Operating device

• US 6,410,866 B1
• Filed: 07/15/1999
• Issued: 06/25/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Mannesmann VDO AG (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Keller, Thomas, Klein, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): FRIEDHOFER, MICHAEL A
• Application Number:
  US09/354,197
• Time in Patent Office: 1,076 Days
• Field of Search: 200/4, 200/5.R, 200/5.C, 200/5, 200/8, 200/17.R, 200/18, 200/1.B, 200/50.32, 200/61.54, 200/520, 200/526, 200/564, 200/329, 200/330, 200/336, 200/341
• US Class Current: 200/5.00R
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor

Abstract

In an operating devise with which functional groups, functions and/or function values can be dialed by the handle of a rotary switch being rotated, and selected by one or more input switches, at least one input switch (2) is arranged on or beside the outer periphery of the handle of the rotary switch or within the handle (1) of the rotary switch.

Claims

1. An operating device, with which functional groups, functions or function values can be dialed by a handle of a rotary switch being rotated, and selected by at least one input switch, the handle of the rotary switch comprising an outer periphery, wherein the at least one input switch is arranged on the outer periphery of the handle of the rotary switch and wherein the at least one input switch completely frames the handle of the rotary switch.

2. The operating device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one input switch is operatable by radial pressure.

3. The operating device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the functional groups, functions or values to be set are optically transmittable to an operator by a display or acoustically by a loud-speaker.

4. The operating device, with which functional groups, functions or function values can be dialed by a handle of a rotary switch being rotated, and selected by at least one input switch, the handle of the rotary switch comprising an outer periphery, wherein the at least one input switch is arranged beside the outer periphery of the handle of the rotary switch, and wherein the at least one input switch at least partially frames the handle of the rotary switch, and wherein the at least one input switch completely frames the handle of the rotary switch.

5. The operating device, with which functional groups, functions or function values can be dialed by a handle of a rotary switch being rotated, and selected by at least one input switch, the handle of the rotary switch comprising an outer periphery, wherein the at least one input switch is arranged beside the outer periphery of the handle of the rotary switch, and wherein the at least one input switch at least partially frames the handle of the rotary switch, wherein the at least one input switch is a touch pad, and wherein the touch pad is shaped such that the at least one input switch is operatable by a heel of a left or right hand while some fingers of a corresponding hand hold the handle of the rotary switch.

6. An operating device, with which functional groups, functions or function values can be dialed by a handle of a rotary switch being rotated, and selected by at least one input switch, the handle of the rotary switch comprising an outer periphery, wherein the at least one input switch is arranged on the outer periphery of the handle of the rotary switch, and wherein said at least one input switch is a touch pad, and wherein the touch pad is shaped such that the at least one input switch is operatable by a heel of a left or right hand while some fingers of a corresponding hand hold the handle of the rotary switch.

7. An operating device, with which functional groups, functions or function values can be dialed by a handle of a rotary switch being rotated, and selected by at least one input switch, the handle of the rotary switch comprising an outer periphery, wherein the at least one input switch is arranged beside the outer periphery of the handle of the rotary switch, and wherein said at least one input switch is a touch pad, and wherein the touch pad is shaped such that the at least one input switch is operatable by a heel of a left or right hand while some fingers of a corresponding hand hold the handle of the rotary switch.