JP2018024120A - Cable holding device, cable holding method, and printing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided are a cable holding device, a cable holding method, and a printing device that are less likely to cause cable damage or disconnection due to movement of a moving member even in a limited space such as a plane in which the height direction is restricted. . A cable holding device for holding a cable connected to a first member at one end, wherein the cable has a loop portion formed in a loop shape on a predetermined surface. The torsion providing means for holding the cable by twisting around the axis in the direction in which the loop portion is pressed against the predetermined surface is provided on the other end side of the cable. I made it. [Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a cable holding device and a cable holding method for holding a cable such as power wiring, and a printing apparatus in which constituent members are connected by a cable held by the cable holding device.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a cable holding device in which a power wiring such as an electric cable, a hydraulic hose, and an air hose is fixed with a surplus length in a robot arm. Hereinafter, “power wiring such as an electric cable, a hydraulic hose, and an air hose” in this specification is referred to as a “cable”. In this cable holding device, the joint portion of the arm is slackened and twisted to form a cable in a loop shape and fixed. Thereby, the loop radius and the loop shape change according to the movement of the arm, the load on the cable accompanying the movement of the arm is reduced, and damage to the cable and occurrence of disconnection are prevented.

JP 2009-220221 A

  By the way, in recent years, downsizing of the apparatus has progressed, and the space inside the apparatus has become narrower. Accordingly, in wiring the cable to the moving member, for example, the cable must be wired in a limited space on the wall surface of the component member with a surplus length that can follow the movement of the moving member. However, the technique described in Patent Document 1 requires a wide space that can eliminate the twisting of the cable. For this reason, in a limited space such as a plane in which the height direction is restricted, it is difficult to route the cable so that damage or disconnection due to movement of the moving member does not occur.

  The present invention provides a cable holding device, a cable holding method, and a printing device that are less likely to cause cable damage or disconnection due to movement of a moving member even in a limited space such as a plane whose height direction is restricted. The purpose is to do.

  To achieve the above object, a cable holding device according to the present invention is a cable holding device that holds a cable connected to a first member at one end, and the cable is placed on a predetermined surface, A loop portion formed in a loop shape is disposed so as to be deformable, and on the other end side of the cable, the cable is twisted around an axis in a direction in which the loop portion is pressed against the predetermined surface. And torsion imparting means for holding the cable.

  According to the present invention, with a simple configuration, even in a limited space such as a plane whose height direction is restricted, cable damage and disconnection are less likely to occur.

It is a schematic block diagram of the cable holding device by this invention, (a) is a schematic block diagram which shows the state which formed the loop part in the 1st loop shape in the cable connected to the moving member of a slide apparatus, ( b) is an explanatory view showing a cable when the moving member moves in the direction of arrow P. FIG. It is a schematic block diagram of the cable holding device by this invention, (a) is a schematic block diagram which shows the state which formed the loop part in the 2nd loop shape in the cable connected to the moving member of a slide apparatus, b) is an explanatory view showing a cable when the moving member moves in the direction of arrow P. FIG. (A) is a top view of a cable, (b) is an A arrow view of (a), (c) is a top view of a cable when it is fixed by a fixing member, (d ) Is a view on arrow B of (c). (A) is explanatory drawing which shows a cable when it fixes, without adding a twist to a cable, and moves a moving member, (b) is C arrow directional view of (a). (A) is explanatory drawing which shows the modification of the fixing location of the cable in a base member, (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the modification of the hole part formed in the base member, (c), It is explanatory drawing which shows the modification which connected the cable through space.

  Hereinafter, an example of a cable holding device and a cable holding method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Here, FIG. 1A and FIG. 2A show a slide device in which a cable is held by the cable holding device according to the present invention. The slide device 10 is configured such that a moving member 14 (first member) is movable in the X-axis direction on a wall surface 12a of a base member 12 (second member). Note that the moving member 14 is not configured to move strictly in the X-axis direction, and may be movable in a direction inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the X-axis direction on the wall surface 12a. Note that the slide device shown in FIG. 1A and the slide device shown in FIG. 2A are different from each other only in the shape of a loop portion 22 (described later).

  The moving member 14 is connected to, for example, a control unit (not shown) via the cable 16, and various controls are performed on the moving member 14 by a signal from the control unit. The moving member 14 may be provided with a moving mechanism (not shown) that can move the moving member 14 in the X-axis direction under the control of the control unit. The moving member 14 may be movably disposed on a predetermined member different from the base member 12 to which the cable 16 is fixed. Further, an operation element (not shown) may be provided on the moving member 14 so that information input via the operation element is output to the control unit via the cable 16.

  The cable 16 is provided with a connector 18 at one end, and the connector 18 is connected to the moving member 14. On the other end side, it is fixed by a fixing member 20 (fixing means) at a predetermined position of the wall surface 12a. A loop portion 22 in which the cable 16 is formed in a loop shape is provided between the connector 18 and the fixing member 20. The loop portion 22 can change its diameter and shape following the movement of the moving member 14, that is, can be deformed. That is, the loop portion 22 has an extra length for following the movement of the moving member 14 in the cable 16.

  In FIG. 1A, the cable on the fixing member 20 side is positioned on the upper side (the front side of the paper) with respect to the cable on the connector 18 side in the loop portion 22. On the other hand, in FIG. 2A, the cable on the fixing member 20 side is positioned on the lower side (the back side in the drawing) with respect to the cable on the connector side in the loop portion 22. In the following description, as shown in FIG. 1A, the loop shape in which the cable on the fixing member 20 side is positioned above the cable on the connector 18 side is referred to as a “first loop shape”. . In addition, as shown in FIG. 2A, a loop shape in which the cable on the fixing member 20 side is positioned below the cable on the connector 18 side is referred to as a “second loop shape”.

  Further, when the cable 16 is fixed to the wall surface 12a, the cable 16 is fixed by being twisted around the axis. In this embodiment, the twist with respect to the cable 16 is added when fixing the fixing member 20 to the wall surface 12a. That is, the cable 16 is fixed to the wall surface 12a by the fixing member 20 in a state where the cable 16 is twisted. Only one fixing member 20 or a plurality of fixing members 20 may be used. By using a plurality of fixing members 20, the wall surface 12a can be firmly fixed. The fixing position on the wall surface 12a by the fixing member 20 is, for example, a position facing the connector 18 with the loop portion 22 interposed therebetween.

  Specifically, the cable 16 is fixed by twisting around the axis of the cable 16 so that the loop portion 22 (more specifically, near the point T2 facing the intersection T1 where the cable 16 intersects) is pressed against the wall surface 12a. Is done. That is, as shown in FIGS. 1 (a) and 2 (a), when the cable 16 is fixed by the fixing member 20, the cable 16 is fixed by being twisted in the direction of the arrow R around its axis. Become. The direction of twist applied to the cable 16 is the same in both cases where the loop portion 22 has the first loop shape and the second loop shape.

