A liquid metal rotary connector (16) for a vehicle steering mechanism (10) utilizes a conductive alloy comprising Gallium, Indium, Tin and Zinc to electrically couple stationary and rotary terminals (26a, 26b; 28a, 28b) of the connector (16). The alloy is a liquid at ambient temperatures, and has a melting point of -36°C, though testing has shown that it operates satisfactorily at temperatures as low as -40°C. In a preferred arrangement, the rotary connector (16) provides a two-wire connection through which power is supplied from the steering column (12) to the steering wheel (14), and electronic modules (22, 24) located in the steering column (12) and the steering wheel (14) support bi-directional data communication through voltage and current modulation of the supplied power.


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    Title :

    Liquid metal rotary connector apparatus for a vehicle steering wheel and column


    Additional title:

    Drehbare Verbindungsvorrichtung mit Flüssigmetall für ein Lenkrad und eine Lenkradsäule eines Fahrzeugs
    Appareil de connecteur rotatif avec du métal liquide pour volant et colonne de direction de véhicule


    Contributors:

    Publication date :

    2017-04-26


    Type of media :

    Patent


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English


    Classification :

    IPC:    B60R Fahrzeuge, Fahrzeugausstattung oder Fahrzeugteile, soweit nicht anderweitig vorgesehen , VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR / C22C Legierungen , ALLOYS / H01R Elektrisch leitende Verbindungen , ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS



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