External Shift Control for No-Start Hybrid Vehicle Transmissions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hybrid electric vehicles face challenges in shifting transmission modes during manufacturing and repair, particularly under no-start conditions, leading to downtime, safety hazards, and quality concerns.

Innovation Solution

A shift device with a processor, battery, and display interface that electrically couples with a vehicle's transmission and electric parking actuator, allowing users to control the shift position of the transmission, even when the vehicle is not powered, by disconnecting the power source and using a shift device connector to provide power and control signals to the electric parking actuator.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If the vehicle uses an electric parking actuator for transmission mode shifting, then the shifting operation can be automated and controlled, but the vehicle cannot be shifted under no-start conditions or when the power source is unavailable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomated transmission shiftingVSAvoidoperability under no-start conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an external shift device as an intermediary tool that connects to the vehicle's electric parking actuator through a connector. This external device provides the necessary power and control signals independently of the vehicle's power source, enabling transmission shifting under no-start conditions. The shift device acts as a mediator between the operator and the actuator, allowing operation when the vehicle's own power system is unavailable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the vehicle cannot be shifted under no-start conditions, then manual methods like jacking and wheel dollies must be used, but this creates safety hazards and increases downtime

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual vehicle movementVSAvoidsafety and quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical manual methods (jacking, wheel dollies, physical pushing) with an electrical/electronic system. The external shift device electrically connects to the existing electric parking actuator, using electrical signals to control the actuator rather than requiring mechanical manipulation. This substitution eliminates safety hazards associated with manual methods while maintaining the ability to move the vehicle under no-start conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If the vehicle requires manual pushing off the production line, then equipment complexity is reduced, but productivity and manufacturing efficiency decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of equipmentVSAvoidmanufacturing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the shifting function into two independent components: the vehicle's existing electric parking actuator and the external shift device. This segmentation allows the external device to be a simple, portable tool that connects only when needed, rather than requiring a complex integrated system. The external device contains minimal components (power source, connector, control circuitry) while leveraging the vehicle's existing actuator mechanism, thus maintaining simplicity while enabling automated operation for improved manufacturing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enables safe and efficient shifting of hybrid electric vehicles into different transmission modes, reducing downtime and quality concerns by allowing manual movement of vehicles during repairs and manufacturing, such as moving them off a production line without jacking or pushing.

Implementation Method 1

a battery (108) in the housing (202)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBattery (electricity): Battery (electricity)

Implementation Method 2

The shift device connector (114) is disposed on an end of the housing (202) and facilitates an electrical connection between the shift device (102) and the vehicle (104)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical connection: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS11802620B2System and method for parking actuator control

Publication Date: 2023.10.31 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A shift device and method for coupling with a vehicle including a transmission and an electric parking actuator. The shift device includes a housing, a battery, a display interface, and a shift device connector. The shift device connector is on an end of the housing for electrically coupling the shift device to the vehicle. The shift device also includes a processor operatively connected to the battery, the display interface, and the shift device connector. Upon insertion of a first connector of the vehicle into the shift device connector, the controller receives a shift position of the transmission and controls the electric parking actuator to change the shift position of the transmission.