Automotive Transmission Shift Lever with Mode-Switching Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automotive transmissions lack flexibility in gear shifting modes, as drivers have different preferences based on vehicle driving conditions, necessitating a system that can adapt to various operation modes.
Innovation Solution
An automotive transmission system featuring a knob, lever, lever coupling unit, and driving unit that allows switching between joystick and rotary modes, utilizing a multi-groove portion and bullet portion for gear position selection, with a sensing unit to detect position changes and a rotation restricting member for mode-specific operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a joystick type shift lever is used, then the gear position can be selected by moving forward or backward, but it requires a space that corresponds to its trajectory and requires a design that prevents it from interfering with its surroundings
Solution Approach 1:
The shift lever is designed to dynamically change its operation mode between joystick type and rotary type based on the transmission mode. The lever can protrude outward for joystick operation or retract to enable rotary operation, allowing the system to adapt its physical configuration to different operational requirements while optimizing space utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The shift lever is designed to perform multiple functions by operating in two different modes: joystick type for automatic transmission mode and rotary type for manual transmission mode. This multi-functionality allows a single component to serve different purposes based on the selected transmission mode, eliminating the need for separate shift levers for each mode.
2Adaptability or versatility
If different shift lever types are provided for different driver preferences, then driver convenience is improved, but the device complexity and component count increase
Solution Approach 1:
The shift lever system dynamically changes its operational characteristics based on the selected transmission mode. The lever's movement trajectory and operational range are adjusted in real-time through the mode switching mechanism, allowing it to function as a joystick type lever for automatic mode and as a rotary type lever for manual mode, thereby providing adaptability without requiring separate physical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the functionality of two different shift lever types (joystick and rotary) into a single integrated shift lever system. By merging these two distinct operational modes into one versatile component, the system achieves adaptability to different driver preferences while reducing the overall component count and simplifying the device structure.
3Ease of manufacture
If a single shift lever is designed to accommodate both joystick and rotary modes, then component count is reduced, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lever coupling unit is segmented into distinct functional portions: a bullet portion that moves along grooves and a multi-groove portion with separate groove sets for different transmission modes. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function while working together as an integrated system, reducing overall complexity through modular functional design.
Solution Approach 2:
The lever coupling unit acts as an intermediary mechanism that translates the driver's input on the shift lever into appropriate gear position changes based on the selected transmission mode. It mediates between the simple user interface (shift lever) and the complex transmission control system, providing a straightforward mechanical solution that simplifies the overall system architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
An automotive transmission is provided. The automotive transmission includes a knob, a lever coupled to the knob and moved up or down along a first direction between a first position and a second position, and a lever coupling unit coupled to the lever and moved together with the lever when the lever is moved along the first direction. In particular, the lever coupling unit is operated in a first transmission mode at the first position and operated in a second transmission mode at the second position. The automotive transmission further includes a driving unit which provides a driving force to move the lever coupling unit.