EP0917170A2 - Betätigungsmechanismus eines drehbaren elektrischen Bauteiles - Google Patents

Betätigungsmechanismus eines drehbaren elektrischen Bauteiles Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0917170A2
EP0917170A2 EP98308697A EP98308697A EP0917170A2 EP 0917170 A2 EP0917170 A2 EP 0917170A2 EP 98308697 A EP98308697 A EP 98308697A EP 98308697 A EP98308697 A EP 98308697A EP 0917170 A2 EP0917170 A2 EP 0917170A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
rotary electric
electric component
housing
connecting shaft
operation member
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP98308697A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0917170B1 (de
EP0917170A3 (de
Inventor
Tatsuya Yokoyama
Fumihiko Kashiwabara
Mitsura Furudate
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Alps Alpine Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Alps Electric Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Alps Electric Co Ltd filed Critical Alps Electric Co Ltd
Publication of EP0917170A2 publication Critical patent/EP0917170A2/de
Publication of EP0917170A3 publication Critical patent/EP0917170A3/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0917170B1 publication Critical patent/EP0917170B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H19/00—Switches operated by an operating part which is rotatable about a longitudinal axis thereof and which is acted upon directly by a solid body external to the switch, e.g. by a hand
    • H01H19/02—Details
    • H01H19/10—Movable parts; Contacts mounted thereon
    • H01H19/14—Operating parts, e.g. turn knob
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H1/00—Contacts
    • H01H1/58—Electric connections to or between contacts; Terminals
    • H01H1/5805—Connections to printed circuits
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H3/00—Mechanisms for operating contacts
    • H01H3/02—Operating parts, i.e. for operating driving mechanism by a mechanical force external to the switch
    • H01H3/08—Turn knobs
    • H01H3/10—Means for securing to shaft of driving mechanism
    • H01H2003/105—Means for securing to shaft of driving mechanism with compensation of misalignment in the link between the operating part, the driving mechanism and the switch, e.g. misalignment between two axis
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H19/00—Switches operated by an operating part which is rotatable about a longitudinal axis thereof and which is acted upon directly by a solid body external to the switch, e.g. by a hand
    • H01H2019/008—Switches operated by an operating part which is rotatable about a longitudinal axis thereof and which is acted upon directly by a solid body external to the switch, e.g. by a hand with snap mounting of rotatable part on fixed part, e.g. rotor on stator, operating knob on switch panel

