EP2159664B1 - Rotating or sliding mounted operating element that can be backlit - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a rotatably mounted or displaceably mounted, backlit control element made of plastic with means for mechanical power transmission or with means for electrical controls.

From the DE 103 39 833 B4 a setting wheel with mechanical coupling means for producing an operative connection with at least one mechanical functional element and / or an electrical control is known, which is hollow inside and at least one hub, a shaft or a pin for rotatable mounting in bearing shells or bearing bores or on bearing journal of a bearing holder , At least over a peripheral portion of the jacket wall, the thumbwheel is translucent and is backlit by a light source. The light source is a lamp which is attached to a bulb holder, which is inserted into the opening portion of the setting wheel and fixed to at least one side wall of the setting wheel and / or the axis. The wheel is composed of two half-shells and open at the back, so that the bulb holder can be inserted.

From the DE 10 2006 011 641 B3 is an actuating part for an electrical switching arrangement with a made of plastic actuator body with at least one arranged switching symbol element for displaying switching functions of the switching arrangement known. In order to manufacture the operating part cost-effective in large numbers, the actuator body is designed as a coated plastic molded part, in which the at least one switching symbol is completely integrated, wherein the plastic molded part is at least partially made of metallizable plastic material carrying a metal layer, and the part that the switching symbol element is made of non-metallizable plastic material.

From the DE 20 2006 018 515 U1 is a decorative and / or operating element with a housing and with a light source arranged in the interior of the housing known, the backlit or illuminated at least one provided on a connection wall of the housing ornamental symbol, a note and / or characters or the like in the on state. The end wall is at least partially or partially formed by a transparent, metallizable or metallized film. The film is carried by a housing body which likewise delimits the housing and which has an opening which is closed by the film and is connected to the film by injection molding at least in the edge area of the opening. The foil is freed from the metal layer to form the decorative pattern or symbols and / or characters, the remaining metal layer forming the decorative pattern or symbols and / or characters or leaving it in negative form.

From the DE 199 58 582 B4 is known an electrical switch with a contact system and with a movable actuator for switching the contact system, wherein the actuator has a wall made of a first metal wall. The actuator has a breakthrough for a function icon for a function indicator or the like in the wall. In the breakthrough there is a at least partially filling plastic layer. The wall of the actuator is provided with a coating of an electrodeposited layer of another metal. The plastic layer is resistant to galvanic baths, such as acids or bases, and not galvanisable.

From the DE 10 2006 049 474 A1 an illuminated setting wheel is known which can be used to control mechanical or electrical functional elements, for example a ventilation nozzle in an automobile. In order to improve the illumination of the light exit surfaces, a light guide is arranged between the light source and the light exit surface. The light guide is produced in particular in three-component injection molding in one piece with an opaque carrier body and a soft outer skin.

From the DE 20 2007 010 136 U1 is also a thumbwheel for actuation of at least one mechanical Funktionseinstellelement and / or an electrical control known, which can be brought into operative connection via coupling elements with the respective Funktionsseinstell- or control. The thumbwheel is hollow on the inside and rotatably supported by a hub, a shaft or a pin in an associated storage, with translucent and backlit by the light of a lamp symbols, display zones and signaling fields are configured over a section on the circumference of the jacket wall of the setting wheel. A similar wheel is from the DE 88 15 072 known, which has a light bundle unit in the cavity, which selectively throws the light on the inside of the jacket wall, the zones through which the light can escape.

From the EP 0 919 899 A1 a control device with a front surface with markings and / or symbols is known, which is arranged outside the rotational range of an actuating member in the form of a rotary knob. The knob is composed of three different materials. It includes a core of clear, colored material, such as polycarbonate or polymethacrylate, which forms the shaft and a support extending forwardly therefrom and narrows obliquely in the direction of a pointer. The support is radially covered from all sides and forward with a body of a second material, namely white light passing polypropylene. The portion of the body that covers the end of the support has a reduced thickness and forms the pointer. The pointer is surrounded by a matt black Elastormerschicht. In darkness, the core is illuminated by a light source. Metallizable surfaces are not provided here. Nevertheless, the elastomer gives a dull appearance and a velvety touch surface. Also, no cavity for receiving a light source is provided.

From the DE 10 2005 032 717 B3 There is known a control panel consisting of a surface-coated air-permeable plastic base body having a first area with an opaque surface coating and a second area with a translucent metallic surface coating. The layers convey a different visual appearance image. Over the metallic coating, a transparent lacquer layer is applied.

From the US 2004/0001329 A1 For example, there is known a rotary knob for use in an automobile having an inserted polycarbonate light guide whose narrow top is indicative of a hand function. The pointer is inserted in the finger-engageable raised central part, which is made of polymeric plastic and is backlit. On the outside, another layer of polymeric material is applied to the control knob.

