JP2006086043A - Rotary connector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a rotary connector which is adaptable to various kinds of combination switches, and inexpensively achieved. <P>SOLUTION: The rotary connector comprises a case 1, a cover 2, a rotor 3, a rotor snap 4, a cancel member 5, a flexible cable 6, a ring-shaped holder 7 and a roller 8. The cancel member 5 is formed as an independent body separated from other members, and detachably attached to between the case 1 and the rotor snap 4. Replacement of the cancel member 5 allows adaptation to various kinds of combination switches. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a rotary connector for electrically connecting an electric device provided on a steering wheel and an electric device provided on a vehicle body side, and in particular, a canceling portion of a combination switch provided near a steering wheel. The rotary connector has.

  Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 3, a part of the movable housing 101 protrudes from the bottom surface of the fixed housing 102 to the outside, and a cancel protrusion 105 for operating a cancel lever 104 provided in the combination switch 103 is moved to the protruding portion. A rotary connector is known that automatically returns the operation lever 106 of the combination switch 103 operated to the operation position to the center position in conjunction with the rotation operation toward the neutral position of the steering wheel (for example, , See Patent Document 1).

In this way, when the cancel projection 105 is formed on the movable housing 101 of the rotary connector, there is no need to provide a special member outside the rotary connector for automatically returning the operation lever 106 of the combination switch 103 to the center position. An increase in the number of points and an increase in installation space can be prevented, and cost reduction and space saving can be achieved around the steering wheel including the rotary connector and the combination switch.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-321333

  However, the rotary connector according to the above-described conventional example is formed inseparably with the cancel protrusion 105 on the outer surface of the movable housing 101. Therefore, the rotary connector cannot cope with various combination switches 103 having different cancel mechanism specifications. There is a problem of poor versatility.

  That is, the configuration of the combination switch 103 varies depending on the type and size of the vehicle on which it is mounted. Therefore, in order to correspond to the combination switch 103 of each configuration, the number of the cancel protrusions 105 provided in the rotary connector, the formation position, and The size and the like must be changed as appropriate. However, in the rotary connector according to the conventional example, since the cancel protrusion 105 is inseparably formed on the outer surface of the movable housing 101, various movable housings in which the cancel protrusion 105 suitable for each combination switch 103 is formed. 101 must be prepared, and a large molding die and a large capacity storage space are required, resulting in a disadvantage that the cost of the rotary connector is increased.

  The present invention has been made to solve such deficiencies of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a rotary connector that can be used for various combination switches and can be implemented at low cost.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a fixed housing, a movable housing that is rotatably connected so as to define a storage space between the fixed housing, and the fixed housing in the storage space. A flexible cable that is wound so as to be electrically connected to the side housing and the movable side housing, and a cancel member that is detachably attached to the movable side housing are provided.

  According to this configuration, the cancel member for automatically returning the operation lever of the combination switch to the center position can be detachably attached to the movable side housing, so the entire movable side housing is manufactured according to different cancellation specifications. An inexpensive rotary connector that can be used for various combination switches according to different cancel specifications can be provided.

  Further, in the rotary connector having the above configuration, an engaging portion for connecting the movable side housing and the cancel member so as not to rotate and move relative to each other is provided on either the movable side housing or the cancel member. And a locking portion that locks the engaging portion is provided on one of the movable housing and the cancel member.

  According to such a configuration, the cancel member and the movable housing can be fixed so as not to relatively rotate in the circumferential direction, so that the cancel operation of the cancel member can be stabilized.

  In the rotary connector having the above-described configuration, the fixed-side housing has a cylindrical case and a ring-shaped cover that covers a lower open end of the case, and the movable-side housing has an upper open end of the case. It has a ring-shaped top plate portion for covering and a first cylindrical portion extending downward from the inner peripheral end of the top plate portion, and is inserted into and connected to the first tubular portion from below the cover. A rotor snap having a second cylindrical portion and a locking portion having a claw protruding radially outward from the lower end of the second cylindrical portion is inserted and connected, and the cancel member is detachably attached to the rotor snap. It was configured to be attached.

  According to such a configuration, since the cancel member corresponding to different cancel specifications can be detachably applied to the common rotary snap, it is possible to provide a rotary connector that can correspond to the combination switch corresponding to different cancel specifications.

