Operating device

0001An operating device for controlling at least two devices is described. The devices may be components of a common device or two independent devices that are controllable via the operating device.

0002For example, the devices may serve to control air deflection from an air vent, wherein the first device may comprise a first group of louvers and the second device may comprise a second group of louvers. Such air vents may for example be arranged in a vehicle. Air vents in vehicles are used to divert the output air that is supplied by an air conditioner or other ventilation device.

0003Vehicles may be, for example, motor vehicles such as cars, trucks or buses, trains or aircraft or ships. In the case of air vents, in addition to the control of the deflection of discharged air, the amount of discharged air can generally also be regulated. The amount of air supplied can be controlled by a device which can be controlled by means of the operating device.

0004The operating device can also be used to control other devices, such as storage compartments with moving components. Additional areas of application include pivotable screens or mirrors, cup holders and lighting devices.

State of the art

0005There are various operating devices for driving various functions known. Especially in Luftausströmern in motor vehicles control elements are known which allow both a control of two groups of slats and a pivoting of a closing flap. The controls are arranged for example on a diaphragm surrounding an air vent or in the region of a control plate and can be rotated, pivoted, displaced or displaced in the longitudinal direction of the air channel. These operating devices also make it possible to control the individual components independently of each other.

0006Such controls, which interact mechanically with the associated components, are also known for other devices, such as storage compartments, shelves and twistable or displaceable elements.

0007However, these operating devices have the disadvantage that they protrude from a surface or from a movable element. The standing of the controls is disadvantageous in many ways. First, protruding controls and devices always tend to be damaged by improper use or accidental bumping. Not only does the lack of operability of the driving components suffers, but also the exchange is often difficult and expensive, because usually the entire unit has to be replaced because, for example, the control unit interacts with other components via a linkage and a lever arrangement. In addition, the visual appearance suffers from protruding controls or controls. Especially in the field of motor vehicles, the operating devices are often arranged on a highly visible surface, such as a panel in the vehicle dashboard. Recently, more and more air vents are designed so that they integrate into the visual appearance of a surface in the vehicle. Only the controls are then from this surface and worsen the visual appearance.

0008However, projecting controls or controls are not only in the area of ​​the air vents of vehicles or storage systems, such as cupholders, disturbing, but also in other applications outside of a vehicle. Outstanding controls affect even in non-vehicle-based devices the visual appearance and can be easily damaged.

task

0009In contrast, the object is to provide an operating device for controlling at least two devices, which is simple, less susceptible to interference, has a visually appealing appearance with a simple intuitive operation and represents an alternative to the well-known from the prior controls.

solution

0010The above object is achieved by an operating device for controlling at least two devices, comprising a toothed plate with a plurality of teeth, a first gear arrangement with at least a first gear and a second gear arrangement with at least one second gear, wherein<ul id="ul0001" list-style="dash"><li>the at least one first gear of the first gear arrangement and the at least one second gear of the second gear arrangement are in engagement with the teeth of the tooth plate,</li><li>the at least one first gear of the first gear arrangement and the at least one second gear of the second gear arrangement are rotatably mounted about mutually orthogonal axes,</li><li>the back of the tooth plate is accessible via an opening in a user interface of the operating device, and</li><li>the first gear arrangement with a first device and the second gear arrangement with a second device can be coupled.</li></ul>

0011The operating device has a very simple structure and makes it possible mechanically to control a first device and a second device together and independently of one another. The tooth plate is displaceably mounted for this purpose on the back of the user interface. If the toothed plate is displaced beyond the opening on the front side in the region of the operating surface, then the at least one first toothed wheel of the first toothed wheel arrangement is displaced and / or the at least one second toothed wheel of the second toothed wheel arrangement is displaced. The first gear arrangement and the second gear arrangement are coupled to a first device and a second tooth device, so that a transmission of the movement for driving takes place.

0012The structure has few components and is therefore also robust. In addition, the operating device has no projecting elements, which may be distracting or may be destroyed by misuse and misuse. An accidental knocking and thus accidental destruction are also excluded.

