JPH09129282A - Cable connection structure and manufacture thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cable connection structure capable of reducing manufacturing cost. SOLUTION: A cable connection structure 20 is used to connect the first cable 13 as a flexible flat cable to the second cable 16. The conductor 16a of the cable 16 as one of the first cable 13 and the second cable 16 is connected to one end of a bus bar 21, and the bus bar 21 and the cable 16 are secured to each other with a resin connection molding 22. This molding 22 has a cable guide groove 22a for guiding the other cable 13 so as to keep the conductor 13c thereof superposed on the bus bar 21. Furthermore, the molding 22 and the cable 13 are connected to each other via a cover 23 concealing the connected part of the conductor 13c of the cable 13 and the bus bar 21.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cable connection structure for connecting, for example, a flexible flat cable for electrically connecting relatively rotating members to another cable.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a device for electrically connecting relatively rotating members with a flexible flat cable, for example, a relative rotating member relay device 10 shown in FIG. 6 is known. This relative rotary member relay device 10 includes a rotating body (first rotating body) 11 having an inner cylindrical portion 11a,
A fixed body (second rotating body) 12 having an outer cylindrical portion 12a surrounding the inner cylindrical portion 11a at a predetermined interval, and an annular space K between the inner cylindrical portion 11a and the outer cylindrical portion 12a, A first cable (flexible) that is housed in a spirally wound state along the same space K, the inner peripheral end portion 13a is held by the inner cylindrical portion 11a, and the outer peripheral end portion 13b is held by the outer cylindrical portion 12a. (A flat cable) 13 and a movable portion along the space K, and the first portion is provided at the opening 2a.
C-shaped moving body 2 for reversing the cable 13 of FIG.

The fixed body 12 is provided with a cover 14 so as to cover the upper side of the space K and the periphery of the outer cylindrical portion 12a. The cover 14 is provided so as not to rotate relative to the fixed body 12, and has its upper surface 14a.
An opening 14b is formed in the center of the. Further, the fixed body 12 includes a lower cover 12 that covers the lower side of the space K.
b is formed integrally with the outer cylindrical portion 12a. Also,
An upper cover 110 is rotatably provided on the upper side of the cover 14. The inner cylindrical portion 11 a of the rotating body 11 is connected to the upper cover 110 through the opening 14 b of the cover 14. The rotating body 11 is connected to, for example, the steering wheel side of the steering wheel of the automobile, and the fixed body 12 is fixed to the steering column side.

The first cable 13 is connected to the second cable 16 via a cable connection structure 15.

As the cable connection structure 15, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 8, for example, the structure shown in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 4-24611 is known. That is, the cable connection structure 15 includes the first cable 1 via the joint bar 15b connected by the insulating support 15a.
The third conductor 13c and the second conductor 16a of the second cable 16 are connected to each other, and the entire connecting portion of the joint bar 15b is covered with the resin molding protector 15c.

[0006]

By the way, in the above cable connection structure 15, the resin-molded protective body 15c is molded by insert molding using, for example, an injection molding machine. 13, 16
Since the entire connecting portion between the joint bar 15b and the joint bar 15b is covered with the resin molding protector 15c, it is necessary to use a large-sized injection molding machine having a large area of the molding portion and therefore a large mold clamping force. Therefore, there is a problem that the manufacturing cost increases. Moreover, the resin molded protector 15
1st cable 13 and 2nd cable 16 on both sides of c
Since and are connected, there is a drawback that it takes time to set in the mold. Therefore, there is a problem that the manufacturing cost further increases.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a cable connection structure capable of reducing the manufacturing cost.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a cable connection structure for connecting a first cable as a flexible flat cable to a second cable. The conductor of either one of the first cable and the second cable is connected to one end of the bus bar, and the bus bar and the one cable are fixed by a resin-made connection molded body, and this connection molded body is , The other cable has a cable guide groove for guiding the other cable so that the conductor wire of the other cable overlaps the bus bar, and the connection molded body and the other cable are the conductor wire and the bus bar of the other cable. It is characterized in that they are connected by a cover that covers the connection part of.

The connection molded body has a locking projection protruding from the side of the bus bar, and the other cable is
When the conductor is placed so as to overlap the bus bar,
It is preferable to have an insulating locking member that connects the leading end portion of the conductive wire so as to lock the locking protrusion.

Further, it is preferable that the other end portion of the bus bar is connected by a tie bar, the bus bar and one cable are fixed by a connection molded body, and then the tie bar is cut off.

Further, in the invention configured as described above, since the connecting portion between the bus bar and one of the cables is fixed by the connection molded body, the molding area of this connection molded body is the same as that of the conventional example. It will be narrower than the one. Therefore,
Since the connection molding can be molded by a relatively small injection molding machine, for example, the manufacturing cost can be reduced. Moreover, since only one of the cables extends from the connection molded body, the time for setting in the mold for insert molding can be shortened as compared with the conventional example. Therefore, the manufacturing cost can be further reduced.

Further, in the case where the connection molded body is provided with a locking projection and the insulating locking member which is locked to this locking projection is provided on the conductor of the other cable, the other cable is removed from the connection molded body. Even if it is pulled, the other cable will not come off from the connection molded body. Therefore, one cable and the other cable can be firmly connected.

Further, in the manufacturing method in which the other end of the bus bar is connected by the tie bar and the tie bar is separated after being fixed by the connection molded body, since the interval between the bus bars is fixed by the tie bar, one of the cables is fixed. It is easy to connect the conductor wire to the bus bar, and it is also easy to set it in the mold during insert molding.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. However, elements common to the constituent elements of the conventional example shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 are designated by the same reference numerals to simplify the description.

Cable connection structure 2 shown in this embodiment
As shown in FIG. 1, 0 connects the first cable 13 configured as a flexible flat cable and the second cable 16. The conductor 16a of the second cable (one of the cables) 16 is connected to one end of the bus bar 21, and the bus bar 21 and the second cable 16 are fixed by insert molding with a resin connection molding 22. Has been done.

Further, in this embodiment, the first cable 13 is composed of three conductors 13c, and the second cable 16 and the bus bar 21 are also composed of three conductors, respectively. There is.

The connection molded body 22 includes three bus bars 21.
Cable guide groove 2 on the front side so that the connection surface of
2a is formed. Also, this cable guide groove 22
a is a conducting wire 1 of the first cable (the other cable) 13
The first cable 13 is also guided so that 3c overlaps the connection surface of the bus bar 21. And
As shown in FIG. 5, a part of the cable guide groove 22a penetrates in a rectangular shape, and the window portion 22 that faces the bus bar 21 from the rear surface side.
connected to b.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the cable guide groove 22a of the connection molded body 22 is provided with a locking projection 22c projecting upward from the side of each bus bar 21.

Then, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an insulating locking member 24 for locking the locking projections 22c is connected to the first cable 13 so as to connect the tip portions of the conductive wires 13c. It is provided in. That is, the insulating locking member 24
Connect each conductor 13c of the first cable 13 to the bus bar 21
When it is installed so as to overlap the connection surface of the
The first cable 13 is prevented from being caught in the cable guide groove 22a by being caught by the cable 2c.

Furthermore, the connection molded body 22 has a leg guide groove 22d for guiding a leg 23b of a cover 23 which will be described later.
Are formed on both left and right sides of the cable guide groove 22a.
A locking step 22e for locking the locking claw 23c provided on the leg 23b is formed in the leg guide groove 22d.

As shown in FIG. 1, the cover 23 has a flat plate portion 23a which fits in the cable guide groove 22a of the connection molded body 22.
And a leg portion 23b that fits in each leg portion guide groove 22d of the connection molded body 22.
An engaging claw 23c that engages with the engaging step 22e of each leg guide groove 22d is formed on the. And the cover 23
The locking claw 23c is locked to the locking step 22e of the connection molded body 22 to press the conductor 13c of the first cable 13 against the connecting surface of the bus bar 21 by the flat plate 23a to connect the conductor 13c and the conductor. The connection molded body 22 and the first cable 13 are connected so as to cover 13c and the bus bar 21.

As the bus bar 21, as shown in FIG. 3, three bus bars are integrally connected by a tie bar 21a. The bus bar 21 is connected to the conductor 16 of the second cable 16 at one end thereof (see FIG. 4) while having the tie bar 21a.
The connection molded body 22 (see FIG. 5) is molded by insert molding. Further, the bus bar 21 is designed to be separated after the connection molded body 22 is molded.

In the cable connection structure 20 constructed as described above, as shown in FIG.
The conductor 16a of the second cable 16 is connected to one end of the bus bar 21 connected by a. This connection is performed by spot welding, ultrasonic welding, various welding such as soldering, pressure welding, pressure bonding, and the like. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the connection forming body 22 is formed around the second cable 16 and the bus bar 21 by insert molding. After this molding, the bus bar 21 protruding from the connection molded body 22
Are separated together with the tie bar 21a.

Next, the first cable 13 is installed in the cable guide groove 22a, and the insulating / insulating locking member 24 is locked to the locking projection 22c. Then, the cover 23 is provided on the connection molded body 22, and the locking claws 23c of the cover 23 are connected to the connection molded body 2.
The second locking step portion 22e is locked. As a result, the conducting wire 13c of the first cable 13 is pressed against the connection surface of the bus bar 21, and the first cable 13 and the second cable 16
And are connected.

According to the cable connection structure 20 configured as described above, since the connection portion between the bus bar 21 and the second cable 16 is fixed by the connection molding 22, the molding area of the connection molding 22 is small. It is narrower than that of the conventional example.
Therefore, since the connection molded body 22 can be molded by a relatively small injection molding machine, for example, the manufacturing cost can be reduced. Moreover, since only the second cable 16 extends from the connection molded body 22, for example, the time for setting in the mold for insert molding can be shortened as compared with the conventional example. Therefore, the manufacturing cost can be further reduced.

