Patent Description:
A rotary switch may switch a contact and select a circuit through rotation operation. Accordingly, as the rotary switch performs an on/off control of an individual switch through the rotation operation, the configuration of the circuit is varied.

The rotary switch may generate a pulse signal by rotating clockwise or counterclockwise. Accordingly, the rotary switch may be called a rotary encoder switch.

The rotary switch is provided in various products. For example, the rotary switch may be provided in a washing machine. In this case, the rotary switch may be used as a handling device of the washing machine. Accordingly, a user may select a desired operation mode of the washing machine by rotating the rotary switch.

In general, the rotary switch may include a handling unit rotated and operated by the user, a rotating body rotating through the rotation of the handling unit, and a fixing body allowing the rotating body to be received therein and making sliding contact with the rotating body.

In addition, the fixing body may include a switch pattern connected with a terminal. In addition, the rotating body may include a metallic plate making sliding-contact with the switch pattern through the rotation. The on-off control of the switch may be performed through the sliding-contact between the metallic plate and the switch pattern.

A conventional rotary switch has the following problem.

First, a space is formed in the rotating body in the longitudinal and transverse directions, so the shaking and the vibration are relatively large during rotation.

Second, according to the conventional rotating body, a concavo-convex part formed at a circumferential surface thereof determines the rotational sound and torque necessary for the rotation. Accordingly, the user feels that the rotational operation feeling, which allows the user to tactilely recognize the rotation, is coarse and feels that the rotational sound, which is dependent on the rotation of the operation part and allows the user to audibly recognize the rotation, is relatively blunt.

Third, it is difficult to finely adjust an allowable torque value allowing the rotation in the procedure of manufacturing the rotary switch. In other words, it is difficult to perform fine tuning for allowable torque for the rotation of the rotary switch.

Fourth, by the handling of the user, force applied in the shaft direction of the rotating body or drawing force outward direction may be applied to the rotary switch. In this case, the leaf spring and the rotating body may be easily deformed (or broken) by force applied in the shaft direction or drawing force outward.

Fifth, the roughness (or protrusion) may be cracked due to the repeated rotation of the rotating body, thereby reducing the lifespan of the product.

Sixth, since only the fixing body and the cover are coupled to receive the rotating body, the durability of the rotary switch may be relatively degraded.

Information on the prior art will be described as follows.

<CIT> relates to a control device of a laundry processing device.

<CIT> relates to a rotary switch assembly. <CIT> relates to a positioning structure for a multiway rotary switch. The positioning structure comprises an insulation stool body which is provided with a holding space for holding a conductive terminal group, a butt terminal group, a baffle plate and a knob. The pins of the conductive terminal group respectively extend to be exposed outside the insulation stool body. The butt terminal group is positioned above the conductive terminal group and is adjacent to the conductive terminal group to form a preset gap, and elastic propping parts are respectively arranged on the butt terminals. The baffle plate is positioned above the butt terminal group and is provided with a plurality of openings. The knob is positioned above the baffle plate, and is provided with a turn table with a convex turning rod, a propping block is arranged at the bottom of the turn table, a plurality of limiting clipping grooves are arranged on the circumference of the outer ring of the turn table, and a limiting wing panel which can be elastically distorted is arranged outside the turn table. A cover body is closed and covered above the insulation stool body, and an operating hole for the turning rod of the turn table to protrude is arranged on the surface of the cover body.

The invention is specified by the independent claim <NUM>. The present disclosure is suggested to solve the problem of the conventional rotary switch, and is to provide a rotary switch which minimizes a space separated from a rotating body.

The present disclosure is to provide a rotary switch which minimizes the clearance between components, which is caused due to rotation.

In addition, the present disclosure is to provide a rotary switch capable of relatively improving the rotational operation feeling and a rotational sound allowing a user to be impressed as a high-quality product.

In addition, the present disclosure is to provide the structure of a rotary switch allowing the design of relatively fine allowable torque for rotation.

In addition, the present disclosure is to provide a rotary switch capable of preventing the deformation and the breakdown even if drawing force applied outward or force applied in the shaft direction act.

In addition, the present disclosure is to provide a rotary switch capable of minimizing cracks which are caused due to the repeated rotation of a rotating body.

Further, the present disclosure is to provide the structure of a rotary switch in which the coupling between components is relatively strong and stable.

The invention is specified by the independent claim. In order to accomplish the objects, a rotary switch may include a fixing body, a rotating body having received in the fixing body to rotate, a cover coupled to an upper portion of the fixing body to allow the rotating body to pass through the cover, a first elastic body positioned under the cover to make contact with the protrusion, which is formed in the rotating body in the shaft direction, while rotating; and a second elastic body positioned under the cover to make contact with the protrusion, which is formed in the rotating body in the radial direction, while rotating. Accordingly, the first elastic body and the second elastic body may improve the quality of the rotary switch in the rotational operation feeling and the rotational sound.

The first elastic unit may support the rotating body in the axial direction. In addition, the second elastic unit may support the rotating body in the side direction. Accordingly, the rotation of the rotating body may be performed stably, and the generation of clearance between the components may be minimized.

The first elastic body may have a ring shape such that the rotating body passes through the center of the first elastic body and provides force toward the center of the rotating body. The second elastic body may have a plate shape.

The first elastic body may include: a first bending part and a second bending part which are bent downward symmetrically to each other.

The first elastic body may press the rotating body in at least two points symmetrical to each other.

The first elastic body may include: a first elastic protrusion protruding downward from the first bending part and a second elastic protrusion protruding downward from the second bending part.

The first elastic body may be formed therein with elastic enhancement holes defined as spaces away from the first elastic protrusion and the second elastic protrusion in a vertical direction.

The rotating body may include: a base having a circular shape and a shaft extending upward from the center of the base. The protrusions may include a side protrusion protruding in the radial direction along a circumferential surface of the base and an upward protrusion protruding perpendicularly to the side protrusion.

The upward protrusion may protrude with a slope, which may be gentler than the side protrusion, from the base.

A plurality of upward protrusions and a plurality of side protrusions may be formed in a circumferential direction of the base.

The rotating body may further include a shaft stopper having a step along a lower circumference of the shaft. The shaft stopper may extend from the base to a position higher than the first elastic body.

The cover may include a shaft guide having an opening allowing the shaft to pass through the opening and a guide shaft extending downward from a bottom surface of the cover to fix the first elastic body.

The rotating body may further include an extending rib extending from the shaft toward the upward protrusion. The extending rib may extend so that a height gradually decreases toward the upward protrusion.

The rotary switch may further include a bracket coupled to an upper portion of the cover. The bracket may include a support plate extending upwardly and inclined so as to be inserted into a support groove recessed from a bottom surface of the fixing body.

The fixing body may include: coupling bosses protruding from opposite side surfaces thereof and a coupling shaft extending upward to guide coupling the cover to the bracket. The coupling bosses may be inserted into boss holes formed in opposite side surfaces of the bracket.

The first elastic body may be called an elastic ring, and the second elastic body may be called a leaf spring.

The protrusions formed on the rotating body may protrude in the axial direction and the radial direction of the rotating body, respectively. Accordingly, there is suggested the structure of the rotary switch capable of functionally separating the rotational operation feeling and the rotational sound in the protrusion direction of the protrusion, which is different a conventional art. Therefore, the rotary switch according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may optimize the rotational operation feeling and the rotational sound in terms of sensibility of the user.

The elastic ring makes contact with the protrusion, which protrudes in the axial direction of the rotating body, while rotating. According to the elastic ring pressing the rotating body in the axial direction, the rotating body may minimize the space in the axial direction (or vertical direction) as compared with the rotary switch.

In addition, the elastic ring is interposed between the bottom surface of the cover and the base of the rotating body and provides force to the rotating body. Accordingly, the rotation stability and the rotational operation feeling of the rotary switch may be improved.

The upward protrusion protrudes upward from the rotating body and the side protrusion protrudes in the side direction of the rotating body.

The surfaces of the upward protrusion and the side protrusion, which make contact with the elastic ring or the leaf spring, may be curved.

In addition, the leaf spring making contact with the side protrusion while rotating may be provided under the elastic ring. The side protrusion making contact with the leaf spring may instantly generate cheerful rotational sound.

In addition, the upward protrusion, which makes contact with the elastic ring, in the vertical direction of the rotating body may provide the soft rotational operation feeling to the user.

In addition, the upward protrusion and the side protrusion may be formed in a semicircular shape to make stable rotation contact.

Further, the upward protrusion and the side protrusion may be formed with mutually different slopes due to the difference in durability between the leaf spring and the elastic ring.

In addition, to make smooth rotation contact with the elastic ring, the upward protrusion may have a smaller inclination angle of the curved surface protruding from the base than the side protrusion.

In addition, the upward protrusion and the side protrusion may be positioned perpendicularly to each other and corresponding to each other, thereby generating the rotational sound depending on the rotation of the rotary switch. For example, a diameter of the upward protrusion in the longitudinal sectional surface may be identical to the diameter of the side protrusion in the cross sectional surface. In other words, the upward protrusion and the side protrusion may have the same starting point and end point for protruding from the base of the rotating body. Accordingly, the rotational sound may be generated corresponding to the rotational operation of the user.

In addition, the upward protrusion and the side protrusion may extend from a common point to be perpendicular to each other. Accordingly, the rotational sound may be generated corresponding to the rotation of the rotary switch.

The upward protrusion and the side protrusion may have oval-shaped sectional surfaces. For example, the upward protrusion may be formed to have a radius decreased from the central point (O) toward the highest point and the side protrusion may be formed to have a radius increased from the central point (O) toward the outermost point.

In addition, the upward protrusion may be formed such that the maximum extension length (V) of the upward protrusion may be shorter than the maximum extension length (R) of the side protrusion.

Further, a radius of the upward protrusion in the longitudinal sectional surface may be identical to the radius of the side protrusion in the cross sectional surface.

Meanwhile, to provide elastic force to the upward protrusion, the elastic ring may include an elastic protrusion protruding downward.

At least two elastic protrusions may be provided.

In addition, a plurality of elastic protrusions may be positioned to be symmetrical to each other. Accordingly, the elastic ring may guide the stable rotation since the elastic ring presses the upward protrusion in at two points symmetrical to each other.

Further, to provide a force directed toward the central axis of the rotating body, the elastic ring may be formed to be tapered at opposite sides thereof.

In other words, the elastic ring may include a first bending part bent to be inclined downward at one side and a second bending part bent to be inclined downward at an opposite side thereof.

Further, the first bending part and the second bending part may be formed to have the same inclination angle that the first bending part and the second bending part are bent from the center of the elastic ring.

In addition, the first bending part and the second bending part may be formed to be symmetrical to each other. Accordingly, the force acting on the rotating body from the elastic ring faces the center, so that stable rotation of the rotating body may be guided.

In addition, the elastic protrusion formed on the elastic ring may be formed to protrude downward from the first bending part and the second bending part, respectively. For example, the elastic protrusions may protrude perpendicularly to a bottom surface of each of the first bending part and the second bending part.

In addition, the elastic protrusions may be formed to be rounded downward.

Further, to enhance the elastic force of the elastic protrusion, the elastic ring may have elastic enhancing holes formed at opposite sides of the elastic protrusion and defined as openings to space the elastic protrusion from the bending part (the first bending part and the second bending part).

In addition, the elastic ring may be provided in the type of a ring to make contact with the upward protrusion under the ring. Accordingly, the clearance, which may occur in the vertical direction (or shaft direction), may be minimized.

In addition, the upward protrusion of the rotating body making contact with the elastic ring may be designed to have allowable torque values (unit kgf·cm) in the <NUM> or <NUM> units such that the fine tuning of the allowable torque is possible in the procedure of manufacturing the rotary switch. The side protrusion of the rotating body making contact with the leaf spring may be designed to have an allowable torque value of <NUM> unit (unit kgf-cm) or less.

To minimize the acting of force applied in the side direction or drawing force outward with respect to the elastic ring and the leaf spring, the support plate of the bracket may be formed to be inclined upward, and the support groove of the fixing body may be recessed to correspond to the support plate.

In addition, to minimize the force applied to the elastic ring in the side direction or the drawing force applied outward to the elastic ring, a shaft stopper having a step difference along the lower circumference of the shaft of the rotating body may make contact with the bottom surface of the cover.

In addition, to minimize the cracks of the elastic ring or the upward protrusion which is caused due to the repeated rotation, the extending rib extending in the radial direction from the shaft stopper to the upward protrusion may be provided.

The extending rib may stably guide the contact between the elastic ring and the upward protrusion.

In addition to strongly couple the bracket to the fixing body, the fixing body may include a coupling boss protruding from the outer circumferential surface of the fixing body.

The coupling boss may be inserted into the boss hole formed in the connection plate of the bracket.

In addition, for stable fixation of the bracket, the cover, and the fixing body, the fixing body may include a coupling shaft extending upward. The coupling shaft may be positioned so as to sequentially pass through the coupling hole in the cover and the insertion hole in the bracket. In other words, the coupling shaft may perform a function of guiding the coupling of the cover and the bracket.

Further, the rim of the cover and the fixing body may form steps corresponding to each other. In detail, an inner wall extending vertically upward is provided on the upper end portion of the fixing body to form the step and an outer wall extending vertically downward from the outer circumference is formed at the lower end portion of the cover to form the step. In addition, the outer wall and the inner wall may be coupled to each other to be in close contact with each other.

In addition, the bracket may be positioned on the cover such that the rotating body passes through the bracket. In addition, the bracket may be coupled to the cover and the fixing body. Accordingly, the stable coupling and support between components are maintained, so the rotation stability of the rotary switch is improved.

According to the present disclosure, the protrusions of the rotating body and the elastic ring, which are separated from each other functionally and structurally, are provided to minimize the space separated apart from the rotating body and the clearance between components, thereby reducing the shaking and the vibration. In addition, the rotation stability of the rotary switch is improved.

According to the present disclosure, when the user rotates and manipulates the handling unit, elastic force is applied to the side protrusion and the upward protrusion of the rotating body, thereby minimizing the vibration. Accordingly, the relatively smooth rotational operation feeling may be provided. In addition, the more cheerful rotational sound may be provided. Accordingly, the product impresses a user as high-quality product in terms of sensibility.

According to the present disclosure, the fine tuning of the allowable torque is possible in the procedure of manufacturing the rotary switch, which is different from the conventional rotary switch. In addition, high-quality rotational operation feeling may be provided. Therefore, the reliability of the product is improved.

According to the present disclosure, the support plate of the bracket is formed to be bent, and the support groove of the fixing body is recessed to correspond to the support plate. Accordingly, the rotary switch may be prevented from being broken or deformed by the force applied to the rotary switch in the shaft direction or the drawing force applied outward from the rotary switch. In other words, the durability of the product is improved, so the lifespan of the product is improved.

According to the present disclosure, the extending rib extending to the upward protrusion guides the rotation contact between the elastic ring and the upward protrusion due to the rotation of the rotating body, and the stiffness of the upward protrusion may be reinforced. Accordingly, the cracks of the elastic ring or the upward protrusion may be minimized. Accordingly, the lifespan of the product extends.

In addition, since the fixing body, the cover, and the bracket are mutually strongly coupled and supported, the durability of the rotary switch is improved.

In addition, since the outer wall and the inner wall are coupled to make contact with each other, the fixing body and the cover may be stably maintained with air tightness and sealing.

Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings. In adding the reference numerals to the components of each drawing, it should be noted that the identical or equivalent component is designated by the identical numeral even when they are displayed on other drawings. In addition, in the following description of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a detailed description of well-known features or functions will be ruled out in order not to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present disclosure.

In the following description of elements according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the terms 'first', 'second', 'A', 'B', `(a)', and `(b)' may be used. These terms are merely intended to distinguish one component from another component, and the terms do not limit the nature, sequence or order of the constituent components. When a certain element is "liked to", "coupled to", or "connected with" another element, the certain element may be directly linked to or connected with the another element, and a third element may be "linked", " coupled ", or "connected" between the certain element and the another element.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a rotary switch according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and <FIG> is an exploded perspective view illustrating the configuration of the rotary switch according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a rotary switch <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a bracket <NUM>.

The bracket <NUM> may be stably engaged with other components positioned under the bracket <NUM>. For example, a cover <NUM> and a fixing body <NUM> positioned under the bracket <NUM> may be firmly engaged with the bracket <NUM>.

The rotary switch <NUM> may further include the rotating body <NUM> which is rotatable.

In detail, the bracket <NUM> may be formed in the center thereof with a central opening <NUM> open to allow a shaft <NUM> of the rotating body <NUM> to pass through the central opening <NUM>. For example, the central opening <NUM> may be formed in a circular shape.

In addition, the bracket <NUM> may include a rectangular plate. In addition, the bracket <NUM> may include an insertion hole <NUM> to guide the coupling with the fixing body <NUM> in a vertical direction (or a shaft direction). The insertion hole <NUM> may be formed such that a coupling shaft <NUM> of the fixing body <NUM> to be described later is inserted into and/or fixed to the insertion hole <NUM>.

The insertion holes <NUM> may be formed in a number corresponding to the coupling shafts <NUM>.

Further, the bracket <NUM> may include connection plates <NUM> extending vertically downward from opposite edges of the bracket <NUM>. Therefore, the bracket <NUM> may be opened in the front-rear direction. The connection plates <NUM> may be positioned on opposite sides of the bracket <NUM>. For example, the bracket <NUM> may be formed in the shape of tongs.

The connection plates <NUM> may be formed at opposite sides thereof with boss holes <NUM> that guide the coupling to the fixing body <NUM>. The boss holes <NUM> may be formed such that coupling bosses <NUM> to be described later are inserted into and fixed to the boss holes <NUM>. The boss holes <NUM> may be formed in the number corresponding to the coupling bosses <NUM>.

Each connection plate <NUM> may include a connection guide <NUM> to guide the connection with external components.

The connection guide <NUM> may be formed to extend downward from the central portion of the connection plate <NUM>. The connection guide <NUM> may be formed to be bent along the extending direction.

In addition, the bracket <NUM> may include a support plate <NUM> extending inward of the bracket <NUM> from the connection plate <NUM>.

The support plate <NUM> may be formed to extend toward the center of the bracket <NUM> from a lower end portion of the connection plate <NUM>. In other words, the support plate <NUM> may be inclined while extending. The details thereof will be described below.

The rotary switch <NUM> may further include a cover <NUM>.

The cover <NUM> may be positioned under the bracket <NUM>. The cover <NUM> may be positioned to be inserted into or to pass through the central opening <NUM> of the bracket <NUM>.

The cover <NUM> may include a shaft guide <NUM> to guide a shaft <NUM> of the rotating body <NUM>.

The shaft guide <NUM> may be formed at the center of the cover <NUM>. The shaft guide <NUM> may extend to pass through the central opening <NUM>. For example, the shaft guide <NUM> may be provided in the form of a pipe extending upward.

The shaft guide <NUM> may be open in an axial/vertical direction (or in a shaft direction) such that the shaft <NUM> may be inserted into and pass through the shaft guide <NUM>. For example, the shaft guide <NUM> may be formed in a cylindrical shape to open the center of the cover <NUM> in the vertical direction.

The cover <NUM> may include coupling holes <NUM> formed in positions corresponding to the insertion holes <NUM> under the insertion holes <NUM> such that the coupling shafts <NUM> of the fixing body <NUM> pass through the coupling holes <NUM>. Similarly, the coupling holes <NUM> may be formed in number corresponding to the coupling shafts <NUM>.

In other words, the coupling shafts <NUM> are sequentially inserted into and pass through the coupling holes <NUM> and the insertion holes <NUM>, thereby stably fixing the fixing body <NUM>, the cover <NUM> and the bracket <NUM>.

The rotating body <NUM> may be positioned under the cover <NUM>. In addition, the rotating body <NUM> may be positioned in such a manner that the rotating body <NUM> passes through the center of the cover <NUM> from the lower portion of the cover <NUM>.

In this case, the lower portion of the cover <NUM> may be defined as including a position making contact with a bottom surface of the cover <NUM> and a position spaced apart downward from the bottom surface of the cover <NUM>.

An elastic ring <NUM> to be described, the rotating body <NUM>, and a leaf spring <NUM> may be positioned under the cover <NUM>.

The rotating body <NUM> may include a shaft <NUM> extending upward.

The shaft <NUM> may extend in the longitudinal direction. For example, the shaft <NUM> may include a cylinder shape extending upward in the longitudinal direction.

The shaft <NUM> may form a central axis of the rotary switch <NUM>. The shaft <NUM> may extend to pass through the shaft guide <NUM> of the cover <NUM> and the central opening <NUM> of the bracket <NUM>.

A knob connection groove <NUM>, which is downward recessed, may be formed in the top surface of the shaft <NUM>. The knob connection groove <NUM> may guide the handing unit (not illustrated) such that the handling unit is coupled to the knob connection groove <NUM>.

Accordingly, when the user rotates the handling unit, the rotating body <NUM> may receive the rotational force (torque) by the knob connection groove <NUM>. Therefore, as a user performs the rotation handling while the rotating body <NUM> is rotated, thereby controlling the above-described switch on-off.

The rotating body <NUM> may include protrusions <NUM> and <NUM> protruding in the axial direction and the radial direction of the rotating body <NUM>, respectively. The details of the rotating body <NUM> will be described below in detail.

