Sealed Switch Control Panel With Elastic Key Bosses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing switch control panels in off-road vehicles suffer from inadequate sealing, allowing water vapor ingress that leads to short circuits and operational issues due to gaps between components and lack of sealing treatment.
Innovation Solution
A switch control panel design featuring a rubber upper cover with integrated key bosses and spacers that deform to seal against the base, filled with a sealant to eliminate gaps, ensuring a waterproof connection and rapid switch actuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the switch key is movably provided with the panel to facilitate pressing, then the ease of operation is improved, but the sealing performance deteriorates due to gaps between the switch key and panel
Solution Approach 1:
A rubber grommet is introduced as an intermediary component between the switch key and the mounting cavity. The grommet receives the switch key and provides sealing through its elastic deformation, eliminating the gap between the movable switch key and the panel while maintaining pressability.
Solution Approach 2:
The rubber grommet acts as a flexible sealing element that deforms elastically to accommodate the movable switch key while maintaining continuous sealing. The flexibility of the rubber material allows it to adapt to the switch key's movement without creating gaps.
2Strength
If the upper cover and base are fixed by screw or rivet connection, then the structural strength is improved, but the sealing performance deteriorates due to lack of sealing treatment at gaps
Solution Approach 1:
A sealing ring made of rubber material is installed in the sealing groove of the upper cover. This flexible sealing element fills the gap between the upper cover and base, providing effective sealing while allowing the screw or rivet connection to maintain structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The combination of rigid materials (upper cover, base, screws/rivets) for structural strength and flexible rubber materials (sealing ring, grommet) for sealing creates a composite structure that simultaneously achieves both strength and sealing performance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple key positions are provided for function selection, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rubber grommet with its elastic deformation capability serves multiple functions: it seals the mounting cavity, guides the switch key, absorbs positioning errors, and maintains electrical contact. This single component replaces what would otherwise require multiple separate sealing elements and positioning features.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic modulus and deformation characteristics of the rubber grommet are optimized to provide adequate sealing force while maintaining flexibility for key actuation. By adjusting the material parameters, the grommet can accommodate various switch key positions and forces without requiring complex mechanical structures.
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 design enhances sealing performance, preventing water vapor ingress and maintaining normal operation by integrating rubber components and sealant to ensure the switch control panel's waterproofness and extended service life.
Implementation Method 1
the upper cover is provided orderly and is provided with a key boss capable of being deformed and reset
Implementation Method 2
a sealing object is filled in the sealing gap... the sealant is poured into the sealing gap and respectively bonded to part of the positioning edge, the inner wall of the mounting groove and the outer end surface of the base
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a switch control panel including a base provided with a mounting cavity provided with an electronic element integrated board, characterized in that the base is sleeved with an upper cover and is in a sealed connection with the upper cover, the upper cover is provided orderly and is provided with a key boss capable of being deformed and reset, each of the key bosses penetrates through the mounting cavity and is provided with a key slot with an opening, one end of the key slot opposite the opening is connected to the mounting cavity and is provided with an interlayer capable of being deformed and reset, and a switch key is embedded between the interlayer and the opening in the key slot to improve the sealing performance and prevent the inside of the mounting cavity from entering water vapor.