# US 11,029,719 B2 · Control arrangement consisting of an actuating element with an input surface and rotary actuator arranged on said input surface > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,029,719 B2 - Document ID: US11029719B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/766,173 - Filed: 2016-10-27 - Published: 2018-11-01 - Granted: 2021-06-08 - Earliest claimed: 2015-10-30 - Assignees: Preh GmbH - Applicants: Preh GmbH - Inventors: Markus Klein; Michael Schubert; Benedikt Schmidt - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11029719B2 ## CPC - G05G 5/03: Means for enhancing the operator's awareness of arrival of the controlling member at a command or datum position; Providing feel, e.g. means for creating a counterforce (arrangements for indicating the position of the controlling member G05G1/015) - B60K 35/10: Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor - B60K 35/25: using haptic output - B60K 35/60: Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles (arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10) - G06F 3/016: {Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user} - G06F 3/03547: {Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface} - G06F 3/04144: {using an array of force sensing means (position sensing using the local deformation of sensor cells G06F3/0447)} - G06F 3/045: using resistive elements, e.g. a single continuous surface or two parallel surfaces put in contact - B60K 2360/126: Rotatable input devices for instruments - B60K 2360/1438: Touch screens - G05G 1/08: Controlling members for hand actuation by rotary movement, e.g. hand wheels - G05G 5/05: Means for returning or tending to return controlling members to an inoperative or neutral position, e.g. by providing return springs or resilient end-stops (G05G5/28 takes precedence) - G06F 3/044: by capacitive means - G06F 2203/04105: Pressure sensors for measuring the pressure or force exerted on the touch surface without providing the touch position - G05G: CONTROL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS INSOFAR AS CHARACTERISED BY MECHANICAL FEATURES ONLY ("Bowden" or like mechanisms F16C1/10; gearings or mechanisms not peculiar to this purpose F16H; speed changing or reversing mechanisms for gearings conveying rotary motion F16H59/00 - F16H63/00) - B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) ## Abstract The present disclosure relates to an operating assembly consisting of a carrier, an actuating element that is mounted movably relative to the carrier and so as to return into a rest position and which defines an input surface and has a detector for detecting a touch occurring on the input surface, and of at least one rotary adjuster, which is disposed on the input surface and is mounted rotatably relative to the input surface, and of a matrix of force sensors between the carrier and the actuating element, and of an evaluator, which is configured for carrying out a positional determination of a touch that has occurred on the input surface from the signal obtained by the detector, and for identifying at least one action of the actuating force on the rotary adjuster based on the signals of the matrix of force sensors by a comparison with predetermined values. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An operating assembly comprising: a carrier; an actuating element that is mounted movably relative to the carrier and configured to return into a rest position, and which defines an input surface and has a detector for detecting a touch occurring on the input surface; at least one rotary adjuster disposed on the input surface and is mounted rotatably relative to the input surface, wherein the rotary adjuster is configured with a controlling function given an actuating force occurring in a direction parallel to an axis of rotary displacement of the rotary adjuster; a matrix of force sensors between the carrier and the actuating element for measuring an actuating force acting upon the actuating element; and an evaluator, which is configured to verify by comparing a positional determination of a touch on the input surface from the signal obtained by the detector, with a location of the actuating force on the rotary adjuster determined based on the signals of the matrix of force sensors, wherein the evaluator is configured to switch control from the input surface to the at least one rotary adjuster, based on the verification of the actuating force on the rotary adjuster in the direction parallel to the axis of the rotary displacement of the rotary adjuster. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The operating assembly of claim 1, wherein the detector is designed to detect a touch capacitively or resistively. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The operating assembly of claim 1, wherein the detector is designed to detect an approach towards or touch on the rotary adjuster. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The operating assembly of claim 1, wherein the detector is designed to detect an approach towards or touch on the rotary adjuster in a spatially or regionally resolved manner. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The operating assembly of claim 1, further comprising: an actuator for an impulse or vibration excitation of the actuating element relative to the carrier to generate a haptic feedback. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The operating assembly of claim 5, wherein the actuator is designed to cause an impulse or vibration excitation in a direction parallel to the input surface. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The operating assembly of claim 1, wherein the evaluator is designed to verify the touch detection on the input surface based on the signals of the matrix of force sensors. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The operating assembly of claim 1, wherein the detector is designed to detect a position or displacement of the rotary adjuster. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The operating assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a display, where the evaluator is designed to change a display content in the event of an identification of an action of the actuating force on the rotary adjuster. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The operating assembly of claim 1, wherein the actuating element has an outer, layer which defines the input surface and which is formed integrally with a base of the rotary adjuster or is connected with the base non-positively or by substance-to-substance connection or positively. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The operating assembly of claim 1 configured to be employed in a motor vehicle. ### Claim 12 An evaluation method for an operating assembly consisting of a carrier, an actuating element that is mounted movably relative to the carrier and so as to return into a rest position and which defines an input surface and has a detector for detecting a touch on the input surface, at least one rotary adjuster, which is disposed on the input surface and is mounted rotatably relative to the input surface, a matrix of force sensors between the carrier and the actuating element for measuring an actuating force acting upon the actuating element, and an evaluator, the evaluation method comprising: determining a position of touch on the input surface from a signal obtained from the detector; identifying the actuating force on the rotary adjuster based on the signals of the matrix of force sensors; verifying by comparing the position of the touch on the input surface from the signal obtained by the detector, with a location of the actuating force on the rotary adjuster determined based on the signals of the matrix of force sensors; and switch control from the input surface to the at least one rotary adjuster, based on the verification of the actuating force on the rotary adjuster in a direction parallel to an axis of rotary displacement of the rotary adjuster. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The operating assembly of claim 1, wherein the controlling function of the rotary adjuster is a pushing function.