Gear Shift Lever Knob Using Segmented Glass and Protective Frame
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gear shift lever knobs made of brittle materials like glass are prone to breaking in collisions, potentially causing injury and may concentrate sunlight to start fires, and lack adequate protection for their edges and corners.
Innovation Solution
A gear shift lever knob design using a transparent, scratch-resistant material for the main body, such as glass, combined with a shock-resistant frame, typically made of metal or plastic, to enclose and protect the edges and corners, while allowing light to pass through for visibility and reducing the risk of burning glass effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the gear shift lever knob is made of transparent material like glass, then visibility and optical properties are improved, but safety deteriorates due to breakage risk and burning glass effect
Solution Approach 1:
The gear shift lever knob is divided into two separate components: a transparent knob body made of glass or similar material, and a protective frame made of shock-resistant material. This segmentation allows each component to fulfill its specific function - the glass body provides visibility and aesthetic appeal, while the frame provides safety and protection against breakage and burning glass effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite structure combining two different materials - transparent material (glass) for the knob body and shock-resistant material (metal or plastic) for the frame. This composite approach allows the assembly to exhibit both optical properties from the glass and mechanical strength/safety from the frame material, resolving the contradiction between visibility and safety.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the gear shift lever knob is made of opaque material, then safety is improved by preventing breakage visibility, but visibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The protective function is segmented from the visible function. The frame made of shock-resistant material handles the safety aspect, while the transparent knob body handles the visibility aspect. This segmentation eliminates the need to choose between opaque safety and transparent visibility.
3Reliability
If the gear shift lever knob is made of brittle material like glass, then scratch resistance is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to collision breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The functional requirements are segmented between two materials: glass provides scratch resistance for the visible surface, while the metal or plastic frame provides collision resistance and structural strength. This segmentation allows each material to excel at its specialized function.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite structure combines glass (high scratch resistance) with metal or plastic (high impact strength). The frame protects the glass from impact while the glass surface maintains its scratch-resistant properties, achieving both reliability aspects simultaneously.
4Shape
If the gear shift lever knob is made of transparent material, then aesthetic appeal is improved, but protection of edges and corners deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The aesthetic function of the transparent knob body is separated from the protective function of the frame. The frame specifically targets and protects the vulnerable edges and corners, while the knob body maintains its aesthetic transparent appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame acts as an intermediary protective element between the external environment and the transparent knob body. It specifically protects the edges and corners without interfering with the aesthetic appearance of the main knob body.
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
The solution enhances the safety and durability of the gear shift lever knob by preventing breakage and edge injuries, while maintaining visibility and optical properties, and reducing the risk of fires from concentrated sunlight.
Implementation Method 1
The first material allows light to pass through. It may be transparent, i.e. letting light straight through, or it may be translucent, i.e. only allowing light to pass through diffusely.
Implementation Method 2
The frame may be used to form a cage enclosing the knob body, thereby keeping the knob body in position and/or protecting the knob body, in particular its edges and/or corners.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The present disclosure relates a gear shift lever knob comprising - a knob body forming a main portion of the gear shift lever knob, the knob body being made of a first material, which allows light to pass through, and - a frame at least partly enclosing the knob body, such that the knob body is externally visible, the frame being made of a second material different from the first material. The present disclosure also relates to a gear shift lever comprising such a gear shift lever knob.