Rotating Actuator (e.g., Dial) Patents (Class 200/564)
  • Patent number: 11608920
    Abstract: A connection verifier, including a collar, a circuit board non-rotatably connected to the collar, the circuit board including at least one terminal, a switch rotatably connected to the collar and arranged to contact the at least one terminal, the switch including at least one finger extending in a first axial direction, and an indication device arranged to activate when the switch contacts the at least one terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Oetiker NY, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Edwin Hall, II, Lawrence Butts
  • Patent number: 11556214
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a control element, which can be arranged on a capacitive surface, for controlling a function of the capacitive surface, comprising a carrier structure, a rotary element rotatable about an axis of rotation with respect to the carrier structure, comprising at least one electrically conductive area, at least one electrically conductive contact element arranged on the carrier structure, wherein the contact element comprises a contact area which is arranged at least in some areas on an underside of the control element, so that the contact area, when the control element is arranged on the capacitive surface, is arranged at least partially touching the capacitive surface, wherein the electrically conductive area of the rotary element is in contact with a contact element in at least one rotational position of the rotary element. The rotary element can be moved along the axis of rotation with respect to the carrier structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Faurecia Innenraum Systeme GmbH
    Inventors: Edouard Da Silva, Ruddy Cittadini, Martin Schulz, Nils Hollemann
  • Patent number: 11326442
    Abstract: An orientation verification tool permits an operator to confirm an orientation of one or more perforating charges in a perforating gun assembly when the perforating charges are not readily visible for inspection. The orientation verification tool includes an end fixture rotationally coupled at a longitudinal end of a charge carrier disposed within a tubular gun body. The end fixture includes a visual indicator of the orientation of the perforating charges on a longitudinal end face thereof. The visual indicator may include a plurality of hatch marks arranged at regular intervals around the end fixture, and each hatch mark may be identified by a specific angular identifier so that the hatch mark located at a reading location will identify the angular orientation of the perforating charges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Camille Anne Bryant
  • Patent number: 11272103
    Abstract: A rotation operation device that can be operated with a constant force, with high durability, low manufacturing costs, and less variation in operability between individual products thereof. The rotation operation device includes a rotation operation dial having a bottomed-cylindrical shape, a supporting member that rotatably supports the rotation operation dial, and an elastic member that is latched on the supporting member, to generate a click feeling. The inner peripheral surface of the rotation operation dial has a friction sliding portion circumferentially continuously formed with concave portions and convex portions. The supporting member has two protruding portions for latching the elastic member. The elastic member applies an urging force to the friction sliding portion, and is slid in a state in line contact with each of the two protruding portions at two symmetric locations, when the rotation operation member is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Junji Ito
  • Patent number: 11170955
    Abstract: An input apparatus for a vehicle includes: a housing mounted on the vehicle; a substrate disposed inside the housing; a push button device disposed in the housing to be pressed; a dial device arranged and configured to be rotated about the push button device, being non-peristaltic when the push button device is pressed, and maintained in a posture with respect to the housing, a first sensing device disposed on the substrate to sense pressing of the push button device; and a second sensing device disposed on the substrate to sense rotation of the dial device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION, MOBASE ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Woo Hyoung Cho, Kyu Ha Yoo, Jung Joon Park, Byoung Wook Kim, Beom Yeol Baek
  • Patent number: 11004622
    Abstract: An on-load tap changer of a resistor type includes a selector base plate; a selector mounted on the selector base plate; a diverter switch base plate; a diverter switch mounted on the diverter switch base plate and having a transition resistor; and a common drive shaft which is configured to actuate the selector and the diverter switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: MASCHINENFABRIK REINHAUSEN GMBH
    Inventors: Markus Meyer, Christian Kotz
  • Patent number: 10804054
    Abstract: The present invention provides a multifunctional push knob, comprising a base; a rotating output element, rotated in clockwise or counterclockwise direction and outputting signals; a connecting socket, fixed on the base and having a pressing signal generating unit and a plurality of infrared shielding induction signal generating units; a fixing frame, fixed on the base; a pressing socket, disposed on the fixing frame so as to be able to move up and down and pushed against the pressing signal generating unit; a display unit, fixed on the pressing socket; a keycap, correspondingly placed on the pressing socket and rotated; and a controlling knob element, fixed on the keycap and having a signal shielding member inserted into infrared shielding induction signal generating units; wherein when controlling knob element is rotated, an infrared signal of the infrared shielding induction signal generating units is intermittently transmitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Inventor: Ching-Hsiung Chu
  • Patent number: 10566152
    Abstract: A rotary switch device includes a terminal base to which a center portion contact and a fixed contact member are fixed, a movable contact member, and a support portion. The movable contact member includes a contact protrusion part which is pressed in contact with the center portion contact at one end of the movable contact member and a first contact surface which is in contact with the fixed contact member at another end of the movable contact member, and which is operated to rotate around the center portion contact so as to short-circuit between the center portion contact and the fixed contact member at a conductive rotation position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: ALPHA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takahiro Okada
