Vehicle Shift Lock Mechanism for Smooth Fast Low-Noise Engagement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shift lock mechanisms for automatic vehicles face challenges in preventing the lock member from being caught and absorbing structural variations while also improving movement speed and reducing movement sound, representing a trade-off relationship between these factors.

Innovation Solution

The proposed shift lock mechanism incorporates a solenoid-driven lock member with a buffer member and a control device that receives brake pedal and vehicle speed signals, featuring a slope part at the end of the lock member to prevent catching and a sound-absorbing rubber to reduce noise, allowing for efficient locking and unlocking of the selector lever.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the lock member is designed to engage precisely with the engaging part, then locking reliability is improved, but the lock member may get caught during engagement or disengagement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoidengagement smoothness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The lock member is equipped with a slope part at its end, featuring a curved surface that facilitates smooth engagement and disengagement. This curved geometry allows the lock member to glide over the engaging part rather than catching on sharp edges, resolving the contradiction between precise engagement and smooth operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Speed

If the movement speed of the lock member is increased, then shifting response time is improved, but structural variations and noise are amplified

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelock member movement speedVSAvoidnoise and structural variation

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A buffer member is positioned between the lock member and the engaging part to provide cushioning during engagement. This buffer member absorbs shocks and reduces the impact of high-speed engagement, thereby allowing faster movement while suppressing noise and structural variations that would otherwise be amplified by rapid motion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The buffer member acts as an intermediary element between the lock member and the engaging part. It mediates the interaction by providing a compliant interface that reduces direct impact and noise transmission, enabling high-speed operation without amplifying harmful effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If the lock member is designed for rapid movement, then shifting response time is improved, but the lock member may be caught due to precision issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshifting response timeVSAvoidengagement reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The slope part with its curved surface compensates for minor positioning deviations during rapid movement. The gradual transition provided by the curved geometry prevents the lock member from catching even when engagement precision is compromised by high-speed motion, thereby maintaining reliability while enabling fast response.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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

This solution enables simultaneous prevention of the lock member from being caught, absorption of structural variations, improved movement speed, and reduced noise, effectively addressing the trade-off relationships in existing mechanisms.

Implementation Method 1

The buffer member is provided to the driving device and is configured to be compressed to urge the lock member toward the member to be locked while the lock member is retracted

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The driving device includes a solenoid and is configured to drive the lock member so that the lock member is engaged with the engaging part to lock the selector lever

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolenoid effect: Solenoid

Data Source

PatentUS12110964B2Shift lock mechanism of vehicle

Publication Date: 2024.10.08 SUBARU CORP

AI summary

A shift lock mechanism for a vehicle includes: a member to be locked that is provided to a selector lever for selecting a transmission gear of an automatic transmission, an engaging part provided to the member to be locked at a position corresponding to the transmission gear, a lock member facing the member to be locked and engageable with the engaging part, a slope part disposed at an end of the lock member, a driving device that drives the lock member to lock the selector lever or enable the selector lever to move, a buffer member that is provided to the driving device and compressed to urge the lock member toward the member to be locked which is retracted, and a control device that receives a depression signal from a brake pedal and a vehicle speed signal from a vehicle speed sensor and to control to drive the driving device.