Electrical Switching and/or Actuating Element With a Visual Display

• US 20090000930A1
• Filed: 12/21/2006
• Published: 01/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Synthax Asia Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Synthax Asia Ltd.
• Inventors: Adams, Christopher
• Application Number:
  US12/159,800
• Publication Number:
  US 20090000930A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 200/316
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 19/025 Light-emitting indicators
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/056 Diffuser; Uneven surface
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/066 Lens
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2231/018 Musical instrument
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 25/06 Operating part movable both angularly and rectilinearly, the rectilinear movement being along the axis of angular movement
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 25/065 using separate operating parts, e.g. a push button surrounded by a rotating knob

Abstract

To modify an electrical switching and/or setting element (1) with a rotary switch (4) as handle, in such a way that it can be used in a broader range of applications, particularly with feedback in the form of information issued to the operator, it is proposed to arrange, in the rotary switch (4), an optical display device (8) for displaying at least two different symbols.

Claims

1. An electrical switching and setting element with a rotary switch as a handle, wherein the rotary switch includes an optical display device arranged for displaying at least two different symbols.

2. The electrical switching and setting element according to claim 1, wherein the optical display unit contains active light sources with openings formed to the shape of the at least two different symbols.

3. The electrical switching and setting element according to claim 13 wherein shutter openings are arranged between the light source and the mask.

4. The electrical switching and setting element according to claim 3, wherein at least one diffuser is arranged on the side of the mask which is turned away from the light sources.

5. The electrical switching and setting element according to claim 2, wherein the optical display device is covered by a transparent cap,

6. The electrical switching and setting element according to claim 1, wherein the optical display device is attached in a movable way in the rotary switch and is connected to one of a switch-key and switch, which is actuated by a shifting of the optical display device.

7. The electrical switching and setting element according to claim 1, wherein the rotary switch presents a shaft through which at least one of an electrical power supply and control lines for the optical display unit are carried.

8. The electrical switching and setting element according to claim 7, wherein the shaft is designed to be hollow, and the at least one of the electrical power supply and control lines are led in its interior.

9. The electrical switching and setting element according to claim 1, wherein the element is a potentiometer.

11. The electrical switching and setting element according to claim 2, wherein the light sources are LEDs.

12. The electrical switching and setting element according to claim 11, wherein the LEDs'"'"' are colored.

13. The electrical switching and setting element according to claim 12, wherein the LEDs include a mask applied thereon.

14. The electrical switching and setting element according to claim 5, wherein the cap presents the shape of a converging lens.

15. The electrical switching and setting element according to claim 9, wherein the element is a push-pull potentiometer.

10. Method of using an an electrical switching and setting element for the operation and programming of an electronic control, wherein said electrical switching and setting element includes a rotary switch as a handle and the rotary switch includes an optical display device arranged for displaying at least two different symbols, and wherein a position of the rotary switch is evaluated by the control, to request or select menu items from an operating menu.

16. An electrical switching element with a rotary switch as a handle, wherein the rotary switch includes an optical display device arranged for displaying at least two different symbols.

17. An electrical setting element with a rotary switch as a handle, wherein the rotary switch includes an optical display device arranged for displaying at least two different symbols.