Electrical connectors – With relatively guided members and intermediate pliable... – Relatively movable about axis
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-07
2001-04-17
Paumen, Gary F. (Department: 2833)
Electrical connectors
With relatively guided members and intermediate pliable...
Relatively movable about axis
C439S191000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06217355
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the transmission of electrical signals and compressed air through a rotary joint or connector. The invention more particularly concerns a rotary connector which takes the form of an automotive clockspring.
2. Discussion of the Background
Clocksprings are well known in the automobile industry. An automotive clockspring is an electrical connector or rotary transducer which electrically connects a rotatable airbag assembly mounted on the steering wheel to stationary crash sensors located elsewhere on the vehicle. An automotive clockspring typically includes a housing and a cover mounted to the housing so as to form a cavity therebetween. Rotatably mounted within the cavity is a hub. The clockspring housing is non-rotatably mounted to the steering column, while the hub is attached to the rotatable airbag assembly. A flat ribbon cable is wound around the hub. One end of the flat ribbon cable terminates at the stationary housing or cover and the other end terminates at the hub. The end of the flat ribbon cable terminated at the hub is then connected to an electrical cable which connects to the airbag assembly. During use, the flat ribbon cable is either spooled or un-spooled around the hub when the steering wheel is rotated in one direction or the other direction. Examples of clocksprings are provided in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,785,541, 5,601,437, 5,580,259, 5,490,793, 5,487,667, 5,460,535, 5,429,517, 5,980,286, and 5,775,920 all of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
Devices other than airbags are also mounted on the steering wheel which receive electrical signals. As the automotive industry has matured, vehicles have become more refined as fueled by consumer requirements. Vehicles that appeal to the consumer-mass-market typically have controls and features which are within an arm's length of the driver. To reduce the amount of effort on the part of the driver and to increase the comfort of the driver, more and more functions, switches, and controls are placed ever closer to the driver. Since the driver's hands are on the steering wheel, automobile manufacturers have been placing electrical switches on the steering wheel so that the driver can activate the electrical switches with one finger while keeping their hands on the steering wheel.
Thus, there is a need for increasing the comfort of drivers of automobiles while the drivers keep their hands on the steering wheel.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide a clockspring which can support controls and devices mounted on the steering wheel.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a clockspring which can support controls and devices mounted in the steering wheel.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a clockspring which provides electrical energy to the steering wheel.
It is still yet another object of the invention to provide a clockspring or rotary connector which provides compressed air or pneumatic energy to the steering wheel.
It is another object of the invention to provide a device which is low in cost to produce.
It is still further another object of the invention to provide a clockspring which is highly reliable.
In one form of the invention the compressed air clockspring includes a housing, a hub, a ribbon cable, and an air ring. The housing has a first electrical connector and a first pneumatic port. The hub has a second electrical connector and a second pneumatic port. The hub is rotatably mounted to the housing. The ribbon cable has a first end and a second end. The first end of the electrical cable is attached to the first electrical connector of the housing, and the second end of the ribbon cable is attached to the second electrical connector of the hub. The air ring is rotatably mounted to the housing. The air ring fluidically connects the first pneumatic port of the housing to the second pneumatic port of the hub.
In yet another form of the invention, the compressed air clockspring includes a housing, a hub, electrical connection means, and fluidic connection means. The housing has a first electrical connector and a first pneumatic port. The hub has a second electrical connector and a second pneumatic port. The hub is rotatably mounted to the housing. The electrical connection means connects the first electrical connector to the second electrical connector. The fluidic connection means connects the first pneumatic port to the second pneumatic port.
In another embodiment, the compressed air clockspring is known as a rotary connector for transmitting compressed air since the device does not include a ribbon cable. The rotary connector includes a housing, a hub, and an air ring. The housing has a first pneumatic port. The hub has a second pneumatic port. The hub is rotatably mounted to the housing, and the hub having an axis of rotation. The air ring is rotatably mounted to the housing. The air ring fluidically connects the first pneumatic port of the housing to the second pneumatic port of the hub. The first pneumatic port being located a first distance away from the axis of rotation, and the second pneumatic port being located a second distance away from the axis of rotation.
Thus, the invention achieves the objectives set forth above. The invention provides a device which conveys both electrical and pneumatic energy through a rotary connector.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5429517 (1995-07-01), Bolen
patent: 5460535 (1995-10-01), Bolen
patent: 5487667 (1996-01-01), Bolen
patent: 5490793 (1996-02-01), Bolen
patent: 5580259 (1996-12-01), Bolen et al.
patent: 5601437 (1997-02-01), Harvey et al.
patent: 5637006 (1997-06-01), Almeras
patent: 5743555 (1998-04-01), Durrani
patent: 5775920 (1998-07-01), Henderson
patent: 5785541 (1998-07-01), Best et al.
patent: 5865329 (1999-02-01), Gay et al.
patent: 5980286 (1999-11-01), Best et al.
Kovach Karl D.
Methode Electronics Inc.
Newman David L.
Paumen Gary F.
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