Rotatable Patents (Class 200/336)
  • Patent number: 12049719
    Abstract: A fabric treatment machine with a console. The console has a volcano to receive an activation member. The activation member couples with an activation control unit mounted on a tech frame. A liquid deflection member on the console is positioned below the console volcano. A drain on the tech frame diverts fluid away from the activation control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Siddhesh S. Kabure, Pranav Kshirsagar, Paula Lobaccaro, Akash Paidalwar
  • Patent number: 11892287
    Abstract: An input device includes: a first electrode including a reference potential electrode and two or more sets each including a transmission electrode and a reception electrode; and a second electrode that approaches and recedes from the two or more sets by rotating while facing the first electrode with a predetermined space being provided therebetween. The reference potential electrode faces at least a portion of the second electrode as a result of the second electrode approaching at least one set out of the two or more sets. A phase when a first set of first transmission and reception electrodes disposed in a first region approaches and recedes from the second electrode is different from a phase when a second set of second transmission and reception electrodes disposed in a second region approaches and recedes from the second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kota Araki, Sohui Jeon, Hiroaki Nishiono, Satoshi Yoshihara
  • Patent number: 11816276
    Abstract: An input device includes a capacitive detection device, which has a detection surface while forming a first array of array electrodes associated with the detection surface, that are arranged so as to cross one another several times while being electrically insulated to form one junction point at the locations where they cross one another; an electronic evaluation unit, which is electrically connected to the array electrodes to form an associated electric measuring field array for the spatially resolving detection of a capacitive influence on the detection surface; a handling means mounted on the detection surface movable along an adjustment path parallel to the detection surface to perform an operating input by a manually effected movement along the adjustment path; and at least one position indicator moved along with the handling means to capacitively influence at least one measuring field of the measuring field array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: PREH GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Kleffel, Norbert Bauer
  • Patent number: 11723164
    Abstract: A power supply box includes a box body, and a box cover is fitted on the box body. The box body is internally provided with a first inner cavity and a second inner cavity. The first inner cavity is internally provided with a potentiometer. An adjuster of the potentiometer passes through a cavity wall and is located in the second inner cavity. The first inner cavity and the second inner cavity are separated by a vertical partition plate. The second inner cavity is partitioned into a first storage cavity and a second storage cavity through a transverse partition plate. The two ends of the vertical partition plate are provided with a first open slot and a second open slot, respectively. The first inner cavity communicates with the first storage cavity through the first open slot. The first inner cavity communicates with the second storage cavity through the second open slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Zhuhai Shengchang Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dehua Zheng, Chao Hou
  • Patent number: 11476064
    Abstract: A rotor system for a multi-pole rotary electrical switch having a rotor with a top and a bottom. Bus plate connectors are held in chambers on the bottom of the rotor. Retainers in the chambers, engaging only sides of the bus plate connectors, prevent the bus plate connectors from dropping out of the chambers when the bus plate connectors are placed above bus plates in a bus plate holder to place the switch in an “OFF” position. Support members extend from a side of the rotor to support the bus plate connectors above the bus plates. When the rotor is rotated to the “OFF” position the support members are rotated up onto support posts positioned in the bus plate holder. When the rotor is rotated to an “ON” position the support members are rotated off the support posts and the bus plate connectors are pressed down against the bus plates by a spring, thereby creating electrical connections between the bus plate connectors and the bus plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Inventor: David Worsham
  • Patent number: 11429209
    Abstract: A control knob for an appliance includes a base having an axially-operated switch. An outer control assembly is rotationally and axially operable with respect to the base. An inner display assembly is rotationally fixed with respect to the base and axially fixed with respect to the outer control assembly. The inner display assembly is biased toward an extended state and is axially operable to a selection state that engages the axially operated switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool (China) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukai Huang, Hongqiang Wang, Fanmeng Hua, Yujin Mao
  • Patent number: 11416089