Further, by setting the first cable 13 in the cable guide groove 22a of the connection molded body 22,
Each conductor 13c of the cable 13 can be superposed on each bus bar 21. Moreover, the conductors 13c and the bus bars 21 can be connected to each other only by fitting the cover 23 to the connection molded body 22, and the first cable 13 can be connected.
Can be connected to the connection molding 22. Therefore, it can be easily assembled in a short time. And
From this point as well, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

Further, the connection molded body 22 is provided with a locking projection 22c, and the insulating locking member 24 for locking the locking projection 22c.
Is provided on the lead wire 13c of the first cable 13,
It is possible to prevent the first cable 13 from coming off from the connection molded body 22. That is, the first cable 13 and the second cable 16 can be firmly connected.

Further, since the bus bar 21 is connected by the tie bar 21a and the tie bar 21a is formed after the connection molding 22 is formed, the tie bar 21a is separated.
It becomes easy to connect the conductor 16a of the second cable 16 to the bus bar 21, and it becomes easy to set the bus bar 21 and the second cable 16 in the mold during insert molding.

In the above embodiment, the cover 23 presses the conducting wire 13c of the first cable 13 against the connecting surface of the bus bar 21 for connection, but the conducting wire 13c and the bus bar 21 are not connected to each other. The connection may be made by various welding such as spot welding, ultrasonic welding, soldering, pressure welding, pressure bonding, or the like. That is, the conductive wire 13c and the bus bar 21 may be configured to be connected by the various welding, pressure contact, pressure bonding, etc., regardless of the pressing force of the cover 23.

In the above embodiment, the second cable 16 and the bus bar 21 are connected to each other and fixed around the connection molded body 22. However, the first cable 13 and the bus bar 21 are fixed. It is also possible to connect and and to fix them around with the connection molded body 22. In this case, it is preferable to provide an insulating locking portion 24 at the tip of the conductor 16a of the second cable 16, and the conductor 16a of the second cable 16 is pressed against the connecting surface of the bus bar 21 by the cover 23. Will be connected. And in this case, the conductor 16a and the bus bar 2
Also for 1, regardless of the pressing force of the cover 23,
You may comprise so that it may be connected by the said various welding, press contact, pressure bonding, etc.

[0031]

According to the present invention, since the connecting portion between the bus bar and one of the cables is fixed by the connection molded body, the molding area of this connection molded body becomes smaller than that of the conventional example. Therefore, since the connection molded body can be molded by a relatively small injection molding machine, for example, the manufacturing cost can be reduced. Moreover, since only one of the cables extends from the connection molded body, the time for setting in the mold for insert molding, for example, can be shortened as compared with the conventional example. Therefore, the manufacturing cost can be further reduced.

In the case where the connection molded body is provided with a locking projection and the insulating locking member for locking the locking projection is provided on the conductor of the other cable, the other cable is removed from the connection molded body. Even if it is pulled, the other cable will not come off from the connection molded body. Therefore, one cable and the other cable can be firmly connected.

Further, in the manufacturing method in which the other end of the bus bar is connected by the tie bar, and the tie bar is separated after being fixed by the connection molded body, since the interval between the bus bars is fixed by the tie bar, one of the cables is fixed. It is easy to connect the conductor wire to the bus bar, and it is also easy to set it in the mold during insert molding.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a cable connection structure shown as an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a first cable as a flexible flat cable of the cable connection structure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a bus bar of the cable connection structure.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which a conductor of a second cable is connected to a bus bar of the cable connecting structure.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a connection molded body of the same cable connection structure, which is a perspective view of the connection molded body immediately after molding as viewed from the back side.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a relay device between relative rotating members provided with a cable connection structure shown as a conventional example.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing the cable connection structure.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the cable connection structure.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 First Rotating Body (Rotating Body) 12 Second Rotating Body (Fixed Body) 13 First Cable (Flexible Flat Cable) 13c Conductor 16 Second Cable 16a Conductor 20 Cable Connection Structure 21 Bus Bar 21a Tie Bar 22 Connection Molding Body 22a Cable guide groove 22c Locking protrusion 23 Cover 24 Insulating locking member K Space

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A cable connection structure for connecting a first cable, which is a flexible flat cable, to a second cable, the conductor of one of the first cable and the second cable. Is connected to one end of the bus bar, and the bus bar and one of the cables are fixed by a resin-made connecting molded body, and the connecting molded body is connected so that the conductor of the other cable overlaps with the bus bar. A cable guide groove for guiding the cable, and the connection molded body and the other cable are connected by a cover that covers a connecting portion between the conductor of the other cable and the bus bar. Cable connection structure. 2. The connection molded body has a locking projection protruding from the side of the bus bar, and the other cable is locked to the locking projection when the conducting wire is arranged so as to overlap with the bus bar. The cable connection structure according to claim 1, further comprising an insulating locking member that connects the leading end portions of the conductive wires. 3. The cable connecting structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the other end of the bus bar is connected by a tie bar, and the bus bar and one cable are fixed by a connection molded body, and then the tie bar is separated. A method for manufacturing a cable connection structure, which is characterized in that