Patent Description:
There is conventionally known a jog dial unit including a jog dial operated by an operator (see, for instance, Patent Literature <NUM>).

The jog dial unit described in Patent Literature <NUM> includes a jog dial, a base rotatably supporting the jog dial, a load applying unit for applying a braking load to the jog dial, and a load adjuster for adjusting the braking load.

The load adjuster adjusts the braking load applied to the jog dial according to an adjustment operation by an operator. Specifically, the load adjuster includes a plate cam and an adjustment operating unit. The plate cam is rotatably provided at a base end of a right holding lever of the load applying unit to expand and contract a coil spring interposed between an engagement piece of a left holding lever of the load applying unit and a spring receiving piece. The adjustment operating unit rotates the plate cam normally or reversely. Further, the adjustment operation unit includes a first gear coaxially fixed to the plate cam, a second gear configured to mesh with the first gear, and a load adjustment knob coaxially attached to the second gear via a shaft.

In the jog dial unit, the left holding lever and the right holding lever mutually pivot outward by a uniform spring force of the coil spring. Slide contact portions of the respective holding levers are in contact with a rotational shaft of the jog dial, and a holding force of theholding levers is adjusted by the expandable/contractable coil spring. Accordingly, a frictional force between the holding levers and the rotational shaft is adjusted by the normal/reverse rotating operation of the plate cam, thus adjusting the braking load applied to the jog dial.

Right rotation (clockwise rotation) of the load adjustment knob rotates the plate cam counterclockwise via the second gear and the first gear. Left rotation (counterclockwise rotation) of the load adjustment knob rotates the plate cam clockwise via the second gear and the first gear. Thus, rotating the load adjustment knob to the right increases the braking load applied to the jog dial, and rotating the load adjustment knob to the left reduces the braking load applied to the jog dial.

The jog dial unit described in Patent Literature <NUM>, however, is configured to apply a frictional load to the rotational shaft disposed at the center of the jog dial serving as a rotating body, thus making it difficult to provide a braking force desired by a player.

For the above reason, there has been a demand for any other configuration capable of adjusting the braking force applied to the jog dial.

An object of the invention is to solve at least a part of the above problem and to provide jog controller capable of adjusting a braking force applied to a rotary operator.

A jog controller according to an aspect of the invention includes the features of claim <NUM>.

In the jog controller according to the above aspect, the braking force applied to the rotary operator can be adjusted depending on the adjustment amount by the adjuster.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention is explained below on the basis of the attached drawings.

<FIG> shows a playback system <NUM> according to the exemplary embodiment of the invention.

As shown in <FIG>, the playback system <NUM> according to the exemplary embodiment includes an information processing device <NUM>, a DJ controller <NUM> connected to the information processing device <NUM>, and a cable <NUM> connecting the information processing device <NUM> and the DJ controller <NUM>.

The information processing device <NUM> plays audio data such as music data and outputs the audio data to the DJ controller <NUM> via the predetermined cable <NUM>. A playback control signal is input from the DJ controller <NUM> to the information processing device <NUM> via the cable <NUM>. The information processing device <NUM> adds a variety of sound effects to music data being played based on the playback control signal input thereto.

Such an information processing device <NUM> may be provided, for instance, by a personal computer (PC). Specifically, the information processing device <NUM> is configured, for instance, to include an arithmetic processor such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU) and a storage such as a Hard Disk Drive (HDD).

The DJ controller <NUM> corresponds to an acoustic device. The DJ controller <NUM> includes a casing <NUM>, a mixer <NUM>, a left deck <NUM>, and a right deck 43R. The mixer <NUM> and the decks <NUM>, 43R are provided for the casing <NUM>.

It should be noted that a concept of the acoustic device in the exemplary embodiment includes not only a sound playback controller but also a sound playback device for playing music data.

The casing <NUM> includes a top surface 41A, an upper surface 41T, a lower surface 41B, a left surface <NUM>, a right surface 41R, and a bottom surface (not shown). The entire casing <NUM> is formed into a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape.

The top surface 41A is directed upward to face an operator when the DJ controller <NUM> is placed on an installation surface.

The bottom surface is provided opposite to the top surface 41A in the casing <NUM>. Though not shown, the bottom surface includes a plurality of legs in contact with the installation surface.

The upper surface 41T is provided opposite to the lower surface 41B in a lateral direction of the casing <NUM>. Specifically, when the casing <NUM> is seen from a position facing the top surface 41A, the upper surface 41T is positioned farther from an operator than the lower surface 41B and the lower surface 41B is positioned closer to the operator than the upper surface 41T.

The left surface <NUM> is provided opposite to the right surface 41R in a longitudinal direction of the casing <NUM>. Specifically, when the casing <NUM> with the upper surface 41T facing upward is seen from a position facing the top surface 41A, the left surface <NUM> is positioned left and the right surface 41R is positioned right in the casing <NUM>.

The mixer <NUM> is disposed in a center portion of the top surface 41A. The mixer <NUM> executes switching of audio data input from the information processing device <NUM>, sound control for each channel, and addition of sound effects. The mixer <NUM> includes four channel adjusters <NUM> to <NUM>, a microphone adjuster <NUM>, and an effector <NUM>.

The effector <NUM> is provided in a lower right portion of the mixer <NUM> to add a musical sound effect to a music piece being played. The effector <NUM> includes an effect selection switch <NUM>, a channel selection switch <NUM>, an effect-amount adjusting switch <NUM>, an effect adding switch <NUM>, and a beat changing button <NUM>.

The left deck <NUM> is disposed on the top surface 41A on the left of the mixer <NUM>. The right deck 43R is disposed on the top surface 41A on the right of the mixer <NUM>. The left deck <NUM> and the right deck 43R apply a variety of effects to audio data input from the information processing device <NUM> in accordance with an operator's operation.

The left deck <NUM> and the right deck 43R each include a jog controller <NUM>, a tempo slider <NUM>, a performance pad <NUM>, a cue button <NUM>, a play/pause button <NUM>, a loop button <NUM>, a deck selection button <NUM>, a load button <NUM>, and a cue/loop call switch <NUM>.

The jog controller <NUM> includes a jog dial <NUM>, which is rotatable with a rotation axis Rx extending along +Z direction as the center. Fast-forwarding or reversing of the audio data to be played is executed through an operator's rotating operation on the jog dial <NUM>.

A center portion of the jog controller <NUM> as viewed from the +Z direction is provided with a display <NUM>. The display <NUM> displays, for instance, a value of Beats Per Minute (BPM), a playback-elapsed time, a progression state, and a beat position of the audio data being played as well as a rotation state of an LP record at <NUM> RPM according to the progression of the audio data being played.

A structure of the jog controller <NUM> is described below in detail.

The tempo slider <NUM> adjusts a tempo of the audio data to be played.

The performance pad <NUM> executes switching of effects to the audio data being played. The performance pad <NUM> includes a plurality of buttons. The effect, such as loop, cue, key shift, or sampler, is instantaneously added to the music data being played in response to an operator's pressing operation on one of the buttons.

The cue button <NUM> is a button for cueing a music piece to be played.

The play/pause button <NUM> is a button for starting the play of the music data or pausing the audio data being played.

The loop button <NUM> is a button for looping the audio data being played.

