Rotary connector device

Abstract

To provide a rotary connector device capable of reducing an occupied region in any direction with respect to a rotary shaft.SOLUTION: A rotary connector device according to the present invention comprises: a cylindrical fixed body (21) in which, in plan view, within a partial region (A2) in a circumferential direction, distances (d1 to d3) from a center (O) of an arc is shorter than a radius (r) of a circle (21a) for which at least a portion (B2) of another region is employed as the arc; a cylindrical rotating body (22) located inside of the fixed body (21), the rotating body having a cylindrical outer peripheral surface concentric with the circle (21a) and being attached so as to be capable of rotating; and one or more flat cables (23a to 23c) accommodated in an accommodation space (S) between the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body (21) and the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body (22), the flat cables being wound around the rotating body (22). The flat cables (23a to 23c) have reverse parts (23Ra to 23Rc) for which a rotation direction reverses, the reverse parts being wound in one direction with respect to the rotating body (22) and wound in the other direction with respect to the fixed body (21). The reverse parts (23Ra to 23Rc) can move in accordance with the rotation of the rotating body (22).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a rotary connector arrangement. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, steering wheels mounted on automobiles are required to rotate about 2.5 times in both the clockwise and counterclockwise directions from a neutral position. Accordingly, a rotary connector device connecting the steering wheel and the vehicle is also required to rotate about 2.5 times in both the clockwise and counterclockwise directions from a neutral position.

[0003] Meanwhile, steer-by-wire, a system that controls the tire angle by an electric signal without mechanically connecting the steering wheel and the tires, has been attracting attention in recent years. In steer-by-wire, the number of rotations required for the steering wheel is about 0.5 to 0.8 rotations clockwise and counterclockwise from the neutral position. Therefore, unlike rotary connector devices adopted in systems that mechanically connect the steering wheel and the tires, a rotary connector device that can handle the reduced number of steering rotations required for steer-by-wire is desired.

[0004] For example, as an example of a multi-tape U-turn type rotary connector device, Patent Document 1 describes a relay device that mainly includes a tubular fixed member, a cylindrical rotating member rotatably attached inside the fixed member, and a first flat cable, a second flat cable, a moving member, a first contact member, and a second contact member that are arranged in an annular space formed between the fixed member and the rotating member. In the relay device of Patent Document 1, the first flat cable is wound from the inner circumference of the forward space to the outer circumference of the reverse space with a first reversal part where the winding direction is reversed, and the second flat cable is wound from the inner circumference of the reverse space to the outer circumference of the forward space with a second reversal part where the winding direction is reversed. In addition, the moving member moves in the space according to the rotation of the rotating member. The first contact member is arranged on the moving member, and when the rotating member rotates in the reverse direction, the first flat cable is wound around the inner circumference, causing contact with the first reversal part, causing the moving member to move in the reverse direction. In addition, the second contact member is disposed on the moving member, and when the rotating member rotates in the forward direction, the second contact member moves the moving member in the forward direction due to contact of the second inverted portion caused by the second flat cable being wound around the inner circumference.

[0005] In the prior art of multi-tape U-turn type rotary connector device including Patent Document 1, annular spaces (accommodating spaces) for winding a flat cable are provided at equal intervals around the entire circumference inside the housing of the rotary connector device. Therefore, a certain area for the rotary connector device had to be secured around the instrument panel of the automobile, particularly around the steering wheel. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2021-190324 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a rotary connector device that can reduce the area required for the rotary connector device at least in one direction relative to the rotation axis of the rotary connector device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The above object can be achieved by the following aspects of the present invention: A rotary connector device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a stationary body having a cylindrical inner circumferential surface in a circumferential region, the distance from the center of the circular arc being shorter than the radius of the circular arc that includes at least a portion of the other circular region in a plan view; a cylindrical rotor that is rotatably attached to the inside of the fixed body and has a cylindrical outer circumferential surface that is concentric with the circle; one or more flat cables that are accommodated in an accommodation space between an inner circumferential surface of the fixed body and an outer circumferential surface of the rotating body and that are wound around the rotating body; Equipped with the flat cable is wound around the rotating body in one direction and around the fixed body in the other direction, and has a reversing portion where the rotation direction of the flat cable is reversed between the one direction and the other direction, The reversing portion is movable in response to rotation of the rotating body.

[0009] In the above-mentioned aspect, together with the flat cable, a dummy cable reversal section may be provided which is wound in one direction relative to the rotating body and in the other direction relative to the fixed body, and in which the rotational direction of the winding in one direction and the rotational direction of the winding in the other direction are reversed, and the dummy cable reversal section may be provided with one or more dummy cables which can move in response to the rotation of the rotating body.

[0010] Similarly, in the above aspect, the storage space includes: a ring portion at least a portion of which abuts against an edge of the flat cable; a first rib extending from the ring portion so as to surround in an arc the area of ​​the flat cable that is wound around the cylindrical portion of the rotor; a cylindrical body located inside the inverted portion of at least one of the flat cables, the cylindrical body having an axis rotatably fixed to the ring portion; a second rib that is positioned outside the inverted portion with the cylinder located inside, has an arc shape following the circumferential surface of the cylinder, and stands upright from the ring portion so as to face the cylinder with the flat cable in between; The device may include: Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a rotary connector device that can reduce the area secured for the rotary connector device at least in either direction relative to the rotation axis of the rotary connector device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a rotary connector device according to a second embodiment which is an exemplary aspect of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a conventional multi-tape U-turn type rotary connector device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the movement of the rotary connector device according to the second embodiment, in a state where the steering wheel is turned to the left. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the movement of the rotary connector device according to the second embodiment, in a state where the steering wheel is turned to the right. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a rotary connector device according to a third embodiment which is an exemplary aspect of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a rotary connector device according to a fourth embodiment which is an exemplary aspect of the present invention. [Figure 7] 10 is a schematic explanatory view showing the shape of the inner circumferential surface of a fixed body and the positional relationship between the fixed body and the rotating body in a rotary connector device according to Modification 1 of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 8]13 is a schematic explanatory view showing the shape of the inner circumferential surface of the fixed body and the positional relationship between the fixed body and the rotating body in a rotary connector device according to Modification 2 of the present invention. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a rotary connector device according to three embodiments that are exemplary aspects of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

[0014] [First embodiment] Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a rotary connector device 20 according to a first embodiment. Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a section perpendicular to the rotation axis of the rotary connector device 20, and shows the shape of a fixed body 21, which will be described later, when viewed in plan. The rotary connector device 20 according to this embodiment is a multi-tape U-turn type. Fig. 1 shows a state in which the steering wheel is located in a neutral position.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the rotary connector device 20 of this embodiment comprises a fixed body 21, a rotating body 22, and three flat cables 23a, 23b, and 23c (more specifically, a first flat cable (FC1) 23a, a second flat cable (FC2) 23b, and a third flat cable (FC3) 23c).

[0016] 1, the shape of the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body 21 is mainly shown as a cylindrical member. The outer peripheral surface of the fixed body 21 also has a shape similar to the inner peripheral surface, but it may have some unevenness, protruding parts, a base attached to the cylindrical member, or an attachment part to other members such as a car body. Hereinafter, when referring to the shape, simply referring to "fixed body 21" refers to the shape of the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical member unless otherwise specified.

[0017] 1, the rotating body 22 is mainly shown as the shape of the outer circumferential surface of a cylindrical member. The rotating body 22 may have a mounting portion for mounting to other members such as a bearing attached to the cylindrical member or a steering shaft. Hereinafter, when the shape is simply referred to as "rotating body 22," it refers to the shape of the outer circumferential surface of a cylindrical member unless otherwise specified.

[0018] The rotary connector device 20 is a device mounted on an automobile and electrically connects electronic devices mounted on a fixed body 21 side and a rotating body 22 side. The fixed body 21 is fixed to the vehicle body and does not rotate in response to rotation of a steering wheel (not shown). On the other hand, the rotating body 22 rotates in response to rotation of a steering wheel (not shown). The steering wheel is mounted rotatably relative to the vehicle (not shown).

[0019] The fixed body 21 has an inner peripheral surface that is cylindrical, and in a plan view, in a partial region A2 in the circumferential direction, distances d1, d2, and d3 from the center O of the arc are shorter than the radius r of a circle 21a that forms an arc around the other region B2. That is, the fixed body 21 has a shape in which the range of region A2 is cut away from a perfect circle (circle 21a) in a plan view.

[0020] The shape of the partial region A2 in the fixed body 21 is different from the shape of the partial region A1 in the fixed body 11 and has a step portion 21x. Therefore, on the inner wall of the annular storage space S, a position corresponding to the step portion 21x forms a corner.

[0021] The rotor 22 is cylindrical and rotatably attached inside the fixed body 21, concentric with a circle 21a that includes the arc of the other region B1. An annular storage space S is formed between the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body 21 and the outer peripheral surface of the rotor 22.

[0022] A steering shaft (not shown) connected to a steering wheel (not shown) is inserted inside the rotating body 22. In response to the rotation of the steering wheel, the steering shaft rotates around the rotation axis X, and in response to the rotation of the steering shaft, the rotating body 22 rotates around a center point O relative to the fixed body 21. The rotating body 22 rotates about 0.5 to 0.8 rotations in both the clockwise and counterclockwise directions from the neutral position. Even if the steering shaft rotates, the fixed body 21 does not rotate.

[0023] 1, the flat cables 23a, 23b, and 23c are accommodated in the accommodation space S, and are wound around the rotor 22 to connect the fixed body 21 and the rotor 22. The flat cables 23a, 23b, and 23c are wound in one direction around the rotor 22 on the inner periphery side, and in the other direction around the fixed body 21 on the outer periphery side. Here, the flat cables 23a, 23b, and 23c are wound clockwise around the rotor 22 and counterclockwise around the fixed body 21.

[0024] The ends of the flat cables 23a, 23b, and 23c on the outer periphery side (the fixed body 21 side) are connected to the fixed body 21 by the same fixed body connecting part 24. Meanwhile, the ends of the first flat cable 23a and the second and third flat cables 23b, 23c on the inner periphery side (the rotating body 22 side) are connected to the rotating body 22 by rotating body connecting parts 25a and 25b that are 180° apart in the circumferential direction. Note that, in reality, both ends of the flat cables 23a, 23b, and 23c are connected to connectors (not shown), but in FIG. 1, the connecting parts are diagrammatically represented as the fixed body connecting part 24 and the rotating body connecting part 25 (the same applies to the following FIGS. 2 to 6).

[0025] 1, the flat cables 23a, 23b, and 23c have reversing portions 23Ra, 23Rb, and 23Rc, where the direction of rotation of the flat cables 23a, 23b, and 23c is reversed between the direction of rotation of the flat cables 23a, 23b, and 23c. The reversing portions 23Ra, 23Rb, and 23Rc are so-called U-turn portions. The reversing portions 23Ra, 23Rb, and 23Rc can move clockwise and counterclockwise in response to the rotation of the rotor 22.

[0026] 1 is in the neutral position, the inverted portion 23Rb of the second flat cable 23b is located approximately directly below the center point O (hereinafter, the circumferential position may be expressed using the dial face of an analog clock. This position is approximately the "6 o'clock position." Also, hereinafter, "approximately" will be omitted.) The inverted portion 23Ra of the first flat cable (FC1) 23a and the inverted portion 23Rc of the third flat cable (FC3) 23c are located in relatively close positions in front of and behind it, respectively (the "7 o'clock position" and the "5 o'clock position").

[0027] FIG. 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an example of a conventional multi-tape U-turn type rotary connector device 20'. In FIG. 2, the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1 are used for components having the same configuration and function as the rotary connector device 20 of this embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. In the conventional rotary connector device 20', the shape of the fixed body 21' is different from that of the rotary connector device 20 of this embodiment. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, in the rotary connector device 20', the fixed body 21' is circular in plan view, and the accommodation space S is doughnut-shaped and has the same width in all directions of 360°. Therefore, a predetermined area for mounting the rotary connector device 20' must be secured around the instrument panel of the automobile, particularly around the steering wheel.

[0028] In addition, in the conventional multi-tape U-turn type rotary connector device 20', two flat cables 23a, 23b and two dummy cables (DC) 26 are accommodated in the accommodation space S. The inverted portion 23Ra of the first flat cable 23a, the inverted portion 23Rb of the second flat cable 23b and the dummy cable inverted portion 26R of the two dummy cables (DC) 26 are located at the "6 o'clock position", "3 o'clock position", "12 o'clock position" and "9 o'clock position", respectively.

[0029] The dummy cable (DC) 26 is a member consisting only of a sheet and does not include electric wires. The dummy cable 26 is provided in the multi-tape U-turn type rotary connector device 20' to press the flat cables 23a, 23b wound around the rotor 22 against the rotor 22 to prevent the flat cables 23a, 23b from lifting up from the rotor 22. The action of pressing the flat cables 23a, 23b of the dummy cable 26 against the rotor 22 is achieved by a reaction force that increases the radius of curvature at the dummy cable reversal portion 26R of the dummy cable 26.

[0030] 1, in the rotary connector device 20 according to this embodiment, the fixed body 21 has a shape in which an area A2 is removed from a circle 21a. Therefore, the accommodation space S is narrower in the area A2, and the area reserved for mounting the rotary connector device 20 can be reduced accordingly. For example, if the rotary connector device 20 is mounted on a steering wheel of a vehicle so that the area A2 is at the top, other devices such as a monitor and various other equipment can be arranged up to the removed area inside the circle 21a.

[0031] Fig. 3 shows the rotary connector device 20 according to this embodiment in a state where the steering wheel is turned to the left and the rotor 22 is rotated counterclockwise, and Fig. 4 shows the rotary connector device 20 according to this embodiment in a state where the steering wheel is turned to the right and the rotor 22 is rotated clockwise.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 3, when the steering wheel is turned left and the rotor 22 of the rotary connector device 20 rotates counterclockwise, the reversing portions 23Ra, 23Rb, and 23Rc move in the direction of the arrow L. At this time, in this embodiment, the rotation of the rotor 22 is less than one rotation in both rotation directions from the neutral position, so the movement of the reversing portions 23Ra, 23Rb, and 23Rc is also small. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 3, the reversing portions 23Ra, 23Rb, and 23Rc move approximately 90° counterclockwise and are positioned at the "4 o'clock position," "3 o'clock position," and "2 o'clock position," respectively.

[0033] As a result, the inverted portion 23Rc of the third flat cable 23c approaches the range of the region A2 where the accommodation space S is narrowed, and as a result, the radius of curvature becomes slightly smaller. However, since the inverted portion 23Rc does not reach the range of the region A2 where the accommodation space S is narrowed, the load applied to the third flat cable 23c is not large.

[0034] Conversely, the reaction force generated when the radius of curvature of the inverted portion 23Rc of the third flat cable 23c becomes smaller and tries to increase acts to press the other flat cables 23a, 23b against the rotating body 22, thereby preventing the flat cables 23a, 23b from lifting up from the rotating body 22.

[0035] On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 4, when the steering wheel is turned to the right and the rotor 22 of the rotary connector device 20 rotates clockwise, the reversing portions 23Ra, 23Rb, and 23Rc move in the direction of the arrow R. At this time, as in Fig. 3 where the steering wheel is turned to the left, the movement of the reversing portions 23Ra, 23Rb, and 23Rc is small. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 4, the reversing portions 23Ra, 23Rb, and 23Rc move approximately 90° clockwise and are positioned at the "10 o'clock position," "9 o'clock position," and "8 o'clock position," respectively.

[0036] As a result, the inverted portion 23Ra of the first flat cable 23a approaches the range of the region A2 where the accommodation space S is narrowed, and is affected by this, so that the curvature becomes slightly smaller. However, since the inverted portion 23Ra does not reach the range of the region A2 where the accommodation space S is narrowed, the load applied to the first flat cable 23c is not large.

[0037] As described above, in this embodiment, even if there are narrowed portions of the accommodation space S, the movement of the inverted portions 23Ra, 23Rb, and 23Rc is small and is not significantly affected by the narrowed portions, so the load applied to the flat cables 23a, 23b, and 23c is not large, and therefore the impact on the durability of the flat cables 23a, 23b, and 23c is not large.

[0038] In addition, the narrowed portion of the accommodation space S reduces the radius of curvature of the inverted portion 23Rc of the flat cables 23a, 23b, and 23c, and the reaction to this reduces the pressure on the flat cables 23a and 23b, preventing them from floating up from the rotor 22. This action contributes to improving durability.

[0039] [Second embodiment] Fig. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a rotary connector device 30 according to a second embodiment. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a cross section perpendicular to the rotation axis of the rotary connector device 30, and shows the shape of a fixed body 31, which will be described later, in a plan view. The rotary connector device 30 according to this embodiment is a multi-tape U-turn type, and is a modified example of the rotary connector device 20 according to the first embodiment.

[0040] 5 showing the rotary connector device 30 according to this embodiment, each member having a configuration similar to or similar to that of the rotary connector device 20 according to the first embodiment is assigned a reference number having the same ones digit as that of the rotary connector device 20 and a tens digit in the 30s, and thus a description of the configuration common to each member will be omitted. Below, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 5, the rotary connector device 30 of this embodiment comprises a fixed body 31, a rotating body 32, three flat cables 33a, 33b, 33c (more specifically, a first flat cable (FC1) 33a, a second flat cable (FC2) 33b and a third flat cable (FC3) 33c), and three dummy cables (DC) 36.

[0042] This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the shape of the fixed body 31 is different and that three dummy cables (DC) 36 are additionally provided. The fixed body 31 is cylindrical, and in a plan view, in a partial region A3 in the circumferential direction, distances d1 and d2 from the center O of the arc are shorter than the radius r of a circle 31a that forms an arc including the other region B3. That is, the fixed body 31 has a shape in which the range of region A3 is cut away from a perfect circle (circle 31a) in a plan view.

[0043] The three dummy cables 36, together with the flat cables 33a, 33b, and 33c, are wound in one direction around the rotating body 32 on the inner circumference side, and in the other direction around the fixed body 31 on the outer circumference side. Here, the three dummy cables 36 are wound clockwise around the rotating body 32 and counterclockwise around the fixed body 31.

[0044] The ends of the three dummy cables 36 on the outer periphery side (fixed body 31 side) are connected to the fixed body 31 by the same fixed body connecting part 34b. This fixed body connecting part 34b is an independent connecting part separate from fixed body connecting part 34a (corresponding to fixed body connecting part 24 in the first embodiment) to which the ends of the flat cables 33a, 33b, 33c on the outer periphery side (fixed body 31 side) are connected.

[0045] On the other hand, the inner peripheral side (rotating body 32 side) ends of the three dummy cables 36 are connected to the rotating body 32 by the same rotating body connecting part 35c. This rotating body connecting part 35c is also an independent connecting part separate from the rotating body connecting parts 35a and 35b (corresponding to the rotating body connecting parts 25a and 25b in the first embodiment) to which the inner peripheral side (rotating body 32 side) ends of the flat cables 33a, 33b, and 33c are connected.

[0046] 5, the three dummy cables 36 have dummy cable reversal portions 36Ra, 36Rb, and 36Rc whose rotation directions are reversed between when the cable is wound in one direction and when it is wound in the other direction. The dummy cable reversal portions 36Ra, 36Rb, and 36Rc are so-called U-turn portions. The dummy cable reversal portions 36Ra, 36Rb, and 36Rc can move clockwise and counterclockwise in response to the rotation of the rotating body 32.