    Abstract: A knob device is applicable to a touch panel. The knob device includes a knob cover, a plurality of sensing pads and a rotation sensing element. The plurality of sensing pads are fixedly arranged on the touch panel. A gap is form between two sensing pads. The plurality of sensing pads and gaps are distributed in a ring area around a center of an orthographic projection of the knob cover. The rotation sensing element is connected to the knob cover. When the knob cover is turned to be rotated, the rotation sensing element is rotated synchronously. When a user touches the knob device and the rotation sensing element overlaps one of the plurality of sensing pads, the touch panel generates a rotation sensing signal in response to a location of the rotation sensing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: HIMAX TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
    Inventors: Chun-Jen Su, Chun-Kai Chuang, Heng-An Hsu, Wai-Pan Wu, Cheng-Hung Tsai
  • Patent number: 11347333
    Abstract: An object is to provide a technique capable of improving detection accuracy for the rotation of the knob. A rotation detection device includes a position detection unit that detects positions of a plurality of detection points on a touch panel, a rotation detection unit that detects rotation of a knob based on the positions of the plurality of detection points, a the complement unit that complements positions of the rest of the detection points used for detection of the rotation detection unit based on the positions of some of the detection points and a predetermined position of the rotation axis when only the positions of some of the detection points among the plurality of detection points are detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Junya Ujiie, Jumpei Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 11322315
    Abstract: A control device capable of providing rotational damping through an elastic force is provided directly at the base of an electronic product and includes an adjusting member and an elastic member. The adjusting member is rotatably provided at the base. The adjusting member has a bottom portion corresponding to a switch provided in the base. The adjusting member further has a head portion outside the base. The elastic member is provided between the adjusting member and the base. The elastic force of the elastic member acts between the head portion of the adjusting member and the base to change the rotational damping to which the adjusting member is subjected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: SOLID YEAR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tien-Hao Yang, Chi-Feng Liu, Yuan-Zhang Liu
  • Patent number: 11299047
    Abstract: A vehicle system comprising: i) an infotainment system; ii) a dashboard display module; and iii) an adaptive transforming multifunction control module configured to receive manual inputs from a first occupant of the vehicle system. The adaptive transforming multifunction control module is configured to perform at least one operation based on a first selected function associated with the infotainment system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Joseph F. Szczerba, Ki Hyun Ahn
  • Patent number: 11243556
    Abstract: A knob assembly for a gas valve of a cooking appliance and a method of assembling said knob assembly is provided. The knob assembly can include a knob configured to engage a valve stem of the gas valve and a lock assembly including a locking element and a locking plate. The locking element can include at least one cam element that can be engaged by at least one projection carried by the locking plate. The locking plate can be configured to rotate relative to the locking element between a first position in which the at least one projection engages the at least one cam element and a second position in which the at least one projection is disengaged from the at least one cam element, and wherein in the first position the at least one cam element inhibits actuation of the gas valve by the knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Dhanaji Haridas Bhosale, Satyabrata Dalai, Nehal Arvind Sayankar
  • Patent number: 10690881
    Abstract: The electronic apparatus includes a base member, a rotatable operation member, a clicking member rotatable together with the rotatable operation member, an exterior member disposed between the base and rotatable operation members, a switching operation member provided with an operation knob and movable between first and second positions, a pressing member and a contact, member both held by the base member, the pressing member being biased toward the clicking member, the contact member being biased toward the switching operation member to contact the switching operation member, and a stopper member movable together with the switching operation member. When the switching operation member is located at the first position, the pressing member contacts the concave and convex portions. When the switching operation member is located at the second position, the pressing member contacts the stopper member and held away from the concave and convex portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Akihiko Masuki
  • Patent number: 10665401
