GB2376284A - Control knob assembly - Google Patents
Control knob assembly Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2376284A GB2376284A GB0113961A GB0113961A GB2376284A GB 2376284 A GB2376284 A GB 2376284A GB 0113961 A GB0113961 A GB 0113961A GB 0113961 A GB0113961 A GB 0113961A GB 2376284 A GB2376284 A GB 2376284A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- control knob
- assembly
- slide
- knob assembly
- transparent slide
- 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.)
- Granted
Links
Classifications
-
- 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
- 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
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
- Switch Cases, Indication, And Locking (AREA)
Abstract
A control knob assembly 10 e.g.for a vehicle air conditioning system, comprises a control knob 16 manually rotatable about a first axis; a transparent slide 18 rotatable about a second axis, and carrying one or more graphic symbols 32-36; a fixed light source 20 for illuminating the graphic symbol(s); and means 30 for viewing the illuminated graphic symbol(s) from the front of the assembly. As illustrated, the transparent slide is secured to the control knob, the first and second axes are co-axial, and the graphic symbol(s) are visible through the knob. In an alternative embodiment, the slide is connected to the knob via gearing (348, 350, Fig.8), and the first and second axes are offset. In other embodiments, the graphic symbol(s) are visible at a position in a panel (122, 222, Figs.4-7) above the knob.
Description
<Desc/Clms Page number 1>
CONTROL KNOB ASSEMBLY Technical Field
The present invention relates to a control knob assembly, and in particular to a control knob assembly for use in a motor vehicle.
Background of the Invention
In motor vehicles, the control knobs for adjusting the operation of the heating, ventilating, or air conditioning system generally have no illumination of the graphics on the control knob, or have an illumination system which lights all the graphics simultaneously, or have an illuminated pointer movable between static graphics. EP-A-1024039 discloses a control knob assembly in which the graphics can be individually illuminated by separate light sources.
I Summary of the Invention
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improvement to the previously known arrangements.
A control knob assembly in accordance with the present invention comprises a control knob which is manually rotatable about an axis, the control knob having a front face and a rear face; a transparent slide positioned at or adjacent the rear face of the control knob, the transparent slide being connected to the control knob to rotate about a second axis on rotation of the control knob; one or more graphic symbols on the transparent slide positioned between the outer edge of the slide and the second rotation axis; a fixed light source which is offset from the second rotation axis, and positioned to the rear of the transparent slide to illuminate one of the graphic symbols, or a portion of the sole graphic symbol, on the slide; and means for viewing the illuminated one of the graphic symbols or the portion of the sole graphic symbol from the front of the assembly.
<Desc/Clms Page number 2>
In the present invention, only one light source is required for the assembly, and only one symbol (or a portion of the symbol) is illuminated.
In a preferred arrangement, the illuminated symbol is enlarged. Further, whilst the control knob rotates, the disposition of the viewed illuminated symbol on the assembly remains substantially constant, irrespective of the rotational position of the control knob.
Brief Description of the Drawings
The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which :-
Figure 1 is a side view, partly in cross-section, of three control knob assemblies in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 is a front view of the control knob assemblies of Figure, 1;
Figure 3 is a front view of the slides of the control knob assemblies of Figure 1;
Figure 4 is a side view, partly in cross-section, of a second embodiment of control knob assembly in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 5 is a front view of the control knob assembly of Figure
4 ;
Figure 6 is a side view, partly in cross-section, of a third embodiment of control knob assembly in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 7 is a front view of the control knob assembly of Figure 6; and
Figure 8 is a side view, partly in cross-section, of a fourth embodiment of control knob assembly in accordance with the present invention.
Description of the Preferred Embodiment
<Desc/Clms Page number 3>
Referring to Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings, the control knob assemblies 10,12, 14 in accordance with the present invention are for controlling the operation of the heating, ventilating, or air conditioning system of a motor vehicle. Aside from the graphic symbols (described in more detail below), the control knob assemblies 10,12, 14 are substantially identical.
