阅读说明：本技术 时钟弹簧方向盘动力组件 (Clock spring steering wheel power assembly ) 是由 约瑟夫·C·鲍尔 赖利·T·哈兰 汤姆·唐尼龙 于 2019-12-18 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及用于为至少一个电导体提供通路以将电流从车辆或船舶电源供应到方向盘的系统,该方向盘包括至少一个用于加热的工作元件或控制装置。本发明利用在由壳体安装件和壳体基部形成并包封在壳体盖中的通道内的时钟弹簧组件,以便使方向盘无限旋转而同时仍然保持用于将电流经时钟弹簧传送到车轮的路径。(The present invention relates to a system for providing a path for at least one electrical conductor to supply current from a vehicle or vessel power supply to a steering wheel, which steering wheel comprises at least one working element or control device for heating. The present invention utilizes a clock spring assembly within a channel formed by the housing mount and the housing base and enclosed in the housing cover to allow for infinite rotation of the steering wheel while still maintaining a path for current to be transmitted through the clock spring to the wheel.)

1. A clock spring steering wheel power assembly for providing current to a steering wheel while allowing infinite rotation of the steering wheel, the steering wheel power assembly comprising:

a housing mount for connection to a vehicle or vessel;

a clock spring assembly connected to the housing mount, the clock spring assembly including an electrical connection at a first end connected to the vehicle or vessel and an electrical connection at a second end connected to the steering wheel;

a housing base assembly disposed to rotate freely within the clock spring assembly, the second end of the clock spring assembly extending through the housing base; and

a housing cover connected to the housing base, the housing base holding the clock spring assembly and the housing mount.

2. The clock spring steering wheel power assembly of claim 1, wherein an O-ring is disposed between the housing cover and the housing base assembly.

3. The clock spring steering wheel power assembly of claim 1 wherein a plurality of clips are provided around the perimeter of the housing cover, the clips engaging receptacles within the housing base assembly.

4. The clock spring steering wheel power assembly of claim 1 wherein an internal dual lip seal is provided between the housing base assembly and the housing mount.

5. The clock spring steering wheel power assembly of claim 4 wherein the inner dual lip seal is held in place by an inner seal spring clip.

6. The clock spring steering wheel power assembly of claim 1 wherein an outer dual lip seal is provided between the housing mount and the housing cover.

7. The clock spring steering wheel power assembly of claim 6 wherein the outer double lip seal is held in place by an outer seal spring clip.

8. The clock spring steering wheel power assembly of claim 1 wherein the electrical connections to which the clock spring assembly is connected are cylindrical electrodes.

9. The clock spring steering wheel power assembly of claim 1 wherein the second end of the clock spring assembly includes a conductor that leads through a fixed housing to an electrical connector post.

10. The clock spring steering wheel power assembly of claim 9, wherein a plurality of conductors lead through the stationary housing to the electrical connector post.

11. The clock spring steering wheel power assembly of claim 1 wherein the assembly of the housing cover, the housing base and the housing mount define a channel for the clock spring assembly, the channel sized for rotation-based expansion and contraction of the clock spring.

12. A clock spring steering wheel power assembly for providing current to a steering wheel while allowing infinite rotation of the steering wheel, the steering wheel clock spring power assembly comprising:

a stationary case mount including a pair of posts extending from a first face and a clock spring base extending from an opposite face;

a rotatable housing base including a cylindrical base post that mates with an aperture in the clock spring base of the housing mount;

a clock spring disposed about the clock spring base; and

a housing cover forming a cylinder around the clock spring and the housing mount;

the housing cover includes a fastener to connect with the housing base;

wherein the clock spring and the housing base are free to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise through more than 360 degrees while still maintaining electrical connection with the housing mount.

13. The clock spring steering wheel power assembly of claim 13, further comprising an inner dual lip seal and an outer dual lip seal, wherein the inner dual lip seal is positioned between the housing base and the housing mount and the outer dual lip seal is positioned between the housing cover and the housing mount.

14. A method of supplying current to a steering wheel through an infinite rotary joint, the method comprising;

connecting a steering wheel to a housing base, the housing base including a hollow shaft to engage a steering assembly of a vehicle or vessel;

connecting a shell mount to the vehicle or vessel;

disposing a clock spring between the housing mount and the housing base, the clock spring fixedly attached at a first end to the housing mount and rotatably connected at a second end to the housing base; and

connecting a power cord to the clock spring via the housing mount;

wherein current is delivered out through the clock spring and then to the steering wheel.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to a system for providing access to at least one electrical conductor from a power source to a steering wheel of a vehicle.

Background

Various devices and systems have been developed to provide comfort when heating the steering wheel. The main problem with most of these solutions is that the heating element on the steering wheel must be supplied with current.

