Vehicle Shift Lever Actuation for Automatic Gear Stage Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle transmission systems require driver manipulation to switch gear stages, limiting convenience in remote driving or parking scenarios where automated shift stage changes are necessary.
Innovation Solution
A transmission shifter system with a rotatable shift lever, pawl member, detent plate, and shift controller that allows automatic shifting between gear stages based on electrical signals, enabling the shift lever to be rotated to a target position without driver input, utilizing a driving unit, driven unit, and position sensors for precise control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If driver manipulation is required to switch gear stages, then the transmission system maintains simple control structure, but the convenience for remote driving or parking is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical cable or linkage system with an electronic signal transmission system (shift-by-wire). The shift controller receives electronic signals from the shift lever and transmits them to the actuator, eliminating the need for direct mechanical connection between the shift lever and transmission, thereby enabling automated shifting for remote driving or parking while maintaining system simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission system incorporates an automatic shift control function where the shift controller automatically determines and executes gear stage changes based on vehicle operating conditions and received signals, without requiring direct driver manipulation of the shift lever, thus providing self-service capability for remote driving or parking scenarios
2Extent of automation
If automated shift stage changes are implemented, then convenience for remote driving is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a shift controller as an intermediary component between the shift lever and the transmission actuator. This controller receives electronic signals from the shift lever, processes them, and sends control signals to the actuator, thereby enabling automated shift stage changes while managing system complexity through modular control architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The shift controller serves multiple functions: it receives shift signals from the shift lever, determines target gear stages based on vehicle operating conditions, controls the actuator for gear stage changes, and provides feedback for position monitoring. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby managing system complexity while achieving high automation
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
Enables convenient automatic shifting during remote driving or parking by allowing the shift lever to be rotated to a target gear stage without driver manipulation, enhancing convenience and facilitating autonomous vehicle operations.
Implementation Method 1
The shift lever may include an elastic member that elastically supports the pawl member in the radial direction with respect to the rotation axis
Data Source
AI summary
A transmission for a vehicle includes a shift lever rotatable around a rotation axis so that one of a plurality of shift stages is selected; a pawl member disposed in the shift lever to be movable in a radial direction with respect to the rotation axis; a detent plate including a plurality of detent grooves formed therein and arranged along a rotational direction of the shift lever so that the pawl member is inserted into each of the plurality of detent grooves corresponding to each of the plurality of shift stages; and a shift lever actuator that rotates the shift lever. The shift lever actuator includes a driving unit; and a driven unit that is rotated about the rotation axis by the driving unit to cause the pawl member to move in the radial direction and to apply a force to the pawl member in the rotation direction of the shift lever.