JP3188357U - Rotating connector - Google Patents

Abstract

A rotating connector capable of smoothly sliding a flat cable is provided.
A rotary connector is a flat housing housed in a ring space formed between an outer cylinder part of a stator member and an inner cylinder part of a rotor member, with an inversion part that reverses the winding direction in the middle. A cable and a holder member 30 rotatably disposed in the annular space. The holder member 30 includes an annular flat plate member 31 that supports the flat cable in the rotation axis direction, and a wall surface member 32 that supports the flat cable in the rotation radius direction. The annular flat plate member 31 is formed of a first molding material having mechanical strength, and includes a locking portion 31a and a boss portion 31b as a first positioning mechanism portion. The wall surface member 32 is formed of a second molding material with good slidability, and includes a hole 32a as a second positioning mechanism. The annular flat plate member 31 and the wall surface member 32 are integrally disposed via the first positioning mechanism portion and the second positioning mechanism portion.
[Selection] Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a rotary connector that is incorporated in a steering device of an automobile and used as an electrical connection means such as an air bag system.

  A rotary connector used in an automobile or the like is an annular space provided between an outer cylinder part and an inner cylinder part, while rotatably connecting a stator member having an outer cylinder part and a rotor member having an inner cylinder part. The flat cable is housed and wound inside. The rotary connector is used as an electrical connection means such as an air bag inflator attached to a handle having a limited number of rotations. The stator member is fixed to the steering column side, and the rotor member is fixed to the handle side. Further, the flat cable is a band-like body in which a conductor is supported on an insulating film. Rotating connectors have become mainstream because a reversing type in which the flat cable is wound in a spiral shape, reversed in the middle and wound in the opposite direction, can shorten the length of the flat cable.

  FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the rotary connector 100 described in Patent Document 1. The rotary connector 100 includes a first housing 101, a second housing 102, and a flexible cable (flat cable) 104 wound in an annular storage portion formed between the first housing 101 and the second housing 102. And a moving body (holder member) 105. As shown in FIG. 14, the moving body 105 of the rotary connector 100 uses a plurality of rollers 118 in order to smoothly slide the flexible cable 104. As a result, the rotary connector 100 was able to operate smoothly even when the flexible cable 104 was wound in a spiral shape, reversed in the middle, and wound in the reverse direction, but the number of parts was large and the assemblability was poor. It was expensive.

  FIG. 15 shows a state in which the flat cables 204 and 205 are housed in the annular space of the rotary connector 200 described in Patent Document 2. FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of the holder 206. The flat cable 204 is formed with a U-shaped reversing portion 204 a that passes through the opening 261 so as to be wound around a roller 211 that is rotatably attached to the holder 206. However, the flat cable 205 is formed with a U-shaped reversing portion 205 a that passes through the opening 262 so as to be wound around a predetermined cylindrical body 206 b erected on the holder 206. In this rotary connector 200, the number of rollers is greatly reduced, and the flat cables 204 and 205 are slid by the roller 211, the outer wall portion 206b1, and the inner wall portion 206b2.

  The holder 206 having the annular base portion 206a and the cylindrical body 206b has a shape having the outer wall portion 206b1 and the inner wall portion 206b2 as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, so that the rotary connector 200 operates smoothly. It was devised.

Japanese Patent No. 3234858 JP 2011-18618 A

  However, in the rotary connector 200 described in Patent Document 2, the holder 206 has a structure in which the outer wall 206b1 and the inner wall 206b2 on which the flat cables 204 and 205 slide and the annular base 206a are integrally formed. . In the holder member of this structure, a functional problem of the annular base portion (annular flat plate portion) 206a occurs, so that a molding material suitable for sliding on the wall surface portions of the outer wall portion 206b1 and the inner wall portion 206b2 cannot be used. The material restrictions were inevitable. For this reason, it is difficult for the rotary connector 200 described in Patent Document 2 to smoothly support the flat cable by sliding compared to the rotary connector 100 described in Patent Document 1 that uses a plurality of rollers. Further improvements were desired.

  This invention solves the subject mentioned above, and aims at providing the rotation connector which can slide a flat cable smoothly.

  The rotary connector of the present invention includes a stator member having an outer cylinder part and a bottom plate part, a rotor member having an inner cylinder part facing the outer cylinder part and rotatably supported with respect to the stator member, In the annular space formed between the outer cylinder part and the inner cylinder part, it is housed in a state having a reversing part that reverses the winding direction in the middle, and both ends thereof are on the stator member side and the rotor member side. A rotary connector comprising: a flat cable electrically connected to each other; and a holder member rotatably arranged in the annular space and slidably supporting the flat cable, wherein the holder member is The annular flat plate member that supports the flat cable in the rotational axis direction of the rotary connector, and the wall surface member that supports the flat cable in the rotational radius direction of the rotary connector. The material is formed of a first molding material having mechanical strength and includes a first positioning mechanism portion, and the wall surface member is formed of a second molding material having good slidability and corresponds to the first positioning mechanism portion. And the annular flat plate member and the wall surface member are integrally disposed via the first positioning mechanism portion and the second positioning mechanism portion. And

  Since the holder member is configured such that the annular flat plate member and the wall surface member are integrally disposed via the first positioning mechanism portion and the second positioning mechanism portion, the holder member is not limited to the material of the annular flat plate member. A wall member made of a material with good mobility can be used. The wall member with good slidability disposed on the annular flat plate member having the mechanical strength necessary for the rotary holder reduces the frictional resistance with the flat cable, so that the holder member has the required mechanical strength. The flat cable can be slid smoothly while keeping it. Furthermore, since no roller is used, the cost can be reduced compared to a holder member using a roller.

  In the rotary connector of the present invention, it is preferable that the annular flat plate member is made of a synthetic resin containing polypropylene, and the wall surface member is made of a synthetic resin containing polyacetal.

  The annular flat plate member made of the first molding material containing polypropylene has mechanical strength over a long period of time and can suppress rubbing sound due to sliding and vibration. The wall member made of the second molding material containing polyacetal can reduce the frictional resistance when the flat cable slides.

  In the rotary connector according to the present invention, it is preferable that the wall surface member has a cutout portion through which the reversal portion of the flat cable passes, and the cutout portion includes a planar connection portion facing the annular flat plate member. It is.

  Since the planar connection portion is provided, the wall surface member having the cutout portion can be integrally formed, and the assemblability of the wall surface member and the annular flat plate member is good.

  In the rotary connector of the present invention, the wall surface member has a circumferential wall portion formed with a plurality of protrusions that support the flat cable in the rotational radius direction, and the plurality of protrusions are the circumferential wall. It is preferable that the parts are distributed in the circumferential direction without overlapping in the direction of the rotation axis.

  According to this aspect, since the plurality of protrusions do not overlap in the direction of the rotation axis of the circumferential wall portion, it is possible to remove the top and bottom along the direction of the rotation axis without using a slide with the mold. Moreover, since the protrusion part of a short dimension can be disperse | distributed and arrange | positioned along the circumferential direction in the rotating shaft direction, the frictional resistance when a flat cable slides can be reduced.

  In the rotary connector according to the present invention, the wall surface member has a plurality of blocks that support the flat cable in the rotational radius direction, and a rod-shaped coupling member that couples the plurality of blocks, and the rod-shaped coupling member is deformed. The plurality of blocks may be arranged along the circumferential direction of the annular flat plate member.

  According to this aspect, since a plurality of blocks are connected by the rod-shaped connecting member and do not fall apart, the assemblability is good. Further, the wall surface member disposed on the annular flat plate member by deforming the rod-like connecting member so that the plurality of blocks follow the circumferential direction can reduce the frictional resistance when the flat cable slides.

  In the rotary connector according to the present invention, the wall surface member is disposed on the annular flat plate member by deforming the rod-like connecting member from a shape integrally formed in a state where the plurality of blocks are expanded substantially linearly. It is suitable.

  According to this aspect, since the holder member with reduced frictional resistance when the flat cable slides can be formed only by the one-way slide and the upper and lower die, the die structure can be simplified.

  In the rotary connector according to the present invention, the holder member has a configuration in which the annular flat plate member and the wall surface member are integrally disposed via the first positioning mechanism portion and the second positioning mechanism portion. Without being limited, a wall member made of a material having good slidability can be used. Since the wall member with good sliding property disposed on the annular flat plate member having the mechanical strength required for the holder member reduces the frictional resistance with the flat cable, the holder member maintains the required mechanical strength. However, the flat cable can be slid smoothly.

It is a top view which shows the rotation connector of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing cut | disconnected by the II-II line | wire of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the accommodation state of the flat cable in the annular space of the rotation connector of 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view of the holder member shown in FIG. It is a top view of the holder member shown in FIG. It is a side view of the holder member shown in FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view of the holder member shown in FIG. It is a perspective view of the holder member in the rotation connector of a 2nd embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view of the holder member shown in FIG. It is a side view of the holder member shown in FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view of the holder member shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing when the wall surface member shown in FIG. 11 is shape | molded. It is explanatory drawing of the wall surface member shown in FIG. 12, (a) is a top view, (b) is a front view, (c) is a rear view. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the rotation connector of patent document 1. FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a state in which a flat cable is housed in an annular space of a rotary connector described in Patent Document 2. 10 is a perspective view of a holder in a rotary connector described in Patent Document 2. FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. For easy understanding, the dimensions of the drawings are appropriately changed.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a rotary connector 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a storage state of the flat cables 51 and 52 in the annular space 3 of the rotary connector 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the holder member 30 shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the holder member 30 shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a side view of the holder member 30 shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the holder member 30 shown in FIG.

