Control element with an improved rotatable actuating part designed as a thumbwheel and magnetically interacting detent device, associated use and associated assembly method

Abstract

The invention relates to an operating element (1) comprising: a carrier (4); a bearing pin (2) extending axially from a foot (2a) to a free end (2b) and forming a fastening area (2c) adjoining the foot (2a), by means of which the bearing pin (2) is fixed to the carrier (4) in a rotationally fixed manner; an actuating part (3) rotatably mounted relative to the carrier (4) and designed as a thumbwheel, which forms an actuating surface (F) between its two axially spaced end faces (3a, 3b), comprising a first end face (3a) and a second end face (3b), for performing a rotary adjustment by an operator; a position transmitter (10) and a position sensor (11) cooperating with the position transmitter (10);a detent device (5, 6) acting between the carrier (4) and the actuating part (3), which inhibits the rotational adjustment of the actuating part (3) and is formed from at least one rotor (5) and a stator (6) which interacts magnetically with the rotor (5); wherein the actuating part (3) is rotatably supported on the foot (2a) of the pin (2) via three bearing points (A, B, C) and rotatably supported on the carrier (4) via a second bearing point (B) closer to the second end face (3b), and the actuating part (3) is furthermore rotatably supported on the free end (2b) of the bearing pin (2) via a central bearing point (C) provided in the axial direction between the first bearing point (A) and the second bearing point (B);wherein the rotor (5) and the stator (6) of the locking device (5, 6) are arranged in a hollow volume which is formed in a radial direction with respect to the bearing journal (2) between the bearing journal (2) and the actuating part (3) and in an axial direction between the first bearing point (A) and the middle bearing point (C); as well as associated use and assembly methods.;

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an operating element with a rotatably mounted actuating part which is designed as a thumbwheel, also referred to as an input roller. The operating element according to the invention has a magnetically interacting locking device, i.e. consisting of a rotor which moves with the actuating part and a stator which is stationary relative to the rotor, which interact magnetically because, for example, at least one of the components is made of a permanently magnetic material. Even if these locking devices have the advantage of being resistant to wear, their magnetic interaction with other components of the operating element is critical in the technical design of the operating element and limits the choice of materials with the disadvantage that plastics must be increasingly used, which jeopardizes the durability and resilience of the operating element.

[0002] Against this background, there was a need for a design for an operating element which, despite a magnetically interacting locking device, exhibits improved durability and load-bearing capacity and can be designed in a space-saving manner due to its structural design and in particular despite the extensive use of non-magnetic materials, apart from the locking device. This object is achieved by an operating element according to claim 1. An equally advantageous use and an assembly method are each the subject of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments can be found in the subclaims. It should be noted that the features individually listed in the patent claims can be combined with one another in any technologically expedient manner and demonstrate further embodiments of the invention.The description, particularly in connection with the figures, further characterizes and specifies the invention.

[0003] The invention relates to an operating element, in particular for a motor vehicle.

[0004] The control element according to the invention comprises a carrier. This serves to secure the control element to a supporting component, for example, a motor vehicle component. The carrier is made, for example, of a plastic, a metal, or a metallic alloy. The carrier is preferably made of a thermoplastic.

[0005] According to the invention, the operating element has a bearing pin that is fixedly secured to the support in a rotationally fixed manner, defining an axial direction and thus also a radial direction. It extends in its axial direction from a base to a free end and forms a fastening area adjacent to and thus close to the base, via which the bearing pin is fixedly secured to the support in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0006] For example, when the operating element is mounted as intended, the bearing journal is arranged such that the axial direction in the field of gravity is essentially horizontal. The fastening area of ​​the bearing journal is designed, for example, such that the bearing journal is anchored to the carrier by a force-fitting, material-fitting and / or form-fitting connection. The connection between the carrier and the bearing journal is preferably detachable. Most preferably, at least one locking connection is provided between the carrier and the bearing journal, in particular its fastening area. In a most preferred embodiment, a form-fitting plug-in connection with a plug-in direction running perpendicular to the axial direction and a locking connection for securing both in an end position in the direction opposite to the plug-in direction are provided between the carrier and the bearing journal.

[0007] According to the invention, the operating element has an actuating part designed as a thumbwheel, which is rotatably mounted relative to the support and forms an actuating surface between its two axially spaced ends for performing a rotary adjustment by an operator. The operating element is preferably freely rotatable, but a fixed mobility, i.e., pivotability, is conceivable, possibly counteracting a restoring force caused by a restoring means. The actuating surface is preferably rotationally symmetrical.

