Gear Shift Lever Knob Light Guide Cover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gear shift lever knobs are complex and difficult to manufacture, with prior solutions involving multiple parts and assembly steps, making them cumbersome and prone to errors.
Innovation Solution
A gear shift lever knob with a transparent knob cavity cover that integrates gear shift graphics, using the cover as a light guide for illumination, eliminating the need for additional labels or components and allowing for easy exchange of graphics and background plates to match vehicle aesthetics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If gear shift graphics are added to the gear shift lever knob to improve visibility, then the visibility is improved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple parts and assembly steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the knob cavity cover, gear shift graphics, and light guide function into a single integrated component. The transparent or translucent knob cavity cover itself serves as the light guide, eliminating the need for separate light guide elements. The gear shift graphics are directly formed on or integrated into the cover, reducing multiple parts to one unified structure that provides both visibility and guidance functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The knob cavity cover is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it protects the knob cavity, provides structural support, guides light from the illuminating means, and displays gear shift graphics. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate components for each function, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining improved visibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple components are used to achieve gear shift graphics and illumination, then the functionality is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates due to complex assembly steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the knob cavity cover, light guide, and graphics display into a single integrated component that can be manufactured as one piece. This eliminates complex assembly steps required for multiple separate components, thereby improving ease of manufacture while maintaining the enhanced functionality of illuminated gear shift graphics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in the optical parameters of the knob cavity cover material (transparency or translucency) to achieve light guiding functionality. By selecting appropriate material properties, the cover itself becomes the light guide, eliminating the need for additional light guide components and simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining full functionality.
3Illumination intensity
If a transparent knob cavity cover is used to improve visibility, then the visibility is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves improved visibility by changing the optical parameters of the knob cavity cover material, specifically its transparency or translucency. This material property change allows light to pass through effectively without requiring complex optical component alignment or high-precision manufacturing tolerances, thereby maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving the visibility improvement.
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
Simplifies manufacturing, reduces part complexity, enhances visibility in darkness, and provides a durable, aesthetically adaptable solution for both manual and automatic transmissions.
Implementation Method 1
the knob cavity cover forms a first light guide for guiding light from the first illuminating means
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a gear shift lever knob (2) comprising - a knob body (4), - a knob cavity (10) within the knob body (4), the knob cavity (10) having an opening, - a knob cavity cover (6), shaped to cover the opening of the knob cavity (10), the knob cavity cover (6) being at least partly transparent, and - a first illuminating means (12) connected to the knob cavity cover (6), such that the knob cavity cover (6) forms a first light guide for guiding light from the first illuminating means (12), wherein a gear shift graphics (8) is integrated into the knob cavity cover (6). The invention also relates to a knob cavity cover (6), shaped to cover an opening of a knob cavity (10) in such a gear shift lever knob (2). In addition the invention relates to a vehicle comprising such a gear shift lever knob (2).