JP2001270446A - Steering roll connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a steering roll connector capable of preventing rattling noises and excessive wear. SOLUTION: The steering roll connector 41 comprises a stator 43 and a rotator 44 relatively rotatably assembled to each other. The stator 43 is fixed to a switch body 21. The rotator 44 is provided with an insertion projection 81 to be passed through a through-hole 36 provided in a steering wheel 31. By locking the insertion projection 81 to the open end of the through-hole 36, the steering wheel 31 and the rotator 44 are integrally rotatably fixed to each other. The insertion projection 81 is provided with a guide slope 85 for drawing the rotator 44 toward the steering wheel 31. As a result, a clearance is provided between the stator 43 and the rotator 44.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a steering roll connector for an automobile, and more particularly, to a steering roll connector in which a rotator and a stator are rotatably mounted.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As shown in FIG. 4, a switch main body 92 is provided at a base end of a steering main shaft 91. A stator 102 constituting a steering roll connector (hereinafter, referred to as “SRC”) 101 is attached to the switch body 92 by screwing or the like. The rotator 1 constituting the SRC 101 is provided on the stator 102.
03 is attached via a sleeve 104 so as to be relatively rotatable. The rotator 103 is provided with an insertion protrusion 105. A steering wheel 93 is provided at the tip of the steering main shaft 91. The steering wheel 93 is provided with an insertion hole 94. The insertion hole 94 has a simple insertion protrusion 1.
05 is inserted loosely.

[0003]

The stator 1
The portions fitted to the sleeve 104 in the 02 and the rotator 103 were in close contact with each other to prevent rattling. Therefore, the steering wheel 93
, The stator 102 and the rotator 103 slide with respect to each other. Therefore, there is a problem that abnormal noise is generated and the luxury feeling of the vehicle is impaired.

If the steering main shaft 91 is eccentric, an error occurs between the central axis of the rotator 103 and the central axis of the stator 102. In this state, if the steering wheel 93 is continuously used, there is a problem that the sliding surfaces of the stator 102 and the rotator 103 are abnormally worn.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a steering roll connector capable of preventing generation of abnormal noise and abnormal wear.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a stator fixed to a switch body and an insertion projection for inserting into an insertion hole provided in a steering wheel. A rotator provided with a rotator is rotatably assembled in the steering roll connector. The steering wheel and the rotator are integrally rotatably fixed by locking the insertion protrusion at an opening end of the insertion hole. The gist of the invention is that a gap is provided between the stator and the rotator by providing pulling means for pulling the rotator toward the steering wheel.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a locking projection is provided on a side surface of the insertion projection, and a guide slope as the drawing means is provided on a base end side of the locking projection.
The gist of the invention described in claim 3 is that a base portion is provided at a position closer to a base end than the guide slope in the insertion protrusion.

Hereinafter, the "action" of the present invention will be described. According to the first aspect of the invention, when the insertion protrusion is inserted into the insertion hole, the insertion protrusion is locked at the opening end of the insertion hole, so that the steering wheel and the rotator can rotate integrally. At the same time, the rotator is drawn toward the steering wheel by the drawing means, so that a gap is created between the stator and the rotator.
Therefore, it is possible to prevent generation of abnormal noise due to sliding of the stator and the rotator with each other. Further, when the steering main shaft is eccentric, an error generated between the central axis of the rotator and the central axis of the stator is absorbed by the gap. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the sliding surfaces of the rotator and the stator from being abnormally worn.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the guide slope is provided on the lower surface side of the locking projection. Therefore, when the steering wheel is mounted on the rotator, the insertion protrusion is gradually moved into the insertion hole by the guide slope. Therefore, the rotator can be smoothly drawn to the steering wheel side.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the base is provided on the insertion protrusion so as to be located below the guide slope. Therefore, the steering wheel is fixed by being sandwiched between the guide slope and the base. Therefore, rattling between the steering wheel and the rotator can be prevented.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the steering main shaft 11 is constructed by arranging a large-diameter shaft portion 12, a small-diameter shaft portion 13, and a bolt portion 14 in that order toward the distal end. I have. Here, in FIG. 2, the upper part of the steering main shaft 11 is defined as the distal end side, and the lower part is defined as the proximal end side. The switch main body 21 is disposed on the steering main shaft 11 so as to cover a connection portion between the large-diameter shaft portion 12 and the small-diameter shaft portion 13. On the tip surface of the switch body 21,
Screw holes 22 are provided at two places. Each screw hole 22
Are arranged symmetrically with respect to the steering main shaft 11. In FIG. 1, the switch body 2
A turn signal lever 23 made of synthetic resin protrudes from the left side surface 21a of 1. At the same time, switch body 2
A wiper lever 24 made of a synthetic resin protrudes from the right side surface 21b of 1. That is, in the present embodiment, the driver seat (not shown) is disposed on the right side in the traveling direction of the vehicle. Winker lever 23 and wiper lever 24
Are arranged substantially symmetrically about the steering main shaft 11. The turn signal lever 23 and the wiper lever 24 are formed so as to become wider toward the tip end. This turn signal lever 23
The wiper lever 24 is rotatable about 45 ° to 90 ° in the rotation direction of the steering main shaft 11.

