Waterproof control knob assembly with integral switch
AssigneeMotorola, Inc.
InventorsMark S. Bresin, Peter B. Gilmore
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A rotatable control with an integral switch comprises conductive inner and outer shaft in a concentric configuration. The inner and outer shaft are electrically insulated from one another and frictionally coupled to allow concentric simultaneous rotation. The assembly is covered with a flexible insulating shroud which has a switch contact located on the upper interior surface thereof. Conductive spring members are clipped around the lower portion of the inner and outer shaft to allow electrical connection to a circuit board.
Claims11
A rotatable waterproof control knob assembly including an integral momentary contact switch, comprising:
- a conductive inner shaft having a longitudinal axis and an upper and a lower portion;
- a conductive outer shaft concentric with said inner shaft and having an upper and a lower portion corresponding to said upper and lower portions respectively of said conductive inner shaft;
- means for electrically isolating but mechanically coupling said inner and outer shafts to permit simultaneous concentric rotation of said inner and outer shafts about said longitudinal axis;
- a flexible shroud having a top covering and sealing the upper portions of said inner and outer shafts to provide a water barrier for prevention of water entry between said inner and outer shafts at said upper portions of said inner and outer shafts;
- and
- switch contact means, located adjacent said shroud and said upper portions of said inner and outer shafts, for electrically coupling said inner and outer shafts together when the top of said shroud is flexed toward said upper portions of said inner and outer shafts;
- whereby, said momentary switch may be actuated without longitudinal motion of said inner and outer shafts.
A method for operating a multi-function control knob, wherein the knob comprises,
- a control knob having a shaft, an outer surface and a waterproof flexible shroud covering said outer surface, said flexible shroud having a deformable upper portion;
- a potentiometer operatively coupled to said control knob so that rotation of said control knob varies the setting of said potentiometer;
- a momentary contact switch adjacent said upper portion of said shroud;
- the method of operating comprising the steps of;
- rotating said control knob to vary the setting of said potentiometer;
- and
- deforming said upper portion of said flexible shroud inward to actuate said mementary contact switch without causing longitudinal motion of said control knob shaft.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.