EP1627267B1 - Rotary knob for an operator panel - Google Patents

Rotary knob for an operator panel Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1627267B1
EP1627267B1 EP04739312A EP04739312A EP1627267B1 EP 1627267 B1 EP1627267 B1 EP 1627267B1 EP 04739312 A EP04739312 A EP 04739312A EP 04739312 A EP04739312 A EP 04739312A EP 1627267 B1 EP1627267 B1 EP 1627267B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
handle part
rotary knob
region
light
reflector
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP04739312A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP1627267A1 (en
Inventor
Dirk Erdloff
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Preh GmbH
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Preh GmbH
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Publication date
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Publication of EP1627267A1 publication Critical patent/EP1627267A1/en
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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H19/00—Switches operated by an operating part which is rotatable about a longitudinal axis thereof and which is acted upon directly by a solid body external to the switch, e.g. by a hand
    • H01H19/02—Details
    • H01H19/025—Light-emitting indicators
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05G—CONTROL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS INSOFAR AS CHARACTERISED BY MECHANICAL FEATURES ONLY
    • G05G1/00—Controlling members, e.g. knobs or handles; Assemblies or arrangements thereof; Indicating position of controlling members
    • G05G1/08—Controlling members for hand actuation by rotary movement, e.g. hand wheels
    • G05G1/10—Details, e.g. of discs, knobs, wheels or handles
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05G—CONTROL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS INSOFAR AS CHARACTERISED BY MECHANICAL FEATURES ONLY
    • G05G1/00—Controlling members, e.g. knobs or handles; Assemblies or arrangements thereof; Indicating position of controlling members
    • G05G1/08—Controlling members for hand actuation by rotary movement, e.g. hand wheels
    • G05G1/10—Details, e.g. of discs, knobs, wheels or handles
    • G05G1/105—Details, e.g. of discs, knobs, wheels or handles comprising arrangements for illumination
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H9/00—Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00
    • H01H9/18—Distinguishing marks on switches, e.g. for indicating switch location in the dark; Adaptation of switches to receive distinguishing marks
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2219/00—Legends
    • H01H2219/054—Optical elements
    • H01H2219/06—Reflector
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H25/00—Switches with compound movement of handle or other operating part
    • H01H25/04—Operating part movable angularly in more than one plane, e.g. joystick
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H9/00—Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00
    • H01H9/18—Distinguishing marks on switches, e.g. for indicating switch location in the dark; Adaptation of switches to receive distinguishing marks
    • H01H9/182—Illumination of the symbols or distinguishing marks

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a rotary knob for an electric operating device with a lighting device, with a hollow handle portion having a translucent portion and a light source that emits light in the hollow portion of the handle portion.
  • knobs are often used in vehicle construction and there in the automotive electronics.
  • the lighting device is used to make the switch position even during darkness, whereby differences in the day and after design of the switch can be present.
  • the knobs have on their surface a light exit area, which then serves as a pointer marker for the setting of the control unit.
  • a light guide which forwards the light from a light source in the direction of the light-transmissive areas or light exit areas. From the DE 198 34 347 for example, a rotary knob for an operating device is known, in which the light which is emitted by a light source is forwarded by means of a light guide body in the interior of the rotary knob to the light exit areas.
  • the light-permeable region in the grip part of the rotary knob is exposed via a specially designed light exit region, which can be formed on the light guide.
  • the pointer mark on the handle part is thus indirectly illuminated by means of a light source and the light guide.
  • Such a knob is in the DE 35 35 381 disclosed.
  • the light guide is arranged here directly in the knob and has a connection socket for the light source.
  • the terminal base is made of a transparent material. He is a light guide formed, which ends with its surface in an opening of the opaque hood. If light is emitted by means of the light source, the surfaces are brightly visible on the visible side of the hood.
  • the invention is based on the object to develop a knob that optimally exploits the luminous efficacy of the bulb, which is produced with minimized manufacturing and assembly costs, which has an independent of the light source, swivel handle part and its translucent area in every turning and swiveling position with the same intensity lights.
  • the light is generated by means of a light source and passed through a hollow cylindrical reflector on the translucent area, wherein the reflector extends from the bulb to the hollow portion of the handle portion.
  • the inventive design of a knob can be dispensed with the light guide inside the knob and the knob can be produced with minimal production costs and correspondingly lower production costs.
  • Another advantage resulting from the elimination of the light guide, is that the handle portion of the knob can be arranged pivotally.
  • FIG. 1 shows the perspective top view of a rotary knob 1 according to the invention.
  • the rotary knob 1 consists of an opaque handle part 2, a handle part connected to the base part 3 and a rotary knob housing only partially shown 4.
  • the handle part 2 has a disc-shaped lower portion 5 and arranged above it, diametrically extending over the disc-shaped portion 5, elongated area in the form of a survey 6. In a radially outer end of the survey 6, a translucent area 7 is formed in the survey 6.
  • the handle part 2 and the base part 3 are rotatably mounted in the direction of the arrow P relative to the rotary knob housing 4.
  • Such a knob 1 may, for. B. as a rotary switch for an electric sunroof in a motor vehicle use.
  • Figure 2 shows the perspective view of a knob 1 without handle part 2, so that the base part 3 with the preferably integrally formed thereon reflector 8 is visible.
  • the base part 3 is preferably made of polyoxymethylene (POM). In this case, white-colored POM is preferably used.
  • This colored plastic (POM) has a high degree of reflection, so that the substantially hollow cylindrical surface 9 of the reflector 8 need not be additionally coated, which in turn has a positive effect on the manufacturing cost.
  • In the annular groove-shaped recess 10 of the base part 3 further components, such as return springs, can be used.
  • On the outer peripheral surface of the base part 3 retaining pin 11 are simultaneously integrally formed for receiving the handle part 2.
  • the position of the luminous means 12 is shown in FIG.
  • the handle part has a disc-shaped structure in the lower region and is made tapered in the upper region 6, so that the operator can easily grasp the knob 1 and turn.
  • extensions 13 are formed which can be pushed over the retaining pin 11, so that the handle part 2, as shown in Figure 4, can be pivoted in the direction of the arrow F.
  • the handle part 2 pivots about the receiving pin 11 of the base part.
  • the grip part 2 is made hollow and the umbrella-shaped reflector 8 extends from the bulb 12 into the hollow region 14 of the grip part 2.
  • the reflection surface 9 forms the shape after the section of a hollow cylinder, which forwards the light umbrella-shaped.
  • the light rays 15 emitted by the light source 12 are reflected beyond the hollow cylindrical region 16 of the reflector out of the reflection surface 9 in the direction of the translucent portion 7 of the handle part 2, bundled and forwarded targeted, while angle and shape of the reflective surface 9 are the requirements accordingly variable.
  • the knob 1 is preferably made of plastic.
  • Preferred plastics are thermoplastic acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene polymers (ABS) or ABS / polycarbonates (ABS-PC) or polyamide (PA).
  • the knob housing 4 is preferably made of polyamide (PA) and the handle part 2 is preferably made of ABS or ABS-PC.
  • the translucent region 7 of the grip part 2 is preferably made of the transparent plastic polycarbonate (PC).
  • PC transparent plastic polycarbonate
  • the knob 1 made of plastic may also have a painted surface.
  • the entire handle part are made of a translucent material, wherein the subsequently translucent acting area is masked before painting.
  • the upper part can also be completely painted in a first step and the translucent area 7 can be subsequently exposed by means of a laser engraving.
  • the maximum light output of the bulb 12 is forwarded via the reflector 8 to the translucent area 7. It is also clear that the still existing spread of the light illuminates the translucent area 7 in any pivoting position with full intensity. In contrast to the light guides in which the light is scattered on exit, in the inventive focusing of the light by the reflector 8, the light beams are focused and are thus for homogeneous fluoroscopy of the translucent area 7 available.
  • the translucent region 7 is preferably arranged at the radial end of the grip part 2.
  • the translucent region 7 can be a simple geometric shape, such as a circle or a rectangle, or it can be in the form of a symbol that identifies the intended use of the rotary knob.
  • the application of the invention is not limited to the automotive technology, the invention can also be used in the field of electronics and control technology, such as on test equipment.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
  • Rotary Switch, Piano Key Switch, And Lever Switch (AREA)
  • Switch Cases, Indication, And Locking (AREA)
  • Arrangements Of Lighting Devices For Vehicle Interiors, Mounting And Supporting Thereof, Circuits Therefore (AREA)