  As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, the rotary connector 1 according to the first embodiment includes a stator member 10, a rotor member 20 that is rotatably supported with respect to the stator member 10, flat cables 51 and 52, And a holder member 30 that slidably supports the flat cables 51 and 52.

  The stator member 10 is a fixed side member installed on the steering column, and has a synthetic resin outer cylinder portion 11 and a bottom plate portion 12. The outer cylinder part 11 is integrated with the outer peripheral edge of the bottom plate part 12, and has a first connector part 11a as shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 2, a center hole 12 a is formed at the center of the bottom plate portion 12.

  The rotor member 20 is a movable side member connected to the handle, and is made of synthetic resin. The rotor member 20 includes an inner cylinder portion 21 that faces the outer cylinder portion 11, a top plate portion 22 that faces the bottom plate portion 12, and a rotor snap 23. ,have. The inner cylinder portion 21 has an inner diameter that can be inserted into the steering shaft. Further, the rotor snap 23 is integrated with the inner cylinder portion 21 by snap coupling, and the rotor snap 23 is slidably engaged with the lower surface of the bottom plate portion 12, so that the rotor member can be moved relative to the stator member 10. 20 is rotatably connected. A pair of engagement pins 22b are erected on the top surface of the top plate portion 22, and the rotor member 20 is connected to the handle side via these engagement pins 22b. Further, a second connector portion 22 a that protrudes upward is formed on the top surface of the top plate portion 22.

  As shown in FIG. 2, when the stator member 10 and the rotor member 20 are connected, the bottom plate portion 12 and the outer tube portion 11 of the stator member 10 and the inner tube portion 21 and the top plate portion 22 of the rotor member 20 are viewed in plan view. A ring-shaped annular space 3 is defined.

  The two flat cables 51 and 52 are belt-shaped bodies in which a conductor is supported on an insulating film made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate). The flexible flat cables 51 and 52 have reversing portions 51a and 52a in which the winding direction is reversed in the middle in the annular space 3 formed between the outer tube portion 11 and the inner tube portion 21. It is stored. One end of each end of the flat cables 51, 52 is on the first connector portion 11a on the stator member 10 side, and the other end of each end of the flat cables 51, 52 is on the second connector portion 22a on the rotor member 20 side. Each is electrically connected. Thereby, the electrical components provided on the steering column side and the electrical components provided on the handle side can be electrically connected via the flat cables 51 and 52.

  The holder member 30 includes an annular flat plate member 31 formed of a first molding material having mechanical strength and a wall surface member 32 formed of a second molding material having good slidability, and rotates in the annular space 3. Arranged as possible. In the present embodiment, the annular flat plate member 31 is formed of a first molding material made of a synthetic resin containing polypropylene, and the wall surface member 32 is made of a second molding material made of a synthetic resin containing polyacetal. 4 to 7, the annular flat plate member 31 includes a locking portion 31a and a boss portion 31b as a first positioning mechanism portion. The wall surface member 32 includes a hole 32a as a second positioning mechanism corresponding to the first positioning mechanism composed of the locking portion 31a and the boss 31b. The locking portion 31a of the annular flat plate member 31 has a hook-like tip that protrudes in the Z1 direction. The boss 31b protrudes in the Z1 direction and is formed in a cylindrical shape. The boss portion 31b is fitted into the hole portion 32a to perform positioning in the circumferential direction, and the distal end of the locking portion 31a is locked and fixed to the hole portion 32a. Accordingly, in the holder member 30, the annular flat plate member 31 and the wall surface member 32 are integrated with each other via the first positioning mechanism portion including the locking portion 31a and the boss portion 31b and the second positioning mechanism portion including the hole portion 32a. It is arranged. As a result, the holder member 30 rotates with the annular flat plate member 31 and the wall surface member 32 integrally, and can support the flat cables 51 and 52 as described later. Further, since the annular flat plate member 31 and the wall surface member 32 can be formed separately, the material (second molding material) is not limited to the material of the annular flat plate member 31 (first molding material). Can be used.

  Further, the annular flat plate member 31 has a plurality of cantilevered elastic arm portions 31c protruding outward in the radial direction of the holder member 30, and the elastic arm portions 31c are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. . The tip of each elastic arm 31c is in contact with the bottom plate 12 of the stator member 10, and each elastic arm 31c can be elastically deformed. The member 30 is pressed against the lower surface of the inner cylinder portion 21. Thereby, the vibration of the holder member 30 in the direction of the rotation axis of the rotor member 20 is suppressed, and it is difficult to generate vibration noise. Since the annular flat plate member 31 of the present embodiment is formed of the first molding material made of synthetic resin including polypropylene, it has mechanical strength over a long period of time and suppresses rubbing noise caused by sliding and vibration. be able to. Moreover, since the front-end | tip part of the elastic arm part 31c is mounted on the baseplate part 12 of the stator member 10, the attitude | position of the holder member 30 on the baseplate part 12 is stabilized, and the contact area is also suppressed. Thus, consideration is given so that the holder member 30 can rotate smoothly.

