Control Knob for Controlling Operation of a Machine

• US 20180164903A1
• Filed: 11/09/2017
• Published: 06/14/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Defond Electech Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Defond Components Limited, Dongguan Chen Da Appliance Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Chu, Wai Cheong Wilson, Or, Tak Chuen Richard
• Granted Patent: US 10,649,556 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/126 Rotatable input devices for instruments
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/128 Axially displaceable input devices for instruments
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1438 Touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/212 displaying on manual operation elements, e.g. on a knob
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/22 Display screens
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03547 Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface
• 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: G06F 3/0383 Signal control means within the pointing device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/167 Audio in a user interface, e.g. using voice commands for navigating, audio feedback
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2013/525 using a return spring acting perpendicular to the actuating direction
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 25/06 Operating part movable both angularly and rectilinearly, the rectilinear movement being along the axis of angular movement
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 25/065 using separate operating parts, e.g. a push button surrounded by a rotating knob
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/181 using a programmable display, e.g. LED or LCD
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/96 Touch switches specially adapted for electronic time-pieces with no moving parts G04G21/08

Abstract

A control knob for controlling operation of a machine, the control knob including: an attachment member configured for attaching the control knob to a surface of the machine so that the control knob is operably connectable with the machine to control operation thereof; a display member comprising an electronic display module disposed thereon; an operational mode display controller for controlling display of operational modes of the machine upon the electronic display module, said operational mode display controller being configured for rotational movement around the electronic display module amongst a plurality of rotational positions, said operational mode display controller being operably connected with the electronic display module such that, responsive to the rotational movement of the operational mode display controller amongst the plurality of rotational positions, the electronic display module is configured to display a plurality of operational modes of the machine corresponding to the plurality of rotational positions; and an operational mode selector for controlling selection of one of the plurality of operational modes of the machine when said one of the plurality of operational modes is displayed on the electronic display module, the operational mode selector being configured for movement between at least a first position and a second position to actuate selection of the operational mode displayed on the electronic display module.

Claims

1. A control knob for controlling operation of a machine, the control knob including:

an attachment member configured for attaching the control knob to a surface of the machine so that the control knob is operably connectable with the machine to control operation thereof;

a display member comprising an electronic display module disposed thereon;

an operational mode display controller for controlling display of operational modes of the machine upon the electronic display module, said operational mode display controller being configured for rotational movement around the electronic display module amongst a plurality of rotational positions, said operational mode display controller being operably connected with the electronic display module such that, responsive to the rotational movement of the operational mode display controller amongst the plurality of rotational positions, the electronic display module is configured to display a plurality of operational modes of the machine corresponding to the plurality of rotational positions; and

an operational mode selector for controlling selection of one of the plurality of operational modes of the machine when said one of the plurality of operational modes is displayed on the electronic display module, the operational mode selector being configured for movement between at least a first position and a second position to actuate selection of the operational mode displayed on the electronic display module.

2. A control knob as claimed in claim 1 wherein the operational mode selector comprises at least one of the (i) display member, and (ii) the operational mode display controller.

3. A control knob as claimed in claim 1 wherein the operational mode selector is configured for depressible movement from at least an undepressed position into a depressed position, said depressible movement being configured to actuate selection of the operational mode displayed on the electronic display module, and whereby the operational mode selector is biased into the undepressed position by a biasing mechanism such that upon movement of the operational mode selector from the undepressed position into the depressed position the operational mode selector is thereafter urged back into the undepressed position by the biasing mechanism.

4. A control knob as claimed in claim 1 wherein the operational mode selector is configured for depressible movement from at least the undepressed position into the depressed position along a movement axis extending in a substantially perpendicular direction relative to the electronic display module.

5. A control knob as claimed in claim 1 wherein the operational mode selector is configured for at least one of tilting movement, pivoting movement, and sliding movement between at least the first position and the second position to actuate selection of the operational mode displayed on the electronic display module.

