Control element with paw relief

Abstract

Operating device (5) for operating a medical device (1), wherein the operating device (5) comprises: an operating element (17) with a touch surface (19) for touching the operating element (17) with a finger (21); a force conversion device (24) which is designed to convert a pressure force which the finger (21) exerts on the operating element (17) when touching the contact surface (19) into a movement of at least a portion of the operating element (17) between different switching positions and / or into an electrical control signal for controlling at least one electrically controllable component (7, 9, 13) of the medical device (1); wherein the contact surface (19) is structured with a surface structure (25) which is designed such that the finger (21) is guided in a specific direction along the contact surface (19) and / or is held in a specific position and / or orientation relative to the contact surface (19) when the pressure force is exerted on the contact surface (19), wherein the surface structure (25) comprises a relief-like section (27) similar to a paw print for guiding and / or holding the finger (21), wherein the relief-like section (27) comprises a palm-like first relief element (29) and a plurality of finger-ball-like second relief elements (31), wherein each relief element (29, 31) is designed as at least one depression and / or elevation relative to the remaining contact surface (19).

Description

Technical FieldThe invention relates to an operating device for operating a medical device and to a medical device having such an operating device.Prior ArtA medical device such as a thermal bed or incubator may be equipped with multiple push buttons for controlling various functions of the device (e.g., for controlling light intensity or humidity). Such a pushbutton may have an ergonomically shaped contact surface for touching the pushbutton with a finger.Disclosure of the InventionAn object of the invention can be seen in providing a particularly ergonomic and at the same time visually appealing operating device for operating a medical device. A further object can be seen in providing a corresponding medical device.These objects are achieved by the subject matters of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are set forth in the dependent claims, the following description and the appended figures.A first aspect of the invention relates to an operating device for operating a medical device. The operating device comprises an operating element having a touch surface for touching the operating element with a finger and a force conversion device which is designed to convert a compressive force which the finger exerts on the operating element when touching the touch surface into a movement of at least one section of the operating element between different switching positions and / or into an electrical control signal for controlling at least one electrically controllable component of the medical device. The contact surface is structured with a surface structure which is designed such that, when the pressure force is exerted on the contact surface, the finger is guided along the contact surface in a specific direction and / or is held in a specific position and / or orientation relative to the contact surface. The surface structure comprises a relief-like section similar to a paw impression for guiding and / or holding the finger (for example from its fingertip). The relief-like section comprises a palm-like (i.e. similar to a palm of the paw impression) first relief element (for example for holding the finger) and a plurality of palm-like (i.e. similar to a respective ball of the paw impression) second relief elements (for example for guiding the finger, preferably in a direction toward the first relief element). Each relief element is formed as at least one depression and / or elevation relative to the remaining contact surface.The force conversion device can be designed to mount the operating element (or at least a portion thereof) so as to be movable (for example tiltable and / or displaceable) between at least two switching positions. Expediently, the force conversion device can be designed to generate a suitable electrical control signal for controlling (for example switching on or off) the respective component(s) of the medical device when the operating element is moved into a specific switching position. Additionally or alternatively, the force conversion device can be configured to generate such a control signal in response to a contact of at least one portion of the contact surface, for example in response to a contact of the first relief element and / or at least one of the second relief elements. For detecting the touch, the force conversion device may comprise a suitable sensor device, for example in the form of a capacitive sensor, an optical sensor, a piezoelectric element or a combination of at least two of these examples. The sensor device can be integrated, for example, into the operating element, specifically into the touch surface.The relief-like section can be understood as a geometrically greatly simplified positive and / or negative three-dimensional image of a three-dimensional paw or tart impression. Preferably, the relief-like portion may resemble a typical cat paw impression, such as a typical löw paw impression.The first relief element can be shaped, for example, such that a fingertip has secure hold therein when the operating element is actuated. Additionally or alternatively, the second relief elements can be shaped (for example in the manner of grooves or grooves) and / or arranged relative to the first relief element in such a way that they facilitate or enable a controlled sliding of a fingertip starting from an outer edge region of the relief-like section towards the first relief element.The surface structure can also comprise a plurality, for example at least three or at least four, of such relief-like sections (see also further below).With the aid of such an operating device, it is possible on the one hand to effectively prevent the finger from unintentionally slipping off the touch surface, and indeed even if the touch surface (and / or the finger) is wet or greasy. The optically appealing shape of the contact surface has the additional benefit, on the other hand, that the medical device-especially in the case of smaller patients such as children or infants-has a less deterring effect. This can improve the compliance of the respective patient and promote a player's operation with the respective device.Such a surface structure additionally functions as a clear and clearly visible indication of where the device is operated or the operating element is to be actuated, for example pressed. This can improve the ease of operation.A further advantage is that such a geometrically greatly simplified paw impression in the form of the relief-like section can be produced very easily and economically in large numbers, for example by injection molding, milling or drilling.A second aspect of the invention relates to a medical device comprising an electrically controllable component (or a combination of a plurality of electrically controllable components) and an operating device as described above and below.The medical device can be, for example, a thermal therapy device, e.g. in the form of a thermal bed or an incubator, a ventilator for invasive and / or non-invasive respiration of a patient, a cough assistance device for assisting a patient during coughing, a hospital bed or a combination of at least two of these examples. However, other types of medical devices are also conceivable.The electrically controllable component can be, for example, an electric motor (for example, a control or drive motor), a blower, a solenoid valve, a display, a light (for example, a bulb or LED), a heating resistor, a sensor, an (other) electronic component or a combination of at least two of these examples.Various embodiments of the invention will be described below. These embodiments should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention.According to one embodiment, the second relief elements can be designed and / or arranged relative to the first relief element such that a fingertip of the finger slides towards the first relief element without further measures when the compressive force is exerted on at least one of the second relief elements (and when the respective second relief element is in contact) or when the compressive force is simultaneously exerted on at least two of the second relief elements (and when the respective second relief elements are in contact). Such a sliding can be effected, for example, by the second relief elements each being formed in a suitable manner in an elongate manner with a longitudinal axis and the respective longitudinal axes of the second relief elements being aligned in a suitable manner relative to the first relief element.Additionally or alternatively, the first relief element can be designed as a depression complementary to a fingertip of the finger relative to the remaining contact surface, for example in such a way that the fingertip accommodated by the first relief element does not slide away from the first relief element when the compressive force is exerted-on account of the resulting combination of positive and frictional connection between the fingertip and the depression-in particular even if the friction between the fingertip and the first relief element is significantly reduced on account of moisture or contamination (for example in the form of a grease film).According to one embodiment, the respective longitudinal axes of the second relief elements (or their respective imaginary extension lines) can be aligned obliquely with respect to one another in such a way that they intersect at exactly one intersection point. This can further improve the guidance of the fingertip. In addition, second (finger ball-shaped) relief elements oriented obliquely to one another in this way have a more realistic effect than an embodiment with second relief elements oriented differently, for example parallel to one another.According to one embodiment, a base area of the first relief element can be at least twice as large as a respective base area of the second relief elements. Such a size ratio has proven to be particularly effective in practice with regard to guiding or holding the finger touching the touch surface, in particular in the dark or generally when the operating element is operated blindly.According to one embodiment, the second relief elements can each have an elongate or ellipsoidal base surface (with a corresponding longitudinal axis). This enables a sufficiently good guidance of the fingertip in the direction of the respective longitudinal axes of the second relief elements without the geometry and thus the production of the surface structure becoming excessively complex. Additionally or alternatively, the second relief elements can correspond to one another in terms of their size and / or shape.According to one embodiment, the relief elements (of the same relief-like section) can be aligned with one another such that the peripheral lines delimiting the respective base surfaces of the relief elements each tangent a circle of an imaginary circle which completely surrounds the relief-like section (more precisely the entire base surface thereof) at at least one location. In other words, all relief elements of the relief-like section can be completely inscribed in an imaginary circle and the circular line of which in each case touch at one or more points without intersecting them. This enables simple adaptation or scaling of the relief-like section to contact surfaces of different sizes during production.For example, the aforementioned intersection point of the longitudinal axes can be located outside the imaginary circle. In this case, a distance of the intersection point from the circular line in the direction of a diameter of the imaginary circle can be at least as great, at least twice as great or at least three times as great as the diameter.According to one embodiment, the circle may be tangent to the perimeter of the base surface of the first relief element at at least two or exactly two locations. Additionally or alternatively, the circular line can be tangent to the respective peripheral lines of the base surfaces of the second relief elements at exactly one point.According to one embodiment, the relief-like section can be configured to be axially symmetrical with respect to an axis of symmetry.Additionally or alternatively, the relief elements (of the same relief-like section) can each be arranged axis-symmetrically with respect to an axis of symmetry.According to one embodiment, the aforementioned intersection point of the longitudinal axes can lie on the axis of symmetry.According to one embodiment, the axis of symmetry can be congruent with a diameter of the imaginary circle. This can simplify the adaptation or scaling of the axially symmetrical relief-like section to contact surfaces of different sizes during production.According to an embodiment, the relief-like portion may comprise at least three or at least four second relief elements. This can further improve the grip of the touch surface.According to an embodiment, the second relief elements may be arranged evenly distributed around the first relief element, for example such that a distance between two adjacent second relief elements is equal to a distance between the first relief element and each of the two adjacent second relief elements. This can further simplify production, for example by milling or drilling. For example, depending on the overall size of the relief-like section, the distance can be at least 1 mm, at least 2 mm, at least 5 mm, at least 10 mm or at least 20 mm and / or 5 to 60 percent, preferably 15 to 35 percent, of a length and / or width of the first relief element and / or at least one of the second relief elements.According to one embodiment, a base surface of the first relief element can be formed at least approximately by a (for example symmetrical) superposition of a larger circle with at least two (significantly) smaller circles in comparison to the larger circle. In this case, the larger circle can partially overlap each of the smaller circles, for example to the same extent in each case. For example, the smaller circles may be the same size and / or the larger circle may be at least 5 percent, at least 10 percent, or at least 20 percent larger than each of the smaller circles. The base surface formed in this way can optionally comprise one or more additional fillets, so that overall a palm-like base surface without corners is obtained. This can further simplify production, for example by milling or drilling.According to one embodiment, the surface structure may comprise at least 5, at least 10 or at least 20 (for example identical) copies of the relief-like portion. The copies can be arranged next to one another in such a way that they form a specific, for example uniform and / or symmetrical pattern on the contact surface. This can further improve the grip of the touch surface.According to one embodiment, each relief element can have a completely rounded outer and / or inner contour. This can make the contact of the contact surface significantly more comfortable compared to an embodiment with a partially angular or angular outer or inner contour.Brief Description of the DrawingsHereinafter, embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Neither the description nor the drawings should be understood as limiting the scope of the invention. FIG. 1 shows a medical device according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 shows a plan view of an operating element of an operating device according to an embodiment of the invention.The figures are purely schematic and not true to scale. If the same reference numerals are used in different drawings, these reference numerals designate the same or identically functioning features.Embodiments of the InventionFIG. 1 shows a medical device 1, here in the form of an incubator 1 for a newborn 3.The incubator 1 comprises an operating device 5 for operating the incubator 1, i.e. for controlling one or more electrically controllable hardware and / or software components of the incubator 1, here, by way of example, an electric drive motor 7 for moving the incubator 1, an electric hood adjustment motor 9 for moving a hood 11 of the incubator 1 and an electric lifting motor 13 for lifting or lowering a reclining surface 15 on which the newborn 3 is embedded.The operating device 5 comprises an operating element 17, for example a pushbutton or a touchscreen, having a touch surface 19 for touching the operating element 17 with a finger 21, more precisely with a fingertip 23 (see FIG. 2 ). The operating device 5 can also comprise a plurality of such operating elements 17, for example one for each of the aforementioned components or functions of the incubator 1.In addition, the operating device 5 comprises a, for example, mechanical and / or electronic force conversion device 24 which is designed to convert a compressive force which the finger 21 (or the fingertip 23) exerts on the operating element 17 when touching the touch surface 19 into a movement of at least one section of the operating element 17 between different switching positions (for example "on / off", "up / down" or "+" / "-") and / or into an electrical control signal for controlling the respective component(s) 7, 9, 13.As can be seen in FIG. 2, the contact surface 19 has a surface structure 25 which is designed such that, when the pressure force is exerted on the contact surface 19, the finger 21 is guided in a specific direction (here straight or obliquely from top to bottom) along the contact surface 19 and / or is held in a specific position and / or orientation relative to the contact surface 19.For this purpose, the surface structure 25 comprises a relief-like section 27 in the form of a paw impression. The relief-like section 27 comprises, for example, a first relief element 29 in the form of a palm for holding the finger 21 and a plurality (here four) of second relief elements 31 each in the form of a (significantly smaller than the palm) ball for guiding the finger 21 toward the first relief element 29.In this example, the entire base area of the first relief element 29 is more than twice as large as the individual base area of each second relief element 31. Thus, when touching the touch surface 19, the finger 21 can slide-preferably without being considered, i.e. by merely touching-from the (smaller) second relief elements 31 toward the (comparatively significantly larger) first relief element 29 and come to stand therein (or thereon), for example in order to apply a pressing force suitable for actuating the operating element 17, without slipping away from the operating element 17.For this purpose, it is expedient if the second relief elements 31-as shown in FIG. 2-each have an elongate, ellipsoidal base surface with a longitudinal axis L. The second relief elements 31 can thereby correspond to one another in terms of their size and shape.Moreover, the second relief elements 31 (i.e. the "ball of the footpad" of the paw impression) may be arranged in a special manner, for example uniformly, distributed around the first relief element 29 (i.e. the "ball of the hand" of the paw impression), preferably such that the smallest distance (marked in FIG. 2 by small dashed circles) between two adjacent second relief elements 31 is substantially equal to the smallest distance between the first relief element 29 and each second relief element 31. The various relief elements 29, 31 can, however, also partially merge into one another, for example via corresponding webs, for example if the contact surface 19 is particularly small.The entire relief-like section 27 (i.e. the entire paw impression formed by the five relief elements 29, 31) can be constructed so as to be axially symmetrical with respect to an axis of symmetry S. The axis of symmetry S can lie in a plane of the contact surface 19.In addition, the respective longitudinal axes L of the second relief elements 31 can be aligned obliquely with respect to one another, for example in such a way that the longitudinal axes L or their imaginary extension lines intersect at exactly one intersection point lying on the axis of symmetry S (or on their imaginary extension line). This can further improve the guiding of the finger 21, for example towards the first relief element 29, in comparison to a different, for example parallel, orientation of the longitudinal axes L.In this example, the total of five relief elements 29, 31 are aligned with respect to one another such that the peripheral lines which delimit the respective base surfaces of the relief elements 29 and 31 each tangent to a circular line of an imaginary circle C which completely surrounds the relief-like section 27 at at least one point. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the circular line can be tangent to the peripheral line of the base surface of the first relief element 29 at exactly two points and to the peripheral line of the base surface of each second relief element 31 at exactly one point.The axis of symmetry S can be congruent with a diameter of the imaginary circle C.In order to simplify production, the base surface of the (significantly larger) first relief element 29 can be formed at least approximately by a superposition of a larger circle 33 with at least two circles 35 which are significantly smaller-in comparison to the larger circle 33.Additionally or alternatively, each relief element 29, 31 can be completely rounded.In addition, it is possible for the surface structure 25 to comprise at least 5, at least 10 or at least 20 (dimensioned in accordance with the respective contact surface 19) relief-like sections 27 each in the form of a paw impression. In this case, the relief-like portions 27 on the contact surface 19 can be aligned with one another such that they form a specific, for example uniform and / or symmetrical pattern thereon. The different relief-like sections 27 can at least partially each depict the same paw impression and / or paw impressions differing from one another at least partially in size and / or shape.The surface structure 25 can also be designed, for example, as two-component injection molding, hard-soft contrast, intarsia, (color) printing or a combination of at least two of these examples.It is also possible for the second relief elements 31 to be each formed to be significantly flatter and / or lower than the first relief element 29. This can simplify the cleaning. In contrast, the first relief element 29 should be formed sufficiently deep and / or high for a sufficient anti-slip effect-corresponding to a size and shape of the fingertip 23.Additionally or alternatively, the relief elements 29 and 31 can be formed at least partially by one or more embossings and / or by one or more through-openings in the material of the contact surface 19.The operating element 17 is shown in FIG. 2 in a greatly enlarged manner compared to the finger 21 for the sake of better illustration. In reality, the operating element 17 together with the touch surface 19 can also be significantly smaller.Finally, it is pointed out that terms such as "comprise", "comprise", "include", "with", etc. do not exclude other elements or steps, and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" do not exclude a plurality.It is further noted that features or steps described with reference to one of the preceding embodiments can also be used in combination with features or steps described with reference to other of the preceding embodiments.Reference numerals in the claims should not be taken to limit the scope of the subject matter defined by the claims.List of Reference Numerals1 Medical device, incubator 3 neonate 5 operating device 7 electric drive motor 9 electric hood adjusting motor 11 hood 13 electric lifting motor 15 lying surface 17 operating element 19 contact surface 21 finger 23 fingertip 24 force conversion device 25 surface structure 27 relief-like section 29 first relief element 31 second relief element 33 larger circle 35 smaller circle C imaginary circle L longitudinal axis S axis of symmetry

