Electric cable winding device, and steering wheel power supply device and seat power supply device using electric cable winding device

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide an electric cable winding device that can accommodate not only sliding motion but also rotational motion of a mounting target, while being compact in structure.　A cable winding device 1 comprises: a cable 10 composed of a first cable 11 and a second cable 12; and a housing body 20 for housing the cable 10. The housing body 20 comprises a first housing portion 30 having a first housing space S1, and a second housing portion 40 having a second housing space S2. The first housing portion 30 is provided with a rotator 31 that rotates around an axial direction Z while holding one side of the first cable 11. The second housing portion 40 is provided with a lead-out portion 42 for guiding the second cable 12 drawn out from or wound into the second housing space S2. The first housing portion 30 and the second housing portion 40 are disposed along the axial direction Z.

Description

Electrical cable winding device, and steering wheel power supply device and seat power supply device using the electrical cable winding device

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric cable winding device that can accommodate both sliding and rotating movements of an object to which it is attached, and to a handle power supply device and a seat power supply device that use the electric cable winding device.

[0002] An electric cable winding device has been known (see Patent Document 1). The electric cable winding device includes a ribbon-shaped flat cable and a housing portion for housing the flat cable, and is configured to pull out or wind up the flat cable in response to a sliding movement of an object to which the electric cable is attached. Such an electric cable winding device is used, for example, as a seat power supply device for supplying power to a vehicle seat.

[0003] In recent years, the object to which the electric cable winding device is attached, such as a seat, may not only slide but also rotate. In such a case, it has been impossible to use a conventional electric cable winding device that cannot follow the rotational movement when the object to which the electric cable winding device is attached rotates in addition to sliding.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-218150

[0005] The present invention aims to provide an electric cable winding device that can accommodate not only sliding movements but also rotational movements of an object to which it is attached and that can be configured compactly, as well as a handle power supply device and a seat power supply device that use an electric cable winding device.

[0006] This invention is characterized in that it comprises a ribbon-shaped flat cable and a storage section that stores the flat cable, the storage section having a first storage section with a first space therein and a second storage section with a second space therein, the flat cable having a first cable that is stored in the first space with at least a portion wound in a spiral shape, and a second cable that is stored in the second space with at least a portion wound in a spiral shape, the first cable and the second cable being electrically conductive, the first storage section having a rotating holding section that holds one side of the first cable and rotates around a rotation axis direction along the ribbon width direction of the flat cable, the second storage section having a guide port that guides the second cable that is pulled out from the inside to the outside of the second space or wound from the outside to the inside, and the first storage section and the second storage section are an electric cable winding device arranged along the rotation axis direction.

[0007] According to the present invention, the electric cable winding device can accommodate not only the sliding movement but also the rotational movement of the attached object, and can be configured compactly. More specifically, in the electric cable winding device provided with a ribbon-shaped flat cable and a housing portion for housing the flat cable, the housing portion has a first housing portion having a first space therein and a second housing portion having a second space therein.

[0008] The flat cable includes a first cable that is at least partially spirally wound in the first space and a second cable that is at least partially spirally wound in the second space, and the first cable and the second cable are electrically conductive. The first housing includes a rotational holding portion that holds one side of the first cable and rotates around a rotational axis along the width direction of the flat cable, and the second housing includes a guide port that guides the second cable as it is pulled out from the inside to the outside of the second space or wound from the outside to the inside of the second space. This allows the flat cable to accommodate not only sliding movements but also rotational movements of the object to be attached.

[0009] In the electric cable winding device configured as described above, the first accommodating portion and the second accommodating portion are arranged along the rotation axis direction. Therefore, the size as viewed from the rotation axis direction can be made more compact than when one of the first accommodating portion and the second accommodating portion is arranged on the inner diameter side and the other is arranged on the outer diameter side. Therefore, space can be saved in the radial direction.

[0010] In one aspect of the present invention, the first cable and the second cable may be formed as a continuous cable, and a cable intermediate section may be provided between the first housing section and the second housing section, and the cable intermediate section may be held between the first housing section and the second housing section. With this invention, the first cable housed in the first space and the second cable housed in the second space can be housed without their housing states affecting each other.

[0011] In another aspect of the present invention, the first housing portion and the second housing portion may be stacked in the direction of the rotation axis. This allows the size in the direction of the rotation axis to be made compact.

[0012] In another aspect of the present invention, the first housing portion and the second housing portion may be configured as separate bodies such that the distance therebetween in the direction of the rotation axis is adjustable. This allows at least one of the first housing portion and the second housing portion to easily slide relative to the other in response to the sliding of the mounting object. This allows, for example, adjustment according to the surrounding environment of the installation space or adjustment of the distance in response to the sliding of the mounting object. Therefore, the versatility of the electric cable winding device can be improved.

[0013] In another aspect of the present invention, the second cable may be pulled out of the second space by moving the second accommodating section away from the first accommodating section, and the second cable may be wound into the second space by moving the second accommodating section closer to the first accommodating section.

[0014] This invention allows the distance between the first accommodating portion and the second accommodating portion to be adjusted in accordance with the slide of the object to be attached, and allows the second cable to be pulled out or wound up in accordance with the distance between the first accommodating portion and the second accommodating portion in accordance with the slide of the object to be attached.

[0015] In another aspect of the present invention, a connecting portion may be provided that electrically connects the other end of the first cable and the second cable to each other in a conductive manner. The connecting portion may be configured to electrically and physically connect connectors or terminals provided at the end of the first cable and the end of the second cable, or to electrically and physically connect the connectors or terminals provided at the end of the first cable and the end of the second cable to a connector or a bus bar.

[0016] According to this invention, the first cable accommodated in the first accommodating section and the second cable accommodated in the second accommodating section can be electrically and physically coupled together at the coupling section. Therefore, for example, by accommodating the first cable in the first accommodating section and the second cable in the second accommodating section, respectively, and then coupling the first cable and the second cable together at the coupling section, the first cable and the second cable can be configured to be electrically conductive, thereby improving the ease of assembly of the electric cable winding device.

[0017] In another aspect of the present invention, the first housing portion and the second housing portion may be stacked in the direction of the rotation axis. This allows the size in the direction of the rotation axis to be made compact.

[0018] In another aspect of the present invention, the second cable may be pulled out of the second space by moving the second accommodating section away from the first accommodating section, and the second cable may be wound into the second space by moving the second accommodating section closer to the first accommodating section.

[0019] This invention allows the distance between the first accommodating portion and the second accommodating portion to be adjusted in accordance with the slide of the object to be attached, and allows the second cable to be pulled out or wound up in accordance with the distance between the first accommodating portion and the second accommodating portion in accordance with the slide of the object to be attached.

[0020] In another aspect of the present invention, the guide port may be provided with a direction changer that changes the orientation of the second cable in the belt width direction from the rotation axis direction to a predetermined guide direction. With this invention, even if the direction of the second cable pulled out of the second housing portion is different from the rotation axis direction, which is the sliding direction of the attachment object, the direction of the second cable can be changed by the direction changer, and the second cable can be smoothly pulled out or wound up.

[0021] In another aspect of the present invention, the second storage section may be provided with a winding auxiliary section that assists in winding the second cable, and the winding auxiliary section may be composed of a spring material that is biased by the withdrawal of the second cable and applies a biasing force to the second cable being wound up.

[0022] According to this invention, the winding assist part made of a spring material is biased by the sliding of the attachment object in the unwinding direction. Then, the second cable is wound and accommodated in the second space by the sliding of the attachment object in the winding direction, and the biasing force of the biased winding assist part acts on the second cable being wound in the second space. Therefore, the second cable can be wound more smoothly than when the attachment object is slid in the winding direction.

[0023] The present invention is also characterized in that a handle power supply device uses the above-mentioned electric cable winding device, one end of the first cable is connected to an electric component of a handle that allows sliding and rotating movements, an end of the second cable that is guided through the guide port is connected to an electric component on the electricity supply source side, and the rotating shaft is connected to the handle. This invention allows for electricity supply while responding to both sliding and rotating movements of the handle, and can be configured compactly.

[0024] The present invention is also characterized in that the seat power supply device uses the above-mentioned electric cable winding device, one end of the first cable is connected to an electrical component of the seat that enables sliding and rotating movements, the end of the second cable that is guided through the guide port is connected to an electrical component on the electricity supply source side, and the rotation shaft is connected to the seat. This invention allows for electricity supply while responding to the sliding and rotating movements of the seat, and can be configured compactly.

[0025] The present invention also provides an electric cable winding device comprising: a ribbon-shaped flat cable; and a housing section for housing the flat cable; the housing section has a first housing section having a first space therein and a second housing section having a second space therein; the flat cable has a first cable that is housed in the first space with at least a portion wound in a spiral shape; and a second cable that is housed in the second space with at least a portion wound in a spiral shape; the first cable and the second cable are electrically conductive; the first housing section is provided with a rotary holding section that holds one side of the first cable and rotates around a rotation axis direction along the ribbon width direction of the flat cable; the second housing section is provided with a guide opening that guides the second cable that is pulled out from the inside to the outside of the second space or wound from the outside to the inside of the second space; and the guide opening is provided with a direction changing section that changes the orientation of the second cable in the ribbon width direction from the rotation axis direction to a predetermined guide direction and guides it.

[0026] The present invention provides an electric cable winding device that can accommodate not only the sliding movement but also the rotational movement of an object to be attached, and that can smoothly pull out and wind up a flat cable. More specifically, the electric cable winding device is provided with a ribbon-shaped flat cable and a housing that houses the flat cable, and the housing has a first housing portion having a first space therein and a second housing portion having a second space therein.

[0027] The flat cable includes a first cable that is at least partially spirally wound in the first space and a second cable that is at least partially spirally wound in the second space, and the first cable and the second cable are electrically conductive. The first housing includes a rotational holding portion that holds one side of the first cable and rotates around a rotational axis along the width direction of the flat cable, and the second housing includes a guide port that guides the second cable as it is pulled out from the inside to the outside of the second space or wound from the outside to the inside of the second space. This allows the flat cable to accommodate not only sliding movements but also rotational movements of the object to be attached.

[0028] In the electric cable winding device configured as described above, a direction changer is provided at the guide port to change the orientation of the second cable in the belt width direction from the rotation axis direction to a predetermined guide direction, so that even if the direction in which the second cable is pulled out of the second housing part is different from the rotation axis direction, which is the sliding direction of the attachment object, the direction of the second cable can be changed by the direction changer, and the second cable can be smoothly pulled out and wound up.

[0029] In an aspect of the present invention, the direction changer may have a rotating roller that rotates while being in contact with a main surface of the second cable. According to this invention, the direction of the second cable is changed by the direction changer constituted by the rotating roller, and because the rotating roller rotates, there is no sliding between the direction changer and the second cable, so the direction of the second cable can be smoothly changed by the direction changer, and the second cable can be more smoothly pulled out or wound up.

[0030] In another aspect of the present invention, the rotating roller may rotate about an oblique axis that is oblique to the rotation axis direction and the guiding direction in an imaginary plane along which the rotation axis direction and the guiding direction are aligned.

[0031] With this invention, even if the angle of change in direction by the direction change section is steep, the rotating roller rotates around the diagonal axis, so the direction can be changed while reducing the load acting on the second cable, allowing the second cable to be smoothly pulled out or wound up.

[0032] In another aspect of the present invention, the second housing portion may be disposed radially outward of the first housing portion, and a holding portion may be provided to hold a boundary portion between the first cable and the second cable. This allows the size in the rotational axis direction to be more compact than when the first housing portion and the second housing portion are disposed along the rotational axis direction. Therefore, space in the rotational axis direction can be saved. Furthermore, because the holding portion holds the boundary portion between the first cable and the second cable, the first cable housed in the first space and the second cable housed in the second space can be housed without being affected by their respective housing states.

[0033] In another aspect of the present invention, the first housing portion and the second housing portion may be arranged along the rotation axis direction. This allows the size, as viewed from the rotation axis direction, to be made more compact than when one of the first housing portion and the second housing portion is arranged on the inner diameter side and the other is arranged on the outer diameter side. Therefore, space in the radial direction can be saved.

[0034] In another aspect of the present invention, the second storage section may be provided with a winding auxiliary section that assists in winding the second cable, and the winding auxiliary section may be composed of a spring material that is biased by the withdrawal of the second cable and applies a biasing force to the second cable being wound up.

[0035] According to this invention, the winding assist part made of a spring material is biased by the sliding of the attachment object in the unwinding direction. Then, the second cable is wound and accommodated in the second space by the sliding of the attachment object in the winding direction, and the biasing force of the biased winding assist part acts on the second cable being wound in the second space. Therefore, the second cable can be wound more smoothly than when the attachment object is slid in the winding direction.

[0036] The present invention is also characterized in that it is a handle power supply device that uses the above-mentioned electric cable winding device, one end of the first cable is connected to an electric component of a handle that allows sliding and rotating movements, the end of the second cable that is guided through the guide port is connected to an electric component on the electricity supply source side, and the rotating shaft is connected to the handle. With this invention, electricity can be supplied while responding to the sliding and rotating movements of the handle, and the flat cable can be smoothly pulled out and wound up.

[0037] The present invention is also characterized in that the seat power supply device uses the above-mentioned electric cable winding device, one end of the first cable is connected to an electrical component of a seat that enables sliding and rotating movements, the end of the second cable that is guided through the guide opening is connected to an electrical component on the electricity supply source side, and the rotating shaft is connected to the seat. This invention allows for electricity supply while responding to the sliding and rotating movements of the seat, and enables smooth unwinding and winding of the flat cable.

[0038] In this way, it is possible to provide an electric cable winding device that can accommodate not only sliding movements of the object to be attached but also rotational movements, and that can smoothly pull out and wind up flat cables, as well as a handle power supply device and a seat power supply device that use an electric cable winding device.

[0039] As described above, the electric cable winding device includes a ribbon-shaped flat cable and a housing portion for housing the flat cable, and is configured so that the flat cable is pulled out or wound in response to the sliding movement of the attachment object. However, smooth operation is required when the flat cable is pulled out or wound in response to the sliding movement of the attachment object.

[0040] To address such problems, an electric cable winding device can be provided which is provided with a ribbon-shaped flat cable and a storage section having a storage space for storing the flat cable, the storage section being provided with a guide port for guiding the flat cable as it is pulled out from the inside to the outside of the storage space or as it is wound from the outside to the inside, and a winding auxiliary section for assisting in the winding of the flat cable, the winding auxiliary section being made of a spring material that is biased by the pulling out of the flat cable and applies a biasing force to the flat cable as it is wound.

[0041] This invention allows the flat cable to be wound smoothly. More specifically, the winding auxiliary part is made of a spring material that is biased by the flat cable being pulled out and applies a biasing force to the wound flat cable. Therefore, the winding auxiliary part made of a spring material is biased by the sliding of the attachment object in the pulling direction. Then, the flat cable is wound and accommodated in the accommodation space by the sliding of the attachment object in the winding direction, and the biasing force of the biased winding auxiliary part acts on the flat cable being wound in the accommodation space. Therefore, the flat cable can be wound more smoothly than when the attachment object is slid in the winding direction.

[0042] In one aspect of the present invention, the winding auxiliary portion may be a coil spring material wound in the same direction as the spiral direction of the flat cable. This invention allows, with a simple structure, to efficiently bias the coil spring material by pulling out the flat cable, and to efficiently apply a biasing force to the wound flat cable.

