Rotating electrical component

Abstract

To make the spring length of an elastic component sufficiently long even when a device is made compact.SOLUTION: An elastic component includes a base fixed to a second component, a first arm extending from one end of the base, a first protrusion provided on the first arm and abutting an annular uneven portion, a second arm extending from the other end of the base, and a second protrusion provided on the second arm and abutting the annular uneven portion, and is attached to the second component such that the Z axis is sandwiched between the first arm and the second arm, and the first protrusion and the second protrusion are located at a position farther from the center point of the base than the X axis which is perpendicular to the Z axis and perpendicular to the Y axis connecting the center point of the base and the Z axis.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to rotating electrical components. [Background technology]

[0002] The following Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for providing a clicking action in a rotary switch by using a metallic elastic member provided on the rotor, with a pair of elastic arms each having a protrusion at the tip, and an uneven surface provided inside the housing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 03-007858 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the technology of Patent Document 1, when viewed from above, if an axis that is perpendicular to the center of rotation of the rotor and extends in the direction in which the pair of protrusions of the elastic component is provided is defined as the X-axis, both of the pair of protrusions of the elastic component are provided on the X-axis. Therefore, with the technology of Patent Document 1, when the device is made smaller, the spring length of the elastic component cannot be made sufficiently long, and there is a risk that the elastic component will not easily deform elastically. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A rotary electric component according to one embodiment includes a first component including a main body and an annular wall portion extending from the main body so as to surround a Z-axis passing through the main body and forming a storage space therein; a second component housed in the storage space and supported rotatably relative to the first component about the Z-axis as a rotation axis; and a moderation means including an annular concave-convex portion formed radially inside the annular wall portion and an elastic component attached to the second component and elastically deformable toward the annular concave-convex portion, the elastic component being fixed to the second component. The second component has a base portion fixed to the second component, a first arm portion extending from one end of the base, a first protrusion portion provided on the first arm portion and abutting the annular uneven portion, a second arm portion extending from the other end of the base, and a second protrusion portion provided on the second arm portion and abutting the annular uneven portion, and is attached to the second component so that the Z-axis is sandwiched between the first arm portion and the second arm portion, and the first protrusion portion and the second protrusion portion are located at a position farther from the center point of the base than the X-axis line which is perpendicular to the Z-axis line and perpendicular to the Y-axis line connecting the center point of the base and the Z-axis line. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to one embodiment of the rotary electrical component, even when the device is made compact, the spring length of the elastic component can be made sufficiently long. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of an external appearance of a rotary electrical component according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view of a rotary electrical component according to an embodiment (with the cover removed); FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is an exploded perspective view of a rotary electrical component according to an embodiment; [Figure 4] 1 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a rotary electrical component according to an embodiment; [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of a rotating body and an elastic component (before assembly) included in a rotary electric component according to an embodiment; [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a rotating body and an elastic component (in an assembled state) included in a rotary electric component according to an embodiment; [Figure 7]FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a rotating body and an elastic component (disposed in a storage space of a fixed body) included in a rotary electric component according to an embodiment; [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a configuration of a lower surface side of a base of a rotating body included in a rotary electric component according to an embodiment; [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a first component included in a rotary electrical component according to an embodiment; [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a first component and a rotary contact member included in a rotary electrical component according to one embodiment; [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a first component (with a second component disposed thereon) included in a rotary electrical component according to an embodiment; [Figure 12] 1 is a bottom view of a rotary electrical component according to an embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] An embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. For convenience, in the following description, the Z-axis direction in the drawings is the up-down direction, the X-axis direction in the drawings is the left-right direction, and the Y-axis direction in the drawings is the front-rear direction. However, the positive Z-axis direction is the up direction, the positive X-axis direction is the right direction, and the positive Y-axis direction is the front.

[0009] (Overview of the rotating electrical component 100) FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a rotary electric component 100 according to one embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the rotary electric component 100 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape that is thin in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). As shown in FIG. 1, the rotary electric component 100 includes a first component 110 and a cover 120 that covers the upper part of the first component 110. A circular opening 120A is formed in the center of the cover 120. A second component 130 is rotatably provided inside the first component 110. A rotation shaft 132 of the second component 130 protrudes upward (in the positive direction of the Z-axis) from the opening 120A of the cover 120. This allows the rotary electric component 100 to receive a rotation operation of the second component 130 from an operator via the rotation shaft 132.