    Abstract: An electric switch comprising a mechanism module and a contact module, the contact module comprising a base element, a cover element, fixed contacts and a rotary roll for receiving moving contacts, the mechanism module comprising a base element, a cover element, a front pipeshaft for controlling the switch from front, an inner pipeshaft for controlling the switch from side end, the pipeshafts being engaged to each other by teeth to form a gear for transferring a moment from the front pipeshaft to the inner pipeshaft, a lever for transferring a moment to the roll, the lever arranged to receive the inner pipeshaft, the inner pipeshaft and the lever being rotatable engaged with each other, and main springs for giving a rotational moment for the lever and being connected of first ends to the base element and the mains springs being connected to the lever of their second ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Yi'er Wu, Jiancheng Ren, Aki Suutarinen, Janne Rosenberg
  • Patent number: 10656668
    Abstract: An operator mechanism for a control enclosure includes a shaft assembly having an adjustable length. A shaft extender may be selectively slidable longitudinally along an operator shaft to selectively adjust the length of the shaft assembly, and selectively lockable on the operator shaft to inhibit sliding of the shaft extender on the operator shaft to retain a selected length of the shaft assembly. A shaft extender may be received in a longitudinal passage of a mount sleeve and extend distally outward from the mount sleeve. The shaft extender may be selectively movable longitudinally within a longitudinal passage of the mount sleeve relative to a shaft operator to selectively adjust the length of the shaft assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Andrew James Butler, Graig Edmund DeCarr, Joseph Michael Manahan
  • Patent number: 10474182
    Abstract: A rotary controller locking cap including a cap body having a longitudinal axis, a bore extending partially through the cap body along the longitudinal axis such that the cap body has an opening on a first side and is closed on an opposite second side, and an internally threaded portion arranged in the bore at least at the opening. The internally threaded portion is structured and arranged for threaded engagement with a threaded collar of a rotary controller. The bore is structured and arranged to accommodate an output shaft of the rotary controller therein while not contacting the output shaft when the cap body is engaged with the threaded collar. The cap body when engaged with the threaded collar is operable to preclude adjustability of the output shaft of the rotary controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: LOKNOB LLC
    Inventor: Anthony Livolsi
  • Patent number: 10424453
    Abstract: A circuit breaker having a circuit operating device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a circuit unit having a main circuit, a detecting unit having a detection circuit for detecting a fault current in the main circuit, and a circuit operating device configured to allow connection or isolation between the main circuit and the detection circuit, wherein the circuit operating device includes a first fixed unit and a second fixed unit connected to the main circuit and the detection circuit, respectively, and arranged in parallel to each other, and a moving unit rotatably coupled between the first fixed unit and the second fixed unit to connect or isolate the main circuit and the detection circuit to or from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: LSIS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seungpil Yang, Sangchul Lee, Youngkook Kim
  • Patent number: 10276320
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an input device that puts signals into equipment in response to turning action and that can come down in thickness along an axis of a rotary shaft. The input device includes a knob configured to be turned, a rotary shaft configured to turn together with the knob, and a flange disposed around an outer peripheral surface of the rotary shaft. The flange is designed to regulate turning of the rotary shaft. The input device further includes an elastic component that is disposed around the outer peripheral surface of the rotary shaft and is fastened to the flange, a rotation controller that permits or inhibits turning of the elastic component, and a detector that detects a rotational state of the rotary shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toru Arakawa, Takatoshi Ono, Masahiro Mizukami
  • Patent number: 10276323
    Abstract: The invention relates to an actuating element comprising corona illumination, having a handle (1), which can be moved linearly in a stationary housing (3) from a raised non-actuating position to a lowered actuating position by manually impacting on its horizontal actuating surface (2). Said actuating element further comprises a circumferential border (5) of the handle (1), which protrudes into the direction facing away from the actuating surface (2) and forms an annular gap (7) between the end thereof facing away from the actuating area (2) and a housing wall (6), which annular gap (7) leads radially outward from the housing interior (4) below the actuating area (2) to the housing exterior surrounding the handle in order to cause a linear movement of the handle (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Kay Schaefer
  • Patent number: 10215421
    Abstract: An exhaust device for convection or combi ovens captures exhaust from opening side-opening oven doors with minimal energy waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: OY HALTON GROUP LTD.
