Sealed thumb wheel

Abstract

The present invention proposes an operating element for finger operation, which has better sealing properties to prevent dust and water intrusion and higher freedom of movement, comprising: a finger wheel having an operating rod that can rotate around at least one first rotation axis; a mounting shell, wherein the intersection of the first rotation axis and the finger wheel is constructed in the mounting shell; an integrated sealing system having at least one sealing device, the sealing system and the mounting shell being manufactured by being connected to each other in a material-locked manner by means of two-component injection molding, the mounting shell having an injection channel for injecting material of the sealing system, in which a corresponding injection channel connecting structure of the sealing system is constructed, the sealing devices being connected to each other via the injection channel connecting structure and being constructed in the form of a bellows, the bellows partially surrounding the operating rod on the contact surface along the longitudinal axis of the operating rod.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a sealed finger wheel, in particular as an operating element on an operating panel or a multifunctional operating handle. Background Art

[0002] In particular, in agricultural vehicles or agricultural machinery, or in the field of production technology, operating elements in the form of thumbwheels that can be operated with a slight finger movement are often used as control elements on or in an operating panel. The combination of multiple operating elements on an operating panel or a multifunctional handle such as a joystick allows a large number of work processes, work equipment, or machine functions to be controlled via a single, compact control system.

[0003] Especially in the field of agricultural machines and vehicles, the control elements used must meet high requirements in terms of their sealing against the ingress of dirt and water, since high pressure and steam jets are often used for cleaning, and the intrusion of the control electronics and control mechanics must be prevented.

[0004] Known thumbwheels do not provide adequate sealing, in particular when a sufficiently large maximum deflection angle is set.

[0005] Although further development of a thumbwheel in the form of a joystick is known, for example from EP 3 174 081 B1, sufficient sealing cannot be achieved with the disclosed system having multiple housing parts with multiple connecting edges that come into contact both with the external environment and with the interior to be protected. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide an operating element for finger operation which has improved sealing against the ingress of dust and water, in particular during high-pressure cleaning, and at the same time has a greater freedom of movement.

[0007] This object is achieved by an operating element comprising: a finger wheel, wherein the finger wheel has an operating lever that can be rotated about at least one first rotation axis; a mounting housing, wherein the intersection of the first rotation axis and the finger wheel is constructed within the mounting housing; and an integrated sealing system having at least one sealing device, wherein the sealing system and the mounting housing are manufactured by being connected to each other in a material-locked manner by means of two-component injection molding, and wherein the mounting housing has an injection channel for injecting material of the sealing system, in which a corresponding injection channel connection structure of the sealing system is constructed, wherein the sealing devices are connected to each other via the injection channel connection structure, and wherein the sealing device is constructed in the form of a bellows, which partially surrounds the operating lever on the contact surface along the longitudinal axis of the operating lever.

[0008] Due to the sealing system's integral structure and its material-locked connection to the mounting housing, the sealing system minimizes externally accessible connecting edges that could be sources of dirt and moisture ingress. This advantageously achieves tightness within the mounting housing, in particular, protection class IP 6K9K. Furthermore, the sealing system can be efficiently produced in one piece using the well-known two-component injection molding process, simplifying subsequent installation. The connection between the sealing system and the mounting housing is already created during production, thus avoiding sealing edges that could be sources of dirt and water ingress. Furthermore, loosening of the seal due to corrosion or wear is prevented. Consequently, the sealing system has a service life of millions of movement cycles. Within the injection channel of the mounting housing, an injection channel connection is formed during two-component injection molding from the sealing system's material, simultaneously connecting the individual sealing devices to one another. Furthermore, the manufacturing process for the operating element according to the present invention should optimize the material selection for both a stable mounting housing and a flexible, durable sealing system.

[0009] The bellows has realized the sealing connection of the operating lever and therefore the entire thumb wheel with the mounting housing, wherein, to a great extent, the rotational mobility of the operating lever is kept. Here, the operating lever can be deflected up to 30 ° relative to the zero position.

[0010] The connection surface formed along the longitudinal axis of the corrugated tube therefore has a single connection edge of the operating rod to the external environment at its upper end. This position of the connection edge makes it possible to achieve simple additional sealing with a cover or a cap.

[0011] Likewise, further static seals of the sealing system are provided, which are located at the interfaces with other components or elements, for example with an optical fiber or a mounting frame of an operating element enclosed in an operating panel.

[0012] In a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the bellows has exactly one fold. This allows for sufficient mobility and expandability of the bellows with a material-compatible deformation and minimal material costs.

[0013] Furthermore, the operating lever is capable of translational movement along its axis in its zero position. Using a bellows allows the necessary compression and tensioning of the corresponding seals to be achieved without damaging the material. The translational movement makes it extremely advantageous to associate additional control variables with the operating lever.

