SG193109A1

SG193109A1 - Knob assembly

Info

Publication number: SG193109A1
Application number: SG2013012786A
Authority: SG
Inventors: Guangquan Feng
Original assignee: Schneider Electric South East Asia Hq Pte Ltd
Priority date: 2012-02-24
Filing date: 2013-02-20
Publication date: 2013-09-30
Also published as: HK1174486A2; CN202548692U

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide a knob assembly. The embodiment of the present invention includes a knob 1, an elastic member 2 and a shaft 3, wherein the knob 1 is provided with a hole 11, and wherein the elastic member 2 is provided with a buckle. In the embodiment of the present invention, the elastic member 2 can be fitted with the shaft 3, and can be fitted with the hole 11 in the knob 1 as well. The buckle on the elastic member 2 can abut against the knob 1 and/or the shaft 3, and the knob is enabled to be reliably connected to the shaft, thereby facilitating the using.Fig. 1

Description

KNOB ASSEMBLY

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of mechatronics, and in particular to a knob assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Currently, knob assemblies are applied in large numbers of adjustable electric elements. A knob assembly being capable of coupling a knob to a rotating shaft of an adjustable electric element such as a button, a switch, an engine, a dimmer, a fan control valve or the like, can be used to control a rotary switch of the electric element and change parameters of the electric element.

[0003] The knob assembly in the prior art is mainly composed of a knob and a rotating shaft, wherein the knob is in interference fit with the rotating shaft so that the rotating shaft is rotated with the rotation of the knob when the knob is twisted.

[0004] In the process of researching and practicing the prior art, the inventors of the present invention found that during using, the interference fit between the knob and the rotating shaft in the prior art is easy to cause cracking of the knob and coming off of the knob from the rotating shaft, which brings great inconvenience to the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Embodiments of the present invention provide a knob assembly, which enables the knob to be connected to the rotating shaft reliably, and facilitates the using.

[0006] A knob assembly includes a knob 1, an elastic member 2 and a shaft 3; wherein the knob 1 is provided with a hole 11; wherein the elastic member 2 is provided with a buckle; and wherein the elastic member 2 is fitted with the shaft 3, the elastic member 2 is fitted with the hole 11 in the knob 1, and the buckle on the elastic member 2 abuts against the knob 1 and /or the shaft 3.

[0007] It may be seen from the above technical solutions that, embodiments of the present invention has advantages as follows:

The present invention includes a knob 1, an elastic member 2 and a shaft 3, wherein the knob 1 is provided with a hole 11, and wherein the elastic member 2 is provided with a buckle. According to the embodiments of the present invention, since the elastic member 2 is provided with a buckle, the connection between the elastic member 2 and the shaft 3 and/or the knob 1 can be buffered, and since when the elastic member 2 is fitted with the shaft 3 and

Jor the hole 11 in the knob 1, the buckle on the elastic member 2 can abut against the knob 1 and /or the shaft 3, the knob is enabled to be connected to the shaft reliably, thereby facilitating the using.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] For more clearly illustrating embodiments of the present invention, drawings referred to describe the embodiments will be briefly described hereinafter. Apparently, the drawings in the following description are only several embodiments of the present invention, and for a person skilled in the art, other drawings may be obtained based on these drawings without any creative efforts.

[0009] Figure 1 is an exploded view of a knob assembly in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0010] Figures 2 to 7 are schematic views of an elastic member in embodiments of the present invention;

[0011] Figure 8 is a sectional view of the knob assembly in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0012] Figure 9 is a partially enlarged view of the elastic member and the shaft which are fitted with each other in the embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] Figure 10 is a partially enlarged view of the elastic member and the knob which are fitted with each other in the embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] Figure 11 is another partially enlarged view of the elastic member and the shaft which are fitted with each other in the embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] Figure 12 is another partially enlarged view of the elastic member and the knob which are fitted with each other in the embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 13 is a schematic view showing the assembling process of the knob assembly in an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0017] Figure 14 is another schematic view showing the assembling process of the knob assembly in an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be described clearly and completely hereinafter in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Apparently, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present invention, all of other embodiments, made by the person skilled in the art without any creative efforts, fall into the protection scope of the present invention.

[0019] Embodiments of the present invention provide a knob assembly which enables a knob to be connected to a shaft reliably and facilitates the using.

[0020] The technical solutions of the present invention will be described in detail below in conjunction with specific embodiments, please refer to Figures 1 to 14.

[0021] A knob assembly includes a knob 1, an elastic member 2 and a shaft 3, wherein the knob 1 is provided with a hole 11, and the elastic member 2 is provided with a buckle, the elastic member 2 being fitted with the shaft 3, the elastic member 2 being fitted with the hole 11 in the knob 1, and the buckle on the elastic member 2 abutting against the knob 1 and /or the shaft 3.

[0022] As shown in Figure 1, the knob assembly includes a knob 1, an elastic member 2 and a shaft 3 and can be applied in large numbers of adjustable electric elements, such as buttons, switches, engines, dimmers, fan control valves or the like. Wherein the knob 1 is coupled to the shaft 3 of an adjustable electric element. During using, the user may twist the knob 1 directly to rotate the shaft 3 so as to change parameters of the electric element. In order to enable the knob 1 to be connected to the shaft 3 reliably, and also to facilitate the using by the user, an elastic member 2 can be added between the knob 1 and the shaft 3. The elastic member 2 may be in reliable connections with the knob 1 and the shaft 3 respectively.

The three of the knob 1, the elastic member 2 and the shaft 3 may be connected together reliably in this order from external to internal. Specifically, the elastic 2 may wrap the shaft 3, and the internal wall of the hole 11 in the knob 1 may wrap the elastic member 2, thereby forming the knob assembly in the embodiments of the present invention.

[0023] In order to provide the elastic member 2 with certain elasticity so as to be better fitted with the shaft 3 and the knob 1, the elastic member 2 may be formed by an elastic material bent into a semi-closed shape. Preferably, the elastic material may be spring steel, stainless steel, copper or the like, which may reduce the use-cost and be reliable and durable.

[0024] The shapes of the shafts 3 in the existing electric elements are different from each other. In order to enable the elastic member 2 to be reliably fitted with those shafts 3 in various shapes, the shape of the elastic member 2 may be selected according to that of the shaft 3.

[0025] The knob 1 is provided with a hole 11 which can be fitted with the elastic member 2, and reference may be made to the prior art for details, which will not be described herein.

[0026] Optionally, as shown in Figures 2 to 7, the sectional shape of the elastic member 2 after being bent may be a semi-circular, a circular, an ellipse, or any other polygonal shape.

The elastic members 2 shown in Figure 2, 3 and 4 have a semi-circular shaped section, the elastic member 2 shown in Figure 5 has an enneagon shaped section, the elastic member 2 shown in Figure 6 has an ellipse shaped section, and the elastic member 2 shown in Figure 7 has a circular shaped section.

[0027] For example, if the section of the shaft 3 is a semi-circular shape, the elastic member 2 after being bent having a semi-circular shaped section may be selected for fitting with it.

[0028] For example, if the section of the shaft 3 is an enneagon shape, the elastic member 2 after being bent having an enneagon shaped section may be selected for fitting with it.

[0029] The elastic member 2 after being bent is in a semi-closed state, the specific location of the gap between the two ends of elastic member 2 after being bent is not limited. For example, when the elastic member 2 after being bent has a semi-circular shaped section, the gap formed by bending may be located on the semi-circular arc, on the chord or at the end points thereof.

[0030] Optionally, a buckle with certain elasticity may be provided on the external wall and

/or internal wall of the elastic member 2. For the convenience of describing, the buckle on the external wall of the elastic member 2 is called a first buckle 21, and the buckle on the internal wall of the elastic member 2 is called a second buckle 22, wherein it may be that only the first buckle 21 is provided on the external wall of the elastic member 2, or only the second buckle 22 is provided on the internal wall of the elastic member 2, or while the first buckle 21 is provided on the external wall of the elastic member 2, the second buckle 22 is provided on the internal wall of the elastic member 2. The specific configuration may be selected according to the manner that the three of the knob 1, the elastic member 2 and the shaft 3 are assembled. In different cases of providing the buckle on the elastic member 2, the buckle on the elastic member 2 may abut against the knob 1, or the shaft 3, or both the knob 1 and the shaft 3 at the same time. The detail descriptions will be given below respectively.

[0031] When the knob 1, the elastic member 2 and the shaft 3 are fitted with each other in a relatively movable manner, the first buckle 21 may be provided on the external wall of the elastic member 2, and the second buckle 22 is provided on the internal wall of the elastic member 2 as well. As shown in Figures 2 to 7, the external wall of the elastic member 2 is provided with a first buckle 21 and the internal wall of the elastic member 2 is provided with a second buckle 22. Wherein the number of the first buckle 21 and the second buckle 22 on the elastic member 2 is not limited, it may be designed according to requirement. Wherein the second buckle 22 on the internal wall of the elastic member 2 protrudes inwards, and when being pressed, the second buckle 22 may contract towards the internal wall of the elastic member 2. The first buckle 21 on the external wall of the elastic member 2 protrudes outwards, and when being pressed, the first buckle 21 may contract towards the external wall of the elastic member 2. The protruding end of the second buckle 22 on the internal wall of the elastic member 2 is oriented opposite to the protruding end of the first buckle 21 on the external wall of the elastic member 2.

[0032] Specifically, the first buckle 21 on the external wall of the elastic member 2 may be formed by cutting out a small block, which for example may be but not limited to a rectangular block, from the surface of the elastic member 2. One long side and two short sides of the rectangle are cut off and the rectangular first buckle 21 is bent outwards by certain degree, thereby forming the first buckle 21 protruding on the external wall of the elastic member 2. The first buckle 21 has certain elasticity, and when being pressed, the first buckle 21 will contract in the direction towards the external wall of the elastic member 2.

[0033] Specifically, the second buckle 22 on the internal wall of the elastic member 2 may be formed by cutting out a small block, which for example may be but not limited to a rectangular block, from the surface of the elastic member 2. One long side and two short sides of the rectangle are cut off and the rectangular second buckle 22 is bent inwards by certain degree, thereby forming the second buckle 22 protruding on the internal wall of the elastic member 2. The second buckle 22 has certain elasticity, and when being pressed, the second buckle 22 will contract in the direction towards the internal wall of the elastic member 2.

[0034] The first buckle 21 and the second buckle 22 which are formed by cutting out from the surfaces of the elastic member 2 may be further processed to have other shapes respectively, which are not limited in detail.

[0035] Preferably, for facilitating the shaft 3 and the knob 1 to be fitted with the elastic member 2, the protruding end of the second buckle 22 on the internal wall of the elastic member 2 is oriented opposite to the protruding end of the first buckle 21 on the external wall of the elastic member 2. For example, the second buckle 22 on the internal wall is tilted inwards and upwards by a certain degree, and preferably, the first buckle 21 on the external wall is tilted outwards and downwards by a certain degree.

[0036] In order to press the shaft 3 and the knob 1 tightly by the buckle on the elastic member 2 when the knob 1, the elastic member 2 and the shaft 3 are fitted with each other, , the design of the length of the buckle on the elastic member 2 is required to be chosen according to the shape of the shaft 3 and the sectional shape of the elastic member 2 after being bent, which may be designed according to practical requirement.

[0037] It is to be explained that, when the knob 1 is fitted with the elastic member 2, there is a clearance between the internal wall of the hole 11 of the knob 1 and the external wall of the elastic member 2, and when the shaft 3 is fitted with the elastic member 2, there is a clearance between the external wall of the shaft 3 and the internal wall of the elastic member 2.

[0038] Specifically, the particular shape of the buckle may be that as shown in Figures 9 to 12, wherein the Figures 9 and 11 are partially enlarged views of the A portion in Figure 8, and the Figures 10 and 12 are partially enlarged views of the B portion in Figure 8.

[0039] Optionally, as shown in Figure 9, when the elastic member 2 is fitted with the shaft 3,

the end of the second buckle 22 on the internal wall of the elastic member 2 abuts against the external wall of the shaft 3, and presses the shaft 3 tightly.

