US 5,490,793 A · Automobile clockspring with vibration dampener

Abstract

A clockspring interconnector comprising a housing wall defining a chamber extending therethrough and a rotor hub attached to the housing. A coiled flat cable carried within the chamber surrounding the rotor hub. The flat cable having a first end attached to a first connector location of the rotor hub and a second end attached to a second connector location of the housing wall. A vibration dampener compresses the coils of the flat cable to limit vibration. An outer vibration dampener adjacent to the housing wall compresses the flat cable inward toward the rotor hub. An inner vibration dampener compresses the flat cable outwardly towards the housing wall. The vibration dampeners are preformed having folds formed therein. An alternate embodiment includes a pair of vibration dampeners pivotally attached to the clockspring housing which provide multi-directional compression to the flat cable.

Claims8

Dependent claims

A clockspring interconnector comprising:

a housing having a housing wall;
said housing wall defining a chamber;
a rotor hub attached to said housing;
a flat conductor cable coiled within said chamber having a first end and second end;
said first end attached to said rotor hub;
said second end attached to said housing;
and a vibration dampener attached to said housing and compressing said flat conductor cable including a first arm and second arm which provide inward compression of the flat conductor cable in a single, lateral direction and also inwardly toward said rotor hub, said first arm and said second arm joined at a base portion which is mounted to said housing via a post.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Automobile clockspring with vibration dampener

Life of this patent

Automobile clockspring with vibration dampener

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims8