Shift Device Biasing Mechanism for Sensor Detection Accuracy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shift lever devices face challenges in maintaining detection accuracy, particularly when subjected to high load forces and assembly errors, leading to separation between detection sensors and magnets, which affects the precise detection of shift positions.

Innovation Solution

The shift device employs a biasing mechanism, such as a compression coil spring, to maintain contact between a magnet and a printed wiring board, ensuring accurate detection by restricting separation and allowing for improved pivot operation, even under high load conditions, and is designed with a lateral detection configuration to minimize separation and enhance detection accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a sensor switch and magnet are provided to detect shift position, then shift position detection is enabled, but separation between the sensor switch and magnet occurs under high load forces, reducing detection accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshift position detection accuracyVSAvoidcontact stability between detection means
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a compression coil spring as biasing means to dynamically adjust and maintain optimal contact pressure between the magnet and sensor switch during lever operation. The spring compensates for variations in load forces, ensuring consistent separation distance and reliable detection across different operating conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the physical parameters of the detection system by introducing a biasing force through the compression coil spring. This changes the contact pressure and separation distance parameters between the magnet and sensor switch, optimizing detection accuracy while maintaining reliable contact under varying load conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the shift lever is designed to pivot freely for easy operation, then ease of operation is improved, but separation between the detection section and detection means increases, reducing measurement precision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshift lever pivoting easeVSAvoidshift position detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The compression coil spring provides dynamic biasing that maintains optimal magnet-sensor contact pressure throughout the lever's range of motion. This allows the lever to pivot freely for ease of operation while the spring continuously adjusts to maintain precise detection conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If no biasing means is provided to allow free pivoting, then device complexity is reduced, but separation between detection means occurs under load, worsening measurement precision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure complexityVSAvoidshift position detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The compression coil spring serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides biasing force to maintain contact pressure, compensates for assembly errors, absorbs load variations, and ensures consistent detection accuracy. This multi-functionality justifies the added component while delivering comprehensive performance improvements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This configuration significantly improves the detection accuracy of shift positions by suppressing separation between the magnet and the detection sensor, reducing assembly errors, and maintaining effective detection even under high load conditions, while simplifying the device's structure and reducing component count.

Implementation Method 1

a compression coil spring, which biases the shift lever when the shift lever is pivoted

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3054196B1Shift device
Publication Date: 2020.04.08 KK TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO
  • EP3054196B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3054196B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3054196B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In a shift device (10), a lever (22) is pivoted to change a shift position of the lever. A printed wiring board (38) detects a magnetic force generated by a magnet (40) of the lever to detect the shift position of the lever. Note that the lever is biased by a compression coil spring (32) to suppress separation between the magnet and the printed wiring board when the lever is pivoted. This accordingly enables excellent detection of the magnetic force of the magnet by printed wiring board, and enables the detection accuracy of the shift position of the lever to be improved.