Vehicle Switch Waterproof Pad with Drainage Holes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle control switch modules are prone to malfunction or breakdown due to water ingress, and current solutions, such as coating with urethane or acrylic materials, are costly and may compromise user experience by altering the feel and appearance of switches and light-emitting elements.
Innovation Solution
A unified control switch module with a waterproof pad coupled to the printed circuit board, featuring protrusions and drainage features to prevent water ingress, allowing switches to function normally while maintaining user interaction and eliminating the need for costly coatings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the printed circuit board is coated with urethane or acrylic material using a spray method, then water ingress is prevented, but manufacturing costs increase and the coating may deteriorate driver's feeling and change light-emitting element color
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a waterproof film made of flexible waterproof material that is coupled to the printed circuit board. This thin film provides waterproof protection without the need for costly spray coatings, thereby preventing water ingress while reducing manufacturing costs compared to urethane or acrylic coating methods
Solution Approach 2:
The waterproof film acts as an intermediary layer between the printed circuit board and the external environment. It mediates the protection function by blocking water ingress while allowing the switches and light-emitting elements to function normally, avoiding the need for direct coating on the circuit board
2Reliability
If the printed circuit board is coated with urethane or acrylic material, then water ingress is prevented, but the color of light-emitting elements changes
Solution Approach 1:
The waterproof film is positioned such that it does not cover the light-emitting elements directly, or uses transparent regions that allow light to pass through without altering color. This provides waterproof protection while maintaining the original illumination characteristics of the light-emitting elements
Solution Approach 2:
The waterproof film is segmented or selectively positioned to cover only the necessary areas (such as the circuit board edges and non-light-emitting regions) while leaving the light-emitting elements exposed or covered with transparent material, thereby preventing water ingress without affecting light output
3Reliability
If the printed circuit board is coated with urethane or acrylic material, then water ingress is prevented, but driver's feeling of manipulating the unified control switch unit deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The waterproof film is applied in a manner that does not interfere with the switches' mechanical operation. It may be positioned on the circuit board rather than on the switch surfaces, or made sufficiently thin and flexible to allow normal tactile feedback and manipulation feel, thereby maintaining ease of operation while providing waterproof protection
Data Source
AI summary
A unified control switch module includes a printed circuit board, a waterproof pad, and one or more knobs. The printed circuit board includes switches and light-emitting elements mounted thereon. The waterproof pad is coupled to the printed circuit board, and is provided with first protrusions, which are formed at respective locations that correspond to the switches, and second protrusions having respective through-holes, which are formed at respective locations that correspond to the light-emitting elements. The knobs are located on the waterproof pad, and are provided with respective lower ends, which are formed to extend outwards from the through-holes.