KR20120055826A - Lock mechanism of clock spring for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A locking apparatus of a clock spring for a vehicle is provided to position a steering wheel in neutral position by fixing the rotor of a clock spring and automatically releasing the lock while assembling a steering wheel. CONSTITUTION: A locking apparatus of a clock spring for a vehicle comprises a slider(20), a swing lever(30), a spring(40), and a locking unit(50). The slider is installed in a rotor(120) to be slid forward and backward. The swing lever is installed in the rotor to be rotated and coupled with the slider by a hinge. The swing lever comprises a push end(32) projected to the inner side of the rotor. The spring elastically supports the slider in a locked position. The locking unit is formed into one body with the sub-stator of a clock spring. The locking unit locks the slider and limits the rotation of the rotor in a neutral position.

Description

Lock mechanism of clock spring for vehicle

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a lock mechanism of an automobile clock spring, and more particularly, to a lock mechanism of an automobile clock spring that locks a rotor such as a rotor so as not to rotate in a fixture such as a stator in a neutral position.

In general, the steering wheel of a vehicle is provided with an airbag module, a horn switch, and other electronic devices connected to a wire harness for supplying power.

These steering wheels are always rotated for steering, so if you simply wire them with a regular wire harness, the wire harness will twist and disconnect over time and the contacts will fall off, causing airbags, horns, and electronics to function normally. No phenomenon occurs.

Therefore, even if the steering wheel is rotated, the clock spring is mounted so that the wire harness does not cause a disconnection or connection failure due to the kink or accumulation thereof.

The clock spring is a flat cable connected between a fixed body (stator) and a rotating body (rotor) mounted so as to be rotatable therewith. The clock spring is assembled to a steering wheel to provide electrical connection means to an air bag.

That is, the clock spring acts so that the wiring connection state of various peripheral devices mounted at the site can be stably maintained despite the rotation operation of the steering wheel.

In such a state that the clock spring is fitted to the steering column, a fixture such as a stator is fastened and fixed to the column body side, and a rotor such as a rotor rotates integrally with the steering wheel and the column shaft. The reliability of supplying power to the steering wheel is of utmost importance.

In particular, if the clock spring and the steering wheel need to be reassembled after replacing the clock spring or the steering wheel, etc., the flat cable may be excessively wound and the connection part may be broken or twisted when the steering wheel is rotated. To do this, the assembly should be done with the flat cable wound in an appropriate amount to accommodate the amount of rotation of the steering wheel.

Therefore, it is essential to accurately match the neutral position when assembling, and the operator must rotate the clock spring exactly a predetermined number of times to adjust the neutral position. For example, it is necessary to set the neutral by operation such as full rotation (last rotation) left or right three rotations posted on the warning label.

Furthermore, if the clock spring has a matching mark on the top plate of the rotor and the upper surface of the sub-stator, always match the two alignment marks when removing and remounting the clock spring so that the flat cable is properly wound. It can be assembled.

However, in order to accurately match the neutral position of the clock spring, the mark must be rotated exactly by a predetermined number of times to match the marked mark. However, the marks can coincide with each other even if the mark is not rotated exactly by the predetermined number of times. Count is requested.

This has the disadvantage of causing various problems, such as twisting the wiring for operating the airbag in a misassembled state.

In order to solve this problem, a neutral pin for fixing the rotor and the sub stator in a neutral position can be used instead of the mark. The neutral pin always holds the rotor in its neutral position, so the rotor does not rotate without the neutral pin inserted and then removed.

1 illustrates a clock spring in which a neutral pin is inserted, and the clock spring 100 includes a sub stator 110 that forms a storage space of a flat cable (not shown) while protecting internal components. A rotor (120), which is assembled to rotate integrally with the steering wheel side, and a stator (not shown, which is integrally assembled with the sub stator 110 and forms a housing fixed to the steering column body side) (not shown) Assembled), a sleeve 130 having a cam shape for auto cancel and being assembled to rotate integrally with the rotor 120, and connected to a terminal as a cable for connecting an external power source to rotate It is configured to include a flat cable that is accommodated so that the terminal, the rotor side terminal to which the flat cable is connected is inserted and assembled to the rotor 120, the terminal mold block 140 and the like.