[0008] For position detection, the operating element according to the invention comprises, in addition to a position sensor attached to the actuating part and / or moving synchronously with the actuating part during its rotational adjustment, a position sensor attached to the support and interacting with the position sensor. Their interaction is preferably contactless, such as optical or magnetic. The position sensor is, for example, electrically connected to an evaluation unit.

[0009] According to the invention, a locking device acting between the support and the actuating part is provided, inhibiting the rotational adjustment of the actuating part. It consists of at least one rotor and a stator magnetically interacting with the rotor, and generates a noticeable locking haptic for the operator. A locking haptic is understood, for example, as an inhibiting effect that counteracts the rotational adjustment, increasing and then decreasing with further rotational adjustment after reaching a maximum. In a preferred embodiment, the associated maxima of the inhibiting effect are distributed evenly across the possible adjustment range of the actuating part.

[0010] According to the invention, the actuating part is rotatably supported on the bearing journal or on the carrier via three bearing points spaced apart in the axial direction. A first bearing point, which is arranged closer to a first end of the two front ends, is rotatably supported on the base of the bearing journal and is designed, for example, as an annular journal support. A further, second bearing point of the actuating part, which is arranged closer to a second end of the two front ends of the actuating part, is supported on the carrier, preferably directly on the carrier. Furthermore, according to the invention, a middle bearing point located between the first bearing point and the second bearing point is rotatably supported on the free end of the journal and is designed, for example, as an annular journal support.

[0011] According to the invention, the rotor and the stator of the locking device are arranged in a hollow volume which is formed in a radial direction with respect to the bearing journal between the bearing journal and the actuating part and in the axial direction between the first bearing point and the middle bearing point. By means of these three bearing points of the actuating part and simultaneous integration of the locking device into a hollow volume formed, among other things, by the actuating part, a high load-bearing capacity and durability of the operating element is achieved with a high integration density. Furthermore, the operating element can be easily scaled to different application scenarios, for example by varying the extent of the actuating surface in the axial direction and / or the positioning of the actuating surface in the radial direction without having to deviate from the original design and jeopardizing the load-bearing capacity and durability.Furthermore, the bearing pin with its fastening area can be fixed to the carrier as a whole after the pre-assembly of a pre-assembly unit consisting of the bearing pin and the actuating part placed on the bearing pin, including the locking device accommodated therebetween, so that the assembly and replacement in the event of a defect is simplified and accelerated overall.

[0012] For example, the fastening area of ​​the bearing journal is secured to the support by a material-to-material, form-fitting, and / or force-fitting connection; preferably, at least one locking connection is provided between the two. In a most preferred embodiment, a form-fitting plug-in connection with a plug-in direction running perpendicular to the axial direction and a locking connection for securing both in an end position in the direction opposite to the plug-in direction are provided between the support and the bearing journal.

[0013] Preferably, the second bearing point of the actuating part is designed such that the actuating part is mounted on the carrier in a locking manner in the radial direction, which facilitates assembly.

[0014] Preferably, a distance between the first bearing point and the middle bearing point in the axial direction is less than 2 / 3 of the maximum extension of the actuating surface of the actuating part determined in the axial direction.

[0015] Preferably, the actuating part is designed in several parts and has a cap forming the second front end of the actuating part and the second bearing point and a substantially hollow-cylindrical knurled wheel, the outer surface of which forms the actuating surface, wherein the cap and the knurled wheel are connected in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0016] Preferably, the first bearing point and the middle bearing point are located within a volume spanned by the knurling wheel.

[0017] Preferably, the actuating part has a bearing ring inserted into the knurled wheel, forming the first front end of the actuating part and the first bearing point.

[0018] Preferably, a gear is provided for driving the position sensor with the actuating part, wherein the cap forms a drive wheel of the gear.

[0019] Preferably, the stator of the locking device is fixed to the bearing journal in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0020] Preferably, the rotor of the locking device is essentially hollow-cylindrical in shape with an internal hollow volume, wherein the essentially hollow-cylindrical stator is arranged coaxially with the rotor in its internal hollow volume. Essentially hollow-cylindrical in this sense means that the respective lateral surfaces can exhibit deviations from a strictly rotationally symmetrical surface for the rotationally fixed, in particular form-fitting, fixation of the respective component to the actuating part or bearing journal and / or for the position-dependent variation of the magnetic interaction between the stator and rotor.For example, the stator on its outer surface and the rotor on its inner surface have multiple teeth with tooth tips extending in the axial direction and tooth valleys extending between them and running parallel to each other in order to generate the magnetically generated magnetic haptics due to position-dependent, periodic field strength variation.