The rotary switch <NUM> includes the elastic ring <NUM>.

The elastic ring <NUM> is positioned under the cover <NUM>. The elastic ring <NUM> may form a circular opening <NUM> (see <FIG>) at the center thereof so that the shaft <NUM> passes through the circular opening <NUM>.

The elastic ring <NUM> may include a ring shape.

The elastic ring <NUM> is coupled to the bottom surface of the cover <NUM> to press the rotating body <NUM> downward. In other words, the elastic ring <NUM> is interposed between the cover <NUM> and the protrusion of the rotating body <NUM>.

The elastic ring <NUM> makes contact the protrusion formed on the rotating body <NUM> to provide elastic force.

The elastic ring <NUM> may include an elastic protrusion <NUM> making contact the protrusion of the rotating body <NUM>. The elastic protrusion <NUM> may provide force toward the center axis of the rotating body <NUM>.

The rotary switch <NUM> includes a contact plate <NUM>. The contact plate <NUM> may be positioned under the rotating body <NUM>.

The contact plate <NUM> is coupled to the rotating body <NUM>. The contact plate <NUM> is be coupled to the bottom surface of the rotating body <NUM>. The contact plate <NUM> may be formed therein with a plurality of holes into which a plate fixing shaft (not shown) formed on the bottom surface of the rotating body <NUM> is inserted. Accordingly, the contact plate <NUM> may be rotated together with the rotation of the rotating body <NUM> depending on the rotation of the rotating body <NUM>.

Meanwhile, the bottom surface of the rotating body <NUM> may be understood as a bottom surface of the base <NUM> to be described later.

The contact plate <NUM> may be formed of a metal material.

In addition, the contact plate <NUM> may include a ring shape. The contact plate <NUM> may include a contact part extending in the circumferential direction and inclined downward so as to make contact with a switch pattern to be described later.

The rotary switch <NUM> may further include a fixing body <NUM> and a terminal <NUM>.

The fixing body <NUM> may be positioned under the rotating body <NUM>. In detail, the fixing body <NUM> may be positioned under the contact plate <NUM>.

The fixing body <NUM> may be formed such that a portion of the shaft <NUM> is received in the center thereof.

The fixing body <NUM> may include a hexahedron having an open top surface. The fixing body <NUM> may form an inner space in which the rotating body <NUM> is received. For example, the inner space of the fixing body <NUM> may be provided in the shape of a circular groove.

The fixing body <NUM> may include the coupling boss <NUM> for coupling with the bracket <NUM>.

The coupling boss <NUM> may be formed to protrude from opposite side surfaces of the fixing body <NUM>. In addition, the coupling boss <NUM> may be formed in a shape corresponding to a position corresponding to the boss hole <NUM> to be inserted into and fixed to the boss hole <NUM>.

The fixing body <NUM> may further include the coupling shaft <NUM> to guide the coupling of the cover <NUM> and the bracket <NUM>.

The coupling shaft <NUM> may sequentially pass through the coupling hole <NUM> and the insertion hole <NUM>. In detail, the coupling shaft <NUM> may extend upward from the upper end of the fixing body <NUM>.

The coupling shaft <NUM> may have a cylindrical shape. For example, the coupling shaft <NUM> may be positioned near a corner along an upper edge of the fixing body <NUM>. In this case, the coupling hole <NUM> and the insertion hole <NUM> may be positioned above correspond to the coupling shaft <NUM>.

Accordingly, the coupling shaft <NUM> and the coupling boss <NUM> may stably fix and couple the bracket <NUM>.

The fixing body <NUM> includes a switch pattern with which the contact plate <NUM> makes contact while sliding. The switch pattern may be formed in the circumferential direction with respect to the central axis.

The switch pattern may be positioned on the bottom surface of the fixing body <NUM>. The switch pattern may be connected with the terminal <NUM>. Therefore, the contact plate <NUM>, which rotates together with the rotation of the rotating body <NUM>, may perform on-off control of the switch while making sliding-contact with the switch pattern.

The terminal <NUM> may be coupled to the fixing body <NUM>. For example, the terminal <NUM> may be formed to be inserted into the lower portion of the switch pattern.

The terminal <NUM> may include a plurality of connection terminals connected to a ground (GND), a power source, and the like. For example, the connection terminal may protrude from one side of the fixing body <NUM> and be bent downward.

The rotary switch <NUM> may further include a leaf spring <NUM> and an auxiliary leaf spring <NUM>.

The leaf spring <NUM> and the auxiliary leaf spring <NUM> may perform a function to generate a sound in accordance with the rotation of the rotating body <NUM>. In other words, the leaf spring <NUM> and the auxiliary leaf spring <NUM> may generate a rotating sound.

The leaf spring <NUM> and the auxiliary leaf spring <NUM> may be formed of a metal material.

The leaf spring <NUM> may be received in the fixing body <NUM>. The leaf spring <NUM> may be positioned in a side direction of the rotating body <NUM>. In addition, the leaf spring <NUM> may support the rotating body <NUM> in the side direction.

The leaf spring <NUM> may be positioned under the elastic ring <NUM>. The upper end of the leaf spring <NUM> may make contact with the bottom surface of a front fixing part <NUM> (see <FIG>) of the elastic ring <NUM>.

The leaf spring <NUM> may include a plate shape. The leaf spring <NUM> makes rotational contact with the side protrusion <NUM>.

Since the leaf spring <NUM> may apply elastic force to the side protrusion <NUM> formed in the side direction on the rotating body <NUM>, a relatively fine torque is applied to the rotating body <NUM> when the rotating body <NUM> rotates. Accordingly, the leaf spring <NUM> may guide the stable rotation of the rotating body <NUM>.

The leaf spring <NUM> may include a central protrusion <NUM> protruding toward the rotating body <NUM>. The central protrusion <NUM> may be formed to be engaged with the side protrusion <NUM> of the rotating body <NUM>. For example, the central protrusion <NUM> may be formed such that a curved surface protrudes toward the rotating body <NUM> by bending the central portion of the leaf spring <NUM>.

The central protrusion <NUM> may be elastically deformed or elastically restored as a plurality of side protrusions <NUM> formed in the circumferential direction of the rotating body <NUM> make contact with the central protrusion <NUM> while rotating.

The central protrusion <NUM> may make contact with a valley or a peak formed by the plurality of side protrusions <NUM> while sliding.

Meanwhile, the central protrusion <NUM> may be positioned to be inserted into the valleys formed by the plurality of side protrusions <NUM> before the elastic deformation starts or after the elastic restoration is completed. Accordingly, the central protrusion <NUM> may be formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of the valleys formed by the plurality of side protrusions <NUM>.

The auxiliary leaf spring <NUM> may be positioned outside the leaf spring <NUM> with respect to the rotating body <NUM>. The auxiliary leaf spring <NUM> may be received in the fixing body <NUM>.

Hereinafter, the generation of rotation sound will be described in detail. The central protrusion <NUM> of the leaf spring <NUM> may elastically make contact with the rotation of the side protrusion <NUM> of the rotating body <NUM>. Accordingly, the leaf spring <NUM> may generate a frictional sound or a colliding sound as the elastic deformation occurs.

