A feel structure for a knob
By using a magnetic interference design where the ring rotor and the magnet do not directly contact each other, the problems of high noise and weak feel of the knob structure are solved, and a smooth rotation and distinct tactile feedback knob feel is achieved.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- DONGGUAN CITY KAIHUA ELECTRONICS
- Filing Date
- 2025-08-07
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-16
Smart Images
Figure CN224366369U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of knob structure technology, and in particular to a tactile structure for knobs. Background Technology
[0002] A knob is a manual component used to control equipment by rotating or pulling it out. Based on function, it can be divided into two types: continuous multi-rotation (360° rotation) and positioning rotation. Knobs come in various shapes, including four basic categories: circular, polygonal, pointer-shaped, and rotary. They are widely used in industrial control, home appliances, medical instruments, and other fields.
[0003] Most knobs on the market today use mechanical connections. Inside the knob is a large gear with a small gear meshing within it. The small gear contains a magnet. When the knob is turned, the large gear drives the small gear to rotate, causing the magnet on the small gear to deflect or change position. This is then detected by a Hall effect sensor on the knob, resulting in a signal output. The tactile feedback of this method comes from the meshing and rotation of the large and small gears. This process is relatively noisy, and although there is a sense of resistance during the meshing and rotation, the overall tactile feedback is weak, failing to provide a good user experience. Utility Model Content
[0004] To address the aforementioned shortcomings, the purpose of this utility model is to provide a tactile structure for knobs. This structure features a ring rotor inside the knob, which is magnetically attracted to the rotor by a magnet, resulting in a distinct tactile feedback when the knob is rotated. The entire structure is simple and easy to use. Compared to a structure with meshing gears, the components do not need to be in direct contact, thus avoiding noise generation, reducing the feeling of obstruction during rotation, and effectively improving the user experience.
[0005] The technical solution adopted by this utility model to achieve the above objectives is as follows:
[0006] A tactile structure for a knob includes a base, a knob support rotatably mounted on the base, an annular rotor embedded in the knob support, an upper sleeve disposed between the base and the knob support, a lower sleeve fastened below the upper sleeve, and at least one magnet disposed between the upper and lower sleeves. The annular rotor is made of a magnetic material, and its outer ring wall is provided with grooves at intervals. The magnet is opposite to the grooves of the annular rotor and performs magnetic interference with the annular rotor in a non-direct contact manner.
[0007] As a further improvement of this utility model, the width of the end of the magnet facing the annular rotor is greater than the width of the groove opening.
[0008] As a further improvement of this utility model, the number of magnets is two sets, which are symmetrically arranged between the upper and lower kits. A magnetic tactile mounting groove for inserting the magnets is formed on the lower end surface of the upper kit. The magnets are inserted into the magnetic tactile mounting grooves and magnetically interfere with the annular rotor at intervals from the upper kit.
[0009] As a further improvement of this utility model, a downwardly protruding annular platform is formed in the middle of the knob bracket, the annular rotor is embedded in the annular platform, and an annular insertion groove is formed in the middle of the upper kit for the annular platform to be inserted.
[0010] As a further improvement of this utility model, it also includes a tactile booster assembly disposed on the inner wall of the upper kit located in the annular insertion groove. The booster assembly includes a tactile booster mounting groove formed on the inner wall of the upper kit located in the annular insertion groove, and a tactile booster roller rotatably disposed in the tactile booster mounting groove and having one end protruding out of the tactile booster mounting groove and pressing against the ring platform.
[0011] As a further improvement of this utility model, the opening diameter of the tactile boost mounting groove facing the end of the ring platform is smaller than the diameter of the tactile boost roller.
[0012] As a further improvement of this utility model, at least two sets of upwardly protruding snap-fit blocks are formed on the lower kit, and at least two sets of snap-fit grooves are formed on the upper kit for inserting the snap-fit blocks, and the snap-fit blocks are snapped into the snap-fit grooves.
