US 12,311,994 B2
Operating element comprising an actuation part having a layer structure
Dennis Loeppen, Frankenheim (DE); Frank Dangel, Petersberg (DE); Tobias Bodenstein, Salz (DE); Peter Lochner, Wollbach (DE); and Jochen Schuhmann, Bad Kissingen (DE)
Assigned to Preh GmbH, Saale (DE)
Appl. No. 17/760,057
Filed by Preh GmbH, Bad Neustadt a.d. Saale (DE)
PCT Filed Jul. 28, 2021, PCT No. PCT/EP2021/071116
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Aug. 3, 2022,
PCT Pub. No. WO2022/028977, PCT Pub. Date Feb. 10, 2022.
Claims priority of application No. 10 2020 120 711.5 (DE), filed on Aug. 5, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0347963 A1, Nov. 2, 2023
Int. Cl. B62D 1/04 (2006.01); B32B 7/022 (2019.01); B32B 25/08 (2006.01); B32B 25/16 (2006.01); B32B 27/08 (2006.01); B32B 27/36 (2006.01); B32B 27/40 (2006.01); B60K 35/10 (2024.01); B60K 35/60 (2024.01); G05G 1/02 (2006.01); G05G 5/03 (2008.04); H01H 13/14 (2006.01)
CPC B62D 1/046 (2013.01) [B32B 7/022 (2019.01); B32B 25/08 (2013.01); B32B 25/16 (2013.01); B32B 27/08 (2013.01); B32B 27/365 (2013.01); B32B 27/40 (2013.01); B60K 35/10 (2024.01); G05G 1/02 (2013.01); G05G 5/03 (2013.01); H01H 13/14 (2013.01); B32B 2307/51 (2013.01); B32B 2307/7376 (2023.05); B60K 35/60 (2024.01); B60K 2360/128 (2024.01); B60K 2360/782 (2024.01); G05G 2505/00 (2013.01); H01H 2221/044 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An operating member, comprising:
a support;
an actuating part, which has an actuating surface facing towards an operator for the operator to carry out an operating input, and the actuating part further has an edge region, which is provided outside the actuating surface and via which the actuating part is supported on the support;
wherein the actuating part has a layer structure, defining the actuating surface, and the layer structure has at least two layers including one thermoplastic material each, and the two layers differ with respect to a modulus of elasticity;
wherein, in a transitional region between the edge region and the actuating surface, a layer with a smallest modulus of elasticity of the at least two layers, which is referred to as a highly elastic layer, has a greatest layer thickness, measured in a direction perpendicular to the actuating surface, as compared with a layer thickness of other layers of the layer structure in the transitional region, in order to provide an elastic compliance of the actuating part in a direction perpendicular to the actuating surface;
a force sensor disposed and/or acting between the support and the actuating part, in order to detect a displacement of the actuating part in the direction perpendicular to the actuating surface, wherein the force sensor is a contactlessly detecting force sensor; and
an actuator disposed between the support and the actuating part, the actuator exciting at least one of: a vibration and a movement of the actuating part so as to generate an active haptic feedback, wherein the actuator is fixed exclusively to the actuating part by at least one of a positive manner and a substance-to-substance connection.