In addition, in the process of elastically deforming the leaf spring <NUM>, the auxiliary leaf spring <NUM> makes friction with opposite ends of the leaf spring <NUM> to generate a frictional sound. In the elastic restoring process of the leaf spring <NUM>, the auxiliary leaf spring <NUM> may collide with the leaf spring <NUM> to generate a collision sound.

In addition, regarding the rotation sound, a rubbing sound or a colliding sound according to the contact of the elastic ring <NUM> and the upward protrusion <NUM> described later may be added.

Meanwhile, the upward protrusion <NUM> and the elastic ring <NUM> have a main function of improving the rotational operation feeling of the rotary switch <NUM> by providing torque to the rotating body <NUM>. However, as described above, the upward protrusion <NUM> and the elastic ring <NUM> may generate a rotating sound.

Accordingly, as the rotating body <NUM> rotates, the elastic ring <NUM>, the leaf spring <NUM>, and the auxiliary leaf spring <NUM>, which collide with or make friction with the rotating body <NUM>, may provide light and clear rotation sound to the user in match with the rotation of the rotating body <NUM>.

<FIG> is a front view illustrating a bracket according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, <FIG> is a bottom perspective view of the cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, <FIG> is a front view of the fixing body according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and <FIG> is a sectional view taken along line I-I' of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the bracket <NUM> may include the support plate <NUM> inclined while extending from the connection plate <NUM>.

A plurality of support plates <NUM> may be provided. For example, the plurality of support plates <NUM> may include a first support plate 18a and a third support plate 18c that are bent from the connection plate 13a that forms one side surface of the bracket <NUM>, and a second support plate 18b and a fourth support plate 18d that are bent from a connection plate 13b forming an opposite side surface facing the one side.

The connection plate <NUM> forming one side surface of the bracket <NUM> is called a first connection plate 13a and the connection plate <NUM> facing the first connection plate 13a is called a second connection plate 13b. Similarly, the connection guide <NUM> formed on the first connection plate 13a is called a first connection guide 14a, and the connection guide <NUM> formed on the second connection plate 13b is called a second connection guide 14b.

The first support plate 18a and the third support plate 18c may be positioned while facing the second support plate 18b and the fourth support plate 18d. In other words, the first support plate 18a and the third support plate 18c may be symmetrical with the second support plate 18b and the fourth support plate 18d.

Each support plate <NUM> may be inclined toward the center of the bracket <NUM>. In other words, the support plate <NUM> may be inclined while extending upward from the connection plate <NUM>.

In more detail, the support plate <NUM> may extend along a virtual extension line "c" drawn upward at a predetermined angle "a" from a virtual horizontal line "H" drawn from a lower end portion of the connection plate <NUM>. Accordingly, the support plate <NUM> may form the predetermined angle "a" with the virtual horizontal line "H".

In this case, the predetermined angle "a" may be defined as an acute angle.

Since the above-described support plate <NUM> bent to be inclined upward couples and/or supports the fixing body <NUM> to the upper portion, an influence exerted on the fixing body <NUM>, the cover <NUM>, and the bracket <NUM> by the rotation of the rotating body <NUM> may be minimized. Accordingly, the deformation caused by the drawing force outward, the shaking due to the rotation, or the clearance resulting from the repeated rotation may be minimized.

Meanwhile, the cover <NUM> may further include a front guide shaft <NUM> and a rear guide shaft <NUM> for coupling the elastic ring <NUM>.

The front guide shaft <NUM> may protrude downward from the bottom surface of the cover <NUM>. The front guide shaft <NUM> and the rear guide shaft <NUM> may be formed symmetrically with respect to the center of the shaft guide <NUM>.

The front guide shaft <NUM> and the rear guide shaft <NUM> may be inserted into guide holes of the elastic ring <NUM>, which correspond to the front guide shaft <NUM> and the rear guide shaft <NUM>, respectively, in the front-rear direction. Accordingly, the elastic ring <NUM> may be fixed the front guide shaft <NUM> and the rear guide shaft <NUM>.

In addition, the cover <NUM> may further include a fixing protrusion <NUM> to fix and support the position of the elastic ring <NUM>.

The fixing protrusion <NUM> may be formed to make close contact with opposite end portions of front fixing parts <NUM> (see <FIG>) of the elastic ring <NUM>. For example, a pair of fixing protrusions <NUM> may be formed to protrude from the bottom surface of the cover <NUM>. Further, the front guide shaft <NUM> may be interposed between the pair of fixing protrusions <NUM>.

The cover <NUM> may further include a mounting protrusion <NUM> to be mounted to a right position of the fixing body <NUM> and coupled with the fixing body <NUM>.

The mounting protrusion <NUM> may protrude from the bottom surface of the cover <NUM> to be inserted into the inner space of the fixing body <NUM>. For example, a pair of mounting protrusions <NUM> may be formed. In addition, the mounting protrusions <NUM> may be positioned outside of the fixing protrusion <NUM>.

In addition, the cover <NUM> may further include a seating end portion 21a positioned at a lower end portion of the shaft guide <NUM>.

The seating end portion may make contact with a shaft stopper <NUM> of the rotating body <NUM> to be described. In other words, the seating end portion 21a may be seated on the shaft stopper <NUM>.

Accordingly, when the drawing force outward is applied in an external direction or force is applied in the shaft direction, the seating end portion 21a makes contact with the shaft stopper <NUM> to maintain the space between the bottom surface of the cover <NUM> and the protrusion of the rotating body <NUM>. In other words, the seating end portion 21a and the shaft stopper <NUM> may preserve the space in which the elastic ring <NUM> is installed. Accordingly, the elastic ring <NUM> may be prevented from being deformed or broken.

In addition, the cover <NUM> may further include an outer wall <NUM> extending downward vertically along the outer rim of the cover <NUM>.

The outer wall <NUM> may include a step formed along the rim of the bottom surface of the cover <NUM>. In addition, the outer wall <NUM> may be coupled to an upper end portion of the fixing body <NUM> to make close contact with the upper end portion of the fixing body <NUM>.

Meanwhile, the fixing body <NUM> may further include an inner wall <NUM> having a step formed inward along an upper end portion of the fixing body <NUM>.

The inner wall <NUM> may extend upward to be stepped from the upper end of the fixing body <NUM>. The inner wall <NUM> may be formed in a shape corresponding to the outer wall <NUM>.

The cover <NUM> may cover the open top surface of the fixing body <NUM> such that the outer wall <NUM> is in close contact with the outside of the inner wall <NUM>.

In addition, the fixing body <NUM> may further include a support groove <NUM> into which the support plate <NUM> is inserted.

The support groove <NUM> may be formed on the bottom surface of the fixing body <NUM>. The support groove <NUM> may be formed at a position corresponding to the support plate <NUM>. For example, the support groove <NUM> may be recessed and inclined upward at a predetermined angle "a" from the lower end portion of the fixing body <NUM> by the predetermined angle "a".

In addition, the fixing body <NUM> may include a plurality of support grooves <NUM> that may be formed in number corresponding to the number of the support plates <NUM>. For example, the support grooves <NUM> may include a first support groove 38a, into which the first support plate 18a is inserted, a second support groove 38b in which the second support plate 18b is inserted, a third support groove 38c into which the third support plate 18c is inserted, and a fourth support groove 38d in which the fourth support plate 18d is inserted.