  The wall surface member 32 has a circumferential wall portion 32b along the circumferential direction, and a plurality of protruding portions 32c are dispersedly arranged in the circumferential direction on the circumferential wall portion 32b. That is, the plurality of protrusions 32c are formed at different positions in plan view without overlapping in the rotation axis direction of the circumferential wall 32b. Furthermore, the wall surface member 32 has cutout portions 33 and 34, and the cutout portion 33 includes a planar connection portion 33 a that faces the annular flat plate member 31. Since the planar connection portion 33a is provided, as shown in FIG. 7, the wall surface member 32 having the notches 33 and 34 can be integrally formed, and the assemblability of the wall surface member 32 and the annular flat plate member 31 is good. .

  In the holder member 30 in which the annular flat plate member 31 and the wall surface member 32 are integrated, the annular flat plate member 31 supports the flat cables 51 and 52 in the rotation axis direction of the rotary connector 1. The wall surface member 32 supports the flat cables 51 and 52 in the rotational radius direction of the rotary connector 1. The flat cables 51 and 52 are arranged along the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side of the wall surface member 32 by reversing the winding direction at the notches 33 and 34.

  In a plan view from the rotation axis direction, as shown in FIG. 5, the circumferential wall portion 32 b on the outer circumferential side of the wall surface member 32 faces the outer cylinder portion 11 of the stator member 10 via the first gap S <b> 1. Yes. Further, the circumferential wall portion 32b on the inner circumferential side of the wall surface member 32 faces the inner cylinder portion 21 of the rotor member 20 via the second gap S2. For this reason, the bending of the flat cables 51 and 52 is regulated by the first gap S1 and the second gap S2. The flat cables 51 and 52 are slidable so as to be in contact with the plurality of projecting portions 32c dispersedly arranged on the circumferential wall portion 32b.

  The rotary connector 1 configured in this manner is installed in a steering device of an automobile with the stator member 10 installed on the steering column and the rotor member 20 connected to the steering wheel, and an air bag inflator attached to the steering wheel, Used as an electrical connection means such as a horn circuit. In use, when the driver rotates the handle clockwise or counterclockwise, the rotor member 20 to which the rotational force is transmitted rotates in the same direction.

  For example, when the rotor member 20 shown in FIG. 2 rotates clockwise from FIG. 3 from the neutral position of the handle, the holder member 30 also moves in the same direction. The holder member 30 moves clockwise by a smaller rotation amount than the rotor member 20, and the reversing portions 51a, 52a of the flat cables 51, 52 move clockwise following this. In this way, the flat cables 51 and 52 having a length approximately twice the moving amount of the reversing parts 51a and 52a are drawn out from the second gap S2 (see FIG. 5) side and rewound onto the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder part 11. It will be done.

  Contrary to the above, when the rotor member 20 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 3 from the neutral position of the handle, the holder member 30 also moves in the same direction. The holder member 30 moves counterclockwise by a rotation amount smaller than that of the rotor member 20, and the reversing portions 51a, 52a of the flat cables 51, 52 move counterclockwise following this. Thus, the flat cables 51 and 52 having a length approximately twice the moving amount of the reversing parts 51a and 52a are drawn out from the first gap S1 (see FIG. 5) side and wound around the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder part 21. To go.

  With the movement of the holder member 30, the flat cables 51 and 52 having a length approximately twice the moving amount of the reversing portions 51 a and 52 a slide with the notches 33 and 34 and the wall surface member 32. Since the wall surface member 32 of the present embodiment is formed of the second molding material from a synthetic resin containing polyacetal, it is possible to reduce the frictional resistance against the sliding of the flat cables 51 and 52 accompanying the rotation. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, protrusions 32 c having short dimensions in the rotation axis direction are distributed and arranged along the circumferential direction on the circumferential wall 32 b of the wall surface member 32 of the present embodiment. Therefore, the frictional resistance when the flat cables 51 and 52 slide can be further reduced.

  Hereinafter, the effect by having set it as this embodiment is demonstrated.