  As illustrated in FIG. 3B, the fixing member 20 includes an insertion portion 20 a that can be inserted into the hole portion 12 b (described later) and a winding portion 20 b that is wound around the outer periphery of the cable 16. . The winding portion 20b is formed in a ring shape into which the cable 16 can be inserted, and the movement of the inserted cable 16 is restricted by the frictional force with the winding portion 20b. Moreover, the insertion part 20a is arrange | positioned at the winding part 20b so that it may protrude in the direction (direction orthogonal in this embodiment) which cross | intersects the direction through which the cable 16 is penetrated. The fixing member 20 is so inclined that the insertion portion 20a is inclined at a predetermined angle θ in the wall surface 12a with respect to the extending direction of the hole portion 12b drilled substantially perpendicular to the wall surface 12a. The winding portion 20b is attached to the cable 16.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 3B, the fixing member 20 has the distal end portion 20aa of the insertion portion 20a opposed to the wall surface 12a and the distal end portion 20aa on one side in the Y-axis direction (the paper surface of FIG. 3B). It is attached so that it may be located in the right side of FIG. 1, the lower side of the paper surface of FIG. 1 (a), FIG. When the insertion portion 20a is inserted into the hole portion 12b as shown in FIG. 3D, the fixing member 20 causes the gap between the connector 18 and the fixing member 20 as shown in FIGS. The cable 16 is fixed to the wall surface 12a in a state where a twist is applied in the direction of arrow R. Thereby, the point T2 vicinity of the loop part 22 comes to be pressed against the wall surface 12a. The force with which the vicinity of the point T2 presses the wall surface 12a is determined by the amount of twist applied in the arrow R direction. The twist amount is determined by a predetermined angle θ. In order to prevent the cable 16 in the loop portion 22 from being lifted by the force pressing the wall surface 12a near the point T2, the predetermined angle θ is determined within a range in which the cable of the loop portion 22 does not lift by the movement of the moving member 14. Is done.

  The insertion portion 20a of the fixing member 20 and the hole portion 12b of the base member 12 may have any shape as long as they can be fitted to each other. That is, when a convex structure (convex portion) is provided on the fixing member 20, a concave structure (concave portion) that can be fitted to the convex structure is formed on the base member 12. Like that. The convex structure includes a pin-shaped structure such as the insertion portion 20a. In this case, the concave structure can be fitted to the pin-shaped structure such as the hole 12b. It becomes a hole-shaped structure. You may make it fix a fitting state with an adhesive etc. with a convex structure and a concave structure. Alternatively, a thread groove (or a screw thread) may be formed in a convex structure or a concave structure, and the convex structure may be screwed and fixed to the concave structure. At this time, the convex structure is rotatably supported by the winding portion 20b.

  Furthermore, the cable 16 may be directly fixed to the fixing position of the wall surface 12a with an adhesive or the like in a state where the twist is applied. Moreover, you may make it comprise the twist provision member (torsion provision means) comprised by the winding part 20b and the contact part provided with the contact surface which can contact the wall surface 12a. The torsion imparting member is attached to the cable 16 so that the abutting surface forms a predetermined angle θ with the wall surface 12a, and the abutting surface and the wall surface 12a are abutted and fixed. In addition, as a fixing method of the contact surface and the wall surface 12a, for example, an adhesive may be used, or a fixing means capable of fixing the contact surface and the wall surface 12a may be used. As such a fixing means, a suction cup or a magnet capable of attracting the contact surface (or the wall surface 12a) can be used.

  In the above configuration, when the moving member 14 moves in the direction of the arrow P by the slide device 10, the diameter of the loop portion 22 in the cable 16 becomes small as shown in FIGS. 1 (b) and 2 (b). Here, in the loop part 22, by forming in a loop shape, a compressive force is generated on the inner peripheral side of the loop part 22, and an expansion force is generated on the outer peripheral side. For this reason, when the diameter of the loop portion 22 is reduced, a higher compressive force is generated on the inner peripheral side of the loop portion 22 and a higher expansion force is generated on the outer peripheral side. However, at this time, the first direction in the direction from the center of the loop portion 22 toward the outer peripheral side is set so as to increase the diameter of the loop portion 22 by the rigidity of the cable 16 (for example, the rigidity of the insulating material used for the protective coating). A force (indicated by a broken line in FIGS. 1B and 2B) is generated.

