Electrical connectors – With relatively guided members and intermediate pliable... – Relatively movable about axis
Patent
1995-06-01
1997-10-07
Paumen, Gary F.
Electrical connectors
With relatively guided members and intermediate pliable...
Relatively movable about axis
439 15, H01R 3504
Patent
active
056740816
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to rotary contactors for motor vehicles, of the kind comprising two coaxial parts mounted for movement with respect to each other, with electrical transmission means being interposed between the two coaxial parts.
2. Description of Related Art
Such rotary contactors are described for example in the documents EP-A-0 479 567 and FR-A-2 612 851.
Commonly (FIG. 1), one of the above mentioned parts of the contactor 3, referred to for convenience as the fixed part 101, is adapted to be fixed to the steering column 4 of the vehicle, while the other one of the said parts, referred to here for convenience as the moving part 102, is adapted to be coupled to the steering wheel of the motor vehicle for rotation with the latter.
It will be recalled that the electrical transmission means enable a device, or first devices, connected to the steering wheel of the vehicle, to be connected electrically to a device, or to second devices, which are connected to the steering column 4, or to the chassis, of the vehicle.
The first devices may consist for example of electrical contactors, such as the horn, or a safety device with an inflatable cushion known as an "air bag" which is inflated in the event of an accident, so as to protect the vehicle.
These transmission means, which are for example in the form of a tape wound between the two parts 101 and 102, enable the steering wheel to execute 1.75 to 3.5 turns in either direction.
This rotary contactor is made by an equipment manufacturer and is delivered to the constructor of the vehicle so that it can be fitted in the said central portion of the switch carrier 1.
To this end, the rotary contactor must be delivered in its mean or central setting so that the number of turns of the steering wheel required can be performed without damage to the contactor. Commonly, in this connection, the parts 101 and 102 are held in this predetermined setting, for example, with the aid of mechanical means which employ, for example, a stop screw.
In a modification, this retention is obtained by means of an adhesive label which is torn during the initial rotation of the steering wheel.
Thus, the contactor is mounted in the correct position and does not run any risk of damaging the electrical transmission means, especially when the latter comprise a tape which is spiral wound between the two parts of the contactor.
These arrangements are not entirely satisfactory.
In this connection, in the case where the mean position is ensured by means of screws, this makes it necessary for the vehicle manufacturer to carry out an additional operation.
Where retention in the mean position is obtained by means of an adhesive label, there is a risk of tearing the latter as a result of rough handling, so that this arrangement is not fully reliable.
An object of the present invention is to overcome these drawbacks in a simple and inexpensive way.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the invention, a rotary contactor of the type described above is characterised in that, for temporary coupling of the fixed part in rotation with the movable part, retractable locking means are arranged between the parts, and in that the locking means comprise a retractable first member carried by the moving part and adapted to engage with a second member carried by the fixed part, the first member comprising a manoeuvrable portion adapted to be actuated by the steering wheel of the vehicle so as to retract the said first member and release the said parts from each other.
Thanks to the invention, in which the first member constitutes a retractable stop member, the rotary contactor can be delivered in its mean setting and the vehicle manufacturer has no additional operation to carry out, since unlocking of the two parts of the rotary contactor, for rotation with respect to each other, is carried out automatically as the steering wheel is fitted. By virtue of the manoeuvrable portion, the first member is subsequently held in its retracted position
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Hoffmann Bertrand
Lecomte Thierry
Paumen Gary F.
Valeo Electronique
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