WO2018147448A1 - 回転コネクタ装置 - Google Patents
回転コネクタ装置 Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2018147448A1 WO2018147448A1 PCT/JP2018/004733 JP2018004733W WO2018147448A1 WO 2018147448 A1 WO2018147448 A1 WO 2018147448A1 JP 2018004733 W JP2018004733 W JP 2018004733W WO 2018147448 A1 WO2018147448 A1 WO 2018147448A1
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- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- fixing member
- neutral fixing
- engaged
- neutral
- engaging
- Prior art date
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Classifications
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- 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
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- 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
- H01R35/04—Turnable line connectors with limited rotation angle with frictional contact members
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Y—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO ASPECTS CROSS-CUTTING VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY
- B60Y2304/00—Optimising design; Manufacturing; Testing
- B60Y2304/07—Facilitating assembling or mounting
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
- B62D1/00—Steering controls, i.e. means for initiating a change of direction of the vehicle
- B62D1/02—Steering controls, i.e. means for initiating a change of direction of the vehicle vehicle-mounted
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- 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
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a rotary connector device for electrically connecting a wiring on a steering wheel side and a wiring on a vehicle body side of an automobile or the like.
- a conventional rotary connector device includes a fixing member attached to a vehicle body side, a rotating member attached to the fixing member so as to be relatively rotatable and a steering wheel attached thereto, and a neutral fixing mechanism that temporarily fixes the rotational position of the rotating member to a neutral position.
- Patent Document 1 Patent Document 1
- the neutral fixing mechanism includes a neutral fixing member that can move between a lock position and an unlock position, and a winding spring that biases the neutral fixing member to the lock position.
- the neutral fixing member locks (that is, temporarily fixes) the relative rotation of the rotating member at the locked position, and releases the lock at the unlocked position.
- the rotating position of the rotating member is temporarily fixed to the neutral position by urging the neutral fixing member to the locked position by the winding spring. Then, the neutral fixing member is moved from the lock position to the lock release position by inserting the insertion convex portion of the steering wheel into the insertion hole of the rotating member. As a result, the rotating member becomes a relatively rotatable state from the state locked (ie, temporarily fixed) at the rotation neutral position.
- the conventional rotary connector device has a problem that the number of parts and the number of assembling steps are increased and the assembling workability is lowered because the winding spring is used to temporarily fix the neutral fixing member at the lock position.
- an object of the present invention is to provide a rotary connector device capable of reducing the number of parts and improving assembly workability.
- the present invention includes a fixing member, a rotating member attached to the fixing member so as to be relatively rotatable, and having a steering wheel insertion hole into which an insertion convex portion of the steering wheel is inserted, and a lock position and a lock with respect to the rotating member.
- a neutral fixing member provided to be movable between a release position and the neutral fixing member, in the locking position, is engaged with the fixing member to restrict relative rotation of the rotating member.
- a restricting portion for releasing the restriction between the rotating member and the fixing member is provided, and is pushed from the locking position by being pressed by the insertion convex portion inserted into the steering wheel insertion hole.
- One of the neutral fixing member and the rotating member is provided with an engaging portion, and the neutral fixing member and The other of the rotating members is provided with an engaged portion, and one of the engaging portion and the engaged portion is engaged with the other from the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the rotating member.
- the neutral fixing member is temporarily fixed at the lock position.
- the “axial direction of the rotating member” is a direction parallel to the insertion direction in which the insertion convex portion of the steering wheel is inserted into the steering wheel insertion hole.
- the “direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the rotating member” is, for example, the circumferential direction or the radial direction of the rotating member.
- one of the neutral fixing member and the rotating member is provided with the engaging portion, and the other of the neutral fixing member and the rotating member is provided with the engaged portion.
- one is engaged with the other from the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the rotating member, so that the neutral fixing member is temporarily fixed at the locked position, so that the neutral fixing member is temporarily fixed at the locked position.
- a winding spring for urging the member toward the lock position can be omitted. As a result, the number of parts can be reduced and the assembly workability can be improved.
- the insertion convex portion of the steering wheel is inserted into the steering wheel insertion hole of the rotating member.
- the neutral fixing member may be formed in an annular shape and fitted in the steering wheel insertion hole of the rotating member so as to be movable in the axial direction of the rotating member. According to the present invention, with a simple structure, the neutral fixing member can be disposed inside the steering wheel insertion hole of the rotating member so as to be movable in the axial direction of the rotating member.
- a first engaging portion that protrudes in a radial direction of the rotating member is provided as the engaging portion, and a first engaging portion that engages with the first engaging portion is provided as the engaged portion. Since one engaged portion is provided, the engaging portion can be provided with a simple structure.
- a wall portion is provided on the one of the neutral fixing member and the rotating member with a space on the lock position side of the first engagement portion, and the neutral fixing member
- the first engaged portion may be fitted between the first engaging portion and the wall portion while being in the unlocked position.
- the engaged portion may be engaged from both sides of the engaging portion. According to the present invention, rattling in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the neutral fixing member can be further suppressed.
- a flange portion projecting radially inward is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the steering wheel insertion hole of the rotating member, and the first engaged portion is You may stand upright in the axial direction of the said rotation member.
- the first engaged portion has a pair of elastic pieces standing on the flange portion and disposed on both sides of the first engaging portion, and the first engaging portion is disposed on the opposing surface of each elastic piece.
- An engaging convex portion may be provided. According to the present invention, the first engaged portion can be erected in the axial direction of the rotating member with a simple structure.
- the rotating member has a cylindrical inner peripheral surface, and as the engaged portion, a convex portion is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the rotating member, and as the engaging portion,
- the neutral fixing member may be provided with a second engaging portion that protrudes on the opposite side of the protruding portion in the protruding direction.
- the engaging portion and the engaged portion are compact in the circumferential direction of the rotating member. Can be arranged.
- the 2nd engaging part as an engaging part is arrange
- the neutral fixing member is provided with a regulating portion that protrudes toward the fixing member with an interval on the lock position side of the second engaging portion, and the neutral fixing member is In the state of being in the locked position, the restricting portion is locked to the fixing member to restrict relative rotation of the rotating member, and in the state in which the neutral fixing member is located in the unlocking position, the convex portion
- the neutral fixing member may be fixed to the unlock position by fitting between the second engaging portion and the restricting portion.
- the neutral fixing member can be fixed at the unlocking position with a simple structure in which the convex portion is fitted between the restricting portion and the engaging portion. Further, the restricting portion is provided at an interval on the lock position side of the engaging portion. That is, the restricting portion and the engaging portion are arranged in the axial direction of the rotating member. For this reason, in the state where the neutral fixing member is fixed at the unlocking position, it is possible to suppress the rattling in the axial direction of the neutral fixing member.
- another convex portion is provided on the lock release position side of the convex portion with an interval therebetween, and the second engaging portion is configured so that the convex portion and the other The neutral fixing member may be temporarily fixed at the unlocking position by being fitted between the convex portion.
- the neutral fixing member can be temporarily fixed at the unlocking position with a simple structure in which the second engaging portion as the engaging portion is fitted between the convex portion and the other convex portion.
- the other convex part is provided in the lock release position side of the convex part at intervals. That is, the convex portion and the other convex portion are arranged in the axial direction of the rotating member. For this reason, in the state where the neutral fixing member is temporarily fixed at the unlocking position, it is possible to suppress the play in the axial direction of the neutral fixing member.
- the rotating member may be provided with an exposed window penetrating to the outside at a location adjacent to the unlocking position side of the convex portion.
- the engaging portion engages with the surface of the convex portion on the unlocking position side.
- a rod is inserted from the outside into the exposure window, and the engagement portion is pressed radially inward with the rod to the radially inner side than the convex portion.
- the engagement between the engaging portion and the convex portion can be released by moving to the position.
- the neutral fixing member can be returned to the locked position by moving the neutral fixing member from the unlocked position to the locked position.
- the neutral fixing member is provided with an insertion portion protruding in the axial direction, and an attachment portion is provided on an inner peripheral surface of the steering wheel insertion hole of the rotating member.
- the mounting portion may be provided with an insertion hole for a neutral fixing member extending along the axial direction, and the insertion portion may be inserted into the insertion hole for the neutral fixing member so as to be movable in the insertion direction.
- the insertion portion has a pair of elastic pieces that are opposed to each other with a space therebetween when viewed from the front, and the engagement portion is provided on the outer side in the opposing direction of each of the pair of elastic pieces.
- a third engaging portion may be provided on the surface, and a third engaged portion may be provided on the inner peripheral surface of the neutral fixing member insertion hole as the engaged portion.
- the third engaging portion as the engaging portion and the third engaged portion as the engaged portion are arranged using the gap between the insertion portion and the neutral fixing member insertion hole. Therefore, it is not necessary to secure separate locations for the engaging portion and the engaged portion. Moreover, since the 3rd engaging part as an engaging part is provided in the surface of the opposing direction outer side of each of a pair of elastic piece of an insertion part, an engaging part and a to-be-engaged part can engage elastically. At the same time, rattling between the neutral fixing member and the rotating member (particularly rattling in the opposing direction of the pair of elastic pieces) can be suppressed.
- the insertion portion is provided with a pressing portion between the third engaging portions on both sides, and the pressing portion is included in the inner peripheral surface of the neutral fixing member insertion hole.
- the part facing the front of the pressing part may be pressed. According to the present invention, the play in the front direction of the pressing portion in the neutral fixing member (for example, the play in the radial direction of the neutral fixing member) can be suppressed.
- the neutral fixing member is provided with a restricting portion that protrudes from the engaging portion toward the fixing member, and the neutral fixing member is temporarily fixed at the lock position.
- the relative rotation of the rotating member may be restricted by the restricting portion being engaged with the fixing member.
- the neutral fixing member is disposed inside the steering wheel insertion hole, and extends in the axial direction in the inner peripheral surface of the steering wheel insertion hole.
- One of the fitting concave grooves is provided, and the other of the fitting convex and the fitting concave groove is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the neutral fixing member, and the neutral fixing member is in the unlocked position.
- the fitting convex part may be fitted in the fitting concave groove part.
- the fitting convex portion is fitted into the fitting concave groove portion in a state where the neutral fixing member is located at the unlocking position, the relative movement in the circumferential direction between the neutral fixing member and the rotating member can be restricted.
- rattling of the neutral fixing member in the circumferential direction that is, a direction orthogonal to the axial direction
- the neutral fixing member is formed in a vertically long shape extending in the axial direction of the rotating member, and a lower portion constitutes an insertion portion, and the rotating member is provided in the axial direction of the rotating member.
- An extended neutral fixing member insertion hole may be provided, and the insertion portion may be inserted into the neutral fixing member insertion hole so as to be movable in the axial direction.
- one of the neutral fixing member and the rotating member is provided with the engaging portion, and the other of the neutral fixing member and the rotating member is provided with the engaged portion.
- one is engaged with the other from the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the rotating member, so that the neutral fixing member is temporarily fixed at the locked position, so that the neutral fixing member is temporarily fixed at the locked position.
- a winding spring for urging the member toward the lock position can be omitted. As a result, the number of parts can be reduced and the assembly workability can be improved.
- the insertion convex portion of the steering wheel is the insertion hole for the steering wheel of the rotating member. It is possible to suppress the movement of the neutral fixing member from the locked position to the unlocked position due to the engaging portion and the engaged portion being in the way when inserted into the door. Moreover, the play of the neutral fixing member in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction can be suppressed.
- the neutral fixing member is formed in a vertically long shape, the lower part forms an insertion portion, the rotation member is provided with an insertion hole for a neutral fixing member extending in the axial direction of the rotation member, and the insertion portion is a neutral fixing member Since the neutral fixing member is attached to the rotating member by being inserted into the insertion hole so as to be movable in the axial direction, the play of the neutral fixing member can be further suppressed.
- a fourth engaging portion that protrudes in the radial direction of the rotating member is provided as the engaging portion, and the fourth engaged portion that engages with the fourth engaging portion as the engaged portion.
- An engaging part may be provided.
- the engaging portion can be provided with a simple structure.
- a flange portion projecting radially inward is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the steering wheel insertion hole of the rotating member, and the fourth engaged portion is You may stand upright in the axial direction of the said rotation member.
- the fourth engaged portion has a pair of elastic pieces standing on the flange portion and disposed on both sides of the fourth engaging portion, and the fourth engaging portion is provided on the opposing surface of each elastic piece.
- An engaging convex portion may be provided. According to the present invention, the fourth engaged portion can be erected in the axial direction of the rotating member with a simple structure.
- the insertion portion is formed in an annular shape when viewed from the front, and a fifth engagement portion is provided on the outer surface of each of the portions on both sides of the insertion portion as the engagement portion.
- a fifth engaged portion that engages with the fifth engaging portion may be provided on the inner peripheral surface of the neutral fixing member insertion hole as the engaged portion.
- the fifth engaging portion as the engaging portion and the fifth engaged portion as the engaged portion are arranged using the gap between the insertion portion and the neutral fixing member insertion hole. Therefore, it is not necessary to secure separate locations for the engaging portion and the engaged portion.
- the insertion portion is formed in an annular shape, it can be elastically deformed in the diametrical direction, and the fifth engagement portion as the engagement portion is a front view of each part on both sides of the annular insertion portion when viewed from the front. Since it is provided on the outer side, the engaging portion and the engaged portion can be elastically engaged, and rattling of the neutral fixing member (particularly, rattling in the front view width direction of the insertion portion) can be suppressed.
- the insertion portion has a pair of elastic pieces that are opposed to each other with a space therebetween when viewed from the front, and the engagement portion is provided on the outer side in the opposing direction of each of the pair of elastic pieces.
- a sixth engaging portion is provided on the surface, and a sixth engaged portion that engages with the sixth engaging portion is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the neutral fixing member insertion hole as the engaged portion. May be.
- the sixth engaging portion as the engaging portion and the sixth engaged portion as the engaged portion are arranged using the gap between the insertion portion and the neutral fixing member insertion hole. Therefore, it is not necessary to secure separate locations for the engaging portion and the engaged portion. Moreover, since the 6th engaging part as an engaging part is provided in the surface of the opposing direction outer side of each of a pair of elastic piece of an insertion part, an engaging part and a to-be-engaged part can engage elastically. At the same time, rattling between the neutral fixing member and the rotating member (particularly rattling in the opposing direction of the pair of elastic pieces) can be suppressed.
- the insertion portion is provided with a pressing portion between the engaging portions on both sides, and the pressing portion is the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole for the neutral fixing member. You may press the site
- the neutral fixing member is provided with a restricting portion that protrudes from the engaging portion toward the fixing member, and the neutral fixing member is temporarily fixed at the lock position.
- the relative rotation of the rotating member may be restricted by the restricting portion being engaged with the fixing member.
- FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line AA in a locked state of a rotating member in FIG.
- FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in a locked state of the rotating member in FIG. 1.
- FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view taken along the line BB in the locked state of the rotating member in FIG. 1.
- FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in the unlocked state of the rotating member in FIG. 1.
- FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in the unlocked state of the rotating member in FIG. 1.
- FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view taken along the line BB in the unlocked state of the rotating member in FIG. 1. It is a front view which shows the engaging part of the neutral fixing member which concerns on the modification 1, (a) is a figure which shows the locked state of a rotating member, (b) is a figure which shows the unlocking state of a rotating member.
- FIG. (A) is the elements on larger scale of the rotation connector apparatus of a locked state
- (b) is the elements on larger scale of the rotation connector apparatus of a lock release state.
- FIG. (A) is the elements on larger scale of the rotation connector apparatus of a locked state
- (b) is the elements on larger scale of the rotation connector apparatus of a lock release state.
- FIG. The perspective view which shows the sleeve of the modification 7.
- FIG. The perspective view which shows the rotation connector apparatus which concerns on other embodiment.
- the disassembled perspective view which shows the rotation connector apparatus which concerns on other embodiment.
- FIG. 24 is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 23.
- FIG. 24 is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG.
- A) is the elements on larger scale in the locked state in FIG. 28
- B) is the elements on larger scale in the lock release state in FIG.
- A) is the elements on larger scale in the locked state in FIG. 29,
- B) is the elements on larger scale in the unlocked state in FIG.
- FIG. 7 It is a front view which shows the engaging part and to-be-engaged part in the modification 7, (a) is a front view in a locked state, (b) is a front view in a lock release state. It is a perspective view which shows the neutral fixing member of the modification 8, (a) is the perspective view seen from the outer side main surface side of the neutral fixing member, (b) is the perspective view seen from the inner side main surface side of the neutral fixing member. Figure. It is a front view which shows the engaging part and to-be-engaged part of the modification 8, (a) is a front view in a locked state, (b) is a perspective view in a lock release state.
- the rotary connector device 1 is a device for electrically connecting a steering wheel side wiring and a vehicle body side wiring mounted on a vehicle (for example, an automobile). As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the rotary connector device 1 includes a rotator 20 and a sleeve 40 that constitute a rotating member 10 to which a steering wheel (not shown) is attached, and a stator as a fixing member 30 attached to the vehicle body side.
- a flat cable (not shown) that electrically connects the wiring on the steering wheel side and the wiring on the vehicle body side, and a neutral fixing member 50 that temporarily fixes the relative rotation of the rotating member 10 with respect to the fixing member 30 are provided.
- the stator 30 is also described.
- the rotator 20, the stator 30, the sleeve 40, and the neutral fixing member 50 are made of resin, for example.
- the neutral fixing member 50 is attached to the rotating member 10 so as to be movable between a lock position for locking the relative rotation of the rotating member 10 with respect to the fixing member 30 and a lock releasing position for releasing the lock.
- a lock position for locking the relative rotation of the rotating member 10 with respect to the fixing member 30
- a lock releasing position for releasing the lock.
- the insertion hole H is configured by an inner peripheral surface of an inner peripheral cylindrical portion 22 described later of the rotator 20 and an inner peripheral surface of a cylindrical portion 41 described later of the sleeve 40.
- 1 indicates the axial direction of the insertion hole H (that is, the axial direction of the rotating member 10 and the neutral fixing member 50)
- W indicates the circumferential direction of the insertion hole H (that is, the rotating member 10 and the neutral position). The circumferential direction of the fixing member 50 is shown.
- the rotator 20 includes a substantially circular rotation-side ring plate 21 having a substantially circular (for example, substantially D-shaped in plan view) through-hole 21 a at the center, and an inner peripheral edge of the rotation-side ring plate 21. And a cylindrical inner peripheral cylindrical portion 22 extending downward from the portion.
- a rotation side connector 24 is provided on the upper surface of the rotation side ring plate 21.
- the rotation side connector 24 is, for example, an electrical connection connector to which an electrical connection connector connected to an electrical circuit (for example, a horn switch and an airbag unit) provided on the steering wheel is connected.
- the inner peripheral cylindrical portion 22 is formed, for example, in a stepped cylindrical shape, and has a cylindrical large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 extending downward from the inner peripheral edge of the rotating side ring plate 21 and a lower end of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61.
- An annular upper stepped portion 63 projecting radially inward from the peripheral portion, a cylindrical medium diameter tubular portion 64 extending downward from the inner peripheral portion of the upper stepped portion 63, and a lower end peripheral edge of the intermediate diameter tubular portion 64
- a lower stepped portion 65 projecting radially inward from the portion, and a cylindrical small-diameter cylindrical portion 66 extending downward from the inner peripheral edge of the lower stepped portion 65. Accordingly, the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the inner peripheral cylindrical portion 22 are each reduced in a step shape at the upper step portion 63 from the upper end to the lower end, and further stepped at the lower step portion 65. The diameter is reduced.
- the inner diameter of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 is formed to be approximately the same as the diameter of the insertion convex portion 700 of the steering wheel so that the insertion convex portion 700 of the steering wheel can be fitted.
- the diameter of the medium diameter cylinder part 64 is formed smaller than the diameter of the large diameter cylinder part 61, and the diameter of the small diameter cylinder part 66 is formed smaller than the diameter of the medium diameter cylinder part 64.
- the length in the axial direction Y of the medium diameter cylindrical portion 64 is formed to be approximately the same as the thickness of a fixed side ring plate 31 described later of the stator 30, and the length in the axial direction Y of the small diameter cylindrical portion 66 is
- the sleeve 40 is formed to have substantially the same length as the length in the axial direction Y of a cylinder portion 41 to be described later.
- a recessed corner portion formed by the upper stepped portion 63 and the medium diameter cylindrical portion 64 forms a stator engaging portion that engages a fixed-side ring plate 31 described later of the stator 30.
- a sleeve engaging portion with which a later-described cylindrical portion 41 of the sleeve 40 is engaged is constituted by the recessed corner portion formed by the lower stepped portion 65 and the small diameter cylindrical portion 66.
- the inner peripheral cylindrical portion 22 has a fitting convex portion 22a for positioning a position in the circumferential direction W in the neutral fixing member 50, a locking portion 22b for locking to a locked portion 71 described later of the sleeve 40, and a neutral fixing.
- a guide notch portion 22c for guiding the movement of a later-described regulating portion 53 of the member 50 is provided.
- a plurality of (for example, four) fitting protrusions 22a are formed in a step shape having a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the front, and spaced apart from each other over the circumferential direction W of the inner peripheral surface of the inner peripheral cylindrical portion 22.
- the locking portion 22b is formed, for example, in a protruding shape, and is provided at, for example, approximately the center of the inner main surface of the fitting convex portion 22a.
- a plurality of (for example, two at the symmetrical positions) the notch portions 22c for guidance are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction W of the inner peripheral cylindrical portion 22.
- Each guide notch 22 c penetrates in the thickness direction of the inner peripheral cylindrical portion 22, is formed in, for example, a substantially strip shape along the axial direction Y of the inner peripheral cylindrical portion 22, and extends to the upper end of the medium diameter cylindrical portion 64. It is formed and opened at the lower end of the inner peripheral cylinder part 22.
- the upper end 22u of each guide notch 22c defines the upper limit position (that is, the lock position) of the movement range of the neutral fixing member 50.
- the moving range of the neutral fixing member 50 extends along the axial direction Y.
- the stator 30 includes a substantially annular fixed-side ring plate 31, a cylindrical outer peripheral cylindrical portion 32 extending upward from the outer peripheral edge of the fixed-side ring plate 31, and an outer peripheral cylinder.
- fixed part 36 for fixing the stator 30 to a vehicle body are provided.
- a circular through hole 31a into which the outer periphery of the medium diameter cylindrical portion 64 of the rotator 20 is fitted is provided.
- one or more locking portions 31 b (for example, two at symmetrical positions) to be locked by a later-described regulating portion 53 of the neutral fixing member 50 are provided.
- Each locking portion 31 b is formed in a concave shape radially outward from the inner peripheral edge of the fixed-side ring plate 31 and penetrates in the thickness direction of the fixed-side ring plate 31.
- the diameter of the outer peripheral cylindrical portion 32 is formed to be approximately the same as the diameter of the rotating side ring plate 21 of the rotator 20.
- the length of the outer peripheral cylindrical portion 32 in the axial direction Y is formed to be approximately the same as the length of the inner peripheral cylindrical portion 22 of the rotator 20 in the axial direction Y.
- a flange portion 32 a with which the outer peripheral edge portion of the rotation side ring plate 21 is engaged is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral cylindrical portion 32.
- the flange portion 32 a is provided so as to protrude radially inward of the outer peripheral cylindrical portion 32 over the entire circumferential direction W in the vicinity of the upper peripheral edge portion of the inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral cylindrical portion 32.
- the fixed connector 35 is an electrical connection connector to which an electrical connection connector connected to an electrical circuit provided on the vehicle body is connected.
- the fixing portion 36 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral cylindrical portion 32 so as to project outward in the radial direction.
- the rotator 20 is fitted inside the outer peripheral cylindrical portion 32 of the stator 30, and the outer peripheral edge portion of the rotation-side ring plate 21 of the rotator 20.
- the lower surface engages with the upper surface of the flange portion 32 a of the stator 30.
- the medium diameter cylindrical portion 64 of the rotator 20 is fitted into the central through hole 31 a of the stationary side ring plate 31 of the stator 30, and the upper stepped portion 63 of the rotator 20 is fixed to the stationary side ring of the stator 30.
- the rotator 20 is attached to the stator 30 so as to be rotatable relative to the stator 30.
- An annular housing space S in which the flat cable is housed is formed between the stator 30 and the rotator 20 assembled in this manner.
- the accommodation space S is a space surrounded by the inner peripheral cylindrical portion 22, the outer peripheral cylindrical portion 32, the rotation side ring plate 21, and the fixed side ring plate 31.
- the flat cable is wound in the same number of turns clockwise and counterclockwise along the outer peripheral surface of the inner peripheral cylindrical portion 22 and the inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral cylindrical portion 32 in a state where a plurality of flat cables are stacked. Therefore, it is accommodated in the accommodation space S.
- One end of the flat cable is electrically connected to the rotation-side connector 24, and the other end of the flat cable is electrically connected to the fixed-side connector 35.
- the neutral fixing member 50 is a member that temporarily fixes the rotator 20 to the neutral position with respect to the stator 30.
- the outer diameter is approximately the same as the inner diameter of the small-diameter cylindrical portion 66 of the rotator 20.
- An annular neutral fixing member main body 50h having The neutral fixing member main body 50h includes an accommodation recess 51 in which a later-described engaged portion 72 of the sleeve 40 is accommodated, and an engagement portion 52 (first engagement) that engages with the later-described engaged portion 72 of the sleeve 40. And a restricting portion 53 that restricts relative rotation of the rotating member 10 with respect to the fixed member 30 by being engaged with the engaging portion 31 b of the stator 30.
- One or more accommodating recesses 51 are provided along the circumferential direction W (for example, two at symmetrical positions) on the inner peripheral surface of the neutral fixing member main body 50h.
- the lower end of the housing recess 51 is open at the lower end of the neutral fixing member main body 50h.
- the engaging portion 52 is formed in, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped column shape, and extends from the center in the circumferential direction W at the lower end of each receiving recess 51 toward the radially inner side of the neutral fixing member main body 50h (that is, the radial direction of the rotating member 10). It is provided so as to protrude.
- the restricting portion 53 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped rod shape, for example, and extends from the radially outer end of each engaging portion 52 so as to protrude radially outward. That is, the engaging portion 52 and the restricting portion 53 are gathered at one place and are integrally formed with each other.
- a fitting recess 56 into which the upper portion of the locked portion 71 is fitted is provided.
- the fitting concave groove portion 54 is provided along the axial direction Y of the neutral fixing member main body 50h at a position corresponding to each fitting convex portion 22a of the rotator 20 on the outer peripheral surface of the neutral fixing member main body 50h.
- the fixing member main body 50h is opened at the upper end and the lower end.
- the passing groove portion 55 is provided at the bottom of each fitting groove portion 54, has a width smaller than the width of the fitting groove portion 54, and is open at the upper end and the lower end of the neutral fixing member body 50h.
