JP2008018864A - Steering module - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a steering module capable of certainly screwing a circuit board equipped with a plurality of connectors to the inner bottom of a housing. <P>SOLUTION: By forming a narrow part 2a and wide parts 2b continued to both ends on the circuit board 2, three sides of a notch 8 for inserting a steering shaft are surrounded by the narrow part 2a and both the wide parts 2b, first to fourth connectors 9-12 are mounted to both the wide parts 2b and thread-fixed to the inner bottom of the housing 1, a steering angle sensor 3, a rotation connector 4 and a pair of right and left stoke switches 5, 6 integrated as a unit body 7 are assembled to the housing 1 and connected to the corresponding connectors 9-12 on the circuit board 2. Further, a snap claw 1i is integrally formed on the side wall 1h of the housing 1, and the upper surface edge of the narrow part 2a, i.e., an easily deformed portion of the circuit board 2 is engaged with the snap claw 1i. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a steering module in which a pair of stalk switches, a rotary connector, and a steering angle sensor are incorporated into a housing that forms an outer shell of a combination switch, and in particular, the rotary connector and the steering angle sensor are previously stacked in two stages. -It is related with the steering module integrated in the housing in the integrated state.

  The rotating connector is used as an electrical connection means for transmitting the air bag, inflator, horn circuit, etc. mounted on the handle to the vehicle body side. The rotor member is connected to the handle and rotates, and the rotor member is rotated. The stator member that can be supported and a flexible cable wound around an annular space defined between the rotor member and the stator member. The rudder angle sensor is used as rotation information detecting means for detecting the steering angle of the steering wheel, and includes a rotor member having a code plate on the outer peripheral surface, a stator member that rotatably supports the rotor member, a cord It is schematically configured with a detection element such as a photo interrupter disposed opposite to the plate.

  Both of these rotary connectors and rudder angle sensors are used by being incorporated in a steering device of an automobile. Conventionally, by attaching a stator member of a rotary connector to the upper surface of a housing of a combination switch attached to the steering device with screws or the like. A steering module is known in which a rotary connector and a combination switch are integrated (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In such a known steering module, a pair of stalk switches for performing a blinker operation and a wiper operation are mounted on both sides of the housing, and a circuit board having three connectors mounted on the lower surface of the housing is disposed. A connector provided at the base end of the Stoke switch and a fixed connector provided on the stator member of the rotary connector are directly coupled to each connector on the circuit board.

On the other hand, the latter rudder angle sensor is often used in combination with a rotary connector. Conventionally, the rotary connector and the rudder angle sensor are stacked and integrated in advance in two stages, and assembled into a unit body. A technique is known that is incorporated into a steering device in the state (see, for example, Patent Document 2). In such prior art, an engagement protrusion is provided on one of the rotor members of the rotary connector and the rudder angle sensor, and an engagement groove is provided on the other rotor member. When the two rotor members are joined together, the end faces of the rotor members are joined together and the engaging projections are inserted into the engaging grooves, so that the stator members are screwed together while the rotor members are connected coaxially. It is fixed with a stopper. Therefore, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2 is applied to the steering module disclosed in Patent Document 1 so that the rotary connector and the steering angle sensor are integrated into the housing of the combination switch in a united state. Then, when the unit body is assembled in the housing, the fixed connectors of the rotary connector and the steering angle sensor can be connected to the corresponding connectors on the circuit board.
JP-A-10-172705 JP-A-11-135221

  By the way, in the steering module in which the rotary connector and the rudder angle sensor are incorporated in the housing in a unitized state as described above, the number of connectors mounted on the circuit board includes the left and right stalk switches, the rotary connector, and the rudder angle sensor. Therefore, the mounting space required for screwing the circuit board to the inner bottom surface of the housing is greatly restricted by the mounting space of each connector, the wiring pattern for routing, and the like. For this reason, it is desired to fix the circuit board to the housing using as few screws as possible. However, the rigidity of the circuit board itself is not so high, and in particular, locally such as a notch. When a circuit board with a deformable part is used, the part away from the screwed part of the circuit board is subject to external vibration and is likely to be rattled. There is a concern that stress is applied, and the reliability of connection such as breakage of solder and dropping of circuit components is lowered.

