Operating unit for an electrical apparatus

An operating unit for an electrical appliance, comprising

• an operating element which can be pressed down in a direction of actuation,
• a support element which is mechanically coupled to the operating element and on which the operating element is elastically supported so as to be movable in the direction of actuation,
• a sensor for detecting a motion of the operating element when the operating element is pressed down, and/or for detecting a force applied to the operating element,
• an actuator for moving the operating element, and
• an evaluation and drive unit connected to the sensor and to the actuator for driving the actuator upon press-down movement of the operating element and/or application of force onto the operating element as detected by the sensor,
• the support element being adapted to be moved by the actuator in at least one direction of movement extending transversely to the direction of actuation of the operating element,
• wherein the support element is supported on at least two support arms which project upward from an abutment element and are arranged in an extension of the direction of actuation of the operating element, and
• wherein, for movement of the support element by the actuator, the support arms each have opposite ends respectively connected to the support element and the abutment element, and an intermediate portion elastically deflectable in said at least one direction of movement extending transversely to the direction of actuation of the operating element.