Method for compensating tolerances of components and / or assembly of control elements of a control device and control device

Abstract

Method for compensating for plungers (34) subject to component and / or assembly tolerances for switching elements (38) of electrical switches (40), which can be actuated by means of the plungers (34) upon manual actuation of operating elements (12) of an operating device (10) of a vehicle. The at least one plunger (34) is arranged between an operating element (10) and an electrical switch (40). Before being mounted in the housing (16), it has an axial length which is greater than the distance between the operating element (12) and the switch (40). The at least one plunger (34) is brought to the desired length by hot pressing in the preassembled state of the operating device (10). The description also relates to an operating device (10) having at least one such plunger (34).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for compensating tappets for switching elements of electrical switches that are subject to component and / or assembly tolerances and that can be actuated by the tappets upon manual actuation of operating elements of an operating device of a vehicle. Furthermore, the invention relates to an operating device with such a tolerance chain compensation.

[0002] Vehicle control devices, such as climate control units, infotainment control devices, or central input devices (CDI) in general, sometimes have manually operable control elements with mechanical constructions. Control devices with toggle or rocker control elements, in particular, have, in addition to the movably mounted control element itself, plungers that act on the switching elements of electrical switches. In the case of push buttons, i.e., depressible control elements, the plunger is the part of the control element that contacts the switching element and acts on it when pressed to actuate the switch.

[0003] The assembly of such operating devices has component and / or assembly-related tolerance chains, which can lead to the haptics when operating the operating elements and the sensation of operating such operating elements varying from operating element to operating element, which has a negative impact on operating comfort.

[0004] The object of the invention is to provide a method with which component- and / or assembly-related tolerances of the operating elements of an operating device can be compensated during its assembly, so that the operating sensation of all such operating elements of the operating device is essentially the same.

[0005] To achieve this object, the invention proposes a method for compensating plungers for switching elements of electrical switches which are subject to component and / or assembly tolerances and which can be actuated by means of the plungers upon manual actuation of operating elements of an operating device of a vehicle, wherein the operating device is provided with a housing having a front side, at least one manually operable operating element arranged on the front side of the housing, which is movably mounted in and / or on the housing between a rest position defined by a stop element and an actuating position, e.g. guided so as to be depressible or tiltable, a support element, at least one electrical switch arranged on the support element, which has a switching element for switching the switch on and off, wherein the at least one electrical switch of the support element is assigned to the at least one operating element, and at least one plunger with an operating element contact end and a switching element contact end,wherein the at least one plunger is arranged between the at least one operating element and the switching element of the at least one electrical switch and rests with its operating element contact end on a first contact surface of the at least one operating element and with its switching element contact end on a second contact surface of the switching element of the at least one electrical switch, wherein the at least one plunger, before being mounted in the housing, has an axial length between its operating element contact end and its switching element contact end that is greater than the distance between the first and second contact surfaces,and wherein the axial length of the at least one plunger, in the state arranged in the housing with the carrier element not yet mounted, is reduced by heating its switching element contact end to at least the material softening temperature of the at least one plunger and by exerting a pressing force by moving a stamp against the heated switching element contact end of the at least one plunger up to a limit stop and is thus brought to a length which is equal to or slightly greater than the distance between the first and second contact surfaces in the mounted state of the carrier element, while the at least one plunger rests with its operating element contact end on the first contact surface of the at least one operating element contacting the stop element and thus assuming the rest position.

[0006] The method according to the invention is applied to an operating device provided with a housing having a front side, wherein at least one and typically several manually operable operating elements are arranged on the front side, which are movably mounted in and / or on the housing between a rest position defined by a stop element and an actuated position, in particular in the form of a depressible or tiltable operating element. A switch is arranged on a support element for each operating element, wherein each switch has a switching element for switching the switch on and off. Between each operating element and the electrical switch assigned to it is a plunger which, when actuated by the operating element, can be moved towards the switching element of the switch in order to switch the switch on.Each operating element is preferably preloaded into its rest position by a spring or, due to the elastic properties of the switch or the switching element of the switch, is returned to its rest position after manual actuation. This is done by means of the plunger, which is moved back due to the elasticity and resilience of the electrical switch or the switching element of the electrical switch. Each plunger has an operating element contact end and a switching element contact end. On the operating element there is a (first) contact surface against which the operating element contact end of the plunger rests, while on the switching element of the electrical switch there is a (second) contact surface against which the plunger rests with its switching element contact end.

