JP3408941B2 - Rotating connector - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a rotary connector incorporated in a steering device of an automobile and used as an electrical connecting means for an air bag system or the like, and more particularly to a rotary connector between a first housing and a second housing. The present invention relates to a rotary connector in which a flexible cable is wound in a reverse direction via a reversing section in a defined storage section.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A rotary connector has a flexible cable between a fixed side housing (first housing) and a movable side housing (second housing) rotatably mounted on the fixed side housing. Is housed and wound, and is used as an electrical connection means such as an airbag and an inflator mounted on a steering wheel of an automobile and attached to a steering wheel having a limited number of rotations. The flexible cable is a belt-shaped body called a flat cable in which a conductor is carried on a base film, and two types are known: one in which the winding method of this flat cable is spiral and the other in which it is reversed in the middle. However, the length of the flat cable required by the latter reversal type can be significantly shortened.

In such a reversing type rotary connector, one flat cable is usually used. However, when the number of conductors increases as the number of circuits increases, the width dimension of the flat cable depends on the number of conductors. Therefore, it is difficult to reduce the overall thickness of the rotary connector. On the other hand, the rotary connector disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,763,455 supports multiple circuits by allocating the conductors to two flat cables.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of the cable reel disclosed in the above patent specification. As shown in the figure, the fixed-side housing 10 having a cylindrical outer cylinder wall
Movable housing 1 having a cylindrical inner wall with respect to 0
01 is rotatably mounted, and the first flat cable 1 is provided in an annular housing portion 102 defined between the fixed-side housing 100 and the movable-side housing 101.
03 and the second flat cable 104 are stored. The flat cables 103 and 104 are housed in the housing portion 102 in the outer cylindrical wall of the fixed housing 100 and the inner cylindrical wall of the movable housing 101 with their winding directions reversed, and the winding directions thereof are changed. U-shaped reversal portions 103a and 104a are formed at the corresponding positions. Also,
The inner ends of both flat cables 103, 104 are connected to cable extraction portions 107, 108 arranged in the vicinity of the inner cylindrical wall of the movable side housing 101.
It is led out of the movable side housing 101 via 07 and 108. On the other hand, both flat cables 103, 1
The outer end of 04 is connected to the cable take-out portions 109 and 110 arranged in the vicinity of the outer cylindrical wall of the fixed-side housing 100,
The cable is led out to the outside of the fixed housing 100 via the cable take-out portions 109 and 110. Further, the storage unit 102 includes a plurality of rollers 1 along its circumferential direction.
05 and 106 groups are arranged, the reversal part 103a of the first flat cable 103 is looped to one of the one roller 105 group, and the reversal part 104a of the second flat cable 104 is the other roller 106 group. Looped into one.

In the rotary connector having such a structure, for example, when the movable housing 101 is rotated clockwise in FIG. 10, the inverting portions 103a and 104a of the flat cables 103 and 104 are rotated by a smaller amount than the movable housing 101. Move in the storage section 102 clockwise,
The flat cables 103 and 104 are wound in a wound state in which the movable-side housing 101 has an increased inner cylinder wall side. On the contrary, when the movable housing 101 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, the reversing portions 103a and 104a of the flat cables 103 and 104 move in the same direction by a smaller rotation amount than the movable housing 101, and the flat cable 103, The winding state of 104 is fixed side housing 100
A large amount of the material is wound around the outer cylinder wall side of the unwinding state.
In addition, at the time of such tightening and rewinding, each roller 10
Reference numerals 5 and 106 receive forces from the reversing portions 103a and 104a of the flat cables 103 and 104 and move in the same direction.

