Rotary connector device and in-vehicle device

Abstract

A rotary connector device (6) includes a stator (10), a rotor (20), a holder mounting portion (70), and a cable holder (80). The holder mounting portion (70) includes a holder mounting hole (71). The cable holder (80) is detachably attached to the holder attachment hole (71) and holds the cable (8B) in a state in which the harness connector (8A) is connected to the rotor-side connector (22) of the rotor (20). The cable holder (80) and the holder mounting portion (70) have an engagement structure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology disclosed in the present application relates to a rotary connector device and a vehicle-mounted device. Background Art

[0002] Patent document 1 describes a rotary connector 1 that electrically connects an electrical device provided on a steering wheel to an electrical device provided on a vehicle body. The rotary connector 1 includes a rotor 2, a stator 3, a rotor-side connector portion 2B, a stator-side connector portion 3B, and flexible printed wiring boards 4 and 5. The rotor-side connector portion 2B is provided on the rotor 2. The stator-side connector portion 3B is provided on the stator. A rotor-side lead block 7 provided in the rotor-side connector portion 2B and a stator-side lead block 9 provided in the stator-side connector portion 3B are electrically connected via the flexible printed wiring boards 4 and 5.

[0003] The rotor-side connector portion 2B is fitted with the connector portion of the external cable. When the connector portion of the external cable is fitted with the rotor-side connector portion 2B, the terminal of the connector portion of the external cable contacts the terminal of the rotor-side lead block 7 provided in the rotor-side connector portion 2B. The external cable electrically connects the lead block 7 provided in the rotor-side connector portion 2B to the electrical device provided in the steering wheel, for example. The electrical device provided in the steering wheel is electrically connected to the electrical device provided in the vehicle body via the external cable and the flexible printed wiring substrates 4 and 5.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. WO2017 / 208544 Summary of the invention

[0007] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0008] However, the rotary connector 1 is sometimes mounted on the vehicle body in a state where the rotation axis of the rotor 2 deviates from the rotation axis of the steering wheel. In this case, due to the deviation between the rotation axis of the rotor 2 and the rotation axis of the steering wheel, the rotor-side connector part 2B and the steering wheel move relative to each other along a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis during the rotation of the rotor 2 and the steering wheel. Due to this relative movement, during the rotation of the rotor 2 and the steering wheel, a force is applied to the connector part of the external cable connected to the rotor-side connector part 2B in various directions along the external cable, and a physical load is applied to the joint part of the rotor-side connector part 2B and the connector part of the external cable. As a result, the contact part between the rotor-side connector part 2B and the connector part of the external cable is worn.

[0009] The technical problem disclosed in the present application is to suppress or prevent wear of at least one of a rotor-side connector and a harness connector of a wire harness caused by deviation between the rotation axis of a rotor and the rotation axis of a steering wheel.

[0010] Means for solving problems

[0011] According to the first feature, the rotary connector device has a stator, a rotor, a retainer mounting portion, and a cable retainer. The rotor includes a rotor-side connector that can be detachably connected to a harness connector provided at an end of a cable of the harness. The rotor is provided to be rotatable around a rotation axis relative to the stator. The retainer mounting portion is connected to the rotor and includes a retainer mounting hole. The cable retainer is detachably mounted to the retainer mounting hole and retains the cable in a state where the harness connector is connected to the rotor-side connector. The retainer mounting portion and the cable retainer have a snap-fit ​​structure.

[0012] In the rotary connector device of the first feature, the cable is held by a cable holder provided on the rotor in a state where the harness connector is connected to the rotor-side connector. Therefore, even if the rotation axis of the rotor deviates from the steering rotation axis of the steering wheel, the cable holder can suppress or prevent the force from the cable of the harness to the harness connector during the rotation of the rotor and the steering wheel. Thus, even if the rotation axis of the rotor deviates from the steering rotation axis, the relative movement of the rotor-side connector and the harness connector during the rotation of the rotor and the steering wheel can be suppressed or prevented. Therefore, wear of at least one of the rotor-side connector and the harness connector caused by the deviation of the rotation axis of the rotor from the steering rotation axis can be suppressed or prevented.

