JP2628837B2 - Transmission device between rotating body and fixed body - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to, for example, an electric component provided on a steering wheel (rotating body) side of an automobile and an electric component provided on a column (fixed body) side fixed to a vehicle body. The present invention relates to a transmission device between a rotating body and a fixed body used for transmitting an electric signal, an optical signal, electric power, or the like between them.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Some recent automobiles are equipped with an airbag system as an auxiliary device for reducing an impact on an occupant's face in the event of a collision. In an airbag system for a driver's seat, an airbag module is housed in a steering wheel, and a control unit that detects a collision of a vehicle and activates the airbag module is fixed to a vehicle body. There is also an automobile in which an operation switch for operating an audio device fixed to a vehicle body is arranged on a steering wheel. In order to transmit electric signals and the like between the steering wheel rotated by the occupant and the control unit or audio equipment fixed to the vehicle side, a transmission device between the rotating body and the fixed body is used. I have.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show transmission apparatuses of this type.
As shown in (1), there has been developed a transmission device in which a winding direction reversing portion is provided on a flat cable to reduce the number of windings of the flat cable and to dispose a guide ring for smoothly rotating and moving the flat cable.

The transmission device 10 includes an outer casing 11
And an inner casing 12 rotatable relative to the outer casing 11. These casings 11,
A flat cable C is accommodated in a space 13 formed by combining the two. One end C1 of the flat cable is connected to the outer casing 11, and the other end C2 is connected to and accommodated in the inner casing 12.

In the space 13, a flat cable C
A guide ring 14 as an auxiliary means for the rotational movement of the casing 11 is housed rotatably relative to each of the casings 11 and 12. The guide ring 14 has a ring main body 16 in which a notch 15 is formed in a part in the circumferential direction. The flat cable C is connected to the cutout 15 of the ring body 16.
The flat cable C is wound around the outer peripheral surface 18 of the inner casing 12 in one direction (arrow A) by the winding direction reversing portion 17 so as to pass through the guide ring 14. And the outer casing 11 is wound in a direction opposite to the one direction (arrow B).

The guide ring 14 is provided with a plurality of plates 2 for pressing the flat cable C against the inner peripheral surface 19 of the outer casing 11 and the outer peripheral surface 18 of the inner casing 12.
Has zero. This elastic plate 20 is used for the ring body 16.
And is fixed to the ring main body 16 with screws 21 on the upper surface side in the figure.

[0007]

However, in such a transmission device 10, since the operation of screwing the elastic plate 20 to the ring main body 16 is required, the assembly of the guide ring 14 itself is complicated. Was. For this reason, the assembling work of the entire transmission device 10 cannot be performed quickly, and the number of steps increases, and the cost of the transmission device 10 cannot be reduced.

The notch 1 is formed in the ring body 16.
Since the ring 5 is formed, the ring body 16 may be warped or deformed under the influence of thermal stress or the like. When such a ring body 16 is deformed,
The contact force of the elastic plate 20 to the flat cable C becomes unstable, and the rotational resistance fluctuates rapidly with the increase or decrease of the contact force. For this reason, there was a problem that stable rotation of the inner casing 12 could not be maintained, and an increase in torque for rotating the inner casing 12 and rotation failure were caused.

Further, the ring main body 16 is displaced in the radial direction with the expansion and contraction of the winding diameter of the cable, thereby hindering the stable rotation of the ring main body 16 and increasing the rotation torque and the rotation. There was a risk of failure.
Furthermore, during the movement of the flat cable C, the sliding resistance between the flat cable C and the elastic plate 20 increases, the sliding resistance between the wound flat cables C, C increases, and the flat cable C and the casing increase. 11, 12
Due to an increase in sliding resistance between the winding direction reversal and the like, a force that hinders rotational movement acts on the winding direction reversing portion 17, and the winding direction reversing portion 17 may be displaced in the axial direction. In such a case, there is a possibility that the winding direction reversing portion 17 may float up from the notch portion 15 in the axial direction. When the winding direction reversing part 17 is displaced in the axial direction, good rotation of the ring main body 16 is hindered, and poor rotation of the inner casing 12 occurs. To cope with these problems, it is considered that the components are integrated. However, since the molded product is a resin molded product, there is a possibility that a portion having a large thickness is deformed such as sink marks or warpage after molding.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and makes the movement of a flat cable, particularly, the movement of a winding direction reversing portion smoother, thereby stabilizing the relative rotation of an inner casing and an outer casing. Provided is a transmission device between a rotating body and a fixed body to be converted.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above objects, the present invention provides an outer casing, an inner casing rotatable relative to the outer casing, and one end having an inner peripheral surface of the outer casing. And the other end is connected to the outer peripheral surface of the inner casing. The flexible cable is disposed between the outer casing and the inner casing. In a transmission device between a rotating body and a fixed body composed of a guide ring, the guide ring has substantially semi-circular arc-shaped walls formed at both ends of the guide ring corresponding to the notches. The upper end of the portion is connected by a connecting portion, and the outer peripheral guide wall and the inner peripheral guide wall formed continuously in the rotation direction are formed integrally with the support and have a relatively thick wall. Has a meat stealer It is characterized in that there.

