JPH01671A - Electrical connection between steering wheel and steering column - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an electrical connection device between a steering wheel and a steering column in a vehicle steering system.

BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, a spiral coil tape member having flexibility and having a plurality of electrical conductors has been generally used for electrical connection between a steering wheel and a steering column in a vehicle steering system (for example, , Utility Model Application Publication No. 53-118243). This is because the steering wheel is naturally rotatable relative to the steering column, and therefore,
This is because in order to transmit an electrical signal from a switch provided on the steering wheel, such as a pawn, to the fixed part of the steering column, it is necessary to devise an electrical wiring that absorbs the rotational movement of the steering wheel.

Furthermore, even in the connection device in which the above-mentioned electrical wiring has been devised, the problem of cutting the spiral coil tape member may occur. In other words, the steering system for automobiles is
Normally, the number of turns of the steering wheel in each direction is about three days, and any further rotation of the steering wheel is mechanically locked on the steering side. Therefore, if the neutral state of the spiral coil tape member, that is, the state where the spiral shape is substantially uniform, and the neutral state of the steering mechanism do not match, the spiral coil tape member will It may become impossible to follow the rotation.

As a solution to this problem, for example, JP-A-57-1
No. 70473 is disclosed. However, the mechanism of the disclosed example has the problem of being complicated and expensive, and is not practical.

Technical Problems of the Present Invention Accordingly, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to automatically correct the assembly error of the spiral coil tape member and to correct the coil tape member to a substantially neutral state. The object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connection device between a steering wheel and a steering column.

Summary (Structure) of the Present Invention In order to achieve the above technical problem, the present invention was constructed as follows.

That is, the electrical connection device of the present invention
A spiral coil tape member that relays and connects the electric signal line on the column side and the electric signal line on the steering wheel side is installed in a storage case provided between the steering column and the steering wheel, and The case is the steering wheel.
It consists of a fixed case fixed to the column side and a movable case rotatably attached to the fixed case so as to rotate together with the handle.

Further, a clutch plate is held in the first case of either the movable case or the fixed case via a locking mechanism so as to face one surface in the axial direction of the coil tape member. Further, one end of the spiral coil tape member is fixed to the second case of either the movable case or the fixed case, while the other end is fixed to a predetermined position of the clutch plate. has been done. The clutch plate includes an annular contact piece electrically connected to the coil tape member on the clutch plate surface on the first case side. Further, the first case facing the annular contact piece includes a brush that cooperates with the annular contact piece, and a brush that is electrically connected to the brush and protrudes outward through the first case. A contact piece is provided.

As is clear from the above configuration, there are two specific embodiments of the present invention. In one embodiment, the clutch plate is attached to a movable case, and the locking mechanism is configured between the movable case and the clutch plate. Moreover, as another aspect, it can be realized by mounting the clutch plate on a fixed case and configuring the locking mechanism between the fixed case and the clutch plate m.

(Operation) According to the above configuration, the operation of the clutch plate held by the first case via the lock mechanism differs depending on whether the first case is a movable case or a fixed case.

In other words, when the clutch plate is attached to the movable case,
Since the movable case rotates integrally with the handle, the clutch plate supported via the lock mechanism also rotates together with the handle. Further, the spiral coil tape member has one end fixed to the clutch plate and the other end fixed to the second case, which in this case is the fixed case. The winding diameter changes and the shape deforms.

However, if the handle rotation operation exceeds the maximum shape deformation of the coil tape member, it becomes impossible for the spiral coil tape member to follow the rotation of the handle, and the clutch plate has a structure that corresponds to the rotation of the handle. Reaction force in the opposite direction (
(binding force) works. In other words, in this state, a torque of approximately the same value in the opposite direction as the operating torque applied to the handle acts on the clutch plate. When this torque exceeds a certain value, the locking mechanism is released and slippage occurs between the movable case and the clutch plate.

Next, when the clutch plate is attached to the fixed case (that is, the first case is the fixed case and the second case is the movable case), the clutch plate is held in the fixed case via the lock mechanism. It turns out. The clutch plate thus remains stationary relative to the handle, similar to a stationary case, until the locking mechanism is released with a certain torque.

