JPH10154565A - Rotating connector - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] In a conventional rotary connector, when vibration or impact is applied in the axial direction of the rotary connector, a bearing provided on a support or a guide roll collides with an inner case or an outer case. There is a problem in that sound is likely to be generated and, for example, discomfort is given to passengers of an automobile equipped with a rotating connector. SOLUTION: The rotary connector of the present invention is characterized in that the support is prevented from moving in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the case.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electric component (for example, an airbag) mounted on a steering wheel (rotating body) of an automobile, and an electric component (for example, an airbag control device) mounted on a vehicle body (fixed body). ), A rotary connector used for transmitting an electric signal, an optical signal, electric power, or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional rotary connector will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view illustrating a conventional rotary connector, and FIG. 5B is a vertical cross-sectional view of the conventional rotary connector. As shown in FIG. 5, a flat cable 4 'is provided in a substantially annular space 3' formed by an inner case 1 'and an outer case 2' coaxially combined so as to be relatively rotatable. One end is fixed to the inner case 1 ', and the other end is fixed to the outer case 2'. The winding direction is reversed so as to be inverted in a U-shape at the reversing portion 4a '. A plurality of guide rolls 5 'formed of an elastic body are accommodated in a supporting body 7' rotatably supported around a shaft 7a '.

As shown in FIG. 5 (b), a plurality of guide rolls 5 'are provided with bearings 5a', which are mounted on a shaft 7a 'of a support 7'. Is supported by a support 7 ′ so as to be able to rotate smoothly about a shaft 7 a ′ and a plurality of guide rolls 5 ′.
The spacing between them is also kept constant.

As shown in FIG. 5 (a), an outer case 2 '
When the inner case 1 ′ is rotated in the direction of the arrow P or Q, each guide roll 5 ′ supported by the support 7 ′ has a flat portion wound around the outside of the inner case 1 ′. The flat cable 4 'is elastically abutted against the outer surface of the cable 4' to prevent the flat cable 4 'from winding loose from the inner case 1', and the respective guide rolls 5 'are abutted with the rotation of the inner case 1'. Driven by the rotation of the inner case 1 'via the flat cable 4'
The shaft 7a 'is rotated in the opposite direction to the inner case 1' about the axis, and at the same time, the support 7 'moves around the inner case 1' in the same direction as the inner case 1 'at a speed lower than the rotation speed of the inner case 1'. Rotate.

FIG. 1 shows a state where most of the entire length of the flat cable 4 'is wound around the inner case 1'. When the outer case 2 ′ is fixed and the inner case 1 ′ is rotated in the direction of arrow P from the state shown in the figure, the flat cable 4 ′ wound around the inner case 1 ′ becomes the reversing portion 4 a ′ And sequentially wound around the inner periphery of the outer case 2 ′ until the flat cable 4 ′ wound around the inner case 1 ′ is wound around the inner periphery of the outer case 2 ′. Case 1 'with arrow P
Can be rotated in any direction.

On the other hand, when the outer case 2 'is fixed and the inner case 1' is rotated in the direction of arrow Q, most of the flat cable 4 'wound on the inner periphery of the outer case 2' However, the inner case 1 ′ can be rotated in the direction of the arrow Q until the inner case 1 ′ is successively passed through the reversing portion 4 a ′ and wound around the inner case 1 ′.

[0007] In the process of winding and winding the flat cable 4 'with the rotation of the inner case 1' described above, the inverted portion 4a 'of the flat cable moves inward in the same direction as the rotation direction of the inner case 1'. It rotates around the inner case 1 'at a speed lower than the rotation speed of the case 1'. Since the speed of the movement of the reversing part 4a 'substantially coincides with the rotation speed of the support 7', the reversing part 4a 'and the support 7'
Does not interfere with the guide roll 5 'supported on the flat cable 4' and exert a large stress on the flat cable 4 '.

[0008] However, the conventional rotary connector, when subjected to vibration or impact in the axial direction of the rotary connector,
Bearing 5 provided on support 7 'or guide roll 5'
There is a problem that a '' collides with the inner case 1 'or the outer case 2' to easily generate a collision sound, which gives a passenger of a motor vehicle equipped with a rotating connector an uncomfortable feeling, for example.

In the conventional rotary connector, when vibration or impact is applied in the longitudinal direction of the rotary shaft of the rotary connector (vertical direction in FIG. 5B), the support 7 'or the guide roll 5' is provided.
Bearing 5a 'and inner case 1' or outer case 2 '
Collide with each other to easily generate a collision noise, which causes a problem that, for example, a passenger of an automobile equipped with a rotary connector is uncomfortable.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and the present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems. An object of the present invention is to provide a rotary connector that prevents generation of a collision sound due to a collision with a case or an outer case.

[0011]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rotary connector comprising an inner case and an outer case which are coaxially combined so as to be relatively rotatable. In the substantially annular space formed, one end of the flat cable is fixed to the inner case and the other end is fixed to the outer case, and the winding direction of the flat cable is in the middle of the flat cable in the longitudinal direction. A plurality of guide rolls formed of an elastic body that elastically abuts a flat cable on each of the inner case and the outer case are housed while being wound and housed so as to be inverted into a U shape, and each of the guide rolls is Is a rotary connector rotatably held by a support, wherein the support is prevented from moving in a direction parallel to a rotation axis of the case. Those characterized by comprising been.

As described above, since the support is prevented from moving in the longitudinal direction of the rotary shaft of the rotary connector,
Even if vibration or impact is applied to the rotary connector, the swing of the support is limited to a certain range, so that the support is prevented from colliding with the inner case or the outer case and generating a collision sound.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rotary connector, wherein a flat cable is provided in a substantially annular space formed by an inner case and an outer case which are coaxially combined so as to be relatively rotatable. And the other end of the flat cable is fixed to the inner case and the other end is fixed to the outer case, and the flat cable is wound and accommodated so that the winding direction of the flat cable is reversed in a U-shape in the longitudinal direction of the flat cable. A rotating connector accommodating a plurality of guide rolls formed of an elastic body that elastically abuts a flat cable on each of the inner case and the outer case, and each of the guide rolls is rotatably held by a support. In the above, the thickness of the support and the part assembled to the support is the same or slightly thicker than the thickness of the substantially annular space, and It is characterized in that it has elasticity in the assembled parts the thickness direction to the support and.

As described above, the bearing of the guide roll is divided into two in the axial direction of the guide roll, and the combined body of the guide roll and the support is formed on the inner case and the outer case by utilizing the elasticity of the guide roll itself. It is supported by elastic contact. As a result, even if vibrations or shocks are applied to the rotary connector, the elastic body forming the guide rolls absorbs and absorbs them. Can be.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rotary connector, wherein a flat cable is provided in a substantially annular space formed by an inner case and an outer case which are coaxially combined so as to be relatively rotatable. And the other end of the flat cable is fixed to the inner case and the other end is fixed to the outer case, and the flat cable is wound and accommodated so that the winding direction of the flat cable is reversed in a U-shape in the longitudinal direction of the flat cable. A rotating connector accommodating a plurality of guide rolls formed of an elastic body that elastically abuts a flat cable on each of the inner case and the outer case, and each of the guide rolls is rotatably held by a support. , The support supports each guide roll at a position having a relative height difference in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the case. It is characterized in that it has been able to form.

In this way, the support is formed so as to be able to support each guide roll with a relative height difference with respect to the longitudinal direction of the rotary shaft of the rotary connector, and to connect the guide roll and the support with the inner case and the outer case. When the vibration or shock is applied to the rotary connector, the elastic body forming the support absorbs and absorbs the vibration. Therefore, for example, it is possible to prevent the support from colliding with the inner case or the outer case and generating a collision sound. It is more preferable that the support is made of an elastic material so that the vibration or shock applied to the rotary connector is easily absorbed and absorbed.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view (a cross-sectional view cut along a direction orthogonal to a rotation axis of the rotary connector) showing an embodiment of the rotary connector of the present invention. FIG. 1 (b)
1 is a longitudinal sectional view (a sectional view taken along a longitudinal direction of a rotating shaft of a rotating connector) showing an embodiment of a rotating connector of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing another embodiment of the rotary connector of the present invention. FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the rotary connector of the present invention.
FIG. 3B is a longitudinal sectional view (a sectional view taken along the longitudinal direction of the rotating shaft of the rotating connector) showing another embodiment of the rotating connector of the present invention. FIG. 4A is a perspective view showing a support and a guide roll, which are part of another embodiment of the rotary connector of the present invention. FIG.
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view (a sectional view cut along a longitudinal direction of a rotating shaft of the rotating connector) showing an embodiment of a rotating connector (not shown) of the present invention in which a support and a guide roll of FIG. .

