A shifter structure for a driving simulator

Abstract

A gear shifter structure for a driving simulator, comprising an outer sleeve, which is hollow inside, and a strip-shaped opening for simulating gear shifting position is arranged around the upper part of the outer sleeve; a gear lever, which is concentrically inserted into the outer sleeve, bearings are arranged between the two ends of the gear lever and the inner wall of the outer sleeve, a limiting strip is fixedly connected to the corresponding position of the strip-shaped opening and extends into and is limited in the strip-shaped opening, and the limiting strip moves in the strip-shaped opening; a travel switch, which is fixed to the outer side of the outer sleeve, and the telescopic end of the travel switch is abutted against the inner wall of the gear lever through the reserved through hole at the corresponding position of the outer sleeve; wherein the radial height between the lower part of the gear lever and the upper part of the gear lever has a height difference, and the telescopic end for measuring the stroke amount is abutted against the transition slope position. The structure of the present mechanism is more compact and scientific, and in the use process, compared with the hydraulic gear shifting mechanism, the present mechanism can achieve the characteristics of low cost and good durability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of automotive equipment, and therefore provides a gear shifter structure for a driving simulator. Background Technology

[0002] In actual vehicle design and functional simulation, there are significant technical challenges and limitations. Currently, the gear shifters, steering assemblies, brakes, and clutch assemblies of in-service vehicles generally employ hydraulic drives. This design relies on internal hydraulic power units to ensure the normal operation of these functions. However, the inherent characteristics of hydraulic drive systems mean they cannot directly provide the necessary circuit signals to driving simulators, causing simulators to be unable to accurately recognize gear shift changes. This technical mismatch not only limits the simulator's functionality but also severely impacts the realism and effectiveness of driving simulation training. The complexity and maintenance costs of hydraulic drive systems are also significant issues. Maintaining hydraulic systems requires specialized knowledge and skills, and repairs are relatively difficult and costly in the event of a malfunction. However, simulator construction prioritizes simplicity, convenience, compactness, and economy. Due to the limitations of hydraulic drive systems, it is difficult to achieve both compactness and economy in a simulator while maintaining a similar appearance and function to the actual vehicle's gear shifter. This not only affects the simulator's user experience but also increases the difficulty and cost of construction.

[0003] It is evident that existing hydraulic drive systems have significant defects and problems in vehicle driving simulation training. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to solve the problem that existing products require the use of hydraulic stations for simulation, which makes them difficult to implement due to their large size. This invention provides a gear shifter structure for a driving simulator.

[0005] The provided technical solution is as follows:

[0006] A gear shifter structure for a driving simulator is provided, including...

[0007] The outer sleeve is hollow inside, and a strip-shaped opening is provided around the upper part of the outer sleeve to simulate the gear shift position;

[0008] The gear lever is concentrically inserted into the outer sleeve. Bearings are installed between the two ends of the gear lever and the inner wall of the outer sleeve. The bearings and the outer sleeve are clearance fit. A limiting strip is fixedly connected to the corresponding position of the gear lever and the strip-shaped opening, extending into and limiting the gear lever in the strip-shaped opening. The rotation range and lifting range of the gear lever are limited within the space range that the limiting strip can move within.

[0009] The limit switch is fixed on the outside of the outer sleeve. The movable telescopic end of the limit switch, which is used to measure the stroke, presses against the inner wall of the gear lever through the pre-reserved through hole at the corresponding position on the outer sleeve.

[0010] The gear lever has a radial height difference between its lower and upper parts, forming a transition slope at the connection point between the lower and upper parts. The movable telescopic end for measuring the stroke is pressed against the transition slope.

[0011] Furthermore, the diameter of the lower part of the gear lever is smaller than the diameter of the upper part of the gear lever.

[0012] Furthermore, it also includes multiple proximity switches, each of which is arranged in a ring at the lower part of the outer sleeve, and a corresponding sensing magnet is fixedly connected to the lower part of the gear lever.

[0013] Furthermore, it also includes a ball screw, which is fixed on the outer sleeve. The rolling end of the ball screw abuts against the stop lever, and the stop lever has multiple notches for engaging the rolling end of the ball screw.

[0014] Furthermore, the strip-shaped opening has multiple connected gear positions for simulating gear shifts, the number of notches is the same as the number of gear positions, and the arrangement of the notches is the same as the arrangement of the gear positions.

[0015] Furthermore, a gear position pointer is fixed at the top of the gear lever, and below the gear position pointer is...

