Vehicular Parking Brake Switch Rod Actuation Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic parking brake switches face challenges in ensuring adequate safety due to limited stroke of horizontally-pivoted switches, which can lead to incorrect switching and safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
A control switch design utilizing a rod to actively operate microswitches through an actuator, with a key secured to a housing structure that rotates and slides along an axis, featuring elastic means and inclined contact planes to ensure precise actuation and deactivation of the brake control, minimizing unintentional switching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a horizontally-pivoted key switch is used for the parking brake, then the switch structure is simple and compact, but the limited stroke fails to ensure correct switching of the microswitch
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a rod as an intermediary element between the key and the microswitch. The rod translates the rotational movement of the key into linear displacement, which then actuates the microswitch through a thrust element. This intermediary mechanism ensures that the limited key stroke is sufficient to reliably activate the microswitch.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the movement parameter from direct rotational contact to linear displacement through the rod. By converting the key's rotational motion into linear movement of the rod, the system achieves sufficient actuation stroke for the microswitch while maintaining a compact horizontal pivoting structure.
2Ease of operation
If the key stroke is limited for aesthetic and ergonomic reasons, then the design is more compact and user-friendly, but it becomes difficult to ensure adequate safety in command activation and deactivation
Solution Approach 1:
The rod serves as a mediator that amplifies the effect of the limited key stroke. Through the mechanical advantage provided by the rod's length and the thrust element's inclined plane, the small rotational movement of the key is converted into sufficient linear displacement to reliably activate or deactivate the microswitch, ensuring safety despite ergonomic constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a direct one-dimensional rotational contact to a two-dimensional movement path involving both rotation of the key and linear displacement of the rod. This dimensional change allows the system to achieve the necessary actuation distance within the limited key stroke range.
3Device complexity
If microswitches are directly actuated by the key, then the switching mechanism is simple, but unintentional switching may occur and safety cannot be guaranteed
Solution Approach 1:
The rod and thrust element assembly act as an intermediary mechanism between the key and microswitch. This intermediary requires a deliberate, sustained force to overcome the spring resistance and activate the microswitch, preventing accidental activation while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic means (spring) provides beforehand cushioning by creating a resistance force that must be overcome to activate the microswitch. This pre-loaded spring ensures that only intentional, forceful key movements will activate the brake, preventing unintentional switching while keeping the mechanism simple.
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 effectively addresses safety concerns by ensuring reliable activation and deactivation of the parking brake, reducing the risk of unintentional switching and enhancing ergonomic operation.
Implementation Method 1
a rod (4) secured to one end of key (2) and moving integrally therewith, so that it can slide along an axis (X) of key (2), countered by at least one elastic means (41)
Implementation Method 2
Said housing structure (3) comprises at least one flared structure comprising at least one inclined contact plane (31)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3B
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
A control switch for a vehicular parking brake comprises a key 2 secured to a housing structure 3, so that it can rotate about a fulcrum "○", a rod 4 secured to one end of the key 2 and moving integrally therewith, so that it can slide along an axis "X" of said key 2, countered by an elastic means 41. Said housing structure 3 is fixed onto an electronic circuit 5 comprising at least one electronic push-button 51. Said switch further comprises at least one actuator 6 positioned neat at least one flared structure comprising at least one inclined contact plane 31 on which said rod 4 slides, so that it can be rotated about a fulcrum "T" by acting upon said push-button 51, following the action of the rod 4 upon said actuator 6.