Automotive Air Conditioning Switch Cam Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automotive air conditioning switch systems require individual operation of a knob for changing air inlets, which limits operability.
Innovation Solution
An automotive air conditioning switch system where the knob operates automatically through rotational dial movement, using a cam mechanism to lock and unlock the push button, allowing the driver to control the knob's state by rotating the dial to specific positions, enhancing operability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the knob is operated individually to change air inlets, then the air inlet switching function is achieved, but the operability is reduced due to requiring separate manual operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the dial rotation function and knob operation into a single integrated mechanism. When the dial is rotated, it automatically drives the knob through a cam mechanism, merging two separate operations (dial rotation and knob pressing) into one unified action, thereby improving operability without significantly increasing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The knob is designed to operate automatically through the dial's rotational movement. The cam mechanism converts the dial's rotation into automatic knob actuation, allowing the system to perform the knob operation function without requiring separate manual intervention, thus enhancing ease of operation
2Reliability
If the cam member operates the key operating member to move in the approaching direction, then the push button is restored from depressed position to normal position, but the spring member must be deformed elastically to provide restoring force
Solution Approach 1:
The spring member is pre-loaded and positioned to provide elastic restoring force before the push button needs to be restored. The spring is compressed in advance during the button depression phase, so when restoration is needed, the pre-stored elastic energy automatically pushes the button back to its normal position, ensuring reliable restoration without requiring additional active mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The spring member acts as an intermediary between the push button and the cam mechanism. Instead of the cam directly restoring the button, the spring mediates the restoration process by converting cam-induced compression into elastic potential energy, which then automatically restores the button, simplifying the overall restoration mechanism
3Stability of the object's composition
If the knob is locked in the depressed state by interlocking with the push button, then the switch state is maintained, but the knob cannot be operated freely until the dial is rotated to the specific position
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to be dynamic rather than static. The lock and lock groove are positioned such that dial rotation automatically changes the relative positions of these components. When the dial reaches the specific position, the lock naturally disengages from the lock groove, allowing the knob to become operable again. This dynamic design maintains state stability during operation while automatically enabling reoperation at the appropriate moment
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 system increases operability by allowing the driver to easily switch the knob between normal and depressed states through rotational dial operation, improving user interaction and reducing the need for manual knob manipulation.
Implementation Method 1
a spring member adapted to be brought into contact with the stopper member by moving the key operating member in the separating direction so that the spring member is deformed elastically to bias the key operating member in the approaching direction
Implementation Method 2
a cam member for moving in response to a rotational operation of the dial, wherein, when the dial is operated to rotate forward to a specific position, the cam member moves the key operating member in the approaching direction to operate the key
Data Source
AI summary
When a dial is operated to rotate forward to a DEF position with a knob 52 staying in a depressed state, a cam portion 12 operates a key operating portion 56 to move in an approaching direction in which the key operating portion 56 approaches a reset key 39, so as to operate the reset key 39 as a result of the key operating portion 56 moving in the approaching direction. Then, a push button 31 returns from a depressed position to a normal position, and interlocking with the push button 31, the knob 52 returns from the depressed state to a normal state. Due to this, since the driver only has to operate the dial 4 to rotate forward to the DEF position so that the knob 52 can be forced to return from the depressed state to the normal state, the operability is increased.