Rotary connector
The rotary connector design with annular terminals and coil springs enhances electrical connections by increasing contact area and insulation, addressing the challenge of high-current conductivity and wear in conventional connectors.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- YAZAKI CORP
- Filing Date
- 2022-08-12
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-07
AI Technical Summary
Conventional rotary connectors face challenges in achieving high-current conductivity while maintaining reliable electrical connections due to limited contact area and excessive wear on plating layers from increased contact pressure during sliding motion.
A rotary connector design featuring annular connection portions on the terminals with a coil spring in between, allowing relative rotation and increasing the number of electrical contacts without excessive contact load, and using an insulating sleeve to enhance insulation and reduce wear.
The design achieves high-current conductivity with reduced contact load, minimizing wear on plating layers and ensuring reliable electrical connections by increasing the effective contact area and insulation distance.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a rotary connector including a first assembly having a first terminal connectable to a mating terminal and a second assembly having a second terminal connected to the first terminal and extending an electric wire, the first assembly and the second assembly being relatively rotatable.
Background Art
[0002] Conventionally, a connector structure has been proposed in which a pair of connectors are assembled so as to be relatively rotatable, and while maintaining a state in which terminals in one connector are electrically connected to terminals in the other connector, the extending direction of an electric wire extending from one connector can be adjusted in the rotational direction (see, for example, Patent Document 1). A connector used in such a connector structure is generally referred to as a rotary connector.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] In the above-described conventional rotary connector, the two connectors are fitted in a state where a spring-like terminal housed in one connector elastically contacts a rod-like terminal housed in the other connector. Thereby, during the above-described relative rotation, the spring-like terminal slides in the rotational direction while contacting the rod-like terminal, so that the electrical connection between the terminals is maintained. However, due to its structure, this conventional rotary connector is generally not suitable for conducting a large current because the contact area between the two terminals is small.
[0005] To conduct high currents through conventional rotary connectors, one might consider increasing the contact pressure between terminals to increase the contact area between them. However, carelessly increasing the contact pressure between terminals could lead to excessive wear on the plating layers on the surfaces of both terminals during the aforementioned sliding motion. Such wear on the plating layers is undesirable because it can impair the reliability of the electrical connection between the terminals. Thus, it is difficult to achieve both high current conductivity and reliable electrical connection in conventional rotary connectors.
[0006] One of the objectives of the present invention is to provide a rotary connector that can achieve both high-current conductivity and maintenance of electrical connection reliability. [Means for solving the problem]
[0007] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the rotary connector according to the present invention is characterized by the following:
[0008] A first assembly having a first terminal connectable to a mating terminal, and a cylindrical first housing that accommodates the first terminal, A second assembly having a second terminal electrically connected to the first terminal, a second housing housing the second terminal, and an electric wire electrically connected to the second terminal, A coil spring is sandwiched between the first terminal and the second terminal, A rotary connector in which the first and second assemblies can rotate relative to each other around the cylindrical axis of the first housing while the first and second terminals are electrically connected, The first terminal is, It has an annular first connection portion for electrical connection with the second terminal, The second terminal is, It has an annular second connection portion for electrical connection with the first terminal, The first connection part and the second connection part are, The coil spring is positioned concentrically with the coil spring in between, and is in contact with the coil spring by pressing against it. death , When the first assembly has a plurality of first terminals and the second assembly has a plurality of second terminals, the plurality of first connection parts of the plurality of first terminals and the plurality of second connection parts of the plurality of second terminals are arranged concentrically. It must be a rotary connector. [Effects of the Invention]
[0009] In the rotary connector of the present invention, the first terminal of the first assembly has an annular first connection portion, and the second terminal of the second assembly has an annular second connection portion. The first and second connection portions are arranged concentrically with a coil spring in between, and are in pressing contact with the coil spring. As a result, the current flowing between the terminals flows through the contact point between the coil spring and the first connection portion, the coil spring, and the contact point between the coil spring and the second connection portion. Therefore, compared to the conventional rotary connector described above, the number of electrical contacts between the first and second connection portions (i.e., the number of contacts between the coil spring and the first and second connection portions) can be increased, so that the effective contact area between the terminals can be increased without excessively increasing the contact load between the terminals (in other words, the contact load per electrical contact point). As a result, even when a large current is conducted through the connector, the contact load between the terminals can be reduced compared to conventional connectors, so that excessive wear on the plating layers provided on the first terminal, the second terminal, and the coil spring can be suppressed. Therefore, this rotating connector configuration can achieve both high-current conductivity and maintenance of reliable electrical connections.
