Actuating unit and actuating arrangement

Abstract

An actuating unit (1a, 1b) is described, comprising a first movable actuating element (2a, 2b) and a second movable actuating element (3a, 3b) coupled to the first movable actuating element (2a, 2b) to move in order to trigger an action by displacing the first actuating element (2a, 2b) when actuated with an actuating force. The actuating unit (1a, 1b) has a movable coupling element (5a, 5b) and a fixed base element (4a, 4b), wherein the first and second movable actuating elements (2a, 2b; 3a, 3b) are each spring-elastically connected to the coupling element (5a, 5b), and the coupling element (5a, 5b) is directly spring-elastically connected to the base element (4a, 4b) by a first spring-elastic connecting element (6, 7).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an actuating unit with a first movable actuating element and a second movable actuating element which is coupled to the first movable actuating element in order to move in order to trigger an action by a displacement of the first actuating element when actuated with an actuating force.

[0002] The actuating element provides a sliding element that is moved from one position to another by manual actuation, without any mechanical parts exerting a frictional force on each other.

[0003] In many situations, switches or buttons need to be operated to trigger an action manually. The primary function of a switch or button is to establish an electrical contact when pressed and to break this contact when the button is released or the switch is reset. This electrical contact can be used to directly switch on a device, such as a motor, in which case the power drawn by the motor flows through the switch or button. Alternatively, it can simply switch a small current that activates a relay, through which the power then flows.

[0004] Not only the triggering of an electrical contact is possible as an action, but also a mechanical function. For example, opening a car door from the passenger compartment can be achieved by actuating a mechanical element, which then unlocks a door lock via a linkage. Valve actuations for the selective flow of liquids or pressurized gases are also possible.

[0005] Another function of a switch or push button is to provide the operator with audible and / or haptic feedback that the contact is closed or the function is triggered. This is particularly important when the device to be switched is not directly visible or audible. The audible or haptic feedback then assures the operator that the intended switching function has actually been executed. This feedback can be, for example, a clearly audible click or a tactile locking sound.

[0006] The actuating elements of a push button or switch are typically mechanical in design. The directly actuated element is either rotatably or slidably mounted. A rotatably mounted element should only rotate in one direction; any attempts to move the element in another direction must be prevented by mechanical means. A typical feature of a rotary element is that it has a hole at its pivot point through which a fixed axis passes, ensuring that only rotational movement is permitted and preventing all other actuation attempts.

[0007] In the case of linear actuation, the actuating element should only be movable in one direction; any attempt to exert a force on the actuating element in another direction must be resisted. For this purpose, the actuating element typically runs in a guide rail that allows longitudinal actuation but reliably prevents movement in the transverse direction. Such an actuating element feels particularly pleasant to the touch when longitudinal movement is very smooth and transverse movement is blocked without any play, and without giving the impression that the mechanism might bend.

[0008] Another requirement for the actuation mechanism is the maintenance of the force-displacement characteristic across the entire temperature range and throughout the entire service life of the switch / button. The characteristic should also remain unchanged when force is applied not only in the actuation direction but also in other directions. In the previously described examples, such as the linear actuator, a projection of the actuator slides through a fixed groove or hollow profile, thus defining and limiting the actuation direction. If a self-resetting button is to be implemented, the actuator is additionally connected to the fixed element via a spring. During the actuation process, the spring is simultaneously tensioned, which then returns the actuator to its initial position when it is released.The interplay of spring force and frictional force, which always arises when the projection of the actuating element slides through the groove, gives the mechanism its typical feel.

[0009] The spring force exerted by the extended and contracted spring depends primarily on its displacement. If it is not overstretched, it is also largely independent of temperature and aging. The frictional force between the actuating element and the groove in which it moves, on the other hand, depends on a number of factors: a) The play between the actuating element and the groove. The less play there is between the two elements, the greater the frictional force, especially when there is extremely little or no play at all. The play can also change due to temperature influences, for example, through the expansion of the protrusion when heated. b) From the viscosity of the lubricant between the projection of the actuating element and the groove. Viscosity can also change with temperature. c) Due to environmental influences such as moisture and dust. Ingress of moisture or dust can significantly alter the viscosity of the lubricant. d) Through aging. Friction during operation always causes a small amount of material to be worn away, which then collects in the lubricant. The lubricant's function is to minimize this material wear, but it cannot prevent it entirely. Therefore, the viscosity of the lubricant changes over years of use, and consequently, the feel of the mechanism also changes.