[0006]

By the way, in the above-described conventional rotary connector, the cable lead-out portions 107 and 108 of the first and second flat cables 103 and 104 from the movable-side housing 101 are arranged close to each other. Therefore, the inner end of the first flat cable 103 is directly wound around the inner cylindrical wall of the movable side housing 101 and then connected to the one cable extraction portion 107, but the inner end of the second flat cable 104 is connected. Is not wound directly on the inner cylinder wall,
The first flat cable 103 wound on the inner cylinder wall is wound on the outside of the first flat cable 103 and then connected to the other cable extraction portion 108. In this way, the movable housing 10
Both flat cables 103, 104 for the inner cylindrical wall of No. 1
Since the winding condition of the first flat cable 1
The winding diameter of 03 on the inner cylinder wall is the diameter D of the inner cylinder wall, but the winding diameter of the second flat cable 104 on the inner cylinder wall is the diameter D of the inner cylinder wall on the first flat cable 103.
(D + 2t) is obtained by adding twice the thickness t of the flat cable 103, and the winding diameters of the flat cables 103 and 104 do not match. Therefore, a difference occurs in the amount of tightening of the flat cables 103, 104 on the inner cylinder wall or the amount of rewinding from the inner cylinder wall, and when the movable housing 101 is rotated, the flat cables 103, 104 are not rotated. The first flat cable 103 moves when the reversing units 103a and 104a of the moving unit 104 move in the storage unit 102 at different speeds, for example, when the movable-side housing 101 rotates in the winding tightening direction.
However, there is a problem in that the reversing portion 103a of (3) collides with the rear end of the group of rollers 106 and becomes stuck.

[0007]

According to the present invention, a plurality (N) of flexible cables are taken out from the same cable take-out portion.
Wrap it around the inner cylinder wall and place it on the outer peripheral surface of this inner cylinder wall.
A recess having a predetermined depth is provided over a fixed range .
This will remove the cables from the same cable outlet.
Out of the N flexible cables, the outermost flexible cable
The flexible cable inside the cable is a recess with a small diameter.
Is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder wall through the
The flexible cable is a flexible cable
Each flexible cable looks like it's wrapped around
The cable extraction part from the inner cylinder wall is distributed about 360 / N degrees
Wrapping around the inner cylinder wall of each flexible cable
The injured state is almost the same.

[0008]

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION In a rotary connector according to the present invention, a first housing having an outer cylinder wall and a first housing are rotatably mounted relative to the first housing, and the outer housing is provided with an annular housing portion. A second housing having an inner cylinder wall that faces the cylinder wall, and the second housing is wound in the storage portion in a state where the winding direction is reversed, and both ends thereof are fixed to the outer cylinder wall and the inner cylinder wall, respectively. A plurality of flexible cables, and one cable extracting portion from each inner wall of the flexible cables
In the inner cylinder with this cable outlet as a reference.
Approximately 360 / N degrees (N is the flexible cable) in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface of the wall.
Areas) and divide these areas
From the area closest to the cable exit, except one
Along the winding direction of the flexible cable, its depth
The recesses are formed to become shallower in sequence .

With this structure, each flexible cable is
Since the winding condition on the inner wall of the
The smoothing or rewinding operation
In each case, each flexible cable has one location at the movable joint.
Connection to the external connector on the handle side
The structure can be simplified.

[0011]

Here, the depth of the recess is approximately (N-1) t, (N-2) t, ... (Sequentially from the region closest to the cable extraction portion along the winding direction of the flexible cable. N-
n) set to t (where t is the thickness of the flexible cable, n
Is a natural number, (N−n)> 0}, the winding state on the inner cylinder wall of each flexible cable becomes the same, so that the tightening or rewinding operation can be performed more smoothly.

It should be noted that the number of flexible cables may be any number, but especially when two (N = 2) flexible cables are used, the inner wall of the inner cylinder wall is defined with reference to the cable extraction portion. good if is a recess over an area of approximately 180 degrees of the outer peripheral surface
Yes. According to this structure, the two flexible cables have substantially the same winding state on the inner cylinder wall, so that the tightening or rewinding operation can be smoothly performed, and both flexible cables can be connected. Since the movable side joint can be integrated into one place, the connection structure with the external connector on the handle side can be simplified.

