Rotary positioning device and electronic equipment

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of electronic input equipment, and discloses a rotary positioning device and electronic equipment, and the rotary positioning device comprises a shell, a central shaft fixed on the shell, and a rotary structure which sleeves the central shaft and can rotate around the axis of the central shaft. A plurality of magnetic parts spaced in the circumferential direction are arranged on the circumferential side wall of the center shaft, an annular gap is formed between the rotating structure and the center shaft, a plurality of damping grooves spaced in the circumferential direction are formed in the circumferential inner wall of the rotating structure and are opposite to the magnetic parts in the radial direction, inserts are arranged in part of the damping grooves, and the inserts protrude towards the magnetic parts relative to the bottoms of the damping grooves. And a gap is formed between the insert and the magnetic piece. An effective height difference with a high height and a low height is formed in the circumferential direction, so that an effective gap between an insert area and a groove bottom area is different from the magnetic coupling strength, more obvious torque peak and valley changes are generated in the rotating process, the gear hand feeling distinguishing degree and consistency are improved, overshoot and springback in the rapid shifting process are restrained, springback vibration noise is reduced, and the service life of the gear is prolonged. And silence and durability are both considered.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of electronic input device technology, and more specifically to a rotary positioning device and electronic device. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, scroll wheels or knobs are widely used as rotary operating components in products such as computer input devices, home appliances, human-computer interaction terminals, and vehicle control panels. To provide users with a clear tactile feedback or damping feel, existing technologies typically achieve this by incorporating a mechanical ratchet structure within the scroll wheel or knob. For example, ratchet teeth are set on the rotating shaft, and a matching elastic tab or spring pin is set on the housing. When the scroll wheel rotates, the elastic element jumps between the ratchet teeth, thereby generating a series of discrete positioning positions and rebound forces.

[0003] However, mechanical ratchet structures have some inherent drawbacks. On the one hand, the repeated mechanical contact and friction between the ratchet teeth and the elastic element can easily lead to wear after long-term use, resulting in a deterioration in positioning feel and even problems such as jamming and abnormal noise, affecting user experience and product lifespan. On the other hand, to obtain the appropriate stopping force, the ratchet tooth profile, spring stiffness, and assembly preload need to be precisely designed, resulting in a large number of parts and a relatively complex structure, increasing processing costs and assembly difficulty. In addition, the impact and noise generated by mechanical meshing are unacceptable in certain application scenarios (such as quiet home appliances and precision instruments). Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to at least solve the problems of easy wear or high noise caused by the mechanical ratchet structure of existing rollers. This purpose is achieved through the following technical solution: This invention proposes a rotary positioning device, comprising: case; A central shaft is fixed to the housing, and a plurality of magnetic components are connected to the circumferential sidewall of the central shaft. The plurality of magnetic components are arranged sequentially at intervals along the circumferential direction of the central shaft. A rotating structure is sleeved on the central shaft and rotates around the axis of the central shaft. An annular gap exists between the rotating structure and the central shaft. Multiple damping grooves are provided on the circumferential inner wall of the rotating structure. The multiple damping grooves are arranged sequentially at intervals along the circumferential direction of the central shaft. The damping grooves and the magnetic component are arranged opposite each other along the radial direction of the central shaft. An insert is provided in some of the damping grooves. The insert protrudes towards the magnetic component relative to the bottom of the damping groove, and a gap exists between the insert and the magnetic component.

[0005] According to the rotary positioning device of the present invention, by providing an insert protruding relative to the bottom of the groove towards the magnetic component within a portion of the damping groove, an effective height difference is formed between the circumferential inner wall of the rotating structure and the corresponding region of the magnetic component, thereby creating differentiated effective gaps and magnetic coupling strengths in the circumferential direction. In the region corresponding to the insert, the effective gap between the insert and the magnetic component is smaller, and the magnetic field effect is stronger. In the region without the insert or corresponding to the bottom of the groove, the effective gap is larger, and the magnetic field effect is relatively weaker. Therefore, the rotating structure can form more pronounced torque peak-valley variations during rotation, improving the recognizability and consistency of gear shifting feel, and suppressing overshoot and rebound during rapid shifting, reducing noise and feel drift caused by rebound and vibration. This achieves a comprehensive improvement in quietness and durability without adding complex mechanisms.

[0006] In addition, the rotary positioning device according to the present invention may also have the following additional technical features: In some embodiments of the present invention, damping grooves with the insert and damping grooves without the insert are alternately arranged along the circumferential direction of the central axis.

