U.S. patent application number 09/387849 was filed with the patent office on 2002-02-28 for steering unit-mounting structure.
Invention is credited to HAYASHI, HIROYUKI.
Application Number | 20020025723 09/387849 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18381354 |
Filed Date | 2002-02-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020025723 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HAYASHI, HIROYUKI |
February 28, 2002 |
STEERING UNIT-MOUNTING STRUCTURE
Abstract
Second connectors 61x are fixed symmetrically with respect to a
steering shaft 10 on a steering post 20 in such a manner that these
second connectors are slightly movable, and a steering unit 30 is
moved parallel to the axis of the steering shaft 10, thereby
connecting two first connectors 62x, fixedly mounted on the
steering unit 30, to the second connectors 61x, respectively.
Lever-type connectors, having the function of reducing a load
exerted during the connecting operation, are used as the first and
second connectors 62x and 61x, respectively.
Inventors: |
HAYASHI, HIROYUKI;
(NAGOYA-SHI, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OLIFF & BERRIDGE PLC
P.O. BOX 19928
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22320
|
Family ID: |
18381354 |
Appl. No.: |
09/387849 |
Filed: |
September 1, 1999 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
439/625 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62D 1/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
439/625 |
International
Class: |
H01R 033/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 4, 1998 |
JP |
10-346132 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A steering unit-mounting apparatus comprising: a combination
switch, a first connector connected to said combination switch, a
steering unit including said combination switch and said first
connector, wherein said steering unit is mounted on a steering post
when said steering unit is connected to a second connector fixed to
said steering post, and when said steering unit is to be mounted on
said steering post, said second connector is beforehand fixed in
such a position that said second connector is opposed to said first
connector on said steering unit, and is connectable to said first
connector; and said steering unit is positioned and provisionally
fixed relative to said steering post by connecting said first
connector to said second connector.
2. A steering unit-mounting structure as claimed in claim 1, in
which said second connector is slightly movable in upward,
downward, right and left directions.
3. A steering unit-mounting structure as claimed in claim 1, in
which a pair of said first connectors, as well as a pair of said
second connectors, are arranged symmetrically with respect to a
steering shaft extending through said steering post.
4. A steering unit-mounting structure as claimed in claim 1, in
which lever-type connectors are used as said first and second
connectors, respectively, and one of said connectors has a rotary
lever having an engagement portion, and a boss for engagement with
said engagement portion of said rotary lever is formed on the other
connector.
5. A steering unit-mounting structure as claimed in claim 1, in
which a male thread is provided at said first connector, and a
female thread for being threaded on said male thread is provided at
said second connector.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to a steering unit-mounting structure
for mounting a steering unit (switch box), having combination
switches (provided in the vicinity of a steering wheel of an
automobile) for turning signal lamps, wipers, headlights and so on,
on a steering post.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] FIG. 5 shows a steering wheel mounting portion of an
ordinary construction in an automobile. A steering shaft 10 is
rotatably supported on a steering post 20. A steering unit 30 and a
rotary connector (rotary connection device) 40 are mounted on that
portion of the steering post 20 disposed in a car room. A steering
wheel50ismountedonadistal endportion 11 of the steering shaft 10,
extending through the steering unit 30 and the rotary connector 40,
so as to rotate with the steering shaft 10. An electric equipment
51, such as a horn switch and an air bag, is mounted on the
steering wheel 50. Combination switches for turning signal lamps,
wipers and so on, are incorporated in the steering unit 30, and
operating levers 31 and 32 for effecting the switching operation of
these switches are mounted on left and right side surfaces of the
steering unit 30, respectively. A wire harness 60 for connecting a
control circuit on a vehicle body to the electric equipment 51 on
the steering wheel 50 and the combination switches in the steering
unit 30 is arranged to extend along the steering post 10, and for
example, female connectors 61 are fixedly secured to a distal end
of this wire harness.
[0005] FIG. 6 shows a conventional mounting structure for mounting
the steering unit 30 on the steering post 10. The distal end of the
wire harness 60 projects slightly beyond a distal end 21 of the
steering post 20. The distal end of the wire harness 60 is divided
into a plurality of sections, and the female connectors 61a to 61c
are fixedly secured to these sections, respectively. A recess 22
for receiving the projected portion of the wire harness 60 after
the connection of the connectors is formed in the steering post 20
in adjacent relation to a distal end 21 thereof. A through hole 33
for fitting on the steering shaft 10, projecting from the steering
post 20, is formed through the steering unit 30, and male
connectors 62a to 62c for connection respectively to the female
connectors 61a to 61c are fixedly mounted on the steering unit
30.
