Vehicle Switch Falling-Off Structure for Impact Absorption

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing structures for operational switches in vehicles, particularly those projecting upward from the center console, are vulnerable to impact from rear objects during collisions, leading to potential injury and damage.

Innovation Solution

A falling-off structure for the operational switch, featuring a switch body with front and rear engagement portions that detach when a specified force is applied from the rear, allowing the switch body to fall downward and absorb impact, with the rear engagement portion facilitating controlled rotation and absorption of collision forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the dial type operational portion projects upward greatly from the center console, then the display operation can be conducted easily, but the object is vulnerable to impact from rear objects during collisions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay operationVSAvoidimpact from collision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The engagement portions are designed to dynamically respond to applied forces. Under normal conditions, the front and rear engagement portions securely hold the switch body portion. However, when a large external force is applied from the rear during collision, the engagement portions selectively disengage to allow the switch body portion to fall forward, absorbing impact energy while maintaining ease of operation during normal use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful impact force from rear collisions into a beneficial safety mechanism. When collision force is applied, it triggers the disengagement of engagement portions, causing the switch body portion to fall forward. This transforms the harmful collision energy into a controlled movement that protects occupants by removing the hard protruding portion from the impact path

Inventive Principle:

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

2Stability of the object's composition

If the switch body portion is securely fixed to the center console, then the operational stability is improved, but the impact force during collision cannot be absorbed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational stabilityVSAvoidimpact force

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing mechanism is segmented into front and rear engagement portions that can independently respond to forces. The front engagement portion disengages under collision conditions while the rear engagement portion may remain engaged or disengage subsequently, allowing controlled movement. This segmentation enables the system to maintain stability during normal operation while providing a controlled failure mode during collision to absorb impact

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The engagement portions are designed with built-in disengagement characteristics that activate beforehand during collision. The front engagement portion's geometry and force characteristics are predetermined to allow disengagement at specific force thresholds, providing a cushioning effect by allowing the switch body portion to fall forward and absorb impact energy before reaching occupants

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the engagement portions are designed to release under large external force, then the impact absorption is improved, but the reliability of normal operation may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact absorptionVSAvoidnormal operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the engagement portions have different mechanical properties optimized for their specific functions. The front engagement portion is designed with local quality characteristics that allow disengagement under collision forces, while the overall engagement mechanism maintains sufficient reliability for normal operation. The geometric design and material properties are locally optimized to distinguish between normal operational forces and collision forces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS9257241B2Falling-off structure of operational switch for vehicle

Publication Date: 2016.02.09 MAZDA MOTOR CORP

AI summary

A switch body portion attached to a center console includes a dial switch. The switch body portion is held on the side of the enter console for attachment through engaging of front engagement portions and a rear engagement portion. When an external force having a specified magnitude or greater acts on the dial switch from the rear, the engaging of the front engagement portions is released, so that the switch body portion falls off downward, rotating around the rear engagement portion. Accordingly, an impact which may occur when some object hits against the dial switch projecting upward from an upper face of the center console from the rear can be properly absorbed.