Modular knob system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A modular knob system comprising:
- a base plate having a first surface and a second surface;
a magnetic encoder disposed on said first surface of said base plate or on a circuit carrier disposed on said first surface of said base plate;
an annular hub fixedly disposed on said second surface of said base plate, said hub comprising a first portion having a smooth outer surface, a second portion defining a detent contour, and a circumferential groove between said first portion and said second portion;
a bearing ring rotatably disposed about said hub, said bearing ring comprising an annular ring portion, a detent spring depending from said annular ring portion, and a retainer depending from said annular ring portion, said detent spring engaged with said detent contour and said retainer in bearing engagement with said smooth outer surface, said retainer comprising a lip engaged with said groove;
a knob shell keyed to said bearing ring;
a magnet post keyed to said knob shell; and
a diametric magnet keyed to said magnet post and overlying said magnetic encoder;
wherein said magnetic encoder detects rotation of said diametric magnet in response to rotation of said knob shell; and
wherein said detent spring alternately engages and disengages with detents in said detent contour when said knob is rotated to provide haptic feedback to a user.
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Abstract
Embodiments of a modular knob system include a modular knob shell, bearing componentry, and detent componentry. A specific knob shell embodiment may accommodate various different detent mechanisms so that a single knob shell can be used with numerous switching mechanisms. The knob system also may include electronic, magnetic or other sensors.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A modular knob system comprising:
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a base plate having a first surface and a second surface; a magnetic encoder disposed on said first surface of said base plate or on a circuit carrier disposed on said first surface of said base plate; an annular hub fixedly disposed on said second surface of said base plate, said hub comprising a first portion having a smooth outer surface, a second portion defining a detent contour, and a circumferential groove between said first portion and said second portion; a bearing ring rotatably disposed about said hub, said bearing ring comprising an annular ring portion, a detent spring depending from said annular ring portion, and a retainer depending from said annular ring portion, said detent spring engaged with said detent contour and said retainer in bearing engagement with said smooth outer surface, said retainer comprising a lip engaged with said groove; a knob shell keyed to said bearing ring; a magnet post keyed to said knob shell; and a diametric magnet keyed to said magnet post and overlying said magnetic encoder; wherein said magnetic encoder detects rotation of said diametric magnet in response to rotation of said knob shell; and wherein said detent spring alternately engages and disengages with detents in said detent contour when said knob is rotated to provide haptic feedback to a user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A modular knob system comprising:
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a base plate having a first surface and a second surface; a magnetic encoder disposed on said first surface of said base plate or on a circuit carrier disposed on said first surface of said base plate; a hub fixedly disposed on said second surface of said base plate, said hub comprising a first portion having a smooth outer surface and a second portion defining a detent contour; a bearing ring rotatably disposed about said hub, said bearing ring comprising a detent spring and a retainer, said detent spring engaged with said detent contour and said retainer in bearing engagement with said smooth outer surface; a knob shell non-rotatably engaged with said bearing ring; a magnet post non-rotatably engaged with said knob shell; and a magnet non-rotatably engaged with said magnet post and overlying said magnetic encoder; wherein said magnetic encoder detects rotation of said magnet in response to rotation of said knob shell; and wherein said detent spring alternately engages and disengages with detents in said detent contour when said knob is rotated to provide haptic feedback to a user. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification