JPH07193957A - Cable reel - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To allow easy and positive matching of the engaging position of a cable reel and the operating position of a steering wheel by providing a stop part having a part into which an operating part can be inserted only when the frame part is engaged with the shaft part. CONSTITUTION:When a rotary member, e.g. a steering wheel 24, is removed for the purpose of maintenance, the steering wheel 24 is set at a neutral position and the operating part 57c of a lock body 57 is rotated by about 90 deg. while pushing downward thus setting the operating part 57c at a rectangular hole 29b made in a boss plate 28. Consequently, a plate part 57b and a recessed part 39 are engaged each other to lock the rotation of a cable reel thus allowing to draw the steering wheel 24 upward. Under a state where the cable reel and the steering wheel 24 are removed, the rotor 14 and the stator 15 do not rotate relatively thus causing no positional shift.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cable reel device for connecting members that rotate relative to each other with a cable.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, an actual Kaihei 4-112140 is used.
A cable reel device described in Japanese Patent Publication is known. This cable reel device electrically connects an electric component provided on the vehicle body side of an automobile and an electric component provided on the steering wheel side that rotates in the forward and reverse directions with a cable. .

The cable is housed inside a hollow ring-shaped case body fitted to the steering shaft. The case body includes a fixed body having a tubular frame portion fixed to a member on the vehicle body side, and a movable body having a tubular shaft portion provided inside the frame portion and rotating with the steering wheel. Are rotatably combined with each other. The cable is housed in a space formed between the frame and the shaft, with one end attached to the frame and the other end attached to the shaft.

Further, in this cable reel device,
A lock member is provided that connects the fixed body and the movable body to prevent rotation of the movable body. Therefore, when the steering device is assembled, the operation position of the steering device and the engagement position of the cable reel device can be matched with each other.

However, this actual Kaihei 4-11214
In the configuration of Japanese Patent Publication No. 0, the lock member is removed and the lock is released before the steering wheel and the cable reel device are assembled. Therefore, there is a problem that the cable reel device may rotate and the mounting position may shift from the unlocking of the cable reel device to the mounting of the steering wheel. In addition, it is difficult to confirm the engagement position of the cable reel device even when the steering wheel is removed during maintenance of the automobile, and the mounting position may be displaced.

In this respect, for example, a cable reel device described in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 4-41590 is known. In this cable reel device, for example, a rotatable gear is attached to a rotating body that rotates together with a steering wheel, and an engaging groove that meshes with the gear is provided in a fixed body that is fixed to the vehicle body side. I am configuring. By aligning the marks provided on the gear and the engagement groove with each other, the engagement position of the cable reel device can be easily confirmed.

However, this actual fairness 4-41590
In the configuration of the publication, it is necessary to provide a member such as a gear that rotates accurately as the rotating body rotates. Therefore, there is a problem that the number of parts increases and the manufacturing cost increases.

Also, for example, a cable reel device described in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 3-39911 is known.
In this cable reel device, there is provided a lever member that connects the fixed body and the rotating body and blocks the rotation of the movable body. The lever member is rotatably supported at its one end by a fixed body, and is biased by a spring or the like in a direction to engage and fix the fixed body and the rotating body. Further, the vehicle body-side member is provided with a protrusion that abuts against the lever member and rotates the lever member against the biasing force of the spring. Therefore, in this configuration, when the steering device is assembled, the engagement between the fixed body and the rotating body is automatically released, and the operation position of the steering device and the engagement position of the cable reel device can be matched. You can do it.

However, this actual fairness 3-39911
According to the configuration of the publication, when the steering wheel is removed during maintenance of the vehicle, the cable reel device is not fixed unless the steering wheel is accurately aligned with the operating position and then the steering wheel is removed. Therefore, if the steering wheel is inadvertently removed, it becomes difficult to confirm the engagement position of the cable reel device, and the movable body may rotate and the mounting position may be displaced. There is.

[0010]

As described above, in the configuration of Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 4-112140, the cable reel is released after the cable reel device is unlocked and before the steering wheel is mounted. There is a possibility that the device will rotate and the engagement position will shift, and it is difficult to check the engagement position of the cable reel device even if the steering wheel is removed during maintenance of the automobile, etc. Possibly having problems. Further, in the configuration of Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 4-41590, it is necessary to provide the rotating body with a member such as a gear that accurately rotates with rotation, which causes a problem that the number of parts increases and the manufacturing cost increases. There is. In the configuration disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 3-39911, when the steering wheel is removed during maintenance of the vehicle, etc., unless the steering wheel is removed accurately after the steering wheel is accurately aligned with the operating position, the cable reel If the device is not fixed and the steering wheel is inadvertently removed, it becomes difficult to confirm the engagement position of the cable reel device, and the movable body may rotate and the mounting position may shift. have.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a cable reel device capable of easily and reliably matching the engagement position of the cable reel device with the operation position of the steering wheel. The purpose is to do.