[0043] In another aspect of the present invention, the flat cable has an inner wound portion wound around the inner diameter side of the accommodating space, an outer wound portion around which the flat cable is wound around the outer diameter side, and an arc-shaped bent portion that is the boundary between the inner wound portion and the outer wound portion, and the accommodating space is provided with a rotatable turntable, a rotating roller supported by the turntable and arranged on the inner surface of the bent portion and rotatable around a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the turntable, and a guide arranged on the outer surface of the bent portion at a position circumferentially spaced from the outer surface of the rotating roller on the turntable, and one end of the wound spring material is fixed to the accommodating section and the other end is fixed to the turntable.

[0044] According to this invention, when the mounting object of the electric cable winding device moves to one side in the sliding direction (sliding motion) and the flat cable is pulled, the bent-back portion of the outer winding portion moves to one side in the circumferential direction, and the flat cable is unwound from the inner winding portion, or the flat cable is unwound while being wound tight in the outer winding portion, which is loosely wound in a spiral shape. In this way, the flat cable is pulled out toward the outside of the outer space.

[0045] Conversely, when the mounting object of the electric cable winding device moves to the other side in the sliding direction (sliding motion) and the flat cable is pushed into the outer space through the guide opening, the bent-back portion of the outer winding portion moves to the other side in the circumferential direction, and the flat cable is wound around the inner winding portion, or the outer winding portion that is loosely wound in a spiral shape is wound with the flat cable. In this way, the flat cable is wound toward the inside of the outer space.

[0046] The cable includes a rotary table that rotates around the rotary shaft and a rotating roller that is supported on the rotary table and rotates around the rotary shaft. The rotating roller is positioned on the inner circumferential surface of the bent portion. When the bent portion moves to one side in the circumferential direction during winding or unwinding of the flat cable, the inner circumferential surface of the bent portion contacts and pulls the rotating roller. As a result, the rotating table rotates (revolves) and the rotating roller also rotates (spins) in response to the unwinding of the flat cable. This allows for smooth guidance of the flat cable. It also prevents the flat cable from rubbing against the cable and becoming worn.

[0047] Furthermore, since one end of the coil spring material is fixed to the second storage section and the other end is fixed to the rotating table, when the attachment target of the electric cable winding device moves to the other side in the sliding direction (sliding motion), the bent portion of the flat cable is urged in the winding direction via the rotating roller, allowing the flat cable to be wound smoothly.

[0048] In another aspect of the present invention, the guide port is located on the outer diameter side of the accommodating section, and the flat cable is wound in a spiral shape and accommodated in the accommodating space, with one end fixed on the inner diameter side and the other end guided to the outside through the guide port located on the outer diameter side, and the winding assist section may be an expanding spring material that is biased by the winding and tightening of the spirally wound flat cable in the accommodating space as the flat cable is pulled out, and applies a biasing force in the direction of expanding the diameter of the wound and tightened spiral-shaped flat cable.

[0049] The diameter-expansion spring member includes a configuration that urges the flat cable from the inner diameter side toward the outer diameter side of the spirally wound flat cable, or a configuration that urges the spirally wound flat cable toward the outer diameter side. This invention allows the diameter-expansion spring member to smoothly wind up the flat cable.

[0050] In detail, the flat cable is wound in a spiral shape and accommodated in the accommodation space, with one end fixed on the inner diameter side and the other end guided to the outside through the guide port located on the outer diameter side.

[0051] As described above, when the spirally wound flat cable is pulled out, the diameter-expanding spring material is biased by the spirally wound flat cable in the accommodation space, and the diameter-expanding spring material applies a biasing force in a direction that expands the diameter of the spirally wound flat cable, allowing the flat cable to be smoothly wound up.

[0052] In another aspect of the present invention, the diameter expansion spring material may be disposed on the inner diameter side of the spirally wound flat cable, thereby making it possible to make the size, as viewed from the rotation axis direction, more compact than when the diameter expansion spring material is disposed on the outer diameter side.

[0053] In another aspect of the present invention, the diameter-expanding spring members may be arranged concentrically at predetermined intervals on the inner diameter side of the spirally wound flat cable, thereby applying a uniform circumferential biasing force to the spirally wound flat cable and enabling the flat cable to be wound more smoothly.

[0054] In another aspect of the present invention, the accommodating section may be a second accommodating section that accommodates the flat cable together with a first accommodating section having a first space therein, the accommodating space being a second space, the flat cable having a first cable that is accommodated in the first space with at least a portion wound in a spiral shape, and a second cable that is accommodated in the second space with at least a portion wound in a spiral shape, the first cable and the second cable being electrically conductive, and the first accommodating section may be provided with a rotating holding section that rotates around a rotation axis along the width direction of the flat cable while holding one side of the first cable.

[0055] According to the present invention, the electric cable winding device can accommodate not only the sliding movement but also the rotational movement of the attached object, and can smoothly wind the flat cable. More specifically, in the electric cable winding device provided with a ribbon-shaped flat cable and a housing portion that houses the flat cable, the housing portion has a first housing portion having a first space therein and a second housing portion having a second space therein.

[0056] The flat cable includes a first cable housed in the first space with at least a portion thereof spirally wound, and a second cable housed in the second space with at least a portion thereof spirally wound, and the first cable and the second cable are electrically conductive. The first housing section is provided with a rotational holding section that holds one side of the first cable and rotates around a rotational axis along the width direction of the flat cable, and the second housing section is provided with a guide opening that guides the second cable as it is pulled out from the inside to the outside of the second space or wound from the outside to the inside, and a winding auxiliary section that assists in winding the second cable. This allows the flat cable to be smoothly wound up while accommodating both sliding and rotating movements of the attachment object.

[0057] In another aspect of the present invention, the second housing portion may be disposed radially outward of the first housing portion, and a holding portion may be provided to hold a boundary portion between the first cable and the second cable. This allows the size in the rotational axis direction to be more compact than when the first housing portion and the second housing portion are disposed along the rotational axis direction. Therefore, space can be saved. Furthermore, because the holding portion holds the boundary portion between the first cable and the second cable, the first cable housed in the first space and the second cable housed in the second space can be housed without being affected by their respective housing states.

[0058] In another aspect of the present invention, the first housing portion and the second housing portion may be arranged along the rotation axis direction. This allows the size, as viewed from the rotation axis direction, to be made more compact than when one of the first housing portion and the second housing portion is arranged on the inner diameter side and the other is arranged on the outer diameter side. Therefore, space can be saved.

[0059] In another aspect of the present invention, the guide port may be provided with a direction changer that changes the orientation of the second cable in the belt width direction from the rotation axis direction to a predetermined guide direction. With this invention, even if the direction of the second cable pulled out of the second housing portion is different from the rotation axis direction, which is the sliding direction of the attachment object, the direction of the second cable can be changed by the direction changer, and the second cable can be smoothly pulled out or wound up.

[0060] The present invention is also characterized in that a handle power supply device using the above-mentioned electric cable winding device is configured such that one end of the first cable is connected to an electric component of a handle that allows sliding and rotating movements, the end of the second cable that is guided through the guide port is connected to an electric component of an electricity supply source, and the rotating shaft is connected to the handle. With this invention, electricity can be supplied while responding to the sliding and rotating movements of the handle, and the flat cable can be smoothly wound up.

[0061] The present invention is also characterized in that the seat power supply device uses the above-mentioned electric cable winding device, one end of the first cable is connected to an electrical component of a seat that enables sliding and rotating movements, the end of the second cable that is guided through the guide port is connected to an electrical component on the electricity supply source side, and the rotating shaft is connected to the seat. With this invention, electricity can be supplied while responding to the sliding and rotating movements of the seat, and the flat cable can be smoothly wound up.

[0062] This invention makes it possible to provide an electric cable winding device that can accommodate not only sliding movements but also rotational movements of the object to which it is attached and that can be configured compactly, as well as a handle power supply device and a seat power supply device that use the electric cable winding device.

[0063] Schematic perspective view of an electric cable winding device. Schematic exploded perspective view of an electric cable winding device. Explanatory diagram of a first accommodating section. Explanatory diagram of a rotation unit. Explanatory diagram of a second accommodating section. Plan view of a leaf spring member. Explanatory diagram of an accommodating section in which a cable is accommodated. Explanatory diagram of a state in which a second cable is accommodated in the second accommodating section. Explanatory diagram of the second accommodating section in which the second cable is accommodated in a state in which the handle is slid. Explanatory diagram of the second accommodating section in which the second cable is accommodated in a state in which the handle is slid. Explanatory diagram of the first accommodating section in which the first cable is accommodated in a state in which the handle is rotated. Schematic perspective view of a retainer and a spiral spring as seen from below in another embodiment. Explanatory diagram of the second accommodating section in which the second cable is accommodated in a state in which the handle is slid. Explanatory diagram of the second accommodating section in which the second cable is accommodated in a state in which the handle is slid. Schematic exploded perspective view of an electric cable winding device in another embodiment. Explanatory diagram of the second accommodating section in another embodiment. Explanatory diagram of an electric cable winding device in another embodiment. 1 is a schematic exploded perspective view of an electric cable winding device according to another embodiment; 2 is a schematic plan view of a second storage section according to another embodiment; 3 is a schematic perspective view of an electric cable winding device according to another embodiment; 4 is a schematic exploded perspective view of an electric cable winding device according to another embodiment; 5 is an explanatory view of an electric cable winding device according to another embodiment; 6 is an explanatory view of an electric cable winding device according to another embodiment;

[0064] An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a cable winding device 1, and Fig. 2 shows a schematic exploded perspective view of the cable winding device 1. Fig. 3 shows an explanatory diagram of a first housing section 30, Fig. 4 shows an explanatory diagram of a retainer 50, Fig. 5 shows an explanatory diagram of a second housing section 40, and Fig. 6 shows a plan view of a leaf spring member 60. Fig. 7 shows an explanatory diagram of a housing state in which a cable 10 is housed in a housing body 20, and Fig. 8 shows an explanatory diagram of a second housing section 40 in which a second cable 12 is housed.

[0065] Figures 9 and 10 show explanatory diagrams of the second cable 12 housed in the second housing section 40 when the handle 820 is slid, and Figure 11 shows an explanatory diagram of the first cable 11 housed in the first housing section 30 when the handle 820 is rotated.

[0066] 3 to 5 and 7 to 11 will be described in detail. Fig. 3(a) shows a schematic plan view of the first accommodating portion 30, Fig. 3(b) shows a schematic plan view of the stator 32, and Fig. 3(c) shows a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in Fig. 3(a). Fig. 4(a) shows a plan view of the retainer 50, and Fig. 4(b) shows a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B in Fig. 4(a). Fig. 5(a) shows a schematic plan view of the second accommodating portion 40, Fig. 5(b) shows a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C in Fig. 5(a), and Fig. 5(c) shows a cross-sectional view taken along the line D-D in Fig. 5(a).

[0067] Fig. 7(a) shows a schematic plan view of the housing 20 in which the first cable 11 is housed, Fig. 7(b) shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the housing 20 in which the first cable 11 is housed, and Fig. 8 shows a schematic plan view of the second housing section 40 in which the second cable 12 is housed. Note that Fig. 7(a) omits the illustration of the rotator 31 in order to clearly show the first cable 11 housed in the second housing space S2. Fig. 7(b) shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the cable winding device 1 corresponding to the cross section seen from the arrow A-A in Fig. 3(a).

[0068] FIG. 9( a) is a schematic diagram of the state in which the handle 820 has been slid to the upper side ZU, and FIG. 9( b) is a schematic plan view of the second housing section 40 in which the second cable 12 has been housed when the handle 820 has been slid to the upper side ZU. FIG. 10( a) is a schematic diagram of the state in which the handle 820 has been slid to the lower side ZD, and FIG. 10( b) is a schematic plan view of the second housing section 40 in which the second cable 12 has been housed when the handle 820 has been slid to the lower side ZD. FIG. 11( a) is a schematic plan view of the first housing section 30 in which the handle 820 has been rotated clockwise, and FIG. 11( b) is an enlarged view of portion a in FIG. 11( a). Note that FIG. 11( a) omits the rotator 31 in order to clearly illustrate the first cable 11 housed in the second housing space S2. In FIG. 1, the main shaft 810 inserted into the cable winding device 1 and the handle 820 connected to the main shaft 810 from the upper side ZU are shown by dashed lines.

[0069] 1 is defined as an axial direction Z, and among directions perpendicular to the axial direction Z, a direction along the belt width direction of the base-end cable 14 drawn out from the cable winding device 1 is defined as a first direction X. Furthermore, a direction perpendicular to the first direction X and the axial direction Z is defined as a second direction Y.

[0070] 1, the upper side along the axial direction Z is the upper side ZU, the lower side is the lower side ZD, the left side along the first direction X is the left side XL, and the right side along the first direction X is the right side XR. Also, the right side along the second direction Y is the front side YA, and the left side along the second direction Y is the back side YB.

[0071] 1, a steering device 800 for steering a vehicle has a handle 820 attached to the tip of a main shaft portion 810 of a steering shaft, and can transmit the operation of the handle 820 to steering wheels provided on the vehicle. The main shaft portion 810 having such a function is equipped with a so-called telescopic mechanism that can adjust the position of the handle 820 in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle.

[0072] A shaft insertion portion (not shown) is provided at the tip of main shaft portion 810, through which main shaft portion 810 is inserted so as to be rotatable in response to operation of handle 820. Cable winding device 1 is attached to the shaft insertion portion, which holds main shaft portion 810 and handle 820 so as to be rotatable clockwise and counterclockwise relative to the shaft insertion portion.

[0073] The cable winding device 1 electrically connects the wire harness 830 connected to electrical equipment (not shown) mounted on the vehicle to the handle 820, and can maintain the electrical connection between the electrical equipment and the handle 820 in response to adjustment of the position of the handle 820 in the fore-and-aft direction (axial direction Z).

[0074] The following describes the cable winding device 1. As shown in Fig. 2, the cable winding device 1 includes a ribbon-shaped flexible cable 10 and a housing 20 that houses a portion of the cable 10.

[0075] Cable 10 is a ribbon-shaped transmission line made up of three overlapping so-called flexible flat cables 10x, each of which has a plurality of flat rectangular conductors arranged in parallel at a predetermined pitch and covered with an electrical insulator. One end of cable 10 is electrically connected to an electric wire connected to the electrical circuit of an external device such as a horn switch or airbag unit located on steering wheel 820, and the other end of cable 10 is electrically connected to a wire harness 830 connected to electrical devices (not shown) mounted on the vehicle. This allows cable 10 to electrically connect the electrical devices in the vehicle to steering wheel 820.

[0076] In this embodiment, the cable 10 is made up of three flexible flat cables 10x stacked one on top of the other, but the number of flexible flat cables 10x does not have to be three. For example, the number of flexible flat cables 10x can be adjusted as appropriate, such as by stacking four flexible flat cables 10x to form the cable 10.

[0077] 2, the housing 20 is integrally formed of a first housing section 30 that houses a portion of one end of the cable 10 (referred to as the first cable 11) and a second housing section 40 that houses a portion of the other end of the cable 10 (referred to as the second cable 12). The first housing section 30 and the second housing section 40 are stacked in the axial direction Z (see FIG. 1).

[0078] The first accommodating section 30 is a so-called rotary connector device having a first accommodating space S1 capable of accommodating the first cable 11 in a spirally wound state therein. More specifically, the first accommodating section 30 is composed of a rotator 31 located on the upper side ZU, a stator 32 located on the lower side ZD of the rotator 31, and a sleeve 33 engaged and fixed to the rotator 31 so as to sandwich the stator 32. A retainer 50 is also provided inside the first accommodating section 30 (see FIG. 2).

