JP3378752B2 - Rotating connector - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a rotary connector which is incorporated in a steering device of an automobile and connects electric components such as an airbag and an inflator mounted on a steering wheel side to a vehicle body side, and more particularly to a rotary connector for a steering wheel. The present invention relates to a connecting structure for transmitting rotation to a movable housing of a rotary connector.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A rotary connector is one in which a movable housing is rotatably connected to a fixed housing, and a strip-shaped flexible cable is housed and wound between the two housings. When is rotated in either forward or reverse directions, the flexible cable is wound or unwound according to the rotating direction. When the rotary connector having the above-described configuration is incorporated in a steering device for an automobile, the stator-side fixed-side housing is generally fixed to a combination switch or the like with screws, but the rotor-side movable-side housing is not fixed. It is adapted to be connected to the steering wheel by fitting the pin and the recess.

Conventionally, as a connection structure of such a steering wheel and a movable side housing, it is practically fair 7-3.
As described in Japanese Patent No. 594, by attaching a rubber cap to a cylindrical connecting pin protruding from the upper surface of the movable side housing and fitting the cap into a recess formed in the steering wheel, It is proposed that the rotation of the steering wheel is transmitted to the movable housing. With such a connecting structure, even if some dimensional error occurs between the connecting pin and the recess, the error can be absorbed by the rubber cap, and rattling noise is generated between the connecting pin and the recess. It can also be prevented.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, it is necessary to cover the connecting pin with the rubber cap in the process of assembling the rotary connector, and the cap is prevented from falling off. Since it is necessary to take measures, there is a problem that the total cost of the rotary connector increases. Although the displacement absorption amount of the cap depends on its thickness, the size of the recess formed in the steering wheel is naturally limited. Therefore, if the cap is thickened within this limit, the diameter of the connecting pin becomes thin. There is also a problem that it is easily damaged.

[0005]

According to the present invention , an outer surface is formed on a tip of a connecting pin fitted in a recess of a steering wheel.
A pair of V-shaped fingers are integrally molded and
Form thin parts on the opposing surfaces of both fingers.
In addition, the slit that opens at the tip between these thin parts
Will be formed . When the connecting pin configured as described above is fitted into the recess of the steering wheel, both finger parts are bent toward each other with the root of the connecting pin as a fulcrum, so that the dimensional error between the connecting pin and the recess can be absorbed. Also, since both finger portions do not bend beyond the width of the slit, damage due to excessive bending can be prevented. In addition, the deformation of the fingers due to sink marks on the resin
Can be prevented by the thin-walled section, and
Shape and installation position, limit deformation of both fingers (flexure
The degree of freedom in designing the quantity can be increased.

[0006]

The rotary connector of the embodiment of the present invention, the synthetic
A fixed housing made of resin, a movable housing made of synthetic resin rotatably attached to the fixed housing, and a flexible cable housed inside the fixed housing and the movable housing. A rotary connector in which a rotation of the steering wheel is transmitted to the movable side housing by fitting a connecting pin protruding from the upper surface of the movable side housing into a recess formed in the steering wheel. Pin tip
Integrally formed a pair of fingers which was shaped Ku outer surface
A thin-walled part on each of the facing surfaces of these finger parts.
And forming a slit whose tip opens between these thin portions , the finger portions and the recess
Configured to mate .

The slit may have any shape, but if the slit is formed to have a constant width or a width widening toward the tip, the slit does not become an undercut when the movable housing is injection-molded. No complicated slide core is required in the mold.

[0008]

Further, if through holes are provided on both sides of the root of the connecting pin, both fingers can be opened vertically without undercutting, so that the injection molding die can be simplified. it can.

[0010]

EXAMPLES Examples will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 is a perspective view of the rotary connector, FIG. 2 is a plan view of a movable housing provided in the rotary connector, and FIG. 3 is I of FIG.
4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I, FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a connecting pin provided in the movable side housing of FIG. 2, and FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a dimensional relationship between the connecting pin and a recess of the steering wheel.

The rotary connector according to the embodiment has a fixed housing 1 made of synthetic resin and a movable housing 2 made of synthetic resin rotatably mounted on the fixed housing 1.
And a flexible cable (not shown) wound and housed in a ring-shaped space between the fixed housing 1 and the movable housing 2. Both ends of this flexible cable are fixed to the outer tubular portion 1a of the fixed housing 1 and the inner tubular portion (not shown) of the movable housing 2, respectively, and the cable extraction portion 1b of the fixed housing 1 is also provided.
And is electrically led out to the outside via the cable extraction portion 2a of the movable side housing 2. A plurality of mounting pieces 1c are integrally formed on the lower peripheral surface of the outer tubular portion 1a, and the fixed side housing 1 is screwed to a combination switch or the like of the steering device by using these mounting pieces 1c. . On the other hand, a pair of connecting pins 3 are projectingly provided at 180-degree opposite positions on the upper surface of the movable side housing 2, and the connecting pins 3 are fitted into the recesses 5 formed in the steering hub 4 on the steering wheel side.
The movable housing 2 is adapted to rotate in association with the rotation of the steering wheel.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the connecting pin 3 is
Has a prismatic root portion 3a and a pair of finger portions 3b integrally formed at the tip of the root portion 3a, and both finger portions 3b face each other through a slit 6 having a constant width. The outer surface of the finger portion 3b is formed in a V shape, and the taper surface of the upper narrowed portion functions as a guide when the finger portion 3b is fitted into the recess 5. Further, through holes 7 are provided on both sides of the root portion 3a, and these through holes 7 are formed slightly larger than the outer side surfaces of the finger portions 3b.
Therefore, by forming the parting line at the center of the "<" shape of the finger portion 3b, the finger portion 3b can be molded by opening the mold in the vertical direction, and the injection molding die can be simplified. ing. On the other hand, a thin portion 3c is formed in the center of the inner surface of the finger portion 3b, and this thin portion 3c prevents sinking of the resin during molding, which makes it easier to maintain dimensional accuracy and reduces the depth (length) of the slit 6. )
The rigidity at the time of connection can be set arbitrarily by setting the dimensions of (even with the same bending amount).