- the fitting recessed part 56 is provided in the back side of each fitting recessed groove part 54 in the internal peripheral surface of the neutral fixing member main body 50h, and is open
- the bottom part (namely, surface of radial direction outer side) of the fitting recessed part 56 is connected to the bottom part of the fitting recessed groove part 54, for example.
- the neutral fixing member 50 is inserted into the inner peripheral cylindrical portion 22 of the rotator 20.
- each restricting portion 53 of the neutral fixing member 50 protrudes from each guiding notch 22 c of the rotator 20 to the outside of the rotator 20.
- the fitting convex portion 22a and the locking portion 22b of the rotator 20 pass through the fitting concave groove portion 54 and the passing concave groove portion 55 of the neutral fixing member 50, respectively. It arrange
- the sleeve 40 includes, for example, a cylindrical tube portion 41 that fits on the outer periphery of the small-diameter tube portion 66 of the rotator 20, and a radial direction from the upper end of the outer peripheral surface of the tube portion 41.
- an arcuate extending portion 44 for example, two extending portions 44 are provided at symmetrical positions at intervals in the circumferential direction W of the tubular portion 41.
- the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 41 is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the small diameter cylindrical portion 66 of the rotator 20, and the length of the cylindrical portion 41 in the axial direction Y is substantially the same as the length of the small diameter cylindrical portion 66 in the axial direction Y. It is.
- a guide concave portion 41 a that guides the movement of each regulating portion 53 of the neutral fixing member 50 is provided.
- the guide recesses 41 a are provided at a plurality of positions (that is, positions corresponding to the restricting portions 53) at symmetrical positions along the circumferential direction W of the cylinder portion 41.
- the guide recess 41 a is formed along the axial direction Y of the tube portion 41 and is open at the upper end of the tube portion 41.
- a lower end 41b (FIG. 8) of the guide recess 41a defines a lower limit position (that is, a lock release position) of the moving range of the neutral fixing member 50.
- the lower end flange portion 43 has an engaged portion 71 engaged by the engaging portion 22 b of the rotator 20 and an engaged portion 72 engaged by the engaging portion 52 of the neutral fixing member 50.
- An exposure window 73 is provided for exposing the (first engaged portion) and the lower end of the engaging portion 52 (that is, the unlocking position side).
- the locked portion 71 is erected in the axial direction Y at each position corresponding to each locking portion 22 b of the rotator 20 on the inner peripheral edge of the upper surface of the lower end flange portion 43.
- Each locked portion 71 is formed, for example, in a rectangular plate shape when viewed from the front, and a locking hole capable of locking the locking portion 22b is formed at the center of the lateral width of the locked portion 71. It is provided penetrating in the direction. The lower end of the locking hole is opened at the lower end flange portion 43.
- the engaged portion 72 is erected in the axial direction Y at each position corresponding to each engaging portion 52 of the neutral fixing member 50 on the inner peripheral edge of the upper surface of the lower end flange portion 43.
- Each engaged portion 72 includes a pair of elastic pieces 72 a and a convex portion 72 b that is provided on each of the pair of elastic pieces 72 a and engages with the engaging portion 52.
- the pair of elastic pieces 72 a are erected in the axial direction Y on the upper surface of the lower end flange portion 43.
- the pair of elastic pieces 72 a are disposed to face each other along the circumferential direction W so as to be disposed on both sides of the engaging portion 52 of the neutral fixing member 50 in the circumferential direction W.
- Each convex part 72b is provided so that it may protrude in the opposing direction in the front end side of the opposing surface of each elastic piece 72a.
- chamfered portions 72c and 72d that are chamfered in a flat surface shape are provided at the corners on the upper side (that is, on the lock position side) and the lower side (that is, on the lock release position side) of each convex portion 72b.
- the chamfered portions 72c and 72d may be curved surfaces that are curved in an arc shape, for example.
- the pair of elastic pieces 72a are arranged on both sides in the circumferential direction W of the engaging portion 52, and the convex portions 72b are provided so as to protrude in the opposite direction on the opposite surface of the elastic piece 72a.
- the joining portion 72 engages with the engaging portion 52 from both sides in the circumferential direction W (that is, a direction orthogonal to the axial direction Y).
- the exposure window 73 is provided in a portion between the pair of elastic pieces 72a in the lower end flange portion 43 (that is, a portion blocking the front of the lower end (that is, the unlocking position side) of the engaging portion 52), The lower end flange portion 43 penetrates in the thickness direction.
- the small-diameter cylindrical portion 66 of the rotator 20 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 41 until the upper end of the cylindrical portion 41 contacts the lower stepped portion 65 of the rotator 20. In this state, it is attached to the rotator 20. In this attached state, the locking portion 22b of the rotator 20 is locked to the locked portion 71 of the sleeve 40, whereby the sleeve 40 is fixed to the rotator 20 so as to be integrally rotatable.
- the upper end flange portion 42 of the sleeve 40 is disposed opposite to the upper stepped portion 63 of the rotator 20 with the inner peripheral edge portion of the stationary side ring plate 31 of the stator 30 interposed therebetween.
- the upper stepped portion 63, the medium diameter cylindrical portion 64, and the upper end flange portion 42 constitute a groove portion having a concave cross section, and the inner peripheral edge portion of the fixed ring plate 31 is fitted in the groove portion.
- the upper end flange portion 42 prohibits the stator 30 from coming off to the sleeve 40 side.
- the guide recess 41a of the sleeve 40 is disposed so as to overlap the outside of the guide notch 22c of the rotator 20, thereby providing a guide.
- a guide portion that restricts the movement range of the restricting portion 53 of the neutral fixing member 50 (that is, the movement range of the neutral fixing member 50) between the lock position and the unlock position by the upper side of the notch portion 22c and the guide concave portion 41a. Is formed.
- the movement range of the restricting portion 53 extends in the axial direction Y.
- the neutral fixing member 50 is supported by the engaged portion 72 so as to be positioned at the lock position (that is, the upper end 22u of the guide notch 22c) (FIGS. 8 and 9). In other words, the neutral fixing member 50 is temporarily fixed at the lock position.
- the neutral fixing member 50 protrudes above the upper step portion 63 of the rotator 20. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the restricting portion 53 of the neutral fixing member 50 is locked to the locking portion 31 b of the stator 30, so that the rotational position of the rotating member 10 is in the neutral position, The relative rotation of the rotating member 10 with respect to the fixed member 30 is locked.
- the neutral fixing member 50 when the steering wheel insertion convex portion 700 is inserted into the inner peripheral cylindrical portion 22 of the rotator 20 (that is, the insertion hole H of the rotating member 10).
- the neutral fixing member 50 is temporarily fixed at the lock position as described above.
- the neutral fixing member 50 protrudes above the upper stepped portion 63 of the rotator 20 and the rotational position of the rotating member 10 is in the neutral position. The rotation is locked.
- the engaging portion 52 is engaged with each chamfered portion 72c on the upper side of each convex portion 72b of the engaged portion 72 from the state where the engaging portion 52 is engaged with each elasticity of the engaged portion 72.
- the piece 72a is elastically pushed down on both sides in the circumferential direction W, it passes between the convex portions 72b of the engaged portion 72, and the upper portion of the engaging portion 52 is below the convex portions 72b of the engaged portion 72.
- the state shifts to a state of engaging with the chamfered portion 72d on the side (that is, a state in which the upper portion of the engaging portion 52 is held by the chamfered portion 72d on the lower side of each convex portion 72b of the engaged portion 72).
- the neutral fixing member 50 is temporarily fixed at the unlocking position by engaging the upper portion of the engaging portion 52 with the chamfered portion 72d on the lower side of each convex portion 72b of the engaged portion 72.
- each convex portion 72b of the engaged portion 72 of the sleeve 40 is fitted between the engaging portion 52 of the neutral fixing member 50 and the upper wall portion 51a (wall portion) of the housing concave portion 51. ing. Thereby, the play of the neutral fixing member 50 in the axial direction Y is suppressed. Further, the fitting convex portion 22 a of the rotator 20 is fitted into the fitting concave groove portion 54 of the neutral fixing member 50, and the upper portion of the locked portion 71 of the sleeve 40 is fitted into the fitting concave portion 56 of the neutral fixing member 50. is doing. Thereby, the rattling of the neutral fixing member 50 in the circumferential direction is suppressed.
- the steering wheel is rotated to adjust the rotating member 10 to the neutral position, and then the steer wheel insertion convex portion 700 is operated. Is removed from the inner peripheral cylindrical portion 22 of the rotator 20. Then, in this removed state, the elongated rod 800 is inserted into the exposure window 73 from the lower end opening side (that is, the unlocking position side) of the sleeve 40, and the engaging portion 52 is pressed upward (that is, the locking position side). .
- the engaging portion 52 is engaged with the chamfered portion 72d on the lower side of each convex portion 72b of the engaged portion 72 from the state where the upper portion of the engaging portion 52 is engaged with each convex portion 72b of the engaged portion 72. Then, the lower portion of the engaging portion 52 shifts to a state (FIG. 6) where the lower portion of the engaging portion 52 is engaged with the chamfered portion 72 c on the upper side of each convex portion 72 b of the engaged portion 72. As a result, the neutral fixing member 50 is returned from the lock release position to the lock position and temporarily fixed at the lock position.
- the fixing member that is, the stator
- the insertion hole H which is attached to the fixing member 30 so as to be relatively rotatable and into which the insertion convex portion 700 of the steering wheel is inserted
- the rotation member 10 ie, the rotator 20 and the sleeve 40 having a steering wheel insertion hole
- the fixing member 30 is provided in the lock position.
- the relative rotation of the rotating member 10 is restricted by being locked, and at the lock release position, the restriction is released, and the lock is released from the lock position by being pressed by the insertion convex portion 700 inserted into the insertion hole H.
- the neutral fixing member 50 is provided with an engaging portion 52, and the rotating member 10 (for example, the sleeve 40) is provided with the engaging portion 52.
- An engaged part 72 is provided, and the engaged part 72 is engaged with the engaging part 52 from a direction orthogonal to the axial direction Y (that is, the circumferential direction W), so that the neutral fixing member 50 is temporarily placed in the locked position. Fixed.
- the neutral fixing member 50 is provided with the engaging portion 52, the rotating member 10 is provided with the engaged portion 72, and the engaged portion 72 is engaged from the direction perpendicular to the axial direction Y.
- the neutral fixing member 50 is temporarily fixed at the lock position. Therefore, in order to temporarily fix the neutral fixing member 50 to the lock position, winding for biasing the neutral fixing member 50 toward the lock position is performed.
- the spring can be omitted. As a result, the number of parts can be reduced and the assembly workability can be improved.
- the engaged portion 72 engages with the engaging portion 52 from a direction orthogonal to the axial direction Y (that is, the circumferential direction W)
- the insertion convex portion 700 of the steering wheel is inserted into the insertion hole H of the rotating member 10.
- the neutral fixing member 50 is formed in an annular shape, and is fitted in the insertion hole H (steering wheel insertion hole) of the rotating member 10 so as to be movable in the axial direction Y.
- the neutral fixing member 50 can be disposed in the insertion hole of the rotating member 10 so as to be movable in the axial direction Y.
- the engaging part 52 (1st engaging part) is provided in the state which protruded in the radial direction in the neutral fixing member 50 as an aspect of this invention, the engaging part 52 can be provided with a simple structure. .
- the engaged portion 72 has a convex portion 72b protruding in the facing direction, and the neutral fixing member 50 is temporarily fixed at the lock position by engaging the convex portion 72b with the engaging portion 52. That is, the engaging part 52 and the engaged part 72 are engaged via the convex part 72b. For this reason, sufficient engagement force is securable.
- Sufficient engagement force is an engagement force in which engagement is maintained with an external force less than a predetermined magnitude of external force and disengagement with an external force greater than or equal to a predetermined magnitude.
- the engagement portion 52 and the engaged portion 72 are disengaged only when the insertion convex portion 700 inserted into the insertion hole H presses the neutral fixing member 50, and otherwise the engagement is engaged. The engagement between the portion 52 and the engaged portion 72 can be maintained.
- the chamfered portion 72c is provided at the corner portion on the upper side (that is, the lock position side) of the convex portion 72b, when the insertion convex portion 700 of the steering wheel is inserted into the insertion hole H of the rotating member 10, it is neutral.
- the fixing member 50 can be smoothly moved from the locked position to the unlocked position without being caught by the corner on the upper side (that is, the lock position side) of the convex portion 72b.
- the elastic piece 72a is elastically pushed down in the circumferential direction W by the chamfered portion 72c, the neutral fixing member 50 is unlocked from the locked position without being caught by the upper corner portion of the convex portion 72b. It can be moved smoothly to the position.
- the neutral fixing member 50 is temporarily fixed at the locked position by engaging the engaging portion 52 with the chamfered portion 72c on the upper side (that is, the lock position side) of the convex portion 72b.
- the engaging force with the joint portion 52 has not only a component in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction Y of the rotating member 10 (that is, the circumferential direction W) but also a component in the axial direction Y.
- a chamfered portion 72d is provided at the lower corner of the convex portion 72b (that is, the unlocking position side), and the engaging portion 52 is engaged with the chamfered portion 72d, whereby the neutral fixing member 50 is unlocked. Since it is temporarily fixed at the position, the engaging force between the chamfered portion 72d and the engaging portion 52 has a component in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction Y (that is, the circumferential direction W) and a component in the axial direction Y. . As a result, in the state where the neutral fixing member 50 is temporarily fixed at the unlocking position, it is possible to suppress the play in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction Y and the play in the axial direction Y in the neutral fixing member 50.
- the neutral fixing member 50 is pressed to the locking position side with an external force of a predetermined size.