[0079] 3(a) and 3(c), the rotator 31 is integrally formed of a substantially annular rotating-side ring plate 311 having a substantially circular through-hole in the center in plan view, and an inner peripheral wall portion 312 standing toward the downward side ZD from the inner peripheral edge of the rotating-side ring plate 311. In addition, a rotator-side connector accommodating portion 313 that protrudes toward the upward side ZU and functions as a connector is provided on the upper surface of the rotating-side ring plate 311.

[0080] The rotation-side ring plate 311 is an annular plate-like body having an inner diameter large enough to allow the lower portion of the handle 820 to be inserted therethrough. The inner circumferential wall portion 312 is a generally cylindrical body that protrudes from the inner edge of the rotation-side ring plate 311 toward the downward side ZD and forms the inner circumferential surface of the first housing portion 30. The lower end of the inner circumferential wall portion 312 protrudes radially inward from the rotation-side ring plate 311 and forms an insertion hole on the radially inner side through which the tip of the main shaft portion 810 can be inserted (see FIG. 3( c)). Note that the inner circumferential surface of the inner circumferential wall portion 312 is provided with a locking and fixing portion (not shown) that can be locked with the stator 32, a handle locking portion (not shown) that can be locked with the handle 820, and the like.

[0081] The rotator side connector accommodating portion 313 is an accommodating portion that accommodates a connecting connector attached to one end of the first cable 11 accommodated in the first accommodating space S1, and can connect from the outside a handle side connector 821 provided at the end of an electric wire that is electrically connected to external devices such as a horn switch or airbag unit mounted on the handle 820 (see Figure 1).

[0082] As shown in Figures 3(b) and 3(c), the stator 32 is integrally formed of a fixed side ring plate 321 that forms the lower surface of the first accommodating section 30, an approximately cylindrical outer wall portion 322 that stands upright from the outer edge of the fixed side ring plate 321 toward the upper side ZU, and a harness lead-out portion 323 that protrudes outward from the outer wall portion 322.

[0083] The fixed side ring plate 321 is a plate-like body having an annular shape in a plan view, with an outer diameter approximately equal to the outer diameter of the rotating side ring plate 311, and an inner diameter approximately equal to the inner diameter of the protruding portion protruding radially inward from the lower end of the inner wall portion 312.

[0084] 3(b) and 3(c), two annular ribs 34 protruding upward ZU are provided at a predetermined distance in the radial direction on the upper surface of the annular fixed-side ring plate 321. In addition, the fixed-side ring plate 321 is provided with a stator-side through-hole 35 that penetrates a portion of the plate in the plate thickness direction (axial direction Z).

[0085] The annular rib 34 is a rib that is circular in plan view and protrudes from the fixed-side ring plate 321 by a height that is approximately equal to the plate thickness of the fixed-side ring plate 321. Two annular ribs 34 configured in this manner are provided at a predetermined interval in the radial direction of the fixed-side ring plate 321 in plan view.

[0086] The stator-side through-hole 35 is a rectangular through-hole that penetrates the fixed-side ring plate 321 in the axial direction Z and is formed along a direction that is 45 degrees clockwise with respect to the rear side YB in a plan view. More specifically, the stator-side through-hole 35 is a through-hole that penetrates from a position slightly radially outside the inner edge of the fixed-side ring plate 321 to the outer edge of the fixed-side ring plate 321, and has a substantially rectangular shape with a width that is slightly larger than the width of the cable 10. The annular rib 34 is provided at the location of the stator-side through-hole 35 of the fixed-side ring plate 321 so as to straddle the stator-side through-hole 35 in the circumferential direction.

[0087] As shown in Figure 3 (c), the outer wall portion 322 is a cylindrical outer wall that stands on the upper side ZU from the outer edge of the fixed side ring plate 321, and an upper slit 36 ​​through which the cable 10 can be inserted is provided at a location corresponding to the harness lead-out portion 323.

[0088] The upper slit 36 ​​has a width substantially equal to the thickness of the cable 10, and is formed by cutting out the outer peripheral wall portion 322 in the axial direction Z along the tangential direction of the fixed-side ring plate 321 in a plan view. The upper slit 36 ​​configured in this manner can guide the first cable 11 wound inside the outer peripheral wall portion 322 to the harness leading-out portion 323 and can hold the other end of the first cable 11.

[0089] In plan view, the harness outlet 323 is a housing that protrudes from the far side YB of the outer peripheral wall 322 toward the left side XL, and has an opening on the lower side ZD. That is, in plan view, the harness outlet 323 is provided radially outside the stator-side through-hole 35. Note that the upper side ZU of the harness outlet 323 can be covered with a cover (not shown).

[0090] The harness outlet portion 323 configured in this manner has an internal space that communicates with the stator-side through-hole 35, and can accommodate the cable 10 that has been redirected downward ZD by bending the other end of the first cable 11 that has been inserted through the upper slit 36. The cable 10 accommodated inside the harness outlet portion 323 can be guided into the stator-side through-hole 35 by further bending it radially inward.

[0091] As shown in Figure 3 (c), the sleeve 33 has an annular sleeve bottom surface 331, a sleeve outer peripheral wall 332 that stands upward ZU from the outer peripheral edge of the sleeve bottom surface 331, and a sleeve inner peripheral wall 333 that stands in the axial direction Z from the inner peripheral edge of the sleeve bottom surface 331.

[0092] The sleeve bottom surface 331 is an annular plate-like body having an outer diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of the inner peripheral wall portion 312 and an inner diameter large enough to insert the tip portion of the main shaft portion 810. The sleeve outer peripheral wall 332 is a peripheral wall that is circular in plan view and stands upright from the outer edge of the sleeve bottom surface 331 toward the upper side ZU, with its upper end portion protruding radially outward from the sleeve bottom surface 331. The inner peripheral surface of the sleeve outer peripheral wall 332 is provided with an engaged / fixed portion (not shown) that can be engaged with an engaging / fixing portion provided on the inner peripheral wall portion 312.

[0093] The sleeve inner peripheral wall 333 is cylindrical and has an inner diameter that is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the tip portion of the main shaft portion 810, and the tip portion of the main shaft portion 810 can be inserted through the sleeve inner peripheral wall 333 from the lower side ZD toward the upper side ZU. Note that the sleeve inner peripheral wall 333 is configured to be able to engage with the main shaft portion 810 in the circumferential direction (not shown).

[0094] 3(c), in the first housing section 30 assembled with the rotator 31, stator 32, and sleeve 33 configured in this manner, the rotator 31 and the sleeve 33 are locked and fixed in place with the fixed-side ring plate 321 sandwiched between the inner circumferential wall portion 312 and the sleeve outer circumferential wall 332. This allows the rotator 31 and the sleeve 33 to rotate relative to the stator 32, with the central axis of the rotating-side ring plate 311 in a plan view serving as the rotation center axis R.

[0095] The first housing portion 30 defines a first housing space S1 that is annular in plan view and is surrounded by the rotating-side ring plate 311, the inner peripheral wall portion 312, the fixed-side ring plate 321, and the outer peripheral wall portion 322. The first housing space S1 is provided with a retainer 50 that is rotatable relative to the first housing portion 30 around the central rotation axis R in plan view.

[0096] As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the retainer 50 is composed of a rotary table 51 placed on the fixed ring plate 321 and a plurality of rotating rollers 52 that can rotate clockwise and counterclockwise.

[0097] The rotary table 51 is a plate-like body having an annular shape in a plan view and a width slightly narrower than that of the fixed-side ring plate 321, and is provided with an outer edge rib 511 on its outer edge that protrudes downward to the ZD by the same length as the height of the annular rib 34 (see FIG. 4(b)). In addition, six support shafts 512 are provided upright on the upper surface of the rotary table 51 at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction, and upright wall portions 513 are provided between the support shafts 512.

[0098] In plan view, the support shafts 512 are generally cylindrical bodies erected from the radial center of the turntable 51, and six of them are provided at equal intervals around the circumference of the turntable 51. The support shafts 512 configured in this manner can have the rotating rollers 52 attached from the upper side ZU.

[0099] In plan view, the rotating roller 52 has a diameter slightly smaller than the width (radial length) of the turntable 51 and is generally cylindrical with a height generally equal to the band width of the cable 10. A recess into which the support shaft 512 can be inserted is provided on the lower side ZD of the rotating roller 52. By placing the rotating roller 52 over the support shaft 512, the rotating roller 52 configured in this manner can rotate clockwise and counterclockwise around a rotation axis along the support shaft 512 as the center of rotation.

[0100] The upright wall portion 513 is a wall that stands upright from the rotary table 51 between the support shafts 512, and has a guide surface 53 that faces the rotating rollers 52 attached to the support shafts 512 at a predetermined interval in the circumferential direction. As shown in FIG. 4A , the guide surface 53 is an arc-shaped flat surface that curves along the outer circumferential surface of the rotating roller 52. In other words, the curvature of the guide surface 53 is the same as the curvature of the rotating rollers 52.

[0101] The retainer 50 configured in this manner is placed on the fixed-side ring plate 321. Therefore, it can rotate relative to the first housing portion 30 in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions around the rotation center axis R in a plan view, without being affected by the rotation of the rotator 31 that accompanies the rotation operation of the handle 820.

[0102] The second accommodating section 40, which is stacked on the lower side ZD of the first accommodating section 30, is a accommodating member that is generally annular in plan view and has a second accommodating space S2 that accommodates the second cable 12, which is the other end side of the first cable 11 accommodated in the first accommodating section 30. As shown in Fig. 5 , the second accommodating section 40 is composed of a accommodating section main body 41 that accommodates the second cable 12, and an outlet section 42 that leads out the other end of the second cable 12.

[0103] 5( a) and 5(b), the housing main body 41 is composed of an outlet-side ring plate 411 having an annular shape in a plan view, an outlet-side outer peripheral wall 412 standing upright from the outer peripheral edge of the outlet-side ring plate 411, and an outlet-side inner peripheral wall 413 standing upright from the inner peripheral edge of the outlet-side ring plate 411. The outlet-side ring plate 411, the outlet-side outer peripheral wall 412, and the outlet-side inner peripheral wall 413, together with the inner peripheral wall portion 312, form a second housing space S2 that houses the second cable 12, which is a part of the cable 10 wound in a spiral shape.

[0104] 5(a), the outlet-side ring plate 411 is an annular ring plate in plan view, having an outer diameter equal to the outer diameter of the fixed-side ring plate 321 and an inner diameter slightly larger than the inner diameter of the fixed-side ring plate 321. More specifically, the inner diameter of the outlet-side ring plate 411 is slightly longer than the length from the rotation center axis R to the radially inner end of the stator-side through-hole 35 provided in the rotation-side ring plate 311 in plan view.

[0105] The outlet-side outer peripheral wall 412, which stands upward from the outer peripheral edge of the outlet-side ring plate 411, is a cylindrical outer peripheral wall and is disposed on the lower side ZD of the outer peripheral wall portion 322. The outlet-side outer peripheral wall 412 configured in this manner is provided with a lower slit 43, through which the cable 10 can be inserted, at a position corresponding to the outlet portion 42.

[0106] The lower slit 43 has a width slightly larger than the thickness of the cable 10, and is formed by cutting out the outlet-side outer peripheral wall 412 in the axial direction Z along the tangential direction of the outlet-side ring plate 411 in a plan view. The lower slit 43 configured in this manner can guide the other end of the second cable 12, which is wound along the inner peripheral surface of the outlet-side outer peripheral wall 412, to the outlet portion 42.

[0107] The outlet-side inner peripheral wall 413 is a cylindrical inner peripheral wall that stands upward ZU from the inner peripheral edge of the outlet-side ring plate 411 and has an inner diameter that is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the sleeve 33. In other words, the outlet-side inner peripheral wall 413 is configured so that the sleeve 33 can be inserted in the axial direction Z. The outlet-side inner peripheral wall 413 configured in this manner is provided with a holding portion 44 that holds the cable 10 inserted through the stator-side through-hole 35, as shown in FIG. 5( a).

[0108] The retaining portion 44 protrudes radially inward from the inner surface of the outlet side inner wall 413 at a position corresponding to the radially inner end of the stator side through hole 35, straddling the inner surface of the outlet side inner wall 413, and has an inner slit 441 through which the cable 10 that has been bent and redirected to the downward side ZD can be inserted.

[0109] The inner slit 441 is a slit having openings on the upper side ZU and the radially outer side. That is, the inner slit 441 communicates with the stator-side through-hole 35 and the second accommodating space S2. The inner slit 441 configured in this manner can hold the bent portion of the cable 10 that is further bent radially outward, of the cable 10 that is bent toward the lower side ZD, and can guide the cable 10 into the second accommodating space S2.

[0110] The outlet-side inner peripheral wall 413 is provided with a leaf spring member 60 (see FIG. 2) that applies a radially outward biasing force to the cable 10 accommodated in the second accommodation space S2. As shown in FIG. 6, the leaf spring member 60 is composed of a spring shaft 61 and four spring projections 62 that protrude from the spring shaft 61.

[0111] The spring shaft portion 61 is a cylindrical body configured to be fitted onto the outside of the outlet-side inner peripheral wall 413. When the spring shaft portion 61 is fitted onto the outside of the outlet-side inner peripheral wall 413, a spring-side slit 611 through which the cable 10 can be inserted is provided at a position corresponding to the inner slit 441.

[0112] The spring protrusions 62 are elastic metal spring members. More specifically, the spring protrusions 62 are protrusions that protrude radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the spring shaft portion 61 so as to be inclined counterclockwise in a plan view, and are provided at four locations at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the cylindrical spring shaft portion 61. The tip portions of the spring protrusions 62 are arc-shaped, curving radially inward as they approach the tip.

[0113] The spring projection 62 configured in this manner elastically deforms in the radial direction, with the connection point with the spring shaft 61 as a fulcrum. That is, the spring projection 62 can apply a biasing force in the radially outward direction by applying an external force in the radially inward direction.

[0114] 5A, the lead-out portion 42 is a hollow housing that protrudes from the rear side YB of the lead-out-side outer peripheral wall 412 toward the left side XL in a plan view, and is disposed on the lower side ZD of the harness lead-out portion 323. Further, a direction changing roller 45 is provided inside the lead-out portion 42 to change the direction of the other end of the cable 10 that has been inserted through the lower slit 43 toward the lower side ZD.

[0115] In detail, as shown in Figure 5 (a), the outlet portion 42 has a pair of first wall portions 421 protruding from the outlet side outer wall 412 to the left side XL, a second wall portion 422 connecting the ends of the pair of first wall portions 421 on the left side XL, and a partition wall 423 facing the second wall portions 422.

[0116] The first wall portion 421 is a wall configured to be longer in the axial direction Z than the outlet-side outer peripheral wall 412, and extends from the outlet-side outer peripheral wall 412 in the first direction X. The upper end of the first wall portion 421 is flush with the upper end of the outlet-side outer peripheral wall 412. That is, the first wall portion 421 protrudes slightly downward ZD from the accommodating portion main body 41. The length in the first direction X of the first wall portion 421 arranged on the far side YB is longer than the length in the first direction X of the harness outlet portion 323. The first wall portions 421 configured in this manner are provided in pairs in the second direction Y so as to be flush with the main surfaces of the corresponding harness outlet portions 323.

[0117] The second wall portion 422 is a wall having the same height as the first wall portion 421, and connects the ends of the paired first wall portion 421 on the left side XL. The second wall portion 422 has a main surface along the second direction Y.

[0118] The partition wall 423 faces the second wall portion 422 across a predetermined gap in the first direction X, and connects the right side XR of the pair of first wall portions 421 in the second direction Y. A slit having the same shape as the lower slit 43 is provided at the end of the rear side YB of the partition wall 423, and the cable 10 inserted through the lower slit 43 can be guided to the left side XL.

