(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2007/0013682 A1
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Jan. 18, 2007
`Lin et al.
`
`US 20070013.682A1
`
`(54)
`
`(75)
`
`ELECTRONIC DEVICE WITH ROTARY
`KNOB
`
`Inventors: San-Feng Lin, Taipei (TW); Hui-Wen
`Chiu, Taipei (TW); Yen-Yu Chen,
`Taipei (TW)
`Correspondence Address:
`JLANQ CHYUN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
`OFFICE
`7 FLOOR-1, NO. 100
`ROOSEVELT ROAD, SECTION 2
`TAIPEI 100 (TW)
`
`(73)
`
`Assignee: ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC., Taipei
`(TW)
`
`(21)
`
`Appl. No.:
`
`11/428,572
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Jul. 5, 2006
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Jul. 12, 2005 (TW).......................................... 941235OO
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`G09G 5/00
`(52) U.S. Cl. .............................................................. 34.5/184
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`An electronic device with a rotary knob includes a casing, a
`rotary knob and a Switch. Wherein, the casing has an
`opening, the rotary knob is pivoted on the casing and locates
`in the opening. In addition, the rotary knob includes a first
`interconnecting part used for engaging with a second inter
`connecting part on the Switch. As the rotary knob is turned
`by an external force, the first interconnecting part of the
`rotary knob would drive the second interconnecting part to
`move, so that the second interconnecting part shifts from a
`first position to a second position, which results in Switching
`the Switch and activating corresponding function.
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`230
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`SS s s
`2 SSK 3.
`sa as
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`232
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`200
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`Patent Application Publication Jan. 18, 2007 Sheet 1 of 10
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`US 2007/001.3682 A1
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`FIG.
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`1 (PRIOR ART)
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`Patent Application Publication Jan. 18, 2007 Sheet 2 of 10
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`Patent Application Publication Jan. 18, 2007 Sheet 5 of 10
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`Patent Application Publication Jan. 18, 2007 Sheet 6 of 10
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`Patent Application Publication Jan. 18, 2007 Sheet 8 of 10
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`Patent Application Publication Jan. 18, 2007 Sheet 9 of 10
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`US 2007/00 13682 A1
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`Jan. 18, 2007
`
`ELECTRONIC DEVICE WITH ROTARY KNOB
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION
`0001. This application claims the priority benefit of Tai
`wan application serial no.94123500, filed on Jul. 12, 2005.
`All disclosure of the Taiwan application is incorporated
`herein by reference.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`0002) 1. Field of Invention
`0003. The present invention relates to an electronic
`device, and particularly to an electronic device with a rotary
`knob.
`0004 2. Description of the Related Art
`0005 Because of science and technology progresses,
`notebook computers are ubiquitous and have become an
`indispensable part to the modern life and work. The func
`tionality, convenience and variety in the application of a
`notebook computer are directly related to a user's work, life
`and entertainment. Meanwhile, the notebook manufacturers
`have poured enormous amount of money on improvement
`and development of notebook computers, no matter on
`launching new functions or reducing production cost so as to
`increase competitiveness.
`0006 FIG. 1 is a schematic 3-dimensional drawing of a
`conventional notebook computer. Referring to FIG. 1, a
`conventional notebook computer 100 includes a main body
`110 and a display 120. Wherein, the main body 110 mainly
`includes a pivot portion 112, a plurality of keys 114 and a
`plurality of function keys 116. The pivot portion 112 is
`connected to the display 120 and enables the display 120 to
`swing up and down in relation to the main body 110. The
`keys 114 are disposed on an upper chassis 110a, while the
`function keys 116 are also disposed on the upper chassis
`110a and locate on the periphery of the keys 114. A user
`inputs information into the main body 110 with the keys 114.
`Besides, a user can also press the function keys 116 to
`activate the functions corresponding to the pressed function
`keys, for example, to activate a power-save mode.
`0007 Generally speaking, a compression spring is dis
`posed under a function key 116 (not shown). When a
`function key 116 on the main body 110 is pressed down for
`activating a function, a Switch (not shown) alters the status
`thereof and activates the corresponded function. Contrarily,
`when the pressed function key is released, the compression
`spring restores the function key 116 back to its initial
`position.
`0008 However, the available space inside the upper
`chassis 110a of the notebook computer 100 is very limited.
`If the function keys 116 are disposed on the periphery of the
`keys 114, the upper chassis 110a may appear complex.
