Operating device

Abstract

The invention relates to an operating device comprising a body (20) provided with a printed circuit (30), a movable actuator (1) rotatable relative to the body (20) about an axis of rotation 50, a torsion spring (7) with two end strands (71) supported on two respective support surfaces (14) of the actuator (1) and designed to urge the actuator (1) to rotate towards a rest position, at least one magnet (6) fixed integrally with the actuator (1), and a magnetic field sensor (32) arranged on the printed circuit (30) opposite the magnet (6) and designed to detect the angular position of the magnet (6) and to produce an electric signal corresponding to the detected angular position. The device is characterized in that it comprises two end stops (8) fixed integrally to the body (20), with a respective elastic element (9) arranged between each end stop (8) and the body (20), each end stop (8) having a support surface against a respective end strand (71) of the torsion spring (7).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a control device such as a thumbwheel controller. [Background technology]

[0002] The thumb wheel control device is intended to be mounted on control grips, control sticks, or any other control application on a variety of machines requiring precise control.

[0003] This type of actuator comprises a fixed body on which an actuator is mounted that is pivotally movable about an axis. For precise actuators, the movement is usually limited by mechanical stops to limit the angular movement to, for example, 25° in two directions.

[0004] The movable actuator also includes a detectable element (e.g., a magnet) whose movement is detected by a sensor (e.g., a Hall Effect sensor) disposed within the body, which produces an electrical signal proportional to the magnitude of angular movement of the actuator.

[0005] The operating device is generally provided with means for returning to the rest position, which may be a torsion spring. Both branches of the spring are arranged to bear against a pair of contact surfaces arranged on the rotor of the movable actuator and against a pair of stops fixed on the lower part of the body, the lower part being understood to mean the part included between the axis of rotation and the part of the body containing the sensor. When a force is exerted on the actuator to rotate it about its axis, the torsion spring is pressed against the respective stops on the side of the direction of movement. As soon as the force on the actuator is discontinued, the torsion spring expands and the actuator returns to its rest position.

[0006] However, this type of configuration often results in residual mechanical gaps near the rest position.

[0007] 1A and 1B show the appearance of this type of gap between the branches of the torsion spring 7 and the respective support surfaces. With reference to Fig. 1A, the gap 41 may occur between the torsion spring 7 and the respective stopper 8 arranged in the body. Or, with reference to Fig. 1B, the gap 42 may occur between the torsion spring 7 and the respective contact surface 14 provided in the rotor 13 of the actuator 1.

[0008] This residual gap can be more or less large depending on the manufacturing tolerances of each component. It is still unavoidable due to the static uncertainty of the connection. The gap allows movements comprised between 0.4 and 1 mm (corresponding to angular values ​​ranging from 2° to 5°), which cannot be detected by the sensor. This type of residual gap thus considerably limits the precision of the device. Summary of the Invention

[0009] Improvements in the precision of the operating device, especially near the rest position, are to be expected, as well as improvements in the sealing of the device.

[0010] One object of the present invention is to design an operating device that allows tilting on a return axis without residual mechanical clearance. For this purpose, the present invention provides: a body provided with a printed circuit; an actuator rotatable about an axis of rotation relative to the main body; - a torsion spring with two end strands supported on two respective support surfaces of the actuator, the torsion spring being configured to urge the actuator in a rotational direction towards a rest position; at least one magnet fixed integrally with respect to the actuator; - a magnetic field sensor arranged on the printed circuit opposite the magnet and suitable for detecting the angular position of the magnet and for producing an electric signal dependent on the detected angular position; In an operating device comprising: The present invention proposes an operating device comprising two stoppers fixed integrally to a main body, with a respective elastic element disposed between each stopper and the main body, and each stopper having a support surface contacting a respective end strand of the torsion spring.

[0011] Advantageously, the elastic element is a compression spring.

[0012] Each stopper has a head with a respective support surface and a pin extending from the head, with a respective compression spring disposed about the pin.

[0013] Each of the support surfaces on the stopper and each of the support surfaces on the actuator are located on the same side of each of the end strands of the torsion spring.

[0014] The elastic element is in a compressed state.

[0015] The stopper is fixed integrally to the body by immersion in resin.