In the rotary connector described above, the inverting portions of each flexible cable may be distributed in any manner in the storage portion, but in particular, like the cable extraction portion from the inner cylindrical wall of each flexible cable. When dispersed at about 360 / N degrees, the moving speed of the reversing portion of each flexible cable has an effect of further approaching.

Further, the cable take-out portion from the outer cylinder wall of each flexible cable can be arranged in any manner, but the cable take-out portion from the inner cylinder wall of each flexible cable and the reversing portion and When the cable extraction parts from the outer cylinder wall are dispersed at about 360 / N degrees, the winding state of each flexible cable from the inner cylinder wall to the outer cylinder wall through the reversing part is apparently the same. Can be

Further, a joint portion for consolidating the flexible cables in one place is provided in the first housing, and the other end of each flexible cable is led out of the first housing through this joint portion. The connection structure with the external connector on the stator side can also be simplified.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First, the basic structure of a rotary connector according to the present invention.
1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 , FIG. 1 is a plan view of a rotary connector according to a reference example , and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a movable side joint portion provided in the rotary connector. As shown in these drawings, the rotary connector includes a fixed-side housing 1 that is a first housing, a movable-side housing 2 that is a second housing rotatably attached to the fixed-side housing 1, 1st housed between both housings 1 and 2
And the second flat cables 3 and 4, and the moving body 5 rotatably arranged between the housings 1 and 2.

The fixed housing 1 has a cylindrical outer cylinder wall 6
And the movable-side housing 2 has a cylindrical inner wall 7
Are formed. The outer cylinder wall 6 and the inner cylinder wall 7 are arranged coaxially, and an annular storage portion 8 is defined between the both 6 and 7. The moving body 5 is arranged in the storage section 8,
The moving body 5 is composed of a ring-shaped rotary plate 9 and a group of a plurality of rollers 10 rotatably supported on the rotary plate 9.

The first and second flat cables 3 and 4 as flexible cables are strip-shaped bodies in which a plurality of conductors made of copper or the like are extended on one surface of a base film made of an insulating tape such as PET. Yes, in FIG. 1, for convenience, the first flat cable 3 is painted black and the second flat cable 4 is
Are shown in white. The outer end of the first flat cable 3 is connected to a first fixed side joint portion 11 fixed to the outer cylindrical wall 6, and is connected to the outside of the fixed side housing 1 via the first fixed side joint portion 11. It is electrically led out, and the inner end of the first flat cable 3 is connected to the movable side joint portion 12 fixed to the inner cylindrical wall 7. Then, the first flat cable 3 is wound clockwise from the first fixed-side joint portion 11 along the outer cylindrical wall 6 and is then inverted into a U-shape in one of the groups of rollers 10 (hereinafter, referred to as a U-shape). , This is called the reversing portion 3a), and further the inner cylindrical wall 7
After being wound in the counterclockwise direction on the peripheral surface of, the first movable-side cable take-out portion 7a is inserted into the inner cylindrical wall 7, and the movable-side joint portion 12 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 8. ing.

On the other hand, the outer end of the second flat cable 4 has a second fixed side joint portion 13 fixed to the outer cylinder wall 6.
And is electrically led to the outside of the fixed-side housing 1 through the second fixed-side joint portion 13.
The second fixed joint section 13 is fixed at a position opposed to the first fixed joint section 11 by about 180 degrees. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the inner end of the second flat cable 4 is connected to the movable side joint portion 12, and both flat cables 3 and 4 are gathered in one place at the movable side joint portion 12. There is. And the second
The flat cable 4 of the second fixed side joint portion 1
3 is wound in the clockwise direction along the outer cylindrical wall 6 and is then inverted to another one of the group of rollers 10 in a U-shape (hereinafter referred to as a reversing portion 4a). It is housed in the housing part 8 so as to be wound around the peripheral surface in the counterclockwise direction and reach the movable side joint part 12. At that time, the roller 10 in which the inverting portion 3a of the first flat cable 3 is looped
And the roller 10 in which the reversing portion 4a of the second flat cable 4 is looped are at a position facing each other by about 180 degrees. Further, the inner end of the second flat cable 4 extends from the second movable-side cable extraction portion 7b provided at a position facing the first movable-side cable extraction portion 7a by approximately 180 degrees to the inner cylindrical wall 7 After being inserted into the inner side of the inner cylindrical wall 7, it is connected to the movable joint part 12 together with the first flat cable 3 inside the inner cylindrical wall 7. Therefore, the inner end of the first flat cable 3 is wound around the peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical wall 7 for a half turn, and then the second end
Is wound around the outside of the flat cable 4, and the inner end of the second flat cable 4 is wound around the peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical wall 7 for a half turn, and then wound around the outside of the first flat cable 3. The winding state of both flat cables 1, 2 around the inner cylinder wall 7 is the same.

Next, the operation of the rotary connector according to the above reference example will be described. In this case, the fixed housing 1 is fixed to the stator member of the steering device, and
An external connector (not shown) on the vehicle body side is connected to the fixed side joint portions 11 and 13. The movable housing 2 is fixed to a handle that is a rotor member of the steering device, and an external connector (not shown) on the handle side is connected to the movable joint portion 12.

In use, when the handle is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise, the rotating force is applied to the movable housing 2.
And the movable housing 2 rotates in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction. For example, when the movable housing 2 rotates clockwise from the neutral position of the handle, the reversing portions 3a, 4a of the first and second flat cables 3, 4 move clockwise by a smaller rotation amount than the movable housing 2. Then, the moving body 5 also moves clockwise following the reversing portions 3a and 4a. As a result, the flat cables 3 and 4 each having a length about twice the amount of movement are unwound from the inner cylinder wall 7 side and rewound to the outer cylinder wall 6 side to be in a rewound state.
In this case, the winding state of the both flat cables 3 and 4 around the inner cylindrical wall 7 is the same as described above, and the reversing portions 3a and 4a of the both flat cables 3 and 4 move at substantially the same speed. There is no difference in the amount of rewinding from the side of the inner cylinder wall 7 of 3 and 4, and the rewinding operation can be reliably performed.

Contrary to the above, when the movable housing 2 rotates counterclockwise from the neutral state of the handle, the reversing portions 3a, 4a of both flat cables 3, 4 are rotated by a smaller amount than the movable housing 2. The movable body 5 moves in the clockwise direction, and the moving body 5 also moves in the counterclockwise direction following the reversing portions 3a and 4a. As a result, the flat cables 3 and 4 having a length which is about twice the movement amount of these are unwound from the outer cylinder wall 6 and wound around the inner cylinder wall 7 to be in a tightened state. In this case as well, since there is no difference in the amount of tightening of the both flat cables 3, 4 around the inner cylindrical wall 7, the reversing portions 3a, 4a of both flat cables 3, 4 move in the storage portion 8 at substantially the same speed. Therefore, the tightening operation can be surely performed.

As described above, in the above-mentioned reference example , the movable-side cable extraction portions 7a and 7b from the inner cylindrical wall 7 of the two flat cables 3 and 4 are dispersed about 180 (= 360/2) degrees. The winding state of the both flat cables 3 and 4 around the inner cylinder wall 7 becomes the same, and when the movable housing 2 rotates, the reversing portions 3a of the both flat cables 3 and 4,
4a can be moved at almost the same speed. Also,
Since the inner ends of both the flat cables 3 and 4 dispersed by the first and second movable side cable extraction portions 7a and 7b are gathered in one place by the movable side joint portion 12, a connection structure with the handle side external connector Can be simplified.