[0010] Mechanisms are also known in which a fixed and a movable element are connected to each other via springs, and in which the direction in which the movable element can move relative to the fixed element is also controlled via springs.

[0011] In particular, the movable element is connected to the fixed element via leaf springs. The advantage of this arrangement is that no parts rub against each other. However, a disadvantage is that the stiffness in directions other than the intended direction of movement, especially in the Z-direction, is not sufficiently high. Therefore, further movement limitation in these directions is necessary, which again generates friction.

[0012] US 2018 / 0294111A1 discloses a keypad switch comprising a base and a cover enclosing an interior housing. A compression spring is integrated into the base, upon which a lower guide core is resiliently mounted. Another compression spring is inserted into the lower guide core, upon which a middle guide core sits. The middle guide core is resiliently connected via another compression spring to an upper guide core, which protrudes through an opening in the cover and provides a sensing tip. The lower and middle guide cores are cylindrical, with the middle guide core being longitudinally displaceable within the lower guide core.

[0013] The object of the present invention is to create an improved actuating unit and an actuating arrangement formed therefrom.

[0014] The problem is solved by the actuating unit with the features of claim 1 and by the actuating arrangement with the features of claim 11. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

[0015] It is proposed that the actuating unit has a movable coupling element and a fixed base element, wherein the first and second movable actuating elements are each spring-elastically connected to the coupling element and the coupling element is directly spring-elastically connected to the base element by a first spring-elastic connecting element.

[0016] The actuating unit avoids the aforementioned disadvantages caused by the sliding of two elements against each other by eliminating any sliding parts. Instead, the spatially spaced components—namely, the first and second movable actuating elements, the coupling element, and the base element—are arranged at a distance from one another and connected to each other by a spring-like elasticity.

[0017] However, all these parts are constructed in the two-dimensional (2-D) plane. Therefore, the stiffness in the Z-direction perpendicular to the 2D plane is less pronounced.

[0018] The first movable actuating element can be connected to a first end region of the coupling element and the second movable actuating element to a second end region of the coupling element opposite the first end region.

[0019] The base element can be positioned between the first movable actuating element and the second movable actuating element.

[0020] The coupling element can be connected to the first movable actuating element, the second movable actuating element and the base element by a second spring-elastic arm.

[0021] The spring-like arms can extend essentially parallel to each other.

[0022] The actuating unit can be plate-shaped. In this case, the first movable actuating element, the second movable actuating element, the coupling element, and the base element span a plane.

[0023] The second movable actuating element can be coupled to an electrical switch or button to open or close the electrical button or switch by actuating the first movable actuating element by means of displacing the first movable actuating element.

[0024] The actuating unit can have a probe head movably mounted in a housing, which is directly coupled to the first movable actuating element for the purpose of displacing the first movable actuating element by applying force to the first movable actuating element with the probe head.

[0025] The first movable actuating element and the second movable actuating element can be rigidly connected to each other via a connecting element, wherein the connecting element is relatively movable to the coupling element and the base element.

[0026] The connecting element can be guided through an elongated hole, e.g., in a housing, which extends in the direction from the first movable actuating element to the second movable actuating element, wherein a mounting boss (guide bolt) extends through the elongated hole and the connecting element is only movable in the longitudinal direction of the elongated hole by the stroke limited by the length of the elongated hole.

[0027] The actuating units can be arranged in layers on top of each other.

[0028] The layered actuation units form an actuation arrangement that is extended perpendicularly to the 2-D plane of the actuation units in the Z-direction and is mechanically more stable and stiffer than a single actuation unit due to the layered stacking.

[0029] The first movable actuating elements, coupling elements, second movable actuating elements and / or base elements arranged one above the other can each be firmly connected to each other.

[0030] The coupling elements of the actuating units, which are arranged directly on top of each other, can be arranged alternately offset on opposite sides of the actuating arrangement. Preferably, an even number of actuating units are stacked alternately offset on top of each other to create a symmetrical arrangement.

