Mechanical ratchet system for a knob
First Claim
1. A user-manipulable element for an input device, the element comprising:
- an element housing being rotatable on an axis;
a shaft coupled to and extending from the element housing along the axis;
a first wheel axially coupled to the shaft and including a contoured perimeter,a second wheel axially coupled to the shaft and including a smooth perimeter,wherein the first wheel and the second wheel are rotatable on the axis in correspondence with a rotation of the element housing; and
a biasing mechanism including;
a first end coupled to a roller, wherein the biasing mechanism provides a first force causing the roller on the first end to engage with the contoured perimeter of the first wheel such that a non-linear friction is provided when the element housing is rotated; and
a second end, wherein the biasing mechanism provides a second force causing the second end to engage with the smooth perimeter of the second wheel such that a linear friction is provided when the element housing is rotated.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A knob for an input device may include a knob housing being rotatable on an axis, a shaft coupled to and extending from the knob housing along the axis, a ratchet wheel axially coupled to the shaft and including a toothed perimeter, and a resistance wheel axially coupled to the shaft and including a smooth perimeter, where the ratchet wheel and the resistance wheel are rotatable on the axis in correspondence with a rotation of the knob housing. A biasing mechanism provides a force on its first end to cause a roller to engage with the toothed perimeter of the ratchet wheel such that a ratcheted rotation occurs when the knob housing is rotated, and further provides a force on its second end to cause the second end to engage with the smooth perimeter of the resistance wheel such that a friction is provided when the knob housing is rotated.
2 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A user-manipulable element for an input device, the element comprising:
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an element housing being rotatable on an axis; a shaft coupled to and extending from the element housing along the axis; a first wheel axially coupled to the shaft and including a contoured perimeter, a second wheel axially coupled to the shaft and including a smooth perimeter, wherein the first wheel and the second wheel are rotatable on the axis in correspondence with a rotation of the element housing; and a biasing mechanism including; a first end coupled to a roller, wherein the biasing mechanism provides a first force causing the roller on the first end to engage with the contoured perimeter of the first wheel such that a non-linear friction is provided when the element housing is rotated; and a second end, wherein the biasing mechanism provides a second force causing the second end to engage with the smooth perimeter of the second wheel such that a linear friction is provided when the element housing is rotated. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A computer-implemented method for the operation of a user manipulable element on an input device, the method comprising:
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receiving input data, by a processor, corresponding to a selection of one of a; non-linear friction-mode of operation for the element; and a linear friction-mode of operation for the element, when the input data corresponds to the selection of the linear friction-mode of operation; controlling, by the processor, a first end of a biasing mechanism to disengage with a contoured perimeter of a wheel that is axially coupled to a shaft extending from the element; and controlling, by the processor, a second end of the biasing mechanism to engage with a smooth perimeter of the wheel to provide a linear resistance to rotation when the element is rotated; and when the input data corresponds to the selection of the ratchet non-linear friction-mode of operation; controlling, by the processor, the first end of a biasing mechanism to engage with the contoured perimeter of the wheel to provide a non-linear resistance to rotation when the element is rotated; and controlling, by the processor, the second end of the biasing mechanism to disengage with the smooth perimeter of the wheel. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An apparatus comprising:
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a control element housing being rotatable on an axis; a shaft coupled to and extending from the control element housing along the axis; a wheel axially coupled to the shaft and including; a contoured perimeter; and a smooth perimeter, wherein the wheel is rotatable on the axis in correspondence with a rotation of the control element housing; a wheel contacting interface including a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is coupled to a roller; and a lever coupled to the wheel contacting interface, the lever to switch between a first position and a second position, wherein when in the first position, the lever causes the roller on the first end to engage with the contoured perimeter of the wheel such that a non-linear resistance to rotation occurs when the control element housing is rotated, and wherein when in the second position, the lever causes the second end to engage with the smooth perimeter of the wheel such that a linear resistance to rotation is provided when the control element housing is rotated. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification