DE102005002676B3 - Spring mounting for steering columns comprises outer ring fixed to vehicle bodywork and inner ring which can rotate, flexible roller being mounted between rings and flat cable fitted into groove inside outer ring passing around it - Google Patents

Abstract

Spring mounting system for vehicle steering columns comprises an outer ring (10) which is fixed to the vehicle bodywork and a concentric inner ring (20) which can rotate. A flexible roller (51) is mounted between the rings and a flat cable (30) is fitted into a groove inside the outer ring, a loop (32) of which passes around the roller.

Description

The The invention relates to a coil spring, in particular a loopback or short-band winding spring for a steering device of a means of locomotion, in particular a Motor vehicle, for safe and permanent electrical signal transmission between a steering device and a moving means electrical connection.

coil springs serve, for. B. in the automotive field, the transfer of data between a rotatable steering wheel and a vehicle electrical or electronic. For very important safety systems, such as the airbag, coil springs are indispensable, So that a perfect electrical connection, no interruption or delay of an impulse, guaranteed remains. Furthermore, coil springs serve to provided on the steering wheel Switches, sensors and / or electrical / electronic components (for example: Horn, radio, navigation system, hazard lights, headlights, steering wheel heating u. s. w.) over electrical cables with the corresponding components or evaluation units electrically connect in the vehicle, not the rotational movement follow the steering wheel.

The Clock spring is located on the holder of the steering column switch and consists of vehicle-fixed and steering wheel-fixed, movable, substantially cylindrical, concentrically arranged components that have a Plastic strap with integrated cable tracks (flexible ribbon cable (FFC)) are interconnected. In the so-called short-band coil springs is the flexible ribbon cable in the coil spring housing in one Loop led (therefore also loopback coil spring called), wherein one end of the ribbon cable with the movable member (also called rotor) of the clock spring (hereinafter referred to as rotatable Component called) is connected and the other end of the ribbon cable with the vehicle-fixed component (also stator) is connected.

On the one hand becomes upon rotation of the rotatable member in a direction of rotation the ribbon cable wound on the stationary component from the stationary one Unwound component and then over the cable loop outside wound onto the smaller diameter rotatable member; on the other hand becomes in a different direction of rotation during a movement of the rotatable member unwound on the rotatable component wound ribbon cable and over the cable loop again wrapped inside the fixed component.

For use in modern motor vehicles need Coil springs about five full Turn the steering wheel, d. H. from the straight-ahead driving position of the steering wheel out about two and a half turns to the right or about two and a half turns to the left.

Either upon rotation of the rotatable member relative to the stationary component, as well as with shocks and vibrations of the vehicle, undesirable noises occur in the clock spring. For suppression these sounds were soundproofing Suggested films that are inserted in the coil spring housing.

Especially Loopback coil springs produce unwanted noise, especially in vehicle vibrations, on, by the moving or freely moving parts within the coil springs triggered become. This noise should in the prior art through the use of distance compensation or guide elements be encountered, which is a free movement of the internal parts of the coil spring should avoid.

So is out of the DE 42 11 264 C2 a loopback coil spring known, the pulleys are connected by a connecting element with each other, wherein the connecting element allows a respect. The coil spring radial movement of the pulleys. This is z. B. by means provided in the connecting element, realized in the radial direction of the coil spring extending grooves along which the pulleys can be moved radially.

The DE 103 14 303 A1 discloses a coil spring, the individual deflecting against each other are resiliently providable to ensure a tension of the deflecting against each other. One embodiment discloses spring elements on the respective deflection body, wherein the spring elements are designed as spring tongues. The spring tongues serve to support a deflection body on the respectively directly adjacent deflection body and / or to support the deflection body against the rotor and / or the stator.

The DE 196 25 388 B4 discloses a flexible cable for a coil spring.

The DE 600 03 728 T2 discloses elastic portions for the deflecting a coil spring, wherein the elastic portions support the deflecting body.