  The present invention has been made in view of the actual situation of the prior art, and an object thereof is to provide a steering module capable of securely screwing a circuit board on which a plurality of connectors are mounted to an inner bottom portion of a housing. There is to do.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a housing having a through hole having an upper surface opened and a steering shaft inserted through a central portion thereof, a pair of stalk switches mounted on both sides of the housing, A circuit board inserted from the top opening of the housing and disposed on the inner bottom surface around the through hole, a rudder angle sensor disposed above the circuit board, and disposed above the rudder angle sensor. The rotating connector and the rudder angle sensor are integrated in a state where the rotor members are coaxially connected to each other, and the both stalks are connected to a plurality of connectors mounted on the circuit board. In a steering module in which a switch, the steering angle sensor, and the rotary connector are connected, the connector is mounted on the circuit board. And a narrow portion that bridges the wide portions, and both the wide portions are screwed to the inner bottom portion of the housing, and the narrow portion is integrally formed on the side wall of the housing. It was set as the structure latched to a stop part.

  In the steering module configured as described above, the rotation connector, the steering angle sensor, and the pair of left and right stalk switches that are unitized in advance are obtained by screwing a pair of wide portions formed on the circuit board to the inner bottom portion of the housing. Each can be connected to a plurality of connectors mounted on both wide portions, and by locking the narrow portion bridging these wide portions to an elastic locking portion integrally formed on the side wall of the housing, Since it is possible to prevent the narrow part of the circuit board that is easily deformed from rattling due to external vibration, the circuit board is securely fixed to the inner bottom part of the housing by using a small number of screws to improve connection reliability. Can be increased.

  In the above configuration, the elastic locking portion integrally formed on the side wall of the housing is formed of a snap claw extending in a cantilever shape along the insertion direction of the circuit board, and the narrow portion of the circuit board is formed at the lower end of the snap claw. When the upper edge is locked, the narrow part of the circuit board inserted in the housing is brought into contact with the snap claw and the snap claw is deformed outward, and the circuit board is further inserted into the housing. By doing so, the snap claw is elastically restored and locked to the upper surface edge of the narrow portion, which is preferable because the circuit board can be easily incorporated into the housing.

  In this case, a receiving part for defining the insertion amount of the circuit board is formed to protrude on the inner bottom surface of the housing, and the edge of the narrow part of the circuit board inserted into the housing is formed in the plate thickness direction by the snap claw and the receiving part. When sandwiched, it is preferable that the backlash of the narrow part of the circuit board can be more reliably prevented.

  In the steering module of the present invention, a pair of wide portions formed on a circuit board and a notch for inserting the steering shaft are surrounded by a narrow portion bridging the wide portions. Since a plurality of connectors are mounted on the inner bottom of the housing and screwed to the inner bottom of the housing, a rotary connector, a rudder angle sensor, and a pair of left and right stalk switches that are unitized in advance are assembled into the housing, By connecting the narrow portion to the elastic locking portion formed integrally with the side wall of the housing, the narrow width portion that is easily deformed is caused by external vibration. Since it can be prevented from rattling, the circuit board is securely fixed to the inner bottom of the housing by using a small number of screws to increase the connection reliability. Door can be.

  An embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a steering module according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a housing provided in the steering module, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a plan view corresponding to FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V in FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 is a state in which a unit body is assembled in the housing. It is explanatory drawing which shows.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the steering module according to this embodiment is provided with a synthetic resin housing 1, a circuit board 2 disposed on the inner bottom surface of the housing 1, and a circuit board 2. A steering angle sensor 3, a rotary connector 4 disposed above the steering angle sensor 3, and a pair of stalk switches 5 and 6 mounted on both left and right sides of the housing 1, are described later. The rudder angle sensor 3 and the rotary connector 4 are handled as a unit body 7 laminated and integrated in two upper and lower stages.