[0013] According to the second feature, the cable holder includes a recessed portion, and the holder mounting portion includes a protrusion. The protrusion is provided in the holder mounting hole and engages with the recessed portion when the cable holder is inserted into the holder mounting hole.

[0014] In the rotary connector device of the second feature, when the cable holder is inserted into the holder mounting hole, the protrusion of the holder mounting portion engages with the recess, so that the cable holder can be mounted to the holder mounting hole or removed from the holder mounting hole. Therefore, the assembly and maintenance of the cable holder can be improved.

[0015] According to the third feature, in the rotatable connector device of the first or second feature, the cable holder includes a releasing portion configured to release the engagement between the recess and the projection based on an operation by a user.

[0016] In the rotary connector device of the third feature, the cable holder can be removed from the holder mounting hole by the user's operation. Therefore, the assembly and maintenance properties of the cable holder can be reliably improved.

[0017] According to the fourth feature, in the rotary connector device according to any one of the first to third features, the retainer mounting hole is provided at least partially radially outward with respect to the rotor when viewed along the rotation axis.

[0018] In the rotary connector device according to the fourth feature, the space outside the rotor in the radial direction can be effectively utilized as a space for providing the retainer mounting hole.

[0019] According to the fifth feature, in the rotary connector device according to any one of the first to fourth features, the holder mounting hole is opened in the axial direction so that the cable holder can be inserted and removed from the holder mounting hole in the axial direction defined along the rotation axis.

[0020] In the rotary connector device of the fifth feature, the cable holder can be easily inserted and removed. Therefore, the assembly and maintenance properties of the cable holder can be reliably improved.

[0021] According to the sixth feature, in the rotary connector device according to the fifth feature, the rotor-side connector includes a connector mounting hole. The connector mounting hole is open in the axial direction so that the harness connector can be inserted and removed from the connector mounting hole in the axial direction.

[0022] In the rotary connector device of the sixth feature, the cable holder can be inserted and removed more easily, thereby making it possible to more reliably improve the assembly and maintenance properties of the cable holder.

[0023] According to the seventh feature, in the rotatable connector device according to any one of the first to sixth features, a connecting member for connecting the cable holder and the cable is further provided.

[0024] In the rotary connector device of the seventh feature, the relative movement between the cable holder and the cable can be suppressed or prevented by the connecting member. Therefore, wear of at least one of the rotor-side connector and the harness connector caused by the deviation of the rotation axis of the rotor from the steering rotation axis can be reliably suppressed or prevented.

[0025] According to the eighth feature, in the rotatable connector device according to the seventh feature, the connecting member includes at least two connecting bands connecting the cable holder and the cable.

[0026] In the rotary connector device of the eighth feature, at least two connecting belts can be used to reliably suppress or prevent relative movement between the cable holder and the cable. For example, when the cable holder is connected to the cable of the wiring harness by a connecting belt, the cable is fixed to the cable holder at one fixed point. Therefore, when a force acts on the cable of the wiring harness, a torque centered on the fixed point acts on the cable, and there is a possibility that the force is transmitted to the wiring harness connector via the cable. On the other hand, when the cable holder is connected to the cable by at least two connecting belts, the cable is fixed to the cable holder at at least two fixed points. Therefore, the torque centered on the fixed point is not easy to act on the cable, and the force can be suppressed or prevented from being transmitted to the wiring harness connector via the cable. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably suppress or prevent wear of at least one of the rotor side connector and the wiring harness connector caused by the deviation of the rotation axis of the rotor and the steering rotation axis.

[0027] According to the ninth feature, the vehicle-mounted device comprises the rotary connector device according to any one of the first to eighth features and a wire harness. The wire harness comprises a wire harness connector and a cable. The cable of the wire harness is configured to be bent in a region from the wire harness connector to the cable holder in a state where the wire harness connector is connected to the rotor-side connector.