  • Patent number: 9835245
    Abstract: A vehicular transmission range switching device is provided which: a cover part with one side containing a display part for displaying the transmission range, a knob handling part inserted in the cover part so as to be arranged in a side of the display part, a rotary unit consisting of a shaft inserted in the lower side of the knob handling part, a moving block inserted in the upper side of the shaft, and a stopper inserted in the lower side of the shaft, that rotates along with the knob handling part, a gear part connected to the lower part of the rotary unit for turning the rotary unit to the parking range when shutting the vehicle off, a body part consisting of a locking part for limiting the turning of the rotary unit, and a sensing part for sensing the turning of the rotary unit and the gear part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Daesung Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seag Woo Lee, Min Seok Jeon, Won Lee
  • Patent number: 9279493
    Abstract: A movable board with movable contact points is arranged inside a switch case formed by overlap of a substrate with fixed contact points and a lid body. A top end surface of the substrate has a concave streak portion and a ring groove for accommodating a seal ring, wherein a projecting streak portion provided on a lower surface of a flange portion in the lid body is fitted in the concave streak portion for welding. A seal bearing mounted to shaft holes provided on an opposing portion between the substrate and the lid body comprises a cylindrical body portion fitted in at least one of the shaft holes, and a lip-shaped seal portion extending to a side of a rotary surface of a shaft portion from an inner peripheral surface of the body portion to make flexible contact with the rotary surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Niles Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tetsuya Inotsuka
  • Patent number: 9103538
    Abstract: A portable electric lamp with a compact casing housing a lighting module and an electric circuit coupled to the lighting module and provided with a controlled switch, comprising an actuator rotating around an axis of rotation and mounted fixed in translation in the direction of said axis of rotation to control the switch, and a control knob rotating around the axis of rotation of the actuator, the control knob further being mounted movable in translation along the axis of rotation of the actuator between a driving position in which the control knob drives the actuator in rotation and at least one blocking position in which the control knob prevents rotation of the actuator in at least one direction of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: ZEDEL
    Inventors: Nicolas Flores, Raphael Bortolotti
  • Patent number: 9041402
    Abstract: There is provided a method for determining an abnormality during operation of a high voltage disconnect switch, the method comprising: determining a current position of an arm of the high voltage disconnect switch operatively connected to a motor, the motor being operated for driving the arm of the high voltage disconnect switch; determining a torque of the motor corresponding to the current position of the arm; comparing the torque of the motor to a torque threshold for the current position of the arm; and outputting an abnormality signal based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: EHT INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Patrick Lalonge, Robert Jeanjean
  • Patent number: 9035209
    Abstract: The invention provides a movable contact movable on a fixed contact or a resistor. The movable contact includes first and second sliders. The first and second sliders are arranged in such a manner as to slide along different sliding tracks from each other on the fixed contact or the resistor in accordance with movement of the movable contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: HOSIDEN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shiro Tsuduki
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8981244
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a forward/backward rotation switching mechanism, comprising: a cover, a turntable, a terminal-fixing body, a first contact terminal, and a second contact terminal. In the present invention, a plurality of dust-off trenches are especially formed on the peripheral edges of the turntable for preventing from the dust accumulation between the turntable and a cover; therefore, even if the forward/backward rotation switching mechanism is used in an environment having a lot of dust, the turntable can still be turned around because the dust is ruled out by the dust-off trenches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Solteam Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ying-Sung Ho, Chen-Hong Huang, Chang-Nan Chen, Chao-Yi Lee, Tao-Lung Hsueh, Cheng-Wei Lu
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8884933
    Abstract: A support body holding a touch pad is mounted on a hollow support body of a base member, a space is formed in the base member and extends from its inside to an inside of the hollow support body, a shaft is provided vertically to an operation knob and extends from a back surface of a top surface portion, the touch pad has a through hole through which the shaft is inserted into the space, a rotation detection portion detecting rotating movement of an operation body and a pressing detection portion detecting reciprocating movement of the operation body are provided, and, in the space, the shaft is linked to a rotating movement portion making rotation detection movement for the rotation detection portion with rotating movement of the operation body and a pressing movement portion making pressing detection movement for the pressing detection portion with reciprocating movement of the operation body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Tatsuya Yokoyama, Anthony McCurdy, Shinya Urayama, Yu Igarashi, Shunsuke Nakazawa
  • Patent number: 8878089
    Abstract: A switch includes a printed circuit board and a contact piece with first and second contacts. The printed circuit board has a power input contact, a power output contact, a noncontact area, and a plurality of signal contacts that are disposed at a plurality of predetermined positions. The power input contact and the plurality of signal contacts are disposed on the printed circuit board such that, upon movement of the first contact from the noncontact area to a signal contact, the second contact will align with the power input contact prior to the first contact aligning with the signal contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Sigmatron International, Inc.