`Although Such conventional design of the function keys 116
`is simpler, it is not practical because the function keys. Such
`as power on/off or power-save mode, are not frequently
`used. On the other hand, the above-described conventional
`design of the function keys 116 would remarkably reduce
`the quality sense of the notebook computer 100, even give
`users a monotonous feeling.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`0009. An object of the present invention is to provide an
`electronic device with a rotary knob, wherein a rotary knob
`is disposed on the electronic device, so that a user can
`activate the desired functions by turning the knob with a
`better sense and moreover, the quality sense of the electronic
`device is advanced.
`0010 Based on the above-mentioned object or the others,
`the present invention provides an electronic device with a
`rotary knob, which includes a casing, a rotary knob and a
`Switch. Wherein, the casing has an opening and the rotary
`knob is pivoted on the casing. Besides, the rotary knob is
`disposed in the opening and has a first interconnecting part
`used for engaging with a second interconnecting part dis
`posed on the switch. When the rotary knob is turned by an
`external force, the first interconnecting part would drive the
`second interconnecting part on the Switch to shift the second
`interconnecting part from a first position to a second posi
`tion, so that the Switch is Switched for activating a corre
`sponding function.
`0011. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention,
`the rotary knob may have a circular profile and has at least
`a concave/convex contour on the rim Surface thereof for a
`user to comfortably turn around the rotary knob.
`0012. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention,
`the electronic device can, for example, include a display and
`a main body. The display is pivoted on a pivot portion of the
`main body while the opening is made at the pivot portion.
`0013 In a preferred embodiment of the present invention,
`the electronic device further includes a circuit board.
`Wherein, the circuit board is disposed in the casing and the
`switch is disposed on the circuit board. As the switch is
`Switched, the corresponding function is activated by the
`circuit board.
`0014. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention,
`the electronic device further includes a first restoration
`component, which is disposed on a pivot axle of the rotary
`knob. Wherein, an end of the first restoration component is
`held up on the rotary knob, while another end thereof is held
`up on the casing. When the external force is removed, the
`rotary knob would be restored back to the first position by
`the first restoration component. The first restoration com
`ponent can be a torsion spring.
`0015. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention,
`the first interconnecting part can be, for example, a notch,
`and the second interconnecting part can be, for example, a
`lever engaged in the notch.
`0016.
`In a preferred embodiment of the present invention,
`the Switch further includes a second restoration component.
`After the second interconnecting part moves from the first
`position to the second position, the second interconnecting
`part can be restored back to the first position by the second
`restoration component. The second restoration component
`can be a compression spring.
`0017. In the electronic device with a rotary knob dis
`closed by the present invention, the rotary knob design is
`cloned in the pivot portion of a notebook computer, so that
`users can activate the desired functions by turning the rotary
`knob with a good quality sense. In addition, the function
`keys in a conventional notebook computer are disposed on
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`US 2007/00 13682 A1
`
`Jan. 18, 2007
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`the pivot axle according to the present invention, which
`makes the upper chassis of a notebook computer appear
`neatly.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`0018. The accompanying drawings are included to pro
`vide a further understanding of the invention, and are
`incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification.
`The drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention and,
`together with the description, serve for explaining the prin
`ciples of the invention.
`0.019
`FIG. 1 is a schematic 3-dimensional drawing of a
`conventional notebook computer.
`0020 FIG. 2 is a schematic 3-dimensional drawing of a
`notebook computer with a rotary knob of the present inven
`tion.
`FIG. 3 is a schematic localized 3-dimensional
`0021
`drawing of the notebook computer with a rotary knob of the
`present invention.
`0022 FIG. 4 is a schematic localized 3-dimensional
`drawing showing the inside structure of the pivot portion in
`a notebook PC.
`0023 FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are schematic localized
`3-dimensional drawings of the rotary knob from two differ
`ent viewing directions, respectively.
`0024 FIG. 6 is a schematic localized 3-dimensional
`drawing showing the pivot portion with a rotary knob of the
`present invention.
`0025 FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B are schematic localized
`3-dimensional drawings showing activations of the rotary
`knob of the present invention.
`0026 FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B are diagrams showing the
`second interconnecting part on the Switch of the present
`invention at the first position and the second position,
`respectively.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
`0027. A notebook computer is exemplary, but not limited
`to, for explaining the electronic device with a rotary knob in
`the present invention hereafter. In fact, the present invention
`is also applicable to other electronic devices with a casing.
`0028 FIG. 2 is a schematic 3-dimensional drawing of a
`notebook computer with a rotary knob of the present inven
`tion. Referring to FIG. 2, a notebook computer 200 with a
`rotary knob includes a main body 210, a display 220, a pivot
`portion 230 and a rotary knob 240. Wherein, the display 220
`is pivoted on the pivot portion 230 to enable the display 220
`being turned up and down in relation to the main body 210.