[0013] As a further improvement of this utility model, the upper end of the snap-fit block is formed with a snap-fit guide inclined surface that extends inclinedly from the inside upward to the outside downward.
[0014] As a further improvement of this utility model, the inner side of the lower kit has several limiting blocks protruding inward, and the lower end surface of the upper kit has several limiting slots that match the limiting blocks.
[0015] As a further improvement of this utility model, the outer travel of the knob bracket is formed with at least one drainage channel extending from top to bottom.
[0016] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows:
[0017] The tactile structure is configured to include a base, a knob bracket rotatably mounted on the base, an annular rotor embedded in the knob bracket, an upper kit disposed between the base and the knob bracket, a lower kit fastened below the upper kit, and at least one magnet disposed between the upper and lower kits. The annular rotor is made of a magnetic material, and the outer ring wall of the annular rotor is provided with grooves at intervals. The magnet is opposite to the grooves of the annular rotor and performs magnetic interference with the annular rotor in a non-direct contact manner. The magnet magnetically attracts the annular rotor. When the knob bracket rotates, the annular rotor is driven to rotate synchronously by the knob bracket. When the rotation reaches a position where the magnet is directly opposite the annular rotor without a groove, the annular rotor experiences a strong magnetic attraction. When the rotation reaches a position where the magnet is directly opposite the corresponding groove on the annular rotor, the magnetic attraction is weaker. The groove spacing creates a distinct tactile feedback, ensuring the tactile feel of this structure while effectively avoiding the noise and obstruction caused by the engagement of large and small gears in existing technologies, thus improving the user experience of this tactile structure.
[0018] The above is an overview of the utility model's technical solution. The following description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, will further illustrate the utility model. Attached Figure Description
[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall design of this utility model;
[0020] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the present invention;
[0021] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the present invention;
[0022] Figure 4 This is a top view of the knob holder;
[0023] Figure 5 This is a bottom view of the knob holder;
[0024] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a structure in which an annular rotor is located inside the upper assembly and the lower assembly is fastened to the upper assembly;
[0025] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the annular rotor within the upper assembly;
[0026] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the magnet in the upper assembly;
[0027] Figure 9 This is the bottom view of the upper kit;
[0028] Figure 10 This is a structural diagram of the lower kit;
[0029] In the diagram: 1. Base; 2. Knob bracket; 21. Ring platform; 22. Drainage channel; 23. Magnetic mounting slot; 3. Annular rotor; 31. Groove; 4. Upper kit; 41. Magnetic tactile mounting slot; 42. Annular insertion slot; 43. Snap-fit slot; 431. Fastening block; 44. Limiting slot; 5. Lower kit; 51. Snap-fit block; 511. Snap-fit guide inclined surface; 512. Fastening slot; 52. Limiting block; 6. Magnet; 7. Tactile booster assembly; 71. Tactile booster mounting slot; 72. Tactile booster roller; 8. Magnetic ring; 9. Screen bracket; 10. PCB board; 11. Hall element; 12. Knob housing; 13. Glass cover; 14. Display screen; 15. Tactile switch. Detailed Implementation
[0030] To further illustrate the technical means and effects adopted by this utility model to achieve its intended purpose, the specific implementation methods of this utility model will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments.
[0031] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "length", "width", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", 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 element 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.
[0032] Furthermore, 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. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this utility model, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.
[0033] In this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "joining," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model according to the specific circumstances.
[0034] Please refer to Figures 1 to 10This utility model embodiment provides a tactile structure for a knob, including a base 1, a knob support 2 rotatably mounted on the base 1, an annular rotor 3 embedded in the knob support 2, an upper sleeve 4 disposed between the base 1 and the knob support 2, a lower sleeve 5 fastened below the upper sleeve 4, and at least one magnet 6 disposed between the upper sleeve 4 and the lower sleeve 5. The annular rotor 3 is an annular rotor 3 made of magnetic material, and the outer ring wall of the annular rotor 3 is provided with grooves 31 at intervals. The magnet 6 is opposite to the grooves 31 of the annular rotor 3 and performs magnetic interference on the annular rotor 3 in a non-direct contact manner.
