US3772629A - Potentiometer - Google Patents

Potentiometer Download PDF

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Publication number
US3772629A
US3772629A US00290348A US3772629DA US3772629A US 3772629 A US3772629 A US 3772629A US 00290348 A US00290348 A US 00290348A US 3772629D A US3772629D A US 3772629DA US 3772629 A US3772629 A US 3772629A
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Prior art keywords
slider
potentiometer
sheet
resistance
fact
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Expired - Lifetime
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US00290348A
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Rochat A Meylan
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Parechoc SA
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Parechoc SA
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Priority claimed from CH1374071A external-priority patent/CH531779A/en
Application filed by Parechoc SA filed Critical Parechoc SA
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01C—RESISTORS
    • H01C10/00—Adjustable resistors
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01C—RESISTORS
    • H01C10/00—Adjustable resistors
    • H01C10/06—Adjustable resistors adjustable by short-circuiting different amounts of the resistive element
    • H01C10/08—Adjustable resistors adjustable by short-circuiting different amounts of the resistive element with intervening conducting structure between the resistive element and the short-circuiting means, e.g. taps

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a potentiometer comprising a slider and a resistance provided with a conductive track as well as an intermediary member having the shape of a resiliently deformable sheet, interposed between the said slider and the said conductive track, at least a portion of this sheet, situated opposite the said track, being also conductive.
  • This potentiometer is characterized by the fact that on the shaft, provided with an extension 19a having the the said sheet rests on a cushion made of flexible and compressible material which maintains it at distance from the conductive track and which is elastically deformed under the effect of the pressure exerted on the said sheet by the slider, so that the portion of the sheet adjacent to the slider comes in contact with the said track.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 are axial sectional views of two different embodiments of a potentiometer
  • FIG. 3 is an axial sectional view of a detail of a modification.
  • the potentiometer represented in FIG. 1 comprises a cylindrical casing, made of plastic material, constituted by a main body 1 in which is engaged a cover 2.
  • the booy carries an annular coiled resistance 3 with which cooperates, indirectly, a rotative slider constituted by a radial arm 4 supported by a shaft 5 rotatably mounted, by means of a rolling bearing 6, on the cover 2.
  • the shaft of this slider is coaxial to the resistance 3.
  • the arm 4 of the slider carries, at its free extremity, a rotative roller 7 bearing on a metallic disc 8 coaxial to the shaft 5, having the shape of a thin elastic sheet, supported by a cushion 9 made of flexible and compressible material, for instance rubber, also coaxial to the shaft 5, located inner the resistance 3.
  • the sheet 8 extends beyond the cushion 9 and extends, by its periphery, above the resistance 3, while the roller 7 bears on this sheet within the resistance with respect to the center of the apparatus, in the vicinity of the periphery of the cushion 9.
  • the sheet can be choosen very thin, that permits, opposite the place where is the roller 7, to incurve itself while taking the shape of the roller, and thus to come in contact with the resistance substantially on a point, that increases the degree of resolution of the potentiometer, which is expressed by the value of the minimum displacement of the slider able to produce a sensible variation of the resistance.
  • the connecting electric threads of the potentiometer which are not represented, enter into the casing 1-2 through a sleeve 10 and are connected, two at the resistance 3 and a third one to the circular sheet 8.
  • FIG. 2 distinguishes from the first one principally by the fact that the shaft, designated by 11, operating the arm 12 of the slider, is extended under this arm and enters into the body 13 of the casing in which it is supported by a rolling bearing 14. It is moreover supported by the cover 15 of the casing through the intermediary of a rolling bearing 16, as in the first embodiment.
