Shift-By-Wire Gear Selector With Optical Auto Park Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shift-by-wire gear shift mechanisms with auto park features face complexity and cost issues due to the need for an electric motor to drive the rotary actuator into park position, leading to potential asynchronisms between the motor and transmission.
Innovation Solution
A shift-by-wire gear shift actuator with a rotatable selector knob and a display arrangement that simulates a rotational movement using optical indications, eliminating the need for an electric motor by software-driving the actuator into park position when certain conditions are met, thus reducing complexity and costs while ensuring synchronization with the transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If an electric motor is added to drive the rotary actuator into park position automatically, then the auto park feature is achieved, but the device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the electric motor from the system entirely. Instead of using a motor to physically rotate the selector knob, the system uses a software-controlled solenoid to directly move the transmission gear to park position while the knob remains stationary, thereby eliminating the complexity and cost associated with motor-driven actuation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical motor-driven rotation system with an electro-magnetic solenoid system. The solenoid directly actuates the transmission gear selection mechanism, substituting the need for a rotary motor and its associated mechanical components (gears, shafts, end-of-travel members), thus reducing device complexity.
2Extent of automation
If an electric motor is used to drive the rotary actuator into park position, then the auto park feature is achieved, but manufacturing and operating costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the electric motor component from the assembly, eliminating the need for motor mounting, electrical connections, mechanical coupling, and end-of-travel detection mechanisms. This directly reduces manufacturing complexity and component sourcing requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a solenoid, which is a simpler and generally less expensive component compared to a rotary motor. The solenoid provides the necessary actuation force for gear selection without requiring the complex mechanical and electrical systems of a motor, thereby reducing overall manufacturing costs.
3Extent of automation
If end of travel members are provided in the gear shift assembly, then the rotary actuator can be driven into park position, but asynchronisms between the motor and transmission occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the electric motor that caused the asynchronism problem. By using a solenoid to directly actuate the transmission gear selection without a separate rotary actuator, the system eliminates the synchronization issue between motor rotation and transmission gear position, as the solenoid directly controls the gear selection mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a software control system as an intermediary between the user input and the transmission actuation. The software coordinates the solenoid activation with the transmission gear selection, ensuring that the gear position changes are properly synchronized and communicated throughout the system, thereby maintaining reliability.
Data Source
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AI summary
The shift by wire gear shift actuator comprises a selector knob (110) rotatable by the user for selecting a gearshift position (P, R, N, D) for controlling a vehicle transmission, and a display arrangement (200) associated with the selector knob (110) for sequentially and dynamically providing optical indications according to gearshift positions (P, R, N, D) simulating a rotational movement of the selector knob (110). This informs the user about an auto park feature when the vehicle transmission is being automatically driven into a park gearshift position (P) under a determined condition for example when a person intents to exit the car, the vehicle is turned off, the driver's door is open with the safety belt unlatched, etc.