Handle Switch Substrate Segmentation for Water Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing handle switch devices for vehicles are prone to water ingress through the USB connector opening, leading to potential short circuits and damage to electronic components when supplying power to external devices like navigation apps on mobile devices.

Innovation Solution

The handle switch device features a main substrate with electronic components separated from a connection terminal substrate, where the connection terminal is positioned to prevent water from reaching the electronic components, and a cover member can be used to enhance water resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a USB port is provided on the handle switch device for supplying electric power to external devices, then power supply functionality is improved, but water ingress through the insertion opening causes short circuits and damages electronic components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply functionalityVSAvoidelectronic component reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The handle switch device is divided into a first housing containing electronic components and a second housing containing the USB connector, with the USB connector positioned in a separate space that prevents water ingress from reaching the electronic components in the first housing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If electronic components are disposed within the switch housing along with the USB port, then device integration is improved, but water entering through the USB insertion opening submerges electronic components causing short circuits

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice integrationVSAvoidwater ingress damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The switch housing is segmented into two separate housings: a first housing for electronic components and a second housing for the USB connector. This segmentation creates physical separation that protects electronic components from water ingress through the USB insertion opening

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second housing acts as an intermediary barrier between the external environment (where water ingress occurs at the USB insertion opening) and the electronic components in the first housing, preventing direct contact between water and sensitive electronics

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12091124B2Handle switch device

Publication Date: 2024.09.17 TOYO DENSO CO LTD

AI summary

A handle switch device capable of supplying electric power to an external device without damaging electronic components. A handle switch device 10 comprises a main substrate 20, on which electronic components are disposed, a USB substrate 19, on which a USB port 18 for supplying electric power to an external device is disposed, and a switch housing 12 that houses the main substrate 20 and the USB substrate 19. The main substrate 20 and the USB substrate 19 are disposed so as to be separated from each other.