[0031] The second movable actuating element can be coupled with an electrical switch or button to form the electrical button or switch by actuating the first movable actuating element by means of displacement of the first movable actuating element and the second actuating element coupled to it to open or close and a manually or mechanically actuated electrical switch or button.

[0032] The actuating arrangement can have a housing in which the several actuating units are mounted layer by layer, wherein a probe head is movably mounted in the housing, which is directly coupled to the first movable actuating element for the purpose of displacing the first movable actuating element by applying force to the first movable actuating element with the probe head.

[0033] The term “one” is understood within the meaning of the present invention as an indefinite term and not as a numeral, so that further features may be present unless this is expressly stated as a numeral in the sense of “exactly one” and not in the sense of “at least one”.

[0034] The following description, which also refers to the characters, shall apply as follows: - A movement in the X direction is a horizontal movement to the left or right. - A movement in the Y direction is a vertical movement up or down. - A movement in the Z direction is a movement perpendicular to the surface on which the figure is drawn.

[0035] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings. These show: Fig. 1 - Sketch of an actuating unit in top view; Fig. 2 - Sketch of two actuation units arranged mirrored on the 2D plane in top view for layer-wise stacking and position-fixed connection of the actuation elements, coupling elements and base elements to each other; Fig. 3a - Perspective exploded view of an actuating arrangement with two actuating units; Fig. 3b - perspective view of an actuation arrangement with two alternately offset actuation units stacked on top of each other; Fig. 4 - Perspective exploded view of an actuator with a housing and an actuating arrangement built into it.

[0036] Fig. Figure 1 shows a top-view sketch of an actuating unit 1a. It can be seen that the actuating unit 1a comprises a first movable actuating element 2a, a second movable actuating element 3a arranged opposite it at a distance, a fixed base element 4a, and a free coupling element 5a. The free coupling element 5a and the base element 4a are located between the two spaced-apart first and second movable actuating elements 2a and 3a.

[0037] The first movable actuating element 2a is connected to the free coupling element 5a at the left end face of the coupling element 5a in the image by a spring-elastic connecting element 6, e.g., in the form of a leaf spring. The second (right in the image) movable actuating element 3a is connected to another spring-elastic connecting element 6 (e.g., leaf spring) at the right end face of the coupling element 5a in the image.

[0038] The stationary base element 4a and the free coupling element 5a are connected to each other by further spring-elastic connecting elements 7, e.g., in the form of leaf springs. Thus, the free coupling element 5a can be moved relative to the spatially stationary base element 4a in the X-direction. Movement in the Y-direction and the Z-direction is not possible, as the leaf springs 7 exhibit a corresponding stiffness in these axes and therefore restrict these degrees of freedom. Rotation of the two elements, i.e., the stationary base element 4a and the free coupling element 5a, relative to each other is also not possible, as they are connected to each other at different points by the two leaf springs 7.

[0039] If a force B1 is exerted on the first (left in the image) movable actuating element 2a in the X-direction to the right, it transmits the force B1 via the leaf spring 6 to the free coupling element 5a. This coupling element 5a moves in the direction of the actuating force B1 (i.e., to the right in the image) and transmits the movement via the leaf spring 6 to the second movable actuating element 3a.

[0040] In this arrangement, the first movable actuating element 2a can rotate slightly relative to the free coupling element 5a, since the actuating force B1 exerted on the first movable actuating element 2a can cause the leaf spring 6 to bend. Likewise, the second movable actuating element 3a could also bend relative to the free coupling element 5a if a counterforce acts on the second movable actuating element 3a from the other side, i.e., from the right in the image, e.g., from the actuator element coupled to it, such as an electrical contact of a push button or switch.

[0041] Fig. Figure 2 shows a sketch of two actuating units 1a and 1b arranged mirrored on the 2D plane in a top view for layer-wise stacking and position-fixed connection of the first movable actuating elements 2a and 2b to each other, the movable coupling elements 5a and 5b to each other, and the fixed base elements 4a and 4b to each other. This reduces the risk of bending of the movable actuating elements 2a and 3a described above and may even prevent such bending completely. Here, there is a first actuating unit 1a as in Fig. 1 and a second actuating unit 1b, which is vertically mirrored relative to the first actuating unit 1a. Both actuating units 1a, 1b are placed on top of each other in the Z-direction and form an actuating arrangement 1.