[0047] When the steering wheel shown in Fig. 5 is in the neutral position, the dummy cable inversion parts 36Ra, 36Rb, and 36Rc of the three dummy cables 36 are located at the "9 o'clock position", the "12 o'clock position", and the "3 o'clock position", respectively. In this embodiment, the inversion parts 23Ra, 23Rb, and 23Rc of the flat cables 33a, 33b, and 33c are concentrated around the "6 o'clock position". Therefore, if no measures are taken from the "8 o'clock position" to the "4 o'clock position" clockwise as in the first embodiment, the flat cables 33a, 33b, and 33c are relatively likely to float up from the rotating body 22.

[0048] By providing the dummy cable inversion portions 36Ra, 36Rb, and 36Rc of the three dummy cables 36 at effective intervals (about 90°) in the region from the "8 o'clock position" to the "4 o'clock position" clockwise, the flat cables 33a, 33b, and 33c are pressed against the rotating body 32, preventing the flat cables 33a, 33b, and 33c from floating up. Therefore, the rotating connector device 30 according to this embodiment can prevent the flat cables 33a, 33b, and 33c from becoming unwound.

[0049] Even when the steering wheel is turned left or right, the inverted portions 23Ra, 23Rb, and 23Rc of the flat cables 23a, 23b, and 23c do not enter the range of the narrower region A3 in the accommodation space S. However, of the three dummy cables 36, only the dummy cable inverted portion 36Rb of the middle dummy cable 36 passes through the range of the region A3. The dummy cable inverted portion 36Rb of the dummy cable 36 has an extremely small radius of curvature when passing through the narrower region in the accommodation space S. However, because the dummy cable 36 is a member made only of a sheet that does not contain electric wires, even if a load is applied, it does not affect the electric wire circuit, and can withstand a higher load than the flat cables 33a, 33b, and 33c.

[0050] As described above, the rotary connector device 30 according to this embodiment has excellent durability. The accommodation space S is narrow within the range of the area A3, and the effect of being able to reduce the area reserved for mounting the rotary connector device 30 is achieved in the same way as the rotary connector device 20 according to the first embodiment.

[0051] In this embodiment, an example is given in which three dummy cables are provided, but if at least one dummy cable is provided, the effect of preventing the flat cable from floating can be expected to be achieved by that one dummy cable.

[0052] The shape of the fixing body is not limited to the shape of fixing body 31 in this embodiment, but in particular when the inverted portion of the dummy cable passes through the range of area A3 where the width of the accommodation space S is narrowed as in this embodiment, it is preferable that the inner circumferential surface of this area is smooth as in this embodiment. If there is a step portion 21x as in fixing body 21 of the first embodiment, it is difficult for the inverted portion of the dummy cable to pass through smoothly, so care must be taken.

[0053] [Third embodiment] Fig. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a rotary connector device 40 according to a third embodiment. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a cross section perpendicular to the rotation axis of the rotary connector device 40, and shows the shape of a fixed body 41, which will be described later, in a plan view. The rotary connector device 40 according to this embodiment is a multi-tape U-turn type, and is a modified example of the rotary connector device 20 according to the first embodiment.

[0054] 6 showing the rotary connector device 40 according to this embodiment, each member having a configuration similar to or similar to that of the rotary connector device 20 according to the first embodiment is assigned a reference number having the same units digit as that of the rotary connector device 20 and a number in the 40s in the tens digit, and thus a description of the configuration common to each member will be omitted. Below, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 6, the rotary connector device 40 of this embodiment comprises a fixed body 41, a rotating body 42, three flat cables 43a, 43b, 43c (more specifically, a first flat cable (FC1) 43a, a second flat cable (FC2) 43b and a third flat cable (FC3) 43c), a ring portion 50, a first rib (hereinafter referred to as the "first rib") 47, a cylindrical body 48 and a second rib (hereinafter referred to as the "second rib") 49. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the accommodation space S is additionally provided with a ring portion 50, a first rib 47, a cylindrical body 48, and a second rib 49.

[0056] The ring portion 50 is a ring-shaped, plate-shaped member at least a portion of which abuts against the edges of the flat cables 43a, 43b, 43c in the accommodation space S. The ring portion 50 is disposed surrounding the periphery of the rotating body 42. The ring portion 50 has a disk-like shape with the "6 o'clock position" and its circumferential periphery extending toward the fixed body 41. The ring portion 50 is capable of rotating about a center point O, independently of both the fixed body 41 and the rotating body 42.

[0057] The first rib 47 is a rib-like member erected from the ring portion 50 so as to surround in an arc the area of ​​the flat cables 43a, 43b, 43c wound around the rotor 42. The first rib 47 is disposed opposite the cylindrical portion of the rotor 42 via the flat cables 43a, 43b, 43c. The erected height of the first rib 47 from the ring portion 50 is approximately the same as the width of the flat cables 43a, 43b, 43c.

[0058] The cylinder 48 is located inside the inverted portion 43Rb of the second flat cable 43b, and an axis (not shown) is rotatably fixed to the ring portion 50. The height of the cylinder 48 in the axial direction from the ring portion 50 is approximately the same as the width of the flat cables 43a, 43b, and 43c.