Description

Technisches GebietTechnical area

Die Erfindung betrifft einen Drehknopf für ein elektrisches Bediengerät mit einer Beleuchtungseinrichtung, mit einem hohlen Griffteil, daß einen transluzenten Bereich aufweist und einer Lichtquelle, die Licht in den hohlen Bereich des Griffteils emittiert.The invention relates to a rotary knob for an electric operating device with a lighting device, with a hollow handle portion having a translucent portion and a light source that emits light in the hollow portion of the handle portion.

Stand der TechnikState of the art

Derartige Drehknöpfe werden häufig im Fahrzeugbau und dort in der Kfz-Elektronik verwendet. Die Beleuchtungseinrichtung dient dabei dazu die Schalterstellung auch während der Dunkelheit kenntlich zu machen, wobei auch Unterschiede im Tag- und Nachdesign des Schalters vorhanden sein können. Häufig besitzen die Drehknöpfe an ihrer Oberfläche einen Lichtaustrittsbereich, der dann als Zeigermarkierung für die Einstellung des Steuergerätes dient. Es ist allgemein üblich zur Verteilung und Streuung des Lichtes im Inneren des Schalters einen Lichtleiter einzusetzen, der das Licht von einem Leuchtmittel in Richtung der lichtdurchlässigen Bereiche oder Lichtaustrittsbereichen weiterleitet. Aus der DE 198 34 347 ist ein Drehknopf für ein Bediengerät bekannt, bei dem das Licht, das von einem Leuchtmittel emittiert wird, mittels eines Lichtleitkörpers im Inneren des Drehknopfes an die Lichtaustrittsbereiche weitergeleitet wird. Insbesondere der lichtdurchlässige Bereich im Griffteil des Drehknopfes wird über einen speziell ausgebildeten Lichtaustrittsbereich, der an den Lichtleiter angeformt sein kann, belichtet. Die Zeigermarkierung am Griffteil wird somit indirekt mittels eines Leuchtmittels und über den Lichtleitkörper zum Leuchten gebracht.Such knobs are often used in vehicle construction and there in the automotive electronics. The lighting device is used to make the switch position even during darkness, whereby differences in the day and after design of the switch can be present. Often the knobs have on their surface a light exit area, which then serves as a pointer marker for the setting of the control unit. It is common practice to use for distribution and scattering of light inside the switch, a light guide, which forwards the light from a light source in the direction of the light-transmissive areas or light exit areas. From the DE 198 34 347 For example, a rotary knob for an operating device is known, in which the light which is emitted by a light source is forwarded by means of a light guide body in the interior of the rotary knob to the light exit areas. In particular, the light-permeable region in the grip part of the rotary knob is exposed via a specially designed light exit region, which can be formed on the light guide. The pointer mark on the handle part is thus indirectly illuminated by means of a light source and the light guide.

Die US 4 176 265 offenbart das Oberbegriff des Anspruchs 1.The US 4,176,265 discloses the preamble of claim 1.