[0028] In the vehicle-mounted device of the 9th feature, there is a rotary connector device according to any one of the 1st to 8th features, so that it is possible to suppress or prevent wear of at least one of the rotor-side connector and the harness connector caused by the deviation of the rotation axis of the rotor from the steering rotation axis. In addition, the assembly and maintainability of the cable holder can be improved. For example, since the cables of the wire harness are configured to be bent in the area from the harness connector to the cable holder, even if it is assumed that there is a gap between the cable holder and the holder mounting hole, the relative movement between the cable holder and the holder mounting portion can be absorbed by the bent cable. Therefore, it is possible to suppress or prevent force from being transmitted to the harness connector via the cable, and it is possible to suppress or prevent wear of at least one of the rotor-side connector and the harness connector caused by the deviation of the rotation axis of the rotor from the steering rotation axis.

[0029] Effects of the Invention

[0030] According to the technology disclosed in the present application, it is possible to suppress or prevent wear of at least one of the terminals of the external cable connector and the terminals of the rotor-side connector caused by deviation between the steering rotation axis of the steering wheel and the rotation axis of the rotor. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Figure 1 It is a side view of the rotary connector device according to the embodiment.

[0032] Figure 2 yes Figure 1A top view of the rotary connector device is shown.

[0033] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a rotary connector device is shown.

[0034] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the rotary connector device at line IV-IV.

[0035] Figure 5 It is shown Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing the effect of the deviation between the rotation axis and the steering axis of the rotor on the connection between the rotor-side connector and the harness connector of the harness.

[0036] Figure 6 It is shown Figure 1 A cross-sectional view showing the effect of the deviation between the rotation axis and the steering axis of the rotor on the connection portion between the rotor-side connector and the harness connector of the harness.

[0037] Figure 7 yes Figure 1 A partial top view of the rotary connector device is shown (cable holder omitted).

[0038] Figure 8 yes Fig. 9 A cross-sectional view of the rotary connector device at line VIII-VIII.

[0039] Fig. 9 yes Figure 1 A partial top view of the rotary connector device is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals represent corresponding or identical structures.

[0041] like Figure 1 As shown, the vehicle-mounted device 1 has a rotary connector device 6 and a wiring harness 8. The vehicle-mounted device 1 also has a steering wheel 2. The wiring harness 8 includes a wiring harness connector 8A and a cable 8B. For example, the cable 8B includes a plurality of cables. The plurality of cables are electrically connected to a plurality of connector terminals of the wiring harness connector 8A. However, the cable 8B may also include at least one cable.

[0042] The steering wheel 2 is rotatably connected to the vehicle body 4 about the steering rotation axis A1. The steering wheel 2 includes, for example, a steering body 2A, a steering cover 2B, a support frame 2C, and a first electric device 2D. The vehicle body 4 includes, for example, a column cover 4A, a steering column 4B, and a second electric device 4D.

[0043] The steering body 2A is supported by the steering column 4B so as to be rotatable around the steering rotation axis A1. The steering cover 2B and the support frame 2C are mounted on the steering body 2A. The first electrical device 2D is mounted on the support frame 2C. The steering body 2A, the steering cover 2B, the support frame 2C, and the first electrical device 2D are rotatable around the steering rotation axis A1 relative to the vehicle body 4. The column cover 4A and the second electrical device 4D are mounted on the steering column 4B. The first electrical device 2D is electrically connected to the second electrical device 4D via the rotary connector device 6.

[0044] The rotary connector device 6 includes a stator 10 and a rotor 20. The rotor 20 is provided to be rotatable about the rotation axis A2 relative to the stator 10. The stator 10 is configured to be connected to the vehicle body 4 (for example, the steering column 4B). The rotor 20 is configured to be connected to the steering wheel 2 (for example, the steering body 2A).

[0045] like Figure 2 As shown, the rotor 20 includes a rotor body 21 and a rotor-side connector 22. The rotor body 21 is provided to be rotatable relative to the stator 10 around the rotation axis A2.