[0014] The design of the present invention provides for the operating lever to be rotatable about a second rotational axis, which is arranged perpendicular to the first rotational axis. This provides an additional rotational degree of freedom compared to known thumbwheels, which enables two-dimensional motion control or the control of other components. In combination with the translational mobility, three-dimensional control is particularly possible.

[0015] In one embodiment of the invention, the operating lever can be operated by the user's thumb, or alternatively, by the index finger, while the hand is firmly supported on the mounting housing. This allows, in particular, the integration of the operating element into the operating panel, thereby enabling further control systems of the vehicle or machine to be controlled by movements of the entire hand.

[0016] Furthermore, it is provided that the operating head of the operating lever partially surrounds the bellows in the form of an overhanging projection along the axial position of the contact surface, thereby effectively sealing the end of the bellows to prevent direct intrusion of dirt or water.

[0017] In an extended design scheme of the present invention, it is provided that the operating lever is arranged on a slide system, wherein the slide system has at least one first slide member and a reset mechanism, wherein the reset mechanism acts on the at least one slide member and can transfer it to the zero position, and wherein the operating lever is guided in the slide system, wherein the first slide member is supported in a movably manner so that a change in the position of the operating lever relative to the slide system causes the at least one slide member to move in the direction of the reset mechanism acting on the at least one slide member.

[0018] Thus, an operating element with a guide system is provided that enables the use of a rigid operating lever without its own return mechanism. The guide system and the operating lever function as a thumbwheel. The at least one guide element forms a guide for guiding the operating lever in the guide, wherein the guide exerts a return force on the operating lever that varies depending on the position of the operating lever. To generate the return force, the present invention also includes a return mechanism that acts on the at least one guide element with a correspondingly shaped guide rail, allowing the operating lever to be a simple, inherently rigid lever. The return force defines a zero position for the operating lever, which is returned to the zero position without deflection. According to the present invention, this deflection is either a pressing movement in a radial direction relative to the swinging motion of the operating lever or a swinging motion about at least one swinging axis. Alternatively or additionally, lever movement or a pulling movement in a radial direction relative to the swinging motion of the operating lever can be detected in a manner similar to a conventional motor vehicle manual transmission.

[0019] The operating element according to the present invention is a sealed operating element with a thumb wheel that can be manufactured using an injection molding process. The sealing of internal components from external influences is improved due to a minimal number of connecting surfaces between the mounting housing, the sealing system, and the operating element, thereby achieving a sealing performance in accordance with protection class IP 6K9K. The materials used for the two components are adapted to the functions of the respectively injected components, so that a stable material can be used for the injection molding of the mounting housing and a more flexible material can be used for the injection molding of the sealing system. This, in particular, allows the use of a bellows as part of the sealing system for sealing and connecting the operable part of the operating element. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The present invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to two accompanying drawings, in which:

[0021] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a sealed operating element according to the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an embodiment of a mounting housing with a sealing system according to the present invention.