(Embodiment 1) As shown in FIG. 1, the rotary connector of the present invention is formed substantially by an inner case 1 and an outer case 2 which are coaxially combined so as to be relatively rotatable. The flat cable 4 is housed in the annular space 3 with one end of the flat cable 4 fixed to the inner case 1 and the other end to the outer case 2. The flat cable 4 is wound and accommodated so that the winding direction of the flat cable 4 is reversed in a U-shape in the middle of the flat cable 4 in the longitudinal direction. The rotating connector accommodates a plurality of guide rolls 5 made of an elastic body that elastically abuts the flat cable 4 on each of the inner case 1 and the outer case 2. Each of the guide rolls 5 is formed of an elastic body such as a plastic foam, for example, and is held so as to be rotatable about a shaft 7 a of the support 7. The support 7 is composed of a disk-shaped ring portion 7d having a substantially central hole and a shaft 7a perpendicular to the ring portion 7d and provided at substantially equal intervals.

As shown in FIG. 1B, a bearing 5a having a substantially cylindrical shape is mounted on the shaft core of each of the plurality of guide rolls 5. These bearings 5a are
The support 7 is inserted into the shaft 7a. For this reason, the guide roll 5 is rotatable about the shaft 7a of the support 7 as an axis, and the interval between the adjacent guide rolls 5 is also kept constant as shown in FIG. The guide roll 5 attached to the shaft 7a of the support 7 is
By attaching the locking member 8 to the end of the shaft 7a,
There is no deviation from a.

As shown in FIG. 1, the outer case 2 is formed by combining a substantially cylindrical outer body 2a and a disk-shaped outer case lid 2c having a substantially central hole. In addition,
A continuous inner circumferential groove 2 making one round on the inner circumference at one end of the outer trunk 2a
b is formed. On the other hand, the inner case 1 has a cylindrical portion 1b provided with a continuous outer circumferential groove 1a on the outer circumference at one end, and a disk shape at the other end of the cylindrical portion 1b.

As shown in FIG. 1, a disk-shaped support 7 having a substantially central circular hole has a support inner peripheral end 7b sandwiched between an outer peripheral groove 1a of the inner case 1 and an outer case lid 2c. , Are sandwiched between the inner peripheral groove 2b of the outer case 2 and the outer case lid 2c. Therefore, the relative movement of the support 7 in the direction parallel to the rotation axis of the case is prevented.
When the support 7 rotates in the circumferential direction, the contact area sandwiched between the inner case 1 and the outer case 2 is relatively small. In addition, since the inner case 1, the outer case 2, and the support 7 are formed of a hard engineering plastic (for example, nylon, polybutylene terephthalate, etc.) having relatively low frictional resistance, they rotate smoothly. be able to.

For this reason, when vibration or impact is applied in the up-down direction (direction parallel to the rotation axis of the case) in FIG. The relative movement in the axial direction with respect to the inner case 1 and the outer case 2 is limited within certain limits. Therefore,
For example, there is no possibility that the support 7 moves due to vibration or impact and collides with the inner case 1 or the outer case 2 to generate a collision sound.

On the other hand, when vibration or impact is applied in the vertical and horizontal directions in FIG. 1A, since each guide roll 5 disposed around the inner case 1 is formed of an elastic body, The guide roll 5 buffers and absorbs the applied vibration or shock. Therefore, for example, the support 7 is
Or, the collision with the outer case 2 does not generate a collision sound, which is the same as in the case of the conventional example.

As shown in FIG. 1, when the outer case 2 is fixed and the inner case 1 is rotated in the direction of arrow P or Q, each guide roll 5 supported by the support 7
The flat cable 4 is elastically brought into contact with the outer surface of the flat cable 4 at the portion wound around the outer side of the inner case 1 to prevent the flat cable 4 from being loosened from the inner case 1. The guide roll 5 rotates in a direction opposite to the inner case 1 around the shaft 7 a as an axis, and at the same time, the support 7 moves around the inner case 1 in the same direction as the inner case 1 at a speed lower than the rotation speed of the inner case 1. The rotation is the same as that of the conventional example.

Also, from the state shown in FIG.
Is fixed and the inner case 1 is rotated in the direction of arrow P, the flat cable 4 wound around the inner case 1 passes through the reversing portion 4a sequentially and turns to the outer case 2.
The inner case 1 can be rotated in the direction of arrow P until most of the flat cable 4 wound around the inner periphery of the inner case 1 is wound around the inner periphery of the outer case 2. Is the same as that of the conventional example.