  Further, in the rotary connector having the above configuration, the cancel member has a ring-shaped plate portion that is locked to the locking portion, and a cam portion that hangs downward from the lower end of the ring-shaped plate portion. .

  According to such a configuration, since the cancel member corresponding to different cancel specifications can be simplified, the rotary connector can be provided at a low cost.

  Further, in the rotary connector having the above-described configuration, the rotor snap projects a holding protrusion radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the second cylindrical portion between the lower end of the first cylindrical portion and the locking portion. A holding step portion is formed so as to form a step on the inner edge of the upper surface of the cover, the step wall surface of the holding step portion is opposed to the side surface of the holding projection, and the lower surface of the holding projection and the ring plate The inner edge of the cover is rotatably held by the upper surface of the part.

  According to such a configuration, the cover is rotatably sandwiched between the holding projection and the ring-shaped plate portion, and the portion close to the rotation axis of the movable housing is formed by making the side surface of the holding projection face the wall surface of the holding step portion. Since the axial position and the radial position of the movable housing relative to the fixed housing can be regulated, the position regulating portion of the movable housing relative to the fixed housing can be accurately molded with resin, and deformation caused by temperature changes and changes with time can be reduced. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of abnormal noise when the movable housing rotates.

  Further, in the rotary connector having the above configuration, the storage space rotatably stores a ring-shaped holder that pivotally supports a roller that reverses the winding direction of the flexible cable, and an inner end of the ring-shaped holder is It is configured such that it is rotatably held between the lower surface of the first cylindrical portion and the upper surface of the holding projection and is pivotally supported by the second cylindrical portion.

  According to this configuration, the ring-shaped holder that pivotally supports the roller for reversing the winding direction of the flexible cable is rotatably stored in the storage space, and the ring-shaped holder is accommodated in the second cylindrical portion of the rotor snap. Since it is pivotally supported, the flexible cable can be smoothly wound or unwound, and the generation of abnormal noise accompanying the rotation of the movable housing can also be suppressed.

  In the rotary connector of the present invention, the canceling member for automatically returning the operation lever of the combination switch to the center position is configured separately from the fixed side housing, the movable side housing and the flexible cable. Since it is detachably attached, it is not necessary to remanufacture the entire movable housing according to different cancel specifications, and only the cancel member needs to be remanufactured. Therefore, various combination switches according to different cancel specifications can be handled at low cost. be able to.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a rotary connector according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a rotary connector according to the embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the rotary connector according to the embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the rotary connector according to this embodiment includes a case 1, a cover 2, a rotor (movable housing) 3, a rotor snap 4, a cancel member 5, a flexible cable 6, It is mainly composed of a ring-shaped holder 7 and a roller 8. All the members other than the flexible cable 6 are molded with an insulating resin.

  The case 1 is formed in a cylindrical shape of a required size, and a locking claw 11 for snap-coupling the cover 2 and a mounting boss for fixing the case 1 to the stator portion of the automobile at the lower part of the outer peripheral surface. 12 are formed. In addition, an annular projecting portion 13 projects radially inward from the upper portion of the inner peripheral surface of the case 1, and an annular projection 14 projects upward on the upper surface thereof as shown in FIG. 2.

  The cover 2 is formed in a ring shape so that it can be attached to the lower open end of the case 1, and the outer peripheral surface engages with a first engagement portion 11 formed at the lower outer peripheral surface of the case 1. A locking claw 21 and an external connection connector setting portion 22 are formed. In addition, a holding step portion 23 is formed on the inner edge of the upper surface of the cover 2 so as to be rotatably engaged with a holding projection 44 formed on the outer periphery of a second cylindrical portion 41 of the rotor snap 4 described later. In addition, an engagement step portion 24 is formed on the inner edge of the lower surface of the cover 2 to form a step so as to freely engage with a ring-shaped plate portion 51 described later. Thus, the holding step portion 23 forms a step portion that falls downward from the upper surface at the inner edge of the upper surface of the cover 2, and the engagement step portion 24 rises from the lower surface at the inner edge of the lower surface of the cover 2. Part. Here, the ring-shaped plate portion 51 restricts the rotor (movable housing) 3 from moving upward in the rotational axis direction with respect to the fixed housing.

