WO2001003244A1 - Clockspring using flexible printed wiring - Google Patents

Clockspring using flexible printed wiring Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2001003244A1
WO2001003244A1 PCT/US2000/018105 US0018105W WO0103244A1 WO 2001003244 A1 WO2001003244 A1 WO 2001003244A1 US 0018105 W US0018105 W US 0018105W WO 0103244 A1 WO0103244 A1 WO 0103244A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
printed wiring
flexible printed
clockspring
electrical conductors
housing
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2000/018105
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2001003244A9 (en
Inventor
Patrick B. Bolen
Brent E. Henderson
Original Assignee
Methode Electronics, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Methode Electronics, Inc. filed Critical Methode Electronics, Inc.
Priority to AU57824/00A priority Critical patent/AU5782400A/en
Publication of WO2001003244A1 publication Critical patent/WO2001003244A1/en
Publication of WO2001003244A9 publication Critical patent/WO2001003244A9/en

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R16/00—Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for; Arrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for
    • B60R16/02—Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for; Arrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for electric constitutive elements
    • B60R16/023—Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for; Arrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for electric constitutive elements for transmission of signals between vehicle parts or subsystems
    • B60R16/027—Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for; Arrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for electric constitutive elements for transmission of signals between vehicle parts or subsystems between relatively movable parts of the vehicle, e.g. between steering wheel and column
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
    • B60R21/01—Electrical circuits for triggering passive safety arrangements, e.g. airbags, safety belt tighteners, in case of vehicle accidents or impending vehicle accidents
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R35/00—Flexible or turnable line connectors, i.e. the rotation angle being limited
    • H01R35/02—Flexible line connectors without frictional contact members
    • H01R35/025—Flexible line connectors without frictional contact members having a flexible conductor wound around a rotation axis
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
    • B60R21/01—Electrical circuits for triggering passive safety arrangements, e.g. airbags, safety belt tighteners, in case of vehicle accidents or impending vehicle accidents
    • B60R2021/01006—Mounting of electrical components in vehicles
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
    • H05K1/00—Printed circuits
    • H05K1/18—Printed circuits structurally associated with non-printed electric components
    • H05K1/189—Printed circuits structurally associated with non-printed electric components characterised by the use of a flexible or folded printed circuit