[0035] The magnet 6 magnetically attracts the annular rotor 3. When the knob support 2 rotates, the annular rotor 3 is driven to rotate synchronously by the knob support 2. When the magnet 6 is directly opposite the position on the annular rotor 3 where there is no groove 31, the annular rotor 3 is strongly attracted by the magnet 6. When the magnet 6 is directly opposite the position on the annular rotor 3 where the groove 31 is directly opposite, the annular rotor 3 is less attracted by the magnet 6. The spacing of the grooves 31 achieves a distinct tactile feedback, ensuring the feel of this tactile structure while effectively avoiding the noise and obstruction caused by the engagement of large and small gears in the prior art, thus improving the user experience of this tactile structure.
[0036] Preferably, the annular rotor 3 is made of silicon steel, which, while maintaining the hardness of the annular rotor 3, has high permeability and low hysteresis characteristics, as well as good resistivity and conductivity. It can effectively reduce hysteresis loss and eddy current loss when magnetic flux passes through it, improve the energy efficiency of this tactile structure, ensure the magnetic adsorption of the magnet 6 on the annular rotor 3, and thus ensure the tactile feel provided by this tactile structure.
[0037] To further ensure the tactile feel of this magnetic structure, the width of the end of the magnet 6 facing the annular rotor 3 is greater than the width of the opening of the groove 31, thereby making the magnetic attraction of the magnet 6 to the annular rotor 3 more obvious and effectively ensuring the segmented feel of this magnetic structure.
[0038] To further enhance the sense of segmentation in the magnetic structure of the text, such as Figure 2 , Figures 8 to 9As shown, there are two sets of magnets 6, symmetrically arranged between the upper kit 4 and the lower kit 5. A magnetic tactile mounting groove 41 is formed on the lower end surface of the upper kit 4 for inserting the magnets 6. The magnets 6 are inserted into the magnetic tactile mounting groove 41 and, with the upper kit 4 between them, magnetically interfere with the annular rotor 3. This symmetrical arrangement of the two sets ensures uniform magnetic attraction at both ends of the annular rotor 3, providing the user with a more stable and distinct tactile feedback, thereby improving the user experience. The structure of magnetic interference between the magnets 6 and the annular rotor 3 with the upper kit 4 between them effectively prevents the magnets 6 from directly adhering to the annular rotor 3, thus avoiding the annular rotor 3 from failing to rotate properly and ensuring the normal operation of this tactile structure.
[0039] Regarding the specific manner in which the annular rotor 3 is mounted on the knob bracket 2, as follows: Figure 2 and Figure 3 as well as Figure 5 , Figures 8 to 9 As shown, the knob bracket 2 has a downwardly protruding annular platform 21 in its middle, and the annular rotor 3 is embedded in the annular platform 21. The upper kit 4 has an annular insertion groove 42 in its middle for the annular platform 21 to be inserted. The annular platform 21 is correspondingly embedded in the annular insertion groove 42, and the magnetic tactile mounting groove 41 is located on the outside of the annular insertion groove 42. This allows the magnet 6 in the magnetic tactile mounting groove 41 to magnetically attract the annular rotor 3 in the annular platform 21 in the annular insertion groove 42 through the upper kit 4. While ensuring that the magnet 6 does not directly magnetically attract the annular rotor 3, it brings the annular rotor 3 closer to the magnet 6, thereby effectively improving the magnetic attraction force of the magnet 6 on the annular rotor 3, thus achieving a distinct tactile feedback and improving the user experience.