[0012]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cable reel device in which a frame portion having a substantially cylindrical shape and a rotatable inside portion of the frame portion in the forward and reverse directions relative to the frame portion. A case having an axial portion provided therein, and a cable storage formed between the frame portion and the shaft portion, one end of which is connected to the frame portion and the other end of which is connected to the shaft portion. In a cable reel device, which comprises a cable housed in a portion, is mounted between rotating members that rotate relative to each other, and connects these rotating members with the cable, the case includes:
While providing a lock mechanism including an engagement portion that engageably and disengageably engages and disengages the frame portion and the shaft portion, and an operation portion that engages and disengages the engagement portion, at least one of the rotating members, The locking part is provided with an insertion part through which the operation part can be inserted only when the frame part and the shaft part are engaged with each other.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cable reel device.
In the cable reel device according to claim 1, the case and the rotating member are positioned and connected by the engagement of the lock mechanism of the case and the locking portion of the rotating member.

[0014]

In the cable reel device according to the present invention, the cable reel device is disposed between the rotating members which rotate in the forward and reverse directions, and each rotating member has a frame portion and a shaft portion. These rotating members are connected by a cable housed in a cable housing portion between the frame portion and the shaft portion, and electric power or a signal is transmitted by the cable. Then, the case is provided with a lock mechanism including an engaging portion that engageably fixes the frame portion and the shaft portion in a disengageable manner, and an operation portion that disengages the engaging portion, and at least one of the rotating members. Since the locking portion having the insertion portion through which the operation portion can be inserted is provided only when the frame portion and the shaft portion are engaged, the rotation is performed only when the frame portion and the shaft portion are engaged and fixed. Attachment and detachment work of the member and the reel device for the cable is performed,
When the rotating member and the cable reel device are detached from each other, the frame portion and the shaft portion do not rotate with respect to each other, and the mounting position does not shift.

According to the cable reel device of the second aspect, in addition to the action of the first aspect, the case and the rotating member are positioned and connected by the engagement of the lock mechanism of the case and the locking portion of the rotating member. Therefore, the structure is simplified, the number of parts is reduced, and the assembling work is facilitated.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The construction of an embodiment of a cable reel device of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In FIGS. 1 to 3, 11 is a case,
The case 11 is formed into a substantially hollow ring shape by combining an assembly member 12, a rotor 14, a stator 15, an outer case 16 and the like, which are integrally formed of a synthetic resin such as copolymerized polyacetal. An annular cable housing 17 is formed inside the case 11, and an annular guide body 21 and a flat cable 22 as a cable are housed in the cable housing 17 for the cable. A reel device is configured.

This cable reel device is, for example, in a state of being fitted to a steering shaft of an automobile, a so-called combination switch as a rotating member, and a steering wheel 24 as a rotating member shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. Is installed between. Further, the steering wheel 24 has an annular rim portion 25, a boss portion 26 located inside the rim portion 25, and a spoke portion 27 connecting the rim portion 25 and the boss portion 26. There is. The boss portion 26 has a substantially cylindrical boss (not shown) and a boss plate as a locking portion fixed to the boss.
28 is provided, and by fitting this boss to the upper end portion of the steering shaft, the steering wheel rotates together with the steering shaft. Further, the boss plate 28 is formed with an insertion hole 29 as an insertion portion, which is located on one side of the boss. The insertion hole 29 connects a circular hole 29a having a planar circular shape and a rectangular hole 29b having a planar rectangular shape, and is formed in a planar substantially keyhole shape. Further, the lower part of the steering wheel is covered with a lower cover 30 made of synthetic resin.

On the other hand, the combination switch is a member which is fixed without rotating and is fitted to the steering column provided outside the steering shaft and attached to the vehicle body side. The flat cable 22 of the cable reel device serves as an electric component such as an airbag device provided on a steering wheel, a horn switch, an operation switch of a constant speed traveling device (ASCD), an operation switch of an audio device, and a vehicle body. Electrical components such as a battery, a shock sensor, a horn device, a constant speed traveling device, and an audio device provided on the side are electrically connected.

Further, the steering shaft is connected to a steering gear of an automobile and, for example, from the neutral position to the left and right in two rotations to 2.5 depending on the gear ratio of the steering gear. The more you rotate, the more you can rotate.
That is, a so-called lock-to-lock can be rotated about 4 to 5 times at maximum.

The flat cable 22 is, for example,
Multiple conductors such as 2 to 9 are arranged in parallel and are integrally covered with an insulating film, etc.
Further, it is formed in a band shape having some elasticity. In the vicinity of both ends of the flat cable 22, a conversion part formed of synthetic resin or the like at the end of the cable C, respectively.
22a is connected. Further, a connector (not shown) is connected to an end of the cable C, and is attached to the other connector provided on the steering wheel body and the combination switch, respectively, so as to be electrically connected.

Further, the outer case 16 is an outer cylinder portion having a cylindrical shape.
Has 31. A vehicle body side mounting portion 32 having a substantially trapezoidal shape in a plan view is provided on the outer peripheral side so as to project from the lower end portion of the outer tubular portion 31. Further, from the outer peripheral edge portion of the vehicle body side mounting portion 32, a mounting piece portion 33 is provided so as to project downward, and mounting holes 34 fixed to the combination switch are formed at four corners of the mounting piece portion 33. ing. Then, the vehicle body side mounting portion 32
A plurality of stator fixing portions (not shown) are formed on the lower surface side of the. The stator fixing portion is composed of a recessed portion that is recessed upward and a caulking pin that projects from the recessed portion. A cable lead-out portion 36 that projects laterally and opens downward is formed on one side of the outer tubular portion 31.

