JP2000048926A - Rotary connection device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve reliability of tentative mounting of a rotation stop member in a rotary connection device. SOLUTION: A T-shaped sidewise rotation stop member 23 which is so set as to straddle a fixed side member 10 and a rotated side member 11 of which rotation phased match each other from the upper side is provided, a protrusion 11b to which a hole 23b of a sidewise part 23a can be fitted from the upper side is formed in either one of the fixed side member 10 and the rotated side member 11, a recessed part 10b into which a moving side hook 23d of a downward part 23c is fitted and a fixing side hook 10c to lock the moving side hook 23d in the recessed part 10b are formed in the other one, and then, when a rotary connection device 4 is incorporated in a body side device, a lock releasing pin of the body side device is fitted into the recessed part 10b and the fixing side hook 10c is displaced in a lock releasing direction by the lock releasing pin, so that the lock of the moving side hook 23d is released.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a rotary connection device used for electrical connection between parts that rotate relative to each other in an automobile, a home appliance, and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As shown in, for example, FIG. 9, a steering wheel mounting portion of an automobile has a steering shaft 2 rotatably supported on a bracket 1 fixed to a body. 3 and a rotary connection device 4 are provided. The tip of the steering shaft 2 penetrating through the switch device 3 and the rotary connection device 4 and protruding upward is attached to the shaft 2.
The steering wheel 6 is attached so as to rotate integrally with the steering wheel 6. The steering wheel 6 is provided with electrical components 7 such as a horn switch and an airbag as required. The switch device 3 is integrally assembled with switches such as a turn signal lamp and a wiper, and operation levers 8 and 9 for switching the switches are mounted on left and right side surfaces thereof.

[0003] The rotary connection device 4 is a device for electrically connecting the electric component 7 which rotates with the steering wheel 6 and a circuit on the body side. Had been used.

The rotary connection device shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is provided between a fixed side member (lower case) 10 fixed to the body side and a rotation side member (upper case) 11 which rotates integrally with the steering wheel 6. A cable (flexible flat cable FFC or flexible printed circuit FPC) 13 is spirally wound and housed in the annular space 12 formed, and a terminal member at the outer end of the cable 13 is provided. 15 'is connected to the connector 16 of the bracket 1, and the cable 1
The connector 17 attached to the inner end of the connector 3 via a terminal member 17 ′ is connected to the connector 18 of the electrical component 7. In addition, 19 is a cover, 20 is a C-ring for rotatably fixing the rotation-side member 11 to the fixed-side member 10, and 21 is a slippery sheet.

By the way, after assembling the rotary connection device 4 and matching the rotational phases of the fixed side member 10 and the rotary side member 11 with respect to the cable 13, before the rotary connection device 4 is assembled into the steering wheel portion, it is erroneously performed. If the rotation phase of the fixed-side member 10 and the rotation-side member 11 is shifted, and this state is incorporated in the steering wheel portion, the cable 13 is rotated by rotating the steering wheel.
May be shredded.

[0006]

For this purpose, a detent member is provided which can detent both members when they are set so as to straddle from the outside on the fixed side member and the rotating side member having the same rotational phase. A sticker is attached to the rotation-stopping member and the fixed-side member or the rotation-side member, and the rotation-stopping member is temporarily attached. However, the seal may be peeled off before the rotation-stopping member is removed. Therefore, there has been a problem that the reliability of the temporary attachment of the rotation preventing member is lacking.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problem, and has as its object to provide a rotary connection device in which the reliability of temporary attachment of a rotation preventing member is improved.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention comprises a fixed member and a rotating member which are rotatable relative to each other about a rotation center axis, and is formed between these two members. In a rotary connection device provided with a cable housed in an annular space, a laterally T-shaped detent member is provided which is set so as to straddle a fixed-side member and a rotary-side member that match in rotational phase from above. A hole is formed in a lateral portion of the detent member, a movable hook is formed in a downward portion, and a knob is formed in an upward portion, while a detent member is formed in one of the fixed member and the rotating member. A recess into which the hole of the laterally-oriented portion can be fitted from above, a recess into which the moving-side hook of the downward portion of the detent member is fitted, and a fixed-side hook which locks the moving-side hook in the recess. Forming and rotating When the connecting device is incorporated into the main body side device, the unlocking pin of the main body side device is fitted into the concave portion, and the fixed side hook is displaced in the unlocking direction by the unlocking pin to lock the moving side hook. Is provided, and a rotary connection device is provided.

