Vehicle Control Knob with Deformable Member for Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Control knobs in vehicles face a challenge in satisfying both user operation and safety standards, as they need to protrude sufficiently for ease of use while also meeting safety regulations that require them to be recessed or collapsible to prevent injury during collisions, which complicates design and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A control knob device with a shaft, elastic member, switch, and deformable member that allows the knob to protrude for user convenience and aesthetics, while also absorbing shock during collisions by changing the relative position between the knob cap and shaft, and featuring a deformable member that deforms under increased load to meet safety standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the control knob protrudes by 11 mm or more to satisfy user operation and aesthetics, then ease of operation and esthetic preference are improved, but safety standards (ECE R-214, IS15223) are violated due to risk of physical damage during collision
Solution Approach 1:
The control knob incorporates a deformable member that allows the knob to dynamically change its protrusion height. During normal operation, the knob maintains a standard protrusion height (11 mm or more) for ease of use. During collision, the deformable member compresses, reducing the protrusion height to 9.5 mm or less to meet safety standards. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between operational ease and safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameter of the control knob's protrusion height based on external conditions. The deformable member enables the knob to transition between two states: a first protrusion height for normal operation and a second reduced protrusion height for collision scenarios. This parameter change allows the same knob to satisfy both user operation requirements and safety standards under different conditions.
2Ease of operation
If the front panel around the knob is recessed to be inclined to improve user gripping feeling, then ease of operation is improved, but overall esthetic feeling of vehicle interior is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention separates the ergonomic function from the aesthetic function. Instead of modifying the entire front panel structure (which affects aesthetics), the deformable member is integrated only into the control knob assembly. This segmentation allows the knob to provide excellent gripping feeling through its deformation capability while the front panel maintains a flat, aesthetically pleasing appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The deformable member is placed locally within the control knob assembly rather than modifying the overall front panel structure. This local quality change allows the knob to have superior ergonomic properties through its ability to deform and adapt to user grip, while the surrounding front panel area maintains its original aesthetic design without recessed or inclined modifications.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the knob is designed to break and contract at the time of collision to meet safety standards, then safety compliance is improved, but inconvenience and repair cost occur due to the broken knob
Solution Approach 1:
The deformable member acts as a pre-designed cushioning mechanism that absorbs collision energy through controlled compression. Instead of the knob breaking, the deformable member is designed to compress and then return to its original state, providing shock absorption without structural failure. This beforehand cushioning design meets safety standards while avoiding the need for repair or replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention avoids making the entire control knob a disposable component. Instead, only the deformable member is designed as a sacrificial element that can be compressed during collision. Since the deformable member is designed to return to its original state, the entire knob assembly remains functional and reusable, significantly reducing repair costs compared to designs where the entire knob must be replaced.
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 allows the control knob to protrude sufficiently for user comfort and aesthetics while meeting safety standards by absorbing shock during collisions, enhancing user experience and reducing maintenance costs by eliminating the need for dual production lines for different safety standards.
Implementation Method 1
a switch part including an elastic member pressed and elastically deformed by the shaft, and a switch located adjacent to the elastic member, the switch outputting a signal by a deformation of the elastic member
Implementation Method 2
a deformable member, deformed by a load which is greater than that at a moment when the elastic member is deformed and the switch outputs the signal and configured to change a relative position between the knob cap and the shaft
Implementation Method 3
The deformable member may be elastically deformed
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3(a)~3(b)
AI summary
A control knob device that may be used in a vehicle to control audio volume or the like includes a shaft connected with a knob cap, an elastic member pressed by the shaft to be elastically deformed, and a switch located adjacent to the elastic member. The switch includes a switch part configured to output a signal upon a deformation of the elastic member. A deformable member deformed by a load greater than that when the elastic member is deformed and the switch outputs the signal, is configured to change a relative position between the knob cap and the shaft.