JP5871438B2 - Rotating connector - Google Patents

Description

  This invention comprises a stator and a rotator that rotates concentrically with a steering shaft with respect to the stator, and an accommodation space for winding and accommodating a flat cable that electrically connects the stator side and the rotator side. The present invention relates to a rotary connector provided inside.

  The rotating connector described above includes a rotator-side connector that allows connection of a mating terminal at the tip of an external cable connected to an electrical device such as a steering wheel-side horn or an air bag system. .

  Further, the flat cable provided in the rotary connector described above is accommodated in a state of being wound around an internal accommodating space constituted by the inner cylinder and the top plate constituting the rotator, the outer cylinder constituting the stator and the bottom plate. The inner end of the cable winding portion wound in the housing space is formed with a cable folded portion that is folded back so as to change direction by 90 degrees, and the cable folded portion is a slit-shaped folded portion formed in the inner cylinder portion. Arranged in the arrangement space.

  In the length direction of the flat cable, the front end side of the cable folding portion, that is, one end side changed by the cable folding portion is connected to the terminal piece provided on the connector body with the conductor exposed at the one end side. The whole body is inserted into the connector on the rotator side.

Various rotary connectors having the same configuration as the rotary connector described above have been proposed. For example, the “rotary connector” disclosed in Patent Document 1 is one of them.
The “rotary connector” of Patent Document 1 includes a first housing (rotator) including a top plate (2) and an inner cylinder portion (3) depending from the top plate (2). In 3), a slit (3c) extending in the vertical direction is formed.

  The flat cable is a connecting body in which the folded portion divided into two at the inner end portion in the length direction is arranged in the slit (3c), and the exposed conductor on the tip side of the folded portion protrudes upward from the top plate. 11 (see FIG. 1 in Patent Document 1).

  However, in the assembly work of the rotary connector, the flat cable may be assembled at a predetermined position by inadvertent movement of the flat cable, for example, the folded portion is displaced in the shaft axial direction with respect to the slit (3c). There was a risk of not being able to.

  In particular, since the folded portion of the cable becomes thicker as the flat cable is folded, there is a possibility that the cable will be caught in the displaced state when it is displaced from the slit-shaped folded portion arrangement space. When the assembly operation of the rotary connector is performed in such a state, the cable folded portion interferes with the components of the rotary connector, and there is a risk that the flat cable is partially deformed and damaged.

  If the flat cable is damaged, the flat cable may rub in the rotating connector and generate abnormal noise.In the worst case, the broken part of the flat cable may rub against surrounding members, which may cause disconnection. In some cases, parts have to be replaced.

  In addition, as a countermeasure against the above-described problems, the number of times of folding of the cable folding portion is increased to, for example, two times or more, and the thickness of the cable folding portion is ensured, so that the cable folding portion is misaligned in the slit-shaped cable folding portion arrangement space. It is conceivable to arrange them in close contact so that they are difficult to do.

  However, when assembling the rotary connector at the site, if the number of times the flat cable is folded back is increased in order to secure the thickness of the cable folding part, it takes time for the flat cable to be folded back. Therefore, there is a new problem that the cost increases.

JP-A-8-96913

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a rotary connector capable of ensuring a stable winding state of a flat cable and ensuring electrical reliability while reducing assembly time and cost.

The present invention, stator and, accommodating space is composed of a rotator that rotates the steering shaft and concentrically with respect to said stator, houses by winding a flat cable for electrically connecting the rotator side to the stator side there Rutotomoni provided inside, to the rotator, a rotary connector rotator side connector provided to allow connection of external connection mating terminal, the rotator is configured by a top plate and the inner tube member the rotator-side connector, while arranged to protrude from a part of the circumferential direction of the top plate, and the connector housing is composed of an insertion possible connector body to the connector housing, in the longitudinal direction of the flat cable, Arranged between a cable winding portion wound in the housing space and a cable extension portion extending from the connector body. Direction is configured cable fold portions disposed portion that will be placed on the inner cylinder member is bent cable fold moiety convertible, the regulating means for regulating the cable fold portion to said cable fold portion disposed portion, said connector internal A guide tongue piece portion for guiding the cable extension portion and the cable return portion is formed at a base portion of the connector body, and the guide tongue piece portion Engagement means for engaging with the inner cylinder member is formed on the guide tongue piece part and the inner cylinder member, and the restricting means protrudes toward the cable folded portion arrangement part, and the communication part The cable extension portion arranged at the top is formed by a regulation projecting piece projecting so as to be able to guide together with the guide tongue piece portion .