In this structure, the neutral pin 10 is assembled between the terminal mold block 140 and the sub stator 110 to fix the position of the rotor 120 in which the terminal mold block is integrally assembled at the neutral position.

However, the problem with using the neutral pin is that the neutral pin maintains the neutral position until the assembly of the steering wheel, but when the steering wheel is fastened, the neutral pin, which is a neutral fixing part, is removed.

In this way, if the neutral pin is removed from the assembly line and the steering wheel is attached, there is a problem of neutral failure.In case of the clock spring neutral failure, the connection part is broken or the connection is broken due to the excessive winding of the flat cable during rotation operation after assembling the steering wheel. This occurs, and a quality problem occurs in a state where the ultrasonic fusion site is apart.

Therefore, the present invention has been invented to solve the above problems, and while the rotor of the clock spring is fixed in the neutral position, the steering wheel is correctly neutralized by automatically releasing the neutral position of the rotor when assembling the steering wheel. Its purpose is to provide a lock mechanism for a car clock spring for mounting in position.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a lock mechanism for fixing a rotor in a neutral position in a clock spring, comprising: a slider mounted to the rotor so as to be movable back and forth; A swing lever rotatably installed at the rotor, the swing lever having one end hinged to the slider and protruding into the rotor; A spring installed between the slider and the rotor to elastically support the slider in a locked position; And a locking part integrally formed in the sub-stator of the clock spring and locking the slider to restrict rotation of the rotor in a neutral position. When the steering wheel hub inserted into the rotor presses the push end of the swing lever, the swing lever It is rotated to provide a lock mechanism of the automotive clock spring, characterized in that for moving the slider to the lock release position separated from the locking portion.

Accordingly, according to the lock mechanism of the vehicle clock spring according to the present invention, since the neutral position of the rotor is automatically released when the steering wheel is assembled, the steering wheel can be accurately mounted in the neutral position, thereby disconnection due to the neutral failure. And the problem of poor connection can be solved.

In addition, when the clock spring and steering wheel are separated and replaced by the replacement of the clock spring or steering wheel during A / S, if the rotor is in the neutral position with the lock mechanism, the wheel should be correctly refitted in the neutral position. This is possible.

1 is a plan view of a clock spring showing a state of use of the neutral pin according to the prior art.
2 is a plan view of a clock spring with a lock mechanism according to the present invention.
3 is an exploded perspective view of the lock mechanism according to the present invention, showing the lock mechanism separated from the clock spring.
Figure 4 is an assembled perspective view of the lock mechanism according to the present invention, showing the slider, the spring, the swing lever in a state separated from the clock spring.
5 is an assembled perspective view of the lock mechanism according to the present invention assembled in the mounting position of the clock spring.
Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the locked state (when fixing the neutral position of the rotor) of the lock mechanism according to the present invention.
Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the unlocking state (unlocking of the rotor) of the lock mechanism according to the present invention.
8 is a cross-sectional view showing a neutral position fixed state of the lock mechanism according to the present invention.
9 is a cross-sectional view showing the unlocking operation state of the lock mechanism according to the present invention.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art may easily implement the present invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view of a clock spring with a lock mechanism according to the present invention, Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the lock mechanism according to the present invention, showing the configuration of the lock mechanism in the clock spring separately.

4 is an assembled perspective view of the lock mechanism according to the present invention, which shows the slider 20, the spring 40, and the swing lever 30 in a state separated from the clock spring, and FIG. 5 shows the lock according to the present invention. Assembly perspective view with the mechanism assembled at the mounting position of the clock spring.

