Two-function controlling device for a wrist computer or alike and method for controlling a wrist computer or suchlike terminal

• US 8,371,745 B2
• Filed: 12/30/2009
• Issued: 02/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Suunto Oy (Anta International Group Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Suunto Oy (Anta International Group Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: Manni, Jukka
• Primary Examiner(s): Kayes, Sean
• Application Number:
  US12/650,303
• Publication Number:
  US 20100187074A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,140 Days
• Field of Search: 368/321, 368319-320
• US Class Current: 368/319
• CPC Class Codes: G04C 3/004 Magnetically controlled

Abstract

The invention pertains to a double-acting control element for a wrist-top computer, comprising a crown, which can be moved in axially and radially, a reaction bar, connected to the and parallel to a crown'"'"'s rotational axis. The reaction bar is arranged to transmit the movements of the crown from outside to the inside of a case. Switches are permanently fitted to the inside of the case. An axial switch is arranged to switch on from the axial movement of the crown. A radial switch is arranged to switch on from the radial movement of the crown. A slide, at least partly inside the case, is arranged to transmit the axial movement of the reaction bar to the axial switch and a gearwheel. The gearwheel is arranged to link the reaction bar to the slide to transmit the radial movement to the radial switch.

Claims

1. A double-acting control element for a wristop computer, which has a case, which control element comprises:

a crown, which is movable in an axial and radial direction relative to the case of the terminal device and at least partly outside thereof,

a reaction bar, which connects to the crown parallel to its axial direction, in such a way that the reaction bar is arranged to transmit the movement of the crown inside the case,

switches, which are fixed inside the case, of which switches at least one, an axial switch, is arranged to engage from the axial movement of the crown, and at least another, a radial switch, is arranged to engage from the radial movement of the crown,

a slide, which is at least partly inside the case and which connects to the reaction bar, in such a way that the slide is arranged to transmit the axial movement of the reaction bar to the axial switch, and

a gearwheel, which is inside the case, and which gearwheel is fitted around the slide by means of a sliding-form fit, in such a way that the gearwheel is arranged to transmit the radial movement, transmitted by the reaction bar to the slide, to the radial switch.

2. The control element according to claim 1, wherein the axial switch is a press switch, which has a press key, which is arranged to switch on in the axial direction of the crown.

3. The control element according to claim 1, wherein the axial switch is a press switch, which is an electronic component.

4. The control element according to claim 1, wherein the radial switch is a lever switch, which has an angle lever, which is arranged to intermesh with a tooth of the gearwheel, due to the radial movement of the crown.

5. The control element according to claim 1, wherein the radial switch is two-way.

6. The control element according to any claim 1, wherein the radial switch is a lever switch, which is an electronic component.

7. The control element according to claim 1, wherein the switches are attached to a circuit board, which is permanently fitted to the case.

8. The control element according to claim 7, wherein the switches are surface-mounted on the circuit board.

9. The control element according to claim 1, wherein the control element further comprising a key body, which has a hole for a reaction bar and which is fixed to the case, in such a way that the key body is fitted between the case and the reaction bar, in such a way that the key body is at least partly between the case and the crown.

10. The control element according to claim 9, wherein there is a sealing collar in the key body around the reaction-bar hole, in such a way that in the assembly the sealing collar is on the other side of the key body to the gearwheel.

11. The control element according to claim 10, wherein the control element comprises a spring, which is fitted around the reaction bar, between the sealing collar of the key body and the crown.

12. The control element according to claim 10, wherein the control element comprises at least one sealing ring, which is fitted between the sealing collar and the spring.

13. The control element according to claim 12, wherein the control element comprises two sealing rings, which are fitted between the sealing collar and the spring.

14. The control element according to claim 9, wherein there is a threaded portion in the key body, with the aid of which the key body can be screwed into the case, and which is concentric with the reaction-bar hole.

15. The control element according to claim 9, wherein the key body has a sealing flange, which is essentially parallel to the outer surface of the case.

16. The control element according to claim 9, wherein the control element comprises a sealing ring, which is fitted between the case and the sealing flange of the key body.

17. The control element according to claim 9, wherein the control element comprises a sliding washer, which is fitted between the slide and opposing surfaces of the key body.

18. The control element according to any claim 9, wherein the control element comprises a sliding washer, which is fitted between an outermost sealing ring and the spring.

19. The control element according to claim 9, wherein the control element comprises a sliding washer, which is fitted between the spring and opposing surfaces of the crown.

20. The control element according to claim 1, wherein the gearwheel is of polymer.

21. The control element according to claim 1, wherein the gearwheel is of polyacetal.

22. Double-acting control element for a wristop computer or similar, which has a case, the control element comprising:

a crown, which is movable in an axial and radial direction relative to the case of the terminal device and at least partly outside thereof;

a reaction bar, which connects to the crown parallel to its axial direction, in such a way that the reaction bar is arranged to transmit the movement of the crown inside the case;

switches, which are fixed inside the case, of which switches at least one, an axial switch, is arranged to engage from the axial movement of the crown, and at least another, a radial switch, is arranged to engage from the radial movement of the crown, wherein the switches are surface-mounted components on a circuit board which is permanently fitted to the case;

a slide, which is at least partly inside the case and which connects to the reaction bar, in such a way that the slide is arranged to transmit the axial movement of the reaction bar to the axial switch; and

a gearwheel, which is inside the case, and which gearwheel is fitted around the slide by means of a sliding-form fit, in such a way that the gearwheel is arranged to transmit the radial movement, transmitted by the reaction bar to the slide, to the radial switch.