Rotary / pushbutton actuator with an electric motor for generating a haptic signal

Abstract

In order to design an actuating means (100) for capturing operator inputs in as small an installation space as possible and nevertheless to design said actuating means to be flexibly usable, the actuating means being in the form of a rotary / pushbutton actuator and having an operating knob (10) which can be both rotated radially about an axis of rotation (11) and moved axially in the direction of the axis of rotation, it is proposed that the actuating means has an electric motor (12) for generating a haptic and / or acoustic signal.

Description

[0001] Rotary push-button controller with electric motor for generating a haptic signal

[0002] Technical field

[0003] The invention relates to an actuating device for detecting operator inputs, wherein the actuating device is designed as a rotary push-button actuator and has an operating button which is both radially rotatable about an axis of rotation and axially movable in the direction of the axis of rotation.

[0004] Furthermore, the invention relates to an operating device with an actuating means.

[0005] State of the art

[0006] DE 10 2014 102 227 Al describes a rotary push-button actuator with a sliding bearing and a centrally arranged push-button activation, as well as a rotary push-button actuator with a ball bearing and an off-center arranged push-button activation with and without an additional gearbox.

[0007] In WO 2002 / 058 233 Al, a rotary control for recording operator inputs, in particular for motor vehicles, household appliances or the like, is described with a control knob arranged in a receptacle and rotatable around a rotary axis between different selection positions, wherein different functions of the rotary control are assigned to the individual selection positions.

[0008] A rotary control typically has a control knob and can be rotated around a central axis. Such rotary controls can be used in a wide variety of technical fields. For example, they are used to operate technical equipment in vehicles or industrial plants.

[0009] Different selection positions can be chosen by rotating the control knob around its axis. These selection positions are assigned to different functions depending on the technical application.

[0010] Rotary push-button actuators can be used not only for rotation around their own axis but also as push buttons in the axial direction. This allows functions to be activated by radial deflection as well as by pressing the button. To ensure that rotary or rotary push-button actuators are easily accessible and operable even without direct visual contact, they can provide haptic feedback. For example, the rotary actuators can be continuously rotatable or designed with detents. Detents can be generated mechanically or electromagnetically in conventional rotary actuators and provide the user with haptic feedback when the actuator's setting changes.

[0011] Description of the invention: Problem, solution, advantages

[0012] The object of the present invention is to design an actuator for acquiring operator inputs, wherein the actuator is designed as a rotary push-button actuator and has an operating knob which is both radially rotatable about an axis of rotation and axially movable in the direction of the axis of rotation, such that haptic and / or acoustic signals are generated for feedback to the operator in the most flexible and easily configurable way possible. For this purpose, an actuator according to claim 1 is proposed according to the invention.

[0013] According to the invention, the actuating device for generating a haptic and / or acoustic signal incorporates an electric motor. Using an electric motor to generate a haptic and / or acoustic signal as feedback for the user or operator makes the application considerably more flexible and easier to configure than purely mechanical solutions or the use of a vibration motor. The detent positions can thus be changed in the simplest way, adapted to the respective user needs, or even switched on or off. This is made possible in the simplest way by using appropriate electrical or communication signals. These signals can be generated by a processor unit and transmitted to the electric motor, which can then be controlled accordingly.

[0014] Preferably, the control knob is connected to the electric motor via a pin-shaped projection or a shaft. The shaft can be permanently attached to the control knob or formed integrally with it. Furthermore, the control knob can be connected to the electric motor via a shaft with a knob receptacle. The knob receptacle is arranged circumferentially around the shaft and positively connected to it. Thus, the shaft, the knob receptacle, and the control knob rotate together.

[0015] The shaft runs along the axis of rotation and is rotated around the axis of rotation by turning the control knob. Preferably, the shaft has a circular cross-section, with the longitudinal axis of the shaft forming the axis of rotation of the adjusting device.

