US3465277A - Linear motion potentiometer actuator - Google Patents

Linear motion potentiometer actuator Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3465277A
US3465277A US660652A US3465277DA US3465277A US 3465277 A US3465277 A US 3465277A US 660652 A US660652 A US 660652A US 3465277D A US3465277D A US 3465277DA US 3465277 A US3465277 A US 3465277A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
housing
knob
slide
linear motion
pin
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
US660652A
Inventor
Mogens W Bang
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.)
Stackpole Carbon Co
Original Assignee
Stackpole Carbon Co
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 Stackpole Carbon Co filed Critical Stackpole Carbon Co
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3465277A publication Critical patent/US3465277A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01C—RESISTORS
    • H01C10/00—Adjustable resistors
    • H01C10/30—Adjustable resistors the contact sliding along resistive element
    • H01C10/38—Adjustable resistors the contact sliding along resistive element the contact moving along a straight path
    • H01C10/40—Adjustable resistors the contact sliding along resistive element the contact moving along a straight path screw operated
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01C—RESISTORS
    • H01C10/00—Adjustable resistors
    • H01C10/30—Adjustable resistors the contact sliding along resistive element
    • H01C10/38—Adjustable resistors the contact sliding along resistive element the contact moving along a straight path

Definitions

  • FIG. 1 is a front view of the potentiometer
  • FIG. 2 is a side view thereof with part broken away;
  • FIG. 3 is a cross-section taken on line III-III of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 4 is a fragmentary front view of a modification
  • FIG. 5 is a central longitudinal section
  • FIG. 6 is a cross-section taken on the line VI-VI of FIG. 5;
  • FIG. 7 is an end view, partly broken away in section of a further embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 8 is a front view of this last embodiment.
  • the long rectangular housing 1 of the potentiometer may be formed from a molded plastic or other suitable rigid material.
  • the housing preferably is made from two molded half sections that have meeting edges extending from front to back across the end walls of the housing and lengthwise along its back or base. The half sections are joined together in any suitable manner, such as by adhesive for example.
  • the front or top of the housing is provided with a centrally located recess 2 extending lengthwise of the housing for nearly its full length. Extending lengthwise along the central portion of the recess is a slot 3 with parallel sides.
  • a rectangular slide 5 Slidably mounted in the slot for movement lengthwise of the housing is a rectangular slide 5 that has side flanges 6 inside the housing in engagement with the inner surface of the front wall at opposite sides of the slot.
  • a post 7 Extending from the center of the slide toward the back of the housing is a post 7, on which is mounted a coil spring 8 that serves as a bridging contact.
  • This coil engages a metal collector strip 9 and an electrical resistance strip 10 at opposite sides of the inside of the housing.
  • the collector strip is provided with an integral terminal 11 that extends through the back of the housing, while each end of the resistance strip is connected to a metal terminal 12 likewise extending through the back.
  • the resistance terminals may take the form of spring clips that clamp onto the opposite ends of the strip as shown in FIG. 3.
  • the center of the slide is provided with an integral pin 14 that projects away from the housing.
  • a knob 15 that has an inner portion disposed in housing recess 2 and provided with gear teeth 16. These teeth mesh with a row of rack teeth 17 projecting from one side wall of the recess. When the knob is turned, the meshing teeth compel it to travel lengthwise of the housing and thereby move the slide accordingly.
  • a kerf 18 it is preferred to provide them with a kerf 18 to receive a screwdriver for turning them. It will be seen that it is much easier to control the movements of the slide by rotating the knob than it would be by merely pushing the slide along the slot in the absence of the gear. In other words, it is easier to turn the knob a very few degrees in order to move the slide a slight distance than it is to push the slide the same small distance.
  • knob also serves the purpose of holding the slide in the housing slot. This is done by providing the knob with an axial passage 20 having an enlarged outer end portion forming a circular socket 21 that receives the enlarged spherical head of pin 14. To permit the knob and pin to be assembled, the pin is provided with an axial slot 22 extending inwardly from its outer end. When the flaring wall at the inner end of the knob passage is pushed against the head of the pin, the two parts of the pin are squeezed together and slide through the passage until they can spread out again in the knob socket. This locks the knob and pin together, but permits the knob to rotate. The knob holds the flanges of the slide against the front wall of the housing, and the pin holds the knob against the base of the housing recess. Assembling of knob and slide is merely a matter of snapping them together.
