Steering Column Shift Gate Assembly Non-Parallel Detent Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle shift systems with cable linkages are sensitive to overtravel and lash, which can impact gear selection and shifting accuracy, leading to incomplete shifts and unintended position changes.
Innovation Solution
A steering column assembly with a shift gate assembly featuring a detent plate with a unique shift gate pattern that includes non-parallel detents and surfaces, ensuring precise actuation of the cable linkage to prevent overtravel and maintain selected gear positions, even when the shift lever is at rest.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a cable linkage is used to connect the shift system to the transmission, then the shift system can be mounted on the steering column, but the system becomes sensitive to overtravel and cable lash which impacts gear selection accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The shift gate pattern is designed with pre-calculated non-parallel sides and intermediate sides that anticipate and compensate for cable lash and overtravel before gear selection occurs. The detent positions are strategically placed to ensure accurate gear selection despite cable linkage flexibility.
2Ease of operation
If the shift lever is allowed to move freely between positions, then the system is easy to operate, but overtravel occurs causing incomplete shifts and unintended position changes
Solution Approach 1:
The detent plate with non-parallel sides provides mechanical feedback that limits shift lever movement. As the shift lever moves between positions, the changing width of the shift gate pattern provides tactile feedback and physical constraints that prevent overtravel while maintaining ease of operation.
3Ease of manufacture
If parallel detents are used in the shift gate pattern, then the structure is simple to manufacture, but the system cannot provide self-aligning shift positions and is sensitive to cable lash
Solution Approach 1:
The shift gate pattern deliberately uses non-parallel sides instead of symmetric parallel detents. This asymmetric design creates self-aligning characteristics where the shift lever naturally settles into precise detent positions, compensating for cable lash while remaining manufacturable.
Data Source
AI summary
A shift gate assembly includes a detent plate having a shift gate pattern. The shift gate pattern is provided with a first detent, a second detent, and a plurality of intermediate sides that extend between the first detent and the second detent. A side of the first detent that faces towards another side of the second detent is disposed in a non-parallel relationship with another side of the second detent.