JP5331052B2 - Rotating connector mating structure - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a rotary connector, and more particularly to a fitting structure for a rotary connector that can be detachably fixed to a fixed portion such as a combination switch.

  The rotary connector includes a fixed side member and a rotary side member that is rotatably attached to the fixed side member. Of these, the fixed side member is fixed to a fixed portion, that is, the rotary connector is, for example, an automobile steering device. When the steering roll connector is used, it is fixed to the combination switch. This fixing is performed by a locking claw suspended from the lower surface of the stationary member, as disclosed in Patent Document 1 below.

  However, if there is a play in the radial direction between the rotary connector and the combination switch, the rotary connector will play and the rotary connector will shake.

  For this reason, in order to prevent rattling, a fitting structure for positioning and preventing rattling as disclosed in Patent Document 2 below is provided. That is, in this fitting structure, as shown in FIG. 11, two fitting portions 103 having a square shape in plan view are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the fixed-side member 102 of the rotary connector 101, and these are fitted. A fitted portion 104 having a U-shape in plan view is provided on the upper surface of the housing of the combination switch. Then, in order to obtain a press-fit state without rattling when fitted, the two surfaces 103a and 103b that form a right angle among the three surfaces of the fitting portion 103 are fitted to the fitting portion 104. The crushing ribs 105 to be crushed are formed in a long line shape in the fitting direction, that is, the contact / separation direction.

JP 2001-297846 A JP 2010-868 gazette

  However, since the crushing ribs are crushed as described above once they are fitted, once the rotary connector is removed from the fixed part, even if it is tried to fix it again, the first fitting state without backlash cannot be obtained. . In other words, it cannot be reused.

  For this reason, for example, if the rotary connector is removed from the fixed portion for maintenance or the like, parts must be replaced. Therefore, it was useless.

  In view of this, the main object of the present invention is to provide a fitting state that does not rattle even after being removed once.

For this purpose, a fixed side member and a rotary connector having a rotary side member rotatably attached to the fixed side member are provided so as to protrude from the outer peripheral surface of the fixed side member in order to position the rotary connector on the fixed portion. A rotating connector fitting structure for fitting a formed fitting portion to a fitting portion formed in the fixed portion by fitting in a contact / separation direction, and is formed integrally with the fitting portion. A pressure contact portion that is biased in a direction in which it presses against the opposing surface and elastically prevents relative movement between the fitting portion and the fitted portion, and a displacement space that retracts the pressure contact portion by elastic displacement. The press contact part is a fitting structure of a rotary connector which is a structure in which the displacement part is coupled to the main body part of the fitting part in the projecting direction and on the fitting direction side across the displacement space .

  Since it is such a configuration, when the fitting portion is fitted to the fitted portion, the fitting portion is stretched in the fitted portion by the elasticity and biasing force of the press contact portion, The fitting state between the fitting portion and the fitted portion is a press-fit state. And if a fitting part is removed from a to-be-fitted part, a press-contact part will elastically return and will return to the original state.

  According to the present invention, the fitting state of the fitting portion with respect to the fitted portion is a close contact state with only the fitting in the contact / separation direction due to the pressure contact portion having elasticity or urging force. In addition, when the fitting portion is removed from the fitted portion, the pressure contact portion returns to the original state by the elastic return, so that the fitting can be performed again. That is, fixing without backlash can be performed detachably.

The top view which shows the fitting structure of a rotation connector. The top view which shows the action state of the fitting structure of a rotation connector. The perspective view of the upper surface side of a rotation connector. The enlarged view of A part of FIG. The perspective view of the lower surface side of a rotation connector. The top view of a rotation connector. The partially broken side view which shows the fixed state of a rotation connector. The fragmentary top view which shows the fitting structure of the rotation connector which concerns on another example. The top view which shows the fitting part of the rotation connector which concerns on another example. The disassembled perspective view which shows the fitting structure of the rotation connector which concerns on another example. The perspective view of a prior art.

An embodiment for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a fitting structure of the rotary connector 11. In this embodiment, an example of a steering roll connector incorporated in a steering apparatus of an automobile will be described as the rotating connector 11, but other rotating connectors may be used.

  The fitting structure of the rotary connector 11 is such that the fixing without a backlash with respect to the combination switch 31 as a fixed portion to which the rotary connector 11 is fixed can be detachably attached as shown in FIG. It is.

  That is, in order to position the rotary connector 11 having the stator 12 as the fixed side member and the rotator 13 as the rotary side member rotatably attached to the stator 12 to the combination switch 31, the fitting formed on the stator 12. The mating portion 21 and the mated portion 41 formed on the housing 32 of the combination switch 31 are fitted by fitting in the contact / separation direction. The fitting between the fitting portion 21 and the fitted portion 41 is performed so as to prevent relative movement between the fitting portion 21 and the ratchet portion 41, so that there is no backlash. So that there is no state.