  The housing 1 is fixed to a steering column of an automobile and forms an outer shell of a combination switch. As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 1 is formed in a bottomed box shape having an upper surface opened. A through hole 1a is formed in the center of the inner bottom surface of the housing 1, and a steering shaft is inserted into the through hole 1a. Both side surfaces along the short direction of the housing 1 are opened as insertion ports 1b, and guide grooves 1c extending in the horizontal direction are formed on the inner wall surfaces of both the insertion ports 1b, and the inner bottom surfaces of both insertion ports 1b. Bosses 1e having protrusions 1d are formed at the entrances. A pair of guide pins 1f and three support posts 1g are erected on the upper end surface of the housing 1, and both guide pins 1f are located at an opposing position of about 180 degrees through the through hole 1a. Further, a snap claw 1i as an elastic locking portion is integrally formed on one side surface 1h along the longitudinal direction of the housing 1, and this snap claw 1i has a cantilever shape from the upper side to the lower side of the side surface 1h. It extends. Since both sides and the lower side of the snap claw 1i are continuously cut out, the snap claw 1i can be elastically deformed with the upper fixed end as a fulcrum. A receiving portion 1j protrudes from the inner bottom surface of the housing 1 and the corner portion of the side surface 1h, and the upper surface of the receiving portion 1j is located on the back side (downward) of the housing 1 from the lower end of the snap claw 1i. . Both the bosses 1e and the receiving part 1j described above are located in the same plane, and the circuit board 2 is supported at three points by the both bosses 1e and the receiving part 1j. Furthermore, the housing 1 is integrally formed with a guide wall 1k that protrudes inward from the back surface of one insertion slot 1b. The guide wall 1k is a plate-like piece extending in parallel with the side surface 1h. As shown in FIG. 4, an insertion space S is defined between the guide wall 1k and the side surface 1h.

  The circuit board 2 has a shape in which a wide portion 2b is continuous on both sides of a narrow portion 2a, and a steering shaft is inserted into a notch 8 surrounded by the narrow portion 2a and the wide portions 2b. ing. Mounting holes 2c and positioning holes 2d are formed at the edges of both wide portions 2b, and two wide portions 2b are mounted on one side, for a total of four connectors 9, 10, 11, 12 Has been. For convenience of explanation, if each of the connectors 9, 10, 11, 12 is referred to as the first to fourth connectors, the first connector 9 and the second connector 10 are located at the corners on the diagonal line of the circuit board 2. The third connector 11 and the fourth connector 12 are located at both ends of the circuit board 2 in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, electrical parts 13 such as resistors and capacitors are mounted on the narrow part 2a and both wide parts 2b of the circuit board 2. Although not shown, these narrow parts 2a and both wide parts 2b are used for routing. The wiring pattern is also formed.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, both wide portions 2b of the circuit board 2 are screwed to the inner bottom surface of the housing 1 using screws 14, and the upper surface edge of the narrow portion 2a of the circuit board 2 is the housing. 1 is locked to a snap claw 1i formed on the side surface 1h. As a result, the first connector 9 is disposed immediately below the insertion space S, the second connector 10 is disposed at a position facing the first connector 9 through the notch 8 (through hole 1a), and The third and fourth connectors 11 and 12 are arranged in the vicinity of the entrance of the insertion slot 1b. When the circuit board 2 is fixed to the inner bottom surface of the housing 1 using the two screws 14 as described above, first, when the circuit board 2 is inserted from the upper surface opening of the housing 1 toward the inner bottom surface, the width is increased during the insertion. The outer edge part of the narrow part 2a contacts the lower end of the snap claw 1i protruding from the side face 1h. When the circuit board 2 is further pushed downward in this state, the snap claw 1i is elastically deformed outward as indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 5, and the bottom surface of the narrow portion 2a hits the receiving portion 1j of the housing 1 Thus, since the snap claw 1i is elastically returned to the original position and is locked to the upper edge of the narrow portion 2a, the narrow portion 2a is sandwiched between the receiving portion 1j and the snap claw 1i. At this time, the circuit board 2 is supported at three points by both the bosses 1e protruding from the inner bottom surface of the housing 1 and the receiving portion 1j, and the pair of positioning holes 2d formed in the both wide portions 2b are the corresponding protrusions of the housing 1. Since it is inserted into 1d, the circuit board 2 can be incorporated at a predetermined position on the inner bottom surface of the housing 1. Thereafter, the circuit board 2 can be fixed to the inner bottom surface of the housing 1 by inserting and tightening the screws 14 into the mounting holes 2c formed in the both wide portions 2b, and the narrow width apart from the screwing points. The part 2a can also be locked by the snap claw 1i.

