Knob structure and knob installation method

Abstract

To reduce an axial load on a rotary shaft at the time of installing, and maintain the state of installation on the rotary shaft.SOLUTION: A knob structure includes a knob body 2 formed with a radially flexible cylindrical member 3 through which a rotary shaft 10A can be inserted in an axial direction, and a fixed member 4 that is attached to the outer periphery of the cylindrical member 3 from the tip side of the rotary shaft 10A and presses the cylindrical member 3 toward the rotary shaft 10A.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a knob structure and a knob mounting method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a knob attachment device. The knob is used to rotate a round tuning shaft of a radio receiver. The knob has a cylindrical shaft portion that fits onto the round shaft, and a ring spring that is attached to the outer periphery of the shaft portion. The knob attachment device transmits the rotational force of the knob to the round shaft by applying a friction torque between the round shaft and the shaft portion through the ring spring.

[0003] Patent document 1 also discloses a knob mounting device that includes a knob body with an engagement portion on a part of its cylindrical inner wall, a round shaft that engages with the engagement portion and has a slot at its tip, and a spring that is inserted into the slot of the round shaft and presses against the cylindrical inner wall of the knob body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 60-187923 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The conventional knob attachment device described above has a structure in which the knob is attached to the round shaft by the elastic force of a spring. In this knob attachment device, when the knob is attached to the round shaft, the knob is pressed in so as to be pressed in the axial direction, which is the extension direction of the round shaft, against the elastic force of the spring. For this reason, in the conventional knob attachment device, since a load is applied in the axial direction to the round shaft during attachment, it is essential that the maximum load capacity in the specifications of the electronic device in the axial direction is not exceeded. However, if the elastic force of the spring is reduced in order to suppress the axial load on the rotating shaft of the electronic component, the knob becomes more likely to come off the rotating shaft.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to provide a knob structure and a knob mounting method that can reduce the axial load on a rotating shaft during mounting and maintain the mounted state on the rotating shaft. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a knob structure of one embodiment of the present invention comprises a knob body having a tubular member through which a rotating shaft can be inserted in the axial direction and which is flexible in the radial direction, and a fixing member attached to the outer periphery of the tubular member from the tip side of the rotating shaft and pressing the tubular member toward the rotating shaft.

[0008] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a knob attachment method of one embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of: inserting a rotating shaft in the axial direction into a tubular member formed in the knob body and having radial flexibility; pressing the tubular member toward the rotating shaft using a fixing member attached to the outer periphery of the tubular member from the tip side of the rotating shaft; and attaching a cover member to the knob body to cover the tubular member and the fixing member. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, the axial load on the rotating shaft during attachment can be reduced, and the attached state to the rotating shaft can be maintained. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a knob structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded cross-sectional view of a knob structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an attachment of the knob structure according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exploded cross-sectional view of another example of a knob structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a knob attachment method according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, a mode for carrying out the invention (hereinafter, referred to as an embodiment) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment. Furthermore, the components in the following embodiment include those that a person skilled in the art can easily imagine, those that are substantially the same, and those that are within the so-called equivalent range. Furthermore, the components disclosed in the following embodiment can be appropriately combined.

[0012] Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a knob structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the knob structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 is an installation cross-sectional view of the knob structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] The knob structure of the embodiment is a structure for attaching the knob 1 to a rotating shaft 10A of an electronic component 10 such as an encoder. The knob 1 is for rotating the rotating shaft 10A. The rotating shaft 10A is formed in a cylindrical shape extending along an axial direction along which a central axis C of rotation extends. The rotating shaft 10A of the embodiment has a flat portion 10Aa formed on a part of the outer periphery of the cylindrical shape, and is configured to fit the knob 1 during rotation. Although not shown, the rotating shaft 10A may be configured to have a slot extending from the tip of the cylindrical shape to the inside in the axial direction instead of the flat portion 10Aa, and to fit the knob 1. The electronic component 10 is connected to a board inside a housing 100 of an electronic device, and the rotating shaft 10A is provided so as to protrude outside the housing 100. Here, in the direction in which the central axis C extends, the side approaching the rotating shaft 10A (housing 100) is referred to as the inner side in the axial direction, and the side going away from the rotating shaft 10A (housing 100) is referred to as the outer side in the axial direction.

