Steering-Angle Gear Selection for Automatic Drive-Reverse Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle gear selection systems require manual direction input, which can be distracting and non-intuitive, especially during routine parking maneuvers where the driver needs to shift from reverse to drive.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control system that uses a pattern of steering angle movements to select the direction for driving wheels, allowing auto-shifting without operator direction input, and requiring only driver confirmation through non-directional inputs like brake taps or button clicks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual direction input is required for gear selection, then driver control and safety are improved, but driver distraction and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs gear direction selection automatically by analyzing steering angle patterns without requiring explicit driver input. The controller monitors steering wheel movements and autonomously determines whether the driver intends to shift to reverse or drive, eliminating the need for manual direction indication while maintaining driver control through implicit intent recognition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical or manual electronic gear selection interfaces (shift stalks, touchscreen swipes, button presses) with an automated sensor-based system. The steering angle sensor and controller substitute for manual direction input devices, converting physical steering movements into automated gear selection commands.
2Ease of operation
If automated direction selection is implemented, then driver distraction is reduced, but system complexity and measurement requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The steering wheel serves multiple functions: it is both the primary steering control and the input device for gear direction selection. By making the steering wheel multi-functional, the system avoids adding separate dedicated controls for gear selection, thereby reducing overall system complexity while enabling automated direction detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary that translates steering angle sensor data into gear selection commands. This intermediary component simplifies the system architecture by centralizing the interpretation logic in a single controller rather than requiring complex coordination between multiple sensors and control modules.
3Adaptability or versatility
If screen swipe interface is used for gear selection, then modern vehicle integration is improved, but visual distraction and operational intuitiveness worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the gear direction selection function from the touchscreen display and relocates it to the steering wheel control system. By removing the need for visual interaction with the screen for basic gear selection, the system eliminates visual distraction while preserving modern vehicle integration through electronic control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the visual touchscreen interface with a tactile steering wheel-based control system. Instead of requiring drivers to look at and swipe across a screen, the control is embedded in the familiar tactile steering wheel, substituting visual interaction with tactile and proprioceptive feedback.
Data Source
AI summary
A motor vehicle for operation by a driver has a frame with wheels and a motor connected to the frame. A steering control is connected to the wheels to establish a steering angle. A controller is operably connected to the steering control, to the motor, and to the wheels, and is operable to selectably drive the wheels in a forward direction in a drive mode and in a rearward direction in a reverse mode. The controller is operable to select a direction for driving the wheels in response to a pattern of steering angle movements, without operator indication of a direction.