US3576514A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Potentiometer with embedded reversely bent contact wires
Assignee: Bourns Inc
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Filing: 1969-01-02
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Granted: 1971-04-27
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Expires: 1989-01-02
Abstract
Abstract Miniature potentiometer of such small dimensions that resistance element and contact dimensions are so reduced as to create severe problems in respect to high contact-resistance-variation, wherein contact-resistance-variation is grossly minimized by employing as a contact device for brushing and bridging the resistance element and a return conductor or bus a set of very small-gauge resilient wires arranged in side-by-side ribbonlike configuration with central portions embedded in a rotor member and end portions reversely bent to form a number of resilient independently movable spring contacts disposed to brush a series of closely spaced points along a line transverse of the resistive element. Thus the contact pressure is not concentrated at a single point but at a maximum number of points, reducing contact wear and electrical contact-resistance-variation.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert D Michik
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 20:25
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01C; H01C10/00; H01C10/30; H01C10/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
253 words
In a potentiometer, support means for supporting a substantially flat elongate resistive element an exposed surface of which provides a resistive track to be brushed, and such a resistive element thereon, with terminals at each end thereof; conductive means including collector means and a terminal therefor; a contact carrier and contact means carried by said carrier, said contact means comprising a ribbonlike array of individual elongate wires in side-by-side relationship throughout their lengths, each of said wires having an intermediate straight portion in substantially planar disposition with the others of said wires and all of the intermediate straight portions of said wires being embedded in said carrier and all of said wires having first end portions reversely bent closely adjacent to said embedded portion and laterally offset from said straight portions thereof to provide at the first ends of said wires respective contact areas brushing on said resistive element, the second end portions of said wires being similarly but oppositely reversely bent and oppositely offset relative to said straight portions and having at the ends thereof respective contacts brushing on said conductive means, at least said first end portions being torsionally stresSed; and means coacting with said support means to retain said carrier in position with the contact areas of said contact means in brushing relation to said element; whereby said contact means provides a plurality of individually sprung resilient torsionally stressed wires presenting contacts in side-by-side closely spaced relationship to greatly minimize contact-resistance-variation as said element is brushed by said contact means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
253 words
In a potentiometer, support means for supporting a substantially flat elongate resistive element an exposed surface of which provides a resistive track to be brushed, and such a resistive element thereon, with terminals at each end thereof; conductive means including collector means and a terminal therefor; a contact carrier and contact means carried by said carrier, said contact means comprising a ribbonlike array of individual elongate wires in side-by-side relationship throughout their lengths, each of said wires having an intermediate straight portion in substantially planar disposition with the others of said wires and all of the intermediate straight portions of said wires being embedded in said carrier and all of said wires having first end portions reversely bent closely adjacent to said embedded portion and laterally offset from said straight portions thereof to provide at the first ends of said wires respective contact areas brushing on said resistive element, the second end portions of said wires being similarly but oppositely reversely bent and oppositely offset relative to said straight portions and having at the ends thereof respective contacts brushing on said conductive means, at least said first end portions being torsionally stresSed; and means coacting with said support means to retain said carrier in position with the contact areas of said contact means in brushing relation to said element; whereby said contact means provides a plurality of individually sprung resilient torsionally stressed wires presenting contacts in side-by-side closely spaced relationship to greatly minimize contact-resistance-variation as said element is brushed by said contact means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
Potentiometer means as defined by claim 1, in which said collector means is a conductive member having a flat surface, and in which the second end of each of said wires comprises a contact area brushing on said conductive member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
Potentiometer means as defined in claim 2, in which said second end portions of said wires are closely adjacent to said embedded portion, whereby said contact areas on said second ends of said wires are closely adjacent to the contact areas of said first ends of said wires, whereby an extremely compact contact construction occupying a minimum of space is provided.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
65 words
Potentiometer means as defined by claim 3, in which said contact carrier comprises protuberances extending therefrom and between respective pairs of opposed surfaces of which protuberances the said first ends and the said second ends of said wires as groups extend, whereby the ribbonlike ends of said wires receive lateral support so that the ends to not splay or spread when brushing on said element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
229 words
