Multi-operational electronic device
AssigneeMatsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
InventorsTakumi Nishimoto, Jun Sugahara, Jun Sato
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In a multi-operational electronic device of the present invention, a first switch, which operates when an operating lever is tilted, is so configured that a circular domelike resilient movable contact large enough to cover a plurality of first fixed contacts is partially turned inside out. A connecting part connects an outer cylinder holding a rotary resilient contact, which effects generation of a rotary signal, with an inner cylinder fixed to an operating shaft so that the outer and inner cylinders move with each other in a rotating direction to generate the electric signal and contract vertically to press a central switch.
Claims5
A multi-operational electronic device comprising:
- (a) a first switch comprising:
- first fixed contacts arranged in a circle at established angular intervals on an inner surface of a first contact board;
- and
- a resilient movable contact having a circular domelike shape large enough to cover all of the first fixed contacts across an established space and a through-hole in a center of the resilient movable contact, the resilient movable contact made of resilient sheet metal;
- (b) a first casing including a circular opening in a center of an upper surface of the first casing;
- (c) a first drive member stored in the first casing, the first drive member including:
- a turnable and tiltable domelike part extending along a border of an upper surface of the first drive member and contacting the first casing about the circular opening;
- a central hole through which an operating shaft including an operating lever at an upper part of the operating shaft is engaged to move vertically and rotate;
- and a specified projection provided on a lower surface of the first drive member and contacting an upper surface of the resilient movable contact in a position corresponding to the first fixed contacts in the first casing;
- (d) a second casing placed below the first casing concentrically with the first casing and coupled to the first casing through a through-hole of the first casing, the second casing including:
- a central switch, which operates when pressed against a central part of an inner surface of a second contact board serving as a bottom of the second casing;
- and a second fixed contact extending along a circle surrounding the central switch;
- and
- (e) a second drive member stored in the second casing, the second drive member including:
- a rotatable outer cylinder vertically supported and having, on a lower surface of the outer cylinder, a rotary movable contact, which engages with the second fixed contact to generate an electric signal for a rotary signal generator;
- an inner cylinder fixed to a lower part of the operating shaft passing through the through-hole of the resilient movable contact of the first switch;
- and a connecting part connecting the outer and inner cylinders to allow the outer and inner cylinders to move with each other in a rotating direction and to expand and contract vertically, the outer and inner cylinders and the connecting part being integrally formed of elastic resin.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.