| 摘要 |
A compressed air clockspring includes a housing and a hub rotatably mounted with the housing. The housing has a first electrical connector and a first pneumatic port. The hub has a second electrical connector and a second pneumatic port. A ribbon cable has one end connected to the first electrical connector of the housing and the other end of the ribbon cable is connected to the second electrical connector of the hub. An air ring is rotatably mounted in the housing. The air ring rotates with the hub. The air ring fluidically connects the first pneumatic port to the second pneumatic port. The ribbon cable transmits electrical signals from the crash sensor to the airbag as is common in present day clocksprings. Unlike present day clocksprings, the compressed air clockspring transmits compressed air through the rotary joint formed by the structure of the compressed air clockspring. Transmission of compressed air through the compressed air clockspring provides the occupant with freshly ventilated air, or the compressed air can be heated and ducted through the steering wheel so as to warm the steering wheel, all-the-while, the compressed air clockspring being ready and capable of simultaneously transmitting electrical signals through the rotary joint. |
