RV Switch Override System for Actuator Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing recreational vehicle systems lack a reliable backup control system to override failed electrical controls for actuators, which are crucial for extending and retracting slide-outs and awnings, potentially leaving users without a functional means to operate these components.
Innovation Solution
A switching system comprising a selector switch and an activation switch that allows the operator to manually select and activate electrically controlled actuators to extend or retract extendable/retractable members, serving as a failsafe mechanism to bypass other control systems and ensure functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a primary electrical control system is used to operate actuators, then the system achieves automated operation and ease of use, but the system lacks reliability when control failures occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a hardwired override system with selector and activation switches that is预先 built into the control architecture. This preliminary action ensures that if the primary electronic control system fails, the operator can immediately switch to the backup manual control system without needing to add any external components or complex wiring modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hardwired electrical circuit as an intermediary between the operator and the actuator. This intermediary override system uses simple selector switches and activation switches that directly control the actuator through a dedicated electrical path, bypassing the complex primary control system when needed, thus ensuring reliability while maintaining simplicity.
2Reliability
If a backup control system is added to override failed controls, then reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential control function from the complex primary control system by creating a separate, simplified hardwired override system. This extracted backup control uses only the fundamental elements needed for actuator operation (selector switch and activation switch), removing unnecessary complexity while maintaining the core functionality and ensuring reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs simple, inexpensive switch components for the override system that are easier to manufacture and replace than complex electronic control units. The selector and activation switches are basic electrical components that provide reliable backup control without the complexity and cost of sophisticated electronics, making the system more maintainable and reliable.
3Ease of operation
If manual override switches are implemented, then ease of operation is maintained during failures, but the system requires additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the override system with universal selector switches that can select different actuators, and activation switches that work with any selected actuator. This multi-functional design allows the same basic switch components to control multiple different actuators throughout the vehicle, reducing the total number of specialized components needed while maintaining ease of operation for all manual override scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle system including a housing, an extendable/retractable member coupled to the housing, an electrically controlled actuator and an override system. The electrically controlled actuator is connected to the extendable/retractable member, and is configured to extend and retract the extendable/retractable member relative to the housing. The override system includes a selector switch and an activation switch. The selector switch allows a selection of one of the plurality of electrically controlled actuators which is defined as a selected actuator. The activation switch activates the selected actuator to either extend or retract the extendable/retractable member associated with the selected actuator.