A knob assembly includes a front panel, a knob located at a front side of the front panel and configured to rotate based on operation by a user, a knob shaft that is coupled to the knob and that extends through the front panel, a supporting pipe that receives the knob shaft and that supports the knob shaft, the supporting pipe being configured to maintain a position relative to the front panel, a valve configured to control supply of gas to the appliance, a valve shaft connected to the valve and configured to control the valve to adjust a flow rate of gas based on rotation of the valve shaft, and a joint that couples the knob shaft to the valve shaft and that is configured to transfer at least one of a rotational motion or a linear motion of the knob shaft to the valve shaft.

A switch assembly for engaging a switch of an electronic device includes a rotatable knob having an axis of rotation, a pin mechanism engaged with the rotatable knob, and a slider body. The pin mechanism includes a pin, the pin being offset from the axis of rotation of the rotatable knob. The slider body is shaped to include a slot in which the pin of the pin mechanism is positioned and a switch recess shaped to receive and selectively contact the switch of the electronic device. Rotation of the rotatable knob in a first direction causes the slider body toward contact with a first portion of the switch to urge the switch into a first position, and rotation of the rotatable knob in a second direction causes the slider body toward contact with a second portion of the switch to urge the switch into a second position.

A switch control module is provided, which includes housing, a control assembly, a linkage unit, and a number of positioning units. The housing defines an accommodating space and has an opening. The control assembly is positioned in the accommodating space and has a shaft that is rotatable about a main axis. The linkage unit passes through the opening and is connected to the shaft in a movable manner. The positioning units are positioned at the edge of the opening. Each of the positioning units extends radially and outwardly with the main axis as a center and is projected in a direction along the main axis. The linkage unit is selectively connected to one of the positioning units and is configured to drive the shaft to rotate so as to change the operation of the control module.

A digital camera includes a rotary switch, a switching unit, and a switching unit. The switching unit switches between two states independently of a function other than functions assigned to the respective states of the rotary switch, the two states including a restricted state where rotation of the rotary switch is restricted with a clicking feel and a function of at least one of a shutter speed and an aperture as a function with discrete output values is related to the rotating operation of the rotary switch and a non-restricted state where rotation of the rotary switch is not restricted and a function of at least one of focusing, and a zoom magnification of a lens, and similar function as a function with continuous output values is related to the rotating operation of the rotary switch.

A digital camera includes a rotary switch, a switching unit, and a switching unit. The switching unit switches between two states independently of a function other than functions assigned to the respective states of the rotary switch, the two states including a restricted state where rotation of the rotary switch is restricted with a clicking feel and a function of at least one of a shutter speed and an aperture as a function with discrete output values is related to the rotating operation of the rotary switch and a non-restricted state where rotation of the rotary switch is not restricted and a function of at least one of focusing, and a zoom magnification of a lens, and similar function as a function with continuous output values is related to the rotating operation of the rotary switch.

A knob assembly includes a front panel, a knob located at a front side of the front panel and configured to rotate based on operation by a user, a knob shaft that is coupled to the knob and that extends through the front panel, a supporting pipe that receives the knob shaft and that supports the knob shaft, the supporting pipe being configured to maintain a position relative to the front panel, a valve configured to control supply of gas to the appliance, a valve shaft connected to the valve and configured to control the valve to adjust a flow rate of gas based on rotation of the valve shaft, and a joint that couples the knob shaft to the valve shaft and that is configured to transfer at least one of a rotational motion or a linear motion of the knob shaft to the valve shaft.

The construction comprises a rotary handle with a first pivot axis, a locking latch with a second pivot axis, a fixed bottom ring, a locking pin movable with the locking latch between a first position in which the rotary handle can be turned in relation to the bottom ring and a second position in which the locking pin prevents turning of the rotary handle in relation to the bottom ring, a shaft adapter rotationally movable against a spring force in relation to the rotary handle. The shaft adapter comprises a protrusion having a locking member which locks the locking pin into the first position when the torsional moment acting on the rotary handle exceeds the spring force acting on the shaft adapter causing a limited rotational movement of the shaft adapter in relation to the rotary handle.

The construction comprises a rotary handle with a first pivot axis, a locking latch with a second pivot axis, a fixed bottom ring, a locking pin movable with the locking latch between a first position in which the rotary handle can be turned in relation to the bottom ring and a second position in which the locking pin prevents turning of the rotary handle in relation to the bottom ring, a shaft adapter rotationally movable against a spring force in relation to the rotary handle. The shaft adapter comprises a protrusion having a locking member which locks the locking pin into the first position when the torsional moment acting on the rotary handle exceeds the spring force acting on the shaft adapter causing a limited rotational movement of the shaft adapter in relation to the rotary handle.

A switch assembly for engaging a switch of an electronic device includes a rotatable knob having an axis of rotation, a pin mechanism engaged with the rotatable knob, and a slider body. The pin mechanism includes a pin, the pin being offset from the axis of rotation of the rotatable knob. The slider body is shaped to include a slot in which the pin of the pin mechanism is positioned and a switch recess shaped to receive and selectively contact the switch of the electronic device. Rotation of the rotatable knob in a first direction causes the slider body toward contact with a first portion of the switch to urge the switch into a first position, and rotation of the rotatable knob in a second direction causes the slider body toward contact with a second portion of the switch to urge the switch into a second position.

Provided is a rotary electric component in which the operation sensation is maintained over a long period. This rotary electric component comprises an operation part that is rotationally operated, a housing part that has an accommodation part with a corrugated part formed on a peripheral wall surface of the accommodation part; a rotary body that is accommodated in the accommodation part and connected to the operation part, and that is positioned so as to rotate along the peripheral wall surface in response to the rotation of the operation part; an impelling part that impels toward the peripheral wall surface; and a rotary piece that is positioned in the rotary body so as to be impelled by the impelling part and to abut the peripheral wall surface, rotates according to the rotation of the rotary body while moving along the peripheral wall surface, and has a recessed part that is for holding a lubricant and is formed in a facing surface facing the peripheral wall surface.