Terminal supporting apparatus for control cable

A terminal supporting apparatus is provided with: a hub that is attached to an end of the outer cable and is provided with a flange on an outer periphery; a cushion member that is provided to surround the outer periphery of the hub and abuts on the flange at both a front surface and a back surface of the flange; and a housing that houses the cushion member. The cushion member includes a large-diameter portion that abuts on the flange. At least within a range contacting with the hub, at least a part of an outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter portion is fixed to an inner surface of the housing, while a clearance is formed between the cushion member and the inner surface of the housing over an entire region of an end surface of the large-diameter portion in a cable axis direction.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The technique disclosed in the present specification relates to an apparatus (hereinafter, referred as a terminal supporting apparatus) that supports an end of a control cable (e.g. control cable arranged between a shift lever and a transmission in a car, or the like).

BACKGROUND ART

Generally, a control cable includes an outer cable with a cylindrical shape and an inner cable inserted into the outer cable. One end of the outer cable is attached to a housing of an input device or the like, and the other end of the outer cable is attached to a housing of an output device or the like. The outer cable guides the inner cable from the input device to the output device. The operator's operation (e.g. a pushing/pulling operation or the like) input into the input device is input into one end of the inner cable. The operation input into the one end of the inner cable is transmitted from the other end of the inner cable to the output device.

When the input device and the output device are connected by the control cable as described above, vibration of the output device may be transmitted to the input device via the control cable, or vibration of the input device may be transmitted to the output device via the control cable. In order to prevent the transmission of the vibration between the input device and the output device via the control cable, a technique has been developed in which an end of the outer cable is attached to the housing via a cushion member (e.g. Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-019977). In this technique, the transmission of the vibration is inhibited by providing the cushion member between the end of the outer cable and the housing.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

When a control cable is utilized for connecting an input device and an output device, it is required to position an end of the outer cable in a cable axis direction with respect to the input device and the output device. That is because, if the position of the end of the outer cable is significantly deviated, an operation input into the inner cable may not be transmitted to the output side or the like. Thus, even when a cushion member is provided between the end of the outer cable and a housing, it is required to position the end of the outer cable in the cable axis direction. Therefore, in the prior art, the cushion member is compressed in the cable axis direction in order to contact the end surface of the compressed cushion member with the housing, to position the end of the outer cable in the cable axis direction.

On the other hand, for inhibiting the transmission of the vibration between the input apparatus and the output apparatus, it is preferred to lower rigidity of the cushion member in the axial direction. However, as described above, in the prior art, the cushion member is compressed in the cable axis direction and the end surface is contacting with the housing. Thus, the rigidity of the cushion member in the cable axis direction tends to be higher. Therefore, it is difficult to lower the rigidity in the cable axis direction.

The present specification has an object to provide a terminal supporting apparatus that can position an end of an outer cable in a cable axis direction and also can lower rigidity of a cushion member in the axial direction.

Solution to Problem

A terminal supporting apparatus disclosed in the present specification supports at least either one of ends of a control cable that has an inner cable and an outer cable into which the inner cable is inserted. This terminal supporting apparatus includes a hub that is attached to an end of the outer cable and is provided with a flange on its outer periphery, a cushion member that is provided to surround the outer periphery of the hub and abuts on the flange at both a front surface and a back surface of the flange, and a housing that houses the cushion member. The cushion member includes a large-diameter portion that abuts on the flange. At least within a range contacting with the hub, at least a part of an outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter portion is fixed to an inner surface of the housing, while a clearance is formed between the cushion member and the inner surface of the housing over an entire region of an end surface of the large-diameter portion in a cable axis direction.

In this terminal support apparatus, at least a part of the outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter portion of the cushion member is fixed to the inner surface of the housing. Thus, the cushion member is positioned in the cable axis direction, and the end of the outer cable is also positioned in the cable axis direction. On the other hand, an end surface of the large-diameter portion of the cushion member does not abut on the inner surface of the housing. Thus, a clearance is formed between them. Hence, even if a force in the cable axis direction acts on the cushion member, the cushion member and the inner surface of the housing do not immediately contact with each other, and it is possible to inhibit an increase in rigidity of the cushion member in the axial direction. Therefore, according to the above-described terminal supporting apparatus, it is possible to position the end of the outer cable in the cable axis direction and to lower the rigidity of the cushion member in the axial direction.

