Retractable Shift Lever Dynamics for Vehicle Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic automatic shift levers in vehicles have safety and space inefficiencies, as they protrude and require similar manipulation to mechanical shift levers, increasing collision risk and reducing interior space for other features.
Innovation Solution
An organ type electronic automatic shift lever with a shift lever portion that moves forward and rearward, utilizing a step motor and magnetic unit for controlled gear shifting, reducing protrusion and optimizing space, and providing a display unit for convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the electronic shift lever protrudes from the console to provide mechanical-like manipulation, then ease of operation is improved, but safety deteriorates due to increased collision risk
Solution Approach 1:
The shift lever is designed to be movable between a protruding state (when the engine is off) and a retracted state (when the engine is on). This dynamic positioning allows the lever to provide mechanical-like manipulation ease when needed while eliminating collision risk during engine operation by retracting into the console.
2Ease of operation
If the electronic shift lever protrudes to allow gear shift manipulation, then ease of operation is improved, but vehicle interior space deteriorates due to reduced accommodation space
Solution Approach 1:
The shift lever dynamically changes its position based on engine state. When the engine is on, the lever retracts into the console, maximizing interior space for cup holders and other features. When the engine is off, the lever protrudes to provide adequate manipulation space for gear shifting.
3Ease of operation
If the electronic shift lever is fixed in a protruding position, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity deteriorates due to additional safety mechanisms needed
Solution Approach 1:
The shift lever system automatically changes its position based on engine state without requiring additional safety mechanisms. The control unit autonomously determines whether to protrude or retract the lever based on engine on/off status, eliminating the need for complex safety interlocks or manual intervention.
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
Improves safety by reducing collision risk, enhances operational convenience, and increases vehicle interior space by eliminating the need for a large shift lever protrusion, while providing a user-friendly gear shifting experience.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic unit including a magnet is mounted at a lower end of the shift lever portion (10)
Data Source
AI summary
An organ type electronic automatic shift lever may include a shift lever portion, a step motor unit, an operating arm, a position recognition unit, and a gear shift stage control unit. The shift lever portion may have a lower end at which a magnetic unit is mounted. The step motor unit may be fixed on a console surface of a vehicle and include a step motor. The operating arm may be rotatably connected to the shift lever portion and the step motor. The position recognition unit may recognize a position of the magnetic unit and output information of the recognized position. The gear shift stage control unit may control the step motor unit, preset position recognition information, compare position information and output gear shift information.