[0016] The top of the outer sleeve is fixed with a gear indicator dial for indicating the gear position.

[0017] Furthermore, the diameter of the lower part of the gear lever is smaller than the diameter of the upper end of the gear lever.

[0018] Furthermore, both ends of the outer sleeve are equipped with retaining rings, the inner diameter of which is smaller than the outer diameter of the bearing.

[0019] The beneficial effects of adopting the solution of this invention are as follows:

[0020] 1. This solution simplifies simulator construction. Traditional driving simulators often require complex hydraulic systems to simulate the physical responses of vehicles, which not only increases the manufacturing cost of the simulator but also increases the difficulty of maintenance. This solution significantly reduces the use of hydraulic mechanisms, thereby simplifying the simulator's structure, reducing costs, and improving system reliability.

[0021] 2. Improved simulator performance and flexibility. By converting hydraulic signals into electrical signals, the simulator can more accurately simulate the dynamic response of a vehicle, providing the driver with a more realistic and immersive driving experience. Furthermore, the processing and transmission of electrical signals are more efficient, enabling the simulator to respond quickly to driver input and achieve smoother changes in the virtual scene.

[0022] 3. Enhanced simulator scalability. Due to the standardization and universality of electrical signals, this technology makes it easier for driving simulators to integrate with other systems, such as vehicle dynamics models and traffic simulation systems. This not only facilitates further development and upgrades of the simulator but also lays a solid foundation for potential future cross-domain applications, demonstrating strong scalability.

[0023] 4. Improved safety and cost-effectiveness of simulation training. Driving training through simulators can significantly reduce the risks and costs associated with actual driving training. This technology ensures that the simulator provides an experience similar to real driving while avoiding economic losses due to vehicle damage or accidents.

[0024] 5. This mechanism has a more streamlined and scientific structure. Compared with the hydraulic simulation shifting mechanism, this mechanism can achieve the characteristics of low cost and high durability during use. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 This is an overall structural diagram of the gear shifter used in a driving simulator.

[0026] Figure 2 This is another perspective view of the gear shifter structure used in driving simulators.

[0027] Figure 3 This is a structural diagram of the gear shifter used in a driving simulator after removing the outer sleeve.

[0028] Figure 4 This is a structural diagram of the gear shifter used in a driving simulator after removing the outer sleeve. Detailed Implementation

[0029] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present invention, the technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort should fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0030] The following is based on the appendix Figure 1-4 Further explanation of the present invention:

[0031] like Figure 1 As shown, a gear shifter structure for a driving simulator is provided, including an outer sleeve 2 and a gear lever 1. The outer sleeve 2 is hollow inside, and a strip-shaped opening a is provided around the upper part of the outer sleeve 2 for simulating the gear shift position. The gear lever 1 is concentrically inserted into the outer sleeve 2. Bearings c are installed between the two ends of the gear lever 1 and the inner wall of the outer sleeve 2. The bearings c and the outer sleeve 2 are clearance-fitted. A limiting strip 1d is fixedly connected to the corresponding position of the gear lever 1 and the strip-shaped opening a, extending into and limiting the gear lever 1. The rotation range and lifting range of the gear lever 1 are limited within the space range of the strip-shaped opening a that allows the limiting strip 1d to move.

[0032] The outer sleeve 2 is equipped with an upper retaining ring 10 and a lower retaining ring 11 at its two ends respectively. The inner diameter of the retaining ring is smaller than the outer diameter of the bearing c. The bearing c can ensure that the gear lever 1 can rotate and be lifted under the limit.

[0033] In order to identify the movement of the equipment, especially the lifting and lowering of the gear lever 1, a limit switch 3 is also provided. The limit switch 3 is fixed on the outside of the outer sleeve 2. The movable telescopic end of the limit switch 3, which is used to measure the stroke, presses against the inner wall of the gear lever 1 through the pre-reserved hole at the corresponding position of the outer sleeve 2.

[0034] The lower part and the upper part of the gear lever 1 have a radial height difference, and a transition slope is formed at the connection position of the lower part and the upper part of the gear lever 1. The movable telescopic end used to measure the stroke is pressed against the transition slope position.

[0035] like Figure 3 As shown, the diameter of the lower part of the gear lever 1 is smaller than the diameter of the upper part of the gear lever 1. The limit switch 3 can detect the height difference between the lower part and the upper part of the gear lever 1 to identify its corresponding action.