[0010] The present invention has been briefly described above. Furthermore, the details of the present invention will be further clarified by referring to the attached drawings and reading through the embodiments for carrying out the invention described below (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments"). [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0011] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a rotary connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connector shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3]FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the rear assembly shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the front assembly shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a front view showing the state when the front assembly and the rear assembly rotate relative to each other in the temporary locking state. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a top view showing the positional relationship between the temporary locking groove, the main locking groove, and the front protrusion of the front housing, and the locking piece (locking claw) and the rear protrusion of the rear housing in the temporary locking state. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a top view showing the positional relationship between the temporary locking groove, the main locking groove, and the front protrusion of the front housing, and the locking piece (locking claw) and the rear protrusion of the rear housing in the main locking state. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a cross section corresponding to the A-A cross section of FIG. 5 in the main locking state. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of part C of FIG. 8. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the B-B cross section of FIG. 6 according to a modified example.
MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0012] <Embodiment> Hereinafter, the connector 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the connector 1 includes a front assembly 2 incorporating a front terminal 10 that can be connected to a mating terminal (not shown), and a rear assembly 3 incorporating a rear terminal 30 connected to the front terminal 10 and through which an electric wire 50 extends. The front assembly 2 and the rear assembly 3 are rotatable relative to each other, and it is a rotary connector. When the front housing 20 belonging to the front assembly 2 is fitted with a mating housing (not shown) belonging to the mating connector, the connector 1 functions to electrically connect an electric wire (not shown) connected to the mating terminal built in the mating housing and the electric wire 50 via the front terminal 10 and the rear terminal 30.
[0013] Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 10, "front", "rear", "upper", "lower", "left", and "right" are defined. The "front-rear direction", the "upper-lower direction", and the "left-right direction" are orthogonal to each other. The front-rear direction coincides with the fitting direction between the front housing 20 and the mating housing, and the connection direction between the front terminal 10 and the rear terminal 30.
[0014] Hereinafter, first, the front assembly 2 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 and the like, the front assembly 2 includes a front terminal 10 that can be connected to a mating terminal, a cylindrical front housing 20 that houses the front terminal 10, and an insulating sleeve 80 (see FIG. 4).
[0015] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 and the like, the front housing 20 is a resin molded body having a substantially cylindrical shape extending in the front-rear direction. Although a detailed description of the front housing 20 is omitted, actually, it is constituted by combining a plurality of resin parts (see FIG. 8).
[0016] In the front housing 20, a pair of left and right front terminals 10 are housed so as to be arranged at intervals in the left-right direction (see FIGS. 2, 4, and 8). As shown in FIGS. 4, 8, and 9, each front terminal 10 has a cylindrical portion (female terminal portion) 11 extending in the front-rear direction that is to be connected to a mating terminal (male terminal), and a connection portion 12 located on the rear side of the cylindrical portion 11 that is to be connected to the rear terminal 30, integrally. The connection portion 12 is exposed on the rear end side of the front housing 20. A plating layer is provided on the surface of the front terminal 10. Hereinafter, when it is necessary to distinguish between the pair of left and right front terminals 10, the left front terminal 10 and the right front terminal 10 are referred to as "front terminal 10A" and "front terminal 10B", respectively.
[0017] The connection portion 12 of the front terminal 10A (hereinafter referred to as "connection portion 12A") corresponds to the cylindrical connection portion 31A of the rear terminal 30A (see Figures 2 and 3), which will be described later, and has a cylindrical shape that is coaxial with the front housing 20 and extends in the front-rear direction (see Figures 4, 8 and 9). The connection portion 12 of the front terminal 10B (hereinafter referred to as "connection portion 12B") corresponds to the cylindrical connection portion 31B of the rear terminal 30B (see Figures 2 and 3), which will be described later, and has a cylindrical shape that is coaxial with the connection portion 12A in the hollow portion of the connection portion 12A and extends in the front-rear direction with a smaller diameter than the connection portion 12A (see Figures 4, 8 and 9).
[0018] As shown in Figure 4, in the front terminal 10A, the cylindrical portion 11 is located to the left of the axis of the connection portion 12A, and in the front terminal 10B, the cylindrical portion 11 is located to the right of the axis of the connection portion 12B. As a result, the front terminals 10A and 10B are housed in the front housing 20 such that their respective cylindrical portions 11 are spaced apart in the left-right direction, and the connection portions 12A and 12B are arranged coaxially (concentrically) (see Figures 8 and 9).
