JP3708344B2

JP3708344B2 - Rotating body connection device

Info

Publication number: JP3708344B2
Application number: JP31484898A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 寧齋藤
Original assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd; AutoNetworks Technologies Ltd; Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd
Current assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd; AutoNetworks Technologies Ltd; Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd
Priority date: 1998-11-05
Filing date: 1998-11-05
Publication date: 2005-10-19
Anticipated expiration: 2018-11-05
Also published as: JP2000150099A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、回転体接続装置に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来、回転側部材と固定側部材との間を電気的に接続するためには、回転側部材と固定側部材との間を電線で直接接続したものがある。
【０００３】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら、回転側部材と固定側部材との間を単に電線で直接接続すると、回転側部材の回転に伴って電線が軸回りに捩れるために、回転側部材の回転数を多くとれない。
【０００４】
本発明は、上記従来の問題を解決するためになされたもので、回転数が多くなっても電線の軸回りの捩れ等の問題が生じない回転体接続装置を提供することを目的とするものである。
【０００５】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記課題を解決するために、本発明は、内軸部材と、この内軸部材の外周に遊嵌する外筒部材とを備え、上記内軸部材の一端側には、少なくとも１条のスパイラル状ガイド溝が形成され、この内軸部材の他端側には、上記ガイド溝と同ピッチで複数条のスパイラル状導体路が形成されると共に、上記外筒部材の一端側には、上記ガイド溝に係合するガイド体が設けられ、この外筒部材の他端側には、上記各導体路にそれぞれ接触する接点が設けられて、内軸部材と外筒部材のいずれか一方の部材の回転に伴うガイド体とガイド溝との係合移動により、他方の部材が軸方向にスライドされながら各導体路と各接点との接触を維持するようにしたことを特徴とする回転体接続装置を提供するものである。
【０００６】
本発明によれば、内軸部材のスパイラル状ガイド溝に外筒部材のガイド体を係合させると共に、内軸部材の複数条のスパイラル状導体路に外筒部材の接点をそれぞれ接触させて、内軸部材と外筒部材のいずれか一方の部材を回転させると、これに伴うガイド体とガイド溝との係合移動により、他方の部材が軸方向にスライドされながら各導体路と各接点との接触が維持されるようになる。
【０００７】
これにより、内軸部材と外筒部材との間で電気的接続が常に得られると共に、各導体路の条数分だけ回路を確保することができる。また、外筒部材のガイド体と内軸部材のスパイラル状のガイド溝との係合移動により、内軸部材又は外筒部材を回転させることができるので、電線を軸回りに捩ること等が全くないことから、内軸部材又は外筒部材の回転数を多くできるようになる。
【０００８】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明の実施の形態を図面を参照して詳細に説明する。
【０００９】
図１〜図５は実施形態の回転体接続装置である。図１に示すように、内軸部材１と、この内軸部材１の外周に遊嵌する外筒部材２とを設ける。この内軸部材１と外筒部材２とはいずれも絶縁体であって、軸方向に長寸である。なお、内軸部材１は筒状であっても良い。
【００１０】