It should be noted that whether the clearance is formed between the cushion member and the housing or not depends on a load (such as external force) acting on the cushion member, or a housed state of the cushion member with respect to the housing (e.g. twist angle). Thus, the phrase “a clearance is formed” in the present specification does not mean that the clearance has actually been formed when the cushion member is housed by the housing, but means that a size allowing the formation of the clearance is adopted.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In an aspect of the terminal supporting apparatus disclosed in the present specification, it may be configured to further include a collar fixed to an outer peripheral surface of a large-diameter portion. Then, it may be configured that the outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter portion is fixed to an inner surface of a housing by fixing the collar to the inner surface of the housing. According to such a configuration, it is possible to easily fix the outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter portion and the inner peripheral surface of the housing.

In the above-described terminal supporting apparatus, the cushion member may include a first small-diameter portion that is provided at one end side of the large diameter portion in the axial direction and has a smaller diameter than the large-diameter portion, and a second small-diameter portion that is provided at the other end side of the large-diameter portion in the axial direction and has a smaller diameter than the large-diameter portion. Then, a clearance may be formed between an outer peripheral surface of at least in a part of the first small-diameter portion or the second small-diameter portion and the inner surface of the housing. According to such a configuration, it is possible to reduce friction generated between the cushion member and the housing when the hub is displaced in the cable axis direction.

Here, the clearance may be formed over an entire region of the outer peripheral surface of each of the first small-diameter portion and the second small-diameter portion with respect to the inner surface of the housing at least within each range in which they make contact with a hub. According to such a configuration, since the first small-diameter portion and the second-small diameter portion do not contact with the inner surface of the housing, it is possible to reduce friction generated between the cushion member and the housing.

Additionally, in another aspect of the terminal supporting apparatus disclosed in the present specification, a projecting portion projecting in a radial direction may be formed on the outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter portion. Further, the projecting portion of the large-diameter portion may be fixed to the inner surface of the housing. According to such a configuration, it is possible with a simple structure to fix the outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter portion to the inner surface of the housing by forming the projecting portion on the outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter portion.

In the above-described terminal supporting apparatus, an axial length of the large-diameter portion may be longer than that of the projecting portion. In this case, it may be configured that the outer peripheral surface and an end surface in the axial direction of the projecting portion are fixed to the inner surface of the housing. According to such a configuration, since the clearance is formed between a part of the outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter portion and the inner peripheral surface of the housing, it is further possible to decrease the rigidity of the cushion member in the axial direction.

Alternatively, the axial length of the projecting portion may be longer than that of the large-diameter portion. Further, at least the end surface in the axial direction of the projecting portion may be fixed to the inner surface of the housing. It is possible to easily form the clearance between the end surface of the large-diameter portion in the axial direction and the inner surface of the housing, by adopting the projecting portion whose axial length is longer than that of the large-diameter portion.

When the axial length of the projecting portion is longer than that of the large-diameter portion, the cushion member may be formed so that the clearance between the outer peripheral surface of the projecting portion and the inner peripheral surface of the housing is formed in a state before the cushion member is housed by the housing. Furthermore, it may be configured that the clearance is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the projecting portion and the inner peripheral surface of the housing in a state where the cushion member is housed in the housing. According to such a configuration, when the cushion member is housed in the housing, it is possible to make a force, by which the inner peripheral surface of the housing presses the outer peripheral surface of the projecting portion, smaller or 0 so as to improve the decrease of the rigidity of the cushion member in the axial direction.

It should be noted that, even if the axial length of the projecting portion is longer than that of the large-diameter portion, the cushion member may further include a first small-diameter portion that is provided at one end side of the large-diameter portion in the axial direction and has a smaller diameter than the large-diameter portion, and a second small-diameter portion that is provided at the other end side of the large-diameter portion in the axial direction and has a smaller diameter than the large-diameter portion. Further, it may be configured that the clearance is formed between the outer peripheral surface of at least a part of the first small-diameter portion or the second small-diameter portion and the inner surface of the housing.

