I am looking for a particular type of spring-loaded knob, similar to the thumb wheel you would find on an old Blackberry – but I cannot seem to find an appropriate name to track one down.
I'd like to be able to turn the knob clockwise or counterclockwise to generate a voltage proportional to the angular displacement, then as soon as you release the knob it would be restored back to its "home" position.
I suppose I could approximate one by attaching a torsional spring to a potentiometer, but I figured this has to already exist.
Thanks.
Best Answer
Very often it is just a simple potentiometer. The spring loading is done in the front panel knob, and that is more often than not a custom designed part.
There are "sprung shaft potentiometers" available, but they are wildly expensive.