[0021] Preferably, the bearing pin does not penetrate the second front end of the actuating part with its free end.

[0022] Preferably, at least the bearing pin and the actuating part are each made of a plastic, most preferably each of a thermoplastic.

[0023] The operating element preferably comprises a base support, wherein the support is mounted on the base support so as to pivot about an axis parallel to the axial direction, counter to a restoring force. The operating element preferably comprises a detection device for detecting a pivoting movement of the support following the application of an actuating force perpendicular to the actuating surface, in order to provide additional operating functionality of the operating element.

[0024] The invention further relates to the use of the control element in one of the previously described embodiments in a motor vehicle.

[0025] The invention further relates to an assembly method for assembling an operating element in one of the previously described embodiments, wherein the actuating part, the bearing pin, and the locking device are joined together to form a pre-assembly unit; and in a subsequent step, the pre-assembly unit is secured to the carrier by the bearing pin being secured to the carrier via the fastening region of the bearing pin to form the operating element. For example, the fastening region of the bearing pin is secured to the carrier by a material-to-material, form-fitting, and / or force-fitting connection; preferably, a locking connection is provided between the two.In a most preferred embodiment, a positive plug-in connection is produced between the carrier and the bearing journal, wherein the plugging together takes place in a plug-in direction running perpendicular to the axial direction and the bearing journal and carrier are fixed in an end position in the direction opposite to the plug-in direction by a snap-in connection.

[0026] Preferably, the second bearing point of the actuating part is designed such that with or after the fixing of the bearing pin, the actuating part is mounted on the carrier in a locking manner in the radial direction.

[0027] According to a preferred variant of the assembly method according to the invention, before the pre-assembly unit is fixed to the carrier in a third pre-assembly step, the pre-assembly unit is obtained by "marrying", ie connecting, a first assembly group assembled in a first pre-assembly step and a second assembly group assembled in a second pre-assembly step.

[0028] For example, the bearing ring is placed on the bearing journal, followed by the stator on the bearing journal and secured in a rotationally fixed manner by a positive connection, optionally secured axially with a retaining ring, to obtain the first subassembly in the first pre-assembly step. To obtain the second subassembly in the second pre-assembly step, the rotor is inserted into the knurled wheel and secured to the knurled wheel in a positive-locking manner. The cap is flanged to one end of the knurled wheel and secured to the knurled wheel, for example, by means of a locking device.Following the first and second pre-assembly steps, the first and second assemblies are “married”, for example, in the third pre-assembly step, in that the knurled wheel of the second assembly, with the rotor already accommodated therein and the cap flanged to the front of the knurled wheel, is threaded onto the bearing journal and placed onto the bearing ring, so that the central bearing point is formed between the free end projecting beyond the stator and the knurled wheel, whereby the previously mentioned pre-assembly unit is obtained.

[0029] The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the following figures. These figures are to be understood as examples only and represent preferred embodiments. They show: Fig. 1 a sectional view parallel to the axial direction of the bearing pin 2 of an embodiment of the operating element 1 according to the invention; Fig. 2a a perspective view of the control element 1 from Fig. 1; Fig. 2b a perspective view of the control element 1 compared to Fig. 2a opposite viewing angle; Fig. 3 Exploded view of the control element 1 from Fig. 1; Fig. 4 a detailed view to clarify the fixing between the bearing journal 2 and the carrier 3.

[0030] The operating element 1 according to the invention has a carrier 4. This serves to secure the operating element 1 to a load-bearing component, for example that of a motor vehicle component. The carrier 4 is made, for example, of a plastic, a metal, or a metallic alloy. The carrier 4 is preferably made of a thermoplastic. Furthermore, the operating element 1 has a bearing pin 2 made of a thermoplastic material, which is fixedly secured to the carrier 4 in a rotationally fixed manner and which defines an axial direction and thus also a radial direction. In its axial direction, it extends from a base 2a to a free end 2b and forms a fastening region 2c adjoining the base 2a, via which fastening region the bearing pin 2 is fixedly secured to the carrier 4 in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0031] For example, when the control element 1 is mounted as intended, the bearing pin 2 is arranged such that the axial direction in the gravitational field is essentially horizontal. In this embodiment, the bearing pin 2 has a fastening area 2c, with which the bearing pin 2 is anchored to the support 4 by a detachable connection.