[0046] like Figure 1 As shown, the rotor side connector 22 protrudes from the rotor body 21 along the rotation axis A2. The rotor side connector 22 can be detachably connected to a harness connector 8A provided at an end of a cable 8B of the harness 8.

[0047] The rotor body 21 includes a disk portion 21A, a cylindrical portion 21B, and a sleeve 21C. The cylindrical portion 21B extends from the inner circumference of the disk portion 21A along the rotation axis A2. The sleeve 21C is attached to the end of the cylindrical portion 21B. The rotor-side connector 22 extends from the disk portion 21A along the rotation axis A2.

[0048] The wire harness 8 is electrically connected to the first electric device 2D. The cable 8B of the wire harness 8 is flexible. The rotor-side connector 22 is electrically connected to the first electric device 2D via the wire harness 8. The rotor-side connector 22 may also be referred to as a first connector 22. The wire harness 8 may also be referred to as a first wire harness 8.

[0049] like Figure 2 As shown, the rotor-side connector 22 includes a connector mounting hole 23. The connector mounting hole 23 accommodates the harness connector 8A when the harness connector 8A is connected to the rotor-side connector 22. The rotor-side connector 22 includes a connector housing 24, and the connector housing 24 includes the connector mounting hole 23.

[0050] The rotor-side connector 22 includes a first lead block 25. The first lead block 25 is disposed in the connector mounting hole 23. The first lead block 25 includes a lead block body 25A and a plurality of lead block terminals 25B. The lead block body 25A includes an insulating material. The plurality of lead block terminals 25B include a conductive material. The plurality of lead block terminals 25B are partially disposed in the lead block body 25A. When the harness connector 8A is disposed in the connector mounting hole 23, the plurality of lead block terminals 25B of the first lead block 25 can contact the plurality of connector terminals of the harness connector 8A.

[0051] like Figure 1 As shown, the stator 10 includes a stator body 11 and a stator-side connector 12. The stator body 11 is fixed to the steering column 4B of the vehicle body 4. The stator-side connector 12 protrudes from the stator body 11 along the rotation axis A2. The stator-side connector 12 can be detachably connected to a harness connector 9A provided at an end of a cable 9B of the harness 9.

[0052] The wire harness 9 is electrically connected to the second electric device 4D. The cable 9B of the wire harness 9 is flexible. The stator-side connector 12 is electrically connected to the second electric device 4D via the wire harness 9. The stator-side connector 12 may also be referred to as a second connector 12. The wire harness 9 may also be referred to as a second wire harness 9.

[0053] The stator-side connector 12 includes a connector housing space 13. The connector housing space 13 houses the harness connector 9A in a state where the harness connector 9A is connected to the stator-side connector 12. The stator-side connector 12 includes a connector housing 14 including the connector housing space 13.

[0054] The stator-side connector 12 includes a second lead block 15. The second lead block 15 is disposed in the connector storage space 13. The second lead block 15 includes a lead block body 15A and a plurality of lead block terminals 15B. The lead block body 15A includes an insulating material. The plurality of lead block terminals 15B include a conductive material. The plurality of lead block terminals 15B are partially disposed in the lead block body 15A. When the harness connector 9A is disposed in the connector storage space 13, the plurality of lead block terminals 15B of the second lead block 15 can contact the plurality of connector terminals of the harness connector 9A.

[0055] like Figure 3 As shown, the stator 10 and the rotor 20 form a cable storage space 50 disposed so as to surround the rotation axis A2 between the stator 10 and the rotor 20. The cable storage space 50 extends in the circumferential direction D3. The cable storage space 50 has an annular shape.