    Inventor: Yoshio W. Kano
  • Patent number: 8716619
    Abstract: A MEMS switch in which at least first, second and third signal lines are provided over the substrate, which each terminate at a connection region. A lower actuation electrode arrangement is over the substrate. A movable contact electrode is suspended over the connection regions for making or breaking electrical contact between at least two of the three connection regions and an upper actuation electrode provided over the lower actuation electrode. The use of three of more signal lines enables a symmetrical actuation force to be achieved or enables multiple switch functions to be implemented by the single movable electrode, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Martijn Goossens, Hilco Suy, Peter Gerard Steeneken, Klaus Reimann
  • Patent number: 8680417
    Abstract: An operation apparatus inhibits separation of a holding member for holding an operation knob from a circuit board. A holding member holding a rotation operation knob so as to be rotatable includes a latched portion capable of insertion through a through-hole formed on a circuit board and also capable of flexure deformation in a specified line parallel to the circuit board. On a rear end of the latched portion, a latched projection is provided projecting to a first direction of the specified line. Accompanying flexure deformation of the latched portion in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the latched projection is able to pass through the through-hole by displacing a predetermined amount in the second direction. The rear cover includes a deformation regulator contacting the latched projection from the second direction and regulates displacement of the latched projection in the second direction to less than the pre-determined amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirokatsu Nakajima, Satoru Chaen
  • Patent number: 8680416
    Abstract: A dial switch includes a rotary portion which has an uneven peripheral surface, a plunger, a holding portion which holds the plunger such that the plunger is movable in a reciprocating manner, and a coil spring which biases the plunger. The holding portion extends along a moving path of the plunger, and has a guide surface that surrounds the plunger from the outside. The plunger includes: an outer wall which has an outer peripheral surface which is arranged close to the guide surface and an inner peripheral surface having an inner diameter larger than an outer diameter of the coil spring, and an inner shaft which has a rear end at a position inside the outer wall and in front of a rear end of the outer wall and allows the coil spring to be mounted on an outer side thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirokatsu Nakajima, Satoru Chaen
  • Patent number: 8587395
    Abstract: A rotary encoder switch assembly includes a panel having a hole that is defined at least partially through the panel, a recess that is formed along a circumference of the hole, and a bearing surface that is defined either on or adjacent the hole of the panel; a rotary encoder switch, which defines a bearing surface, that is mounted to the hole of the panel such that the encoder switch is configured to translate with respect to the panel, and rotate with respect to the panel until the bearing surface of the rotary encoder switch bears on the bearing surface of the panel; and a spring-loaded plunger that engages with the recess of the panel to provide tactile feedback to a user of the rotary encoder switch assembly when the spring-loaded plunger engages with the recess of the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Exelis, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory Seth Bandy
  • Patent number: 8573092
    Abstract: Disclosed is a rotating actuator with a variable latching profile, the rotating actuator having a housing, a rotary knob and a rotary shaft connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the rotary knob, and also at least two latching contours connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the rotary shaft, one support per latching contour, on which support at least one latching element is arranged, the latching element engaging in the latching contour assigned to the support, and which support is mounted rotatably about the rotary shaft, and at least one locking device per support, by means of which the support can be locked relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Preh GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Kramlich
  • Patent number: 8551234
    Abstract: An air cleaner having a manipulator is disclosed. The manipulator (200) includes a rotary manipulation unit (300), which is provided so as to be movable between a first position, at which the rotary manipulation unit is retracted into the air cleaner, and a second position, to which the rotary manipulation unit is extracted from the air cleaner to enable a user to manipulate the rotary manipulation unit. The manipulator further includes a lift unit (400), which is installed in the air cleaner to move the rotary manipulation unit between the first position and the second position. In the present invention, the manipulator can control several functions of the air cleaner obviating the need for having several control buttons, thus being more convenient for a user. Furthermore, the present invention can prevent water from permeating a PCB mounted in the rotary manipulation unit, thus preventing malfunction of the encoder unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Woongjin Coway Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seung Ki Kim, Jun Hyung Bae
