Patent ID: 8528878
Filing Date: 2013-09-10
Classification: B60H,B60K,F25D,G05G

Abstract:
1. A rotary control unit comprising a rotatable rotary control element, an electric motor with a drive shaft that is mechanically coupled with the rotary control element, a control circuit for supplying current to the electric motor so as to generate a moment acting in or against the sense of rotation to prevent an unintentional rotation of the rotary control element and/or to build up a resistance as the rotary control element is rotated, the control circuit supplies different current levels to the electric motor to generate different magnitudes of holding moments and/or counter torques depending on the actual rotational position of the drive shaft, and a sensor unit for detecting a hand approaching the rotary control element or touching the rotary control element, the control circuit being activatable to supply current to the electric motor, if the sensor unit detects a hand which is approaching the rotary control element or is touching the rotary control element.