[0059] The second rib 49 is located outside the inverted portion 43Rb of the second flat cable 43b with the cylinder 48 located inside, has an arc shape following the circumferential surface of the cylinder 48, and is a rib-like member erected from the ring portion 50 so as to face the cylinder 48 with the flat cable 43b in between. The erect height of the second rib 49 from the ring portion 50 is approximately the same as the width of the flat cables 43a, 43b, 43c.

[0060] The first rib 47, the cylindrical body 48 and the second rib 49 provided on the ring portion 50 rotate together around a center point O. In addition, the flat cables 43a, 43b, and 43c move together around the center point O.

[0061] When the steering wheel is turned left and the rotor 42 of the rotary connector device 40 rotates counterclockwise, the inverted portion 43Rb moves in the direction of the arrow L. Then, the inner surface of the inverted portion 43Rb of the second flat cable 43b abuts against the cylindrical body 48, winds around it, and pulls the cylindrical body 48 while rotating it, causing the ring portion 50 to rotate counterclockwise. That is, the inverted portion 43Rb and the ring portion 50 of the second flat cable 43b rotate counterclockwise together. Then, the inverted portions 43Ra, 43Rb, and 43Rc of the flat cables 43a, 43b, and 43c, the first rib 47, the cylindrical body 48, and the second rib 49 all rotate counterclockwise together. That is, their relative positions do not change.

[0062] On the other hand, when the steering wheel is turned to the right and the rotor 42 of the rotary connector device 40 rotates clockwise, the inverted portion 43Rb moves in the direction of the arrow R. Then, the outer surface of the inverted portion 43Rb of the second flat cable 43b abuts against the second rib 49, and pushes the inner circumferential surface of the arc of the second rib 49 while rubbing against it, causing the ring portion 50 to rotate clockwise. That is, the inverted portion 43Rb of the second flat cable 43b and the ring portion 50 rotate together clockwise. Then, the inverted portions 43Ra, 43Rb, and 43Rc of the flat cables 43a, 43b, and 43c, the first rib 47, the cylindrical body 48, and the second rib 49 all rotate together clockwise. That is, the relative positions of these do not change.

[0063] The first rib 47 prevents the flat cables 43a, 43b, and 43c from floating up from the rotating body 32. The cylindrical body 48 and the second rib 49 maintain the shape of the inverted portion 43Rb of the second flat cable 43b. By maintaining the shape of the inverted portion 43Rb of the second flat cable 43b in the middle, the inverted portions 43Ra and 43Rc of the first and third flat cables 43a and 43c located relatively close to each other in front and behind the inverted portion 43Rb are also less likely to lose their shape. Therefore, the first rib 47, the cylindrical body 48, and the second rib 49 maintain the posture of the flat cables 43a, 43b, and 43c. Moreover, even if the rotating body 42 of the rotating connector device 40 rotates, the positional relationship of the related members does not change as described above, so the effect of maintaining the posture of the flat cables 43a, 43b, and 43c is maintained. Therefore, the rotating connector device 40 according to this embodiment can prevent the flat cables 43a, 43b, and 43c from being unwound.

[0064] As described above, the rotary connector device 40 according to this embodiment has excellent durability. The accommodation space S is narrow within the range of the area A2, and the effect of being able to reduce the area reserved for mounting the rotary connector device 40 is achieved similarly to the rotary connector devices 20 and 30 according to the first and second embodiments.

[0065] The second flat cable 43b can also be used as a dummy cable because the load at the inverted portion is larger than those of the first and third flat cables 43a and 43c.

[0066] The three embodiments described above are merely representative examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. For example, in the above embodiments, an example is given in which three flat cables are provided, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of flat cables may be two or less or four or more.

[0067] In the above embodiment, the shape of the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body is a combination of arc-shaped regions (B2, B3) and regions (A2, A3) whose distances (d1, d2, d3) from the center O of the arc are shorter than the radius r of the arc in the circumferential direction in a plan view, but is not limited to these shapes (the symbols in the above embodiment are indicated in parentheses).Various shapes can be applied, such as sandwiching a region whose distance from the center of the arc is longer between the arc-shaped region and a region whose distance from the center of the arc is shorter than the radius of the arc in the circumferential direction.

[0068] In other words, in the present invention, the shape of the inner circumferential surface of the fixed body is not limited to a cylindrical inner circumferential surface shape in which, in a planar view, in a portion of the circumferential region, the distance from the center of the arc is shorter than the radius of a circle whose arc includes the other regions, but may be any shape in which, in a planar view, in a portion of the circumferential region, the distance from the center of the arc is shorter than the radius of a circle whose arc includes "at least a portion" of the other regions.

[0069] In the present invention, in a region where the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body is arc-shaped in plan view, in the accommodation space between the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body, which has a cylindrical outer peripheral surface concentric with the arc, and the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body, the distance between the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body and the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body is constant ("radius of the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body" - "radius of the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body"). In the accommodation space where the distance between the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body and the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body is constant, the inverted portion of the flat cable moves smoothly and the load on the flat cable is small.

