Rotary connector device

Abstract

Provided is a rotary connector device capable of achieving a reduction in the area secured for the rotary connector device in at least one direction with respect to the rotary shaft of the rotary connector device. A rotary connector device according to the present invention comprises: a cylindrical fixed body (11); a rotating body (12) rotatably mounted inside the fixed body (11); and at least one flat cable (13a, 13b) that is accommodated in an annular accommodating space (S) between the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body (11) and the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body (12), and that is wound only in one direction around the rotating body 12. In the circumferential direction position of the accommodating space (S), there are a wide portion (region of B1) and a narrow portion (region of A1) between the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body (11) and the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body (12).

Description

Rotating Connector Device

[0001] The present invention relates to a rotary connector device.

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

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

[0004] For example, as an example of a spiral type rotary connector device, Patent Document 1 describes a relay device that mainly includes a cylindrical fixed body, a cylindrical rotating body that is rotatably attached inside the fixed body, and a flat cable that is arranged in an annular storage space formed between the fixed body and the rotating body and is wound in only one direction around the rotating body.

[0005] In the prior art spiral-type rotary connector device including that disclosed in Patent Document 1, annular spaces (accommodation spaces) for winding a flat cable around the housing of the rotary connector device are provided at equal intervals around the entire circumference, which requires a predetermined area for the rotary connector device to be secured around the entire circumference of the rotation axis of the rotary connector device.

[0006] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 07-169519

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a rotary connector device that can reduce the area secured for the rotary connector device in at least one direction relative to the rotation axis of the rotary connector device.

[0008] The above object is achieved by the following aspects of the present invention: That is, a rotary connector device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: a tubular fixed body, a cylindrical rotating body rotatably attached inside the fixed body, and one or more flat cables accommodated in an annular accommodating space between the inner circumferential surface of the fixed body and the outer circumferential surface of the rotating body and wound in only one direction around the rotating body, wherein the gap between the inner circumferential surface of the fixed body and the outer circumferential surface of the rotating body has wide and narrow portions at circumferential positions within the accommodating space.

[0009] In the above-mentioned aspect, the shape of the inner circumferential surface of the fixed body is a shape that connects the inner circumferential surfaces of a cylindrical portion and an elliptical cylindrical portion, and the distance between the inner circumferential surface of the fixed body corresponding to the elliptical cylindrical portion and the outer circumferential surface of the rotating body may be narrower than the distance between the inner circumferential surface of the fixed body corresponding to the cylindrical portion and the outer circumferential surface of the rotating body.

[0010] In one of the above aspects, the shape of the inner circumferential surface of the fixed body is such that the inner circumferential surfaces of two cylindrical portions of different diameters are connected to each other, and the distance between the inner circumferential surface of the fixed body corresponding to the cylindrical portion of the larger diameter and the outer circumferential surface of the rotating body may be narrower than the distance between the inner circumferential surface of the fixed body corresponding to the cylindrical portion of the smaller diameter and the outer circumferential surface of the rotating body.

[0011] In the above aspect, the inner circumferential surface of the fixed body may be cylindrical, and the position of the central axis of the inner circumferential surface of the fixed body may be misaligned with the position of the rotation axis of the rotating body.

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a rotary connector device that can reduce the area secured for the rotary connector device in at least one direction relative to the rotation axis of the rotary connector device.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a rotary connector device according to an embodiment that is an exemplary aspect of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a conventional spiral-type rotary connector device. FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory view showing the shape of the inner circumferential surface of the fixed body and the positional relationship between the fixed body and the rotor in a rotary connector device according to Modification 1 of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic explanatory view showing the shape of the inner circumferential surface of the fixed body and the positional relationship between the fixed body and the rotor in a rotary connector device according to Modification 2 of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic explanatory view showing the shape of the inner circumferential surface of the fixed body and the positional relationship between the fixed body and the rotor in a rotary connector device according to Modification 3 of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic explanatory view showing the shape of the inner circumferential surface of the fixed body and the positional relationship between the fixed body and the rotor in a rotary connector device according to Modification 5 of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic explanatory view showing the shape of the inner circumferential surface of the fixed body and the positional relationship between the fixed body and the rotor in a rotary connector device according to Modification 6 of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a schematic explanatory view showing the shape of the inner circumferential surface of the fixed body and the positional relationship between the fixed body and the rotor in a rotary connector device according to Modification 7 of the present invention. 10A and 10B are schematic explanatory views showing the shape of the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body and the positional relationship between the fixed body and the rotating body in a rotary connector device according to Modification 8. FIG. 10B are schematic explanatory views showing the shape of the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body and the positional relationship between the fixed body and the rotating body in a rotary connector device according to Modification 9.