[0007] In some embodiments of the present invention, the insert is disposed in a portion of the damping groove along the axial direction of the central axis.

[0008] In some embodiments of the invention, the insert has a first length along the axial direction of the central axis, and the damping groove has a second length, wherein the first length is any value in the range of 1 / 3 to 1 / 2 of the second length.

[0009] In some embodiments of the present invention, the insert is a non-magnetic conductor.

[0010] In some embodiments of the present invention, the outer surface of the insert and the circumferential inner wall of the rotating structure are coplanar.

[0011] In some embodiments of the present invention, a groove is provided between two adjacent magnetic elements, and the groove extends along the axial direction of the central axis.

[0012] In some embodiments of the present invention, the number of damping grooves is twice the number of magnetic elements.

[0013] In some embodiments of the present invention, the magnetic component is an electromagnet, and the rotary positioning device further includes a current control device, which is electrically connected to the electromagnet.

[0014] The present invention also proposes an electronic device including the above-described rotation positioning device. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Various other advantages and benefits will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description of preferred embodiments. The accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the invention. Furthermore, the same reference numerals denote the same parts throughout the drawings. In the drawings: Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a rotary positioning device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 2 An exploded view of the rotary positioning device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown schematically. Figure 3 A first-view perspective view of a rotary positioning device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown schematically; Figure 4 for Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the AA plane; Figure 5 An exploded view of the structure when the central axis and the rotating structure are engaged according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown schematically. Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the rotating structure according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 7 for Figure 6 A magnified view of a section at point B in the middle; Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the second-view structure of the central axis according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 9 A schematic diagram of a third-view structure of the central axis according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The attached figures are labeled as follows: 100. Rotary positioning device; 10. Housing; 11. Bottom shell; 12. End cap; 20. Rotating structure; 201. Damping groove; 202. Receiving boss; 21. Insert; 30. Central shaft; 301. Annular clearance groove; 302. Insertion section; 31. Magnetic component; 32. Groove; 33. Plug; 41. First gear; 42. Second gear; 51. Grating gear; 52. Light sensor; 60. Circuit board. Detailed Implementation

[0016] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. While exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the present disclosure may be implemented in various forms and should not be limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0017] It should be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular exemplary embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “described” as used herein may also include the plural forms. The terms “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” and “having” are inclusive and therefore indicate the presence of the stated features, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not construed as requiring them to be performed in a particular order described or illustrated unless the order of performance is explicitly indicated. It should also be understood that additional or alternative steps may be used.

[0018] Although terms such as first, second, third, etc., may be used in this document to describe multiple elements, components, regions, layers, and / or segments, these elements, components, regions, layers, and / or segments should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be used only to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or segment from another. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, terms such as "first," "second," and other numerical terms used herein do not imply order or sequence. Therefore, the first element, component, region, layer, or segment discussed below may be referred to as the second element, component, region, layer, or segment without departing from the teachings of the exemplary embodiments.

[0019] For ease of description, spatial relative terms may be used in the text to describe the relationship of one element or feature relative to another element or feature, as shown in the figure. These relative terms include, for example, "inside," "outside," "middle," "outer," "below," "below," "above," "over," etc. Such spatial relative terms are intended to include different orientations of the device in use or operation, other than those depicted in the figure. For example, if the device in the figure is flipped, an element described as "below other elements or features" or "below other elements or features" would subsequently be oriented "above other elements or features" or "above other elements or features." Therefore, the example term "below" can include both upper and lower orientations.

[0020] like Figures 1 to 9In this embodiment, a rotary positioning device 100 is provided, which includes a housing 10, a central shaft 30, and a rotating structure 20. The housing 10 provides mounting support for the rotary positioning device 100. The central shaft 30 is fixed to the housing 10, and its axis defines the rotation axis of the rotating structure 20. A plurality of magnetic elements 31 are connected to the circumferential sidewalls of the central shaft 30, and the magnetic elements 31 are sequentially spaced along the circumferential direction of the central shaft 30. Through this arrangement, the plurality of magnetic elements 31 form a distributed magnetic field area circumferentially around the central shaft 30.

