Operating device with optical finger navigation module for a steering wheel

• US 9,793,069 B2
• Filed: 01/18/2014
• Issued: 10/17/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Daimler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Original Assignee: Daimler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Duenninger, Johannes, Entenmann, Volker, Reisinger, Joerg, Steinert, Florian, Wuest, Joachim
• Primary Examiner(s): Eurice, Michael J
• Application Number:
  US14/765,290
• Publication Number:
  US 20150371794A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,368 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/141 Activation of instrument input devices by approaching fingers or pens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/143 Touch sensitive instrument input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1446 Touch switches
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/33 Illumination features
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/336 Light guides
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/782 on the steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• 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: B60K 35/60 Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/283 Steering wheels; Gear levers
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/64 for a single lighting device
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/046 Adaptations on rotatable parts of the steering wheel for accommodation of switches
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/105 comprising arrangements for illumination
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/16 Constructional details or arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03547 Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/042 by opto-electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0428 by sensing at the edges of the touch surface the interruption of optical paths, e.g. an illumination plane, parallel to the touch surface which may be virtual sensing beam interruptions in a planar beam grid of an optical touch-screen G06F3/0421
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/023 Light-emitting indicators for multi-layer switches H01H13/83
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/10 Bases; Stationary contacts mounted thereon
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/0622 only an illuminated ring around keys
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/024 : Transmission element
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2233/07 : Cap or button on actuator part
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2237/006 : Guided plunger or ball

Abstract

An operating device having an optical finger navigation module for installation in a steering wheel of a motor vehicle, which allows for secure operation and can be produced at low cost, is disclosed. The operating device has a mounting frame, in which a first light guiding element and the optical finger navigation module is held by a light sealing element. The light sealing element is mounted by a snap connection on the mounting frame. The mounting frame has at least one guide element with which a movement of the mounting frame can be guided.

Claims

1. An operating device for installation in a steering wheel of a motor vehicle, comprising:

a mounting frame;

an optical finger navigation module;

a light sealing element disposed within the mounting frame;

wherein the light sealing element is mounted by a snap connection in the mounting frame;

wherein the mounting frame has a guide element, wherein a movement of the operating device in the steering wheel is guidable by the guide element;

a first light guiding element; and

a second light guiding element disposed between the optical finger navigation module and the light sealing element;

wherein the first light guiding element and the optical finger navigation module are held by the light sealing element by means of the second light guiding element.

2. The operating device according to claim 1, wherein the first light guiding element and the second light guiding element are each ring shaped and surround the optical finger navigation module.

3. The operating device according to claim 1, wherein the light sealing element surrounds the second light guiding element and wherein the optical finger navigation module and the second light guiding element are held upward by the light sealing element.

4. The operating device according to claim 1, wherein a rubber-elastic element is disposed between the optical finger navigation module and the mounting frame.

5. The operating device according to claim 4, wherein the rubber-elastic element presses an electric conductor of the optical finger navigation module against the first light guiding element.

6. A contactor for installation in a steering wheel, comprising:

an operating device according to claim 1.

7. The contactor according to claim 6, wherein on a side of the mounting frame facing away from the optical finger navigation module a switch tower of a switch is disposed which is activatable by the movement of the mounting frame.

8. The contactor according to claim 6, wherein the contactor has a housing, wherein the operating device is disposed in the housing, and wherein the mounting frame is guidable in the housing by the guide element.

9. The contactor according to claim 8, wherein in the housing a light source is disposed, and wherein light from the light source is conducted via the first and second light guiding elements onto a surface of the operating device.

10. The contactor according to claim 8, wherein on a side of the mounting frame facing away from the optical finger navigation module a safety mat is disposed which presses an electric conductor of the optical finger navigation module against a section of the housing.