Steering Wheel Linear Switch with Spiral Electrodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Steering switch devices on vehicle steering wheels face issues with complex structures and high failure rates due to increased numbers of switches, and existing solutions like pressure sensors are not versatile or mass-producible.
Innovation Solution
A steering switch device featuring a linear switch with a hollow insulator and spirally arranged electrode wires, where the wires maintain non-contact and have a winding pitch of at least 10 mm, and a detecting device that senses contact to detect switch presses, allowing for a simple configuration, low failure rate, high versatility, and mass-productivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple push switches are mounted on the steering wheel to provide various functions, then the functionality is improved, but the structure becomes complicated and the failure rate increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using a single linear switch that can perform multiple functions through different pressing positions. The linear switch is divided into multiple detection regions (first, second, third regions) along its length, where pressing at different positions triggers different switch functions (e.g., audio control, air conditioning, cruise control). This eliminates the need for multiple separate push switches while maintaining full functionality, thereby simplifying the overall structure and reducing failure rates.
2Measurement precision
If dedicated pressure sensors are used to match the steering wheel shape and switch area, then the detection accuracy is improved, but the versatility and mass-productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using a linear switch with variable detection regions along its length rather than a dedicated pressure sensor customized for each steering wheel shape. The linear switch maintains consistent structural parameters (housing, electrode arrangement) while achieving different detection functions through software-based region segmentation. This allows the same linear switch design to be mass-produced and applied to various steering wheel configurations, maintaining both detection accuracy and versatility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple push switches are used to cover all switch functions, then the functionality is improved, but the manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by combining multiple independent push switch functions into a single linear switch assembly. Instead of manufacturing and assembling multiple separate push switches, the invention uses one linear switch with a hollow insulator housing containing multiple electrode wires arranged in series. The merging reduces part count, simplifies assembly operations, and lowers manufacturing costs while maintaining all required switch functions through different pressing positions along the linear switch.
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 solution provides a steering switch device with a simple configuration, low failure rate, high versatility, and mass-productivity, enabling efficient detection of switch presses and multiple functions with a single linear switch, reducing manufacturing costs and complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a linear switch (2) which has a hollow insulator (4) having restorability
Implementation Method 2
a detecting device (3) which detects a press of the linear switch (2) by sensing a contact of electrode wires (5)
Data Source
AI summary
A steering switch device, which is mounted on a steering wheel, includes a linear switch that includes a hollow insulator having restorability and two electrode wires arranged spirally along an inner surface of a hollow part in the hollow insulator while being kept not in contact with each other, wherein a winding pitch coiling spirally the electrode wires is at least not more than 10 mm, and a detecting device that detects a press of the linear switch by sensing a contact of the electrode wires. The linear switch is arranged so as to be along at least part of a surface of the steering wheel.