# US 7,465,055 B2 · Rotary operation mechanism, electronic apparatus and projector > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,465,055 B2 - Document ID: US7465055B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/106,660 - Filed: 2005-04-15 - Published: 2005-12-01 - Granted: 2008-12-16 - Earliest claimed: 2004-04-16 - Assignees: NEC Viewtechnology, Ltd. - Inventors: Yasushi Itou - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7465055B2 ## CPC - G05G 1/10: Details, e.g. of discs, knobs, wheels or handles {(G05G1/085 takes precedence)} - G03B 21/142: {Adjusting of projection optics} - 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) - G03B: APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR (optical parts of such apparatus G02B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D) ## Abstract A rotary operation mechanism is provided with: a gear that is rotatably provided in the apparatus main unit of an electronic apparatus that is provided with an apparatus main unit and an outer case that covers this apparatus main unit; a rotating knob for effecting the rotary operation of this gear; and an opening that is provided in the outer case and into which the rotating knob is inserted. The rotating knob is supported in the outer case in a state of engagement that allows free rotation inside the opening. The rotating knob is provided with a first rib at a position that is separated in the radial direction from the center of rotation, and the gear is provided with a second rib that forms a gap in which the first rib is interposed and that thus makes line contact with and engages with the first rib. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A rotary operation mechanism for operating an electronic apparatus that is provided with an apparatus main unit and a case that covers said apparatus main unit, said rotary operation mechanism comprising: a rotating member that is rotatably provided in said apparatus main unit; a rotary operator for effecting rotary operation of said rotating member; and an opening that is provided in said case and in which said rotary operator is inserted; wherein said rotary operator is supported by said case in a state of engagement that allows free rotation in said opening; wherein one of said rotary operator and said rotating member is provided with a first engagement part at a position that is separated in a radial direction from a center of rotation, and the other of said rotary operator and said rotating member is provided with a second engagement part having a gap in which said first engagement part is interposed and that makes contact along a line with said first engagement part and engages with said first engagement part, and wherein opposing surfaces of said gap in said second engagement part comprise curved surfaces. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The rotary operation mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said first engagement part is formed in a plate shape along said radial direction. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The rotary operation mechanism according to claim 2, wherein said second engagement part is formed in a ring shape, a portion in the circumferential direction of said second engagement part being cut out to provide said gap. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The rotary operation mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the opposing surfaces of said gap of said second engagement part are each formed in an angular shape. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The rotary operation mechanism according to claim 3, wherein inclined surfaces are formed in said second engagement part to guide said first engagement part into said gap. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) An electronic apparatus comprising: the rotary operation mechanism according to claim 5. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) An electronic apparatus comprising: the rotary operation mechanism according to claim 4. ### Claim 8 (depends on 3) An electronic apparatus comprising: the rotary operation mechanism according to claim 3. ### Claim 9 (depends on 2) An electronic apparatus comprising: the rotary operation mechanism according to claim 2. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The rotary operation mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said first engagement part comprises a column shape. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The rotary operation mechanism according to claim 10, wherein said second engagement part comprises a set of plate-shaped parts that form said gap. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) An electronic apparatus comprising: the rotary operation mechanism according to claim 11. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) An electronic apparatus comprising: the rotary operation mechanism according to claim 10. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) An electronic apparatus comprising: the rotary operation mechanism according to claim 1. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) A projector, comprising: the rotary operation mechanism according to claim 1; projection optics for projecting an image; and a drive mechanism for driving a lens that belongs to said projection optics, wherein said drive mechanism is operated by means of said rotary operator of said rotary operation mechanism. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The rotary operation mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said rotating member is formed on a rotation shaft, and one of said first and second engagement parts comprises a side surface which is engaged with line contact along a line parallel to an axial direction of said rotation shaft with the other one of said first and second engagement parts. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The rotary operation mechanism according to claim 1, wherein a distance between said opposing surfaces of said gap is equal to a thickness of said first engagement part. ### Claim 18 A rotary operation mechanism for operating an electronic apparatus that is provided with an apparatus main unit and a case that covers said apparatus main unit, said rotary operation mechanism comprising: a rotating member that is rotatably provided in said apparatus main unit; a rotary operator for effecting rotary operation of said rotating member; and an opening that is provided in said case and in which said rotary operator is inserted; wherein said rotary operator is supported by said case in a state of engagement that allows free rotation in said opening; wherein one of said rotary operator and said rotating member is provided with a first engagement part at a position that is separated in a radial direction from a center of rotation, and the other of said rotary operator and said rotating member is provided with a second engagement part having a gap in which said first engagement part is interposed and that makes contact along a line with said first engagement part and engages with said first engagement part, and wherein a plane surface on one of said first engagement part and said second engagement part is in contact along a line with a curved surface on the other one of said first engagement part and said second engagement part. ### Claim 19 A rotary operation mechanism for operating an apparatus having a case and a unit formed in said case, said mechanism comprising: a rotating member rotatably formed on said unit of said apparatus and comprising a first engagement part; and a rotary operator for rotating said rotating member, said operator being rotatably formed in an opening of said case of said apparatus and supported by said case, and comprising a second engagement part that engages said first engagement part, wherein one of said first and second engagement parts comprises a gap, and the other one of said first and second engagement parts is separated in a radial direction from a center of rotation and inserted into said gap and makes contact along a line with said one of said first and second engagement parts, and wherein opposing surfaces of said gap comprise curved surfaces. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The rotary operation mechanism according to claim 19, wherein said first engagement part projects from a surface of said rotating member in a direction toward said rotary operator, and said second engagement part projects from a surface of said rotary operator in a direction toward said rotating member. ### Claim 21 A projector, comprising: projection optics comprising a lens, for projecting an image; a drive mechanism for driving said lens; and a rotary operation mechanism for operating said drive mechanism, comprising: a rotating member rotatably formed in an apparatus and comprising a first engagement part; and a rotary operator for rotating said rotating member, said operator being rotatably formed in an opening in said apparatus and supported by said apparatus, and comprising a second engagement part that engages said first engagement part, wherein one of said first and second engagement parts comprises a gap, and the other one of said first and second engagement parts is inserted into said gap and makes contact along a line with said one of said first and second engagement parts, and wherein opposing surfaces of said gap comprise curved surfaces.