[0019] The insulating sleeve 80 serves to increase the insulation distance (e.g., creepage distance) between the connection point between the front terminal 10A's connection part 12A and the rear terminal 30A's connection part 31A, and between the connection point between the front terminal 10B's connection part 12B and the rear terminal 30B's connection part 31B (see Figure 9). The insulating sleeve 80 is an insulator such as a resin molded body, and as shown in Figures 4 and 9, it has a cylindrical main body 81 extending in the front-rear direction, and an annular protrusion 82 projecting radially outward from the front end of the main body 81 over the entire circumferential area. A first locking part 83 is provided on a part of the edge of the front end opening of the main body 81 (see Figures 4 and 9), and a second locking part 84 is provided at a predetermined location on the inner wall of the main body 81 rearward from the center in the front-rear direction (see Figure 9).
[0020] As shown in Figure 9, the inner diameter of the main body portion 81 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the connection portion 12B of the front terminal 10B, and the outer diameter of the main body portion 81 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the connection portion 31A of the rear terminal 30A. The outer diameter of the protruding portion 82 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the connection portion 12A of the front terminal 10A.
[0021] The insulating sleeve 80 is mounted on the connection part 12B so as to enter the space between the coaxially (concentrically) arranged connection parts 12A and 12B from the rear, and so as to cover the outer circumference of the connection part 12B (see Figure 9). When the insulating sleeve 80 is mounted on the connection part 12B, the first locking part 83 and the second locking part 84 of the insulating sleeve 80 engage with the front end surface and rear end surface of the connection part 12B, respectively, thereby positioning the insulating sleeve 80 in the front-rear direction relative to the connection part 12B (see Figure 9).
[0022] As shown in Figures 2 and 6, the outer circumferential surface of the roughly cylindrical front housing 20 is provided with a temporary locking groove 21, a permanent locking groove 22, and a front projection 23. As shown in Figure 6, the temporary locking groove 21 is an annular concave groove provided at the rear end of the outer circumferential surface of the front housing 20 so as to be continuous without any steps along the entire circumference. The temporary locking groove 21 works in cooperation with the locking piece 42 (locking claw 42a) belonging to the rear assembly 3, which will be described later, to maintain the front assembly 2 and the rear assembly 3 in a "temporarily locked state" (see Figure 6).
[0023] As shown in Figures 2 and 6, the locking grooves 22 are a plurality of (eight in this example) recesses arranged at predetermined rotational angles (45 degrees in this example) in the circumferential direction on the outer circumferential surface of the front housing 20 adjacent to the front side of the temporary locking groove 21. The locking grooves 22 work in cooperation with the locking piece 42 (locking claw 42a) of the rear assembly 3 to maintain the front assembly 2 and the rear assembly 3 in the "mainly locked state" (see Figure 7).
[0024] As shown in Figures 2 and 6, the front protrusions 23 are a plurality of protrusions (eight in this example) provided on the outer circumferential surface of the front housing 20 adjacent to the front side of the temporary locking groove 21, at circumferential positions between adjacent main locking grooves 22 in the circumferential direction, and aligned at predetermined rotation angles (45 degrees in this example) in the circumferential direction. Each front protrusion 23 protrudes radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the front housing 20. The front protrusions 23, in cooperation with the rear protrusions 43 belonging to the rear assembly 3 (described later), perform the function of restricting the rotational position of the front assembly 2 and the rear assembly 3 (see Figure 7). The front assembly 2 has now been described.
[0025] Next, the rear assembly 3 will be described. The rear assembly 3 includes a rear terminal 30 connected to the front terminal 10, a rear housing 40 that houses the rear terminal 30, and an electric wire 50 connected to the rear terminal 30.
[0026] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the rear housing 40 is a resin molded body having a roughly rectangular flat plate shape that extends in the vertical and horizontal directions. While a detailed explanation is omitted, the rear housing 40 actually consists of a housing body 40a, a rear plate 40b attached to the housing body 40a from the rear to hold a pair of electric wires 50, and a cover 40c attached to the housing body 40a with the rear plate 40b attached from the rear to protect the housing body 40a and the rear plate 40b, as shown in Figure 3. The housing body 40a with the rear plate 40b attached and the cover 40c are fastened and secured to each other using bolts 73 (see Figure 3).
