US3205466A - Miniaturized variable resistor and switch - Google Patents

Miniaturized variable resistor and switch Download PDF

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Publication number
US3205466A
US3205466A US159050A US15905061A US3205466A US 3205466 A US3205466 A US 3205466A US 159050 A US159050 A US 159050A US 15905061 A US15905061 A US 15905061A US 3205466 A US3205466 A US 3205466A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
switch
base
blade
flat
cam
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US159050A
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English (en)
Inventor
Karl W Youngbeck
Charles R Goerg
Roy Kenneth
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.)
Globe Union Inc
Original Assignee
Globe Union Inc
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 Globe Union Inc filed Critical Globe Union Inc
Priority to US159050A priority Critical patent/US3205466A/en
Priority to GB31589/62A priority patent/GB1009995A/en
Priority to DE1515756A priority patent/DE1515756B2/de
Priority to CH1020362A priority patent/CH399574A/de
Priority to FR918342A priority patent/FR1344630A/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3205466A publication Critical patent/US3205466A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • 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
    • 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

Definitions

  • This invention relates to improved variable resistor and integral switch arrangements which are designed for use in miniature electrical devices such as hearing aids andpocket receivers.
  • the primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved variable resistor and switch in which the switch is so arranged with respect to the variable resistor that it requires a minimum of space.
  • Another object is to provide an improved switch and variable resistor arrangement which provides a distinct .feel whenthe switch is moved to the off position.
  • a further object is to provide an improved switch and variable resistor in which the switch i electrically quiet during the operation of the resistor.
  • Another object is to provide an improved variable resistor and switch which has relatively few parts.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved variable resistor and switch in which the relationship of the operating parts is determined by aligning members on the molded parts.
  • an operating shaft and a number of electrical terminals into the variable resistor base.
  • the operating shaft is secured to one of the terminals to provide a centrally disposed contact for the resistor.
  • a resistance element is positioned in a groove provided on one side of the base in electrical contact with two of the other electrical contact with two of the otherelectrical terminals.
  • a hollow operating knob is mounted on the shaft and slides on the surface of the base forming a sealed cavity around the resistance element.
  • An electrical connector is carried by the operating knobto complete a circuit from the variable resistance element to the operating shaft. The resistance of the circuit is varied by rotating the operating knob on the shaft to slide the connector across the resistance element.
  • a pair of flat switch terminals are secured to the back of the-base and extend laterally outward therefrom.
  • a switch blade is mounted on one of the terminals and is spring biased into wiping engagement with the other terminal to make electrical contact therewith.
  • the switch blade is movable in the space between the plane of the switch terminals and the plane of the outside surface of the operating knob.
  • a cam molded to the side of the operating knob is used to actuate the switch and is contoured to provide a positive feel when the switch is opened or closed. Locating the switch on the side of the base reduces the thickness of the resistor with a small increase in the width of the resistor. Actuating the switch by a cam located on the side of the operating knob reduces the number of parts to be assembled simplifying manufacture.
  • the location of the electrical contactor with respect to the switch camand the. location of the switch terminals with'respect to the limit stop are both determined during he molding of the base and operating knob thereby eliminating the need for special assembly procedures in manufacturing the resistor.
  • FIG. 1 is a front view of the switch
  • FIG. 2 is a side view of the switch
  • FIG. 3 is a vertical section view taken along line 33 of FIG. 2 with the switch closed and the knob in the central position;
  • FIG. 4v is a vertical section view taken along line 44 of FIG. 1 showing how the unit is held together by the retaining ring;
  • FIG. 5 is a back view of the switch
  • FIG. 6 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 3 but the knob has been rotated counter-clockwise to the stop position and the switch is opened by the cam;
  • FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the contacts and center post before the center post is peened to the center contact
  • FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the switch and also showing the center post and fixed contacts molded into the base;
  • FIG. 9 is a fragmentary view of the back of the knob.
  • the combined variable resistor and line switch includes terminals 10, 12, and 14 (FIG. 7) which are stamped from a flat strip of electrically conductive material with a common member 16 (shown dotted) left to support the terminals.
  • An operating shaft 18 is inserted into hole 20 in the center terminal and permanently secured thereto by peening the end of the shaft.
  • a base 22 is molded onto the terminals so that the operating shaft and terminals become an integral part of the base.
  • the common member 16 is then cut off of the terminals.
  • An arcuate groove 24 is provided on one face of the base with ends 26 and 28 of terminals 10 and 14 being flush with the bottom surface of the groove.
  • a phenolic resistance element 30 is contoured to fit tightly in the groove and is secured therein by any suitable adhesive.
  • the ends of the resistance element are silver tipped shown generally at 32 to provide a positive electrical connection between the resistance element and the electrical terminals.
  • the operating shaft has a flange 34 which is embedded in the base with one surface of the flange raised slightly above the surface of the base to prevent molding flash and exposed to form a contact surface.
  • a molded plastic operating knob 36 is mounted on the base by inserting the end of the operating shaft through hole 38 in the operating knob and snapping retaining ring 40 into groove 42 in the operating shaft.
  • the operating knob has a large diameter finger engaging portion and an annular flange 44 of smaller diameter.
  • the annular flang 44 is molded integral with the knob and engages the outer edge of the base around the perimeter of groove 24 to form a cavity between the operating knob and the base.
  • the flange has a depth slightly greater than the distance from groove 42 to the face of the base so that the center of the knob is bent slightly to allow room for the retaining ring which will bias the flange against the face of the base forming a seal therewith to keep the cavity free of foreign material as enumerated above.
  • the resistance element and flange of the operating shaft are electrically connected by contactor 46 which is stamped from an electrically conductive flat strip and bent to form two wiping contacts 48 and 50.
  • the contactor is mounted on the operating knob by heat sealing posts 52 in holes 54 and the contaetor is bent so that the electrical contacts are biased into engagement with the surface of the shaft flange and resistance element.
  • the contactor and operating knob can be rotated in either direction until one or the other of limit stops 51 abuts stop 56 molded integral with the face of the base midway between the ends of the resistance-element.
  • a line switch shown generally at 58 is provided on one side of the base in the horizontal plane of the base and is actuated by a cam 60 molded on the outer surface of the flange on the operating knob.
  • the cam is positioned to open the line switch when contact 50 is near one end of the resistance element (FIG. 6) and will not engage the switch in any other position of the operating knob.
  • the line switch includes a flat stationary terminal 62 and a flat pivot terminal 64 both of which are secured to the back surface of the base.
  • the switch terminals can be mounted at 90, 180, and 270 with respect to the resistance element. Locating nibs 66 may be provided on the back of the base to engage holes 65 and align the terminals on the base if desired.
  • a pivot post 68 is mounted in hole 70 in the pivot terminal and supports a switch blade 72 for rotary motion into engagement with the stationary terminal.
  • the switch is biased to a closed position by spiral spring 74 which has one end abutting the side of the base and the other end biased into engagement with tab 76 bent downward from the plane of the blade.
  • End 78 of the switch blade is bent slightly outward from the plane of the blade and tip 80 of the switch blade bent inward to provide a positive wiping contact surface between the switch blade and fixed contact which is self-cleaning.
  • the switch blade is actuated by a cam formed on the outer surface of the flange 44 and not extending beyond the outer periphery of the operating knob.
  • This cam 4 engages a cam follower.82 bent downward from the plane of the blade.
  • the cam has fast dropping cam surfaces 84 on its outer surface to provide a positive feel when the blade is moved from the opento the closed position.
  • An overtravel tab 86 is provided on the switch blade to engage the surface of the'base thereby preventing overtravel of the switch blade.
  • Mounting tabs 88 may be provided on the terminals 62 and 64 if required for mounting the variable resistor on an electrical device.
  • the depth of the small diameter annular flange 44 combined with the depth of the base 22 is just suflicient to accommodate the pivot post 68, the spring 64, and the switch blade 72.
  • the switch may lie beneath the large diameter finger engaging portion of the operating knob.
  • pivot supporting terminal secured to said fiat back surface, said pivot supporting terminal having a portion projecting laterally from the side of said base to provide a flat bearing surface for a switch blade, said bearing surface lying in the plane of said back surface,
  • a switch blade pivoted to said pivot supporting terminal having its swinging end angled from the plane of the blade to provide a sloping surface for engaging the edge and surface of the switch blade contact surface on said stationary terminal with a wiping action, said blade having a tab which projects towards and engages said base to fix the closed position of said blade, said blade having a cam follower which is spaced from the side of said base in the closed position of said switch,
  • a molded operating knob rotatably carried by said base for operating the resistance device, said knob having a large diameter finger engaging portion and an annular flange of smaller diameter, spaced from said tab in the closed position of said switch, said smaller diameter flange being of a depth suflicient to permit said terminals, switch blade and spring to lie beneath said finger engaging portion, said annular flange having a cam molded on the outer surface thereof provided with a sharply inclined surface, a peak and a switch open seat, said cam engaging said cam follower to move said switch blade into open position as said knob is rotated in one direction, said-earn follower sliding over said peak and down into said switch open seat with a snap-off feel, said cam follower riding over said peak and down said sharply inclined surface to let said blade snap into closed position with a snap-on feel upon rotation in the opposite direction.
  • a molded base providing a common support for the resistance device and switch, said base having a flat back surface provided with four locating nibs equally angularly spaced with respect to the axis of rotation of the control,
  • a flat stock stationary terminal having a pair of holes spaced to fit over any two adjacent nibs and secured to said flat surface, said stationary terminal having a portion projecting laterally from the side of said base to provide a switch blade contact edge and surface which lies in the plane of said back surface,
  • a fiat stock pivot supporting terminal having a pair of holes spaced to fit over any two adjacent nibs secured to said flat back surface, said pivot supporting terminal having a portion projecting laterally from the side of said base to provide a flat bearing surface for a switch blade, said bearing surface lying in the plane of said back surface,
  • a switch blade pivoted to said pivot supporting terminal having its swinging end angled from the plane of the blade to provide a sloping surface for engaging the edge and surface of the switch blade contact surface on said stationary terminal with a wiping action, said blade having a tab which projects towards and engages said base to fix the closed position of said blade, said blade having a cam follower which is spaced from the side of said base in the closed position of said switch,
  • a molded operating knob rotatably carried by said base for operating the resistance device, said knob having a large diameter finger engaging portion and an annular flange of smaller diameter spaced from said tab in the closed position of said switch, said smaller diameter flange being of a depth sufficient to permit said terminals, switch blade and spring to lie beneath said finger engaging portion, said annular flange having a cam molded on the outer surface thereof provided with a.
  • a m-iniaturized electrical control device comprising,
  • variable resistance means mounted on one side of said base,
  • an electrically conductive shaft molded in said base having a flange adapted to be contacted by an electrical contactor
  • a spring type contactor formed from a single strip of material and folded back on itself to provide two wiping contacts connected to said operating knob, a pair of spaced openings in the folded over portion of said contactor through which said posts project, both of said posts having the outer ends thereof heat sealed over said contactor to rigidly mount said contactor to said operating knob,
  • one of said wiping contacts being in wiping engagement with said variable resistance means and the other of said wiping contacts being in engagement with said flange.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Adjustable Resistors (AREA)
  • Rotary Switch, Piano Key Switch, And Lever Switch (AREA)
US159050A 1961-12-13 1961-12-13 Miniaturized variable resistor and switch Expired - Lifetime US3205466A (en)

Priority Applications (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US159050A US3205466A (en) 1961-12-13 1961-12-13 Miniaturized variable resistor and switch
GB31589/62A GB1009995A (en) 1961-12-13 1962-08-17 Improvements in electrical components
DE1515756A DE1515756B2 (de) 1961-12-13 1962-08-24 Kleinpotentiometer mit angebautem Netzschalter
CH1020362A CH399574A (de) 1961-12-13 1962-08-28 Elektrische Steuervorrichtung
FR918342A FR1344630A (fr) 1961-12-13 1962-12-12 Système électrique composite à résistance variable et commutateur incorporés

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US159050A US3205466A (en) 1961-12-13 1961-12-13 Miniaturized variable resistor and switch

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3205466A true US3205466A (en) 1965-09-07

Family

ID=22570872

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US159050A Expired - Lifetime US3205466A (en) 1961-12-13 1961-12-13 Miniaturized variable resistor and switch

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US3205466A (de)
CH (1) CH399574A (de)
DE (1) DE1515756B2 (de)
FR (1) FR1344630A (de)
GB (1) GB1009995A (de)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3312925A (en) * 1963-10-30 1967-04-04 Carter Prec Electric Co Electric switch apparatus
US3314036A (en) * 1964-07-24 1967-04-11 Bourns Inc Helical-element variable resistor
US3428887A (en) * 1966-04-28 1969-02-18 Honeywell Inc Combination switch and variable resistor system
US3662314A (en) * 1968-07-30 1972-05-09 Piher Navarra Sa Adjustable annular potentiometer with terminal attachment means
US3947800A (en) * 1974-02-04 1976-03-30 Cts Corporation Variable resistance control
US4721940A (en) * 1985-09-19 1988-01-26 Alps Electric Co., Ltd. Thin type variable resistor
US8253007B1 (en) * 2009-11-18 2012-08-28 Richard Ned Steinberger Potentiometer control for musical instruments
US20170178770A1 (en) * 2015-12-18 2017-06-22 Taiwan Alpha Electronic Co., Ltd. Rotary variable resistor
CN106935343A (zh) * 2015-12-30 2017-07-07 台湾艾华电子工业股份有限公司 旋转式可变电阻器

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2040277A (en) * 1933-12-21 1936-05-12 David T Siegel Rheostat and potentiometer
US2329949A (en) * 1941-11-12 1943-09-21 Sonotone Corp Rheostat device
US2974299A (en) * 1959-01-02 1961-03-07 Globe Union Inc Miniature variable resistance device

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2040277A (en) * 1933-12-21 1936-05-12 David T Siegel Rheostat and potentiometer
US2329949A (en) * 1941-11-12 1943-09-21 Sonotone Corp Rheostat device
US2974299A (en) * 1959-01-02 1961-03-07 Globe Union Inc Miniature variable resistance device

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3312925A (en) * 1963-10-30 1967-04-04 Carter Prec Electric Co Electric switch apparatus
US3314036A (en) * 1964-07-24 1967-04-11 Bourns Inc Helical-element variable resistor
US3428887A (en) * 1966-04-28 1969-02-18 Honeywell Inc Combination switch and variable resistor system
US3662314A (en) * 1968-07-30 1972-05-09 Piher Navarra Sa Adjustable annular potentiometer with terminal attachment means
US4482883A (en) * 1968-07-30 1984-11-13 Piher Sociedad Anonima Annular potentiometer with terminal
US3947800A (en) * 1974-02-04 1976-03-30 Cts Corporation Variable resistance control
US4721940A (en) * 1985-09-19 1988-01-26 Alps Electric Co., Ltd. Thin type variable resistor
US8253007B1 (en) * 2009-11-18 2012-08-28 Richard Ned Steinberger Potentiometer control for musical instruments
US20170178770A1 (en) * 2015-12-18 2017-06-22 Taiwan Alpha Electronic Co., Ltd. Rotary variable resistor
US10163552B2 (en) * 2015-12-18 2018-12-25 Taiwan Alpha Electronic Co., Ltd. Rotary variable resistor
CN106935343A (zh) * 2015-12-30 2017-07-07 台湾艾华电子工业股份有限公司 旋转式可变电阻器

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR1344630A (fr) 1963-11-29
DE1515756B2 (de) 1973-11-15
DE1515756A1 (de) 1970-01-15
GB1009995A (en) 1965-11-17
CH399574A (de) 1965-09-30

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