Patent ID: 6764326
Filing Date: 2004-07-20
Classification: H01R

Abstract:
A rotary connector comprising:a stationary member supported on a body side of an automobile; a rotative member rotatably supported on the stationary member, the rotative member being rotatable together with a steering wheel; a floating spacer disposed between the stationary member and the rotative member, said floating spacer having a gap that extends in a radial direction of the floating spacer so that an inner space of the floating spacer communicates with an outer space of the floating spacer through the gap, said floating spacer being pivotal when the rotative member rotates; and a flat cable having one end supported on the stationary member and connected to a power supply side and another end supported on the rotative member and connected to an electrical apparatus on the steering wheel side, and a mid folding portion that passes through the gap in a floating spacer to fold back so that the flat cable is wound around an outer surface and an inner surface of the floating spacer, the flat cable lying between the stationary member and the rotative member; wherein the rotary connector has a slip ring mechanism, the slip ring mechanism comprising: a stationary contact provided on the stationary member, the stationary contact being connected to the power supply and opposing the floating spacer so that the stationary contact extends along a pivotal path of the floating spacer; a movable contact provided on the rotative member, said movable contact being connected to an electrical apparatus on the steering wheel side and opposing the floating spacer so that said movable contact extends along a pivotal path of the floating spacer; and a floating contact provided to the floating spacer, said floating contact being electrically connected to the stationary contact and said movable contact.