As shown in FIG. 2, a steering wheel 31 is provided on the bolt portion 14. The steering wheel 31 is configured by connecting an annular holding portion 32 and a case portion 33. An airbag (not shown) is provided inside the case portion 33.
A horn mechanism, a steering switch, and the like are provided. A bolt insertion hole 34 is provided in the bottom 33a of the case 33.
Are provided so as to correspond to the bolt portions 14. The inner diameter of the bolt insertion hole 34 is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the bolt portion 14. And, this bolt insertion hole 34
The bolt portion 14 is inserted through the
Are screwed together. As a result, the steering wheel 31 is attached to the bolt portion 14. The bottom 33a is provided with two insertion holes 36 at two locations. Each insertion hole 36,
They are arranged almost symmetrically about the bolt insertion hole 34.

As shown in FIG. 2, the small-diameter shaft 1
3 has a steering roll connector (hereinafter "SRC").
) Is externally inserted. The sleeve main body 51 constituting the sleeve 42 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the inner peripheral surface thereof has a small diameter shaft portion 1.
3 is separated from the outer peripheral surface. The sleeve body 51
A positioning plate 53 is protrudingly provided on the outer peripheral surface of. At the same time, an engagement projection 54 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion of the sleeve main body 51 so as to project therefrom. The distance from the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve 42 to the distal end surface of the engagement projection 54 is about one third of the distance from the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve 42 to the distal end surface of the positioning plate 53.

As shown in FIG. 2, the switch body 21
The stator 43 constituting the SRC 41 is attached to the tip end surface of the. A screw insertion hole 62 is provided in the mounting portion 61 of the stator 43 so as to correspond to the screw hole 22. Then, the stator 43 is attached to the switch body 21 by inserting a screw 63 into the screw insertion hole 62 and screwing it into the screw hole 22 of the switch body 21. Further, a first through hole 64 is provided in the mounting portion 61 so as to correspond to the small-diameter shaft portion 13. First
The size of the through hole 64 is larger than the outer diameter of the sleeve main body 51. At the same time, the first through hole 64
Is smaller than the outer diameter of the positioning plate 53. The inner peripheral edge of the mounting portion 61 is arranged between the engaging projection 54 and the positioning plate 53. In addition, a wall portion 65 is provided on the distal end surface of the mounting portion 61 so as to protrude in an annular shape. Therefore, a housing 66 is formed in a portion from the wall portion 65 to the inner peripheral edge of the mounting portion 61. A flat cable 67 attached to the steering main shaft 11 is provided in the housing 66. Flat cable 67
Is linked with the rotation of the steering wheel 31,
The housing 66 can be pulled out or wound up. One end of the flat cable 67 is drawn out to the steering wheel 31 side, and is connected to an airbag, a horn switch, and a steering switch. At the same time, the other end of the flat cable 67 is pulled out toward the vehicle body and
The CU and the horn are connected.

As shown in FIG. 2, a rotator 44 constituting the SRC 41 is attached to the sleeve 42. The outer diameter of the main body 71 constituting the rotator 44 is
It is larger than the outer diameter of the wall 65. Main unit 7
A cover portion 72 is provided at an outer peripheral end portion of the mounting member 61 so as to protrude in the direction of the distal end surface of the mounting portion 61. The inner surface of the cover 72 is separated from the outer surface of the wall 65. Also,
A second through-hole 73 is provided in the main body 71 so as to correspond to the small-diameter shaft 13. Second through hole 73
Is the same size as the outer diameter of the portion of the sleeve 42 where the engagement protrusion 54 protrudes. At the inner peripheral end of the main body 71, an engaging portion 74 is provided so as to protrude toward the base end of the steering main shaft 11. The engaging portion 74 is bent so as to abut on the engaging protrusion 54 and the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve main body 51. Therefore, a gap is formed between the engaging portion 74 and the mounting portion 61 of the stator 43. Therefore, the rotator 44 and the stator 43 do not slide.