0013The tooth plate as a sliding control element is accessible only via the opening on the front of the user interface and is moved relative to the user interface. The toothed plate lies in a plane that runs parallel to the user interface and is arranged behind it. Therefore, the operating device does not need any protruding elements to which, for example, objects can get caught. The displacement of the toothed plate in a first direction alone can cause the actuation of a first device. The displacement of the tooth plate in the second direction may cause actuation of only a second device, wherein displacement of the tooth plate in both directions causes corresponding common actuation of a first and a second device.

0014The devices may, for example, comprise a first group of lamellae and a second group of lamellae which can be pivoted together as well as independently. Instead of slats and other air guide elements and closing flaps or deflecting elements can be pivoted. In addition, it is possible to use the operating device to move closing flaps in storage systems and cup holders. In addition, lighting devices can be pivoted accordingly to change the focus of lighting.

0015The toothed plate can be formed by two toothed racks intersected in two axes. The teeth of the tooth plate are designed as pyramids, so that in a conventional embodiment of the gears, such as a pinion, a displacement of the tooth plate in a first direction, in a second direction and in both directions can be done together. The formation of the teeth may also be such in other embodiments that the tips of the teeth are rounded. Instead of pyramidal elevations and conical elevations or pin-like elevations may be provided, which then take over the function of the teeth. The formation of the teeth is therefore not limited to a conventional training, but defined according to the technical teaching described herein all elements that allow engaging with a first gear and a second gear to a corresponding rotation of the gears by a displacement of the tooth plate to effect.

0016On the back of the user interface bearing blocks can be arranged. The bearing blocks can cause a limitation of the sliding movement of the tooth plate on the one hand. Preferably, four bearing blocks are arranged, which extend substantially uniformly around the opening on the user surface at the back of the user interface. The user interface can for example be part of a panel, wherein the panel has the opening through which the tooth plate is accessible with its back. The edge of the opening on the user interface may have a corresponding configuration, wherein the edge has, for example, a chamfer. Instead of a chamfer, rounded areas can also be provided, which provide a transition from the opening to the remaining surface of the user interface.

0017In further embodiments, the bearing blocks at such a distance from the opening, that a displacement of the tooth plate from a neutral position in any direction by a magnitude equal way is possible. In this case, the tooth plate is correspondingly designed so that it has, for example, a square shape. A shift in the first direction can therefore take place in the positive as well as in the negative direction, starting from the neutral position by an equal amount. In the second direction can therefore also be a shift in the positive as well as in the negative sense by the same amount. However, in other embodiments, the aperture and the tooth plate may have other configurations and spacings, such that, for example, the tooth plate may be displaced a greater amount in a first direction, a positive direction, or a negative direction than in the second direction. In addition, the distance of the bearing blocks may be different, so that a greater or lesser displacement of the tooth plate is possible.

0018Also, the tooth plate may include portions that do not include teeth, such that actuation of the tooth plate over a certain range does not cause rotation of the first gear and / or the second gear. In addition, the tooth plate can also be so large and have at least two mutually spaced areas with teeth, wherein both areas are associated with a first gear or a second gear and the areas are arranged over a portion without teeth away. A displacement of the tooth plate can thereby cause, starting from a zero position, only a certain actuation, displacement, of the tooth plate is required to bring about an engagement of the first gear or the second gear. In addition, other gear arrangements may be provided, wherein the tooth plate has different areas with teeth which are separated by portions without teeth, wherein each of the sections is in engagement with a separate gear arrangement. An actuation of the tooth plate can therefore displace several devices together or independently. Moreover, it is also possible that a third gear arrangement is provided, the gearwheel of which is rotatable parallel to the first gearwheel, wherein the toothed plate has two mutually separate regions with teeth. After displacing the toothed plate in a first direction by a first amount, wherein the first gear arrangement has been rotated, the tooth plate passes into another section in which the teeth of a first portion of the tooth plate are no longer engaged with the first gear. By way of further displacement, the teeth of a further section then engage with the third toothed wheel, so that the third toothed wheel arrangement is actuated during a further displacement and a third device can be activated. A first device and a third device are therefore independently controllable, with only a displacement of the tooth plate in the first direction, in the positive or negative sense, takes place.

0019Depending on the design of the tooth plate with different sections with teeth, which are separated from each other by sections without teeth, and the arrangement of several gear arrangements, therefore, different devices are jointly and / or independently controllable.

