JPS61233282A - Flexible supporter for cable, etc. - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] Industrial Field of Application The present invention is applicable to robots, machine tools, other mechanical equipment, etc., where power, control signals, gas, water, oil, etc. This invention relates to a flexible support for cables, etc., that supports, protects and guides one or more cables, hoses, etc. for supplying water.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, flexible supports such as cables for supplying energy to moving parts in machine tools and the like have been implemented as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. This flexible support (1) for cables, etc. is made by alternately combining hollow inner frames (2) and surrounding pieces (3) between the fixed end and the movable end, and the cables, etc. are placed in a tube that can be bent within a certain range. (4) to accommodate and support and guide. Inner frame with two grooves of a certain amount (
2) are arranged at equal intervals, and are connected into a single piece by spanning an enclosing piece (3) having a flange portion that fits into the groove at both ends. In addition, for wiring for things that move freely, cables and the like were housed in east wires or bellows.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, although the flexible supports such as the cables shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 can be bent horizontally (or vertically) in a plane, they cannot be moved in any direction. It cannot be used, in other words, it can be used for objects that move in a straight line as shown in Figure 3, but
There was a problem that it could not be applied to things that move freely, such as robots. Regarding things that move in a three-dimensional manner, those that move eastward have problems with their appearance, and protecting the wiring is also an issue. In addition, the method using bellows does not allow for cutting and splicing, and does not have a fixed radius.
There were many problems such as not having enough strength to support the cable.

Means for Solving the Problems The first means of the present invention is to provide a flexible support for a cable or the like in which the cable or the like is housed in a tube formed by knitting hollow links into a chain. The inner surface of the sphere and the outer surface of the convex sphere smoothly play together, allowing the link to bend freely in any direction, and by providing a stopper to limit bending beyond a certain angle, the overall stability is maintained. A flexible support for a cable or the like, characterized by forming a bending radius of .

A second means of the present invention, in the first means, is characterized in that a spacer member is inserted between adjacent links to partially prohibit bending or increase the bending radius. It is a flexible support.

Function: Since the flexible supports such as cables of the present invention have adjacent links loosely connected to each other by uneven spherical parts, they bend according to the movement of the movable body, and when the bending angle reaches a certain size, the stopper mechanism is activated. acts.

Therefore, when one link rotates to the maximum bending angle θ degrees, the next link sequentially rotates to form a constant bending radius. Since the series of links can be rotated by θ degrees in any direction on the spherical surface, they can be bent three-dimensionally while maintaining a constant bending radius.

When it is desired not to partially bend the flexible support of the present invention, a spacer is inserted into that portion.

Embodiment FIGS. 4 and 5 are explanatory diagrams of a first embodiment of the first invention of the present application. Flexible support for cables, etc. of this example (5)
This is a continuous link (6) with hollow, uneven spherical surfaces on the left and right sides. At both ends of this support (5) are flanged fittings (al) with convex spherical surfaces.
(7) and a flange fitting with a concave spherical surface (b
)(8) are provided. - The link (6) has an offset shape with a concave spherical surface (10) on one cylindrical large diameter portion (9) and a convex spherical surface (11) on the other side.
) and a cylindrical hole (13) having a smaller diameter than each of the spherical surfaces in the longitudinal direction. Each link is inserted into and engaged with an adjacent link with a concave and convex spherical surface. When the flexible support body (5) of this embodiment is bent, the adjacent concave and convex spherical surfaces of each link are loosely interlocked with each other, so they slide smoothly against each other and rotate by θ degrees. When rotated by θ degrees, the stopper mechanism comes into contact with either or both of the contacts (al (14) on the outer diameter part or the contacts (b) and (15) on the inner diameter part), and the inner surface of the link (6) are finished smoothly to prevent damage to cables, hoses, etc. (4), and the corners are chamfered.As the movable body moves, each link (6) rotates up to θ degrees and the adjacent link ( 6) rotates sequentially to form a constant bending radius.In addition, each link (6) can be rotated by θ degrees in any direction on the spherical surface, so it can be bent three-dimensionally while maintaining a constant bending radius. be.

When connecting the link (6), the concave spherical part should be heated to 70°C or more.
This can easily be done by immersing it in hot water at 100°C to locally expand it, and then inserting the convex spherical part on the other side.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a second embodiment of the first invention of the present application. The flexible support (16) for cables, etc. of this embodiment is hollow and has an inner surface of a concave spherical surface (17) at both ends.
8) and the same (hollow) inner links (20) having convex spherical surfaces (19) at both ends are alternately connected.