According to the present invention, when the detent member is set so as to straddle from above the fixed-side member and the rotatable-side member having the same rotational phase, the downward-moving side hook of the detent member is fitted into the recess. When the hole in the horizontal portion is fitted into the projection while the movable hook is locked to the fixed hook in the concave portion. As a result, both members are prevented from rotating and the rotation preventing member is prevented from coming off, so that the rotation preventing member is securely temporarily attached, and the reliability of the mounting of the rotation preventing member is improved.

On the other hand, when the rotation connection device is incorporated into the main body side device (for example, a steering wheel portion), when the lock release pin of the main body side device is fitted into the recess with the incorporation, the locking release pin is used to fix the rotation connection device. Since the hook is displaced in the unlocking direction, the locking of the moving-side hook is released. Thus, the rotation preventing member can be easily removed from the rotation connection device.

When the movable hook is unlocked by being pushed down by the movable hook inserted into the concave portion, the detent member together with the movable hook is moved in the anti-insertion direction. When a spring for pushing up is provided, the detent member is flipped up together with the moving side hook by this spring force, so that the upward portion can be easily pinched with a finger, and the detent member can be easily removed.

The upward portion is hinged to the intersection of the horizontal portion and the downward portion so as to be swingable between a horizontal position and an upward position, and is always held at the horizontal position. When the unlocking pin of the main body side device is fitted into the recess, the lower part is pushed down below the hinge connection by the unlocking pin and is swung to the upward position. In the meantime, since the upward portion is held in the horizontal position, the rotary connection device does not become bulky, and an accident such as erroneous breakage of the upward portion is eliminated.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the same components and operations as those of the prior art are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the outer periphery of the upper surface side of the rotating member (rotor) 11 of the rotary connection device 4 is fitted into the opening on the upper surface side of the fixed member (case) 10.
Upper surface 11a of rotating member 11 and upper surface 1 of fixed member 10
0a are flush with each other.

The rotation-side member 11 has an upper surface 11a formed with a rotation-preventing projection 11b.
A bottomed concave portion 10b is formed on the upper surface 10a of the cable 0, and the bottomed cylindrical concave portion 10b and the rotation-preventing projection 11b set the rotation phase of the fixed side member 10 and the rotation side member 11 with respect to the cable 13 in the initial state. Are set so that the center line a coincides with

On the other hand, a horizontal T-shaped detent member 23 is provided, and a hole 23b which is fitted into the detent projection 11b of the rotation side member 11 from above is formed in the lateral portion 23a of the detent member 23. An outward moving side hook 23d is formed on the downward portion 23c, and the upward portion 23c is formed.
On e, a knob 23f for pinching with a finger is formed.

As shown in FIG. 3, an inward fixed hook for locking a movable hook 23d of a downward portion 23c of the fitted detent member 23 in the bottomed concave portion 10b of the fixed member 10. 10c is formed.

The steering wheel 6 includes:
When the rotary connection device 4 is incorporated, an unlocking pin 6a that fits into the bottomed concave portion 10b of the fixed side member 10 is provided, and the rotation preventing member 2 is located at a position lateral to the unlocking pin 6a.
An opening 6b through which the rotary member 3 can be removed from the rotary connection device 4 is formed.

As shown in FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b), the rotation preventing member 23 is turned sideways so as to straddle the fixed-side member 10 and the rotating-side member 11 whose rotational phases are matched. The hole 23b of the portion 23a is fitted into the rotation-preventing projection 11b of the rotation-side member 11, and the moving-side hook 23d of the downward portion 23c is fitted into the bottomed concave portion 10b of the fixed-side member 10. Is bottomed recess 10
b is locked by the fixed side hook 10c.