  The case 1 and the cover 2 are integrated by snap-joining the first engaging claw 21 to the first engaging portion 11 to constitute a stationary housing.

  The rotor 3 includes a ring-shaped top plate portion 31 that can be attached to the upper open end of the case 1, and a first cylindrical portion 32 that extends downward from the inner periphery of the top plate portion 31. An outer peripheral edge of the lower surface of the top plate portion 31 has an annular recess 33 that engages with the annular protrusion 14 of the case 1 with a large clearance. And a connecting projection 35 for connecting to the steering wheel. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of second locking claws 37 are formed at the lower end portion of the inner peripheral surface of the first cylindrical portion 32 in the same direction with a predetermined interval.

  The rotor snap 4 includes a second cylindrical portion 41 inserted and connected to the first cylindrical portion 32 from below the cover 2 and a plurality of latches protruding downward from the lower end of the second cylindrical portion 41. A portion 42 and a plurality of detent projections 45. As shown in FIG. 2, a claw protruding outward in the radial direction is formed at the distal end portion of the locking portion 42. Here, since the dimension in the radial direction of the outer surface of the locking portion 42 is set smaller than that of the inner surface of the cover 2, the rotor snap 4 is attached to the rotor 3 incorporated in the case 1 when the rotary connector is assembled. Then, the case 1 and the cover 2 can be coupled so that the wall surface of the holding step portion 23 faces and engages with the outer surface of the holding protrusion 44. Accordingly, since the wall surfaces forming the steps of the holding step portions 24 facing each other with a narrow clearance and the side surfaces of the holding projections 44 can be engaged without being damaged, the radial position of the movable housing relative to the fixed housing is appropriately regulated. can do. It is apparent from FIG. 2 that the radial dimension of the wall surface of the holding step portion 23 is smaller than that of the inner surface of the cover 2.

  The second tubular portion 41 includes a second engaging portion 43 for snap-coupling to the second locking claw 37 of the first tubular portion 32 and a holding step portion 23 formed on the upper inner edge of the cover 2. And a holding projection 44 that is rotatably engaged with the holding projection 44. Here, the holding projection 44 protrudes radially outward from a position between the lower end of the first cylindrical portion 32 and the ring-shaped locking portion 42 on the outer peripheral surface of the second cylindrical portion 41. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the side surface of the holding projection 44 and the wall surface forming a step at the holding step portion 24 of the cover 2 face each other through a narrow clearance, so that the rotating shaft of the rotor 3 (movable housing) Since the radial position of the movable housing with respect to the fixed housing can be restricted in the vicinity, the position restricting portions can be resin-molded with high accuracy, and the influence of deformation due to temperature change and change with time can be kept small.

  The ring-shaped plate portion 51 has an engaging portion 53 that snaps to a locking portion 42 formed at the lower end of the rotor snap 4 and also has a notch portion 54 that engages with the anti-rotation projection 45. 4 is engaged with the holding step portion 24 formed on the inner edge of the lower surface of the cover 2 in a state where the cover 2 is locked. Here, the inner edge of the cover 2 is sandwiched between the upper surface of the ring-shaped plate portion 51 and the lower surface of the holding projection 24 of the rotor snap 4 via a narrow clearance, and the axial position of the movable housing relative to the stationary housing is regulated. The Further, since the ring-shaped plate portion 51 does not restrict the radial position of the movable housing relative to the fixed housing, the clearance between the outer surface of the ring-shaped plate portion 51 and the wall surface forming the step of the holding step portion 24 is not limited. It can be set relatively large, and no sliding noise is generated in this portion. Further, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the ring-shaped plate portion 51 has a cam portion 52 extending downward from the lower end of the ring-shaped plate portion 51 to form the cancel member 5. Since the ring-shaped plate portion 51 can be fixed so as not to move in the circumferential direction with respect to the rotor 3 and is engaged with a cancel mechanism (not shown), the cancel operation is stable. It can be performed. Moreover, when the ring-shaped plate part 51 does not have the function as the cancellation member 5, it is needless to say that the cam part 52 can be omitted. The radial dimension of the ring-shaped plate portion 51 from the rotation axis is set so as to provide a relatively large clearance with respect to the radial dimension of the wall surface forming the step of the engagement step portion 24 from the rotation axis. The

  The flexible cable 6 is formed by laminating a plurality of foil-shaped conductors with an insulating film, is formed to a required length, and is formed by combining the case 1, the cover 2, and the rotor 3. The ring-shaped space is accommodated so that it can be wound or unwound. 1 and 2 show an example in which two flexible cables 6 are provided. However, the number of the flexible cables 6 is not limited at all, and one or two are provided. More than one flexible cable 6 can also be provided. Both ends of the flexible cable 6 are connected to an external connection connector (not shown) provided on the cover 2 and the rotor 3, and a signal flowing through the flexible cable 6 is led out to the outside through the external connection connector.

