Control Panel with Relief Elements for Even Pressure Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Control panels in motor vehicles with resistive keys face issues due to mechanical plays between force sensors and detection zones, leading to uneven pressure distribution and permanent deformation, especially under temperature variations, which affects the external appearance and reliability of the panel.
Innovation Solution
A control panel design featuring a cover with relief elements on its inside surface to distribute pressure evenly over a spacing plate, allowing for a more uniform prestressing force on the force sensor, reducing material distortion and maintaining the panel's appearance by minimizing excessive compression and ensuring even pressure distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spacing plate is mounted axially compressed between the force sensor and the cover to compensate for mechanical plays, then direct transmission of tactile pressure force is ensured, but permanent outward deformation of the cover occurs and pressure distribution becomes uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces relief elements (protrusions) at specific locations on the spacing plate that create localized zones of increased pressure. This non-uniform pressure distribution compensates for the mechanical plays between the force sensor and detection zone while preventing excessive compression that would cause permanent deformation of the cover. The relief elements are strategically positioned to ensure direct transmission of tactile pressure force to the force sensor without degrading the external appearance of the cover.
2Ease of operation
If the thickness of the cover in the detection zone is reduced to allow slight elastic deformation, then tactile pressure detection is enabled, but the cover becomes more susceptible to permanent deformation under compression
Solution Approach 1:
The relief elements create localized support zones that provide additional structural reinforcement at critical areas of the spacing plate. This allows the cover to maintain its thin profile for tactile pressure detection while the relief elements prevent excessive compression and permanent deformation by distributing the compressive forces more effectively across the spacing plate structure.
3Reliability
If high pressure is applied to the spacing plate to ensure sufficient prestress on the sensor, then reliable pressure detection is achieved, but material distortion increases and appearance degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The relief elements concentrate the prestressing force at specific locations on the spacing plate, creating localized zones of increased pressure that ensure sufficient prestress on the force sensor. This approach achieves reliable pressure detection without applying high uniform pressure across the entire spacing plate, thereby reducing material distortion and preventing degradation of the cover's external appearance.
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 a more even distribution of pressure over the force sensor, reducing material distortion and maintaining the panel's appearance, while allowing for effective tactile pressure detection without excessive compression, even under varying temperature conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a spacing plate made of elastically compressible material which is inserted between the sensor and the cover
Implementation Method 2
the inside surface of the cover includes a series of relief elements which are distributed over the inside surface of the cover opposite the sensitive zone so as to form a plurality of localised zones of increased pressure on the spacing plate, the said localised zones of increased pressure being uniformly distributed so that the spacing plate applies a substantially even pre-stressing force over the sensitive zone
Data Source
AI summary
A control panel comprising a cover that is equipped with at least one zone for detecting tactile contact forming a control button, in which a force sensor comprising a pressure-sensitive zone is arranged between the cover and the support so as to detect actuation of the control button, the force of the tactile contact being transmitted axially to the sensitive zone via a spacer plate made of an elastically compressible material that is inserted between the sensor and the cap, characterized in that the internal surface of the cap comprises a series of protruding elements that are distributed over the internal surface of the cap opposite the sensitive zone so as to form a number of regularly distributed zones of localized overpressure.