US 12,170,429 B2
Rotary connector having an external connection terminal movable in multiple directions
Yuki Endo, Miyagi (JP)
Assigned to ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD., Tokyo (JP)
Filed by ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD., Tokyo (JP)
Filed on Dec. 15, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/644,407.
Application 17/644,407 is a continuation of application No. PCT/JP2020/023474, filed on Jun. 15, 2020.
Claims priority of application No. 2019-113911 (JP), filed on Jun. 19, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2022/0109276 A1, Apr. 7, 2022
Int. Cl. H01R 35/04 (2006.01); H01R 12/77 (2011.01); H01R 13/506 (2006.01)
CPC H01R 35/04 (2013.01) [H01R 12/77 (2013.01); H01R 13/506 (2013.01); H01R 2201/26 (2013.01)] 10 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A rotary connector comprising:
a case including an outer cylindrical part;
a rotor including an inner cylindrical part and rotatably held by the case, the inner cylindrical part being disposed within a housing space of the case;
a flexible cable housed in a wound state between the inner cylindrical part and the outer cylindrical part within the housing space;
an external connection terminal provided on an end portion of the flexible cable; and
a terminal holder that holds the external connection terminal, such that the external connection terminal is movable in a first direction and in a second direction and is rotatable about a rotation center axis that is parallel to the first direction, the first direction intersecting the second direction,
wherein the terminal holder includes
a first holding member,
a second holding member that is held by the first holding member so as to be movable in the first direction and rotatable about the rotation center axis with respect to the first holding member, the rotation center being parallel to the first direction, and
a third holding member that is held by the second holding member so as to be linearly movable in the second direction with respect to the second holding member, and holds the external connection terminal.