Transmission Shift Locking Mechanism for Unauthorized Movement Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current safety features, such as park-lock systems and brake transmission shift interlocks, do not effectively prevent unauthorized movement of a vehicle's shift mechanism across all potential situations, and reversing these systems poses safety hazards and requires new designs with additional costs.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that detect predefined events to engage a locking device, retaining the shift mechanism in park, reverse, or neutral positions, while maintaining the ignition system off, using existing hardware and software modifications to prevent unauthorized movement without mechanical overrides.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If park-lock systems are used to prevent unauthorized movement when key is not in ignition, then safety is improved for key-out situations, but the system does not address unauthorized movement across all potential situations including when key is in ignition
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device is designed to function across all ignition positions (off, accessory, run, start) rather than being limited to specific positions. The controller activates the locking device based on shift mechanism position and brake pedal status regardless of ignition state, making the safety system universal and applicable to all potential unauthorized movement situations.
2Device complexity
If BTSI systems are activated only when engine is running, then the system is simpler to control, but the system does not prevent unauthorized movement during accessory position or other ignition states
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device dynamically adapts its operation based on real-time conditions including ignition position, shift mechanism position, and brake pedal status. The controller continuously monitors these parameters and activates the locking device when appropriate conditions are met, regardless of whether the engine is running, providing flexible and comprehensive safety coverage.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a mechanical override is added to allow vehicle movement during assembly, then the system becomes more versatile, but the device complexity increases and additional costs are incurred
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the existing brake pedal mechanism and controller logic to provide override functionality during assembly and testing. When the brake pedal is depressed, the controller deactivates the locking device, allowing shift mechanism movement without requiring a separate mechanical override. This leverages existing system components to achieve the needed versatility.
4Reliability
If the locking device is continuously engaged, then unauthorized movement is prevented in all situations, but the system may create safety hazards if power is lost during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The controller continuously monitors system conditions including ignition position, shift mechanism position, and brake pedal status to determine when the locking device should be activated or deactivated. This feedback mechanism ensures the locking device is only engaged when appropriate, preventing unauthorized movement while avoiding hazardous continuous engagement that could occur during power loss or assembly operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of preventing unauthorized movement of a transmission shift mechanism comprises the steps of: detecting a predefined event; moving a locking device into an engaged position with a shift mechanism upon the occurrence of the predefined event to retain the shift mechanism in at least one of a park, reverse, neutral, and drive position; and maintaining an ignition system in a substantially off position during the detecting of the event and the moving of the locking device into the engaged position. A vehicle assembly is also provided comprising the transmission shift mechanism and the locking device coupled to the shift mechanism. The vehicle assembly also includes the ignition system, which is movable between off, accessory, run, and start positions, and a controller with the controller energizing the locking device in response to the predefined event to move the locking device into the locked position while the ignition system remains substantially in the off position.