Further, not only the movable side cable extraction portions 7a and 7b of the both flat cables 3 and 4, but also the reversal portions 3a and 4
Since the a and the fixed side joint parts 11 and 13 are also set to face each other by about 180 degrees, the first fixed side joint part is passed from the first movable side cable extraction part 7a of the first flat cable 3 to the reversing part 3a. A portion extending to 11 and a portion extending from the second movable-side cable extraction portion 7b of the second flat cable 4 to the second fixed-side joint portion 13 via the reversing portion 4a are similarly wound in the storage portion 8. can be accommodated in time state, so that the movable-side cable lead-out portion 7a, 7b of
Further inverted portion 3a than when dispersed themselves approaches the moving speed of the 4a, constant speed, it is possible to operate rewinding tightened or wound smoothly without interfering with both flat cables 3 and 4 to each other.

[0026] In the reference example, of the outer peripheral portion of the inner tube wall, the portion to be separated by the insertion portion of the flat cable leading to the joint portion from the respective cable entry portion, ginseng
Instead of a wall that is continuous with the inner cylinder wall as in the example , the peripheral surface of the columnar part may constitute the outer periphery of the inner cylinder wall as an independent surface or a plurality of columnar parts. In this way, when the second housing constituting a molding resin, reference
As in the case of a wall continuous with the inner cylinder wall in the example , it is possible to prevent the dimensional accuracy from being deteriorated due to the sink of the resin due to its shape, and the structure of the mold can be simplified. When there are multiple cable outlets, it is not necessary to provide columnar portions at all locations of each cable outlet and the joint portion, but it is effective to provide them around the cable outlet portion where the distance to the joint portion is large. Of course, it may be provided at all locations. Further, the number and size of the columnar portions (length dimension in the circumferential direction) are not limited, and may be any number and size sufficient to form the outer periphery of the inner cylindrical wall as a whole.

Further, in the above-mentioned reference example , a portion of the outer peripheral portion of the inner cylindrical wall, which is isolated by the flat cable insertion portion extending from each of the cable take-out portions to the joint portion, is a main body portion of the inner cylindrical wall. You may form in a protrusion shape lower than height. By doing this, similar to the above modification,
When the second housing is made of the molding resin, it is possible to prevent the dimensional accuracy from being deteriorated due to a sink of the resin and the like, and it is possible to simplify the structure of the mold.
When there are multiple cable outlets, it is not necessary to form all the cable outlets and joints in a protruding shape, and it is particularly effective to apply them around the cable outlet where the distance to the joint is large. However, it goes without saying that they may be provided at all locations. The height of the protrusion is not particularly limited as long as the flat cable can be stably wound around the peripheral surface of the protrusion.

FIG . 3 is a plan view of a rotary connector according to another reference example , in which parts corresponding to those in FIGS. 1 and 2 described above are designated by the same reference numerals. In this reference example , the second flat cable 4 is extended along the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder wall 6, and the outer ends of the first and second flat cables 3 and 4 are connected to the outer cylinder wall 6.
It is connected to a common fixed-side joint portion 14 fixed to. In this case, the extension portion of the second flat cable 4 only serves to connect to the fixed-side joint portion 14, and does not separate from the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder wall 6 even during the winding tightening operation.

In another reference example having such a configuration, the outer ends of both flat cables 3 and 4 are led out to the outside of the fixed housing 1 through the common fixed joint portion 14, so that In addition to the effect of the above-mentioned reference example, the connection structure with the external connector on the stator side can be simplified.

In the above-mentioned other reference examples , the case where the number of flat cables is two, that is, N = 2 has been described, but the number of flat cables is three, four, five ...
... (N = 3, 4, 5, ...) Can be similarly explained.

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
Will be described with reference to. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the rotary connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention , and FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of a movable side housing provided in the rotary connector .
The parts corresponding to those in FIG. 3 are designated by the same reference numerals. This first
In the first embodiment , the movable-side cable take-out portion 7c is formed at one location on the inner cylinder wall 7, and the concave portion 15 having the movable-side cable take-out portion 7c as the starting end is provided with 180 in the circumferential direction of the inner cylinder wall 7.
Formed over a range of degrees. As shown in FIG. 5, the depth of the recess 15 is set to t, and assuming that the diameter of the inner cylinder wall 7 is D, the radius of the inner cylinder wall 7 in the region where the recess 15 is not formed is D / 2, the radius of the inner cylindrical wall 7 in the region where the recess 15 is formed is D / 2-t .