[0014] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A rotary connector device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings.

[0015] [Embodiment] Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a rotary connector device 10 according to an embodiment. Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a section perpendicular to the rotation axis of the rotary connector device 10, and shows the shape of a fixed body 11, which will be described later, as viewed in plan. The rotary connector device 10 according to this embodiment is a spiral type.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the rotary connector device 10 of this embodiment includes a fixed body 11, a rotating body 12, and two flat cables 13a and 13b (more specifically, a first flat cable (FC1) 13a and a second flat cable (FC2) 13b).

[0017] 1, the fixed body 11 mainly shows the shape of the inner peripheral surface of a cylindrical member. The outer peripheral surface of the fixed body 11 also has a shape similar to the inner peripheral surface, but it may have some irregularities, protruding parts, a base attached to the cylindrical member, or an attachment portion to another member such as a vehicle body. Hereinafter, when referring to the shape, simply referring to the "fixed body 11" refers to the shape of the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical member unless otherwise specified.

[0018] 1, the rotating body 12 mainly shows the shape of the outer circumferential surface of a cylindrical member. The rotating body 12 may have a bearing attached to the cylindrical member, a mounting portion for mounting to other members such as a steering shaft, etc. Hereinafter, when referring to the shape, simply referring to the "rotating body 12" refers to the shape of the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical member unless otherwise specified.

[0019] The rotary connector device 10 is mounted on an automobile and electrically connects electronic devices mounted on a fixed body 11 side with electronic devices mounted on a rotating body 12 side. The fixed body 11 is fixed to the vehicle body and does not rotate in response to rotation of a steering wheel (not shown). On the other hand, the rotating body 12 rotates in response to rotation of the steering wheel (not shown). The steering wheel is mounted on the vehicle (not shown) so as to be rotatable.

[0020] The fixed body 11 has an inner peripheral surface shaped by connecting the inner peripheral surfaces of a cylindrical portion and an elliptical cylindrical portion, resulting in an overall substantially cylindrical shape. In a plan view of the fixed body 11, in a partial region A1 in the circumferential direction, distances d1 and d2 from the center O of a circle 11a, which forms an arc around the remaining region B1, are shorter than the radius r of the circle. That is, in a plan view of the fixed body 11, the region A1 is removed from a complete circle (circle 11a). In other words, the region A1 of the fixed body 11 is shaped like an elliptical cylindrical portion, and the region B1 is shaped like a cylindrical portion. In this specification, the term "substantially cylindrical shape" is intended to encompass all shapes in which all regions except for a partial region in the circumferential direction are cylindrical.

[0021] The rotating body 12 is cylindrical and rotatably attached inside the fixed body 11, concentric with a circle 11a that includes the arc of the other region B1. An annular storage space S is formed between the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body 11 and the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 12.

[0022] At a circumferential position in the storage space S, the distance (d1-r0, d2-r0) between the inner surface of the fixed body 11 and the outer surface of the rotating body 12 in region A1 corresponding to the elliptical cylindrical portion is narrower than the distance (r-r0) between the inner surface of the fixed body 11 and the outer surface of the rotating body 12 in region B1 corresponding to the cylindrical portion (r0 represents the radius of the rotating body 12).

[0023] A steering shaft (not shown) connected to a steering wheel (not shown) is inserted inside the rotating body 12. In response to the rotation of the steering wheel, the steering shaft rotates around a rotation axis X, and in response to the rotation of the steering shaft, the rotating body 12 rotates around a center point O relative to the fixed body 11. The rotating body 12 rotates about 0.5 to 0.8 rotations clockwise and counterclockwise from a neutral position. Even when the steering shaft rotates, the fixed body 11 does not rotate.

[0024] The flat cables 13a and 13b are housed in the housing space S and are wound around the rotor 12, connecting the fixed body 11 and the rotor 12. The flat cables 13a and 13b are wound in only one direction (clockwise in FIG. 1) around the rotor 12. When describing the winding direction of the flat cables, the reference is the direction from the connection on the rotor side to the connection on the fixed body side (this also applies to the following descriptions). The first flat cable 13a is wound a little over two times around the annular housing space S, and the second flat cable 13b is wound a little over one and a half times.

[0025] The outer peripheral (fixed body 11 side) ends of flat cables 13a and 13b are connected to fixed body 11 at the same fixed body connecting portion 14. Meanwhile, the inner peripheral (rotating body 12 side) ends of first flat cable 13a and second flat cable 13b are connected to rotor 12 at rotor connecting portions 15a and 15b that are 180° apart in the circumferential direction. In reality, both ends of flat cables 13a and 13b are connected to connectors (not shown), but in Fig. 1, the connecting portions are schematically represented as fixed body connecting portion 14 and rotor connecting portion 15 (similar to Fig. 2).

[0026] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an example of a conventional spiral-type rotary connector device 10'. In FIG. 2, components having the same configuration and function as those of the rotary connector device 10 of this embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. The rotary connector device 10' of the conventional example differs from the rotary connector device 10 of this embodiment in the shape of the fixed body 11'. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the rotary connector device 10' has a circular fixed body 11' in a plan view, and the accommodation space S is donut-shaped with the same width in all directions 360°. Therefore, for example, a predetermined area for mounting the rotary connector device 10' must be secured around the instrument panel of an automobile, particularly around the steering wheel, in the entire circumferential direction relative to the rotation axis O of the rotary connector device 10'.

[0027] However, in the rotary connector device 10 according to this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 , the shape of the fixed body 11 is such that a region A1 is removed from the circle 11a. That is, in the rotary connector device 10 according to this embodiment, the space between the inner circumferential surface of the fixed body 11 and the outer circumferential surface of the rotating body 12 has a wide portion (region B1) and a narrow portion (region A1, particularly the narrowest portion at its center, indicated by arrow d1). Therefore, the space S is narrower within region A1, and the area required for mounting the rotary connector device 10 can be reduced accordingly. For example, if the rotary connector device 10 is mounted on a vehicle steering wheel with region A1 at the top, other devices such as monitors and various other equipment can be placed in the removed area inside the circle 11a.

[0028] In the rotary connector device 10 according to this embodiment, the accommodation space S is narrow within the range of area A1, and the flat cables 13a, 13b passing through this narrowed portion have little room to move with the rotation of the steering. However, when the rotation of the rotating body 12 is small, less than one rotation in both directions from the neutral position, as in this embodiment, the movement of the flat cables 13a, 13b within the accommodation space S is also small, so that even if the flat cables 13a, 13b pass through the narrowed portion of the accommodation space S, problems are unlikely to occur.

[0029] In the rotary connector device 10 according to this embodiment, the shape of the inner surface of the fixed body 11 in the range of area A1 is curved and without any steps. The flat cables 13a, 13b move with the rotation of the steering wheel, and even if the flat cables 13a, 13b passing through a narrow section come into contact with the inner surface of the fixed body 11, the load on the flat cables 13a, 13b is small.

[0030] In the rotary connector device 10 of this embodiment, in a cross section perpendicular to the rotation axis O of the rotating body 12 (the cross section shown in Figure 1), the circumferential length of the inner surface of the fixed body 10 is equal to or greater than the circumferential length of the outermost circumference of the flat cables 13a, 13b in the loosest wound state (in Figure 1, the state in which the steering is turned clockwise to the maximum extent).

[0031] Here, the "outermost circumference of flat cables 13a, 13b" refers to the ring formed when the tip of the first turn of the outermost flat cable (flat cable 13a in this embodiment) in the wound state comes into contact with the flat cable immediately inside (towards the rotation axis O) (the tip of the second turn of flat cable 13a in this embodiment; depending on the winding method, it may be another flat cable).

[0032] In this embodiment, although the storage space S is narrow within the range of area A1, the circumference of the inner surface of the fixed body 10 is greater than or equal to the circumference of the outermost circumference of the flat cables 13a, 13b when they are most loosely wound, so that the load on the flat cables 13a, 13b contained in the storage space S is suppressed regardless of how the steering is rotated.