[0070] On the other hand, in the present invention, in a region where the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body is arc-shaped in plan view and the distance from the center of the arc is shorter than the radius of the region, the fixed body is recessed (cut away) toward the center, so that the area required for mounting the rotary connector device can be reduced accordingly. Therefore, space can be provided in the recessed (cut away) area to arrange other vehicle components, devices, etc.

[0071] Below, we will list modified examples that are other aspects of the present invention in which the shape of the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body is different. In the following modified examples, only the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body and the outer peripheral surface of the rotor are illustrated, and the shape of the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body and the positional relationship between the fixed body and the rotor are explained. Of course, an annular storage space S is formed between the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body and the outer peripheral surface of the rotor, and the storage space S accommodates one or more flat cables (not shown) that are wound in a U-turn shape around the rotor.

[0072] [Variation 1] Fig. 7 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing the shape of the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body 11a and the positional relationship between the fixed body 11a and the rotor 12 in the rotary connector device according to Modification 1. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a cross section perpendicular to the rotation axis O of the rotor 12, and shows the shapes of the fixed body 11a and the rotor 12 when viewed in plan.

[0073] The fixed body 11a in the first modified example is composed of a cylindrical portion 11a-1, the shape of whose inner surface is obtained by cutting out a portion of a specified central angle (specifically, 180°) from the entire circumference of a cylinder, an elliptical cylindrical portion 11a-3, the shape of which is obtained by cutting out a portion of a specified central angle (specifically, 180° on the long diameter side) from the entire circumference of an elliptical cylinder, and a pair of flat portions 11a-2, 11a-4 connecting the ends of both portions.

[0074] As for regions in the circumferential direction, the shape of the inner surface has a region Ba corresponding to a cylindrical portion 11a-1, a region Ea corresponding to an elliptical cylindrical portion 11a-3, and a pair of regions Da1, Da2 corresponding to a pair of flat plate-shaped portions 11a-2, 11a-4.

[0075] In the annular accommodation space S between the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body 11a and the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 12, in the region Ba, the distance w between the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 12 and the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body 11a is constant. And in the region Ba, the distance from the rotation axis O to the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body 11a is equal to the radius r of the circle of the cylindrical portion 11a-1. In FIG. 7, the points a3 and a5 on the elliptical cylindrical portion 11a-3 are points where the distances da3 and da5 between the points a3, a5 and the rotation axis O are equal to the radius r (da3 = da5 = r).

[0076] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, in the region Ea, in the region Aa from the point a3 to the point a5 on the elliptical cylindrical portion 11a-3, the distance da4 from the rotation axis O to the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body 11a is smaller than the radius r (da4 < r). In this modified example and the modified example 2 described later, when defining a range and stating the magnitude relationship with the radius r, the start point and the end point of the range are not included (for example, for da4, it is expressed as da4 < r instead of da4 ≦ r).

[0077] In the region Ea, the regions Fa1 and Fa2 from both ends to the point a3 or the point a5 are such that the distance da2 from the rotation axis O to the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body 11a is larger than the radius r (da2 > r). On the other hand, in the regions Da1 and Da2, the distance da1 from the rotation axis O to the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body 11a is larger than the radius r (da1 > r).

[0078] That is, the regions Ca1 and Ca2 located between the region Ba where the distance from the rotation axis O to the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body 11a is equal to the radius r of the circle of the cylindrical portion 11a-1 and the region Aa where it is smaller than the radius r (da4 < r) are such that the distances da1 and da2 from the rotation axis O to the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body 11a are larger than the radius r (da1 > r < da2).

[0079] Even if there are regions Ca1 and Ca2 where the distance from the rotation axis O to the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body 11a is greater than the radius r (da1 > r < da2) as in the first modification example, as long as there is a region Aa where the distance is smaller than the radius r (da4 < r), a space can be secured in this region for arranging other members and devices of the vehicle.

[0080] [Second Modification Example] FIG. 8 is a schematic explanatory view showing the shape of the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body 11b and the positional relationship between the fixed body 11b and the rotating body 12 in the rotary connector device according to the second modification example. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along a cross-section perpendicular to the rotation axis O of the rotating body 12, and shows the shapes of the fixed body 11b and the rotating body 12 as viewed in plan.

[0081] The fixed body 11b in the second modification example is composed of a cylindrical portion 11b-1 and portions 11b-2, 11b-3, and 11b-4 corresponding to three of the four side surfaces that can form a rectangular parallelepiped on the inner peripheral surface. As regions in the circumferential direction, there are a region Bb corresponding to the cylindrical portion 11a-1 of the inner peripheral surface, a region Eb corresponding to the side surface portion 11b-3 having a length corresponding to the diameter (2r) of the cylindrical portion 11a-1, and regions Db1 and Db2 corresponding to a pair of side surface portions 11b-2 and 11b-4 connecting both ends of the cylindrical portion 11a-1 and the side surface portion 11b-3.