[0016] In certain embodiments, the operating device includes two second stops that limit rotation of the actuator about the axis, the second stops being integrally fixed to the actuator.

[0017] The second stopper, which limits rotation about the axis, contacts a contact surface disposed within the body at the end of its travel.

[0018] The present invention also provides a method for manufacturing an operating device as described above, comprising the steps of: providing an actuator and a torsion spring; - positioning the torsion spring about an axis of rotation of an actuator, with end strands of the torsion spring supported on a support surface of the actuator; - providing a body, the body being provided with two stops which are urged towards the actuator by elastic elements; - inserting the actuator and the torsion spring into the body, the end strands of the torsion spring being supported on the stops and compressing the elastic element; immobilizing the stopper relative to the body; The present invention relates to a manufacturing method comprising the steps of:

[0019] The assembly of the elastic element under compression makes it possible to compensate for any remaining mechanical gaps by ensuring simultaneous and firm contact of each strand of the torsion spring with each stop and each contact surface, thus optimizing the precision of the actuating device, especially near the neutral position.

[0020] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1A] FIG. 2 shows two possible residual gaps in a known type of operating device. [Figure 1B] FIG. 2 shows two possible residual gaps in a known type of operating device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an operating device according to the present invention; [Figure 3A] 1 is a cross-sectional view of an operating device according to the present invention; [Figure 3B] 1 is a cross-sectional view of an operating device according to the present invention; [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5A]11A to 11C are diagrams showing the various assembly stages of the operating device according to the present invention, in which the rotor of the movable actuator, which includes a magnet, and the torsion spring are inserted into the body while compressing the elastic elements located on the respective stoppers provided in the body of the operating device. [Figure 5B] 11A to 11C are diagrams showing the various assembly stages of the operating device according to the present invention, in which the rotor of the movable actuator, which includes a magnet, and the torsion spring are inserted into the body while compressing the elastic elements located on the respective stoppers provided in the body of the operating device. [Figure 5C] 11A to 11C are diagrams showing the various assembly stages of the operating device according to the present invention, in which the rotor of the movable actuator, which includes a magnet, and the torsion spring are inserted into the body while compressing the elastic elements located on the respective stoppers provided in the body of the operating device. [Figure 5D] 11A to 11C are diagrams showing the various assembly stages of the operating device according to the present invention, in which the rotor of the movable actuator, which includes a magnet, and the torsion spring are inserted into the body while compressing the elastic elements located on the respective stoppers provided in the body of the operating device. [Figure 6] 1 is a cross-sectional view of the device showing assembly of the membrane and placement of the resin that seals the housing against liquids. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the body and rotor showing the arrangement of the openings and contact surfaces. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] The operating device according to the invention comprises a fixed body 20, an actuator 1 rotatable about an axis of rotation 50 relative to the body 20, and means for detecting the position of the actuator 1. Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of a (assembled) operating device of this type.

[0023] For purposes of clarity and simplicity, the up-down orientation as shown in Figure 2 will be used, with the body 20 oriented vertically, with the actuator 1 located at the "top" of the control. Thus, the terms "low", "high", "up", "down", "upper", "lower", "horizontal" and "vertical" will be used to illustrate but not limit the invention.

[0024] The longitudinal axis L and the transverse axis T define a "horizontal" plane, and the neutral axis N is "vertical."

[0025] With reference to Figures 3A, 3B and 4, the fixed body 20 is hollow inside to accommodate the rotor 13 constituting the lower part of the actuator 1 and other components of the operating device. The body 20 generally appears in the form of an essentially parallelepiped enclosure. It comprises a lower part 22, which is advantageously essentially rectangular, and a housing 23 arranged below the lower part 22. The housing 23 contains a printed circuit 30 carrying a sensor 32 (the function of which will be explained later). Cables can be connected to the printed circuit 30. The lower part 22 also comprises two openings 86 penetrating it from above to below. The openings 86 can appear (by way of illustrative and non-limiting example) in the form of two cylindrical holes arranged along both sides of the lower part 22 parallel to the transverse axis T.

[0026] The openings 86 are asymmetrically arranged as shown in Figure 7, with the offset of the openings 86 relative to the plane formed by the longitudinal axis L and the neutral axis N corresponding to the offset of the strands 71 ​​of the torsion spring 7 relative to said plane. The openings 86 are advantageously arranged along the narrow sides of the lower part 22.

