Single Knob Transmission Input Device

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional input devices for vehicle transmissions require users to manually switch between a dial knob for range shifts and a separate shift lever for gear shifts, leading to reduced operability and increased costs due to the need for a separate shift lever device.

Innovation Solution

An input device with a single knob that combines rotation and press detection, allowing for range shifts and gear shifts through a controller that performs these operations based on the knob's rotation and press status, eliminating the need for a separate gear shift device and enhancing user interaction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a separate shift lever device is added for gear shift operations, then gear shift functionality is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegear shift functionalityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the range shift function and gear shift function into a single dial knob. The dial knob can perform range shifts by rotation and gear shifts by pressing and rotating, merging two previously separate functions into one device, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining versatility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The dial knob is designed to perform multiple functions: range shift operation through rotation and gear shift operation through pressing and rotating. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for a separate shift lever device, reducing both device complexity and cost while maintaining full operational capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a separate shift lever device is added for gear shift operations, then gear shift functionality is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegear shift functionalityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the range shift function and gear shift function into a single dial knob. The dial knob can perform range shifts by rotation and gear shifts by pressing and rotating, merging two previously separate functions into one device, thereby reducing device complexity and manufacturing cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The dial knob is designed to perform multiple functions: range shift operation through rotation and gear shift operation through pressing and rotating. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for a separate shift lever device, reducing both device complexity and manufacturing cost while maintaining full operational capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If the dial knob is used for both range shift and gear shift operations, then device complexity is reduced, but operability deteriorates due to hand movement between devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidoperability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the range shift function and gear shift function into a single dial knob. The dial knob can perform range shifts by rotation and gear shifts by pressing and rotating, merging two previously separate functions into one device, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining versatility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The dial knob implements dynamic operation modes: in the first forward travel range, rotation performs range shift; in the second forward travel range, pressing and rotating performs gear shift. This dynamic switching of functions based on operational context maintains ease of operation while consolidating functions into one device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10539226B2Input device for transmission

Publication Date: 2020.01.21 PANASONIC AUTOMOTIVE SYST CO LTD

AI summary

An input device for a transmission includes, a knob with which an operator performs rotation and press operations, a rotation detector for detecting that the knob is rotated, a press detector for detecting that the knob is pressed, and a controller for performing, based on results of detection by the rotation detector and the press detector, a range shift between a first forward travel range where a gear shift operation performed by the operator is not accepted and a second forward travel range where the gear shift operation is accepted, and for performing a gear shift in the second forward travel range.