Shift Lever Weakened Portion for Multi-Directional Impact Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shift devices for vehicles are unable to effectively absorb impact loads in directions other than the initial load direction due to ribs being aligned only in one direction, leading to potential failure in absorbing impact loads when they are applied from different angles.
Innovation Solution
A shift device with a support shaft and support body featuring a weakened portion that extends circumferentially around the support portion, allowing it to break and absorb impact loads from various directions, with the length of the weakened portion being greater than the diameter of the support shaft, ensuring it can absorb impact across the entire diameter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ribs are disposed along one direction of the impact load, then the structure can absorb impact load in that specific direction, but it cannot effectively absorb impact loads from different directions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a one-dimensional rib arrangement (single direction) to a two-dimensional weakened portion configuration (circumferential direction around the support shaft). The weakened portion extends in the circumferential direction with a length dimension larger than the support shaft diameter, creating multi-directional coverage for impact absorption regardless of the impact direction.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the length dimension of the weakened portion is set larger than the diameter dimension of the support shaft, then impact loads from various directions can be absorbed, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the impact absorption function into the existing support body structure by forming a weakened portion that integrates with the support portion. This unified design allows the support body to absorb impacts from multiple directions without requiring separate absorption mechanisms, thereby reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining versatility.
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 shift device effectively absorbs impact loads from different directions, reducing dependency on the initial load direction and ensuring reliable absorption, even when the impact is applied at various angles, thereby enhancing the safety and reliability of the shift operation.
Implementation Method 1
In the event of an impact load greater than the mechanical strength of the weakened portion being imparted to the shift operation member, the weakened portion is broken (destroyed), thereby absorbing the impact load imparted to the shift operation member
Data Source
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AI summary
Dependency on impact load direction is suppressed when absorbing an impact load imparted to a shift member. In a shift lever device (10), a width dimension (W) of left ribs (40), (42), (44) and right ribs is set larger than a diameter dimension of a left support shaft portion (56) and a right support shaft portion. In the event of an impact load being imparted to a shift lever in different directions (arrow B directions) to a control lever axial direction, the left rib (40) and the right rib are broken in this impact load direction since the left rib (40) and the right rib are formed so as to face the whole diameter of the left support shaft portion (56) and the right support shaft portion. Impact load can accordingly be absorbed even in the event that an impact load is imparted to the shift lever (46) in different directions to a lever control (62) axial direction. Namely, impact load can be absorbed for impact load directions within a range of a specific angle α. Dependency on the impact load direction is accordingly suppressed when absorbing an impact load imparted to the shift lever (46).