[0010] (Configuration of the rotary electrical component 100) Fig. 2 is an external perspective view of the rotary electric component 100 according to one embodiment (with the cover 120 removed). Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the rotary electric component 100 according to one embodiment. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the rotary electric component 100 according to one embodiment.

[0011] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the rotary electric component 100 includes a first component 110, a cover 120, a second component 130, a rotary contact member 140, and an elastic component 150. As shown in FIG.

[0012] First component 110 is a container-like member that has a generally square shape (strictly speaking, an octagonal shape with each of the four corners cut diagonally) when viewed from above and is open at the top. First component 110 has an annular wall portion 112 on the upper side (positive side of the Z axis) and a main body portion 111 (negative side of the Z axis) on the lower side. Annular wall portion 112 extends upward (positive direction of the Z axis) from main body portion 111 so as to surround a Z axis line Lz that passes through the center of main body portion 111, and forms inside thereof a storage space 110A that is open at the top.

[0013] When viewed from above, the storage space 110A has a generally circular shape. The storage space 110A accommodates the second component 130. The upper opening of the storage space 110A is closed by a cover 120. The first component 110 is formed by insert molding using, for example, a relatively hard insulating material (such as hard resin).

[0014] A bearing hole 111A is formed in the center of the main body 111, which has a circular shape when viewed from above and passes through the main body 111 in the up-down direction (see FIG. 4).

[0015] Claw portions 110D that protrude outward are formed on the side surfaces of each of the four corners of first component 110. When cover 120 is attached to first component 110, claw portions 110D are fitted into openings of hooks 120B of cover 120 (see FIG. 1), thereby hooking on hooks 120B and fixing cover 120 to first component 110.

[0016] An annular uneven portion 113 is formed on the inner wall surface of the annular wall portion 112 (i.e., the radially inner side of the annular wall portion 112) to create a clicking sensation when rotating the second component 130. The annular uneven portion 113 has a configuration in which cam lobes 113A that are convex toward the inner diameter side and cam grooves 113B that are concave toward the outer diameter side are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction.

[0017] Cover 120 is a horizontal, flat, metallic member having a substantially square shape (strictly speaking, an octagonal shape with each of the four corners cut diagonally) when viewed from above. Cover 120 is fixedly attached to the upper surface of first component 110, thereby closing the upper opening of storage space 110A of first component 110. Cover 120 is formed, for example, by processing a metal plate using a processing method such as press working. In top view, a circular opening 120A is formed in the center of cover 120, through which rotation shaft 132 of second component 130 is inserted.

[0018] Furthermore, downwardly hanging hooks 120B are provided at each of the four corners of cover 120. Hooks 120B have rectangular openings into which claws 110D provided on the side surfaces of first component 110 fit (see FIG. 1). As a result, hooks 120B are hooked onto claws 110D, and cover 120 can be fixed to first component 110.

[0019] Second component 130 is a resin member that can be rotated by an operator. Second component 130 is disposed in storage space 110A of first component 110 and is supported so as to be rotatable relative to first component 110 about a Z-axis line Lz that passes through main body 111.

[0020] The second component 130 has a rotating shaft 132 in the center and a base 131 around the rotating shaft 132. The base 131 is a horizontal, disk-shaped portion that protrudes radially outward from the rotating shaft 132. The rotating shaft 132 is a cylindrical portion that extends vertically (in the Z-axis direction) from the center of the base 131. The upper portion of the rotating shaft 132 passes through the opening 120A of the cover 120 and protrudes upward (in the positive Z-axis direction) beyond the cover 120, thereby allowing the rotating operation by the operator.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 4, the second component 130 is rotatably supported by the first component 110 by inserting the lower end of the rotation shaft portion 132 into the bearing hole 111A.

[0022] A through-hole 130A is formed in the center of the second component 130. The through-hole 130A has a square shape when viewed from above and passes through the second component 130 in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). This allows the shaft of an operating knob (not shown) or the like to be inserted into the through-hole 130A of the second component 130.

[0023] The rotary contact member 140 is an annular member made of a metal plate. The rotary contact member 140 is fixedly attached to the lower surface of the base 131 of the second component 130, and thereby rotates integrally with the second component 130. The rotary contact member 140 has the base 141 and three contact spring portions 142. The rotary contact member 140 is provided to detect the rotation direction and rotation angle of the second component 130 by switching the electrical connection state of three fixed contact portions 114 (see FIG. 9 ) provided on the inner bottom surface of the storage space 110A of the first component 110 via the three contact spring portions 142. The base 141 of the rotary contact member 140 has three openings 143 provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction for fixing the rotary contact member 140 to the lower surface of the base 131 of the second component 130.

[0024] Elastic component 150 is made of a strip-shaped metal plate whose width direction is the vertical direction (Z-axis direction), and has a shape in which the metal plate is bent so as to form a roughly C-shape when viewed from above. Elastic component 150 is attached to the upper surface of base 131 of second component 130, and thereby rotates integrally with second component 130. Elastic component 150 is elastically deformable toward annular concave-convex portion 113 of first component 110. Elastic component 150, together with annular concave-convex portion 113 of first component 110, constitutes moderation means 100A that provides a clicking sensation in response to the rotation operation of second component 130.

[0025] (Configuration of the upper surface side of the second component 130) Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the appearance of the second component 130 and the elastic component 150 (before assembly) included in the rotary electric component 100 according to one embodiment. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the appearance of the second component 130 and the elastic component 150 (after assembly) included in the rotary electric component 100 according to one embodiment.

[0026] 5 and 6, an elastic component 150 is attached to the upper surface of the base 131 of the second component 130. The elastic component 150 has a base 150A, a first arm 150B, a first protruding portion 150C, a second arm 150D, and a second protruding portion 150E. The elastic component 150 is a leaf spring component in which these components are integrally formed from a metal material.

[0027] Base 150A is a portion fixed to the upper surface of base 131 of second component 130. Specifically, base 150A is provided in the middle of elastic component 150 and is a portion extending linearly in the left-right direction (Z-axis direction). Base 150A is fixed to the upper surface of base 131 of second component 130 by being inserted at each of one end (end on the negative side of the X-axis) and the other end (end on the positive side of the X-axis) between protrusions 132A protruding in the outer diameter direction from rotation shaft 132 of second component 130 and arc-shaped outer wall portion 133 provided on the upper surface of base 131 of second component 130.

[0028] The first arm 150B is an arm-shaped portion that extends clockwise from one end (the end on the negative side of the X-axis) of the base 150A along the outer periphery of the base 131. The first arm 150B is elastically deformable in the radial direction.

[0029] The first protruding portion 150C is provided near the tip of the first arm portion 150B, and is a portion that abuts against the annular concave-convex portion 113 of the first component 110 and is convex (arcuate) toward the outer diameter side.

[0030] The second arm 150D is an arm-shaped portion that extends counterclockwise from the other end (the end on the positive side of the X-axis) of the base 150A along the outer periphery of the base 131. The second arm 150D is elastically deformable in the radial direction.

[0031] The second protruding portion 150E is provided near the tip of the second arm portion 150D, and is a portion that abuts against the annular concave-convex portion 113 of the first component 110 and is convex (arcuate) toward the outer diameter side.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 5, the elastic part 150 is attached to the upper surface of the base part 131 of the second part 130 so that the Z axis line Lz is sandwiched between the first arm part 150B and the second arm part 150D.

[0033] 5, the elastic component 150 has a tongue 151 extending downward (in the negative Z-axis direction) from a base 150A. Meanwhile, the base 131 of the second component 130 has a recess 134 formed downward (in the negative Z-axis direction) into which the tongue 151 can be inserted. In the rotary electric component 100 according to one embodiment, the tongue 151 is inserted into the recess 134, thereby positioning the elastic component 150 relative to the second component 130. This allows the rotary electric component 100 according to one embodiment to easily and accurately position the elastic component 150 relative to the second component 130.

[0034] (Action of elastic part 150) FIG. 7 is an external perspective view showing the second component 130 and the elastic component 150 (disposed in the storage space 110A of the first component 110) included in the rotary electric component 100 according to one embodiment.

[0035] 7, when second component 130 is placed in storage space 110A of first component 110, first protrusion 150C and second protrusion 150E of elastic component 150 each come into elastic contact with annular uneven portion 113 of first component 110. In the example shown in FIG. 7, first protrusion 150C and second protrusion 150E each fit into cam groove 113B of annular uneven portion 113, thereby locking rotation of second component 130.

[0036] Then, each of first protrusion 150C and second protrusion 150E slides on annular concave-convex portion 113 as second component 130 rotates. At that time, first protrusion 150C and second protrusion 150E move radially along annular concave-convex portion 113 while elastically deforming first arm 150B and second arm 150D in the radial direction, and when they fit into cam groove 113B, they suddenly stop the rotation of second component 130. As a result, each of first arm 150B and second arm 150D can provide a clicking sensation at predetermined rotation angles (every 30° in this embodiment) in response to the operator's rotation of second component 130.

