Tilted Operation Element with Rotary Shaft for Vehicle Switch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional switch devices for power windows and sunroofs have poor operability due to incorrect operation prevention mechanisms, which hinder sufficient depression of pushbuttons and lead to safety issues.
Innovation Solution
A switch device with an operation element featuring an inclined portion and protruding portion, disposed in a recess on the vehicle ceiling, that utilizes a rotary shaft to prevent incorrect operations and enhance safety and operability, including a light source for improved night visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a protruding portion is provided between pushbuttons to prevent incorrect operation, then safety is improved, but operability deteriorates because pushbuttons cannot be sufficiently depressed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a two-dimensional pushbutton layout to a three-dimensional tilted operation element. The operation element is tilted at an angle of 5 to 80 degrees relative to the panel surface, creating a new spatial dimension for operation. This allows the operation element to be depressed along its tilted axis rather than perpendicular to the panel, eliminating interference from protruding portions while maintaining incorrect operation prevention through the tilted geometry itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a rotary shaft mechanism that enables the operation element to rotate during depression. The operation element tilts and rotates along the tilted axis, dynamically adjusting its position during operation. This dynamic movement allows sufficient depression travel distance while the protruding portion remains stationary to prevent incorrect operations in perpendicular directions.
2Loss of information
If the operation element is tilted at an upward gradient, then visual recognition is improved, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The tilted operation element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides improved visual recognition through its upward gradient orientation, enables sufficient depression travel distance, and inherently prevents incorrect operations through its tilted geometry. The single tilted structure integrates functions that would otherwise require separate components, reducing overall device complexity despite the angled design.
Data Source
AI summary
An operation element is disposed in a recess provided in a lower surface of a controller attached to a vehicle ceiling part, and the operation element comprises an inclined portion inclined at an upward gradient from a vehicle front toward a vehicle rear, a protruding portion formed by the inclined portion, and provided on a vehicle front side of a point, on the operation element, that has an equal distance from opposite ends of the operation element in a front-back direction, and an operating rotary shaft disposed on a side of the protruding portion.