Variable impedance

Abstract

To miniaturize a variable impedance device.SOLUTION: A variable impedance device 200 includes a substrate 40 having formed element contact parts 48, which are respectively connected to the terminals of the plurality of mounted passive elements, and wiring contact parts 53 which are selectively connected to the element contact parts 48, respectively. Further, the variable impedance device 200 includes a slider 42 which is provided rotatably along the substrate 40 and has connection parts 62 which connect the wiring contact parts 53 to any one of the element contact parts 48 according to a rotation angle. The variable impedance device 200 also includes wirings 57, which are connected to the wiring contact parts 53 and also connected to the terminal of any one of the passive elements through the connection parts 62, extending from the substrate 40.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a variable impedance device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a variable impedance device that can obtain a plurality of impedance values. This variable impedance device varies the resistance value generated by combining each impedance element by operating a slider receiver to short or open each of the resistors connected in series.

[0003] Also, a variable resistor that varies the resistance value without using resistors connected in series is known, in which the resistance value is varied by selectively connecting built-in resistors to an output terminal by rotating a dial.

[0004] This variator includes a substrate having a plurality of resistors and a counter plate disposed opposite the substrate. The substrate includes a plurality of resistors and pads electrically connected to terminals of the resistors. The counter plate includes springs electrically connected to the pads of the substrate and wiring connected to the springs.

[0005] When the opposing plate from which the wires extend is fixed to, for example, a casing, the substrate is supported rotatably relative to the opposing plate. In this case, by rotating the substrate to selectively connect the pads of the substrate to the springs of the opposing plate, the resistance between the wires is switched to the resistance of the resistor connected to the pads. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 54-129353 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] In the variable impedance device as described above, if the opposing plate is fixed to the casing in order to protect the wiring extending from the opposing plate, the substrate will be rotated.

[0008] The substrate that is rotated has pads connected to springs arranged at the center and a number of resistors arranged on the outer periphery, which results in a large substrate.

[0009] As a result, the rotating part including the substrate became larger, and the variable impedance device inevitably became larger.

[0010] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and has an object to provide a variable impedance device that allows for miniaturization. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, a variable impedance device includes a substrate on which element contact portions are respectively connected to terminals of a plurality of mounted passive elements, and wiring contact portions are selectively connected to the element contact portions. The variable impedance device includes a slider rotatably provided along the substrate, and provided with a connection portion for connecting the wiring contact portion to one of the element contact portions depending on the rotation angle. The variable impedance device includes a wiring extending from the substrate that is connected to the wiring contact portion and connected to the terminal of one of the passive elements via the connection portion. The element contact portion includes a first element contact portion connected to one terminal of the passive element and a second element contact portion connected to the other terminal of the passive element, the wiring contact portion includes a first wiring contact portion selectively connected to each of the first element contact portions or each of the second element contact portions and a second wiring contact portion selectively connected to each of the second element contact portions or each of the first element contact portions, and the connection portion includes a first connection portion and a second connection portion. The first connection portion and the second connection portion form a state in which the first wiring contact portion is connected to any of the first element contact portions or any of the second element contact portions, or a state in which the second wiring contact portion is connected to any of the second element contact portions or any of the first element contact portions. According to another aspect of the present invention, a variable impedance device includes a substrate on which element contact portions are respectively connected to terminals of a plurality of mounted passive elements, and wiring contact portions are selectively connected to the element contact portions. The variable impedance device includes a slider rotatably provided along the substrate, and provided with a connection portion for connecting the wiring contact portion to one of the element contact portions depending on the rotation angle. The variable impedance device has a wiring extending from the substrate that is connected to the wiring contact portion and connected to the terminal of one of the passive elements via the connection portion. The element contact portion includes a first current-carrying contact portion and a first detection contact portion connected to one terminal of the passive element, and a second current-carrying contact portion and a second detection contact portion connected to the other terminal of the passive element; the wiring contact portion includes a first current-carrying wiring contact portion selectively connected to each of the first detection contact portions, a first detection wiring contact portion selectively connected to each of the first detection contact portions, a second current-carrying wiring contact portion selectively connected to each of the second detection contact portions, and a second detection wiring contact portion selectively connected to each of the second detection contact portions; the connection portion includes a first connection portion, a second connection portion, a third connection portion, and a fourth connection portion, and the first connection portion, the second connection portion, the third connection portion, and the fourth connection portion form a state in which the first current-carrying wiring contact portion is connected to any of the first current-carrying contact portions, a state in which the first detection wiring contact portion is connected to any of the first detection contact portions, a state in which the second current-carrying wiring contact portion is connected to any of the second current-carrying contact portions, or a state in which the second detection wiring contact portion is connected to any of the second detection contact portions. Effect of the Invention

[0012] In this embodiment, wiring connected to a terminal of one of the passive elements extends from the substrate on which the multiple passive elements are provided. Therefore, by fixing the substrate from which the wiring extends to the casing, tension is not applied to the wiring as the substrate rotates, as in the case of a configuration in which the substrate is rotated, and the wiring can be protected.

[0013] Furthermore, the slider that rotates along the substrate is provided with a connection portion that connects the wiring contact portion of the substrate to any of the element contact portions depending on the rotation angle, and the slider does not include a passive element.

[0014] Therefore, the outer dimensions of the slider can be made smaller than in a case where an area for arranging passive elements must be secured around the outer periphery of the connection portion provided on the slider.

[0015] Therefore, the rotating portion including the slider can be made smaller, and the variable impedance device can be made smaller. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a variable impedance device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the inside of the variable impedance device according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the inside of the variable impedance device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the inside of the variable impedance device according to the third embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the inside of the variable impedance device according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between the substrate and each connection part of the variable impedance device according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a state in which the slider of the variable impedance device according to the fourth embodiment is viewed from the bottom. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the relationship between the board and each connection portion, illustrating a state in which the slider of the variable impedance device according to the fourth embodiment is set to the 0 degree position. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the relationship between the board and each connection portion, illustrating a state in which the slider of the variable impedance device according to the fourth embodiment is set at a 90 degree position. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the relationship between the board and each connection portion, illustrating a state in which the slider of the variable impedance device according to the fourth embodiment is set at a 180 degree position. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the relationship between the board and each connection portion, showing a state in which the slider of the variable impedance device according to the fourth embodiment is set at the 270 degree position. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a connection state between each connector and a resistor when the slider of the variable impedance device according to the fourth embodiment is set to the 0 degree position. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the connection state between each connector and resistor when the slider of the variable impedance device according to the fourth embodiment is set to the 22.5 degree position. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a circuit diagram showing a circuit formed by a variable impedance device according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the variable impedance device according to the fifth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] First Embodiment A variable impedance device 10 according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a variable impedance device 10 according to the first embodiment.

[0018] This variable impedance device 10 is a device that selectively forms a plurality of preset impedances, and with this variable impedance device 10, the value of the selected impedance can be measured by the two-terminal method.

[0019] The impedance may be an inductive reactance, a capacitive reactance, or a resistance. The impedance variator 10 selectively forms a resistance value that is a preselected resistance, for example, as a reference resistance value.

[0020] For example, by measuring the resistance value formed by the impedance variable device 10 using a battery tester that measures the internal resistance of a battery, the operation of the battery tester can be checked and the battery tester can be adjusted.

[0021] The variable impedance device 10 includes a rectangular casing 12. The casing 12 includes an upper case 14 and a lower case 16. A source H (High) connector 20 and a source L (Low) connector 22 are provided on a front surface 14A of the upper case 14.

[0022] Here, in the variable impedance device that measures the selected impedance value by the four-terminal method, a sense H connector 24 and a sense L connector 26 are provided on the front surface 14A of the upper case 14.

[0023] Each of the connectors 20-26 is configured with a BNC connector, which allows a measuring instrument such as a battery tester to be connected to the variable impedance device 10 via each of the connectors 20-26.

[0024] A rectangular knob 28 protrudes from the top surface 14B of the upper case 14, and a triangular mark 30 is provided on one end of the knob 28. The knob 28 is supported by the upper case 14 so as to be rotatable at predetermined angles, and a plurality of resistance values ​​(not shown) are marked in the circumferential direction on the outer periphery of the knob 28.

