U.S. patent application number 09/885685 was filed with the patent office on 2001-11-22 for device for transmitting energy.
This patent application is currently assigned to Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KG. Invention is credited to Bunselmeier, Dirk, Frenzel, Maik.
Application Number | 20010044229 09/885685 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 7910671 |
Filed Date | 2001-11-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010044229 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bunselmeier, Dirk ; et
al. |
November 22, 2001 |
Device for transmitting energy
Abstract
The invention relates to a device for transmitting energy which
essentially consists of a housing comprising a stator unit and a
rotor unit, and of at least one flexible line accommodated inside
an annular cavity of the housing. The aim of the invention is to
create a device which, with a simple design, reduces, to a minimum,
relative movements with contacting application between the housing
and the at least one flexible line accommodated in the annular
cavity. To this end, the housing consists of a stator bottom part
comprising the outer wall and a first bottom wall area, and of a
stator top part comprising a first cover wall area. The housing
also consists of a rotor bottom part comprising the inner wall and
a second bottom wall area, and of a rotor top part comprising a
second cover wall area.
Inventors: |
Bunselmeier, Dirk;
(Ludenscheid, DE) ; Frenzel, Maik; (Ludenscheid,
DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
James N. Kallis
Brooks & Kushman P.C.
22nd Floor
1000 Town Center
Southfield
MI
48075-1351
US
|
Assignee: |
Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co.
KG
Ludenscheid
DE
|
Family ID: |
7910671 |
Appl. No.: |
09/885685 |
Filed: |
June 20, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09885685 |
Jun 20, 2001 |
|
|
|
PCT/EPOO/05054 |
Jun 2, 2000 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
439/164 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 16/027
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
439/164 |
International
Class: |
H01R 003/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 9, 1999 |
DE |
199 26 278.0 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A device for transmitting signals between a steering wheel and a
steering column, the device comprising: a stator fixed to the
steering column, the stator having a stator bottom part with an
axially oriented outer wall and a first base section, the stator
further having a stator top part with a first cover section; a
rotor fixed to the steering wheel to rotate therewith, the rotor
having a rotor bottom part with an axially oriented inner wall and
a second base section, the rotor further having a rotor top part
with a second cover section, wherein the inner and outer walls form
an annular cavity having a longitudinal axis; and a conductive
flexible line rotatably disposed within the annular cavity around
the longitudinal axis of the annular cavity, wherein one end of the
flexible line is connected to the stator and the other end of the
flexible line is connected to the rotor, wherein the flexible line
includes a rotatably disposed winding contacting the inner wall, a
rotatably disposed winding contacting the outer wall, and a
U-shaped reversing section disposed within the annular cavity
connecting the windings; wherein the first and second cover
sections are located within the annular cavity and separated from
the first and second base sections so as to restrict the height of
the annular cavity to the width of the flexible line such that the
winding contacting the inner wall is prevented from contacting the
outer wall and the winding contacting the outer wall is prevented
from contacting the inner wall when the rotor rotates with the
steering wheel.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein: the first base section of the
stator bottom part has an annular first ramp restricting the height
of the annular cavity.
3. The device of claim 2 wherein: the first cover section of the
stator top part has an annular second ramp restricting the height
of the annular cavity.
4. The device of claim 3 wherein: the second cover section of the
rotor top part has an annular third ramp restricting the height of
the annular cavity.
5. The device of claim 4 wherein: the second base section of the
rotor bottom part has an annular fourth ramp restricting the height
of the annular cavity.
6. The device of claim 3 wherein: the winding contacting the outer
wall contacts the annular first ramp of the first base section of
the stator bottom part and the annular second ramp of the first
cover section of the stator top part.
7. The device of claim 5 wherein: the winding contacting the inner
wall contacts the annular third ramp of the second cover section of
the rotor top part and the annular fourth ramp of the second base
section of the rotor bottom part.
8. The device of claim 1 further comprising: a guide ring fixed on
the rotor bottom part and opposite the first and second cover
sections such that the first base section of the stator bottom part
is retained between the rotor bottom part and the guide ring.
9. The device of claim 1 wherein: the rotor bottom part includes an
annular first bearing bead resting on the first base section of the
stator bottom part.
10. The device of claim 8 wherein: the first base section of the
stator bottom part includes an annular second bearing bead resting
on the guide ring.
11. The device of claim 8 wherein: the guide ring includes a code
device for a steering angle sensor.