[0032] Furthermore, the operating element 1 has an actuating part 3, which is rotatably mounted relative to the support 4 and designed as a thumbwheel and made of a thermoplastic material. Between its two axially spaced ends 3a, 3b, the actuating part forms an actuating surface F for performing a rotary adjustment by an operator. The operating element 3 is freely rotatable, and the actuating surface F is rotationally symmetrical.

[0033] For position detection, the operating element 1 according to the invention has, in addition to a position sensor 10 moving synchronously with the actuating part 3 during its rotational adjustment, a position sensor 11 fixed to the carrier 4, cooperating with the position sensor 10, which in Fig. 3 is only indicated. Their interaction is preferably contactless, such as optical or magnetic. The position sensor 11 is, for example, electrically connected to an evaluation unit (not shown). In the embodiment shown, a gear 3e, 12 is provided for driving the position sensor 10 by means of rotary adjustment of the actuating part 3.

[0034] Furthermore, a locking device 5, 6 is provided between the carrier 4 and the actuating part 3, inhibiting the rotational adjustment of the actuating part 3, and is formed from at least one rotor 5 and a stator 6 magnetically interacting with the rotor 5, to generate a locking haptic that is noticeable to the operator. A locking haptic is understood, for example, as an inhibiting effect that counteracts the rotational adjustment, increases, and then decreases with further rotational adjustment after reaching a maximum. In a preferred embodiment, the associated maxima of the inhibiting effect are distributed evenly over the possible adjustment path of the actuating part 3. The stator 5 of the locking device 5, 6 is fixed to the bearing pin 2 in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0035] The rotor 6 of the locking device 5, 6, which is rotationally fixed to the actuating part 3, is essentially hollow-cylindrical in shape with an internal hollow volume, wherein the essentially hollow-cylindrical stator 5 is arranged coaxially with the rotor 6 in its internal hollow volume. Essentially hollow-cylindrical in this sense means that the respective lateral surfaces can exhibit deviations from a strictly rotationally symmetrical surface for the rotationally fixed, in particular form-fitting, fixation of the respective component to the actuating part or bearing journal and / or for the position-dependent variation of the magnetic interaction between the stator 5 and the rotor 6.Thus, the stator 5 on its outer surface and the rotor 5 on its inner surface have multiple teeth with tooth tips extending in the axial direction and tooth valleys extending therebetween and running parallel to one another in order to generate the magnetically generated magnetic haptics due to position-dependent, periodic field strength variation.

[0036] According to the invention, the actuating part 3 is rotatably supported on the bearing journal 2 or on the carrier 4 via three bearing points A, B, C spaced apart in the axial direction. A first bearing point A, which is arranged closer to a first end 3a of the two axially opposite, front ends 3a, 3b, is rotatably supported on the base 2a of the bearing journal 2 and is designed as an annular journal support. A further, second bearing point B of the actuating part, which is arranged closer to a second end 3b of the two front ends 3a, 3b of the actuating part 2, is supported on the carrier 4, preferably directly on the carrier 4. Furthermore, a middle bearing point C, located between the first bearing point A and the second bearing point B, is rotatably supported on the free end 2b of the bearing journal 2 and is designed, for example, as an annular journal support.The second bearing point B of the actuating part 3 is designed such that the actuating part 3 is mounted on the carrier 3 in a locking manner in the radial direction, which particularly facilitates assembly.

[0037] Furthermore, the rotor 5 and the stator 6 of the locking device 5, 6 are arranged in a hollow volume 7 which is formed in a radial direction with respect to the bearing pin 2 between the bearing pin 2 and the actuating part 3 and in the axial direction between the first bearing point A and the middle bearing point C. A distance between the first bearing point A and the middle bearing point C in the axial direction is less than 2 / 3 of the maximum extent of the actuating surface F of the actuating part 3 determined in the axial direction, wherein the first bearing point A and the middle bearing point C are located within a volume spanned by a knurled wheel 3c of the actuating part 3.

[0038] As the figures show, the actuating part 3 is constructed in several parts and has a cap 3d forming the second front end 3b of the actuating part 3 and the second bearing point B, and the aforementioned, essentially hollow-cylindrical, knurled wheel 3c, the outer surface of which forms the actuating surface F. The cap 3d and the knurled wheel 3c are connected in a rotationally fixed manner, and the cap 3d forms the drive wheel 3e of the gear 3e, 12 for the rotary drive of the position sensor 10 by the actuating part 3. In addition, the actuating part 3 has a bearing ring 3f which is positively inserted into the knurled wheel 3c and forms the first front end 3a of the actuating part 3 and the first bearing point A.

