JP2005310570A - Terminal structure of flat cable for rotating connector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a terminal structure of a flat cable for a rotating connector without any man days for forming the terminal structure of the flat cable for the rotating connector and reducing the cost. <P>SOLUTION: In the rotating connector, the flat cable 4 is stored with two or more conductors 5 in an annular interior formed by relatively rotatable first and second housings. The terminal structure of the flat cable for the rotating connector is provided with a cable connection making a conduction link to each conductor in the cable 4 formed on a base end side of the terminal main body 24, two or more connection terminals 20 with a male terminal 28 formed on a leading end side of the terminal main body 24, and a protector 22 protecting the connection terminal 20. The cable connection pierces a plurality of pierces 30 protruded at the base side of the connection terminal to the cable 4 and reinforcing spacer 52 superposed on it, to constitute a piercing connection for directly connecting the conductor 5. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention is accommodated in a rotating connector (steering roll connector (SRC)) used for transmitting signals (including optical signals), electric power, and the like between a rotating portion and a fixed portion of a steering mechanism such as a vehicle. The present invention relates to a terminal structure of a flexible flat cable (FFC) (including FPC and other circuit forming bodies; the same applies hereinafter).

  For example, as shown in FIG. 8, a rotary connector used to transmit a signal, electric power, or the like between a rotating part and a fixed part of a steering mechanism of a vehicle or the like includes a first housing 1 and a rotor that act as a stator. A plurality of strip-shaped conductors 5 arranged in parallel in a ring-shaped chamber 3 formed by the two housings 1 and 2 are concentrically and relatively rotatably combined. A flexible flat cable (FFC) 4 that is laminated from both sides with an insulating film is spirally wound or accommodated by forming a substantially U-shaped inversion part in the middle part, and is flat. The outer terminal of the cable 4 is fixed to the first housing 1 side, the inner terminal is fixed to the second housing 2 side, and the second housing 2 acting as a rotor is rotated by a steering mechanism such as a vehicle. Has become rotated driven configured forward and reverse direction in parts.

  The terminal structure in which the inner terminal of the flat cable 4 is fixed to the second housing 2 side is a cable connection that is conductively connected to each conductor 5 in the inner terminal, as shown in FIGS. 9 (A) to (C). A plurality of lead wire terminal portions 9 that are formed on the base end side of the terminal body 7 made of a straight bus bar and are electrically connected to the conductor 11 of the lead wire 10 are formed on the tip end side of the terminal body 7 (in the illustrated example, 6) connecting terminals 6 and a rectangular plate-like insulation that is attached to the terminal body 7 of each connecting terminal 6 and connects the connecting terminals 6 to each other in parallel in accordance with the pitch of the conductor 5 of the flat cable 4 A support body 12 and an arc-shaped plate-like protection body 13 that protects the connection terminal 6 by being resin-molded so as to cover the plurality of connection terminals 6 across the flat cable 4 and the lead wire 10, and cable connection Is the terminal body 7 and the By polymerizing a conductor 5 of Ttokeburu 4 is composed of a welded connection 8 for ultrasonic welding has a structure in which the lead wire terminal portions 9 are polymerized to ultrasonic welding the conductor 11 of the lead 10.

  The terminal structure in which the outer terminal of the flat cable is fixed to the first housing 1 side is not shown in the figure, but the terminal body in which the cable connecting portion that is conductively connected to each conductor 5 in the terminal is an L-shaped bus bar. A plurality of connection terminals formed on the base end side of the cable, and the cable connection portion is similarly formed of a weld connection portion that superimposes the terminal body and the conductor 5 of the flat cable 4 and ultrasonically welds them (Patent Document) 1).