  • the slide 25 has an outer portion that engages the front of the housing at opposite sides of the longitudinal slot 26 in the potentiometer housing 27.
  • the slide is provided with lateral grooves 28 receiving the side walls of the slot so that the slide can move neither inwardly nor outwardly.
  • the exposed portion of the slide is pro vided with a gap 29, at the center of which there is a pin 30 integral with the slide but extending outwardly away from it.
  • a knob 31 Rotatably mounted on this pin is a knob 31 that may be held in place by a split head on the outer end of the pin in a socket 32 at the outer end of the passage through the knob.
  • the inner end portion of the knob is reduced in diameter and extends into the gap 29 in the slide. This reduced portion is provided with gear teeth 34 that mesh with rack teeth 35 projecting from one side wall of the recess 36 extending along the front of the housing. When the knob is turned, the gear will travel along the rack and thereby move the slide lengthwise of the housing.
  • the slide carries a bridging contact 37, which may be in the form of a coil spring seated in a frame 38 forming an integral part of the slide. This contact engages a metal collector strip 39 and a resistance strip 40 extending along opposite sides of the inside of the housing.
  • FIGS. 7 and 8 A further embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.
  • the slide 42 again is provided with a central pin 43, on which a knob 44 is rotatably disposed, but in this case the knob does not have to be locked onto the pin because it is held in place by projecting through a slot 45 in a mounting panel 46 in front of the potentiometer housing 47.
  • the inner end of the knob is provided with a flange 48, the outer side of which engages the back of the panel while the inner end of the knob engages the body of the slide.
  • the parts are held in this position by a circuit board 49, into which the terminals 50 of the potentiometer are plugged.
  • the circuit board is rigidly mounted a fixed distance from the panel in any suitable manner.
  • the inner end of the knob does not project into a recess in the front of the potentiometer housing and the housing is not provided with rack teeth. Instead, one of the side walls of panel slot 45 is provided with rack teeth 52, some of which always register with gear teeth 53 on the knob. When the knob is turned, the rack teeth force it to move along the panel slot and thereby move the slide lengthwise of the potentiometer housing.
  • the panel may be provided with two or more slots as shown, to accommodate the knobs of a corresponding number of potentiometers.
  • a linear motion potentiometer comprising an elongated housing having a front and back connected by side walls, the front of the housing having a longitudinal slot therein, resistance and collector elements disposed in the housing lengthwise thereof, a slide disposed in said slot and movable lengthwise thereof, a bridging contact inside the housing carried by the slide in sliding engagement with said elements, a pin rigidly connected to the slide and projecting away from the front of the slot, a knob provided with an axial passage therethrough receiving said pin and having an enlarged outer end portion forming a circular socket, the outer end portion of the pin being enlarged to form a head seated in said socket, the knob having a portion provided with gear teeth, and a row of rack teeth that extends lengthwise of said housing at one side of the knob, said gear teeth meshing with the rack teeth so that when the knob is turned its gear teeth will travel along the row of rack teeth and move the slide along said slot.
  • a linear motion potentiometer according to claim 1 in which said slide is provided with lateral flanges inside the housing, and said knob holds said flanges against the front wall of the housing.
  • said pin is integral with the slide and is provided with an axial slot extending inwardly from its outer end to permit the two halves of the pin to be sprung together so that said head can be passed through the knob passage and into said socket.
  • a linear motion potentiometer in which the front of said housing has a longitudinal recess therein receiving the gear tooth portion of said knob, and said rack teeth project from one side of the recess toward the knob.
  • a linear motion potentiometer in which said slide is provided with lateral grooves receiving the side walls of said slot to support the slide, the exposed portion of the slide being provided with a gap beside said pin for receiving said gear teeth.
  • a linear motion potentiometer in combination with a panel provided with a slot receiving the gear tooth portion of said knob and extending lengthwise of said housing, one side of said panel slot being provided with said row of rack teeth projecting toward the knob.
  • a linear motion potentiometer in which the inner end of said knob is encircled by an integral flange between said gear teeth and the housing, and said flange engages one side of said panel.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Adjustable Resistors (AREA)

