Lever Switch Sliding Body Inversion for Compact Height
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lever switches in vehicles require a large sliding motion to ensure reliable electrical connection and disconnection, leading to increased dimensions and size, making them less compact and more cumbersome for operation on steering wheels.
Innovation Solution
The lever switch design incorporates a sliding body with a second arm part and a supporting portion that engages with a first arm part, allowing for reduced height and size by positioning the supporting elements below the wiring board, enabling larger sliding motion without increasing the overall height, and includes a light-emitting device for improved operability in low-light conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sliding body is positioned above the wiring board, then the electrical connection is reliable, but the height and size of the lever switch increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional arrangement by positioning the sliding body below the wiring board instead of above it. The supporting portion of the sliding body engages with the holding portion of the lever's arm part at a position below the wiring board, allowing the sliding motion to occur in the opposite direction. This inversion resolves the contradiction by achieving reliable electrical connection without increasing the overall height of the lever switch.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the spatial dimension by extending the arm part of the lever through the wiring board to engage with the sliding body on the opposite side. This dimensional rearrangement allows the sliding motion to occur while maintaining a compact height, as the engagement point is relocated to the below-wiring-board region rather than above it.
2Reliability
If the sliding motion distance is increased for reliable connection, then the electrical connection reliability improves, but the overall size of the lever switch increases
Solution Approach 1:
By inverting the position of the sliding body to below the wiring board, the patent enables the sliding motion to occur in the opposite direction. This allows for sufficient sliding distance to ensure reliable electrical connection and disconnection of the movable contact with the fixed contact, while keeping the overall volume compact since the sliding occurs within the existing structural envelope rather than extending it.
3Reliability
If the arm part extends through the case and wiring board, then the engagement between holding portion and supporting portion is achieved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The arm part of the lever serves multiple functions: it acts as a lever arm for operation, extends through the case and wiring board to reach the sliding body, and provides the holding portion for engagement with the supporting portion. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby achieving reliable engagement while minimizing the increase in structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the lever arm function with the engagement mechanism by integrating the holding portion directly into the arm part. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate engagement components, achieving reliable connection between the lever and sliding body while keeping the overall structure relatively simple.
Data Source
AI summary
A lever switch includes a case, a lever, a wiring board, a sliding body, and a movable contact. The wiring board has fixed contacts and is disposed at an opposite side to the lever with respect to the case. The sliding body has a sliding part and a second arm part having a supporting portion, and is disposed between the case and the wiring board. The movable contact is mounted to the sliding part and has an end to be brought into contact with the fixed contact. A first arm part of the lever extends from the main body part through the case and the wiring board. The second arm part extends from the wiring board through the sliding part. The holding portion and the supporting portion are engaged with each other at an opposite side to the case with respect to the wiring board.