[0027] The rear housing 40 (housing body 40a) houses a pair of left and right rear terminals 30, corresponding to a pair of left and right front terminals 10, arranged with a gap between them in the left-right direction (see Figures 2, 3, and 8). Each rear terminal 30 integrally has a connection portion 31 that extends in the front-rear direction and connects to the connection portion 12 of the front terminal 10, and a wire connection portion 32 that extends rearward from the rear end of the connection portion 31 and connects to the end of the electric wire 50. The connection portion 31 is exposed on the front side of the rear housing 40 (see Figure 2). A plating layer is provided on the surface of the rear terminal 30. The electric wire 50 extends downward from the wire connection portion 32 to the outside of the rear housing 40 (see Figures 1 to 3, etc.). Hereinafter, when it is necessary to distinguish between the left and right pair of rear terminals 30, the left rear terminal 30 and the right rear terminal 30 will be referred to as "rear terminal 30A" and "rear terminal 30B," respectively.
[0028] The connector portion 31 of the rear terminal 30A (hereinafter referred to as "connection portion 31A") corresponds to the cylindrical connector portion 12A of the front terminal 10A (see Figure 9) and is located in the center of the front surface of the rear housing 40 and has a cylindrical shape that protrudes forward from the front surface of the rear housing 40 (see Figures 2 and 3). The outer circumferential surface of the connector portion 31A is provided with a concave groove (groove) extending in the circumferential direction, and an annular coil spring 71 is fitted into this concave groove (see Figures 3 and 9). The coil spring 71 is sandwiched between the connector portion 31A and the connector portion 12A of the front terminal 10A and performs the function of electrically connecting the connector portion 31A and the connector portion 12A. The connector portion 31 of the rear terminal 30B (hereinafter referred to as "connection portion 31B") corresponds to the cylindrical connector portion 12B of the front terminal 10B (see Figure 9), and has a cylindrical shape that is coaxially positioned with the connector portion 31A in the hollow portion of the connector portion 31A and protrudes forward from the front surface of the rear housing 40 (see Figures 2 and 3). The outer circumferential surface of the connector portion 31B is provided with a concave groove (groove) extending in the circumferential direction, and an annular coil spring 72 is fitted into this concave groove (see Figures 3 and 9). The coil spring 72 is sandwiched between the connector portion 31B and the connector portion 12B of the front terminal 10B, and performs the function of electrically connecting the connector portion 31B and the connector portion 12B. A plating layer is provided on the surface of each of the coil springs 71 and 72.
[0029] As shown in Figure 3, in the rear terminal 30A, the wire connection part 32 is located to the left of the axis of the connection part 31A, and in the rear terminal 30B, the wire connection part 32 is located to the right of the axis of the connection part 31B. As a result, the rear terminals 30A and 30B are housed in the rear housing 40 (housing body 40a) such that their respective wire connection parts 32 are spaced apart in the left-right direction, and the connection parts 31A and 31B are arranged coaxially (concentrically) (see Figures 8 and 9).
[0030] As shown in Figure 2, the front surface of the rear housing 40 is provided with an annular packing groove 41 that is radially outward from the cylindrical connection portion 31A of the rear terminal 30A and coaxially with the connection portion 31A. An annular rubber packing 60 (see Figure 2) is housed in the packing groove 41 (see Figure 8). In this locked state, the packing 60 performs a waterproof function by sealing the gap between the front housing 20 and the rear housing 40 (see Figure 8).
[0031] As shown in Figure 2, the front surface of the rear housing 40 is further provided with locking pieces 42 and rear projections 43. As shown in Figures 2 and 6, the locking pieces 42 are a plurality of pieces (four in this example) arranged circumferentially at predetermined rotational angles (90 degrees in this example) on the front surface of the rear housing 40 adjacent to the radially outer side of the packing groove 41. Each locking piece 42 has a cantilevered shape extending forward from the front surface of the rear housing 40, and its tip is provided with a locking claw 42a that protrudes radially inward (see Figure 8).
[0032] As shown in Figures 2 and 6, the rear projections 43 are a plurality of projections (four in this example) arranged at predetermined rotational angles (90 degrees in this example) in the circumferential direction between adjacent locking pieces 42 on the front surface of the rear housing 40 adjacent to the radially outer side of the packing groove 41. Each rear projection 43 protrudes forward from the front surface of the rear housing 40. The longitudinal position of the protruding end (front end) of the rear projection 43 and the longitudinal position of the protruding end (front end) of the locking piece 42 are approximately the same (see Figures 6 and 7). The rear assembly 3 has now been described.
