Dr. Ing. H.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft

Ing. H.c.f. Porsche Ag

Peter Schaefer

Roland Ehniss

Dieter Marx

A control stalk includes a support shaft and a head mounted on the support shaft. At least the head is rotatably mounted on the support shaft and latches in various radial switch positions. In each radial switch position, additional switch positions can be triggered by pivoting the support shaft. In order to create a control stalk that permits improved operation, especially when different devices to be operated are associated with the various radial switch positions, it is provided that at least the head be capable of being brought into a specified radial switch position by outside force. The outside force can be responsive to a telephone call.

Control stalk for a motor vehicle

A central operating input and information output system for the control of a plurality of optional instruments in a vehicle has a display for displaying information and an option menu. A first control input controls the functions of the optional instruments and selects the option menu from a basic menu. The option menu indicates the functions of the optional instruments controllable by the first control input. The system has a second control input which controls at least one optional instrument and accesses at least one basic function of the system, irrespective of the option menu currently selected. This allows a central operating input and information output system to have a favorable ergonomic design, to be operated simply, and require a minimum of space. In addition, a high degree of safety is insured by the simplified controls, which minimizes the diversion of the driver from the traffic situation, while allowing him to obtain extensive information concerning the condition of the vehicle and the traffic situation.

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Moensheim, Germany

Peter Schaefer