JP3416416B2 - 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 used as a connecting means for transmitting electric parts such as an airbag inflator and a horn switch mounted on a steering wheel to a vehicle body.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A rotary connector generally comprises a pair of housings which are relatively rotatably connected to each other, and a flexible cable which is wound in an annular storage space defined between the housings. Both ends of the conductor provided on the flexible cable are led out to the outside while being fixed to both housings, and connector terminals connectable to an external connector are attached to the lead ends. One of the two housings is used as a movable side housing and the other is used as a fixed side housing.When the movable side housing is rotated in either forward or reverse direction, the flexible cable is wound and tightened in the storage space according to the rotating direction. Or it is rewound. The rotary connector configured as described above is incorporated in a steering device of an automobile and used as a connecting means for electrically connecting the column side and the steering wheel side. In this case, the fixed side housing of the rotary connector is connected to the column side. Must be attached to the stator member.

Conventionally, as a mounting structure for such a rotary connector, a switch unit called a stalk switch such as a headlight switch or a wiper switch has been incorporated as described in JP-A-7-50187. A structure in which the combination switch is fixed to the column side in advance and the fixed side housing of the rotary connector is attached to the flat upper surface of the casing forming the outer shell of the combination switch with screws or the like is adopted.
At that time, the movable side housing is locked to the back surface of the steering wheel using connecting pins, etc., and the connector terminals provided at both ends of the flexible cable are connected to the combination switch and the external connector provided on the steering wheel. To be done. As a result, the movable side housing rotates in either forward or reverse direction in conjunction with the rotating operation of the steering wheel, and the electrical components such as the airbag, inflator, and horn switch mounted on the steering wheel are connected to the rotary connector. It is always connected to the vehicle body side via a flexible cable.

[0004]

By the way, the height dimension of the rotary connector largely depends on the width dimension of the flexible cable to be used. For example, in addition to the above-mentioned airbag / inflator, horn switch and the like for the steering wheel, In order to connect a large number of these electric components, it is necessary to increase the number of conductors of the flexible cable, and to increase the height of the rotary connector accordingly. is there. Further, in recent years, a vehicle has been developed in which the steering angle and the steering direction of the steering wheel are detected by a steering angle sensor, and the damping force control of the suspension and the shift position control of the automatic transmission are performed based on this detection signal. Attempts have been made to incorporate a steering angle sensor on a combination switch with a rotary connector.

However, since the space between the combination switch and the steering wheel is limited, if the structure in which the fixed-side housing of the rotary connector is attached to the upper surface of the casing of the combination switch is adopted as in the prior art described above, it is possible to increase the height. It becomes impossible to install a rotating connector with a large size in the above space. Especially, when both the rotating connector and the steering angle sensor are installed in the above space, the rotating connector must be made considerably thin and the number of conductors is large. There was a problem that the rotary connector for multiple circuits could not be installed. In addition, when repairing or replacing the stalk switch, the combination switch must be disassembled after both the steering wheel and the rotary connector have been removed, which makes the repair work complicated.

[0006]

The present invention has an outer cylinder portion.
The fixed housing and the fixed housing
And is connected to the outer cylinder through an annular storage space.
A movable side housing having a facing inner cylinder portion, and the storage space
It is wound inside the space between the outer cylinder part and the inner cylinder part.
Flexible to electrically lead to the outside in a fixed state
And a receiving part in the fixed housing.
The switch unit is detachably attached to this receiver.
The fixed-side housing configured to hold
The printed board is fixed to the bottom plate of the
The plate has a connector facing the receiving portion,
The touch unit, when it is inserted into the receiving portion,
It has a connector part connected to the connector . In this way, the removable switch unit is
Electrical / mechanical connection can be easily performed simply by inserting the
However, it is necessary to repair or replace the switch unit.
The steering wheel or rotating connector,
Rotate the switch unit without disconnecting it.
It can be withdrawn from the side of the data, easy repair and replacement work
Can do business .

[0007]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION In the rotary connector according to the present invention,
A fixed housing having an outer tubular portion, a movable housing rotatably connected to the fixed housing and having an inner tubular portion facing the outer tubular portion via an annular storage space, and an interior of the storage space And a flexible cable that is electrically wound outside and has its both ends fixed to the outer tubular portion and the inner tubular portion and electrically leads to the outside. A stoke switch, which is a switch unit, is detachably held in the section.

