Rotating Electrical Components

Abstract

Provided is a rotary electric component in which the operation sensation is maintained over a long period. This rotary electric component comprises an operation part that is rotationally operated, a housing part that has an accommodation part with a corrugated part formed on a peripheral wall surface of the accommodation part; a rotary body that is accommodated in the accommodation part and connected to the operation part, and that is positioned so as to rotate along the peripheral wall surface in response to the rotation of the operation part; an impelling part that impels toward the peripheral wall surface; and a rotary piece that is positioned in the rotary body so as to be impelled by the impelling part and to abut the peripheral wall surface, rotates according to the rotation of the rotary body while moving along the peripheral wall surface, and has a recessed part that is for holding a lubricant and is formed in a facing surface facing the peripheral wall surface.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates to rotating electrical components. [Background technology]

[0002] Rotary electrical components, such as rotary switches that switch between multiple contacts by rotating an operating part, have been put to practical use. These rotary electrical components are used, for example, to switch power, adjust volume, and change channels. However, there is a demand for rotary electrical components that provide an improved operational feel in response to the operation of the operating part.

[0003] Therefore, as a technology for improving the operational feel, for example, Patent Document 1 proposes a click mechanism for an electrical component that can provide a good and clear click feeling. This mechanism improves the operational feel because a spring-biased click piece elastically contacts the unevenness formed on the peripheral wall surface of the housing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent No. 4755718 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the mechanism of Patent Document 1 is required to suppress the deterioration of the lubricant applied to the click piece and to maintain the operational feel for a longer period of time.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a rotary electrical component that maintains a good operational feel for a long period of time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The rotary electrical component according to the present disclosure comprises an operating unit that is rotated, a housing unit having an accommodating unit and having uneven portions formed on the peripheral wall surface of the accommodating unit, a rotating body that is accommodated in the accommodating unit and connected to the operating unit and arranged to rotate along the peripheral wall surface in response to rotation of the operating unit, a biasing unit that biases toward the peripheral wall surface, and a rotating top that is arranged on the rotating body in such a manner that it is biased by the biasing unit and abuts against the peripheral wall surface, that rotates while moving along the peripheral wall surface in response to rotation of the rotating body, and has a recess for holding a lubricant formed on an opposing surface facing the peripheral wall surface. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to maintain the operational feel for a long period of time. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a rotary electric component according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the rotating top. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing how the lubricant moves from the recess to the contact portion. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the rotating top according to the second embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of a rotating top according to the third embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of a rotating top according to the fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0011] (Embodiment 1) 1 shows the configuration of a rotary electric component according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. The rotary electric component includes an operating unit 1, a housing unit 2, a rotor 3, a biasing unit 4, and two rotors 5.

[0012] The operating unit 1 is rotated by an operator, is formed to extend in an axial shape, and is arranged to be rotatable around its own central axis. The housing 2 has a storage section 6 for storing the rotating body 3. The storage section 6 is formed to surround the outer periphery of the rotating body 3 in the circumferential direction. The peripheral wall surface of the storage section 6 that faces the rotating body 3 has uneven portions 6a formed continuously at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The uneven portions 6a are formed to curve in accordance with the outer periphery of the rotating top 5.

[0013] The rotating body 3 is formed in a disk shape, is housed in the storage section 6 of the housing section 2, and is connected at its center to one end of the operating section 1 which is arranged to extend toward the storage section 6. As a result, the rotating body 3 is arranged inside the storage section 6 so as to rotate along the peripheral wall surface of the storage section 6 in response to the rotation of the operating section 1.

[0014] The rotating body 3 also has a holding portion 3a that holds the biasing portion 4 and a support portion 3b that supports the rotating top 5. The holding portion 3a is formed to hold the biasing portion 4 from the outside. The support portion 3b is arranged to sandwich the rotating top 5 in the rotation direction of the rotating body 3, and prevents the rotating top 5 from moving in the rotation direction of the rotating body 3 from the support position of the support portion 3b, while supporting the rotating top 5 so that it can move in the radial direction of the rotating body 3.

[0015] The biasing portion 4 is disposed so as to sandwich the rotating top 5 between itself and the peripheral wall surface of the storage portion 6, and is formed so as to bias the rotating top 5 toward the peripheral wall surface of the storage portion 6. The biasing portion 4 can be formed, for example, from a U-shaped leaf spring.

