Cable Reeling Device and Sheet Power Feeding Device

Abstract

To provide a cable take-up device capable of drawing or taking up a flat cable according to a slide operation of a mounting object, and preventing twist of the flat cable due to a rotation operation of the mounting object.SOLUTION: In a flexible flat cable 2, a wound center side winding part 21 is formed in a center side space Si, and a wound outer peripheral side winding part 22 is formed in an outer peripheral side space So. One end extending from an inner peripheral side portion of the center side winding part 21 is connected to an electric member of a seat 200, and the other end extending from the outer peripheral side portion of the outer peripheral side winding part 22 is connected to an electric member of a vehicle 100. Both of the center side winding part 21 and the outer peripheral side winding part 22 have inner winding portions 211, 221 wound on an inside diameter side, outer winding portions 212, 222 wound on an outside diameter side, and arc-like bending portions 213, 223 serving as boundary portions between the inner winding portions 211, 221 and the outer winding portions 212, 222.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cable winding device capable of coping with both the sliding operation and the rotational operation of an object to be attached, and a sheet power supply device using such a cable winding device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a cable winding device has been known (see Patent Document 1). The cable winding device includes a strip-shaped flat cable and a housing portion that houses the flat cable, and is configured such that the flat cable is pulled out or wound up in accordance with the sliding operation of the object to be attached. Such a cable winding device has been used as a sheet power supply device for supplying power to a vehicle seat.

[0003] By the way, in recent years, a seat that can perform not only a sliding operation but also a rotational operation has been proposed. When a conventional cable winding device is used for such a seat, the flat cable may be twisted by the rotational operation, and the flat cable may become entangled. In addition, there is also a possibility that smooth pulling out and winding up cannot be performed due to the twisting of the flat cable.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a cable winding device capable of pulling out and winding up a flat cable in accordance with the sliding operation of an object to be attached, and preventing the flat cable from being twisted by the rotational operation of the object to be attached, and a sheet power supply device using such a cable winding device.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] This invention includes a strip-shaped flat cable, a housing portion for housing the flat cable in a state of being wound in a spiral shape, a partition portion for partitioning the internal space of the housing portion into a central space and an outer peripheral space, and a holding portion for holding a boundary portion between a portion of the flat cable housed in the central space and a portion housed in the outer peripheral space. A rotating shaft is provided at the central portion of the central space, which rotates around a direction along the width direction of the flat cable while holding the flat cable. A guide port for guiding the flat cable that is drawn out from the inside to the outside or wound up from the outside to the inside is provided at the outer edge portion of the outer peripheral space. A central winding portion wound in the central space is formed on the flat cable, and an outer peripheral winding portion wound in the outer peripheral space is formed. One end extending from the inner peripheral side portion of the central winding portion of the flat cable is connected to an electrical member to be attached that enables sliding and rotating operations, and the other end extending from the outer peripheral side portion of the outer peripheral winding portion of the flat cable is connected to an electrical member on the electrical supply source side. At least one of the central winding portion and the outer peripheral winding portion has an inner winding portion where the flat cable is wound on the inner diameter side, an outer winding portion where the flat cable is wound on the outer diameter side, and an arcuate bending-back portion that is the boundary portion between the inner winding portion and the outer winding portion. It is a cable winding device.

[0007] According to this invention, it is possible to pull out and wind up the flat cable according to the sliding operation of the object to be attached, and to prevent the flat cable from being twisted by the rotating operation of the object to be attached.

[0008] Specifically, when the object to which the cable winding device is attached moves to one side in the sliding direction (sliding operation) and the flat cable is pulled, the bent-back portion of the outer circumferential winding portion moves to one side in the circumferential direction while the flat cable is fed out from the inner winding portion, or in the case of the outer circumferential winding portion wound loosely in a spiral shape, the flat cable is fed out while being wound up. In this way, the flat cable is pulled out toward the outside of the outer circumferential space.

[0009] Conversely, when the object to which the cable winding device is attached moves to the other side in the sliding direction (sliding operation) and the flat cable is pushed into the inner side of the outer circumferential space from the guide port, the bent-back portion of the outer circumferential winding portion moves to the other side in the circumferential direction while the flat cable is wound around the inner winding portion, or in the case of the outer circumferential winding portion wound loosely in a spiral shape, the flat cable is wound around while being unwound. In this way, the flat cable is wound toward the inside of the outer circumferential space.

[0010] Also, when the object to which the cable winding device is attached rotates in one direction of the rotation direction (rotating operation), the rotating shaft rotates in one direction in conjunction with the rotating operation of the object to be attached, so the flat cable is wound around the inner winding portion of the central winding portion. At this time, the bent-back portion of the central winding portion moves to one side in the circumferential direction while the flat cable is fed out from the outer winding portion, or in the case of the central winding portion wound loosely in a spiral shape, it is wound up or unwound. In this way, by following the rotation operation of the object to be attached, the twisting of the flat cable can be prevented.

[0011] On the contrary, when the object to which the cable winding device is attached rotates (rotates) around the other side in the rotation direction, the rotary shaft rotates around the other side in conjunction with the rotation operation of the object to be attached. Therefore, the flat cable is fed out from the inner winding portion of the center side winding portion. At this time, while the bent-back portion of the center side winding portion moves to the other side in the circumferential direction, the flat cable is wound around the outer winding portion, or in the case of the center side winding portion that is loosely wound in a spiral shape, it is wound up or unwound. In this way, by following the rotation operation of the object to be attached, it is possible to prevent the flat cable from being twisted.