  According to the present invention, since the restricting means is formed in the communication portion with the cable folded portion arranging portion inside the connector, the restricting means causes the cable folded portion arranged in the cable folded portion arranging portion to be the rotator. The cable turn-back portion can be regulated so as not to be displaced in the axial direction.

  Therefore, the present invention can secure a stable winding state of the flat cable and ensure electrical reliability while reducing the assembly time and cost.

  More specifically, in assembling work of the rotary connector, for example, even when the cable folded portion is misaligned in the axial direction of the rotator with respect to the cable folded portion arranging portion, By the means, it is possible to guide the misaligned cable folded portion so as to be appropriately disposed in the cable folded portion arrangement portion.

  As a result, when the rotary connector is assembled, the flat cable that is misaligned interferes with components such as the rotator and the stator, so that the cable folding portion is not inadvertently deformed and damaged, and the flat cable As a result, there is no need to push the cable back into the cable turn-up portion arrangement portion or check whether the cable turn-up portion placement portion is misaligned, and therefore, the assembly work of the rotary connector can be performed smoothly. .

  Furthermore, when the rotary connector is assembled, the flat cable is not crushed between the stator and the rotator, for example, or deformed. There is no risk of rubbing and generating abnormal noise. Moreover, since there is no possibility that the flat cable is rubbed and disconnected, electrical reliability can be ensured.

  In addition, even if the number of times the flat cable is folded at the cable folding portion is 1, the cable folding portion can be guided to be firmly arranged in the folding portion arrangement space by the regulating means. Since the folding work can be easily performed and the number of times of folding can be reduced, the amount of use of the flat cable can be reduced, and as a result, the weight of the rotary connector can be reduced and the cost can be reduced.

Further, an engagement means for extending a guide tongue piece portion for guiding the cable extension portion and the cable folding portion at the base portion of the connector main body, and engaging the guide tongue piece portion with the inner cylinder member, By forming the guide tongue piece and the inner cylinder member, the connector tongue is inserted into the connector housing by engaging the guide tongue piece and the inner cylinder member with each other by the engaging means. It can be kept in the state.

  Further, by engaging the guide tongue piece portion and the inner cylinder member with each other by the engagement means, the engagement means straddles the cable folded portion arranged in the cable folded portion arrangement portion in the thickness direction. Can be engaged.

  Therefore, by engaging the engagement means in such an engagement form that straddles the cable folding portion in the thickness direction, the cable folding portion is positioned in the axial direction of the rotator. It can also act as a cover that covers the cable folded portion arrangement portion so as not to be displaced, and the cable folded portion is surely prevented from being displaced in the axial direction of the rotator together with the restricting means by the engaging means. Can be regulated.

Further, the restricting means protrudes toward the cable folded portion arrangement portion, and the cable extension portion arranged in the communication portion is formed by a restriction protruding piece that protrudes together with the guide tongue piece so as to be able to guide. Thus, the cable folded portion can be firmly regulated so as to be placed in the cable folded portion arrangement portion, and the cable extension portion is placed between the regulating protruding piece and the guide tongue piece portion. It is possible to regulate so as not to be firmly displaced by sandwiching.

As a result, the cable extension part is displaced, so that no load is applied to the connection part between the conductor on one end of the flat cable and the connector terminal, so the conductor on one end of the flat cable is securely connected to the connector terminal. It can be kept in the state.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, the inner cylinder member includes a cylindrical protrusion that protrudes from the inner cylinder member, and the engagement means is provided at a mounting location where the cylindrical protrusion is mounted on the inner cylinder member. Can be arranged.

  According to the configuration described above, since the engaging means is disposed at the mounting location where the cylindrical protrusion is mounted on the inner cylindrical member, the cylindrical protruding body is mounted on the inner cylindrical member. The engaging means can be covered with a cylindrical projection.

  Thereby, it is possible to prevent the engagement portion by the engaging means between the guide tongue piece and the inner cylinder member from being unexpectedly released, and the guide tongue piece and the inner cylinder member are engaged with each other. Thus, it is possible to maintain a firmly engaged state.

  Further, as an aspect of the present invention, the engaging means can be arranged at an end portion of the cable folding portion arrangement portion on the communication portion side with the accommodation space.

  According to the above-described configuration, since the engaging means is arranged at the end of the cable folding portion arrangement portion on the side of the communication portion with the housing space, the cable folding portion arranged in the cable folding portion arrangement portion Since the engaging portion can be guided by the engaging means so that the communicating portion with the cable winding portion does not shift in the axial direction of the rotator, the cable winding portion can be reliably unwound due to the positional deviation of the cable folding portion. The cable winding portion can be securely wound in the housing space.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a rotary connector capable of ensuring a stable winding state of a flat cable and ensuring electrical reliability while reducing assembly time and cost.