[0033] Note that when calculating the "perimeter of the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body," the "inner peripheral surface" does not include recesses or corners into which the flat cable cannot fit, but refers to the locus along which the flat cable may exist.

[0034] The above-described embodiment merely shows a typical example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, in the above embodiment, an example is given in which two flat cables are provided, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of flat cables may be one or three or more.

[0035] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the shape of the inner circumferential surface of the fixed body 11 is a shape that connects the inner circumferential surfaces of a cylindrical portion and an elliptical cylindrical portion. However, it may also be a shape that connects the inner circumferential surfaces of two cylindrical portions of different diameters. In this case, in the above embodiment, region A1 of the inner circumferential surface of the elliptical cylindrical portion may be replaced with the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion of the larger diameter and connected to region B1, which is the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion of the smaller diameter. In this case, the distance between the inner circumferential surface of the fixed body corresponding to the cylindrical portion of the larger diameter (region A1 replaced with the cylindrical portion from the elliptical cylindrical portion) and the outer circumferential surface of the rotating body is narrower than the distance between the inner circumferential surface of the fixed body corresponding to the cylindrical portion of the smaller diameter (region B1) and the outer circumferential surface of the rotating body.

[0036] Even if the shape of the inner circumferential surface of the fixed body is a shape connecting the inner circumferential surfaces of two cylindrical portions of different diameters, the same effects and advantages as those of the above embodiment, in which the inner circumferential surfaces of a cylindrical portion and an elliptical cylindrical portion are connected, are achieved. In the above embodiment, which is the latter example, the connecting portion between the inner circumferential surfaces of the two cylindrical portions of different diameters and the connecting portion between the inner circumferential surfaces of the cylindrical portion and the elliptical cylindrical portion are connected by a smooth curve, but they may also have a step or an angle. Of course, in order to reduce the load on the housed flat cable, it is preferable that the inner circumferential surface be smooth all around.

[0037] Furthermore, the shape of the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body can be various shapes other than a shape in which the inner peripheral surfaces of a cylindrical portion and an elliptical cylindrical portion are connected to each other, or a shape in which the inner peripheral surfaces of two cylindrical portions of different diameters are connected to each other. Any shape can be used as long as there are wide and narrow portions between the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body and the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body at circumferential positions in the annular accommodation space between the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body and the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body. If there are wide and narrow portions between the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body and the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body, space can be secured outside the fixed body at the narrow portion for arranging other vehicle components, equipment, etc.

[0038] In this case, it is preferable to ensure that the size of the inner periphery of the fixed body is such that, in a cross section (plan view) perpendicular to the rotation axis of the rotor, the circumferential length of the inner periphery of the fixed body is equal to or greater than the circumferential length of the outermost circumference of the flat cable in its loosest winding state. If the circumferential length of the inner periphery of the fixed body is equal to or greater than the circumferential length of the outermost circumference of the flat cable in its loosest winding state, the load on the flat cable accommodated in the accommodation space is suppressed regardless of how the rotor rotates.

[0039] Below, we will list modified examples that are other aspects of the present invention, in which the shape of the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body is different. In the following modified examples, only the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body and the outer peripheral surface of the rotor are illustrated, and the shape of the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body and the positional relationship between the fixed body and the rotor are explained. Of course, an annular storage space S is formed between the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body and the outer peripheral surface of the rotor, and this storage space S accommodates one or more flat cables (not shown) that are wound in only one direction around the rotor. Note that in all of the following modified examples, it is preferable that the circumferential length of the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body is equal to or greater than the circumferential length of the outermost circumference of the flat cable when it is most loosely wound.

[0040] [Modification 1] Fig. 3 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing the shape of the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body 11a and the positional relationship between the fixed body 11a and the rotating body 12 in a rotary connector device according to Modification 1. １２ The cross section is a cross section perpendicular to the plane, and the shapes of the fixed body 11a and the rotating body 12 are shown in plan view.

[0041] The fixed body 11a in variant example 1 is composed of a cylindrical portion 11a-1, whose inner surface is shaped like a portion cut out at a predetermined central angle from the entire circumference of a cylinder, an elliptical cylindrical portion 11a-2, whose inner surface is shaped like a portion cut out at a predetermined central angle from the entire circumference of an elliptical cylinder, and a pair of flat portions 11a-3 connecting the ends of these two portions.

[0042] In this modified example, at a circumferential position of the accommodation space S, the gap between the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body 11a in a region corresponding to the cylindrical portion 11a-1 and the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 12 is wide (the widest point is the portion indicated by the arrow Wa), and the gap between the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body 11a in a region corresponding to the elliptical cylindrical portion 11a-2 and the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 12 is narrow (the narrowest point is the portion indicated by the arrow Na). According to this modified example, it is possible to secure space for arranging other vehicle components, devices, etc. outside the fixed body 11a in the narrow portion of the elliptical cylindrical portion 11a-2.

[0043] [Modification 2] Fig. 4 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing the shape of the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body 11b and the positional relationship between the fixed body 11b and the rotating body 12 in a rotary connector device according to Modification 2. １２The cross section is a cross section perpendicular to the plane, and the shapes of the fixed body 11b and the rotating body 12 are shown in plan view.

[0044] The fixed body 11b in the second modification has a cylindrical inner peripheral surface similar to the rotating body 12, but the central axis O of the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body 11b is １１ｂ and the rotation axis O of the rotating body 12 １２ The position is misaligned.

[0045] Therefore, in this modified example, there are wide areas (the widest areas are indicated by arrows Wb) and narrow areas (the narrowest areas are indicated by arrows Nb) between the inner peripheral surface of fixed body 11b and the outer peripheral surface of rotating body 12 at circumferential positions in accommodation space S. According to this modified example, it is possible to ensure space for arranging other vehicle components, devices, etc. outside fixed body 11b around the narrow area indicated by arrows Nb.

[0046] [Modification 3] Fig. 5 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing the shape of the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body 11c and the positional relationship between the fixed body 11c and the rotating body 12 in a rotary connector device according to Modification 3. Fig. 5 shows the rotation axis O of the rotating body 12. １２ The cross section is a cross section perpendicular to the plane, and the shapes of the fixed body 11c and the rotating body 12 are shown in plan view.

[0047] The fixed body 11c in the third modification has an inner peripheral surface that is shaped like a cylinder, with portions 11c-1 and 11c-2, 11c-3, and 11c-4 corresponding to three of the four sides that can constitute a rectangular parallelepiped.

[0048] In this modified example, at a circumferential position of the accommodation space S, the gap between the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body 11c in a region corresponding to cylindrical portion 11c-1 and the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 12 is wide (the widest point is the portion indicated by the arrow Wc), and the gap between the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body 11c in a region corresponding to portion 11c-2 and the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 12 is narrow (the narrowest point is the portion indicated by the arrow Nc, which is the center of the region corresponding to portion 11c-2). According to this modified example, it is possible to ensure space for arranging other vehicle components, devices, etc. outside the fixed body 11c in portion 11c-2, which corresponds to the narrow gap.

[0049] [Modification 4] Fig. 6 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing the shape of the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body 11d and the positional relationship between the fixed body 11d and the rotating body 12 in a rotary connector device according to Modification 4. １２ The cross section is a cross section perpendicular to the plane, and the shapes of the fixed body 11d and the rotating body 12 are shown in plan view.

[0050] The fixed body 11d in the fourth modification has the same shape as the fixed body 11 in the embodiment described above with reference to FIG. 1, but the position of the rotation axis of the rotating body 12 is changed from the position of the symbol O in the embodiment above to the position of the symbol O on the right side of the drawing. １２ In this way, the present invention does not require the overall shape to be symmetrical.

[0051] In this modified example, in the circumferential position of the accommodation space S, the gap between the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body 11d and the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 12 in the region on the left side of the drawing is wide (the widest point is the portion indicated by the arrow Wd), and the gap between the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body 11d and the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 12 in a region slightly above the right side of the drawing is narrow (the narrowest point is the portion indicated by the arrow Nd). According to this modified example, it is possible to secure space for arranging other vehicle components, devices, etc. outside the fixed body 11d in the narrow portion indicated by the arrow Nd.

[0052] [Modification 5] Fig. 7 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing the shape of the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body 11e and the positional relationship between the fixed body 11e and the rotating body 12 in a rotary connector device according to Modification 5. Fig. 7 shows the rotation axis O of the rotating body 12. １２ The cross section is a cross section perpendicular to the plane, and the shapes of the fixed body 11e and the rotating body 12 are shown in plan view.