0020In other embodiments, the opening has various shapes. For example, the opening may be oval, round, rectangular, square, star-shaped, cross-shaped, etc.

0021In order to realize a corresponding displacement of the tooth plate, but which may also have different shapes (rectangular, square, star-shaped, round, oval, etc.) also guides in the back of the user surface can be provided, which support a displacement of the tooth plate or in in a certain way. In addition, additional gear arrangements or pinions can be provided, which are permanently engaged with the teeth of the tooth plate, and are not coupled to a device, wherein a guide is provided over this.

0022The at least one first gear of the first gear arrangement and / or the at least one second gear of the second gear arrangement may be rotatably supported via the bearing blocks. For this purpose, the bearing blocks can also have openings in which bearing journals, bearing shafts or similar devices are rotatably mounted, which in turn are connected or coupled to the gear arrangements and / or carry the gears of the gear arrangements.

0023The at least one first gear of the first gear arrangement and the at least one second gear of the second gear arrangement may be rotatably supported in other embodiments about axes lying in the same plane, wherein the at least one first gear of the first gear arrangement and the at least one second gear of the second gear arrangement have substantially equal outer diameter. In such embodiments, the displacement of the tooth plate in the two directions (together or independently) causes a magnitude correspondingly uniform actuation of the respective gears, as they are rotated by a same amount at a displacement of the tooth plate in the first direction and the second direction. Another arrangement, wherein the axes of rotation have a mutually different distance to the tooth plate and the outer diameter of the gears differ, causes in a displacement in the first or the second direction, a greater or lesser rotation of the corresponding other gear. This can be realized various controls. An equal amount of displacement of the tooth plate in the first direction and the second direction can therefore provide a different rotation and thus a different operation. In addition, gear arrangements can be coupled to the gears, so that a translation of the rotational movements in corresponding sizes is possible.

0024In further embodiments, the at least one first gear or the at least one second gear are rotatably mounted via a connecting piece on a bearing shaft for the at least one second gear or the at least one first gear. The connecting piece may for example have a bearing journal about which the first or the second gearwheel are rotatably mounted. In addition, the connector may have a receiving portion which is supported against the bearing shaft. Preferably, this receiving portion has a C-shaped receptacle which bears against the bearing shaft. This makes it possible to provide the same size gears which are rotatable about mutually orthogonal axes of rotation in the same plane.

0025The at least one first gear of the first gear arrangement and / or the at least one second gear of the second gear arrangement may be coupled via their bearing shafts or via the gears themselves to the first device and / or the second device. A coupling via the bearing shafts or the bearing pins can take place via a direct connection to the gears themselves or a detachable / non-detachable connection. Thus, for example, a snapping the gears on corresponding bearing pin or journal. In addition to snapping or clipping onto the gears, a gear arrangement may also comprise, for example, at least two toothed wheels lying on a shaft, wherein the shaft comprises receiving openings for bearing bolts. In further embodiments, for example, a first gear or a second gear may be rotatably supported via the bearing blocks and a connecting piece between a bearing shaft and the bearing block.

0026At least one of the bearing bolts or the bearing shaft can then be coupled to the further device via an additional gear, a belt drive or a lever arrangement with the devices. Moreover, it is also possible that the gears of the first gear arrangement and the second gear arrangement are coupled directly to the first device and the at least one second device. For this purpose, in turn gears, pinions, belt drives or levers and gear arrangements can be provided.

0027The operating device can also be electromechanically used or extended by, for example, potentiometers are coupled to the at least one first gear and / or the at least one second gear and the position of the tooth plate is so electrically transmitted.

0028The accessible via the opening region of the back of the tooth plate may have a recess. The depression serves as an operating aid for a user, in which recess a fingertip can be inserted. In addition, the depression or a depression can define a neutral position. If the trough is substantially in the middle of the opening, in a further embodiment this can represent a neutral position. If the toothed plate is displaced, a displacement of the depression is automatically achieved, whereby the position of the toothed plate and the devices coupled thereto are then visible from the outside via the depression. For this purpose, the edge at the opening on the user interface may have areas with a label or markings. These indicate which actuation is present, for example, or in which direction, for example, an air flow is emitted. The gear arrangements are preferably coupled to the devices in such a way that intuitive control is provided in the case of an air vent, wherein a displacement of the tooth plate in the direction of the operating device from the operator surface to the left causes a corresponding deflection of the air flow to the left.