[0025] As a result, the impedance variable device 10 changes the resistance value between the source H connector 20 and the source L connector 22, and the resistance value between the sense H connector 24 and the sense L connector 26, to the resistance values ​​indicated by the marks 30 of the knobs 28. The resistance values ​​between the source H connector 20 and the sense H connector 24, and the source L connector 22 and the sense L connector 26 are set to the resistance values ​​indicated by the marks 30 of the knobs 28.

[0026] In addition, if the sense H connector 24 and the sense L connector 26 are omitted, the resistance value between the source H connector 20 and the source L connector 22 is the resistance value indicated by the mark 30 of the knob 28.

[0027] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the inside of the variable impedance device 10 according to the first embodiment.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 2, inside the impedance variable device 10, there are provided a substrate 40 fixed to the lower case 16 (see Fig. 1), and a circular slider 42 disposed on the upper part of the substrate 40 and supported rotatably along the substrate 40. The knob 28 (see Fig. 1) is connected to the slider 42, and the slider 42 rotates together with the knob 28 rotatably supported by the upper case 14.

[0029] The substrate 40 is, for example, a printed wiring board, which is a laminated substrate in which multiple layers are stacked. A plurality of passive elements 44 (44A, 44B) (see FIGS. 12 and 13) are mounted on the substrate 40, for example, on the outer periphery. Examples of the passive elements 44 include coils, capacitors, and resistors, and in this embodiment, a case in which the passive elements 44 are resistors will be described as an example.

[0030] A plurality of element contact portions 48 connected to the respective terminals 44-1, 44-2 of each mounted passive element 44 are formed on the substrate 40. The element contact portions 48 include a plurality of first element contact portions 50 connected to one terminal 44-1 of each passive element 44, and a plurality of second element contact portions 52 connected to the other terminal 44-2 of each passive element 44. In this embodiment, eight first element contact portions 50 and second element contact portions 52 are formed.

[0031] The terminals 44-1, 44-2 of each passive element 44 and each element contact portion 50, 52 are electrically connected via printed wiring formed on the substrate 40, and each element contact portion 50, 52 is formed by a pad provided on the printed wiring.

[0032] The substrate 40 is made of a laminated substrate, and printed wiring is formed between each layer. The printed wiring that electrically connects the terminals 44-1, 44-2 of each passive element 44 to the element contact portions 50, 52 includes printed wiring formed between each layer of the substrate 40.

[0033] Furthermore, wiring contact portions 53 are formed on the substrate 40 to be selectively connected to the element contact portions 50, 52, and wiring 57 extending from the substrate 40 is connected to the wiring contact portions 53.

[0034] The wiring contact portion 53 includes a first wiring contact portion 54 selectively connected to each first element contact portion 50 or each second element contact portion 52, and a second wiring contact portion 56 selectively connected to each second element contact portion 52 or each first element contact portion 50.

[0035] Specifically, the wiring contact portion 53 in this embodiment includes a first wiring contact portion 54 selectively connected to each first element contact portion 50, and a second wiring contact portion 56 selectively connected to each second element contact portion 52.

[0036] The wiring 57 includes a first wiring 58 connected to the first wiring contact portion 54 and a second wiring 60 connected to the second wiring contact portion 56 .

[0037] Each of the wiring contact parts 54, 56 is electrically connected to each of the wiring parts 58, 60 via a printed wiring. Each of the wiring contact parts 54, 56 is formed by a pad provided on the printed wiring, and each of the wiring parts 58, 60 is soldered to a land formed on the printed wiring.

[0038] The first wiring 58 extending from the substrate 40 is connected to the source H connector 20 (see FIG. 1), and the second wiring 60 is connected to the source L connector 22 (see FIG. 1).

[0039] The slider 42 is provided with a connection portion 62 on the surface facing the substrate 40. The connection portion 62 provided on the surface facing the substrate 40 is indicated by a dashed line in Fig. 2. The connection portion 62 electrically connects each of the wiring contact portions 54, 56 to one of the element contact portions 50, 52 depending on the rotation angle of the slider 42.

[0040] The connection part 62 is composed of a metal leaf spring (see FIG. 7). The connection part 62 has a base part fixed to the slider 42, and a first piece and a second piece extending from the base part. Each piece is formed into two branches.

[0041] The first piece is disposed on the side of the rotation center C of the slider 42, and the first piece is in sliding contact with the wiring contact portion 53. The second piece is disposed on the outer side of the first piece, and the first piece is connected to any one of the element contact portions 48. This electrically connects the wiring contact portion 53 to any one of the element contact portions 48 via the connection portion 62.

[0042] The connecting portion 62 includes a first connecting portion 70 and a second connecting portion 72. The first connecting portion 70 and the second connecting portion 72 form the following state: a state in which the first wiring contact portion 54 is connected to any of the first element contact portions 50 or any of the second element contact portions 52, or a state in which the second wiring contact portion 56 is connected to any of the second element contact portions 52 or any of the first element contact portions 50.

[0043] Specifically, the connection portion 62 in this embodiment includes a first connection portion 70 that connects the first wiring contact portion 54 to any one of the first element contact portions 50, and a second connection portion 72 that connects the second wiring contact portion 56 to any one of the second element contact portions 52.

[0044] With this configuration, depending on the rotation angle of the slider 42, each wiring 58, 60 is connected to the terminals 44-1, 44-2 of one of the passive elements 44 via each wiring contact portion 54, 56, each connection portion 70, 72, each element contact portion 50, 52, and the printed wiring.

[0045] The first element contact portions 50 and the second element contact portions 52 are arranged on concentric circles centered on the rotation center C of the slider 42. The first wiring contact portions 54 and the second wiring contact portions 56 are formed in shapes that follow the concentric circles centered on the rotation center C.

[0046] The concentric circles centered on the rotation center C of the slider 42 include a first concentric circle 80, a second concentric circle 82, a third concentric circle 84, and a fourth concentric circle 86, which are arranged in order from the center of the substrate 40 through which the rotation center C passes outward.

[0047] Each of the first element contact portions 50 is disposed on a second concentric circle 82 , and each of the second element contact portions 52 is disposed on a fourth concentric circle 86 .

[0048] The first wiring contact portion 54 is disposed on the first concentric circle 80 and is formed in a circular ring shape along the first concentric circle 80. The second wiring contact portion 56 is disposed on the third concentric circle 84 and is formed in a circular ring shape along the third concentric circle 84.

[0049] In this embodiment, a case has been described in which each passive element 44 is connected to the first wiring 58 via the first element contact portion 50 corresponding to one terminal 44-1, and connected to the second wiring 60 via the second element contact portion 52 corresponding to the other terminal 44-2 of each passive element 44. However, this embodiment is not limited to this structure.

[0050] For example, one terminal 44-1 of each passive element 44 may be connected to each other by a common line and then connected to the first wiring 58 via the first wiring contact portion 54, making it possible to switch only the passive element 44 connected to the second wiring 60.

[0051] (Action and Effects) Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0052] The variable impedance device 10 in this embodiment includes a substrate 40 on which element contact portions 48 are formed, each connected to terminals 44-1, 44-2 of a plurality of mounted passive elements 44, and wiring contact portions 53 selectively connected to each element contact portion 48. The variable impedance device 10 also includes a slider 42 rotatably provided along the substrate 40 and provided with a connection portion 62 for connecting the wiring contact portion 53 to one of the element contact portions 48 depending on the rotation angle. The variable impedance device 10 includes a wiring 57 extending from the substrate 40, which is connected to the wiring contact portion 53 and connected to the terminals 44-1, 44-2 of one of the passive elements 44 via the connection portion 62.

[0053] According to this configuration, wiring 57 extends from substrate 40, on which multiple passive elements 44 are provided, and is connected to terminals 44-1, 44-2 of any of passive elements 44. Therefore, by fixing substrate 40 from which wiring 57 extends to casing 12, tension is not applied to wiring 57 as substrate 40 rotates, unlike when substrate 40 is rotated, and wiring 57 can be protected.