First and second flat cables 3, 4
Is set to t, and the inner ends of the flat cables 3 and 4 are wound around the inner cylindrical wall 7 with the first flat cable 3 on the outside. The rotated second flat cable 4 has a recess 15 at a position facing the movable-side cable extraction portion 7c by about 180 degrees.
It enters into the inside and is wound around the recess 15 for a half turn to reach the movable side joint 12. That is, the movable side cable extraction portion 7c
The second flat cable 4 having the thickness t is wound around the concave portion 15 having the depth t within the range of about 180 degrees with respect to the second flat cable 4. Therefore, the second flat cable 4 is wound outside the second flat cable 4. The winding diameter of the first flat cable 3 around the inner cylindrical wall 7 is substantially equal to the diameter D of the inner cylindrical wall 7. Therefore, the inner end of the first flat cable 3 is
After being half-turned on the outside of the second flat cable 4 with the diameter D of the second flat cable 4 as the winding diameter, twice the thickness t of the second flat cable 4 is added to the diameter D of the inner cylindrical wall 7 ( D + 2
It is wound on the outside of the second flat cable 4 with the winding diameter t). On the other hand, the inner end of the second flat cable 4 exits from the end of the recess 15 at a position facing the movable-side cable extraction portion 7c by about 180 degrees, and the inner surface of the inner cylindrical wall 7 is D-shaped.
After being wound a half turn with a winding diameter of, the winding diameter is (D + 2t) and wound outside the first flat cable 3.
Similar to the above-described reference example (see FIG. 1) , the winding state of both flat cables 3 and 4 around the inner cylindrical wall 7 is the same.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the rotary connector according to the second embodiment. In this second embodiment, the other reference example described above is used.
Similarly to (see FIG. 3) , the second flat cable 4 is extended along the inner peripheral surface of the outer tubular wall 6, and the outer ends of the first and second flat cables 3 and 4 are attached to the outer tubular wall 6. It is connected to a fixed common fixed side joint portion 14. Also in this case, since the outer ends of both flat cables 3 and 4 are led out to the outside of the fixed-side housing 1 via the common fixed-side joint portion 14, the connection structure with the stator-side external connector can be simplified. it can.

In the first and second embodiments described above, the depth of the recess 15 is described by the thickness t of the flexible cable, and the thickness t is the optimum condition, but within the thickness 2t. With the concave portions 15, similar effects can be obtained to some extent. That is, even if the speeds of the two inversion units 3a and 4a are slightly different, it is a difference that can be ignored,
Smooth rotation can be obtained without any hindrance to rotation. Further, by connecting a portion of which the depth changes, such as a boundary between both ends of the recess 15 in the circumferential direction, with a smooth line, it is possible to mitigate the change in the winding diameter of the flat cable, and to realize smooth winding of the flat cable.

Further, in these first and second embodiments,
The case where the number of flat cables is 2, that is, N = 2 has been described, but the number of flat cables is 3 and 4
The same can be applied to the case of 5 sheets ... (N = 3, 4, 5 ...). For example, 3 flat cables (N = 3)
In the case of using, the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical wall 7 is divided into three regions of 120 degrees in the circumferential direction based on the movable side cable extraction portion 7c as in the third embodiment shown in FIG. A recess 15a having a depth of about 2t is provided in a region closest to the movable cable extraction portion 7c, and a recess 15 having a depth of about t is provided in the next region.
b may be provided. At that time, by connecting a portion where the depth of the recess changes such as a boundary between the recess 15a and the recess 15b with a smooth line, the change in the winding diameter of the flat cable can be alleviated, and a smooth winding of the flat cable can be realized. .