[0021] The rotating structure 20 is fitted onto the central shaft 30 and can rotate relative to the central shaft 30 around its axis. Multiple damping grooves 201 are provided on the circumferential inner wall of the rotating structure 20, and these grooves are spaced apart sequentially along the circumferential direction. In the assembled state, the damping grooves 201 and the magnetic component 31 are positioned opposite each other along the radial direction of the central shaft 30, ensuring that each damping groove 201 passes sequentially through the corresponding circumferential position of the magnetic component 31 when the rotating structure 20 rotates around the central shaft 30. Simultaneously, an annular gap is formed between the damping grooves 201 and the magnetic component 31, thus maintaining a non-contact state between the rotating structure 20 and the magnetic component 31 during rotation.

[0022] Furthermore, a portion of the damping groove 201 is provided with an insert 21. The insert 21 is installed within the corresponding damping groove 201, and the insert 21 protrudes towards the magnetic element 31 relative to the bottom of the damping groove 201. Therefore, at the damping groove 201 where the insert 21 is provided, the side of the insert 21 facing the magnetic element 31 is closer to the magnetic element 31 relative to the bottom of the groove, making the effective gap at that location smaller than the gap between the bottom of the groove and the magnetic element 31. At the same time, a gap still exists between the insert 21 and the magnetic element 31 to ensure that the insert 21 does not come into contact with the magnetic element 31 during device rotation.

[0023] In the operation of this embodiment, when the rotating structure 20 rotates around the central axis 30, the damping groove 201 is radially opposite to the magnetic component 31 along the circumferential direction. For the damping groove 201 with the insert 21, since the insert 21 protrudes towards the magnetic component 31 relative to the bottom of the groove, the gap between the area where the insert 21 is located and the magnetic component 31 is smaller, thus the magnetic field effect in that area is stronger. For the damping groove 201 without the insert 21 or the area in the same damping groove 201 without the insert 21, the gap between the corresponding bottom of the groove and the magnetic component 31 is larger, and the magnetic field effect is relatively weaker. By forming the above-mentioned gap difference in the circumferential direction, the rotating structure 20 can obtain a more obvious torque change during rotation, thereby improving the tactile feedback during rotation and helping to suppress overshoot and rebound caused by rapid rotation. Furthermore, since the rotating structure 20 and the magnetic component 31 always maintain a gap, the device does not need to rely on the contact friction structure to achieve the torque during operation, thereby reducing wear and noise.

[0024] Specifically, the working principle is that an insert 21 is provided in part of the damping groove 201, and the insert 21 protrudes towards the magnetic element 31 relative to the bottom of the damping groove 201, while maintaining a gap between the insert 21 and the magnetic element 31. Thus, the damping groove 201 forms a state of large and small gaps in the radial direction. On the one hand, the damping groove 201 with the insert 21 forms a smaller effective gap in the area of ​​the insert 21, making the magnetic field coupling between this area and the magnetic element 31 stronger. On the other hand, the damping groove 201 without the insert 21, or the area in the same damping groove 201 not occupied by the insert 21, forms a larger effective gap because the corresponding bottom position is farther from the magnetic element 31, making the magnetic field coupling between this area and the magnetic element 31 weaker. When the rotating structure 20 rotates around the central axis 30, the magnetic component 31 sweeps relative to the damping groove 201, creating alternating areas of strong and weak magnetic coupling in the circumferential direction. This results in a more pronounced torque change in the rotating structure 20 during rotation. Higher damping and positioning are generated in the stronger coupling area near the insert 21, while the torque decreases in the weaker coupling area corresponding to the bottom of the groove, forming a periodic peak-valley variation. Therefore, the rotation process can be suppressed and adjusted without contact latches, which helps to suppress overshoot and rebound caused by rapid flicking and creates more perceptible tactile changes at multiple angles.

[0025] In some embodiments, along the circumferential direction of the rotating structure 20, damping grooves 201 with inserts 21 and damping grooves 201 without inserts 21 are alternately arranged. Specifically, multiple damping grooves 201 are arranged sequentially at intervals along the circumferential direction. In two adjacent damping grooves 201, one damping groove 201 has an insert 21, while the other damping groove 201 does not have an insert 21, resulting in a repetitive arrangement of insert 21 grooves, empty grooves, and insert 21 grooves and empty grooves in the circumferential direction. Through this alternating arrangement, a periodic distribution of strong magnetic coupling regions and weak magnetic coupling regions is formed in the circumferential direction, causing the rotating structure 20 to generate more obvious torque peak and valley changes during rotation, thereby improving the segment feel and tactile feedback. At the same time, the alternating arrangement can avoid the sticky feeling or excessive damping caused by all damping grooves 201 forming strong coupling, and helps to reduce energy loss and temperature rise, achieving a balance between tactile feedback and damping.