[0054] In addition, the slider 42, which is rotated along the substrate 40, has a connection portion 62 that connects the wiring contact portion 53 of the substrate 40 to one of the element contact portions 48 depending on the rotation angle, and the slider 42 does not have a passive element 44.

[0055] Therefore, the outer dimensions of the slider 42 can be made smaller than in a case where an area for arranging the passive element 44 must be secured on the outer periphery of the connection portion 62 provided on the slider 42 .

[0056] Therefore, the rotating portion including the slider 42 can be made smaller, and the variable impedance device 10 can be made more compact.

[0057] In the impedance variable device 10 of this embodiment, the element contact portion 48 includes a first element contact portion 50 connected to one terminal 44-1 of the passive element 44, and a second element contact portion 52 connected to the other terminal 44-2 of the passive element 44.

[0058] The wiring contact portion 53 includes a first wiring contact portion 54 selectively connected to each first element contact portion 50 or each second element contact portion 52, and a second wiring contact portion 56 selectively connected to each second element contact portion 52 or each first element contact portion 50.

[0059] The connecting portion 62 includes a first connecting portion 70 and a second connecting portion 72. The first connecting portion 70 and the second connecting portion 72 form the following state: a state in which the first wiring contact portion 54 is connected to any of the first element contact portions 50 or any of the second element contact portions 52, or a state in which the second wiring contact portion 56 is connected to any of the second element contact portions 52 or any of the first element contact portions 50.

[0060] According to this configuration, the passive element 44 connected to the wiring 57 can be switched at both terminals 44-1 and 44-2 of the passive element 44.

[0061] Therefore, the length of the line connected to one of the wirings can be made shorter than when one of the terminals 44-1 of the passive elements 44 is connected to a common line and then connected to one of the wirings, thereby reducing noise that may enter the one of the wirings.

[0062] In the impedance variable device 10 of this embodiment, the first element contact portions 50 and the second element contact portions 52 are arranged on concentric circles (82, 86) centered on the rotation center C of the slider 42. The first wiring contact portions 54 and the second wiring contact portions 56 are formed in shapes that follow the concentric circles (80, 84) centered on the rotation center C.

[0063] According to this configuration, the printed wiring can be simplified compared to the case where the first wiring contact portions 54 and second wiring contact portions 56 are provided in the same numbers as the first element contact portions 50 and second element contact portions 52.

[0064] Second Embodiment Next, a variable impedance device 100 according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the inside of the variable impedance device 100 according to the second embodiment.

[0065] The variable impedance device 100 according to the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the shape and arrangement of the first wiring contact portion 54 and the second wiring contact portion 56. In this embodiment, parts that are the same as or equivalent to those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and will not be described, and only parts that differ from the first embodiment will be described.

[0066] The first wiring contact portion 54 and the second wiring contact portion 56 are not formed in a circular ring shape as in the first embodiment, but are formed in an arc shape and are arranged on the same concentric circle with the rotation center C as the center.

[0067] More specifically, the first wiring contact portion 54 and the second wiring contact portion 56 are disposed on the second concentric circle 82. The first wiring contact portion 54 and the second wiring contact portion 56 are formed in an arc shape along the second concentric circle 82, and the first wiring contact portion 54 and the second wiring contact portion 56 are disposed at positions shifted by 180 degrees in the rotational direction θ of the slider 42.

[0068] In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which the arc-shaped first wiring contact portion 54 and the second wiring contact portion 56 are disposed at positions shifted by 180 degrees in the rotational direction θ of the slider 42, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when a semicircle is assumed on the substrate 40, the arc-shaped first wiring contact portion 54 and the second wiring contact portion 56 may be disposed within the region of the assumed semicircle.

[0069] Further, each of the first element contact portions 50 and each of the second element contact portions 52 are disposed inside or outside a second concentric circle 82 that is the same concentric circle.

[0070] As an example, the first element contact portion 50 connected to one terminal 44-1 of the passive element 44 is arranged on a first concentric circle 80 inside the first wiring contact portion 54 and the second wiring contact portion 56. Moreover, the second element contact portion 52 connected to the other terminal 44-2 of the passive element 44 is arranged on a third concentric circle 84 outside the first wiring contact portion 54 and the second wiring contact portion 56.

[0071] Among the multiple passive elements arranged on the substrate 40, one terminal 44A1 of a certain passive element 44A is connected to the first element contact portion 50 inside the first wiring contact portion 54, and the other terminal 44A2 is connected to the second element contact portion 52 outside the second wiring contact portion 56. In addition, one terminal 44B1 of another passive element 44B is connected to the first element contact portion 50 inside the second wiring contact portion 56, and the other terminal 44B2 is connected to the second element contact portion 52 outside the first wiring contact portion 54.

[0072] The first connecting portion 70 and the second connecting portion 72 provided on the slider 42 are disposed at positions shifted in the rotation direction θ of the slider 42, and the first connecting portion 70 and the second connecting portion 72 are disposed at positions shifted by 180 degrees in the rotation direction θ. In addition, the distance from the rotation center C to the first connecting portion 70 and the distance from the rotation center C to the second connecting portion 72 are set to different lengths, and the first connecting portion 70 is closer to the rotation center C than the second connecting portion 72.

[0073] (Action and Effects) Next, the effects of the second embodiment will be described.

[0074] In this embodiment, the same or equivalent parts as those in the first embodiment have the same effects as those in the first embodiment.

[0075] In the impedance variable device 100 of this embodiment, the first wiring contact portion 54 and the second wiring contact portion 56 are formed in an arc shape and are arranged on the same concentric circle (82) centered on the rotation center C. Furthermore, each of the first element contact portions 50 and each of the second element contact portions 52 are arranged on the inside or outside of the same concentric circle (82).

[0076] According to this configuration, the first wiring contact portion 54 and the second wiring contact portion 56 are arranged on the same concentric circle (82). Therefore, the diameter of the substrate 40 can be made smaller than in the configuration of the first embodiment in which the first wiring contact portion 54 and the second wiring contact portion 56 are arranged on different concentric circles.

[0077] Therefore, the variable impedance device 10 including the substrate 40 can be further miniaturized.

[0078] In addition, in the variable impedance device 100 of this embodiment, the first connecting portion 70 and the second connecting portion 72 are disposed at positions shifted in the rotational direction θ of the slider 42.

[0079] According to this configuration, it is possible to adjust, for example, the length of the first wiring contact portion 54 and the second wiring contact portion 56, which are formed in an arc shape, depending on the separation distance in the rotational direction θ between the first connection portion 70 and the second connection portion 72.

[0080] This makes it possible to increase the number of first element contact portions 50 and second element contact portions 52 arranged along the first wiring contact portion 54 and the second wiring contact portion 56, thereby increasing the number of mounted passive elements 44. Accordingly, the number of selectable resistance values ​​can be increased.

[0081] In addition, in the variable impedance device 100 of this embodiment, the first wiring contact portion 54 and the second wiring contact portion 56 are disposed at positions shifted by 180 degrees in the rotational direction θ.

[0082] According to this configuration, the lengths of the first wiring contact portion 54 and the second wiring contact portion 56 formed in an arc shape can be extended, and therefore the number of the first element contact portions 50 and the second element contact portions 52 arranged along the first wiring contact portion 54 and the second wiring contact portion 56 can be further increased. This makes it possible to increase the number of passive elements 44 that can be mounted, and further increase the number of selectable resistance values.

[0083] In the present embodiment, the wiring contact portion 53 is configured with the first wiring contact portion 54 selectively connected to each of the first element contact portions 50 and the second wiring contact portion 56 selectively connected to each of the second element contact portions 52, but is not limited to this. For example, the wiring contact portion 53 may be configured with the first wiring contact portion 54 selectively connected to each of the second element contact portions 52 and the second wiring contact portion 56 selectively connected to each of the first element contact portions 50.

[0084] In addition, in the present embodiment, a case has been described in which the first connection portion 70 connects the first wiring contact portion 54 to any of the first element contact portions 50, and the second connection portion 72 connects the second wiring contact portion 56 to any of the second element contact portions 52, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a configuration in which the second connection portion 72 connects the first wiring contact portion 54 to any of the first element contact portions 50, and the first connection portion 70 connects the second wiring contact portion 56 to any of the second element contact portions 52 may also be used.