The external view which looked at the rotation connector from upper direction. The exploded perspective view which looked at the rotation connector from the lower part. Structure explanatory drawing of a rotation connector. Structure explanatory drawing of a rotation connector. The external view of a connector insertion member. The disassembled perspective view which looked at a part of rotator from the downward direction. The disassembled perspective view which looked at the rotator from the downward direction. The disassembled perspective view which looked at the rotator from the downward direction. The disassembled perspective view which looked at the rotator from the downward direction. Explanatory drawing of the conventional rotation connector. Explanatory drawing of the conventional rotation connector.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 9, the rotary connector 1 (steering roll connector) of the present embodiment includes a stator 200 as a fixed side member that is fixed to the combination switch side (lower side), and the steering wheel side (upper side). And a rotator 300 that can rotate relative to the stator 200 and a flat cable FC, and is formed in a cylindrical shape having a through hole H that can penetrate the steering shaft at the center.

  The flat cable is integrally formed of a plurality of flat conductors arranged in a line in the width direction at a predetermined interval and an insulating coating that covers the plurality of flat conductors. In addition, the flat cable used in the present embodiment is configured as a set of two sheets superposed with each other in the thickness direction.

  In the following description, the lower Dd in the shaft axial direction indicates the combination switch side in the axial direction of the steering shaft, and the upper Du in the shaft axial direction indicates the steering wheel side in the axial direction of the steering shaft. To do.

  1 is an external view of the rotary connector 1 viewed from above, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the rotary connector 1 viewed from below. FIG. 3A is a plan view of one half of the rotary connector 1, and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 3A in which the flat cable FC is omitted, and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 3B. FIG. 5 is an external view of the connector insertion member 442. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a part of the rotator 300 as viewed from below. Specifically, FIG. 6 shows a connector insertion member immediately before being inserted into the top plate portion 320, the inner cylinder member 330, and the connector housing 341. It is the disassembled perspective view which looked at 442 from the lower part. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the rotator 300 viewed from below, and is an exploded perspective view of the rotator 300 viewed from a direction different from FIG. FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the rotator 300 as viewed from below, and is an exploded perspective view of the rotator 300 before the cylindrical protrusion 335 is attached to the inner cylinder member 330 as viewed from below. FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the rotator 300 viewed from below, and is an exploded perspective view of the rotator 300 viewed from a direction different from FIG.

The stator 200 is fixed to a combination switch attached to the steering column, and as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the stationary side ring plate member 220 and the outer cylinder member 230 are integrally formed.
The stationary-side ring plate member 220 is formed in a substantially annular shape having a circular hole in the center, and constitutes the bottom surface portion of the rotary connector 1. A rudder angle sensor that detects the rotation angle of the steering shaft (not shown) is attached to the lower portion of the fixed-side ring plate member 220.

The outer cylinder member 230 is configured in a cylindrical shape that opens in the vertical direction of the shaft axis direction, and configures a cylindrical outer peripheral surface of the rotary connector 1.
The outer cylinder member 230 and the fixed-side ring plate member 220 block the stator bottom surface opening A (see FIG. 2) that opens at the lower Dd in the shaft axial direction of the outer cylinder member 230 with the fixed-side ring plate member 220. Further, the outer peripheral edge of the stator bottom opening A is engaged with the fixed ring plate member 220 to be integrated.

  In addition, a stator side connector portion 240 is formed in a downward projecting shape at a predetermined location on the outer peripheral side of the stator 200 where the outer cylinder member 230 is fixed via a connector flange portion 250 projecting radially outward. doing.

  The stator-side connector 240 is connected to an outer peripheral end FCo of the flat cable FC wound in the accommodation space S described later, and connected to an external connector provided in a cable (not shown) routed from the combination switch side. It is possible to form.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the rotator 300 includes a top plate portion 320 as a top plate having a ring shape in plan view, and an inner cylinder projecting from the inner peripheral edge of the top plate portion 320 to the lower side Dd in the shaft axial direction. A member 330, a cylindrical protrusion 335 that protrudes downward in a cylindrical shape from the outer peripheral side of the through-hole H at the center of the bottom surface of the stator 200, and a connector insertion that is inserted into a connector housing 341 in a rotator-side connector 340 described later. The contact member 442 is integrally formed.

  A concave boss insertion allowing portion Hb into which the boss portion 610 of the steering wheel can be inserted is constituted by the inner cylindrical member 330 and the concave bottom portion 338 at the upper portion on the center side in the shaft axial direction of the cylindrical rotary connector 1. doing.