Description

Sept. 2, 1969 M. w. BANG 3,465,277
LINEAR MOTION POTENTIOMETER ACTUATOR INVENTOR.
M06NS 14 BANG 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Aug. 15, 1967 Sept. 2, 1969 M. w. BANG LINEAR MOTION POTENTIOMETER ACTUATOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 15, 1967 INVENTOR. 'MOGfA/SMZ BA/VG ATTORNA-KS.
United States Patent 3,465,277 LINEAR MOTION POTENTIOMETER ACTUATOR Mogens W. Bang, Ridgway, Pa., assignor to Stackpole Carbon Company, St. Marys, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Aug. 15, 1967, Ser. No. 660,652 Int. Cl. H01c /02, N02
US. Cl. 338-183 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE It is among the objects of this invention to provide a linear motion potentiometer, in which very fine adjustments of the bridging contact along the resistance element can be made very easily.
The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a front view of the potentiometer;
FIG. 2 is a side view thereof with part broken away;
FIG. 3 is a cross-section taken on line III-III of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary front view of a modification;
FIG. 5 is a central longitudinal section;
FIG. 6 is a cross-section taken on the line VI-VI of FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is an end view, partly broken away in section of a further embodiment of the invention; and
FIG. 8 is a front view of this last embodiment.
Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3 of the drawings, the long rectangular housing 1 of the potentiometer may be formed from a molded plastic or other suitable rigid material. The housing preferably is made from two molded half sections that have meeting edges extending from front to back across the end walls of the housing and lengthwise along its back or base. The half sections are joined together in any suitable manner, such as by adhesive for example. The front or top of the housing is provided with a centrally located recess 2 extending lengthwise of the housing for nearly its full length. Extending lengthwise along the central portion of the recess is a slot 3 with parallel sides.
Slidably mounted in the slot for movement lengthwise of the housing is a rectangular slide 5 that has side flanges 6 inside the housing in engagement with the inner surface of the front wall at opposite sides of the slot. Extending from the center of the slide toward the back of the housing is a post 7, on which is mounted a coil spring 8 that serves as a bridging contact. This coil engages a metal collector strip 9 and an electrical resistance strip 10 at opposite sides of the inside of the housing. The collector strip is provided with an integral terminal 11 that extends through the back of the housing, while each end of the resistance strip is connected to a metal terminal 12 likewise extending through the back. The resistance terminals may take the form of spring clips that clamp onto the opposite ends of the strip as shown in FIG. 3.
In order to move the slide back and forth to adjust the potentiometer, the center of the slide is provided with an integral pin 14 that projects away from the housing. Rotatably mounted on this pin is a knob 15 that has an inner portion disposed in housing recess 2 and provided with gear teeth 16. These teeth mesh with a row of rack teeth 17 projecting from one side wall of the recess. When the knob is turned, the meshing teeth compel it to travel lengthwise of the housing and thereby move the slide accordingly. For small knobs, it is preferred to provide them with a kerf 18 to receive a screwdriver for turning them. It will be seen that it is much easier to control the movements of the slide by rotating the knob than it would be by merely pushing the slide along the slot in the absence of the gear. In other words, it is easier to turn the knob a very few degrees in order to move the slide a slight distance than it is to push the slide the same small distance.
'Ihe knob also serves the purpose of holding the slide in the housing slot. This is done by providing the knob with an axial passage 20 having an enlarged outer end portion forming a circular socket 21 that receives the enlarged spherical head of pin 14. To permit the knob and pin to be assembled, the pin is provided with an axial slot 22 extending inwardly from its outer end. When the flaring wall at the inner end of the knob passage is pushed against the head of the pin, the two parts of the pin are squeezed together and slide through the passage until they can spread out again in the knob socket. This locks the knob and pin together, but permits the knob to rotate. The knob holds the flanges of the slide against the front wall of the housing, and the pin holds the knob against the base of the housing recess. Assembling of knob and slide is merely a matter of snapping them together.
In the modification shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, the slide 25 has an outer portion that engages the front of the housing at opposite sides of the longitudinal slot 26 in the potentiometer housing 27. In other words, the slide is provided with lateral grooves 28 receiving the side walls of the slot so that the slide can move neither inwardly nor outwardly. The exposed portion of the slide is pro vided with a gap 29, at the center of which there is a pin 30 integral with the slide but extending outwardly away from it. Rotatably mounted on this pin is a knob 31 that may be held in place by a split head on the outer end of the pin in a socket 32 at the outer end of the passage through the knob.
