Rotary Input Device Elastic Gripper Collision Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rotary input devices generate loud collision sounds and are prone to breakage due to the hard materials used for durability, causing user discomfort and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
A rotary input device design featuring a rotary operating unit with a gripper made from a thermoplastic elastomer, which covers and extends to abut against a locking portion, reducing collision noise and enhancing durability by absorbing collision energy and maintaining tight contact through double molding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If hard materials are used for the locking portion and abutting surface, then durability is improved, but collision sound increases and breakage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
An elastic body is introduced as an intermediary between the locking portion and the abutting surface. This elastic body deforms during engagement, absorbing collision energy and reducing impact sound while maintaining the durability provided by the hard locking portion structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The material properties at the abutting surface are changed from hard to elastic. The elastic body's ability to deform and recover allows it to absorb impact energy, reducing collision sound and the risk of breakage while maintaining engagement functionality.
2Strength
If hard materials are used for the locking portion and abutting surface, then structural strength is improved, but reliability decreases due to breakage risk
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic body serves as a mediator that absorbs impact energy during locking engagement. This prevents excessive force from being transmitted to the hard locking portion, reducing the risk of breakage and improving reliability while maintaining structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic body is positioned in advance at the abutting surface to cushion the upcoming impact during locking engagement. This pre-positioned cushioning element absorbs collision energy before it can cause breakage, improving reliability.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If a separate abutting portion is added to cover the locking portion, then collision sound is suppressed, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The abutting surface is merged with the elastic body, combining the functions of impact absorption and surface coverage into a single integrated component. This reduces the number of separate parts and assembly steps, lowering device complexity while maintaining collision sound suppression.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic body is formed as a composite structure that integrates the abutting surface functionality. This composite design allows the elastic material to perform both the cushioning function and the surface coverage function in a unified component, reducing overall structural complexity.
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 design effectively suppresses collision sounds and improves durability by using a flexible material to absorb impact and maintain contact, reducing the likelihood of detachment and breakage while maintaining operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an abutting portion provided with an elastic body
Implementation Method 2
absorb impact and maintain contact
Data Source
AI summary
A rotary input device includes: a rotary operating unit which has an operating tubular portion formed from a first material and rotationally operated, and a gripper formed from a second material which has more elasticity than the operating tubular portion, the gripper covering an outer surface of a one-end side of the operating tubular portion; a casing which has the rotary operating unit disposed therein rotatably about an axis of the rotary operating unit, and which has a locking portion for restricting a rotational range of the rotary operating unit; and an input unit which transmits a predetermined signal with the rotation of the rotary operating unit. The operating tubular portion further includes, on the other-end side thereof, a portion to be locked that has a rotational range restricted to a predetermined rotational angle by the locking portion. The operating tubular portion is provided with an extension portion that is formed from the second material integrally with the gripper, and that extends toward the other end of the operating tubular portion from the gripper. The extension portion has an abutting portion that covers at least a portion of the portion to be locked and abuts against the locking portion.