Rotary Shifter with Software-Controlled Park Reset
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotary shifters require physical stoppers and mechanisms for returning to the Park position, which are cumbersome and unnecessary, and existing technologies do not efficiently utilize software to reset the gear position without mechanical movement.
Innovation Solution
A 360° rotary shifter with a software-controlled mechanism that uses a PCB board, position sensors, and external sensors to reset the gear position to Park without mechanical movement, eliminating the need for physical stoppers and allowing for guided rotation with tactile feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If physical stoppers and mechanical return mechanisms are used to ensure the shifter returns to Park position, then reliability of gear position control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical stoppers and mechanical return mechanisms with a software-based control system. The microcontroller monitors the rotary knob position via a position sensor and automatically resets the gear position to Park through software intervention when specific conditions are met (e.g., vehicle shutdown, brake activation), eliminating the need for complex mechanical Park lock or return mechanisms while maintaining reliable gear position control.
Solution Approach 2:
The shifter system performs self-resetting through software automation. When the microcontroller detects predetermined vehicle conditions through sensors, it automatically commands the gear position to reset to Park without requiring manual intervention or complex mechanical self-locking mechanisms, allowing the system to service itself based on sensor input.
2Device complexity
If software-controlled resetting without mechanical movement is implemented, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a position sensor (such as a Hall effect sensor or potentiometer) integrated with the microcontroller to precisely detect the rotary knob's angular position. This electronic measurement system provides accurate feedback to the software, enabling reliable determination of gear positions (Park, Reverse, Neutral, Drive, Sport) without mechanical stoppers, thereby reducing mechanical complexity while meeting precision requirements through electronic sensing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If 360° rotation with multiple gear positions is enabled, then adaptability of the shifter is improved, but ease of operation may deteriorate due to potential confusion about current position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates visual feedback through LED indicators positioned around the rotary knob that illuminate to indicate the current gear position. The microcontroller controls these LEDs based on the detected knob position, providing continuous visual feedback to the operator. This feedback mechanism eliminates confusion about the current gear position while maintaining the versatility of 360° rotation and multiple gear options.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses differently colored LED indicators or varying light patterns to represent different gear positions. For example, specific colors may indicate Park, Reverse, Neutral, Drive, or Sport modes, allowing the operator to quickly identify the current gear position through color cues rather than relying solely on tactile or positional memory, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining adaptability.
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 seamless 360° rotation with clear tactile feedback and software-controlled resetting to the Park position, reducing mechanical complexity and enhancing user experience by eliminating the need for physical return mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
An underside of the plunger housing also integrates a magnet which, upon rotating the housing, adjusts a magnetic field sensed by an position sensor within the PCB board (such as which is understood further to be any suitable type of inductive or magnetic Hall effect sensor) in order to detect a rotated knob position.
Data Source
AI summary
A rotary shifter with 360° rotation in each of clockwise and counter clockwise rotating directions. The shifter includes a package housing with a bezel cover. A cylindrical shaped plunger housing is secured to a rotary knob supported atop the housing and which is selectively rotatable in the clockwise direction from a Park gear position, in succession, to each of a Reverse gear position, a Neutral gear position and at least one Drive gear position, with further clockwise rotation preventing movement beyond a final one of the Drive gear positions. The knob is further selectively rotatable in a counter clockwise direction to return to the Park gear position, with additional permitted counter-clockwise rotation retaining the shifter in the Park gear position.