[0007] Ideally, each plunger has an axial length equal to or slightly greater than the distance between the first and second contact surfaces (when the operating device is assembled). In the latter case, the plunger, when assembled, would exert a certain mechanical preload on the electrical switch or its switching element in the rest position of the operating element, which can be advantageous in certain cases.

[0008] "Slightly larger" means an "excess length" of the plunger, which, depending on the size of the distance between the two contact surfaces of the operating element and the switching element, can be up to 40% larger (or up to 35% larger, or up to 30% larger, or up to 20% larger, or up to 15% larger, or up to 10% larger, or up to 5% larger, or up to 4% larger, or up to 3% larger, or up to 2% larger, or up to 1% larger) than this distance. The smaller the distance between the contact surfaces of the operating element and the switching element, the smaller the maximum permissible "excess length" may be (i.e.Conversely, the greater the ideal length of the plunger, the greater the excess length may be), since otherwise the mechanical pre-tension of the electrical switch in the idle state of the control element (i.e. when the control element is not actuated) can lead to an unwanted permanent switch-on state of the switch or even the slightest vibrations acting on the control device, which cannot be avoided when driving, can lead to an unwanted switch-on of the switch.

[0009] Depending on the component and / or assembly tolerances of the components carrier element, switch, switching element, plunger and operating element, the plunger of the at least one operating element may be in contact with the (first) contact surface of the at least one operating element (and possibly also with the second contact surface of the switching element) too strongly or too weakly or not at all.

[0010] Therefore, after pre-assembly of the operating device, the plunger is brought to the required length by a hot pressing treatment, which then, in the assembled state of the operating device, rests against the operating element with the desired contact force, which can also be zero, while the plunger rests with its switching element contact end against the (second) contact surface of the switching element of the electrical switch.

[0011] To this end, according to the invention, with the support element not yet mounted on and / or in the housing, the thus exposed switching element contact end of the plunger is heated at least to the softening temperature of the plunger material in order to be deformed in the heated state by means of a punch, thereby reducing its axial length to the desired length. For the purposes of this invention, "hot pressing treatment" refers to deformation in the heated state with either a heated pressing surface of a punch or a "cold" pressing surface of a punch. Once the pressing surface of the punch is heated, it can first be used to warm / heat the switching element contact end of the plunger through contact with the switching element contact end of the plunger, in order to subsequently ensure the deformation.If the pressing surface of the plunger is a non-heated contact surface, the switching element contact end is first heated using another device, for example, by thermal radiation or by convection in the form of hot air. The "cold" plunger is then used to deform the heated switching element contact end of the plunger.

[0012] The invention can be advantageously applied to tilting and / or rocker control elements that have a tiltably mounted control lever. The plunger has a control element contact end that rests against a contact surface of the control element, and a switching element contact end with which the plunger acts on the switching element of the electrical switch. In push buttons, the plunger is part of a depressible control element. In this respect, the feature of contacting the control element via the control element contact end of the plunger also encompasses embodiments in which the plunger and control element are designed as a single piece and / or are connected to one another in an articulated manner.

[0013] The invention can also be used in operating devices with a control element having a touch-sensitive user interface with multiple control fields. The large-area control element can typically be pressed down slightly, which is reported to the user in the form of haptic feedback. In such passively operating haptic feedback concepts, the control element acts on an electrical switch via a plunger, e.g. designed as a projection. This switch generates the haptic feedback and electrically signals the valid actuation of the control element to an evaluation unit for controlling various operable components of the vehicle, such as infotainment, air conditioning, etc. In this example, the projection or plunger also has a switching element contact end, which according to the invention can be adjusted to the desired length when the control element is pre-assembled on or in the operating device.

[0014] In the applications mentioned above, the depressible operating element is secured after assembly in or on the housing of the operating device against the pressing force which is exerted on the switching contact end of the part of the operating element which is to be understood as a plunger during the hot pressing treatment, either by contact with a stop element or the stop surface to which it is also secured in its rest position during operation of the operating device or, if necessary, additionally by a blockade by the assembly device for carrying out the hot pressing treatment.

[0015] Furthermore, push buttons, tilt and / or rocker control elements can also be equipped with capacitive touch sensors (e.g. so-called cap sense).

[0016] A suitable material for the at least one plunger is a plastic material typically used for operating devices in the automotive sector. Elastomeric plastic materials or thermosets are suitable here. Such materials are known to those skilled in the art for use as plastic materials in vehicle operating devices.

