JP2003217780A - Clock spring - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a clock spring capable of surely eliminating a foreign sound caused by shaking of a slip ring. <P>SOLUTION: In this clock spring 10, the electric connection between relatively rotatable stator 11 and rotor 20 is performed by a flexible flat cable 44 and the sliding contact between slip rings 30 and 31 provided on the rotor 20 and sliding contact elements 17 and 18 provided on the stator 11. A projection 24a is provided on the rotor 20, a mounting mole to be fitted into the projection 24a is formed in the position opposed to the projection 24a of the slip ring 30, and the rotor 20 is fixed to the slip ring 30 through an adhesive member 27. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a clock spring as a current-carrying device for electrically connecting a steering wheel and a steering column for a vehicle, and more specifically, a clock spring between a relatively rotatable fixed body and a rotatable body. The present invention relates to a clock spring that is electrically connected via a plurality of slip rings and sliding contacts that support large current.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A slip ring used in this type of clock spring is shown in FIG.
The slip ring 1 is composed of a ring base 2 which is insulative and has a substantially circular disk shape, and annular large and small conductive rings 3 and 4 which are embedded in the same plane of the ring base 2 with concentric circles and different diameters. It is configured. The conductive rings 3 and 4 for the two circuits are brought into contact with and electrically connected to the corresponding sliding contacts 5 and 6, respectively.

A similar technique to the slip ring 1 is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-215842.

[0004]

In the conventional slip ring 1 described above, when the slip ring 1 is mounted on the rotator side that constitutes the rotating body of a clock spring (current-carrying device) (not shown), for example, the ring of the slip ring 1 is used. The frame-shaped engaging portion 7 provided on the base 2 and the locking projection provided on the rotator are attached to each other by locking, but the locking means including the engaging portion 7 and the locking projection is sufficient for locking. The slip ring 1 rattles when starting rotation of the rotator or switching between left and right rotations, which causes abnormal noise.

Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a clock spring capable of reliably preventing generation of abnormal noise due to rattling of a slip ring. .

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a flexible structure in which an electrical connection between a relatively rotatable fixed body and a rotatable body is interposed between the fixed body and the rotatable body. Flexible flat cable and a clock spring adapted to perform sliding contact with a slip ring provided on one side of the fixed body and the rotating body and a sliding contact provided on the other side A protrusion is provided on one of the fixed body and the rotating body, and a mounting hole that is press-fitted into the protrusion is formed at a position of the slip ring facing the protrusion, and one of the fixed body and the rotating body is formed. One of them and the slip ring are fixed to each other via an adhesive member.

In this clock spring, either the fixed body or the rotating body and the slip ring are securely fixed to each other through the press fit into the projection and the adhesive member without backlash.
This prevents rattling of the slip ring when starting rotation of the rotating body and switching between left and right rotations.
Generation of abnormal noise is surely prevented.

A second aspect of the present invention is the clock spring according to the first aspect, wherein a double-sided adhesive tape is used as the adhesive member, and the entire circumference of the slip ring and the fixed body are rotated through the double-sided adhesive tape. It is characterized in that it is attached to either one of the body.

In this clock spring, one of the fixed body and the rotating body and the slip ring are more securely fixed to each other via the double-sided adhesive tape without backlash. As a result, rattling of the slip ring is more reliably prevented when starting rotation of the rotating body and switching between left and right rotations, and abnormal noise is more reliably prevented from occurring.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the clock spring according to the first aspect, grease having high viscosity is used as the adhesive member, and the grease having high viscosity is used in any of the slip ring, the fixed body and the rotating body. It is characterized in that it is interposed at a predetermined interval from either one.

In this clock spring, one of the fixed body and the rotating body and the slip ring are more securely fixed to each other through the highly viscous grease without backlash. As a result, rattling of the slip ring is reliably prevented at the time of starting rotation of the rotating body and switching between left and right rotations, and abnormal noise is surely prevented.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a clock spring according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an essential part of the clock spring, FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of an essential part of the clock spring, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a bottom view showing a state in which the lowermost slip ring of the clock spring is removed, FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line EE in FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 is a plan view of a slip ring used in the clock spring. 7A is a partially enlarged sectional view showing a state before fixing the spring ring and the rotator, and FIG. 7B is a partially enlarged sectional view showing a state where the spring ring and the rotator are fixed.

