Vehicle Exterior Button Assembly With Drainage Channel Against Ice Lock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing button assemblies on vehicle exteriors face challenges in preventing the accumulation of rainwater or other elements, particularly in designs where seals can be intrusive or wear out quickly, especially in vehicles used for public transport or autonomous vehicles.
Innovation Solution
The button assembly features a button switch with a bezel housing that includes a channel between the button and the bezel, with a minimum gap of 0.5 mm and a bezel draft angle of approximately 15 degrees, allowing for effective drainage of water along the vehicle's exterior.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If seals or weatherstrips are installed in seal gaps to prevent water entry, then water protection is improved, but the seal becomes intrusive to moving part operation and experiences wear and tear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the seal/weatherstrip component entirely from the button assembly design. Instead of using a seal to prevent water entry, the design extracts this function by creating a drainage pathway that actively channels water away from the button mechanism, eliminating the intrusive seal that interfered with moving part operation
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than trying to prevent water from reaching the button area (which requires intrusive seals), the patent converts the harmful factor of water into a beneficial drainage flow. The channel structure guides water away from the button, transforming the potential problem of water accumulation into an active water removal system that prevents ice-locking
2Object-affected harmful factors
If seals are used to protect against water accumulation, then water protection is improved, but the seal accumulates wear and tear over time reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the seal component that is subject to wear and tear. By extracting the sealing function and replacing it with a passive drainage channel structure, the design removes the part that degrades over time, thereby improving long-term reliability without compromising water protection
Solution Approach 2:
The drainage channel structure requires no maintenance or replacement like seals do. It is a self-service system that passively directs water away from the button assembly throughout its service life, eliminating the wear and tear issues associated with reusable seals in high-traffic public transport vehicles
3Shape
If a tight fit between button and bezel is used for aesthetic purposes, then appearance is improved, but water drainage is worsened leading to ice-locking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different gap dimensions at different locations of the button assembly. The channel height varies from approximately 0.5 mm at the proximal end to approximately 3 mm at the distal end, creating local variations in gap size that optimize both drainage functionality and aesthetic appearance from different viewing angles
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the channel height is increased to improve drainage, then water drainage is improved, but the gap between button and bezel becomes too large affecting appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a gradient channel height design where the gap varies from approximately 0.5 mm at the proximal end to approximately 3 mm at the distal end. This local variation in gap size allows effective drainage at the distal end while maintaining a tighter, more aesthetically pleasing appearance at the proximal end where the button meets the vehicle body
Solution Approach 2:
The patent addresses the two-dimensional conflict between drainage effectiveness and aesthetic appearance by introducing a third dimension - the angular orientation of the bezel innermost surface. By extending this surface distally outward at approximately 15 degrees relative to the button outermost surface, the design creates a tapered channel that improves drainage while maintaining visual integrity
Data Source
AI summary
A button assembly for an exterior of a vehicle is disclosed. The button assembly is designed with improved water drainage properties. The button assembly includes a button switch and a bezel housing surrounding the button switch that is spaced apart from the button switch. A channel extends between the two components. In one example, the channel has a width of approximately 0.5 mm at one end. In another example, the channel is formed between two surfaces, and the outer surface is sloped relative to the button switch by approximately 15 degrees. Furthermore, in some examples, the channel has a height of approximately 3 mm. Each of these structural characteristics serves to significantly improve the assembly's overall drainage performance, which may be especially essential in colder climates.