In other words, the clutch plate is the same as one component of the stationary case. Therefore, one end of the coil tape member is fixed to the movable case side and the other end is fixed to the clutch plate, in other words, the coil tape member is fixed to the fixed case, and its shape changes as the handle rotates. Become.

However, as mentioned above, if a torque exceeding a certain value is applied to the clutch plate, the locking mechanism is released and slippage occurs between the clutch plate and the fixed case, causing the clutch plate to slide against the fixed case. I will do it. In other words, it can be said that it rotates together with the movable case.

That is, the two specific embodiments of the present invention have the same function even if they have different configurations. That is, the end of the spiral coil tape member is fixed to either the movable case or the fixed case, and the spiral coil tape member is held in the other case via a locking mechanism and other than the above-mentioned coil tape member. If a clutch plate supporting the end portion is attached, the clutch plate will move relative to one of the cases holding the clutch plate when the locking mechanism is released. Therefore, the handle, in other words, the movable case, can be rotated without being constrained by the fixed case via the coil tape member. In addition, the handle and steering wheel
Electrical continuity between the columns is maintained by an annular contact piece on the clutch plate and a brush cooperating with the contact piece.

(Effect) Therefore, even if the coil tape member is installed in a spiral state that is biased to one side from its neutral state, the handle will not become impossible to rotate due to the bias. That is, if an external force that locks the handle within a range in which the handle can be rotated is applied, the locking mechanism of the clutch plate is released, absorbing the bias of the coil tape member with respect to the handle, and ensuring rotation of the handle. From a different point of view, the present invention provides a method for rotating the coil by rotating the handle so that the maximum rotation range of the steering wheel, in other words, the maximum rotation range of the steering mechanism matches the rotation following movement range of the spiral coil tape member. It is possible to adjust the deviation of the spiral state of the tape member.

That is, the electrical connection device of the present invention automatically corrects the assembly error of the spiral fill tape member, that is, the initial biased state, by rotating the handle, and brings the coil tape member into a substantially neutral state. Can be fixed.

EXAMPLES Hereinafter, examples of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 13.

First, a first embodiment will be explained in detail based on FIGS. 1 to 6. This embodiment is an embodiment in which the clutch plate is held in a movable case.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 3 denotes a spiral coil tape member, and the coil tape member 3 is housed in a storage case A that is approximately a disk-shaped box and includes a movable case 1 and a fixed case 2. As shown in FIG. The movable case 1 is formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of the storage case A described above. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, the movable case l will be referred to as the lid l. The lid 1 includes a disc-shaped bottom wall 1a, an annular wall tr protruding from the outer edge of the bottom wall 1a toward the fixed case 2, and a winding axis around the coil tape member 3 formed at the center of the annular wall tr. It is formed integrally with the boss portion 1b. Further, the bottom wall 1a is formed by integrally forming a pin le protruding toward the handle and a connector surrounding wall 7a. Further, the winding shaft circumferential boss portion tb is configured such that a steering shaft passes through its center, and the boss portion 1b
The outer periphery of the upper end is provided with 7f11lc and a locking tab ld following it. The pin le fits into a pin hole formed in the handle side member, so that the lid l and the handle rotate together. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6, the lid body 1 includes two elastic arms I2 formed on the annular wall If, and a clutch plate IO that is engaged with the elastic arms 12. The clutch plate IO has a disk shape as shown in FIG. 3, and has a plurality of ■-shaped grooves 10c on its outer periphery that engage with locking pawls 12a formed integrally with the elastic arm 12. , the clutch plate 10
The elastic arm 12 and the V-shaped groove 10c cooperate to form a locking mechanism for the clutch plate 1O, which is held within the lid 1 via the locking mechanism.