  The rotary connector 1 of the present embodiment includes a stator member 10 having an outer cylinder portion 11 and a bottom plate portion 12, and an inner cylinder portion 21 that faces the outer cylinder portion 11, and is rotatably supported with respect to the stator member 10. The rotor member 20 and the annular space 3 formed between the outer cylinder part 11 and the inner cylinder part 21 are accommodated in a state having reversing parts 51a and 52a whose winding directions are reversed in the middle. Are respectively electrically connected on the stator member 10 side and the rotor member 20 side, and a holder member that is rotatably disposed in the annular space 3 and slidably supports the flat cables 51, 52. 30. The holder member 30 includes an annular flat plate member 31 that supports the flat cables 51 and 52 in the rotation axis direction of the rotary connector 1 and a wall surface member 32 that supports the flat cables 51 and 52 in the rotation radius direction of the rotary connector 1. The annular flat plate member 31 is formed of a first molding material having mechanical strength, and includes a locking portion 31a and a boss portion 31b as a first positioning mechanism portion. The wall surface member 32 is formed of a second molding material having good slidability, and includes a second positioning mechanism portion including a hole portion 32a corresponding to the first positioning mechanism portion including the locking portion 31a and the boss portion 31b. The annular flat plate member 31 and the wall surface member 32 are integrally disposed via a first positioning mechanism portion including the locking portion 31a and the boss portion 31b and a second positioning mechanism portion including the hole portion 32a.

  Since the holder member 30 has a configuration in which the annular flat plate member 31 and the wall surface member 32 are integrally disposed via the first positioning mechanism portion and the second positioning mechanism portion, the holder member 30 is limited to the material of the annular flat plate member 31. The wall surface member 32 made of a material having good slidability can be used without any problem. Since the wall member 32 with good slidability disposed on the annular flat plate member 31 having the mechanical strength required for the rotary holder reduces the frictional resistance with the flat cables 51 and 52, the holder member 30 is required. The flat cables 51 and 52 can be smoothly slid while maintaining the mechanical strength. Furthermore, since no roller is used, the cost can be reduced compared to a holder member using a roller. The first positioning mechanism part and the second positioning mechanism part are not limited to the above aspect.

  In the present embodiment, the annular flat plate member 31 is made of a synthetic resin containing polypropylene, and the wall surface member 32 is made of a synthetic resin containing polyacetal. The annular flat plate member 31 made of the first molding material containing polypropylene has mechanical strength over a long period of time and can suppress rubbing noise caused by sliding and vibration. The wall surface member 32 made of the second molding material containing polyacetal can reduce the frictional resistance when the flat cables 51 and 52 slide.

  In the present embodiment, the wall surface member 32 has cutout portions 33 and 34 through which the reversal portions 51 a and 52 a of the flat cables 51 and 52 pass, and the cutout portion 33 faces the annular flat plate member 31. 33a. Since the planar connection portion 33a is provided, the wall surface member 32 having the cutout portions 33 and 34 can be integrally formed, and the assemblability of the wall surface member 32 and the annular flat plate member 31 is good.

  In the present embodiment, the wall surface member 32 has a circumferential wall portion 32b formed with a plurality of protruding portions 32c that support the flat cables 51 and 52 in the rotational radius direction, and the plurality of protruding portions 32c are formed in the circumferential wall. The portions 32b are distributed in the circumferential direction without overlapping in the rotation axis direction. Since the plurality of projecting portions 32c do not overlap in the direction of the rotation axis of the circumferential wall portion 32b, it is possible to remove the top and bottom along the direction of the rotation axis without using a slide in the mold. Moreover, since the protrusion part 32c of a short dimension can be distributedly arranged along the circumferential direction in the rotation axis direction, the frictional resistance when the flat cables 51 and 52 slide can be reduced.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the holder member 40 in the rotary connector 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a plan view of the holder member 40 shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a side view of the holder member 40 shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the holder member 40 shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is an explanatory view when the wall surface member 42 shown in FIG. 11 is formed. 13 is an explanatory view of the wall surface member 42 shown in FIG. 12, in which FIG. 13 (a) is a plan view, FIG. 13 (b) is a front view, and FIG. 13 (c) is a rear view. The first embodiment and the second embodiment are different only in the holder member 40, and the description of the other members is omitted.

  Similar to the first embodiment, the rotary connector 2 of the second embodiment includes a stator member 10, a rotor member 20 that is rotatably supported with respect to the stator member 10, and flat cables 51 and 52. Yes. And in 2nd Embodiment, the holder member 40 shown in FIGS. 8-11 is used instead of the holder member 30 of 1st Embodiment.