Es ist ebenfalls bekannt, den Lichtleitkörper unmittelbar bis an die äußere Oberfläche des Griffteils zu führen. Ein derartiger Drehknopf ist in der DE 35 35 381 offenbart. Der Lichtleiter ist hier unmittelbar im Drehknopf angeordnet und besitzt einen Anschlußsockel für das Leuchtmittel. Der Anschlußsockel besteht aus einem transparenten Material. Ihm ist ein Lichtleiter angeformt, welcher mit seiner Oberfläche in einer Durchbrechung der lichtundurchlässigen Haube endet. Wird mittels des Leuchtmittels Licht emittiert, dann sind an der Sichtseite der Haube die Oberflächen leuchtend sichtbar.It is also known to guide the light guide body directly to the outer surface of the handle part. Such a knob is in the DE 35 35 381 disclosed. The light guide is arranged here directly in the knob and has a connection socket for the light source. The terminal base is made of a transparent material. He is a light guide formed, which ends with its surface in an opening of the opaque hood. If light is emitted by means of the light source, the surfaces are brightly visible on the visible side of the hood.

Ausgehend von den bekannten Beleuchtungseinrichtungen für Drehknöpfe liegt der Erfindung die Aufgabe zu Grunde, einen Drehknopf zu entwickeln, der die Lichtausbeute des Leuchtmittels optimal ausnutzt, der mit minimierten Fertigungs- und Montageaufwand herzustellen ist, der ein von der Lichtquelle unabhängiges, schwenkbares Griffteil aufweist und dessen transluzenter Bereich in jeder Dreh- und Schwenkposition mit gleicher Intensität leuchtet.Based on the known lighting devices for knobs, the invention is based on the object to develop a knob that optimally exploits the luminous efficacy of the bulb, which is produced with minimized manufacturing and assembly costs, which has an independent of the light source, swivel handle part and its translucent area in every turning and swiveling position with the same intensity lights.

Darstellung der ErfindungPresentation of the invention

Diese Aufgabe wird erfindungsgemäß dadurch gelöst, daß das Licht mittels eines Leuchtmittels erzeugt und über einen hohlzylinderförmigen Reflektor auf den transluzenten Bereich geleitet wird, wobei sich der Reflektor vom Leuchtmittel bis in den hohlen Bereich des Griffteils erstreckt. Durch die erfindungsgemäße Ausgestaltung eines Drehknopfs kann auf die Lichtleiter im Inneren des Drehknopfes verzichtet werden und der Drehknopf kann mit minimierten Fertigungsaufwand sowie entsprechend geringeren Herstellungskosten produziert werden. Ein weiterer Vorteil, der sich aus dem Wegfall des Lichtleiters ergibt, ist der, daß das Griffteil des Drehknopfes schwenkbar angeordnet werden kann. Vorteilhafte Ausgestaltungen der Erfindung ergeben sich aus den Unteransprüchen.This object is achieved in that the light is generated by means of a light source and passed through a hollow cylindrical reflector on the translucent area, wherein the reflector extends from the bulb to the hollow portion of the handle portion. The inventive design of a knob can be dispensed with the light guide inside the knob and the knob can be produced with minimal production costs and correspondingly lower production costs. Another advantage resulting from the elimination of the light guide, is that the handle portion of the knob can be arranged pivotally. Advantageous embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims.

Kurze Beschreibung der ZeichnungShort description of the drawing

Nachfolgend wird die Erfindung anhand eines Ausführungsbeispiels näher erläutert. Es zeigen:

Figur 1
die perspektivische Draufsicht auf einen Drehknopf für ein elektrisches Bediengerät mit einer Beleuchtungseinrichtung,
Figur 2
die perspektivische Draufsicht auf einen Drehknopf ohne Griffteil,
Figur 3
die Vorderansicht auf einen erfindungsgemäßen Drehknopf,
Figur 4
die Seitenansicht auf einen erfindungsgemäßen Drehknopf,
Figur 5
den Schnitt durch die Vorderansicht auf einen erfindungsgemäßen Drehknopf und
Figur 6
den Schnitt durch die Seitenansicht des erfindungsgemäßen Drehknopfs.
The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment. Show it:
FIG. 1
the perspective top view of a knob for an electrical control unit with a lighting device,
FIG. 2
the perspective top view of a knob without handle part,
FIG. 3
the front view of a rotary knob according to the invention,
FIG. 4
the side view of a knob according to the invention,
FIG. 5
the section through the front view of a rotary knob according to the invention and
FIG. 6
the section through the side view of the knob according to the invention.

