Electronic Key Switch Housing with Flexible Diaphragm
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for electronic keys that can reduce installation space while maintaining high rigidity and protecting against environmental influences, with the ability to trigger vehicle functions from a distance and accommodate intricate electronics.
Innovation Solution
An electronic key design featuring a housing with a dimensionally rigid frame and a flexibly deformable diaphragm that seals apertures, providing structural support and protection against environmental factors, and can be formed as a two-component injection-molded element or bonded using various methods, with the diaphragm also serving as a light guide and vibration absorber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the overall height of the electronic key is reduced to improve carrying comfort, then installation space requirements are reduced, but the rigidity of the electronic key may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic key is divided into functionally independent modules: a housing containing electronics, a separate switch housing with frame and diaphragm, and a mechanical emergency key. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently - the switch housing can be made compact while the frame provides structural rigidity support
Solution Approach 2:
The switch housing combines a rigid frame (providing dimensional stability and strength) with a flexibly deformable diaphragm (providing sealing and force transmission). This composite structure achieves both compact dimensions and necessary rigidity through the synergistic combination of rigid and flexible components
2Volume of moving object
If the dimensions of the electronic key are reduced, then installation space requirements are reduced, but protection against environmental influences becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The diaphragm serves as a flexible sealing film that closes apertures in the switch housing, providing protection against environmental influences such as moisture and dust ingress while maintaining a compact structure. The flexible nature allows it to conform to the aperture geometry effectively
Solution Approach 2:
The switch housing with frame and diaphragm is nested within the main housing, creating a multi-layer protective structure. This nesting arrangement provides enhanced environmental protection through multiple barriers while minimizing the overall volume of the electronic key
3Strength
If a rigid frame is used to ensure rigidity, then structural strength is improved, but the ability to absorb mechanical vibrations may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Different parts of the switch housing have different mechanical properties: the frame is rigid for structural strength, while the diaphragm is flexibly deformable for vibration absorption. This local differentiation of material properties allows the structure to simultaneously achieve strength and vibration damping
Solution Approach 2:
The flexibly deformable diaphragm acts as a pre-configured cushioning element that absorbs mechanical vibrations before they can transmit to the electronics in the housing. The elastic properties of the diaphragm provide inherent vibration damping protection
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 design achieves reduced installation space, enhanced rigidity, and effective protection against environmental influences, while allowing for precise force transmission and vibration absorption, ensuring reliable operation of electronic components and user-friendly functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a flexibly deformable or elastic diaphragm which is arranged on the frame so as to close the at least one first aperture and to pass on a force which acts on the diaphragm in the region of the aperture from the outside to an electrical switching element
Implementation Method 2
mechanical vibrations, which act on the key housing, are already absorbed by the diaphragm in the region of the first predetermined sections by virtue of the flexibly deformable or elastic diaphragm bearing against the key housing
Implementation Method 3
the diaphragm and the frame to be in the form of a two-component injection-molded element, in which the diaphragm forms the soft component and the frame forms the hard component of the two-component injection-molded element
Implementation Method 4
the diaphragm can fulfill further structural functions... the diaphragm has a further structural function in this way
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic key having the following features. The electronic key has a key housing and a switch housing in the key housing. The switch housing has an inherently rigid frame having at least one first breakout, and a flexibly deformable membrane which is arranged on the frame in order to close the at least one breakout and to forward a force having effect from the outside on the membrane in the region of the breakout to an electrical switch element arranged within the frame. An electronic key having the required amount of stiffness is thus created, in which sensitive electronic components located therein are also protected from environmental influences. If the deformable membrane is not only used for button-related functions, but also for forming an ejection section for an emergency key or as a rattle protection for the emergency key, a multifunctional switch housing can thus be created simply.