[0012]

As described above, in the guide ring of the present invention, the upper end of the substantially semicircular arc-shaped wall is connected by the connecting portion, and the outer peripheral guide wall and the inner peripheral guide wall are continuously formed in the circumferential direction. By being formed, the rigidity can be increased and the ring can be prevented from warping or deforming due to the influence of thermal stress or the like. In addition, since the stolen portion formed by a groove or a hole is provided at a portion where the thickness is relatively large, deformation such as sink and distortion of the guide ring main body due to molding can be prevented.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway plan view showing a transmission device between a rotating body and a fixed body according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX of FIG. 1, and FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the guide ring shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the guide ring shown in FIG. In the following description, for convenience, the information side in FIGS. 2 and 4 is referred to as “upper side” of each member, and the lower side in the figures is referred to as “lower side” of each member.

The outer casing 31 has a substantially cylindrical outer trunk 3.
4 and a ring plate-shaped upper flange portion 35 for closing the upper opening of the outer body portion 34. Inner casing 32
Has an inner body 38 and a lower flange 39. A center hole 36 through which the steering shaft 33 is inserted is formed in the inner body 38.
Is formed. The lower flange portion 39 is formed integrally with the lower end of the inner body portion 38. A stepped portion 34 is formed on the inner peripheral edge of the lower end of the outer trunk portion 34, the inner peripheral edge of the upper flange portion 35, the outer peripheral edge of the lower flange portion 39, and the upper inner peripheral edge of the inner trunk portion 38, respectively.
a, 35a, 38a, and 39a are formed.

In the outer casing 31, the inner casing 3
2 are mounted, and the outer peripheral position of the upper flange portion 35 is fastened at a plurality of locations with screws or the like. An accommodation space 40 for accommodating the dictated flat cable C and the guide ring 45 is formed between the casings 31 and 32.

The two casings 31, 32 are provided with a stepped portion 34a.
And 39a, and 35a and 38a are relatively rotated while sliding. Such casings 31 and 32 are formed of a synthetic resin or the like. One end (also referred to as an outer end) C1 of the flexible tape-shaped flat cable C is connected to the outer trunk portion 34.
And the other end (also referred to as an inner end) C2
Is connected to the outer peripheral surface 41 of the inner body 38. As shown in FIG. 1, a housing chamber 42 for housing and fixing the outer end C <b> 1 of the flat cable C is formed in the outer trunk portion 34. In the housing room 42, the outer end C1 of the flat cable C is connected to a lead wire 43 connected to an electric component on the vehicle body side.
And electrically connected to the electrical components on the vehicle body side.

The lower flange 3 of the inner casing 32
By inserting a terminal (not shown) electrically connected to the inner end C2 of the flat cable C, the inner end C2 of the flat cable C is electrically connected to an electric component on the steering wheel side. You.

In the housing space 40, a guide ring 45 as an auxiliary means for rotating the flat cable C is provided.
The casings 31 and 32 are rotatably housed relative to each other. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the guide ring 45 has a cutout portion 46 formed in a part in the circumferential direction, and the flat cable C is provided with the cutout portion 46.
Are formed, and the winding direction reversing portion 48 is formed in the flat cable C by passing through the notch portion 46.

The flat cable C extending from the inner end C2 to the winding direction reversing part 48 is wound in one direction (the direction of arrow A) around the inner casing outer peripheral surface 41, that is, the inner body part 38, and The flat cable C extending to the outer end C1 is located between the guide ring 45 and the outer casing 31 in a direction opposite to the one direction (arrow B direction).
It can be wound around.