  The rotary connector 11 is provided with a pressure contact spring portion 23 as a pressure contact portion between the fitting portion 21 and the fitted portion 41 for elastically preventing the relative movement between them. Realized by mating structure. This fitting structure is a fitting structure of the rotary connector 11 in which at least one of the fitting portion 21 and the fitted portion 41 is provided with a pressure contact portion biased in a direction of pressure contact with the opposing surface. May be. Also, the rotary connector 11 is fitted with at least one of the fitting portion 21 and the fitting portion 41 formed with a pressure contact portion that presses against the opposing surface and a displacement space that retracts the pressure contact portion by elastic displacement. It may be a structure.

  First, the overall structure of the rotary connector 11 will be described, and then the fitting structure will be described.

  3 is a perspective view of the rotary connector 11 as viewed from the upper surface side, FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion A as a main part thereof, FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the rotary connector 11 as viewed from the lower surface side, and FIG. 11 is a plan view of FIG.

  As shown in these drawings, the rotary connector 11 includes a stator 12 as a fixed side member located on the lower surface side, a rotator 13 as a part of the rotation side member located on the upper surface side, the stator 12 and the rotator 13. A rotation lock unit 14 is provided as a part of a rotation side member that holds a neutral position of the rotator 13 with respect to the stator 12 (a neutral position of the rotary connector 11).

  The stator 12 has a substantially ring-shaped fixed side ring plate member 15 having a circular hole in the center, and a circular shape in plan view that is integrated by engaging with the upper surface of the outer peripheral side portion of the fixed side ring plate member 15. And an outer peripheral cylindrical member 16 formed.

  The fixed-side ring plate member 15 has a fixing claw 17 on the lower surface for fixing to the combination switch. The fixed claws 17 are formed with appropriate lengths at three locations on the outer peripheral portion of the fixed-side ring plate member 15, and locking claws 17a are formed at the tips.

  In addition, a connector housing 15a that protrudes outward as appropriate is formed on the outer peripheral side of the fixed ring plate member 15 relative to the position where the outer peripheral cylindrical member 16 is fixed.

  A connector housing 16a to be combined with the connector housing 15a is formed at a portion corresponding to the connector housing 15a in the outer peripheral cylindrical member 16, and a connector is built in these connector housings 15a and 16a.

  The rotator 13 can form an annular housing space for housing a flat cable (not shown) between the upper surface side of the stationary ring plate member 15 of the stator 12 and the inner circumferential side of the outer cylindrical member 16. Moreover, it has integrally the top plate part 13a which makes a planar view ring shape, and the inner peripheral cylinder part 13b suspended from the inner periphery of this top plate part 13a.

  A connector housing 13d is integrally formed on the top plate portion 13a, and a connector is built therein.

  Two engagement protrusions 13e and 13f are integrally formed on the inner peripheral surface of the inner peripheral cylinder portion 13b so that the rotation of a steering wheel (not shown) can be transmitted. These engagement protrusions 13e and 13f are engaged with engagement grooves formed in a boss portion of a metal core of a steering wheel (not shown). That is, the rotation of the steering wheel is transmitted to the rotator 13.

  The rotation lock unit 14 receives a lock member 18 that is L-shaped in cross section and has a flat circular shape, and a lock member 18 that is engaged with and integrated with the inner peripheral cylindrical portion 13 b of the rotator 13. 19 and a spring member (not shown) that is interposed between the lock member 18 and the receiving member 19 and biases them in the direction in which they are separated. When the energizing force of the spring member is left, the lock member 18 moves upward, and the lock protrusion 18a formed integrally with the lock member 18 is engaged with the rotator 13 to prevent the rotation of the rotator 13. On the other hand, when the lock member 18 is pushed down against the biasing force of the spring member, that is, when the boss portion of the steering wheel is inserted, the lock by the lock member 18 is released and the rotator 13 rotates.

  Along with the rotation of the rotator 13, the receiving member 19 also rotates integrally. The receiving member 19 is formed with a rudder angle sensor engaging portion 19a that engages with a rudder angle sensor (not shown). It is transmitted to the steering angle sensor.

Next, the fitting structure will be described.
The fitting portion 21 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape is integrally formed at two opposite locations in the outer peripheral portion of the stationary ring plate member 15 of the stator 12 and in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylindrical member 16. Yes. As shown in FIG. 6 and the like, the fitting portion 21 is formed so as to protrude outward from the outer peripheral surface of the stator 12, specifically, from the outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral cylindrical member 16. That is, it protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the stator 12.

  The “two places” in this example are positions closer to one side (upward in FIG. 6) than the center P of the rotary connector. However, the position where the fitting portion 21 is formed is affected by other conditions such as the positions of the connector housings 15a and 16a, and therefore may be other than the illustrated example. That is, the formation position of the fitting portion is set as appropriate.