A single-turn miniature potentiometer comprising: first means, including housing means forming an enclosure, a resistive element and a conductive element disposed in the enclosure, and terminal connections to said elements extending therefrom to the exterior of the housing means, said resistive element being an arcuate member having a substantially flat exposed surface disposed around an axis defined by said housing means; second means, including rotary means comprising a rotor rotatable about said axis and having means for effecting rotation thereof, said rotor having a portion confined in said enclosure by said housing means for rotation about said axis; and third means, including a plurality of elongate fine-gauge contact wires arranged in side-by-side ribbonlike array with first and last wires of the array confined at the edges of the array by means included in said second means, said wires as a group having a central portion thereof embedded in and firmly integrated with said rotor and having a first end portion thereof reversely bent and extending away from said rotor into side-by-side brushing engagement with said arcuate element and said wires as a group having the second end portion thereof reversely bent and extending away from said rotor into brushing contact with said conductive element; whereby aid reversely bent end portions of said group of wires provide a plurality of resilient brushing contacts in side-by-side contacting relationship to minimize contact-resistance-variation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
229 words
A single-turn miniature potentiometer comprising: first means, including housing means forming an enclosure, a resistive element and a conductive element disposed in the enclosure, and terminal connections to said elements extending therefrom to the exterior of the housing means, said resistive element being an arcuate member having a substantially flat exposed surface disposed around an axis defined by said housing means; second means, including rotary means comprising a rotor rotatable about said axis and having means for effecting rotation thereof, said rotor having a portion confined in said enclosure by said housing means for rotation about said axis; and third means, including a plurality of elongate fine-gauge contact wires arranged in side-by-side ribbonlike array with first and last wires of the array confined at the edges of the array by means included in said second means, said wires as a group having a central portion thereof embedded in and firmly integrated with said rotor and having a first end portion thereof reversely bent and extending away from said rotor into side-by-side brushing engagement with said arcuate element and said wires as a group having the second end portion thereof reversely bent and extending away from said rotor into brushing contact with said conductive element; whereby aid reversely bent end portions of said group of wires provide a plurality of resilient brushing contacts in side-by-side contacting relationship to minimize contact-resistance-variation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A miniature potentiometer according to claim 5, in which said rotor comprises spaced-apart protuberances between which said ribbonlike array of wires extends and by which they are restrained from laterally separating.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
A miniature potentiometer according to claim 5, in which each end portion of said group of wires in ribbonlike array is laterally offset from said central portion as well as reversely bent, whereby individual wires are subjected to torsional stress as well as compressive stress.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
203 words
In a potentiometer, support means for supporting a substantially flat elongate resistive element an exposed surface of which provides a resistive track to be brushed, and such a resistive element thereon, with terminals at each end thereof; conductive means including collector means and a terminal therefor; a contact carrier and contact means carried by said carrier, said contact means comprising a ribbonlike array of individual elongate wires in side-by-side relationship throughout their lengths, each oF said wires having an embedded portion embedded in said carrier and having at least a first end thereof reversely bent closely adjacent to said embedded portion to provide at the said one end a contact area brushing on said resistive element, the contact areas of at least some of said wires brushing said element along a line transversely of said track, and at least some of the ends of said wires contacting said conductive means; and means coacting with said support means to retain said carrier in position with said contact means in brushing relation to said element; whereby said contact means provides a plurality of individually sprung resilient contacts in side-by-side closely spaced relationship to greatly minimize contact-resistance-variation as said element is brushed by said contact means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
203 words
In a potentiometer, support means for supporting a substantially flat elongate resistive element an exposed surface of which provides a resistive track to be brushed, and such a resistive element thereon, with terminals at each end thereof; conductive means including collector means and a terminal therefor; a contact carrier and contact means carried by said carrier, said contact means comprising a ribbonlike array of individual elongate wires in side-by-side relationship throughout their lengths, each oF said wires having an embedded portion embedded in said carrier and having at least a first end thereof reversely bent closely adjacent to said embedded portion to provide at the said one end a contact area brushing on said resistive element, the contact areas of at least some of said wires brushing said element along a line transversely of said track, and at least some of the ends of said wires contacting said conductive means; and means coacting with said support means to retain said carrier in position with said contact means in brushing relation to said element; whereby said contact means provides a plurality of individually sprung resilient contacts in side-by-side closely spaced relationship to greatly minimize contact-resistance-variation as said element is brushed by said contact means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-04-26 | 1974-10-26 | 1975-04-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-04-26 | 1978-10-26 | 1979-04-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-04-26 | 1982-10-26 | 1983-04-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |