Vehicle Rocker Switch Layout for Gap-Free Light State Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle lighting system switches with multiple states are either expensive due to capacitive elements or lack a high-quality, gap-free design, and often suffer from unintentional operation.
Innovation Solution
A rocker switch with integrated actuation surfaces and display sections, where the actuation surfaces are far enough apart to prevent incorrect operation, and no capacitive elements are used, allowing for a modern, cost-effective, and intuitive selection of lighting states without gaps between components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple separate actuating elements are used to control different lighting states, then each element can move along its actuating path, but gaps must be provided between elements which reduces appearance quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple actuating surfaces (first, second, third, and fourth actuating surfaces) onto a single rocker switch body, allowing all lighting state selections to be made from one continuous component. This merging eliminates the gaps between separate actuating elements while preserving the ability of each surface to be manually actuated independently, thus resolving the contradiction between operational mobility and appearance quality.
2Shape
If capacitive switching elements are used instead of movable actuating elements, then gaps between switching elements are eliminated, but manufacturing cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces capacitive switching elements with a mechanical rocker switch structure that features multiple actuating surfaces on a single body. This mechanical implementation achieves the gap-free appearance quality of capacitive switches while maintaining cost-effectiveness through simpler manufacturing processes and the use of conventional mechanical switching components rather than expensive capacitive technology.
3Area of stationary object
If actuating surfaces are placed close together on a rocker switch, then space is optimized, but unintentional misoperation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating distinct spatial zones for each actuating surface on the rocker switch body. The first and second actuating surfaces are positioned on one side of the rocker switch while the third and fourth actuating surfaces are positioned on the opposite side, establishing clear local boundaries that prevent accidental activation of adjacent surfaces while maintaining compact overall dimensions.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a rocker switch (2) for selecting a state of a lighting system of a motor vehicle, which has at least two different states, and comprising at least one manually operable rocker switch (4). In order to enable the selection of the state of the lighting system using at least one cost-effectively manufactured rocker switch (2) with a high-quality appearance, at least two actuation surfaces (6, 7) for selectively manually actuating the rocker switch (4) and at least two display sections (10, 11, 12, 13) arranged between the actuation surfaces (6, 7) are provided on a surface of the rocker switch (4), wherein the display sections (10, 11, 12, 13) are assigned to different states of the lighting system and each has at least one illuminating element (14), and wherein the illuminating elements (14) can be individually and alternately activated by manually actuating the rocker switch (4).