Fixing element for a cable system

• US 9,004,442 B2
• Filed: 11/10/2010
• Issued: 04/14/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/11/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• 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
• Primary Examiner(s): MILLNER, MONICA E
• Application Number:
  US13/509,594
• Publication Number:
  US 20120267507A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,616 Days
• Field of Search: 248/562, 248/564, 248/570, 248/638, 248/68.1, 248/560, 248/565, 248/566, 248/49, 248/56, 174/65.G, 174/167, 174/65.SS, 174/151, 174/152.R, 174/153.R, 174/153.G, 174/152.G, 174/70.R, 403/326, 403/329, 403/374.1
• 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
• 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 having a longitudinal length extending in a longitudinal axis, the conduit for carrying a cable therethrough to a vehicle body, the conduit comprising a first conduit portion and a second conduit portion, the fixing element comprising:

an abutment body having a peripheral groove and a cavity, the peripheral groove defining an engagement portion of the abutment body for engaging with a vehicle body; and

a damper retained in the cavity of the abutment body, the damper having a longitudinal length extending in the longitudinal axis of greater than 15 mm;

wherein the damper absorbs vibration in the longitudinal length of the conduit between the first and second conduit portions; and

wherein at least a portion of the damper is 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 18 mm.

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

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

6. 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.

7. A fixing element according to claim 6 wherein the longitudinal length of the damper that performs the damping function is in the range 18-27 mm.

8. 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.

9. A fixing element according to claim 1 further comprising a receiving element with a rim portion, wherein at least a portion of the damper is supported by the rim portion.

10. A fixing element according to claim 9 wherein the rim portion defines an annular seating surface for supporting the damper.

11. A fixing element according to claim 9 wherein the damper is formed of at least two discrete portions.

12. A fixing element according to claim 11 wherein each damper portion is seated on opposing sides of the receiving element.

13. A fixing element according to claim 9 wherein the receiving element includes a protrusion extending into a corresponding recess in the damper.

14. A fixing element according to claim 9 wherein the receiving element comprises an opening for receipt of the first conduit portion, the receiving element defining a shoulder portion for retaining the conduit in the longitudinal axis of the fixing element.

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

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

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

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

21. A fixing element according to claim 1 further comprising two opposing shoulder portions defining the peripheral groove of the abutment body, wherein an axial distance between the shoulder portions is fixed.

22. A fixing element according to claim 1 further comprising a collar member axially moveable relative to the abutment body, the collar member having a leading edge that extends into the peripheral groove of the abutment body for engagement with a vehicle body.

19. A transmission cable system comprising:

a conduit having a longitudinal length extending in a longitudinal axis, the conduit for carrying a cable therethrough to a vehicle body, the conduit comprising a first conduit portion and a second conduit portion; and

a fixing element comprising;

an abutment body having a peripheral groove and a cavity, the peripheral groove defining an engagement portion of the abutment body for engaging with a vehicle body; and

a damper retained in the cavity of the abutment body, the damper having a longitudinal length extending in the longitudinal axis of greater than 15 mm;

wherein the damper absorbs vibration in the longitudinal length of the conduit between the first and second conduit portions; and

wherein the damper is formed of silicone rubber.

20. A transmission cable system according to claim 19 having a longitudinal length in the range of substantially 0.5 m to substantially 3 m.