The DE 44 22 788 C2 discloses a resilient tongue for a flexible ribbon cable of a coil spring.

The DE 44 47 930 C2 and the DE 44 19 077 C2 disclose an elastic mounting of a deflection plate receiving rotary plate of a Wi spring over elastic arms.

The DE 197 02 538 B4 discloses a cable guide for flexible cables within a coil spring.

It The object of the invention is to provide a loopback winding spring make that independent from the position of a steering device no or possible produces a few noises.

The The object of the invention is achieved by means of a coil spring whose Internal parts at least partially flexible and / or resilient are configured, and / or can vary in size, which they have a different space within the coil spring can adjust or at certain points within the clock spring due their elasticity position it in a slightly clamped position. Here is at least one rotationally symmetric Part or section of the deflecting body in the radial direction yielding and elastic.

When Materials for the inner parts are suitable for example foams, rubbers, Silicones, polymers or elastomers. Furthermore, suitable coatings or Sections of the internal parts with the materials just mentioned. This realized at least partially a permanent compensation of the free spaces within the coil spring. Such an embodiment of the inner movable Parts of the clock spring makes the overall system insensitive Vibrations (eg shaking the vehicle when crossing over bumps) without inadmissible space restrictions or to create deadlocks within the coil spring.

So is z. B. in a preferred embodiment of the invention of the coil spring a between the fixed component and the rotatable component run Ribbon cable along a peripheral portion of a deflecting body, z. B. a rotatable roller or barrel, out, wherein the deflecting elastic is deformable. Especially with rotatable elements of a deflecting body these vary in their diameter designed. By means of such elastic yielding Free rooms avoided within the coil spring. Thus, the deflector sits slightly be strained in the clock spring and vibrations of the vehicle Sounds avoided.

through the at least partially elastic outer design of the deflecting body this in case of vibration or movement of the vehicle elastic inside stored the coil spring and / or is slightly strained in the coil spring, which prevents the noise or at least significantly reduced.

In a preferred embodiment The invention has the deflecting body a variable in diameter Ton or roll up, over their almost half the outer circumference the ribbon cable is guided in the winding spring. The axis of rotation of the barrel or roller is essentially parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotatable component. Here is the bin or the role completely a silicone, foam, rubber or elastomer, what the Roll the necessary elasticity gives. It is also possible the barrel or roll only in an outer peripheral ring of these To produce materials, which also gives the role of a certain elasticity in radial Direction gives, here is the core of the barrel or role, however hard and elastic almost undeformable.

In a preferred embodiment are two tons or two rollers on a circular segment-shaped guide part provided, which in the annular Cavity between fixed component and rotatable component that Ribbon cable leads. In this case, preferably at least one ton or roll in their Diameter variably designed.

Further can the deflecting body (For example, barrel or roller) have spring arms which the annular cavity at least partially resilient and so for a correct Position of the ribbon cable on the rotatable component and on the stationary Component and in the transition area take care of the cable loop. Furthermore, it is with deflection bodies with several tons or rolls possible, only one ton or a role as deflecting body according to spring arms equip.

In a preferred embodiment The invention provides the electrical connections for the ribbon cable directly on the stationary component or directly on the rotatable component, whereby an insertion the cable into the fixed component and a re - run of the Cable from the rotatable component out becomes unnecessary.

Above named embodiments of the invention enable a noiseless or at least low noise Run the internal parts of the coil spring, make the overall system of Clock spring insensitive to vibration or vibration, enable an automatic compensation of length tolerances of the used Ribbon cable (up to over four pieces per clock spring) and the same depending on the position of the steering wheel Diameter differences of outer diameter of the rotatable component to the inner diameter of the fixed component out.

Further embodiments The invention will be in the rest dependent claims described.

