EP1255330B1 - Device for transferring current between two end positions - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for transmitting current between two terminals of a cassette (K) between which at least one ribbon cable is arranged that extends in turns. The cassette includes a fixed stator and a rotatable rotor between which the ribbon cable is positioned. One of the two terminals is movable relative to the other. The ribbon cable at its ends is located in the area of the terminals. It is brought out of the cassette at the terminals for the connection of continuing cables (17). At least two plate-shaped contact carriers (18, 19) are mounted to the outside of the stator of the cassette. The conductors of the ribbon cable on the one hand and the conductors of a continuing cable on the other hand can be connected to the contact carriers. The contact carriers are connected with one another by elastic snap-in elements to form a unit.

Description

The invention relates to a device for power transmission between two Terminals, between which at least one accommodated in a cassette, in Winding flat ribbon cable with at least two electrical conductors is arranged, whose length is substantially greater than the distance between the two terminals from each other, in which the cassette of a fixed stator and a rotatable rotor consists, between which the ribbon cable is arranged at which at least one of the two terminals is movable relative to the other, and in which the ribbon cable at their lying in the area of the terminals ends is led out of the cassette. Such a device is described in EP 0 834 968 A2.

Such devices are, for example, in the power supply for an airbag used in a motor vehicle. It is in this application in the steering wheel of Motor vehicle installed. A major problem with it and with appropriate Devices in general are the power transmission between fixed and moving parts of the same. This problem occurs with all devices, two of them relative to each other movable terminals are present, of which in most Cases is designed as a fixed point. The usual sliding contacts for such cases or slip rings are subject to wear and especially at low Amperages due to the fluctuating contact resistance disadvantageous.

The known device according to DE 91 07 726 U1 comes without such grinding contacts. The power transmission takes place in this device a wound between two terminals in the manner of a barrel of a clock Flat conductor ribbon cable - hereinafter referred to as "FL-BL". In a relative Rotary movement of the two connected by the FL-BL terminals "breathes" in a Cassette housed FL-BL like the spring of a clock. The windings of the FL-BL are contracted in one direction of rotation to a smaller diameter. You go back in the other direction to a larger diameter. The Ends of the FL-BL are bent and led out of the cassette. They serve for Connection of the same to a power source on the one hand and to controls on the other. The mechanically sensitive conductors of the FL-BL and the kink are each mechanically protected by a protective body surrounding the same. issues may result in this device when the FL-BL with an increased number of ladders becomes wider. A correspondingly long or wide space to perform The FL-BL surrounded by the protective body is usually not available.

In the known device according to the aforementioned EP 0 834 968 A2 are the Ends of the FL-BL also bent and led out of the cassette. At each End is attached to the FL-BL and its kink surrounding protective body, the as well as the FL-BL in at least two mutually parallel, flat Part body is divided, which in the assembled state with their flat sides together lie. As a result, the protective body remains as a mechanical protection of the bent part received the FL-BL. For mounting the cassette on or in parts of a steering wheel of a Motor vehicle, the opening for the implementation of the protective body in its length or width remain unchanged. It only needs to be slightly widened to allow a be passed out of two or more partial bodies existing protective body can. The at least two-part protective body are separately produced additional Elements.

The invention is based on the object, the initially described device so educate that they can be made easier and installed.

• daß am Stator der Kassette außen mindestens zwei plattenförmige Kontaktträger angebracht sind, die einen Freiraum zur Aufnahme von gegeneinander isolierten elektrischen Kontakten umschließen, an welche einerseits die Leiter der FL-BL und andererseits die Leiter von mindestens einer weiterführenden elektrischen Leitung anschließbar sind, und
• daß die Kontaktträger sowie gegebenenfalls weitere Kontaktträger huckepackartig durch federnd einrastende Elemente zu einer Einheit verbunden sind.

This object is achieved according to the invention characterized

• that on the stator of the cassette outside at least two plate-shaped contact carrier are mounted, which enclose a space for receiving mutually insulated electrical contacts to which on the one hand the head of the FL-BL and on the other hand, the conductors of at least one secondary electrical line can be connected, and
• in that the contact carriers and optionally further contact carriers are piggyback-like connected by means of resiliently latching elements to form a unit.

