US3660796A - Resistor with at least two points of manipulation for adjustment - Google Patents

Resistor with at least two points of manipulation for adjustment Download PDF

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Publication number
US3660796A
US3660796A US108354A US3660796DA US3660796A US 3660796 A US3660796 A US 3660796A US 108354 A US108354 A US 108354A US 3660796D A US3660796D A US 3660796DA US 3660796 A US3660796 A US 3660796A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
lead screw
housing
head
elongated
resistance element
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
US108354A
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English (en)
Inventor
Geoffrey Southwell
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.)
CORNELL-DUBIILIER MARKETING Inc
CORNELL-DUBLILIER MARKETING Inc
Weston Instruments Inc
Original Assignee
Weston Instruments Inc
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Publication date
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Publication of US3660796A publication Critical patent/US3660796A/en
Assigned to CORNELL-DUBIILIER MARKETING, INC. reassignment CORNELL-DUBIILIER MARKETING, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: SANGAMO WESTON, INC., A DE CORP.
Assigned to CORNELL-DUBLILIER MARKETING, INC., reassignment CORNELL-DUBLILIER MARKETING, INC., ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: SANGAMO WESTON, INC., A DE. CORP.
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • 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
    • H01C10/42—Adjustable resistors the contact sliding along resistive element the contact moving along a straight path screw operated the contact bridging and sliding along resistive element and parallel conducting bar or collector
    • 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

