Operating element for a heating and air conditioning system

• US 7,405,651 B2
• Filed: 09/13/2005
• Issued: 07/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Meier-Arendt, Guido, Donk, Vera
• Primary Examiner(s): Bugg; George A
• Assistant Examiner(s): Walk; Samuel J
• Application Number:
  US11/224,325
• Publication Number:
  US 20060114106A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,050 Days
• Field of Search: 340/438, 340/449, 340/825.19, 340/407.1, 701/36, 345/173, 434112-114
• US Class Current: 340/449
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/0065 Control members, e.g. levers or knobs B60H1/00985 takes precedence

Abstract

The invention relates to an operating element for a heating and air conditioning system for the setting of air conditioning parameters in a vehicle interior, the setting being fed back to the operator of the operating element. In order to provide an operating element for a heating and air conditioning system, for the operating of which the attention of the vehicle driver is demanded as little as possible, the feedback of the set air conditioning parameters to the operator takes place by means of the operating element itself.

Claims

1. An operating element for a heating and air conditioning system for setting air conditioning parameters in a vehicle interior, the operating element comprising:

a selection element for setting the air conditioning parameters in the vehicle interior;

said selection element including a surface heated or cooled to a temperature providing an indication of a temperature setting selected by said selection element.

2. The operating element according to claim 1, wherein:

the temperature providing the indication of the temperature setting is detectable by touching said selection element.

3. The operating element according to claim 1, wherein:

the temperature providing the indication of the temperature setting deviates from a temperature of the vehicle interior.

4. The operating element according to claim 1, wherein:

said selection element also provides a visual signal indicating the temperature setting.

5. The operating element according to claim 4, wherein:

said selection element is illuminated with light having a color providing the visual signal.

6. The operating element according to claim 1, wherein:

said selection element is a rotary actuator.

7. The operating element according to claim 1, wherein:

said selection element is a key button.

8. The operating element according to claim 1, wherein:

said selection element is a slide regulator.