Switching element for actuating an adjustable parameter

1. Switch element ( 1 ) for actuating a setting parameter on an electronic microdevice, such as a hearing aid, characterized by

a rotary element ( 7 ) having peripherally at least three contact points ( 9 ), said contact points being connected to one another in electrically conductive fashion,

an elastically mounted reset element ( 21 ) connected with the rotary element as well as at least two electric leader contacts ( 3 , 5 ), which can be switched into electrically conducting contact by turning the rotary element via the contact points.

2. Switch element according to claim 1 , characterized in that a rotary element ( 7 ) having an at least three-star-shaped leg ( 9 ) is provided, where the legs are designed to be electrically conductive, and are connected conductively to one another.

3. Switch element according to claim 1 , characterized in that a resistive element ( 13 , 15 ) connected with at least one of the leader contacts is provided in such a manner that when the two leader contacts ( 3 , 5 ) are connected by means of the rotary element respectively of the contact points, the electric contact is lead via the resistive element ( 13 , 15 ).

4. Switch element according to claim 1 , characterized in that at least two resistive elements ( 13 , 15 ) are provided and that by means of the rotary element respectively via the contact points ( 9 ) the two leader contacts can be connected with one another in two different positions in such a manner that in the first position the electric connection is lead via the one resistive element, and in the other position via the other respectively second resistive element.

5. Switch element according to claim 1 , characterized in that the reset element ( 21 ) is mounted elastically in such a manner that the rotary element when not in use is driven in a position not connecting the leader contacts.

6. Switch element according to claim 1 , characterized in that the reset element is a to-and-fro rocker that is mounted each in the region of both ends by means of a spring.

7. Switch element according to claim 1 , characterized in that the rotary element, executed as star-shaped star handle, is mounted elastically in axial direction in such a manner that in a position of the rotary element respectively star handle pressed in the spring direction, during a turning movement a higher mechanical resistance counteracts than with a released resilience.

8. Switch element according to claim 1 , characterized in that the two leader contacts are connected with a menu switch, by means of which the setting parameters to be influenced can be determined, such as in the case of a hearing aid the volume, high/low balance, ambient noise on/off, etc.

9. Switch element according to claim 1 , characterized in that, in the sense of a potentiometer, it is positioned in the area of a battery compartment of the electronic microdevice, such as in particular in the battery compartment of a hearing aid.

10. Hearing aid with a switch element respectively a potentiometer according to claim 1 .

11. Method for operating a switch element according to claim 1 , characterized in that the rotary element connected with the reset element, having peripherally the at least three contact points that are connected to one another in electrically conductive fashion, is rotated from a resting position into a first operating position, so that the two leader contacts can be connected with one another, where in a first position the connection occurs via a first resistive element, and by moving the rotary element into a second position, so that the two leader contacts can be connected in electrically conductive fashion via a further resistive element, in order to functionally adjust a setting parameter of an electronic microdevice depending on the detected resistive element.

12. Switch element according to claim 2 , characterized in that a resistive element ( 13 , 15 ) connected with at least one of the leader contacts is provided in such a manner that when the two leader contacts ( 3 , 5 ) are connected by means of the rotary element respectively of the contact points, the electric contact is lead via the resistive element ( 13 , 15 ).

13. Switch element according to claim 2 , characterized in that at least two resistive elements ( 13 , 15 ) are provided and that by means of the rotary element respectively via the contact points ( 9 ) the two leader contacts can be connected with one another in two different positions in such a manner that in the first position the electric connection is lead via the one resistive element, and in the other position via the other respectively second resistive element.

14. Switch element according to claim 3 , characterized in that at least two resistive elements ( 13 , 15 ) are provided and that by means of the rotary element respectively via the contact points ( 9 ) the two leader contacts can be connected with one another in two different positions in such a manner that in the first position the electric connection is lead via the one resistive element, and in the other position via the other respectively second resistive element.