On the other hand, the fixed case 2 has a generally U-shaped cross section, and includes a disc-shaped bottom wall 2a and a boss 2b provided with a hole in the center thereof for locking the lid l. . Above bottom wall 2a
A printed wiring board 6 is attached to the outer surface of the wiring board 6.
The outer end 3c of the spiral coil tape member 3 is fixed to the coil tape member 3. This fixed case 2 is fixed to the steering column side member with screws 9 or the like. Note that 2d and 6a represent through holes, and 2c represents a mounting seat for the printed wiring board 6, respectively. By the way, the winding shaft circumferential boss portion 1b of the lid body 1 is inserted into the hole of the boss 2b of the fixed fixed case 2, and the inner circumferential wall of the boss hole and the outer circumference of the upper end portion of the winding shaft circumferential boss portion 1b are connected. The groove 1c is adapted to fit therein. Then, the lid l is secured to the fixed case 2 by a locking tab ld provided at the lower end of the boss portion tb around the winding shaft.
It is stopped so that it cannot escape.

On the other hand, the spiral coil tape member 3 (fifth examination)
is disposed within the fixed case 2 and below the clutch plate 10, and its inner end 3b is located within the clutch plate 10.
0 is fixed in a predetermined position with an adhesive or the like, and its outer end 3c is fixed to the printed wiring board 6.

By the way, to explain the configuration of the electrical connection in detail, each electrical conductor 3a embedded in the coil tape member 3 and projected from the inner end 3b is connected to the clutch plate l as shown in FIG.
Each annular contact piece 1 is provided on the upper surface 10a of the O.
1, it is fixed and electrically conductive by soldering or the like. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, each annular contact piece 11
A brush 5 that is slidable on the top and moves together with the lid 1 is provided. Each of the brushes 5 is fixed to the lower end of a plurality of contact pieces 4a which are attached so as to penetrate through the lid l and protrude into the connector surrounding wall 7a which is one of the external terminal parts 7.

On the other hand, the other external terminal section 8 is attached to a printed wiring board 6 provided on the bottom wall 2a of the fixed case 2. The terminal portion 8 is composed of a connector surrounding wall 8a for fitting the connector, and a plurality of contact pieces 4b extending through the wiring board 6 and protruding into the connector surrounding wall 8a. The outer end 3c of the spiral coil tape member 3 is led out from inside the fixed case 2 and fixed to the wiring board 6, for example, with an adhesive or the like. Further, each conductor protruding from the end 3c is electrically connected to a corresponding printed foil of the wiring board 6'' by soldering or the like.

According to the above configuration, the handle side signal line '1' is electrically connected to the spiral coil tape member 3 via the external terminal section 7 on the lid l side. Similarly, the electric signal lines on the steering column side are electrically connected to the spiral coil tape member 3 via the external terminal portion 8 on the fixed case 2 side.

By the way, the clutch plate 10 rotates together with the lid l by a locking mechanism and transmits this rotational movement to the spiral coil tape member 3. However, if a torque exceeding a certain value acts on the locking mechanism, the locking pawl 12a of the elastic arm 12 that is engaged with the ■-shaped groove 10c of the clutch plate 10 is pulled up along the side surface of the V-shaped MIOc. The groove 10c
The connection will be removed. Then, the cover l will be the clutch plate 1.
0, the elastic arm 12 slides on the outer peripheral surface of the clutch plate 10, moves to the adjacent ■-shaped groove 10c, and engages with the groove 10c. Furthermore, if a rotational movement is applied to the lid body 1, the elastic arm 12 similarly moves further to the adjacent V-shaped groove 10c.

In some cases, this operation may be repeated until the steering wheel reaches its maximum steering position. and,
When the handle is rotated in the opposite direction from this steering position, the clutch plate lO is supported by the lock mechanism and rotates together with the lid 1 in the handle rotation direction, and the spiral coil tape member 3 is also unwound in the same direction. It will be rolled up (or rolled up).

