Steering Column Gear Selector with Transverse Rotary Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gear selector switches in vehicles are non-intuitive due to inconsistent actuation and display directions, which can lead to incorrect operation, especially in stressful situations, and occupy significant space in the center console or center stack area.
Innovation Solution
A gear selector switch mounted on the steering column with a rotary element that rotates or tilts parallel to the vehicle's transverse axis, aligning the operation with the hand-arm system and displaying the required rotation for each gear, ensuring intuitive use and ergonomic visibility, while being coupled to the vehicle's drive to match the gear selection with the driving direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional gear selector switches are designed as levers in the center console or steering column, then gear selection can be achieved, but the actuation direction contradicts the driving direction causing incorrect operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional gear selector design by mounting it on the steering column rather than the center console, and by using a rotary element where the rotation direction matches the driving direction. This inversion resolves the contradiction by making the actuation direction consistent with the vehicle's driving direction, thereby improving both reliability and ease of operation simultaneously
2Ease of operation
If rotatable gear selector switches are used, then gear selection is possible, but the selector is not monostable requiring eye contact and conscious operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the rotary element monostable, allowing it to automatically return to its neutral position after gear selection. This dynamic characteristic enables quick maneuvering without requiring the operator to consciously return the selector, while still providing tactile feedback for reliable operation
3Ease of operation
If gear selector switches are mounted in the center console or center stack, then gear selection can be performed, but they occupy enormous space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the gear selector switch from the center console or center stack location and relocates it to the steering column. This extraction principle removes the space-consuming element from the problematic location while preserving its gear selection function, thereby reducing the space occupied in the center console area
4Area of stationary object
If the gear selector switch is mounted on the steering column with rotary element, then space is saved and ergonomics are improved, but the coupling to drive must match operating direction with driving direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by configuring the coupling between the rotary element and the drive system such that the rotation direction of the rotary element corresponds to the driving direction of the vehicle. This parameter alignment simplifies the overall system by making the operating direction match the driving direction, thereby reducing the effective complexity of the coupling configuration
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The subject matter of the invention is a motor vehicle having a steering column and having a gearspeed selector switch which is supported by the steering column and has the purpose of setting a drive position, wherein the gearspeed selector switch comprises a rotational element which is embodied and arranged in such a way that in order to set a drive position it can be rotated about a rotational axis which is essentially parallel to the transverse axis of the vehicle.