In the case that the first small-diameter portion and the second-small diameter portion are formed on the cushion member, a projection portion projecting in a radial direction may be formed on each of the outer peripheral surfaces of the first small-diameter portion and the second small-diameter portion at least within a range that they make contact with the hub. According to such a configuration, when the end of the outer cable is inclined in the housing, since the projection portions of the first small-diameter portion and the second small-diameter portion abut on the inner surface of the housing, it is possible to inhibit the inclination of the outer cable.

It should be noted that the hub and the cushion member can be formed integrally in the terminal supporting apparatus described above. Thus, it may be configured that the clearance is not formed between the hub and the cushion member. By forming the hub and the cushion member integrally, it is possible to easily construct the terminal supporting apparatus.

Exemplary Embodiments

A terminal supporting apparatus11according to a first embodiment will be described. The terminal supporting apparatus11supports an end of an automatic transmission cable (hereinafter, referred as an AT cable) that is arranged between a shift lever and an automatic transmission (hereinafter, referred as a transmission) in a car. As shown inFIG. 1, the AT cable30includes an inner cable29and an outer cable34. The outer cable34includes a resin liner31and a cover portion32that covers an outer periphery of the resin liner31. The cover portion32is configured with strand wires and a resin coating. The inner cable29is inserted into the outer cable34and is movable forward and backward inside the outer cable34. An input rod20is connected to one end of the inner cable29, and an output rod23is connected to the other end of the inner cable29.

A hole portion20ais formed at a tip of the input rod20. A shift lever (not shown in figures) is connected to the hole portion20a. A tip of an output rod23is connected to a transmission (not shown in figures) provided in an engine room via a link member22. An operation (displacement) input to the shift lever by a driver is transmitted to the inner cable29via the input rod20. The displacement transmitted to the inner cable29is transmitted to the transmission via the output rod23and the link member22.

The end of the outer cable34at the input rod20side is supported by a terminal supporting apparatus11. The terminal supporting apparatus11is fixed to a housing of a shift lever apparatus. The end of the outer cable34at the output rod23side is supported by the terminal supporting apparatus10. The terminal supporting apparatus10is fixed to a cable fixation member26in the engine room. An intermediate part of the outer cable34is clamped to a predetermined point of the car body by a stopper24and a retainer28. It should be noted that the terminal supporting apparatus10is similarly configured to a conventional terminal supporting apparatus, and that the following description explains about the terminal supporting apparatus11.

A configuration of the terminal supporting apparatus11will be described in reference toFIG. 2. The terminal supporting apparatus11is configured with a hub12, a guide pipe13, a cushion15(an example of the cushion member), and a housing14.

The housing14includes a cover14band a cap14a. The cover14bis formed of resin. A part of the hub12, the cushion15, and a part of the guide pipe13are housed inside the cover14b. A part of the hub12projects from one end (left end inFIG. 2) of the cover14b. A part of the guide pipe13projects from the other end (right end inFIG. 2) of the cover14b. The cushion15is positioned within the cover14b. The cover14bis fixed to the housing of the shift lever apparatus.

The cap14ais formed of resin and attached to one end (left end inFIG. 2) of the cover14b. For example, a screw mechanism can be utilized for attaching the cap14ato the cover14b. In other words, it is possible to attach the cap14ato the cover14b, by engaging the female screw formed on an inner peripheral surface of the cap14aand the male screw formed on outer peripheral surface of the cover14b. When the cap14ais attached to the cover14b, one end of the cover14bis closed by the cap14aand the cushion15is housed in a space surrounded by the cap14aand the cover14b.

The hub12is formed in a cylindrical shape and includes a cylindrical portion12aand a flange portion12b. The outer cable34is fixed to one end of the cylindrical portion12a(left side more than the flange portion12binFIG. 2). The other end of the cylindrical portion12a(right side more than the flange portion12binFIG. 2) is coupled to the guide pipe13via the cushion15, through which the inner cable29passes. The flange portion12bis formed on an outer periphery of the cylindrical portion12aso as to be in a ring shape circulating around the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion12a.

The guide pipe13is formed in a cylindrical shape, into which the inner cable29and the input rod20are inserted. The input rod20is guided by the guide pipe13. A proximal end (left end inFIG. 2) of the guide pipe13is swingably attached to the cover14bvia the cushion15. Thus, in response to the operation of the shift lever, the input rod20can swing with respect to the cover14b.

The cushion15is provided on the outer periphery of the hub12to surround the flange portion12b. For example, the cushion15may be made of rubber material, such as EPDM (ethylene-propylene-diene rubber), NR (natural rubber), or CR (chloroprene rubber) or the like. The cushion15includes a large-diameter portion16that abuts on a front surface and a back surface of the flange portion12b, a first small-diameter portion18aarranged at one end side (left side inFIG. 2) of the large-diameter portion16, and a second small-diameter portion18barranged at the other end side (right side inFIG. 2) of the large-diameter portion16. A diameter of the first small-diameter portion18aand a diameter of the second small-diameter portion18bare configured to be smaller than that of the large-diameter portion16. The large diameter portion16, the first small-diameter portion18aand the second small-diameter portion18bare integrally formed.

An outer peripheral surface16aof the large-diameter portion16is fixed to a collar19. For example, vulcanizing adhesion can be utilized for fixing the large-diameter portion16and the collar19. The collar19is fixed to an inner peripheral surface of the cover14bby press fitting or the like. Thus, the outer peripheral surface16aof the large-diameter portion16is fixed to the inner surface of the housing14via the collar19. A position of the cushion15in a cable axis direction with respect to the cover14bis determined by fixing the collar19to the inner peripheral surface of the cover14b. As a result, a position of the hub12in the cable axis direction and a position of the outer cable34in the cable axis direction are determined.

On the other hand, both end surfaces17a,17b(end surfaces in the cable axis direction) of the large-diameter portion16do not abut on the inner surface of the housing14. Thus, clearances are formed between them. Particularly, a clearance is formed between one end surface17a(left end surface inFIG. 2) of the large-diameter portion16and the inner surface of the cap14a, and between the other end surface17b(right end surface inFIG. 2) of the large-diameter portion16and the inner surface of the cover14b. In other words, thickness of the large-diameter portion16in the cable axis direction is configured to be shorter than a length of an inner space in the cable axis direction which is formed by the housing14and houses the large-diameter portion16.

The inner peripheral surface of the first small-diameter portion18aabuts on the hub12at one end side (left end inFIG. 2) of the large-diameter portion16. The outer peripheral surface of the first small-diameter portion18ais formed to be flat, and the clearance is formed between the outer peripheral surface and the cap14a. The tip of the first small-diameter portion18ais located on an outer side of the housing14.

The second small-diameter portion18bextends in the cover14bfrom the large-diameter portion16to the guide pipe13and is coupled to the proximal end of the guide pipe13. One end side of the inner peripheral surface of the second small-diameter portion18babuts on the hub12and the other end side abuts on the guide pipe13. The outer peripheral surface of the second small-diameter portion18babuts on the inner surface of the cover14bat a part where it is coupled to the guide pipe13, and forms the clearance between the second small-diameter portion18band the inner surface of the cover14bat the other parts (including an area abutting on the hub). The tip of the second small-diameter portion18bis located in the housing14(cover14b).

It should be noted that whether the clearance is formed between the cushion15and the inner surface of the housing14or not depends on a load acting on the cushion15, or a housed state of the cushion15within the housing14(for example, a twisting angle or the like). Thus, the above phrase “the clearance is formed” does not mean that the clearance is always formed between the cushion15and the inner surface of the housing14. In other words, it means that a size of the cushion15in a state where the cushion15is not housed by the housing14is designed to form the above-described clearance between the cushion15and the housing14.

In addition, the cushion15, the hub12and the collar19can be formed integrally by insert molding. In order to integrally form the cushion15, the hub12and the collar19, the cushion15may be vulcanization-adhered with the hub12and the cushion15may be vulcanization-adhered with the collar19. Thus, it is possible to inhibit the formation of the clearance between the cushion15and the hub12, and between the cushion15and the collar19. In addition, it is possible to easily construct the terminal supporting apparatus11by integrally forming the hub12, the cushion15, and the collar19.

