Scroll Wheel Shifter Assembly With Haptic Detents and 360° Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shifter assemblies lack flexibility in mounting locations and orientations within a vehicle interior, and they do not provide efficient 360-degree rotational functionality with haptic feedback for gear position selection, along with reliable return to park and lock functionalities.
Innovation Solution
A scrolling shifter assembly with a knurled annular edge and alternating detent profiles, supported by biased pawls or wave springs, which interfaces with a magnet and sensor system for electronic gear shifting, allowing 360-degree rotation and integration at various vehicle interior locations, including the steering wheel, dashboard, and instrument panel, with return to park and lock features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional shifter assembly is used, then the structure is simple, but the mounting location and orientation flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The shifter assembly is designed with a universal mounting bracket system that can accommodate multiple mounting locations (dashboard, steering column, center console) and orientations. The bracket includes adjustable mounting ears and positioning features that allow the same shifter unit to be installed in various configurations without requiring location-specific design variations.
2Ease of operation
If a scrolling wheel with detent profile is added for 360-degree rotation, then the gear position selection functionality is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical cable-driven shifter mechanisms with an electronic sensor-based system. The scrolling wheel with detent profile generates electronic signals through magnet-sensor interaction, eliminating the need for complex mechanical linkages, cables, and mechanical position detection systems while achieving the same gear selection functionality.
3Ease of operation
If spring-loaded pawls with detent profiles are added for haptic feedback, then the user interaction is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the detent profile feature directly into the scrolling wheel structure itself, eliminating the need for separate detent mechanisms. The alternating peaks and valleys are integrated as part of the wheel's annular surface, allowing the haptic feedback feature to be manufactured as a single component rather than requiring assembly of multiple separate parts.
4Reliability
If a magnet and sensor system is implemented for electronic gear shifting, then the shifting reliability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a simple magnet embedded in the scrolling wheel that creates a magnetic field pattern corresponding to gear positions. This magnetic pattern serves as a copy or representation of the mechanical detent profile positions, allowing the sensor to detect gear positions electronically without requiring complex encoding mechanisms or multiple sensors.
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 provides flexible mounting options, haptic feedback during gear selection, and reliable electronic shifting with return to park and lock functionalities, enhancing user interaction and vehicle control.
Implementation Method 1
A magnet is incorporated into a rotatable shaft supported end face of the scrolling wheel so that it is positioned in proximity to a sensor mounted to a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) within the housing. Rotation of the scroll wheel displaces the magnet relative to the sensor in order for the PCBA to instruct any of gear shift
Implementation Method 2
at least one pawl is supported within the housing and is spring loaded to bias against each of the annular detent profiles such that, and upon the operator actuating the scrolling wheel, the pawl is caused to displace relative to the profile in order to incrementally rotate the wheel
Implementation Method 3
a scrolling wheel having a knurled exterior edge accessible to a vehicle operator
Data Source
AI summary
A scrolling shifter assembly having a housing rotatably supporting a scrolling wheel having a knurled exterior edge accessible to a vehicle operator, the scrolling wheel also including an annular side detent profile. A magnet is positioned in proximity to a sensor mounted to a printed circuit board (PCBA) within the housing and displaces relative to the sensor in response to rotation of the scrolling wheel. A display component is mounted in proximity to the PCBA. At least one haptic biasing component including any of spring loaded pawl or wave spring is supported within the housing and biases against the detent profile such that, and upon the operator actuating the scrolling wheel, the pawl is caused to displace relative to the profile in order to incrementally rotate the wheel, the magnet rotating relative to the PCBA sensor to cause an associated processor to electronically instruct a shift change to an engine control unit.