  As shown in FIGS. 3B, 4 </ b> A, and 4 </ b> B, the top plate portion 320 and the inner cylinder member 330 are the fixed-side ring plate member 220 and the outer cylinder member as the above-described bottom plate in the stator 200. 230, an annular housing space S for housing the flat cable FC is formed.

  At the front end side of the protruding direction of the cylindrical projecting body 335, a turn lever for instructing the turning direction of the automobile is returned to the neutral position from the left turn instruction turning position or the right turn instruction turning position by turning the steering wheel. A cancel cam 337 is provided.

The cylindrical protrusion 335 is configured to be rotatable together with the inner cylinder member 330 by being attached to the inner cylinder member 330.
Specifically, a cylindrical protrusion engaged protrusion 480 that protrudes in a gate shape so as to be engageable with the inner cylinder member 330 is formed at a position of the cylindrical protrusion 335 facing the inner cylinder member 330. On the other hand, a cylindrical projecting body engaging claw 380 that can be engaged with the cylindrical projecting body engaged projecting piece 480 is formed at a location facing the cylindrical projecting body 335 in the inner cylindrical member 330.

  The cylindrical protrusion 335 has a cylindrical protrusion engaged protrusion 480 and a cylindrical protrusion engaging claw 380 in a state where the outer periphery of the upper end of the cylindrical protrusion 335 is in contact with the lower end 330u of the inner cylindrical member 330. Are mutually attached to the inner cylinder member 330 by being engaged with each other.

  The top plate portion 320 covers the upper surface opening of the outer cylinder member 230, but is disposed so as not to contact the outer cylinder member 230. In addition, a rotator side connector 340 is provided at a predetermined position on the outer peripheral side of the top plate portion 320 so as to protrude upward Du in the axial direction of the shaft, and the rotator side connector 340 is connected to the inner periphery of the flat cable FC on the accommodation space S side. The side end portion FCi is connected to an exposed conductor exposed to the insulating coating, and is connected to an electric circuit such as a horn and an air bag system on the steering wheel side outside the accommodation space S.

  In a portion corresponding to the rotator-side connector 340 in the circumferential direction of the rotator 300, the inner end FCi of the flat cable FC is removed from the accommodation space S as shown in FIG. 3 (b) and FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b). A cable guide arrangement portion 55 that guides the inside of the connector housing 341 is configured.

The cable guide arrangement portion 55 includes a cable folded portion arrangement portion 557 and a cable extension portion arrangement portion 556.
As shown in the partially enlarged view in FIG. 3B and the partially enlarged view in FIG. 4B, the cable folded portion arranging portion 557 is connected to the rotator side connector 340 in the circumferential direction of the inner cylindrical member 330. At corresponding positions, a rotator-side folded portion guide portion 357 for guiding the cable folded portion FCa on the rotator 300 side, and a connector-side folded portion guide portion 457 for guiding the cable folded portion FCa on the connector insertion member 442 side described later. The rotator-side folded portion guide portion 357 and the connector-side folded portion guide portion 457 are arranged so as to face each other.
Inside the cable folding portion arrangement portion 557, a slit-like cable folding portion arrangement space 557A in which the cable folding portion FCa can be arranged is provided.

On the other hand, as shown in a partially enlarged view in FIG. 3B and FIG. 4A, the cable extension portion arrangement portion 556 is a portion corresponding to the rotator-side connector 340 in the circumferential direction of the top plate portion 320. Further, a rotator-side extension portion guide portion 356 that guides the cable extension portion FCc on the rotator 300 side, and a connector-side extension portion guide portion that guides the cable extension portion FCc on the connector insertion member 442 side described later. 456 and the rotator side extending portion guide portion 356 and the connector side extending portion guide portion 456 are arranged to face each other.
Inside the cable extension portion arrangement portion 556, a cable extension portion arrangement space portion 556A in which the cable extension portion FCc can be arranged is provided.

  In the rotator side extending portion guide portion 356, a pair of restricting protrusions 370 are formed on each side at a predetermined interval in the width direction of the flat cable FC disposed in the cable extending portion arrangement space portion 556A.

  The restriction projection 370 protrudes in a substantially triangular shape in side view with the tip gradually becoming narrower, and one of the pair of end portions constituting the angle formed by the tip is one in FIG. 3B. As shown in the enlarged view of the part, it is opposed to the cable folding back part arrangement space 557A and the connector side extending part guide part 456 along the protruding direction.

  The base side in the protruding direction of one end side of the restricting projection 370 is formed as a folded portion restricting portion 371 so that the cable folded portion FCa arranged in the cable folded portion arranging portion 557 can be regulated (FIG. 3B). (Refer to the partially enlarged view.) In other words, in particular, the folded portion regulating portion 371 of the regulating projection 370 is formed in the communication portion 556Aa that communicates with the cable folded portion arrangement space 557A in the cable extension portion arrangement space 556A (one in FIG. 3B). (See enlarged view).

  On the other hand, a portion facing the distal end side, that is, the connector-side extending portion guide portion 456, of the folded-side restricting portion 371 on the base side at one end side of the restricting protrusion 370 is connected to the cable extending portion arranging portion 556. The arranged cable extension portion FCc is formed as an extension portion restriction portion 372 that can be restricted together with the connector side extension portion guide portion 456 (see a partially enlarged view in FIG. 3B).

Next, the connector insertion member 442 described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3 (b), 5, 6, and 7.
The connector insertion member 442 includes a connector main body 451 that is inserted into the rotator-side connector housing 341, and a guide tongue piece 455 that extends from the base end side in the insertion direction of the connector main body 451. ing.

  As shown in FIGS. 3A and 5, the connector main body 451 is a terminal in which a plurality of terminal pieces 452 each having a connection terminal 452 a electrically connected to an external terminal (not shown) at the tip are arranged in a row. The single arrangement portions 451A are arranged in parallel in two rows in the thickness direction.

  Each terminal piece 452 provided in the terminal piece arrangement portion 451A is connected to an exposed conductor from which the insulation coating on the inner end side FCi of the flat cable FC is peeled off.

  Specifically, on the inner end side FCi of the flat cable FC, one flat cable FC of the set of two is arranged on the near side in the thickness direction in FIG. 5 among the terminal piece arrangement portions 451A arranged in parallel. The other terminal piece placement portion 451A is connected to the one terminal piece placement portion 451A and the other flat cable FC is placed on the far side in the thickness direction in FIG. 5 among the terminal piece placement portions 451A arranged in parallel. Connected to.

As a result, the inner end side FCi of the flat cable FC is connected to the connector main body 451, and the cable extension portion FCc extending from the inside of the rotator side connector housing 341 is formed on the inner end side FCi of the flat cable FC. Composed.
The rotator-side connector 340 includes a rotator-side connector housing 341 and a connector main body 451.

The guide tongue piece portion 455 includes a connector side extension portion guide portion 456, a connector side folded portion guide portion 457 provided continuously to the connector side extension portion guide portion 456, and a guide tongue piece engaging portion 460. It is composed.
As shown in the partially enlarged view in FIG. 3B, the connector-side extension portion guide portion 456 has a rotator-side extension portion guide portion in a state where the connector main body portion 451 is inserted into the rotator-side connector housing 341. The cable extension portion FCc is bent with respect to the connector main body portion 451 so that the cable extension portion FCc can be guided together with the rotator side extension portion guide portion 356 in a state of facing the 356.

  The connector side folded portion guide portion 457 is connected to the rotator side folded portion guide portion 357 together with the rotator side folded portion guide portion 357 in a state where the connector main body portion 451 is inserted into the rotator side connector housing 341. The portion FCa is formed to be bent approximately 90 degrees with respect to the connector-side extending portion guide portion 456 so that the portion FCa can be guided.

  The guide tongue engaging portion 460 is formed by an engaging protrusion 461 and a pressing protrusion 462 that protrude to be engageable with the lower end 330 u of the inner cylinder member 330.

  The pressing protrusion 462 is provided on the side opposite to the folded portion restricting portion 371 having the cable folded portion FCa disposed in the cable folded portion arrangement space 557A on the upper Du side in the shaft axial direction, that is, the cable folded portion FCa is disposed in the shaft axial direction. It is formed so that it can be guided from the lower side Dd.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the portion corresponding to the rotator side connector 340 in the circumferential direction of the lower end portion of the inner cylinder member 330, that is, the lower end portion of the rotator side folded portion guide portion 357 is engaged with An engaged portion 361 that allows engagement of the protrusion 461 is formed, and a pressing protrusion receiving portion 362 that allows contact of the pressing protrusion 462 is formed.

  The engaging protruding piece 461 and the engaged portion 361 are formed at a position corresponding to the intermediate portion in the width direction of the guide tongue engaging portion 460, and the pressing protruding piece 462 and the protruding piece receiving portion 362 are provided as guides. It forms in the location corresponding to the edge part 557a by the side of communication part 557Aa with the accommodating space S among the both sides of the width direction of the tongue piece engaging part 460 (partly enlarged view in FIG.4 (b), figure) 6 and FIG. 8).