The inner end portion of the knob is reduced in diameter and extends into the gap 29 in the slide. This reduced portion is provided with gear teeth 34 that mesh with rack teeth 35 projecting from one side wall of the recess 36 extending along the front of the housing. When the knob is turned, the gear will travel along the rack and thereby move the slide lengthwise of the housing. Inside the housing, the slide carries a bridging contact 37, which may be in the form of a coil spring seated in a frame 38 forming an integral part of the slide. This contact engages a metal collector strip 39 and a resistance strip 40 extending along opposite sides of the inside of the housing.
A further embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The slide 42 again is provided with a central pin 43, on which a knob 44 is rotatably disposed, but in this case the knob does not have to be locked onto the pin because it is held in place by projecting through a slot 45 in a mounting panel 46 in front of the potentiometer housing 47. The inner end of the knob is provided with a flange 48, the outer side of which engages the back of the panel while the inner end of the knob engages the body of the slide. The parts are held in this position by a circuit board 49, into which the terminals 50 of the potentiometer are plugged. The circuit board is rigidly mounted a fixed distance from the panel in any suitable manner.
Another distinction between this potentiometer and the ones described above is that the inner end of the knob does not project into a recess in the front of the potentiometer housing and the housing is not provided with rack teeth. Instead, one of the side walls of panel slot 45 is provided with rack teeth 52, some of which always register with gear teeth 53 on the knob. When the knob is turned, the rack teeth force it to move along the panel slot and thereby move the slide lengthwise of the potentiometer housing. If desired, the panel may be provided with two or more slots as shown, to accommodate the knobs of a corresponding number of potentiometers.
According to the provisions of the patent statutes, I have explained the principle of my invention and have illustrated and described what I now consider to represent its best embodiment. However, I desire to have it understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described.
I claim:
1. A linear motion potentiometer comprising an elongated housing having a front and back connected by side walls, the front of the housing having a longitudinal slot therein, resistance and collector elements disposed in the housing lengthwise thereof, a slide disposed in said slot and movable lengthwise thereof, a bridging contact inside the housing carried by the slide in sliding engagement with said elements, a pin rigidly connected to the slide and projecting away from the front of the slot, a knob provided with an axial passage therethrough receiving said pin and having an enlarged outer end portion forming a circular socket, the outer end portion of the pin being enlarged to form a head seated in said socket, the knob having a portion provided with gear teeth, and a row of rack teeth that extends lengthwise of said housing at one side of the knob, said gear teeth meshing with the rack teeth so that when the knob is turned its gear teeth will travel along the row of rack teeth and move the slide along said slot.
2. A linear motion potentiometer according to claim 1, in which said slide is provided with lateral flanges inside the housing, and said knob holds said flanges against the front wall of the housing.
3. A linear motion potentiometer according to claim 1,
in which said pin is integral with the slide and is provided with an axial slot extending inwardly from its outer end to permit the two halves of the pin to be sprung together so that said head can be passed through the knob passage and into said socket.
4. A linear motion potentiometer according to claim 1, in which the front of said housing has a longitudinal recess therein receiving the gear tooth portion of said knob, and said rack teeth project from one side of the recess toward the knob.
5. A linear motion potentiometer according to claim 4, in which said knob overlies the housing at opposite sides of said recess and engages the housing only in the recess.
6. A linear motion potentiometer according to claim 4, in which said slide is provided with lateral grooves receiving the side walls of said slot to support the slide, the exposed portion of the slide being provided with a gap beside said pin for receiving said gear teeth.
7. A linear motion potentiometer according to claim 1, in combination with a panel provided with a slot receiving the gear tooth portion of said knob and extending lengthwise of said housing, one side of said panel slot being provided with said row of rack teeth projecting toward the knob.
8. A linear motion potentiometer according to claim 7, in which the inner end of said knob is encircled by an integral flange between said gear teeth and the housing, and said flange engages one side of said panel.
References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,362,004 1/1968 Bang 33s 1s5 2,091,371 8/1937 McMaster 338181 789,456 5/1905 Rupley 338-182 LEWIS H. MYERS, Primary Examiner A. T. GRIMLEY, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 338184, 199
US660652A 1967-08-15 1967-08-15 Linear motion potentiometer actuator Expired - Lifetime US3465277A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US66065267A 1967-08-15 1967-08-15

