Utility Vehicle Shift Switching Mechanism Rotation Difference Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Utility vehicles are limited in their ability to change gears smoothly during operation, as existing shift switching mechanisms require the vehicle to be stationary, which restricts speed change capabilities while running.

Innovation Solution

A shift switching mechanism that includes an input gear, a shifter connected to a counter shaft, and a control unit that calculates and reduces the rotation difference between the input gear and shifter using sensors and lever detection, allowing for smooth gear changes during vehicle operation by controlling engine output.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If gear shifting is performed during vehicle running, then speed change capability is improved, but rotation difference between input gear and shifter increases causing difficult engagement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed change capabilityVSAvoidengagement difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit calculates the rotation difference between the input gear and shifter before engagement, and preemptively adjusts engine output to reduce this rotation difference. This preliminary action ensures that the rotation speeds are synchronized before the shifting operation begins, enabling smooth engagement even during vehicle running.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit continuously monitors the rotation difference between the input gear and shifter using rotation sensors, and dynamically adjusts engine output based on this feedback. This closed-loop control ensures that the rotation speeds remain synchronized throughout the shifting process, facilitating easy engagement without requiring the vehicle to be stationary.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If engine output is controlled to reduce rotation difference, then engagement smoothness is improved, but control system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengagement smoothnessVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit automatically calculates the rotation difference and adjusts engine output without requiring manual intervention from the driver. The system self-regulates the engine power delivery to synchronize rotation speeds, making the complex control process transparent to the user while maintaining simple operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical synchronization mechanisms with an electronic control system that uses sensors and software algorithms to calculate and adjust rotation differences. This substitution of mechanical complexity with electronic control achieves smooth engagement while maintaining system manageability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10913459B2Shift switching mechanism of utility vehicle

Publication Date: 2021.02.09 KAWASAKI MOTORS LTD

AI summary

A shift switching mechanism of a utility vehicle includes: an input gear connected to an input shaft to which a driving force of an engine is input; a shifter that is connected to a counter shaft transmitting a driving force of the input shaft, and enables engagement between the input gear and a gear connected to the counter shaft; and a control unit that controls the shift switching mechanism. At reception of a shift command, the control unit calculates a rotation difference between the input gear and the shifter, and controls output of the engine to reduce the rotation difference.