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 64-2-21988 (claim for utility model registration on page 1, page 11, line 11 to page 7, line 2, FIG. 1 (A) to (C) and (Fig. 2)

  However, according to the terminal structure of the flat cable for a conventional rotary connector, since the cable connection portion that electrically connects each conductor 5 and the connection terminal 6 at the end of the flat cable 4 is constituted by the ultrasonic weld connection portion 8, There has been a problem that the formation of the terminal structure takes man-hours and the cost is increased.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a terminal structure of a flat cable for a rotary connector that solves the above-described problems and does not require man-hours for forming the terminal structure of the flat cable for a rotary connector and can reduce costs. is there.

  In order to achieve the above object, a flat cable terminal structure for a rotary connector according to claim 1 of the present invention is such that the first housing and the second housing are concentric and relatively rotatable. A rotary connector in which a flat cable having a plurality of conductors is wound and accommodated in a ring-shaped chamber formed by both housings, and a cable connection portion that is conductively connected to each conductor at the end of the flat cable Is formed on the base end side of the terminal body, and the terminal structure includes a plurality of connection terminals each having a terminal portion formed on the distal end side of the terminal body, and a protector that protects the connection terminals. It is a piercing connection part configured by piercing a flat cable with a plurality of piercing pieces projecting from the base end side of the connection terminal and conducting a conductive connection to the conductor. It is an feature.

  The terminal structure of the flat cable for a rotary connector according to claim 2 of the present invention is the one according to claim 1, wherein the protective body includes a case accommodating a plurality of connection terminals and a cover attached to the case. A locking step portion that is bent downward along the width direction of the flat cable is provided behind the portion where the piercing connection portion is formed at the end of the flat cable, and the rear portion of the cover extends downward along the width direction. A locking hook part is provided to protrude to the case, and when the cover is attached to the case, the locking hook part of the cover is engaged with the locking step part of the flat cable. is there.

  The terminal structure of the flat cable for a rotary connector according to claim 3 of the present invention is the terminal structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the protector houses a plurality of connection terminals, and a cover attached to the case. The piercing connection portion of the connection terminal accommodated in the case is configured by piercing the piercing piece of the connection terminal into a flat cable and a reinforcing spacer superposed on the flat cable.

  A flat cable terminal structure for a rotary connector according to claim 4 of the present invention is the terminal structure of claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein at least one of the connection terminals has a piercing connection portion of the connection terminal. A bent portion is formed to displace the axial position of the terminal and the axial position of the terminal portion in a direction in which the connection terminals are arranged in parallel.

  According to the terminal structure described in claim 1 of the present invention, since the cable connection part of the connection terminal that is conductively connected to each conductor in the terminal of the flat cable is configured by the piercing connection part, the terminal structure is formed Need only have a simple facility that can pierce the pierced piece of the connection terminal into the flat cable and perform the forming process, and an expensive ultrasonic welding machine is not required. Further, the terminal structure can be easily formed, and man-hours and forming costs are not required. Therefore, the cost of the rotary connector can be reduced.

  According to the terminal structure described in claim 2 of the present invention, even when a pulling force (pulling force) is applied to the flat cable, the locking step portion of the flat cable engages with the locking hook portion of the cover and is flat. The movement of the cable is constrained, and the tensile force is received at the locking step, so the tensile force does not act on the piercing connection, and the electrical connection state of the terminal structure is kept better and the mechanical strength is reduced. And the life of the rotary connector can be extended. In addition, since it is not necessary to provide a stopper member such as a stop key for preventing the flat cable from moving due to a tensile force, the structure of the terminal structure can be simplified and downsized.

  According to the terminal structure described in claim 3 of the present invention, since the piercing connection portion is reinforced by the reinforcing spacer, the connection state of the piercing connection portion can be stabilized.

  According to the terminal structure described in claim 4 of the present invention, even when the conductor pitch of the flat cable is different from the conductor pitch of the terminal portion of the connection terminal that is conductively connected to the male and female terminals of the counterpart connector, the lead wire, etc. It is not necessary to provide a dedicated pitch conversion member for the terminal, the terminal structure is simple and compact, the terminal structure can be formed easily and inexpensively, and it is possible to respond quickly to such pitch conversion. Thus, the connection workability can be improved.

  Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment in which the terminal structure of a flat cable for a rotary connector according to the present invention is applied to an inner terminal, wherein (A) is a perspective view and (B) is an XX line of (A). FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the terminal structure of FIG. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the components of the same structure as the past, and description is simplified or abbreviate | omitted where it overlaps. The terminal structure of the present invention can be applied to an external terminal or an external terminal of a flat cable.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the terminal structure of the present embodiment is a plurality of conductors (5 in the illustrated example) that are conductively connected to the conductors 5 in the inner terminal of the flat cable 4 and arranged in parallel in the horizontal direction. Connecting terminals 20 and a protector 22 that protects these connecting terminals 20. Each connection terminal 20 includes a terminal body 24 formed by forming a highly conductive strip made of copper, copper alloy or the like into a square tube, and a piercing that is a cable connection portion formed on the base end side thereof. The connecting portion 26 includes a male terminal portion 28 that is formed in a tapered shape at the distal end side of the terminal body 24 and is fitted and connected to a female terminal of a mating connector (not shown). As shown in FIG. 2, the piercing connection portion 26 is formed on the flat cable 4 (conductor 5) on both sides in the width direction of the U-shaped connection strip portion 29 that opens upward and is formed on the base end side of the terminal body 24. For example, a plurality of pointed piercing pieces 30 protruding upward in a zigzag manner are pierced into the flat cable 4 and the reinforcing spacer 52 superposed on the flat cable 4 by a press machine (not shown). Then, the conductor 5 is electrically connected, and the tip portion protruding upward from the conductor 5 and the reinforcing spacer 52 of the flat cable 4 is bent into an inverted U shape and crimped to the outer surface (upper surface) of the reinforcing spacer 52. The The reinforcing spacer 52 may be an electrically insulating rectangular plate or a short piece of the flat cable 4.

  In the present embodiment, in the rear side of the portion where the piercing connection portion 26 in the inner terminal of the flat cable 4 is formed, it is downwardly cranked along the width direction of the flat cable 4 (a shape bent 90 degrees in the opposite direction). A bending step 32 that is bent is provided.

  The protector 22 includes a case (housing) 34 that accommodates the plurality of connection terminals 20 and a cover 36 that is attached to the case. The protector 22 is obtained by injection molding or the like of plastic. The case 34 is formed by a rectangular plate-shaped terminal holding portion 38 and a rectangular block 40 connected to the front portion thereof, and a plurality of terminal partition walls 42 are formed on the upper surface of the terminal holding portion 38 in the longitudinal direction of the connection terminal 20. Each conductor 5 of the flat cable 4 is provided in a plurality of terminal receiving grooves 43 that are arranged in parallel in the width direction so as to extend with an interval matching the width of the connection terminal 20 and partitioned by the terminal partition wall 42. A plurality of connection terminals 20 that are conductively connected are accommodated. Further, terminal insertion holes 44 for inserting the male terminal portions 28 of the connection terminals 20 are formed in the rectangular block 40 in parallel in the width direction with a pitch interval of the conductor 5 of the flat cable 4. The terminal insertion hole 44 is formed in a long hole shape extending in the vertical direction in order to smoothly insert the male terminal portion 28.

  The cover 36 is formed of a rectangular plate having a size capable of covering the upper portion of the terminal holding portion 38 of the case 34, and is engaged with the terminal holding portion 38 projecting downward on both sides thereof. A stop tab 46 is provided. Further, at the rear portion thereof, a locking collar portion 48 that protrudes downward along the width direction of the cover 36 is provided. When the cover 36 is attached to the case 34, the locking step portion 32 of the flat cable 4 is covered with the locking step portion 32. It is comprised so that the 36 latching hook parts 48 may engage. Further, on the lower surface (back surface) of the cover 36, the plurality of protrusions 50 extend in the width direction so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the connection terminals 20 so as to face the terminal partition wall 42 of the terminal holding portion 38 of the case 34. It is arranged in parallel and holds both sides of the connection terminal 20. The terminal structure of the flat cable for a rotary connector according to this embodiment is configured as described above.

  When assembling the terminal structure of the present embodiment, a plurality of pierce pieces 30 protruding from the base end side of the connection terminal 20 are formed on the inner end of the flat cable 4 and the reinforcing spacer 52 superposed on the flat cable 4. A piercing connection portion 26 is formed which is pierced and is electrically connected to the conductor 5 of the flat cable 4. Next, the connection terminal 20 is accommodated in the terminal accommodation groove 43 of the terminal holding portion 38 in the case 34, and the male terminal portion 28 of each connection terminal 20 is inserted into the terminal insertion hole 44 of the case 34 to Project from the rectangular block 40. Next, the cover 36 is put on the terminal holding portion 38 of the case 34 so that the locking collar portion 48 engages with the locking step portion 32 of the flat cable 4, and the locking tab 46 is engaged. Attach and finish assembling the terminal structure. The protective body 22 may be formed by an integral molded body formed by insert molding of plastic instead of the two-part structure of the case 34 and the cover 36.

  In the terminal structure of the present invention, a plurality of pierce pieces in which the cable connection portions of the connection terminals 20 that are conductively connected to the respective conductors 5 at the ends of the flat cable 4 protrude on the base end side of the connection terminals are pierced into the flat cable. In the case of forming a terminal structure, the piercing piece 30 of the connection terminal 20 can be pierced into the flat cable 4 and molded. Simple equipment that can be used is sufficient, and an expensive ultrasonic welding machine is not required. Further, the terminal structure can be easily formed, and man-hours and forming costs are not required. Therefore, the cost of the rotary connector can be reduced.

  Like the terminal structure of the present embodiment, the protector 22 includes a case 34 that houses the plurality of connection terminals 20 and a cover 36 that is attached to the case 34, and the piercing connection portion 26 in the terminal of the flat cable 4 is formed. A locking step portion 32 that is bent downward along the width direction of the flat cable 4 is provided at the rear side of the cover portion, and a locking collar portion 48 that protrudes downward along the width direction is provided at the rear portion of the cover 36. When the cover 36 is attached to the case 34, if the locking collar portion 48 of the cover 36 is engaged with the locking step portion 32 of the flat cable 4, a tensile force (withdrawal) is applied to the flat cable 4. Force) is engaged, the locking step 32 of the flat cable 4 engages with the locking collar 48 of the cover 36, and the movement of the flat cable 4 is restrained. received It is fit. As a result, no tensile force acts on the piercing connection portion 26, the electrical connection state of the terminal structure can be kept better, the mechanical strength can be prevented from being lowered, and the life of the rotary connector can be extended. It is not necessary to provide a stopper member such as a stop key for preventing the flat cable 4 from being moved by force, and the structure of the terminal structure can be simplified and downsized.

  Further, when the conductor 5 of the flat cable 4 is relatively thick and rigid, the piercing connection portion 26 is formed by piercing only the flat cable 4 with the piercing piece 30 of the connection terminal 20 and electrically connecting with the conductor 5. However, the connection state is stabilized. However, when the thickness of the conductor 5 of the flat cable 4 is relatively thin, for example, about 0.03 to 0.05 mm, the connection state of the piercing connection portion 26 may not be stable. In such a case, as described above, the reinforcing spacer 52 is superposed on the upper surface of the end of the flat cable 4 to be connected, and a plurality of pierce pieces 30 are pierced into the flat cable 4 and the reinforcing spacer 52 to thereby connect the flat cable 4. The piercing connection portion 26 is formed by conducting a conductive connection to the conductor 5. Then, since the piercing connection portion 26 is reinforced by the reinforcing spacer 52, the piercing piece 30 and the conductor 5 are firmly connected, the contact resistance is small, and the contact resistance is increased during use by being incorporated in the rotary connector. Without being stable, a good conduction state is secured, and the connection state of the connection portion 26 can be stabilized.