Claims

Operating device (5) for operating a medical device (1), wherein the operating device (5) comprises: an operating element (17) having a touch surface (19) for touching the operating element (17) with a finger (21); a force conversion device (24) which is designed to convert a compressive force which the finger (21) exerts on the operating element (17) when touching the touch surface (19) into a movement of at least one section of the operating element (17) between different switching positions and / or into an electrical control signal for controlling at least one electrically controllable component (7, 9, 13) of the medical device (1); wherein the contact surface (19) is structured with a surface structure (25) which is designed such that, when the compressive force is exerted on the contact surface (19), the finger (21) is guided in a specific direction along the contact surface (19) and / or is held in a specific position and / or orientation relative to the contact surface (19), wherein the surface structure (25) comprises a relief-like portion (27) similar to a paw impression for guiding and / or holding the finger (21), wherein the relief-like portion (27) comprises a handball-like first relief element (29) and a plurality of fingerball-like second relief elements (31), wherein each relief element (29, 31) is designed as at least one depression and / or elevation relative to the remaining contact surface (19).Operating device (5) according to claim 1, wherein the second relief elements (31) are each configured to be elongate with a longitudinal axis (L) and the respective longitudinal axes (L) of the second relief elements (31) are oriented relative to the first relief element (29) such that a fingertip (23) of the finger (21) slides towards the first relief element (29) when the pressure force is exerted on at least one of the second relief elements (31), and / or wherein the first relief element (29) is configured as a depression, complementary to a fingertip (23) of the finger (21), relative to the remaining contact surface (19), such that the fingertip (23) received by the first relief element (29) does not slide away from the first relief element (29) when the pressure force is exerted.Operating device (5) according to claim 2, wherein the respective longitudinal axes (L) of the second relief elements (31) are aligned obliquely to one another such that they intersect at exactly one intersection point.Operating device (5) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a base area of the first relief element (29) is at least twice as large as a base area of each second relief element (31).Operating device (5) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second relief elements (31) each have an ellipsoidal base surface.Operating device (5) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the relief elements (29, 31) are aligned with respect to one another such that the peripheral lines which delimit the respective base surfaces of the relief elements (29, 31) each tangent to a circular line of an imaginary circle (C) which completely surrounds the relief-like section (27) at at least one point.Operating device (5) according to claim 6, wherein the circular line is tangent to the circumferential line of the base surface of the first relief element (29) at at least two locations and / or to the respective circumferential lines of the base surfaces of the second relief elements (31) at exactly one location.Operating device (5) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the relief-like section (27) is formed so as to be axially symmetrical with respect to an axis of symmetry (S).Operating device (5) according to claim 8 when dependent on claim 3, wherein the intersection point lies on the axis of symmetry (S).Operating device (5) according to claim 8 or 9 referring back to claim 6, wherein the axis of symmetry (S) is congruent with a diameter of the imaginary circle (C).Operating device (5) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the relief-like portion (27) comprises at least four second relief elements (31).The operating device (5) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second relief elements (31) are arranged evenly distributed around the first relief element (29) such that a distance between two adjacent second relief elements (31) is equal to a distance between the first relief element (29) and each of the two adjacent second relief elements (31).Operating device (5) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a base surface of the first relief element (29) is formed at least approximately by a superposition of a larger circle (33) with at least two circles (35) which are smaller - in comparison with the larger circle (33).The operating device (5) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the surface structure (25) comprises at least 5, at least 10 or at least 20 relief-like portions (27), wherein the relief-like portions (27) are arranged side by side so as to form a certain pattern on the touch surface (19).Medical device (1) comprising: an electrically controllable component (7, 9, 13); an operating device (5) according to one of the preceding claims.

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