As described above, in the terminal supporting apparatus11of the present example, the outer peripheral surface of the cushion15(particularly, the outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter portion16) is fixed to the housing14via the collar19. Therefore, even if the clearance is formed between the end surface (particularly, both end surfaces of the large-diameter portion16) of the cushion15in the cable axis direction and the housing14, it is possible to position the hub12and the outer cable34in the cable axis direction.

In addition, since the clearance is formed between the end surface of the cushion15in the cable axis direction and the housing14, the force in the cable axis direction is received by utilizing shear property of the cushion15. As a result, it is possible to lower the rigidity of the cushion15in the cable axis direction and to drastically enhance vibration inhibiting effect.

Furthermore, it is possible to reduce the size of cushion15(particularly, the large-diameter portion16) in the cable axis direction, because the clearance is formed between the end surfaces17a,17bof the cushion15in the cable direction and the housing14. If the size of the cushion15in the cable axis direction is shorter, it is possible to increase the rigidity of the cushion15in the cable axis direction when the operation load is applied to the AT cable30and the clearance between the cushion15and the housing14is disappeared (in other words, when the end surface17aor the end surface17bof the cushion15contacts with the housing14). As a result, it is possible to reduce the stroke loss caused when operating the AT cable30.

In addition, the clearance is also formed between outer peripheral surfaces of the small-diameter portions18a,18bof the cushion15and the inner surface of the housing14. Therefore, even if the axis of the hub12(the outer cable34) is inclined to the axis of the housing14(the twisting force is generated), it is possible to inhibit the small-diameter portions18a,18bof the cushion15from contacting with the inner surface of the housing14. As a result, it is possible to inhibit the increase of the rigidity of the cushion15in the cable axis direction, and to lead the favorable vibration inhibiting effect. Furthermore, since the slide of the cushion15and the housing14is inhibited, a hysteresis loss of the AT cable30can be reduced.

Now, the following will be described about the measurement results of the rigidity and the vibration property in the cable axis direction of the terminal supporting apparatus11, in which the terminal supporting apparatus11according to the first embodiment was actually manufactured and the hub12was attached to the housing14with changing the angle (so called, twisting angle θ) formed by the axis of the hub12and the axis of the housing14. For the rigidity in the cable axis direction, diagonal spring constant (N/mm), tension spring constant (N/mm), compression spring constant (N/mm) and hysteresis loss load (N) were measured. In addition, for the vibration property, the outer cable34was excited by an excitation machine to measure amplitude (dB) of the hub12and amplitude (dB) of the housing14, and the reduction amount was estimated as the vibration inhibiting effect (dB). It should be noted that, in the terminal supporting apparatus of a comparative example, the outer peripheral surface and the end surface of the cushion (the small-diameter portion and the large-diameter portion) are configured to be brought into contact with the inner surface of the housing, and the other elements are configured to be similar to the terminal supporting apparatus11.

As shown in the table 1, the rigidity of the cushion of the embodiment in the axial direction was remarkably smaller with each twisting angle than the rigidity of the comparative example. In addition, as apparently shown inFIG. 3, the present embodiment could obtain better vibration inhibiting effect with each of all the twisting angles than the comparative example. It should be noted thatFIG. 3shows that the more the negative values of the vibration inhibiting effect represented by the vertical axis is increased, the more the vibration transmitted from the hub12to the housing14is reduced and the higher vibration inhibiting effect is obtained.

The first embodiment of the terminal supporting apparatus will be described above in detail. However, the explanation is described merely for the illustrative purpose and is not restrictive to the scope of claims. Various changes or modifications from the embodiments described above are embraced by the technique recited in the scope of claims.

For example, it is possible to utilize the terminal supporting apparatus40as shown inFIG. 4. The terminal supporting apparatus40of the second embodiment is different from the terminal supporting apparatus11of the first embodiment, in the method for fixing cushion45to the housing44, and in the formation of projection portions50a,50bat the small-diameter portions48a,48bof the cushion45. The other configurations are similar to those of the terminal supporting apparatus11of the first embodiment described above. Thus, the corresponding portions to those of the terminal supporting apparatus11of the first embodiment are provided with the same reference numbers as those of the first embodiment, and explanations of the corresponding portions are omitted.

