Paddle Shifter on Stationary Frame for Off-Highway Vehicle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Recreational off-highway vehicles (ROVs) with steering wheels face difficulties in shifting gears due to the shift switch rotating with the steering wheel, making it hard for drivers to operate without releasing their hands from the wheel.
Innovation Solution
A paddle shifter is positioned on a supporting frame that remains stationary relative to the steering wheel, allowing easy gear shifting while driving, with a power steering system and gear indicator integrated for enhanced functionality and visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a shift switch is provided on the steering wheel of an ROV, then the driver can operate the shift switch while holding the steering wheel, but the shift switch rotates together with the steering wheel making it difficult to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle components are segmented into two distinct groups: the steering wheel assembly (steering wheel, steering shaft) and the gear shifting assembly (paddle shifter, supporting frame). This segmentation allows the steering wheel to rotate independently for steering operations while the paddle shifter remains stationary on the supporting frame for reliable gear shifting, eliminating the problem of the shift switch rotating with the steering wheel.
2Ease of operation
If a paddle shifter is provided on the supporting frame, then the paddle shifter remains stationary relative to the steering wheel facilitating easy operation, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting frame merges multiple functions into a single structural component: it supports the paddle shifter in a fixed position, provides mounting for the gear indicator, and integrates with the steering column assembly. This consolidation achieves the desired stationary position for the paddle shifter while avoiding the need for separate complex mechanisms for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting frame serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it acts as a mounting structure for the paddle shifter, provides support for the gear indicator display, and integrates with the overall steering assembly. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of separate components needed in the system.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the supporting frame is pivotally connected to the body frame, then the paddle shifter and steering wheel move together maintaining relative position, but the structure requires additional pivot shafts and connectors
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting frame is designed with pivotal connections that allow it to rotate relative to the body frame, enabling dynamic adjustment of the steering wheel position. This dynamic capability allows the steering wheel to be adjusted to different angles and heights to accommodate various driver preferences while maintaining a simple connection mechanism through pivot shafts.
Data Source
AI summary
A recreational off-highway vehicle includes a supporting frame pivotally connected to a body frame via pivot shafts, a shaft support fixed to the supporting frame and including a steering shaft, a steering wheel connected to the steering shaft and rotatable around the steering shaft with respect to the shaft support, a paddle shifter disposed on the supporting frame and operable to move toward the steering shaft, a transmission supported by the body frame, a shift actuator that shifts the transmission, and a controller that controls the shift actuator so as to shift speed-changing gears of the transmission when the paddle shifter is operated.