Column switch for vehicles includes a flexible cable

Abstract

A column switch that electrically connects a steering wheel side and a vehicle side in an automobile using a flexible flat cable (5). The cable (5) is in the form of a spiral and is accommodated in a housing. The housing includes a lower part defined by a base (1) of the column switch (8), and an upper part defined by a rotor (6) having a cancel cam (6e). The housing also has slits (6f) or reflectors formed thereon for a steering angle sensor (10). The base (1) has a hollow cylinder (1a) formed in the middle thereof through which a steering shaft is inserted. An annular groove (1f) that accommodates the flat cable (5) therein is formed to surround the hollow cylinder (1a). The rotor (6) has resilient fastening straps (6a) and an accommodating space (6d) that covers the annular groove (1f). The resilient fastening straps (6a) rotatably engage a fastening portion (1i) formed on the hollow cylinder (1a). With this construction, the base of the column switch and the housing of the rotary connector can be formed in one integral structure, thereby reducing the number of components and overall cost.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.