As shown inFIG. 4, a projecting portion47is formed on an outer peripheral surface of a large-diameter portion46of a cushion45in a terminal supporting apparatus40. The projecting portion47is projecting from the outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter portion46in a radial direction, and a tip of the projecting portion47is swelling out in a cable axis direction. As apparently shown in figures, an axial length of the projecting portion47is shorter than that of the large-diameter portion46. Thus, a part of the outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter portion46(a part other than the projecting portion47) opposes an inner surface of a housing44, and a clearance is formed between them. The swelling portion at the tip of the projecting portion47is positioned between a cover44band a cap44a, and is held between the cover44band the cap44a. A position of the cushion45is determined in the housing by clamping the tip of the projecting portion47with the cover44band the cap44a. In a state where the swelling portion located at the tip of the projecting portion47is clamped by the cover44band the cap44a, the swelling portion of the projecting portion47is deformed outwardly and the outer peripheral surface of the swelling portion is pressed by the inner peripheral surface of the cover44b. Thus, the projecting portion47is stably held in the housing44. It should be noted that, similar to the first embodiment, a clearance is formed between the end surface of the large-diameter portion46in the axial direction and the inner surface of the housing44.

Also in the terminal supporting apparatus40shown inFIG. 4, the outer peripheral surface of the cushion45is fixed to the housing44, and the clearance is formed between the end surface of the cushion45(the large-diameter portion46) in the cable axis direction and the housing44. Thus, it is possible to decrease rigidity of the cushion45in the cable axis direction, and drastically enhance vibration inhibiting effect. In addition, since the cushion45is fixed to the housing44by clamping the projection portion47of the cushion45with the housing44, it is possible to eliminate a member (the collar19in the first embodiment) utilized for fixing the cushion45to the housing44.

In addition, projection portions50a,50bprojecting in the radial direction are formed on outer peripheral surfaces of the small-diameter portions48a,48bof the cushion45. The projection portions50a,50bare formed in ring shapes circulating around an outer periphery of the cushion45. The projection portions50a,50bare arranged at symmetric positions with respect to a flange portion12bof a hub12. As apparently shown inFIG. 4, the position of the projecting portion47of the cushion45is the same as the position of the flange portion12bin the cable axis direction. In other words, the outer peripheral surface of the cushion45is fixed to the housing44at the position of the flange portion12b. Thus, the hub12and the outer cable34are inclined (i.e., twisted) with respect to the housing44about the point A inFIG. 4. Then, the projection portions50a,50bare formed symmetrically with respect to the point A on the small-diameter portions48a,48bof the cushion45. Thus, even if the hub12and the outer cable34are inclined, the projection portions50a,50babut on the inner surface of the housing44, and it is possible to inhibit the further inclination of the hub12and the outer cable34. It should be noted that, even if the projection portions50a,50bof the cushion45abut on the inner surface of the housing44, the contact area of the projection portions50a,50bwith the housing44is small. Thus, friction is small. Therefore, even if the projection portions50a,50bare formed, other properties are not drastically deteriorated. In addition, in the first embodiment, although the projecting portions are not formed on the small-diameter portions18a,18bof the cushion15, the projecting portions can be formed on the small-diameter portions18a,18bof the cushion15even in the first embodiment, similar to the second embodiment.

Furthermore, it is possible to utilize a terminal supporting apparatus60as shown inFIGS. 5 and 6. Compared to the terminal supporting apparatus40in the second embodiment, the terminal supporting apparatus60of a third embodiment is different from the terminal supporting apparatus40of the second embodiment, in a shape of a projecting portion62(example of the projecting portion) of a cushion65and in shapes of a cover64band a cap64a. The other configurations are similar to those of the terminal supporting apparatus40of the second embodiment. Thus, the corresponding portions to those of the terminal supporting apparatus40of the second embodiment are provided with the same reference numbers as those of the second embodiment, and explanations of the same portions are omitted.