[0017] In the method according to the invention, it is particularly provided that the limit stop for limiting the movement of the plunger against the switching element contact end of the at least one plunger is designed in and / or on the housing. The limit stop serves to limit the movement of the plunger against the switching element contact end of the at least one or each plunger. This limit stop can also be provided outside the housing on the device with which the plunger is moved in the direction of the plunger(s). During this phase, the plunger presses against the operating element with its operating element contact end and thus exerts a moment on the latter in its rest position. The operating element rests against the stop element assigned to it, which defines the rest position of the operating element, but can alternatively or additionally also be fixed in the device that, for example, has the plunger.

[0018] As already explained above, it is expedient if the switching element contact end of the at least one plunger or, if there are several plungers of the operating device, the switching element contact end of each plunger is treated by heating above the material softening temperature of the plunger in question and by exerting a pressing force in the direction of the axial extension of the plunger in question.

[0019] The at least one plunger of the operating device according to the invention should expediently have the lowest possible thermally effective mass at its switching element contact end, so that the switching element contact end can be heated above the material softening temperature with the lowest possible thermal energy and as quickly as possible. For this purpose, it is advantageously provided that the at least one plunger has an axial projection on its switching element contact end formed by hot pressing, the axial length of which is reduced by hot pressing.

[0020] In this respect, it is advantageous if the projection is designed in the manner of at least one rib, in particular in the manner of a rib tapering toward its free end. It is also advantageous if the projection is designed in the manner of two intersecting ribs.

[0021] As an alternative to the projection being formed as one or two intersecting ribs, it can also be cube-shaped, cuboid-shaped, or collar-shaped. Other geometric shapes of the projection are also conceivable. After deformation, the plunger should have a sufficiently large contact surface at its switching element contact end, with which it rests against the switching element of the electrical switch.

[0022] A suitable electrical switch is a keytop or keypad with PCB contact fields on the switch and on a PCB as a carrier element, or a keytop or keypad with a spring-loaded metal disc and PCT contact fields, a keytop / keypad with PCB contact fields and a spring-loaded metal disc, or another type of switch, particularly a short-stroke switch. For multiple switches on the carrier element, so-called switch mats made of, for example, silicone or a similar elastic plastic material are suitable. All of the aforementioned switch types are generally known in vehicle control devices and can be used within the scope of the invention.

[0023] A further advantage of the method according to the invention is particularly present when the operating device has a plurality of operating elements that interact with associated electrical switches via plungers. This is because it is then possible, within the scope of a common hot-pressing treatment, to bring all plungers to the desired axial length by reducing the length of at least one or all plungers as a result of the hot-pressing treatment. For example, it is possible for the switching element contact ends of all plungers to lie in a common plane after the hot-pressing treatment, or for the switching element contact ends of the plungers to lie in a common plane in groups, or for each plunger to lie individually with its switching element contact end in a different plane.

[0024] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the stamp has a pressing side which has a pressing surface assigned to the switching element contact end of the at least one plunger or to the switching element contact end of each plunger, wherein the stamp can be locally heated by a heating element or several heating elements on its pressing surface or on each pressing surface.

[0025] It can be further advantageously provided that the stamp has a heating element for each heatable pressing surface, which is thermally conductively coupled to the respective pressing surface, or that the stamp has a common heating element for all pressing surfaces or for groups of plungers, which is thermally conductively connected to each of the respective pressing surfaces.

[0026] In the aforementioned embodiments of the method according to the invention, it is advantageous that the punch has a pressing side which has a pressing surface assigned to the switching element contact end of the at least one plunger or pressing surfaces assigned to the switching element contact end of each plunger, wherein the switching element contact end of the at least one plunger or each plunger is heated in a first phase by contact with the respective heated pressing surface and, in a second phase, in the heated state, is subjected to the pressing force by further movement of the punch against the switching element contact end or each switching element contact end. In this exemplary embodiment, the punch is therefore used both to heat the switching element contact end of the or each plunger and to subsequently deform the respective switching element contact end by hot pressing.