[0082] In the annular accommodation space S between the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body 11b and the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 12, in the region Bb, the distance w between the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 12 and the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body 11b is constant. And in the region Bb, the distance from the rotation axis O to the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body 11b is the radius r of the circle of the cylindrical portion 11b-1. In FIG. 8, points b3 and b5 on the side surface portion 11b-3 are points where the distances db3 and db5 between points b3, b5 and the rotation axis O are equal to the radius r (db3 = db5 = r).

[0083] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, in region Eb, in the region Ab from point b3 to point b5 on the side surface portion 11b-3, the distance db4 from the rotation axis O to the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body 11b is smaller than the radius r (db4 < r). And in region Eb, in the regions Fb1 and Fb2 from both ends thereof to point b3 and point b5, the distance db2 from the rotation axis O to the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body 11b is larger than the radius r (db2 > r). On the other hand, in regions Db1 and Db2, the distance db1 from the rotation axis O to the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body 11b is larger than the radius r (db1 > r).

[0084] That is, the regions Cb1 and Cb2 located between the region Bb where the distance from the rotation axis O to the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body 11b is the radius r of the circle of the cylindrical portion 11b-1 and the region Ab where the distance is smaller than the radius r (db4 < r) are such that the distances db1 and db2 from the rotation axis O to the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body 11b are larger than the radius r (db1 > r < db2).

[0085] As in the second modification example, even if there are regions Cb1 and Cb2 where the distance from the rotation axis O to the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body 11b is larger than the radius r (db1 > r < db2), as long as there is a region Ab where the distance is smaller than the radius r (db4 < r), a space for arranging other members, devices, etc. of the vehicle can be secured in the said region.

[0086] The shapes of the fixed bodies in the above two modification examples are merely illustrative. In a plan view, in a part of the region in the circumferential direction, as long as the distance (da4 in the same) from the center (O in the same) of the arc (the cylindrical portion 11a-1 in the same) is shorter than the radius (r in the same) of the circle that makes at least a part (region Ba in the same) of other regions (region Ba + region Ca1 + region Ca2 in the first modification example) into an arc, it suffices to have a cylindrical inner peripheral surface (the elliptical cylindrical portion 11a-3 in the same).

[0087] In addition, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and implement them in accordance with the conventionally known knowledge without departing from the gist of the present invention. As long as the configuration of the rotary connector device of the present invention is still provided by such modifications, of course, it is included in the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 10, 10', 20, 20', 30, 40: Rotating connector device, 11,11′,21,21′,31,41: Fixed body, 12, 22, 32, 42: Rotating bodies, 13a, 13b, 23a, 23b, 23c, 33a, 33b, 33c, 43a, 43b, 43c: Flat cables (FC1 to 3), 21x: Step, 23Ra, 23Rb, 23Rc, 33Ra, 33Rb, 33Rc, 43Ra, 43Rb, 43Rc: inversion parts, 26R, 36Ra, 36Rb, 36Rc: Dummy cable inversion part, 14, 24, 24a, 24b, 34a, 34b, 44: fixed body connection part, 15a, 15b, 25a, 25b, 25a′, 25b′, 35a, 35b, 35c, 45a, 45b: Rotating body connection parts, 26,36: Dummy cable (DC), 47: 1st rib (1st rib), 48: Cylinder, 49: 2nd rib (2nd rib), 50: Ring section

Claims

1. a stationary body having a cylindrical inner circumferential surface in a part of a circumferential region, the distance from the center of the arc being shorter than the radius of a circle having at least a part of the other region as an arc in a plan view; a cylindrical rotor that is rotatably attached to the inside of the fixed body and has a cylindrical outer circumferential surface that is concentric with the circle; one or more flat cables that are accommodated in an accommodation space between an inner circumferential surface of the fixed body and an outer circumferential surface of the rotating body and that are wound around the rotating body; Equipped with the flat cable is wound around the rotating body in one direction and around the fixed body in the other direction, and has a reversing portion where the rotation direction of the flat cable is reversed between the one direction and the other direction, A rotary connector device, wherein the inversion portion is movable in response to rotation of the rotating body.

2. 2. The rotary connector device according to claim 1, further comprising a dummy cable reversal section that is wound together with the flat cable in one direction relative to the rotating body and in the other direction relative to the fixed body, the dummy cable reversal section having a rotation direction reversed between the one direction and the other direction, and the dummy cable reversal section is provided with one or more dummy cables that can move in response to the rotation of the rotating body.

3. In the storage space, a ring portion at least a portion of which abuts against an edge of the flat cable; a first rib extending from the ring portion so as to surround in an arc the area of ​​the flat cable wound around the cylindrical portion of the rotor; a cylindrical body located inside the inverted portion of at least one of the flat cables, the cylindrical body having an axis rotatably fixed to the ring portion; a second rib that is positioned outside the inverted portion with the cylinder located inside, has an arc shape following the circumferential surface of the cylinder, and stands upright from the ring portion so as to face the cylinder with the flat cable in between; The rotary connector apparatus of claim 1 , comprising:

Images