Dual-action rotary push switch

Abstract

A kind of dual-purpose switch of pressing, it includes the cover fixed on panel, the inside of cover is provided with connecting plate, connecting plate divides the inside of cover into knob cavity and switch cavity, master switch is installed in switch cavity, the operating rod of master switch extends into knob cavity through connecting plate;The rotating seat of described knob cavity is fixedly installed with connecting plate, rotating ring is outwardly protrudingly arranged on the outer cylindrical surface of rotating seat;The knob cover of described knob cavity is also rotatably installed, the inside of knob cover is provided with bottom plate, the bottom of bottom plate is provided with several rotating buckles and rotating ring buckle, knob cover rotates around the center of rotating ring by rotating buckle;The top of described knob cover is concavely arranged with button cavity, the bottom plate is provided with shaft hole, the press button of button cavity is telescopically covered and installed, the bottom of press button is provided with shaft sleeve, shaft sleeve is connected with operating rod after passing through the shaft hole on bottom plate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of electrical switch technology, specifically a rotary / press dual-function switch. Background Technology

[0002] In the design of control panels for modern electronic devices and home appliances, such as range hoods, washing machines, ovens, and automotive center consoles, integrating multiple control functions into a single operating component has become a mainstream design trend in order to save panel space, reduce production costs, and improve the overall aesthetics and simplicity. Among these, a composite switch that integrates rotary adjustment and press confirmation or on / off functions has been widely used.

[0003] This type of composite switch is commonly referred to as a "rotary-button dual-function switch." It allows users to adjust device settings, parameters, or select from menus by rotating the switch, while simultaneously confirming functions, starting / stopping, or switching modes by pressing it. For example, Chinese Patent Publication No. CN200710104117, entitled "Rotary Electrical Component with Button Switch," discloses a typical structure capable of combining rotation and pressing functions. Through ingenious internal mechanical design, this type of switch allows its operating lever to both rotate and be pressed axially to control the on / off state of different circuits, achieving a high degree of functional integration. It is currently widely used in the market.

[0004] However, in practical applications, to complement the overall industrial design of electrical products and improve the user's operating experience, it is usually necessary to install an aesthetically pleasing and appropriately sized knob cover on the exposed operating lever of such switches. Users indirectly control the internal switch by operating this knob cover. The knob cover rotates with the operating lever to generate a position or continuous adjustment signal; simultaneously, when the user presses the knob cover, it transmits pressure to the operating lever, causing axial displacement to trigger a jog or self-locking signal.

[0005] In practice, the applicant discovered that this combination of "existing technology switch + external knob cover" has some inherent structural defects:

[0006] First, during the pressing operation, the entire knob cover moves axially inward along with the operating lever, then returns to its original position under the action of elasticity. This reciprocating axial movement causes periodic gaps of varying sizes to form between the outer peripheral wall of the knob cover and the edge of the mounting hole on the device panel. Dust, liquids, kitchen grease, and other contaminants from the external environment can easily penetrate the switch through these gaps. Over time, the accumulation of dirt can lead to a stiff rotating feel, sluggish operation, and even damage to internal precision electronic components, severely affecting the product's reliability and lifespan.

[0007] Secondly, due to installation tolerances and unavoidable slight tilting during operation, the outer cylindrical surface or bottom edge of the knob cover is prone to friction and scratching against the edge of the mounting holes on the device panel during axial pressing and reset. For modern appliances that pursue exquisite appearance, the surface of the knob cover often has decorative treatments such as painting, electroplating, or special textures. Repeated scratching will cause the surface to wear down and the paint to peel off, forming unsightly scratches. This not only destroys the clean and beautiful visual effect of the product, but also reduces the product's quality and user experience. Therefore, it is necessary to make further improvements. Utility Model Content

[0008] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of existing technologies and provide a simple structure and low manufacturing cost, which can effectively avoid the problems of contaminant intrusion and knob wear caused by pressing operation while realizing the combined functions of rotation and pressing.