[0040] Preferred, such as Figure 2 , Figure 6 , Figures 8 to 9 As shown, to make the knob bracket 2 rotate more smoothly, this tactile structure also includes a tactile booster component 7 disposed on the inner wall of the upper kit 4 located in the annular insertion groove 42. The booster component includes a tactile booster mounting groove 71 formed on the inner wall of the upper kit 4 located in the annular insertion groove 42, and a tactile booster roller 72 rotatably disposed in the tactile booster mounting groove 71 and with one end protruding out of the tactile booster mounting groove 71 and pressing against the ring platform 21. When the knob bracket 2 rotates, the tactile booster roller 72 is driven by the ring platform 21 on the knob bracket 2 to rotate in the tactile booster mounting groove 71, and due to the rotational inertia, it reacts on the ring platform 21, thereby making the knob bracket 2 easier to rotate, which is beneficial to people's daily use and improves people's user experience.
[0041] Preferred, such as Figure 6 as well as Figure 8 As shown, in order to prevent the tactile assist roller 72 from falling off during rotation, the opening diameter of the tactile assist mounting groove 71 facing the ring platform 21 is smaller than the diameter of the tactile assist roller 72. This effectively prevents the tactile assist roller 72 from falling off from the opening of the tactile assist mounting groove 71 facing the ring platform 21 during rotation, ensuring the normal operation of this tactile structure and further improving the feel of the knob.
[0042] Regarding the specific method by which the lower kit 5 is fastened to the upper kit 4, as follows: Figures 2 to 3 , Figures 6 to 10 As shown, the lower kit 5 has at least two sets of upwardly protruding snap-fit blocks 51, and the upper kit 4 has at least two sets of snap-fit slots 43 for inserting the snap-fit blocks 51. Preferably, there are four sets of snap-fit blocks 51, which are evenly arranged on the upper surface of the lower kit 5. There are also four sets of snap-fit slots 43, which are evenly arranged on the lower surface of the upper kit 4. The snap-fit blocks 51 snap into the snap-fit slots 43, thereby achieving the purpose of stably installing the lower kit 5 on the upper kit 4. This stably confines the magnet 6 in the upper kit 4 within the magnetic tactile mounting slot 41, preventing the magnet 6 from falling out of the magnetic tactile mounting slot 41. Furthermore, with the four sets of corresponding structures, the four corners of the lower kit 5 are stably installed on the four corners of the upper kit 4, further ensuring the normal operation of this tactile structure.
[0043] Preferred, such as Figures 2 to 3 , Figures 6 to 10 As shown, in order to better insert the snap-fit block 51 into the snap-fit groove 43, the upper end of the snap-fit block 51 has a snap-fit guide inclined surface 511 extending inclinedly from the inner upper to the outer lower. When it is necessary to fasten the lower kit 5 onto the upper kit 4, the snap-fit block 51 is aligned with the snap-fit groove 43 and inserted. The snap-fit guide inclined surface 511 on the snap-fit block 51 first contacts the inner wall of the snap-fit groove 43, and under the inclined guiding action of the snap-fit guide inclined surface 511, the snap-fit block 51 is more easily and accurately inserted into the snap-fit groove 43, thus completing the purpose of fastening the lower kit 5 onto the upper kit 4, improving the production efficiency and production accuracy of this tactile structure.
[0044] Regarding the specific method by which the snap-fit block 51 engages with the snap-fit slot 43, as follows: Figures 2 to 3 , Figures 6 to 10As shown, a fastening groove 512 is formed in the middle of the snap-fit block 51, and a fastening block 431 is formed on the inner wall of the snap-fit groove 43, which protrudes outward and can extend into the fastening groove 512. When the snap-fit block 51 is placed into the snap-fit groove 43, the fastening groove 512 is correspondingly placed into the snap-fit groove 43 and is extended into by the fastening block 431, thereby achieving the purpose of snapping the snap-fit block 51 into the snap-fit groove 43.
[0045] Preferred, such as Figure 2 , Figures 8 to 10 As shown, in order to make the lower kit 5 more stable when it is fastened to the upper kit 4, several limiting blocks 52 protruding inward are formed on the inner side of the lower kit 5, and several limiting slots 44 matching the limiting blocks 52 are formed on the lower end surface of the upper kit 4. The limiting slots 44 can be extensions of the magnetic mounting slots 41, which facilitates mold production. When the lower kit 5 is fastened to the lower end surface of the upper kit 4, the limiting blocks 52 on it are correspondingly engaged in the limiting slots 44 on the upper kit 4, thereby restricting the position of the lower kit 5 and preventing the lower kit 5 from shifting during the operation of the knob, thus ensuring the normal operation of this tactile structure.