[0014] The knob 1 includes a knob body 2, a fixing member 4, and a cover member 5.

[0015] The knob body 2 is an operating part that operates the rotation of the rotating shaft 10A of the electronic component 10, and is formed in a disk shape. The knob body 2 has a grooved portion 2A formed along the circumferential direction along its outer periphery, which serves as a slip prevention when operating the rotation of the rotating shaft 10A. In the knob body 2 of the embodiment, the grooved portion 2A is composed of a separate member, but the grooved portion 2A may be integrally formed with the knob body 2. The knob body 2 has a recessed portion 2B formed at its center, which opens in a circular shape to the outside in the axial direction and recesses in a cylindrical shape to the inside in the axial direction. In addition, the knob body 2 has an edge portion 2D formed on the outer surface 2C on the outside of the axial direction where the recessed portion 2B opens, which is continuous with the outer periphery and protrudes outward in the axial direction. In addition, the knob body 2 has a protrusion 2E formed at the bottom of the recessed portion 2B, which protrudes outward in the axial direction within the recessed portion 2B. A plurality of protrusions 2E are formed around the tubular member 3 formed at the center of the recessed portion 2B.

[0016] The knob body 2 is formed including a tubular member 3. The tubular member 3 is formed integrally with the knob body 2. The tubular member 3 is formed at the center of the recess 2B of the knob body 2, extending from the bottom of the recess 2B toward the outside in the axial direction. The tubular member 3 is formed on the inside in the axial direction of the outer surface 2C of the knob body 2. The tubular member 3 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The tubular member 3 has a tip portion 3A provided to close the tip portion on the outside in the axial direction, and is formed with an open inside in the axial direction. The rotating shaft 10A of the electronic component 10 is inserted into the tubular member 3 from the opening on the inside in the axial direction. The inside shape of the tubular member 3 is formed to match the shape of the rotating shaft 10A, and a flat portion is formed on a part of the circular inner wall, into which the flat portion 10Aa of the rotating shaft 10A is fitted. In addition, the tubular member 3 is formed with a slot 3B extending from the tip portion 3A toward the inside in the axial direction, and is divided in a circumferential direction intersecting the axial direction. The slots 3B are formed in a cross shape when viewed from the axial direction, and are configured to divide the tubular member 3 into four parts in the circumferential direction. The slots 3B may be formed in a straight line when viewed from the axial direction, and may divide the tubular member 3 into two parts in the circumferential direction. That is, the slots 3B divide the tubular member 3 in the circumferential direction. The tubular member 3 has flexibility such that each part divided by the slots 3B bends in the radial direction. The tubular member 3 has a male screw groove 3C formed on its outer periphery. The male screw groove 3C is a groove formed in a spiral shape from the outside to the inside in the axial direction of the tubular member 3. Therefore, the tubular member 3 is formed in a so-called bolt shape. The tubular member 3 is illustrated as being molded integrally with the knob body 2, but may be molded separately from the knob body 2 and attached integrally thereto.

[0017] In the embodiment, the fixing member 4 is formed in a hexagonal prism shape, and a hole penetrating in the axial direction is formed. The fixing member 4 has a groove portion 4A formed on the outer surface in the axial direction. In addition, the fixing member 4 has a female screw groove 4B formed on the inner surface of the hole. The female screw groove 4B is formed in a spiral shape in the axial direction. Therefore, the fixing member 4 is formed in a so-called nut shape and is configured to be movable in the axial direction relative to the tubular member 3. The female screw groove 4B of the fixing member 4 engages with the male screw groove 3C of the tubular member 3, and the fixing member 4 is screwed inward in the axial direction relative to the tubular member 3 and accommodated inside the recess 2B of the knob body 2. In addition, the fixing member 4 is formed such that the inner diameter D2 formed by the groove bottom of the female screw groove 4B is smaller than the outer diameter D1 of the tubular member 3. Therefore, when the fixing member 4 is screwed into the tubular member 3, the individual parts of the tubular member 3 divided by the slot 3B move closer to each other in the radial direction toward the central axis C due to their flexibility.

[0018] The cover member 5 is formed in a disk shape. The cover member 5 is fitted into the inside surrounded by the edge portion 2D of the knob body 2 and fixed by adhesion or the like, and faces the outer surface 2C to cover the recessed portion 2B.

