JPH0710008A - Electricity conducting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an electricity conducting device capable of shortening the overall length of a flat cable without causing friction which interferes the smooth motion of the flat cable and malfunction due to friction and without enlarging the size so much. CONSTITUTION:When a steering wheel is rotated, a large gear 13a is rotated together with an upper case 12 in one direction, and the small gear 15a meshing the large gear 13a rotates in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the large gear 13a. Due to this constitution, a flat cable 17, which is rotated in the forward direction by the cylindrical section 13b of a large gear member 13 and the cylindrical section 15b of a small gear member 15, is drawn from one side and wound in the other side.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a power supply device for electrically connecting a rotating steering side and a vehicle body side.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as this type, there is one shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, for example. In both figures, reference numeral 78 is a fixed case which is fixed to the vehicle body side (not shown) and has an annular shape, and an annular movable case 72 is rotatably disposed in the fixed case 78. The steering shaft 74 is inserted through the central portion of the movable case 72,
The steering shaft 74 and the movable case 72 rotate together.

A band-shaped flat cable 68 is wound around the inner cylinder of the fixed case 78 with a margin and accommodated in an internal space 106 formed by the cases 72 and 78. The portion 76 is an inner cylinder of the fixed case 78, and the inner peripheral side end portion 70 is a movable case 72.
It is fixed to each outer cylinder. This outer peripheral end 76
Is connected to an electric device on the vehicle body side (not shown), and the conductive wires 96, 98, etc. from the inner peripheral side end portion 70 are
It is connected to an airbag device 42 arranged in the steering wheel 14.

According to this structure, when the steering wheel 14 is rotated, the flat cable 68 is reduced in diameter and the number of turns is increased in accordance with the direction of rotation, or the number of turns is decreased and the diameter is increased, whereby The rotation of the steering wheel 14 will be absorbed. Therefore, even if the airbag device 42 provided integrally with the steering wheel 14 is rotated along with the rotation of the steering wheel 14, the power supply to the electric device on the vehicle body side is maintained via the flat cable 68. .

[0005]

However, in such a conventional one, the steering wheel 14 is used.
Since the number of turns of the flat cable 68 is changed in accordance with the rotation of the flat cable 68, friction may occur during the change, smooth operation may not be performed, and there is a possibility that problems such as reduction in the life of the flat cable 68 due to wear may occur. is there.

Further, since the flat cable 68 is wound around one axis and the diameter is reduced or expanded in accordance with the rotation of the steering wheel 14, the length of the flat cable 68 should be made as short as possible. Then (when trying to make the length obtained by multiplying the circumference of the inner cylinder of the fixed case 78 by the rotation speed n of the steering wheel 14), the movable case 7
Since the size of the second outer cylinder becomes extremely large, the flat cable 68 is conventionally lengthened so that the outer cylinder of the movable case 72, that is, the overall size is not so large.

Therefore, the present invention does not cause friction that hinders the smooth operation of the flat cable, does not cause troubles due to wear, and does not increase the overall size of the flat cable. It is an object of the present invention to provide an energization device that can shorten the overall length of the.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides an energizing device for electrically connecting a steering side electric device provided in a steering wheel and a vehicle body side electric device provided on a vehicle body side. A first gear that rotates in synchronism with the steering shaft about the steering shaft and a second gear that transmits the rotation of the first gear, and a tubular portion is provided on both gears, and the first gear side One end of the flat cable is attached to the tubular portion of the second gear, and the other end is attached to the tubular portion on the side of the second gear, and the flat cable is wound around both tubular portions. The present invention is characterized in that it is an energization device electrically connected to a device and the other end thereof electrically connected to a vehicle-side electric device.

Further, the flat cable is connected to the first,
It may be wound around both cylinders of the second gear in the forward direction, or the rotation of the first gear may be transmitted to the second gear via an intermediate gear, and the flat cable may be connected to the first and second gears. You may wind in both cylinder parts in the opposite direction.

Furthermore, one end of the flat cable may be electrically connected to the electric device on the vehicle body side through a curl cord, and the winding diameter of the curl cord may be changed from the connection end on the flat cable side to the above. It may be gradually increased toward the connection end on the vehicle body side electric device side.

