US3876272A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Current conducting device in steering apparatus
Assignee: Toyota Motor Corp
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Filing: 1974-02-11
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Granted: 1975-04-08
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Expires: 1994-02-11
Abstract
Abstract In steering apparatus wherein a steering wheel is equipped with a gas bag, a current conducting device comprises a bearing whose inner race is secured to a steering main shaft through an insulator, whose outer race is secured to a steering column through an insulator and in which an electrically conductive lubricant is hermetically sealed. A cord led out from the inner race is connected through a connector to a gas generator inside a gas bag box, while a cord led out from the inner race is connected to a power source. The inner race, the outer race and bearing balls are held in close contact by a pressure applying mechanism. Irrespective of the turning position of the steering wheel, current can be conducted under an identical resistance, so that the steering apparatus is reliably operated.
Inventors
- 👤 Masanobu Tsutsumi
- 👤 Kiyoshi Hanai
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 19:12
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/20; B60R21/203; B60R21/2035; B60R16/00; B60R16/02; B60R16/023; B60R16/027
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
A current conducting device in steering apparatus, comprising: a bearing in which an electrically conductive lubricant is hermetically sealed; a main shaft being a rotary member to which an inner race of said bearing is secured through an inner race insulator molded of an electrically insulating material; a steering column to which an outer race of said bearing is fittedly secured through an outer race insulator molded of an electrically insulating material; a steering upper bracket which is disposed in a manner to be integrally secured to an upper part of said steering column; a power source to which said outer race is connected; and an electric equipment which is located on the steering wheel side and to which said inner race is connected; said bearing being subject to pressure application through said main shaft.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
A current conducting device in steering apparatus, comprising: a bearing in which an electrically conductive lubricant is hermetically sealed; a main shaft being a rotary member to which an inner race of said bearing is secured through an inner race insulator molded of an electrically insulating material; a steering column to which an outer race of said bearing is fittedly secured through an outer race insulator molded of an electrically insulating material; a steering upper bracket which is disposed in a manner to be integrally secured to an upper part of said steering column; a power source to which said outer race is connected; and an electric equipment which is located on the steering wheel side and to which said inner race is connected; said bearing being subject to pressure application through said main shaft.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The current conducting device in steering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connection between said outer race and said power source and the connection between said inner race and said electric equipment are made by current conducting cords, respectively.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
72 words
The current conducting device in steering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said outer race of said bearing, said steering column and said steering upper bracket are integrally fixed by means of a projecting piece which is formed at the outer periphery of said outer race insulator and a groove portion which is formed at the inner periphery of said steering upper bracket and in which said projecting piece is fittedly arranged.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
The current conducting device in steering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said main shaft and said inner race are integrally turned by means of a groove portion which is formed at a predetermined position of the inner periphery of said inner race insulator and a stopper piece which is fitted in said groove portion and integrally secured onto said main shaft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
The current conducting device in steering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an upper face part of said inner race insulator is supported by means of a groove portion formed along said steering shaft and a snap ring engaged in said groove portion, whereby said bearing is prevented from coming off.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
124 words
The current conducting device in steering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a lower end part of said steering column comprises an enlarged-diameter tube which has a step portion, a thrust bearing of the sectional type which is disposed on an inner peripheral wall of said step portion, a sliding tube which is disposed on the underside of said thrust bearing in a manner to be slidable on said steering main shaft, a receiving seat which is integrally secured to said steering main shaft, and a coiled spring which is disposed between said sliding tube and said receiving seat in a contracted state, said sliding tube being resiliently contacted with said inner race of said bearing by an elastic force of said coiled spring.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
The current conducting device in steering apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said elastic force of said coiled spring acts to press said steering main shaft downwards through said steering column which has said step portion lying in contact with an outer race of said thrust bearing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The current conducting device in steering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the applied pressure is given to the amount of at least 10 kg by a thrust load.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-04-07 | 1978-10-07 | 1979-04-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-07 | 1982-10-07 | 1983-04-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-07 | 1986-10-07 | 1987-04-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |