US3693062A - Trimmer potentiometer with resistive overlay - Google Patents

Trimmer potentiometer with resistive overlay Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3693062A
US3693062A US107168A US3693062DA US3693062A US 3693062 A US3693062 A US 3693062A US 107168 A US107168 A US 107168A US 3693062D A US3693062D A US 3693062DA US 3693062 A US3693062 A US 3693062A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
resistive element
portions
overlay
wiper
contact
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
US107168A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
George Von Vick
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.)
Bunker Ramo Corp
Original Assignee
Bunker Ramo Corp
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 Bunker Ramo Corp filed Critical Bunker Ramo Corp
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3693062A publication Critical patent/US3693062A/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
    • 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

Definitions

  • Each end terminal pad extends laterally from the overlay and wiper means is disposed for engagement with the lateral extensions of the end terminal pads to short out the resistive overlay portion and prevent the potentiometer from exhibiting a resistance through the thickness of the resistive element at an overlay portion.
  • Elongate type trimmer potentiometers generally include a resistive element connected between a pair of end terminal pads and a wiper which is movable along the resistive element as a means of varying the resistance.
  • a resistive element connected between a pair of end terminal pads and a wiper which is movable along the resistive element as a means of varying the resistance.
  • silver paladium contact pads are fired onto an alumina substrate and the resistive material is then separately fired onto the substrate.
  • the resistive material is disposed to overlap a portion of each pad.
  • the resistance through the thickness of an overlay portion adds a fixed resistance to the typical low 0.2 ohm resistance of the pad.
  • the trimmer Since the tennination pad resistance averages 0.2 ohm, the trimmer will never reach ohms. As the wiper of the trimmer moves in the direction of increasing resistance, for example, the trimmer will first exhibit the pad resistance, then a step to the pad overlay thickness resistance and finally a linear resistance linearly variable up to the opposite end of the resistive element where the end effect again repeats the stepped resistance readings.
  • This object is realized by the provision of a wiper assembly and cooperating terminal pad configuration which shorts out the resistive overlay when the wiper is positioned to contact a resistive overlay.
  • the resistive element is screened to extend over portions of the end terminal pads; however, the end terminal pads are constructed to extend laterally of the overlay for simultaneous engagement by the wiper.
  • the wiper may include a plurality of electrically connected sprint contacts. At least one of these spring contacts is provided for sliding engagement with the resistive element while at least one other of the spring contacts is disposed for movement along a path which is spaced from the resistive element but in an interference relationship with corresponding lateral extensions of the terminal pads. Therefore, as the springs reach the position of the resistive overlay, the resistive effect of the overlay is shunted out and negated.
  • FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a trimmer potentiometer constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken about midway along the length of the potentiometer illustrated in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the screen pattern for the resistive element and terminal pads of the potentiometer illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.
  • a trimmer potentiometer is generally illustrated and referenced 10.
  • the potentiometer 10 comprises a base 11 and a cover 12.
  • a lead screw 13 is provided for advancing a wiper 20-along a resistor assembly 30.
  • the lead screw 13 includes a slotted head 14 for receiving an adjusting tool, and a plurality of annular ridges 15 for rotatably supporting the lead screw in axially fixed position in the cover 12 in accordance with my copending application, Ser. No. 107,153, filed Jan. l8, 1971.
  • Threaded portion 16 is provided for engaging the threads 18 of a carriage 17.
  • the carriage 17 includes a pair of recesses 19 (only one shown) for receiving a pair of ears 21, 22 of the wiper 20 'for advancing the wiper 20 upon rotation of the lead screw 13.
  • the base 11 includes a plurality of terminals 24, 25 and 26 which are respectively electrically connected to a plurality of clamps 27, 28 and 29.
  • the resistor assembly 30 is carried by the base 11 and the clamps 27, 28 and 29, respectively, contact a plurality of contact terminal pads 31, 32 and 33 which are carried on the resistor assembly 30.
  • the pad 31 is extended around the pad 32 to a pad 38.
  • a similar terminal pad 33 is connected to a pad 39.
  • a resistive element 35 extends between the pads 38 and 39 and is connected thereto by respective overlay portions 36 and 37.
  • the pad 39 includes a pair of portions 40 and 41 which extend laterally of the overlay portion 37.
  • the pad 38 has a similar construction.
  • the wiper 20 includes a spring portion 23 having a plurality of spring contacts a-f which resiliently and slidingly engage the resistor assembly 30.
  • the spring contact b and c engage the resistive element 35 and the spring contacts e and f engage an elongate extension 34 of the pad 32 which lies substantially parallel to the resistive element 35.
  • the spring contacts a and d are disposed so as to travel paths parallel to and slightly spaced from the resistive element 35.
  • the spring contacts a and d therefore engage the end terminal pad lateral portions 40 and 41 at or before the time that spring contacts b and c engage the overlay portion 37.
  • the resistance steps at the lower and upper ends of the resistive element 35 which provide undesirably nonlinear resistive effects with further adjustment of screw 13, are eliminated and only the negligible terminal end resistance is effective below or above the set resistance at these respective points.
  • pairs of contacts i.e., a and d, b and c, and e and f
  • the pad may, if preferred, be elevated, or thickened around the overlay to raise its surface to the level of the overlay surface. Such an arrangement would permit a single bridging contact to accomplish the shunt function.
  • a trimmer potentiometer having a resistive element which extends between and overlies portions of a pair of spaced terminal pads and a wiper contact which slidably engages the resistive element
  • the improvement therein comprising the provision of means connected to the wiper contact and disposed to travel a path parallel to the resistive element, and the provision of a portion of each of the terminal pads which extend laterally from the overlay portions and in interference relationship with said means for engagement therewith as soon as the wiper contact engages the respective overlay portion of the resistive element, thereby shunting out said overlay portions.
  • said means comprises a second wiper contact resiliently movable relative to said wiper contact to contact said terminal pads independently of the level of said overlay.
  • a trimmer potentiometer comprising: a base, a resistor assembly carried on the base including a substrate, first, second and third spaced terminal pads carried on said substrate, a resistive element carried on said substrate and including portions overlying and extending above portions of said first and second terminals pads, and an elongate conductive strip extending from said third terminal pad and carried on said 323? 3 s? all iii fiiifiifi? 2' 'i c'ii'lfc 553$?
  • said wiper mounted for movement along said resistive element, said wiper comprising a plurality of electrically connected spring contacts including a first spring contact for slidably engaging said conductive strip, a second spring contact for slidably engaging said resistive element and a third spring contact for slidably engaging one of said second portions of said terminal pads as said second spring contact engages the corresponding raised overlay portion of said resistive element.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Adjustable Resistors (AREA)
US107168A 1971-01-18 1971-01-18 Trimmer potentiometer with resistive overlay Expired - Lifetime US3693062A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10716871A 1971-01-18 1971-01-18

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3693062A true US3693062A (en) 1972-09-19

Family

ID=22315188

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US107168A Expired - Lifetime US3693062A (en) 1971-01-18 1971-01-18 Trimmer potentiometer with resistive overlay

Country Status (13)

Country Link
US (1) US3693062A (it)
AU (1) AU451986B2 (it)
BE (1) BE774267A (it)
CA (1) CA939768A (it)
CH (1) CH557579A (it)
DE (1) DE2154896A1 (it)
FR (1) FR2122847A5 (it)
GB (1) GB1363925A (it)
IL (1) IL37936A (it)
IT (1) IT940772B (it)
NL (1) NL7114453A (it)
SE (1) SE369001B (it)
ZA (1) ZA716889B (it)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3784948A (en) * 1971-12-23 1974-01-08 Bunker Ramo Integrated circuit package of unified structure with variable resistor
US3918023A (en) * 1973-11-05 1975-11-04 Cts Corp Variable resistance control and method of assemblying the same
US3938070A (en) * 1973-08-25 1976-02-10 Wilhelm Ruf Kg Trimming potentiometer in T or Pi network connection with parallel resistance paths
US3944962A (en) * 1973-08-22 1976-03-16 Nippon Electric Company, Limited Variable resistance attenuator
US4021768A (en) * 1975-10-20 1977-05-03 Cts Corporation Variable resistance control with multiple paddle contactor and method of making the same
US7167075B1 (en) * 2004-12-03 2007-01-23 Jefferson Science Associates, Llc Dual design resistor for high voltage conditioning and transmission lines

