Steering-Angle Gear Selection With Brake-Tap Confirmation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle gear selection systems require driver input to confirm direction changes, 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 the direction for driving wheels, allowing auto-shifting without explicit driver direction input, and requiring only a confirmation input, such as a brake tap, for approval.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the system requires explicit driver input for direction selection during gear changes, then the driver maintains full control over vehicle direction, but the driver experiences distraction and increased operational complexity during routine parking maneuvers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriver controlVSAvoiddriver distraction

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system monitors steering angle movements and automatically determines the desired travel direction based on the pattern of steering inputs, eliminating the need for separate direction selection. The brake tap serves only as confirmation, not as direction input, allowing the system to serve itself in determining direction while maintaining driver oversight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary analysis of steering angle patterns to pre-determine the intended direction before requiring driver confirmation. By the time the driver taps the brake, the system has already identified the proposed direction based on prior steering movements, reducing the cognitive load during the confirmation moment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the system uses a binary confirmation switch without direction indication, then the confirmation process is simplified, but the driver loses the ability to easily correct or modify the proposed direction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfirmation simplicityVSAvoiddirection correction capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system allows dynamic correction by monitoring continued steering angle movements after brake confirmation. If the driver steers in the opposite direction after confirmation, the system interprets this as a correction intent and adjusts the travel direction accordingly, making the confirmation process dynamic rather than static.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides continuous feedback by monitoring steering angle patterns both before and after brake confirmation. This feedback loop allows the driver to correct direction by simply steering opposite to the proposed direction, with the system detecting and responding to the corrective steering pattern.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If the system automates direction selection based on steering patterns, then driver distraction is reduced during confirmation, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriver distractionVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The brake pedal serves multiple functions: it acts as both the service brake and the direction confirmation switch. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a separate confirmation button or touchscreen interaction, reducing system complexity while maintaining automated direction selection based on steering patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system merges the steering angle monitoring function with the direction determination function. By combining these functions and using the existing steering angle sensor data already collected for other vehicle operations, the system avoids adding separate sensors or complex detection mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Measurement precision

If the system requires visual observation of a small touchscreen area for direction selection, then precise direction input is achieved, but driver attention is diverted from the road during parking maneuvers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedirection input precisionVSAvoiddriver attention

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces the touchscreen interface (optical/electronic system requiring visual attention) with a brake tap confirmation mechanism (mechanical input that can be performed with foot already near the brake pedal). This substitution eliminates the need for visual observation of a small screen area while maintaining precise direction control through steering pattern analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12240456B1Vehicle gear selection control

Publication Date: 2025.03.04 BULLETPROOF PROPERTY MANAGEMENT LLC

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.