The rotary connector 1 having the above-described configuration can exhibit the following operations and effects.
According to the rotary connector 1 of the present embodiment, as described above, the restriction protrusion 370 for restricting the cable folding portion FCa to the cable folding portion arranging portion 557 is formed on the rotator side extending portion guide portion 356. ) As shown in the partially enlarged view in FIG. 6, the cable is arranged so that the cable folding portion FCa arranged in the cable folding portion arrangement portion 557 is not displaced in the shaft axial direction by the folding portion restriction portion 371 in the regulation projection 370. The folded portion FCa can be regulated.

  Therefore, the rotary connector 1 according to the present embodiment can keep the inner cable FCi of the flat cable FC in a stable winding state while reducing the assembly time and cost, and can ensure electrical reliability. it can.

  More specifically, in the assembly work of the rotary connector 1 according to the embodiment, for example, even when the cable folding portion FCa is displaced in the shaft axial direction with respect to the cable folding portion arrangement portion 557, when the rotary connector 1 is assembled. In particular, the bent portion restricting portion 371 in the restricting protrusion 370 can guide the cable turned portion FCa that is misaligned so as to be appropriately arranged in the cable turned portion arranging portion 557.

  As a result, when the rotary connector 1 is assembled, the flat cable FC, not to mention the cable turn-back portion FCa, is inadvertently caused by the rotator 300, the stator 200, or the connector insertion member 442 interfering with the displaced flat cable FC. Since it is not deformed and broken, the assembly operation of the rotary connector 1 can be performed smoothly.

  Furthermore, since the flat cable FC is not assembled inside the rotary connector 1 in a damaged state, there is no risk of the flat cable FC rubbing within the rotary connector 1 to generate abnormal noise, and there is a risk of rubbing and disconnection. Therefore, electrical reliability can be ensured.

  Further, as shown in a partially enlarged view in FIG. 10, the conventional rotary connector 1000 does not have the restricting projection 370 formed on the rotator side extending portion guide portion 3560, and therefore is arranged in the cable folding portion arrangement space 557 </ b> A. Thus, the cable folding portion FCa cannot be guided from above.

  Then, the cable folding portion FCa is rattled or misaligned in the shaft axial direction in the cable folding portion arrangement space 557A, and the rattling or position misalignment is transmitted to the cable winding portion FCs. There was a risk that the FCs would collapse.

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the configuration of a conventional rotary connector 1000 corresponding to FIG.

  On the other hand, the rotary connector 1 according to the present embodiment, particularly when the vehicle vibrates, as shown in the partially enlarged view in FIG. Thus, the cable folding portion FCa arranged in the cable folding portion arrangement portion 557 can be regulated so as not to be displaced due to rattling or the like in the axial direction of the rotator 300. Therefore, in the cable folding portion arrangement portion 557, the cable folding portion FCa can be maintained in a desired bent shape.

  Therefore, since the cable folding portion FCa can be regulated by the regulating projection 370 so that the cable folding portion arrangement portion 557 does not lose its shape, the inner end FCi of the flat cable FC is prevented from being displaced, and the cable winding portion The FCs can be securely wound in the winding storage space S without being collapsed.

  Further, for example, the conventional rotary connector 1000 shown in FIG. 11 is in contact with the guide tongue engaging portion 460 that guides the cable folding portion FCa from the lower side Dd in the shaft axial direction with respect to the cable folding portion FCa. In order to increase the contact area, the flat cable FC needs to be folded a plurality of times, for example, the flat cable FCa2 is folded twice in the cable folding portion arrangement portion 5570.

  FIG. 11 is an explanatory view for explaining the configuration of a conventional rotary connector 1000 corresponding to FIG.

  In contrast, the rotary connector 1 of the present embodiment, in addition to guiding the cable folding portion FCa in the cable folding portion arranging portion 557 from the lower Dd in the shaft axial direction by the guide tongue engaging portion 460, As shown in FIGS. 3B and 5, the flat portion FC can be folded back multiple times because it can be guided from the upper portion Du in the shaft axial direction by the folded portion restricting portion 371 of the restricting protrusion 370 in particular. Even if the cable folding portion FCa is not configured, the cable folding portion FCa can be limited to the number of times of folding that is the minimum number of times for changing the direction.

  Accordingly, when assembling the rotary connector, it is not necessary to take time to fold the flat cable FC or to prepare a special jig for the fold, and therefore, the assembly time and cost of the rotary connector 1 can be reduced. Can be achieved.