上記内軸部材１は、軸回りに回転可能であると共に、軸方向に移動不可に支持される。また、上記外筒部材２は、軸回りに回転不可であると共に、軸方向に移動可能に支持される。
【００１１】
上記内軸部材１の外周の下端側には、図４に詳細に示すように、複数条のスパイラル状ボールガイド溝１ａを形成すると共に、上端側には、上記ボールガイド溝１ａと同ピッチで同条数のスパイラル状導体路１ｂを形成する。この各導体路１ｂは、内軸部材１の外周に、細幅テープ状銅箔を貼り付けたり、細幅の銅製テープをインサートモールドして形成することができる。
【００１２】
上記外筒部材２の内周の下端側には、上記内軸部材１の各ボールガイド溝１ａに係合するボール（ガイド体）３がそれぞれ設けられると共に、図３に詳細に示すように、上端側には、上記内軸部材１の各導体路１ｂに接触する接点４がそれぞれ設けられている。
【００１３】
図２にも示すように、回転体接続装置が、例えば固定側の車体の電気機器と、回転側のハンドルの電気機器（クラクション等）とを接続するものであれば、内軸部材１の各導体路１ｂから摺動接点等を介して引き出した各電線５は、コネクタ等を介して回転側のハンドルの電気機器（クラクション等）と接続すると共に、外筒部材２の各接点４から引き出した各電線６は、コネクタ等を介して固定側の車体の電気機器と接続すれば良い。
【００１４】
上記外筒部材２の接点４は、図５（ａ）に示すような砲弾状接触子４ａをばね４ｂで付勢して導体路１ｂに接触させるようにしたもの、図５（ｂ）に示すような板ばね４ｃの先端のつ字状折り曲げ部４ｄを導体路１ｂに接触させるようにしたもの、図５（ｃ）に示すような板ばね４ｃの先端のＪ字状折り曲げ部４ｅを導体路１ｂに接触させるようにしたもの等、適宜に選択すれば良い。
【００１５】
上記実施形態であれば、内軸部材１のボールガイド溝１ａに外筒部材２のボール３を係合させると共に、内軸部材１の導体路１ｂに外筒部材２の接点４をそれぞれ接触させて、内軸部材１を図３において右回りＲに回転させると、これに伴って、ガイド溝１ａに係合するボール３が軸方向の上方Ｕに移動されるので、外筒部材２も軸方向の上方Ｕにスライドされながら、各接点４と各導体路１ｂとの接触が維持されるようになる。
【００１６】
逆に、内軸部材１を図３において左回りＬに回転させると、これに伴って、ガイド溝１ａに係合するボール３が軸方向の下方Ｄに移動されるので、外筒部材２も軸方向の下方Ｄにスライドされながら、各接点４と各導体路１ｂとの接触が維持されるようになる。
【００１７】
したがって、内軸部材１の各導体路１ｂと外筒部材２の各接点４との間で電気的接続が常に得られるようになると共に、各導体路１ｂの条数分だけ回路（例えば１２回路）を確保することができる。
【００１８】
また、外筒部材２のボール３と内軸部材１のボールガイド溝１ａとの係合移動により、内軸部材１を回転させることができるので、従来のように電線を軸回りに捩ること等が全くないことから、内軸部材１の回転数を多くできるようになる。
【００１９】
なお、実施形態では、内軸部材１のみを回転させるようにしたが、外筒部材２のみを回転させるようにしても同様の回転数を得ることができ、また、外筒部材２と内軸部材１とを相互に回転させるようにしても良い。
【００２０】
図６〜図８は参考例の回転体接続装置である。図６に示すように、小径に内輪部材７と、この内軸部材７の外周に遊嵌する大径の外輪部材８と、この内輪部材７の外周と外輪部材８の内周との間に遊嵌する中径の中間輪部材９を設ける。この内輪部材７と外輪部材８と中間輪部材９はいずれも絶縁体であって、軸方向に短寸である。
【００２１】
上記内輪部材７には、一定の長さで円周上等角度間隔で配列した複数本の可撓性電線１０、本例では１２本の内端部がそれぞれ固定され、上記外輪部材８には、上記各電線１０の外端部がそれぞれ固定されると共に、上記中間輪部材９には、上記各電線１０の中間部がそれぞれ固定されている。
【００２２】
上記内輪部材７は、軸回りに回転可能であると共に、軸方向に移動可能に支持される。また、上記外輪部材８は、軸回りに回転不可であると共に、軸方向に移動不可に支持される。
【００２３】
また、回転体接続装置が、例えば固定側の車体の電気機器と、回転側のハンドルの電気機器（クラクション等）とを接続するものであれば、内輪部材７の各電線１０の内端部から摺動接点等を介して引き出した各電線６は、コネクタ等を介して回転側のハンドルの電気機器（クラクション等）と接続すると共に、外輪部材８の各電線１０の外端部から引き出した各電線５は、コネクタ等を介して固定側の車体の電気機器と接続すれば良い。
【００２４】
