Vehicle Fob Key Button Support Structure for Operating Force

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional fob keys for vehicles face limitations in increasing operating force on buttons and eliminating noise when pressed, as the existing structural adjustments are insufficient to meet the desired force requirements and fully prevent noise.

Innovation Solution

A button-supporting structure is introduced, comprising a base plate with aslant elastic support pieces and a contact plate, which elastically supports buttons and transfers operating force to touch switches, allowing for increased force and reduced noise by supporting buttons away from touch switches.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If the operating force on the touch switch is increased and the hardness of the keypad is increased, then the operating force on the button is increased, but the structural limitation prevents further increase and noise cannot be avoided

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperating force on buttonVSAvoidstructural limitation
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A button-supporting structure is introduced as an intermediary component between the button and the touch switch. This structure includes a button supporting the rod portion of the button, positioned between the button and the touch switch. The button-supporting structure transfers the operating force from the button to the touch switch while providing structural support, thereby overcoming the limitations of directly increasing touch switch operating force or keypad hardness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Force

If traditional adjustment methods are used, then some operating force can be achieved, but the desired operating force of 13 N cannot be satisfied

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperating force on buttonVSAvoidrequirement satisfaction
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The button-supporting structure enables parameter changes in the force transmission system. By introducing this intermediate structure with specific mechanical properties, the system can achieve the target operating force of 13 N that cannot be reached through traditional adjustment of touch switch operating force (3 N to 5 N) or keypad hardness alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-generated harmful factors

If the button moves without proper support, then the structure is simple, but noise is produced when the button moves

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovenoiseVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The button-supporting structure serves as a mediator that supports the button during its movement. This structure prevents direct contact and potential noise generation between the button and surrounding components, thereby eliminating noise without requiring complex additional damping or isolation systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 effectively increases the operating force on buttons to meet the desired 13 N requirement while minimizing noise, ensuring reliable and quiet operation.

Implementation Method 1

a button-supporting structure elastically supporting buttons in a direction far away from touch switches

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3591628B1The structure of fob key for increasing the operating force of button
Publication Date: 2022.12.07 CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
  • EP3591628B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3591628B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3591628B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a fob key for a vehicle. The fob key for a vehicle includes a housing accommodating a printed circuit board (50) mounted with touch switches (30) and electrical parts, buttons arranged on the housing and able to move toward touch switches, and a button-supporting structure (300) elastically supporting buttons (200) in a direction far away from touch switches.