FIXING ELEMENT FOR A CABLE SYSTEM

• US 20120267507A1
• Filed: 11/10/2010
• Published: 10/25/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/11/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hi-Lex Cable System Co. Ltd. (Hi-Lex Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Hi-Lex Cable System Co. Ltd. (Hi-Lex Corp.)
• Inventors: Norris, Stephen
• Granted Patent: US 9,004,442 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 248/636
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 1/105 to a slot in the bracket
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 1/108 Reducing or controlling of vibrations, e.g. by resilient damping of noise
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 1/262 End fittings; Attachment thereof to the sheathing or tube
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 1/265 with a swivel tube connected to the end-fitting of a sheathing, e.g. with a spherical joint
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 2208/10 Elastomers; Rubbers
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 2240/40 Linear dimensions, e.g. length, radius, thickness, gap
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 2361/61 Toothed gear systems, e.g. support of pinion shafts in general F16H57/02
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 1/3605 characterised by their material F16F1/362, F16F1/364, F16F1/366, F16F1/37 take precedence; composition of macromolecular compounds in general C08L
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 1/373 characterised by having a particular shape F16F9/58 takes precedence

Abstract

Vibration is transferred through components that pass from an engine compartment to a passenger cell in a vehicle. One such component is the transmission cable (7). An inner cable provides the mechanical movement between the gear shifter and the gear box, and an outer conduit houses the cable. An abutment attaches this conduit to a body of a vehicle. The present invention provides a fixing element (19) or abutment for securing a conduit for carrying a cable (7) therethrough to a vehicle body, the conduit comprising a first portion and a second portion (37), wherein the fixing element (19) is configured to retain a damper for absorbing vibration in the longitudinal length of the conduit between the first and second conduit portion, at least a portion of the damper being formed of silicon rubber.

Claims

1. A fixing element for securing a conduit for carrying a cable therethrough to a vehicle body, the fixing element including a damper, the conduit comprising a first portion and a second portion, wherein the fixing element is configured to retain the damper for absorbing vibration in the longitudinal length of the conduit between the first and second conduit portion, at least a portion of the damper being formed of silicone rubber.

2. A fixing element according to claim 1 wherein the fixing element comprises a predominantly polymeric material.

3. A fixing element according to claim 1 wherein the longitudinal length of the damper that performs the damping function is greater than 15 mm.

4. A fixing element according to claim 1 wherein the longitudinal length of the damper that performs the damping function is greater than 18 mm.

5. A fixing element according to claim 1 wherein the longitudinal length of the damper that performs the damping function is greater than 21 mm.

6. A fixing element according to claim 1 wherein the longitudinal length of the damper that performs the damping function is substantially 23 mm.

7. A fixing element according to claim 1 wherein the longitudinal length of the damper that performs the damping function is in the range 15-35 mm.

8. A fixing element according to claim 7 wherein the longitudinal length of the damper that performs the damping function is in the range 18-27 mm.

9. A fixing element according to claim 1 wherein the damper is substantially circular and has a diameter of substantially 23 mm or greater than 23 mm.

10. A fixing element according to claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the damper is supported by a receiving element having a rim portion arranged to support the damper, wherein the damper and receiving element are both retained by the fixing element.

11. A fixing element according to claim 10 wherein the rim portion defines an annular seating surface for supporting the damper.

12. A fixing element according to claim 1 wherein the damper is formed of at least two discrete portions.

13. A fixing element according to claim 10 wherein each damper portion is configured to seat on opposing sides of the receiving element.

14. A fixing element according to claim 10 wherein the receiving element includes a protrusion configured to extend into a corresponding recess in the damper.

15. A fixing element according to claim 1 wherein the receiving element comprises an opening for receipt of the first conduit portion, the receiving element defining a shoulder portion configured to retain the conduit in the longitudinal axis of the fixing element.

16. A fixing element according to claim 1 wherein the Shore hardness of the silicone rubber damper is in the range 20-90 A.

17. A fixing element according to claim 1 wherein the Shore hardness of the silicone rubber damper is in the range 30-70 A.

18. A fixing element according to claim 1 wherein the Shore hardness of the silicone rubber damper is in the range 35-50 A.

19. A fixing element according to claim 1 wherein the Shore hardness of the silicone rubber damper is in the range 35-45 A.

20. A transmission cable system including a fixing element according to claim 1.

21. A transmission cable system according to claim 20 having a longitudinal length in the range of substantially 0.5 m to substantially 3 m.

22. A fixing element for securing a conduit for carrying a cable to a vehicle body, the fixing element including a damper, the fixing element configured to retain the damper for absorbing vibration along the longitudinal length of the conduit, wherein the longitudinal length of the damper that performs the damping function is greater than 15 mm.

23. A transmission cable including a fixing element according to claim 22.