US3662314A - Adjustable annular potentiometer with terminal attachment means - Google Patents

Adjustable annular potentiometer with terminal attachment means Download PDF

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Publication number
US3662314A
US3662314A US845200A US3662314DA US3662314A US 3662314 A US3662314 A US 3662314A US 845200 A US845200 A US 845200A US 3662314D A US3662314D A US 3662314DA US 3662314 A US3662314 A US 3662314A
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United States
Prior art keywords
casing
potentiometer
resistor element
contact
contact terminals
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
US845200A
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English (en)
Inventor
Juan-Luis Heredero
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.)
Piher SA
Piher Navarra SA
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Piher Navarra SA
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Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from ES356952A external-priority patent/ES356952A1/es
Priority claimed from ES367693A external-priority patent/ES367693A2/es
Application filed by Piher Navarra SA filed Critical Piher Navarra SA
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3662314A publication Critical patent/US3662314A/en
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
    • H01C10/32—Adjustable resistors the contact sliding along resistive element the contact moving in an arcuate path
    • H01C10/34—Adjustable resistors the contact sliding along resistive element the contact moving in an arcuate path the contact or the associated conducting structure riding on collector formed as a ring or portion thereof
    • 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
    • H01C10/34—Adjustable resistors the contact sliding along resistive element the contact moving in an arcuate path the contact or the associated conducting structure riding on collector formed as a ring or portion thereof
    • H01C10/345—Adjustable resistors the contact sliding along resistive element the contact moving in an arcuate path the contact or the associated conducting structure riding on collector formed as a ring or portion thereof the collector and resistive track being situated in 2 parallel planes