As shown in FIG. 5, when the thickness dimension of the finger portion 3b is A and the width dimension of the recess 5 in the lateral direction is a,
It is set to A <a. Further, when the outer width dimension of both finger portions 3b is B, the width dimension of the slit 6 is C, and the width dimension in the longitudinal direction of the recess 5 is b, these are B> b, C ≧
It is set to Bb.

When the rotary connector constructed as described above is incorporated in a steering device, each mounting piece 1c is screwed to a combination switch or the like to fix the fixed housing 1 to the stator side of the steering device and then move. The steering wheel is fixed to the steering shaft in a state where both the recesses 5 of the steering hub 4 are fitted into both the connecting pins 3 of the side housing 2. As described above, the thickness A of the finger portion 3b and the width a of the recess 5 are in the relation of A <a. Therefore, even if the center of the steering wheel is slightly deviated from the center of the rotary connector, The gap is absorbed. Further, since the outer width B of both finger portions 3b and the width b of the concave portion 5 have a relation of B> b, both finger portions 3b are bent in directions toward each other with the root portion 3a side as a fulcrum, and thus both finger portions 3b. Is tightly fitted in the recess 5. Further, the width C of the slit 6 is C ≧
Since it is set to B-b, both finger portions 3b do not excessively bend in the recess 5.

In use, when the steering wheel is rotated in either forward or reverse directions, the rotation is transmitted to the movable housing 2 through the engagement between the recess 5 and the connecting pin 3, so that the steering wheel is rotated in the rotational direction. Accordingly, the flexible cable in the rotary connector is wound around the inner tubular portion side or is rewound around the outer tubular portion 1a side. that time,
The base portion 3a of the connecting pin 3 is hardly deformed, and both the finger portions 3b at the tip are tightly fitted in the recess 5, so that the movable side housing 2 with respect to the rotation of the steering wheel.
Can be followed with almost no rotation delay. In particular, an angle sensor for detecting the rotation of the steering shaft is attached to the rotary connector, and the code wheel of the angle sensor is attached to the movable housing 2.
Even when the detection element is attached to the fixed housing 1, the hysteresis due to the rotation direction of the steering wheel is significantly suppressed, so that the detection accuracy of the angle sensor can be improved.

The arrangement position, the number, and the shape of the thin portion 3c on the facing surface are not limited to those in the above embodiment.

[0017]

The present invention is carried out in the form as described above, and has the following effects.

A fixed housing made of synthetic resin and a synthetic resin rotatably mounted on the fixed housing.
And a flexible cable housed inside the fixed housing and the movable housing, and a connecting pin protruding from the upper surface of the movable housing is formed in the steering wheel. In the rotary connector in which the rotation of the steering wheel is transmitted to the movable-side housing by being fitted into, a pair of finger portions having an outer surface having a dogleg shape is integrally formed at the tip of the connecting pin. Faces of both fingers
To thereby form a thin portion, respectively, to form a slit tip between these two thin portion is opened, the both fingers
If the finger portions of the connecting pin are fitted in the recesses, when the finger portions of the connecting pin are fitted in the recesses, the finger portions are bent in the direction in which they come close to each other. Both fingers can absorb more than the width of the slit, so damage due to excessive bending can be prevented , and the fins due to sink marks of the resin can be prevented.
The thin part can prevent deformation of the gir part and
Depending on the dimensions and shape of the parts and the installation position,
The degree of freedom in designing the shape amount (deflection amount) can be increased.

Further, if the slit is formed to have a constant width or a width widening toward the tip, the slit does not become an undercut when the movable side housing is injection molded, so that a complicated slide core is not required in the injection molding die. Become.

[0020]

Further, if through holes are provided on both sides of the base of the connecting pin, both fingers can be opened vertically without undercutting, so that the injection molding die can be simplified. it can.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rotary connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a movable side housing provided in the rotary connector.

3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line I-I of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a connecting pin included in the movable housing of FIG.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a dimensional relationship between the connecting pin and a recess of the steering wheel.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Fixed side housing 2 Movable housing 3 connecting pins 3a root part 3b Finger part 3c Thin part 4 steering hub 5 recess 6 slits 7 through holes

Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-8-301126 (JP, A) Actual Kaihei 6-6161 (JP, U) Actual Kohei 2-35580 (JP, Y2) Actual Kohei 7-3594 (JP , Y2) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B60R 16/02 630 B62D 1/04 H01R 35/04

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A synthetic resin-made stationary housing, rotatably mounted synthetic resin against the stationary housing
A steering wheel is provided with a connecting pin projecting from the upper surface of the movable housing, which includes a movable housing made of oil and a flexible cable housed inside the fixed housing and the movable housing. A rotary connector for transmitting the rotation of the steering wheel to the movable side housing by fitting in the recess,
Integrally molding a pair of finger portions in which the outer surface Ku shaped at the tip of the connecting pin, opposite of both of these fingers
To form the respective surfaces thin portion, a slit tip between these two thin portions <br/> opens, the two fins
A rotary connector characterized in that a gar portion is configured to fit into the recess . 2. The rotary connector according to claim 1, wherein the slit has a constant width or widens toward a tip. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
A rotary connector characterized in that through holes are provided on both sides of a base portion of a connecting pin .