Offset Cable Actuator Vehicle Shifter Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle transmission shifters often require the shift cable to be routed in a direction perpendicular to the pivot axis of the shift lever, leading to increased fore-aft dimension in the passenger compartment, which can be aesthetically and functionally suboptimal.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle transmission shifter design featuring a shift member and a cable actuator with a second pivot axis offset from the first pivot axis, allowing the shift cable to be driven in a direction that is at least 20 degrees offset from the fore-aft direction, enabling a more compact shifter assembly by routing the shift cable parallel to the instrument panel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the shift cable is routed perpendicular to the pivot axis of the shift lever, then the cable can be easily connected to the transmission, but the fore-aft dimension of the passenger compartment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a second pivot axis that is offset from the first pivot axis by at least 20 degrees. This dimensional change in the pivot arrangement allows the shift cable to be routed in a direction that reduces the fore-aft dimension while maintaining functional connectivity to the transmission mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable actuator is configured with an asymmetric pivot arrangement where the second pivot axis is offset from the first pivot axis. This asymmetric configuration enables the shift cable to connect to the transmission in a non-traditional orientation, reducing the fore-aft dimension without compromising ease of manufacture or installation.
2Length of moving object
If the shift cable is routed parallel to the instrument panel, then the fore-aft dimension is reduced, but the cable routing becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The cable actuator serves as an intermediary mechanism between the shift lever and the transmission. It includes a cable connector that interfaces with the shift cable, mediating the connection and enabling the cable to be routed parallel to the instrument panel while maintaining proper mechanical coupling to the transmission shift mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
By offsetting the second pivot axis from the first pivot axis by at least 20 degrees, the patent creates a new dimensional relationship that allows the shift cable to route parallel to the instrument panel. This dimensional change simplifies the overall routing complexity compared to alternative configurations that would require more complex bends or routing paths.
Data Source
AI summary
In at least some implementations, a shifter for a vehicle transmission includes a shift member and a cable actuator. The shift member is pivoted at a first pivot for movement between multiple positions corresponding to multiple transmission gears. The cable actuator pivoted at a second pivot, driven for movement about the second pivot by movement of the shift member about the first pivot and has a cable connector adapted to be connected to a shift cable that is associated with the vehicle transmission, wherein the first pivot is arranged about a first axis and the second pivot is arranged about a second axis that is not parallel to the first axis.