The deck selection button <NUM> is a button with which a channel of audio data to be played is selected among the channel adjusters <NUM> to <NUM> of the mixer <NUM>. In the exemplary embodiment, switching of the channel adjusters <NUM>, <NUM> can be executed in the left deck <NUM>, and switching of the channel adjusters <NUM>, <NUM> can be executed in the right deck 43R.

The load button <NUM> is a button for loading audio data from the information processing device <NUM>. When the load button <NUM> is pressed after audio data to be played on the information processing device <NUM> is selected, the audio data is loaded to any of the channels of the channel adjuster <NUM> to <NUM>.

The cue/loop call switch <NUM> is a switch for calling a cue point stored.

In the following, three directions orthogonal to each other are defined as +X direction, +Y direction, and +Z direction. The +Z direction is defined as a direction directed from the bottom surface to the top surface 41A. The +X direction is defined as a direction directed from the left surface <NUM> to the right surface 41R. The +Y direction is defined as a direction from the lower surface 41B to the upper surface 41T. Though not shown, a direction opposite to the +X direction is defined as -X direction, a direction opposite to the +Y direction is defined as -Y direction, and a direction opposite to the +Z direction is defined as -Z direction, for convenience of the explanation.

<FIG> is a plan view of the jog controller <NUM> as viewed from the +Z direction.

The jog controller <NUM> is a rotating operation device configured to output an operation signal for executing fast-forwarding or reversing of the audio data to be played, as described above. The jog controller <NUM> is provided for each of the left deck <NUM> and the right deck 43R. As shown in <FIG>, such a jog controller <NUM> includes the jog dial <NUM>, the display <NUM>, and a base <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> are each an exploded perspective view of the jog dial <NUM>. Specifically, <FIG> is an exploded perspective view of the jog dial <NUM> as viewed from the +Z direction, and <FIG> is an exploded perspective view of the jog dial <NUM> as viewed from the -Z direction.

The jog dial <NUM> is a rotary operator disposed on the base <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the jog dial <NUM>, which is formed into a circular shape as viewed from the +Z direction, is provided to be exposed on the top surface 41A of the casing <NUM>. An operator performs a rotating operation on the jog dial <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the jog dial <NUM> includes a rotating body <NUM>, a top plate <NUM>, elastic members <NUM>, <NUM>, and a press detecting unit <NUM>. The top plate <NUM>, the elastic members <NUM>, <NUM>, and the press detecting unit <NUM> are provided for the rotating body <NUM>.

The rotating body <NUM> is a main body of the jog dial <NUM>. The rotating body <NUM> is rotatably disposed on the base <NUM> with the rotation axis Rx as the center. The rotating body <NUM> includes a support portion <NUM> and a body <NUM>.

The support portion <NUM>, which is formed into a disk shape as viewed from the -Z direction, is disposed inside a guide rib <NUM> of the base <NUM> described later on. A bottom surface 62A, which is a surface in the -Z direction of the support portion <NUM>, is brought into contact with a plurality of braking pads <NUM> described below. The braking pads <NUM> are brought into contact with the bottom surface 62A from the -Z direction to the +Z direction, thereby causing a braking force to act on the jog dial <NUM> during the rotation of the jog dial <NUM>.

A center portion of the support portion <NUM> as viewed from the +Z direction is provided with a circular opening <NUM>. A cylindrical portion <NUM> of the base <NUM> is inserted into the opening <NUM>. The jog dial <NUM> is thus rotationally movable as the rotation axis Rx as the center. As shown in <FIG>, a disk portion RD1 forming a rotation detecting unit RD for detecting rotation of the jog dial <NUM>, a wireless communication unit (not shown) for transmitting a pressing operation performed on the jog dial <NUM> to the base <NUM>, and the like are provided around the opening <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the body <NUM> is formed into a flat truncated-cone shape as viewed from the +X direction or the +Y direction orthogonal to the +Z direction. The body <NUM> surrounds the support portion <NUM> as viewed from the +Z direction. The body <NUM> includes a lateral portion <NUM>, a rib <NUM>, a step portion <NUM>, an opening <NUM>, and connecting portions <NUM>.

The lateral portion <NUM>, which is formed into an annular shape as viewed from the +Z direction, is an inclined portion of which outer diameter is smaller toward the +Z direction. An outer surface 631A of the lateral portion <NUM> is provided with a plurality of recesses <NUM> into which an operator can insert his/her finger(s). The recesses <NUM> assist the rotating operation of the jog dial <NUM>. The recesses <NUM> are arranged in a circumferential direction of the outer surface 631A at regular intervals.

As shown in <FIG>, the rib <NUM>, which protrudes from an inner surface 631B of the lateral portion <NUM> in the -Z direction, is formed into a substantially annular shape as viewed from the -Z direction. The rib <NUM> is in contact with a plurality of rollers <NUM> (<FIG>) forming rotation support portions <NUM> (described later) of the base <NUM>. The jog dial <NUM> is thus supported to be rotatable as the rotation axis Rx as the center.

As shown in <FIG>, the step portion <NUM> is positioned at a level one step lower in the -Z direction than an end in the +Z direction of the lateral portion <NUM>. Specifically, the step portion <NUM>, which is positioned in the -Z direction with respect to an end in the +Z direction of the body <NUM>, is an annular portion along an XY plane. The top plate <NUM> is fitted in the step portion <NUM>.

The opening <NUM> is defined by an inner edge of the step portion <NUM> into a circular shape as viewed from the +Y direction. The display <NUM> is disposed in the opening <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the connecting portions <NUM>, which protrude in the -Z direction from a surface 633B in the -Z direction of the step portion <NUM>, connect the body <NUM> and an outer edge of the support portion <NUM>. The number of the connecting portions <NUM> is nine in the exemplary embodiment, but not limited thereto.

The top plate <NUM> is a pressed portion through which an operator performs a pressing operation on the jog dial <NUM>. The top plate <NUM> includes a frame <NUM> and a circular-shaped light-transmitting component <NUM>.

The frame <NUM> is an annular frame surrounding the light-transmitting component <NUM> as viewed from the +Z direction. The light-transmitting component <NUM> adheres to a surface in the +Z direction of the frame <NUM>. The top plate <NUM> is attached to the rotating body <NUM> by fixing the frame <NUM> to the step portion <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, a surface 641A in the -Z direction of the frame <NUM> is provided with recesses <NUM> and a plurality of bosses <NUM>. Each recess <NUM> is recessed in the +Z direction to accommodate a part of the corresponding one of the elastic members <NUM>. The plurality of bosses <NUM> protrude in the -Z direction from the surface 641A.

As shown in <FIG>, the light-transmitting component <NUM> is a circular-disk member covering the display <NUM> in the +Z direction. The light-transmitting component <NUM>, which is formed from a material through which an image displayed by the display <NUM> istransmissive, protects the display <NUM>. An operator can see the image on the display <NUM> through the light-transmitting component <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the elastic members <NUM>, <NUM> and the press detecting unit <NUM> are provided between the top plate <NUM> and the rotating body <NUM>. Specifically, the elastic members <NUM>, <NUM> and the press detecting unit <NUM> are provided between the frame <NUM> and the step portion <NUM>.

The elastic members <NUM> are provided between the press detecting unit <NUM> and the frame <NUM>. The elastic members <NUM> are arranged at regular intervals along a circumferential direction centered on the center of the jog dial <NUM> as viewed from the +Z direction. In the exemplary embodiment, the elastic members <NUM> are in a form of rubber cylinders. A total of eight elastic members <NUM> are arranged at every <NUM> degrees with the center of the jog dial <NUM> as the center. The frame <NUM> is positioned spaced apart from the press detecting unit <NUM> by providing the elastic members <NUM>, <NUM>.

