Abstract: A cable reel includes a stationary member forming an outer cylinder and a movable member forming an inner cylinder and rotatably coupled to the stationary member. A flat cable is accommodated in an annular space defined by the stationary and movable members. First and second inner cases that accommodate bus bars are attached to opposite ends of the flat cable. The first and second inner cases are fixed in first and second inner case containing portions provided in the movable and stationary members, respectively. A first protection rib extends from an end surface of a cable outlet portion of the first inner case. The first protection rib includes an arcuate inner peripheral wall and an arcuate outer peripheral wall. The arcuate outer and inner peripheral walls are opposed to each other to define a cable threading path between them.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for removing rotation clamping members in which a rotor of a cable reel is temporarily clamped to a stator. Rotation clamping members which are temporarily positioned over the stator and the rotor of the cable reel are connected with a vertical piece through a hinge that allows a lateral piece to pivot downwardly easily from a root. When removing the rotation clamping member for permitting rotation of the rotor, the lateral piece of the rotation clamping members which is lifted up engages against the periphery of the wheel hub followed by downward pivoting from the root, so that the clamping members are removed smoothly through the side of the wheel boss.

Abstract: A top shell is linked to a bottom shell via a hinge portion and is locked to the latter, so that the top shell is prevented from separating from the bottom shell when the hinge portion is broken. The top shell is formed unitarily and in one piece with the bottom shell via the hinge portion. An end portion of the top shell is notched with a semi-circular groove to form a fixing recess, and an end portion of the bottom shell is formed to have a semi-circular projection to form a fixing protrusion. The top shell is then superposed onto the bottom shell, and they are locked by a locking protrusion and a locking recess. At the same time, the fixing protrusion is press-fitted into the fixing recess, so that the top shell is immobilized at a given position relative to the bottom shell.

Abstract: There is provided a structure for connecting individual electrical cables to a flat electrical cable. The electrical cables respectively include a core wire group exposed at an end portion thereof, and an elastic sealing material adjacent the end portion, whereas the flat electrical cable includes conductor elements at an end portion thereof, and an elastic sealing material adjacent the end portion. The core wire groups and the conductor elements are superposed thereby forming a joint section. The joint section and the elastic sealing materials are molded with an insulator resin, whereby the elastic sealing material is adhered to the outer surface of the electrical cables and the flat electrical cable by compression under the insulator resin.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrical connecting structure without taking up additional space and without increasing the number of components even when the number of conductors of flat cables, as well as connecting circuits for external cable wires, are increased. In particular, in an electrical connecting structure according to the present invention, since there are two case members that contain bus bars, the number of necessary circuits can be sufficiently increased. In addition, since the bus bar mounting surface for respective case members are mutually covered, a separate cover for covering the bus bar mounting surface is not required, so that costs are not greatly increased because of the advantage that limits the increase in the number of necessary members and facilitates assembly.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for removing rotation clamping members in which a rotor of a cable reel is temporarily clamped to a stator. Rotation clamping members which are temporarily positioned over the stator and the rotor of the cable reel are connected with a vertical piece through a hinge that allows a lateral piece to pivot downwardly easily from a root. When removing the rotation clamping member for permitting rotation of the rotor, the lateral piece of the rotation clamping members which is lifted up engages against the periphery of the wheel hub followed by downward pivoting from the root, so that the clamping members are removed smoothly through the side of the wheel boss.

Abstract: A method of assembling a cable reel for a steering wheel is simplified. The method includes unrolling a flat cable having a first end portion from a coiled reel; fixing a first connector to the first end portion of the flat cable; preparing a rotor having a barrel portion, and a top plate provided with a fixing notch; fitting the first connector into the fixing notch; winding the flat cable around the barrel portion of the rotor up to a given length as the flat cable is being unrolled from the coiled reel; cutting off the flat cable, so as to form a second end portion; fixing a second connector to the second end portion; and mounting the rotor wound with the flat cable into the cylindrical casing in a freely rotatable manner.

Abstract: A sound-absorbing material and a cable reel including the same are produced inexpensively and are able to attenuate sliding noise and vibration noise. A sound-absorbing material 20 is made of a polyethylene film 20a and is formed into a thin waved sheet having continuous wave crests and wave troughs. A synthetic paper 20b having a lubricative surface is attached to the wave crests on a front side of the polyethylene film 20a through an adhesive. As an air layer 21 is defined in a space surrounded by the wave crests and wave troughs, any sounds which are transmitted to the polyethylene film 20a collide on the wave crests and wave troughs thereby being effectively attenuated and absorbed. The sound-absorbing material 20 is struck on a bearing surface 12a of a stationary member 11 by way of an adhesive. A lateral lower edge of a flat cable 15 slides on the lubricative surface of the synthetic paper 20b, thereby suppressing generation of sliding noise.