[0026] In some embodiments, the insert 21 is not disposed along the entire length of the damping groove 201, but only in a portion of the damping groove 201 along the axial direction of the central axis 30. In other words, the same damping groove 201 has an inset section with the insert 21 and an empty section without the insert 21 in the axial direction. The insert 21 is located in the inset section, and no insert 21 is disposed in the empty section. With this structure, the damping groove 201 forms a partially inset state in the axial direction.

[0027] The insert 21 occupies only a portion of the axial area, which can ensure effective torque variation in the circumferential direction while avoiding excessive damping or dulling of the damping groove 201 due to strong magnetic coupling. It can also reduce the amount of insert 21 used, reduce eddy current loss (if insert 21 is a conductive and non-magnetic material) and the resulting temperature rise, thereby improving durability, reliability and material cost advantages.

[0028] In some embodiments, the insert 21 has a first length along the axial direction of the central axis 30, and the damping groove 201 has a second length, wherein the first length is any value within the range of 1 / 3 to 1 / 2 of the second length. That is, the insert 21 covers only a portion of the length of the damping groove 201 in the axial direction, preferably about 33% to 50%. For example, when the axial length of the damping groove 201 is 6 mm, the axial length of the insert 21 can be set to 2 mm to 3 mm.

[0029] Limiting the length of insert 21 to between 1 / 3 and 1 / 2 of the length of damping groove 201 helps to achieve a more stable engineering balance between tactile clarity, damping strength, and energy consumption and temperature rise. When the first length is too short, the circumferential magnetic coupling difference is insufficient, and the torque peaks and valleys are not obvious. When the first length is too long, the proportion of the strong coupling zone is too high, which may lead to excessive damping, a sticky feel, and increased energy loss and temperature rise. By using this ratio range, it is easier to obtain a comprehensive tactile feel that is clear at low speeds and suppresses overshoot and rebound at high speeds, while also taking into account assembly tolerance adaptability and durability consistency.

[0030] In some embodiments, the insert 21 is a magnetically conductive insert 21 made of a magnetically conductive material. The magnetically conductive insert 21 may be a soft magnetic material or a ferromagnetic material to form a magnetic flux channel with low magnetic resistance.

[0031] As the rotating structure 20 rotates around the central axis 30, the magnetic insert 21 rotates with the rotating structure 20 and periodically approaches or deviates from alignment with the corresponding magnetic component 31 in the circumferential direction. Because the magnetic insert 21 has high permeability, it can concentrate and guide the magnetic flux generated by the magnetic component 31 when it approaches, increasing the magnetic flux density in the corresponding area of ​​the insert 21, thereby creating a stronger magnetic attraction between the insert 21 and the magnetic component 31. With the change in relative circumferential position, the magnetic circuit resistance changes, and the torque corresponding to the magnetic attraction exhibits peak-valley variations, allowing the rotating structure 20 to achieve more pronounced positioning and a more tactile feel during rotation. Furthermore, the magnetic insert 21 protrudes towards the magnetic component 31 relative to the bottom of the slot, making the effective gap at the insert 21 smaller than the effective gap at the bottom of the slot, further amplifying the difference in magnetic coupling, thereby enhancing the amplitude of the positioning torque variation and improving the tactile feedback. This process does not require contact ratchet or spring engagement, thus reducing wear and noise caused by collision jumps.

[0032] In other embodiments, the insert 21 is a non-magnetic conductor, that is, the insert 21 is made of a conductive and non-magnetic material, such as copper, aluminum or their alloys. The insert 21 can be embedded in the damping groove 201 and flush with the opening of the damping groove 201, so that the outer surface of the insert 21 and the circumferential inner wall of the rotating structure 20 together form a continuous circumferential inner surface.