The elastic members <NUM> are arranged at substantially regular intervals along the circumferential direction centered on the center of the jog dial <NUM> as viewed from the +Z direction. Specifically, four elastic members <NUM> are provided at substantially regular intervals along the circumferential direction. The elastic members <NUM> are each formed into an annular shape into which the boss <NUM> protruding in the -Z direction from the surface 641A of the frame <NUM> is insertable, as viewed from the +Z direction. The elastic members <NUM> are formed from an elastic material such as rubber and sponge.

The surfaces in the +Z and -Z directions of the elastic member <NUM> are adhesive surfaces. The elastic members <NUM> adhere to the frame <NUM> positioned in the +Z direction with respect to the elastic members <NUM> and the press detecting unit <NUM> positioned in the -Z direction with respect to the elastic members <NUM>. That is, the elastic members <NUM> fix the frame <NUM> to an outside portion of a detection area of the press detecting unit <NUM> with a space between the frame <NUM> and the press detecting unit <NUM>. The frame <NUM> disposed as described above allows a pressing force against the press detecting unit <NUM> to be adjusted.

The press detecting unit <NUM> having an annular shape is provided over substantially the whole area of a surface in the +Z direction of the step portion <NUM>. The press detecting unit <NUM> may be provided, for instance, by a resistive film type sheet switch or any other pressure detecting unit such as a pressure sensitive sensor or a tact switch.

The press detecting unit <NUM> detects a pressure transmitted via the elastic members <NUM>, <NUM> when the top plate <NUM> serving as the pressed portion is pressed by an operator, and outputs a signal indicating that the top plate <NUM> is pressed by the user. In short, the press detecting unit <NUM> outputs the signal indicating that the top plate <NUM> is pressed by the user.

<FIG> is a plan view, as viewed from the +Z direction, of the jog controller <NUM> from which the top plate <NUM> of the jog dial <NUM> is removed.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the display <NUM> is disposed in the jog dial <NUM>, specifically, inside the opening <NUM> of the jog dial <NUM> as viewed from the +Z direction. More specifically, the display <NUM> is disposed between the support portion <NUM> and the top plate <NUM> so that the circumference of the display <NUM> is surrounded by the body <NUM>. The display <NUM> is disposed in the center of a space inside the guide rib <NUM> (see <FIG>) described later as viewed from the +Z direction.

As shown in <FIG>, the display <NUM> includes a display body <NUM> provided with a display panel. Further, as shown in <FIG>, the display <NUM> includes a fitting portion <NUM> protruding from the display body <NUM> in the -Z direction.

The display body <NUM> displays an image in accordance with image information input via Flexible Printed Circuits (FPC, <FIG>). The FPC is placed through the fitting portion <NUM> to extend in the -Z direction.

The fitting portion <NUM> is fitted into a through hole <NUM> (see <FIG>) of the base <NUM> described later. An outer surface of the fitting portion <NUM> is provided with a protrusion, which is fitted into a recess <NUM> of the through hole <NUM>. The display <NUM> is thus fixed to the base <NUM> so as not to be rotatable.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the base <NUM> as viewed from the +Z direction.

The base <NUM>, which is fixed to the casing <NUM>, supports the jog dial <NUM> and the display <NUM> as described above.

As shown in <FIG>, the base <NUM> includes a body <NUM>, the rotation support portions <NUM>, a braking unit <NUM>, and an adjuster <NUM>. The rotation support portions <NUM>, the braking unit <NUM>, and the adjuster <NUM> are provided for the body <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> are respectively a perspective view and a plan view of the body <NUM> as viewed from the +Z direction. Specifically, <FIG> and <FIG> are respectively a perspective view and a plan view as viewed from the +Z direction showing the base <NUM> in which illustration of the braking unit <NUM> and a rotationally moving base <NUM> of the adjuster <NUM> is omitted.

As shown in <FIG>, the body <NUM>, which is formed into a substantially rectangular flat plate shape as viewed from the +Z direction, is attached to the casing <NUM>. The body <NUM> supports the jog dial <NUM> so that the jog dial <NUM> is rotatable. The display <NUM> is fixed to the body <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the body <NUM> includes guide ribs <NUM> to <NUM>, a fixing portion <NUM>, guide pins <NUM>, a regulatory rib <NUM>, regulatory pins <NUM>, and arrangement portions <NUM>.

The guide ribs <NUM> to <NUM> are arranged concentrically to protrude in the +Z direction from a surface 81A in the +Z direction of the body <NUM>. That is, the guide ribs <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are sequentially arranged in this order from a position close to a center C1 (<FIG>) of the guide rib <NUM> as viewed in the +Z direction, the guide rib <NUM> being positioned closest to the center C1, the guide rib <NUM> being positioned the second closest to the center C1, and the guide rib <NUM> being farthest from the center C1.

The guide rib <NUM> extends beyond the guide ribs <NUM>, <NUM> in the +Z direction. The support portion <NUM> of the jog dial <NUM> is disposed inside the guide rib <NUM>. The guide rib <NUM> includes an opening <NUM> through which a gear <NUM> of the adjuster <NUM> described later is exposed.

The guide rib <NUM> is provided between the guide rib <NUM> and the guide rib <NUM> positioned outmost. Cuts <NUM> are formed in the guide rib <NUM> at every predetermined angle with the center C1 as the center. The cuts <NUM> are each provided with a roller <NUM> forming the rotation support portion <NUM>. In the exemplary embodiment, a total of eight cuts <NUM> are provided at every <NUM> degrees with respect to the center C1. The guide rib <NUM> and the guide rib <NUM> guide the rotation of the jog dial <NUM>, and inhibits the jog dial <NUM> from being shifted from the base <NUM> in the -Z direction.

The fixing portion <NUM>, guide pins <NUM>, regulatory rib <NUM>, regulatory pins <NUM> and arrangement portions <NUM> are provided inside the guide rib <NUM> as viewed from the +Z direction.

The fixing portion <NUM> is a portion to which the display <NUM> is fixed. Further, the fixing portion <NUM> supports the jog dial <NUM> so that the jog dial <NUM> is rotatable. The fixing portion <NUM> is positioned in the center of the space surrounded by the guide rib <NUM>. The fixing portion <NUM> includes the cylindrical portion <NUM> protruding in the +Z direction, the through hole <NUM>, and the recess <NUM>.

The cylindrical portion <NUM> is inserted into the opening <NUM> to form the rotation axis Rx of the jog dial <NUM>.

The through hole <NUM> passes through the cylindrical portion <NUM> in the +Z direction.

The recess <NUM> is recessed outward radially from an inner edge of the through hole <NUM>. When the fitting portion <NUM> of the display <NUM> is inserted into the through hole <NUM> with the cylindrical portion <NUM> placed into the jog dial <NUM>, a part of the fitting portion <NUM> is fitted into the recess <NUM>. The display <NUM> is thus attached to the fixing portion <NUM> with the rotational movement centered on a rotational movement axis extending along the +Z direction being restricted.

The guide pins <NUM> protrude from the surface 81A in the +Z direction. The guide pins <NUM> are inserted into the rotationally moving base <NUM> described later to guide rotational movement of the rotationally moving base <NUM>.

The regulatory rib <NUM> is formed in a circle centered on the center C1 as viewed from the +Z direction. The regulatory rib <NUM> includes three cuts <NUM>. Regulatory portions <NUM> of a support base <NUM> described later are inserted into the respective cuts <NUM>.

The regulatory pins <NUM> and the arrangement portions <NUM> are provided at every predetermined angle with the center C1 as the center. In the exemplary embodiment, three regulatory pins <NUM> and three arrangement portions <NUM> are provided at every <NUM> degrees.

The regulatory pins <NUM> protrude from the surface 81A in the +Z direction. The regulatory pins <NUM>, which are inserted into the support base <NUM>, regulate the rotational movement of the support base <NUM> centered on the rotational movement axis extending along the +Z direction.

A biasing member BM1 (compression coil spring, see <FIG>) and a fixing member FM1 (screw, <FIG>) are arranged in each arrangement portion <NUM>. The fixing member FM1 is placed through the biasing member BM1 and an end of the fixing member FM1 is fixed to the support base <NUM>. The arrangement portions <NUM> each include a boss <NUM> protruding from the surface 81A in the +Z direction. The boss <NUM> has a through hole <NUM> passing through the body <NUM> in the +Z direction.

The rotation support portions <NUM> support the jog dial <NUM> so that the jog dial <NUM> is rotatable. The rotation support portions <NUM> are rotatably provided in the cuts <NUM>. A plurality of rollers <NUM> in contact with the rib <NUM> are provided in the rotation support portions <NUM>.

A rotational shaft of each roller <NUM> extends toward the center of the guide rib <NUM>. When the rotating operation is performed on the jog dial <NUM> and the rib <NUM> slides on the rollers <NUM>, the rollers <NUM> rotate to smoothly rotate the jog dial <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the braking unit <NUM> and the body <NUM> separated from each other.

A braking force acts on the jog dial <NUM> by applying a rotation load to the jog dial <NUM> by the braking unit <NUM>. Specifically, the braking force acts on the support portion <NUM> by bringing the braking unit <NUM> into contact with the support portion <NUM> of the jog dial <NUM>. The braking unit <NUM> is provided in the space inside the guide rib <NUM> at a position close to an outer circumference of the guide rib <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the braking unit <NUM> includes an annular support base <NUM> and a plurality of braking pads <NUM> (837A to 837C).

<FIG> and <FIG> are perspective views of the braking unit <NUM> as viewed from the -Z direction and the +Z direction.

As shown in <FIG>, the support base <NUM> is disposed to overlap in the +Z direction with the rotationally moving base <NUM> disposed inside the guide rib <NUM>. The support base <NUM> is an annular support member supporting the plurality of braking pads <NUM> such that the braking pads <NUM> are deeply insertable in the -Z direction into the support base <NUM>. The support base <NUM> is attached to the body <NUM> to be displaceable in the ±Z directions by the fixing members FM1 and the biasing members BM1.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the support base <NUM> includes a plurality of attachment portions <NUM>, the plurality of regulatory portions <NUM>, a plurality of outward protrusions <NUM>, and a plurality of inward protrusions <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, three attachment portions <NUM> are provided at regular intervals along a circumferential direction of the support base <NUM>. Each attachment portion <NUM> includes a boss <NUM> protruding in the -Z direction from a surface in the -Z direction of the support base <NUM>, a screw hole <NUM> provided in the boss <NUM> to penetrate the support base <NUM> in the +Z direction, and a through hole <NUM> penetrating the support base <NUM> in the +Z direction.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view of the braking unit <NUM> attached to the body <NUM>. Specifically, <FIG> shows a cross section, taken along an XZ plane, of one of the three attachment portions <NUM> and the arrangement portion <NUM> corresponding thereto.

As shown in <FIG>, the boss <NUM> is inserted into the through hole <NUM> in the -Z direction. In the through hole <NUM>, an end in the -Z direction of the boss <NUM> is exposed in the -Z direction. In the through hole <NUM>, the biasing member BM1 is provided around the boss <NUM>. An end in the +Z direction of the biasing member BM1 is in contact with an inner surface in the +Z direction of the boss <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the fixing member FM1, which is a screw, is fixed to the screw hole <NUM> that is open in the -Z direction. As shown in <FIG>, a head FM11 of the fixing member FM1 is larger in outer diameter than the boss <NUM> and the biasing member BM1. An end in the -Z direction of the biasing member BM1 is thus in contact with a surface in the +Z direction of the head FM11.

The regulatory pin <NUM> is inserted into the through hole <NUM>.

Herein, since the biasing member BM1 of which end in the +X direction is in contact with the inner surface of the boss <NUM> applies a biasing force in the -Z direction to the fixing member FM1, the support base <NUM> is biased in the -Z direction, that is, toward the surface 81A. This structure inhibits play between the support base <NUM> and the rotationally moving base <NUM> on which the support base <NUM> is placed and play between the rotationally moving base <NUM> and the surface 81A.

The regulatory portions <NUM> extend toward the center of the annular support base <NUM>. The regulatory portions <NUM> are inserted into the cuts <NUM> corresponding thereto.

The outward protrusions <NUM> are provided for an outer edge of the support base <NUM> at regular intervals to protrude outward radially from the outer edge of the support base <NUM>. The inward protrusions <NUM> are provided for an inner edge of the support base <NUM> at regular intervals to protrude inward radially from the inner edge of the support base <NUM>. The inward protrusions <NUM> are positioned in a direction toward the center of the support base <NUM> from the outer protrusions <NUM>.

The support base <NUM> moves in the ±Z directions by shifting the outward protrusions <NUM> and the inward protrusions <NUM> along the rotationally moving base <NUM> in the ±Z directions during the rotational movement of the rotationally moving base <NUM>, as described below in detail.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the braking pad <NUM> separated from an arrangement base <NUM>. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view of the braking pad <NUM> disposed on the arrangement base <NUM>.

Three arrangement bases <NUM> are provided at regular intervals along the circumferential direction of the support base <NUM>. The braking pad <NUM>, a biasing member BM2, and a fixing member FM2 are arranged in each arrangement base <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the arrangement bases <NUM> each include a recess <NUM> that is recessed in the -Z direction from the surface 831A in the +Z direction of the support base <NUM>, a boss <NUM> standing on a bottom of the recess <NUM> in the +Z direction, and a through hole <NUM> penetrating the boss <NUM> in the +Z direction.

In the recess <NUM>, the biasing member BM2 is provided around the boss <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. In the exemplary embodiment, a compression coil spring is used as the biasing member BM2.

A shaft <NUM> of the braking pad <NUM> is inserted into the through hole <NUM> from the +Z direction.

The plurality of braking pads <NUM> (837A to 837C) correspond to a plurality of contact members brought into contact with the support portion <NUM> of the jog dial <NUM>. A braking force acts on the support portion <NUM> by the braking pads <NUM>, attenuating a rotation force of the jog dial <NUM>. The braking pads <NUM> are disposed on the arrangement bases <NUM> corresponding thereto. Specifically, a total of three braking pads <NUM> are provided at regular intervals in the circumferential direction of the annular support base <NUM>. In other words, the braking pads <NUM> include the braking pad 837A positioned in the +Y direction, the braking pad 837B positioned in -Y direction and the +X direction, and the braking pad 837C positioned in the -Y direction and the -X direction.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the braking pad <NUM> includes a pad body <NUM> that is movable in the ±Z directions with respect to the support base <NUM>, and a resistance member <NUM> provided for the pad body <NUM>.

The pad body <NUM>, which is formed into a substantially T shape, includes the shaft <NUM> extending in the +Z direction and a facing portion <NUM> positioned at an end in the +Z direction of the shaft <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the shaft <NUM> is inserted into the through hole <NUM>. A screw hole <NUM> is formed in an end in the -Z direction of the shaft <NUM>. The fixing member FM2, which is a screw, is fitted into the screw hole <NUM>.

In the braking pad <NUM>, the facing portion <NUM> faces the support portion <NUM> of the jog dial <NUM>. The resistance member <NUM> is provided on a surface in the +Z direction of the facing portion <NUM>.

A braking force acts on the jog dial <NUM> by bringing the resistance members <NUM> into contact with portions close to the outer edge of the support portion <NUM>. That is, the resistance member <NUM> is a member functioning as a resistance to the rotation of the jog dial <NUM>. The resistance members <NUM> are formed from felt in the exemplary embodiment, but not limited thereto. The resistance members <NUM> may be formed from any other material.

As shown in <FIG>, the braking pad <NUM> is displaceable in the -Z direction against the biasing force of the biasing member BM2. A head FM <NUM> of the fixing member FM <NUM> is larger in inner diameter than the through hole <NUM>. The fixing member FM <NUM> is a screw inserted from -Z direction into the screw hole <NUM> of the braking pad <NUM>. The braking pad <NUM> is thus movable in the +Z direction until the head FM <NUM> comes in contact with the arrangement base <NUM>. In other words, movement in the +Z direction of the braking pad <NUM> by being biased by the biasing member BM2 in the +Z direction is restricted by bringing the head FM21 into contact with the arrangement base <NUM>.

<FIG> is a side view of the braking unit <NUM> as viewed from the -Y direction.

As shown in <FIG>, a dimension in the +Z direction from the support base <NUM> to an end in the +Z direction of the shaft <NUM> of one of the three braking pads <NUM> is different from that of the remaining two of the three braking pads <NUM>. In other words, the three braking pads <NUM> include a first braking pad as a first contact member and a second braking pad as a second contact member. The first and second braking pads have different dimensions in the +Z direction from the support base <NUM>. That is, the shaft <NUM> of the first braking pad is different in dimension in the +Z direction from the shaft <NUM> of the second braking pad.

Of the three braking pads <NUM> in the exemplary embodiment, the braking pad 837A corresponds to the first contact member and the braking pads 837B, 837C correspond to the second contact member. The shaft <NUM> of the braking pad 837A is smaller in dimension in the +Z direction than the shafts <NUM> of the braking pads 837B, 837C. The ends in the -Z direction of the shafts <NUM> of the respective braking pads <NUM> have the same position in the +Z direction. That is, a dimension in the +Z direction from the support base <NUM> to the end in the +Z direction of each of the braking pads 837B, 837C is larger than a dimension in the +Z direction from the support base <NUM> to the end in the +Z direction of the braking pad 837A. The ends in the +Z direction of the braking pads 837B, 837C are positioned in the +Z direction from the end in the +Z direction of the braking pad 837A.

In this structure, in a state where the braking pads 837B, 837C are in contact with the support portion <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, a braking force acts on the jog dial <NUM> by the braking pads 837B, 837C. The braking pad 837A not in contact with the support portion <NUM> applies no braking force. From this state, when the support base <NUM> moves in the +Z direction (i.e., toward the support portion <NUM>), the pressing force of the braking pads 837B, 837C against the support portion <NUM> provided by the biasing member BM2 is increased. Thus, the rotational resistance of the jog dial <NUM> is increased, and the braking force acting on the jog dial <NUM> is increased.

Further movement in the +Z direction of the support base <NUM> brings not only the braking pads 837B, 837C but also the braking pad 837A into contact with the support portion <NUM>, resulting in a braking force on the jog dial <NUM> by the braking pads 837A, 837B, 837C. Thus, the rotational resistance of the jog dial <NUM> is further increased, and the braking force acting on the jog dial <NUM> is further increased.

Further movement in the +Z direction of the support base <NUM> increases the pressing force of the braking pads 837A, 837B, and 837C against the support portion <NUM> provided by the biasing member BM2. Thus, the rotational resistance of the jog dial <NUM> is much further increased, and the braking force acting on the jog dial <NUM> is much further increased.

Accordingly, the braking force acting on the jog dial <NUM> by each braking pad <NUM> depends on a contact state between the support portion <NUM> and each braking pad <NUM>. The contact state of each braking pad <NUM> is adjusted by the position of the support base <NUM> relative to the support portion <NUM>, that is, the position of the support base <NUM> in the +Z direction.

The position of the support base <NUM> in the +Z direction is adjusted by the adjuster <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the adjuster <NUM> provided on a surface 81B in the -Z direction of the body <NUM>, as viewed from the -Z direction.

As described above, the adjuster <NUM> adjusts the braking force acting on the jog dial <NUM> by adjusting the position of the support base <NUM> in the +Z direction and adjusting the number of the braking pads <NUM> brought into contact with the bottom surface 62A of the jog dial <NUM>. The adjuster <NUM> includes a dial <NUM>, a transmission member <NUM>, and the gear <NUM> as shown in <FIG> as well as the rotational moving base <NUM> as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>.

The dial <NUM>, the transmission member <NUM>, and the gear <NUM> are covered, in the -Z direction, with a cover (not shown) provided for the surface 81B in the -Z direction of the body <NUM>.

The dial <NUM> is rotatably provided in the body <NUM> with a rotational movement axis extending along the +Z direction as the center. The dial <NUM> includes a knob <NUM> positioned in the +Z direction as shown in <FIG> and a meshing portion <NUM> positioned in the -Z direction as shown in <FIG>.

The knob <NUM> is exposed on the top surface 41A of the casing <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. The knob <NUM>, which is formed into a cylindrical shape, receives a rotating operation by an operator.

As shown in <FIG>, the meshing portion <NUM>, which has a plurality of teeth along a circumferential direction centered on the rotational movement axis of the dial <NUM>, meshes with the transmission member <NUM>.

The transmission member <NUM> meshes with the meshing portion <NUM> and the gear <NUM>, transmitting the rotation of the dial <NUM> to the gear <NUM>. Specifically, the transmission member <NUM> moves in +D direction or -D direction depending on the rotational movement of the dial <NUM>, thus rotating the gear <NUM>. The +D direction is inclined to the +X direction and the +Y direction. The -D direction is an opposite direction of the +D direction.

Details of the transmission member <NUM> is described below.

The gear <NUM> is a two-stage gear including a first gear <NUM> positioned in the -Z direction and a second gear <NUM> positioned in the +Z direction.

The first gear <NUM>, which is formed into a cylindrical shape, includes a plurality of teeth meshing with the transmission member <NUM>.

The second gear <NUM> rotates coaxially with the first gear <NUM>. The second gear <NUM>, which is formed into a cylindrical shape, includes a plurality of teeth meshing with the rotationally moving base <NUM>. The second gear <NUM> is exposed on the inside of the guide rib <NUM> via the opening <NUM> formed in the guide rib <NUM> of the body <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the braking unit <NUM> and the rotationally moving base <NUM> separated from each other.

The rotationally moving base <NUM> is a rotationally moving body disposed inside the guide rib <NUM> between the support base <NUM> and the surface 81A of the body <NUM>. The rotationally moving base <NUM> rotationally moves according to the rotation of the gear <NUM>, thereby moving the support base <NUM> in the ±Z directions.

As shown in <FIG>, the rotationally moving base <NUM> includes an annular body <NUM>, guide grooves <NUM> provided in the body <NUM>, a protrusion <NUM>, through openings <NUM>, meshing portions <NUM>, outside pushing-up portions <NUM>, and inside pushing-up portions <NUM>.

The body <NUM> is formed into an annular shape. The body <NUM> is slightly larger in outer diameter than the support base <NUM>. Specifically, when the rotationally moving base <NUM> and the support base <NUM> are seen from the +Z direction, an outer edge of the rotationally moving base <NUM> is positioned radially outside an outer edge of the support base <NUM>, and an inner edge of the rotationally moving base <NUM> is positioned radially inside an inner edge of the support base <NUM>. A center portion of the rotationally moving base <NUM> overlaps in the +Z direction with a center portion of the support base <NUM>.

Each guide groove <NUM> is formed into an arc shape along an inner edge of the body <NUM>. Two guide grooves <NUM> are provided in the exemplary embodiment. The guide pins <NUM> (see <FIG>) are inserted into the guide grooves <NUM>. Accordingly, the rotational movement of the rotationally moving base <NUM> centered on a rotational movement axis passing through the center of the rotationally moving base <NUM> in the +Z direction is guided.

The protrusion <NUM> is provided between the two guide grooves <NUM>. The protrusion <NUM> is brought into contact with a surface in the -Z direction of the support base <NUM>.

Each through opening <NUM> is an opening penetrating the body <NUM> in the +Z direction. The body <NUM> includes six through openings <NUM>. When the support base <NUM> is disposed on the rotationally moving base <NUM>, the arrangement bases <NUM> are disposed in the through openings <NUM> such that the fixing members FM2 are placed through the through openings <NUM> from the -Z direction. The through opening <NUM> is formed in such a dimension that an inner edge of the through opening <NUM> does not interfere with the arrangement base <NUM> during the rotational movement of the rotationally moving base <NUM>.

The meshing portions <NUM>, which are provided in an outer edge of the body <NUM>, mesh with the second gear <NUM> of the gear <NUM>. Although the two meshing portions <NUM> are provided in the exemplary embodiment, a single meshing portion <NUM> may be provided.

The plurality of outside pushing-up portions <NUM> are provided at portions close to the outer edge of the body <NUM> and the plurality of inside pushing-up portions <NUM> are provided at portions close to the inner edge of the body <NUM>. In the exemplary embodiment, the outside pushing-up portions <NUM> and the inside pushing-up portions <NUM> are provided at every <NUM> degrees with respect to the center of the rotationally moving base <NUM>. That is, six outside pushing-up portions <NUM> are provided corresponding to the number of the outward protrusions <NUM> of the support base <NUM> and six inside pushing-up portions <NUM> are provided corresponding to the number of the inward protrusions <NUM> of the support base <NUM>.

The outside pushing-up portions <NUM> and the inside pushing-up portions <NUM> are protrusions of which protrusion amount in the +Z direction increases toward a counterclockwise direction as viewed from the +Z direction. The outside pushing-up portions <NUM> are brought into contact with the outward protrusions <NUM> corresponding thereto, and the inside pushing-up portions <NUM> are brought into contact with the inward protrusions <NUM> corresponding thereto.

When the gear <NUM> is rotated to rotationally move the rotationally moving base <NUM> in a clockwise direction as viewed from the +Z direction, the outside pushing-up portions <NUM> and the inside pushing-up portions <NUM> push the outward protrusions <NUM> and the inward protrusions <NUM> up in the +Z direction so as to push the support base <NUM> up in the +Z direction.

Accordingly, the rotation load on the jog dial <NUM> caused by the contact with the braking pads 837A to 837C and the pressing force by the braking pads 837A to 837C are increased, leading to increased braking force acting on the jog dial <NUM>, as described above.

On the other hand, the support base <NUM> is biased in the -Z direction by the biasing member BM1. Thus, when the gear <NUM> is rotated in a direction reverse to the above to rotationally move the rotationally moving base <NUM> in the counterclockwise direction as viewed from the +Z direction, the outward protrusions <NUM> and the inward protrusions <NUM> move in the -Z direction along the outside pushing-up portions <NUM> and the inside pushing-up portions <NUM>, moving the support base <NUM> in the -Z direction. Accordingly, the rotation load on the jog dial <NUM> caused by the contact with the braking pads 837A to 837C and the pressing force by the braking pads 837A to 837C are decreased, leading to decreased braking force acting on the jog dial <NUM>.

That is, the rotating operation performed on the dial <NUM> rotationally moves the rotationally moving base <NUM> to move the support base <NUM> in the ±Z directions. Accordingly, the braking force acting on the jog dial <NUM> is adjusted.

In view of user friendliness, the support base <NUM> and the rotationally moving base <NUM> are required to be arranged to allow predetermined braking force to act on the jog dial <NUM>, for instance, before the jog controller <NUM> is shipped from the factory. For instance, the arrangement of the support base <NUM> and the rotationally moving base <NUM> is required to be calibrated so that the dial <NUM> is positioned at a center portion in a rotational movement range of the dial <NUM> and the rotationally moving base <NUM> is positioned at a center portion in a rotational movement range of the rotationally moving base <NUM>.

In order to meet this requirement, the transmission member <NUM> of the adjuster <NUM> is configured to calibrate the position of the rotationally moving base <NUM> and the position of the support base <NUM> by rotationally moving the gear <NUM> without rotating the dial <NUM>.

Specifically, the transmission member <NUM> includes a first meshing member <NUM>, a second meshing member <NUM>, and a pointer <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

The first meshing member <NUM> moves in the +D direction or -D direction according to the rotation of the dial <NUM>. The first meshing member <NUM> is formed into a flat plate shape along the surface 81B. The first meshing member <NUM> includes a meshing portion <NUM>, guide pins <NUM>, <NUM>, a boss <NUM>, and a dial <NUM>.

The meshing portion <NUM> includes a plurality of teeth, which are arranged linearly along the +D direction at an edge in the +Y direction of the first meshing member <NUM>. The teeth of the meshing portion <NUM> mesh with the meshing portion <NUM> of the dial <NUM>.

The guide pins <NUM>, <NUM> and the boss <NUM> cylindrically protrude from a surface in the -Z direction of the first meshing member <NUM>. The guide pins <NUM>, <NUM> are inserted into the second meshing member <NUM>, and the boss <NUM> is inserted into the pointer <NUM>.

The dial <NUM> indicates a rotational moving range of the pointer <NUM>.

The second meshing member <NUM> is fixed to the first meshing member <NUM> by a fixing member FM3 such as a screw. The second meshing member <NUM> includes meshing portions <NUM>, <NUM>, a guide groove <NUM>, and a long hole <NUM>.

The meshing portions <NUM>, <NUM> each include a plurality of teeth arranged linearly along the +D direction. The meshing portion <NUM> meshes with the pointer <NUM>, and the meshing portion <NUM> meshes with the gear <NUM>.

