Combination Park Ignition Switch for Vehicle Control

Solution Overview

Problem

Current vehicle systems require separate switches for shifting the transmission to park and shutting down the engine, which can be cumbersome and increase the number of switches, leading to higher costs and reduced usability.

Innovation Solution

A combination park and ignition switch is introduced, which allows for simultaneous control of shifting the transmission to park and shutting down or starting the engine, eliminating the need for a separate ignition switch and simplifying user interactions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate switches are used for transmission park and engine shutdown, then control functions are distinct and reliable, but device complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol function reliabilityVSAvoidnumber of switches

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the ignition switch and transmission range selector into a single integrated switch assembly. The switch assembly includes a switch housing with a common actuator that can be pressed to simultaneously control both the ignition system and transmission park function. The control module receives a single actuation signal and coordinates both functions, reducing the total number of separate switches while maintaining reliable control through centralized management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated switch assembly performs multiple functions: it serves as both the ignition switch for starting/stopping the engine and the transmission range selector for engaging park. The single switch structure replaces what were previously two separate controls, allowing one component to fulfill the roles of multiple independent switches while reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If separate switches are used for transmission park and engine shutdown, then each function has dedicated control, but ease of operation deteriorates due to multiple switches

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser interaction simplicityVSAvoidnumber of switches

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the ignition switch and transmission range selector into a single integrated switch assembly. The switch assembly includes a switch housing with a common actuator that can be pressed to simultaneously control both the ignition system and transmission park function. The control module receives a single actuation signal and coordinates both functions, reducing the total number of separate switches while maintaining reliable control through centralized management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If separate switches are used for transmission park and engine shutdown, then control functions are distinct, but production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction costVSAvoidnumber of switches

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the ignition switch and transmission range selector into a single integrated switch assembly. The switch assembly includes a switch housing with a common actuator that can be pressed to simultaneously control both the ignition system and transmission park function. The control module receives a single actuation signal and coordinates both functions, reducing the total number of separate switches while maintaining reliable control through centralized management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated switch assembly performs multiple functions: it serves as both the ignition switch for starting/stopping the engine and the transmission range selector for engaging park. The single switch structure replaces what were previously two separate controls, allowing one component to fulfill the roles of multiple independent switches while reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10443714B2Systems and methods for controlling a transmission and an engine with a combination park and ignition switch

Publication Date: 2019.10.15 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

A drive control system of a vehicle includes a vehicle speed module configured to determine whether the vehicle is moving and set a state of a signal based on the determination. A shift control module is configured to shift a transmission of the vehicle based on a signal from a range selector. Independently of the signal from the range selector, the shift control module is configured to selectively shift the transmission of the vehicle based on a signal from a combination park and ignition switch and the signal from the vehicle speed module. An ignition control module is configured to selectively shut down an engine of the vehicle based on the signal from the combination park and ignition switch and the signal from the vehicle speed module.