EP0096948A1 - Potentiomètre - Google Patents

Potentiomètre Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0096948A1
EP0096948A1 EP83300883A EP83300883A EP0096948A1 EP 0096948 A1 EP0096948 A1 EP 0096948A1 EP 83300883 A EP83300883 A EP 83300883A EP 83300883 A EP83300883 A EP 83300883A EP 0096948 A1 EP0096948 A1 EP 0096948A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
wiper
resistance element
potentiometer
restraint
housing
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP83300883A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Arnold Pitcher
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Welwyn Electronics Ltd
Original Assignee
Welwyn Electronics Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Welwyn Electronics Ltd filed Critical Welwyn Electronics Ltd
Publication of EP0096948A1 publication Critical patent/EP0096948A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F02D41/00—Electrical control of supply of combustible mixture or its constituents
    • F02D41/24—Electrical control of supply of combustible mixture or its constituents characterised by the use of digital means
    • F02D41/26—Electrical control of supply of combustible mixture or its constituents characterised by the use of digital means using computer, e.g. microprocessor
    • F02D41/28—Interface circuits
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01C—RESISTORS
    • H01C10/00—Adjustable resistors
    • H01C10/30—Adjustable resistors the contact sliding along resistive element
    • H01C10/32—Adjustable resistors the contact sliding along resistive element the contact moving in an arcuate path
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01C—RESISTORS
    • H01C10/00—Adjustable resistors
    • H01C10/30—Adjustable resistors the contact sliding along resistive element
    • H01C10/32—Adjustable resistors the contact sliding along resistive element the contact moving in an arcuate path
    • H01C10/36—Adjustable resistors the contact sliding along resistive element the contact moving in an arcuate path structurally combined with switching arrangements
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01C—RESISTORS
    • H01C17/00—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing resistors
    • H01C17/22—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing resistors adapted for trimming
    • H01C17/24—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing resistors adapted for trimming by removing or adding resistive material
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F02D2200/00—Input parameters for engine control
    • F02D2200/02—Input parameters for engine control the parameters being related to the engine
    • F02D2200/04—Engine intake system parameters
    • F02D2200/0404—Throttle position

