JP3167872B2 - Relay device between relative rotating members - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a relay device between relatively rotating members, which can make electrical connection between relatively rotating members via a cable.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As this kind of relay device between relative rotating members, for example, as shown in FIGS.
No. 8486 is disclosed. That is, it has a rotating body 1 connected to the rotating member side and fixed bodies 2 and 3 connected to the fixed member side, and a spiral shape is formed between the rotating body 1 and the fixed bodies 2 and 3. The wound flexible flat cable 4 is stored. The flexible flat cable 4 has its inner peripheral end 4a held by the rotating body 1 and is pulled out upward, and its outer peripheral end 4b is held by the fixed body 3 and pulled down.

The rotating body 1 is formed by an inner cylindrical portion 1a located at the center of rotation, and a flange portion 1b extending outward from the upper end of the inner cylindrical portion 1a. Fixed body 2
An outer cylindrical portion 2a formed so as to surround the inner cylindrical portion 1a of the rotating body 1, an annular top plate portion 2b extending from the upper end of the outer cylindrical portion 2a along the upper surface of the flange portion 1b of the rotating body 1. Is formed. The flexible flat cable 4 is housed in a state of being spirally wound in an annular space K between the inner cylindrical portion 1a and the outer cylindrical portion 2a. The fixed body 3 covers a lower end portion of the outer cylindrical portion 2a of the fixed body 2.

In the relay device between the relative rotating members configured as described above, first, the uppermost fixed body 2 is turned upside down and placed on, for example, an assembly work table. The rotating body 1 is placed upside down. Thereby, the flange 1b of the rotating body 1 is placed on the annular top plate 2b of the fixed body 2.
Is placed. Then, the flexible flat cable 4 is stored in the space K between the inner cylindrical portion 1a and the outer cylindrical portion 2a. Also at this time, the flexible flat cable 4 is stored upside down as shown in FIG. And
From above, the fixed body 3 is placed upside down, and the fixed body 3 is fixed to the fixed body 2.

For example, when the flexible flat cable 4 is mounted on a steering wheel of an automobile, the inner peripheral end 4a of the flexible flat cable 4 is connected to the steering wheel side (rotating member side) via the rotating body 1. Is connected to the steering column side (fixed member side) via the fixed body 3. That is, as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG.
The flexible flat cable 4 is connected to a steering wheel and a steering column with its inner peripheral end 4a facing upward and the outer peripheral end 4b of the flexible flat cable 4 facing downward.

[0006]

As described above, in the above-mentioned relay device between the relative rotating members, the assembly shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 can be assembled upside down to enable continuous assembly. At the same time, the flexible flat cable 4 can be stored in the space K between the inner cylindrical portion 1a and the outer cylindrical portion 2a without being loosened.

However, there is a problem that the assembly must be assembled upside down with respect to the design drawing, and the assembly is troublesome. 5 and FIG. 6, when used upside down, as shown in FIG. 7, the outer periphery of the flange portion 1b of the rotating body 1 and the inner periphery of the outer cylindrical portion 2a of the fixed body 2 as shown in FIG. A gap S is formed between the flexible flat cable 4 and the surface, and the flexible flat cable 4 enters and is caught in the gap (S), thereby causing a problem that the flexible flat cable 4 is damaged or cut.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem, and an object thereof is to enable easy assembling without inverting a flexible flat cable between a rotating body and a fixed body. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a relay device between relative rotating members that is not damaged or cut.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has an inner cylindrical portion (11a), and a flange portion (11b) extending outward from an outer periphery of a lower end of the inner cylindrical portion (11a). And an outer cylindrical portion (12a) surrounding the inner cylindrical portion (11a) of the rotator (11) at a predetermined interval, and the outer cylindrical portion (1).
2a) a fixed body (12) having an annular bottom plate (12b) extending inward from the inner periphery of the lower end along the upper surface of the flange (11b), the inner cylindrical part (11a) and the outer cylindrical part (12a). Is housed in a state of being spirally wound along the annular space (K) between the inner cylindrical portion (11a) and the inner cylindrical end (13a). It is held by a rotation side holding portion (11c) formed on the outer periphery,
A flexible flat cable (13) having an outer peripheral end (13b) held in a slit (12d) formed in the outer cylindrical portion (12a); and an inner cylindrical portion (11a).
Of attached to an upper end portion, the result and a flexible flat cable upper cover to draw the inner peripheral edge portion (13) and (13a) on the upper side (14), the rotation-side holding
The holding portion (11c) is an outer peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical portion (11a).
An enclosing plate portion (11d) extending in an arc shape along
One end of the plate portion (11d) is connected to the inner cylindrical portion (11d).
a) and a connecting portion (11e) connected to the
Side cylindrical part (11a), surrounding plate part (11d) and connecting part
(11e), in the space surrounded by
Bent right angle above the inner circumference of the rat cable (13)
The upper cover (1
4) is provided with a cylindrical ring body (17) extending so as to surround the inner cylindrical part (11a), and the ring body (17) has an outer peripheral surface formed of an annular bottom plate part (12b). It is characterized by being located outside the inner peripheral edge.