0029Preferably, the configuration of the depression or other elements takes place in the region of the back of the tooth plate in dependence on the possible displacement of the tooth plate, for example between bearing blocks, so that a displacement of the tooth plate beyond a certain range, in which the depression would no longer be accessible excluded. The vote of the individual components therefore takes place in accordance with the operation to be carried out. In order to be able to realize larger movements with smaller displacement movements, lever arrangements or gear arrangements can in particular be provided, which effect a corresponding transmission of a modestly small displacement of the tooth plate.

0030At least the region of the rear side of the tooth plate accessible via the opening can have at least one marking, a symbol and / or an illuminable region. Lighting can also be realized in that the toothed plate consists at least partially of a transilluminable plastic and a lighting device on the back of the user interface, for example via optical fibers or conductors and a light source (eg. LED) brings a lighting in the plastic. On the back of the tooth plate, which is visible from the outside, a coating can be applied to the plastic, so that only certain areas, can be illuminated. Also, the user interface, for example, be illuminated in the area surrounding the opening to provide a control even at night can.

0031At the tooth plate and / or at the bearing blocks damping elements can be arranged in further embodiments. The damping elements may consist of an elastomer or comprise an elastomer. As elastomers for this purpose, for example, thermoplastic elastomers are known. Also, silicones are suitable for damping elements, since they can be used over a high temperature range for a long time without losing their damping properties. The damping properties can be used, for example, to prevent striking the tooth plate when moving on the bearing blocks or to provide a damping system in the end. In other embodiments, sprockets of damping material may also be provided which engage the tooth plate, thereby damping displacement of the tooth plate via the elastomer / silicon pinions.

0032The operating device and the components may preferably be made of plastic and are therefore inexpensive to produce in an injection molding process in large quantities. In addition, the attachment of the damping elements can be carried out in a two-component injection molding process, so that can be dispensed with additional processing steps.

0033Due to the low components of the operating device, this is also subject to lower requirements in terms of tolerances, since the tolerance chain is significantly reduced for a few components.

0034Further advantages, features and design options will become apparent from the following description of the figures of non-limiting embodiments to be understood.

Brief description of the drawings

0035In the drawings shows:<dl id="dl0001"><dt>Fig. 1</dt><dd>a perspective view of an operating device;</dd><dt>Fig. 2</dt><dd>a further perspective view of the operating device;</dd><dt>Fig. 3</dt><dd>an exploded view of the operating device;</dd><dt>Fig. 4</dt><dd>a rear view of the operating device;</dd><dt>Fig. 5</dt><dd>a sectional view of the operating device along the plane AA;</dd><dt>Fig. 6</dt><dd>a sectional view of the operating device along the plane BB; and</dd><dt>Fig. 7</dt><dd>a plan view of the user interface of the operating device with schematically indicated positions of the tooth plate.</dd></dl>

0036Substantially numbered components in the drawings essentially correspond to each other unless otherwise specified. In addition, it is not intended to describe and demonstrate ingredients which are not essential to the understanding of the teachings disclosed herein.

Detailed description of an embodiment

0037<figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> shows a perspective view of an operating device 10. The operating device 10 of the embodiment shown herein serves for pivoting of air guide elements of a Luftausströmers in a vehicle. For this purpose, the operating device 10 is integrated in a vehicle dashboard, wherein the operating device 10 may be part of a decorative element of a dashboard. In the in<figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> In the embodiment shown, the operating device 10 has an aperture 12. The panel 12 may be part of the surface of the vehicle dashboard and has for this purpose the same surface finish and shape as the further decorative area of ​​the dashboard. The operating device 10 is located in the vicinity of a Luftausströmers and serves to pivot the air guide elements. For this purpose, the operating device 10 is coupled via a first gear arrangement and a second gear arrangement 40 with the air guide elements for pivoting. The operating device 10 is for this purpose coupled via a first gear 30 of the first gear arrangement with a pinion, which is connected via a corresponding mechanism with the air guide elements of a first group of fins. The gears 42 and 44 of the second gear assembly 40 are operatively connected to a second group of louvers via a corresponding further pinion. A rotation of the first gear arrangement and the second gear arrangement 40 causes a corresponding pivoting of the air guide elements, which in turn serves to deflect an air flow. The transmission of the rotational movement of the gear arrangements can take place in various ways, wherein a person skilled in the prior art various transmission options, including gear, lever assemblies, pinion and cams and coupling rods are known.

