Vehicle Shift Knob Locking and Auto-Park With One Motor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shift devices for vehicles are complex in configuration, requiring multiple components and mechanisms to restrict and release rotation of the shift body and change its position, which complicates the design and increases size.

Innovation Solution

A shift device where a moving member is supported to be relatively rotatable with respect to the shift body, allowing a common drive section to both restrict or release rotation and change the shift position, simplifying the configuration by using a single moving member to rotate the shift body to specific positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple components and mechanisms are used to restrict and release rotation of the shift body and change its position, then the shift device can perform multiple functions, but the configuration becomes complex and size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional capabilityVSAvoidconfiguration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The moving member is designed to perform multiple functions: it restricts rotation when positioned in the restricting portion, releases rotation when moved to a different position, and simultaneously rotates the shift body to change shift positions. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate locking mechanisms and position-changing mechanisms, thereby simplifying the overall configuration while maintaining full functional capability.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the rotation restriction function, rotation release function, and position-changing function into a single integrated mechanism driven by one moving member. By combining these previously separate functions into one unified system, the patent reduces configuration complexity and component count while preserving all necessary operational capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple components and mechanisms are used to restrict and release rotation of the shift body and change its position, then the shift device can perform multiple functions, but the size of the device increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional capabilityVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The moving member serves as a universal component that performs rotation restriction, rotation release, and position-changing operations. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple separate mechanisms, thereby reducing the overall volume and size of the shift device while maintaining complete functional capability.

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

Solution Approach 2:

By merging multiple functions into a single moving member and its associated drive section, the invention consolidates what would traditionally require multiple separate components into one compact integrated system, directly reducing device size and volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If a single drive section is used to both restrict/release rotation and change shift position, then the configuration is simplified, but the moving member must perform multiple functions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration simplicityVSAvoidmoving member functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The moving member is explicitly designed as a universal component that performs multiple functions: it restricts rotation by engaging the restricting portion, releases rotation by disengaging from the restricting portion, and changes shift positions by rotating the shift body. This multi-functional design is what enables configuration simplification without sacrificing operational capability.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The invention combines rotation restriction, rotation release, and position-changing functions into a single moving member operated by one drive section. This merging of functions achieves configuration simplicity while the moving member's multi-functional design ensures all necessary operations can be performed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3021009B1Shift device
Publication Date: 2024.05.01 KK TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO
  • EP3021009B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3021009B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3021009B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In a shift device 10, a shift locking mechanism 22 drives a motor 26 to perform locking and locking release of rotation of a knob 14, and an autocorrect mechanism 24 drives the motor 26 to change a shift position of the knob 14 to a P position. Thus, driving of the common motor 26 enables locking and locking release of the rotation of the knob 14 to be performed, and enables a shift position of the knob 14 to be changed to the P position, thereby enabling a simple configuration.