The present disclosure provides an input device that puts signals into equipment in response to turning action and that can come down in thickness along an axis of a rotary shaft. The input device includes a knob configured to be turned, a rotary shaft configured to turn together with the knob, and a flange disposed around an outer peripheral surface of the rotary shaft. The flange is designed to regulate turning of the rotary shaft. The input device further includes an elastic component that is disposed around the outer peripheral surface of the rotary shaft and is fastened to the flange, a rotation controller that permits or inhibits turning of the elastic component, and a detector that detects a rotational state of the rotary shaft.

The present disclosure provides an input device that puts signals into equipment in response to turning action and that can come down in thickness along an axis of a rotary shaft. The input device includes a knob configured to be turned, a rotary shaft configured to turn together with the knob, and a flange disposed around an outer peripheral surface of the rotary shaft. The flange is designed to regulate turning of the rotary shaft. The input device further includes an elastic component that is disposed around the outer peripheral surface of the rotary shaft and is fastened to the flange, a rotation controller that permits or inhibits turning of the elastic component, and a detector that detects a rotational state of the rotary shaft.

A lighting control console for controlling a lighting system, wherein digital adjusting commands are generated in the lighting control console that can be transmitted to the lighting system via data links. At least one dual encoder is provided in the control panel of the lighting control console which allows users to enter input values. The dual encoder includes a first shaft and a second shaft rotatably mounted in a housing, first and second locking mechanisms for locking different rotational positions of the first and second shafts, and at least one first and at least one second rotation signal generator for generating a data signal showing a switchover between two locking positions. Both shafts include actuating elements at which adjusting movements can be transmitted onto the shafts by hand.

An electrical pipette that includes an adjustment wheel, which comprises a primary spring defining a first adjustment area and a secondary spring defining a second adjustment area after the first adjustment area in a turning direction of the adjustment wheel. The force required for turning the adjustment wheel within the first adjustment area is smaller than within the second adjustment area, and the springs are arranged to return the adjustment wheel to its original position when the adjustment wheel is released.

A knob assembly includes a repositionable knob having an outer surface and an inner surface defining an interior and a light-transmissive indicia provided on the knob and viewable from the outer surface, at least one light source located relative to the repositionable knob and emitting light to transmit light into the interior of the knob and backlight the light-transmissive indicia, a position sensor providing a position output indicative of the position of the repositionable knob, and a controller configured to receive the position output. The at least one light source may be controlled to provide light into the interior of the knob to illuminate the light-transmissive indicia so that it is viewable from the exterior of the knob.

A control knob for an appliance includes an outer control ring, a stationary hub, a rotation modulating mechanism coupled to the outer control ring and engaged with an outer surface of the stationary hub, wherein the outer control ring is rotationally operable about the stationary hub at a first rate, an indicial ring positioned around the stationary hub, wherein the indicial ring engages a portion of the rotation modulating mechanism, wherein rotation of the outer control ring at the first rate causes the rotation modulating mechanism to rotate the indicial ring about the stationary hub at a second rate, the second rate being different than the first rate and an encoder shaft positioned within the stationary hub, wherein an inner gearing mechanism extends between an exterior surface of the encoder shaft and one of the outer control ring and the indicial ring.

A knob assembly includes a repositionable knob having an interior framework and a light-transmissive indicia, at least one light source for projecting light into the knob to back-illuminate the indicia, a position sensor for providing an output dependent on the position of the knob, and a controller receiving the output from the sensor and controlling the intensity of the at least one light source to compensate for any light blocked by the interior framework, and maintain a substantially uniform illumination of the light-transmissive indicia so that it is viewable from the exterior of the knob.

An operation device includes an operation plate, an electrode, a determination portion, an output portion, a dial, a dummy electrode, a for-dummy determination portion, and a disablement portion. The operation plate includes an operation surface that is contact-operated by an operators fingertip. The determination portion determines whether the contact-operation is performed based on an amount of capacitance change between the fingertip and the electrode. The output portion outputs a predetermined command signal on the condition that the contact-operation is determined to be performed. When it is determined by the dummy electrode and the for-dummy determination portion that an operator's hand is placed at a position where a dial is operable, the disablement portion prohibits an output of the command signal or disables the outputted command signal.

A control knob for an appliance includes an outer control ring, a stationary hub, a rotation modulating mechanism coupled to the outer control ring and engaged with an outer surface of the stationary hub, wherein the outer control ring is rotationally operable about the stationary hub at a first rate, an indicial ring positioned around the stationary hub, wherein the indicial ring engages a portion of the rotation modulating mechanism, wherein rotation of the outer control ring at the first rate causes the rotation modulating mechanism to rotate the indicial ring about the stationary hub at a second rate, the second rate being different than the first rate and an encoder shaft positioned within the stationary hub, wherein an inner gearing mechanism extends between an exterior surface of the encoder shaft and one of the outer control ring and the indicial ring.

A rotary operator includes: a rotator including a movement path provided for an outer circumferential surface and inclined to a circumferential direction about a rotation axis, the rotator rotating about the axis; and a contact piece coming into contact with the rotator, and moving along the path in a direction along the axis in association with rotation of the rotator. Rotation of the rotator in a first rotation direction is restricted by the contact piece being at a first position when the rotator reaches a predetermined position. When rotating force applied to the rotator is reduced in a state where rotation of the rotator in the first rotation direction from the predetermined position is restricted, the contact piece returns to a second position to allow the rotation of the rotator in the first rotation direction from the predetermined position.