0038The components of the operating device 10 are made of plastic and are therefore inexpensive to produce in an injection molding process in large quantities. The surface of the user interface 14 on the front side 15 of the panel 12 has a surface design and structure adapted to the decor area. The front 15 may also be curved or curved, as long as the rear side arranged behind 13 (see, for example<figref idref="f0001">Fig. 2</figref>) allows a parallel displacement of a tooth plate 20. This means that the front side 15 may have a different shape than the rear side 13. The aperture 12 has an opening 16 which is surrounded by an edge 17. The edge 17 is slightly obliquely formed and forms a transition from the front 15 of the user interface 14 to the opening 16 and accessible through the opening 16, designed as a toothed plate 20 control. The tooth plate 20 has on its rear side 22, over which the tooth plate 20 is visible with respect to the operating device 10 via the opening 16, a trough 24. The trough 24 may be corrugated or have an otherwise surface finish, so that an actuation and displacement of the toothed plate 20 by means of a finger of an operator can take place via this. The shape of the back side 22 may be identical, different or similar to the surface shape on the front side 15 of the user interface 14. In addition, the trough 24 may have a similar or the same surface shape or be designed differently for this purpose. The same applies to the edge 17, which may have, for example, only a portion of a different configuration, wherein the four schematically indicated areas (top / bottom, left / right) have a different shape and / or can be illuminated.

0039To perform a corresponding pivoting of the slats to change the air deflection, the tooth plate 20 is moved. A displacement of the tooth plate 20 causes via the rear gear 13 arranged on the first gear arrangement and second gear arrangement 40, a rotation of this and thus a transmission of the displacement movement to the first group of slats and / or the second group of slats.

0040For this purpose, the panel 12 on its back four bearing blocks 18, as in <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 2</figref> shown in a further perspective view of the operating device 10. Three of the bearing blocks 18 also have openings 19, see<figref idref="f0002">Fig. 3</figref>in which a bearing shaft 32 of the first gear 30 and bearing pin 48 of the second gear assembly 40 are received. About the bearing shaft 32, the first gear 30 is rotatably mounted about the rotation axis D1. The first gear 30 is engaged with the teeth 28 on the front side 26 of the tooth plate 20. The second gear 42 and the third gear 44 of the second gear assembly 40 are also engaged with the teeth 28 of the tooth plate 20th For this purpose, the second gear 42 and the third gear 44 are rotatably mounted about the rotation axis D2. The rotation axis D1 and the rotation axis D2 are orthogonal to each other. Moving the tooth plate 20 along the rotation axis D1 therefore causes rotation of the second gear 42 and the third gear 44. Moving the tooth plate 20 along the rotation axis D2 causes rotation of the first gear 30 about the rotation axis D1. Displacement of the tooth plate 20 in both the first direction and the second direction causes rotation of the first gear assembly with the first gear 30 about the rotational axis D1 as well as rotation of the second gear 42 and the third gear due to the formation of the teeth 28 44 of the second gear assembly 40 about the axis of rotation D2.

0041Instead of two gears 42 and 44 for the second gear assembly 40 and only one gear 42/44 could be provided.

0042The teeth 28 of the toothed plate 20 are formed by toothed rods which are cut together in two axes. The teeth 28 have a substantially pyramidal shape, so that a displacement of the tooth plate 20 in both the first direction and in the second direction and together in both directions is possible. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the tooth plate 20 is square and the distance of the tooth plate 20 to the bearing blocks 18 is equal in the neutral position. The bearing blocks 18 serve not only for the rotatable mounting of the gear arrangements but also limit the maximum displacement of the tooth plate 20th The formation of the tooth plate 20 and the operating device 10 in general is also chosen so that the trough 24 is accessible in all the maximum shifted states via the opening 16. The position of the trough 24 also indicates in which direction the toothed plate 20 has been displaced (see<figref idref="f0004">Fig. 7</figref>), whereby an air deflection for the first group of fins and the second group of fins of the air vent are visible.