6 shows the locking state (when fixing the neutral position of the rotor) of the lock mechanism according to the present invention, and FIG. 7 shows the unlocking state (unlocking the rotor) of the lock mechanism according to the present invention.

6 and 7 the longitudinal guide and the transverse guide is shown in a cross-sectional structure along the longitudinal direction.

First, referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the basic configuration of the clock spring 100 to which the lock mechanism 11 of the present invention is assembled will be described. The storage space of the flat cable (not shown) is protected while protecting the internal components. Sub stator 110 to be formed, the rotor 120 is assembled to rotate integrally with the steering wheel side, the stator 115 (assembled integrally with the sub stator 110 and fixed to the steering column body side (sub-stator lower side) Assembled), a sleeve 130 having a cam shape for auto cancellation and assembled to rotate integrally with the rotor 120, and a flat cable connected to the terminal and rotatably housed as a flexible cable for supplying signals and power. , A terminal mold block 140 inserted into the rotor side terminal to which the flat cable is connected and assembled to the rotor 120.

Here, the sub-stator 110 and the stator 115 are fixed to the vehicle body side of the steering column while forming a housing space for accommodating the flat cable, and the rotor 120 is mounted on the sleeve 130 to rotate the flat cable. Winding or unwinding component, it is assembled to be rotatable inside the sub stator (110).

In this configuration, the lock mechanism 11 of the present invention has a slider 20, a swing lever 30, a spring 40, and a locking portion 50 as a main configuration, among which the locking portion 50 is a sub-stator. The part is formed integrally with the 110, the rest of the configuration other than this, that is, the slider 20, the swing lever 30, the spring 40 is installed in the rotor 120.

The slider 20 is a component that is coupled to the lateral guide 60 installed on the upper surface of the rotor 120 to slide back and forth, the radius of the rotor 120 by the lateral guide 60 on the upper surface of the rotor 120 It is a structure part moved back and forth in the direction.

The lateral guide 60 slides back and forth the slider 20 assembled inward, and may be composed of two side rails 61 formed side by side in the radial direction of the rotor on an upper surface of the rotor 120, and the slider. An inner surface of the lateral guide 60 into which the 20 is inserted, that is, an inner surface of the two side rails 61 facing each other, guide grooves long along the moving direction of the slider 20 which becomes the longitudinal direction of the side rails 61. 62) is formed.

At this time, the slider 20 is inserted and coupled between the two side rails 61, the projections 21 formed on both sides of the slider 20 are inserted into the guide groove 62 of each side rail 61 and coupled. When the slider 20 slides forward and backward between the two side rails 61, that is, in the radial direction of the rotor 120, each side protrusion 21 of the slider 20 is moved by the side rails 61. It is guided along the guide groove 62.

A locking part 22 having a stepped structure is formed on a lower surface of the slider 20, and an upper surface of the rotor 120 between two side rails 61 on which the slider 20 slides is formed on the slider 20. A locking jaw 63 is formed to catch the locking portion 22.

The locking jaw 63 of the upper surface of the rotor 120 is for preventing the slider 20 from being completely separated to the rear by the force of the spring 40, and the slider 20 when the locking portion 22 is caught. It acts as a stopper to limit the rear movement of the.

On the front side of the slider 20, a spring insertion portion 23 is formed long along the longitudinal direction of the slider 20.

On the other hand, the spring 40 is installed in the spring inserting portion 23 of the slider 20, one end is inserted into the slider 20, the other end is inserted into the spring inserting portion 23 inside the upper surface of the rotor 120 It is supported by the spring mounting end 64 protruding.

The spring 40 is for elastic front and rear movement of the slider 20, the slider 20 is pushed back by the force of the spring 40, the locking portion (at the neutral position of the rotor 120) The slider 20 is moved backwards up until 22 is caught by the engaging jaw 63 of the upper surface of the rotor 120 so that the rear end of the slider 20 is locked to the locking portion 50 of the sub stator 110. It is.