[0012] As an aspect of the present invention, a rotary table that is rotatable around the rotary shaft and a rotary roller that is rotatable around the direction along the rotary shaft while being supported by the rotary table are provided, and the rotary roller may be disposed on the inner peripheral surface side of the bent-back portion.

[0013] According to the present invention, when the bent-back portion moves to one side in the circumferential direction when the flat cable is wound or fed out, the inner peripheral surface of such a bent-back portion comes into contact with the rotary roller and pulls such a rotary roller. As a result, the rotary table rotates (revolves), and the rotary roller also rotates (rotates) following the feeding of the flat cable. In this way, it becomes possible to smoothly guide the flat cable. In addition, it is possible to prevent the flat cable from rubbing and wearing out.

[0014] As another aspect of the present invention, a guide guide may be provided at a position spaced apart from the outer peripheral surface of the rotary roller in the circumferential direction on the rotary table, and the guide guide may be disposed on the outer peripheral surface side of the bent-back portion.

[0015] According to the present invention, when the bent-back portion moves to the other side in the circumferential direction during winding or unwinding of the flat cable, the outer peripheral surface of such a bent-back portion comes into contact with the guide and presses the guide. As a result, it is possible to prevent the rotary table from rotating (revolving) and the flat cable from coming into contact with adjacent rotating rollers or the like. In this way, it becomes possible to smoothly guide the flat cable. Further, it is possible to prevent the flat cable from rubbing and wearing out.

[0016] As an aspect of the present invention, the holding portion may be an insertion hole formed in the partition portion through which the flat cable is inserted. According to the present invention, the central winding portion and the outer peripheral winding portion in the flat cable can be constituted by a single continuous flat cable. Further, it is possible to reliably hold the boundary portion between the central winding portion and the outer peripheral winding portion while having a simple structure.

[0017] As an aspect of the present invention, a restricting piece for restricting the lead-out direction of the flat cable led out from the holding portion may be provided. According to the present invention, the lead-out direction of the flat cable can be reliably restricted. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the flat cable from being bent by the sliding operation and the rotational operation of the mounting target and a local load from acting thereon.

[0018] As an aspect of the present invention, the flat cable may be a flexible flat cable in which one or a plurality of sheets are stacked. According to the present invention, the flat cable can be bent with a small bending radius. Therefore, the diameters of the central space and the outer peripheral space can be reduced, and as a result, it becomes possible to miniaturize the cable winding device. Further, since the bent flat cable has high elasticity to return to its original shape, each winding portion becomes loose and spreads only by the repulsive force. Therefore, it is also possible to realize simplification of the structure.

[0019] As an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sheet power supply device using the cable winding device described above, wherein the rotary shaft is connected to a sheet capable of sliding and rotating operations, one end extending from the inner peripheral side portion of the central side winding portion of the flat cable is connected to an electrical member of the sheet, and the other end extending from the outer peripheral side portion of the outer peripheral side winding portion of the flat cable is connected to an electrical member on the electrical power supply source side. According to the present invention, it is possible to pull out and wind up a flat cable in response to a sliding operation of a sheet, and to prevent twisting of the flat cable due to a rotating operation of the sheet.

Effects of the Invention

[0020] Provided is a cable winding device capable of pulling out and winding up a flat cable in response to a sliding operation of an object to be attached and preventing twisting of the flat cable due to a rotating operation of the object to be attached, and a sheet power supply device using such a cable winding device.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] One embodiment of this invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this application, arrow F indicates the front side, arrow B indicates the rear side, arrow L indicates the left side, and arrow R indicates the right side. Also, arrow U indicates the upper side, and arrow D indicates the lower side. In this application, the front-rear direction will be described as X, the left-right direction as Y, and the up-down direction as Z.

[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the vicinity of the seat 200 in the vehicle 100. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cable take-up device 1, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the cable take-up device 1, and FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of each rotating unit 8, 9. And FIG. 5 is a plan view of the lower case 31 that constitutes the housing portion 3, and FIG. 6 is a plan view of a state in which the flat cable 2 is housed in the lower case 31. Regarding FIGS. 5 and 6, a state in which each rotating unit 8, 9 is housed inside the lower case 31 is shown.

[0024] Also, FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation mode when the seat 200 is moved to the rear side B, and FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation mode when the seat 200 is moved to the front side F. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation mode when the seat 200 is rotated around the left side Rl, and FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation mode when the seat 200 is rotated around the right side Rr. Regarding FIGS. 7 to 10, (a) shows the operation mode of the seat 200, and (b) shows the operation mode of the cable take-up device 1.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 100 has a seat support structure 300 that supports the seat 200. The seat support structure 300 includes a pair of rails 301, a pair of sliders 302, a single lower plate 303, and also a single upper plate 304.

[0026] The rails 301 extend along the longitudinal direction X of the vehicle 100. Each rail 301 is arranged in parallel with a predetermined interval and is fixed to the floor panel 101 of the vehicle 100. On the upper surface portion of each rail 301, a track groove 30r is formed.

[0027] The slider 302 is supported in a state of being fitted into the track groove 30r of the rail 301. Therefore, each slider 302 is movable along the longitudinal direction X (see arrows Sf, Sb). On the upper surface portion of each slider 302, a bolt 30b projects upward toward the upper side U.

[0028] The lower plate 303 has through holes formed in both end portions in the lateral direction Y and is supported in a state where the bolts 30b of the slider 302 are inserted therethrough. Therefore, the lower plate 303 is movable along the longitudinal direction X together with the slider 302 (see arrows Sf, Sb). A cylindrical rotating shaft portion 30s is provided at the central portion of the lower plate 303.