Further, from the vicinity of the upper end portion of the outer tubular portion 31, a ring-shaped guide body holding portion 37 is provided so as to protrude inward. Further, on the upper side of the guide body holding portion 37, two substantially linear annular protrusion portions 37a, 37b are provided so as to project. Further, the guide body holding portion 37 is formed with a flat surface portion 38 on which the ridge portions 37a, 37b are not formed, and the flat surface portion 38 is formed with an engaging recess 39 which constitutes an engaging portion.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the stator 15 has a disc-shaped lower plate portion 41 fitted near the lower end portion of the outer cylindrical portion 31 of the outer case 16. A fitting hole 41a is formed in the central portion of the lower plate portion 41. Further, from the outer peripheral portion of the lower plate portion 41, there is formed a protruding piece portion 42 that fits into a recessed portion of the stator fixing portion of the outer case 16, and each of the protruding piece portions 42 has a stator fixing portion. A caulking hole 42a through which the caulking pin is inserted is formed. And
By inserting the caulking pin of the stator fixing portion into the caulking hole 42a and thermally caulking the protruding piece portion 42, the stator is fixed.
15 and the outer case 16 are fixed. Further, on the upper surface portion of the lower plate portion 41, two groove portions 43a, 43b forming an annular shape are formed.
Is recessed downward.

A substantially cylindrical frame portion 44 is provided so as to project upward from the vicinity of the outer peripheral portion of the lower plate portion 41 of the stator 15. The frame portion 44 is formed so as to be spaced inside the outer tubular portion 31 of the outer case 16, and between the outer tubular portion 31 and the frame portion 44, a substantially cylindrical outer peripheral side space portion. 45
Are formed. Further, an outer peripheral side cable lead-out portion 46 is provided at one side of the frame portion 44. The outer peripheral side cable lead-out portion 46 includes the outer peripheral side insertion portion 44a formed in the frame portion 44 and the frame portion 44 in a state of covering the outer peripheral side insertion portion 44a.
And a substantially arc-shaped closing plate 47 provided on the inner peripheral side. The flat cable 22 stored in the cable storage portion 17 is sandwiched between the frame portion 44 and the closing plate 47 and is held vertically, and the frame portion 44 and the closing plate 47 are connected to each other. Through the space, the outer peripheral side insertion portion 44a is led to the outer peripheral portion of the frame portion 44.

Further, the flat cable 22 led out to the outer peripheral portion of the frame portion 44 is folded back along the outer peripheral surface of the frame portion 44, and is directed downward along a folding line in a direction intersecting the width direction. It is folded back. Further, a lower cable holding portion 48 is formed on the lower side of the outer peripheral side cable lead-out portion 46. The lower cable holding portion 48 is formed with a pair of engaging claws 48a, 48a on both sides. The engaging claws 48a, 48a are engaged with engaging recesses 22b, 22b formed in the conversion portion 22a of the flat cable 22, whereby the vicinity of one end of the flat cable 22 is engaged and held. The outer peripheral side cable lead-out portion 46 and the conversion portion 22a of the flat cable 22 are covered and protected by the cable lead-out portion 36 of the outer case 16.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the rotor 14 has a substantially disc-shaped upper plate portion 51. The upper plate portion 51 is in sliding contact with the two projecting ridge portions 37a and 37b provided on the upper side of the guide body holding portion 37 of the outer case 16.
It is rotatably arranged inside the upper end portion of the outer cylindrical portion 31 of the sixteen. A circular hole 51a is formed in the center of the upper plate portion 51. Further, caulking pins 52 are provided so as to project from four locations around the circular hole 51a. Also, this circular hole 51
An upper cable holding portion 53 is provided at one side of a. The upper cable holding portion 53 is composed of an engaging recess 53a formed by recessing the upper plate 51, and engaging claws 53b, 53b formed on both sides of the engaging recess 53a.

From the lower side of the upper plate portion 51, a circular hole 51
A shaft portion 54 having a substantially cylindrical shape is provided so as to project around a. Then, in the state where the rotor 14 and the stator 15 are combined, the shaft portion 54 of the rotor 14 and the frame portion 44 of the stator 15 are
A cable storage portion 17 is formed between and. Also,
An inner circumference side cable lead-out portion 55 is provided on one side of the shaft portion 54. The inner circumference side cable lead-out portion 55 includes a shaft portion 54
And an obstruction plate provided on the inner peripheral side of the shaft portion 54 in a state of covering the inner peripheral side insertion portion. The flat cable 22 accommodated in the cable accommodating portion 17 passes through the inner peripheral side insertion portion, passes between the inner peripheral surface of the shaft portion 54 and the closing plate, and is led out to the inner peripheral side of the shaft portion 54. Has been done. Further, the flat cable 22 led out to the inner peripheral side of the shaft portion 54 is folded back upward along a folding line in a direction intersecting the width direction and then folded back along the upper surface of the upper plate portion 51. . Then, the conversion part 22a near the other end of the flat cable 22 is fitted into the engagement recess 53a of the upper cable holding part 53 of the upper plate part 51, and the engagement claws 53b, 53b on both sides are engaged with the conversion part 22a. The vicinity of the other end of the flat cable 22 is engaged and held by the rotor 14 in a state of being engaged with the mating recesses 22b 1 and 22b 2.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, etc., in the vicinity of the outer peripheral portion on one side of the upper plate portion 51 of the rotor 14,
A lock device mounting portion 56 is formed. The lock device mounting portion 56 has a circular hole 56a and a long hole 56b that connects the circular hole 56a and the outer edge of the upper plate portion 51. A ridge portion 56c which surrounds the circular hole 56a and which is substantially C-shaped in a plane is provided so as to project upward. Also, these circular holes 56a
And the engaging plate storing portion 56d that communicates with the lower side of the elongated hole 56b and has a width dimension larger than those of the circular hole 56a and the elongated hole 56b.
Is recessed on the lower surface side of the upper plate portion 51. Further, on both sides of the circular hole 56a, a pair of caulking pins 56e, 56e on both sides are formed.
e is protruding.