    Inventors: Rick A. Bagwell, Andrey V. Livchak, Derek W. Schrock
  • Patent number: 10116308
    Abstract: A rotation operation device includes: a rotation operation section having a cylindrical shape; multiple recessed and projecting sections arranged on an axial end surface or a peripheral surface of the rotation operation section; a conductive section having a protruding section protruding toward each recessed and projecting section and an elastic section biasing the protruding section to each recessed and projecting section, and movable in a recess-and-projection direction when the rotation operation section rotates; an electrode section changing a capacitance in accordance with a movement of the conductive section; and a detecting section detecting the change in the capacitance. The conductive section is moved in turn in the recess-and-projection direction at a different timing. The detecting section detects a rotation direction and a rotation quantity of the rotation operation section by means of a combination pattern of the change in the capacitance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masahiro Ito
  • Patent number: 10095261
    Abstract: A remote operation device includes a first operation acceptance portion having a rotary dial, a second operation acceptance portion provided along an outer periphery of the rotary dial and allowed to rotate separately from the rotary dial, and a control portion. When a relative position of a user's hand with respect to the first operation acceptance portion is at a covered position, the control portion switches the first operation acceptance portion and the second operation acceptance portion to a locked state and accepts an operation on the first operation acceptance portion. When the relative position of the user's hand with respect to the first operation acceptance portion is at an uncovered position, the control portion switches the first operation acceptance portion and the second operation acceptance portion to an unlocked state and accepts an operation on the second acceptance portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazumi Hayashi
  • Patent number: 9976637
    Abstract: A rotary electric component includes: a spring; a rotation body; click pieces; a lever restricting rotation of the rotation body, and has a following part in which a groove is formed and which has an arcuate recessed surface on a part of the lateral surface; a restricting member which has a pin and a drive unit having an arcuate protruding surface as part of the lateral surface, and which constitutes a Geneva drive in which the pin engages in the groove of the lever to rotate the lever and, in a state where the pin has been removed from the groove of the lever, the arcuate protruding surface of the drive unit and the arcuate recessed surface of the following part of lever engage to restrict rotation of the lever; and a housing unit comprising an uneven portion and housing the rotation body, click pieces, lever, and restricting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: TOKYO COSMOS ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Taro Fukunaga, Hajime Fukushima
  • Patent number: 9958636
    Abstract: The electronic apparatus includes a base member, a rotatable operation member, a clicking member rotatable together with the rotatable operation member, an exterior member disposed between the base and rotatable operation members, a switching operation member provided with an operation knob and movable between first and second positions, a pressing member and a contact member both held by the base member, the pressing member being biased toward the clicking member, the contact member being biased toward the switching operation member to contact the switching operation member, and a stopper member movable together with the switching operation member. When the switching operation member is located at the first position, the pressing member contacts the concave and convex portions. When the switching operation member is located at the second position, the pressing member contacts the stopper member and held away from the concave and convex portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akihiko Masuki
  • Patent number: 9911555
    Abstract: The click mechanism comprises a spring 50 made of a plate material and disposed on a rotatable plate 40 that rotates integrally with a rotationally-manipulated shaft 10 of an electric part; two cylindrical click pieces 60 disposed on an outer perimeter of the rotatable plate 40 in positions forming an angle of 180° with respect to each other so as to retractably protrude from the positions at different heights on the outer perimeter in an axial direction; and projections and depressions 32 and 33 formed on an inner perimeter of a housing 30 in a circumferential direction, in two upper and lower tiers in the axial direction. The projections and depressions 32 and 33 in the two upper and lower tiers are staggered and the two click pieces 60 are biased by the spring 50 to be in resilient contact with the projections and depressions 32 and 33.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: TOKYO COSMOS ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hajime Fukushima, Taro Fukunaga
  • Patent number: 9812268
