Vehicle Door Switch Subassembly With Wider Touch Activation Zone
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users find it difficult to activate electronic switches in vehicle door systems by touch due to their location and lack of clear activation points, leading to unreliable operation.
Innovation Solution
An electronic switch subassembly with multiple switch elements arranged along the path of a user's hand, including a light source to guide the user and ensure activation, and a paddle with a transparent window to illuminate the path, ensuring activation without probing multiple areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single switch element is used in the handle, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates because the user finds it hard to locate and activate the switch by touch
Solution Approach 1:
The switch subassembly is segmented into multiple switch elements (first switch element, second switch element, third switch element) arranged at different positions along the transverse direction. Each switch element can be independently activated by the user's hand, providing multiple activation points while maintaining a modular structure that balances complexity with usability.
Solution Approach 2:
The switch elements are arranged along the transverse direction (width direction) rather than only in the longitudinal direction. This dimensional arrangement creates a wider activation zone that is easier to locate by touch, transforming the activation space from a single point to an extended area across the handle width.
2Reliability
If multiple switch elements are arranged at different positions, then the reliability of switch activation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The switch subassembly is divided into multiple independent switch elements positioned at different locations. This segmentation ensures that if one switch element fails or is not activated, other elements remain functional, thereby improving system reliability while distributing the complexity across modular components.
Solution Approach 2:
Each switch element has its own local activation zone along the transverse direction, allowing the user to activate the switch from different hand positions. This local quality distribution ensures reliable activation regardless of the exact hand placement, while each local element remains structurally simple.
3Ease of operation
If the switch contact area is made small for precision, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates because the user has difficulty locating it by touch
Solution Approach 1:
The switch contact area is extended along the transverse direction to create a wider activation zone. This dimensional change transforms a small, difficult-to-locate contact point into an extended contact area that is easier to locate by touch, while the manufacturing precision is maintained through standardized positioning of multiple switch elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The extended switch contact area is segmented into multiple discrete switch elements positioned at different locations. This segmentation allows the overall contact area to be large and easy to locate, while each individual switch element maintains precise manufacturing specifications for reliable activation.
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 reliable and easy-to-use activation mechanism for vehicle door opening, reducing the risk of incorrect activation and enhancing user experience by ensuring that the switch is activated with minimal effort and precision.
Implementation Method 1
a light source arranged to light the path to be followed by the user's hand to reach the switch contact area
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic switch subassembly to be assembled to an inner side of a vehicle door is configured to be activated by a user's touch so as to send a signal to an electronic latch to open the door. The switch subassembly includes a switch contact area extending across a transverse direction with respect to the path to be followed by the user's hand to reach the switch contact area when the subassembly is assembled to the vehicle door, and at least two switch elements. Each switch element includes one or more switch(es). The switch elements are arranged at different positions along the transverse direction so that a user's touch on the switch contact area activates at least one of the switches.