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an operating mechanism of a rotary electric component which operates by rotating a rotation knob employed in rotary electric components such as a rotary switch or a rotary volume control.
  • a rotary electric component is mounted on a printed circuit board when it is incorporated in an apparatus.
  • a rotary electric component has a rotation shaft carrying an operation knob.
  • an air-conditioner mounted in a vehicle adopts the following mechanism: a rotary electric component inside the apparatus is manually operated by a user turning an operation knob, which is exposed on a housing (an exterior panel) covering the printed circuit board; the operation knob rotates in a circular opening provided in the housing, and the torque is transmitted to the rotation shaft of the rotary electric component through a connecting shaft arranged at the center of the operation knob.
  • the present invention provides a structure in which there is arranged a connecting shaft at the center of an operation knob through the intermediation of a plurality of flexible members, the free end of the connecting shaft being engaged with a rotation shaft of the rotary electric component mounted on the printed circuit board.
  • This arrangement offers the following advantages. For example, even if deviation occurs in the relative positions between the operation knob, the radial movement of which is restricted by the housing, and the rotary electric component mounted on the printed circuit board, this deviation is absorbed by swinging of the connecting shaft on the part where the shaft is joined to the flexible members. Accordingly, not only can this prevent the operational feel for the user from worsening when the operation knob is used, but also can contribute to the assembly work being allowed to be such that the rotary electric component is mounted on the printed circuit board in advance.
  • An operating mechanism of a rotary electric component includes a rotary electric component mounted on a printed circuit board, an operation knob for rotating a rotation shaft of the rotary electric component, and a housing for guiding the operation knob in the rotating direction, wherein a connection shaft is disposed at the center of the operation knob through the intermediation of a plurality of flexible members, the free end of the connecting shaft being engaged with the rotation shaft of the rotary electric component.
  • the operation knob may be an integrally formed unit.
  • the operation knob may include a first operation member which is rotatably supported by the housing by means of a snap action or the like, and a second operation member which encloses the first operation member; provision of the flexible members and the connecting shaft on the first operation member side allows both the first and second operation members to be formed simply without using a slide core.
  • the printed circuit board can be integrated with the housing in a state in which the first operation member is combined with the housing, resulting in an improvement in efficiency of assembly work.
  • Fig. 1 is a sectional view of a main part of the operating mechanism of a rotary electric component employed in the embodiment.
  • Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a main component, which is to be provided in the operating mechanism.
  • numeral 1 indicates a printed circuit board, on which a flat type of rotary switch 2, or any other rotary electric component, which is not shown here, is mounted by soldering.
  • the inner mechanism of the rotary switch 2 is not illustrated.
  • the rotary switch 2 is a well-known type, and has a rotation shaft 3 being exposed on the top surface of a casing; operation by rotating the rotation shaft 3 allows a contact to be switched on and off.
  • a housing 4 is positioned on an upper part of a printed circuit board 1, and the printed circuit board 1 are fixed to the housing 4 by means of screws or the like, directly or through the intermediation of an arbitrary member.
  • In the housing 4 there is formed a cylindrical recess 5, in the bottom of which is formed a circular opening 6; and a cosmetic panel 7 is attached to the housing 4, in which there is formed a hole 8 which has an equivalent diameter to that of the opening 6.
  • Numeral 9 indicates a first operation member formed of synthetic resin, in which there is integrally formed a cam 10 having a plurality of click grooves 10a on the periphery thereof, a cylindrical part 11 extending in the upward direction from the cam 10, four flexible members 12 extending crosswise toward the center from the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical part 11, and a connecting shaft 13 extending vertically in the downward direction from the intersection of the flexible members 12; the top end of the connecting shaft 13 is linked to the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical part 11 through the intermediation of the flexible members 12.
  • a click spring (not shown) is in elastic contact with the click grooves 10a of the cam 10, so that a clicking feel can be generated as the first operation member 9 rotates.
  • an engaging portion 13a which has a semi-circular formed section; the engaging portion 13a is inserted into an engaging hole 3a with a semi-circular formed section, which is formed on the rotation shaft 3 of the rotary switch 2.
  • Numeral 14 indicates a second operation member formed of synthetic resin, in which a cylindrical coupling part 15 and a knob 16 extending upwardly from the top surface of the coupling part 15 are integrally formed with each other; fixing the coupling part 15 to the cylindrical part 11 by means of press fitting, snap action, or the like, permits the first operation member 9 and the second operation member 14 to be formed integrally so as to make an operation knob.
  • the rotary switch 2 is beforehand soldered in a predetermined position on the printed circuit board 1, while the first operation member 9 is rotatably disposed in the opening 6 of the housing 4. Then, in this state, the printed circuit board 1 is fixed to the housing 4 by using an appropriate means so as to insert the engaging portion 13a of the first operation member 9 into the engaging hole 3a of the rotary switch 2.
  • the connecting shaft 13 joined to the flexible members 12 with little rigidity is formed in such a manner that it can swing using the top end side thereof as a fulcrum, so that the deviation between the centers can be absorbed by the swinging of the connecting shaft 13.
  • the coupling part 15 is fitted onto the cylindrical part 11 exposed in the opening 6 so as to integrate the first operation member 9 with the second operation member 14; and the cosmetic panel 7 is attached to the housing 4 to complete the assembly as shown in Fig. 1.
  • the first operation member 9 which is integrated with the second operation member 14 rotates by using the opening 6 of the housing 4 as a guiding portion; the torque is transmitted to the rotation shaft 13 through the flexible members 12 and the connecting shaft 13, so that the contact of the rotary switch 2 is switched on and off as the rotation shaft 3 rotates.
  • the first operation member 9 smoothly rotates in the opening 6, with the result that a satisfactory operational feel (of the first operation member 9 and the second operation member 14) is maintained for the user who manipulates the operation knob.
  • the top end of the connecting shaft 13 is linked to the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical part 11 through the intermediation of flexible members 12, which are formed in a corrugated configuration, wherein the substantial spring span of each of the flexible members 12 is made long enough to permit an easy deformation.
  • the above embodiment employs a flat type rotary switch as an example of a rotary electric component.
  • This invention is applicable to other types of rotary electric components such as a rotary volume control, a rotary encoder, and even to a type of rotary electric component with a rotation shaft protruding from the top surface of a casing.
  • the cylindrical part 11 of the first operation member 9 and the connecting shaft 13 are linked to the four flexible members 12, the number and shape of the flexible members 12, however, are not to be limited to those of the case described above, and can be changed as required.
  • the present invention is implemented as described above and gives the following advantages.
  • the present invention provides an operating mechanism, comprising a rotary electric component mounted on a printed circuit board, an operation knob for rotating a rotation shaft of the rotary electric component, and a housing for housing the operation knob in the rotating direction, wherein a connecting shaft is arranged at the center of the operation knob through the intermediation of a plurality of flexible members, the free-end side of the connecting shaft being engaged in the rotation shaft of the rotary electric component, whereby, even if a deviation is produced in the relative positions between the operation knob, whose radial movement is restricted by the housing, and the rotary electric component mounted on the printed circuit board, the deviation is absorbed by such means that the connecting shaft swings by using a contact of the shaft with the flexible members as a fulcrum. Accordingly, this enables the operational feel for the user who rotates the knob to be prevented from worsening. Furthermore, an assembly can be performed in a state in which the rotary electric component is mounted beforehand on the printed circuit board.
  • the operation knob is composed of a first operation member rotatably supported by the housing by means of snap action or the like, and a second operation member enclosing the first operation member, the flexible members and the connecting shaft being disposed on the first operation member side, a simple formation of the first operation member and the second operation member without using a slide core is feasible.
  • the printed circuit board is formed integrally with the housing in a state in which the first operation member is combined with the housing, more enhanced assembly efficiency is obtainable.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Rotary Switch, Piano Key Switch, And Lever Switch (AREA)
  • Adjustable Resistors (AREA)
  • Switches With Compound Operations (AREA)
EP19980308697 1997-11-13 1998-10-23 Betätigungsmechanismus eines drehbaren elektrischen Bauteiles Expired - Lifetime EP0917170B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP312173/97 1997-11-13
JP31217397A JP3734353B2 (ja) 1997-11-13 1997-11-13 回転型電気部品の操作機構
JP31217397 1997-11-13

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0917170A2 true EP0917170A2 (de) 1999-05-19
EP0917170A3 EP0917170A3 (de) 1999-07-21
EP0917170B1 EP0917170B1 (de) 2004-10-06

Family

ID=18026110

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19980308697 Expired - Lifetime EP0917170B1 (de) 1997-11-13 1998-10-23 Betätigungsmechanismus eines drehbaren elektrischen Bauteiles

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0917170B1 (de)
JP (1) JP3734353B2 (de)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE10161539A1 (de) * 2001-12-10 2003-06-26 Ego Elektro Geraetebau Gmbh Aufnahme mit einer Achse zur Drehbedienung eines Schaltgeräts o. dgl.
DE10203509A1 (de) * 2002-01-30 2003-08-14 Whirlpool Co Rastvorrichtung für einen mehrstufigen Drehschalter
FR2913143A1 (fr) * 2007-02-27 2008-08-29 Schneider Electric Ind Sas Dispositif de commande d'un composant d'une carte electronique et systeme de declenchement le comprenant.
EP1385076B1 (de) * 2002-07-22 2009-04-01 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Drehschaltervorrichtung
US7550686B2 (en) 2003-09-16 2009-06-23 Trw Automotive Electronics & Components Gmbh & Co., Kg Rotary switch in a motor vehicle
CN104919706A (zh) * 2013-01-17 2015-09-16 德尔菲技术公司 具有电容检测的控制装置
CN114046482A (zh) * 2021-11-27 2022-02-15 汤磊 一种新能源汽车尾灯

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP4047832B2 (ja) 2004-04-16 2008-02-13 Ｎｅｃディスプレイソリューションズ株式会社 回転操作機構および電子機器、プロジェクタ
JP2008028003A (ja) * 2006-07-19 2008-02-07 Alps Electric Co Ltd 回転型電気部品
KR100993785B1 (ko) * 2008-04-30 2010-11-12 이문재 캠스위치의 스위치노브
US8575501B2 (en) 2011-09-12 2013-11-05 Whirlpool Corporation Household appliance having a user interface with a user-exchangeable touch wheel and rotary encoder

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3324267A (en) * 1965-10-04 1967-06-06 King Seeley Thermos Co Electrical switch device
DE8231565U1 (de) * 1982-11-10 1983-04-14 Bosch-Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH, 7000 Stuttgart Drehknopf eines in einem Haushaltgerätegehäuse vorgesehenen Schalt- oder Steuergerätes
DE3939715A1 (de) * 1989-12-01 1991-06-06 Elektra Tailfingen Elektrischer schalter
US5735179A (en) * 1995-10-12 1998-04-07 Square D Company Device for providing axial and spatial misalignment compensation between a rotatable component and a rotating means

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE10161539A1 (de) * 2001-12-10 2003-06-26 Ego Elektro Geraetebau Gmbh Aufnahme mit einer Achse zur Drehbedienung eines Schaltgeräts o. dgl.
DE10203509A1 (de) * 2002-01-30 2003-08-14 Whirlpool Co Rastvorrichtung für einen mehrstufigen Drehschalter
DE10203509B4 (de) * 2002-01-30 2005-01-13 Whirlpool Corp., Benton Harbor Rastvorrichtung für einen mehrstufigen Drehschalter
EP1385076B1 (de) * 2002-07-22 2009-04-01 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Drehschaltervorrichtung
US7550686B2 (en) 2003-09-16 2009-06-23 Trw Automotive Electronics & Components Gmbh & Co., Kg Rotary switch in a motor vehicle
FR2913143A1 (fr) * 2007-02-27 2008-08-29 Schneider Electric Ind Sas Dispositif de commande d'un composant d'une carte electronique et systeme de declenchement le comprenant.
EP1965400A1 (de) * 2007-02-27 2008-09-03 Schneider Electric Industries S.A.S. Steuervorrichtung eines Bauteils einer elektronischen Karte und eine solche Vorrichtung umfassendes Auslösesystem
CN104919706A (zh) * 2013-01-17 2015-09-16 德尔菲技术公司 具有电容检测的控制装置
CN104919706B (zh) * 2013-01-17 2017-11-24 德尔菲技术公司 具有电容检测的控制装置
CN114046482A (zh) * 2021-11-27 2022-02-15 汤磊 一种新能源汽车尾灯

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0917170B1 (de) 2004-10-06
JPH11144564A (ja) 1999-05-28
EP0917170A3 (de) 1999-07-21
JP3734353B2 (ja) 2006-01-11

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