Vehicle Control Element Cross-Axis Guidance Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control elements for vehicles, such as toggle switches and rocker switches, face issues with complex electronic systems, imprecise guidance, and potential jamming or faulty switching operations due to their design, which complicates the activation of multiple functions and requires additional support for precise operation.
Innovation Solution
A control element with a key mounted pivotably about two spatial axes, featuring a cross-shaped arm configuration with a ball-like guide and a contact mat, where pins at the corners limit tilting movements to specific directions, ensuring precise guidance and low friction through convex arm sides and conical tip design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a key is mounted in a spherical socket-shaped recess with plungers, then the key can be actuated in multiple directions, but the guidance of the key is not very precise and may result in faulty switching operations and/or jamming
Solution Approach 1:
The control element is segmented into distinct functional components: the key body, four separate arms arranged in a cross pattern, and four discrete pins. Each arm is responsible for a specific tilting direction, and each pin provides guidance for one arm. This segmentation allows multi-directional actuation while maintaining precise guidance for each individual direction, preventing the jamming issues that occur with plunger-based designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The pins serve as intermediary elements between the housing and the arms. Rather than allowing direct contact between the key and switching elements (as in plunger designs), the pins mediate the tilting motion by providing precise guidance surfaces. The convex configuration of the arm sides allows the pins to touch the arms directly, ensuring accurate guidance without impeding the intended tilting movement.
2Manufacturing precision
If additional support structures are added to improve guidance precision, then operational accuracy improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guidance function is merged into the existing arm structure rather than being added as separate support mechanisms. The pins are integrated into the housing, and the arms are designed with convex sides that directly interface with the pins. This merging approach provides precise guidance without requiring additional complex support structures, keeping the overall device simple while achieving accurate multi-directional control.
3Ease of operation
If the arms are configured with convex sides, then the pins can touch the arms directly with minimal contact area, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The arms are configured with convex sides that provide curved contact surfaces for the pins. This curvature allows the pins to touch the arms at minimal contact areas, reducing friction and improving the operational feel. The convex configuration is a simple geometric feature that can be manufactured with standard precision, avoiding the need for complex surface profiles while still achieving the desired low-friction contact.
Data Source
AI summary
A control element including at least four switches for electrical/electronic functions having a precise guidance for operation, where mount arms are disposed in a cross shape on their underside on a tip disposed in a housing, and on their top side in a spherical shell, and a pin is attached to the housing in each corner formed by the arms.