Definitions

  • the present invention pertains to a clockspring.
  • the invention more particularly concerns a clockspring using flexible printed wiring to connect the rotating hub to the stationary housing of the clockspring.
  • Clocksprings are well known in the art where a clockspring electrically connects a stationary crash sensor to a rotatable airbag. Automotive manufacturers are increasingly integrating many functions on the steering column, on stalks projecting outward from the steering column, and on the steering wheel. In short, automotive manufacturers demand that existing components become more reliable, inexpensive, lighter, and perform more functions.
  • Clocksprings typically, include a housing, a hub, and flexible flat cable. The flexible flat cable electrically connects the stationary housing to the rotatable hub.
  • Figure 5 is a partial perspective view of a related art flat cable 80.
  • the flat cable 80 has two insulation layers 81, 82.
  • the two insulation layers 81, 82 surround conductors 83.
  • the flexible flat cable 80 conveys electrical signals.
  • the clockspring includes a housing and a hub.
  • the hub being rotatably mounted to the housing.
  • the hub being connected to the housing via flexible printed wiring.
  • a vehicle includes an automobile.
  • the automobile has a crash detection sensor and an airbag. Additionally, the automobile has a clockspring that electrically connects the airbag to the crash detection sensor.
  • the clockspring has a housing and a hub. The hub being rotatably mounted in the housing. The hub and housing are electrically connected to each other via flexible printed wiring.
  • Applicants' invention provides a clockspring which is compact, and includes many electrical signal conditioning functions.
  • Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a clockspring according to the invention
  • Figure 2 is a cross-sectional, top view of the clockspring of Figure 1;
  • Figure 3 is a cross-sectional, top view of the clockspring of Figure 1;
  • Figure 4 is a partial perspective view of flexible printed wiring; and
  • Figure 5 is a partial perspective view of a related flat cable.
  • a first embodiment of the present invention is a clockspring 10 having a housing 20, a hub 30, and flexible printed wiring 40.
  • Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the clockspring 10.
  • the hub 30 and flexible printed wiring 40 are contained within the housing 20 by the cover 50 which snaps into place.
  • An inner diameter backbone 70 attaches to the hub 30 and to the printed conductors of the flexible printed wiring 40.
  • An outer diameter backbone 60 attaches to the housing 20 and cover 50, and to the printed conductors of the flexible printed wiring 40.
  • Flexible printed wiring is typically defined as an arrangement of printed conductors using a flexible insulating base or substrate material.
  • the arrangement of conductors distinguishes flexible printed wiring from flat flexible cable.
  • Flexible printed wiring is able to be bent or flexed repeatedly.
  • electrical components such as resistors, capacitors, inductors, and integrated circuit chips can be formed in or attached to the flexible printed wiring thus making such wiring an active component and not a passive component such as traditional flat cable 80.
  • the Flexible Circuitry Design Guide by Sheldahl Inc., of Northfield, Minnesota, published in 1984, sets forth the construction and definition of flexible printed wiring, and is hereby incorporated by reference.
  • the basic steps are: print or photo image conductor pattern, cover bare conductor image with protective layer of solder or other plating, strip away plating resist material, etch conductive metal from areas not used as conductor traces, apply protective coating over conductors, blank the circuit to final shape.
  • the flexible printed wiring allows for compact arrangements of components thus minimizing the size of the finished part, i.e., a smaller clockspring; and it allows for the installation of signal conditioning hardware within the clockspring without taking up additonal space as compared to a clockspring using flat cable.
  • Figure 2 is a partial cross-sectional top view of the clockspring 10 of Figure 1.
  • the flexible printed wiring 40 is actually two separate flexible printed wirings 41, 42.
  • a clockspring having just one or more than two flexible printed wiring assembles is also achievable.
  • Figure 2 further illustrates the housing 20 and hub 30, and their respective backbones 60, 70.
  • the flexible printed wiring 40 is substantially wrapped around the hub 30.
  • Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional top view of the clockspring 10 of Figure
  • FIG. 1 is similar to Figure 2.
  • the flexible printed wiring 40 as shown in Figure 3, is substantially wrapped around an inside diameter of the housing 20.
  • Compliant rollers mounted on a carrier can guide the flexible printed wiring 40 around the hub 30 and the housing 20.
  • Figure 4 is a partial perspective view of one wiring assembly (41, 42) of the flexible printed wiring 40.
  • the flexible printed wiring 40 includes printed conductors or traces 43, 49, 51, 52, 53, and 54 on one broad surface 56 of the substrate 55.
  • the traces may contact each other via conductive side traces.
  • a conductive side trace 45 is shown in Figure 4 connecting trace 43 to trace 49. Additionally, traces (not shown) can be formed on the other broad surface 57 of the flexible printed wiring 40.
  • traces on both broad surfaces 56, 57 can be electrically connected to each other via conductive through holes.
  • One such conductive through hole 44 is shown electrically connecting trace 52 on broad surface 56 to a trace (not shown) on the other broad surface 57.
  • the through hole 44 penetrates through the substrate 55 and is plated with a conductive material such as copper.
  • the traces can convey the traditional signals conveyed by clocksprings, however, they may also convey power, ground, and carrier signals, as examples.
  • six conductive traces are provided by the flexible printed wiring 40.
  • Figure 4 shows that signal conditioning components can be attached to the flexible printed wiring.
  • Electrical component 47 is electrically connected to traces 53 and 54.
  • Electrical component 48 is electrically connected to traces 49 and 52.
  • the electrical components 47, 48 can be resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes, etc or the electrical components 47, 48 can be assemblies of such devices.
  • the electrical components 47, 48 are shown as being large, however, the electrical components 47, 48 can be formed on the substrate 55 much like the traces.
  • the electrical components 47, 48 can perform, as an example, signal filtering functions.
  • Figure 4 also shows an integrated circuit chip 46 attached to traces 43, 52, 53, and 54.
  • the integrated circuit chip 46 is shown as being large, however, it may be formed on the surface of the substrate 55.
  • the integrated circuit chip 46 can monitor and maintain voltage, digitize signals, analyze signals, etc. These components may be mounted to the printed wiring substrate 55 via wire bonding, SMT, through hole, IDC or other known mounting methods.
  • the flexible printed wiring 40 is connected to the housing 20 and to the hub 30, and to their respective backbones 60, 70.
  • the traces of the flexible printed wiring 40 can be attached to the conductors of the backbones 60 and 70, by way of soldered, crimped, pinch fitted, and etc.
  • the conductors 83 of the flexible cable 80 are welded to the conductors of the backbones 60, 70, which is a time consuming process, an expensive process, and a process which leads to the housing of the clockspring being larger than the clockspring 10 of the invention.
  • Use of flexible printed wiring 40 allows for the clockspring 10 to contain more electronics than clocksprings currently in use. As such the clockspring 10 can contain within itself functions that were contained elsewhere on the vehicle.
  • clockspring 10 is a smaller package than existing clocksprings.
  • the smaller clockspring package 10 allows more components and device to placed in the space which was once occupied by the current, larger, type of clockspring which does not employ flexible printed wiring.