[0019] FIG. 4 is an exploded cross-sectional view of another example of a knob structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] 1 to 3, the knob 11 of the embodiment shown in Fig. 4 has a different configuration from the cylindrical member 3 and the fixed member 4 of the knob 1 of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 to 3 described above in that the configurations of the cylindrical member 31 and the fixed member 41 are different, but the other configurations are the same. Therefore, the explanation of the knob 11 will be limited to the cylindrical member 31 and the fixed member 41, and the same reference numerals will be used to designate the equivalent configurations, and the explanation will be omitted.

[0021] The knob body 2 is formed to include a tubular member 31. The tubular member 31 is formed integrally with the knob body 2. The tubular member 31 is formed at the center of the recess 2B of the knob body 2, extending from the bottom of the recess 2B toward the outside in the axial direction. The tubular member 31 is formed inward in the axial direction from the outer surface 2C of the knob body 2. The tubular member 31 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The tubular member 31 has a tip portion 31A provided to close the tip on the outside in the axial direction, and is formed with an open inside in the axial direction. The rotating shaft 10A of the electronic component 10 is inserted into the tubular member 31 from the opening on the inside in the axial direction. The inside shape of the tubular member 31 is formed to match the shape of the rotating shaft 10A, and a flat portion is formed on a part of the circular inner wall, into which the flat portion 10Aa of the rotating shaft 10A is fitted. The tubular member 31 is formed with a slot 31B extending from the tip 31A toward the inside in the axial direction, and is divided in a circumferential direction intersecting the axial direction. The slot 31B is formed in a cross shape when viewed from the axial direction, and is configured to divide the tubular member 31 into four parts in the circumferential direction. The slot 31B may be formed in a straight line when viewed from the axial direction, and is configured to divide the tubular member 31 into two parts in the circumferential direction. That is, the slot 31B divides the tubular member 31 in the circumferential direction. The tubular member 31 has flexibility such that each part divided by the slot 31B bends in the radial direction. The tubular member 31 is formed with an inclined surface 31C that is inclined with respect to the axial direction so that the outer diameter of the tubular member 31 gradually increases from the outside toward the inside in the axial direction. The tubular member 31 is formed with a locking groove 31D at the inner end in the axial direction of the outer peripheral slope 31C. The locking groove 31D is formed along the circumferential direction of the tubular member 31. Although the cylindrical member 31 is illustrated as being molded integrally with the knob body 2, it may be molded separately from the knob body 2 and attached integrally thereto.

[0022] The fixing member 41 is configured as a coil spring formed in a spiral shape in the axial direction centered on the central axis C. The fixing member 41 is disposed around the tubular member 31 so as to pass through the tubular member 31, and a part of the inside in the axial direction is engaged with the engagement groove 31D and attached to the tubular member 31. The fixing member 41 is configured to be movable in the axial direction relative to the tubular member 31. The fixing member 41 is formed such that the inner diameter D5 is equal to or slightly larger than the outer diameter D3 of the tip end 31A on the outer side of the axial direction of the tubular member 31, and the inner diameter D5 is smaller than the outer diameter D4 of the inner end in the axial direction of the inclined surface 31C of the tubular member 31. Therefore, when the fixing member 41 is attached to the outer periphery of the tubular member 31, the elastic force of the fixing member 41 causes the individual parts of the tubular member 31 divided by the slots 31B to approach each other in the radial direction toward the central axis C due to their flexibility.

[0023] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a knob attachment method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] The procedure for attaching the above-mentioned knobs 1, 11 to the rotating shaft 10A of the electronic component 10 includes inserting the rotating shaft 10A into the tubular member 3 (31) (step S1), attaching the fixing member 4 (41) to the tubular member 3 (31) (step S2), and attaching the cover member 5 to the knob body 2 (step S3), as shown in FIG. 5.