- the neutral fixing member 50 can be returned from the unlocked position to the locked position.
- the neutral fixing member 50 is provided with an upper wall portion 51a (wall portion) at an interval above the engagement portion 52 (first engagement portion) (that is, on the lock position side).
- the protrusion 72b of the engaged portion 72 (first engaged portion) is fitted between the engaging portion 52 and the upper wall portion 51a in the state where the lock is released. That is, the upper surface of the convex portion 72 b comes into contact with the upper wall portion 51 a, and the lower chamfered portion 72 d comes into contact with the upper portion of the engaging portion 52. For this reason, rattling of the axial direction Y in the neutral fixing member 50 can be suppressed in a state in which the neutral fixing member 50 is located at the unlock position.
- an exposure window 73 is provided in a portion of the rotating member 10 that blocks the front of the end portion on the unlocking position side of the engaging portion 52 (for example, a portion between the pair of elastic pieces 72a in the lower end flange portion 43). Therefore, in a state where the neutral fixing member 50 is temporarily fixed at the unlocking position, the rod 800 is inserted into the exposure window 73 from the outside, and the engaging portion 52 is pressed toward the locking position by the rod 800, so that the neutral fixing member 50 is neutral. The fixing member 50 can be returned from the unlocked position to the locked position.
- the neutral fixing member 50 can be locked in a balanced manner. It can be temporarily fixed at the position and temporarily fixed at the unlocked position.
- the engaged portion 72 includes an elastic piece 72a extending from the sleeve 40 constituting the rotating member 10, and the elastic piece 72a is provided with a convex portion 72b.
- the joint portion 72 can be elastically engaged. As a result, the play of the neutral fixing member 50 can be further suppressed.
- the engaged portion 72 is engaged from both sides of the engaging portion 52 (that is, the direction orthogonal to the axial direction Y, that is, the circumferential direction W). In other words, the engaged portion 72 sandwiches the engaging portion 52 from both sides. For this reason, the play of the neutral fixing member 50 in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction Y (that is, the circumferential direction W) can be further suppressed.
- a lower end flange portion 43 (flange portion) projecting radially inward is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole H (steering wheel insertion hole) of the rotating member 10 (for example, the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 41). Since the engaged portion 72 (first engaged portion) is erected in the axial direction Y at the lower end flange portion 43, the engaged portion 72 is directed in the axial direction Y with a simple structure. Can be erected.
- the engaging portion 52 is provided on the neutral fixing member 50 and the engaged portion 72 is provided on the rotating member 10 (for example, the sleeve 40), but the engaged portion 72 is provided on the neutral fixing member 50. May be provided, and the engaging portion 52 may be provided on the rotating member 10. The same applies to Modifications 1 to 7 below.
- the rotating member 10 (for example, the rotator 20) is provided with the fitting convex portion 22a and the locking portion 22b, and the neutral fixing member 50 is provided with the fitting concave groove portion 54 and the passing concave groove portion 55.
- the rotating groove 10 may be provided with a fitting groove and a passing groove, and the neutral fixing member 50 may be provided with a fitting protrusion and a locking portion. The same applies to Modifications 1 to 7 below.
- the neutral fixing member 50 is provided with a restricting portion 53 that protrudes from the engaging portion 52 toward the fixing member (that is, the stator) 30, so that the restricting portion 53 and the engaging portion 52 are gathered in one place.
- the structure of the neutral fixing member 50 can be simplified.
- the neutral fixing member 50 is disposed inside the insertion hole H of the rotating member 10, the fitting convex portion 22 a is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole H, and the outer peripheral surface of the neutral fixing member 50 is Since the fitting concave groove portion 54 extending in the axial direction Y is provided, and the fitting convex portion 22a is fitted into the fitting concave groove portion 54 in a state where the neutral fixing member 50 is located at the unlocking position, the neutral fixing member 50 is fitted.
- the relative movement in the circumferential direction between the rotary member 10 and the rotating member 10 can be restricted, and thereby, rattling of the neutral fixing member 50 in the circumferential direction W (that is, a direction orthogonal to the axial direction Y) can be suppressed.
- the engaging part 52 is formed with flat side surfaces on both sides in the circumferential direction W.
- a concave portion 52 a that is formed in a vertically long, for example, substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape along Y and on which the convex portions 72 b of the engaged portion 72 can be fitted may be provided on both side surfaces in the circumferential direction W.
- the convex portion 72b fits into the concave portion 52a in a state where the neutral fixing member 50 is located at the unlocking position, the circumferential direction W (that is, the direction orthogonal to the axial direction Y) of the neutral fixing member 50 ) As well as backlash in the axial direction Y can be suppressed.
- the engaging portion 52 and the engaged portion 72 are arranged so as to be aligned in the circumferential direction W of the rotating member 10 in the engaged state.
- the engaging part 52 and the to-be-engaged part 72 are arrange
- the engaged portion 72 has a convex portion 72b that protrudes from the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 41 of the sleeve 40.
- the convex portion 72b is disposed below the lower end 41b of the guiding concave portion 41a on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 41, and is disposed so as to be flat with respect to the lower end 41b of the guiding concave portion 41a.
- an exposure window 45 is provided at a location adjacent to the lower side of the convex portion 72b.
- the exposure window 45 penetrates to the outside by penetrating in the thickness direction of the cylindrical portion 41 along the radial direction R, for example.
- chamfered portions 72c and 72d are provided at the upper and lower corners of the convex portion 72b.
- the engaging portion 52 is formed in, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and protrudes toward the outside in the radial direction R (that is, on the opposite side to the protruding direction of the protruding portion 72b) on the outer peripheral surface of the neutral fixing member main body 50h.
- the restricting portion 53 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the neutral fixing member main body 50h with an interval above the engaging portion 52 and protrudes radially outward (that is, on the stator 30 side).
- the interval between the engaging portion 52 and the restricting portion 53 is substantially the same as the vertical width of the convex portion 72b. That is, the convex portion 72 b can be fitted between the engaging portion 52 and the restricting portion 53.
- the neutral fixing member 50 When returning the neutral fixing member 50 from the unlocked position to the locked position, the elongated rod 801 is inserted into the exposure window 45 from the side of the sleeve 40 and the engaging portion 52 is pressed radially inward, The tip of the engaging portion 52 is moved radially inward from the tip of the convex portion 72b. In this state, the neutral fixing member 50 is moved from the unlocked position to the locked position. As a result, the neutral fixing member 50 is returned from the unlocked position to the locked position.
- the convex portion 72b (that is, the engaged portion 72) is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the rotating member 10 (for example, the sleeve 40), and the engaging portion 52 (second engaging portion) is the convex portion. It projects to the opposite side of the projecting direction of 72b. That is, since the engaging part 52 and the convex part 72 b are arranged in the radial direction R of the rotating member 10, the engaging part 52 and the convex part 72 b can be arranged compactly with respect to the circumferential direction W of the rotating member 10.
- the engaging part 52 (2nd engaging part) is arrange
- the engaging force from the engaging part 52 to the convex part 72b rotates. It is received by the inner peripheral surface of the member 10, and the engaging force can be reliably applied to the convex portion 72b.
- the engaging part 52 and the convex part 72b can be reliably engaged.
- the neutral fixing member 50 is provided with a regulating portion 53 that protrudes toward the stator (fixing member) 30 with an interval above the engaging portion 52 (second engaging portion) (that is, on the lock position side).
- the neutral fixing member 50 is fixed at the unlocking position by fitting the convex portion 72b between the engaging portion 52 and the restricting portion 53.
- the neutral fixing member 50 can be fixed at the unlock position with a simple structure in which the convex portion 72b is fitted between the engaging portion 52 and the restricting portion 53.
- the restricting portion 53 is provided above the engaging portion 52 (that is, on the lock position side) with a space therebetween. That is, the restricting portion 53 and the engaging portion 52 are arranged in the axial direction Y of the rotating member 10. For this reason, rattling of the axial direction Y in the neutral fixing member 50 can be suppressed in a state where the neutral fixing member 50 is fixed at the unlock position.
- the rotating member 10 (for example, the sleeve 40) is provided with an exposed window 45 penetrating to the outside at a location adjacent to the lower side of the convex portion 72b (that is, the unlocking position side). For this reason, a rod 801 is inserted into the exposure window 45 from the outside, and the engaging portion 52 engaged with the convex portion 72b is pressed radially inward with the rod 801 and moved radially inward from the convex portion 72b. By doing so, the engagement between the engaging portion 52 and the convex portion 72b can be released. In this released state, the neutral fixing member 50 can be returned to the locked position by moving the neutral fixing member 50 from the unlocked position to the locked position.
- the neutral fixing member 50 is fixed at the unlock position by fitting the convex portion 72b (that is, the engaged portion 72) between the engaging portion 52 and the restricting portion 53.
- the engaged portion 72 is spaced from the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 41 of the sleeve 40 below the convex portion 72b (that is, on the unlocking position side). It further has other convex part 72e provided in the space.
- the neutral fixing member 50 is fixed to a lock release position.
- the interval between the convex portion 72b and the other convex portion 72e is substantially the same as the width in the axial direction Y of the engaging portion 52, and the interval between the engaging portion 52 and the restricting portion 53 is the convex portion. It may be larger than the width in the axial direction Y of 72b.
- the engaging part 52 (second engaging part) is fitted between the convex part 72b and the other convex part 72e (in other words, the convex part 72b and the other convex part 72e
- the neutral fixing member 50 can be fixed at the unlocking position with a simple structure (with the engaging portion 52 sandwiched from both sides in the axial direction Y).
- the other convex portion 72e is provided below the convex portion 72b (that is, on the unlocking position side) with a space therebetween. That is, the convex portion 72 b and the other convex portion 72 e are aligned in the axial direction Y of the rotating member 10. For this reason, rattling of the axial direction Y in the neutral fixing member 50 can be suppressed in a state where the neutral fixing member 50 is fixed at the unlock position.
- the neutral fixing member 50 in order to attach the neutral fixing member 50 to the rotating member 10 so as to be relatively movable in the axial direction Y, the neutral fixing member 50 is provided with an insertion portion 58 (FIG. 16).
- the rotating member 10 is provided with an attachment portion 46 having an insertion hole 46a (neutral fixing member insertion hole) (FIG. 17) into which the insertion portion 58 is inserted.
- this modification will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
- the same components as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof will be omitted, and description will be made centering on differences from the above embodiment.
- the neutral fixing member 50 of this modification is formed in a cylindrical shape (for example, a cylindrical shape).
- the neutral fixing member 50 of this modification is provided with an insertion portion 58 as compared with the neutral fixing member 50 of the above-described embodiment.
- the insertion portion 58 is formed, for example, in a rectangular plate shape when viewed from the front.
- a plurality of (for example, two) insertion portions 58 are provided at symmetrical positions along the circumferential direction W at the lower peripheral end portion of the neutral fixing member main body 50h. Only one insertion portion 58 may be provided. In this embodiment, each insertion portion 58 is provided on the lower peripheral end portion of the neutral fixing member main body 50h, for example, below each engagement portion 52.
- Each insertion portion 58 has a lateral width direction of each insertion portion 58 along the circumferential direction W and protrudes downward in the axial direction Y at the lower peripheral end portion of the neutral fixing member main body 50h, and the diameter of the neutral fixing member main body 50h. It is provided in a state shifted outward in the direction.
- the engaging portion 52 protrudes radially inward from the base end portion (that is, the upper end portion) of the insertion portion 58 through the lower end center of the bottom surface of the housing recess 51 in the neutral fixing member main body 50h. Is provided. Further, the restricting portion 53 is provided in a state of protruding radially outward from the center of the proximal end portion of the insertion portion 58.
- the sleeve 40 of this embodiment is provided with an attachment portion 46 having an insertion hole 46 a into which the insertion portion 58 of the neutral fixing member 50 is inserted in the sleeve 40 of the above-described embodiment. is there.
- the mounting portion 46 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 41 of the sleeve 40 at a location corresponding to each insertion portion 58 of the neutral fixing member 50 in a state of projecting inside the sleeve 40.
- Each mounting portion 46 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 41 of the sleeve 40 below the guiding concave portion 41a.
- the upper surface of the mounting portion 46 is flat with respect to the lower end 41b of the guide recess 41a.
- An insertion hole 46 a into which the insertion portion 58 of the neutral fixing member 50 is inserted is provided on the upper surface of each attachment portion 46.
- the insertion hole 46 a is formed in a shape into which the insertion portion 58 can be inserted and has a horizontally long opening along the circumferential direction W.
- the insertion hole 46 a penetrates along the axial direction Y from the upper surface of the attachment portion 46 to the lower surface of the lower end flange portion 43.
- the insertion portion 58 of the neutral fixing member 50 is inserted from the upper side of the insertion hole 46a of the sleeve 40 into the insertion hole 46a so as to be movable in the insertion direction (that is, the axial direction Y). Accordingly, the neutral fixing member 50 is attached to the sleeve 40 (that is, the rotating member 10) so as to be relatively movable along the axial direction Y.
- the operation of the neutral fixing member 50 in this embodiment is as follows.
- the engaging portion 52 In the state where the neutral fixing member 50 is located at the lock position, the engaging portion 52 is each convex portion of the engaged portion 72. It engages with a chamfered portion 72c on the upper side of 72b (that is, on the lock position side), whereby the neutral fixing member 50 is temporarily fixed at the lock position.
- 18B when the neutral fixing member 50 is moved from the locked position to the unlocked position, the engaging portion 52 moves downward between the convex portions 72b of the engaged portion 72. Passes and engages a chamfered portion 72d on the lower side of each convex portion 72b of the engaged portion 72. Thereby, the neutral fixing member 50 is temporarily fixed to the unlocking position.