[0027] Alternatively, it can be provided that the switching element contact end of the at least one plunger or of each plunger is heated in a first step by thermal radiation or by convection, such as by hot air, and in the heated state is subjected in a second step to the pressing force by moving the plunger against the switching element contact end of the at least one plunger or the switching element contact end of each plunger by the plunger, which has a pressing side with a pressing surface assigned to the switching element contact end of the at least one plunger or with a pressing surface assigned to the switching element contact end of each plunger. The heating of the switching element contact end of the or each plunger preferably takes place by means of a device other than the plunger. It is expedient if the switching element contact end of the or each plunger is heated by means of hot air.The corresponding device is then guided near its hot air outlet to the switching element contact end of the or each die, in order to then move the pre-assembled operating device into the area of ​​the die, which then ensures the hot forming of the switching element contact end of the or each die. The device heating the switching element contact end of the or each die advantageously also has several hot air outlets, for example, in the case of multiple dies, or it has several zones in which the switching element contact ends are thermally influenced by heat radiation.

[0028] As a result of the method according to the invention and thus also to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention proposes an operating device for a vehicle which is provided with a housing having a front side, at least one manually operable operating element arranged on the front side of the housing, which is movably mounted in and / or on the housing between a rest position defined by a stop element and an actuating position, e.g. guided so as to be depressible or tiltable, a support element, at least one electrical switch arranged on the support element, which has a switching element for switching the switch on and off, wherein the at least one operating element is assigned the at least one electrical switch of the support element or each operating element is assigned an electrical switch of the support element, and at least one plunger with an operating element contact end and a switching element contact end,wherein the at least one plunger is arranged between the at least one operating element and the switching element of the at least one electrical switch and rests with its operating element contact end on a first contact surface of the at least one operating element and with its switching element contact end on a second contact surface of the switching element of the at least one electrical switch, and wherein the switching element contact end or the operating element contact end of the at least one plunger or of each plunger is formed by hot pressing to form the at least one plunger or the respective plunger as a plunger with an axial length which is equal to or slightly greater than the distance between the first and second contact surfaces.

[0029] It should also be noted that the above-mentioned method according to the invention is equally suitable for reducing the length of the plunger either at its switching element contact end or at its operating element contact end.

[0030] In the operating device according to the invention, it can preferably be provided that the switching element contact end or the operating element contact end of the at least one plunger or each plunger is treated by heating at least up to the material softening temperature of the plunger in question and by exerting a pressing force in the direction of the axial extension of the plunger in question.

[0031] In a further advantageous embodiment of the operating device according to the invention, it can be provided that the at least one plunger has an axial projection on its operating element contact end or switching element contact end formed by hot pressing, the axial length of which is reduced by hot pressing.

[0032] It is expedient if the projection is designed in the manner of at least one rib, in particular in the manner of a rib tapering toward its free end, and / or if the projection is designed in the manner of two intersecting ribs. Other embodiments of the projection are also possible, as described above.

[0033] In a further expedient embodiment of the invention, the operating device according to the invention has a plurality of operating elements, each of which has an electrical switch assigned to it, and a plunger between the respective operating element and the respective electrical switch, wherein the switching element contact ends or operating element contact ends of the plungers formed by hot pressing are arranged in a common plane or are arranged individually or in groups in more than one plane.

[0034] It is advantageous if the carrier element is designed as a printed circuit board which has the at least one switch, or if the carrier element forms the rear side of the housing or can be positioned within the housing when the rear side of the housing is open.

[0035] Advantageously, at least one control element or each control element is spring-elastically pre-tensioned into its rest position.

[0036] The operating device according to the invention is particularly advantageous when the at least one operating element comprises a tiltably mounted lever with an operating arm for manual actuation of the operating element and with a plunger movement arm for moving the plunger upon actuation of the operating element. Advantageously, the lever can be substantially L- or T-shaped, with the plunger movement arm projecting substantially at a right angle from the operating arm.

[0037] The invention is explained in more detail below using two exemplary embodiments of the assembly method and with reference to the drawings. In detail, the drawings show: Fig. 1 a cross-sectional view through an operating device according to an embodiment of the invention with, in this case, two tiltably mounted operating elements, Fig. 2 the situation during pre-assembly of the operating elements and the plungers in the phase before the heating of the switching element contact ends of the plungers, Fig. 3 the phase of reducing the lengths of the plungers when their switching element contact ends come into contact with heated pressing surfaces of a stamping device, Fig. 4 the situation in which the switching element contact ends of the plungers, heated up to or above their material softening temperature, are hot-pressed by pressing the pressing surfaces of the stamping device, Fig. 5 a perspective view of a plunger illustrating the geometry of the switching element contact end according to an embodiment, Fig. 6 an alternative variant of heating the switching element contact ends of the plungers by hot air using a hot air device, Fig.7 the situation in which the operating device with pre-assembled operating elements and plungers with heated switching element contact ends is arranged below a stamping device, and Fig. 8 a representation similar to that of . Fig. 4 , whereby here, however, the pressing surfaces of the stamping device are heated, since the switching element contact ends of the plungers have previously been heated with the hot air device.