A lock mechanism 60 is constructed by combining the lock device mounting portion 56 with a lock body 57, a spring body 58, a cover body 59 and the like. The lock body 57 includes a shaft portion 57a having a substantially cylindrical shape and the shaft portion 57a.
An engaging plate portion 57b that constitutes an engaging portion having a substantially planar elliptical shape protruding from the lower end portion of a, and a substantially elongated rectangular operation portion 57c protruding from the upper end portion of the shaft portion 57a, This shaft 57a
Flange portion 57 formed in a substantially disk shape protruding from the intermediate position of
It is formed from d and.

The shaft portion 57a of the lock body 57 is rotatably and vertically movable in a circular hole 56a of the upper plate portion 51, and the boss plate 28 of the steering wheel 24 is also supported.
It is adapted to be rotatably inserted into the circular hole 29a of the insertion hole 29 formed in the above.

The engaging plate portion 57b of the lock body 57 is
With the rotor 14 and the stator 15 aligned with each other in the rotational direction, the rotor 14 and the stator 15 can be fitted into the engaging recess 39 of the guide body holding portion 37 of the outer case 16 fixed to the stator 15, and the shaft portion 57a can be formed.
By rotating the engaging plate 57b in the longitudinal direction and the rotor 14 upper plate.
The engagement plate portion storage portion 56d of 51 can be fitted into the engagement plate portion storage portion 56d in a state of being aligned with the longitudinal direction.

Further, the operating portion 57c of the lock body 57 is
The operating portion 57a is projected from the upper end of the shaft portion 57a to one side.
The lock body 57 can be rotated and moved up and down by gripping c, and can be inserted in the rectangular hole 29b of the insertion hole 29 formed in the boss plate 28 of the steering wheel 24 in the longitudinal direction. Has become.

The spring body 58 is formed by winding a wire spring material into a coil, and the upper portion thereof is the flange portion of the lock body 57.
By contacting the lower surface side of 57d and fitting the lower portion around the protruding portion 56c of the rotor 14, the lock body 57 is always biased upward.

Further, the cover body 59 has a cylindrical portion 59a having a substantially cylindrical shape and a lid plate portion 59 for covering the opening on the upper side of the cylindrical portion 59a.
It has b and a pair of mounting seats 59c, 59c on both sides, which project from the lower side of the tubular portion 59a. And each mounting seat
The caulking hole 59d is formed in each 59c. Then, the caulking pin 56e of the rotor 14 is inserted into the caulking hole 59d and heat caulked, so that the cover body 59 covers the rotor 14 with the tubular portion 59a covering the flange portion 57d of the lock body 57 and the spring body 58. It is fixed to. Further, the cover plate portion 59b of the cover body 59 is formed with a through hole 59e through which the shaft portion 57a of the lock body 57 is inserted, and the through hole 59e is formed.
An insertion groove portion 59f having a substantially L-shaped cross section is formed from to one side portion of the tubular portion 59a.

Further, the assembling member 12 has an inner cylinder portion 61 having a substantially cylindrical shape. The inner cylinder portion 61 is fitted to the outside of the steering shaft or the boss of the steering wheel fitted to the steering shaft and to the inside of the shaft portion 54 of the rotor 14. Further, from the upper end portion of the inner cylinder portion 61, a flange portion 62 having a substantially annular shape is provided so as to protrude outward. Further, fixing piece portions 63 are projected from four places of the flange portion 62, and caulking holes 63a are formed in the fixing piece portions 63, respectively. Further, a stator fitting portion 64 is radially formed on the lower end portion of the inner tubular portion 61. Each stator fitting portion 64 has a substantially U-shaped cross section, and is elastically deformable toward the inner peripheral side. Further, a cable pressing portion 65 having a substantially U-shaped cross section is provided on one side of the flange portion 62 so as to project upward.

In this assembly member 12, the inner tubular portion 61 is fitted inside the shaft portion 54 of the rotor 14, and the flange portion 62 is attached to the rotor portion.
While being in contact with the upper surface of the upper plate portion 14 of the assembly 14, it is fixed to the rotor 14 by inserting the caulking pin 52 of the rotor 14 into the caulking hole 63a of the fixing piece 63 of the assembly member 12 and caulking it with heat. ,
It is adapted to rotate together with this rotor 14. Further, in this state, the cable pressing portion 65 of the assembling member 12 is fitted to the upper side of the conversion portion 22a in the vicinity of the other end of the flat cable 22 to press the conversion portion 22a.

