Shift Lever Detent Switching for Quiet Automotive Transmissions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automotive transmissions experience unnecessary noise and abrasion due to handling feedback when the gear shift lever is operated after the vehicle has been stopped, as the existing systems do not effectively prevent feedback during gear shift stage changes.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves an automotive transmission system with a gear shift lever, a rotation unit, a first gear unit, a second gear unit that can switch between coupled and separated positions, a detent unit for selective handling feedback, and a driving unit that changes the position of the second gear unit to prevent unnecessary handling feedback by controlling the detent unit's position and the transfer of rotational force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the gear shift lever is automatically returned to the parking stage position after vehicle stop, then the driver can easily recognize the current gear shift stage, but unnecessary noise and abrasion occur due to handling feedback
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the detent unit's engagement state changeable based on operating conditions. The control unit dynamically controls whether the detent unit engages with the rotation unit's detent groove, switching between providing handling feedback (when driving force is transmitted) and preventing it (when no driving force is transmitted). This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the system behavior flexible rather than fixed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of handling feedback presence/absence based on the transmission state. When the transmission is in a state where no driving force is transmitted (e.g., vehicle stopped, ignition off), the system changes the parameter to prevent detent unit engagement, thereby eliminating handling feedback. When driving force is transmitted, the parameter changes to allow engagement and provide feedback. This parameter change strategy directly addresses the contradiction.
2Ease of operation
If the detent unit is always engaged to provide handling feedback, then the driver can recognize gear shift operations, but noise and abrasion occur during automatic return operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback by having the control unit monitor the transmission state (whether driving force is being transmitted) and adjust the detent unit engagement accordingly. The system receives feedback about the operational state and modifies its behavior - engaging the detent unit when feedback is useful (during active driving) and disengaging it when feedback would be harmful (during automatic return). This feedback mechanism resolves the contradiction by making engagement conditional rather than constant.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by controlling the detent unit to disengage before unnecessary automatic return operations occur. The control unit anticipates when automatic return will happen (when no driving force is transmitted) and prevents detent unit engagement in advance, thereby preventing the harmful handling feedback from occurring in the first place. This preliminary prevention strategy addresses the contradiction proactively.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an automotive transmission, and more specifically, an automotive transmission that prevents the occurrence of unnecessary handling feedback when a gear shift lever is operated. The automotive transmission includes a gear shift lever, a rotation unit configured to rotate together with the gear shift lever, a first gear unit disposed at a first side of the rotation unit to be rotated around a rotation axis of the rotation unit together with the rotation unit, a second gear unit configured to switch between a coupled position, at which the second gear unit is coupled to the first gear unit, and a separated position, at which the second gear unit is separated from the first gear unit, and a driving unit configured to change a position of the second gear unit and provide a driving force to the second gear unit.