Switch Housing Seal Layout for Waterproof Opening Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing switch devices for vehicles lack sufficient waterproofness, leading to potential malfunctions or damage when exposed to water, as existing technologies do not effectively prevent water ingress or ensure proper drainage.

Innovation Solution

A switch device design featuring a housing with a stepped bottom surface configuration, where the sealing member abuts the second bottom surface closer to the switch, and lead wires pass through openings in the first bottom surface, allowing for effective sealing and drainage, ensuring waterproofness even under tensile loads.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the switch device is disposed outside a vehicle to detect object states, then the detection capability is improved, but the switch device is exposed to water which may cause malfunction or damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidwater exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the tensile force generated when water enters the housing as a beneficial mechanism to automatically close the switch. The water ingress creates tension on the lead wire, which actuates the switch to change state, converting the harmful water exposure into a useful detection signal for water intrusion events

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a sealing member is added to improve waterproofness, then water protection is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovewaterproofnessVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the sealing function and the switch actuation function into a single integrated mechanism. The lead wire serves dual purposes: providing electrical connection and acting as the actuating force for the switch when water enters. This merging eliminates the need for separate sealing structures while maintaining waterproofness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The lead wire is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: electrical connection, structural support, and switch actuation. This multi-functionality reduces the overall component count and structural complexity while achieving the required waterproof protection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the sealing member is positioned to abut the bottom surface for sealing, then waterproofness is improved, but water drainage capability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidwater accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different functional qualities to different locations: the bottom surface area surrounding the lead wire opening provides sealing contact, while the lead wire opening itself remains open to allow drainage. This local differentiation of sealing and drainage zones resolves the contradiction between maintaining seal integrity and enabling water egress

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11862425B2Switch device, and opening and closing detection device

Publication Date: 2024.01.02 ALPS ALPINE CO LTD

AI summary

A switch device includes a switch, a lead wire, a sealing member, and a housing. The switch includes a terminal provided on the outer side of the switch, the lead wire is fixed to the terminal, the sealing member seals a portion of the lead wire fixed to the terminal, and the housing is configured to house the sealing member. The housing has a first bottom surface and a second bottom surface. The first bottom surface has an opening through which the lead wire passes, and the second bottom surface is located closer to the switch than the first bottom surface. The sealing member abuts the second bottom surface.