Assembly having a soft-touch user interface for controlling the operative position of a device which controls the flow of air into the passenger compartment of a vehicle
US9110492B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 30, 2013 |
| Grant date | Aug 18, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 5, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T74/2084
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An assembly having a soft-touch user interface for controlling the operative position of a device which controls the flow of air into the passenger compartment of a vehicle is provided. An occupant of the vehicle operates a first member of the assembly at its outer soft-touch, surface layer to cause the first member to rotate about an axis. A second member of the assembly rotatably supports the first member. A portion of a structural substrate of the first member is configured to couple the first member to the device. The substrate and the second member have a pair of annular faces that oppose each other and are oriented to face axially along the axis. A portion of a biasing member projects outwardly from at least one pocket in one of the faces to frictionally engage the other face and prevent undesired rotational movement of the first member.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.