JPH0525351Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Industrial application field] This invention relates to a steering signal transmission device used in automobiles, etc., in which the steering pad located in the center of the steering wheel does not rotate even when the steering wheel is turned, and signals generated by operating operating devices such as push buttons provided on the steering pad are transmitted to the required circuits.

[Conventional technology]

Recently, various operating devices have been arranged near the driver, for example, on the steering pad, so that they can be operated.

In addition, various push buttons and other operating devices are placed on the steering pad, which remains stationary regardless of the rotation of the steering wheel, making it easy to perform various operations without changing your driving position. Attempts are being made to do so.

If the steering pad rotates together with the steering wheel, it becomes difficult to operate the operating device, so the steering pad must remain stationary regardless of the rotation of the steering wheel.

In this case, a rotating steering wheel exists between the steering pad and the actuating device that transmits signals and operates by operating the operating device.

Therefore, multiple slip rings are provided that interlock with the steering wheel, and the contacts of the operating device and the actuating device are brought into contact with each slip ring, respectively.
The signal from the operating device was transmitted to the actuating device.

[Problem that the invention attempts to solve]

In the above-described conventional steering signal transmission device, as the number of circuits for transmitting signals increases, the number of sliff rings is also required, resulting in an increase in the size of the signal transmission device.

However, since the size of the steering column cannot be increased without limit, there is a drawback that the number of circuits is limited.

Therefore, in order to eliminate the above-mentioned conventional drawbacks, the present invention uses a conductor provided in the timing belt that stops the rotation of the steering pad as a signal transmission circuit, thereby increasing the size of the steering column without limit. It is an object of the present invention to provide a steering signal transmission device that can obtain a large number of signal transmission circuits without any problems.

[Means for solving problems]

In order to achieve the above object, a steering signal transmission device according to the present invention includes a steering shaft that rotates together with a steering wheel;
A gear connected to a fixed member arranged coaxially with the steering shaft, a gear connected to a pad member arranged on the upper part of the steering wheel, and a gear connected to the fixed member and the pad member on both upper and lower sides. A timing belt that meshes with the timing belt, a conductor that is provided on the timing belt at the same pitch as the teeth thereof and electrically conducts between the upper and lower sides of the timing belt, and a gear on the fixed member and the pad member that is provided on the timing belt at the same pitch as the teeth. The device is characterized in that it includes a terminal provided at each of the terminals and in contact with the conductor and connected to a plurality of circuits.

[Effect]

In the steering signal transmission device of the present invention, a steering shaft is supported. The timing belt, which is in mesh with the coaxial gear of the fixed member, is meshed with the gear of the pad member to prevent its rotation, and the conductor provided on the timing belt is brought into contact with the terminals of the fixed member and the pad member. let

Thereby, the operating signal transmitted to the terminal of the gear of the pad member is transmitted to the operating circuit connected to the terminal of the gear of the fixed member, causing the operating circuit to perform the required operation.

〔Example〕

Next, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

A gear 1 is held between a boss 30 and a stopper plate 2 attached to the boss 30 with screws 3. The gear 1 is provided with a rotation prevention pin 1b, and this pin 1b is fitted into the column-side fixing member 31. 4 is a gear, boss 30
and a stopper plate 5 attached to the boss 30 with screws 6. The gear 4 is provided with a pad attachment protrusion 4b, and the gear 4 and the pad 15 are locked with this. Boss 30 is
It is rotatably in sliding contact with gear 1 and gear 4.

Reference numeral 8 designates a mounting plate that pivotally supports the steering shaft 7, and reference numeral 9 designates spokes of a steering wheel fixed to the steering shaft 7. By rotating the steering wheel, the running direction of the vehicle can be changed.

The gears 1 and 4 mesh with each other on the lower and upper sides of the timing belt 10, and since gear 1 cannot rotate, gear 4 also does not rotate.

Two third gears 11 mesh with the timing belt 10 , and the third gears 11 are supported by shafts 13 on both left and right sides of a leaf spring 12 , and the leaf spring 12 is attached to the mounting body 8 . It is attached with screws 14.

Therefore, the steering pad 15 always maintains a non-rotating, stationary state regardless of the rotation of the steering wheel.

When the steering wheel is rotated, the third gear 11 rolls on the timing belt 10 and the mounting body 8 rotates.
The steering shaft 7 also rotates in conjunction with the steering wheel.

At this time, the timing belt 10 is
Since the steering pad 15 is biased in the tensioning direction by the elasticity of the steering pad 15, it is difficult for play to occur between the steering pad 15 and the gears 1 and 4, and the steering pad 15 is prevented from shaking.