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT Fully encased adjustable resistors, typically rectilinear potentiometers, characterized by having at least two points of manipulation for adjustment.
  • a lead screw-operated rectilinear potentiometer has the head of the lead screw exposed at one end of the housing and is provided with an additional adjusting member the head of which is exposed through the top of the housing, the lead screw being provided with a helical gear portion and the additional adjusting member having a helical gear portion meshed therewith.
  • a general object of the invention is to devise an adjustable resistor of the type described which can be adjusted by manipulation of a first element, such as the head of a lead screw, exposed at one end of the resistor and also by a second element exposed at a side of the resistor.
  • a first element such as the head of a lead screw
  • Another object is to provide such a resistor which can be adjusted from the top as well as from one end.
  • a further object is to provide, in a rectilinear potentiometer of the type described, the combination of an improved housing structure, drive member and adjusting means making it possible to assemble with relative ease a potentiometer capable of being adjusted both from one end and at least from one side.
  • resistors include an' elongated housing having opposite end walls and a side wall and defining an elongated cavity; an elongated resistance element extending lengthwise of the cavity; a lead screw extending in the cavity and including a head exposed exteriorly at one of the end walls, a threaded portion, and a helical gear portion; movable contact means driven by the threaded portion of the lead screw and operatively engaged with the resistance element; and an adjusting member journalled in the housing and including a head exposed exteriorly at the side wall and a helical gear portion operatively meshed with the helical gear portion of the lead screw.
  • the helical gear portion of the lead screw is located between the threaded portion and head thereof, and the adjusting member extends at right angles to the axis of the lead screw and has its head exposed through the top wall of the housing in a location adjacent the end wall at which the head of the lead screw is exposed.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a potentiometer constructed according to one embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken generally on line 2--2, FIG. 1;
  • FIGS. 3-5 are transverse sectional views taken respectively on lines 33, 4-4 and 5-5, FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 6 is a plan'view of the potentiometer of FIG. 1, with the cover removed;
  • FIGS. 7 and 8 are end and side elevational views, respectively, of a carriage member employed in the potentiometer of FIG.'1;
  • FIGS. 9 and 10 are top and end elevational views, respectively, of a movable contact member employed in the potentiometer of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on line ll 11, FIG. 10.
  • the illustrated embodiment of the invention is a miniaturized rectilinear potentiometer comprising a housing, indicated generally at 1, a lead screw 2, an elongated resistance element 3', a return conductor 4, a movable contact unit 5, and an adjusting member 6.
  • Housing 1 comprises a base 7 and a cover 8.
  • Base 7 is an integral unit molded, for example, from polymeric material having good electrical insulating characteristics.
  • Base 7 includes a bottom wall 9 which is of elongated rectangular plan configuration, end walls 10 and 11, and side walls 12 and 13, so arranged as to define an elongated cavity 14.
  • bottom wall 9 is provided with a thickened portion 15 which extends for a portion of the length of the cavity along the juncture between walls 9 and 12.
  • portion 15 constitutes a pedestal for support of resistance element 3, the resistance element being a cylindrical, wire wound element and pedestal 15 including a shallow upwardly opening groove which extends along wall 12 and in which the resistance element 3 is seated.
  • bottom wall 9 is provided with an upwardly projecting portion 16 which is of rectangular plan configuration and serves to markedly increase the thickness of bottom wall 9 in this area.
  • bottom wall 9 includes an upwardly projecting portion 17 in the nature of an upstanding pedestal which projects a short distance inwardly from end wall 11 and is of limited extent transversely. of the housing, as will be seen from FIG. 6.
  • the top of pedestal 17 presents a cylindrical groove 18 which opens upwardly and extends lengthwise of the housing.
  • pedestal 17 is provided with a transverse arcuate groove 19.
  • End wall 10 is of substantial thickness and is provided with a cylindrical through bore 20. At the side of end wall 10 which is I directed inwardly of the housing, the top edge portion of the 3 by an integral conducting strip 26, Similarly, a terminal 27 extends through opening 24 and is connected to the other end of. resistance element 3 by an integrally formed conducting strip 28. As best seen in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, openings 23 and 24 are located immediately adjacent the upper face 9a of the bottom wall 9 of base 7. The upper edge of side wall 12 is cut away, at the surface directed inwardly of the housing, to provide shoulder surfaces 29 and 30, FIG. 4.
  • raised portion 16 includes an upwardly extending projection 31 which is axially shorter than portion 16 and is spaced from end wall 10.
  • Projection 31 includes a side surface 32 which faces the inner surface of side wall 13 and is spaced therefrom by a distance only slightly greater than the thickness of return conductor 4.
  • pedestal 17 is provided with an upwardly opening notch 33 immediately adjacent side wall 13, the flat bottom wall of notch 33 being aligned with the upper face of raised portion 16.
  • Return conductor 4 is a flat metal strip disposed in flush face-to-face contact with the inner surface of side wall 13. Return conductor 4 is seated in the space between projection 31 and side wall 13, and in notch 33, as will be clear from FIGS. 3 and 5.
  • Side wall 13 is provided'with a lateral opening 34, FIG. 6, adjacent end wall 10, and with a similar lateral opening 35 adjacent end wall 11.
  • Terminal strips 36 and 37 are formed integrally with the respective ends of return conduc'tor 4 and are bent to project laterally therefrom, terminal strip 36 extending through opening 34 and terminal strip 37 extending through opening 35.
  • the inner portion of side wall 13 is notched to provide shoulder surfaces 38 and 39, FIG. 4.