  • Publication number: 20130180840
    Abstract: A rotary selector may include a first switch contact, which is open in an off-mode angular range, and which is closed outside of said off-mode angular range, in particular used for switching on or off an electrical load. An encoding device may generate an angle-dependent code over a predefined angular range. The rotary selector may also include a second switch contact, which is closed in a plurality of start-angular ranges, and which is open outside of said start-angular ranges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: E.G.O. Elektro-Gerätebau GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Boesner, Klaus Trumpa, Rolf Streifler, Konstantin Freis, Wolfgang Hamm
  • Patent number: 8476544
    Abstract: A device for adjusting an electric parameter, including at least a base having at least two terminal pairs, a positioning body, and at least one first portion. Both ends of at least one of the terminal pair are connected to the first portion. A pair of signal terminals is disposed on the positioning body, and both ends of one of the terminal pairs are contacted with the signal terminal on the positioning body as a position of the base is changed, whereby facilitating adjustment of electric parameters. The device of the invention can be applied to various electronic circuits, RF circuits, microwave circuits, and so on, thus implementing step and quantitative adjustment of the electric parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Yantel Corporation
    Inventors: Yuejun Yan, Yuepeng Yan
  • Patent number: 8438878
    Abstract: A control unit of a laundry treatment apparatus is provided in which shaking of a knob may be reduced or prevented and a tactile manipulation response of the knob may be improved. The control unit may include a board provided in a control panel of the laundry treatment apparatus, an encoder mounted in the board and having a projected rotation shaft, a supporter mounted in the board or the control panel and having a hollow unit disposed outside the rotation shaft, a knob having a connecting shaft coupled to the rotation shaft, and a bushing mounted in the hollow unit and rotatably supporting at least one of the connecting shaft or the rotation shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Cheol U. Choi, Dong Woo Kang
  • Patent number: 8440928
    Abstract: In a rotary electronic component, the rotor includes a flange with the first face on which grooves are formed radially and the second face. The plate spring with a ring shape in the top view, includes resilient arms and flat parts. The upper member has the bottom face covering the plate spring and the first face, and retains the flat part such that the flat part can be attached to or detached from the bottom face of the upper member while preventing the plate spring from rotating responsive to rotation of the rotor. A spring constant of the resilient arms and the shape of the flat part are set to achieve the state such that the resilient, arms bend and the flat part is partially released from the bottom face of the upper member when the resilient arms go over a position between adjacent grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Hisamune, Akira Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20130112541
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a load transfer switch for a tap changer, comprising permanent main contacts that switch powerlessly for each phase. The general inventive concept lies in connecting the fixed permanent main contacts of side A or B of the load transfer switch by means of a movable rail-shaped permanent main contact that establishes an electrical connection to the corresponding permanent main contacts of the load line only in the end positions of the movable rail-shaped permanent main contact and in addition only provides for a single deflection for actuation, which connects in a purely compressive manner the plurality of contact fins of the corresponding fixed permanent main contact, which contact fins are connected in a resilient, articulated manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Inventors: Wolfgang Albrecht, Claudia Dobler, Klaus Hoepfl, Martin Jatta, Christian Kotz, Sebastian Rehkopf
  • Patent number: 8419235
    Abstract: A lighting system including a powering rod and a first lighting unit is provided. The powering rod is used for providing power. The first lighting unit includes a housing, a light source, an inner ring body and an outer ring body. The light source is disposed inside the housing. The inner ring body, disposed in the housing, has a hollowed portion for receiving the powering rod and is electrically connected to the powering rod. The outer ring body, disposed on the inner ring body fixed to the housing. The outer ring body is capable of rotating with respect to the inner ring body for rotating the housing. When the outer ring body is rotated to a first position, the first lighting unit is in a first lighting state. When the outer ring body is rotated to a second position, the first lighting unit is in a second lighting state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Qisda Corporation
    Inventors: Tai-Sheng Chen, Hsun-Li Huang, Mong-Yong Sim, Jiung-Cheng Pan, Ho-Tsung Hsueh, Wen-Ming Wu, Cheng-En Wu
