Vehicle Gear Selection Using Steering Patterns for Parking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle gear direction systems require manual input for direction selection, which can be distracting and non-intuitive, especially during routine parking maneuvers.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control system that uses a pattern of steering angle movements to select the direction for driving wheels, allowing auto-shifting without operator direction input, and requiring only a confirmation input, such as a brake tap, for approval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual direction input (screen swipe or lever) is required for gear selection, then the driver has full control over direction selection, but the driver experiences distraction and reduced safety during routine parking maneuvers
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs gear direction selection automatically by monitoring steering angle patterns without requiring manual driver input. The controller detects when the vehicle is in a parking maneuver context and automatically selects the appropriate gear direction based on steering movements, eliminating the need for screen swiping or lever operations during these routine tasks
Solution Approach 2:
The system proactively monitors steering angle patterns and predicts the driver's intended gear direction before the driver would need to manually input it. By detecting steering movements that indicate a parking maneuver, the system prepares and executes gear selection in advance, reducing the need for reactive manual input
2Object-affected harmful factors
If automated direction selection is implemented based on steering patterns, then driver distraction is reduced, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The existing steering angle sensor, already present for other vehicle control functions, is repurposed to detect parking maneuver patterns for automated gear selection. This multi-functional use of existing sensors avoids adding dedicated hardware complexity while enabling the automated direction selection feature
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors steering angle patterns as feedback to determine when automated gear selection should be activated. By using real-time steering data feedback, the system can intelligently distinguish between routine parking maneuvers (where automation applies) and other driving contexts (where manual control remains), managing complexity through context-aware decision logic
3Device complexity
If the system requires only confirmation input (brake tap) without direction indication, then the number of controls is reduced, but the system may execute unintended gear selections
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis of steering angle patterns to predict the driver's intended gear direction before requesting confirmation. By determining the proposed direction in advance based on steering behavior, the system ensures that the confirmation prompt reflects the driver's actual intent, preventing unintended gear selections
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the traditional mechanical lever or touchscreen swipe interface with a brake tap confirmation mechanism. This substitution reduces the number of controls while maintaining reliability by using the brake pedal—a familiar, intentional driver action—as the confirmation input, making it unlikely to be accidental
Data Source
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.