Steering-Based Gear Selection for Parking Direction Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle gear selection systems require manual direction input from the driver, which can be distracting and non-intuitive, especially during routine parking maneuvers where the system is limited to starting from a stopped condition.
Innovation Solution
A motor vehicle system that uses a controller connected to the steering control, motor, and wheels to selectably drive the wheels in forward or reverse direction based on patterns of steering angle movements, without requiring operator direction input, and allows driver confirmation through non-directional inputs like brake taps or button clicks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual direction input (screen swipe or lever) is required for gear selection, then the driver has direct control over direction selection, but driver distraction increases and safety decreases during parking maneuvers
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs gear selection automatically by detecting steering angle patterns and determining the appropriate direction based on vehicle context, eliminating the need for manual driver input during parking maneuvers while maintaining safety through pattern-based decision making
Solution Approach 2:
The system proactively detects steering patterns and proposes gear direction changes before the driver would need to manually operate the control, allowing the driver to simply confirm or reject the suggestion without performing complex manual operations
2Reliability
If automated direction selection is implemented, then driver distraction is reduced and safety improves, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller leverages existing multi-functional capabilities (steering angle sensing, obstacle detection, vehicle state monitoring) to perform gear selection, avoiding the need for dedicated hardware while reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical lever or touchscreen swipe operations with electronic pattern recognition and automated control logic, simplifying the physical interface while adding intelligent decision-making capabilities
3Adaptability or versatility
If screen swipe control is used for direction selection, then modern touchscreen interface is utilized, but visual observation is required and reaction time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically determines gear direction based on detected steering patterns and vehicle context, eliminating the time required for visual observation and manual touchscreen interaction during critical parking maneuvers
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.