The Invention will be described below with reference to exemplary embodiments with reference on the attached Drawing explained. In the drawing show:

1 a 3D view of an open-topped loopback coil spring with four guided in each loop ribbon cables,

2 a first embodiment according to the invention of four deflecting bodies, each with two deflecting rollers, for the four flat-ribbon cables,

3 a second embodiment according to the invention of a deflection body, or a deflection roller for the first embodiment according to the invention, and

4 a 3D view of a section of an open-topped coil spring with a deflecting according to the invention according to 2 ,

The following versions mainly relate on a coil spring for a motor vehicle, the ribbon cable of each of a circular segment-shaped spacer or Leadership part or deflecting guided be, each having two roles. However, the invention is intended not on such an embodiment limited but rather all Winding springs comprise, which in its interior at least one deflecting body or a leadership part or a spacer having.

1 shows in a 3D view of a coil spring with missing upper housing cover, wherein the coil spring has an internally cylindrical configured fixed component 10 has, which is firmly connected to the vehicle. The inside of the fixed component 10 is with respect to an axis 26 rotationally symmetrical. Inside the fixed component 10 is an externally cylindrical rotatable component designed 20 arranged with its outside coaxial with the inside of the fixed component 10 is arranged and around the axis of rotation 26 with respect to the fixed component 10 (ie around its own longitudinal axis) can rotate around. The rotatable component 20 is firmly connected in the installed state with a steering wheel or a steering column of the steering wheel and makes the movements of the steering wheel with, whereas the fixed component 10 is firmly connected to the vehicle chassis via additional components.

A kinematic reversal of the rotatable component 20 and stationary component 10 is of course possible, in which case the steering wheel or steering column fixed part of the coil spring, the outside in the coil spring outside fixed component 10 is.

On the stationary component 10 is on its cylindrical inside via an electrical connection 12 at least one ribbon cable 30 electrically connected, which with a longitudinal portion which may be shorter or longer depending on the rotational position of the steering wheel, along the inner wall of the fixed component 10 spirally guided inwards. The ribbon cable 30 is still on a 180 ° loop 32 in the sense of orientation, with which it on the stationary component 10 inside, from the stationary component 10 away to the rotatable component 20 guided and on this with a longitudinal portion which may be shorter or longer, depending on the rotational position of the steering wheel, spirally wound on the cylindrical outer side with an opposite orientation and to an electrical connection 22 on the rotatable component 20 electrically connected. Alternatively, the electrical connections 12 . 22 on the stationary component 10 as well as on the rotatable component 20 be replaced by that the ribbon cable 30 through the fixed component 10 and / or by the rotatable component 20 passed through and with a plug outside the fixed component 10 with the vehicle electrical system or inside, above or below the rotatable component 20 is connected to a corresponding other electrical connector on the steering wheel.

The fixed component 10 has a floor 62 on, on which a deflecting body 50 (S. 2 ) or a deflecting body 51 (Sat. 3 ) is arranged. Here, the deflecting body 50 . 51 freely movable on the ground 62 lie or in a corresponding groove with a projection at the bottom of the deflecting body 50 . 51 (Guide member) be guided. The deflecting body 50 . 51 is located in an annular cavity, the inter mediate fixed component 10 and rotatable component 20 is formed, and can move slidably in the circumferential direction of the annular cavity.

The rotatable component 20 preferably has a housing cover in which inside also a groove may be provided, in which the deflecting body 50 . 51 can be guided with a guide member. However, it is sufficient if either in the stationary component 10 (ie in the ground 62 ) or in the rotatable component 20 (So in the lid) a corresponding groove is provided to the deflecting body 50 . 51 respectively. However, other embodiments may each have a groove in the lid and in the bottom 62 exhibit.

The corresponding groove is circular inside in the ground 62 and / or inside the lid of the Wi ckelfedergehäuses 60 provided and provides with respect to the guide member of the deflecting body 50 . 51 , which is displaceably guided along the annular groove, enough radial clearance available that the deflecting body 50 . 51 easy and without inhibition in the corresponding Kreisringnut is displaceable at each position of the steering wheel.

In this embodiment ( 1 . 2 and 4 ) is the deflecting body 50 from at least one role 51 and a circular segment-shaped guide part 54 formed, with the role 51 with its axis of rotation 56 (S. 2 ) parallel to the axis of rotation 26 on the guide part 54 sitting and rotatable. The role 51 or the deflecting body 50 This is done with a loop 32 between stationary component 10 and rotatable component 20 guided ribbon cable 30 between stationary component 10 and rotatable component 20 to position. Other possible deflection 50 . 51 or Umlenkkörperbestandteile z. B. Tons with concave or convex curved peripheral surface lines or balls, each alone or in a series connected composite (eg., Using a cage or the like) as a deflecting body 50 serve.

In a further embodiment, the deflecting body 50 (S. 3 ) only one role 51 , This can be used alone as a deflecting body 50 . 51 for a ribbon cable 30 serve. Furthermore, a plurality of rollers 51 be connected in series, the rollers 51 by means of at least one connecting element, a single deflecting body 50 form.

In the embodiments of the 1 and 3 acts the role 51 as a spacer to the gap between the fixed component 10 and rotatable component 20 to bridge and so the ribbon cable 30 , depending on the direction of rotation of the rotatable component 20 , from the rotatable component 20 take off and over its peripheral portion on the inner wall of the fixed component 10 to position, or in a reverse direction of rotation of the rotatable member 20 , the ribbon cable 30 from the inner wall of the fixed component 10 take off and over its peripheral portion back to the outer peripheral portion of the rotatable member 20 to apply.

When after the 1 . 2 and 4 illustrated embodiment of the invention are four ribbon cables 30 provided and on the fixed component 10 as well as on the rotatable component 20 , z. B. by means of a crimping or a penetration contact, electrically connected. The four ribbon cables 30 be of four deflectors 50 positioned within the coil spring. This covers a deflecting body 50 a little less than 90 ° or a quarter of the inner free peripheral ring of the coil spring, so depending on the direction of rotation of the rotatable component 20 the ribbon cable 30 either on a roll 51 of the deflecting body 50 or at a wavy stop 58 of the adjacent deflecting body 50 is applied.

The deflecting body 50 can either through the respective cable loop 32 be taken or via a not shown in FIGS. Gear, z. As a planetary or dew melscheibengetriebe be moved and so transport tasks for the ribbon cable 30 take.

A complete coil spring housing 60 does that with the ground 62 trained fixed component 10 as a vehicle-fixed component and the rotatable component 20 with the housing cover, not shown, which moves with the steering column or the steering wheel of the vehicle.

To avoid unwanted, noise-induced movements of the deflecting body 50 . 51 at a vibration load of the vehicle, such as. As a shaking of the steering wheel when traveling on railway tracks or bumps, have the roles 51 , the leadership part 54 or the deflecting body 50 or a single pulley 51 a special design.

Here, the inner parts of the coil spring are made completely or only partially made of flexible and / or elastic materials and / or have elements which are made of soft or flexible materials or are resilient. In particular, the frequently used roles 51 are either made entirely of an elastic material or have at least one elastic coating in an outer diameter region, so that it is the rollers 51 It is possible depending on the force from the outside to change their diameter and to adapt in a certain range of the available space.

This flexible embodiment of the deflecting body 50 . 51 causes an internal balance (the coil spring) in the coil spring during rotation of the steering wheel changing cavities, whereby the internal mechanism of the coil spring always fixed by a slight tension of the inner parts to each other, and so noise in vibration load can be avoided and any length variations Ribbon cables can be compensated (esp. In coil springs, the deflecting bodies are driven by a gear mechanism).