[0023] Reference Signs List

[0024] 1 Operating elements

[0025] 2 joysticks

[0026] 3 Install the housing

[0027] 4 Sealing device

[0028] 4a Sealing system

[0029] 5 Injection channel

[0030] 5a Injection channel connection structure

[0031] 6 Vertical axis

[0032] 7 Bellows

[0033] 8 Bellows end

[0034] 9 thumbwheel

[0035] 10 Reset mechanism

[0036] 11 Operating head

[0037] 12 Connect the sealing device

[0038] 13 Zero

[0039] 14 Lid

[0040] 15 Overhanging protrusion

[0041] 16 Photoconductor

[0042] 17 First axis of rotation

[0043] 18 Second axis of rotation

[0044] 19 contact surface DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] Figure 1A cross-sectional view of an operating element 1 according to the present invention is shown. Multiple seals 4 of an integrated sealing system 4a are arranged on the external mounting housing 3. The mounting housing 3 and the sealing system 4a are manufactured using two-component injection molding and are materially bonded. An operating lever 2 with a guide system is arranged relative to the mounting housing 3 such that the intersection of the first rotational axis 17 of the operating lever 2's rotational movement and the operating lever 2 is located within the mounting housing 3, wherein the operating lever 2 is guided in the guide system. The operating lever 2 is supported in the guide system so that it can move along a pivot axis. The illustrated embodiment also allows for rotational movement about a second rotational axis 18, which is arranged perpendicular to the first rotational axis 17. The guide system transmits a restoring force to the operating lever 2 when it is deflected from the zero position 13. This restoring force is generated by a restoring mechanism 10, wherein the restoring mechanism 10 and the guide system are arranged within the mounting housing 3. In this embodiment, the thumbwheel 9 is designed as a guide system with the operating lever 2. In the illustrated embodiment, the sealing system 4a includes a connecting seal 12 surrounding the mounting housing 3. This connection seal serves as the sealing device 4 when the sealed operating element 1 is installed in the operating panel. To connect the mounting housing 3 to the operating lever 2, the sealing system 4a includes a bellows 7. This bellows seals the interior of the mounting housing 3 and, consequently, the movable mechanics and electronics of the operating element 1, while maintaining the mobility of the operating lever 2. The bellows 7 contacts the operating lever 2 along its longitudinal axis 6 at a contact surface 19. The flexibility and stretchability of the bellows 7 maintain a high degree of rotational and translational freedom of the operating lever 2, enabling a deflection angle of up to 30° from the zero position 13 of the operating lever 2 and a deflection of up to 1 mm along one axis of the zero position 13. In the illustrated embodiment, the bellows 7 includes folds, which ensure the aforementioned sufficient rotational and translational mobility of the sealed operating lever 2. The sealing material load is limited to ensure four million movement cycles of the operating lever 2. An operating head 11 is arranged at the operating end of the operating lever 2. This operating head serves as the actuating element when the operating lever 2 is in use. Here, the operating head 2 is configured as an overhanging projection 15 along the longitudinal axis 6 , thereby covering the bellows end 8 and, therefore, the contact surface 19 . This prevents the ingress of dirt and water at the critical transition zone between the seal 4 and the operating rod 2 . Due to the formation of the overhanging projection 15 , particles cannot penetrate via a linear path, but only by diffusion at multiple points. A cover 14 , which is penetrated by the bellows 7 , is arranged on the horizontal end face of the mounting housing 3 .

[0046] Figure 2The figure shows an exploded view of the components, namely the cover 14, the sealing system 4a, the optical waveguide 16 that can be inserted into the side wall of the mounting housing 3, and the mounting housing 3 itself. The integrated sealing system 4a is formed by various sealing devices 4, such as the connecting seal 12 and the bellows 7, which are arranged around the mounting housing 3. The individual sealing devices 4 are connected by injection channel connections 5a. These injection channel connections are formed by injecting the material of the sealing system 4a into injection channels 5 (not shown here) provided in the material of the mounting housing 3. Thus, when the sealing system 4a is injected, the injection channel connections 5a are formed in the injection channels 5. This results in both an integrated sealing system 4a and an operating element 1 in which the mounting housing 3 and the sealing system 4a are materially bonded to one another.

Claims

1. An operating element (1), comprising: a thumb wheel (9), wherein the thumb wheel (9) has an operating lever (2) which can be rotated about at least one first rotation axis (17); a mounting housing (3) having an optical waveguide (16), wherein the intersection of the first rotation axis (17) and the thumb wheel (9) is formed in the mounting housing (3); and an integral sealing system (4a) having at least one sealing device (4), wherein the sealing system (4a) and the mounting housing (3) are manufactured by two-component injection molding in a material-locked manner, and wherein the mounting housing (3) has an injection channel (5) for injecting material of the sealing system (4a), wherein a sealing device (4a) is formed in the injection channel. The sealing system (4a) has a corresponding injection channel connection structure (5a), wherein the sealing devices (4) are connected to each other via the injection channel connection structure (5a), and wherein the sealing device (4) is constructed in the form of a bellows (7), which partially surrounds the operating rod (2) on the contact surface (19) along the longitudinal axis (6) of the operating rod (2), and wherein the operating rod is guided back into the zero position (13) without deflection and the operating rod can be moved translationally along the axis of its zero position (13), wherein the operating rod (2) can be rotated up to 30° relative to its zero position, and the sealing system has a static sealing device located at the interface with the optical waveguide (16).

2. The operating element according to claim 1, characterized in that The bellows (7) has exactly one fold.

3. The operating element according to claim 1, characterized in that The operating lever (2) is rotatable about a second rotation axis (18) which is configured perpendicularly to the first rotation axis (17).

4. An operating element (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The operating lever (2) can be operated by a user's thumb or index finger when the hand is firmly supported on the mounting housing (3).

5. An operating element (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The operating head (11) of the operating rod (2) partially surrounds the bellows (7) in the form of a hanging protrusion (15) along the axial position of the contact surface (19).

6. An operating element according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The operating rod (2) is arranged on a slide system, wherein the slide system has at least one slide member and a reset mechanism (10), wherein the reset mechanism acts on the at least one slide member and can turn the at least one slide member into a zero position (13), and wherein the operating rod (2) is guided in the slide system, wherein the at least one slide member is supported in a movably manner, so that a change in the position of the operating rod (2) relative to the slide system causes the at least one slide member to move in the direction of the reset mechanism (10) acting on the at least one slide member.

Images