Automotive AC Switch Conductor Plate Light Reflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In automotive air conditioning switch systems, obstacles often block light from reaching the pointer, reducing its visibility when the dial is rotated to specific operating positions, leading to insufficient illumination.
Innovation Solution
An automotive air conditioning switch system with a substrate, rotating dial, pointer, light source on a conductor plate, and a reflecting portion formed by bending the conductor plate to redirect light around obstacles and ensure adequate illumination of the pointer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a light source is installed to illuminate the pointer, then the visual recognizability of the pointer is improved, but an obstacle blocks the light path when the dial is rotated to specific positions, resulting in insufficient illumination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a reflecting portion that redirects light from the light source to the pointer by changing the light path dimension. Instead of direct illumination which is blocked by the obstacle, the light is reflected at an angle to reach the pointer from a different spatial direction, effectively bypassing the obstacle in the original light path.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflecting portion acts as an intermediary element between the light source and the pointer. It receives light from the source and redirects it to the pointer, serving as a mediator that enables light transmission around the obstacle without requiring direct line-of-sight between the source and pointer.
2Illumination intensity
If a separate reflector is added to redirect light around the obstacle, then the pointer illumination is improved, but the device complexity and number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the reflector function with the existing conductor plate structure. The reflecting portion is formed by bending a part of the conductor plate itself, combining the electrical conductor function and the light reflector function into a single integrated component, thereby eliminating the need for a separate reflector part.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductor plate is given multi-functionality by making it serve both as an electrical conductor and as a light reflector. The bent portion of the conductor plate performs the reflective function that would otherwise require a dedicated optical component, reducing the overall component count while maintaining both electrical and optical functions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides sufficient pointer illumination without additional components, reducing production costs and assembly time by eliminating the need for a separate reflector and ensuring clear visibility of the pointer's position even when obstructed.
Implementation Method 1
a reflecting portion provided on the conductor plate to reflect light projected from the light source towards the pointer side when the dial is located in a specific operating position
Data Source
AI summary
Light projected from a light source is reflected to a pointer side by a reflecting portion in such a state that a dial is rotated to a FOOT position position. Due to this, since light projected from the light source can be emitted to the pointer by bypassing an inside air/outside air changing over switch, the pointer can be illuminated sufficiently without disturbance by the inside air/outside air changing over switch. Moreover, since the reflecting portion is formed by bending partially a predetermined conductor plate 58 which constitutes a switch circuit, the necessity of a reflector is obviated which would otherwise be necessary exclusively to reflect light projected from the light source to the pointer side. Due to this, since the number of components is reduced, both the production costs and the number of assembling manhours are reduced.