FLAT TRANSMISSION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR USING SAME

摘要

A flat cable assembly has a belt-like portion. In the belt-like portion, cables capable of transmitting power and/or signals and a pair of tubular portions positioned at the opposite ends in the width direction are arranged in parallel with one another. Each tubular portion has a longitudinal multi joint supporting member inserted therein in a state where link members are arranged in series, and adjacent link members are pivotally connected to one another. The multi-joint supporting members are configured to limit pivoting motion in a first direction that intersects the longitudinal direction in a range to a previously defined bend radius, and to restrict flexing in a second direction that is opposite from the first direction.

主权项

1. A flat transmission device comprising:
a belt-like portion, wherein
a plurality of flexible transmitting members and one or more flexible tubular members are arranged in parallel, each transmitting member being capable of transmitting one of electricity and pressure andthe transmitting members in each adjacent pair are coupled to each other, the transmitting member and the tubular member in each adjacent pair are coupled to each other, and the tubular members in each adjacent pair are coupled to each other, so that the transmitting members and the tubular members form a belt-like structure; and an elongated multi joint supporting member, which includes link members, wherein the link members are arranged in series, and the link members in each adjacent pair are pivotally coupled to each other, wherein the multi joint supporting member is restricted from being pivoted beyond a previously defined bend radius in a first direction along an axis that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis and is restricted from flexing in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction, and the multi-joint supporting member is inserted into at least one of the tubular members.