However, due to reasons such as making it difficult for the third gear 11 to rotate, the timing belt 1
If the steering wheel is turned strongly when it becomes difficult to rotate the steering wheel, the leaf spring 12 tries to bend against its elasticity, which reduces the tension of the timing belt 10. is reduced and the third gear 11 slips on the timing belt 10.

The steering wheel is thus rotatable.

In addition, if the steering wheel becomes difficult to rotate due to a foreign object being caught between the pads and spokes, if you try to rotate the steering wheel further, gear 4 will shift.
slips on the timing belt 10. Therefore, the pad that is locked onto the gear 4 begins to rotate, the trapped foreign object is removed, and the state in which the steering wheel is difficult to rotate is released.

A conductor 16 exposed on both upper and lower end surfaces of the timing belt 10 is embedded behind each tooth crest of the timing belt 10.

On the other hand, a contact 18 is mounted on the gear 1 via a spacer 17 for each tooth of the gear 1.

Similarly, contacts 20 are installed on the gear 4 via spacers 19 for each tooth of the gear 4. It is designed to touch at both ends.

Therefore, the contacts 18 and 20 are made conductive by the conductor 16, and signals from the operating member on the steering pad 15 to which the contact 20 is connected are transmitted to various column operating circuits connected to the contact 18. It is something that can be transmitted to and operated on.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

In this embodiment, the timing belt 10
A raised portion 10a is formed on the back surface of the timing belt 10, and a conductor 21 with bent portions 21a at both upper and lower ends is embedded in this for each ridge or valley of the teeth of the timing belt 10.

Then, contacts 18 and 20 are attached to the gears 1 and 4 in the same manner as in the previous embodiment, and folded portions 18a and 20a are formed at the tips of the contacts and brought into contact with the bent portion 21a of the conductor 21. Its operation is the same as in the previous embodiment.

FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of the present invention.
As in the previous second embodiment, a conductor 21 is embedded in the protruding portion 10a of the timing belt 10 at each tooth pitch, but there is a bent portion 21a at the tip of the conductor 21.
is not formed.

As in the previous embodiment, contacts 18 and 20 are attached to the gears 1 and 4, and their tips are in contact with the inner surface of the conductor 21, and the operation of this embodiment is the same as in the previous two embodiments. It is.

Next, in the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the tooth ridge portions of the timing belt 10 are formed of conductive rubber 10b as a conductor.

Gears 1 and 4 have storage chambers 1a and 1a for each valley of their teeth.
4a, which houses springs 22, 23 and contacts 24, 25, so that the contacts 24, 25 come into contact with the rubber 10b of the timing belt 10.

Therefore, from the contact 18 in contact with the spring 22 to the contact 24, the rubber 10b, the contact 25,
The contact 20 in contact with the spring 23 becomes conductive, and signals can be transmitted as in the previous embodiments.

[Effect of idea]

As mentioned above, the present invention is based on the timing belt, which prevents rotation of the steering pad and keeps it stationary, by providing a conductor at the same pitch as the teeth of the timing belt.
The fixing member that meshes with the timing belt is brought into contact with a terminal at the same pitch as the tooth pitch of the gear of the pad member.

Therefore, the signals generated by the operating members on the steering pad are transmitted to the operating circuit and operated by these, but this transmission circuit is formed for each tooth pitch. , it is possible to form as many transmission circuits as the number of meshing teeth.

Therefore, the volume for this transmission circuit does not increase, and many signal transmission circuits can be provided.

Furthermore, since a large number of signal transmission circuits can be created in this way, even if a plurality of signal transmission circuits are connected in parallel, a large number of signal transmission circuits can still be maintained, and the reliability of signal transmission can thereby be improved. can.

The present invention can be applied to a drive device that uses a timing belt and meshes with gears above and below the timing belt, and which requires electrical connection.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 to 3 show a first embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1 is a plan view, FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view, and FIG.
The figures are exploded perspective views, FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the second embodiment, FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the third embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the fourth embodiment. 1, 4... Gear, 7... Steering shaft, 8... Mounting body, 9... Spoke, 10... Timing belt, 10b... Conductive rubber, 11...
Third gear, 12... leaf spring, 13... shaft, 15
... Steering pad, 16 ... Conductor, 1
8, 20, 21, 24, 25...contact.

Claims (1)

[Scope of claim for utility model registration] A steering shaft that rotates together with the steering wheel, a gear connected to a fixed member arranged coaxially with the steering shaft, and a gear connected to a pad member arranged on the upper part of the steering wheel. A timing belt meshing with the gear of the fixed member and the gear of the pad member on both upper and lower sides; and a conductor provided on the timing belt with the same pitch as the teeth and electrically conducting between the upper and lower sides of the timing belt. , a steering signal comprising terminals provided on the gears of the fixing member and the pad member at the same pitch as the teeth thereof, in contact with the conductor, and connected to a plurality of circuits. transmission device.