[0042] The fixed base elements 4a, 4b, the first (left) movable elements 2a, 2b, and the second (right) movable actuating elements 3a, 3b are connected to one another, for example, by positive locking or frictional locking. They can be screwed together, latched together, or otherwise connected. Only the free coupling elements 5a, 5b are not connected to one another. Due to the alternating offset arrangement of the base elements 4a, 4b, they are located in different, opposing positions.

[0043] Fig. Figure 3a shows a perspective exploded view of an actuation arrangement 1 with two actuation units 1a, 1b aligned parallel and alternately offset from each other.

[0044] Fig. Figure 3b shows a perspective view of the actuation arrangement 1 from Fig. 3a with two alternately offset actuation units 1a, 1b, stacked on top of each other, which are now stacked directly on top of each other in layers. The two actuation units 1a, 1b are connected to each other as described above.

[0045] It can be seen that when a force B1 is applied in the X direction to the (left) first movable actuating elements 2a, 2b, these elements bend slightly relative to their respective freely movable coupling elements 5a, 5b, but in opposite directions to each other. Since the two (left) first movable actuating elements 2a, 2b are rigidly connected, no further bending is possible. The same applies analogously to the (right) second movable actuating elements 3a, 3b.

[0046] Of course, more than two actuation units 1a, 1b can also be stacked on top of each other and connected in the same way.

[0047] As with the combined assembled actuation arrangement 1 in Fig. As shown in Figure 3b, applying force B1 in the X direction to the right to the combined left first movable actuating element 2a, 2b causes the free coupling elements 5a, 5b and the second movable actuating elements 3a, 3b to move in the actuator direction B2 to the right. Applying force to the left combined first movable actuating elements 2a, 2b in the Y or Z direction does not result in any movement, as the leaf springs 6, 7 are rigid in these Y and Z directions and do not yield.

[0048] It can also be seen that the leaf springs 6 and 7 are in their rest position when no force is applied. The counterforce developed by leaf springs 6 and 7 is linear to the path of bending, which means that for the entire system, the counterforce is linear to the path of movement in the X-direction.

[0049] Applying a force to the (left) first movable actuating element 2a, 2b in the X-direction to the right causes the two first movable actuating elements 2a, 2b and the free coupling element 5a, 5b to also move to the right. The (right) second movable actuating element 3a, 3b could, for example, actuate a push button. Since the system is symmetrical in the X-direction, the force exerted by the push button's haptic feedback is transferred from right to left in the direction of the actuating force B1 into an actuator force B2. Thus, the system can be designed so that the push button's haptic feedback is also perceptible at the (left) first movable actuating element 2a, 2b.

[0050] The (right) second movable actuating element 3a, 3b can also trigger a contact without force. For example, it can move past a non-contact sensor, such as a Hall sensor. If the element is made of ferromagnetic material, the Hall sensor switches when a certain distance between the second movable actuating element 3a, 3b and the Hall sensor is undershot. This occurs without any mechanical intervention, completely without force, and without haptic feedback.

[0051] Assuming that all four leaf springs 6, 7 have the same spring parameters, in particular the same spring constant D, the following movement results when the (right) second movable actuating element 3a, 3b actuates a Hall sensor without force: - An actuating force B1 is exerted on the (left) first movable actuating element 2a, 2b to the right in the X direction. - This tensions the leaf spring 6 and exerts the same force on the free coupling element 5a, 5b. - The at least one coupling element 5a, 5b also moves to the right, experiencing the counterforce of the two leaf springs 6, 7.