The inner link (20) is centered on the left and right adjacent outer links (
18) has a stopper (21) that limits rotation to a certain angle. When the flexible support body (16) of this embodiment is bent, the concave and convex spherical parts of each link are loosely interlocked, so that the links smoothly slide each other and rotate by θ degrees. When rotated by θ degrees, both or one of the contact points (C) (22) on the outer diameter portion or the contact points (d) (23) on the inner diameter portion come into contact with each other, and the stopper (21) acts. In addition, internal links (20
) and the inner cylindrical surface of the outer link (18) are finished smoothly to prevent damage to cables, hoses, etc., and the corners are chamfered.

FIG. 7 is a detailed explanatory diagram of the second invention of the present application.

A ring-shaped spacer (24) is inserted into a flexible support (5') such as a cable connected with an offset type link (6).

When the flexible support (5') of this embodiment is prohibited from bending, a spacer (25) shown in FIG. 8 is inserted into the end of the convex spherical surface (11) of the link (6). Of course, the insertion location may be the end of the concave spherical surface (10) of the adjacent link (6).

When changing the bending radius of the flexible support (5') of this embodiment, the thickness of the spacer (25) is adjusted or inserted every few links. Furthermore, when maintaining and fixing a constant bending radius, a tapered spacer (26) shown in FIG. 8 may be used.

FIG. 9 shows a second invention of the present application in which spacers are inserted in the vicinity of the fixed part and the connecting part to the movable machine (29) and (30) to make it bendable at the central bending part (31). The movable machine (28) reciprocates or rotates up and down, left and right, back and forth, and the flexible support (5゛) of this embodiment
The bending at both ends is partially restricted to maintain the overall bent shape (a type of no-back bend).

Effect of the invention The present invention has a savior structure and has the following effects.

(1) Since the flexible support such as the cable of the present invention can be smoothly bent in any direction, it can easily follow objects in which movable parts move freely, such as robots and automatic labor-saving machines.

It can respond to all movements of FA (factory automation) equipment, which has been reluctant to operate unmanned in factories due to the needs of recent industrial technology, and dramatically increases the utility value of flexible supports such as cables. It is.

(2) It is a sealed body and has a dust-proof structure, which prevents foreign matter from entering and protects the housed wiring, hoses, etc. In addition, wiring, hoses, etc. are not visible from the outside, giving it a beautiful appearance.

(3) Since it bends with a certain curvature, the wiring can be kept compact.

(4) If the link is made of an elastic material such as resin or rubber, it will be lightweight and generate less noise during use.

(5) The mass production effect can be expected due to the small number of parts and integral molding.

(6) Links are easy to connect and assembly is simple.

(Cutting and joining is also easy.) (7) Bending can be restricted by inserting a spacer between each link. Furthermore, various adaptations can be made by changing the thickness, shape, insertion position, etc. of the spacer.

By regulating the locus of movement of the flexible support of the present invention, the installation is more compact, fashionable, and safe.

(8) Spacers can be easily inserted and removed at the site where the flexible support of the present invention is used, so movement can be regulated and stabilized while checking the overall behavior, and installation adjustments can be made. It's easy.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 ----------1 Overall view of a conventional flexible support such as a cable.
---Usage state diagram of the flexible support such as a cable shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4. -----1 Overall diagram of the first embodiment of the first invention. Partially enlarged view of the figure Figure 6--1--Explanatory diagram of the second embodiment of the first invention

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A flexible support body having support parts at both ends, connecting hollow links continuously and swingably between the support parts, and accommodating cables, hoses, etc. inside the flexible support body, wherein each of the above-mentioned links and one of the adjacent links has a spherical recess on the inner surface, and the other link has a spherical protrusion on the outer surface, and the recess and the protrusion fit together so as to be able to swing a certain amount in any direction. flexible support for cables etc. (2) A flexible support having support parts at both ends, connecting hollow links continuously and swingably between the support parts, and accommodating cables, hoses, etc. One of the adjacent links has a spherical recess on the inner surface, and the other link has a spherical protrusion on the outer surface, and the recess and the protrusion are fitted to be able to swing a certain amount in any direction. and a flexible support such as a cable in which a member for inhibiting or restricting swinging is inserted between the adjacent links.