Therefore, even if the coil tape member 3 is installed in a spiral state that is biased to one side from its neutral state, the handle will not become impossible to rotate due to the bias. That is, if an external force that locks the handle is applied within the range in which the handle can be rotated, the locking mechanism of the clutch plate IO is released and the bias of the coil tape member 3 with respect to the handle is absorbed. In other words, if the coil tape member 3 is formed so that its rotation followable range matches the rotation range of the steering wheel, each neutral state of the steering mechanism and the coil tape member 3 can be adjusted by repeated rotation of the steering wheel. Approximately match. Furthermore, if the coil tape member 3 is constructed so that the following range is larger than the rotation range of the handle, the rotation following operation of the coil tape member 3 is guaranteed at least within the rotation range of the handle. It goes without saying that the coil tape member 3 is formed to have a number of spiral turns that can be completely followed at least within the rotation range of the handle.

In other words, in the electrical connection device of this embodiment, the assembly error of the spiral coil tape member, that is, the initial biased state, is automatically corrected by rotating the handle, and the coil tape member is brought into a substantially neutral state. It can be corrected to .

Next, the second embodiment will be explained in detail based on FIGS. 7 to 13. This embodiment is an embodiment in which the clutch plate is held in a fixed case.

In FIG. 7, reference numeral 23 denotes a spiral coil tape member, and the coil tape member 23 is housed in a storage case B that is approximately a disc-shaped box and includes a movable case 21 and a fixed case 22.

The movable case 21 has a main body with a disc-shaped bottom.

The wall 2+a and the annular wall 21f protruding toward the fixed case 22 from the outer edge of the bottom wall 21a form a case with a roughly U-shaped cross section, and the winding axis of the coil tape member 23 formed in the center of the case has a substantially U-shaped cross section. The boss portion 21b is integrally formed. Further, the bottom wall 21a is formed by integrally forming a pin 21e projecting toward the handle and a connector surrounding wall 28a. Further, the winding shaft circumferential boss portion 21b is configured such that a steering shaft passes through the center thereof, and a locking tab 21d is provided at the lower end of the boss portion 21b. The pin 21e fits into a pin hole formed in the handle side member, so that the movable case 21 and the handle rotate integrally.

On the other hand, the fixed case 22 is a lid body corresponding to the lid of the storage case B (hereinafter, in this embodiment, the fixed case is referred to as the lid body 22).
), a disc-shaped bottom wall 22a, and a boss 22 provided at the center thereof and provided with a hole for locking the movable case 21.
b, and an annular collar 22c protruding from the peripheral edge of the bottom wall 22a.
It is equipped with

The other external terminal portion 2 is provided on the outer surface of the bottom wall 22a.
A connector surrounding wall 27a for fitting seven connectors is integrally formed. Note that the lid body 22 is fixed to the steering column side member with screws 29 or the like. Then, the winding shaft circumferential boss portion 21b of the movable case 21 is inserted into the hole of the boss 22b of the fixed lid body 22, and the movable case 21 is fitted with a locking tab provided at the lower end of the winding shaft circumferential boss portion 21b. 21d prevents it from slipping out from the lid body 22. Further, the annular wall 21 of the movable case 22
f and the annular collar 22c of the lid body 22 are arranged to face each other and have stepped portions that are loosely fitted into each other. Further, a clutch plate 30 is held on the lid body 22 via a locking mechanism.

As shown in Fig. 9.1θ, the clutch plate 30 has a disc shape and has a plurality of through holes 30c formed along the circumferential direction and serving as locking recesses. The terminal member 30d is provided on the upper surface 30a of the annular contact piece 31, and the terminal member 30d is electrically connected to each of the annular contact pieces 31.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 12, the clutch plate 30 is retained by a plurality of elastic arms 32 fixed to the bottom wall 22a with rivets 33 or the like. That is, the clutch plate 3o is held on the lid body 22 by a locking pawl 32a, which is a locking protrusion formed at the free end of the elastic arm 32, engaging with the through hole 30c. In other words, the through hole 30c and the elastic arm 32 constitute a locking mechanism for the clutch plate 30. On the other hand, the spiral coil tape member 2
3 (not shown, but having the same shape as in FIG. 5) is arranged within the movable case 21 and above the clutch plate 30, and its inner end is at a predetermined position of the clutch plate 3o. It is fixed with an adhesive or the like, and its outer end is fixed to the movable case 21 side. By the way, to explain the configuration of the electrical connection in detail, as shown in FIG. 13, one external terminal portion 28 provided on the bottom wall 21a of the movable case 21 is connected to the connector surrounding wall 2 for fitting the connector.
8a and a contact piece member 24b protruding into the connector surrounding wall 28a. The outer end portion 23c of the spiral coil tape member 23 is fixed to the contact piece member 24b with, for example, an adhesive.