Furthermore, from the DE 10 2006 005 089 A1 an operating element, in particular for a motor vehicle, known, which consists of a transilluminable material and is provided at least with an opaque, provided with a symbolic label. This arrangement is coated with a transparent lacquer layer with nanoparticles. The coating and the lacquer layer can be removed by means of a laser, so that the light of a light source inserted into the hollow body can penetrate the operating element. The main body consists of glass, ceramic or polymers, preferably polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), (PC + ABS) blend, polyamine (PA) or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). On the outside, the operating element is surrounded by a clear coat.

There are also sliding controls, for example, for operating lamellae in air nozzles or for controlling fans or air conditioning systems in a motor vehicle or other applications known that are similar, but not rotate about an axis, but can be moved on a support. Such verschiebaren controls may have both mechanical coupling elements to a movement transformation, for example, on a slat a To be transferred nozzle, as well as provided with electrical contact elements, which are connectable for example via grinder with current-carrying tracks on the carrier.

There is a desire that such controls are not only easy to handle and illuminate from the inside, depending on the rotating or sliding stand, but that accessories, for example in the form of metallization can be applied to additionally underline a visual delimitation of the individual zones and / or visually highlight controls.

This being said, the invention has the object, an operating element of the generic type in such a way that it is both selectively and in terms of surface backlit, that it is also easily operated by fingers and that it with metal effects, stripes or points on simple Manner can be provided to visually highlight certain contours. Furthermore, a cheap mass production is to be made possible.

The object is achieved by the invention by designing the rotatably or slidably mounted, backlit control element made of plastic according to the teaching specified in claim 1.

Advantageous embodiments are given in the dependent claims.

The control element is made up of three elements, which can either be manufactured as single elements and can be clamped together or produced in a three-component injection molding tool made of different plastics. The core element consists of translucent, ie translucent, non-galvanisable plastic. This core element is covered by a jacket element at least surrounded on the visible side (s). The jacket element can be sprayed onto the core element or manufactured as a single part made of plastic clip on. The jacket element consists of a galvanisable plastic, with zones for the reception of fluoroscopic parts of the core element are kept free, so that they are used or can end behind. Finally, a haptic element or a corresponding layer of non-electroplatable soft plastic material is applied to the sheath element at least on the accessible surface in such a way that desired electroplatable zones on the sheath element and zones for the transillumination elements on the core element are kept free, so that they can be visibly exposed. The electroplatable zones can then be metallized, for example, provided with chromium in various colors in a galvanic bath, without any protective measures, such as lacquer coatings, covers, etc., would be necessary to prevent galvanization of the other plastic parts.

When the plastic part is injected, it is advisable to use a three-component injection mold to inject the individual plastic parts, namely the core element, the jacket element and the haptic element into a composite. For this purpose, corresponding cavities are incorporated in the injection molding tool, so that the following layer, namely the jacket element, can be applied by reacting a pre-sprayed core element from one cavity into the next following one. After the application of the jacket element further conversion takes place in a further cavity to externally apply the haptic element. The haptic element may be, for example, a soft plastic layer with corrugation or nubs or different surface designs, whereby the control element with a finger is easy to use.

The core element can also be hollow, so that at least one light source can be inserted into the core element for the backlighting. Examples of such illumination are given in the writings described above. Likewise, the mechanical coupling members or electrical elements described above may be provided on the control element.

For a better connection of the core element with the jacket element, the core element can also have glitches, for example projecting lugs or also recesses or tilting, against which contour-matched counterparts of the jacket element are supported. This can be provided both in the aufklippbaren shell elements as well as in the parts produced by composite syringes of plastic. These glitches allow, for example, a latching of the jacket element, if this is carried out as a single element. When spraying an additional support of the jacket element is given.

The haptic element may also extend over non-visible or only partially visible side walls of the jacket element. At the same time, it offers a protective layer and also prevents the light from escaping if the sheath element should be translucent in places.

For the production of various plastics have proven. For example, the core element may be made of polycarbonate, the shell element, however, made of polyamide or ABS plastic. The haptic element may be made of a thermoplastic elastomer, preferably a crosslinked thermoplastic elastomer, e.g. B. EPDM exist. In the structural arrangement, only the zones are free, which should be provided with a metal layer. The part can therefore be in a finished form in one Galvanizing be mounted in order to allow the electrodeposition in a desired manner, without a surface coating of the areas to be illuminated or serve only for the operation, are occupied.

The invention will be explained in the following with reference to the single embodiment shown in the drawing

Fig. 1a

ein Kernelement eines Bedienelementes nach der Erfindung,

Fig. 1b

ein Mantelelement, das auf das Kernelement aufziehbar ist und

Fig. 1c

ein haptisches Element aus nicht galvanisierbarem Kunststoff und

Fig. 2

eine schematische Teilschnittzeichnung ohne Strichlinien durch ein zusammengesetztes Bedienelement, bestehend aus den in Fig. 1 dargestellten Elementen.