    Abstract: A circuit breaker includes an accessory pocket, an accessory cover and a locking device to lock the circuit breaker such that an unauthorized switching of the circuit breaker from OFF to ON or from ON to OFF states is prevented. The locking device includes a first subassembly including a pocket housing. The first subassembly is configured to be installed in the accessory pocket. The locking device further includes a second subassembly including a cylinder lock. The second subassembly is configured to be mounted to the accessory cover. The first subassembly and the second subassembly are configured to self align upon final assembly of the circuit breaker to perform a locking function of the circuit breaker. In this way, the locking device prevents circumvention of a locking feature and selectively provides an ability to lock in an ON state of the circuit breaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: John Quentin Cowans
  • Patent number: 9734961
    Abstract: An appliance includes a position switch retention device for use with an appliance includes a body defining a generally cylindrical profile extending through a first portion thereof along an axis and having a first radius. The body further defines a pin-receiving channel open on at least a first end thereof and positioned within the generally cylindrical profile. The device further includes a first tab extending from a side of the body. The tab defines a ramp and an edge with the ramp extending away from the first end of the body to the edge. A cap extends outwardly from a second end of the body opposite the first end. The cap is spaced apart from the edge of the tab at a first distance and has a second radius greater than the first radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: James Charles Johncock, David Wayne Mundy
  • Patent number: 9734967
    Abstract: An operating panel device includes an operating ring, and a display device which is disposed to face a back surface of the operating ring. The display device includes a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The first portion is located inside the operating ring, and the second portion is located outside the operating ring. The third portion connects the first portion and the second portion. A display of the first portion changes in conjunction with a rotational operation applied to the operating ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoru Fukui, Tsuyoshi Tanaka, Seiichi Nishimura, Sho Sonoda, Hitokazu Shitanaka
  • Patent number: 9664708
    Abstract: A test and measurement device including a housing, a circuit disposed within the housing, and a display located on the housing. The device includes a first probe and a second probe. Each of the first probe and the second probe includes a probe body, a conductive tip, and a probe wire. Each of the first probe and the second probe is coupled to the housing and in electrical communication with the circuit. The device also includes a first groove that has a first projection and a second projection. The first groove is configured to receive one of the probe bodies, and the projections are configured to retain the one of the probe bodies within the first groove. A second groove is configured to receive the other of the probe bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Justin D. Dorman, Jason R. Crowe, Evans H. Nguyen, Dwight Hyland
  • Patent number: 9658640
    Abstract: An electronic device control button of a vehicle includes: i) a jog-shuttle configured to control an electronic device including a navigation device for the vehicle; ii) a base part configured to rotatably support the jog-shuttle and slidably move in upward and downward directions from a reference position on a center fascia panel; iii) a return spring provided on the center fascia panel, configured to limit movement of the jog-shuttle, and to recover the jog-shuttle to the reference position; and iv) a terminal part provided at the jog-shuttle and configured to make contact with or be separated from a slot of a circuit board to apply and block different electrical signals to and from the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Young Jin Lee
  • Patent number: 9589748
    Abstract: A cycle selector knob to rotary encoder user interface for the operation of an appliance has a knob for rotating a shaft of a rotary encoder wherein the shaft is received by a control panel barrel to provide radial and thrust bearing surfaces. The knob has an axial boss dimensioned to affix to the shaft and bear against the radial bearing surface of the barrel and a shoulder to bear against the thrust bearing surface of the barrel. The control panel is secured to a console so that radial and thrust forces of the knob are directed via the radial and thrust bearing surfaces only to the console through the control panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy E. Heater, Sithaarth T. Subramaniyam
  • Patent number: 9557761