[0029] The upper plate 304 has a rotation receiving portion provided at its central portion and is supported in a state where the rotating shaft portion 30s of the lower plate 303 is inserted therethrough. Therefore, the upper plate 304 is movable along the longitudinal direction X together with the lower plate 303 (see arrows Sf, Sb) and is rotatable with respect to the lower plate 303 (see arrows Rl, Rr). And on the upper surface portion of the upper plate 304, the seat cushion 201 of the seat 200 is placed and fixed.

[0030] With such a configuration, the seat 200 is movable forward and backward with respect to the vehicle 100 (see arrows Sf and Sb). Further, the seat 200 is rotatable about the left side and the right side of the vehicle 100 (see arrows Rl and Rr). However, the configuration of the seat support structure 300 is not limited. Further, the use of the seat 200 and the seat support structure 300 is not limited to vehicles such as automobiles. For example, it may be used for vehicles such as railways, or for ships or aircraft.

[0031] Note that the seat power supply device 10 is attached to the lower plate 303. The seat power supply device 10 is mainly constituted by a cable winding device 1, and a rotating shaft 6 constituting the cable winding device 1 is connected to the seat 200 via a rotating shaft portion 30s of the lower plate 303. One end of the flat cable 2 is connected to an electrical member of the seat 200, and the other end of the flat cable 2 is connected to an electrical member of the vehicle 100. Hereinafter, the flat cable 2 will be described as a flexible flat cable 2.

[0032] The cable winding device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6. The cable winding device 1 includes a strip-shaped flexible flat cable 2, a housing portion 3 that houses the flexible flat cable 2, and a rotating shaft 6 that rotates about an axis along the width direction (vertical direction Z) of the flexible flat cable 2 while holding the flexible flat cable 2. Further, the cable winding device 1 includes two rotating units 8 and 9.

[0033] The flexible flat cable 2 is a strip-shaped electric wire. The flexible flat cable 2 has a structure in which a plurality of conductors arranged in parallel are sandwiched between sheet-shaped insulators. Therefore, it can be bent with a small bending radius and has high elasticity to return to its original shape even when bent. The flexible flat cable 2 may be used alone or in a plurality of layers.

[0034] Further, the flexible flat cable 2 is housed in the housing portion 3 in a wound state in a predetermined manner. More specifically, the central winding portion 21, which is the winding portion on the central side, is housed in the central space Si in the housing portion 3, and the outer peripheral winding portion 22, which is the winding portion on the outer peripheral side, is housed in the outer peripheral space So in the housing portion 3. Here, the central winding portion 21 and the outer peripheral winding portion 22 will be described in detail.

[0035] The central winding portion 21 has an inner winding portion 211 around which the flexible flat cable 2 is wound on the inner diameter side in the central space Si, an outer winding portion 212 around which the flexible flat cable 2 is wound on the outer diameter side, and an arcuate bending-back portion 213 which is the boundary portion between the inner winding portion 211 and the outer winding portion 212. The winding directions of the inner winding portion 211 and the outer winding portion 212 are counterclockwise when viewed from the upper side U, which is the direction along the central axis C.

[0036] The outer peripheral winding portion 22 has an inner winding portion 221 around which the flexible flat cable 2 is wound on the inner diameter side in the outer peripheral space So, an outer winding portion 222 around which the flexible flat cable 2 is wound on the outer diameter side, and an arcuate bending-back portion 223 which is the boundary portion between the inner winding portion 221 and the outer winding portion 222. The winding directions of the inner winding portion 221 and the outer winding portion 222 are counterclockwise when viewed from the upper side U, which is the direction along the central axis C.

[0037] Note that in the cable winding device 1 according to the present embodiment, the outer winding portion 212 of the central winding portion 21 and the inner winding portion 221 of the outer peripheral winding portion 22 are wound with a middle plate 315, which will be described later, intervening therebetween, and these winding directions are counterclockwise when viewed from the upper side U, which is the direction along the central axis C. However, they may be wound in the same direction.

[0038] The housing portion 3 is a housing that houses the flexible flat cable 2. The housing portion 3 has a lower case 31 in which a central side space Si and an outer peripheral side space So are formed, and an upper cover 32 that is fitted to the lower case 31 and closes the opening ends of the central side space Si and the outer peripheral side space So (the opening on the upper side U). Hereinafter, the lower case 31 and the upper cover 32 will be described.

[0039] The lower case 31 has a substantially circular bottom plate 311, an outer peripheral plate 312 extending upward U from the outer edge portion of the bottom plate 311, a right end plate 313 extending forward F from the right end edge of the outer peripheral plate 312, and a front end plate 314 extending rightward R from the front end edge of the outer peripheral plate 312. A through hole 31h penetrating in the vertical direction Z is formed in the bottom plate 311 around its central axis C.

[0040] Further, the lower case 31 has a substantially cylindrical middle plate 315 around its central axis C. Such a middle plate 315 extends upward U from a midway portion in the radial direction of the bottom plate 311 and partitions the internal space into an inner central side space Si and an outer outer peripheral side space So. Therefore, it can be said that the middle plate 315 is a partitioning portion 4 that partitions the central side space Si and the outer peripheral side space So.

[0041] Furthermore, an insertion hole 31s through which the flexible flat cable 2 is inserted is formed in the middle plate 315. Such an insertion hole 31s is a slit-like narrow passage that is gently curved radially inward from the outer peripheral surface 31a of the middle plate 315 and then bent back to contact the inner peripheral surface 31b of the middle plate 315, and can securely hold the inserted flexible flat cable 2 by sandwiching it. Therefore, it can be said that the insertion hole 31s is a holding portion 5 that holds the boundary portion 23 between the central side winding portion 21 housed in the central side space Si and the outer peripheral side winding portion 22 housed in the outer peripheral side space So in the flexible flat cable 2.