  • Lead screw 2 includes an elongated threaded portion 40, a right cylindrical end portion 41, and a free tip 42 in the form of an outwardly projecting transverse annular flange.
  • the lead screw includes a plain right cylindrical intermediate portion 43, a helical gear portion 44, and an enlarged cylindrical head 45 provided with an outwardly opening transverse annular groove 46 and an end slot 47 to accommodate, e. g., a screwdriver.
  • Lead screw 2 extends lengthwise through cavity 14, the cylindrical peripheral surface of head 45 being closely embraced by the wall of bore 20, gear portion 44 extending parallel to and spaced above portion 16 of the bottom wall of the housing, threaded portion 40 extending through the space between resistance element 3, and return conductor 4, cylindrical portion 41 extending through groove 18 of pedestal 17 but being spaced from the surface presented by the groove, and flange 42 being engaged in transverse arcuate groove 19, all as seen in FIG. 2.
  • An O-ring 48 is engaged in groove 46 to seal against the wall of bore 20.
  • Movable contact unit includes a carriage member 50, FIGS. 7 and 8, and a contact member 51, FIGS. 9-11.
  • carriage member 50 is bifurcated and embraces the threaded portion of the lead screw in threaded relationship therewith.
  • Contact member 51 is formed as an integral piece from resilient sheet metal and includes a body portion 52 of generally U-shaped configuration which embraces carriage 50, retaining the contact member on the carriage.
  • body portion 52 of the contact member At one end of body portion 52 of the contact member, a contact finger 53 projects lengthwise from one side of the U of body 52 and is bent upon itself to extend back beside the contact member, terminating in a free tip 54.
  • the contact member is similarily provided, at its other side, with a contact finger 55 terminating in a free tip 56.
  • Housing 1 is completed by the cover 8 which is of rectangular plan, matching the dimensions and configuration of the opening defined by the upper edges of end walls and 11 and side walls 12 and 13.
  • the edge portions of cover 8 are seated respectively on shoulder surfaces 21, 29, and 38.
  • the entire peripheral portion of the cover is notched to provide a recess to receive adhesive, indicated at 60, serving to secure the cover to the base and to seal the joint between the cover and base against entry of foreign matter.
  • Adjacent end wall 10, cover 8 is provided with a dependent boss 61 directed toward the upper surface of raised portion 16 of the bottom wall of the base.
  • Boss 61 is provided with a right cylindrical through bore 62.
  • Raised portion 16 of the bottom wall of thebase is provided with an upwardly opening right cylindrical blind bore 63 which, in the assembled device, is coaxial with bore 62 in cover 8.
  • Adjusting member 6 comprises a right cylindrical head 64 having a screwdriver slot 65, a transverse annular groove 66, and an outwardly projecting annular flange 67. Additionally, member 6 includes a spiral gear portion 68, best seen in FIG. 3, and a right cylindrical tip 69. Before cover 8 is applied, head 64 of member 6 is inserted upwardly into bore 62, an O- ring 70 having first been placed in groove 66. The diameter of head 64 is only slightly smaller than the diameter of bore 62, so that the wall of the bore closely embraces the head and 0- ring is disposed in sealing engagement with the wall of the bore as well as the confining groove.
  • the cover 8 At its end adjacent end wall 11, the cover 8 includes a dependent portion 71 having a downwardly opening semicylindrical groove, best seen in FIG. 5, which is disposed closely adjacent to plain right cylindrical portion 41 of the lead screw in the finished assembly. Portion 71 is cut away as seen at 73, FIG. 2, to accommodate the end flange 42 of the lead screw.
  • leads 25, 27, 36 and 37 project laterally outwardly from housing 1 to join integrally formed terminal prongs 25a, 27a, 36a and 37a, respectively, the terminals slanting downwardly and outwardly away from the housing.
  • the relationship between the housing, leads and terminals adapts the device for handling in conventional automatic insertion equipment employed for insertion of the potentiometer into a suitable circuit board, not shown.
  • the bottom wall 9 of the base of the housing can be provided with dependent feet 75 for engagement with the circuit board.
  • adjustment of the movable contact unit 5 can be accomplished by turning lead screw 2, either by manipulating head 45 of the lead screw, from the appropriate end of the device, or by manipulating head 64 of member 6, with such manipulation being accomplished from above the installed potentiometer.
  • an adjustable resistor the combination of an elongated housing defining an elongated cavity and having opposite end walls and a side wall; a lead screw journalled in said housing and including an elongated threaded portion extending longitudinallywithin said cavity, a head exposed to the exterior of said housing at one of said end walls, and a helical gear portion located at one end of said threaded portion; an adjusting member journalled in said housing for rotation about an axis at right angles to the axis of rotation of said lead screw and including a head exposed to the exterior of said housing at said side wall, and a helical gear portion operatively'meshed with said helical gear portion of said lead screw; an elongated resistance element disposed in said cavity and extending longitudinally thereof; movable contact means driven by said threaded portion of said lead screw and slidably engaging said resistance element; terminal means; and means electrically connecting said terminal means to said resistance element and said movable contact means, said lead screw being rotatable, to move said movable
  • said base wall including a pedestal adjacent the other of said end walls, said pedestal being within said cavity and including an upwardly opening transverse groove immediately adjacent said other end wall; and a cover member secured to said first integral member and closing the opening defined by the upper edges of said elongated side walls and said end walls; and said lead screw includes a transverse annular flange atthe end thereof opposite the head of said lead screw, said flange being seated in said transverse groove of said pedestal.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Adjustable Resistors (AREA)
US108354A 1971-01-21 1971-01-21 Resistor with at least two points of manipulation for adjustment Expired - Lifetime US3660796A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10835471A 1971-01-21 1971-01-21