上記参考例であれば、内輪部材７と外輪部材８と中間輪部材９に、可撓性電線１０の内端部と外端部と中間部をそれぞれ固定することにより、内輪部材７の左回りＬの回転に伴って、図７及び図８に順次に示すように、各電線１０が絞り状に捩られながら内輪部材７が軸方向の上方Ｕに移動される。逆に、内輪部材７の右回りＤの回転に伴って、具体的に図示しないが、各電線１０が絞り状に捩じ戻しされながら内輪部材７が軸方向の下方Ｄに移動される。
【００２５】
これにより、内輪部材７と外輪部材８との間で各電線１０により電気的接続が常に得られると共に、各電線１０の本数だけ回路（例えば１２回路）を確保することができる。また、内輪部材７を回転させても、従来のように各電線１０が個々に軸回りに捩れるのではなく、各電線１０全体が絞り状に捩り戻しされるだけであるから、内輪部材７の回転数を多くできるようになる。
【００２６】
なお、参考例では、内輪部材７のみを回転させるようにしたが、外輪部材８のみを回転させるようにしても同様の回転数を得ることができ、また、外輪部材８と内輪部材７とを相互に回転させるようにしても良い。
【００２７】
本発明は、回転体接続装置として各種回転体機器に利用できるが、例えば固定側の車体の電気機器と、回転側のハンドルの電気機器（クラクション等）とを接続するのに最適に使用することができる。
【００２８】
【発明の効果】
以上の説明からも明らかなように、本発明の回転体接続装置は、内軸部材のスパイラル状ガイド溝に外筒部材のガイド体を係合させると共に、内軸部材の複数条のスパイラル状導体路に外筒部材の接点をそれぞれ接触させて、内軸部材と外筒部材のいずれか一方の部材を回転させると、これに伴うガイド体とガイド溝との係合移動により、他方の部材が軸方向にスライドされながら各導体路と各接点との接触が維持されるようになるから、内軸部材と外筒部材との間で電気的接続が常に得られると共に、各導体路の条数分だけ回路を確保することができる。また、外筒部材のガイド体と内軸部材のスパイラル状のガイド溝との係合移動により、内軸部材又は外筒部材を回転させることができるので、電線を軸回りに捩ること等が全くないことから、内軸部材又は外筒部材の回転数を多くできるようになる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明に係る実施形態の回転体接続装置の断面図である。
【図２】内軸部材と外筒部材の上端側斜視図である。
【図３】内軸部材の導体路と外筒部材の接点との接触状態を示す上端側斜視図である。
【図４】内軸部材の下端側の斜視図である。
【図５】（ａ）〜（ｃ）は、それぞれ接点の例の断面図である。
【図６】参考例の回転体接続装置であり、（ａ）は電線の捩り前の斜視図、（ｂ）は（ａ）の平面図である。
【図７】回転接続装置であり、（ａ）は電線の捩り途中の斜視図、（ｂ）は（ａ）の平面図である。
【図８】回転接続装置であり、（ａ）は電線の最大捩り後の斜視図、（ｂ）は（ａ）の平面図である。
【符号の説明】
１内軸部材
１ａボールガイド溝
１ｂ導体路
２外筒部材
３ボール（ガイド体）
４接点
１０電線[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a rotating body connecting apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in order to electrically connect between the rotation side member and the fixed side member , there is one in which the rotation side member and the fixed side member are directly connected by an electric wire.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, if the rotation-side member and the fixed-side member are simply connected directly with an electric wire, the electric wire is twisted around the axis as the rotation-side member rotates, so that the rotation-side member cannot increase the number of rotations.
