Sphere Shifter Rotation Control for Stable 180° Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The sphere type shifting apparatus in electronic shift systems faces issues with clearance and stability during rotation operations, leading to unnecessary noise and a compromised luxurious experience due to the sphere mechanism potentially separating from its rotation completion location, especially when stuck or obstructed.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a motor-driven sphere mechanism with a control system using a printed circuit board (PCB) to monitor and adjust its rotation, ensuring it reaches the correct position through 180-degree rotation, and implementing a fail-safe mechanism to prevent damage and maintain stability by reversing the motor if the sphere mechanism does not reach the completion location within a certain time or after a specified number of attempts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the sphere mechanism is rotated to change mode between shifting unit and design unit, then the versatility and functionality are improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to potential separation from rotation completion location
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the control unit continuously monitors the rotation position of the sphere mechanism through sensors or encoders. When the sphere mechanism fails to reach the rotation completion location within a predetermined time or number of attempts, the control unit detects this deviation and triggers the fail-safe function to reverse the motor, ensuring the mechanism returns to the correct position and preventing clearance or noise issues.
2Measurement precision
If the motor continuously drives the sphere mechanism to rotation completion, then the positioning precision is improved, but the energy consumption increases and may cause part damage when stuck
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by setting predetermined time limits and attempt counters before continuous driving occurs. The control unit monitors whether the sphere mechanism reaches the rotation completion location within a predetermined time period or number of rotation attempts. Only when these preliminary conditions are met does the system consider the positioning successful, preventing unnecessary continuous operation and energy waste. This preliminary checking mechanism also prevents part damage by limiting excessive motor operation when the mechanism is stuck.
3Reliability
If the fail-safe function reverses the motor when rotation fails, then the reliability is improved by preventing damage, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fail-safe function implements self-service by automatically detecting rotation failures and reversing the motor without requiring external intervention. When the sphere mechanism fails to reach the rotation completion location within predetermined limits, the control unit autonomously triggers the reverse operation, and the system self-corrects the positioning issue. This automated self-service approach enhances reliability while minimizing the need for additional complex control systems or manual intervention mechanisms.
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
Prevents clearance and noise issues by ensuring the sphere mechanism remains accurately positioned, enhancing the luxuriousness and reliability of the shifting apparatus by maintaining normal operation and preventing part damage through the fail-safe function.
Implementation Method 1
rotating a sphere mechanism to change a mode of the sphere mechanism by a power generated by driving of a motor
Implementation Method 2
determining whether the sphere mechanism has been located at a rotation completion location by monitoring rotation of the sphere mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
In a method for controlling an operation of a sphere type shifting apparatus, and according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent a sphere mechanism from being separated from a rotation completion location upon rotation operation of the sphere mechanism including a shifting unit provided on a hemispherical one side thereof and a design unit provided on a hemispherical other side thereof, preventing occurrence of clearance of the sphere mechanism, and to terminate an operation of a motor as necessary when the sphere mechanism cannot reach the rotation completion location due to sticking thereof or foreign substances stuck thereto upon rotation operation of the sphere mechanism, preventing damage to parts.