JP2006086044A - Rotary connector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a rotary connector in which a position regulating part of a movable side housing to a fixed side housing can be resin-molded with superior precision, and in which strange sounds in rotation caused by temperature changes and changes with the passage of time are hardly generated. <P>SOLUTION: The rotary connector is constituted of a case 1, a cover 2, a rotor 3 having a top plate 31 and a first cylindrical part 32, a rotor snap 4 having a ring state locking part 42 locked to the outer face of the cover 2 and a second cylindrical part 41 snap-joined to the first cylindrical part 32, a flexible cable 6 wound around in the case 1 capable of being wind-tightened and rewound, and a ring state plate 51. A retaining projection 24 is protrusively formed from the outer peripheral face of the second cylindrical part 41 to the radius direction outside between the lower end of the first cylindrical part 32 and the locking part 41, a retaining step 23 is formed so as to form a step in the upper face inner brim of the cover 1, the step wall face of the retaining step 23 and the side face of the retaining projection 24 are opposed, and the inner brim of the cover 2 is rotatably pinched by the lower face of the retaining projection 24 and the upper face of the ring state plate 51. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a rotary connector for electrically connecting an electric device provided on a steering wheel and an electric device provided on a vehicle body side, and more particularly to a connection structure between a fixed housing and a movable housing.

  Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 3, a stationary housing 103 having a cylindrical case 101 and a ring-shaped cover 102 covering one end of the case 101, and a ring-shaped top plate covering the other end of the case 101. A movable housing 106 having a portion 104 and a first tubular portion 105 erected downward from the inner peripheral end of the top plate portion 104, a ring-shaped locking portion 107 locked to the outer surface of the cover 102, The second cylindrical portion 108 erected from the inner peripheral end of the stop portion 107 and the third cylindrical portion 109 connected to the steering shaft (not shown) connected to the second cylindrical portion 108 and having a first cylindrical shape A rotor snap 110 for rotatably assembling the movable housing 106 with respect to the fixed housing 103 by coupling the second cylindrical portion 108 to the portion 105, and the fixed housing 103 and the movable housing. A ring-shaped holder 111 housed in a ring-shaped space formed by combining the ring 106, a roller 112 rotatably attached to the ring-shaped holder 111, wound around the roller 112, and one end thereof on the movable side A rotary connector including a flexible cable 113 connected to the housing 103 and connected to the stationary housing 104 at the other end is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  In this rotary connector, the annular protrusion 114 provided on the upper inner surface of the case 101 and the annular recess 115 provided on the lower surface of the top plate portion 104 are opposed to each other, and the lower surface of the cover 102 and the upper surface of the locking portion 107 are disposed. By opposing them, the position of the movable housing 106 in the rotational axis direction relative to the fixed housing 103 is restricted, the annular protrusion 114 and the annular recess 115 are engaged, and the side surface of the locking portion 107 and the inner edge of the cover 102 are engaged. The position of the movable housing 106 in the radial direction with respect to the fixed housing 103 is restricted by facing the stepped wall portion 116 formed by bending.

As a result, the movable housing 106 is rotatably held with respect to the fixed housing 103. The fixed housing 103 is fixed to the stator portion on the vehicle body side, and the movable housing 106 is connected to the steering wheel to thereby fix the vehicle body. An electrical connection between the electrical device provided and the electrical device provided on the steering wheel can be made via the flexible cable 113.
JP 2003-174715 A

