Shift Lever Cushion with Segmented Rigidity for Impact Absorption
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shift lever devices fail to effectively restrict movement and absorb impact, leading to noise and inefficiency due to low rigidity in cushion deformation absorbing sections.
Innovation Solution
A shift device with an absorbing section comprising both low and high rigidity portions, where the low rigidity portion deforms to absorb impact and the high rigidity portion is sandwiched between the shift body and stop body, effectively restricting movement and reducing noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a low rigidity cushion deformation absorbing section is used to absorb impact, then impact absorption is improved, but movement restriction capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The absorbing section is divided into multiple functional portions: a low rigidity portion (cushion deformation absorbing section) for impact absorption, and a high rigidity portion (movement restricting section) for movement restriction. This segmentation allows each portion to independently perform its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the absorbing section are assigned different rigidity characteristics. The cushion deformation absorbing section has low rigidity to absorb impact energy through deformation, while the movement restricting section has high rigidity to effectively restrict movement. This local differentiation of mechanical properties resolves the contradiction between impact absorption and movement restriction.
2Loss of energy
If the cushion deformation absorbing section has low rigidity to absorb impact, then impact absorption is improved, but noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The absorbing section is segmented into a low rigidity cushion deformation absorbing section for impact absorption and a high rigidity movement restricting section that also serves as a noise restriction section. This segmentation allows the high rigidity portion to suppress noise generated during impact absorption without compromising the low rigidity portion's impact absorption capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The movement restricting section with high rigidity acts as an intermediary structure between the low rigidity cushion deformation absorbing section and the external environment. It mediates by providing structural support that restricts excessive movement and suppresses noise propagation while allowing the low rigidity portion to perform impact absorption.
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
The solution effectively restricts movement and reduces noise by absorbing impact through elastic deformation of low rigidity components and sandwiching high rigidity components between the shift body and stop body, enhancing the overall operational efficiency of the shift device.
Implementation Method 1
the low rigidity portion deforming and the high rigidity portion being sandwiched between the shift body and the stop body when movement of the shift body is stopped by the stop body
Data Source
AI summary
In a shift lever device, when a lever is rotate-operated to an “R” position or a “D” position, a cushion of the lever abuts a stopper inside the housing, and the rotating operation of the lever is stopped. Note that when the lever is rotate-operated to the “R” position or the “D” position under a heavy load, a low rigidity plate and a low rigidity tube of the cushion undergo elastic deformation, and the high rigidity column of the cushion is sandwiched between the lever and the stopper. The rotating operation of the lever is thereby restricted. The high rigidity column is thereby able to effectively restrict the rotating operation of the lever.