JP7383562B2 - multi-turn potentiometer - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to multi-turn potentiometers using, for example, wire-wound resistors.

For example, the ring-shaped resistance element includes a ring-shaped resistance element in which a wire-wound resistance is wound around a winding core, a slider in contact with the ring-shaped resistance element, and a shaft that rotates the slider along the resistance element. A wire-wound potentiometer is known in which a slider is moved along a resistance element to divide and extract the voltage applied to the resistance element (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Utility Model Publication No. 5-38805

In a wound potentiometer, the slider is moved along the resistive element as the shaft rotates. When the slider reaches one end or the other end of the ring-shaped resistance element, the slider is stopped by, for example, a stopper. However, if the shaft is further rotated in this state, the slider and the parts that hold the slider will be damaged, and the potentiometer itself will be damaged.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a multi-turn potentiometer that can prevent damage to parts due to shaft rotation.

The multi-rotation potentiometer of this embodiment includes a housing, a spiral resistor provided in the housing, a rotor disposed along the axis of the resistor, and a rotor provided around the rotor. a conductor having at least one concave portion along the axis of the rotor; and at least one contact portion movable along the resistor as the rotor rotates and having elasticity capable of engaging with the concave portion of the conductor. a movable contact provided in the holder and having a first end in contact with the resistor and a second end in contact with the conductor; and a movable contact provided in the housing and configured to control rotation of the holder. A stopper is provided.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a multi-rotation potentiometer according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the inside of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the inside of FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a top view of FIG. 3. FIG. 2 is a top view showing the bottom of the housing shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a modification of the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a top view of FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same parts are designated by the same reference numerals.

FIG. 1 shows the appearance of a multi-rotation potentiometer 10 according to this embodiment. The housing 11 includes a cylindrical case 12, a first plate 13, a second plate 14, and, for example, two bands 15a and 15b. The first plate 13 is attached to one end of the case 12, and the second plate 14 is attached to the other end of the case 12. The first plate 13 and the second plate 14 are fixed to the case 12 by two bunts 15a and 15b.

The shaft 16 is inserted into the housing 11 from the first plate 13 and is rotatably held by the housing 11. A plurality of terminals 17, 18, 19 are provided on the side surface of the housing 11.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a spirally wound resistor 20 is provided inside the housing 11. One end of the resistor 20 is electrically connected to the terminal 17 , and the other end of the resistor 20 is electrically connected to the terminal 18 . The terminal 19 is electrically connected to a movable contact 24, which will be described later, and when the movable contact 24 is moved in contact with the resistor 20, resistance is divided between the terminal 19 and the terminal 17 or the terminal 18. Voltage is output.

A shaft 16 is arranged at the center of the resistor 20. A rotor 21 is fixed around the shaft 16 within the housing 11, and the rotor 21 is rotated together with the shaft 16. The length of the rotor 21 is approximately equal to the length of the shaft 16 inside the housing 11, and as shown in FIG. 3, the rotor 21 has a recess 21a in a part of its periphery. The recess 21a is provided in the longitudinal direction of the rotor 21 along the axis of the shaft 16. That is, the recess 21a is provided from the first end (first plate 13 side) to the second end (second plate 14 side) of the rotor 21.

Although the shaft 16 and the rotor 21 are constructed as separate bodies, it is also possible to construct the shaft 16 and the rotor 21 as an integral structure.

A conductor 25 is provided around the rotor 21. The conductor 25 is provided from the first end to the second end of the rotor 21, and a recess 25a is provided in a part of the conductor 25 in accordance with the recess 21a of the rotor 21. That is, the recess 25a is provided from the first end to the second end of the rotor 21. Hereinafter, the recessed portion refers to the recessed portion 25a provided in the conductor 25.

The conductor 25 is, for example, a metal plate provided around the rotor 21, but may also be a metal foil formed around the rotor 21, for example, by plating.

The conductor 25 includes an arc-shaped conductive contact 25b at the second end. The contactor 25b is arranged corresponding to the bottom of the rotor 21, and its tip is arranged away from the bottom of the rotor 21. Therefore, the contactor 25b has elasticity, and the tip of the contactor 25b is brought into electrical contact with the terminal 19.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the terminal 19 includes a ring-shaped contact portion 19a to the bottom of the rotor 21, and the contactor 25b is brought into contact with the ring-shaped contact portion 19a. Therefore, the contactor 25b is constantly in contact with the contact portion 19a as the rotor 21 rotates.

When the conductor 25 is made of a metal plate, the contactor 25b is provided integrally with the conductor and is formed by being bent relative to the conductor 25. Further, when the conductor 25 is made of metal foil, the contactor 25b is formed separately from the conductor 25 by, for example, a metal plate, and is electrically and mechanically connected to the conductor 25 as the metal foil.

As shown in FIG. 3, holders 22 are provided around the rotor 21 at predetermined intervals. The holder 22 functions as a holder that holds a movable contact 24, which will be described later. The holder 22 is made of resin, for example, and also functions as an insulator.

