Remote Key Fob Inductive Control Surface Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Remote key fobs face issues with mechanical push buttons that are complex to produce, prone to soiling, and susceptible to dust and water ingress due to material differences and gaps, leading to undesirable haptics and functionality problems.
Innovation Solution
The remote key fob employs a metal detection section mechanically coupled to the control surface, using a detection coil on the printed circuit board to detect actuations inductively, eliminating mechanical components and creating a sealed, gap-free design with enhanced durability and aesthetics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If mechanical push buttons with actuating membranes or soft components are used, then actuation detection is achieved, but production complexity increases and visual design deteriorates due to material differences and gaps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex mechanical actuating components (membranes, soft components, multiple materials) from the housing structure. Instead, it uses a simple recess in the housing wall that directly receives the push button, removing the need for separate actuating mats or membranes and thereby simplifying both production and structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the housing structure with the actuation detection function. The housing wall itself forms the recess that receives the push button, combining structural support and actuation interface into a single integrated component, eliminating the need for separate actuating components and reducing production complexity.
2Reliability
If mechanical push buttons with multiple materials are used, then actuation detection is achieved, but susceptibility to soiling increases due to gaps and transition regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a single-material housing structure where the housing wall itself forms the recess for the push button. This eliminates transition regions between different materials and creates a seamless surface that prevents dust and water from penetrating into internal components, thereby improving resistance to soiling and harmful factor ingress.
3Shape
If mechanical push buttons are used, then actuation detection is achieved, but visual design deteriorates due to differences from adjacent housing parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the push button recess directly into the housing wall structure, creating a seamless integration where the button interface is part of the housing itself rather than a separate component. This achieves visual uniformity across the housing surface while maintaining the necessary structural features for button actuation.
4Ease of manufacture
If mechanical push buttons with actuating membranes are used, then actuation detection is achieved, but production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the actuating membranes and soft components from the design, reducing the number of parts that need to be manufactured and assembled. This directly reduces production costs by removing unnecessary components while maintaining the essential push button functionality through a simplified recess structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the housing structure with the actuation interface, eliminating the need for separate actuating components. This reduces the total component quantity and simplifies the manufacturing process, thereby reducing production costs.
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
This design improves production costs, reduces susceptibility to soiling, and enhances the visual appeal by providing a uniform, sealed surface that is easier to clean and maintain, while ensuring reliable actuation detection without mechanical weaknesses.
Implementation Method 1
a detection coil, wherein the detection coil is coupled to the communications and control device for forming an inductive proximity switch. The communications and control device detects a measure for the inductivity or quality of the detection coil and determines an actuation of the control surface by a user as a function of the measure for the inductivity or quality of the detection coil.
Data Source
AI summary
A remote key fob for a vehicle, includes a communications and control device, at least one transmit/receive device and a microcontroller. At least one control surface is arranged on an outer shell of a housing of the remote key fob and is coupled to the communications and control device. A printed circuit board held in the housing is placed beneath the control surface. The control surface is mechanically coupled to a metal detection section. Pressure actuation of the control surface from the outside results in a deformation or change of position of the detection section. A detection coil is located on the printed circuit board, wherein the detection coil is coupled to the communications and control device for forming an inductive proximity switch. The communications and control device determines an actuation of the control surface as a function of the inductivity or quality of the detection coil.