[0119] The lead-out portion 42, which is thus composed of the first wall portion 421, the second wall portion 422, and the partition wall 423, has a space formed therein for redirecting the second cable 12 led out from the second housing space S2 toward the downward side ZD. The lead-out portion 42 also has a lead-out opening 424 for leading the cable 10 out to the downward side ZD. The upper side ZU of the lead-out portion 42 can be covered with a cover (not shown).

[0120] 5(c), the direction-changing roller 45 provided inside the lead-out portion 42 is a member for winding the cable 10 around it and guiding the cable 10 to the downward side ZD. More specifically, the direction-changing roller 45 is integrally formed of a connecting shaft portion 451 that straddles the opposing second wall portion 422 and the partition wall 423, and a cylindrical portion 452 provided in the central portion of the connecting shaft portion 451.

[0121] The connecting shaft 451 is a thin rod-shaped body that connects the second wall 422 and the partition wall 423 so as to straddle the central portions of these walls in the second direction Y, and is inclined downward toward the left side XL. Both ends of the connecting shaft 451 configured in this manner are rotatably held by the second wall 422 and the partition wall 423, respectively.

[0122] The columnar portion 452 is a cylindrical body having a sufficient height relative to the width of the cable 10, and the connecting shaft portion 451 is inserted in the height direction through the center of the circular bottom surface. That is, like the connecting shaft portion 451, the columnar portion 452 is inclined toward the downward side ZD as it moves toward the left side XL.

[0123] The first accommodating section 30 and the second accommodating section 40 configured in this manner are stacked in the axial direction Z in a state in which the first cable 11 and the second cable 12, which are parts of the cable 10, are accommodated in the first accommodating space S1 and the second accommodating space S2, as described above. The cable 10 accommodated in the first accommodating space S1 and the second accommodating space S2 will be briefly described below with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8 .

[0124] 7A, the first cable 11 accommodated in the first accommodation space S1 is wound clockwise in a plan view around the outer circumferential surface of the inner circumferential wall portion 312 so that the widths of the three overlapping flexible flat cables 10x are aligned along the axial direction Z. Furthermore, each flexible flat cable 10x wound around the inner circumferential wall portion 312 is inserted between the rotating roller 52 and the guide surface 53 at equal intervals, rewound, and then wound counterclockwise around the inner circumferential surface of the outer circumferential wall portion 322 so as to overlap.

[0125] Here, the portion wound around the inner circumferential wall portion 312 is referred to as the first inner wound portion 111, and the portion wound counterclockwise along the inner circumferential surface of the outer circumferential wall portion 322 is referred to as the first outer wound portion 112. The portion inserted between the rotating roller 52 and the guide surface 53 and wound back is referred to as the first wound back portion 113.

[0126] One end of the first cable 11 wound and accommodated in the first accommodation space S1 is coupled to the rotator-side connector accommodation portion 313. That is, one end of the first cable 11 is held by the rotator 31. This allows the cable 11 to be electrically connected to the external device by connecting the connector of an electric wire connected to the electrical circuit of the external device mounted on the handle 820 to the rotator-side connector accommodation portion 313.

[0127] The other end of the first outer wound portion 112 wound around the inner circumferential surface of the outer circumferential wall portion 322 is bent toward the downward side ZD and is inserted into the upper slit 36 ​​and accommodated inside the harness leading-out portion 323. The other end of the first cable 11 is held in the upper slit 36.

[0128] Furthermore, the cable 10 whose direction has been changed toward the downward side ZD is further bent along the radial direction, and the other end side is further bent toward the downward side ZD by a length from the bending position along the stator-side through hole 35 (see FIG. 2). Of the cable 10 bent in two stages in this way, the radial portion is routed along the stator-side through hole 35 so as to be aligned with the stator-side through hole 35, as shown in FIG. 7(b).

[0129] Furthermore, the cable 10 bent to face the downward side ZD is further bent to face radially outward and inserted into the inner slit 441 (see FIGS. 2, 7(b), and 8). That is, the cable 10 is held by the holding portion 44. The cable 10 held by the holding portion 44 in this manner is guided from the radially inner end of the stator-side through-hole 35 toward the inner slit 441 and extends from the inner slit 441 toward the second accommodating space S2. Here, the portion of the cable 10 that is routed along the stator-side through-hole 35 and held by the holding portion 44 is referred to as an intermediate portion 13.

[0130] 8 , the cable 10 (second cable 12) extending from the inner slit 441 toward the second housing space S2 is wound counterclockwise in plan view along the inner circumferential surface of the outlet-side inner circumferential wall 413 so as to abut against the outer surface of the spring projection 62. The main surface of the second cable 12 wound around the spring projection 62 in this manner presses the spring projection 62 radially inward. As a result, the spring projection 62 bends radially inward with the connection point with the spring shaft 61 as a fulcrum, and a biasing force radially outward is generated in the spring projection 62.

[0131] The other end of the second cable 12 wound in the second housing space S2 is inserted through the downward slit 43 and guided into the lead-out portion 42. The second cable 12 guided into the lead-out portion 42 in this manner is wound so that its main surface abuts the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 452. This allows the second cable 12 to be redirected toward the downward side ZD, and the cable 10 to be led out from the lead-out port 424 to the downward side ZD. Here, the portion of the cable 10 guided from the lead-out portion 42 toward the downward side ZD is referred to as the base-side cable 14.

[0132] In addition, the end of the base-end cable 14 is provided with a base-end connector 141 that can be connected to an equipment-side connector 831 provided on a wire harness 830 connected to electrical equipment (not shown) installed in the vehicle (see Figure 2).

[0133] The main shaft portion 810 is inserted from the lower side ZD into the cable winding device 1 that accommodates a portion of the cable 10 in this manner, and the handle 820 is engaged with the rotator 31 from the upper side ZU with the handle-side connector 821 of the handle 820 connected to the rotator-side connector accommodation portion 313. In this manner, with the handle 820 engaged with the rotator 31, the handle 820 and the main shaft portion 810 are connected, and the stator 32 can be fixed to the shaft insertion portion through which the main shaft portion 810 is inserted. Then, by connecting the base-end connector 141 to the device-side connector 831, the handle 820 can be electrically connected to electrical devices in the vehicle.

[0134] The cable winding device 1 connected to the main shaft portion 810 and the handle 820 in this manner can rotate the rotator 31 and the sleeve 33 relative to the stator 32 fixed to the shaft insertion portion in accordance with the rotation of the handle 820.

[0135] The cable winding device 1 configured with the cable 10 accommodated in this manner and the housing 20 that accommodates the cable 10 can accommodate not only the sliding movement in the axial direction Z of the handle 820 attached to the cable winding device 1, but also the rotational movement about the central axis of rotation R along the axial direction Z. Furthermore, the cable winding device 1 can be configured compactly in the axial direction Z, and can smoothly pull out and wind up the base-end side cable 14, and can also smoothly wind up the base-end side cable 14.

[0136] For example, as shown in FIG. 9( a), when the handle 820 is slid upward from a predetermined position toward the upper side ZU, the base cable 14, which is routed from the outlet 424 to the downward side ZD, is pulled out. Specifically, by sliding the handle 820 upward from the predetermined position toward the upper side ZU, a tensile force acts on the base cable 14, pulling the base cable 14 downward (see FIG. 9( a)). The tensile force acting on the base cable 14 is transmitted through the cable 10 to the second cable 12, causing the second cable 12 to be pulled out from the second housing space S2 toward the lead-out portion 42. At this time, the second cable 12, which is spirally wound in the second housing space S2, deforms so as to reduce its diameter in a plan view, as shown in FIG. 9( b), allowing the second cable 12 to be smoothly pulled out from the second housing space S2 toward the lead-out portion 42. Therefore, the cable 10 is pulled out from the lead-out portion 42 to the downward side ZD.

[0137] Furthermore, inside the lead-out portion 42, the second cable 12 inclines toward the downward side ZD as it extends toward the left side XL, and is wound around the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical portion 452 that is assembled to be rotatable around a rotation axis along the connecting shaft portion 451. Therefore, when the base-end cable 14 is pulled out from the lead-out portion 42, the cylindrical portion 452 rotates, smoothly pulling out the second cable 12 from the inside to the outside of the housing main body 41, and the pulling direction of the second cable 12 can be easily changed from the left side XL to the downward side ZD. Furthermore, when the second cable 12 is pulled out, the cylindrical portion 452 around which the main surface of the second cable 12 is wound rotates, so sliding between the cylindrical portion 452 and the second cable 12 prevents the second cable 12 from rubbing against each other and wearing out.

[0138] As the second cable 12 is pulled out toward the lead-out portion 42, the second cable 12, which has been reduced in diameter in the second housing space S2, comes into contact with the spring projection 62, further pressing the spring projection 62 radially inward (see FIG. 9(b)). Therefore, a larger biasing force acts on the spring projection 62.

[0139] On the other hand, when the handle 820 is slid downward ZD from the predetermined position, the tension acting on the base-side cable 14 is relaxed. Therefore, the biasing force of the spring projection 62 acting on the second cable 12 presses the second cable 12 radially outward, causing the spirally wound second cable 12 in the second housing space S2 to expand in diameter (see FIG. 10( b)). As a result, the second cable 12 is wound into the second housing space S2, and the base-side cable 14 led out from the lead-out portion 42 is housed in the lead-out portion 42.

[0140] At this time, similar to when the cable 10 is pulled out, the base-end cable 14 is pulled back from the lead-out portion 42, causing the cylindrical portion 452 to rotate. This allows the second cable 12 to be smoothly pulled in from the outside toward the inside of the housing main body 41, and the direction in which the second cable 12 is pulled in can be easily changed from the upper side ZU to the right side XR. Furthermore, pulling back the second cable 12 causes the cylindrical portion 452, around which the main surface of the second cable 12 is wrapped, to rotate, which prevents the second cable 12 from sliding against the cylindrical portion 452, thereby preventing the second cable 12 from rubbing against and wearing out.

[0141] In this way, the cable winding device 1 is pulled out from or wound up in the second accommodating section 40 in response to the movement of the handle 820 in the axial direction Z, and therefore the length of the base-end side cable 14 can be adjusted in response to the movement of the handle 820 in the axial direction Z. Therefore, the cable winding device 1 can maintain an electrical connection state between the electrical devices in the vehicle and the handle 820.

[0142] 11 , when the handle 820 fixed to the rotator 31 is rotated counterclockwise in a plan view, the rotator 31 rotates counterclockwise in conjunction with the rotation of the handle 820. At this time, the first rewinding portion 113 pulls the rotating roller 52 counterclockwise, and one end of the first cable 11 is further wound around the inner circumferential wall portion 312. This causes the retainer 50 to rotate counterclockwise, and the first outer winding portion 112 wound around the outer circumferential wall portion 322 is unwound into the first inner winding portion 111 as the rotating roller 52 rotates.

[0143] Similarly, when the handle 820 is rotated clockwise in a plan view, the rotator 31 rotates clockwise in conjunction with the rotation of the handle 820. At this time, the first rewound portion 113 is pressed against the guide surface 53, so that the retainer 50 rotates clockwise and the first inner wound portion 111 wound around the inner circumferential wall portion 312 is unwound. Then, due to the clockwise rotation of the retainer 50, the unwound first inner wound portion 111 is wound around the outer circumferential wall portion 322 in conjunction with the rotation of the rotating roller 52.

[0144] In this way, in the cable winding device 1, the first cable 11 is wound tight or loose in the first storage space S1 in response to the rotation of the handle 820, and can follow the rotation of the handle 820.

[0145] In this way, the cable winding device 1 functions as a handle power supply device 2 that can supply power from the main body to the handle 820. Furthermore, in response to the sliding movement of the handle 820, the second housing section 40 can pull out and wind up the cable 10, and in response to the rotational movement of the handle 820, the first housing section 30 can make the cable 10 follow the rotational movement of the handle 820.

[0146] Furthermore, since the cable winding device 1 is assembled such that the first storage section 30 and the second storage section 40 are stacked in the axial direction Z, the cable winding device 1 can be configured compactly when viewed in a plan view.

[0147] The cable winding device 1 described above is configured to smoothly pull out and wind up the cable 10 by accommodating the leaf spring member 60 inside the second accommodating section 40, but the configuration for winding the cable 10 is not limited to this. For example, a spring material that is spiral in plan view, such as a power spring, may be used instead of the leaf spring member 60.

[0148] 12 to 15, a cable winding device 1a that uses a spiral spring 60a, which is a spring material that is spiral in plan view, as a configuration for winding a cable 10. In the following description of the cable winding device 1a, the same components as those in the cable winding device 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

[0149] Here, Fig. 12 shows a schematic perspective view of the retainer 50 and the spiral spring 60a provided in the second housing portion 40a as viewed from the lower side ZD, and Fig. 13 shows an explanatory diagram of the second housing portion 40a in which the second cable 12 is housed. Figs. 14 and 15 show explanatory diagrams of the second housing portion 40a in which the second cable 12 is housed when the handle 820 is slid.

[0150] Fig. 13(a) shows a schematic plan view of the second housing portion 40a with the second cable 12 housed therein, and Fig. 13(b) shows a schematic plan view of the spiral spring 60a provided in the second housing portion 40a in Fig. 13(a). Fig. 14(a) shows a schematic plan view of the second housing portion 40a with the second cable 12 housed therein when the handle 820 is moved to the upper side ZU, and Fig. 14(b) shows a schematic plan view of the spiral spring 60a provided in the second housing portion 40a in Fig. 14(a). Fig. 15(a) shows a schematic plan view of the second housing portion 40a with the second cable 12 housed therein when the handle 820 is moved to the lower side ZD, and Fig. 15(b) shows a schematic plan view of the spiral spring 60a provided in the second housing portion 40a in Fig. 15(a).

[0151] In Figures 13(b), 14(b), and 15(b), in order to clearly illustrate the spiral spring 60a, the retainer 50 and the second cable 12 are shown with dashed lines, thereby illustrating the retainer 50 and the second cable 12 in a transparent state.

[0152] The cable winding device 1a has substantially the same shape as the cable winding device 1, except that the second accommodating section 40a constitutes the accommodating body 20 instead of the second accommodating section 40. As shown in Fig. 12, the second accommodating section 40a includes a retainer 50a and a spiral spring 60a instead of the leaf spring member 60 in the second accommodating space S2.

[0153] The retainer 50a has the same shape as the retainer 50, except for the width (radial length) of the rotary table 51. More specifically, the retainer 50a is composed of a rotary table 51a placed on the outlet-side ring plate 411 and a plurality of rotating rollers 52 that can rotate on their own axes while being supported by the rotary table 51a.

[0154] The rotary table 51a is a plate-like body having an annular shape in a plan view, and has the same shape as the rotary table 51 except for its radial width. As shown in Fig. 12, a spiral spring 60a having a spiral shape in a plan view is provided on the lower side ZD of the rotary table 51a.

[0155] The spiral spring 60a is a so-called power spring formed by winding a highly elastic metal strip counterclockwise in a plan view (see FIGS. 12 and 13(b)). One end of the spiral spring 60a is fastened to the outer edge rib 511, and the other end of the spiral spring 60a is fastened to the outlet-side outer peripheral wall 412.

[0156] In the second storage section 40a thus provided with the retainer 50a and the spiral spring 60a, the second cable 12 is stored in a spirally wound state in the second storage space S2, similar to the first cable 11 stored in the first storage space S1, as shown in Figure 13 (a).