[0038] Fig. 1shows a cross-sectional view of an operating device 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, in this case with two operating elements 12. The operating elements 12 are arranged in a tiltable manner on the front side 14 of a housing 16. The front side 14 is formed, for example, by a front panel 18, which has recesses 20 through which the operating arm 22 of a lever 26 of each operating element 12, which lever is mounted tiltably about an axis 24, projects beyond the front side 14 for each operating element 12. The tilt axis 24 is aligned parallel to the front side 14.

[0039] Below the front panel 18, a plunger movement arm 28 of the respective control element lever 26 projects substantially at right angles from the operating arm 22. This plunger movement arm 28 has a (first) contact surface 30 of the respective control element 12, against which the control element contact end 32 of a longitudinally displaceably mounted plunger 34 rests. Opposite the control element contact end 32, each plunger 34 has a switching element contact end 36, which rests against the switching element 38 of an electrical switch 40. In this exemplary embodiment, the electrical switch 40 is designed as a keytop or keypad made of an elastomeric material and has electrically conductive contact fields 41 on an internal projection 42 and on a printed circuit board 44, which forms a carrier element 46 for the switches 40.

[0040] The keytops or keypads are part of a switch mat 48 made of, for example, silicone, which also has upstanding collars 50 arranged below the control element levers 26, within which functional or search illumination light sources 52, typically in the form of LEDs, are arranged on the printed circuit board 44. As can be seen from Fig. 1 As can be seen, the light sources 52 radiate light into the light guides 54 of the control elements 12, which light exits at the front end of the control element levers 26 and is thus visible to the user.

[0041] As further shown by Fig. 1 As can be seen, the housing has 12 internal stops per operating element, against which the operating elements 12 rest in their rest position and in their (tilted) actuated position. The rest position stop 56 rests laterally on the operating arm 22, which is extended beyond the protruding plunger movement arm 28, when, as shown in Fig. 1shown, the respective operating element 12 is in its rest position. If the operating element 12 is tilted in the direction of arrow 58, the operating arm 22 of the operating element 12 comes into contact, for example, with the stop surface shown at 60, thus limiting the tilting movement. The return movement to the rest position is mechanically assisted by a return spring 61.

[0042] As can easily be seen, it is crucial for the uniformity of the haptics and kinematics of all operating elements 12 that the axial lengths of the plungers 34 are matched to the distance between the (first) contact surface 30 on the plunger movement arm 28 and the (second) contact surface 62 on the switching element 38 of the electrical switch 40 assigned to the operating element 12. The required axial length of each plunger 34 depends, among other things, on the assembly and component tolerances of the operating elements and their bearing and bearing position on the housing 16. In order to take this into account during the assembly and installation of the operating device 10, a special method is used according to the invention.

[0043] A first embodiment of an assembly method intended for these purposes is shown in the Figs. 2 to 4 . In Fig. 2It is shown that the preassembled housing 16 with already inserted operating elements 12 and plungers 34 rests "upside down" on a mounting surface 64 of a mounting device (not shown). In this situation, the printed circuit board 44 with switching mat 48 is not yet mounted, so that the switching element contact ends 36 of the plungers 34 are exposed on the top side. Fig. 2 It is shown that a stamp plate 66 is arranged above these switching element contact ends 36, which forms a stamp 68 with pressing surfaces 70, which in turn are assigned to the switching element contact ends 36 of the plungers 34. In this exemplary embodiment, the pressing surfaces 70 can be heated by means of heating elements 72. If the stamp plate 66 is now lowered in the direction of the arrows, the heated pressing surfaces 70 come into contact with the switching element contact ends 36 of the plungers 34 (see Fig. 3). The switching element contact ends 36 of the plungers 34, which are made of plastic typical for the automotive sector, are now heated up to at least the material softening temperature.