[0046] Preferred, such as Figure 2 , Figures 4 to 5 As shown, the outer side of the knob bracket 2 has at least one drainage channel 22 extending from top to bottom. The entire knob is installed on the electronic device. When the electronic device needs to be cleaned, external moisture may enter the side of the knob bracket 2 through the gap on the outside of the knob. By forming a drainage channel 22 extending from the inside top to the outside bottom on the knob bracket 2, the moisture that enters can be discharged through the drainage channel 22, effectively preventing moisture from accumulating inside the knob and affecting the normal use of the knob, and ensuring the service life of the knob.
[0047] Preferred, such as Figure 2 , Figures 4 to 5 As shown, the upper opening of the drainage channel 22 extends laterally from the outer side of the upper end of the knob bracket 2 to the inner side of the upper end of the knob bracket 2, so that water flowing into the inner and outer sides of the knob bracket 2 can flow out through the drainage channel 22, thereby effectively preventing water from accumulating inside the knob and affecting the normal use of the knob, and ensuring the service life of the knob.
[0048] Regarding the specific method of using the knob, such as Figures 2 to 4As shown, the knob bracket 2 is located at the upper end of the ring platform 21 and has a magnetic mounting groove 23. A magnetic ring 8 is disposed within the magnetic mounting groove 23. A screen bracket 9 is also provided on the knob bracket 2, pressing the upper surface of the magnetic ring 8 against it. A PCB board 10 is mounted on the screen bracket 9, and a Hall element 11 is mounted on the PCB board 10. When needed, the knob bracket 2 can be turned, causing the magnetic ring 8 mounted on it to rotate. The screen bracket 9, PCB board 10, and Hall element 11 remain stationary, allowing the fixed-position Hall element 11 to sense the changes in the magnetic field of the rotating magnetic ring 8 and transmit signals to the PCB board 10 based on these changes, thus achieving signal output. The entire structure is simple and clear, and easy to use. Compared to the structure of meshing gears, it does not require direct contact, avoiding noise generation, reducing the feeling of obstruction during rotation, improving the feel of the knob, ensuring signal transmission, and effectively enhancing the user experience. Of course, the knob can also use other conduction methods, which can be set according to the actual situation.
[0049] Preferred, such as Figures 1 to 3 As shown, to make the knob easier to use, it also includes a knob housing 12 that is fastened to the outside of the knob bracket 2, a glass cover 13 disposed on the knob housing 12, and a display screen 14 disposed between the glass cover 13 and the PCB board 10 and electrically connected to the PCB board 10. The display screen 14 is connected to the PCB board 10. The entire knob is set on the electronic device, and the display screen 14 displays the functions and usage status of the electronic device, thereby improving the practicality of the knob, meeting different user needs, and improving the user experience. The glass cover 13 covers the display screen 14 to protect the display screen 14. The knob housing 12 is fastened to the outside of the knob bracket 2 to press the glass cover 13 and the display screen 14 against the screen bracket 9, thereby achieving the fixed installation of the glass cover 13 and the display screen 14 and ensuring the normal operation of the display screen 14 and other structures. The glass cover 13 and the knob housing 12 can be driven by the knob bracket 2 to rotate synchronously, while the screen bracket 9, PCB board 10 and display screen 14 are fixed in place.
