OPERATOR CONTROL DEVICE AND OPERATING METHOD

• US 20130270094A1
• Filed: 10/05/2011
• Published: 10/17/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: EGO Elektro-Gerã¤Tebau GmbH (EGO Blanc und Fischer & Company GmbH)
• Original Assignee: EGO Elektro-Gerã¤Tebau GmbH (EGO Blanc und Fischer & Company GmbH)
• Inventors: Hamm, Wolfgang, Baier, Martin
• Application Number:
  US13/877,888
• Publication Number:
  US 20130270094A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 200/566
• CPC Class Codes: F24C 7/082 on ranges, e.g. control panels, illumination
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/02 Controlling members for hand actuation by linear movement, e.g. push buttons
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 5/02 Means preventing undesired movements of a controlling member which can be moved in two or more separate steps or ways, e.g. restricting to a stepwise movement or to a particular sequence of movements G05G5/28 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 19/11 with indexing means
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2003/085 Retractable turn knobs, e.g. flush mounted
• 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

An operator control device for functional adjustment of a functional device includes an operator control knob which has an off position in which the operator control device is deactivated. Said knob can be brought into a working position for functional adjustment purposes. The working position is predetermined by a lock-in position, and, starting from the working position, the operator control knob can be pulled out of the operator control device or pressed into the operator control device against a counterforce which increases as the distance from the working position increases. Here, the operator control device includes a movement detection means for detecting movement of the operator control knob out of the working position in one direction or in the other direction. The movement detection means is connected to a controller of the operator control device so as to carry out functional adjustment in a manner dependent on the detected movement.

Claims

1. An operator control device for functional adjustment of a functional device, comprising an operator control knob, said operator control device being configured such that said operator control knob has an off position, in which said operator control device is deactivated, and that said operator control device can be brought into a working position for functional adjustment, wherein said working position is predetermined by a lock-in position or the like and starting from said working position said operator control knob can be pulled out of said operator control device or pushed into said operator control device against a counter force which increases with increasing distance from said working position, wherein said operator control device includes a movement detection means for detecting movement of said operator control knob from said working position into one direction or the other direction, wherein said movement detection is connected to a control unit of said operator control device for functional adjustment in response to said detected movement.

2. The operator control device according to claim 1, wherein said control unit is configured to effect a more rapid functional adjustment or change upon further movement.

3. The operator control device according to claim 1, wherein by repeated pulling out or pushing in of said operator control knob in the same way with a small movement in the same direction, a functional adjustment like increasing or reducing a capacity adjustment is effected.

4. The operator control device according to claim 1, wherein by repeated pulling out or pushing in of said operator control knob in the same way with a small movement in the same direction, a functional adjustment like increasing or reducing a power adjustment is effected starting from an instable intermediate position of said operator control device.

5. The operator control device according to claim 1, wherein counterforce device for generating said counterforce includes at least one spring, to which an increasing force is applied with increasing movement from said working position to exert said rising counterforce.

6. The operator control device according to claim 5, wherein said counterforce device includes two springs, said two springs being provided in said movement direction, wherein on each end of said operator control device one said spring is provided.

7. The operator control device according to claim 1, wherein a maximum movement length during pulling out said operator control knob from said operator control device or pushing it in is less than 1 cm.

8. The operator control device according to claim 1, wherein a counterforce device for generating a counterforce is configured according to a cam principle, including a protruding cam part extending transversely in relation to said movement, which at least within said working movement region abuts on a slider shifting link for said cam part, said shifting link extending in both movement directions from said working position and essentially consisting of a depression, a deepest point of which forms said working position, wherein said cam part is configured to be pushed in against a spring load transversely to said movement direction of said operator control knob and is spring loaded to abut on said slider shifting link.

9. The operator control device according to claim 8, wherein said cam part is stationary in said pulling direction and in said pushing direction and is movable merely transversely to said movement direction of said operator control knob towards said slider shifting link on said operator control knob.

10. The operator control device according to claim 9, wherein said slider shifting link is symmetrical to a line along said movement direction of said cam part towards said slider shifting link.

11. The operator control device according to claim 1, wherein said counterforce is in the range of about 1 Ncm to 3 Ncm.

12. The operator control device according to claim 1, wherein for detecting a movement of said operator control knob, two magnets disposed successively in said movement direction and a magnet sensor are provided.

13. The operator control device according to claim 12, wherein said magnets are mounted to said operator control knob and said magnet sensor is disposed fixed in location on said operator control device.

14. The operator control device according to claim 13, wherein said magnet sensor is disposed on a housing of said operator control device encasing said operator control knob.

15. The operator control device according to claim 1, being configured for a turn-press actuation, wherein said operator control knob can be turned from the off position and can be pulled out or pushed in not earlier than after turning into said working position.

16. The operator control device according to claim 15, wherein a guidance including a so-called cardioid curve is provided on said operator control knob.

17. An operating method for an operator control device according to claim 1, wherein said operator control device is turned into a working position starting from an off position, wherein, from said working position, it may be pushed into or pulled out of said operator control device, in each case against a counterforce, wherein said movement during pushing in and pulling out is detected, and in response thereto a functional adjustment of a functional device controlled thereby is caused.

18. The operating method according to claim 17, wherein said functional adjustment is effected more rapidly or changes more rapidly the further said operator control knob is moved out of said working position.

19. The operating method according to claim 17, wherein by repeated moving of said operator control knob into or out of said operator control device with very short movements in the same direction, a functional adjustment, like increasing or reducing a power adjustment is effected.

20. The operating method according to claim 19, wherein said functional adjustment is effected starting from an instable intermediate position of said operator control device.

21. The operating method according to claim 19, wherein said short movement is about 1 mm to 3 mm.