Operating device for motor vehicles

Abstract

An operating device (1; 11; 21) for a motor vehicle, having a control body (3; 23) that has, on the top side thereof, a control surface (3a) for pressure operation and has, on the side facing away therefrom, connecting means (3b, 3c). A housing (6) accommodates a pushbutton switch (7) which is coupled to the control body (3; 23), and a sealant (4; 14) seals the control body (3; 23) along the periphery thereof. A transmission component (5; 25) is arranged below the control body (3; 23) and the sealant (4; 14) such that displacements of the control body (3; 23) result in displacements of the transmission component. The transmission component is arranged in the housing and the control body (3; 23) is at least partially arranged outside the housing. The transmission component (5; 25) forms the coupling between the control body (3; 23) and the pushbutton switch, wherein said transmission component extends laterally beyond the control body (3; 23) to the pushbutton switch (7) which is arranged below the transmission component (5; 25) in the housing (6).

Description

[0001] Control device for motor vehicles

[0002] The invention relates to an actuating device for

[0003] Motor vehicles. In particular, the invention relates to an actuating device with an operating body having an operating surface on its upper side, which is intended for pressure actuation by a user. On the side facing away from the operating surface (underneath), the operating body has connecting means for coupling it to other components of the actuating device. A housing is also provided which accommodates a push-button switch which is coupled to the operating body via a mechanical chain of action.

[0004] Actuating devices that transmit user action, particularly pressure actuation, to a push button switch are well known in the art and are used in various locations on motor vehicles. The push button switch is typically located in an area largely protected from environmental influences, as push buttons should not be directly exposed to the ambient conditions of vehicles, particularly moisture, ice formation, etc.

[0005] The arrangement of such operating devices on the outer shell of vehicles therefore always presents a certain challenge. On the one hand, the operating surface on an operating body must be easily accessible to the user, but on the other hand, all components to be protected must be shielded from environmental conditions. In addition, it is often desired that operating elements are arranged in a prominent position on the vehicle without, however, disrupting the overall visual impression of the vehicle. The object of the invention is to provide an operating device for motor vehicles which offers a reliable and protected arrangement of switching components while at the same time being easy to operate via the outer skin of the vehicle.

[0006] This object is achieved by an actuating device having the features of patent claim 1.

[0007] The actuating device according to the invention has a sealing means which is in contact with the operating body and which engages under the operating body along its entire lateral circumference and projects beyond the operating body over the entire lateral circumference.

[0008] Since the actuating device according to the invention is intended to protrude with parts of its structure through an opening in a body component so that the operating body is easily accessible for a user, while other components are protected behind the vehicle skin, a reliable seal between the exterior and interior of the actuating device or its housing is required. According to the invention, the sealing means is placed directly on the operating body and seals it in an annular manner, running around the circumference of the operating body and projecting beyond the operating body. The sealing means also engages under the operating body along its entire annular extent. When the actuating device is mounted and secured on the vehicle, the sealing means, with its projection, comes into contact with the vehicle skin (for example a body panel), which delimits the opening in which the actuating device is placed.The sealant, together with the control element, represents a reliable barrier against environmental influences, while the components located behind the vehicle body, such as the pushbutton switch, are protected against such environmental influences. The control element therefore represents a component of the

[0009] Sealing effect, but also the start of a mechanical chain of effects for actuating a push button switch. To form the further mechanical chain of effects, a transmission component is arranged below the operating body and the sealing means, which engages with the operating body via the connecting means, so that displacements of the operating body lead to a displacement of the transmission component. The transmission component transfers the mechanical effect on the operating body when actuated into an actuation of the push button switch. The connecting means on the side of the operating body which is facing away from the operating surface engage with the transmission component, so that a reliable, mechanical coupling is provided between the operating body and the transmission component.

[0010] The transmission component is arranged in the housing, with the operating body being arranged at least partially outside the housing. In this design, it is possible to guide the operating body in an opening in the vehicle skin from the inside to the outside, so that its operating surface is exposed to the ambient conditions, but is sealed against the vehicle skin by the sealing means in such a way that the underlying housing with the components accommodated therein is not exposed to the ambient conditions. The operating body therefore protrudes at least partially from the housing, as do the sealing means in contact with the operating body.

[0011] The transmission component forms the connection between the operating element and the push-button switch and, when the operating element is moved, transmits the acting forces to the push-button switch located in the housing. The transmission component extends laterally beyond the operating element, i.e., it extends within the housing and thus, during later installation, also beneath the vehicle skin and into the area sealed off from the environment. The transmission component extends at least as far as the push-button switch, which in turn is arranged in the housing below the transmission component.

[0012] The housing thus houses the transmission component, the pushbutton switch, and any other associated electronic or mechanical components. If the operating device is installed on the vehicle, this is usually done from the inside of the body. The housing is attached to the body so that the operating element protrudes outward through an opening in the body, and the adjacent and surrounding sealing means seal the operating element against the lateral boundaries of the vehicle skin or body.