[0006] Generally, in connectors, male terminals are press-fitted
respectively into female terminals, thereby making an electrical
connection therebetween. Therefore, the number of pins in the
connector, which can be manually connected, is limited. Therefore,
as shown in FIG. 6, the distal end of the wire harness is divided
into a plurality of sections, and the connection must be made using
the plurality of connectors 61a to 61c and 62a to 62c.
[0007] For mounting the steering unit 30 on the steering post 20,
the operator first holds the steering unit 30 with one hand, and in
this condition the male connectors 62a to 62c are connected to the
female connectors 61a to 61c, respectively. Then, that portion of
the wire harness 60, projecting from the distal end 21 of the
steering post 20, and the female connectors 61a to 61c are pushed
into the recess 22 in the steering post 20, and in this condition
the steering shaft 10 is passed through the through hole 33 in the
steering unit 30. Then, the steering unit 30 and the steering post
20 are positioned relative to each other, and thereafter the
steering unit 30 is fixed to the steering post 20 by bolts or the
like (not shown).
[0008] In the above conventional steering unit-mounting structure,
however, the female connectors 61a to 61c, associated with the
steering post 20, must be manually connected respectively to the
male connectors 62a to 62c on the steering unit 30, and this
operation must be carried out in the narrow cockpit of the
automobile, and therefore the mounting operation is very difficult.
In FIG. 6, although the wire harness 60 and the connectors 61a to
61c and 62a to 62c are arranged on one side of the steering shaft
10, such wire harness 60 and connectors 61a to 61c and 62a to 62c
must be arranged on each side of the steering shaft 10 if the
number of circuits increases. In this case, the number of the
connectors increases, which leads to high possibilities of a
connection error, a connection omission and incomplete
connection.
[0009] And besides, the plurality of connectors 61a to 61c must be
connected respectively to the plurality of connectors 62a to 62c
while holding the steering unit 30 with one hand, and therefore the
efficiency of the operation is low. Furthermore, when pushing that
portion of the wire harness 60, projecting from the distal end 21
of the steering post 20, into the recess 21 in the steering post
20, the elasticity of the wire harness provides a load, and
therefore the steering unit 30 must be pressed against the steering
post 20, and this further worsens the operation efficiency.
[0010] Furthermore, when that portion of the wire harness 60,
projecting from the steering post 20, is pushed into the recess,
this portion is deformed, and if this deformed portion is held
between the steering unit 30 and the steering post 20, the steering
unit 30 can not be fixed to the steering post 20, and therefore the
operation must be again carried out from the beginning.
Alternatively, if the steering unit 30 is forcibly fixed to the
steering post 20, a sheath of the wire harness 60, held between the
steering unit 30 and the steering post 20, is broken, which causes
an insulation failure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] This invention has been made in order to solve the above
problems of the conventional structure, and an object of the
invention is to provide a steering unit-mounting structure in which
connectors on a steering unit can be easily and positively
connected respectively to connectors associated with a steering
post, and besides the steering unit can be quite easily mounted on
the steering post.
[0012] The above object has been achieved by a steering
unit-mounting structure of the present invention wherein a steering
unit, including at least a combination switch and a first connector
connected to the combination switch, is mounted on a steering post
simultaneously when the steering unit is connected to a second
connector fixed to the steering post, comprising: when the steering
unit is to be mounted oh the steering post, the second connector is
beforehand fixed in such a position that the second connector is
opposed to the first connector on the steering unit, and is
connectable to the first connector; and the steering unit is
positioned and provisionally fixed relative to the steering post by
connecting the first connector to the second connector.
[0013] In the above construction, the second connector may be
slightly movable in upward, downward, right and left
directions.
[0014] A pair of the first connectors, as well as a pair of the
second connectors, may be arranged symmetrically with respect to a
steering shaft extending through the steering post.
[0015] Lever-type connectors may be used as the first and second
connectors, respectively, and one of the connectors has a rotary
lever having an engagement portion, and a boss for engagement with
the engagement portion of the rotary lever is formed on the other
connector.