    Abstract: A rotary/push button controller is provided herein. The controller includes an outer ring being movable, radially at a rotation angle about a rotation axis, and axially along the rotation axis, the outer rings being integrally formed with a centrally disposed shaft, the shaft includes a connection to an electric switch in response to the axial movement of the shaft; an intermediate space between an inner wall of the outer ring and the shaft; an inner ring being disposed in the intermediate space between the inner wall of the outer ring and the shaft coaxially in relation to the shaft and to the outer ring; and a roller bearing having at least two rows of roller bodies, which are situated between the inner wall of the outer ring and the outer wall of the inner ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Metin Sönmez
  • Patent number: 9513616
    Abstract: A system and method are provided that adapt or configure an electronic device to be capable of detecting movement of the plug of a headset relative to a socket therefore (i.e. be capable of detecting relative movement of the coupling between the headset and the device). The plug can then be used to control functions on the electronic device, including those associated with audio programming. The resultant auxiliary controls can also be used for other applications, even those where the device is actively being used, e.g. a video game, to provide further control inputs for the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventor: Michael Joseph Deluca
  • Patent number: 9472362
    Abstract: A rotation mechanism for a rotary switch and a method of operating a rotary switch are provided. The rotation mechanism includes a mechanism shaft for switching the switch between open and closed positions of the switch, a crank rotationally connected to the mechanism shaft, a spring connected to the crank, where the spring has a dead point between the open and closed positions of the switch, and a force transmission roll rotationally connected to the crank. The mechanism shaft, crank and force transmission roll have a common axis of rotation. There is a predetermined rotational free-play between the rotation of the mechanism shaft and the crank, and a predetermined rotational free-play between the rotation of the crank and the force transmission roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: ABB Oy
    Inventors: Oskari Uitto, Aki Suutarinen, Rainer Kolmonen
  • Patent number: 9220394
    Abstract: A console assembly for an appliance has a light transmissive indicia assembly having at least one indicator and one operator control, a printed circuit assembly (PCA) mounted to the indicia assembly with touch circuit and light emitting diodes (LEDs) mounted to both sides of the PCA, and a light reflector disposed adjacent to the PCA and the LEDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy E. Heater, Eric J. Schuh, Sithaarth T. Subramaniyam
  • Patent number: 9118146
    Abstract: A plug-in device (10) for providing commands and/or signals comprising an attachment part (12), an adaptor (22), and at least one command or notification device (30). The device (10) includes a plug-in rotary coupling for connecting the adaptor and attachment part in response to relative rotational movement about an axial direction (A). For locking the coupling, a locking web (62) is provided for engagement and disengagement by a locking coupling web (88) in response to relative rotation of the adaptor (22) and attachment part (12). A catch lock further is provided that includes a catch (68) arranged on a plug-in appendage (42 and a counter catch (90, 92) that are engageable by relative rotation of the adapter (22) and the attachment part (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: R. STAHL Schaltgerate GmbH
    Inventors: Berthold Schulz, Steffen Buhl
  • Patent number: 9077318
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for locking an adjusting means (5), in particular an electrical addressing device, mounted on a printed circuit board (1) which extends in an x and/or y direction. The device includes an essentially flat base plate (2) having a length (L), a width (B), and a thickness (D), to which a first detent spring (4) is attached for locking engagement with marking means (23, 23?) of the adjusting means (5). The first detent spring preferably has an oblong spring leg (7), wherein in the installed state the base plate (2) is mounted on the printed circuit board (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Markus Becker, Rainer Gockel, Daniel Klein, Frank Hakemeyer, Christian Starke, Jürgen Kleinschmidt
  • Publication number: 20150136575
    Abstract: A rotary knob includes: a wall member defining a mating hole in which a rotation shaft including a shaft portion whose outer circumferential surface has a flat surface extending parallel with an axis of the rotation shaft can be fitted; and an elastic piece formed in a strip shape and formed on an inner surface of the wall member so as to extend along an axis of the wall member. The elastic piece is in contact with the flat surface and elastically deformed when the rotation shaft is fitted in the mating hole. The elastic piece includes: opposite side portions fixed to the inner surface of the wall member; and a central portion in a widthwise direction perpendicular to the axis of the wall member. The elastic piece includes a convex surface constituted by the central portion which curves inward in a radial direction of the mating hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventor: Ryuichi IZUMI
  • Publication number: 20150136574
