Patent Grant
10466735
The invention relates to a knob structure, and more particularly to a knob structure in which bulge portions continuously engage with and disengage from depressed portions in a relative rotation so that the user can feel clicks.
Referring to
Generally, the rotational element 4 is made of aluminum to meet the lightweight and anti-corrosion requirements. If the rotational element 4 is made of steel, then the manufacturing cost will be significantly increased. However, the clicking sheet 6 is made of steel which is harder than aluminum. Therefore, the openings 44 of the aluminum rotational element 4 are susceptible to wear caused by the triangular bulge portions 62 after a certain number of operations, the openings 44 become wider due to the wear, and the bulge portions 62 engaging with the openings 44 are loosened. As a result, the user fails to clearly feel the clicks and the accuracy of positioning of the knob is reduced. Further, the bulge portions 62 are triangular and the openings 44 are substantially rectangular. It is difficult to determine the interference between the bulge portions 62 and the openings 44 according to the theory of mechanics. Therefore, it is necessary to compensate and regulate the interference between the bulge portions 62 and the openings 44 according to the actual situation, which also increases the manufacturing cost.
The invention provides a knob structure in which a clicking plate is provided between the rotational element and the clicking sheet. The bulge portions of the clicking sheet continuously engage with and disengage from the depressed portions of the clicking plate so that the user can feel clicks. The clicking plate is made of the material as hard as the clicking sheet, to improve the anti-friction ability of the clicking sheet and extend the lifespan. Further, the clicking plate instead of the rotational element is made of steel. By this arrangement, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.
The invention also provides a knob structure in which a plurality of curved bulge portions are formed on the periphery of the clicking sheet. When the curved bulge portions continuously engage with and disengage from the depressed portions, the user can feel the clicks.
In the known knob described above, the triangular bulge portion has a base length of about 5 mm and the number A of the bulge portions can be determined by dividing the circumferential length of the clicking sheet by 5 mm. In the invention, the curved portion has a diameter of about 2 mm and the number B of the bulge portions can be determined by dividing the circumferential length of the clicking sheet by 2 mm. B is greater than A. Therefore, the invention is able to provide more bulge portions on the periphery of the clicking sheet than the known knob to enhance user's feel on clicks.
The knob structure in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention includes a base, a rotational element, a clicking plate and a clicking sheet. The rotational element is rotatably disposed on the base and includes inner peripheral surfaces. The clicking plate is joined to the inner peripheral surfaces of the rotational element and includes a plurality of first engaging members. The clicking sheet is joined to the base and includes at least one second engaging member. The clicking plate is held between the base and the clicking sheet to force the clicking sheet against the clicking plate. The rotational element is configured to rotate the clicking plate with respect to the clicking sheet so that the second engaging member continuously engages with the first engaging members.
In another exemplary embodiment, the first engaging members are depressed portions and the second engaging member is a bulge portion.
In yet another exemplary embodiment, the rotational element further includes a flange extending from the inner peripheral surfaces, and the clicking plate is joined to the flange.
In another exemplary embodiment, the rotational element further includes a plurality of cavities corresponding to the depressed portions, and the cavities are formed on the flange and curved.
In yet another exemplary embodiment, the rotational element further includes a plurality of recesses corresponding to the cavities, and the recesses are formed on the inner peripheral surfaces of the rotational element and oriented vertically with respect to the cavities.
In another exemplary embodiment, the clicking plate further includes a plurality of protrusions corresponding to the recesses, and clicking plate is joined to the flange by the protrusions engaging with the recesses.
In yet another exemplary embodiment, the clicking sheet includes a plurality of second engaging members which are bulge portions. The bulge portions are curved. The clicking plate is substantially ring-shaped.
In another exemplary embodiment, the first engaging members are bulge portions and the second engaging member is a depressed portion.
In yet another exemplary embodiment, the bulge portion is harder than the depressed portions.
In another exemplary embodiment, the rotational element and the clicking plate are integrally formed as a continuous unitary piece.
In yet another exemplary embodiment, the first engaging members define a plurality of through holes, the second engaging member is a bulge portion, the rotational element further comprises a plurality of cavities corresponding to the through holes, and the bulge portion extends through one of the through holes to engage with one of the cavities.
In another exemplary embodiment, the first engaging members are depressed portions, the second engaging member is a bulge portion, the rotational element define a plurality of through holes correspondingly to the depressed portions, the depressed portions extend through the through holes, and the bulge portion engages with one of the depressed portions
In yet another exemplary embodiment, the first engaging members define a plurality of first through holes, the second engaging member is a bulge portion, the rotational element define a plurality of second through holes correspondingly to the first through holes, and the bulge portion extends through one of the first through holes and one of the second through holes.
In yet another exemplary embodiment, the knob structure includes a base, a rotational element and a clicking sheet. The rotational element is rotatably disposed on the base and includes inner peripheral surfaces, a flange extending from the inner peripheral surfaces, and a plurality of depressed portions formed on the flange. The clicking sheet is joined to the base and includes a periphery and at least one bulge portion disposed on the periphery. The rotational element is configured to rotate with respect to the clicking sheet so that the bulge portion continuously engages with the depressed portions. The bulge portion is curved.