As materials for the flexible rolls 51 or flexible areas of the rolls 51 and the Füh approximately partly 54 is silicone, foam or rubber into consideration. Further, it is possible on the outer diameter of the rollers 51 resilient elements, such. B. arms or elastic projections, such as. B. knobs, provide the corresponding variability in the diameter of the roll 51 enable.

In addition, elastic base materials for the rollers 51 , such as As elastomers, possible or applied in the 2K process soft layer.

In the embodiment according to 1 It is possible, individual or even all roles 51 to do with such flexible materials. Should not all roles 51 be configured within the coil spring according to the invention with corresponding flexible materials, it is preferred that role 51 designed flexible, at the outer peripheral portion of the ribbon cable 30 is applied. So shows 2 four circular segment-shaped guide parts 54 with two rolls each 51 , where at least one roll 51 partially or completely made of flexible material. Preferably, however, is also the other role 51 partially or completely made of flexible material. In addition, also the leadership part 54 be made of flexible material. Furthermore, it is possible the guide part 54 Form resiliently in the radial direction of the coil spring, so that the guide member 54 can be clamped in the annular cavity.

3 moreover shows a further embodiment of a roller according to the invention 51 or a deflecting body according to the invention 50 , where the role 51 is designed with a hard core area and a flexible outer diameter range 52 having. This preferred elastic Umfangsbe rich 52 can z. B. again from a foam, an elastomer, silicone or rubber. Preferred is such a role 51 produced in a 2K process, wherein a second component as an elastic peripheral region 52 is executed.

4 shows a 3D section of the coil spring according to the invention 1 , where a compressed area of the roll 51 can be seen. In the illustrated situation, the rotatable component rotates 20 z. B. in mathematically positive direction (see arrow in 4 ) and wraps a ribbon cable 30 about the role 51 from the inside of the fixed component 10 from and to yourself.

The flexible design of the role 51 allows an optimal application of the role 51 to the ribbon cable 30 and provides sufficient overlapping elasticity for the diverter body 50 available, so that disturbing noises are avoided with vibrations in the steering column.

The diameter of the rollers 51 can be chosen so that the roles 51 to every position of the rotatable component 20 with respect to the fixed component 10 between rotatable component 20 and stationary component 10 are slightly clamped. When dimensioning such an embodiment, it is particularly important to ensure that the radial distance of the cavity between the rotatable component 20 and stationary component 10 is greatest when the rotatable component 20 as far as possible in the mathematically negative direction (according to an embodiment of 4 ) was moved and the ribbon cable 30 in large part on the inside of the fixed component 10 are located. However, the clamping force due to the elastic rollers 51 in an opposite situation (rotatable component 20 completely rotated in the mathematically positive direction, shortest radial dimension of the cavity between the rotatable member 20 and stationary component 10 ) are not too big, since the Flachbandka bel 30 in such a situation almost completely on the rotatable component 20 are wound and due to the smaller diameter of the rotatable member 20 (vs. the fixed component) 10 ) less radial distance within the coil spring is available.

The flat-ribbon cables used in the coil spring according to the invention have a thickness of about 0.1 mm to about 0.3 mm, preferably a thickness of about 0.2 mm, whereby a gap width change, with four ribbon cables and each about two and a half turns of the steering wheel to the right or 4mm or up to approx. ± 2mm from the center position of the clock spring (straight-ahead position of the steering wheel for the vehicle) must be bridged to the left. This is for the elasticity range of the rollers 51 to be considered in their design. Furthermore, care must be taken to ensure that a larger or a smaller gap width change must be considered when z. B. more or less than four ribbon cable 32 be used or z. B. more or fewer revolutions between the rotatable component 20 and fixed component to be realized.