[0013] This division of the structure into components that are exposed to the outside on the one hand and protected and sealed components that lie beneath the vehicle skin on the other hand makes it possible to provide even large control surfaces in a convenient and safely sealed manner. Furthermore, it is possible to position components that require more space inside the vehicle and to the side of the control surface because the transmission component can transmit forces acting on the control surface of the control body even when offset laterally from the control body. As shown below, this measure can ensure safe and convenient operation within defined force ranges, depending on the pushbuttons selected.

[0014] As sealing means, which are applied to the operating body and seal it against the surrounding vehicle skin, any According to a further development of the invention, the

[0015] Transmission component designed as a lever which is mounted at a first end in the housing and is coupled to the push button switch at the second end remote therefrom, wherein the connecting means of the transmission component couple to the operating body in the section lying between.

[0016] According to this design, a lever arm is mounted and arranged in the housing in such a way that the operating body can act on the lever arm in the form of the transmission component, specifically between a fixed bearing point and the push button switch. The action on the operating body is then converted into a pivoting movement of the transmission component about the fixed bearing point, so that the lever acts on the push button switch at its free end. In this way, a desired operating stroke with a desired operating force can be set within a wide range for an expected operating force and an expected operating stroke by placing the push button switch under the free end of the lever. Different force ratios and lever travels can be set by moving the bearing point and by varying the lever arm and its length as well as the positioning of the push button switch.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one elastic return means is arranged in the housing and coupled to the housing and the transmission component designed as a lever, which urges the transmission component into a rest position in which the pushbutton switch is not actuated.

[0018] The return means ensures that if there is no actuation, the transmission component returns to the rest position, even after actuation has taken place. In this rest position, a In a further embodiment of the invention, instead of an elastic return means, the push button switch itself exerts the restoring force on the transmission component, which in itself is sufficient to return the transmission component to its rest position and thus also to bring the actuating body back into the rest position. In this way, a separate return means can be dispensed with. The position of the push button switch below the lever arm is to be selected so that, depending on the restoring force of the push button switch, a suitable lever length is selected which allows the transmission component and the operating body to be returned to the rest position.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the sealing means is selected and arranged such that it seals both on the operating body and on the transmission component.

[0020] The sealant can, for example, extend as an elastic skin under the entire operating body, with the operating body resting on one side of the sealant, for example, and the transmission body resting on the other side of the sealant. Connecting elements of the operating body can extend through openings in the sealant and couple the operating body to the transmission component.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the housing has fastening means which are arranged and designed to fix the housing to the inside of a body component.

[0022] The fastening elements can be positioned in line with corresponding fastening elements on the inside of the vehicle body. If the housing is placed on the inside, behind an opening in the body, the surrounding sealant seals the control element against the vehicle body.

[0023] It is particularly preferred if the sealing means are designed as an annular, foamed body which is clamped between the operating body and the transmission component. Such an annular sealing means can be adapted to the external design of the operating body, so that, for example, in the case of operating bodies with simple or more complex geometric shapes, suitable sealing means can be formed and foamed in one piece. Such a sealing means can then be pulled over the operating body and clamped between the operating body and the underlying transmission component, so that no separate connection, for example by adhesive, is required.

[0024] In an alternative design, the sealing means is designed as an annular elastic bellows which extends laterally over the edge of the operating body, wherein the sealing means has a continuous flat design in the area encompassed by the bellows which rests against the underside of the operating body.

[0025] Such a design features an extremely discreet appearance and low overall height, allowing for very compact installations in this vehicle category. Elastic bellows are mechanically durable, particularly given the short travel ranges involved here, and can be easily attached to the surrounding components of the vehicle body even after installation.

[0026] According to a further aspect, a vehicle part is provided which, in addition to the actuating device itself, also comprises components of the vehicle body, namely body components on which the actuating device operating part is accommodated and sealed by the sealing means surrounding the operating part. On the inside, the housing rests against the vehicle part and, in turn, accommodates a pushbutton switch and the transmission component.

[0027] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawing.

[0028] Figure 1a shows an assembled first embodiment of the invention in a schematic sectional view in the unactuated state;

[0029] Figure 1b shows the arrangement of Figure 1a in an actuated state;

[0030] Figure 2 shows a schematic perspective view of the actuating device according to the first embodiment;

[0031] Figure 3 shows a second embodiment of the invention in a schematic sectional view;

[0032] Figure 4 shows a third embodiment of the invention in a schematic sectional view.

[0033] Figure 1a shows an actuating device 1 which is mounted on a body section 2 (not part of the invention) of a vehicle. An operating body 3 is arranged in a through-opening of the body component 2 and has an outwardly (upwardly) directed operating surface 3a. This operating surface 3a of the operating body 3 is available to a user for actuation. An annular seal 4 is arranged beneath the operating body 3. The operating body 3 is coupled to a transmission component 5 by means of projections 3b, 3c on its underside, the projections 3b, 3c engaging in corresponding openings in the transmission component 5.