In this manner, by setting the rotation preventing member 23 with respect to the fixed side member 10 and the rotating side member 11, the hole 23b of the lateral portion 23a is fitted into the rotation preventing member 11b of the rotating side member 11. The movable side hook 23 d of the downward portion 23 c is fitted into the bottomed concave portion 10 b of the fixed side member 10 so that the rotating side member 11
Is prevented from rotating, and the fixed side member 1 for the cable 13 is
0 and the rotation phase of the rotation side member 11 do not shift.

The downward portion 23c of the detent member 23
By locking the moving-side hook 23d to the fixed-side hook 10c of the fixed-side member 10, the detent member 23 is temporarily attached to the fixed-side member 10.

Therefore, unlike the conventional seal which is easy to peel off, the rotation preventing member 23 is different from the conventional one in that the fixed side hook 1 is provided.
Since the movable side hook 23d is locked to the movable side hook 23c, it is securely temporarily attached to the fixed side member 10, so that the reliability of the attachment of the rotation preventing member 23 is improved.

When the rotary connection device 4 is incorporated into the steering wheel 6, as shown in FIG.
a is fitted into the bottomed concave portion 10b of the fixed-side member 10 and is pushed and bent by the locking release pin 6a to be fixed.
Since c is displaced in the unlocking direction (outward), the locking of the moving-side hook 23d of the rotation preventing member 23 is released.

Further, an opening 6b formed at a lateral position of the unlocking pin 6a of the steering wheel 6 is used, and the upwardly directed portion 23e of the rotation preventing member 23 penetrating the opening 6b.
By pulling the knob 23f with the finger and pulling it out of the rotary connection device 4, the detent member 23 can be easily removed from the rotary connection device 4.

As shown in FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b), the spring portion 10d which is pushed down by the moving side hook 23d of the rotation preventing member 23 fitted on the inner wall inside the bottomed concave portion 10b of the fixed side member 10 is formed. When the movable-side hook 23d is unlocked, the spring force of the spring portion 10d causes the movable-side hook 23d to flip up the detent member 23 (in the anti-fitting direction). The knob 23f of the portion 23e is easily pinched by a finger, and the rotation preventing member 2
3 can be easily removed. Instead of the spring portion 10d, a separate coil spring may be provided in the bottomed concave portion 10b.

As shown in FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b), the upwardly directed portion 23e of the detent member 23 is positioned at the intersection of the laterally directed portion 23a and the downwardly directed portion 23c in the horizontal position (the state of FIG. 6 (a)). And an upward position (the state of FIG. 6 (b)).

The upward portion 23e is connected to the hinge 2
Always hold the sideways position with a light spring force of 3g,
When the unlocking pin 6a of the steering wheel 6 is fitted into the bottomed concave portion 10b of the fixed side member 10 and the lower portion 23h is pushed down below the hinge portion 23g by the unlocking pin 6a, the upward portion 23e is It will be rocked from the side-in position to the upward position.

As a result, until the rotation connection device 4 is incorporated into the steering wheel 6, the rotation preventing member 23 is not used.
Since the upward portion 23e is held in the horizontal position, the rotary connection device 4 does not become bulky, and accidents such as erroneous breakage of the upward portion 23e are eliminated.

In the above embodiment, the fixed-side member 10 is formed with the bottomed concave portion 10b having a hook, and the rotation-side member 11 is formed with the detent projection 11b. In addition to forming the stopping projection, a bottomed concave portion having a hook may be formed on the rotating member 11.

[0030]

As is apparent from the above description, the rotary connection device according to the present invention, when setting the rotation preventing member so as to straddle from above the fixed-side member and the rotary-side member having the same rotational phase, is used. When the hole of the horizontal portion is fitted into the projection while the movable side hook of the downward portion of the stopper member is fitted in the concave portion, the movable side hook is locked by the fixed side hook in the concave portion, and both members are prevented from rotating. Since the rotation preventing member is prevented from coming off, the rotation preventing member can be securely temporarily attached, and the reliability of the mounting of the rotation preventing member is improved unlike a conventional seal that is easily peeled off.