- the neutral fixing member 50 is provided with the insertion portion 58 in a state of protruding in the axial direction Y, and the attachment portion 46 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole H of the rotating member 10.
- the mounting portion 46 is provided with an insertion hole 46a (neutral fixing member insertion hole) extending along the axial direction Y, and the insertion portion 58 moves in the insertion direction (that is, the axial direction Y) into the insertion hole 46a. Since the insertion portion 58 is inserted into the insertion hole 46a, the neutral fixing member 50 can be attached to the rotating member 10 so as to be relatively movable in the axial direction Y. The rotating member 10 can be attached while suppressing rattling.
- the insertion portion 58 is formed in a substantially inverted U shape. That is, the insertion portion 58 is connected to, for example, a horizontally-long rectangular parallelepiped connecting portion 81 that extends along the circumferential direction W and is displaced in the radial direction at the lower peripheral end portion of the neutral fixing member main body 50h.
- a pair of elastic pieces 82 that extend from both ends in the longitudinal direction of the portion 81 toward the lower side in the axial direction Y and that are opposed to each other along the circumferential direction W are provided.
- each of the pair of elastic pieces 82 On the outer surface in the opposing direction of each of the pair of elastic pieces 82, for example, near the center in the longitudinal direction of the elastic piece 82, another engaging portion 83 having a convex shape (for example, a triangular shape in front view) is provided.
- a convex shape for example, a triangular shape in front view
- the insertion hole 46a of the mounting portion 46 of this modification On the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 46a of the mounting portion 46 of this modification, other than a convex shape (for example, a triangular shape in front view) engaged with another engaging portion 83 on the upper end side of both side surfaces in the circumferential direction W The engaged portion 47 is provided.
- the insertion portion 58 is inserted into the insertion hole 46a so that the pair of elastic pieces 82 are arranged in the circumferential direction W in the insertion hole 4a.
- the neutral fixing member 50 is temporarily fixed at the locked position and the unlocked position by the engagement between the engaging portion 52 and the engaged portion 72 and will be described later.
- the neutral fixing member 50 is temporarily fixed at the locked position and the unlocked position by the engagement of the other engaging portion 83 of the insertion portion 58 and the other engaged portion 47 of the insertion hole 46a.
- the other engaging portion 83 (third engaging portion) and the other engaged portion 47 (third engaged portion) are inserted into the insertion portion 58 and the insertion hole 46a (neutral fixed). Therefore, it is not necessary to secure separate locations for the other engaging portions 83 and the other engaged portions 47.
- the other engaging portion 83 (third engaging portion) is provided on the outer surface in the opposing direction of each of the pair of elastic pieces 82 of the insertion portion 58, the other engaging portion 83 and the other engaged portion are provided.
- the mating portion 47 (third engaged portion) can be elastically engaged and rattle between the neutral fixing member 50 and the rotating member 10 (particularly in the opposing direction of the pair of elastic pieces 82 (that is, the circumferential direction W). ) Can be suppressed.
- the modified example shown in FIG. 22 is a modified example in which a pressing portion 84 is provided between the engaging portions 83 (third engaged portions) on both sides in the insertion portion 58 in the modified example 5.
- the pressing portion 84 is erected toward the lower side in the axial direction Y, for example, between the pair of elastic pieces 82 in the connecting portion 81 of the insertion portion 58.
- the pressing portion 84 includes an elastic piece 84a erected on the connecting portion 81 and a convex portion 84b provided on one side in the radial direction (that is, the same side as the side surface 46b) at the tip of the elastic piece 84a.
- the convex portion 84b of the pressing portion 84 presses a portion of the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 46a that faces the front of the pressing portion 84.
- the play in the front direction of the pressing portion 84 in the neutral fixing member 50 that is, the play in the radial direction of the neutral fixing member 50
- the rotation connector device 100 is a device that electrically connects a steering wheel side wiring and a vehicle body side wiring mounted on a vehicle (for example, an automobile). As shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, the rotary connector device 100 includes a rotator 120 and a sleeve 140 constituting a rotating member 110 to which a steering wheel (not shown) is attached, and a stator as a fixing member 130 attached to the vehicle body side.
- a flat cable (not shown) that electrically connects the wiring on the steering wheel side and the wiring on the vehicle body side, and a neutral fixing member 150 that temporarily fixes the relative rotation of the rotating member 110 with respect to the fixing member 130 are provided.
- the stator 130 is also described.
- the rotator 120, the stator 130, the sleeve 140, and the neutral fixing member 150 are made of resin, for example.
- the neutral fixing member 150 is attached to the rotating member 110 so as to be movable between a lock position for locking the relative rotation of the rotating member 110 with respect to the fixing member 130 and a lock releasing position for releasing the lock.
- a lock position for locking the relative rotation of the rotating member 110 with respect to the fixing member 130
- a lock releasing position for releasing the lock.
- the insertion hole H is composed of an inner peripheral surface of an inner peripheral cylindrical portion 122 described later of the rotator 120 and an inner peripheral surface of a cylindrical portion 141 described later of the sleeve 140.
- 23 and the like indicate the axial direction of the insertion hole H (that is, the axial direction of the rotating member 110), and W indicates the circumferential direction of the insertion hole H (that is, the circumferential direction of the rotating member 110).
- the rotator 120 includes a substantially annular rotation-side ring plate 121 having a substantially circular (for example, substantially D-shaped in plan view) through-hole 121 a at the center, and an inner peripheral edge of the rotation-side ring plate 121. And a cylindrical inner cylindrical portion 122 extending downward from the portion.
- a rotation side connector 124 is provided on the upper surface of the rotation side ring plate 121.
- the rotation-side connector 124 is, for example, an electrical connection connector to which an electrical connection connector connected to an electrical circuit (for example, a horn switch and an airbag unit) provided on the steering wheel is connected.
- the inner peripheral cylindrical portion 122 is formed in, for example, a stepped cylindrical shape, and has a cylindrical large diameter cylindrical portion 161 extending downward from the inner peripheral edge portion of the rotation side ring plate 121 and a lower end of the large diameter cylindrical portion 161.
- An annular upper stepped portion 163 projecting radially inward from the peripheral portion, a cylindrical medium diameter tubular portion 164 extending downward from the inner peripheral portion of the upper stepped portion 163, and a lower end peripheral edge of the intermediate diameter tubular portion 164
- a lower stepped portion 165 projecting radially inward from the portion, and a cylindrical small-diameter cylindrical portion 166 extending downward from the inner peripheral edge of the lower stepped portion 165.
- the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the inner peripheral cylindrical portion 122 are each reduced in a step shape at the upper step portion 163 from the upper end to the lower end, and further stepped at the lower step portion 165. The diameter is reduced.
- the inner diameter of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 161 is formed to be approximately the same as the diameter of the insertion convex portion 710 of the steering wheel so that the insertion convex portion 710 of the steering wheel can be fitted.
- the diameter of the medium diameter cylinder part 164 is smaller than the diameter of the large diameter cylinder part 161
- the diameter of the small diameter cylinder part 166 is smaller than the diameter of the medium diameter cylinder part 164.
- the length in the axial direction Y of the medium diameter cylindrical portion 164 is formed to be approximately the same as the thickness of the fixed side ring plate 131 described later of the stator 130, and the length in the axial direction Y of the small diameter cylindrical portion 166 is
- the sleeve 140 is formed to have a size that is substantially the same as the length in the axial direction Y of a later-described cylindrical portion 141.
- a stator engaging portion that engages a fixed-side ring plate 131 (to be described later) of the stator 130 is formed by a concave corner portion formed by the upper step portion 163 and the medium diameter cylindrical portion 164.
- the sleeve engaging portion with which a later-described cylindrical portion 141 of the sleeve 140 is engaged is configured by the recessed corner portion formed by the lower step portion 165 and the small diameter cylindrical portion 166.
- the inner peripheral cylindrical portion 122 includes a locking portion 122b that locks a later-described locked portion 171 of the sleeve 140, and a guide cutout portion 122c that guides the movement of a later-described regulating portion 153 of the neutral fixing member 150. Is provided.
- the guide cutout portion 122 c penetrates in the thickness direction of the inner peripheral cylindrical portion 122, is formed in, for example, a substantially strip shape along the axial direction Y of the inner peripheral cylindrical portion 122, and is formed up to the upper end of the medium diameter cylindrical portion 164. And opened at the lower end of the inner peripheral cylindrical portion 122.
- the upper end 122u of each guide notch 122c defines the upper limit position (that is, the lock position) of the movement range of the neutral fixing member 150.
- the moving range of the neutral fixing member 150 extends along the axial direction Y.
- the stator 130 includes a substantially annular fixed side ring plate 131, a cylindrical outer peripheral cylindrical portion 132 extending upward from an outer peripheral edge portion of the fixed side ring plate 131, and an outer peripheral cylindrical portion 132.
- a fixed-side connector 135 provided on the outer peripheral surface, and a fixing portion 136 for fixing the stator 130 to the vehicle body are provided.
- a circular through hole 131a into which the outer periphery of the medium diameter cylindrical portion 164 of the rotator 120 is fitted is provided.
- One or more locking portions 131b (for example, one) for locking a later-described regulating portion 153 of the neutral fixing member 150 are provided on the inner peripheral edge portion of the fixed-side ring plate 131.
- the locking portion 131 b is formed in a concave shape radially outward from the inner peripheral edge of the fixed side ring plate 131 and penetrates in the thickness direction of the fixed side ring plate 131.
- the diameter of the outer peripheral cylindrical portion 132 is formed to be approximately the same as the diameter of the rotating side ring plate 121 of the rotator 120.
- the length of the outer peripheral cylindrical portion 132 in the axial direction Y is formed to be approximately the same as the length of the inner peripheral cylindrical portion 122 of the rotator 120 in the axial direction Y.
- On the inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral cylindrical portion 132 a flange portion 132a with which the outer peripheral edge portion of the rotation side ring plate 121 is engaged is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral cylindrical portion 132.
- the flange portion 132 a is provided so as to protrude radially inward of the outer peripheral cylindrical portion 132 over the entire circumferential direction W in the vicinity of the upper peripheral edge portion of the inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral cylindrical portion 132.
- the fixed connector 135 is an electrical connection connector to which an electrical connection connector connected to an electrical circuit provided on the vehicle body is connected.
- the fixing portion 136 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral cylindrical portion 132 so as to project outward in the radial direction.
- the rotator 120 is fitted into the outer peripheral cylindrical portion 132 of the stator 130, and the outer peripheral edge portion of the rotation side ring plate 121 of the rotator 120 is fitted.
- the lower surface engages with the upper surface of the flange portion 132 a of the stator 130.
- the medium-diameter cylindrical portion 164 of the rotator 120 is fitted into the central through hole 131a of the fixed-side ring plate 131 of the stator 130, and the upper step 163 of the rotator 120 is fixed to the fixed-side ring of the stator 130.
- the rotator 120 is attached to the stator 130 so as to be rotatable relative to the stator 130.
- An annular housing space S in which the above-described flat cable is housed is formed between the stator 130 and the rotator 120 assembled in this manner.
- the accommodation space S is a space surrounded by the inner peripheral cylindrical portion 122, the outer peripheral cylindrical portion 132, the rotation side ring plate 121, and the fixed side ring plate 131.
- the flat cable is wound in the same number of turns clockwise and counterclockwise along the outer peripheral surface of the inner peripheral cylindrical portion 122 and the inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral cylindrical portion 132 in a state where a plurality of flat cables are stacked. Therefore, it is accommodated in the accommodation space S.
- One end of the flat cable is electrically connected to the rotation-side connector 124, and the other end of the flat cable is electrically connected to the fixed-side connector 135.
- the neutral fixing member 150 is a member that temporarily fixes the rotator 120 to the neutral position with respect to the stator 130, and one or more (for example, one) on the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole H. Be placed.
- the neutral fixing member 150 is formed in, for example, a vertically long shape along the axial direction Y.
- the neutral fixing member 150 includes a neutral fixing member 150 h that constitutes an upper portion of the neutral fixing member 150, an insertion portion 158 that constitutes a lower portion of the neutral fixing member 150 and is inserted into an insertion hole 146 a described later of the sleeve 140, and the sleeve 140.
- the relative rotation of the rotating member 110 with respect to the fixed member 130 is restricted by engaging with an engaging portion 152 (fourth engaging portion) that engages with an engaged portion 172, which will be described later, and an engaging portion 131b of the stator 130. And a restricting portion 153 to be used.
- the neutral fixing member 150h is formed, for example, in a substantially plate shape having a rectangular shape when viewed from the front.
- the upper end portion of the neutral fixing member 150h is bent toward the inner main surface side to constitute an abutting portion 150a with which the steer wheel insertion convex portion 710 abuts.
- the outer main surface of the neutral fixing member 150h is curved outward along the circumferential direction, and the inner main surface is formed flat.
- the insertion portion 158 protrudes below the neutral fixing member 150h along the circumferential direction W and along the axial direction Y at the lower end portion of the neutral fixing member 150h, and outside the neutral fixing member 150h. It is provided in a state shifted to the main surface side.
- the engaging portion 152 is formed in, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped columnar shape, and extends in the direction orthogonal to the inner main surface of the neutral fixing member 150h from the center in the horizontal width direction (that is, the circumferential direction W) at the lower end of the neutral fixing member 150h. It is provided so as to protrude toward the inside of the member 110 in the radial direction).
- the regulating portion 153 is formed in, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped rod shape, and is provided so as to protrude in a direction perpendicular to the outer main surface of the neutral fixing member 150 from the center in the width direction of the upper end portion of the insertion portion 158.