[0010]

In the relay device between the relative rotating members constructed as described above, first, the lowermost rotating body (11) is placed on, for example, an assembly work table, and the fixed body (12) is placed thereon.
Put. Thereby, the flange portion (1) of the rotating body (11)
The annular bottom plate portion (12b) of the fixed body (12) rests on 1b), and an annular space (K) is formed by the inner cylindrical portion (11a) and the outer cylindrical portion (12a). Then, the flexible flat cable (13) wound in a spiral shape and formed in an annular shape is connected to the inner cylindrical portion (11a) and the outer cylindrical portion (1).
2a). Next, the inner peripheral end (13a) of the flexible flat cable (13)
On the rotation side formed on the outer periphery of the inner cylindrical portion (11a)
While holding the flexible flat cable (13), the outer peripheral end (13b) of the flexible flat cable (13 ) is held by a slit (12d) formed in the outer cylindrical portion (12a). Then, the ring body (17) is fitted around the inner cylindrical portion (11a), and the upper cover (1) is fitted.
4) is attached to the upper end of the inner cylindrical portion (11a), and the inner peripheral end (13a) of the flexible flat cable (13) is pulled out from the upper cover (14).

As described above, since it is possible to assemble components in such a manner that the components located on the lower side are sequentially stacked, it is possible to easily assemble the components while viewing the design drawings.

For example, when the flexible flat cable (13) is assembled to a steering wheel of an automobile, the inner peripheral end (13a) of the flexible flat cable (13) is connected to the steering wheel side (rotating member) via the rotating body (11) and the upper cover (14). Side), and the outer peripheral end (13b) of the flexible flat cable (13) is connected to the steering column side (fixed member side) via the fixed body (12). That is, the inner peripheral end (13) of the flexible flat cable (13) located on the upper side during assembling.
a) is located on the upper side even when it is actually assembled to the handle portion. Therefore, for example, even in the case of repairing, it can be easily repaired by sequentially removing it from the upper part. Therefore, it is not necessary to perform a major repair such as removing the whole, and the repair can be completed in a short time.

Further, a ring body (17) is provided so as to surround the inner cylindrical portion (11a), and this ring body (17) is provided.
Of the annular bottom plate (12b) is located outside the inner peripheral edge of the annular bottom plate (12b).
The gap (S) generated between the inner peripheral edge of the inner cylindrical portion and the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical portion (11a) can be covered with the ring body (17). Therefore, it is possible to prevent the flexible flat cable (13) from entering and being caught in the gap (S), thereby preventing the flexible flat cable (13) from being damaged or cut.

[0014]

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

As shown in FIG. 1, the relay device 10 for rotating relative members has an inner cylindrical portion 11a.
A rotating body 11 having a flange 11b extending outward from the outer periphery of the lower end of the rotating body 1a;
Is provided at a predetermined interval, and the outer cylindrical portion 12a has an outer cylindrical portion 12a.
b, a fixed body 12 having an annular bottom plate portion 12b extending inward along the upper surface of the inner cylindrical portion 11a and the outer cylindrical portion 1b.
2a is housed in an annular space K in a state of being spirally wound along the annular space K, and has an inner peripheral end 13a.
Is held by the inner cylindrical portion 11a, and an outer end 13b is held by the outer cylindrical portion 12a. A flexible flat cable 13 is attached to an upper end of the inner cylindrical portion 11a. And an upper cover 14 for pulling out the end 13a to the upper side. The upper cover 14 is provided with a cylindrical ring 17 extending so as to surround the inner cylindrical portion 11a. The outer peripheral surface is located outside the inner peripheral edge of the annular bottom plate portion 12b. Hereinafter, the above configuration will be described in detail.

