Lever Switch Low Rigidity Portion Reduces Collision Sound
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lever switches on vehicles generate collision sound during rotation due to the abutment of corner portions on the case, and existing solutions either require highly rigid materials or increase the number of parts with separate elastic members.
Innovation Solution
A lever switch design incorporating a click feeling generator made of an elastic member with a low rigidity portion between the shoulder and clicking surfaces, where the switch moving body's corner portions abut on this low rigidity portion to limit rotation range, reducing collision sound without increasing the number of parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a shock absorber is formed integrally with the case using highly rigid material, then the structure is simplified, but collision sound cannot be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The click feeling generator incorporates a low rigidity portion with different material properties than the rest of the generator. This low rigidity portion specifically absorbs collision sound when the corner portion abuts against it, while the rest of the generator maintains sufficient rigidity for structural integrity and click feeling generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The click feeling generator is formed as an integral structure containing regions with different rigidity characteristics. The low rigidity portion uses material with reduced rigidity compared to the main body, creating a composite structure that simultaneously achieves sound absorption and structural functionality without requiring separate shock absorber components.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a separate elastic member is provided to reduce collision sound, then collision sound is reduced, but the number of parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shock absorption function is merged into the click feeling generator itself by incorporating a low rigidity portion within its structure. This eliminates the need for separate shock absorber components while maintaining the collision sound reduction function, thereby reducing the total number of parts in the lever switch assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The click feeling generator provides its own shock absorption function through the integrated low rigidity portion, eliminating the need for external or separate elastic members. The generator serves multiple functions including click feeling generation and collision sound reduction through its own structural features.
3Ease of operation
If corner portions abut on the case to limit rotation range, then rotation is constrained, but collision sound is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The low rigidity portion acts as an intermediary element between the corner portion and the rigid case structure. It provides the necessary mechanical constraint to limit rotation range while absorbing impact energy and reducing collision sound through its reduced rigidity and elastic deformation characteristics.
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 effectively reduces collision sound during rotation while maintaining a stable operation feeling and minimizing part count by utilizing an integral elastic member with a low rigidity portion to absorb impacts within the click feeling generator.
Implementation Method 1
a low rigidity portion formed between the shoulder portion and the clicking surface, and a corner portion of the switch moving body located in a rotating direction thereof abuts on the low rigidity portion to limit a rotation range of the switch moving body
Data Source
AI summary
To provide a lever switch that reduces collision sound when a switch moving body rotates while reducing the number of parts. A click feeling generator is made integrally of an elastic member and disposed inside a third case. An operation lever is operated to rotate the switch moving body with respect to the third case. The click feeling generator includes clicking surfaces that abut on a tip end of the switch moving body to impart a click feeling, a shoulder portion, and a low rigidity portion. A corner portion of the switch moving body in the rotation direction abuts on the corresponding low rigidity portion to limit a rotation range of the switch moving body.