An operating device for a vehicle comprises an outer unit that can be rotated manually, a detection device configured to detect the movement of the outer unit and generate a control signal using a value that characterizes the movement to control a vehicle function, and an actuator unit that contains a magnetorheological medium, which can be or is coupled to the outer unit and is configured to exert a retaining force on the outer unit based on the viscosity of the magnetorheological medium. The operating device also comprises a sensor unit located in the outer unit and configured to generate a hand signal indicating the absence of a user's hand on the outer unit, and a manipulating device for manipulating the control signal on the basis of the hand signal.

A knob for an appliance includes a handle. A light guide defines a recess. At least a portion of the handle is received within the recess of the light guide. A bezel is disposed over at least a portion of the light guide. The handle is rotatable relative to the bezel. A light emitter is disposed within the bezel. The light emitter is operable to emit light into the light guide. At least a portion of an interior surface of the light guide is textured, and an exterior surface of the light guide is smooth.

A backlit temperature control knob for water heater valves used with water heaters and more particularly to gas water heaters provides a way to read the temperature indication not previously known in the art. Some embodiments rely on a thermocouple or thermopile normally used to power a safety magnet with the pilot light system as a source of electrical energy to selectively illuminate a Light Emitting Diode (LED) which directs light through at least a portion of the knob to assist in reading the temperature indications.

An exercise machine (100) used to perform physical activity includes at least one control device (1) which can be actuated by the user to impart a command to the exercise machine (100). The exercise machine (100) includes at least one lighting device (2), the at least one lighting device (2) being positioned on the exercise machine (100) so as to identify the at least one control device (1) with which the exercise machine (100) is provided when the at least one lighting device (2) is lit.

The invention relates to a steering device for vehicles, in particular forklifts, for carrying out a steering movement of the drivable vehicle on a surface by manual operation by a vehicle driver, wherein the steering device is attached to or in an armrest of a vehicle seat, wherein the steering device comprises at least one rotatable wheel element which can be at least partially grasped on the circumference by the fingers of a hand of the vehicle driver placed on the steering device and can be rotated about an axis of rotation for a steering movement.

A cooktop includes a knob assembly controls a heating part. The knob assembly includes: a knob body disposed at a front surface of a control panel and rotating around a rotation shaft extended in a front-rear direction, a light diffusing part disposed at a rear side of the knob body and diffusing light, and a light source part disposed at a rear side of the light diffusing part and including one or more light sources. The light diffusing part includes a light source corresponding part disposed at a position corresponding to one of the light sources, and a thickness of the light diffusing part along a first straight line that passes from a center of the light diffusing part through the light source corresponding part is greater than a thickness of the light diffusing part along a straight line that does not pass through the light source corresponding part.

A control device may be configured to control an amount of power delivered to one or more electrical loads and provide various feedback associated with the control device and/or the electrical loads. The control device may be a wall-mounted device or a battery-powered remote control device. The feedback may indicate the amount of power delivered to the one or more electrical loads. The feedback may also indicate a low battery condition. The control device may include a light bar and/or one or more indicator lights for providing the feedback.

A cooktop includes a knob assembly controls a heating part. The knob assembly includes: a knob body disposed at a front surface of a control panel and rotating around a rotation shaft extended in a front-rear direction, a light diffusing part disposed at a rear side of the knob body and diffusing light, and a light source part disposed at a rear side of the light diffusing part and including one or more light sources. The light diffusing part includes a light source corresponding part disposed at a position corresponding to one of the light sources, and a thickness of the light diffusing part along a first straight line that passes from a center of the light diffusing part through the light source corresponding part is greater than a thickness of the light diffusing part along a straight line that does not pass through the light source corresponding part.

A load control device may be configured to control multiple characteristics of one or more electrical loads such as the intensity and color of a lighting load. The load control device may switch from controlling one characteristic of the electrical loads to controlling another characteristic of the electrical loads based on the position and/or orientation of one or more components of the load control device. Such a position and/or orientation may be manipulated by moving the one or more components relative to a base portion of the load control device. The load control device may be a wall-mounted device or a battery-powered remote control device.

A remote control device may be configured to be mounted over the toggle actuator of a light switch and to control a load control device. The remote control device may include a mounting assembly and a control unit that is removably attachable to the mounting assembly. The mounting assembly may include a release tab that is configured to be operated from a locking position in which the control unit is secured to the mounting assembly, to a release position in which the control unit may be detached from the mounting assembly. The mounting assembly may include a clamp that is configured to engage with the toggle actuator of a mechanical switch to which the remote control device is mounted.