[0011]

According to this structure, when the steering wheel is rotated, the first gear rotates, and the rotation of the first gear is transmitted to the second gear to rotate the second gear. The flat cable wound around is pulled out from one side and wound around the other side. By such an operation, the rotation of the steering is absorbed, and the electrical connection between the steering side electric device and the vehicle body side electric device is ensured.

Further, the rotation of the first gear is transmitted to the second gear via the intermediate gear, and the flat cable is wound in opposite directions on both cylinders of the first and second gears, whereby the second gear is Since it rotates in the forward direction with the rotation of the first gear and the bending direction of the flat cable does not reverse between both tube parts, repeated flat tension and compressive stress on the flat cable are eliminated, and breakage of the flat cable is prevented. can do.

Further, by electrically connecting one end of the flat cable to the electric device on the vehicle body side through the curl cord, the rotation of the flat cable can be absorbed by the change in the number of turns and the winding diameter of the curl cord. Also, by gradually increasing the curl cord winding diameter from the connection end on the flat cable side toward the connection end on the vehicle body side electric device side, the flat cable rotates in the direction in which the curl cord is loosened and the winding diameter is Even if it increases, the maximum winding diameter of the curl cord on the flat cable side is kept relatively small,
It is possible to prevent the curl cord from breaking and shortening its life due to the interference between the curl cord and other members.

[0014]

EXAMPLES The present invention will be described below based on examples.

1 to 6 show a first embodiment of the present invention.

First, the structure will be described.
Lower case fixed to the vehicle body side (not shown), reference numeral 1 in the figure
An upper case 2 is attached to a steering wheel (not shown), and a large gear member 13 is attached to the upper case 12, and the upper case 12 is the lower case 1.
1, the large gear member 13 is a space portion 1 formed by the upper case 12 and the lower case 11.
It is designed to be rotatably housed in 4. Also,
The small gear 1 that meshes with the large gear 13a of the large gear member 13
A small gear member 15 having 5a is rotatably housed in the lower case 11, and the small gear member 15 is closed by a gear case 16.

More specifically, the large gear member 13 is referred to as "first
It has a large gear 13a as a "gear" and a cylindrical portion 13b protruding upward from the large gear 13a. And
A fitting portion 13c fitted into the pair of fitting holes 12a of the upper case 12 is formed at the upper end of the tubular portion 13b.

The upper case 12 is a pair of clip portions 1 protruding upward and attached to the steering wheel.
2b is formed, and a cylindrical portion 12c is formed so as to project downward and the steering shaft is inserted. The tubular portion 12c is formed to have a diameter that can be inserted into the tubular portion 13b of the large gear member 13 and the circular opening 11a formed in the bottom portion of the lower case 11. Further, the tubular portion 12c of the upper case 12 is provided with four locking portions 12d which are locked to the rear surface side of the peripheral edge portion of the opening 11a of the lower case 11 at the lower end portion side, and the large gear member 13 is provided. Also, the lower case 1 is inserted through the notches 13d and 11b formed in the peripheral portion of the lower case opening 11a.
Two protrusions 12e are formed to protrude to the back surface side of the bottom surface portion. These protrusions 12e are for canceling the winker lever of the combination switch. Then, the locking portions 12d are locked to the peripheral portion of the lower case opening 11a, and the protrusions 12e project to the rear surface side of the bottom portion of the lower case 11, so that the upper case 1
2 is rotatably attached to the lower case 11 in a non-separable state with one touch. A steering shaft (not shown) is inserted into the tubular portion 12c of the upper case 12.

Further, the small gear member 15 is a "second gear".
And a cylindrical portion 15b,
A tubular portion 11c protruding upward from the lower case 11 is inserted into the tubular portion 15b, so that the pinion gear member 15 rotates around the tubular portion 11c of the lower case 11.

The flat cable 17 is connected to the cylindrical portion 13b of the large gear member 13 and the cylindrical portion 15b of the small gear member 15.
Is wound in the forward direction. This flat cable 17
One end portion 17a of the small gear member 15 is attached to the cylindrical portion 13b of the large gear member 13, and the other end portion 17b of the small gear member 15 is attached to the cylindrical portion 13b.
It is attached to b. The ratio of the diameters of the cylindrical portions 13b and 15b is set to be the same as the tooth ratio of the large gear 13a and the small gear 15a.