[0056] The rotary connector device 6 includes a cable 60. The cable 60 is disposed in the cable storage space 50. The cable 60 connects the rotor side connector 22 (see Figure 2 ) and the stator side connector 12 (refer to Figure 2 ) is electrically connected. The cable 60 connects the first lead block 25 (refer to Figure 2 ) and the second lead block 15 (refer to Figure 2 ) is electrically connected. The cable 60 includes a plurality of conductors. The plurality of conductors of the cable 60 are respectively connected to the plurality of lead block terminals 25B (see Figure 2 ) are connected to the plurality of lead block terminals 15B of the second lead block 15 (see Figure 2 ) connection. The cable 60 has flexibility and, for example, has a flat shape. The cable 60 may also be referred to as a flexible flat cable 60.

[0057] like Figure 4 As shown, the harness connector 8A includes a harness connector housing 8D and a plurality of connector terminals 8E (in Figure 4 One of the plurality of connector terminals 8E is shown in FIG. 1 ). The plurality of connector terminals 8E are arranged with the plurality of lead block terminals 25B (see FIG. 1 ). Figure 2 ) corresponding to the position.

[0058] The cable 8B includes a plurality of cables 8F. The plurality of connector terminals 8E are electrically connected to the plurality of cables 8F. The plurality of connector terminals 8E are provided in a harness connector housing 8D and are mounted on the harness connector housing 8D.

[0059] The plurality of connector terminals 8E each include a rib 8G and a recess 8H. The lead block terminal 25B of the first lead block 25 is sandwiched between the rib 8G and the recess 8H of the connector terminal 8E in a state where the harness connector 8A is connected to the rotor-side connector 22. In this way, the plurality of lead block terminals 25B of the first lead block 25 are in contact with the plurality of connector terminals 8E of the harness connector 8A.

[0060] like Figure 1 As shown, the rotary connector device 6 is preferably mounted on the vehicle body 4 in such a manner that the rotation axis A2 of the rotor 20 coincides with the steering rotation axis A1.

[0061] However, due to manufacturing errors and / or mounting errors of components, the rotary connector device 6 is sometimes mounted on the vehicle body 4 in a state where the rotation axis A2 of the rotor 20 deviates from the steering rotation axis A1. Due to the deviation of the rotation axis A2 of the rotor 20 from the steering rotation axis A1, a physical load is applied to the joint between the rotor-side connector 22 and the harness connector 8A during the rotation of the steering body 2A and the rotor 20, and as a result, the contact portion between the lead block terminal 25B and the connector terminal 8E is sometimes worn.

[0062] Here, use Figure 5The influence of the deviation of the rotation axis A2 of the rotor 20 from the steering rotation axis A1 on the connection portion between the rotor-side connector 22 and the harness connector 8A will be described. Figure 5 The upper layer shows an example of the operation of the rotary connector device 6 and the steering wheel 2 from the driver's perspective. Figure 5 The middle layer shows an example of the movement of the steering wheel 2 based on the rotary connector device 6. Figure 5 The lower layer shows an example of the force acting from the cable 8B on the harness connector 8A connected to the rotator-side connector 22. When the rotation axis A2 coincides with the steering rotation axis A1, the point where the center point P2 of the rotator-side connector 22 is arranged is set as the reference point P1.

[0063] like Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1 , when the rotation axis A2 of the rotor 20 deviates from the steering rotation axis A1, the center point P2 of the rotor side connector 22 also deviates from the reference point P1. In this state, when the steering body 2A and the rotor 20 rotate, the center point P2 moves in various directions relative to the reference point P1. As a result, Figure 6 As shown in FIG. 1 , when the steering body 2A and the rotor 20 rotate, forces are applied to the harness connector 8A connected to the rotor-side connector 22 along the cable 8B in various directions, and the harness connector 8A moves in the connector mounting hole 23 of the rotor-side connector 22. As a result, the lead block terminal 25B of the first lead block 25 rubs against the connector terminal 8E of the harness connector 8A, and at least one of the lead block terminal 25B and the connector terminal 8E wears.

[0064] Therefore, if Figure 2 As shown, the rotary connector device 6 includes a holder mounting portion 70 and a cable holder 80. The cable holder 80 is detachably mounted on the holder mounting portion 70. The cable holder 80 holds the cable 8B in a state where the harness connector 8A is connected to the rotator-side connector 22.