[0033] When the rotating structure 20 rotates around the central axis 30, the non-magnetic conductor insert 21 moves relative to the magnetic field of the magnetic component 31. Because multiple magnetic components 31 are spaced apart circumferentially, the circumferential magnetic field distribution changes periodically. During rotation, the insert 21 continuously cuts magnetic lines of force, causing the internal magnetic flux of the insert 21 to change over time, thus inducing eddy currents within the insert 21. These eddy currents dissipate energy on the resistance of the insert 21 and, according to Lenz's law, form a reverse electromagnetic effect, manifesting as a damping torque opposite to the direction of rotation of the rotating structure 20. This damping torque typically increases with increasing rotational speed, thus suppressing overshoot and rebound during rapid tactile feedback, reducing noise and accidental touches caused by rebound vibration. At low rotational speeds, the eddy currents are smaller and the damping is weaker, which helps maintain a clear tactile feel. Furthermore, the insert 21 protrudes relative to the bottom of the slot towards the magnetic component 31, thereby reducing the effective gap between the insert 21 and the magnetic component 31 and increasing the magnetic flux density and magnetic flux change rate at the insert 21. This enhances the eddy current effect and improves the effectiveness of the damping torque, while the entire device still maintains a non-contact gap to avoid friction and wear.

[0034] In some embodiments, the insert 21 is installed in a corresponding damping groove 201, and the side of the insert 21 facing the magnetic element 31 forms an outer surface. The outer surface of the insert 21 is coplanar with the circumferential inner wall of the rotating structure 20. In other words, after the insert 21 is installed, its outer surface is flush with the circumferential inner wall at the opening of the damping groove 201, so that the outer surface of the insert 21 and the circumferential inner wall of the rotating structure 20 transition continuously in the circumferential direction, forming a continuous circumferential inner surface together.

[0035] The above-mentioned design avoids the formation of steps or protrusions on the circumferential inner wall of the insert 21, which could cause localized scratching, jamming, or abnormal noise. Furthermore, it makes the uniform diameter surfaces of the circumferential inner wall of the rotating structure 20 more consistent, which helps control the consistency of the effective gap between the rotating structure 20, the central shaft 30, and the magnetic component 31, thereby improving the consistency of the device's feel and its durability and reliability.

[0036] Furthermore, the insert 21 is integrally formed with the rotating structure 20, and the insert 21 is disposed within the damping groove 201. Specifically, the circumferential inner wall of the rotating structure 20 forms a plurality of damping grooves 201 spaced apart circumferentially. While forming the damping grooves 201, a protruding structure is integrally formed within at least a portion of the damping grooves 201, and this protruding structure constitutes the insert 21. In other words, the insert 21 is not an independent part assembled into the damping groove 201, but is integrally formed by the body material of the rotating structure 20 extending within the damping groove 201.

[0037] By integrating the insert 21 with the rotating structure 20, the assembly process and assembly errors of the independent insert 21 can be reduced, improving the positional consistency and reliability of the insert 21 within the damping groove 201. Furthermore, the integrated structure avoids the risk of the independent insert 21 loosening or falling off under long-term vibration conditions, thus enhancing the durability and tactile stability of the rotating positioning device 100. If necessary, the rotating structure 20 can be manufactured using injection molding or die casting processes, with the insert 21 and the rotating structure 20 formed simultaneously through the same molding process for mass production.

[0038] In some embodiments, a groove 32 is provided between two adjacent magnetic components 31, and the groove 32 extends along the axial direction of the central shaft 30. The groove 32 can be formed on the circumferential sidewall of the central shaft 30 to separate adjacent magnetic components 31 in the circumferential direction. The axial extension direction of the groove 32 is parallel to the axis of the central shaft 30, so that the groove 32 forms an axially penetrating clearance space on the outer periphery of the central shaft 30. Through this arrangement, the groove 32 can serve as an assembly positioning boundary between adjacent magnetic components 31, making the installation position of the magnetic components 31 more stable in the circumferential direction and reducing assembly errors. Simultaneously, the groove 32 forms a non-magnetic region between the magnetic components 31, which can weaken magnetic flux crosstalk between adjacent magnetic components 31, making the magnetic field distribution of each magnetic component 31 more independent, which is beneficial to improving the clarity and consistency of circumferential torque changes.

[0039] In some embodiments, the number of damping grooves 201 is twice the number of magnetic elements 31. Specifically, multiple damping grooves 201 are arranged along the circumferential direction of the rotating structure 20, and each pair of adjacent damping grooves 201 corresponds to the circumferential region where the same magnetic element 31 is located. Thus, during the rotation of the rotating structure 20, two damping grooves 201 can be sequentially swept and engaged with the same magnetic element 31. Through the above arrangement, without increasing the number of magnetic elements 31, the structural resolution in the circumferential direction can be improved, making the torque change during the rotation of the rotating structure 20 more delicate. Furthermore, it can be structurally coordinated with some damping grooves 201 having inserts 21 and some damping grooves 201 not having inserts 21, so that under the action of the same magnetic element 31, strong coupling and weak coupling or damping and undamped alternation can be formed, thereby making it easier to achieve the engineering adjustment of feel and damping, improving the feel recognition and suppressing overshoot and rebound.