[0085] <Third embodiment> Next, a variable impedance device 110 according to a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0086] 4 is a perspective view showing the inside of a variable impedance device 110 according to the third embodiment. The variable impedance device 110 according to the third embodiment differs from the variable impedance devices 10, 100 of the first and second embodiments in that the selected impedance value can be measured by a four-terminal method. In this embodiment, parts that are the same as or equivalent to those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and will not be described, and only parts that differ from the first embodiment will be described.

[0087] The element contact portion 48 formed on the substrate 40 includes a first current-carrying contact portion 112 and a first detection contact portion 114 connected to one terminal 44-1 of each passive element 44, and a second current-carrying contact portion 116 and a second detection contact portion 118 connected to the other terminal 44-2 of each passive element 44.

[0088] The terminals 44-1, 44-2 of each passive element 44 and each of the contact portions 112-118 are electrically connected via printed wiring formed on the substrate 40, and each of the contact portions 112-118 is formed by a pad provided on the printed wiring.

[0089] The wiring contact portion 53 formed on the substrate 40 includes a first current-carrying wiring contact portion 120 selectively connected to each of the first current-carrying contact portions 112, and a first detection wiring contact portion 122 selectively connected to each of the first detection contact portions 114. The wiring contact portion 53 also includes a second current-carrying wiring contact portion 124 selectively connected to each of the second current-carrying contact portions 116, and a second detection wiring contact portion 126 selectively connected to each of the second detection contact portions 118.

[0090] The wiring 57 extending from the substrate 40 includes a first current-carrying wiring 130 electrically connected to the first current-carrying wiring contact portion 120 via a printed wiring, and a first detection wiring 134 electrically connected to the first detection wiring contact portion 122 via a printed wiring. The wiring 57 also includes a second current-carrying wiring 132 electrically connected to the second current-carrying wiring contact portion 124 via a printed wiring, and a second detection wiring 136 electrically connected to the second detection wiring contact portion 126 via a printed wiring.

[0091] The first current wiring 130 extending from the substrate 40 is connected to the source H connector 20 (see FIG. 1), and the first detection wiring 134 is connected to the sense H connector 24 (see FIG. 1). The second current wiring 132 extending from the substrate 40 is connected to the source L connector 22 (see FIG. 1), and the second detection wiring 136 is connected to the sense L connector 26 (see FIG. 1).

[0092] The connecting portion 62 provided on the slider 42 includes a first connecting portion 140, a second connecting portion 142, a third connecting portion 144, and a fourth connecting portion 146. The first connecting portion 140, the second connecting portion 142, the third connecting portion 144, and the fourth connecting portion 146 form any of the following states. For example, a state in which the first current-carrying wiring contact portion 120 is connected to any of the first current-carrying contact portions 112, or a state in which the first detection wiring contact portion 122 is connected to any of the first detection contact portions 114. Alternatively, a state in which the second current-carrying wiring contact portion 124 is connected to any of the second current-carrying contact portions 116, or a state in which the second detection wiring contact portion 126 is connected to any of the second detection contact portions 118.

[0093] Specifically, the connection portion 62 in this embodiment includes a first connection portion 140 that connects the first current-carrying wiring contact portion 120 to any one of the first current-carrying contact portions 112, and a second connection portion 142 that connects the first detection wiring contact portion 122 to any one of the first detection contact portions 114. The connection portion 62 also includes a third connection portion 144 that connects the second current-carrying wiring contact portion 124 to any one of the second current-carrying contact portions 116, and a fourth connection portion 146 that connects the second detection wiring contact portion 126 to any one of the second detection contact portions 118.

[0094] As a result, depending on the rotation angle of the slider 42, each of the wirings 130-136 is connected to a terminal of one of the passive elements 44 via each of the wiring contact portions 120-126, each of the connection portions 140-146, each of the contact portions 122-118, and the printed wiring.

[0095] The first current-carrying contact portions 112, the first detection contact portions 114, the second current-carrying contact portions 116, and the second detection contact portions 118 are disposed on concentric circles centered on the rotation center C of the slider 42. The first current-carrying wiring contact portions 120, the first detection wiring contact portions 122, the second current-carrying wiring contact portions 124, and the second detection wiring contact portions 126 are formed in shapes that follow the concentric circles centered on the rotation center C.

[0096] The concentric circles centered on the rotation center C of the slider 42 include a first concentric circle 150, a second concentric circle 152, a third concentric circle 154, a fourth concentric circle 156, a fifth concentric circle 158, a sixth concentric circle 160, a seventh concentric circle 162, and an eighth concentric circle 164. The first concentric circle 150, the second concentric circle 152, the third concentric circle 154, the fourth concentric circle 156, the fifth concentric circle 158, the sixth concentric circle 160, the seventh concentric circle 162, and the eighth concentric circle 164 are arranged in order from the center of the substrate 40 through which the rotation center C passes to the outside.

[0097] Each of the first current-carrying contacts 112 is disposed on a second concentric circle 152, and each of the first detection contacts 114 is disposed on a fourth concentric circle 156. Each of the second current-carrying contacts 116 is disposed on an eighth concentric circle 164, and each of the second detection contacts 118 is disposed on a sixth concentric circle 160.

[0098] The first current-carrying wiring contact portion 120 is disposed on the first concentric circle 150 and is formed in a circular ring shape along the first concentric circle 150. The first detection wiring contact portion 122 is disposed on the third concentric circle 154 and is formed in a circular ring shape along the third concentric circle 154.

[0099] The second current-carrying wire contact portion 124 is disposed on the seventh concentric circle 162 and is formed in a circular ring shape along the seventh concentric circle 162. The second detection wire contact portion 126 is disposed on the fifth concentric circle 158 and is formed in a circular ring shape along the fifth concentric circle 158.

[0100] (Action and Effects) Next, the effects of the third embodiment will be described.

[0101] In this embodiment, the same or equivalent parts as those in the first or second embodiment have the same effects as those in the first or second embodiment.

[0102] In the impedance variable device 110 of this embodiment, the element contact portion 48 includes a first current-carrying contact portion 112 and a first detection contact portion 114 connected to one terminal of the passive element 44. The element contact portion 48 also includes a second current-carrying contact portion 116 and a second detection contact portion 118 connected to the other terminal of the passive element 44. The wiring contact portion 53 includes a first current-carrying wiring contact portion 120 selectively connected to each first current-carrying contact portion 112, and a first detection wiring contact portion 122 selectively connected to each first detection contact portion 114. The wiring contact portion 53 also includes a second current-carrying wiring contact portion 124 selectively connected to each second current-carrying contact portion 116, and a second detection wiring contact portion 126 selectively connected to each second detection contact portion 118. The connection portion 62 includes a first connection portion 140, a second connection portion 142, a third connection portion 144, and a fourth connection portion 146. The first connection portion 140, the second connection portion 142, the third connection portion 144, and the fourth connection portion 146 form any one of the following states: a state in which the first current-carrying wiring contact portion 120 is connected to any one of the first current-carrying contact portions 112, or a state in which the first detection wiring contact portion 122 is connected to any one of the first detection contact portions 114. Alternatively, a state in which the second current-carrying wiring contact portion 124 is connected to any one of the second current-carrying contact portions 116, or a state in which the second detection wiring contact portion 126 is connected to any one of the second detection contact portions 118.

[0103] According to this configuration, a measurement can be performed using the four-terminal method by measuring the voltage between the first detection wiring 134 and the second detection wiring 136 while a current is flowing between the first current wiring 130 and the second current wiring 132.

[0104] Therefore, compared to a case where measurement is performed by the two-terminal method, which also measures the wiring resistance included in the current path, it is possible to measure only the voltage drop due to the selected passive element 44, improving the measurement accuracy. Also, since it is possible to measure only the voltage drop due to the selected passive element 44, it is possible to set a resistance value equal to or less than the wiring resistance.