[0053] The fixed body 11e in the fifth modification has an inner peripheral surface formed of a pair of cylindrical portions 11e-1 and 11e-3 and a pair of flat plate-like portions 11e-2 and 11e-4 connecting both ends of the cylindrical portions 11e-1 and 11e-3.

[0054] In this modified example, in the circumferential position of the accommodation space S, the distance between the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body 11e and the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 12 is widest (the portion indicated by the arrow We) at the connecting portion between the pair of cylindrical portions 11e-1, 11e-3 and the pair of flat plate-like portions 11e-2, 11e-4, and the distance between the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body 11e and the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 12 is narrowest near the center of each region corresponding to the pair of cylindrical portions 11e-1, 11e-3 (the narrowest portion is the portion indicated by the arrow Ne, which is the center of each region corresponding to the pair of cylindrical portions 11e-1, 11e-3). According to this modified example, space can be secured (at two locations) outside the fixed body 11e near the center of each region corresponding to the narrow portions 11e-1, 11e-3, for arranging other vehicle components, equipment, etc.

[0055] [Modification 6] Fig. 8 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing the shape of the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body 11f and the positional relationship between the fixed body 11f and the rotating body 12 in a rotary connector device according to Modification 6. １２ The cross section is a cross section perpendicular to the plane, and the shapes of the fixed body 11f and the rotating body 12 are shown in plan view.

[0056] The fixed body 11f in the sixth modification has an inner peripheral surface shaped like an elliptical cylinder, and the position of the central axis of the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body 11f coincides with the position of the rotation axis of the rotating body 12 (both are denoted by the symbol O). １２ Therefore, the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body 11f is farther from the outer periphery of the rotating body 12 in the vicinity of both ends of the major axis, and is closer to the outer periphery of the rotating body 12 in the vicinity of both ends of the minor axis.

[0057] Therefore, in this modified example, wide portions (two widest portions indicated by arrows Wf) near both ends of the major axis of the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body 11f and narrow portions (two narrowest portions indicated by arrows Nf) near both ends of the minor axis are generated between the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body 11f and the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 12 at circumferential positions of the accommodation space S. According to this modified example, it is possible to secure space for arranging other vehicle components, devices, etc. outside the fixed body 11f around the narrow portions indicated by arrows Nf.

[0058] [Modification 7] Fig. 9 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing the shape of the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body 11g and the positional relationship between the fixed body 11g and the rotating body 12 in a rotary connector device according to Modification 7. １２ The cross section is a cross section perpendicular to the plane, and the shapes of the fixed body 11g and the rotating body 12 are shown in plan view.

[0059] The fixed body 11g in the seventh modification has an inner peripheral surface that is a regular hexagon and has six sides 11g-1 to 11g-6. The rotating body 12 is positioned closer to the side 11g-4 (upper in the drawing) from the center of the fixed body 11g.

[0060] Therefore, in this modified example, at circumferential positions of the accommodation space S, the gap between the area of ​​side 11g-1 on the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body 11g and the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 12 is wide (the widest points are the two arrow Wg portions at both ends of side 11g-1), and the gap between the area of ​​side 11g-4 on the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body 11g and the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 12 is narrow (the narrowest point is the arrow Ng portion at the center of side 11g-4). According to this modified example, it is possible to ensure space for arranging other vehicle components, devices, etc. outside the fixed body 11g at side 11g-4, which corresponds to the narrow point.

[0061] [Modification 8] Fig. 10 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing the shape of the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body 11h and the positional relationship between the fixed body 11h and the rotating body 12 in a rotary connector device according to Modification 8. １２ The cross section is a cross section perpendicular to the plane, and the shapes of the fixed body 11h and the rotating body 12 are shown in plan view.

[0062] The fixed body 11h in the eighth modification has an inner peripheral surface that is a regular pentagon with five sides 11h-1 to 11h-5, and the position of the central axis of the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body 11h coincides with the position of the rotation axis of the rotating body 12 (both are denoted by the symbol O). １２ In a plan view, the distance between the regular polygonal fixed body 11h and the circular rotating body 12, whose centers are aligned, varies in the circumferential direction.