The rotating body 11 is, as shown in FIGS.
Inner cylindrical portion 11a and flange portion 11b serving as a rotation center
And is connected to a steering wheel side (rotating member side) of a steering wheel in an automobile, for example. Further, on the outer periphery of the inner cylindrical portion 11a, a rotation-side holding portion 11c for holding the inner peripheral end portion 13a of the flexible flat cable 13 is provided. The rotation-side holding portion 11c includes an enclosing plate 11d extending in an arc shape along the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical portion 11a, and a connecting portion 11e connecting one end of the enclosing plate 11d to the inner cylindrical portion 11a. Is formed.

The fixed body 12 is connected via a bracket 12c to, for example, a steering column side (fixed member side) of a handle portion of an automobile.
The outer cylindrical portion 12a is formed with a slit 12d for holding the outer peripheral end 13b of the flexible flat cable 13 and for drawing out the outer peripheral end 13b toward the fixing member. Further, the outer cylindrical portion 12a is provided with a fixed holder 12e for holding a fixed connector 13d to be described later.

The flexible flat cable 13 has an inner peripheral end 13a bent upward at a right angle.
The bent portion is held by the rotation-side holding portion 11c. The rotation-side connector 13c is connected to the tip of the inner peripheral end 13a.
The outer peripheral end 13b is drawn out from a slit 12d formed in the fixed body 12, and the distal end thereof is connected to a fixed connector 13d. The fixed-side connector 13d is held by a fixed-side holder 12e provided on the fixed body 12.

The upper cover 14 has an inner cylindrical portion 11a.
And a through-hole 14 a coaxial with the inner cylindrical portion 11 a via a screw 15. The inner peripheral end portion 13 is provided in the portion of the through hole 14a.
A cutout 14b is formed at a position corresponding to the rotation side holding portion 11c of the flexible flat cable 13 for drawing out the inner peripheral end 13a of the flexible flat cable 13. Further, on the upper surface of the upper cover 14, a rotating holder 14c for holding a rotating connector 13c connected to the inner peripheral end 13a is provided.
Is provided.

Further, on the lower surface of the upper cover 14, there is formed a cylindrical ring body 17 extending so as to surround the inner cylindrical portion 11a. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the ring body 17 is formed so that its outer peripheral surface is located outside the inner peripheral edge of the annular bottom plate portion 12b, and has a cutout so as to avoid the rotation side holding portion 11c. 17a are formed. This gap 17a is
It is formed by one edge portion 17b abutting on the connecting portion 11e of 1c and the other edge portion 17c facing the front end portion of the enclosing plate portion 11d so as to secure a gap S1.
The gap S1 serves as an insertion opening for inserting the inner peripheral end 13a of the flexible flat cable 13 into the rotation-side holding portion 11c.

In the relative rotating member relay device 10 configured as described above, first, the rotating body 1 located at the bottom
1 is placed on an assembly work table, for example, and
Put. Thus, the annular bottom plate portion 12b of the fixed body 12 is mounted on the flange portion 11b of the rotating body 11, and an annular space K is formed by the inner cylindrical portion 11a and the outer cylindrical portion 12a. Then, the flexible flat cable 13 wound in a spiral and formed in an annular shape is housed in the space K between the inner cylindrical portion 11a and the outer cylindrical portion 12a. Next,
The portion bent at a right angle above the inner peripheral end 13a of the flexible flat cable 13 is inserted into the rotating side holding portion 11c of the inner cylindrical portion 11a.

The flexible flat cable 13
Of the outer cylindrical portion 12a with the slit 12d of the outer cylindrical portion 12a.
And pulled out from the slit 12d. Then, the fixed connector 13d is attached to the fixed holder 12e. Next, while the ring body 17 is fitted around the inner cylindrical portion 11a, and the inner peripheral end 13a of the flexible flat cable 13 passes through the gap S1, the upper cover 14 is moved to the upper end of the inner cylindrical portion 11a. Put on the part.

At this time, the through holes 14 of the upper cover 14
a to inner peripheral end 1 of flexible flat cable 13
3a and the rotating connector 13c are pulled out upward, the inner peripheral end 13a is inserted into the notch 14b, and the rotating connector 13c is attached to the rotating holder 14c. Then, the upper cover 14 is fixed to the upper end portion of the inner cylindrical portion 11a with the screw 15. Thereby, the upper cover 14
To the inner peripheral end 13 of the flexible flat cable 13
a is pulled out upward, and the upper end of the outer cylindrical portion 12a is covered.

As described above, since it is possible to assemble by sequentially stacking the components located on the lower side,
It can be assembled efficiently and easily while looking at the design drawing.

For example, when the flexible flat cable 13 is mounted on a steering wheel of an automobile, the inner peripheral end 13a of the flexible flat cable 13 is connected to the steering wheel side (rotating member side) via the rotating body 11 and the upper cover 14, and the like. Outer end 1 of the flexible flat cable 13
3b is connected to the steering column side (fixed member side) via the fixed body 12 and the like. Thereby, the electrical connection between the rotating member side and the fixed member side is reliably established. Moreover, in this case, the inner peripheral end 13a of the flexible flat cable 13 located on the upper side at the time of assembly is located on the upper side as it is, so that even in the case of repair, for example, it can be sequentially removed from the upper part. Can be easily repaired. Therefore, repair can be easily performed in a short time without performing a large-scale operation such as removing the whole from the handle portion.

Since the outer peripheral surface of the ring body 17 is located outside the inner peripheral edge of the annular bottom plate 12b, for example, the inner peripheral edge of the annular bottom plate 12b and the inner cylindrical portion 11a as shown in FIG. Gap S between the outer peripheral surface of
Can be covered with the ring body 17 as shown in FIG. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the flexible flat cable 13 from entering and being caught in the gap S, thereby preventing the flexible flat cable 13 from being damaged or cut.

Further, the flexible flat cable 1
The inner peripheral end 13a of the rotating body 3
And the outer peripheral end 13b of the flexible flat cable 13 is held by the slit 12d of the fixed body 12 and the fixed side holder 12e.
1. Fixed body 12 and flexible flat cable 13
Can be temporarily assembled in advance, and the efficiency of assembly can be improved.

[0028]

According to the present invention, the components can be assembled in such a manner that the components located on the lower side are sequentially stacked, so that the components can be easily assembled while looking at the design drawings. In addition, the inner peripheral end of the flexible flat cable located on the upper side during assembly is located on the upper side even when it is attached to, for example, a steering wheel of an automobile. For this reason, in the case where repair is performed in a state where it is actually attached to a handle or the like, it can be performed while sequentially removing the parts from the upper part. Therefore,
Repairing can be easily performed in a short time without performing a large-scale operation of removing the entire device.

Further, a ring body surrounding the inner cylindrical portion is provided on the upper cover, and the outer peripheral surface of the ring body is located outside the inner peripheral edge of the annular bottom plate portion. The gap generated between the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion and the outer peripheral surface can be covered with the ring body. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the flexible flat cable from entering and being caught in the gap, thereby preventing the flexible flat cable from being damaged or cut.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a relay device between relative rotating members shown as one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the relay device between relative rotating members.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the relay device between relative rotating members,
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where there is no ring body for explaining the effect of the ring body of the relay device between relative rotating members.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a relay device between relative rotating members shown as a conventional example.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the relay device between the relative rotating members.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the relay device between relative rotating members.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 relay device between relative rotating members 11 rotating body 11a inner cylindrical part 11b flange part 12 fixed body 12a outer cylindrical part 12b annular bottom plate part 13 flexible flat cable 13a inner peripheral end 13b outer peripheral end 14 upper cover 17 ring body K space

Continuation of the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H01R 35/04 B60R 16/02 675 B62D 1/04

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] A rotating body having an inner cylindrical portion and a flange extending outward from the outer periphery of a lower end of the inner cylindrical portion; and an outer cylindrical portion surrounding the inner cylindrical portion of the rotating body at a predetermined interval. A fixed body having an annular bottom plate portion extending inward along the upper surface of the flange portion from the inner periphery at the lower end of the outer cylindrical portion, and an annular space between the inner cylindrical portion and the outer cylindrical portion,
It is housed in a state of being spirally wound along the same annular space, the inner peripheral end is held by a rotating side holding portion formed on the outer periphery of the inner cylindrical portion, and the outer peripheral end is held by the outer cylindrical portion. a flexible flat cable which is held in a slit formed, attached to the upper end portion of the inner cylindrical portion, becomes and a upper cover drawing the inner peripheral end portion of said flexible flat cable in the upper, the rotation-side holding portion Along the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical portion
An encircling plate extending in an arc shape and one end of the enclosing plate
And a connecting portion for connecting to the inner cylindrical portion,
A void surrounded by the inner cylindrical portion, the surrounding plate portion, and the connecting portion
Above the inner peripheral end of the flexible flat cable.
The upper cover is provided with a cylindrical ring body that extends so as to surround the inner cylindrical portion, and the outer peripheral surface of the ring body is an annular bottom plate. A relay device between relative rotating members, which is located outside an inner peripheral edge of the portion.