# US 5,351,161 A · Variable scale rotary switch

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- Number: US 5,351,161 A
- Document ID: US5351161A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 07/759,399
- Filed: 1991-09-13
- Granted: 1994-09-27
- Earliest claimed: 1991-04-03
- Assignees: Sony Electronics Inc.
- Inventors: Michael T. MacKay; Robert Duffy; Lee A. Cotterill; William Herz; Joe McArdle
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5351161A

## CPC

- G05G 1/08: Controlling members for hand actuation by rotary movement, e.g. hand wheels
- G11B 15/103: {electrically operated}
- G11B 27/024: on tapes (G11B27/028, G11B27/029 take precedence)
- G11B 27/028: with computer assistance
- G11B 2220/90: Tape-like record carriers
- H01H 2003/008: {with a haptic or a tactile feedback controlled by electrical means, e.g. a motor or magnetofriction}
- H01H 2019/143: {having at least two concentric turn knobs}
- 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)
- G11B: INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER (recording measured values in a way that does not require playback through a transducer G01D9/00; recording or playback apparatus using mechanically marked tape, e.g. punched paper tape, or using unit records, e.g. punched or magnetically marked cards G06K; transferring data from one type of record carrier to another G06K1/18; circuits for coupling output of reproducer to radio receiver H04B1/20; gramophone pick-ups or like acoustic electromechanical transducers or circuits therefor H04R)
- H01H: ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES (contact cables H01B7/10; electrolytic self-interrupters H01G9/18; emergency protective circuit arrangements H02H; switching by electronic means without contact-making H03K17/00)

## Abstract

A switch assembly that can vary at least two controllable parameters and can vary the upper, lower and any intermediary limits of the switch assembly. The switch assembly has a pair of nested coaxial rotary knobs each attached by shafts to sensors that determine the radial position of a reference point on each knob. The knobs rotate with respect to each other and are constructed to allow rotation of the knobs with one hand. The sensors are attached to the controls of the parameters, such that rotation of the knobs varies the output of the parameters. The sensors are coupled to a magnetic clutch that engages and prevents rotation of one of the knobs, when the knob is rotated into a predetermined radial position. A computer can be connected to the magnetic clutch and sensors. The computer receives input signals from the sensors and produces an output signal to the clutch, to engage the clutch and prevent rotation of the knob in accordance with a computer program.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A variable rotary switch assembly, comprising:
a first knob adapted to rotate about a vertical axis, said first knob having a first point of origin that rotates into a plurality of first radial positions about said vertical axis, said first knob being adapted to move from a first vertical position to a second vertical position;
a second knob within said first knob, said second knob being adapted to rotate about said vertical axis relative to said first knob, said second knob having a second point of origin that rotates into a plurality of second radial positions about said vertical axis, said second knob being adapted to move from a third vertical position to a fourth vertical position;
a hollow first shaft attached to said first knob that rotates with said first knob about said vertical axis, said first shaft extending along said vertical axis;
a second shaft attached to said second knob that rotates with said second knob about said vertical axis, said second shaft being coaxial with said first shaft;
first sensor means operatively connected to said first shaft for determining said first radial position of said first point of origin of said first knob;
second sensor means operatively connected to said second shaft for determining said second radial position of said second point of origin of said second knob;
third sensor means operatively connected to said first knob for sensing when said first knob is in said first and second vertical positions;
fourth sensor means operatively connected to said second knob for sensing when said second knob is in said third and fourth vertical positions; and,
magnetic clutch means operatively connected to said first shaft and said first sensor for engaging said first shaft when said first point of origin of said first knob is in a predetermined first radial position.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The switch assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said third sensor is adapted to sense when said first knob is in said first and second vertical positions.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The switch assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said third sensor means is a first micromotion switch assembly.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The switch assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said fourth sensor means is a second micromotion switch assembly.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The switch assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said magnetic clutch means engages said first knob each time said first point of origin of said first knob is rotated into one of a plurality of predetermined first radial positions.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The switch assembly as recited in claim 1, further comprising computer means operatively connected to said sensor means and said magnetic clutch means for receiving input signals from said first sensor means when said first knob rotates into said predetermined first radial position and producing output signals to said magnetic clutch means in accordance with operating instructions within said computer, said output signals cause said magnetic clutch means to engage said first shaft.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The switch assembly as recited in claim 5, further comprising computer means operatively connected to said sensor means and said magnetic clutch means for receiving a plurality of corresponding input signals from said first sensor means when said first knob rotates into said plurality of predetermined first radial positions and producing output signals to said magnetic clutch means in accordance with operating instructions within said computer, said output signals cause said magnetic clutch means to engage said first shaft.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

The switch assembly as recited in claim 6, wherein said computer means is adapted such that said operating instructions can be changed to a new set of operating instructions.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The switch assembly as recited in claim 7, wherein said computer means is adapted such that said operating instructions can be changed to a new set of operating instructions.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The switch assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said first sensor means includes a first disk attached to said first shaft, said first disk having at least one first magnetic portion corresponding to said predetermined first radial position, said magnetic portion of said first disk being capable of being magnetically coupled to a first magnetically sensitive sensor located in a position fixed relative to said first disk, said first magnetically sensitive sensor causing said magnetic clutch means to engage said magnetic clutch when said first knob is rotated into said first radial position and said first disk rotates such that said first magnetic portion is magnetically coupled to said first magnetically sensitive sensor.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The switch assembly as recited in claim 9, wherein said first sensor means includes a first disk attached to said first hollow shaft, said first disk having a plurality first magnetic portions corresponding to said plurality of predetermined first radial positions, said magnetic portions of said first disk being capable of being magnetically coupled to a first magnetically sensitive sensor located in a position fixed relative to said first disk, said first magnetically sensitive sensor creating said plurality of input signals when said first knob is rotated into said predetermined first radial positions such that said first magnetic portions become magnetically coupled to said first magnetically sensitive sensor.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The switch assembly as recited in claim 10, wherein said second sensor means includes a second disk attached to said second shaft, said second disk having at least one second magnetic portion corresponding to at least one predetermined second radial position, said second magnetic portion of said disk being capable of being magnetically coupled to a second magnetically sensitive sensor located in a position fixed relative to said second disk.