[0044] As can be seen in particular from Fig. 5 As can be seen, the switching element contact end 36 of each plunger 34 is provided with two intersecting ribs 74 that taper towards their upper free ends 76. These tapered ends 76 of the ribs 74 form the actual contact surface of the switching element contact end 36 of the plunger, with which the plunger rests against the second contact surface of the switching element 38 of an electrical switch 40. The ribs 74 form an axial projection 75 on the switching element contact end 36 of the plunger 34.

[0045] The height of the ribs 74 is dimensioned so that in the pre-assembled state according to Fig. 2 the plungers 34 have an oversize compared to the axial length in the assembled state.

[0046] Are now according to Fig. 3 the ribs 74 are heated by the heated pressing surfaces 70 of the stamp plate 66, in order to then lower the stamp plate 66 (further) (see Fig. 4 ), in this embodiment up to the contact with the housing 16 as a limit stop, the pressure surfaces 70 of the stamp plate 66 press the ribs 74 flat and thus reduce the axial length of each tappet 34 to the dimension which is necessary, taking into account the component and assembly tolerances of the operating elements 12 and the tappet 34 itself, so that in the fully assembled state of the operating device (see Fig. 1 ) the desired axial length is given.

[0047] In the Figs. 6 to 8A second method for hot-pressing the switching element contact ends 36 of the plungers 34 is shown. In this second exemplary embodiment, two different assembly devices are used, namely firstly a hot-air device 78, which has hot-air outlets 80 for each switching element contact end 36 of the plungers 34 to be heated. After heating the switching element contact ends 36 of the plungers 34, either the pre-assembled operating device 10 is moved under a stamping plate 82 or the stamping plate 82 is positioned above the housing 16 after removing the hot-air device 78 (see Fig. 7 ). In both cases, the stamping plate 82 with its pressing surfaces 84 assigned to the switching element contact ends 36 is moved in the direction of the plungers 34 while the switching element contact ends 36 of the plungers 34 are still heated at least to the material softening temperature in order to subject the switching element contact ends 36 to the hot pressing treatment (see Fig. 8). The pressing surfaces 84 of the stamp plate 82, which in turn forms a stamp 86, are "cold" or at least much less heated than in the embodiment of the stamp plate 66 of the Fig. 2 . It is possible for the pressing surfaces 84 to be preheated so that they do not allow the switching element contact ends 36, which in turn have only a low thermal mass due to, for example, the formation of the ribs, to cool down too much when they press against the switching element contact ends 36. It is also possible and preferably provided to thermally insulate the pressing surfaces 84 so that a heat flow from the switching element contact ends 36 to the stamping plate 82 is prevented or impeded.

[0048] The invention has been described above using several exemplary embodiments for the case where the operating elements can only be tilted in one direction for operation. However, the invention is also suitable for operating devices in which the operating elements can be tilted in two opposite directions. In this case, the operating elements would therefore be in the Fig. 1 shown position in their central position and thus in the rest position. Opposing plunger movement arms 28 would then protrude on both sides of the operating arm 22, each of which acts on a plunger 34, whereby these two plungers 34 would then be arranged on both sides of the operating element 12 in the housing 16. The fixing of the operating elements 12 in the pre-assembly phase according to the Figs. 2 to 4 of the first embodiment of the assembly method or according to the Figs. 6 to 8 of the second embodiment of the assembly method is carried out, for example, by the Fig. 3indicated fixings 88, which would be part of the device, for example, to which mounting surface 64 also belongs. Such fixings 88 could also be provided if the operating elements 12, as in the embodiment of the Fig. 1 shown, can only be tilted in one direction. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0049] 10 Operating device 12 Operating element 14 Front 16 Housing 18 Front panel 20 Recesses 22 Operating arm 24 Tilting axis 26 Operating element lever 28 Plunger movement arm 30 (First) contact surface on the plunger movement arm 32 Operating element contact end 34 Plunger 36 Switching element contact end 38 Switching element 40 Switch 41 Contact surfaces on the printed circuit board and on the switching element 42 Projection 43 Area 44 Printed circuit board 46 Support element 48 Safety mat 50 Collar of the safety mat 52 Light sources 54 Light guide 56 Rest position stop 58 Arrow 60 Stop surface 61 Return spring 62 (Second) contact surface on the switching element 64 Mounting surface 66 Stamp plate 68 Stamp 70Pressing surface 72Heating elements 74Rids 75Protrusion 76Upper ends of the ribs 78Hot air device 80Hot air outlets 82Stamp plate 84Pressing surface 86Stamp 88Fixings