  • Patent number: 8415577
    Abstract: A rotary control assembly (200) for a handheld two-way radio (100) provides improved tactile feedback in the form of clicks, even during gloved usage. Assembly (200) includes a housing having a large control knob (108), a rotary switch control (202) having a shaft (204), a shaft extender (206) having a toothed gear element (210), and a ball plunger (302). As the control knob (108) is rotated, the shaft extender (206), toothed gear element (210) and shaft (204), all turn in cooperation. The toothed gear element (210) is loaded by the ball plunger thereby generating a clicking tactile feedback in response to the control knob (108) being rotated. A large control knob (108), suitable for a ruggedized environment, can thus be used in conjunction with a small rotary switch control (202) for improved tactile feedback while maximizing internal space efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Motorola Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Jorge L. Garcia, Anthony M. Kakiel, Adrian F. Rubio
  • Publication number: 20130032463
    Abstract: An operation apparatus inhibits separation of a holding member for holding an operation knob from a circuit board. A holding member holding a rotation operation knob so as to be rotatable includes a latched portion capable of insertion through a through-hole formed on a circuit board and also capable of flexure deformation in a specified line parallel to the circuit board. On a rear end of the latched portion, a latched projection is provided projecting to a first direction of the specified line. Accompanying flexure deformation of the latched portion in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the latched projection is able to pass through the through-hole by displacing a predetermined amount in the second direction. The rear cover includes a deformation regulator contacting the latched projection from the second direction and regulates displacement of the latched projection in the second direction to less than the pre-determined amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Hirokatsu Nakajima, Satoru Chaen
  • Publication number: 20120279841
    Abstract: A dial switch includes a rotary portion which has an uneven peripheral surface, a plunger, a holding portion which holds the plunger such that the plunger is movable in a reciprocating manner, and a coil spring which biases the plunger. The holding portion extends along a moving path of the plunger, and has a guide surface that surrounds the plunger from the outside. The plunger includes: an outer wall which has an outer peripheral surface which is arranged close to the guide surface and an inner peripheral surface having an inner diameter larger than an outer diameter of the coil spring, and an inner shaft which has a rear end at a position inside the outer wall and in front of a rear end of the outer wall and allows the coil spring to be mounted on an outer side thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Hirokatsu Nakajima, Satoru Chaen
  • Patent number: 8294049
    Abstract: A rotary switch includes a body having a fixing surface, a thin-plate-like flexible substrate fixed onto the fixing surface and having a plurality of first electrodes arranged along a first circle on a first electrode placement surface, a thin-plate-like electrode plate having a plurality of second electrodes arranged along a second circle on a second electrode placement surface facing the first electrode placement surface, the electrode plate being rotatable along the second circle, a dial having an operating surface and rotatable along the second circle, and a resilient member interposed between an opposite operating surface of the dial and a resilient member surface. The electrode plate has a plurality of electrode plate protrusions in the circumferential direction on the resilient member surface. The dial has a plurality of dial protrusions in the circumferential direction on the opposite operating surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Hosiden Corporation
    Inventor: Shiro Tsuduki
  • Patent number: 8178800
    Abstract: A rotary switch for activating selected functions in a hand held device. One embodiment of the invention provides a rotary switch having a rotatable switch selector. Whenever the switch selector is rotated, it reduces the diameter of a torsion spring causing the torsion spring to contact a switch contact and signal a microprocessor to selectably power a particular circuit or a step in a routine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Remicalm, LLC
    Inventors: Andrés Felipe Zuluaga, Michael Jonathan Smith, Mark Foohey, Darrell Cavness
  • Patent number: 8173924
    Abstract: A dual function switch assembly includes a switch housing part containing multiple switches at different elevations and a rotor having cam surfaces aligned with the switches for operating the switches. A mounting part is connected to the switch housing part and provides mounting features for attachment in a desired installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Tegel, Robert Dam, Michael W. Hartley, Richard D. Gjerde, Richard R. Herzog, David R. Nowak, Ronald R. Hostert, Theodore James John Veselsky, Juan J. Barrena
  • Patent number: 8110758
