WO2001003244A9 - Clockspring using flexible printed wiring - Google Patents
Clockspring using flexible printed wiringInfo
- Publication number
- WO2001003244A9 WO2001003244A9 PCT/US2000/018105 US0018105W WO0103244A9 WO 2001003244 A9 WO2001003244 A9 WO 2001003244A9 US 0018105 W US0018105 W US 0018105W WO 0103244 A9 WO0103244 A9 WO 0103244A9
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- printed wiring
- flexible printed
- clockspring
- electrical conductors
- housing
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R16/00—Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for; Arrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for
- B60R16/02—Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for; Arrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for electric constitutive elements
- B60R16/023—Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for; Arrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for electric constitutive elements for transmission of signals between vehicle parts or subsystems
- B60R16/027—Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for; Arrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for electric constitutive elements for transmission of signals between vehicle parts or subsystems between relatively movable parts of the vehicle, e.g. between steering wheel and column
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
- B60R21/01—Electrical circuits for triggering passive safety arrangements, e.g. airbags, safety belt tighteners, in case of vehicle accidents or impending vehicle accidents
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R35/00—Flexible or turnable line connectors, i.e. the rotation angle being limited
- H01R35/02—Flexible line connectors without frictional contact members
- H01R35/025—Flexible line connectors without frictional contact members having a flexible conductor wound around a rotation axis
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
- B60R21/01—Electrical circuits for triggering passive safety arrangements, e.g. airbags, safety belt tighteners, in case of vehicle accidents or impending vehicle accidents
- B60R2021/01006—Mounting of electrical components in vehicles
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
- H05K1/00—Printed circuits
- H05K1/18—Printed circuits structurally associated with non-printed electric components
- H05K1/189—Printed circuits structurally associated with non-printed electric components characterised by the use of a flexible or folded printed circuit
Definitions
- the present invention pertains to a clockspring.
- the invention more particularly concerns a clockspring using flexible printed wiring to connect the rotating hub to the stationary housing of the clockspring.
- Clocksprings are well known in the art where a clockspring electrically connects a stationary crash sensor to a rotatable airbag. Automotive manufacturers are increasingly integrating many functions on the steering column, on stalks projecting outward from the steering column, and on the steering wheel. In short, automotive manufacturers demand that existing components become more reliable, inexpensive, lighter, and perform more functions. Clocksprings, typically, include a housing, a hub, and flexible flat cable. The flexible flat cable electrically connects the stationary housing to the rotatable hub.
- FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of a related art flat cable 80.
- the flat cable 80 has two insulation layers 81, 82.
- the two insulation layers 81, 82 surround conductors 83.
- the flexible flat cable 80 conveys electrical signals.
- the clockspring includes a housing and a hub.
- the hub being rotatably mounted to the housing.
- the hub being connected to the housing via flexible printed wiring.
- a vehicle includes an automobile.
- the automobile has a crash detection sensor and an airbag. Additionally, the automobile has a clockspring that electrically connects the airbag to the crash detection sensor.
- the clockspring has a housing and a hub. The hub being rotatably mounted in the housing. The hub and housing are electrically connected to each other via flexible printed wiring.
- Applicants' invention provides a clockspring which is compact, and includes many electrical signal conditioning functions.
- Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a clockspring according to the invention
- Figure 2 is a cross-sectional, top view of the clockspring of Figure 1;
- Figure 3 is a cross-sectional, top view of the clockspring of Figure 1;
- Figure 4 is a partial perspective view of flexible printed wiring; and
- Figure 5 is a partial perspective view of a related flat cable.
- a first embodiment of the present invention is a clockspring 10 having a housing 20, a hub 30, and flexible printed wiring 40.
- Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the clockspring 10.
- the hub 30 and flexible printed wiring 40 are contained within the housing 20 by the cover 50 which snaps into place.
- An inner diameter backbone 70 attaches to the hub 30 and to the printed conductors of the flexible printed wiring 40.
- An outer diameter backbone 60 attaches to the housing 20 and cover 50, and to the printed conductors of the flexible printed wiring 40.
