Lever-Operated Vehicle Gear Knob for Intuitive Shifting
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing button-type gear shifting mechanism in vehicles can lead to driver errors due to non-intuitive operation and increased risk of accidents, particularly in emergency situations, as it requires visual attention and can strain the wrist.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle gear knob that replaces the button-type mechanism with a gear rod method or rotary jog/shuttle method using a lever principle, featuring a lower support with grooves for guiding buttons, an upper support to block buttons, a press operation part to operate the N button, and a grip part to selectively operate the R or D button using a lever mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a button-type gear shifting mechanism is used, then the transmission structure can be compact and easy to manufacture, but the driver may press buttons incorrectly due to non-intuitive operation and increased risk of accidents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the button-type mechanical system with a gear rod method or rotary jog/shuttle method that uses the lever principle. This substitution maintains the compact structure while improving intuitiveness and reducing driver errors, as the lever-based mechanism provides clearer tactile feedback and more natural hand positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the gear shifting mechanism by transitioning from direct button pressing to lever-based rotation or linear movement. This parameter change improves the intuitiveness of operation and reduces the cognitive load on the driver, thereby enhancing reliability without sacrificing manufacturability.
2Volume of moving object
If multiple buttons are arranged in a vertical array, then the transmission structure can be compact, but the driver experiences wrist strain and pain when pressing each button
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional vertical button arrangement by implementing a horizontal or rotary lever-based system. This inversion allows the driver to operate gears with wrist rotation or lateral hand movement rather than repeated vertical pressing, eliminating wrist strain while maintaining compact transmission structure volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic movement patterns through the lever mechanism, allowing rotational or oscillating hand motions instead of static vertical pressing. This dynamic approach reduces wrist strain by distributing the mechanical load across different muscle groups and movement planes, while the compact design is maintained through efficient spatial arrangement.
3Device complexity
If a button-type gear shifting mechanism is used, then the transmission structure can be simple, but the driver's eyes may be distracted and quick response in emergency situations is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the button-type system with a lever-based mechanical system that provides more intuitive tactile feedback and requires less visual confirmation. The lever mechanism's natural hand positioning and tactile cues enable faster, more accurate operation during emergencies without increasing structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The lever-based system provides self-guiding tactile feedback that allows the driver to operate the gear shifter without visual attention. The mechanical design inherently guides the hand to the correct position and provides clear tactile confirmation of gear engagement, enabling rapid response in emergency situations while maintaining simple transmission structure.
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 solution reduces the likelihood of driver errors, enhances intuitive gear shifting, and allows for quicker responses during emergencies, thereby improving safety and reducing the risk of accidents by minimizing visual distraction and wrist strain.
Implementation Method 1
a grip part which may be provided on the press operation part and selectively operates the R button or the D button by using lever principle, when a driver grips the grip part and applies a force thereto
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosure relates to a vehicle gear knob replacing a transmission structure including an R button, a D button, and an N button, with a gear rod method or a rotary jog/shuttle method, the vehicle gear knob including: a lower support including a pair of first grooves to which the R button and the D button are guided, respectively, and a second groove to which the N button is guided; an upper support provided above the lower support and blocking the R button, the D button, and the N button from being exposed; a press operation part coupled to the upper support and operating the N button by a pressing force; and a grip part provided above the press operation part and selectively operating the R button or the D button by using the lever principle, if a driver grips the grip part and applies force thereto.