Connector

• US 5,762,506 A
• Filed: 06/24/1996
• Issued: 06/09/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lucas Industries Limited (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Original Assignee: Lucas Industries Limited (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Inventors: Du-Rocher, Daniel J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Paumen, Gary F.
• Application Number:
  US08/669,694
• Time in Patent Office: 715 Days
• Field of Search: 439/164, 439/15
• 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 rotary electrical connector comprising first and second relatively rotatable housing parts, a spacer provided between the housing parts and rotatable with respect thereto, an elongate conductor carried, at one end, by the first housing part and, at the other end, by the second housing part, the conductor defining a first coiled portion between the spacer and the first housing part and a second coiled portion between the spacer and the second housing part, the first and second coiled portions being wound in opposite directions, and a bearing locating the spacer for rotational movement within the housing defined by the first and second housing parts.

Claims

1. A rotary electrical connector comprising first and second relatively rotatable housing parts, a spacer provided between the housing parts and freely rotatable with respect thereto, an elongate conductor carried, at one end, by the first housing part and, at the other end, by the second housing part, the conductor defining a first coiled portion between the spacer and the first housing part and a second coiled portion between the spacer and the second housing part, the first and second coiled portions being wound in opposite directions, and a bearing arrangement locating the spacer for rotational movement within the housing defined by the first and second housing parts, said bearing arrangement comprising a flange provided on one of the housing and the spacer, the flange cooperating with a recess provided on the other of the housing and the spacer, and a portion of the conductor located between the first coiled portion and the second coiled portion extending through a gap in the spacer so as to cooperate with the spacer to move the spacer rotationally during winding and unwinding of the coiled portions as the first and second housing parts are rotated relative to one another.

2. A connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein said flange is a radially inwardly extending flange provided on the spacer, the recess being defined between the first and second housing parts.

3. A connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bearing arrangement locates said spacer substantially out of contact with the housing to minimize scraping in use.

4. A connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein said flange terminates in a beaded edge received in said recess.

5. A connector as claimed in claim 2, wherein said flange terminates in a beaded edge received in said recess.