Shift Lever Locking Apparatus for Automatic Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shift levers in automatic transmissions lack effective means to control the operation of the shift knob, leading to potential unintended acceleration due to driver mistakes, as they do not adequately restrict or release the shift lever based on vehicle state or driver intention.
Innovation Solution
A shift/tilt locking apparatus and method for a shift lever of an automatic transmission, utilizing a main shaft, crossbar, and solenoids to restrict or allow sliding and tilting of the shift knob, with a locking lever and solenoids to determine and control the shift mode, ensuring safe operation by locking or releasing the shift knob based on the vehicle's mode (P, N, D, R, echo-sports, or manual modes).
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an integrated control electronic shift lever is used to simplify operation, then the operation distance decreases and operation becomes simpler, but the risk of unintended operation increases and safety control becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The shift lever system dynamically changes its state between locked and unlocked positions based on vehicle operating conditions. The control unit receives signals from various sensors (vehicle speed, brake status, gear position) and dynamically activates or deactivates the locking mechanism, allowing the shift lever to transition between restricted and free movement states to match real-time driving conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback control mechanism where sensors continuously monitor vehicle state (speed, brake application, current gear position) and feed this information to the control unit. The control unit processes this feedback and adjusts the locking mechanism accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts the shift lever's operability based on actual driving conditions
2Reliability
If the shift lever is locked to prevent unintended operation, then safety improves, but the ease of legitimate shifting decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to be dynamically controllable rather than statically fixed. It can transition between locked and unlocked states based on real-time vehicle conditions, ensuring that legitimate shifting operations remain convenient when safety conditions are met while preventing unintended operations when risks are present
3Reliability
If multiple solenoids and locking mechanisms are added to control shift lever operation, then safety and control capability improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple control functions into an integrated system. The control unit consolidates the logic for monitoring multiple sensors and controlling multiple solenoids in a single electronic control module. The mechanical locking mechanism integrates the locking lever, solenoids, and shift lever shaft into a unified mechanical assembly, reducing the need for separate independent control systems
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 apparatus effectively restricts or releases the shift knob operation according to the vehicle's conditions, preventing unintended mis-operation and ensuring safe shifting by using solenoids to control the shift lever's movement and tilting, thereby reducing the risk of sudden unintended acceleration.
Implementation Method 1
a first solenoid and a second solenoid having a first locking arm and a second locking arm, respectively, at the front and rear portions in the sliding direction of the locking lever in order to selectively restrict sliding of the locking lever, and operating to restrict the locking lever with the first locking arm and the second locking arm that extend/retract
Implementation Method 2
a third solenoid disposed at the crossbar and rotating the rotating arm by extending/retracting
Data Source
AI summary
A shift/tilt locking apparatus for shift lever of automatic transmission may include a shift knob, a main shaft slidably and rotatably disposed in a housing such that shift knob is slidable; a crossbar having shift knob at the upper end to tilt; a shift restriction device that allows shift knob to slide by selectively restricting sliding of main shaft; and a tilting restriction device controlling shift knob to tilt by selectively restricting the tilting of shift knob by using a third solenoid, which is controlled by a shift mode determining step that determines a shift mode by checking the position of shift knob and a lever locking step that restricts/releases shift knob by selectively operating first solenoid to third solenoid.