Operating device, steering wheel, motor vehicle and method thereto

• US 9,573,613 B2
• Filed: 12/03/2013
• Issued: 02/21/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Wittorf, Marten, Kahler, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): LUEBKE, RENEE S
• Assistant Examiner(s): Saeed, Ahmed
• Application Number:
  US14/095,186
• Publication Number:
  US 20140157936A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,176 Days
• Field of Search: 200/61.4, 200/339
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/005 Electro-mechanical devices, e.g. switched electric switches in general H01H
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/046 Adaptations on rotatable parts of the steering wheel for accommodation of switches
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/02 Controlling members for hand actuation by linear movement, e.g. push buttons
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/08 Controlling members for hand actuation by rotary movement, e.g. hand wheels
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 25/04 Operating part movable angularly in more than one plane, e.g. joystick
• 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: Y10T 74/20256 Steering and controls assemblies

Abstract

A motor vehicle is provided with a steering wheel, in the spoke of which an operating device, in particular a modular multi-function operation device, for arrangement in a spoke of a motor vehicle steering wheel, that includes, but is not limited to an operating element that is rotatable about an axis of rotation, in particular a turn-push operating element for operation with turning and/or pushing, which is coupled to at least one sensor for generating a control signal. The axis of rotation is obliquely mounted with an angular contact bearing, so that the operating device is oriented projecting in radial direction and in axial direction and the axis of rotation is variable with respect to the inclined mounting with the angular contact bearing, so that a rocking function is realized. In addition, a method is provided for operating instruments of a motor vehicle.

Claims

1. A modular multi-function operating device for arrangement in a spoke of a motor vehicle steering wheel, comprising:

a sensor that is configured to generate a control signal;

a turn-push operating element that is coupled to the sensor, rotatable about an axis of rotation, and configured to operate by turning; and

an angular contact bearing configured to obliquely mount the axis of rotation so that the turn-push operating element is oriented projecting in a radial direction and in an axial direction and the axis of rotation is variable with respect to an inclined mounting with the angular contact bearing for realization of a rocking function.

2. The modular multi-function operating device according to claim 1, wherein the angular contact bearing comprises a spring preloaded lever for the inclined mounting of the turn-push operating element.

3. The modular multi-function operating device according to claim 2, wherein a pressure sensor is arranged on the spring preloaded lever that senses a changing of an inclination.

4. The modular multi-function operating device according to claim 1, wherein the turn-push operating element is coupled to a rotation sensor.

5. The modular multi-function operating device according to claim 4, wherein the rotation sensor is coupled to a pressure sensor.

6. The modular multi-function operating device according to claim 1, further comprising a housing in which the turn-push operating element is obliquely arranged in such a manner that a part of the turn-push operating element obliquely projects out of the housing.

7. The modular multi-function operating device according to claim 6, wherein the housing comprises a lid that can be folded open that together with the housing defines an outlet opening for the turn-push operating element that obliquely projects out of the outlet opening.

8. The modular multi-function operating device according to claim 1, wherein the turn-push operating element is a direct illumination unit.

9. A sport type steering wheel for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a spoke projecting away from a central coupling member, wherein the spoke comprises a mounting, in which a modular multi-function operating device is accommodated in an assembled state, the modular multi-function operating device comprising;

a sensor that is configured to generate a control signal;

a turn-push operating element that is coupled to the sensor, rotatable about an axis of rotation, and configured to operate by turning; and

an angular contact bearing configured to obliquely mount the axis of rotation so that the turn-push operating element is oriented projecting in a radial direction and in an axial direction and the axis of rotation is variable with respect to an inclined mounting with the angular contact bearing for realization of a rocking function.

10. The sport type steering wheel according to claim 9, wherein in the assembled state the modular multi-function operating device is arranged obliquely to a surface of the spoke that surrounds the modular multi-function operating device so that the turn-pressure operating device projects over a surrounding surface in the radial direction and in the axial direction.