Automotive Switching Device Parallel Actuation Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing switching devices for button-type transmission operations in vehicles face issues with components falling off or disposition position shifting due to substrate bending, and often struggle to reliably return to the initial state, especially when foreign matter is caught, leading to confusion for operators.
Innovation Solution
A switching device design featuring a substrate with a fixed contact portion, a slider, a first moving member with an inclined portion, and a second moving member with a cam portion, where the first and second biasing members facilitate reciprocation and engagement between the members to ensure reliable return to the initial state, even when foreign matter is present, by using a configuration where the first engagement portion is connected to the second engagement portion without contact, allowing for easy adjustment of the operation feeling and preventing tilting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a button is pressed in a direction perpendicular to the substrate, then switching of electrical connection is performed, but the substrate is bent causing components to fall off or disposition position to shift
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the button pressing direction from perpendicular to the substrate to parallel with the substrate surface. The operation member presses the first moving member in a direction parallel to the substrate, which then moves the slider along the substrate surface to switch electrical connections, avoiding substrate bending while maintaining switching functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the dimension of the pressing force from the vertical direction (perpendicular to substrate) to the horizontal direction (parallel to substrate surface). By moving the operation along the substrate surface rather than pressing into it, the switching action is achieved in a different dimensional plane, preventing substrate deformation
2Stability of the object's composition
If a direction conversion mechanism is used to press the button parallel to the substrate surface, then substrate bending is prevented, but the device cannot reliably return to the initial state when foreign matter is caught
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the return function into a separate second moving member that independently pushes the first moving member back to the initial position. The second moving member with its biasing member acts as an independent return mechanism that can overcome foreign matter interference, ensuring reliable reset without affecting the forward pressing operation
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement portion serves as an intermediary mechanical connection between the first and second moving members. This engagement interface allows the second moving member to transfer its pushing force to the first moving member for reliable return, while the inclined surfaces provide smooth force transmission that can overcome resistance from foreign matter
3Stability of the object's composition
If the first moving member and second moving member are connected with contact, then reciprocation is constrained, but operation feeling cannot be easily adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses adjustable inclined surfaces on the engagement portions that allow modification of the mechanical advantage and force transmission characteristics. By changing the inclination angle parameters, the operation feeling can be easily adjusted while maintaining stable reciprocation through the engagement connection between first and second moving members
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 enables the switching device to reliably return to the initial state, preventing component failure and ensuring smooth gear shifting, thereby reducing operator confusion and improving the operation feeling by maintaining the connection without interfering with reciprocation movements and adjusting the click sensation during operation.
Implementation Method 1
a first biasing member configured to bias the first moving member; in which the first biasing member biases the first moving member so as to move the first moving member in a first direction that is a direction toward an intersection of the first imaginary axis line and the second imaginary axis line
Implementation Method 2
a second biasing member configured to bias the second moving member, in which the second biasing member biases the second moving member so as to move the second moving member in a second direction that is a direction away from the intersection
Implementation Method 3
The contact portion 5a of the second moving member 5 slides on the inclined portion 3a of the first moving member 3
Data Source
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AI summary
A switching device (100) has a substrate (1) having a fixed contact portion (1a), a slider (2), a first moving member (3) having an inclined portion (3a) and capable of reciprocating on a first imaginary axis line (VL1), a first biasing member (4), a second moving member (5) having a contact portion (5a) coming into sliding contact with the inclined portion (3a), and capable of reciprocating on a second imaginary axis line (VL2) intersecting the first imaginary axis line (VL1), and a second biasing member (6) biasing the second moving member (5), in which the first moving member (3) and the second moving member (5) are respectively supported so as to be reciprocable in a state of bringing the inclined portion (3a) and the contact portion (5a) into sliding contact with each other, the slider (2) comes into contact with and is separated from the fixed contact portion (1a) according to a reciprocating movement of the first moving member (3), the first moving member (3) has a first engagement portion (3b), the second moving member (5) has a second engagement portion (5b), and the first moving member (3) and the second moving member (5) are connected by the first engagement portion (3b) and the second engagement portion (5b) so as to be reciprocable.