[0065] like Figure 7 As shown in the figure, the retainer mounting portion 70 is connected to the rotor 20 and includes a retainer mounting hole 71. In the present embodiment, the retainer mounting portion 70 is a component separate from the rotor 20 and is fixed to the rotor 20. The retainer mounting portion 70 is a component separate from the rotor-side connector 22 and is fixed to the rotor-side connector 22. However, the retainer mounting portion 70 may be provided integrally with the rotor 20 as a single component. The retainer mounting portion 70 may be provided integrally with the rotor-side connector 22 as a single component.

[0066] The retainer mounting hole 71 is at least partially provided radially outward relative to the rotor 20 when viewed along the rotation axis A2. The retainer mounting hole 71 is at least partially provided radially outward relative to the rotor-side connector 22 when viewed along the rotation axis A2. The retainer mounting hole 71 is at least partially provided radially outward relative to the connector mounting hole 23 when viewed along the rotation axis A2.

[0067] In the present embodiment, the retainer mounting hole 71 is provided radially outwardly relative to the rotor 20 as a whole when viewed along the rotation axis A2. The retainer mounting hole 71 is provided radially outwardly relative to the rotor-side connector 22 as a whole when viewed along the rotation axis A2. The retainer mounting hole 71 is provided radially outwardly relative to the connector mounting hole 23 as a whole when viewed along the rotation axis A2. However, the retainer mounting hole 71 may be provided partially radially outwardly relative to the rotor 20 as viewed along the rotation axis A2. The retainer mounting hole 71 may be provided partially radially outwardly relative to the rotor-side connector 22 as viewed along the rotation axis A2. The retainer mounting hole 71 may be provided partially radially outwardly relative to the connector mounting hole 23 as viewed along the rotation axis A2. The retainer mounting hole 71 may be provided at least partially radially inwardly of the contour of the rotor 20 as viewed along the rotation axis A2.

[0068] like Figure 8 As shown, the cable holder 80 is detachably mounted on the holder mounting hole 71. The holder mounting hole 71 is open in the axial direction D1 in a manner that allows the cable holder 80 to be inserted and removed relative to the holder mounting hole 71 in the axial direction D1 defined along the rotation axis A2. Figure 4 As shown, the connector mounting hole 23 is open in the axial direction D1 so that the harness connector 8A can be inserted into and removed from the connector mounting hole 23 in the axial direction D1 .

[0069] In addition, the cable holder 80 and the holder mounting portion 70 have a snap-fit ​​structure. Figure 8 As shown, the cable holder 80 includes a recessed portion 81. The holder mounting portion 70 includes a protrusion 72 provided in the holder mounting hole 71. The protrusion 72 engages with the recessed portion 81 when the cable holder 80 is inserted into the holder mounting hole 71. The protrusion 72 is at least partially disposed in the recessed portion 81 when the cable holder 80 is inserted into the holder mounting hole 71.

[0070] The protrusion 72 includes a first contact surface 72A. The recess 81 includes a second contact surface 81A. The first contact surface 72A of the protrusion 72 can contact the second contact surface 81A of the recess 81 when the cable holder 80 is inserted into the holder mounting hole 71. The first contact surface 72A and the second contact surface 81A are perpendicular to the axial direction D1.

[0071] The cable holder 80 includes a release portion 82 configured to release the engagement between the recess 81 and the protrusion 72 based on a user's operation. The release portion 82 can be elastically deformed in accordance with the user's operation. The release portion 82 can be elastically deformed in accordance with the user's operation so that the position of the recess 81 relative to the protrusion 72 is changed. The user can release the engagement between the recess 81 and the protrusion 72 by pressing the release portion 82 to elastically deform the release portion 82, thereby removing the cable holder 80 from the holder mounting portion 70. In addition, when the cable holder 80 is inserted into the holder mounting hole 71, the release portion 82 is elastically deformed, so that the cable holder 80 can be inserted into the holder mounting hole 71 until the protrusion 72 and the recess 81 are engaged.