One end 17a of the flat cable 17
The side is connected to the steering side connector 18.
Specifically, the one end 17a side is turned inside the tubular portion 13b through a slit 13e formed in the tubular portion 13b of the large gear member 13, and the tubular portion 1 of the upper case 12 is rotated.
2c is extended upward from between 2c and through the insertion slit 12f of the upper case 12.
It is derived as shown in. In addition, the flat cable 17
One end 19a of the curl cord 19 inserted into the tubular portion 11c of the lower case 11 is connected to the other end 17b side of the. The other end 19b of the curl cord 19 is connected to a vehicle body side connector 20 fixed to the vehicle body.

Then, the steering side connector 18
Is connected to an airbag device or the like as a “steering-side electric device” on the steering wheel side, and the vehicle body side connector 20 is connected to a vehicle body side electric device on the vehicle body side.

Next, the operation will be described.

When the steering wheel is rotated, the large gear 13a rotates in one direction together with the upper case 12, and the small gear 15a meshing with this rotates in the opposite direction.
As a result, the flat cable 17 wound in the forward direction around the cylindrical portion 13b of the large gear member 13 and the cylindrical portion 15b of the small gear member 15 is pulled out from one side and wound around the other side. . Further, the number of turns and the winding diameter of the curl cord 19 change with the rotation of the small gear member 15. FIG. 4 shows a state in which the winding diameter of the curl cord 19 decreases and the number of windings increases. By these operations, the rotation of the steering wheel is absorbed, and stable energization can be performed between the steering side connector 18 and the vehicle body side connector 20. In this case, when the steering wheel is rotated to the maximum extent, the flat cable 17 is set to be entirely wound around one of the tubular portion 13b and the tubular portion 15b.

As described above, the two axes, that is, the two cylindrical portions 13
By winding the flat cable 17 between the b and 15b in the forward direction, the flat cable 17 pulled out from the tubular portions 13b and 15b on one side is rotated when the steering wheel is rotated. , 13b, so that unlike the conventional one in which the winding diameter of the flat cable 17 changes around one axis, no large friction occurs between the flat cables 17, In addition to smooth operation, there is no problem such as a reduction in the life of the flat cable 17 due to wear. Moreover, since there is no slack, it is possible to prevent the generation of abnormal noise due to vibration or the like.

Further, since the flat cable 17 is wound around two axes, that is, the two tubular portions 13b and 15b,
Unlike the conventional one that is wound around one shaft (inner cylinder 1a), the thickness of the flat cable 17 is taken into consideration from the product of the steering speed and the circumferential length of the large gear cylinder 13b. Only a slightly longer flat cable 17 needs to be prepared. Moreover, in this case, the portion where the pinion gear member 15 side is arranged is projected, but in the conventional case, the flat cable 17 has the same length as that of this embodiment, and steering is performed. If an attempt is made to obtain the same number of rotations, the diameter of the movable case outer cylinder 3a becomes larger than that including the protruding portion.
Therefore, in this embodiment, the flat cable 17 can be shortened without increasing the size of the entire apparatus.

FIG. 7 shows a second embodiment of the present invention.

This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the following points. That is, the large gear 13
An intermediate gear 21 meshing with a and the small gear 15a is housed in the lower case 11, and the rotation of the large gear 13a is transmitted to the small gear 15a via the intermediate gear 21. The rotary shaft 11d attached to the lower case 11 is inserted into the center hole 21a of the intermediate gear 21,
The intermediate gear 21 rotates around the rotating shaft 11d. The center-to-center distance between the large gear 13a and the small gear 15a is set to be larger than the sum of the pitch circle radii of both gears so that they do not directly mesh with each other. The flat cable 17 is wound around the cylindrical portion 13b of the large gear member 13 and the cylindrical portion 15b of the small gear member 15 in opposite directions.

When the steering wheel is rotated, the large gear 13a rotates together with the upper case 12 in one direction, and the intermediate gear 21 meshing with the large gear 13a rotates in the opposite direction. Further, the small gear 15a meshing with the intermediate gear 21 rotates in the direction opposite to the rotation of the intermediate gear 21, that is, in the forward direction with the rotation of the large gear 13a. Thereby, the cylindrical portion 13b of the large gear member 13 and the small gear member 15
The flat cable 17 wound around the cylindrical portion 15b in the opposite direction is pulled out from one side and wound around the other side while keeping the bending direction constant.