  In addition, since the amount of flat cable FC used can be reduced by reducing the number of times the flat cable FC is folded back from a plurality of times to one, it is possible to reduce the weight and reduce the cost.

  Further, as described above, since the conventional rotary connector 1000 does not have the restricting projection 370 formed on the rotator side extending portion guide portion 3560 (see FIG. 10), the cable disposed in the cable extending portion arrangement space portion 556A. The extended portion FCc cannot be guided.

  Then, as the vehicle vibrates, the cable extension portion FCc is displaced in the cable extension portion arrangement space 556A, and the exposed conductor at the tip of the cable extension portion FCc and the terminal piece 452 are connected. There is a possibility that a tension is applied to the connection portion and stable electrical reliability cannot be secured.

  On the other hand, according to the rotary connector 1 of the present embodiment, as described above, not only the folded portion restriction portion 371 described above but also the cable extension portion FCc is brought into contact with the restriction protrusion 370 so that the cable extension portion is in contact. An extended portion restricting portion 372 that restricts FCc is provided.

  The extension portion regulation portion 372 can firmly regulate the cable extension portion FCc together with the connector side extension portion guide portion 456 so that the cable extension portion FCc is not displaced.

  As a result, the cable extension portion FCc is displaced, so that a load is not applied to the connection portion between the exposed conductor on the inner end side FCi of the flat cable FC and the terminal piece 452, so the conductor on one end side of the flat cable FC is It can be kept firmly connected to the connector terminal.

  Further, according to the rotary connector 1 of the present embodiment, as described above, the guide tongue piece 455 extends from the base portion of the connector main body 451, and the guide tongue piece 455 engages with the inner cylinder member 330. Since the single engagement portion 460 is provided, the engagement protrusion 461 in the guide tongue engagement portion 460 can be engaged with the engaged portion 361 formed on the inner cylinder member 330 as shown in FIG. . Thereby, the connector main body 451 can be kept in a state of being firmly attached to the connector housing 341.

  Further, in a state where the engaging protrusion 461 is engaged with the engaged portion 361 and the pressing protrusion 462 is brought into contact with the pressing protrusion receiving portion 362, the engaging protrusion 461 and the pressing protrusion 462 are These can be engaged with the lower end portion of the rotator side folded portion guide portion 357 so as to straddle the cable folded portion arrangement space 557A in the thickness direction. Thereby, the cable folding | returning part FCa arrange | positioned in the cable folding | returning part arrangement | positioning space 557A can be firmly guided from the lower side (refer FIG.3 (b) and FIG. 8).

  Therefore, in each of the engagement protrusion 461 and the engaged portion 361, and the pressing protrusion 462 and the pressing protrusion receiving portion 362, the cable folded portion FCa is engaged in an engagement form straddling the thickness direction. Therefore, together with the restricting protrusion 370, the cable turn-back portion FCa arranged in the cable turn-up portion arrangement portion 557 can be reliably restricted so as not to be displaced in the shaft axial direction.

  Furthermore, according to the rotary connector 1 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the inner cylinder member 330 is provided with the cylindrical protrusion 335 protruding from the inner cylinder member 330, and the inner cylinder member 330 is provided. On the other hand, the engagement locations (361, 362) of the guide tongue engaging portion 460 with respect to the inner cylinder member 330 are arranged at the mounting location (330u) where the cylindrical protrusion 335 is mounted.

  Specifically, the cylindrical projecting body engaging claw 380 and the cylindrical projecting body engaged protrusion piece 480 are engaged with the lower end portion 330 u of the inner cylindrical member 330, so that the cylindrical projecting body 335 becomes the inner cylindrical member 330. In the mounted state, the upper surface of the cylindrical protrusion 335 contacts.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 9, the rotary connector 1 according to the present embodiment has an engaged portion 361 that serves as an engagement location of the engagement protrusion 461, and a pressing member at the lower end portion 330 u of the inner cylindrical member 330. The pressing protrusion receiving portion 362 that is a contact portion of the protruding piece 462 is configured to be positioned. For this reason, in a state where the cylindrical projecting body 335 is mounted on the inner cylinder member 330, the engaging portion between the engaging protrusion 461 and the engaged portion 361, and the pressing protrusion 462 and the pressing protrusion receiving portion 362. Can be covered with a cylindrical protrusion 335 (see the cylindrical protrusion 335 shown by the phantom line in FIG. 9).

  Therefore, the guide is arranged so that the engagement state between the engagement protrusion 461 and the engaged portion 361 and the contact state between the pressing protrusion 462 and the pressing protrusion receiving portion 362 are not unexpectedly released. Since the tongue piece engaging portion 460 can be kept firmly engaged with the inner cylinder member 330, the connector insertion member 442 can be kept firmly attached to the connector housing 341.