[0040] In some embodiments, the magnetic element 31 is an electromagnet. The rotary positioning device 100 also includes a current control device electrically connected to the electromagnet. The current control device outputs a drive current to the electromagnet to adjust the magnetic field strength generated by the electromagnet. The current control device can be a control chip, a drive circuit, or a drive module connected to an external controller. Through the above settings, the magnetic field strength can be dynamically adjusted according to different usage scenarios or functional requirements, thereby achieving adjustable control of the positioning torque or damping effect. For example, the current can be reduced to obtain a lighter feel during low-speed fine adjustment, while the current can be increased to enhance damping and suppress overshoot rebound in fast scrolling or anti-accidental touch scenarios, thereby improving the human-computer interaction experience and adapting to the parameterized configuration requirements of different product platforms.

[0041] In some embodiments, the rotary positioning device 100 further includes a circuit board 60, which is installed inside the housing 10 and electrically connected to the rotary structure 20 for signal acquisition and output.

[0042] Specifically, the circuit board 60 can be a printed circuit board 60, which is fixed to the inside of the bottom shell 11 or the end cover 12 by means of screw connection, snap connection or positioning post limit, so that the circuit board 60 is kept in a predetermined installation position within the housing 10. The circuit board 60 can integrate signal acquisition circuit and interface circuit, which are used to convert the rotation state of the rotating structure 20 into electrical signals and output them to an external controller or the whole machine control unit.

[0043] In some embodiments, when the rotary positioning device 100 adopts a grating detection scheme, a light sensor 52 is provided on the circuit board 60. The light sensor 52 is arranged opposite to the grating gear 51 so as to output a pulse signal related to the amount of rotation when the grating gear 51 rotates. The circuit board 60 may also be provided with a circuit module for amplifying, filtering and shaping the pulse signal, and the signal is output to an external control system through a connector or wire.

[0044] In some embodiments, when the magnetic component 31 is an electromagnet, an electromagnet drive circuit or a current control device may also be provided on the circuit board 60. The electromagnet drive circuit is electrically connected to the electromagnet and is used to adjust the drive current of the electromagnet according to control commands to achieve adjustable control of the positioning torque or damping effect. By using the integrated circuit board 60 inside the housing 10, the sensor and signal processing circuit can be arranged close to the rotating structure 20, shortening the signal transmission path and improving anti-interference capability. At the same time, the positioning and fixing of the circuit board 60 and the housing 10 makes the relative position of the sensor and the grating gear 51 more stable, which is beneficial to improving the reliability and consistency of signal acquisition, thereby improving the long-term stability of the rotary positioning device 100.

[0045] Furthermore, in addition to including the aforementioned housing 10, central shaft 30, rotating structure 20, magnetic component 31, damping groove 201 and insert 21 structure to achieve non-contact tactile positioning, the rotary positioning device 100 can also integrate an angle and rotation detection mechanism to convert the rotation of the rotating structure 20 into an electrical signal output for recognition by the whole machine control system.

[0046] Specifically, the rotating structure 20 is fitted onto the central shaft 30 and rotates around the axis of the central shaft 30. A first gear 41 is coaxially fixed on the rotating structure 20, and the first gear 41 rotates synchronously with the rotating structure 20. A second gear 42 is provided inside the housing 10, and the second gear 42 is rotatably mounted on the housing 10 via a rotating shaft or bearing. The second gear 42 meshes with the first gear 41. A grating gear 51 is also provided inside the housing 10, and the grating gear 51 is rotatably mounted on the housing 10 via a rotating shaft or bearing. The grating gear 51 is coaxially arranged with the second gear 42, thereby forming a transmission link from the rotating structure 20, the first gear 41, the second gear 42 to the grating gear 51, so that the rotation of the rotating structure 20 drives the rotation of the grating gear 51 after gear transmission.

[0047] The grating gear 51 has multiple light-transmitting slits or light-blocking grating teeth arranged circumferentially. The light sensor 52 is mounted within the circuit board 60 and positioned opposite the grating gear 51. The light sensor 52 may include a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element, which are located on opposite sides of the grating gear 51 to form a photoelectric structure, or on the same side to form a reflective structure. When the grating gear 51 rotates, its circumferential light-transmitting slits or light-blocking grating teeth periodically change the light path between the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element, causing the light sensor 52 to output a pulse signal. This pulse signal can be output to an external controller via a signal shaping circuit to characterize the amount, speed, or direction of rotation of the rotating structure 20.

[0048] In a further embodiment, the optical sensor 52 can be configured as two paths (phase A and phase B) offset by a preset angle in the circumferential direction, so that the two outputs form a phase difference. The rotation direction can be identified by the phase sequence, and the number of rotation steps or angle increment can be obtained by pulse counting. The transmission ratio of the gear drive can be set as needed to achieve amplification of incremental resolution. For example, by matching the number of teeth of the first gear 41, the second gear 42, and the grating gear 51, the grating gear 51 can generate multiple grating slot on / off cycles when the rotating structure 20 rotates one positioning step, thereby improving the signal output resolution and reducing the dependence on the number of grating slots in the grating gear 51. Furthermore, the gear drive facilitates the placement of the grating gear 51 and the optical sensor 52 in an area far from the magnetic component 31, reducing structural interference and assembly constraints, and improving detection stability and consistency.

[0049] Through the above settings, the non-contact magnetic action of the rotating structure 20 achieves tactile positioning and damping adjustment, while gear transmission and grating detection achieve electrical signal output. The two work together to give the rotating positioning device 100 both good tactile feel and reliable signal acquisition capability, and it is not easy for noise to increase or signal drift due to contact wear during long-term use.

[0050] In some embodiments, the housing 10 includes a bottom shell 11 and an end cap 12. After being assembled and connected, the bottom shell 11 and the end cap 12 together define a receiving cavity for accommodating the central shaft 30 and the rotating structure 20. Two arc-shaped positioning structures are provided on the bottom shell 11, and the two arc-shaped positioning structures are spaced apart along the length direction of the bottom shell 11 to provide support and positioning for the central shaft 30 and the rotating structure 20, respectively.

[0051] Specifically, one end of the central shaft 30 is mounted on one of the arc-shaped positioning structures, so that the central shaft 30 is supported within the housing 10. The rotating structure 20 is provided with a support column, which is mounted on another arc-shaped positioning structure, so that the rotating structure 20 is supported within the housing 10 and can rotate about the axis of the central shaft 30.

[0052] In this embodiment, the outer peripheral sidewall of the central shaft 30 is provided with an annular clearance groove 301, which extends along the circumferential direction of the central shaft 30 and forms an annular recessed structure. An insertion section 302 is formed at one end of the central shaft 30 facing the rotating structure 20 along the axial direction of the central shaft 30. A receiving boss 202 is provided inside the rotating structure 20 facing the central shaft 30, extending towards the central shaft 30 and forming a mounting hole at its center.

[0053] During assembly, the central shaft 30 is placed on the arc-shaped positioning structure of the bottom shell 11, initially positioning the central shaft 30 within the shell 10. Then, the rotating structure 20 is brought close to the central shaft 30, and the central shaft 30 is housed within the internal space of the rotating structure 20, thus fitting the rotating structure 20 onto the central shaft 30. During further assembly, the receiving boss 202 of the rotating structure 20 is housed within the annular clearance groove 301 of the central shaft 30, meaning at least a portion of the outer periphery of the receiving boss 202 is located within the annular clearance groove 301, forming a limiting fit in the radial direction and restricting the radial movement of the rotating structure 20 relative to the central shaft 30. Simultaneously, the insertion section 302 of the central shaft 30 is inserted into the mounting hole at the center of the receiving boss 202, forming an axial guiding and supporting fit, thereby further improving the coaxiality of the central shaft 30 and the rotating structure 20 and ensuring the stability of the rotating structure 20 rotating around the central shaft 30. Finally, the support of the rotating structure 20 is mounted on another arc-shaped positioning structure of the bottom shell 11, and the end cap 12 is assembled and connected to the bottom shell 11, so that the central shaft 30 and the rotating structure 20 maintain a predetermined relative positional relationship within the housing 10. Through the above structure and assembly method, the fitting of the receiving boss 202 and the annular clearance groove 301 can provide reliable radial limiting for the rotating structure 20, and the mating of the insertion section 302 of the central shaft 30 and the mounting hole of the receiving boss 202 can provide axial guidance and support. The two work together to reduce the swaying and eccentricity of the rotating structure 20 during rotation, reduce the risk of feel fluctuation and abnormal noise caused by the accumulation of assembly tolerances, and improve the durability and working stability of the device.