[0042] In addition, a guide passage 31p for the flexible flat cable 2 is formed in the space surrounded by the aforementioned outer peripheral plate 312, the right end plate 313, and the front end plate 314. The guide passage 31p is composed of a pair of guide plates 316 provided along the front-rear direction X. And the guide passage 31p has its rear end portion opened toward the inside (outer peripheral side space So) of the rear side B and its front end portion opened toward the outside of the front side F. Therefore, it can be said that the guide passage 31p is a guide port 7 that guides the flexible flat cable 2 that is drawn out from the inside to the outside or wound up from the outside to the inside of the outer peripheral side space So.

[0043] On the other hand, the upper cover 32 has a substantially circular cover plate 321, an outer peripheral plate 322 extending downward from the outer edge portion of the cover plate 321, a right end plate 323 extending from the right end edge of the outer peripheral plate 322 toward the front side F, and a front end plate 324 extending from the front end edge of the outer peripheral plate 322 toward the right side R. A through hole 32h penetrating in the vertical direction Z is formed in the cover plate 321 around its central axis C.

[0044] Also, the upper cover 32 has a substantially cylindrical inner peripheral plate 325 around its central axis C. Such an inner peripheral plate 325 extends downward from the middle portion in the radial direction of the cover plate 321, and its outer diameter is set to be slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the outer peripheral plate 312 of the lower case 31. Therefore, when the upper cover 32 is attached to the lower case 31, the outer peripheral plate 312 and the inner peripheral plate 325 will be fitted together.

[0045] With such a configuration, the upper cover 32 can close the opening ends of the central side space Si and the outer peripheral side space So (the opening on the upper side U). At this time, the outer peripheral plates 312 of the lower case 31 and 322 of the upper cover 32 will have their tip portions abutting against each other. Similarly, the right end plates 313 of the lower case 31 and 323 of the upper cover 32, and the front end plates 314 of the lower case 31 and 324 of the upper cover 32 will also have their tip portions abutting against each other.

[0046] Note that in the cable winding device 1 according to the present embodiment, a partition portion 4 is provided in the lower case 31, and the tip portion of such partition portion 4 is configured to abut against the cover plate 321 of the upper cover 32. In this regard, the partition portion 4 may be provided in the upper cover 32, and the tip portion of such partition portion 4 may be configured to abut against the bottom plate 311 of the lower case 31. Even in this case, the insertion hole 31s formed in the partition portion 4 may be used as the holding portion 5. Further, the guide port 7 may be provided on the upper cover 32 side.

[0047] Next, the rotating shaft 6 will be described. The rotating shaft 6 is a rotating body that rotates about an axis along the width direction (vertical direction Z) of the flexible flat cable 2 while holding the flexible flat cable 2. The rotating shaft 6 has a rotor 61 that holds the flexible flat cable 2 and a sleeve 62 that functions as an insertion shaft of the rotor 61. The rotor 61 and the sleeve 62 will be described below.

[0048] The rotor 61 has a substantially annular cover plate 611 and a cylindrical plate 612 extending downward D from the inner edge portion of the cover plate 611. A connector holder 613 extending upward U is formed in a part of the circumferential direction of the cover plate 611, and a connector (not shown) electrically connected to each conductor of the flexible flat cable 2 is accommodated inside the connector holder 613.

[0049] Further, the flexible flat cable 2 is wound along the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical plate 612. Therefore, the radius of the cylindrical plate 612 is set to be larger than the allowable bending radius of the flexible flat cable 2. Further, the length of the cylindrical plate 612 in the vertical direction Z is set to be longer than the length of the flexible flat cable 2 in the width direction (vertical direction Z). The flexible flat cable 2 is bent upward U at the innermost inner peripheral portion of the center-side winding portion 21, and the above-described connector (not shown) is attached to the end portion thereof.

[0050] On the other hand, the sleeve 62 has a substantially annular bottom plate 621 and a cylindrical plate 622 extending upward to the upper side U and downward to the lower side D from the outer edge portion of the bottom plate 621. A bolt guide 623 extending upward to the upper side U is formed on the bottom plate 621, and a bolt (not shown) screwed into the rotating shaft portion 30s of the lower plate 303 is inserted inside the bolt guide 623.

[0051] Further, the cylindrical plate 622 is inserted into a through hole 31h formed in the central portion of the lower case 31. Therefore, the outer diameter of the cylindrical plate 622 is set slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the through hole 31h. Furthermore, the length of the cylindrical plate 622 in the vertical direction Z is set sufficiently longer than the length of the through hole 31h in the vertical direction Z. More specifically, it is set sufficiently long by extending long toward the lower side D. Therefore, the head of the aforementioned bolt (not shown) will fit. However, it is only necessary that the rotating shaft 6 rotates in conjunction with the seat 200, and the structure is not limited to this.

[0052] Next, the rotating unit 8 accommodated in the central space Si will be described. The rotating unit 8 is provided with a rotating table 81 that is rotatable about the rotating shaft 6 and a rotating roller 82 that is rotatable about the direction (vertical direction Z) along the rotating shaft 6 while being supported by the rotating table 81. Further, the rotating unit 8 is provided with a guide guide 83 at a position circumferentially spaced from the outer peripheral surface of the rotating roller 82.

