Shift Element in Vehicle Hand Rest for Gear Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hand rest devices for motor vehicles with integrated shift-by-wire gear selection controllers are not usable by passengers, as they must remain free for the driver, and can inadvertently trigger gear changes when used as a support, leading to unintended operating procedures.
Innovation Solution
A hand rest device with a universally usable rest surface and a shift element that is movable between stowage and shift positions, featuring a push-push lock mechanism, finger rest region, and electronics for activating the shift-by-wire gear selection controller, allowing safe operation without impairing the rest surface use and providing a screen for displaying gear selection modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the entire rest element is used as a drive stage selector element, then gear selection can be activated, but the rest element cannot be used by the passenger and may cause inadvertent gear changes
Solution Approach 1:
The rest element is divided into two independent functional parts: a rest surface for hand support and a separate shift element for gear selection. The shift element can be moved independently between stowage and shift positions, allowing the rest surface to remain usable for passengers while the shift element provides dedicated gear control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
A push-push lock mechanism serves as an intermediary between the shift element and the rest element. This lock mechanism controls the coupling between the shift element and rest element, enabling the shift element to be decoupled and moved independently without affecting the rest surface usability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the shift element is integrated in the rest element, then gear selection can be operated, but inadvertent gear changes may occur when the driver uses the rest as support
Solution Approach 1:
The shift element is designed to be movable relative to the rest element, with its operational state controlled by a push-push lock mechanism. The shift element can be dynamically positioned in either a stowage position (coupled to rest element) or a shift position (decoupled and movable), allowing the driver to actively engage or disengage the gear selection function as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The push-push lock mechanism acts as an intermediary that controls the coupling between the shift element and rest element. When engaged, it secures the shift element in the stowage position; when disengaged, it allows the shift element to move independently to the shift position, providing active control over when gear selection can be operated.
Data Source
AI summary
A rest element extends along a transverse direction from a passenger side to an opposite driver side and has a rest surface, which faces in a vertical direction, for a user's hand. A shift element is arranged at a driver-side end of the rest element and between the rest surface and an opposite lower side of the rest element, for operating a shift-by-wire gear selection controller. The shift element is configured to be movable along the transverse direction between a stowage position and a shift position. The shift element is arranged immovably with respect to a longitudinal direction in the stowage position and is mounted movably unidirectionally or bidirectionally in the shift position.