[0054] In some embodiments, a plug 33 is provided at the end of the central shaft 30 away from the rotating structure 20. The plug 33 is installed at the end of the central shaft 30 and can be fixedly connected to the central shaft 30 by means of press fitting, snap-fit ​​connection, threaded connection, bonding or welding, so as to close the opening at the end of the central shaft 30 or form an end face limit at the end of the central shaft 30.

[0055] Specifically, an end opening or an end step structure is formed at the end of the central shaft 30 away from the rotating structure 20. The end cap 33 mates with the end opening and covers the end of the central shaft 30, forming a closed end face at the end of the central shaft 30 away from the rotating structure 20. After assembly, the end cap 33 maintains a preset gap or forms a limiting contact with the inner wall of the housing 10 or the end cap 12, thereby restricting the axial movement of the central shaft 30.

[0056] The present invention also provides an electronic device including the rotation positioning device 100 of any of the foregoing embodiments. The electronic device can be arranged on a car steering wheel as part of a steering wheel switch assembly, for controlling the car's cruise control system, entertainment system, and / or in-vehicle human-machine interface system.

[0057] Specifically, the rotary positioning device 100 is installed in the function button area of ​​the steering wheel, and its rotating structure 20 can rotate relative to the central axis 30 for user operation. During rotation, the rotary positioning device 100 can output electrical signals related to the rotation direction, number of rotation steps, and / or rotation speed. The electronic device also includes a signal acquisition circuit and a controller. The controller is electrically connected to the rotary positioning device 100 and is used to receive the electrical signals and parse them into control commands. The controller can further send the control commands to the corresponding vehicle control unit via the vehicle communication network to realize functions such as setting speed adjustment, following distance adjustment, and cruise mode switching for the cruise control system, or to realize functions such as volume adjustment, track switching, play / pause, and menu scrolling selection for the entertainment system.

[0058] In some implementations, the electronic device can also be used in conjunction with a multimedia display screen. Specifically, the controller can map the operation commands of the rotation positioning device 100 to cursor movement, list scrolling, option switching, or confirmation operations on the display interface, allowing the user to complete interactive control of the multimedia display screen interface without taking their hands off the steering wheel, thereby enabling richer in-vehicle function operations and improving driving safety and ease of operation.

[0059] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A rotary positioning device, characterized in that, include: case; A central shaft is fixed to the housing, and a plurality of magnetic components are connected to the circumferential sidewall of the central shaft. The plurality of magnetic components are arranged sequentially at intervals along the circumferential direction of the central shaft. A rotating structure is sleeved on the central shaft and rotates around the axis of the central shaft. An annular gap exists between the rotating structure and the central shaft. Multiple damping grooves are provided on the circumferential inner wall of the rotating structure. The multiple damping grooves are arranged sequentially at intervals along the circumferential direction of the central shaft. The damping grooves and the magnetic component are arranged opposite each other along the radial direction of the central shaft. An insert is provided in some of the damping grooves. The insert protrudes towards the magnetic component relative to the bottom of the damping groove, and a gap exists between the insert and the magnetic component.

2. The rotary positioning device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The damping grooves with the insert and the damping grooves without the insert are alternately arranged along the circumferential direction of the central axis.

3. The rotary positioning device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The insert is disposed in a portion of the damping groove along the axial direction of the central axis.

4. The rotary positioning device according to claim 3, characterized in that, Along the axial direction of the central axis, the insert has a first length, and the damping groove has a second length, wherein the first length is any value within the range of 1 / 3 to 1 / 2 of the second length.

5. The rotary positioning device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The insert is a non-magnetic conductor.

6. The rotary positioning device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The outer surface of the insert and the circumferential inner wall of the rotating structure are coplanar.

7. The rotary positioning device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, A groove is provided between two adjacent magnetic components, and the groove extends along the axial direction of the central axis.

8. The rotary positioning device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The number of damping grooves is twice the number of magnetic components.

9. The rotary positioning device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The magnetic component is an electromagnet, and the rotary positioning device further includes a current control device, which is electrically connected to the electromagnet.

10. An electronic device, characterized in that, Includes the rotary positioning device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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