[0052] Since the deflection of the leaf springs 6, 7 is relatively small compared to their length, the following approximate formula applies: F = D * x, where F is the force, D is the spring constant, and x is the deflection in the X-direction. For the (left) first movable actuating element 2a, 2b, F 2a / 2b = D * x 2a / 2b or the deflection x 2a / 2b = F 2a / 2b / D. Two leaf springs 7 act on the free coupling element 5a, 5b, holding the coupling element 5a, 5b relative to the fixed base element 4a, 4b. This results in the deflection of the free coupling element 5a, 5b with x 5a / 5b = F 5a / 5b / (2 * D). In a static system, there is a balance of forces, such that the force F 2a / 2b = F5a / 5b This results in D * x 2a / 2b = 2 * D * x 5a / 5b Therefore, it is x 2a / 2b = 2 * x 5a / 5b The operator of the element must even follow the path x. 2a / 2b the first movable actuating elements 2a, 2b plus the path x 5a / 5b The free movable coupling elements 5a, 5b travel a distance, as the free coupling elements 5a, 5b also move to the right in the direction of the actuating force B1. It follows that this arrangement provides a displacement ratio of 3:1 from the (left) first movable actuating element 2a, 2b to the (right) second movable actuating element 3a, 3b.

[0053] If the (right) second movable actuating element 3a, 3b is used to actuate a push button requiring a specific force, the displacement transmission becomes even greater. Thus, this arrangement allows the relatively short actuation travel of a push button to be translated into a longer actuation travel at the pressure point. The force on the push button and the haptic feedback of the push button are also transmitted from the actuator side (i.e., from the right in the image) to the actuation side (i.e., to the left in the image). This example demonstrates that different displacement and force transmissions can be achieved by varying the design of the leaf springs 6, 7 with respect to their spring constant D.

[0054] The dimensions of the individual elements in the Z direction can look like this: - The fixed base elements 4a, 4b and the first and second movable actuating elements 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b are of the same thickness, as they are connected to the corresponding elements. - The free, movable coupling elements 5a, 5b and the spring-elastic connecting elements 6, 7 (e.g. leaf springs) should be slightly thinner in the Z direction than the actuating elements 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b and the base elements 4a, 4b, so that they do not rub against adjacent elements during stacking and thus impair the function. - The thickness of the last-mentioned elements can, in principle, be almost arbitrary. They only need to be thick enough to be sufficiently stiff, and they must not be so thick that they generate frictional forces with the adjacent elements.

[0055] This movement mechanism requires no frictional forces, making it independent of environmental influences such as dust and moisture, temperature fluctuations, and aging. This is a significant advantage over a general solution with a projection and guide rail.

[0056] The fixed base elements 4a, 4b have retaining bores 8. For example, four retaining bores 8 are arranged symmetrically to each other, and an additional central retaining bore 8 may be present. At least two retaining bores 8 should be provided to secure the base elements 4a, 4b against rotation by means of retaining bolts, such as dowel pins, inserted into the retaining bores 8.

[0057] The first and second movable actuating elements 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b can also have openings 9 into which dowel pins can be inserted for connection with an actuating part.

[0058] The retaining holes 8 and / or openings 9 may optionally have internal threads for receiving fastening screws.

[0059] The first movable actuating elements 2a, 2b can have a recess 10 on their side facing away from the fixed base element 4a, 4b, which can receive a projection of an actuating part.

[0060] Likewise, the second movable actuating elements 3a, 3b can have a recess 11 on their side facing away from the fixed base element 4a, 4b, which can accommodate a projection of an actuator part or actuating part.

[0061] A single actuating unit 1a, 1b consists, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the assembly consists of a fixed base element 4a, 4b, a free coupling element 5a, 5b, two movable actuating elements 2a, 2b; 3a, 3b, and four spring-elastic connecting elements 6, 7 (e.g., leaf springs). The individual parts can be made of different materials. For example, the fixed base elements 4a, 4b, the free coupling elements 5a, 5b, and the movable actuating elements 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b can be made of plastic, and the leaf springs 6, 7 can be made of metal, such as spring steel with a chromium alloy. However, the leaf springs 6, 7 can also be made of plastic or of fiber composite material, such as carbon fiber. Thus, a single actuating unit 1a, 1b could be constructed according to Fig. 1. The components can be manufactured with only one injection mold, without the need for further assembly of the individual elements. The elements and the leaf springs 6, 7 can also be made of different plastics. Here, too, a single actuating unit 1a, 1b can be manufactured with only one 2K mold (two-component mold).