Abstract

A clockspring including a housing, a hub, and flexible printed wiring. The flexible printed wiring electrically connecting the hub to the housing. The hub is mounted in the housing. The hub being able to rotate relative to the housing. The flexible printed wiring able to be affixed with components such as resistors, capacitors, inductors, and integrated circuits.

Description

S P E C I F I C A T I O N
TITLE
" CLOCKSPRING USING FLEXIBLE PRINTED WIRING "
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention pertains to a clockspring. The invention more particularly concerns a clockspring using flexible printed wiring to connect the rotating hub to the stationary housing of the clockspring.
Clocksprings are well known in the art where a clockspring electrically connects a stationary crash sensor to a rotatable airbag. Automotive manufacturers are increasingly integrating many functions on the steering column, on stalks projecting outward from the steering column, and on the steering wheel. In short, automotive manufacturers demand that existing components become more reliable, inexpensive, lighter, and perform more functions. Clocksprings, typically, include a housing, a hub, and flexible flat cable. The flexible flat cable electrically connects the stationary housing to the rotatable hub. Figure 5 is a partial perspective view of a related art flat cable 80. The flat cable 80 has two insulation layers 81, 82. The two insulation layers 81, 82 surround conductors 83. The flexible flat cable 80 conveys electrical signals. Thus, there is a need for a small clockspring that can perform more functions than clocksprings currently installed in vehicles.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a clockspring which is inexpensive to manufacture, easy to install, small, includes many functions including signal conditioning hardware.
In one form of the invention, the clockspring includes a housing and a hub. The hub being rotatably mounted to the housing. The hub being connected to the housing via flexible printed wiring. In another form of the invention, a vehicle includes an automobile. The automobile has a crash detection sensor and an airbag. Additionally, the automobile has a clockspring that electrically connects the airbag to the crash detection sensor. Furthermore, the clockspring has a housing and a hub. The hub being rotatably mounted in the housing. The hub and housing are electrically connected to each other via flexible printed wiring.
Thus, Applicants' invention provides a clockspring which is compact, and includes many electrical signal conditioning functions. These and other features of the invention are set forth below in the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiment.
Additional features and advantages of the present invention will be described in and apparent from the detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments and the figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a clockspring according to the invention;
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional, top view of the clockspring of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional, top view of the clockspring of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a partial perspective view of flexible printed wiring; and Figure 5 is a partial perspective view of a related flat cable.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and more particularly to Figures 1-4 thereof, a first embodiment of the present invention is a clockspring 10 having a housing 20, a hub 30, and flexible printed wiring 40.
Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the clockspring 10. The hub 30 and flexible printed wiring 40 are contained within the housing 20 by the cover 50 which snaps into place. An inner diameter backbone 70 attaches to the hub 30 and to the printed conductors of the flexible printed wiring 40. An outer diameter backbone 60 attaches to the housing 20 and cover 50, and to the printed conductors of the flexible printed wiring 40.
Flexible printed wiring is typically defined as an arrangement of printed conductors using a flexible insulating base or substrate material. The arrangement of conductors distinguishes flexible printed wiring from flat flexible cable. Flexible printed wiring is able to be bent or flexed repeatedly. Additionally, electrical components such as resistors, capacitors, inductors, and integrated circuit chips can be formed in or attached to the flexible printed wiring thus making such wiring an active component and not a passive component such as traditional flat cable 80. The Flexible Circuitry Design Guide by Sheldahl Inc., of Northfield, Minnesota, published in 1984, sets forth the construction and definition of flexible printed wiring, and is hereby incorporated by reference.