[0040] Optionally, as shown in Figure 10, when the elastic member 2 is fitted with the hole 11 in the knob 1, the end of the first buckle 21 on the external wall of the elastic member 2 abuts against the internal wall of the hole 11, and presses the knob 1 tightly.

[0041] Optionally, as shown in Figure 11, when the elastic member 2 is fitted with the shaft 3, the arc transition portion of the second buckle 22 on the internal wall of the elastic member 2 abuts against the external wall of the shaft 3, and presses the shaft 3 tightly.

[0042] Optionally, as shown in Figure 12, when the elastic member 2 is fitted with the hole 11 in the knob 1, the arc transition portion of the first buckle 21 on the external wall of the elastic member 2 abuts against the internal wall of the hole 11, and presses the knob 1 tightly.

[0043] The knob assembly in the present embodiment may include the knob 1, the elastic member 2 and the shaft 3 in this order from external to internal. Wherein the elastic member 2 wraps the shaft 3, and the internal wall of the hole 11 in the knob 1 wraps the elastic member 2.

[0044] Optionally, as shown in Figure 13, in the process of assembling, the hole 11 in the knob 1 may be fitted with the elastic member 2 first, and then the shaft 3 is fitted with the elastic member 2. Optionally, as shown in Figure 14, in the process of assembling, the shaft 3 may be fitted with the elastic member 2 first, and then the elastic member 2 is fitted with the hole 11 in the knob 1. The assembling sequence of the knob assembly in the present embodiment is not limited.

[0045] The fitting between the knob 1, the elastic member 2 and the shaft 3 is a relatively movable fitting. When the knob assembly in the present embodiment needs to be maintained, the knob 1, the elastic member 2 and the shaft 3 can be disassembled and assembled at anytime, so as to facilitate the using by the user.

[0046] Moreover, when the elastic member 2 is fixedly connected to the shaft 3 firstly and then is fitted with the hole 11 in the knob 1, the external wall of the elastic member 2 may be provided with a first buckle 21.

[0047] The number of the first buckle 21 on the elastic member 2 is not limited, and it may be designed according to requirement. Wherein the first buckle 21 on the external wall of the elastic member 2 may protrude outwards, and when being pressed, the first buckle 21 may contract towards the external wall of the elastic member 2.

[0048] Optionally, as shown in Figure 14, the elastic member 2 may be fixedly coupled together with the shaft 3 in advance by die forming firstly, and then the elastic member 2 is fitted with the hole 11 in the knob 1. When the elastic member 2 is fitted with the hole 11 in the knob 1, the first buckle 21 on the external wall of the elastic member 2 may abut against the internal wall of the hole 11 in the knob 1, and may press the knob 1 tightly.

[0049] It is to be explained that, in such an assembling manner, the internal wall of the elastic member 2 may also be provided with a second buckle 22, which is not limited specifically. It is to be explained that, reference may be made to the above described embodiments for the detail technical solutions, which will not be described herein.

[0050] Furthermore, when the elastic member 2 is fixedly connected to the hole 11 in the knob 1 firstly and then is fitted with the shaft 3, the internal wall of the elastic member 2 may be provided with a second buckle 22.

[0051] The number of the second buckle 22 in the elastic member 2 is not limited, and it may be designed according to requirement. Wherein the second buckle 22 on the internal wall of the elastic member 2 may protrude inwards, and when being pressed, the second buckle 22 may contract towards the internal wall of the elastic member 2.

[0052] Optionally, as shown in Figure 13, the elastic member 2 may be fixedly coupled together with the hole 11 in the knob 1 in advance by die forming firstly, and then the elastic member 2 is fitted with the shaft 3. When the elastic member 2 is fitted with the shaft 3, the second buckle 22 on the internal wall of the elastic member 2 may abut against the external wall of the shaft 3, and may press the shaft 3 tightly.

[0053] It is to be explained that, in such an assembling manner, the external wall of the elastic member 2 may also be provided with a first buckle 21, which is not limited. It is to be explained that, reference may be made to the above described embodiments for the detail technical solutions, which will not be described herein.