[0033] Next, the assembly of connector 1 will be explained. Connector 1 allows switching between the "temporary locking state" (see Figure 6) and the "permanent locking state" (see Figure 7) of the front assembly 2 and rear assembly 3 as needed.
[0034] When the front assembly 2 and the rear assembly 3, in which the packing 60 is housed in the packing groove 41, are brought closer together in the front-to-rear direction from a state where they are separated from each other in the front-to-rear direction, the locking pieces 42 undergo temporary radial outward elastic deformation due to pressure from the rear end of the outer circumferential surface of the front housing 20, causing the locking claws 42a of each locking piece 42 to enter the temporary locking groove 21 of the front housing 20 and lock in place (see Figure 6). This results in a "temporarily locked state" for the front assembly 2 and the rear assembly 3. In the temporarily locked state, the cylindrical connector 12A of the front terminal 10A is fitted onto the cylindrical connector 31A of the rear terminal 30A, and the cylindrical connector 12B of the front terminal 10B is fitted onto the cylindrical connector 31B of the rear terminal 30B (see Figure 9). As a result, connection parts 12A and 31A are arranged concentrically with respect to the coil spring 71 and are in pressing contact with the coil spring 71, and connection parts 12B and 31B are arranged concentrically with respect to the coil spring 72 and are in pressing contact with the coil spring 72. Consequently, the front terminals 10A and 10B and the rear terminals 30A and 30B are electrically connected via the coil springs 71 and 72, respectively.
[0035] Furthermore, in the temporary locking state, as shown in Figure 9, the main body 81 of the insulating sleeve 80 is located in the space between the connection portion 12B of the front terminal 10B and the connection portion 31A of the rear terminal 30A. As a result, the main body 81 is positioned to obstruct the connection point between the connection portion 12A of the front terminal 10A and the connection portion 31A of the rear terminal 30A, and the connection point between the connection portion 12B of the front terminal 10B and the connection portion 31B of the rear terminal 30B. This increases the insulation distance (e.g., creepage distance) between the two connection points due to the presence of the main body 81. In addition, the protruding portion 82 of the insulating sleeve 80 is located in front of the front end of the connection portion 31A (see Figure 9). This further increases the insulation distance between the two connection points due to the presence of the protruding portion 82.
[0036] In the temporary locking state, the front ends of the locking piece 42 and the rear projection 43 are positioned behind the rear end of the front projection 23 (see Figure 6), so the locking piece 42 and the rear projection 43 do not engage with the front projection 23 in the circumferential direction. In addition, the temporary locking groove 21 that engages with the locking claw 42a is continuous without any steps over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction. As a result, the front terminals 10A, 10B and the rear terminals 30A, 30B are electrically connected via coil springs 71, 72, respectively, while any relative rotation between the front assembly 2 and the rear assembly 3 is possible (see arrow in Figure 5). Furthermore, since the rear end surface (flat surface) of the front housing 20 and the packing 60 are separated in the front-rear direction, the packing 60 is not crushed by the front housing 20 and the rear housing 40. Therefore, relative rotation between the front assembly 2 and the rear assembly 3 is possible without causing deformation such as wear of the packing 60.
[0037] In the temporary locking state, when the front assembly 2 and the rear assembly 3 are brought closer to each other in the front-rear direction from a state where the circumferential position of one of the locking claws 42a and one of the main locking grooves 22 are aligned, the locking pieces 42 undergo temporary radial outward elastic deformation due to pressure from the outer circumferential surface of the front housing 20 between the temporary locking groove 21 and the main locking groove 22, and the locking claws 42a of each locking piece 42 enter the corresponding main locking groove 22 of the front housing 20 and lock (see Figure 7). This gives the "main locking state" of the front assembly 2 and the rear assembly 3. In the main locking state, as in the temporary locking state, the front terminals 10A, 10B and the rear terminals 30A, 30B are electrically connected via coil springs 71, 72. Furthermore, the insulation distance between the two connection points is increased by the presence of the main body portion 81 and the protruding portion 82 of the insulating sleeve 80.
[0038] In this locked state, the locking claws 42a of each locking piece 42 are locked into the corresponding locking grooves 22 of the front housing 20. In addition, the rear projection 43 and the front projection 23 partially overlap in the front-rear direction (see Figure 7), causing the rear projection 43 and the front projection 23 to engage in the circumferential direction. As a result, relative rotation between the front assembly 2 and the rear assembly 3 is impossible. Furthermore, the rear end surface (flat surface) of the front housing 20 presses against the packing 60, causing the packing 60 to be pressed and compressed between the front housing 20 and the rear housing 40. This enables the packing 60 to perform the waterproof function described above. In this locked state, relative rotation between the front assembly 2 and the rear assembly 3 is impossible, so the front assembly 2 and the rear assembly 3 do not rotate relative to each other while the packing 60 is compressed between them.
[0039] In this example, four locking pieces 42 (locking claws 42a) are arranged so as to be aligned at 90-degree intervals in the circumferential direction, and eight main locking grooves 22 are arranged so as to be aligned at 45-degree intervals in the circumferential direction. Therefore, by changing the main locking groove 22 that each locking claw 42a engages with in the fully locked state, the relative circumferential position of the front assembly 2 and the rear assembly 3 in which the fully locked state is achieved can be changed at 45-degree intervals. When changing the main locking groove 22 that each locking claw 42a engages with in the fully locked state from the current one, first, the system temporarily transitions from the fully locked state to a temporary locked state, then, in the temporary locked state, the front assembly 2 and the rear assembly 3 are rotated relative to each other to align the circumferential position of each locking claw 42a with the new main locking groove 22, and then, the system returns from the temporary locked state to the fully locked state. This allows for relative rotation of the front assembly 2 and the rear assembly 3 while suppressing deformation such as wear of the packing 60.
[0040] <Effects and Actions> As described above, according to the rotary connector 1 of this embodiment, the front terminal 10 of the front assembly 2 has an annular connection portion 12, and the rear terminal 30 of the rear assembly 3 has an annular connection portion 31. The connection portion 12 and the connection portion 31 are arranged concentrically with the coil springs 71 and 72 in between, and are in pressing contact with the coil springs 71 and 72. As a result, the current flowing between the front terminal 10 and the rear terminal 30 flows through the contact points between the coil springs 71 and 72 and the connection portion 12, through the coil springs 71 and 72, and through the contact points between the coil springs 71 and 72 and the connection portion 31. Therefore, compared to the conventional rotary connector described above, the number of electrical contacts between the connection part 12 and the connection part 31 (i.e., the number of contacts between the coil springs 71, 72 and the connection parts 12 and 31) can be increased. As a result, the effective contact area between the front terminal 10 and the rear terminal 30 can be increased without excessively increasing the contact load between the front terminal 10 and the rear terminal 30 (in other words, the contact load per electrical contact). Consequently, even when a large current is conducted through the connector 1, the contact load between the front terminal 10 and the rear terminal 30 can be reduced compared to conventional connectors. This suppresses excessive wear on the plating layers provided on the front terminal 10, the rear terminal 30, and the coil springs 71, 72. Therefore, the rotary connector 1 according to this embodiment can achieve both high current conduction and maintenance of electrical connection reliability.
[0041] Furthermore, an insulating sleeve 80 (main body 81) is positioned to block the connection between the connection point 12A of the front terminal 10A and the connection point 31A of the rear terminal 30A, and between the connection point 12B of the front terminal 10B and the connection point 31B of the rear terminal 30B. This allows the insulating distance (e.g., creepage distance) between the two connection points to be increased by the insulating sleeve 80. In other words, the front terminal 10A and the rear terminal 30A, and the front terminal 10B and the rear terminal 30B can be properly insulated without excessively increasing the size of the connector 1 itself.
[0042] Furthermore, the insulating sleeve 80 has a cylindrical main body portion 81 extending in the axial direction of the cylindrical shaft, and a protruding ridge portion 82 that protrudes radially from the main body portion 81 and extends in the circumferential direction. As a result, the insulating distance between the two connection points can be further increased because the insulating sleeve 80 has the protruding ridge portion 82.
[0043] <Other forms> It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be adopted within the scope of the present invention. For example, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified, improved, etc. as appropriate. Furthermore, the material, shape, dimensions, number, placement, etc. of each component in the embodiments described above are arbitrary and not limited as long as they can achieve the present invention.
[0044] For example, in the above embodiment, in the temporary locking state, the bottom of the annular temporary locking groove 21 that engages with the locking claw 42a is continuous without steps over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction, which allows the rear assembly 3 to rotate relative to the front assembly 2 in both directions (see the arrow in Figure 5). In contrast, as shown in Figure 10, the locking claw 42a and the temporary locking groove 21 may constitute a ratchet structure that allows relative rotation of the rear assembly 3 relative to the front assembly 2 in one direction and prohibits relative rotation in the other direction.
[0045] Specifically, in the example shown in Figure 10, multiple (eight in this example) protrusions 24 are provided at the bottom of the temporary locking groove 21, arranged in the circumferential direction at predetermined rotation angles (45 degrees in this example). As shown in Figure 10, the right end face of each protrusion 24, when viewed from the front, extends perpendicularly (parallel to the radial direction) from the bottom of the temporary locking groove 21, while the left end face of each protrusion 24, when viewed from the front, extends inclined so as it moves radially outward from the bottom of the temporary locking groove 21, approaching the right end face. Therefore, when the rear assembly 3 rotates clockwise relative to the front assembly 2, the locking claw 42a can overcome the left end face of the protrusion 24, while when the rear assembly 3 rotates counterclockwise relative to the front assembly 2, the locking claw 42a cannot overcome the right end face of the protrusion 24.
[0046] As shown in Figure 10, the locking claw 42a and the temporary locking groove 21 form a ratchet structure that, when viewed from the front, allows clockwise relative rotation of the rear assembly 3 relative to the front assembly 2 and prohibits counterclockwise relative rotation (see the arrow in Figure 10). This prevents the direction of the spiral inclination of the coil springs 71 and 72 from switching depending on the direction of rotation, as would occur if bidirectional relative rotation were permitted, thereby reducing the load on the coil springs 71 and 72 and further suppressing wear and other damage to the plating layer provided on the coil springs.
[0047] Herein, the features of the embodiments of the rotary connector 1 according to the present invention described above are briefly summarized and listed below in [1] to [4].
[0048] [1] A first assembly (2) having a first terminal (10) connectable to a mating terminal, and a cylindrical first housing (20) housing the first terminal (10), A second assembly (3) having a second terminal (30) electrically connected to the first terminal (10), a second housing (40) housing the second terminal (30), and an electric wire (50) electrically connected to the second terminal (30), The device comprises a coil spring (71, 72) sandwiched between the first terminal (10) and the second terminal (30), A rotary connector (1) in which the first assembly (2) and the second assembly (3) are able to rotate relative to each other around the cylindrical axis of the first housing (20) while the first terminal (10) and the second terminal (30) are electrically connected, The first terminal (10) is, It has an annular first connection portion (12) for electrical connection with the second terminal (30), The second terminal (30) is It has an annular second connection portion (31) for electrical connection with the first terminal (10), The first connection part (12) and the second connection part (31) are, The coil springs (71, 72) are arranged concentrically on either side of the coil springs (71, 72) and are in pressing contact with the coil springs (71, 72), Rotary connector (1).
[0049] In the rotary connector with the configuration described in [1] above, the first terminal of the first assembly has an annular first connection part, and the second terminal of the second assembly has an annular second connection part. The first connection part and the second connection part are arranged concentrically with a coil spring in between, and are in pressing contact with the coil spring. As a result, the current flowing between the terminals flows through the contact point between the coil spring and the first connection part, the coil spring, and the contact point between the coil spring and the second connection part. Therefore, compared to the conventional rotary connector described above, the number of electrical contacts between the first connection part and the second connection part (i.e., the number of contacts between the coil spring and the first and second connection parts) can be increased, so that the effective contact area between the terminals can be increased without excessively increasing the contact load between the terminals (in other words, the contact load per electrical contact point). As a result, even when conducting a large current through the connector, the contact load between terminals can be made smaller compared to conventional connectors, thus suppressing excessive wear on the first terminal, the second terminal, and the plating layer on the coil spring. Therefore, this rotary connector configuration can achieve both high current conduction and maintenance of electrical connection reliability.
[0050] [2] The rotary connector (1) described in [1] above, The first assembly (2) has a plurality of first terminals (10A, 10B), The second assembly (3) has a plurality of second terminals (30A, 30B), The system further includes a cylindrical insulator (80) positioned to block the connection between one of the first terminals (10A) and one of the second terminals (30A), and the connection between the other first terminal (10B) and the other second terminal (30B). Rotary connector (1).
[0051] In the rotary connector configuration described in [2] above, when the rotary connector has a plurality of first terminals and a plurality of second terminals, a cylindrical insulator is positioned to shield the connection point between one first terminal and one second terminal from the connection point between another first terminal and another second terminal. This allows the insulation distance (e.g., creepage distance) between both connection points (i.e., one first and second terminal and the other first and second terminal) to be increased by the cylindrical insulator. In other words, the terminals can be properly insulated without excessively increasing the size of the connector itself.