As shown inFIG. 6, also in the terminal supporting device60, the projection62is formed on an outer peripheral surface of a large-diameter portion66of the cushion65. The projecting portion62is projecting from the outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter portion66in a radial direction. The projecting portion62includes a proximal end62aprovided at the side of the hub12and a swelling portion62bprovided at an outer periphery side of the proximal end62a. The swelling portion62bis swelling out in a cable axis direction. As apparently shown inFIG. 6, an axial length D4of the proximal end62ais shorter than an axial length D3of the large-diameter diameter portion66. In addition, an axial length D2of the swelling portion62bis longer than the axial length D3of the large-diameter portion66. In short, a relationship D2>D3>D4is established. Additionally, in a state before the cushion65is housed in a housing64, a size of a portion from an axis of an inner cable29to an outer peripheral surface of the swelling portion62bis set to l1.

As shown inFIG. 5, inside the cover64band the cap64a, a space is formed in an approximately cylindrical shape for housing the large-diameter portion66of the cushion65. Different from the second embodiment, inner peripheral surfaces of the cover64band the cap64aof this example are formed in simple shapes (i.e., planar shapes). An axial length D1of this inner space is configured to be shorter than the axial length D2of the swelling portion62b, and longer than the axial length D3of the large-diameter portion66. In addition, a size l2of the inner space in the radial direction is configured to be longer than the above-described size l1. Thus, when the cushion65is housed in the housing64, the both end surfaces of the swelling portion62bin the axial direction abut on the inner surfaces of the cover64band the cap64a, and the swelling portion62bis compressed in the axial direction. Therefore, the swelling portion62bis clamped by the cover64band the cap64a, and the outer peripheral surface of the cushion65is fixed on the inner surface of the housing64. In addition, a clearance is formed between the end surface of the large-diameter portion66in the axial direction and the inner surface of the cover64bor the cap64a. Furthermore, the size (radius) l2of the inner space is configured to be longer by a predetermined length than the above-described size l1. Thus, even if the swelling portion62bis pressed by the cover64band the cap64aand is deformed in the radial direction, a clearance is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the swelling portion62band the inner peripheral surface of the cover64b. Therefore, even in the terminal supporting apparatus60of the third embodiment, it is possible to lower the rigidity of the cushion65in the axial direction by properly positioning the hub12and the outer cable34in the cable axis direction.

Although the clearance is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the swelling portion62band the inner peripheral surface of the housing64in the terminal supporting apparatus60of the third embodiment described above, it may be configured that the outer peripheral surface of the swelling portion62band the inner peripheral surface of the housing64are brought into contact with each other. Even in this configuration, it is preferred that the size l1of the cushion65(the size in a condition where no external force is acting) is shorter than the size l2of the inner space of the housing64. In other words, it is preferred to adopt size, with which the clearance can be formed between the outer peripheral surface of the swelling portion62band the inner peripheral surface of the housing64before the cushion65is housed by the housing64. In such a configuration, when the cushion65is housed in the housing64, large force is not generated between the outer peripheral surface of the swelling portion62band the inner peripheral surface of the cover64b. Therefore, it is possible to effectively lower the rigidity of the cushion65in the axial direction. In addition, a condition may be adopted where the outer peripheral surface of the swelling portion62band the inner peripheral surface of the cover64bmerely touch to each other (a condition where generated force between them is 0).

Further, although the projection portion is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the small-diameter portion of the cushion in the second and third embodiments described above, it may be configured that the projection portion is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the housing. Even in such a configuration, it is possible to inhibit the hub and the outer cable from being inclined.

Furthermore, as shown inFIG. 7, it may be configured that a level difference84ais formed on the small-diameter portion of the cushion84, and that a level difference82aabutting on the level difference84ais formed on the inner surface of the housing82. Then, it may be configured that the displacements of hub and the outer cable in the axial direction are regulated by the abutter of the level difference84aon the small-diameter portion of the cushion84and the level difference82aon the inner surface of the housing82.

Moreover, as shown inFIG. 8, it may be configured that the thickness of the flange portion80bof the hub80is formed to be increased toward the inner periphery side from the outer periphery side. According to such a configuration, it is possible to provide a property of a two-stage spring to the cushion.

The technical elements explained in the present specification and drawings can show the technical advantage with a single or with several combinations and are not restricted by the combinations recited in the claims at the filing date. In addition, the techniques illustrated in the present specification and drawings can reach some goals at the same time, and reaching one goal among them is enough to have the technical usefulness.