This device is largely independent of the number of conductors of the FL-BL used. The conductors of the FL-BL are at the finished device to the contacts of connected to at least one contact carrier of the cassette. For example, if two Contact carriers equipped with contacts can be used, the ends of a FL-BL according to the number of contacts of the two different ones Contact carriers are split. But then you can also use two FL-BLs whose conductors are separated from each other with the contacts Contact carrier can be connected. This is useful already in the Assembling the FL-BL before setting the contact carriers on the cassette carried out. The heads of the FL-BL (one or more than one) can contact the contacts the contact carrier, for example, by soldering or welding electrically conductive get connected. It can then be a first contact carrier with the cassette directly or be connected to a holder attached to the same. All further Contact carriers, for example, piggyback on the first or one each already mounted contact carrier be snapped by means of resilient latching elements. The respective unit of contact carriers may be on an end face of the cassette be attached or on a peripheral surface thereof. A significant advantage This device also consists in that regardless of the number of conductors of FL-BL and of further lines for the cassette with contact carriers basically the same structure can be used. It must only each at least one of the contact carrier for connecting the respective conductor with electrical Be equipped contacts. The second or even further contact carrier only need then to carry contacts, if a correspondingly higher number of ladders to be connected. There are accordingly only so many, relatively expensive Contacts used in the contact carriers, as needed for connecting conductors become. So it is also possible to incorporate contact carrier in a unit that no Have contacts. The external appearance of the cassettes is then always Consistent, no matter how many conductors your FL-BL has.

Embodiments of the subject invention are illustrated in the drawings.

Fig. 1 und 2 schematische Darstellungen einer Vorrichtung nach der Erfindung in zwei unterschiedlichen Ausführungsformen.

Fig. 3 das Ende einer in der Vorrichtung verwendbaren Flachbandleitung.

Fig. 4 eine in der Vorrichtung einsetzbare Anordnung mit Kontaktträgern.

Fig. 5 und 6 Draufsichten auf die Vorrichtung in zwei unterschiedlichen Ausführungsformen.

Fig. 7 eine Innenansicht eines Kontaktträgers.

Fig. 8 Kontaktträger und anschließbare Leitungen in Explosionsdarstellung.

Show it:

Fig. 1 and 2 are schematic representations of a device according to the invention in two different embodiments.

Fig. 3 shows the end of a usable in the device ribbon cable.

Fig. 4 is an insertable in the device arrangement with contact carriers.

5 and 6 are plan views of the device in two different embodiments.

Fig. 7 is an interior view of a contact carrier.

Fig. 8 contact carrier and connectable cables in exploded view.

The ribbon cable present in the cassette may have round or flat conductors be equipped. Representative of both embodiments are in the following considered flat conductor. For the sake of simplicity, the ribbon cable will continue to be Designated "FL-BL". The number of cassettes in one or more than one FL-BL existing conductor is arbitrary in itself and only by the capacity of the Cassette limited. The leaders of the FL-BL will definitely join their connection with the Contacts of at least one contact carrier connected.

in the following description, for the embodiment to be explained thereof assumed that so many conductors are present in the FL-BL that two with electrical Contacts fitted contact carrier can be used. Conveniently, the Contact carrier built the same, with an equal number of contacts. These must not all of them are occupied in the finished cassette, for example if there are fewer conductors in the cassette FL-BL are available as contacts are available. But it can also Contact carriers with a different number of contacts can be used. For example, if there are two separate FL-BL's in the cartridge, then whose conductors are connected separately to one of the contact carriers become. With only one FL-BL, it becomes two separate parts at its ends divided up.

In Fig. 1 are schematically two, for example, circular walls formed first and FIG. 2 shows a cassette K which is used, for example, to supply power to a cassette K Airbag can be installed in the steering wheel of a motor vehicle. to Power supply of an electronics 3 is the same via a FL-BL 4 to a Voltage source 5 of the motor vehicle connected. The voltage source 5 is over an electrical line 6 is connected to a terminal 7 executed as a fixed point. The electronics 3 is connected via an electrical line 8 to a terminal 9, the in the direction of the double arrow 10 is movable. Between the two terminals 7 and 9 is the FL-BL 4 attached.