[0050] Preferred, such as Figures 2 to 3As shown, to make the knob more practical, a tactile switch 15 is also included on the PCB board 10. A pressing post protruding upward is formed in the middle of the base 1. The upper end of the tactile switch 15 is set on the PCB board 10 and the lower end presses against the pressing post. When people press the glass cover 13, it drives the screen bracket 9 under the glass cover 13 to move inward, thereby pressing the tactile switch 15 against the pressing post and triggering the tactile switch 15 to turn it on or off. This provides another way to start and stop the knob, meets the usage habits of different people, makes the entire knob more practical, and improves the user experience of the knob. A barrier platform extending downward is formed in the middle of the screen bracket 9. The pressing post and the tactile switch 15 are located in the barrier platform, thereby protecting the pressing post and the tactile switch 15 and preventing the tactile switch 15 from malfunctioning when the knob bracket 2 rotates, thus ensuring the normal operation of the knob.
[0051] Preferred, such as Figure 3 As shown, a spring can also be fitted on the pressing post to effectively restore the pressed tactile switch 15 to its original position.
[0052] It should be noted that the tactile structure for knobs disclosed in this utility model is an improvement on a specific structure, but the specific control method is not an innovation of this utility model. The magnets, magnetic rings, Hall elements, electronic devices, PCB boards, tactile switches, and other components involved in this utility model can be general standard parts or components known to those skilled in the art. Their structures, principles, and control methods are all known to those skilled in the art through technical manuals or conventional experimental methods.
[0053] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and does not constitute any limitation on the technical scope of the present utility model. Therefore, other structures obtained by using the same or similar technical features as the above embodiments of the present utility model are all within the protection scope of the present utility model.
Claims
1. A tactile structure for a knob, characterized in that: The device includes a base, a knob bracket rotatably mounted on the base, an annular rotor embedded in the knob bracket, an upper assembly disposed between the base and the knob bracket, a lower assembly fastened to the lower part of the upper assembly, and at least one magnet disposed between the upper and lower assemblies. The annular rotor is made of a magnetic material, and the outer ring wall of the annular rotor is provided with grooves at intervals. The magnet is opposite to the grooves of the annular rotor and performs magnetic interference with the annular rotor in a non-direct contact manner.
2. The tactile structure for a knob according to claim 1, characterized in that: The width of the end of the magnet facing the annular rotor is greater than the width of the groove opening.
3. The tactile structure for a knob according to claim 1, characterized in that: The number of magnets is two sets, which are symmetrically arranged between the upper and lower kits. A magnetic tactile mounting groove is formed on the lower end surface of the upper kit for inserting the magnets. The magnets are inserted into the magnetic tactile mounting grooves and magnetically interfere with the annular rotor at intervals from the upper kit.
4. The tactile structure for a knob according to claim 1, characterized in that: The knob bracket has a downwardly protruding ring platform in the middle, the annular rotor is embedded in the ring platform, and the upper kit has an annular insertion groove in the middle for the ring platform to be inserted.
5. The tactile structure for a knob according to claim 4, characterized in that: It also includes a tactile booster assembly disposed on the inner wall of the upper kit located in the annular insertion groove. The booster assembly includes a tactile booster mounting groove formed on the inner wall of the upper kit located in the annular insertion groove, and a tactile booster roller rotatably disposed in the tactile booster mounting groove and having one end protruding out of the tactile booster mounting groove and pressing against the ring platform.
6. The tactile structure for a knob according to claim 5, characterized in that: The opening diameter of the tactile boost mounting groove facing the ring platform is smaller than the diameter of the tactile boost roller.
7. The tactile structure for a knob according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lower assembly has at least two sets of upwardly protruding snap-fit blocks, and the upper assembly has at least two sets of snap-fit slots for inserting the snap-fit blocks, which snap into the snap-fit slots.
8. The tactile structure for a knob according to claim 7, characterized in that: The upper end of the snap-fit block has a snap-fit guide inclined surface that extends inclinedly from the inside upward to the outside downward.
9. The tactile structure for a knob according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lower kit has several limiting blocks protruding inward on its inner side, and the upper kit has several limiting slots that match the limiting blocks on its lower end surface.
10. The tactile structure for a knob according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer travel of the knob bracket forms at least one drainage channel extending from top to bottom.