  FIG. 3 shows a modification of the terminal structure of FIGS. In this terminal structure, the terminal body 56 of the connection terminal 54 is composed of a bus bar formed by molding a highly conductive square bar material made of copper, copper alloy or the like. Reference numeral 45 denotes a terminal insertion hole into which the male terminal portion 28 of the connection terminal 54 is inserted, and is a rectangular hole having a size corresponding to the male terminal portion 28. Other configurations are substantially the same as those shown in FIGS.

  FIG. 4 shows a further modification of the terminal structure of FIGS. In this terminal structure, a lead wire terminal portion 60 that is conductively connected to the conductor 11 of the lead wire 10 instead of the male terminal portion 28 is formed on the distal end side of the terminal body 24 constituting the connection terminal 58. Further, the case 64 of the protector 62 is configured such that the rectangular block 40 (see FIG. 2) is not connected to the front portion of the terminal holding portion 38. Other configurations are substantially the same as those shown in FIGS.

  1 and 2 and the connection terminal 54 in the terminal structure of FIG. 3 are formed with female terminal portions (not shown) instead of the male terminal portions 28. Good. The terminal structure shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 has the same effect as that shown in FIGS.

  FIG. 5 shows a further modification of the terminal structure of FIGS. This terminal structure includes, among the five connection terminals, the terminal body 24 of each of the two connection terminals 66 arranged in parallel on both sides of the central connection terminal 20, and the piercing of the connection terminal 66. A bent portion 68 is provided for displacing the axial position of the connecting portion 26 and the axial position of the male terminal portion 28 in a direction in which the connecting terminals 20 and 66 are arranged in parallel. The bent portions 68 of the two connection terminals 66 arranged on both sides of the connection terminal 20 have the same bending direction, but are arranged on the opposite side (opposite side) across the connection terminal 20. With respect to the bent portion 68 of the connection terminal 66, the direction is different by 180 degrees (in the direction different from the right).

  FIG. 6 shows a modification of the terminal structure of FIG. This terminal structure includes, among the five connection terminals, the terminal body 56 of each of the two connection terminals 70 arranged in parallel on both sides of the central connection terminal 54 and the piercing of the connection terminal 70. The bent portion 68 for displacing the axial position of the connecting portion 26 and the axial position of the male terminal portion 28 in a direction in which the connecting terminals 54 and 70 are arranged in parallel is provided. The bent portions 68 of the two connection terminals 70 arranged on both sides of the connection terminal 54 have the same bending direction, but are arranged on the opposite side (opposite side) across the connection terminal 54. With respect to the bent portion 68 of the connection terminal 70, the direction is different by 180 degrees (the direction is different).

  FIG. 7 shows a modification of the terminal structure of FIG. This terminal structure includes, among the five connection terminals, the terminal main body 24 of each of the two connection terminals 72 arranged in parallel on both sides of the central connection terminal 58 and the piercing of the connection terminal 72. The bent portion 68 for displacing the axial position of the connecting portion 26 and the axial position of the lead wire terminal portion 60 in a direction in which the connecting terminals 58 and 72 are arranged in parallel is provided. The bent portions 68 of the two connection terminals 72 arranged on both sides of the connection terminal 58 have the same bending direction, but are arranged on the opposite side (opposite side) across the connection terminal 58. With respect to the bent portion 68 of the connection terminal 72, the direction is different by 180 degrees (the direction is different). In the terminal structure shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the bent portion 68 is provided in the four connecting terminals 66, 70, 72 out of the five connecting terminals, but the number is not limited to four and can be increased or decreased. In short, it is sufficient that the bent portion 68 is provided in at least one connection terminal that requires pitch conversion.

