JPH0230801Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Technical field] The present invention relates to a rotary operation component such as a variable resistor that rotates a rotor inside a case by an operation shaft, and in particular, it relates to a rotary operation component such as a variable resistor that rotates a rotor inside a case by an operation shaft. Regarding the rotor mounting mechanism that can be used.

[Prior art]

FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of a variable resistor as a conventional example of a rotary operating component, and FIG. 2A (end view) and FIG. 2B (side view) show an operating shaft.

The case 1 of this variable resistor is made of metal and manufactured by die casting or the like. This case 1 has a shape in which the left side in the figure is open, and a board 2 is attached to this open part. This board 2 is fixed by a mounting bracket 3. A resistor and a conductor are patterned concentrically on the inner surface 2a of the case of the substrate 2. The resistor pattern and the conductor pattern are electrically connected to each of three terminals 4 fixed to the lower end of the substrate 2. A hole 1a is formed on the right side of the case 1, and an operating shaft 5 is inserted into the hole 1a from the outside. This operating shaft 5 has a supporting diameter portion 5b at its tip via a step 5a.
is formed, and furthermore, a non-circular cross-sectional portion 5c is formed at the tip thereof. Step 5a is case 1
The supporting diameter portion 5b is rotatably supported within the hole 1a of the case 1. A resin rotor 6 is fixed to the non-circular cross section 5c, and a sliding contact 7 is fixedly connected to the rotor 6. This sliding contact 7 comes into sliding contact with both a resistor and a conductor patterned on the substrate 2. When the rotor 6 is rotated by the operating shaft 5, the sliding contact 7 slides against the resistor and the conductor. A resistance value corresponding to the position where the sliding contact is in contact with the resistor can be taken out from the terminal 4.

[Problems with the prior art] In the assembly process of the conventional variable resistor described above, the substrate 2
The operation shaft 5 is inserted into the case 1 without the operation shaft 5 attached, and the rotor 6 is inserted into the non-circular cross section 5c of the operation shaft 5 from the open part of the case 1 (the left side part in the figure). Then, the rotor 6 is moved to the operating shaft 5.
In order to fix it, the tip of the non-circular section 5c is caulked and fixed in the state shown by A in FIG.
Alternatively, a recess is provided in the distal end surface of the non-circular cross-sectional portion 5c, and a tool is inserted into the recess to expand the distal end of the non-circular cross-sectional portion and swage and fix.

As described above, since the caulking process is included in the assembly process, the work becomes extremely complicated. In particular, since the caulking work is performed with the case 1, operating shaft 5, and rotor 6 combined, the rotor 6 is
However, care must be taken not to damage the contacts 7 and the sliding contacts 7, which has the disadvantage of reducing work efficiency.

Further, since the non-circular cross-sectional portion 5c must have a caulked portion, the diameter cannot be made very thin, which also prevents miniaturization of the variable resistor as a whole.

[Purpose of this invention]

The present invention was developed by focusing on the above-mentioned conventional problems, and eliminates the caulking work at the tip of the operating shaft.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a rotor attachment mechanism for a rotary operation component, which allows a rotor to be attached to an operation shaft with a simple operation.

[Structure of the present invention]

The rotor mounting mechanism of the rotary operation component according to the present invention is such that the operation shaft is inserted into a hole in the case, and the rotor is fixed to the inner tip of the case of the operation shaft. A cross-sectional portion is formed, and a stepped portion having a larger diameter is formed on the tip side of the non-circular cross-sectional portion of the operating shaft, and the main rotor is fitted into the non-circular cross-sectional portion. A recess is formed in the part of the main rotor from which the tip of the operating shaft protrudes, and the elastically deformable snap rotor has a center hole that is inserted into the tip of the operating shaft that protrudes from the main rotor. It is characterized in that it is fitted into the stepped part in a state where it can be elastically deformed into the recessed part.

In the present invention, the main rotor is first attached to the operating shaft inserted into the case, and then the snap rotor is attached to the tip of the operating shaft. Then, the snap rotor is elastically deformed into the recess of the main rotor, and is fitted into the stepped portion of the shaft tip to prevent it from coming off. This operation alone allows the main rotor and the snap rotor to be attached to the operating shaft without any looseness.

[Example of the present invention]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. 3 and the following drawings.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a variable resistor as an example of a rotary operation component according to the present invention.