To produce flexible printed wiring a laminate of conductive metal foil laminated to a dielectric film, the basic steps are: print or photo image conductor pattern, cover bare conductor image with protective layer of solder or other plating, strip away plating resist material, etch conductive metal from areas not used as conductor traces, apply protective coating over conductors, blank the circuit to final shape. The flexible printed wiring allows for compact arrangements of components thus minimizing the size of the finished part, i.e., a smaller clockspring; and it allows for the installation of signal conditioning hardware within the clockspring without taking up additonal space as compared to a clockspring using flat cable.
Figure 2 is a partial cross-sectional top view of the clockspring 10 of Figure 1. As shown in Figure 2, the flexible printed wiring 40 is actually two separate flexible printed wirings 41, 42. However, a clockspring having just one or more than two flexible printed wiring assembles is also achievable. Figure 2 further illustrates the housing 20 and hub 30, and their respective backbones 60, 70. In Figure 2, the flexible printed wiring 40 is substantially wrapped around the hub 30. Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional top view of the clockspring 10 of Figure
1, and is similar to Figure 2. However, the flexible printed wiring 40, as shown in Figure 3, is substantially wrapped around an inside diameter of the housing 20. Compliant rollers mounted on a carrier (not shown) can guide the flexible printed wiring 40 around the hub 30 and the housing 20. Figure 4 is a partial perspective view of one wiring assembly (41, 42) of the flexible printed wiring 40. The flexible printed wiring 40 includes printed conductors or traces 43, 49, 51, 52, 53, and 54 on one broad surface 56 of the substrate 55. The traces may contact each other via conductive side traces. A conductive side trace 45 is shown in Figure 4 connecting trace 43 to trace 49. Additionally, traces (not shown) can be formed on the other broad surface 57 of the flexible printed wiring 40. Furthermore, traces on both broad surfaces 56, 57 can be electrically connected to each other via conductive through holes. One such conductive through hole 44 is shown electrically connecting trace 52 on broad surface 56 to a trace (not shown) on the other broad surface 57. The through hole 44 penetrates through the substrate 55 and is plated with a conductive material such as copper. The traces can convey the traditional signals conveyed by clocksprings, however, they may also convey power, ground, and carrier signals, as examples. In a preferred embodiment, six conductive traces are provided by the flexible printed wiring 40.
Figure 4 shows that signal conditioning components can be attached to the flexible printed wiring. Electrical component 47 is electrically connected to traces 53 and 54. Electrical component 48 is electrically connected to traces 49 and 52. The electrical components 47, 48 can be resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes, etc or the electrical components 47, 48 can be assemblies of such devices. The electrical components 47, 48 are shown as being large, however, the electrical components 47, 48 can be formed on the substrate 55 much like the traces. The electrical components 47, 48 can perform, as an example, signal filtering functions.
Figure 4 also shows an integrated circuit chip 46 attached to traces 43, 52, 53, and 54. The integrated circuit chip 46 is shown as being large, however, it may be formed on the surface of the substrate 55. The integrated circuit chip 46 can monitor and maintain voltage, digitize signals, analyze signals, etc. These components may be mounted to the printed wiring substrate 55 via wire bonding, SMT, through hole, IDC or other known mounting methods.
In practice, the flexible printed wiring 40 is connected to the housing 20 and to the hub 30, and to their respective backbones 60, 70. The traces of the flexible printed wiring 40 can be attached to the conductors of the backbones 60 and 70, by way of soldered, crimped, pinch fitted, and etc. In the related art, the conductors 83 of the flexible cable 80 are welded to the conductors of the backbones 60, 70, which is a time consuming process, an expensive process, and a process which leads to the housing of the clockspring being larger than the clockspring 10 of the invention. Use of flexible printed wiring 40 allows for the clockspring 10 to contain more electronics than clocksprings currently in use. As such the clockspring 10 can contain within itself functions that were contained elsewhere on the vehicle. Additionally, new functions can be contained within the clockspring 10. Furthermore, due to the attachment method of the flexible printed wiring 40 to the backbones 60 and 70, as compared to the related flexible cable 80, the clockspring 10 is a smaller package than existing clocksprings. The smaller clockspring package 10 allows more components and device to placed in the space which was once occupied by the current, larger, type of clockspring which does not employ flexible printed wiring. Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.
It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without dirmnishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.

