JPH0917542A - Rotary connector - Google Patents
Rotary connectorInfo
- Publication number
- JPH0917542A JPH0917542A JP7159419A JP15941995A JPH0917542A JP H0917542 A JPH0917542 A JP H0917542A JP 7159419 A JP7159419 A JP 7159419A JP 15941995 A JP15941995 A JP 15941995A JP H0917542 A JPH0917542 A JP H0917542A
- Authority
- JP
- Japan
- Prior art keywords
- flexible cable
- housing
- rotary connector
- conductor strip
- storage space
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R16/00—Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for; Arrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for
- B60R16/02—Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for; Arrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for electric constitutive elements
- B60R16/023—Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for; Arrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for electric constitutive elements for transmission of signals between vehicle parts or subsystems
- B60R16/027—Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for; Arrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for electric constitutive elements for transmission of signals between vehicle parts or subsystems between relatively movable parts of the vehicle, e.g. between steering wheel and column
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R35/00—Flexible or turnable line connectors, i.e. the rotation angle being limited
- H01R35/04—Turnable line connectors with limited rotation angle with frictional contact members
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R35/00—Flexible or turnable line connectors, i.e. the rotation angle being limited
- H01R35/02—Flexible line connectors without frictional contact members
- H01R35/025—Flexible line connectors without frictional contact members having a flexible conductor wound around a rotation axis
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Steering Controls (AREA)
- Electric Cable Arrangement Between Relatively Moving Parts (AREA)
Abstract
Description
【０００１】[0001]
【産業上の利用分野】本発明は自動車のステアリング装
置に組み込まれてエアーバッグシステム等の電気的接続
手段として使用される回転コネクタに関する。BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a rotary connector incorporated in a steering device of an automobile and used as an electrical connecting means for an air bag system or the like.
【０００２】[0002]
【従来の技術】回転コネクタは、固定体（一方のハウジ
ング）と、この固定体に対して回動自在に装着された可
動体（他方のハウジング）との間を帯状の可撓性ケーブ
ルにて連結したもので、自動車のステアリング装置のよ
うに回転数が有限である可動体と固定体との間の電気的
接続手段として広く用いられている。2. Description of the Related Art A rotary connector uses a belt-shaped flexible cable between a fixed body (one housing) and a movable body (the other housing) rotatably attached to the fixed body. They are connected, and are widely used as an electrical connection means between a movable body and a fixed body, which have a finite number of rotations, such as a steering device of an automobile.
【０００３】この種の回転コネクタでは、トータルコス
ト中に占める可撓性ケーブルの割合は高く、必要とされ
る可撓性ケーブルの長さを短くしてコストの低減化を図
るようにした回転コネクタが米国特許第３，７６３，４
５５号明細書等において提案されている。In this type of rotary connector, the ratio of the flexible cable to the total cost is high, and the length of the required flexible cable is shortened to reduce the cost. U.S. Pat. No. 3,763,4
No. 55 specification and the like.
【０００４】図６は上記特許明細書に開示された回転コ
ネクタの概略構成を示す平面図である。同図に示すよう
に、円筒状をなす固定体１００に対して可動体１０１が
回動自在に装着されており、これら固定体１００と可動
体１０１との間に画成されたリング状の空間１０２内に
は可撓性ケーブル１０３，１０４が収納されている。こ
れら可撓性ケーブル１０３，１０４は固定体１００と可
動体１０１にそれぞれ固定された状態で空間１０２の外
部に導出されており、空間１０２内で、固定体１００の
外筒部と可動体１０１の内筒部とに巻回方向を逆向きに
した状態で収納され、その巻き方向が転換される位置に
Ｕ字状の反転部が形成されている。さらに、前記空間１
０２には、その周方向に沿って複数のローラ１０５，１
０６群が配置されており、前記可撓性ケーブル１０３の
反転部は一方のローラ１０５群の１つにループされ、可
撓性ケーブル１０４の反転部は他方のローラ１０６群の
１つにループされている。FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a schematic structure of the rotary connector disclosed in the above patent specification. As shown in the figure, a movable body 101 is rotatably attached to a cylindrical fixed body 100, and a ring-shaped space defined between the fixed body 100 and the movable body 101. Flexible cables 103 and 104 are housed in 102. These flexible cables 103 and 104 are led to the outside of the space 102 in a state of being fixed to the fixed body 100 and the movable body 101, respectively, and inside the space 102, the outer cylinder portion of the fixed body 100 and the movable body 101. It is housed in the inner cylinder portion in a state where the winding direction is opposite, and a U-shaped reversing portion is formed at a position where the winding direction is changed. Furthermore, the space 1
02 has a plurality of rollers 105, 1 along its circumferential direction.
06 group is arranged, the reversing part of the flexible cable 103 is looped to one of the rollers 105 group, and the reversing part of the flexible cable 104 is looped to one of the other roller groups 106. ing.
【０００５】このように構成された回転コネクタにおい
て、例えば可動体１０１を図６の時計方向に回転する
と、可撓性ケーブル１０３，１０４の反転部は可動体１
０１よりも少ない回動量だけ空間１０２内を時計方向に
移動し、可撓性ケーブル１０３，１０４の巻回状態は固
定体１００の内筒部側に多く巻き付けられた巻き締め状
態となる。これとは逆に、可動体１０１を図６の反時計
方向に回転すると、可撓性ケーブル１０３，１０４の反
転部は可動体１０１よりも少ない回動量だけ同方向に移
動し、可撓性ケーブル１０３，１０４は可動体１０１の
外筒部側が多くなった巻き戻し状態となる。なお、かか
る巻き締め、巻き戻し時に、各ローラ１０５，１０６は
可撓性ケーブル１０３，１０４の反転部からの力を受け
て同方向に移動する。In the rotary connector constructed as described above, for example, when the movable body 101 is rotated clockwise in FIG. 6, the reversing portions of the flexible cables 103 and 104 are moved to the movable body 1.
The flexible cables 103 and 104 are moved clockwise in the space 102 by a rotation amount smaller than 01, and the flexible cables 103 and 104 are wound around the inner cylinder of the fixed body 100 in a tightly wound state. On the contrary, when the movable body 101 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 6, the reversing portions of the flexible cables 103 and 104 move in the same direction by a smaller amount of rotation than the movable body 101, and the flexible cable 103 and 104 are in a rewinding state in which the outer cylinder side of the movable body 101 is increased. During the winding and the rewinding, the rollers 105 and 106 move in the same direction by receiving the force from the reversing portions of the flexible cables 103 and 104.
【０００６】上記した回転コネクタによれば、可撓性ケ
ーブルを内筒部と外筒部とに同方向に巻回（渦巻き状に
巻回）した回転コネクタに比べると、必要とされる可撓
性ケーブルの長さを格段に短くすることができ、コスト
の低減化が図れる。また、可撓性ケーブルの内筒部に巻
回された部分と外筒部に巻回された部分との間に複数の
ローラを配置したため、可撓性ケーブルをリング状の空
間のほぼ全周に亙って径方向に規制することができ、巻
き締めあるいは巻き戻し動作を円滑に行うことができ
る。According to the above rotary connector, compared with a rotary connector in which a flexible cable is wound in the same direction on an inner cylinder portion and an outer cylinder portion (wound in a spiral shape), the required flexibility is required. The length of the flexible cable can be significantly shortened, and the cost can be reduced. In addition, since a plurality of rollers are arranged between the portion of the flexible cable wound around the inner tube portion and the portion of the flexible cable wound around the outer tube portion, the flexible cable is provided over the entire circumference of the ring-shaped space. Therefore, it is possible to regulate the diameter in the radial direction, and the tightening or rewinding operation can be smoothly performed.
【０００７】[0007]
【発明が解決しようとする課題】ところで、このような
回転コネクタにおいては、前記可撓性ケーブルとしてフ
ラットケーブルと称せられる帯状のケーブルが広く用い
られている。このフラットケーブルは、図７に示すよう
に、銅等の導体条１０７をＰＥＴ（ポリエチレンテレフ
タレート）等からなる一対の絶縁フィルム１０８，１０
８でサンドウィッチしたもので、これら導体条１０７と
絶縁フィルム１０８は熱硬化性接着剤１０９によって一
体化されている。By the way, in such a rotary connector, a strip-shaped cable called a flat cable is widely used as the flexible cable. As shown in FIG. 7, this flat cable includes a pair of insulating films 108, 10 made of a conductor strip 107 made of copper or the like and made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) or the like.
The conductor strip 107 and the insulating film 108 are integrated by a thermosetting adhesive 109.