[0016] Preferably, the electric motor is designed as an external rotor motor, with a stator rotatably mounted on the shaft and a rotor fixed to the shaft. Rotating the control knob causes the rotor to move or rotate around the stator via the shaft. The shaft runs centrally through the stator, meaning the stator is arranged around the shaft. The stator's mounting on, around, or around the shaft can, for example, be a ball bearing. Rotating the control knob causes the shaft to rotate along with the rotor. The shaft rotates within the stationary stator due to the mounting between the shaft and stator. The rotor is then rotated around the stationary stator due to the fixed connection between the shaft and the rotor. A mechanical connecting element can be provided to connect the rotor and shaft.For example, the rotor and shaft can be connected to each other by frictional locking.

[0017] Preferably, the actuator has a housing base in which the electric motor is completely enclosed. The housing base is particularly preferably fully enclosed. Since the electric motor is preferably located in the housing base and not in the control knob, the actuator can be used in industrial applications, so-called heavy-duty applications, i.e., applications with very high protection class requirements (e.g., IP68). For example, the actuator could be used as an operating element of a control device, whether wired or wireless, for a machine tool. In this case, the housing base is located in the respective control unit and sealed externally to protect the electric motor from chips or similar contaminants.The control knob then sits as a control element on the control unit and is connected via the shaft to the electric motor located in the lower part of the housing.

[0018] It is also preferably provided that the actuating device has a housing top, wherein the operating knob is attached to the housing top and / or partially covers the housing top.

[0019] The lower and upper housing sections can together form a housing for the actuator and can be either a single piece or made of two parts. Preferably, however, the housing is a single piece. The upper housing section preferably has a smaller width or diameter than the lower housing section. This has the advantage that, when mounting the actuator, for example in a control element, the housing can be inserted into an opening from below or from the inside. The width or diameter of the opening then only needs to be at least as large as the width or diameter of the upper housing section. Since the electric motor is located in the lower housing section, more installation space is required in this area. Therefore, the lower housing section can have larger dimensions, in particular a larger width or diameter, than the upper housing section, as the lower housing section remains inside the control element.

[0020] In principle, the operating knob and / or the lower housing part and / or the upper housing part can be designed as separate components. Preferably, however, the lower and upper housing parts are formed in one piece, and the operating knob is designed as a separate component. Furthermore, it is preferred that the operating knob be arranged in a replaceable manner. For example, the operating knob can be attached to the knob mounting element and / or the shaft and secured and fixed with a setscrew or otherwise.

[0021] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the control knob and the lower housing part are designed as spaced-apart components. The control knob and the lower housing part are separate components and are connected to the electric motor in the lower housing part only via the shaft, either directly or indirectly. This increases the protection of the electric motor in the separate lower housing part. The control knob is inserted into the stator of the electric motor through a through-hole in the lower housing part and is rotatably mounted there. The fixed connection between the control knob and the rotor of the electric motor located in the lower housing part is established via the shaft. A seal, for example an O-ring, is preferably arranged around the shaft in the through-hole in the lower housing part. Alternatively, the lower housing part and the upper housing part are formed as a single piece.In this case, the seal can also be located inside the upper housing part. For example, the upper housing part and / or the button mounting element can be sealed towards the shaft.

[0022] A sealing element preferably consists of an O-ring or a circumferential groove filled with grease. The circumferential groove can be located on the outside of the shaft or on a side of the upper and / or lower housing facing the shaft. The actuating element preferably comprises a bell that is rigidly connected to the rotor or is an integral part of the rotor. The bell and / or the rotor is rigidly connected to the shaft. Preferably, the bell and shaft and / or the bell and rotor are frictionally connected. The bell thus serves as a mechanical connection between the rotor and the shaft. For this purpose, the bell can have a W-shaped cross-sectional profile. A W-shaped cross-sectional profile is formed by two U-shaped sections in the cross-section. Particularly preferably, the inner legs of the bell, i.e., the legs facing the shaft, are shorter than the outer legs of the bell.Alternatively, the bell can also have no inner legs and be connected to the shaft via the base of the bell. Thus, the bell can also have two L-shaped cross-sectional sections.

