JPH06235782A - Rotary knob provided with encode mark - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a manual rotation regulating mechanism with a set value reading function additionally without altering the interior by putting an encode mark for reading out the rotational angle onto a rotary knob itself. CONSTITUTION:The rotary knob provided with an encode mark comprises a rotary knob 1, a reflective encode mark 2, a rotary shaft 3, a panel 4, a signal output terminal 5, a projector 6, and an optical sensor 7. When the rotary knob 1 is rotated to regulate the angle of the rotary shaft 3 and a regulator in the rear of the panel 4 is set, the encode mark 2 corresponding to the rotational angle reflects a light projected from the projector 6 and the light is detected by the optical sensor 7. The light thus detected is converted into an electric signal and delivered from a signal output terminal 5. This constitution allows additional provision of a set value read out function to a manual rotation regulating mechanism using a minimum space and minimum number of components without requiring alteration of the interior.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a rotary knob which realizes encoding for reading a set value of a rotation adjusting mechanism by manual operation with a simple mechanism.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For reading the set value of a manual rotation adjusting mechanism to an information device, a dedicated encoder is mechanically connected to encode the rotation angle of a shaft, or the encoder is directly connected to a rotary knob from the beginning. Then, a method of encoding the set value first and automatically setting the result according to each physical quantity has been used.

However, it is often difficult in some cases, such as when there is not enough space to install the encoder inside the apparatus, and in order to add an automatic reading mechanism to the existing apparatus, which requires extensive modification. In addition, the method of automatically setting the previously encoded set values requires large-scale measures for the entire device, such as initial settings when the power is connected and a backup mechanism when the power is cut off, so small-scale production There was a problem in terms of development cost in introducing this device into the device or the prototype device. Further, since the setting is not performed unless the entire system is operating, there is a drawback that a local operation test cannot be performed.

[0004]

However, it is complicated to add a set value reading function to the rotation adjusting mechanism which is manually operated.

[0005]

The present invention is characterized in that a rotary knob for performing a manual operation is directly provided with a mark for encoding a rotation angle. The reading of the rotation angle of the shaft by manual operation has been realized without remodeling the inside of the device and with a minimum space and a minimum number of parts without impairing operability.

[0006]

1 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment in which an optical method is used for a detecting portion of the device of the present invention, in which 1 is a rotary knob, 2 is a reflected light type encode mark, 3 is a rotary shaft, 4 is a panel section of the device, 5 is a signal output terminal, 6 is a projector, and 7
Is an optical sensor, and the adjuster connected to the rotary shaft inside the device is omitted.

When the rotary knob 1 is turned to adjust the angle of the rotary shaft 3 to set the adjuster connected to the shaft, the encode mark corresponding to the rotary angle is detected by the optical sensor 7 and converted into an electric signal. It is output to the signal output terminal 5. Since the subject of the present invention is the rotary knob for encoding the rotation angle of the shaft, the description of the signal processing system connected to the signal output terminal 5 for performing encoding is omitted.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of an embodiment in which a magnetic method is used for the detecting portion of the device of the present invention.
Is the same as. Reference numeral 8 is a magnetic sensor. The operation is the same as that of the above embodiment except the difference in the detection method.

[0009]

As described above, in the rotary knob of the present invention, the encode mark for reading the set value is attached to the rotary knob itself, so that the set value can be set in the manual adjustment mechanism without making any change inside the device. Since a reading function can be added, there is an advantage that even an existing device can easily perform automatic reading.

Further, the detection method and the format and shape of the encode mark can be flexibly dealt with according to the space on the panel surface of the apparatus and the purpose of reading and accuracy.

[0011]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a method of using an optical encode mark in the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a method of using a magnetic encode mark in the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 rotary knob 2 encode mark 3 rotary shaft 4 device panel 5 signal output terminal 6 projector 7 optical sensor 8 magnetic sensor

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. The rotary knob referred to here is a knob for manually rotating the shaft, and the rotation angle of the shaft corresponding to a set value is determined by an optical, magnetic, electrical or mechanical method. The rotary knob is characterized by having an encode mark to detect it.