[0025] In step S2, a tool such as a wrench is fitted into the hexagonal column shape of the fixing member 4, or a tool such as a flathead screwdriver is fitted into the groove 4A, and the fixing member 4 is screwed into the tubular member 3 through which the rotating shaft 10A is inserted from the tip side of the rotating shaft 10A, which is on the outside in the axial direction, to be attached. Then, when the fixing member 4 is screwed into the tubular member 3, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 3, the individual parts of the tubular member 3 divided by the slots 3B approach each other in the radial direction toward the central axis C due to their flexibility. Therefore, the tubular member 3 is fixed to the rotating shaft 10A so as to tighten the rotating shaft 10A. Also, in step S2, the fixing member 4 is screwed in until it abuts against the protrusion 2E in the recess 2B, so that it can be confirmed that the tubular member 3 is bent and fixed to the rotating shaft 10A. When the fixing member 4 is screwed in until it abuts against the protrusion 2E in the recess 2B, the fixing member 4 is housed in the recess 2B, and the entirety is disposed axially inward from the outer surface 2C of the knob body 2.

[0026] In step S2, the fixing member 41 is attached by moving it in the axial direction from the tip side of the rotating shaft 10A, which is the outside in the axial direction, to the cylindrical member 31 through which the rotating shaft 10A is inserted. Alternatively, in step S2, the fixing member 41 is spread radially outward by an appropriate tool, and is attached by moving it in the axial direction from the tip side of the rotating shaft 10A, which is the outside in the axial direction, to the cylindrical member 31 through which the rotating shaft 10A is inserted. When attaching the fixing member 41 to the cylindrical member 31, the knob body 2 is pressed so that no load is applied to the rotating shaft 10A in the axial direction. Then, when the fixing member 41 is moved in the axial direction relative to the cylindrical member 31, the individual parts of the cylindrical member 31 divided by the slots 31B approach each other in the radial direction toward the central axis C due to their flexibility. Therefore, the cylindrical member 31 is fixed to the rotating shaft 10A so as to tighten the rotating shaft 10A. Furthermore, in step S2, it can be confirmed that the cylindrical member 31 is bent and fixed to the rotating shaft 10A by moving the fixing member 41 until it fits into the locking groove 31D of the cylindrical member 31. When the fixing member 41 is moved until it fits into the locking groove 31D, the fixing member 41 is housed in the recess 2B, and the entire fixing member 41 is disposed axially inward of the outer surface 2C of the knob body 2.

[0027] In step S3, by attaching the cover member 5 to the knob body 2, the recess 2B is covered, improving the appearance. Also, in step S3, the cover member 5 is fitted into the inside surrounded by the edge portion 2D of the knob body 2 and faces the outer surface 2C, so that it can be confirmed that the fixing members 4, 41 are housed in the recess 2B and the whole is disposed axially inside the outer surface 2C of the knob body 2, that is, the tubular member 31 is bent and fixed to the rotating shaft 10A. Note that the cover member 5 may be integral with the fixing members 4, 41 or the fixing members 4, 41 may be fixed, and steps S2 and S3 may be performed together.

[0028] Thus, the knob structure of the embodiment includes the knob body 2 in which the cylindrical members 3, 31 that can insert the rotating shaft 10A in the axial direction and have radial flexibility are formed, and the fixing members 4, 41 that are attached to the outer periphery of the cylindrical members 3, 31 and press the cylindrical members 3, 31 toward the rotating shaft 10A. Therefore, according to the knob structure of the embodiment, the fixing members 4, 41 press the cylindrical members 3, 31 toward the rotating shaft 10A, so that the force that presses the rotating shaft 10A in the axial direction is suppressed when the fixing members 4, 41 fix the cylindrical members 3, 31. As a result, according to the knob structure of the embodiment, the axial load on the rotating shaft 10A can be reduced during installation. The electronic component 10 has a maximum load capacity in its specifications in the axial direction in which the central axis C of the rotating shaft 10A extends, and according to the knob structure of the embodiment, it is possible to prevent the maximum load capacity from being exceeded. Furthermore, according to the knob structure of the embodiment, the axial load on the rotating shaft 10A during installation can be reduced, so there is no need to suppress the action of the fixing members 4, 41 pressing the tubular members 3, 31 toward the rotating shaft 10A, and the installation state on the rotating shaft 10A can be maintained.

[0029] Furthermore, in the knob structure of the embodiment, the cylindrical member 3 is formed with a male screw groove 3C, and the fixing member 4 is formed with a female screw groove 4B that meshes with the male screw groove 3C, and the fixing member 4 applies a pressing force to the cylindrical member 3 against the rotating shaft 10A when screwed in. Therefore, according to the knob structure of the embodiment, a pressing force is generated by the fixing member 4 in addition to the insertion of the rotating shaft 10A into the cylindrical member 3. As a result, according to the knob structure of the embodiment, the axial load on the rotating shaft 10A during attachment can be reduced, and the attached state to the rotating shaft 10A can be maintained.

