Rotatable Connector Device Flat Cable Wear Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rotatable connectors using flat cables experience excessive wear and potential short-circuiting or breakage due to frequent sliding contact between the reversed part of the flat cables and the guide wall, leading to concentrated load distribution and wear on the lamination covers.
Innovation Solution
A rotatable connector device with a ring-shaped retainer supporting rotatable rollers, where the reversed part of the flat cable is wound around a roller located outside a reference line connecting axial centers of other rollers, allowing a gap for curvature matching and reduced contact frequency, and optionally incorporating friction reduction means on the regulation section.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the reversed part of the flat cable is pressed against the guide wall to enable rotation, then the connector can rotate smoothly, but the contact area is small causing concentrated load and wear on the lamination covers
Solution Approach 1:
A regulation section is introduced as an intermediary component between the reversed part of the flat cable and the guide wall. This regulation section has a curved surface that matches the curvature of the reversed part, providing a larger contact area and distributing the load more evenly, thereby reducing wear on the lamination covers while maintaining smooth rotation
Solution Approach 2:
The contact interface is modified by introducing a regulation section with a specific curved surface geometry. This changes the contact parameters from point/line contact to surface contact, increasing the contact area and altering the stress distribution to prevent concentrated load and wear
2Adaptability or versatility
If the reversed part of the flat cable is allowed to slide on the guide wall, then rotation is enabled, but frequent sliding causes wear and potential short-circuiting or breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The regulation section serves as a mediator that reduces direct sliding contact between the flat cable and the guide wall. By providing a curved surface that matches the cable's geometry, it minimizes friction and wear, thereby extending the service life of the flat cable while preserving rotation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The regulation section is designed beforehand to cushion and distribute the mechanical stress that occurs during rotation. This pre-engineered protective feature prevents excessive wear and potential failure of the flat cable over time
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Significantly decreases the number of times the flat cable is slid, reducing wear on the lamination covers and preventing short-circuiting or breakage of conductors by distributing the load over a larger contact area and minimizing contact frequency during rotation direction changes.
Implementation Method 1
the plurality of rotatable rollers are located on a top surface of the retainer, concentrically with the retainer at an equal interval in a circumferential direction of the retainer
Implementation Method 2
a regulation section on which the reversed part is allowed to be pressed is provided on the top surface of the retainer at a position away from one of the plurality of rotatable rollers
Data Source
AI summary
A rotatable connector device includes a steering roll connector that accommodates a flat cable in an accommodation space in the state where the flat cable can be wound and unwound. Also, a plurality of rotatable rollers are located on a top surface of a retainer concentrically with the retainer at an equal interval in a circumferential direction of the retainer. A regulation section on which a reversed part is allowed to be pressed is provided on the top surface of the retainer at a position away from one of the plurality of rotatable rollers, namely, a rotatable roller, on the side of a part of the rotatable roller along which the reversed part can be wound. The regulation section is away from the part of the rotatable roller by a gap which allows the reversed part to contact or detached from the rotatable roller.