Wege zur Ausführung der ErfindungWays to carry out the invention

In Figur 1 ist die perspektivische Draufsicht auf einen erfindungsgemäßen Drehknopf 1 dargestellt. Der Drehknopf 1 besteht aus einem opaken Griffteil 2, einem mit dem Griffteil verbundenen Basisteil 3 und einem nur teilweise dargestellten Drehknopfgehäuse 4. Das Griffteil 2 besitzt einen scheibenförmigen unteren Bereich 5 und einen darüber angeordneten, sich diametral über den scheibenförmigen Bereich 5 erstreckenden, länglichen Bereich in Form einer Erhebung 6. In einem radial äußeren Ende der Erhebung 6 ist in die Erhebung 6 ein transluzenter Bereich 7 eingeformt. Das Griffteil 2 und das Basisteil 3 sind in Richtung des Pfeils P gegenüber dem Drehknopfgehäuse 4 drehbar gelagert. Ein derartiger Drehknopf 1 kann z. B. als Drehschalter für ein elektrisches Schiebedach in einem Kraftfahrzeug Verwendung finden.FIG. 1 shows the perspective top view of a rotary knob 1 according to the invention. The rotary knob 1 consists of an opaque handle part 2, a handle part connected to the base part 3 and a rotary knob housing only partially shown 4. The handle part 2 has a disc-shaped lower portion 5 and arranged above it, diametrically extending over the disc-shaped portion 5, elongated area in the form of a survey 6. In a radially outer end of the survey 6, a translucent area 7 is formed in the survey 6. The handle part 2 and the base part 3 are rotatably mounted in the direction of the arrow P relative to the rotary knob housing 4. Such a knob 1 may, for. B. as a rotary switch for an electric sunroof in a motor vehicle use.

Die Figur 2 zeigt die perspektivische Ansicht auf einen Drehknopf 1 ohne Griffteil 2, so daß das Basisteil 3 mit dem daran vorzugsweise einstückig angeformten Reflektor 8 sichtbar wird. Das Basisteil 3 ist vorzugsweise aus Polyoxymethylen (POM) gefertigt. Dabei wird bevorzugt weiß eingefärbtes POM verwendet. Dieser eingefärbte Kunststoff (POM) besitzt einen hohen Reflektionsgrad, so daß die im wesentlichen hohlzylinderförmige Oberfläche 9 des Reflektors 8 nicht zusätzlich beschichtet werden muß, was sich wiederum positiv auf die Herstellungskosten auswirkt. In die ringnutförmige Ausnehmung 10 des Basisteils 3 können weitere Bauteile, wie beispielsweise Rückstellfedern, eingesetzt werden. An der äußeren Umfangsoberfläche des Basisteils 3 sind gleichzeitig Haltezapfen 11 zur Aufnahme des Griffteils 2 einstückig angeformt.Figure 2 shows the perspective view of a knob 1 without handle part 2, so that the base part 3 with the preferably integrally formed thereon reflector 8 is visible. The base part 3 is preferably made of polyoxymethylene (POM). In this case, white-colored POM is preferably used. This colored plastic (POM) has a high degree of reflection, so that the substantially hollow cylindrical surface 9 of the reflector 8 need not be additionally coated, which in turn has a positive effect on the manufacturing cost. In the annular groove-shaped recess 10 of the base part 3 further components, such as return springs, can be used. On the outer peripheral surface of the base part 3 retaining pin 11 are simultaneously integrally formed for receiving the handle part 2.