When the outer case 2 is further fixed and the inner case 1 is rotated in the direction of arrow Q, the flat cable 4 wound around the inner circumference of the outer case 2
Can rotate the inner case 1 in the direction of the arrow Q until almost all of them pass through the reversing portion 4a and are wound around the inner case 1 in the same manner as in the above-described conventional example.

In the process of winding and winding the flat cable 4 accompanying the rotation of the inner case 1 described above, the inverted portion 4a of the flat cable 4 rotates the inner case 1 in the same direction as the rotation direction of the inner case 1. It rotates around the inner case 1 at a speed lower than the speed. Since the rotation speed substantially coincides with the rotation speed of the support member 7, the reversing portion 4 a interferes with the guide roll 5 supported by the support member 7 to apply a large stress to the flat cable 4. This is the same as in the above-described conventional example.

(Embodiment 2) As shown in FIG. 2, the rotary connector of the present invention is substantially formed by an inner case 31 and an outer case 32 coaxially combined so as to be relatively rotatable. In the annular space 33, a flat cable 34 is fixed with one end of the flat cable 34 fixed to the inner case 31 and the other end fixed to the outer case 32, respectively. The flat cable 34 is wound and accommodated so that the winding direction of the flat cable 34 is reversed in a U-shape in the middle of the flat cable 34 in the longitudinal direction. The rotating connector includes a plurality of guide rolls 35 made of an elastic body that elastically abuts the flat cable 34 on each of the inner case 31 and the outer case 32.
Is accommodated. Each of the guide rolls 35 is formed of an elastic body such as a plastic foam, and is held so as to be rotatable about a shaft 37 a of a support 37. The support 37 has a C-shaped ring portion 37b and a shaft 37a provided at substantially equal intervals perpendicular to the ring portion 37b.
It is composed of

As shown in the figure, a bearing 35a having a substantially cylindrical shape is mounted on the axis of each of the plurality of guide rolls 35. These bearings 35a are
The support 37 is inserted into the shaft 37a. For this reason, the guide roll 35 is rotatable around the shaft 37a of the support 37, and the interval between the guide roll 35 and another adjacent guide roll 35 is also kept constant. The support 37
The guide roll 35 attached to the shaft 37a prevents the guide roll 35 from being detached from the shaft 37a by attaching and fixing the locking member 38 to the end of the shaft 37a.

As shown in FIG. 2, similarly to the first embodiment, the inner case 31 includes a disk-shaped ring portion 31a having a substantially central circular hole and a cylindrical inner body portion 31b. The side of the ring portion 31a facing the outer case 41 has a step substantially along the inner periphery of the ring portion 31a, and the outer peripheral groove 31d formed at the step toward the inner periphery and formed toward the outer periphery. A flange 31c is provided. The disc-shaped support 37 having a substantially central circular hole is supported by the flange 31c by fitting the peripheral end 37b of the support into an outer peripheral groove 31d provided in the inner case 31. Therefore, when vibration or impact is applied in the up-down direction (direction parallel to the rotation axis of the case) in FIG.
Similarly to the first embodiment, relative movement of the support body 37 in the axial direction with respect to the inner case 31 and the outer case 32 is prevented. That is, for example, there is no case where the support 37 moves due to vibration or impact and collides with the inner case 31 or the outer case 32 to generate a collision sound. Since the support 37 is C-shaped, the diameter of the support 37 can be temporarily increased and the support 37 can be fitted into the outer peripheral groove 31d. .

In the above description, the outer peripheral groove 3
1d and the flange 31c are provided, but the outer case 3
2 may be provided with an outer peripheral groove and a flange in the same manner. Outer case 32
Is a disk-shaped ring portion 32a having a substantially circular hole at the center.
And a cylindrical inner body 32b. Embodiment 1
Similarly to the above, the ring part 32a and the cylindrical inner body part 32b may be separate parts, but an integral part of both is more economical and preferable. When the support body 37 rotates in the circumferential direction, the contact area with the inner circumferential groove 31b of the inner case 31 is relatively small. In addition, the inner case 31 and the outer case 3
2. Since the support 37 is made of a hard engineering plastic (for example, nylon, polybutylene terephthalate, etc.) having relatively low frictional resistance, it can rotate smoothly.

For this reason, when vibration or impact is applied in the up-down direction (the direction parallel to the rotation axis of the case) in the figure, unlike the conventional example, the support 37 is , Relative movement in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the case is prevented. Therefore, for example, there is no case where the support 37 moves due to vibration or impact and collides with the inner case 31 or the outer case 32 to generate a collision sound.