One solution is to create a steering wheel bushing. An electrically heated cover for a steering wheel is disclosed, for example, in US 4,549,069. The cover is in the shape of an annularly extending cylindrical bush which is divided along a line on said bush which faces and is parallel to the rim of the steering wheel to be mounted on the cover and which encloses the rim. The bushing contains a set of electrically energized heating elements and a thermal insulator disposed between the heating elements and the rim after the bushing has been installed to prevent heat from flowing into the steering wheel and steering column.

Another approach is to provide an electrical path through the steering column. In most cases, the wires connecting the power source to the heating elements in the steering wheel must pass through a stationary steering column. This creates an immediate problem in that the steering wheel itself must be rotated relative to the stationary steering column. Therefore, problems with managing the wires are often encountered as the wires move with continued rotation of the steering wheel. A further problem is to protect the internal current transfer system from dust and elements.

Accordingly, there is a need for a device that transmits power and control signals from the steering wheel to the vehicle and vice versa while maintaining a seal against the ingress of dust and water.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention relates to a system for providing access to at least one electrical conductor from a power source to a steering wheel, including at least one working element in or on the steering wheel. The working element of the steering wheel may include an exemplary heating element to which one or more electrical conductors are connected. Alternatively, the steering wheel may comprise control means for vehicle functions, such as control means for a radio, telephone or the like connected to the electrical conductors. More specifically, several embodiments of the present invention include an electrical conductor path from a power source and an on/off switch through a steering column to an exemplary steering wheel heating element that is adaptable to successive winding and unwinding that occurs as the steering wheel rotates relative to the steering column, which remains stationary. In particular, the present invention is an anti-element clockspring assembly for steering wheel rotation.

The present invention generally includes a base, which may be made of aluminum, an O-ring seal surrounding the base, a ribbon cable disposed between the base and the rotating separator, a spin shaft seal having a wiper lip disposed axially within the ribbon cable, a spin shaft seal having a wiper lip disposed on an opposite face of the rotating separator, and an upper plastic housing.

In one embodiment, the present invention is a clock spring steering wheel power assembly for providing current to a steering wheel while allowing infinite rotation of the steering wheel, the steering wheel power assembly comprising: a housing mount for connection to a vehicle or vessel; a clock spring assembly connected to the housing mount, the clock spring assembly including an electrical connection at a first end connected to the vehicle or vessel and an electrical connection at a second end connected to a steering wheel; a housing base assembly configured to freely rotate within the clockspring assembly, the second end of the clockspring assembly extending through the housing base; and a housing cover connected to a housing base that holds the clock spring assembly and the housing mount.

The clock spring steering wheel power assembly may include an O-ring disposed between the housing cover and the housing base assembly.

The clock spring steering wheel power assembly may include a plurality of clips disposed about a periphery of the housing cover that engage receptacles in the housing base assembly.

The clockspring steering wheel power assembly may include an inner double lip seal disposed between the housing base assembly and the housing mount, which is held in place by an inner seal spring clip. The clockspring steering wheel power assembly may further include an outer dual lip seal disposed between the housing mount and the housing cover, wherein the outer dual lip seal is held in place by an outer seal spring clip.

The clock spring steering wheel power assembly may include an electrical connector connected to the clock spring assembly, the electrical connector being a cylindrical electrode.

The clock spring steering wheel power assembly includes a conductor at the second end of the clock spring assembly that leads through the fixed housing to the electrical connector post. Alternatively, there may be a plurality of conductors passing through the fixed housing to the electrical connector post.

The clockspring steering wheel power assembly includes a geometry wherein the assembly of the housing cover, the housing base, and the housing mount define a channel for the clockspring assembly sized for rotation-based expansion and contraction of the clockspring.

In one embodiment, the present invention comprises a clock spring steering wheel power assembly for providing current to a steering wheel while allowing infinite rotation of the steering wheel, the steering wheel clock spring power assembly comprising: a stationary case mount including a pair of posts extending from a first face and a clock spring base extending from an opposite face; a rotatable housing base including a cylindrical base post that mates with an aperture in the clock spring base of the housing mount; a clock spring disposed about a clock spring base; and a case cover forming a cylindrical member around the clock spring and the case mount; the housing cover includes a fastener to connect with the housing base; wherein the clock spring and housing base are free to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise through more than 360 degrees while still maintaining electrical connection with the housing mount.

The clockspring steering wheel power assembly may further include an inner double lip seal and an outer double lip seal, wherein the inner double lip seal is positioned between the housing base and the housing mount and the outer double lip seal is positioned between the housing cover and the housing mount.