The guide ring 45 further includes an outer guide wall 50 for pressing the flat cable C against the inner peripheral surface 37 of the outer casing, and an inner guide wall for pressing the flat cable C against the outer peripheral surface 41 of the inner casing. And a part 51. The guide ring 45 is formed of, for example, a fluororesin having excellent slidability, and the outer peripheral guide wall 50 and the inner peripheral guide wall 51 are formed integrally with the support 47.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 3 to 5, at the boundary between the outer guide wall 50 and the support 47, and at the boundary between the inner guide wall 51 and the support 47 at appropriate intervals, respectively. A meat steal portion 45a is provided by a groove, a dent or a hole. The shape of the meat stealing portion 45a is not particularly limited,
In addition, a hole may be used as long as it is thinner than the thickness of the guide ring 45 around the installation location. Further, it is desirable to provide the thinning portion 45a in a place where the guide ring 45 is easily deformed during molding of the guide ring 45, such as a sink, a warp or the like, having a large thickness.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, an outer contact portion 50a is formed at the upper end of the outer guide wall portion 50 so as to slightly project outward in the radial direction. At the upper end of the inner contact portion 5 slightly protruding radially inward
1a is formed. The two guide walls 50 and 51 are in contact with the flat cable C via the contact portions 50a and 51a.

As shown in FIG. 5, the upper ends of the guide walls 54 are connected to each other via a connecting portion 55. By the connecting portion 55, the both ends 47a, 47b of the support 47 are
Will be concatenated.

On the upper surface of the support 47 of the guide ring 45,
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the first guide 56 is located between the outer guide wall 50 and the inner guide wall 51, and is slightly more axially than the guide walls 50, 51. It is formed to protrude. A second guide 57 slightly protruding in the axial direction is formed on the lower surface of the support body 47 along the longitudinal direction of the guide ring 45. These first
The guide 56 and the second guide 57 are formed in a circular shape except for the notch 46, and are formed so as to be located on concentric circles.

As shown in FIG. 2, on the inner surface of the upper flange portion 35 of the outer casing 31, there is formed a first recess 58 into which the tip of the first guide 56 is slidably fitted. On the inner surface of the flange portion 39, a second concave portion 59 into which the second guide 57 is slidably fitted is formed. First
The recess 58 and the second recess 59 are each formed in a circular shape. The first guide 56 and the first concave portion 58 constitute a first engaging means 61 for positioning the guide ring 45 in the radial direction with respect to the outer casing 31, and the second guide 57 and the second concave portion 59 form A second position for radially positioning the guide ring 45 with respect to the inner casing 32;
An engaging means 62 is provided. The centers of the outer casing 31, the inner casing 32, and the guide ring 45 are aligned by the first and second engagement means 61, 62.

Next, the operation of the transmission device 30 according to this embodiment will be described. First, the case where the inner casing 32 rotates in the counterclockwise direction (arrow B) with the rotation of the steering shaft 33 as shown in FIG. 1 will be described. Since the rotation direction matches the direction in which the flat cable C is wound around the inner body 38, the flat cable C is reliably wound around the inner body 38. At this time, the winding direction reversing portion 48 of the flat cable C also moves smoothly in the counterclockwise direction. Along with the movement of the winding direction reversing part 48, the flat cable C wound between the guide ring 45 and the outer casing 31 is sent out toward the winding direction reversing part 48 while being unwound. At the same time, the guide ring 45 also rotates counterclockwise. However, the rotation speed of the guide ring 45 is lower than the rotation speed of the inner casing 32.

Next, as shown in FIG.
Will be described in the clockwise direction (arrow B). In this case, the flat cable C is sent out from the inner body 38. However, since the rotation direction is opposite to the direction in which the flat cable C is wound around the inner body 38, the flat cable C is slackened. May occur. However, in this embodiment, the inner trunk 3
Since the inner peripheral guide wall portion 51 of the guide ring 45 is partially in contact with the outer periphery of the flat cable C wound around 8, the flat cable C is partially pressed against the inner casing outer peripheral surface 41. A force is applied to the flat cable C. Therefore, the slack of the flat cable C does not occur when the flat cable C is sent out from the inner body 38, and the flat cable C wound around the inner body 38 passes through the notch 46 of the guide ring 45. It is surely sent out toward the inner peripheral surface 37 of the outer casing 31. Then, the winding direction reversing portion 48 of the flat cable C also moves smoothly in the clockwise direction, and the flat cable C sent out from the inner body 38 is wound between the guide ring 45 and the outer casing 31. At the same time, the guide ring 45 also rotates clockwise. However, the rotation of the guide ring 45 is slower than the rotation speed of the inner casing 32.

