Gear Selector Gate Pattern for Seamless High Low Range Transitions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current motor vehicle transmission systems with high and low range transmissions require drivers to operate two selectors, leading to inconvenient and potentially jarring changes between gear ratios, especially when transitioning from low to high range while the vehicle is in motion, restricting smooth gear changes and necessitating stationary operation in certain scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A single gear selector with a gate pattern and gear lever that includes high and low range gear planes, a neutral plane, and interference mechanisms to prevent automatic return to the conventional high range position during low range driving, allowing seamless transitions between gear ratios without the need for two separate selectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If two separate selectors are used to control high/low range and gear ratios, then the transmission can provide multiple gear ranges, but the operation becomes complex and requires stationary operation to change ranges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate selectors (gear lever and high/low range switch) into a single gear selector unit. The gate pattern integrates both high range and low range gear planes, allowing the driver to select any gear ratio and range combination using one lever movement, eliminating the need to operate two separate controls
Solution Approach 2:
The single gear selector performs multiple functions: it selects both the gear ratio (1-4) and the range (high/low) simultaneously. The gate pattern is designed to accommodate both high range gear planes and low range gear planes, making the single selector universal for all gear and range selections
2Productivity
If two selectors are operated to change gear ranges while moving, then gear changes can be made, but interim positions cause the vehicle to jump
Solution Approach 1:
The gate pattern is pre-configured with both high range and low range gear planes in a continuous layout. The neutral plane is positioned to allow smooth transition between ranges without requiring the selector to return to a resting position, enabling direct and continuous gear ratio changes between ranges
Solution Approach 2:
The gate pattern design enables continuous gear selection across high and low ranges without interruption. The neutral plane acts as a common pathway that connects both range sub-patterns, allowing the gear lever to move continuously from one range to the other while maintaining smooth gear ratio transitions
3Device complexity
If a conventional gear selector design is used, then the structure is simple, but automatic return to resting position prevents low range selection
Solution Approach 1:
The gate pattern is segmented into distinct high range and low range sub-patterns, each with its own gear planes. The neutral plane segments the two ranges but serves as a connecting pathway. This segmentation allows the simple conventional gear selector structure to accommodate multiple ranges without requiring complex additional mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The gate pattern extends in multiple dimensions with high range and low range gear planes arranged in different spatial configurations. The neutral plane provides a transverse dimension that connects both ranges, allowing the gear lever to access low range positions without automatic return to the conventional high range resting position
Data Source
AI summary
A gear selector comprising a gate pattern and a gear lever arranged to be moveable within the gate pattern, the gate pattern comprising: a high range gate sub-pattern comprising one or more high range gear planes for moving the gear lever into to select a high range gear; a low range gate sub-pattern comprising one or more low range gear planes for moving the gear lever into to select a low range gear; a neutral plane extending transversely with respect to the high and low range gear planes; and a force profile arranged to urge the gear lever when in the neutral plane toward a resting position in one of the one or more high range gear planes, the force profile comprising a first interference arranged to divide the high range gate sub-pattern from the low range gate sub-pattern, wherein the gear lever is moveable past the first interference from the high range gate sub-pattern to the low range gate sub-pattern when a first predefined action is performed by an operator moving the gear lever.