  The holder member 40 includes an annular flat plate member 41 formed of a first molding material having mechanical strength, and a wall surface member 42 formed of a second molding material having good slidability, and rotates in the annular space 3. Arranged as possible. In the present embodiment, the annular flat plate member 41 is formed of a first molding material made of a synthetic resin containing polypropylene, and the wall surface member 42 is made of a second molding material from a synthetic resin containing polyacetal. As shown in FIGS. 8 to 11, the wall surface member 42 includes a plurality of blocks 45 and rod-like connection members 46 that connect the plurality of blocks 45, and the plurality of blocks 45 are circumferential directions of the annular flat plate member 41. It is arranged along. Further, the annular flat plate member 41 includes a locking portion 41a and a boss portion 41b as a first positioning mechanism portion. Moreover, the wall surface member 42 is provided with a hole 42a as a second positioning mechanism corresponding to the first positioning mechanism composed of the locking portion 41a and the boss 41b. The locking portion 41a of the annular flat plate member 41 has a hook-like tip that protrudes in the Z1 direction. Further, the boss 41b protrudes in the Z1 direction and is formed in a columnar shape. The boss portion 41b is fitted into the hole portion 42a to perform positioning in the circumferential direction, and the distal end of the locking portion 41a is locked and fixed to the hole portion 42a. Therefore, in the holder member 40, the annular flat plate member 41 and the wall surface member 42 are integrated with each other via the first positioning mechanism portion including the locking portion 41a and the boss portion 41b and the second positioning mechanism portion including the hole portion 42a. It is arranged. As a result, the holder member 40 rotates with the annular flat plate member 41 and the wall surface member 42 integrated with each other, and can support the flat cables 51 and 52 as described later. In addition, since the annular flat plate member 41 and the wall surface member 42 can be formed separately, the material (second molding material) is not limited to the material of the annular flat plate member 41 (first molding material). Can be used.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the annular flat plate member 41 has a plurality of cantilever-like elastic arm portions 41c protruding outward in the radial direction of the holder member 40, and each elastic arm portion 41c is arranged in the circumferential direction. It is formed at equal intervals. Similar to the first embodiment, the distal end portion of each elastic arm portion 41c of the present embodiment is in contact with the bottom plate portion 12 of the stator member 10, and each elastic arm portion 41c is elastically deformable. Therefore, the holder member 40 is pressed against the lower surface of the inner cylinder portion 21 by the reaction force of each elastic arm portion 41c. As a result, vibration of the holder member 40 in the direction of the rotation axis of the rotor member 20 is suppressed, and vibration noise is less likely to be generated. Furthermore, since the annular flat plate member 41 of the present embodiment is formed of the first molding material made of a synthetic resin including polypropylene, it has mechanical strength over a long period of time and is free from rubbing sound caused by sliding and vibration. Can be suppressed. Moreover, since the front-end | tip part of the elastic arm part 41c is mounted on the baseplate part 12 of the stator member 10, the attitude | position of the holder member 40 on the baseplate part 12 is stabilized, and the contact area is also suppressed. Therefore, consideration is given so that the holder member 40 can rotate smoothly.

  The wall surface member 42 has a circumferential wall portion 42b along the circumferential direction, and a plurality of protruding portions 42c are arranged substantially continuously in the circumferential direction on the circumferential wall portion 42b. In the holder member 40 in which the annular flat plate member 41 and the wall surface member 42 are integrated, the annular flat plate member 41 is connected to the flat cables 51 and 52 in the rotation axis direction of the rotary connector 2 in the same manner as the rotary connector 1 of the first embodiment. Support. The wall surface member 42 supports the flat cables 51 and 52 in the rotational radius direction of the rotary connector 2. The flat cables 51 and 52 are arranged along the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side of the wall surface member 42 by reversing the winding direction at the notches 43 and 44.

  In plan view from the direction of the rotation axis, as shown in FIG. 9, the circumferential wall 42b on the outer circumferential side of the wall member 42 faces the outer cylinder 11 of the stator member 10 via the first gap S1. Yes. Further, the circumferential wall portion 42b on the inner circumferential side of the wall surface member 42 faces the inner cylinder portion 21 of the rotor member 20 via the second gap S2. For this reason, the bending of the flat cables 51 and 52 is regulated by the first gap S1 and the second gap S2. The flat cables 51 and 52 are slidable so as to be in contact with the circumferential wall portion 42b.

  The rotary connector 2 configured as described above is installed in a steering apparatus of an automobile in a state where the stator member 10 is installed on the steering column and the rotor member 20 is coupled to the steering wheel, similarly to the rotary connector 1 of the first embodiment. It is used as an electrical connection means such as an air bag inflator or a horn circuit mounted on the handle. In use, when the driver rotates the handle clockwise or counterclockwise, the rotor member 20 to which the rotational force is transmitted rotates in the same direction.

  For example, when the rotor member 20 rotates clockwise from the neutral position of the handle, the holder member 40 also moves in the same direction. The holder member 40 moves clockwise by a smaller rotation amount than the rotor member 20, and the reversing portions 51a, 52a of the flat cables 51, 52 move clockwise following these reversing portions 51a, 52a. Thus, the flat cables 51 and 52 having a length approximately twice the moving amount of the reversing portions 51a and 52a are drawn out from the second gap S2 (see FIG. 9) side and are rewound onto the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder portion 11. It will be done.