On the other hand, when vibration or impact is applied in the front-rear and left-right directions in FIG. 3, the applied vibration is applied because each guide roll 35 disposed around the inner case 31 is formed of an elastic body. Alternatively, the guide roll 35 buffers and absorbs the impact. Therefore, it is the same as the case of the conventional example that the support 37 does not collide with the inner case 31 or the outer case 32 and emits a collision sound.

The outer case 32 is fixed, and the inner case 31 is rotated clockwise (hereinafter abbreviated as P) when the rotary connector is viewed from the upper surface of the inner case 31 ring portion 31a in FIG.
Alternatively, when rotated in a counterclockwise (hereinafter abbreviated as Q) direction, each of the guide rolls 35 supported by the support 37 is rotated.
Is elastically in contact with the outer surface of the flat cable 34 at the portion wound around the outer side of the inner case 31 to prevent the flat cable 34 from being loosened from the inner case, and each of the flat cables 34 is rotated as the inner case 31 rotates. Guide roller 35 rotates in the opposite direction to the inner case 31 about the shaft 37a as an axis, and at the same time, the support 37 moves around the inner case 31 in the same direction as the inner case 31 at a speed lower than the rotation speed of the inner case 31. The rotation is the same as that of the conventional example.

Also, from the state shown in FIG.
2 is fixed and the inner case 1 is rotated in the P direction, the flat cable 34 wound around the inner case 31 sequentially passes through a reversing portion (not shown) and is Of the inner case 31
The inner case 31 can be rotated in the P direction until most of the flat cable 34 wound around the inner case 31 is wound on the inner periphery of the outer case 32, as in the case of the above-described conventional example.

When the outer case 32 is further fixed and the inner case 31 is rotated in the Q direction, most of the flat cable 34 wound around the inner periphery of the outer case 32 is turned over (see FIG. (Not shown), the inner case 31 can be rotated in the Q direction until it is wound around the inner case 31 as in the case of the conventional example.

In the above-described winding and winding process of the flat cable 34 accompanying the rotation of the inner case 31, the inverted portion (not shown) of the flat cable 34 moves inward in the same direction as the rotation direction of the inner case 31. It rotates around the inner case 31 at a speed lower than the rotation speed of the case 31. Since the rotation speed is substantially equal to the rotation speed of the support 37, the reversing portion (not shown) and the guide roll 35 supported by the support 37 interfere with each other, causing a large stress on the flat cable 34. Is the same as in the above-described conventional example.

(Embodiment 3) As shown in FIG. 3, the rotary connector of the present invention is substantially formed by an inner case 11 and an outer case 12 which are coaxially combined so as to be relatively rotatable. The flat cable 14 is housed in the annular space 13 with one end of the flat cable 14 fixed to the inner case 11 and the other end to the outer case 12. The flat cable 14 is wound and housed so that the winding direction of the flat cable 14 is reversed in a U-shape in the middle of the flat cable 14 in the longitudinal direction. The rotating connector includes a plurality of guide rolls 15 made of an elastic body that elastically abuts the flat cable 14 on each of the inner case 11 and the outer case 12.
Is accommodated. Each of the guide rolls 15 is formed of an elastic body such as a plastic foam, and is held so as to be rotatable about a shaft 17 a of a support 17. The support 17 has a C-shaped ring portion 17d and shafts 17a provided at substantially equal intervals perpendicular to the ring portion 17d.
It is composed of Note that a head having a shape like a rivet head is provided at one end of the shaft 17a.

As shown in FIG. 3 (b), a bearing 15a having a substantially cylindrical shape is mounted on the axis of each of the plurality of guide rolls 15. These bearings 15
“a” is inserted into the shaft 17a of the support 17 respectively. For this reason, the guide roll 15 is attached to the shaft 1 of the support 17.
It is rotatable around the shaft 7a, and as shown in FIG. 3 (a), the distance between the adjacent guide rolls 15 is kept constant. The guide roll 15 mounted on the shaft 17a of the support 17 is restricted by the head provided at one end of the shaft 17a and the ring portion 17d from moving in the direction parallel to the shaft 17a. The guide roll 15 does not come off.