[0004]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a rotating body connecting device that does not cause problems such as twisting around the axis of an electric wire even when the number of rotations increases. It is.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention includes an inner shaft member and an outer cylindrical member loosely fitted on the outer periphery of the inner shaft member, and at least one spiral shape is formed on one end side of the inner shaft member. A guide groove is formed, and on the other end side of the inner shaft member, a plurality of spiral conductor paths are formed at the same pitch as the guide groove, and the guide groove is formed on one end side of the outer cylinder member. A guide body that engages with each other is provided, and a contact point that contacts each of the conductor paths is provided on the other end side of the outer cylinder member, so that either the inner shaft member or the outer cylinder member rotates. A rotating body connecting device is provided in which contact between each conductor path and each contact is maintained while the other member is slid in the axial direction by the engagement movement between the guide body and the guide groove accompanying To do.
[0006]
According to the present invention , the guide body of the outer cylinder member is engaged with the spiral guide groove of the inner shaft member, and the contacts of the outer cylinder member are brought into contact with the plurality of spiral conductor paths of the inner shaft member, respectively. When either one of the inner shaft member and the outer cylinder member is rotated, due to the engagement movement between the guide body and the guide groove, the other member is slid in the axial direction, and each conductor path and each contact are Will be maintained.
[0007]
Thereby, while being able to always obtain an electrical connection between the inner shaft member and the outer cylinder member, it is possible to secure a circuit by the number of conductor paths. Further, since the inner shaft member or the outer cylinder member can be rotated by the engagement movement between the guide body of the outer cylinder member and the spiral guide groove of the inner shaft member, it is possible to completely twist the electric wire around the axis. Therefore, the number of rotations of the inner shaft member or the outer cylinder member can be increased.
[0008]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0009]
1 to 5 show a rotating body connecting apparatus according to an embodiment . As shown in FIG. 1, an inner shaft member 1 and an outer cylinder member 2 that is loosely fitted to the outer periphery of the inner shaft member 1 are provided. The inner shaft member 1 and the outer cylinder member 2 are both insulators and are long in the axial direction. The inner shaft member 1 may be cylindrical.
[0010]
The inner shaft member 1 is supported so as not to move in the axial direction while being rotatable about the axis. The outer cylinder member 2 is supported so as not to rotate about the axis and to be movable in the axial direction.
[0011]
As shown in detail in FIG. 4, a plurality of spiral ball guide grooves 1 a are formed on the lower end side of the outer periphery of the inner shaft member 1 , and at the same pitch as the ball guide grooves 1 a on the upper end side. The same number of spiral conductor paths 1b are formed. Each of the conductor paths 1b can be formed by attaching a thin tape-shaped copper foil to the outer periphery of the inner shaft member 1 or insert molding a narrow copper tape.
[0012]
Balls (guide bodies) 3 that engage with the respective ball guide grooves 1a of the inner shaft member 1 are respectively provided on the lower end side of the inner periphery of the outer cylinder member 2, and as shown in detail in FIG. On the upper end side, a contact point 4 that contacts each conductor path 1b of the inner shaft member 1 is provided.
[0013]
As shown in FIG. 2, if the rotating body connecting device connects, for example, an electric device of a fixed-side vehicle body and an electric device (horn or the like) of a rotating-side handle, each of the inner shaft members 1 Each electric wire 5 drawn out from the conductor path 1b through a sliding contact or the like is connected to an electrical device (such as a horn) on the rotating handle via a connector or the like, and drawn out from each contact 4 of the outer cylinder member 2. Each electric wire 6 may be connected to an electric device on the stationary vehicle body via a connector or the like.
[0014]
The contact 4 of the outer cylinder member 2 is formed by urging a bullet-shaped contact 4a as shown in FIG. 5A with a spring 4b so as to contact the conductor path 1b, as shown in FIG. 5B. A plate-like bent portion 4d at the tip of the leaf spring 4c is brought into contact with the conductor path 1b, and a J-shaped bent portion 4e at the tip of the leaf spring 4c as shown in FIG. What is necessary is just to select suitably what was made to contact 1b.
