Patent ID: 6305958
Filing Date: 2001-10-23
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
A cable reel in combination with a vehicle steering system, said vehicle steering system including a steering column and a steering wheel, said cable reel comprising:a cylindrical casing mounted to one of the steering column and the steering wheel, and said casing having at least an end opening,a rotor mounted to the other of the steering column and the steering wheel, and said rotor being mounted into said cylindrical casing in a freely rotatable manner, thereby forming a cylindrical space between said cylindrical casing and said rotor,a flat cable having a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion being fixed to said rotor, and the second end portion being fixed to said cylindrical casing, andsaid rotor including a reel having a barrel portion with two ends, the two ends being provided with a top plate and a bottom plate, respectively, each of said top and bottom plates diametrically projecting from said barrel portion, said flat cable being wound around said barrel portion of said rotor and contained in said cylindrical space, and said top plate of said rotor being arranged such as to close said end opening of said cylindrical casing when said rotor is mounted into said cylindrical casing, whereby said flat cable remains within said cylindrical casing during any rotation of said rotor.