- Flexible printed wiring is typically defined as an arrangement of printed conductors using a flexible insulating base or substrate material.
- the arrangement of conductors distinguishes flexible printed wiring from flat flexible cable.
- Flexible printed wiring is able to be bent or flexed repeatedly.
- electrical components such as resistors, capacitors, inductors, and integrated circuit chips can be formed in or attached to the flexible printed wiring thus making such wiring an active component and not a passive component such as traditional flat cable 80.
- the Flexible Circuitry Design Guide by Sheldahl Inc., of Northfield, Minnesota, published in 1984, sets forth the construction and definition of flexible printed wiring, and is hereby incorporated by reference.
- the basic steps are: print or photo image conductor pattern, cover bare conductor image with protective layer of solder or other plating, strip away plating resist material, etch conductive metal from areas not used as conductor traces, apply protective coating over conductors, blank the circuit to final shape.
- the flexible printed wiring allows for compact arrangements of components thus minimizing the size of the finished part, i.e., a smaller clockspring; and it allows for the installation of signal conditioning hardware within the clockspring without taking up additonal space as compared to a clockspring using flat cable.
- Figure 2 is a partial cross-sectional top view of the clockspring 10 of Figure 1.
- the flexible printed wiring 40 is actually two separate flexible printed wirings 41, 42.
- a clockspring having just one or more than two flexible printed wiring assembles is also achievable.
- Figure 2 further illustrates the housing 20 and hub 30, and their respective backbones 60, 70.
- the flexible printed wiring 40 is substantially wrapped around the hub 30.
- Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional top view of the clockspring 10 of Figure
- FIG. 1 is similar to Figure 2.
- the flexible printed wiring 40 as shown in Figure 3, is substantially wrapped around an inside diameter of the housing 20.
- Compliant rollers mounted on a carrier can guide the flexible printed wiring 40 around the hub 30 and the housing 20.
- Figure 4 is a partial perspective view of one wiring assembly (41 , 42) of the flexible printed wiring 40.
- the flexible printed wiring 40 includes printed conductors or traces 43, 49, 51, 52, 53, and 54 on one broad surface 56 of the substrate 55.
- the traces may contact each other via conductive side traces.
- a conductive side trace 45 is shown in Figure 4 connecting trace 43 to trace 49. Additionally, traces (not shown) can be formed on the other broad surface 57 of the flexible printed wiring 40.
- traces on both broad surfaces 56, 57 can be electrically connected to each other via conductive through holes.
- One such conductive through hole 44 is shown electrically connecting trace 52 on broad surface 56 to a trace (not shown) on the other broad surface 57.
- the through hole 44 penetrates through the substrate 55 and is plated with a conductive material such as copper.
- the traces can convey the traditional signals conveyed by clocksprings, however, they may also convey power, ground, and carrier signals, as examples.
- six conductive traces are provided by the flexible printed wiring 40.
- Figure 4 shows that signal conditioning components can be attached to the flexible printed wiring.
- Electrical component 47 is electrically connected to traces 53 and 54.
- Electrical component 48 is electrically connected to traces 49 and 52.
- the electrical components 47, 48 can be resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes, etc or the electrical components 47, 48 can be assemblies of such devices.
- the electrical components 47, 48 are shown as being large, however, the electrical components 47, 48 can be formed on the substrate 55 much like the traces.
- the electrical components 47, 48 can perform, as an example, signal filtering functions.
- Figure 4 also shows an integrated circuit chip 46 attached to traces 43, 52, 53, and 54.
- the integrated circuit chip 46 is shown as being large, however, it may be formed on the surface of the substrate 55.
- the integrated circuit chip 46 can monitor and maintain voltage, digitize signals, analyze signals, etc. These components may be mounted to the printed wiring substrate 55 via wire bonding, SMT, through hole, IDC or other known mounting methods.
- the flexible printed wiring 40 is connected to the housing 20 and to the hub 30, and to their respective backbones 60, 70.
- the traces of the flexible printed wiring 40 can be attached to the conductors of the backbones 60 and 70, by way of soldered, crimped, pinch fitted, and etc.
