Vehicle Door Switch Lever Layout for Shallow Installation Depth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle door switch actuating apparatuses require a large installation depth within the vehicle frame, despite offering a large actuating surface and minimal space below, necessitating a design that minimizes both space usage and maintains actuation functionality.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle door switch actuating apparatus with a lever mechanism that extends parallel to the actuating surface, utilizing the same design space, and incorporates a spring to bias the lever into a resting position, allowing reliable actuation via multiple connection points, reducing the required installation space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If a conventional switch actuating apparatus is used, then a large actuating surface can be provided, but a large installation depth within the vehicle frame is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reorients the lever mechanism from a vertical configuration (extending below the actuating surface) to a horizontal configuration (extending parallel to the actuating surface). This dimensional change allows the mechanism to utilize the same design space laterally rather than consuming installation depth vertically, thereby resolving the contradiction between providing a large actuating surface and minimizing installation depth within the vehicle frame
2Volume of stationary object
If space below the actuating surface is minimized, then installation space is saved, but a relatively large installation depth within the vehicle frame is still necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The lever is reconfigured to extend horizontally parallel to the actuating surface rather than vertically below it. This dimensional reorientation simultaneously achieves both goals: minimizing the volume of space below the actuating surface and reducing the installation depth required within the vehicle frame, as the mechanism now operates within the lateral design space
3Reliability
If the lever extends below the actuating surface, then the switch can be actuated, but the design space is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The lever mechanism is reoriented from a vertical extension below the actuating surface to a horizontal extension parallel to it. This dimensional change maintains the switch actuation function while significantly reducing the overall design space required, as the lever now operates within the lateral boundaries of the existing structure rather than extending into additional vertical space
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 provides a compact design that maintains a large actuating surface while minimizing installation depth, ensuring reliable actuation and efficient space utilization.
Implementation Method 1
incorporates a spring to bias the lever into a resting position
Implementation Method 2
the actuating element is flexibly configured such that, when manual pressure is applied to the actuating surface, it flexibly bends, thereby causing a change in the distance between the first bearing and the second bearing
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a vehicle door switch actuating apparatus (100). The apparatus includes an actuating element (104) having an actuating surface (110), a mechanical switch (112), and a mechanism for transferring a compressive force applied by a user to the actuating surface (110) onto the mechanical switch (112) in order to flip the mechanical switch (112). The mechanism includes: a first component (102) on which the mechanical switch (112) is fixed at least in the switching direction; and a lever (120) pivotally supported about a pivot axis (124) relative to the first component (102) or the first component group and connected to the actuating element (104) via a first bearing on a first side (111) of the actuating surface (110). The actuating element (104) is supported on the first component (102) or the first component group via a second bearing on a second side (113) of the actuating surface (110). The actuating element (104) is flexibly configured such that, when manual pressure is applied to the actuating surface (110), it flexibly bends, thereby causing a change in the distance between the first bearing and the second bearing, in particular a shortening or lengthening of the distance, and thus causes the lever to pivot about the pivot axis (124). The mechanical switch (112) is arranged such that, by pivoting the lever, the mechanical switch (112) is flipped. The lever (120) extends substantially parallel to the first side (111) of the actuating surface (110).