Adaptive Manual E-Shifter
Simulated Manual Gearbox Shifting
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N’s fake gear shifts are… actually quite fun.
The wilful cynic in me wanted to laugh at the 5 N and its cosplay gearbox. I wanted to say it was stupid and sad, and a waste of time. But in all honesty, I enjoyed it. I was impressed by it. It’s there if you want it. If you don’t, choose one of the silent-but-violet driving modes instead.
> When software-defined vehicles are coupled with manual controls that are adaptive and freely programmable, it creates real emotion and makes customers smile.
This is then truly “cool software-defined human action”. <
The Adaptive Manual E-Shifter uses a joystick mechanism.
The joystick combines two of our Magnetorheological-brakes (MR-brake – Read more…), one for each axis, to provide adaptive control in X and Y direction through fully programmable haptic feedback. (MRF – Read more…)
This allows the tactile resistances along the X and Y axis to befinely adjusted. The high torque and small size enable a overall compact design.
In this example, we simulate a manual gearbox. Any imaginable pattern is possible, from various H-pattern gearboxes to sequential gearboxes.
Key Features
Semi-Active
MR-Brakes and
Torsion springs
Torque
up to 12 Nm
Shifter-Height
20 cm
Force
60 N
Power
12 V System
up to 40 W
Torque, force and size can be reduced to meet customers requirements.
The examples below show, that this solution is scalable from large off-highway vehicle joysticks (left) to very small joysticks in gamepads (right).
size scalable
POC1: MR-brakes side mounted (current)
POC2: MR-brakes integrated
POC3: MR-brakes integrated, lower forces
Inventus has simulated „shifting“, i.e. increased force when engaging a gear (crisp shifting) and guiding the stick within the simulated shift tracks. The force curve (torque over angle) can be individually adjusted by software. This makes it possible to simulate
4-speed, 5-speed, 6-speed, sequential or any other manual transmission.
The shift gate and characteristics can be adjusted in real time according to parameters, e.g. reverse gear engagement can be blocked while the vehicle is moving forward and only released when the vehicle is stationary. The driver can be warned by a fine detent, that this movement of the gear shifter is not permitted when reverse is engaged.
Demo Modes
The stick is freely movable in X and Y direction, always returning to the center position due to the return springs.
Sequential Shifting
X movement is locked
One Device, Infinite Possibilites
Extendable Manual E-Shifter
Integration Concept 1: Combined Rotary and Manual E-Shifter
Manual E-Shift mode: When the rotary control is turned to the additional ‘M’ (manual) mode, it extends out of the console, creating a by-wire Manual
E-Shifter which can be used either as a sequential or H-pattern gear shifter.
A clutch pedal is not required for simulated shifting.
In this state, the rotary MR-brake inside the knob is locked against rotation.
As storage space in vehicles is very limited, we have come up with a
space-saving, combined solution for the gear shifter.
The current rotary gear selector switch can be used as usual as a rotary control to control the drive levels (R, N, D) using a MR-brake inside the knob.
The parking mode is engaged or disengaged by pushing the selector
down axially.
The H-pattern can be freely programmed and is controlled by software. The force that is required to move the gear lever can be customized too.
Integration Concept 2: Infotainment Control / Manual E-Shifter
The rotary/push control for the infotainment functions can be designed with a dual function.
Normal mode (left): rotary/push dial as usual, plus the option of swivelling in X and Y directions with a short travel distance,
similar to the BMW iDrive rotary control.
Manual E-Shifter mode (middle): The knob extends out of the console, creating a by-wire Manual E-Shifter which can be used
as sequential gear lever or H-pattern gear shifter.
Integration Concept 3: Drive Mode Selector / Steer-by-Wire Joystick
Extendable Joystick for Steer-by-Wire: Adaptive X-axis for steering (Y-axis is blocked). Return to center via spring.
Integration Concept 4: Joystick used for gaming
The extendable joystick can be used as a joystick for gaming, e.g. during charging stops (EV vehicles…)
or as a gear shifter when the entire vehicle is used as a gaming simulator (steer-, brake- and shift-by-wire).
