Device for transmitting electrical signals between components wh

Electrical connectors – With relatively guided members and intermediate pliable... – Relatively movable about axis

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439 15, H01R 3504

Patent

active

058334777

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention concerns transmission devices used, for example, in motor vehicle steering systems to transmit the signals of functional elements disposed on or in the steering wheel.
DE-OS 35 37 783 presents a device for signal transmission whereby an electrical lead is attached to one stationary, and to one rotatable component. A loose guide ring provided with a notch is disposed between the stationary and the rotatable component. The electrical lead is at least partially guided around the guide ring and through the notch of the guide ring and can be wound around the rotatable component inside the guide ring. Upon rotation of the rotatable component, the part of the electrical lead wound up around the guide ring and the part thereof guided around the guide ring are, respectively, shortened or lengthened such that the guide ring is rotated according to the movement of the electrical lead. In one extreme position, the electrical lead is wound up on the rotatable component; in the other extreme position, the electrical lead is unwound and guided between the guide ring and the stationary component.
The device for signal transmission described in DE-OS 35 37 783 has the disadvantage that the possible rotational movement is small compared to the length of the electrical lead.
EP-0 186 935 discloses guiding an electrical lead in a space between a rotatable hub and a stationary housing wall to enlarge the range of rotation for a device for signal transmission. There, the electrical lead is completely unwound from the hub with a rotation of the hub in the clockwise direction and is partially in contact with the inside wall of the stationary housing or is located in the space between the hub and the stationary housing. With counterclockwise rotation of the hub, the electrical lead is completely wound up on the hub in the end position thereof. In the center position, the electrical lead is partially wound up on the hub.
In the last-mentioned arrangement of the lead, the range of rotation is certainly larger compared to the previously mentioned arrangement. Here, there is, however, the disadvantage that a long lead is essential.


SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the invention is a device for transmitting electrical signals between components which can be rotated relative to one another. The device includes a hub rotatable about an axis, a stationary housing surrounding the hub, a stationary component; and at least one electrical lead connected at one end to the hub and at the other end to the stationary component. In a first end position, after full clockwise rotation of the hub, and in a second end position, after full counter-clockwise rotation of the hub, the electrical lead is substantially wound up on the hub in the respective opposite direction, whereas in a center position the electrical lead is substantially unwound from the hub and forms a loop.
In a preferred embodiment, a first chamber is provided to accommodate the electrical lead wound up on the hub and a second chamber is provided for the unwound looped electrical lead. For a conventional number of rotations in steering columns, in a preferred embodiment, the completely unwound loop of the electrical lead extends by only 180.degree. about the hub. Thus, the housing may be eliminated on the side opposite this space. This free space may be used, for example, for other components in a steering column.
In another embodiment, a stationary annular partition with an opening for passage of the electrical lead is provided between the hub and a stationary housing, and an electrical lead connection is provided on the outside of the partition near the opening. The first chamber is then formed between the hub and the partition, whereas the second chamber is located concentric with it between the stationary housing and the partition. In the two end positions, the electrical lead is wound up on the hub in the first chamber, whereas in the center position of the hub, it lies in the second chamber as a loop.
In another embodiment,

REFERENCES:
patent: 5102061 (1992-04-01), Suzuki et al.
patent: 5277604 (1994-01-01), Ida et al.
patent: 5314341 (1994-05-01), Kazita et al.
patent: 5328112 (1994-07-01), Obata

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