  The ring-shaped holder 7 is configured to elastically bias the ring-shaped substrate 71, a plurality of roller holding portions 72 and cable winding portions 73 formed on one surface of the substrate 71, and the upper surface of the cover 2. It consists of an elastic part 74. On the other hand, the roller 8 is formed in a cylindrical shape and is rotatably attached to the roller holding portion 72. The ring-shaped holder 7 and the roller 8 are rotatably accommodated in a ring-shaped space formed by combining the case 1, the cover 2, and the rotor 3. The flexible cable 6 is wound around the cable winding portion 73 and the roller 8 by a required method, and is wound or unwound as the roller 3 rotates forward or backward.

  Hereinafter, a method for assembling the rotary connector according to the embodiment will be described.

  First, both ends of the flexible cable 6 are respectively connected to external connection connectors (not shown) provided on the cover 2 and the upper roller 3.

  Next, the cylindrical portion 32 of the rotor 3 is inserted into the case 1, the top plate portion 31 of the rotor 3 is attached to the upper surface of the case 1, and a ring shape formed between the case 1 and the rotor 3. The flexible cable 6 is accommodated in the space.

  Next, the ring-shaped holder 7 to which the roller 8 is attached is incorporated into the ring-shaped space, and the flexible cable 6 is wound and wound around the cable winding portion 73 formed on the roller 8 and the ring-shaped holder 7. Wind so that it can be rewound.

  Next, the second locking claw 37 formed on the first cylindrical portion 32 of the rotor 3 and the second engaging portion 43 formed on the second cylindrical portion 41 of the rotor snap 4 are snap-coupled to each other, and the rotor 3 and the rotor snap 4 are integrated.

  Next, the holding step 44 formed on the inner edge of the upper surface of the cover 2 is brought into contact with the holding protrusion 44 formed on the second tubular portion 41 of the rotor snap 4 and formed on the lower portion of the outer peripheral surface of the case 1. The cover 2 is attached to the lower surface of the case 1 by snap-coupling the first engaging portion 11 and the locking claw 21 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cover 2.

  Finally, the anti-rotation protrusion 45 formed on the lower end portion of the rotor snap 4 is fitted into the notch portion 54 formed on the ring-shaped plate portion 51, and the engaging portion 42 formed on the rotor snap 4 and the ring-shaped plate The canceling member 5 is integrated with the case 1, the cover 2, and the rotor 3 by snap-coupling with a locking portion 53 formed on the portion 51.

  In the rotary connector according to the present embodiment, the cancel member 5 for automatically returning the operation lever of the combination switch to the center position is detachably attached to the movable housing, so that the entire movable housing is adapted to different cancel specifications. Since it is only necessary to remanufacture only the cancel member 5, it is possible to cope with various combination switches corresponding to different cancel specifications at low cost.

  In addition, the rotary connector according to this embodiment is connected to either the movable housing (rotor 3) or the cancel member 5 so that the movable housing and the cancel member 5 are not relatively rotated. Since the engaging portion 53 is provided, and the locking portion 42 that is locked to the engaging portion 53 is provided on one of the movable side housing and the canceling member 5, the canceling member 5 and the movable side housing are relatively The rotational movement in the circumferential direction can be prevented, and the cancel operation of the cancel member 5 can be stabilized.

  In the rotary connector according to this embodiment, the cancel member 5 is detachably attached to the rotor snap 4, so that the cancel member 5 corresponding to different cancel specifications can be detachably applied to the common rotary snap 4. Therefore, it is possible to easily assemble a rotary connector corresponding to a combination switch corresponding to different cancel specifications.

  Further, the rotary connector according to this embodiment includes a ring-shaped plate portion 51 that locks the cancel member 5 on a locking portion 42 formed at the lower end of the rotor snap 4, and a lower end of the ring-shaped plate portion 51. Since the cam portion 52 is provided so as to hang downward from the center, the cancel member according to different cancel specifications can be simplified, and the cost of the rotary connector can be reduced.

  In the rotary connector according to this embodiment, the holding projection 24 and the ring-shaped plate 51 sandwich the inner edge of the cover 2 with a narrow clearance, and the holding projection 44 has a stepped portion with respect to the wall surface forming the step. Since the side surfaces face each other with a narrow clearance, the axial position and the radial position of the movable side housing with respect to the fixed side housing can be simultaneously controlled at a portion close to the rotation axis of the rotor 3 (movable side housing). The position restricting portion of the member can be accurately molded with resin, and the influence of deformation due to temperature change or change over time can be suppressed to be small, and generation of abnormal noise when the movable housing rotates can be suppressed. it can.

  In addition, the rotary connector according to the present embodiment stores a ring-shaped holder 7 that pivotally supports a roller 8 that reverses the winding direction of the flexible cable 6 in a storage space, and this ring-shaped holder. 7 is pivotally supported by the second cylindrical portion 41 of the rotor snap 4, so that the flexible cable 6 can be smoothly wound or unwound, and the generation of noise due to the rotation of the movable housing is also suppressed. be able to.

  In the above-described embodiment, the fixed-side housing is configured by combining the case 1 and the cover 2, but the gist of the present invention is not limited to this, and the fixed-side housing has an integrated case and cover. It can also be a structure.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the ring-shaped holder 7 and the roller 8 were provided, the summary of this invention is not limited to this, Depending on the winding system of the flexible cable 6, these are abbreviate | omitted. You can also.

It is a rotation connector exploded perspective view concerning an example of an embodiment. It is principal part sectional drawing of the rotation connector which concerns on the example of embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the rotation connector which concerns on a prior art example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Case 2 Cover 3 Rotor 4 Rotor snap 5 Canceling member 6 Flexible cable 7 Ring-shaped holder 8 Roller 23 Holding step part 24 Holding protrusion 31 Top plate part 32 1st cylindrical part 41 2nd cylindrical part 42 Locking part 51 Ring-shaped plate part 52 Cam part

Claims (6)

  A stationary housing, a movable housing rotatably connected so as to define a housing space between the stationary housing, and the stationary housing and the movable housing electrically in the housing space A rotary connector comprising: a flexible cable wound so as to be connected; and a cancel member detachably attached to the movable housing.   One of the movable side housing and the cancellation member is provided with an engaging portion for connecting the movable side housing and the cancellation member so as not to rotate and move relative to each other. The rotary connector according to claim 1, wherein a locking portion that locks the engaging portion is provided on one of the members.   The fixed housing includes a cylindrical case and a ring-shaped cover that covers a lower open end of the case, and the movable housing includes a ring-shaped top plate that covers an upper open end of the case, A first cylindrical portion extending downward from the inner peripheral end of the top plate portion, and a second cylindrical portion inserted and connected from below the cover and the second cylindrical portion. A rotor snap having a locking portion having a claw protruding radially outward from a lower end of the cylindrical portion is inserted and connected, and the cancel member is detachably attached to the rotor snap. The rotary connector according to claim 1 or 2.   The said cancellation member has the ring-shaped plate part latched by the said latching | locking part, and the cam part suspended below from the lower end of this ring-shaped plate part, The Claim 1 thru | or 3 characterized by the above-mentioned. The rotary connector according to any one of the above.   The rotor snap projects a holding protrusion radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the second cylindrical portion between the lower end of the first cylindrical portion and the locking portion, and a step is formed on the inner edge of the upper surface of the cover A holding step portion is formed so that the step wall surface of the holding step portion faces the side surface of the holding projection, and the inner edge of the cover is formed by the lower surface of the holding projection and the upper surface of the ring-shaped plate portion. The rotary connector according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the rotary connector is rotatably held.   The storage space rotatably stores a ring-shaped holder that pivotally supports a roller that reverses the winding direction of the flexible cable, and the inner end of the ring-shaped holder is connected to the lower surface of the first tubular portion and the The rotary connector according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the rotary connector is rotatably held by an upper surface of the holding protrusion and is pivotally supported by the second cylindrical portion.

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