[0054] The present invention includes a knob 1, an elastic member 2 and a shaft 3, wherein the knob 1 is provided with a hole 11, and wherein the elastic member 2 is provided with a buckle. The elastic member 2 may be fitted with the shaft 3, the elastic member 2 may be fitted with the hole 11 in the knob 1, and the buckle on the elastic member 2 abuts against the knob 1 and /or the shaft 3. According to the embodiments of the present invention, since the elastic member 2 is provided with a buckle, the connection between the elastic member 2 and the shaft 3 and/or the knob 1 may be buffered, and since when the elastic member 2 is fitted with the shaft 3 and /or the hole 11 in the knob 1, the buckle on the elastic member 2 can abut against the knob 1 and /or the shaft 3, the knob is enabled to be connected to the shaft reliably, and the assembling and dissembling are easy to be performed. Therefore, the degree of satisfaction of the users is improved. The knob assembly in the present embodiment has a low use-cost and is durable.

[0055] A knob assembly according to the present invention is described above in detail, and for an ordinary skilled in the art, according to the idea of embodiments of the present invention, variations may be made both in the specific embodiments and in the applicable scope. To sum up, the content of the specification should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

Claims

1. A knob assembly, comprising: a knob (1), an elastic member (2) and a shaft (3); wherein the knob (1) is provided with a hole (11); the elastic member (2) is provided with a buckle; the elastic member (2) is fitted with the shaft (3), the elastic member (2) is fitted with the hole (11) in the knob (1), and the buckle on the elastic member (2) abuts against the knob (1) and /or the shaft (3).

2. The knob assembly according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member (2) is provided on its external wall with a first buckle (21), and the elastic member (2) is provided on its internal wall with a second buckle (22), the first buckle (21) protruding outwards and the second buckle (22) protruding inwards; the elastic member (2) is fitted with the shaft (3), and the second buckle (22) on the internal wall of the elastic member (2) abuts against the external wall of the shaft (3); the elastic member (2) is fitted with the hole (11) in the knob (1), and the first buckle (21) on the external wall of the elastic member (2) abuts against the internal wall of the hole (11).

3. The knob assembly according to claim 2, wherein the protruding end of the second buckle (22) on the internal wall of the elastic member (2) is oriented opposite to the protruding end of the first buckle (21) on the external wall of the elastic member (2).

4. The knob assembly according to claim 1, wherein the external wall of the elastic member (2) is provided with a first buckle (21); the elastic member (2) is fixedly connected to the shaft (3), the elastic member (2) is fitted with the hole (11) in the knob (1), and the first buckle (21) on the external wall of the elastic member (2) abuts against the internal wall of the hole (11).

5. The knob assembly according to claim 4, wherein the first buckle (21) on the external wall of the elastic member (2) protrudes outwards, and when being pressed, the first buckle (21) will contract towards the external wall of the elastic member (2).

6. The knob assembly according to claim 1, wherein the internal wall of the elastic member (2) is provided with a second buckle (22); the elastic member (2) is fixedly connected to the hole (11) in the knob (1), the elastic member (2) is fitted with the shaft (3), and the second buckle (22) on the internal wall of the elastic member (2) abuts against the external wall of the shaft (3).

7. The knob assembly according to claim 6, wherein the second buckle (22) on the internal wall of the elastic member (2) protrudes inwards, and when being pressed, the second buckle (22) will contract towards the internal wall of the elastic member (2).

8. The knob assembly according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member (2) is formed by an elastic material bent in a semi-closed shape; the elastic material is spring steel, stainless steel, or copper.

9. The knob assembly according to claim 8, wherein the sectional shape of the elastic member (2) after being bent is a semi-circular, a circular, an ellipse or a polygonal shape.

10. The knob assembly according to any one of the claims 1 to 9, wherein the knob assembly comprises the knob (1), the elastic member (2) and the shaft (3) in this order from external to internal; the elastic member (2) wraps the shaft (3), and the internal wall of the hole (11) in the knob (1) wraps the elastic member (2).