Gear Selector Lever Oblique Pivot Axis for Cable Friction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shift selector lever devices are not suitable for both asymmetric and symmetrical vehicles, leading to increased cable friction, complex guidance, and higher assembly and manufacturing costs, as they require separate designs for different vehicle configurations.

Innovation Solution

The pivot axis of the deflection levers is arranged at a specific angle relative to the housing axes, allowing the control cables to exit the housing obliquely, which simplifies cable guidance and allows the device to be used in both asymmetric and symmetrical vehicles, with adjustable control cable holding elements to accommodate different vehicle configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the control cables are guided vertically from the deflection levers, then the device works correctly for asymmetric vehicles, but the cable friction increases and the guidance becomes complex for symmetrical vehicles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegear shifting reliabilityVSAvoidcable friction
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by arranging the pivot axis of the deflection levers obliquely at a specific angle (e.g., 45 degrees) relative to the longitudinal axis of the housing, rather than symmetrically or vertically. This asymmetric arrangement allows the control cables to exit the housing in an oblique direction, creating a more favorable cable path that reduces friction and simplifies guidance for both symmetrical and asymmetric vehicle configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Reliability

If separate designs are created for asymmetric and symmetrical vehicles, then each vehicle type gets optimized performance, but the device complexity and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle-specific optimizationVSAvoiddesign variants
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements universality by designing a single gear selector lever device with an obliquely arranged pivot axis that can be universally applied to both symmetrical and asymmetric vehicle configurations. The oblique cable exit direction and adjustable cable holding elements enable the same device to adapt to different vehicle layouts without requiring separate designs, thereby reducing device complexity and manufacturing costs while maintaining optimized performance for each vehicle type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If the pivot axis is arranged vertically, then the assembly is simple for asymmetric vehicles, but the cable guidance becomes complex and friction increases for symmetrical vehicles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidcable friction
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by arranging the pivot axis of the deflection levers obliquely at a specific angle (e.g., 45 degrees) relative to the longitudinal axis of the housing, rather than symmetrically or vertically. This asymmetric arrangement allows the control cables to exit the housing in an oblique direction, creating a more favorable cable path that reduces friction and simplifies guidance for both symmetrical and asymmetric vehicle configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

4Object-affected harmful factors

If multiple design variants are produced, then each vehicle configuration gets optimal cable guidance, but the manufacturing and assembly costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable friction optimizationVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements universality by designing a single gear selector lever device with an obliquely arranged pivot axis that can be universally applied to both symmetrical and asymmetric vehicle configurations. The oblique cable exit direction and adjustable cable holding elements enable the same device to adapt to different vehicle layouts without requiring separate designs, thereby reducing device complexity and manufacturing costs while maintaining optimized performance for each vehicle type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3187753B1Gear selection lever device for selecting and/or switching gear stages of the gearbox of a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2020.01.08 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP3187753B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2b
  • EP3187753B1 patent drawingFigure 3a
  • EP3187753B1 patent drawingFigure 3b

AI summary

The invention relates to a shift selector lever device for selecting and/or switching gear stages of a gearbox of a motor vehicle is operatively connected to a second coupling rod for switching the respective gear stages, a first and a second deflecting lever being arranged at least partially pivotally within the housing and the second coupling rod is operatively connected to the second deflecting lever, the first deflecting lever being connected to a first actuating cable And the second deflecting lever is operatively connected to a second actuating cable, and wherein the housing (Y-axis) running essentially transversely, in particular parallel to the vehicle transverse axis, and a substantially longitudinal, in particular parallel, to the longitudinal axis of the housing (Y-axis) Vehicle longitudinal axis (X-axis).