Gear Shift Lever Incomplete Operation Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shift range switching control apparatuses for vehicle automatic transmissions cannot detect incomplete operations by drivers, leading to potential accidents due to incorrect gear position switching.
Innovation Solution
A shift range switching control apparatus with an operation judgment means and an incomplete operation detection means, using sensors to determine if the gear shift lever is operated to a target position, and detecting incomplete operations by monitoring position detection signals to prevent gear position switching until the target is fully reached.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the shift range switching control apparatus uses a momentary type gear shift lever with automatic reset mechanism, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates because incomplete operations cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The control apparatus monitors the gear shift lever position continuously and provides feedback to the control unit. When the lever is operated to a target position, the system detects whether it reaches the determination position within a predetermined time. This feedback mechanism enables the system to distinguish between complete and incomplete operations, preventing erroneous shift range switching while maintaining the ease of momentary operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of the gear shift lever position before executing the shift range switching. By monitoring whether the lever reaches the determination position within the predetermined time period, the system preemptively prevents incomplete operations from causing incorrect gear shifts, ensuring reliability before the actual switching occurs.
2Reliability
If the control apparatus ignores gear shift lever operations that do not reach the target position, then the reliability is improved by preventing incorrect switching, but the loss of information worsens because incomplete operations cannot be distinguished from intentional operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses time-based feedback to determine whether an operation is complete or incomplete. By measuring whether the gear shift lever reaches the determination position within a predetermined time period, the system gains information about the driver's intent, allowing it to distinguish between intentional operations and incomplete operations without losing critical information.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of time measurement to detect incomplete operations. By introducing a predetermined time period as a critical parameter, the system can differentiate between complete operations (where the lever reaches the determination position within the time limit) and incomplete operations (where it does not), thereby preventing information loss while maintaining reliability.
3Reliability
If the control apparatus monitors the gear shift lever position continuously to detect incomplete operations, then the reliability is improved, but the use of energy worsens due to continuous sensor operation
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs position detection at periodic intervals rather than continuously. By checking the gear shift lever position at predetermined time periods and comparing whether it reaches the determination position within each period, the system maintains reliability while reducing energy consumption through periodic rather than continuous monitoring.
Data Source
AI summary
When a vehicle driver operates a momentary-type gear shift lever and the lever continuously stays for not less than a predetermined length of time at a target gear position, in R, D, and N positions, corresponding to a target shift range of the automatic transmission of a vehicle, a shift range switching apparatus judges that the lever is operated to the target gear position and instructs a DC motor to switch to the target shift range of the automatic transmission. The apparatus detects a “busy shift” (or incomplete) operation of the lever based on voltage signals transferred from vertical/horizontal direction sensors corresponding to the current position of the lever. The apparatus detects the occurrence of the “bush shift” (or incomplete) operation when the gear shift lever is returned to the original position after being operated from the original position toward the target gear shift position, but, does not reach it.