[0072] like Fig. 9 As shown, the rotary connector device 6 further includes a connecting member 90 for connecting the cable holder 80 and the cable 8B. The connecting member 90 includes at least two connecting bands 91 for connecting the cable holder 80 and the cable 8B. The connecting band 91 includes a binding band. The cable holder 80 includes a connecting portion 83. The connecting portion 83 is connected to the cable 8B through the connecting member 90. The connecting portion 83 is connected to the cable 8B through the connecting band 91.

[0073] The cable 8B of the wire harness 8 is arranged to be bent in a region from the wire harness connector 8A to the cable holder 80 in a state where the wire harness connector 8A is connected to the rotator-side connector 22. For example, the cable 8B of the wire harness 8 is arranged to be bent in a region from the wire harness connector 8A to the cable holder 80 when viewed along the rotation axis A2 in a state where the wire harness connector 8A is connected to the rotator-side connector 22. However, the direction in which the cable 8B is bent is not limited to the direction shown in the figure.

[0074] The cable 8B of the harness 8 includes a bent portion 8B1 and a fixed portion 8B2. The bent portion 8B1 is electrically connected to the harness connector 8A and is provided between the harness connector 8A and the fixed portion 8B2. The fixed portion 8B2 is fixed to the connecting portion 83 of the cable holder 80 by a connecting member 90.

[0075] like Fig. 9As shown, the holder mounting portion 70 includes a holder holding portion 73. The holder holding portion 73 can contact the cable holder 80 to hold the cable holder 80 when the cable holder 80 is inserted into the holder mounting hole 71. The holder holding portion 73 includes holding portions 73A and 73B.

[0076] The cable holder 80 includes holding grooves 84A and 84B. The holding portion 73A is disposed in the holding groove 84A when the cable holder 80 is inserted into the holder mounting hole 71. The holding portion 73B is disposed in the holding groove 84B when the cable holder 80 is inserted into the holder mounting hole 71.

[0077] As described above, the rotary connector device 6 includes the stator 10, the rotor 20, the holder mounting portion 70, and the cable holder 80. The rotor 20 includes the rotor-side connector 22, which can be detachably connected to the harness connector 8A provided at the end of the cable 8B of the harness 8. The rotor 20 is provided to be rotatable around the rotation axis A2 relative to the stator 10. The holder mounting portion 70 is connected to the rotor 20 and includes the holder mounting hole 71. The cable holder 80 is detachably mounted to the holder mounting hole 71, and holds the cable 8B in a state where the harness connector 8A is connected to the rotor-side connector 22. The cable holder 80 includes the recess 81. The holder mounting portion 70 includes the protrusion 72. The protrusion 72 is provided in the holder mounting hole 71, and is engaged with the recess 81 in a state where the cable holder 80 is inserted into the holder mounting hole 71.

[0078] In the rotary connector device 6, the cable 8B is held by the cable holder 80 provided on the rotor 20 in a state where the harness connector 8A is connected to the rotor-side connector 22. Therefore, even if the rotation axis A2 of the rotor 20 deviates from the steering rotation axis A1 of the steering wheel 2, the cable holder 80 can suppress or prevent the force from the cable 8B of the harness 8 to the harness connector 8A during the rotation of the rotor 20 and the steering wheel 2. Therefore, even if the rotation axis A2 of the rotor 20 deviates from the steering rotation axis A1, the relative movement of the rotor-side connector 22 and the harness connector 8A during the rotation of the rotor 20 and the steering wheel 2 can be suppressed or prevented. Therefore, wear of at least one of the rotor-side connector 22 and the harness connector 8A caused by the deviation of the rotation axis A2 of the rotor 20 from the steering rotation axis A1 can be suppressed or prevented.

[0079] In addition, when the cable holder 80 is inserted into the holder mounting hole 71, the protrusion 72 of the holder mounting portion 70 engages with the recess 81, so the cable holder 80 can be mounted to or removed from the holder mounting hole 71. Therefore, the assembly and maintenance of the cable holder 80 can be improved.

