Self-Identifying Control Switches for Vehicle Dashboard Wiring

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) face significant overhead costs and engineering complexities in managing custom dashboards for motor vehicles, as current methods require separate drawings and wire harnesses for each vehicle configuration, leading to increased wire count and potential wiring errors.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle communication system that utilizes self-identifying switches with RFID tags, allowing switches to be placed in any location without rewiring, using a rocker button and RFID tags to transmit unique identifiers to an RFID reader, which communicates with a vehicle controller to control vehicle outputs, enabling customization without altering switch functionality or wiring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate drawings and wire harnesses are provided for every vehicle configuration, then dashboard customization capability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing overhead increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedashboard customization capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single wire harness design is used for all vehicle configurations, with switches capable of being installed in multiple locations. The RFID tags provide universal identification functionality regardless of switch position, eliminating the need for configuration-specific wiring variants.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

RFID tags are introduced as intermediary identification elements between the switches and the vehicle's control system. These tags carry unique identifiers that allow the control unit to recognize switch functions regardless of physical location, decoupling the wiring structure from the switch arrangement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If switches are placed in different locations for customer customization, then adaptability is improved, but wiring errors increase due to use of identical connectors for all positions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveswitch placement flexibilityVSAvoidwiring error rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The RFID reader provides feedback to the control unit about which switch is activated, using the unique identifier from the RFID tag. This feedback mechanism allows the system to correctly interpret switch signals regardless of physical location, preventing wiring errors from causing functional mistakes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical/wiring-based identification system is replaced with an RFID-based identification system. Instead of relying on physical wire routing and connector positioning to identify switch functions, the system uses wireless RFID communication to provide location-independent identification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Loss of information

If RFID tags are integrated into each switch, then switch identification capability is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveswitch identification capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

RFID tags are small, inexpensive components that can be easily integrated into switches. Their low cost allows for placement in every switch without significantly impacting manufacturing economics, while providing permanent identification capability throughout the vehicle's service life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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

This solution reduces engineering overhead and wire count by allowing a single vehicle harness to accommodate multiple customer options, minimizing wiring errors and maintaining switch functionality regardless of location, thus lowering costs and simplifying dashboard customization.

Implementation Method 1

a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag secured to the rocker button, the RFID tag including thereon a unique identifier tied to a function of the control switch

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRFID (Radio Frequency Identification): Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3041012B1Self-identifying control switch

Publication Date: 2019.03.13 EATON CORP

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5

AI summary

A vehicle communication system includes a switch module having a plurality of control switches, each of the control switches including a rocker button actuatable between an off position and an activated position, and an RFID tag secured to the rocker button, the RFID tag including thereon a unique identifier tied to a function of the control switch. The vehicle communication system also includes an RFID reader that receives switch messages from RFID tags whose respective rocker button is in an activated position, each switch message including the unique identifier for its respective RFID tag. The vehicle communication system also includes a vehicle communications link that is connected to the RFID reader to receive switch messages therefrom, the vehicle communications link providing the switch messages to a vehicle controller for purposes of controlling vehicle outputs associated with the switch messages.