Current Conductor Connector to Bridge Over Conductor Interruptions Between Mutually Rotating Parts

1. Field of Invention

The invention relates to a current conductor connection and more particularly a connector for bridging interruptions between mutually rotating parts.

2. Description of the Related Technology

Current conductor connectors of the type described are used in particular to establish an electrical connection between a power source and the protective gas bag receptacle located in an automotive vehicle in steering wheel cavity. The insulated strip conductor in the housing space is long enough to follow the rotation of the steering wheel which amounts to about three revolutions on either side. The strip conductor widens to the outside during deflection of the steering wheel from a center position in one direction until it abuts against the stationary housing, and contracts inwardly during deflection in the other direction until it abuts against the rotor.

Prior current conductors have worked well in actual practice, but have the disadvantage that the strip conductors located in the housing generate scratching noises during normal movements of the steering wheel and a strong rattling noise in case of vigorous jarring, for example when traveling on an uneven terrain or in curves.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a current conductor which prevents noise in a simple manner. This object may be achieved by a current conduction connector which bridges over interruptions of a conductive path between mutually rotating parts such as between a steering wheel and a steering column. The connector is made up of a housing equipped with an outgoing conductor. The housing has a cover which may be the stator mounted on the steering column A rotor is rotatingly supported within the housing. The rotor is equipped with an outgoing conductor connected with the steering wheel. The housing and rotor define an annular space surrounding the rotor which contains a wound insulated strip conductor 8, 8a). The bottom or interior surfaces of the housing and the cover are advantageously provided with a layer of textile insulating material. The textile insulating material may be a polyethylene fiber web, densified by a binder into a highly abrasion resistant felt. The felt layer may be fastened to the bottom of the housing and to the cover by a self adhesive layer.

The invention provides a current conduction conductor which prevents noise by locating a strip between textile layers. The layers damp the slapping of the windings upon each other thereby reducing noise in all but extreme situations. It was discovered surprisingly that in spite of the tight guidance of the strip conductor with its edges on the coating layer over extended periods of time, the abrasion originally anticipated caused by textile material and the impairment of the operation resulting there, does not occur.

Further embodiments and advantages are set forth in the following description, in which the invention is described by reference to the drawing.

The Figure shows a connector according to the invention.

The current conduction connector shown in the drawing to bridge over conductor interruptions between the fixedly mounted steering column and a steering wheel rotating on the steering column includes stator mounted by a housing 1 with an outgoing conductor 8a and a cover 2, and a rotor 3 rotatingly supported in the housing 1, 2, which is also equipped with an outgoing conductor 8. The housing 1, 2 and the rotor 3 are connected to the steering wheel and surround an annular space containing the strip conductor wrapped around the rotor in several windings and terminating in the outgoing conductors 8, 8a.

The outgoing conductors may include a contact pin. The ends of the strip conductor may be fastened to the contact pins. The strip conductor 6 itself may be passed through the rotor or the housing, for example by injection molding, so that the strip conductor itself forms the outgoing conductors.

The bottom of the housing 1 and the cover 2 are provided with a layer of a textile insulating material 5 and 5a. The material may be a polyethylene fiber web or another suitable material, densified by a binder into a highly abrasion resistant insulating felt. The felt layer may be fastened by any known means, such as a self-adhesive layer, to the bottom of the housing and the cover.