Control Housing Attachment Pattern to Block Wrong Vehicle Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control devices for vehicles lack a mechanism to prevent incorrect installation across different vehicle types, leading to potential safety malfunctions due to asymmetrical attachment places, which do not guarantee correct installation positions.
Innovation Solution
A control device with blockable attachment places, including at least one blocking attachment place that prevents installation on incompatible vehicle types, utilizing a 'key-lock' principle with recesses and blocking attachment places to ensure correct installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If asymmetrical attachment places are used to ensure correct installation position, then installation accuracy is improved, but the control device can still be incorrectly installed on wrong vehicle types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by providing a set of attachment places with different geometric configurations (different numbers of recesses, different arrangements) so that each control device variant has a unique asymmetric pattern that matches only its corresponding vehicle type's installation platform
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment places are segmented into multiple individual positions with distinct characteristics, allowing each position to be independently configured with specific recess patterns that collectively form a unique identification code for the control device variant
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple vehicle-specific control device variants are produced, then compatibility with specific vehicle types is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment place configuration is segmented into modular elements (recesses present or absent at specific positions) that can be selectively combined to create different variants, simplifying the manufacturing process compared to designing entirely different attachment structures for each vehicle type
Solution Approach 2:
Different variants of the control device differ only in the local quality of specific attachment places (presence or absence of recesses), while maintaining the same overall housing structure and functional components, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity
3Reliability
If blocking attachment places are introduced to prevent incorrect installation, then installation correctness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Blocking attachment places are designed with asymmetric characteristics (different numbers and arrangements of recesses) that create a geometric mismatch with incompatible installation platforms, preventing incorrect installation through shape compatibility rather than complex mechanical blocking mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The recesses in the attachment places serve as intermediary features that mediate between the control device and installation platform, allowing correct engagement when geometries match and preventing engagement when they don't, without requiring active blocking mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
A control device has a plurality of possible attachment places for receiving attachment elements at least one of the attachment places being formed as a blocking attachment place which prevents receiving of an attachment element.