The FL-BL 4, as shown in FIG. 1 between the two terminals 7 and 9 in several Windings arranged in the manner of a barrel of watches. Although the number the revolutions of a steering wheel is limited to about six turns substantially more than six turns may be provided for the FL-BL 4. The Rotational movement of the terminal 9 then makes for a single turn of the FL-BL. 4 not noticeable. It only becomes the diameter of all the turns the FL-BL 4 existing coil reduced or enlarged.

According to FIG. 2, the FL-BL 4 can also be arranged in turns in the cassette K, which is divided into an outer winding region 11 and an inner winding region 12 are. The two winding areas 11 and 12 are marked by brackets. she can each have two to three turns. In the two winding areas 11 and 12, the windings of the FL-BL 4 have opposite winding directions. The Winding areas 11 and 12 are formed by an approximately U-shaped reversing point 13th connected with each other. Between the two winding areas 11 and 12 can be a ring-shaped executed guide body 14 may be attached, which is the reversal point 13th includes. The guide body 14 is rotatable about its center and in Circumferential direction of the cassette K, ie in the direction of the double arrow 10, movable. He is preferably made of plastic so that it moves smoothly in the cassette K. can be.

The ends of the FL-BL 4 are in the area of the terminals 7 and 9 from the cassette K led out. You can thereby according to the illustration in Fig. 3 in a preferred Be bent embodiment by 90 °. But the ends of the FL-BL 4 can also open be led out of the cassette K other way. The FL-BL 4 has for example, twelve adjacent conductors 15 and 16, of which eight conductors 15th narrower than the remaining four conductors 16 are. The ladder 15 and 16 can because of their different cross section are used for different functions. The FL-BL 4 is at the ends by at least one running in the direction of line Split split. The two resulting parts of the FL-BL 4 with conductors 15 on the one hand and conductors 16 on the other hand are bent separately, as well as it is shown schematically in Fig. 3.

For connection to at least one further electrical line 17, the conductors 15 and 16 connected to two plate-shaped contact carrier 18 and 19, according to Fig. 4 are attached to a holder 20. The conductors 15 are, for example, with the contact carrier 18, while the conductors 16 to the contact carrier 19th be connected (Fig. 4). The contact carriers 18 and 19 are with each other and with attached to the cassette K holder 20 piggyback-like manner. You can in accordance with FIG. 5 optionally with further piggyback attached Contact carriers to be arranged on an end face of the cassette K or its stator. According to Fig. 6, the contact carrier 18 and 19 also on the peripheral surface of Be mounted cassette K or its stator. In this case, for example, the Contact carrier 18 attached to the cassette K, while the contact carrier 19th piggyback mounted with resilient latching elements on the contact carrier 18 can be. But he can also be placed in a different position on the contact carrier 18 become. This results in each case a compact unit of contact carriers, the no large free spaces in the steering wheel of a motor vehicle needed. This is especially true for the attachment to the peripheral surface of the cassette K. The main extension of the Contact carrier unit can then be in the radial direction, for example.

The equipped with a corresponding space contact carrier 18 encloses as shown in FIG. 7, for example, eight mutually insulated electrical contacts 21. Das For example, strips of copper or another can be electrically good be conductive material that is parallel and spaced apart in the one from a mechanically stable plastic existing contact carrier 18 are arranged. To the in Fig. 7 lower ends of the contacts 21, for example, the conductors 15 of the FL-BL. 4 be set electrically conductive while at their opposite, here upper Ends a corresponding number of conductors of the secondary line 17th is attached. The conductors 15 are preferably connected to the contacts 21 by soldering or welding. Also, the head of the continuing line 17 can the contacts 21 are soldered or welded. These ends of the contacts 21 can but also as plug-in elements - pins or sockets - be executed. The leaders of continuing line 17 can then with complementary plug-in elements to the Contacts 21 are connected. The contact carrier 19 needs at the im Embodiment illustrated FL-BL 4 with four wider conductors 16 only four contacts exhibit.

The two contact carriers 18 and 19 can in the embodiment of FIG. 5 at the holder 20 are mounted on the end face of the cassette K and des Stators of the same is mounted. You can by resilient latching elements 22 and 23 (Fig. 8) are piggyback-like with the holder 20 and interconnected. Other contact carriers can in the same way by means of resiliently latching elements be attached to both the contact carrier 18 and the contact carrier 19. If is dispensed with a separate holder 20, for example, the contact carrier 18 are attached to the cassette K. The contact carrier 19 and optionally all further contact carriers are then piggybacked together as described.