Each of the plurality of guide rolls 15 is provided with two bearings 15a so as to face each other at a slight distance in the axial direction of the guide rolls 15. These bearings 15a are provided on shafts 17 fixed to a support 17.
a. Therefore, the guide roll 15 is rotatable around the shaft 17a, and the two bearings 15a mounted on the guide roll 15 are spaced apart from each other in a direction parallel to the axis of the guide roll 15. Further, the guide roll 15 can be moved while being supported by the elastic force of the constituent material of the guide roll 15 within a range allowed by interference with the shaft 17a.

As described above, the guide roll 15 is
a plurality of guide rolls 1
5 are supported by a support 17 so that the interval between them is also kept constant. The support 17 elastically abuts the inner case 11 and the bearing 15a on the side opposite to the support 17 resiliently contacts the outer case 12 due to the elasticity of the constituent material of the guide roll 15, and a plurality of support members 17 are provided. Guide roll 15
And the support 17 are elastically supported between the inner case 11 and the outer case 12.

For this reason, when vibration or impact is applied in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the case, as described above, the two bearings 1 mounted on each guide roll 15 are used.
The elastic force of the constituent material of the guide roll 15 functions due to 5a, and the support 17 elastically abuts the inner case 11 and the bearing 15a on the side opposite to the support 17 abuts the outer case 12. Because the material of the guide roll 15 absorbs and absorbs the vibration or shock applied to the contact,
For example, when the support 17 is the inner case 11 or the outer case 1
There is no such thing as colliding with 2 and generating a collision sound.

The support 17 and the bearing 15a contact and slide on the inner case 11 and the outer case 12, respectively, but have a relatively small frictional resistance, such as engineering plastics (nylon, polybutylene terephthalate, etc.).
Therefore, there is no problem that the frictional resistance generated during the operation of the rotary connector is increased to cause troubles for others. Although not shown in the figure, the bearing 15a does not contact the outer case 12 as shown in FIG. The shape may be abutting. However, since the rotation is hindered by friction depending on the material of the abutting guide roll 15, it is more preferable to partially interpose a sheet having a low friction coefficient, for example, in the contact portion.

On the other hand, when vibration or impact is applied in the vertical and horizontal directions in FIG. 3A, since each guide roll 15 disposed around the inner case 11 is formed of an elastic body, The guide roll 15 buffers and absorbs the applied vibration or shock. Therefore, for example, the case where the support 17 does not collide with the inner case 11 or the outer case 12 and emits a collision sound is the same as the case of the conventional example.

As shown in the figure, when the outer case 12 is fixed and the inner case 11 is rotated in the direction of arrow P or Q, each guide roll 1 supported by the support 17
5 elastically abuts on the outer surface of the flat cable 14 at a portion wound around the outer side of the inner case 11 to prevent the flat cable 14 from being loosened from the inner case 11 and to rotate with the rotation of the inner case 11. Each guide roll 15 rotates in the opposite direction to the inner case 11 about the shaft 17a as an axis, and at the same time, the support 17 moves in the same direction as the inner case 11 at a speed lower than the rotation speed of the inner case 11. Is rotated in the same manner as in the conventional example.

Also, from the state shown in FIG.
2 is fixed and the inner case 11 is rotated in the direction of the arrow P, the flat cable 14 wound around the inner case 11 passes through the reversing portion 14 a in order and passes through the inner periphery of the outer case 12. Wound on top, inner case 11
The inner case 11 can be rotated in the direction of the arrow P until most of the flat cable 14 wound around the outer case 12 is wound on the inner periphery of the outer case 12, as in the case of the conventional example.

When the outer case 12 is further fixed and the inner case 11 is rotated in the direction of arrow Q, most of the flat cable 14 wound around the inner periphery of the outer case 12 is turned over by the reversing portion 14a. , The inner case 11 can be rotated in the direction of the arrow Q until it is wound around the inner case 11, similarly to the case of the conventional example.

In the process of winding and winding the flat cable 14 accompanying the rotation of the inner case 11 described above, the inverted portion 14a of the flat cable 14 rotates the inner case 11 in the same direction as the rotation direction of the inner case 11. It rotates around the inner case 11 at a speed lower than the speed.
Since the rotation speed is substantially equal to the rotation speed of the support 17, the reversing portion 14 a interferes with the guide roll 15 supported by the support 17 to apply a large stress to the flat cable 14. This is the same as in the above-described conventional example.