【０００８】しかしながら、このように構成されたフラ
ットケーブルは、導体条の両側に一対の絶縁フィルムが
設けられているため、巻き締めあるいは巻き戻した際の
巻径が大きくなり、回転コネクタを径方向に十分に大き
くしないと、必要とされる回転量を確保できないという
問題があった。However, since the flat cable thus constructed is provided with a pair of insulating films on both sides of the conductor strip, the winding diameter when tightened or unwound becomes large, so that the rotary connector is moved in the radial direction. There was a problem that the required amount of rotation could not be secured unless it was made sufficiently large.
【０００９】本発明は、このような従来技術の実情に鑑
みてなされたもので、その目的は、径方向の寸法を小型
化するのに好適な回転コネクタを提供することにあり、
また、可撓性ケーブルの構造を簡単にして安価な回転コ
ネクタを提供することにある。The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances of the prior art as described above, and an object thereof is to provide a rotary connector suitable for reducing the size in the radial direction.
Another object is to provide an inexpensive rotary connector by simplifying the structure of the flexible cable.
【００１０】[0010]
【課題を解決するための手段】上記目的を達成するため
に、本発明による回転コネクタは、外筒部を有する第１
のハウジングと、内筒部を有し前記第１のハウジングに
環状の収納空間を介して相対的に回動自在に装着された
第２のハウジングと、前記収納空間内に巻回された可撓
性ケーブルとを備え、前記可撓性ケーブルが一枚の絶縁
フィルムの片面に導体条を貼着した帯状体からなること
を特徴とする。In order to achieve the above object, the rotary connector according to the present invention has a first outer cylinder portion.
No. 2, a second housing having an inner tubular portion and rotatably attached to the first housing via an annular storage space, and a flexible member wound in the storage space. And a flexible cable, wherein the flexible cable is a strip-shaped body in which a conductor strip is attached to one surface of an insulating film.
【００１１】上記の構成において、前記収納空間の内部
にガイド筒を有する移動体を配置し、前記可撓性ケーブ
ルを前記ガイド筒に沿って反転させた状態で前記内筒部
と外筒部とに逆向きに巻回し、この反転部で前記可撓性
ケーブルの導体条を内側にして前記ガイド筒に対向させ
た。In the above structure, a movable body having a guide tube is disposed inside the storage space, and the flexible cable is turned upside down along the guide tube so that the inner tube portion and the outer tube portion are separated from each other. In the reverse direction, and the conductor strip of the flexible cable was made to face the guide tube at the inversion portion.
【００１２】[0012]
【作用】可撓性ケーブルは一枚の絶縁フィルムの片面に
導体条を貼着した帯状体からなり、この可撓性ケーブル
を両ハウジング間の収納空間内に巻回すると、可撓性ケ
ーブルを巻き締めあるいは巻き戻した時の巻径が小さく
なり、収納空間の径方向の寸法、すなわち回転コネクタ
全体を小型化できる。また、可撓性ケーブルを反転部を
介して内筒部と外筒部とに逆向きに巻回したタイプの回
転コネクタにおいて、可撓性ケーブルの導体条を内側に
して移動体のガイド筒に対向させると、可撓性ケーブル
の導体条には最も曲率半径が小さい反転部で圧縮応力が
作用し、導体条として一般的に使用されている銅や銅合
金あるいはアルミニウム等の金属材料は圧縮応力に対し
て強いため、可撓性ケーブルの導体条を外側にしたもの
に比較して屈曲寿命が長くなり、可撓性ケーブルが繰り
返し反転しても導体条が損傷することを防止できる。The flexible cable is composed of a band-shaped body in which a conductor strip is attached to one surface of an insulating film. When the flexible cable is wound in the storage space between both housings, the flexible cable is The winding diameter when tightened or unwound is small, and the radial dimension of the storage space, that is, the entire rotary connector can be downsized. Further, in a rotary connector of a type in which a flexible cable is wound in a reverse direction around an inner cylinder part and an outer cylinder part via an inversion part, a conductor strip of the flexible cable is placed inside and a guide tube of a moving body is used. When facing each other, the compressive stress acts on the conductor strip of the flexible cable at the inversion part with the smallest radius of curvature, and the metal material generally used as the conductor strip, such as copper, copper alloy, or aluminum, has compressive stress. Therefore, the bending life is longer than that of a flexible cable having a conductor strip on the outside, and the conductor strip can be prevented from being damaged even if the flexible cable is repeatedly inverted.