- the conductors 83 of the flexible cable 80 are welded to the conductors of the backbones 60, 70, which is a time consuming process, an expensive process, and a process which leads to the housing of the clockspring being larger than the clockspring 10 of the invention.
- Use of flexible printed wiring 40 allows for the clockspring 10 to contain more electronics than clocksprings currently in use. As such the clockspring 10 can contain within itself functions that were contained elsewhere on the vehicle.
- clockspring 10 is a smaller package than existing clocksprings.
- the smaller clockspring package 10 allows more components and device to placed in the space which was once occupied by the current, larger, type of clockspring which does not employ flexible printed wiring.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Structure Of Printed Boards (AREA)
- Electric Clocks (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU57824/00A AU5782400A (en) | 1999-07-01 | 2000-06-30 | Clockspring using flexible printed wiring |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/346,566 USH1991H1 (en) | 1999-07-01 | 1999-07-01 | Clockspring using flexible printed wiring |
US09/346,566 | 1999-07-01 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2001003244A1 WO2001003244A1 (en) | 2001-01-11 |
WO2001003244A9 true WO2001003244A9 (en) | 2002-07-25 |
Family
ID=23360017
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US2000/018105 WO2001003244A1 (en) | 1999-07-01 | 2000-06-30 | Clockspring using flexible printed wiring |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | USH1991H1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU5782400A (en) |
TW (1) | TW486611B (en) |
WO (1) | WO2001003244A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2003324835A (en) | 2002-04-26 | 2003-11-14 | Toyoda Mach Works Ltd | Spiral cable device |
ATE430953T1 (en) * | 2004-07-02 | 2009-05-15 | Nivarox Sa | HAIR SPRING MADE OF TWO MATERIALS WITH SELF-COMPENSATION |
US20080309349A1 (en) * | 2007-06-15 | 2008-12-18 | Computer Access Technology Corporation | Flexible interposer system |
US20150325994A1 (en) * | 2014-05-09 | 2015-11-12 | Ruggedreel Inc. | System and apparatus for electrically coupling to a cable on a rotatable reel using a torsional spring |
US9769929B1 (en) * | 2014-09-30 | 2017-09-19 | Apple Inc. | Interconnect structures for electronic devices with component arrays |
CN109075516B (en) * | 2016-05-31 | 2020-05-01 | 阿尔卑斯阿尔派株式会社 | Rotary connector |
CN109075517B (en) * | 2016-05-31 | 2020-05-05 | 阿尔卑斯阿尔派株式会社 | Rotary connector |
EP3503314A4 (en) * | 2016-08-16 | 2020-04-08 | Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. | Rotary connector device |
Family Cites Families (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4714435A (en) * | 1985-11-14 | 1987-12-22 | Molex Incorporated | Connection for flexible apparatus |
US5692925A (en) * | 1986-07-23 | 1997-12-02 | Virginia Patent Development Corporation | Modular plug comprising circuit elements |
US5304071A (en) * | 1990-04-14 | 1994-04-19 | Alps Electric Co., Ltd. | Clock spring |
US5456616A (en) * | 1994-02-04 | 1995-10-10 | Molex Incorporated | Electrical device employing a flat flexible circuit |
US5460535A (en) * | 1994-02-14 | 1995-10-24 | Methode Electronics, Inc. | Two-piece clockspring with lock and wire harness assembly |
US5474473A (en) * | 1994-12-13 | 1995-12-12 | United Technologies Corporation | Wiring integration/backshell interface connector assembly |
-
1999
- 1999-07-01 US US09/346,566 patent/USH1991H1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2000
- 2000-06-30 WO PCT/US2000/018105 patent/WO2001003244A1/en active Application Filing
- 2000-06-30 AU AU57824/00A patent/AU5782400A/en not_active Abandoned
- 2000-08-04 TW TW089113093A patent/TW486611B/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2001003244A1 (en) | 2001-01-11 |
TW486611B (en) | 2002-05-11 |
USH1991H1 (en) | 2001-09-04 |
AU5782400A (en) | 2001-01-22 |
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