[0105] In the impedance variable device 110 of this embodiment, the first current-carrying contact portions 112, the first detection contact portions 114, the second current-carrying contact portions 116, and the second detection contact portions 118 are arranged on concentric circles centered on the rotation center C of the slider 42. The first current-carrying wiring contact portions 120, the first detection wiring contact portions 122, the second current-carrying wiring contact portions 124, and the second detection wiring contact portions 126 are formed in shapes that follow the concentric circles centered on the rotation center C.

[0106] According to this configuration, by forming each of the wiring contact portions 120-126 in a shape that follows a concentric circle, the printed wiring can be simplified compared to the case in which each of the wiring contact portions 120-126 is provided in the same number as each of the contact portions 112-118.

[0107] <Fourth embodiment> Next, a variable impedance device 200 according to a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0108] Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the inside of a variable impedance device 200 according to the fourth embodiment. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between a substrate 40 and each connection portion 62 of the variable impedance device 200 according to the fourth embodiment.

[0109] The impedance variable device 200 according to the fourth embodiment differs from the third embodiment in the shapes and arrangement of a first current wiring contact portion 120, a first detection wiring contact portion 122, a second current wiring contact portion 124, and a second detection wiring contact portion 126. In this embodiment, parts that are the same as or equivalent to those in the third embodiment are given the same reference numerals and will not be described, and only parts that differ from the third embodiment will be described.

[0110] Two of the first current carrying wiring contact portion 120, the first detection wiring contact portion 122, the second current carrying wiring contact portion 124, and the second detection wiring contact portion 126 provided on the substrate 40 are formed in an arc shape and are arranged on a first concentric circle centered on the rotation center C. The other two of the first current carrying wiring contact portion 120, the first detection wiring contact portion 122, the second current carrying wiring contact portion 124, and the second detection wiring contact portion 126 are formed in an arc shape and are arranged on a second concentric circle centered on the rotation center C.

[0111] Of the first current supply wiring contact portion 120, the first detection wiring contact portion 122, the second current supply wiring contact portion 124, and the second detection wiring contact portion 126, two that are arranged on a first concentric circle are alternately arranged at 90 degree intervals in the rotation direction θ. Moreover, of the first current supply wiring contact portion 120, the first detection wiring contact portion 122, the second current supply wiring contact portion 124, and the second detection wiring contact portion 126, the other two that are arranged on a second concentric circle are alternately arranged at 90 degree intervals in the rotation direction θ.

[0112] The first current-carrying contact portion 112, the first detection contact portion 114, the second current-carrying contact portion 116, and the second detection contact portion 118 are disposed on the inside or outside of the first concentric circle or the second concentric circle.

[0113] Next, the layout of each part will be specifically described.

[0114] 5 and 6, the concentric circles centered on the rotation center C of the slider 42 include a first concentric circle 210, a second concentric circle 212, a third concentric circle 214, a fourth concentric circle 216, a fifth concentric circle 218, and a sixth concentric circle 220 centered on the rotation center C. The first concentric circle 210, the second concentric circle 212, the third concentric circle 214, the fourth concentric circle 216, the fifth concentric circle 218, and the sixth concentric circle 220 are arranged in order from the center of the substrate 40 through which the rotation center C passes toward the outside.

[0115] The first current supply wiring contact portion 120 and the first detection wiring contact portion 122 provided on the substrate 40 are formed in an arc shape and are arranged on a third concentric circle 214 centered on the rotation center C. The first current supply wiring contact portion 120 and the first detection wiring contact portion 122 arranged on the third concentric circle 214 are alternately arranged at 90 degree intervals in the rotation direction θ of the slider 42.

[0116] That is, in this embodiment, the first concentric circle described above is composed of a third concentric circle 214, and the two contact portions arranged on the first concentric circle are composed of a first current-carrying wiring contact portion 120 and a first detection wiring contact portion 122.

[0117] The second current supply wiring contact portion 124 and the second detection wiring contact portion 126 provided on the substrate 40 are formed in an arc shape, and are arranged on a fourth concentric circle 216 centered on the rotation center C. The second current supply wiring contact portion 124 and the second detection wiring contact portion 126 arranged on the fourth concentric circle 216 are alternately arranged at 90 degree intervals in the rotation direction θ of the slider 42.

[0118] That is, in this embodiment, the second concentric circle mentioned above is composed of the fourth concentric circle 216, and the other two contact portions arranged on the second concentric circle are composed of the second current-carrying wiring contact portion 124 and the second detection wiring contact portion 126.

[0119] The first current wiring contact portion 120 is disposed inside the second current wiring contact portion 124 , and the first detection wiring contact portion 122 is disposed inside the second detection wiring contact portion 126 .

[0120] The first current-carrying contact portion 112 and the first detection contact portion 114 are arranged on a first concentric circle 210, and the first current-carrying contact portion 112 and the first detection contact portion 114 are arranged alternately at 90 degree intervals in the rotation direction θ about the rotation center C. Moreover, the first current-carrying contact portion 112 and the first detection contact portion 114 are arranged on a fifth concentric circle 218, and the first current-carrying contact portion 112 and the first detection contact portion 114 are arranged alternately at 90 degree intervals in the rotation direction θ about the rotation center C.

[0121] The first current-carrying contact portion 112 on the first concentric circle 210 is positioned inside the first current-carrying contact portion 112 on the fifth concentric circle 218, and the first detection contact portion 114 on the first concentric circle 210 is positioned inside the first detection contact portion 114 on the fifth concentric circle 218.

[0122] The second current-carrying contact portion 116 and the second detection contact portion 118 are arranged on a second concentric circle 212, and the second current-carrying contact portion 116 and the second detection contact portion 118 are arranged alternately at 90 degree intervals in the rotation direction θ about the rotation center C. Moreover, the second current-carrying contact portion 116 and the second detection contact portion 118 are arranged on a sixth concentric circle 220, and the second current-carrying contact portion 116 and the second detection contact portion 118 are arranged alternately at 90 degree intervals in the rotation direction θ about the rotation center C.

[0123] The second current-carrying contact portion 116 on the second concentric circle 212 is positioned inside the second current-carrying contact portion 116 on the sixth concentric circle 220, and the second detection contact portion 118 on the second concentric circle 212 is positioned inside the second detection contact portion 118 on the sixth concentric circle 220.

[0124] The first connection portion 140, the second connection portion 142, the third connection portion 144, and the fourth connection portion 146 provided on the slider 42 are disposed at positions shifted in the rotation direction θ of the slider 42. Moreover, adjacent connection portions 140 to 146 are disposed at positions shifted by 90 degrees in the rotation direction θ.

[0125] The distance from the center of rotation C to each of the connecting portions 140 to 146 is set to a different length. The distance from the center of rotation C to each of the connecting portions 140 to 146 is long in the order of the first connecting portion 140, the second connecting portion 142, the fourth connecting portion 146, and the third connecting portion 144.

[0126] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the slider 42 of the variable impedance device 200 according to the fourth embodiment as viewed from the bottom.

[0127] 7, the slider 42 is provided with a rotating shaft 230 that is rotatably inserted into a circular hole (not shown) provided in, for example, the substrate 40 (see FIG. 4). Connecting portions 140 to 146 are provided around the rotating shaft 230.

[0128] The connection parts 140-146 are formed in the same shape, and as described above, each of the connection parts 140-146 includes a base 64, and a first piece 66 and a second piece 68 extending from the base 64. Each of the connection parts 140-146 is fixed in a state in which the protrusion 232 of the slider 42 is inserted into the base 64, and each of the connection parts 140-146 is disposed such that the first piece 66 is close to the center of rotation C. Each of the pieces 66, 68 is formed in two branches, and the tip of each of the pieces 66, 68 is curved.

[0129] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing the relationship between the board 40 and each of the connecting portions 140 to 146, with the slider 42 of the variable impedance device 200 according to the fourth embodiment set to the 0 degree position. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing the relationship between the board 40 and each of the connecting portions 140 to 146, with the slider 42 of the variable impedance device 200 according to the fourth embodiment set to the 90 degree position.

[0130] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing the relationship between the board 40 and each of the connecting portions 140 to 146, with the slider 42 of the variable impedance device 200 according to the fourth embodiment set to the 180 degree position. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing the relationship between the board 40 and each of the connecting portions 140 to 146, with the slider 42 of the variable impedance device 200 according to the fourth embodiment set to the 270 degree position.

[0131] As shown in FIGS. 8 to 11 , in the first connection portion 140 , the first piece 66 moves along a first concentric circle 210 of the substrate 40 , and the second piece 68 moves along a third concentric circle 214 .

[0132] As a result, the first connection portion 140 connects the first current wiring contact portion 120 to any one of the first current contact portions 112 in accordance with the rotation angle of the slider 42 (see FIGS. 8 and 10). Also, the first connection portion 140 connects the first detection wiring contact portion 122 to any one of the first detection contact portions 114 (see FIGS. 9 and 11).

[0133] The second connecting portion 142 has the first piece 66 moving along the second concentric circle 212 of the substrate 40 and the second piece 68 moving along the fourth concentric circle 216 .

[0134] As a result, the second connection portion 142 connects the second detection wiring contact portion 126 to any one of the second detection contact portions 118 (see FIGS. 8 and 10) depending on the rotation angle of the slider 42. Also, the second connection portion 142 connects the second current-carrying wiring contact portion 124 to any one of the second current-carrying contact portions 116 (see FIGS. 9 and 11).

[0135] The third connecting portion 144 has a first piece 66 that moves along a fourth concentric circle 216 of the substrate 40 and a second piece 68 that moves along a sixth concentric circle 220 .

[0136] As a result, the third connection portion 144 connects the second current wiring contact portion 124 to any one of the second current wiring contact portions 116 (see FIGS. 8 and 10) depending on the rotation angle of the slider 42. In addition, the third connection portion 144 connects the second detection wiring contact portion 126 to any one of the second detection contact portions 118 (see FIGS. 9 and 11).

[0137] The fourth connection portion 146 has the first piece 66 moving along the third concentric circle 214 of the substrate 40 and the second piece 68 moving along the fifth concentric circle 218 .

[0138] As a result, the fourth connection portion 146 connects the first detection wiring contact portion 122 to any one of the first detection contact portions 114 in accordance with the rotation angle of the slider 42 (see FIGS. 8 and 10). In addition, the fourth connection portion 146 connects the first current wiring contact portion 120 to any one of the first current contact portions 112 (see FIGS. 9 and 11).

[0139] Each of the connection parts 140-146 is formed so as to straddle one of the concentric circles, and each of the connection parts 140-146 has the same separation distance between the first piece 66 and the second piece 68. As a result, each of the connection parts 140-146 is formed in the same shape, and the cost of each of the connection parts 140-146 is reduced compared to when each of the connection parts 140-146 has a different shape.

[0140] Next, each connection state will be specifically described with reference to FIG. 8 to FIG.

[0141] 8, when the slider 42 is at the 0 degree position, the first connection portion 140 connects the first current-carrying wiring contact portion 120 to the first current-carrying contact portion 112, and the second connection portion 142 connects the second detection wiring contact portion 126 to the second detection contact portion 118. In addition, the third connection portion 144 connects the second current-carrying wiring contact portion 124 to the second current-carrying contact portion 116, and the fourth connection portion 146 connects the first detection wiring contact portion 122 to the first detection contact portion 114.

[0142] 9, when the slider 42 is in the 90 degree position, the first connection portion 140 connects the first detection wiring contact portion 122 to the first detection contact portion 114, and the second connection portion 142 connects the second current-carrying wiring contact portion 124 to the second current-carrying contact portion 116. In addition, the third connection portion 144 connects the second detection wiring contact portion 126 to the second detection contact portion 118, and the fourth connection portion 146 connects the first current-carrying wiring contact portion 120 to the first current-carrying contact portion 112.

[0143] 10, when the slider 42 is in the 180 degree position, the first connection portion 140 connects the first current-carrying wiring contact portion 120 to the first current-carrying contact portion 112, and the second connection portion 142 connects the second detection wiring contact portion 126 to the second detection contact portion 118. In addition, the third connection portion 144 connects the second current-carrying wiring contact portion 124 to the second current-carrying contact portion 116, and the fourth connection portion 146 connects the first detection wiring contact portion 122 to the first detection contact portion 114.

[0144] 11 , when the slider 42 is at the 270 degree position, the first connection portion 140 connects the first detection wiring contact portion 122 to the first detection contact portion 114, and the second connection portion 142 connects the second current-carrying wiring contact portion 124 to the second current-carrying contact portion 116. In addition, the third connection portion 144 connects the second detection wiring contact portion 126 to the second detection contact portion 118, and the fourth connection portion 146 connects the first current-carrying wiring contact portion 120 to the first current-carrying contact portion 112.

[0145] The first connection portion 140, whose second piece 68 moves along the third concentric circle 214, and the fourth connection portion 146, whose first piece 66 moves along the third concentric circle 214, are disposed at positions shifted by 90 degrees in the rotational direction θ. As a result, the first connection portion 140 and the fourth connection portion 146 will not simultaneously contact the same first current-carrying wiring contact portion 120 or first detection wiring contact portion 122 disposed on the third concentric circle 214.

[0146] The second connection portion 142, along which the second piece 68 moves along the fourth concentric circle 216, and the third connection portion 144, along which the first piece 66 moves along the fourth concentric circle 216, are disposed at positions shifted by 90 degrees in the rotational direction θ. As a result, the second connection portion 142 and the third connection portion 144 will not simultaneously contact the same second current-carrying wiring contact portion 124 or second detection wiring contact portion 126 disposed on the fourth concentric circle 216.

[0147] As a result, depending on the rotation angle of the slider 42, each of the wirings 130-136 is connected to the terminal of one of the passive elements 44 via each of the wiring contact portions 120-126, each of the connection portions 140-146, each of the contact portions 112-118, and the printed wiring.

[0148] Next, the connection state of the passive element 44 will be specifically described with reference to FIGS.

[0149] Fig. 12 is a diagram showing a connection state between each of the connectors 20-26 and the passive element 44 when the slider 42 of the variable impedance device 200 according to the fourth embodiment is set to the 0 degree position. Fig. 13 is a diagram showing a connection state between each of the connectors 20-26 and the passive element 44 when the slider 42 of the variable impedance device 200 according to the fourth embodiment is set to the 22.5 degree position.

[0150] 12, one terminal 44A1 of a first passive element 44A provided on the substrate 40 is connected to a first energizing contact 112A via a printed wiring 300A, and is connected to a first detecting contact 114A via a printed wiring 302A. The other terminal 44A2 of the first passive element 44A is connected to a second detecting contact 118A via a printed wiring 304A, and is connected to a second energizing contact 116A via a printed wiring 306A.

[0151] When the slider is in the 0 degree position, the first connection portion 140 connects the first current-carrying wiring contact portion 120 to the selected first current-carrying contact portion 112A, and the second connection portion 142 connects the second detection wiring contact portion 126 to the selected second detection contact portion 118A. The third connection portion 144 connects the second current-carrying wiring contact portion 124 to the selected second current-carrying contact portion 116A, and the fourth connection portion 146 connects the first detection wiring contact portion 122 to the selected first detection contact portion 114A.

[0152] Then, the source H connector 20 is connected to one terminal 44A1 of the first passive element 44A via the first current wiring 130, the first current wiring contact portion 120, the first connection portion 140, the first current contact portion 112A, and the printed wiring 300A. Also, the source L connector 22 is connected to the other terminal 44A2 of the first passive element 44A via the second current wiring 132, the second current wiring contact portion 124, the third connection portion 144, the second current contact portion 116A, and the printed wiring 306A.

[0153] As a result, the resistance value between the source H connector 20 and the source L connector 22 becomes the resistance value of the first passive element 44A, and the current between the source H connector 20 and the source L connector 22 can flow through the first passive element 44A.