In the drawing show:

Fig. 1a

a core element of a control element according to the invention,

Fig. 1b

a jacket member which is windable on the core member and

Fig. 1c

a haptic element of non-galvanisable plastic and

Fig. 2

a schematic partial section drawing without dashed lines through a composite control element, consisting of the in Fig. 1 represented elements.

In Fig. 1 is the core element of a rotatable control element, for example, for an air nozzle or an air conditioner in a motor vehicle, shown, which is made of polycarbonate and designed to be translucent. The core element 1 is hollow, as well as from Fig. 2 is visible, so that a light source can be inserted, by means of which the fluoroscopic parts 3, z. As symbols that are introduced by laser in the plastic or can be made of the same plastic consisting of the plane protruding lugs can be backlit. The zones between the individual screening parts 3 are covered by corresponding webs 9 on the haptic element 4. The haptic element 4 is as an outer element in Fig. 1c shown.

First, the core element 1 is surrounded by a jacket element 2, which in Fig. 1b is drawn. This jacket element 2 has an inner space 5 which is filled by the core element 1. On the jacket element 2 then the haptic element 4 according to Fig. 1c be applied. The illustration shows three individual elements (1, 2, 4), which are verklippbar with each other. These parts can also be firmly connected to each other in the composite, namely in the three-component injection molding in a corresponding tool. For example, the core element 1 consisting of polycarbonate can be connected to the jacket element 2, which consists for example of polyamide.

Out Fig. 2 It can be seen that in addition approaches, namely teeth 7, are provided on the outside of the core element 1, as well as characteristics in the end face, namely recesses 8. In this, the polyamide flow into or this can flow around the approaches, so that hereby an increased mechanical Strength is given in addition to the adhesion strength between the layers.

The Fig. 1c shows now that the haptic element, which consists of soft plastic, ribs or webs 9, which engage in the interstices between the above-mentioned in the embodiment of the radiographic parts 3. As a result, the parts are raised against each other. The haptic element may for example consist of soft black plastic or of another colored plastic. The haptic element forms not only the visible operating range of the control element on the end face. This also overlaps the side surfaces, giving a secure hold to the layer is. In addition, however, the part is designed so that annular electroplated zones 6 are exposed, which can then be galvanized in a plating bath in a simple manner, in the composite or in the three-component process molded component, without special protection measures such as Abklebungen and Covers or paint covers to make. The haptic layer is characterized in the exemplary embodiment by two parallel partial rings 10 laterally of the illumination zone of the core element 1. The surface is designed so that a finger is easy to place and the operating element can be rotated. In the concrete example, a partial ring has a pyramidal embossing.

Of course, completely different surfaces can be designed. It can be provided laterally, for example, a single ringfömige, galvanizable zone; it can also be provided on both sides outside such and the haptic surface in the middle, which is then interspersed punctually, for example, from a luminous point. Many other designs are also possible. Due to the metallizable zones, the operating element is visually embossed and highlighted, so that it is also easier to access.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

core element

2

jacket element

3

fluoroscopy part

4

haptic element

5

cavity

6

Electroplatable zone

7

Vereckung

8th

Vereckung

9

web

10

partial ring

Claims (7)

1. Rotationally or slidably mounted control element, which can be backlit, of plastics material with means for mechanical force transmission and/or means for electrical control actions, wherein it consists of a core element (1) of translucent, non-platable plastics material, namely polycarbonate, which is surrounded by a casing element (2) of the control element at least at the sides or the visible sides, which is sprayed or clippable as an individual element onto the core element (1), wherein zones for receiving light-transmission parts (3) of the core element (1) are left free and wherein a haptic element (4) of non-platable soft plastics material, namely a thermoplastic elastomer, is so mounted on the casing element (2) at least at the accessible surface that platable zones (6) at the casing element (2) and zones for the light-transmission parts (3) visibly protrude, characterised in that the casing element (2) consists of a platable plastics material, namely polyamide or ABS.
2. Control element according to claim 1, characterised in that the core element (1) is of hollow construction and at least one light source for the backlighting is insertable thereinto.
3. Control element according to claim 1, characterised in that the core element (1) has edged portions (7, 8) which face towards the casing element (2) and which enable detenting of the casing element (2) or in a case of spraying offer an additional retention of the casing element (2).
4. Control element according to claim 1, characterised in that the haptic element (4) also extends over non-visible or only partly visible side walls of the casing element (2).
5. Control element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the haptic element (4) consists of a cross-linked thermoplastic elastomer.
6. Control element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it is produced in a three-component injection-moulding process in a tool with different cavities, which image the three elements (1, 2, 4).
7. Control element according to claim 1, characterised in that a metal layer is formed in the platable zones (6).

Images