  As shown in FIG. 4 and the like, the fitting portion 21 has a vertically long rectangular parallelepiped shape having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view, and a chamfered portion 22 is formed at an outer portion of the lower end.

  In addition, a press-contact spring portion 23 having a plate shape as the press-contact portion is integrally formed at a position above the chamfered portion 22 in the vertical direction of the fitting portion 21. This press contact spring portion 23 is not one of the two surfaces 21b and 21c extending outward rather than the intermediate surface 21a located on the outermost side among the three surfaces having a U-shape in plan view in the fitting portion 21. It is formed.

  This “one” is the opposite side of the reference line L set as appropriate, as indicated by a virtual line in FIG. This reference line L is set on the surface of the fitting portion 21 on the side to be pressed when it is assumed that one side of the rotary connector 11 is pressed against the wand.

  In other words, the pressure contact spring portion 23 is for pressing against the opposite portion to eliminate rattling, and therefore, the reference is provided on either the far side or the near side with respect to an arbitrary location of the rotary connector 11. A line L is formed. In other words, when the rotator 13 rotates to the left and right, the rotation is set so as to prevent the rotation by stretching in any direction. Note that the reference line L is not necessarily a straight line.

  The pressure contact spring portion 23 has a structure in which the lower end and the inner side are coupled to the main body portion 24 of the fitting portion 21, and a pressure contact spring is provided on the opposite side of the pressure contact surface 25 that presses against the inner surface of the fitted portion 41. A displacement space 26 for retreating the portion 23 by elastic displacement is formed. The width of the upper portion of the two surfaces 21b and 21c excluding the intermediate surface 21a in the fitting portion 21, that is, the width between the pressure contact spring portion 23 and the surface on the opposite side of the reference line L side, is It is formed slightly wider than the width of the corresponding part in the fitting part 41. Such a wide part is provided by forming the step part 27 in the intermediate part of the up-down direction of the two surfaces 21b and 21c as shown in FIG.

  By being configured in this way, the pressure contact spring portion 23 is urged in a direction in which it is in pressure contact with the opposing surface.

  In addition, a linear raised portion 28 extending in the vertical direction is formed at an intermediate portion in the width direction of the pressure contact surface 25 of the pressure contact spring portion 23. As shown in FIG. 1, the cross-sectional shape of the raised portion 28 is a kamaboko type or a single-sided convex lens type.

  As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the fitted portion 41 into which the fitting portion 21 is fitted has the same U-shape in plan view as in the conventional case, and is formed in a short rectangular tube shape with one side notched. Is formed. The three inner surfaces having a U-shape are opposed surfaces 41a, 41b, and 41c for the fitting portion 21 to which the fitting portion 21 is pressed.

  In the fitting structure configured as described above, when the rotary connector 11 is fitted into a predetermined position of the casing 32 of the combination switch 31 from above, the fixed claw 17 enters toward the locked portion 33 of the casing 32. At the same time, the fitting portion 21 fits into the fitted portion 41. At this time, the press-contact spring portion 23 formed in the fitting portion 21 is pushed by the facing surface 41b of the fitted portion 41 and retracted against the urging force, and is elastically displaced toward the displacement space 26 side. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, the locking pawl 17 is prevented from coming off and the fitting portion 21 is fitted into the fitted portion 41. Even in this state, the pressure contact spring is used. The state where the portion 23 presses the facing surface 41 b of the fitted portion 41 and the fitting portion 21 is stretched in the fitted portion 41 is obtained. When the rotary connector 11 and the combination switch 31 having not only the individual fitting portions 21 but also the two fitting portions 21 are viewed as a whole, the rotary connector 11 is in one of the radial directions with respect to the combination switch 31, in other words, The state is pressed to the reference line L side. As a result, the fitting state of the fitting portion 21 and the fitted portion 41 is a press-fit state, and a close contact state without backlash in the radial direction of the rotary connector is obtained.

  Therefore, even if the steering wheel is rotated, it is possible to prevent the rotary connector 11 from moving relative to the combination switch 31 and causing the rotary connector 11 to shake.

  When the rotary connector 11 is removed from the combination switch 31 for maintenance or the like, the pressure contact spring portion 23 of the fitting portion 21 is elastically restored and returns to its original state. For this reason, even when the same rotary connector 11 is fixed to the combination switch 31 again, a fixed state without rattling can be obtained as described above.

  That is, it is possible to obtain a fixed state without rattling at the time of reuse, and there is no need to replace parts as in the case of the fitting portion 103 with the conventional crushing rib 105 (see FIG. 11), Waste can be eliminated.

  In addition, since the pressure contact spring portion 23 is formed integrally with the fitting portion 21, when the rotary connector 11 is fixed to the combination switch 31, it is simply necessary to fit it in. And it can be set as the firm structure which exhibited the spring property favorably.