In the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the recess 15
A plurality of columnar portions 16 extending along the axial direction of the inner cylindrical wall 7 are arranged on the outer side of, and these columnar portions 16 are integrally formed with the movable housing 2. The inner end of the first flat cable 3 is wound on the outside of each columnar portion 16, while the inner end of the second flat cable 4 is wound on the recess 15 inside each columnar portion 16. The thickness of each columnar portion 16 is formed as thin as possible so as not to affect the winding diameter of the first flat cable 3. Therefore, the second flat cable 4 wound in the recess 15 can be positioned by each columnar portion 16.

In the above-described fourth embodiment, the case where a plurality of columnar portions 16 are arranged in the middle of the start end and the end of the recess 15 has been described, but the number and positions of the columnar portions 16 can be changed as required. is there. For example, if the number of columnar portions 16 is reduced, the winding diameter of the first flat cable 3 increases even if the thickness cannot be reduced.
Since it is only the part of 6, the influence is small. If one or more columnar portions 16 are provided at positions including the vicinity of the end of the recess 15, the second flat cable 4 can be positioned so as to fit in the entire recess 15, and in this case, the second flat cable 4 is positioned near the end of the recess 15. The columnar portion 16 is another reference example described above (see FIG.
3), the same function as the second movable-side cable extraction portion 7b is performed.

In the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the recess 15
A protrusion 17 extending along the circumferential direction of the inner cylindrical wall 7 is arranged on the outer side of, and the protrusion 17 is integrally formed with the movable side housing 2. The inner end of the first flat cable 3 has a protrusion 17
However, the inner end of the second flat cable 4 is wound in the recess 15 inside the protrusion 17, and the thickness of the protrusion 17 affects the winding diameter of the first flat cable 3. It is formed as thin as possible so that it does not affect. Therefore, the second flat cable 4 wound in the recess 15 can be positioned by the protrusion 17. At that time, if the protrusion 17 is formed over the entire range from the start end to the end of the recess 15, the second flat cable 4 can be positioned so as to fit in the entire recess 15, but the positioning effect is expected even if it is formed only in part. it can. In particular, the protrusion 17
Is formed at a position including the vicinity of the end of the concave portion 15, the end of the protrusion 17 performs the same function as the second movable-side cable extraction portion 7b in the other reference example described above.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the first housing has been described as the fixed side housing and the second housing has been described as the movable side housing. However, in the above description, the first housing is referred to as the movable side housing and the second side housing. This is also the case when the housing of is used as the fixed side housing.

[0040]

The present invention is carried out in the form as described above, and has the following effects.

[0041]

[0042]

A plurality of (N) flexible cables are grouped into one cable take-out portion from the inner cylinder wall, and the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder wall is set to about 360 / in the circumferential direction with reference to this cable take-out portion.
When each of the recesses is divided into N-degree regions, and one of these regions is removed, a recess whose depth gradually decreases from the region closest to the cable extraction portion along the winding direction of the flexible cable is provided. Since the winding state of the flexible cable on the inner cylinder wall is almost the same, the tightening or rewinding operation can be performed smoothly and each flexible cable can be gathered in one place at the joint part. The connection structure with the handle-side external connector can be simplified.

At this time, the depth of the recess is set to about (N-1) t, (N-2) t, ... (Sequentially from the region closest to the cable extraction portion along the winding direction of the flexible cable. N-
n) set to t (where t is the thickness of the flexible cable, n
Is a natural number, (N−n)> 0}, the winding state on the inner cylinder wall of each flexible cable becomes the same, so that the tightening or rewinding operation can be performed more smoothly.

Further, the number of flexible cables may be any number, but particularly when two (N = 2) flexible cables are used, the inner wall of the inner cylinder wall is based on the cable extraction portion. good if is a recess over an area of approximately 180 degrees of the outer peripheral surface
Yes. According to this structure, the two flexible cables have substantially the same winding state on the inner cylinder wall, so that the tightening or rewinding operation can be smoothly performed, and both flexible cables can be connected. Since the movable side joint can be integrated into one place, the connection structure with the external connector on the handle side can be simplified.

If a columnar portion extending along the axial direction of the inner cylinder wall or a protrusion extending along the circumferential direction of the inner cylinder wall is provided on the outside of the recess, the flexible cable is housed in the entire recess. This has the effect of enabling positioning.

In the rotary connector described above, the cable from the inversion part of each flexible cable or the outer cylinder wall of each flexible cable, as well as the cable extraction part from the inner cylinder wall of each flexible cable. Distributing the take-out portions at about 360 / N degrees is more effective because the flexible cables from the inner tubular wall to the outer tubular wall through the reversing portion can be made the same.

Further, a joint portion for consolidating the flexible cables in one place is provided in the first housing, and the other end of each flexible cable is led out of the first housing through this joint portion. The connection structure with the external connector on the stator side can also be simplified.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a rotary connector according to a reference example.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a movable side joint portion provided in the rotary connector of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a rotary connector according to another reference example .

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the rotary connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

5 is an explanatory diagram of a movable side housing included in the rotary connector of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a rotary connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a movable side housing according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a movable side housing according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a movable housing according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a conventional rotary connector.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Fixed side housing (first housing) 2 Movable side housing (second housing) 3 first flat cable 3a Inversion section 4 second flat cable 4a Inversion unit 5 moving body 6 Outer wall 7 Inner tube wall 7a First movable-side cable extraction section 7b Second movable-side cable extraction section 7c Movable cable outlet 8 storage 10 Roller 11 First fixed joint part 12 Movable side joint section 13 Second fixed side joint part 14 Fixed side joint 15, 15a, 15b Recess

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP-A-6-176839 (JP, A) JP-A-8-192960 (JP, A) JP-A-8-55667 (JP, A) Actually open flat 7- 19987 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B60R 16/02 675 B62D 1/04 H01R 35/04

Claims (7)

(57) [Claims] 1. A first housing having an outer cylinder wall, and an inner cylinder wall that is mounted so as to be rotatable relative to the first housing and that faces the outer cylinder wall via an annular storage portion. A second housing having a plurality of flexible cables wound in the storage part in a state where the winding direction is reversed in the middle, and both ends of which are fixed to the outer cylinder wall and the inner cylinder wall, respectively. The flexible cable is provided with a cable extraction portion from the inner cylindrical wall of each flexible cable, which is integrated into one location, and the cable extraction portion is used as a reference.
The outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder wall is circumferentially about 360 / N degrees (N is acceptable)
The number of flexible cables)
Closest to the cable exit except one of these areas
Along the winding direction of the flexible cable from the region,
A rotary connector, which is provided with a concave portion whose depth gradually decreases . 2. The depth of the recess according to claim 1,
From the area closest to the cable outlet,
Set to (N-1) t, (N-2) t, ... (N-n) t
(Where t is the thickness of the flexible cable and n is
Rotational connector characterized by a natural number (N−n)> 0} . 3. The inversion section of each of the flexible cables according to claim 1 or 2, wherein about 360 / inverted portion is provided inside the storage portion.
A rotating connector characterized by being dispersed at N degrees. 4. The cable from the outer cylinder wall of each of the flexible cables according to claim 1.
A rotary connector characterized in that the take-out portions are dispersed at about 360 / N degrees . 5. The flexible cable according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein each of the flexible cables is provided in the first housing.
A rotary connector having a joint portion for consolidating ends into one place . 6. The columnar portion extending in the axial direction of the inner cylinder wall outside the recess of the inner cylinder wall according to claim 1.
A rotary connector characterized by being provided . 7. The inner cylinder wall according to claim 1,
A rotary connector, characterized in that a protrusion extending in the circumferential direction of the inner cylinder wall is provided outside the recess .