[0016] The two rotating tops 5 are arranged on the rotating body 3 so as to face each other across the rotation axis of the rotating body 3, and are biased by the biasing unit 4 so as to abut against the peripheral wall surface of the storage section 6. The rotating tops 5 are formed so as to move along the peripheral wall surface of the storage section 6 in accordance with the rotation of the rotating body 3, and to abut against the peripheral wall surface of the storage section 6 and rotate around their own rotation axis. A lubricant is applied to the surface of the rotating tops 5 to ensure smooth movement and rotation of the rotating tops 5.

[0017] FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the rotating top 5 in detail. The rotating top 5 has a cylindrical shape with its outer peripheral surface 7 facing the peripheral wall surface of the storage section 6, and a contact portion 7a and a recess 7b are formed on the outer peripheral surface 7. This outer peripheral surface 7 corresponds to the facing surface in the present invention.

[0018] The recess 7b is for holding the lubricant L and is formed to extend along the outer peripheral surface 7. Specifically, the recess 7b is formed to extend over the entire circumference of the central part of the rotating top 5 in the height direction of the rotation axis A of the rotating top 5, parallel to the rotation direction of the rotating top 5. The lubricant L is applied to the recess 7b so as to fill the inside thereof.

[0019] The contact portion 7a contacts the peripheral wall surface of the storage portion 6 and is arranged to sandwich the recessed portion 7b in the height direction along which the rotation axis A extends. A lubricant L is applied to the surface of the contact portion 7a.

[0020] It is preferable that the rotating top 5 is formed so as to be impregnated with the lubricant L. For example, the rotating top 5 can be impregnated with the lubricant L by performing a process such that the rotating top 5 is impregnated with the lubricant L. The lubricant L may be made of, for example, grease.

[0021] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

[0022] First, the operating unit 1 shown in Fig. 1 is rotated by an operator, and in response to this rotation, the rotating body 3 housed in the housing portion 6 rotates along the peripheral wall surface of the housing portion 6. The rotating top 5 is arranged on the rotating body 3 so as to be biased by the biasing portion 4 and come into contact with the peripheral wall surface of the housing portion 6. As a result, the rotating top 5 moves along the peripheral wall surface of the housing portion 6 in accordance with the rotation of the rotating body 3, and then comes into contact with the peripheral wall surface of the housing portion 6 and rotates around its own rotation axis A. This allows the operator to rotate the operating unit 1 with an appropriate clicking sensation.

[0023] Furthermore, the rotating top 5 moves in accordance with the rotation of the rotating body 3 while climbing over the uneven portion 6a formed on the peripheral wall surface of the storage portion 6. Therefore, the operator can get an appropriate clicking sensation in response to the operation of the operating portion 1. In this case, since the rotating top 5 has a cylindrical shape with the outer circumferential surface 7 facing the peripheral wall surface of the storage section 6, it can come into contact with the peripheral wall surface of the storage section 6 over a wider area than if it were formed into a spherical shape, for example. This improves the operating feel for the operator.

[0024] Generally, the surface of the rotating top is coated with a lubricant L. In this case, if the outer circumferential surface of the rotating top is formed so as to uniformly abut against the peripheral wall surface of the housing portion 6 without forming recess 7b in the rotating top, the lubricant L coated on the surface of the rotating top may be removed in a short period of time due to contact with the peripheral wall surface of the housing portion 6, which may inhibit the smooth movement and rotation of the rotating top.

[0025] 2, the rotating top 5 has a recess 7b for holding the lubricant L formed on the outer circumferential surface 7 facing the peripheral wall surface of the storage section 6. As a result, as long as a certain amount of lubricant L is applied to the contact portion 7a of the rotating top 5, the lubricant L is present between the contact portion 7a and the peripheral wall surface of the storage section 6, allowing the rotating top to move and rotate smoothly.

[0026] 3, when the amount of lubricant L applied to the contact portion 7a decreases due to contact with the peripheral wall surface of the housing portion 6, the lubricant L held in the recess 7b gradually moves to the contact portion 7a in accordance with the movement and rotation of the rotating top 5. As a result, a constant amount of lubricant L remains on the surface of the contact portion 7a, allowing the rotating top 5 to move and rotate smoothly for a long period of time, and the clicking sensation of the operating unit 1 to be maintained for a long period of time.