  Incidentally, since the cable 16 is fixed by the connector 18 and the fixing member 20, the movement of the cable 16 on the wall surface 12a (that is, the XY plane) is regulated by the connector 18 and the fixing member 20. . On the other hand, the cable 16 simply overlaps at the intersection T1 when the loop portion 22 is formed. For this reason, when the cable 16 is deformed by the generated first force, the movement of the cable 16 in the XY plane is restricted by the connector 18 and the fixing member 20, and the force restricted by the connector 18 and the fixing member 20 is controlled. A part goes in the Z-axis direction.

  Here, when the cable 16 is fixed without being twisted when being fixed to the fixing member 20, when the moving member 14 is moved in the direction of arrow P, the cable generated in the loop portion 22 by the force generated in the Z-axis direction. 16 easily floats from the wall surface 12a. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, in the slide device 10 having the first loop shape, the cable on the fixing member 20 side is lifted. In the slide device 10 having the second loop shape, the cable on the connector 18 side is lifted. In the limited space, the cable 16 that has lifted up comes into contact with other members. And if the movement of the moving member 14 is repeated, the cable 16 will frequently contact with another member, and a contact part will be damaged.

  In order to eliminate such lifting of the cable 16, for example, a pressing member (not shown) that presses the loop portion 22 against the wall surface 12 a is provided, thereby restricting the movement of the cable 16 in the Z-axis direction. . However, in this case, the deformation of the loop portion 22 due to the movement of the moving member 14 causes friction between the cable 16 and the pressing member, and smoothness is lost in the movement of the moving member 14. In addition, a load caused by the friction is applied to the moving mechanism for moving the moving member 14, and the life of the moving mechanism is shortened.

  On the other hand, the slide device 10 is not provided with a member that restricts the movement of the cable 16 in the Z-axis direction, but the cable 16 is fixed by being twisted in the direction of the arrow R, and the loop portion 22 (dot) (Near T2) is pressed against the wall surface 12a. As a result, the Z-axis direction of the cable 16 in the loop portion 22 is regulated. That is, when the moving member 14 moves in the direction of arrow P, the force generated in the Z-axis direction generates a force that causes the cable 16 to lift from the wall surface 12a in the loop portion 22. This force is pressed against the wall surface 12a by the loop portion 22. Counteracted by the force applied. For this reason, the loop part 22 does not easily float from the wall surface 12a. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a new member such as a pressing member, and it is possible to avoid an increase in cost due to an increase in the number of parts. Further, the movement of the moving member 14 is smooth, and unnecessary load on the moving mechanism is not generated.

  As described above, in the slide device 10 including the cable holding device according to the present invention, the cable 16 having one end connected to the moving member 14 is connected in a predetermined direction around the axis on the other end side. The torsion was added and it fixed to the wall surface 12a. The predetermined direction is a direction in which the loop portion 22, more specifically, the point T2 facing the intersection T1 where the cable 16 intersects is pressed against the wall surface 12a. Thereby, even if the loop part 22 deform | transforms with the movement of the moving member 14, the cable 16 does not float easily from the wall surface 12a. For this reason, even if the cable 16 is a limited space in which the height direction on the wall surface 12a is restricted, it is difficult to interfere with other members and the cable 16 is less likely to be damaged or disconnected.

  The embodiment described above may be modified as shown in the following (1) to (5).

  (1) The device to which the cable holding device according to the present invention can be applied is not limited to a slide device, but for various devices driven by electricity, hydraulic pressure, pneumatic pressure, or a combination thereof, such as an arm of an industrial robot. It is applicable.

  (2) The cable 16 is fixed so that the region α from the loop portion 22 to the connector 18 forms a predetermined angle with the region β from the loop portion 22 to the fixing member 20, as shown in FIG. You may make it do.

  (3) The hole 12b formed in the base member 12 may be formed inclined with respect to the wall surface 12a as shown in FIG. At this time, the insertion portion 20a of the fixing member 20 is attached to the cable 16 so as to be substantially perpendicular to the wall surface 12a, for example. Specifically, the hole portion 12b has a tip portion 12ba on the other side in the Y-axis direction with respect to the opening portion 12bb (the left side of the paper surface of FIG. 5B, FIG. 1A and FIG. 2A). It is formed so as to be located on the upper side of the drawing.