[0062] As from Fig. As can be seen in Figure 3a, the overall assembly of the actuating device 1 consists of two identical parts that are oriented in reverse (mirrored) orientations and assembled. Thus, both identical parts can be manufactured using the same tool. This has the advantage that only one tool needs to be built, and that the two parts, i.e., the actuating units 1a and 1b, only need to be joined together in reverse to obtain the complete mechanical unit. Compared to the solution with a projection mounted in a guide rail, this is a considerable simplification.

[0063] Fig. Figure 4 shows a perspective exploded view of an actuator with a base housing 12 and an actuating arrangement 1 built into it.

[0064] In this embodiment, the two movable pairs of actuating elements 2a, 2b and 3a, 3b are attached to an actuating part 13, as shown in Fig. 4 shown.

[0065] It is the combined arrangement of the actuating units 1a, 1b from Fig.Figure 3b shows a compact actuation assembly 1, which can also be referred to as a motion module. The base housing 12 is also shown, which has laterally projecting mounting tabs 14 with which the base housing 12 can be screwed firmly to a platform, such as a vehicle door. Four mounting bosses 15 are visible in the base housing 12, which engage in the retaining bores 8 of the base elements 4a, 4b. The base housing 12 is connected to the fixed base elements 4a, 4b via the mounting bosses 15. The first and second movable actuation elements 2a, 2b; 3a, 3b of the motion module 1 are attached to the actuation part 13 via the four mounting bosses 16 shown, which engage from the outside through elongated holes 17 in the base housing 12.

[0066] In this embodiment, the focus is not on translating force and distance from one side to another, but rather on ensuring that the actuating element 13 is held stably in position without a guide rail and can be moved along only one axis of motion X. This mechanism also operates without wear under all environmental influences and is not subject to any significant aging.

[0067] Furthermore, a circuit board 18 with a push button and outwardly projecting connection contacts can be seen. The circuit board 18 is firmly connected to the base housing 12, e.g., by means of a locking latch 19, and the push button is positioned so that it is actuated by the pair of two movable actuating elements 3a, 3b of the motion module 1. The deflection of the actuating element 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b is limited in both directions by the size of the elongated holes 17. The elongated holes 17 can also be selected such that the leaf springs 6, 7 in the motion module 1 have a preload. This is advantageous with regard to vibrations in the vehicle, since the actuating element 13 only moves when a minimum force determined by the preload is exerted on it.

[0068] The base housing 12 can have a laterally projecting connector receiving channel 20 into which the connection contacts of the printed circuit board 18 protrude. A connector inserted into the connector receiving channel 20 can thus come into electrically conductive contact with the connection contacts and be held in position by the connector receiving channel 20.

[0069] The housing can have a housing cover 22, which is placed on the base housing 12 and covers and closes the base housing 12 with the actuating arrangement 1 integrated therein. The housing cover 22 can be screwed onto the base housing 12 by means of fastening screws, which are inserted, for example, through holes 23 on the four outer edges.

[0070] The pair of first actuating elements 2a, 2b can be fixed to the base housing 12 in the Y-direction by a locking element 24. For this purpose, the locking element 24 engages in the recess 10 of the first actuating elements 2a, 2b and in a depression 25 on the adjacent inner wall of the base housing 12. A tab 21 can be arranged between the locking element 24 and the end faces of the actuating elements 2a / 2b, which form the recess 10. Reference symbol list 1. Actuation arrangement 1a, 1b Actuating unit 2a, 2b first movable actuating element 3a, 3b first movable actuating element 4a, 4b fixed base element 5a, 5b free coupling element 6 spring-elastic connecting element / leaf spring 7. Spring-elastic connecting element / leaf spring 8 retaining holes 9 Opening 10 troughs 11 trough 12 basic housings 13 Actuating part 14 Mounting tab 15 Mounting dome 16 Mounting dome 17 elongated holes 18 circuit boards 19 locking bolts 20 connector mounting channel 21 tab 22 Case covers 23 bore 24 bar elements 25 In-depth study B1 Actuating force B2 Actuator force / direction