[0027] At this time, since the recess 7b is formed adjacent to the contact portion 7a, the lubricant L can be smoothly moved to the contact portion 7a. Here, it is preferable that the recess 7b be formed so that it becomes shallower as it approaches the contact portion 7a relative to the center in the height direction along the rotation axis A. This allows the lubricant L held in the recess 7b to move more smoothly to the contact portion 7a.

[0028] Furthermore, since the recesses 7b are formed so as to extend along the outer peripheral surface 7 of the rotating top 5, the lubricant L can be supplied uniformly to the contact portions 7a as the rotating top 5 rotates. Furthermore, since the recess 7b is formed to extend parallel to the direction of rotation of the rotating top 5, the lubricant L can be supplied to the contact portion 7a without interfering with the rotation of the rotating top 5.

[0029] Furthermore, since the abutment portions 7a are positioned at both ends of the rotating top 5 in the height direction in which the rotation axis A extends, even if the recessed portion 7b is formed large, the pressing force against the peripheral wall surface of the storage portion 6 can be maintained, and the rotating top 5 can be moved and rotated stably.

[0030] Furthermore, wear powder generated in the storage section 6, for example, wear powder generated when the rotating top 5 moves while contacting the uneven section 6a, can be accommodated in the recess 7b as the rotating top 5 moves, and wear powder can be removed from between the contact section 7a and the peripheral wall surface of the storage section 6.

[0031] In this way, by rotating the operating unit 1, it is possible to sequentially switch, for example, a plurality of contacts (not shown). Such rotary electrical components can be used, for example, in variable resistors and encoders. This allows operations such as switching the power supply, adjusting the volume, and changing channels.

[0032] According to this embodiment, the rotating top 5 has recesses 7b for retaining the lubricant L formed on the outer circumferential surface 7 facing the peripheral wall surface of the storage section 6. As the amount of lubricant L applied to the contact section 7a decreases, the lubricant L retained in the recesses 7b is moved to the contact section 7a. Furthermore, wear powder generated in the storage section 6 can be gradually stored in the recesses 7b and removed. This allows the operability of the operating section 1 to be maintained for a long period of time.

[0033] (Embodiment 2) Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Here, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and common reference numerals will be used for common features with the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0034] In the above embodiment 1, the recess 7b is formed to extend parallel to the rotation direction of the rotating top 5, but it is not limited to this as long as it is formed on the opposing surface that faces the peripheral wall surface of the storage section 6.

[0035] For example, as shown in Fig. 4, a rotating top 21 can be disposed in place of the rotating top 5 of the first embodiment. Note that the lubricant L is omitted in Fig. 4. The rotating top 21 is disposed so as to rotate around its own rotation axis A, and has a contact portion 22a and a recess 22b formed on its outer circumferential surface 22. This outer circumferential surface 22 corresponds to the opposing surface in the present invention.

[0036] The recess 22b is for holding the lubricant L and is formed to extend along the outer circumferential surface 22. Specifically, the recess 22b is formed to extend in a direction oblique to the rotation direction of the rotating top 21. That is, the recess 22b is formed to extend in a spiral shape, winding around the outer circumferential surface 22 multiple times. Furthermore, both ends of the recess 22b are formed to reach both surfaces of the rotating top 21 that face each other in the direction in which the rotation axis A extends. The lubricant L is applied to the recess 22b so as to fill the inside thereof.

[0037] The contact portion 22a contacts the peripheral wall surface of the housing portion 6 and is formed to extend spirally between the recesses 22b. A lubricant L is applied to the surface of the contact portion 22a.

[0038] With this configuration, when the amount of lubricant L applied to the contact portion 22a decreases due to contact with the peripheral wall surface of the storage portion 6, the lubricant L held in the recess 22b can be gradually moved to the contact portion 22a in accordance with the movement and rotation of the rotating top 21. As a result, a constant amount of lubricant L remains on the surface of the contact portion 22a, so that the operability of the operating unit 1 can be maintained for a long period of time.

[0039] Here, recess 22b is formed so as to extend obliquely with respect to the rotation direction of rotating top 21, i.e., so as to overlap contact portion 22a in the rotation direction of rotating top 21. Therefore, lubricant L held in recess 22b can be moved uniformly over the entire contact portion 22a in accordance with the rotation of rotating top 21.

