Patent ID: 12224134

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present disclosure will be described based on the accompanying drawings.

Embodiment 1

FIG.1illustrates the configuration of a rotary electric component of Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. The rotary electric component includes operation part1, housing part2, rotating body3, biasing part4, and two rotating pieces5.

Operation part1is operated by an operator to be rotated. Operation part1is formed to extend axially and is disposed to be rotatable about its own central axis.

Housing part2includes accommodating part6for housing rotating body3. Accommodating part6is formed so as to surround the outer peripheral portion of rotating body3in the circumferential direction of the rotating body. Irregular part6a, with its irregularities formed continuously at the same intervals, is disposed in the circumferential direction on the peripheral wall surface of accommodating part6—the peripheral wall surface faces rotating body3. Irregular part6ais formed so as to be curved corresponding to the outer peripheral surface of rotating piece5.

Rotating body3is formed in a disk shape and housed in accommodating part6of housing part2. In addition, rotating body3is connected at its center to one end of operation part1disposed to extend toward accommodating part6. Rotating body3is thus disposed in accommodating part6so as to rotate along the peripheral wall surface of accommodating part6according to the rotation of operation part1.

Rotating body3includes holding part3afor holding biasing part4and supporting part3bfor supporting rotating pieces5. Holding part3ais formed to hold biasing part4from the outside. Supporting part3bis disposed with rotating pieces5located between its portions in the rotation direction of rotating body3. The supporting parts restrict each rotating piece5from moving in the rotation direction of rotating body3from a support position defined by support parts3b. The supporting parts also supports each rotating piece5in such a way that the rotating piece is movable in the radial direction of rotating body3.

Biasing part4is disposed with rotating pieces5located between the biasing part and the peripheral wall surface of accommodating part6, and is formed so as to bias rotating pieces5toward the peripheral wall surface of accommodating part6. Biasing part4may include a U-shaped leaf spring.

Two rotating pieces5are disposed at rotating body3so as to face each other with the rotation axis of rotating body3located therebetween, and are biased by biasing part4so as to contact the peripheral wall surface of accommodating part6. Rotating piece5is formed so as to contact the peripheral wall surface of accommodating part6and rotate about its own rotation axis while moving along the peripheral wall surface of accommodating part6, in accordance with the rotation of rotating body3. A lubricant is applied to the surface of rotating piece5so that rotating piece5can move and rotate smoothly.

FIG.2illustrates the configuration of rotating piece5in detail.

Rotating piece5has a columnar shape and includes peripheral surface7facing the peripheral wall surface of accommodating part6. Contact part7aand recess7bare formed at outer peripheral surface7. Outer peripheral surface7corresponds to the facing surface in the present invention.

Recess7bis configured to hold lubricant L and is formed to extend along outer peripheral surface7. Specifically, recess7bis formed in the central portion of rotating piece5in the height direction, in which rotation axis A of rotating piece5extends, in such a way that the recess extends over the entire circumference and parallel to the rotation direction of rotating piece5. Lubricant L is applied to fill the inside of recess7b.

Contact part7acontacts the peripheral wall surface of accommodating part6, and is disposed with recess7blocated inside in the height direction, in which rotation axis A extends. Lubricant L is applied to the surface of contact part7a.

Rotating piece5is preferably formed so as to be impregnated with lubricant L. For example, rotating piece5can be impregnated with lubricant L by subjecting rotating piece5to impregnation with lubricant L.

Lubricant L may include grease.

In the following, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.

Operation part1illustrated inFIG.1is rotated by the operation of an operator, and rotating body3housed in accommodating part6is rotated along the peripheral wall surface of accommodating part6according to the rotation of the operation part. The disposition of rotating piece5at rotating body3is such that the rotating piece is biased by biasing part4to contact the peripheral wall surface of accommodating part6. As a result, rotating piece contacts the peripheral wall surface of accommodating part6and rotates about its own rotation axis A while moving along the peripheral wall surface of accommodating part6, in accordance with the rotation of rotating body3. The operator can thus rotationally operate operation part1with an appropriate click feeling.

In addition, rotating piece5moves in accordance with the rotation of rotating body3while getting over the irregularities of irregular part6aformed on the peripheral wall surface of accommodating part6. The operator thus can obtain an appropriate click feeling as operation part1is operated.

