Sequential Gear Position Sensing with Grouped Contact Circuits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gear position measuring devices for sequential transmissions require multiple resistances corresponding to the number of gear positions, leading to increased size and cost.
Innovation Solution
A gear position measuring device with a switch, output unit, storage, and processor that groups individual contacts for multiple gear positions, using shared circuits to output different values for each group, reducing the number of required circuits and enabling a compact and cost-effective design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple resistances corresponding to the number of gear positions are used, then gear position measurement accuracy is improved, but device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple gear position detection functions into a single resistance element. Instead of using separate resistances for each gear position (1st gear resistance, 2nd gear resistance, etc.), one resistance element serves all gear positions by changing its resistance value based on the gear position detected by the switch. This merging approach maintains measurement precision while significantly reducing device size and component count.
Solution Approach 2:
The single resistance element performs multiple functions by assuming different resistance values corresponding to different gear positions. The same physical component (resistance element) is used universally for detecting 1st gear, 2nd gear, 3rd gear, and other positions, rather than having dedicated resistances for each position. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between accuracy and device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If multiple resistances corresponding to the number of gear positions are used, then gear position measurement accuracy is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple gear position detection functions into a single resistance element. Instead of using separate resistances for each gear position (1st gear resistance, 2nd gear resistance, etc.), one resistance element serves all gear positions by changing its resistance value based on the gear position detected by the switch. This merging approach maintains measurement precision while significantly reducing device size and component count.
Solution Approach 2:
The single resistance element performs multiple functions by assuming different resistance values corresponding to different gear positions. The same physical component (resistance element) is used universally for detecting 1st gear, 2nd gear, 3rd gear, and other positions, rather than having dedicated resistances for each position. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between accuracy and device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The gear position measuring device includes a switch, an output unit, a processor, and a storage. The switch includes multiple individual contacts respectively corresponding to the multiple gear positions. The multiple individual contacts are separated into multiple gear position groups that include at least two of the multiple individual contacts. The output unit includes circuits so that the individual contacts for the gear positions of each of the multiple gear position groups are connected to the same circuit, thereby being able to output from the circuits that are different for each of the multiple gear position groups. When an output value from the output unit is changed, the processor determines a current gear position on the basis of the gear position stored in the storage and the multiple gear positions corresponding to the output value from the output unit.