[0015]
In the above embodiment , the ball 3 of the outer cylinder member 2 is engaged with the ball guide groove 1a of the inner shaft member 1, and the contact 4 of the outer cylinder member 2 is brought into contact with the conductor path 1b of the inner shaft member 1. When the inner shaft member 1 is rotated clockwise R in FIG. 3, the ball 3 that engages with the guide groove 1a is moved upward U in the axial direction. While being slid upward in the direction, the contact between each contact 4 and each conductor path 1b is maintained.
[0016]
Conversely, when the inner shaft member 1 is rotated counterclockwise L in FIG. 3, the ball 3 that engages with the guide groove 1a is moved downward in the axial direction D accordingly. While sliding downward in the axial direction D, the contact between each contact 4 and each conductor path 1b is maintained.
[0017]
Accordingly, an electrical connection can always be obtained between each conductor path 1b of the inner shaft member 1 and each contact 4 of the outer cylinder member 2, and circuits (for example, 12 circuits) are provided by the number of the conductor paths 1b. ) Can be secured.
[0018]
Further, since the inner shaft member 1 can be rotated by the engagement movement between the ball 3 of the outer cylinder member 2 and the ball guide groove 1a of the inner shaft member 1, the electric wire is twisted around the axis as in the prior art. Therefore, the number of rotations of the inner shaft member 1 can be increased.
[0019]
In the embodiment , only the inner shaft member 1 is rotated. However, even when only the outer cylinder member 2 is rotated, the same number of rotations can be obtained, and the outer cylinder member 2 and the inner shaft can be obtained. You may make it rotate the member 1 mutually.
[0020]
6 to 8 show a rotating body connecting device of a reference example . As shown in FIG. 6, the inner ring member 7 has a small diameter, the outer ring member 8 has a large diameter that fits loosely on the outer periphery of the inner shaft member 7, and the outer ring member 7 has an outer ring member and an outer ring member 8 between the outer ring member and the outer ring member 8. A medium-diameter intermediate ring member 9 that is loosely fitted is provided. The inner ring member 7, the outer ring member 8, and the intermediate ring member 9 are all insulators and are short in the axial direction.
[0021]
The inner ring member 7 is fixed with a plurality of flexible electric wires 10 arranged in a constant length and at equal angular intervals on the circumference, and in this example, twelve inner end portions are fixed to the outer ring member 8. The outer end portions of the electric wires 10 are fixed, and the intermediate portions of the electric wires 10 are fixed to the intermediate ring member 9, respectively.
[0022]
The inner ring member 7 is supported so as to be rotatable about an axis and movable in the axial direction. The outer ring member 8 is supported so as not to rotate around the axis and to move in the axial direction.
[0023]
Further, if the rotating body connecting device connects, for example, an electric device on the stationary vehicle body and an electric device (such as a horn) on the rotating handle, from the inner end portion of each electric wire 10 of the inner ring member 7. Each electric wire 6 drawn out through a sliding contact or the like is connected to an electric device (such as a horn) on the rotating handle through a connector or the like, and each drawn out from the outer end of each electric wire 10 of the outer ring member 8. The electric wire 5 should just be connected with the electric equipment of the vehicle body of a stationary side via a connector etc.
[0024]
In the above reference example , the inner ring member 7, the outer ring member 8, and the intermediate ring member 9 are fixed to the inner end portion, the outer end portion, and the intermediate portion of the flexible wire 10 , respectively. With the rotation of L, the inner ring member 7 is moved upward in the axial direction while each wire 10 is twisted like a throttle as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 sequentially. On the contrary, with the rotation of the inner ring member 7 in the clockwise direction D, although not specifically shown, the inner ring member 7 is moved downward D in the axial direction while each electric wire 10 is twisted back into a throttle shape.
[0025]
Thereby, electrical connection is always obtained by the electric wires 10 between the inner ring member 7 and the outer ring member 8, and circuits (for example, 12 circuits) can be secured by the number of the electric wires 10. Further, even if the inner ring member 7 is rotated, the electric wires 10 are not individually twisted around the axis as in the prior art, but the entire electric wires 10 are merely twisted back like a throttle. The number of rotations can be increased.
