Rotating Shift Control With Visual Cues for EV State Recognition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle transmission systems lack a method to easily inform drivers of the vehicle's state, particularly in electric vehicles where engine noise and vibration are absent, making it difficult for drivers to recognize the ignition status and transmission mode.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a vehicle state detector and position-adjusting unit that enables the transmission operation unit to be hidden or exposed based on the vehicle's state, using light emitting modules to provide visual feedback about the ignition and transmission stage, enhancing driver recognition and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the transmission operation unit is always exposed, then the driver can easily access transmission controls, but the driver cannot easily recognize the vehicle's ignition status and transmission mode
Solution Approach 1:
The operation unit's position is made dynamic rather than fixed. The position adjusting unit rotates the operation unit between a first position (exposed for operation) and a second position (retracted for display). This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction by allowing the unit to switch between being accessible and being out of the way, depending on the vehicle state.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution adds a rotational dimension to the operation unit's positioning. Instead of only horizontal placement, the unit can now rotate between different angular positions relative to the dashboard. This allows the same physical component to serve two different spatial functions: protruding for operation and retracted for display clearance.
2Loss of information
If light emitting modules are added to provide visual feedback, then the driver can recognize vehicle state, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The operation unit serves multiple functions: it acts as both a mechanical transmission control and a mounting structure for light emitting modules. The same rotating mechanism that positions the transmission controls also positions the visual feedback elements. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity by combining elements rather than adding separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The light emitting modules are integrated with the operation unit rather than being separate dashboard elements. The operation unit's housing or structure incorporates the light emitting modules, so that when the operation unit rotates into position, both the mechanical controls and the visual indicators are simultaneously positioned. This merging reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the system.
3Loss of information
If the operation unit is hidden when ignition is off, then visual feedback is provided, but the transmission operation capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts the operation unit's position based on vehicle state (ignition on/off). When ignition is off, the unit rotates to the retracted position for visual feedback. When ignition is on, the unit rotates to the exposed position for operation. This dynamic adaptation ensures both visual feedback and operational capability are provided at appropriate times.
Solution Approach 2:
The position adjusting unit proactively positions the operation unit in advance based on detected vehicle state. When the ignition state changes, the system automatically rotates the operation unit to the appropriate position before the driver needs to interact with it, ensuring the driver always finds the unit in the correct position for the current vehicle state.
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
The solution allows drivers to easily identify the vehicle's state and transmission mode, improving convenience and safety by providing clear visual cues, especially in electric vehicles where ignition status is harder to discern.
Implementation Method 1
The function unit may include a light emitting module for forming a lighting image having a predetermined shape
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for controlling a vehicle includes a vehicle state detector for detecting a vehicle state, a function unit that performs at least one vehicle function, an operation unit that enables a transmission operation to allow selection of a transmission stage from among a plurality of transmission stages, and a position adjusting unit to switch the operation unit between a first position where the transmission operation is disabled and a second position where the transmission operation is enabled, by rotating the operation unit with respect to the functional unit, based on the detected vehicle state.