Die Position des Leuchtmittels 12 ist in Figur 3 wiedergegeben. In dieser Vorderansicht auf den Drehknopf 1 ist sehr deutlich die Form des Griffteils 2 zu erkennen. Das Griffteil besitzt im unteren Bereich eine scheibenförmige Struktur und ist im oberen Bereich 6 verjüngt ausgeführt, so daß der Bediener den Drehknopf 1 leicht ergreifen und drehen kann. An das Griffteil 2 sind Verlängerungen 13 angeformt die über die Haltezapfen 11 geschoben werden können, so daß das Griffteil 2, wie in Figur 4 dargestellt, in Richtung des Pfeils F geschwenkt werden kann. Das Griffteil 2 schwenkt dabei um die Aufnahmezapfen 11 des Basisteils 3.The position of the luminous means 12 is shown in FIG. In this front view of the knob 1 is very clearly the shape of the handle part 2 can be seen. The handle part has a disc-shaped structure in the lower region and is made tapered in the upper region 6, so that the operator can easily grasp the knob 1 and turn. To the handle part 2 extensions 13 are formed which can be pushed over the retaining pin 11, so that the handle part 2, as shown in Figure 4, can be pivoted in the direction of the arrow F. The handle part 2 pivots about the receiving pin 11 of the base part. 3

Die Figur 5 zeigt den Schnitt durch einen erfindungsgemäßen Drehknopf 1 und die Anordnung des Leuchtmittels 12. Erfindungsgemäß ist das Griffteil 2 hohl ausgeführt und der schirmförmige Reflektor 8 reicht vom Leuchtmittel 12 bis in den hohlen Bereich 14 des Griffteils 2. Die Reflektionsfläche 9 bildet der Form nach den Abschnitt eines Hohlzylinders, der das Licht schirmförmig weiterleitet. Die Lichtstrahlen 15 die von dem Leuchtmittel 12 ausgesandt werden, werden über den hohlzylinderförmigen Bereich 16 des Reflektors hinaus von der Reflektionsfläche 9 in Richtung des transluzenten Bereichs 7 des Griffteils 2 reflektiert, gebündelt und zielgerichtet weitergeleitet, dabei sind Winkel und Form der Reflektionsfläche 9 den Anforderungen entsprechend variierbar. Durch den erfindungsgemäßen Einsatz eines schirmförmigen Reflektors ohne Zwischenschaltung eines Lichtleiters steht zur Durchleuchtung des transluzenten Bereichs 7 nahezu das gesamte emittierte Licht aus dem Leuchtmittel 12 zur Verfügung. Als Leuchtmittel 12 können Glühlampen wie auch lichtemittierende Dioden (LED) zum Einsatz kommen. Der Drehknopf 1 wird vorzugsweise aus Kunststoff gefertigt. Bevorzugte Kunststoffe sind thermoplastische Acrylnitril-Butadien-Styrol-Polymerisate (ABS) oder ABS/Polycarbonate (ABS-PC) oder Polyamid (PA). Das Drehknopfgehäuse 4 wird dabei vorzugsweise aus Polyamid (PA) und das Griffteil 2 vorzugsweise aus ABS oder ABS-PC gefertigt. Der transluzente Bereich 7 des Griffteils 2 wird dagegen vorzugsweise aus dem transparenten Kunststoff Polycarbonat (PC) gefertigt. Diese einfärbbaren Polycarbonate können je nach optischer Ausführung des Griffteils unterschiedliche Farben aufweisen. So kann der transluzente Bereich beispielsweise weiß oder grau ausgefärbt sein, wobei der transluzente Bereich 7 bei Beleuchtung durch das Leuchtmittel 12 zum Beispiel rot leuchtet.5 shows the section through a rotary knob 1 according to the invention and the arrangement of the bulb 12. According to the invention, the grip part 2 is made hollow and the umbrella-shaped reflector 8 extends from the bulb 12 into the hollow region 14 of the grip part 2. The reflection surface 9 forms the shape after the section of a hollow cylinder, which forwards the light umbrella-shaped. The light rays 15 emitted by the light source 12 are reflected beyond the hollow cylindrical region 16 of the reflector out of the reflection surface 9 in the direction of the translucent portion 7 of the handle part 2, bundled and forwarded targeted, while angle and shape of the reflective surface 9 are the requirements accordingly variable. As a result of the inventive use of an umbrella-shaped reflector without the interposition of a light guide, almost the entire emitted light from the light-emitting means 12 is available for transillumination of the translucent area 7. As bulbs 12 incandescent lamps as well as light emitting diodes (LED) can be used. The knob 1 is preferably made of plastic. Preferred plastics are thermoplastic acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene polymers (ABS) or ABS / polycarbonates (ABS-PC) or polyamide (PA). The knob housing 4 is preferably made of polyamide (PA) and the handle part 2 is preferably made of ABS or ABS-PC. By contrast, the translucent region 7 of the grip part 2 is preferably made of the transparent plastic polycarbonate (PC). These dyeable polycarbonates may have different colors depending on the optical design of the handle. For example, the translucent region may be colored white or gray, with the translucent region 7 illuminating red when illuminated by the luminous means 12, for example.