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT [30] Foreign Application Priority Data
  • a potentiometer comprising a casing having a short height July 30, 1968 Spa n ..356,952 relative to its diameter and constituting a receptacie for a May 1969 Spam 367693 'sistor element and a sliding contact for contact with the latter,
  • the resistor element being supported on the bottom of the eas- [52] U.S. C1 ..338/l63, 338/174, 338/332 ing d the lidi a t being arranged in permanent [51] IliLCl ..H0lC 9/02 mechanical and electric Contact therewith, being of annular [58] Fleld ofSearch l, 118, 160-163, and laminar Shape and having a diameter substantially equal 338/174* 332 to that of the resistor, the shape of which constitutes an incomplete circular annulus having a zone of discontinuity ex- [56] References Cited hibiting a small angle, corresponding to a projection formed UNITED STATES PATENTS on the bottomof the casing and serving as a travel-limiting stop in either direction in order to limit the rotational travel of Hathorn X the axial actuating element the manipulation of Youngbeck produces the r tation of the ontact on the resistor eie.
  • PATENTEDMAYI- 91972 SHEET 3 [1F 4 ADJUSTABLE ANNULAR POTENTIOMETER WITH TERMINAL ATTACHMENT MEANS
  • the present invention relates to adjustable potentiometers used in electronic circuits for achieving precise adjustment of the circuits.
  • potentiometers in question are small-dimension devices, corresponding to modern miniature type designs, although their electrical value, in ohms, may be high, thus constituting an element of great importance for the adjustment of circuit values the characteristics of which are critical and, also, when used in transistorized circuits, for achieving equilibrium of characteristics in various but symmetrical branches of one stage of the circuit.
  • the potentiometers of the type with which the present invention is concerned are of the carbon type, the resistor elements thereof being constituted by a band or type of graphite or other carbonaceous and electro-resistant compounds, the two ends of which are provided with contact terminals, while a sliding contact (collector) is adapted to establish contact with any desired intermediate point on the resistor, so as to produce a continuous variation between two given values of the latter.
  • FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a potentiometer design-d in accordance with the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a section along the lines 22 of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a section along the lines 3-3 of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 4 is a rear elevation of the potentiometer of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 5 is a front elevation of another embodiment of the same potentiometer improving the system provided for the actuation of the mobile part thereof and facilitating the coupling of the device, in parallel orientation to a printed circuit plate or panel;
  • FIG. 6 is a section along the lines 6-6 of FIG. 5;
  • F IG, 7 is a rear elevation of the potentiometer of FIG. 5;
  • FIG. 8 indicates the shape and form of connecting a resistor element of the device
  • FIG. 9 is a front elevation of the casing or framework of the potentiometer, as seen from the exterior, illustrating the shape of the terminals, the free parts thereof, to which are connected the coupling conductors have been omitted from the drawing for clarity;
  • FIG. 10 is an interior elevation of the casing or framework proper with its terminals and resistant band or tape coupled.
  • FIG. 11 is a section along the lines 11-11 of FIG. 10 of the assembly comprising the casing, terminals and resistor band, a cylindrical surface coaxial with the potentiometer and the length of which is equivalent to the median circumference of the half thereof containing the terminals.
  • an adjusting potentiometer designed in accordance with the present invention comprises essentially a casing or framework 1 of insulating material and a box shape, in the interior of which are disposed the elements constituting the assembly comprising a resistor 5 and a current-tap slide contact 9 which is supported for rotation on a pivot, during its travel on the resistor track.
  • a collector element 13 directly contacts the sliding contact during the entire travel thereof and acts as a lid or cover on the open side of the casing, thereby providing an assembly which is closed and protected with respect to the essential elements thereof.
  • the terminals for brazing to the circuit are firmly secured to the support casing.
  • the casing or framework 1 is made preferably from an electro-insulating material, for example ceramic, phenolic resin, epoxy resin, therrnoplastics material, or the like, having the shape of a circular box. including cylindrical edges 2 which are smooth, and having lodged there within a resistor plate 5 made, for example from graphite, and having the shape of a sectioned annulus fitting in a seat or socket of complementary shape formed in the bottom of the casing.
  • a projection 8 fixes the position of the resistor plate 5 in the radial direction.
  • the casing is formed with a circular orifice 3 for the passage of the pivot knob arrangement, and a projection 4 of annular shape serves to reinforce the base thereof.
  • terminals 17 and 18 made from sheet metal (for example plated brass) and terminates in appendices 15 and 16 of elongated, narrow shape, provided with pointed ends, suitable for introduction into corresponding orifices in a plate or panel carrying a printed circuit.
  • the sliding contact 9 which provides the contact with an intermediate point on the resistor has the shape of an annulus, having at one side a tip or boss 10 of hemispherical shape, so as to provide a single point contact on the resistor track.
  • the annular shaped sliding contact bears partly on the pivot or rotation element, for example, over a third portion thereof. The remainder is free and is subjected to a torsion effect in the axial direction, thus imparting to it the force of a spring acting against the resistor track.
  • a tongue 30 folded perpendicularly to the plane of the annulus which fixes the position of the slide to the drive element or rotation pivot.
  • the slide establishes electrical contact with the collector through two bosses l1 and 12 stamped in the plane portion of the annulus equidistant from the point of contact with the resistor, in opposite directions, in such manner that they act as a torsion-force support point in respect of the contact point reaction on the resistor track.
  • the collector element 13 performs the collecting of the current tapped from the resistor, at any desired point thereon, via the slide or mobile element.
  • it In its plane portion, it has the shape of an annulus the outer side of which is elongated in a plurality of arms 21 and 22 which, bent over perpendicularly to their plane, fit on the outer portion of the potentiometer casing, their ends being folded to the shape of a securing clamp or clip on the plane portion of the casing.
  • the collector element 13 mounted on the open portion of the casing, acts as a lid or cover, leaving covered, in the interior, the sensitive elements such as the resistor plate 5 and the slide 9.
  • the collector element 13 is provided with a soldering projection or terminal 14 having a shape appropriate to the system provided for connection to the circuit.
  • the rotation pivot 23 projects through the two ends of the potentiometer, i.e., through the lower side of the casing and through the collector. Its external shape may correspond to its own diameter (at the side or the orifice 3) or it may be of greater width (at portion 24) with the recess 25, appropriate to any desired manipulation requirements, having the form of, for example, a hexagonal cavity or orifice, a slot 26 and 27 for a screwdriver, or it may be elongated in the form of a control knob or the like.
  • the portion of the knob pivot arrangement 24 disposed in the interior of the casing and covered by the collector is appropriately shaped, to serve the following purposes:
  • a projection 29 is provided at a convenient point on its periphery and lateral portion; the projection 29 having the shape of a circular sector which, when the entire assembly is rotated, establishes contact with a further similar projection 28 provided at the bottom of the housing and having a diameter of equal size, thus limiting the rotation angle to the necessary extent;