As shown in FIG.
In 1a, two insertion projections 81 are provided so as to protrude toward the distal end of the steering main shaft 11. The insertion projection 81 is formed integrally with the main body 71 by a synthetic resin, and has flexibility. The width of the insertion projection 81 is smaller than the width of the insertion hole 36 provided on the bottom 33 a of the case 33. Each insertion protrusion 8
Reference numeral 1 is inserted into the insertion hole 36. The small-diameter shaft portion 13 at the base end of each insertion protrusion 81
A base 82 having a rectangular cross section is provided on the side surface on the side. Each base 82 is arranged so as to face each other at each insertion protrusion 81.

At each insertion projection 81, a locking projection 83 having a substantially triangular cross section is provided at a position on the distal end side of the base 82. Here, the distal end side of each locking projection 83 is an insertion inclined surface 84 that gradually narrows the locking projection 83 toward the distal end. The proximal end side of each locking projection 83 is a guide slope 85 as a pulling means for gradually reducing the width of the locking projection 83 toward the proximal direction. At the portion where the insertion slope 84 and the guide slope 85 are connected, the width of the locking projection 83 is the largest. Also,
The portion where the insertion slope 84 and the guide slope 85 are connected is located about 5 to 10 mm closer to the steering main shaft 11 than the opening end of the insertion hole 36 before assembly. The guide slope 85 is the insertion hole 3
6 is in contact with the opening end. Each guide slope 8
5 are arranged so as to face each other at each insertion protrusion 81. The guide slope 85 draws the rotator 44 toward the steering wheel 31. As a result, the rotator 44 is fixed so as to be able to rotate integrally with the steering wheel 31. Therefore, the rotator 44 can rotate relative to the stator 43.

Next, the process of assembling the steering wheel 31 to the SRC 41 will be described in detail. FIG.
As shown in (a), the switch body 21 and the SRC 41
When the is mounted on the steering main shaft 11, the steering wheel 31 is moved in the proximal direction of the steering main shaft 11. At the same time, the insertion projection 81 moves along the insertion slope 84 in FIG.
It moves in the direction of arrow F1 shown in FIG. As a result, FIG.
As shown in (b), the bottom portion 33 a of the case portion 33 contacts the distal end surface of the small-diameter shaft portion 13. At the same time, the insertion protrusion 81 is bent in the outer peripheral direction of the rotator 44 by being inserted into the insertion hole 36. In this state, an urging force acts on the insertion projection 81 in a direction to return to the original state. Here, the lower surface side of the locking projection 83 is a guide slope 85. Therefore, when the insertion projection 81 is urged, the insertion projection 81 gradually moves into the insertion hole 36 along the guide slope 85. As a result, as shown in FIG.
The engagement protrusion 83 is fitted to the opening end of the insertion hole 36 by snap fitting. Further, the bottom 33 a is sandwiched between the guide slope 85 and the base 82. Therefore, the steering wheel 31 and the rotator 44 are fixed so as to be integrally rotatable. At the same time, the stator 43 and the rotator 44 are separated from each other so that they are not slid.

According to this embodiment, the following features can be obtained. (1) When the insertion protrusion 81 is inserted into the insertion hole 36, the steering wheel 31 and the rotator 44 can be integrally rotated by locking the insertion protrusion 81 at the open end of the insertion hole 36. At the same time, the rotator 44 is drawn toward the steering wheel 31 by the guide slope 85, so that a gap is generated between the stator 43 and the rotator 44. Therefore, the stator 43 and the rotator 44
It is possible to prevent abnormal noise from being generated due to the sliding of the two. When the steering main shaft 11 is eccentric, an error generated between the central axis of the rotator 44 and the central axis of the stator 43 is absorbed by the gap. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the sliding surfaces of the rotator 44 and the stator 43 from being abnormally worn.

(2) The guide slope 85 is provided on the lower surface side of the locking projection 83. Therefore, the steering wheel 3
When attaching 1 to the rotator 44, the insertion protrusion 81 is gradually moved into the insertion hole 36 by the guide slope 85. Therefore, the rotator 44 can be smoothly drawn to the steering wheel 31 side.

