Alps Electric has completed development of its new RK39A 39mm hollow shaft-type, chip LED-illuminated potentiometer as a controller for automobile air conditioners, audio systems and other devices, with mass production commencing in July 2009.
From the perspective of improving design and operability of automobile air conditioners, audio and other equipment, devices capable of performing multiple operations on a single dial have been on the increase in recent years. For example, dials have been designed in a functional manner to allow temperature and volume control to be performed from the outer ring, while on and off switches have been positioned on the inner section. As electronic components that are used in these actuators, the switches on the inner portion are capable of being mounted with potentiometer type hollow shaft devices.
This product is a compact (width: 39.0mm, depth: 39.5mm, height: 8.5mm) potentiometer type hollow shaft device installed on dial actuators. Owing to its compact design, this product can be installed on devices with limited space, contributing to increased engineering freedom.
Moreover, in order to enhance visibility while driving at night and to improve the design, chip LEDs have been installed in this product. Compared with round lamp-type LEDs, chip LEDs are able to meet even the most detailed light-shade demands due to their rich color variations. Chip LEDs also display a high level of luminance owing to their ability to be mounted close to panel surfaces.
On the RK39A potentiometer, the number of dial-type knob positions as well as the knob’s detent torque can be customized, thus fulfilling individual needs in terms of the responsiveness of the actuator, an important automobile component.
Beyond these features, jerky movements by the control dial shaft are minimized due to a component configuration that utilizes simulation technologies and the optimal use of plastic, realizing high quality and favorable control responsiveness.
Alps Electric also features the RK45C—the same hollow shaft-type, chip LED-illuminated potentiometer at 45.0mm in diameter (width)—in its lineup of products.
