Programmable torque transmitter with spring element

• US 20060280575A1
• Filed: 07/31/2006
• Published: 12/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: PREH GmbH (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: PREH GmbH (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Ruettiger, Anton
• Application Number:
  US11/495,660
• Publication Number:
  US 20060280575A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 411/15
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/126 Rotatable input devices for instruments
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/25 using haptic output
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/08 Controlling members for hand actuation by rotary movement, e.g. hand wheels
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 5/03 Means for enhancing the operator's awareness of arrival of the controlling member at a command or datum position; Providing feel, e.g. means for creating a counterforce arrangements for indicating the position of the controlling member G05G1/015

Abstract

The present invention relates to an operating element for a motor vehicle, having a housing, a rotary knob, a rotary shaft arranged on the rotary knob, and a brake element engaging with the rotary shaft, by which an adjustable torque is transmitted to the rotary knob. An element exerting a spring effect is arranged between the rotary knob and the braking element such that a relative movement between the rotary knob and the braking element is achieved.

Claims

1. An operating element for a motor vehicle, the operating element comprising:

a housing;

a rotary knob;

a rotary shaft arranged on the rotary knob; and

a brake element engaging with the rotary shaft, via which an adjustable torque is transmitted to the rotary knob,

wherein an element that achieves a spring action is provided between the rotary knob and the brake element so that a relative motion is achieved between the rotary knob and the brake element.

2. The operating element according to claim 1, wherein a device for detecting an angle of rotation and direction of rotation is arranged between the spring element and the rotary knob.

3. The operating element according to claim 1, wherein an electromagnetically or magnetorheologically functioning brake element acts on the rotary shaft.

4. The operating element according to claim 3, wherein an extension is formed on the rotary shaft and one part of the extension is a component of the electromagnetic or magnetorheological brake element.

5. The operating element according to claim 2, wherein an additional for detecting the angle of rotation and direction of rotation is arranged between the spring element and the brake element so a relative motion between the first and second devices for detecting the angle of rotation can be measured.

6. The operating element according to claim 2, wherein the device for detecting rotational direction and angle is an optical encoder.

7. The operating element according to claim 1, wherein the spring element is formed of a spring or a torsion spring,

8. The operating element according to claim 7, wherein the spring element is formed of a flexible plastic material.