Triple USB charging port switchblanks

[cscracker]

For anyone looking for USB charging ports that fit into the BMW switchblanks, I designed this part:
https://www.shapeways.com/product/ZB...86774&li=shops

Combine this with USB charging modules, hold together with M2 screws, connect a 12 volt power source, and there you have it. I'm not assembling these, it's a DIY solution, but it's a really simple DIY.



Some examples of the charging modules you can use with it:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3281....0.16914c4dR5j qLK
https://www.ebay.com/itm/24W-USB-QC-...PgAAOSwJBdfuEO z

I also created a plain switchblank, to replace BMW part 1 368 498:
https://www.shapeways.com/product/MH...shop-inventory



Sometimes you can find the original ones, sometimes you can't, so I made it as an alternative. The texture match isn't perfect but it's pretty good and blends in. Red, white, and blue are available too.


If you'd like a custom switchblank for some other device, I'm happy to take requests.

[flipper325es]

This is great! I've seen similar units, but they either don't have charging modules that support Q3.0, or are attached with external screws through the blank, which detracts from the OE look (even if the screws are black.)

As I understand, the M2 screws are holding the USB modules in your 3D printed piece, but can you clarify how it attaches to the blank?

[cscracker]

Yes, it's a two piece part, the back piece slides and clips in on both ends, and the M2 screws hold it from sliding out. You could probably use pins or glue it on if you wanted, but the screws made the most sense to me. And yeah, I'm using QC 3.0 modules in the photo there, but it's compatible with most of the various modules available online, so it should be future-resistant. I just recently got some QC 4.0 modules which are much longer and may be making a version for those, if there's room in the dash.

[cscracker]

I've created a new version which uses QC 4.0 modules, here:
https://www.shapeways.com/product/BF...71745&li=shops

It's designed around this module:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001168036784.html

It should also work with other similar modules with the same shape.

Pictures attached. There's multiple options for material so I got one of each to show the differences. The black natural is cheapest, but PA12 looks a bit better in my opinion and doesn't cost much more. Personally, I think the premium is too expensive and not much different from the PA12, but the option's there.

The fit was a little bit loose on some of them with the M2 screws. A dab of super glue, or using M2.5 screws, fixes that. The holes are as small as shapeways would allow me to make them, otherwise I'd shink them another 0.05mm.

[z168]

Clearly you have the skillset for this. Would be preferred to have it as a complete pnp solution

[cscracker]

I definitely get that, but shipping everything twice and having to manage an inventory would drive the cost up considerably. Doing it this way keeps it as cheap and as fast as possible. I tried to make assembly as simple as possible to make up for it, and with the linked QC 4.0 modules, they already have the wires attached, so no soldering required.

[Mtriple]

This is great, thank you!