  By the way, since the conventional rotary connector is formed by injection molding an insulating resin, it becomes difficult to mold the resin with accuracy as the distance in the radial direction from the rotary shaft becomes large, and deformation caused by changes over time. Therefore, when the movable housing 106 rotates, the ring-shaped protrusion 114 and the ring-shaped recess 115 that are opposed to each other with a large radial distance from the rotation axis are slidably in contact with each other, and noise is likely to be generated. There is an inconvenience.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the disadvantages of the prior art, and the object of the present invention is to accurately mold the position restricting portion of the movable housing with respect to the fixed housing, and to change the temperature and change with time. An object of the present invention is to provide a rotary connector that does not easily generate abnormal noise when the movable housing rotates even if deformation occurs.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a stationary housing having a cylindrical case and a ring-shaped cover that covers the lower open end of the case, and a ring-shaped top plate that covers the upper open end of the case And a movable side housing having a first cylindrical part extending downward from the inner peripheral end of the top plate part, and a second cylindrical part inserted and connected to the first cylindrical part from below the cover And a rotor snap having a latching portion having a claw projecting radially outward from the lower end of the second cylindrical portion, and the movable side housing is rotatably assembled to the fixed side housing. A storage space, a flexible cable that is electrically connected to the fixed housing and the movable housing in the storage space, and a ring-shaped plate portion that is locked to the locking portion, The lower end of the first tubular portion and the engagement Holding projections projecting radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the second tubular portion between the first cylindrical portion and a holding step portion so as to form a step on the inner edge of the upper surface of the cover. The step wall surface and the side surface of the holding projection are opposed to each other, and the inner edge of the cover is rotatably sandwiched between the lower surface of the holding projection and the upper surface of the ring-shaped plate portion.

  In this way, the cover is rotatably held between the holding projection and the ring-shaped plate portion, and the side surface of the holding projection and the wall surface of the holding step portion are opposed to each other at a portion close to the rotation axis of the movable housing. Since the axial position and radial position of the movable housing relative to the stationary housing can be regulated, the position regulating portion of the movable housing relative to the stationary housing can be accurately molded with resin, and deformation caused by temperature changes and changes over time can be suppressed to a small extent. It is possible to suppress the generation of abnormal noise when the movable housing rotates.

  Further, in the rotary connector having the above-described configuration, the storage space rotatably stores a ring-shaped holder that pivotally supports a roller that reverses the winding direction of the flexible cable. The inner end is rotatably sandwiched between the lower surface of the first cylindrical portion and the upper surface of the holding projection, and is supported by the second cylindrical portion.

  As described above, when the ring-shaped holder to which the roller for reversing the flexible cable is attached is disposed in the storage space and the ring-shaped holder is pivotally supported on the second cylindrical portion of the rotor snap, the flexible cable is smoothly moved. It is possible to tighten or rewind, and to suppress the generation of abnormal noise when the movable housing rotates.

  Further, the present invention provides the rotary connector having the above-described configuration, wherein the cover is provided with an engagement step portion so as to form a step on an inner edge of the lower surface of the cover, and the wall surface of the engagement step portion and the ring-shaped plate portion are provided. It was configured to face the side.

  According to such a configuration, the height dimension of the rotary connector can be reduced by an amount corresponding to the height dimension of the engagement step portion, and the rotary connector can be thinned.

  According to the present invention, in the rotary connector having the above-described configuration, the ring-shaped holder has an elastic portion that elastically biases the upper surface of the cover.

  According to such a configuration, rattling in the rotation axis direction of the ring-shaped holder portion can be suppressed, and rattling noise can be reduced even when the rotary connector vibrates in the vertical direction.

  In the rotary connector having the above-described configuration, the ring-shaped plate portion is detachably locked to the locking portion, and has a cam portion protruding downward in the rotation axis direction. did.

  According to such a configuration, since the cam portion for connecting the cancel mechanism to the ring-shaped plate portion is provided, various cancel mechanisms having different configurations of the connection portion connected to the cam portion simply by replacing the ring-shaped plate portion. The fixed-side housing and the movable-side housing can be used as common parts, and the cost of the rotary connector provided with the cancel member can be reduced.