[0023] The bell can be arranged in a ring around the axis of rotation or the shaft. In this configuration, the bell forms a circumferential trough in which the stator and rotor of the electric motor are arranged. The inner side of the outer leg of the bell is preferably connected to the rotor. If the bell has an inner leg, the outer side of the inner leg is preferably connected to the shaft. Thus, when the control knob is turned, the bell rotates around the axis of rotation together with the shaft and the rotor.

[0024] The bell can be open upwards, towards the control knob. Alternatively, the bell can be open downwards, away from the control knob. In both cases, the bell completely encloses the electric motor, at least partially. Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the shaft is designed as a hollow cylinder. This makes it possible to simultaneously use the shaft as a light guide or as a cavity for an arrangement of electrical conductors. The end faces of the hollow cylinder shaft can be left open or sealed with a transparent material. For example, a light source can be arranged at the end face below the shaft. It is also preferably provided that the hollow cylinder shaft has a larger diameter in its upper end face. For example, the upper end face opening of the shaft can be U-shaped, V-shaped, or otherwise widened.This causes the light beam to scatter as it exits the wave.

[0025] Preferably, the lower housing part is sealed towards the shaft, for example by using an O-ring in the housing opening. The seal thus runs around the shaft in the area of ​​the passage opening through the lower housing part.

[0026] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the shaft extends completely through the bell. The shaft projects upwards from the bell and the lower housing, with the operating knob located at the upper end of the shaft. The shaft preferably projects downwards from the bell but terminates within the lower housing.

[0027] Preferably, a spring element for the automatic axial return of the operating knob is arranged in the lower housing part. This enables a push-button function for the rotary-push actuator. Alternatively, the spring element could also be arranged in the operating knob or between the operating knob and the lower housing part. Particularly preferably, the spring element is arranged completely around the shaft. Alternatively, the return action could also be based on a magnetic force.

[0028] The actuating device preferably includes a first sensor for detecting the radial position of the control knob. The first sensor could, for example, be a Hall sensor and detect the position of the magnets of the electric motor or the position of the rotor.

[0029] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the actuating device includes a second sensor or an electrical contact element for detecting actuation of the control knob in the axial direction. The second sensor can also be, for example, a Hall sensor. The corresponding magnets can be arranged, for example, at the lower end of the shaft on the outside of the shaft or completely around the shaft. The electrical contact element can be arranged below the shaft, i.e., below the end face of the shaft. When the control knob is actuated in the axial direction, the shaft is moved downwards and makes electrical contact with the electrical contact element.

[0030] Preferably, a first circuit board with at least one light source is arranged in the lower part of the housing. The light source can, for example, be an LED. The light source can be arranged on the first circuit board below the end opening or the end face of the shaft. The shaft, preferably designed as a hollow cylinder, thus serves as a light guide up to the operating button. Preferably, the second sensor or the electrical contact element could also be arranged on the first circuit board in the lower section of the lower part of the housing.

[0031] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that a second circuit board with at least one connection for data transmission is arranged in the lower part of the housing, or that a connection for data transmission is arranged on the first circuit board. The connection can, for example, be designed as a socket. Particularly preferably, the connection is designed for bidirectional data transmission. This allows, for example, the positions detected by the first and / or second sensor and / or the electrical contact to be transmitted to a control or processor unit. In the other direction, information such as the switching on and off of the haptic and / or acoustic signal, as well as the grid setting for the haptic and / or acoustic signal, can be received from the actuator.

[0032] Preferably, a fixing element is arranged around the upper housing section in sections, securing the upper housing section. For example, this secures and fixes the housing of the actuator within an operating device. The fixing element can be designed as a compression ring and arranged around the upper housing section in sections, thus forming a force-fit connection with the upper housing section. Alternatively, the fixing element could be designed as a nut and screwed onto an external thread of the upper housing section. The upper housing section can have an external thread for this purpose. Preferably, the electric motor is mounted on the shaft by means of a double bearing arrangement. For this purpose, the stator can be rotatably mounted on the shaft by means of a first bearing and a second bearing. The two bearings can, for example, be designed as ball bearings.