[0053] The rotating table 81 is a substantially annular member. The rotating table 81 is rotatable counterclockwise or clockwise about the rotating shaft 6 (see the arrow Rm in FIG. 4), and a total of six support shafts 812 are formed on the upper surface of the annular plate 811. Each support shaft 812 refers to a cylindrical protruding portion protruding upward from the annular plate 811 to the upper side U. Each support shaft 812 is arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0054] The rotating roller 82 is a substantially cylindrical member. The rotating roller 82 is rotatable together with the rotating table 81 (see the arrow Rm in FIG. 4), and is rotatable about the support shaft 812 in the leftward or rightward direction (see the arrow Rn in FIG. 4). All of the respective rotating rollers 82 are of the same size, and one of them is disposed on the inner circumferential surface side of an arcuate bending portion 213 which is a boundary portion between the inner winding portion 211 and the outer winding portion 212 (see the partially enlarged view in FIG. 6).

[0055] The guide 83 is an arcuate wall portion formed on the rotating table 81. Therefore, the guide 83 rotates integrally with the rotating table 81 (see the arrow Rm in FIG. 4). The guide 83 has an arcuate shape in which the opposing surface 83s facing the rotating roller 82 is curved along the outer circumferential surface of the rotating roller 82. Such a guide 83 is disposed on the outer circumferential surface side of an arcuate bending portion 213 which is a boundary portion between the inner winding portion 211 and the outer winding portion 212 (see the partially enlarged view in FIG. 6).

[0056] Next, the rotating unit 9 accommodated in the outer peripheral side space So will be described. The rotating unit 9 is provided with a rotating table 91 rotatable about the rotating shaft 6, and a rotating roller 92 rotatable about the direction (vertical direction Z) along the rotating shaft 6 while being supported by the rotating table 91. Further, the rotating unit 9 is provided with a guide 93 at a position spaced apart in the circumferential direction from the outer circumferential surface of the rotating roller 92.

[0057] The rotating table 91 is a substantially annular member. The rotating table 91 is rotatable about the rotating shaft 6 in the leftward or rightward direction (see the arrow Rp in FIG. 4), and six support shafts 912 are formed on the upper surface of the annular plate 911. Each of the support shafts 912 refers to a cylindrical protruding portion protruding upward from the annular plate 911. Each of the support shafts 912 is arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0058] The rotating roller 92 is a substantially cylindrical member. The rotating roller 92 is rotatable together with the rotating table 91 (see the arrow Rp in FIG. 4), and is rotatable counterclockwise or clockwise about the support shaft 912 (see the arrow Rq in FIG. 4). All of the respective rotating rollers 92 are of the same size, and one of them is disposed on the inner peripheral surface side of an arcuate bending portion 223 which is a boundary portion between the inner winding portion 221 and the outer winding portion 222 (see the partially enlarged view in FIG. 6).

[0059] The guide 93 is an arcuate wall portion formed on the rotating table 91. Therefore, the guide 93 rotates integrally with the rotating table 91 (see the arrow Rp in FIG. 4). The guide 93 has an arcuate shape in which the opposing surface 93s facing the rotating roller 92 is curved along the outer peripheral surface of the rotating roller 92. Such a guide 93 is disposed on the outer peripheral surface side of an arcuate bending portion 223 which is a boundary portion between the inner winding portion 221 and the outer winding portion 222 (see the partially enlarged view in FIG. 6).

[0060] In addition to the guide 83, other guides 84 and 85 are formed adjacent to each other on the rotating table 81 constituting the rotating unit 8 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). Also, in addition to the guide 93, other guides 94 and 95 are formed adjacent to each other on the rotating table 91 constituting the rotating unit 9 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). These guides 84, 85, 94, and 95 will be described in detail later.

[0061] As described above, the cable winding device 1 includes a strip-shaped flexible flat cable 2, a housing portion 3 that houses the flexible flat cable 2 in a wound spiral state, a partition portion 4 that divides the internal space of the housing portion 3 into a central side space Si and an outer peripheral side space So, and a holding portion 5 that holds a boundary portion 23 between a portion of the flexible flat cable 2 housed in the central side space Si and a portion housed in the outer peripheral side space So. Further, a rotating shaft 6 is provided at the central portion of the central side space Si so as to rotate about a direction along the width direction (vertical direction Z) of the flexible flat cable 2 while holding the flexible flat cable 2, and a guide port 7 for guiding the flexible flat cable 2 that is drawn out from the inside to the outside or wound up from the outside to the inside is provided at the outer edge portion of the outer peripheral side space So. The flexible flat cable 2 is formed with a central side winding portion 21 wound in the central side space Si and an outer peripheral side winding portion 22 wound in the outer peripheral side space So. One end extending from the inner peripheral side portion of the central side winding portion 21 of the flexible flat cable 2 is connected to an electrical member of the seat 200 that enables sliding and rotating operations, and the other end extending from the outer peripheral side portion of the outer peripheral side winding portion 22 of the flexible flat cable 2 is connected to an electrical member on the vehicle 100 side. Both the central side winding portion 21 and the outer peripheral side winding portion 22 have an inner winding portion 211, 221 where the flexible flat cable 2 is wound on the inner diameter side, an outer winding portion 212, 222 where the flexible flat cable 2 is wound on the outer diameter side, and arcuate bending back portions 213, 223 that are boundary portions between the inner winding portion 211, 221 and the outer winding portion 212, 222.

[0062] According to such a cable winding device 1, the flexible flat cable 2 can be pulled out and wound up in response to the sliding operation of the seat 200, and the twisting of the flexible flat cable 2 due to the rotating operation of the seat 200 can be prevented.

[0063] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, when the sheet 200 moves (slides) to the rear side B and the flexible flat cable 2 is pulled (refer to arrow Ro), the bending-back portion 223 of the outer peripheral winding portion 22 moves counterclockwise (refer to arrow Rp), and the flexible flat cable 2 is fed out from the inner winding portion 221. In this way, the flexible flat cable 2 is pulled out toward the outside of the outer peripheral space So.