[0039] The three bearing points A, B, and C of the actuating part 3, combined with the simultaneous integration of the locking device 5, 6 into a hollow volume 7 formed, among other things, by the actuating part 3, achieve a high load-bearing capacity and durability of the operating element 1 while maintaining a high integration density. Furthermore, the operating element 1 can be easily scaled to suit different application scenarios, for example, by varying the extension of the actuating surface F in the axial direction and / or the positioning of the actuating surface F in the radial direction, without having to deviate from the original design and without jeopardizing the load-bearing capacity and durability.Furthermore, the bearing pin 2 with its fastening area 2c can be fixed to the carrier 4 as a whole after the pre-assembly of a pre-assembly unit comprising the bearing pin 2 and the actuating part 3 placed on the bearing pin 2, including the locking device 5, 6 accommodated therebetween, so that the assembly and replacement in the event of a defect is simplified and accelerated overall.

[0040] As through Fig. As indicated in Figure 3, the operating element 1 can further comprise a base support, wherein the support 4 is mounted on the base support so as to be pivotable about an axis Z parallel to the axial direction, counter to a restoring force. The operating element 1 comprises a detection device for detecting a pivoting movement of the support 4 following the action of an actuating force perpendicular to the actuating surface F, in order to provide a further operating functionality of the operating element 1.

[0041] The structure of the operating element 1 makes it possible for the actuating part 3, the bearing pin 2 and the locking device 5, 6 to be joined together to form a pre-assembly unit BG1 + BG2, which is fixed to the carrier 4 in a subsequent step, in which the bearing pin 2 is fixed to the carrier 3 via the fastening area 2c of the bearing pin 2 by a locking connection 9 and at the same time as or after the fixing of the bearing pin 2, the actuating part 3 is mounted in a locking manner on the carrier 4 in the radial direction in order to only then form the operating element 1.

[0042] How Fig. 3 further shows, before the pre-assembly unit BG1+BG2 is fixed to the carrier 4, the pre-assembly unit BG1+BG2 is obtained in a third pre-assembly step by "marrying", i.e. connecting, a first assembly BG1 assembled in a first pre-assembly step and a second assembly BW2 assembled in a second pre-assembly step. Thus, the bearing ring 3f is placed on the bearing journal 2, then the stator 6 is placed on the bearing journal 2 and fixed in a rotationally fixed manner by a positive connection and optionally secured in the axial direction with a retaining ring 8 in order to obtain the first assembly BG1 in the first pre-assembly step. In order to obtain the second assembly BG2 in the second pre-assembly step, the rotor 5 is inserted into the knurled wheel 3c and is thereby positively secured to the knurled wheel 3c and the cap 3d is flanged to the front end 3b of the knurled wheel 3c and secured to the knurled wheel 3c, for example by locking means.Following the first and second pre-assembly steps, in the third pre-assembly step the first assembly BG1 and second assembly BG2 are “married” by threading the knurled wheel 3c of the second assembly BG2 with the rotor 5 already accommodated therein and the cap 3d flanged to the front of the knurled wheel 3c onto the bearing journal 2 and placing it onto the bearing ring 3f, so that the central bearing point C is formed between the free end 2b projecting beyond the stator 6 and the knurled wheel 3c, whereby the previously mentioned pre-assembly unit BG1+BG2 is obtained.

[0043] In Fig.Figure 4 shows in detail the fastening of the bearing journal 2 to the carrier 4. Between the carrier 4 and the bearing journal 2, there is a positive plug-in connection 2d, 4a with a plug-in direction running perpendicular to the axial direction, and a locking connection 2e, 4c for locking both in an end position in the direction opposite to the plug-in direction. The bearing journal 2 has a T-shaped or dovetail-shaped extension 2d on its fastening area 2c, extending perpendicular to the axial direction. This extension engages behind corresponding guide webs 4a of the carrier 4 when inserted in the plug-in direction perpendicular to the axial direction, in order to establish the positive connection. The fastening opposite to the plug-in direction is achieved by locking the locking lugs 2e provided in the fastening area 2c into locking openings 4c of the locking tongues 4b formed on the carrier 4.Thus, the bearing pin 2 is fixed to the support 4 in a tilt-proof manner and is thus stably supported against forces acting radially on the bearing pin 2.

