# US 12,214,663 B2 · Input assembly with active haptic feedback and backlit display region > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,214,663 B2 - Document ID: US12214663B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/442,309 - Filed: 2020-03-03 - Published: 2022-05-19 - Granted: 2025-02-04 - Earliest claimed: 2019-04-15 - Assignees: Preh GmbH - Applicants: Preh GmbH - Inventors: Johannes Dünninger; Michael Jordan - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12214663B2 ## CPC - B60K 35/10: Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor - B60K 35/22: Display screens - G06F 3/016: {Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user} - G06F 3/044: by capacitive means - B60K 35/25: using haptic output - B60K 2360/143: Touch sensitive instrument input devices - B60K 2360/1438: Touch screens - B60K 2360/1523: Matrix displays - B60K 2360/336: Light guides - B60K 2360/34: Backlit symbols - 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 input assembly including: a support, an input part, and at least one light source, wherein the input part has at least one input layer having an input surface intended to be touched by an operator, and a light guide for guiding light of the light source towards the display region for backlighting the latter, and wherein the light guide is disposed on the side of the input part facing away from the input surface, a touch-detection device for detecting a touch on the input surface by the operator and/or an actuation detection device for detecting an actuation of the input part by the operator, and an electromagnetic actuator for exciting a movement of the input part along the direction of movement by means of an electric control signal in order to generate a haptic feedback, wherein the actuator includes an electromagnet. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An input assembly comprising: a support, an input part mounted on the support along at least one direction of movement by means of a mounting device capable of vibrating, and at least one light source, wherein the input part has at least one input layer having an input surface intended to be touched by an operator, wherein the input surface contains a display region to be backlit, and the input assembly further has a light guide for guiding light of the light source towards the display region for backlighting the latter, and wherein the light guide is disposed on the side of the input part facing away from the input surface, and the input assembly further includes at least one of: a touch-detection device for detecting a touch on the input surface by the operator and an actuation detection device for detecting an actuation of the input part by the operator, and an actuator for exciting a movement of the input part along the direction of movement by means of an electric control signal in order to generate a haptic feedback, wherein the light guide is case arranged in the direction of action of an excitation of movement by the actuator; wherein the light guide is formed from a material with a modulus of elasticity in a range of from 1 to 1000 N/mm2, and wherein the input part has a constricted portion surrounding the input surface so that the input surface is mounted in an elastically yielding manner so that the input part is vibration-capable. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The input assembly according to claim 1, wherein the actuator is an electromagnetic actuator that includes an electromagnet, to which the electric control signal is to be applied and which generates a magnetic field in the process and which is disposed on the support, as well as an armature supported on or attached to the input part, and the magnetic field and the armature cooperate along a direction of action pointing substantially in the direction of movement, wherein the light guide is disposed between the input part and the armature. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The input assembly according to claim 2, wherein the armature and the light guide are disposed directly adjacent to each other. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The input assembly according to claim 2, wherein a biased spring is disposed between the armature and the electromagnet, and the biased spring biases the armature and the light guide against the input part. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The input assembly according to claim 2, wherein the armature is at least partially embedded in the light guide. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The input assembly according to claim 2, wherein the armature and the light guide are connected to each other via an adhesive layer. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The input assembly according to claim 1, wherein the material of the light guide is a thermoplastic elastomer, wherein the thermoplastic elastomer is any one of: urethane-based thermoplastic elastomer and a polyorganosiloxane. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The input assembly according to claim 1, wherein the direction of action is perpendicular to the input surface. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The input assembly according to claim 1, wherein a center of gravity of the input part is disposed on the direction of action of the actuator. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The input assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one light source is attached to the support. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The input assembly according to claim 1, wherein the light guide is configured so as to reach over the actuator in a hood-shaped manner. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The input assembly according to claim 1, wherein the actuation detection device includes a capacitively or an optically detecting force sensor for measuring an actuating force acting on the input surface during the touch. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The input assembly according to claim 1 is used in a motor vehicle. ### Claim 14 An input assembly comprising: a support, an input part mounted on the support along at least one direction of movement by means of a mounting device capable of vibrating, and at least one light source, wherein the input part has at least one input layer having an input surface intended to be touched by an operator, wherein the input surface contains a display region to be backlit, and the input assembly further has a light guide for guiding light of the light source towards the display region for backlighting the latter, and wherein the light guide is disposed on the side of the input part facing away from the input surface, and the input assembly further includes at least one of: a touch-detection device for detecting a touch on the input surface by the operator and an actuation detection device for detecting an actuation of the input part by the operator, and an actuator for exciting a movement of the input part along the direction of movement by means of an electric control signal in order to generate a haptic feedback, wherein the light guide is in this case arranged in the direction of action of an excitation of movement by the actuator; wherein the actuator is an electromagnetic actuator that includes an electromagnet, to which the electric control signal is to be applied and which generates a magnetic field in the process and which is disposed on the support, as well as an armature supported on or attached to the input part, and the magnetic field and the armature cooperate along a direction of action pointing substantially in the direction of movement, wherein the light guide is disposed between the input part and the armature; wherein a biased spring is disposed between the armature and the electromagnet, and the biased spring biases the armature and the light guide against the input part; wherein the light guide is cup-shaped; and wherein the input part has a constricted portion surrounding the input surface so that the input surface is mounted in an elastically yielding manner so that the input part is vibration-capable.