EP0186935A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Spiral flex-circuit system for steering wheels
Assignee: Sheller-Globe Corp
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Filing: 1985-08-27
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2005-08-27
Abstract
Abstract A conductor assembly for conveying signals between steering wheel (10) and column (12) to permit control of multiple functions (headlights, wipers, cruise control, etc.) from the steering wheel (10). Electrical connection is established through a multiple conductor ribbon-like cable (42) which is wound about a central hub (52) within the conductor assembly enclosure (24). When the wheel (10) is turned from lock to lock, the cable (42) doubles back upon itself so that a minimum cable length is required. To facilitate installation, the enclosure (24) includes a self locking mechanism (84, 86, 88) to insure that the cable (42) cannot be wound or unwound until the assembly is installed on the vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert Philip Reighard
- 👤 Samuel Delver Kinner
- 👤 Mark Ciesielski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 16:15
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R16/00; B60R16/02; B60R16/023; B60R16/027
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
A conductor assembly for conveying electrical signals between a vehicle steering wheel member and steering column member, said wheel member being rotataole with respect to said column member between clockwise and counter clockwise limits, comprising: means for defining an enclosure carried on one of said wheel and said column members; a nub centrally disposed within said enclosure and rotatable witn respect to said enclosure defining means; an elongated and flexible ribbon-like cable having at least one conductive course and being disposed within said enclosure, one end of said cable being stationary relative to said enclosure defining means and the other end of said cable being stationary relative to said hub; said cable being substantially wound about said hub with a first sense of rotation wnen said wheel member is rotated to said clockwise limit and said cable being substantially wound about said hub with a second sense of rotation when said wheel member is rotated to said counter clockwise limit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
A conductor assembly for conveying electrical signals between a vehicle steering wheel member and steering column member, said wheel member being rotataole with respect to said column member between clockwise and counter clockwise limits, comprising: means for defining an enclosure carried on one of said wheel and said column members; a nub centrally disposed within said enclosure and rotatable witn respect to said enclosure defining means; an elongated and flexible ribbon-like cable having at least one conductive course and being disposed within said enclosure, one end of said cable being stationary relative to said enclosure defining means and the other end of said cable being stationary relative to said hub; said cable being substantially wound about said hub with a first sense of rotation wnen said wheel member is rotated to said clockwise limit and said cable being substantially wound about said hub with a second sense of rotation when said wheel member is rotated to said counter clockwise limit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The conductor assembly of claim 1 wherein said cable is doubled back upon itself when said wheel member is rotated to an intermediate position between said limits.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The conductor assembly of claim 1 further comprising connector means for terminating said otner end of said cable, said connector means having flared slotted opening for receiving said cable and for permitting bidirectional flexing of said cable at said termination.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The conductor assembly of claim 1 wherein said cable provides a plurality of conductive courses.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The conductor assembly of claim 1 further comprising means for selectively preventing said hub from rotating relative to said enclosure defining means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
Tne conductor assembly of claim 1 wherein said enclosure defining means is adapted for assembly between said wheel member and said column member and includes means for automatically preventing said hub from rotating relative to said enclosure defining means when said enclosure defining means is removed from assembly between said wheel member and said column member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The conductor assembly of claim 1 wherein said enclosure defining means also defines said hub.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
The conductor assembly of claim 1 wherein said enclosure defining means comprises first and second interfitting halves, said halves being moveable between an unlocked relationship, whereby said halves are permitted to rotate relative to one another, and a locked relationsnip, whereby said halves are prevented from rotating relative to one another.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The conductor assembly of claim 8 further comprising means for biasing said halves towards said locked relationship.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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