Steering Wheel Horn Switch Layout for Short-Stroke Vibration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle horn control devices require a significant control stroke and numerous components, making them complex and prone to vibration issues, which complicates the reconciliation of adequate hardness and easy control.
Innovation Solution
A simplified horn control device architecture with integrated switch positioning means that closes the switch at the beginning of movement, reducing the number of components and control travel, and utilizing elastic return and stop means to ensure repeatable positioning and rapid detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional horn control device architecture is used with separate switch and positioning means, then the device has adequate structural stability, but the device complexity increases and control detection speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the switch and positioning means into a single integrated component. The first contact terminal serves dual functions as both a positioning element that imposes the rest position on the control part and as a contact terminal that closes the electrical circuit. This integration eliminates the need for separate positioning means and reduces the overall number of components while maintaining structural stability and control detection functionality
2Ease of operation
If traditional horn control device with significant control travel is used, then the control part has adequate visibility and accessibility, but the visible clearances increase and vibration control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the control travel parameter from significant travel (prior art) to minimal travel (less than 1 mm). By integrating the switch closure to occur at the beginning of the movement and using the first contact terminal as both positioning and electrical contact element, the control stroke is dramatically reduced. This parameter change effectively limits vibrations while maintaining ease of operation through the elastic return means that provides adequate control feedback
3Object-affected harmful factors
If control travel is reduced to less than 1 mm, then vibrations are limited and device compactness is improved, but the switch closure timing must be precisely controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs preliminary action by designing the first contact terminal to close the electrical circuit at the very beginning of the control part's movement from the depressed position toward the rest position. The elastic return means is pre-configured to push the control part, and the first contact terminal is positioned to engage the second contact terminal immediately as movement begins, ensuring precise switch closure timing without requiring complex control mechanisms
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, efficient horn control device with rapid detection and reduced visible clearances, allowing for increased stiffness to limit vibrations and improve user experience by minimizing the control stroke to less than 1 mm.
Implementation Method 1
elastic return means, arranged to push the control part from the depressed position towards the rest position
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a vehicle horn control device, mounted on a steering wheel of the vehicle, comprising: a base part (10); a control part (20) that is movable between a rest position and a depressed position; elastic return means (31) for returning the control part (20) back into the rest position, - positioning means (41); an electric circuit with at least one switch comprising a second contact terminal (51; 151; 251a, 251b; 21, 452) mounted on the control part (20), and a first contact terminal (52; 152; 252; 441) secured to the base part (10), characterized in that the positioning means (41) comprise the first contact terminal (52; 152; 252; 441), which is designed to position the control part (20) in the rest position so as to turn off the switch when the control part (20) is in the rest position.