As described above, the rotation of the large gear 13a is transmitted to the small gear 15a through the intermediate gear 21, and the flat cable 17 is wound in the opposite direction around the cylindrical portions 13b and 15b. The gear 13a rotates in the forward direction and the flat cable 17 bends in the tubular portion 13
Flat cable 1 without reversing between b and 15b
The winding of 7 is performed. For this reason, unlike the case of the first embodiment, the bending direction of the flat cable 17 is reversed, and tensile and compressive stress is not repeatedly applied to the surface of the flat cable 17 each time it is wound up. It is possible to prevent the deterioration of the life.

The other constructions and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the explanation thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 9 shows a third embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, each winding diameter of the curl cord 19 'has a small gear 15a in its initial state (the steering wheel goes straight) as shown in FIG. 9 (b).
The first and second embodiments are different in that the entire curl cord 19 ′ is formed such that the curl cord 19 ′ is gradually increased from the one end portion 19′a on the side toward the other end portion 19′b on the side of the vehicle body side connector 20. Is different.

That is, in the first and second embodiments, the winding diameter of the curl cord 19 is as shown in FIG.
As shown in (b), the one end portion 19a on the side of the pinion gear 15a to the other end portion 19b on the side of the vehicle body side connector 20 is uniformly molded. Even if the curl cord 19 is maximally squeezed as shown in FIG. 8C, the curl intervals are determined so that the curls do not come into contact with each other and are not entangled. In such a configuration, when the small gear 15a rotates in the direction in which the curl cord 19 is loosened, as shown in FIG.
Although the number of windings of the curl cord 19 decreases and the winding diameter increases, the winding diameter change due to the rotation of the small gear 15a is larger particularly on the upper end portion 19a side which is the rotating side than on the end portion 19b side which is the fixed side. . Therefore, if the inner diameter of the tubular portion 11c of the lower case 11 is small, the curl cord 19 may cause the tubular portion 11 to move.
It comes into contact with the inner wall of c, and the curl cord 19 is likely to be broken or the life of the curl cord 19 is shortened. In order to prevent this, it is conceivable to increase the inner diameter of the tubular portion 11c, but this leads to an increase in the size of the entire device.

On the other hand, in the third embodiment, when the small gear 15a rotates in the direction in which the curl cord 19 'is wound, the number of curl cord 19' turns increases as shown in FIG. 9 (c). At the same time, the winding diameter on the 19'a side is further reduced. On the contrary, when the small gear 15a rotates in the direction in which the curl cord 19 'is loosened, the number of turns of the curl cord 19' is reduced and the winding diameter on the 19'a side is increased, as shown in FIG. 9 (a). Become. However, since the winding diameter on the 19'a side is originally set small in the initial state,
It can be kept small as compared with the cases of the first and second embodiments.

In this way, by making the winding diameter of the one end portion 19'a where the winding diameter change is large due to the rotation of the small gear 15a smaller than the winding diameter of the other end portion 19'b where the winding diameter change is small, the curl is reduced. Small gear 15a in the direction in which the winding of the cord 19 'is loosened
Even when the coil rotates and the winding diameter increases, the winding diameter on the end 19'a side can be suppressed to a relatively small value. Therefore, without increasing the inner diameter of the tubular portion 11c of the lower case 11, it is possible to prevent the curl cord 19 'from being disconnected and shortening the life due to the contact between the curl cord 19' and the inner wall of the tubular portion 11c. Therefore, the cylindrical portion 11c of the lower case 11 is made smaller,
The entire device can be downsized.

The other constructions and effects are the same as those of the first and second embodiments, and the explanation thereof will be omitted.

[0038]

As described above, according to the present invention, the flat cable is wound around the two shafts, that is, the two tubular portions, so that when the steering wheel is rotated, the flat cable is pulled out from the tubular portion on one side. Since the flat cable is wound around the other side of the cylinder, the flat cable has a large winding diameter, unlike the conventional one in which the winding diameter of the flat cable changes around one axis. Since friction does not occur, smooth operation is possible, and problems such as shortening the life of the flat cable due to wear do not occur. Moreover, since there is no slack, it is possible to prevent the generation of abnormal noise due to vibration or the like. In addition, the flat cable can be shortened without increasing the size of the entire device, which is a practically useful effect.

