Jog Dial With Separated Detector And Magnet

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional jog dials in electronic devices face issues such as mechanical coupling leading to failure, recognition errors, and moisture penetration due to their design, which restricts the device's design flexibility and reliability.

Innovation Solution

A jog dial design where the dial knob and detector are separated without mechanical connection, using a geomagnetic sensor or NFC reader to detect a magnet or NFC tag, respectively, allowing for independent rotation and preventing moisture ingress, with the detector positioned below the operation panel and the dial knob rotatably attached to the panel via protrusions and grooves.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the dial knob and detector are mechanically coupled, then the detector can detect the position of the dial knob, but the mechanical coupling causes failure when aged and the connection portion may be broken

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of jog dialVSAvoidmechanical coupling structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The jog dial is divided into separate components: the dial knob assembly and the detector assembly. The dial knob is rotatably coupled to the operation panel, while the detector is mounted separately on the circuit board below the operation panel. This segmentation eliminates the mechanical coupling between the dial knob and detector, preventing connection failures while maintaining detection functionality through magnetic field interaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical coupling system is replaced with a magnetic field-based detection system. Instead of mechanically connecting the dial knob to the detector, a magnet is attached to the dial knob and the detector uses a magnetic sensor to detect the position of the magnet. This substitution eliminates mechanical wear and connection failures while preserving the position detection function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If the rotating shaft passes through the operation panel, then the dial knob can be rotated, but moisture enters through the through hole and damages the circuit board

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotation of dial knobVSAvoidmoisture penetration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The rotating shaft that previously passed through the operation panel creating a through hole is removed. Instead, the dial knob is rotatably coupled directly to the operation panel without penetrating it, and the detector is mounted separately on the circuit board. This extraction eliminates the moisture penetration path while maintaining the rotation functionality through a different mechanical coupling approach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Measurement precision

If the dial knob and rotating shaft are mechanically coupled, then the position can be detected, but the dial knob must have certain height which restricts design flexibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition detectionVSAvoiddesign flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical coupling between the dial knob and detector is replaced with a magnetic field-based system. A magnet is attached to the dial knob and the detector uses a magnetic sensor to detect the magnet's position. This substitution eliminates the need for a tall rotating shaft structure, allowing the dial knob to have any height while maintaining accurate position detection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This design minimizes mechanical failure and moisture damage, enabling smoother operation and design flexibility by decoupling the dial knob and detector, enhancing the reliability and usability of electronic devices like washing machines and microwave ovens.

Implementation Method 1

a body to be detected provided with the dial knob; and a detector disposed below the operation panel and configured to identify the body to be detected and output a signal, wherein the dial knob and the detector are separated from each other. The body to be detected may include a permanent magnet, and the detector may include a geomagnetic sensor.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field detection: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

The plurality of NFC reader may be provided in the dial knob in a circular shape centered on a rotation center of the dial knob, and the NFC reader may be provided to read one NFC tag among the plurality of NFC tags.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNear field communication: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS10275052B2Jog dial for electronic device and electronic device provided with same

Publication Date: 2019.04.30 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A jog dial according to the present invention can be used in an electronic device. The jog dial according to the present invention comprises: a dial knob rotatably provided on an upper surface of an operation panel of the electronic device; an object provided on the dial knob; and a detector provided below the operation panel, and detecting the object so as to output a signal, wherein the dial knob and the detector are separated from each other.