[0154] The sense H connector 24 is connected to one terminal 44A1 of the first passive element 44A via the first detection wiring 134, the first detection wiring contact portion 122, the fourth connection portion 146, the first detection contact portion 114A, and the printed wiring 302A. The sense L connector 26 is connected to the other terminal 44A2 of the first passive element 44A via the second detection wiring 136, the second detection wiring contact portion 126, the second connection portion 142, the second detection contact portion 118A, and the printed wiring 304A.

[0155] As a result, the resistance value between the sense H connector 24 and the sense L connector 26 becomes the resistance value of the first passive element 44A. In addition, the sense H connector 24 and the sense L connector 26 can measure the potential difference generated between one terminal 44A1 and the other terminal 44A2 of the first passive element 44A.

[0156] 13, one terminal 44B1 of the second passive element 44B provided on the substrate 40 is connected to the first energizing contact 112B via a printed wiring 300B and is connected to the first detecting contact 114B via a printed wiring 302B. The other terminal 44B2 of the second passive element 44B is connected to the second detecting contact 118B via a printed wiring 304B and is connected to the second energizing contact 116B via a printed wiring 306B.

[0157] When the slider 42 is at the 22.5 degree position, the first connection portion 140 connects the first current-carrying wiring contact portion 120 to the selected first current-carrying contact portion 112B, and the second connection portion 142 connects the second detection wiring contact portion 126 to the selected second detection contact portion 118B. The third connection portion 144 connects the second current-carrying wiring contact portion 124 to the selected second current-carrying contact portion 116B, and the fourth connection portion 146 connects the first detection wiring contact portion 122 to the selected first detection contact portion 114B.

[0158] Then, the source H connector 20 is connected to one terminal 44B1 of the second passive element 44B via the first current wiring 130, the first current wiring contact portion 120, the first connection portion 140, the first current contact portion 112B, and the printed wiring 300B. Also, the source L connector 22 is connected to the other terminal 44B2 of the second passive element 44B via the second current wiring 132, the second current wiring contact portion 124, the third connection portion 144, the second current contact portion 116B, and the printed wiring 306B.

[0159] As a result, the resistance value between the source H connector 20 and the source L connector 22 becomes the resistance value of the second passive element 44B, and the current between the source H connector 20 and the source L connector 22 can flow through the second passive element 44B.

[0160] The sense H connector 24 is connected to one terminal 44B1 of the second passive element 44B via the first detection wiring 134, the first detection wiring contact portion 122, the fourth connection portion 146, the first detection contact portion 114B, and the printed wiring 302B. The sense L connector 26 is connected to the other terminal 44B2 of the second passive element 44B via the second detection wiring 136, the second detection wiring contact portion 126, the second connection portion 142, the second detection contact portion 118B, and the printed wiring 304B.

[0161] As a result, the resistance value between the sense H connector 24 and the sense L connector 26 becomes the resistance value of the second passive element 44B. In addition, the sense H connector 24 and the sense L connector 26 can measure the potential difference generated between one terminal 44B1 and the other terminal 44B2 of the second passive element 44B.

[0162] FIG. 14 is a circuit diagram 310 showing a circuit formed by the variable impedance device 200 according to the fourth embodiment.

[0163] 14, by adjusting the slider 42 to any angle, the resistance value between the source H connector 20 and the source L connector 22 and the resistance value between the source H connector 20 and the source L connector 22 can be set to the resistance value of a selected passive element 44. In addition, by adjusting the slider 42 to any angle, the resistance value between the sense H connector 24 and the sense L connector 26 and the resistance value between the sense H connector 24 and the sense L connector 26 can be set to the resistance value of a selected passive element 44.

[0164] Note that Fig. 14 shows an example of the resistance value of each passive element 44. Moreover, the passive elements 44 shown in Fig. 14 include, as an example, a passive element 44 of 0Ω.

[0165] (Action and Effects) Next, the effects of the fourth embodiment will be described.

[0166] In this embodiment, the same or equivalent parts as those of the above-described embodiments provide the same effects as those of the respective embodiments.

[0167] In the impedance variable device 200 of this embodiment, two of the first current wiring contact portion 120, the first detection wiring contact portion 122, the second current wiring contact portion 124, and the second detection wiring contact portion 126 are formed in an arc shape. Two of the first current wiring contact portion 120, the first detection wiring contact portion 122, the second current wiring contact portion 124, and the second detection wiring contact portion 126 are arranged on a first concentric circle centered on the rotation center. The other two of the first current wiring contact portion 120, the first detection wiring contact portion 122, the second current wiring contact portion 124, and the second detection wiring contact portion 126 are formed in an arc shape and arranged on a second concentric circle centered on the rotation center. The first current contact portion 112, the first detection contact portion 114, the second current contact portion 116, and the second detection contact portion 118 are arranged inside or outside the first concentric circle or the second concentric circle.

[0168] With this configuration, the diameter of the substrate 40 can be made smaller than when the first current wiring contact portion 120, the first detection wiring contact portion 122, the second current wiring contact portion 124, and the second detection wiring contact portion 126 are each arranged on different concentric circles.

[0169] Therefore, the variable impedance device 200 including the substrate 40 can be further miniaturized.

[0170] Furthermore, in the impedance variable device 200 of this embodiment, the first connection portion 140, the second connection portion 142, the third connection portion 144, and the fourth connection portion 146 are each positioned at a position shifted in the rotational direction θ of the slider 42.

[0171] According to this configuration, it is possible to adjust, for example, the lengths of the first current wiring contact portion 120, the first detection wiring contact portion 122, the second current wiring contact portion 124, and the second detection wiring contact portion 126, which are formed in an arc shape, depending on the separation distance in the rotational direction θ of each connection portion 140-146.

[0172] Accordingly, the numbers of first current-carrying contacts 112, first detection contacts 114, second current-carrying contacts 116, and second detection contacts 118 arranged along each of the wiring contacts 120-126 can be increased.

[0173] Therefore, the number of passive elements 44 connected to each of the contact portions 112 to 118 can be increased, and the number of selectable resistance values ​​can be increased.

[0174] The variable impedance device 200 in this embodiment is configured as follows: Of the first current carrying wiring contact portion 120, the first detection wiring contact portion 122, the second current carrying wiring contact portion 124, and the second detection wiring contact portion 126, two of them arranged on a first concentric circle are alternately arranged at 90 degree intervals in the rotation direction θ. Moreover, of the first current carrying wiring contact portion 120, the first detection wiring contact portion 122, the second current carrying wiring contact portion 124, and the second detection wiring contact portion 126, the other two of them arranged on a second concentric circle are alternately arranged at 90 degree intervals in the rotation direction θ.

[0175] With this configuration, the area in which the first current wiring contact portion 120, the first detection wiring contact portion 122, the second current wiring contact portion 124, and the second detection wiring contact portion 126, which are formed in an arc shape, are formed can be expanded in the rotational direction θ.

[0176] Accordingly, the numbers of first current-carrying contacts 112, first detection contacts 114, second current-carrying contacts 116, and second detection contacts 118 arranged along the wiring contacts 120-126 can be further increased.

[0177] Therefore, compared to the case where each wiring contact portion 120-126 is arranged biasedly in a certain region, the number of passive elements 44 connected to each contact portion 112-118 can be increased, thereby further increasing the selectable resistance value.

[0178] In this embodiment, the impedance variable device 200 is shown in which the first current carrying wiring 130 and the first detection wiring 134 are connected to one terminal of the selected passive element 44, and the second current carrying wiring 132 and the second detection wiring 136 are connected to the other terminal. However, this embodiment is not limited to this structure.

[0179] For example, a variable impedance device may be configured by increasing the number of current-carrying wires connected to one terminal and the other terminal of the passive element 44. In this variable impedance device, the number of current-carrying wires additionally connected to each terminal may be one, or two or more.

[0180] In the case of this variable impedance device, current can be passed from a plurality of current-carrying wires to the selected passive element 44. This makes it possible to stabilize the current distribution flowing through the selected passive element 44, thereby making it possible to further improve the measurement accuracy.

[0181] In the above-described embodiments, the variable impedance devices 10, 100, 110, 200 in which the connectors 20-26 are provided on the casing 12 have been described as examples, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the variable impedance devices 10, 100, 110, 200 may be configured as in the following embodiment.

[0182] <Fifth embodiment> FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a variable impedance device 400 according to the fifth embodiment.

[0183] The variable impedance device 400 according to the fifth embodiment differs from the above-mentioned embodiments in that the appearance is different and the connectors provided on the casing are eliminated. On the other hand, the internal structure of the variable impedance device 400 according to the fifth embodiment is the same as any of the above-mentioned embodiments, and the same or equivalent parts will be described using the same reference numerals.

[0184] A casing 402 of this variable impedance device 400 includes a bottomed cylindrical lower case 404 and a bottomed cylindrical upper case 406. Wiring 410 connected to the substrate 40 extends from a peripheral surface 404A of the lower case 404, and a connection portion is provided at the tip of the wiring 410, for example.

[0185] A rectangular knob 412 protrudes from an upper surface 406A of the upper case 406, and a triangular mark 414 is provided on one end of the knob 412. The knob 412 is supported by the upper case 406 so as to be rotatable at predetermined angles, and a plurality of resistance values ​​(not shown) are marked in the circumferential direction on the outer periphery of the knob 412.

[0186] As a result, the variable impedance device 400 sets the resistance between the connection parts of the wiring 410 extending from the casing 402 to the resistance value indicated by the mark 414 of the knob 412.

[0187] In this embodiment, the same or equivalent parts as those of the above-described embodiments can achieve the same effects as those of the respective embodiments.

[0188] Even in a structure in which the wiring 410 extends from the casing 402, the external dimensions of the slider 42 can be reduced by mounting the passive element 44 on the substrate 40. This allows the size of the rotating part including the slider 42 to be reduced, making it possible to miniaturize the variable impedance device 400.

[0189] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above-mentioned embodiments merely show some of the application examples of the present invention, and it is not intended that the technical scope of the present invention be limited to the specific configurations of the above-mentioned embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0190] 10, 100, 110, 200, 400 Impedance Variable 40 Substrate 42 Slider 44 Passive elements 44-1 One terminal 44-2 Other terminal 48 Element contact part 50 First element contact portion 52 Second element contact part 53 Wiring contact part 54 First wiring contact section 56 Second wiring contact section 57, 410 Wiring 58 First wiring 60 Second wiring 62 Connection 70, 140 First connection part 72, 142 Second connection part 80, 150, 210 First concentric circle 82, 152, 212 Second concentric circle 84, 154, 214 Third concentric circle 86, 156, 216 Fourth concentric circle 158, 218 Fifth concentric circle 160, 220 Sixth concentric circle 162 Seventh Concentric Circle 164 Eighth Concentric Circle 112, 112A, 112B First current-carrying contact part 114, 114A, 114B First detection contact part 116, 116A, 116B Second energizing contact section 118, 118A, 118B Second detection contact 120 First energizing wiring contact section 122 First detection wiring contact portion 124 Second energizing wiring contact section 126 Second detection wiring contact part 130 First energizing wiring 134 First detection wiring 132 Second energizing wiring 136 Second detection wiring 144 Third Connection 146 Fourth Connection

Claims

1. a substrate on which element contact portions connected to terminals of the mounted passive elements, respectively, and wiring contact portions selectively connected to the element contact portions are formed; a slider rotatably provided along the substrate, the slider having a connection portion for connecting the wiring contact portion to any one of the element contact portions according to a rotation angle; Equipped with a wiring connected to the wiring contact portion and connected to a terminal of any one of the passive elements via the connection portion extends from the substrate; the element contact portion includes a first element contact portion connected to one terminal of the passive element and a second element contact portion connected to the other terminal of the passive element, the wiring contact portion includes a first wiring contact portion selectively connected to each of the first element contact portions or each of the second element contact portions, and a second wiring contact portion selectively connected to each of the second element contact portions or each of the first element contact portions; The connection portion includes a first connection portion and a second connection portion, the first connection portion and the second connection portion form a state in which the first wiring contact portion is connected to any of the first element contact portions or any of the second element contact portions, or a state in which the second wiring contact portion is connected to any of the second element contact portions or any of the first element contact portions. Variable impedance.

2. 2. The variable impedance device according to claim 1, the first element contact portions and the second element contact portions are arranged on concentric circles centered on a rotation center of the slider, The first wiring contact portion and the second wiring contact portion are formed in a shape along a concentric circle centered on the rotation center. Variable impedance.

3. The variable impedance device according to claim 2, the first wiring contact portion and the second wiring contact portion are formed in an arc shape and are arranged on the same concentric circle centered on the rotation center, the first element contact portions and the second element contact portions are disposed on the inside or outside of the same concentric circle; Variable impedance.

4. The variable impedance device according to claim 3, the first connection portion and the second connection portion are disposed at positions shifted in a rotation direction of the slider; Variable impedance.

5. The variable impedance device according to claim 4, The first wiring contact portion and the second wiring contact portion are disposed at positions shifted by 180 degrees in the rotation direction. Variable impedance.

6. A substrate on which element contact portions connected to terminals of a plurality of mounted passive elements, respectively, and wiring contact portions selectively connected to each of the element contact portions are formed; a slider rotatably provided along the substrate, the slider having a connection portion for connecting the wiring contact portion to any one of the element contact portions according to a rotation angle; Equipped with a wiring connected to the wiring contact portion and connected to a terminal of any one of the passive elements via the connection portion extends from the substrate; the element contact portion includes a first current-carrying contact portion and a first detection contact portion connected to one terminal of the passive element, and a second current-carrying contact portion and a second detection contact portion connected to the other terminal of the passive element, the wiring contact portion includes a first current-carrying wiring contact portion selectively connected to each of the first current-carrying contact portions, a first detection wiring contact portion selectively connected to each of the first detection contact portions, a second current-carrying wiring contact portion selectively connected to each of the second current-carrying contact portions, and a second detection wiring contact portion selectively connected to each of the second detection contact portions; the connection portion includes a first connection portion, a second connection portion, a third connection portion, and a fourth connection portion, the first connection portion, the second connection portion, the third connection portion, and the fourth connection portion form a state in which the first current-carrying wiring contact portion is connected to any one of the first current-carrying contact portions, a state in which the first detection wiring contact portion is connected to any one of the first detection contact portions, a state in which the second current-carrying wiring contact portion is connected to any one of the second current-carrying contact portions, or a state in which the second detection wiring contact portion is connected to any one of the second detection contact portions. Variable impedance.

7. 7. The variable impedance device according to claim 6, the first energizing contacts, the first detecting contacts, the second energizing contacts, and the second detecting contacts are arranged on concentric circles centered on a rotation center of the slider, the first current-carrying wiring contact portion, the first detection wiring contact portion, the second current-carrying wiring contact portion, and the second detection wiring contact portion are formed in a shape along a concentric circle centered on the rotation center, Variable impedance.

8. The variable impedance device according to claim 7, two of the first current-carrying wiring contact portion, the first detection wiring contact portion, the second current-carrying wiring contact portion, and the second detection wiring contact portion are formed in an arc shape and are arranged on a first concentric circle centered on the rotation center; the other two of the first current-carrying wiring contact portion, the first detection wiring contact portion, the second current-carrying wiring contact portion, and the second detection wiring contact portion are formed in an arc shape and are arranged on a second concentric circle centered on the rotation center, the first energizing contact portion, the first detection contact portion, the second energizing contact portion, and the second detection contact portion are disposed inside or outside the first concentric circle or the second concentric circle; Variable impedance.

9. The variable impedance device according to claim 8, the first connection portion, the second connection portion, the third connection portion, and the fourth connection portion are disposed at positions shifted in a rotation direction of the slider, Variable impedance.

10. The variable impedance device according to claim 9, two of the first current-carrying wiring contact portion, the first detection wiring contact portion, the second current-carrying wiring contact portion, and the second detection wiring contact portion arranged on the first concentric circle are alternately arranged at 90 degree intervals in the rotation direction; the other two of the first current-carrying wiring contact portion, the first detection wiring contact portion, the second current-carrying wiring contact portion, and the second detection wiring contact portion arranged on the second concentric circle are arranged alternately at 90 degree intervals in the rotation direction; Variable impedance.

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