Clockspring using flexible printed wiring

Abstract

A clockspring including a housing, a hub, and flexible printed wiring. The flexible printed wiring electrically connecting the hub to the housing. The hub mounted in the housing. The hub being able to rotate relative to the housing. The flexible printed wiring able to be affixed with components such as resistors, capacitors, inductors, and integrated circuits.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A clockspring comprising: 
       a housing;  
       a hub rotatably mounted to the housing; and  
       flexible printed wiring having electrical conductors, the flexible printed wiring electrically connects the housing to the hub, and wherein, in a first position of the hub relative to the housing, the flexible printed wiring is substantially wrapped around the hub, and wherein, in a second position of the hub relative to the housing, the flexible printed wiring is substantially wrapped around an inner diameter surface of the housing, and whereby the first position being achieved by rotating the hub relative to the housing in a first direction, and whereby the second position being achieved by rotating the hub relative to the housing in a second direction, and wherein the first direction being opposite the second direction.  
     
     
       2. The clockspring according to claim  1  wherein the flexible printed wiring includes a resistor connected to at least two of the electrical conductors of the flexible printed wiring. 
     
     
       3. The clockspring according to claim  1  wherein the flexible printed wiring includes a capacitor connected to at least two of the electrical conductors of the flexible printed wiring. 
     
     
       4. The clockspring according to claim  1  wherein the flexible printed wiring includes an inductor connected to at least two of the electrical conductors of the flexible printed wiring. 
     
     
       5. The clockspring according to claim  1  wherein the flexible printed wiring includes an integrated circuit chip connected to at least two of the electrical conductors of the flexible printed wiring. 
     
     
       6. The clockspring according to claim  1  wherein at least two of the electrical conductors are electrically connected to each other. 
     
     
       7. The clockspring according to claim  1  wherein the flexible printed wiring has two broad surfaces, and wherein the electrical conductors are positioned on the two broad surfaces. 
     
     
       8. The clockspring according to claim  7  wherein one of the electrical conductors positioned on one broad surface of the flexible printed wiring is electrically connected to one of the electrical conductors positioned on the other broad surface of the flexible printed wiring. 
     
     
       9. The clockspring according to claim  2  wherein the flexible printed wiring includes a capacitor connected to at least two of the electrical conductors of the flexible printed wiring. 
     
     
       10. The clockspring according to claim  2  wherein the flexible printed wiring includes an inductor connected to at least two of the electrical conductors of the flexible printed wiring. 
     
     
       11. The clockspring according to claim  2  wherein the flexible printed wiring includes an integrated circuit chip connected to at least two of the electrical conductors of the flexible printed wiring. 
     
     
       12. The clockspring according to claim  2  wherein at least two of the electrical conductors are electrically connected to each other. 
     
     
       13. The clockspring according to claim  2  wherein the flexible printed wiring has two broad surfaces, and wherein the electrical conductors are positioned on the two broad surfaces. 
     
     
       14. The clockspring according to claim  13  wherein one of the electrical conductors positioned on one broad surface of the flexible printed wiring is electrically connected to one of the electrical conductors positioned on the other broad surface of the flexible printed wiring. 
     
     
       15. The clockspring according to claim  3  wherein the flexible printed wiring includes an inductor connected to at least two of the electrical conductors of the flexible printed wiring. 
     
     
       16. The clockspring according to claim  3  wherein the flexible printed wiring includes an integrated circuit chip connected to at least two of the electrical conductors of the flexible printed wiring. 
     
     
       17. The clockspring according to claim  3  wherein at least two of the electrical conductors are electrically connected to each other. 
     
     
       18. The clockspring according to claim  3  wherein the flexible printed wiring has two broad surfaces, and wherein the electrical conductors are positioned on the two broad surfaces. 
     
     
       19. The clockspring according to claim  18  wherein one of the electrical conductors positioned on one broad surface of the flexible printed wiring is electrically connected to one of the electrical conductors positioned on the other broad surface of the flexible printed wiring. 
     
     
       20. A vehicle comprising: 
       an automobile having an airbag and a crash detection sensor;  
       a clockspring having a hub, a housing, and flexible printed wiring, the hub rotatably mounted to the housing, the housing mounted to the automobile, the housing electrically connecting the crash detection sensor, the hub electrically connected to the airbag, the flexible printed wiring electrically connects the hub to the housing, and wherein the flexible printed wiring includes electrical components electrically connected to the electrical conductors of the flexible printed wiring.  
     
     
       21. A clockspring according to claim  1  wherein the flexible printed wiring includes electrical components electrically connected to the electrical conductors of the flexible printed wiring. 
     
     
       22. A clockspring comprising: 
       a housing;  
       a hub rotatably mounted to the housing; and  
       flexible printed wiring having electrical conductors, the flexible printed wiring electrically connects the housing to the hub, and wherein the flexible printed wiring includes electrical components electrically connected to the electrical conductors of the flexible printed wiring.