[0064] Conversely, as shown in FIG. 8, when the sheet 200 moves (slides) to the front side F and the flexible flat cable 2 is pushed into the inner side of the outer peripheral space So from the guide port 7 (refer to arrow Ru), the bending-back portion 223 of the outer peripheral winding portion 22 moves clockwise (refer to arrow Rp), and the flexible flat cable 2 is wound around the inner winding portion 221. In this way, the flexible flat cable 2 is wound toward the inside of the outer peripheral space So.

[0065] Also, as shown in FIG. 9, when the sheet 200 rotates (rotates) counterclockwise Rl (refer to arrow Tl), the rotation axis 6 rotates counterclockwise Rl in conjunction with the rotation operation of the sheet 200. Therefore, the flexible flat cable 2 is wound around the inner winding portion 211 of the central winding portion 21. At this time, the bending-back portion 213 of the central winding portion 21 moves counterclockwise, and the flexible flat cable 2 is fed out from the outer winding portion 212. In this way, by following the rotation operation of the sheet 200, the twisting of the flexible flat cable 2 can be prevented.

[0066] On the contrary, as shown in FIG. 10, when the sheet 200 rotates (rotating operation) in the clockwise direction Rr, the rotating shaft 6 rotates in the clockwise direction Rr in conjunction with the rotating operation of the sheet 200. Therefore, the flexible flat cable 2 is drawn out from the inner winding portion 211 of the center-side winding portion 21. At this time, while the bent-back portion 213 of the center-side winding portion 21 moves in the clockwise direction, the flexible flat cable 2 is wound around the outer winding portion 212. In this way, by following the rotating operation of the sheet 200, the twisting of the flexible flat cable 2 can be prevented.

[0067] Further, in the cable take-up device 1, there are provided rotating tables 81 and 91 that are rotatable about the rotating shaft 6, and rotating rollers 82 and 92 that are rotatable about the direction (vertical direction Z) along the rotating shaft 6 while being supported by the rotating tables 81 and 91. The rotating rollers 82 and 92 are disposed on the inner peripheral surface side of the bent-back portions 213 and 223.

[0068] According to such a cable take-up device 1, when the bent-back portions 213 and 223 move counterclockwise during the winding or unwinding of the flexible flat cable 2, the inner peripheral surfaces of such bent-back portions 213 and 223 come into contact with the rotating rollers 82 and 92, and pull such rotating rollers 82 and 92. As a result, the rotating tables 81 and 91 rotate (revolve), and the rotating rollers 82 and 92 also rotate (rotate on their own) following the unwinding of the flexible flat cable 2. In this way, it becomes possible to smoothly guide the flexible flat cable 2. Further, it is possible to prevent the flexible flat cable 2 from rubbing and wearing out.

[0069] Further, in the cable take-up device 1, guide guides 83 and 93 are provided at positions circumferentially spaced apart from the outer peripheral surfaces of the rotating rollers 82 and 92 on the rotating tables 81 and 91, and the guide guides 83 and 93 are disposed on the outer peripheral surface side of the bent-back portions 213 and 223.

[0070] According to such a cable winding device 1, when the bent-back portions 213 and 223 move clockwise during the winding or unwinding of the flexible flat cable 2, the outer peripheral surfaces of such bent-back portions 213 and 223 come into contact with the guide guides 83 and 93 and push such guide guides 83 and 93. As a result, it is possible to prevent the rotary tables 81 and 91 from rotating (revolving) and the flexible flat cable 2 from coming into contact with the adjacent rotary rollers 82 and 92 or the like. In this way, it becomes possible to smoothly guide the flexible flat cable 2. Further, it is possible to prevent the flexible flat cable 2 from being rubbed and worn out.

[0071] Further, in the cable winding device 1, the holding portion 5 is an insertion hole 31s through which the flexible flat cable 2 formed in the partition portion 4 is inserted. According to such a cable winding device 1, the central winding portion 21 and the outer peripheral winding portion 22 of the flexible flat cable 2 can be configured by a single continuous flexible flat cable 2. Further, while having a simple structure, it becomes possible to reliably hold the boundary portion 23 between the central winding portion 21 and the outer peripheral winding portion 22.

[0072] Further, in the cable winding device 1, the flexible flat cable 2 is a flexible flat cable in which one or a plurality of sheets are overlapped. According to such a cable winding device 1, the flexible flat cable 2 can be bent with a small bending radius. Therefore, the diameters of the central space Si and the outer peripheral space So can be reduced, and thus it becomes possible to miniaturize the cable winding device 1. Further, since the bent flexible flat cable 2 has a high elasticity to return to its original shape, each winding portion 21, 22 will unwind and spread only by the repulsive force thereof. Therefore, it is also possible to realize the simplification of the structure.

[0073] In addition, as shown in FIG. 11, when the flexible flat cable 2 is configured by overlapping a plurality of flexible flat cables, one of the flexible flat cables 2a is arranged between the rotary rollers 82 and 92 and the guide guides 83 and 93, and the remaining flexible flat cables 2b, 2c... are arranged between the guide guides 84 and 94 and the guide guides 85 and 95. At this time, it is also possible that only the flexible flat cable 2a contacts the rotary rollers 82 and 92 and the guide guides 83 and 93.

[0074] In this way, when the overlapped flexible flat cables are bent along the rotary rollers 82 and 92 or along the guide guides 83 and 93, it is possible to prevent them from rubbing against each other and wearing out. Also, instead of the remaining flexible flat cables 2b, 2c... being arranged between the guide guides 84 and 94 and the guide guides 85 and 95, they may be arranged in different paths. For example, in the case of a configuration in which four flexible flat cables are overlapped, they may be arranged at intervals of 90 degrees around the rotation axis 6.