### Claim 13 (depends on 11)

The switch assembly as recited in claim 11, wherein said second sensor means includes a second disk attached to said second shaft, said second disk having a plurality of second magnetic portions corresponding to a plurality of predetermined second radial positions, said second magnetic portions of said second disk being capable of being magnetically coupled to a second magnetically sensitive sensor located in a position fixed relative to said second disk, said second magnetic portions and said second magnetically sensitive sensor being magnetically coupled when said second knob is rotated into said predetermined second radial positions such that said second magnetic portions become magnetically coupled to said second magnetically sensitive sensor.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The switch assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said magnetic clutch means includes a rotor attached to said first shaft such that said rotor rotates with said first shaft, a coil, and a clutch plate adapted to be coupled to said rotor, wherein when said first point of origin of said first knob is rotated into said predetermined first radial position, an electrical current is supplied to said coil by an electrical power means that induces a magnetic field in said coil, which causes said clutch plate to engage said rotor such that said rotor and said clutch plate are connected.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The switch assembly as recited in claim 14, wherein said clutch plate has a stop adapted to engage stop tabs, such that said first knob can only rotate a predetermined angle after said coil creates said magnetic field.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The switch assembly as recited in claim 15, wherein said magnetic clutch means includes a spring that wherein said predetermined angle is .+-.5.degree..

### Claim 17 (depends on 15)

The switch assembly as recited in claim 15, wherein said magnetic clutch means includes a spring that becomes operatively connected to said first knob when said coil creates said magnetic field, such that said spring provides a resistance to said first knob rotation.

### Claim 18 (depends on 10)

The switch assembly as recited in claim 10, wherein said magnetic clutch means includes a rotor attached to said first shaft such that said rotor rotates with said first shaft, a coil, and a clutch plate adapted to be coupled to said rotor, wherein when said first point of origin of said first knob is rotated into said predetermined first radial position, an electrical current is supplied to said coil by an electrical power means that induces a magnetic field in said coil, which causes said clutch plate to engage said rotor such that said rotor and said clutch plate are connected.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The switch assembly as recited in claim 18, wherein said clutch plate has a stop adapted to engage stop tabs, such that said first knob can only rotate a predetermined angle after said coil creates said magnetic field.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The switch assembly as recited in claim 19, wherein said predetermined angle is .+-.5.degree..

### Claim 21 (depends on 19)

The switch assembly as recited in claim 19, wherein said magnetic clutch means includes a spring that becomes operatively connected to said first knob when said coil creates said magnetic field, such that said spring provides a resistance to said first knob rotation.

### Claim 22 (depends on 12)

The switch assembly as recited in claim 12, wherein said magnetic clutch means includes a rotor attached to said first shaft such that said rotor rotates with said first shaft, a coil, and a clutch plate adapted to be coupled to said rotor, wherein when said first point of origin of said first knob is rotated into said predetermined first radial position, an electrical current is supplied to said coil by an electrical power means that induces a magnetic field in said coil which causes said clutch plate to engage said rotor such that said rotor and said clutch plate are connected.

### Claim 23 (depends on 22)

The switch assembly as recited in claim 22, wherein said clutch plate has a stop adapted to engage stop tabs, such that said first knob can only rotate a predetermined angle after said coil creates said magnetic field.

### Claim 24 (depends on 23)

The switch assembly as recited in claim 23, wherein said predetermined angle is .+-.5.degree..

### Claim 25 (depends on 23)

The switch assembly as recited in claim 23, wherein said magnetic clutch means includes a spring that becomes operatively connected to said first knob when said coil creates said magnetic field, such that said spring provides a resistance to said first knob rotation.

### Claim 26 (depends on 1)

The switch assembly as recited in claim 1, further comprising a first spring operatively connected to said first knob to bias said first knob into said first vertical position.

### Claim 27 (depends on 26)

The switch assembly as recited in claim 26, further comprising a second spring operatively connected to said second knob to bias said second knob into said third vertical position.

### Claim 28 (depends on 27)

The switch assembly as recited in claim 27, wherein said first spring is an inflated ring.

### Claim 29 (depends on 1)

The switch assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said first and second knobs control first and second parameters respectively, each parameter having varying scales, wherein said rotation of said knobs varies said scales of said first and second parameters.

### Claim 30 (depends on 29)

The switch assembly as recited in claim 29, wherein said first parameter is a shuttle speed of a video tape and said second parameter is a jogging speed of said video tape.

### Claim 31 (depends on 29)

The switch assembly as recited in claim 29, wherein said vertical movement of said first knob controls a third parameter having a varying scale, wherein said movement of said first knob from said first position to said second position varies said scales of said third parameter.

### Claim 32 (depends on 31)

The switch assembly as recited in claim 31, wherein said first parameter is a shuttle speed of a video tape, said second parameter is a jogging speed of said video tape and said third parameter controls the movement of said video tape.