10

fixed component

12

electrical connection for ribbon cable 30

20

rotatable component

22

electrical connection for ribbon cable 30

26

Rotation axis, axis of rotation, concentric axis (of the rotor 20 )

30

Ribbon cable

32

Loop, Cable loop, deflection loop

50

Deflecting body: z. B. role 51 or leadership part 54 + Roll 51

51

Role, Pulley, bucket (convex, concave)

52

flexible, elastic peripheral area (ring)

54

Guide part, preferably circular segmented

56

Rotation axis, rotation axis (of the roll 50 )

58

wavy stop

60

Clock spring housing

62

ground

Claims (11)

Clock spring, in particular for a steering wheel of a motor vehicle, with a stationary component ( 10 ) and one opposite the stationary component ( 10 ) with respect to a rotation axis ( 26 ) rotatable and substantially concentrically arranged rotatable component ( 20 ), and a ribbon cable ( 30 ), which in an annular cavity between the stationary component ( 10 ) and rotatable component ( 20 ) along a peripheral portion of a deflecting body ( 51 . 51 ) in a loop ( 32 ) is guided, and the deflecting body ( 50 . 51 ) is at least partially variable in its dimensions, wherein at least a part or portion of the deflecting body ( 50 . 51 ) is at least partially rotationally symmetrical and in its rotationally symmetric portion in the radial direction is yielding and elastic. Clock spring according to claim 1, wherein at least one outer peripheral ring of the deflecting body ( 50 . 51 ) is made of silicone, foam, rubber or an elastomer and / or the outer peripheral ring is made with a 2K process. Clock spring according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the deflecting body ( 50 . 51 ) has on its outside elastic knobs, projections, ribs or webs, which the deflecting body ( 50 . 51 ) elastic with respect to the ribbon cable ( 30 ) to store. Clock spring according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the deflecting body ( 50 . 51 ) has at least one resilient portion which the deflecting body ( 50 . 51 ) resilient with respect to the ribbon cable ( 30 ) stores. Clock spring according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the deflecting body ( 50 . 51 ) has at its periphery at least one spring arm which projects with a portion to the outside thereof. Clock spring according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a dimension, in particular a diameter of the deflecting body ( 50 . 51 ) can be reduced in size by 10 ± 2 mm, in particular by 5 ± 1 mm, preferably by 2 ± 0.5 mm, particularly preferably by 1 ± 0.25 mm in relation to its relaxed rest position. Clock spring according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the ribbon cable ( 30 ) with its larger longitudinal side surface having at least a portion parallel to the axis of rotation ( 26 ) of the rotatable component ( 20 ) is arranged and the deflecting body ( 50 ) a variable diameter bin ( 51 ) or role ( 51 ), whose axis of rotation ( 56 ) substantially parallel to the axis of rotation ( 40 ) of the rotatable component ( 20 ) is arranged. Clock spring according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein each ribbon cable ( 30 ) two tons ( 51 ) or two rolls ( 51 ) are provided by a circular segment-shaped guide part ( 54 ) between a wall of the stationary component ( 10 ), preferably its inner wall, and a wall of the rotatable member ( 20 ), preferably its outer wall, are guided, wherein at least one of the two tons ( 51 ) or one of the two roles ( 51 ) is designed to be variable in diameter. Clock spring according to claims 8, wherein the guide part ( 54 ) loose on a floor ( 62 ) of a housing ( 60 ) the coil spring rests or in a groove in the housing bottom ( 62 ) and / or in a groove in a cover of the clock spring housing ( 60 ), the soil ( 62 ) of the clock spring housing ( 60 ) preferably in one piece with the stationary component ( 10 ) and both together form a lower Wi ckelfedergehäuseteil, and the cover of the clock spring housing ( 60 ) preferably in one piece with the rotatable component ( 20 ) and both together form an upper coil spring housing part. Clock spring according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a longitudinal end of the ribbon cable ( 30 ) on the rotatable component ( 20 ) and / or the other longitudinal end of the ribbon cable ( 30 ) on the stationary component ( 10 ) is electrically connected and preferably four ribbon cables ( 30 ) are provided in the winding spring. Steering device for a vehicle, watercraft or aircraft with a clock spring according to one of claims 1 to 10th