[0052] [3] In the rotary connector (1) described in [2] above, The cylindrical insulator (80) is The device has a cylindrical body portion (81) extending in the axial direction of the cylindrical shaft, and a protruding ridge portion (82) that protrudes radially from the body portion (81) and extends in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical shaft. Rotary connector (1).
[0053] According to the rotary connector configuration described in [3] above, the cylindrical insulator has a cylindrical body portion extending in the axial direction of the cylindrical shaft, and a protruding portion that protrudes radially from the body portion in the direction of the cylindrical shaft and extends in the circumferential direction. As a result, the insulating distance between the two connection points can be further increased because the cylindrical insulator has a protruding portion.
[0054] [4] In the rotary connector (1) described in [1] above, The first housing (20) has a locking groove (21), The second housing (40) has a locking claw (42a) that can engage with the locking groove (21), The aforementioned locking groove (21) is The first housing (20) has a concave groove that extends in the circumferential direction and is provided on the outer peripheral wall of the first housing (20), and has a plurality of protrusions (24) that protrude from the bottom of the concave groove and are arranged in the circumferential direction at predetermined intervals, The locking claw (42a) and the plurality of protrusions (24) are, A ratchet structure is configured that allows the relative rotation in one direction and prohibits the relative rotation in the other direction. Rotary connector (1).
[0055] With the rotary connector configuration described in [4] above, the first and second assemblies can be rotated relative to each other while preventing separation between the assemblies, with the locking claw of the second housing engaged with the locking groove of the first housing. Furthermore, the multiple protrusions provided in the locking groove and the locking claw form a ratchet structure that allows relative rotation in one direction but prohibits relative rotation in the other direction. This prevents the direction of the spiral inclination of the coil spring from switching depending on the direction of rotation, as would occur if relative rotation in both directions were permitted, thereby reducing the load on the coil spring and further suppressing wear and tear on the plating layer provided on the coil spring. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0056] 1 Connector 2. Front Assembly (First Assembly) 3. Rear Assembly (Second Assembly) 10 Front terminal (Terminal 1) 10A Front terminal (Terminal 1) 10B Front terminal (Terminal 1) 12. Connection part (first connection part) 20 Front Housing (First Housing) 21 Temporary locking groove (locking groove) 24 Protrusion 30 Rear terminal (second terminal) 30A Rear terminal (second terminal) 30B Rear terminal (second terminal) 31A, 31B connection section (second connection section) 40 Rear Housing (Second Housing) 42a Locking claw 50 Electric wire 71 Coil Springs 72 Coil Springs 80 Insulating sleeve (cylindrical insulator) 81 Main body 82. Convex part
Claims
1. A first assembly having a first terminal connectable to a mating terminal, and a cylindrical first housing that accommodates the first terminal, A second assembly having a second terminal electrically connected to the first terminal, a second housing housing the second terminal, and an electric wire electrically connected to the second terminal, A coil spring is sandwiched between the first terminal and the second terminal, A rotary connector in which the first and second assemblies can rotate relative to each other around the cylindrical axis of the first housing while the first and second terminals are electrically connected, The first terminal is, It has an annular first connection portion for electrical connection with the second terminal, The second terminal is, It has an annular second connection portion for electrical connection with the first terminal, The first connection part and the second connection part are, The coil spring is positioned concentrically with the coil spring in between, and is in pressing contact with the coil spring. When the first assembly has a plurality of first terminals and the second assembly has a plurality of second terminals, the plurality of first connection parts of the plurality of first terminals and the plurality of second connection parts of the plurality of second terminals are arranged concentrically. Rotary connector.
2. A rotary connector according to claim 1, The first assembly has a plurality of first terminals, The second assembly has a plurality of the second terminals, The system further includes a cylindrical insulator positioned to block the connection between one of the first terminals and one of the second terminals, and between the connection between the other first terminal and the other second terminal. Rotary connector.
3. In the rotary connector according to claim 2, The cylindrical insulator is It has a cylindrical body portion extending in the axial direction of the cylindrical shaft, and a protruding ridge portion that protrudes radially from the body portion and extends circumferentially along the cylindrical shaft, Rotary connector.
4. In the rotary connector according to claim 1, The first housing has a locking groove, The second housing has a locking claw that can engage with the locking groove, The aforementioned locking groove is A concave groove extending circumferentially and provided on the outer peripheral wall of the first housing, having a plurality of protrusions that project from the bottom of the concave groove and are arranged circumferentially at predetermined intervals, The locking claw and the plurality of protrusions are, A ratchet structure is configured that allows the relative rotation in one direction and prohibits the relative rotation in the other direction. Rotary connector.