`The appearance of the pivot portion 230 can be an arc form
`and with an opening 232. The rotary knob 240 is disposed
`in the pivot portion 230 of the main body 210 and is exposed
`out of the opening 232. Users can turn the rotary knob 240
`to activate the desired function, such as power-save mode. In
`this way, the user will feel a good quality sense while using
`the computer. Besides, since the rotary knob 240 is disposed
`in the pivot portion 230 of the main body 210 in the present
`invention, the available space inside the upper chassis of the
`main body is increased.
`
`0029. In the following, the components included in the
`notebook computer with a rotary knob of the present inven
`tion and the interactions between the components are
`described in detail.
`0030 FIG. 3 is a schematic localized 3-dimensional
`drawing of the notebook computer with a rotary knob of the
`present invention. Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the
`notebook computer 200 with a rotary knob includes a pivot
`portion 230, a rotary knob 240 and a switch 250. Wherein,
`the pivot portion 230 in the arc form and with an opening
`232 is one part of the casing 230'. The rotary knob 240 is
`pivoted on the casing 230' and includes a first element 242,
`a second element 244 and a first interconnecting part 246.
`The first element 242 of the rotary knob 240 is disposed
`inside the opening 232 of the pivot portion 230, while the
`second element 244 thereof is protruded from the pivot
`portion 230, such that a user can conveniently turn the rotary
`knob 240. The first interconnecting part 246 is used for
`driving the switch 250. The first interconnecting part 246 is
`a notch 246' in the present embodiment. The switch 250 has
`a second interconnecting part 252, which engages with the
`first interconnecting part 246 of the rotary knob 240. In
`addition, the second interconnecting part 252 occupies a first
`position 254 and a second position 256. As the rotary knob
`240 turns by an external force, the first interconnecting part
`246 of the rotary knob 240 would drive the second inter
`connecting part 252 of the switch 250, so that the second
`interconnecting part 252 moves from the first position 254 to
`the second position 256 resulting in switching the switch
`250. In the embodiment, the second interconnecting part 252
`can be a lever 252', and the shape and the dimensions of the
`lever 252 must be designed to adapt the shape and the
`dimensions of the notch 246'.
`0031
`FIG. 4 is a schematic localized 3-dimensional
`drawing showing the inside structure of the pivot portion in
`a notebook computer. Referring to FIG. 4, the pivot portion
`230 has an opening 232. Two bearing housings 234 are
`disposed at both sides of the opening 232 inside the pivot
`portion 230, respectively. Each bearing housing 234 has a
`pivoting hole 236 to support the rotary knob 240. In addi
`tion, there is a first Supporting face S1 disposed on the pivot
`portion 230 near to one of the bearing housings 234.
`0032 FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are schematic localized
`3-dimensional drawings of the rotary knob from two differ
`ent viewing directions, respectively. Referring to FIG. 5A,
`FIG. 5B, and FIG. 6, except for the above-described first
`element 242, second element 244 and first interconnecting
`part 246, the rotary knob 240 further includes a notch 242a,
`a pivot axle 248 and a second Supporting face S2. The notch
`242a is disposed at the first element 242 of the rotary knob
`240 so that a user can conveniently turn the rotary knob 240.
`In addition, the rotary knob 240 is pivoted on the bearing
`housings 234 of the pivot portion 230 through the pivot axle
`248, and the rotary knob 240 can be a circular-like shape to
`adapt the shape of the pivot portion 230.
`0033 FIG. 6 is a schematic localized 3-dimensional
`drawing showing the pivot portion with a rotary knob of the
`present invention. Referring to FIG. 5A and 6, the pivot axle
`248 of the rotary knob 240 is passed through the two
`pivoting holes 236 and pivoted on them. A second element
`244 of the rotary knob 240 is protruded from the pivot
`portion 230 and able to turn in relation to the pivot portion
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`230. In addition, a first restoration component 260 is further
`disposed on the pivot axle 248 of the rotary knob 240. One
`end of the first restoration component 260 is held up on the
`first supporting face S1 of the pivot portion 230, while
`another end thereof is held up on the second Supporting face
`S2 of the rotary knob 240. After the rotary knob 240 departs
`from the initial position under an external force, the first
`restoration component 260 enables the rotary knob 240 to
`restore back to the initial position once the external force is
`removed. In the embodiment, the first restoration component
`260 can be, but not limited to, a torsion spring 260".