[0157] More specifically, the cable 10 extending from the inner slit 441 toward the second housing space S2 is wound clockwise in a plan view around the outer peripheral surface of the outlet-side inner peripheral wall 413 so that the width of the three overlapping flexible flat cables 10x is aligned along the axial direction Z. Furthermore, each flexible flat cable 10x wound around the outlet-side inner peripheral wall 413 is inserted between the rotating roller 52 and the guide surface 53 at equal intervals and rewound, and then wound counterclockwise around the inner peripheral surface of the outlet-side outer peripheral wall 412 in an overlapping state.

[0158] Here, the portion of the second cable 12 that is wound clockwise around the outlet-side outer peripheral wall 412 is referred to as the second inner wound portion 121, and the portion that is wound counterclockwise along the inner peripheral surface of the outlet-side inner peripheral wall 413 is referred to as the second outer wound portion 122. The portion that is inserted between the rotating roller 52 and the guide surface 53 and wound back is referred to as the second wound back portion 123 (see FIG. 13( a)).

[0159] 13B , when the second cable 12 is wound around the retainer 50a, the spiral spring 60a is wound in a counterclockwise spiral shape in a plan view, connecting the outlet-side inner circumferential wall 413 and the outer edge rib 511. Therefore, the spiral spring 60a can bias the retainer 50a in the circumferential direction in response to the relative rotation of the retainer 50a with respect to the outlet-side ring plate 411.

[0160] The other end of the second wound portion 123 wound around the inner circumferential surface of the outlet-side inner circumferential wall 413 is inserted into the lower slit 43 and guided into the outlet portion 42, similar to the cable winding device 1. The second cable 12 guided into the outlet portion 42 is then wound around the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 452, thereby changing its direction to extend from the left side XL toward the lower side ZD, and can be led out of the outlet 424 to the lower side ZD.

[0161] The cable winding device 1a configured in this manner achieves the same effects as the cable winding device 1. For example, when the handle 820 is slid upward ZU from a predetermined position, the base-end cable 14 leading out from the lead-out portion 42 is pulled out. That is, the second cable 12 is pulled out from the second accommodation space S2 toward the lead-out portion 42. As a result, as shown in FIG. 14( a), the second rewinding portion 123 pulls the rotating roller 52 counterclockwise, causing the retainer 50 to rotate counterclockwise. As a result, the second inner winding portion 121 wound around the lead-out side inner circumferential wall 413 is unwound onto the second outer winding portion 122 as the rotating roller 52 rotates.

[0162] 14B, the retainer 50a is rotated counterclockwise, and the spiral spring 60a is wound tight, thereby generating a biasing force in the clockwise direction on the retainer 50a.

[0163] On the other hand, when the handle 820 is slid downward ZD from the predetermined position, the tension acting on the base-side cable 14 is relaxed. As a result, as shown in FIG. 15( a), the retainer 50 rotates clockwise due to the biasing force acting on the spiral spring 60a. This clockwise rotation of the retainer 50 causes the rotating roller 52 to press the second rewound portion 123 of the second cable 12 between the second inner wound portion 121 and the second outer wound portion 122 in the clockwise direction. As a result, the retainer 50 rotates clockwise, and the second inner wound portion 121 is wound around the outlet-side inner circumferential wall 413. This also causes the second outer wound portion 122 along the inner circumferential surface of the outlet-side outer circumferential wall 412 to be wound around, and the second cable 12 is pulled into the second housing space S2. Therefore, the second cable 12 can be rewound into the second housing space S2.

[0164] In this way, cable winding device 1a functions as a handle power supply device 2 that can supply power from the vehicle body to handle 820, similar to cable winding device 1. Furthermore, cable winding device 1a winds and pulls out cable 10 in second housing 40 in response to the sliding movement of handle 820, and can make cable 10 follow the rotation of handle 820 in first housing 30 in response to the rotation of handle 820.

[0165] In the cable winding devices 1, 1a configured as described above, the first cable 11 and the second cable 12 are integrally configured, but this configuration is not necessarily required. For example, as shown in Fig. 16, a connecting portion 15 that connects the first cable 11 and the second cable 12 may be provided between the first cable 11 and the second cable 12, i.e., at a location corresponding to the intermediate portion 13.

[0166] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 16 , the connecting portion 15 is composed of a first connector 151 connected to the other end of the first cable 11 and a second connector 152 connected to one end of the second cable 12.

[0167] The first connector 151 is a connector that connects to the conductor of the first cable 11 along the first direction X, and includes an L-shaped bus bar therein that is bent toward the downward side ZD, and has an insertion hole on the lower side into which the second connector 152 can be fitted. The first connector 151 configured in this manner is housed inside the harness lead-out portion 323.

[0168] Note that the connecting portion 15 may be configured to electrically and physically connect the connectors and terminals provided at the end of the first cable 11 and the end of the second cable 12. The connecting portion 15 may also be configured to electrically and physically connect the connectors and terminals provided at the end of the first cable 11 and the end of the second cable 12 to a connector or a bus bar.

[0169] Furthermore, as described above, the cable winding device 1, 1a is configured so that the base-side cable 14 can be pulled out or retracted from the lead-out portion 42 along the axial direction Z, and therefore the base-side cable 14 can follow the sliding movement of the handle 820 along the axial direction Z. However, the base-side cable 14 is not limited to being pulled out or retracted along the axial direction Z, and may be configured so that the base-side cable 14 can be pulled out or retracted, for example, along a first direction X perpendicular to the axial direction Z.

[0170] Third Embodiment A cable winding device 1b configured to be able to pull out or rewind the base-end cable 14 along the first direction X will be briefly described below with reference to Figures 17 and 18. In the following description of the cable winding device 1b, the same components as those in the above-described cable winding device 1 will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

[0171] Here, Fig. 17(a) shows a schematic perspective view of the second storage section 40b, and Fig. 17(b) shows a schematic plan view of the second storage section 40b in which the second cable 12 is stored. Fig. 18(a) shows a schematic plan view of the sheet member 900 to which the cable winding device 1b is attached after sliding, and Fig. 18(a) shows a schematic plan view of the sheet member 900 to which the cable winding device 1b is attached after rotating. Note that in Fig. 18, the cable winding device 1b attached to the lower side ZD of the sheet main body 910 is shown by a dashed line.

[0172] The cable winding device 1b has the same configuration as the cable winding device 1, except that it includes a second housing portion 40b instead of the second housing portion 40. As shown in Figures 17(a) and 17(b), the second housing portion 40b includes a housing portion main body 41 that houses the second cable 12, and an outlet portion 42b that outlets the other end of the second cable 12. A leaf spring member 60 is provided inside the housing portion main body 41 (second housing space S2).

[0173] The lead-out portion 42b is a hollow housing configured so that the other end of the second cable 12 inserted through the lower slit 43 can be led out toward the left side XL, and has substantially the same configuration as the lead-out portion 42. That is, the lead-out portion 42b protrudes from the rear side YB of the lead-out-side outer peripheral wall 412 toward the left side XL, and like the lead-out portion 42, a direction change roller 45 is provided inside.

[0174] In detail, as shown in Figure 17 (a), the outlet portion 42b has a pair of first wall portions 421 along the first direction X, a second wall portion 422b connecting the ends of the pair of first wall portions 421 on the left side XL, and an end wall 423b facing the second wall portion 422.

[0175] The second wall portion 422b is a wall having the same height as the first wall portion 421, and connects the ends of the paired first wall portion 421 on the left side XL. The second wall portion 422b has a main surface along the second direction Y. An outlet slit 425 through which the cable 10 can be inserted in the first direction X is provided at the end of the lower side ZD of the second wall portion 422b configured in this manner (see FIG. 17(a)).

[0176] The lead-out slit 425 is a concave groove formed by recessing the lower end of the second wall portion 422b by a height substantially equal to the thickness of the cable 10. The length of the lead-out slit 425 in the second direction Y is slightly longer than the width of the cable 10. In other words, the lead-out slit 425 can lead out the cable 10, whose width is aligned with the second direction Y, to the left side XL.

[0177] The end wall 423b is a wall that connects the end of the first wall portion 421 on the right side XR, which is disposed on the far side YB, to the first wall portion 421 in the second direction Y. The lead-out portion 42b, which is thus configured by the first wall portion 421, the second wall portion 422b, and the end wall 423b, has a space formed therein for changing the belt width direction of the second cable 12 led out from the second accommodating space S2. As shown in FIG. 17(b) , a direction changing roller 45 is attached to the space provided inside the lead-out portion 42b.

[0178] The direction changing roller 45 attached to the outlet portion 42b is attached in a different direction from the direction changing roller 45 attached to the outlet portion 42. More specifically, as shown in Fig. 17(b), the direction changing roller 45 attached to the outlet portion 42b is integrally formed of a connecting shaft portion 451 that straddles the opposing first wall portions 421 and a cylindrical portion 452 provided in the central portion of the connecting shaft portion 451.

[0179] The connecting shaft 451 is a thin rod-shaped body that connects the first wall portions 421 so as to straddle the central portions of the first wall portions 421 in the second direction Y, and is inclined toward the downward side ZD as it moves toward the front side YA. Furthermore, both ends of the connecting shaft 451 are held rotatably relative to the opposing first wall portions 421.

[0180] In the second accommodating section 40b configured in this manner, the second cable 12, which is continuous with the first cable 11 that is spirally wound and accommodated in the first accommodating space S1, is spirally wound and accommodated in the second accommodating space S2, similar to the second accommodating section 40. The other end of the second cable 12 that passes through the lower slit 43 is wound around the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical section 452 from the lower side ZD, as shown in FIG.

[0181] By winding the cable 10 led out from the second accommodating space S2 around the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 452 configured in this manner, the sash width direction of the cable 10 along the rotation center axis R (axial direction Z) can be changed to be along the second direction Y. Then, the other end of the second cable 12, whose sash width direction has been changed to be along the second direction Y, can be led out to the left side XL through the lead-out slit 425. That is, just as the cable 10 (base-end cable 14) whose sash width direction is along the first direction X is pulled out or wound in the axial direction Z in the cable winding devices 1, 1a, the cable 10 (base-end cable 14) whose sash width direction is along the second direction Y can be pulled out or wound in the first direction X in the cable winding device 1b.

[0182] The cable winding device 1b configured in this manner can be attached to a seat member 900, for example, as shown in Fig. 18. Here, as shown in Fig. 18(a) and Fig. 18(b), the seat member 900 is configured to include a seat body 910 which is a seat portion, a pair of rails 920 extending along the first direction X, and a connecting member 930 which rotatably connects the seat body 910 and is configured to be slidable along the rails 920.

[0183] The rotator 31 is then connected and fixed to the surface of the lower side ZD of the seat main body 910, and the stator 32 and the second accommodating portion 40b are fixed to the connecting member 930. That is, the seat main body 910 and the connecting member 930 can be connected via the cable winding device 1b. Note that the rotator-side connector accommodating portion 313 of the cable winding device 1b is connected to a connector (not shown) of an electric wire connected to an electric circuit of an external device such as a heater provided in the seat member 900. Also, the base-end connector 141 provided at the tip of the base-end cable 14 is connected to a body-side connector 941 of a seat-side harness 940 connected to electrical devices (not shown) mounted on the vehicle.

[0184] 18( a), as the sheet member 900 slides in the first direction X, the base-side cable 14 can be pulled out or wound up. Also, as shown in FIG. 18( b), in response to rotation of the sheet member 900 about the rotation center axis R, the rotator 31 can be rotated relative to the stator 32 fixed to the connecting member 930. As a result, the sheet member 900 can be rotated about the rotation center axis R along the axial direction Z.

[0185] In this way, the cable winding device 1b functions as a sheet power supply device 3 that can supply power from the main body to the sheet member 900, and in response to the sliding movement of the sheet member 900, the cable 10 is wound up or pulled out in the second storage section 40b, and in response to the rotational movement of the sheet member 900, the cable 10 can be moved in the first storage section 30 in response to the rotational movement of the handle 820.

[0186] Furthermore, in the cable winding device 1, 1a, the first accommodating portion 30 and the second accommodating portion 40, 40a are assembled together so as to be stacked in the axial direction Z, and the first accommodating portion 30 and the second accommodating portion 40, 40a are slid along the axial direction Z together with the handle 820. However, the first accommodating portion 30 and the second accommodating portion 40, 40a do not necessarily have to be configured as an integral unit.

[0187] 19 and 20, a second housing portion 40c that is capable of adjusting the distance from the first housing portion 30 and a cable winding device 1c using the second housing portion 40c will be briefly described below. In the following description of the second housing portion 40c and the cable winding device 1c, the same components as those in the above-described second housing portions 40, 40a and cable winding devices 1, 1a will be denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

[0188] Fig. 19 shows a schematic perspective view of the housing body 20c, and Fig. 20 shows a schematic plan view of the second housing section 40c housing the second cable 12. In Fig. 19, the second housing section 40c stacked on the first housing section 30c is shown by a dashed line, and the second housing section 40c slid upward ZU relative to the first housing section 30c is shown by a solid line.

[0189] The cable winding device 1c includes a housing 20c configured with a first housing section 30c and a second housing section 40c configured separately from each other, instead of the housing 20 in the cable winding device 1. The first housing section 30c has the same configuration as the first housing section 30 except that the harness lead-out section 323 protrudes on the left side XL, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0190] The second accommodating portion 40c includes an accommodating portion main body 41c corresponding to the accommodating portion main body 41 and an outlet portion 42c corresponding to the outlet portion 42. Like the accommodating portion main body 41, the accommodating portion main body 41c includes an outlet-side ring plate 411c having an annular shape in a plan view, an outlet-side outer peripheral wall 412 extending upward from the outer peripheral edge of the outlet-side ring plate 411c, and an outlet-side inner peripheral wall 413 extending upward from the inner peripheral edge of the outlet-side ring plate 411c. The outlet-side ring plate 411c, the outlet-side outer peripheral wall 412, and the outlet-side inner peripheral wall 413, together with the inner peripheral wall portion 312, form a second accommodating space S2 that accommodates the second cable 12 around which a portion of the cable 10 is wound. The outlet-side inner peripheral wall 413 is provided with a leaf spring member 60 that applies a radially outward biasing force to the cable 10 accommodated in the second accommodating space S2.

[0191] The outlet-side ring plate 411c is provided with a stator-side connector accommodating portion 414 that functions as a connector and protrudes downward toward the ZD from a position corresponding to the holding portion 44. The stator-side connector accommodating portion 414 is an accommodating portion that accommodates a connector attached to the other end of the second cable 12 accommodated in the second accommodating space S2, and can be connected to an equipment-side connector 831 provided at the end of the wire harness 830.

[0192] The holding portion 44 provided on the outlet-side ring plate 411c is configured to hold the base-end connector 141 attached to the other end of the cable 10 in place of the inner slit 441. The holding portion 44 configured in this manner can electrically connect the device-side connector 831 connected to the stator-side connector housing portion 414 and the base-end connector 141.

[0193] The lead-out portion 42c has substantially the same shape as the lead-out portion 42, except for the mounting direction of the direction-changing roller 45. The direction-changing roller 45 mounted inside the lead-out portion 42c is a member for winding the cable 10 around it to change the direction of the cable 10, and is integrally formed with a connecting shaft 451 that straddles the opposing second wall 422 and partition wall 423, and a cylindrical portion 452 provided in the center of the connecting shaft 451.

[0194] The connecting shaft 451 attached to the outlet portion 42c is a thin rod-shaped body that connects the second wall portion 422 and the partition wall 423 so as to straddle the central portions of these walls in the second direction Y, and is inclined toward the upper side ZU as it extends toward the left side XL. Both ends of the connecting shaft 451 configured in this manner are rotatably held by the second wall portion 422 and the partition wall 423, respectively.