【００１３】[0013]
【実施例】以下、本発明の実施例を図に基づいて説明す
る。図１は本発明の一実施例に係る回転コネクタの縦断
面図、図２はその回転コネクタの分解斜視図、図３はそ
の回転コネクタに備えられる可撓性ケーブルの断面図、
図４はその可撓性ケーブルの反転部を示す斜視図、図５
はその反転部に作用する応力の説明図であり、これらの
図に示すように、本実施例に係る回転コネクタは、第１
のハウジング１と、第１のハウジング１に対して相対的
に回動自在に装着された第２のハウジング２と、両ハウ
ジング１，２間に収納された可撓性ケーブル３と、両ハ
ウジング１，２間に回動自在に配置された移動体４とで
概略構成されている。DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a rotary connector according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the rotary connector, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a flexible cable provided in the rotary connector.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an inversion part of the flexible cable, and FIG.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of stress acting on the inversion portion. As shown in these drawings, the rotary connector according to the present embodiment is
Housing 1, a second housing 2 mounted so as to be rotatable relative to the first housing 1, a flexible cable 3 housed between the housings 1 and 2, and a housing 1 , 2 and a movable body 4 rotatably arranged between the two.
【００１４】第１のハウジング１は、底板５の外周縁に
外筒部６を立設した下ケース７と、外筒部６の上端に接
合・一体化された上カバー８とで構成されており、底板
５と上カバー８のそれぞれの中央にはセンタ孔９，１０
が開設され、上カバー８の下面にはリング状のガイド溝
１１が設けられている。一方、第２のハウジング２は中
央に軸挿入孔１２を有する筒状体からなり、その上下両
端縁が前記下ケース７と上カバー８のセンタ孔９，１０
にガイドされることにより、第１のハウジング１に対し
て回動自在に連結されている。そして、第１のハウジン
グ１側の底板５と外筒部６および上カバー８と、第２の
ハウジング２側の外周面をなす内筒部１３との間には環
状の収納空間１４が画成されている。The first housing 1 is composed of a lower case 7 in which an outer cylinder portion 6 is erected on the outer peripheral edge of a bottom plate 5, and an upper cover 8 joined and integrated with the upper end of the outer cylinder portion 6. Center holes 9 and 10 at the centers of the bottom plate 5 and the upper cover 8, respectively.
And a ring-shaped guide groove 11 is provided on the lower surface of the upper cover 8. On the other hand, the second housing 2 is made of a tubular body having a shaft insertion hole 12 in the center, and the upper and lower edges of the second housing 2 are the center holes 9 and 10 of the lower case 7 and the upper cover 8.
It is rotatably connected to the first housing 1 by being guided by. An annular storage space 14 is defined between the bottom plate 5 on the first housing 1 side, the outer cylinder portion 6 and the upper cover 8 and the inner cylinder portion 13 forming the outer peripheral surface on the second housing 2 side. Has been done.
【００１５】図３に示すように、可撓性ケーブル３は、
ＰＥＴ等の絶縁性テープからなるベースフィルム１７の
片面に銅等からなる複数本の導体条２２を延設した帯状
体であり、各導体条２２は熱硬化性接着剤２３によって
ベースフィルム１７の片面に貼着されている。この可撓
性ケーブル３の一端は前記外筒部６に固定された第１の
コネクタ１５に接続され、該第１のコネクタ１５を介し
て第１のハウジング１の外部に導出されており、一方、
可撓性ケーブル３の他端は前記内筒部１３に固定された
第２のコネクタ１６に接続されている。そして、可撓性
ケーブル３は、第１のコネクタ１５から外筒部６の内壁
に時計方向に巻回され、そこからＵ字状に反転し（以
下、これを反転部３ａという）、さらに内筒部１３の外
壁周りに反時計方向に巻回されて第２のコネクタ１６に
至るよう、前記収納空間１４内に収納されている。As shown in FIG. 3, the flexible cable 3 is
It is a strip-shaped body in which a plurality of conductor strips 22 made of copper or the like are extended on one surface of a base film 17 made of an insulating tape such as PET, and each conductor strip 22 is formed on one side of the base film 17 by a thermosetting adhesive 23. It is attached to. One end of the flexible cable 3 is connected to a first connector 15 fixed to the outer tubular portion 6, and is led out of the first housing 1 via the first connector 15. ,
The other end of the flexible cable 3 is connected to a second connector 16 fixed to the inner cylinder portion 13. The flexible cable 3 is wound around the inner wall of the outer tubular portion 6 in the clockwise direction from the first connector 15 and is inverted in a U-shape from there (hereinafter, referred to as an inverted portion 3a). It is housed in the housing space 14 so as to be wound around the outer wall of the tubular portion 13 in the counterclockwise direction and reach the second connector 16.