[0016] A male thread may be provided at the first connector, and a
female thread for being threaded on the male thread may be provided
at the second connector.
[0017] The present disclosure relates to the subject matter
contained in Japanese patent application No. Hei. 10-346132 (filed
on Dec. 4, 1998) which is expressly incorporated herein by
reference in its entirely.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of a
steering unit-mounting structure of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B are views showing the construction of
first and second connectors, used in the first embodiment, and a
connecting operation.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the
second connector used in the first embodiment.
[0021] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of
a steering unit-mounting structure of the invention.
[0022] FIG. 5 is an exploded, side-elevational view of a steering
wheel-mounting portion of an automobile.
[0023] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a conventional steering
unit-mounting structure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0024] (First Embodiment)
[0025] A first embodiment of a steering unit-mounting structure of
the present invention will now be described. FIG. 1 shows the
steering unit-mounting structure of the first embodiment. Second
connectors 61x, associated with a steering post 20, are fixedly
secured respectively to distal ends of wire harnesses 60. Two
recesses 23 for respectively fixedly receiving the second
connectors 61x are formed in the steering post 20 in adjacent
relation to a distal end 21 thereof, and these recesses 23 are
disposed symmetrically with respect to a steering shaft 10. The
pair of wire harnesses 60, as well as the pair of second connectors
61x, are also disposed symmetrically with respect to the steering
shaft 10. A through hole 33 for fitting on the steering shaft 10,
projecting from the steering post 20, is formed through a steering
unit 30, and first connectors 62x for connection respectively to
the second connectors 61x are fixedly mounted on the steering unit
30, and are disposed symmetrically with respect to the through hole
33.
[0026] The constructions of the first and second connectors 62x and
61x, used in the first embodiment, as well as the connecting
operation thereof, are shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 2(a) shows a condition
in which the first and second connectors 62x and 61x are not yet
connected together, and FIG. 2 (b) shows a condition in which the
first and second connectors 62x and 61x are connected together.
FIG. 3 shows the appearance of the second connector 62x.
[0027] For example, the first connector 62x is a male connector
while the second connector 61x is a female connector. Male
terminals, connected respectively to wires extending from
combination switches in the steering unit 30, are arranged within
the first connector 62x. The first connector 62x has no moving
portion.
[0028] The second connector 61x comprises a fixing portion 611 to
be fixed to the recess 23, and a moving portion 612 slidable
relative to the fixing portion 611 in a direction of arrow A. A
rotary lever 614, rotatable about a shaft 613, is mounted on the
moving portion 612. The rotary lever 614 has an engagement groove
615 for engagement with a boss 621 formed on the first connector
62x, and also has a boss 616 engaged in a guide groove 617 formed
in the fixing portion 611.
[0029] As described above, in connectors, male terminals are
press-fitted respectively into female terminals, thereby making an
electrical connection therebetween. Therefore, if the number of
pins in the connector is large, a very large force is required for
connecting the first connector 62x and the second connector 61x
together. On the other hand, it is difficult to move the first
connector 62x parallel relative to the second connector 61x.
Therefore, when trying to forcibly connect the connectors together
with a large force, there is a possibility that the first connector
62x is inclined relative to the second connector 61x, so that the
male terminals or the female terminals may be damaged. However, the
rotary lever 614 and the boss 621 serve as a mechanism for reducing
a load exerted when connecting the connectors together, as
described later, and therefore the first connector 62x can be
connected to the second connector 61x with a relatively small
force, and also the first connector 62x can be move parallel
relative to the second connector 61x, and therefore the male
terminals and the female terminals will not be damaged. The reason
for this will be described below.
[0030] In the process of connecting the first connector 62x to the
second connector 61x, the male terminals in the first connector 62x
are brought into contact with the respective female terminals in
the second connector 61x, and the male terminals are half inserted
or fitted in the respective female terminals. At this time, the
boss 621 on the first connector 62x is engaged in the engagement
groove 615 formed in the rotary lever 614 mounted on the moving
portion 612 of the second connector 61x. When the first connector
62x is further pushed into the second connector 62x, the moving
portion 612 of the second connector 61x is moved together with the
first connector 62x, and in accordance with this movement, the
rotary lever 614 rotates about the shaft 613. As a result of
rotation of the rotary lever 614, the boss 621 on the first
connector 62x slides along the engagement groove 615 in the rotary
lever 614, and also the boss 616 of the rotary lever 614 slides
along the guide groove 617. At this time, the male terminals in the
first connector 62x are not yet completely fitted respectively in
the female terminals in the second connector 61x. The boss 621 on
the first connector 62x and the engagement portion 615 in the
rotary lever 614 follow the movement of the first connector 62x and
the moving portion 612 of the second connector 61x, or the boss 621
is pressed against an end surface of the engagement portion
615.