The receiving portion may be formed by attaching a separate member to the fixed side housing afterwards, but it is preferable to integrally form the fixed side housing with the fixed side housing.

If a printed circuit board is fixed to the fixed housing and a connector to be connected by mounting the stalk switch is mounted on the printed circuit board, the stalk switch is mechanically connected to the receiving part when the stalk switch is connected. The switch can also be electrically connected to the rotary connector.

Further, when an integral type connector is provided on the bottom surface of the fixed side housing and the outer end of the flexible cable and the stalk switch are connected via this integral type connector to the external connector on the vehicle body side, Since the connection with the external connector is required only at one place, the work of assembling the rotary connector can be simplified.

[0011]

EXAMPLES Examples will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 is a perspective view of the rotary connector according to the embodiment as seen from the back side, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a stalk switch, which is a switch unit, is attached to the rotary connector of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the rotary connector and the stalk switch of FIG. 2 in an exploded manner. As shown in these drawings, the rotary connector is rotatably connected to the fixed housing 1 and the fixed housing 1. The movable side housing 2 and the flexible cable 3 housed inside the housings 1 and 2 are generally configured.

The fixed housing 1 has a bottom plate 4 having a center hole 4a, a cylindrical outer cylinder portion 5 standing on the outer peripheral edge of the bottom plate 4, and the left and right sides of the outer cylinder portion 5. It has a pair of projecting holding walls 6 and 7, which are integrally molded of synthetic resin. Each of the holding walls 6 and 7 functions as a receiving portion of a stalk switch which will be described later, and is formed in a box shape having an open end surface opposite to the outer cylinder portion 5. Further, locking projections 6a and 7a are formed on the upper surfaces of the holding walls 6 and 7, and guide grooves 6b and 7b extending in the horizontal direction are formed on the inner surfaces of the locking projections 6a and 7a. Further, an integral fixed-side connector 8 is attached to the lower end of the outer tubular portion 5, and a plurality of attachment pieces 9 are provided at the portion where the lower end of the outer tubular portion 5 and the bottom surfaces of the holding walls 6 and 7 are continuous. Has been formed.

On the other hand, the movable housing 2 has an insertion hole 10
a has a tubular inner tube portion 10 in which a is opened, and a ring-shaped top plate 11 extending in a radial direction from the upper end of the inner tubular portion 10,
These are also integrally molded of synthetic resin. Top plate 1
1 is provided with a movable side connector 12, and the fixed side housing 1 and the movable side housing 2 are rotatably connected using a snap action or the like. An annular storage space 13 is defined by the bottom plate 4, the outer cylinder portion 5, the inner cylinder portion 10 and the top plate 11 of the housings 1 and 2, and the flexible cable 3 is provided inside the storage space 13, for example. It is wound in a spiral. This flexible cable 3 is called a flat cable, and a plurality of conductors are carried on a belt-shaped base film (not shown). The outer end of the flexible cable 3 is fixed to the outer cylinder portion 5, and each conductor is connected to the terminal of the fixed-side connector 8 described above. Further, the inner end of the flexible cable 3 is fixed to the inner cylindrical portion 10, and each conductor is connected to the terminal of the movable side connector 12 described above.

A printed board 14 is screwed to the bottom plate 4 of the fixed housing 1, and a through hole 14a is formed in the printed board 14. A pair of connectors 15 and 16 and other circuit components are mounted on the back surface of the printed circuit board 14, and these are connected to the remaining terminals of the fixed-side connector 8, and the connectors 15 and 16 are respectively provided with holding walls 6 and 7. Facing inside.

The stalk switches 17 and 18 are lever-shaped switch units having built-in headlight switches, wiper switches, etc., and have prismatic bases 19 and 20, respectively. On the upper surfaces of the bases 19 and 20, lock claws 19a,
20a has guide protrusions 19b and 20b formed on both side faces thereof, and connector pins 21 and 22 project from the front faces of the base portions 19 and 20, respectively. One of the stalk switches 17 is attachable to and detachable from the holding wall 6 on the left side, and when the guide protrusion 19b thereof is inserted into the holding wall 6 along the guide groove 6b, the lock claw 19a is locked.
By snap-in to a, the base portion 19 holds the holding wall 6
Fixed inside. At that time, the connector pin 21 is inserted into the connector 15 of the printed board 14, so that the stalk switch 17 is connected to the fixed-side connector 8 via the connector 15. Similarly, the other Stoke switch 1
8 can be attached to and detached from the holding wall 7 on the right side, and when the guide projection 20b is inserted into the holding wall 7 along the guide groove 7b, the lock claw 20a snaps into the locking projection 7a, so that the base portion 20 is fixed in the retaining wall 7.
At that time, the connector pin 22 is inserted into the connector 16 of the printed circuit board 14 so that the stalk switch 18
Is connected to the fixed side connector 8 via the connector 16.

