Shift Module Slider Reset via Inclined Guiding Face
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shift modules for automatic gear drives are costly, complex, and lack adjustability in shift ways, shift forces, and haptic feedback, with predetermined shifting behavior and susceptibility to wear.
Innovation Solution
A shift module with a linearly displaceable slider and a measuring device for continuous position measurement, combined with a resetting element and inclined guiding face, allowing for adjustable shift points and haptic feedback without additional springs, using a spring-biased tappet and Hall sensors for precise position detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional spring-loaded tappets and micro switches are used for shift detection, then shift positions can be detected, but the manufacturing cost increases and device complexity increases due to multiple mechanical components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical spring-loaded tappet and micro switch system with a magnetic field-based detection system. A magnet is attached to the shift lever, and Hall sensors mounted on the housing detect the magnet's position to determine shift lever position. This eliminates the need for mechanical contact components, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable shift position detection.
2Ease of operation
If multiple return springs are added to move the slider back to neutral position, then the slider can be reset, but the device complexity increases and susceptibility to wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the return springs and stop members from the system. Instead of using mechanical elements to reset the slider, the system relies on the magnetic interaction between the magnet on the shift lever and the Hall sensors. The shift lever's magnetic field naturally guides the slider back to the neutral position without requiring additional mechanical resetting components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the inherent magnetic field of the magnet attached to the shift lever to automatically guide the slider back to the neutral position. The magnetic field serves as a self-regulating mechanism that eliminates the need for external spring-based resetting systems, reducing both device complexity and wear susceptibility.
3Ease of manufacture
If the shifting behavior is permanently predetermined by construction, then the shift module is simple to manufacture, but the shift ways, shift forces, and haptic feedback cannot be adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces adjustability into the system by allowing the magnet's position to be varied. By changing the magnet's location on the shift lever, the shift characteristics including shift ways, shift forces, and haptic feedback can be adjusted. This dynamic configuration capability enables customization of shift behavior while maintaining a relatively simple overall construction that is easy to manufacture.
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 solution provides a cost-effective, reliable, and adjustable shift module with defined shift points and consistent haptic feedback, reducing wear and complexity by integrating resetting and haptic feedback functions, ensuring the shift lever returns to its rest position securely.
Implementation Method 1
two Hall sensors (92, 94) are arranged beside each other in parallel to the movement direction of slider (10). Further, a magnet (20) is attached to the slider (10) and can stimulate the Hall sensors (92, 94) with a different force depending on the actual position of slider (10)
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a shift module 1 for a shift lever of an automatic gear drive, comprising a linearly displaceably supported slider 10, 200, which is engageable with a shift lever and which can be displaced out of its rest position to two opposite switching directions by means of the shift lever, a measuring device 20, 92, 94 connected to the slider 10, 200 for determining of the position of the slider 10, 200, wherein the measuring device 20, 92, 94 is formed such that it can measure the actual position of the slider 10, 200 continuously over its total way of displacement. The shift module 1 further comprises at least one resetting element 30, 230, 232, which is displaceably supported essentially perpendicularly to the slider 10, 200 and which is biased against at least one guiding face 12, 212, 214 that is inclined with respect to the slider 10, 200, such that a resetting force is actuated to the slider 10, 200 over its complete way of displacement in direction to its rest position, wherein the resetting force is alone sufficient to move the slider 10, 200 and the shift lever from each arbitrary position back to the rest position.