Further, the stator fitting portion 64 of the assembly member 12
Is press-fitted into the fitting hole 41a of the lower plate portion 41 of the stator 15 so that the engaging claw 64a formed at the lower end portion of the stator fitting portion 64 is provided around the fitting hole 41 of the lower plate portion 41. When they come into contact with each other, they are elastically deformed inward, and then returned and deformed outward while passing through the lower plate part 41, and are locked to the lower surface side of the lower plate part 41. And are slidably fitted together.
In this state, the assembly member 12, the rotor 14, and the outer case 16
And the stator 15 are rotatably combined with each other.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the guide body 21 is formed in a substantially annular shape arranged between the shaft portion 54 of the rotor 14 and the frame portion 44 of the stator 15. The guide body 21 includes an inner plate portion 71 that faces the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 54, and an outer plate portion 72 that is concentric with the inner plate portion 71 and faces the inner peripheral surface of the frame portion 44. Have Further, the upper end portion of the inner plate portion 71 and the upper end portion of the outer plate portion 72 are connected by the upper plate portion 72a, and are formed in a substantially U-shaped cross section. The lower end of the inner plate portion 71 and the lower end of the outer plate portion 72 are slidably fitted in the grooves 43a and 43b of the stator 15, respectively, and the guide body 21 rotates around the shaft portion 54. It is equipped freely.

Further, one side portion of the guide body 21 has a reversing insertion portion 73 for communicating the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side of the guide body 21.
Are formed. The reversing insertion portion 73 is formed in an arc shape, and has a protruding surface portion 74 and a recessed surface portion 75 that face each other in the circumferential direction. In addition, these protruding surface parts 74
The concave surface portion 75 and the concave surface portion 75 are each formed in a smooth curved surface shape.

An arcuate projecting portion 76 is formed on the upper plate portion 72a of the guide body 21, and the guide body holding portion 37 of the outer case 16 is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the projecting portion 76. An engagement step portion 77 that is slidably fitted to the inner peripheral portion is formed.

Further, in the vicinity of the upper end portion on the inner peripheral side of the inner plate portion 71 of the guide body 21, an inner projecting strip 78 having a longitudinal direction in the circumferential direction is provided.
Are formed at predetermined intervals. In addition, this guide 21
In the vicinity of the lower end portion on the outer peripheral side of the outer plate portion 72, a plurality of outer protrusions 79 having a longitudinal direction in the circumferential direction are formed at predetermined intervals.
Each of the ridges 78 and 79 has a rectangular cross section or a hemispherical cross section, and has a smooth surface.

Further, the total of the projecting dimension of the inner protruding portion 78 and the thickness dimension of the inner plate portion 71 is formed larger than the width dimension of the inner groove portion 43a of the stator 15, and the outer protruding portion 79 is projected. The total of the dimension and the thickness of the outer plate portion 72 is formed to be larger than the width dimension of the outer groove portion 43b of the stator 15.
Therefore, the tip of the inner protrusion 78 projects more toward the inner peripheral side than the inner groove 43a, and the tip of the outer protrusion 79 protrudes toward the outer groove 43a.
It is designed to project to the outer peripheral side than b.

Then, the flat cable 22 accommodated in the cable accommodating portion 17 is inserted through the reversing insertion portion 73 of the guide body 21, and is bent and folded back into a substantially U shape along the reversing insertion portion 73. The outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 54 and the inner plate portion of the guide body 21
It is wound between the inner peripheral surface of 71 and the outer peripheral surface of the outer plate portion 72 of the guide body 21 while being wound between the inner peripheral surface of 71 and the outer peripheral surface of the guide body 21. That is, the flat cable 22 is wound in the counterclockwise direction from the inner peripheral side to the outer peripheral side inside the guide body 21 as viewed from above, and on the inner peripheral side outside the guide body 21. Is wound clockwise from the outer peripheral side.

Further, in this state, each ridge 78,
Each of the 79 contacts the flat cable 22 and avoids the conductive wire of the flat cable 22 and abuts only on the film.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

First, as shown in FIG. 1 (b), the rotor 14 and the stator 15 of this cable reel device are substantially aligned with each other, and the operating portion 57c of the lock body 57 attached to the rotor 14 is attached to the rotor. The engaging plate portion 57b of the lock body 57 attached to the rotor 14 and the engaging recess 39 formed in the outer case 16 fixed to the stator 15 are aligned while facing the center direction of the rotor 14. From this state, when the operation portion 57c is pushed downward and rotated by about 90 degrees, the engagement plate portion 57b of the lock body 57 is inserted into the engagement recess 39 as shown in FIGS. 1 (a) and 6. Is engaged and held in the closed state. Then, in this state, the engagement plate portion 57b of the lock mechanism 60 and the engagement recess 39 are engaged with each other, and the rotor 14 and the stator 15 are fixed so as not to rotate at the mounting position.

Then, the cable reel device thus fixed at the mounting position is fitted to the steering shaft, and the stator 15 is fixed to the combination switch on the vehicle body side.

Further, when the boss of the steering wheel 24 is fitted on the tip of the steering shaft, the rotor 14
The shaft 57a of the lock body 57 protruding upward from the boss plate
While inserting the circular hole 29a of the insertion hole 29 of the
The operation portion 57c of the above is inserted into the rectangular hole 29b of the insertion hole 29.
In this state, the lock mechanism 60 positions and connects the boss plate 28 of the steering wheel 24 and the rotor 14 of the cable reel device.

