Shift Lever Clutch Mechanism for External Force Release
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shift devices lack flexibility in setting urging loads on shift bodies, leading to limited degrees of freedom and potential connection disruptions under external forces.
Innovation Solution
A shift device with an urging mechanism that includes a connecting mechanism with first and second connecting sections, allowing the shift body to move as an integral unit while enabling relative movement to release connections, and a control system to reestablish connections when released, along with a rotating section for smooth movement and detection for automatic operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the engagement projection of the clutch is inserted into the engagement recess by the urging force of the coil spring to connect the shift lever to the motor, then the connection is established, but the degrees of freedom for setting urging load on the shift body are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting mechanism is divided into a first connecting section (clutch) and a second connecting section (worm wheel gear), allowing independent urging mechanisms for each section. This segmentation enables separate control of urging loads, increasing design flexibility while maintaining reliable connections through both sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The worm wheel gear acts as an intermediary between the motor and the shift lever, providing an additional connection point with its own urging mechanism. This intermediary component allows independent adjustment of urging loads without affecting the other connection, thereby increasing degrees of freedom for setting urging parameters.
2Ease of operation
If the shift lever is urged toward a shift position by the urging force of the coil spring, then the shift body moves, but the movement speed cannot be controlled under external forces
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static single-spring urging mechanism to a dynamic dual-section connecting mechanism with independent urging. The first and second connecting sections can move relative to each other under external forces, allowing the system to adaptively control movement speed while maintaining ease of operation through the combined urging effects.
3Reliability
If the first connecting section and the second connecting section move as an integral unit, then the connection is maintained, but the system cannot release connection when external force acts on the shift body
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting mechanism is designed to move from a static integral unit configuration to a dynamic state where the first and second connecting sections can move relative to each other. This allows the system to maintain strong connections during normal operation while enabling controlled disconnection when external forces exceed certain thresholds, providing both reliability and adaptability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances the flexibility of urging load settings, ensures stable connection and disconnection management, and facilitates smooth operation by allowing reconnection of the shift body to the operating mechanism, even under external forces, thereby improving the shift device's performance and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
an engagement projection of a clutch is fitted into an engagement recess in a worm wheel gear by urging force of a coil spring
Data Source
AI summary
In this shift device, in a case in which an external force has acted on a lever when an operating mechanism is causing the lever to pivot, a clutch mechanism permits rotation of a first detent plate with respect to a second detent plate, such that pivoting of the lever is permitted. Note that a restraining mechanism urges the lever toward a shift position. This enables to the restraining mechanism to urge the lever separately to the clutch mechanism, thereby enabling the degrees of freedom for setting a biasing load on the lever by the restraining mechanism to be increased.