Control element with proximity sensor

• US 7,977,596 B2
• Filed: 06/22/2006
• Issued: 07/12/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Reinhardt, Joerg, Schaefer, Stefan, Born, Frank, Wüstenbecker, Dirk, Mankel, Norbert
• Primary Examiner(s): Luebke; Renee
• Assistant Examiner(s): CAROC, LHEIREN MAE ANGLO
• Application Number:
  US11/472,657
• Publication Number:
  US 20060289286A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,846 Days
• Field of Search: 200/600
• US Class Current: 200/600
• 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: H03K 17/975 using a capacitive movable element
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/9653 with illumination

Abstract

A control element includes a switching element, an operating element for operating the switching element, a printed circuit board, and an electrically conductive sensor element of a capacitive proximity sensor integrated in the operating element. The electrically conductive sensor element is designed to be electrically conductively connected to the printed circuit board.

Claims

1. A control element comprising:

a printed circuit board;

an operating element for operating the control element; and

an electrically conductive sensor element of a capacitive proximity sensor integrated in the operating element and fixedly connected along a vertically arranged side wall of the operating element, electrically and contactingly connected to the printed circuit board;

wherein the control element is a pushbutton switch, and the operating element is linearly movably mounted relative to the printed circuit board.

2. The control element of claim 1, wherein the sensor element comprises one of an angled, elastically deformable metal element or a metal-coated plastic element, said sensor element having first and second legs, the first leg projecting into the operating element and fixedly connected thereto, and the second leg being supported on a conductive face of the printed circuit board on a side of the printed circuit board which faces the operating element.

3. The control element of claim 1, wherein the sensor element comprises an angled, elastically deformable metal element having first and second legs, the first leg being fixedly connected to the printed circuit board, and the second leg acting resiliently on an inner front portion of the operating element.

4. The control element of claim 1, wherein the sensor element is formed as a portion of the operating element, the portion being provided with a metal coating and projecting through the printed circuit board and, in a position in which the operating element is at rest, rests against a conductive face on a side of the printed circuit board which is remote from the operating element.

5. The control element of claim 1, wherein the sensor element is a metal coating arranged on an internal surface of the operating element, the control element further comprising a sliding contact element fixedly connected to the printed circuit board and providing the electrical connection between the metal coating and the printed circuit board.

6. The control element of claim 1, wherein the printed circuit board has a metal-coated recess, the sensor element is fixedly connected to the operating element, and a subregion of the sensor element projecting into the metal-coated recess in the printed circuit board and rests against the printed circuit board.

7. The control element of claim 6, wherein the sensor element is formed as a metal element or metal-coated plastic element.

8. The control element of claim 1, wherein the sensor element is formed as a conductive subregion of the operating element, the control element further comprising a switching element including a switching mat arranged on the printed circuit board, the switching mat having an electrically conductive layer which is connected both to the conductive subregion of the operating element and to the printed circuit board.

9. The control element of claim 8, wherein the operating element engages a side of the switching mat opposite to the operating element, and the conductive subregion of the operating element, in a position in which the control element is at rest, rests against the electrically conductive layer of the switching mat.

10. The control element of claim 1, wherein the sensor element is arranged such that a capacitance between the sensor element and an element of the printed circuit board changes when a user'"'"'s hand approaches the operating element.

11. The control element of claim 1, wherein the electrical contact between the conductive sensor element of the capacitive proximity sensor and the printed circuit board forms a resistive connection.

12. A control element comprising:

a printed circuit board;

an operating element for operating the control element; and

an electrically conductive sensor element of a capacitive proximity sensor integrated in the operating element and electrically conductively connected to the printed circuit board, the sensor element comprising one of an angled, elastically deformable metal element or a metal-coated plastic element, and first and second legs, the first leg projecting into the operating element and fixedly connected thereto, and the second leg being supported on a conductive face of the printed circuit board on a side of the printed circuit board which faces the operating element.

13. A control element comprising:

a printed circuit board;

an operating element for operating the control element; and

an electrically conductive sensor element of a capacitive proximity sensor integrated in the operating element, electrically and contactingly connected to the printed circuit board;

wherein the control element is a pushbutton switch, and the operating element is linearly movably mounted relative to the printed circuit board; and

wherein the sensor element comprises one of an angled, elastically deformable metal element or a metal-coated plastic element, said sensor element having first and second legs, the first leg projecting into the operating element and fixedly connected thereto, and the second leg being supported on a conductive face of the printed circuit board on a side of the printed circuit board which faces the operating element.