Automotive Brake Light Switch with Air Intake Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional brake light switches mounted on brake pedals face issues with inconsistent switch rod protrusion due to vehicle vibrations and hydraulic pressure changes, leading to premature activation or battery discharge, and require cumbersome assembly and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
An automotive brake light switch apparatus with a housing featuring a constant pressure chamber and a variable pressure chamber, an air intake valve, and a switch rod that adjusts its protrusion length via the air intake valve, ensuring consistent activation of brake lights when hydraulic pressure is applied by the brake booster.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the switch rod is mounted on the brake pedal with an interval, then the brake light switch can detect brake pedal operation, but the interval changes due to vibration and hydraulic pressure causing inconsistent switch rod protrusion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an air intake valve as an intermediary component between the brake pedal and switch rod. The valve body with its valve stem and valve seat creates a controlled mechanical interface that mediates the force transmission, ensuring consistent switch rod protrusion regardless of external vibrations or hydraulic pressure variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes pressure differential as a controlling parameter. The air intake valve responds to pressure changes in the brake booster system, opening or closing based on the pressure differential between the atmospheric side and vacuum side, thereby regulating switch rod protrusion consistency through pressure-based control.
2Speed
If the interval between switch rod and brake pedal is reduced, then brake lights activate earlier, but hydraulic pressure causes premature activation before sufficient protrusion
Solution Approach 1:
The air intake valve acts as a mechanical intermediary that decouples the direct relationship between brake pedal position and switch rod protrusion. The valve's controlled opening mechanism ensures that switch rod protrusion occurs at the correct moment when the valve opens, providing both speed and accuracy in brake light activation.
3Reliability
If the switch rod excessively protrudes, then brake lights turn on continuously, but this causes battery discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The air intake valve provides a feedback mechanism where the pressure differential in the brake booster system controls the valve position, which in turn controls the switch rod protrusion. This closed-loop control ensures the switch rod only protrudes when appropriate pressure conditions are met, preventing continuous activation and battery discharge.
4Ease of operation
If the nut is unfastened for adjustment, then the switch rod length can be adjusted, but assembling work becomes troublesome and working time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air intake valve is designed with a pre-set optimal opening position that automatically provides the correct switch rod protrusion length. The valve's internal geometry and spring mechanism self-adjust to provide the proper clearance, eliminating the need for manual nut adjustment and reducing assembly complexity.
5Stability of the object's composition
If the nut is fastened to secure the switch rod, then the assembly is fixed, but vibration causes the nut to loosen over time
Solution Approach 1:
The air intake valve incorporates a self-retaining mechanism where the valve body, valve stem, and spring work together to maintain constant pressure on the switch rod. This self-service design eliminates the need for separate fastening nuts that can loosen, as the valve's internal mechanics continuously secure the switch rod position against vibrations.
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 ensures the brake lights are activated at the correct time with consistent switch rod protrusion, reducing battery discharge and simplifying assembly and maintenance by stabilizing the switch rod's operation and eliminating the need for frequent adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum channel to allow the constant pressure chamber to selectively communicate with the variable pressure chamber
Implementation Method 2
a housing defining therein a constant pressure chamber and a variable pressure chamber partitioned by a diaphragm
Data Source
AI summary
An automotive brake light switch mounted on a brake booster includes a housing defining a constant pressure chamber and a variable pressure chamber partitioned by a diaphragm, with a first through-hole of the housing, a second through-hole formed in the diaphragm and an air intake valve to allow the constant pressure chamber to selectively communicate with the variable pressure chamber, wherein the air intake valve is fitted into the second through-hole and configured to selectively open or close the first through-hole in response to a brake pedal, the brake light switch apparatus having a switch body, a switch rod slidably mounted to the switch body so as to turn on/off a switch of the switch body, wherein a protruding length of the switch rod is changeable by the air intake valve, and a coupling portion coupling the switch body to the housing through the first through-hole.