The guide groove <NUM> and the long hole <NUM> are long holes that are long in the +D direction. The movement in the ±D directions of the second meshing member <NUM> is guided by inserting the guide pins <NUM>, <NUM> into the guide groove <NUM>. The fixing member FM3 to be fixed to the first meshing member <NUM>, such as a screw, is inserted into the long hole <NUM>.

The pointer <NUM> includes a hole <NUM>, an operation unit <NUM>, and a meshing portion <NUM>.

The boss <NUM> is inserted into the hole <NUM>. The pointer <NUM> is thus attached to the first meshing member <NUM> to be rotatably movable with a rotational movement axis extending along the +Z direction as the center.

The operation unit <NUM> receives a rotationally moving operation performed on the pointer <NUM> by an operator.

The meshing portion <NUM> meshes with the meshing portion <NUM> of the second meshing member <NUM>. The meshing portion <NUM> is provided at a side opposite to the operation unit <NUM> with respect to the hole <NUM>.

When the second meshing member <NUM> is not fixed to the first meshing member <NUM>, the second meshing member <NUM> is movable in the ±D directions independently of the first meshing member <NUM>. Thus, when the pointer <NUM> is operated, the second meshing member <NUM> meshing with the gear <NUM> can move in the ±D directions independently of the dial <NUM> to rotate the gear <NUM>. Therefore, the rotationally moving base <NUM> and the support base <NUM> can be arranged as described above.

Then, the dial <NUM> is disposed at the center portion in the rotational moving range of the dial <NUM>, which is followed by fixing the second meshing member <NUM> to the first meshing member <NUM> with the fixing member FM3, making it possible to move the transmission member <NUM> in the ±D directions according to the rotationally moving operation performed on the dial <NUM>. Accordingly, the braking force acting on the jog dial <NUM> is adjusted by moving the rotationally moving base <NUM> in the ±Z directions according to the rotationally moving direction and rotationally moving amount of the dial <NUM>.

The above-described playback system <NUM> according to the exemplary embodiment can provide effects as follows.

The DJ controller <NUM> (acoustic device) includes the jog controller <NUM>. The jog controller <NUM> includes the jog dial <NUM> (rotary operator) and the base <NUM> supporting the jog dial <NUM> so that the jog dial <NUM> is rotatable. The base <NUM> includes the braking unit <NUM> brought into contact with the jog dial <NUM> to generate a braking force acting on the jog dial <NUM> and the adjuster <NUM> adjusting the braking force of the braking unit <NUM>. The braking unit <NUM> includes the plurality of braking pads <NUM> (the plurality of contact members) brought into contact with the support portion <NUM> of the jog dial <NUM> to generate the braking force acting on the jog dial <NUM>. The plurality of braking pads <NUM> apply different degrees of braking force depending on the adjustment amounts of the adjuster <NUM>.

This structure allows the adjuster <NUM> to adjust the braking force acting on the jog dial <NUM>. For instance, when the number of the braking pads <NUM> brought into contact with the jog dial <NUM> is small, the rotation load on the jog dial <NUM> is small and the braking force acting on the jog dial <NUM> is small. When the number of the braking pads <NUM> brought into contact with the jog dial <NUM> is large, the rotation load on the jog dial <NUM> is large and the braking force acting on the jog dial <NUM> is large. Accordingly, the above structure can adjust the braking force on the jog dial <NUM>.

The braking unit <NUM> includes the plurality of braking pads <NUM> and the support base <NUM> moving in directions toward and away from the jog dial <NUM> (movable body moving in the ±Z directions). The plurality of braking pads <NUM> are each independently biased toward the jog dial <NUM> by the biasing member BM1.

In this structure, a state where the braking pads <NUM> are in contact with the jog dial <NUM> by the biasing members BM1 can be maintained.

Further, for instance, when the support base <NUM> moves in the +Z direction (toward the support member <NUM>) with the braking pads 837B, 837C in contact with the support portion <NUM> of the jog dial <NUM>, the biasing force by the biasing member BM1 increases. The pressing force against the support portion <NUM> by the braking pads 837B, 837C can thus be increased. Accordingly, the braking force on the jog dial <NUM> can be finely adjusted depending on the position of the support base <NUM> in the +Z direction. Furthermore, when the support base <NUM> moves in the +Z direction with the braking pads 837B, 837C in contact with the support portion <NUM>, the braking pad 837A can be brought into contact with the support portion <NUM>. The braking force on the jog dial <NUM> can be further increased. When the support base <NUM> in this state further moves in the +Z direction, the pressing force against the support portion <NUM> by the braking pads 837A to 837C can be increased. Accordingly, the braking force on the jog dial <NUM> can be finely adjusted.

The plurality of braking pads <NUM> include the braking pad 837A (first contact member) and the braking pads 837B, 837C (second contact member). In a dimension from the support base <NUM> in the +Z direction directed from the support base <NUM> toward the jog dial <NUM>, the braking pad 837A is different from the braking pads 837B, 837C.

This structure makes it possible to change the number of the braking pads <NUM> brought into contact with the jog dial <NUM> by moving the support base <NUM> in the +Z direction or the -Z direction. Accordingly, the braking force acting on the jog dial <NUM> can be easily changed and adjusted.

The adjuster <NUM> includes the dial <NUM> for receiving an operator's rotating operation and the rotationally moving base <NUM>, which is disposed between the surface 81A and the support base <NUM> in the base <NUM> and rotates according to the rotation of the dial <NUM> to move the support base <NUM> in the ±Z directions (toward and away from the jog dial <NUM>).

With this structure, the rotationally moving base <NUM> can move the support base <NUM> in the ±Z directions through the rotational movement of the dial <NUM>, thereby adjusting the braking force acting on the jog dial <NUM>. The braking force can thus be adjusted easily.

The braking unit <NUM> includes the resistance members <NUM> that are provided in the braking pads <NUM> to be brought into contact with the support portion <NUM> of the jog dial <NUM>. The resistance members <NUM> serve as the resistance to the rotation of the jog dial <NUM>. As described above, felt is used for the resistance members <NUM> in the exemplary embodiment.

In this structure, the resistance members <NUM> can apply a load to the rotation of the jog dial <NUM>. In addition to the above, the braking force acting on the jog dial <NUM> can be adjusted by using the resistance members <NUM> having different frictional coefficients.

The braking unit <NUM> applies the braking force in the +Z direction directed from the base <NUM> toward the jog dial <NUM>. That is, the braking force acts on the jog dial <NUM> by moving the plurality of braking pads <NUM> (the plurality of contact members) in the +Z direction and bringing the plurality of braking pads <NUM> into contact with the jog dial <NUM>.

For instance, as compared to a structure in which a braking force acts on the jog dial <NUM> by holding the rotational movement axis of the jog dial <NUM>, the above structure can downsize the jog controller <NUM> and reduce a static frictional force of the braking pads <NUM> on the jog dial <NUM>. Thus, the above structure has enhanced operability of the jog dial <NUM>.

The braking pads <NUM> are brought into contact with portions close to the outer edge of the support portion <NUM> of the jog dial <NUM>.

In this structure, the rotation load on the jog dial <NUM> can be reduced compared to a case where the braking pads <NUM> are brought into contact with portions close to an inner circumference of the support portion <NUM>. Thus, the braking force acting on the jog dial <NUM> can be set finely.

