Clockspring with resilient flat cable carrier apparatus

• US 5,580,259 A
• Filed: 02/10/1995
• Issued: 12/03/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Methode Electronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Methode Electronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Thompson, Kevin M., Bolen, Patrick A.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, KHIEM M
• Application Number:
  US08/386,560
• Time in Patent Office: 662 Days
• Field of Search: 439/15, 439/164, 439/13
• US Class Current: 439/164
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/027 between relatively movable parts of the vehicle, e.g. between steering wheel and column devices for measuring, signalling or controlling tyre pressure or temperature specially adapted for mounting on vehicles B60C23/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 35/025 having a flexible conductor wound around a rotation axis

Abstract

A clockspring assembly having an apparatus for reducing the length of cable used in the clockspring'"'"'s design. The clockspring has a housing which defines a first aperture. Rotatably mounted within the first aperture is a hub having a second aperture. Between the housing and the hub is a radial space defined within the housing. The radial space contains a ribbon cable which has a first end connected to a first connector and a second end connected to a second connector. Correspondingly, the first connector is attached to the housing and the second connector is attached to the hub. Furthermore, resiliently clamped onto the hub is a carrier apparatus which has a clamping portion for pressing the ribbon cable onto the hub during its rotation. In addition, the carrier apparatus also has a brace for reducing vibration of the portion of the cable portion which is not being pressed against the hub.

Claims

1. A clockspring assembly comprising:

a) a housing;

b) a first connector attached to said housing;

c) a hub being carried in rotatable relation to said housing and defining a radial space between said housing and said hub;

d) a second connector attached to said hub;

e) a ribbon cable carried in said radial space and having a first end connected to said first connector and a second end connected to said second connector; and

f) a carrier apparatus, resiliently clamped onto said hub, said carrier apparatus formed of a flat resilient material having a clamping portion for pressing said ribbon cable against said hub during rotation of said hub and said carrier apparatus having an integral semi-circular shaped brace for reducing vibration of said cable portion which is not being pressed against said hub.

2. The clockspring assembly of claim 1, wherein said carrier apparatus is comprised of a metal material.

3. The clockspring assembly of claim 2, wherein said metal material consists of stainless steel.

4. The clockspring assembly of claim 2, wherein said carrier apparatus is laminated with polyester.

5. The clockspring assembly of claim 1, wherein said carrier apparatus is comprised of a polymer material.

6. A carrier apparatus which installs within a clockspring having a hub, a housing, and a ribbon cable connected to said hub and said housing, said carrier apparatus formed entirely of a one-piece flat resilient material comprising:

a) a resilient clamping portion secured to said hub for pressing the ribbon cable against the hub; and

b) an integral terminal portion forming a semi-circular shaped brace extending from said resilient clamping portion for guiding a turned-back portion of said cable.

7. The clockspring assembly of claim 6, wherein said carrier apparatus consists of a unitary member comprised of metal.

8. The clockspring assembly of claim 7, wherein said metal material consists of stainless steel.

9. The clockspring assembly of claim 7, wherein said carrier apparatus is laminated with polyester.

10. The clockspring assembly of claim 6, wherein said carrier apparatus consists of a unitary member comprised of a polymer material.

11. A clockspring assembly comprising:

a) a housing;

b) a first connector attached to said housing;

c) a hub being carried in rotatable relation in said housing and defining a radial space within said housing and between said housing and said hub;

d) a second connector attached to said hub;

e) a ribbon cable carried in said radial space and having a first end connected to first connector and a second end connected to said second connector; and

f) a carrier apparatus, resiliently clamped onto said hub, said carrier apparatus consisting of a unitary member having a clamping portion for pressing said ribbon cable against said hub so that in a state where said ribbon cable is wrapped on said hub it may not expand away from said hub a distance more the combined thickness of said wrapped cables and an integral semi-circular shaped brace for guiding the ribbon cable.

12. The clockspring assembly of claim 11, wherein said distance is less than 0.100 inch.