[0033] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the lower housing part and / or the upper housing part is rotatably mounted on the shaft by means of a third bearing, with all three bearings arranged on an axis parallel to the axis of rotation. For example, all three bearings can be designed as ball bearings. By providing three bearings on an axis parallel to the axis of rotation, the adjusting device can be positioned very precisely, which significantly reduces the required installation space. For accurate and precise alignment of the adjusting device during installation, the adjusting device preferably has a screw connection with play, such that this allows the three bearings to be aligned on an axis parallel to the axis of rotation during installation of the adjusting device.

[0034] A gap of defined height is preferably arranged in the axial direction between the upper housing part and the button mounting element or the operating button to limit the stroke. This allows the axial movement of the shaft and the operating button to be limited in the pressure direction. This prevents damage to components on a circuit board located below the shaft.

[0035] The shaft preferably has an electrical conductor in the axial direction for controlling a display. The display can be passive, for example as a transparent or semi-transparent disc, or active, for example as a controllable display. Preferably, the display is arranged on the top of the control knob, or the top of the control knob itself serves as the display. In the case of an active display, for example a display, it can be controlled by an electrical conductor, wherein the electrical conductor is routed from bottom to top through the shaft, which is designed as a hollow cylinder, or the electrical conductor is rigidly connected inside the shaft.

[0036] Preferably, an acoustic signal generator is arranged below the shaft to generate an acoustic signal when the operating button is actuated in the axial direction. The signal generator can be electrical or mechanical. Particularly preferably, the signal generator is mechanical and designed as a spring element, for example, a clicker. This is activated when the operating button is actuated in the axial direction by a mechanical pressure of the shaft on the signal generator.

[0037] It is also preferably provided that the grid for the haptic and / or acoustic signal is adjustable and variable via software. For this purpose, for example, the angle between two detents, and thus the number of detents per revolution, can be set and varied. Furthermore, the maximum resistance torque for exceeding a limit between two detents could be set and changed. The characteristic curve of the resistance torque along the rotation angle could also be set and varied. Additionally, the vibration intensity and / or the vibration frequency can preferably be set and varied. All of the aforementioned parameters can be set individually or in any combination via the software. This increases the flexibility for the use of the actuator in a wide variety of applications, as well as for different uses and preferences within a [system / organization].

[0038] Application.

[0039] Preferably, the control knob can be controlled to rotate independently through a predefined angle. This angle can be set and varied via the software. Furthermore, the independent rotation of the control knob can be triggered via the software.

[0040] According to the invention, an operating device with a previously described actuating means is also provided. For example, the actuating means could be used as an operating element of an operating device, wired or wireless, for a machine tool, for example a CNC machine, a milling machine, a lathe or the like.

[0041] Brief description of the drawings

[0042] The invention is explained below by way of example using preferred embodiments. The schematic representations show:

[0043] Figure 1: a perspective view of an actuating device designed as a rotary push-button actuator,

[0044] Figure 2: a cross-section through a rotary push-button actuator

[0045] Actuators

[0046] Figure 3: a cross-section through a rotary push-button actuator

[0047] Actuating device, and Figure 4: a further cross-section through an actuating device designed as a rotary push-button actuator.

[0048] Preferred embodiments of the invention

[0049] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an actuator 100 for acquiring operator input. The actuator 100 is designed as a rotary push-button actuator and has a control knob 10, which is rotatable radially about a rotational axis 11 and axially movable in the direction of the rotational axis or in the axial direction 26. To generate a haptic and / or acoustic signal for feedback to the user, the actuator 100 has an electric motor 12. The electric motor 12 is not shown in Figure 1 and is located inside the lower housing part 16a. Furthermore, the actuator 100 has a display 31 on the top of the control knob 10.

[0050] Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view through the actuator from Figure 1. To enable the actuator 100 to be used in industrial applications with high protection class requirements, the control knob 10 and the electric motor 12 are physically separated. The electric motor 12 is arranged in a lower housing part 16a and is connected to the control knob 10 only via a shaft 15.

[0051] The sensitive components, for example the stator 13 and the rotor 14 of the electric motor 12, are thus protected within the lower housing section 16a. The control knob 10 is connected to the rotor 14 of the external rotor electric motor 12 via the shaft 15. The stator 13 of the electric motor 12 is rotatably mounted on the shaft 15.

