Electronic Shift Knob Display for In-Car Customization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional shift knobs lack the ability to provide dynamic content or customization, failing to enhance both performance and aesthetics in a personalized manner.

Innovation Solution

An electronic vehicle shift accessory featuring a body portion with an external surface and interior chamber, incorporating an electronic display screen and a computing device that can render customizable content, communicate with external devices, and provide additional functionalities such as GPS, audio, and vibration feedback.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional shift knobs are used, then the vehicle interior maintains a simple and reliable structure, but the ability to provide dynamic content and customization is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecustomization capabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shift knob is transformed into a multi-functional device by integrating an electronic display screen, computing device, and various sensors. It not only serves as a gear selector but also displays customizable content, provides navigation directions, shows vehicle information, and enables user interactions through touch and gestures, thereby achieving universal functionality while maintaining a familiar form factor

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent embeds multiple functional components within the shift knob structure. The electronic display screen is positioned within the body portion, the computing device is housed in the interior chamber, and various sensors are integrated into the structure. This nesting approach allows complex functionality to be concealed within a compact, familiar shift knob外形

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If an electronic display screen and computing device are added to the shift knob, then customizable content and additional functionalities are enabled, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional capabilityVSAvoidcomponent quantity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple previously separate functions into a single integrated shift knob assembly. The electronic display, computing device, sensors, and gear selection mechanism are merged into one unified structure that can be mounted on the existing gear selector, reducing the need for separate components and simplifying the overall system architecture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The shift knob serves multiple functions simultaneously: it selects gears, displays customizable content, provides navigation guidance, shows vehicle status information, and enables user interactions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate devices and controls, thereby managing complexity through consolidation

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

3Loss of information

If the electronic display screen is positioned on the external surface, then the customizable content is visible and accessible, but the internal chamber space for the computing device is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontent visibilityVSAvoidinterior chamber volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic display screen is positioned on the external surface of the shift knob body at strategically selected locations to maximize visibility and accessibility. The display can be configured on the front, side, or top surfaces depending on the mounting orientation, ensuring optimal viewing angles for the driver while maintaining adequate internal space through localized placement rather than uniform thickness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Ease of manufacture

If the body portion is made removable and couplable to the gear selector, then installation and removal are simplified, but the structural integrity and connection reliability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation easeVSAvoidconnection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The shift knob assembly is divided into separable components: a removable body portion containing the electronic display and computing device, and a mounting interface that couples to the gear selector. This segmentation allows the electronic components to be easily installed and removed without permanently modifying the vehicle, while the mounting interface is designed to maintain structural integrity during use

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12345324B2Electronic vehicle shift accessory
Publication Date: 2025.07.01 OWENS MAXWELL HOLLOWAY
  • US12345324B2 patent drawing
  • US12345324B2 patent drawing
  • US12345324B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An electronic vehicle shift accessory may include a body portion including an external surface and an interior chamber; an electronic display screen positioned on an external surface of the body portion; and a computing device positioned within the interior chamber of the body portion. The computing device may be communicatively coupled to the electronic display screen and configured to communicate with an external electronic device. The body portion may be removably couplable to a gear selector and the computing device may be configured to render customizable content on the electronic display screen.