【００１６】移動体４は、下面に複数本のピン１８と１
つの固定筒１９とを垂設したリング状の回転板２０と、
各ピン１８に回転自在に軸支されたローラ２１群とで構
成されており、回転板２０を上にした状態で前記収納空
間１４内に配置され、この回転板２０が前記ガイド溝１
１と嵌合することによって収納空間１４の径方向に回動
自在に案内されている。前述した可撓性ケーブル３の反
転部３ａは、前記固定筒１９と該固定筒１９に対向する
１つのローラ２１（以下このローラをガイド筒と称し、
符号２１Ａを付す）との間を通り、該ガイド筒２１Ａに
ループされているが、図４に示すように、この反転部３
ａで可撓性ケーブル３の導体条２２は曲面の内側に位置
して前記ガイド筒２１Ａと対向している。The movable body 4 has a plurality of pins 18 and 1 on its lower surface.
A ring-shaped rotary plate 20 in which three fixed cylinders 19 are suspended,
Each of the pins 18 is rotatably supported by a group of rollers 21 and is arranged in the storage space 14 with the rotating plate 20 facing upward.
By being fitted with 1, it is guided rotatably in the radial direction of the storage space 14. The inverting portion 3a of the flexible cable 3 described above includes the fixed barrel 19 and one roller 21 (hereinafter, this roller is referred to as a guide barrel) facing the fixed barrel 19.
21A) and is looped to the guide cylinder 21A. As shown in FIG.
At a, the conductor strip 22 of the flexible cable 3 is located inside the curved surface and faces the guide cylinder 21A.
【００１７】次に、前記第１のハウジング１を固定体と
して用い、第２のハウジング２を可動体として用いた場
合を例にとって、上記実施例に係る回転コネクタの動作
を説明する。この場合、第１のハウジング１はステアリ
ング装置のステアリング・コラム側に固定され、下ケー
ス７から外部に導出されたリード線は、車体側に装着さ
れたエアーバッグ駆動回路等に接続される。また、第２
のハウジング２はステアリング・シャフトやハンドル等
のロータ部材側に連結され、第２のハウジング２から外
部に導出されたリード線は、ハンドルに装着されたエア
ーバッグ用インフレータ等に接続される。Next, the operation of the rotary connector according to the above embodiment will be described by taking the case where the first housing 1 is used as a fixed body and the second housing 2 is used as a movable body as an example. In this case, the first housing 1 is fixed to the steering column side of the steering device, and the lead wire led out from the lower case 7 is connected to an airbag drive circuit mounted on the vehicle body side. Also, the second
The housing 2 is connected to the rotor member side such as the steering shaft and the handle, and the lead wire led out from the second housing 2 is connected to the airbag inflator and the like attached to the handle.
【００１８】使用に際し、ハンドルを時計あるいは反時
計方向に回転すると、その回転力が第２のハウジング２
に伝達され、第２のハウジング２が時計あるいは反時計
方向に回転する。例えば、ハンドルの中立位置から第２
のハウジング２が時計方向に回転すると、可撓性ケーブ
ル３の反転部３ａは第２のハウジング２よりも少ない回
転量だけ時計方向に移動し、この反転部３ａは移動体４
のガイド筒２１Ａから離れて固定筒１９を押圧するた
め、反転部３ａに追従して移動体４も時計方向に移動
し、これらの移動量の約２倍の長さの可撓性ケーブル３
が内筒部１３側から繰り出されて外筒部６側に巻き戻さ
れる。この場合、内筒部１３から繰り出される可撓性ケ
ーブル３は、固定筒１９と各ローラ２１群とによって径
方向外側に膨らもうとする動きが規制されるため、反転
部３ａ方向にスムーズに繰り出され、この反転部３ａを
経て外筒部６側に確実に巻き戻される。In use, when the handle is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise, the rotating force is applied to the second housing 2.
And the second housing 2 rotates clockwise or counterclockwise. For example, from the neutral position of the handle to the second
When the housing 2 is rotated clockwise, the reversing portion 3a of the flexible cable 3 is moved clockwise by a smaller amount than the second housing 2, and the reversing portion 3a is moved by the moving body 4a.
Since the fixed cylinder 19 is pressed away from the guide cylinder 21A of the above, the moving body 4 also moves in the clockwise direction following the reversing portion 3a, and the flexible cable 3 having a length about twice the moving amount thereof.
Is fed from the inner cylinder portion 13 side and rewound to the outer cylinder portion 6 side. In this case, the flexible cable 3 fed out from the inner tubular portion 13 is restrained from swelling outward in the radial direction by the fixed barrel 19 and each roller 21 group, so that the flexible cable 3 smoothly moves toward the reversing portion 3a. It is fed out, and is reliably rewound to the outer cylinder portion 6 side through the reversing portion 3a.
【００１９】上記とは逆に、ハンドルの中立状態から第
２のハウジング２が反時計方向に回転すると、可撓性ケ
ーブル３の反転部３ａは第２のハウジング２よりも少な
い回転量だけ反時計方向に移動し、ガイド筒２１Ａが反
転部３ａに引っ張られるため、反転部３ａに追従して移
動体４も時計方向に移動し、これらの移動量の約２倍の
長さの可撓性ケーブル３が外筒部６から繰り出されて内
筒部１３に巻き締められる。この場合、外筒部６から繰
り出される可撓性ケーブル３は、固定筒１９と各ローラ
２１群とによって径方向内側への動きが規制されるた
め、反転部３ａ方向にスムーズに繰り出され、この反転
部３ａを経て内筒部１３側に確実に巻き締められる。Contrary to the above, when the second housing 2 rotates counterclockwise from the neutral state of the handle, the reversing portion 3a of the flexible cable 3 rotates counterclockwise by a smaller rotation amount than the second housing 2. Since the guide cylinder 21A is pulled by the reversing section 3a, the moving body 4 also moves in the clockwise direction following the reversing section 3a, and the flexible cable has a length about twice the moving amount. 3 is unwound from the outer tubular portion 6 and wound around the inner tubular portion 13. In this case, the flexible cable 3 fed out from the outer tubular portion 6 is regulated from moving inward in the radial direction by the fixed barrel 19 and each roller 21 group, and thus is smoothly fed out in the direction of the reversing portion 3a. It is securely wound around the inner cylinder portion 13 side through the reversing portion 3a.
【００２０】上記実施例にあっては、一枚のベースフィ
ルム１７の片面に導体条２２を貼着した可撓性ケーブル
３を用い、この可撓性ケーブル３を両ハウジング１，２
間の収納空間１４内に巻回したため、可撓性ケーブル３
を巻き締めあるいは巻き戻した時の巻径が小さくなり、
収納空間１４の径方向の寸法、すなわち回転コネクタ全
体を小型化することができる。In the above embodiment, the flexible cable 3 in which the conductor strip 22 is adhered to one surface of the base film 17 is used.
Since it is wound in the storage space 14 between, the flexible cable 3
The winding diameter when tightened or unwound becomes smaller,
It is possible to reduce the radial dimension of the storage space 14, that is, the entire rotary connector.
【００２１】また、可撓性ケーブル３の中で曲率半径が
最も小さい反転部３ａにおいて、導体条２２を内側にし
て移動体４のガイド筒２１Ａに対向させたため、導体条
２２の損傷を防止し、反転部３ａの屈曲寿命を長くする
ことができる。すなわち、図５に示すように、可撓性ケ
ーブル３の反転部３ａは引張応力も圧縮応力も受けない
中立面（ニュートラルプレーン）を有し、この中立面を
境にして外側に位置するベースフィルム１７に引張応力
が作用し、内側に位置する導体条２２に圧縮応力が作用
することになる。ここで、本実施例で導体条２２の材料
として使用されている銅、あるいは銅合金やアルミニウ
ム等の導体条２２に使用可能な金属材料は、引張応力に
比べると圧縮応力に対して高い耐久性を示すため、可撓
性ケーブル３が反転部３ａで繰り返し大きく曲げられた
としても、導体条２２が損傷することはなく、可撓性ケ
ーブル３による接続の信頼性を高めることができる。Further, in the reversing portion 3a having the smallest radius of curvature in the flexible cable 3, the conductor strip 22 is faced to the guide cylinder 21A of the moving body 4 so that the conductor strip 22 is prevented from being damaged. The bending life of the reversal portion 3a can be extended. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the inversion portion 3a of the flexible cable 3 has a neutral plane (neutral plane) that is neither subjected to tensile stress nor compressive stress, and is located outside with this neutral plane as a boundary. Tensile stress acts on the base film 17, and compressive stress acts on the conductor strip 22 located inside. Here, the metal material that can be used for the conductor strip 22 such as copper or copper alloy or aluminum used as the material of the conductor strip 22 in this embodiment has higher durability against compressive stress than tensile stress. Therefore, even if the flexible cable 3 is repeatedly bent greatly at the reversal portion 3a, the conductor strip 22 is not damaged, and the reliability of the connection by the flexible cable 3 can be improved.