`0034 FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B are schematic localized
`3-dimensional drawings showing activations of the rotary
`knob of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 7A, the first
`interconnecting part 246 of the rotary knob 240 and the
`second interconnecting part 252 of the switch 250 are
`engaged with each other. Referring to FIG. 7B, as the rotary
`knob 240 is turned by a user, the first interconnecting part
`246 of the rotary knob 240 would drive the second inter
`connecting part 252 of the switch 250, so that the second
`interconnecting part 252 shifts from the first position 254 to
`the second position 256. Thus, the switch 250 is switched
`and the corresponding function is activated. Furthermore,
`the notebook computer 200 (as shown in FIG. 2) further
`includes a circuit board 270, and the switch 250 locates on
`the circuitboard 270. As the second interconnecting part 252
`shifts from the first position 254 to the second position 256
`for switching the switch 250, the switch 250 would activate
`the corresponding function through the circuit board 270.
`0035 FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B are diagrams showing the
`second interconnecting part on the Switch of the present
`invention at the first position and the second position,
`respectively. Referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B, inside the
`switch 250 there is further a second restoration component
`258. As the second interconnecting part 252 of the switch
`250 shifts from the first position 254 to the second position
`256, the second restoration component 258 is compressed
`and deformed. Therefore, once the external force is
`removed, the accumulated elastic potential energy within the
`second restoration component 258 enables the second inter
`connecting part 252 to restore back from the second position
`256 to the first position 254. In the embodiment, the second
`restoration component 258 can be, but not limited to, a
`compression spring.
`0036). In the above-described embodiment, both a first
`restoration component and a second restoration component
`are disposed on the rotary knob and the Switch, respectively,
`to ensure precise restoration activations of the rotary knob
`and the Switch. In fact, practically, only one restoration
`component is needed to achieve the same result that reduces
`the cost. Besides, different from the conventional electronic
`devices which no key-press Switches are disposed at the
`pivot portion, a circular-like space at the pivot portion is
`used for disposing a rotary knob as a Switch in the present
`invention. Accordingly, the present invention does not only
`create a novel outlook but also increases utilization of the
`overall space.
`0037. From the above described, since a rotary knob is
`disposed to link the switch in an electronic device of the
`present invention, a user can turn the rotary knob to activate
`
`the corresponding function and obtain a better quality sense.
`In addition, the rotary knob can further be disposed on the
`pivot portion of the electronic device to increase utilization
`of the overall space.
`0038. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that
`various modifications and variations can be made to the
`structure of the present invention without departing from the
`Scope or spirit of the invention. In view of the foregoing, it
`is intended that the specification and examples to be con
`sidered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the
`invention being indicated by the following claims and their
`equivalents.
`What is claimed is:
`1. An electronic device with a rotary knob, comprising:
`a casing, having an opening disposed on the casing:
`a rotary knob, pivoted on the casing, wherein the rotary
`knob is disposed in the opening and comprises a first
`interconnecting part; and
`a Switch, a second interconnecting part disposed on the
`Switch and engaging with the first interconnecting part;
`wherein, as the rotary knob is turned by an external force,
`the first interconnecting part drives the second inter
`connecting part and enables the second interconnecting
`part to shift from a first position to a second position.
`2. The electronic device with a rotary knob as recited in
`claim 1, wherein the rotary knob has a circular-like shape.
`3. The electronic device with a rotary knob as recited in
`claim 1, further comprising a display and a main body,
`wherein the display is pivoted on a pivot portion of the main
`body and the pivot portion is adjacent to the opening.
`4. The electronic device with a rotary knob as recited in
`claim 1, further comprising a circuit board mechanically
`connected to the casing, wherein the Switch is disposed on
`the circuit board.
`5. The electronic device with a rotary knob as recited in
`claim 1, further comprising a first restoration component
`disposed on a pivot axle of the rotary knob, wherein an end
`of the first restoration component is held up on the rotary
`knob and another end thereof is held up on the casing.
`6. The electronic device with a rotary knob as recited in
`claim 5, wherein the first restoration component is a torsion
`Spring.
`7. The electronic device with a rotary knob as recited in
`claim 1, wherein the first interconnecting part is a notch of
`the rotary knob, the second interconnecting part is a lever,
`and the second interconnecting part is engaged in the first
`interconnecting part.
`8. The electronic device with a rotary knob as recited in
`claim 1, wherein the Switch further comprises a second
`restoration component; after the second interconnecting part
`shifts from the first position to the second position, the
`second interconnecting part is able to return back from the
`second position to the first position by the second restoration
`component.
`9. The electronic device with a rotary knob as recited in
`claim 8, wherein the second restoration component is a
`compression spring.
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