The bracket <NUM>, the cover <NUM>, and the fixing body <NUM> may be stably maintained in air tightness and sealing through the configuration of the bracket <NUM>, the cover <NUM>, and the fixing body <NUM>. Therefore, there is an effect of preventing a urethane coating liquid from being infiltrated.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the rotating body according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, <FIG> is an enlarged view of part A of <FIG>, and <FIG> is a top view of the rotating body when viewed from the top according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the rotating body <NUM> may include a base <NUM> coupled to the contact plate <NUM> and a shaft <NUM> extending upward from the center of the base <NUM>.

The base <NUM> may have a disc shape. The contact plate <NUM> may be coupled to the bottom surface of the base <NUM>. As the rotating body <NUM> rotates, the contact plate <NUM> may rotate in the inner space of the fixing body <NUM>.

The rotating body <NUM> may be connected with a handling unit or handling device allowing a user to handle the rotation. For example, as described above, the knob connection groove <NUM> recessed in the top surface of the shaft <NUM> may be coupled to the handling unit to transfer the torque provided by the user to the rotating body <NUM>.

The rotating body <NUM> may further include a shaft stopper <NUM> extending along a circumferential surface of the shaft <NUM> by a predetermined length.

In other words, the shaft stopper <NUM> may protrude in the radial direction from the lower outer circumferential surface of the shaft <NUM> and extend in the circumferential direction. For example, the shaft stopper <NUM> may be formed to extend in the radial direction from the shaft <NUM> by a predetermined length.

That is, the shaft stopper <NUM> may form a step difference from the lower portion of the shaft <NUM>.

In another aspect, the shaft stopper <NUM> may extend upwardly from the base <NUM> to have a diameter greater than the diameter of the shaft <NUM>. In this case, the shaft stopper <NUM> may have a cylindrical shape with a short length.

The shaft stopper <NUM> may extend from the base <NUM> to a position higher than the elastic ring <NUM>. Accordingly, when drawing force outward or force is applied to the rotating body <NUM> outwardly or in the shaft direction, since the step difference of the shaft stopper <NUM> makes contact with the seating step part 21a, the elastic ring <NUM> may be prevented from being deformed and/or broken.

In addition, the rotating body <NUM> includes protrusions <NUM> and <NUM> protruding in the axial direction and the radial direction, respectively.

In other words, a plurality of protrusions <NUM> and <NUM> are provided on the top surface and the circumferential surface (or the side surface) of the base <NUM> in the circumferential direction, thereby forming a roughness shape.

Differently, the rotating body <NUM> may include protrusions <NUM> and <NUM> protruding in two directions perpendicular to each other.

The protrusions <NUM> and <NUM> may make contact with the elastic ring <NUM> or the leaf spring <NUM> while rotating. When the rotating body <NUM> is rotated, the elastic ring <NUM> may provide elastic force to the protrusions <NUM> and <NUM> in the axial direction, and the leaf spring <NUM> may provide the elastic force to the protrusions <NUM> and <NUM> in the side direction.

The protrusions <NUM> and <NUM> may include a side protrusion <NUM> protruding in a radial direction along the circumferential surface of the base <NUM> and an upward protrusion <NUM> protruding in a direction perpendicular to the side protrusion <NUM>.

In other words, the side protrusion <NUM> and the upward protrusion <NUM> protude from the base <NUM> in two different directions. The side protrusion <NUM> and the upward protrusion <NUM> extend in the side direction and the axial direction of the base <NUM> to be perpendicular to each other from a common center O.

In addition, the side protrusion <NUM> and the upward protrusion <NUM> may extend in the side direction and the upward direction from the same position and may be provided in the circumferential direction of the base <NUM>.

In other words, the side protrusion <NUM> and the upward protrusion <NUM> may be formed perpendicularly to each other such that a starting point and an end point protruding from the base <NUM> are the same. In other words, the side protrusion <NUM> and the upward protrusion <NUM> are not provided alternately.

Accordingly, since the rotation sound is generated in accordance with the rotation handling of the user, the rotating state may be acoustically informed to the user.

In addition, a plurality of side protrusions <NUM> and upward protrusions <NUM> may be formed in the circumferential surface of the base <NUM>.

The side protrusion <NUM> may protrude in the side direction (or radial direction) from the circumferential surface of the base <NUM>. The side protrusion <NUM> may have a surface which is gently curved and faces the outside. The top surface and the lower surface of the side protrusion <NUM> may be formed as planes aligned in line with the base <NUM>.

The upward protrusion <NUM> is formed to protrude upward from the top surface of the base <NUM>. The top surface of the upward protrusion <NUM> may have a surface which is gently curved.

In addition, opposite side surfaces of the upward protrusion <NUM> may be formed as curved surfaces to improve the stiffness and the precision of the position.

As described above, the side protrusion <NUM> and the upward protrusion <NUM> may be named protrusions of the rotating body <NUM>.

The protrusions <NUM> and <NUM> of the rotating body <NUM> may have surfaces gently curved in the protrusion direction to make stable and smooth rotation-contact with the leaf spring <NUM> or the elastic ring <NUM> For example, the side protrusion <NUM> and the upward protrusion <NUM> may have a semicircular cross section.

Meanwhile, the side protrusion <NUM> and the upward protrusion <NUM> may extend with different slops due to the difference in the design value (for example, durability) between the elastic ring <NUM> and the leaf spring <NUM>.

The side protrusion <NUM> may be formed to have a steeper slop at a point of first making contact with the leaf spring <NUM>, so as to generate a rhythmical. To the contrary, the upward protrusion <NUM> may be formed to have a gentler slope at a point first making contact with the elastic ring <NUM> to provide smooth rotational operation feeling.

To make smooth rotation contact with the elastic ring <NUM>, the upward protrusion <NUM> may have a smaller slope of the curved surface protruding from the base <NUM> than the side protrusion <NUM>.

The protruded curved surface of the upward protrusion <NUM> may be understood as a top surface of the upward protrusion <NUM> and the protruded curved surface of the side protrusion <NUM> may be understood as an outer surface of the side protrusion <NUM>. Therefore, the top surface of the upward protrusion <NUM> may be formed more gently than the outer surface of the side protrusion <NUM>.

More specifically, with respect to the common midpoint O between the side protrusion <NUM> and the upward protrusion <NUM>, the distance V from a common midpoint "O" to the uppermost point of the upward protrusion <NUM> is greater than the distance "R" between the common midpoint "<NUM>" and the outermost point of the side protrusion <NUM>.

In other words, the maximum length V of the upward protrusion <NUM> extending upward from the base <NUM> may be shorter than the maximum length R of the side protrusion <NUM> extending in the radial direction from the base <NUM>. That is, the maximum extension length "V" of the upward protrusion may be shorter than the maximum extension length "R" of the side protrusion.

According to another embodiment, the radius of the longitudinal sectional surface of the upward protrusion <NUM> may be smaller than the radius of the cross sectional surface of the side protrusion <NUM>.

In another embodiment, the longitudinal surface of the upward protrusion <NUM> may have an oval shape having a smaller radius toward the uppermost point. In addition, the cross sectional surface of the side protrusion may have an oval shape having a radius increased toward the outermost point.