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3465277A true US3465277A (en) 1969-09-02

Family

ID=24650412

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US660652A Expired - Lifetime US3465277A (en) 1967-08-15 1967-08-15 Linear motion potentiometer actuator

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US3465277A (en)
BE (1) BE713367A (en)
FR (1) FR1575034A (en)
GB (1) GB1186645A (en)
NL (1) NL6810843A (en)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3582860A (en) * 1969-05-05 1971-06-01 Selectron International Co Inc Electrical control device
US3603855A (en) * 1970-08-19 1971-09-07 Stackpole Carbon Co Linear motion variable resistor with bridging contact in slide
US3603854A (en) * 1970-08-09 1971-09-07 Stackpole Carbon Co Variable resistor with tilted contact
US3617979A (en) * 1970-10-05 1971-11-02 Stackpole Carbon Co Linear motion potentiometer with gears and rack
US3621440A (en) * 1968-11-20 1971-11-16 Helmut Eberwein Slide resistor
US3708777A (en) * 1971-05-28 1973-01-02 Hopt Electronic Gmbh Fa Sliding potentiometer with a slider movable by a roller gear
US3970985A (en) * 1975-07-30 1976-07-20 Sage William S Lineal controlled resistance device

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US789456A (en) * 1901-09-20 1905-05-09 Gen Electric Automatic rheostat.
US2091371A (en) * 1934-04-16 1937-08-31 G M Lab Inc Rheostat
US3362004A (en) * 1966-03-30 1968-01-02 Stackpole Carbon Co Straight potentiometer with linear motion contact

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US789456A (en) * 1901-09-20 1905-05-09 Gen Electric Automatic rheostat.
US2091371A (en) * 1934-04-16 1937-08-31 G M Lab Inc Rheostat
US3362004A (en) * 1966-03-30 1968-01-02 Stackpole Carbon Co Straight potentiometer with linear motion contact

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3621440A (en) * 1968-11-20 1971-11-16 Helmut Eberwein Slide resistor
US3582860A (en) * 1969-05-05 1971-06-01 Selectron International Co Inc Electrical control device
US3603854A (en) * 1970-08-09 1971-09-07 Stackpole Carbon Co Variable resistor with tilted contact
US3603855A (en) * 1970-08-19 1971-09-07 Stackpole Carbon Co Linear motion variable resistor with bridging contact in slide
US3617979A (en) * 1970-10-05 1971-11-02 Stackpole Carbon Co Linear motion potentiometer with gears and rack
US3708777A (en) * 1971-05-28 1973-01-02 Hopt Electronic Gmbh Fa Sliding potentiometer with a slider movable by a roller gear
US3970985A (en) * 1975-07-30 1976-07-20 Sage William S Lineal controlled resistance device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB1186645A (en) 1970-04-02
FR1575034A (en) 1969-07-18
NL6810843A (en) 1969-02-18
BE713367A (en) 1968-08-16

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US3362004A (en) Straight potentiometer with linear motion contact
US2668218A (en) Translatory potentiometer
US3465277A (en) Linear motion potentiometer actuator
US2860217A (en) Adjustable electrical instruments
US2831094A (en) Variable resistor construction
US2886681A (en) Variable resistor construction
US3050704A (en) Rectilinear variable resistor
US3742421A (en) Potentiometer having a transport screw and diamond shaped contact spring
US3639706A (en) Reciprocating switch mechanism with improved thumbwheel actuator including rack and pinion structure
US3728499A (en) Adjustable electrical control device with longitudinal indexing for slide switch
US3732521A (en) Mounting means and slideable electrical contact for linear potentiometer
US3124780A (en) Rectilinearly adjustable variable
US3431530A (en) Gear and rack potentiometer actuator
US3497857A (en) Combined linear motion potentiometer and switch
US3453584A (en) Sliding contact unit for potentiometer
GB2037086A (en) Twopiece trimming potentiometer
US2999994A (en) Adjustable electrical resistors
US2873340A (en) Variable resistor
US2850607A (en) Variable resistor constructions
US2805307A (en) Variable resistor constructions
US2953763A (en) Variable resistor construction
US3431529A (en) Linear motion potentiometer with protected slide
US3657691A (en) Linear potentiometer with segmented terminal and collector means
US3610845A (en) Linear switch housing assembly with multiple removable contact units
US3670286A (en) Potentiometer adjustable by rotatable drum