Further, the end portion 2 is not embedded in the coil tape member 23.
Each conductor 23a protruding from the end 3c is connected to the contact piece member 2.
It is electrically connected to the corresponding printed foil 24c on 4b by soldering or the like.

On the other hand, each conductor (not shown) projected from the inner end is electrically connected to each terminal member 30d on the upper surface 30a of the clutch plate 3o (see FIG. 10). Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a brush 25 is provided which can slide on each of the annular contact pieces 31 and move together with the lid 22. Each of the brushes 25 has a plurality of contact pieces 2 attached so as to penetrate through the bottom wall 22a of the lid body 22 and protrude into the other external terminal portion 27 and the outer connector surrounding wall 27a.
It is fixed to the lower end of 4a.

According to the above configuration, the handle-side electric signal line is electrically connected to the spiral coil tape member 23 via the external terminal portion 28 on the movable case 21 side. Similarly, the electric signal wires on the steering column side are connected to the spiral coil tape member 23 via the external terminal section 27 on the lid body 22 side.
electrically connected to. The clutch plate 30 is held on the lid body 22 by a locking mechanism. Therefore, when the movable case 21 rotates together with the handle, the coil tape member 23 follows this rotation and deforms its spiral shape.

By the way, if a torque of a certain value or more is applied to the locking mechanism, the locking pawl 32a of the elastic arm 32 that is engaged with the through hole 30c of the clutch plate 30 will slide out of the through hole 30c. Then, the clutch plate 30 rotates relative to the lid body 22, and the elastic 'arm 32 slides on the lower surface 30b of the clutch plate 30, and the adjacent through hole 30
Move to c and fit. Furthermore, if a rotational movement is applied to the movable case 21, the adjacent through hole 30c
The elastic arm 32 moves to . Note that this operation may be repeated until the steering wheel reaches its maximum steering position, depending on the situation. Then, when the handle is rotated in the opposite direction from this steering position, the clutch plate 30 is supported by the locking mechanism and held by the lid body 22 in that state.

In other words, the movable case 21 rotates in the handle rotation direction, and the spiral coil tape parts l and j23 are rewound (or wound up) in the same direction.

Therefore, even if the coil tape member 23 is installed in a spiral state that is biased to one side from its neutral state, the handle will not become impossible to rotate due to the bias.

In other words, if an external force is applied to lock the handle within the range in which the handle can be rotated, the locking mechanism of the clutch plate 30 is released and the bias of the coil tape member 23 relative to the handle is absorbed. In other words, this embodiment also has the above-mentioned first
In addition, in the two embodiments described above, the spring-up force of the elastic arm 12.32 that unlocks the clutch plate 10.30, that is, the slip initiation By configuring the locking mechanism so that the torque is less than the cutting strength of the coil tape member 3.23, the coil tape member 3.2
3. Cutting can also be effectively prevented.