The holder 22 is ring-shaped, and its width is shorter than the length of the rotor 21 and slightly wider than the diameter of, for example, metal wiring constituting the resistor 20. The holder 22 includes a first guide 22a, a second guide 22b, and a holding part 22c around the periphery, and a contact part 22d in a part of the inside.

Each of the first guide 22a, the second guide 22b, and the holding portion 22c has a groove 22e into which the resistor 20 is inserted. The holder 22 is rotatable along the resistor 20 with the resistor 20 inserted into the plurality of grooves 22e, and the holder 22 rotates along the resistor 20 in the longitudinal direction of the rotor 21. It is considered movable.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4A, the movable contact 24 is held by the holder 22. The movable contact 24 is made of, for example, an elastic conductive metal, and has a first end 24a and a second end 24b. The middle portion of the movable contact 24 passes through the holder 22, and the first end portion 24a is disposed within the holding portion 22c and electrically contacts the resistor 20 within the holding portion 22c. The second end portion 24b is arranged inside the holder 22 and electrically contacts the surface of the conductor 25 provided on the rotor 21.

The contact portion 22d has elasticity with respect to the holder 22, and is brought into contact with the surface of the conductor 25. Further, the contact portion 22d is capable of engaging with the recess 25a of the conductor 25, and the holder 22 rotates together with the rotor 21 in a state where the contact portion 22d is engaged with the recess 25a, and the holder 22 rotates in the longitudinal direction of the rotor 21. It is considered movable. Therefore, when the shaft 16 is rotated, the holder 22 is rotated with the rotation of the rotor 21, and the holder 22 is moved in the longitudinal direction of the rotor 21 while rotating along the resistor 20.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, when the shaft 16 is rotated in the direction of arrow A, the rotor 21 and holder 22 are also rotated in the direction of arrow A, and the holder 22 is rotated in the direction of arrow C along the resistor 20. will be moved to Further, when the shaft 16 is rotated in the direction of arrow B, the rotor 21 and holder 22 are also rotated in the direction of arrow B, and the holder 22 is moved in the direction of arrow D along the resistor 20.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4A, a first stopper 13a is provided on the inner surface of the first plate 13, and as shown in FIG. 4B, a second stopper 14a is provided on the inner surface of the second plate 14. ing. The first stopper 13a stops the rotation of the holder 22 when the first guide 22a of the holder 22 comes into contact with it, and the second stopper 14a stops the rotation of the holder 22 when the second guide 22b of the holder 22 comes into contact with it. stop the rotation.

Specifically, when the shaft 16 is rotated in the direction of arrow B in the figure and the holder 22 is moved toward the first plate 13, the first guide 22a of the holder 22 comes into contact with the first stopper 13a, and the shaft 16 and the rotor 21, rotation of the holder 22 is stopped. Further, when the shaft 16 is rotated in the direction of arrow A in the figure and the holder 22 is moved toward the second plate 14, the second guide 22b of the holder 22 comes into contact with the second stopper 14a, and the shaft 16, rotor 21, and holder The rotation of 22 is stopped.

(Operation of rotor and contact part)
As described above, for example, when the first guide 22a of the holder 22 contacts the first stopper 13a and the holder 22 is stopped, when the shaft 16 is further rotated in the direction of arrow B, the holder 22 comes into contact with the first guide 22a. The engagement between the portion 22d and the recess 25a of the conductor 25 is released, and with the contact portion 22d in contact with the surface of the conductor 25, only the shaft 16 and rotor 21 are rotated in the direction of arrow B in the figure. That is, when a torque larger than the contact pressure between the recess 25a and the contact portion 22d is applied to the shaft 16 in the direction of arrow B in the figure, the shaft 16 and the rotor 21 idle relative to the holder 22. Therefore, it is possible to prevent damage to the holder 22, conductor 25, rotor 21, etc. due to rotation of the shaft 16. Thereafter, when the shaft 16 is further rotated, the contact portion 22d is engaged with the recess 25a again, and when the shaft 16 is rotated in the direction of the arrow A shown in the figure, the holder 22 is moved in the direction of the arrow C shown in FIG. be done.

Further, when the shaft 16 is further rotated in the direction of the arrow A in the figure in a state in which the second guide 22b of the holder 22 contacts the second stopper 14a and the holder 22 is stopped, the contact portion 22d of the holder 22 and the conductor 25 is disengaged from the recess 25a, and with the contact portion 22d in contact with the surface of the conductor 25, only the shaft 16 and rotor 21 are rotated in the direction of arrow A in the figure. That is, when a torque larger than the contact pressure between the recess 25 a and the contact portion 22 d is applied to the shaft 16 in the direction of arrow A in the figure, the shaft 16 and the rotor 21 idle relative to the holder 22 . Therefore, it is possible to prevent damage to the holder 22, conductor 25, rotor 21, etc. due to rotation of the shaft 16. Thereafter, when the shaft 16 is further rotated, the contact portion 22d is engaged with the recess 25a again, and when the shaft 16 is rotated in the direction of the arrow B shown in the figure, the holder 22 is moved in the direction of the arrow D shown in FIG. be done.

