Automated Start/Stop Button Cover with Weight Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle start/stop engine button systems lack automated safety features to prevent children from accidentally starting the engine, as they can be manually accessed without restriction.
Innovation Solution
An automated start/stop engine button assembly with a button cover that is displaced between closed and open positions by an actuator, incorporating a weight sensor control module to only allow access when an individual in the driver seat exceeds a predetermined weight, ensuring the button cover remains closed for children below that weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a manual button cover is used, then the structure is simple, but children can access the start/stop button without restriction
Solution Approach 1:
The button cover is automatically opened in advance before the driver needs to start the engine, based on weight detection. This preliminary action ensures the button is accessible only when a qualified driver is present, preventing child access while maintaining simplicity of operation for the actual driver.
Solution Approach 2:
A weight sensor acts as an intermediary between the driver and the button cover mechanism. The sensor detects whether a qualified driver is present and triggers the actuator to open or close the cover accordingly, providing automated safety without requiring manual intervention from the driver.
2Reliability
If the button cover is always closed for safety, then children are prevented from accessing the button, but the driver cannot access it when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of driver presence through weight sensing and automatically opens the button cover before the driver needs to operate the button. This ensures both safety (cover closed when no driver present) and ease of operation (cover open when driver present).
Solution Approach 2:
The button cover system serves itself by automatically detecting when the driver is present and opening the cover without requiring manual intervention. The driver simply needs to sit in the driver's seat, and the system handles the rest, combining safety with convenience.
3Reliability
If a weight sensor control module is added, then child access is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The weight sensor control module serves multiple functions: it detects driver presence, determines whether to open or close the button cover, and integrates with the actuator system. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing comprehensive safety and convenience features in a single integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The weight sensor control module acts as an intelligent intermediary that automatically manages the button cover state based on driver presence detection. It eliminates the need for manual cover operation and provides automated safety, making the added complexity worthwhile for the enhanced functionality and safety.
Data Source
AI summary
A start/stop engine button assembly includes a start/stop engine button, a button cover, displaceable between a closed position and an open position, and an actuator that functions to displace the button cover between the closed position and the opened position.