Vehicle Shift Device with Perpendicular Reverse Switch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shift devices for vehicles, with push-button switches, risk incorrect gear selection during blind operations, impairing comfort and operability due to similar switch directions and arrangements.
Innovation Solution
The shift device features distinct directional operations for the reverse switch, differing from other switches, with the reverse switch operated nearly perpendicular or at a right angle, and positioned towards the driver side, to prevent accidental activation and enhance recognition during blind operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If push-button switches are arranged linearly and adjacently for gear selection, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the reliability of correct gear selection deteriorates during blind operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by giving each switch a unique directional characteristic. The R-switch is operated in a direction substantially perpendicular to the vehicle width direction, while other switches are operated in the vehicle width direction. This localized differentiation in operation direction prevents accidental activation and ensures reliable gear selection during blind operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetry by making the R-switch operation direction asymmetric relative to other switches. The perpendicular operation direction for R-switch creates an asymmetric configuration that is easily distinguishable during blind operation, preventing wrong gear selection while maintaining simple linear arrangement for manufacturing efficiency.
2Ease of operation
If all switches are operated in the same direction, then the ease of operation is improved for consistent finger movement, but the reliability of preventing wrong switch activation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by giving each switch a unique directional characteristic. The R-switch is operated in a direction substantially perpendicular to the vehicle width direction, while other switches are operated in the vehicle width direction. This localized differentiation in operation direction prevents accidental activation and ensures reliable gear selection during blind operations.
3Area of stationary object
If switches are arranged in a compact linear fashion, then the area occupied is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the ease of operation for blind selection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetry by making the R-switch operation direction asymmetric relative to other switches. The perpendicular operation direction for R-switch creates an asymmetric configuration that is easily distinguishable during blind operation, preventing wrong gear selection while maintaining simple linear arrangement for manufacturing efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A shift device for a vehicle has a D-switch operation unit corresponding to a drive range, an N-switch operation unit corresponding to a neutral range, an R-switch operation unit corresponding to a reverse range, and a P-switch operation unit corresponding to a parking range. The R-switch operation unit is operated toward the back in the front-back direction of the vehicle to select the reverse range, and the switch operation units other than the R-switch operation unit are pressed downward from above to select respective ranges. The direction of operation of the R-switch operation unit is set to differ from the directions of operation of the other switch operation units when selecting a range other than the reverse range.