As shown in FIG. 1, a clock spring 1
Reference numeral 0 is a current-carrying device for electrically connecting a steering column and a steering wheel for a vehicle (not shown),
An insulative fixed body 11 attached to the steering column and an insulative rotating body 20 attached to the steering wheel and rotatably supported with respect to the fixed body 11 are provided.

The clock spring 10 is
A pair of sliding contacts 17, 18 provided on the fixed body (other side) 11 on the respective sliding surfaces 32a, 35a of the pair of slip rings 30, 31 provided on the rotating body (one side) 20.
By slidably contacting each other, the relatively rotatable fixed body 11 and the rotating body 20 are electrically connected. To be more specific, this clock spring 1
0 is a rotating body 20 that rotates with the steering wheel
A large current is supplied from the fixed body 11 side (steering column side) to a heater (not shown) built in the steering wheel via the.

As shown in FIG. 1, the fixed body 11 is made of synthetic resin and is formed into a substantially thick cylindrical shape. This fixed body 11
An annular supporting body 12 as an upper flange portion is fixed to the upper end of the so as to horizontally project inward, and an annular shape is provided at a position below the center of the inner peripheral surface 11a of the fixing body 11. The lower flange portion 13 is integrally formed so as to extend horizontally inward. Then, the inner peripheral surface 11a of the fixed body 11
And a lower surface 13b of the lower flange portion 13 to accommodate a contactor mounting body 14 having a pair of sliding contactors 17 and 18 mounted in a lower space A.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the contactor mounting body 1
Reference numeral 4 is formed of a synthetic resin in a thin-walled cylindrical shape, and an annular flange-shaped mounting portion 15 is integrally formed at the center of the inner peripheral surface 14a so as to extend horizontally inward. This mounting part 1
5, one sliding contact 17 having a substantially V-shaped plane is sandwiched between the pair of hook-shaped claw portions (clamping portions) 15c and 15c and the upper mounting surface 15a so as to be freely mounted. In addition, the other sliding contact 18 having a substantially V-shaped plane is provided on the lower mounting surface 15b of the mounting portion 15 between the pair of hook-shaped claw portions (holding portions) 15d, 15d and the lower mounting surface 15b. It is held so that it can be attached in between. A pair of convex contact points 17a, 17a and 18a, 18a are integrally formed on the free ends of both ends of each of the sliding contacts 17, 18 so as to project therefrom.

A plurality of mounting pieces 16 are integrally formed on the lower side of the outer peripheral surface 14b of the contactor mounting body 14 at equal intervals. The mounting pieces 16 are housed in the recesses 11b formed at equal intervals on the lower surface of the fixed body 11 and fastened and fixed via screws (fixing means) 19, so that the space A below the fixed body 11 is fixed. The contact attachment body 14 is detachably attached to the contact attachment body 14.

