Potentiometer Pause Marker With Dual-End Control Shaft

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing potentiometers face limitations in achieving high rotation torque without damaging the device, particularly when controlling external pauses, due to the integration of the control shaft within the assembly, which restricts design flexibility and torque capability.

Innovation Solution

A device with a pause marker independent of electrical contact, where one part is coupled to the casing and the other to the potentiometer, featuring protrusions for pause control and sockets for a control shaft that can be inserted from either end, allowing for high torque operation without damaging the potentiometer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the control shaft is integrated within the potentiometer assembly, then the device structure is simplified, but the rotation torque is limited and design flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structureVSAvoidrotation torque
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into separate functional modules: the potentiometer assembly and the pause control mechanism are independent of each other. The pause marker with protrusions can be coupled to the potentiometer but remains a separate component, allowing the control shaft to be inserted from either end without being constrained by the potentiometer's internal structure. This segmentation enables high rotation torque application while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the control shaft is inserted through the upper part of the potentiometer, then the device can be easily actuated, but the insertion of the potentiometer in electronic circuits is limited to one face

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactuation easeVSAvoidcircuit insertion flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The pause control mechanism is designed to accept the control shaft from either the upper or lower part of the device. By inverting the traditional single-direction insertion approach, the patent allows the control shaft to be coupled to the pause marker from both ends, thereby enabling the potentiometer to be installed in electronic circuits on either face, significantly improving adaptability and versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the cursor and wiper carrier are incorporated inside the potentiometer, then internal pause positions can be controlled, but the rotation torque remains low to prevent damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepause control capabilityVSAvoidrotation torque
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The pause control function is extracted from the internal structure of the potentiometer. Instead of incorporating the cursor and wiper carrier inside the potentiometer, the patent uses an independent pause marker with protrusions that couples to the potentiometer externally. This extraction allows high rotation torque to be applied to the pause control mechanism without transmitting damaging forces to the potentiometer's internal components, while still enabling pause position control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3264428B1Device for controlling external pauses
Publication Date: 2020.04.15 ARAGONESA DE COMPONENTES PASIVOS
  • EP3264428B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3264428B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3264428B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Device for controlling external pauses, comprising • a casing (1) housing the pause marker (2) and potentiometer (3) • a pause marker (2), independent of the electrical contact, one part being coupled to a potentiometer (3) and the other part to the casing (1). • a potentiometer (3) and • a control shaft (4) inserted either into the upper part, corresponding to the pause marker (2), or into the lower part, corresponding to the potentiometer (3) and/or pause marker, actuating the said device for controlling pauses, developing a high rotation torque of up to 360° with or without stop elements.