[0027] Two first stops 8 are arranged inside the body 20 and fixed integrally thereto. Each of the first stops 8 has a head 81 with a respective support surface 82 and a respective pin 84 extending from the head 81. Each pin 84 passes through one of the openings 86 in the lower part 22. Each of the first stops 8 has an elastic element 9 arranged around the respective pin 84 of the stopper 8. The elastic element 9 is advantageously a compression spring. Each of the elastic elements 9 is in a compressed state between the respective head 81 of each of the first stops 8 and the lower part 22 of the body 20. In the assembled state shown in Figures 3A and 3B, each stopper 8 is fixed relative to the body 20 and the impulsive force exerted by the elastic element 9 does not cause the stopper to move, but as will be explained in detail below, each elastic element 9 has a particular advantage during assembly of the actuator for obtaining a gap-free assembly between the return spring of the actuator and each stopper 8.

[0028] The body 20 also comprises two openings 51 arranged symmetrically on two vertical planes parallel to the longitudinal axis L, which are advantageously the longer sides of the body 20. Each opening 51 is arranged in the centre of the surface along the longitudinal axis L. The openings 51 are advantageously cylindrical holes receiving the shaft 5 along the axis 50 of rotation of the mobile element. The shaft 5 is preferably cylindrical in shape and may include an attachment making it possible to hold said shaft 5 in the opening 51. The shaft 5 is fixed to the body 20 at the opening 51. The shaft 5 advantageously includes a cylindrical spacer limiting friction during rotation and mechanical clearance around the axis of rotation.

[0029] The body 20 also comprises a membrane 24 arranged to close the body at the top. The membrane 24 includes an opening allowing a portion of the actuator 1 to pass through. The membrane 24 is capable of forming a liquid-tight seal between the vertical walls of the body 20 and the actuator 1. The membrane 24 advantageously consists of an elastomer. The membrane is preferably attached to the actuator 1 and to the body 20 by clamping between two surfaces assembled by screws.

[0030] The body 20 may include a coating of resin 25 on its underside configured to immobilize each first stopper 8 relative to the body 20. The coating of resin 25 may form a liquid-tight seal over the printed circuit 30, the housing 23, and the lower portion 22 of the body 20.

[0031] The main body 20 can be attached to a support such as a panel or a machine by using an installation panel 26 and a cradle (base) 27 and tightening screws 28 .

[0032] The movable actuator 1 comprises a cover 11, a lever 12 and an essentially cylindrical rotor 13.

[0033] The cover 11 is intended to be operated by a user. It can be designed according to the aesthetic requirements of the equipment in which the control device will be used or it can be provided with information such as logos, pictograms, etc. It can also be provided with a grip surface making it possible to prevent the user's fingers from slipping while using the control device or with any other suitable surface depending on the ergonomics and aesthetics it is desired to give to the device.

[0034] The lever 12 connects the cover 11 to the rotor 13. The lever 12 has an elongated shape, and enables the rotational movement generated when the cover 11 is operated to be transmitted to the rotor 13.

[0035] The rotor 13 is disposed within the body 20 and has a cylindrical bore 55 aligned with the axis of rotation 50 of the actuator 1. A shaft 5 is disposed passing through the bore 55 along the axis of rotation 50, allowing the rotor 13 to rotate about this axis 50.

[0036] The rotor 13 has an annular portion 52 embossed around a cylindrical bore 55. The annular portion 52 is adapted to receive a torsion spring 7. The torsion spring 7 is arranged to surround the annular portion 52, such that the ring of the torsion spring 7 is aligned with the cylindrical bore 55 of the rotor 13. The pivot 5 is mounted to pass through the ring of the torsion spring 7, the annular portion 52 and the bore 55 along the axis of rotation 50.

[0037] The torsion spring 7 comprises two end strands 71 ​​which are supported on two respective support surfaces 14 which are arranged on the lower part of the rotor 13 below each strand of the torsion spring 7 and fixed relative to said strands 71. Each end strand 71 is also in contact with a support surface 82 of a respective first stop 8 arranged in the body 20. The torsion spring 7 has a compressive force which is greater than the compressive force of the elastic element 9.