0043The rear side 13 has a smooth surface at least in the displacement area for the toothed plate 20. Likewise, the tooth plate 20 extends parallel to the back 13, so that a smooth shifting is possible. About the formation of the gears 30, 42 and 44 and the formation of the tooth plate 20, in particular the teeth 28 can also, as well as on the arrangement of the components to each other, a maximum operating force for moving the tooth plate 20 can be adjusted. In further embodiments, the teeth 28 and / or the gears 30, 42 and 44 may be made of a deformable material, wherein the deformability is selected so that a displacement of the tooth plate 20 causes a rotation of the gears 30, 42 and 44, but this one damping effect is provided. The formation of the gears 30, 42 and 44 may in this case be similar to silicone pinions, which are coupled as damping elements with racks or similar devices. The same applies to the teeth 28, which may also consist of an at least partially elastic material, such as thermoplastic elastomers or silicone. The gears 30, 42 and 44 and / or the teeth 28 may also have a coating of a damping material.

0044<figref idref="f0002">Fig. 3</figref> shows an exploded view of the operating device 10. The operating device 10 is characterized in that it has few components and is therefore very robust. As already described, the aperture 12 has the opening 16, via which the rear side 22 of the toothed plate 20 is accessible in regions. About the bearing blocks 18 of the displacement of the tooth plate 20 is limited. In addition, the bearing blocks 18 are used to support the gears 30 of the first gear assembly and the gears 44 and 42 of the second gear assembly 40. In the openings 19 of the two opposite bearing blocks 18 with the openings 19, the bearing pins 48 of the second gear assembly 40 are inserted. The bearing shaft 32 is inserted into the opening 19 of the bearing block 18, which faces the bearing block 18 without opening. This bearing block has a lower height, since no opening 19 is required.

0045The gears 42 and 44 of the second gear assembly 40 are connected via a bearing shaft 45 directly to each other. On the opposite sides, the gears 42 and 44 each have an opening 46. In the openings 46, the bearing pins 48 are used. For this purpose, a latching connection can take place, for example, latching elements engage within the opening 46 in a groove or recess in the region of the shaft-like portions of the bearing pin 48 or the wave-like portions of the bearing pin 48 have corresponding projections, for example, in a circumferential groove in the region of the openings 46th intervention.

0046In addition, a connecting piece 50 is provided, which has a bearing journal 52, which in an in <figref idref="f0004">Fig. 6</figref> is shown in section schematically shown opening of the first gear 30. The first gear 30 is mounted rotatably about the bearing pin 52 on the connecting piece 50 here. The connector 50 also has a C-shaped receptacle 54. In the assembled state of the operating device 10, the receptacle 54 is supported on the bearing shaft 45. The bearing shaft 45 can be rotated without this having an influence on the connecting piece 50. A rotation of the first gear assembly with the gear 30 and the second gear assembly 40 with the gears 42 and 44 is therefore possible independently. In addition, the individual gears 30, 42 and 44 but also be rotated together about their axes of rotation D1 and D2.

0047The assembly of the operating device 10 can be carried out such that first the toothed plate 20 is placed on the back 13. Subsequently, the first gear 30 is placed on the front side 26 of the tooth plate 20 and moved so far in the direction of the associated bearing block 18 until the bearing shaft 32 is received in the corresponding opening 19. Subsequently, the connecting piece 50 is introduced, wherein the bearing pin 52 is inserted into the corresponding opening of the first gear 30. Thereafter, the second gear 42 and the third gear 44 are placed on the front side 26 of the tooth plate 20 and displaced until the bearing shaft 45 rests in the C-shaped receptacle 54 and is received therein. Subsequently, the bearing pins 48 are inserted through the openings 19 at the opposite bearing blocks 18 until they are received in the openings 46.

