Adaptive Gearshift Lever Positioning for Consistent Shift Travel
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Solution Overview
Problem
The comfort and reliability of gear shifting operations using a footshift lever in vehicles, such as motorcycles, vary significantly among drivers due to differences in foot and shoe geometry, leading to inefficient and uncomfortable shifting processes.
Innovation Solution
A device that adjusts the position of the shift lever based on sensor data collected during upshifts and downshifts, using a linkage system and actuator to optimize the shift path length, ensuring a symmetrical frequency distribution of shift path lengths for improved comfort and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the gearshift lever position is fixed for all drivers, then the device complexity is reduced, but the comfort and reliability of gear shifting varies significantly among drivers due to differences in foot and shoe geometry
Solution Approach 1:
The gearshift lever position is made dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. The system uses sensors to detect the driver's foot position and an actuator to automatically adjust the lever position accordingly, allowing the system to adapt to different drivers while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-adjustment by automatically detecting the driver's foot geometry through sensors and adjusting the gearshift lever position without requiring manual intervention from the driver or mechanic, thereby achieving adaptability while minimizing the complexity of user interaction
2Adaptability or versatility
If the gearshift lever position is adjusted manually via adjusting screw, then the adaptability to different drivers is improved, but the ease of operation is reduced due to requiring manual adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically adjusts the gearshift lever position by itself using sensors to detect foot position and an actuator to move the lever, eliminating the need for manual adjustment operations while maintaining high adaptability to different drivers
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical adjustment process is replaced with an automated system combining sensors (electronic detection) and an actuator (mechanical execution), substituting the simple adjusting screw mechanism with a more complex but easier-to-operate automated system
3Reliability
If the shift travel length is not optimized, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of gear shifting is reduced due to varying comfort and reliability perceptions
Solution Approach 1:
The shift travel length is dynamically optimized by automatically adjusting the gearshift lever position based on sensor data from multiple shifting operations, ensuring reliable gear engagement while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical transmission system
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to detect the actual shift travel length and lever position, feeds this information back to a control unit, and automatically adjusts the lever position to optimize shift reliability, creating a closed-loop control system that improves reliability without significantly increasing mechanical complexity
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 device enhances the comfort and reliability of gear shifts by adjusting the shift lever position to match individual driver's foot geometry, ensuring consistent and efficient shifting operations.
Implementation Method 1
The device may be configured to determine the first and second sensor data using a sensor, in particular a Hall sensor, configured to acquire sensor data relating to the magnetic field generated by the magnet
Data Source
Figure 1~2b
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for checking the position of a gearshift lever for a gearbox of a vehicle. The device is designed to determine first sensor data relating to the length of the selector travel of the selector shaft of the gearbox during at least one upshifting process which is brought about by the driver of the vehicle deflecting the gearshift lever in a first direction. The device is also designed to determine second sensor data relating to the length of the selector travel of the selector shaft of the gearbox during at least one downshifting process brought about by the driver of the vehicle deflecting the gearshift lever in a second direction. Furthermore, the device is designed to check the position of the gearshift lever on the basis of the first sensor data and on the basis of the second sensor data.