Rotary Control Running-Torque Stack Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotary controls for communication devices in public safety environments face challenges with tolerance sensitivity, over compression leading to excessive wear, and inadequate tactile feedback, particularly for users wearing heavy gloves or in low illumination conditions, where inadvertent actuation is a concern.
Innovation Solution
A rotary control design featuring a running-torque stack up assembly with rubber pads and a spring, providing continuous resistance through a combination of tangential and normal forces, minimizing inadvertent actuation and wear, and adaptable for various orientations and applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If external torque adders are used to provide running-torque feedback, then tactile feedback is improved, but tolerance sensitivity and over compression cause excessive wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the rotary control by incorporating a spring mechanism that provides controlled frictional resistance. The spring constant and pre-load force are optimized to provide adequate running-torque feedback without excessive compression, thereby improving tactile feedback while preventing wear from over-compression.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a spring as an intermediary element between the rotary control components. This spring mediator provides the necessary frictional resistance for tactile feedback while distributing forces evenly, avoiding direct over-compression of contact surfaces and reducing wear.
2Ease of operation
If running-torque feedback is increased for better tactile feedback, then inadvertent actuation is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the running-torque feedback mechanism with the existing rotary control structure by integrating a spring into the assembly. This combination provides inadvertent actuation prevention through frictional resistance without requiring separate complex control mechanisms, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional rotary control design is used, then manufacturing is simpler, but stack up height and knob retention are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests the spring mechanism within the existing rotary control housing, placing the spring between the rotary component and the housing. This nested arrangement provides the necessary stack-up height for proper mechanical function while maintaining a compact overall form factor that does not significantly increase the device dimensions.
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
The rotary control design enhances tactile feedback, reduces inadvertent actuation, and improves life cycle sustainability and knob retention, making it suitable for public safety devices and other applications requiring frictional resistance.
Implementation Method 1
a spring stacked against the stationary disk
Implementation Method 2
a first rubber pad stacked against the top surface of the rotating disk to form a first sliding surface, a second rubber pad stacked against the bottom surface of the rotating disk to form a second sliding surface
Data Source
AI summary
A rotary control (100, 500, 700) provides improved running-torque through a running-torque stack up assembly (140). The running-torque stack up assembly (140) may be implemented in a modular approach (500, 700) independent of a shaft (130) and switch housing, or may be implemented to incorporate the shaft (100) and switch housing. The running-torque stack up assembly (140) is formed of a spring (114), a stationary disk (112), and a rotating disk (108) having sliding top and bottom surfaces provided through either pads (106, 110) or an overmolded coating (710).