Slide-Step Electronic Gear Shift with Capacitive Touchpad
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic gear shift apparatuses require complex operations and occupy significant space, making them less convenient and efficient for drivers to select gear shift stages.
Innovation Solution
A slide-step type electronic gear shift apparatus with an up switch, down switch, and capacitive touchpad that allows gear shift operations by sliding the switches with one finger, featuring catching projections and LED indicators for easy operation and minimal space usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If lever type, dial type, or button type gear shift apparatus are used, then gear shift operation can be performed, but the operation complexity increases and space occupation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gear shift operation is segmented into two independent parts: a touchpad for unlocking and switches for gear selection. This segmentation allows the driver to first touch the pad to unlock, then use simple switch pushes to select gears, reducing overall operation complexity compared to traditional integrated systems
Solution Approach 2:
The traditional mechanical lever or dial system is replaced with an electronic system consisting of a touchpad and switches. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical linkages while providing simpler electronic control through touch and switch operations
2Ease of operation
If lever type, dial type, or button type gear shift apparatus are used, then gear shift operation can be performed, but the space occupation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The touchpad and switches are merged into a single integrated control unit that occupies minimal space. The touchpad serves multiple functions (unlocking, enabling gear selection) while the switches are positioned compactly above it, reducing the overall footprint compared to traditional gear shift mechanisms
3Reliability
If traditional gear shift apparatus are used, then gear shift operation is possible, but finger security and operational stability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The touchpad acts as an intermediary that requires intentional finger contact to unlock and enable gear selection. This intermediary step ensures the driver has deliberate control before gear changes, enhancing both finger security and operational stability
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
Enables easy and secure gear shift operations with minimal space occupation, enhancing driver convenience and reducing the complexity of gear selection compared to traditional lever, dial, or button type systems.
Implementation Method 1
a touchpad (40) installed below the up switch (20) and the down switch (30), wherein when the up switch (20) is pushed upward or the down switch (30) is pushed downward in a state in which the finger is in contact with the touchpad (40)
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic gear shift apparatus may include a housing, an up switch installed in a space portion formed by opening an upper side of the housing, a down switch installed in the space portion formed by opening the upper side of the housing, and spaced apart from the up switch so as to face the up switch, a touchpad installed below the up switch and the down switch, and a gear shift stage display device installed on a surface of the housing, and displaying a position of a gear shift stage, in which when the up switch is pushed upward or the down switch is pushed downward in a state in which the finger is in contact with the touchpad, the gear shift stage may be changed in a direction of an upper gear shift stage or a lower gear shift stage of the gear shift stage display unit.