As rotating piece5has a columnar shape with its outer peripheral surface7facing the peripheral wall surface of accommodating part6, the rotating piece can be brought into contact with the peripheral wall surface of accommodating part6over a wide area as compared with, for example, forming the rotating piece in a spherical shape. This configuration can further improve the operational feeling of the operator.

Typically, lubricant L is applied to the surface of a rotating piece. When the rotating piece is formed without forming recess7b, so that the outer peripheral surface thereof uniformly contacts the peripheral wall surface of accommodating part6, lubricant L applied to the rotating piece is removed in a short period of time due to contact with the peripheral wall surface of accommodating part6. This may eventually prevent smooth movement and rotation of the rotating piece.

In the present embodiment, rotating piece5includes recess7b, for holding lubricant L, formed in outer peripheral surface7facing the peripheral wall surface of accommodating part6, as illustrated inFIG.2. Such rotating piece5allows the presence of lubricant L between contact part7aand the peripheral wall surface of accommodating part6while a certain amount of lubricant L applied to contact part7aremains; thus the rotating piece can be smoothly moved and rotated.

As illustrated inFIG.3, as the amount of lubricant L applied to contact part7ais reduced due to contact with the peripheral wall surface of accommodating part6, lubricant L held in recess7bsequentially moves to contact part7aaccording to the movement and rotation of rotating piece5. This configuration allows a certain amount of lubricant L to continuously remain on the surface of contact part7a. Therefore, rotating piece5can be smoothly moved and rotated over a long period of time, and the click feeling of operation part1can be maintained over a long period of time.

As recess7bis formed adjacent to contact part7a, lubricant L can be smoothly moved to contact part7a. Recess7bis preferably formed in such a way that its depth becomes smaller toward contact part7afrom the central portion in the height direction, in which rotation axis A extends. This configuration allows lubricant L held in recess7bto move to contact part7amore smoothly.

In addition, as recess7bis formed so as to extend along outer peripheral surface7of rotating piece5, lubricant L can be uniformly supplied to contact part7aaccording to the rotation of rotating piece5.

Further, as recess7bis formed so as to extend parallel to the rotation direction of rotating piece5, lubricant L can be supplied to contact part7awithout hindering the rotation of rotating piece5.

As contact part7ais disposed at both ends of rotating piece5in the height direction, in which rotation axis A extends, the pressing force against the peripheral wall surface of accommodating part6can be maintained even when formed recess7bis large. Therefore, rotating piece5can be stably moved and rotated.

More advantageously, abrasion powder generated in accommodating part6, for example, abrasion powder generated when rotating piece5moves while contacting irregular part6a, can be housed in recess7bas rotating piece5moves. Abrasion powder thus can be removed from the space between contact part7aand the peripheral wall surface of accommodating part6.

In this manner, rotating operation part1can, for example, sequentially switch between a plurality of contact points (not illustrated). Such a rotary electric component can be used, for example, in variable resistors and encoders. Using such a rotary electric component can perform operations such as power switching, volume adjustment, and channel change.

In the present embodiment, rotating piece5includes recess7b(for holding lubricant L) formed in outer peripheral surface7facing the peripheral wall surface of accommodating part6. Therefore, as the amount of lubricant L applied to contact part7adecreases, lubricant L held in recess7bis moved to contact part7a. In addition, abrasion powder generated in accommodating part6can be removed by sequentially housing the abrasion powder into recess7b. As a result, the operational feeling of operation part1can be maintained over a long period of time.

Embodiment 2

In the following, Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure will be described. Here, differences from Embodiment 1 will be mainly described, and same reference numerals will be used for parts the same as in Embodiment 1, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In Embodiment 1, recess7bis formed so as to extend parallel to the rotation direction of rotating piece5; however, the configuration of the present invention is not limited thereto as long as the recess is formed in the facing surface facing the peripheral wall surface of accommodating part6.

For example, as illustrated inFIG.4, rotating piece21may be disposed in place of rotating piece5of Embodiment 1. InFIG.4, lubricant L is omitted.

Rotating piece21is disposed so as to rotate about its own rotation axis A. Contact part22aand recess22bare formed at outer peripheral surface22of the rotating piece. Outer peripheral surface22corresponds to the facing surface in the present invention.