  Contrary to the above, when the rotor member 20 rotates counterclockwise from the neutral position of the handle, the holder member 40 also moves in the same direction. The holder member 40 moves counterclockwise by a rotation amount smaller than that of the rotor member 20, and the reversing portions 51a and 52a of the flat cables 51 and 52 move counterclockwise following this. Thus, the flat cables 51 and 52 having a length approximately twice the moving amount of the reversing parts 51a and 52a are drawn out from the first gap S1 (see FIG. 9) side and wound around the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder part 21. To go.

  Similar to the rotary connector 1 of the first embodiment, in the rotary connector 2 of the second embodiment, the flat cable 51 having a length that is approximately twice the moving amount of the reversing portions 51a and 52a as the holder member 40 moves. , 52 slides with the notches 43 and 44 and the wall surface member 42. Since the wall surface member 42 of the present embodiment is formed of the second molding material from a synthetic resin containing polyacetal, it is possible to reduce the frictional resistance against the sliding of the flat cables 51 and 52 accompanying the rotation. Further, as shown in FIGS. 8 to 13, the plurality of protruding portions 42 c are arranged substantially continuously in the circumferential direction on the circumferential wall portion 42 b of the wall surface member 42 of the present embodiment. , 52 can further reduce the frictional resistance when sliding.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the holder member 40 of the present embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS.

  The wall surface member 42 has a plurality of blocks 45 and a rod-like connection member 46 that connects the plurality of blocks 45, and the plurality of blocks 45 are arranged along the circumferential direction of the annular flat plate member 41 as shown in FIG. 11. It is arranged. The wall surface member 42 has a circumferential wall portion 42b along the circumferential direction, and a plurality of protruding portions 42c are arranged substantially continuously in the circumferential direction on the circumferential wall portion 42b. Further, a plurality of rows (two rows in FIG. 11) of protrusions 42c are formed in the rotation axis direction of the rotary connector 2 (Z1-Z2 direction in FIG. 11). Furthermore, the wall member 42 has cutout portions 43 and 44, and the cutout portion 43 includes a planar connection portion 43 a that faces the annular flat plate member 41. Since the rod-like connecting member 46 and the planar connecting portion 43a are provided, as shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, the block 45 having the notched portions 43 and 44 can be integrally formed, and the wall surface member 42 and the annular flat plate member Good assembly with 41.

  The wall surface member 42 of the present embodiment is formed integrally from a synthetic resin containing polyacetal by a second molding material in a state where the plurality of blocks 45 are developed in a substantially linear shape. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, since it can be formed in a substantially linear shape, a plurality of protrusions 42 c can be easily formed on the circumferential wall portion 42 b with an upper mold or a lower mold. Therefore, since the holder member formed with a plurality of protrusions 42c on the circumferential wall 42b so as to reduce the frictional resistance when the flat cable slides can be formed with only a one-way slide and top and bottom die, Easy mold structure.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the wall surface member 42 formed in this way is disposed on the annular flat plate member 41 by deforming the rod-like connecting member 46 so that the plurality of blocks 45 are along the circumferential direction. That is, the rod-shaped connecting member 46 is deformed so as to engage the first positioning mechanism portion including the locking portion 41a and the boss portion 41b and the second positioning mechanism portion including the hole portion 42a, and is combined with the annular flat plate member 41. ing. In the present embodiment, the planar connecting portion 43a is provided, and the plurality of blocks 45 are connected by the rod-like connecting member 46 so as not to be separated, so that the wall surface member 42 having the cutout portions 43 and 44 can be integrally formed. Therefore, the assemblability of the wall surface member 42 and the annular flat plate member 41 is good.

  Hereinafter, the effect by having set it as this embodiment is demonstrated.

  Since the holder member 40 is configured such that the annular flat plate member 41 and the wall surface member 42 are integrally disposed via the first positioning mechanism portion and the second positioning mechanism portion, the holder member 40 is limited to the material of the annular flat plate member 41. It is possible to use the wall member 42 made of a material having good slidability. Since the wall member 42 with good slidability disposed on the annular flat plate member 41 having the mechanical strength required for the rotary holder reduces the frictional resistance with the flat cables 51 and 52, the holder member 40 is required. The flat cables 51 and 52 can be smoothly slid while maintaining the mechanical strength. Furthermore, since no roller is used, the cost can be reduced compared to a holder member using a roller. The first positioning mechanism part and the second positioning mechanism part are not limited to the above aspect.

  In the present embodiment, the annular flat plate member 41 is made of a synthetic resin containing polypropylene, and the wall surface member 42 is made of a synthetic resin containing polyacetal. The annular flat plate member 41 made of the first molding material containing polypropylene has mechanical strength over a long period of time and can suppress rubbing noise caused by sliding and vibration. The wall surface member 42 made of the second molding material containing polyacetal can reduce the frictional resistance when the flat cables 51 and 52 slide.

