Shift Lever Elastic Member Impact Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing shift lever designs for vehicles generate impact noise due to the 'overstroke' state, where the knob button's excessive movement leads to interference with the shift knob's inner wall, causing restricted rotation and resulting in collision-induced noise.
Innovation Solution
A shift lever design featuring a hollow lever main body with a movable detent rod, a knob with an attachment hole, and elastic members that absorb the impact by deforming when the operation member interferes with the predetermined region, preventing further movement and reducing noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the knob button is pushed to move the detent rod, then the detent pin can avoid the projection and the shift lever can rotate from N position to R position, but the operation member collides with the inner wall of the shift knob causing impact noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by providing an elastic member (such as a buffer or damper) between the operation member and the inner wall of the shift knob. This elastic member is pre-installed to absorb impact energy before collision occurs, cushioning the blow when the operation member moves excessively and contacts the inner wall, thereby reducing impact noise while maintaining the functionality of shift lever rotation from N position to R position.
2Reliability
If the operation member moves reciprocatingly with large amplitude, then the detent mechanism can function properly, but the knocking sound becomes larger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the intermediary principle by introducing an elastic member as a mediator between the operation member and the shift knob's inner wall. This intermediary component absorbs and dampens the impact forces generated during reciprocating motion, reducing knocking sounds while allowing the detent mechanism to maintain its reliability and proper functioning.
3Ease of operation
If the operation member is allowed to move freely, then the detent rod can be actuated, but the impact is transmitted to the user's hand
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the blessing in disguise principle by converting the harmful impact force into a beneficial damping effect. The elastic member absorbs the impact energy that would otherwise be transmitted to the user's hand, transforming the harmful vibration and shock into stored elastic energy and heat, thereby protecting the user while maintaining operational freedom of the operation member.
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 design effectively mitigates impact noise by allowing the elastic members to absorb the impact, improving the operational quietness and reducing the transmission of force to the user's hand, enhancing the operational feel.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member provided at at least one of the operation member and the predetermined region, and in a state in which the predetermined region interferes with the operation member, the elastic member exists between the operation member and the predetermined region and elastically deforms
Data Source
AI summary
A shift lever has a detent rod which is movable along a longitudinal direction of a lever main body. A knob, which is graspably mounted to a distal end portion of the shift lever, has an attachment hole, and a holder is attached in the attachment hole. The holder has a button which is reciprocatingly movable into and out of the attachment hole, and a link which is interlocked with movement of the button. When the button is moved inwardly, the link abuts the detent rod, and moves the detent rod along the longitudinal direction of the lever main body. When the link moves reciprocatingly at the inner side of the knob, the link abuts the inner side of the knob. Elastic members which elastically deform are provided at the link and at a region of the inner side of the knob which region is abutted by the link.