    Abstract: A mode dial device is set in an electrical device. The mode dial device includes a rotary member and a pressure detection module. The rotary member includes a main body, a shaft portion connecting the main body and the electrical device, and a contact portion located at the bottom of the main body with an inclined surface. The pressure detection module is electrically coupled to the electrical device and located under the rotary member. The pressure detection module includes a button portion which is movable vertically. The button portion contacts the contact portion. When the rotary member is rotated, the contact portion pushes the button portion of the pressure detection module. The pressure detection module outputs a signal according to a moving distance of the button portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Altek Corporation
    Inventor: Tzu-Chih Lin
  • Patent number: 8110766
    Abstract: An assembly for installation of a switch in the dashboard of a vehicle without the use of any tools. The assembly comprises a housing, a resilient member such as a washer spring, and a bezel. The switch is secured to the housing and subsequently inserted into the bezel which is integrated with the dashboard. The installation of the switch, which is secured to the housing is then completed through the interaction of a profiled wall on the bezel and a flange on the housing with the washer spring interposed between.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Omron Dualtec Automotive Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Lucian Iordache
  • Publication number: 20110299260
    Abstract: An electrical device enclosure includes a front panel, a power supply and a switch assembly mounted on the front panel. The power supply includes an alternating current (AC) plug and a power circuit. The AC plug is used to receive an AC voltage. The power circuit is used to convert the AC voltage from the AC plug into a direct current voltage. The switch assembly is connected between the AC plug and the power circuit to turn on/off a connection between the AC plug and the power circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., HON FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY(Shenzhen) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xian-Xiu Tang, Zhen-Xing Ye, Chia-Shin Chou
  • Patent number: 8035615
    Abstract: A user input device including a ring-shaped scroll wheel for use with a computing device is provided. The user input device includes a housing and a scroll wheel assembly coupled to the housing. The scroll wheel assembly includes a scroll wheel having a ring-shaped body and a scroll wheel support structure. The body of the scroll wheel may include a surface including an outer circumferential surface and an inner circumferential surface that bounds a hollow interior. The scroll wheel may be configured to extend through an opening of the housing. The scroll wheel support structure may include a frame and a plurality of supports mounted to the frame and contacting the surface of the scroll wheel. The plurality of supports may be configured to rotatably secure the scroll wheel to the scroll wheel support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: David D. Bohn
  • Patent number: 8009139
    Abstract: A laboratory apparatus having at least one control device (4) comprising an electric printed-circuit board (15) of the control device (4) that is disposed on an instrument body (2) of the laboratory apparatus (1) and has at least one electric control element (16, 18), at least one operator interface (6) of the control device (4) including at least one operator control (11, 33); a retaining device (29, 30) for detachably holding the operator interface (6) on the instrument body (2) with the operator control (11, 33) oriented to the control element (16, 18), and a mechanical and/or magnetic connection for detachably joining the control element (16, 18) mechanically and/or magnetically to the operator control (11, 33).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Eppendorf AG
    Inventors: Werner Lurz, Wolfram Meyer, Roland Kleindienst, Heiko Muller
  • Publication number: 20110114466
    Abstract: A device for adjusting an electric parameter, including at least a base having at least two terminal pairs, a positioning body, and at least one first portion. Both ends of at least one of the terminal pair are connected to the first portion. A pair of signal terminals is disposed on the positioning body, and both ends of one of the terminal pairs are contacted with the signal terminal on the positioning body as a position of the base is changed, whereby facilitating adjustment of electric parameters. The device of the invention can be applied to various electronic circuits, RF circuits, microwave circuits, and so on, thus implementing step and quantitative adjustment of the electric parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: YANTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuejun YAN, Yuepeng YAN
  • Patent number: 7902475
    Abstract: A media player according to the invention is provided. The media player may include a scroll wheel and a housing including a retention ledge. The retention ledge may maintain the position of the scroll wheel with respect to the housing. A flexible printed circuit may also be included in the media player. The flexible printed circuit may include a first face and a second face. The first face may contact the scroll wheel. The second face may include tactile dome switches. Compressible shims may also form a portion of the media player and may be adjacent the second face. The compressible shims may control the distance between the scroll wheel and the retention ledge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Pinida Jan Moolsintong, Douglas J. Weber, Stephen P. Zadesky
