Vehicle Lever Light Switch With Touch Mode Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vehicle light switches are difficult to operate due to their placement distant from the steering wheel, requiring wrist twisting and additional force, which complicates mode switching and increases the risk of accidental operations.

Innovation Solution

A lever switch with a touch sensor and permission switch that allows mode switching without moving the lever switch body, enabling single-touch operation and reducing accidental activations by using a cuboid shape and recessed permission switch for improved ergonomics and accessibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the light switch is disposed distant from the steering wheel to suppress interference with the hand, then hand interference is reduced, but the light switch becomes more difficult for fingers to reach

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehand interferenceVSAvoidfinger accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The light switch is divided into two functional parts: the lever switch main body for positioning and the separate switching portion with touch sensor for mode switching. This segmentation allows the switching function to be accessed easily while the main body remains positioned to avoid hand interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A touch sensor is introduced as an intermediary element that enables mode switching through simple contact without requiring the user to grasp or move the entire lever switch main body, thus improving accessibility while maintaining the original positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the outer diameter of the light switch is increased to provide composite functions, then functional versatility is improved, but the light switch becomes more difficult for fingers to reach

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional versatilityVSAvoidfinger accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple light modes are switched not by increasing the radial size of the switch, but by utilizing the directional tracing capability on the touch sensor surface, effectively using the two-dimensional touch surface for what would traditionally require a larger three-dimensional structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If a touch sensor is used for mode switching, then operability is improved by eliminating wrist twisting, but accidental touches may cause unintended mode changes

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveoperabilityVSAvoidaccidental operation suppression

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of touch intent through the permission switch and tracing direction validation before executing the mode switching action, preventing accidental activations while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides feedback by detecting the direction of tracing on the touch sensor and requiring intentional directional input, which distinguishes deliberate user actions from accidental touches and prevents unintended mode changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Adaptability or versatility

If the lever switch main body is twisted to switch light modes, then mode switching is achieved, but wrist twisting is required which reduces operability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemode switching capabilityVSAvoidoperability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical twisting motion of the lever switch main body is replaced with a capacitive touch sensor that detects finger contact and tracing direction, substituting a mechanical operation with an electronic sensing mechanism that requires only light finger contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enhances operability by eliminating the need for wrist twisting and reducing accidental mode changes, making it easier to switch vehicle light modes with improved ergonomic design and reduced operational complexity.

Implementation Method 1

the switching portion is configured to include a touch sensor capable of sensing the touch by the vehicle occupant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitive sensing: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS20230406107A1Lever switch, display control system for vehicle, and vehicle

Publication Date: 2023.12.21 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

A lever switch includes a lever switch main body configured to be disposed at a front side, in a front-rear direction of a vehicle, relative to a steering wheel that steers the vehicle; and a switching portion that is provided at the lever switch main body and, in response to a touch by a vehicle occupant without the lever switch main body being moved, switches a mode of a light of the vehicle.