Modular Vehicle Switch Module for Flexible Substrate Sizing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle-mounted switch modules require substrates of maximum size even when only a small number of switches are mounted, leading to inefficiency and unnecessary resource usage.
Innovation Solution
A modular switch module system comprising a master switch unit and slave switch units, where the master unit connects multiple slave units, allowing for flexible configuration and substrate size adjustment based on the number of switches needed, using a microcomputer to determine switch functions and states through resistors and LEDs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a substrate capable of mounting a maximum number of switch portions is used, then the number of switch portions can be increased to match vehicle specifications, but the substrate size becomes larger than necessary when only a small number of switch portions are mounted
Solution Approach 1:
The switch module is divided into a master switch unit and multiple slave switch units. Each slave switch unit can be independently connected to the master unit, allowing the system to be segmented into only as many units as needed for the specific vehicle specification. This eliminates the need for a large substrate to accommodate all possible switch portions, as only the required number of slave units are connected.
Solution Approach 2:
The master switch unit is designed with multiple connection terminals that can connect to different numbers of slave switch units (first through fourth slave units). This universal design allows the same master unit to adapt to various vehicle specifications by simply changing the number of connected slave units, rather than requiring different substrate sizes for different configurations.
2Loss of substance
If the substrate size is reduced to match the number of mounted switch portions, then resource usage is optimized, but the substrate must be redesigned for different vehicle specifications
Solution Approach 1:
The master switch unit incorporates a universal connection interface with multiple terminals that can accommodate different numbers of slave switch units. This allows a single standardized substrate design to be used across different vehicle specifications, eliminating the need to redesign substrates for different configurations while optimizing resource usage by only connecting the required number of slave units.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows dynamic configuration by enabling or disabling connections to different slave switch units based on vehicle specifications. The master unit can dynamically adapt to different numbers of connected slaves (from one to four), providing flexibility without requiring physical substrate changes or redesigns.
Data Source
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AI summary
A switch module includes a master switch unit and a slave switch unit. The master switch unit includes a master substrate, a determination unit mounted on the master substrate and configured to determine an ON/OFF state of a switch portion connected to the determination unit, a master-side switch portion mounted on the master substrate and connected to the determination unit, and at least one master-side connector mounted on the master substrate and connected to the determination unit. The slave switch unit includes a slave substrate, a slave-side switch portion mounted on the slave substrate, and a first slave-side connector mounted on the slave substrate and connected to the slave-side switch portion. The master-side connector is connected to the first slave-side connector.