As shown in FIG. 1, the rotary body 20 is made of synthetic resin and has a wide (thickness) cylindrical portion 21a inside the center of the lower side. The rotator 22 is made of a synthetic resin and fixed to the lower surface of the inner cylindrical portion 21a by a predetermined means, and has a substantially cylindrical shape.
The outer peripheral surface side of the cylindrical portion 21a of the upper lid 21 is rotatably supported by the inner peripheral surface 12a of the support body 12 of the fixed body 11, and a plurality of steps of the rotator 22 are integrally formed in an annular shape to form a flange. A step portion 23a at the center of the portion 23 is rotatably supported on the inner peripheral surface 13a of the lower flange portion 13 of the solid body 11. The rotating body 20 is rotatably supported on the fixed body 11 via a retaining means (not shown) so as not to come off the fixed body 11.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the lower surface 23b of the flange portion 23 of the rotator 22 and the rotator 22.
A pair of upper and lower slip rings 30 and 31 are attached between the lower long inner wall portion 25 and the short outer wall portion 26.
The upper (uppermost) slip ring 30 is composed of a ring-shaped conductive ring 32 which is attached to the lower surface 23b of the flange portion 23 with the double-sided adhesive tape (adhesive member) 27 all around. . The lower surface of the conductive ring 32 serves as a sliding surface 32a on which the pair of contacts 17a, 17a of the upper sliding contact 17 come into contact with each other.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the lower (lowermost) slip ring 31 is made of synthetic resin (insulating) and has an annular plate shape having an annular concave portion 33a on the upper surface. It comprises a ring base 33 and a ring-shaped plate-shaped conductive ring 35 housed in a ring-shaped recess 33 a of the ring base 33. Then, the recess 33a of the ring base 33
A plurality of hook-shaped projections (locking portions) 33b for temporarily locking the conductive ring 35 housed in the recess 33a are provided on the inner peripheral edge of the
Are formed integrally with each other. When the ring base 33 is fitted to the inner wall portion 25 of the rotator 22, the respective protrusions 33b are
Lower end portion (pressing portion) 26a of the outer wall portion 26 of the rotator 22
By this, the conductive ring 35 is pressed toward the concave portion 33a so that the conductive ring 35 is finally locked in the concave portion 33a. Further, the upper surface of the conductive ring 35 serves as a sliding surface 35a on which the pair of contacts 18a, 18a of the lower sliding contact 18 come into contact and slide. Thus, the lower slip ring 31 is detachably attached to the rotator 22 so that the sliding surfaces 32a, 35a of the conductive rings 32, 35 face each other at a predetermined distance (height). .

The central standing pieces (connecting portions) 17b and 18b of the sliding contacts 17 and 18 are connected to a connector 40 provided on the fixed body 11 side via unillustrated lead wires or the like. . The connector 40 is adapted to be connected to a power supply circuit or the like on the steering column side. Further, the standing pieces (connecting portions) 32b and 35b formed by bending at the centers of the inner peripheral edges of the conductive rings 32 and 35 are connected to unillustrated connectors built in the steering wheel via lead wires 41 and 42. There is. This connector is adapted to be connected to a heater or the like built in the steering wheel.

Also, as shown in FIG.
A plurality of tongue pieces 32c integrally formed on the inner peripheral edge of the rotator 22 are housed and positioned in the notches 24 formed in the outer wall portion 26 of the rotator 22. At least a pair of tongue pieces 32c, 32c facing each other are formed with a round mounting hole 32d which is press-fitted into a rib 24a described later. A substantially cylindrical rib (projection) 24a is integrally formed on the bottom surface of each notch 24 facing the pair of mounting holes 32d, 32d. Then, as shown in FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b),
The attachment holes 32d of the tongue pieces 32c of the conductive ring 32 are attached to the ribs 24a of the notches 24 of the rotator 22 by press fitting. The rib 24a and the mounting hole 32d
The slip ring 30 on the upper side of the rotator 2
The double-sided adhesive tape 2 on the lower surface 23b side of the flange portion 23 of FIG.
In combination with the adhesive force of No. 7, it is positioned and fixed without rattling. Incidentally, the tip end side of the rib 24a is formed in a conical shape so that the mounting hole 32d can be inserted to facilitate press fitting.

Further, a plurality of tongue pieces 35c integrally formed on the inner peripheral edge of the conductive ring 35 are housed and positioned in the groove 33c formed in the recess 33a of the ring base 33. In addition, the upper and lower flange portions 1 of the fixed body 11
A flexible flat cable 44 is housed in a space 43 surrounded by the outer wall portion 26 of the rotator 22 and the like 2, 13 and the like via a carrier 43. Furthermore, in the annular groove-shaped recess 11c formed on the upper surface of the fixed body 11, the upper lid 21
The front end side of the thin-walled cylindrical portion 21b protruding outward is inserted.

According to the clock spring 10 of the above embodiment, the pair of slip rings 30 and 31 for two circuits and the pair of slides are provided in the narrow lower space A between the fixed body 11 and the rotator 22 of the rotary body 20. When the dynamic contacts 17 and 18 are assembled, the conductive ring 32 of the one slip ring 30 is previously fixed to the lower surface 23b of the flange portion 23 of the rotator 22 via the double-sided adhesive tape 27, and the conductive ring 32 is The attachment hole 32d of each tongue piece 32c is press-fitted into the rib 24a of each notch 24 of the rotator 22.

