Vehicle Gear Selection by Steering Pattern During Parking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle gear selection systems require manual direction input, which can be distracting and non-intuitive, especially during routine parking maneuvers where the driver needs to shift from reverse to drive.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle control system that uses a pattern of steering angle movements to select the direction for driving the wheels, allowing for auto-shifting without operator direction input, and requiring only a confirmation input, such as a brake tap, for approval.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual direction input (screen swipe or lever) is used for gear selection, then the driver can deliberately indicate direction, but driver distraction increases and safety decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoiddriver distraction

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables the vehicle to automatically determine and select the desired travel direction based on steering angle patterns detected during parking maneuvers, eliminating the need for manual direction input and reducing driver distraction while maintaining safety through pattern-based intent recognition

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system detects steering angle movements in advance during parking maneuvers to predict the driver's intended direction before the gear change is needed, allowing the vehicle to prepare and execute the direction selection automatically, thereby reducing the need for manual input during critical moments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If automated direction selection is implemented, then driver distraction is reduced, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriver distractionVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller leverages existing steering angle sensors and processing capabilities, already present in modern vehicles for parking assist functions, to additionally perform automated direction selection for gear changes, thereby avoiding significant system complexity increases while enabling the new functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system combines the steering angle detection functionality with the gear selection control logic, merging two functions into a unified control process that uses the same sensor data and controller infrastructure, thus minimizing additional system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If screen swipe interface is used for direction selection, then direction can be indicated, but visual observation requirement and non-intuitive operation increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedirection indication capabilityVSAvoidintuitiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces the manual screen swipe interface with an automated electronic detection system that monitors steering angle movements to infer driver intent, eliminating the need for visual observation and intuitive gesture learning while maintaining accurate direction indication capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12233871B1Vehicle gear selection control

Publication Date: 2025.02.25 BULLETPROOF PROPERTY MANAGEMENT LLC

AI summary

A motor vehicle for operation by a driver has a frame with wheels and a motor connected to the frame. A steering control is connected to the wheels to establish a steering angle. A controller is operably connected to the steering control, to the motor, and to the wheels, and is operable to selectably drive the wheels in a forward direction in a drive mode and in a rearward direction in a reverse mode. The controller is operable to select a direction for driving the wheels in response to a pattern of steering angle movements, without operator indication of a direction.