[0036] It also includes multiple proximity switches 7, which are arranged in a ring at the lower part of the outer sleeve 2. Correspondingly, a sensing magnet is fixedly connected to the lower part of the gear lever 1. By using the combination of proximity switches 7, the rotation angle of the sensing magnet can be detected. By detecting its angle, different gear positions can be simulated.

[0037] To ensure a damping feel, a glass ball screw 9 is also provided. The glass ball screw 9 is fixed on the outer sleeve 2, and the rolling end of the glass ball screw 9 abuts against the gear lever 1. Multiple notches 1c are provided on the gear lever 1 for fitting the rolling end of the glass ball screw 9. The rolling end of the glass ball screw 9 will apply damping to increase the realism of different gears.

[0038] like Figure 2As shown, the strip-shaped opening a is an opening formed at a certain angle around the outer sleeve 2. To realize the lifting and lowering action of the gear lever 1, multiple upward-lifting notches 1c are also provided on the strip-shaped opening a. Therefore, there are multiple connected gear positions on the strip-shaped opening a to simulate gear positions. The number of notches 1c on the gear lever 1 is the same as the number of gear positions. When the gear lever 1 realizes the lifting and lowering action, the gear lever 1 is lifted, and the glass ball screw 9 is lowered relative to the notches 1c. Therefore, the arrangement of the notches 1c is mirror-symmetrical to the arrangement of the gear positions.

[0039] For easy indication, a gear position pointer 8 is fixed at the top of the gear lever 1, and a gear position dial 6 for indicating the gear position is fixed below the gear position pointer at the top of the outer sleeve 2. The gear lever 1 indicates the current gear position during rotation.

[0040] The diameter of the lower part 1b of the gear lever 1 is smaller than the diameter of the bottom end position 1a of the upper part of the gear lever 1, and a sloping transition is formed at this position.

[0041] During use, the top of the gear lever 1 has a rotating handle. By controlling the rotating handle, it is convenient to rotate or lift and press down to simulate gear shifting. By rotating the gear lever 1, the limit bar 1d will move along the strip opening a, and the glass ball screw 9 will move to the next recess 1c with a certain damping. At this time, the proximity switch 7 will calculate and convert the angle of the magnet to output the corresponding signal. If the gear lever 1 is lifted or pressed down, the limit switch will pick up the corresponding amount of movement and also output the corresponding signal to simulate gear shifting.

[0042] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principle of the present invention, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A gear shifter structure for a driving simulator, characterized in that, include: The outer sleeve is hollow inside, and a strip-shaped opening is provided around the upper part of the outer sleeve to simulate the gear shift position; The gear lever is concentrically inserted into the outer sleeve. Bearings are installed between the two ends of the gear lever and the inner wall of the outer sleeve. A limiting strip is fixedly connected to the corresponding position of the gear lever and the strip-shaped opening, extending into and limiting the gear lever in the strip-shaped opening. The rotation range and lifting range of the gear lever are limited within the space range that the limiting strip is allowed to move in the strip-shaped opening. The limit switch is fixed on the outside of the outer sleeve. The movable telescopic end of the limit switch, which is used to measure the stroke, presses against the inner wall of the gear lever through the pre-reserved through hole at the corresponding position on the outer sleeve. The lower part and the upper part of the gear lever have a radial height difference, and a transition slope is formed at the connection position of the lower part and the upper part of the gear lever. The movable telescopic end for measuring the stroke is pressed against the transition slope position. It also includes a ball screw, which is fixed on the outer sleeve. The rolling end of the ball screw abuts against the stop lever, and the stop lever has multiple notches for engaging the rolling end of the ball screw. The strip-shaped opening has multiple connected gear positions for simulating gear shifts. The number of notches is the same as the number of gear positions, and the arrangement of the notches is mirror-symmetrical to the arrangement of the gear positions. A gear pointer is fixed at the top of the gear lever, and a gear dial for indicating the gear position is fixed below the gear pointer at the top of the outer sleeve.

2. The gear shifter structure for a driving simulator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The diameter of the lower part of the gear lever is smaller than the diameter of the upper part of the gear lever.

3. The gear shifter structure for a driving simulator according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes multiple proximity switches, which are arranged in a ring at the lower part of the outer sleeve, and correspondingly connected to a sensing magnet at the lower part of the gear lever.

4. A gear shifter structure for a driving simulator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The diameter of the lower part of the gear lever is smaller than the diameter of the upper end of the gear lever.

5. A gear shifter structure for a driving simulator according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both ends of the outer sleeve are equipped with retaining rings, the inner diameter of which is smaller than the outer diameter of the bearing.

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