US 2017/0178846 A1 · SWITCH ACTUATION APPARATUS AND METHOD

Abstract

An actuation apparatus includes a module movably tethered to a base member. Each of the module and base member include a plurality of magnetic elements aligned in a plurality of paired magnet sets such that in a non-actuated condition a repulsive magnetic force generated by each paired magnet set causes separation of the module and base member. Application of an actuation force to an actuation surface of the module, in opposition to the magnetic repulsive force, causes movement of the module toward the base member such that contact is made between terminals defined by the magnetic elements of at least one of the paired magnet sets, to generate an output signal. In an illustrative example, the base member is a steering wheel armature of a vehicle and the module is a wheel hub assembly including an air bag and a hub cover defining the actuation surface.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An actuation apparatus comprising:

a base member having a base defining a base axis and a base face;
a plurality of base magnetic elements mounted to the base face and distributed around the base axis;
a module having a module face;
and
a plurality of module magnetic elements mounted to the module face;
wherein the module is movably tethered to the base member;
wherein each of the base magnetic elements is aligned with a respective one of the module magnetic elements to form a paired magnet set such that the plurality of module magnetic elements and the plurality of base magnetic elements form a plurality of paired magnet sets;
and
wherein the base magnetic element and the module magnetic element of each paired magnet set are oriented such that a repulsive magnetic force is generated between the base magnetic element and the module magnetic element of each paired magnetic set.

6 more elements

A method of assembling an actuation apparatus including a module and a base member, wherein:

the base member comprises:
a base including the base face and defining a base axis;
at least one latching member attached to the base face;
and
a plurality of base magnetic elements mounted to the base face and distributed around the base axis;
and
the module comprises:
a module face;
a tethering member attached to the module face;
and
a plurality of module magnetic elements mounted to the module face;
the method comprising:
orienting the module relative to the base member such that the module face and the base face are adjacent and each of the base magnetic elements is aligned with a respective one of the module magnetic elements to form a paired magnet set such that the plurality of module magnetic elements and the plurality of base magnetic elements form a plurality of paired magnet sets;
wherein a repulsive magnetic force is generated between the base magnetic element and the module magnetic element of each paired magnetic set;
and
applying an assembly force on the module in opposition to the repulsive magnetic force to engage the tethering member and the latching member.

13 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Switch actuation apparatus and method

Life of this patent

Switch actuation apparatus and method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20