[0038] Optionally, two second stops 15 can be arranged in the upper part of the rotor 13. The second stops 15 have two contact surfaces facing a pair of contact surfaces 16 arranged in the body 20.

[0039] The rotor 13 of the actuator also comprises a magnet 6 fixed integrally to said rotor 13. The magnet 6 is advantageously arranged on the lower part of the rotor 13 facing the magnetic field sensor 32 on the printed circuit 30.

[0040] When the actuator 1 is in the neutral position, the lever 12 is parallel to the neutral axis N and the cover 11 points upwards. In this position, the torsion spring 7 is under minimal compression. The magnet 6 is in its lowest position and closest to the magnetic field sensor 32. If applicable, the two second stops 15 are not in contact with the first stops 8.

[0041] When the actuator 1 is in the tilted position, the lever 12 is at an angle to the axis N in the plane defined by the neutral axis N and the longitudinal axis L. The tilt can be negative or positive. The torsion spring 7 is subjected to a stronger pressure than in the neutral position and tries to urge the actuator 1 in the direction of rotation towards the neutral position. The magnet 6 is deflected from its neutral position in the direction opposite to the tilt of the lever 12. If applicable, one of the two second stops 15 is brought closer to the head 81 of the first stop 8 arranged facing it, and the other second stop 15 is moved away from the head 81 of the corresponding first stop 8, relative to the neutral position.

[0042] When the actuator 1 is at maximum tilt, if applicable, a second stop 15 arranged on the tilted side of the lever 12 bears on a surface 16 arranged on the same side of the body 20, thus limiting the pivoting of the actuator 1 around the axis 50. The angle between the lever 12 and the neutral axis N may, by way of illustrative and non-limiting example, amount to 25° to 30° in the position of maximum tilt.

[0043] When the user starts to operate the movable part of the actuator 1, the actuator 1 moves from the neutral position towards the tilted position. The magnet 6 then moves in the opposite direction to the tilt of the lever 12. The magnetic field sensor 32 detects the angular position of the magnet 6 and produces an electrical signal according to the detected angular position. The user can then perform an operation in the same or opposite direction and the sensor will again detect the angular position of the magnet 6. The user can continue the operation (which will be detected in a similar way) or release the actuator 1 at any position.

[0044] When the user releases the actuator 1 from the tilted position, the torsion spring 7 urges the actuator 1 towards its neutral position. The magnetic field sensor 32 detects the return of the magnet 6 to the neutral position and produces a corresponding electrical signal.

[0045] The magnetic field sensor 32 may be a sensor that detects the movement of the magnet 6. Alternatively, the magnetic field sensor may be a sensor that detects the position of the magnet 6. Advantageously, the magnetic field sensor 32 is a Hall effect sensor.

[0046] The various assembly steps of the control device will now be described.

[0047] The first stage is shown in Fig. 5A. First, the pins 84 of the first stops 8 are inserted into the openings 86 provided in the lower part 22 of the body 20 (which may include the printed circuit 30 and the sensor 32). The pins including the elastic elements 9 are then located between the head 81 and the openings 86. During this stage, the elastic elements 9 are not subjected to any compression. At the same time, the torsion springs 7 are mounted on the embossed annular parts 52 on the rotor 13 of the actuator 1, with the strands 71 ​​firmly contacting the support surface 14.

[0048] In a second stage, referring to Fig. 5B, the rotor 13 of the actuator 1 (including the magnets 6 and the torsion springs 7) is inserted into the body 20 by aligning the holes 55 with the openings 51. The ends of each strand 71 of the torsion springs 7 are supported on each first stopper 8 by compressing a respective elastic element 9 disposed on a pin 84 of said stopper 8. Each first stopper 8 slides in a respective opening 86 of the lower part 22. The compressive force of the elastic element 9 is smaller than that of the torsion springs 7, so that the torsion springs 7 do not undergo deformation at this stage.

[0049] In a third step, referring to Fig. 5C, the shaft 5 is inserted into the opening 51 and the cylindrical bore 55 along the axis of rotation 50. The elastic element 9 is compressed, which allows the torsion spring 7 to be placed with symmetrical compression on the two respective stops 8 of the rotor 13 and on the two respective support surfaces 14 of the actuator 1. Due to the impetus exerted by the elastic element 9, no gaps can exist between the strands 71 ​​of the torsion spring 7 and the respective stops 8. This arrangement has the effect of preventing any residual mechanical gaps in the switch.

