Gear Shifting Device Guide Channel Cable Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gear ratio change devices for motor vehicles face issues with the reverse gear control cable moving and contacting cockpit console elements, causing vibrations and noise, and maintenance access is complicated due to the need to remove protective covers to reach guide rings and clamps.

Innovation Solution

A gear ratio change device featuring an overmoulding with an internal guide channel that constrains the cable in a specific positioning plane, preventing contact with console elements and simplifying maintenance by allowing direct access without removing additional fixing elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If guide rings and clamps are distributed along the lever to constrain the cable, then cable stability is improved, but device complexity and maintenance difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable stabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple cable constraint functions into a single integrated overmolding component. The overmolding incorporates a guide channel that receives the cable, eliminating the need for separate guide rings and clamps distributed along the lever. This merging of functions reduces the number of parts while maintaining cable stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cable is nested within the guide channel of the overmolding, which itself is integrated into the lever structure. This nesting arrangement allows the cable to be constrained by the overmolding without requiring additional external fixing elements, simplifying the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If protective cover is added for aesthetics and protection, then appearance and protection are improved, but maintenance access deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection and aestheticsVSAvoidmaintenance access
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The cable constraint function is extracted and integrated into the overmolding that forms part of the protective cover structure. The guide channel is built into the overmolding itself, allowing the cable to be accessed and replaced by simply removing the overmolding or accessing it through the protective cover, without needing to remove the cover to reach separate guide rings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If cable extends around the lever from trigger to output, then functionality is achieved, but cable contact with console elements occurs causing vibrations and noise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable functionalityVSAvoidvibrations and noise
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The guide channel of the overmolding acts as an intermediary structure that guides and constrains the cable along a controlled path. This intermediary guide prevents the cable from contacting surrounding console elements, eliminating the source of vibrations and noise while maintaining the cable's functional connectivity between the trigger and output.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3124833B1Device for modifying speed ratios with a guide channel for the reverse cable
Publication Date: 2019.09.11 PSA AUTOMOBILES SA
  • EP3124833B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a gear-shifting device for a motor vehicle. The gear-shifting device comprises a control lever (11), an overmolding (12) covering the lever, and a trigger (13) mounted on the overmolding to actuate a control cable (15) for the vehicle's reverse gear. According to the invention, the overmolding (12) includes a guide channel (14) for the cable (15) such that it exerts a bending force on the cable, maintaining it in a positioning plane when the cable (15) is attached to the trigger (13) and mounted in the guide channel (14). The guide channel (14) maintains the cable (15) in a positioning plane during operation and facilitates cable installation and removal.