12. The device of claim 11 wherein: the code device includes a
plurality of openings for a steering angle sensor.
13. The device of claim 8 wherein: the guide ring holds a roller
bearing.
14. The device of claim 1 further comprising: interlocking first
clip connections for joining the stator top part and the stator
bottom part.
15. The device of claim 1 further comprising: interlocking second
clip connections for joining the rotor top part and the rotor
bottom part.
16. The device of claim 8 further comprising: interlocking third
clip connections for joining the guide ring to the rotor bottom
part.
17. The device of claim 1 wherein: the stator bottom part further
includes a first plug-coupling area for receiving the one end of
the flexible line connected to the stator.
18. The device of claim 1 wherein: the rotor top part further
includes a second plug-coupling area for receiving the other end of
the flexible line connected to the rotor.
19. A device for transmitting signals between a steering wheel and
a steering column, the device comprising: a stator fixed to the
steering column, the stator having a stator bottom part with an
axially oriented outer wall and a first base section, the stator
further having a stator top part with a first cover section; a
rotor fixed to the steering wheel to rotate therewith, the rotor
having a rotor bottom part with an axially oriented inner wall and
a second base section, the rotor further having a rotor top part
with a second cover section, wherein the inner and outer walls form
an annular cavity having a longitudinal axis; and at least one
conductive flexible line rotatably disposed within the annular
cavity around the longitudinal axis of the annular cavity, wherein
one end of the at least one flexible line is connected to the
stator and the other end of the at least one flexible line is
connected to the rotor, wherein the at least one flexible line
includes rotatably disposed windings contacting the inner wall,
rotatably disposed windings contacting the outer wall, and a
U-shaped reversing section disposed within the annular cavity
connecting the windings; wherein the first and second cover
sections are located within the annular cavity and separated from
the first and second base sections so as to restrict the height of
the annular cavity to the width of the at least one flexible line
such that the winding contacting the inner wall is prevented from
contacting the outer wall and the winding contacting the outer wall
is prevented from contacting the inner wall when the rotor rotates
with the steering wheel.
20. A device for transmitting signals between a steering wheel and
a steering column, the device comprising: a stator fixed to the
steering column, the stator having a stator bottom part with an
axially oriented outer wall and a first base section, the stator
further having a stator top part with a first cover section; a
rotor fixed to the steering wheel to rotate therewith, the rotor
having a rotor bottom part with an axially oriented inner wall and
a second base section, the rotor further having a rotor top part
with a second cover section, wherein the inner and outer walls form
an annular cavity having a longitudinal axis; and a conductive
flexible line rotatably disposed within the annular cavity around
the longitudinal axis of the annular cavity, wherein one end of the
flexible line is connected to the stator and the other end of the
flexible line is connected to the rotor, wherein the flexible line
includes a rotatably disposed first winding contacting the inner
wall, a rotatably disposed second winding contacting the outer
wall, and a U-shaped reversing section disposed within the annular
cavity connecting the first and second windings; wherein the first
and second cover sections are located within the annular cavity and
separated from the first and second base sections so as to restrict
the height of the annular cavity to the width of the flexible line,
wherein the first cover section and the first base station each
contact the second winding to prevent the second winding from
contacting the outer wall when the rotor rotates with the steering
wheel, wherein the second cover section and the second base section
contact the first winding to prevent the first winding from
contacting the inner wall when the rotor rotates with the steering
wheel.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a continuation of International Application
PCT/EP00/05054, with an international filing date of Jun. 2,
2000.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The invention is based on a device for transmitting
energy.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] Such devices are provided, e.g., in vehicles to enable
reliable transmission of current and/or light between terminal
points that can rotate in the steering wheel and terminal points
that are stationary in the area of the steering column. By means of
the terminal points of such a device, e.g., an airbag system, a
steering wheel heater, a shifting mechanism, etc., can be supplied
with the voltage and signals necessary for their respective
functions.
[0004] Such a device is known from DE 195 33 439 Cl. In such a
device, a plurality of flexible lines are contained within an
annular cavity of a housing. One end of each of these flexible
lines is fixed to the stator unit and the other end of the flexible
line is fixed to a rotatable rotary component of the housing facing
the stator unit.
[0005] The two broad sides of each of the flexible lines can be
wound in at least one turn on the axially oriented inner wall of
the housing and by means of a U-shaped reversing section, at a
distance and in the opposite direction, there is at least one other
turn on the axially oriented outer wall of the housing. Each of the
two narrow sides of the flexible lines is held between the radially
oriented base and the radially oriented cover of the housing. Such
a configuration leads inevitably to relative movements between the
flexible lines and the housing when the rotor unit rotates. This is
the case, since the turns of the flexible lines associated with
both the inner wall and the outer wall partially contact areas of
the rotor unit and partially contact areas of the stator unit. In
turn, such relative movements between the flexible lines and the
housing lead to inevitable, disruptive noise, which for reasons of
comfort is often intolerable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Accordingly, the objective of the present invention is to
disclose a device for transmitting energy, in which, by means of a
simple design, the relative movement with touching contact between
at least one flexible line in the annular cavity and the housing is
reduced to a minimum.
[0007] It is advantageous in the case of such a configuration that
the turns of the one or more flexible lines associated with the
inner wall only contact the rotor unit and the turns of the one or
more flexible lines associated with the outer wall only contact the
stator unit. Then the device functions without producing disruptive
noise.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] Additional advantageous modifications of the object of the
invention are described in greater detail with reference to an
embodiment illustrated in the appended drawings. Shown are:
[0009] FIG. 1, an exploded view of such a device without flexible
lines;
[0010] FIG. 2, four flexible lines of such a device in exploded
view;
[0011] FIG. 3, a full cross section through such a device;
[0012] FIG. 4, detail A from FIG. 3, shown enlarged and in
section;
[0013] FIG. 5, a top view of the device without the cover.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[0014] As can be seen in the figures, such a device for
transmitting energy essentially consists of a housing with a stator
unit and a rotor unit and at least one flexible line (1) inside an
annular cavity of the housing.
[0015] As can be further seen in the figures, four flexible lines
(1) are contained within the annular cavity of the housing. The
housing consists of a stator bottom part (4) with the outer wall
(2) and a first base section (3), a stator top part (6) with a
first cover section (5), a rotor bottom part (9) with the inner
wall (7) and a second base section (8), and also a rotor top part
(11) with a second cover section (10). The stator bottom part (4)
and the stator top part (6) form the stator unit of the housing and
the rotor bottom part (9) and the rotor top part (11) form the
rotor unit.
[0016] As clearly shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, an annular first ramp
(12) is formed on the base section (3) of the stator bottom part
(4). Also formed on the first cover section (5) of the stator top
part (6) is an annular second ramp (13), which faces the first ramp
(12) at a distance. Furthermore, an annular third ramp (14) is
formed integrally with the second cover section (10) of the rotor
top part (11) and facing this ramp at a distance is a fourth ramp
(15) formed on the second base section (8) of the rotor bottom part
(9). The first ramp (12) and the second ramp (13) are associated
directly with the outer wall (2) of the housing and the third ramp
(14) and the fourth ramp (15) are associated directly with the
inner wall (7) of the housing. Because the first ramp (12) and the
second ramp (13) restrict the height of the annular cavity of the
housing to the width of the four flexible lines (1) with slight
play, each of the four flexible lines (1) contacts the first ramp
(12) and the second ramp (13) on the stator side, i.e., associated
with the outer wall (2).
[0017] In the same manner, the narrow side of each of the four
flexible lines (1) contacts the third ramp (14) and the fourth ramp
(15) on the rotor side, i.e., associated with the inner wall (7) of
the housing, since these two ramps (14, 15) also restrict the
height of the annular cavity of the housing on the inner side to
the width of the four flexible lines (1). Each of the four ramps
(12, 13, 14, 15) thus has a narrow, annular guide surface. In order
to minimize contact, the free edges of the guide surfaces are each
beveled.
[0018] Therefore, the turns of the four flexible lines (1)
associated with the outer wall (2) only contact the stator unit and
the turns of the four flexible lines (1) associated with the inner
wall (7) only contact the rotor unit. When the rotor unit rotates,
the four flexible lines (1) move relative to the housing only in
the area of their U-shaped reversing section (16). Here it is
especially advantageous if the transitional sections of the narrow
sides of the U-shaped reversing sections (16) only contact the
narrow, annular guide surfaces of the four ramps (12, 13, 14, 15).
In the entire area of the curved midsections of the U-shaped
reversing sections (16) there is no contact between the flexible
lines (1) and the housing. Consequently, the development of
disruptive noise is effectively suppressed.