  The rotary connector of the present invention includes a stationary housing having a cylindrical case and a ring-shaped cover that covers a lower open end of the case, a ring-shaped top plate that covers the upper open end of the case, and the top plate A movable housing having a first cylindrical portion extending downward from an inner peripheral end of the portion, a second cylindrical portion inserted into and connected to the first cylindrical portion from below the cover, and A rotor snap having a locking portion having a claw projecting radially outward from the lower end of the second cylindrical portion, and a storage space defined by rotatably assembling the movable housing to the fixed housing A flexible cable that is electrically connected to the fixed housing and the movable housing in the storage space, and a ring-shaped plate portion that is locked to the locking portion, the first cylindrical shape Between the lower end of the part and the locking part Holding projections projecting radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the second cylindrical portion, and providing a holding step portion so as to form a step on the inner edge of the upper surface of the cover, and a step wall surface of the holding step portion Since the inner surface of the cover is rotatably sandwiched between the lower surface of the holding projection and the upper surface of the ring-shaped plate portion, the cover projection faces the side surface of the holding projection, and the cover is provided between the holding projection and the ring-shaped plate portion. The axial position and the radial position of the movable side housing with respect to the fixed side housing in the portion close to the rotational axis of the movable side housing are configured such that the side surface of the holding projection and the wall surface of the holding step portion face each other. It can be regulated, and the position regulating part of the movable housing relative to the fixed housing can be accurately molded with resin, and deformation caused by temperature changes and changes over time can be reduced Movable housing can feel more alert can be suppressed abnormal noise when rotating.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a rotary connector according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a rotary connector according to the embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the rotary connector according to the embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the rotary connector according to this embodiment includes a case 1, a cover 2, a rotor (movable housing) 3, a rotor snap 4, a cancel member 5, a flexible cable 6, It is mainly composed of a ring-shaped holder 7 and a roller 8. All the members other than the flexible cable 6 are molded with an insulating resin.

  The case 1 is formed in a cylindrical shape of a required size, and a locking claw 11 for snap-coupling the cover 2 and a mounting boss for fixing the case 1 to the stator portion of the automobile at the lower part of the outer peripheral surface. 12 are formed. In addition, an annular projecting portion 13 projects radially inward from the upper portion of the inner peripheral surface of the case 1, and an annular projection 14 projects upward on the upper surface thereof as shown in FIG. 2.

  The cover 2 is formed in a ring shape so that it can be attached to the lower open end of the case 1, and the outer peripheral surface engages with a first engagement portion 11 formed at the lower outer peripheral surface of the case 1. A locking claw 21 and an external connection connector setting portion 22 are formed. In addition, a holding step portion 23 is formed on the inner edge of the upper surface of the cover 2 so as to be rotatably engaged with a holding projection 44 formed on the outer periphery of a second cylindrical portion 41 of the rotor snap 4 described later. In addition, an engagement step portion 24 is formed on the inner edge of the lower surface of the cover 2 to form a step so as to freely engage with a ring-shaped plate portion 51 described later. Thus, the holding step portion 23 forms a step portion that falls downward from the upper surface at the inner edge of the upper surface of the cover 2, and the engagement step portion 24 rises from the lower surface at the inner edge of the lower surface of the cover 2. Part. Here, the ring-shaped plate portion 51 restricts the rotor (movable housing) 3 from moving upward in the rotational axis direction with respect to the fixed housing.

  The case 1 and the cover 2 are integrated by snap-joining the first engaging claw 21 to the first engaging portion 11 to constitute a stationary housing.

  The rotor 3 includes a ring-shaped top plate portion 31 that can be attached to the upper open end of the case 1, and a first cylindrical portion 32 that extends downward from the inner periphery of the top plate portion 31. An outer peripheral edge of the lower surface of the top plate portion 31 has an annular recess 33 that engages with the annular protrusion 14 of the case 1 with a large clearance. And a connecting projection 35 for connecting to the steering wheel. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of second locking claws 37 are formed at the lower end portion of the inner peripheral surface of the first cylindrical portion 32 in the same direction with a predetermined interval.

