Patent ID: 6236002
Filing Date: 2001-05-22
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
A rotary switch comprising:a rotary dial forming a first, central through hole and a cylindrical, binding member extending from a peripheral edge of said first through hole on one side of said rotary dial;an operation shaft including an upper portion having a first diameter smaller than the diameter of the first through hole, a mid-upper portion having a second diameter greater than the diameter of the first through hole, and a lower portion having a third diameter the same as the first diameter, wherein the upper portion extends upward through the binding member and the first through hole;a housing defining a chamber and having a second central through hole which receives the lower portion of said operation shaft and said binding member;a contact plate having a third central through hole and a plurality of contact protrusions extending in a predetermined pattern, wherein the lower portion of the operation shaft and said binding member slidably extend through the third through hole, said binding member attaching to said contact plate so that said rotary dial and said contact plate are rigidly joined, said housing being interposed between said rotary dial and said contact plate;a planar plate-shaped circuit board having a contact member array that is operably engageable against said contact protrusions and a shaft contact portion arranged so as to engage with a lower end of the lower portion of said operation shaft, said shaft contact portion operating when pressed by the lower end of the operation shaft in accordance with axial movement of said operation shaft, wherein said housing connects to said circuit board so as to allow said rotary dial to rotate together with said contact plate, said housing and said circuit board being stationary independent of the rotation of the rotary dial and the contact plate;wherein, as the rotary dial is rotated, the contact plate is rotated so that at least one contact protrusion is brought into electrical contact with a linear contact member of said contact member array, said operating shaft transmitting a signal when depressed.