0048When assembling the operating device 10, the toothed plate 20 may initially be positioned so that it bears against the bearing block 18, which is opposite the bearing block 18 without opening 19 (bearing block for the first gear 30), wherein after the introduction of the first gear arrangement 40 a rotation of the second gear 42 and the third gear 44 takes place, since they must be displaced in the direction of the connecting piece 50. Subsequently, then the tooth plate 20 is in its neutral position when the bearing shaft 45 is received in the C-shaped receptacle 54. In further embodiments, a slight lifting of individual components can also take place, so that no displacement of the toothed plate 20 during assembly is necessary.

0049<figref idref="f0003">Fig. 4</figref> shows a rear view of the operating device 10. The operating device 10 has its neutral position in this illustration. The tooth plate 20 is not displaced in this case. As can also be seen, the toothed plate 20 has a square shape and has the same distance to the opposite bearing blocks 18.<figref idref="f0003">Fig. 4</figref> also shows the arrangement of the gears 30, 42 and 44 via the connector 50. In all positions of the tooth plate 20, this is in engagement with the gears 30, 42 and 44. A departure from the engagement is by the distance of the bearing blocks 18 to the tooth plate 20th and the arrangement of the gears 30, 42 and 44 prevented.

0050<figref idref="f0003">Fig. 5</figref> shows a sectional view of the operating device 10 along the plane AA of <figref idref="f0003">Fig. 4</figref>, All of the gears 30, 42 and 44 are engaged with the teeth 28 of the tooth plate 20. A displacement of the tooth plate 20 via the trough 24 then causes a rotation of the corresponding gears 30, 42 and 44, which are then rotated about the rotation axis D1 and the rotation axis D2.

0051<figref idref="f0004">Fig. 6</figref> shows a sectional view of the operating device 10 along the plane BB of <figref idref="f0003">Fig. 4</figref>, In the embodiment shown, the bearing shaft 32 is arranged as a stepped bearing shaft directly on the first gear 30. About the stepped training, the position of the first gear 30 is fixed relative to the bearing block 18. The design of the journal 52 on the connecting piece 50 additionally defines the position of the first gear 30, which in the assembled state can only be rotated about the axis of rotation D1. The position of the connecting piece 50 and the first gear 30 via the arrangement of the gears 42 and 44, which occupy their defined position on the bearing pin 48 in the assembled state. The gears 42 and 44 are connected via the bearing shaft 45 directly to each other.

0052Finally shows <figref idref="f0004">Fig. 7</figref> a plan view of the user interface 14 of the operating device 10 with schematically indicated positions of the tooth plate 20 via the trough 24. In <figref idref="f0004">Fig. 7</figref> dashed lines different positions of the trough 24 are shown. Of course, additional intermediate positions can be taken. The illustration shows only that both a displacement of the tooth plate 20 can be made up and down or to the right and left as well as an oblique displacement, this being both to a rotation of the first gear 30 of the first gear arrangement and to a rotation of the gears 42 and 44 of the second gear assembly 40 leads. Accordingly, then an operation of the associated facilities.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

0053<dl id="dl0002" compact="compact"><dt>10</dt><dd>operating device</dd><dt>12</dt><dd>cover</dd><dt>13</dt><dd>back</dd><dt>14</dt><dd>user interface</dd><dt>15</dt><dd>front</dd><dt>16</dt><dd>opening</dd><dt>17</dt><dd>edge</dd><dt>18</dt><dd>bearing block</dd><dt>19</dt><dd>opening</dd><dt>20</dt><dd>tooth plate</dd><dt>22</dt><dd>back</dd><dt>24</dt><dd>trough</dd><dt>26</dt><dd>front</dd><dt>28</dt><dd>teeth</dd><dt>30</dt><dd>first gear</dd><dt>32</dt><dd>bearing shaft</dd><dt>40</dt><dd>second gear arrangement</dd><dt>42</dt><dd>second gear</dd><dt>44</dt><dd>third gear</dd><dt>45</dt><dd>bearing shaft</dd><dt>46</dt><dd>opening</dd><dt>48</dt><dd>pivot</dd><dt>50</dt><dd>joint</dd><dt>52</dt><dd>pivot</dd><dt>54</dt><dd>C-shaped recording</dd><dt>D1</dt><dd>axis of rotation</dd><dt>D2</dt><dd>axis of rotation</dd></dl>