Next, the contactor attachment body 14 to which the pair of sliding contactors 17 and 18 are attached is fixed to the fixed body 11 via the screw 19.
It is installed in the space A below. The ring-shaped conductive ring 35 is housed in the recess 33a of the ring base 33 of the other slip ring 31, and the conductive ring 35 is mounted on the inner peripheral edge of the recess 33a via the plurality of protrusions 33b. Temporarily lock. When the other slip ring 31, to which the conductive ring 35 is temporarily locked by each of the protrusions 33b, is fitted to the inner wall portion 25 of the rotator 22, the lower end portion 26a of the outer wall portion 26 of the rotator 22 is moved to the lower end portion 26a, as shown in FIG. Each protrusion 33b
Is pressed and the conductive ring 35 is finally locked in the recess 33a. That is, the rear side of each protrusion 33b is the rotator 22.
When pushed by the lower end portion 26a of the outer wall portion 26 of each of the protrusions 33b, there is no space for bending inside the protrusions 33b, and the protrusions 3b
The disengagement of the conductive ring 35 by 3b is reliably prevented, and the conductive ring 35 is securely permanently locked in the recess 33a of the ring base 33. This prevents the conductive ring 35 from being displaced in the direction of the center circle.

Thus, the flange portion 2 of the rotator 22
The conductive ring 32 of the slip ring 30 on the lower surface 23b of
Is fixed via the double-sided adhesive tape 27, and the mounting holes 32d of the tongue pieces 32c of the conductive ring 32 are attached to the rotator 2.
Since the ribs 24a of the respective notch portions 24 of No. 2 are press-fitted and attached, the lower surface 2 of the flange portion 23 of the rotator 22
The conductive ring 32 of the slip ring 30 can be securely fixed to 3b without backlash. As a result, it is possible to reliably prevent the slip ring 30 from rattling at the time of starting the rotation of the rotating body 20 and switching between the left and right rotations, and it is possible to reliably prevent the generation of abnormal noise. In particular, by attaching the lower surface 23b of the flange portion 23 of the rotator 22 and the entire circumference of the conductive ring 32 of the slip ring 30 via the double-sided adhesive tape 27, the rotator 22
The conductive ring 32 of the slip ring 30 can be more securely fixed to the lower surface 23b of the flange portion 23 of the rotor 23 without rattling, and the rattling of the slip ring 30 and abnormal noise can occur when the rotating body 20 is started to rotate and when the left and right rotations are switched. The occurrence of can be prevented more reliably.

On the lower surface 23b of the flange portion 23 formed integrally with the rotator 22, the slip ring 3 located at the uppermost stage of the pair of slip rings 30 and 31 is provided.
Since the conductive ring 32 of No. 0 is attached via the double-sided adhesive tape 27 or the like, the component parts forming the slip ring 30 located at the uppermost stage can be composed of only one component part of the conductive ring 32. As a result, the number of components constituting the slip ring 30 can be significantly reduced, and the cost can be further reduced accordingly. Further, the dimension of the clock spring 10 in the height direction can be made as small as possible, and the overall size of the device can be reduced.
The thickness can be further reduced.

According to the clock spring 10 assembled in this way, the pair of slip rings 30 of the rotator 22 mounted on the steering wheel side,
31 and the fixed body 1 attached to the steering column side
A large current is supplied from the steering column side to the heater incorporated in the steering wheel by the pair of sliding contacts 17 and 18. As a result, the steering wheel is warmed to provide a vehicle suitable for cold regions.
Further, by removing the sliding contact 18 that makes sliding contact with the bottommost slip ring 31 and its conductive ring 35, it can be used in the case of a slip ring specification corresponding to a small current.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the clock spring according to another embodiment of the present invention with the lowermost (other) slip ring removed.