As described above, the inner casing 32 can be rotated back and forth without causing slack in the flat cable C, and the occurrence of trouble due to slack in the flat cable C can be prevented. In the guide ring 45 of the present embodiment, the notch 46
Since the both ends 47a and 47b of the support 47 are connected by the connecting portion 55, the guide ring 45
Warpage and deformation are less likely to occur due to thermal stress or external force from the cable. As a result, the guide ring 45 smoothly rotates together with the flat cable C without warping or deformation. Since the guide ring 45 is not warped or deformed, it prevents a sudden change in the rotation resistance and prevents the cable from being disturbed, and the inner casing 32 smoothly rotates relative to the outer casing 31.

During the rotational movement of the guide ring 45,
A situation in which the winding direction reversing portion 48 of the flat cable C is displaced in the axial direction and contacts the upper flange portion 35 is as follows.
Does not occur. Thus, it is possible to prevent poor rotation due to an increase in the contact resistance between the edge of the flat cable C and the outer casing 31, and to stably rotate the inner casing 32 with respect to the outer casing 31.

Further, as shown in FIG.
1 (first guide 56 and first recess 58), second engagement means 6
2 (second guide 57 and second recess 59), the center of rotation of guide ring 45 always coincides with the center of outer casing 31 and inner casing 32, and the center of rotation of guide ring 45 is prevented from shifting in the radial direction. ing. Also,
Since the outer guide wall 50 and the inner guide wall 51 are formed continuously, the clearance between the guide ring 45 and the outer casing 31 or the inner casing 32 is constant regardless of the winding diameter of the cable. As a result, the contact force between the guide walls 50 and 51 and the flat cable C does not suddenly change, and the outer guide wall 50 and the inner guide wall 51 are stably contacted with the flat cable C. Will do. Also from this point, the inner casing 3
2 can realize a stable rotation.

Further, the outer peripheral guide wall portion 50 is
0a, the inner peripheral guide wall portion 51 is connected to the inner contact portion 51a.
And the flat cable C is in contact with each other, so that the contact area is reduced. For this reason, the guide wall 50,
The contact resistance between the flat cable 51 and the flat cable C can be reduced, and the sliding resistance between the guide ring 45 and the flat cable C can be significantly reduced. In this respect, the inner casing 32 rotates stably.

Although the case where the inner casing 32 rotates has been described, the present invention can also be applied to a configuration in which the inner casing 32 is fixed and the outer casing 31 rotates.

[0033]

As described above, according to the transmission device between the fixed members of the rotating body of the present invention, the upper end of the substantially semicircular wall is connected to the guide ring, and the outer peripheral guide is further provided. Since the wall portion and the inner peripheral guide wall portion are formed continuously in the circumferential direction, the rigidity can be increased. This can prevent the ring body from warping or deforming due to the influence of thermal stress or the like. For this reason, the contact force of the elastic plate to the flat cable is always stable, the fluctuation of the rotation resistance can be suppressed, and the stable rotation of the inner casing can be maintained. In addition, the ring body shifts in the radial direction with the expansion and contraction of the winding diameter of the cable, hinders stable rotation of the ring body, increases rotational torque, increases rotational torque, and causes poor rotation. Failures can be prevented. In addition, since the stolen portion formed by the groove or the hole is provided in a portion where the thickness is relatively thick, it is possible to prevent deformation of the guide ring main body due to molding, such as sink and distortion.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway plan view showing a transmission device between a rotating body and a fixed body according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line XX of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the guide ring shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line ZZ in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line YY of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a partially cutaway plan view showing a transmission device between a rotating body and a fixed body according to a conventional example.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line QQ in FIG. 6;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 31 ... Outer casing 32 ... Inner casing 37 ... Inner peripheral surface 41 ... Outer peripheral surface 45 ... Guide ring 45a ... Notch part 46 ... Notch part 47 ... Support body 50 ... Outer peripheral guide wall part 51 ... Inner peripheral guide wall part 54 ... Wall 55: Connecting part C1: One end C2: Other end

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] An outer casing (31), an inner casing (32) rotatable relative to the outer casing (31), and one end (C1) of the outer casing (31).
The flexible cable (31) connected to the inner peripheral surface (37) of the inner casing and the other end (C2) is connected to the outer peripheral surface (41) of the inner casing (32), and the outer casing (31).
A transmission device between a rotating body and a fixed body, comprising a guide ring (45) rotatably arranged relative to each of the casings (31, 32) between the inner casing and the inner casing (32). The guide ring (45) has substantially semi-arc-shaped walls (54) formed at both ends of the guide ring corresponding to the notches (46). An outer peripheral guide wall portion (5) connected by a connecting portion (55) and formed continuously in the rotational direction.
0) and the inner peripheral guide wall portion (51) are formed integrally with the support body (47), and a stolen portion (45a) is provided at a place where the thickness is relatively large. A transmission device between the rotating body and the fixed body.