Rotatable Control Body with Perpendicular Actuator and LED Backlighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing manual control devices for systems, such as those in vehicles, lack both design freedom and effective backlighting options, with axial contact devices offering limited style and form but complex arrangements, while perpendicular contact devices restrict backlighting possibilities.
Innovation Solution
A manual control device with a control body featuring a central part with a clipping lug for secure mounting and a front part with an indication zone, combined with a light-emitting diode for effective backlighting, and an actuator for delivering command signals upon user interaction, allowing for a balance between design flexibility and functional operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a contactor is placed in the thrust axis of the user's finger, then backlighting is allowed, but freedom of form and style is significantly limited
Solution Approach 1:
The control device is divided into distinct functional segments: a control element for user interaction, a separate contactor mechanism positioned perpendicular to the thrust axis, and an independent light guide structure. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the control element for aesthetic freedom and the light guide for effective backlighting without requiring the contactor to be in the thrust axis.
Solution Approach 2:
The contactor is repositioned from the traditional thrust axis location to a position substantially perpendicular to the thrust axis. This dimensional change allows the contactor to be integrated into the control body structure without interfering with the aesthetic design of the control element's front face, while still enabling functional operation and backlighting through the light guide.
2Shape
If a contactor is placed substantially perpendicular to the thrust axis, then freedom of form and style is improved, but backlighting possibilities are significantly limited
Solution Approach 1:
A light guide structure is introduced as an intermediary component between the light source and the control element. This light guide efficiently channels and distributes light from the LED source to illuminate the control element's front face, even though the contactor is positioned perpendicular to the thrust axis. The light guide acts as a mediator that decouples the contactor position from the backlighting effectiveness.
3Shape
If design freedom and style possibilities are increased, then aesthetic appeal is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control body is designed with multi-functionality: it serves as both the aesthetic control element visible to the user and as the structural housing for the contactor mechanism. The control element's front face provides the aesthetic interface, while its rear face integrates the contactor mounting, reducing the need for separate structural components and simplifying the overall device arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functional components are merged into a unified control body structure. The control element, contactor mounting structure, and light guide housing are combined into a single integrated unit, reducing the number of separate parts and assembly steps while maintaining design freedom for the front face appearance.
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 provides a manual control device that offers numerous shape and style possibilities while maintaining effective backlighting and user interaction, enhancing the overall user experience and aesthetic appeal.
Implementation Method 1
at least one light-emitting diode for backlighting the indication zone
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
A device for manual control (DC) is intended to control at least one function ensured by at least one member of a system. This device (DC) comprises: - a control body (CC) comprising a long-limbed central part (PC) and terminated by a rear part (PR), which is able to be mounted rotatably with respect to a support (PB), and a front part (PV), comprising a front face defining an indication zone (ZI) and a rear face to which is tied a wall (PG) delimiting a space under the indication zone (ZI), - at least one light-emitting diode (DE) able to deliver light in this space so as to back-light the indication zone (ZI), and - an actuator (A) able to be installed under the wall (PG) and to control the function in the case of interaction with the wall (PG) induced by the exerting of a pressure on the front part (PV) by a finger of a user.