  (4) The moving member 14 may be disposed on the wall surface of a predetermined member other than the wall surface 12 a of the base member 12. Further, the moving member 14 may be configured to be movable relative to the base member 12. In such a case, the wall surface 12a of the base member 12 to which the fixing member 20 is fixed and the wall surface of the predetermined member on which the moving member 14 is disposed are located on a predetermined plane. The wall surface 12a and the wall surface of the predetermined member are not strictly positioned on a predetermined plane, and may be positioned on one side or the other side within a predetermined range from the wall surface 12a.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5C, a space may be formed between the member on which the moving member 14 is disposed and the base member 12. At this time, it is preferable that a predetermined surface such as a wall surface capable of pressing the loop portion 22 exists at a position where the loop portion 22 is formed. As a result, the loop portion 22 disposed on the predetermined surface can be pressed against the predetermined surface by the twist applied to the cable 16. In addition, about a predetermined surface, for example, it is located on the predetermined plane in which the wall surface 12a and the wall surface of the member by which the moving member was arrange | positioned are located.

  (5) The slide device 10 is mounted on, for example, a printing device, a facsimile, or an image scanner having a printing function such as a printer or a copying machine. Alternatively, it is mounted on a printing apparatus (multifunction machine) having at least a scanning function and a printing function. Specifically, an operation panel (corresponding to the moving member 14) arranged so as to be movable is connected via a cable 16 to a controller (corresponding to a control unit) that controls the operation of the entire apparatus. . At this time, the cable 16 is fixed by being twisted to the base member 12 in which the loop panel 22 is provided and the operation panel is movably disposed by the fixing member 20. Thereby, when the operation panel is moved by the user, the loop portion 22 in the cable 16 is deformed following the movement. At this time, since the cable 16 is pressed against the base member 12 in the vicinity of the point T2 of the loop portion 22, the cable 16 does not float with the movement of the operation panel. Then, the user selects a predetermined item on the operation panel capable of displaying executable operation items. The selected predetermined item is input to the controller via the cable 16, and control based on the item is executed in the controller.

12 Base member (second member)
12b Hole 14 Moving member (first member)
16 Cable 18 Connector 20 Fixing member (fixing means)
20a insertion part 22 loop part

Claims (8)

A cable holding device for holding a cable connected to the first member at one end,
The cable is disposed on a predetermined surface so that a loop portion formed in a loop shape can be deformed,
On the other end side of the cable, the cable is provided with torsion imparting means for holding the cable by twisting about an axis in a direction in which the loop portion is pressed against the predetermined surface. Cable holding device.   The cable holding device according to claim 1, wherein the twist applying unit includes a fixing unit that can be fixed on a wall surface of the second member that is movable relative to the first member.   The cable holding device according to claim 2, wherein the wall surface includes the predetermined surface.   4. The fixing device according to claim 2, wherein the fixing means is fixed by fitting a convex portion inclined by a predetermined angle with respect to the extending direction of the concave portion in the concave portion formed on the wall surface. The cable holding device as described.   The predetermined angle is an angle at which the loop portion does not float from the predetermined surface as the first member and the second member move relative to each other. The cable holding device as described.   6. The cable holding device according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of the fixing means are used. A cable holding method for holding a cable connected to a first member at one end,
In the cable, a loop portion formed in a loop shape is disposed on a predetermined surface in a deformable manner, and the loop portion is pressed against the predetermined surface on the other end side of the cable. In addition, the cable is held by applying a twist around the shaft. The overall operation is controlled by a controller, and the printing apparatus includes an operation panel that is movably disposed on a base member and capable of displaying executable operation items.
The cable connecting the operation panel and the controller is held by a cable holding device,
The cable holding device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the cable holding device is a printing device.

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