(Effects of embodiment)
According to the above embodiment, the conductor 25 having the recess 25a is provided around the rotor 21 that rotates together with the shaft 16, and the contact portion 22d that elastically contacts the recess 25a is provided on the holder 22 arranged around the rotor 21. The shaft 16 and the rotor 21 are configured to idle relative to the holder 22 when a torque larger than the contact pressure between the recess 25a and the contact portion 22d is applied to the shaft 16. Therefore, even if excessive torque is applied to the shaft 16 while the holder 22 is stopped by the first stopper 13a or the second stopper 14a, damage to the holder 22, the conductor 25, the rotor 21, etc. can be prevented. It is possible to provide a long-life multi-turn potentiometer.

(Modified example)
5 and 6 show modified examples of this embodiment, and both show only essential parts.

In the above embodiment, the conductor 25 has one recess 25a, and the holder 22 has one contact part 22d. On the other hand, in a modified example, the conductor 25 has a plurality of recesses 25a, and the holder 22 has a plurality of contact parts 22d.

Specifically, the conductor 25 has, for example, three recesses 25a arranged at equal intervals around the periphery, and the holder 22 has, for example, three contact parts 22d arranged at equal intervals inside. Each contact portion 22d is capable of engaging with each recess 25a.

In the above configuration, when the shaft 16 and the rotor 21 are rotated, the rotation of the rotor 21 is transmitted to the holder 22 via the plurality of recesses 25a and the plurality of contact parts 22d, the holder 22 is rotated together with the rotor 21, and the rotor 21 is rotated. 21 in the longitudinal direction.

When the first guide 22a of the holder 22 contacts the first stopper 13a or the second guide 22b contacts the second stopper 14a, the engagement between the plurality of recesses 25a and the plurality of contact parts 22d is released, The shaft 16 and rotor 21 are idled. Therefore, destruction of the holder 22, the conductor 25, the rotor 21, etc. can be prevented. Thereafter, when the shaft 16 is further rotated, each contact portion 22d is engaged with each adjacent recess 25a, allowing rotation and movement in the opposite direction.

(Effect of modified example)
According to the above modification, the conductor 25 has a plurality of recesses 25a, the holder 22 has a plurality of contact parts 22d that engage with the plurality of recesses 25a, and excessive torque is applied to the shaft 16. When this occurs, the engagement between the plurality of recesses 25a and the plurality of contact portions 22d is released, and the shaft 16 and rotor 21 idle. Therefore, damage to the holder 22 and the like can be prevented, and a multi-rotation potentiometer with a long life can be provided.

Furthermore, since the holder 22 is in contact with the plurality of recesses 25a through the plurality of contact portions 22d, the holder 22 can be stably arranged substantially perpendicularly to the rotor 21. Therefore, the holder 22 can be smoothly moved along the rotor 21.

Further, the contact position between the second end 24b of the movable contact 24 and the conductor 25 changes to P1, P2, or P3 depending on the position where the holder 22 is rotated with respect to the rotor 21. Therefore, since the contact position between the second end 24b of the movable contact 24 and the conductor 25 can be changed, local wear of the conductor 25 can be reduced, and the life of the conductor 25 and the potentiometer can be extended. .

Moreover, since the conductor 25 has a plurality of recesses 25a and the holder 22 has a plurality of contact parts 22d, the contact parts 22d can be quickly engaged with the adjacent recesses 25a after the shaft 16 and the rotor 21 have idled. be able to. Therefore, it is possible to immediately reverse the rotation, and the operability is good.

In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments as they are, and in the implementation stage, the constituent elements can be modified and embodied without departing from the spirit of the invention. Moreover, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining the plurality of constituent elements disclosed in each of the above embodiments. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiments. Furthermore, components of different embodiments may be combined as appropriate.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11... Housing, 13a... First stopper, 14a... Second stopper, 16... Shaft, 20... Resistor, 21... Rotor, 22... Holder, 22d... Contact part, 24... Movable contact, 25... Conductor, 25a... Recessed part .

Claims (2)

housing and
a spiral resistor provided within the housing;
a rotor arranged along the axis of the resistor;
a conductor provided around the rotor and having at least one recess along the axis of the rotor;
a holder that is movable along the resistor as the rotor rotates and has at least one contact portion having elasticity that can be engaged with the recess of the conductor;
a movable contact provided on the holder, a first end of which is in contact with the resistor, and a second end of which is in contact with the conductor;
a stopper provided in the housing to prevent rotation of the holder;
A multi-rotation potentiometer characterized by comprising: The conductor includes a plurality of recesses arranged at equal intervals around the rotor,
The multi-rotation potentiometer according to claim 1, wherein the holder includes a plurality of contact portions that can be engaged with the plurality of recesses.

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