  • Patent number: 7834865
    Abstract: A rotary actuator includes a shaft with a knob which are rotatable about a shaft axis. The actuator includes a haptic effect device connected to the knob via the shaft. The haptic device is rotatable about the axis and includes a detent ring and a bolt fixed to the shaft. The haptic device and gearing engage one another such that haptic device is fixed in place unless the gearing is driven and the haptic device rotates when the gearing is driven. The bolt engages the detent ring to act as a mechanical catch for producing a haptic effect when the haptic device is fixed in place and the knob is manually rotated. The bolt engages the detent ring such that the haptic device together with the knob rotate when the gearing is being driven by a motor whereby the knob is rotated without manual intervention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Hendrik Jannasch, Thomas Kossakowski
  • Patent number: 7829811
    Abstract: A rotary switch, which is used to detect a state of a stand with respect to a body of a motorcycle, for example, comprises a housing having a ring-shaped outer wall so that an annular recess is formed; a rotor which is rotatably supported on the housing around a center axis of the annular recess; a plurality of stationary contacts each having a circular arc shape and provided on a bottom face of the annular recess; a moving contact which is provided on the rotor and is connected and disconnected with the stationary contacts following to rotation of the rotor with respect to the housing; and a cable draw-out portion from which an electric cable including a plurality of inner cables respectively connected to at least the stationary terminals is drawn out from the housing. The rotor has a U-shaped joint which holds an end portion of the stand pivotally mounted on the body, so that the rotor rotates corresponding to rotation of the stand with respect to the stationary portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Saito, Norihiro Ida
  • Patent number: 7825347
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electric rotary switch comprising a switching rotary unit (5) arranged in a housing provided with at least one switching contact (13) acting on switching contact paths (2) associated to socket (1). The rotary switching unit (5) is coupled with an actuating element (8) and interacts with a locking sleeve (9), bevel (10), or indentation (11) for determining switching positions. The locking sleeve (9), bevel (10), or indentation (11) are associated, in part with a face oriented towards the socket (1) of the rotary switching unit, and in part with the rotary switching unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sebastian Schwarz, Gerd Rudolph
  • Patent number: 7745749
    Abstract: A dial controller includes a dial, a displacement converter for converting a rotational displacement caused by a rotation operation of the dial to an axial displacement of the dial along a rotation axis of the dial, and a displacement detector for detecting and outputting information on a rotation angle of the dial based on a detection result of the axial displacement of the dial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiro Ito
  • Patent number: 7732723
    Abstract: An auxiliary contact configuration for a switching device, the switching device comprising a frame part (2) and the auxiliary contact configuration comprising a first auxiliary contact position (5) provided in the frame part (2) and arranged to receive an auxiliary contact (8), and a movable auxiliary contact control device (10) comprising a first control element (11) arranged to control the auxiliary contact (8) installed in the first position (5). The auxiliary contact configuration comprises a second auxiliary contact position (6) provided near the first auxiliary contact position (5), and the auxiliary contact control device (10) comprises a second control element (12) arranged to control the auxiliary contact (8) installed in the second position (6) in a manner different from the manner in which the first control element (11) is arranged to control the auxiliary contact (8) installed in the first position (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: ABB Oy
    Inventors: Rainer Kolmonen, Harri Mattlar
  • Patent number: 7714242
    Abstract: A switch device including a switch operation shaft movable between a plurality of operation positions for setting a control amount for an apparatus. A follower is driven to follow the movement of the switch operation shaft. An attraction member generates magnetic force to attract the follower so that the follower becomes immovable and to hold the switch operation shaft at a single operation position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Seiji Ishigaki, Masahiko Miyata, Tomio Yamada, Terukazu Hiroe
  • Patent number: 7709763
    Abstract: A rotational based actuator configured to impart linear movement. The actuator may be suitable for use in any number of applications where a disk or other feature may be rotated over a wedge to impart linear movement. The forces used to generate the rotation movement may be imparted by the wedge against an element, causing the element to move linearly with the disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: John F. Nathan, H. Winston Maue