The assembly 10 is used for controlling the temperature of the air entering the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The assembly 12 is used for controlling the distribution of air into the passenger compartment. The assembly 14 is used for controlling the speed of the air flow into the passenger compartment.
Each control knob assembly 10-14 comprises a control knob 16; a transparent slide 18; and a light source 20. The control knob 16 of each assembly 10-14 is mounted on a panel 22, and is manually rotatable relative to the panel, about its axis A. Each control knob 16 has a front face 24 (which is visible) and a rear face 26. The transparent slide 18 of each assembly 10-14 is secured to the rear face 26 of the control knob 16 and is rotatable therewith about the same rotation axis A. Each light source 20 is mounted (preferably on a printed circuit board 28) adjacent the rear of the associated transparent slide 18, and has a fixed position B which is offset from the rotation axis A of the associated control knob 16 and slide 18. Each control knob 16 has an integral light pipe and lens 30 which extends from the rear face 26 to the front face 24 of the control knob.
One or more graphic symbols 32,34, 36 are printed on each transparent slide 18 and are coloured to contrast with the portions of the slide surrounding the symbol or symbols. The transparent slide 18 of the assembly 10 has a single graphic symbol 32 (symbolically representing air temperature) which consists of an arcuate band which changes in colour from red at one end, to blue at the other end, and which is centred on the rotation axis A. The symbol 32 is printed on the transparent slide 18 between the outer edge 38 of the slide and the rotation axis A. The transparent slide 18 of the assembly 12 has a number of graphic symbols 34 (symbolically representing air
<Desc/Clms Page number 4>
distribution) which lie adjacent one another on an arcuate line centred on the rotation axis A. The symbols 34 are printed on the transparent slide 18 between the outer edge 38 of the slide and the rotation axis A. The transparent slide 18 of the assembly 14 has a number of graphic symbols 36 (symbolically representing air speed) which lie adjacent one another on an arcuate line centred on the rotation axis A. The symbols 36 are printed on the transparent slide 18 between the outer edge 38 of the slide and the rotation axis A. The position B of each light source 20 is adjacent to, and to the rear of, the graphic symbol or symbols 32-36.
In use, the light source 20 of assembly 10 illuminates a portion 40 of the graphic symbol 32. The illuminated portion 40 is transmitted along the light pipe 30, is enlarged by the integral lens, and is visible in enlarged form on the front face 24 of the control knob 16. As the control knob 16 is rotated, about its axis A relative to the associated light source 20 different portions of the symbol 32 are illuminated and visible in enlarged form on the front face 24 of the control knob. Also, in use, the light source 20 of assembly 12 illuminates one of the graphic symbols 34. The illuminated symbol is transmitted along the light pipe 30, is enlarged by the integral lens, and is visible in enlarged form on the front face 24 of the control knob 16. As the control knob 16 is rotated about its axis A relative to the associated light source 20 different ones of the symbols 34 are illuminated and visible in enlarged form on the front face 24 of the control knob. Further, in use, the light source 20 of assembly 14 illuminates one of the graphic symbols 36.
The illuminated symbol is transmitted along the light pipe 30, is enlarged by the integral lens, and is visible in enlarged form on the front face 24 of the control knob 16. As the control knob 16 is rotated about its axis A relative to the associated light source 20 different ones of the symbols 36 are illuminated and visible in enlarged form on the front face 24 of the control knob.
Figures 4 and 5 illustrate a second embodiment of control knob assembly 100 in accordance with the present invention. The assembly 100 comprises a control knob 116, a transparent slide 118, and a light source 120.
<Desc/Clms Page number 5>
The control knob 116 is mounted on a panel 122, and is manually rotatable relative to the panel, about its axis A. The control knob 116 has a front face 124 (which is visible) and a rear face 126. The transparent slide 118 is secured to the rear face 126 of the control knob 116 and is rotatable therewith about the rotation axis A. The transparent slide 118 has a portion 119 which extends radially outwards of the rear face 126 of the control knob 116. The graphic symbols 134 (which may be as described above with reference to Figures 1 to 3) are printed on the portion 119 of the transparent slide 118.
