Vehicle Push Button Switch Assembly With Magnetic Pivot Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional push button switch assemblies for vehicles rely on deteriorating springs for actuation and lack sufficient feedback to users about the correct actuation of operating modes, leading to reduced durability and user confidence.
Innovation Solution
A push button switch assembly utilizing a pivotable actuator with a magnetic element that provides tactile haptic response by overcoming an initial maximum force, ensuring clear actuation feedback through a resilient elastic button mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional springs are used to bias the button into an unactuated position, then the button can be returned to the unactuated position after actuation, but the biasing force deteriorates over time due to overuse and the spring cannot provide sufficient feedback to the user
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical spring biasing mechanism with a magnetic field-based actuating mechanism. The magnetic element in the pivotable actuator interacts with a magnet to provide biasing force, eliminating the need for deteriorating mechanical springs. This substitution maintains reliable actuation while enabling improved feedback mechanisms through the magnetic interaction system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the magnetic element's movement relative to the magnet provides tactile feedback to the user. When the button is actuated, the magnetic interaction changes, creating a perceptible force change that confirms correct actuation to the user. This resolves the feedback deficiency of conventional spring mechanisms.
2Force
If the magnetic element is positioned closer to the plate in the first position, then the magnetic attraction provides strong biasing force, but a significant force must be overcome to actuate the button
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a pivotable actuator mechanism that dynamically changes the position of the magnetic element relative to the magnet during actuation. In the unactuated state, the magnetic element is positioned to provide strong biasing force. Upon actuation, the pivotable mechanism moves the magnetic element away from the magnet, reducing the magnetic attraction force and creating a perceptible force change that facilitates button operation while maintaining strong initial biasing.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enhances user feedback and durability by providing a clear tactile response when the button is actuated, ensuring accurate mode selection and reducing wear on components.
Implementation Method 1
the actuator includes a magnetic element wherein when the actuator is in the first position, the magnetic element is closer to the plate than when the actuator is in the second position. When the elastic button is in the first, unactuated position, the magnetic element biases the actuator into the first position.
Implementation Method 2
an elastic button attached to the housing and that is moveable between a first, unactuated position and a second, actuated position. When the elastic button is moved to the second, actuated position, a force is applied to the elastic button. The force is transmitted to the actuator to pivot the actuator to the second position.
Data Source
AI summary
A push button switch assembly for a vehicle includes a housing having a plurality of walls that collectively define an inner space, and an elastic button that is moveable between a first unactuated position and a second unactuated position. A plate is positioned in the housing and an actuator is pivotable between a first position and a second position. The actuator includes a magnetic element. When the elastic button is in the first unactuated position, the magnetic element biases the actuator into the first position, and when the elastic button is moved to the section actuated position, a force applied to the elastic button is transmitted to the actuator to pivot the actuator to the second position.