(Embodiment 4) As shown in FIG. 4, the rotary connector of the present invention is formed substantially by an inner case 21 and an outer case 22 which are coaxially combined so as to be relatively rotatable. A flat cable 24 is housed in the annular space 23 with one end of the flat cable 24 fixed to the inner case 21 and the other end to the outer case 22. The flat cable 24 is wound and accommodated so that the winding direction of the flat cable 24 is reversed in a U-shape in the middle of the flat cable 24 in the longitudinal direction. The rotating connector includes a plurality of guide rolls 25 made of an elastic body that elastically abuts the flat cable 24 on each of the inner case 21 and the outer case 22.
Is accommodated. Each of the guide rolls 25 is formed of an elastic body such as a plastic foam, for example, and is held so as to be rotatable about a shaft 27 a of a support 27. The support 27 has a substantially C-shaped ring portion 27d.
And a shaft 27 which is perpendicular to the ring portion 27d and is provided at substantially equal intervals.
a. Note that a head having a shape like a rivet head is provided at one end of the shaft 17a.

As shown in FIG. 4B, a bearing 25a having a substantially cylindrical shape is attached to each of the plurality of guide rolls 25. These bearings 25
“a” is inserted into the shaft 27a of the support 27, respectively. For this reason, the guide roll 25 is attached to the shaft 2 of the support 27.
4A, it is rotatable around the axis, and as shown in FIG. 4A, the distance between the adjacent guide rolls 25 is kept constant. Since the guide roll 25 mounted on the shaft 27a of the support 27 is restricted by the head provided at one end of the shaft 27a and the ring portion 27d from moving in the direction parallel to the shaft 17a, the shaft 27a There is no possibility that the guide roll 25 comes off.

As shown in FIG. 4, the rotary connector according to the present invention is characterized in that the support 27 is formed so as to support each guide roll 25 with a height difference in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the case. There are features.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a plurality of guide rolls 25 and a support 27 for supporting the guide rolls 25 used in the rotary connector of the present invention. Support 2
7 is, for example, an engineering plastic (nylon,
It is made of an elastic material such as polybutylene terephthalate), has a bent portion instead of a flat plate, has a vertical difference in height, and has a substantially C-shape having an opening as shown in the figure. Each guide roll 25 is rotatably supported by 27a. Accordingly, each of the guide rolls 25 is supported by the support 27 with a difference in height in the vertical direction. It is preferable that the respective portions of the support 27 that are joined to the respective shafts 27a are formed in a positional relationship parallel to each other. Because, when the support 27 is stored in the cases 21 and 22, the guide rolls 25 can maintain a positional relationship parallel to each other in the axial direction, so that the guide rolls 25 can rotate smoothly. It is.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the guide roll 2
5 is provided with a bearing 25a and a support 27 is provided with a shaft 27a
It is rotatably inserted and supported. As shown in the figure, since the plurality of guide rolls 25 are supported with a difference in height in the vertical direction with respect to the figure, the plurality of guide rolls 25
Approximately half of them are on the inner case 21 side (upward in FIG. 4B)
The remaining half are arranged to be elastically biased by the support 27 toward the outer case 22 (downward in FIG. 4B). As a result, the support body 27 elastically abuts the inner case 21 and the shaft 27a or the bearing 25a abuts the outer case 22.

For this reason, when vibration or impact is applied in the vertical direction (axial direction of the rotary connector) in FIG. 4B, unlike the conventional example, the elastic material of the material of the support 27 is different from the conventional example. The force acts, and the support 27 is moved to the inner case 21.
Then, the shaft 27a or the bearing 25a on the side opposite to the support 27 resiliently contacts the outer case 22, and the applied vibration or shock is buffered and absorbed by the support 27. For this reason, for example, there is no case where the shaft 27a or the bearing 25a collides with the inner case 21 or the outer case 22 with the support 27 and emits a collision sound.

On the other hand, when vibration or impact is applied in the front, rear, left and right directions in FIG. 3, the applied vibration is applied because each guide roll 25 disposed around the inner case 21 is formed of an elastic body. Alternatively, the impact is buffered and absorbed by the guide roll 25. Therefore, it is the same as in the case of the above-described conventional example that the support 27 does not collide with the inner case 21 or the outer case 22 and emits a collision sound.

