Rotary input apparatus

• US 20090078551A1
• Filed: 04/11/2008
• Published: 03/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd. (Samsung Group)
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd. (Samsung Group)
• Inventors: Kang, Eung-Cheon
• Application Number:
  US12/081,219
• Publication Number:
  US 20090078551A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 200/336
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0338 with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0362 with detection of 1D translations or rotations of an operating part of the device, e.g. scroll wheels, sliders, knobs, rollers or belts
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 19/06 Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof casings
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2025/043 the operating member being rotatable around wobbling axis for additional switching functions
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2025/048 having a separate central push, slide or tumbler button which is not integral with the operating part that surrounds it
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 25/041 having a generally flat operating member depressible at different locations to operate different controls

Abstract

A rotary input apparatus is disclosed. The rotary input apparatus may include a wheel, a cover having a center hole that exposes the wheel to the exterior, and a sheet interposed between the wheel and the cover, where the wheel may include a flange portion formed on a periphery of the wheel. A holding groove may be formed in the flange portion, and a protrusion protruding upwards may be formed on the flange portion. The cover may include an insertion portion formed on a periphery of the center hole. The insertion portion may protrude downwards and may be placed in the holding groove. The sheet may be in contact with both the protrusion and the insertion portion. This rotary input apparatus can stop foreign substances from infiltrating the interior of the rotary input apparatus.

Claims

1. A rotary input apparatus comprising:

a wheel;

a cover having a center hole exposing the wheel to the exterior; and

a sheet interposed between the wheel and the cover,

wherein the wheel comprises a flange portion on a periphery of the wheel, the flange portion having a holding groove formed therein and having a protrusion protruding upwards,

and wherein the cover comprises an insertion portion formed on a periphery of the center hole, the insertion portion protruding downwards and placed in the holding groove,

and wherein the sheet is in contact with each of the protrusion and the insertion portion.

2. The rotary input apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flange portion comprises a horizontal portion protruding horizontally from the periphery of the wheel and a vertical portion protruding from one end of the horizontal portion,

and the horizontal portion and the vertical portion form the holding groove.

3. The rotary input apparatus of claim 2, wherein the protrusion is formed on the horizontal portion.

4. The rotary input apparatus of claim 1, wherein the protrusion has a triangular cross section.

5. The rotary input apparatus of claim 1, wherein the insertion portion comprises a contact portion contacting the sheet,

the contact portion formed in a more outward position than the protrusion from a middle of the center hole.

6. The rotary input apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sheet is flexible.

7. The rotary input apparatus of claim 6, wherein the sheet is formed from one of Teflon and polyethylene terephthalate.

8. The rotary input apparatus of claim 2, wherein the cover comprises a circular guide groove,

and the vertical portion has a part thereof positioned in the guide groove.

9. The rotary input apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wheel comprises a through-hole formed in a center thereof, the through-hole having a ring-shaped protruding portion formed on an inner perimeter thereof,

and the through-hole has a center key inserted therein, the center key having a detent portion inserted onto the ring-shaped protruding portion.

10. The rotary input apparatus of claim 9, wherein the center key comprises a securing protrusion protruding downwards,

and the securing protrusion is inserted into a circuit board.

11. The rotary input apparatus of claim 10, wherein the center key comprises a center protrusion protruding downwards,

and the center protrusion is configured to press a center button equipped on the circuit board.

12. The rotary input apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wheel comprises an insertion cavity formed therein,

and the insertion cavity has a wheel securing member inserted therein, the wheel securing member secured to a circuit board.

13. The rotary input apparatus of claim 12, wherein the wheel securing member comprises an insertion portion inserted into the insertion cavity and a wheel securing protrusion secured to the circuit board.

14. The rotary input apparatus of claim 13, wherein the insertion portion comprises a securing member protrusion protruding downwards,

and the securing member protrusion is configured to press a side button formed on the circuit board.

15. The rotary input apparatus of claim 12, wherein the wheel comprises a plurality of detent protrusions protruding downwards,

and the detent protrusions are inserted through a washer,

and wherein the washer is caught on the wheel securing member.

16. A rotary input apparatus comprising:

a wheel; and

a cover having a center hole exposing the wheel to the exterior,

wherein the wheel comprises a flange portion formed on a periphery of the wheel, the flange portion having a holding groove formed therein,

and wherein the cover comprises an insertion portion formed on a periphery of the center hole, the insertion portion protruding downwards and placed in the holding groove,

and wherein the insertion portion is positioned with a predetermined gap from an inner surface of the holding groove.

17. The rotary input apparatus of claim 16, wherein the flange portion comprises a horizontal portion protruding horizontally from the periphery of the wheel and a vertical portion protruding from one end of the horizontal portion,

and the horizontal portion and the vertical portion form the holding groove.

18. The rotary input apparatus of claim 16, wherein the wheel comprises a through-hole formed in a center thereof, the through-hole having a ring-shaped protruding portion formed on an inner perimeter thereof,

and the through-hole has a center key inserted therein, the center key having a detent portion inserted onto the ring-shaped protruding portion.

19. The rotary input apparatus of claim 18, wherein the center key comprises a securing protrusion protruding downwards,

and the securing protrusion is inserted into a circuit board.

20. The rotary input apparatus of claim 19, wherein the center key comprises a center protrusion protruding downwards,

and the center protrusion is configured to press a center button equipped on the circuit board.

21. The rotary input apparatus of claim 16, wherein the wheel comprises an insertion cavity formed therein,

and the insertion cavity has a wheel securing member inserted therein, the wheel securing member secured to a circuit board.

22. The rotary input apparatus of claim 21, wherein the wheel securing member comprises an insertion portion inserted into the insertion cavity and a wheel securing protrusion secured to the circuit board.

23. The rotary input apparatus of claim 22, wherein the insertion portion comprises a securing member protrusion protruding downwards,

and the securing member protrusion is configured to press a side button formed on the circuit board.

24. The rotary input apparatus of claim 23, wherein the wheel comprises a plurality of detent protrusions protruding downwards,

and the detent protrusions are inserted through a washer,

and wherein the washer is caught on the wheel securing member.