Gearshift Selector Slider With Ball-Bearing Linear Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing selector devices for vehicle transmissions, particularly in shift-by-wire systems, face challenges in providing precise and reliable shifting actuation while being cost-effective and robust, with issues related to friction and unintentional contact forces.
Innovation Solution
A selector device utilizing a ball bearing as a linear guide for the sliding gearshift lever, incorporating a slider unit, housing unit, and a latching mechanism, with a ball cage for retaining balls, and a detection system for precise position sensing, allowing for smooth and accurate translatory movement without frictional impediments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional actuator with connecting shaft is used for gear shifting, then the structure is simple, but the precision and reliability of shifting actuation deteriorates due to friction and unintentional contact forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical connecting shaft actuator with a ball bearing-based linear guide system. This substitution eliminates frictional contact forces that plague traditional mechanical linkages, providing precise and reliable shifting actuation through ball bearing rolling contact instead of sliding friction, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a ball bearing as an intermediary element between the actuator and the gearshift lever. This ball bearing linear guide acts as a mediator that translates actuator movement into precise lever positioning while absorbing unintentional contact forces and preventing incorrect actuations, thus improving reliability without excessive complexity.
2Ease of operation
If a ball bearing linear guide is used for the gearshift lever, then the precision and smoothness of movement improves, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs ball bearings (spherical elements) as the core component of the linear guide system. The spherical geometry of the ball bearings enables smooth rolling motion along the gearshift lever's path, providing friction-free movement and enhanced ease of operation while maintaining a relatively compact and manageable device structure.
3Manufacturing precision
If a ball bearing unit is added to guide the slider unit linearly, then the manufacturing precision and reliability of shifting improves, but the device complexity and production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ball bearing linear guide system is designed to be self-aligning and self-regulating. The ball bearings automatically maintain precise positioning of the slider unit through their inherent rolling contact geometry, eliminating the need for complex external positioning mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity while achieving high manufacturing precision.
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 enables precise, reliable, and cost-effective shifting actuation, absorbing unintentional contact forces and preventing incorrect actuations, while maintaining a robust and simple structure, ensuring accurate signal transfer in vehicle transmission systems.
Implementation Method 1
a ball bearing unit, wherein the ball bearing unit is designed to guide the slider unit linearly in the housing unit
Data Source
AI summary
A selector device for a user input for shifting a vehicle transmission may be connected to the vehicle transmission for signal transfer. The selector device may include a slider unit coupled to a selector knob for the user input, and a housing unit for receiving the slider unit. The slider unit may be moveable in relation to the housing unit in a translatory manner. The selector device may have a ball bearing unit, where the ball bearing unit is designed to guide the slider unit linearly in the housing unit.