[0037] (Configuration of the lower surface side of the second component 130) FIG. 8 is an external perspective view showing the configuration of the lower surface side of the base portion 131 of the second component 130 included in the rotary electric component 100 according to one embodiment.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 8, a rotary contact member 140 having a substantially annular shape is fixedly attached to the lower surface of the base 131 of the second part 130. In the example shown in Fig. 8, three pins 144 provided on the lower surface of the base 131 of the second part 130 are inserted into three openings 143 (see Fig. 3) of the rotary contact member 140, respectively, and then the rotary contact member 140 is fixed by being crimped.

[0039] The outer periphery of the rotary contact member 140 has a plurality of contact spring portions 142 (so-called brushes) arranged in the circumferential direction. As an example, in this embodiment, three contact spring portions 142 are provided at equal intervals (i.e., 120° intervals) on the outer periphery of the rotary contact member 140. The contact spring portions 142 extend integrally in the circumferential direction from the annular base portion 141 and are elastically deformable in the up-down direction (Z-axis direction). The contact spring portions 142 have a contact portion 142A at their tip portions that is convex downward (negative Z-axis direction).

[0040] (Configuration of the inner bottom surface of the storage space 110A) 9 is a plan view of a first component 110 included in a rotary electric component 100 according to one embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, three fixed contact portions 114 made of a metal plate are provided on the same circumference on the inner bottom surface of a storage space 110A of the first component 110. The three fixed contact portions 114 are each fan-shaped so as to form an overall annular shape when viewed from above. Furthermore, on the inner bottom surface of the storage space 110A of the first component 110, a non-conductive portion 115 is formed between two adjacent fixed contact portions 114, which is a portion that does not have a fixed contact portion 114.

[0041] Of the three fixed contact portions 114, the two fixed contact portions 114 on the Y-axis positive side have openings 114A formed in their circumferential centers, which function as non-conductive portions 115.

[0042] In addition, of the three fixed contact portions 114, the two fixed contact portions 114 on the positive side of the Y axis are arranged to protrude outward from the side surface of the first component 110 and have two external connection terminals 114B that are soldered to a circuit board or the like.

[0043] Furthermore, one of the three fixed contact portions 114 on the negative side of the Y axis is provided to protrude outward from the side surface of the first component 110 and has four external connection terminals 114B that are solder-connected to a circuit board or the like.

[0044] (Function of the Rotary Contact Member 140) 10 is a plan view of first component 110 and rotary contact member 140 included in rotary electric component 100 according to one embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, when second component 130 is placed in storage space 110A of first component 110, rotary contact member 140 fixed to the lower surface of second component 130 is positioned opposite three fixed contact portions 114.

[0045] At this time, each of the three contact portions 142A of the contact spring portion 142 is in a state of elastic contact with one of the fixed contact portions 114 or one of the non-conductive portions 115, depending on the rotation angle of the second part 130.

[0046] When two or three of the three contact portions 142A are brought into elastic contact with two or three of the three fixed contact portions 114, the two or three fixed contact portions 114 are electrically connected to one another via the rotary contact member 140. The rotary electric component 100 according to one embodiment can detect the direction and angle of rotation of the second component 130 by detecting a change in the combination of the two or three fixed contact portions 114 that are electrically connected to one another.

[0047] FIG. 11 is a plan view of a first component 110 (with a second component 130 arranged) included in a rotary electric component 100 according to one embodiment.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 11, in this embodiment, an axis that passes through the center of the rotary electric component 100 and extends in the Z-axis direction (up and down direction) is defined as a Z-axis line Lz.

[0049] In this embodiment, an axis that is perpendicular to the Z-axis line Lz and extends in the Y-axis direction (front-to-back direction) connecting the center point P1 of the base 150A of the elastic part 150 and the Z-axis line Lz is defined as the Y-axis line Ly.

[0050] In this embodiment, an axis that is perpendicular to the Y-axis Ly and the Z-axis Lz and extends in the X-axis direction (left-right direction) is defined as an X-axis Lx.

[0051] 11, in rotary electric component 100 according to one embodiment, first protrusion 150C and second protrusion 150E of elastic component 150 are provided at a position farther from center point P1 of base 150A of elastic component 150 than X-axis Lx. In other words, first protrusion 150C and second protrusion 150E of elastic component 150 are provided at a position offset forward (in the positive direction of the Y-axis) from X-axis Lx.