Claims

[1] Control element (1), comprising: a carrier (4); a bearing pin (2) which extends in its axial direction from a foot (2a) to a free end (2b) and forms a fastening region (2c) adjoining the foot (2a), via which fastening region the bearing pin (2) is fixed to the support (4) in a rotationally fixed manner; an actuating part (3) which is mounted in a rotatable manner relative to the carrier (4) and is designed as a thumbwheel and which, between its two axially spaced-apart front ends (3a, 3b), forms an actuating surface (F) consisting of a first front end (3a) and a second front end (3b) for carrying out a rotational adjustment by an operator; a position sensor (10) fixed to the actuating part (3) and / or moving synchronously with the actuating part (3) during the rotary adjustment; a position sensor (11) fixed to the carrier (4) and cooperating with the position sensor (10); a locking device (5, 6) acting between the carrier (4) and the actuating part (3), inhibiting the rotational adjustment of the actuating part (3), formed from at least one rotor (5) and a stator (6) magnetically cooperating with the rotor (5); wherein the actuating part (3) is rotatably mounted on the base (2a) of the pin (2) via a first bearing point (A) closer to the first end face (3a) and via a first bearing point (A) closer to the second end face (3b), second bearing point (B) is rotatably supported on the carrier (4), and the actuating part (3) is further provided via a bearing point (A) and the second bearing point (B) in the axial direction, middle bearing point (C) rotatably supported on the free end (2b) of the bearing journal (2); wherein the rotor (5) and the stator (6) of the locking device (5, 6) are arranged in a hollow volume which is formed in a radial direction with respect to the bearing pin (2) between the bearing pin (2) and the actuating part (3) and in the axial direction between the first bearing point (A) and the middle bearing point (C). [2] Operating element (1) according to claim 1, wherein the fastening area (2c) of the bearing pin (2) is fixed to the support (4) in a locking manner. [3] Operating element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second bearing point (B) is designed such that the actuating part (2) is fixed to the carrier in a locking manner in the radial direction via the second bearing point (B). [4] Operating element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a distance between the first bearing point (A) and the middle bearing point (C) in the axial direction is smaller than 2 / 3 of the maximum extension of the actuating surface (F) of the actuating part (3) determined in the axial direction. [5] Operating element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuating part (3) is formed in several parts and has a cap (3d) forming the second front end (3b) of the actuating part (3) and the second bearing point (B) and a substantially hollow-cylindrical knurled wheel (3c), the outer surface of which forms the actuating surface (F), wherein the cap (3d) and the knurled wheel (3c) are connected in a rotationally fixed manner. [6] Operating element (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the first bearing point (A) and the middle bearing point (C) are located in a volume spanned by the knurled wheel (3c). [7] Operating element (1) according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the actuating part (3) has a bearing ring (3f) inserted into the knurled wheel (3c) and forming the first front end (3a) of the actuating part (3) and the first bearing point (A). [8] Operating element (1) according to one of the preceding claims 5 to 7, wherein a gear (3e, 12) is provided for driving the position sensor (10) with the actuating part (3) and the cap (3d) forms a drive wheel (3e) of the gear (3e, 12). [9] Operating element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the stator (6) is fixed in a rotationally fixed manner to the bearing pin (2). [10] Operating element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the rotor (5) is substantially hollow-cylindrical in shape with an internal hollow volume and the substantially hollow-cylindrical stator (6) is arranged coaxially with the rotor (5) in its internal hollow volume. [11] Operating element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the bearing pin (2) does not penetrate the second front end (3b) of the actuating part (3) with its free end (2b). [12] Operating element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the bearing pin (2) and the actuating part (3) are made of a plastic, preferably thermoplastic. [13] Operating element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a base support, wherein the support (4) is mounted on the base support so as to be pivotable about an axis (Z) parallel to the axial direction, counter to a restoring force; and further comprising a detection device for detecting a pivoting movement of the support (4) following the action of an actuating force perpendicular to the actuating surface (F), in order to provide a further operating functionality. [14] Use of the control element (1) according to one of the preceding claims in a motor vehicle. [15] Assembly method of an operating element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuating part (3), the bearing pin (2) and the locking device (5, 6) are joined together to form a pre-assembly unit; and in a subsequent step, the pre-assembly unit is fixed to the carrier (4), wherein the bearing pin is fastened to the carrier (4) to form the operating element (1).

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