[0075] In the correspondence between the configuration of this invention and the above-described embodiment, the cable winding device corresponds to the cable winding device 1, the flat cable corresponds to the flexible flat cable 2, the accommodating portion corresponds to the accommodating portion 3, the partitioning portion corresponds to the partitioning portion 4, the holding portion corresponds to the holding portion 5, the rotation axis corresponds to the rotation axis 6, the guide port corresponds to the guide port 7, the sheet power feeding device corresponds to the sheet power feeding device 10, the central side winding portion corresponds to the central side winding portion 21, the outer peripheral side winding portion corresponds to the outer peripheral side winding portion 22, the accommodating case corresponds to the lower case 31, the accommodating cover corresponds to the upper cover 32, the rotary table corresponds to the rotary tables 81 and 91, The rotating roller corresponds to the rotating rollers 82 and 92. The guide corresponds to the guides 83 and 93. The power supply corresponds to the vehicle 100. The mounting target corresponds to the seat 200. The inner winding portion corresponds to the inner winding portions 211 and 221. The outer winding portion corresponds to the outer winding portions 212 and 222. The bending-back portion corresponds to the bending-back portions 213 and 223. The insertion hole corresponds to the insertion hole 31s. The central space corresponds to the central space Si. The outer peripheral space corresponds to the outer peripheral space So, too. This invention is not limited only to the configurations of the foregoing embodiments, and many embodiments can be obtained.

[0076] For example, in the cable winding device 1, the flexible flat cable 2 has a central winding portion 21 and an outer peripheral winding portion 22. And the central winding portion 21 and the outer peripheral winding portion 22 have inner winding portions 211 and 221 where the flexible flat cable 2 is wound on the inner diameter side, outer winding portions 212 and 222 where the flexible flat cable 2 is wound on the outer diameter side, and arcuate bending-back portions 213 and 223 which are boundary portions between the inner winding portions 211 and 221 and the outer winding portions 212 and 222.

[0077] In this regard, as shown in FIG. 12, although the central winding portion 21 has a configuration having an inner winding portion 211 where the flexible flat cable 2 is wound on the inner diameter side, an outer winding portion 212 where the flexible flat cable 2 is wound on the outer diameter side, and an arcuate bending-back portion 213 which is a boundary portion between the inner winding portion 211 and the outer winding portion 212, the outer peripheral winding portion 22 may have a configuration wound in a spiral around the partition portion 4. At this time, the winding direction of the outer peripheral winding portion 22 is not limited to either one.

[0078] Even with such a cable winding device 1, the flexible flat cable 2 can be pulled out and wound in accordance with the sliding operation of the sheet 200, and the twisting of the flexible flat cable 2 due to the rotational operation of the sheet 200 can be prevented.

[0079] Specifically, when the sheet 200 moves to the rear side B (sliding operation) and the flexible flat cable 2 is pulled (see arrow Ro), the flexible flat cable 2 is fed out while the spiral-shaped outer peripheral winding portion 22 is wound up. In this way, the flexible flat cable 2 is pulled out toward the outside of the outer peripheral space So.

[0080] Conversely, when the sheet 200 moves to the front side F (sliding operation) and the flexible flat cable 2 is pushed into the inner side of the outer peripheral space So from the guide port 7 (see arrow Ru), the flexible flat cable 2 is wound while the spiral-shaped outer peripheral winding portion 22 is unwound. In this way, the flexible flat cable 2 is wound toward the inner side of the outer peripheral space So.

[0081] Also, when the sheet 200 rotates counterclockwise (rotational operation), the rotary shaft 6 rotates counterclockwise in conjunction with the rotational operation of the sheet 200, so that the flexible flat cable 2 is wound around the inner winding portion 211 of the central winding portion 21. At this time, while the bent-back portion 213 of the central winding portion 21 moves counterclockwise, the flexible flat cable 2 is fed out from the outer winding portion 212. In this way, by following the rotational operation of the sheet 200, the twisting of the flexible flat cable 2 can be prevented.

[0082] On the contrary, when the sheet 200 rotates (rotating operation) clockwise, the rotating shaft 6 rotates clockwise in conjunction with the rotating operation of the sheet 200, so that the flexible flat cable 2 is drawn out from the inner winding portion 211 of the central winding portion 21. At this time, while the bending-back portion 213 of the central winding portion 21 moves clockwise, the flexible flat cable 2 is wound around the outer winding portion 212. In this way, by following the rotating operation of the sheet 200, the twisting of the flexible flat cable 2 can be prevented.

[0083] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 13, although the central winding portion 21 is configured to be wound in a spiral shape around the rotating shaft 6, the outer peripheral winding portion 22 includes an inner winding portion 221 around which the flexible flat cable 2 is wound on the inner diameter side, an outer winding portion 222 around which the flexible flat cable 2 is wound on the outer diameter side, and an arcuate bending-back portion 223 that is the boundary portion between the inner winding portion 221 and the outer winding portion 222. At this time, the winding direction of the central winding portion 21 is not limited to either one.

[0084] Even with such a cable winding device 1, the flexible flat cable 2 can be pulled out and wound in accordance with the sliding operation of the sheet 200, and the twisting of the flexible flat cable 2 due to the rotating operation of the sheet 200 can be prevented.

[0085] Specifically, when the sheet 200 moves backward to the B side (sliding operation) and the flexible flat cable 2 is pulled (see arrow Ro), the flexible flat cable 2 is drawn out from the inner winding portion 221 while the bending-back portion 223 of the outer peripheral winding portion 22 moves counterclockwise. In this way, the flexible flat cable 2 is drawn out toward the outside of the outer peripheral space So.