In addition, when the fixed hook is displaced in the unlocking direction by the unlocking pin of the main body device in accordance with the mounting, the locking of the movable hook is released. The detent member can be easily removed from the rotary connection device.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, when the movable side hook is unlocked, a spring which pushes up the rotation preventing member together with the movable side hook in the anti-fitting direction is provided in the concave portion. At the same time, the detent member is flipped up, so that the upward portion can be easily pinched with a finger, and the detent member can be easily removed.

As described in claim 3, the upward portion of the rotation preventing member is hinged, and when the unlocking pin of the main body side device is fitted into the concave portion, the locking releasing pin is used to shift from the horizontal position to the upward position. When the rotary connection device is swung to the main body side device, the rotary connection device does not become bulky at the upward portion in the horizontal position, and accidents such as erroneous breakage of the upward portion do not occur.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rotary connection device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a detent member.

3A and 3B are cross-sectional views of a rotation preventing member, in which FIG. 3A is a side cross-sectional view before mounting, and FIG. 3B is a side cross-sectional view after mounting.

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the rotation preventing member when it is removed.

5A and 5B show a rotary connection device according to a first modification, in which FIG. 5A is a side cross-sectional view when a detent member is attached, and FIG. 5B is a side cross-sectional view when a detent member is removed.

6A and 6B show a rotary connection device according to a second modification, in which FIG. 6A is a side cross-sectional view when a detent member is attached, and FIG. 6B is a side cross-sectional view when a detent member is removed.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional rotary connection device.

FIG. 8 is an assembled perspective view of a conventional rotary connection device.

FIG. 9 is an exploded side view of a steering wheel mounting portion of the automobile.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 4 rotation connection device 6 steering wheel 6a locking release pin 10 fixed side member 10b bottomed concave portion 10c fixed side hook 10d spring portion 11 rotation side member 11b detent projection 13 cable 23 detent member 23a sideways portion 23b hole 23c downward portion 23d Moving side hook 23e Upward portion 23f Knob

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Tomoyuki Sakata 1-7-10 Kikuzumi, Minami-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi F-term in Harness Research Institute, Ltd. 3D030 DB25 5E051 GA06 GB01

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A rotary connection device comprising: a fixed side member and a rotation side member rotatable relative to each other about a rotation center axis; and a cable housed in an annular space formed between the two members. In the above, a horizontal T-shaped detent member which is set so as to be straddled from above on the fixed side member and the rotatable side member having the same rotational phase is provided, and a hole is formed in the laterally directed portion of the detent member, and the downwardly directed portion is formed. Forming a movable side hook, forming a knob on the upward portion, and forming a projection on one of the fixed side member and the rotating side member, which can be fitted into the hole of the horizontal portion of the detent member from above, On the other hand, a concave portion into which the moving side hook of the downward portion of the detent member is fitted, and a fixed side hook that locks the moving side hook in the concave portion are formed, and when the rotary connection device is incorporated into the main body side device. , Book in the above recess It is fitted an unlocking pin side device, rotating connection device, characterized in that the fixed side hook the locking release pin so as to release the engagement of the movable hook is displaced in unlocking direction. 2. A spring is provided in the concave portion, which is pushed down by the moving-side hook inserted and pushes up the detent member together with the moving-side hook in the anti-fitting direction when the moving-side hook is unlocked. The rotary connection device according to claim 1. 3. The upwardly-facing portion is hinged to an intersection of the laterally-facing portion and the downwardly-facing portion so as to be swingable between a laterally-facing position and an upwardly-facing position, and is normally held in the laterally-facing position. 2. The rotary connection device according to claim 1, wherein when the lock release pin is inserted, the lower portion of the hinge connection is pushed down by the lock release pin to swing upward.