  • This arrangement permits to mount several potentiometers as a set, the front extremity of the shaft 11 of each of them, excepted the end potentiometer of the set, being engaged in the recess 20 of the adjacent potentiometer.
  • the mutual engagement of the extensions 19a and 21a has for effect that the shaft of each potentiometer is rigid with the shaft of the adjacent potentiometer.
  • the present potentiometer can serve either for varying the value of a resistance, i.e. the resistance 3, or for operating as a measuring instrument of the angular position of a rotative movable element, the information being given by the instantaneous value of the resistance. In this last case, especially, a high degree of resolution of the potentiometer is desired.
  • the invention is not limited to the potentiometers as disclosed and represented but can be applied, for instance, to potentiometers in which the resistance, which is not coiled, can be constituted by a mere track of carbon, or by a conductive plastic material.
  • the intermediary sheet, interposed between the conductive track of the resistance and the slider can be not plane, but, may be, conical, or cylindrical, provided it is able to be elastically deformed.
  • the potentiometer can also not be of the type with an annular resistance and with rotative slider, but also of the type with a rectilinear resistance and with a slider which is movable in a translation motion.
  • the metallic blade can protrude on both sides of the resistance and be supported, under its protruding portions, by two elastic cushions, parallel to each other, or by one elastic cushion in which the resistancewill be embedded.
  • the resistance is circular, so that its value varies linearly, proportionally to the rotation of the slider.
  • the shape of the resistance can be different, and have for instance the shape of a spiral, so as to give an information which is not directly proportional to the rotation of the slider.
  • Potentiometer comprising a slider and a resistance presenting a conductive track, as well as an intermediary member having the shape of a resiliently deformable sheet, interposed between the said slider and the said conductive track, at least a portion of this sheet, situated opposite the said track, being also conductive, characterized by the fact that the said sheet rests on a cushion made of a flexible and compressible material and which maintains it at distance from the conductive track and which is elastically deformed under the effect of the pressure exerted on the sheet by the slider, so that the portion of the sheet adjacent to the slider comes in contact with the said track.
  • Potentiometer' as claimed in claim 1 the slider of which is rotative and the resistance of which is annular and coaxial to the center of rotation of the slider, characterized by the fact that the said cushion is circular and is located inner the said resistance, the intermedi ary sheet, also circular, being coaxial to the said cushion and protruding beyond the cushion so as to extend, by its periphery, above the said resistance.
  • Potentiometer otentiometer as claimed in claim 2, characterized by the fact that the slider comprises a radial arm at the free extremity of which is rotatably mounted a roller bearing on the said sheet.
  • Potentiometer as claimed in claim 2 characterized by the fact that it comprises a cylindrical casing including its different elements, one of the axial walls of which is traversed by a shaft rigid with the slider, and which serves to operate the slider, this shaft being rotatably mounted in the said wall.
  • Potentiometer as claimed in claim 4, characterized by the fact that the said shaft traverses the said casing and is also rotatably mounted in the second axial wall thereof.
  • Potentiometer as claimed in claim 5 characterized by the fact that one of the extremities of the said shaft is provided with coupling means the shape of which is shape of the resistance is not circular.

Abstract

A potentiometer comprising a slider and a resistance presenting a conductive track, as well as an intermediary member having the shape of a resiliently deformable sheet interposed between the slider and the conductive track, at least a portion of this sheet, situated opposite the track, being conductive, wherein the sheet rests on a cushion made of flexible and compressible material which maintains it at a distance from the conductive track and which is elastically deformed under the effect of the pressure exerted on the sheet by the slider, so that the portion of the sheet adjacent the slider comes in contact with the track.