Der aus Kunststoff gefertigte Drehknopf 1 kann auch eine lackierte Oberfläche aufweisen. In diesem Fall kann z. B. das gesamte Griffteil aus einem transluzenten Werkstoff gefertigt werden, wobei der nachträglich transluzent wirkende Bereich vor dem Lackieren abgeklebt wird. Das Oberteil kann auch in einem ersten Schritt vollständig lackiert werden und der transluzente Bereich 7 kann nachträglich mittels einer Lasergravur freigelegt werden. Selbstverständlich ist es auch möglich den kompletten Drehknopf 1 aus einem transluzenten Werkstoff zu fertigen, der dann anschließend ebenfalls lackiert wird.The knob 1 made of plastic may also have a painted surface. In this case, z. B. the entire handle part are made of a translucent material, wherein the subsequently translucent acting area is masked before painting. The upper part can also be completely painted in a first step and the translucent area 7 can be subsequently exposed by means of a laser engraving. Of course, it is also possible to make the complete knob 1 of a translucent material, which is then also painted.

Aus der Figur 6 ist klar ersichtlich, daß die maximale Lichtausbeute des Leuchtmittels 12 über den Reflektor 8 an den transluzenten Bereich 7 weitergeleitet wird. Es ist auch klar ersichtlich, daß die immer noch vorliegende Streubreite des Lichts den transluzenten Bereich 7 in jeder beliebigen Schwenkposition mit voller Intensität ausleuchtet. Im Gegensatz zu den Lichtleitern bei denen das Licht beim Austritt gestreut wird, werden bei der erfindungsgemäßen Fokussierung des Lichtes durch den Reflektor 8 die Lichtstrahlen gebündelt und stehen somit zur homogenen Durchleuchtung des transluzenten Bereichs 7 zur Verfügung.From the figure 6 it is clear that the maximum light output of the bulb 12 is forwarded via the reflector 8 to the translucent area 7. It is also clear that the still existing spread of the light illuminates the translucent area 7 in any pivoting position with full intensity. In contrast to the light guides in which the light is scattered on exit, in the inventive focusing of the light by the reflector 8, the light beams are focused and are thus for homogeneous fluoroscopy of the translucent area 7 available.

Der transluzente Bereich 7 ist dabei vorzugsweise am radialen Ende des Griffteils 2 angeordnet. Dabei kann der transluzente Bereich 7 erfindungsgemäß eine einfache geometrische Form, wie zum Beispiel einen Kreis oder ein Rechteck oder er kann die Form eines Symbols, die den Verwendungszweck des Drehknopfs kennzeichnet, darstellen.
Selbstverständlich ist die Anwendung der Erfindung nicht auf die Kraftfahrzeugtechnik begrenzt, die Erfindung kann auch im Bereich der Elektronik und der Steuerungstechnik, wie zum Beispiel an Prüfgeräten eingesetzt werden.The translucent region 7 is preferably arranged at the radial end of the grip part 2. In this case, according to the invention, the translucent region 7 can be a simple geometric shape, such as a circle or a rectangle, or it can be in the form of a symbol that identifies the intended use of the rotary knob.
Of course, the application of the invention is not limited to the automotive technology, the invention can also be used in the field of electronics and control technology, such as on test equipment.