The rudder angle sensor 3 is used as a rotation information detecting means for detecting the steering angle of the steering wheel. The rudder angle sensor 3 includes a rotor member 3a having a hollow shaft structure having a code plate (not shown) on the outer peripheral surface; A stator member 3b that rotatably supports the rotor member 3a, a detection element (not shown) housed in the stator member 3b, and the like are provided. A fixed-side connector for external connection is provided on the lower surface of the stator member 3b. 3c is provided (see FIG. 6). The rotary connector 4 is used as an electrical connection means for transmitting an air bag, an inflator, a horn circuit and the like mounted on the handle to the vehicle body side. The rotary connector 4 has a hollow shaft structure connected to the handle. A rotor member 4a, a stator member 4b that rotatably supports the rotor member 4a, and a flexible cable (not shown) housed and wound in the rotor member 4a and the stator member 4b. A fixed-side connector 4c for external connection extending downward is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the stator member 4b. In addition, a pair of guide holes 4d inserted into the guide pins 1f of the housing 1 and three attachment holes 4e screwed to the support pillars 1g of the housing 1 are formed in the flange portion protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the stator member 4b. It is installed. Although not shown, the rotary connector 4 is provided with a stopper member that prevents the rotor member 4a from freely rotating. The rotor member 4a is used by the stopper member until the rotor member 4a is connected to the handle. Is held in the rotational neutral position.

  The rudder angle sensor 3 and the rotary connector 4 connect the rotor members 3a and 4a on the same axis and fix the stator members 3b and 4b to each other by snapping or screwing in advance. It is handled as one unit body 7 laminated and integrated in a stage. In the state of the unit body 7, the fixed connector 3c provided on the lower steering angle sensor 3 is located on the lower surface of the unit body 7 and cannot be seen from above, but the fixed connector provided on the upper rotary connector 4 is fixed. The side connector 4 c extends downward through the outside of the stator member 3 b of the rudder angle sensor 3. Then, by inserting this unit body 7 through the opening on the upper surface of the housing 1 and incorporating it inside, the fixed connector 4 c of the rotary connector 4 and the fixed connector 3 c of the rudder angle sensor 3 are mounted on the circuit board 2. The first connector 9 and the second connector 10 are directly coupled to each other, and then a screw (not shown) is inserted into each mounting hole 4e of the rotary connector 4 and screwed to the column 1g of the housing 1, whereby the unit The body 7 is fixed to the housing 1. In the step of assembling the unit body 7, as shown in FIG. 6, immediately before both guide holes 4d of the rotary connector 4 are inserted into the guide pins 1f of the housing 1, the fixed-side connector 4c of the rotary connector 4 is inserted into the insertion space S. And the fixed connector 3c of the rudder angle sensor 3 is also above the second connector 10, but when the guide hole 4d is inserted into the guide pin 1f, The unit body 7 is positioned in the planar direction by the pair of guide pins 1f, and is also positioned in the rotational direction when the fixed connector 4c descends in the insertion space S along the guide wall 1k. Therefore, by pushing the unit body 7 into the housing 1 in this state, the fixed connector 3c of the rotary connector 4 and the fixed connector 3c of the rudder angle sensor 3 are respectively connected to the first connector 9 and the second connector 10. The connector can be reliably guided to an appropriate position, and damage to the connector including deformation of the connection pins can be prevented.

  One stalk switch 5 is a wiper switch that performs a wiper operation or the like, and the other stalk switch 6 is a turn signal switch that performs a blinker operation or the like. Guide protrusions 5a and 6a extending in the horizontal direction are formed on the side surfaces of the base portions of the stalk switches 5 and 6. Although not shown, a connector for external connection is provided on the bottom surface of the base portions of the stalk switches 5 and 6. ing. Then, the base portions of the both stalk switches 5 and 6 are inserted into the insertion port 1b from the outside of the both sides of the housing 1, and the guide protrusions 5a and 6a are guided in the insertion direction by the guide groove 1c. Are mounted on the left and right sides of the housing 1 and the connectors (not shown) of the both stalk switches 5 and 6 are directly coupled to the third and fourth connectors 11 and 12 on the circuit board 2, respectively.

  In this way, the steering module in which the unit body 7 (the steering angle sensor 3 and the rotary connector 4) and the pair of stalk switches 5 and 6 are integrated with the housing 1 fixes the housing 1 to the steering column and the rotor member of the rotary connector 4. 4a is incorporated in the steering device of the automobile in a state where it is connected to the steering wheel, and at that time, the aforementioned stopper member is removed from the rotary connector 4, whereby the rudder angle sensor 3 and the rotor members 3a, 4a of the rotary connector 4 become the stator member 3b. , 4b is rotatable. Accordingly, when the driver rotates the handle clockwise or counterclockwise in use, both the rotor members 3a and 4a rotate integrally with the rotation of the handle, and the rotary connector 4 and the steering angle sensor 3 operate. Is done. That is, for the rotary connector 4, a flexible cable (not shown) is wound or unwound by rotation of the rotor member 4 a, and for the steering angle sensor 3, a detection element (not shown) is rotated by rotation of the rotor member 3 a. Output a rotation amount detection signal.