[0031] When the first connector 62x is further pushed into the
second connector 61x, the boss 616 of the rotary lever 614 reaches
an inner end of the guide groove 617 in the fixing portion 611, and
can not move any longer. In this condition, when the first
connector 62x is further pushed into the second connector 61x, the
end surface of the engagement portion 615 in the rotary lever 614
pushes the boss 621 of the first connector 62x toward the second
connector 61x, so that the rotary lever 614 functions to draw the
first connector 62x toward the second connector 61x. Namely, a
force, larger than the force actually applied to the first
connector 62x, acts on the first connector 62x and the second
connector 61x, and the male terminals in the first connector 62x
are press-fitted respectively into the female terminals in the
second connector 61x. Therefore, the first connector 62x and the
second connector 61x can be connected together with the relatively
small force.
[0032] Thus, the lever-type connectors are used as the first
connector 62x and the second connector 61x, and therefore the first
connector 62x and the second connector 61x can be connected
together with the relatively small force through the rotary lever
614 even if the number of pins in the connector is so large that
the load, exerted during the connecting operation, is large. The
steering unit 30 is properly positioned relative to the steering
post 20 simultaneously when the first connectors 62x are connected
to the second connectors 61x, respectively. After this positioning
is effected, the steering unit 30 is fixedly secured to the
steering post 20 by bolts or the like, thus completing the mounting
of the steering unit 30.
[0033] An error in the positioning of the first and second
connectors 62x and 6lx relative to each other, as well as an error
in the positioning of these connectors relative to the steering
shaft 10, can not be reduced to zero, and therefore it is preferred
that each of the second connectors 61x, associated with the
steering post 20, should be movable slightly in upward, downward,
right and left directions. Specifically, holes 620, through which
mounting screws pass, respectively, are formed into a rectangular
shape, a generally-oval shape or other suitable shape.
[0034] (Second Embodiment)
[0035] Next, a second embodiment of a steering unit-mounting
structure of the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 shows
the steering unit-mounting structure of the second embodiment. In
the second embodiment, second connectors 61y, associated with a
steering post 20, are fixedly secured respectively to distal ends
of wire harnesses 60 as described above for the first embodiment.
Two recesses 23 for respectively fixedly receiving the second
connectors 61y are formed in the steering post 20 in adjacent
relation to a distal end 21 thereof, and these recesses 23 are
disposed symmetrically with respect to a steering shaft 10. The
pair of wire harnesses 60, as well as the pair of second connectors
61y, are also disposed symmetrically with respect to the steering
shaft 10. A through hole 33 for fitting on the steering shaft 10,
projecting from the steering post 20, is formed through a steering
unit 30, and first connectors 62y for connection respectively to
the second connectors 61y are fixedly mounted on the steering unit
30, and are disposed symmetrically with respect to the through hole
33.
[0036] Two tongues 24, projecting in a cantilever manner, are
provided in each of the recesses 23 in the steering post 20. Two
mounting seats 630, each having grooves for engagement with the
associated tongue 24, are formed on upper and lower surfaces of the
second connector 61y, respectively. Therefore, each second
connector 61y can be attached to the steering post 20 from the side
thereof (as indicated by arrow B) by engaging the mounting seats
630 with the respective tongues 24. There may be adopted an
arrangement in which the width of the grooves in the mounting seat
630 is larger than the thickness of the tongue 24, and a leaf
spring or the like is provided in the groove so that the tongue 24
can be slightly moved in the groove in upward, downward, right and
left directions.
[0037] A male thread 631 is rotatably provided at a generally
central portion of each first connector 62y in such a manner that
the male thread 631 can not be disengaged from the first connector
62y. A female thread 632 for being threaded on the male thread 631
in the first connector 62y is provided at a generally central
portion of the second connector 61y. A head of the male thread 631
in each first connector 62y is exposed to an outer surface of the
steering unit 30, and the male thread can be rotated by an
electrically-operated screwdriver 70 or the like.
[0038] In the second embodiment, the thread-coupling connectors are
used as the first and second connectors 62y and 61y, respectively,
and therefore for connecting the two connectors together, a large
force is not applied at a time, but the male thread 631 is
continuously rotated with a relatively small force, and the first
connector 62y is gradually fitted on the second connector 61y in
accordance with the rotation of the thread, and finally the first
connector 62y and the second connector 61y are connected together.
Therefore, the two connectors can be connected together with the
relatively small force even if the number of pins in the connector
is so large that the load, exerted during the connecting operation,
is large. And besides, since the electrically-operated screwdriver
70 is used, the burden on the operator is reduced. The first and
second connectors 62y and 62x are fixed to each other by the
threads simultaneously when they are connected together, and
therefore at the same time, the steering unit 30 is properly
positioned relative to the steering post 20. The threads in the
first and second connectors 62y and 62x are smaller in size than
the steering unit 30, and therefore the steering unit 30 may be
fixedly secured to the steering post 20 by bolts or the like of a
larger size.
[0039] In the above embodiments, the wire harnesses 60 are disposed
respectively on the opposite sides of the steering shaft 10, and
are arranged symmetrically with respect to the steering shaft 10,
and similarly, the first connectors 62x, 62y, as well as the second
connectors 61x, 61y, are arranged symmetrically with respect to the
steering shaft 10. However, the present invention is not limited to
such an arrangement, and the wire harness, the first connector and
the second connector may be disposed on one side of the steering
shaft. The connectors are not limited to the lever-type and the
thread coupling-type, and may be of any other suitable type having
the function of reducing the load exerted during the connecting
operation. If the number of pins in the connector is so small that
the load, exerted during the connecting operation, is small,
connectors of the ordinary type as used in the above conventional
construction, may be used.
[0040] As described above, the present invention provides the
steering unit-mounting structure wherein the steering unit,
including at least the combination switch and the first connector
connected to the combination switch, is mounted on the steering
post simultaneously when the steering unit is connected to the
second connector fixed to the steering post, comprising: when the
steering unit is to be mounted on the steering post, the second
connector is beforehand fixed in such a position that the second
connector is opposed to the first connector on the steering unit,
and is connectable to the first connector; and the steering unit is
positioned and provisionally fixed relative to the steering post by
connecting the first connector to the second connector. Therefore,
the first and second connectors function as positioning jigs and
provisionally-fixing jigs, and the steering unit is provisionally
fixed to the steering post simultaneously when the connectors are
connected together, and therefore the steering unit-mounting
operation is simplified. The second connector, associated with the
steering post, is beforehand fixed, and therefore it is not
necessary to push the wire harness relative to the steering post,
and the load, exerted during the mounting of the steering unit, is
reduced, and also there is eliminated a possibility that the wire
harness is held between the steering unit and the steering post,
thereby preventing troubles such as an insulation failure.
[0041] The second connector is slightly movable in upward,
downward, right and left directions, and with this construction an
error in the positioning of the first connector, mounted on the
steering unit, relative to the second connector, associated with
the steering post, can be absorbed.
[0042] The first connectors, as well as the second connectors, are
arranged symmetrically with respect to the steering shaft extending
through the steering post, and with this construction the balance
in the right-left direction can be made good when mounting the
steering unit.
[0043] Lever-type connectors may be used as the first and second
connectors, respectively, and one of the connectors has the rotary
lever having the engagement portion, and the boss for engagement
with the engagement portion of the rotary lever is formed on the
other connector. With this construction, the first and second
connectors can be connected together with a relatively small force
even if the number of pins in the connector is so large that the
load, exerted during the connecting operation, is large.
[0044] The male thread is provided at the first connector, and the
female thread for being threaded on the male thread is provided at
the second connector. With this construction, even if the number of
pins in the connector is so large that the load, exerted during the
connecting operation, is large, the first and second connectors can
be connected together with a relatively small force by gradually
threading the male thread into the female thread. And besides, the
electrically-operated screwdriver can be used, and the burden on
the operator can be reduced. Furthermore, the connected condition
of the first and second connectors is locked by the threaded
connection, so that the two will not be easily disengaged from each
other, and therefore the provisionally-fixed condition of the
steering unit and the steering post can be locked simultaneously
when the first and second connectors are connected together.
* * * * *