The outer case 22 is fixed, and the inner case 21 is rotated clockwise (hereinafter abbreviated as P) or counterclockwise (hereinafter Q) when the rotary connector is viewed from above in FIG. 4B.
When rotated in the direction, the guide rolls 25 supported by the support 27 elastically abut against the outer surface of the flat cable 24 at the portion wound around the outer side of the inner case 21 to be flat. In addition to preventing the cable 24 from being loosened from the inner case, each of the guide rolls 25 rotates in the opposite direction to the inner case 21 around the shaft 27 a as the inner case 21 rotates, and at the same time, the support 27
Is to rotate around the inner case in the same direction as the inner case 21 at a speed lower than the rotation speed of the inner case 21,
This is the same as the case of the conventional example.

Also, from the state shown in FIG.
2 and the inner case 21 is rotated in the P direction, the portion of the flat cable 24 wound around the inner case 21 passes through a reversing portion (not shown) in order, and Inside the inner case 2
1 until most of the flat cable 24 wound around the inner case 21 is wound on the inner periphery of the outer case 22.
Can be rotated in the P direction as in the case of the above-described conventional example.

Further, when the outer case 22 is fixed and the inner case 21 is rotated in the Q direction, most of the flat cable 24 wound on the inner periphery of the outer case 22 is turned over (see FIG. (Not shown), the inner case 21 can be rotated in the Q direction until it is wound around the inner case 21 as in the case of the conventional example.

In the above-described winding and winding process of the flat cable 24 accompanying the rotation of the inner case 21, the inverted portion (not shown) of the flat cable 24 moves inward in the same direction as the rotation direction of the inner case 21. It rotates around the inner case 21 at a speed lower than the rotation speed of the case 21. Since the rotation speed substantially coincides with the rotation speed of the support 27, the reversing portion (not shown) and the guide roll 25 supported by the support 27 interfere with each other, causing a large stress on the flat cable 24. Is the same as in the above-described conventional example.

[0060]

As described above, according to the rotary connector of the present invention, even if vibration or impact is applied in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the case, the bearing provided on the support or the guide roll and the inner case or the outer case are provided. To prevent a collision sound from being generated due to the collision with the vehicle. Therefore, it is possible to provide a rotary connector that does not give a passenger of an automobile equipped with the rotary connector an uncomfortable feeling due to the generation of the collision sound.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of a rotary connector according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an embodiment of the rotary connector of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of the rotary connector of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing another embodiment of the rotary connector according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a conventional rotary connector.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 11, 21, 31 Inner case 2, 12, 22, 32 Outer case 3, 13, 23, 33 Substantially annular space 4, 14, 24, 34 Flat cable 5, 15, 25, 35 Guide roll 7, 17, 27, 37 support

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A flat cable, wherein one end of the flat cable is connected to an inner case in a substantially annular space formed by an inner case and an outer case which are coaxially combined so as to be relatively rotatable. The other ends are fixed to the outer case, respectively, and the flat cable is wound and accommodated so that the winding direction of the flat cable is reversed in a U-shape in the longitudinal direction of the flat cable, and the flat cable is flat on each of the inner case and the outer case. In a rotary connector, a plurality of guide rolls each formed of an elastic body that elastically abuts a cable are accommodated, and each of the guide rolls is rotatably held by a support, wherein the support is configured to rotate the case. A rotary connector characterized in that movement is prevented in a direction parallel to an axis. 2. A flat cable, wherein one end of the flat cable is connected to an inner case in an approximately annular space formed by an inner case and an outer case which are coaxially combined so as to be relatively rotatable. The other ends are fixed to the outer case, respectively, and the flat cable is wound and accommodated so that the winding direction of the flat cable is reversed in a U-shape in the longitudinal direction of the flat cable, and the flat cable is flat on each of the inner case and the outer case. A rotary connector that accommodates a plurality of guide rolls formed of an elastic body that elastically abuts a cable, wherein each of the guide rolls is rotatably held by the support; And the thickness of the support and the component to be mounted on the support are the same as or slightly thicker than the thickness of the substantially annular space. A rotary connector characterized by having elasticity. 3. A flat cable, wherein one end of the flat cable is connected to an inner case in an approximately annular space formed by an inner case and an outer case which are coaxially combined so as to be relatively rotatable. The other ends are fixed to the outer case, respectively, and the flat cable is wound and accommodated so that the winding direction of the flat cable is reversed in a U-shape in the longitudinal direction of the flat cable, and the flat cable is flat on each of the inner case and the outer case. A rotary connector in which a plurality of guide rolls formed of an elastic body that elastically abuts a cable is accommodated, and each of the guide rolls is rotatably held by a support. A rotary connector formed to be supported at a position having a height difference relative to a direction parallel to a rotation axis of the case. Kuta.