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US (1) US3660796A (OSRAM)
FR (1) FR2122519A1 (OSRAM)
GB (1) GB1376233A (OSRAM)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2810410A1 (de) * 1978-03-10 1979-09-13 Braun Ag Antrieb fuer ein potentiometer
US6396386B2 (en) * 1999-12-08 2002-05-28 Alps Electric Co., Ltd. Angle sensor which makes it possible to prevent rattling caused by backlash between gears inside the angle sensor
US20050034292A1 (en) * 1999-10-29 2005-02-17 Staker William C. Electronic control pedal position sensing device assembly method

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US18521A (en) * 1857-10-27 Device for reversing- the chisel in mortisingr-machines
US1955906A (en) * 1930-06-18 1934-04-24 Hardwick Hindle Inc Rheostat
US2860217A (en) * 1956-11-19 1958-11-11 Marlan E Bourns Adjustable electrical instruments
US2882375A (en) * 1954-07-26 1959-04-14 Bourns Lab Inc Variable resistor constructions
US2895116A (en) * 1956-06-22 1959-07-14 Component Designers Inc Trimming potentiometer
US3069647A (en) * 1957-03-01 1962-12-18 Bourns Inc Adjustable electrical instruments
US3235827A (en) * 1961-10-16 1966-02-15 Donald J Baker Subminiature potentiometer
US3550060A (en) * 1969-02-17 1970-12-22 Stackpole Carbon Co Potentiometer adjustable by slide or screw

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US18521A (en) * 1857-10-27 Device for reversing- the chisel in mortisingr-machines
US1955906A (en) * 1930-06-18 1934-04-24 Hardwick Hindle Inc Rheostat
US2882375A (en) * 1954-07-26 1959-04-14 Bourns Lab Inc Variable resistor constructions
US2895116A (en) * 1956-06-22 1959-07-14 Component Designers Inc Trimming potentiometer
US2860217A (en) * 1956-11-19 1958-11-11 Marlan E Bourns Adjustable electrical instruments
US3069647A (en) * 1957-03-01 1962-12-18 Bourns Inc Adjustable electrical instruments
US3235827A (en) * 1961-10-16 1966-02-15 Donald J Baker Subminiature potentiometer
US3550060A (en) * 1969-02-17 1970-12-22 Stackpole Carbon Co Potentiometer adjustable by slide or screw

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2810410A1 (de) * 1978-03-10 1979-09-13 Braun Ag Antrieb fuer ein potentiometer
US20050034292A1 (en) * 1999-10-29 2005-02-17 Staker William C. Electronic control pedal position sensing device assembly method
US6396386B2 (en) * 1999-12-08 2002-05-28 Alps Electric Co., Ltd. Angle sensor which makes it possible to prevent rattling caused by backlash between gears inside the angle sensor

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2122519A1 (OSRAM) 1972-09-01
GB1376233A (en) 1974-12-04

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AS Assignment

Owner name: CORNELL-DUBIILIER MARKETING, INC.

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:SANGAMO WESTON, INC., A DE CORP.;REEL/FRAME:004743/0599

Effective date: 19870507

AS Assignment

Owner name: CORNELL-DUBLILIER MARKETING, INC.,,STATELESS

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:SANGAMO WESTON, INC., A DE. CORP.;REEL/FRAME:004805/0797

Effective date: 19870507

Owner name: CORNELL-DUBLILIER MARKETING, INC.,

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:SANGAMO WESTON, INC., A DE. CORP.;REEL/FRAME:004805/0797

Effective date: 19870507