6. A control knob as claimed in claim 1 wherein the display member includes an end surface upon which the electronic display module is disposed thereon and a sidewall extending substantially perpendicularly from an edge-region of the end surface.

7. A control knob as claimed in claim 1 wherein the display member includes a cylindrical-shaped configuration.

8. A control knob as claimed in claim 1 wherein the operational mode display controller includes an annular member having a passage extending along an elongate axis thereof, said annular member being configured for surrounding the display member whereby the passage of the annular member is shaped for the display member to extend therethrough.

9. A control knob as claimed in claim 8 wherein annular member includes a cylindrical-shaped sleeve having a sidewall extending in a substantially parallel orientation to the sidewall of the display member.

10. A control knob as claimed in claim 1 including a mechanism configured for vibrating the control knob in response to the operational mode selector being moved to actuate selection of an operational mode of the machine.

11. A control knob as claimed in claim 1 wherein the electronic display module is configured to output at least one of a predefined colour or brightness in response to the operational mode selector being moved to actuate selection of an operational mode of the machine.

12. A control knob as claimed in claim 1 wherein the control knob includes a sound emitter configured to output a predefined sound in response to the operational mode selector being moved to actuate selection of an operational mode of the machine.

13. A control knob as claimed in claim 1 wherein the electronic display module includes a touchscreen display and whereby the touchscreen display is operable by a user to perform at least one of:

(a) displaying the plurality of operational modes of the machine; and

(b) selecting one of the plurality of operational modes when said one of the plurality of operational modes is displayed on the electronic display module.

14. A control knob as claimed in claim 1 including a wireless communication module configured for communication with a wireless communication module of an external device, said external device including at least one of (i) the machine (ii) a smartphone device, and (iii) a personal computer.

15. A control knob as claimed in claim 14 wherein the wireless communication module includes at least one of a Wi-Fi and a Bluetooth type wireless communication module.

16. A control knob as claimed in claim 1 wherein the operational mode selector includes a gripping surface disposed on the sidewall.

17. A control button for controlling operation of a machine, the control button including:

an attachment member configured for attaching the control button to a surface of the machine so that the control button is operably connectable with the machine to control operation thereof;

a display member comprising an electronic display module disposed thereon;

an operational mode display controller for controlling display of operational modes of the machine upon the electronic display module, said operational mode display controller being operably connected with the electronic display module such that, responsive to operation of the operational mode display controller, the electronic display module is configured to display a plurality of operational modes of the machine; and

an operational mode selector for controlling selection of one of the plurality of operational modes of the machine when said one of the plurality of operational modes is displayed on the electronic display module, the operational mode selector being configured for movement between at least a first position and a second position to actuate selection of the operational mode displayed on the electronic display module.

18. A control knob as claimed in claim 17 wherein the operational mode selector comprises the display member.

19. A control knob as claimed in claim 17 wherein the operational mode selector is configured for depressible movement from at least an undepressed position into a depressed position, said depressible movement being configured to actuate selection of the operational mode displayed on the electronic display module, and whereby the operational mode selector is biased into the undepressed position by a biasing mechanism such that upon movement of the operational mode selector from the undepressed position into the depressed position the operational mode selector is thereafter urged back into the undepressed position by the biasing mechanism.

20. A control knob for controlling operation of a machine, the control knob including:

an attachment member configured for attaching the control knob to a surface of the machine so that the control knob is operably connectable with the machine to control operation thereof;

a display member comprising an electronic display module disposed thereon, said display member being configured for rotational movement about a movement axis extending substantially perpendicularly to a planar face of the display member, said electronic display module being configured such that, responsive to the rotational movement of the display member, the electronic display module displays a plurality of operational modes of the machine corresponding to the plurality of rotational positions; and

an operational mode selector for controlling selection of one of the plurality of operational modes of the machine when said one of the plurality of operational modes is displayed on the electronic display module, the operational mode selector being configured for movement between at least a first position and a second position to actuate selection of the operational mode displayed on the electronic display module.