[0026]
In the reference example , only the inner ring member 7 is rotated. However, even if only the outer ring member 8 is rotated, the same number of rotations can be obtained, and the outer ring member 8 and the inner ring member 7 can be combined. You may make it rotate mutually.
[0027]
The present invention can be used for various types of rotating body devices as a rotating body connecting device, and is optimally used for connecting, for example, an electric device on a stationary vehicle body and an electric device (such as a horn) on a rotating side handle. Can do.
[0028]
【The invention's effect】
As is clear from the above description, the rotating body connecting device of the present invention allows the guide body of the outer cylinder member to engage with the spiral guide groove of the inner shaft member, and a plurality of spiral conductors of the inner shaft member. When the contact of the outer cylinder member is brought into contact with the path and either the inner shaft member or the outer cylinder member is rotated, the other member is moved by the engagement movement between the guide body and the guide groove. Since the contact between each conductor track and each contact is maintained while being slid in the axial direction, an electrical connection is always obtained between the inner shaft member and the outer cylinder member, and the number of conductor tracks is It is possible to secure the circuit by the amount. Further, since the inner shaft member or the outer cylinder member can be rotated by the engagement movement between the guide body of the outer cylinder member and the spiral guide groove of the inner shaft member, it is possible to completely twist the electric wire around the axis. Therefore, the number of rotations of the inner shaft member or the outer cylinder member can be increased.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a rotating body connecting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the upper end side of an inner shaft member and an outer cylinder member.
FIG. 3 is a top perspective view showing a contact state between a conductor path of an inner shaft member and a contact of an outer cylinder member.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the lower end side of the inner shaft member.
FIGS. 5A to 5C are cross-sectional views of examples of contacts, respectively.
6A and 6B show a rotating body connecting device according to a reference example, in which FIG. 6A is a perspective view before twisting of an electric wire, and FIG. 6B is a plan view of FIG.
7A and 7B are rotary connection devices, in which FIG. 7A is a perspective view in the middle of twisting an electric wire, and FIG. 7B is a plan view of FIG.
8A and 8B are rotary connection devices, wherein FIG. 8A is a perspective view after maximum twisting of an electric wire, and FIG. 8B is a plan view of FIG. 8A.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Inner shaft member 1a Ball guide groove 1b Conductor path 2 Outer cylinder member 3 Ball (guide body)
4 Contact 10 Electric wire

Claims

内軸部材と、この内軸部材の外周に遊嵌する外筒部材とを備え、上記内軸部材の一端側には、少なくとも１条のスパイラル状ガイド溝が形成され、この内軸部材の他端側には、上記ガイド溝と同ピッチで複数条のスパイラル状導体路が形成されると共に、上記外筒部材の一端側には、上記ガイド溝に係合するガイド体が設けられ、この外筒部材の他端側には、上記各導体路にそれぞれ接触する接点が設けられて、内軸部材と外筒部材のいずれか一方の部材の回転に伴うガイド体とガイド溝との係合移動により、他方の部材が軸方向にスライドされながら各導体路と各接点との接触を維持するようにしたことを特徴とする回転体接続装置。 An inner shaft member and an outer cylinder member loosely fitted on the outer periphery of the inner shaft member, and at least one spiral guide groove is formed on one end side of the inner shaft member. A plurality of spiral conductor paths are formed on the end side at the same pitch as the guide groove, and a guide body that engages with the guide groove is provided on one end side of the outer cylinder member. The other end side of the cylindrical member is provided with a contact point that makes contact with each of the conductor paths, and the engagement movement between the guide body and the guide groove accompanying the rotation of either the inner shaft member or the outer cylindrical member. Thus, the rotating member connecting apparatus is characterized in that the contact between each conductor path and each contact point is maintained while the other member is slid in the axial direction.