Further, if the clutch plate 10.30 is formed of a printed circuit board and the annular contact pieces 11, 3+ are formed of printed foil, the clutch plate can be manufactured at low cost.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 to 13 show embodiments of the present invention, and FIGS.
Figure 6 shows the first embodiment, and Figures 7 to 13 show the second embodiment.
Embodiments are shown, and FIGS. 1 and 7 are sectional views of essential parts of the electrical connection device between the steering wheel and the steering column according to the 11th and 2nd embodiments, and FIG. ■Bending line arrow view Motherland Figure 3 is a perspective view of the clutch plate and elastic arm, Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in Figure 1, Figure 5 is a perspective view of the spiral coil tape member, Figure 6 The figure is a perspective view in the direction of the X arrow in Figure 1 showing the elastic arm of the locking mechanism, Figure 8 is a view in the direction of the ■-■ bending line in Figure 7, and Figure 9 is a perspective view of the clutch plate. is a detailed view of the top surface of the clutch plate, 1st
Figure 1 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line
1.21...Movable case (lid), la, 21
a-bottom wall, l b, 2 l b = winding shaft circumferential boss portion, lc...groove, ld, 21d...locking tab, 1
e, 21 e・-・' pin, l f, 21 f-・
・Annular wall, 2.22...Fixed case (lid), 2a,
22a...bottom wall, 2b, 22b...boss, 2c...
・Mounting seat, 2d...through hole, 22c...annular collar,
3.23... Spiral coil tape member, 3a, 23
a... Electric conductor, 3b... Inner end, 3c, 23c.
...Outer end, 3d, 23d...One side in the axial direction, 4a
, 4b; 24a, 24b-contact piece (contact piece member), 24c・
...Printed foil, 5.25...Brush, 6...Printed wiring board, 6a...Through hole, 7,8.27.28.
・・External terminal section, 7a, 8a; 27a, 28a・
... Enclosing wall for connector, 9.29... Screw, 10.
30...Clutch plate, 10a, 30a-top surface, 30b
-... Lower surface, 10c, 30c... Locking recess (V-shaped groove;
through hole), 30d... terminal member, Z, at... annular contact piece, 12.32-... elastic arm, 12a, 32a.
= Locking claw, 33... rivet.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A spiral coil tape member (3; 23) that relays and connects the electric signal line on the steering column side and the electric signal line on the steering wheel side is provided between the steering column and the steering wheel. The storage case (A; B) includes a fixed case (2; 22) fixed to the steering column side and the fixed case (2; In the electrical connection device, the movable case (1; 21) is rotatably mounted on the fixed case (2; 22) and rotated together with the handle on the movable case (22). 1; 21) and fixed case (2; 22)
A coil tape member (3
The clutch plate (10; 30) is held via a locking mechanism so as to face one surface (3d; 23d) in the axial direction of the spiral coil tape member (3; 23); One end (3b, 3c; 23b, 23c) is fixed to the second case of either the movable case (1; 21) or the fixed case (2; 22), and the other end (3b, 3c)
; 23b, 23c) are fixed at predetermined positions on the clutch plate (10; 30), and the clutch plate (10; 30) is fixed to the clutch plate surface (10a, 10b; 30a, 30b) on the first case side. An annular contact piece (11; 31) electrically connected to the coil tape member (3; 23) is provided on the top, while a first case facing the annular contact piece (11; 31) is provided with an annular contact piece (11; A brush (
5; 25), and a contact piece (5; 25) that is electrically connected to the brush (5; 25) and protrudes outward through the first case.
4a; 24a), and a clutch plate (10; 30
) is released from the locking mechanism by a torque above a certain level and is moved relative to either the movable case (1; 21) or the fixed case (2; 22) holding the clutch plate (10; 30). An electrical connection device between a steering wheel and a steering column, characterized in that the steering wheel can be rotated. 2. The clutch plate (10) is attached to a movable case (1) as a first case, and the lock mechanism is configured between the movable case (1) and the clutch plate (10). An electrical connection device between a steering wheel and a steering column according to item 1. 3. The clutch plate (30) is attached to a fixed case (22) as a first case, and the fixed case (22)
2. The electrical connection device between a steering wheel and a steering column according to claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism is configured between a clutch plate (30) and a clutch plate (30). 4. Item 1, wherein the locking mechanism is comprised of an elastic arm (12) provided on the movable case (1) and a locking recess (10c) formed on the periphery of the clutch plate (10). or an electrical connection device between the steering wheel and the steering column according to paragraph 2. 5. The lock mechanism comprises an elastic arm (32) fixed to the fixed case (22) and a locking recess (30c) formed in the clutch plate (30).
An electrical connection device between a steering wheel and a steering column according to item 3 or 3. 6. Items 1, 2, and 3, wherein the clutch plate (10, 30) is formed of a printed circuit board.
An electrical connection device between a steering wheel and a steering column according to item 1, 4 or 5.