Electrical connectors – With relatively guided members and intermediate pliable... – Relatively movable about axis
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-06
2001-05-01
Bradley, Paula (Department: 2833)
Electrical connectors
With relatively guided members and intermediate pliable...
Relatively movable about axis
C439S015000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06224406
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a rotating connector which is incorporated in a steering system of an automobile and which is used as electrical connecting means for an air bag system or the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
Rotating connectors are formed by connecting a pair of housings, which are concentrically and relatively rotatably coupled to each other, through a belt-like flexible cable. They are roughly categorized into two types depending on the way in which the flexible cable is wound. In the first type, the flexible cable is wound like a whirl in an annular accommodating portion defined by the pair of housings. In the second type, the flexible cable is wound in a reverse direction in the accommodating portion. In the second type, the required length of the flexible cable can be made shorter. Therefore, the second type has the advantage of reduced total costs.
However, in conventional rotating connectors, when the flexible cable is subjected to vibrations from the automobile and moves vertically in the accommodating portion, both widthwise direction ends of the flexible cable collide with the upper case and the lower cover of the first housing, resulting in the generation of noise unpleasant to the ear.
To try to solve this problem, the applicant proposed a rotating connector in European Patent Publication No. EP0770521A1. The rotating connector comprises a first housing and a second housing concentrically and relatively rotatably coupled together; a belt-like flexible cable which is wound in a reverse direction through an annular accommodating portion defined by the housings, with both ends of the flexible cable being secured to the housings; and a movable body which is rotatably disposed in the accommodating portion and which has a hole through which the turning portion of the flexible cable passes. In the rotating connector, an outer extension portion is formed at the movable body so as to oppose the widthwise direction ends of the flexible cable. The flexible cable is held down at the outer extension portion to reduce the noise level.
FIG. 9
is a partial plan view showing in section a portion of the first housing side connecting portion of the flexible cable of the proposed rotating connector.
FIG. 10
is a sectional view taken on line
10
—
10
of FIG.
9
.
As shown in
FIG. 9
, a flexible cable
4
crosses at point P an outer extension portion
17
b
of a lower holder
17
(see
FIG. 10
) of a movable body, and extends up to a stationary side connecting portion
31
provided at an upper case
8
(see
FIG. 10
) of a first housing. A connecting end portion of the flexible cable
4
is secured to the stationary side connecting portion
31
. Reference numeral
18
denotes a roller of the movable body.
However, in this structure, the outer extension portion
17
b
of the lower holder
17
contacts an edge of the flexible cable
4
at point P (of FIG.
9
), as shown in FIG.
10
. Therefore, when sliding occurs at the portion where they contact each other, noise is generated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, in view of the above-described conventional problem, it is an object of the present invention to provide a rotating connector with a simple structure which prevents the production of noise resulting from sliding between the flexible cable and the outer extension portion of the lower holder of the movable body.
To this end, according to the present invention, there is provided a rotating connector comprising:
a first housing and a second housing, which are concentrically and relatively rotatably coupled to each other;
a belt-like flexible cable which is wound in a reverse direction through a turning portion in an annular accommodating portion defined by the first housing and the second housing, with both ends of the flexible cable being fixed to the first housing and the second housing; and
a movable body which is rotatably disposed in the accommodating portion, the movable body having an opening through which the turning portion of the flexible cable passes;
wherein the movable body has an outer extension portion which faces a widthwise direction end of the flexible cable;
wherein a connecting end portion of the flexible cable crosses the outer extension portion of the movable body in order to be connected to a stationary side connecting portion of the first housing; and
wherein an edge of the connecting end portion of the flexible cable and the outer extension portion of the movable body are disposed so as not to contact each other at a crossing location of the edge of the connecting end portion of the flexible cable and the outer extension portion of the movable body.
In a preferred form, the edge of the connecting end portion of the flexible cable may have a cutout formed therein to prevent the edge of the connecting end portion of the flexible cable and the outer extension portion of the movable body from contacting each other.
In another preferred form, the edge of the connecting end portion of the flexible cable may be lifted by a portion of the first housing to prevent the edge of the connecting end portion of the flexible cable and the outer extension portion of the movable body from contacting each other.
In still another preferred form, the edge of the connecting end portion of the flexible cable may be lifted by the stationary side connecting portion of the first housing to prevent the edge of the connecting end portion of the flexible cable and the outer extension portion of the movable body from contacting each other.
In still another preferred form, an end of the outer extension portion may extend upward.
In still another preferred form, when an end of the outer extension portion extends upward, the edge of the connecting end portion of the flexible cable may have a cutout formed therein to prevent the edge of the connecting end portion of the flexible cable and the outer extension portion of the movable body from contacting each other.
In still another preferred form, when an end of the outer extension portion extends upward, the edge of the connecting end portion of the flexible cable may be lifted by a portion of the first housing to prevent the edge of the connecting end portion of the flexible cable and the outer extension portion of the movable body from contacting each other.
In still another preferred form, when an end of the outer extension portion extends upward, the edge of the connecting end portion of the flexible cable may be lifted by the stationary side connecting portion of the first housing to prevent the edge of the connecting end portion of the flexible cable and the outer extension portion of the movable body from contacting each other.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4540223 (1985-09-01), Schmerda et al.
patent: 4744763 (1988-05-01), Suzuki et al.
patent: 5588854 (1996-12-01), Ikumi et al.
patent: 0 770 521 A1 (1997-05-01), None
Kawamura Kazuya
Oguma Takashi
Takahashi Seishi
Alps Electric Co. ,Ltd.
Bradley Paula
Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione
Harvey James R.
LandOfFree
Rotating connector does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Rotating connector, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Rotating connector will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2479940