[0009] The purpose of this utility model is achieved in the following way: a rotary and push-button dual-function operating switch, which includes an outer sleeve fixed on the panel, a connecting plate provided inside the outer sleeve, the connecting plate dividing the interior of the outer sleeve into a knob cavity and a switch cavity, a main control switch installed in the switch cavity, and the operating rod of the main control switch extending into the knob cavity through the connecting plate.

[0010] A rotating seat is fixedly installed inside the knob cavity and the connecting plate, and a rotating ring is provided on the outer cylindrical surface of the rotating seat protruding outward;

[0011] The knob cavity is also rotatably installed with a knob cover. The knob cover has a base plate inside, and the bottom of the base plate has several rotating buckles that engage with the rotating ring. The knob cover rotates around the center of the rotating ring through the rotating buckles.

[0012] The knob cover has a recessed button cavity at the top, and a coupling hole is provided on the base plate. A push button is telescopically installed inside the button cavity, and a coupling sleeve is provided at the bottom of the push button. The coupling sleeve passes through the coupling hole on the base plate and connects with the operating lever.

[0013] Furthermore, a push spring is installed inside the button cavity, and the push spring pushes the button to pop outwards at all times.

[0014] Furthermore: a spring groove is provided at the bottom of the button cavity, a spring positioning ring is provided at the inner bottom of the button, one end of the push spring is fitted outside the spring positioning ring, and the other end of the push spring is embedded in the spring groove.

[0015] Furthermore, the coupling hole and the coupling sleeve have similar cross-sectional shapes, and the knob cover drives the coupling sleeve and the push button to rotate synchronously through the coupling hole.

[0016] Furthermore, the cylindrical surface of the rotating seat is provided with several grooves, and correspondingly, the connecting plate is provided with several mounting hooks. The mounting hooks engage with the grooves to fix the rotating seat to the connecting plate.

[0017] Furthermore, a pressure ring extends outward from the outer cylindrical surface of the outer sleeve, pressing against the outer surface of the panel. A locking ring is also screwed onto the outer sleeve, pressing against the inner surface of the panel.

[0018] Furthermore, mounting holes are correspondingly provided on the connecting plate and the rotating base, and fixing screws pass through the mounting holes to connect with the main control switch, thereby fixing the main control switch to the bottom of the connecting plate.

[0019] The beneficial effects of this utility model are: 1. Simple structure, low manufacturing cost, and improved market competitiveness.

[0020] 2. Because the knob cover itself does not undergo any axial displacement during the pressing operation, the relative position between its outer cylindrical surface and the panel mounting hole remains constant. This fundamentally eliminates the possibility of friction or scratches between the two, perfectly protecting the decorative surface of the knob cover from wear and ensuring that the product maintains its exquisite and beautiful appearance even after long-term use, greatly enhancing the product's quality and durability.

[0021] 3. Because there is no axial reciprocating motion between the knob cover and the panel, the clearance between them is static and minimal. This forms a natural physical barrier that effectively prevents external contaminants such as dust, oil, and liquids from penetrating the switch. This not only ensures the cleanliness of the switch's interior, avoiding problems such as stiff rotation and operation sluggishness caused by dirt buildup, but also protects the internal main control switch and other precision electronic components from corrosion, thereby significantly improving the operational reliability and lifespan of the entire switch and even the entire electrical product.

[0022] 4. In the non-pressed state, the push spring pushes the button outward to reset. Its final reset position can be precisely designed so that its top surface is completely flush with the top recessed edge of the knob cover. This "fully flat" design makes the entire switch appear as a complete, smooth whole when stationary, resulting in a more concise and sophisticated visual appearance. When observing or cleaning, users will not see a protruding traditional button with an outer circumference easily worn down by scratches, but rather a perfectly integrated flat surface. This greatly enhances the product's industrial design aesthetics and user experience. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a rendering of the final assembly of this utility model.

[0024] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the foaming machine in this utility model.