Description

United States Patent 1191 Meylan-Rochat Nov. 13, 1973 POTENTIOMETER 3,516,041 6/1970 Estlick 338/154 [75] Inventor: Andre Meylan-Rochat, Le Brassus,
S i l Primary ExaminerBernard A. Gilheany Assistant Examiner-D. A. Tone [73] Assigneez Parechoc S.A., Vaud, Switzerland Atmmey Kenwood Ross et a1 [22] Filed: Sept. 19, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 290,348 ABSTRACT- A potentiometer comprising a slider and a resistance [30] F i Application priority Data presenting a conductive track, as well as an intermedisept 20 1971 Switzerland 13740! ary member having the shape of a resiliently deform- May 9 972 Germany 23 59 able sheet interposed between the slider and the conductive track, at least a portion of this sheet, situated 52 US. Cl. 338/154 I PSite the being cmductive wherein 511 1m. 01 1101c 5/00 sheet cushim made flexible and 58 F ld is h 154 Pressible material which maimains it a d'stance I l o are 338/ from the conductive track and which is elastically deformed under the effect of the ressure exerted on the [56] References Cited p sheet by the slider, so that the portion of the sheet ad- UNITED STATES PATENTS jacent the slider comes in contact with the track. 3,070,768 l2/l962 Mairs 338/154 3,377,604 4/1968 Forrest 338/154 7 Claims, 3 Drawings PAIENIEnnuv 13 I975 3.772.629
FIG. 7
FIG. 2
POTENTIOMETER The present invention relates to a potentiometer comprising a slider and a resistance provided with a conductive track as well as an intermediary member having the shape of a resiliently deformable sheet, interposed between the said slider and the said conductive track, at least a portion of this sheet, situated opposite the said track, being also conductive.
This potentiometer is characterized by the fact that on the shaft, provided with an extension 19a having the the said sheet rests on a cushion made of flexible and compressible material which maintains it at distance from the conductive track and which is elastically deformed under the effect of the pressure exerted on the said sheet by the slider, so that the portion of the sheet adjacent to the slider comes in contact with the said track.
The drawing shows, by way of example, two embodiments of the object of the invention and one modification. I
FIGS. 1 and 2 are axial sectional views of two different embodiments of a potentiometer, and
FIG. 3 is an axial sectional view of a detail of a modification.
The potentiometer represented in FIG. 1 comprises a cylindrical casing, made of plastic material, constituted by a main body 1 in which is engaged a cover 2. The booy carries an annular coiled resistance 3 with which cooperates, indirectly, a rotative slider constituted by a radial arm 4 supported by a shaft 5 rotatably mounted, by means of a rolling bearing 6, on the cover 2. The shaft of this slider is coaxial to the resistance 3.
The arm 4 of the slider carries, at its free extremity, a rotative roller 7 bearing on a metallic disc 8 coaxial to the shaft 5, having the shape of a thin elastic sheet, supported by a cushion 9 made of flexible and compressible material, for instance rubber, also coaxial to the shaft 5, located inner the resistance 3. The sheet 8 extends beyond the cushion 9 and extends, by its periphery, above the resistance 3, while the roller 7 bears on this sheet within the resistance with respect to the center of the apparatus, in the vicinity of the periphery of the cushion 9.
Owing to the presence of the cushion 9, whichreturns resiliently the sheet 8 into its rest position, in
which it is plane and situated at a slight distance from the resistance 3, the sheet can be choosen very thin, that permits, opposite the place where is the roller 7, to incurve itself while taking the shape of the roller, and thus to come in contact with the resistance substantially on a point, that increases the degree of resolution of the potentiometer, which is expressed by the value of the minimum displacement of the slider able to produce a sensible variation of the resistance.
The connecting electric threads of the potentiometer, which are not represented, enter into the casing 1-2 through a sleeve 10 and are connected, two at the resistance 3 and a third one to the circular sheet 8.
The embodiment of FIG. 2 distinguishes from the first one principally by the fact that the shaft, designated by 11, operating the arm 12 of the slider, is extended under this arm and enters into the body 13 of the casing in which it is supported by a rolling bearing 14. It is moreover supported by the cover 15 of the casing through the intermediary of a rolling bearing 16, as in the first embodiment.
shape of a segment extending on while its rear extremity, which is hollow at 20, is rigid with a sleeve 21, also mounted on the shaft, provided with'an extension 21a, having the shape of a segment extending on 180.
This arrangement permits to mount several potentiometers as a set, the front extremity of the shaft 11 of each of them, excepted the end potentiometer of the set, being engaged in the recess 20 of the adjacent potentiometer. The mutual engagement of the extensions 19a and 21a has for effect that the shaft of each potentiometer is rigid with the shaft of the adjacent potentiometer.
The present potentiometer can serve either for varying the value of a resistance, i.e. the resistance 3, or for operating as a measuring instrument of the angular position of a rotative movable element, the information being given by the instantaneous value of the resistance. In this last case, especially, a high degree of resolution of the potentiometer is desired.
The invention is not limited to the potentiometers as disclosed and represented but can be applied, for instance, to potentiometers in which the resistance, which is not coiled, can be constituted by a mere track of carbon, or by a conductive plastic material. The intermediary sheet, interposed between the conductive track of the resistance and the slider can be not plane, but, may be, conical, or cylindrical, provided it is able to be elastically deformed.
The potentiometer can also not be of the type with an annular resistance and with rotative slider, but also of the type with a rectilinear resistance and with a slider which is movable in a translation motion. In this case, for instance, the metallic blade can protrude on both sides of the resistance and be supported, under its protruding portions, by two elastic cushions, parallel to each other, or by one elastic cushion in which the resistancewill be embedded.
In the examples represented, the resistance is circular, so that its value varies linearly, proportionally to the rotation of the slider. As a modification, the shape of the resistance can be different, and have for instance the shape of a spiral, so as to give an information which is not directly proportional to the rotation of the slider.
What I claim is:
1. Potentiometer comprising a slider and a resistance presenting a conductive track, as well as an intermediary member having the shape of a resiliently deformable sheet, interposed between the said slider and the said conductive track, at least a portion of this sheet, situated opposite the said track, being also conductive, characterized by the fact that the said sheet rests on a cushion made of a flexible and compressible material and which maintains it at distance from the conductive track and which is elastically deformed under the effect of the pressure exerted on the sheet by the slider, so that the portion of the sheet adjacent to the slider comes in contact with the said track.
2. Potentiometer' as claimed in claim 1, the slider of which is rotative and the resistance of which is annular and coaxial to the center of rotation of the slider, characterized by the fact that the said cushion is circular and is located inner the said resistance, the intermedi ary sheet, also circular, being coaxial to the said cushion and protruding beyond the cushion so as to extend, by its periphery, above the said resistance.
Potentiometer otentiometer as claimed in claim 2, characterized by the fact that the slider comprises a radial arm at the free extremity of which is rotatably mounted a roller bearing on the said sheet.
4. Potentiometer as claimed in claim 2, characterized by the fact that it comprises a cylindrical casing including its different elements, one of the axial walls of which is traversed by a shaft rigid with the slider, and which serves to operate the slider, this shaft being rotatably mounted in the said wall.
5. Potentiometer as claimed in claim 4, characterized by the fact that the said shaft traverses the said casing and is also rotatably mounted in the second axial wall thereof.
6. Potentiometer as claimed in claim 5, characterized by the fact that one of the extremities of the said shaft is provided with coupling means the shape of which is shape of the resistance is not circular.