The invention may also include a method of supplying current to a steering wheel through an infinite rotary joint, the method comprising:

connecting a steering wheel to a housing base, the housing base including a hollow shaft to engage a steering assembly of a vehicle or vessel;

connecting the shell mount to a vehicle or vessel;

disposing a clock spring between the housing mount and the housing base, the clock spring fixedly attached at a first end to the housing mount and rotatably connected at a second end to the housing base; and is

Connecting a power cord to the clock spring via the housing mount;

wherein the current is delivered out through the clock spring and then to the steering wheel.

The above summary is not intended to describe each illustrated embodiment or all implementations of the presently disclosed subject matter. The figures and the detailed description that follow more particularly exemplify various embodiments.

Drawings

The subject matter of the present invention may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a steering wheel and clock spring power assembly;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the steering wheel;

FIG. 3 is a rear plan view of the steering wheel;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the steering wheel and clock spring power assembly;

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the steering wheel and clock spring power assembly;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the clock spring power assembly;

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the clock spring power assembly;

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the clock spring power assembly;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the clock spring power assembly;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the housing base of the clock spring power assembly; and

fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a housing mount of the clockspring power assembly.

While the various embodiments are amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the claimed invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the subject matter as defined by the appended claims.

Detailed Description

The invention is a clock spring steering wheel power assembly that provides power from the vehicle or vessel to travel through the clock spring steering wheel power assembly to the steering wheel. The steering wheel allows for various controls or steering wheel heating while allowing for infinite rotation of the steering wheel.

Fig. 1 to 5 are views of a steering wheel 20 to which a clock spring steering wheel power assembly 10 is attached. The clockspring steering wheel power assembly 10 is typically disposed between the steering wheel 20 and the steering unit of the vehicle or vessel. The power cord extends through the steering unit or assembly and to the clock spring steering wheel power assembly 10. Although not shown, a steering shaft extends from the steering unit, through the clockspring steering wheel power assembly 10, to the steering wheel 20. The shaft is connected to the steering wheel 20 by any conventional fastening means. The steering wheel 20 and steering unit may be used on a boat, automobile, or other motorized or non-motorized vehicle.

Fig. 2 is a front plan view of the steering wheel 20. In the first embodiment, an electrical connector post 31 is provided at the center of the steering wheel 20 to provide electrical connection to any accessories mounted to or controlled by the steering wheel control device. Fig. 3 illustrates a rear view of the steering wheel 20 with the clock spring steering wheel power assembly 10.

Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the elements of one embodiment of the clockspring steering wheel power assembly 10. The clock spring steering wheel power assembly 10 includes a housing cover 22, an inner double lip ring 23, a double lip outer ring 24, a housing mount 25, a clock spring 26, an O-ring 27, and a housing base 28. The housing base 28 may include a pair of opposing forward facing fastener mounts 29, the fastener mounts 29 extending axially through mounting holes 30 in the steering wheel 20. The steering wheel 20 also includes an electrical connector aperture 32. An electrical connector post 31 extends axially from the housing base 28 through an electrical connector aperture 32.

Fig. 5 depicts a perspective view of the steering wheel 20 with the clockspring steering wheel power assembly 10 installed. An electrical connector post 31 extends axially from the housing base 28 through an electrical connector aperture 32. An opposite forward facing fastener mount 29 extends axially through a mounting aperture 30 in the steering wheel 20. The number of fastener mounts and their relative positions through the steering wheel may vary depending on the design of the steering wheel and the location of the electrical connectors.

Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the clock spring power assembly 10. Note that fig. 4 and 6 illustrate the same clockspring steering wheel power assembly 10, but with different rotational states as may be noted by the housing mount 25.

The clock spring steering wheel power assembly 10 includes a housing cover 22, an inner double lip ring 23, a double lip outer ring 24, a housing mount 25, a clock spring 26, an O-ring 27, and a housing base 28.

The housing cover 22 is generally cylindrical in shape, and the housing cover 22 defines an open central passage 33. The housing cover 22 includes a series of clips 35 disposed about the periphery of the cover mating surface 34. The clip 35 includes a flange or engagement feature for fixedly connecting to the housing base 28. The housing cover 22 includes a lip 36 on an opposite exterior side 37 for retaining the components of the clockspring power assembly 10 within the cover 22.

To seal the clockspring power assembly 10 from environmental conditions, an inner double-lip ring 23 and a double-lip outer ring 24 are positioned on opposite sides of the housing mount 25. The inner double lip ring 23 and the double lip outer ring 24 may have similar configurations with a smooth continuous outer periphery 39 and a geometrically different inner periphery 40 to allow for a compression seal. A clip 38, such as a spring clip, may be used to maintain the relative positions of the inner double lip ring 23 and the double lip outer ring 24 with respect to the housing mount 25.