[0063] Therefore, in this modified example, at circumferential positions of the accommodation space S, the space between the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body 11h and the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 12 is the widest of the five vertices of the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body 11h (five locations indicated by arrows Wh), and the narrowest locations are in the regions between those vertices (the narrowest locations are five locations indicated by arrows Nh at the centers of each of the sides 11h-1 to 11h-5). According to this modified example, it is possible to secure space for arranging other vehicle components, devices, and the like outside the fixed body 11h around the narrow locations indicated by arrows Nh.

[0064] 11 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing the shape of the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body 11j and the positional relationship between the fixed body 11j and the rotating body 12 in a rotary connector device according to a 9th modification. １２ The cross section is a cross section in the vertical direction, and the shapes of the fixed body 11j and the rotating body 12 are shown in plan view.

[0065] The fixed body 11j in the modified example 9 has an inner peripheral surface that is formed of a cylindrical portion 11j-1 and three flat plate-like portions 11j-2, 11j-3, and 11j-4 that connect both ends of the cylindrical portion 11j-1 and are connected in order. The position of the central axis of the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 11j-1 of the fixed body 11j coincides with the position of the rotation axis of the rotor 12 (both are denoted by the symbol O). １２ ). In plan view, the central portion 11j-3 is the longest of the three flat plate-like portions, and portions 11j-2 and 11j-4 are the same length and form the same obtuse angle with portion 11j-3. The fixed body 11j and the rotating body 12 in the modified example 9 are arranged at point O １２ The figure is symmetrical on the left and right sides of the drawing, based on a straight line passing through.

[0066] In this modified example, at a circumferential position of the accommodation space S, the distance between the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body 11j in the area corresponding to the cylindrical portion 11a-1 and the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 12 is constant, and there are wide portions (portions indicated by arrows Wj) and narrow portions (the narrowest portion is the portion indicated by arrows Nj at the center of side 11j-3) between the area of ​​the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body 11j and the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 12. According to this modified example, it is possible to ensure space for arranging other vehicle components, devices, etc. outside the fixed body 11j in portion 11j-3, which corresponds to the narrow portion.

[0067] The above-described modified examples are merely examples, and the shape of the inner peripheral surface of the fixed body and the positional relationship between the fixed body and the rotating body are not limited to the configurations of the above-described embodiments and modified examples. For example, although the above-described modified examples 7 and 8 show examples of a regular pentagon or a regular hexagon, other polygonal shapes may be used, or may not be regular polygonal. The fixed body may have an inner peripheral surface of any shape, such as an asymmetrical shape or an irregular shape.

[0068] In addition, those skilled in the art may implement various modifications in accordance with conventionally known knowledge without departing from the gist of the present invention. As long as such modifications still comprise the configuration of the rotary connector device of the present invention, they are of course included in the scope of the present invention.

[0069] 10, 10': Rotating connector device, 11, 11', 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e, 11f, 11g, 11h, 11j: Fixed body, 12: Rotating body, 13a, 13b: Flat cables (FC1 to FC3)

Claims

1. A rotary connector device comprising: a cylindrical fixed body; a cylindrical rotating body rotatably mounted inside the fixed body; and one or more flat cables accommodated in an annular accommodating space between the inner surface of the fixed body and the outer surface of the rotating body and wound in only one direction around the rotating body, wherein at circumferential positions in the accommodating space, there are wide and narrow areas between the inner surface of the fixed body and the outer surface of the rotating body.

2. A rotary connector device as described in claim 1, wherein the shape of the inner surface of the fixed body is such that the inner surfaces of a cylindrical portion and an elliptical cylinder portion are connected together, and the distance between the inner surface of the fixed body corresponding to the elliptical cylinder portion and the outer surface of the rotating body is narrower than the distance between the inner surface of the fixed body corresponding to the cylindrical portion and the outer surface of the rotating body.

3. A rotary connector device as described in claim 1, wherein the shape of the inner surface of the fixed body is formed by connecting the inner surfaces of two cylindrical portions of different diameters, and the distance between the inner surface of the fixed body corresponding to the cylindrical portion with the larger diameter and the outer surface of the rotating body is narrower than the distance between the inner surface of the fixed body corresponding to the cylindrical portion with the smaller diameter and the outer surface of the rotating body.

4. A rotary connector device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shape of the inner peripheral surface of said fixed body is cylindrical, and the position of the central axis of the inner peripheral surface of said fixed body is offset from the position of the rotation axis of said rotating body.

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