Accordingly, since the elastic ring <NUM> smoothly slides to the top surface, which is gentle and low, of the upward protrusion <NUM> while rotating and making contact with the upward protrusion <NUM>, the rotational operation feeling of the handling unit by the user may be improved.

Since the leaf spring <NUM> makes friction or collides with a greater deformation degree due to a higher slop or height while rotating and making contact with the side protrusion <NUM>, the leaf spring <NUM> generates a loud and rhythmical sound.

In addition, the rotating body <NUM> may further include an extending rib or a plurality of extending ribs <NUM> provided at a lower portion of the rotating body <NUM> while extending in the radial direction.

The extending ribs <NUM> may extend in the radial direction from the outer circumferential surface of the shaft <NUM>. In detail, the extending ribs <NUM> may extend in the radial direction from the outer circumferential surface of the shaft stopper <NUM>.

In addition, the extending rib <NUM> may extend from the shaft stopper <NUM> to the upward protrusion <NUM>. For example, the extending rib <NUM> may protrude in the radial direction from the circumferential surface (or side surface) of the shaft stopper <NUM> and may extend to the side surface of the upward protrusion <NUM>.

Further, the extending rib <NUM> may be formed to have a height which is decreased in the radial direction. In other words, the extending rib <NUM> may be formed to have a height decreased in an extending direction extending from the shaft stopper <NUM> to the upward protrusion <NUM>. In other words, the top surface of the extending rib <NUM> may be formed to be inclined.

Further, the extending ribs <NUM> may be formed in a number corresponding to the upward protrusions <NUM>.

The extending rib <NUM> may reinforce the stiffness of the upward protrusion <NUM>. The extending rib <NUM> may perform a guide to make the contact between the elastic ring <NUM> and the upward protrusion <NUM> at a right position.

The elastic ring <NUM> may make contact with the upward protrusion <NUM> at a wrong position by deviating from the right position due to the repetitive rotation of the rotating body <NUM>. As the case is repeated, the elastic ring <NUM> and the rotating body <NUM> may be abraded or cracked.

However, the extending rib <NUM> may prevent the elastic ring <NUM> from deviating from the right position due to the rotation of the elastic ring <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating an elastic ring according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and <FIG> is a front view of the elastic ring according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the elastic ring <NUM> may be formed to have a tapered shape.

In detail, the elastic ring <NUM> may include a first bending part <NUM> bent downward from one side thereof and a second bending part <NUM> bent downward from an opposite side thereof.

The first bending part <NUM> and the second bending part <NUM> may be formed to be symmetrical to each other. For example, when the first bending part <NUM> forms a semicircle of the elastic ring <NUM>, the second bending part <NUM> may form a remaining semicircle of the elastic ring <NUM>.

Since the first bending part <NUM> and the second bending part <NUM> are bent from the central portion of the elastic ring <NUM> downward of opposite sides thereof, force may be applied to the rotating body <NUM> in the central axis.

A virtual horizontal line "H" may be set for the convenience of explanation of the first bending part <NUM> and the second bending part <NUM>. The virtual horizontal line "H" may be understood as a horizontal line extending in parallel to the extension plane of a front fixing part <NUM>.

The first bending part <NUM> may be bent downward at a predetermined bending angle "b" from the virtual horizontal line "H". The bending angle "b" may include an acute angle.

Similarly, the second bending part <NUM> may be bent downward at a predetermined bending angle "b" from the virtual horizontal line.

Meanwhile, the elastic ring <NUM> may include elastic protrusions <NUM> and <NUM> making contact the protrusion of the upward protrusion <NUM>.

The elastic protrusions <NUM> and <NUM> may be formed to protrude downward from the elastic ring <NUM>. The protrusion portions of the elastic protrusions <NUM> and <NUM> may be rounded. Therefore, the bottom surfaces of the elastic protrusions <NUM> and <NUM> may have gentle curved surfaces.

In addition, the elastic protrusions <NUM> and <NUM> may protrude downward from both the bending portions <NUM> and <NUM> such that opposite sides of the elastic protrusions <NUM> and <NUM> are cut out.

The elastic protrusions <NUM> and <NUM> may include a first elastic protrusion <NUM> and a second elastic protrusion <NUM> formed to be symmetrical to each other.

The first elastic protrusion <NUM> and the second elastic protrusion <NUM> may be symmetrical to each other.

Accordingly, since the first elastic protrusion <NUM> and the second elastic protrusion <NUM> press the upward protrusion <NUM> at a point of <NUM>°, a guide is performed such that the rotation is more stably performed. In summary, the elastic ring <NUM> may press the rotating body <NUM> in at least two points symmetrical to each other.

The first elastic protrusion <NUM> may be formed to protrude downward T2 perpendicular to a virtual extension line e2 drawn in an extension direction of the first bending part <NUM> while forming the bending angle "b".

Similarly, the second elastic protrusion <NUM> may be formed to protrude downward T1 perpendicular to a virtual extension line e1 drawn in an extension direction of the second bending part <NUM> while forming the bending angle "b".

Accordingly, when the rotating body <NUM> is rotated through the rotation handling by a user, the elastic protrusions <NUM> and <NUM> may act as resultant force F of force FL pressing vertically downward against the upward protrusion <NUM> and force Fc pressing the upward protrusion <NUM> toward the center.

The first elastic protrusion <NUM> and the second elastic protrusion <NUM> may be formed to have widths smaller than the widths of the bending parts <NUM> and <NUM> extending in a circular shape.

Meanwhile, the elastic ring <NUM> may include elastic reinforcing holes <NUM> and <NUM> to reinforce the elastic force of the elastic protrusions <NUM> and <NUM>.

The elastic reinforcing holes <NUM> and <NUM> may be defined as spaces spaced apart in the vertical direction between the bottom surface of the elastic ring <NUM> and the elastic protrusions <NUM> and <NUM>.

In detail, a portion of a top surface of the first bending part <NUM> may be recessed downward such that the first elastic protrusion <NUM> protrudes downward in the vertical direction from the first bending part <NUM>. In this case, the first elastic protrusion <NUM> may have openings <NUM> spaced apart bi-directionally from the first bending part <NUM>.

The spaces, which are open bi-directionally between the first elastic protrusion <NUM> and the first bending part <NUM>, may be named a first elastic enhancing hole <NUM>.

Since the first elastic enhancing hole <NUM> forms a space open downward from the first bending part <NUM>, the first elastic protrusion <NUM> may be guided to be easily elastically deformed.

Similarly, the second elastic protrusion <NUM> may form the second elastic enhancing hole <NUM>.

In summary, the elastic ring <NUM> may include elastic enhancing holes <NUM> and <NUM> provided at opposite sides of the elastic protrusions <NUM> and <NUM> and defined as openings to space the elastic protrusions <NUM> and <NUM> from the bending parts <NUM> and <NUM>.

The elastic ring <NUM> may further include a front fixing part <NUM> and a rear fixing part <NUM> to be fixed to the cover <NUM> or the fixing body <NUM>.

The front fixing part <NUM> and the rear fixing part <NUM> may be provided in the form of a rectangular flat plate.

