Detent Plate Range Switching for Direct P-to-D Shifts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle range switching devices face the risk of unintended shift range establishment during transitions between the parking range and forward running range due to the necessity of switching through intermediate ranges, especially when the electric motor fails.
Innovation Solution
A range switching device with a detent plate that includes engaged portions arranged circumferentially, allowing direct switching between the parking and forward running ranges without going through other ranges, utilizing a detent plate with recessed portions and an engaging member to maintain specific rotational angles, and incorporating link rods and mechanisms for operating the parking lock and valve mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the detent plate is rotated to switch between P range and D range through N range and R range, then the shift ranges are sequentially established, but the risk of unintended shift range establishment increases when electric motor fails
Solution Approach 1:
The detent plate is divided into multiple engaged portions (first engaged portion for P range, second engaged portion for D range, third engaged portion for N range, fourth engaged portion for R range) arranged circumferentially. This segmentation allows the switching mechanism to jump directly between P and D ranges without sequentially passing through N and R ranges, eliminating the risk of unintended shift range establishment while maintaining sequential establishment for other range transitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The engaged portions are pre-positioned on the detent plate at specific circumferential locations corresponding to different shift ranges. The engaging member is pre-configured to engage with these portions, enabling direct switching between P and D ranges by rotating the detent plate to a predetermined angle without requiring sequential passage through intermediate ranges.
2Productivity
If the detent plate rotates through intermediate ranges to switch between P range and D range, then sequential range establishment is maintained, but switching time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detent plate is segmented into multiple engaged portions arranged circumferentially, allowing the switching mechanism to select and jump directly to the target range (D range) without sequentially passing through intermediate ranges (N range and R range). This segmentation enables direct switching between P and D ranges, significantly reducing switching time while maintaining the ability to establish ranges sequentially when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The switching mechanism is designed to skip over intermediate ranges (N range and R range) when switching directly between P range and D range. By rotating the detent plate to a predetermined angle that positions the second engaged portion at the reference position, the system rushes through the intermediate positions without establishing them, thereby reducing switching transition time.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple engaged portions are arranged circumferentially on the detent plate, then direct switching between ranges is enabled, but device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The detent plate with multiple circumferentially arranged engaged portions serves multiple functions: it enables direct switching between P and D ranges, maintains sequential establishment for other transitions, and provides predetermined angular positioning. The engaging member universally engages with different engaged portions to achieve various switching paths, making the structure adaptable rather than overly complex.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of arranging engaged portions linearly along the rotation path, they are arranged circumferentially on the detent plate, utilizing the radial dimension. This dimensional change allows multiple engagement points to be accessed by rotating the detent plate to different angular positions, enabling direct switching between ranges without increasing the linear complexity of the switching path.
Data Source
AI summary
A range switching device for switching between a plurality of shift ranges in a vehicle. In the range switching device, the shift ranges are switched depending on a rotational angle of a detent plate that has (i) a first engaged portion for maintaining an angle value of the rotational angle of the detent plate by which a parking range as one of the shift ranges is established in the vehicle and (ii) a second engaged portion for maintaining another angle value of the rotational angle of the detent plate by which a reverse running range as another one of the shift ranges is established in the vehicle. The first and second engaged portions are located in respective positions adjacent to each other in a circumferential direction about a rotational axis about which the detent plate is to be rotated.