Input device including a mechanical ratchet system with smart shift
First Claim
1. A knob for an input device, the knob comprising:
- a knob housing being rotatable on an axis;
a shaft extending from the knob housing along the axis;
a ratchet wheel axially coupled to the shaft,wherein the ratchet wheel is rotatable on the axis, andwherein the ratchet wheel includes a toothed perimeter;
a ratchet arm to;
couple to the toothed perimeter of the ratchet wheel when the ratchet arm is engaged such that a ratcheted rotation occurs when the knob is rotated; and
decouple from the toothed perimeter of the ratchet wheel when the ratchet arm is disengaged;
a resistance wheel axially coupled to the shaft,wherein the resistance wheel is rotatable on the axis, andwherein the resistance wheel includes a substantially smooth perimeter; and
a resistance arm to;
couple to the smooth perimeter of the resistance wheel when the resistance arm is engaged such that a friction is provided when the knob is rotated; and
decouple from the smooth perimeter of the resistance wheel when the resistance arm is disengaged.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A knob for an input device includes a knob housing being rotatable on an axis, a shaft extending from the knob housing along the axis, a ratchet wheel axially coupled to the shaft with a toothed perimeter, and a ratchet arm to couple to the toothed perimeter of the ratchet wheel when the ratchet arm is engaged such that a ratcheted rotation occurs when the knob is rotated, and decouple from the toothed perimeter of the ratchet wheel when the ratchet arm is disengaged. The knob can further include a resistance wheel axially coupled to the shaft with a substantially smooth perimeter, and a resistance arm to couple to the smooth perimeter of the resistance wheel when the resistance arm is engaged such that a friction is provided when the knob is rotated, and decouple from the smooth perimeter of the resistance wheel when the resistance arm is disengaged.
4 Citations
15 Claims
-
1. A knob for an input device, the knob comprising:
-
a knob housing being rotatable on an axis; a shaft extending from the knob housing along the axis; a ratchet wheel axially coupled to the shaft, wherein the ratchet wheel is rotatable on the axis, and wherein the ratchet wheel includes a toothed perimeter; a ratchet arm to; couple to the toothed perimeter of the ratchet wheel when the ratchet arm is engaged such that a ratcheted rotation occurs when the knob is rotated; and decouple from the toothed perimeter of the ratchet wheel when the ratchet arm is disengaged; a resistance wheel axially coupled to the shaft, wherein the resistance wheel is rotatable on the axis, and wherein the resistance wheel includes a substantially smooth perimeter; and a resistance arm to; couple to the smooth perimeter of the resistance wheel when the resistance arm is engaged such that a friction is provided when the knob is rotated; and decouple from the smooth perimeter of the resistance wheel when the resistance arm is disengaged. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
Specification