(Configuration of Example) Reference numeral 11 in the figure is a metal case. This case 11 is manufactured by die casting or the like. This case 11 is open on the left side in the figure. Further, a boss 11a is integrally protruded from the right end of the case 11 in the drawing, and a hole 11b is formed in the center of the boss 11a. Also, boss 11a
A male thread 11c is formed on the outer circumferential surface of. When installing the variable resistor on a panel etc., use boss 1.
It is fixed by fitting a nut onto the external thread 11c on the circumferential surface of 1a.

A board 12 is attached to the open left end portion of the case 11. This board 12 is fixed to the case 11 with a fixture 13.
A resistor and a conductor are patterned concentrically on the inner surface of the case of the substrate 12. Moreover, three terminals 14 (only one is shown in the figure) are fixedly provided at the lower end of the board 12. Two of the terminals 14 are connected to both ends of the resistor, and one of the terminals 14 is connected to a conductor.

The operating shaft 15 is inserted into the hole 11b of the case 11. This operation shaft 15 has a support diameter portion 15b formed with a slightly smaller diameter at the tip of the step 15a.
Further, a non-circular cross-sectional portion 15c is provided at the tip thereof. This non-circular cross-sectional portion 15c has an oval cross-section. Furthermore, a small-diameter snap portion 15d is provided at the tip of the non-circular cross-sectional portion 15c.
A stepped portion 15e having a larger diameter is formed at the tip of the snap portion 15d.

A rotor 20 is installed at the tip of the operation shaft 15 inside the case 11.
is permanently installed. This rotor 20 is the main rotor 2
It is composed of two members: 1 and a snap rotor 22.

4A (front view) and FIG. 4B (sectional view) show the main rotor 21. FIG. This main rotor 21
is made of resin, and a mounting hole 21a having an oval cross section is bored in the center thereof. Furthermore, a recess 21b is formed around the mounting hole 21a. This recess 21b is for forming a space B (see FIG. 3) in which the snap rotor 22 can be deformed when the snap rotor 22 is fitted onto the tip of the operating shaft 15. Further, two notches 21c are formed around the main rotor 21. Further, teeth 21d are formed on the right side surface of the main rotor 21 in the drawing. The teeth 21d are formed radially around the attachment hole 21a. On the other hand, a member (not shown) that comes into elastic contact with the teeth 21d is provided in the case 11, so that when the rotor 20 rotates, a click feeling is provided by the elastic contact member and the teeth 21d. It's summery.

In addition, Figures 5A and 5B show the Snut Protor 2.
2. This snap rotor 22 is molded from resin. A fitting hole 22a (round hole) is bored in the center of the snap rotor 22, and a boss 22b is formed around the inside of the case 11 at the fitting hole 22a, and a recess is formed in the center of the boss 22b. 22c is formed. Furthermore, a pair of hooks 22d extend around the snap rotor 22 toward the main rotor 21. Furthermore, the substrate 12 of the snap rotor 22
A protrusion 22e is formed on the side facing , and a sliding contact 23 is attached to this protrusion 22e. In the assembled state, this sliding contact 23 abuts both the resistor and the conductor on the substrate 12.

(Function) Next, the assembly work of the variable resistor with the above configuration will be explained.

First, the operating shaft 15 is inserted into the case 11 without the board 12 attached. The operating shaft 15 has a step 15a locked to the tip of the boss 11a, and a support diameter portion 15b protrudes into the hole 11b.
The attachment hole 21a of the main rotor 21 is fitted into the non-circular section 15c protruding into the case 11, and then the snap rotor 22 is attached from the tip of the operating shaft 15. At this time, the fitting hole 22a of the snap rotor 22 is fitted into the tip of the snap portion 15d, and the center portion of the snap rotor 22 is pressed to the right in FIG. 3. Then, this central part becomes the main rotor 2.
The stepped portion 15e is slightly elastically deformed to the right in the figure within the space B formed by the recess 21b of No. 1, and the stepped portion 15e is locked to the bottom surface of the recess 22c of the snap rotor 22. Thereby, the snap rotor 22 and the main rotor 21 are prevented from coming off from the operating shaft 15. at the same time,
A hook 22d provided on the snap rotor 22 is fitted into a notch 21c of the main rotor 21. Thereby, the snap rotor 22 and the main rotor 21 are connected in the rotational direction. In addition, the Snut Protor 22
A sliding contact 23 is installed in advance.

After installing the operating shaft 15, main rotor 21, and snap rotor 22 to the case 11, the case 11
Attach the board 12 to the open portion on the left side of the figure. This board 12 is fixed with a fixture 13.

Next, the operation of this variable resistor will be explained.

When the operating shaft 15 is rotated, the non-circular cross section 15
c rotates the main rotor 21. Therefore, the snap rotor 22, which is connected to the main rotor 21 by the hook 22d, rotates together. A sliding contact 23 fixed to this snap rotor 22
slides on the resistor and conductor patterned on the substrate 12. At the position where the sliding contact 23 makes contact, the conductor and the resistor are electrically connected via the sliding contact 23, and a constant resistance value can be obtained through the terminal 14 fixed to the substrate 12. Note that when the main rotor 21 rotates, the teeth 21d on the back surface of the main rotor 21 sequentially engage with elastic members (not shown) in the case 11, so that a click feeling is transmitted to the operating shaft 15. . Furthermore, the engagement between the teeth 21d and the elastic contact member prevents the once set position of the rotor 20 from changing due to vibrations or the like.

In the illustrated embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the non-circular cross-section of the operation shaft 15 is oval, but it may be semicircular or spline-shaped. Also,
In the figure, the main rotor 21 and the snap rotor 22 are connected by a hook 22d, but a simple concave-convex fit may be used instead.

Further, the rotary operation component of the present invention is not limited to a variable resistor, but can be implemented in a rotary switch, a pulse switch, etc.

[Effects of the present invention] As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be achieved.

(1) The main rotor is fitted into the non-circular cross section formed on the operating shaft, and an elastically deformable snap rotor is inserted into the tip of the operating shaft that protrudes from the main rotor, and this snap rotor is formed into the main rotor. The main rotor and the snap rotor are fitted onto the stepped portion of the operating shaft in a state where it can be elastically deformed in the direction of the recessed portion, thereby fixing the main rotor and the snap rotor to the operating shaft. Therefore, the rotor can be easily installed by simply pushing in the snap rotor after attaching the main rotor to the operating shaft. Therefore, the conventional caulking work is not required, and the assembly work is simplified.

(2) There is no need to swage the tip of the operating shaft.
There is no risk of damaging the rotor, contacts, etc., and the defective rate is reduced.

(3) Since there is no need to caulk the tip of the operating shaft, the tip of the operating shaft can be made thinner. Therefore, the usable area of the rotor increases, and the degree of freedom in design increases. Additionally, the entire component can be made smaller.

(4) The snap rotor is fitted to the stepped part at the tip of the operating shaft in a state where it can be elastically deformed in the direction of the recess formed in the main rotor, so that the main rotor and the snap rotor can be bent in the axial direction relative to the operating shaft. It can be reliably installed without any looseness.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a variable resistor as an example of a conventional rotary operation component, Fig. 2A is an end view of its operating shaft, Fig. 2B is a side view thereof, and Fig. 3 and the following show examples of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a variable resistor as an example of a rotary operation component;
FIG. 4A is a front view of the main rotor, FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the main rotor, FIG. 5A is a front view of the snap rotor, and FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the snap rotor. 11... Case, 11b... Hole, 12... Board, 15... Operating shaft, 15b... Support diameter portion, 15
c...Non-circular cross section, 15d...Snap part, 1
5e...Stepped portion, 20...Rotor, 21...Main rotor, 21b...Concave portion, 22...Snat rotor, 22a...Fitting hole, 22d...Hook (connection with main rotor), 23... ...Sliding contact.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] In a rotary operating component in which an operating shaft is inserted into a hole in a case and a rotor is fixed to the inner tip of the operating shaft, the operating shaft has a non-circular cross section and a non-circular cross section of the operating shaft. A stepped portion having a larger diameter is formed in a portion closer to the tip of the shaft than the circular cross-sectional portion, and a main rotor is fitted into the non-circular cross-sectional portion, and the tip of the operating shaft of the main rotor is fitted into the non-circular cross-sectional portion. A recess is formed in the protruding part, and the elastically deformable snap rotor has its center hole inserted into the tip of the operating shaft protruding from the main rotor, and the stepped part is inserted into the recess in a state where it can be elastically deformed. A rotor mounting mechanism for a rotary operation component, characterized in that the rotor mounting mechanism is fitted to a rotary operation part.