The light source 120 is mounted on a printed circuit board 128 adjacent the rear of the portion 119 of the transparent slide 118, and has a fixed position B which is offset from the rotation axis A of the control knob 116 and the slide 118. An integral light pipe and lens 130 is secured in a window 142 in the panel 122 adjacent the control knob 116, and extends between the window and the front of the portion 119 of the transparent slide 118.
In use, the light source 120 of assembly 100 illuminates one of the graphic symbols 134. The illuminated symbol is transmitted along the light pipe 130, is enlarged by the integral lens, and is visible in enlarged form in the window 142 on the front face 131 of the light pipe 130. As the control knob 116 is rotated about its axis A relative to the light source 120 different ones of the symbols 134 are illuminated and visible in enlarged form in the window 142.
Figures 6 and 7 illustrate a third embodiment of control knob assembly 200 in accordance with the present invention. The assembly 200 is a modification of the assembly 100 of Figure 4 and 5, in which the integral light pipe and lens of assembly 100 has been omitted such that the illuminated graphic symbol 234 (on the portion 219 of the transparent slide 218) is viewed directly in the window 242 of the panel 222. A lens 244 may be positioned in the window 242 to enlarge the illuminated graphic symbol 234. In use, the light source 220 (mounted on the board 228 at position B offset from the axis A) of the assembly 200 illuminates one of the graphic symbols 234. The illuminated symbol is visible (in enlarged form if the lens 244 is present) from
<Desc/Clms Page number 6>
the front of the assembly 200 in the window 242. As the control knob 216 is rotated about its axis A relative to the light source 220 different ones of the symbols 234 are illuminated and visible in the window 242.
Figure 8 illustrates a fourth embodiment of control knob assembly 300 in accordance with the present invention. The assembly 300 comprises a control knob 316, a transparent slide 318, and a light source 320.
The control knob 316 is mounted on a panel 322, and is manually rotatable relative to the panel, about its axis A. The control knob 316 has a front face 324 (which is visible) and a rear face 326, with a through bore 325 extending therebetween and centred on the axis A. The transparent slide 318 is mounted on a spindle 346. The spindle 346 is rotatably mounted on the panel 322.
The spindle 346 and the slide 318 have a rotation axis A'which is spaced from the rotation axis A of the control knob 316. A first toothed gear wheel 348 is secured to the control knob 316 and is rotatable about the axis A. A second toothed gear wheel 350 is secured to the spindle 346 and slide 318 and is rotatable about the axis A'. The gear wheels 348,350 mesh together such that manual rotation of the control knob 316 about the axis A causes the transparent slide 318 to rotate about the axis A'. The bore 325 in the control knob 316 opens at the rear face 326 adjacent a portion 319 of the transparent slide 318. The graphic symbols (which may be as described above with reference to Figures 1 to 3) are printed on the portion 319 of the transparent slide 318 between the outer edge 338 thereof and the rotation axis A'. The light source 320 is mounted on a printed circuit board 328 adjacent the rear of the portion 319 of the transparent slide 318, and has a fixed position B which is offset from the rotation axis A'of the slide 318. The fixed position B of the light source 320 lies on the rotation axis A of the control knob 316. A transparent panel 352 is located in the through bore 325 to define a window in the control knob 316, and may include a lens.
In use, the light source 320 of assembly 300 illuminates one of the graphic symbols on the portion 319 of the transparent slide 318. The illuminated symbol is visible (in enlarged form) in the transparent panel 352 in
<Desc/Clms Page number 7>
the bore 325 through the control knob 316. As the control knob 316 is rotated about its axis A, the slide 318 rotates about its axis A'relative to the associated light source 320 such that different ones of the symbols are illuminated and visible (in enlarged form) at the front face 324 of the control knob.
In the present invention, only one light source is required for the control knob assembly, and only one graphic symbol (or a portion thereof) is illuminated and may be enlarged. The assembly is compact and simple.
The illuminated symbol remains in a fixed disposition relative to the panel irrespective of the relative rotational position of the control knob.
The transparent slides and graphic symbols may have any suitable contrasting colours, such as white on black or black on white, or may be coloured as indicated above for symbol 34. The front face of the control knob, integral light pipe and lens, or window, in which the illuminated graphic symbol is viewed, may be translucent black or white. The transparent slide may be planar (as illustrated above), conical or curved in shape. A lens may be positioned between the light source and the transparent slide.
Additionally, or alternatively, a shutter may be positioned between the light source and the transparent slide. The light source is preferably an LED.
Where an integral light pipe and lens is used, the lens may be at the front face of the light pipe, or at the rear face of the light pipe. The integral light pipe and lens are preferably formed from plastics material. In certain circumstances, the lens may be omitted from the light pipe.
As illustrated in Figure 8 (and as usable in the other embodiments), the assembly 300 may include a spring loaded detent 354 which engages the control knob 316 to releasably hold the knob in predetermined rotational positions relative to the panel 322. The predetermined positions of the control knob 316 correspond to the positions of the graphic symbols on the portion 319 of the transparent slide 318.
Claims (15)
1. A control knob assembly comprising a control knob which is manually rotatable about a first axis, the control knob having a front face and a rear face; a transparent slide positioned at or adjacent me rear face of the control knob, the transparent slide being connected to the control knob to rotate about a second axis on rotation of the control knob; one or more graphic symbols on the transparent slide positioned between the outer edge of the slide and the second rotation axis; a fixed light source which is offset from the second rotation axis, and positioned to the rear of the transparent slide to illuminate one of the graphic symbols, or a portion of the sole graphic symbol, on the slide; and means for viewing the illuminated one of the graphic symbols or the portion of the sole graphic symbol from the front of the assembly.
2. A control knob assembly as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the transparent slide is secured to the rear face of the control knob; and wherein the first and second rotation axes are coaxial.
3. A control knob assembly as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the viewing means comprises a light pipe integral with the control knob for transmitting the illuminated one of the graphic symbols or the portion of the sole graphic symbol from the rear face to the front face of the control knob.
4. A control knob assembly as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the light pipe is centrally positioned on the rotation axis of the control knob.
5. A control knob assembly as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the viewing means comprises a light pipe positioned adjacent to, and separate from, the control knob for transmitting the illuminated one of the graphic symbols or the portion of the sole graphic symbol from a rear face of the light pipe to a front face of the light pipe.
<Desc/Clms Page number 9>
6. A control knob assembly as claimed in any one of Claims 3 to 5, wherein the viewing means further comprises a lens integral with the light pipe for enlarging the illuminated one of the graphic symbols or the portion of the sole graphic symbol.
7. A control knob assembly as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the lens is positioned at the front face of the control knob or light pipe.
8. A control knob assembly as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the lens is positioned at the rear face of the control knob or light pipe.
9. A control knob assembly as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the viewing means is a window positioned adjacent the control knob.
10. A control knob assembly as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the window comprises a lens for enlarging the illuminated one of the graphic symbols or the portion of the sole graphic symbol.
11. A control knob assembly as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the transparent slide is connected to the control knob by gear means; the light source is positioned on the first rotation axis; and the viewing means comprises a window in the control knob.
12. A control knob assembly as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 11, further comprising a spring loaded detent engaging the control knob to releasably secure the control knob in predetermined rotational positions.
13. A control knob assembly as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 12, wherein the transparent slide is substantially planar.
<Desc/Clms Page number 10>
14. A control knob assembly as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 12, wherein the transparent slide is substantially conical or concave in cross-section.