[0195] In the housing 20c configured with the first housing portion 30c and the second housing portion 40c, the first cable 11 housed in the first housing space S1 extends downward from the harness outlet portion 323. The cable 10 (middle portion 13) led out from the harness outlet portion 323 is guided from the upper side ZU to the outlet portion 42c and is redirected to the right side XR where it is wound around the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 452 (see FIG. 18 ).

[0196] The cable 10, which has been redirected to the right side XR, is inserted through the lower slit 43 and introduced into the second storage space S2, where it abuts against the outer surface of the spring protrusion 62 and is wound in a spiral shape clockwise in plan view along the inner surface of the outlet side inner wall 413 so that the other end gradually becomes radially inward.

[0197] Furthermore, the base-end connector 141 attached to the other end of the cable 10 is held by the holding portion 44, and can be electrically connected to the device-side connector 831 connected to the stator-side connector housing 414. This allows electrical devices connected to the wire harness 830 to be electrically connected to the cable 10. The second housing 40 is fixed to the location where the wire harness 830 is routed.

[0198] The second cable 12 wound in a spiral shape and accommodated in the second accommodation space S2 presses the spring projection 62 radially inward in the second accommodation space S2, so that the spring projection 62 can be bent radially inward with the connection point with the spring shaft 61 as a fulcrum. As a result, a biasing force is generated in the spring projection 62 radially outward.

[0199] In the cable winding device 1c configured in this manner, for example, by sliding the handle 820 connected to the rotator 31 upwardly from a predetermined position ZU, a tensile force acts on the intermediate portion 13. The tensile force acting on the intermediate portion 13 is transmitted through the cable 10 and acts on the second cable 12, causing the second cable 12 to be pulled out from the second housing space S2 toward the outlet portion 42. At this time, the second cable 12 wound in a spiral shape in the second housing space S2 deforms so as to reduce its diameter in a plan view, allowing the second cable 12 to be smoothly pulled out from the second housing space S2 toward the outlet portion 42. Therefore, the cable 10 is pulled out from the outlet portion 42 toward the upward side ZU.

[0200] Furthermore, inside the lead-out portion 42, the second cable 12 inclines toward the upper side ZU as it extends toward the left side XL, and is wound around the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical portion 452 that is assembled to be rotatable around a rotation axis along the connecting shaft portion 451. Therefore, when the intermediate portion 13 is pulled out from the lead-out portion 42, the cylindrical portion 452 rotates, allowing the second cable 12 to be smoothly pulled out from the second accommodating space S2 and easily changing the pulling direction of the second cable 12 from the left side XL to the axial direction Z. Furthermore, when the second cable 12 is pulled out, the cylindrical portion 452 around which the main surface of the second cable 12 is wound rotates, which prevents the cylindrical portion 452 and the second cable 12 from sliding against each other, thereby preventing the second cable 12 from rubbing and wearing.

[0201] On the other hand, when the handle 820, which has been slid upward ZU, is then slid downward ZD, the tensile force acting on the intermediate portion 13 is relaxed. As a result, the biasing force of the spring projection 62 acting on the second cable 12 presses the second cable 12 radially outward so as to expand its diameter. As a result, the second cable 12 is wound in the second accommodation space S2, and the intermediate portion 13, which has been led out from the lead-out portion 42, is accommodated in the lead-out portion 42. In this way, the cable winding device 1c can maintain an electrical connection between the electrical devices in the vehicle and the handle 820 in response to movement of the handle 820 in the axial direction Z.

[0202] At this time, similar to when the cable 10 is pulled out, the cylindrical portion 452 rotates as the intermediate portion 13 is pulled back from the lead-out portion 42, allowing the second cable 12 to be smoothly pulled into the second housing space S2 and easily changing the direction in which the second cable 12 is pulled from the upper side ZU to the right side XR. Furthermore, pulling back the second cable 12 rotates the cylindrical portion 452 around which the main surface of the second cable 12 is wound, which prevents the cylindrical portion 452 and the second cable 12 from sliding against each other, thereby preventing the second cable 12 from rubbing against each other and wearing out.

[0203] Furthermore, in the above-described cable winding device 1, the first accommodating section 30 and the second accommodating section 40 are assembled together so as to be stacked in the axial direction Z, and the first accommodating section 30 and the second accommodating section 40 are slid along the axial direction Z together with the handle 820. However, the first accommodating section 30 and the second accommodating section 40 do not necessarily have to be stacked in the axial direction Z.

[0204] Fifth Embodiment A cable winding device 1d in which a second storage section 40d is disposed radially outward relative to the first storage section 30 will be described below with reference to Figures 21 to 23. In the description of the second storage section 40d and the cable winding device 1d, the same components as those in the second storage sections 40, 40a and cable winding devices 1, 1a described above will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

[0205] Fig. 21 shows a schematic perspective view of the cable winding device 1d, and Fig. 22 shows a schematic exploded perspective view of the cable winding device 1d. Fig. 23(a) shows a schematic plan view of the housing 20c, and Fig. 23(b) shows an enlarged view of part b in Fig. 23(a).

[0206] The housing 20d, which constitutes the cable winding device 1d together with the cable 10, is integrally formed of a first housing section 30d that houses the first cable 11 and a second housing section 40d that is arranged radially outside the first housing section 30d and houses the second cable 12, as shown in Figures 21 and 22.

[0207] 22 and 23(a), the first housing portion 30d is composed of a rotator 31 located on the upper side ZU, a stator 32d located on the lower side ZD of the rotator 31, and a sleeve 33 engaged and fixed to the rotator 31 so as to sandwich the stator 32d. A retainer 50 is provided inside the first housing portion 30d.

[0208] As shown in Figures 21, 22 and 23(a), the stator 32d is integrally formed of a fixed side ring plate 321d that forms the lower surface of the first accommodating section 30, and an approximately cylindrical outer wall portion 322d that stands upright from the outer peripheral edge of the fixed side ring plate 321d toward the upper side ZU.

[0209] The fixed-side ring plate 321d is part of an annular flat plate that is integral with the outlet-side ring plate 411d, which will be described later. More specifically, the fixed-side ring plate 321d is an annular flat plate that has an inner diameter equal to that of the fixed-side ring plate 321 and an outer diameter that is slightly larger than that of the fixed-side ring plate 321. The fixed-side ring plate 321d has substantially the same structure as the fixed-side ring plate 321, except that the stator-side through-hole 35 is not provided.

[0210] The outer peripheral wall portion 322d is a cylindrical outer peripheral wall that stands on the upper side ZU from the outer peripheral edge of the fixed-side ring plate 321d, and has a thickness greater than the plate thickness of the outer peripheral wall portion 322. The outer peripheral wall portion 322d configured in this manner is provided with an insertion slit 37 through which the cable 10 can be inserted.

[0211] 23(b), the insertion slit 37 is a narrow slit-like passage that curves gently counterclockwise from the inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall portion 322d toward the radially outward side, then curves back clockwise, and is formed so as to contact the outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall portion 322d. The insertion slit 37 configured in this manner can securely hold the inserted cable 10 by sandwiching it therebetween.

[0212] The second housing portion 40d, which is disposed radially outward of the first housing portion 30, is composed of a housing main body 41d that houses the second cable 12 and an outlet portion 42 that leads out the other end of the second cable 12. As shown in FIG. 23( a), the housing main body 41d is composed of an outlet-side ring plate 411d that is annular in plan view, an outlet-side outer peripheral wall 412 that stands upright from the outer peripheral edge of the outlet-side ring plate 411d, and a ring cover 415d that closes an opening formed on the upper side ZU of the housing main body 41, and is provided with a retainer 50d inside. The outlet-side ring plate 411d, the outlet-side outer peripheral wall 412, and the ring cover 415d, together with the outer peripheral wall portion 322d, form a second housing space S2 that houses the second cable 12.

[0213] The outlet-side ring plate 411d is part of an annular flat plate formed integrally with the fixed-side ring plate 321d, and is disposed radially outward of the fixed-side ring plate 321d. That is, the outlet-side ring plate 411d is an annular flat plate with a larger diameter than the outlet-side ring plate 411. The outer peripheral wall portion 322d stands at the boundary between the outlet-side ring plate 411d and the fixed-side ring plate 321d.

[0214] The ring cover 415d is a plate-like body that combines an annular flat plate formed in substantially the same shape as the outlet-side ring plate 411d with a flat plate having the same shape as the upper surface portion of the outlet portion 42, and can close the opening on the upper side ZU of the second storage portion 40d. The ring cover 415d is configured to be able to be engaged with the outlet-side outer peripheral wall 412.

[0215] The outlet-side ring plate 411d and the outlet-side outer peripheral wall 412 configured in this manner, together with the outer peripheral wall portion 322d corresponding to the outlet-side inner peripheral wall 413, have substantially the same structure as the second accommodating portion 40a. The retainer 50d provided inside the second accommodating portion 40d, which has substantially the same structure as the second accommodating portion 40a, has the same structure as the retainer 50 except for its size. Therefore, detailed description of the retainer 50d will be omitted. The retainer 50d is connected to the outer peripheral wall portion 322d via a spiral spring 60a.

[0216] The housing 20d configured in this manner, like the housing 20a, can accommodate the first cable 11 by winding it in a spiral shape in the first housing section 30, and can accommodate the second cable 12 by winding it in a spiral shape in the second housing section 40d.

[0217] In detail, by routing the other end of the first cable 11 housed in the first storage space S1 through the insertion slit 37, the other end of the first cable 11 is held in place and the cable 10 can be led out to the second storage space S2 formed radially outside the first storage space S1.

[0218] The cables 10 led out from the insertion slits 37 into the second housing space S2 are wound around the outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall portion 322d in a clockwise direction in a plan view in the second housing space S2. The flexible flat cables 10x wound around the outer peripheral wall portion 322d are then inserted at equal intervals between the rotating rollers 52 and the guide surface 53, rewound, and wound counterclockwise along the inner peripheral surface of the lead-out outer peripheral wall 412 in an overlapping state.

[0219] The other end of the first cable 11 and one end of the second cable 12 are inserted into the bent insertion slit 37 and are thereby held by the insertion slit 37. Here, in the second accommodating section 40d, the cable 10 held in the insertion slit 37 is referred to as an intermediate section 13.

[0220] The second cable 12 accommodated in the second accommodation space S2 in this manner is inserted through the downward slit 43 and guided into the outlet portion 42. The second cable 12 guided into the outlet portion 42 has its main surface wound around the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 452. As a result, the cable winding device 1d, like the cable winding devices 1 and 1a, can redirect the second cable 12 to the downward side ZD and can guide the cable 10 from the outlet 424 to the downward side ZD.

[0221] In this way, the cable winding device 1d, like the cable winding device 1, can pull out or wind up the cable 10 in the axial direction Z from the outlet portion 42, so that it can follow the rotation of the attachment object attached to the first accommodating portion 30 and accommodate the sliding movement of the attachment object.

[0222] Furthermore, in the above-described cable winding device 1, the first accommodating section 30 and the second accommodating section 40 are assembled together so as to be stacked in the axial direction Z, and the first accommodating section 30 and the second accommodating section 40 are slid along the axial direction Z together with the handle 820. However, the first accommodating section 30 and the second accommodating section 40 do not necessarily have to be stacked in the axial direction Z, and it is also not necessary to have the first accommodating section 30 to accommodate rotation.

[0223] Sixth Embodiment A cable winding device 1e that does not have a first storage section 30 and is configured only with a second storage section 40e will be briefly described below with reference to Fig. 24. In the description of the second storage section 40e and the cable winding device 1e, the same components as those in the second storage sections 40, 40a and cable winding devices 1, 1a described above will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

[0224] Unlike the cable winding device 1, which is configured with the first storage section 30 and the second storage section 40, the cable winding device 1e is configured with only the second storage section 40e. The second storage section 40e has substantially the same configuration as the second storage section 40, and is configured with a storage section main body 41 and a lead-out section 42e.

[0225] The housing body 41 includes a retainer 50a and a spiral spring 60a, similar to the second housing body 40a. The housing body 41 may include a leaf spring member 60 in the second housing space S2, similar to the second housing body 40.

[0226] Unlike the lead-out portion 42, the lead-out portion 42e does not include a direction changing roller 45, and the cable 10 may be led out along the first direction X while the width direction of the cable 10 remains along the axial direction Z (see FIG. 24(a)). That is, the lead-out portion 42e is provided with a first direction lead-out opening 426 that penetrates the second wall portion 422 in the plate thickness direction on the left side XL of the lower slit 43. The first direction lead-out opening 426 has substantially the same shape as the lower slit 43, and the second cable 12 that passes through the lower slit 43 is passed through the first direction lead-out opening 426.

[0227] The cable winding device 1e includes a belt-shaped second cable 12 (cable 10) and a second housing section 40 having a second housing space S2 that houses the second cable 12 (cable 10). The second housing section 40 is provided with an outlet section 42e that guides the second cable 12 (cable 10) as it is pulled out from the inside to the outside of the second housing space S2 or as it is wound up from the outside to the inside of the second housing space S2, and a spiral spring 60a that assists in the winding of the second cable 12 (cable 10). The spiral spring 60a is made of a spring material that is biased by the pulling out of the second cable 12 (cable 10) and applies a biasing force to the wound second cable 12 (cable 10).

[0228] The cable winding device 1e configured in this manner is arranged in the handle power supply device 2 such that the center of rotation of the retainer 50a provided in the storage body 41 is perpendicular to the main shaft 810, unlike the cable winding device 1. More specifically, the cable winding device 1e is arranged such that the leading-out direction of the cable 10 in the cable winding device 1e (first direction X in FIG. 24(a)) is along the main shaft 810 (see FIG. 24(b)).

[0229] The tip of the second cable 12 leading out from the lead-out portion 42 is connected to a shaft insertion portion (not shown) through which the main shaft portion 810 is inserted so that the handle 820 can rotate, and is electrically connected to the handle 820 via an electrical circuit arranged in the shaft insertion portion.

[0230] The cable winding device 1e arranged in this manner, like the cable winding device 1, can smoothly pull out or wind up the second cable 12 from the outlet portion 42 in response to the sliding movement of the handle 820 in the axial direction Z.

[0231] More specifically, the spiral spring 60a is made of a spring material that is biased by the unwinding of the second cable 12 and applies a biasing force to the wound second cable 12. Therefore, the spiral spring 60a made of a spring material is biased by sliding the handle 820, to which the handle 820 is attached, in the unwinding direction (upper side ZU). Then, by sliding the handle 820 in the winding direction (lower side ZD), the second cable 12 is wound and accommodated in the second housing space S2, and the biasing force of the biased spiral spring 60a acts on the second cable 12 being wound in the second housing space S2. Therefore, the second cable 12 can be wound more smoothly than when the handle 820 is simply slid downward ZD.

[0232] Furthermore, since the spiral spring 60a is a spiral spring material wound in the same spiral direction as the second cable 12 (second outer winding portion 122), the spiral spring 60a can be efficiently biased by pulling out the second cable 12 (second outer winding portion 122) with a simple structure, and the biasing force can be efficiently applied to the second cable 12 (second outer winding portion 122) being wound up.

[0233] In the above-described embodiment, the cable winding devices 1, 1a, 1c, 1d, and 1e are used in the steering device 800 to function as the steering wheel power supply device 2. However, the use of the cable winding devices 1, 1a, 1c, 1d, and 1e is not limited to the steering device 800. For example, by arranging the direction changing roller 45 in the same manner as the cable winding device 1b, the base end cable 14 can be pulled out or wound in the first direction X. Therefore, the cable winding devices 1, 1a, 1c, 1d, and 1e can be used in the seat member 900 to accommodate the sliding movement of the seat main body 910 in the first direction X. In this way, the cable winding devices 1, 1a, 1c, 1d, and 1e can function as the seat power supply device 3.