In the clock spring 10 ', the mounting holes 32d of the pair of tongues 32c, 32c of the conductive ring 32 of the uppermost (one) slip ring 30 are press-fitted into the ribs 24a of the notches 24 of the rotator 22. And the lower surface 23b of the flange portion 23 of the rotator 22
A high-viscosity grease (adhesive member) 28 is interposed between the conductive ring 32 of one of the slip rings 30 and a predetermined amount at predetermined intervals. Since the other configurations are similar to those of the clock spring 10 of the above-described embodiment, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As a result, the flange portion 2 of the rotator 22 is
The conductive ring 32 of the slip ring 30 on the lower surface 23b of
Can be firmly fixed without rattling. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the slip ring 30 from rattling at the time of starting the rotation of the rotator 22 and switching between left and right rotations, and it is possible to reliably prevent the generation of abnormal noise.

According to each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the slip ring is provided on the rotary body side and the sliding contact is provided on the fixed body side has been described. However, the slip ring is provided on the fixed body side and the rotary body side is provided. Of course, the same can be applied to the case where a sliding contact is provided.

[0034]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the invention, the protrusion is provided on either one of the fixed body and the rotating body, and the protrusion is press-fitted into the slip ring at a position facing the protrusion. Since the mounting hole is formed and one of the fixed body and the rotating body and the slip ring are fixed to each other via the adhesive member, one of the fixed body and the rotating body and the slip ring are press-fitted into the projection and Through the adhesive member, it can be securely fixed without backlash. As a result, rattling of the slip ring can be reliably prevented at the time of starting rotation of the rotating body and switching between left and right rotations, and abnormal noise can be reliably prevented from occurring.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since one of the fixed body and the rotating body and the entire circumference of the slip ring are attached via the double-sided adhesive tape, either one of the fixed body and the rotating body is attached. The slip ring and the slip ring can be more securely fixed to each other. As a result, rattling of the slip ring can be more reliably prevented when starting rotation of the rotating body and switching between left and right rotations, and abnormal noise can be more reliably prevented.

According to the third aspect of the invention, since grease having a high viscosity is interposed between the slip ring and either one of the fixed body and the rotating body at a predetermined interval, either the fixed body or the rotating body is provided. The one and the slip ring can be more securely fixed to each other without backlash. As a result, it is possible to reliably prevent the slip ring from rattling at the time of starting the rotation of the rotating body and switching between left and right rotations, and it is possible to reliably prevent the generation of abnormal noise.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a clock spring according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of the clock spring.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part of the clock spring.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the clock spring with the lowermost slip ring removed.

5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line EE in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a slip ring used for the clock spring.

FIG. 7A is a partially enlarged sectional view showing a state before fixing the spring ring and the rotator, and FIG. 7B is a partially enlarged sectional view showing a fixed state of the spring ring and the rotator.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the clock spring according to another embodiment of the present invention with the slip ring on the lowermost side removed.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a slip ring used in a conventional clock spring.

[Explanation of symbols]

10,10 'clock spring 11 Fixed body (other side) 17, 18 Plural sliding contacts 20 rotator (one side) 24a rib (projection) 27 Double-sided adhesive tape (adhesive member) 28 Grease with high viscosity (adhesive material) 30,31 Multiple slip rings 32 Conductive ring (slip ring) 32d mounting hole 44 Flexible flat cable

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A flexible flat cable having electrical connection between a relatively rotatable fixed body and a rotating body, the flexible flat cable interposed between the fixed body and the rotating body, and the fixed body and the rotating body. In a clock spring configured to perform a sliding contact between a slip ring provided on one side of the above and a sliding contact provided on the other side, one of the fixed body and the rotating body. On the other hand, a protrusion is provided on the slip ring, a mounting hole is formed at a position facing the protrusion of the slip ring, and the fixing member is press-fitted into the protrusion. A clock spring characterized by being fixed through. 2. The clock spring according to claim 1, wherein a double-sided adhesive tape is used as the adhesive member, and one of the entire circumference of the slip ring, the fixed body, and the rotating body is interposed via the double-sided adhesive tape. Clock spring characterized by pasting and. 3. The clock spring according to claim 1, wherein high-viscosity grease is used as the adhesive member, and the high-viscosity grease is applied between the slip ring and one of the fixed body and the rotating body. A clock spring characterized by being interposed at predetermined intervals.