In another exemplary embodiment, the bulge portion is harder than the depressed portions.
In yet another exemplary embodiment, the knob structure includes a base, a rotational element and a clicking sheet. The rotational element is rotatably disposed on the base and includes inner peripheral surfaces, a flange extending from the inner peripheral surfaces, and at least one bulge portion formed on the flange. The clicking sheet is joined to the base and includes a periphery and a plurality of depressed portions disposed on the periphery. The rotational element is configured to rotate with respect to the clicking sheet so that the bulge portion continuously engages with the depressed portions. The bulge portion is curved.
In another exemplary embodiment, the depressed portions are harder than the bulge portion
A detailed description is given in the following embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The invention can be more fully understood by reading the subsequent detailed description and examples with references made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Referring to
The base 20 is fixed to a sight (not shown). The rotational element 40 is rotatably mounted on the base 20. The clicking plate 50 is joined to the rotational element 40. The clicking sheet 60 is disposed in the rotational element 40. A circuit board 30 is disposed under the clicking sheet 60. The circuit board 30 and the clicking sheet 60 are fixed to the base 20 via a bolt 5. A plurality of contact pins 1 are mounted on the circuit board 30. Tips of the contact pins 1 contact pads of the circuit board 70. The circuit board 70 is disposed in the rotational element 40. The battery 80 is disposed on and electrically connected to the circuit board 70. The cap assembly 90 covers the rotational element 40 to position the battery 80 on the circuit board 70. When the rotational element 40 is rotated by an external force, the cap assembly 90, the battery 80, the circuit board 70 and the clicking plate 50 follow the rotational element 40 to rotate with respect to the base 20 and the circuit board 70 is rotated with respect to the tips of the contact pins 1, thereby regulating the magnitude of the electric current and the brightness of the sight.
In
In this embodiment, the bulge portions 64 are curved and the depressed portions 52 are circular so that the bulge portions 64 can smoothly engage with and disengage from the depressed portions 52. Further, the clicking plate 50 and the clicking sheet 60 are made of stainless steel. Therefore, the hardness of the clicking sheet 60 is near that of the clicking plate 50. The circular depressed portions 52 of the clicking plate 50 cooperate with the curved bulge portions 64. As compared with the triangular bulge portion of the prior art, the curved bulge portions 64 of this embodiment are able to more effectively reduce the frictions between the clicking sheet 60 and the clicking plate 50, lessen the wear, and extend the life span.
The lever arm of the clicking sheet 60 is determined by the location where the clicking sheet 60 is fixed by the bolt 5. The resilient force and torque are determined by the number of the bulge portions 64. More bulge portions 64 cause a larger torque. On the other hand, fewer bulge portions 64 cause a smaller torque.
The knob structure of the invention is provided with a clicking plate between the rotational element and the clicking sheet. The bulge portions of the clicking sheet continuously engage with and disengage from the depressed portions of the clicking plate so that the user can feel the clicks. The clicking plate is made of the material as hard as the clicking sheet, to improve the anti-friction ability of the clicking sheet and extend the lifespan.
In yet another embodiment, the first engaging members of the clicking plate are not depressed portions. Instead, the first engaging members define a plurality of through holes corresponding to the cavities of the rotational element. The second engaging member of the clicking sheet is still a bulge portion. The bulge portion extends through one of the through holes to engage with one of the cavities.
In another embodiment, the first engaging members of the clicking plate are still depressed portions. The second engaging member of the clicking sheet is still a bulge portion. However, the cavities of the rotational element are changed to through holes. The depressed portions extend through the through holes, and the bulge portion engages with one of the depressed portions.
In yet another embodiment, the first engaging members of the clicking plate are not depressed portions. Instead, the first engaging members define a plurality of first through holes. The second engaging member of the clicking sheet is still a bulge portion. The cavities of the rotational element are changed to a plurality of second through holes correspondingly to the first through holes. The bulge portion extends through one of the first through holes and one of the second through holes.
In another embodiment, the knob structure does not include any clicking plate. A plurality of depressed portions are formed on the flange of the rotational element and a plurality of curved bulge portions are formed on the clicking sheet. When the rotational element is rotated, the curved bulge portions continuously engage with and disengage from the depressed portions so that the user can feel the clicks.
In yet another embodiment, the knob structure does not include any clicking plate. A plurality of bulge portions are formed on the flange of the rotational element and a plurality of curved depressed portions are formed the clicking sheet. When the rotational element is rotated, the bulge portions continuously engage with and disengage from the depressed portions so that the user can feel the clicks.
This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/999,787, “Knob Structure”, filed on Jun. 28, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,180,698.
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| 7368673 | Sato | May 2008 | B2 |
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| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 101211706 | Jul 2008 | CN |
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20190107860 A1 | Apr 2019 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 14999787 | Jun 2016 | US |
| Child | 16210064 | US |