  The rotor snap 4 includes a second cylindrical portion 41 inserted and connected to the first cylindrical portion 32 from below the cover 2 and a plurality of latches protruding downward from the lower end of the second cylindrical portion 41. A portion 42 and a plurality of detent projections 45. As shown in FIG. 2, a claw protruding outward in the radial direction is formed at the distal end portion of the locking portion 42. Here, since the dimension in the radial direction of the outer surface of the locking portion 42 is set smaller than that of the inner surface of the cover 2, the rotor snap 4 is attached to the rotor 3 incorporated in the case 1 when the rotary connector is assembled. Then, the case 1 and the cover 2 can be coupled so that the wall surface of the holding step portion 23 faces and engages with the outer surface of the holding protrusion 44. Accordingly, since the wall surfaces forming the steps of the holding step portions 24 facing each other with a narrow clearance and the side surfaces of the holding projections 44 can be engaged without being damaged, the radial position of the movable housing relative to the fixed housing is appropriately regulated. can do. It is apparent from FIG. 2 that the radial dimension of the wall surface of the holding step portion 23 is smaller than that of the inner surface of the cover 2.

  The second tubular portion 41 includes a second engaging portion 43 for snap-coupling to the second locking claw 37 of the first tubular portion 32 and a holding step portion 23 formed on the upper inner edge of the cover 2. And a holding projection 44 that is rotatably engaged with the holding projection 44. Here, the holding projection 44 protrudes radially outward from a position between the lower end of the first cylindrical portion 32 and the ring-shaped locking portion 42 on the outer peripheral surface of the second cylindrical portion 41. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the side surface of the holding projection 44 and the wall surface forming a step at the holding step portion 24 of the cover 2 face each other through a narrow clearance, so that the rotating shaft of the rotor 3 (movable housing) Since the radial position of the movable housing with respect to the fixed housing can be restricted in the vicinity, the position restricting portions can be resin-molded with high accuracy, and the influence of deformation due to temperature change and change with time can be kept small.

  The ring-shaped plate portion 51 has an engaging portion 53 that snaps to a locking portion 42 formed at the lower end of the rotor snap 4 and also has a notch portion 54 that engages with the anti-rotation projection 45. 4 is engaged with the holding step portion 24 formed on the inner edge of the lower surface of the cover 2 in a state where the cover 2 is locked. Here, the inner edge of the cover 2 is sandwiched between the upper surface of the ring-shaped plate portion 51 and the lower surface of the holding projection 24 of the rotor snap 4 via a narrow clearance, and the axial position of the movable housing relative to the stationary housing is regulated. The Further, since the ring-shaped plate portion 51 does not restrict the radial position of the movable housing relative to the fixed housing, the clearance between the outer surface of the ring-shaped plate portion 51 and the wall surface forming the step of the holding step portion 24 is not limited. It can be set relatively large, and no sliding noise is generated in this portion. Further, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the ring-shaped plate portion 51 has a cam portion 52 extending downward from the lower end of the ring-shaped plate portion 51 to form the cancel member 5. Since the ring-shaped plate portion 51 can be fixed so as not to move in the circumferential direction with respect to the rotor 3 and is engaged with a cancel mechanism (not shown), the cancel operation is stable. It can be performed. Moreover, when the ring-shaped plate part 51 does not have the function as the cancellation member 5, it is needless to say that the cam part 52 can be omitted. The radial dimension of the ring-shaped plate portion 51 from the rotation axis is set so as to provide a relatively large clearance with respect to the radial dimension of the wall surface forming the step of the engagement step portion 24 from the rotation axis. The

  The flexible cable 6 is formed by laminating a plurality of foil-shaped conductors with an insulating film, is formed to a required length, and is formed by combining the case 1, the cover 2, and the rotor 3. The ring-shaped space is accommodated so that it can be wound or unwound. 1 and 2 show an example in which two flexible cables 6 are provided. However, the number of the flexible cables 6 is not limited at all, and one or two are provided. More than one flexible cable 6 can also be provided. Both ends of the flexible cable 6 are connected to an external connection connector (not shown) provided on the cover 2 and the rotor 3, and a signal flowing through the flexible cable 6 is led out to the outside through the external connection connector.