[0052] As a result, rotary electric component 100 according to one embodiment can increase the spring length of elastic component 150 (i.e., the lengths of first arm portion 150B and second arm portion 150D) compared to a conventional configuration in which first protrusion portion and second protrusion portion are provided on the X-axis. Therefore, rotary electric component 100 according to one embodiment can sufficiently increase the spring length of elastic component 150 even when the device is miniaturized.

[0053] (Configuration for Centering the Second Part 130) 12 is a bottom view of a rotary electric component 100 according to one embodiment. As shown in FIG. 12, the second component 130 is rotatably supported by the first component 110 by inserting the lower end of the rotary shaft 132 into a bearing hole 111A formed in the center of the main body 111 of the first component 110.

[0054] Here, as shown in Fig. 12, the outer diameter of the lower end of the rotating shaft portion 132 is smaller than the inner diameter of the bearing hole 111A. Also, as shown in Fig. 12, the lower end of the rotating shaft portion 132 is centered at the center of the bearing hole 111A. As a result, as shown in Figs. 12 and 4, a clearance 100B is provided between the inner periphery of the bearing hole 111A and the outer periphery of the lower end of the rotating shaft portion 132 over the entire circumference.

[0055] In addition, in one embodiment of the rotary electrical component 100, the first protrusion 150C and the second protrusion 150E of the elastic component 150 are each in elastic contact with the annular uneven portion 113, and the lower end of the rotating shaft portion 132 is designed to be centered in the center of the bearing hole 111A.

[0056] As a result, rotary electric component 100 according to one embodiment can suppress eccentric rotation of rotary shaft portion 132, wear of rotary shaft portion 132 and bearing hole 111A, and the like.

[0057] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims.

[0058] For example, in this embodiment, as an example, the first part 110 is fixed and the second part 130 is arranged to rotate relative to the first part 110, but this is not limited to this, and as another example, the second part 130 may be fixed and the first part 110 may be arranged to rotate relative to the second part 130. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 100 Rotating Electrical Parts 100A moderation means 100B Clearance 110 First Part 110A Storage space 110D Claw 111 Main body 111A Bearing hole 112 Annular wall 113 Annular uneven part 113A Mount Kam 113B Cam groove 114 Fixed contact section 114A opening 114B External connection terminal 115 Non-conductive part 120 Cover 120A opening 120B hook 130 2nd Part 130A through hole 131 Base 132 Rotating shaft 132A convex part 133 Exterior wall 134 recess 140 Rotating contact member 141 Base 142 Contact spring part 142A contact part 143 Opening 144 pins 150 Elastic Parts 150A base 150B 1st arm 150C 1st protrusion 150D 2nd arm 150E 2nd protrusion 151 Tongue piece Lx X-axis Ly Y axis Lz Z axis

Claims

1. a first component including a main body and an annular wall extending from the main body so as to surround a Z-axis line passing through the main body and forming an internal storage space; a second component that is accommodated in the accommodation space and supported so as to be rotatable relative to the first component about the Z-axis as a rotation axis; a moderation means including an annular uneven portion formed on the radially inner side of the annular wall portion, and an elastic part attached to the second part and elastically deformable toward the annular uneven portion; Equipped with The elastic part is a base secured to the second component; a first arm extending from one end of the base; a first protruding portion provided on the first arm portion and abutting against the annular concave-convex portion; a second arm extending from the other end of the base; and a second protruding portion provided on the second arm portion and abutting against the annular concave-convex portion, the first arm and the second arm are attached to the second component so as to sandwich the Z-axis line therebetween, The first protruding portion and the second protruding portion are provided at positions farther from the center point of the base than an X-axis line that is perpendicular to the Z-axis line and perpendicular to a Y-axis line that connects the center point of the base and the Z-axis line. A rotating electrical component characterized by:

2. one of the second part and the first part has a rotation shaft part formed around the rotation axis line, the other of the second component and the first component has a bearing hole formed about the rotation axis and into which the rotation shaft portion is inserted, The second component is centered by the action of the elastic component so that a clearance is provided between the rotating shaft portion and the bearing hole over the entire circumference.

2. The rotary electrical component according to claim 1.

3. The elastic part is a leaf spring part formed from a single piece of metal material.

2. The rotary electrical component according to claim 1.

4. The elastic part has a tongue extending from the base in the Z-axis direction, The second part has a recess formed along the Z-axis direction into which the tongue can be inserted, and the elastic part is positioned by inserting the tongue into the recess.

4. The rotary electrical component according to claim 3.

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