[0025] Figure 3 This is a structural assembly drawing of the present utility model.

[0026] Figure 4 , 5 This is an assembly diagram of the rear structure of the concealed main control switch of this utility model.

[0027] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of the structure of the present invention with the main control switch hidden. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. A rotary and push-button dual-function operating switch includes an outer sleeve 2 fixed on a panel 1. A connecting plate 21 is provided inside the outer sleeve 2. The connecting plate 21 divides the interior of the outer sleeve 2 into a knob cavity 22 and a switch cavity 23. A main control switch 3 is installed in the switch cavity 23. The operating lever 31 of the main control switch 3 extends through the connecting plate 21 into the knob cavity 22.

[0029] A rotating seat 4 is fixedly installed in the knob cavity 22 and the connecting plate 21. A rotating ring 41 is provided on the outer cylindrical surface of the rotating seat 4.

[0030] The knob cavity 22 is also rotatably installed with a knob cover 5. The knob cover 5 has a base plate 51 inside. The bottom of the base plate 51 is provided with several rotating buckles 52 that are fastened to the rotating ring 41. The knob cover 5 rotates around the center of the rotating ring 41 through the rotating buckles 52.

[0031] The knob cover 5 has a recessed button cavity 53 at the top. The base plate 51 has a coupling hole 56. A push button 6 is telescopically installed inside the button cavity 53. A coupling sleeve 61 is provided at the bottom of the push button 6. The coupling sleeve 61 passes through the coupling hole 56 on the base plate 51 and connects with the operating rod 31.

[0032] In this embodiment, the switch is mainly divided into rotation function and pressing function, wherein:

[0033] Rotation function: When the user holds and rotates the knob cover 5, the rotating buckle 52 at the bottom of the knob cover 5 engages with the rotating ring 41 on the fixed rotating seat 4, so the knob cover 5 can only rotate around the center of the rotating ring 41, and it is fixed in the axial direction. This rotation action is transmitted to the operating lever 31 of the main control switch 3, thereby realizing rotation control.

[0034] The pressing function is achieved by the user pressing the button 6 located on top of the knob cover 5. The button 6 moves axially within its button cavity 53, and the coupling sleeve 61 at its bottom directly pushes the operating lever 31 of the main control switch 3 to produce axial movement, thereby realizing the pressing control.

[0035] The most ingenious aspect of this design lies in completely separating the "rotation" function and the "pressing" axial movement function of the knob cover 5, which is the largest component directly in contact with the user. The knob cover 5 itself only rotates, never presses. This brings about a fundamental improvement. Since there is no axial relative movement between the knob cover 5 and the panel 1, friction and scratches between them are eliminated, perfectly protecting the decorative surface of the knob cover and ensuring the long-term aesthetics of the product. The fit clearance between the knob cover 5 and the panel 1 is a constant and minute static clearance, rather than a reciprocating dynamic clearance. This greatly enhances the ability to block external dust, oil, and liquids, effectively preventing contaminants from entering the switch's interior, ensuring operational reliability and product durability.

[0036] In one embodiment, a push spring 7 is installed within the button cavity 53, which pushes the button 6 to continuously extend outward. When the user's finger leaves the button 6, the compressed push spring 7 releases its stored elastic potential energy, pushing the button 6 to automatically return to its initial position. This structure provides an automatic reset function for the pressing operation, eliminating the need for the user to manually pull it out, ensuring the switch is ready for the next pressing operation, and providing clear tactile feedback and a smooth, consistent operating experience.

[0037] In one embodiment: a spring groove 54 is provided at the bottom of the button cavity 53, and a spring positioning ring 65 is provided at the inner bottom of the push button 6. One end of the push spring 7 is fitted over the spring positioning ring 65, and the other end of the push spring 7 is embedded in the spring groove 54. The spring groove 54 and the spring positioning ring 65 respectively provide radial limiting and axial support for the push spring 7 from both ends. This specialized positioning structure can effectively prevent the push spring 7 from bending, becoming eccentric, or slipping during long-term, high-frequency pressing, ensuring that the reciprocating motion of the push button 6 is always smooth and stable, and will not cause jamming due to spring failure or misalignment. This reflects the reliability and durability of the product design.