  The ring-shaped holder 7 is configured to elastically bias the ring-shaped substrate 71, a plurality of roller holding portions 72 and cable winding portions 73 formed on one surface of the substrate 71, and the upper surface of the cover 2. It consists of an elastic part 74. On the other hand, the roller 8 is formed in a cylindrical shape and is rotatably attached to the roller holding portion 72. The ring-shaped holder 7 and the roller 8 are rotatably accommodated in a ring-shaped space formed by combining the case 1, the cover 2, and the rotor 3. The flexible cable 6 is wound around the cable winding portion 73 and the roller 8 by a required method, and is wound or unwound as the roller 3 rotates forward or backward.

  Hereinafter, a method for assembling the rotary connector according to the embodiment will be described.

  First, both ends of the flexible cable 6 are respectively connected to external connection connectors (not shown) provided on the cover 2 and the upper roller 3.

  Next, the cylindrical portion 32 of the rotor 3 is inserted into the case 1, the top plate portion 31 of the rotor 3 is attached to the upper surface of the case 1, and a ring shape formed between the case 1 and the rotor 3. The flexible cable 6 is accommodated in the space.

  Next, the ring-shaped holder 7 to which the roller 8 is attached is incorporated into the ring-shaped space, and the flexible cable 6 is wound and wound around the cable winding portion 73 formed on the roller 8 and the ring-shaped holder 7. Wind so that it can be rewound.

  Next, the second locking claw 37 formed on the first cylindrical portion 32 of the rotor 3 and the second engaging portion 43 formed on the second cylindrical portion 41 of the rotor snap 4 are snap-coupled to each other, and the rotor 3 and the rotor snap 4 are integrated.

  Next, the holding step 44 formed on the inner edge of the upper surface of the cover 2 is brought into contact with the holding protrusion 44 formed on the second tubular portion 41 of the rotor snap 4 and formed on the lower portion of the outer peripheral surface of the case 1. The cover 2 is attached to the lower surface of the case 1 by snap-coupling the first engaging portion 11 and the locking claw 21 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cover 2.

  Finally, the anti-rotation protrusion 45 formed on the lower end portion of the rotor snap 4 is fitted into the notch portion 54 formed on the ring-shaped plate portion 51, and the engaging portion 42 formed on the rotor snap 4 and the ring-shaped plate The canceling member 5 is integrated with the case 1, the cover 2, and the rotor 3 by snap-coupling with a locking portion 53 formed on the portion 51.

  In the rotary connector according to the present embodiment, the holding projection 24 and the ring-shaped plate 51 sandwich the inner edge of the cover 2 with a narrow clearance, and the side surface of the holding projection 44 is narrow with respect to the wall surface forming the step of the holding step portion 23. Since they face each other with a clearance, the axial position and the radial position of the movable housing relative to the stationary housing can be simultaneously regulated at a portion close to the rotation axis of the rotor 3 (movable housing). The restricting portion can be molded with high accuracy, and the influence of deformation due to temperature change or change with time can be suppressed to be small, and generation of abnormal noise when the movable housing rotates can be suppressed.

  In the rotary connector according to the present embodiment, the ring-shaped holder 7 to which the roller 8 for reversing the flexible cable 6 is attached is disposed in the storage space, and the ring-shaped holder 7 is connected to the second cylindrical portion of the rotor snap 4. Since it is pivotally supported on 41, the flexible cable 6 can be smoothly wound or unwound, and the generation of noise when the movable housing rotates can be suppressed.