  As shown in the terminal structures of FIGS. 5 to 7, when the connection terminals 66, 70, 72 having the bent portion 68 are disposed, the conductor pitch P1 of the flat cable 4 (piercing connection portion 26) and the male and female of the mating connector are arranged. Even if the conductor pitch P2 of the male terminal portion 28 of the connection terminals 20, 66, 70, 72 connected to the terminals, lead wires, etc., and the terminal portions of the lead wire terminal portion 60, etc. is different, a new dedicated pitch is used. There is no need to provide a conversion member, the terminal structure is simple and compact, the terminal structure can be formed easily and inexpensively, and it is possible to respond quickly to such pitch conversion and connection. The workability can be improved.

The embodiment at the time of applying the terminal structure of the flat cable for rotary connectors which concerns on this invention to the inner terminal of this cable is shown, (A) is a perspective view, (B) is XX line arrow of (A). FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view of the terminal structure of FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the modification of the terminal structure of FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the further modification of the terminal structure of FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the further modification of the terminal structure of FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view (a protector etc. are abbreviate | omitted) which shows the modification of the terminal structure of FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view (protector etc. are abbreviate | omitted) which shows the modification of the terminal structure of FIG. It is a top view which shows an example of a rotation connector. 1A and 1B show a conventional terminal structure, in which FIG. 1A is a side view, FIG. 1B is a bottom view, and FIG. 1C is a perspective view in a state where connection terminals are connected by an insulating support.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 1st housing 2 2nd housing 3 Chamber 4 Flat cable 5 Conductor 10 Lead wire 11 Conductor 20 Connection terminal 22 Protection body 24 Terminal body 26 Piercing connection part 28 Male terminal part 29 Connection strip part 30 Piercing piece 32 Engagement Stopping portion 34 Case 36 Cover 38 Terminal holding portion 40 Rectangular block 42 Terminal partition wall 43 Terminal receiving groove 44 Terminal insertion hole 45 Terminal insertion hole 46 Locking tab 48 Locking hook 50 Projection 52 Presser spacer 54
56 terminal body 58 connection terminal 60 lead wire terminal part 62 protective body 64 case 66 connection terminal 68 bent part 70 connection terminal 72 connection terminal P1 conductor pitch of flat cable P2 conductor pitch of terminal part of connection terminal

Claims (4)

  Rotation in which a flat cable having a plurality of conductors is wound and accommodated in a ring-shaped chamber formed by both housings, the first housing and the second housing being concentrically and relatively rotatably combined. In the connector, a cable connection portion that is conductively connected to each conductor in the end of the flat cable is formed on the proximal end side of the terminal body, and a plurality of connection terminals in which the terminal portion is formed on the distal end side of the terminal body, In a terminal structure of a flat cable for a rotary connector provided with a protector that protects the connection terminal, the cable connection portion pierces the flat cable with a plurality of piercing pieces projecting from the base end side of the connection terminal. A terminal structure of a flat cable for a rotary connector, wherein the terminal structure is a piercing connection portion configured to be conductively connected to a conductor.   The protector comprises a case for housing a plurality of connection terminals and a cover attached to the case, and is located along the width direction of the flat cable, behind the portion where the piercing connection portion is formed at the end of the flat cable. A locking step is provided at the rear of the cover, and a locking hook is provided to project downward along the width direction of the cover. When the cover is attached to the case, the locking step of the flat cable is provided. The terminal structure of a flat cable for a rotary connector according to claim 1, wherein the locking hook portion of the cover is engaged.   The protector comprises a case for accommodating a plurality of connection terminals and a cover attached to the case, and the piercing connection portion of the connection terminal accommodated in the case superposed on the flat cable and the piercing piece of the connection terminal. The terminal structure of a flat cable for a rotary connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the terminal structure is formed by piercing a reinforcing spacer.   The terminal body of at least one of the connection terminals is provided with a bent portion that displaces the axis position of the piercing connection portion of the connection terminal and the axis position of the terminal portion in a direction in which the connection terminals are arranged in parallel. The terminal structure of the flat cable for rotary connectors according to claim 1, 2, or 3.

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