Claims

WE CLAIM:What is claimed is:
1. A clockspring comprising: a housing; a hub rotatably mounted to the housing; and flexible printed wiring having electrical conductors, the flexible printed wiring electrically connecting the housing to the hub.
2. The clockspring according to Claim 1 wherein the flexible printed wiring includes a resistor connected to at least two of the electrical conductors of the flexible printed wiring.
3. The clockspring according to Claim 1 wherein the flexible printed wiring includes a capacitor connected to at least two of the electrical conductors of the flexible printed wiring.
4. The clockspring according to Claim 1 wherein the flexible printed wiring includes an inductor connected to at least two of the electrical conductors of the flexible printed wiring.
5. The clockspring according to Claim 1 wherein the flexible printed wiring includes an integrated circuit chip connected to at least two of the electrical conductors of the flexible printed wiring.
6. The clockspring according to Claim 1 wherein at least two of the electrical conductors are electrically connected to each other.
7. The clockspring according to Claim 1 wherein the flexible printed wiring has two broad surfaces, and wherein the electrical conductors are positioned on the two broad surfaces.
8. The clockspring according to Claim 7 wherein one of the electrical conductors positioned on one broad surface of the flexible printed wiring is electrically connected to one of the electrical conductors positioned on the other broad surface of the flexible printed wiring.
9. The clockspring according to Claim 2 wherein the flexible printed wiring includes a capacitor connected to at least two of the electrical conductors of the flexible printed wiring.
10. The clockspring according to Claim 2 wherein the flexible printed wiring includes an inductor connected to at least two of the electrical conductors of the flexible printed wiring.
11. The clockspring according to Claim 2 wherein the flexible printed wiring includes an integrated circuit chip connected to at least two of the electrical conductors of the flexible printed wiring.
12. The clockspring according to Claim 2 wherein at least two of the electrical conductors are electrically connected to each other.
13. The clockspring according to Claim 2 wherein the flexible printed wiring has two broad surfaces, and wherein the electrical conductors are positioned on the two broad surfaces.
14. The clockspring according to Claim 13 wherein one of the electrical conductors positioned on one broad surface of the flexible printed wiring is electrically connected to one of the electrical conductors positioned on the other broad surface of the flexible printed wiring.
15. The clockspring according to Claim 3 wherein the flexible printed wiring includes an inductor connected to at least two of the electrical conductors of the flexible printed wiring.
16. The clockspring according to Claim 3 wherein the flexible printed wiring includes an integrated circuit chip connected to at least two of the electrical conductors of the flexible printed wiring.
17. The clockspring according to Claim 3 wherein at least two of the electrical conductors are electrically connected to each other.
18. The clockspring according to Claim 3 wherein the flexible printed wiring has two broad surfaces, and wherein the electrical conductors are positioned on the two broad surfaces.
19. The clockspring according to Claim 18 wherein one of the electrical conductors positioned on one broad surface of the flexible printed wiring is electrically connected to one of the electrical conductors positioned on the other broad surface of the flexible printed wiring.
20. A vehicle comprising: an automobile having an airbag and a crash detection sensor; a clockspring having a hub, a housing, and flexible printed wiring, the hub rotateably mounted to the housing, the housing mounted to the automobile, the housing electrically connecting the crash detection sensor, the hub electrically connected to the airbag, the flexible printed wiring electrically connecting the hub to the housing.
PCT/US2000/018105 1999-07-01 2000-06-30 Clockspring using flexible printed wiring WO2001003244A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU57824/00A AU5782400A (en) 1999-07-01 2000-06-30 Clockspring using flexible printed wiring

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US09/346,566 USH1991H1 (en) 1999-07-01 1999-07-01 Clockspring using flexible printed wiring
US09/346,566 1999-07-01

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2001003244A1 true WO2001003244A1 (en) 2001-01-11
WO2001003244A9 WO2001003244A9 (en) 2002-07-25

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2000/018105 WO2001003244A1 (en) 1999-07-01 2000-06-30 Clockspring using flexible printed wiring

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) USH1991H1 (en)
AU (1) AU5782400A (en)
TW (1) TW486611B (en)
WO (1) WO2001003244A1 (en)

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EP1357646A2 (en) * 2002-04-26 2003-10-29 Toyoda Koki Kabushiki Kaisha Spiral cable device
EP3467966A4 (en) * 2016-05-31 2020-01-29 Alps Alpine Co., Ltd. Rotary connector
EP3467967A4 (en) * 2016-05-31 2020-01-29 Alps Alpine Co., Ltd. Rotary connector
EP3503314A4 (en) * 2016-08-16 2020-04-08 Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. Rotary connector device

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ATE430953T1 (en) * 2004-07-02 2009-05-15 Nivarox Sa HAIR SPRING MADE OF TWO MATERIALS WITH SELF-COMPENSATION
US20080309349A1 (en) * 2007-06-15 2008-12-18 Computer Access Technology Corporation Flexible interposer system
US20150325994A1 (en) * 2014-05-09 2015-11-12 Ruggedreel Inc. System and apparatus for electrically coupling to a cable on a rotatable reel using a torsional spring
US9769929B1 (en) * 2014-09-30 2017-09-19 Apple Inc. Interconnect structures for electronic devices with component arrays

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US5304071A (en) * 1990-04-14 1994-04-19 Alps Electric Co., Ltd. Clock spring
US5456616A (en) * 1994-02-04 1995-10-10 Molex Incorporated Electrical device employing a flat flexible circuit
US5460535A (en) * 1994-02-14 1995-10-24 Methode Electronics, Inc. Two-piece clockspring with lock and wire harness assembly
US5474473A (en) * 1994-12-13 1995-12-12 United Technologies Corporation Wiring integration/backshell interface connector assembly
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US5692925A (en) * 1986-07-23 1997-12-02 Virginia Patent Development Corporation Modular plug comprising circuit elements
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US5456616A (en) * 1994-02-04 1995-10-10 Molex Incorporated Electrical device employing a flat flexible circuit
US5460535A (en) * 1994-02-14 1995-10-24 Methode Electronics, Inc. Two-piece clockspring with lock and wire harness assembly
US5474473A (en) * 1994-12-13 1995-12-12 United Technologies Corporation Wiring integration/backshell interface connector assembly

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1357646A2 (en) * 2002-04-26 2003-10-29 Toyoda Koki Kabushiki Kaisha Spiral cable device
EP1357646A3 (en) * 2002-04-26 2005-01-19 Toyoda Koki Kabushiki Kaisha Spiral cable device
US7038139B2 (en) 2002-04-26 2006-05-02 Toyoda Koki Kabushiki Kaisha Spiral cable device
EP3467966A4 (en) * 2016-05-31 2020-01-29 Alps Alpine Co., Ltd. Rotary connector
EP3467967A4 (en) * 2016-05-31 2020-01-29 Alps Alpine Co., Ltd. Rotary connector
EP3503314A4 (en) * 2016-08-16 2020-04-08 Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. Rotary connector device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
TW486611B (en) 2002-05-11
AU5782400A (en) 2001-01-22
WO2001003244A9 (en) 2002-07-25
USH1991H1 (en) 2001-09-04

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