[0052] By turning the control knob 10 around the axis of rotation 11, the rotor 14 of the electric motor 12 is rotated via the shaft 15 around the stator 13 of the electric motor 12. This allows the haptic and / or acoustic signal to be generated as feedback to the user or operator.

[0053] The grid setting for the haptic and / or acoustic signal can be changed or adjusted and configured for the respective application.

[0054] The shaft 15 is designed as a hollow cylinder and serves as a light guide. A light source 22 is arranged on a first circuit board 21 in the lower section of the housing base 16a such that it can transmit the emitted light signal through the shaft 15 to the control knob 10. In the upper region, the diameter of the shaft 15 is increased so that the emerging light beam is diffused. The indicator 31 is passive, for example, designed as a semi-transparent disc.

[0055] To detect the actuation of the control knob 10 in the axial direction, an electrical contact element 20a is arranged on the first circuit board 21. The axial actuation of the control knob 10 moves the shaft 15 downwards in the axial direction 26, allowing it to close a circuit with the electrical contact element 20a, thereby detecting the lower stop. In the actuating device 100 shown in Figures 1 and 2, the housing is formed in one piece and consists of the lower housing part 16a and the upper housing part 16b. The control knob 10 is mounted on a knob receptacle 10a, which is positively connected to the shaft 15. A gap 30 with a defined height in the axial direction 26 is arranged between the upper housing part 16b and the knob receptacle 10a to limit the stroke.For flexible installation of the actuator 100 in an operating device 200 (not shown in the figures), the upper housing part 16b has a smaller width or diameter than the lower housing part 16a. A fixing element 28 is arranged section by section around the upper housing part 16b, fixing the upper housing part 16b in an operating device 200 (not shown here). In the actuator 100 shown here as an example, the fixing element 28 is designed as a compression ring and forms a force-fit connection with the upper housing part 16b.

[0056] The stator 13 of the electric motor 12 is rotatably mounted on the shaft 15 by means of a first bearing 29a and a second bearing 29b. Furthermore, the upper housing part 16b is rotatably mounted on the shaft 15 by means of a third bearing 29c. All three bearings (29a, 29b, 29c) are arranged on an axis parallel to the axis of rotation 11.

[0057] A downward-facing bell 17 is arranged in the lower housing section 16a. The bell 17 completely encloses the electric motor 12 and is positively connected to the rotor 14 of the electric motor 12, or partially forms the rotor 14. Furthermore, the bell 17 is positively connected to the shaft 15. When the control knob 10 is turned, the bell 17, and consequently the rotor 14, is set into radial motion via the shaft 15, or rotated along with it.

[0058] Below the shaft 15, an acoustic signal generator 32 in the form of a clicker is arranged to generate an acoustic signal when the operating button 10 is actuated in axial direction 26.

[0059] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view through an actuator 100 for acquiring operator input. The actuator 100 is designed as a rotary push-button actuator and has a control knob 10, which is rotatable radially about a rotational axis 11 and axially movable in the direction of the rotational axis. The actuator 100 has an electric motor 12 to generate a haptic and / or acoustic signal for feedback to the user or operator.

[0060] To enable the use of the actuator 100 in industrial applications with high protection class requirements, the control knob 10 and the electric motor 12 are physically separated. The electric motor 12 is arranged in a lower housing part 16a and is connected to the control knob 10 only via a shaft 15.

[0061] The sensitive parts, for example the stator 13 and the rotor 14 of the electric motor 12, are thus protected in the lower housing part 16a.

[0062] The housing of the adjusting device shown as an example in Figures 3 and 4

[0063] 100 consists solely of a lower housing part 16a. The lower housing part 16a is sealed off from the operating device 200. The operating knob 10 is connected to the rotor 14 of the electric motor 12, which is designed as an external rotor motor, via the shaft 15. The stator 13 of the electric motor 12 is rotatably mounted on the shaft 15.