  Further, in the rotary connector according to the present embodiment, the engagement step portion 24 is provided on the inner edge of the lower surface of the cover 2, and the wall surface of the engagement step portion 24 faces the side surface of the ring-shaped plate portion 51. The height of the rotary connector can be reduced by an amount corresponding to the height of the stepped portion 24, and the rotary connector can be made thinner.

  In addition, since the rotary connector according to the present embodiment includes the elastic portion 74 that elastically biases the upper surface of the cover 2 in the ring-shaped holder 7, it suppresses rattling in the rotation axis direction of the ring-shaped holder 7. The rattling sound can be reduced even when the rotary connector vibrates in the vertical direction.

  Further, since the rotary connector according to the present embodiment is provided with the cam portion 52 for connecting the cancel mechanism to the ring-shaped plate portion 51, it is connected to the cam portion 52 simply by replacing the ring-shaped plate portion 51. It is possible to cope with various cancel mechanisms having different configurations of the connecting portions. Therefore, the fixed side housing and the movable side housing can be used as common parts, and the cost of the rotary connector provided with the cancel member can be reduced.

  In the above-described embodiment, the fixed-side housing is configured by combining the case 1 and the cover 2, but the gist of the present invention is not limited to this, and the fixed-side housing has an integrated case and cover. It can also be a structure.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the ring-shaped holder 7 and the roller 8 were provided, the summary of this invention is not limited to this, Depending on the winding system of the flexible cable 6, these are abbreviate | omitted. You can also.

It is a rotation connector exploded perspective view concerning an example of an embodiment. It is principal part sectional drawing of the rotation connector which concerns on the example of embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the rotation connector which concerns on a prior art example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Case 2 Cover 3 Rotor 4 Rotor snap 5 Canceling member 6 Flexible cable 7 Ring-shaped holder 8 Roller 23 Holding step part 24 Holding protrusion 31 Top plate part 32 1st cylindrical part 41 2nd cylindrical part 42 Locking part 51 Ring-shaped plate part 52 Cam part

Claims (5)

  A fixed housing having a cylindrical case and a ring-shaped cover covering the lower open end of the case, a ring-shaped top plate covering the upper open end of the case, and a lower side from the inner peripheral end of the top plate A movable side housing having a first cylindrical portion extending to the first cylindrical portion, a second cylindrical portion to be inserted into and connected to the first cylindrical portion from below the cover, and the second cylindrical portion A rotor snap having a locking portion having a claw projecting radially outward from the lower end, a storage space defined by rotatably assembling the movable housing to the fixed housing, and the storage space A flexible cable that is electrically connected to the fixed housing and the movable housing; and a ring-shaped plate portion that is locked to the locking portion; and a lower end of the first cylindrical portion and the locking Of the second cylindrical part A holding projection is provided so as to protrude radially outward from the peripheral surface, and a holding step is provided so as to form a step on the inner edge of the upper surface of the cover, so that the step wall surface of the holding step and the side surface of the holding projection are opposed to each other. A rotary connector characterized in that the inner edge of the cover is rotatably held by the lower surface of the holding projection and the upper surface of the ring-shaped plate portion.   The storage space rotatably stores a ring-shaped holder that pivotally supports a roller that reverses the winding direction of the flexible cable, and the inner end of the ring-shaped holder is connected to the lower surface of the first tubular portion and the The rotary connector according to claim 1, wherein the rotary connector is rotatably held by an upper surface of the holding projection and is pivotally supported by the second cylindrical portion.   The cover is provided with an engagement step portion so as to form a step on an inner edge of the lower surface of the cover, and a wall surface of the engagement step portion and a side surface of the ring-shaped plate portion are opposed to each other. The rotary connector according to claim 1 or 2.   The rotary connector according to claim 2, wherein the ring-shaped holder includes an elastic portion that elastically urges the upper surface of the cover.   The ring-shaped plate portion includes a cam portion that is detachably locked to the locking portion and that protrudes downward in the rotational axis direction. The rotary connector according to item.

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