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a rotary potentiometer that is particularly, but not exclusively, intended for mechanical connection to a rotatable mechanism to be monitored and which gives an electrical output voltage of magnitude proportional to the degree of rotation of the mechanism.
  • a particular application of the potentiometer is to a rotatable throttle or butterfly shaft used in an internal combustion engine.
  • the present invention provides a rotary potentiometer comprising: a housing; an arcuate film electrical resistance element supported in said housing; electrically conductive terminals connected to opposed ends of said element for application of an electrical potential across said resistance element; a wiper of electrically conductive material supported on a rotatable carrier in said housing and arranged to traverse said element; means to electrically connect said wiper to a further terminal in said housing so that an output voltage at said further terminal indicates the angular position of said wiper; stop means for said wiper carrier arranged whereby a predetermined position of restraint of said wiper at an end region of said arcuate element is obtained; resilient means to return said wiper to said position of restraint from a position of rotation; and a film of electrically insulating material overlying said element at the said end region thereof where said stop means is provided and such that in said region said wiper is electrically insulated from said element.
  • the stop means may be adjustable so that the position of restraint of said wiper relative to said resistance element can be varied and the angle through which the wiper has to be rotated from the position of restraint before it leaves said film of electrically insulating material may be preset.
  • the said resilient means suitably comprises a helical spring of conductive material and also electrically connects said wiper to said further terminal in said housing.
  • An operating spindle is preferably provided, arranged for rotation of said wiper and adapted to be secured to an external rotatable mechanism to follow .rotation thereof.
  • said spindle is hollow and dimensioned and arranged to receive therein a matching portion of said external mechanism.
  • said hollow spindle has an end region of split form and is provided at said end region with a spring collar whereby said spindle is adapted to grip said external mechanism.
  • Fine adjustment of the electrical resistance of said element at the end thereof where said insulating film is provided may be effected by means of a narrow radial cut formed through the resistance element and extending from an edge of said element. This adjustment may be effected either by cutting through the insulating film, or a suitable portion of the element may be left uncovered by the insulating film where said adjustment is required.
  • the aforementioned rotary potentiometer may be operatively connected to a microprocessor control system responsive to the voltage output of the wiper so that when the wiper is on the insulating layer the microprocessor is in a quiescent state and the microprocessor converts to its operative state on detecting the abrupt voltage change when the wiper leaves said insulating layer.
  • a rotary potentiometer has a two part housing 1 formed of a plastics material and provided with mounting flanges 2.
  • a multi-fingered wiper 10 of resilient electrically conductive material which may be a base or precious metal, is supported on a rotatable carrier 11, the carrier 1.1 having a spindle 12 which rotatably fits into a cylindrical aperture 13 in the base part lA of the housing. As the carrier 11 is rotated in the housing, the wiper 10 is caused to traverse the arcuate resistance element 3.
  • An adjustable stop means is provided for the wiper carrier 11 and comprises a threaded screw 14 and nuts 15 retained by appropriately shaped regions 16 and 17 of the two-part housing.
  • the wiper carrier 11 is arranged to come into contact with the end of the screw 14 of the stop means so that the wiper 10 is restrained in a position at an end of the resistance element 3. This position of restraint of the wiper relative to the element 3 can be precisely determined by adjusting the screw 14 by means of a small screwdriver inserted through an aperture in the housing 1.
  • a helical spring 18, eg. of beryllium-copper, is provided, encircling a portion of the wiper carrier 11 and electrically connected at one end to a further terminal 19 mounted in the housing. The other end of the spring is electrically connected to the wiper 10.
  • This spring 18 serves a dual purpose. It provides the necessary electrical connection between the wiper 10 and terminal 19 in the housing. It also acts as a return spring for the wiper and carrier assembly such that when the wiper carrier 11 is rotated by application of an external influence to cause the wiper 10 to traverse the resistance element 3 to fulfil a desired potentiometric function, upon release of the external influence the wiper carrier 11 is returned to its initial position in contact with the screw 14 of the stop means.
  • a film 20 ( Figure 4) of electrically insulating material such as an epoxy resin is applied, eg. by screen printing, on top of the resistance element 3 at an end region thereof such that when the wiper 10 is in its initial position of restraint with the carrier 11 in contact with the screw 14 of the stop means, the wiper 10 is electrically insulated from the resistance element 3 by the film 20.
  • This arrangement effectively provides a switch incorporated in the potentiometer. If a voltage supply is connected to terminals 4 and 5 and an output voltage obtained from terminals 4 and 19, then when the wiper carrier 11 is in contact with the stop means and the wiper 10 is in contact with the insulating film 20, the wiper 10 is in an open circuit condition and no output voltage will appear between terminals 4 and 19.
  • the angle through which the wiper and carrier assembly is rotated before the wiper leaves the insulating film 20, can be precisely determined using the adjustable stop means 14, 15.
  • Fine adjustment of the electrical output obtained from the potentiometer at the point where the wiper leaves the insulating film and contacts the resistance element can readily be effected by selective removal or abrasion of a portion of the resistance element underlying the insulating film in Figure 4.
  • a narrow radial cut 21 is suitably formed through the insulating film 20 and underlying resistance element 3 and extending from an edge of the element for a distance sufficient to provide the desired adjustment of the resistance value of the portion of the element underlying the insulating film.
  • a portion of the resistance element in the region where the cut 21 is to be made may be arranged to be left uncovered by the insulating film when the latter is applied. Adjustment of the resistance element will be effected in a region with which the wiper will not come into contact.
  • a further stop 24 is provided with which the carrier 11 comes into contact when the wiper 10 reaches the opposite end of the resistance element to that where the insulating film 20 is provided.
  • the spindle 12 of the potentiometer is suitably of hollow construction and shaped to receive a shaft or spindle (eg. of D shaped section) of the external mechanism.
  • a shaft or spindle eg. of D shaped section
  • One or more slots 22 are provided in the spindle 12 and a spring collar 23 ( Figure 5) is provided to encircle the slotted end of the spindle 12.
  • the external mechanism comprises a throttle or butterfly shaft in an internal combustion engine.
  • the aforementioned potentiometer may form part of a microprocessor controlled engine management system.
  • the microprocessor is in a quiescent state when the engine is running at tickover speed and a triggering or switching-on signal is required for the microprocessor when the throttle is opened.
  • Furthemore, the microprocessor must begin its operation virtually at the instant when a driver applies his foot to the accelerator pedal.
  • the required triggering is achieved by arranging for a fast rate of change of output voltage from the potentiometer to occur as the wiper 10 leaves the insulating layer 20 and contacts the resistance element 3. At this point the output voltage drops rapidly from the maximum level to a low level (which may typically be about 11% of the maximum).
  • the microprocessor controlled electronics utilises the level of output voltage from the potentiometer as an indication of the position of rotation of the throttle.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Adjustable Resistors (AREA)
  • Control By Computers (AREA)
EP83300883A 1982-06-11 1983-02-21 Potentiomètre Withdrawn EP0096948A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB08216949A GB2122033A (en) 1982-06-11 1982-06-11 Rotary potentiometer
GB8216949 1982-06-11

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0096948A1 true EP0096948A1 (fr) 1983-12-28

Family

ID=10530960

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP83300883A Withdrawn EP0096948A1 (fr) 1982-06-11 1983-02-21 Potentiomètre

