Sliding Switch Holder Structure for Rattle-Free Operation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing switch devices for vehicle power seats experience significant rattling movements due to the accumulation of dimensional tolerances between the drive member and holder member, which are supported by different components, leading to looseness in the operation transmission system.
Innovation Solution
The switch device incorporates a holder member with a base at the center and flanges extending outward, supported by a support member with an upper wall and slit, which restricts vertical movement while allowing horizontal movement, thereby reducing rattling and improving stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the drive member and holder member are supported by different components, then the operation transmission system can be structured with separate support mechanisms, but the accumulation of dimensional tolerances causes significant rattling movements and looseness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the support function into a single integrated support member that supports both the drive member and holder member. This consolidation eliminates the interface between separate support components, preventing the accumulation of dimensional tolerances and the resulting rattling movements, while maintaining the functional separation of the drive and holder mechanisms.
2Reliability
If the holder member is fully constrained to eliminate rattling movement, then stability is improved, but the operation knob cannot perform sliding operation in horizontal direction
Solution Approach 1:
The support member is segmented into multiple functional regions: an upper wall that constrains vertical movement to suppress rattling, and a slit that permits horizontal movement for sliding operation. This segmentation allows different portions of the holder member to be constrained or freed according to the specific operational requirements in different directions.
Solution Approach 2:
The constraint mechanism operates in the vertical dimension (upper wall preventing vertical movement) while the sliding operation occurs in the horizontal dimension (slit allowing horizontal movement). By separating the constraint and operation directions into different dimensions, the patent eliminates rattling without impeding the sliding function.
3Manufacturing precision
If dimensional tolerances are reduced to eliminate rattling, then precision is improved, but manufacturing cost and difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
By consolidating the support function into a single support member, the patent reduces the number of interfaces and mating parts that would require tight dimensional tolerances. The single support member can be manufactured with standard tolerances, avoiding the need for precision machining of multiple separate components and their interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The support member acts as an intermediary that absorbs and manages dimensional variations through its integrated structure. The upper wall and slit configuration provides a built-in tolerance compensation mechanism that reduces the impact of manufacturing variations without requiring extremely tight tolerances on individual features.
Data Source
AI summary
A switch device includes an operation knob on which a sliding operation can be performed in a horizontal direction, a holder member that holds the operation knob and moves in the horizontal direction, a drive member that tilts as the holder member moves in the horizontal direction, a switch that is pressed down by the drive member as the drive member tilts, and a support member that supports the holder member such that the holder member can move in the horizontal direction. The holder member has a base at a center in the horizontal direction and a flange extending outward from the base in the horizontal direction. The support member has an upper wall that restricts a movement of the holder member in a vertical direction by contacting an upper surface of the flange, and a slit between the upper wall and a middle wall lower than the upper wall.