Compact Gear Lever System Using Vertical Offset for Wire Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gear change systems in vehicles, particularly trucks, utilize link systems that occupy significant space under the vehicle, and transitioning to a wire-based system requires the gear lever's rotation point to be above the cab floor, posing challenges in production and space efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A gear lever system that conveys motion from the gear lever to gearchange wires via an upper link system with a spherical bearing and transfer arms, allowing vertical movements to be converted into horizontal wire movements without the need for wires to enter the cab, enabling a shorter gear lever and adaptable configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the gear lever's rotation center is situated above the fastening surface in the cab floor to maintain good gearchange sensation, then the gearchange sensation is improved, but the wires would have to enter the cab which creates production difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension by positioning the rotation center above the fastening surface through a support module with vertical elements. This dimensional change allows the wires to remain outside the cab while achieving the desired gearchange sensation through the vertical offset between the rotation center and wire fastening points.
2Ease of manufacture
If a link system is used under the vehicle to convey gearchange movements, then the system is simple to implement, but it occupies a relatively large amount of space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical link system with a wire-based system. Wires are more space-efficient than rigid links, allowing the gearchange mechanism to occupy less volume under the vehicle while maintaining functional simplicity through the wire pulley and fastening arrangement.
3Volume of moving object
If the gear lever is made shorter to improve space efficiency, then the space utilization is improved, but the gearchange sensation may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the system by introducing a vertical offset between the rotation center and wire fastening points through the support module. This parameter change allows the gear lever to be shorter while maintaining adequate gearchange sensation, as the vertical dimension compensates for the reduced horizontal lever arm length.
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
This solution allows for a compact gear lever system that maintains precise gear change sensation, is economically viable, and can be adapted to different cab sizes by adjusting the support module and vertical elements, ensuring efficient space utilization and production advantages.
Implementation Method 1
an upper link system 8 situated close to the lower end of the gear lever 2 and comprising a spherical bearing 10 with a rotation point C about which said gear lever is movable
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A gear lever system for wire gearchange in a vehicle, preferably a truck, adapted to conveying gearchange movements from the gear lever (2) to two gearchange wires (4, 6) which run substantially horizontally from a location under the vehicle's driving cab and into the vehicle's gearbox. The gear lever system comprises a gear lever (2) and an upper link system (8) situated close to the lower end of the gear lever and comprising a spherical bearing (10) with a rotation point C about which said gear lever is movable, said upper link system comprising a first upper transfer arm (12) and a second upper transfer arm (14) adapted to moving in response to gearchange movements imparted via the gear lever (2). The gear lever system further comprises a lower link system (16), a first vertical element (18) and a second vertical element (20) adapted to conveying motion from said respective first and second upper transfer arms (12, 14) of the upper link system (8) to the lower link system (16), and a vertical support module (22) which has a vertical height of h. The upper link system is situated on an upper end of the support module (22) and said lower link system (16) is situated at a lower end of the support module so that said lower link system is adapted to converting vertical movements of the vertical elements (18, 20) to horizontal movements of the gearchange wires (4, 6).