# US 12,008,165 B2 · Operating element, having an operating surface and a vibration actuator for producing a locally defined vibration at the operating surface > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,008,165 B2 - Document ID: US12008165B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/763,411 - Filed: 2021-05-07 - Published: 2022-11-24 - Granted: 2024-06-11 - Earliest claimed: 2020-06-30 - Assignees: Marquardt GmbH - Applicants: Marquardt GmbH - Inventors: Alexander Hausmann; Siegbert Gaiser; Andreas Schwarzkopf - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12008165B2 ## CPC - B60K 35/10: Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor - G06F 3/016: {Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user} - B60K 35/25: using haptic output - H03K 17/962: {Capacitive touch switches} - B60K 2360/1434: Touch panels - 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) - H03K: PULSE TECHNIQUE (measuring pulse characteristics G01R; modulating sinusoidal oscillations with pulses H03C; transmission of digital information H04L; discriminator circuits detecting phase difference between two signals by counting or integrating cycles of oscillation H03D3/04; automatic control, starting, synchronisation or stabilisation of generators of electronic oscillations or pulses where the type of generator is irrelevant or unspecified H03L; coding, decoding or code conversion, in general H03M) ## Abstract A control element (1) has a control panel (2) on a front side and a rear surface (3) on a rear side of the control element situated opposite the front side. The control element has a vibration actuator (4) operatively connected to a locally limited portion (5) of the control panel (2). Thus, a touch detected by a sensor on the locally limited portion (5) of the control panel (2) triggers a vibration of the vibration actuator (4). The vibration actuator (4) is connected indirectly, via a lever element (7), to the rear surface (3) on the rear side of the control panel (2). The lever element (7) transmits a vibration of the vibration actuator (4) to the rear surface (3) of the control element in the area of the locally limited portion (5) of the front side of the control panel (2). ## Claims ### Claim 1 A control element has a control panel on a front side and a rear surface on a rear side of the control element situated opposite the front side, the control element comprises: a vibration actuator operatively connected to a locally limited portion of the control panel so that a touch detected by a sensor on the locally limited portion of the control panel triggers a vibration of the vibration actuator; the vibration actuator is connected indirectly, via a lever element, to the rear surface on the rear side of the control element, the lever element transmits a vibration of the vibration actuator to the rear surface of the control element in the area of the locally limited portion of the front side of the control panel; the lever element includes a contact portion that rests against the rear side of the control panel in the locally limited portion of the control panel and the lever element has a geometric dimension that corresponds to the locally limited portion of the control panel; the lever element includes a holding portion where the vibration actuator is held on the lever element, the holding portion of the lever element is arranged to swing freely relative to the rear surface of the control element. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The control element according to claim 1, wherein the contact portion is secured to lie flat against the rear surface of the control element in association with the locally limited portion of the control panel. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The control element according to claim 1, wherein the vibration actuator is spaced apart from the rear surface on the rear side, and vibration of the vibration actuator acts directly exclusively on the lever element. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The control element according to claim 1 wherein the vibration actuator lies flat against the lever element. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The control element according to claim 1, wherein the control element includes a cover plate on its front side that forms the control panel, the cover plate is seamless so that the locally limited portion of the control panel is continuous. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The control element according to claim 1, wherein the holding portion extends parallel and at a distance from the rear side of the control element. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The control element according to claim 1, wherein the rear portion extends perpendicular to the rear side of the control element. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The control element according to claim 1, wherein the holding portion extends parallel and at a distance from the rear side of the control element. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The control element according to claim 1, wherein the rear portion extends perpendicular to the rear side of the control element.