Automotive Transmission Shift Position Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automatic-manual transmissions face challenges in accurately detecting the shift gear-in establishing position due to warping of the magnet holding structure, leading to inaccurate output data from magnetic sensors and inefficient gear shifting.

Innovation Solution

A shift position detecting device with a control unit that adjusts the shifting load to minimize warping effects, using a first shifting load to ensure gear positioning and a second lower load to stabilize the sensor output, allowing for accurate detection and storage of shift position data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a magnetic sensor is used to detect shift position, then shift position detection is enabled, but warping of the magnet holding structure causes inaccurate sensor output

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshift position detection accuracyVSAvoidsensor output accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit applies a first shifting load to the shift actuator before applying a second shifting load, to preliminarily position the gear selection mechanism at the shift gear-in establishing position. This preliminary positioning ensures the mechanism is correctly seated before the magnetic sensor takes the final measurement, compensating for potential warping effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit continuously monitors the output data from the magnetic sensor and compares it against expected values. When the output data indicates the gear selection mechanism has reached the shift gear-in establishing position, the control unit confirms proper positioning. This feedback loop ensures accurate detection despite potential warping of the magnet holding structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Manufacturing precision

If a high shifting load is applied to ensure gear positioning, then gear positioning accuracy is improved, but warping of the magnet holding structure increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegear positioning accuracyVSAvoidmagnet holding structure warping
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The shifting load application is segmented into two distinct phases: a first shifting load applied initially to ensure proper gear positioning, followed by a second shifting load applied after positioning is confirmed. This segmentation allows the system to achieve positioning accuracy without subjecting the magnet holding structure to continuous high load that would cause warping.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit applies the first shifting load periodically to maintain proper gear positioning, then switches to the second shifting load. This periodic application of high load only when necessary minimizes cumulative warping effects on the magnet holding structure while maintaining positioning accuracy during critical operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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 approach ensures accurate detection of shift positions by minimizing the impact of warping on sensor output, improving gear shifting precision and reducing costs associated with incorrect assembly and mounting.

Implementation Method 1

a magnetic sensor that senses a magnetic flux produced by the permanent magnet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic flux sensing: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP2068046B1Automotive Transmission
Publication Date: 2012.08.29 NISSAN MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP2068046B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2068046B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2068046B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A shift position detecting device (17,21) comprises a shift position sensor (17) that continuously issues an output data that represents a shift position of the gear selection mechanism; and a control unit (21). The control unit (21) includes a first shifting load instruction section that controls the shift actuator to shift the gear selection mechanism to the shift gear-in establishing position with a first shifting load; a second shifting load instruction section that, after completion of shifting of the gear selection mechanism to the shift gear-in establishing position by the first shifting load instruction section, controls the shift actuator to reduce the shifting load from the first shifting load to a second shifting load which is lower than the first shifting load; and a shift gear-in establishing position memory section that stores an output data issued from the shift position sensor (17) when the shift actuator is controlled by the second shifting load instruction section, as an information data that represents completion of shifting of the gear selection mechanism to the shift gear-in establishing position.