Then, the operation portion 57c of the lock body 57 is set to about 90.
By rotating it once, the engaging plate 57b is disengaged from the engaging recess 39 and fitted into the elongated hole 56b of the rotor 14. In this state, the rotor 14 and the stator 15 rotate relatively freely, and the steering wheel 24 also freely rotates.

Further, in this cable reel device, the connector connected to the cable C led out to the upper side is connected to the other connector provided inside the steering wheel 24 so that the airbag provided on the steering wheel 24. It is provided on the vehicle body side by connecting the connector electrically connected to electric parts such as the igniter and the horn switch of the device and connected to the cable C led to the lower side to the other connector provided on the vehicle body side. It is electrically connected to electric parts such as a battery and a shock sensor, and these electric parts are electrically connected.

When the steering wheel 24 is viewed from the upper side (passenger side) and is rotated in the clockwise direction to the maximum extent, the flat cable 22 is connected to the shaft portion 54 of the rotor 14.
The outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 54 is wound in the clockwise direction from the outer peripheral side toward the inner peripheral side.

Then, when the steering wheel 24 is rotated counterclockwise from this state, the flat cable 22 is rewound inside the guide body 21, and is laid on the inner peripheral surface of the inner plate portion 71 of the guide body 21. It will be pressed against you.

Further, when the steering wheel 24 is rotated counterclockwise, the flat cable 22 moves along the inner plate portion 71 on the side of the protruding surface 74 and passes through the reversing insertion portion 73 of the guide body 21. The lever is extended to the outside of the guide body 21. At this time, the flat cable 22 is bent into a substantially U shape by the reversing insertion portion 73, and the reversing insertion portion 73 is formed.
The guide surface 21 is rotated counterclockwise by pushing the concave surface portion 75 of the. Further, the guide body 21 is passed through the reversing insertion portion 73.
The flat cable 22 that is extended to the outside is pressed and wound around the inner peripheral side of the frame portion 44 of the stator 15 by its elasticity.

Further, when the steering wheel 24 is rotated to the maximum extent in the counterclockwise direction, most of the flat cable 22 is in the frame portion of the stator 15.
It is pressed against the inner peripheral side of 44, and is wound counterclockwise from the outer peripheral side toward the inner peripheral side.

When the steering wheel 24 is rotated clockwise from this state, the flat cable 22 is pulled by the shaft portion 54 of the rotor 14 and wound around the outer peripheral portion of the shaft portion 54. At this time, the flat cable 22 passes through the inversion insertion portion 73 of the guide body 21
It is pulled inside 21 and this inversion insertion part 73
The protruding surface portion 74 is pushed to rotate the guide body 21 in the clockwise direction.

When the steering wheel is rotated clockwise to the maximum extent, the flat cable 22 is mostly wound around the outer peripheral portion of the shaft portion 54 of the rotor 14 and returns to the initial state.

On the other hand, when removing the steering wheel 24 for maintenance or the like, the steering wheel 24 is set to the neutral position, and the operating portion 57c of the lock body 57 is rotated downward by about 90 degrees while being pushed downward. , This operation part 57c
Are aligned with the rectangular holes 29b of the boss plate 28. In this state, the engagement plate portion 57b and the engagement recess 39 are engaged, the rotation of the cable reel device is locked, and the steering wheel 24 can be pulled out upward.

As described above, according to the cable reel device of this embodiment, it is possible to lock the steering wheel when the occupant sees the steering wheel in the upright state. When the cable reel device and the steering wheel 24 are detached from each other, the rotor 14 and the stator 15 of the cable reel device rotate with respect to each other and the mounting positions are displaced from each other. Therefore, the engagement position of the cable reel device and the operation position of the steering wheel 24 can be reliably matched.

Therefore, the engaging position of the cable reel device and the operating position of the steering wheel 24 can be reliably matched not only when manufacturing the automobile but also when removing the steering wheel 24 during maintenance. Therefore, misassembly can be eliminated and maintenance work can be facilitated.

Further, in the structure of this embodiment, it is not necessary to provide a gear or the like for indicating the engagement position of the rotor 14, the structure is simple, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

Further, in the structure of this embodiment, the rotor 14 and the steering wheel 24 are positioned and connected by inserting the lock mechanism 60 of the cable reel device into the insertion hole 29 of the steering wheel 24. It is not necessary to separately provide a so-called locate pin or the like. Therefore, the structure is simplified, the number of parts is reduced, the assembling work is facilitated, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

In the structure of this embodiment, the flat cable 22 can be wound in the cable housing 17 in the forward and reverse directions while the steering wheel 24 is being rotated in the forward and reverse directions. In the state where the flat cable 22 is wound in one direction, the length of the flat cable 22 is significantly shortened as compared with the cable reel device configured to wind or rewind the flat cable 22. The manufacturing cost can be reduced.

Further, the guide body stored in the cable storage portion 17
The flat cable 22 can be separately wound around the outer peripheral portion of the shaft portion 54 of the rotor 14 and the inner peripheral portion of the frame portion 44 of the stator 15 by the 21, so that the flat cable 22 can be smoothly moved and the cable The reel device can be stably rotated.

Further, on the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side of the guide body 21,
Inner ridges 78 and outer ridges whose longitudinal direction is the circumferential direction, respectively
Since 79 is formed, the contact area between the guide body 21 and the flat cable 22 is reduced, the friction resistance is reduced, and the flat cable 22 can be moved smoothly.