【００２２】なお、上記実施例では、第１のハウジング
１を固定体とし、第２のハウジング２を可動体として用
いた場合について説明したが、これとは反対に、第１の
ハウジング１を可動体とし、第２のハウジング２を固定
体として用いることも可能である。In the above embodiment, the case where the first housing 1 is used as the fixed body and the second housing 2 is used as the movable body has been described. On the contrary, the first housing 1 can be moved. It is also possible to use it as a body and to use the second housing 2 as a fixed body.
【００２３】また、上記実施例では、可撓性ケーブル３
を反転部３ａを介して内筒部１３と外筒部６とに逆向き
に巻回したタイプの回転コネクタを例示して説明した
が、本発明は可撓性ケーブルを内筒部と外筒部とに同方
向に巻回（渦巻き状に巻回）したタイプの回転コネクタ
にも適用可能であり、この場合も、可撓性ケーブルを巻
き締めあるいは巻き戻した時の巻径を小さくし、回転コ
ネクタ全体を小型化できるという効果を奏する。In the above embodiment, the flexible cable 3 is used.
Although the rotary connector of the type in which the inner tube portion 13 and the outer tube portion 6 are wound in opposite directions via the reversing portion 3a has been described as an example, the present invention provides a flexible cable with the inner tube portion and the outer tube. It can also be applied to a rotary connector of the type that is wound in the same direction as the part (wound in a spiral shape), and in this case also, the winding diameter when tightening or unwinding the flexible cable is reduced, This has the effect of reducing the size of the entire rotary connector.
【００２４】[0024]
【発明の効果】以上説明したように、本発明によれば、
一枚の絶縁フィルムの片面に導体条を貼着した可撓性ケ
ーブルを用い、この可撓性ケーブルを両ハウジング間の
収納空間内に巻回したため、可撓性ケーブルを巻き締め
あるいは巻き戻した時の巻径が小さくなり、収納空間の
径方向の寸法、すなわち回転コネクタ全体を小型化する
ことができる。As described above, according to the present invention,
Since a flexible cable in which a conductor strip was attached to one side of an insulating film was used and this flexible cable was wound in the storage space between both housings, the flexible cable was tightened or unwound. The winding diameter at that time is reduced, and the radial dimension of the storage space, that is, the entire rotary connector can be downsized.
【００２５】また、可撓性ケーブルをその反転部を介し
て内筒部と外筒部とに逆向きに巻回したタイプの回転コ
ネクタにおいて、可撓性ケーブルの導体条を内側にして
移動体のガイド筒に対向させた場合、反転部で導体条は
圧縮応力を受けて曲がることになり、導体条として一般
的に使用されている銅等の金属材料は圧縮応力に対して
強いため、反転部の屈曲寿命を延ばし、可撓性ケーブル
が繰り返し反転しても導体条が損傷することを防止でき
る。Further, in a rotary connector of a type in which a flexible cable is wound in an opposite direction around an inner tubular portion and an outer tubular portion via an inversion portion thereof, a movable member is provided with a conductor strip of the flexible cable inside. When facing the guide tube of, the conductor strip will bend under the compressive stress at the reversing part, and metal materials such as copper that are generally used as the conductor strip are strong against the compressive stress. It is possible to extend the bending life of the portion and prevent the conductor strip from being damaged even if the flexible cable is repeatedly inverted.
【図１】本発明の一実施例に係る回転コネクタの縦断面
図である。FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a rotary connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.
【図２】その回転コネクタの分解斜視図である。FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the rotary connector.
【図３】その回転コネクタに備えられる可撓性ケーブル
の断面図である。FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a flexible cable included in the rotary connector.
【図４】その可撓性ケーブルの反転部を示す斜視図であ
る。FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an inversion portion of the flexible cable.