Claims

[1] Actuating unit (1a, 1b) with a first movable actuating element (2a, 2b) and a second movable actuating element (3a, 3b) coupled to the first movable actuating element (2a, 2b) to move to trigger an action by displacing the first actuating element (2a, 2b) when actuated with an actuating force, characterized by , that the actuating unit (1a, 1b) has a movable coupling element (5a, 5b) and a fixed base element (4a, 4b), wherein the first and second movable actuating elements (2a, 2b; 3a, 3b) are each spring-elastically connected to the coupling element (5a, 5b) and the coupling element (5a, 5b) is directly spring-elastically connected to the base element (4a, 4b) by a first spring-elastic connecting element (6, 7). [2] Actuating unit (1a, 1b) according to claim 1, characterized by, that the first movable actuating element (2a, 2b) is connected to a first end region of the coupling element (5a, 5b) and the second movable actuating element (2a, 2b) is connected to a second end region of the coupling element (5a, 5b) opposite the first end region. [3] Actuating unit (1a, 1b) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the base element (4a, 4b) is arranged between the first movable actuating element (2a, 2b) and the second movable actuating element (3a, 3b). [4] Actuating unit (1a, 1b) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that the coupling element (5a, 5b) is connected to the first movable actuating element (2a, 2b) and the second movable actuating element (3a, 3b) by a second spring-elastic connecting element (6, 7). [5] Actuating unit (1a, 1b) according to claim 4, characterized by, that the spring-elastic connecting elements (6, 7) extend essentially parallel to each other. [6] Actuating unit (1a, 1b) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the actuating unit (1a, 1b) is plate-shaped and the first movable actuating element (2a, 2b), the second movable actuating element (3a, 3b), the coupling element (5a, 5b) and the base element (4a, 4b) span a plane. [7] Actuating unit (1a, 1b) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the second movable actuating element (3a, 3b) is coupled to an electrical switch or button to open or close the electrical button or switch by actuating the first movable actuating element (2a, 2b) by means of displacing the first movable actuating element (2a, 2b). [8] Actuating unit (1a, 1b) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the actuating unit (1a, 1b) has a probe head movably mounted in a housing, which is directly coupled to the first movable actuating element (1a, 1b) for the purpose of displacing the first movable actuating element (2a, 2b) by applying force to the first movable actuating element (2a, 2b) with the probe head. [9] Actuating unit (1a, 1b) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the first movable actuating element (2a, 2b) and the second movable actuating element (3a, 3b) are firmly connected to each other via a connecting element (13), wherein the connecting element (13) is relatively movable to the coupling element (5a, 5b) and the base element (4a, 4b). [10] Actuating unit (1a, 1b) according to claim 9, characterized by, that the connecting element (13) is guided through an elongated hole (17) which extends in the direction from the first movable actuating element (2a, 2b) to the second movable actuating element (3a, 3b), wherein a fastening boss (16) extends through the elongated hole (17) and the connecting element (13) is movable only in the longitudinal extension direction of the elongated hole (17) by the stroke limited by the length of the elongated hole (17). [11] Actuating arrangement (1) with multiple actuating units (1a, 1b) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the actuating units (1a, 1b) are arranged layer by layer on top of each other. [12] Actuating arrangement (1) according to claim 11, characterized by , that the first movable actuating elements (2a, 2b), coupling elements (5a, 5b), second movable actuating elements (3a, 3b) and / or base elements (4a, 4b) arranged one on top of the other are each firmly connected to each other. [13] Actuating arrangement (1) according to claim 11 or 12, characterized by , that the coupling elements (5a, 5b) of the actuating units (1a, 1b) arranged directly on top of each other are arranged alternately offset on opposite sides of the actuating arrangement (1). [14] Actuating arrangement (1) according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized by , that the second movable actuating element (3a, 3b) is coupled to an electrical switch or button to form the electrical button or switch by actuating the first movable actuating element (2a, 2b) by means of displacing the first movable actuating element (2a, 2b) and the second actuating element (3a, 3b) coupled to it to open or close and to form a manually or mechanically actuated electrical switch or button. [15] Actuating arrangement (1) according to one of claims 11 to 14, characterized by, that the actuating arrangement (1) has a housing (12) in which the several actuating units (1a, 1b) are received layer by layer, wherein a probe head is movably mounted in the housing (12), which is directly coupled to the first movable actuating element (2a, 2b) for the purpose of displacing the first movable actuating element (2a, 2b) by applying force to the first movable actuating element (2a, 2b) with the probe head. *****

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