Capacitive Vehicle Switch Assembly Without Moving Electrical Contacts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Capacitive control elements in motor vehicle control devices, such as rocker or toggle switches, face difficulties in being movable due to the challenge of contacting the two control portions acting as capacitor plates, making the construction and assembly complex and increasing manufacturing effort.
Innovation Solution
A motor vehicle control device with a movable control element that forms part of a common capacitor with electrodes on a shared electrode carrier, eliminating the need to electrically contact the control element itself, and incorporating a resetting member to ensure the control element returns to its neutral position while protecting the electrode carrier.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If capacitive control elements are used with movable control portions, then wear is reduced and lifespan is extended, but the construction complexity increases due to difficulty in contacting the control portions electrically
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitor is segmented into two separate portions: a stationary electrode carrier with electrodes and a movable control element. This segmentation allows the control element to move without requiring electrical contacts on the moving part, as the electrodes remain fixed on the stationary carrier.
Solution Approach 2:
The stationary electrode carrier acts as an intermediary between the fixed electrical connections and the movable control element. The electrodes on the carrier provide the electrical interface while the control element can move freely, eliminating the need for electrical contacts on the moving part.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the control element is made movable for switching functions, then operational versatility is improved, but manufacturing effort increases due to assembly complexity
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the electrode carrier from the control element, the design allows independent manufacturing of each component. The stationary electrode carrier can be manufactured and tested separately, and the movable control element can be manufactured separately, simplifying the overall manufacturing process while maintaining switching functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making the electrodes movable and the control element stationary (which would require complex electrical contacts on moving parts), the design inverts the arrangement: the electrodes are made stationary and the control element is made movable. This inversion simplifies both manufacturing and assembly.
3Ease of manufacture
If the control element is electrically contacted directly, then assembly is simplified, but wear increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The stationary electrode carrier serves as an intermediary that provides stable electrical connections without requiring contacts on the movable control element. This intermediary structure eliminates wear on the control element while maintaining simple assembly, as the electrodes remain fixed and can be easily connected to the control unit.
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
This design simplifies the construction and assembly of the control device, reduces wear, and enhances sensitivity by allowing the control element to be actuated without direct electrical contact, while maintaining the ability to detect changes in position and approach, thus improving the functionality and reliability of the capacitive sensor.
Implementation Method 1
an electrode carrier (20) which comprises at least two electrodes (24) associated to the control element (14), which are contacted electrically and together with the control unit (12) form a common capacitor
Implementation Method 2
Such capacitive sensors comprise two capacitor plates between which an electric field is formed, wherein an actuation results in a change in distance, whereby the electric field is changed, which is detected correspondingly
Data Source
AI summary
There is described a motor vehicle control device (10) with a control unit (12), which includes a movable control element (14), and an electrode carrier (20) which comprises at least two electrodes (24) associated to the control element (14), which are contacted electrically and together with the control unit (12) form a common capacitor (38).