Gearshift Lever Trigger with O-Ring Damping for Noise Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing manual gearbox control devices for vehicles have complex structures due to noise damping members, increasing manufacturing costs and failing to effectively absorb vibrations during gear shifts other than reverse gear.

Innovation Solution

A gearshift lever with a trigger integral to the lever, movable along the lever against an elastic return means, featuring O-ring damping members and frustoconical internal seats to reduce noise and vibrations, and a helical compression spring for prestressed support, allowing efficient engagement and disengagement of reverse gear without noise or vibration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a noise damping member is installed on the gearshift lever, then noise during reverse gear engagement is reduced, but the structure becomes extremely complex and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise during reverse gear engagementVSAvoidstructure of the gearshift lever
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The trigger is divided into two separate parts: a first trigger part and a second trigger part, which are movable relative to each other along the lever. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each part's function, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining noise reduction effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The noise damping function is extracted from the main lever structure and assigned to specific damping members positioned at the trigger parts. This separation allows the lever body to remain simple while the damping function is provided by dedicated components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a noise damping member is installed on the gearshift lever, then noise during reverse gear engagement is reduced, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise during reverse gear engagementVSAvoidmanufacturing costs of the external control device
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The damping members are designed as simple, inexpensive components (such as elastomeric elements or simple springs) that can be easily manufactured and replaced if necessary, rather than complex integrated noise damping structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

By dividing the trigger into separate parts with individual damping members, each component can be manufactured independently using simpler processes, reducing overall manufacturing complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a noise damping member is installed on the gearshift lever, then noise during reverse gear engagement is reduced, but vibrations during other gear shifts are not effectively absorbed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise during reverse gear engagementVSAvoidvibration absorption during gear shifts other than reverse
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The damping members are positioned and designed to function universally for all gear shift operations. The first and second trigger parts both incorporate damping elements that absorb vibrations regardless of which gear is being engaged, making the system multi-functional rather than reverse-gear-specific.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Different damping characteristics are provided at different locations along the lever. The first trigger part near the fixed support has damping optimized for that location's vibration characteristics, while the second trigger part near the knob has damping suited to its operational characteristics, providing localized optimization for all gear shifts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 simplifies the structure, reduces manufacturing costs, and effectively absorbs noise and vibrations during gear shifts, including those other than reverse gear, enhancing the overall operational smoothness and reliability of the gearbox control device.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic return means, in particular a helical compression spring, mounted coaxially on the lever while being in prestressed support between the lever and one of the two sear parts

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic potential energy storage and release: Spring

Implementation Method 2

two noise and vibration damping members in the form of O-rings... the two parts of the triggers comprise two frustoconical internal seats resting respectively on the two damping members under the action of the return means elastic

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping through hysteresis: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP3172464B1Device for controlling a motor vehicle gearbox by means of a gear change lever having noise reduction members
Publication Date: 2018.08.22 PSA AUTOMOBILES SA
  • EP3172464B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3172464B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP3172464B1 patent drawingFigure 7~8

AI summary

The present invention relates to a manual transmission device of a vehicle, particularly an automobile. The device is essentially characterized in that the lever (2) includes, rigidly connected thereto, two noise/vibration reduction members (15, 16) and two trigger portions (8, 9) including two inner frusto-conical seats (19, 20) that are respectively made to bear on the two noise/vibration reduction members (15, 16) by a resilient return means (7) when the lever (2) and the trigger (6) occupy the reverse gear locking position thereof. The invention is useful in manual motor vehicle gearboxes.