15. A control knob assembly substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0113961A GB2376284B (en) | 2001-06-08 | 2001-06-08 | Control knob assembly |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0113961A GB2376284B (en) | 2001-06-08 | 2001-06-08 | Control knob assembly |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB0113961D0 GB0113961D0 (en) | 2001-08-01 |
| GB2376284A true GB2376284A (en) | 2002-12-11 |
| GB2376284B GB2376284B (en) | 2005-03-30 |
Family
ID=9916175
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0113961A Expired - Lifetime GB2376284B (en) | 2001-06-08 | 2001-06-08 | Control knob assembly |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2376284B (en) |
Cited By (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US7255061B2 (en) | 2005-03-30 | 2007-08-14 | Gm Global Technology Operations, Inc. | Control knob with symbol display |
| WO2013077920A1 (en) * | 2011-11-22 | 2013-05-30 | Nidec Motor Corporation | Illuminated thumbwheel switch assembly |
| US8813676B2 (en) | 2010-05-07 | 2014-08-26 | Whirlpool Corporation | User interface for a controller |
| DE102014201430A1 (en) * | 2014-01-27 | 2015-07-30 | BSH Hausgeräte GmbH | Rotary dialing device for a household appliance with illuminated rotary knob |
| WO2018001945A3 (en) * | 2016-06-30 | 2018-03-01 | Preh Gmbh | Arrangement of electric pixel matrix display and rotary actuator with improved light guide |
| CN111258368A (en) * | 2018-11-30 | 2020-06-09 | 宁波方太厨具有限公司 | Knob device |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2012048852A1 (en) | 2010-10-16 | 2012-04-19 | Audi Ag | Operating device for a motor vehicle, comprising a light guide |
Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2711711A (en) * | 1953-06-10 | 1955-06-28 | Philco Corp | Tuning apparatus |
| GB1429690A (en) * | 1973-06-14 | 1976-03-24 | Antibiotice Iasi Fab De | Method of preparing cardiotonic acetylated glucosides |
| EP0618602A1 (en) * | 1993-03-30 | 1994-10-05 | Hurst + Schröder Gmbh | Switching device for an electrical appliance |
Family Cites Families (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3754106A (en) * | 1972-04-03 | 1973-08-21 | Donald W Mac | Panel display switch |
-
2001
- 2001-06-08 GB GB0113961A patent/GB2376284B/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2711711A (en) * | 1953-06-10 | 1955-06-28 | Philco Corp | Tuning apparatus |
| GB1429690A (en) * | 1973-06-14 | 1976-03-24 | Antibiotice Iasi Fab De | Method of preparing cardiotonic acetylated glucosides |
| EP0618602A1 (en) * | 1993-03-30 | 1994-10-05 | Hurst + Schröder Gmbh | Switching device for an electrical appliance |
Cited By (10)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US7255061B2 (en) | 2005-03-30 | 2007-08-14 | Gm Global Technology Operations, Inc. | Control knob with symbol display |
| US8813676B2 (en) | 2010-05-07 | 2014-08-26 | Whirlpool Corporation | User interface for a controller |
| WO2013077920A1 (en) * | 2011-11-22 | 2013-05-30 | Nidec Motor Corporation | Illuminated thumbwheel switch assembly |
| CN103563033A (en) * | 2011-11-22 | 2014-02-05 | 尼得科电机有限公司 | Illuminated thumbwheel switch assembly |
| US8872048B2 (en) | 2011-11-22 | 2014-10-28 | Nidec Motor Corporation | Illuminated thumbwheel switch assembly |
| DE102014201430A1 (en) * | 2014-01-27 | 2015-07-30 | BSH Hausgeräte GmbH | Rotary dialing device for a household appliance with illuminated rotary knob |
| WO2018001945A3 (en) * | 2016-06-30 | 2018-03-01 | Preh Gmbh | Arrangement of electric pixel matrix display and rotary actuator with improved light guide |
| US11235702B2 (en) | 2016-06-30 | 2022-02-01 | Preh Gmbh | Arrangement of electric pixel matrix display and rotary actuator with improved light guide |
| CN111258368A (en) * | 2018-11-30 | 2020-06-09 | 宁波方太厨具有限公司 | Knob device |
| CN111258368B (en) * | 2018-11-30 | 2021-11-02 | 宁波方太厨具有限公司 | Knob device |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB2376284B (en) | 2005-03-30 |
| GB0113961D0 (en) | 2001-08-01 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 732E | Amendments to the register in respect of changes of name or changes affecting rights (sect. 32/1977) |
Free format text: REGISTERED BETWEEN 20161208 AND 20161214 |
|
| PE20 | Patent expired after termination of 20 years |
Expiry date: 20210607 |