CLOCKSPRING WITH ROLLING CONTACTS

The invention relates to a clockspring (1), apt in particular for establishing electrical connection between the steering wheel and the steering column of an automotive vehicle, comprising a stator housing (2) and a rotor housing (3) rotatably associated with the stator housing (2) about an axis (A) and defining radial space between the stator housing (2) and the rotor housing (3). In order to simplify manufacture and assembly and provide a self-cleaning action reducing the risk of, oxidation and, contaminations the clockspring (1) further comprises at least one stator plate (4) associated with the stator housing (2); at least one rotor plate (5) associated with the rotor housing (3); plurality of electrically conductive tracks (41) disposed annularly over at least one surface of said stator plate (4); plurality of electrically conductive tracks (51) disposed annularly over at least one surface of said at least one rotor plate (5) and substantially corresponding to said electrically conductive tracks (41) of said stator plate (4); at least one intermediary member (6) disposed between each stator plate (4) and each rotor plate (5), and capable of rotation about said axis (A) with respect to the adjacent stator plate (4) and the adjacent rotor plate (5); plurality of rolling contacts (61) disposed on said at least one intermediary member (6), substantially corresponding to said electrically conductive tracks (41) of said at least one stator plate (4) and said electrically conductive tracks (51) of said at least one rotor plate (5), and capable of rotation between said at least one stator plate (4) and said at least one rotor plate (5), due to relative rotation between said at least one stator plate (4) and said at least one rotor plate (5), in order to complete electrical pathways between said electrically conductive tracks (41, 51), wherein axes (C) of rotations of said rolling contacts (61) are slanted about certain non-zero angle (a) with regard to the radial direction (B) defined by said axis (A) in order to produce a wiping action in addition to their rolling action, so as to clean said electrically conductive tracks (41, 51).