Multifunctional Electronic Gear Shift Lever with Integrated Start Button

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic gear shift levers in vehicles face issues such as long manipulation trajectories, driver discomfort, and increased risk of injury during collisions due to protruding designs, as well as the need for separate start buttons and complex button layouts.

Innovation Solution

A multifunctional electronic gear shift lever with a cylindrical design featuring an integrated start button, driver recognition sensor, and solenoid mechanism, allowing simultaneous engine start and gear shift stage change by rotating the lever, eliminating the need for a separate start button layout and reducing protrusions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a lever type electronic gear shift lever is used, then the gear shift operation can be performed, but the manipulation trajectory becomes significantly long and the driver's head may be injured during collision

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegear shift operationVSAvoiddriver injury risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the start button function with the gear shift lever into a single integrated component. The start button is positioned at the lower end of the lever, allowing the driver to perform both engine starting and gear shifting through one unified control mechanism, thereby reducing the number of separate controls and improving space utilization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the gear shift lever from a protruding design to a recessed design where the lever is inserted into the console surface. This dimensional change eliminates the protrusion that caused injury risks during collisions while maintaining the lever's functionality for gear shift operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Length of moving object

If a dial type electronic gear shift lever is used, then the manipulation trajectory is short, but stress is transferred on the driver's wrist and manipulation becomes inconvenient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanipulation trajectoryVSAvoidmanipulation convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a cylindrical lever with a curved surface that allows the driver's hand to rotate naturally. This curved geometry provides ergonomic support for wrist rotation while maintaining a compact manipulation trajectory, combining the benefits of both lever and dial types

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Length of stationary object

If a column type electronic gear shift lever is used, then the distance from the steering handle is short, but the dynamic trajectory becomes significantly long due to arm twisting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedistance from steering handleVSAvoiddynamic trajectory

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the control functions into distinct operational zones on the lever: the upper portion for gear shift rotation and the lower end for start button pressing. This segmentation allows each function to be performed in its optimal position, reducing unnecessary arm movement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of operation

If a button type electronic gear shift lever is used, then the manipulation is convenient and intuitive, but all gear shift stage buttons need to be displayed within limited space making intervals between buttons short

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanipulation convenienceVSAvoiddisplay space

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the gear shift lever multi-functional by integrating both the gear shift control and the engine start function into a single component. The lever serves as both the gear selection mechanism and the start button, eliminating the need for separate button displays for each gear shift stage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This design simplifies the gear shift operation, reduces manipulation trajectory, enhances user comfort, improves vehicle interior layout, and minimizes collision risks while providing intuitive and aesthetically pleasing gear shifting.

Implementation Method 1

A start button connected with a spring to support the start button and to move vertically

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

allowing simultaneous engine start and gear shift stage change by rotating the lever

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolenoid: Solenoid

Data Source

PatentUS10830337B2Multifunctional electronic gear shift lever for simultaneous manipulation and method of controlling the same

Publication Date: 2020.11.10 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A multifunctional electronic gear shift lever for simultaneous manipulation includes a cylindrical lever rotatably inserted into a support which is disposed in a center fascia surface or a console surface of a vehicle and having an entrance opening that penetrates the cylindrical lever in a longitudinal direction. A start button is disposed at a lower side of the entrance opening, connected with a controller via a spring, and moving in a vertical direction. A display is disposed on the center fascia surface or the console surface, and displays a gear shift stage of the vehicle and a state of the vehicle. The gear shift stage is changeable by rotating the cylindrical lever while simultaneously starting an engine of the vehicle by operating the start button.