IP Library › Granted Patent US 12686346
Granted Patent B2
US 12686346 · App. 18/383,472 · Granted Jul 21, 2026

Rotary connector apparatus and steering apparatus

Inventors: Masahiro Zaruhata (Inukami-gun, JP); Yoshihiro Shiotani (Inukami-gun, JP); Yoji Tajiri (Inukami-gun, JP); Yoshiyuki Suzuki (Inukami-gun, JP)
Assignees: FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD.; FURUKAWA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS INC.
B60R16/027B60R16/0215B62D1/10H01R35/025
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12686346
App. No.
18/383,472
Granted
Jul 21, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A rotary connector apparatus includes a stator, a rotator, and an adjustment structure. The stator is configured to be attached to a vehicle body. The rotator is provided rotatably about a rotation axis with respect to the stator. The stator and the rotator define a cable housing space provided to surround the rotation axis. The adjustment structure is configured to allow the rotation axis to move with respect to the vehicle body in a state where the stator is attached to the vehicle body. The adjustment structure includes a coupling structure configured to couple the stator to the vehicle body. The coupling structure supports the stator movably with respect to the vehicle body to change an angle of the rotation axis with respect to the vehicle body in a state where the coupling structure couples the stator to the vehicle body.

Claims (41)

1 . A rotary connector apparatus comprising:

a stator configured to be attached to a vehicle body;

a rotator provided rotatably about a rotation axis with respect to the stator, the stator and the rotator defining a cable housing space provided to surround the rotation axis; and

an adjustment structure configured to allow the rotation axis to move with respect to the vehicle body in a state where the stator is attached to the vehicle body,

the adjustment structure comprising a coupling structure configured to couple the stator to the vehicle body,

the coupling structure supporting the stator movably with respect to the vehicle body to change an angle of the rotation axis with respect to the vehicle body in a state where the coupling structure couples the stator to the vehicle body,

the coupling structure comprising a first supporting member supporting the stator movably with respect to the vehicle body along a first virtual sphere centered at a reference point,

the coupling structure comprising a coupling member coupled to the stator, and

the first supporting member being contactable with the coupling member on the first virtual sphere.

2 . The rotary connector apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

the reference point is defined on the rotation axis.

3 . The rotary connector apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

at least one of the first supporting member and the coupling member comprises a first curved surface provided along the first virtual sphere.

4 . The rotary connector apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

the coupling structure comprises a second supporting member supporting the stator movably with respect to the vehicle body along a second virtual sphere centered at the reference point.

5 . The rotary connector apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein

the second supporting member is contactable with the coupling member on the second virtual sphere.

6 . The rotary connector apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein

at least one of the second supporting member and the coupling member comprises a second curved surface provided along the second virtual sphere.

7 . The rotary connector apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein

the first virtual sphere has a first curvature radius defined from the reference point,

the second virtual sphere has a second curvature radius defined from the reference point, and

the second curvature radius is larger than the first curvature radius.

8 . The rotary connector apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein

the coupling member is disposed between the first supporting member and the second supporting member.

9 . The rotary connector apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein

the coupling structure supports the stator movably with respect to the vehicle body and to allow the stator to move with respect to the vehicle body along a virtual plane perpendicular to the rotation axis in the state where the coupling structure couples the stator to the vehicle body.

10 . The rotary connector apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein

the coupling member comprises:

a first coupling member fastened to the stator; and

a second coupling member coupled to the first coupling member and movable with respect to the first coupling member along the virtual plane, and

the first supporting member is contactable with the second coupling member on the first virtual sphere.

11 . The rotary connector apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein

the second supporting member is contactable with the second coupling member on the second virtual sphere.

12 . The rotary connector apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein

one of the first coupling member and the second coupling member comprises a guide groove, and

the other of the first coupling member and the second coupling member is movably provided in the guide groove.

13 . A steering apparatus comprising:

a base member included in the vehicle body;

the rotary connector apparatus according to claim 1 ; and

the coupling structure supporting the stator movably with respect to the base member to change the angle of the rotation axis with respect to the base member in the state where the coupling structure couples the stator to the base member.