When the rotary connector constructed as described above is incorporated in the steering device, first, the through hole 14a of the printed circuit board 14 and the through hole 10a of the movable housing 2 are inserted into a steering shaft (not shown), and the column cover is inserted. The mounting pieces 9 of the fixed-side housing 1 are screwed onto the mounting members such as. At this time, if a direct coupling type external connector (not shown) is provided in the mounting member, the fixed side connector 8 can be connected to the external connector simultaneously with the mounting of the fixed side housing 1. However, it is also possible to use an external connector with lead wires and perform the work of attaching the fixed housing 1 and the work of connecting the external connector separately. Thereafter, a steering wheel (not shown) is fixed to the steering shaft, and the rear surface of the steering wheel is fixed to the top surface 1 of the movable side housing 2.
1 is locked with a connecting pin or the like, and an external connector (not shown) attached to the steering wheel is connected to the movable side connector 12. As a result, electric components such as an airbag and an inflator mounted on the steering wheel are connected to a control unit (not shown) on the vehicle body side via the movable connector 12, the flexible cable 3 and the fixed connector 8.

Next, the respective stalk switches 17 and 18 are inserted into the corresponding holding walls 6 and 7, and the respective stalk switches 1 are inserted.
7, 18 are mechanically connected to the holding walls 6, 7, and the respective connector pins 21, 22 are associated with the corresponding connector 1.
5 and 16 are electrically connected. As a result, the stalk switches 17 and 18 are connected to the control unit (not shown) on the vehicle body side via the connectors 15 and 16 and the fixed-side connector 8. The work of mounting the stalk switches 17 and 18 on the holding walls 6 and 7 may be performed after the rotary connector is incorporated into the steering device as described above, but it should be performed before the rotary connector is incorporated into the steering device. Is also possible.

In use, when the steering wheel is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise, the rotational force is transmitted to the movable side housing 2 and the movable side housing 2 rotates in the same direction. For example, when the steering wheel is rotated counterclockwise from its rotational neutral position, the movable housing 2 also rotates counterclockwise in conjunction with this, and the flexible cable 3 is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the inner tubular portion 10. To be On the contrary, when the steering wheel is rotated in the clockwise direction from the rotational neutral position, the movable side housing 2 is also rotated in the clockwise direction in conjunction therewith, and the flexible cable 3 is rewound to the inner peripheral surface of the outer tubular portion 5. In any of the states, the electric connection between the steering wheel and the vehicle body is maintained through the flexible cable 3, and the stalk switches 17 and 18 are connected.
The electrical connection between the car and the car body is also maintained.

In the above embodiment, the fixed housing 1 of the rotary connector is provided with the holding walls 6 and 7 as receiving portions of the stalk switches 17 and 18, and the holding walls 6 and 7 are provided.
Since it extends substantially in the radial direction of the storage space 13 for storing the flexible cable 3, the height dimension of the entire rotary connector in which the fixed housing 1 and the stalk switches 17, 18 are laminated (in the axial direction of the steering shaft). It is possible to prevent the height of the rotary connector from increasing, and therefore, even when the height of the rotary connector is increased to accommodate multiple circuits, or when the rotary connector is integrated with other components such as a steering angle sensor,
The rotary connector can be installed in a limited space below the steering wheel.

Further, since the respective stalk switches 17 and 18 are detachably arranged on the holding walls 6 and 7, when it becomes necessary to repair or replace the stalk switches 17 and 18, the steering wheel and the rotary connector need not be detached. Also, the replacement work can be easily performed from the side of the rotary connector.