  Hereinafter, other examples will be described. In this description, parts that are the same as or equivalent to those in the previous configuration are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the fitted portion 41 may be formed with a concave groove 42 into which the raised portion 28 of the fitting portion 21 is fitted. When the press contact spring portion 23 is pressed against the facing surface 41b of the fitted portion 41 by the biasing force during fitting, the raised portion 28 is fitted in the concave groove 42, and this state is held by the bias force of the press contact spring portion 23. Positioning can also be positively performed in the width direction of the raised portion 28 on the pressure contact surface 25.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the pressure contact spring portion 23 is formed on the outermost surface of two surfaces that form a right angle of the fitting portion 21, that is, among the three surfaces 21 a, 21 b, and 21 c that form a U shape in the fitting portion 21. It can also be formed on one of the intermediate surface 21a located at the outer surface and the two surfaces 21b and 21c extending outward.

  FIG. 9A shows a structure in which the corner portions between the pressure contact spring portions 23 of the two surfaces 21a and 21b are separated, and each has a pressure contact spring portion 23 having the same structure as the pressure contact spring portion 23 described above. ing. That is, the two pressure contact spring portions 23 are elastically displaced from each other.

  FIG. 9B shows a structure in which the pressure contact spring portions 23 of the two surfaces 21a and 21b are integrated, and the pressure contact spring portion 23a of the intermediate surface 21a located on the outermost side is the tip of another pressure contact spring portion 23b. Are integrally formed. A cutout portion 23c is formed at a corner portion between the two pressure contact spring portions 23a and 23b so as to easily allow deformation.

  Even in such a configuration, since the fitting portion 21 is in a state of being stretched in the fitted portion 41 and press-fitted in the same manner as described above, rattling can be prevented.

  In addition, the fitting part 21 provided with the press contact spring part 23 on the two surfaces 21 a and 21 b that form a right angle as described above is only one fitting part 21 of the two fitting parts 21 formed on the stator 12. To do. This is because, if the pressure contact spring portions 23 are on both sides in the radial direction, there is no reference corresponding to the reference line L, and the positioning position is not clearly determined.

  FIG. 10 shows an example in which the press contact spring portion 43 is formed in the fitted portion 41. In other words, a pressure contact spring portion 43 that protrudes inward is formed via a stepped portion 44 at a position appropriately lowered from the upper end of the inner side surface of the fitted portion 41. A displacement space 46 that extends from the top to the bottom and retracts the pressure contact portion 43 by elastic displacement is formed in a portion of the body portion 45 of the fitted portion 41 on the back side of the pressure contact spring portion 43.

  The fitting part 21 fitted to such a fitted part 41 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. Out of the three outer surfaces of the fitting portion 21, the outer surfaces that face the pressure contact spring portion 43 are the facing surfaces 21 d and 21 e.

  Even when such a pressure contact spring portion 43 is provided, the pressure contact spring portion 43 can be provided on the two surfaces 41a and 41b forming a right angle of the fitted portion 41 as shown in FIG. The fitted portion 41 is formed only in one fitted portion 41 of the two fitted portions 41 in the same manner as described above in order to clarify the positioning position.

In correspondence between the configuration of the present invention and the configuration of the one aspect,
The fixed side member of the present invention corresponds to the stator 12,
Similarly,
The rotation side member corresponds to the rotator 13 and the rotation lock unit 14,
The fixed part corresponds to the combination switch 31,
The pressure contact portions correspond to the pressure contact spring portions 23 and 43,
The present invention is not limited to the above configuration, and other configurations can be adopted.

  For example, the press contact part may be a member different from the fitting part or the fitted part, and the press contact part may be formed in both the fitting part and the fitted part.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Rotary connector 12 ... Stator 13 ... Rotator 21 ... Fitting part 21d, 21e ... Opposite surface 23 ... Pressure contact spring part 26 ... Displacement space 31 ... Combination switch 41 ... Mated part 41a, 41b ... Opposite surface 43 ... Pressure contact spring Part 46… Transition space

Claims (1)

A fitting formed by projecting from the outer peripheral surface of the fixed side member to position the rotary connector having the fixed side member and the rotary side member rotatably attached to the fixed side member to the fixed portion. It is a fitting structure of a rotary connector that fits a part by fitting in a contact / separation direction to a fitted part formed in the fixed part,
A pressure contact portion that is integrally formed with the fitting portion and is biased in a direction in which it is pressed against the opposite surface, and elastically prevents relative movement between the fitting portion and the fitted portion; and the pressure contact by elastic displacement. A displacement space that retreats the part is formed,
The rotary connector fitting structure , wherein the press contact portion is connected to the main body portion of the fitting portion on the inner side in the projecting direction and on the fitting direction side across the displacement space .

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