[0038] In one embodiment: the cross-sectional shape of the coupling hole 56 is similar to that of the coupling sleeve 61, and the knob cover 5 drives the coupling sleeve 61 and the push button 6 to rotate synchronously through the coupling hole 56.

[0039] In this embodiment, both the coupling hole 56 and the coupling sleeve 61 adopt a non-circular cross-section design, such as D-shaped, square, or polygonal. When the user rotates the knob cover 5, the inner wall of the coupling hole 56, which is part of the knob cover 5, pushes the outer wall of the coupling sleeve 61, thereby driving the push button 6 and the operating lever 31 that it docks with to rotate synchronously and without slippage. This design is very ingenious. It utilizes shape matching to allow the coupling sleeve 61 to slide freely axially within the coupling hole 56 to achieve pressing, while ensuring that the two are rigidly locked in the direction of rotation, thus achieving precise transmission of motion.

[0040] In one embodiment: the cylindrical surface of the rotating seat 4 is provided with a plurality of fastening grooves 42, and correspondingly, the connecting plate 21 is provided with a plurality of mounting hooks 24. The mounting hooks 24 engage with the fastening grooves 42 to fix the rotating seat 4 on the connecting plate 21.

[0041] In this embodiment, a snap-fit ​​connection is used, making the installation process very convenient. No additional screws or other fasteners are required, simplifying the assembly process and improving production efficiency. More importantly, it ensures that the rotating base 4, which serves as the rotating track for the knob cover 5, is firmly fixed and will not wobble, providing a solid foundation for the smooth rotation of the knob cover 5.

[0042] In one embodiment: a pressure ring 25 extends outward from the outer cylindrical surface of the outer sleeve 2 and presses against the outer surface of the panel 1; a locking ring 26 is also screwed onto the outer sleeve 2 and presses against the inner surface of the panel 1.

[0043] In this embodiment, the panel 1 is sandwiched and secured from both the inner and outer sides using a pressure ring 25 and a locking ring 26. This is a very mature and reliable panel mounting structure. It is firmly installed, highly adaptable, and can be used for panels of different thicknesses. It ensures that the entire switch will not loosen or rotate during use, providing a stable platform for all operations.

[0044] In one embodiment, mounting holes are correspondingly provided on the connecting plate 21 and the rotating base 4. Fixing screws pass through these mounting holes and connect to the main control switch 3, fixing the main control switch 3 to the bottom of the connecting plate 21. The use of screws ensures the positional accuracy and stability of the main control switch 3, allowing its operating lever 31 to be precisely aligned with the upper coupling sleeve 61. This precise alignment is crucial for ensuring the smooth and reliable operation of both pressing and rotating functions.

[0045] In summary, in this case, the entire switch assembly is securely mounted on the device panel 1 via the outer sleeve 2, pressure ring 25, and locking ring 26. Internally, the core main control switch 3 is precisely fixed to the lower part of the assembly with screws.

[0046] When the user needs to perform a rotation operation, they turn the exposed knob cover 5. The knob cover 5 rotates smoothly on a fixed rotating base 4, and through the non-circular coupling hole 56 at its bottom, drives the equally non-circular coupling sleeve 61 to rotate synchronously. Since the coupling sleeve 61 is connected to the operating lever 31 of the main control switch 3, the rotational action is ultimately transmitted to the main control switch 3 without any difference. During this process, the knob cover 5 itself does not undergo any axial displacement.

[0047] When the user needs to perform a pressing operation, they press the button 6 located in the center of the knob cover 5. The button 6 sinks down against the spring force of the push spring 7, and the coupling sleeve 61 at its bottom directly pushes the operating lever 31 to produce axial displacement, thereby triggering the pressing function of the main control switch 3. When the user releases the button, the push spring 7 will spring the button 6 back to its original position. During this process, the knob cover 5 also does not undergo any axial displacement.