[0080] In addition, in the present application, "having" and its derivatives are non-restrictive terms that describe the presence of constituent elements, and do not exclude the presence of other constituent elements that are not described. This also applies to "having", "including" and their derivatives.

[0081] In this application, ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" are only used to identify structures and do not have other meanings (such as a specific order, etc.). For example, although there is a "first element", it does not mean that there is a "second element", and although there is a "second element", it does not mean that there is a "first element".

[0082] In addition, the expressions "parallel", "perpendicular" and "coincidence" in the present disclosure should not be strictly interpreted, and respectively include the meanings of "substantially parallel", "substantially perpendicular" and "substantially coincidence". In addition, the expressions about other configurations are not strictly interpreted either.

[0083] In addition, the expression "at least one of A and B" in the present disclosure includes, for example, (1) only A, (2) only B, and (3) any one of A and B. The expression "at least one of A, B, and C" includes, for example, any one of (1) only A, (2) only B, (3) only C, (4) A and B, (5) B and C, (6) A and C, and (7) all of A, B, and C. In the present disclosure, the expression "at least one of A and B" is not to be interpreted as "at least one of A and at least one of B".

[0084] It is obvious that various changes and modifications of the present invention can be made based on the above disclosure. Therefore, the present invention can also be implemented in a method different from the specific disclosure of this application without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0085] Description of symbols

[0086] 1: vehicle-mounted device; 2: steering wheel; 4: vehicle body; 6: rotary connector device; 8: wiring harness; 8A: wiring harness connector; 8B: cable; 10: stator; 20: rotor; 21: rotor body; 22: rotor-side connector; 23: connector mounting hole; 24: connector housing; 25: first lead block; 50: cable storage space; 60: cable; 70: retainer mounting portion; 71: retainer mounting hole; 72: protrusion; 73: retainer retaining portion; 80: cable retainer; 81: recess; 82: release portion; 83: connecting portion; 90: connecting member; 91: connecting belt; A1: steering rotation axis; A2: rotation axis; D1: axial direction; D3: circumferential direction.

Claims

1. A rotary connector device, comprising: stator; a rotor including a rotor-side connector detachably connectable to a harness connector provided at an end of a cable of a harness, and the rotor being rotatable about a rotation axis relative to the stator; a retainer mounting portion connected to the rotor and comprising a retainer mounting hole; and a cable holder which is detachably mounted on the holder mounting hole and holds the cable in a state where the harness connector is connected to the rotor-side connector, The holder mounting portion and the cable holder have an engaging structure.

2. The rotary connector device according to claim 1, wherein: The cable holder comprises a recess, The holder mounting portion includes a protrusion that is provided in the holder mounting hole and is engaged with the recess when the cable holder is inserted into the holder mounting hole.

3. The rotary connector device according to claim 1, wherein: The cable holder includes a releasing portion configured to release the engagement between the recess and the protrusion based on a user's operation.

4. The rotary connector device according to claim 1, wherein: The retainer mounting hole is at least partially arranged radially outward relative to the rotor when viewed along the rotation axis.

5. The rotary connector device according to claim 1, wherein: The holder mounting hole is open in the axial direction defined along the rotation axis so that the cable holder can be inserted into and removed from the holder mounting hole.

6. The rotary connector device according to claim 5, wherein: The rotor-side connector includes a connector mounting hole, The connector mounting hole is open in the axial direction in such a manner that the harness connector can be inserted into and removed from the connector mounting hole in the axial direction.

7. The rotary connector device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The rotary connector device further includes a connecting member that connects the cable holder and the cable.

8. The rotary connector device according to claim 7, wherein: The connecting member includes at least two connecting bands connecting the cable holder and the cable.

9. A vehicle-mounted device, comprising: The rotary connector device according to any one of claims 1 to 6; and The wiring harness comprises the wiring harness connector and the cable, The cables of the wire harness are arranged to be bent in a region from the harness connector to the cable holder in a state in which the harness connector is connected to the rotor-side connector.

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