In fig. 6, the housing mount 25 includes a circular central flange 41, the diameter of the circular central flange 41 being sized so that it can fit tightly within the housing cover 22. The clock spring base 42 extends axially from the central flange 41 toward the housing base 28. The clock spring base 42 is a barrel that defines an aperture for mating with the housing base 28. The housing mount 25 may also include a cable entry 43 extending from the central flange 41 for maintaining the position of the clock spring 26. The steering shaft aperture 44 is located on the opposite side of the circular central flange 41. A pair of opposed arms 45 and 46 extend from the steering shaft aperture and extend toward the inner double lip ring 23 and the double lip outer ring 24. The arms 45 and 46 include mounting flanges 47 at their distal ends. The cable housing 50 includes at least one axial passage 48 for providing power to the steering wheel power assembly 10 via the clock spring. The diameter of the steering shaft aperture 44 is greater than the diameter of the clock spring base 42.

The clock spring 26 comprises a flat flexible cable. The inner diameter of the clock spring 26 wraps around the clock spring base 42 and sits on the circular central flange 41. The clock spring 26 includes a steering wheel connector 49, the steering wheel connector 49 extending from an outer periphery of the clock spring 26 toward the housing base 28. Steering wheel connector 49 includes a series of right angle steps to guide the cables from the outer diameter of housing mount 25 to electrical connector post 31 of housing base 28. The vehicle connector cable 51 extends axially from the clock spring 26 to the housing mount 25. The cable entry 43 of the housing mount 25 defines an aperture for a vehicle connector cable 51.

The housing base 28 includes an upper face 52 from which the connector posts 29 and the electrical connector posts 31 extend toward the steering wheel 20. The clock spring face 53 is located on the opposite side of the upper face 52. The clock spring face 53 includes a cylindrical base post 54 that mates with the housing mount 25. A planar shelf 55 extends from the outer periphery of the cylindrical base post 54 to the outer periphery of the housing base 28. An O-ring 29 is disposed within an O-ring channel 56 around the periphery of the housing base 28 to provide a seal with the housing cover 22.

Fig. 7 and 8 illustrate the clockspring steering wheel power assembly 10 in perspective view. Fig. 7 depicts a view from the side of the steering wheel. The connector post 29 extends axially away from the housing base 28. The connector post 29 may have a variety of shapes and sizes depending on the mating requirements with the steering wheel. The electrical connector post 31 is illustrated as having a plurality of channels.

Figure 8 illustrates a perspective view of the clock spring steering wheel power assembly 10 from one side of a land or water vehicle. The opposite arm portions 45 and 46 of the vehicle connector cable 51 and the housing mount 25 extend axially from the clockspring steering wheel power assembly 10.

Fig. 9-11 depict cross-sectional views of the clockspring steering wheel power assembly 10 and the components-the housing mount 25 and the housing base 28. As depicted in fig. 9, the internal double lip seal 23 is positioned between the housing base 28 and the housing mount 25. An outer double lip seal 24 is positioned between the housing cover 22 and the housing mount 25. The clips 38 are used to lock the outer double lip member 24 and the inner double lip member 23 in relative position about the housing base 28 and the housing mount 25.

In operation, current is provided to the steering wheel 20 via the vehicle connector cable 51 to the clock spring 26. The steering wheel connector 49, in turn, supplies current from the clock spring 26 to the steering wheel through the aperture 31 in the housing base 28. The housing mount 25 is in a fixed position relative to the housing base 28. The hull mount 25 is connected to a marine or land vehicle. Instead, the housing base 28 is free to rotate 360 degrees with the steering wheel 20. Clock spring 26 provides a flexible connection between the two sides of the swivel.

Various embodiments of systems, devices, and methods have been described herein. These embodiments are given by way of example only and are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention. Furthermore, it is to be understood that various features of the embodiments that have been described may be combined in various ways to produce numerous additional embodiments. In addition, while various materials, dimensions, shapes, configurations, and locations, etc. have been described for use with the disclosed embodiments, other materials, dimensions, shapes, configurations, locations, etc. in addition to those disclosed may be employed without exceeding the scope of the claimed invention.

One of ordinary skill in the relevant art will recognize that the subject matter of the present disclosure may include fewer features than illustrated in any individual embodiment described above. The embodiments described herein are not meant to be an exhaustive presentation of the ways in which the various features of the inventive subject matter may be combined. Thus, embodiments are not mutually exclusive combinations of features; rather, as one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate, various embodiments may include different individual combinations of features selected from different individual embodiments. Furthermore, elements described with respect to one embodiment may be implemented in other embodiments, even when not described in such embodiments, unless otherwise indicated.