The locking unit 50 is installed to protrude upward from the sub-stator 110 to the upper side of the rotor 120 to lock the slider 20 moved backward, and two locking bars installed side by side in the sub-stator 110 ( 51, and locking is performed while the rear end of the slider 20 moved backward between the two locking bars 51 is inserted.

Since the slider 20 is a component that is rotated together when the rotor 120 rotates in a state coupled to the lateral guide 60 of the rotor 120, the slider 20 is the locking portion 50 of the sub stator 110. When locked in the fixed state, the entire rotor 120 is locked to the sub stator 110.

Therefore, when the slider 20 is locked to the locking part 50 of the sub stator 110 at the neutral position of the rotor 120, the rotation of the rotor 120 is inhibited while the rotor 120 is prevented from the sub stator 110 and the stator 115. The position can be fixed to the neutral position.

The swing lever 30 is installed in a structure in which one end is hinged to the front end of the slider 20 and the other end is protruded on the inner circumferential surface of the rotor 120 while the middle part is rotatably coupled to the rotor 120.

In more detail, the hinge end 31 of one end of the swing lever 30 is pin-coupled in the state of being inserted into the spring 40 mounting portion of the slider 20, and the middle portion 65 is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the rotor 120. Is rotatably coupled to the other end, in this state, the other end, that is, the pressing end 32 has a structure projecting from the longitudinal guide 65 into the rotor 120.

In the state in which the intermediate portion of the swing lever 30 is inserted into the inner side of the longitudinal guide 65, the side of the intermediate portion is rotatably coupled to the inner side of the longitudinal guide. ) Is formed to protrude, and guide grooves 66 to which the respective intermediate pins 33 of the swing lever 30 are inserted and coupled to both inner side surfaces of the longitudinal guide 65 are formed long in the longitudinal direction.

The longitudinal guide 65 is rotatably supporting the swing lever 30 inserted and assembled inward while the swing lever 30 serves as a link for moving the slider 20. The pin 33 is linearly guided.

When the left and right intermediate pins 33 of the swing lever 30 are inserted into the guide grooves 66 of the longitudinal guide 65, the intermediate pins become the rotation center when the swing lever rotates, and the front and rear of the slider 20 The intermediate pin 33 is guided along the guide groove 66 during the movement and rotation of the swing lever.

In this structure, the swing lever 30 is rotated while the intermediate pin 33 is moved upward along the slot of the longitudinal guide 65 when the pressing end 32 is pressed down, wherein the hinge end 31 is rotated. At the same time, the slider 20 is pulled toward the inside of the rotor 120, and the slider 20 is moved forward to separate the locking portion 50 of the sub stator 110. The locking state is released.

When the entire slider 20 is pulled forward by the rotating swing lever 30, the slider 20 moves while compressing the spring 40. In this case, the sub stator 110 is separated from the locking part 50. In this state, the locking state of the slider 20 is released. In this state, the slider 20 and the rotor 120 as a whole can be rotated.

On the other hand, when the pressure is released, the slider 20 is pushed backward while the spring 40 is tensioned by the elastic restoring force. If the rotor 120 is in the neutral position, the rear end of the slider 20 is locked. 50 is inserted into the lock, and then the neutral state of the rotor 120 can be maintained.

Thus, the configuration of the lock mechanism according to the present invention has been described in detail, and the rotor neutral position fixing and unlocking operation of the lock mechanism will be described as follows.

Fig. 8 shows the neutral position fixed state of the lock mechanism according to the present invention, and Fig. 9 shows the lock release operation state of the lock mechanism according to the present invention, respectively. Same state as 7.

As shown in FIG. 8, while the slider 20 installed on the upper surface of the rotor 120 is moved backward by the force of the spring 40, the locking portion 22 is connected to the locking jaw 63 of the upper surface of the rotor. Further rearward movement is restricted, and in this state, the rear end of the slider 20 is inserted between the locking portion 50 of the sub-stator 110, that is, between the left and right locking bars 51.

This is a state in which the slider 20 is locked to the locking portion 50 of the sub-stator 110 at the neutral position of the rotor 120, and in this case, the two locking bars 51 are rotated in the direction in which the slider 20 is rotated. The interference is caused by the slider 20 and the rotor 120 can not be rotated in either direction.

In other words, the rotor 120 is fixed by the lock mechanism 11 so as not to rotate in the neutral position.

In this neutral position fixed state, if the existing neutral pin (10 is shown in Figure 1) is used together before mounting the steering wheel of the assembly line, the neutral pin is manually removed first.

Subsequently, when the steering wheel is mounted, the locking state of the lock mechanism is automatically released and the neutral position of the rotor 120 is released. When the steering wheel is mounted, the steering wheel hub 1 is inserted into the rotor 120 to swing the lever. The pressing end 32 of 30 is pressed.

As the swing lever 30 rotates, the slider 20 is pulled forward. At this time, the rear end of the slider 20 moving forward is separated while being separated between the two locking bars 51, so that the slider 20 is locked. Is released.

As a result, after the steering wheel is mounted at the neutral position of the correct rotor 120, the fixed state of the rotor 120 is released, and since the steering wheel hub 1 continues to hold the swing lever 30 thereafter. The rotatable state of the wheel and the rotor 120 is maintained.

As such, since the neutral position is automatically released by the hub only when the steering wheel is mounted, the wheel can be correctly mounted in the neutral position, and the problem of disconnection and poor connection due to the neutral defect can be solved.

In addition, when the clock spring and steering wheel are separated and replaced by the replacement of the clock spring or steering wheel during A / S, if the rotor is in the neutral position with the lock mechanism, the wheel should be correctly refitted in the neutral position. This is possible.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications of those skilled in the art using the basic concepts of the present invention defined in the following claims and Improved forms are also included in the scope of the present invention.

11: lock mechanism 20: slider
30: swing lever 40: spring
50: locking unit 100: clock spring
110: sub stator 120: rotor

Claims (5)

A lock mechanism for fixing a rotor in a neutral position in a clock spring,
A slider mounted to the rotor so as to be movable back and forth;
A swing lever rotatably installed at the rotor, the swing lever having one end hinged to the slider and protruding into the rotor;
A spring installed between the slider and the rotor to elastically support the slider in a locked position;
A locking unit integrally formed on the sub-stator of the clock spring and rotationally restraining the rotor in the neutral position by locking the slider;
When the steering wheel hub is inserted into the rotor presses the pressing end of the swing lever of the clock spring for automobiles, characterized in that the swing lever is rotated to move the slider to the lock release position separated from the locking portion Rock Mechanism.
The method according to claim 1,
The slider is coupled to the lateral guide installed in the rotor guides the front and rear slide, the projection is formed in the slide, the lateral guide is a car clock, characterized in that the guide groove is formed is guided along the slider movement direction is inserted into the projection Lock mechanism of the spring.
The method according to claim 1,
And the locking part comprises two locking bars installed side by side to protrude upward from the sub stator, and is locked by inserting a slider into the two locking bars.
The method according to claim 1,
The slider has a stepped structure having a stepped structure, and the rotor has a locking jaw configured to catch the slider, and the slider is moved by the force of the spring while the locking portion is caught by the locking jaw of the rotor. A locking mechanism of a clock spring for an automobile, characterized in that the position of the slider is limited.
The method according to claim 1,
The swing lever,
Rotatably coupled to a longitudinal guide installed on an inner circumferential surface of the rotor,
The lock of the automotive clock spring, characterized in that the intermediate pin is formed to be inserted into the guide groove formed in the longitudinal guide is inserted into the guide groove formed in the longitudinal guide to be guided along the guide groove of the longitudinal guide when moving the slider back and forth while rotating the swing lever. Instrument.

Images