  In the present embodiment, the wall surface member 42 has cutout portions 43 and 44 through which the reversal portions 51 a and 52 a of the flat cables 51 and 52 pass, and the cutout portion 43 faces the annular flat plate member 41. 43a. Since the rod-like connecting member 46 and the planar connection portion 43a are provided, the wall surface member 42 having the cutout portions 43 and 44 can be integrally formed, and the assemblability of the wall surface member 42 and the annular flat plate member 41 is good.

  In the present embodiment, the wall surface member 42 includes a plurality of blocks 45 that support the flat cables 51 and 52 in the rotational radius direction, and a rod-shaped coupling member 46 that couples the plurality of blocks 45. The plurality of blocks 45 are arranged along the circumferential direction of the annular flat plate member 41 by being deformed. Since the plurality of blocks 45 are connected by the rod-like connecting member 46 and do not fall apart, the assemblability is good. Further, the wall surface member 42 disposed on the annular flat plate member 41 by deforming the rod-like connecting member 46 so that the plurality of blocks 45 extend along the circumferential direction reduces the frictional resistance when the flat cables 51 and 52 slide. can do.

  In the present embodiment, the wall surface member 42 is disposed on the annular flat plate member 41 by deforming the rod-like connecting member 46 from a shape integrally formed in a state where the plurality of blocks 45 are expanded substantially linearly. . For this reason, since the holder member with reduced frictional resistance when the flat cable slides can be formed only by the one-way slide and the upper and lower molds, the mold structure can be simplified.

  In the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above, the case where the two flat cables 51 and 52 are accommodated and wound in the annular space 3 has been described. However, only one flat cable or three flat cables are described. Even if it is the above, this invention is applicable.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 2 Rotary connector 3 Annular space 10 Stator member 11 Outer cylinder part 11a 1st connector part 12 Bottom plate part 12a Center hole 20 Rotor member 21 Inner cylinder part 22 Top plate part 22a 2nd connector part 22b Engaging pin 23 Rotor snap 30 Holder member 31 Annular flat plate member 31a Locking portion (first positioning mechanism portion)
31b Boss part (first positioning mechanism part)
31c Elastic arm part 32 Wall surface member 32a Hole part (2nd positioning mechanism part)
32b Circumferential wall part 32c Protruding part 33, 34 Notch part 33a Planar connection part 40 Holder member 41 Annular flat plate member 41a Locking part (first positioning mechanism part)
41b Boss part (first positioning mechanism part)
41c Elastic arm part 42 Wall surface member 42a Hole part (2nd positioning mechanism part)
42b Circumferential wall part 42c Protruding part 43, 44 Notch part 43a Planar connection part 45 Block 46 Bar-shaped connecting member 51, 52 Flat cable 51a, 52a Inversion part S1 1st clearance S2 2nd clearance

Claims (6)

A stator member having an outer cylinder part and a bottom plate part; a rotor member having an inner cylinder part facing the outer cylinder part and supported rotatably with respect to the stator member; the outer cylinder part and the inner part It is housed in an annular space formed between the cylindrical portion and having a reversing portion whose winding direction is reversed halfway, and both ends thereof are electrically connected to the stator member side and the rotor member side, respectively. A rotary connector comprising: a flat cable; and a holder member that is rotatably arranged in the annular space and slidably supports the flat cable,
The holder member includes an annular flat plate member that supports the flat cable in a rotation axis direction of the rotary connector, and a wall surface member that supports the flat cable in a rotation radius direction of the rotary connector,
The annular flat plate member is formed of a first molding material having mechanical strength, and includes a first positioning mechanism.
The wall surface member is formed of a second molding material with good slidability, and includes a second positioning mechanism portion corresponding to the first positioning mechanism portion,
The rotary connector, wherein the annular flat plate member and the wall surface member are integrally disposed via the first positioning mechanism portion and the second positioning mechanism portion.   The rotary connector according to claim 1, wherein the annular flat plate member is made of a synthetic resin containing polypropylene, and the wall member is made of a synthetic resin containing polyacetal. The wall member has a cutout portion through which the inversion portion of the flat cable passes,
The rotary connector according to claim 1, wherein the cutout portion includes a planar connection portion that faces the annular flat plate member. The wall surface member has a circumferential wall portion formed with a plurality of protrusions that support the flat cable in the rotational radius direction,
The plurality of protrusions are distributed in the circumferential direction without overlapping in the rotational axis direction of the circumferential wall portion. Rotating connector. The wall surface member includes a plurality of blocks that support the flat cable in the rotational radius direction, and a rod-shaped connection member that connects the plurality of blocks.
4. The rotary connector according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of blocks are arranged along the circumferential direction of the annular flat plate member by deforming the rod-shaped connecting member. 5. . The wall surface member is disposed on the annular flat plate member by deforming the rod-shaped connecting member from a shape integrally formed in a state where the plurality of blocks are expanded substantially linearly. The rotary connector according to claim 5.