Further, the rotation of the first gear is transmitted to the second gear via the intermediate gear, and the flat cable is wound in the opposite direction on both cylinder portions of the first and second gears, whereby the second gear is Since it rotates in the forward direction with the rotation of the first gear and the bending direction of the flat cable does not reverse between both tube parts, repeated flat tension and compressive stress on the flat cable are eliminated, and breakage of the flat cable is prevented. can do.

Further, by electrically connecting one end of the flat cable to the electric device on the vehicle body side through the curl cord, the rotation of the flat cable can be absorbed by the change in the number of windings and the winding diameter of the curl cord. Also, by gradually increasing the curl cord winding diameter from the connection end on the flat cable side toward the connection end on the vehicle body side electric device side, the flat cable rotates in the direction in which the curl cord is loosened and the winding diameter is Even when the curl cord is increased, the winding diameter of the curl cord on the flat cable side can be suppressed to a relatively small value, and the curl cord can be prevented from being broken or its life shortened due to interference between the curl cord and other members.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a current carrying device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an energization device of the same embodiment in an assembled state.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the current-carrying device of the same embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 2 showing the same embodiment.

5 is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 2 showing the same embodiment.

6 is a sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. 3 showing the same embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a power supply device showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view showing the operation of the curl cord 19 in the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 shows a curl cord 1 according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
It is an expanded sectional view which shows the effect | action of 9 '.

FIG. 10 is a partially cutaway front view showing a conventional example.

11 is a sectional view taken along the line DD of FIG. 10 showing a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 12 Upper case 13a Large gear (first gear) 13b Cylindrical part 15a Small gear (second gear) 15b Cylindrical part 17 Flat cable 17a One end 17b The other end

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An energizing device for electrically connecting a steering side electric device provided on a steering wheel and a vehicle body side electric device provided on a vehicle body side, wherein the steering device rotates about a steering shaft in synchronization with the steering shaft. One gear and a second gear to which the rotation of the first gear is transmitted are provided, and a tubular portion is provided on both gears. One end of the flat cable is attached to the tubular portion on the side of the first gear, and the other end is The flat cable is attached to the second gear side cylinder part, and the flat cable is wound around both cylinder parts, one end of the flat cable is electrically connected to the steering side electric device, and the other end is connected to the vehicle body side. An energizing device characterized by being electrically connected to an electric device. 2. An energizing device for electrically connecting a steering side electric device provided on a steering wheel and a vehicle body side electric device provided on a vehicle body side, wherein the steering shaft is rotated about a steering shaft in synchronization with the steering shaft. One gear and a second gear that meshes with the first gear are provided, a tubular portion is provided on both gears, one end of the flat cable is provided at the first gear-side tubular portion, and the other end is provided at the second portion. The flat cable is attached to the gear-side cylinder, and the flat cable is wound in the forward direction on both cylinders, one end of the flat cable is electrically connected to the steering-side electric device, and the other end is connected to the vehicle body. An energizing device characterized by being electrically connected to an electric device. 3. An energizing device for electrically connecting a steering side electric device provided on a steering wheel and a vehicle body side electric device provided on a vehicle body side, wherein the steering device rotates about a steering shaft in synchronization with the steering shaft. A first gear and a second gear that transmits rotation of the first gear via an intermediate gear and rotates in the same direction as the first gear; and a tubular portion is provided on the first and second gears. One end of the flat cable is attached to the tubular portion on the side of the first gear, and the other end is attached to the tubular portion on the side of the second gear.
The flat cable is wound around both cylinders in opposite directions, one end of the flat cable is electrically connected to the steering side electric device, and the other end is electrically connected to the vehicle body side electric device. An energizing device characterized by. 4. An energizing device for electrically connecting a steering side electric device provided on a steering wheel and a vehicle body side electric device provided on a vehicle body side, wherein the steering device rotates about a steering shaft in synchronization with the steering shaft. One gear and a second gear to which the rotation of the first gear is transmitted are provided, a tubular portion is provided on both gears, and one end of the flat cable is attached to the tubular portion on the first gear side and the other end is attached to the second gear. The flat cable is attached to the tubular portion on the side of the second gear, the flat cables are wound around the tubular portions, one end of the flat cable is electrically connected to the electric device on the steering side, and the other end is on the vehicle body side. A current-carrying device, which is electrically connected to an electric device via a curl cord. 5. The current-carrying device according to claim 4, wherein the winding diameter of the curl cord is sequentially increased from the connection end on the flat cable side toward the connection end on the vehicle body side electric device side.