Sensor Badge Assembly With Force-Concentrating Closure Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle badge assemblies lack integrated sensor-based closure access control features, which are desirable for enhancing security and convenience.
Innovation Solution
A badge assembly that includes a motor vehicle badge with a display surface and a mounting surface, coupled with a sensor module featuring a deflectable wall, an electrically conductive film, and a sensor circuit. The badge is mounted to the sensor module such that force applied to the display surface is concentrated onto the deflectable wall, causing it to deflect and trigger a detectable change in the sensor signal, which in turn controls the access closure of the motor vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sensor-based closure access control features are integrated into motor vehicle badge assemblies, then security and convenience are enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the badge assembly with a sensor module to create an integrated access control system. The badge housing merges with the sensor module housing, and the badge components are integrated with the sensor components, allowing the badge to serve both decorative and security functions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The badge assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as a decorative vehicle identifier, a manual actuator for access control, and houses sensor components for detecting authorized badges or keys. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components while enhancing security.
2Ease of operation
If a deflectable wall with protrusions is used to concentrate force, then the sensor trigger mechanism becomes more efficient, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The force concentration mechanism is divided into discrete protrusions on the deflectable wall, each corresponding to specific sensor locations. This segmentation allows for modular manufacturing and assembly, reducing the overall precision burden while maintaining effective force transmission to the sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflectable wall acts as an intermediary element between the badge push button and the sensors. It translates and concentrates the applied force through its protrusions to the sensor triggers, providing mechanical advantage and reducing the direct precision requirements between the user interface and sensor components.
3Reliability
If the sensor is spaced apart from the electrically conductive film, then false triggering is reduced, but the detection proximity distance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deflectable wall is designed with localized protrusions that concentrate force precisely at the sensor contact points. This creates localized high-pressure zones that ensure reliable sensor activation only when force is applied in the correct location, maintaining signal accuracy despite the spaced arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflectable wall protrusions pre-position the force application points to align with the sensor locations before actuation occurs. This preliminary geometric arrangement ensures that when the badge is pushed, the force is automatically directed to the correct sensors, reducing false triggering while maintaining appropriate detection sensitivity.
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 integration of sensor-based closure access control features into the motor vehicle badge assembly enables secure and convenient control of access closures, allowing for seamless transitions between locked and unlocked states, or latched and unlatched states, enhancing vehicle security and user experience.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor is configured to produce a detectable change in the sensor signal in response to deflection of the deflectable wall to within a detection proximity of the sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A badge assembly may include a sensor module configured to mount to a motor vehicle, an electrically conductive member affixed to or integral with a rear surface of a deflectable wall of the sensor module, and a sensor spaced apart from the electrically conductive member and configured to produce a sensor signal, a motor vehicle badge, and a protrusion extending between, and in contact with, an interior surface of the badge and a front surface of the deflectable wall, the protrusion configured to concentrate force, applied by manual contact with the badge, to the deflectable wall to deflect the wall toward the sensor, the sensor producing a detectable change in the sensor signal, for causing a corresponding change in state of an access closure, in response to deflection of the deflectable wall sufficiently to move the electrically conductive member to within a detection proximity of the sensor.