[0234] As described above, the cable winding device 1, 1a, 1b, 1c includes a ribbon-shaped cable 10 and a housing 20, 20a, 20c that houses the cable 10. The housing 20, 20a, 20c includes a first housing section 30, 30c having a first housing space S1 therein and a second housing section 40, 40a, 40b, 40c having a second housing space S2 therein. The cable 10 includes a first cable 11 that is housed in the first housing space S1 in a state where at least a portion of the cable 11 is spirally wound, and a second cable 12 that is housed in the second housing space S2 in a state where at least a portion of the cable 11 is spirally wound. The first cable 11 and the second cable 12 are electrically conductive. The first housing section 30, 30c includes a rotator 31 that rotates around an axial direction Z along the ribbon width direction of the cable 10 while holding one side of the first cable 11. The second accommodating portions 40, 40a, 40b, 40c are provided with lead-out portions 42, 42b, 42c that guide the second cable 12 that is pulled out from the inside to the outside of the second accommodating space S2 or wound from the outside to the inside of the second accommodating space S2. The first accommodating portions 30, 30c and the second accommodating portions 40, 40a, 40b, 40c are arranged along the axial direction Z.

[0235] As a result, the cable winding device 1, 1a, 1b, 1c can accommodate not only the sliding movement but also the rotational movement of the attached object, and can be configured compactly. More specifically, in the cable winding device 1, 1a, 1b, 1c provided with the ribbon-shaped cable 10 and the housing 20, 20a, 20c that houses the cable 10, the housing 20, 20a, 20c has a first housing portion 30, 30c having a first housing space S1 therein and a second housing portion 40, 40a, 40b, 40c having a second housing space S2 therein.

[0236] The cable 10 includes a first cable 11, at least a portion of which is spirally wound and accommodated in the first accommodation space S1, and a second cable 12, at least a portion of which is spirally wound and accommodated in the second accommodation space S2. The first cable 11 and the second cable 12 are electrically conductive. The first accommodation section 30, 30c is provided with a rotator 31 that holds one side of the first cable 11 and rotates around a rotation center axis R along the axial direction Z along the width direction of the cable 10. The second accommodation sections 40, 40a, 40b, 40c are provided with lead-out sections 42, 42b, 42c that guide the second cable 12 as it is pulled out from the inside to the outside of the second accommodation space S2 or wound in from the outside to the inside of the second accommodation space S2. This allows the cable 10 to accommodate not only sliding movements but also rotational movements of the handlebar 820, seat body 910, and other components to which the cable 10 is attached.

[0237] In the cable winding devices 1, 1a, 1b, 1c configured in this manner, the first accommodating portions 30, 30c and the second accommodating portions 40, 40a, 40b, 40c are arranged along the axial direction Z. Therefore, the size as viewed from the axial direction Z can be made more compact than when one of the first accommodating portions 30, 30c and the second accommodating portions 40, 40a, 40b, 40c is arranged on the inner diameter side and the other is arranged on the outer diameter side. Therefore, space can be saved.

[0238] Furthermore, in the cable winding devices 1, 1a, 1b, and 1c, the first cable 11 and the second cable 12 are formed by a continuous cable 10, and an intermediate portion 13 is provided between the first housing portion 30, 30c and the second housing portion 40, 40a, 40b, and 40c. The intermediate portion 13 is held between the first housing portion 30, 30c and the second housing portion 40, 40a, 40b, and 40c. This allows the first cable 11 housed in the first housing space S1 and the second cable 12 housed in the second housing space S2 to be housed without their housing states affecting each other.

[0239] Furthermore, since the first accommodating portions 30, 30c and the second accommodating portions 40, 40a, 40b, 40c are stacked in the axial direction Z, the size in the axial direction Z can be made compact.

[0240] Further, the lead-out portions 42, 42b, 42c are provided with direction-changing rollers 45 that guide the second cable 12 by changing the orientation of the band width direction from the axial direction Z to the first direction X. As a result, even if the direction in which the second cable 12 is led out from the storage portion main body 41 to the lead-out portions 42, 42b, 42c is different from the axial direction Z, which is the sliding direction of the attachment object, the direction of the second cable 12 is changed by the direction-changing rollers 45, and the second cable 12 can be smoothly led out or wound up.

[0241] Furthermore, the second accommodating portions 40, 40a, 40b, and 40c are provided with leaf spring members 60 or spiral springs 60a that assist in winding up the second cable 12. The leaf spring members 60 or spiral springs 60a are made of a spring material that is biased by the drawing out of the second cable 12 and applies a biasing force to the second cable 12 being wound up.

[0242] The leaf spring member 60 or spiral spring 60a made of spring material in this manner is biased by sliding an attachment object, such as the handle 820 or the seat body 910, in the pull-out direction. When the attachment object is slid in the winding direction, the second cable 12 is wound and accommodated in the second accommodation space S2, and the biasing force of the biased leaf spring member 60 or spiral spring 60a acts on the second cable 12 wound in the second accommodation space S2. Therefore, the second cable 12 can be wound more smoothly than when the attachment object is slid in the winding direction.

[0243] Furthermore, the handle power supply device 2 uses cable winding devices 1, 1a, and 1c, and one side of the first cable 11 is connected to an electrical member of the handle 820 that enables sliding and rotating movements. Furthermore, the end side of the second cable 12 that is guided from the lead-out portions 42 and 42c is connected to an electrical member on the electricity supply source side, and a rotator 31 is connected to the handle 820. This allows for electricity supply while responding to the sliding and rotating movements of the handle 820, and allows for a compact configuration.

[0244] Furthermore, the seat power supply device 3 uses a cable winding device 1b, and one side of the first cable 11 is connected to an electrical member of the seat member 900 that enables sliding and rotating movements. Furthermore, the end side of the second cable 12 that is guided from the lead-out portion 42b is connected to an electrical member on the electricity supply source side, and a rotator 31 is connected to the seat member 900. This allows for electricity supply while responding to the sliding movement and rotation movement of the seat member 900, and allows for a compact configuration.

[0245] Furthermore, the cable winding device 1, 1a may be provided with a connecting portion 15 that electrically connects the other side of the first cable 11 and the second cable 12 (see FIG. 16 ). This allows the first cable 11 housed in the first housing portion 30 and the second cable 12 housed in the second housing portion 40, 40a to be electrically and physically connected by the connecting portion 15 (see FIG. 16 ). Therefore, for example, after the first cable 11 is housed in the first housing portion 30 and the second cable 12 is housed in the second housing portion 40, 40a, the first cable 11 and the second cable 12 can be connected by the connecting portion 15. This allows the first cable 11 and the second cable 12 to be electrically conductive, improving the ease of assembly of the cable winding device 1, 1a.

[0246] Furthermore, in the cable winding device 1c, the first housing portion 30c and the second housing portion 40c are configured as separate bodies such that the distance between them in the axial direction Z can be adjusted. This allows at least one of the first housing portion 30c and the second housing portion 40c to easily slide relative to the other as the attachment object slides. This allows adjustment according to the surrounding environment of the installation space, or adjustment of the distance as the attachment object, such as the handle 820, slides. This improves the versatility of the cable winding device 1.

[0247] Furthermore, when the second housing portion 40c moves away from the first housing portion 30c, the second cable 12 is pulled out from the second housing space S2, and when the second housing portion 40c moves closer to the first housing portion 30c, the second cable 12 is wound into the second housing space S2. This makes it possible to adjust the distance between the first housing portion 30c and the second housing portion 40c in accordance with the sliding of an attachment object such as the handle 820, and also makes it possible to pull out or wind up the second cable 12 depending on the distance between the first housing portion 30c and the second housing portion 40c in accordance with the sliding of the attachment object.

[0248] As described above, each of the cable winding devices 1, 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d includes a ribbon-shaped cable 10 and housings 20, 20a, 20c, and 20d that house the cable 10. The housings 20, 20a, 20c, and 20d include first housing sections 30, 30c, and 30d that have a first housing space S1 therein and second housing sections 40, 40a, 40b, 40c, and 40d that have a second housing space S2 therein. The cable 10 includes a first cable 11 that is housed in the first housing space S1 in a state where at least a portion of the cable 10 is spirally wound, and a second cable 12 that is housed in the second housing space S2 in a state where at least a portion of the cable 10 is spirally wound, and the first cable 11 and the second cable 12 are electrically conductive. The first storage sections 30, 30c, and 30d are provided with a rotator 31 that rotates around an axial direction Z along the band width direction of the cable 10 while holding one side of the first cable 11. The second storage sections 40, 40a, 40b, 40c, and 40d are provided with lead-out sections 42, 42b, and 42c that guide the second cable 12 that is pulled out from the inside to the outside of the second storage space S2 or wound from the outside to the inside, and the lead-out sections 42, 42b, and 42c are provided with direction-changing rollers 45 that change the orientation of the second cable 12 in the band width direction from the axial direction Z to a predetermined first direction X and guide the second cable 12.

[0249] As a result, the cable winding devices 1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d can accommodate not only the sliding movement but also the rotational movement of the handle 820 or 910 to which they are attached, and can smoothly pull out and wind up the cable 10. More specifically, in the cable winding devices 1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d that are provided with the belt-shaped cable 10 and the housings 20, 20a, 20c, 20d that house the cable 10, the housings 20, 20a, 20c, 20d have first housing sections 30, 30c, 30d that have a first housing space S1 therein and second housing sections 40, 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d that have a second housing space S2 therein.

[0250] The cable 10 includes a first cable 11 that is at least partially spirally wound and accommodated in the first accommodation space S1, and a second cable 12 that is at least partially spirally wound and accommodated in the second accommodation space S2, and the first cable 11 and the second cable 12 are electrically conductive. The first accommodation sections 30, 30c, and 30d are each provided with a rotator 31 that rotates around an axial direction Z along the width direction of the cable 10 while holding one side of the first cable 11. The second accommodation sections 40, 40a, 40b, 40c, and 40d are each provided with lead-out sections 42, 42b, and 42c that guide the second cable 12 that is pulled out from the inside to the outside of the second accommodation space S2 or wound from the outside to the inside of the second accommodation space S2. This allows the cable 10 to accommodate not only sliding movements but also rotational movements of the handle 820, the seat member 900, and the like to which the cable 10 is attached.

[0251] In the cable winding devices 1, 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d configured in this manner, the lead-out portions 42, 42b, and 42c are provided with direction-changing rollers 45 that guide the second cable 12 by changing the orientation of the band width direction from the axial direction Z to the first direction X. Therefore, even if the direction in which the second cable 12 is pulled out of the second storage portions 40, 40a, 40b, 40c, and 40d is different from the axial direction Z, which is the sliding direction of the attachment target, the direction of the second cable 12 is changed by the direction-changing rollers 45, and the second cable 12 can be smoothly pulled out or wound up.

[0252] The direction changing roller 45 also has a cylindrical portion 452 that rotates while being in contact with the main surface of the second cable 12. This allows the direction of the second cable 12 to be changed by the direction changing roller 45 formed by the cylindrical portion 452. At this time, because the cylindrical portion 452 rotates, there is no sliding between the direction changing roller 45 and the second cable 12, and the direction of the second cable 12 can be smoothly changed by the direction changing roller 45, allowing the second cable 12 to be pulled out or wound up more smoothly.

[0253] Furthermore, in a virtual plane (XZ plane) along which the axial direction Z and the first direction X are aligned, the cylindrical portion 452 rotates about an oblique axis that intersects with the axial direction Z and the first direction X. As a result, even if the angle of the direction changed by the direction changing roller 45 is steep, the cylindrical portion 452 rotates about the oblique axis, so that the direction can be changed while reducing the load acting on the second cable 12, and the second cable 12 can be smoothly pulled out or wound up.

[0254] In addition, a leaf spring member 60 or a spiral spring 60a that assists in winding up the second cable 12 is provided in the second storage section 40, 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, and the leaf spring member 60 or the spiral spring 60a is made of a spring material that is biased by the pulling out of the second cable 12 and applies a biasing force to the second cable 12 being wound up.

[0255] As a result, the leaf spring member 60 or spiral spring 60a made of spring material is biased by the sliding of the attachment object, such as the handle 820 or the seat member 900, in the pull-out direction. Then, the second cable 12 is wound and accommodated in the second accommodation space S2 by the sliding of the attachment object in the winding direction. At this time, the biasing force of the biased leaf spring member 60 or spiral spring 60a acts on the second cable 12 being wound in the second accommodation space S2. Therefore, the second cable 12 can be wound more smoothly than when the attachment object is slid in the winding direction.

[0256] The handle power supply device 2 uses cable winding devices 1, 1a, 1c, and 1d, and one side of the first cable 11 is connected to an electrical member of the handle 820 that enables sliding and rotating movements, and the end side of the second cable 12 that is guided from the lead-out portions 42, 42b, and 42c is connected to an electrical member on the electricity supply source side, and a rotator 31 is connected to the handle 820. This allows for electricity supply while responding to the sliding movement and rotating movement of the handle 820, and allows for a compact configuration.

[0257] The seat power supply device 3 uses a cable winding device 1b, and one side of the first cable 11 is connected to an electrical member of the seat member 900 that enables sliding and rotating movements, and the end side of the second cable 12 that is guided from the lead-out portion 42b is connected to an electrical member on the electricity supply source side, and a rotator 31 is connected to the seat member 900. This allows for electricity supply while responding to the sliding movement and rotating movement of the seat member 900, and allows for a compact configuration.

[0258] Furthermore, in the cable winding devices 1, 1a, 1b, 1c, the first accommodating sections 30, 30c, 30d and the second accommodating sections 40, 40a, 40b, 40c are arranged along the axial direction Z. This allows the size to be made more compact when viewed from the axial direction Z than when one of the first accommodating sections 30, 30c and the second accommodating sections 40, 40a, 40b, 40c is arranged on the inner diameter side and the other is arranged on the outer diameter side. Therefore, space can be saved.

[0259] On the other hand, in the cable winding device 1d, the second housing portion 40d is disposed on the outer diameter side of the first housing portion 30d, and is provided with an insertion slit 37 that holds the boundary portion between the first cable 11 and the second cable 12. This allows the size in the axial direction Z to be made more compact than when the first housing portion 30d and the second housing portion 40d are disposed along the axial direction Z. Therefore, space can be saved in the axial direction Z. Furthermore, because the insertion slit 37 holds the boundary portion between the first cable 11 and the second cable 12, the first cable 11 housed in the first housing space S1 and the second cable 12 housed in the second housing space S2 can be housed without their housing states affecting each other.

[0260] Furthermore, each of the cable winding devices 1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, and 1e includes a ribbon-shaped cable 10, a first housing section 30, 30c, and 30d having a first housing space S1 therein, and a second housing section 40, 40a, 40b, 40c, and 40d having a second housing space S2 therein that houses the cable 10. The cable 10 includes a first cable 11 that is housed in the first housing space S1 in a state in which at least a portion thereof is wound spirally, and a second cable 12 that is housed in the second housing space S2 in a state in which at least a portion thereof is wound spirally, and the first cable 11 and the second cable 12 are electrically conductive. The first housing sections 30, 30c, and 30d are provided with a rotator 31 that rotates about an axial direction Z along the ribbon width direction of the cable 10 while holding one side of the first cable 11. The second accommodating sections 40, 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d are provided with lead-out sections 42, 42b, 42c that guide the second cable 12 being pulled out from the inside to the outside of the second accommodating space S2 or being wound up from the outside to the inside, and a leaf spring member 60 or a spiral spring 60a that assists in winding up the second cable 12. The leaf spring member 60 or the spiral spring 60a is made of a spring material that is biased by the pulling out of the second cable 12 and applies a biasing force to the second cable 12 being wound up.