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1881446A (en) * 1929-12-05 1932-10-11 Technidyne Corp Resistor
US3274669A (en) * 1961-12-11 1966-09-27 Beckman Instruments Inc Method of making electrical resistance element
US3307133A (en) * 1963-08-16 1967-02-28 Century Lighting Inc Parallel ganged multiple potentiometer
US3430178A (en) * 1966-11-03 1969-02-25 Beckman Instruments Inc End terminations for variable resistance elements

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1881446A (en) * 1929-12-05 1932-10-11 Technidyne Corp Resistor
US3274669A (en) * 1961-12-11 1966-09-27 Beckman Instruments Inc Method of making electrical resistance element
US3307133A (en) * 1963-08-16 1967-02-28 Century Lighting Inc Parallel ganged multiple potentiometer
US3430178A (en) * 1966-11-03 1969-02-25 Beckman Instruments Inc End terminations for variable resistance elements

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3784948A (en) * 1971-12-23 1974-01-08 Bunker Ramo Integrated circuit package of unified structure with variable resistor
US3944962A (en) * 1973-08-22 1976-03-16 Nippon Electric Company, Limited Variable resistance attenuator
US3938070A (en) * 1973-08-25 1976-02-10 Wilhelm Ruf Kg Trimming potentiometer in T or Pi network connection with parallel resistance paths
US3918023A (en) * 1973-11-05 1975-11-04 Cts Corp Variable resistance control and method of assemblying the same
US4021768A (en) * 1975-10-20 1977-05-03 Cts Corporation Variable resistance control with multiple paddle contactor and method of making the same
US7167075B1 (en) * 2004-12-03 2007-01-23 Jefferson Science Associates, Llc Dual design resistor for high voltage conditioning and transmission lines

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
SE369001B (it) 1974-07-29
NL7114453A (it) 1972-07-20
AU3471571A (en) 1973-05-03
CA939768A (en) 1974-01-08
AU451986B2 (en) 1974-08-22
ZA716889B (en) 1972-06-28
BE774267A (fr) 1972-02-14
IL37936A (en) 1973-11-28
DE2154896A1 (de) 1972-08-10
CH557579A (de) 1974-12-31
FR2122847A5 (it) 1972-09-01
GB1363925A (en) 1974-08-21
IL37936A0 (en) 1971-12-29
IT940772B (it) 1973-02-20

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4123741A (en) Resistance element for variable resistors
US4435691A (en) Dual track resistor element having nonlinear output
US2632831A (en) Variable resistance element
US3022481A (en) Electrical connector
US3693062A (en) Trimmer potentiometer with resistive overlay
US2594716A (en) Electronic program controller
US3626352A (en) Attenuator switches having deposited layer-type circuitry
US3965454A (en) Means lowering contact resistance in variable resistance control
US3613042A (en) Variable resistance element with spaced rows of parallel tabs
JPS6124204A (ja) ポテンシヨメータ
US5155465A (en) Variable resistor with a switching mechanism
JPH0251202A (ja) 可調整抵抗器
GB1471489A (en) Control devices for variable resistances
US4039994A (en) Variable output function potentiometer
US4426635A (en) Variable resistor
US4200857A (en) Variable resistor
US4728921A (en) Position indicator for an actuating drive
US2831949A (en) Variable resistor constructions
US6359545B1 (en) Adjustable resistor with slider made from elastomeric material
DE102015103386A1 (de) Touch-Control-Regelwiderstand
US3921118A (en) Variable resistor assembly
US2909748A (en) Rheostat
US4001759A (en) Variable electric resistor device
US3886514A (en) Variable resistor
EP0202764A2 (en) Potentiometer