Shift Lever Boot Penetration Restricting Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
The shift lever boot in automatic transmission (A/T) vehicles flexes excessively and penetrates into the open window portion, risking being caught between the shift lever and the peripheral edge of the move permit hole, especially when the shift lever is moved in the longitudinal or lateral direction.
Innovation Solution
A boot penetration restricting device is provided, comprising peripheral walls and ribs that stand upright from the edge of the shift lever move permit hole, preventing the shift lever boot from flexing and penetrating into the lower area of the open window portion by pinching the boot with the annular flange and binding member, ensuring it remains secure and avoids being bitten by the shift lever and peripheral edge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the shift lever boot is made of soft material to provide comfort and appearance, then the external appearance and texture are improved, but the boot excessively flexes and penetrates into the open window portion causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator is divided into multiple components: the soft shift lever boot for appearance, the rigid open window portion for structural support, and the boot penetration restricting device (peripheral walls and ribs) as an intermediate protective structure. This segmentation allows each component to fulfill its specific function without compromising the others.
Solution Approach 2:
The boot penetration restricting device acts as an intermediary element between the soft boot and the rigid open window portion. The peripheral walls and ribs create a physical barrier that prevents the boot from directly contacting and being pinched by the rigid edges, thus protecting the boot while maintaining the desired soft material properties.
2Ease of operation
If the shift lever move permit hole is positioned in close proximity to the lower area of the open window portion to enable proper shift lever operation, then the shift lever functionality is improved, but the boot is caught between the shift lever and the peripheral edge causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The peripheral walls and ribs of the boot penetration restricting device serve as an intermediary protective structure between the shift lever move permit hole and the open window portion. This intermediary structure prevents the boot from being pinched in the hazardous zone while maintaining the necessary proximity for proper shift lever operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The boot penetration restricting device is positioned in advance to prevent the harmful action of boot pinching before it can occur. The peripheral walls and ribs create a preliminary barrier that stops the boot from reaching the dangerous area where it could be caught between the shift lever and the peripheral edge.
3Reliability
If the boot penetration restricting device is added to prevent boot flexing and penetration, then the boot durability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The boot penetration restricting device is merged with the existing indicator structure. The peripheral walls and ribs are integrated into the indicator housing or base, combining the protective function with the structural components already present in the indicator assembly, thus minimizing additional complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The peripheral walls and ribs of the boot penetration restricting device serve multiple functions: they restrict boot penetration, provide structural support for the open window portion, and guide the shift lever movement. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An indicator for an AT vehicle is disclosed wherein even when a shift lever boot is greatly flexed downward during shift operation of a shift lever, boot penetration restricting device, provided inside an open window of an indicator, prevents the shift lever boot from flexing and penetrating into a lower area of the open window portion.