In this way, the flat cable 22 can be smoothly moved and smoothly introduced into the reversing insertion portion 73 of the guide body 21. Therefore, even when the flat cable 22 is rewound from the shaft portion 54. The flat cable 22 is prevented from bulging inward and buckling, the flat cable 22 is smoothly moved without being disturbed, and the frame portion 44 and the shaft portion 54 of the cable reel device are stably rotated. Can be made.

Further, since the flat cable 22 can be moved smoothly, it is possible to use the thin and flexible flat cable 22 having small elasticity. Therefore,
Flat cable 22 in the reversing insertion portion 73 of the guide body 21
It is possible to reduce the radius dimension of the bent portion, reduce the diameter dimension of the guide body 21, and downsize the cable reel device.

Since the inner protrusion 78 is formed near the upper end of the guide body 21 and the outer protrusion 79 is formed near the lower end of the guide 21, the inner protrusion 78 is concentrated on a part of the flat cable 22. The protrusions 78 and 79 are prevented from abutting against each other, and the flat cable 22 can be prevented from being damaged.

Further, since these ridges 78 and 79 are formed so as to avoid the conductive wires of the flat cable 22 and to be in sliding contact with the film-only portion, it is possible to prevent the conductive wires from being damaged more reliably. You can

Since the guide body 21 is integrally formed of synthetic resin, and the ridges 78 and 79 are also integrally projected from the guide body 21, the structure can be simplified. .
Therefore, compared to a cable reel device that configures the guide body 21 by using a plurality of rollers, or a configuration in which the entire length of the flat cable 22 is processed, the number of parts and the material cost are reduced, and workability is improved. The manufacturing cost can be reduced.

Further, since the inner and outer ridges 78 and 79 respectively project from the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side of the guide body 21, the flat cable 22 has the groove 43a on the inner and outer sides of the stator 15. , 43b and the guide body 21 can be prevented. Therefore, the flat cable 22 can be smoothly moved and the cable reel device can be stably rotated.

Further, the guide plate 21 is provided on the lower plate portion 41 of the stator 15.
Since the lower end portions of the inner plate portion 71 and the outer plate portion 72 of the guide are formed with annular grooves 43a and 43b, respectively, which are slidably fitted to each other, the rattling of the guide body 21 in the radial direction is prevented and the fixed position is maintained. Can be smoothly rotated. Therefore, the flat cable 22 can be moved smoothly, and the occurrence of abnormal noise can be reduced.

By combining the outer case 16 with the stator 15, the guide body 21 can be temporarily held by the guide body holding portion 37 before the rotor 14 is mounted, thus facilitating the assembly work of the cable reel device. be able to.

Further, the outer case 16 is mounted on the outer peripheral side of the stator 15, and the outer cylinder portion 31 of the outer case 16 is used for the frame portion of the stator 15.
Since the outer peripheral side of 44 is covered, abnormal noise due to sliding noise and vibration of the guide body 21 and the flat cable 22 radiated toward the outer peripheral side of the frame portion 44 can be blocked, and noise generation can be suppressed. . Further, since the outer peripheral side space portion 45 is provided between the frame portion 44 and the outer cylinder portion 31, the range of abnormal noise due to sliding noise or vibration is lowered, and it is inexpensive and uncomfortable without using a soundproofing material. Noise can be effectively suppressed.

In the above embodiment, the lock body that rotates in the vertical direction and moves in the vertical direction is used.
57, the rotor 14 and the stator 15 are engaged and fixed by pushing down and rotating the lock body 57.
Using a lock body that rotates about the horizontal direction as an axial direction, and with the operating portion of this lock body raised vertically, this operating portion inserts through the insertion hole 29 of the boss plate 28 and the lock body is engaged. Plywood part is stator 15 or outer case 16
When the operating portion of the lock body is horizontally tilted, the operating portion cannot be inserted through the insertion hole 29 of the boss plate 28, and the engaging plate of the lock body is engaged. The portion may be separated from the stator 15 so that the rotor 14 can rotate.

In the above embodiment, the insertion hole 29 that engages with the lock mechanism 60 is formed in the boss plate 28, but it may be formed in the cover body 30 that covers the lower side portion of the steering wheel 24.

Further, in the above embodiment, the inner protrusion 78 is formed near the upper end of the guide body 21, and the outer protrusion 79 is formed in the guide body 21.
The ridges 78 and 79 are formed near the lower end of the flat cable 22 by shifting the positions of the ridges 78 and 79 in the vertical direction (axial direction of the rotating shaft) so that the ridges 78 and 79 contact the part of the flat cable 22. The flat cable 22 can be prevented from coming into contact with each other and the damage to the flat cable 22 can be suppressed.

Further, the flat cable 22 and the flat cable 22 are formed by forming the arc-shaped protrusions along at least one of the protruding surface portion 74 and the recessed surface portion 75 facing the reversing insertion portion 73 of the guide body 21. The frictional resistance with the guide body 21 can be further reduced.

In each of the above embodiments, the inner protrusion 78
The outer ridges 79 are formed intermittently along the circumferential direction, but the ridges 78 and 79 may be continuously formed into a substantially annular shape.