The front fixing part <NUM> may include a front end portion that protrudes while extending forward. The rear fixing part <NUM> may include a rear end portion protruding rearward while extending. However, the rear fixing part <NUM> may be shorter than the front fixing part <NUM>.

Opposite end portions of the front fixing part <NUM> may be fitted between the fixing protrusions <NUM> of the cover <NUM>. The front end portion of the front fixing part <NUM> may be inserted or seated in the fixing body <NUM>. Like, the rear end portion of the rear fixing part <NUM> may be inserted or seated in the fixing body <NUM>.

In addition, the front fixing part <NUM> may include a front guide hole <NUM> into which the front guide shaft <NUM> is inserted. The rear fixing part <NUM> may include a rear guide hole <NUM> into which the rear guide shaft <NUM> is inserted.

Therefore, the elastic ring <NUM> may be stably supported by the cover <NUM> and the fixing body <NUM>. Accordingly, the elastic ring <NUM> may stably press the upward protrusion <NUM> of the rotating body <NUM>.

The front fixing part <NUM> and the rear fixing part <NUM> may be positioned at the center of the elastic ring <NUM>. Therefore, the first bending part <NUM> and the second bending part <NUM> may be formed symmetrically to each other with respect to the fixing parts <NUM> and <NUM>.

In addition, the front fixing part <NUM> and the rear fixing part <NUM> may provide references of front and rear positions of the elastic ring <NUM>.

In other words, the front fixing part <NUM> and the rear fixing part <NUM> may guide the elastic ring <NUM> such that the elastic ring <NUM> is mounted in a right position of the cover <NUM> or the fixing body <NUM>.

Although the elastic ring <NUM> may provide elastic force to the protrusions <NUM> and <NUM> of the rotating body <NUM> together with the leaf spring <NUM>, the elastic ring <NUM> may have a mechanical property different from the one of the leaf spring <NUM>. For example, the elastic ring <NUM> may be formed to have a greater elastic coefficient, stiffness, and durability than the leaf spring <NUM>.

Accordingly, since the elastic ring <NUM> provides the rotating body <NUM> with an elastic force in a range that is greater than the elastic force provided from the leaf spring <NUM> to the side protrusion <NUM>, the elastic ring <NUM> may serve as the major cause of torque applied to the rotating body <NUM>.

If the leaf spring <NUM> is designed to have a significantly low elastic coefficient as compared with that of the elastic ring <NUM>, even if the degree of deformation of the leaf spring <NUM> is relatively large, the influence of the overall elastic force exerted on the rotating body <NUM> may be made much smaller in the leaf spring <NUM> than in the elastic ring <NUM>.

In other words, the leaf spring <NUM> may provide a relatively small unit of torque to the rotating body <NUM>.

In other words, in the procedure of manufacturing the rotary switch <NUM>, allowable torque values may be set in <NUM> units or <NUM> units through the design of the elastic ring <NUM> and the upward protrusion <NUM>. The allowable torque value may be set in one or less unit through the design of the leaf spring <NUM> and the side protrusion <NUM>.

For example, on the assumption that a user tactually recognizes the rotation operation and the allowable torque value is <NUM>(kgf·cm) allowing the optimal smooth rotation operation, the value of <NUM> or <NUM> may be set through the design of the elastic ring <NUM> and the upward protrusion <NUM>, and the value of <NUM> or <NUM> may be set through the design of the leaf spring <NUM> and the side protrusion <NUM>.

Meanwhile, as described above, when the leaf spring <NUM> is designed to have a larger degree of deformation, the frictional sound and the colliding sound may be formed relatively loud. Therefore, it can be understood that the main function of the elastic ring <NUM> is to improve the rotational operation feeling, and it can be understood that the main function of the leaf spring <NUM> is to improve the rotation sound.

<FIG> is an assembled perspective view illustrating a coupling relationship between the rotating body, the elastic ring, and the leaf spring according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, <FIG> is a sectional view taken along line J-J 'of <FIG>, and <FIG> is a front view of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the protrusions <NUM> and <NUM> of the rotating body <NUM> may make contact with the elastic ring <NUM> and the leaf spring <NUM>.

The elastic protrusions <NUM> and <NUM> are elastically restored when the elastic protrusions <NUM> and <NUM> are positioned in the valleys formed by the plurality of the upward protrusions <NUM>. In addition, the elastic protrusions <NUM> and <NUM> are most elastically deformed when they are positioned on the ridges of the upward protrusions <NUM>.

The central protrusion <NUM> is elastically restored when the central protrusion <NUM> is positioned in the valleys formed by the plurality of side protrusions <NUM>. The central protrusion <NUM> is most elastically deformed when the central protrusion <NUM> is positioned on the ridge of the side protrusion <NUM>.

As described above, when the rotating body <NUM> is rotated about the center axis CA as the user handles the rotation operation, the elastic protrusions <NUM> and <NUM> may act as resultant force F of force FL pressing vertically downward against the upward protrusion <NUM> and force Fc pressing the upward protrusion <NUM> toward the center of the rotating body <NUM>.

In other words, the elastic ring <NUM> may downward apply force to the rotating body <NUM> and force toward the central axis CA. This action of the force F enables the rotation of the rotating body <NUM> to be stably maintained with respect to the central axis CA. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the shaking due to the rotation of the rotating body <NUM>, and to minimize the deviation from the rotation radius, thereby improving the rotation stability.

In addition, since the elastic ring <NUM> press the rotating body <NUM> vertically downward, the shaking and the vibration may be reduced, and the rotation stability may be improved as compared with when a conventional rotating body is supported only in the transverse direction or side direction.

In addition, as the elastic ring <NUM> is provided to stably support the rotating body <NUM>, the inner space of the fixing body <NUM> may be formed in a compact size. Accordingly, the space formed from the protrusions <NUM> and <NUM> of the rotating body <NUM> in the side direction and radial direction may be minimized. Accordingly, the clearance between components, which is caused by the repeated rotation, may be minimized.

Claim 1:
A rotary switch (<NUM>) comprising:
a fixing body (<NUM>) having a switch pattern;
a rotating body (<NUM>) having a portion rotatably received in the fixing body (<NUM>), wherein the rotation body (<NUM>) includes:
a base(<NUM>);
a shaft (<NUM>) extending from a center of the base (<NUM>) in an upward direction;
a side protrusion(<NUM>) protruding in a radial direction with respect to the shaft(<NUM>) from a circumferential surface of the base (<NUM>); and
a cover (<NUM>) coupled to an upper portion of the fixing body (<NUM>) to allow the rotating body (<NUM>) to pass through the cover (<NUM>) ; and
a second elastic body (<NUM>) is positioned below the cover (<NUM>) to make contact with the side protrusion (<NUM>),
characterized by:
an upward protrusion (<NUM>) protruding from a top surface of the base(<NUM>) in the upward direction;
a contact plate (<NUM>) coupled to a bottom surface of the base (<NUM>) and configured to contact while sliding to the switch pattern;
wherein a first elastic body (<NUM>) is positioned below the cover (<NUM>) to make contact with the upward protrusion (<NUM>);
and wherein the side protrusion (<NUM>) and the upward protrusion (<NUM>) protrude in the upward direction and the radial
direction from a common center (<NUM>), respectively.