Gated EV Shifter Assembly for Transmission Haptic Emulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vehicles (EVs) lack the operational feedback and haptic sensations associated with internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, such as torque curves, audible operation, and vibration, leading to a diminished driving experience for consumers accustomed to ICE vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A shifter assembly for EVs that emulates the feel of manual and automatic transmissions by generating haptic feedback, including gear grind and clutch pedal sensations, based on gear ratios, engine RPM, and final drive ratios, and can interface with various devices for immersive experiences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If EVs are configured to simulate operational criteria of ICE vehicles (e.g., noises and feedback), then consumer satisfaction is improved, but the authenticity of haptic feedback and gear grind sensations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical feedback system of ICE vehicles with an electronic control system that uses actuators to generate haptic feedback. The controller receives signals from the shifter assembly and generates corresponding haptic sensations through electronically controlled actuators, substituting the natural mechanical feedback of combustion engines with an electronically simulated system that can be precisely controlled to match desired haptic profiles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates copies of the haptic feedback characteristics of ICE vehicles by storing emulated haptic profiles in memory. These profiles contain pre-recorded or pre-calculated haptic sensations that replicate the feel of manual transmission shifting, gear grind, and clutch pedal feedback. The system copies the essential characteristics of ICE vehicle operation into digital profiles that can be reproduced consistently.
2Ease of manufacture
If a shifter assembly is integrated into the EV build for baseline operation, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but the ability to provide high-fidelity emulation of different transmission types deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the shifter assembly dynamically reconfigurable through software control. The gated shifter assembly includes controllable gates that can be dynamically opened or closed to create different shift patterns. The system can switch between emulating manual transmissions with various gear counts (5-speed, 6-speed, etc.) and automatic transmissions by dynamically adjusting which gates are active and how the shifter lever moves, allowing a single physical assembly to provide multiple transmission emulation modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the shifter assembly to serve multiple functions: it provides baseline EV operation (park, drive, reverse) and simultaneously enables high-fidelity emulation of different transmission types. The same physical shifter assembly can emulate manual transmissions, automatic transmissions, and various gear configurations through software control and dynamic gate activation, making it a universal solution that replaces the need for multiple specialized assemblies.
3Reliability
If gates are used to block shifter slots for manual transmission emulation, then shifting authenticity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical gate mechanisms with electronically controlled actuators that can be precisely positioned and controlled through software. Instead of requiring physical mechanical linkages and springs for each gate, the system uses electronic actuators that receive control signals from the controller and position themselves to block or open shifter slots as needed, reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining or improving control precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls the state of each gate (open or closed) by changing the electrical parameter (voltage or current signal) sent to the actuator. The controller dynamically adjusts the position and state of gates by modifying electrical signals, allowing flexible reconfiguration of the shifter assembly for different transmission emulation modes without requiring physical reconfiguration or complex mechanical adjustments.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are presented herein for providing haptic feedback by a shifter assembly in an electric vehicle based on a data structure corresponding to a vehicle architecture that is different from the electric vehicle. The shifter assembly is determined by processing circuitry to be in communication with at least one control unit of the electric vehicle. Using the processing circuitry, a shifter haptic feedback data structure is retrieved from a server. A configuration of the shifter assembly, that indicates a number of slots of the shifter assembly, is identified using the processing circuitry. The shifter haptic feedback data structure is compared to the shifter assembly. Based on the comparing, the processing circuitry determines is made that the configuration of the shifter assembly includes a same number of slots as the shifter haptic feedback data structure. Haptic feedback is generated via the shifter assembly.