- the engaging portion 152 and the restricting portion 153 are integrally formed with each other with their base ends connected.
- the sleeve 140 includes, for example, a cylindrical tube portion 141 that fits on the outer periphery of the small-diameter tube portion 166 of the rotator 120, and an annular shape that protrudes radially outward from the upper end of the outer peripheral surface of the tube portion 141.
- An annular lower end flange portion 143 projecting radially inward from the lower end of the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 141, and an arc-shaped extending portion extending downward from the lower end of the cylindrical portion 141 144.
- two extending portions 144 are provided at symmetrical positions at intervals in the circumferential direction W of the cylindrical portion 141.
- the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 141 is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the small diameter cylindrical portion 166 of the rotator 120, and the length of the cylindrical portion 141 in the axial direction Y is substantially the same as the length of the small diameter cylindrical portion 166 in the axial direction Y. It is.
- a guide recess 141a for guiding the movement of the restricting portion 153 of the neutral fixing member 150 is provided.
- the guide concave portion 141 a is provided at a position corresponding to the restriction portion 153 of the neutral fixing member 150.
- the guide concave portion 141 a is formed along the axial direction Y of the cylindrical portion 141 and is open at the upper end of the cylindrical portion 141.
- a lower end 41b of the guide recess 141a defines a lower limit position (that is, a lock release position) of the movement range of the neutral fixing member 150.
- the lower end flange portion 143 includes an engaged portion 171 that engages with the engaging portion 122b of the rotator 120 and an engaged portion 172 that engages with the engaging portion 152 of the neutral fixing member 150 (fourth engaged portion). And an exposure window 173 for exposing the lower end (that is, the unlocking position side) of the engaging portion 152.
- the locked portion 171 is erected in the axial direction Y at a position corresponding to the locking portion 122 b of the rotator 120 on the inner peripheral edge of the upper surface of the lower end flange portion 143.
- the locked portion 171 is formed, for example, in a rectangular plate shape when viewed from the front, and a locking hole capable of locking the locking portion 122b is formed in the thickness direction of the locked portion 171 at the center of the lateral width. It is provided to penetrate through.
- the lower end of the locking hole is open at the lower surface of the lower end flange portion 143.
- the engaged portion 172 is erected in the axial direction Y at a position corresponding to the engaging portion 152 of the neutral fixing member 150 on the inner peripheral edge of the upper surface of the lower end flange portion 143.
- the engaged portion 172 includes a pair of elastic pieces 172 a and a convex portion 172 b that is provided on each of the pair of elastic pieces 172 a and engages with the engaging portion 152.
- the pair of elastic pieces 172a is erected in the axial direction Y on the upper surface of the lower end flange portion 143. Further, the pair of elastic pieces 172a are spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction W so as to be disposed on both sides of the circumferential direction (that is, the direction orthogonal to the axial direction Y) W of the engaging portion 152 of the neutral fixing member 150. Are placed opposite each other.
- Each convex part 172b is provided so as to protrude in the opposing direction on the tip side of the opposing surface of each elastic piece 172a.
- chamfered portions 172c and 173d that are chamfered in a flat surface shape are provided at each corner on the upper side (that is, on the lock position side) and the lower side (that is, on the lock release position side) of each convex portion 172b.
- the chamfered portions 172c and 173d may be curved surfaces that are curved in an arc shape, for example.
- the pair of elastic pieces 172a are arranged on both sides in the circumferential direction W of the engaging portion 152, and the convex portions 172b are provided so as to protrude in the opposite direction on the opposite surface of the elastic piece 172a.
- the joining portion 172 engages with the engaging portion 152 from both sides in the circumferential direction W (that is, a direction orthogonal to the axial direction Y).
- the exposure window 173 is provided in a portion between the pair of elastic pieces 172a in the lower end flange portion 143 (that is, a portion blocking the front of the lower end (that is, the unlocking position side) of the engaging portion 152),
- the lower end flange portion 143 penetrates in the thickness direction.
- an attachment portion 146 (neutral fixing member insertion hole) having an insertion hole 146a into which the insertion portion 158 of the neutral fixing member 150 is inserted is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve (for example, the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 141). It has been.
- the mounting portion 146 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 141 at a location corresponding to the insertion portion 158 of the neutral fixing member 150 in a state of protruding inside the cylindrical portion 141.
- Each mounting portion 146 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 141 below the guiding concave portion 141a.
- the upper surface of the attachment portion 146 is flat with respect to the lower end 41b of the guide concave portion 141a.
- a concave portion 149 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 141 so as to overlap with the respective guide concave portions 141a.
- the concave portion 149 extends along the axial direction Y from the same height as the top surface of the mounting portion 146 to the upper end of the cylindrical portion 141 on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 141 with the same horizontal width as the mounting portion 146. Yes.
- the guide recess 141 a is provided on the bottom surface of the recess 149.
- the concave portion 149 widens the upper surface of the attachment portion 146 outward in the radial direction of the cylindrical portion 141.
- an insertion hole 146a into which the insertion portion 158 of the neutral fixing member 150 is inserted is provided in the upper surface of the mounting portion 146.
- the insertion hole 146a is formed in a shape in which the insertion portion 158 can be inserted and has a horizontally long opening along the circumferential direction W.
- the insertion hole 146 a penetrates along the axial direction Y from the upper surface of the attachment portion 146 to the lower surface of the lower end flange portion 143.
- the insertion portion 158 of the neutral fixing member 150 is inserted into the insertion hole 146a from the upper side of the insertion hole 146a of the sleeve 140 so as to be movable in the insertion direction (that is, the axial direction Y).
- the neutral fixing member 150 is attached to the sleeve 140 (that is, the rotating member 110) so as to be relatively movable along the axial direction Y.
- the small-diameter cylindrical portion 166 of the rotator 120 is fitted into the cylindrical portion 141 until the upper end of the cylindrical portion 141 contacts the lower step portion 165 of the rotator 120. In this state, it is attached to the rotator 120. In this attached state, the locking portion 122 b of the rotator 120 is locked to the locked portion 171 of the sleeve 140, whereby the sleeve 140 is fixed to the rotator 120 so as to be integrally rotatable.
- the upper end flange portion 142 of the sleeve 140 is disposed to face the upper step portion 163 of the rotator 120 with the inner peripheral edge portion of the stationary side ring plate 131 of the stator 130 interposed therebetween.
- the upper stepped portion 163, the medium diameter cylindrical portion 164, and the upper end flange portion 142 constitute a groove portion having a concave cross section, and the inner peripheral edge portion of the fixed-side ring plate 131 is fitted in the groove portion.
- the upper end flange portion 142 prohibits the stator 130 from coming off to the sleeve 140 side.
- the guide recess 141a of the sleeve 140 is disposed so as to overlap the guide notch 122c of the rotator 120, thereby guiding the guide.
- a guide portion that restricts the movement range of the restricting portion 153 of the neutral fixing member 150 that is, the movement range of the neutral fixing member 150
- the movement range of the restricting portion 153 extends in the axial direction Y.
- the lower portion of the engaging portion 152 is connected to the chamfered portion 172c on the upper side of each convex portion 172b of the engaged portion 172. Is engaged.
- the lower part of the engaging part 152 is sandwiched from both sides in the circumferential direction W by the chamfered part 172 c on the upper side of each convex part 172 b of the engaged part 172.
- the neutral fixing member 150 is supported by the engaged portion 172 so as to be positioned at the lock position (that is, the upper end 122u of the guide notch 122c). In other words, the neutral fixing member 150 is temporarily fixed at the lock position.
- the contact portion 150a of the neutral fixing member 150 protrudes above the upper step 163 of the rotator 120 (FIG. 28). Further, the restricting portion 153 of the neutral fixing member 150 is locked to the locking portion 131b of the stator 130 (FIG. 31A), whereby the rotation position of the rotating member 110 is positioned at the neutral position. The relative rotation of the rotating member 110 with respect to the fixed member 130 is locked.
- the steering wheel insertion convex portion is inserted into the inner peripheral cylindrical portion 122 of the rotator 120 (that is, the insertion hole H of the rotating member 110).
- the operation of the neutral fixing member 150 when 710 is inserted will be described.
- the neutral fixing member 150 is temporarily fixed at the lock position as described above.
- the contact portion 150a of the neutral fixing member 150 protrudes above the upper stepped portion 163 of the rotator 120, and the rotational position of the rotating member 110 is positioned at the neutral position. The relative rotation of the rotating member 110 is locked.
- the insertion convex portion 710 When the steering wheel insertion convex portion 710 (FIG. 28) is inserted into the inner peripheral cylindrical portion 122 of the rotator 120 in the locked state, the insertion convex portion 710 causes the contact portion 150a of the neutral fixing member 150 to move upward. It is pushed to the height of the upper surface of the stepped portion 163. As a result, the insertion portion 158 moves downward in the insertion hole 146a along the insertion direction, and the neutral fixing member 150 moves from the lock position to the lock release position.
- the lower portion of the engaging portion 152 engages with the chamfered portion 172 c on the upper side of each convex portion 172 b of the engaged portion 172 as this movement occurs. From the state, the engaging portion 152 passes between the convex portions 172b of the engaged portion 172 while elastically pushing down the elastic pieces 172a of the engaged portion 172 to both sides in the circumferential direction W. The upper part of 152 is engaged with the chamfered part 172d below each convex part 172b of the engaged part 172 (that is, the upper part of the engaging part 152 is below the convex part 172b of the engaged part 172).
- the state shifts to a state of being held by the chamfered portion 172d.
- the neutral fixing member 150 is temporarily fixed at the unlocking position by engaging the upper portion of the engaging portion 152 with the chamfered portion 172d on the lower side of each convex portion 172b of the engaged portion 172.
- the steering wheel When returning the neutral fixing member 150 from the unlocked position to the locked position, first, the steering wheel is rotated to adjust the rotating member 110 to the neutral position, and then the steered wheel insertion convex portion 710 is moved to the inner peripheral cylinder of the rotator 120. Remove from part 122. Then, in this removed state, as shown in FIG. 31 (b), the elongated rod 810 is inserted into the exposure window 173 from the lower end opening side (that is, the unlocking position side) of the sleeve 140, and the engaging portion 152 is moved. Press upward (that is, the lock position side).
- the engaging portion 152 is engaged with the lower chamfered portion 172d of each protruding portion 172b of the engaged portion 172, and the engaging portion 152 is engaged with each protruding portion 172b of the engaged portion 172. Then, the lower portion of the engaging portion 152 shifts to a state of engaging with the chamfered portion 172c on the upper side of each convex portion 172b of the engaged portion 172 (FIG. 30A). As a result, the neutral fixing member 150 is returned from the unlocked position to the locked position and temporarily fixed at the locked position.
- the fixing member that is, the stator 30 and the fixing member 130 are attached so as to be relatively rotatable, and the insertion hole H (in which the insertion protrusion 710 of the steering wheel is inserted)
- the rotating member 110 ie, the rotator 120 and the sleeve 140 having a steering wheel insertion hole
- the fixed member 130 In the locked position, the fixed member 130 is provided.
- the relative rotation of the rotating member 110 is restricted by being locked to the unlocked position, and the restriction is released at the unlocked position, and the unlocked position is released from the locked position by being pressed by the insertion convex portion 710 inserted into the insertion hole H.
- the neutral fixing member 150 is formed in a vertically long shape extending in the axial direction of the rotating member.
- the rotating portion 110 is provided with an insertion hole 146a (neutral fixing member insertion hole) extending in the axial direction Y.
- the insertion part 158 is inserted in the insertion hole 146a in the axial direction.
- the neutral fixing member 150 is provided with an engaging portion 152
- the rotating member 110 for example, the sleeve 140
- the engaged portion 172 is The neutral fixing member 150 is temporarily fixed at the lock position by engaging the engaging portion 152 from both sides in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction Y (ie, the circumferential direction W).
- the neutral fixing member 150 is provided with the engaging portion 152, the rotating member 110 is provided with the engaged portion 172, and the engaged portion 172 is engaged from both sides in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction Y. Since the neutral fixing member 150 is temporarily fixed at the lock position by engaging with the joint portion 152, the neutral fixing member 150 is biased toward the lock position in order to temporarily fix the neutral fixing member 150 to the lock position.
- the winding spring can be omitted. As a result, the number of parts can be reduced and the assembly workability can be improved.
- the engaged portion 172 engages with the engaging portion 152 from both sides in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction Y (that is, the circumferential direction W), the insertion convex portion 710 of the steering wheel is inserted into the insertion hole H of the rotating member 110. It is possible to prevent the engaging portion 152 and the engaged portion 172 from interfering with each other when the neutral fixing member 150 is inhibited from moving from the locked position to the unlocked position. Further, rattling in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction Y in the neutral fixing member 150 can be suppressed.
- the engaging portion 152 (fourth engaging portion) is provided in a state of protruding in the radial direction at the neutral fixing member 150, the engaging portion 152 can be provided with a simple structure.
- a lower end flange portion 143 (flange portion) protruding radially inward is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole H (steering wheel insertion hole) of the rotating member 110 (for example, the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 141). Since the engaged portion 172 (fourth engaged portion) is erected in the axial direction Y at the lower end flange portion 143, the engaged portion 172 is directed in the axial direction Y with a simple structure. Can be erected.
- the neutral fixing member 150 is provided with a restricting portion 153 that protrudes from the engaging portion 152 toward the fixing member (that is, the stator) 30, so that the restricting portion 153 and the engaging portion 152 are gathered in one place.
- the structure of the neutral fixing member 150 can be simplified.