Claims (6)

  1. Rotary knob for an electrical operating device having an illumination device, having a hollow handle part (2), which has a translucent region (7), and having a light source (12) which emits light into the hollow region (14) of the handle part (2), the light being reflected via a hollow-cylindrical reflector (8) and a reflective surface (9) of the reflector (8) in the direction of the translucent region (7) of the handle part (2) and being directed onto the translucent region (7), the reflector (8) extending from the luminous means (12) as far as into the hollow region (14) of the handle part (2), characterized in that the light is focused and directed in a targeted manner onto the translucent region, and the handle part (2) is accommodated in a base part (3), which is mounted in rotatable fashion in a rotary knob housing (4), and in that the reflector (8) is formed integrally from the base part (3).
  2. Rotary knob according to Claim 1, characterized in that the handle part (2) is formed from a disc-shaped, lower region (5) and an elongate elevation (6), which is arranged over said disc-shaped, lower region and extends diametrically over the disc-shaped region (5).
  3. Rotary knob according to either of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the handle part (2) is mounted pivotably in the base part (3).
  4. Rotary knob according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the translucent region (7) is arranged in a radial end of the handle part (2) and is formed as a symbol.
  5. Rotary knob according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the base part (3) is manufactured from polyoxymethylene (POM), in particular coloured POM or polyamide (PA).
  6. Rotary knob according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the handle part (2) is manufactured from a thermoplastic, in particular acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene polymers (ABS) or ABS/polycarbonate (ABS-PC), and the translucent region is manufactured from polycarbonate (PC), in particular coloured polycarbonate.
EP04739312A 2003-05-24 2004-05-24 Rotary knob for an operator panel Expired - Lifetime EP1627267B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE10323542A DE10323542B4 (en) 2003-05-24 2003-05-24 Rotary knob of an operator panel
PCT/EP2004/005549 WO2004104720A1 (en) 2003-05-24 2004-05-24 Rotary knob for an operator panel

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1627267A1 EP1627267A1 (en) 2006-02-22
EP1627267B1 true EP1627267B1 (en) 2007-06-27

Family

ID=33461861

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP04739312A Expired - Lifetime EP1627267B1 (en) 2003-05-24 2004-05-24 Rotary knob for an operator panel

Country Status (6)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1627267B1 (en)
KR (1) KR101255365B1 (en)
CN (1) CN1795426B (en)
DE (2) DE10323542B4 (en)
ES (1) ES2288685T3 (en)
WO (1) WO2004104720A1 (en)

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US8813676B2 (en) 2010-05-07 2014-08-26 Whirlpool Corporation User interface for a controller
US9249971B2 (en) 2011-12-05 2016-02-02 Motorola Solutions, Inc. Illuminated rotary control for a communication device
WO2018010697A1 (en) * 2016-07-15 2018-01-18 青岛海尔滚筒洗衣机有限公司 Knob and washing machine provided with knob
DE102018121004B3 (en) * 2018-08-28 2020-02-20 Berker Gmbh & Co. Kg Electrical switch

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US9249971B2 (en) 2011-12-05 2016-02-02 Motorola Solutions, Inc. Illuminated rotary control for a communication device
WO2018010697A1 (en) * 2016-07-15 2018-01-18 青岛海尔滚筒洗衣机有限公司 Knob and washing machine provided with knob
DE102018121004B3 (en) * 2018-08-28 2020-02-20 Berker Gmbh & Co. Kg Electrical switch

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1627267A1 (en) 2006-02-22
DE10323542B4 (en) 2007-08-30
DE10323542A1 (en) 2004-12-23
DE502004004192D1 (en) 2007-08-09
CN1795426A (en) 2006-06-28
CN1795426B (en) 2010-12-15
KR101255365B1 (en) 2013-04-17
KR20060022666A (en) 2006-03-10
ES2288685T3 (en) 2008-01-16
WO2004104720A1 (en) 2004-12-02

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