Patent · US Active

Operating unit for a device, in particular for a vehicle component

US11001147B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by

0References

20Claims

0Family size

Assignee

BEHR-HELLA THERMOCONTROL GMBH · DE

Inventors

Stefan Kirsch · Heidesheim, DE
Harri Pankratz · Lippstadt, DE
Dirk Nagel · Paderborn, DE

Key dates

Filing date	Jan 30, 2018
Grant date	May 11, 2021
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Jun 20, 2038

Classification

Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
CPC primaryH03K2217/96062
WIPO fieldTransport
WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

The operating unit comprises an actuator, which mechanically excites an operating element. The actuator comprises a support strip made of a resilient material. Piezo elements, which are connected to the support strip in a shear-resistant manner, are located on both outer surfaces of the support strip. As a result of the alternate arrangement of the piezo elements, the support strip assumes an undulating form when moving out of its inactivated state. One side of the support strip is mechanically connected to the operating element and the other side is mechanically connected to a counterbalance. The support strip itself is mechanically fixed in the housing. In its inactivated state, the operating element and the counterbalance are at a different distance from one another than in the undulating activated state, wherein they move in opposite directions and thus lead to a compensation of dynamic forces acting on the housing.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.