Vehicle Push Button Switch With Magnetic Haptic Actuation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional push button switch assemblies for vehicles rely on deteriorating springs for actuation and lack sufficient feedback to the user, making them inefficient and unreliable over time.

Innovation Solution

A push button switch assembly utilizing a pivotable actuator with a magnetic element and a hall sensor, where the magnetic attraction biases the actuator into a first position and a tactile haptic response is provided when the user overcomes the magnetic attraction to pivot to a second position, allowing the hall sensor to sense changes in the magnetic field.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a spring is used to bias the button into an unactuated position, then the button can be returned to the unactuated position after actuation, but the biasing force deteriorates over time due to overuse and the spring cannot provide sufficient feedback to the user

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of button actuationVSAvoidduration of biasing force

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical spring-based biasing system with a magnetic field-based system. A magnet is positioned behind the button, and a ferromagnetic plate is positioned in front of the button. The magnetic attraction between the magnet and the ferromagnetic plate provides the biasing force to hold the button in the unactuated position. This substitution eliminates the wear and deterioration issues associated with mechanical springs while maintaining reliable button actuation and providing tactile feedback to the user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If a spring is used to return the button to the unactuated position, then the button can be reset after actuation, but the spring is incapable of providing sufficient feedback that the button has been correctly actuated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser feedback on actuationVSAvoidfeedback reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical spring-based feedback mechanism with a magnetic field-based feedback system. The magnetic attraction between the magnet and the ferromagnetic plate provides tactile feedback to the user when the button is actuated. The user can feel the magnetic resistance and the tactile response when the button moves from the unactuated to the actuated position, ensuring reliable feedback without the limitations of mechanical springs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If a magnetic element is used to bias the actuator into a first position, then the actuator can be reliably biased without wear, but a force must be applied to overcome the magnetic attraction to pivot the actuator

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of actuator biasingVSAvoidforce required to pivot actuator

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes parameter changes in the magnetic field interaction to achieve reliable actuator biasing with manageable actuation force. By positioning the magnet and ferromagnetic plate at specific distances and orientations, the magnetic attraction provides strong biasing force in the unactuated position. When the button is pressed, the actuator pivots, changing the distance and orientation parameters, which reduces the magnetic attraction force and allows the actuator to move to the actuated position with moderate force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution enhances user feedback and maintains reliability by providing a tactile response and ensuring accurate actuation, reducing the wear and tear on components compared to traditional spring-based systems.

Implementation Method 1

the magnetic element biases the actuator into the first position via a magnetic attraction between the magnetic element and the plate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

a hall sensor configured to sense a magnetic field of the magnetic element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHall effect: Hall Effect

Data Source

PatentUS11658661B2Push button switch assembly for a vehicle

Publication Date: 2023.05.23 ARENS CONTROLS CO LLC

AI summary

A push button switch assembly for a vehicle includes an elastic button that is moveable between a first unactuated position and a second actuated position. An actuator is disposed adjacent a plate and is pivotable between a first position and a second position. The actuator includes a magnetic element. When the elastic button is in the first unactuated position the magnetic element biases the actuator into the first position, and when the elastic button is moved to the second actuated position, a force applied to the elastic button is transmitted to the actuator such that the force overcomes the magnetic attraction and permits the actuator to pivot to the second position while providing a tactile haptic response. When the actuator is moved to the second position, a hall sensor senses a change in the magnetic field of the magnetic element.