(3) The base 81 is provided on the insertion projection 81 so as to be located below the guide slope 85. Therefore, the steering wheel 31 is mounted on the guide slope 8.
5 and is fixed by being sandwiched between the base portion 82. Therefore, the steering wheel 31 and the rotator 4
4 can be prevented from rattling.

(4) The front end face of the locking projection 83 has an insertion slope 8 that gradually narrows the width of the locking projection 83 toward the front end.
4. Therefore, the insertion protrusion 81 gradually moves into the insertion hole 36 along the insertion slope 84. Therefore, the insertion protrusion 8
1 can be easily inserted into the insertion hole 36.

The present embodiment may be modified as follows. In the above embodiment, each of the locking projections 83 is the insertion projection 81
Were arranged so as to face each other. However, each locking projection 83 may be arranged so that at least one of the insertion projections 81 is in the opposite direction.

In the above-described embodiment, the distal end surface of the locking projection 83 is the insertion inclined surface 84 that gradually narrows the insertion projection 81 toward the distal end side. However, the insertion slope 84 may not be provided.

In the above-described embodiment, the bottom portion 33 of the case portion 33 is
The base part 82 which clamped a was provided. However, instead of providing the base portion 82, an elastic member such as a spring or rubber is provided, and the bottom portion 3 of the case portion 33 is
3a may be pinched.

In the above embodiment, the base portions 82 are arranged so as to face each other at the insertion projection 81. However, each base 82 may be arranged on a surface of the insertion projection 81 different from the surface on which the locking projection 83 is provided. Further, the base 82 may be omitted.

The insertion protrusion 81 may be provided at any number of places, or may be provided at only one place. -In the said embodiment, the stator 43 was fixed to the switch main body 21 by the screw 63 as a fixing means. However, the stator 43 may be fixed to the switch body 21 by other fixing means such as a rivet or an adhesive.

In the above-described embodiment, the pulling means is the guide slope 85 at the base end side of the locking projection 83. Instead, an elastic member such as a spring as a drawing means is disposed between the bottom portion 33a and the main body portion 71, and the rotator 44
May be drawn to the steering wheel 31 side.

Next, technical ideas other than the invention described in the claims which can be understood from the above embodiment and other examples will be described below together with their effects. (1) The steering roll connector according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the distal end surface of the locking projection is an insertion slope that gradually narrows the locking projection toward the distal end side. Therefore, according to the invention described in the technical concept (1), the insertion protrusion can be easily inserted into the insertion hole.

(2) The steering roll connector according to (1) to (3), wherein each of the pulling means is disposed so as to face each other at each of the insertion protrusions.

(3) The steering roll connector according to claim 3, wherein the respective base portions are arranged so as to face each other at the respective insertion protrusions.

[0033]

As described in detail above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent generation of abnormal noise due to sliding of the stator and the rotator with each other. Moreover, it is possible to prevent the sliding surfaces of the rotator and the stator from being abnormally worn.

According to the second aspect of the invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, the rotator can be smoothly drawn to the steering wheel side. Claim 3
According to the invention described in (1), in addition to the effect of the invention described in (2), rattling between the steering wheel and the rotator can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a top view showing a state after a steering wheel and a steering roll connector according to an embodiment have been connected.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main part, similarly showing a connection portion between a steering wheel and a steering roll connector.

FIGS. 3A to 3C are main-portion cross-sectional views showing a process of attaching a steering wheel.

FIG. 4 is an essential part cross-sectional view showing a connection portion between a steering wheel and a steering roll connector in a conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

21: Switch body, 31: Steering wheel, 3
6 ... insertion hole, 41 ... steering roll connector (SR
C), 43: stator, 44: rotator, 81: insertion projection, 82: base portion, 83: locking projection, 85: guide slope as drawing means.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A steering roll connector in which a stator fixed to a switch body and a rotator provided with an insertion projection for insertion into an insertion hole provided in a steering wheel are relatively rotatably assembled. The steering wheel and the rotator so as to be integrally rotatable by locking the steering wheel with the opening end of the insertion hole, and a pulling means for pulling the rotator toward the steering wheel side. A gap is provided between the steering roll connector and the rotator. 2. The steering roll connector according to claim 1, wherein a locking projection is provided on a side surface of the insertion projection, and a guide slope as the drawing means is provided on a base end side of the locking projection. . 3. The steering roll connector according to claim 2, wherein a base portion is provided at a position closer to a base end than the guide slope in the insertion protrusion.