Rotational operation device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016355207-A1
Application number	US-201615161730-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	May 23, 2016
Priority date	Jun 5, 2015
Publication date	Dec 8, 2016
Grant date	—

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.

First 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.

2 . 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.

3 . 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.

4 . 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.

Assignees

• Tokai Rika Co Ltd

Inventors

• Urushibata Takanori

Classifications

• B62D1/16 Primary

  Steering columns · CPC title

• B62D5/005 Primary

  means for generating torque on steering wheel or input member, e.g. feedback · CPC title

• G05G5/03

  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) · CPC title

• G05G5/05

  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) · CPC title

• G05G1/08

  Controlling members for hand actuation by rotary movement, e.g. hand wheels · CPC title