The printed circuit board 14 is fixed to the fixed housing 1, and the connector 1 is connected to the printed circuit board 14 by mounting the respective stalk switches 17 and 18.
Since 5 and 16 are mounted, the stalk switches 17 and 18
At the same time that the stalk switches 17 and 18 are mechanically connected to the holding walls 6 and 7, the stalk switches 17 and 18 can be electrically connected to the rotary connector.

Further, an integral fixed connector 8 is provided on the bottom of the fixed housing 1, and the fixed connector 8 is connected to the outer end of the flexible cable 3 and the connectors 15 and 16 on the printed circuit board 14, respectively. Therefore, even though the stalk switches 17 and 18 are mounted on the rotary connector, the rotary connector and the external connector on the vehicle body need only be connected at one place on the fixed side connector 8, and the work of assembling the rotary connector can be simplified. You can

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the integral fixed connector 8 is provided on the bottom surface of the fixed housing 1 has been described, but the fixed end for connecting the outer end of the flexible cable 3 to the external connector. The side connector and the fixed side connector for connecting the stalk switches 17 and 18 to the external connector may be separately provided.

[0024]

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

A detachable switch unit is attached to the receiving part.
Easy electrical and mechanical connection by simply inserting it in the receiving part.
However, it is necessary to repair or replace the switch unit.
The steering wheel or rotating connector,
Rotate the switch unit without disconnecting it.
It can be withdrawn from the side of the data, easy repair and replacement work
Can do business .

[0026]

[0027]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rotary connector according to an embodiment as viewed from the back side.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a stalk switch is attached to the rotary connector of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the rotary connector and the stalk switch of FIG. 2 in a disassembled state.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Fixed side housing 2 Movable housing 3 flexible cable 4 bottom plate 5 Outer cylinder 6,7 Retaining wall (receiving part) 6a, 7a locking protrusion 6b, 7b guide groove 8 Fixed side connector 9 Mounting piece 10 Inner tube 11 Top plate 12 Movable connector 13 storage space 14 Printed circuit board 15,16 connector 17,18 Stoke switch 19,20 Base 19,20 19a, 20a Lock claw 19b, 20b Guide protrusion 21,22 connector pin

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Yukari Sano Yukari Sano, Ota-ku, Tokyo No. 1-7 Otsuka-cho, Alps Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Katsutoshi Uchida No. 7 Otsuka-cho, Ota-ku, Tokyo Al (56) References JP-A-6-211137 (JP, A) JP-A-5-201339 (JP, A) JP-A-9-129092 (JP, A) JP-A-58-150230 ( JP, A) Actual Kaihei 4-135191 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H01R 35/04 B60R 16/02 B62D 1/04

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A fixed-side housing having an outer cylinder portion, and a movable-side housing rotatably connected to the fixed-side housing and having an inner cylinder portion opposed to the outer cylinder portion via an annular storage space, A flexible cable that is wound inside the storage space and electrically leads to the outside in a state where both ends are fixed to the outer tubular portion and the inner tubular portion, respectively, and a receiving portion in the fixed side housing. the provided, configured to removably hold the switch unit to the receiving unit
Along with the bottom plate of the fixed side housing, a printed circuit board
The printed circuit board has a connector facing the receiving portion.
And when the switch unit is inserted into the receiving portion,
A rotary connector having a connector portion connected to the connector. 2. The integrated connector according to claim 1 , wherein an integrated connector is provided on a bottom surface of the fixed-side housing, and the outer end of the flexible cable and the switch unit are externally provided on the vehicle body side via the integrated connector. The switch unit is connected to the connector, and the switch unit is connected to the connector via the connector.
A rotating connector that is connected to a body connector . 3. The odor according to claim 1 or claim 2.
The switch unit is inserted into the receiving portion.
A lever-shaped switch unit having a base, wherein the receiving portion of the fixed-side housing is provided on both sides of the outer cylinder portion.
With holding walls provided on each side
An end surface of the holding wall opposite to the outer cylindrical portion is opened.
It is a rotating connector. 4. The base according to claim 3,
Is provided on either one of the holding walls to the receiving portion.
A guide protrusion is provided to guide the insertion of the base,
On the other side, there is a guide groove that engages with the guide protrusion.
A rotary connector that is provided. 5. The base according to claim 4,
On one outer surface of the holding wall,
When it is inserted into the receiving portion, Fixed base
Lock claw for
The locking claw snaps into the outer surface of one side
A rotary connector, which is provided with a protrusion.