Modular Vehicle Switch Module for Flexible Substrate Sizing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing switch modules for vehicle-mounted devices require a substrate size capable of mounting the maximum number of switch portions, even when a small number of switches are needed, leading to inefficient use of space and resources.
Innovation Solution
A modular switch module comprising a master switch unit and multiple slave switch units, where the master switch unit determines the ON/OFF states of connected switch portions and includes connectors to connect with slave switch units, allowing for flexible configuration of switch numbers and substrate sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a substrate capable of mounting the maximum number of switch portions is used, then the system can accommodate any vehicle specification, but the substrate size becomes larger than necessary when fewer switches are required
Solution Approach 1:
The switch module is divided into a master switch unit containing the control unit and determination logic, and multiple slave switch units that can be independently connected. This segmentation allows the system to be configured with only the necessary number of switch units for each vehicle specification, rather than providing all possible switch positions on a single large substrate. The master substrate remains standardized in size while the overall system size adapts to requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The master substrate is designed with universal connectivity capabilities through multiple connection terminals that can interface with different numbers and configurations of slave switch units. The determination unit on the master substrate can identify and process signals from various slave unit configurations, making the master substrate adaptable to different vehicle specifications without requiring custom substrate sizes for each application.
2Ease of manufacture
If a standardized large substrate is used for all configurations, then manufacturing is simplified, but space and resources are wasted when fewer switches are needed
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the switch system into a master unit and detachable slave units, the master substrate can be manufactured as a standardized component with fixed connections. The slave units are manufactured separately and connected only when needed. This approach maintains standardized manufacturing for the master substrate while avoiding waste by not mounting unnecessary switch portions on it.
Solution Approach 2:
The slave switch units are extracted from the master substrate design, allowing the master substrate to be manufactured in a standardized form without committing to specific switch configurations. The slave units are added only when required by the vehicle specification, eliminating the waste of mounting unused switch portions on a standardized large substrate.
Data Source
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.