Rotary Shift Selector With Haptic Feedback Actuator

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing selection devices for vehicle transmissions are bulky and costly due to complex mechanics, limiting their versatility and adaptability to different vehicle models with varying shift positions.

Innovation Solution

A compact selection device design featuring a rotary operating element, a shaft, an angle of rotation sensing mechanism, and an actuator with haptic feedback capabilities, eliminating the need for mechanical locking and transmission or belt drives, and incorporating redundant sensing for reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If mechanical locking and engaging contours are used to provide shifting feedback, then the user experiences a feeling of shifting, but the device becomes bulky and expensive with limited adaptability to different vehicle models

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshifting feedbackVSAvoidmechanical structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical locking and engaging contour system with an electronic actuator that applies torque to the shaft. The actuator is controlled by a control unit that receives signals from an angle of rotation sensing means, thereby substituting mechanical feedback mechanisms with an electro-mechanical system that achieves the same shifting feedback effect without the bulk and complexity of mechanical lockings

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal selection device that can be adapted to different vehicle models with varying numbers of shift positions. The actuator and control unit can be reprogrammed to provide appropriate torque and haptic feedback for different transmission configurations, eliminating the need for model-specific mechanical lockings and engaging contours

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If different mechanical lockings and engaging contours are created for different vehicle models, then each model gets customized shifting feedback, but the number of variants increases and adaptability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomized shifting feedbackVSAvoidapplicability to different vehicle models

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal actuator-based system that can serve multiple vehicle models and transmission configurations. The control unit can be programmed with different torque profiles and haptic feedback characteristics to accommodate various numbers of shift positions and different vehicle requirements, providing customized feedback without requiring different physical mechanical components for each model

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If complex mounting of selector lever and belt drives is used, then haptic feedback can be provided, but the device becomes expensive and bulky

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehaptic feedbackVSAvoiddevice bulkiness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the need for complex belt drives and mechanical linkages by using an actuator that directly applies torque to the shaft. This electro-mechanical approach provides haptic feedback through controlled torque application without requiring the bulky mechanical transmission systems previously needed to achieve the same effect

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enables efficient, cost-effective operation across multiple shift positions with haptic feedback simulation, reducing bulkiness and cost while ensuring reliable shift state sensing and actuation.

Implementation Method 1

an angle of rotation sensing means, which is connected to the shaft and by means of which rotation of the operating element about the axis of rotation can be sensed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAngle of rotation sensing:

Implementation Method 2

an actuator, by means of which a torque can be sent to the shaft or a torque can be applied against rotation of the shaft

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTorque application: Torque

Data Source

PatentUS8170757B2Selection device for shifting a vehicle transmission

Publication Date: 2012.05.01 LEMFORDER ELECTRONICS GMBH

AI summary

A selection device for shifting a vehicle transmission, with a operating element (4), which can be rotated into different shift positions (6, 7, 8, 9) about an axis of rotation (5) and with a shaft (21), which is connected to the operating element (4) and is rotatable about the axis of rotation. An angle of rotation sensing device (32) is connected to the shaft, by which a rotation of the operating element (4) about the axis of rotation (5) can be sensed. An actuator (22) is provided by which a torque can be applied to the shaft (21) or a torque can be applied to oppose a rotation of the shaft (21). A control is connected to the angle of rotation sensing device (32) and to the actuator (22) for controlling the torque. The vehicle transmission (10) can be shifted into shift states (P, R, N, D) assigned to the shift positions (6, 7, 8, 9), wherein the shaft (21) extends along the axis of rotation (5) between the angle of rotation sensing means (32) and the operating element (4), which is designed as a rotary knob or button and is arranged at a first end (28) of shaft (21).