Vehicle Shifter Toggle Cam for Park-Neutral Lock Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle shifters require separate mechanisms for park lock and neutral lock, which complicate fail-safe modes and increase complexity, as they work in opposite directions and often necessitate additional solenoids for each function.
Innovation Solution
A shifter design incorporating a solenoid actuator and toggle cam mechanism that integrates park lock and neutral lock functions using a blocker with a neutral lock hook and toggle cam, allowing for a single blocker to manage both lock states, preventing accidental shifting and ensuring safe gear transitions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate mechanisms are used for park lock and neutral lock, then each lock function can be independently implemented, but the device complexity increases and fail-safe modes become complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines park lock and neutral lock functions into a single integrated mechanism. The blocker component serves dual purposes: it acts as a park lock blocker to prevent shifting from park position, and simultaneously functions as a neutral lock blocker to prevent shifting from neutral position. This merging eliminates the need for separate mechanisms while maintaining both lock functions, thereby reducing device complexity without compromising reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The blocker is designed as a multi-functional component that performs multiple lock functions. By incorporating both park lock and neutral lock capabilities into a single blocker assembly, the system achieves universality where one component handles multiple safety functions, simplifying the overall shifter mechanism while ensuring comprehensive protection against accidental shifting
2Device complexity
If a single blocker manages both park lock and neutral lock states, then device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation may be affected by the integrated lock transitions
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated blocker employs a dynamic toggle cam mechanism that automatically transitions between park lock and neutral lock states based on the shift lever position. The toggle cam rotates between two positions: one engaging the park lock notch and the other engaging the neutral lock notch. This dynamic behavior allows the single blocker to adaptively provide the appropriate lock function without requiring manual intervention, maintaining ease of operation while reducing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The toggle cam mechanism is designed to automatically switch between lock states without external control. As the shift lever moves between park and neutral positions, the toggle cam self-actuates to engage the appropriate notch on the blocker. This self-service capability ensures that the integrated lock system operates seamlessly, maintaining ease of gear shifting while providing comprehensive protection against accidental shifting
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This integrated solution simplifies the shifter design by eliminating the need for separate mechanisms, enhancing reliability and safety by allowing a single blocker to manage both park lock and neutral lock states, ensuring the vehicle remains in a safe gear position during electrical failures or when moving.
Implementation Method 1
a solenoid actuator movable between a first position and a second position
Implementation Method 2
a toggle cam coupled to the bracket for rotating between a first location proximate the first outer surface of the bracket and a second location proximate the second outer surface of the bracket
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle shifter including a shift lever; a bracket that moves in response to the shift lever, and includes a neutral lock notch, a first outer surface and a second outer surface on either side of the neutral lock notch; a solenoid actuator movable between a first position and a second position; a blocker coupled to the solenoid actuator that moves the blocker between a neutral lock release position and a neutral lock position, the blocker including a neutral lock hook that, when in the neutral lock position, moves along the first and second outer surfaces and that selectively falls into the neutral lock notch to selectively prevent shifting out of the neutral position; and a toggle cam coupled to the bracket including a catch for engaging the neutral lock hook so as to prevent the neutral lock hook from sliding into the neutral lock notch.