Steering-Based Gear Selection for Low-Distraction Parking Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle gear selection systems, whether traditional mechanical or modern touchscreen controls, require explicit direction input from the driver, which can be distracting and non-intuitive, especially during routine parking maneuvers.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control system that uses a pattern of steering angle movements to select a direction for driving the wheels without requiring explicit operator direction input, and allows for automatic gear shifts based on predefined algorithms and learned patterns from vehicle behavior data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If explicit direction input controls (lever, touchscreen swipe) are used for gear selection, then the driver can clearly indicate desired direction, but the driver experiences distraction and visual attention requirements during parking maneuvers
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the driver's own steering wheel movements to automatically determine gear selection intent, eliminating the need for separate direction indication controls. The steering pattern recognition system infers the desired direction from the natural steering inputs the driver makes during parking maneuvers.
Solution Approach 2:
The system proactively monitors steering wheel movements and pre-determines the appropriate gear selection before the driver needs to manually indicate direction. By analyzing steering patterns in real-time, the system prepares and executes gear changes based on predicted driver intent.
2Adaptability or versatility
If touchscreen swipe controls are used for gear direction selection, then direction can be indicated, but visual observation is required to reach the control area which increases distraction
Solution Approach 1:
The steering wheel itself becomes the control input device, utilizing its natural rotation capability to indicate gear direction. This eliminates the need for separate touchscreen controls that require visual attention, as the steering wheel is already within the driver's field of view and under constant manual control.
Solution Approach 2:
The steering wheel serves dual functions: traditional vehicle steering and gear direction indication. This multi-functionality consolidates controls and eliminates the need for dedicated touchscreen gear selection controls, reducing visual distraction while maintaining directional control capability.
3Ease of operation
If traditional shift stalk with multiple positions is used, then explicit direction control is provided, but the control mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the separate shift stalk control mechanism entirely, extracting the gear direction indication function from a dedicated control and integrating it into the existing steering wheel operation. This simplifies the overall control architecture by eliminating redundant controls.
Solution Approach 2:
The steering wheel control function is merged with gear direction indication capability. By combining these functions into a single control interface, the system reduces the number of separate controls while maintaining clear directional indication through steering pattern recognition.
4Adaptability or versatility
If screen swipe control is used for gear selection during parking, then direction can be indicated, but the control requires visual observation and may be non-intuitive in parking lot contexts
Solution Approach 1:
The system leverages the driver's natural steering behavior during parking maneuvers to automatically determine gear direction intent. This eliminates the need for non-intuitive touchscreen swipe gestures, as the driver's existing steering actions naturally indicate the desired direction without requiring additional control inputs.
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.