Claims (7)

1. Potentiometer comprising a slider and a resistance presenting a conductive track, as well as an intermediary member having the shape of a resiliently deformable sheet, interposed between the said slider and the said conductive track, at least a portion of this sheet, situated opposite the said track, being also conductive, characterized by the fact that the said sheet rests on a cushion made of a flexible and compressible material and which maintains it at distance from the conductive track and which is elastically deformed under the effect of the pressure exerted on the sheet by the slider, so that the portion of the sheet adjacent to the slider comes in contact with the said track.
2. Potentiometer as claimed in claim 1, the slider of which is rotative and the resistance of which is annular and coaxial to the center of rotation of the slider, characterized by the fact that the said cushion is circular and is located inner the said resistance, the intErmediary sheet, also circular, being coaxial to the said cushion and protruding beyond the cushion so as to extend, by its periphery, above the said resistance.
3. Potentiometer otentiometer as claimed in claim 2, characterized by the fact that the slider comprises a radial arm at the free extremity of which is rotatably mounted a roller bearing on the said sheet.
4. Potentiometer as claimed in claim 2, characterized by the fact that it comprises a cylindrical casing including its different elements, one of the axial walls of which is traversed by a shaft rigid with the slider, and which serves to operate the slider, this shaft being rotatably mounted in the said wall.
5. Potentiometer as claimed in claim 4, characterized by the fact that the said shaft traverses the said casing and is also rotatably mounted in the second axial wall thereof.
6. Potentiometer as claimed in claim 5, characterized by the fact that one of the extremities of the said shaft is provided with coupling means the shape of which is complementary of the shape the coupling means provided at its other extremity, the whole in such a way as to permit to mount several potentiometers in a set, the coupling means of each potentiometer of the set being meshing with the complementary coupling means of the adjacent potentiometer, so that the shafts of all the potentiometers of the set be rigid with each other.
7. Potentiometer as claimed in claim 1, the slider of which is rotatable, characterized by the fact that the shape of the resistance is not circular.
US00290348A 1971-09-20 1972-09-19 Potentiometer Expired - Lifetime US3772629A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH1374071A CH531779A (en) 1971-09-20 1971-09-20 Potentiometer
DE19722223409 DE2223409A1 (en) 1971-09-20 1972-05-09 POTENTIOMETER

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Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4333068A (en) * 1980-07-28 1982-06-01 Sangamo Weston, Inc. Position transducer
US4573106A (en) * 1983-08-01 1986-02-25 Alps Electric Co., Ltd. Illuminated slide rheostat
WO1987004848A1 (en) * 1986-01-31 1987-08-13 Oelsch Kommanditgesellschaft Arrangement for ensuring contact between resistance paths
EP0284787A2 (en) * 1987-03-28 1988-10-05 Preh-Werke GmbH & Co. KG Displacement and/or position indicator
US10744055B2 (en) * 2015-07-31 2020-08-18 MAQUET GmbH Device for detecting the position of movable operating table components

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3070768A (en) * 1960-03-18 1962-12-25 Acton Lab Inc Rotary potentiometers
US3377604A (en) * 1967-04-26 1968-04-09 Acton Lab Inc Electrical devices with frictionless flexible contacts
US3516041A (en) * 1968-12-24 1970-06-02 Raytheon Co Variable resistance device

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3070768A (en) * 1960-03-18 1962-12-25 Acton Lab Inc Rotary potentiometers
US3377604A (en) * 1967-04-26 1968-04-09 Acton Lab Inc Electrical devices with frictionless flexible contacts
US3516041A (en) * 1968-12-24 1970-06-02 Raytheon Co Variable resistance device

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4333068A (en) * 1980-07-28 1982-06-01 Sangamo Weston, Inc. Position transducer
US4573106A (en) * 1983-08-01 1986-02-25 Alps Electric Co., Ltd. Illuminated slide rheostat
WO1987004848A1 (en) * 1986-01-31 1987-08-13 Oelsch Kommanditgesellschaft Arrangement for ensuring contact between resistance paths
US4831355A (en) * 1986-01-31 1989-05-16 Schulz Klaus Dieter Arrangement for establishing electrical contact with resistance paths
EP0284787A2 (en) * 1987-03-28 1988-10-05 Preh-Werke GmbH & Co. KG Displacement and/or position indicator
EP0284787A3 (en) * 1987-03-28 1990-10-03 Preh, Elektrofeinmechanische Werke Jakob Preh Nachf. Gmbh & Co. Displacement and/or position indicator
US10744055B2 (en) * 2015-07-31 2020-08-18 MAQUET GmbH Device for detecting the position of movable operating table components

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