    Abstract: A rotary control knob (110) for a portable radio (100) utilizes a flexible shaft (112) as a tether to provide a plurality of flexible positions. The flexible shaft (112) is coupled to a switch mechanism (116) located in the radio housing (102). The rotary control knob (110) can be slid up and down the flexible shaft (112) and the flexible shaft can be bent to provide improved user access to the knob, such as for gloved usage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS, INC
    Inventors: SCOTT H. RICHARDS, RYAN M. NILSEN, CRAIG F. SIDDOWAY, CHI T. TRAN
  • Patent number: 8989824
    Abstract: Electronic devices are provided with housings that can have smoother profiles and with switch assembly input components with knobs that can move along tracks in directions at least partially offset from the directions of anticipated resistive forces. The housings can include switch assembly input components with knobs that may move along linear tracks and switch assembly input components with knobs that may move along curved tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Erik L. Wang, Tang Yew Tan, Adam Duckworth Mittleman, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Philip Michael Hobson, Andrew Lewis Johnston
  • Publication number: 20150060248
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a ring main unit circuit breaker equipped with a contact force controller, and particularly, to a ring main unit circuit breaker equipped with a contact force controller, capable of controlling a contact force between contacts of a vacuum interrupter, by controlling an interval between the contacts, through a simple manual operation from outside, without having a disassembly operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventor: Dong Sik LEE
  • Publication number: 20150060249
    Abstract: A rotor is disclosed for an electric switch. In an embodiment, the rotor includes a rotor housing and a rotatably mounted contact link, which has two movable contacts. In an embodiment, by rotation of the rotor, the two movable contacts are configured to interact with two stationary contacts of an electric switch so as to close or open a circuit. Further, the rotatably mounted contact link is mounted movably in the rotor housing in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the contact link in its closing position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Pawel BIEDUNKIEWICZ, Jörg-Uwe DAHL, Erhard DEYLITZ
  • Publication number: 20150053537
    Abstract: An actuator system for operating a switch is described herein. The actuator system can include a shaft of a handle assembly. The shaft couples to a handle and a male coupling element and has a number of positions. Further, a coupling body of a switch assembly can be positioned in the number of positions. The coupling body engages the switch and has a female coupling element, which has a slotted portion that receives the male coupling element and an angled terminus that aligns the shaft to a first position as the shaft couples to the coupling body. The slotted portion receives and engages the male coupling element when the shaft is coupled to the coupling body. The slotted portion prevents the male coupling element from disengaging when the coupling body is in a second position, and disengages the male coupling element when the coupling body is in the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventor: Joseph Michael Manahan
  • Patent number: 8941585
    Abstract: An input device with touch input function has an input member which is operable to input at least one of shifting operation and pushing operation. The input member has a touch input device which is responsive to touch of a user. The input device has an operation sensor which detects the operation on the input member. The input member and the operation sensor provides an input unit which is supported by a support member in a manner that the input unit is movable among a lock position and an unlock position with respect to a base member on which the input unit is supported. The input device has a lock mechanism which locks the input member in inoperable condition at the lock position and which releases the input member in operable condition at the unlock position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuo Minamitani, Hiroaki Sasaki, Shingo Kitabayashi
  • Publication number: 20140374228
    Abstract: A key apparatus of an electronic device is provided. The key apparatus includes a housing having a cylindrical portion, the cylindrical portion including an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion and the lower portion being open, a knob including a circular-plate portion, the circular plate portion having a concavo-convex portion, the concavo-convex portion including a concave portion and a convex portion arranged alternately in a circular shape and an extension portion extended from the circular-plate portion in a downward direction and inserted into a hollow of the cylindrical portion, and the knob moves on the circular-plate portion, an anti-deviation unit configured to prevent the knob from being deviated from the cylindrical portion, an elastic configured to elastically press the concavo-convex portion at a lower side of the circular-plate portion, and a switch connected to the extension portion and switches over movement of the extension portion is delivered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Sang-Il PARK, Sun-Keun CHO, Min-Jeong LYU, Min-Woo PARK, Woon-Sung BAEK, Kwang-Yong LEE, Dong JEONG
