Shift Lever Apparatus with Inverted Rotation Center
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shift levers in automatic transmission vehicles are vertically long, increasing the manipulation amount and console cover opening size due to a lower center point of rotation, which restricts design freedom.
Innovation Solution
The shift lever apparatus relocates the center point of rotation upward, incorporating an engaging lever that rotates opposite to the shift lever, connected through a guide pin and slit hole mechanism, allowing simultaneous rotational and sliding movements to match the manipulation direction with the transmission cable's operational direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the center point of rotation is located at the lower end, then the shift lever can be connected to the transmission cable, but the manipulation amount increases and the console cover opening size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional design by moving the center of rotation from the lower end to the upper end of the shift lever. This inversion changes the rotational geometry, allowing the shift lever to achieve the necessary cable actuation with a smaller rotation angle, thereby reducing both the manipulation amount and the required console cover opening size
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an engaging lever that rotates in the opposite direction to the shift lever, creating a two-dimensional rotational system. This dimensional change allows the shift lever's manipulation direction to be matched with the transmission cable's operational direction, optimizing the mechanical advantage and reducing the required rotation angle
2Reliability
If the shift lever is made vertically long to accommodate rotation, then the cable connection is achieved, but the design freedom is constrained
Solution Approach 1:
By inverting the center of rotation to the upper end, the patent eliminates the need for a vertically long shift lever structure, thereby freeing up design space and increasing adaptability for various console layouts while maintaining reliable cable connection through the engaging lever mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The engaging lever acts as an intermediary between the shift lever and the transmission cable. It mediates the rotational motion, converting the shift lever's rotation into the appropriate cable actuation direction, thus ensuring reliable connection while allowing design flexibility
Data Source
AI summary
A shift lever apparatus for a vehicle moves a center point of rotation of a shift knob upward such that a height of the shift knob exposed to a console and an operating stroke of the shift knob are reduced, and a console size is decreased. The shift lever apparatus allows a manipulation direction of the shift knob is the same as an operational direction of a transmission cable, and thus a connection structure of an existing transmission may be maintained.