Recess22bis configured to hold lubricant L and is formed to extend along outer peripheral surface22. Specifically, recess22bis formed to extend obliquely with respect to the rotation direction of rotating piece21. That is, recess22bis formed so as to extend spirally by winding outer peripheral surface22a plurality of times. In addition, recess22bis formed in such a way that both ends thereof respectively reach both surfaces of rotating piece21—the surfaces face each other in the direction in which rotation axis A extends. Lubricant L is applied to fill the inside of recess22b.

Contact part22acontacts the peripheral wall surface of accommodating part6, and is formed to extend spirally with a portion thereof located between portions of recess22b. Lubricant L is applied to the surface of contact part22a.

This configuration allows sequential moving of lubricant L held in recess22bto contact part22aaccording to the movement and rotation of rotating piece21when the amount of lubricant L applied to contact part22ais reduced due to contact with the peripheral wall surface of accommodating part6. This configuration allows a certain amount of lubricant L to continuously remain on the surface of contact part22a, thereby maintaining the operational feeling of operation part1over a long period of time.

In the present embodiment, recess22bis formed so as to extend obliquely with respect to the rotation direction of rotating piece21, that is, the recess is formed so as to overlap contact part22ain the rotation direction of rotating piece21. Therefore, lubricant L held in recess22bcan be uniformly moved to the entire contact part22aaccording to the rotation of rotating piece21.

In addition, recess22bis formed in such a way that both ends thereof respectively reach both surfaces of rotating piece21facing each other in the direction, in which rotation axis A extends. Therefore, as the amount of lubricant L held in recess22bdecreases, lubricant L applied to both surfaces of rotating piece21can be moved into recess22bfrom both ends of recess22b, thereby holding lubricant L in recess22bfor a long period of time.

More advantageously, abrasion powder generated in accommodating part6, for example, abrasion powder generated when rotating piece21moves while contacting irregular part6a, can be housed in recess22bas rotating piece21moves. Abrasion powder thus can be removed from the space between contact part22aand the peripheral wall surface of accommodating part6.

In the present embodiment, rotating piece21includes recess22bformed so as to extend obliquely with respect to the rotation direction thus can uniformly move lubricant L held in recess22bto the entire contact part22aaccording to the rotation of rotating piece21. In addition, abrasion powder generated in accommodating part6can be removed by sequentially housing the abrasion powder into recess22b. As a result, the operational feeling of operation part1can be improved.

Embodiment 3

In the following, Embodiment 3 of the present disclosure will be described. Here, differences from Embodiments 1 and 2 will be mainly described, and same reference numerals will be used for parts the same as in Embodiments 1 and 2, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In Embodiments 1 and 2, one recess extending along its outer peripheral surface is formed in the rotating piece; however, a plurality of recesses may also be formed.

For example, as illustrated inFIG.5, rotating piece31may be disposed in place of rotating piece5of Embodiment 1. InFIG.5, lubricant L is omitted.

Rotating piece31is disposed so as to rotate about its own rotation axis A. Contact part32aand two recesses32bare formed at outer peripheral surface32of the rotating piece. Outer peripheral surface32corresponds to the facing surface in the present invention.

Two recesses32bare configured to hold lubricant L and each is formed to extend along outer peripheral surface32. Specifically, two recesses32bare disposed with the central portion of rotating piece31(in the height direction, in which rotation axis A of rotating piece31extends) located therebetween. Each recess is formed in such a way that the recess extends over the entire circumference and parallel to the rotation direction of rotating piece31. Lubricant L is applied to fill the inside of recess32b.

Contact part32acontacts the peripheral wall surface of accommodating part6, and is disposed in such a way that each recess32bis located between portions of the contact part. Lubricant L is applied to the surface of contact part32a.

This configuration allows sequential moving of lubricant L held in recess32bto contact part32aaccording to the movement and rotation of rotating piece31when the amount of lubricant L applied to contact part32ais reduced due to contact with the peripheral wall surface of accommodating part6. This configuration allows a certain amount of lubricant L to continuously remain on the surface of contact part32a, thereby maintaining the operational feeling of operation part1over a long period of time.

In the present embodiment, two recesses32bare formed in rotating piece31. Lubricant L thus can be rapidly supplied from recesses32bto adjacent contact part32a, and the amount of lubricant L applied on contact part32acan be maintained.

In addition, two recess32bare each formed so as to extend parallel to the rotation direction of rotating piece31. Therefore, recesses32bcan supply lubricant L to contact part32awithout hindering the rotation of rotating piece31.