[0040] In addition, both ends of recess 22b are formed to reach both surfaces of rotating top 21 that face each other in the direction of extension of rotation axis A. This allows lubricant L applied to both surfaces of rotating top 21 to move from both ends of recess 22b into recess 22b as the amount of lubricant L held in recess 22b decreases, making it possible to hold lubricant L in recess 22b for a long period of time.

[0041] Furthermore, wear powder generated in the storage section 6, for example, wear powder generated when the rotating top 21 moves while contacting the uneven section 6a, can be accommodated in the recess 22b as the rotating top 21 moves, and wear powder can be removed from between the contact section 22a and the peripheral wall surface of the storage section 6.

[0042] According to this embodiment, the rotating top 21 has the recessed portion 22b formed so as to extend obliquely relative to the direction of rotation, so that the lubricant L held in the recessed portion 22b can be uniformly moved over the entire contact portion 22a in accordance with the rotation of the rotating top 21. Furthermore, wear powder generated in the storage portion 6 can be successively stored in the recessed portion 22b and removed. This improves the operational feel of the operating unit 1.

[0043] (Embodiment 3) Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Here, differences from the first and second embodiments will be mainly described, and common reference numerals will be used for common features with the first and second embodiments, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0044] In the first and second embodiments described above, the rotating top has one recessed portion formed along the outer circumferential surface, but it is also possible to form a plurality of recessed portions.

[0045] For example, as shown in Fig. 5, a rotating top 31 can be disposed in place of the rotating top 5 of the first embodiment. Note that the lubricant L is omitted in Fig. 5. The rotating top 31 is disposed so as to rotate around its own rotation axis A, and has a contact portion 32a and two recesses 32b formed on its outer circumferential surface 32. This outer circumferential surface 32 corresponds to the opposing surface in the present invention.

[0046] The two recesses 32b are for holding lubricant L and are formed to extend along the outer circumferential surface 32. Specifically, the two recesses 32b are arranged to sandwich the center of the rotating top 31 in the height direction along which the rotation axis A of the rotating top 31 extends, and are formed to extend over the entire circumference parallel to the rotation direction of the rotating top 31. Lubricant L is applied to the recesses 32b so as to fill the inside thereof.

[0047] The contact portions 32a come into contact with the peripheral wall surface of the storage portion 6, and are arranged so as to sandwich the two recesses 32b. A lubricant L is applied to the surface of the contact portions 32a.

[0048] With this configuration, when the amount of lubricant L applied to the contact portion 32a decreases due to contact with the peripheral wall surface of the storage portion 6, the lubricant L held in the recess 32b can be gradually moved to the contact portion 32a in accordance with the movement and rotation of the rotating top 31. As a result, a constant amount of lubricant L remains on the surface of the contact portion 32a, so that the operability of the operating unit 1 can be maintained for a long period of time.

[0049] Here, two recesses 32b are formed in the rotating top 31. Therefore, the lubricant L can be quickly supplied from each recess 32b to the adjacent contact portion 32a, and the amount of lubricant L applied to the contact portion 32a can be maintained.

[0050] The two recesses 32b are formed to extend parallel to the rotation direction of the rotating top 31. Therefore, the recesses 32b can supply the lubricant L to the contact portion 32a without interfering with the rotation of the rotating top 31.

[0051] Furthermore, wear powder generated in the storage section 6, for example, wear powder generated when the rotating top 31 moves while contacting the uneven section 6a, can be accommodated in the recess 32b as the rotating top 31 moves, and wear powder can be removed from between the contact section 32a and the peripheral wall surface of the storage section 6.

[0052] According to this embodiment, the rotating top 31 is formed with two recesses 32b, so that the lubricant L can be quickly supplied from each recess 32b to the adjacent contact portion 32a, and the amount of lubricant L applied to the contact portion 32a can be maintained. In addition, wear powder generated in the storage portion 6 can be sequentially stored in the recesses 32b and removed.

[0053] (Fourth embodiment) Hereinafter, a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Here, differences from the first to third embodiments will be mainly described, and common reference numerals will be used for common features with the first to third embodiments, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0054] In the above-mentioned embodiments 1 to 3, the recess of the rotating top is formed to extend along the outer peripheral surface, but it is not limited to this as long as it is formed on the opposing surface that faces the peripheral wall surface of the storage section 6.