  • Patent number: 8912457
    Abstract: A controlling device of turning knob is disposed on a touch panel removably so as to control the touch panel. The controlling device of turning knob includes a base and a turning knob. The base has a bottom side, a top side, a plurality of first pads disposed at the bottom side, and at least two second pads disposed at the top side. The second pads are electrically connected to parts of the first pads. The base is assembled to the touch panel with its bottom side, such that the first pads touch the touch panel. The turning knob disposed on the top side rotates about a rotating axis. The turning knob has a plurality of third pads surrounding the rotating axis. When the turning knob rotates along a direction relative to the base, the third pads are electrically connected to the corresponding second pads sequentially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventor: Tien-Chung Tseng
  • Patent number: 8910541
    Abstract: Systems and methods for packaging a Control Assembly (“CA”) on an Electronic Device (“ED”). The methods involve: mounting a first component (112, 812, 908) of CA on a Top Surface (“TS”) (104, 804, 904) of ED (100, 800, 900) such that a Central AXis (“CAX”) (136, 836, 934) thereof is at an acute angle (170, 870, 962) relative to a plane (152, 852, 952) perpendicular to a horizontal center axis (150, 850, 950) of ED; mounting a second component (106, 806, 906) of CA on TS such that CAX (132, 832, 932) thereof is at a first Obtuse Angle (“OA”) (164, 860, 960) relative to the plane; and mounting a third component (108, 808, 912) of CA on TS such that CAX (134, 834, 936) thereof is at a second OA (166, 862, 970) relative to the plane. The second or third component may have a trapezoidal shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: David Cipolla, Jose Ricardo Duran, Jason Scott, Richard S. Currier
  • Publication number: 20140346021
    Abstract: Disclosed is a coupling device for a circuit breaker. A third coupler formed as a curved surface is provided between a first coupler coupled to an outer handle assembly, and a second coupler coupled to an inner handle. Under such configuration, even if the inner handle and the outer handle assembly are not concentric with each other, the third coupler may transmit a rotational force applied to the first coupler to the second coupler in a direction perpendicular to a shaft direction of the second coupler, in a state where the third coupler is inclined from an upper surface of the circuit breaker body. As a result, a user's force to rotate the outer handle can be transmitted to the inner handle. This can prevent a malfunction of the circuit breaker, and thus can enhance reliability of the circuit breaker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: LSIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ki Ho BAEK
  • Patent number: 8878104
    Abstract: A voltage switching microswitch is provided for supplying power to a hot surface igniter in a gas burning system. The microswitch is configured to operate concurrently with manual operation of a gas control valve such that rotation of an operating stem of the gas control valve produces rotation of a cam within the microswitch. The cam is configured to operate a pair of reed switches so that a relatively high voltage from a power supply is applied to the hot surface igniter following a first predetermined amount of rotation of the cam and a relatively lower voltage is applied to the hot surface igniter following a second predetermined amount of rotation of the cam to maintain the temperature of the igniter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Timothy Scott Shaffer, Daniel Vincent Brosnan
  • Patent number: 8829376
    Abstract: A control panel for fitness equipment has a board, a screen, a rotary knob switch and a wire. The board has an inner surface and an outer surface. The screen is securely mounted on the outer surface of the board. The rotary knob switch is rotatably mounted through the board beside the screen and has a held end and a wire end opposite to the held end. The wire has an end that is securely mounted at the wire end of the rotary knob switch. Accordingly, the rotary knob switch can be directly and conveniently turned at the board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Paradigm Inc.
    Inventor: Tsao-Kuang Wei
  • Publication number: 20140238832
    Abstract: Disclosed is a washing machine, a control panel assembly of which has an improved structure to minimize problems caused by a shaking of a rotary knob and the interference of the rotary knob with other surrounding parts. The control panel assembly of the washing machine includes a control panel, a knob guide installed on the control panel, and a rotary knob rotatably mounted on the knob guide and including a boss passing through the knob guide. The knob guide includes a boss insertion part restricting the boss to prevent the rotary knob from shaking. The boss insertion part includes an extension extended from the bottom surface of the knob guide and forming a boss insertion hole, into which the boss is inserted, therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jin Doo KIM, Jeong Ki SEO