Claims

1. A method for compensating for plungers subject to component and / or assembly tolerances for switching elements of electrical switches, which can be actuated by means of the plungers upon manual actuation of operating elements of an operating device of a vehicle, - wherein the operating device (10) is provided with - a housing (16) having a front side (14), - at least one manually actuated operating element (12) arranged on the front side (14) of the housing (16), which is movably mounted in and / or on the housing (16) between a rest position defined by a stop element (56) and an actuated position, e.g., guided so as to be depressible or tiltable, - a support element (46), - at least one electrical switch (40) arranged on the support element (46), which has a switching element (38) for switching the switch (40) on and off,- wherein the at least one electrical switch (40) of the carrier element (46) is assigned to the at least one operating element (12), and - at least one plunger (34) with an operating element contact end (32) and a switching element contact end (36), - wherein the at least one plunger (34) is arranged between the at least one operating element (12) and the switching element (38) of the at least one electrical switch (40) and rests with its operating element contact end (32) on a first contact surface (30) of the at least one operating element (12) and with its switching element contact end (36) on a second contact surface (62) of the switching element (38) of the at least one electrical switch (40), - wherein the at least one plunger (34), before its assembly in the housing (16), has an axial length between its operating element contact end (32) and its switching element contact end (36) that is greater than the distance between the first and second contact surfaces (30, 62) from each other,and - wherein the axial length of the at least one plunger (34) in the state arranged in the housing (16) with the carrier element (46) not yet mounted is reduced by heating its switching element contact end (36) to at least the material softening temperature of the at least one plunger (34) and by exerting a pressing force by moving a stamp (68) against the heated switching element contact end (36) of the at least one plunger (34) up to a limit stop, and is thus brought to a length that is equal to or slightly greater than the distance between the first and second contact surfaces (30, 62) in the mounted state of the carrier element (46), while the at least one plunger (34) rests with its operating element contact end (32) against the first contact surface (30) of the at least one operating element (12) contacting the stop element (56) and thus assuming the rest position., 2. Method according to claim 1,characterized in that the limit stop for limiting the movement of the plunger (68) against the switching element contact end (36) of the at least one plunger (34) is formed in and / or on the housing (16).

3. Method according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the switching element contact end (36) of the at least one plunger (34) or, if there are several plungers (34) of the operating device (10), the switching element contact end (36) of each plunger (34) is treated by heating above the material softening temperature of the respective plunger (34) and by exerting a pressing force in the direction of the axial extension of the respective plunger (34).

4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the at least one plunger (34) has an axial projection (75) on its switching element contact end (36) formed by hot pressing, the axial length of which is reduced by hot pressing.

5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in thatthe projection (75) is designed in the manner of at least one rib (74), in particular in the manner of a rib (74) tapering towards its free end (76) and furthermore in particular in the manner of two intersecting ribs (74).

6. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that several control elements (12), each with an associated electrical switch (40) and a plunger (34) between the respective control element (12) and the respective electrical switch (40), wherein the switching element contact ends (36) of all plungers (34) are subjected to the hot-pressing treatment simultaneously and thus, after a hot-pressing treatment, lie in a common plane or in several planes common to groups or individually in several planes.

7. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in thatthe stamp (34) has a pressing side which has a pressing surface (70) associated with the switching element contact end (36) of the at least one plunger (34) or with the switching element contact end (36) of each plunger (34), wherein the stamp (68) can be locally heated by a heating element (72) or several heating elements (72) on its pressing surface (70) or on each pressing surface (70), wherein it is further provided in particular that the stamp (68) has a heating element (72) for each heatable pressing surface (70), which is thermally conductively coupled to the respective pressing surface (70), or that the stamp (68) has a common heating element (72) for all pressing surfaces (70), which is thermally conductively connected to each pressing surface (70).

8. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that ​the plunger (68) has a pressing side which has a pressing surface (70) associated with the switching element contact end (36) of the at least one plunger (34) or with the pressing surfaces (70) associated with the switching element contact end (36) of each plunger (34), wherein the switching element contact end (36) of the at least one plunger (34) or of each plunger (34) is heated in a first phase by contact with the respective heated pressing surface (70) and, in a second phase in the heated state, is subjected to the pressing force by moving the plunger (68) against the switching element contact end (36) or each switching element contact end (36).

9. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that ​the switching element contact end (36) of the at least one plunger (34) or of each plunger (34) is heated in a first step by thermal radiation or by convection, such as by hot air, and in the heated state, in a second step, by the punch (68), which has a pressing side with a pressing surface (70) assigned to the switching element contact end (36) of the at least one plunger (34) or with a pressing surface (70) assigned to the switching element contact end (36) of each plunger (34), is subjected to the pressing force by moving the punch (68) against the switching element contact end (36) of the at least one plunger (34) or the switching element contact end (36) of each plunger (34).

10. Method according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the operating element (12) is designed according to one of claims 18 to 24. ​11. An operating device for a vehicle comprising - a housing (16) having a front side (14), - at least one manually operable operating element (12) arranged on the front side (14) of the housing (16), which is movably mounted in and / or on the housing (16) between a rest position defined by a stop element (56) and an actuating position, e.g., guided so as to be depressible or tiltable, - a support element (46), - at least one electrical switch (40) arranged on the support element (46), which has a switching element (38) for switching the switch (40) on and off, - wherein the at least one electrical switch (40) of the support element (46) is assigned to the at least one operating element (12), and - at least one plunger (34) with an operating element contact end (32) and a switching element contact end (36),- wherein the at least one plunger (34) is arranged between the at least one operating element (12) and the switching element (38) of the at least one electrical switch (40) and rests with its operating element contact end (32) on a first contact surface (30) of the at least one operating element (12) and with its switching element contact end (36) on a second contact surface (62) of the switching element (38) of the at least one electrical switch (40), and - wherein the switching element contact end (36) or the operating element contact end (32) of the at least one plunger (34) or of each plunger (34) is formed by hot pressing to form the at least one plunger (34) or the respective plunger (34) as a plunger (34) with an axial length that is equal to or slightly greater than the distance between the first and second contact surfaces (30, 62).

12. Operating device according to claim 11, ​ ​the switching element contact end (36) or the operating element contact end (32) of the at least one plunger (34) or of each plunger (34) is treated by heating at least to the material softening temperature of the respective plunger (34) and by exerting a pressing force in the direction of the axial extension of the respective plunger (34).

13. Operating device according to claim 11 or 12, ​ the at least one plunger (34) has an axial projection (75) on its hot-pressing control element contact end (32) or switching element contact end (36), the axial length of which is reduced by hot-pressing.

14. Operating device according to claim 13, ​ the projection (75) is designed in the manner of at least one rib (74), in particular in the manner of a rib (74) tapering towards its free end (76) and furthermore in particular in the manner of two intersecting ribs (74).

15. Operating device according to one of claims 11 to 14, ​ several operating elements (12), each with an electrical switch (40) assigned to it, and a plunger (34) between the respective operating element (12) and the respective electrical switch (40), wherein the switching element contact ends (36) or operating element contact ends (32) of the plungers (34) formed by hot pressing are arranged in a common plane or are arranged individually or in groups in more than one plane.

16. Operating device according to one of claims 11 to 15, ​ the carrier element (46) is designed as a printed circuit board (44) which has the at least one switch (40).

17. Operating device according to one of claims 11 to 16, ​ the support element (46) forms the rear side of the housing (16) or can be positioned within the housing (16) when the rear side of the housing (16) is open.

18. Operating device according to one of claims 11 to 17, ​ the at least one operating element (12) or each operating element (12) is spring-elastically pre-tensioned into its rest position.

19. Operating device according to one of claims 11 to 18, ​ the at least one operating element (12) has a tiltably mounted lever (26) with an operating arm (22) for the manual actuation of the operating element (12) and with a plunger movement arm (28) for moving the plunger (34) upon actuation of the operating element (12), wherein it can further be provided in particular that the lever (26) is substantially L- or T-shaped, wherein the plunger movement arm (28) projects substantially at right angles from the operating arm (22).

20. Operating device according to one of claims 11 to 19, ​ the plunger (34) and the operating element (12) are articulated to one another at the operating element contact end (32) and the first contact surface (30).

21. Operating device according to one of claims 11 to 20, ​ the operating element (12) has an operating body which can be depressed linearly and which has, as part of its design, a region forming the plunger (34) in which the switching element contact end (36) is arranged, wherein it can further be provided in particular that the plunger (34) and the operating element (12) are designed as one piece or are connected to one another in an articulated manner at the operating element contact end (32) and the first contact surface (30) of the operating element (12).

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