[0050] A printed circuit 30 containing a sensor 32 can be inserted into the body before or after each of the above steps.

[0051] In a fourth step, referring to FIG. 5D, each stopper 8 is immobilized relative to the body 20 in the position imposed by the impetus of the elastic element 9. This makes it possible to prevent any gaps between each stopper and each strand 71 of the torsion spring. The immobilization can be carried out (purely by way of example and without limitation) by pouring resin 25 into the lower part of the body, by immersing the lower part of the body in resin, by gluing or by welding. If the immobilization is carried out by means other than resin, a resin covering can be applied after the immobilization. In this case, the printed circuit 30 including the sensor can be inserted into the body after the immobilization of each stopper and before the application of the resin covering (if applicable).

[0052] The application of the resin 25 coating also has the effect of making the housing liquid-tight at the lower portion 22 .

[0053] After each of the above assembly steps, the device contains no residual mechanical gaps, especially near the neutral positions of the moving elements.

[0054] After assembly of the various components placed inside the body 20, the membrane 24 is attached to the body 20. The lever 12 and the cover 11 are placed on the rotor 13 of the actuator 1.

[0055] The operating device can then be mounted on a support such as a panel or machine by means of a mounting panel 26, optional mounting spacers and a cradle 27, by tightening the screws 28. A portion of the membrane 24 is disposed between the body 20 and the mounting panel 26. Tightening the screws 28 has the effect of compressing the portion of the membrane 24 by clamping the body 20 against the mounting panel 26, making the device liquid-tight on the upper side.

Claims

1. a body (20) provided with a printed circuit (30); an actuator (1) pivotable relative to said body (20) about an axis of rotation 50; a torsion spring (7) with two end strands (71) supported on two respective support surfaces (14) of said actuator (1), said torsion spring (7) being configured to urge said actuator (1) in a rotational direction towards a rest position; at least one magnet (6) fixed integrally with respect to said actuator (1); a magnetic field sensor (32) arranged on said printed circuit (30) opposite said magnet (6) and suitable for detecting the angular position of said magnet (6) and for producing an electric signal dependent on said detected angular position; In an operating device comprising:

1. An operating device comprising two stoppers (8) fixed integrally to said body (20), a respective elastic element (9) being arranged between each stopper (8) and said body (20), each stopper (8) having a support surface contacting a respective end strand (71) of said torsion spring (7).

2. 2. The operating device according to claim 1, wherein the elastic element (9) is a compression spring.

3. 3. The operating device according to claim 2, wherein each stopper (8) comprises a head (81) having a respective support surface and a pin (84) extending from the head (81), and each compression spring is disposed around the pin (84).

4. 3. The operating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the support surfaces of the stopper (8) and each of the support surfaces (14) of the actuator (1) are arranged on the same side of each end strand (71) of the torsion spring (7).

5. 3. An operating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the elastic element (9) is in a compressed state.

6. 3. The operating device according to claim 1, wherein the stopper (8) is fixed integrally to the main body (20) by immersion in a resin (25).

7. The operating device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising two second stoppers (15) for limiting rotation of the actuator (1) around the axis (50), the second stoppers (15) being integrally fixed to the actuator (1).

8. 8. The operating device according to claim 7, wherein the second stopper (15), which limits the rotation about the axis (50), comes into contact with a contact surface (16) arranged in the body (20) at the end of its movement.

9. A manufacturing method for the operating device according to claim 1 or 2, comprising the steps of: - providing said actuator (1) and said torsion spring (7); - arranging the torsion spring (7) around the axis of rotation (50) of the actuator (1), such that the end strands (71) of the torsion spring (7) are supported on the support surface (14) of the actuator (1); - providing said body (20), said body (20) comprising said two stops (8) urged towards said actuator (1) by said elastic element (9); - inserting the actuator (1) and the torsion spring (7) into the body (20) with the end strands (71) of the torsion spring (7) resting on the stops (8) and compressing the elastic element (9); - immobilizing said stopper (8) relative to said body (20); A manufacturing method comprising:

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