[0034] The sealing means 4 is clamped between the transmission component 5 and the operating body 3 so that it is fixed in its position and comes into contact with the body component 2 in a sealing manner.

[0035] On the underside of the body component 2 there is a housing 6 which accommodates the transmission component 5 and a push button switch 7. The housing also has a bearing section 6a on which the transmission component 5 rests at one end so that it has a pivot point there. On the other side the push button switch 7 supports the transmission component 5 and urges it into its rest position. The transmission component is pivotably arranged on the bearing section or, due to the flexibility of its material, it has a deformability which allows the transmission component to be deflected along its length. Figure 1a shows the actuating device in its rest position.

[0036] Figure 1b shows the actuating device with the operating body 3 in the operating position. The force 10 acting on the transmission component 5, when the actuating travel of the operating body 3 is small, causes the transmission component 5 to shift, which then acts on the push button 7 to actuate it. By transmitting the force via the lever-like design of the transmission component 5, very sensitive actuation is possible with a small actuating travel, but at the same time there is a lower risk of incorrect actuation. In this example, the return of the operating body and the transmission component 5 to the position shown in Figure 1a after the force 10 is removed is ensured by the return force of the push button 7 itself, which itself has a return force. As shown below, this return force can also be applied by another spring or other elastic means.

[0037] Figure 2 shows the arrangement from Figures 1a and 1b in a schematic perspective view, wherein here also a magnetic body component 2, these fastening means can be provided for example magnetically, as adhesive points or as locking means for connecting means which are arranged on the inside of the body component 2.

[0038] Figure 3 shows a second embodiment of the invention, wherein in this embodiment, instead of an annular foamed sealant, as in Figures 1a and 1b, an elastic bellows 14 is provided for sealing. The body component 2 can be glued to the bellows 14 in its edge region, which encompasses the opening for receiving the actuating device, or can have other clamping or fastening means there. In this embodiment, the bellows 14 extends completely beneath the operating body 23, thus ensuring a completely hermetic seal of the opening.

[0039] Figure 4 shows a further embodiment of the invention, wherein an additional reset means 27 is provided to assist in returning the transmission component 25 to the rest position, so that the pushbutton switch 7 does not need to perform this function. In this way, it is possible to use pushbutton switches that have little or no reset action, for example, pushbutton switches with electronic detection, such as inductive switching elements.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Actuating device (1; 11; 21) for a motor vehicle, comprising an operating body (3; 23) which has an operating surface (3a) for pressure actuation on its upper side and connecting means (3b, 3c) on the side opposite it, comprising a housing (6) which receives a push-button switch (7) which is coupled to the operating body (3; 23), characterized in that at least one sealing means (4; 14) is arranged in contact with the operating body (3; 23), which engages under the operating body (3; 23) along its entire lateral circumference and extends beyond the operating body over its entire lateral circumference, wherein a transmission component (5; 25) is arranged below the operating body (3; 23) and the sealing means (4; 14), which engages with the operating body via the connecting means (3b, 3c), so that displacements of the operating body (3;23) lead to displacements of the transmission component, wherein the transmission component is arranged in the housing and wherein the operating element (3; 23) is arranged at least partially outside the housing, wherein the transmission component (5; 25) forms the coupling between the operating element (3; 23) and the push button (7), wherein the transmission component extends laterally beyond the operating element (3; 23) to the push button (7), which is arranged in the housing (6) below the transmission component (5; 25).

2. Actuating device according to claim 1, wherein the The transmission component (5; 25) is designed as a lever which is mounted at a first end in the housing (6), the lever coupling to the push-button switch (7) at the second end located away from it, the connecting means (3b, 3c) coupling the transmission component to the operating body (3; 23) in the section in between.

3. Actuating device according to claim 2, wherein an elastic restoring means (27) is coupled to the housing (6) and the transmission component (25) designed as a lever, which forces the transmission component into a rest position in which the push button (7) is unactuated.

4. Actuating device according to claim 2, wherein the transmission component (5) designed as a lever, its bearing at its first end and the push button (7) are arranged such that the push button itself exerts a force required to return the transmission component to a rest position after actuation.

5. Actuating device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing means (4; 14) is in a sealing position both on the operating body and on the transmission component.

6. Actuating device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing has fastening means (15a, 15b, 15c) designed to fix the housing to the inside of a body component.

7. Actuating device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing means (4) is an annular A foamed body is formed which is clamped between the operating body and the transmission component.

8. Actuating device according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the sealing means has an annular elastic bellows (14) which extends laterally over the edge of the operating body (23), wherein the sealing means has a continuous planar form in the area encompassed by the bellows which rests against the underside of the operating body.

9. Vehicle part with an actuating device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the vehicle part has a body section (2) with a through opening, wherein the actuating device (1; 11; 21) is arranged inside and below the opening, wherein the operating element (3; 23) is arranged inside the opening such that the sealing means (4; 14) with their areas projecting beyond the operating element seal the operating element against the body section, wherein the housing (6) is arranged on the inside of the body section (2) and extends laterally beyond the opening and at least partially abuts the body section.

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