[0086] Conversely, when the sheet 200 moves forward (slides) to the front side F and the flexible flat cable 2 is pushed into the inner side of the outer peripheral space So from the guide port 7 (see arrow Ru), while the bent-back portion 223 of the outer peripheral winding portion 22 moves to the right side, the flexible flat cable 2 is wound around the inner winding portion 221. In this way, the flexible flat cable 2 is wound inward toward the outer peripheral space So.

[0087] Also, when the sheet 200 rotates (rotates) counterclockwise, the rotating shaft 6 rotates counterclockwise in conjunction with the rotation of the sheet 200, so the spiral center winding portion 21 is wound up. In this way, by following the rotation of the sheet 200, the twisting of the flexible flat cable 2 can be prevented.

[0088] Conversely, when the sheet 200 rotates (rotates) clockwise, the rotating shaft 6 rotates clockwise in conjunction with the rotation of the sheet 200, so the spiral center winding portion 21 is unwound. In this way, by following the rotation of the sheet 200, the twisting of the flexible flat cable 2 can be prevented.

[0089] By the way, the cable winding device 1 according to the present embodiment regulates the lead-out direction of the flexible flat cable 2 at the insertion hole 31s. In this regard, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, it is conceivable to regulate the lead-out direction of the flexible flat cable 2 by the regulating piece 317. That is, a regulating piece 317 for regulating the lead-out direction of the flexible flat cable 2 led out from the holding portion 5 may be provided.

[0090] Even with such a cable winding device 1, the lead-out direction of the flexible flat cable 2 can be surely regulated. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the flexible flat cable 2 from being bent and a local load from acting due to the sliding and rotating operations of the sheet 200.

[0091] In the cable winding device 1, the flexible flat cable 2 has been described as a flexible flat cable. However, a so-called ribbon cable having a flat cross-sectional shape may also be used. A ribbon cable is formed by arranging and integrating wires covered with conductors in parallel, and can be bent with a small bending radius in the same manner as a flexible flat cable. Even if it is a ribbon cable, one or a plurality of them can be used by overlapping.

[0092] Furthermore, in the cable winding device 1, which embodies the technical idea of the present invention, the case where it is applied to the sheet power supply device 10 of the sheet 200 capable of slide operation and rotation operation has been described. However, it is also conceivable to apply it not only to the rotation operation but also to the steering power supply device of a steering handle capable of telescopic operation. That is, the technical idea of the present invention can also be embodied as a so-called rotary connector device.

Explanation of Signs

[0093] 1... Cable winding device 2... Flat cable 3... Accommodating portion 4... Partition portion 5... Holding portion 6... Rotation axis 7... Guide port 10... Sheet power supply device 21... Central winding portion 22... Outer peripheral winding portion 31... Lower case 32... Upper cover 81, 91... Rotating table 82, 92... Rotating roller 83, 93... Guide guide 100... Vehicle 200... Sheet 211, 221... Inner winding portion 212, 222... Outer winding portion 213, 223... Bending-back portion 317... Regulation piece 31s... Insertion hole Si... central side space So... peripheral side space

Claims

1. A strip-shaped flat cable, a housing portion that houses the flat cable in a wound spiral state, a partition portion that divides the internal space of the housing portion into a central space and an outer peripheral space, and a holding portion that holds a boundary portion between a portion of the flat cable housed in the central space and a portion housed in the outer peripheral space. A rotating shaft is provided at the central portion of the central space, which rotates around an axis along the width direction of the flat cable while holding the flat cable. A guide port is provided at the outer edge portion of the outer peripheral space to guide the flat cable that is pulled out from the inside to the outside or wound up from the outside to the inside of the outer peripheral space. A central winding portion wound in the central space is formed on the flat cable, and an outer peripheral winding portion wound in the outer peripheral space is formed. One end extending from the inner peripheral side portion of the central winding portion of the flat cable is connected to an electrical member to be attached that enables sliding and rotational movements, and the other end extending from the outer peripheral side portion of the outer peripheral winding portion of the flat cable is connected to an electrical member on the electrical supply source side. At least one of the central winding portion and the outer peripheral winding portion has an inner winding portion where the flat cable is wound on the inner diameter side, an outer winding portion where the flat cable is wound on the outer diameter side, and an arcuate bent-back portion that is the boundary portion between the inner winding portion and the outer winding portion. A cable winding device.

2. A rotating table that is rotatable around the rotating shaft, and a rotating roller that is rotatable around an axis along the rotating shaft while being supported by the rotating table are provided. The rotating roller is disposed on the inner peripheral surface side of the bent-back portion The cable winding device according to claim 1.

3. A guide guide is provided at a position circumferentially spaced from the outer peripheral surface of the rotating roller on the rotating table. The guide guide is disposed on the outer peripheral surface side of the bent-back portion The cable winding device according to claim 2.

4. The holding portion is an insertion hole formed in the partition portion through which the flat cable is inserted. The cable winding device according to claim 1.

5. A regulating piece is provided to regulate the leading direction of the flat cable led out from the holding portion. The cable winding device according to claim 1.

6. The flat cable is a flexible flat cable formed by laminating one or more sheets The cable take-up device according to claim 1

7. A sheet power supply device using the cable take-up device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, The rotary shaft is connected to a sheet capable of sliding and rotating operations, One end extending from the inner peripheral side portion of the central side winding portion in the flat cable is connected to an electrical member of the sheet, and the other end extending from the outer peripheral side portion of the outer peripheral side winding portion in the flat cable is connected to an electrical member on the electrical supply source side Sheet power supply device

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