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0096948A1 (fr)
JP (1) JPS58220409A (fr)
GB (1) GB2122033A (fr)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0148778A2 (fr) * 1984-01-10 1985-07-17 Crystalate Electronics Limited Dispositif de résistance électrique variable
WO1986003258A1 (fr) * 1984-11-19 1986-06-05 Robert Bosch Gmbh Procede d'ajustage pour un organe detecteur de position, en particulier dans un vehicule a moteur
GB2188785A (en) * 1986-04-01 1987-10-07 Crystalate Electronics Method of making a potentiometer
EP0254252A2 (fr) * 1986-07-22 1988-01-27 Wilhelm Ruf KG Potentiomètre rotatif, en particulier pour son utilisation comme capteur de position angulaire dans le positionnement rotatif d'un axe
EP0314150A2 (fr) * 1987-10-28 1989-05-03 Wilhelm Ruf KG Potentiomètre rotatif
EP0339968A2 (fr) * 1988-04-29 1989-11-02 Crystalate Electronics Limited Procédé de production d'un potentiomètre
EP3358578A1 (fr) * 2017-02-07 2018-08-08 Goodrich Corporation Capteur de déplacement

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3243126A1 (de) * 1982-11-22 1984-05-24 Robert Bosch Gmbh, 7000 Stuttgart Verfahren zur pruefung der korrekten lage eines schleifers eines elektrischen potentiometers und elektrisches potentiometer zur durchfuehrung des verfahrens
GB8400570D0 (en) * 1984-01-10 1984-02-15 Welwyn Electronics Ltd Variable electrical resistance device
JPS61131806U (fr) * 1985-02-05 1986-08-18
GB8612130D0 (en) * 1986-05-19 1986-06-25 Manji Ravsi Kanji Kerai Rotary variable resistor assembly
JPH06163217A (ja) * 1992-11-16 1994-06-10 Teac Corp 可変抵抗器

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2769883A (en) * 1954-10-14 1956-11-06 Chance Vought Aircraft Inc Spring-loaded rotary type transducer
GB832547A (en) * 1957-03-28 1960-04-13 Morganite Resistors Ltd Combined potentiometer and switch
US2958838A (en) * 1959-06-10 1960-11-01 Mallory & Co Inc P R Combination switch and control assembly
US4032881A (en) * 1976-02-06 1977-06-28 Bourns, Inc. Resistance element with improved linearity and method of making the same
DE2265331A1 (de) * 1972-01-21 1977-07-28 Bosch Gmbh Robert Luftmengenmesser fuer eine elektrisch gesteuerte kraftstoffeinspritzeinrichtung einer brennkraftmaschine

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3696721A (en) * 1970-02-27 1972-10-10 Agfa Gevaert Ag Automatic distance warning circuits for cameras to be used with photoflash units

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2769883A (en) * 1954-10-14 1956-11-06 Chance Vought Aircraft Inc Spring-loaded rotary type transducer
GB832547A (en) * 1957-03-28 1960-04-13 Morganite Resistors Ltd Combined potentiometer and switch
US2958838A (en) * 1959-06-10 1960-11-01 Mallory & Co Inc P R Combination switch and control assembly
DE2265331A1 (de) * 1972-01-21 1977-07-28 Bosch Gmbh Robert Luftmengenmesser fuer eine elektrisch gesteuerte kraftstoffeinspritzeinrichtung einer brennkraftmaschine
US4032881A (en) * 1976-02-06 1977-06-28 Bourns, Inc. Resistance element with improved linearity and method of making the same

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0148778A2 (fr) * 1984-01-10 1985-07-17 Crystalate Electronics Limited Dispositif de résistance électrique variable
EP0148778A3 (fr) * 1984-01-10 1986-05-14 Crystalate Electronics Limited Dispositif de résistance électrique variable
WO1986003258A1 (fr) * 1984-11-19 1986-06-05 Robert Bosch Gmbh Procede d'ajustage pour un organe detecteur de position, en particulier dans un vehicule a moteur
GB2188785A (en) * 1986-04-01 1987-10-07 Crystalate Electronics Method of making a potentiometer
EP0254252A2 (fr) * 1986-07-22 1988-01-27 Wilhelm Ruf KG Potentiomètre rotatif, en particulier pour son utilisation comme capteur de position angulaire dans le positionnement rotatif d'un axe
EP0254252A3 (en) * 1986-07-22 1989-11-15 Wilhelm Ruf Kg Rotary potentiometer, in particular for use as an angular position sensor for the rotary positioning of a shaft
EP0314150A2 (fr) * 1987-10-28 1989-05-03 Wilhelm Ruf KG Potentiomètre rotatif
EP0314150A3 (en) * 1987-10-28 1990-03-28 Wilhelm Ruf Kg Rotary potentiometer
EP0339968A2 (fr) * 1988-04-29 1989-11-02 Crystalate Electronics Limited Procédé de production d'un potentiomètre
EP0339968A3 (en) * 1988-04-29 1990-04-25 Crystalate Electronics Limited Process for the production of a potentiometer
EP3358578A1 (fr) * 2017-02-07 2018-08-08 Goodrich Corporation Capteur de déplacement
US10422663B2 (en) 2017-02-07 2019-09-24 Goodrich Corporation Displacement sensor

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS58220409A (ja) 1983-12-22
GB2122033A (en) 1984-01-04

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Legal Events

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PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Designated state(s): BE DE FR GB IT NL SE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19840625

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 19850903

RIN1 Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected)

Inventor name: PITCHER, ARNOLD