Further, a connecting portion which is integral with or separate from the guide body 21 is formed on the upper side or the lower side of the reversing insertion portion 73 of the guide body 21, and the protruding surface portion 74 and the concave surface portion 75 are formed. The strength of the guide body 21 can be easily improved by connecting the two to each other. Therefore, when the pressure in the radial direction, the circumferential direction, or the twisting direction of the guide body 21 is applied from the outside, or when the temperature inside the passenger compartment changes in the range of -40 degrees to +100 degrees, for example, the guide is performed. The shape of the body 21 can be maintained and the stator 15 can be smoothly rotated along the groove portions 43a and 43b. Further, since the size of the opening portion of the reversing insertion portion 73 can be accurately formed by improving the strength, the size of the opening portion of the reversing insertion portion 73 is set to the minimum, and the flat cable 22 is guided by the guide body. It can be introduced into the inversion insertion portion 73 of 21 without sagging.

That is, when the size of the opening portion of the reversing insertion portion 73 of the guide body 21, that is, the distance between the protruding surface portion 74 and the recessed surface portion 75 is large, the rotor 14 changes from the forward rotation to the reverse rotation. When inverted, the distance that the flat cable 22 moves from the protruding surface portion 74 to the concave surface portion 75 increases. Therefore, slack is generated near the inversion insertion portion 73, and the flat cable 22
Breakage occurs. On the other hand, if this separation dimension is made small, not only will there be a problem of insufficient die strength in making a die for the guide body 21, but also if the guide body 21 undergoes thermal deformation or molding deformation, it will be difficult for the flat cable 22 to pass through. It has a big impact. The spacing dimension is also influenced by the thickness dimension of the flat cable 22, but generally 1 mm to 10 mm is effective. In particular, when the flat cable 22 has a thin thickness of about 0.1 mm to 0.2 mm, it is desirable that this distance be about 2 mm to 5 mm.

Further, by providing elastic portions which can be elastically deformed integrally or separately at a plurality of positions on the upper surface of the projecting portion 76 of the guide body 21, the guide body 21 and the case 11 are brought into contact with each other to cause abnormal noise. Can be suppressed.

Further, a plurality of engaging projections having a rectangular plane shape are radially provided inward from the inner peripheral edge of the guide body holding portion 37 of the outer case 16, and the engaging projections are formed. Part to guide
By slidingly contacting the engagement step portion 77 of the guide body 21, radial rattle of the guide body 21 can be prevented, the guide body 21 can be smoothly rotated at a fixed position, and abnormal noise is generated. Can be reduced. Further, since the guide body 21 can be stably guided by the engagement between the engagement step portion 77 and the engagement protrusion, the depth dimension of the groove portions 43a and 43b recessed in the lower plate portion 41 can be reduced to reduce the cable length. The reel device can be miniaturized. Further, the plurality of engaging projections radially projecting can be easily manufactured by forming the mold, and the error of the projecting dimension can be easily corrected by shaving or filling the mold, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost. it can.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, the flat cable 22 in which a plurality of conductors are arranged side by side is used as the cable, but it is also possible to use a substantially cylindrical electric wire in which a plurality of conductors are housed in an insulating tube. Further, an optical fiber or the like can be used instead of the conductive wire.

[0085]

According to the cable reel device of the first aspect, the rotating member and the cable reel device are attached and detached only when the frame portion and the shaft portion are engaged and fixed. When the rotating member and the cable reel device are detached from each other, the frame portion and the shaft portion do not rotate and the engagement positions do not shift, so that the engagement position of the cable reel device and the operation of the steering wheel are prevented. The position can be easily and surely matched. In addition, the structure is simple and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

According to the cable reel device of the second aspect, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, the case and the rotary member are positioned by the engagement of the lock mechanism of the case and the locking portion of the rotary member. Since it is connected by
The number of parts can be reduced, the assembling work can be facilitated, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partial sectional view showing an embodiment of a cable reel device of the present invention. (A) is a state in which the rotor and the stator cannot rotate. (B) shows a state in which the rotor and the stator are rotatable.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the same cable reel device.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the same cable reel device.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a steering wheel on which the same cable reel device is mounted.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a lock mechanism of the same cable reel device.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the lock mechanism of the above cable reel device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 Case 17 Cable storage part 22 Flat cable as cable 24 Steering wheel as rotating member 28 Boss plate as locking part 29 Insertion hole as insertion part 39 Engagement concave part 44 frame part 54 Shaft part 57b Engagement plate part that constitutes the engagement part 57c Operating part 60 Lock mechanism

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A case having a substantially cylindrical frame portion and a shaft portion provided inside the frame portion so as to be rotatable in forward and reverse directions relative to the frame portion, and one end portion The cable is connected to the frame part and the other end is connected to the shaft part, and is provided with a cable housed in a cable housing part formed between the frame part and the shaft part, and relatively rotated with respect to each other. In a cable reel device mounted between rotating members for connecting the rotating members with the cable, an engaging portion for removably engaging and fixing the frame portion and the shaft portion to the case. , A lock mechanism having an operating portion for engaging and disengaging the engaging portion is provided, and the operating portion can be inserted only in a state where the frame portion and the shaft portion are engaged with at least one of the rotating members. For cables characterized by having a locking part with a simple insertion part Lumpur apparatus. 2. The cable reel device according to claim 1, wherein the case and the rotating member are positioned and connected by the engagement of the lock mechanism of the case and the locking portion of the rotating member. .