# US 2016/0355207 A1 · Rotational operation device

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 2016/0355207 A1
- Document ID: US20160355207A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 15/161,730
- Filed: 2016-05-23
- Published: 2016-12-08
- Earliest claimed: 2015-06-05
- Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
- Applicants: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
- Inventors: Takanori URUSHIBATA
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20160355207A1

## CPC

- B62D 1/16: Steering columns
- B62D 5/005: {means for generating torque on steering wheel or input member, e.g. feedback}
- G05G 5/05: Means for returning or tending to return controlling members to an inoperative or neutral position, e.g. by providing return springs or resilient end-stops (G05G5/28 takes precedence)
- G05G 1/08: Controlling members for hand actuation by rotary movement, e.g. hand wheels
- G05G 5/03: Means for enhancing the operator's awareness of arrival of the controlling member at a command or datum position; Providing feel, e.g. means for creating a counterforce (arrangements for indicating the position of the controlling member G05G1/015)
- B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M)
- G05G: CONTROL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS INSOFAR AS CHARACTERISED BY MECHANICAL FEATURES ONLY ("Bowden" or like mechanisms F16C1/10; gearings or mechanisms not peculiar to this purpose F16H; speed changing or reversing mechanisms for gearings conveying rotary motion F16H59/00 - F16H63/00)

## Abstract

A rotational operation device includes a holder fixed to a rotation shaft, a torsion coil spring, and a case accommodating the holder and the torsion coil spring. The torsion coil spring includes a coil, fitted to the rotation shaft, and two protrusions, located at opposite ends of the coil. When the rotation shaft is rotated, the case restricts movement of the first protrusion, and the holder pushes the second protrusion in a rotation direction of the rotation shaft. The case includes a first groove that receives the first protrusion. The holder includes a second groove that receives the second protrusion. The first and second protrusions are spaced apart by an invariable interval set by a fixed length between the first and second grooves. The fixed length is set to a distance that produces a gap between coil windings when the coil is in a load-free state.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A rotational operation device comprising:
a rotation shaft rotated when an operation member is rotated;
a holder fixed to the rotation shaft;
a torsion coil spring including a coil and two protrusions located at opposite ends of the coil, wherein the rotation shaft is inserted through the coil; and
a case that accommodates the holder and the torsion coil spring, wherein
the holder and the case are configured to twist the coil when the rotation shaft is rotated by restricting movement of one of the protrusions with the case and pushing the other one of the protrusions in a rotation direction of the rotation shaft with the holder,
the case includes a first groove that receives the one of the protrusions,
the holder includes a second groove that receives the other one of the protrusions,
the two protrusions are spaced apart in an axial direction of the rotation shaft by an interval that is invariable and set by a fixed length between the first groove of the case and the second groove of the holder, and
the fixed length is set to a distance that produces a gap between windings of the coil when the torsion coil spring is in a load-free state, with the two protrusions supported by the first and second grooves.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The rotational operation device according to claim 1, wherein:
the two protrusions comprise a first protrusion and a second protrusion;
the case includes
the first groove that receives the first protrusion, and
a third groove that receives the second protrusion;
the holder includes
the second groove that receives the second protrusion, and
a fourth groove that receives the first protrusion;
the holder and the case are configured so that when the rotation shaft is rotated in a forward direction, the holder holds the second protrusion with the second groove and pushes the second protrusion in the forward direction, while the case holds the first protrusion with the first groove and restricts movement of the first protrusion; and
the holder and the case are configured so that when the rotation shaft is rotated in a reverse direction, the holder holds the first protrusion with the fourth groove and pushes the first protrusion in the reverse direction, while the case holds the second protrusion with the third groove and restricts movement of the second protrusion.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The rotational operation device according to claim 2, wherein:
the holder and the case are configured so that when the rotation shaft is rotated in the forward direction, the first protrusion is separated from the fourth groove of the holder, and the second protrusion is separated from the third groove of the case; and
the holder and the case are configured so that when the rotation shaft is rotated in the reverse direction, the second protrusion is separated from the second groove of the holder, and the first protrusion is separated from the first groove of the case.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The rotational operation device according to claim 2, wherein
the first groove of the case and the fourth groove of the holder define a first cooperative groove that supports the first protrusion when the torsion coil spring is in the load-free state, and
the third groove of the case and the second groove of the holder define a second cooperative group that supports the second protrusion when the torsion coil spring is in the load-free state.