shown below in addition to the above embodiments.

1. 1. The cable coupling device of the present invention can be applied not only to seats for automobiles but also to seats used for other vehicles such as railways and various vehicles such as aircraft and ships. Further, it can be applied to other seat structures such as a seat back as well as a seat cushion in a vehicle seat. In addition to being applicable to configurations other than vehicle seats, it is also applicable to structures other than vehicles.

2. 2. The cable connection portion may be configured to include three or more inner fixing portions for one outer fixing portion. Further, the number of each operation cable connected to the input / output side of each inner fixing portion may be one or a plurality. Further, the cable connection portion may have a configuration in which the number of operation cables on the input side and the number of operation cables on the output side are different. For example, the number of operation cables on the input side may be larger than the number of operation cables on the output side, or may be less. Further, the number of operation cables to be connected may be different for each inner fixing portion. The operation cables on the input / output side that are connected so that power can be transmitted to each other are arranged side by side at positions on the same axis, and because of the difference in the number of lines on the input / output side, the axis direction is different. They may be arranged so as to be offset in the direction of intersection.

3. 3. The lid constituting the housing of the cable coupling device may be configured to be detachably attached to the main body case, or may be coupled so as to be openable and closable by sliding or rotating.

4. The orientation display portion may be formed only on either the front or back surface of the housing. Further, the orientation display unit may display orientation information by means of symbols such as arrows and colors in addition to characters such as "L" and "R".

5. Each operation cable connected so as to be able to transmit power to each other via the cable coupling device may be configured to be connected to an operation target other than the operation target shown in the above embodiment.

1 Cable connection device 2 Housing 3 Main body case 3A Bottom plate 3B Standing wall 3C Partition wall 3D Locking claw 3E Slide member 4 Lid 4A Top plate 4B Engagement claw 5 Cable connection part 5A Outer fixing part 5B Inner fixing part 6 Mounting part 6A Insertion Mouth 6B locking claw (snap fit)
7 Directional display 7R R Display 7L L Display 10 Seat frame 11 Side frame 12 Front panel 14 Front pipe 15 Mounting plate (mounting object)
15A Claw S Seat S / C Seat cushion D1 Axial direction D2 Crossing direction CA Operation cable C1 Outer cable C2 Inner cable L1 Slide lever SR Slide rail M Prescribed mounting member

Claims (5)

It is a cable coupling device having a cable connection part that connects operation cables having a double structure in which a linear inner cable is inserted inside a tubular outer cable so that power can be transmitted in the axial direction to each other.
The cable connection portion is slidable in the axial direction with respect to the outer fixing portion for fixing the ends of the outer cables of the respective operation cables connected to each other so as to face each other in the axial direction. The inner cable on the input side has an inner fixing portion for fixing the end of the inner cable extended from the end of each outer cable, and the inner cable on the input side is provided via the inner fixing portion. It has a relay structure that transmits the operated power to the inner cable on the output side.
The outer fixing portion is capable of fixing a plurality of ends of the outer cable of the operation cable in parallel on each of the input / output sides in a direction intersecting the axial direction, and the inner fixing portion is one. A plurality of pieces are arranged in parallel in the intersecting direction with respect to the outer fixing portion, and the operated power of the individually fixed input side inner cable is transmitted to the individually fixed output side inner cable. It is an individual relay structure ,
A cable coupling device in which each of the inner fixing portions can fix the end of the inner cable of the operation cable in a plurality of parallel directions on either or each of the input / output sides in the intersecting direction . The cable coupling device according to claim 1.
A cable coupling device in which each inner fixing portion can fix two ends of the inner cable of the operation cable to each of the input / output sides. The cable coupling device according to claim 1 or 2.
Further, a concave fitting groove forming the outer fixing portion is formed along the vertical walls on both edges in the axial direction, and a slide member forming the inner fixing portion is housed inside so as to be slidable in the axial direction. It has a housing composed of a main body case to be mounted and a lid mounted so as to hold each of the operation cables between the main body case and the main body case.
A cable coupling device having an orientation display unit on the back surface of the main body case and the front surface of the lid to display orientation information when each surface is used face up . The cable coupling device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
Further, a cable coupling device having a claw-shaped snap fit that allows the cable coupling device to be engaged with an object to be attached by insertion . The cable coupling device according to claim 4 .
The snap fit is provided on both the front and back sides of the cable coupling device, and one of them is the free side when selectively engaged with the object to be mounted, and the other is engaged by inserting a predetermined mounting member. A cable coupling device that is used as an engaging part to be fitted .

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