  Further, according to the rotary connector 1 of the present embodiment, as described above, the pressing protrusion 462 and the pressing protrusion receiving part 362 are connected to the end portion on the communication portion 557Aa side with the housing space S in the cable return portion arrangement portion 557. Because it is arranged at 557a (see a partially enlarged view in FIG. 4B and FIG. 8), the communication portion FCas with the cable winding portion FCs in the cable folding portion FCa arranged at the cable folding portion arrangement portion 557 is accommodated. Immediately before being led out to the space S, it is possible to guide so as not to be displaced in the shaft axis direction.

  Accordingly, the cable winding portion FCs can be reliably prevented from being collapsed due to the positional deviation of the cable folding portion FCa, and the cable winding portion FCs can be arranged in a state of being wound in the accommodation space S.

In the correspondence between the configuration of the present invention and the embodiment,
The top plate of the present invention corresponds to the top plate portion 320 of the embodiment, and hereinafter,
The connector body corresponds to the connector body 451,
The restricting means (the restricting protruding piece) corresponds to the restricting protrusion 370,
The engaging means corresponds to at least one of the guide tongue piece engaging portion 460, that is, the engaging protrusion 461 and the engaged portion 361, the pressing protrusion 462, and the pressing protrusion receiving portion 362,
The communication portion with the cable return portion arrangement space inside the connector corresponds to the communication portion 556Aa that communicates with the cable return portion arrangement space 557A in the cable extension portion arrangement space 556A.
The end portion on the communication portion side with the housing space in the cable folded portion arrangement portion corresponds to the end portion 557a on the communication portion 557Aa side,
Although the mounting location where the cylindrical projecting body is mounted on the inner cylinder member corresponds to the lower end 330u of the inner cylinder member 330, the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment. The present invention can be applied based on the technical idea shown in the section, and many embodiments can be obtained.

For example, the rotary connector 1 is not limited to including such a set of two flat cables FC, and may include a set of flat cables FC in which a plurality of three or more sheets are superposed on each other. One flat cable FC may be provided.
Note that the connector main body 451 can have as many terminal piece arrangement portions 451A as the number of flat cables FC provided in the rotary connector 1.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Rotary connector 200 ... Stator 300 ... Rotator 320 ... Top plate part 330 ... Inner cylinder member 335 ... Cylindrical protrusion 340 ... Rotator side connector part 341 ... Connector housing 370 ... Restriction protrusion 372 ... Extension part regulation part 371 ... Folded portion restricting portion 451. Connector main body portion 455. End of S S ... Accommodating space FC ... Flat cable FCs ... Cable winding part FCc ... Cable extension part FCa ... Cable folding part

Claims (3)

Is composed of a stator and a rotator which rotates the steering shaft and concentrically with respect to the stator, a housing space for winding a flat cable for electrically connecting the rotator side and the stator side is provided inside is Rutotomoni, the rotator, a rotary connector provided is rotator connector to allow connection of external connection mating terminal,
The rotator is configured by a top plate and the inner tubular member,
The rotator-side connector, while arranged to protrude from a part of the circumferential direction of the top plate, is composed of a connector housing, and can be inserted through the connector body to the connector housing,
In the length direction of the flat cable, there is a cable folded portion that is folded so that the wiring direction can be changed between a cable winding portion wound in the housing space and a cable extending portion extending from the connector main body. cable fold portions disposed portion that will be placed on the inner cylinder member is constituted,
Regulating means for regulating the cable fold portion to said cable fold part arrangement portion is formed in the communicating portion between the cable fold portion disposed portion of the connector interior,
A guide tongue piece for guiding the cable extension portion and the cable folding portion is extended to the base portion of the connector body,
An engaging means for engaging the guide tongue piece and the inner cylinder member is formed on the guide tongue piece part and the inner cylinder member ,
The regulating means is
A rotary connector formed of a restricting protruding piece that protrudes toward the cable folding portion arrangement portion and protrudes so that the cable extension portion arranged in the communication portion can be guided together with the guide tongue piece portion . In the inner cylinder member, the tubular projecting member projecting from the inner cylindrical member is provided,
A mounting portion for mounting the cylindrical projecting member relative to the inner cylinder member, the rotary connector according to claim 1, wherein said engaging means is disposed. Rotating connector according to the end of the communicating portion side of the accommodating space, with the engagement means to claim billing is placed 1 or 2 in the cable fold portion disposed portion.

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