In the DJ controller <NUM>, the jog controller <NUM> includes the display <NUM> provided in the base <NUM>. The position in the base <NUM> where the display <NUM> is disposed is different from the position in the base <NUM> where the braking unit <NUM> is disposed. Specifically, as viewed from the +Z direction, the display <NUM> is disposed in the center of a space inside the guide rib <NUM> of the base <NUM>, and the braking unit <NUM> is provided close to the outer circumference.

In this structure, the braking force can act on the jog dial <NUM> by the braking unit <NUM> without any interference between the braking unit <NUM> the display <NUM>.

The invention is not limited to the above exemplary embodiment but includes any modification, improvements, and the like within the scope of the claim.

In the above exemplary embodiment, when the rotationally moving base <NUM> is rotationally moved with the braking pads 837B, 837C in contact with the support portion <NUM> of the jog dial <NUM> to move the support base <NUM> in the +Z direction, the braking pad 837A is brought into contact with the support portion <NUM>. The invention, however, is not limited thereto and may adopt the following structure. When the support base <NUM> is moved in the +Z direction with one of the braking pads <NUM> in contact with the jog dial <NUM>, the remaining other braking pads <NUM> are brought into contact with the jog dial <NUM>. In this structure, the braking pads <NUM> may be brought into contact with the jog dial <NUM> one by one as the support base <NUM> moves in the +Z direction. That is, the braking pads <NUM> may be brought into contact with the jog dial <NUM> one by one as the support base <NUM> moves in the +Z direction.

In the above exemplary embodiment, the number of braking pads <NUM> is three. Two or four or more braking pads <NUM>, however, may be provided.

In the exemplary embodiment, the braking pads <NUM> are supported by the support base <NUM>, which is a movable body formed annularly as viewed from the +Z direction. The invention, however, is not limited thereto. The support base <NUM> is not indispensable as long as the braking pads <NUM> are adjustably positioned relative to the jog dial <NUM>. Further, the support base <NUM> may have any other shape, such as a circular shape or rectangular shape.

Furthermore, each braking pad <NUM> is biased toward the jog dial <NUM> by the biasing member BM2. The invention, however, is not limited thereto. The biasing member BM2 is not indispensable as long as a state where the braking pad <NUM> is in contact with the jog dial <NUM> can be maintained.

Moreover, each biasing member BM2 is a compression coil spring in the above exemplary embodiment. The invention, however, is not limited thereto. Any other biasing member that can bias the braking pad <NUM> toward the jog dial <NUM> may be used.

In the exemplary embodiment, the dimension in the +Z direction of the shaft <NUM> of the braking pad 837A is smaller than the dimension in the +Z direction of the shafts <NUM> of the braking pads 837B, 837C. The invention, however, is not limited thereto. The shafts <NUM> of the braking pads 837A, 837B, and 837C may have the same dimension in the +Z direction. In this case, the bosses <NUM> having the through holes <NUM> into which the respective shafts <NUM> are inserted may have different dimensions in the +Z direction. Even in this case, it is possible to make the dimension from the support base <NUM> in the +Z direction of one of the braking pads <NUM> different from the dimension from the support base <NUM> in the +Z direction of the other braking pads <NUM>. That is, any structure may be adopted as long as the degree of the braking force acting on the jog dial <NUM> is adjusted by bringing each of the braking pads 837A,837B, and 837C into contact with the support portion <NUM> of the jog dial <NUM> with a time difference from the other braking pads according to the adjustment amount by the adjuster <NUM>.

In the exemplary embodiment, the adjuster <NUM> includes the dial <NUM> by which the rotationally moving base <NUM> is rotationally moved to move the support base <NUM> in the ±Z directions. The invention, however, is not limited thereto. A driving device configured to rotate the rotationally moving base <NUM>, such as a motor, may be provided. The driving device may be driven in response to an input operation performed on a button or the like.

Alternatively, it is not indispensable for the adjuster <NUM> to include the rotationally moving base <NUM>. The adjuster <NUM> may include any other component that can move the support base <NUM> in the ±Z directions. That is, the adjuster <NUM> may include a component that can directly move the support base <NUM> in the ±Z directions.

In the exemplary embodiment, the resistance member <NUM> formed from felt is provided in the braking pad <NUM> to be brought into contact with the jog dial <NUM>. The invention, however, is not limited thereto. The resistance member is not indispensable. Further, the resistance member <NUM> may be formed from any other material than felt.

In the above exemplary embodiment, the braking force in the +Z direction acts on the jog dial <NUM> by bringing the braking pads <NUM> into contact with the jog dial <NUM> from the -Z direction. The invention, however, is not limited thereto. A direction in which the braking force acts on the jog dial <NUM> by the braking unit <NUM> may be any other direction. For instance, the braking unit <NUM> may apply, to the support portion <NUM> of the jog dial <NUM>, a braking force in the -Z direction or a braking force from the outside to the inside in the radial direction of the jog dial <NUM>.

In the exemplary embodiment, the braking pads <NUM> are brought into contact with the bottom surface 62A of the support portion <NUM> of the jog dial <NUM> at portions close to the outer edge of the bottom surface 62A that is a surface in the -Z direction. The invention, however, is not limited thereto. The braking pads <NUM> may be brought into contact with a center portion of the bottom surface 62A or any other portion of the jog dial <NUM>.

In the above exemplary embodiment, the display <NUM> is provided in a center portion of the jog dial <NUM> as viewed from the +Z direction. The invention, however, is not limited thereto. The display <NUM> may be provided in any other part of the jog dial <NUM> or is not indispensable.

In the above exemplary embodiment, the invention provided with the jog controller <NUM> is exemplified by the DJ controller <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The structure of the jog controller, however, is not limited to the structure and the layout shown in <FIG>. For instance, the jog controller may include any one of the left deck <NUM> and right deck 43R, or the acoustic device may include only the jog controller <NUM>.

Claim 1:
Ajog controller (<NUM>) comprising:
a rotary operator (<NUM>); and
a base (<NUM>) supporting the rotary operator (<NUM>) so that the rotary operator (<NUM>) is rotatable,
the base (<NUM>) comprising:
a braking unit (<NUM>) configured to cause a braking force to act on the rotary operator (<NUM>); and
an adjuster (<NUM>) configured to adjust the braking force caused by the braking unit (<NUM>),
the braking unit (<NUM>) comprising:
a movable body (<NUM>) configured to be moved by the adjuster (<NUM>) in directions toward and away from the rotary operator (<NUM>); and
a plurality of contact members (<NUM>) provided on the movable body (<NUM>), the plurality of contact members (<NUM>) being configured to be moved with the movable body (<NUM>) in the direction toward the rotary operator (<NUM>) to be brought into contact with the rotary operator (<NUM>) to cause the braking force to act on the rotary operator (<NUM>), wherein
the plurality of contact members (<NUM>) comprise a first contact member (837A) and a second contact member (837B, 837C),
in a direction directed from the movable body (<NUM>) toward the rotary operator (<NUM>), a dimension from the movable body (<NUM>) of the first contact member (837A) is different from a dimension from the movable body (<NUM>) of the second contact member (837B, 837C), and
the braking force changes by bringing each of the first contact member (837A) and the second contact member (837B, 837C) into contact with the rotary operator (<NUM>) with a time difference according to a movement amount of the movable body (<NUM>) by the adjuster (<NUM>).