  • the rotation pivot supports the slide which it drives in circular movement on itself, maintaining it in position between the resistor plate and the collector and permitting the slide to be flexible in the axial direction and perfectly securely fixed in the radial direction.
  • the rotation pivot is axially secured between the bottom of the casing and the collector at the other end, these elements acting as fixed bushings, providing a perfect stability in the position of the slide when the electrical adjustment has been effected.
  • terminals 17 and 18 for contact with the resistor are secured to the casing, for example by means of rivets 19 and and establish connection with the ends of the resistor plate in the following manner;
  • Each tenninal has, at the securing side, two tabs 17', 17" and 18, 18', respectively, skegs or projections folded to form a U-shape with the corresponding ends of the terminal 17 and 18, which projections are introduced through one orifice in each case formed in the casing 1.
  • one of the projections is folded and engaged in the bottom of the casing, then the resistor plate is placed in position and the other projection is folded over in the direction opposite to that of folding of the first projection, over the resistor plate, thus establishing direct contact between the terminal and the resistor and providing a double securing strap.
  • the terminal is introduced into recesses 17a and 18a formed in the axial wall of the casing, and the interior shape of which is the same as that of the terminal. This arrangement prevents any force which may be applied to the terminals from influencing the perfect contact between the latter and the resistor plate.
  • FIG. 6 shows the body 23 having a central perforation 33 of a polygonal section, preferably hexagonal, and the purpose for which is to permit the engagement of a key or tool the head of which has the same shape, or the insertion of a control rod.
  • connection of the collector element in the embodiment of FIG. 6, is effected by means of the terminal 34 and 35, which advantageously are disposed in parallel.
  • the tenninals 36 and 37 for the connection of the resistor element, analogous to the elements 15 and 16, are advantageously disposed so as to be cranked at right angles 38, as may be seen in the FIG. 6.
  • the casing of the potentiometer which is cylindrical and flattened, comprises circular wall 39 and bottom 40 (according to 2 and l), the latter being formed with a central perforation 3 for passage of the pivot shaft of the slide.
  • the edges are provided with projections 41 and 42 of symmetrical shape, the purpose for which is to permit the fitting of a lid or cover, and tangential expanded portions 43 and 44, having the shape of triangular flanges or shoulders and serving to secure and support the terminals 45 and 46 which, at their free ends (not shown) are fonned, with orifices for facilitating the introduction of the end of the conductors connected to the potentiometer, or pointed terminal portions.
  • the object of this is to facilitate the introduction of the terminals into a plate or panel carrying a printed circuit according to FIGS. 1 and 4.
  • the terminals have expanded portions 47 and 48 of curvilinear shape (FIG. 9) and in the portions contiguous with the expanded or enlarged portions, they are formed with perforations conjugated with a plurality of projections of rectangular shape and having rounded ends 49 and 50 which emerge from the surface of the expanded or enlarged portions 43 and 44 and are adapted to contribute to the immobilization of the terminals, when introduced into the apertures formed in the latter.
  • the bottom 40 of the casing is formed with outermost radial slots 51 and 54 and innermost radial slots 53 and 52, designed to serve for the passage of a plurality of enlarged portions of the zones 47 and 48.
  • a projection 55 separates the slots 52 and 53 in the central and symmetrical portion of the casing.
  • FIG. 11 illustrates how the flange 56, passing through the gap or slot 51, is folded over parallel to the zone 47, remaining lodged in a recess formed in the inner surface of the bottom 40, the depth thereof being equal to the thickness of the laminar material constituting the tenninal, more specifically, to the thickness of the end 57, so that the latter is flush with the surface.
  • the end 59 of the appendix 58 associated with the slot 54 is flush with the inner surface of the bottom 40.
  • the resistor element of the potentiometer comprises a member of laminar structure having the shape of an incomplete circular annulus one of its faces being covered with a layer of a material, such as graphite, having electro-resistant properties possessing an appropriate ohmic value.
  • the terminals 45 and 46 are connected to the ends of this member, constituting the input and output of the resistor circuit defined in conjugation with the exterior, the slide being circularly displaced on the surface of the resistant layer.
  • the stop limiting the rotation of the rotary element is arranged in a position which does not make the positioning of the elements difficult.
  • the collector element is of annular shape and has a diameter practically identical with that of the resistor element, thus enabling the collector to contact the latter, via the slide contact, within the same radius. This is due to the adjacent or superposed position of the two components, i.e., the resistor and the collector, and to the fact that the collector is not disposed within the resistor. In this way, it becomes possible to substantially reduce the overall dimensions of the potentiometer.
  • the angular travel of the slide may be larger than with known designs of otentiometers of this type, since the mode of securing the ends of the resistor band does not constitute an obstacle for the slide, inasmuch as it is restricted to the terminal portion of the band, it being possible to design the end portion 63 and 64 with an appropriate length, in the direction of the circular travel path of the slide, to ensure that the angular rotation of the latter approaches closely to 360 of the circumference.
  • a potentiometer comprising a casing having a small height compared to its width
  • a pivot knob axially and rotatingly mounted in said casing and extending therefrom toward the outside of said casing and directly actuatable from outside said casing and forming a pivot which is operatively connected to said sliding contact for rotating the latter on said resistor element
  • said resistor element forming an annulus cut away having facing ends defining therebetween a discontinuity of a small angle
  • said casing has a circular bottom wall formed with two innermost adjacent radial slots and two outermost radial slots in symmetrical arrangement and recesses formed in the inner surface of said circular bottom wall communicating with said outermost of said radial slots and having a depth substantially equivalent to the thickness of the material constituting said contact terminals,
  • said contact terminals include terminal heads constituting expanded portions of curvilinear shape terminating at portions connected to the potentiometer and forming a substantially trapezoidal zone having lateral elongations thereof, the later being folded at right angles and passing through said radial slots,
  • each terminal head being folded down and applied over said recesses in such a manner that the folded down end is flush with the inner surface of said circular bottom wall
  • terminal heads of said contact terminals including extensions supported and retained on said flattened appendices
  • gripping means constituting another of said lateral elongations extending through the innermost of said radial slots and said casing has a circular bottom wall formed with innermost and outermost radial slots in symmetrical arrangement and recesses formed in the inner surface of said circular bottom wall communicating with the outermost of said radial slots and having a depth substantially equivalent to the thickness of the material constituting said contact terminals,
  • said contact terminals include terminal heads constituting expanded portions of curvilinear shape terminating at portions connected to the potentiometer and forming a trapezoidal zone having lateral elongations thereof, the latter being folded at right angles and passing through said radial slots,
  • each terminal head being folded down and applied over said recesses in such a manner that the folded down end is flush with the inner surface of said circular bottom wall