[0030] Furthermore, in the knob structure of the embodiment, the fixing member 41 applies a pressing force against the rotating shaft 10A to the tubular member 31 by elastic force. Therefore, according to the knob structure of the embodiment, a pressing force is generated by the fixing member 41 in addition to the insertion of the rotating shaft 10A into the tubular member 31. As a result, according to the knob structure of the embodiment, the axial load on the rotating shaft 10A during attachment can be reduced, and the attached state to the rotating shaft 10A can be maintained.

[0031] Furthermore, in the knob structure of the embodiment, the knob body 2 has a recess 2B in which the tubular members 3, 31 are disposed and which houses the fixed members 4, 41, and further includes a cover member 5 which covers the recess 2B and is attached to the knob body 2. Therefore, according to the knob structure of the embodiment, by covering and concealing the tubular members 3, 31 and the fixed members 4, 41 with the cover member 5, these are prevented from being visible to the outside, improving the appearance.

[0032] The knob attachment method of the embodiment includes the steps of inserting the rotating shaft 10A into the cylindrical members 3, 31 formed in the knob body 2 and having radial flexibility, pressing the cylindrical members 3, 31 toward the rotating shaft 10A with the fixing members 4, 41 attached to the outer periphery of the cylindrical members 3, 31, and attaching the cover member 5 to the knob body 2 to cover the cylindrical members 3, 31 and the fixing members 4, 41. Therefore, according to the knob attachment method of the embodiment, the cylindrical member 3 is fitted to the rotating shaft 10A before the fixing members 4, 41 press the cylindrical members 3, 31 toward the rotating shaft 10A, so that the force for pushing the rotating shaft 10A in the axial direction is suppressed. As a result, according to the knob attachment method of the embodiment, the axial load on the rotating shaft 10A during attachment can be reduced. The electronic component 10 has a maximum load capacity in the axial direction along which the central axis C of the rotating shaft 10A extends, and the knob attachment method of the embodiment prevents the maximum load capacity from being exceeded. In addition, the knob attachment method of the embodiment can reduce the axial load on the rotating shaft 10A during attachment, so there is no need to suppress the action of the fixing members 4, 41 pressing the tubular members 3, 31 toward the rotating shaft 10A, and the attached state to the rotating shaft 10A can be maintained. According to the knob attachment method of the embodiment, the fixing members 4, 41 generate a pressing force separate from the insertion of the tubular members 3, 31 through the rotating shaft 10A, so that the axial load on the rotating shaft 10A during attachment can be reduced and the attached state to the rotating shaft 10A can be maintained. [Explanation of symbols]

[0033] 1,11 Knob 2 Knob body 2B Recess 3. Cylinder Parts 3C male thread groove 4 Fixing member 4B Female thread groove 5 Cover member 10A Rotating shaft 31 Cylinder member 41 Fixing member

Claims

1. A knob body having a cylindrical member through which a rotating shaft can be inserted in the axial direction and which has radial flexibility; a fixing member attached to an outer periphery of the cylindrical member from a tip side of the rotating shaft and pressing the cylindrical member toward the rotating shaft; Equipped with The tubular member has a male thread groove formed therein, and each of the parts divided by a slot has the flexibility to bend radially, and the fixing member has a female thread groove formed therein that engages with the male thread groove, and the fixing member has a knob structure in which, when screwed into the fixing member, it applies a pressing force against the rotating shaft to the tubular member.

2. The knob structure according to claim 1 , further comprising a cover member attached to the knob body to cover the recess, the cover member being disposed in the recess and accommodating the fixing member.

3. a step of inserting a rotating shaft in an axial direction into a cylindrical member that is formed in a knob body, has a male screw groove formed on an outer periphery, and is divided by a slot, and each of the cylindrical members has flexibility in a radial direction; a step of pressing the tubular member toward the rotating shaft by screwing a fixing member having a female screw groove that meshes with the male screw groove into the male screw groove on the outer periphery of the tubular member from a tip side of the rotating shaft; a step of attaching a cover member to the knob body to cover the tubular member and the fixed member; A knob mounting method, including:

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