Abstract: A sound-absorbing material and a cable reel including the same are produced inexpensively and attenuates sliding noise and vibration noise. A sound-absorbing material 20 comprises a foam rubber 20a and a thin synthetic paper 20b having a smooth surface and laminated through an adhesive 20c on a top surface of the foam rubber 20a. The synthetic paper 20b can be easily attached to the foam rubber 20a by means of the adhesive 20c and is inexpensive in comparison with a conventional polytetrafluoroethylene resin sheet. The sound-absorbing material 20 is attached to a lower bearing surface 12a of a cable containing chamber 12 in a cable reel. The synthetic paper 20b of the sound-absorbing material 20 can attenuate a sliding noise which is generated when a flat cable 15 slides on the lower bearing surface 12a.

Abstract: A sound-absorbing material and a cable reel including the same is produced inexpensively and attenuates sliding noise and vibration noise. A sound-absorbing material 20 has a dual layer structure comprising an upper rubber sheet 20b and a lower rubber sheet 20a. A front side surface 20e of the lower rubber sheet 20a and a back side surface 20f of the upper rubber sheet 20b are provided with a number of protrusions 20c and 20d, respectively. The front side surface 20e is opposed to the back side surface 20f through the protrusions 20c and 20d. The upper and lower rubber sheets 20b and 20a are integrated together by interconnecting the peripheral edges of the sheets to form the sound-absorbing material 20. The sound-absorbing material 20 has a thickness of about 1.3 mm and an air layer 21 between the upper and lower rubber sheets 20b and 20a.

Abstract: A divided connector is provided to reduce engaging forces and to enable a simplified engagement detection. The connector has male and female connector housings 1, 2; 51, 60 each carrying a group of terminal fittngs 7, 7a, 12. Either one of the connector housings 1, 2; 51, 60 is divided into a plurality of housing pieces 3, 4; 61, 62, 63 so as to be fittable and engageable with a plurality of corresponding accommodation positions in the other connector housing 1, 2; 51, 60. The connector has a controller 14-16; 18-25; 45, 47, 48; 65-74; 114-124 for controlling the fitting and/or engagement of a previously fitted and/or engaged housing piece 3, 4; 61, 62, 63, and engagement detector means 7a, 27-43 for detecting whether or not the last housing piece 3, 4; 61, 62, 63 was properly engaged.

Abstract: An electrical connector has a retainer attached from the front side of a terminal fitting insertion chamber. A straightening projection, formed on the upper face of a stopping plate, that effects double-stopping, makes contact with a male terminal from a side opposite to the direction of bending thereof, and bends the male terminal member to thereby straighten it. Easy connection with another connector is thus assured.

Abstract: A tubular cap-like retainer 20 fits within a supporting structure 10 and has a side wall 22 with a pair of slits 23 formed in a parallel manner to define a flexible arm 24. Both ends of the arm 23 are attached to the retainer 20. A locking projection 25 formed on the inner face of the arm engages a cavity member 11 within the structure 10 thus urging the arm against the inner surface of the structure 10 with a strong retention force.

Abstract: A cap-shaped retainer 40 has a slit 43 formed therein for insertion of a separation plate, and terminal half-insertion detectors 41 projecting towards terminal fitting insertion chambers 21a of a housing 20. The detectors 41 project individually and are insertable into the lower portions of the respective terminal fitting insertion chambers 21a. The free ends of adjacent detectors 41 are connected to increase the strength thereof. The separation plate is insertable via the slit 43 since the half-insertion detectors 41 are connected beyond the inserted extent thereof.

Abstract: A cover for covering a lock arm is mounted through a self hinge portion on an upper surface of a female housing for pivotal movement between an open and a closed position, and a non-engagement detection projection is formed on a back surface of the cover at a proximal end portion thereof. When the cover is pushed by an operator to be closed, the lock arm slants forwardly upwardly with a hook portion placed on an engagement portion formed on a male housing. If the male and female housings are not engaged with each other, and therefore the non-engagement detection projection abuts against the lock arm, the cover is held in a raised condition thus indicating that the housings are not engaged with each other. Because the cover is mounted integrally on the housing, the number of the component parts is reduced, and extra management of the parts and extra assembling steps are eliminated.

Abstract: This invention provides a connector which can receive a terminal member easily and positively. In the connector, a retainer 10 is provided on each engaging portion 12 with a guide ramp face 20 which is opposed to a cavity 2 at a temporary locking position. A terminal member 30 is pushed into the cavity 2 when the retainer is at the temporary locking position. The member 30 does not enter into an opening 6 on account of the correcting action of the guide ramp face 20, even if the terminal member 30 is pushed toward the opening 6. After the distal end of the terminal member 30 passes over the guide ramp face 20, and outer periphery of the terminal member 30 is pushed down by a front end of the face 20. Consequently, the terminal member 30 is prevented from entering into the opening 6 and moves in the proper passage.