Shift Operation Determination Apparatus Braking-Based Lock Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shift apparatuses require complex operations and cause a psychological burden when drivers unintentionally select the parking range, leading to difficulties in switching to the intended shift range.
Innovation Solution
A shift operation determination apparatus with a rotatable operation member, a lock mechanism, a braking operation detection system, and a lock control section that regulates and releases the rotation based on braking operation detection, allowing for easy switching from the parking range to other ranges within a predetermined time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a lock mechanism is used to regulate rotation of the operation member when switching from P range to other ranges, then safety is improved by preventing unintended vehicle movement, but ease of operation deteriorates when the driver unintentionally selects P range requiring complex operations to switch
Solution Approach 1:
The lock control section determines whether to maintain or release the locked state in advance based on the timing of the braking operation relative to the shift operation. By checking if the braking operation occurs within the predetermined time period after the shift operation, the system proactively decides the lock state before the driver attempts to move the operation member, thus preventing the need for complex sequential operations
Solution Approach 2:
The locked state of the operation member is made dynamic rather than static. The lock control section continuously monitors the timing relationship between shift operations and braking operations, adjusting the lock state (locked or unlocked) based on whether the braking operation occurs within the predetermined time window. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to be restrictive when necessary for safety and permissive when the driver's intent is clear
2Reliability
If a condition requiring braking operation is set for switching from P range to other ranges, then reliability is improved by ensuring driver intent, but device complexity increases due to additional detection and control requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The existing braking operation detection functionality is extended to serve a dual purpose: both for ensuring safe vehicle stopping and for determining driver intent when switching from P range. The same braking operation detection mechanism that monitors brake pedal status is reused to validate the timing relationship with shift operations, eliminating the need for separate complex verification systems
Solution Approach 2:
The lock control section implements a feedback mechanism by continuously monitoring the timing relationship between shift operations and braking operations. The system feeds back the temporal correlation data to determine whether to maintain or release the locked state, creating a closed-loop control system that automatically adjusts based on driver behavior patterns without requiring additional hardware
Data Source
AI summary
A shift operation determination apparatus includes: an operation member rotatably attached to the vehicle; an operation detection section configured to detect a position of the operation member; a lock mechanism configured to regulate a rotation of the operation member; a braking operation detection section configured to detect a braking operation of the vehicle; a shift determination section configured to determine any one of a plurality of shift ranges including a first range for parking and a second range different from the first range, based on the position of the operation member; and a lock control section configured to cause the lock mechanism to regulate the rotation of the operation member from a first position corresponding to the first range to a second position corresponding to the second range when the braking operation is not detected.