[0055] For example, as shown in Fig. 6, a rotating top 41 can be disposed in place of the rotating top 5 of the first embodiment. Note that the lubricant L is omitted in Fig. 6. The rotating top 41 is disposed so as to rotate around its own rotation axis A, and has an abutting portion 42a and a plurality of recesses 42b formed on its outer circumferential surface 42. This outer circumferential surface 42 corresponds to the opposing surface in the present invention.

[0056] The recesses 42b are for holding the lubricant L, and are formed so as to be dispersed over the entire outer circumferential surface 42. The lubricant L is applied to the recesses 42b so as to fill the interior thereof.

[0057] The contact portion 42a comes into contact with the peripheral wall surface of the housing portion 6, and a lubricant L is applied to the surface thereof.

[0058] In this way, multiple recesses 42b are formed so as to be dispersed over the entire outer peripheral surface 42 of the rotating top 41, so that lubricant L can be supplied uniformly from the recesses 42b to the entire abutment portion 42a, thereby improving the operating feel of the operating part 1.

[0059] Furthermore, wear powder generated in the storage section 6, for example, wear powder generated when the rotating top 41 moves while contacting the uneven section 6a, can be accommodated in the recess 42b as the rotating top 41 moves, and wear powder can be removed from between the contact section 42a and the peripheral wall surface of the storage section 6.

[0060] According to this embodiment, the rotating top 41 has a plurality of recesses 42b formed so as to be distributed over the entire outer peripheral surface 42, so that the lubricant L can be supplied uniformly from the recesses 42b to the entire abutment portion 42a, thereby improving the operating feel of the operating unit 1.

[0061] In the above embodiments 1 to 4, the rotating top is formed in a cylindrical shape with its outer surface facing the peripheral wall surface of the storage section 6, but it is not limited to a cylindrical shape as long as it is formed so that it rotates while moving along the peripheral wall surface of the storage section 6 in accordance with the rotation of the rotating body 3.

[0062] Furthermore, in the above embodiments 1 to 4, two rotating tops are arranged on the rotating body 3, but the number of rotating tops is not limited to two, as long as they are arranged on the rotating body 3 so as to be biased by the biasing portion 4 and abut against the peripheral wall surface of the storage portion 6.

[0063] Furthermore, in the above embodiments 1 to 4, each of the two rotating tops has a recess formed therein for holding the lubricant L, but this is not limited to the above as long as at least one rotating top has a recess formed therein.

[0064] Furthermore, the above-described embodiments are merely examples of specific embodiments for carrying out the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited by these embodiments. In other words, the present invention can be embodied in various forms without departing from the gist or main features thereof. For example, the disclosure of the shapes and numbers of each part described in the above-described embodiments is merely illustrative and can be modified as appropriate.

[0065] This application is based on a Japanese patent application (Patent Application No. 2020-132997) filed on August 5, 2020, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. [Industrial Applicability]

[0066] The rotary electric component according to the present disclosure can be used as an electric component in which a rotating top rotates while moving along the peripheral wall surface of a housing portion as a rotating body rotates. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1 Control section 2 Housing 3 Rotating body 3a Holding part 3b Support part 4. Actuating section 5,21,31,41 Rotating top 6 Storage section 6a Uneven part 7,22,32,42 Outer surface 7a,22a,32a,42a Contact part 7b, 22b, 32b, 42b recess A rotation axis L Lubricant

Claims

[Claim 1] an operating unit that is rotated; a housing portion having a storage portion and an uneven portion formed on a peripheral wall surface of the storage portion; a rotating body accommodated in the accommodation portion, connected to the operation portion, and arranged to rotate along the peripheral wall surface in response to rotation of the operation portion; a biasing portion that biases the peripheral wall surface; a rotating top that is arranged on the rotating body so as to be biased by the biasing portion and come into contact with the peripheral wall surface, that rotates while moving along the peripheral wall surface as the rotating body rotates, and that has a recess for holding a lubricant formed on an opposing surface facing the peripheral wall surface, the rotating top has a cylindrical shape with an outer circumferential surface facing the peripheral wall surface, The rotating top has the recess formed along the outer circumferential surface and extending obliquely relative to the direction of rotation. Rotating electrical components.

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