  As described above, the steering module according to the present embodiment includes a pair of wide portions 2b formed on the circuit board 2 and notches 8 for inserting the steering shaft through the narrow portions 2a bridging the wide portions 2b. Three sides are enclosed, and the first to fourth connectors 9, 10, 11, 12 are mounted on the wide portion 2b and screwed to the inner bottom portion of the housing 1, so that the unit body 7 is integrated. The rudder angle sensor 3, the rotary connector 4, and the pair of left and right stalk switches 5 and 6 can be incorporated in the housing 1 and connected to the corresponding connectors 9 to 12 on the circuit board 2, and the side wall 1h of the housing 1 can be connected. Since the snap claw 1i is formed integrally with the upper edge of the narrow portion 2a, which is an easily deformable portion of the circuit board 2, the snap claw 1i is locked. a can be prevented from rattling due to external vibration. Therefore, the circuit board 2 can be securely fixed to the inner bottom portion of the housing 1 and the connection reliability can be improved despite the small number of screws 14 (two in the present embodiment). Further, a receiving portion 1j is formed to project at a corner portion between the inner bottom surface of the housing 1 and the side wall 1h, and the upper surface of the receiving portion 1j is positioned on the back side (downward) of the housing 1 with respect to the lower end of the snap claw 1i. Therefore, backlash of the narrow portion 2a of the circuit board 2 can be prevented. Furthermore, when the receiving portion 1j is formed to protrude from the inner bottom surface of the housing 1 so as to face the lower end of the snap claw 1i, the narrow portion 2a of the circuit board 2 can be sandwiched in the plate thickness direction by the snap claw 1i and the receiving portion 1j. Therefore, the backlash of the narrow portion 2a of the circuit board 2 can be more effectively prevented.

1 is an exploded perspective view of a steering module according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view of the housing with which this steering module is equipped. It is a perspective view which shows the state which incorporated the circuit board in this housing. FIG. 4 is a plan view corresponding to FIG. 3. It is sectional drawing which follows the VV line of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state which incorporates a unit body in this housing.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Housing 1a Through-hole 1b Insertion slot 1c Guide groove 1d Protrusion 1e Boss 1f Guide pin 1g Post 1h Side face 1i Snap claw 1j Receiving part 1k Guide wall 2 Circuit board 2a Narrow part 2b Wide part 2c Mounting hole 2d Positioning hole 3 Steering angle Sensor 3a Rotor member 3b Stator member 3c Fixed side connector 4 Rotating connector 4a Rotor member 4b Stator member 4c Fixed side connector 4d Guide hole 4e Mounting hole 5, 6 Stoke switch 7 Unit body 8 Notch 9 First connector 10 Second connector Connector 11 Third connector 12 Fourth connector 13 Electrical component 14 Screw S Insertion space

Claims (3)

A housing having a through hole through which an upper surface is opened and a steering shaft is inserted in a central portion, a pair of stalk switches mounted on both sides of the housing, and a periphery of the through hole inserted from the upper surface opening of the housing A circuit board disposed on the inner bottom surface, a rudder angle sensor disposed above the circuit board, and a rotating connector disposed above the rudder angle sensor, the rotating connector and the rudder The angle sensor is integrated in a state where the rotor members are coaxially connected to each other, and the both stalk switches, the steering angle sensor, and the rotary connector are connected to a plurality of connectors mounted on the circuit board, respectively. A steering module,
Forming a pair of wide portions on which the connector is mounted on the circuit board and a narrow portion bridging the wide portions, screwing both the wide portions to the inner bottom of the housing, and the narrow portion The steering module is characterized in that is fixed to an elastic locking portion integrally formed on the side wall of the housing.   2. The elastic locking portion according to claim 1, wherein the elastic locking portion includes a snap claw extending in a cantilever shape along the insertion direction of the circuit board, and the upper edge of the narrow portion is locked to the lower end of the snap claw. A steering module. The receiving portion for defining the amount of insertion of the circuit board is protruded from the inner bottom surface of the housing, and the edge of the narrow portion is sandwiched in the plate thickness direction by the snap claw and the receiving portion. Steering module characterized by being made.

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