- the neutral fixing member 150 is provided with the engaging portion 152, and the rotating member 110 (for example, the sleeve 140) is provided with the engaged portion 172, but the neutral fixing member 150 is engaged with the engaged portion 172.
- the engaging portion 152 may be provided on the rotating member 110. The same applies to the following modified examples 7 to 11.
- the engaging portion 152 is formed with flat side surfaces on both sides in the circumferential direction W.
- the engaging portion 152 has an axial direction.
- a concave portion 152a that is formed in a vertically long, substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape along Y and on which the convex portions 172b of the engaged portion 172 can be fitted may be provided on both side surfaces in the circumferential direction W.
- the convex portion 172b is fitted into the concave portion 152a in a state where the neutral fixing member 150 is located at the unlocking position, the circumferential direction W in the neutral fixing member 150 (that is, the direction orthogonal to the axial direction Y). ) As well as backlash in the axial direction Y can be suppressed.
- the insertion portion 158 is formed in an annular shape (for example, a rectangular shape) when viewed from the front.
- the insertion portion 158 is provided with another engaging portion 188 (fifth engaging portion) on the outer surface of each of the portions on both sides when viewed from the front.
- Each of the other engaging portions 188 is formed in a convex shape (for example, a triangular shape in front view).
- the convex portion with which the other engaging portion 188 engages with the upper end side of both side surfaces in the circumferential direction W As shown in FIG. 34 (a), on the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 146a of the mounting portion 146 of this modified example, the convex portion with which the other engaging portion 188 engages with the upper end side of both side surfaces in the circumferential direction W.
- Another engaged portion 147 (fifth engaged portion) having a shape (for example, a triangular shape in front view) is provided.
- the insertion portion 158 is inserted into the insertion hole 146a so that the other engagement portions 188 on both sides are aligned in the circumferential direction W in the insertion hole 146a.
- the neutral fixing member 150 is temporarily fixed at the locked position and the unlocked position by the engagement between the engaging portion 152 and the engaged portion 172 as in the above-described embodiment, and will be described later.
- the neutral fixing member 150 is temporarily fixed at the locked position and the unlocked position by the engagement of the other engaging portion 188 of the insertion portion 158 and the other engaged portion 147 of the insertion hole 146a.
- the other engaging portion 188 (fifth engaging portion) and the other engaged portion 147 (fifth engaged portion) are inserted into the insertion portion 158 and the insertion hole 146a ( Therefore, it is not necessary to secure separate locations for the other engaging portions 188 and the other engaged portions 147.
- the insertion portion 158 is formed in an annular shape, the insertion portion 158 can be elastically deformed in the diameter direction, and the other engagement portions 188 (sixth engagement portions) are portions on both sides of the annular insertion portion 158 as viewed from the front. Therefore, the other engaging portion 188 and the other engaged portion 147 can be elastically engaged with each other, and the neutral fixing member 150 is rattled (in particular, the insertion portion 158 is viewed from the front). The backlash in the width direction (circumferential direction W) can be suppressed.
- the insertion portion 158 is formed in a substantially inverted U shape. That is, the insertion portion 158 extends along the lateral width direction (that is, the circumferential direction W) at the lower end portion of the neutral fixing member 150h and is shifted to the outer main surface side (that is, the radial direction outer side of the rotating member 110).
- a horizontally-long rectangular parallelepiped connecting portion 181 provided in a state, and extending from both ends in the longitudinal direction (that is, circumferential direction W) of the connecting portion 181 downward in the axial direction Y, along the longitudinal direction of the connecting portion 181.
- a pair of elastic pieces 182 arranged to face each other with a space therebetween.
- another engaging portion 183 (sixth engaging portion) having a convex shape (for example, a triangular shape in front view). ) Is provided.
- the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 146a of the mounting portion 146 has other engagements on the upper end sides of both side surfaces in the circumferential direction W.
- Another engaged portion 147 (sixth engaged portion) having a convex shape (for example, a triangular shape in front view) with which the joint portion 183 is engaged is provided.
- the insertion portion 158 is inserted into the insertion hole 146a so that the pair of elastic pieces 182 are arranged in the circumferential direction W in the insertion hole 146a.
- the modified example shown in FIG. 38A is a modified example 9 in which a pressing portion 184 is provided between the engaging portions 183 on both sides in the insertion portion 158.
- the pressing part 184 is erected toward the lower side in the axial direction Y, for example, between the pair of elastic pieces 182 in the connecting part 181 of the insertion part 158.
- the pressing part 184 includes an elastic piece 184a erected on the connecting part 181 and a convex part 184b provided on the outer main surface side of the neutral fixing member 150h at the tip of the elastic piece 184a.
- the convex portion 184b presses a portion of the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 146a that faces the front of the pressing portion 184.
- the play in the front direction of the pressing portion 184 in the neutral fixing member 150 that is, the play in the radial direction of the rotating member 110
- FIGS. 38B and 38C are perspective views showing variations when the pressing portion 184 is provided in the insertion portion 158 of the modification 8.
- FIG. 38 (b) the pressing portion 184 is erected on the bottom surface of the inner peripheral surface of the annular insertion portion 158 so as to be disposed between the other engaging portions 188 on both sides.
- the elastic piece 184a of the press part 184 is provided so that it may straddle between the bottom face of the internal peripheral surface of a cyclic
- a convex portion 184b is provided.
- FIGS. 38B and 38C the same effect as in the modified example 11 is obtained.
- the present invention is not limited to the configurations of the above-described embodiments and modifications, and can include many embodiments including combinations of the above-described embodiments and modifications.
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Abstract
Description
この発明により、簡単な構造で、中立固定部材を、回転部材のステアリングホイール用挿入孔の内部に、回転部材の軸線方向に移動可能に配置させることができる。
これにより、中立固定部材がロック解除位置に位置する状態で、中立固定部材における軸線方向のガタつきを抑制することができる。
この発明により、中立固定部材における軸線方向に直交する方向のガタつきをより一層抑制することができる。
なお、第1被係合部は、フランジ部に立設されて第1係合部の両側に配置する一対の弾性片を有し、それら各弾性片の対向面に、第1係合部に係合する凸部が設けられてもよい。
この発明により、簡素な構造で、第1被係合部を、回転部材の軸線方向に向けて立設させることができる。
この発明では、中立固定部材がロック解除位置に位置する状態では、係合部が凸部のロック解除位置側の面に係合する。
この発明により、挿入部が中立固定部材用挿入孔に挿入されることで、中立固定部材が回転部材に取り付けられるため、中立固定部材のガタつきを抑制することができる。
また、係合部としての第3係合部は、挿入部の一対の弾性片の各々の対向方向外側の面に設けられるため、係合部と被係合部とが弾性的に係合できると共に、中立固定部材と回転部材との間のガタつき(特に一対の弾性片の対向方向のガタつき)を抑制することができる。
この発明により、中立固定部材における押圧部の正面方向のガタつき(例えば中立固定部材の径方向のガタつき)を抑制することができる。
この発明により、規制部及び係合部を一箇所にまとめて配置できるため、中立固定部材の構造を簡素化することができる。
なお、第4被係合部は、フランジ部に立設されて第4係合部の両側に配置する一対の弾性片を有し、それら各弾性片の対向面に、第4係合部に係合する凸部が設けられてもよい。
この発明により、簡素な構造で、第4被係合部を、回転部材の軸線方向に向けて立設させることができる。
また、挿入部は環状に形成されるため、直径方向に弾性的に変形可能であり、係合部としての第5係合部は、環状の挿入部の正面視両側の部位の各々の正面視外側に設けられるため、係合部と被係合部とが弾性的に係合できると共に、中立固定部材のガタつき(特に挿入部の正面視幅方向のガタつき)を抑制することができる。
また、係合部としての第6係合部は、挿入部の一対の弾性片の各々の対向方向外側の面に設けられるため、係合部と被係合部とが弾性的に係合できると共に、中立固定部材と回転部材との間のガタつき(特に一対の弾性片の対向方向のガタつき)を抑制することができる。
この発明により、中立固定部材における押圧部の正面方向のガタつき(例えば中立固定部材の径方向のガタつき)を抑制することができる。
この発明により、規制部及び係合部を一箇所にまとめて配置できるため、中立固定部材の構造を簡素化することができる。
<実施形態>
図1~図12を参照して、この実施形態に係る回転コネクタ装置1について説明する。
回転コネクタ装置1は、車両(例えば自動車)に搭載されたステアリングホイール側の配線と車体側の配線とを電気的に接続する装置である。図1~図3に示すように、回転コネクタ装置1は、ステアリングホイール(図示省略)が取り付けられる回転部材10を構成するロテータ20及びスリーブ40と、車体側に取り付けられる固定部材30としてのステータと、ステアリングホイール側の配線と車体側の配線とを電気的に接続するフラットケーブル(図示省略)と、固定部材30に対する回転部材10の相対回転を仮固定する中立固定部材50とを備えている。以下、ステータ30とも記載する。ロテータ20、ステータ30、スリーブ40及び中立固定部材50は、例えば樹脂で形成されている。
ロテータ20の内周筒部22にステアリングホイールの挿入凸部700が挿入されていない状態では、上述のように、中立固定部材50がロック位置に仮固定されている。この仮固定状態では、中立固定部材50がロテータ20の上側段差部63よりも上側に突出すると共に、回転部材10の回転位置が中立位置に位置した状態で、固定部材30に対する回転部材10の相対回転がロックされている。
上記の実施形態では、係合部52は、周方向Wの両側の側面が平坦に形成されたが、例えば、図13(a)(b)に示すように、係合部52は、軸線方向Yに沿った縦長の例えば略直方体形に形成され、その周方向Wの両側の側面に、被係合部72の各凸部72bが嵌合可能な凹部52aが設けられてもよい。
上記の実施形態では、係合部52及び被係合部72は、それらの係合状態で回転部材10の周方向Wに並ぶように配置したが、この変形例では、例えば図14(a)(b)に示すように、係合部52及び被係合部72は、それらの係合状態で回転部材10の径方向Rに並ぶように配置する。以下、この変形例について詳しく説明する。以下の説明では、上記の実施形態と同じ構成要素には同じ符号を付して説明を省略し、上記の実施形態と異なる部分を中心に説明する。
上述の変形例2では、凸部72b(即ち被係合部72)が係合部52と規制部53との間に嵌合することで、中立固定部材50がロック解除位置に固定されたが、この変形例では、図15(a)に示すように、被係合部72は、スリーブ40の筒部41の外周面において、凸部72bの下側(即ちロック解除位置側)に間隔を空けて設けられた他の凸部72eを更に有している。
この変形例は、上記の実施形態において、中立固定部材50を回転部材10に対して軸線方向Yに相対移動可能に取り付けるために、中立固定部材50に挿入部58(図16)が設けられると共に、回転部材10に、上記の挿入部58が挿入される挿入孔46a(中立固定部材用挿入孔)(図17)を有する取付部46が設けられたものである。以下、図16~図18を参照して、この変形例について詳しく説明する。以下の説明では、上記の実施形態と同じ構成要素には同じ符号を付して説明を省略し、上記の実施形態と異なる部分を中心に説明する。
図19に示す変形例では、挿入部58は、略逆さU字状に形成されている。即ち挿入部58は、中立固定部材本体50hの下側周端部において、周方向Wに沿って延在すると共に径方向にずれた状態で設けられた例えば横長な直方体の連結部81と、連結部81の長手方向の両端から軸線方向Yの下方に向かって延設され、周方向Wに沿って互いに間隔を空けて対向配置した一対の弾性片82とを備えている。一対の弾性片82の各々の対向方向外側の面には、例えば弾性片82の長手方向の中央付近に、凸状(例えば正面視三角形状)の他の係合部83が設けられている。
図21に示す変形例は、変形例5において、中立固定部材50から係合部52及び収容凹部51を省略すると共に(図21の点線の丸Qで囲んだ部分)、スリーブ40から被係合部72を省略したものである。この変形例によっても、変形例5と同様の効果を得ることができる。
図22に示す変形例は、変形例5において、挿入部58において、両側の係合部83(第3被係合部)の間に押圧部84が設けられたものである。押圧部84は、挿入部58の連結部81において、例えば一対の弾性片82の間に、軸線方向Yの下側に向かって立設されている。押圧部84は、連結部81に立設された弾性片84aと、弾性片84aの先端における径方向の一方側(即ち側面46bと同側)に設けられた凸部84bとを備えている。
<他の実施形態>
図23~図31を参照して、この実施形態に係る回転コネクタ装置100について説明する。
回転コネクタ装置100は、車両(例えば自動車)に搭載されたステアリングホイール側の配線と車体側の配線とを電気的に接続する装置である。図23及び図24に示すように、回転コネクタ装置100は、ステアリングホイール(図示省略)が取り付けられる回転部材110を構成するロテータ120及びスリーブ140と、車体側に取り付けられる固定部材130としてのステータと、ステアリングホイール側の配線と車体側の配線とを電気的に接続するフラットケーブル(図示省略)と、固定部材130に対する回転部材110の相対回転を仮固定する中立固定部材150とを備えている。以下、ステータ130とも記載する。ロテータ120、ステータ130、スリーブ140及び中立固定部材150は、例えば樹脂で形成されている。
ロテータ120の内周筒部122にステアリングホイールの挿入凸部710が挿入されていない状態では、上述のように、中立固定部材150がロック位置に仮固定されている。この仮固定状態では、中立固定部材150の当接部150aがロテータ120の上側段差部163よりも上側に突出すると共に、回転部材110の回転位置が中立位置に位置した状態で、固定部材130に対する回転部材110の相対回転がロックされている。
上記の実施形態では、係合部152は、周方向Wの両側の側面が平坦に形成されたが、例えば、図32(a)(b)に示すように、係合部152は、軸線方向Yに沿った縦長の例えば略直方体形に形成され、その周方向Wの両側の側面に、被係合部172の各凸部172bが嵌合可能な凹部152aが設けられてもよい。
図33(a)(b)に示す変形例では、挿入部158は、正面視環状(例えば矩形環状)に形成されている。挿入部158には、正面視両側の部位の各々の正面視外側の面に、他の係合部188(第5係合部)が設けられている。各他の係合部188は、凸状(例えば正面視三角形状)に形成されている。
図35(a)(b)に示す変形例では、挿入部158は、略逆さU字状に形成されている。即ち挿入部158は、中立固定部材150hの下側端部において、横幅方向(即ち周方向W)に沿って延在すると共に外側主面の側(即ち回転部材110の径方向外側)にずれた状態で設けられた例えば横長な直方体の連結部181と、連結部181の長手方向(即ち周方向W)の両端から軸線方向Yの下方に向かって延設され、連結部181の長手方向に沿って互いに間隔を空けて対向配置した一対の弾性片182とを備えている。一対の弾性片182の各々の対向方向外側の面には、例えば弾性片182の長手方向の中央付近に、凸状(例えば正面視三角形状)の他の係合部183(第6係合部)が設けられている。
以上、この変形例によっても、変形例8と同様の効果を得る。
図37(a)(b)に示す変形例は、変形例9において、中立固定部材150から係合部152を省略すると共に(図37(b)の点線の丸Qで囲んだ部分)、スリーブ140から被係合部172を省略したものである。この変形例によっても、変形例9と同様の効果を得る。なお、この変形例を変形例8に適用してもよい。
図38(a)に示す変形例は、変形例9において、挿入部158において、両側の係合部183の間に押圧部184が設けられたものである。押圧部184は、挿入部158の連結部181において、例えば一対の弾性片182の間に、軸線方向Yの下側に向かって立設されている。押圧部184は、連結部181に立設された弾性片184aと、弾性片184aの先端における中立固定部材150hの外側主面の側に設けられた凸部184bとを備えている。
20、120…ロテータ(回転部材)
22a…嵌合凸部
30、130…ステータ(固定部材)
40、140…スリーブ
45,73、173…露出窓
46、146…取付部
46a、146a…挿入孔(中立固定部材用挿入孔)
47、147…他の被係合部(被係合部)
50、150…中立固定部材
51a…上壁部(壁部)
52、152…係合部
52a、152a…凹部
53、153…規制部
54、154…嵌合凹溝部
58、158…挿入部
72、172…被係合部
72a、172a…弾性片
72b、172b…凸部
72c,72d、172c、172d…面取部
72e、172e…他の凸部
82、182…弾性片
83、183…他の係合部(係合部)
84、184…押圧部
Claims (22)
- 固定部材と、
前記固定部材に相対回転可能に取り付けられ、ステアリングホイールの挿入凸部が挿入されるステアリングホイール用挿入孔を有する回転部材と、
前記回転部材に対してロック位置とロック解除位置との間で移動可能に設けられた中立固定部材とが備えられ、
前記中立固定部材は、
前記ロック位置において、前記固定部材に係止することで前記回転部材の相対回転を規制するとともに、前記ロック解除位置において、前記回転部材と前記固定部材との規制を解除する規制部が設けられ、
前記ステアリングホイール用挿入孔に挿入された前記挿入凸部に押圧されることで前記ロック位置から前記ロック解除位置に移動し、
前記中立固定部材及び前記回転部材のうちの一方には、係合部が設けられ、
前記中立固定部材及び前記回転部材のうちの他方には、被係合部が設けられ、
前記係合部及び前記被係合部のうち、一方が、前記回転部材の軸線方向に直交する方向から他方に係合することで、前記中立固定部材が前記ロック位置に仮固定される
回転コネクタ装置。 - 前記中立固定部材は、環状に形成され、前記回転部材の前記ステアリングホイール用挿入孔の内部に、前記回転部材の軸線方向に移動可能に嵌合された
請求項1に記載の回転コネクタ装置。 - 前記係合部として、前記回転部材の径方向に突出した第1係合部が設けられ、
前記被係合部として、前記第1係合部に係合する第1被係合部が設けられた
請求項1又は請求項2に記載の回転コネクタ装置。 - 前記回転部材の前記ステアリングホイール用挿入孔の内周面には、径方向内側に張り出したフランジ部が設けられ、
前記第1被係合部は、前記フランジ部において前記回転部材の軸線方向に立設された
請求項3に記載の回転コネクタ装置。 - 前記中立固定部材及び前記回転部材のうちの前記一方には、前記第1係合部のロック位置側に間隔を空けて壁部が設けられ、
前記中立固定部材が前記ロック解除位置に位置する状態で、前記第1被係合部が前記第1係合部と前記壁部との間に嵌合する
請求項3又は請求項4に記載の回転コネクタ装置。 - 前記被係合部は、前記係合部の両側から係合する
請求項1から請求項5のうちのいずれか一項に記載の回転コネクタ装置。 - 前記回転部材は、筒状の内周面を有し、
前記被係合部として、前記回転部材の内周面に凸部が設けられ、
前記係合部として、前記中立固定部材に、前記凸部の突出方向反対側に突出した第2係合部が設けられた
請求項1から請求項6のうちのいずれか一項に記載の回転コネクタ装置。 - 前記規制部は、
前記中立固定部材において、前記第2係合部のロック位置側に間隔を空けて、前記固定部材の側に突出して設けられ、
前記中立固定部材が前記ロック位置に位置する状態で、前記規制部が前記固定部材に係止することで前記回転部材の相対回転が規制され、前記中立固定部材が前記ロック解除位置に位置する状態で、前記凸部が前記第2係合部と前記規制部との間に嵌合することで、前記中立固定部材が前記ロック解除位置に固定される
請求項7に記載の回転コネクタ装置。 - 前記被係合部として、前記凸部のロック解除位置側に間隔を空けて他の凸部が設けられ、
前記第2係合部は、前記凸部と前記他の凸部との間に嵌合することで、前記中立固定部材が前記ロック解除位置に仮固定される
請求項8に記載の回転コネクタ装置。 - 前記回転部材には、前記凸部のロック解除位置側に隣接した箇所に、外部に貫通した露出窓が設けられた
請求項8又は請求項9に記載の回転コネクタ装置。 - 前記中立固定部材には、前記軸線方向に突出した状態で挿入部が設けられ、
前記回転部材の前記ステアリングホイール用挿入孔の内周面には、取付部が設けられ、
前記取付部に、前記軸線方向に沿って延在した中立固定部材用挿入孔が設けられ、
前記挿入部は、前記中立固定部材用挿入孔に挿入方向に移動可能に挿入された
請求項1から請求項6のうちのいずれか一項に記載の回転コネクタ装置。 - 前記挿入部は、正面視で互いに間隔を空けて対向配置した一対の弾性片を有し、
前記係合部として、前記一対の弾性片の各々の対向方向外側の面に、第3係合部が設けられ、
前記被係合部として、前記中立固定部材用挿入孔の内周面に、第3被係合部が設けられた
請求項11に記載の回転コネクタ装置。 - 前記挿入部には、両側の前記第3係合部の間に、押圧部が設けられ、
前記押圧部は、前記中立固定部材用挿入孔の内周面のうち、前記押圧部の正面に対向する部位を押圧する
請求項12に記載の回転コネクタ装置。 - 前記規制部は、前記中立固定部材において、前記係合部から前記固定部材の側に突出して設けられ、
前記中立固定部材が前記ロック位置に仮固定された状態で、前記規制部が前記固定部材に係止することで前記回転部材の相対回転が規制される
請求項1から請求項7のうちのいずれか一項に記載の回転コネクタ装置。 - 前記中立固定部材は、前記ステアリングホイール用挿入孔の内部に配置され、
前記ステアリングホイール用挿入孔の内周面には、嵌合凸部及び前記軸線方向に延びた嵌合凹溝部のうちの一方が設けられ、
前記中立固定部材の外周面には、前記嵌合凸部及び前記嵌合凹溝部のうちの他方が設けられ、
前記中立固定部材が前記ロック解除位置に位置する状態で、前記嵌合凸部が前記嵌合凹溝部に嵌合する
請求項1から請求項14のうちのいずれか一項に記載の回転コネクタ装置。 - 前記中立固定部材は、前記回転部材の前記軸線方向に延びた縦長状に形成され、下部が挿入部を構成し、
前記回転部材には、前記回転部材の前記軸線方向に延在した中立固定部材用挿入孔が設けられ、
前記挿入部は、前記中立固定部材用挿入孔に前記軸線方向に移動可能に挿入された
請求項1に記載の回転コネクタ装置。 - 前記係合部として、前記回転部材の径方向に突出した第4係合部が設けられ、
前記被係合部として、前記第4係合部に係合する第4被係合部が設けられた
請求項16に記載の回転コネクタ装置。 - 前記回転部材の前記ステアリングホイール用挿入孔の内周面には、径方向内側に張り出したフランジ部が設けられ、
前記第4被係合部は、前記フランジ部において前記回転部材の前記軸線方向に立設された
請求項17に記載の回転コネクタ装置。 - 前記挿入部は、正面視環状に形成され、
前記係合部として、前記挿入部の正面視両側の部位の各々の正面視外側の面に、第5係合部が設けられ、
前記被係合部として、前記中立固定部材用挿入孔の内周面に、前記第5係合部に係合する第5被係合部が設けられた
請求項16から請求項18のうちのいずれか一項に記載の回転コネクタ装置。 - 前記挿入部は、正面視で互いに間隔を空けて対向配置した一対の弾性片を有し、
前記係合部として、前記一対の弾性片の各々の対向方向外側の面に、第6係合部が設けられ、
前記被係合部として、前記中立固定部材用挿入孔の内周面に、前記第6係合部が係合する第6被係合部が設けられた
請求項16から請求項18のうちのいずれか一項に記載の回転コネクタ装置。 - 前記挿入部には、両側の前記係合部の間に、押圧部が設けられ、
前記押圧部は、前記中立固定部材用挿入孔の内周面のうち、前記押圧部の正面に対向する部位を押圧する
請求項19又は請求項20に記載の回転コネクタ装置。 - 前記規制部は、前記中立固定部材において、前記係合部から前記固定部材の側に突出して設けられ、
前記中立固定部材が前記ロック位置に仮固定された状態で、前記規制部が前記固定部材に係止することで前記回転部材の相対回転が規制される
請求項16から請求項18のうちのいずれか一項に記載の回転コネクタ装置。
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JP2018567531A JP6943892B2 (ja) | 2017-02-10 | 2018-02-09 | 回転コネクタ装置 |
US16/484,754 US10981525B2 (en) | 2017-02-10 | 2018-02-09 | Rotary connector device |
CN201880011108.7A CN110268586B (zh) | 2017-02-10 | 2018-02-09 | 旋转连接器装置 |
KR1020197025108A KR102241323B1 (ko) | 2017-02-10 | 2018-02-09 | 회전 커넥터 장치 |
DE112018000775.8T DE112018000775T5 (de) | 2017-02-10 | 2018-02-09 | Drehverbindungsvorrichtung |
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WO2021192899A1 (ja) | 2020-03-25 | 2021-09-30 | 古河電気工業株式会社 | 回転コネクタ装置 |
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CN111819739B (zh) * | 2018-03-19 | 2022-06-10 | 古河电气工业株式会社 | 旋转连接器装置以及旋转连接器装置的组装结构 |
EP3859911B1 (en) * | 2018-10-11 | 2023-01-04 | Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. | Rotary connector device and method for assembling rotary connector device |
JP7371010B2 (ja) * | 2018-12-13 | 2023-10-30 | 古河電気工業株式会社 | 回転コネクタ装置 |
WO2021176932A1 (ja) * | 2020-03-02 | 2021-09-10 | 古河電気工業株式会社 | キャンセルカム |
KR102472191B1 (ko) * | 2020-12-21 | 2022-11-29 | 정명진 | 송전탑 역섬락 방지시스템 |
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JP4602176B2 (ja) * | 2005-07-01 | 2010-12-22 | 矢崎総業株式会社 | 回転コネクタ装置 |
KR20120007418A (ko) * | 2010-07-14 | 2012-01-20 | 현대자동차주식회사 | 자동차용 클럭스프링의 오토록 기구 |
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- 2018-02-09 KR KR1020197025108A patent/KR102241323B1/ko active IP Right Grant
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JPH10275668A (ja) * | 1997-03-31 | 1998-10-13 | Yazaki Corp | 相対回転部材間継電装置 |
JPH11187557A (ja) * | 1997-12-17 | 1999-07-09 | Harness Syst Tech Res Ltd | 回転接続装置 |
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WO2021192899A1 (ja) | 2020-03-25 | 2021-09-30 | 古河電気工業株式会社 | 回転コネクタ装置 |
KR20220159432A (ko) | 2020-03-25 | 2022-12-02 | 후루카와 덴키 고교 가부시키가이샤 | 회전 커넥터 장치 |
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US20200001805A1 (en) | 2020-01-02 |
DE112018000775T5 (de) | 2019-11-28 |
JP6943892B2 (ja) | 2021-10-06 |
CN110268586B (zh) | 2020-12-08 |
US10981525B2 (en) | 2021-04-20 |
KR102241323B1 (ko) | 2021-04-16 |
JPWO2018147448A1 (ja) | 2019-12-12 |
KR20190117565A (ko) | 2019-10-16 |
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