[0064] By turning the control knob 10 around the axis of rotation 11, the rotor 14 of the electric motor 12 is rotated via the shaft 15 around the stator 13 of the electric motor 12. This allows the haptic and / or acoustic signal to be generated as feedback to the user or operator.

[0065] The grid setting for the haptic and / or acoustic signal can be changed or adjusted and configured for the respective application.

[0066] The shaft 15 is designed as a hollow cylinder and serves as a light guide. A light source 22 is arranged on a first circuit board 21 in the lower section of the housing base 16a such that it can transmit the emitted light signal through the shaft 15 to the control button 10.

[0067] To detect the actuation of the control button 10 in the axial direction, a second sensor 20 is arranged on the first circuit board 21. The second sensor 20 is designed as a Hall sensor, with the corresponding magnets 25 arranged in the lower section of the shaft 15 or around the shaft 15.

[0068] For automatic axial return and the generation of a push-button function, a spring element 18 is arranged around the shaft 15. The spring element 18 can be arranged in the lower housing part 16a, as shown in Figure 3. Figure 4 shows another cross-sectional view through an actuating element 100. In contrast to the actuating element 100 shown in Figure 3, the spring element

[0069] 18 for the automatic resetting of the control knob 10 in axial direction outside the lower part of the housing 16a, namely arranged at least sectionally in the control knob 10.

[0070] As shown in Figure 4, a second circuit board 23 with a connection means 24 can also be arranged in the lower housing part 16a. The connection means 24 can be designed as a socket for bidirectional data transmission to and from a control device or a control unit or processor unit.

[0071] Furthermore, a first sensor 19 can be arranged on the second circuit board 23. In the example shown in Figure 4, the first sensor 19 is designed as a Hall sensor and serves to detect the position of the magnets of the electric motor 12 or the position of the rotor 14.

[0072] The second circuit board 23 with the connection device 24 and the first sensor

[0073] 19 can also be provided in the adjusting device 100 shown in Figure 3.

[0074] For clarity, some features are shown as examples in only a few figures. A combination of all features in a single adjusting device 100 is also provided for according to the present invention. List of reference numerals

[0075] 100 adjusting devices

[0076] 200 operating unit

[0077] 10 Control knob

[0078] 10a Button mounting element

[0079] 11 axis of rotation

[0080] 12 Electric motor

[0081] 13 Stator

[0082] 14 Rotor

[0083] 15 wave

[0084] 16a Lower housing part

[0085] 16b Housing top

[0086] 17 Bell

[0087] 18 Spring elements

[0088] 19 First sensor

[0089] 20 Second sensor

[0090] 20a Electrical contact medium

[0091] 21 First circuit board

[0092] 22 light bulbs

[0093] 23 Second circuit board

[0094] 24 connection devices

[0095] 25 magnets

[0096] 26 Axial direction

[0097] 27 safety devices

[0098] 28 Fixatives

[0099] 29a First Camp b Second Camp c Third Camp

[0100] gap

[0101] Display medium

[0102] Acoustic signal generator

Claims

1. Actuating means (100) for recording operator inputs, wherein the actuating means (100) is designed as a rotary push-button actuator and has an operating knob (10) which rotates radially about a rotational axis (11) is rotatable and axially movable in the direction of the axis of rotation, characterized in that the actuating means (100) for generating a haptic and / or acoustic signal has an electric motor (12).

2. Actuating means (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the operating knob (10) is connected to the electric motor via a shaft (15). (12) is connected, or that the control knob (10) is connected to a knob receiving element (10a) via a shaft (15) to the electric motor (12).

3. Actuating means (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that the electric motor (12) is designed as an external rotor motor, wherein a stator (13) of the electric motor (12) is rotatably mounted on the shaft (15), and a rotor (14) of the electric motor (12) is fixedly connected to the shaft (15).

4. Actuating means (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating means (100) has a housing lower part (16a) wherein the electric motor (12) is arranged completely in the housing lower part (16a).

5. Actuating means (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating means (100) has a housing upper part (16b), wherein the operating knob (10) is attached to the housing upper part (16b) and / or at least partially covers it.

6. Actuating means (100) according to claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the lower housing part (16a) and the upper housing part (16b) together form a housing of the actuating means (100) and are formed in one piece.

7. Adjusting means (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that the upper housing part (16b) has a smaller width or diameter than the lower housing part (16a).

8. Actuating means (100) according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the operating knob (10) and / or the lower housing part (16a) and / or the upper housing part (16b) are designed as separate components.

9. Actuating means (100) according to one of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that the actuating means (100) has a bell (17) which is fixedly connected to the rotor (14) or the bell (17) is part of the rotor (14), and wherein the bell (17) and / or the rotor (14) is fixedly connected to the shaft (15).

10. Actuating means (100) according to claim 9, characterized in that the bell (17) is open upwards towards the operating button (10), or wherein the bell (17) is open downwards, and wherein the bell circumferentially at least partially encloses the electric motor (10).

11. Adjusting means (100) according to any one of claims 2 to 10, characterized in that the shaft (15) is designed as a hollow cylinder.

12. Actuating means (100) according to claim 11, characterized in that the shaft (15) designed as a hollow cylinder serves as an optical waveguide and a light source (22) is arranged at the end face below the shaft (15).

13. Actuating means (100) according to one of claims 11 or 12, characterized in that the shaft (15) designed as a hollow cylinder is spread open in the upper end face area.

14. Adjusting means (100) according to one of claims 2 and 4 to 13, characterized in that the housing upper part (16b) or the button receiving element (10a) is sealed towards the shaft (15).

15. Adjusting means (100) according to one of claims 2 and 4 to 14, characterized in that the lower part of the housing (16a) is sealed towards the shaft (15).

16. Actuating means (100) according to one of claims 2 and 9 to 15, characterized in that the shaft (15) extends completely through the bell (17).

17. Actuating means (100) according to one of claims 4 to 16, characterized in that a spring means (18) for automatic return of the operating knob (10) in the axial direction is arranged in the lower part of the housing (16a).

18. Adjusting means (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating means (100) has a first sensor (19) for detecting a radial position of the operating knob (10).

19. Actuating means (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating means (100) has a second sensor (20) or an electrical contact means (20a) for detecting an actuation of the operating button (10) in the axial direction.

20. Actuating means (100) according to one of claims 4 to 19, characterized in that a first circuit board (21) with at least one light source (22) is arranged in the lower part of the housing (16a).

21. Actuating means (100) according to one of claims 4 to 20, characterized in that a second printed circuit board (23) with at least one connection means (24) for data transmission is arranged in the lower part of the housing (16a), or that a connection means (24) for data transmission is arranged on a first printed circuit board (21).

22. Adjusting means (100) according to one of claims 5 to 21, characterized in that a fixing means (28) is arranged section by section around the housing upper part (16b), wherein the housing upper part (16b) is fixed by the fixing means (28).

23. Actuating means (100) according to one of claims 3 to 22, characterized in that the stator (13) is rotatably mounted on the shaft (15) by means of a first bearing (29a) and a second bearing (29b).

24. Adjusting means (100) according to one of claim 23, characterized in that the lower housing part (16a) and / or the upper housing part (16b) is rotatably mounted on the shaft (15) by means of a third bearing (29c), wherein all three bearings (29a, 29b, 29c) are arranged on an axis parallel to the axis of rotation (11).

25. Actuating means (100) according to one of claims 5 to 24, characterized in that a gap (30) with a defined height in the axial direction (26) is arranged between the housing upper part (16b) and the button receiving element (10a) or the operating button (10) for limiting the stroke.

26. Actuating means (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shaft (15) has an electrical conductor in the axial direction (26) for controlling a display means (31).

27. Actuating means (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an acoustic signal generator (32) is arranged below the shaft (15) to generate an acoustic signal when the operating button (10) is actuated in the axial direction (26).

28. Actuating means (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a grid for the haptic and / or acoustic signal is adjustable and variable via software.

29. Adjusting means (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control knob (10) can be controlled in such a way as to rotate by a predetermined angle.

30. Control device (200) with an actuating means (100) according to one of the preceding claims. TI

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