[0048] Therefore, through a clever "functional decoupling" design, the rotation and pressing functions are respectively handled by the knob cover 5 and the embedded pressing button 6. This ensures that the knob cover 5, which is the largest and most easily observed part, maintains a static relative position with the device panel throughout the entire operation. This solves the two major problems of appearance wear and contaminant intrusion caused by the overall axial movement of the knob in the prior art, and significantly improves the durability, reliability and aesthetics of the product.

[0049] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," and "counterclockwise," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or component referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model. The terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated.

[0050] The foregoing has shown and described the basic principles, main features, and advantages of this utility model. Those skilled in the art should understand that this utility model is not limited to the above embodiments. The embodiments and descriptions in the specification are merely illustrative of the principles of this utility model. Various changes and modifications can be made to this utility model without departing from its spirit and scope, and all such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the claimed utility model.

Claims

1. A rotary / press dual-function switch, characterized in that: It includes an outer cover (2) fixed on the panel (1), and a connecting plate (21) is provided inside the outer cover (2). The connecting plate (21) divides the interior of the outer cover (2) into a knob cavity (22) and a switch cavity (23). The main control switch (3) is installed in the switch cavity (23), and the operating lever (31) of the main control switch (3) extends through the connecting plate (21) into the knob cavity (22). A rotating seat (4) is fixedly installed in the knob cavity (22) and the connecting plate (21). A rotating ring (41) is provided on the outer cylindrical surface of the rotating seat (4). The knob cavity (22) is also rotatably installed with a knob cover (5). The knob cover (5) has a base plate (51) inside. The bottom of the base plate (51) is provided with several rotating buckles (52) that are fastened to the rotating ring (41). The knob cover (5) rotates around the center of the rotating ring (41) through the rotating buckles (52). The knob cover (5) has a recessed button cavity (53) at the top. The base plate (51) has a coupling hole (56). The button cavity (53) is covered by a telescopic cover and a push button (6). The bottom of the push button (6) is provided with a coupling sleeve (61). The coupling sleeve (61) passes through the coupling hole (56) on the base plate (51) and connects with the operating rod (31).

2. The rotary / press dual-function switch according to claim 1, characterized in that: A push spring (7) is installed inside the button cavity (53), and the push spring (7) pushes the button (6) to pop outwards.

3. A rotary / press dual-function switch according to claim 2, characterized in that: The bottom of the button cavity (53) is provided with a spring groove (54), the inner bottom of the push button (6) is provided with a spring positioning ring (65), one end of the push spring (7) is fitted outside the spring positioning ring (65), and the other end of the push spring (7) is embedded in the spring groove (54).

4. A rotary / press dual-function switch according to claim 1, characterized in that: The coupling hole (56) and the coupling sleeve (61) are similar in cross-sectional shape. The knob cover (5) drives the coupling sleeve (61) and the push button (6) to rotate synchronously through the coupling hole (56).

5. A rotary / press dual-function switch according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cylindrical surface of the rotating seat (4) is provided with several fastening grooves (42). Correspondingly, the connecting plate (21) is provided with several mounting hooks (24). The mounting hooks (24) engage with the fastening grooves (42) to fix the rotating seat (4) on the connecting plate (21).

6. A rotary / press dual-function switch according to claim 1, characterized in that: A pressure ring (25) extends outward from the outer cylindrical surface of the outer sleeve (2), and the pressure ring (25) presses against the outer surface of the panel (1). A locking ring (26) is also screwed onto the outer sleeve (2), and the locking ring (26) presses against the inner surface of the panel (1).

7. A rotary / press dual-function switch according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connecting plate (21) and the rotating seat (4) are respectively provided with mounting holes. The fixing screw passes through the mounting hole and connects to the main control switch (3) to fix the main control switch (3) to the bottom of the connecting plate (21).

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