【図５】その反転部に作用する応力の説明図である。FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of stress acting on the inverted portion.
【図６】従来の回転コネクタの概略構成を示す平面図で
ある。FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a conventional rotary connector.
【図７】従来の可撓性ケーブルを示す斜視図である。FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a conventional flexible cable.
１ 第１のハウジング ２ 第２のハウジング ３ 可撓性ケーブル ３ａ 反転部 ４ 移動体 ６ 外筒部 １３ 内筒部 １４ 収納空間 １７ ベースフィルム（絶縁フィルム） ２１Ａ ガイド筒 ２２ 導体条 ２３ 熱硬化性接着剤 1 1st housing 2 2nd housing 3 Flexible cable 3a Inversion part 4 Moving body 6 Outer cylinder part 13 Inner cylinder part 14 Storage space 17 Base film (insulating film) 21A Guide cylinder 22 Conductor strip 23 Thermosetting adhesive Agent
Claims (2)
内筒部を有し前記第１のハウジングに環状の収納空間を
介して相対的に回動自在に装着された第２のハウジング
と、前記収納空間内に巻回された可撓性ケーブルとを備
え、前記可撓性ケーブルが一枚の絶縁フィルムの片面に
導体条を貼着した帯状体からなることを特徴とする回転
コネクタ。1. A first housing having an outer cylinder portion,
A second housing having an inner cylinder portion and mounted relatively rotatably in the first housing via an annular storage space, and a flexible cable wound in the storage space. A rotary connector, wherein the flexible cable comprises a strip-shaped body in which a conductor strip is attached to one surface of an insulating film.
の内部にガイド筒を有する移動体が配置され、前記可撓
性ケーブルを前記ガイド筒に沿って反転させた状態で前
記内筒部と外筒部とに逆向きに巻回し、この反転部で前
記可撓性ケーブルの導体条を内側にして前記ガイド筒に
対向させたことを特徴とする回転コネクタ。2. The moving body having a guide tube is arranged inside the storage space according to claim 1, and the flexible cable is turned upside down along the guide tube with the inner tube portion. A rotary connector, which is wound in a direction opposite to that of an outer cylinder portion, and in which the conductor strip of the flexible cable faces the guide cylinder at the inversion portion.
Priority Applications (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP7159419A JPH0917542A (en) | 1995-06-26 | 1995-06-26 | Rotary connector |
| KR1019960023452A KR970004169A (en) | 1995-06-26 | 1996-06-25 | Swivel Connector |
| DE19625388A DE19625388B4 (en) | 1995-06-26 | 1996-06-25 | rotary connector |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP7159419A JPH0917542A (en) | 1995-06-26 | 1995-06-26 | Rotary connector |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| JPH0917542A true JPH0917542A (en) | 1997-01-17 |
Family
ID=15693338
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP7159419A Withdrawn JPH0917542A (en) | 1995-06-26 | 1995-06-26 | Rotary connector |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPH0917542A (en) |
| KR (1) | KR970004169A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE19625388B4 (en) |
Families Citing this family (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP2001135156A (en) * | 1999-11-05 | 2001-05-18 | Yazaki Corp | Flat cable |
| DE10162127A1 (en) * | 2001-12-18 | 2003-07-03 | Nexans | Electrical connector between two end points |
| DE102005002676B3 (en) * | 2005-01-20 | 2006-06-14 | Tyco Electronics Amp Gmbh | Spring mounting for steering columns comprises outer ring fixed to vehicle bodywork and inner ring which can rotate, flexible roller being mounted between rings and flat cable fitted into groove inside outer ring passing around it |
| DE102009037672B4 (en) * | 2009-08-14 | 2014-01-16 | TAKATA Aktiengesellschaft | Steering device for a motor vehicle with a steering wheel and an electronic contact unit |
Family Cites Families (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3763455A (en) * | 1971-12-17 | 1973-10-02 | Gen Motors Corp | Electrically coupled steering column |
-
1995
- 1995-06-26 JP JP7159419A patent/JPH0917542A/en not_active Withdrawn
-
1996
- 1996-06-25 DE DE19625388A patent/DE19625388B4/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1996-06-25 KR KR1019960023452A patent/KR970004169A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE19625388B4 (en) | 2004-06-24 |
| DE19625388A1 (en) | 1997-01-09 |
| KR970004169A (en) | 1997-01-29 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| A300 | Withdrawal of application because of no request for examination |
Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A300 Effective date: 20020903 |