When the contact carrier 18 and 19 shown in FIG. 6 on the peripheral surface of the cassette K or the stator are attached, then it is useful first, the contact carrier 18 attached to the same. The contact carrier 19 and optionally further Contact carrier can piggyback on the contact carrier 18 and on each preceding contact carrier are attached. However, it is also possible the Contact carrier 19 - based on the graphic representation - top or bottom of Contact carrier 18 to install.

For the production of the cassette K is taking into account of FIG. 8, for example, as follows:

The conductors 15 and 16 of the FL-BL 4 are at their ends at both ends of the FL-BL 4 stripped. Thereafter, the areas of the conductors 15 and 16 are each by a in Line direction running cut separately. The two resulting parts the FL-BL 4 are bent separately by 90 ° and optionally bent, as shown in Fig. 3 and in Fig. 8 below. Then be the conductors 15 with the contacts 21 of the contact carrier 18 and the conductors 16 with the not shown in more detail contacts of the contact carrier 19 firmly connected, for example by soldering or welding.

Thereafter, the conductors of at least one secondary electrical line 17 - In Fig. 8, three lines 17 are located - in the same way as the conductors 15 and 16 of the FL-BL 4 connected to the respective contacts of the contact carrier 18 and 19 become. If their intended ends are designed as plug-in elements, they can stay free first.

The equipped with the contact carriers 18 and 19 FL-BL 4 is finally in one part the cassette K inserted. This is then done by assembling the stator and rotor closed. The contact carrier 18 and 19 are then by means of the resilient latching elements 22 and 23 connected to each other while at the same time Holder 20 attached.

In the above-described embodiment of the device according to the Invention has the same two equipped with contacts 21 contact carrier 18 and 19. Die Device may also have more than two contact carriers, of which at least one equipped with electrical contacts. In the cassette K, a FL-BL 4 can be arranged his. But there may also be two or more FL-BLs.

Claims (9)

1. A device for current transmission between two terminal points between which a wound ribbon cable conductor with at least two electric cores is housed in a cassette, the length of which is substantially greater than the distance of both terminal points from each other, in which the cassette consists of a fixed stator and a turning rotor, between which the ribbon cable conductor is arranged, in which at least one of the two terminal points is movable relative to the other and in which the ends of the ribbon cable conductor located at the terminal points are fed out of the cassette, characterized in that

   at least two panel-shaped contact holders (18,19) are mounted to the outside of the stator of the cassette (K) that have an open space for receiving electric contacts (21), which are insulated from each other, to which on the one hand the cores (15,16) of the ribbon cable conductor (4) and on the other hand the cores of at least one continuing electrical conductor (17) are connectable, and

   the contact holders (18,19) as well as other contact holders as necessary are connected to a unit by means of spring locking elements.
2. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the contact holders (18,19) is equipped with electrical contacts (21), to which the cores (15,16) of the ribbon cable conductor (4) are electroconductively connectable.
3. A device according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that

   at least a first contact holder (18) is arranged on the front face of the cassette (K) and

   a second contact holder (19) as well as if need be other contact holders are attached piggybacked to the first contact holder (18) and/or the respective previous contact holder by means of spring locking elements.
4. A device according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that

   at least one of the contact holders (18,19) is arranged by means of spring locking elements to a retainer (20) mounted to a front face of the cassette (K) and

   other contact holders are arranged piggybacked on the contact holder connected to the retainer (20).
5. A device according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that

   a first contact holder (18) is mounted on the peripheral face of the cassette (K) and

   at least on other contact holder (19) is arranged by means of spring locking elements to the first contact holder (18).
6. A device according to one of claims 1 through 5, characterized in that the cores of the continuing electrical conductor (17) is fixed electroconductively to the contacts (21) of the contact holder (18, 19).
7. A device according to one of claims 1 through 5, characterized in that the ends of the electrical contacts (21) of the contact holders (18,19), which are intended for connecting the cores of the continuing electrical conductor (17) are designed as plug elements.
8. A device according to claim 7, characterized in that the ends of the electrical contacts (21) are designed as plug pins.
9. A device according to claim 7, characterized in that the ends of the electrical contacts (21) are designed as sockets.

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