[0019] As shown especially in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the cover of a
guide ring (17) is fixed on the rotor bottom part (9) opposite the
housing. Thus the first base section (3) of the stator bottom part
(4) is held between the underside of the rotor bottom part (9) and
the main surface of the guide ring (17) facing the cover. In this
way the rotor bottom part (9) is exactly positioned on the stator
bottom part (4). So as to realize a defined bearing surface, on one
hand, a first bearing bead (18) that contacts the first base
section (3) is formed on the bottom surface of the rotor bottom
part (9) facing away from the cover. On the other hand, a second
bearing bead (19) that contacts the top surface of the guide ring
(17) is formed on the surface of the first base section (3) facing
away from the cover. Both the first bearing bead (18) and the
second bearing bead (19) are designed so as to form a stable fit.
Thus a smooth fit is realized, which provides good conditions for
preventing disruptive noise, since the unavoidable friction
generated in such a union is reduced to a minimum. The underside of
the guide ring (17) facing away from the cover has an integrated
arrangement of openings (20), which is a functional part of an
opto-electronic steering angle sensor not shown in greater detail.
In order to realize an especially stable mounting of the rotor unit
on the jacket tube of the steering column, which is not shown for
the interest of simplicity, a roller bearing, also not shown for
the interest of simplicity, can be affixed to the guide ring
(17).
[0020] In the illustrated embodiment, the rotor unit is positively
coupled with the steering wheel for the purpose of rotational
synchronization, and for the purpose of secure mounting, the stator
unit is fixed on a component that is rigidly joined to the steering
column. This fastening can be accomplished by means of interlocking
clip elements or alternatively by means of a threaded joint.
However, the stator unit can alternatively be secured directly to
the jacket tube of the steering column.
[0021] As can be further seen especially in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the
stator top part (6) is joined to the stator bottom part (4) by
first clip connections (21). By fastening the clip connections
(21), the stator unit is formed. The rotor top part (11) and the
rotor bottom part (9) can be assembled together by the second clip
connections (22), so that with this engagement, the rotor unit is
formed. By means of the third clip connections (23), the guide ring
(17) is secured to the rotor bottom part (9). The clip connections
(21, 22, 23) consist of several clip tongues which positively
engage in comparably designed clip depressions or clip windows.
[0022] As can be clearly seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, there are two
plug-coupling areas (24) on the stator bottom part (4) for
connecting the one end (25) of the respective four flexible lines
(1). On the rotor top part (11) there are two second plug-coupling
areas (26) which are provided for connecting the other ends (27) of
the respective four flexible lines (1). Thus a first plug-coupling
area (24) and a second plug-coupling area (26) are provided in each
case for the connection of two ends (25) or the two other ends (27)
of the four flexible lines (1).
[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, for engagement or rotational
synchronization with the steering column not shown in the interest
of simplicity, two synchronization pins (28) are formed on the
rotor top part (11). The two synchronization pins (28) engage
positively in comparable depressions of the steering wheel when the
latter is mounted on the steering spindle. For positional securing
of the rotor unit in its defined mounting position (prior to the
mounting of the steering wheel), there is a locking rocker (30)
actuated by means of a slide (29) that receives force from a
threaded pressure spring (31). Only during the installation of the
steering wheel is the locking action of the locking rocker (30)
automatically released, since a functional element present on the
steering wheel acts on the locking rocker (30) via the slide (29).
When the steering wheel is dismounted, the locking position of the
locking rocker (30) is automatically reestablished due to the
threaded pressure spring (31).
[0024] In order to ensure the absolutely essential center position
until installation of the device, a safety element (32) is provided
on the rotor top part (11). The safety element (32) can be removed
from the rotor top part (11) only by its mechanical destruction.
For this purpose, the safety element (32) has a predetermined
breaking point that ensures that a small defined part of the safety
element (32) remains on the rotor top part (11). The safety element
(32) is affixed in such a way that the aperture necessary for
actuating the slide (29) is completely covered, so that the latter
or the locking rocker (30) cannot be actuated. As a result, the
locking position of the locking rocker (30) is reliably maintained
until the safety element (32) has been broken off. When the entire
safety element (32) is still present on the rotor top part (11)
prior to the mounting of the steering wheel, it can be safely
assumed that the device is in the center position and the operating
safety of the device is assured. The absence of the safety element
(32), on the other hand, is a clear indication that the center
position, i.e., the operating safety of the device, is not
guaranteed.
* * * * *