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Adjustable Resistors (AREA)
US845200A 1968-07-30 1969-07-28 Adjustable annular potentiometer with terminal attachment means Expired - Lifetime US3662314A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ES356952A ES356952A1 (es) 1968-07-30 1968-07-30 Perfeccionamientos en los potenciometros de ajuste para circuitos electronicos.
ES367693A ES367693A2 (es) 1969-05-13 1969-05-13 Perfeccionamientos en los potenciometros de ajuste para circuitos electronicos.

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3662314A true US3662314A (en) 1972-05-09

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US845200A Expired - Lifetime US3662314A (en) 1968-07-30 1969-07-28 Adjustable annular potentiometer with terminal attachment means
US06/538,358 Expired - Fee Related US4482883A (en) 1968-07-30 1983-10-03 Annular potentiometer with terminal

Family Applications After (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US06/538,358 Expired - Fee Related US4482883A (en) 1968-07-30 1983-10-03 Annular potentiometer with terminal

Country Status (5)

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US (2) US3662314A (de)
DE (1) DE1937989B2 (de)
FR (1) FR2013974B1 (de)
GB (1) GB1271136A (de)
NL (1) NL149937B (de)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3932832A (en) * 1974-03-18 1976-01-13 Cts Corporation Plug-in shaft for electrical control
US4121188A (en) * 1975-12-19 1978-10-17 North American Philips Corporation Closed frame single turn potentiometer with helical coil spring wiper adjustable through substrate
WO1997020325A1 (es) * 1995-11-29 1997-06-05 Aragonesa De Componentes Pasivos, S.A. Potenciometro perfeccionado
EP1338500B1 (de) * 2002-02-26 2005-05-25 Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha Sensor zur Erfassung der Drehung eines Gasgriffes