More advantageously, abrasion powder generated in accommodating part6, for example, abrasion powder generated when rotating piece31moves while contacting irregular part6a, can be housed in recess32bas rotating piece31moves. Abrasion powder thus can be removed from the space between contact part32aand the peripheral wall surface of accommodating part6.

In the present embodiment, rotating piece31includes two recesses32B formed therein thus can rapidly supply lubricant L from recesses32bto adjacent contact part32a. Therefore, the amount of lubricant L applied on contact part32acan be maintained. In addition, abrasion powder generated in accommodating part6can be removed by sequentially housing the abrasion powder into recess32b.

Embodiment 4

In the following, Embodiment 4 of the present disclosure will be described. Here, differences from Embodiments 1 to 3 will be mainly described, and same reference numerals will be used for parts the same as in Embodiments 1 to 3, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In Embodiments 1 to 3, the recess of a rotating piece is formed so as to extend along the outer peripheral surface; however, the configuration of the present invention is not limited thereto as long as the recess is formed in a facing surface facing the peripheral wall surface of accommodating part6.

For example, as illustrated inFIG.6, rotating piece41may be disposed in place of rotating piece5of Embodiment 1. InFIG.6, lubricant L is omitted.

Rotating piece41is disposed so as to rotate about its own rotation axis A. Contact part42aand a plurality of recesses42bare formed at outer peripheral surface42of the rotating piece. Outer peripheral surface42corresponds to the facing surface in the present invention.

Recesses42bare configured to hold lubricant L and are formed so as to be dispersed over the entire outer peripheral surface42. Lubricant L is applied to fill the insides of recesses42b.

Contact part42acontacts the peripheral wall surface of accommodating part6. Lubricant L is applied to the surface of contact part42a.

In this manner, the plurality of recesses42bare formed so as to be distributed over the entire outer peripheral surface42of rotating piece41; therefore, lubricant L can be uniformly supplied from recesses42bto the entire contact part42a. The operational feeling of operation part1thus can be improved.

More advantageously, abrasion powder generated in accommodating part6, for example, abrasion powder generated when rotating piece41moves while contacting irregular part6a, can be housed in recesses42bas rotating piece41moves. Abrasion powder thus can be removed from the space between contact part42aand the peripheral wall surface of accommodating part6.

In the present embodiment, rotating piece41includes a plurality of recesses42bformed therein so as to be distributed over the entire outer peripheral surface42thus can uniformly supply lubricant L from recesses42bto the entire contact part42a. The operational feeling of operation part1thus can be improved.

In Embodiments 1 to 4, the rotating piece is formed to have a columnar shape with its outer peripheral surface facing the peripheral wall surface of accommodating part6; however, the shape is not limited to columnar as long as the rotating piece is formed so as to rotate while moving along the peripheral wall surface of accommodating part6in accordance with the rotation of rotating body3.

In Embodiments 1 to 4, two rotating pieces are disposed at rotating body3; however, the number of the rotating pieces is not limited to two as long as at least one rotating piece is disposed at rotating body3so as to be biased by biasing part4to contact the peripheral wall surface of accommodating part6.

In Embodiments 1 to 4, each of the two rotating pieces includes a recess formed therein for holding lubricant L; however, the configuration of the present invention is not limited thereto as long as at least one rotating piece includes a recess formed therein.

The embodiments above are no more than specific examples in carrying out the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention is not to be construed in a limitative sense due to the specific examples. That is, the present invention can be carried out in various forms without departing from the spirit and the main features thereof. For example, the disclosure of the shape, number, and the like regarding each part described in the above embodiments is merely an example, and can be implemented with appropriate modifications.

This application is entitled to and claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-132997 filed on Aug. 5, 2020, the disclosure of which including the specification, drawings and abstract is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The rotary electric component of the present disclosure can be used as an electric component in which a rotating piece rotates while moving along the peripheral wall surface of an accommodating part in accordance with the rotation of the rotating body.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

1Operation part2Housing part3Rotating body3aHolding part3bSupporting part4Biasing part5,21,31,41Rotating piece6Accommodating part6aIrregular part7,22,32,42Outer peripheral surface7a,22a,32a,42aContact part7b,22b,32b,42bRecessA Rotation axisL Lubricant