[0261] As a result, the cable winding devices 1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e can accommodate not only the sliding movement but also the rotational movement of the attached object, and can smoothly wind up the cable 10. More specifically, in the cable winding devices 1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e provided with the belt-shaped cable 10 and the housings 20, 20a, 20c, 20d that house the cable 10, the housings 20, 20a, 20c, 20d have first housing portions 30, 30c, 30d that have a first housing space S1 therein and second housing portions 40, 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d that have a second housing space S2 therein.

[0262] The cable 10 includes a first cable 11 that is at least partially spirally wound and accommodated in the first accommodation space S1, and a second cable 12 that is at least partially spirally wound and accommodated in the second accommodation space S2, and the first cable 11 and the second cable 12 are electrically conductive. The first accommodation sections 30, 30c, and 30d are each provided with a rotator 31 that rotates around an axial direction Z along the width direction of the cable 10 while holding one side of the first cable 11. The second accommodation sections 40, 40a, 40b, 40c, and 40d are each provided with a lead-out section 42, 42b, or 42c that guides the second cable 12 that is pulled out from the inside to the outside of the second accommodation space S2 or wound from the outside to the inside of the second accommodation space S2, and a leaf spring member 60 or a spiral spring 60a that assists in winding the second cable 12. This allows the cable 10 to accommodate not only sliding movements but also rotational movements of the handle 820, seat member 900, or the like to which the cable 10 is attached.

[0263] In the cable winding devices 1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, and 1e configured as described above, the leaf spring member 60 or spiral spring 60a is made of a spring material that is biased by the unwinding of the second cable 12 and applies a biasing force to the wound second cable 12. Therefore, the leaf spring member 60 or spiral spring 60a made of a spring material is biased by the sliding of the attachment object in the unwinding direction. Then, the second cable 12 is wound and accommodated in the second accommodation space S2 by the sliding of the attachment object in the winding direction. At this time, the biasing force of the biased leaf spring member 60 or spiral spring 60a acts on the second cable 12 being wound in the second accommodation space S2. Therefore, the second cable 12 can be wound more smoothly than when the attachment object is slid in the winding direction.

[0264] Furthermore, direction change rollers 45 are provided in the lead-out sections 42, 42b, 42c to guide the second cable 12 by changing its widthwise orientation from the axial direction Z to the first direction X. Therefore, even if the direction in which the second cable 12 is pulled out of the second storage sections 40, 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d is different from the axial direction Z, which is the sliding direction of the mounting object, the direction of the second cable 12 can be changed by the direction change rollers 45, and the second cable 12 can be smoothly pulled out or wound up.

[0265] In the cable winding devices 1, 1b, and 1c, the lead-out portions 42, 42b, and 42c are disposed on the outer diameter side of the second accommodating portions 40, 40b, and 40c. The second cable 12 is wound spirally and accommodated in the second accommodating space S2, with one end fixed on the inner diameter side and the other end guided to the outside from the lead-out portions 42, 42b, and 42c disposed on the outer diameter side. The leaf spring member 60 is a diameter-expanding spring member that is biased by the tightening of the spirally wound second cable 12 in the second accommodating space S2 as the second cable 12 is pulled out, and applies a biasing force in a direction expanding the diameter of the wound and tightened spiral second cable 12.

[0266] This allows the second cable 12 to be smoothly wound around the leaf spring member 60. More specifically, the second cable 12 is wound in a spiral shape and accommodated in the second accommodation space S2, with one end fixed on the inner diameter side and the other end guided to the outside from the lead-out portions 42, 42b, 42c arranged on the outer diameter side.

[0267] As described above, when the spirally housed second cable 12 is pulled out, the spirally wound second cable 12 in the second housing space S2 is tightened, which urges the leaf spring member 60. The leaf spring member 60 applies a urging force in a direction that expands the diameter of the wound and tightened spirally shaped second cable 12, allowing the second cable 12 to be smoothly wound up.

[0268] Furthermore, since the leaf spring member 60 is arranged on the inner diameter side of the spirally wound second cable 12, the size when viewed from the axial direction Z can be made more compact than when the leaf spring member 60 is arranged on the outer diameter side.

[0269] Furthermore, a plurality of leaf spring members 60 are arranged concentrically at predetermined intervals on the inner diameter side of the spirally wound second cable 12. This allows a biasing force to be applied evenly in the circumferential direction to the spirally wound second cable 12, allowing the second cable 12 to be wound up more smoothly.

[0270] Furthermore, in the cable winding devices 1a, 1d, and 1e, the spiral spring 60a is a spiral spring material wound in the same direction as the spiral direction of the second cable 12 (second outer winding portion 122), and therefore, with a simple structure, the spiral spring 60a can be efficiently biased by pulling out the second cable 12 (second outer winding portion 122), and the biasing force can be efficiently applied to the second cable 12 (second outer winding portion 122) being wound up.

[0271] Furthermore, the second cable 12 has a second inwardly wound portion 121 wound on the inner diameter side of the second accommodating space S2, a second outerly wound portion 122 around which the cable 10 is wound on the outer diameter side, and an arc-shaped second rewound portion 123 that is a boundary portion between the second inwardly wound portion 121 and the second outerly wound portion 122. The second accommodating space S2 is also provided with a rotary table 51 that is rotatable around the rotator 31, a rotating roller 52 that is supported by the rotary table 51 and is arranged on the inner peripheral surface side of the second rewound portion 123 and is rotatable around a direction parallel to the axial direction Z, and a guide surface 53 that is located circumferentially away from the outer peripheral surface of the rotating roller 52 on the rotary table 51 and is arranged on the outer peripheral surface side of the second rewound portion 123. One end of the spiral spring 60a is fixed to the second accommodating sections 40a, 40d, and the other end is fixed to the rotary table 51.

[0272] As a result, when the attachment target of the cable winding devices 1a, 1d, 1e moves to one side in the sliding direction (sliding operation) and the second cable 12 is pulled, the second rewound portion 123 of the second outer winding portion 122 moves to one side in the circumferential direction, and the second cable 12 is unwound from the second inner winding portion 121, or in the case of the second outer winding portion 122 that is loosely wound in a spiral shape, the second cable 12 is unwound while being wound tight. In this way, the second cable 12 is pulled out toward the outside of the outer circumferential space.

[0273] Conversely, when the attachment target of the cable winding device 1a, 1d, 1e moves to the other side in the sliding direction (sliding operation) and the second cable 12 is pushed into the outer peripheral space from the lead-out portion 42, the second rewound portion 123 of the second outer winding portion 122 moves to the other side in the circumferential direction, and the second cable 12 is wound around the second inner winding portion 121, or the second cable 12 is wound around the loosely spirally wound second outer winding portion 122 while being loosened. In this way, the second cable 12 is wound toward the inside of the outer peripheral space.

[0274] The cable guide includes a rotary table 51 that is rotatable about a rotation axis (rotation center axis R), and a rotating roller 52 that is supported by the rotary table 51 and rotatable about the rotation axis. The rotating roller 52 is disposed on the inner circumferential surface of the second rewinding portion 123. Therefore, when the second rewinding portion 123 moves to one side in the circumferential direction during winding or unwinding of the second cable 12, the inner circumferential surface of the second rewinding portion 123 comes into contact with the rotating roller 52 and pulls the rotating roller 52. As a result, the rotary table 51 rotates (revolves) and the rotating roller 52 also rotates (rotates) in response to the unwinding of the second cable 12. This allows the second cable 12 to be smoothly guided. Furthermore, the second cable 12 can be prevented from being worn due to friction.

[0275] Furthermore, since one end of the spiral spring 60a is fixed to the second storage section 40a, 40d, 40e and the other end is fixed to the rotating table 51, when the mounting object of the cable winding device 1 moves to the other side in the sliding direction (sliding operation), the second rewinding portion 123 of the second cable 12 is urged in the winding direction via the rotating roller 52, so that the second cable 12 can be wound smoothly.

[0276] Furthermore, in the cable winding device 1d, the second housing portion 40d is disposed on the outer diameter side of the first housing portion 30d, and is provided with an insertion slit 37 that holds the boundary portion between the first cable 11 and the second cable 12. This allows the size in the axial direction Z to be made more compact than when the first housing portion 30d and the second housing portion 40d are disposed along the axial direction Z. Therefore, space can be saved. Furthermore, because the insertion slit 37 holds the boundary portion between the first cable 11 and the second cable 12, the first cable 11 housed in the first housing space S1 and the second cable 12 housed in the second housing space S2 can be housed without their housing states affecting each other.

[0277] Furthermore, in the cable winding devices 1, 1a, 1b, 1c, the first accommodating portions 30, 30c and the second accommodating portions 40, 40a, 40b, 40c are arranged along the axial direction Z. This allows the size to be made more compact when viewed from the axial direction Z than when one of the first accommodating portions 30, 30c and the second accommodating portions 40, 40a, 40b, 40c is arranged on the inner diameter side and the other is arranged on the outer diameter side. Therefore, space can be saved.

[0278] The handle power supply device 2 uses cable winding devices 1, 1a, 1c, 1d, and 1e, and one side of the first cable 11 is connected to an electrical member of the handle 820 that enables sliding and rotating movements, and the end side of the second cable 12 that is guided from the lead-out portions 42, 42b, and 42c is connected to an electrical member on the electricity supply source side, and a rotator 31 is connected to the handle 820. This allows for electricity supply while responding to the rotating movement as well as the sliding movement of the handle 820, and allows for a compact configuration.

[0279] The seat power supply device 3 uses a cable winding device 1b, and one side of the first cable 11 is connected to an electrical member of the seat member 900 that enables sliding and rotating movements, and the end side of the second cable 12 that is guided from the lead-out portion 42b is connected to an electrical member on the electricity supply source side, and a rotator 31 is connected to the seat member 900. This allows for electricity supply while responding to the sliding movement and rotating movement of the seat member 900, and allows for a compact configuration.

[0280] In terms of the correspondence between the configuration of this invention and the above-described embodiments, the flat cable of this invention corresponds to the cable 10 of the embodiment, and similarly, the accommodating portion corresponds to the accommodating body 20, 20a, 20c, the first space corresponds to the first accommodating space S1, the first accommodating portion corresponds to the first accommodating portion 30, 30c, the second space corresponds to the second accommodating space S2, the second accommodating portion corresponds to the second accommodating portion 40, 40a, 40b, 40c, the first cable corresponds to the first cable 11, the second cable corresponds to the second cable 12, the rotation axis direction corresponds to the axial direction Z, the rotation holding portion corresponds to the rotator 31, the guide port corresponds to the lead-out portions 42, 42b, 42c, the electric cable winding device corresponds to the cable winding device 1, the cable intermediate portion corresponds to the intermediate portion 13, the connecting portion corresponds to the connecting portion 15, and the guiding direction corresponds to the first direction X. The direction change section corresponds to the direction change roller 45, the winding assist section corresponds to the leaf spring member 60 and the spiral spring 60a, the handle corresponds to the handle 820, the handle power supply device corresponds to the handle power supply device 2, the seat corresponds to the seat member 900, and the seat power supply device corresponds to the seat power supply device 3, but this invention is not limited to the configurations of the above-mentioned embodiments, and many embodiments can be obtained.

[0281] For example, in this embodiment, the main shaft portion 810 is not limited to the above-described configuration. For example, the steering wheel may be configured to be operable by electrically connecting the steering wheel 820 connected to the cable winding devices 1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, and 1e to the steering wheel. Furthermore, the use of the steering wheel 820 and the steering device 800 is not limited to vehicles such as automobiles. For example, they may be used in ships or aircraft.

[0282] In the present embodiment, the lead-out portions 42, 42b, and 42c are provided with direction-changing rollers 45 that change the width direction of the cable 10, but the lead-out portions 42, 42b, and 42c do not necessarily need to be provided with direction-changing rollers 45. The cable 10 may be led out along the first direction X while the width direction of the cable 10 remains along the axial direction Z.

[0283] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the leaf spring member 60 is configured to bias the second cable 12 from the inner diameter side toward the outer diameter side of the spirally wound second cable 12, but this configuration is not limited thereto. For example, the leaf spring member 60 may bias the second cable 12 so as to pull the spirally wound second cable 12 toward the outer diameter side.

[0284] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1a, 1b, 1c... Cable winding device 2... Handle power supply device 3... Seat power supply device 10... Cable 11... First cable 12... Second cable 13... Intermediate portion 15... Connection portion 20, 20a, 20c... Housing body 30, 30c... First housing portion 31... Rotator 40, 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d... Second housing portion 42, 42b, 42c... Lead-out portion 45... Direction changing roller 60... Leaf spring member 60a... Spiral spring 820... Handle 900... Seat member X... First direction Z... Axial direction S1... First housing space S2... Second housing space

Claims

1. An electric cable winding device comprising: a ribbon-shaped flat cable; and a housing section for housing the flat cable; the housing section has a first housing section having a first space therein and a second housing section having a second space therein; the flat cable has a first cable that is housed in the first space with at least a portion wound in a spiral shape, and a second cable that is housed in the second space with at least a portion wound in a spiral shape, and the first cable and the second cable are electrically conductive; the first housing section is provided with a rotary holding section that rotates around a rotation axis direction along the ribbon width direction of the flat cable while holding one side of the first cable; the second housing section is provided with a guide port that guides the second cable that is pulled out from the inside to the outside of the second space or wound from the outside to the inside; and the first housing section and the second housing section are arranged along the rotation axis direction.

2. An electric cable winding device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first cable and the second cable are formed as a continuous cable, and a cable intermediate section is provided between the first housing section and the second housing section, and the cable intermediate section is held between the first housing section and the second housing section.

3. An electric cable winding device according to claim 2, wherein the first storage section and the second storage section are stacked in the direction of the rotation axis.

4. An electric cable winding device as set forth in claim 2, wherein the first storage section and the second storage section are configured as separate units such that the distance between them in the direction of the rotation axis is adjustable.

5. An electric cable winding device as described in claim 4, wherein the second cable is pulled out of the second space by moving the second accommodating section away from the first accommodating section, and the second cable is wound into the second space by moving the second accommodating section closer to the first accommodating section.

6. An electric cable winding device according to claim 1, further comprising a connecting portion for electrically connecting the other end of the first cable to the second cable.

7. An electric cable winding device according to claim 6, wherein the first storage section and the second storage section are stacked in the direction of the rotation axis.

8. An electric cable winding device as described in claim 7, wherein the second cable is pulled out of the second space by moving the second accommodating section away from the first accommodating section, and the second cable is wound into the second space by moving the second accommodating section closer to the first accommodating section.

9. An electric cable winding device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the guide port is provided with a direction changer that changes the orientation of the second cable in the belt width direction from the rotation axis direction to a predetermined guide direction.

10. An electric cable winding device as described in claim 9, wherein the second storage section is provided with a winding auxiliary section that assists in winding the second cable, and the winding auxiliary section is made of a spring material that is biased by the pulling out of the second cable and applies a biasing force to the second cable being wound up.

11. A handle power supply device using the electric cable winding device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein one side of the first cable is connected to an electric member of a handle that enables sliding and rotating movements, the end side of the second cable that is guided through the guide port is connected to an electric member on the electricity supply source side, and the first storage section is connected to the handle.

12. A seat power supply device using an electric cable winding device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein one side of the first cable is connected to an electrical member of a seat that enables sliding and rotating movements, the end side of the second cable that is guided through the guide opening is connected to an electrical member on the electricity supply source side, and the first storage section is connected to the seat.

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