Families Citing this family (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2100523B (en) * 1981-03-30 1985-02-27 Iskra Sozd Elektro Indus Adjustable enclosed potentiometer
JPH043494Y2 (de) * 1985-12-05 1992-02-04
ES2008980A6 (es) * 1988-03-21 1989-08-16 Aragonesa Comp Potenciometro de ajuste para circuitos electronicos, procedimiento de montaje de sus elementos y procedimiento de obtencion de su placa resistiva.
FR2634580B1 (fr) * 1988-07-14 1991-05-10 Compel Sa Procede, sequentiel et automatique, de fabrication de potentiometres et potentiometres obtenus par sa mise en oeuvre
ES2063695B1 (es) * 1993-04-14 1997-12-01 Navarra Componentes Electro Potenciometro miniatura y procedimiento para su fabricacion.
JP3557978B2 (ja) * 2000-01-04 2004-08-25 株式会社村田製作所 可変抵抗器
US6744347B2 (en) * 2001-01-04 2004-06-01 Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Variable resistor
US7554531B2 (en) * 2004-05-18 2009-06-30 Interlink Electronics, Inc. Annular potentiometric touch sensor
US7310089B2 (en) * 2004-05-18 2007-12-18 Interlink Electronics, Inc. Annular potentiometric touch sensor
US8531392B2 (en) * 2004-08-04 2013-09-10 Interlink Electronics, Inc. Multifunctional scroll sensor
US7791596B2 (en) * 2005-12-27 2010-09-07 Interlink Electronics, Inc. Touch input device having interleaved scroll sensors
US7573464B2 (en) * 2006-07-20 2009-08-11 Interlink Electronics, Inc. Shape adaptable resistive touchpad

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2160142A (en) * 1937-04-19 1939-05-30 Stackpole Carbon Co Midget variable resistance device
US2736783A (en) * 1953-09-14 1956-02-28 Chicago Telephone Supply Corp Terminal construction for variable resistors
US3205466A (en) * 1961-12-13 1965-09-07 Globe Union Inc Miniaturized variable resistor and switch
US3242453A (en) * 1964-06-15 1966-03-22 Bourns Inc Gear adjusted variable resistor
US3264594A (en) * 1962-11-29 1966-08-02 Dale Electronics Adjustable potentiometer
US3375478A (en) * 1964-05-11 1968-03-26 Cts Corp Electrical control and method of making the same
US3377606A (en) * 1964-03-02 1968-04-09 Spectrol Electronics Corp Potentiometer apparatus
US3383635A (en) * 1967-11-13 1968-05-14 Continental Wirt Electronic Variable resistor
US3470519A (en) * 1966-07-14 1969-09-30 Bourns Inc Potentiometer

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2160142A (en) * 1937-04-19 1939-05-30 Stackpole Carbon Co Midget variable resistance device
US2736783A (en) * 1953-09-14 1956-02-28 Chicago Telephone Supply Corp Terminal construction for variable resistors
US3205466A (en) * 1961-12-13 1965-09-07 Globe Union Inc Miniaturized variable resistor and switch
US3264594A (en) * 1962-11-29 1966-08-02 Dale Electronics Adjustable potentiometer
US3377606A (en) * 1964-03-02 1968-04-09 Spectrol Electronics Corp Potentiometer apparatus
US3375478A (en) * 1964-05-11 1968-03-26 Cts Corp Electrical control and method of making the same
US3242453A (en) * 1964-06-15 1966-03-22 Bourns Inc Gear adjusted variable resistor
US3470519A (en) * 1966-07-14 1969-09-30 Bourns Inc Potentiometer
US3383635A (en) * 1967-11-13 1968-05-14 Continental Wirt Electronic Variable resistor

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3932832A (en) * 1974-03-18 1976-01-13 Cts Corporation Plug-in shaft for electrical control
US4121188A (en) * 1975-12-19 1978-10-17 North American Philips Corporation Closed frame single turn potentiometer with helical coil spring wiper adjustable through substrate
WO1997020325A1 (es) * 1995-11-29 1997-06-05 Aragonesa De Componentes Pasivos, S.A. Potenciometro perfeccionado
ES2112779A1 (es) * 1995-11-29 1998-04-01 Aragonesa Comp Potenciometro perfeccionado.
US5923241A (en) * 1995-11-29 1999-07-13 Aragonesa De Componentes Pasivos, S.A. Potentiometer with removable control shaft
EP1338500B1 (de) * 2002-02-26 2005-05-25 Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha Sensor zur Erfassung der Drehung eines Gasgriffes

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE1937989A1 (de) 1970-02-05
GB1271136A (en) 1972-04-19
US4482883A (en) 1984-11-13
FR2013974B1 (de) 1974-08-09
DE1937989B2 (de) 1974-10-10
NL149937B (nl) 1976-06-15
FR2013974A1 (de) 1970-04-10
NL6911552A (de) 1970-02-03

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